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Barbados

<M'-

THE
HISTORY

- OF

BARBADOS, FROM THE
FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAND,
IN THE YEAR 1 605,

TILL

THE ACCESSION OF LORD SEAFORTH, 1801.

BY JOHN POYER.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. MAWMAN,
22, POULTRY.

1808.
{J. G. Barnard, Printer, Snow-Hill. 1

PREFACE.

J. HERE is no desire more natural to the
mind of civilized man, than that of retracing the
transactions of former ages. Curiosity stamps a
value on the most trifling records of antiquity,
and we attend with pleasure to the recital of oc
currences, in which we are no longer interested.
Like every other affection of the human soul, this
propensity gathers strength, and becomes more
ardent, as its energies are more concentrated, and
its object is more limited. Hence we pursue, with
encreased eagerness, the inquiry which leads toth©
knowledge of those events that have occurred in
the country which we claim as our own. To gratify
a 2

Iv PREFACE.
this laudable and rational curiosity, is the object of
the present undertaking, in which 1 have endea
voured to give, with historic fidelity, a 3N arrative of
the most remarkable Events and Legislative Transac
tions of my native Country.
It will readily be perceived, that the annals of a
small colony can furnish but few particulars worthy
the attention of the general historian, or the pro
found politician, whose enlarged views are occupied
with the fate of nations, or tbe complicated interests
of empires. But, " no period in the history of
one's own- country," says a celebrated author, " can
be considered as altogether uninteresting. Such
transactions as tend to illustrate the progress of its
constitution, laws, and manners, merit the utmost
attention. Even remote and minute events are
objects of a curiosity, which, being natural to the
human mind, the gratification of it is attended
with pleasure." {'Encouraged by this opinion of
Robertson, the first historian of the age, I have.
presumed to submit the following Work to the

PREFACE. v
candour of the public, in. the hope that it will not be
deemed wholly unimportant, or unworthy of their
approbation. To others, I willingly resign the brilliant meed
which crowns the efforts of comprehensive genius,
employed in recording the splendid achievements
of warriors, the actions of heroes, or the beneficent
institutions of statesmen. My ambition soars not
beyond the humble task of presenting my country
men with a more complete and impartial History
of Barbadoes than has hitherto appeared. In the
progress of the work, due notice has been taken of
the civil, military, and ecclesiastical establishments
of the colony, its laws, and constitution. Their
errors and imperfections are illustrated, and the
abuses which have crept into the public admini
stration are noted with decent freedom, in which
candour has not been forgotten.
In the performance of this delicate and essential
part of my plan, I am apprehensive that I shall be

vi PREFACE.
thought obnoxious to censure, for having deviated
from the strict rules of historical composition. The
reflections scattered through the book, and the dis
cussions of political subjects, into which I have
occasionally descended, frequently interrupt the
narrative, and divert the attention from its proper
object. I was not aware of this inconvenience -till
it was too late to make any alteration in the ar
rangement. Yet there are many intelligent readers,
by whom, I am persuaded, these will be considered
the best parts of the work. Fatigued with a tedi
ous narrative of events, which it is feared will not
be generally interesting, the mind will repose and
unbend itself in these caravanseras of rest and refresh
ment. Like episodes in an epic poem, they will
relieve the attention, and amuse the . imagination
with their variety. And, even with respect to
their utility, if the sentiments of the author should be
found worthy of attention, it is presumed that their
effect must be increased, by preserving the natural
union between the reflection and the fact, by which
it was suggested* These digressions are vindicated

PREFACE. vii
by an author of the first class in this department of
literature; and I may venture to affirm, with
Gibbon, that they will be censured only by those
readers who are insensible to the importance of laws
and manners, while they peruse, with eager cu-*
riosity, the transient intrigues of a court, or the
accidental event of a battle.
The freedom of my remarks may probably give
offence to many respectable persons in high official
situations ; and I may even be accused of betray
ing the interests of my country, by the representa
tion which I have drawn of its internal government.
But I utterly disclaim the smallest personal allusion
whatever. Measures, and not men, where, they
can be separated, are the objects of reprobation ;
and in commenting on the errors of our establish
ment, it is not my intention to wound the feelings
of any honest man, to whom the abuses of office
have been transmitted through successive genera
tions. Nor is it treachery, but patriotism, which
calls the attention of persons in authority to the

viii PREFACE.
causes of those abuses which exist in the subordi
nate departments of the state. The purity of the
motive will, I hope, . entitle me to the indulgence
of the public, and extenuate any imperfection which
may be perceptible in the execution of this part of
my design.
Had I foreseen the difficulties which I have had
to encounter, I must confess, that I should never
have engaged in this undertaking. Sensible how
little I had to expect from the ordinary sources of
information, I flattered myself that, as soon as my
design was known, the lovers of literature would
have facilitated, by every communication in their
power, a Work, the want of which was universally
acknowledged. But I have met with discourage
ment and disappointment, where I expected to have
found support and assistance.
Notwithstanding several historical accounts of
Barbadoes have been published, its genuine his
tory remains involved in great obscurity. Of these

PREFACE. ix
publications, thatof Ligon is little more than a journal
of his voyage to and from the island, including a i
account of what happened during the few years ha
resided in the country. Mr. Hughs's Natural His
tory is entirely barren of events; and the Memoirs
of Barbadoes, published in the year 1742, though
they contain some valuable information, are too con
cise to reward the search of the curious inquirer.
The best and most copious account of this country
extant, is said to' have been published by Oldmixon,
in his History of the British Empire in America.
This publication I have never seen. Anxious to
consult every author who had written on the sub
ject, I offered, by public advertisement, any price
for the book, but those who had it were not liberal
enough to indulge me with the use of it.
This disappointment has been, in a great mea
sure, compensated by the Account of Barbadoes
contained in the forty-first volume of the Universal
History, which seems to have been compiled from
Oldmixon's book. Here I found a sufficient stock
b

% PREFACE.
of materials to begin with. The outlines of my
work were strongly marked, but many of the prin
cipal features of the figure were wanting. Many
interesting periods- are passed over with negligence
and rapidity; and the inaccuracy with which many
important facts are related, lessens the utility of
that publication. It was in vain to seek information
from the Short History of Barbadoes. Of that
meagre volume there is little that the author can call
his own. The greater part of it is a palpable pla
giarism, and the adoption is rendered less valuable
by the mutilated and imperfect state in which it was
sent into the world.
I have thus been compelled to accept the Univer
sal History for my principal guide, from the first
settlement of the island to the administration of Mr.
Pinfold. -Its deficiencies have been supplied, and
its errors corrected, by the memoirs already men
tioned; and by the acquisition of many well-au
thenticated facts, extracted from a valuable collec
tion of Essays, published under the title of the Ca-

PREFACE. xi
ribbeanna. I have derived much collateral informa
tion from an excellent manuscript account of the
First Settlement of JBcirb@doesf written by HaU,
the editor of the Laws ; which was kindly eommu>-
nicated to me by the Honourable Benjamin Hinds,
chief justice of a court of common pleas, and trea
surer of the island; a gentleman, whose stern. poli
tical rectitude and integrity are softened by .a hap
py union with the most amiable sdomestic virtues.
Many of the most important transactions of Sir Be-
vill Granville's and Mr. Crowe's administrations, are
detailed from an old journal of the proceedings of
the assembly, lent me, with his usual urbanity, }by
-my esteemed and ingenious friend Mr. Abraham
Hartle. Eor many interesting particulars, I am
indebted to two (Valuable manuscripts, which
were -politely put into f my hands by William Evers-
ley, Esq. an eminent attorney, whose integrity
-and professional knowledge have procured him
the confidence and esteem, not only of his .cli
ents, but of all who enjoy the pleasure ,of his ac
quaintance. b 2

xii PREFACE.
Having, at length, taken leave of all my histo
rical guides, I was left to pursue the trackless waste
with nothing to direct my footsteps, but a few fee
ble lights accidentally scattered in my way. The
compass by which I might have steered my course,
with ease and certainty, was placed beyond my
reach. The journals of the colonial parliament,
had I been allowed access to them, would have
supplied every deficiency, and smoothed the way
before me ; but this was an advantage which I was
not permitted to enjoy. Precluded from this source
of information, I had no alternative left but to col
lect the fugitive productions of the press, which
contained the minutes of the general assembly pub
lished by authority. Nor was this accomplished
without difficulty. And I should have been obliged
to relinquish my design, but for the liberal and
friendly interposition of the Honourable and Reve
rend Mr. Brome and Judge Hinds, whose endea
vours have been unremittingly employed to pro
cure for me the materials necessary for the comple
tion of my work. To these gentlemen I am proud

preface: xiii
to acknowledge my obligations. The friendship
of such men is a distinction of which I am justly
vain, and amply compensates me for the envious
malignity which has endeavoured to obstruct my,
pursuits.. And now,, having surmounted the difficulties and
impediments that have lain in my way, I submit
to the candour of an enlightened community,- with
all those tender hopes and fears which are natural'
to the niind of a man, anxious for the success of a,
production,, on which he has bestowed much time
and pains. Conscious of my own- deficiencies, I
can scarcely expect a favourable reception from the
world. Denied the advantages of an academical
education, I cannot pretend to those ornaments of
style which are necessary to embellish and recom
mend a work, which, from the nature of the sub
ject, it is apprehended,. will prove dry andunenter-
taining. I have endeavoured, however,, to supply
the want of learning and talents by diligence and
application; and I trust that, as my faults have

w preface.
not been aggravated by presumption, they will not
be punished with the severity of literary criticism..
From the lively interest taken by people of every
description, in whatever relates to the condition of
the enslaved African, it may, perhaps, appear strange
that I should have taken no notice of the general
state of West Indian slavery. But the subject has
been so fully and ably treated, by Mr. Bryan Ed
wards, the elegant and ingenious historian of the
West Indies, as to preclude the necessity of any
ulterior discussion. And, as his valuable work is
in general circulation, it would be superfluous to
repeat what he has advanced with so much greater
ability. It has, doubtless,, been expected, that I
should take notice of the torrent of illiberal invective
with which our mistaken, misinformed, transatlantic
fellow-subjects continue to overwhelm a, peaceful^
unoffending community, with whose internal situ
ation they are very imperfectly acquainted ; and
that I should vindicate the character of my injured
country, from the gross calumnies which are daily

PREFACE. xv
propagated, concerning the treatment of slaves.
But I have forborne to remark upon this unwar
rantable abuse, with that honest in(%nation which
9- due sense of accumulated injuries and insults,
might naturally inspire and excuse, and shall leave
the dart to recoil on those by whom it has been so
unjustly and unfeelingly thrown. I may, however,
be permitted to refer, to the candid representations
of a few intelligent travellers, for a refutation of the
charges of inhumanity, too indiscriminately im
puted to the West Indians to be just.
I shall begin with the testimony of the Reverend
Mr. Williams, vicar of Exning, in Suffolk. This
respectable minister of the gospel, was chaplain of
Sir John Jervis's flag-rship, when that celebrated,
commander and Sir Charles Grey were employed
in extending the glory of the British arms in the
western hemisphere. While the fleet lay at Bar-
badoes, he had an opportunity of observing the
condition of slaves, and the result of his observations
is related with a candour becoming his holy voca^

xvi PREFACE.
tion : " During our residence at this island, curi
osity led me to be present at a sale of slaves, just
imported from ' Africa. As this horrid traffic in
human flesh has been the topic of public investi
gation for some time past, and much learning and
ingenuity have been displayed on both sides of the
question, I shall not give any opinion on it, but
merely state facts that came within my own know
ledge. The sale is proclaimed by beat of drum,
and is held, at Barbadoes at least, not in the open
air, as I had been taught to believe, but in a com
modious house, appointed for that purpose. As
soon as the planter has fixed on a slave, he retires
with the salesman to another room, there concludes
the bargain, and departs with his purchase to his
plantation, where the new comer, being clothed in
a coarse jacket, and provided with a hat, knife,
and other trifles, is placed with one of the old ne
groes, by whom he is instructed in his business.
In regard to the severity exercised by the slave
owners on their slaves, whatever may have been
the case, I am well assured that now there are sel-

PREFACE. xvii
dom instances of those cruelties which have been
so feelingly described, at least in the islands we vi
sited on this expedition. At Barbadoes, they ap
peared to be in as comfortable situation as the lower
ranks of society generally are ; and as the climate
is peculiarly favourable to poverty, clothes and .fir
ing, the great articles of expense to the poor in
other countries, being hardly here required, I may
venture to affirm, that the slaves in the West In
dies are in a better situation, as to the necessaries
of life, than the labouring poor in England, or any-
other country in Europe*."
On the comparative felicity of the West Indian
slaves, we have the candid declaration of another
clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Munn, who was sent to
Jamaica as a missionary. He acknowledged that
be had received, in England, very unfavourable'
impressions respecting the treatment of slaves;
but, from what he had himself witnessed, he saw

* Williamson's Campaign in the West Indies, p. 12.

xviii PREFACE.
more of the comforts of life among them, more
apparent contentment, more happiness, than he
had ever seen among the labouring order of people
in any part of Europe*.
To these venerable authorities let me add that
of Doctor Pinckard. This gentleman was em
ployed in a professional capacity t& attend the
troops under the command of Sir Ralph Abercrom-
bie, on the expedition to the West Indies, and
brought with him all those inveterate prejudices,.
generated by ignorance and falsehood, and nur
tured by humanity, which prevail against the
calumniated slave owner. Soon after his arrival*
at Barbadoes, he had an opportunity of visiting a
slave ship, " to witness," as he explains his design,
" die manner of treating these poor beings of sable
skin, who are torn from their native home by the
iron hand of commerce, to be transported to a
home of slavery." After a minute detail of the

* Dallas^ History of die Maroons, vol. 8, p. 451,
5

PREFACE. xk
particulars of this novel sight, the doctor assures
his correspondent — " I am most happy to con
clude my report, by informing you, that we ob
served no marks of those horrors and cruelties said
to be practiced on board the ships occupied in
this sad traffic of human flesh, "and which are re
presented as frightfully augmenting the manifold
ills of slavery*." And in a subsequent letter, the
doctor adds, « the difference, in point of health,
is peculiarly striking, between the troops conveyed
in transports from England, and the slaves brought in
the Guinea ships from Africa. The slaves are far
more crowded than the soldiers, yet far more
healthy. I might venture it as an opinion, that a
Guinea ship would cany with less danger of dis
ease being generated among them, a cargo of slaves
more than thrice as numerous as a transport would
cany of soldiersf." No better evidence can be had
than this of a gentleman of professional eminence,

* Pinckard's Notes on the West Indies, vol. 1, p. 23S
t Ibid, vol. 2, p. 9.
c 2

xx PREFACE.
who had a fair opportunity of examining both the
transport and slave ships, and whose spontaneous
declaration in favour of the latter mode of con
veyance proves, that so far from augmenting, as
had been represented, the manifold ills of slavery,
it was, in fact, an amelioration of human misery.
In the course of this traveller's peregrinations in
this country, he met with, what he is pleased to
term, a happy negro yard. " We contemplated
this spot with much satisfaction, and were gratified
in observing the high degree of attention which was
here given to the comfort and accommodation of
the negroes; who had little cause to lament their
removal from the wild woods of Africa to an opposite
shore, and could as little desire to exchange their
present lot for the high-rated freedom of European
paupers. No thought have they to provide for their
infants or. their aged parents, nor have they to seek
either food, habitation, or apparel. To each fa
mily is allotted a separate home; the necessary
food and clothing are issued to them ; and they
6

PREFACE. Xxi
know none of the anxious cares or difficulties of the
world. -No fearful concern, nor harassing incum
brance, can arise to them, on account of their off
spring, who, like themselves, are furnished with
all that is needful ; and those who have most chil
dren, find themselves most valued and esteemed.
In sickness, medical attendance is provided for
them, and whatever is necessary is administered
without thought or anxiety on their own part. Six
days labour is demanded from them in the week,
but the seventh is given them as a day of rest and
relaxation; and from the total absence of care, it is
usually spent in unbounded mirth and festivity *."
Is there any particular hardship in this species of
servitude? To labour, is the common lot of man
kind. To eat bread earned by the sweat of his
brow, was the sentence pronounced by an incensed
God against fallen, disobedient man. And. is the
sable African less guilty than all the other descend
ants of Adam, that he alone should be exempted
from the operation of Divine law ?
* Pinckard's Notes on the West Indies, vol. 1-, p. 288.

xxii PREFACE.
Again, speaking of the slaves on Mr. Dougan's
plantations, in Demarara, Doctor Pinckard is
forced to acknowledge, " that the labouring poor
of Europe can attain no state at all adequate to
such slavery; for had they equal comfort, still
could they never be equally free from care." And
at a fete given by Governor Battenburg, of Ber-
bice, to his slaves, the doctor says, " While look
ing upon them at this joyous moment, I bent a
thought to Europe, and wished that the tattered,
indigent sons of liberty could feel as happy. Re
flecting, that the peasants of Europe, who toil in
freedom for. their daily bread, have not within their
reach such complete and cheerful relaxation as was
procured for these contented slaves, I became fixed
in contemplation of the scene before me, until the
comforts and advantages had nearly concealed from
my mind the bitter ills of slavery*." No condi
tion of human life is exempt from many bitter ills;
and it were, perhaps, a task as impious as it would

* Pinckard's Notes, vol. 2, p. 352.

PREFACE. xxiii
be vain, to attempt to free from the common lot of
humanity those, who, in a state of slavery, are ful
filling the mysterious dispensations of Providence.
It may possibly be said, that these are a few par
ticular instances of negro felicity, whence no infer
ence can be justly drawn in favour of the system.
But I assert, and I do it without the fear of con
tradiction, that the picture which Dr. Pinckard has
drawn of the condition of slaves, is a correct repre
sentation of the general state of slavery in Barba
does. Indeed the point is established by his own
confession, " that the slaves of many persons whom
he visited in this country might be envied by the
poor of nations where freedom is better known*."
And, though he has selected Mr. Waith from the
group, and held him up to public admiration, I
am happy to say, that, among the planters of Bar
badoes, there are thousands whose hearts throb Avith
the finest sensibilities of humanity; and who pos-^

* Pinckard's Notes, vol. 2, p> 109.

xxiv PREFACE.
sess as much of the milk of human kindness as any
men upon the face of the earth.
I shall conclude with the flattering attestation of
an illustrious Prince of the Blood, his Royal High
ness the Duke of Clarence; who, in his place, as a-
peer of the realm, asserted, that he knew, from per^
sonal observation on the spot, that the situation of
slaves in the West Indies, was more desirable than
that of the lower classes of Avhites in Great Britain.
To declarations so explicit, to testimony so unques
tionable, it would be impertinent, in one labouring
under the opprobrium of a West Indian character,
to add one single syllable. If the people of Eng
land believe not these, Avhat chance is there, that
my feeble voice will command attention amidst the
clamour which has been raised by prejudice and
perverted philanthropy ? The obdurate ear of partial
incredulity cannot be penetrated by the distant,
unharmonious accents of truth.

Speight's Town,
March 16

Town, 1
, 1807. S

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I. Page
J. HE Island discovered. Granted to the Earl of Marlborough. A settlement
made by Sir W. Courteen. Granted to Lord Carlisle. A second settlement
made by a company of Merchants. Disputes between the settlers. Sir W.
Tufton appointed Governor. Superseded by Hawley. Tufton executed for
mutiny. Prudent administration of Ms. Bell. Sugar cane introduced. Afri-
can slaves. Story of Inkle and Yarico. A conspiracy among the negroes-., I
CHAP. II.
Lord Willoughby succeeds to the Government. Restraints on trade. Sir George
Ayscue attacks the Island. Gallant defence made by the Goverhor. Resto
ration. -Colonel Modiford appointed Governor. Succeeded by President
Walrond. Digression concerning Courts of Law  48
CHAP. III.
Discontents of the Barbadians. Origin of the four and a half duty. Lord Wil
loughby resumes the Government. The Assembly grant a perpetual re
venue to the Crown. Mr. Farmer's spirited conduct. Hostile designs of the
Dutch. Lord Willoughby perishes at sea. Succeeded by his brother. Pre
sidency of Mr. Codrington. Sir Jonathan Atkins governor. Dreadful hurri- U
cane. Remarks on forestalling. The Barbadians grievously oppressed  76
d

xxvi CONTENTS.

CHAP. IV. P»3a
Sir R. Dutton's tyrannical administration. Appoints Sir John Witham his De
puty Governor. New duty on sugar. Disputes between Dutton and Witham.
The Governor recalled. Succeeded by Edwin Stede. A conspiracy among
the slaves. A review of the slave laws  ***

CHAP. V.
Sir Timothy Thornhill's gallant exploits. Colonel Kendal appointed Governor.
The country suffers from an epidemic disease. A new plot among the negroes.
Unsuccessful attack on Martinico. Colonel Russel succeeds to the Govern
ment. His death  .  ..  -  - — ¦  I4*
CHAP. VL
Presidency of Mr. Bond. Arrival of Governor Grey. He resigns the govern
ment. Mr. Farmer, President. A Conspiracy of the slaves. Sir Bevill
Granville appointed Governor. The country torn by factions. Attempt on
the Governor's life. Mr. Lillington prosecuted. Memorial against the Go
vernor. Several Members of the Assembly expelled. A Bank established.
Departure of the Governor  .  ...........  ..........  .  16*7
CHAP. VII.
President Sharpe's administration. Succeeded by Mitford Crowe. Disquisition
concerning the criminal judicature. Death of Mr. Codrington. Mr. Lilling
ton administers the government. R. Lowther appointed Governor. His ty
rannical conduct. Mr. Sharpe succeeds to the Presidency. Lowther restored.
His arbitrary and oppressive measures. Persecutes Mr.,Gordoi>. The case of
Bernard Cooke. The Governor recalled. Mr. Frere assumes the executive
authority. Is superseded by Mr. Cox. Remarks on the fortifications, and
the state of the colonial representation... ................ ..._.„„„_. 20O

CONTENTS. xxvii
CHAP. VIII. Page
Governor Worsley's administration. Mr. Cox disgraced. Violent dissensions
in the country. The people refuse to pay their taxes. Mr. Worsley returns
to England. The government devolves on Mr. Barwick. Disorderly conduct
of the Assembly. Case of Mr. Bennett. The President dies, and is suc
ceeded by Mr. Dotin....  ,  ....  .............  244
CHAP. IX.
Lord Howe's popular administration. Payment of Mr. Worsley's salary en
forced. Establishment of a press. Murder committed by Mac Mahort.
Death of Lord Howe. Presidency of Mr. Dotin. Mac Mahon's trial. Ar
rival of Governor Byng. Disputes between the ¦ Governor and the Assembly.
Death of Mr. Byng. Legislative proceedings  .  _.  ..  ...... 271
CHAP. X.
Administration of Sir Thomas Robinson. Disputes between the Governor and
the Assembly. Commodore Knowles. An inquiry into the state of Charles'
Fort. Sir Thomas is superseded by Mr. Grenville. The Government devolves
on Mr. Weekes. He is succeeded by Doctor Pinfold. Loyal and spirited
conduct of the Barbadians. Mr. Adams expelled the Assembly. The Go
vernor's resignation  ¦  3°2
CHAP. XL
The Honourable Samuel Rons, President. The Assembly's ^first claim to Privi
leges. Doctor \V. Spry appointed Governor. The Speaker of the Assembly
vacates his seat. The Freeholders refuse to elect another Representative.
Death of Mr. Spry. Mr. Rous's re-ascension to the Chair..  -  338

d 2

xxviii CONTENTS.5

CHAP. XII. Page
Mr. Hay assumes the Government. Distressed condition of the inhabitants.
Representation to the Throne. Opposed by the Governor. Suspends the So
licitor-General and the Judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty. His improper
interposition in favour of Captain Dotin. War with France. Danger of the
Country. Apathy of the Assembly. The Governor's Death  ....  .. 363
CHAP. XIII.
The government devolves on the Hon. John Dotin. Succeeded by Major-Gena.
ral James Cunninghame. The governor disappointed in his salary. Quar
rels with the Assembly. The Council sanctions his illegal claim of fees. The
island almost desolated by a dreadful hurricane...................... 405

CHAP. XIV.
Address from the Legislature to the Throne. Extraordinary proposal to suspend
the proceedings of justice. Petition to the King for the Governor's removal.
His Excellency perseveres in his illegal and arbitrary measures   457,
CHAP. XV.
Munificent grant of Parliament for the relief of the sufferers by the storm.
Distribution delayed. Message from the Governor. The Assembly refuse to
raise the supplies. Alarming prospect of affairs. Obstinacy of the Assembly.
Patriotism of the people. Dissolution of the Assembly. New election. Con
tinual altercations between the Governor and the Assembly. Plans for the
distribution of the Parliamentary bounty. The Assembly prorogued. Final
arrangements for the distribution....   ...  ....... . 490

CONTENTS. xxix
CHAP. XVI. Pace
The Governor recalled. Mr. Dotin assumes the Government. Extraordinary
conduct of the Council. Mr. Estwick's conduct censured. Mr. David Parry
succeeds to the Government. Legislative proceedings. An atrocious murder
committed   ..........  526
CHAP. XVII.
Altercation between the two Houses concerning the Excise-biU. Appointment
of a new Agent. Augmentation of the Governor's salary. Singular pheno
menon. A Lottery. Arrival of Prince William Henry. Commercial regu
lations. Legislative proceedings. Military outrage. The Governor returns
to England. Presidency of Mr. Frere. The Governor's return. He regulates
the currency of the Gold Coin. His- Excellency resigns the Government to
Mr. Bishop. Suspension of Judge Weekes. Military operations. The Pre
sident's extraordinary zeal for the service....  .......  ..... 558
CHAP. XVIIL
Georo-e Pointz Ricketts, Esq appointed Governor. Auspicious commencement
of his Administration. Judge Weekes convicted of extortion. Militia esta
blished. A reform of the Courts of Law attempted. The Storekeeper's de
mand revived. Alarming state of affairs in the West Indies. Murder com
mitted by Joe Denny. Extraordinary interposition in his favour. Violent
commotion in Bridge-town. Denny transported. Mr. Gibbes suspended.
Government adopts the dangerous scheme of employing black troops. Sir
John Gay Alleyne retires from public life. Mr. Ricketts resigns the Govern
ment. Is succeeded by President Bishop. A compendium of the constitution. 608

A LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS,

The Rev. Thomas Allinson.
The Rev. William Alls.
The Hon. John Forster Alleyne.
James Anstie, Esq.
Samuel Applewhaite, Esq.
Mr. Richard Archer.
Mr. Charles Barrington Agard.
Mr. John Agard, Jun.
Mr. John Archer.
Mr. Israel Armstrong.
Mr. Richard Austin.
Doctor Abel Alleyne.
Haynes Gibbes Alleyne, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Gent Armstrong.
Mr Benjamin Armstrong.
Mr. Howard Armstrong.
Mr. Joseph Taitte Agard.
Mr. Edwin Agard.
Mr. Abel Archer.
Robert C. Ashby, Esq.
Mr. William Adamson, Jim.
John Alleyne^ Esq.

John P. F. Armstrong, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Agard.
Mr. William Amey. B.
The Hon. and Rev. John Brome, 3 copies
The Hon. John BeckleS, Attorney-Gene
ral and Speaker of the Assembly.
The Hon. John Alleyne Beckles.
John William Bovell, M. D.
William Bovell, Esq Demerara.
Stephen Blackett, Esq. 2 copies.
Mr. James Bovell.
Mr. Howard Bovell.
Mr. William Ball.
George Barclay, Esq. 2 copies.
William Barton, Esq. Liverpool.
Mr. Jacob Belgrave.
Joseph Bute, Esq. Demerara.
The Hon. Miles Brathwaite.
General Henry Bowyer, 2 copies.
Colonel Pinson Bonham.
The Hon. John Barrow.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. Charles Brough.
Mr. John B. Brown.
Mr. James Butcher.
Mr. Thomas Burton.
Mr. Finch Bovcjll.
Jehu Caudle Bend, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Beard.
Samuel Berrisford, Esq. Berbice.
Francis Shorey Bayley, Esq.
Charles Kyd Bishop, Esq.
Joseph Bayne, Esq.
Mr. William Bosie Baker.
Andrew Boyce, Esq.
Jonathan Boyce, Esq,
John Bratbwaite, Esq.
Mr. Matthew Boyce.
Mr. Israel Bowen
Mr. Samuel Boyce.
Mr. Thompson Boyce.
John Bowen, Esq.
John Bowen, Jun. Esq.
Mr. John Birmingham.
Mr. Harbourne Barnwell, Demerara
Mr. Francis A. Barrow-
Mr. J. L. Bynoe.
Mr. Thomas Briggs.
Mr. James Buhot.
Mr. James Thomas Bascom.
Mr. Henry Crofts Bal'ey.
C.
John Cobham, Esq.
The Hon. Thomas Chase.
Mr. Thomas Chase, Breedies.

Mr. R. S. Carter.
William Alleyne Culpe.per, Esq^
Mi. Johu Crichlow.
Ward Cadogan, Esq. 2 copies.
John Carew, Esq.
Hamlet Alexander Chase, Esq.
Jacob Perry Clarke, Esq.
Mr. Samuel Clarke;
Mr. James Clinkett.
Mr. Richard Cock, Jun.
John Charles Coleman, Esq. 2 copies.
Mr. Bernard Conolly.
Mr. Othniel Crane.
Mr. Henry Thomas Crane.
Henry S. Cummius, Esq. 2 copies.
Doctor John Cutting.
James Cummins, Esq.
Mr. George Cragg.
Mr. Christopher F. Carmichael.
Matthew Coulthurst, Esq. Advocate-
General, 2 copies.
The Rev. Henry Caddell.
Philip Caddell, Esq.
Philip Crick, Esq.
James Cook, Esq.
Mr. Abel Clinckett
Mr. John Chaddertom
William Cadogan, Esq.
Charles G. Colleton, Esq.-
James Cavan, Esq.
Charles Cadogan, Esq.
Mr. Renn P. Collymore.
Mr. John Carter.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Nicholas Rice Callender, Esq.
Forster Clark, Esq.
Benjamin Collynns, M. D.
Lawrence T. Cumberbatch, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Connell, Pie Corner.
Mr. John Crone*.
Mr. Christopher Chandler.
Thomas Challenor, Esq.
Richard Clement, Esq.
Mr. Michael Corbin.
Mr. George Clinton.
John Cummins, Esq.
Mr. Joseph Crick.
Mr. John Crick.
Mr. W. Ashby Capleman.
M/s. Anna Maria Clinton. D.
Allen Dalzell, Esq. 5 copies.
Francis Dixon, Esq.
Thomas Dummeft, Esq.
Thomas Dayrell, Esq.
James Douglas, Esq.
Mr. S. H. David.
Thomas Whitaker Drake, Esq.
John Perrott Devonish, Esq.
Mr. William Dowrich, Jun.
Mr. William Drake.
Thomas Daniel, Esq. 2 copies.
John Daniel, Esq. E.
Grant Ellcock, M. D.
John Gittens Eastmond, Esq.

John William Edward Elder, Esq.
Mr- Samuel Evans.
Mr. Samuel French Edwards.
Nathaniel Evanson, Esq.
Mr. William Grant Ellis.
William Eversley, Esq. F.
William Foderingham, Esq.
William Newton Firebrace, Esq. Deme
rara.
Charles Davis Forrester, Esq. Demerara.
Mr. Joseph Farnum.
Mr. John R. Farreli.
Mr. Christopher Forte.
Doctor Nathaniel Forte.
Doctor Samuel Forte.
Doctor Christopher Forte.
Mr. Thomas Carmichael Forte.
G.
The Hon. Joshua Gittens.
The Rev. William Garnett.
Doctor Nicholas R. Garner.
William Gill, Esq.
Mr. Isaac Gittens.
James Grasett, JSsq.
Robert Gibbons, Esq. 2 copies.
William Grasett, Esq.
Doctor Parris Greaves;
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John Jordan Griffith, Esq.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

William Griffith, Esq.
Mr. Edward Greenidge.
Mr. Howard Griffith, Speight's Town.
Messrs. John and William Goodridge.
Alexander Graham, Esq.
William Graham, Esq.
John Gay Goding^ Esq.
Mr. William Greenidge.
Francis Bell Grant, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Gill.
Jacob Goodridge, Esq. Christ Church.
Mr. John Goring.
Mr. Richard Grannum.
Mr. Robert Manly Gaskin.
H.
The Hon. Benjamin Hinds, 2 copies.
Messrs. David and George Hall, 4 copies.
The Rev. Henry Evans Husbands.
The Hon. Robert Haynes.
Mr. William M. Harris.
M. Jacob Hinds.
Mr. Robert Harris.
Mr. John Hawkesworth.
Mr. John Heyes.
John Higginson, Esq
Mr. Samuel Hinds, Jun.
Richard Hooton, Esq.
Conrade Adams Howell, Esq. 2 copies.
John Humpleby, Esq.
Mr. Daniel Hunte.
Joseph Dotin Husbands, Esq.

The Hou. Rob. Aug. Hyndman,
Thomas Hollingsworth, Esq.
The Hon. William Hinds.
Mr. John Boyce Harris.
Mr. William Hall.
Mr. John Hussey Hendy.
Mr. Richard Hawkesworth
Mrs. Mary Sims Howell.
The Rev. William M. Harte.
John Hamden, Esq.
Mr. Edward J. Henery, Demerara
Mr. William Hallstead, Demerara
J.
Mr. William Jackson.
I Samuel Jackman, Esq 1
Gabriel Jemmett, Esq,
Benjamin Irill, Esq. 2 copies.
George lrlam, Esq. LiverpooIf
Mr. John Ironmonger.
John Johnson, Esq. Demerara.
Mr. John Inniss.
Joseph Johnson, Esq,
Doctor William Howard Jordan.
Mr. Joseph Jordan.
Mr. Joseph Johnson, Jun.
Mr. Nathaniel M. Jemott.
John F. D Jones, M. D.
Benjamin Jones, Esq
Frere Jones, Esq.
Gibbes Walker Jordan, Esq. F. R. S.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. Alexander Khlg, Jun.
Mr. Samuel Knight, Jun.
Mr. Samuel Knight.
Mr. Samuel Knight, Jun.
Christopher Knight, Esq. 2 copies*
Mr. James C. Killman.
John Keir, Esq.
Mr. Francis Kirton. L.
Literary Society of Barbadoes, 2 copies.
Mr. Edward Linton.
Thomas M. Lovell, Esq.
Nathaniel Lucas, Esq.
Capt. Francis Lightbourne.
William Draper Lloyd, Esq. 2 copies.
John Wrong Leacock, Esq.
Mr. Edward Licorish.
Mr. William C. Leslie.
Joseph Leacock, Esq.
Lisle Lloyd, Esq.
Mr. William Licorish*
Mr. Richard: Ambrose Layne.
Mr. George Law.
Joseph Lowe, Esq.
John Lewis, Esq. M.
William Miller, Esq. 2 copies.
James Maxwell, Esq. 6 copies.
John Pollard Mayers, Esq. 3 copies.

David Martindale, Esq.
Mr. John M'Pherson.
Mr. Henry M'Grath. -
Mr. William Morris.
Lawrance Mudie, Esq.
John M'Leay, Esq.
William Moore, Esq.
The Hon. George Maynard.
Mr. Francis M'Clure.
Bliezer Montefiori, Esq. 2 copies.
Mr. John Melvin.
Mr. Henry Madden.
Thomas M'Intosh, Esq.
f. N.
The Rev. Mark Nicholson.
The Rev. James Fowler Neblelt.
Nathaniel Nowell, Esq.
Mr. Joshua Nurse.
Mr. Robert Norris.
Mr. Samuel O. Nurse.
Mr. Richard Nurse. O.
The Rev. Thomas H. Ordersoih
Mr. Isaac Williamson Orderson.
Mrs. Isaac W. Orderson.
Arthur Oughterson, Esq.
Mr. William Oxley.
Thomas Whitfoot O'Neale, Esq,
Gera Olton, Esq.
Thomas Ostrehan, Esq.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

p.
Henry Piggott, Esq.
Mrs. Sarah Poyer.
The Rev. John F. Pilgrim.
Mr. Henry Parkinson.
Mr. Lionel Parks.
Joseph Alleyne Payne, Esq.
Peter Phillips, Esq.
Stephen Phillips, Esq.
Mr. Nathaniel Phillips.
Mr. John Phillips.
Thomas Pierrepont, Esq.
William Hinds Prescod, Esq.
John Hothersal Pinder, Esq.
Trancis Ford Pinder, Esq.
Mr. John W. Perch.
John Randall Phillips, Esq.
Thomas Piggott, Esq.
James Scott Payne, Esq.
Mr. James Pairman.
Mr. Conrade Pile.
Joseph Payne, Esq;
Mr. Edward Parris. R.
George Reed, Esq.
Mr. James Reid. .;
Hillary Ro*w«, Esq.
Messrs. Rodie and Shand, Liverpool.
Doctor Charles Stfaghan Rudder.
Thomas Reese, Esq.*

S.
The Hon. John Spooner, Tresideht of the
Council.
Doctor John William Sober.
The Hon. John Spooner, Jun.
Mr. John Soper.
Thomas Spencer, Esq,
John Straker, Esq.
John C. Straker, Esq.
Mr. John Seed.
Mr. Thomas H. Shepherd.
Thomas Sealy, Jun. Esq.
Henry Sealy, Esq.
Mr. Ghristopher Saint-Hill.
Mr. James R. Sample.
William Shand, Esq. Liverpool.
John Sober, Esq.
John Springer, Esq. GayVCove..
Mr. Horatio Nelson Springer.
George Wallwyn Shepherd, Esqi
Mr. William. Sptinger.
Mr. Richard Smitten.
Mr. John Springer,' Jun.
Mr. Thomas Johnson Springer
Mr. Benjamin Stoute.
Mr. Enos Skinner.
Edward Skeete, Esq.
Jacob Skinner, Esq.
Mr. Richard Stoute, Jan.
Hugh Williams Straghah, Esq; .
Richard Skinner, Esq.

LIST OF

John Simpson, Esq.
John Suleyan, Esq.
Henry P. Simmons, Esq.
Mrs. Alice Southwell.

Samuel Taylor, Esq.
William Carter Thomas, Esq.
George Toosey, Esq.
Mr. Henry Skeete Thomas.
Mr. Henry Taitte.
Thriothy Thornhill, Esq.
The Rev. Anthony K. Thomas.
Mr. John Howell Todd.
Mr. Henry Thorpe.
Thomas Clarke Trotman, Esq.
Dowding Thornhill, Esq.
Henry Thornhill, Esq.
Doctor Joseph Taylor.
Mr. John Taylor.
Henry Trotman, Esq.
Thompson Isly Thorne, Esq.
W.
Mr. William Wilson, Bristol.
Benjamin Walrond, Esq.
John Walton, Esq.
Mr. James Wallcott.
Mr. William Wayne.
Mr. Henry Thomas Ward.
Mr. Samuel Watt.
Capt. Rees Webb.
Capt. William Wilson.

SUBSCRIBERS.
Mr. John Williams. _
Mr. Jonas Wilkinson.
Mr. Richard Wall.
Stephen Wallcott, Esq.
Robert James Wallcott, Esq.
Thomas Went, Esq.
Hamlet Wilson, Esq.
Mr. William Welch, London.
Mr. Thomas Williams, St. Joseph's.
Mr. Richard Wood.
William Welch, M.D.
Mr. John Ward, Jun.
Mr. William Wilkinson.
Thomas Williams, Esq. St. Thomas's,
James Thomas Williams, Esq.
Mrs. Elizabeth Williams.
Miss Ruth Whitfoot.
George Williams, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Williams, Jun. St. Thomas's
John Walton, Esq.
Mr. Thomas W. White.

Thomas Yard, Esq.
Mr. William T. Yearwood.
Mr. Lewis Young.
Mr. Samuel Yearwood.
Mr. James Johnson Yearwood.
Doctor John Kelly Yearwood
Mr. George D. Yong«, -
Mr. Howard Griffith Yearwood.

ERRATA.
Por " Barbadoes" read fC Barbados" througliout the Work j a deviation from the Author'*
orthography, occasioued by the iuadvertence of the Pnntei, and, unfortunately, discovered too late
to admit of a general collection.
In the List of Subscribers for James Ansae read Anstice, and after James Cavan, Egq. add 2 Copies.
Page 40 note, for Kindall's rtad Kendall's.
60 note, line 20, add ["] after whatever.
94 line 18,/or art. become read had become.
131  9tJ'or temperary read temporary-.
14-1  lit for goods read gods.
14'1*  l?,for Lordship's read Lordships'.
218  5 ? Jo*' wrecking read wreaking.
2','o note, for but have read but I have.
345 note, line ?yfor me read time.
313 line Hi, for broth.er-iu.-law read brother.
319 note, for compiler read compilers.
320 line lC,/br general y read general.
336 last word but one, for into read in.
340 line 6, for nor read or.
note, Jbr pregnant read poignant.
356 line l~,jor collector read collection, and dele the comma.
375  £C,for Jame read Jame-,'.
444 last line, /or ank read rank.
469  11, for nor read or.
4"3 last line, for vote read opposition.
528  li,for nor read or.
535  l&t for were read where.
53G..,...ll,Jb7- implicated read complicated.
586  7. for agreeable read agree dbly.
592.,... ,l4Q,Jbr their read the.
622  11, for Hughes read Hugnes.
661 last line but one, for government read governor.
Tn the marginal dates, from page 490 to page 5\~ read 1T8U,
from 517 to 540 read 1782.
from 540 to 558 read 1783.
from 558 to 572 read 3784.
Page 572 read 1785.
from 573 to 578 read 1786.
from 578 to 583 read 1181 .
from 583 to 585 read 1788.
from 585 to 589 read 1789.
Pages 589 and 590 read 1790.
/rows 590 to 597 read 1791.

THE
HISTORY

OF

BARBADOES.

CHAR I.
THE ISLAND DISCOVERED — GRANTED TO THE EARL OF MARLBO
ROUGH — A SETTLEMENT MADE BY COURTEEN  GRANTED TO
LORD CARLISLE — A SECOND SETTLEMENT MADE BY A COMPANY
OF MERCHANTS  DISPUTES BETWEEN THE SETTLERS — SIR W.
TUFTON APPOINTED GOVERNOR — SUPERSEDED BY HAWLEY —
TUFTON EXECUTED FOR MUTINY  PRUDENT ADMINISTRATION
OF MR. BELL — SUGAR CANE INTRODUCED  AFRICAN SLAVES —
STORY OF INCKLE AND YARICO— A CONSPIRACY AMONG THE
NEGROES. : i .;,¦ 1 1 ¦
THE discovery of Barbadoes is involved in greater ob- chap. i.
scurity than that of any of the adjacent islands. Placed
at the south-eastern extremity of the great American Ar
chipelago, it remained unknown, or unnoticed, for upwards
of a century after the bold and enterprising genius of Colum-

THE HISTORY
chari. bus had extended the bounds of the habitable globe, and
added a new world to the dominions of Spain. No mention
is made of this island in the journals or charts of any Eu
ropean navigator earlier than the year one thousand six
hundred. Hence there is reason to believe that it was the
last known of all the Caribbees. From its geographical po
sition*, it seems most likely that Barbadoes was first seen
and visited by the Portuguese. These adventurers, in their
voyages to the coast of Africa, or to their settlements
in South America, might have been driven by contrary
winds, or adverse currents, within sight of its shores. Cu
riosity, or the want of refreshment, probably induced their
nearer approach ; but the rude, uncultivated aspect of the
country, which they found without inhabitants, and desti
tute of every article necessary for human accommodation,
was little calculated to induce these travellers to remain
long on a spot incapable of yielding those advantages which
were then the principal objects of European pursuit in
the western hemisphere. Its natural beauties and favour
able situation for commercial purposes were overlboked by
men whose sordid minds were wholly occupied with the hope
of obtaining the immediate possession of -gold -and silver. To
render their discovery, however, in some measure useful to
themselves, or to such of their countrymen as should have
occasion to touch here, in any of their future voyages, they

* In lat. 13 deg. 5. mm. N. and longitude 59 deg. 41 min. W.

OF BARBADOES. i
planted some vegetables, and left a few swine for the pur
pose of propagation.
From the Portuguese the island obtained the name of
Las Barbadas ; in allusion, as some writers have supposed,
to the barbarous, inhospitable state of the country. The
learned author of the Natural History of Barbadoes, how
ever, with much greater probability, conjectures this ap
pellation to have signified the Bearded Island, from the vast
number of Indian fig-trees with which it abounded. The
wide spreading branches of this venerable tree send forth
innumerable fibres which, by the help of a warm imagina
tion, might, not unreasonably, have been supposed to re
semble those luxuriant beards which were so much in vogue
in those days*. — — i mm
* Our great English epic-poet represents this tree as affording the first covering
made use of by Adam and Eve, after having exchanged their innocence for a con
sciousness of shame, and thus accurately describes its grbwth ;
The Jig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown' d,
But such as at this day to Indians known.
In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms;
Branching so broad and long, that in the ground
The bending twigs take root, and daughters grow
About the mother tree, a pillar' d shade !
High over-arch' d and echoing walks between.
•' It is under this tree that the Brahmins and the devotees of their religion celebrate
their rites. The pagodas are usually erected in the neighbourhood of this friendly
B 2

THE HISTORY
Abandoned by its original discoverers, Barbadoes conti
nued unfrequented till the year, one thousand six hundred
and five. At that time a vessel, called the Olive, belong-
to Sir Olive Leigh, returning from Guinea, accidentally
put in here, and landed a part of her crew near the spot on
which the Hole-town was afterwards built. Here they
erected a cross, and took possession of the island in the
name of their sovereign ; inscribing these words on a tree
in the vicinity of the place where they landed, " James,
King of England and of this Island." They then proceeded
along the coast until their progress was obstructed by the
stream since called Indian River, from the Indian imple
ments and utensils found there. Here, again, they fixed
some memorial of the title which the right of occupancy
conferred on the crown, to this distant and hitherto neg
lected territory. But finding no refreshments necessary for
persons in their situation, not even fresh water, (no springs
or reservoirs of that useful element being at that time ac
cessible to strangers) they quitted their new acquisition and
sailed for Saint Christopher's, where the establishment of
a colony had been recently attempted by thirty-three Eng
lish settlers.

shade. It is common for the Indian to take up his abode under this tree, and to re.
main stretched at his ease in the shade, while every thing, exposed to the rays of the
sun, is scorched with intolerable heat." Vide Perceval's Account or Ckylon.

OF BARBADOES.
After this visit Barbadoes appears to have been thought CHAP- '
of no more, until some Dutch men of war, v/hich had been
employed on a secret expedition against the Spaniards, re
turning home, chanced to stop here*. It may be proper
to observe, that this account does not agree with that given
by the compilers of the Universal Historyf; by which it
would seem that these vessels were particularly licensed by
the Spanish court to trade to Brasil. But, notwithstanding
the Spaniards and Portuguese endeavoured to exclude the
other nations of Europe from any participation in the com-*
merce with their settlements in the new world, if we may
credit the Abbe Raynal, the Dutch had long been engaged
in an illicit intercourse with Brasil. vAt length the West
India company, established in Holland, had, about this
time, wrested that valuable country from the Spaniards,
under whose yoke it had fallen by the subjugation of Por
tugal. Whether these vessels were fair traders, smugglers
or ships of war, is immaterial. Certain it is, that their
crews, having procured some refreshments at Barbadoes,
and finding the soil capable of cultivation, were induced,
on their return to Europe, to speak of it in the most fa
vourable terms.
These particulars having been communicated to Sir Wil
liam Courteen, a principal merchant of the city of Lon
don, by his correspondent in Zealand, his enterprising ge-
* Memoirs of Barbadoes, p. 3. f Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 13J.

5 THE HISTORY
nius was fired with the magnificent project of making an
effectual settlement on the island. In this design he was
soon confirmed by the arrival of a ship of his own, which
returning from Fernambucca, ' in Brasil, was driven, by
stress of weather, on the coast of Barbadoes. The seamen
belonging to this vessel, having explored the country, were
pleased with the bloom and verdure which every where met
their view; and having procured some provisions, probably
part of the hogs formerly left here by the Portuguese, they
proceeded on their voyage. The representation made by
these mariners, on their return to England, of the beauty
and fertility of the island, and of its advantageous position
for diffusing the commodities and manufactures of Europe
among the rising colonies in the Caribbean Sea, made such
an impression on the minds of people, that the Earl of
Marlborough, afterwards Lord High Treasurer, obtained
from James I. a patent for the island, to him and his heirs
for .ever*.
This grant did not obstruct the execution of Sir William
Courteen's design. Persisting in his original intention of
making a settlement which promised fair to improve his for
tune ; and having obtained the sanction of the noble pa
tentee, he fitted out two large ships at his own expence,
supplied with men, arms, ammunition, and every thing
requisite for establishing a colony, and securing it from in-

* Univ. Hist. vol. *1. p. 131. Edwards's Hist. West. Indies, vol. 1. p. 323.

OF BARBADOES. 7
vasion. Of these ships one only, the John and William, CHAT>- *•
commanded by John Powell, arrived at Barbadoes. Thirty Tf^l57
men were immediately landed * on the spot which had been
taken possession of nearly twenty years before by the crew of
the Olive. Here these adventurers commenced their opera
tions, and laid the foundation of a town, which, in honour
of the prince on the throne, they called James Town, since
denominated the Hole-town.
In all enterprises, in which numbers are concerned, the
necessity of submitting to the guidance and authority of
a particular chief, or leader, whose power may control the
actions, and whose judgment may direct the efforts of
every individual to the advancement of the common good,
is a principle of the most obvious utility, whether the as
sociation be civil or political. The first step taken by these
early colonists was the appointment of a proper person to
superintend and govern the infant settlement. For this
purpose, William Deane was unanimously chosen and in
vested with the authority of commander in chief. The
British flag was then displayed, and they proceeded to for
tify themselves as well as the nature of their circumstances
would permit.
In reviewing this early period of our colonial history,
every liberal mind must glow with conscious satisfaction

* Memoirs of Barbadoes, p. 3. Of these settlers William Arnold was among the
first who landed.

8 THE HISTORY
on reflecting, that the settlement which we have teen con
templating, was quietly effected without the, perpetration
of those atrocious acts of cruelty and injustice which
marked the progress of the Europeans in every other part
of the new world. Abandoned by its aboriginal inhabi
tants, if any such there were, for some cause wholly un
known to us, Barbadoes, according to every principle of
natural law, became the rightful and legitimate property of
the first occupants*
Although the English found the island uninhabited, the
Reverend Mr. Hughes seems very unwilling to relinquish
the idea of its having been formerly occupied by some sa
vage tribes. He has prosecuted the inquiry concerning
these people with much industry, and collected, every cir
cumstance that could give weight or add probability to
his opinion. He relies, however, on facts, which, though
indisputable, are b}T no means conclusive; " that there are
several places in the island called after their names; and
that in these very places there are daily dug up such marks
of their former residence as were peculiar to the Indians*."
But after all the pains which the learned divine has taken,
the proofs that he has collected are insufficient to establish
the point in dispute. They only shew that the neighbour
ing Caribs occasionally visited this delightful spot for the
purpose of hunting and fishing ; and, perhaps, to procure

* Natural Hist, of Barbadoes, p. 5 and 7.

OF BARBADOES.
suitable clay for manufacturing the various domestic uten
sils with which, he asserts, the Leeward Islands were stip->
plied from hence. Of this there is the most indubitable
evidence. Ligon, who visited this island about twenty years after
the arrival of the first settlers, relates, that the natives of
the neighbouring islands, most likely of Saint Vincent and
Saint Lucia, from their proximity of situation, frequently
Came hither in their canoes or periaguas, for the sake of
hunting the hogs that had been left here by the Portut-
guese ; which, he observes, furnished them mth flesh of a
sweet and exeltent flavour. In these excursions they would
sometimes spend a month or longer ; and then returning
home, leave behind them many tools and other implements,
chiefly pots of several sizes, in which they boiled their
meat. These pots were made of clay, so finely tempered
and turned with such art, that our author affirms, he had not
seen amjlike them, for fineness of mettle ana\ curiosity of turn
ing in England*.
This account of these desultory visits is corroborated by
xfie ingenious natural historian himself, who adds, that their
frequent arrivals and departures were always in the wane
of the moon, for* the benefit of light nights ; that when any
difference arose between them and the English, the In
dians retired to the woods until they were presented with

* Ligbn's Hist, of Barbadoes, p. 23.

10 THE HISTORY
a favourable opportunity of returning home ; and that then,
in their way down to their canoes, they would cover them
selves with green boughs to elude, the search of the Eng
lish. During their transient residence in the country, they
made the earthen-ware already mentioned ; and, like the
ancient idolaters of Europe and Asia, formed, out of the
same , materials, , sensible representations of the, , invisible
deities whom they adored, and absurdly worshipped the
work of their own hands. Many of these images were seen
by Hughes as late as the year one thousand seven hundred
and forty-eight.-! Among them was one, of which the head
alone weighed above sixty pounds*. Thus it seems easy to
account for the number of Indian remains which have been
found in different parts of the country, and to . reconcile
the Indian names still borne by many places with the uninr
habited state of the island when first discovered by Eu7
ropean navigators.
Some years previous to Courteen's attempt to ^ establish
a colony in Barbadoes, Mr. Thomas Warner had engaged
in a similar undertaking at St. Christopher's. This settle
ment was in a prosperous condition,; when the hopes of
the planters were suddenly destroyed by a dreadful hurri
cane, which desolated their plantations. To repair the inr
jury sustained by this calamity, Warner was obliged to re-

* Nat, Hist, of Barbadoes, p. 7.

OF BARBADOES. ' n
turn to England to solicit the assistance of his friends.
Upon this occasion he applied to James Hay, Earl of Car
lisle, who readily patronised the adventurous settler, and,
by his powerful support, preserved the colony from
ruin. Warner's application opened a new and splendid prospect
to the ambitious peer. He saw very clearly the power and
opulence which he might, by prudent management, derive
from an extensive establishment in the West Indies ; and,
to secure the important advantages thus accidentally thrown
in his Avay, immediately applied to Charles I. who had re
cently ascended the throne, for a grant of all the Caribbee
islands, to be formed into a palatinate, or proprietary go
vernment, under the name of Carliola. The unfortunate
monarch, to whose want of firmness may be ascribed most
of the misfortunes that embittered his reign, readily yielded
to the importunity of a powerful favourite, and gave the
necessary orders for preparing his patent. This grant was
strenuously opposed by the Earl of Marlborough,, as c af
fecting his prior right to the island of Barbadoes, and pro
duced^ tedious litigation between the two claimants/which1
was at length compromised, on Lord Carlisle's agreeing to
pay to the Lord Treasurer, and his heirs "for ever, an an
nuity of three hundred pounds; in lieu of his claim. This
dispute being thus adjusted, the Earl of Carlisle's patent
passed the Great Seal on the second day of June, one
c 2

la THE HISTORY
thousand six hundred "and twenty-seven, and his Lordship
became sole proprietor*, -m ;
<l The preamble of this celebrated charter assigns the rea
son &n which it was granted, in these words : " Whereas our
well-beloved cousin and counsellor, James Lord Hay, Ba,-
ron of Sawley, Viscount Doncaster, and Earl of Carlisle,
endeavouring, with a laudable and pious design of propa
gating the Christian religiom, and also of the enlargement
of the territories of our dominions, hath humbly petitioned;
us for a certain region of islands in our dominions af^r*
named, lying towards the north part of the world, as yet
void and inhabited, in some places, with savages* who,
have no knowledge of the divine power, commonly called
the Caribbee Islands, containing the islands of Saint Chris--
topher, Grenada^ Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Barbadoes,
Martinique, Dominica, Marigalante, Descada, Tpdosan-
ios, Guadaloupe,. Antigua, Montserrat, Redondo, Barbu
da,? Nevis, Eustatia, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Martin,
Anguilla, Sembrera, and Enegada, and many^o^her islands,
found out at his great cost and charges, and now brought'
to that pass tq. be inhabited by a large and copious colony
of English, with certain privileges and jurisdictions belong
ing to the said government and state of a colony and re
gion to him, his heirs and assigns, to be granted."

* Mem. of Barb. p. *, Edwards's West Indies, Vol, 1. pp. |2*, 423. Univ. Hist.
Vol. 41, p. 132.

OF BARBADOES. 13
By the succeeding clauses, his Majesty did, by the said chap. r.
grant, for him, his heirs and successors, make, create 1627-
and constitute the said Earl of Carlisle, his heirs and
assigns, absolute proprietor and lord of the said region ;
reserving still the allegiance due to his Majesty, his heirs
and successors. It was then added, " And because we
have made and appointed the said James Earl of Carlisle,
true lord of all the aforesaid province, as he to whom the
right belongeth, know ye, that we have authorized and ap
pointed the said James Earl of Carlisle, and his heirs, of
whose fidelity, prudence, justice and wisdom, we have
great confidence, for the good and happy government of
the said province, or the private utility of every man, to
make, erect and set forth ; and under his or their signet to
publish such laws as he, the said Earl of Carlisle, or his
heirsy with the Consent, assent and approbation of the free in
habitants of the said province, or the greater part of them
thereunto to be called^ and in such form, and when and
as -often as he or they, in his or their discretion, shall think
fit and best. And these laws must all men, for the time
being, that do live within the limits of the said province,
observe ; whether they be bound to sea or from thence re
turning to England, or any other of our dominions, or any
other place appointed, upon such impositions, penalties}
imprisonment, or restraint, that it behoveth, and the quality t
of the offence requireth; either upon the body, or death
itself, to be executed by trie said James Earl of Carlisle,

14 THE HISTORY
(J3^XL and his heirs'; or by his or their deputy, judges, magis-
1627' trates, officers and ministers, according to the tenor and
true meaning of these presents, in what case soever ; and
with such power, as to him, the said James Earl of Car
lisle, or his heirs, shall deem best. And to dispose of all
offences or riots whatsoever, either by sea or by land, whe
ther before judgment received, or after remitted, freed,
pardoned, or forgiven. And to do and perform: all and
every thing or things, which, to the fulfilling of justice,
courts, or manner of proceeding, in their tribunals may or
doth belong or appertain, although express mention of them
in these presents be not made; yet we have granted full
power, by virtue of these presents, them to be made;
which laws so absolutely proclaimed, and by strength of
right supported, as they are granted, we will enjoin, charge,
and command, all and every subject and liege people of
us, our heirs and successors, as far as them they do concern,
inviolably to keep and observe Under the pains therein ex
pressed; so as, notwithstanding, the aforesaid laws be agree
able, and not repugnant unto reason ; nor against, but as con
venient and agreeable as may be to the laws, statutes, cus
toms, and rights, of our kingdom of England."
" And because in the government of so great a province
oftentimes sudden occasions do fall out, to which it shall be
needful to apply a remedy before the free inhabitants of
the said province can be called ; and for that it shall not al
ways be needful, in such cases, that all the people be: cal-
1

OF BARBADOES. l5
led together, we will and ordain, and by these presents, for chap. i.
us, our heirs and successors, have granted to the said James 1627.
Earl of Carlisle, and his heirs, that he by himself or his
magistrates and officers, in that case lawfully preferred,
may make decrees and ordinances both fit and profitable,
from time to time, that they may be esteemed, kept, and
observed, within the said province, as well for keeping the
peace as for the better government of the people there
living, so that they may be publicly known to all whom they
do concern.. Which ordinances we will, within the said
provinces, inviolably to be kept, upon pain in them express
ed; so that those laws be agreeable to reason, and not re
pugnant, nor against it, but, as far as may be, agreeable
to the laws and statutes of our kingdom of England; and:
so that those laws extend not to the hurt or discomodity of any
person or persons, either to the binding, constraining, burthen-
ing, or taking away, either their liberty r goods, or chatties."
" We also, of our princely grace, for us, our heirs and
successors, will, straightly charge, make and ordain that
the said province be of our allegiance, and that all and
every subject and liege people of us, our heirs and succes
sors, brought or to be brqught, and their children, whether
there born, or afterwards to be. born, become natives and
subjects of us, our heirs and successors, and be as free as
they who were born in England; and so their inheritance
within our kingdom, of. England, or other your dominions,
to. seek, receive, take hold, buy and possess, and use and

X5 THE HISTORY
chap. i. enjoy them as his own ; and to give, sell, alien and be-
1627- queath them at their pleasure; and also freely, quietly, and
peaceably to have and possess, all the liberties, franchises', and
privileges of this kingdom, and them to enjoy as liege people
of England, whether born or to be born,, without impedi
ment, molestation,, vexation, injury or trouble of us, our
heirs and successors ; any act or statute to the contrary not
withstanding." While this business was transacting in England, the
young settlers were diligently prosecuting their enterprise.
I» this hazardous undertaking it is easy to imagine, that
they wefle exposed to innumerable hardships and dangers.
The country, overgrown with thick impenetrable woods,
exhibited the most gloomy prospect that the imagination
can possibly conceive. No traces of human society cheered
the solitary scene; no signs of cultivation enlivened the
lurid face of nature. One immense forest, crowned with
an exuberant foliage, spread itself in every direction.
Within its dark recesses no beasts of burthen were found to
lessen the toil of man, and but few quadrupeds for his
domestic use.
Notwithstanding these discouragements, our adventurers
applied themselves to clearing the woods and planting pro
visions, with a diligence and perseverance not less com
mendable than astonishing. In this necessary employment,
however, they proceeded but slowly and with difficulty.
Eor, as the tisee* were hr genesal extoensely hard and heavy,

OF BARBADOES. 17
after the laborious task of felling them was accomplished, C^J£J-
there was not sufficient strength to remove them; they 1627*
were, therefore, suffered to remain on the ground; the
planters contenting themselves with cultivating in the inter
mediate spaces, such esculent plants as were necessary for
their subsistence*.
Fortunately, the woods afforded lignum vitae and fustick,
which became articles of immediate export to England,
and procured, in return, such commodities as were most
wanted in the colony. And as the climate, especially at
the season of the year in which the first settlers arrived,
was mild and pleasant; and the soil appeared to be fertile
and well adapted for the cultivation of cotton and tobacco,
these enterprising men resolutely persisted in the laudable
design of adding so desirable a spot to the comforts of
social life. The first fruits of the land were inadequate,
both in quantity and quality, to their support. Potatoes,
plantains, and Indian corn were little suited to European
habits L of living ; and as their supplies from home were
extremely precarious and uncertain, the distresses of the
early colonists were proportionably grievous and oppressive.
Nor can we sufficiently admire the patience and firmness
with which they persisted in combating the various hard
ships and difficulties incident to their situation.
Flattered with the presages of success, which he re-

* Ligon's Hist. Barb. p. 24. Fenning's Geography, vol. 2. p. 702.
D

18 THE HISTORY
chap. i. Ceived from the infant settlement, Sir William Courteen
lfi27> determined to prosecute his scheme with vigour. De
serted, as we have seen, by his former patron, he now
sought the protection of the Earl of Pembroke, lord
chamberlain of the household. This nobleman, encou
raged by the favourable representation made to him of
the condition of the new settlement, generously undertook
to promote the interest of the worthy citizen, by whom
it had been established, by an immediate application to
the King*. Charles, who is generally allowed to have had
sagacity enough to perceive what was right, though he sel
dom had resolution to practise it, thought no more of the
grant to Lord Carlisle than if it had never existed; and as
his lordship was at that moment employed in a diplomatic
character abroad, he could give no opposition to an appli
cation so repugnant to hjs prior right. The field being thus
left open, the Lord Chamberlain pressed his suit with such
Feb. 25t. successful assiduity, that he soon obtained a grant from his
royal master, for the island of Barbadoes, in trust for Sir
William Courteen. It is scarcely possible to account for
* Mem. of Barb. p. 9. Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 132.
+ To anticipate any misapprehension concerning the chronology of these early
events, it must be remembered, that until the introduction of the new style in 1752
the year was reckoned to commence on the 25th day of March. Hence all transac
tions between the first of January and the twenty-fourth day of March, are dated as
if they had taken place, according to the present computation, one whole year earlier.
Thus, for example, the grant mentioned in the text, agreeable to the new style, would
bear date, February 25, 1628.

OF BARBADOES. 19
such versatility and inconsistence in the king's conduct, CHAP. I.
otherwise than by supposing that the opulent merchant 1628'
might have been able to relieve the wants of his necessitous
sovereign. This conjecture will appear the more probable,
if we recollect the mean shifts and illegal exactions to
which the pecuniary embarrassments of that unfortunate
monarch compelled him to resort.
The Earl of Carlisle, soon after the passing of this grant,
returned from his embassy; when, being informed of the
settlement which had been made upon an island within his
province, he determined to adopt such measures as would
frustrate the designs of his competitor, and establish a co
lony of his own ! Incensed at the grant which had been so
surreptitiously obtained, he complained to the King of the
advantage which had been taken of his absence to deprive
him of his property. The irresolute Charles, who through
out the whole transaction, was more culpable than any
body else, exhibited a fresh instance of his want of firm
ness ; and, to appease the resentment of his irritated fa
vourite, revoked the patent to the Lord Chamberlain, and
reinstated the Earl of Carlisle in the possession of the terri
tory of which he had so recently and unjustly deprived
him. Having gained this point, the next steps to be taken by
the earl, were to make an effectual settlement on the island,
and to concert proper measures for securing to himself the
advantages it was capable of yielding. With this view he
d 2

20

THE HISTORY

contracted with a company of London merchants, consist
ing of Marmaduke Brandon, William Perkins, Alexander
Banister, Robert Wheatly, Edmund Forster, Robert Swin-
nerton, Henry Wheatly, John Charles, and John Farring-
don, for a grant of ten thousand acres of land, on condition
of his receiving from each settler forty pounds of cotton
annually; and allowing them the privilege of sending out,
in quality of governor, a proper person to superintend the
settlement and conduct their concerns. For this purpose
Charles Wolferstone, a native of Bermuda, was made
March 29. choice of, and received a commission from the noble pro
prietary *« empowering him to use, exercise, and put in ex
ecution, the office of governor, commander-in-chief, and
captain, in doing justice, deciding controversies, keeping
his Majesty's peace, and punishing offenders according to
the quality of their crimes, and according to the laws of
England*." Armed with these powers, Wolferstone, accompanied by
sixty-four persons, arrived in Carlisle-bay, and landed on
the twenty-fifth day of July, one thousand six hundred and
twenty-eight. Each of these settlers was entitled, on his
arrival, to one hundred acres of landf. They fixed their
residence in the vicinity of the bay, where they built houses

* Mem. Barb. p. 10. Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p, 132.
+ Of these adventurers, the names of two only have reached us : S, Bulkley and J.
Bummers, who established themselves in St. George's parish.

OF BARBADOES. n
for the reception of their stores; and, for the facility of a. chap. i.
communication between the opposite banks of the river, im-
which intersected the ground, they constructed a wooden
bridge, whence the new settlement obtained the name, of
Bridge-Town*. The Carlisle settlers, to distinguish themselves from those
established by Courteen, assumed the appellation of wind
ward-men, while the others were denominated leeward-men.
Wolferstone, soon after his arrival, in conformity to his
instructions, appointed John Swan to be his lieutenant, and
created a council, whom he invested with a portion of legis
lative and executive authority. Before this tribunal the
governor summoned the Pembroke settlers to appear;
affirming, that they had no legal title to the lands which
they held; and treating their settlement as a palpable
encroachment on the rights of his patron. They accord
ingly made their appearance at the time and place ap
pointed; but not in a temper to listen to any proposals
made them by Wolferstone. They utterly disclaimed all
dependanceon the Earl of Carlisle; and, peremptorily re
fusing to submit either to his authority or that of his gover
nor, returned home that night.

* Ligon's Hist. Bart), p. 25. Hugiies, however, is of opinion, that this town derived
•its denomination from an InSian bridge thrown over a narrow neck of the bay by the
Caraibs. Nat. Hist. p. 6. Hence it is evident, that this capital was always known by
the appellation of Bridge-Town ; yet in all legislative and judicial proceedings, it is
most absurdly called Saint Michael's Town ; a name equally unknown to historians
and geographers. *

22 THE HISTORY
chap. i. Upon this occasion, Deane, who, it seems, was also a
1628. Bermudian, deserted them; and having submitted to the
governor, was intrusted with the command of a party of
armed men, who were detached in order to reduce them to
subjection. Abandoned by their faithless leader, the lee
ward settlers arrayed themselves under the direction of
John Powell, son of the mariner who brought them to Bar-
Sept. 14. badoes, and marched out to meet their adversaries. The
hostile parties met at Palmeto fort, near the Hole Town ;
and, prompted by mutual animosity, prepared for action.
Happily the effusion of human blood was prevented by the
humane interposition of Mr. Kentlane, a pious clergyman,
who, rushing between the angry disputants, prevailed on
them to suspend their mutual resentment, and refer their
differences to the determination of the noble personages,
whose opposite interests had occasioned the contest.
Peace being thus restored, the Pembroke settlers acknow
ledged Wolferstone's authority, and Powell became the
prisoner of his fortunate rival*. The calm, however, was
Jan. 14. not of long duration. Henry Powell, soon after this ar
rangement, arrived, and brought with him a commission
from the Earl of Pembroke, appointing John Powell gover
nor of the colony. Wolferstone now, in turn, became the
prisoner of his former captive. Taken by surprise, he and
the perfidious Deane were conveyed on board ship, loaded

* Mem. of Barb. p. 12^

OF BARBADOES, 23
with fetters, and sent to England. Powell enjoyed his tri- chap. i.
umph but a short time before he experienced the mutability 1629°
of fortune. Hearing of the disturbances which existed in
the colony, Robert Wheatly, one of the merchants con
cerned in the contract with Lord Carlisle, determined on
making a voyage to Barbadoes, accompanied by Captain
Henry Hawley, in the hope of being able, by his presence
and prudent management, to adjust all differences. This
gentleman, artfully concealing his intentions, on his ar
rival, invited Powell on board his ship, where he was kept April 9.
under confinement until he could be sent to England to
answer for his conduct.
Incensed at this injurious treatment, the leeward settlers ap«i 16.
instantly resumed their arms, with the design of avenging
the insult offered them in the person of their chief, and of
extirpating the Carlisle settlement*. In this spirited attack,
however, they met with such a vigorous resistance as com
pelled them to a precipitate retreat. For this gallant de
fence, the windward-men were honoured with the thanks of
their noble patron, who farther rewarded their bravery by
allowing them their goods free from any charge of storage
for the term of seven years.
In the mean time, the noble peers, whose opposite
claims had produced these contentions, did not remain
indifferent spectators of the disputes. They appealed to
* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 134.-

24 THE HISTORY
chap. I. the King; each complained of the injustice with which he
l8^- had been treated, and endeavoured, by plausible objec
tions, to invalidate his competitor's pretensions. Finding
that the Lord Chamberlain's title rested principally on
some informality in the original charter granted to Lord
Carlisle, his Majesty ordered a second patent, made out on
the seventh day of April, correcting and explaining the
errors imputed to the first ; and confirming, in the most ex
plicit and unequivocal manner, the former grant to Lord
Carlisle. The Earl of Carlisle, having thus overcome all opposition,
and rendered himself lord paramount of Barbadoes, thought
now of providing for the security of his subjects. To this
end he gave a commission to Sir William Tufton, appoint
ing him commander-in-chief of the island. This gentle
man, accompanied with a sufficient force to reduce the dis
contented settlers to obedience, arrived at his government
Decern. 21. early in December, and immediately applied himself to
business. The first step taken after his arrival, was the
appointment of a council*, with whom he held a court orf
general sessions of the peace. He issued one hundred
and forty grants for nearly sixteen thousand acres of

* Curiosity will not, it is presumed, quarrel with us for inserting a list of the
members of this board, in which it is easy to recognise the origin of the second
branch of the legislature ; S. Andrews, Captain Talbot, T. Peers, R. Hall, R. Leon-
ard, A. Marbury, H. Brown, Captain Hey wood, T. Gibbes, D. Fletcher and W.
Birch.

OF BARBADOES. 25
land, and confirmed those which had been already given, chap.i.
During his short administration many laws were enacted, l629-
with the consent of his council; and the part of the
country which had first yielded to the arts of cultiva
tion, was divided into the six parishes of Christ Church,
of Saint Michael, Saint James, Saint Thomas, Saint Pe
ter, and Saint Lucy*.
The governor was proceeding in the adoption of such
measures as appeared to be most essential to the welfare of
those over whom he presided, when he was unexpectedly
interrupted by the arrival of Henry Hawley, who brought June.
with him a power to supersede Tufton and to assume the
government. It has been conjectured that Sir William had
drawn upon himself the displeasure of the noble pro
prietary ; but, as no cause has been assigned for this dis
like, it is highly probable that Ins removal was not owing
to his own misconduct. The fact is, that Hawley, who
on his voyage home, the last year, had been captured
by the Spaniards, had, on his return to England, pro
cured from Lord Carlisle a grant for a considerable tract
of land. In negotiating this business, it is not unlikely
that an artful man, such as Hawley appears to have
been, should have had recourse to some unfair means to
prevail en a nobleman, governed only by his interest, to in
vest him with the supreme authority over this distant
settlement.
* Memoirs of Barbadoes, p. 1 +,
B

26 THE HISTORY
Tufton calmly submitted to the arrangement which
deprived him of his employment; but, suspecting that
some improper influence had been used to prejudice him,
he appears to have cherished a secret resentment against
the suspected author of his downfall. Nor was it long
before he was furnished with an opportunity of shew
ing his animosity. About this time the colony suffered
very severely from the effects of a long continued drought,
which occasioned so great a scarcity of provisions, that
the planters were reduced to the utmost extremity. Ac
tuated, as was alleged, by motives of personal enmity
to the governor, Sir William prevailed on many of the
inhabitants to join in a petition to his excellency, com
plaining of his withholding from them certain stores,
which had been sent out by the Earl of Carlisle for
the relief of the sufferers, during the late calamity.
Incensed at this proceeding, Hawley now determined
to destroy the man whom he had already injured. A
council of twelve persons* had been previously appointed
to assist him in framing such ordinances, as should be
deemed expedient for the public welfare, and to serve
as a court of judicature. Before this tribunal Tufton
was arraigned, on a charge of mutiny. Although Sir
* These persons, whose names deserve to be remembered with execration, were Sir
R. Calvily, T. Peers, T. Gibbes, Edm. Reed, J. Yates, T. Ellis, W. Riley, R. Leonard,
W. Kitterich, F. Langdon, Reynold Alleyne, and W. Dolin.

OF BARBADOES. ' 27
William's conduct was not altogether free from blame, chap, l
there certainly was not the smallest foundation for the l63°-
charge exhibited against him. Nevertheless, the servile
court, awed into a mean compliance with the sanguinary
designs of their arbitrary principal, found the prisoner
guilty of the crime with which he stood accused, and April n.
condemned him to be shot to death. This iniquitous sen
tence was suspended until the next month, and then exe
cuted without remorse*.
A transaction so cruel and illegal, excited the most lively
indignation and discontent throughout the province. The
death of this unfortunate gentleman was universally regard
ed, as an act of the greatest cruelty and injustice. The
governor himself was abhorred as a tyrant and a murderer;
and in the subsequent fate of the base instruments of his
revenge, the superstitious, who, in the dispensations of
Providence, always pretend to discern the retributive arm
of Omnipotence, were persuaded, that they beheld the Di
vine justice particularly displayed in the punishment of the
guilty judges.
The innumerable emigrations from Europe, added to the
natural fecundity of the human species, had, by this time,
so increased the population of Barbadoes, that it became
* Mem. of Barbadoes, p. 17. Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 135. It may, perhaps, be
thought strange that, notwithstanding the indisputable authority on which these facts
are related, the author of the Short History of Barbadoes, should have passed over
these and many other important particulars in total silence.
E 2

<28 THE HISTORY
cj^^, necessary to establish judicatories for the distribution of jus-
i63p. ^.j^ m c^v^j cases> Accordingly the island was this year
divided into four precincts, in each of which a court of
cammon-qpleas, consisting of a chief judge and four assist
ants, was appointed to be holden every month, for the puiv
yose of determining all causes of litigation, not exceeding
¦the value of five hundred pounds of tobacco, subject to aa
appeal to the supreme court, in which the governor prer
sided in person. In this institution, we may perceive the
first rude sketches, though imperfectly defined, of that er
roneous judicial system, which has been handed downto the
•present day, sanctioned rather by the force of deep-rooted
'prejudices, and the respect due to ancient customs, than to
any experience of its wisdom and efficacy.
r The supreme. court, at present, consists of the governor
and'eouncil, and takes cognizance of all grievances and.
^erlbneous ; proceedings in the inferior courts. Five members
of the council, with the governor, make a quorum for
'transacting business in their judicial, as in their legislative
capacity. They constitute a court of error and equity, in
which .the ;goyernor, though he: has the style and title of
chancellor, ipresides only as primus inter pares ; his vote or
-opinion being of no greater importance than that of any
other member. Some writers on West Indian politics have
eensured this-- practice, as a radical imperfection in the con-
' stitution of the colonial chancery. They conceive that j us-
tice would be more uniformly, promptly and impartially.

OF BARBADOES. 29
administered, were the governor here, as in most of the chap.i.
other colonies, sole chancellor. 1^31-
Among the Leeward Islands, the commander in chief is
chancellor of each, by virtue of his office. "Attempts have
been made at St. Christopher s to join the council with him,
but without success; the inhabitants choosing rather tosub-
mit to the expence and delay of following the chancellor
to Antigua, the seat of government, where the court of
chancery is usually held for those islands, than suffer the
inconveniency of submitting their suits to the decision of
j,udges, who, from their situation and connexions, may be
interested in the event of every cause that should come
before them*."
On this subject the sentiments of an ingenious writer on1
our colonial constitutions merit attention- " A. governor,"
says he, "has fewer connexions in the country, and is less
liable to influence than either of the council, who for the
most part are natives. A gentleman who has interest to obr
tain a government, must be a man of some character and
distinction. He is responsible for his conduct, and has at
stake the loss of office.. When he sits alone, let his dispo
sition be what it may,, he will hardly venture to> commit
any flagrant act of injustice. But when a dozen counsel
lors are placed on the bench with him, defendit numerus, if
they are inclined to do mischief, they keep each other in
* Edwards's Hist. Of the West Indies, vol. 1, p. 431*

30 THE HISTORY
countenance. It very seldom happens that either of these
counsellors has been bred to the law, and a governor can
have little assistance, and the country little benefit, from
twelve gentlemen being placed on the chancery bench, with
no knowledge of law. Besides, in small communities,
scarce any cause can cdme on, in which all who sit on the
bench are totally disinterested*/'
1633. The clamours of the people, occasioned by the violent
and arbitrary proceedings of the Governor, having at
length reached the proprietary's ears, Mr.,. Hawley was
called home. Though it was generally expected that he
would there meet with the. punishment which he so justly
deserved, for the murder of Sir William Tufton, he found
an unmerited protection under the influence of his patron,
who prevented any inquiry into the affair.
April 3. On the departure of Hawley, his brother-in-law, Richard
Peers, assumed the government. Of the deputy-governor's
administration nothing is recorded, except, that under his
authority two persons were condemned, by a court martial,
to suffer death for treasonable practices against the colonial
government, and that they were executed pursuant to their
sentence* 1 ¦• ryrr •,
Hawley returned the next year with fresh powers from
the Earl of Carlisle, and particular instructions concerning
the issuing of grants for land. He was positively enjoined

1634.
*pril 7.

1 Stokes's View of the Constitution of the Colonies, p. 197.

OF BARBADOES. 31
to make no grants for a longer term than seven years; or, chap.i.
on any condition beyond the life of the grantee; reserving 163*-
to the earl the payment of an annual tribute, and securing
to the governor and the clergy their respective dues ; other
wise the estate so granted was to determine, and the land to
revert to the proprietary. Neglect of cultivation, and
omitting to provide a servant for every ten acres, were also
declared to be causes of iforfeiture*. These particulars are
worthy of attention, as they serve to elucidate the nature
of the tenure by which the early settlers held their planta
tions, and to throw some light on the delicate question
which occurred on the island's reverting to' the crown. By
an order of the governor and council, a tax of twenty shil
lings, for his excellency's use, was imposed on every fo
reign vessel which should arrive at this island, for trade or
refreshment; with an additional duty of seven shillings per
cent, ad valorem, on all goods which they should, offer for May22-
sale, to be applied to the use of the harbour : a judicious
application of an impolitic impost.
Hawley soon afterwards resigned his authority a second
time to Mr. Peers; and returned to England. The admi
nistration of this gentleman was again stained with blood.
At a general sessions of the peace, William Kitterich, one
of Tufton's judges, was convicted of the murder of Cap
tain Birch, and sentenced to be hanged; but, in-eonsider-
¦ - "  ,  '•¦ '¦-¦¦-' ¦'•• •¦ ¦ ¦• - :- 
* Mem. of Barbadoes, p. 1!>.

S2 THE HISTORY
ation of his having borne arms as an officer^ the court
mitigated the sentence, and he was ordered to be shot.
Hawley quickly returned to Barbadoes, and, after ap
pointing a new Council*, reduced the courts of common
pleas to two precincts, extending their jurisdiction to suits
not exceeding the value of ene thousand pounds of cotton
-or tobacco; and appointed informers in each parish. The
population had now greatly encreased, and of the inhabi- .
tants there were seven hundred and sixty-<six persons, each
of whom possessed ten acres of land or more. Slavery was
now countenanced', and a law passed, authorising the sale
'of negroes and Indians. for life.
1638. After issuing many, grants for land, Hawley undertook
another voyage to England, leaving the government in the
hands of his brother William Hawley. Lord Carlisle, about
this time, began to estimate the value of Barbadoes highly,
arid to suspect that the revenue which he drew from it was
aiot proportioned to its rapid advance in numbers and cul
tivation. Hawley, finding his patron dissatisfied at the
management of his colonial concern, privately left the
sL^n. ki^dom and ireturned to Barbadoes. Sir Henry Hunks was
instantly dispatched by the proprietary with a commission
to supersede Ihe governor, and to assume the direction of
affairs. Hawley, however, unwilling to part with his power,
* The new counciLwas composed of R. Peers, J. Holdip, W. Eortesctte, T. Gibbes,
T. Ellis, W, Hawley, G. Bowyer, W. Sandiford, E. Cranefield, S. Andrews and T.
Stevens.

OF BARBADOES. 33
peremptorily refused to submit to the authority of his sue- c3^j-
cessor; who, unable to resist the force with which he was
opposed, quietly proceeded to Antigua. As soon as Lord
Carlisle was made acquainted with these particulars, he
appointed five commissioners*, with full power to reduce
the refractory governor to obedience. In pursuance of his
lordship's commands, Hawley was arrested, sent home pri- Dec. 4.
soner, and his estate confiscated. The commissioners then
sent for Hunks, and invested him with the government-)-.
The short period during which this gentleman exercised
the supreme authority seems to have been distinguished by
no occurrence worth recording. The power which he ac
quired with difficulty, he resigned without reluctance; and 16+1.
deputing Philip Bell to be his lieutenant-governor, em
barked for Europe. The prudence and moderation of Mr.
Bell's conduct in the exercise of this delegated trust, while it
engaged him the approbation and esteem of all ranks of
people, recommended him in the strongest manner to the
proprietary as the properest person to promote the prospe
rity of the rising colony. He, therefore, sent him a com
mission as commander in chief.
The civil war, which at this time raged with the utmost 1C45.
violence in England, as well as the religious disputes which
preceded, and in a great measure produced it, contributed

* These were H. Ashton, P, Hayes, W. Powry, D. Fletcher, and J. Hanraer.
f Mem. Barbadoes, p. 21. F

34 THE HISTORY
chap.i. in a considerable degree to the rapid population of the
ifi«. new world. And while the puritans and fanatics, whose
principles were inimical to regal power and the established
hierarchy, fled to the inhospitable wilds of North Anrarica,
many respectable families, attached to the royal cause,
found in this delightful little spot an asylum from religious
persecution and republican tyranny. This emigration of
the royalists, and their settlement in this country, may pos
sibly account for that attachment to the parent state, and
loyalty to their sovereign, which have ever been the cha
racteristics of Barbadians. And, in justice to my own feel
ings, while I assign the cause, I hope I may be permitted
to exult in the sentiment.
At this calamitous period, when the violence of contend
ing parties threatened the total subversion of the British con
stitution, and the entire annihilation of the most invalu
able distinctions of civil society, it may be readily supposed
that the Earl of Carlisle, whose rank and fortune depended
upon the issue of the fatal contests between the republicans
and the defenders of monarchy and social order, had but
little leisure to attend to his less important concerns in
this remote quarter of the globe. His authority, therefore,
daily lost ground, and was, at length, scarcely recognised
in the colony. Barbadoes, thus left to its own councils,
enjoyed all the advantages of commercial freedom. To this
cause we may properly assign the extraordinary opulence
and prosperity which it attained, while Great Britain was

OF BARBADOES. S3
desolated by the folly and wickedness of her unnatural C3^J'
sons". I645'
The leeward part of the island seems to have been the
first and best settled. Many of the planters had at this
time amassed considerable fortunes. Hence the penetrating
eye of Mr. Bell perceived the necessity of adopting a more
regular and efficacious system than had been hitherto ob
served. Under the mild and beneficent administration of
this prudent chief, a new and auspicious era is presented to
our view. His enlarged mind embraced a greater variety
of interesting objects than had ever engaged the attention
of his predecessors ; and it was now that the Barbadians
began to enjoy the benefits of equal laws and social order.
Sensible of the influence of religion in harmonising the
passions and softening the manners of mankind, Mr. Bell's
first care was to provide for the uniformity of common
prayer, and the establishment of public worship. Assisted
by the advice of a council consisting of ten persons, whose
names are not transmitted to us, he divided the island into
eleven parishes*, in each of which a church was built and
a minister appointed to officiate at the altar. To secure
to the people the grand and inestimable privilege of parti
cipating, by their representatives, in the business of legis
lation, a general assembly was instituted, composed of two
* St. George's, St. Philip's, St. John's, and St. Andrew's, being now added to the
six already mentioned. Vide ante, p. 50.
P 2

36 THE HISTORY
chap. i. deputies from each parish*, duly elected by a majority of
VH5- the freeholders. And, that justice should be brought home
to every man's own door, the island was again divided into
four circuits, in each of which a court of law was duly
constituted. From the number and utility of the laws passed dur
ing this period, Mr. Bell may, with some propriety, be
styled the Barbadian Justinian. Few of his ordinances
have reached the present generation, but no inference
can thence be drawn to their prejudice. Many legislative
acts might then have been necessary and proper, which
from the lapse of time, change of circumstances, and
alteration of manners, would now be useless and inex
pedient. This enlightened legislator very early saw the
necessity of prescribing some bounds to the rapacity of
public officers, by ascertaining their fees. The law which
passed for this purpose still remains in the statute-book,
as being in full force, though it is disregarded. It is
indeed more than probable that the fees which are
there specified, are inadequate to afford men of talents

* This may justly be thought a very unequal representation of the country. In the
present state of population and increase of commerce, it is but reasonable that the
merchants and traders should be allowed a choice distinct from the land-holder ;
and that the representatives of the several towns should be proportioned to the num
ber of electors. Such an accession to the popular branch of the legislature might
possibly infuse a fresh portion of strength and vigour into that assembly, and render it
more independent of the executive power.

OF BARBADOES. s7
and respectability a reasonable compensation for their CHAP- *•
services. 16*5.
This evil is principally owing to the mischievous
policy of bestowing the most lucrative employments in
the island on persons resident in England. These offices
are executed by deputies, who farm them from the
patentees at an annual rent, far exceeding their real
value. The remedy is obvious. Were all patent offices
executed by their principals, the legal emoluments of
each would be a sufficient compensation to an able,
upright officer, without resorting to the unjustifiable
means now practised; the money,, which is now re
mitted to Great Britain, to pamper the needy . minions
of a court favourite, would be expended at home ;
and, in the course of its circulation, replenish the sources
from whence it had been draAvn. The executive autho
rity would be strengthened, and the country, in gene
ral, benefited by the accession of the talents of a
number of intelligent men, employed in the various de
partments of government.
Nor was Mr. Bell inattentive to the means of de- 1647,
fending the island against the attempts of an external
foe. In the list of expired laws, we find many acts
mentioned for fortifying the sea coasts. For this pur
pose the produce of the excise act was granted to
Captain Burrowes for seven years. But the fortifica
tions which , he erected, were so unskilfully contrived,

$8 THE HISTORY
chap.i. taat they were afterwards demolished by oraler; of a
164.7. more aDie engineer, who was appointed to inspect them.
The militia was rendered formidable by its numbers, which
m this time amounted to a thousand cavalry and ten thou
sand infantry.
The misfortunes of the mother country contributed ma
terially to the prosperity of the infant colony. Its po
pulation had encreased to the amazing extent of fifty
thousand persons of both sexes; and the value of land
had encreased in proportion to the number of inhabi
tants. It is asserted by a contemporary historian, that
Colonel Modiford, in the course of this year, purchased
half of a plantation, containing five hundred acres of
land, ninety-nine slaves, and twenty-eight white servants,
with the stock and buildings, for seven thousand pounds ;
which will doubtless be thought a chea:p purchase, until it is
added, that the same land had been sold, seven years
before, for only two thousand pounds*.
The unrestrained intercourse which subsisted between
the merchants of Barbadoes and those of Holland, was
attended with great advantages to the inhabitants of
both countries ; but particularly to the Barbadians, who
were supplied by the Dutch with the articles required
for internal consumption, upon better and cheaper terms
than they could have obtained them from home. One

"* Ligon's Hist, of Barb, p, 22.

OF BARBADOES. S9
inconvenience must have been severely felt — the want chap. i.
of a circulating medium, to facilitate the mercantile 1647,
transactions of the country. Money, the universal re
presentative of the value of commodities, was so scarce,
that both merchants and planters were frequently obliged
to barter one commodity for another*. All fees of office,
and even the emoluments which the governor derived from
his appointment, were, at first, payable in cotton or
tobacco, and in later times, in sugar.
At what time the sugar-cane was first introduced into
Barbadoes, it is now impossible to ascertain exactly.
It could not, however, have been long before the pe
riod we are now contemplating; for we are informed by
Ligon, that on his arrival here, in 1647, the great
business of sugar-making had been recently begun and
was but imperfectly understood. An author, whom we
have had frequent occasion to quote, speaks of the cane

* Of this Ligon relates a ludicrous instance. " Neighbour," said one planter to
another, " I hear you have lately bought good store of servants out of the last ships
from England ; and I hear that you want provisions. I would be glad to make an ex
change. If you will let me have some of your woman's flesh you shall have some of
my hog's flesh." The price fixed upon was a groat a pound for the ho°-'s flesh and
six-pence for the woman's. The scales were set up ; the planter had a maid whose
name was Honor, fat, lazy, and good for nothing. The man brought a great fat sow,
and put it into one scale, and Honor was put into the other, but when he saw how
much the hog outweighed the maid, he broke off the bargain. Vide Ligon's Hist.
Barb,p\ 50,

40 THE HISTORY
chap.i. as having been first brought to this island by Mr. James
164:7. fjoldip, in a ship from Guinea*. But it seems much
more likely to have been imported, as is elsewhere as
serted, from Fernambucca, in Brasil-f-.
This valuable plant grew luxuriantly, and was easily
propagated. The planters were at first so extremely ig
norant of the proper management of the cane and the
manufacture of sugar, that it w7as several years before
it became a profitable article of export. It was, how*
ever, useful in supplying the means of preparing and
fermenting those refreshing beverages, which, in the heat
of a tropical climate, were both agreeable and salutary.
By perseverance the planters at length acquired suffi
cient skill to enable them to proceed with greater ad
vantage. For several years the art of sugar-boiling re
mained a secret, known only to Mr. Drax and a few
other gentlemen, who had employed a Dutch planter
from Brasil, to superintend their works. The improve
ments which he introduced in the management of their
plantations enriched his employers, and excited an emu
lation among others, to whom the mystery was yet un
known. Several planters were induced to undero-o the
hazard and fatigue of a voyage to Brasil, to acquire
the best information respecting the treatment of a plant

* Mem. of Barb. Appen. p. 1. f Ligon's Hist, of Barbadoes, p. 85.

OF BARBADOES. 4l
which, by proper management, was found capable of chap. i.
producing the most solid benefits. At length, when the l8"
Portuguese, after the revolution which placed the Duke
of Braganza on the throne of Portugal, had recovered
possession of their territories on the southern continent,
the Dutch, expelled from Brasil, became our masters
in the art of making sugar. Many of these exiles, set
tling on the island, instructed the Barbadians in the
proper culture of the plant, the season of its maturity,
and in the construction of works suitable for the ma
nufacture of this valuable staple.
The field thus opened to the industry of the island
ers necessarily required an encrease of labourers. Euro
pean constitutions were found by experience unequal to
the laborious occupations of agriculture, in a climate
continually exposed to the scorching rays of a vertical
sun. Recourse was therefore had, of necessity, to the
shocking expedient suggested by the partial humanity
of Las Casas*, who, to preserve the scanty remains of

* Bartholomew de las Casas, the benevolent bishop of Chiapa, was a native of Se
ville, and held a curacy in Cuba; where he was distinguished by his humanity and
zeal for the conversion of the Indians. He exerted himself with unremitting assi
duity in behalf of that injured and oppressed people. At last the Emperor Charles V.
moved by his continual remonstrances, made eOme laws in favour of the Indians;
and, to relieve them from a part of the burthen under which they groaned, granted a
patent to certain persons to supply the islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, Porto-Rico, and
Jamaica with 4000 negroes annually. The active part taken by the bishop has in-

42 THE HISTORY
the aborigines of the American isles from destruction, pro
posed to the Spaniards the project of supplying their plan
tations with negroes from Africa. This early apostle of hu
manity justly conceived that there would be less immorali
ty in employing in the labours of the field, an unfortunate,
but hardy race, who are slaves from their birth, than in
enslaving the effeminate, but free-born sons of America.
Barbadoes was, therefore, obliged to imitate the example
of the French and Spaniards in her neighbourhood, and
to import from Africa those wretched negro labourers,
whom the mysterious dispsnsations of Providence had
apparently doomed to perpetual slavery.
curred unmerited censure. " While he contended," says the great Dr. Robinson,
" for the liberty of the people born in one quarter of the globe, he laboured to enslave
the inhabitants of another region ; and in the warmth of his zeal to save the Ameri
cans from the yoke, pronounced it to be lawful and expedient to impose one, still
heavier, upon the Africans." " But the conduct of Las Casas," says the elegant his
torian of the West Indies, " is not fairly stated in the foregoing representation ; for
it supposes that each class of people was A und in a similar condition and situation of
life ; whereas it is notorious, that most of the negroes imported from Africa are born
of enslaved parents; are bred up as slaves themselves, and have been habituated to
slavery from their infancy. On the other hand, the inhabitants of these islands have
been so used to the enjoyment of liberty in a life of plenty and pastime, that the yoke
of servitude is insupportable to them. Las Casas therefore contended reasonably enough,
that men, inured to servitude and drudgery, who could experience no alteration of
circumstances from a change of masters, and who felt not the sentiments which free
dom alone inspires, were not so great objects of commiseration as those who having
always enjoyed the sweets of unbounded liberty, were suddenly deprivec( of.it and
urged to tasks of labour, which their strength was unable to perform."
Edwards's History of the West Indies, vol. 2. p. 39.

OF BARBADOES. 43
But this supply proving inadequate to the effectual culti- chap. i.
vation of the soil, recourse was had to the more cruel and lM7-
less justifiable practice of kidnapping and enslaving the
neighbouring Indians and Caribs. These barbarians, im
patient of subjection, and too indolent to endure the hard
ships of a life of slavery, pined themselves to death, or ex
pired under the rigour of servitude ; thus depriving avarice
of its reward, and punishing treachery for its deceit and
cruelt}r. These acts of injustice and inhumanity, far from
benefiting the cruel perpetrators of them, ^entailed on the
English the perpetual animosity of those savage tribes. A
British vessel, engaged in this odious commerce, lying at
Dominica, was visited by many of the Caribs, for the pur
pose of exchanging their commodities for such articles as
they wanted. The captain, having made them drunk, put
to sea with them ; but the savages, notwithstanding their
intoxication, perceiving his execrable design, leaped over
board, and regained the shore; except two, who were con
fined and afterwards sold for slaves. To avenge this injur}',
the Caribs, dispersed through the Windward islands, landed
upon the English settlements accessible to their canoes, and
massacred the unsuspicious inhabitants with the most in
discriminate fury and remorseless vengeance*.
Among the many instances of treachery practised on
* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 215.
G 2

44 THE HISTORY
CHA^J/ these wretched victims of European cupidity, there is one
1647- mentioned by a contemporary historian, which, as it has
employed the elegant and pathetic pen of Addison, and
has excited the most lively sentiments of indignation in the
breast of the philanthropic Abbe Ray nal, ought not to be
omitted in this place. I shall, however, divest the affect
ing narrative of the fanciful embellishments with which it
has been decorated by others, and recite it, with historic
fidelity, in the words of the original and artless writer by
whom the story was first told*. " An English ship having
put into a bay, sent some of her men ashore to try what vic
tuals or water they could find ; but the Indians perceiving
them to go far into the country, intercepted them on their
return and fell upon them, chasing them into a wood, where
some were taken, and some killed. A young man, whose
name was Inckle, straggling from the rest, was met by an
Indian maid, who, upon the first sight, fell in love with
him, and hid him close from her countrymen in a cave, and
there fed him till they could safely go down to the shore,
where the ship lay at anchor, expecting the return of their
friends. But at last seeing them upon the shore, the boat
was sent for them, took them on board and brought them
away. But the youth, when he came to Barbadoes, forgot
the kindness of the poor maid, who had ventured her life

* Ligon's Hist, of Barb. p. 55.

OF BARBADOES. 45
for his safety, and sold her for a slave. And so poor Ya-
rico for her love lost her liberty."
It will readily be perceived, how much this simple tale
has been embellished by the creative imagination and de
scriptive powers of Addison*. And it is painful to add,
though it is too obvious to escape observation, that simi
lar artifices and exaggerations have been successfully em
ployed in later times to inflame the passions and prejudice
the minds of the credulous misinformed Europeans on the
subject of West Indian slavery. It does not, however, ap
pear, that the lady possessed any remarkable share of
delicacy, since it is reported by Ligon, who was personally
acquainted with her, and received many offices of kindness
at her hands, " that she would not be wooed by any means
to wear clothes." Nor does she seem to have been much
affected by the ingratitude of her perfidious betrayer.
" Her excellent shape and colour, which was a pure bright
bay; and small breasts, with nipples of porphyrie," were
irresistible attractions, and she soon consoled herself in the
arms of another lover. In short, " she chanced to be with
child by a christian servant, and lodging in an Indian house,.
amopgst the other women of her own country, and being
very great with child, so that her time was come to be de
livered, she walked down to a wood, and there, by the side

Vide the Spectator, No, 1 1 .

4(5 THE HISTORY
chap. i. 0f a pond*5 brought herself a-bed; and presently washing
1617- her child, in three hours time came home with a lusty boy,
frolic and livelyf." Who could suppose that this is the
same unfortunate female, of whom so much has been said
and sung by moralists, poets and historians ; whose hapless
fate has caused such lively sensations in the tender minds of
Europe's philanthropic sons ? No apology, it is presumed,
will be thought necessary for this minute and authentic ac
count of the celebrated Belle Sauvage, whose wrongs have
been amplified and recorded by the ablest pens; and
whose imaginary sorrows have drawn the tear of sympathy
from the brightest eyes.
1649. The elegant, though inaccurate, Abbe Raynal, erro
neously ascribes a conspiracy among the negroes, which was
formed about this time, to a design of avenging the quar
rel of this much injured woman. The fact is related, and
very differently accounted, for, by an eye witness J, though
not in a manner more favourable to the character of the
colony. The slaves, lately imported from Africa, whose
savage manners and natural ferocity had not yielded to the
arts of civilization, nor been softened by the influence of
European habits, probably conscious of their superiority
of numbers, and groaning under a new and toilsome species

* There is a pond in Kindall's plantation, which, from this circumstance, is called,
at this day, Yarico's Pond.
i Ligoii's Hist, of Barb. pp. 54 and 6$. } Ibid. 54.

OF BARBADOES. 47
of bondage, determined to make an effort to throw off chap. i.
the galling chain. With this view a conspiracy was i°4o.
entered into by the bold and discontented, and a day ap
pointed for a general insurrection ; when they proposed to
massacre all the white inhabitants', and to make themselves-
masters of the island.. This horrid plot was conducted with
such inviolable secrecy, that no doubt was entertained by
the conspirators of its successful completion. But on the
day preceding the execution of their diabolical design, a Nov. 15.
servant of Judge Hothersall, filled with horror at the pros
pect of the dreadful scene which was about to commence,
dismayed by the apprehension of a failure, or actuated by
gratitude for the kindness with which he had been treated,
divulged the fatal secret, with which he had been intrusted,
to his master. Proper measures were immediately taken
to frustrate the scheme ; many of the conspirators being
secured, underwent a legal examination ; and eighteen
of the principal leaders, who were the most turbulent and
sanguinary, were condemned to expiate their guilt on a gib
bet ; an awful example, dictated by the imperious law of
self-preservation.

CHAP.

48 THE HISTORY

CHAP. II.
LORD WILLOUGHBY SUCCEEDS TO THE GOVERNMENT-1— RE
STRAINTS ON TRADE — SIR GEORGE A YSCUE REDUCES THE ISLAND
¦ — RESTORATION  COLONEL MODIFORD APPOINTED GOVERNOR
 SUCCEEDED BY PRESIDENT WALROND- — DIGRESSION CONCERN
ING COURTS OF LAW.
chap. n. DURING the fatal disputes between the king and par-
1649- liament, which distracted and desolated the kingdom, the
interest of the proprietary appears to have been entirely
neglected and forgotten in Barbadoes. After the death of
Lord Carlisle, . the reputation of its amazing wealth and
prosperity encouraged his son to claim the island under the
original grant made to his father. But the great difficulty
was how to secure the benefits arising from a property so
distant. At length, the noble patentee executed a lease to
Francis Lord Willoughby," of Parham, by which he con
veyed to his lordship all his right and title to the colony for
the term of twenty-one years, upon condition that the pro
fits arising from his claim, during the existence of the
contract, should be applied to their mutual advantage. In
consequence of this arrangement, the Earl appointed Lord

OF BARBADOES. 49
Willoughby governor of the whole province of Carliola.
But apprehensive that the inhabitants might be inclined to
dispute his authority, it was thought necessary, as a pru
dent precaution, to obtain a commission from the king,
confirming his lordship's appointment*. The unhappy pos
ture of the king's affairs, at this critical period, probably
suspended; the execution of this design. But when the
blind fury of an infatuated people had sated itself with the
blood of their legitimate, hereditary sovereign, the project
was revived and carried into full effect.
Lord Willoughby was a brave and active officer. As a
presbyterian, he had been formerly inimical to the royal
cause ; but disapproving of the violent measures pursued
by. the republican party, he had renounced their principles;
and, after the execution of the unfortunate Charles, dis
gusted at the infamous conduct of the regicides, he passed
oyer into Holland, and openly espoused the cause of the
exiled prince. But as there was no prospect of his being
serviceable to his royal master, under his present unfortu
nate circumstances, he requested the king's permission to
assume the government of Barbadoes, in the hope of being
more usefully employed in that quarter. The affairs of the
illustrious exile now wore so gloomy an aspect, that his
inost sanguine friends despaired of being ever able to place
* Caribbianna, vol. 2. pref. p. vi, Mem. of Barb. p. 27,
H

50 THE HISTORY
him on the throne, which the enemies of his family had
subverted. It was deemed an object of great importance
to secure even the West Indian settlements in their alle
giance to the crown ; and for this undertaking no one was
better qualified than Lord Willoughby. His Majesty,
therefore, readily complied with his desire, and appointed
him governor and lieutenant-general of Barbadoes, and all
the Caribbee islands. Could the effect of this mission have
been accomplished, and the colonies in North America,
induced to reject the authority of parliament, it was con
jectured, that his Majesty would have retired to that conti
nent, to avoid the dangers and persecutions to which he was
continually exposed in Europe*.
May 7. Lord Willoughby, on his arrival at Barbadoes, found the
colony in the most prosperous circumstances ; rich, popu
lous, and tranquil. Many of the republicans, who had
fled from the rage of civil contention at home, concluding
that the interest of the royal party was entirely ruined by
the murder of their sovereign, returned to England, allured
by the prospect of deriving greater advantages from their
friend's accession to power, than they could expect to en
joy in this obscure part of the world, under a proprietary
government. This partial emigration afforded a wider field
for the royalists, who at this time formed by far the most
considerable part of the people. But, as many of the pu-

* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 139.

OF BARBADOES. 51
ritans, or parliamentarians, remained in the island, the two
parties had mutually agreed to avoid all political contro
versy, and live together on terms of reciprocal friendship
and good-will.
This harmony and unanimity were, in some measure, in
terrupted, by the arrival of Lord Willoughby. His excel
lency was too zealously attached to the royal cause to tem
porize with the opposite party. The first step taken by
his lordship Avas to proclaim the accession of Charles II.
to the crown, and to the sovereignty of all the dominions-
thereto belonging. His next care was to convene the le- Nov. 1.
gislature, who entered into all his lordship's views with ar
dour and alacrity. An act was immediately passed, ac
knowledging his majesty's right to the sovereignty of the
island, and that of the Earl of Carlisle, derived from his
majesty, and transferred to his excellency Lord Willoughby.
It also enjoined the unanimous profession of the true reli
gion, and provided for imposing condign punishment on
all opposers of the established church. No less than
twenty-five laws received the governor's assent in the course
of this year; a circumstance which manifests much diligence
and attention to business, on the part of the members of
the general assembly. Among these laws are many salu
tary regulations for preserving peace and tranquillity ; for
training the militia, and fortifying the maritime parts of the
island : all of them useful objects, and well worthy the at
tention of an enlightened administration. Availing him-
h 2

52 THE HISTORY
self of the spirit of loyalty which prevailed throughout
the country, Lord Willoughby raised a body of men, and
equipped several ships, with which he compelled the neigh
bouring islands, within his commission, to submit to the
royal authority.
Meanwhile, Colonel Alleyne, and several other opulent
planters, attached to the parliamentary interest, fearing
that these strong measures might draw on the colony the re
sentment of the ruling power on the other side of the At
lantic, removed to England, to escape the storm which
they saw gathering; and which they thought themselves
unable to withstand. The council of state, which then
directed the national concerns, having obtained from these
persons the most ample information concerning the state of
affairs in the West Indies, immediately determined upon
punishing the refractory colonists, and reducing them to
obedience. A formidable body of troops was accordingly
embarked on board a squadron, under the command of
Sir George Ayscue, for the purpose of giving effect to this
determination. But this was not enough. Hitherto the
colonies had enjoyed the most unbounded freedom of com
merce with the Dutch. This furnished the council of state
with a favourable opportunity of mortifying and oppressing
the obstinate planters, by prohibiting the lucrative inter
course which subsisted between the sugar colonies and the
United Provinces; and, at the same time, checking the
growing prosperity of those wealthy republicans, the

OF BARBADOES. 53
Dutch. With these views, the long parliament passed an chap'.n.
act, which laid the foundation of the celebrated navigation l656-
system, to which Great Britain is chiefly indebted for her
present opulence, grandeur, and maritime strength*.
By this famous act all ships belonging to any foreign
nation, were prohibited from trading with any of the
English plantations without a license from the council
of state. Though this law was expressed in general terms,
the Dutch were most particularly affected by it, because
they enjoyed the greatest share of the benefits accruing
from the trade to the British West-Indian islands. The
merchants of Holland, by whom the injury was most
severely felt, presented a memorial to the States Gene
ral, assembled at the Hague, against this proceeding,
complaining, that they should be ruined by a prohibi
tion which destroyed the most lucrative branch of their
commerce, and praying their High Mightinesses to ex
postulate with the British government on a measure so
fatal to the interests of the republic* But the approach
of hostilities between the two commonwealths, rendered
all negoeiation fruitless and unavailing; though it is as
serted by an- author of much credit-f-, that some Dutch
merchants had the address to obtain from Cromwell an
exclusive indulgence of trading to the West-Indies.

* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. pp. 141 and 289. Blackstone's Comment, vol. 1. p. 418.
f Vide Univ. Hist. vol. 41 . p. 141.

54 THE HISTORY
Nor did the Barbadians remain calm spectators of a
measure so hostile and oppressive to themselves. The
greatest consternation, mingled with resentment, was raised
in the colony by an act, which the people saw very clearly
was intended as a punishment for their attachment to
their king, and which, in its operation, must prove ex
tremely injurious to the landed and commercial interests
of the country. Nevertheless, with a spirit and firmness
which nothing but their weakness rendered blameable, they
determined to encounter every danger in the maintenance
of their rights. The act having been sent out to the colo
nies, a spirited declaration was drawn up and subscribed by
Feb. is. Lord Willoughby, the members of council and the assembly,
stating their objections, and expressing their firm resolution
of opposing the act of parliament to the utmost extent of
their power.
In this declaration they deny that the island had been
settled by the British government, at the expense of the
crown. It is certain, they say, that the present inhabitants
had, at the manifest hazard of their lives, resorted to this
distant and desolate spot, which they had, at their own
.particular cost and trouble, cleared, settled, and brought
to its present prosperous condition. They totally dis
claimed the authority of the British parliament, in which
they were not represented. To submit to such a jurisdic
tion, they asserted, would be a species of slavery far ex
ceeding any thing which the nation had yet suffered; and

OF BARBADOES. ob
they affected not to doubt that the courage which had ena- j^^J*
bled them to sustain the hardships and dangers which they
had encountered in a region remote from their native clime,
would continue to support them in the maintenance of that
freedom, without which life itself would be uncomfortable
and of little value.
They proceed with observing, " that by this act all out
landish nations are forbidden to hold any correspondence
or traffic with the inhabitants of this island ; although all
the ancient inhabitants know very well, how greatly theyi,
have been obliged to those of the Low Countries for their
subsistence; and how difficult it would have been for us,
without their assistance, ever to have inhabited these places,
or to have brought them into order. And we are yet sensible,
what necessary comfort they bring to us daily; and that
they sell their commodities a great deal cheaper than our
own nation will do. But this comfort must be taken from
us by those whose wills are set up as a law for us. But we
declare that we will never be so unthankful to the Nether-
landers for their former help and assistance, as to deny or
forbid them, or any other nation, the freedom of our
harbours and the protectionof our laws; by which they may
continue, if they please, in all freedom of commerce and
traffic with us. To perfect aad accomplish our intended
slavery, and to make our necks pliable to the yoke, they
forbid our own countrymen to hold any commerce or traffic
with us, nor suffer any one to come to us, but such who have
obtained particular licenses from some persons who are

56 THE HISTORY
expressly ordered for that purpose; by whose means; it may
be brought to pass, that no other goods or merchandise shall
be brought hither than such as the licensed) persons shall
please and think fit to give way tp; and that they are to. sell
the same at such a price as they shall please to impose upon
them; and suffer no ships to come hither but their own,
As likewise that no inhabitants of the island may send home
upon their own account any island goods of this place; but
shall be a,s slaves tp the company who shall have the license,
just as our negroes are to us, and submit to them the whole
advantage of our labour and industry."
" Wherefore, haying rightly considered, we declare that
as we would not be wanting to use all honest means for the
obtaining a continuance of commerce, trade, and good cor
respondence with pur country, so we will not alienate our
selves from those old heroic virtues of true Englishmen, to
prostrate our freedom and privileges to which we are born,
to the will and opinion of any one. Neither do we think
our number so contemptible, nor our resolution, so weak as
to be forced or persuaded to so ignoble a submission ; and
we cannot think that there are any amongst us who are so
simple and so unworthily minded, that they would not rather
choose a noble death than forsake their old liberties and
privileges."*

* Grey's Hist, of the Puritan's, vol. 4. Append. 12. Political Register for 1768.

OF BARBADOES. 57
This manifesto was productive of no benefit to the colo- (^^J1'
nies. The council of state had taken effectual measures for 1651°
reducing them to obedience ; and the Barbadians were soon
Called upon to give more active and indubitable proofs of
their loyalty and courage. The sailing of the armament
destined for the redution of the West Indies having been
delayed beyond the expected time, Sir George Ayscue, to
•whom the command of the expedition was intrusted, did
not reach Barbadoes before the eighteenth day of October,
when appearing off Carlisle-Bay, be sent in Captain Peck
of the Amity frigate, who captured seventeen Dutch
merchant ships, making their officers and crews prisoners of
war. Sir George, however, found the enterprise in which
he was engaged, attended with greater difficulty and more
danger than had been apprehended. Lord Willoughby
made such an excellent disposition of the militia under his
command, amounting to five thousand men, that the gallant
admiral found it impracticable to land his troops. The
council and assembly resolved to support the governor with Nov>4,
all their strength. They published a kyyal and patriotic
declaration, in which they expressed their unalterable
determination to defend his. Majesty's lawful right to the
possession of the island ; to protect the person of their
governor; and to vindicate the liberties and immunites
which they had enjoyed under the ancient constitution*.
— ii - ..— —  — .i f,  ¦¦,»„ . I, ¦  ¦¦¦¦¦-. 
* Mem. of Barb. p. 27. Laws of Barb. Hall's Edit. p. 4,63. ., v»;
I

58 THE HISTORY
chap, il Meeting- with an opposition so unexpected, Sir George,
1651 '¦• having been frustrated in several attempts to effect a land
ing, endeavoured to obtain, by intrigue, what he could
not accomplish by force. To this end, he opened a nego
tiation with the Barbadians; who* although they would
not consent to acknowledge the supremacy of the parlia
ment, proposed that Colonel! Alleyne, and the other re
publican planters, who, in the expectation of subduing
the island, had joined the fleet, should resume the peace
able possession of their estates. This proposal was too fa
vourable to be refused by such as were willing to sacrifice
their principles to their interest. It was eagerly embraced
by all except Alleyne, who having been appointed to con
duct the landing of the troops, whenever a favourable op
portunity should present itself for that purpose, obstinately
adhered to the cause in which he had embarked. Mean
while, Sir George, finding that his forces were inadequate
to the conquest of the island, prudently desisted from any
hostile attempt until he should have a better prospect Of
rendering his efforts successful.
'This inaction on the part of that artful commander was
calculated to impress the Barbadians with an idea that the
danger was over. Whether it produced that effect is now
uncertain; but the assembly, on Christmas-day, passed
two acts; the first for settling the peace and quiet of the
island ; the second for returning thanks to the well-affected
to his Majesty, who had lately appeared in arms. But

OF BARBADOES. 59
though the republican commander had suspended the exe- <^^J1,
cution of his enterprise, he had not wholly relinquished his l65,i
design. He brought his squadron to an anchor off Speight's
Town, with a view of availing himself of the first oppor
tunity of disembarking. But the formidable appearance
of Lord Willoughby's army disconcerted all his schemes,
till the arrival of a fleet from Virginia, by which he pre
tended he had received "a considerable reinforcement*
Profiting by this fortunate conjunction, the admiral made
the necessary preparations for landing the troops, amount
ing to nearly three thousand men. The descent was effected
under the direction of Colonel Alleyne, who was killed by
a musket ball, before he reached the shore. Notwithstand
ing the loss of their leader, the republicans advanced with
great vivacity, and attacked Lord Willoughby, who lay
strongly posted near the fort ; after a sharp conflict, his
lordship was driven from his intrenchments and the fort
was taken possession of by the assailants, with the loss of
about sixty of their men*.
Far from being dispirited at this misfortune, Lord Wil
loughby still kept the field at the. head of his brave militia,
composed principally of the common people ; who, though
they have the least to lose, will, on every similar occasion,
be found the most firm and steady in the hour of danger.
From the example before us, let our legislators learn to ap-
* Univer. Hist, vol. 41. p. U2.— Naval Hist. vol. 2. p. 85.
12

60 THE HISTORY
chap. II. preciate the value of a hardy peasantry ; and influenced by
1651. every principle of sound policy, encourage a class of peo
ple who, in reality, form the physical strength of the
country*.

* Every man, even of common observation, must be convinced that the decline of the
Barbadoes militia, is owing to the disastrous emigration of the lower classes of people.
This growing evil requires some legislative remedy. In a country possessed of a po
pulation so extensive as this is, and circumscribed within such narrow boundaries,
every possible encouragement should be held out to the poor and laborious, to exert
their industry and ingenuity in such useful employments as are suited to their hum
ble condition. These men are not only the real effective strength of their country j
they would add to its opulence were they placed in a situation to earn a subsist
ence for their families. But, unfortunately, a different policy prevails among us.
Few plantations have a sufficient number of labourers to cultivate their fields, yet
many slaves are employed as tradesmen, who would be equally as profitably engaged'
in agricultural occupations, while the industrious mechanic is destitute of employment.
No wonder that, under such discouragements, he is compelled to forego his fond at
tachment to his native soil, and emigrate to the neighbouring colonies, where his skill.
and dilfgence are better rewarded. Thus the physical strength of the country" is
daily diminished ; and the common stock deprived of a due proportion of"labour
and industry. " The decay of population," according to an eminent political philo
sopher, " is the greatest evil that a state can suffer; and the improvement of it, the
object which ought, in all countries, to be aimed at in preference to every other poli
tical purpose whatever. Goldsmith has adorned this sentiment with all the graces of
poetry. " III fares the land to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay ;
Princes and lords may flourish or may fade ;
A breath can make them as a breath has made ;
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destrcy'd can never be supply'd."

OF BARBADOES. 61
As the island was completely blockaded by the British CS^£JI*
squadron, it is more than probable that the governor would

To check this alarming decrease of population two things are obviously necessary ;
first to provide homes for the poor, and employment for the industrious. Among the
ancient Romans we find frequent mention of Agrarian laws for the relief of the poor*
That wise and politic people thought that it signified but little, if, while the senate and
patricians lived in affluence, the veteran soldier pined in want and obscurity. It is
not intended to interrupt our modern patricians in the quiet possession of their estates,
by recommending this example to their imitation ; but it must be allowed, that there
are very few plantations which cannot, without injury to the owner, spare a few acres
of indifferent land at their extremities for the accommodation of the tenantry. This
unfortunate, but useful class of people, ought to be assisted ; they deserve encou
ragement. On the scanty glebes which may be assigned to them, they woul'd
find rest when their labours were done, and shelter from the pitiless pelting
of the storm. Here they would toil, and, enjoying the fruits of their industry,
become useful members of the community. Sweet, to the mind of the most humble,
is the little native cot, under whose lowly roof peace and security dwell. Another im -
portant object is, to find employment for the industrious. To effect this grand desi
deratum, one thing only is necessary, to confine our slaves, by an act of the legisla
ture, to the labours of the field. This will furnish the inferior orders of people with
an opportunity of gaining an honest livelihood in the various mechanical professions
which luxury and necessity have introduced for the convenience or ornament of so
ciety. Were this done, Barbadoes would furnish employ and subsistence for her nu
merous sons at home; the security of the country would be strengthened by the ag
gregation of faithful loyal subjects; the community would enjoy the advantages of a
general circulation of the wages of industry ; and our planters would no longer re
quire fresh importations of Africans for the cultivation of the land. Perfectly aware of
"the objections to the execution of this plan, I can only lament the invincible obstacles
which deep-rooted prejudices and mistaken avarice have raised to oppose its accom
plishment : for I feel the strongest conviction that the day is not far distant, when the
proposed regulations, had they been early adopted, would have proved the salvation
of the country.

ffi THE HISTORY
^^3' ^iaye keen eventually reduced to the necessity of capitulat-
»65i. jjjg. yef. jt jg evident, from every account of this affair, that
the parliamentary forces could have made no effectual im
pression on the Barbadians had they continued united firmly
among themselves. Sensible of this truth, and impatient
of delay, Sir George Ayscue adopted the only plan which,
in his circumstances, was likely to prove successful. His
troops, which were quartered at Speight's Town, under
the command of Captain Morrice, made frequent incur
sions into the adjacent parts of the country ; plundering
and destroying the neighbouring plantations ; a species of
warfare, which soon produced the desired effect. Many of
the principal royalists, who were less solicitous about their
king and constitution than anxious for the preservation of
their estates, despairing of a successful termination of the
contest, and intimidated by the prospect of impending ruin,
entered into a secret correspondence with the admiral. The
tiegociation on the part of the Barbadians, was conducted
by Colonel Modiford, who engaged, in case Lord Wil
loughby should continue to reject all overtures of accomr
modation, that he and all his friends would join the leader
of the republican forces, and compel his lordship to sur
render on fair and equitable conditions. Lord Willoughby,
finding himself abandoned by those from whom he ex
pected the most powerful support, had no alternative left.
He was compelled to agree to a cessation of hostilities, and

OF BARBADOES. 63
to appoint commissioners to arrange articles- of capitu- chap, nv
lation*. ' iwu
The circumstances which led to this pacification are va
riously related by different authors. Ludlow, who had cer
tainly the best opportunities of collecting correct informa
tion, though his veracity is rendered liable to suspicion from
Lb connexion with Cromwell, relates, that Lord Willough
by had intended to make one bold effort to terminate the
dispute, by charging his adversaries with a body of horser
in which he was greatjy superior, had not a cannon-balIr
foed at random, beaten open the door of a room where he
and his council of war were sitting; which, taking off the
head of the centinel who was placed at the door, so alarmed
the governor, that he changed his design, and retreated to
a distance of two miles from the harbour. And, on the
republican army marching towards him, he proposed to treat
for the surrender of the islandf\
The commissioners appointed by Lord "Willoughby were
Sir Richard Peers, Charies Pym, Colonel Ellis, and Major
Byham. Those on the part of the Admiral were Captain
Peck, Mr. Seari, Colonel Modiford, and James Colleton;
all of whom, excepting Peckr were opulent landholders on
the island. These commissioners met on the seventeenth
day of January, and proceeded to adjust the points referred
i ¦ — —
* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. H2. Naval Hist. vol. 2. p. 86.
t Ludlow's Memoirs, vol 1, p. 395. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, vof. 4,
p. 269.

64 THE HISTORY
C2^iJ' to their determination, with great- temper and moderation.
The terms were soon settled by persons so much inclined to
mutual concession and accommodation ; and were certainly
as favourable to the governor and his adherents as could
have been expected. It was agreed, that the island should
be delivered up to Sir George Aysc'ue, in behalf of the
commonwealth of England; that the"government should
consist of a governor, council and assembly, according to
the ancient custom ; the assembly tof be chosen by a free
arid voluntary election of the freeholders in the several pa
rishes. ; That no taxes, imposts, customs, loans or excise^
should be laid on the inhabitants of the island without their
own consent in general assembly; and that all laws which
had been made by former general assemblies, not repug-:
nant to the laws of England, should still be: valid. It was
also stipulated, that both parties should continue in the
uninterrupted enjoyment of liberty and property*.
But, whatever eulogies might have been bestowed on the
mildness and equity of the terms prescribed or granted by
the conquerors, it is evident that, after their accession to
power, they assumed a much harsher and more imperious
tone. Two months had not elapsed from the signing of
the treaty, which, as he imagined, granted, him indemnity;

* Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. H2. Mera/bf Barb. p. 28. Edwards's West Indies, #ol.
1. p. 343. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, vol. 2. p. 269. t
.'.3; 7

OF BARBADOES. 65
freedom of person, and security of property, when Lord chap. ii.
Willoughby was banished for life, by an act of the legisla- ,rl65f
J ° March 4,.
ture; and Colonel Humphrey Walrond, with several other
eminent loyalists, was exiled for one year*.
After the reduction of Barbadoes, the reins of govern- i6$2.
ATarcli ^Q
ment were placed in the hands of Sir George Ayscue. He,
however, soon relinquished them, and proceeded to the con
quest of the other colonies, which had maintained their
allegiance to the crown. Before his departure, he caused
the passing of several laws, by one of which Daniel Searle
was appointed deputy-governor. Under this gentleman's isss.
auspices the legislative councils were actively employed
in providing for the public safety. The statute book con
tains a long list of laws enacted during his administration,
which, having passed under the usurper's authority, were
afterwards declared null and void, except a few particular
acts, which appearing to be of superior utility, were, for
that reason, confirmed after the restoration.
The inordinate ambition of Cromwell having prompted
him to assume the government of the kingdom, under the
title of lord protector, the politics of Europe received a new
direction. The great continental powers acknowledged his
authority, and courted his alliance; but the policy of the
ambitious usurper soon plunged him into a war with Spain.
All the English historical writers concur in condemning this

* Vide Hall's Laws of Barbadoes, p, 464.
K

66* THE HISTORY
C^A^^- measure as unjust, dishonourable, piratical, and an open
1655. violation of the most solemn treaties. The elegant histo
rian of the West Indies* alone vindicates the conduct of
Cromwell; and proves, by the most unquestionable evi
dence, that he was principally induced to undertake the
War for the purpose of chastising the Spaniards, for the cruel
ties which they were daily committing on the subjects of
Britain in the western hemisphere.
Be this as it may, the Protector, having determined on
war, lost no time in equipping a strong squadron, under
the command of Admiral Penn, with the design of attack
ing the enemy in that quarter, whence he expected to ob
tain the greatest advantages ; and in which the Spaniards
had perpetrated the greatest enormities on the English set
tlers. This fleet, in its passage to Hispaniola, touched at
Barbadoes, where the troops, under Colonel Venables, were
strengthened with a reinforcement of three thousand five
hundred effective men ; an incontestible proof of the im
mense population of the country at that time. The attack
on Hispaniola having failed, the British commanders turned
their arms against Jamaica, where their operations were
more successful. The conquest of that island, while it
opened a wider field for speculation and the exercise of in
dustry, served to lessen the population of Barbadoes in no
inconsiderable degree. Allured by the prospect of greater
* Bryan Edward's, vol. 1, p. 142.

OF BARBADOES.
advantages on a theatre so much more extensive, many opu
lent planters and other adventurers removed to Jamaica,
where land could be procured in greater plenty, cheaper,
and with less difficulty.
After the death of Cromwell, and the deposition of his 1660.
pusillanimous son, the committee of public safety, who
assumed the management of the national concerns, appointed
Colonel Thomas Modiford, governor of Barbadoes. This Juiyi&\
gentleman is represented as a steady adherent to the royal
cause; but the prudence and moderation of his conduct
had, it seems, recommended him to the confidence of the
persons then in power. His administration, however, was
short and unproductive of any interesting occurrence.
The only law which received his sanction was an act li
miting the existence of the general assembly to one year ;
a term much too short for the dispatch of public business.
The annual dissolution of the popular branch of the legis
lature has been often found prejudicial to the public, by
impeding the progress of many salutary laws for the secu^
rity and welfare of the community ; yet the evil remains
unredressed ; the members fearing to begin the necessary
reform, lest they should incur the resentment of their con
stituents, for attempting to render the representative body
less dependant on the elective.
The infatuation which had long blinded the English, having
gradually subsided, Charles II. ascended the throne amidst
the acclamations of the very people who had led his father
k 2

68 THE HISTORY
to the block. This happy event was soon followed by some
important changes in the government of Barbadoes. Lord
Willoughby, by virtue of the authority which he derived
from his contract with the Earl of Carlisle, immediately ap
pointed his friend, Colonel Humphrey Walrond, the faith
ful old royalist, who had been banished for his loyalty, de
puty-governor of Barbadoes. To strengthen this commis
sion, he obtained from the king a mandamus, appointing
Walrond, president of the council, with directions to su-
Dee. 17. persede Colonel Modiford, who, after a short reign of
three months, calmly resigned his authority to his successor.
Modiford, who had made a large fortune in Barbadoes,
now went to Jamaica, where he found an ample field for
employing his capital, talents, and industry. The people
of that country, addicted to a military life, and animated
by the piratical spirit of buccaneering, had attended but
little to commerce and agriculture. But as Modiford tho
roughly understood the true interest of the colonies, he inr
troduced the arts of civilization, and instructed the inhabit
ants of Jamaica in the proper culture and management of
pimento, or allspice; in the manner of making sugar;, of
planting cocoa groves, and erecting salt works* ; so that in
a short time the arts of industry began to prevail over the
fierce and immoral habits of the islanders; and Modiford,
as a just reward for his services, was created an English

' Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 352. Raynal's Philas„ Hist. vol. 6, p. 332..

OF BARBADOES. 69
baronet, and promoted to the government of the island, chap. it.
which he had civilized and improved. 166a
Wbile Sir Thomas Modiford was thus nobly employed in
diffusing the blessings of social life in one part of the em
pire, President Walrond was no less attentive to the means
of providing for the security of the country, and promot
ing the peace and happiness of the people committed to
his care. Some of the laws which were passed under his
presidency appear to have been founded on the purest prin
ciples of justice and patriotism ; though, as is too often
the case, the means were not. exactly proportioned to the
end. Among the most important of these laws is " An act
for establishing courts of common pleas, and regulating the
manner of proceeding in all civil causes." By this act,
the island is divided into five precincts, in each of which a
chief judge, and four assistants, appointed by the governor,
durante bene placito, are empowered to hold courts, once in
every four weeks, from the last Monday in January to the
twenty-fifth day of September, for the decision of all con
troversies concerning property and other matters of litiga
tion, not cognizable by the criminal judicature*.

* It has been observed by a learned' writer, who had' been himself a provincial chief
justice, that " It is absurd to have many distinct superior courts in an island so small.
Had there been but one established in the centre of it, for the whole island, five gen
tlemen, who had some experience in the law, might have been found to fill the office
of judges : but it is not conceivable, that such a small island can afford to pay proper

70 THE HISTORY
Among the blessings of civil, society, the pure and im
partial administration of justice is certainly one of the
most important. The security of property, which is en
joyed under the protection of just and equal laws, faith
fully and impartially administered, is the strongest link in:
the social chain; and the facility of obtaining a speedy re
paration of injuries, is the most effectual means of reconcil
ing the subject to a cheerful submission to the restraints of
civil polity. But, unfortunately, the legal institutions of
Barbadoes are not calculated to advance the attainment of
these objects. The laws by which our judicial tribunals
were nrst established, and their proceedings have been
since regulated, are, in many instances partial, absurd,
unjust and oppressive; particularly the act above
alluded to, which, in many material points, is fun
damentally bad. The first thing obnoxious to censure is
the extraordinary number of judges which it establishes ;
who compose a legal corps more than twice as numerous as
the whole judicature of England. In the appointment of
these gentlemen, little regard is paid to the mental quali
fications, or scientific acquirements of the different candi
dates for preferment. Though the solemn office of a dis
penser of justice is generally filled by a man of character
salaries to twenty-five judges; by which means none but a man who has little know
ledge, and much vanity, will accept an office which is attended with little or no
profit." Stokes's View of thb Constitution of the Colonies,- p. 256.

OF BARBADOES. 71
and fortune, it is sometimes bestowed as a douceur to se
cure to the commander in chief an undue influence over
the public councils, or as a genteel establishment for some
relative or dependant.
Less caution is used in the choice of assistants. The ap
pointment of these is claimed as the privilege of the chief
judge, who does not always exercise the delegated power
with becoming discretion ; but frequently makes his elec
tion as chance, caprice, or personal favour may suggest.
These puisne judges, possessed of an office without power
or profit, are little more than cyphers on the bench ; and,
however respectable they may be as private gentlemen,
few of them are qualified, by their learning or abilities,
to determine abstruse points of law, involving, perhaps,
the ruin of families in their decision*.
Thus a judicature is formed of men possessing neither
legal erudition, nor forensic knowledge; who suspend the
golden balance with timid hands, and wield the sword
of justice with trembling nerves. No wonder then that the
administration of justice should be irregular, precarious,

* " Whenever judicial commissions are rendered so cheap and common, they be
gin to lose much of their dignity and value in the eyes of many, even'among the
wiser planters ; and, by this means, very unworthy and illiterate persons may pre
sume to aspire to them, and thus make the office of an assistant disgraceful and
useless." Long's Hisx. of Jamaica, vol. I, p. 71,
4.

72 THE HISTORY
and uncertain. Unacquainted with the principles of civil
jurisprudence ; ignorant of their power, and conscious of
their deficiencies, the judges are thrown into a servile de-
pendance on the gentlemen of- the bar, and even the more
humble retainers of the law, who are thus enabled to clog
the streams of justice, and obstruct their course. No im
putation is intended to be thrown on the common sense, or
the integrity of the magistrates who preside in our courts.
The censure is levelled at the constitution of the public tribu
nals, and not at the morality of the judge. Were integrity
all that was Tequired, no men in the world would be bet
ter qualified to sit in judgment than the judges of Barba
does. But, with every allowance for probity and moral
honesty, it cannot be doubted that they often fall into er
ror, from an inability to discern what is legally right. Nor
let it be said that it matters not, whether the judge be wise
or simple, learned or illiterate, since the point at issue is
to be determined ultimately by a jury. It is the peculiar
province, the bounden duty of the judge, in all cases, civil
and criminal, to sum up the evidence, explain the. law, and
instruct the jury, in the verdict which they are to return*.
But our juries have no such assistance. In civil cases they

* " The judge imparts to the jury the benefit of his experience and erudition : the
jury, by their disinterestedness, check any corrupt partialities, which previous appli
cation may have produced in the judge." Paley's Philosophy, vol. 2, p. 241.

OF BARBADOES. 73
are left to form the best judgment which they can on the most ^^S'
abstruse points of law; puzzled and perplexed by the l66°-
contradictory opinions and turbulent eloquence of venal
advocates ; with no other guide to lead them through the
mazy labyrinths of descents and conveyances, than the
feeble light of uninformed reason and the dictates of a good
conscience. A thorough reform in the constitution of our courts of
law is absolutely necessary, to correct the evils which are
now obvious to the most superficial observer; to promote
the regular distribution of justice, and to support the dig
nity of the public tribunals. Few precincts have busi
ness enough to require a separate jurisdiction; and in
none, that of Saint Michael's excepted, are the emolu
ments of the office sufficient to encourage the judge to a
punctual attendance on his duty. It cannot, therefore,
be doubted, that the progress of justice would be accele
rated > by reducing the number of courts to two*. But
this alone would not be sufficient. The assistant judges
should be selected from among gentlemen of libera! edu-

* " Whenever there is in any country a number of courts independent of each
Other, the rule of decision is not uniform ; and where there are many judges in a
colony, scarce any question can come on but some of them are interested in the de
cision, as friends or relations to one of the parties."
Vide Stokes's Constitution of the Colonies, p. 26.

74 THE HISTORY
chap. n. cation, distinguished abilities, and known integrity. As
i66o. a recompence for their time and trouble, they may be al
lowed the customary fees on probates and the examination
of femmes-couvertes. The office of chief justice should
be conferred on some able barrister of probity, study and
experience, or reserved to reward either of the inferior
judges, whose diligence and learning may entitle him
to promotion ; with permanent salaries, sufficiently li
beral to render the appointment respectable and lucra
tive. . A laudable ambition would thus be excited in men of
rank and professional eminence to devote their time and
talents to the public service. The ingenuous youth of
the island may then be induced to apply themselves
to the study of the laws and constitution of their coun
try, by which they may acquire both honour and profit.
" It has been urged," says an enlightened historian, "-that
a gentleman, liberally educated in England, and bred to
the bar, who comes hither to earn a subsistence by his
profession, and by merit is advanced in time to the of
fice of chief justice, cannot be suspected of any undue
partiality arising from family connections ; nor be so lit
tle skilled in the piactice of a court of law as a gentle
man born and educated in the island; that the making
this post an object of emulation and pursuit, to able, honest
and experienced lawyers, may prove an encouragement
4

OF BARBADOES. 75
for such to come over and practice here ; by which means chap. ii.
the supreme court of justice will always be supplied with l66a
men learned in the science, whose knowledge will bean
acquisition to the public stock, and redound greatly to the
credit and advantage of the island*."

* Long's- History of Jamaica, vol. 1, p. 70.

I 2 CHAP.

Tfr THE HISTORY

CHA£\ III.
DISCONTENTS OF THE BARBADIANS  ORIGIN OF THE FOUR AND
A HALF DUTY-1— LORD WILLOVGH'BY HEStTMES THE GOVERNMENT
—THE ASSEMBLY GRANT A REVENUE TO THE CROWN  MR.
FARMER'S SPIRITED CONDUCT  HOSTILE DESIGNS OF THE
DUTCH — LORD WILLOUGHBY PERISHES AT SEA  SUCCEEDED BY
HIS BROTHER — PRESIDENCY OF MR. CODR1NGTON  SIR JOHN AT
KINS GOVERNOR — DREADFUL HURRICANE  REMARKS ON FORE
STALLING — BARBADIANS GRIEVOUSLY OPPRESSED.

1 HOUGH Mr. Walrond was advanced to the presiden-

CHAP. III. n
1661. cy, on the restoration, as a reward for his zeal and fidelity
to the king, the royal favour was not confined to him alone.
-Feb. is. His Majesty was pleased to confer the dignity of knight
hood on thirteen gentlemen of the island*, in consideration
of the difficulties and hardships to which they had been
exposed by their loyalty and attachment to his family and
person. But these honours and distinctions were not suf-

* These were Sir John Colleton, Sir Thomas Modiford, Sir" James Drax, Sir Ro
bert Davers, Sir R. Hackett, Sir John Yeamans, Sir Timothy Thornhill, Sir John
Witham, Sir Robert Le* Gard, Sir John Worsum, Sir John*Rawdon, Sir Edwin
•Sfcxle, -a«d Sir Willoughby Chamberlsyne.

OF BARBADOES. «??
jBpient tq reeonqile the Barbadians to the measures which e^A^51,
were soon after pursued by the court. l661-
The rudiments pf the navigation act, as has been already
related, were first formed by Crprnwell, during the usurpa
tion. The benefits resulting from a system, which acci
dent or resentment, rather th^ any just ideas of true po
licy, had suggested to the mind of that bold usurper, had
become sq manifest, that the ministers of Charles hesitated
not to adopt so judicious a plan, for promoting the national
prosperity, though invented by their enemies. Notwith
standing the rigorous prohibitions jinpos,ed by the Engr
Jish government on the trade of the colonies, ^he Barba
dians had still contrived to maintain a very friendly and
beneficial intercourse with the Dutch ; which, frpjn motives
pf po^y, had been cgnnived at by Searl, who then hgld,
the reins of gpyeynment in iforbadoes.*
This intercourse, it must be confessed, had greatly conr
tyibuted to the wealth gnd opulence of the country ; an<jl
the inhabitants, whQ bad formfriy considered the interrupr
^on of the§r commerce as a punishment inflicted on thera
for disponing the authority of the Lord Protector, were fjlr
Jed with cpBsteraatioaand resentment, on finding a measure
00 -fatfil to their interest, confirmed and adopted hy their
^oyereign on his restoration- They complained of the
hardship and injustice of fettering their commerce mitfy
such arbitrary restraints, and deprecated fee ruin to
^hjeji $ey .ur-puy be exposed by the operation of the

78 THE HISTORY
chap. in. double monopoly of import and export, claimed by Great
i66i. Britain. But these complaints were unavailing. The ob
jects contended for were of two miich importance to be
abandoned ; nor was it reasonable to expect, that the pa
rent state, in compliance with the wayward whims and
sinister desires of selfish individuals, or from a regard to
the petty interests of the colonies, should consent to relin
quish the solid and permanent advantages of an exclusive
commerce with her West Indian settlements.
1662. From reflecting on this calamity, the Barbadians were
soon called to the contemplation of new and greater ills.
The minds of the planters were at this time perplexed and
agitated with doubts respecting the legality of the tepures
by which they held their estates! Lord Willoughby, whose
lease from the Earl of Carlisle had eight or nine years ;yet
to run, applied to the King for a renewal of his commis
sion as governor of Barbadoes, intending to return to the
island, for the purpose of enforcing his claims under the pro
prietary grant. As his lordship's views in making this ap
plication were generally known, the planters saw very
clearly that they were regarded by these powerful noblemen
as -mere tenants at-will. This opinion seems to have been
entertained by the great Lord Clarendon himself; Avho
affirms, that ".these adventurers had, during the civil wars*
planted, without any body's leave, and without opposition
or contradiction." ••; • t > ;;/J -. .. •
Nor were the planters themselves free from appreheW-

OF BARBADOES. 79
sions of this sort, as is evident from the precautions which CHAP- in«
were taken, at different times, to strengthen and confirm 1662-
their titles. Under the administration of Mr. Bell, an act
had been passed for settling the estates and titles of the
inhabitants of this island, to their possessions in their plant
ations. And, again, five years afterwards, another law was
enacted, with this title, " An act importing the customs im
posed and granted by the council and assembly to the Right
Honourable Francis Lord Willoughby, lord lieutenant-
general of the province of Carliola, and governor of Bar-
badoesj as also his lordship's confirmation of the rights of
the people of this island to their several estates, with the
tenure and rent thereon created*."
But, from the calamitous sera in which the former of these
laws was passed, and the peculiar circumstances which ac
companied the passing of the latter, their validity might
have been disputable. It might have been insisted, that
these acts had not been sanctioned, nor confirmed, by
legal,authority. To remove all doubt on a point so inter
esting to themselves and their posterity, the inhabitants
appealed to the King, humbly beseeching his Majesty to
take the colony under his immediate protection. They
stated, that as subjects of Great Britain they had repaired
to Barbadoes, which they found desolate and uncultivated;

* Laws of Barbadoes, Hall's Edition, pp. ]2 and 462.

SO THE HISTORY
chap. lit. where, nevertheless, by patient industry, they had not only
1662. obtained the means of rendering life comfortable, when
they Could not, with a safe conscience, have remained in
England ; but had also brought it to a state of Cultivation
and improvement, by which it was rendered of. high im
portance to the mother country, on account of its produc
tions, commerce, and the customs annually paid to the
crown. If they were now left, they said, to ransom them
selves, and compound for their estates, rather than submit
to the impositions and exactions of the proprietary, thejt
should be compelled to abandon the settlement ; and, of
course, the plantation would be destroyed, to the manifest
.injury of his Majesty's revenue. The grant to the Earl of
Carlisle, they insisted, had been surreptitiously obtained,
under a pretence, notoriously false, that the island had
been settled at his own cost and hazard ; whereas they had,
in fact, sustained the whole weight of labour and expence
of establishing the colony, without any assistance whatever
from the patentee. They concluded with proposing, that
his Majesty would permit them to commence a suit, in
his name, but at their own expence, in the Court of Ex*
chequer, to set aside the grant made to the Earl of Carlisle;
or that he wouM resume the sovereignty of the island, and
Jeave the claimants, under that grant, to seek their remedy
against the planters by due course of law*. These propo*
*Mem. of Barb. p. 30. Caribbean*, -vol. a. j>ref. p. ix. Edwards's Hist, of the
¦SYest Indies, vol. 1. p. 332.

OF BARBADOES. 81
sals were fair and reasonable; but the king, unwilling to c^^r11,
act precipitately, or unadvisedly in a case of so much mo- ,662,
ment, determined to refer the matter to the consideration
of a committee of the lords of the privy council.
Upon a full and candid investigation of the claims and
allegations of the opposite parties it appeared, that the
Earl of Carlisle's patent had been obtained by a misrepre
sentation of facts, and was, therefore, pronounced to be
null and void; and, in order to quiet the minds of the peo
ple, and secure them in the possession of their estates, the
lords of the council advised his Majesty to revoke the
grant. But the king declared his resolution of receiving
no emolument from it until all claims, affecting the pro
perty in dispute, should be satisfied ; and that he would
make no other use of annulling the charter than to dispese
of the profits of the plantation to those who, in law and >
equity,' were entitled to receive them*.
The Earl of Carlisle, dying in the interim, bequeathed
his property in the West Indies to his kinsman, the Earl of
Kinnoul ; and his creditors brought forward demands to the
amount of eighty thousand pounds, which could only be^
paid by the profits arising from those distant possessions.
The heirs of the Earl of Marlborough, as has been already
mentioned, were entitled to a perpetual annuity from the same
quarter, on which no inconsiderable arrears were due. Lord
* Caribbeana, vol. 2, pref. p. x.
M

52 THE HISTORY
chap, mv Willoughby demanded one moiety of the profits which
l66i- should acerue during the unexpired term of his lease; and
the other moiety Was claimed by Lord Kinnoul, whb natu
rally expected an equivalent for relinquishing his right to
the whole in reversion. To satisfy these claims, and to in
duce the King to assume the entire sovereignty of the
island, it was proposed by Mr. Kendall, on the part; of the
Barbadians, to lay an 'internal duty of four and a hajf per
cent, on all commodities of the native growth and produce
of the country, on exportation; which it was supposed
would raise an ample fund for the support of the colonial
government, and leave a large surplus to be disposed of at
the King's pleasure. Charles, who was never able to recon
cile himself to an entire dependance on a parliament but
little inclined to, indulge his extravagant disposition,' re-'
ceived the proposal with unaffected satisfaction. And the
first care of the committeie, according to Lord Chancellor
Clarendon, who assisted on the occasion, was to ascertain, as
nearly as ppssible, the probable amount of the revenue that
might be raised by this impost. .-.
But when the planters of Barbadoes, resident in Eng
land, were called upon to confirm the proposal, they pe
remptorily refused to make any specific agreement; insist
ing, that Mr. Kendall was not authorized to enter into any
such engagement for them,- or the other inhabitants of the-"
island. They declared that the island was unable to bear
the weight of so heavy an impost ; which, they calculated,
6

OF BARBADOES. 83
•would amount to the enormous sum of ten thousand pounds chap. hi.
annually; and would operate as a perpetual rent charge of im%
at least ten per cent, on the profits of their planta
tions. Were any settlement, they said, to be made, it
could be done only by an act of the colonial legislature ;
who alone, they contended, were competent to determine
a question of so much importance, and to assess the sum
to be granted. They, however, agreed to use their en
deavours to prevail on their friends in Barbadoes to consent
to such a plan of raising a revenue for the use of the
crown as should appear to them consistent with the public
service, and the real circumstances of the country.
: To accomplish this desirable object, Lord Willoughby was
ordered instantly to repair to Barbadoes, and endeavour to
obtain from the assembly such an impost on their native
commodities as " should be reasonable, in consideration of
the great benefits they would enjoy in being continued in the
possession of their plantations, of which, as yet, they were
but tenants at will*." It was agreed by the Lords of the
committee, that this fund should be applied towards pro
viding a sufficient compensation to the Earl of Kinnoul,
for surrendering his right to the Carlisle Charter; and to
provide for discharging the Earl of Marlborough's annuity.
One moiety of the surplus was directed to be paid to Lord

* Caribbeana,. voL. 2, pre£ p. xii.
M 2

M THE HISTORY
chap. hi. Willoughby, for the remainder of his lease ; the other
16<33- moiety to be paid to the creditors of Lord Carlisle, until
the expiration of Lord Willoughby 's contract ; when, after
providing for the payment of a salary of twelve hundred
pounds a year to the future governor of Barbadoes, the
creditors of the Earl of Carlisle were to receive the entire
balance until their demands were completely liquidated.
With this arrangement all parties were perfectly satisfied.
The proprietary government was accordingly dissolved, and
the sovereignty of the island annexed to the crown. Lord
Willoughby soon after received the Kmg's commission, ap
pointing him captain-general, and governor of Barbadoes
and all the English Caribbee islands, for the term of seven
years, reserving to his Majesty a negative on all future acts
of the legislature.
A"8- !«• Lord Willoughby found the people of Barbadoes but lit
tle disposed to concur in a proposition, by which they were
required, in their own acceptation of the measure, to forge
chains for themselves and their latest posterity. Those who
had suffered in their persons or fortunes, for their attach
ment to the family on the throne, considered it as an un
grateful return for their fidelity and services ; and those of
opposite political principles, represented the proposed, tax
as an arbitrary and oppressive imposition which ought to
be resisted. The murmurs and objections of the people,
however, were as fruitless and unavailing as they were rea
sonable and just. Government had, in fact, gone too far

OF BARBADOES. 85
to recede. The project of a perpetual revenue, though c^^Ir'
small, was too alluring to be rescinded ; and Lord Wil- l663,
loughby himself was too deeply interested in the event
to remit his exertions for securing the final accomplishment
of the plan. In his zeal for attaining the grand object of
his mission he neglected to call a new assembly; but
submitted his proposals to the one which he found sitting,*
by virtue of writs issued under the proprietary authority:
No arts of persuasion were spared to prevail on those
members whose concurrence could be obtained by argu
ment or entreaty ; nor were menaces omitted to influence
such as might be awed into a compliance by the frown of
power. Such means could not fail of producing their
wonted effect ; and the assembly, after much hesitation,
passed the memorable act for settling an impost on the
commodities of the island, by which they granted to the
king, his heirs and successors, a duty of four and a half
per cent, on all the dead commodities of the growth or pro
duce of the country, to be paid in specie, on exportation.
To this measure the most strenuous opposition was given
by Colonel Farmer, a gentleman of large property and ex
tensive influence ; and so general was the disapprobation
occasioned by the act, that Lord Willoughby appears to
have entertained the most serious apprehensions of some
violent popular commotion. To preserve the public tran
quillity, his lordship had recourse to a measure as cruel and
unjust, as it was illegal and unconstitutional. He caused

86 THE HISTORY
chap. in. Farmer to. be arrested on a charge of sedition, and con-
1663. veyed to England as a. state prisoner ; recommending that,
he ^should not be permitted to return, till ,the inhabitants
could be brought into a better temper. This arbitrary step
was equally rigorous a;«d unjustifiable. Ilad Farmer been
actually guilty of the crime imputed to him he ought to
have been tried in. his own country, by a jury of his, peers.
But thus to exile him from his home, his family and con
nections, and expose him to a trial before a^n unkuown tri
bunal, was contrary to every principle of criminal jurispru
dence ; it was, in, fact, to condemn him unheard, a>nd tq
punish him before conviction. u , _af > ....
Farmer, on his arrival in England, was carried before
the king in council, where he asserted the rights of an Eng^
lishman with manly freedom.- He contended that his con
duct had been, strictly loyal and constitutional ;: aud that,
as a British subject, he was warranted in opposing any
measure inimical to the interests of his country. What-
ever truth there might have been in these assertions, it, i§
more than probable that Mr. Farmer behaved not with that
modesty and decorum which were proper upon such an oe-
sion ; since so great and good a man as the Earl of Clarenr
don declared, that his behayipur was insolent and, presump
tuous ; and that he ought to be committed until he could
be sent back to Barbadoes to be proceeded against in the
colonial criminal court. He was accordingly remanded to
prison ; nor did he regain, his liberty till after a long and
tedious confinement.

0£ BARBADOES. 8^
Notwithstanding the previous arrangements made by chap. M.
the lords of the privy council, it is evident, from the words of l66i-
the statute, that the representatives of the people could not
be prevailed upon to burthen their constituents with the
payment of so heavy an impost, for the purposes already
mentioned. Their views were very different from those of
the British ministry, and are best explained by themselves
in the preamble to the clause by which the duty was in>
posed. It is there expressly declared, that " forasmuch as
nothing conduceth more to the peace and prosperity of any
place, and the protection of every person therein, than that
the public revenue thereof may be, in some measure, pro-
portioned to the public charges and expences ; and also
well weighing the great charges that there must be of ne
cessity in maintaining the dignity and honour of his Maje^-
fy^ authority here ; the public meeting of the sessions ; the
often attendance of the council ; the reparation of the forts;
the building of a sessions-house and prison ; and all other
charges incumbenfon the government; we do, in consider
ation thereof, give and grant unto his Majesty, his heirs,
and successors, upon all dead Commodities that shall be
shipped off the same, four and a half, in specie, for every

five

score

# »

This enormous duty on the produce of the country fias^

* taws «f Bar*. Hall's'eiiit.* p. 56: '

$8 THE^ HISTORY
chap. hi. been r generally condemned by every historiau who has
1663. treated of our colonial concerns; and from Us first imposi-
tion to the present mpment, it has, ever been a favourite
theme of declamation, with all West Indian patriots. To
authorities so respectable the utmost deference and sub
mission are certainly due. But different men will some
times view the same object through different mediums.
The understanding is often darkened by partiality, preju
dice, or misconception ; and it seldom happens that men
will, or indeed can, calmly and dispassionately examine
both sides of a question which involves their interest, when
the result may prove disagreeable or injurious. In such
cases, it becomes the duty of the candid historical inquirer,
to dispel the mists of prejudice, and, by a faithful nar
ration of facts, enable the unbiassed mind to form aright
judgment. And now, when after repeated unsuccessful
endeavours to obtain the repeal of this odious t^x, thw
planter is precluded from every hope of relief from the
galling chain, the author presumes, that he shall escape
the imputation of betraying the interests of his native
country, if, in expressing his own sentiments on this mo
mentous subject, he should suggest a few considerations
which may induce the Barbadian reader to submit, with
patience, to the load which he is unable to remove.
According to the laws and usage of all civilized nations,
the soil, in every newly discovered, or conquered country,
becomes the property of the Sovereign, by whose subjects
1

OF BARBADOES. 89
the discovery, or conquest was made; and he has ah indu- chap. hi.
bitable right to grant or dispose of the land thus acquired, l666-
on what terms and conditions he thinks proper. Pursuant
to this right, Charles I. granted the island of Barbadoes
to the Earl of Carlisle, who thence became entitled to an
absolute dominion, as proprietor over the Soil ; to be dis
posed of in like manner, as he should find most conveni
ent or advantageous. If we look into the preamble of the
act, where alone we can expect to find the reasons which*
induced the legislature to consent to lay such an extraordi
nary impost on the ptoduce of their estates, we shall soon
pereeive that, " by virtue of the Earl of Carlisle's patent,
divers governors and agents, properly authorized for that
purpose, had laid Out, granted, or conveyed in parcels, the
lands in this island to different persons many of whom had
lost their grants, Warrants, and other evidences of their titles;
others, from the ignorance of the times, wanted sufficient
Words to create an inheritable tight to their estates ; others
had' never recorded their warrants or grants; and others J
again, never had any warrants or grants to record, for the
lands which they occupied*."
To supply these defects it was enacted, " that all rigthful
possessors of lands, tenements, or hereditaments, within
the island," should be confirmed in the full and peaceable
* Hall's Laws of Barb. p. 56.
N

90 THE HISTORY
c^^^1- enjoyment of their several estates; and that they should be
1663. released from the annual capitation tribute of forty pounds
of cotton, to which they had been hitherto subject; and
all other duties, rents, or arrears of rents to which they
were liable. Hence the act appears in the light of a con
tract between the King and the people ; by which, in con
sideration of his Majesty's having confirmed their doubtful
and uncertain titles to their plantations, and released them
from the payment of other accustomed duties, they agree
to raise a perpetual revenue applicable; however, to the in
ternal expences of government. The only reasonable ground
of complaint, therefore, is to the misapplication of this
fund ; no part of which has been appropriated to the uses
for which it was granted, except the sum of two thousand
pounds sterling, annually paid to the governor as a salary
from the crown ; and one hundred pounds currency, di
rected to be paid, every six months, out of the King's ca
sual revenue, arising within the island, for defraying the
expences attending the Court of Grand Sessions. This must
ever be considered as a flagrant violation of the engagement
entered into on the part of the crown.
i66t. The commercial - rivalry and national jealousy which,
at this juncture, subsisted between Great Britain and the
United Provinces, had so inflamed the minds of the" Eng
lish against their old allies the Dutch, that Charles II. was
forced, in compliance with the wishes of his people, to de
clare war against those friends who had hospitably enter-
6

OF BARBADOES. 91
tained him in the hour of distress. The States General, [^^J1,
sensible of the value of Barbadoes, delayed not to dis- l66*"
patch a squadron, commanded by the celebrated De Ruy-
ter, with a view of subduing the island. But Lord Wil
loughby, having taken the field at the head of the militia,
made such a judicious arrangement of the forces under his
direction, that the gallant admiral, after an ineffectual at
tempt on the forts which guarded Carlisle Bay, abandoned
the enterprize*.
Notwithstanding the florid declamations of modern, par
simonious politicians, concerning the inutility of the militia,
and the expence of maintaining the fortifications, we have
here a second instance, in the short space of thirteen years,
of the usefulness of those forts, which it is now the fashion
to decry ; and of the real importance of a well-regulated
militia. And, although, on the former memorable occa
sion, the spirited resistance of the militia was not crowned
with success, it should be remembered, that the failure
was more owing to the intrigues and dissentions of a sinister
party within, than to the superior strength of the adversary
"who assailed them from without.
Lord Willoughby soon resolved to return this visit ; and 1668.
accordingly prepared an expedition for the purpose of tak
ing vengeance on the enemies of his country. The French

* Hume's Hist, of England, vol. 7, p. 409. Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 148.
N 2

g2 THE HISTORY
CHAP. ni. about this time had committed frequent depredations on the
1666. British Caribbee Islands. They had dispossessed the Eng
lish of the small colony of the Saints, carrying the settlers
prisoners to Guadaloupe; and, in conjunction with the
Dutch, had expelled them from their plantations in Saint
Christopher's. These outrages, committed within his go
vernment, determined Lord Willoughby to go, in person,
and chastise the aggressors. With this view he resigned the
government of Barbadoes into the hands of Henry Wil
loughby, Henry Hawley, and Samuel Barwick, whom his
Majesty had appointed joint commissioners to execute the
office of commander in chief, in his lordship's absence. The
* first attack was made on Saint Lucia, the English inhabi
tants of which, reduced by various casualties to eighty-
nine persons, had been forced to evacuate their settlement;
nevertheless, Lord Willoughby took possession of the island
in the name of his Britannic Majesty. He then proceeded
to the small islands of the Saints, which having retaken,
he sailed for Saint Christopher's ; but, encountering a hur
ricane, he perished at sea in the streight between Guada
loupe and the Saints*.
Notwithstanding the prejudices entertained against this
uobleman, for the active part taken by him in procuring the
settlement of an interual revenue on the crown* except the
severity and illegality of his proceedings against the patriotic

* Univer. Hist. vol. 41. pp. 21.8 and 257.
4

OF BARBADOES. 93
Mr. Farmer, it must be confessed, that his conduct was chaP: lit
prudent, mild and equitable. Throughout the whole of 1Qm-
his administration, Lord Willoughby manifested the warm
est zeal for. the security of the island, and the most sedu
lous attention to the administration of justice. Many or
dinances, were framed by him and his councils for regulating
the courts of law and equity. One of these, for re
ducing the Courts of Common Pleas- to two precinets,
seems to have occasioned some dissatisfaction; but, the
people no sooner remonstrated against the innovation, than
his excellency rescinded the ordinance, and again di
vided the island into four precinets; appointing, however,
but two judges; one of whom, with his assistants, was
empowered to preside in the courts at Bridge Town and
Oistin's*; and the jurisdiction of the other extended equally
to Speight's and James Town.
These ordinances having been made without the partici
pation or concurrence of the representatives of the people,
we are left to conjecture, that Lord Willoughby, after pre
vailing with the assembly to shackle their constituents with
the four and half per cent, duty, had neglected to convene
that branch of the legislature as long as he could do with
out them. But finding their assistance necessary to grant'

* This town was originally called Austin's, not in commemoration of the saint of
that name, but of a wild, drunken fellow, whose lewd, dissipated conduct has damned
bim toeveriasting/anae, Li con's Bakb: p. 25*.'

94 THE HISTORY
chap. hi. supplies for the public service, he summoned a meeting of
1666, ^he General Assembly, early in the present year, when they
passed an act for collecting five hundred thousand pounds
of sugar, to defray the expence of fortifying the island.
Thus, in little more than two years, the mask was thrown
aside: and the representatives of the people had scarcely -
rivetted the chain before they were called upon to impose
fresh burthens on their constituents, to answer one of the
very purposes for which the former heavy duty had been
expressly voted.
1667. While the executive power was administered by commis
sioners, a very necessary and useful work was undertaken.
In every community it is of the highest importance that
the laws, which are prescribed as rules of civil conduct,
should be accurately defined and duly promulgated,
that the people, who are bound to obey them, may be ap
prized of what they are enjoined to perform, or what they
are prohibited from doing. Those of Barbadoes are be
come extremely voluminous ; many of the original records
had been destroyed by various accidents : and, in the seve
ral revolutions of government which the island had expe
rienced, many public acts were rendered, at least of du
bious authority. It became necessary, therefore, to col
lect and arrange them, in order to separate those that were
yalid and beneficial, from those that were obsolete, void,
or no longer useful. Commissioners were accordingly ap
pointed by an act of the legislature, with directions to

OF BARBADOES. 95
revise and compile all the laws and statutes then in force. CHAP- m-
Proceeding on their task with becoming diligence and as- l667>
siduity, they soon accomplished the business; and, having
fairly transcribed all those which were thought worthy of
preservation, the commissioners reported them as laws pro
per to be observed^
But they could not let this opportunity pass without mak
ing one feeble effort to relieve their country from the bur
then laid on its staple productions, by declaring that the
assembly, who had consented to the four and a half per
cent, duty, was not equally convened at the time the act
passed for that purpose. This objection, which was specious
and ingenious, was founded on the circumstance that Lord
Willoughby had neglected, on the dissolution of the.
proprietary government, to summon a new assembly under
the royal authority, and had accepted the grant from the
assembly which had been convened under the presidency of
Mr. Walrond. It may, however, be observed, that the
convention parliament, by whom the restoration of Charles
II. was accomplished, met without any legal authority
above a month before the King's return, and continued sit
ting several months afterwards. Hence many eminent law
yers doubted whether it was a good parliament. But ac
cording to Justice Blackstone, this was too nice a scruple ;
for the necessity of the thing justified the irreguiarity of
the proceeding.

96 THE HISTORY
Again, the convention which placed the British sceptic
in the hands of the Prince of Orange, was composed of
the remnant of several parliaments assembled in the reigti
of Charles II. convened, without any constitutional autho
rity* ; yet their legislative acts have been confirmed, and
we enjoy the benefits of them to this day. But the objec
tion started by the commissioners, whatever might have
been its intrinsic value, was wholly disregarded ; and the
reason assigned by the learned commentator on the laws of
England, in the memorable cases just mentioned, may be
applied with equal propriety in the present instance; " As
the royal prerogative was chiefly wounded by their so meet
ing, and as the King himself, who alone had a right to ob
ject, consented to wave the objection, this cannot be
drawii into an example in prejudice of the rights of the
crown." An account of the death of Francis Lordi Willoughby
having reached England, the King bestowed the vacant
government on his brother William Lord Willoughby.
His excellency was accompanied to Barbadoes- by a regi-
Jan. 3. ment, under the command of Sir Tobias Bridge. This cir
cumstance seems to have been misunderstood by former.

* Hume's Hist; of England, vol. 7, pp.. 329 and 360. vol. 8, p. 298'. Smollet's
Continuation, vol. I, p;?.. Blackstone's Comment, vol. 1, p. 151.

OF BARBADOES. 97
colonial historians. One* supposes it to have been occa- c^^^!'
sioned by some distrust of the loyalty and attachment of loGi'
the inhabitants. Another-}- affects not to know " how they
were destined, or of what use they were to the country."
The fact is, that the nation was then at war with Holland,
and that, these troops were sent out for the protection of the
colony, and to act against the enemies of their country in
this quarter of the globe. This detachment, during a long
stay in the island, was provided for at a considerable ex-
pence to the people J. It was at length employed in making
a descent on Tobago, then in the possession of the Dutch;
and, notwithstanding the place was strongly fortified, the
British troops plundered the inhabitants, and carried off
four hundred prisoners j|.
•Soon after Lord Willoughby's arrival, the House of As^
sembly liberally appropriated a considerable part of the
excise duty to the purchase of a set of jewels to be pre
sented to his ludy, as a testimony of their esteem for her
ladyship, and as a mark of the pleasure which they derived
from her residence among them.
The fortifications seem to have occupied no inconsider
able portion of the governor's attention ; nor does his lord
ship appear to have been negligent in respect to the admi
nistration of justice, and the regulation of the police.
* Universal Hist. vol. 41, p. 149. f Frere's Short History of Barb. p. 31 .
1 Hall's Laws vf Barb. p. 475. U Fenning's Geography, fol. edit. vol. 2. p. 703.
O

98 THE HISTORY
^2^™* Many of the laws which were passed at that period have
1668. been continued down to the present day.
Lord Willoughby had been merely appointed to the go
vernment for the remainder of his brother's term ; and as
that was near expiring, he determined to return to England,
probably intending to solicit a renewal of his commission.
He, therefore, resigned the administration to Colonel Chris-
November, topher Codrington, as deputy-governor, and embarked for
Europe* But as the English colony at Dominica had been
lately much annoyed by the French, his lordship resolved
to visit that island in his way home with a sufficient force
to redress the injuries which the inhabitants had sustained.
1669. This vigorous measure produced the desired effect, and his
lordship procured from the Caraibs a formal surrender of
the island to his Britannic Majesty*.
Mr. Codrington continued to act under Lord Willough
by's appointment, until the expiration of his lordship's
contract, as heir to his brother, with Lord Carlisle, which
determined his authority under the royal commission. But
no new appointment being made, the legislature met, and,
Dec. 23. °y an act passed for settling the government, declared
themselves to be Governor, Council and Assembly, until his
Majesty's pleasure should be known-)-. Lord Willoughby
soon afterwards arrived with a new commission, appointing

Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 285, t Memb. of Barb. p. 42.

OF BARBADOES. 99
him governor of Barbadoes, and alljjthe Caribbee islands C3^J5"
to windward of Guadaloupe. The Leeward Islands were l669
now, for the first time, formed into a distinct government,
and the command given to Sir William Stapleton. Hence
comes the distinction of Windward and Leeward Islands ;
Guadaloupe being the point of demarcation.
Lord Willoughby remained but a short time in Barba
does before he again resolved on recrossing the Atlantic,
leaving Mr. Codrington, a second time, commander in April?
chief. The administration of this illustrious West Indian
is distinguished by his vigilance, circumspection, and pru
dent attention to the duties of his exalted station. He con
sidered the power with which he was invested as a sacred de
posit, to be employed for the benefit of the people ; and the
many salutary laws which were passed under his administra
tion, evince the rectitude and propriety of his conduct.
This enlightened statesman early saw the necessity of check
ing the rapacity and collusive practices of the lawyers; and
readily assented to an " Act for preventing the abuses of
lawyers and the multiplicity of law-suits."
After an absence of more than two years, Lord Wil- July's.
lough by returned to Barbadoes. On this occasion, the
King nominated the persons who were to compose the
second branch of the legislature, honouring them with the
title of His Majesty's Council ; and directing, in case of
the death or absence of the governor, that they should
exercise the whole executive authority. By his commission
o 1

100 THE HISTORY
chap. in. the governor was required totransmit to EnglaBd-all laws*,
1672# within three months after their passing, for the royal ap
probation or rejection; and, although they were allowed-
to be in force until the King's pleasure was known,, his<
excellency was forbidden to give his assent to any act of
the legislature to continue in force longer than three years^
nnless it should receive his Majesty's confirmation within
that time. As some compensation, perhaps, for this
abridgment of legislative authority, the executive power
became more enlarged. The governor, besides- being.:
appointed ordinary and vice-admiral, was authorized to
remit all fines or forfeitures, before or after sentence given,.
if the persons were proper objects of mercy ; treason, and'
wilful murder, excepted ; and in these cases he was allowed
to reprieve, until the result of an application, to the throne*
was ascertained.
1673. The impaired state of his health rendering him incapable
April 2. ©t attending to the arduous duties- of government, Lord*
Willoughby finally resigned his authority into the hands of
Sir Peter Colleton, senior member of the council, having, for
some reason, not now known, removed Colonel Codrington
from that board, and returned to England, where his
lordship died the ensuing year.
167% After the governor's departure, the council, pursuant to
the royal instruction, assumed the direction of the public

* Hall's Tirst Settlement of Barbados?, p. 28. Mem. of Barb. p. 42.
6

OF BARBADOES? idl
concerns, appointing Sir Peter Colleton captain-general of Chap. Ht.
the militia. This is the account given by the author of the i67*-
Memoirs of Barbadoes. But it is evident, from the statute-
book, that Sir Peter's authority Mas not confined to the
military department; he continued to exercise the consti
tutional functions of first magistrate, until he was super* Nov. i»
seded by the arrival of Sir Jonathan Atkins, who was
appointed by his Majesty to the government of Barbadoes
and the Windward Islands.
The new governor fixed the seat of government at Fon- 1675.
tabelle; but he had not enjoyed this situation long, when
the country was almost laid waste by one of the most
tremendous hurricanes that ever scourged a guilty land.
Neither the palace, nor the cot, escaped the destructive
violence of this awful visitation. Neither tree, nor house,
was left standing, except the few which were' sheltered by
some neighbouring hill or clift. The face of the country
exhibited one continued scene of desolation. So complete
was the destruction of the sugar works, on the several'
plantations, that it was nearly two years before they could
be repaired, or put into a condition to renew the business
of sugar making. Nor was the crop of provisions spaced
from the general devastation ; and, to add to the calamity,
eight valuable1 ships, laden with the produce of the country,
were sunk or stranded, in Carlisle Bay. In Speight's Town
every house was either blown down or materially injured.
Several families were buried in the ruins of their fallen

102 THE HISTORY
habitations ; and there was scarcely one but lamented some
relation, friend, or acquaintance, swept to an untimely
grave*. Amidst this scene of ruin and misery, the fate of
Major Streate and his fair bride deserves to be remem
bered for its whimsical singularity. They had been married
that evening, at the plantation called Anderson's, but the
pitiless storm, regardless of the sanctity of the marriage
bed, blew them from their bridal chamber; and, with
relentless fury, lodged them in a pimploe hedge. In this
bed of thorns they were found the next morning, incapable
of manifesting those tender attentions which their new-
formed relation demanded, or affording each other the
assistance which their comfortless condition required.
This calamity called for the most prudent counsels to
avert the consequences which were expected to result from
a disaster so fatal. It was apprehended that the property
which had been saved from the fury of the elements, would
be wrested from the half-ruined planters, by the rapacious-
ness of their creditors ; and that many of them, to avoid
such a consummation of their misfortunes, would leave
the island, with their effects, exposed to all the horrors and
dangers of insurrection. Filled with these gloomy appre
hensions, the governor convened the council and assembly,
and stated to them his sentiments on the posture of affairs,
and recommended them to devise some means of guarding

* Hughes's Nat. Hist, p, 25.
4

OF BARBADOES. 103
against the evils to which they would be exposed, in case c^^}-
of any considerable emigration of the white inhabitants, 1675-
who, partly destitute of commodious habitations, should
be induced to seek an asylum elsewhere. But whatever
ground there might have been for these apprehensions, no
measures were taken to remove or obviate them.
A considerable quantity of sugar, which had been
shipped on board the vessels in the harbour, having been
lost in the late storm, and the custom-house officers refusing
to admit sugar to the same amount to be exported, duty
free, the assembly passed an " Act for. allowing a second
free entry of the dead productions of the Island, lost or
taken." The season of distress was thought to be a favour
able moment for endeavouring to obtain relief from the
odious and oppressive impost on the merchantable com
modities of the country. An humble and pathetic address
was accordingly presented to the King, describing the
deplorable condition to which the colony was reduced by the
late destructive tempest; and stating that the entire remission
of the four. and a half per cent, duty, was the only means
of saving the planters from impending. ruin. But the pe
cuniary embarrassments of the extravagant, dissolute mo«
narch, rendered him deaf to the complaints and entreaties
of. his injured and oppressed subjects. So far from grant
ing the solicited immunity, .the partial relief which they
sought to. obtain, was denied them; and the act, which-
had been passed for that purpose, was repealed by his
Majesty's positive orders.

104 THE HISTORY
Cw£vr^5' ^e s^uati°n °£ the Barbadians, at this juncture, was,
1675- in the highest degree, calamitous and deplorable. Their
habitations were levelled with the earth ; and the owners,
unable to rebuild them, or dismayed at the destruction
they had recently escaped; and afraid to venture their
persons in houses under whose ruins they might be again
overwhelmed, lived many months under no better shelter
than that of huts lightly and hastily constructed. Artful
and designing traders, taking advantage of the general
calamity, monopolized what provisions were brought to
market, and heightened the distresses of their unfortunate
fellow-sufferers, by their unconscionable and villainous
exactions. To repress this dangerous and iniquitous prac->
tice, the legislature inconsiderately enacted an absurd and
impolitic law to prevent forestalling, engrossing, and re-*
grating ; a short-sighted precaution, which, however, ap-i
parently calculated to afford immediate relief, would, if
strictly enforced, inevitably produce the scarcity it was
intended to prevent. By this curious law none were
allowed to sell or barter any foreign provisions whatever,
but those to whom they were bona fide consigned ; or who
had imported them at their own risk, and upon their
proper account. Thus no merchant, or shop-keeper, was
permitted to purchase cargoes from the importers, for the
purpose of selling them again, without incurring the heavy
punishment attached to the crime of forestalling.
To check the nefarious practices of fbrestallers and mo
nopolizers ; to diffuse the blessings of plenty, and to avert

OF BARBADOES. 105
the horrors of famine ; or even to guard against the dis- c.hap. hi.
tresses attending a partial failure of the means of sub- lo7j-
sistence, are undertakings of so much humanity and
beneficence, that any proposal for effecting them will readily
meet the approbation of benevolent minds, and gain the
applause of those superficial thinkers who compose the
bulk of mankind. But these important objects are not to
be attained bjr arbitrary prohibitions. Commerce visits only
those climes in which it is cherished by the genius of liberty.
Trade, like water, should be left to form its own level ;
and, although many moderate and sensible men may object
to this maxim, as affording too great latitude to commercial
monopoly, there certainly is less danger in leaving the
merchant to exercise his own discretion, than in cramping
and depressing the spirit of mercantile speculation, by
rigorous and injudicious restrictions. High prices, and a
scarcity of provisions, will be the fatal consequences
of destroying or discouraging a competition in the
market, by prohibitory regulations. The mutual wants of
mankind, form the active principle which gives life to
commerce, and by which alone it can be safely regulated.
The traders of Barbadoes may be divided info three
distinct classes; the importer, the retailer, and the huckster;
all of whom are useful in their several vocations. Through
them, the commodities imported from abroad are dispersed
among the people, in such quantities, and upon such terms,
as are best suited to the necessities and conveniencies of the
p

106 THE HISTORY
chap. hi. consumers. The two former classes are not infrequently
l675- united in the same person. They ought, however, to be
considered separate. The merchant, who is engaged ni
extensive concerns, and imports large cargoes of provisions,
generally finds it more convenient and advantageous to
dispose of his commodities to the retailer, in large quan
tities, and at a proportionable reduction of price, than
to await the tedious and precarious sale of them to the
consumer. Sometimes the case may be different ; at any
rate, it would be tyrannical and unjust to deprive him of
the option.
The retailer, again, confined to an inland traffic, by the
smallness of his capital, or a timidity to adventure, derives
an advantage in buying the articles in which he deals by
wholesale, and revending them at an advance, which yet
exceeds not the prices at which they might have been
bought from the importer, had he retailed them. His
profits consist in the difference between the wholesale and
retail prices. This excess is commonly less in Barbadoes
than in any other part of the new World, evidently owing to
the competition which prevails among that description of
people in this island : a circumstance that will ever prove
the most effectual counterpoise to combinations among fore-
stallers and regrators, and is the main spring by which
trade will correct its own aberrations.
To elucidate this doctrine, let us advert to. a case which
frequently happens. During a general scarcity of articles
4

OF BARBADOES. 107
of the first necessity, a vessel laden with corn and flour ar- CHAP- ni-
rives with a supercargo on board. It may not be conform- l675r'
able to the orders, nor suit the convenience of this factor
to retail his cargo. Dispatch is the life of business, and
the vessel may be required to discharge her cargo, and to
return without delay ; yet, were the absurd laws against
monopolizing, executed with a spirit equal to that which
dictated them, no merchant could venture to purchase
the whole, or any part of the cargo, by wholesale to re-
vend ; because, in so doing, he would render himself ob
noxious to punishment as a forestaller. The consequence
is obvious ; the vessel, by a ridiculous policy, is driven
from our ports, and the people, in a state of tantalism, con
tinue in want of those supplies which, but a moment before,
had been within their reach. Or suppose the market siiould
be sufficiently tempting to induce the supercargo to land
his goods ; to compensate himself for his trouble, expense,
and detention, he will sell them at the highest retail prices.
Thus a stranger will enjoy those lucrative advantages which,
under a wiser and more equitable system, would have
centered among our own countrymen.
This species of traffic which the law, under the specious
pretext of preventing forestalling and regrating, most un
wisely discountenances, far from being detrimental, is, in
fact, highly beneficial to the public. A large capital is
thus employed, which, in so small a community, would
otherwise remain inactive and useless ; the importer is ac-
p-2

10& THE HISTORY
c^haiuii. eommodated and benefited by facilitating his sales ; it gives-
ife'75. energy to industry ; affords bread to a considerable num
ber of useful citizens ; and furnishes the consumer with the
articles of domestic accommodation in more convenient
quantities^ and as cheap as he could have purchased them
from the original importer. It sometimes happens that the
value of the merchandise is enhanced after getting into* this
intermediate channel of diffusion ; but this is not so much
©wing to any radical defect in the system for which I
contend, as to t'he intervention of casualties to which mer
cantile affaire are peculiarly liable. The prices of goods
are augmented by various causes independant of monopo
lizers. Supplies from abroad may be intercepted by the
enemy, or may experience a temporary suspension from
opposing elements, and other disastrous means. In all
these cases the holders of provisions will, unquestionably,
embrace the favourable opportunity of reimbursing them
selves for the losses which both importer and retailer too of
ten sustain from accidents, which no human sagacity can
foresee, nor human judgment prevent. And where is the
harm in this? The planter strives to- obtain the best price
that he can get for the produce of his fields, and surely the
merchant is entitled to. the same privilege in the disposal of
his commodities.
The distresses and difficulties under which, as we have
seen, the Barbadians were, at this time, struggling, were
sufficient to have affected the feelings of the most obdu-
6

OF BARBADOES. 10gt
rate heart, but the measure of their misfortunes was not yet CIIAP- In-
full. Scarcely had they recovered from the consternation l6l6~
into which they had been thrown by the late awful visita
tion of Providence, and begun to recover from their losses;
to rebuild their houses ; to repair their fortifications, and to
provide for the security of the country before they were
compelled to submit to the relentless gripe of power. The
principles of commerce, until lately, had been but very
imperfectly understood in England. Before the restoration,
the important objects which occupied the thoughts of both
King and parliament, afforded either but little leisure for at
tending to the minor considerations of colonial affairs.
From the freedom of trade which Barbadoes, thus left to
herself, was permitted to enjoy, she attained a degree of
prosperity almost unparalleled in the annals of mankind.
The commencement of the Navigation Act, however essen
tial to the interests of the empire at large, is the memo
rable epoch whence we may date the rapid decline of her
population, and consequently of her strength and opu
lence. After the restoration, the ministers of Charles, sensible of
the value of the colonies, prudently determined to act upon
Cromwell's plan with regard to= navigation and trade.
Great Britain now began to perceive the advantages arising
from the exclusive right of colonial supply; and, in the
same spirit which dictated the navigation laws, sought to>

HO THE HISTORY
chap. hi. draw into her own bosom the important benefits of the
:i678. African trade; but absurdly confined to the Royal African
Company, established under the patronage of the Duke of
York, the emoluments of this lucrative branch of com
merce, which, according to every principle of true policy,
ought to have been laid open to the nation at large. The
exclusive charter granted to this company for supplying the
West Indies with negroes, operated most powerfully against
the interest of the Barbadians, and accomplished the ruin
of many who were recovering from their recent losses. They
were no longer allowed to import their own slaves, or to
purchase them from the Dutch ; but were compelled to sub
mit to the rapacious and exorbitant demands of the new
association. Sir Jonathan Atkins received the most positive orders to
seize and confiscate all vessels, with their cargoes, belong
ing to private adventurers, engaged in this prohibited traf
fic. In addition to these directions, the Warwick man of
war was constantly stationed at Barbadoes for the express
purpose of seizing all interlopers, as they were called, in
the trade to Guinea. These rigorous orders were executed
with equal accuracy and severity. All vessels belonging to
private merchants met with on the coast of Africa, or found
in the West ladies with slaves on board, were captured
with as little hesitation as if they had been the property of
.©pen enemies ; and were condemned with as little ceremony

OF BARBADOES. Ill
and reluctance, in the court of Vice-admiralty, in which CHAP- 1IL
the governor acted in the double capacity of prosecutor and 1678'
of judge*. By these arbitrary proceedings, many opu
lent families were reduced to a state of indigence; and
each succeeding^ day produced fresh bankruptcies among
the merchants. At length the grievance became so intoler- i6s<x
able, that Sir Jonathan Atkins, shocked at the injustice
and oppression under which the people groaned, and to
which, in obedience to his orders, he Avas forced, to con
tribute, requested permission to resign his government and
return to England.
Notwithstanding these accumulated misfortunes and op
pressions, the attainment of Barbadoes to her' natural pa
rent remained firm and unshaken. Under all their injuries
and distresses, the legislature exerted a. laudable spirit in
rebuilding their dismantled fortifications; though, in the
prosecution of this commendable design, they were under
the painful necessity of imposing additional burthens of
sugar and negro labour, on the people, to defray the charges
incident to the undertaking.
In religion, as in politics, the sentiments of the Barba
dians borrowed their tone from the doctrines and opinions
which prevailed among their transatlantic fellow subjects..
The discontents and apprehensions which agitated the pub-

* Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 152.

112 THE HISTORY
CIii^21' ^c nlm(i m England, concerning the King's prepossession
.1(330. £or ^g, Romisn communion, and the inconsiderate bigotry
of the Duke of York, produced correspondent sensations in
Barbadoes. On the discovery made by Titus Oates, and
other miscreants, of the pretended plot formed by the
Roman Catholics for the subversion of the Protestant reli-
gion, the Barbadians, not to be behind hand in suitable en
deavours to guard the constitution, both civil and ecclesias
tical, from the dangers which threatened them, passed an
act to enforce the statute of Great Britain, for preventing the
dangers which may happen from Popish rescuants. Their
zeal for the true faith was not confined to this attempt to
repress the errors of popery. The Quakers had been assi
duously endeavouring to convert the negroes; but, as it
Was apprehended that the promulgation of their pacific te
nets might endanger the safety of a colony exposed to in
vasion, the legislature prohibited, by law, the attendance
of slaves on the meetings of that mild and inoffensive so
ciety. To preserve the minds of the rising generation from
improper impressions, a clause was added, restricting the
keeping of schools for the instruction of youth, to such
persons only as should take the state oaths, and be duly
licensed by the commander in chief. This, says an emi
nent historian*, was a precaution not quite impolitic among

* Vide Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 152.

OF BARBADOES, 113
planters, to whom labour was of more utility than learning, chap.iii.
But it should be observed, that the object of the law was l68a
not discouragement of learning, but to take the business
of education out of the hands of those dissenters, whose
principles were supposed to be hostile to the establishments
of government in church and state.
While other religious sects were thus restrained, the
civil rights of the Jews were wery properly extended. This
extraordinary people, once the most favoured nation of
the only true God ; at one time groaning under the cruelty
and oppression of their Egyptian task-masters,' then deso
lating the kingdoms that lay in their way to the land of pro
mise ; alternately abject in slavery and tyrannical in autho
rity ; once a powerful nation, now a tribe of fugitives, wan
dering from pole to pole ; in all their migrations honourably
distinguished by their invincible attachment to the religion
of their forefathers ; in all their changes affording the
most irrefragable evidence of the Divine truths, which
sceptics vainly oppose ; here sought an asylum from
the odium and detestation which universally, though un
justly, pursued them whithersoever they travelled. Here
too, these unfortunate victims of bigotry and intolerance,
were persecuted and oppressed. Their testimony had long
been rejected in the courts of law ; but a more enlightened
policy prevailing over an unjust prejudice, they were now
admitted, by a law which was passed for that purpose, to
Q

114 THE HISTORY
fi^v^1 &*ve *ne*r testimony in all civil suits, and not otherwise,
mo' upon oath, on the five books -of Moses, according to the
tenets of their religion*.

* The Abbe Raynal relates, that the Jews of Jamaica wholly disregarded the
solemn obligation of an oath thus administered. " A magistrate imagined, that
this evil might arise from the circumstance of the Bible, which was presented to
them, being in English. It was then determined, that they should, in future, take
their oaths upon the Hebrew text, and after this precaution perjuries became infi
nitely less frequent." Hist, of the East and West Indies, vol. 6, p. 322. This
was a species of casuistry worthy only of the most profligate of mankind.

CHAP.

OF BARBADOES. U5

CHAP. IV.
SIR RICHARD DUTTON's TYRANNICAL ADMINISTRATION  AP*
POINTS SIR JOHN WITHAM, DEPUTY GOVERNOR  NEW DUTY ON
SUGAR— DISPUTES BETWEEN DUTTON AND WITHAM  GOVERNOR
RECALLED  SUCCEEDED BY EDWIN STEDE  A CONSPIRACY
AMONG THE SLAVES  A REVIEW OF THE SLAVE LAWS.
V,'HARLES II. having formed the dangerous design of chap. IV.
subverting the constitution in church and state, and of 168e-
establishing Popery and despotism on the ruins of civil li
berty and rational religion, Sir Richard Dutton, an abject
minion of the court, was selected as a proper instrument
for effecting the purpose of the royal brothers, and was,
therefore, appointed to the government of Barbadoes. The
names of the members of his Majesty's council were now,
for the second time, inserted in the governor's commission* .
with directions, in case of the death or absence of his ex
cellency, that the government should devolve on the senior
member of that board. Sir Richard arrived at Barbadoes,

* These were Henry Walrond, J. Reid, Sir T. Thornhill, J. Gibbes, Francis Bond,
John Farmer, George Lillington, G. Andrews, W. Sharpe, Tobias Frere, Michael
Terril, and the Rev. William Walker.
Q 2

116 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. on the seventh day of March, and was received with the
i68i. most lively expressions of loyalty and satisfaction ; which,.
as is very common, produced no adequate return of grati
tude. He immediately issued writs for a general election ;.
and, on the meeting of the new assembly*, prevailed on
the house to insert a clause in the militia law, requiring the
men to wear scarlet uniforms. With such trifling innova
tions were men then displeased, that this was generally
complained of as an unnecessary and expensive regulation.
The annals of this period are barren of any interesting
particulars respecting the public concerns of the colony.
It is briefly stated, that the conduct of Governor Dutton
was so extremely tyrannical and oppressive, that many fa
milies, unable to endure the rigour of his administration,
abandoned the country, and sought elsewhere an asylum
from the persecution which they suffered at home. This
disastrous emigration required legislative interposition to
check the consequent decline of population ; an act was
therefore passed, to regulate the issuing of tickets for per
sons intending to leave the island.

* The members present on the return of the writs were, for St. Michael's, George
Peers, William Wheeler ; Christ Church, T. Maxwell, Daniel Hooper ; St. Philip's,
W. Fortescue, H. Markland; St. John's, John Leslie, James Colleton; St. George's,
Richard Salter, Miles Toppin ; St. Joseph's, John Holder, Henry Gallop ; St. An
drew's, William Dotin, Richard Walter ; St. Thomas's, Jonathan Downes, T. Sadlier ;
St. James's, Abel Alleyne, W. Holder; St. Peter's, Samuel Maynard, Robert Harri
son ; St, Lucy's, T. Merrick, John Gibbes, 6

OF BARBADOES. 117
Charles II". was, at this time, much perplexed with the c^^;
number of petitions presented to him from all parts of the 168L-
kingdom, insisting on a new session of parliament ; com
plaining of the increase of popery; and deprecating the
dangers apprehended from plots continually forming by
persons of the Romish communion. Unable to- withstand
or to elude these importunate; and, as they were termed ¦,
disrespectful solicitations, the court party had recourse to
counter-addresses, professing the utmost abhorrence of those
who presumptuously endeavoured to encroach on the royal
prerogative, by an improper interference in public mea
sures. Dutton, to manifest his zeal in the service of the
crown, prevailed oh the assembly of Barbadoes to trans
mit one of these abhorring addresses to the throne ; which
was honoured by his Majesty with the most particular
marks of approbation.
The favourable reception with which this address was iess.
distinguished, encouraged the grand-jury to emulate the
loyal example of the assembly.. They accordingly pre
pared a pompous address to the King, in which his Ma
jesty was congratulated on the vigour and prudence of his
representative in stifling and suppressing faction and fanati
cism in embryo. The history of the British colonies affords
many instances of the facility with which similar addresses
are obtained from the contemptible sycophants, who wish
to raise themselves to a temporary distinction on the ruin of
their country,, by flattering the most weak and profligate

11& THE HISTORY
c^^™' men who ever swayed the rod of power. The jury pro
log. ceeded to inform his Majesty, " that their minds had beea
infinitely ruffled and disturbed at the notice which they
had received of the many attempts and offers lately made
by the rebellious heat of some spirits hatched in hell, to shake
his Majesty's throne ;" and concluded with declaring them
selves " hearty lovers and warm admirers of his dearest bro
ther^." Sir Richard Dutton's affairs requiring his presence
May 3. in England, this notable address, on his leaving the island,
-Was committed to his care. Previous to his departure, and
in direct opposition to the royal instruction concerning the
succession to the government, Dutton appointed Sir John
Witham, deputy-governor; restricting him from enacting
any new laws, or even fromealling an assembly -f-.
' I6S4. The governor returned the next year, and endeavoured
"4Sept. 10. to acquire an ill-founded popularity, by assuring the as
sembly, that the King, ever willing to lessen the burthens
of his faithful subjects, was ready to, commute the four and
a half percent, duty, on fair and equal- terms of mutual
•accommodation. Rejoiced at the prospect of even a par
tial relief from this hateful and oppressive impost, the coun
cil and assembly proposed to farm the duty at six thou
sand pounds sterling a year. For this purpose, they passed
-a bill, laying a tax of twenty-one pence an acre on aM

*4Jniv. Hist» vol. 41, p. 153. f Mem. of Barb, p, 44.

OF BARBADOES. 119
land belonging to persons possessed of not less than ten chap, iv,
acres, and appointed John Codrington, treasurer, to collect 168*-
the money, and remit the stipulated sum to England. But
the pleasing illusion soon vanished.. On the act being sent
home, for his Majesty's confirmation, the lords of the com
mittee for trade and plantations, to whose consideration it
was referred, reported that the commissioners were then
incapable of making an accurate estimate of the annual
produce of the duty ; but, from the best information which
they could obtain, they were of opinion that it was worth
from eight to ten thousand pounds sterling, at least, clear
of all expense attending the collection. The offer of the
legislature was therefore rejected, and the bill which had
passed the two houses was repealed by order of the King.
James II. having, on the death of his brother, succeeded 1685.
to the throne, his accession was celebrated by Sir Richard
Dutton with unusual pomp and magnificence. But all the
demonstrations of joy with which the news of this event
was received in Barbadoes, were insufficient to conciliate
the favour of government. The wealth acquired by the
West Indians, with winch they made then no small parade
in England, attracted the notice, and probably the envy,
of people in power ; and the produce of their plantations -
was deemed a legitimate object, of taxation. Sugar, being
a luxury of. life, was supposed able to bear additional bur
thens with least inconvenience to the consumers; while,
&<wn its genera} use, tja£ tas was likely tp be nipje produe-

120 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. %\ve ^nan any other that could be proposed. Parliament,
ifc'85. therefore, laid a duty of two shillings and four-pence upon
every hundred weight of Muscovado sugar, and seven shil
lings upon refined. Thus was laid the foundation of a mode
-of taxation, on which succeeding ministers have reared a
fabric of colonial oppression, as ruinous, in the apprehension
of the best-informed West Indians, as it is partial and
unjust. The Barbadians were far from beholding, with indiffer
ence, a measure, which, by lessening the value of their
staple products, would ultimately depreciate that of their
estates. They remonstrated against this new grievance, but
with no better success than that which attended their former
complaints. If new taxes were absolutely necessary for
the support of government, it was contended that such
imposts ought to be preferred as would equally affect all
commodities ; that a small advance upon the customs would
be equally productive, and less oppressive, than a heavy
impost upon any particular article, as the general partici
pation, in that case, would render the tax comparatively
«asy ; and, however unnecessary, its operation would be
less insupportable than when confined to the cane planters
alone. But all reasoning, or complaining, was precluded
by the predilection which the ministry betrayed for their
project. They could only be prevailed on to promise, in
his Majesty's name, that if the tax should be found op
pressive to the planters, it should be taken off. But when

OF BARBADOES. 121
the planters claimed the performance of this engagement, c3^3"
and endeavoured to prove the injustice and impolicy of an
impost so disproportioned to their ability, and the circum
stances of the country, they were briefly told, " That it was
very indecent, not to say undutiful, to tax the King with
his promise*.
Sir Richard Dutton seems, upon all occasions, to have
encouraged every proposal for burthening and distressing
the people placed under his care; and, although his ad
ministration has been generally reputed grievous and op
pressive, the House of Assembly, on his late return from
England, voted Captain Jones, of the Diamond frigate,
a present of one hundred pounds, for having brought over
the governor -f; a circumstance which, considering the
character of the man, is scarcely credible, if, besides po
sitive evidence, the fact were not corroborated by many
later instances, of the respect and adulation with which
the worst rulers are treated by men whose rank and station,
in the community, ought to place them above every sinister
consideration of hope or fear, and render them the
faithful, as they are the delegated, guardians of their
country's rights.
Upon Sir Richard Dutton's late return to England, his
Majesty was pleased to order, that one-half the salary and
perquisites, during his absence, should be paid to the de-

Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 154. | Hall's Laws of Barb. p. 48**
R

122 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. puty-governor. Such an arrangement was by no means
1685. agreeable to his excellency's mercenary disposition; and
Witham, who was little disposed to relinquish the reward
of his services, incurred the enmity of his chief, by insist
ing on a strict compliance with his Majesty's favourable in
tention toAvards him. Nor was Dutton long at a loss for a
pretext to evade the payment of the money. He accused
Witham of maladministration ; that he had omitted to
take the usual oath for observing trade and navigation ;
that he had assumed the title of lieutenant-governor; and
altered decrees of the Court of Chancery in his chamber.
Upon these frivolous charges, Witham was committed to pri-
Nov. 6. son, by an order of council*, and bound to appear at the next
court of grand sessions, where he was tried on three sepa-

* It is now clearly ascertained, that the council do not possess this power over the
liberties of their fellow-subjects. " Commitments of the subject for arbitrary causes-
and contempts of their, board, which they were suffered to order till very lately, are
now entirely at an end. Thi privy council of Great Britain is found to possess no
greater authority in this case than a common justice of the peace, with this further
limitation, that the persons they commit cannot legally be apprehended, in the first
instance, by their warrant, except for treasonable practices, or designs against the
state, either violently presumed, or actually charged upon oath. For the explication
of this we are indebted to Lord Camden, in the case of Wilkes. In the case of Mr.
Douglas, of Jamaica, who was imprisoned by a warrant of the privy-council of that
island, and released by the chief justice, on his writ of habeas corpus, they were ad
judged, by the supreme court, to have no right of restraining public liberty, vested in
them by the laws and constitution of their country."
Long's Hist, of Jamaica, vol. l.p. 174.

OF BARBADOES. 123
rate indictments, convicted, and condemned to pay a fine chap. iv.
of eleven hundred pounds sterling. From this sentence 1685-
Witham appealed to the justice of his sovereign; and the
governor, with Mr. Henry Walrond, chief justice of the
court of grand sessions, were immediately ordered home to
vindicate their conduct. Upon a full investigation of the
affair before the King and council, the sentence of the
court was annulled, and the fine remitted.
Witham, not satisfied with this victory, immediately
commenced a prosecution against Dutton and Walrond, as
president of the council, for an assault and false imprison
ment. The governor, in his defence, alledged, that the
plaintiff's incarceration had been inflicted, with the con
currence of the council, for malversation in the execution
of his office as deputy-governor. The council, it was
contended, were competent to commit for offences proved
to their satisfaction ; and that the inhabitants of Barba
does were not entitled to the benefit of any particular sta
tute, or even of the common law of England ; but that
they might be governed by any rule or ordinance that his
Majesty should think proper to direct*. To this it was re-

* " At a committee of the lorvd» of council, March 11, 1680, their lordships re
ferred this question to the attorney and solicitor general ; whether his Majesty's sub
jects inhabiting and trading to Jamaica, had a right to the laws of England as Eng
lishmen ? To which it was answered, The people of Jamaica have no right to be go-
R 2

124 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. plied, that Sir John was responsible to his Sovereign alone
1685. for any misdemeanour of which he might have been guilty
in his government : that after the King had given to any
people under his allegiance, or subjection, a constitution of
their own, no succeeding monarch had a right to alter it
without an act of parliament; and, therefore, as the inha
bitants of Barbadoes were, by the charter granted to the
Earl of Carlisle, invested with all the rights, privileges and
franchises of British subjects, they were not to be governed
by the laws of England, but by their own particular laws
and customs. The court concurring in this reasoning, judg
ment was given for Sir John Witham ; but it was afterwards,
in the 5th of William and Mary, reversed by the House of
Peers. President Walrond was yet more unfortunate ; for
although a verdict of only thirty pounds damages, was
given against him, the suit terminated in his ruin. His long
detention from home, the expences of the suit and other
charges incident to an European voyage, proved a load too
heavy for his fortune to bear. As some" reparation for the
injury he had sustained, and as a tribute of gratitude for
his former meritorious services, the assembly, on his re
turn, voted him a present of five hundred pounds ; and ad
ded their testimony to the integrity and rectitude of his
verned by the laws of England, but by such laws as are made there and established
*y his Majesty's authority." EnwABBs's Hist, of the West Indies, vol. 1, p. 304.

OF BARBADOES. 125
conduct in the particular affair which had drawn on him CHAP- rv.
the prosecution that had ended so fatally*. 1685»
Notwithstanding the King's order that the executive au
thority, in case of the Governor's death or absence, should
devolve on the senior member of council, Sir Richard, as
a fresh proof of his hostility to the interests of the coun
try, on his being recalled, appointed Mr. Edwin Stede, de
puty-governor. This gentleman had officiated in the seve
ral characters of his Majesty's casual receiver, the gover
nor's secretary, a commissioner for collecting the duty of
four and a half per cent, and agent for the African com
pany, whose measures had been so inimical to the prospe
rity of Barbadoes. To complete the climax, he was soon
confirmed in his present situation by a commission from his July 15.
Majesty, constituting him commander in chief.
The rash and ill-concerted enterprise against James II..

* Univ. Hist; vol. 41, p. 154. Mem. of Barb. p. 44. This transaction is Very in
correctly related by the compilers of the Universal History. They assert, contrary to >
the plain matter of fact, that Colonel Walrond, who had been left deputy-governor
by Dutton, fell under his displeasure, and was sent to England to answer' a charge
against him, on account of a. trial before a court of oyer and terminer, in which
Walrond presided. This inconsistent story is implicitly adopted by the author of the
Short History, p. 37, who asserts, that Walrond's prosecutor was vigorously supported
by the governor. Strange that Dutton should have supported his bitterest enemy in
a prosecution against the man who had promoted his views! I have been enabled to
correct these misstatements on the authority of Hall, the editor of the laws, who, in
his manuscript account of the first settlement of Barbadoes, gives the relation of this
affair, which I have adopted as the most accurate and consistent.

126 THE HISTORY
cf'P. IV. which terminated in the destruction of the Duke of Mon-
io85. mouth and his adherents, having been frustrated by the
bravery and activity of the king's troops, many of the
wretched victims of ambition and tyranny were transported
to Barbadoes. Anxious to display their zeal and loyalty,
the assembly passed a law for governing and retaining
within the island all such rebel convicts as, by his Majes
ty's most sacred order, have been, or shall be, transported
to this place*." By the rigorous provisions of this statute,
the condition of these men, whose only crime was prema
turely attempting to do that which, in three short years af
terwards, was happily accomplished by the Prince of
Orange, with the approbation and assistance of a large
majority of the nation, was rendered scarcely less miser*
able =than that of the plantation slaves.
Notwithstanding the appearance of attachment to the
Prince on the throne, the sentiments of some of the prin
cipal men in the country were, in reality, extremely inimi
cal to the existing government, both in England and Bar
badoes. Among these, Sir Timothy Thornhill, a member
of council, and major-general of the militia ; a gentleman
most deservedly possessed of great popularity, having
expressed his opinion on the state of public affairs with more

* Hall'a Laws, p. 484. This act was repealed after the revolution, by an order
from his Majesty, for the enlargement of the rebels transported to Barbadoes.
4

OF BARBADOES, 127
warmth than discretion, was prosecuted by order of the (^^rJ-
governor for sedition, and condemned to pay a fine of five l685*
hundred pounds to the king, and fifteen hundred pounds to
his excellency. Thornhill appealed to the King in coun
cil, but without success : the judgment of the court was
affirmed*- Mr. Stede had enjoyed the honour of his appointment 1687.
nearly two years, as all his predecessors had done, without
receiving any substantial. reward from the country; but at
length he had the address to ingratiate himself with the
council and assembly, who generously made him a present
of one thousand pounds sterling, which act of generosity
was successively repeated in the latter years of his adminis
tration. A precedent was thus established, pregnant with
much future mischief and internal dissension. The Barba
dians can, with little propriety, complain that none of the
patriotic purposes for which the four and a half duty was
imposed, have been complied with,since they so eagerly con
tribute to the abuse of the grant, by providing otherwise
for the service to which it ought to be applied. This sea
sonable donative enabled Mr. Stede to support the dignity
of his station with suitable splendour; and was the more
acceptable, as he soon had occasion to make a grand dis
play of hospitality. The Duke of Albemarle, on his pas-

* Hall's first settlement of Barb. p. 30. M. S.

128 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. sage to Jamaica, of which he had been recently appointed
1687. governor*, having stopped at Barbadoes, was received at
Fontabelle with all the honours due to his rank and qua
lity ; and was entertained by the governor several days
with great pomp and magnificence.
i68«. The island was the next year alarmed by the report of a
conspiracy among the slaves, to make themselves masters of
the country, by murdering all the male inhabitants, or re
ducing them to slavery, and reserving the women for the
gratification of their brutal appetites. The accomplish
ment of this dreadful design was happily prevented by the
timely discovery of the plot ; and about twenty of the most
daring conspirators were sacrificed to the public safety.
The calamity from which the people had been thus provi
dentially delivered seems to have awakened the legislature
to a sense of their danger, and the necessity of encou
raging the population of the country. To this end they

* This nobleman affords a remarkable instance of the mutability of fortune, the
vanity of human grandeur, and the fatal effects of vicious habits and profligate man
ners. He was the only son of General Monk, the principal agent in the restoration
of Charles II. The services performed by his father were rewarded with a dukedom,
the garter, and a princely fortune ; but the son, reduced to indigence by extrava
gance and debauchery, was compelled to solicit bread from James II. who, to be freed
from his importunities, bestowed on him the government of Jamaica, where, dying
without issue, the title became extinct ; and the honours acquired by the virtue of
the father, were lost by the vices of the degenerate son.

OF BARBADOES. 129
enacted a law " to encourage the importation of Christian c1^r^1
servants, and for retaining them within the island." What
ever might have been the advantages proposed by this plan
it was far from affording an effectual counterpoise to that
preponderance which the negroes must necessarily' possess
in the scale of numbers.
To provide a remedy suitable to the magnitude of this
evil, the best policy which could be adopted in a country
where slavery prevails, is to hold out every possible en
couragement to that hardy and useful, though humble,
class of people, known by the colonial appellation of the
tenantry. The only legitimate aim of human politics is
the extension of human felicity ; and this cannot be ef
fected except by the encrease of numbers, provided with the
comfortable means of subsistence*. To acquire and main
tain an extent of population essential to the security and
prosperity of the country, the rich, whose individual in
terest is inseparably connected with the public welfare,
should be made to yield, in some points, to the support and
accommodation of the poor. The proprietors of planta
tions may be compelled, by the militia law, instead of bil-
letted men, to furnish tenants, in proportion to their quan
tity of land, who should be legally confirmed in the unmo-

* Vide Paley's Philosophy, vol. 2, p. 345.
S

130 THE HISTORY
C2^I3" lested enjoyment of their little tenements*. It was the
l6?8, wish of Henry IV. of France, surnamed the Father of his
People, that he might live to see a fowl in the pot of every
peasant in his kingdom. Let it be the aim of every Bar
badian, emulous of the same glorious appellation, to erect
a cottage over the head of every peasant in Barbadoes, and
gratitude will invigorate the arm under which the lordly
possessor will find his best security in the hour of danger.
The trifling property thus bestowed on the humble hus
bandman, the lowly roof endeared to him by the society
of a wife and children, the partners of his toils and the*
solace of his days, would bind him, by the most invincible
ties to his native soil ; and impel him, when led on by his
generous landlord, to risque his life with ardour, in defence
of a country to which he is attached by the most indis
soluble connexions.

* The present militia law has made some provisions for tenants ; but it seems to
have been ineffectual. They are either eluded with facility, or violated with impu
nity. On some plantations, without regard to justice, policy, or humanity, the tenants
have been wantonly and cruelly driven from their homes, and sham leases given to
the white servants for the vacant tenements. In others, the poor tenant, besides his
personal services, is compelled to provide himself with uniform, arms, and ammu
nition, at his own cost, which is more, in many instances, than the rent of the barren
heath which he occupies is worth. Some men have a strange propension to evade
the legal institutes of their country, merely to shew their superior cunning and dex
terity. But what minds must these men possess, who can find satisfaction in such
pitiful evasions ; who, while they waste thousands in riot and debauchery, deny bread
to the labourer, and refuse rest and shelter to the houseless wanderer?
1

OF BARBADOES. 131
These are the men on whose strength and courage we chap. iv.
may rely with confidence to defend us from all attempts of i1688-
our enemies, foreign or domestic. Their humility renders
them more tractable and obedient, under the restraints of
military discipline, than the wealthy or luxurious, whose
false, mistaken pride, cannot submit to the subordination
necessary in the field or the camp ; and whose effeminacy
renders them incapable of martial exercises. It is not
enough to permit the poor to erect their temperary habi
tations on useless skirts of barren land. They should be
encouraged to work, and punctually paid for their labour.
Slaves should no longer be employed in mechanical occu
pations; those employments should be reserved for poor
freemen, whence they might derive the means of subsist
ence, and the public enjoy the benefit arising from a general
diffusion of the wages of industry. In Jamaica there ex
ists a law to oblige all owners of negroes to employ one
white servant for every thirty slaves ; one to every hundred
and fifty head of cattle ; one to every tavern; and a like
proportion for every boat, wherry, and canoe*. This law,

* This law is justly commended by a judicious historian, thoroughly acquainted
with the true interests of the colonies. Vide Long's Hist, of Jamaica, vol. 1, p 310.
His remarks on this subject are too diffuse to be inserted in a note. I can only, there
fore, recommend his book to the perusal of my reader, as a performance which,
though less elegant than Edwards's splendid History of the West Indies, contains more
useful information on colonial politics, than any other work which has come within
my observation,
s 2

332 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. though perverted into a mere regulation of finance, is ad-
1688. mirably calculated to preserve the legitimate population of
the country ; and, under the present circumstances of Bar
badoes, may, perhaps, be thought worthy of adoption,
with a penalty sufficient to enforce its observance.
It was at this juncture, and upon this occasion, that the
legislature of Barbadoes enacted that famous statute, Num
ber Eighty-two, for the government of negroes, which has
of late years become a popular theme of declamation in
England; and subjected the peaceable, unoffending West
Indians, to the most illiberal invectives and the most viru
lent abuse. By this law, among many provisions made for
the prevention of crimes and the punishment of offences ;
which, to the honour of the people, are executed with a
spirit as mild and lenient as the object is just and laudable,
it was ordained, "That if any slave, under punishment by
his master, or his order, shall suffer in life or member, no
one shall be liable to any fine for it. But if any person
wantonly or cruelly kill his own slave, he shall pay into the
public treasury fifteen pounds*. If he intentionally kill the
slave of another, besides paying the 'owner double the value,

* Though the punishment here prescribed, may appear disproportioned to the
enormity of the crime, it should be remembered, that in a country where slaves com
pose the principal part of the property of the inhabitants : and where their labour,
or hire, is, in many cases, the only means of their owner's support ; the loss of a
slave is, of itself, a very heavy forfeiture, without any additional penalty. It never
once entered into the imagination of the legislature, that any reasonable being,

OF BARBADOES. 133
and twenty-five pounds to the treasurer, he shall be bound CHAP- *?•
to his good behaviour, during the pleasure of the governor l68S-
and council. And if any person kill another man's slave by
accident, he shall only be liable to the owner's action at
law*. But if any person kill a negro, by night, out of the
road, stealing or attempting to steal his provisions or other
goods, he shall not be accountable for itf ."
The lenity of this law has been generally condemned
with indecent asperity by the humane, mistaken, and mis
informed Europeans, for its reputed insufficiency to afford
protection to a hapless race of beings. Nor is it surprising

governed by those considerations of interest which commonly influence mankind^
would wilfully sacrifice the life of a valuable slave. People abroad may indulge their
talents for conjecture, and reason hypothetically concerning the reputed inhumanity
of the West Indians ; but, happily, such instances of extreme cruelty are unknown.
in Barbadoes.
* A sufficient punishment, surely, for accidental homicide ! " This homicide is.
not felony, because it is not accompanied with a felonious intent, which is necessary
in every felony." (1 Hawkins 75.) " But in all cases of homicide, by misadventure,
it is nevertheless a tresspass, and the person hurt shall recover his damages ; for
though the chance excuse from felony, yet it excuseth not from trespass.'' (1 Hale's
Hist. 472.) Burns Justice, v. 2. p. 505.
f " If a thief be found breaking up, and he be smitten, that he die, there shall no
blood be spilt for him." Exodus, c. xxii. v. 2. "If any evil disposed person shall
feloniously attempt to rob, or murder, any person, in any dwelling-house or highway ',
or feloniously attempt to break any dwelling-house in the night time, and shall happen
in such felonious attempt to be slain, the slayer shall be discharged, and forfeit no
lands or goods." Burn's Justice, v. 2. p. 502.

154 THE HISTORY
C3^2* *na;t a Iia^on' habituated to the contemplation of public
1688. ^executions, without perceiving that crimes are not dimi
nished by excessive severity, should erroneously conclude
that no punishment, short of death, is capable of restrain
ing the violence and impetuosity of turbulent, licentious
man. But the children of the sun, incapable of those
deliberate acts of cruelty, injustice, and treachery, which
are frequently perpetrated by the gloomy phlegmatic inha
bitants of more northern climates, have found a milder
system of jurisprudence, sufficiently efficacious in promoting
the ultimate object of all penal laws, the prevention of
crimes. It is not pretended that no murders whatever have been
committed. I only mean to assert, and I do it with con
fidence and exultation, that they are less frequent in Bar
badoes than in any county of Great Britain, or, perhaps,
in any part of the world, where they are capitally punished.
The population of Barbadoes consists of seventy-five thou
sand blacks, and fifteen thousand white inhabitants ; con
sequently, allowing the provocations offered by both classes
to be equal, the number of negro homicides committed by
freemen, compared with those of the white, should be in
the proportion of five to one. But, however incredible it
may appear to our European calumniators, it is an indis
putable fact, that homicide among the white inhabitants,
though far from being a common occurrence, and notwith-
- standing it is usually punished here in the same exemplary

OF BARBADOE& 135
manner as at the Old Bailey, is yet a much more frequent chap^tv^
offence than the murder of a slave by a free man. l688*
In a period of thirty-four years, there have been no au
thentic accounts of more than sixteen negroes killed by
white men, and of these only six come within the legal
description of that species of homicide which even the
English criminal judicature would punish with death.
Lord Seaforth, during his administration, instituted a mi
nute inquiry into offences of this sort; and, though he
employed no ordinary degree of industry in pursuing the
inquisition, three instances of extreme cruelty were all that
he could ascertain to have been committed for several years.
Now let the candid and impartial reader take these facts
into consideration, and then let him say in what happy
region of the habitable globe it is possible to meet with so
few instances of criminality, in the same space of time,.
among a people so numerous. Such is the lamentable
frailty of imperfect man, that in every society, composed
of such fallible beings, whether under the rigour of the
British criminal code, or the milder influence of West Indian
policy, offences must come. That they are punished, im
plies but little merit in the system of legislation by which
the punishment is sanctioned, if they are not prevented; or,
at least, rendered comparatively few.
But all discussion on this subject is now at an end. The
legislature have passed a law to punish the wilful murder
of a slave with death. Nor was it from any want of hu*>

156 THE HISTORY
chap. iv. inanity, or regard for justice, that this measure has been
1688. so iong delayed. The infrequency of the crime proved the
efficiency of the existing law, in restraining the hand of
violence as effectually as could have been done by a more
sanguinary mode of punishment. Barbadians require not
the terror of capital inflictions to restrain them from those
atrocities which disturb the domestic peace and happiness
of private society, in nations who extol the perfection
of their criminal code. In the natural mildness and be
nignity of their tempers, the weak and defenseless find
security and protection from violence and injustice.
In a review of this memorable law, the cruelty and in
justice of some sections cannot escape observation. The
negro is here denied the natural right of defending himself
against the attacks of his fellow slave. In assaults and
affrays the innocent and the guilty are equally liable to
punishment ; and in homicide here are no legal gradations
of guilt. The slave, who kills another, shall surely die.
Self-preservation is nature's primary law. When God be
stowed existence upon man, he gave him the right of self-
defence ; and no human jurisdiction has a legitimate power
to deprive him of this sacred privilege. This law of nature,
being coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself,
is of superior obligation to any other. No human laws are
of any validity, if contrary to this*. Such a law is an
* Blackstone's Comm. vol.1, p. 40. Lord Chief Justice Hobart declares, that even '
«an act of parliament, made «ontrary to natural justice, is void in itself,

OF BARBADOES. J 3?
outrage on the natural feelings of mankind, and re- C^XU'
pugnant to every principle of natural and political jus
tice. It cannot be dissembled, that some other clauses of
the statute evince a harshness and severity unworthy t
of a christian legislature. Capital offences are created
with a facility and heedlessness highly culpable, and the
most shocking and immoderate punishments are annexed to
trivial offences. It is enacted, That if any slave strike a
christian, he shall, for the first offence, be severely whipped,
by order of the justice of the peace to whom the complaint
shall have been made upon oath; and for the second offence
he shall, besides being whipped, have his nose slit, and be
burned in the face with an hot iron. This clause breathes
the sanguinary spirit of a Nero or Domitian ; but let me
add, with conscious exultation, that it is enforced with the
mildness and clemency of a Titus. A single instance of
the horrid infliction prescribed for the second offence, is
unknown to the oldest inhabitant of the country. It is
admitted even by an enemy*, that the present race of Bar
badians is more humane, and incomparably more enligh
tened, than their ancestors. The generous natives of the
torrid Zone, whose hearts are as warm as the atmosphere

* Dickson, vide Letters on Slavery, p. 145.

158 THE HISTORY
CIi^v^7' *n wmck tney breathe, disdain to oppress the sable labourer
who contributes to their luxury, or provides for their sub
sistence. But this is not enough. It is not enough that
this barbarous law should be neglected ; it ought to be ex
punged from the statute book. But while, from the purest
motives of humanity, I reprobate this sanguinary clause,
with what propriety, may I be permitted to ask, can those
condemn it, who, in a land of freedom, sanction and prac
tise punishments more severe for offences not more atro
cious ? Is the soldier, who fights the battles of his country,
and lifts his hand against his commanding officer, more
criminal, or punished with less severity, than the audacious
slave who strikes his master ? Is the gallant sailor, who
upholds the nation's glory, and protects it by his valour and
prowess, subject to a milder punishment, if, in a moment of
unguarded resentment, he should strike the officer whose
orders he is bound to obey ? No, an ignominious death
awaits the rash offender : his former services are forgotten,
and he is consigned to a premature grave for his temerity,
while the slave lives to repeat his crime and exult in his
audacity. Of the mode of proceeding on the trial of slaves, it may
be proper to take some notice in this place. In all common
cases, a justice of the peace is empowered to hear the
complaint, and proceed to judgment; and, on the most
ordinary * and trivial aggressions, the evidence of the first

» OF BARBADOES. 139
gentleman in Barbadoes, against the worst negro, is given CHAP- Iv°
on oath. But in cases of felony, two justices of the peace l688,
are required to take cognizance of the offence, and to
summon a jury of three freeholders ; not merely of the
vicinity, lest any partiality should be used in the selection,
but who are nearest to the spot were the felonious act
was committed. Here the same formality is practised, as
in all other judicial proceedings. The accused is confronted
wTith his accuser and the witnesses ; he has counsel assigned
him at the expense of his master, and every means known
to the courts at Westminster Hall, are employed in the full
and fair investigation of the charge. When the evidence
is closed, the magistrates and the jury, collectively, are
left to decide; and a single dissentient absolves the prisoner
from guilt. If he is convicted, there yet remains another
chance of saving him from the sentence of the law, the
right of appeal to the governor and council; a right which
is usually exercised, whenever there is the least prospect
of its being successful.
To this form of trial, the only objection which can pos
sibly exist, is to the number of the jury ; and certainly it
would be more conformable to the principles of English
jurisprudence, were the jury, on these occasions, composed
of the same number of freeholders as in other cases. Yet
no inconvenience has ever been experienced from this co
lonial deviation from this fundamental rule of criminal
t 2

140 THE HISTORY
CHj^>lV* judicature. Infallibility is not the property of any precise
1688. number of persons. Truth may be as thoroughly inves
tigated, and justice as faithfully administered, by five as
by twelve. Let me not be misunderstood. I mean not to
speak lightly, nor irreverently, of the established mode of
trial by jury. With enthusiastic veneration, I regard it as
the palladium of all our civil and political rights. These
remarks are merely intended to establish this position, that
the form prescribed by the colonial law, for the trial of
slaves, is, in all respects, competent to the regular and im
partial administration of justice ; and candid men may
probably think, that a tribunal, consisting of two magis
trates and three jurymen, may be as capable of deciding
justly, as the military and naval courts martial, which are
allowed to decide upon the lives of freemen.
To the efficiency of the code of Barbadoes for the pro
tection of slaves it is objected, that it allows not the evi
dence of coloured people, in any cause of complaint
against the white inhabitants. Even the advocates for
the admission of such testimony seem startled at the ex
travagance of their own proposition, and suggest, by way
of modification, that the testimony of two or more negroes
should be made equivalent to that of one white person .
and that such as profess Christianity might be sworn on the
Evangelists. God forbid that such a direful calamity should
befall this happy land. The avenging sword of the conque-

OF BARBADOES. 141
ror; the famine that spreads desolation in its progress ; or the C^A^J-
pestilence that precipitates thousands to eternity, is scarcely
more terrible to the imagination than the idea of admitting
seventy or eighty thousand heathen slaves to bear witness
against their christian masters. A proposal so preposterous
can originate only in the most consummate ignorance of
the character of the negroes.
They are pagans in the most extensive signification of
that opprobrious appellative. Without even the advantage
of idolatry;, they have no system of morality, no sense of
religion, nor faith in its doctrines ; their creed is witch-
craft, and' their only religious rite the practice of Obeah.
Travellers report, that the Africans are believers in the
Supreme being ; that they have modes of worship, and
many religious ceremonies. But those who have been
brought to Barbadoes seem to have left their national faith
and household goods behind ; and, what is far more un
fortunate, they have adopted no others in their stead.
Some, indeed, profess Christianity, that is, they have been
baptized, but their hearts are as void of any religious im
pressions as if they had continued in the wilds of Africa.
Frequent attempts have been made by some humane
owners to comrert their favourite slaves to Christian
ity, and though many of them are treated with parental
fondness and indulgence, no benefits have been derived
from the pious endeavours to effect their conversion.

142 THE HISTORY
C2£iwV' ' It was laid down by Lord Coke, that an infidel cannot
loss. ke receive(j as a witness ; and in a suit for a divorce in
Doctor's Commons, the evidence of a negro, in much
later times, was rejected, beeause he was not of the Chris
tian religion* Again, in the case of Admiral Matthews
against the India Company, in the Exchequer, the testi
mony of Orangee, a black man, was rejected, by the ad
vice of the Court of King's Bench, upon the same princi
ple. It seems, however, to be generally admitted, that
heathens and idolaters may be sworn upon what they con
sider the most sacred parts of their religion. This point
was not long since elaborately argued in Chancery, by
some of the most eminent lawyers in England ; and it was
finally decided by Lord Hardwicke, assisted by Chief Ba
ron Parker, and the Chief Justices of the King's Bench and
the Court of Common Pleas, that the testimony of wit
nesses of the Gentoo religion, sworn according to their
particular ceremonies, should be received*. But then it
was proved to their Lordship's entire satisfaction that the
Gen toos believe in God, the creator of the universe, and
in the doctrine of future retribution. Upon this occasion,
Lord Chief Justice Willis, in delivering his opinion, said,
" though I am of opinion that infidels, who believe a God

* Atkins's Reports, Omychund v. Barker.

OF BARBADOES. 143
and future rewards and punishments, may be witnesses ;
yet I am as clearly of opinion, that if they do not believe
in God, or future rewards and punishments, they ought
not to be admitted as witnesses: neither ought the
same credit to be given to the evidence of an infidel as
of a Christian, because he is not under the same obli
gation." I have already shewn that the negroes are not possessed
of those religious sentiments which can inspire them with
a just sense of the sacred obligation of an oath. Besides
aa obvious distinction presents itself to the mind, between
the testimony of infidel witnesses, in particular eases., and
that of slaves admitted generally against their masters.
The admission of such testimony, in special cases, in Eu
rope, can be attended with no material inconvenience to'
the people. W ith us there is a difference ; and it would be
almost madness to expose the lives, the liberties, and pro
perties, of the West Indians, to a savage multitude, who
have not the fear of God before their eyes to restrain them
as witnesses, from glutting their revenge by the most horrid
perjuries. Were the testimony of slaves once allowed,
Barbadoes would be no place of abode for any honest
man who had a regard for his reputation, his interest, or
his personal safety. No innocence of life, no integrity of
heart, would afford security from criminal prosecutions, sup
ported by such evidence. If in civilized society, in the

144 THE HISTORY *
chap. IV. most polished provinces of Europe, the roost barefaced
1688. perjuries are daily committed by men educated in the prin
ciples of Christianity, it is easy to foresee what must be the
fatal consequences of legaUsing the testimony of an igno
rant, superstitious, vindictive race, whom no religious nor
¦moral obligation can bind to speak the truth.

CHAP.

OF BARBADOES, 145

CHAP. V
S[R TIMOTHY THORNHILL 's GALLANT EXPLOITS — COLONEL KEN-
1
DALL APPOINTED GOVERNOR  THE COUNTRY SUFFERS FROM
AN EPIDEMIC DISEASE  A NEW PLOT AMONG THE NEGROES-
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON MARTINICO  COLONEL RUSSEL SUC
CEEDS TO THE GOVERNMENT — HIS DEATH.
XN the course of this year an event had taken place in chap. v.
England which diffused a general, though short-lived, sa- 16m.
tisfaction among the King's friends. The royal consort, to
the inexpressible joy of the court and the Roman Catholics,
both at home and abroad, was safely delivered of a son.
The birth of a Prince of Wales, it. was vainly hoped,
would give stability to the tottering throne. An occurrence
of so much importance did not fail to draw forth the most
lively demonstrations of joy in Barbadoes. But the pub
lic rejoicings on this occasion had scarcely ceased before
the Revolution placed the Crown of Great Britain on the
heads of William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange.
Mr. Stede's principles of loyalty and fidelity readily accom
modated themselves to this change of circumstances, and
he chearfully proclaimed the accession of the new sove
reigns; observing, that if they were King and Queen at
u

146 THE HISTORY
chap. v. Whitehall, they ought to be so here. For this service his
1689. excellency had the honour of having his commission re
newed, in due form, by King William.
This event soon presented the Barbadians with an oppor
tunity of displaying their zeal and spirit in defence of his
Majesty's rights in the western hemisphere. The French,
who Avere prof ..r-iedly the friends and protectors of the un
fortunate family of the Stuarts during their exile, in con
junction with some Irish Roman Catholics, attacked the-
English settlers at St. Christopher's, immediately after the
abdication of James. This hostile proceeding, which was
afterwards extended to the other British plantations-,- was
conducted with such an unusual degree of animosity and
savage barbarity, that General Codrington, who had been
recently appointed by King William to the government of
the Leeward Islands, was forced to apply to Barbadoes-
for succour, to enable him to repel these daring acts of
aggression. The Barbadians, generously participating in the resent
ment of their injured fellow subjects, consented, without
hesitation, to contribute their assistance. Sir Timothy
Thornhill, major-general of the militia,, gallantly volun
teered his services, and quickly raised a regiment of seven
hundred men, who were accoutered, armed and embarked
at the public expence. This expedition sailed from Car
lisle-bay, on the first day of August; and arrived at Anti
gua on the fifth of the same month. Here Sir Timothy had

OF BARBADOES.
the mortification to* learn that the people of St. Christopher's
had been obliged to capitulate two days before he left Bar
badoes, on condition of their being transported to Nevis.
His force being insufficient to attempt the recovery of the
island, General Codrington and himself determined to
await the arrival of a fleet from England, which was daily
expected with troops for the defence of the islands. But
this reinforcement not arriving at the time it was expected,
these spirited commanders embarked a part of the Barba
dian militia on board some small sloops, and* dispatched
them to Anquilta, whence they brought off the remains of
that small colony, which had suffered greatly from the
cruelty and rapacity of the French and Irish Catholics. November.
After this, Thornhill proceeded with his regiment to Nevis,
which was menaced by the enemy, but the timely arrival of
this reinforcement effectually relieved the inhabitants from
their fear of invasion.
General Codrington, finding the posture of affairs would
admit of no delay, hastened after him ; and, though the
armament from Europe had not arrived, these brave and
active officers soon planned an expedition, in which their
combined forces might be usefully employed. Pursuant to
this plan, Thornhill, with a detachment of three hundred Dec. 15.
Barbadian, and two hundred Nevisans, sailed to the at
tack of Saint Bartholomew's. Having landed his men, he
pushed forward with such alacrity that in four days time
the island surrendered to his victorious arms. This acqui-
u 2

148 THE HISTORY
chap. v. siti6n was obtained with the loss of onry ten men killed
16a9- and wounded. On this occasion the general does not ap
pear to have acted with; becoming moderation. The prison
ers, to the amount of nearly seven hundred men, with their
negroes, live stock and other effects, were conveyed to Ne
vis, while the unhappy women and children, torn from the
embraces of their husbands and fathers, were sent to Saint
Christopher's. This unnecessary cruelty was severely re
probated in England, and the inhabitants were restored to
1690> the possession of their property as British subjects*.
Jan. 19. Flushed with victory, Sir Tiniothy next attempted the
reduction of Saint Martin's ; where, though he was ulti
mately unsuccessful, he gained fresh laurels. The descent
was effected without opposition; but his progress was im
peded by greater difficulties than had been foreseen. He
nevertheless succeeded in destroying the principal fortifica
tions, and was prevented from accomplishing the conquest
of the island only by the unexpected arrival of M. du
Casse, the French admiral, with a strong armament, from
St. Christopher's. Thornhill was now compelled to con
tract his posts, and to concert proper measures for his own
safety. General Codrington, apprized of his critical situa
tion, immediately detached Colonel Hewitson, to Saint
Martin's, with two hundred men, under the convoy of
* Universal Hist. vol. 41, p. 155, 259, 273, 290, 30*.
6

OF BARBADOES. 149
three sloops of war. After a smart action between the hos
tile squadrons, which terminated in favour of the British,
Thornhill conveyed all his artillery, baggage, and plunder,
on board the fleet ; and then, ordering his tents to be struck,
began his march to a convenient place for embarking his
toops; but the enemy, perceiving his- design, commenced
a furious attack upon him, in which, however, they were
beaten back to the woods. The general having made good.
his retread, with a trifling loss, reimbarked his gallant little
army, and returned to Nevis, where he was joined by Ge- Feb. 2.
neral Codrington, with twelve hundred men.
The ardour of these congenial spirits urged them to the
most vigorous operations against the enemy ; nor was it
long before they were enabled to accomplish the grand ob
ject of their wishes. Commodore Wright having at length.
arrived with the long expected succours from England,
Codrington, who was appointed commander in chief of the
troops, immediately sailed from Nevis for the attack of June I9"
Saint Christopher's. The descent was conducted by Ge
neral Thornhill, who, at the head of his- own regiment,
strengthened by one hundred and fifty men, drawn from
the others, landed at the foot of a hilt, which the French,
deeming inaccessible, had left unguarded. Sensible of'
the importance of this post, Thornhill, with his usual viva
city, proceeded to take possession ©f the height ; but this
was not effected without much danger and some blood
shed. When he had gained the summit, unexpectedly en-

THE HISTORY
countering a detachment of the enemy, his corps sustained
an arduous conflict, with great firmness, till the arrival of
Colonel Holt, with the Duke of Bolton's regiment, when
the French were driven, in the utmost confusion, from their
trenches. In this engagement, Thornhill was so grievously
wounded, that he was forced to retire on board one of the
ships. The command of his regiment, after this accident,
devolved on Colonel Thomas, who was ordered to pene
trate into the country, supported by Colonel Williams, at
the head of a regiment of Antegonians. On this service
the Barbadians were exposed to a spirited attack from a su
perior body of the enemy, and, from their imprudence in
advancing with too great temerity, must have been inevi
tably cut off, but for the seasonable advance of Williams's
reserve. The timely approach of their friends inspired the
Barbadians with fresh courage, and the enemy were soon
compelled to take refuge in the woods, and other strong
holds. Sir Timothy Thornhill, having sufficiently recovered
of his wounds, soon after resumed the command of his re
giment, and contributed materially, by his bravery and
.July 12. conduct, to the reduction of the island, which at length
capitulated to General Codrington, as commander in
chief. After the conquest of Saint Christopher's, Thornhill pro
ceeded with the marines and his own regiment to Saint
Eustatius, whence the Dutch had been recently expelled
by the French. With the trifling loss of ho more thaa

OF BARBADOES.
eight men, he stormed the principal fort, a place of con
siderable strength, mounting sixteen guns, drove out the
French and restored the island to its former proprietors.
This victory closed Sir Timothy Thornhill's brilliant career.
Finding that he could be of no farther use in the Leeward
Islands he embarked his troops and returned to Barbadoes,
These enterprizes were so judiciously planned and con
ducted with 'such consummate prudence and courage,, that
they reflected the highest honour on the character of the
West Indians in general, but more particularly on the illus
trious patriots General Codrington, and the intrepid hero,.
Sir Timothy Thornhill,. by whom they had been disinter
estedly undertaken and gallantly performed^ These trans
actions have been the more circumstantially detailed, be
cause, independent of the gratification resulting from re
cording the gallant exploits of a meritorious officer, and a
countryman, they serve to correct a popular error into
which many economical politicians have fallen with respect
to the expence of maintaining the militia; which, in their
apprehension, is inadequate to the purposes of effectual
defence. We have before us the most indubitable evidence,
not only of the courage of the West Indians, but of their
having been successfully employed in offensive operations
against their.enemies abnoad. As in this service, attended:
with no inconsiderable difficulty and danger, they acquitted
themselves, with a firmness and discipline equal to veteran
troops, we may, with a well-grounded confidence, expect;

152 THE HISTORY
^fj^ no less spirited exertions, when called on to defend their
1690. country, their liberty and property.
On Thornhill's return to his native country, the legisla
ture, impressed with a just sense of his extraordinary merit,
voted him a present of one thousand pounds, in consi
deration of the courage; skill and address, which he had
displayed in his late command against their Majesties'
enemies, and for his services in the care and discipline of
the militia. Sir Timothy had the further satisfaction to
find, that, during his absence, his implacable enemy, Mr.
Stede, had been superseded by Colonel James Kendal, a
native of Barbadoes, who had been promoted by his
Sovereign to the government of the island.
The appointment of this gentleman seems to have been
no less acceptable to his countrymen than beneficial to the
colony. By his candid representation of the loyalty and
tmiet disposition of 'the people, he effectually removed the
prejudice which had been excited against them on the
other side of the Atlantic, by the partial and unjust ac
counts transmitted by his predecessors ; and several mem
bers of council, who had been suspended in consequence
of the misrepresentations which had been made to the crown,
-were now restored to their former rank and dignity. The
legislature, as a testimony of their respect for the person
and character of their new governor, within two months
after his arrival, voted him a present of fifteen hundred
pounds. This liberality was occasionally repeated during

OF BARBADOES. 153
his subsequent administration ; the assembly manifesting CHAP- v-
their esteem for him by an annual, though irregular, dona- l69°-
tive; which fluctuated, according to the humour of the
day, or the circumstances of the country, from five hundred
pounds currency, to two thousand pounds sterling.
.All our colonial historians agree, that Barbadoes had now 1692.
attained the zenith of prosperity ; whence she was to de
scend by a gradual but certain decline. Rich, powerful,
and populous, she possessed all that could make her happy
at home and respected abroad. But the pleasing scene
was soon overcast with the clouds of calamity, that, lour
ing over her head, obscured the gay sunshine which illu
mined the horizon. Notwithstanding the success which
attended the military operations of the West Indians, the
inhabitants of Barbadoes suffered severely from the depre
dations committed on their commerce. Commodore Wright,
who seems to have possessed neither the courage nor the
conduct essential to the character of a naval commander,
adopted no measures for the protection of trade, while the
French remained masters of the sea, and daily intercepted
the supplies designed for the support of the plantations.
The Barbadians, thus left to defend themselves, were under
the necessity of fitting out two large ships, at their own
cost, to guard their shores, and afford a feeble security to
the remains of their almost ruined commerce. These disas
ters were aggravated by the avarice of the ship-owners,
who, availing themselves of the want of vessels to transport
x

154 THE HISTORY
chap. v. tne produce of the island to Europe, demanded the most
m2# exorbitan t prices for the carriage of sugar and other com
modities. To check this evil;, it was deemed expedient to
pass a law, ascertaining the freight of sugar, cotton, and
ginger. This regulation naturally failed to produce the
intended effect. The ship-masters, who could not be com
pelled to send their vessels to Barbadoes, or to receive
freight upon the terms prescribed by the act, went to other
ports, where they were liable to no restrictions; and the
planters suffered more from the operation of the remedy
than from the evil which they had vainly sought to redress ;
& convincing proof that trade will not be bound nor confined
by arbitrary restraints. The folly and expediency of the
law having been thus demonstrated, it was soon repealed;
The calamities of war were now accompanied by the
ravages of pestilence. An epidemic disease, supposed to
have been introduced by the troops from Europe, but which
was more probably, imported with the negroes from Africa,
raged throughout the island with such fury that the number
of burials in Bridge-town alone were commonly twenty in
a day*. The soil, deprived of a considerable portion of
the labour required for its due cultivation* no longer yielded
its fruits with its accustomed liberality; and a total failure
of the crop added to the general misfortune. To complete

* European Settlements in America, vol. 2.

OF BARBADOES. 155
the climax of ills with which the Barbadians were afflicted, ghap. v.
the horrors of insurrection seemed ready to overwhelm l6g%
them. Encouraged by the public distress, the discontented slaves
entered into a well concerted plan for exterminating the
white inhabitants, whose numbers were considerably dimi
nished by the contagious distemper which prevailed. This
conspiracy appears to have been planned with more judg
ment than had been hitherto displayed by these ignorant,
infatuated creatures, in any of their former criminal at
tempts. A particular day was appointed for a general re
volt of the slaves throughout the island ; those on each plan
tation were, at a certain hour, to massacre their masters
and all the white servants. The carnage was to have com
menced with the governor; the store-keeper was to have
been assassinated by his waiting-man, who, after perpe
trating the atrocious deed, was to supply the conspirators
with arms and ammunition from the public magazine.
Proper officers were appointed, under whose conduct the
insurgents proposed surprising the forts which commanded
Carlisle-bay, whence they might have been enabled to se
cure the shipping.
The project was nearly ripe for execution, when that gra
cious Providence, which wisely governs all things, miracu
lously interposed to save the unconscious Barbadians from
the destruction just ready to burst on their heads. Two of
the principal conspirators, in a state of fancied security,
x 2

156 THE HISTORY
chap. v. Were accidentally overheard, conversing on their diabolical
lSm scheme. These wretches were instantly arrested ; but, ex
pecting that their confederates would make an effort for
their relief, they obstinately refused to make any confession
which might implicate their friends ; and, with a firmness
worthy of a better cause, submitted to be hung in chains
four days, without meat or drink ; when, finding all
hopes of a rescue vain, they offered to impeach their ac
complices, on consideration of receiving a full pardon for
themselves. This proposal being acceded to, they made an
unreserved discovery of the whole plot. Their confederates
were immediately apprehended, and put upon their trial ;
and, upon the most incontestible evidence of their guilt;
many of them, to the great injury of their owners, were
condemned to suffer death.
The next object of the public attention was to provide
some effectual security against the recurrence of the
danger from which they had been most providentially
delivered. But this seems rather to have been an object
of deep-felt solicitude than of easy or perfect attainment.
It is scarcely possible, in a country where slavery subsists,
to guard against the dark designs of secret treachery, or
the more daring attacks of open violence. In every dis
pute between parties of whom neither possess the advan
tages of military discipline, numbers must finally prevail.
This single consideration is sufficient to convince our co
lonial statesmen of the imperious necessity of a strict atten-
1

OF BARBADOES. 157
tion to the maintenance of a well-regulated militia, and of chap. v.
the folly of putting arms into the hands of those, who, at 1692-
no distant period of time, may employ them in the de
struction of their unwise rulers.
Whether the legislature of that day overlooked these im
portant points, is now difficult to determine ; it is, however,.
certain that they contented themselves with passing two
laws, offering indemnity and emancipation to the slave, who
should give information of any conspiracy among the ne
groes; the bther prohibiting the selling of rum, or any kind
of strong liquor, to any negro or other slave. The policy
of this latter law, was founded on a supposition that plots
and conspiracies were commonly entered into upon occa
sions of negro festivity, and were facilitated by the power
of intoxication. But, whatever might then have been the
opinion entertained of the propriety and efficacy of this
prohibition, it is now suffered to slumber in oblivion. The
utility of this particular act is at last extremely doubtful ;
for, exclusive of the absurdity of formally prohibiting what
is still openly permitted; and was, perhaps, never intended
to have been entirely prevented, it would be cruel to deny
the servile labourer the use of the care-drowning draught,
the opiate of affliction ; which, taken in moderation, en
livens the heavy hours that roll over his head ; obtunds
the sense of pain, reanimates the spirits exhausted by fa
tigue, and invigorates the constitution exposed to the
vicissitudes of a rigorous and variable climate..

loS THE HISTORY
Far from being disheartened by misfortunes, the Barba
dians considered every new calamity as an additional mo
tive for vigorous exertion. The naval superiority of the
French, in the West Indies, filled them with the most serious
apprehensions of invasion. Under this impression, they
wasted no time in fruitless discussions concerning the mis-
application of the duty on their staple commodities, nor
involved themselves in unavailing disputes with the mini
sters of the crown, on the injustice of diverting the produce
of that impost to purposes foreign from those for which it
was granted ; but with a truly patriotic spirit, they pru
dently determined to employ what means were in their
power, in providing for the safety of their country. With
this view, the old fortifications were repaired, and new
ones erected wherever they were required. Two armed
ships were equipped, at the public expense, for the pro
tection of trade ; and their agents*, in England, were
directed to apply to the ministry for a regiment to be sta
tioned on the island for its defence. This request was
readily complied with, and the troops on their arrival were
quartered on such of the inhabitants as were deficient of
men to serve in the militia. Each soldier was allowed, by
the person on whom he was quartered, six pounds of salt

* Edward Littleton and William Bridges were appointed agents for the colony in
September 1691. They were the first persons employed in that character, and had
*ach of them, a salary of two hundred and fifty pounds a year allowed them.

OF BARBADOES. 159
meat or fish, each week, besides plantation provisions ready C^^Z'
prest, and comfortable lodgings* . 1692-
All these precautions were deemed inadequate to the
safety of the island, while the French remained in posses
ions of Martinico. The proximity of such formidable
neighbours, necessarily occasioned continual alarm ; the
British ministry, therefore, determined to annihilate the
power of France in the West Indies. But as a sufficient
force could not be spared from England, the colonies were
required to contribute a proportion of troops for the ser
vice; the contingent demanded of Barbadoes, was one
thousand men. The Barbadians entered into the scheme
with alacrity. Independent of every other consideration*
their resentment against the French was sharpened by re
cent injuries,, and particularly by the more than probable
opinion that the late insurrection among the blacks had
been contrived and promoted, by emissaries from Martinico*
Two regiments, consisting of five hundred men. each, were
accordingly raised, and the command given to Colonel September,.
Salter and Colonel Boteler, two gentlemen of distinguished
rank, and fortune in. the country. The expense of this un
dertaking amounted to, the sum of thirty thousand pounds;
a burthen too great to be borne by a small colony, already.
labouring under a heavy load of taxes, for the support of
government.

* Hall's Laws of Barb. p. 486;

l6o THE HISTORY
The armament which Great Britain allotted for the expe
dition against Martinico, consisted of eight ships of the
line and four frigates, under the command of Sir Francis
Wheeler, an officer of high reputation in the navy, with
eighteen transports, having on board fifteen hundred troops,
commanded by Colonel Foulk. These, on their arrival at
Barbadoes, were joined by two regiments raised within the
island, and four hundred volunteers, who gallantly offered
their services on the occasion. No unnecessary delays
were suffered to impede the sailing of the squadron, which
left Carlisle Bay on the thirtieth day of March, and arrived
at Martinico two days afterwards. The fleet came to an
anchor in the Cul de sac lloyale ; and, after some time
spent in making the necessary preparations, Colonel Foulk
April 12. made a descent with fifteen hundred men, whom he em
ployed in destroying some defenceless houses and deserted
batteries. Having spent one entire day in these acts of
wanton cruelty and useless hostility, against an unresisting
enemy, he reimbarked his troops, and took no farther share
in the operations of the army. The commodore, at the
head of five hundred seamen, now landed, at Diamond
Bay, and pursued the work of destruction ; burning and
destroying several plantations in that neighbourhood, and
driving the unarmed, dismayed inhabitants, into the woods.
Another detachment, led by Colonel Lillington, penetrated
the open country, which they ravaged without oppo-

OF BARBADOES. '161
sition and returned without performing any essential ser- chap. v.
vice*. 1693.
The army was now reinforced, by the arrival of General
Codrington, with Lloyd's regiment, from Antigua, and a
body of troops raised within his government. This acces
sion of strength was deemed sufficient to enable the
British commander to attempt the reduction of the capital
of Martinico. Sir Francis Wheeler accordingly proceeded APril I5.«
with the fleet to Saint Pierre's, and resolutely anchored
within musket shot of the shore. Here the Barbadians*
supported by the troops from the Leeward Islands, emi
nently distinguished themselves. Having effected a land
ing, they immediately occupied an eminence which com
manded the town; they scoured the country, drove the
enemy from all their advanced posts, and compelled them
to seek security within their entrenchments. The garrison April 19,
made one effort, by a vigorous sortie, to dislodge the
assailants, but they were repulsed, and retired under shel
ter of their cannon.
While the troops were thus employed on shore, most of ?
the principal officers of the army remained on board the
ships, where they died ingloriously of pestilential diseases.
Victory, however, seemed ready to crown the invaders with
success, and to reward them with the possession of Saint
Pierre's, when the attack was most unaccountably aban-

* Univ. Hist. vol. 1. p. 160. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, vol. 2. p. 447.
Y

162 THE HISTORY
chap. v. doned. A council of war having met, they resolved, that
1693.^ [n tne sickly condition of the army and navy, and from
many unforeseen difficulties which must be encountered in
the progress of the siege, the conquest of the place was
impracticable. In consequence of this resolution, the
troops and artillery were> immediately reimbarked ; and
thus, under the most encouraging prospects of success,
tended an expedition which nothing could have defeated,
but the flagrant misconduct of those to whom it was in
trusted. Many of the officers were Irish Roman Catholics,
notoriously disaffected to the family on the throne, and
were employed on. this service merely as a pretext for send
ing them out of the kingdom. To the honour of the West
Indians, it is generally allowed, that if the European
troops had behaved as well as they did, not only Martinico,
but all the French islands must have fallen into the hands
of the British*.
1694. Upon the change of ministry in England, Colonel Francis
Hussel, brother to the Earl of Oxford, was appointed to
the government of Barbadoes, and his regiment ordered to
be stationed there.- Mr. Kendall, by a particular order
from the King, took his seat at the council, as president
of that board-}*, but was soon after recalled, and made one
of the commissioners of the admiralty. The new governor

Univ. Hist. vol. 41 . p. 160. + Hall's First Settlem. of Barb. p. 29. MS,

OF BARBADOES. 16*3
was received with the usual demonstrations of respect ; ^^J'
and notwithstanding the accumulated distresses of the peo- SepJe6^beR-
ple, the assembly voted him a present of two thousand
pounds. Precedents, though dangerous, are easily esta
blished; and attempts are sometimes made to justify the
worst measures by cases originally innocent and commend
able. Thus the liberal largesses bestowed on former go
vernors, under circumstances widely different, had formed
a precedent from which the legislature could not depart,
without making an invidious distinction to the disadvan
tage of their present commander in chief. But Colonel
Russel was to be distinguished by a munificence which
none of his predecessors had ever enjoyed. Though the
country was impoverished by a succession of calamities, it
was resolved to provide hi& regiment with quarters at the
public charge. The soldiers, by an act of the legislature,
were quartered on the plantations, to serve in the militia,
and were entitled to receive from each person, for whom
they served, the same rations as were allowed during
the late administration. The inhabitants received nine-
pence a day from the treasury,, for each soldier quartered
on them; and in Meu of provisions, it was optional with
the landlord to pay the soldiers, while on duty, one shil
ling a day.
The next year was marked with acts of still greater
generosity. In addition to another benevolence of two
thousand; pounds, his excellency was presented with three

1695.,

164 THE HISTORY
chap.v. hundred pounds sterling, for the purpose of replenishing
1695. h^ cellars ; and, by an extraordinary stretch of complai
sance, another act was soon after passed, for supplying the
commissioned officers of his regiment with provisions at
the public expense. For this purpose, the major was al
lowed four shillings a day, each captain two shillings and
sixpence, the lieutenants, quarter-master, and surgeon,
each two shillings, to be paid out of the treasury. The
bulk of the people were extremely discontented at this ex
cessive profusion. Their complaints were, however, but
little regarded by the parasites who wished to ingratiate
themselves with the governor, and to bask in the sun-shine
of court favour. Those who hold the strings of the public
purse, seldom reflect on the condition of the lower classes
of people. Clad with authority, and indulging in the
pleasures of affluence, they are strangers to the misery of
those from whom' they exact the last shilling, to pamper
their own luxurious appetites, or to promote their schemes
of ambition. They can well afford to gratify the liberality
of their tempers, whose extravagance is supported by a
whole community ; and to purchase the patronage of a
venal chief, when the price is paid out of the public trea
sury. A few leading members of the legislature enjoy all
the merit, and receive the exclusive reward of their muni
ficence, while the poor labourer, and the humble house
holder, from whose starving mouth the scanty morsel is
snatched, and from whose shivering limbs the tattered weed

OF BARBADOES. \6j
is torn, are insulted and despised by the proud, unfeeling
great, whom they contribute to support.
The extraordinary generosity of the Barbadians procured
them no favour nor indulgence. Indeed, any expectation
of conciliating the friendship of government, by such
means, will ever terminate in disappointment. The readi
ness with which the colonial assemblies dispose of. the
money belonging to their constituents, is generally con
sidered as an evidence of their wealth, rather than of the
liberality of their minds; and the demands, on their gene
rosity, will always be proportioned to the facility with which
they are granted.
The epidemic disease, already mentioned, still continued
to spread desolation throughout the island. On board the
men of war, the mortality was so great, that the legislature,
notwithstanding the enormous expense which they had
lately incurred, were obliged to fit out the Marigold brig,
to bring home a part of the troops employed on the late
unsuccessful expedition against Martinico, which had been
left at Antigua, by Commodore Wheeler. They granted
the sum of fourteen hundred and eighty-four pounds ster
ling:, for victualling and manning the Bristol frigate, and
the Playfair prize, to cruise against the enemy*, and were
under the necessity of paying the very ships appointed to
convoy their trade to Europe. Yet so little attention was

* Hall's Laws of Barb. p. 43S, 48?.
4

166 THE HISTORY
chap. v. shewn to the security of the island, that on the appearance
1696. 0f a French fleet, bound for Carthagena, there were not
seven rounds of powder in all the forts upon the island*.
In this state of things, the governor, who was much ad
dicted to the pleasures of the table, was seized with a fever,
generated by intemperance, which soon put a period to
his existence-f^

Univ. Hist, vol, 41. p. 161. -fr Memoirs of Barb. p. 46.

OF BARBADOES. 167

CHAP. VL
PRESIDENCY OF MR. BOND — ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR GREY  HE
RESIGNS THE GOVERNMENT — MR. FARMER PRESIDENT — A CON
SPIRACY OF THE SLAVES: — SIR BEVILLE GRANVILLE APPOINTED
GOVERNOR^ — COUNTRY DIVIDED BY FACTION  ATTEMPT ON THE
GOVERNOR'S LIFE  MR. LILLINGTON PROSECUTED  MEMORIAL
AGAINST THE GOVERNOR  SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
EXPELLED  A BANK ESTABLISHED  DEPARTURE OF THE GO
VERNOR.
U PON the death of Colonel Russel, the executive autho- chap. vi.
rity devolved on the Honourable Francis Bond, senior 1696.
member of council, resident on the island. The Barba
dians appear to have exhausted their whole stock of gene
rosity on their late governor, and to have reserved nothing
to bestow on the president, to whom they gave neither
salary nor present.
Under the auspices of Mr. Bond, the assembler ventured 1697,
to encroach on the prerogative of the Crown. They passed
an act, laying an impost of powder on the tonnage of
vessels, in which they assumed the annual right of nomi
nating a store-keeper of the magazine, allowing to the
1

!& THE HISTORY
chap. vi. other branches of the legislature the power only of con^
iey7. firming or rejecting their choice. Whether the appoint
ment of public officers is more beneficially exercised by the
representatives of the people, than by the representative of
the crown, is a question which admits not of an easy so
lution. One thing, however, is certain, that the assembly
have, in this instance, violated the Sovereigns constitutional
right of appointing to all offices, in the state, civil and
military. The presidency of Mr. Bond was productive of no in
teresting event, though many salutary measures were
adopted during his administration. Hence, a colonial his
torian*, who afterwards sustained, on his own shoulders,
the weight of government, takes occasion to remark, " That
a man who has an interest in a country, and is a native
thereof, will be more concerned for the good government
of it, and more attentive to its prosperity, than one who
considers it as a temporary dwelling, whither he has pro
cured himself to be^ent to raise a fortune, or to patch up
one going to decay." This is one of the many plausible
theories, whose fallacy is demonstrated by experience. The
reasoning by which it is supported is specious, but candour
must acknowledge, that the security and prosperity of the
Country have been seldom more neglected than when the
administration of public affairs has been confided to a na_
.» ' ¦ ¦ i «'¦ ¦ ¦¦.¦¦ ¦¦¦¦ ¦ i-. ¦¦¦¦¦¦._ . . „w.,,„. ¦ ¦¦¦¦¦ i mm
» Mr. Frere.— Short Hist, of Barb. p. 45.

1693.

OF BARBADOES. I69
tive, possessing an interest in it. Self-love and social ^^^J-
are not here the same : many persons of rank and fortune
conceive that they have an interest distinct from the pub
lic good, and often sacrifice the welfare of their country
to their private emolument, the fleeting breath of popula
rity, or the gratification of their ambition. It is not, how
ever, intended to detract from the particular merit of Mr.
Bond, who, to his own honour, and the satisfaction of his
countrymen, held the reins of government for the term of
twro years. And happy would it have been for Barbadoes
if many succeeding presidents had acquitted themselves in
the same high trust with equal reputation. and fidelity.
The Honourable Ralph Grey, brother to the Earl of
Tankerville, having been appointed governor of all the
Windward Islands, arrived at Barbadoes, on the twenty-
sixth day of July. His excellency found the country suf
fering under the accumulated evils of tempest, pestilence
and war. The epidemic disease, formerly mentioned,
though somewhat abated, continued to rage with consider
able violence; and many valuable plantations were de
stroyed by a hurricane. The enormous expense, injudi
ciously incurred on account of the late unsuccessful expedi
tion against Martinico, and other expensive measures which
the inhabitants, wholly neglected by the parent state, had
been compelled to adopt for their internal safety, had been
defrayed by such oppressive taxes, that many principal
planters were entirely ruined, or at least rendered incapa-

z

170 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. ble of supporting their plantations. Above forty sugar
1698- works were totally abandoned, and land, to a considerable
extent, lay waste and unproductive for the want of labour
ers to cultivate it. Yet, under all these discouragements,
the Barbadians maintained the dignity of their government
with great spirit and constancy.
The governor was received with every possible mark of
respect. Mr. Maxwell, the speaker of the assembly, in
an appropriate speech, offered him the congratulations of
the house on his safe arrival ; and the legislature readily
furnished his excellency with much more substantial proofs
of their regard. Fontabelle had been hitherto leased by
the public for the residence of the first magistrate; but in
their solicitude for the safety and accommodation of their
new commander in chief, the assembly now discovered that
the government-house was not only much out of repair, but
that, from its proximity to the sea, it was exposed to the*
depredations of privateers : five hundred pounds a year was
therefore settled on Mr. Grey, for the purpose of providing
him with a more eligible and commodious mansion. Though
his excellency had a salary of twelve hundred pounds ster
ling allowed him by the Crown, out of the four and a half
per cent, duty, to be paid on the spot by the collector of
the customs, the assembly, within two months after his ar-
Sept.7. rival, made him a present of two thousand pounds to de
fray the expenses of his voyage.
Mr. Grey was particularly directed by his Majesty's in-

OF BARBADOES. 171
structions not to suffer any money, or value of money, " to CHAP- vi
be given or granted by any act or order of the assembly, to l6&8'
any governor or commander in chief, which shall not, ac
cording to the style of the acts of parliament in England,
.be mentioned to be given or granted unto us, with the
humble desire of such assembly,, that the same be applied
to the use of such governor, if we shall think fit. Or if
we shall not approve of such gift or application, that the
said money, or value of money, be then disposed of and
appropriated to such other uses as in the said act, or or
der shall be mentioned."
His excellency was also instructed " not to suffer any
public money whatsoever to be issued or disposed of, other
wise than by warrant, under his hand, by and with the ad
vice and consent of the council. But the assembly may,
nevertheless, be permitted, from time to time, to view and
examine all accounts of money or value of money disposed
of by virtue of such lawrs as they shall make," which he
was directed to signify to them as occasion should offer*.
This year is rendered particularly remarkable by the
establishment of the first patent office in Barbadoes. The
person selected for this distinction was a Mr. Skene, who
was honoured with his Majesty's letters patent, appointing
him secretary of the island, and private secretary to the go
vernor. This appointment occasioned a dispute between

* Mem. of Barb. p. 47.
z 2

172 THE HISTORY
ghap. VI. n}s excellency and the new secretary, on the score of fees.
1698, As most of the papers issued from that office required the
governor's sign manual, either as chancellor or ordinary,
former commanders in chief, to expedite the business of
those departments,, had appointed private secretaries of
their own, who were usually recompensed, with gratuitous
fees for their trouble and attendance.. These fees5. from the
increase of business, soon became an object of attention
to the governor hirnself, who demanded an annual sum
from, the secretary, as his share of the profits. But Mr.
Skene, holding his appointment under the crown,, demanded
these fees, which had been established. only by common con
sent, as the legal perquisites of his office. The governor
opposed this claim,, and insisted upon his right to nominate
his own private secretary. An appeal to the Crown was the
natural consequence of this misunderstanding, but the
events which soon after took, place prevented the matter
from being brought to an issue.
The administration of Mr. Grey, was rendered, extremely
popular by the generosity of his temper and the suavity of
his manners. These qualities, whether they soften the au
sterity of office,. or sweeten the social intercourse which subr
sists between men in. the sequestered walks of private life,
will ever engage the esteem of mankind.. Of a disposition
liberal and disinterested, he sought not to. enrich himself by
the spoil of those whom he was sent to protect; but sedu
lously endeavoured to. promote their prosperity ; and, by

OF BARBADOES. 173
the firm but temperate exercise of authority, gained the c^^v,1,
hearts of the people whom he governed. Nor were they 169&*
deficient in gratitude. In each successive year of his mild
and equitable administration, the representatives of the
people testified their esteem for his virtues by a liberal
gratuity of two thousand pounds. At length, having, suc
ceeded to the barony of- Werke, on the death of his bro-
J 170!.
ther, and finding his health declining, he resigned the en- December..
signs of authority into the hands of John Farmer, son to
the patriotic opponent of Lord. Willoughby, and returned
to England.
Soon after the governor's departure, Mr. Farmer received no:.
official information of the King's death, and of the acces
sion of Queen Anne. These events were celebrated with
the usual ceremonies, and the assembly, with the concur
rence of the council, transmitted a loyal and dutiful ad
dress of condolence to her Majesty on the death of her au^
gust relative, and of congratulation on her joyful accession
to the throne of her ancestors, which, was prevented by the
late governor, now Lord Grey.
Upon the commencement of hostilities between France
and. Great Britain, Commodore Walker was dispatched to
the West Indies with six ships of the line, having four regi
ments on board. Their arrival in Carlisle Bay was greeted by
an act of the general assembly for the accommodation of the
troops. They were billetted on the inhabitants ;__fo_r_twq
months, each man. to be allowed six pounds of salted.
6

174 THE HISTORY i
chap. VI. ^eat or fish, a week, with plantation provisions and beds
1702, of plantain leaves, or in lieu of food, to receive sixpence
per day, at the option of the landlord. Walker soon after
wards sailed for Antigua, where he was joined by Colonel
Codrington, with some troops collected among the islands,
and proceeded to the invasion of Guadaloupe; but, in con
sequence of some misunderstanding between the command
ing officers, the enterprise was abandoned, after demolish
ing the fort, burning the town, and ravaging the country.
The Barbadians, recovering from their misfortunes, now
entered deeplv into schemes of privateering. A fleet of
sixteen of their armed vessels, cruizing, off Guadaloupe,
emboldened by the defenceless state of the island, landed
their crews, and, after destroying many plantations, brought
away a considerable number of slaves*. But their atten
tion was soon called off to the means of providing for their
internal security. The turbulent, licentious blacks, entered
into a fresh conspiracy for throwing off the yoke of slavery,
and getting possession of the forts. But their diabolical
scheme was again frustrated by the interposition of Provi
dence, and many of the infatuated wretches suffered the
dreadful punishment incurred by their criminal designs.
i7os. When Lord Grey resigned the government of Barbadoes,
the king appointed Mitford Crowe, an opulent London
merchant, to be his successor ; but, on the death of his
* Univ. Hist, vol, 41, p. 164.

OF BARBADOES. 175
Majesty, Queen Anne, to the great disappointment of the chap. iv.
Barbadians, committed the important trust to Major-Gene- 1703-
ral Sir Bevill Granville. During the whole reign of that
illustrious princess the affairs of the colonies were regarded
with greater attention than at any former period. Her
Majesty, upon every occasion, seems to have manifested
the most maternal solicitude for the happiness of her sub
jects in this remote part of the empire, and an anxiety to
relieve them, as much as possible, from the heavy burthens
which had been imposed upon them. A petition had been
presented to the House of Commons by several merchants
and planters of Barbadoes, praying that the money arising
from the four and a half per cent, duty, might be applied
to the uses for which it had been granted. The petition
being referred to a committee, an address was presented to
her Majesty, recommending her to comply with the wishes
of the Barbadians ; and she was accordingly graciously
pleased to order, that the produce of the duty should be
appropriated to the repairing and erecting of fortifications
for the safety of the island ; and that an annual account of
the expenditure should be laid before parliament.
The next proof which her Majesty gave of her benignant
disposition was an attempt to relieve the island from the
distresses occasioned by the usual presents to governors.
Sir Bevill Granville was strictly prohibited, by his instruc
tions, from receiving any gift or present from the assembly,
upon any account,, or in manner, whatever, on pain of in-
1

176 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. carring her Majesty's highest displeasure, and of being re-
I703- called from the government. To provide a competent main
tenance for the governor, her Majesty was graciously
pleased to augment his excellency's salary to two thousand
pounds sterling, payable out of the duty of four and a half
per cent. " according to the meaning of the act of the as
sembly, whereby the same is granted for maintaining the
honour and dignity of the government, and for other pub
lic uses*."
Notwithstanding these liberal concessions on the part of
the Crown, the public mind was kept in a continual state
of agitation during the whole time of General Granville's
administration. In the face of the royal order, the assem
bly settled five hundred pounds per annum on the governor;
and it is generally allowed that his friends contrived, under
various pretences, to appropriate several large sums of the
public money to his use. They erected an elegant house
for him on a small plantation above Bridge-town, called
Pilgrim, containing about twenty acres of land, which they
leased for twenty-one years,, at the annual rent of one hun
dred and twenty pounds. And, by an extraordinary ex
ercise of complaisance, they nominated his brother-in-law,
Sir John Stanley, one of their agents in London. It was
certainly highly reprehensible thus to trifle with an employ
ment. of so much real importance. Among the many quali-

* Mem of Barb. p. 50. Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 6*. Hall's First Settle, of Barb.

OF BARBADOES, 177
fications necessary in a candidate for the colonial agency, chap. vi.
it is not one of the least that he should be thoroughly ac- 1703-
quainted with the internal policy and general interests of
the island which he represents. Yet these were points with no*.
which Sir John, as a stranger to the West Indies, must
have been very imperfectly acquainted, if not wholly igno
rant. On the other hand, it may be said, the honourable
Baronet's incompetence could not have been very prejudicial
to the interest of his employers, since they had at that
time the benefit of the wisdom and diligence of no less
than four agents at once.
This amicable disposition unfortunately was not of long
continuance. Sir Bevill's tory principles and supercilious
behaviour rendered him extremely unpopular ; an effect to
which it is more than probable the measures that he thought
proper to take for the safety of the country might greatly
have contributed. Under the apprehensions of invasion,
the governor called out the militia and employed them on
the tedious and irksome duty of guarding the accessible
parts of the coast. This was a strong measure, which no
thing could justify but absolute necessity, and it diffused
a spirit of discontent throughout the country. To relieve
the body of the people from the hardships and fatigue of
this species of servitude, which fell heaviest upon those
who were least able to bear them, a bill was introduced into
a a

1?8 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. the house of assembly*, to empower his excellency to em-
1704- body two companies of grenadiers at the public expense,
to be employed on this particular service. The measure
was strenuously opposed by some factious members, from an
objection to the expense, and from apprehension that part
of the money to be raised for the pay and subsistence of the
men would be converted to the governor's private emolu
ment. Finding that a majority of the assembly were fa
vourable to the bill, the members in opposition seceded,
expecting their absence would effectually obstruct its pro
gress by the difficulty of making & house, as fifteen mem
bers, at that time, constituted a quorum. The defection
of nearly one-third of the representative body necessarily
impeded the proceedings of the legislature, and occasioned
an entire stagnation of public business. The governor ex
postulated warmly with the assembly on such a dereliction
of the trust reposed in them., and cautioned them against
the consequences of a conduct so comtumacious and dis
honourable. At length, finding all milder expedients inef
fectual, he dismissed the seceders from all their civil and
* The assembly was composed of the following members ; G. Peers and. C. Thoi
mas, St. Michael's; A.Walker and S. Maynar.d, St. Peter's; W. Allamby and G.
Harper, St. Thomas's ; J. Leslie and C. Estwick, St, John's ; P. Kirton and T. Max
well, Christchurch ; T. Maycock and W. Terrill, St. Lucy's; W. Holder and K.
Wayte, St. James's; T. Ince and Enoch Gretton, St. Philip's; Rob. Morris and Reyi>.
Alleyne, St. Andrew's; Paul Lyte and H. Harding, St. George's; John Holder and
W. Grant, St. Joseph's. 6

OF BARBADOES. 179
military employments under the crown, and dissolved the *^^^}'
assembly*. 17<H'
The spirit of discord was not confined to the popular
branch of the legislature alone; the most violent dissen
tions prevailed in the council chamber. Here the evil was
more immediately within the sphere of the governor's ob
servation and controul ; nor did he hesitate long to apply
the proper remedy. Availing himself of his prerogative,
he suspended the four most turbulent members, George Lil-
lington, David Ramsay, Benjamin Cryer, and Michael
Terril. These acts of resentment were not calculated to ap
pease the popular discontent; and in the midst of these
feuds and dissentions, an attempt to assassinate the gover- June.
nor was made by some unknown person, in the road, firing
a pistol at his excellency as he sat in a window at Pilgrim.
Upon this occasion, the assembly presented a respectful
address to the governor, declaring their utter abhorrence of
an act so stupendously villainous as that of attempting, through
his excellency's sides, to wound and destroy her Majesty's re
gality here.
Of this offence Mr. Lillington was accused, and endured,
notwithstanding his ill-health, a long and rigorous confine
ment. He was at length indicted at the court of grand ses-

* Many of the most important transactions of this period I am enabled to detail,
o'n the authority of the manuscript journal, of the proceedings of the assembly, men
tioned in the preface.
a a 2

180 THE HISTORY
C2^X3I" sl0YiS> ana* sentenced to pay a fine of two thousand pounds*
1704. of the justice of this sentence it is impossible to speak with
certainty. No evidence of his innocence, or his guilt, can
now be found, and little confidence is due to the contradic
tory representations of opposite parties. The Honourable
William Sharpe, the chief justice, who presided at the trial,
and at several succeeding courts of grand sessions, was ho
noured with the thanks of the house of assembly, for the
candour and integrity of his conduct. Hence we may infer
that Mr. Lillington wras fairly tried, and legally convicted.
But, on the other hand, it has been asserted, that the
prosecution was malicious*, and that after the heats
and prejudices of party had, in some measure, subsided,
the frne was remitted, and the money ordered to be return
ed. Mr. Lillington, however, was forced to submit to the
sentence whether just or unjust.
August. Meanwhile, the governor having issued writs for calling
a new assembly, the election in several parishes was con
tested with great warmth and earnestness. In St. Lucy's
Maycock and Terrill, the late representatives, were guilty
of some acts of illegal violence ; they grossly insulted and
obstructed Mr. Gordon, the sheriff, in the execution of
his duty, and encouraged a Mr. Curl to assume and exer
cise the office of sheriff. The election, of course, was con
troverted by Colonel Pickering and Major Lambert, the

* Hall's First Settlement of Barb. p. 30. M. S.

OF BARBADOES. 181
other candidates, in whose favour the house of assembly C]^^J'
ultimately decided. Maycock and Terril were ordered to l70*;
be prosecuted by the attorney-general, for high crimes and
misdemeanors-; and Curl, who had given a false testimony
at the bar of the house, was directed to be indicted for
perjury. But before the day of trial they were clandes
tinely taken from the island, by Captain Martin, of the
Blackwall ftioate.
On the meeting of the assembly, the governor opened Aug. 23.
the session, in the usual form^ with a speech, in which he
inveighed, with equal justice and asperity, against the
conduct, of those members- of the former assembly ; who,
in contempt of the Queens authority, and in violation of
the sacred trust reposed in them, had, pertinaciously, ab
sented themselves from that house ; whence the legislature
had been prevented from the exercise of its functions, and
the administration of government had been suspended. To
this cause he ascribed the decline of public credit, and the
great hardships sustained by the gunners and matrosses,
and other public creditors, whose salaries were unjustly
withholden from them. Hence, he said, the seamen on
board a brig, . in the service of the country, had been pro
voked to run away with the vessel, as a fair reprizal on
those who had employed them without paying: their wages.
By the unwarrantable secession of some of their members,
the assembly, he. said, had been prevented from making
t&e- provision, requisite for the. repair of theTortifications,

182 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. an(j for relieving the militia from the toilsome and oppres-
noi. sjve duty of guarding the coasts ; nor had they been able
to make any inquiry into the expenditure of the public
money. To this omission he attributed the failure of Com
modore Walker's attempt on Guadaloupe, the treasurer
having pretended that he had not the means of hiring a
vessel to carry dispatches to General Codrington, on wrhose
receiving timely notice of the design, the success of the
expedition principally depended; though it was evident,
that had there been no misapplication of it, there would
have been money enough in the treasury for that and other
public exigencies. He next accused the assembly of neg
lecting to avail themselves of her Majesty's gracious inten
tion of appropriating the four and a half duty to the use
of the fortifications, no application having been made for
the money then due upon that score. He admonished them
to beware of slighting the proffered boon, lest by their
criminal negligence they should lose the golden opportunity
of rendering their country the most essential services, His
excellency concluded with desiring that the house would
continue to sit from day to day, and consult, with unani
mity, on the means of promoting the security and pro
sperity of the country.
The answer of the assembly was modest and respectful.
They admitted the justice of his excellency's animadver
sions on the misconduct of a part of their house, and con
demned, in the strongest terms, the pertinacious opposition

OF BARBADOES. 183
which he had experienced in the legal exercise of his au- CHAP- vi.
thority. His excellency was represented in this address* 1704''
as possessing all the virtues which could adorn the character
of the most accomplished ruler. His administration was
compared to the dispensations of that Providence which ever
designs the happiness of mankind ; and was asserted to have
been free from spot or blemish, except that with patience and.
temper he had striven to reclaim a people of a stubborn, obsti
nate disposition.
The address having been agreed to, and presented, the
house proceeded to the revisal of their rules, when Mr-
John Holder suggested, that the irregularity so justly com
plained of in the proceedings of the late assembly, was
occasioned by the rule which required the presence of two-
thirds of the representative body to make a house. To
obviate this inconvenience, he moved, that thirteen mem
bers should, in future, be a quorum sufficient to pass all
laws, either of a public or private nature. The motion-
was vehemently opposed by those members whose turbulent
behaviour had been productive of so much confusion, and
had deservedly incurred such severe reprehension. But
finding all opposition vain, they rose from their seats ; and,
in contempt of the speakers authority, quitted the house,
expecting that their retiring would dissolve the meeting ;
the other members, however, continued sitting, and. agreed;
to the treasurer's motion.
The attention of the assembly was now directed to an- Not. i&

184 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. other object. The speaker, by Ins excellency's directions,
170t- laid before the house the copy of a memorial which had
been presented to the Queen by several factious members
of the former assembly, exhibiting a variety of charges
against the governor and a majority of that bouse. The
memorialists, after a pompous panegyric on their own
loyal and peaceable demeanor, in the faithful discharge of
many offices of high trust and responsibility, lament that
they should be compelled, by their fidelity to their conr
stituents, to complain of the injurious and oppressive con
duct of her Majesty's governor, Sir Bevill Granville. They
alledged that the militia had been kept on guard, at the
different bays, and accessible parts of the coast, to th#
manifest injury of her Majesty's subjects, contrary to law,
and without even the previous consent of the council ; for
the ostensible reason of defending the country from inva
sion, and to prevent evil-disposed persons from running
away with boats ; but that the real design of this arbitrary
and illegal procedure was to compel the representatives of
the people to consent to an act for raising two companies
of soldiers, for the protection of the towns and adjacent
landing places, with a secret view to the governor's private
emolument. The annual expense of maintaining this body
of men, was estimated at nine thousand pounds ; and, as
the money was to be entirely at the governor's disposal,
they asserted that he would be able to save, for his own
^se, at least, onerfchird of the sum.

OF BARBADOES. 185
To their own patriotic opposition to this measure, the chap. vi.
memorialists ascribe their removal from offices of trust and 1704v
profit, which they had enjoyed without blemish for above
thirty years. They add that, in consequence of the dis
missal of many officers of respectability from their military
command, the militia had been disorganized and the island
exposed defenceless to the terrors of invasion. It was
stated that the governor, in direct disobedience to her Ma
jesty's commands, forbidding his accepting any gift or
present from the assembly, had, at one time, received from
them a present of six hundred pounds; and, at another, of
five hundred pounds; besides a present of two hundred
pounds from the Jews, who had in consequence many pri
vileges and indulgences granted to them contrary to law:
That he had accepted several valuable gifts of plate, horses,
and negroes from private persons, especially the natives of
North Britain; on whom, notwithstanding their known
aversion to the family on the throne, he had bestowed many
of the most important civil and military employments;
Against these arrangements the memorialists inveighed with
great bitterness. They complained that in the room of
officers of rank and talent who had been dismissed from the
service, persons had been appointed wholly unqualified, in-
perienced, of mean capacity and low estate. But of none
did they speak with more asperity than of the Honourable
William Holder, speaker of the assembly, who had been re
cently appointed chief justice of Saint MichaeFs precinct^
b b

186 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. though, to use their own phraseology, he was never known to
1704'- be of any christian community, neither had he been baptized.
After several other frivolous accusations, the memorial con
cluded with praying her Majesty would be graciously
pleased to institute an inquiry into the conduct of Sir
Bevill Granville, and offering to support the truth of their
allegations by the most unquestionable evidence. The me
morial was subscribed by John Leslie, Philip Kirton,
Thomas Maycock, William Terrill, Christopher Estwick,
Enoch Gretton, and Thomas Maxwell, late speaker of the
assembly. The reading of this paper produced the most lively emo
tions of anger and resentment in both chambers of the
legislature. They voted it to be a false, scandalous and
seditious libel on the government of the island, and vindir
cated themselves from the imputations which it contained,
in a counter-address to the throne. In this address they
expressed the most grateful sense of her Majesty's maternal
kindness in the prudent choice of a governor of general
Granville's " probity, good conduct, unspotted integrity,
and exemplary life; who, by his extraordinary vigilance
and prudence, had wrested the government out of the
hands of a corrupt faction, whose unwarrantable behaviour
would have involved the country in ruin and misery, but for
the wisdom and vigour of his administration."
The assembly now thought it necessary to vindicate their
rights by punishing the contumacy of those refractory mem-

OF BARBADOES. 187
bers, whose secession was considered as a contempt of le- chap.vi.
gislative authority. With this view the speaker, by order 17CH-
of the house, issued a summons, commanding their attend
ance at the next meeting of the legislature. In obedience
to this summons the seceders met, at the time and place March 50
appointed, and put into the speaker's hands a written paper,
in which they assigned as a reason for their non-attend
ance, the innovation, which, as they termed it, had been
made on the rights of the people, in respect to the number
of members required to make a house. They added, that
they had submitted the whole affair to her Majesty's consi
deration, and were in daily expectation of receiving her
commands, to which they would most dutifully conform ;
and, in the interim, they utterly disclaimed the authority
and competence of the other members to act as the general
assembly of the island. These reasons not appearing satis--
factory, the speaker demanded of them severally, whether
they would resume their seats and enter upon business con
formably to the rules of the house; to which they declined
giving any answer and abruptly retired. To discountenance
such a dangerous spirit of insubordination, the house unani
mously voted for the expulsion of John Leslie, Philip Kir-
ton, Joseph Brown, John Frere, and Christopher Estwick,*

* Gretton, who was also one of the seceders, died before the matter was decided.
Neither of the expelled members was re-elected until the general election ; when Mr.
Frere was returned for St. Philip's, and took his seat accordingly.
b b 2

188 THE HISTORY
chap. Vi. each 0f whom was declared incapable or sitting again din-
no*. mg the continuance of that assembly; and new writs were
immediately issued, by the governor, for the particular
election of other members to supply the vacancies occa
sioned by their expulsion. And 'to prevent, in future, any
factious attempt to impede the public business, by the
abrupt, indecorous departure of any member during the
session, it became a standing rule of the assembly, that,
whenever a sufficient number of members had met to make
a house, the door should be locked, and the key given to
the speaker, without whose permission no member should
be allowed to depart under pain of expulsion.
1705. It was not long before the governor had the satisfaction
of receiving the most unequivocal testimony of her Ma
jesty's approbation of his conduct. In addition to the
memorial already mentioned, the four suspended members
of council had exhibited a complaint against his excellency,
to which was added, a petition from Mr. Richard Downes*,
complaining that, notwithstanding he had been honoured
with her Majesty's letter of mandamus, appointing him a
member of council, he had been prevented by the governor
from taking his seat at that board. These complaints were

* Mr. Downes had been treasurer of the island, and had presumed, upon his.own
authority, to pay money to the amount of several thousand pounds, without the usual
orders from the governor : this conduct naturally gave offence, and he was removed
from the office ; and several years elapsed before he settled his accounts, or paid the
balance due to the public.

OF BARBADOES. 189
all referred to the consideration of the lords commissioners c^^,1'
of trade and plantations ; who, after a due investigation of 170:>-
the several charges, together with the governor's defence,
made the necessary reports to the Queen in council. And,
upon reading these reports, her Majesty was pleased to
order one of her principal secretaries of state to communi
cate to Sir Bevill Granville her Majesty's royal approbation
of his proceedings, in the suspension of the four coun
sellors, who had countenanced and abetted those members
of the assembly, from whose irregular behaviour, and cri
minal neglect of duty, much inconvenience had arisen.
He was, however, empowered, upon their application and
submission, to admit them, if he should think proper, to
resume their seats at the council board. But with respect
to Downes, her Majesty declared her absolute will and
pleasure, that he should be entirely excluded from the
council chamber.
After expressing her concern and indignation, at the
confusion and disorder that had happened, from the repre
sentatives of the people wilfully absenting themselves from
their duty, by which means the administration of govern
ment had been greatly embarrassed and obstructed, her
Majesty directed that his excellency should, in her name,
represent to both branches of the legislature, the evils and
inconveniences that must necessarily result from such culp
able neglect, and to recommend their making some effec
tual provision for preventing such abuses in future.

190 THE HISTORY
The joy of the assembly, on this occasion, was un
bounded. To such of the members of her Majesty's privy
council, as were present on the inquiry, they voted a pre
sent of Citron water, in the following proportion : six
dozen bottles to the Duke of Marlborough, five dozen to
the Lord Treasurer, four dozen to the Lord President, and
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer three dozen. They
v also voted their agent the sum of one hundred pounds
sterling, to defray the expenses of an entertainment, which
they directed he should give in honour of the Royal
African Company, for their interposition in his excellency's
behalf. The public mind was again violently agitated by the fear
of invasion. In consequence of some alarming intelligence
April 9. from Antigua, the governor called the legislature together,
and submitted to their consideration the danger to which
the island was exposed by the proximity of a formidable
French force ; and recommended their putting the fortifica
tions in the best possible state of defence. In this emer
gency, the council proposed calling out the militia, and
laying them under martial law for fourteen days. To the
former part of the proposal the assembly readily agreed,
but they refused to sanction the declaration of martial law,
though they were willing to suspend the proceedings of the
courts of justice during the time the militia should remain
embodied ; a most extraordinary proposition, for which no
sufficient reason can possibly be assigned. To this plan the

OF BARBADOES. 191
governor objected, that without the restraints of martial law ^^3L
the militia,, if called out, would be no better than a tumul- 1706,
tuous, undisciplined rabble; where there was no power to
punish, no order nor subordination could be expected ;
and that a suspension of the functions of the courts
of justice, under such circumstances, would leave the
people without any rule of conduct, without any legal
measure of good or evil. After several conferences between
the two houses, in which various expedients were suggested
to supply the absence of martial law, the bill to enable his
excellency to embody the militia, was finally rejected by
the assembly.
The commercial intercourse between Great Britain and
her colonies had now become an object of great national
importance. It was found necessary, for the regulation of
the pecuniary transactions between the people of England
and her American dependencies, to establish a legal cur
rency among the islands ; and to ascertain the true parity of
exchange between the different parts of the empire. Sir
Isaac Newton, who was then master of the mint, had, by
order of the privy council, made an actual assay on most
foreign coins, and ascertained the intrinsic value of the
bullion contained in each. To obviate the inconveniences
arising from the want of an uniform currency in the planta
tions, the Queen, by proclamation, dated the fourth day
of June, in the year one thousand seven hundred and four,
fixed the rate at which they should pass in the colonies. By

192 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. this proclamation, which was afterwards confirmed by act
1706. 0f parliament, 6 Anne, ch. 30, the value of the dollar,
which, by assay, had been found to be worth four shillings
and sixpence sterling, was established at six shillings colo
nial currency ; and the value of other coins was regulated
according to that standard. Hence the true parity of ex
change between London and Barbadoes was fixed at one
hundred and thirty-three and a third per cent.
Hitherto dollars had passed in the West Indies at eight
shillings; and, as the theory of money was, at that time, but
imperfectly understood in the colonies, the money-holders
highly disapproved of the alteration. Without reflecting
that the value of commodities, of which money is but the
representative, must be affected in proportion to any depre
ciation in the nominal value of the coin, they considered
the defalcation in the numeral value of the dollar as a real
diminution of their wealth. To avert a calamity, merely
ideal, the monied men, on the arrival of the proclamation,
exported almost the whole of the circulating silver coin of
the country. This absurd expedient produced much in
convenience among the mercantile people, which, by a
natural communication, was soon felt by the planters ; and
the want of a circulating medium became a general com
plaint. The evil, however, was of a temporary nature ; and, had
it been left to itself, would soon have found a remedy. A
country abounding with valuable productions, can never
1

OF BARBADOES. 193
labour under a permanent scarcity of precious metals. c^j^ZL
Money will always be brought into exchange for those com
modities which the luxury, or necessities of mankind re
quire for their gratification. No considerable nor lasting in
convenience will ever be felt for the want of specie in a
country whose balance of trade, if not in its favour, is not
greatly against it. Large crops, for exportation, will ne
cessarily furnish the means of paying for those articles
which may be required from abroad ; and the excess of its
exports, should there be any, Avill afford an unfailing sup-
-ply of cash. These truths were either unknown or neg
lected by the legislature of Barbadoes, and they adopted
the worst expedient that could have been devised for afford
ing relief suited to the circumstances of the country.
To supply the want of cash, a Mr. Dudley Woodbridge
suggested a scheme for the establishment of a bank, pro
posing himself to be the sole manager. The project was
countenanced by the governor, who laid the proposal before
the assembly for their consideration. Here it met with a
very cold reception; not so much from a dislike to the
scheme as from an objection to Mr. Woodbridge's enjoying
the whole emoluments of the office, as sole director of the
bank. As the plan, however, was pregnant with advan
tages to those who should be concerned in the management
of the business, it was soon revived, with a few trifling al
terations, to give it the appearance of originality, and
brought forward in the assembly by Mr. John Holder,
c c

154 THE HISTORY
chap.TI. treasurer of the island, supported by Mr. Sharpe and Mr.
5706. Alexander Walker, two members of the council.
The influence of this triumvirate was not to be resisted;
and, from motives the most corrupt that can actuate the
human mind, they procured the passing of a law to supply
the deficiency of gold and silver coin by a fictitious cur
rency of paper money. By this law the treasurer was au
thorized to issue bills to the amount of sixty-five thousand
pounds, to be lent to the planters on the security of their
lands and negroes, and for transacting the business he was
entitled to a commission of five per cent. Holder was not
allowed the exclusive enjoyment of this advantage. He
was content to share the profits with his friends Sharpe and
Walker, as a recompense for their services in promoting the
scheme. Walker, not satisfied with his proportion, insisted
that his brother William Walker, of the assembly, should be
allowed to participate in the gain ; and in. the event these
honest, disinterested guardians of the people quarrelled
about dividing the spoil, and tbe secret was disclosed.
This measure, the offspring of ignorance and corruption,
enereased the evil it affected1 to remove,, and diffused the
most lively discontent throughout the country. The plan-
* ters, who had, sufficient security to offer, were enabled by
the loan of these bills to withhold their, crops from market,,
or to demand the most exorbitant prices for their produce;
while the merchant, who could neither remit them to
Europe, nor pass them in payment to the American traders

OF BARBADOES. 193
for their cargoes, found them of no greater value than so chap.vi.
much waste paper, and, of course, refused to receive them 170tJ-
in exchange for their commodities. At length, the diffi
culty of negociating the bills, which might have been easily
foreseen from the first, opened the eyes of the people to the
deception that had been practised upon them. They com
plained of the act as a fraud and resented it as a job, in
tended merely to promote the interest of a few mercenary
individuals. The odium of the measure having drawn on the pro
moters of the bank the execrations of an injured and in
censed people, the assembly, justly dreading the resentment
of their constituents, passed a law to prolong their political
existence by rendering the election of representatives trien
nial. While the bill was pending, petitions were presented
against it from all parts of the island, except Saint Peter's.
The assembly, however, Avere not to be diverted from their
purpose, though, as we shall soon see, their sinister designs
were frustrated, and they were denied the impunity which
they sought to obtain.
Sir Bevill Granville continued to exercise the right
claimed by his predecessor, of appointing his private secre
tary, and of sharing with him in the emoluments of his
office. This produced a second remonstrance from the pa
tentee to the queen, which was referred to the Lords Com
missioners of Trade; and, after a lapse of s6me considerable
time, within which Sir Bevill resigned the governments
c c 2

196 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. their lordships reported to her Majesty that the governor
1706. ha(i no rjght to appoint a private secretary but at his own
expense, and recommended that Mr. Skeene should be re
placed and confirmed in the receipt of all the fees and
profits belonging to the office. Inconsequence of this re- *
presentation Mr. Skeene, by her Majesty's letters manda
tory, was restored to the possession of all his rights' and
perquisites both as private and public secretary.*
The governor finding his situation rendered extremely
unpleasant by the continual contention of parties, and his^
constitution impaired by the influence of a. tropical climate,
September, resigned his authority into the hands of William Sharpe,
president of the council, with the view of returning to
England for the benefit of his health; but lie lived not to
accomplish his design. Death arrested him. on his passage,
and removed him to a state where his virtues and his faults-
will receive their appropriate recompence from the only
competent Judge.
Notwithstanding the animosities and disputes which dis
tracted the councils at this period, several salutary laws were
enacted under the authority of general Granville. Among
these the most deserving of attention is the act for the en
couragement of the clergy. As this venerable body of men
have been separated from the busy part of mankind, that

* In latter times, however, the commander in chief has been allowed a private
secretary, whose salary, two hundred pounds sterling, is paid by the crown.
6

OF BARBADOES. 197
they may pursue those studies which would qualify them to CI3^X3L
instruct others in the great duties of religion, reason and 17<x'
justice demand that their situation should be rendered com
fortable and respectable by a competent provision for their
maintenance- Hitherto the emoluments of the sacerdotal
office consisted in the annual receipt of an assessment of
one pound of sugar on every acre of land, and of such fees
on marriages, baptisms, and burials as custom had autho
rized. This was far from being a decent or an adequate
maintenance for the clergy. It was therefore enacted, that,
in addition to their glebes, most of which are considerable,
the rectors of the different parishes should receive a salary
of one hundred and fifty pounds, besides fees for the per
formance of occasional duty. This provision is certainly
inadequate to meet the advance which the lapse of a cen
tury has made in the habits and expense of living; but it is
to be observed, that among the fees of office, to the augmen'-
tation of which the people have patiently submitted, those
of the clergy have not been neglected ¦; and in most parishes
the rector's fees exceed one hundred pounds a year. Be
sides, in the liberality of the vestry, the incumbent generally
finds an ample compensation for the smallness of the legal
stipend. The annual presents voted to the rectors are come
monly equal to the established salary, and frequently ex
ceed it. Hence the least valuable church living in the
island may be moderately rated at four hundred pounds

198 THE HISTORY
chap. vi. a year# jn addition to this revenue there is on every glebe
1?L)6' a commodious, nay in most instances an elegant mansion,
built and kept in excellent repair, at the expense of the
parish, for the accommodation of the minister.
*It has lately been doubted whether even this is a suffi
cient provision for the support of the clergy, of whom many
appear extremely anxious to be made independent of the
bounty of their vestries. Those who are satisfied with
what they receive, need neither wish for more nor for any
alteration in the mode by which it is granted; and the mi
nister who is determined to perform his duty diligently,
and to conduct himself with humility and decorum, need
not fear the resentment of those from whom he expects his
reward. It were, however, much to be wished, for the sake
t)f preserving the purity and dignity of the sacred function,
that the rectors of the several parishes were rendered inde
pendent of occasional gratuities from their vestries. As
lights of the world they should be placed above the cares
and perplexities of ordinary men. The clergy would then
be no longer under the necessity of temporising, as some
of them too often do, with the principal inhabitants of
their cure. But in providing for the independence of
the clergy, we should not lose sight of the circumstances of

* The legislature have just passed, a law, augmenting the annual stipend of the
sectors to three hundred pounds.

OF BARBADOES. 199
those by whom they are paid. Vestries should no longer chap.vi.
be invested with a power, too frequently abused, of indulg- 1'06-
ing an ostentatious generosity to the injury of their pa
rishioners, whose means of subsistence are often abridged to
procure the taxes which are levied on them, for the sup
port of the parochial establishment.

200 THE HISTORY

CHAP. VII.
PRESIDENT SHARPE'S ADMINISTRATION — SUCCEEDED BY MIT-
TORD CROWE  DISQUISITION CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL
-JUDICATURE  DEATH OF MR. CODRINGTON — MR. LILLINGTON
ADMINISTERS. THE GOVERNMENT— MR. LOWTHER APPOINTED
GOVERNOR — HIS TYRANNICAL -CONDUCT  MR. SHARPE SUC
CEEDS TO THE PRESIDENCY  LOWTHER RESTORED  HIS ARBI
TRARY AND OPPRESSIVE MEASURES — PERSECUTES MR. GORDON
 THE CAS.E OF BERNARD COOK — THE GOVERNOR RECALLED 
MR. FRERE ASSUMES THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY  IS SUPER
SEDED BY MR. COX  REMARKS ON THE E0RTIF1CATI0NS AND
THE COLONIAL REPRESENTATION.
chap. vn. A HE Honourable William Sharpe, having succeeded to
nog. the government, on the departure of Sir Bevill Granville,
commenced his short, but turbulent, administration, by
dissolving that assembly to whose triennial existence he had
lately contributed, by his vote, as. a member of council.
The public mind was, at this time, so irritated by political
disputes, and personal animosities, that the elections, in
many parts of the island, were contested with an unusual
degree of warmth and violence ; and, in most instances,

OF BARBADOES. 20,1
terminated in favour of those who were known to be hostile CHAP- VI*-
to the measures of the late executive government. Such 1706-
was the general disapprobation of the proceedings of the
late assembly, that only seven of the old members were
re-elected*. In ihis violent collision of parties, Mr. W. Holder, speaker
of the late assembly; Colonel J. Holder, treasurer of the
island ; his colleague, E. Holder, Mr. W- Walker, and all
who were known to be immediately concerned in the busi
ness of the bank, were rejected by their former constituents.
In Saint Joseph's, Colonel Holder endeavoured to prevent
the publication of the election writ, alledging that it had
Been illegally issued. Disappointed in his aim, he wreaked
his vengeance on Mr. Fullwood, the rector of the parish,
whom, chancing to meet on the road, in company with his
wife, he assaulted and violently beat. Nor did the lady
escape his brutal violence ; for, upon her interposing, he
furiously tore off her head-dress and otherwise unmanfully
abused her. Colonel Cleland not only refused to execute
the office of sheriff at Saint Andrew's, but appeared at the

* The new assembly consisted of Mr. Wheeler and G. Peers, for St. Michael's; T.
Maxwell and S. Adams, for Christ Church ; J. Frere and N. Webb, for -Si. Philip's ;
H. Peers and T. Neale, for St. George's; R. Dowries and W. Leslie, for St. John's;
W. Cole and W. Carter, for St. Thomas's; T. Sandiford and J. Gibbes, for St. Andrew's;
R. Sandiford and S. Maynard, for St. Peters; T. Mayeock and J. 'Maycock, for St.
Lucy's; E. Sutton and R. Yeamans, for St. James's; J. Vaughan and W. Grant, for
St. Joseph's : on their first meeting, Mr. Wheeler was chosen speaker.
d d

302 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. p0ii and protested against the election. He, afterwards, in
noe. concert with the Holders, Waite and several others, drew up
a remonstrance, which they presented to the assembly, de
nying the president's authority to dissolve the late assembly,
declaring the house to be an illegal convention, and protest
ing against its proceedings. This paper was treated by
both branches of the legislature as a factious attempt to
excite sedition ; and Cleland for his disorderly behaviour
was removed from the council board.
Fired with resentment, Cleland presented a memorial to
the assembly, offering to make a full disclosure of the cor
ruption and bribery which had been practised by some
persons in high responsible situations, for promoting the
establishment of a bank; in which, as has been already
shewn, the president, and Mr. Walker, of the council, were
strongly implicated. The encouragement given to this pro
posal in the lower house, gave great offence in the council
chamber, and the president sent a message to the assembly,
disclaiming their authority to proceed on Cleland's infor
mation; it being inconsistent, he said, with the dignity of
the government, that a member of council should appear
before that house to vindicate himself against a criminal
charge ; and contrary to natural justice to proceed against
him unheard. To this the assembly replied, that it was
the undoubted right of the representative body of the
people to receive information against any member of the
other branch of the legislature for oppression, bribery, ex-

OF BARBADOES. 203
tortion, or other heinous offences, and to bring the offender CHAP- VIf-
to condign punishment. noe.
In the midst of this altercation, Mr. Vaugha'n brought
forward a fresh accusation against the members of the late
administration. A contribution, it seems, had been raised
among the practitioners in physic and surgery, for the pur
pose of bribing, certain members of both houses to con
sent to the passing of a law, allowing them to prove their
accounts by their own. oaths. Doctor Gamble, being ex
amined at the bar of the house, confirmed the information
received from Mr. Vaughan ; but the charge was so vague
and obscure, that it only served to fan the embers of dis"
cord, without giving sufficient light to discover the offen
ders. The council, who were deeply involved in these
criminal imputations, warmly resented the proceedings of
the assembly, as tending to encourage factious, evil-minded
persons to calumniate the most respectable characters in the
country. Much time was thus spent in angry contentions,
odious recriminations, and mutual revilings, which answered
no other end than to expose both houses to general contempt.
In the mean while, the assembly were not negligent in
their endeavours to relieve their country from the operation
of the Paper Credit Act. Their remonstrances against it October.
were so judicious, that it was repealed by her Majesty's
order in council*. Justice, however, required that pro-
* Univ. Hist. vol. 41. p. 165. Hall's Settlern. of Barb. p. 30. Laws of Barb. p. 495.
d d 2

204 THE HISTORY
chap. vn. vision should be made for the payment of such bills as had
1706. been negotiated; the assembly accordingly passed a law*
for that purpose. At the same time,' Holder was com
pelled to refund the premium which he had received for
transacting the business. This, however, was not effected
without a struggle. He applied to the Queen to be per
mitted to retain his ill-gotten gains, but without success.
1707. Having administered the government for the short space
June. df nine months, Mr. Sharpe was superseded by the arrival
of Mitford Crowe, Esquire, whose appointment had been
formerly postponed, to make way for Sir Bevill Granville.
The governor found the public mind in a considerable state
of irritation, occasioned by the disputes concerning the
banking business. In pursuance of the royal instructionss
his excellency immediately removed from the council-board,
and from all offices at his disposal, every person who had
promoted or encouraged the late project for supplying the
want of cash. Holder had, however, the address to obtain
a seat in council; a circumstance which gave great offence
to the assembly. They presented an address to the gover
nor, thanking him for the alacrity with which he had obeyed
her Majesty's commands ; and insisting on the removal of
Mr. Holder. To this address, his excellency, after censuring
their conduct in presuming, as he said, to meddle with mat
ters not immediately within their jurisdiction, replied, that
Mr. Holder had received his mandamus subsequent to the
Queen's order for the removal of those counsellors who had

OF BARBADOES. 205
been instrumental in promoting the banking scheme; and chap. vii.
that he should, therefore, take no notice of their applica- 1707-
tion. Determined on effecting his downfall, they presented
a petition, through their agent, to the Queen, in which,
besides representing Holder as the original contriver and
principal promoter of the bank, they accused him of many
other enormities. Her Majesty, ever attentive to the com
plaints of her subjects, readily complied with their request,
and Mr. Holder, by her Majesty's order, was degraded
from his recent elevation. This act of justice, far from
allaying the popular ferment, served only to increase the
spirit of dissension. In the effervescence of party, many
complaints were exhibited against Mr. Crowe; and, upon
the memorable change of ministry, which was effected in rno.
England, at this period, he was removed from his^go-
vernment. Amidst the rage of faction, and the contention of par
ties, the legislative councils of the country were occa
sionally employed in framing and digesting various laws
for the government of slaves, the security of property, and
the administration of justice; subjects every way deserving
the mature attention, of an enlightened legislature. But
the means provided for the attainment of these noble ob
jects are, in some instances, very inadequate to the end
proposed. The establishment of a supreme court of criminal judi
cature, is a circumstance of considerable importance, and

206 THE HISTORY
chap. vn. may reasonably excite an inquiry, whether, it is calculated
17 10- to answer the purposes of its institutions. From the first
settlement of the colony, there had been a tribunal for the
punishment of offences against the public peace; but how,
or by what rules, its proceedings were regulated, does tiot
appear by the statute book. It is probable, that the plan
was erroneous or defective, since we find, that very soon
after Mr. Crdwe's arrival, this important subject attracted
the attention of the colonial parliament ; and an act was
passed, for establishing a court of grand sessions, of oyer
and terminer, and general sessions of the peace. By this
law it is directed, that a court shall be holden once in every
six months, by the governor, as chief justice, assisted by
the members of council, the judges of the courts of com
mon pleas, and the justices of the peace. But should his
excellency decline the seat, he is authorized to appoint
a chief justice, with the consent of his council. From^the
obvious impropriety of the governor's presiding in this
court, the jurisdiction of chief-justice is always delegated
to one or other of members of council, or of the j udges of
the common pleas, who succeed to the chair in regular
rotation, without the smallest regard to the legal ability, .or
forensic skill of the person on whom the appointment de
volves. Few of these gentlemen have laid up any stores of
knowledge to qualify them for the arduous undertaking;
they have never drunk at the fountain of science ; but trust
ing to natural intuition, they assume an awful office, and

OF BARBADOES. 207
grasp the avenging sword of justice. Every ordinary jus- chap.vii.
tice of the peace, whose vanity prompts him to sit injudg- ma
ment on the lives and liberties of his fellow creatures, is
eligible to a seat on the bench. A court of criminal judi
cature is thus formed of men unacquainted with the laws
which they are bound, by the most solemn obligations, to
to administer faithfully. In a court so absurdly constituted,
prejudice and partiality may safely exert their deleterious
influence, secure within the dark immunities of a crowd *.
In every court, according to an eminent jurisconsult -f,
there must be at least three constituent parts ; the actor,
reus, and judex: the actor, or plaintiff, who complains of
an injury done ; the reus, or defendant, who is called to
make satisfaction for it ; and the judex, or judicial power,
which is to examine the truth, and to determine the law
arising upon that fact ; and, if any injury be done, to as
certain and apply the proper remedy. Under the two
former of these heads the whole bar is included, while the
jury is admitted to a participation of the duties of the
third. To each, the constitution of the parent state has
assigned its peculiar function. It is the province of the

* " This court is inconvenient, for the judges are in general unacquainted with the
law, and often commit mistakes. Their number is so great, that should they de
wrong, there is no getting at them;, and as most of the principal men in the colony sit
jn this court, hardly any thing can come on but some of them are connected with one
or other of the parties." Stokes's Constit. of the Colonies, p. 262.
t Blackstone's Comment, vol. 3. p. 25.

J08 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. jQFy candidly and impartially to inquire into the law and
17 10- the fact; and, by their verdict, to determine the guilt or
the innocence of the accused. The judge, by his superior
skill and learning, supplies their deficiencies ; he directs
their attention to the proper objects; leads them through
the labyrinths of legal sophistry and obscurity, and instructs
them in the principles of the law bjr which they are bound
to decide.
But very different is the case in Barbadoes. Here we
have only the semblance of this noble bulwark of personal
security. We have indeed a judge, a bar, and a jury ;
terms of high significance, but differing widely from their
original import. If, in the course of their inquiries, the
jury should find themselves, involved in difficulties and un
certainty, to whom can they apply for assistance? Reason
and common sense point to the bench. But from that
quarter no information can be expected to elucidate their
doubts. Deprived of this constitutional source of infor
mation, they are forced to seek among the venal advocates
of the litigants themselves, a solution of the doubts which
perplex their minds and render their decision uncertain and
irresolute. But what confidence can a conscientious jury
place in such partial, interested guides, whose contradic
tory opinions are calculated to deceive the judgment, when
the star, from the behch, whose sober, steady light, should
lead them in the way of truth, is eclipsed by the clouds of
legal ignorance ?

OF BARBADOES. 209
Juries of the present day happily have the advice of an chap. vii.
attorney-general*, whose professional talents, luminous un- mo
derstanding, and legal erudition, are his least excellencies.
His candour, humanity, and undeviating rectitude of con
duct, in the senate and at the bar, justly claim the admira
tion and esteem of his contemporaries. But it is surely a
solecism in criminal jurisprudence to require that the pro
secutor for the crown should quit his station at the bar and
assume the judicial function of charging and instructing a
jury. It is too much to expect, that after the faithful per
formance of his duty to his client, in the support of a cri
minal charge, he should turn about and gravely assure the
jury that the prisoner is less criminal than he had been la
bouring to make him appear; or that he should instruct
them, with candour, in the nature of the verdict which
they are bound, by their oaths, to return.
Besides, the human mind is by nature susceptible of
wrong impressions ; and, perhaps, the judgment of no man
is more liable to perversion than that of a public advocate,
or pleader. Whether he is the prosecutor of guilt or the vin
dicator of innocence, he views but one side of the question.
Studious only of serving his client he twists and perverts
the law to answer that sole purpose ; and, while he seeks
for ingenious arguments to maintain the point which he
wishes to establish, his own understanding yields to the im-
 >
* The Honourable John Beetles.
e e

210 THE HISTORY
chap.viI. p0sition of a plausible fallacy, contrived to influence the
17 la opinion of others. Such a man can never be a proper ex
pounder of the law to an unenlightened jury. But, how
ever the present attorney-general may reconcile these in
consistencies, and honourably exercise functions so incom
patible, all men are mortal, and we must look forward, with
painful apprehension to the day which shall deprive us of
the sendees of this able and upright Crown-lawyer. Some
mercenary tool of despotism may then be placed at the
head of the bar, in whose hands this absurd custom may
degenerate into the most arbitrary injustice and tyrannical
oppression. The remedy is obvious, Great Britain presents an ex
ample,, which it would be true wisdom to emulate. Her
bar is the school whence heF seats of justice are supplied
with those sages of the law, whose learning and virtue are
their country's boast,, and the admiration of. surrounding
nations. And why should a system, which has been bene
ficially adopted by the mother country for a long succession
of ages be rejected and despised by her colonies? Instead
of a bench, composed of an indefinite number of unlearned
magistrates, let there be a chief justice appointed, who. has
been bred to the bar, and whose knowledge has been ma
tured by experience; with him may be joined three puisne
judges, selected from among gentlemen of rank, the most
eminent for their talents and integrity. I should prefer,
says an eminent philosopher, an even to an odd number

OF BARBADOES. 211
of judges, and four to any other number: for in this num
ber, besides that it sufficiently consults the idea of separate
responsibility, nothing can be decided but by a majority of
three to one. If the court be equally divided, nothing can
be done; things remain as they were, with some inconve
nience to the parties, but without any danger to the pub
lic of a hasty precedent*.
To render the judges independant of the governor, they
should be appointed for life, with competent salaries to
support the dignity of the office. The warmest acknow
ledgments of the people are due to his Majesty for the ap
pointment of an eminent civilian to preside in the court of
Vice-admiralty of this island: and happy would it be here
after for the inhabitants in general, were this appointment
followed by others of gentlemen equally eminent for legal
ability, firmness, and integrity, to preside in the principal
courts of judicature. Under the direction of great profes
sional talents, the dignity of the public tribunals would be
preserved, and the people would enjoy the blessings of li
berty and property, certain of a steady, uniform, and im
partial administration of justice. Nor let the frugal states
man startle at the proposal, " for that economy must be
bad, which sacrifices the public welfare to the sordid con
siderations of an illiberal parsimony, and would parcel out

* Paley's Philos. vol. 2. p. 237.
J2 o 2

2l1 THE HISTORY
chap. vn. the different offices of state, as it would arrange the esta
blishment of a private family."
This year is rendered memorable by the death of Chris
topher Codrington,' son of Sir Timothy Thornhill's brave
companion in arms. Gratitude, for the memory of this
illustrious benefactor of his country, may probably render
a few biographical sketches of his life acceptable to the
Barbadian reader. He was born in Barbadoes in the year
1668, and educated at Oxford. Equally distinguished for
his learning and benevolence, he entered into the army,
where his courage soon recommended him to the favour of
King William^ by whom he was made a captain in the iirst
regiment of foot-guards. He was at the siege of Namur in
1095 ; and, upon the conclusion of the peace, was ap
pointed captain-general and governor of the Leeward
Islands. In 1701, several articles were exhibited against
him in the House of Commons in England ; to which he
published a distinct and particular answer, and was ho
nourably acquitted of all imputations. He shewed great
bravery at the attack of Guadaloupe in 1703; but at last
he resigned his government and lived a studious retired life,
applying himself chiefly to church-history and metaphysics.
He died at Barbadoes on the seventh of April, and was
buried at Bridge-town the following day ; his body was af
terwards carried to England, and interred in the chapel of
All Soul's College, Oxford, of which he had been a fellow.
To this college he left a noble legacy, consisting of his li-
1

OF BARBADOES. 213
brary, valued at six thousand pounds ; and ten thousand CHAP- VI1-
pounds in cash, to be laid out in building a library, and fur- mo*
nishing it with books*. By his last will he bequeathed two
valuable plantations in Barbadoes to the Society for propa
gating the Christian Religion in Foreign Parts. He directed
that these plantations should be kept entire, with at least
three hundred negroes upon them. The produce of these
estates was allotted to maintain a convenient number of pro
fessors and scholars, under the vows of poverty, chastity
and obedience ; who were required to " study and practise
physic and chirurgery,' as well as divinity, that they may
endear themselves to the people, and have the better op
portunities of doing good to men's souls, whilst they are
taking care of their bodies ¦f."
The public have not hitherto derived those advantages
from this princely benefaction, which might have been ex
pected from it. A college was built on one of the planta
tions, in a healthy part of the parish of Saint John, and
endowed for the education of youth. And proper masters
were employed, with suitable salaries, for their instruction,
furnished with every thing necessary for their support, at
the expense of the foundation. But the calamities inci
dent to West Indian, property, the failuref of crops, the
mismanagement of faithless and negligent stewards, and
the misapplication of the revenue, soon occasioned the de~
— ¦¦ ¦¦¦!¦¦ ¦ i ¦ i i r i " i 11 ¦ i ^
* Encyclo. Brit. vol. 5. p. 120. f Mem.. Barb. Appen. p. 2.

214 THE HISTORY
cv^^n- cline of this beneficial institution. At length the estates
17 10* were farmed by Mr. John Brathwaite, under whose judi
cious and skilful direction they attained a more prosperous
condition ; and, at the expiration of the lease, he gave them
up to the trustees, free from all incumbrances, with a con
siderable surplus, which he was entitled to retain for his
risk and trouble ; but which he generously relinquished, for*
the benefit of the establishment. Hence this admirable*
man may, with propriety, be considered as the second
founder of this noble institution. These plantations are
now under an excellent system of management, and the
direction of persons disposed to a faithful performance of
the trust reposed in them. The college is under the pre
sidency of the Rev. Mark Nicholson, A. M. an accom-1
plished scholar, and a pious divine, peculiarly qualified, by
his learning and virtue, to be the preceptor of youth.
May ios ^n the departure of Mr. Crowe the executive autho
rity devolved on George Lillington, president of the council.
A new excise bill now furnished the factious and turbulent'
with a fresh subject of contention. The house of assembly
had hitherto exercised the exclusive right of nominating
the treasurer and comptroller of the -excise. This was cer
tainly an unconstitutional assumption of power, but, as the
right had been once admitted, the propriety of its being
now disputed is, at least, doubtful. When men's minds
are heated they seldom reason rightly ; and the council
thought this a favourable opportunity of resenting the in-

OF BARBADOES. 215
dignities which they had received from the assembly, by CHAP.vh.
opposing their encroachments on the royal prerogative, and, 171°-
therefore, rejected the bill ; insisting that they had an equal
right with the assembly to nominate the treasurer and comp
troller. This added fresh fuel to. the flame, and produced
an intemperate altercation between the two branches of
the legislature. Both parties continuing obstinate, the
point in dispute was, at length, submitted to the Queen's
determination ; and, her Majesty,, more anxious to restore
tranquillity to a distracted country than to preserve her pre
rogative in a matter so trifling and unimportant, declared
it to be herro}ral will and pleasure, that the president and Sept. sr.
council should consent to the excise bill, without, insisting
on aright to disapprove of the person proposed to be trea
surer*. This order, in effect, transferred to the representa
tives of the people a branch of the executive power, which
they have ever since continued to exercise, and, in many
instances, they have gradually extended their authority, by
appointing to offices not then within the contemplation of
either party.
Mr. Lillington lived just long enough to resign the reins j1T112\
of government into the hands of Robert Lowther, Esq.
who having been appointed, in an evil hour, commander in
•chief, arrived in Carlisle-bay, on the twenty-third; day of
June. The overbearing pride and arrogance of this gentle-

Hail's Erst Settlem. p. 30. MS. Mem. of Barb. p. 52.

216 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. nian SOon created him many enemies, among a loyal andhigh-
17 n- spirited people, who could not easily be brought to submit
to the imperious sway of a despotic ruler. Aggravated by
opposition, the impetuosity of his temper hurried him into
many acts of injustice and oppression. Among these was the
suspension of Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Berisford,
» who had the firmness to oppose his measures in council.
These gentlemen were not indolent in seeking redress. They
carried their complaints to the foot of the throne, and were
honoured with her Majesty's order for their restoration.
Lowther, however, ventured to disobey the commands of
his Sovereign, and, for several months, refused to admit
the suspended members to resume their seats. Such an
audacious contempt of authority necessarily interrupted the
progress of public business, and excited the moct lively
discontent throughout the island. In a council, composed
of twelve members, appointed by letters of mandamus,
forming an essential part of the legislative and judicial
estabhshments of the country, it was maintained with great
strength of reasoning, that, while the three excluded mem
bers were thus arbitrarily hindered from sitting and voting,
there could be no legitimate government existing in the
island. The governor's right of suspension was not dis
puted ; but, as the suspension, in this case, had been an
nulled by a superior authority, it was insisted that no coun
cil, court of error or of equity, could be properly holden
without the presence, or concurrence, of every member,

OF BARBADOES. 217
whose attendance was not prevented by legal disability ; chap. vii.
and, consequently, that all acts performed by the sitting i7i*-
members, either as a branch of the legislature, or as a
court of chancery, were absolutely null and void.
Mr. Lowther's insolence and disobedience, soon drew on
him the indignation of insulted Majesty. He was recalled
from his government; but, unwilling to relinquish his
power, he delayed his departure so long, that some of the
principal men of the island disclaimed his authority ; upon
which he threatened Mr. Cox and Mr. Salter, two members
of council, with a criminal prosecution, for treasonable
designs.* At length, finding all tergiversation fruitless, he
reluctantly submitted to her Majesty's commands, and
returned to England.
On this joyful event, the Honourable William Sharpe May.
again succeeded to the presidency. The mild and con
ciliatory temper of the president, had a considerable share
in tranquillizing the public mind. His short administration
was so perfectly unexceptionable, that he had the honour
of receiving the thanks of the British ministry, for his meri
torious conduct. But unhappily for the peace of the
colony, on the accession of George I. Mr. Lowther was 17l5^
re-appointed governor of Barbadoes. No appointment
could have been more unpropitious and displeasing to the
Barbadians than this. Absence had not softened the May 12.

* Univ. His. vol. 41. p. 165
Ff

218 THE HISTORY
chap. vn. haughty and vindictive spirit of the man. He returned to
17ls' the island, with all his former prejudices and inveterate am>
mosities rankling in his breast, and eagerly embraced the
opportunity which his restoration to power afforded him,
of wrecking his vengeance, on those who had opposed his
former administration.
The first victim of his malice was the Reverend Mr.
Gordon, the Bishop of London's commissary, and rector
of the parish of Saint Michael. This gentleman, having
incurred the governor's displeasure, was deemed to suffer a
tedious and rigorous persecution. In consequence of the
most scandalous misrepresentations of his character and
conduct, which his excellency had transmitted to England r
with the assistance of the -colonial agents, Mr, Gordon,
was exposed to the censure of his diocesan, and experienced
some unmerited severity from the Board of Trade. Consci-
1719. ous of his innocence, Gordon resorted to the fountain head
for redress. He presented a memorial to the King, com
plaining not only of the governor's malicious misrepresen
tation of his conduct to the Bishop of London, but of the
agents* petition to the Board of Trade, and of their lord
ship's report upon it. The matter being referred to a com
mittee of the Privy Council, Gordon obtained a commission
for the examination of witnesses on the island ; but the
governor, pretending to doubt the authenticity of the or
der, committed Gordon to prison, and had him indicted at.
the ensuing court of grand sessions, where his excellency
6

OF BARBADOES. 219
presumed to preside in person, thus uniting the incongruous chap. vir.
characters of prosecutor and judge. This step, the most 1719-
unprecedented in the annals of criminal judicature, was
strictly conformable to the ridiculous law of the island, by
which a palpable inconsistency is authorized. Common
decency should have restrained the governor from deviating
in this particular from the established usage of his prede
cessors, who had invariably delegated their authority in
this court to some other person ; but, yielding to the dic
tates of passion, he pursued his vindictive purpose, unawed
by religion or morality. His criminal designs, however,
"were frustrated. Gordon's defence was ably and success
fully conducted by Mr. Hope, a respectable attorney, and
Jonathan Blenman, an eminent barrister; who, undismayed
by the frowns of power, stood forth the assertors of injured
innocence. This spirited conduct necessarily involved these gentlemen
in the resentment of the tyrant. Blenman was immediately
committed to the common gaol, whence he was released,
on giving bail, in the sum of one thousand pounds, to ap
pear at the next court of grand sessions. This recognizance
was, in the end, forfeited; for Blenman, accompanied by
his client and their faithful solicitor, hastened to England,
and implored redress at the foot of the throne. In short*
the lords justices, the King being then absent on a visit to
his electoral dominions, pronounced the charge against
Gordon to be groundless and malicious ; it was, therefore,
¦ef%

220 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. dismissed. Blenman, in his turn, enjoyed the most com-
17 !9, plete triumph over his rancorous adversary. The lords
justices, after declaring the whole of the governor's con
duct to have been arbitrary and illegal, ordered that Mr.
Blenman's recognizance, and all the proceedings thereon,
should be vacated ; and that, if any levy had been made
for the forfeiture, the full sum should be returned and paid
to him without delay*.
His presiding at the court of grand sessions, was not the
only instance in which Mr. Lowther arrogated to himself
extraordinary judicial powers. Under colour of the law,
authorizing the governor and council to hear and determine
petitions in equity, and writs of error on matters cogniza
ble in the courts of law, he constituted himself and his
creatures at the council board, into a court of grievance,
in which they exceeded the bounds of their legal jurisdic
tion. The arbitrary proceedings of this court, occasioned
many complaints against the governor ; the result of which
was, an order from the lords justices, abolishing the court
of grievance; observing, that the only proper jurisdiction
of the governor and council, as a court of error or equity,
is to correct the errors and grievances arising in the pro
ceedings of the inferior courts; but not to proceed originally
in causes, except upon petitions in matters of equity.
The case of Bernard Cook, a native of Hanover, is
* Caribbeana, vol. K p. 269.

OF BARBADOES. 221
strongly characteristic of the genius and temper of Low- c^^™'
ther's administration. Mr. Cook had been endeavouring 1,19>
to establish a right to an estate, which he alleged was
unjustly withheld from him by Mr. Frere, a gentleman
nearly related to the governor. This claim was sufficient
to inspire his excellency with resentment against the un
fortunate Hanoverian. When a man is once marked for
destruction, the means of accomplishing his ruin are easily
found. Cook was reported to have reflected, in careless
conversation, on the chastity of two ladies : onej the wife
of Robert Warren, an artful attorney; the other, the wife
of Samuel Adams, a gentleman of some distinction. So
favourable an opportunity of gratifying their patron's spleen,
as well as their own resentment, wras not to be neglected-
The angry husbands, therefore, determined on a most
vigorous prosecution. A court of quarter sessions was im
mediately called, composed 6f Guy Ball and F. Bond,
members of council, with T. Maycock, R. Bishop, G.
Barry, J. Fereharson, S. Thomas, and W. Kirkman, jus
tices of the peace, selected from different parishes. Before
this tribunal, Cook was arraigned on two separate indict
ments for defamation. Sensible that he could expect nei
ther justice nor mercy from such prejudiced judges, he
objected to the jurisdiction of the court, and claimed the
privilege of a trial by a jury of his peers. Malice, how
ever, was not to be deprived of its victim. Cook was
found guilty of both charges, and condemned to receive

222 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. thirty-nine lashes for each offence. The sentence was car-
1719. rie(q mt0 immediate execution, by the common whipper of
slaves, in the presence of the justices, who stood by, like
demons, enjoying the agonies of the degraded sufferer.
The injured Hanoverian flew to his sovereign for redress.
His complaints were referred to the Lords of the Committee
for hearing Appeals ; and, before their lordship's came to
any determination on the subject, they issued a commission
for instituting an inquiry, in Barbadoes, into the particu-
Jars of the affair; directing the necessary proofs to be sent
to England, under the seal of the island. Having at length
collected sufficient evidence to form a correct judgment,
their lordships reported to his Majesty, that the complaint
against the governor had not been substantiated ; but that
the charge against the justices had been fully proved; that
they had proceeded against the prisoner without any crime
alleged against him ; for that scandalous words, spoken of
private persons, are no ground of criminal prosecution.
Upon the whole, their lordships were of opinion, that the
justices, who had sat on the trial, had acted illegally, for
that they had not proper cognizance of the matter before
them, but had taken upon them to examine witnesses, and
to determine matters of fact without a jury, and had finally
given two sentences, which were arbitrary and unjust. In
consequence of this representation, his Majesty was gra
ciously pleased to order, that the names of the justices,
who presided on the trial, should be struck out of the

OF BARBADOES. 223
commission of the peace ; and that Mr. Ball, and Mr. chap. vii.
Bond, should be removed from the council board* 172°-
A Mr. Brenan, who had been guilty of a much greater
offence than that imputed to Cook, experienced, at the
same time, much milder treatment. Having killed a gen
tleman in a duel, he applied to the governor for protection ;
and, although he had never been brought to a trial for the
crime, he found no difficulty in obtaining his excellency's
pardon. But,, justly apprehensive that so ridiculous and
unconstitutional an interposition in his favour could afford
him no efficient security in the event of a prosecution,
Brenan went to England, and was indebted for security to
the clemency of his Prince -f.
Nor were these the only instances of tyranny and in
justice of which Mr. Lowther was guilty.. With a> view to;
his own private emoluments, he permitted a few favoured-
persons to carry on an illicit and lucrative traffic with the
Spaniards, and even admitted a Spanish vessel to frequent
the port of Bridge-Town ; while, from the same corrupt
motives, he caused a ship belonging to Mr. Lansa, a mer
chant of that place, to be seized and condemned. In fine
he had the address to procure a handsome settlement, by
which he amassed the sum of twenty-eight thousand pounds:
thus plundering a loyal and oppressed people, whom he re-

* Caripbeana, vol. 1. p. 342. f Short Hist, of Barb. p. 101.

524 THE HISTORY
CI!^311 Presente(l to the British ministry as French smugglers, dis-
nso. affected to government. To this cause, perhaps, it was
bAving that he wras removed, since the money was received
in open -violation of the Boyal instructions, by which he
was expressly forbidden to take any salary or present from
the assembly.
LoAvther's tyranny had noAV groAvn so grievous and in
tolerable, that many of the most respectable inhabitants of
the colony concurred in a petition to the king, stating the
various acts of delinquency which he had committed in the
course of his long and oppressiAre administration, and hum
bly beseeching his Majesty to remove him from the govern
ment. To oppose this application, the governor procured
addresses from the sycophants by whom he was surrounded,
Commending the -mildness, Avisdom, and equity of his ad
ministration. But all was in vain. The application for
the governor's dismissal Avas supported by SirBobertDavers,
Mr. Walter, and Mr. Alleyne, men of considerable pro
perty in the island, of whom the tAvo former Avere members
of the English House of Commons. „
The governor Avas at length called home to ansAver the
charges exhibited against him. To avert the storm which
seemed ready to burst on his head, he took every precaution
which an artful insidious policy could dictate, and the last
moments of his expiring power Avere occupied in annoyino-
his enemies and in providing for the security of himself ahd
his adherents. All the public employments were filled by
4

OF BARBADOES. 2°

3

his friends, who possessed a decided majority in both houses chap vh.
of the colonial parliament. Suspecting that should they be I72°
removed by his successor, his OAvn misdemeanors would be
detected with greater facility, he procured a law to be passed,
the professed object of AA'hich was to preserve the peace and
tranquillity of the community; but its real design was to
keep the creatures of the governor in power, by restraining
the president from making any changes in the official de
partments. The plan was yet incomplete. To guard every
avenue it was necessary to place his nephew, Mr. John
Frere, at the head of the government. There was one ob
stacle, however, to be removed : Mr. Cox, as senior member
of the council was entitled to the succession. But this diffi
culty was quickly obviated ; Mr. Cox and Mr. Salter were
both suspended to make room for his relati\re. After com
pleting these arrangements Lowther took his last farewell of June
Barbadoes : and Mr. Frere immediately assumed, or rather
usurped, the direction of affairs.
Mr. Lowther on his arrival in England was summoned to
appear before the lords justices, his Majesty being absent
on an excursion to the continent, to answer the various
complaints which had been preferred against him. After a
long and patient investigation of the several allegations con
tained in the petition of the Barbadians, their lordships de
termined tliat the charges Avere amply and clearly establish
ed; the}* therefore directed him to be taken into custody,
and ordered that he should be prosecuted for high crimes
o 2:

226 * - THE HISTORY
chap. vii. and misdemeanors. But the prosecution Avas most unac-
1720. countably protracted until the accession of George II.
when an act of grace rescued the culprit from the hands
of justice, and saved him from condign punishment.
Meanwhile Sir Charles Cox presented a memorial to the
lords justices, complaining of the arbitrary suspension of his
brother, and of his having been superseded in the presidency
by a younger member of council. This application pro
duced an order from their lordships for the restoration of
Cox and Salter, and commanding Frere to resign the go
vernment.. But, pleased Avith his surreptitious authority,
he hesitated to comply, until upon a fresh representation of
his refractory conduct,, he Avas cited to appear before the
king and privy council, to account for his disobedience.
Being thus compelled to submit, heAvent to England, where
he diedrsoon after his arrival,, of the small pox.*
Cox having at length succeeded, to the presidency,. an ex
traordinary scene of anarchy and confusion ensued. All
offices of trust and profit were in the hands of the late gover
nor's friends, Avho made a point of thAvarting and opposing ali
the measures of the president. Not being of a temper to
submitpatiently to such pertinacious opposition, Cox hadre-

* Tenderness for the memory of his grandfather has induced the author of the short
history of Barbadoes to gloss over this transaction ; but have divested it of its false
colouring, on the authority of the Caribbeanna, vol. i. p. 342. and the Univ. History,
vol. xli. p. 166.

OF BARBADOES. 227
course to a harsh expedient. Disregarding the tranquillity c^^yjJ"
act, as it Avas termed, by Avhich all public officers had been
confirmed in their places, but Avhich had not yet received
the royal assent, he suspended six members of council at
once;* he displaced Mr. Sutton, chief judge of one of the
courts of common pleas, and removed Mr. Gibbes, chief
baron of the court of exchequer. He dismissed several
military officers from their commands; and, to strengthen
his administration, filled their places Avith persons more
readily pliant to his views. This violence sensed only to fan
the flame of discord. The assembly petitioned the king, com
plaining of the arbitrary proceedings of the president ; and
the suspended members of council, on an application to the
throne, Avere restored to their functions. This circumstance
afforded matter of such exultation to the opposition, that
they determined to preserve no terms Avith the president;
and, in the blindness of their intemperate resentment, the
interests of the country Avere sacrificed to the indulgence of
personal animosity.
It has been mentioned by some of our colonial historians, 1721,
as an instance of Mr. Cox's want of moderation, that here-
moved from the bench of magistrates several gentlemen of
fortune and respectability, and encouraged vexatious pro-

* These were T. Maxwell, T. Maycock, J. L. Blackman, W. Carter, G. Ball, and P.
Bond : the two last were suspended in pursuance of the King's order, for being con
cerned in the illegal proceedings against Bernard Cook.
e g 2

228 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. secutions against them. But this was, in fact, an indispen-
1721 ¦ sable part of his duty, in obedience to the commands of his
sovereign. For although the order for the degradation of
those persons Avho had been concerned in the arbitrary and
illegal prosecution of Bernard Cook, was issued previous to
Mr, Lowthcr's recal, it did not reach Barbadoes till after
Mr. Cox had been placed in the president's chair. With
regard to the vexatious prosecution Avhich he is charged
Avith having countenanced, if conjecture may be alloAved to
supply the place of positive certainty, it might not be
thought improbable that these suits were commenced by
Cook, to recover, from his unjust judges, a pecuniary com
pensation for the injury which he had sustained by their
illegal sentence. The conduct of the president in executing
the royal order, added only to the number and the virulence
of his enemies; for such are the selfishness and perverseness of
mankind, that a commander in chief, who holds the reins of
government Avith a steady equal hand, will often give offence
to the petty despots, whose tyranny and licentiousness, he
punishes or restrains.
Among the various disputes in which Mr. Cox Avas in
voked, there is oneAvhich deserves to be remembered, for the
independent spirit displayed on the occasion by a gentle
man Avho then held the highest laAv office in the coun
try. The president was engaged in a correspondence, on
some political subject, with Mr. Sutton, a member of the
general assembly, whose letters happening to be written
4

OF BARBADOES. . 229
with a freedom and a poignancy, which his honour thought c^j^Y>11,
inconsistent Avith the respect due to his exalted station, he
laid them before the council. Concurring in the resentment
of the president, the obsequious board voted that the Avriter
should be prosecuted for a libel. Mr. Richard Carter, the
attorney-general of that day, Avas accordingly ordered to pro
ceed against Mr. Sutton for his supposed offence. Disdaining
the servile office of avenging Mr. Cox's personal quarrels, this
upright croAvn laAvyer declined the invidious task. In a
memorial addressed to the president, he stated that Sutton's
letters contained nothing sufficiently libellous, scandalous,
and defamatory to make up the necessary ingredients in an
indictment for a misdemeanor by Avriting. The learned
gentleman added, "That by the laAVS of all civilized na
tions, if even a prince require something to«be done Avhich
the person avIio is to do it, takes to be uhlaAvful, it is his
duty to refuse the performance of so illegal a command,
and I fear, that should I carry on any prosecution, by in
dictment or information, against any of the king's subjects,
Avhich sfibuld hereafter be judged unlawful, it will be no
justification for me to say that I had your honour's order,
grounded upon the opinions of five members of council, for
so doing;." *
About this time the duke of Portland, accompanied by i722«
his accomplished lady, arrived in Carlisle-bay, on his pas-
*" Caribbeanna, vol. i. p. 401.

230 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. sage to Jamaica, of which island his graee had been ap-
17~2, pointed governor. This event seemed, for aAvhile, to abate
the rage of party. The opposite factions suspended their
mutual animosity, and all ranks of people appeared emu
lous of recommending themselves to their noble visitants by
courteous display of a munificent hospitality. The august
pair were highly gratified Avith their reception, and left
Barbadoes impressed Avith a favourable opinion of the taste
and politeness of the inhabitants.
As the president was alloAved no salary from the country,
the expenses of the entertainments Avhich he gave in ho
nour of the duke and duchess of Portland, amounting to
eight hundred and ten pounds, Avere defrayed, Avith the
consefit of the legislature, by an order on the treasury for
that sum. This circumstance, as will be seen in the sequel,
was productive of much illiberal altercation.
Such Avas the factious temper of the times and the little
decorum with Avhich even the first magistrate Avas treated
that Mr. Cox, Avhile presiding in the court of chancery, Avas
grossly insulted by Gelasius Mac Mahon, a turbulent fac
tious laAvyer; who, among other insulting expressions, charg
ed the president with countenancing and supporting per
jury. For this offence Mac Mahon was prosecuted at the
ensuing court of grand sessions ; where he was sentenced
to pay a fine of one hundred pounds; and to make a public
apology, in a particular form of Avords, prescribed by the
court, to Mr. Cox, at his next sitting in council; or, 1q

OF BARBADOES. 231
be suspended from practising as a barrister in any court of Cl^f^11'
law or equity, until he should comply with this part of the
sentence. Mac Mahon objected to the legality of this judge
ment, and the point Avas referred to the determination of the
attorney-general, Avho gave a A'ery evasive and uncandid opi
nion. The case Avas then transmitted to England and laid be
fore serjeant Pengelly, who pronounced the judgment
of the court to be erroneous and illegal, and ought to be
reversed. The reasons assigned by the learned serjeant Avere
these: that it imposed a submission and a confession of
the offence in a prescribed form of words; that it Avas not;
as it ought to have been, absolute and unconditional; and
that the court of grand sessions had no authority to restrain
the defendant from practising, in either of the other courts.
This erroneous proceeding probably would not have hap
pened had the chief justice been a laAvyer.
It is not to be-doubted that the divisions and the dissen
tions Avhich, at this period, distracted the country, Avere not
more disgraceful to its character than prejudicial to its in
terests. Perplexed Avith the acrimonious and contradictory
complaints, alternately transmitted by either faction, the
British ministry resolved to send out a commander in chief
Avith full poAver to enquire into, and, if possible, to adjust
all differences subsisting in the colony, and to punish all dis
turbers of the public peace. Lord Bel haven, a Scotch no
bleman, high in fa vour Avith the Prince of Wales, Avas first:
appointed to the important office; but his Lordship, un-
6

352 THE HISTORY
¦chap.-vii. fortunately perished at sea. The appointment was next
1722. conferred on Lord Irwin, but he too had the misfortune to
die on bis passage. At length, the government Avas bestow
ed on colonel Henry Worsley, a gentleman of a steady in
flexible temper.
Disgusted with the tedious detail of factious disputes,
the mind turns Avith complacency to the contemplation of
more tranquil scenes, and seeks a temporary relief in revieAv-
ing the means which have been adopted, in the progress of
legislation, for the public security and happiness. These
important objects, notAvithstanding the anarchy and confu
sion which then prevailed, were not entirely neglected.
Many laws were framed during this turbulent period ; and,
though some of them are extremely erroneous and defec
tive in many material points, others are judiciously adapted
to the circumstances of the people and the advancement of
their Avelfare. It is not proposed to take a general revieAv
of the legislative acts of this period; a feAV will suffice for
present observation.
To governor LoAvther's quarrel with Mr. Gordon it is
probably owing, that the bounty of the parochial vestries
to their rectors was limited by laAv to a sum not exceeding
seventy pounds, unless a donative to a larger amount should
be confirmed by the governor and council. This law is
noAv wholly disregarded, and the vestries are left to pursue
their OAvn inclinations, certain that their largesses will be
sanctioned by a higher authority.

OF BARBADOES. 233
To the same improper cause may be ascribed the law for chap, vil
preventing the establishment of a spiritual court in this '1722,
island. As the colonies had never been formed into dio
ceses, nor annexed to any particular bishopric, the bishop
of London proposed to the King that they should be sub
jected to his spiritual jurisdiction. His Majesty, having
previously advised Avith the croAvn laAvyers, granted the
bishop a commission, giving him full power and authority
by himself, or by his commissaries, to exercise an eccle
siastical jurisdiction in the several colonies, according to
the laAvs and canons of the church of England; reserving
to the governor the right of collating to all benefices, grant
ing licences for marriages, and probates of wills
By this commission his lordship Avas authorized to inquire
into the manners and conduct of all rectors, ministers, cu
rates, and incumbents of the several churches, and of all
parish clerks ; and to correct and punish them; according
to their demerits, by amoval, deprivation, suspension, ex
communication, or other ecclesiastical censure. He was
also empoAvered to inquire concerning the reparation of the
parish churches and houses belonging to the rectors; to
compel those whose province it Avas to keep them in suitable
repair ; and to punish all Avho should be found delinquent
and contumacious. This seems to have been a proper ju
risdiction to correct any irregularities in the conduct of our
spiritual pastors, and to decide in all differences between
them and their flock. But after his dispute with Mr,
h h

SS4 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. Gordon, his lordship's commissary, the governor obtained
1722. the passing of a law " to quiet the minds of the people
against the terrors of a spiritual conrt." The preamble of
this laAv states, that such a court Avould clash Avith the mu
nicipal laws of the place, embarrass the government, vex
and torment the gentry, depauperate the substantial free
holders, and ruin the common people. It is- difficult to
conceive Iioav these effects could result from the cause to
which they are assigned ; but to obviate these mischiefs,
real Or imaginary, it %as enacted, li that no ecclesiastical
law or jurisdiction shall have power to enforce, confirm, or
establish any mulct or -punishment, in any case 'whatsoever,
Avithin this island."
From the number of bays and landing places with Avhich
the Avhole western coast of the island is indented, the Bar
badians early saw the necessity of guarding, Avith care and
Vigilance, against the incursion of a marine foe. They
WCre more "solicitous of "securing their property from the at
tacks of hostile freebooters, than of accumulating wealth,
uncertain of its lehj6yinent. A chain of fortifications Avas
erected from Maycock's-bay to Oistin's-toAvn ; in which
Were enumerated forty-eight castles, forts, and batteries,
mounted Avith 'four hundred and sixty-three pieces of ord
nance. -The laws Avhich provided for the support of this
establishment AA'Cre at first temporary and occasional, but
under Mr. LoAvthei^s second administration, a more perma
nent arid efficient plan w&s adopted. The island was sepa-

OF BARBADOES. 235
rated into five divisions, and the war establishment con- C^F^\L
sisted of seven chief gunners, tAventy under gunners, and 1722*
one hundred and fifty-nine matrosses, besides five clerks,
and five supervisors. The under gunners and matrosses
are required to be on constant duty, and to be instructed
by the chief gunners in the art of gunnery, and the use of
small arms.
If the plan be examined Avith an eye of candour, ab
stracted from the abuses Avhich have crept into its execu
tion, it certainly is entitled to approbation. A line of de
fence is judiciously extended the whole length of the ac
cessible part of the coast ; and an effective body of men
are kept in continual readiness to repel the desultory irrup
tions of maritime marauders, or to sustain a more serious
attack until they can be sustained by the militia. But
the Avisest of human institutions is liable to perversion,
and the best concerted plains must fail, when those to whom
the execution of them is entrusted, are negligent ox jaca-
pable. This expensive establishment, whatever might have been
its original design, has degenerated into a grievous and in
tolerable burthen. The pay of the officers and men, inde
pendent of the supervisor's s^larieq, Avhich, being contin
gent, are not easily ascertained, amount to five thousand
and twenty pounds annually ; to which must be added fif
teen hundred pounds a year, part of the tonnage duty, ap
propriated to tbe purchase of gun-powder. Nor dpes the
h h 2

236 THE HISTORY
chap. Vii. evii en(j here. Besides an immense expenditure of stores,
1722. jn wnicn prodigality Avantons without controul, great abuses
are committed by the boards of commissioners *. To an
swer some sinister purpose ; to promote the interest of a fa
vourite supervisor, or to gratify the capricious vanity of an
hospitable captain gunner, considerable sums of the pub
lic money are squandered in repairing or erecting commo
dious houses and elegant apartments for his accommoda
tion. Ffence the annual expense of the fortifications may
be fairly computed to exceed eight thousand pounds. Not
withstanding this profuse and wanton Avaste of the pub
lic treasure, many of the forts, particularly those which
command the harbour of the second toAvn in the island,
are literally mouldering in ruins ; they contain scarcely a
single piece of serviceable ordnance, and are so completely
destitute of ammunition as to be frequently incapable of
exciting or propagating an alarm.
The accessible nature of the AA^hole Avestern coast lays the
country so open to the predatory incursions of a daring or
rapacious foe, that nothing can be more evident than the
imperative necessity of putting some of our forts and bat
teries in a proper posture of defence. The impracticabi
lity of constructing regular fortifications capable of Avith-

* In 1776* Mr. Duke asserted, in the house of assembly, that the disbursements
for the use of the fortifications were annually estimated at three thousand pounds, ex
clusive of gunpowder. This estimate was made in time of peace.

OF BARBADOES. 237
standing the~approach.es of a hostile squadron, or a besieging chap. vn.
army, is admitted, yet the reparation of our principal forts, 172"
and the supplying them Avith cannon and ordnance stores,
are measures Avhich common prudence enjoins, if they be
considered merely as the means of protecting our peaceful
citizens from the casual irruptions and ruinous depredations
of privateers.
Were the fortifications kept in suitable repair, no man,
capable of thinking justly, could suppose, for a moment,.
that the gunners and matrasses are an useless body of men.
But in their present ruined and dismantled condition, it
cannot be dissembled, that the expenditure of the enor
mous sum annually throAvn away upon them is unjust and
oppressive. To provide for the support of government,
and the maintenance of the public security, are duties in
cumbent on every good subject; but the poAver which wrests
from him a single shilling unnecessarily must be tyrannical.
To reconcile the people to the burthens imposed on them
for the support of this establishment, some sIioav of decency
should be preserved. They should, at least, be amused
Avith the idea of security. But the money drawn from their
pockets is squandered in thoughtless profusion, Avithout the
most flimsy pretext of necessity or expediency.' The voice
of justice calls loudly for" the redress of this grievance.
It is the duty of the representatives of the people to apply
the proper remedy. No objection is made to the quantum
of the sum annually expended on the fortifications; the

238 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. misapplication of 'it is the only ground of rational com-
1722, plaint. Were they repaired and rendered capable of pro
tecting our defenceless toAvns, the money required for their
maintenance would be paid Avithout a murmur. No people
in the Avorld, who contribute at all to the support of go
vernment, are more moderately taxed than the Barbadians ;
nor would they be dissatisfied at any augmentation of their
burthens, were the produce of their taxes faithfully em
ployed in providing for their safety.
It has been proposed to abandon our forts, or to sell
them to the croAvn, rather than be at the expense of repair ^
ing them. Pitiful economy ! Is there a man so lost to
every sense of public virtue, as not to contemn the insi
dious proposal ? So blind as not to see its folly and danger?
Or so ignorant as not to be sensible of the necessity of
keeping in repair the batteries within the vicinity of the
toAvns, for the protection of the adjacent harbours ? Far
from my intention be the idea of recommending the rebuild
ing of our fallen forts, on the extensiATe scale on which they
were originally planned, or of supplying them with the
same number of superfluous cannon. It will be sufficient
if our principal bays are enfiladed with strong batteries,
mounting from two to six pieces of heavy ordnance*, with

* Professional men say, that a battery of four guns, well posted, is a match for a
first-rate man of war. Pocket Gunner, p. bQ* Iron ordnance, .exclusive of the car
riage, costs twenty pounds' sterling a ton. Eighteen pounders weigh two tons, and.

OF RARBADOES. 539
guatd-houses for the matrosses, and barracks for the mili- CHA?- vil
tia on alarms. The expenses of this undertaking seem to J722-
be greatly over-rated. In most places, the materials are
already on the spot, and will be sufficient for the construc-.
tion of batteries, on the reduced sca'le proposed, after every
alloAvance is made for Avaste.
In the interim, the gunners and matrasses, who, at
present, are incapable of being usefully employed, may be
dismissed from the service. The saA'ing of stores, gun
powder, and salaries, Avhich may be thus obtained in one
year, may be estimated at eight thousand pounds. This
would be a sufficient fund for the purchase of fifty iron
eighteen pounders, and tAvelve brass six pounders, with
limbers, harness, and ammunition carts, complete. When
cannon are procured, and the batteries rebuilt, the full
complement of gunners and matrosses, might be restored
Avith propriety ; and provision should be made for the
punctual payment of their salaries. At present, they are
annually -paid- half the salary due to them ; hence they are
often obliged to sell their orders at a discount of more than
one-fourth of their value. This is a great discouragement
to the service. It prevents that strict attendance to their.

twelve pounders a ton and a half. Ibid, p. 155 and 209. A light brass six pounder,
with limbers and harness, complete, will cost 2151. sterling ; and every two guns will
require an ammunition cart, which will cost 201. more. Hence, an estimate may: be
made of the moderate expense at which the accessible joints -may -be guarded.

240 THE HISTORY
chap. Vii. duty, which, were they more regularly paid, ought to be
1722. enforced; and which, under a better regulation, -their
officers would have a right to demand. They should be
formed into brigades of artillery, and, while on duty,
should be subject to the articles of Avar, and disciplined
with the same regularity as is usually practised in the
King's garrisons. Thus would they be rendered an useful
body of men; the country would enjoy, at a moderate ex
pense, the advantage of a permanent defence against the
predatory attacks of privateers; and possess a formidable
corps of artillery, ready, in case of invasion, to join in the
more important duties of the field.
From this review of the act, respecting the fortifications,
we shall proceed to that which Avas passed by president Cox,
for preserving the freedom of elections. By this law, every
free and natural born subject, except the descendants of
negroes, of the age of tAventy-one years^ professing the
Christian religion, who is actually and rightfully seized, and
possessed of ten acres of land, or of a house, in either of
the towns, of the yearly value of ten pounds, in fee simple
or fee tail, in right of marriage, or of dower, by the cour
tesy of England, in right of the church as rector ; or by
five years quiet and lawful possession, is declared to be a
freeholder capable of electing, or being elected, an assem
bly man. The firsf thing observable in this laAv is, that it
makes no difference betAveen the qualifications of the can
didates and the electors. In England, every knight of the

OF BARBADOES. 241
shire must have a clear estate, to the value of six hundred c^^}u
pounds per annum; and every burgess, to the value of l122'
three hundred pounds ; nor is it required that these estates
should lie in the borough or county for which the members
are chosen. But, in Barbadoes, every illiterate possessor
of ten acres is born a legislator, or is at least eligible to a
seat in the general assembly, as a representative of the
parish in which his freehold lies. The second point, de
serving of notice, is the qualification of the electors. And
here, without adopting the wild theories and maxims of the
parliamentary reformers, it may be fairly assumed, as a
just objection to the eolonial election law, that the elec
toral franchise is too limited. The principal qualification
required of a voter for members of the British parliament,
is that he should have a freehold of the value of forty shil
lings a year. Why the privilege of voting for representatives
was not made equally extensive in Barbadoes, is a question
not easily solved, unless we conclude that the law was
intended to enable those, by whom is was, framed, the more
readily to exercise a corrupt and an undue influence at
elections. One of the most invaluable privileges of a British sub
ject, is that of appointing fepresentatives to consent to the
making of such laws as may be necessary or convenient.
To preserve this fundamental right pure and inviolate,
should be our primary care, our noblest ambition. The
freedom essential to the due exercise of this privilege, can
li

242 THE HISTORY
chap. vii. be maintained only by an extension of its benefits. All the
1722. inhabitants of every district, says Montesquieu, ought to
have a right of voting at the election of a representative,
except such as are in so mean a condition, as to be deemed
to have no will of their oavii. The paucity of those, Avho,
in most precincts, are entitled to vote, facilitates the sinister
designs of the opulent and poAverful ; and often contributes
to raise very umvorthy candidates to seats in the legisla
ture, while it degrades some of our parishes to the con
temptible level of venal boroughs. Though no advocate for
universal representation, I conceive that the electoral fran
chise is justly due to every Christian freeman, possessed of
the smallest real estate. The humble possessor of a single
acre is not less personally affected by the laAvs of his coun
try, than the opulent proprietor of a thousand acres.
In some districts it often happens, that the freeholders
are deprived of the power of making a discreet choice, by
the difficulty of prevailing on gentlemen of respectability
to accept the representation of their parishes. This incon
venience might, perhaps, be remedied, by imitating the
policy of the mother country, and making it no longer
necessary that the property of the person elected should be
situated in the parish Avhich he represents. In a country,
circumscribed Avithin such narraAV boundaries, no danger
need be apprehended from a dissimilarity of interests, or a
Avant of local attachment ; nor are genius and knoAvledge
confined to any particular spot. An inhabitant of Christ

OF BARBADOES. 243
Church may be as well qualified to represent the parish of CHAp- vii.
Saint Lucy, as though he had been born and bred in^he 1?22,
vicinity of Pye-Corner. Thus the deficiencies of one
parish may be supplied by the talents of another ; and the
abilities, Avhich, for the want of an opportunity to display
themselves, remain inert and undistinguished, may be
placed in a sphere of action, in which they may be bene
ficially exerted for the general welfare.

ii2

244 THE HISTORY

CHAP. VIII.
GOVERNOR WORSLEY'S ADMINISTRATION— 'MR. COX DISGRACED 
VIOLENT DISS-ENTIONS IN THE COUNTRY  THE PEOPLE REFUSE
TO PAY THEIR TAXES — MR. AVORSLEY RETURNS TO ENGLAND 
THE GOVERNMENT DEVOLVES ON MR. BARAVICK — DISORDERLY
CONDUCT OF THE ASSEMBLY — CASE OF MR. BENNETT — MR. BAR
AVICK DIES, AND IS SUCCEEDED BY PRESIDENT DOTIN.
chap. Vill. tlENRY Worsley, Esquire, having received his Majesty's
1722. commission, appointing him governor of Barbadoes, arrived
in Carlisle Bay, on the twenty-second day of January, one
thousand seven hundred and twenty -tAVO. He brought Avith?
him the most inveterate prejudices against the president
and his party ; but, like a consummate politician, carefully
concealed his sentiments, till he had concluded an advan
tageous bargain for himself with those who held the strings
of the public purse. Having received his Majesty's per
mission to accept a settlement from the legislature*, he

* Willing to provide for tbe support of tbe colonial government, his-Majesty, by
his instructions to Mr. Worsley, directed, in case of the governor's absence from the
island,., that one full moiety,, of the salary allowed by the crown, and of all perquisites,

OF BARBADOES. 245
refused to set his foot on shore, till the leading members of chap.viii.
both houses had agreed on the revenue to be raised for his 1722-
support. The ambitious views of the opposite parties,
proved highly beneficial to the governor. Each seemed
anxious to purchase his favour ; and, during the time which
intervened, betAveen his arrival and the meeting of the assem
bly, the competition was conducted with a spirit extremely
disastrous to the people*. It Avas finally determined to settle
on his excellency a salary of six thousand pounds, sterling,
a year. A sum, .,t the stipulated rate of exchange equal
to seven thousand eight hundred pounds currency. Thus,
in the ridiculous attempt to propitiate the kindness of a
venal chief, the assembly sacrificed the perma ieit interests
of their constituents, to their oavii silly vuoity and puerile
ambition. To provide for the payment of this enormous
salary, a capitation tax of iavo shillings and sixpence Avas-
laid on all slaves, besides an assessment on the inhabitants
of the several towns, in proportion to their population and
opulence ; and a tax on lawyers, patentees, and other pub-
He officers.
His excellency accepted the settlement, Avith evident
marks of satisfaction; and, besides promising a redress of

and emoluments whatsoever, which should become due to him, should, during the
me of his absence, be paid to the president, for the time being, for his maintenance-
tand the support of the dignity of the government.
* Mem. of Barb. p. 53. Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p.. 171. Hall's Settle, of Barb. p. 31.

246 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. grievances, pledged his Avord that he Avould make ho far-
1723, ther demands on the public generosity; promises Avhich
seem to have been wholly disregarded. Having thus suc^
ceeded to the full extent of his most sanguine Avishes, Mr.
Worsley entered upon the duties of his high office, by
instituting an inquiry into the causes of the late disturb
ances. In consequence of the many complaints exhibited
against Mr. Cox, he was summoned to appear before the
governor, Avhere his conduct underwent a rigid scrutiny,
that lasted several days. The crimes imputed to Cox Avere,
in the first place, that he had greatly harassed the members
of his Majesty's council, by requiring their frequent at
tendance Avithout sufficient cause ; secondly, that he had
grossly insulted them by using, insolent and unbecoming
language in council ; thirdly, that he had, in the most ar
bitrary manner, removed many officers of distinction from
their civil and military employments ; and, lastly, that he
had, illegally, committed Gelasius Mac Mahon, a member
of the general assembly, to prison. To these charges, Mr*
'Cox pleaded, that the frequent calls of council were owing
to the factious conduct of those members, Avho obstinately
absented themselves, Avhen their presence was required for
the dispatch of public business; that any intemperance of
expression, into Avhich he might have been betrayed, had
been provoked by the disrespectful and contumelious beha
viour of those to whom it was applied ; that those public
officers, who had been dismissed from the service, had for-

OF BARBADOES. 247
feited their employments by their turbulent, factious dispo- chap.viii.
sition ; that Mac Mahon had deservedly incurred the com- 1723,
mitment complained of; by his disorderly contemptuous
deportment before him, in the court of error, of Avhich
offence he had been legally convicted by a jury*.
The able and judicious defence made by Mr. Cox, availed
him nothing. Upon these frivolous and malicious charges,
unsupported by any evidence of criminality, he was con
demned for having acted arbitrarily, corruptly, and ille
gally; his excellency, therefore, removed' him from his
Majesty's council, and declared him unAvorthy of being re
appointed to a seat at that board ; adding, that he ought
to be prosecuted in the courts of Isav, agreeably to the na
ture of the crimes proved against him. The sentence Avas
communicated to Mr. Cox, in a letter from his excellency's
secretary, Mr. Hammond, Avho received two hundred and
fifty pounds from the treasurer, for attending the trial, and
making out a copy of the proceedings, to be transmitted
to the Board of Trade j~.
The judgment against Mr. Cox Avas not. only resented by
his particular friends, but Avas condemned, according to a
contemporary Avriter^, by the candid and impartial part of
the community, for its extreme severity and injustice.
Having been denied the benefit of an appeal, Cox went
into a voluntary, exile on the continent of North Americaj
* Vide Ante. p. 196. f Univ. Hist; vol. 41. p. 172. X Caribbeanna, vol. 1. p. 342.

248 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. where his death, soon aftenvards, expiated all his political
1723, sins, and removed his cause to that unerring tribunal, where
he will find more justice and mercy than he experienced
before an earthly jurisdiction.
By the rigour of this procedure, the governor stirred up
the unextinguished embers of party, and laid the ground
work of an opposition, Avhich, by the operation of other
causes, continued to gain strength, during the whole of his
subsequent administration. The inflammable tempers of
Cox's friends instantly took fire at the injury done to their
patron ; nor were materials Avanted for spreading the flame
among a people so well prepared for the ignition as the Bar~
badians were at that time.
The enormous settlement made on the governor was soon
found to be a burthen totally disproportioned to the strength
of those by whom it was to be borne ; and was rendered
the more insupportable by the impoverished state of the
country, occasioned by the heavy imposts on the merchant
able products of the soil, and the restraints with which the
commerce of the colonies was fettered. The policy by
which Great Britain regulated the trade of her West In
dian settlements, though it might have promoted the na
tional prosperity, was little calculated to afford satisfaction
to the colonists, or to contribute to their individual welfare.
The monopoly of the sugar trade, claimed by Great Bri
tain, by requiring that all colonial produce, intended for
European consumption, should pass through the ^nglish

OF BARBADOES. 249
market, subject to a duty, on importation, besides other c^™'
charges incident to a double voyage, afforded the French
and Dutch adventurers, who were free from similar restric
tions, a decided advantage over the British merchants in
the sale of West Indian produce on the continent.
The assembly had not only deceived themselves, but their 1727.
constituents too, with a hope that their liberality to Mr,
Worsley Avould have attached him to their interest, and
that by his mediation, the restraints on their agriculture
and commerce would be removed; while, by his firmness
and impartiality, tranquillity Avould be restored to their
distracted country. Far from obtaining these advantages,
the people found their complaints disregarded, and their
calamities encreased by their OAvn culpable profusion to the
governor. Disappointed in the expectations Avhich they
had fondly cherished, and smarting under the effects of
their OAvn indiscretion, they turned the edge of their resent
ment against his excellency, as if he had been the sole au
thor of all their grievances and misfortunes. Nor Avas Mr.
Worsley's proud and supercilious carriage calculated to
soften the popular resentment, nor to reconcile the people
to the Aveight of the oppressive burthens imposed on them
for his support.
The deplorable condition of the country, and the state
of the public mind at this period, may be best collected
from the representations transmitted to the lords commis
sioner^ of trade. In a memorial presented to that board,
Kk

250 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. the assembly did not affect to conceal the views by which
lW7, they Avere actuated in fixing the amount of the governor's
salary. Expecting to silence the contention of parties, and
to obtain a redress of other grievances, they acknoAvledged
that they had been prevailed upon to consent to a settlement
which the country Avas unable to bear. Yet, far from deriv
ing these benefits from their indiscreet generosity, no mea
sures, they observed* had been taken to relieve them from
the oppression under which they Avere struggUng ; the puta-
lic Avelfare had been entirely disregarded ; the militia Avas
neglected and undisciplined ; the forts and batteries had
gone to decay, and the stores were wasted or embezzled ;
while his excellency, and all persons in office under him,
were solicitous only of enriching themselves by the spoils
of the people.
Against these representations Mr. Worsely defended him
self, by his agents in London, Avith great spirit and ability.
He repelled every charge, and finally triumphed over his
accusers. His success Avas principally OAving to. the enco
miums bestoAved on him by the council and the grand jury,
who at the preceding, sessions had presented his excellency
with a very flattering address,, praising the mildness and
prudence of his administration, and, at the same time-, con
demning the proceedings of the opposition.. Hence let
grand juries learn more caution in the composition of their
addresses, since they see how easily their unmeaning pa
negyrics may be turned to their own injury... ^

OF BARBADOES. 25i
Historians are seldom free from the prejudices and par- chap.viii.
tialities of other men. Influenced by the spirit of party, 17>'7-
they too often distort and pervert the facts Avhich they relate.
Hence it is difficult, after any considerable lapse of time, .
to reconcile the contradictory accounts transmitted to us of
the transactions of former ages. Nor is it an easy task to
ascertain the truth of the imputations against Mr. Worsley.
On the one hand it is asserted, that besides the general com
plaints contained in the memorial to the board of trade,
his excellency had been guilty of many particular acts of
injustice and oppression on the merchants of Bridge-toAvn ;
who, from the servility of the council, Avere precluded from
the means of redress*. Opposed to this is the testimony
of a contemporary author, to this effect: although Mr.
Worsley's pride and reserve had rendered him extremely un
popular, he carefully refrained from all oppressive mea
sures, and ay as not liable to be removed on any other prin
ciple than that of easing the inhabitants of the burthen-
some settlement Avhich he had obtained f . Upon the whole,
his excellency's conduct does not appear to have been al
together unexceptionable. NotAvithstanding his promise to
the assembly, on accepting the salary which they had set
tled on him, he occasionally received several large sums ;
besides being paid upwards of two thousand pounds for the
repairs of the house and gardens at Pilgrim; that very
* Univ. Hist, vol, 41. p. 174. f Memoirs of Barb. p. 54*.
k k 2

252 THE HISTORY
c^Aj^yjn- house, which only seven years afterwards was purchased by
1727. t]ie legislature, with twenty acres of land, for thirteen hun
dred and fifty pounds* .
The people of Barbadoes were in the highest degree dis
satisfied with the payment of Mr. Worsley's salary, when
the death of George I. afforded them a favourable pretext,
as they erroneously thought, of disengaging their necks
from the galling yoke. A time of popular discontent and
confusion is generally the season in Avhich men of depraved
hearts and wicked designs, under the mask of patriotism,
n2g distinguish themselves most by their flagitious enormities.
Gelasius Mac Mahon, a turbulent laAvyer, of infamous ce
lebrity, and Robert Warren, register in chancery, and
clerk of the general assembly, noAv appeared the professed
champions of their oppressed countrymen ; whom, with a
view to their private emolument, they sought to embroil
more deeply with the governor.
As all commissions and patents Avere known to determine
with the death of the King, by Avhom they Avere granted,
unless continued or reneAved by his successor, these artful
incendiaries pretended that Mr. Worsley, having received
no new-commission from his present Majesty, Avas no longer
the laAvful governor of tbe island ; and that consequently
the act of settlement had expired. The bulk of the
people, blinded by their wishes to be relieved from their

Hall's First Settle, of Barb. p. 31, M. S.

OF BARBADOES. 253
burthens, readily assented to this doctrine ; the fallacy of chap.viii.
Avhich they were incapable of perceiving, and perempto- I728,
rily refused to pay their taxes, or even to give in returns of
their slaAres. And such was the inefficiency of the execu
tive government, and the illegal combination among men
in poAver to resist the administration of the laws, that no
effectual measures Avere, nor could be, taken to enforce the
penalty against defaulters.
The agitation of the public mind Avas encreased to a con
siderable degree by a disagreement betAveen the council and
assembly concerning the excise bill. In this dispute, as in
most domestic quarrels, there seem to have been faults on
both sides. The council had made some amendments to
the bill Avhich, abstractedly considered, were highly proper.
They proposed, that all seizures to be made by virtue of the
act should be prosecuted by the attorney-general instead of
the treasurer, in the name of the treasurer or such other of
ficer as should make the seizure. This they contended was
absolutely necessary, as seizures might sometimes be made by
the excise Avaiters, and the crown lawyers must, of course, be
consulted on such occasions. By the bill the treasurer and
all inferior officers were prohibited from receiving any fees on
the entering or clearing of vessels under a forfeiture of five
pounds, recoverable before any justice of the peace. To this
summary mode of proceeding the council objected; and
proposed, that the penalty should be recoA^ered by action
of debt in any Court of record. They remarked, that on a
4

254 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. recent occasion, a similar mode of proceeding had been
172a- condemned by the board of trade, and disapproved by
his Majesty, as taking from the subject his most inestimable
privilege, the trial by jury. But the principal ground of
contention was the proposal made by the council to omit
that clause of the bill by which the loAver house had prohi
bited the treasurer from paying any money by virtue of
orders issued by the governor and council, other Avise than
on the address of the assembly, for payment of accounts
previously submitted to their inspection and approbation.
To this clause, their honours said they could never consent
without a forfeiture of their seats, as it was in direct viola
tion of the King's instruction to his representative. The
manner of providing for the payment of the agent's salary
was next objected to, as affording the assembly, from its la
titude of expression, an opportunity of disposing of im
mense sums of the public money, under that pretence, to
persons Avhom the council did not approve*.
The attempt of the council to alter a money-bill Avas evi
dently an infringement of one of the fundamental principles of
the constitution, by which the right of granting supplies is
vested exclusively in the representatives of the people.
And the commons of England, justly tenacious of such an
invaluable privilege, have uniformly resisted any encroach-

* The council's reasons, in support of their amendments, were ingeniously drawn
sup and published. They are preserved in tbe Appendix to the Caribbeanna.

OF BARBADOES. 255
ment on their right, by invariably refusing any amendment chap.viii.
to a bill for raising money on the subject by the house of 1728''
peers. The amendments having, of course, proved fatal to the
bill, the assembly prepared a new draught, in which they
stipulated, that no orders on the treasury should be is
sued by the governor and council on any occasion, not
otherwise provided for by laAv, but upon an address from'
their body. This was considered by the upper house as an
infringement of their rights, and the prerogative of the
chief magistrate. They, therefore, rejected the bill, ground
ing their dissent on the royal instruction first given to Mr-
Grey, and since continued to every succeeding governor,
" not to suffer any public money to be disposed of other
wise than by Avarrant under his hand, by, and Avitli the adr
vice of his council ; permitting the assembly, nevertheless,
from time to time, to examine the accounts of money to be
disposed of by laws made by them* _"
Contrary to the letter and the spirit of this instruction, the
assembly insisted on their right to. scrutinize all accounts
previous to the emission of orders for payment. A poste
rior examination, they contended^ would avail nothing ; as,
in case of abuses in the public expenditure, it Avould be
much too late to find fault after the money was gone..
The council disputed this claim ; contending for the com-
* Mem. Barb, p. 55,

256 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. petenee of their board to investigate all demands of a pub-
1728. He nature, and to sanction the issuing of orders for Avhat-
ever sums they should think proper, without any previous
reference to the popular branch of the legislature ; and in
this they maintained, that they Avere Avarranted by the con
stant practice of parliament.
Both parties continuing obstinate, a copy of the bill was
sent to England by the governor, and, by his Majesty's
order referred to the lords of the committee of privy coun
cil. Their lordships, after due consideration, reported to
the King, " that by some clauses of the bill, the assembly
Avould deprive the governor of the power, given him by his
Majesty, to sign warrants for the issuing of money, Avithout
their approbation previously obtained, which was contrary,
they observed, to the established usage of all his Majesty's
colonies, and derogatory from his royal prerogative. To
discourage such attempts in future, their lordships humbly
advised his Majesty to signify his disapprobation of the
draught*. The bill Avas accordingly rejected, and the as
sembly passed a new one, in Avhich they omitted the ex
ceptionable clauses ; refusing, hoAvever, to provide for the
payment of those public creditors, Avhose demands, sanc
tioned by the council, had originally given rise to the dis
pute. But, after a lapse of several years, a subsequent

* Caribbeanna, vol. 2, p. 318. Mem. of Barb, p. 57.

OF BARBADOES. 257
assembly, having examined the accounts, consented to their C^^J1'
i • -i 1729.
being paid.
MeanAvhile, a general coalition was formed among per
sons of all parties to oppose the leA'ying of taxes for paying
the salary of the governor. The vestry of Saint Michael's,
doubting their authority to assess the inhabitants of Bridge
town, conformably to the act for the support of govern
ment, consulted Mr. Blenman, his Majesty's attorney-ge
neral ; Avho, with his usual candour and integrity, pro
nounced that the act had not expired. This opinion Avas
far from proving satisfactory. Upon cases partially and im
perfectly stated, Warren and Mac Mahon had obtained the
opinion of tAvo eminent English laAvyers, much more agree
able to the vieAVs of the malcontents*.

* I have here subjoined Mr. Blenman's opinion, as it will serve to elucidate the
text, and as it does honour to the memory of a man whose virtues and talents rendered
him one of the brightest ornaments of his country. It has been generally held at
common law that all patents determined by the death of the king, by whom they
were granted. However by the statute 7 and 8 Will. III. explained by 1 Anne ch. 8.
all commissions or patents are made to continue for six months after the demise of
the king, unless superseded in the mean time by his successor. Now the governor
holding his place by virtue of a commission from the late king, and that not having
been renewed by his present Majesty, till after the six months were elapsed, it would
*eem reasonable enough, taking it in that light, to infer that his excellency had ceased
to be governor at tbe expiration of six months ; and consequently that the act was no
longer in force, it being limited to the time that Mr. Worsley should continue to be
his Majesty's captainfgeneral and governor in chief; and in that quality personally to
reside on the island. But this case rests on the construction of the act referred to.

258 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. Mr. Worsley finding there Avas no chance of obtaining
1729- justice by any ordinary means, presented a memorial to
the lords commissioners for trade and plantations, fairly
stating the particulars of the affair, Avith the doubts that
had arisen on the subject; and requesting that his com
plaints might be laid before the king, and imploring his
Majesty's interposition. The memorial Avas, by order of
his Majesty, referred to the consideration of the attorney
and solicitor general of Great Britain. The report of these
croAvn laAvyers, which may be seen at length in the Carib-
beanna, decided the point in favour of the governor, and
corresponded in every particular Avith that delivered by
Blenman.
1731. This decision, it Avas thought, would have removed every
doubt: but although these opinions Avere immediatly made
known, the popular delusion Avas still kept up by the agency
of evil minded persons; and. people of the first rank and
distinction determined to oppose the execution of that laAV,
to which, in their legislative capacities, they had given

The intention of the law was to make a suitable provision for his excellency as long as
he should continue in his government ; and, since the king, in a legal understanding
never dies, it seems clear that these words do not confine the provision for the gover
nor to that reign only ; but that they take in the whole time of his residence here as
chief magistrate. Now as Mr. Worsley has continued to reside in the island, ever
since his first arrival, in quality of commander in chief, it follows that the act for sup
porting the honour and dignity of government is not determined." — Vide Caribbeanna.
vol. l.p. 40.

OF BARBADOES. 259
their sanction. Many had refused to give in the number cv^^J1'
of negroes on Avhom the tax Avas to be paid, and as many 1731,
changes of property had been effected, it Avas deemed im
practicable to recover the arrears by any legal process. At
length tired with a tedious contention, to Avhich there seem
ed no prospect of an amicable or successful termination,
Mr. Worsley resigned the government and returned to sept. 21.
England. Upon Mr. Worsley's departure the government devolved
on Samuel Barwick, president of the council. The acces
sion of this gentleman produced no change in the temper of
his countrymen. The gloom of discontent still loured over
the political horizon. Mr. Barwick had, indeed, rendered
himself obnoxious to the demagogues of the popular party
by the prudent submission to the law, respecting the salary
of the governor, which he both practised and recommended.
On the first meeting of the legislature, the president took November?.
the occasion of addressing them collectively to remark, that,
as they had the happiness of enjoying the protection of one
of the best of princes, Avho, among his other royal virtues,
was particularly attentive to the Avelfare of his colonies,
it was their bounden duty to shew themselves Avorthy of his
paternal care, by an implicit obedience to his commands.
The annual excise bill having expired, his honour suggested
to the assembly the necessity of preparing a new one Avith
out loss of time; and to obviate as much as possible any
alteration, he recommended that they Avould frame the bill
L 1 2

260 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. Qn ^rue constitutional principles, and make the money ap-
173K plicable only to the support of government. He next ad
verted to the ruined state of the fortifications, submitting
to the representatives of the people the propriety of making
some effectual provision for their repair. They ought not,
he said, to suffer the hardships of which they complained to
impede this necessary business, as they Avere not then sub
ject to any other impositions on their produce than such as
they had borne nearly seventy years* He concluded Avith
assuring both houses of his readiness to concur in any mea
sure that should be proposed for the real honour and in
terest of the country, consistent with the royal instructions.
And, as it Avas impossible to succeed in any useful under
taking, Avithout a perfect union, among themselves, he in
dulged the pleasing hope of finding the most cordial unani
mity in the public councils. As they Avere all equally in
terested in the welfare of the country, it Avas not likely, he
said, that they should disagree as to the means of promot
ing it, if all were actuated by the same generous and patriotic
spirited principles.
The council presented a polite and respectful address to
the president, Avhich, as usual, was little more than an echo
of the speech. But his honour's loyal and exalted senti
ments made no impression on the members of the assembly.
Such Avas the ill humour Avhich prevailed in that house, that
they Avould not even observe the common civility of ad
dressing the chair, nor Avould they consent to make any
6

OF BARBADOES. 261
provision for Mr. Barwick's support during his administra- chap.viii.
tion. i"1-
The house of assembly, at this period, appear to have
been entirely resigned to the will of their speaker, the
honourable Henry Peers ; a man, ambitious, bold, intrigu
ing and vindictive. Under the influence of this leader, the
proceedings of the assembly assumed, a character distin
guished by an inordinate thirst of poAver, continually ma
nifesting itself by encroachments on the prerogative of the
crown, a contempt of the authority of the king's represen
tative, and- in attempts to invade the privileges of the coun
cil. NotAvithstanding his- Majesty's disapprobation of the
late excise bill,, the assembly again claimed the same uncon
stitutional controul over the public disbursements Avhich had
been peremptorily denied them three years before. Influ
enced by the same sentiments Avhich had operated with them
on the former occasion, the council rejected the bill, which
was iioav sent up for their concurrence. The dispute, how
ever, Avas not, at this time, confined to the privileges of
either branch of the legislature. An additional topic, of a
different complexion, Avas noAv started by the president.
It Avill doubtless be remembered, that Avhen the Duke of 1732.
Portland visited Barbadoes, president Cox had incurred a
considerable expense by entertaining his noble guest and
his suite; for which he had been. reimbursed by two orders
ori the treasury for eight hundred and ten pounds. The ex-
haustedstate of the public coffers rendering the payment

C62 THE HISTORY
cilAP.Vitf. 0f the money somewhat uncertain, Mr. Cox, for theaccom-
1732. modation of Sandford, the treasurer, transferred the orders
to him, and took his personal security for the amount.
These orders were regularly charged by the treasurer, as if
the money had been paid, and Avere settled by the com
mittee of public accounts. He had, nevertheless, omitted
to pay Cox ; ' avIio, as Ave have already seen, had gone to
America, Avhere he died, leaving Mr. Peers, the speaker of
the assembly, to whom he owed a considerable sum, his
executor. Sandford, having proved insolvent, was impri
soned by his creditors ; and as there Avas no chance of col
lecting the money due from him to Cox's estate, Peers and
Bignall, his tAvo securities, anxious to provide for their
OAvn safety, prevailed on the obsequious assembly to assert
a clause in the excise-bill, directing the payment of these
very orders to Cox's representatives, which had been dis
counted nine years before Avith the late treasurer. Happily
the president discovered the imposition, and explained it
to the council, in time to frustrate the fraudulent design.
Though Mr. BarAvick, in this instance, acted as became
a faithful guardian of the people, his upright conduct irri
tated the minds of those Avhose malversation he had de
tected, and provoked a torrent of illiberal invective from
Mr. Bignall, in the house of assembly, on a speech replete
Avith the most acrimonious expressions. A committee of
council Avas appointed to make a minute enquiry into the
circumstances of this transaction, and had draAvn up their
4

OF BARBADOES. 263
report on the subject, but the arrival of Lord HoAve, in the chap.viil
interval, opening a neAV scene of politics to both parties, the U32-
affair Avas compromised, and all pretensions to the money in
question given up*.
The assembly, for the dispatch of public business, had
been permitted to adjourn themselves de die in diem; but,
as they persisted in refusing to pass an excise-bill, free from
the objections to Avhich the last Avas liable, the president,
hearing that they Avere proceeding to other business, sent
the provost marshal to adjourn the house to a future day,
intending, in the mean time, to dissolve it by proclama
tion. The marshal, instead of Availing till the house had
sat, communicated his errand to Warren, the clerk, who
immediately fleAv to the different members with the intelli*
gence. Determined not to relinquish their scheme, they
privately assembled at the store of Othniel Haggat, mem
ber of council, where they proceeded on the business in
hand, and continued their illegal sittings, without any re
gard to the authority of the chief magistrate, until their
place of rendezvous being, at length, discovered, they were
adjourned by the president's order. His honour soon after
dissolved the house, and issued Avrits for a neAV election.
Nor were these the only disorders and irregularities which
the annals pf this period afford. A few bold, turbulent,

* Caribbeanna, vol, 2. p. 355.

264 - THE HISTORY
chap.vih. licentious men, assumed a domineering influence over
1732. every department of the state ; and, with democratic in
solence, obstructed the legal exercise of the executive au
thority. Mr. Bennett, a gentleman of respectability, had com
menced an action against Doctor Warren, for the recovery
of a plantation ; and the defendant, to impede his adver
sary's proceedings, had removed the cause, by a bill of in
junction, into the court of chancery. In the progress of
the suit, an attachment had been issued against Bennett,
for an imputed contempt of the court ; but, as it was then
likely that the affair Avould be compromised, the Avrit was
never executed. After an interval of nine months, when
all prospect of an amicable adjustment of the cause of
litigation had disappeared, Mac Mahon, the advocate in
this suit, without any order from the court of chancery,
which was not then sitting, obtained from Warren's brother,
the register of the court, a second attachment, directing
the serjeant at arms to take Mr. Bennett into custody. The
order was instantly obeyed, and the man conveyed to
prison, though he offered sufficient bail for his appearance,
whenever it should be required. Unfortunately for the
prisoner, the court of chancery was prevented from sitting
on the day in course ; and as its adjournments were monthly,
it seemed probable that his incarceration would be pro
tracted to an unreasonable length. He therefore petitioned
Mr. Banvick to interpose his authority, as chancellor, and

OF BARBADOES 263
to order his enlargement. The attorney-general, on being chap.viii.
consulted, pronounced the Avhole transaction to be irregular 1732-
and illegal; and, as Bennett Avas not committed by order
of the court, the learned gentleman recommended the
president to direct a supersedeas to be issued for his
liberation. The necessary orders were accordingly given, but the
register, Avho had not hesitated on the authorized applica
tion of his brother's counsel, to issue a writ for confining
Bennett, suddenly became so tenacious of his duty, that
he peremptorily refused to obey the president's order for his
•release, alleging that the chancellor had no authority
out of court to direct a supersedeas. As Bennett had
not been committed for actual contempt, but merely to
ansAver the imputation, his counsel contended that he was
entitled to bail, but the serjeant at arms pertinaciously
refused to take security for his appearance in court.
At the end of three Aveeks, during Avhich he had lain in
-the common gaol, Bennett petitioned the Honourable Fran
cis Vaughan, chief judge of a court of common pleas, for
a Avrit of habeas corpus. The judge prudently consulted
the attorney-general, who, with characteristic can
dour and ingenuity, gave his opinion at length. If the
prisoner had been taken up, by an order of the court of
chancery, he admitted, that the judge would have no
power to interfere. On the other hand, if the court did
not direct the process upon which he had been arrested,
m m

266 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. the learned barrister insisted, he might be legally discharged.
l"fl&- And, as, upon a review of the whole proceedings, it did
not appear that the court of chancery was at all concerned
in the commitment, Mr. Blenman thought the judge would
not interfere with the jurisdiction of that tribunal, by dis
charging the prisoner. In pursuance of this advice, Ben
nett Avas liberated, by virtue of a writ of habeas corpus.
Provoked at having the victim thus rescued from their
fangs, W^arren's party not only abused Bennett and his
counsel, in the most outrageous manner, but Mac Mahon,
more violent than the rest, insulted and even chal
lenged the chief justice. For this flagrant outrage he
Avas indicted at the next court of grand sessions, and Avas
convicted of the offence ; but, from the faulty constitution
of our criminal judicature, and his influence over the
bench, he escaped with impunity * ; or, at most, Avith a
moderate fine.
, These abuses and disorders, in the administration of
government, Were not the only evils under which the Bar
badians laboured. The decay of commerce, and the de
cline of agriculture, were ills most sensibly felt and loudly-
complained of. The onerous imposts on their staple products
were rendered more oppressive by the extreme rigour \vith

* Caribbeanna, vol. 1. p. 259 and 302. This flagitious character was a person of
considerable property, owner of Locust Hall plantation ; a lawyer by profession, and
a member of the general assembly.

OF BARBADOES. 267
which they Avere exacted ; particularly the duty on sugar, chap.viii.
which Avas actually paid on the wood of Avhich the casks 1732-
were made. But the injury of Avhich the Barbadians com
plained most, was occasioned by the permission given by
Great Britain to Ireland, and her North American colonies,
of importing sugar, rum, and molasses, from the French
and Dutch settlements. The adventurers of those places,
free from the heavy duties on exportation, to which the mer
chants of Barbadoes were liable, had not only obtained a
decided advantage over the British on the continent of
Europe ; they were enabled to undersell theni in their own
markets, in the American provinces ; whence they received,
in exchange, every article required for the support and im
provement of their plantations. The French, unacquainted
with the principles of distillation, furnished the Americans
with considerable quantities of molasses, for the support
of their distilleries, which, but for that intercourse, must
have been thrown away. Hence the consumption of West
Indian spirits was materially lessened on the American
continent, to the manifest injury of the planters of Bar
badoes, with whom rum was an important staple.
#
Under circumstances so depressing to the commercial
and agricultural interests of the country, the Barbadians
concurred in an humble petition to the throne, in which,
after a pathetic enumeration of the grievances and oppres
sion to which they had long patiently submitted, they
m m 2

268 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. prayed that the importation of foreign rum, sugar, and
1732. molasses, into Ireland, or the Anglo-American provinces,
should be prohibited, unless they had been previously-
landed in England, or made liable to such duties as should
put them on a level Avith the productions of the British
colonies. The truth of these complaints, and the equity
of the demands Avhich accompanied them, seem to have
aAvakened the attention of the British ministry, though
nothing Avas immediately done for the relief of the peti
tioners.
December. MeanAvhile, on the day appointed for the meeting of the
neAV assembly, the president, being prevented by ill health
from going to Bridge-To Avn, was under the necessity of re
ceiving the other branches of the legislature at Lancaster
plantation. His honour opened the session with a speech,
in Avhich, after descanting on the usual topics, he declared,
that in dissolving the last assembly, he had been influenced
by no other consideration than that of affording the house
an opportunity of passing an excise bill Avith consistency.
which, he observed, the public service required should be
done Avithout delay. He concluded with an assurance,;
that as long as he lived, which, in all probability, could
not be long, the prosperity of his country would be the
first wish of his heart. These words seem to have been
uttered with a prophetic spirit. He survived the patriotic
declaration little more than a week ; he died on the first

OF BARBADOES 269
day of the new year, and was buried in a pirate manner, CIv^311-
at St. James's church, the next dav*. 173s-
J Jan. 1.
Whatever faults the violence of party, or the malevo
lence of his political opponents, may have imputed to Mr.
Barwick, his public conduct, if Ave may rely on the testi
mony of an author of his own times, Avas free from any-
vicious stain. His administration was distinguished by pru
dence, equity, and moderation. Umvilling to rely, en
tirely, on the soundness of his own judgment, he commonly
endeavoured to render his good intentions more efficacious,,
by the advice of others ; and was implicitly guided by the
counsel of those in whose integrity and superior under
standing hekneAv that he could place the utmost confidence.
It was his felicity to perform the duties of his high sta
tion,, without blame, to the satisfaction of the candid and
impartial, and to the utter disappointment of his enemies.
In all cases of difficulty, he resorted to the attorney -general,
Blenman, for assistance ; happy in having a friend of such
probity and talents to solve his doubts and confirm his
honest purposes; and yet more happy in the sagacity and
humility with which he availed himself of an advantage
so inestimable.
The death of Mr. Barwick placed the reins of govern
ment in the hands of the Honourable James Dotin. This
gentleman seems to have possessed a much greater portion
* Caribbeanna, vol. 1. p. 102,

370 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. of the esteem of the assembly than had fallen to the lot of
1733. his predecessor. They voted the sum of one hundred
pounds to prepare for his reception at Pilgrim, and a pre
sent of five hundred pounds to provide for his accommo
dation during his residence there. Whatever- might have
been the talents or virtues which procured him these marks
of distinction, he had very little opportunity to display
them. , He was quickly superseded by the arrival of Lord
Viscount Howe, who had been appointed to the govern
ment of Barbadoes.

OF BARBADOES. 271

CHAP. IX.

LORD HOWES POPULAR ADMINISTRATION  PAYMENT OF MR.
WORSLEY'S SALARY ENFORCED  ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRESS 
MURDER COMMITTED BY MAC MAHON  DEATH OF LORD HOWE
 PRESIDENCY OF MR. DOTIN  MACK MAHOn's TRIAL  AR
RIVAL OF GOVERNOR BYNG — DISPUTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR
AND THE ASSEMBLY  DEATH OF MR. BYNG  LEGISLATIVE PRO
CEEDINGS.
ON the first meeting of the legislature, Lord Howe ad- chap. ix.
dressed the council and assembly in a plain respectful speech. 1733.
. April 17.
He regretted that the arrangement of his private concerns
had detained him much longer in England, after being
honoured Avith his Majesty's commands to take upon him
the government of the island, than he expected. But he
assured them, that he had endeavoured to make his absence
useful to the colony, by employing himself, during that
interval, in representing to the ministry the many hard
ships and disadvantages under which the trade laboured ;
and in soliciting a redress of their grievances ; and he
Avas happy in bringing Avith him the glad tidings of a
speedy and effectual relief intended for them by the King
1

272 THE HISTORY
chap. IX. anc| ujs parliament. Turning to the assembly, he observed,
1733, that although it had been usual Avith former governors to
issue writs, on their arrival, for a neAV election, the confidence
Avhich he had in their wisdom and zeal for the public Avel-
fare, together Avith his desire of giving every possible dis
patch to business, had induced him to depart from this
custom ; and, Avith a view to their personal ease, he had
preferred their meeting on the day to \vhich they stood ad
journed. He informed them, that he had receiA^ed orders
from his Majesty to lay before them several instructions,
tending to the honour, security, and advantage of the
island; which, at proper times, should be communicated
to them. There Avas one, however, Avhich, as it concerned
himself, he should immediately submit to their considera
tion, without any comment of his own. Professing to have
nothing nearer to his heart than the prosperity of the coun
try, he declared, that inclination, as Avell as obedience to his
sovereign's commands, would impel him to use his best en
deavours to restore the trade of the island to its former
flourishing condition. To render effectual his Majesty's
gracious intention towards them, he urged unanimity and
concord among themselves ; a constant attendance on the
duties of their several stations ; and a perfect union in the
pursuit of such objects as Avere connected with the general
welfare ; promising, on his part, that he would contribute
every thing in his power to effectuate a propitious change
6

OF BARBADOES. 273
in their affairs. He "concluded Avith declaring his readiness c™^°
to comply Avith any request, or to acquiesce in any propo- 1733-
sal for the advantage and benefit of the inhabitants of the
island. This speech made a poAverful impression on the public
mind. The people of Barbadoes, ever credulous, and ea
sily deceived by those Avho find it convenient to flatter their
vanity, or sooth their expectations with specious professions,
listened with admiration and complacency to his lordshipV
patriotic sentiments and polite expressions of regard.
That they might not, by any unreasonable parsimony, ob
struct the tide of prosperity Avhich now seemed ready to
flow into their bosoms, the assembly generously settled the
sum of four thousand pounds sterling annually on his lord
ship, to support the dignity of his government : no trifling
sum, if we take into consideration the circumstances of
the country at that period, Avhen sugar sold for only ten or
tAvelve shillings sterling the hundred weight. Nor had the
Barbadians the smallest cause to regret their liberality on
this occasion. Lord HoAve was generous to profusion, and
by his munificence replenished the streams which supported
the vigour of his establishment. Through the whole of his
administration, he invariably acted upon the purest prin<-
ciples of moral and political rectitude : a conduct, Avhich
rendered his government as honourable to himself as it was
happy to the people over whom he presided.
The general satisfaction Avhich this amiable nobleman's ;
n n

274 THE HISTORY
accession had diffused throughout the community, soon ex
perienced a temporary interruption by the revival of the
disputes concerning the payment of the large balance due
to the late governor Worsley. That gentleman, on his re
turn to England, had not been forgetful of the injustice
with Avhich he had been treated in Barbadoes. He pre
sented a memorial to the King, stating the particulars of
his demand, with the grounds on Avhich the payment of
his salary had been refused ; and praying that his Majesty
would be pleased to direct such measures to be pursued
for his relief as the nature of the case might require and
admit. This request Avas so reasonable, that the King, in
council, on the tAventy-second day of September, one thou
sand seven hundred and thirty-two, issued an order, di
recting the colonial attorney-general, in case the taxes Avere
not paid by the first day of July in the following year, to
take the most effectual measures, by due course of laAv, for
the recovery of the arrears from the persons liable to pay
them. Though Blenman gave notice of this order, and of his
determination to obey the commands of his Sovereign, the
populace were still influenced by the conduct of persons of
superior rank and superior means of information, who yet
pertinaciously refused to pay their taxes, expecting that
their personal influence would induce the governor to inter
fere and protect them in violating the law. But Lord
Howe was too noble minded to aim at short-lived popula-

OF BARBADOES. 275
rity, or to endeavour to strengthen his interest by obstruct- chap. ix.
ing the course, of justice. Nor Avas Blenman of a temper 17:i3-
to be intimidated by the froAvn of despotism, or seduced
from his duty by the smile of poAver. He Avas heedless of
pleasing the gilded knavre, and still less inclined to oppress
the poor. Determined to strike at the root of the evil, he,
on the appointed day, commenced suits in the court of ex
chequer againt President Dotin, Othniel Haggatt, member
of council, General Peers, speaker of the assembly, Tho
mas Maycock, chief justice of a court of common pleas,
John Maycock, member of the assembly, and Robert
Warren, clerk of that house, for the recovery of the sums
respectively due from them. At the same time Mr. Hother-
sal, the late treasurer, being about to leave the island,
without giving the necessary inforhiation respecting the
names of the defaulters, and the amount of their arrears,
Avas detained by a Avrit of ne exeat insula ; and compelled
to enter into bonds not to leave the island Avithout his ex
cellency's permission.
Such spirited proceedings, so judiciously directed, pro
duced the desired effect. Pinding that neither rank nor
fortune afforded any security in cases of public delin
quency, the commonalty voluntarily came forward and
paid their arrears. Thus, in the short space of five Aveeks,
the hydra was subdued, and upwards of seventeen thou
sand pounds were collected, and paid to Mr. Worsley's
agents. n n 2

276 THE HISTORY
Soon after Lord Howe's arrival, a curious and interesting
question arose between his lordship and the president.
During Mr. Dotin's administration, though several months
after his excellency had received his appointment, a sloop
and catgo, valued at eleven hundred pounds, were seized
by the officers of the customs at Bridge Town, and con
demned in the court of vice-admiralty. The laAv, in such
cases, expressly directs that all forfeitures incurred by the
violation of the acts of trade shall be to his Majesty, the
governor of the plantation Avhere the offence is committed,
and the officer by whom it is prosecuted. But, as his Ma
jesty had been pleased to order that one half the salary,
perquisites and emoluments, Avhich the governor Avas enti
tled to receive, should be paid to the person exercising the
supreme authority during the governor's absence, his lord
ship claimed only one moiety of the third to which he
thought himself entitled. Mr. Dotin not being disposed
to admit the propriety of this demand, an action Avas filed
against him at the governor's suit for the recovery of the
money. The case was perfectly new, and the court, after
a hearing of the matter, upon a motion made for that pur
pose, agreed to a reference to the attorney and solicitor-
general of Great Britain ; by whose concurrent opinion the
question was finally decided in favour of the claimant *.
* The opinion of Mr. Attorney General Willis was thus expressed : " Notwith
standing the eldest counsellor is directed to take upon him the administration of go-

OF BARBADOES. 277
This determination gave rise to a second demand on the chap. ix.
part of Lord Howe. On the president's accession the as- "S3.
sembly had voted him a donative of five hundred pounds,
for the purpose of defraying the expenses incident to his
residence at Pilgrim. His excellency insisted that this was
an emolument of office within the meaning of the instruc
tion already alluded to ; but Mr. Dotin was as little in
clined to yield to this neAV demand as to the former. The
question therefore was referred to Mr. Blenman, the colo
nial attorney-general, Avho pronounced that, Avhatever
might have been the motives by which the assembly were
actuated in the provision made for the president, as it
was granted after the date of his lordship's commission,
he had, by virtue of the instruction, an indisputable
right to one moiety of the sum, as a perquisite of office.
Lord HoAve was eminently endoAved with all the virtues
of a noble and generous mind : courteous, affable, hospit-

rernment daring the absence of the governor, yet the governor himself, though ab
sent, is to be considered as governor within the meaning of the acts of parliament,
and is the person entitled to one-third of the forfeitures. But as the governor is
bound by his instructions, as well as. by his commission, his acceptance of the go
vernment under them, amounts to an agreement on his part, that the eldest counsel
lor, in his absence, shall have one moiety of his salary, and of all the perquisites
belonging to his office. I am therefore of opinion, that one-third of the forfeiture
in question is, by law, vested in Lord Howe, as the same accrued after the date of
bis commission ; yet that, by reason of his instructions, he can claim only one moiety
thereof, as it happened teforehis arrival in Barbadoes."— Vide Mr. Everslefs Manu
script, mentioned in ike Preface.

278 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. able, and condescending, he engaged the esteem of all
1733. with Avhom he comrersed. Temperate but firm, candid
and impartial, he acquired a greater degree of popularity
than has ever been enjoyed by any other governor of Bar
badoes. By a familiar and unreserved intercourse Avith the
people, he Avas enabled to calm the animosities of party,
and contributed to unite the warmest political opponents
in social amusements and fesfrve entertainments. All an
gry contention Avas silenced by his firmness and impartia
lity; and concord once more resumed her pacific reign.
In effecting this happy change, his lordship's endeavours
were greatly facilitated, according to a judicious histo
rian *, by the circulating of a weekly paper, published by
one Keimer, under the title of the Barbadoes' Gazette -j~.
Some of the most enlightened members of the community
availed themselves of the advantage of a free press, and
devoted their pens to the instruction of their countrymen.
By the publication of many spirited and ingenious letters
and essays on political and commercial subjects, the mis
chievous designs, sinister vieAvs and corrupt motives of those
incendiaries, Avho, under the specious garb of patriotism,
had plundered the public and disturbed the peace of soci
ety, Avere developed, scrutinized and frustrated. Believed
from the illusion which had long imposed on their senses,
the Barbadians now began to see and understand their true

Vide Univ. Hist. vol. 41, p. 176. + Keimer's press was established in 1731.

OF BARBADOES. 279
interests. Nor let it be thought that the cause was dispro- chap. ix.
portioned to the effect. There is no stronger principle in 173J-
human nature than the fear of shame. The freedom of the
press derives its utility from its influence over this powerful
spring of action ; and furnishes the only weapon which can
be safely and effectually employed against folly and cor
ruption acting AArith authority. The man in office who
fears not to offend against the laws of his country and his
God, when he can do so with the prospect of legal impunity,
is often restrained from the commission of injustice and
oppression by the dread of having his crimes revealed, and
of being held up to the scorn and execration of mankind
by means of an open press. Hence the arbitrary ruler,
the corrupt magistrate and the profligate legislator, of all
countries, have ever been inimical to the liberty of the
press, and anxious to deprive the subject of the privilege
of canvassing the measures of government, and scrutiniz
ing the conduct of those avIio are placed in authority over
us. Happily, by the principles of the British constitution,
the people are themselves the guardians of this inestimable
privilege ; and it is hoped that, in the hands of a jury of
Barbadians, it .will never be impaired, nor surrendered fo
the rude gripe of despotism.
The inhabitants of Barbadoes had not long enjoyed this
advantage, when an attempt was made to restrain the exer
cise of it. Mr. Adams, one of the council,, had published
some remarks on the sugar trade of the colonies, which

g80 THE HISTORY
chap. K. produced an answer, in Avhich the honourable author's lite-
173a. rary talents were treated with less ceremony and respect
than some of his friends thought due to his rank. At the
instigation of some persons, smarting under the censorial
rod, the grand jury presented Keimir for publishing a ma
licious, scandalous and seditious paper, and particularly
for printing a false and defamatory libel on Mr. Adams.
When the presentment Avas brought before the court, the
attorney-general declared that there Avas nothing in the
publication complained of which could possibly warrant
a criminal prosecution ; but the printer Avas nevertheless
bound to keep the peace for six months.
The system of peculation and extortion on which the
lawyers and deputy patentee officers had long subsisted,
had at length become so injurious and oppressive to the
bulk of the people, that it Avas found necessary to restrain
them within more moderate bounds. With this vieAv, a
committee of the assembly Avas appointed to prepare a bill
for regulating the fees of public offices and courts of jus
tice. But Warren, their clerk, Avho was himself a deputy
patentee, contrived to impede their progress, under a pre
tence that it was a matter of too much importance to be
hurried over lightly. At length the commendable diligence
of the committee surmounted all the obstacles throAvn in
their way. The bill passed both branches of the legisla
ture without a dissenting voice, and finally received the go
vernor's assent. But as the royal approbation was also

OF BARBADOES. 281
necessary, Warren, assisted by Mac Mahon, resolved on CHAP- jx.
trying another effort to prevent its success. Carefully con- 1733*
cealing their design, they prepared a petition, accompa
nied by several affidavits, to prove that the interests of the
patentees Avould be materially affected by the operation
of this laAv. Warren, after stating his long practice as a
lawyer, and perfect knoAvledge of the subject, deposed that
the prothonotary alone, in the event of the acts receiving
the royal sanction,- Avould lose from three to four hundred
pounds annually *. These depositions were concealed from
Lord HoAve till the evening before the packet sailed, when
they were presented to his lordship to be authenticated un
der the great seal of the island. It was then too late to
take steps to counteract the effect of this artful, uncandid
representation ; which, being supported by the patentees
on the other side of the Atlantic, succeeded to their utmost
expectation. This Avas the last legislative attempt to cor
rect these abuses.
An event now occurred, which, by removing that turbu- i"*.
lent incendiary Mac Mahon from the country, contributed
more, perhaps, than any other circumstance, toAvards pre
serving its tranquillity. Keeling, a deputy in the powder i
office, having furnished his employers son-in-law with
* The prothonotary's office was farmed at three hundred and fifty pounds a year.
Consequently, if Warren swore true, the patentee would have lost the whole emolu
ments of his office ; which was impossible, unless the payment of all fees had beerr -
forbidden.
O O

282 THE HISTORY
chap, ix, money, contrary to his positive orders, alleged, by way of
ll34/' excuse, that he had been persuaded to do so by Mac
Mahon. This was communicated to Mac Mahon, Avho
meeting Keeling afterwards at a tavern beat him violently,
and thrust him out of the house. Keeling, the same even
ing, wrote to him, desiring to be paid for some shingles
Avhich he, had sold him, and requested an interview for the
purpose of passing receipts. Mac Mahon readily con
strued this note into a challenge ; and SAVore most vehe
mently that he would go and beat the rascal. Accordingly,
accompanied by Perry, Lawrance and Morris, Avho lent
him a sword, he proceeded to Keeling's lodgings, whom
they found at the door preparing to go out, his horse being
in the street ready saddled. Perry, without hesitation,
secured the pistols which were in the holsters, and Keel
ing, finding that some violence Avas intended, dreAV his
sword, but made no attempt to use it until Mac Mahon
drew, when they both advanced and engaged. Keeling
» was soon disarmed, it was said by Morris, and retreating
calledi out he had lost his sword ; but finding himself hard
pressed by his, dishonourable adversary, he ran into a
neighbouring store, and endeavoured to conceal himself
under the stairs. The infuriate Mac Mahon, having, ob
tained a light, renewed the attack ; and Keeling, incapa
ble of resistance, cried out murder; and, in the most sup
plicating terms, begged for, mercy. Perry and Lawrance,
holding his weapons, were calm spectators of the bloody.

OF BARBADOES. 283
scene ; while Morris guarded the door to prevent the inter- chap. ix.
¦ference of the crowd Avhich had gathered in the street, till 173i-
Mac Mahon, having perpetrated his savage design, with-
drew. The hapless victim of his cruelty was then taken
up and placed in a chair, whence he immediately fell, ex
claiming, " the villain has murdered me as I lay on the
ground," and instantly expired. Miller, a surgeon's ap
prentice, who had been a witness of the whole transaction,
was clandestinely conveyed from the island ; but as, upon
enquiry, there still appeared to be sufficient evidence to
convict the inhuman monster, he thought proper to consult
his safety by a precipitate flight beyond sea. Perry, Mor
ris, and LaAvrance, were afterwards successively appre
hended, and tried for the murder as accessaries, but they
were all acquitted.
The time seemed now to have arrived when the Barba
dians were to enjoy the benefits of the long expected relief
promised them on the arrival of Lord Howe. Upon an
address to his Majesty from the House of Peers, the com
plaints of the colonies were referred to the consideration
of the lords commissioners for trade and plantations;
and their lordships, in obedience to his Majesty's
order, made an ample report concerning the com
merce, strength, and fortifications of the West-Indian set
tlements; suggesting the steps which were proper to be
taken for the encouragement of the trade and the security
of the islands in general. o o 2

284 THE HISTORY s
In consequence of this representation, the importation of
foreign rum, sugar and molasses, into Ireland, was prohi
bited by act of parliament, and the same commodities, on
being imported into any of the American provinces, were
made subject to heavy duties. The exportation of sugar
from the English colonies directly to foreign parts was per
mitted in ships built and navigated according to law'; but
this indulgence Avas clogged Avith such difficulties and re
strictions, that the West Indians received no advantage from
it. These marks of favour on the part of Great Britain
were accompanied by a donative of cannon and ordnance
stores. And, on the representation of Mr. Dunbar, the
inspector-general, the original method of collecting the
duty on sugar ivas revived, with an ample alloAvance for
tare and tret. The people Avere impressed Avith the most
lively sentiments of gratitude for these favours ; and the
1735. grand jury transmitted to England a most dutiful and loyal
address to the King, replete Avith the warmest acknowledg
ments of his paternal goodness.
The joy to which these concessions gave rise was soon
damped by the death of Lord Howe : an event Avhich oc
casioned a general consternation, and a mourning as sin
cere as it was universal. His lordship had been attacked
by a fever, supposed to have been produced by excessive
fatigue in revieAving the different regiments of militia. Prom
the moment he was taken ill he entertained a presentiment
of the fatal termination of the disease ; and seemed per-
6

OF BARBADOES. 285
fectly resigned to his fate. When he was dying, he inquired chap, ix.,
if there were any gentlemen in the house, and, being an- 1735,
swered in the affirmatiAre, he desired one of his attendants
to go down and remember him to them most affectionately;
and to tell them that he heartily Avished them all well, as
he did the inhabitants in general; adding, " they might
have a governor more capable of serving them, and he sin
cerely hoped they would, but that none could endeavour
for it more zealously than he had done."* His lordship died
on the twenty-seventh day of March, leaving issue by his
amiable consort four daughters, who were with their dis-
consolate mother in Barbadoes, and three sons, then in
England, Avhose gallant exploits will be remembered with
admiration as long as bravery and patriotism continue to
be esteemed virtues among mankind. His lordship's re
mains were interred in General Codrington's A^ult, whence
they were afterwards removed to England -f.
All our colonial historians concur in representing Lord
Howe's administration as the happiest era in the history of
Barbadoes. Yet, in reviewing the transactions of this pe
riod, we are unable to discoA7er any particular acts of his
lordship's government which could justly entitle him to the
extraordinary celebrity Avhich he attained. We must there
fore ascribe the popularity, which he most deservedly ac-
— — — —  !  :  r-T-:  -I
.,.*.' J-;.. " -
* Caribbeanna, vol. 2. p. 62 and 110. f Ibid, vol, 2. p. 54.

286 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. quired, and the esteem attached to his memory, to the
1735- amiable domestic virtues which he practised ; to his un
bounded generosity ; his exalted charity, and the engaging
suavity of manners, by which he conciliated the esteem of
all Avho knew him. Though the profound policy and noble
institutions of statesmen, the brilliant actions and hazard
ous achievements, of conquerors, may dazzle us Avith their
splendour ; it is the milder virtues of humanity Avhich cheer
and delight us Avith their pure and steady ray. Affability,
courtesy and condescension, will gain the tough, impracti
cable heart, which disdains the pride and pomp of imagin*
ary greatness, and spurns the insolence of him Avhose
power and superiority are manifested only by arrogance,
injustice and oppression. It has been objected to this no
bleman's administration, that,<had he lived longer, he would
have ruined Barbadoes by the introduction of luxury. But
luxury can never be prejudicial to a community in Avhich
there exists an inequality of conditions. It is the only
remedy for the partial distribution of property, by diffus
ing among the industrious poor and middling classes, of peo
ple, the superfluous wealth of the opulent.
The council and assembly demonstrated their gratitude for
the blessings which they had enjoyed under the mild, equit
able and prudent administration of their beloved governor,
by a liberal donativeW twenty-five hundred pounds to his
hoble and accomplished relict. As a reciprocal mark of

OF BARBADOES. 287
respect, her ladyship presented them with a portrait of C^J^-
her deceased lord ; which Avas placed in the most conspi
cuous part of the town hall.
The much lamented death of lord Howe placed Mr. Do
tin a second time on the seat of government. No fixed sa-'
lary was allowed the president on his succeeding to the
chair; but to compensate for this omission, the assembly
voted him a present of seven hundred pounds; and, the
next year, settled on him the sum of six hundred pounds a
year, to support the dignity of his station.
Mr. Dotin's administration has been generally com
mended for its mildness and inoffensiveness; but there is
great reason to suspect that justice was not distributed with>
an even, steady hand. Tavo French prisoners having been
convicted of wilful murder, Avere respited by the president
and successfully recommended to the clemency of the
crown. This was but the prelude to a more disgraceful and
flagrant violation of the laws of society. The melancholy
event which* had deprived the country of the services of its
late faithful and inflexible chief magistrate, by opening a
prospect of impunity to offenders of a certain description,
Avas considered as a signal- for the return of Mac Mahon.
His arrival at Barbadoes was more like the triumphal en
try of a victorious general returning from extending the
dominion of his sovereign than the return of an unconvicted
felon,. aAvaiting the punishment due to his crimes. Instead
of being conveyed to prison by the constables of Bridge
1

288 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. ToAvn,;he was conducted from the wharf by a party of his
1735. friends, in the elegant chariot, of General Peers to tbe house
of the provost marshal. Here he remained under a nomi-.
nal confinement until he Avas bailed by four gentlemen of
the first rank and fortune in the country.
The whole of the subsequent proceedings was of a piece
with this illegal and indecorous beginning. On the eleventh
day of December he Avas brought to the bar of the court
of grand sessions and arraigned for the murder of Thomas
Keeling. One of the most material Avitnesses being dead,
his Avritten deposition taken in due form before a justice of
the peace, was produced by the attorney-general, who sup
ported the prosecution with great firmness and ability ; but
the prisoner's counsel objecting to the reading of this evi
dence, the court, contrary to every principle of justice, re
jected it. The prisoner rested his defence principally on
the testimony of Perry, who had been indicted for the same
offence and acquitted. His evidence tended to prove that
the deceased had received the fatal wound Avhile fighting
with Mac Mahon ; and not while he Avas under the stair
case. Perry's testimony, at best, was entitled to little cre
dibility; and though his assertion Avas contradicted by se
veral unexceptionable witnesses, particularly by four sur
geons who examined the Avounds, which were all on the
left side, and could not therefore have been received Avhile
Keeling Avas in a posture of defence, the jury, nevertheless,
returned a verdict of manslaughter. Mac Mahon imme-

OF BARBADOES. 289
diately claimed the benefit of clergy and petitioned the chap. ix.
president for a pardon; which was granted Avithout the 1735-
smallest hesitation, extending as well to the remission of
the punishment of branding as to the forfeiture of goods
and chattels. Every art had been practised to influence
the minds of the court and jury; and to prepare the public
for this misplaced act of clemency. The usual assize ser
mon and the chief justices' charge on opening the sessions
were both calculated to impress the audience with an idea
of the excellence of that celestial attribute, mercy.* But
mercy to such atrocious offenders is injustice to the com
munity. To Mr. Dotin's administration has been ascribed the
credit of correcting and establishing the fees of the public
offices -f; an act Avhich would have consecrated his me
mory. But it is a degree of merit to \vhich, unfortunately,
he Avas not entitled. The laws which were passed during
his presidency are in no respect more remarkable than for a
spirit of restraint, which, with a view of guarding against
the dangers of monopoly, tends to repress the freedom of
commerce. A permanent and arbitrary valuation was set
on every species of butcher's meat; the exportation of cattle
and other live stock, together with all kinds of grain and
provisions of native produce was prohibited ; and, lest the

f Caribbeanna, vol. ii. p. 103. t Univ. Hist, vol. xli. p. 177.

2g0 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. soil should be removed, an act was passed to prevent the
m5, exportation of clay.* In the same spirit another law was
enacted, under the specious pretext of preventing and
punishing forestalling and regrating. A maximum Avas
established for various articles of salted provisions, and
grain of every denomination; beyond which no person was
allowed to purchase those articles even from the original
importer, for the purpose of revendition or exportation.
The impolicy and injustice of the statutes against fore-
stallers and monopolizers are so palpable, that they are suf
fered by a kind of common consent to slumber in obscurity.
This is not enough, they should be repealed. The exporta
tion of articles of the first necessity, during a general scar
city in our own country, is a practice' which prudence and
humanity must condemn. And, although I am not in
the habit of placing much confidence in governors, it were

* " These laws/' said the ingenious Mr. Joshua Steele, '' are unwittingly levelled
against the two rural branches of agrlcurru're and pasturage. Could itliave been ex
pected that planters Avould have employed their labour and land otherways than under
the allurement of, a lucrative return in the sale of their produce ? And unless the
planter could have had the liberty of exporting his horses, or asses, his oxen and live
stocls, with his corn and^ther provisions, to whatever market would have afforded him
the best price, it would have happened; artd'k Hds happened, that he would desist from
raising any more horses, asses, cattle, corn, or other provisions than would barely serve
for his own plantation use; and, of some of them, he would, perhaps, raise none at all ;
but would convert his land and laboijr to the cultivation of canes, or of some other spe
cies, not under the frowns of those impolitic statutes." Thus a real scarcity of those
articles has'been produced by' the means which were1 expected to occasion plenty,
1

OF BARBADOES. 2.91
better, perhaps, to lodge a discretionary jpower in the c^^,^*
hands of the commander in chief, to interpose his authority
occasionally, than to cramp the genius of commerce by any
permanent legal restrictions. By leaving the exporter to
pursue the bent of his own inclinations, or the dictates of
his judgment, our imports will undoubtedly be increased,
and a scarcity more effectually guarded against than by
arbitrary prohibitions.* For though it may sometimes hap
pen that the neighbouring colonies may drain this country
of many articles required for internal consumption, upon a
general vieAv, Ave may safely conclude that the liberty of re
sorting to another market, Avhen our own ceases to have the
preference, will operate as a strong incentive to the enter
prising trader to import more abundantly than he Avould
otherwise have done. The advantage of this double species
of traffic is evident. The merchant will profit by enlarging his
concerns ; the planter too Avill benefit by the augmentation of
our imports, some of Avhich in passing through the market
Avill, in case of demand, circulate for the consumer's con
venience; the number of our shipping Avill be increased;
the demand for produce will be affected in a relative de
gree; and, finally the general Avelfare will be promoted by
* " It is generally true," said a great master of political knowledge, " that com
merce flourishes most when left to itself. Interest, the great guide of commerce, is not
a blind one. It is very able to find its own way ; and its necessities are its best laws."
Vide Burke's Speech on Economical Reform.
p p 2

292 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. the circulation of that wealth which will be thus drawn from
1735. foreign sources.
In a country circumscribed within such narrow limits,
and crowded with such an immense population as Barba
does, the soil is incapable of furnishing the means of sub
sistence for the numerous sons and daughters of industry
by Avhom it is inhabited. Under these circumstances, com
merce enlarges the sphere of human activity; extends, as it
were, the boundaries of nature, and overleaping the insular
barriers which separate us from the other parts of the
globe, furnishes employment and support to the industrious
and enterprising. Instead, therefore, of repressing the
beneficial spirit of commercial speculation, a wise and
prudent legislator should encourage those laudable exer
tions, Avhich, in the pursuit of private interest and per
sonal aggrandizement, open neAV sources of national pro
sperity. Mr. Dotin had the good fortune to preside as commander
in chief longer than any other president before or since his
his time. For this advantage he Avas principally indebted
1739. to accident. A Mr. Walter Chetwynd had been appointed
to succeed Lord Howe; but his death, Avhich happened soon
aftenvards, left the executive poAver in the hands of Mr.
Dotin until the fifteenth day of December, Avhen the Ho
nourable Robert Byng, elder brother to the unfortunate ad
miral of that name, arrived in Barbadoes ; and, by virtue
of his Majesty's commission, assumed the government*

OF BARBADOES. 293
On the arrival of Governor Byng, faction again reared c^^5*
her head. General Peers, having been disappointed in his 1739-
hope of succeeding to the chief magistracy, could not
help regarding his more successful competitor Avith an
envious eye. The house of assembly, as has been already
hinted, Avere entirely under the influence of their turbu
lent and ambitious speaker; Avho had accordingly no diffi
culty, in persuading the members of that body to limit the
settlement of his excellency to only one half the sum allowed
his predecessor. Mr. Byng could not conceal his chagrin i7*fa
at a salary so inadequate to his expectations, and to the
dignity of his station. He remarked to the assembly, that
the country was now in a more prosperous situation than at
the time of Lord HoAve's arrival ; that he was conscious of
bringing with him as good intentions as any former governor
had ever done ; and, if he Avas treated Avith less considera
tion than his immediate predecessor, he should think it Avas
an ignominious distinction, which he could not cheerfully
endure. The assembly, hoAvever, Avere inflexible ; they
could not be prevailed upon to depart from their first
determination, though they at last consented to vote his
excellency a present of twenty-five hundred pounds, to
repair the loss of his furniture and equipage, Avhich had
been captured by the Spaniards.
NotAvithstanding the just cause of dissatisfaction and
complaint, Avhich the parsimony of the assembly had given
Mr. Byng, he applied himself Avith diligence and fidelity
6

294 THE HISTORY
<^^J* to the performance of his duty as a watchful, conscientious
guardian of the public weal. Nor did he suffer his private
resentment to influence his public conduct, except in a
single instance relating to Mr. Peers. This gentleman, be-?
sides being speaker of the assembly, held a high military
rank in the country ; he Avas lieutenant-general of the mili
tia, colonel of the royal regiment of foot, master-general of
the ordnance, president of the council of Avar, and a justice
of the peace*. From his known influence over the assem-
, bly, Peers Avas justly considered the leader of the opposition
against the governor ; his excellency, therefore, marked
him out as the proper object of vengeance, and dismissed
him from all his military employments.
July 8. This harsh exercise of prerogative, gave great offence to
the friends of Mr. Peers. The assembly, warmly espousing
their speaker's quarrel, entered into tAvo resolutions at their
next meeting : First, that the displacing of any able, ex
perienced, military officer, Avithout sufficient reason, di
rectly tends to render the militia unserviceable, and to

* The enumeration of the different offices and employments, enjoyed by Mr. Peers.
•calls to our recollection the remark of the celebrated Earl of Guildford, on John Hely
Hutchinson, who, being at one and the same time, a privy counsellor, reversionary
secretary of state, major of the 4th regiment of horse, provost of Trinity College, Dub
lin, and searcher, packer, and guager, of the Port of Strangford, his lordship said, " If
England and Ireland were given to this man, he would solicit the Isle of Man for a
potatoe garden."

OF BARBADOES. 2g5
cause the resignation of other officers. Secondly, that the CHAP. ix.
Honourable Henry Peers had faithfully and diligently dis- 17*o-
charged his military offices, for which he deserved thanks,
as well of the house as of every inhabitant of the island.
The house also agreed to an address to his excellency,
in which they reproached him Avith interrupting the har-
mon}r which Avas subsisting at the time of his arrival ; and
complained that their liberality tOAvards him, manifested
by a voluntary settlement for his support, followed by a
large gratuity, had failed in his mind to produce those
sentiments of gratitude, which would have rendered his
government agreeable. After several insinuations respect
ing his excellency's unfriendly disposition towards the peo
ple, contrasting his conduct with that of their late good and
candid governor, they concluded with these words, " When
the officers of the militia are persons who deserve the love
and esteem of their country, the defects in the establish
ment of that useful body of men, are seldom attended with
any great inconveniences. But the late use your excel
lency has made of your authority, shews how highly im
prudent it would be in us to trust a greater poAver in your
hands. You have thought fit to displace the ablest and
most experienced officer of which Ave can boast ; to dismiss
him at so critical a juncture, is a circumstance that little
manifests your concern for our Avelfare. The condition to
which you have reduced the royal regiment by this step,
cannot be retrieved under a considerable term ; nor will

ggfi THE HISTORY
chap. ix. pr0per officers easily be obtained, if an implicit concur-
1740. pence, in all your measures, should become the only tenure
of their commissions."
This address was presented by Mr. Waterman and Mr.
Gibbes : and though his excellency had every reason to
suspect that the contents Avere not of the most pleasing
kind, he received it with great complacency, put it into his
pocket unopened, and, Avithout making any reply, treated
the two gentlemen Avith the utmost politeness and conde
scension. And Mr. Gibbes, \vho Avas one of the governor's
warmest political opponents, Avas the very next day ap
pointed chief judge of a court of common pleas. This was
a noble instance of generosity and moderation. Were it
admitted that his excellency's treatment of Mr. Peers was
arbitrary and unjustifiable, it should be remembered, that
no rank nor station has ever been found to exempt men from
the passions and infirmities common to human nature. We
may lament, that the political opinions of persons in high
responsible situations, or the imperious calls of public duty,
should render them obnoxious to the displeasure of the su
preme authority, yet it should never be forgotten, that
governors and the rulers of nations are not less susceptible
of anger and resentment than those whom they govern.
How unreasonable is it then to expect that forbearance in
them, which we find ourselves unable to practise in the
most ordinary concerns of life ?
Mr. Peers survived his fall from power but a short time.

OF BARBADOES. 297
He died on the fourth day of September, not quite two c™^*-
months after his dismissal. This gentleman's character has mo-
been transmitted to posterity in very opposite colours, by
different writers. By one it is said, that his ambition had
plunged him early into factious designs, in the pursuit of
which he acquired a peculiar dexterity in the management
of a part}r. His passions Avere violent and ungovernable,
in friendship Avarm, in resentment implacable ; he Avas the
enemy of every man Avho opposed his measures*. On the
other hand, he is represented as a man of integrity, lenient
in his disposition, perfectly disinterested in his views, inde
fatigable in his endeavours to serve his friends, and dis
daining to exert his poAver to the injury of those from whom
he differed in politics -f-. We presume not to reconcile
opinions so contradictory.
The death of a man, whose turbulent disposition, and
ambitious, intriguing spirit, had frequently disturbed the
repose of the country, contributed in no small degree to the
restoration of peace and harmony. And the Barbadians
Avere just beginning to enjoy the benefits of Mr. Byng's pru
dence and zeal for the public service, AA'hen he was unfor
tunately seized by a malignant feAer, which, in a few days,
put a period to his existence. Mr. Byng's short administra- October 8.
tion was characterised by his firmness as a man, and his

*

Short Hist, of Barb. p. 69. t Mem. of Barb. Appen. p. *..¦
Q q

29B THE HISTORY
chap. ix. integrity and activity as a magistrate ; by an umvearied
174°* application to the duties of his office, a strict attention to
the organization of the militia, and the repair of the for
tifications. And, to their honour be it added, the assem
bly, notwithstanding their disputes Avith the governor, cheer
fully and liberally contributed to his patriotic designs,
wisely considering that no party contention ought to divert
them from providing the means of defending their country
against the common enemy.
On the demise of Mr. Byng, the executive authority
once more devolved on the Honourable James Dotin.
Two days after this event, the assembly met ; and, con
sidering the mischiefs and inconveniences which had re
sulted from their liberality to their governors, unanimously
resohTed, on the motion of Judge Bruce, to make no settle
ment whatever upon any succeeding commander in chief.
This was certainly a most extraordinary determination, evi
dently calculated to produce effects the most opposite to
those which were expected from it. Nothing could be
more preposterous than to suppose that any gentleman would
forego the pleasures and enjoyments of his native country,
and encounter the inconveniences and perils of a voyage
across the Atlantic, to become the governor of a West
Indian province, in a climate unfavourable to European
constitutions, without a prospect of deriving some more
solid advantages from the appointment than the honour of
the station, or the trifling salary allowed by the croAvn.
1

OF BARBADOES. 299
Effectually to obviate all possibility of future altercation chap. ix.
between themselves and their governor, on this point, the m0-
assembly would have acted with much more prudence and
foresight, had they at once established a permanent revenue,
sufficient, Avithout any ulterior augmentation, to support
the dignity of the chief magistracy. Had this been done,
every candidate for the government would know before he
left England, the full extent of his reward. No disappoint
ment could blast his hopes, nor sour his temper; and a fruit
ful source of strife and discontent, equally disgraceful and
injurious, Avould have been removed. Instead of resolving
to allow no salary to the representative of the crown, a just
regard to the honour and interest of their constituents should
have induced the assembly to proportion the settlement to
the full extent of the public ability. A liberal provision
Would reflect lustre on the character of the government, and
render it worthy the acceptance of gentlemen, Avhose valua
ble qualities and respectable connexions might enable them
to be useful ; while, on the other hand, a mean, scanty
alloAvance can be acceptable only to needy adventurers
without talents or principle.
It is a favourite maxim Avith some colonial politicians,
that the governor's reward should be proportioned to his
merit. But this, however specious, is improper and im
practicable. The settlement on the governor must, in con
formity to the royal instructions, be made at the first meet
ing of the assembly after his arrival, when a disappomtment
q q 2

300 THE HISTORY
chap. ix. often occasions disagreeable dissensions. Nor, can it be
37 !0- said that any subsequent encrease of salary has ever been,
productiA'e of benefit to the country. On the contrary, it
has sometimes happened, that the measures of the court
have assumed a very different aspect as soon as his excel
lency found that he had nothing farther to expect from the
generosity of the people. Besides, this doctrine betrays too
much of that democratic spirit, Avhich has been long labour
ing to transfer to the popular branch of the government th&
sole legislative and executive authority of the state. It be
trays a wish to acquire and exercise an undue influence over
the executive poAver : a Avish in Avhich no true patriot should
ever concur. The perfection of our constitution consists in
the exact equilibrium of the three branches of the legislature
and the harmonious union of all its parts. Whenever this
balance is destroyed, Avhether it be by the preponderance
of the monarchic, aristocratic, or democratic part of the
constitution, there is equally an end of civil or political
liberty.
1741, The next year the assembly confirmed their resolution
concerning the governor's salary ; and, on the motion of
Mr. Tobias Frere, unanimously entered into several other
resolutions, for supporting the privileges of the people, with
out infringing, as they professed, the prerogative of the
crown ; and for regulating the proceedings of the assembly,
according to the usage of the house of commons. They
insisted that the representatives of the people possessed the

OP BARBADOES. S01
sole, inherent, right of imposing taxes, and appropriating chap. ix.
the public money to the uses for Avhich it Avas raised ; and 1?41-
resolved to exclude the council from all but a negative par
ticipation in the business of raising supplies. Had they
stopped here, all would have been well. But in their ex
cessive zeal for the maintenance of their OAvn privileges,
they resolved, in direct opposition to the royal instructions,
to provide for the payment of no account Avhich had not
been previously examined, and approved by the house.
Thus they industriously soAved the seeds of discord, between
themselves and the other branches of the legislature ; and
revived a cause of litigation, which had been already
peremptorily decided against them.

302 THE HISTORY

CHAP. X.
ADMINISTRATION OF SIR THOMAS ROBINSON  DISPUTES BE
TWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE ASSEMBLY  COMMODORE
KNOWLES — AN INQUIRY INTO THE STATE OF CHARLES FORT
— SIR THOMAS IS SUPERSEDED BY MR. GRENVILLE — THE
-GOVERNMENT DEVOLVES ON MR. WEEKES — SUCCEEDED BY
DOCTOR PINFOLD — 'LOYAL AltfD SPIRITED CONDUCT OF THE
BARBADIANS — MR. ADAMS EXPELLED THE ASSEMBLY— tHM
^GOVERNOR'S RESIGNATION.
1 HE progress of the work now brings us to the adminis
tration of Sir Thomas Robinson, a period which is repre
sented to have been of some importance in our colonial his
tory. Yet, from the scantiness of the few annals Avhich I
have been able to collect, I am apprehensive that my rela
tion of it must be extremely defective. Every deficiency
of this sort might have been supplied, could I have obtained
access to the journals of the assembly; but this advantage,
as I have elseAvhere observed, was refused, with more
sthan Spanish jealousy.
Sir Thomas Robinson arrived on the eighth day of Au
gust, and, after going through the usual forms and cere-

OF BARBADOES. 303
monies of attending divine service, and taking the state chap. x.
oaths, received the reins of government from the president. m2"
The assembly at first seemed firm in their resolution of
giving the governor no salary ; their constancy, however,
soon yielded to the impulse of justice and generosity ; and
after some opposition, the house agreed to settle on his
excellency, the sum of six and twenty hundred pounds a Sept. 2s.
year, during his possession of the government. A few
months afterwards, an addition of four hundred pounds
per annum was made to the salary, by a majority of two
voices only.
Though one cause of contention was thus removed, at
some expense of consistency, others were perpetually
springing up. It is probable, that Sir Thomas Robinson,
in many instances, acted without a due regard to the con
stitutional privileges of the people, and failed in treating
the popular branch of the legislature with that respectful
attention to which it was entitled. Either for his personal
convenience, or to gratify his taste in architecture, he pre-
cipitately pulled down one of the best and largest apart
ments at Pilgrim, and made several expensive alterations
and repairs without consulting the assembly. They very
properly objected to this mode of proceeding, and refused
to provide for the payment of a debt which had been so ir
regularly incurred, without their consent ; but, on his ex
cellency's making a suitable apology, the affair was com
promised.

304 THE HISTORY
GHAP.X. The ill humour of the assembly had scarcely subsided,
J744. before his excellency A^ery incautiously furnished them Avith
a fresh subject of discontent. There happened to be, at
that time, no convenient armory in the island. The utility
of such a building Avas unquestionable ; the governor,
therefore, determined, of his own authority, to erect one,
Avith a small magazine adjoining, in which a sufficient num
ber of small arms, and a due proportion of ammunition,
might be carefully deposited for the use of the militia, in
case of their being called into actual service. When the
work Avas completed, his excellency laid the accounts, ac
companied by the proper vouchers, before the assembly,
requiring them to raise the necessary supplies to enable bim
to liquidate the debt which he had contracted. The. as
sembly acknoAvledged the utility of . the undertaking; but
peremptorily refused to comply with his excellency's de
mand ; alleging, that he had acted unconstitutionally, and
in open violation of the rights of the people. As the dele
gated guardians of the public purse, they insisted that they
ought to have been consulted on an undertaking, the ex
pense of Avhich Avas to be paid by their constituents ; that,
as his excellency had presumed to erect the armory Avith
out deigning to advise Avith the representatives of the
people, they could not vote for his reimbursement without
committing a breach of the sacred trust reposed in them,
and establishing a precedent not less dangerous to the in-,
4

OF BARBADOES.
terests and privileges of the people than injurious to the ho
nour and independence of their own body*.
This reasoning was invincible. But as legislative assem
blies are not bound, like courts of justice, to strict observ
ance of former decisions, there would have been less im
morality in establishing a precedent, which, at the worst,
could only have been quoted on any similar occasion, than
in violating the laws of justice, which being immutable
and eternal, ought never to be transgressed on any plea of
policy or expediency.
A clandestine attempt was made by the commissioners of 174j
the fortifications to secure a part of the money for his ex
cellency; they certified, that the lumber and materials used
about the armoury had been applied to the use of the for
tifications ; and an order was regularly passed at the
council-board for the amount. The treasurer, from a
previous knowledge of the circumstances, doubted the le
gality of both the certificate and the order ; and consulted
the attorney-general ; who thought, that though the commis
sioners had exceded the bounds of their authority, as the
order had passed the council-board in the usual manner,
the treasurer was bound to pay it. But the assembly not
concurring in this opinion, withheld the supplies, and Sir
Thomas was left to sustain the undiminished expense of the
»- ¦ -¦  - — - ¦ ¦ ¦ 
* Short Hist, of fiarb. p. 74. Remarks on the Short Hist. p. 22, First Sett, of
<Bart>. p. 32.

506 THE HISTORY
chap. x. building, amounting nearly to two-and-forty hundred
1745. pounds. In the course of the disputes, to which this trans
action gave rise, Colonel Gibbons (afterwards Sir William)
who had been recently elevated to the speaker's chair, and
had been appointed to the command of Speight's division by
Sir Thomas himself, thought proper to resign his commis
sion, either to render himself independent of the governor's
favour, or to anticipate his dismissal.
Notwithstanding these domestic feuds, and the animo
sity which prevailed against the governor, it is a circum
stance much to the honour of the assembly, that the public
safety was neither neglected nor sacrificed to an idle oppo
sition to the measures of government. Two sloops were
fitted out to guard the coasts against the depredations of
privateers ; and the sum of seven hundred pounds sterling
was voted for the purchase of paterraroes for the use of the
forts ; a good intention, miserably perverted. At the same
time, a suspicion being entertained that there were some
persons in the country base enough to hold a traiterous cor
respondence with the French at Martinico, an act was pas
sed, empowering the governor to cause any person whom he
should have reason to suspect of disaffection, or of corres
ponding with the enemy, to be apprehended, by Avarrant
from any justice of the peace, and committed to the com
mon gaol, till he should be released by an order of council.
This was, in fact, an absolute suspension of the habeas cor
pus act. A formidable power was thus lodged in his excel-
1

OF BARBADOES. 307
lency's hands, which an arbitrary and vindictive ruler might chap. x.
have employed in oppressing his Majesty's subjects ; espe- 1745.
cially such, as by thAvarting his measures, might have pro
voked his resentment. But Sir Thomas exercised this
alarming authority Avith becoming moderation. Three men
of low rank only were arrested ; and they Avere discharged
in a few days, on giving security, not to engage in any
treasonable correspondence during the continuance of the
act, which was limited to three months.
A circumstance happened at this time, which, though it
may be deemed beneath the dignity of history to record,
ought not to be omitted in a narrative of domestic occur
rences. Mr. Bedford, a merchant of Bridge-town, having
a sloop arrived from Essequebo, laden Avith timber, sold
the cargo to Commodore Knowles, Avho hired the vessel
to carry it to Antigua, after she had been duly, entered at
the proper offices. Bedford was sensible that the sloop
ought to be entered outwards, before she could be allowed
to proceed on her voyage, and accordingly mentioned the
matter to the commodore, who most unaccountably forbad
it ; giving him a certificate of her having been hired into the
King's service, adding, that he would hoist a pendant, and
protect the sloop and the owner from all damages. At
length, Captain Pare, the chief gunner at Needham's, be
ing informed that the sloop was to sail without clearing at
the offices,- as the laAv directs, consulted Colonel Charnock,
who advised him not to let her go without the usual order
r r 2

SOS THE HISTORY
from the governor. In the mean time the sloop, accom
panied by Commodore Knowles's flag-ship, Avas got under
weigh ; and Captain Pare, finding she was out of shot of
Needham's, hastened to James Port, and ordered tAvo guns
to be successively fired at her. The Woolwich, Avhich was
then in a very different direction from the sloop, imme
diately fired a shot over the fort, which penetrated a store
house in the town. Pare, not to be intimidated from his
duty, fired a third shot at the sloop; but finding she had
^ot beyond the range of his cannon, the firing was discon
tinued. Commodore Khowles was violently exasperated,
and wrote a passionate letter, directed to the governor in
council, complaining of the unparalleled insult, as he
termed it, on his Majesty's flag; asserting, contrary to the fact,
that two of the shot were very near striking the Woolwich,
and declaring, that had the ship been struck, he would cer
tainly have beaten doAvn the fort ; and concluded with in
sisting, that the person, by whose orders the guns were
fired, should be exemplarily punished.
The matter, by order of the governor and council, was
referred to the consideration of the attorney-general, Blen
man; who, after an elaborate review of the whole affair,
reported, that notwithstanding the cargo had been pur
chased by Commodore Knowles, the vessel ought to have
cleared as the law directs, and that the captain-gunner had
done extremely right in endeavouring to stop her. But
he thought that Pare ought to have informed tbe commo-

OF BARBADOES. 309
dore of the necessity of the vessel's clearing out before he chap. x.
could allow her to pass the fort ; and that then, though he 174,5-
might have fired a single shot, to signify that the vessel had
not complied Avith the laAv, it would have been prudent to
have gone no farther. But as to punishing the officers of
the fort, Mr. Blenman averred there Avas no foundation for
such a proceeding by any legal course, whatever might be
the measure of naval discipline. In remarking on the
threat of beating down the fort, the spirited CroAvn law
yer congratulated the commodore on the shot from the
Woohvich having produced no worse consequences, " since,
if it had, he might possibly have found, on his return to
Barbadoes, that we are neither without good laws for our
protection, nor a suitable spirit to put them in execution."
Upon the meeting of the general assembly, Mr. Fair- May 16.
child, after some prefatory remarks on the defenceless state
of Charles-fort, and the allusion to some disorders Avhich
had recently happened in that garrison, moved, that a
committee be appointed to inquire into the condition of
Charles-fort at the time of the three preceding alarms, the
causes of the deficiency of stores, and of the disorders re
ported to have happened there ; and that the committee be
empowered to send for papers and records, and to examine
Avitnesses. The motion being agreed to, a committee was
appointed to prosecute the proposed inquiry.
The proceeding gave great offence to his excellency, by
whom it Avas considered as an infringement on. the- rights of

310 THE HISTORY
the executive power. He called the committee before him,
and endeavoured torintimidate them from pursuing their de
sign. But finding his menaces ineffectual, he consulted
the attorney-general, and demanded a categorical ansAver to
the following queries — 1. Whether, by the laAvs and consti
tution of Barbadoes, the assembly have a poAver of inquir
ing into any deficiency of stores, or into any disorders that
may happen in either of the forts, Avithout any previous
address or application to the governor ? 2. Whether the as
sembly have a right to send for persons, papers, and re
cords, and to examine witnesses upon oath, or to direct, a
justice of the peace to take depositions for their satisfac
tion ? Whether the assembly have power to compel Avitnes-
ses to appear before them, and to oblige persons to produce
papers and records ; and what methods of compulsion may
they use for these purposes ?
Mr. Blenman's report, in answer to these interrogatories,
was in substance as folloAvs : it is the indisputable preroga
tive of the commander in chief to inquire into all grieAr-
ances of a public nature, and to redress them by the removal
of those officers Avhose negligence or incapacity are the
causes of the abuses complained of. But, as various cir
cumstances may concur to prevent his excellency's coming
to the knowledge of many existing evils, it is .equally the
privilege of the assembly to inquire into, and represent
them to the governor, that they may be corrected, and the
offenders punished by his authority. Nor did the honour-

OF BARBADOES. SH
able gentleman conceive that the present inquiry had any chap. x.
tendency to encroach on the prerogative of the Crown. He 1745-
thought that a previous address to the governor, on the sub
ject, would have been a more regular and useful mode of
proceeding; but, as the assembly had preferred another,
which appeared to them more effectual, he knew of no
law which could restrain them in the exercise of their inhe
rent privilege ; nor could they be controlled otherwise than
by his excellency's undoubted poAver of dissolving the
house. But he earnestly recommended to his excellency
to take no step to retard the progress of an inquiry, of so
much importance to the community, and which Avas uni
versally expected at that perilous juncture. Having already
said, that the assembly had an unquestionable right to ex
amine into all public grievances, the learned counsellor
thought they must have power to send for persons and
papers, and to examine witnesses ; but not upon oath*.
And, although he would not presume to determine precisely
the power of the assembly, or their committee,, in cases of
this nature; yet, if they thought it essential to the public
interest or safety to ascertain the truth of any particular
fact, relating to any affair depending in their house, by de
position taken by a justice of the peace, he apprehended it

* Mr. Christian, in his notes upon Blacks. Cornm. vol. 1. p. 181, says, " the com
mittee (appointed to determine controverted elections) may send for witnesses and ex
amine them upon oath.: a power which, the house of commons does not possess-"

312 THE HISTORY
would be highly injurious to dispute their right to pursue
that method. As the third query concerned the conduct of
the assembly and their committee in their proceedings, Mr.
Blenman declined giving an explicit answer, as their privi
leges were no where expressly defined.
Meanwhile the committee, having finished their inqui
ries, niade their report to the house ; upon Avhich they pre
sented an address to his excellency, insisting upon the re
moval of the chief gunner of Charles-fort. The attorney-
general Avas again consulted ; and, in a report written with
manly sense, candour, prudence, and moderation, he ad*
vised a compliance with the Avishes of the assembly, as the
only means of restoring harmony to the public councils.
But the seeds of discord Avere too deeply sown, and too in
dustriously cultivated, not to produce the most deleterious
fruits. The governor, encouraged by the indiscreet inter
ference of the council, disregarded- the sober admonitions
of his sage monitor. There Avas, perhaps, a stronger influ
ence yet behind the curtain. Sir Thomas had married Mrs.
Salmon, a Avidow lady, Avhose daughter, by her former hus
band, was married to Captain Pare, chief gunner of
Charles-fort. The dissensions between his excellency and the assembly
were encreased by mutual opposition, until the resentment
of the house could no longer be restrained within the bounds
of moderation. They presented a petition to the throne,
containing several allegations against the governor, for an

OF BARBADOES. 313
abuse of the prerogative, and a violation of the privileges °3^3' '
of the commons of Barbadoes. His excellency Avas repre^ m6'
sented as having, in numberless instances, shewn him
self destitute of every talent for government; as haAT-
ing abused and disgraced the sacred trust reposed in
him ; and rendered himself contemptible in the eyes of
all his Majesty's subjects. In consequence of these com^
plaints, Sir Thomas Robinson, on a change of minis- 1747.
try, Avas recalled from his government, and the Ho
nourable Henry Grenville, brother-in-laAv to Lord Temple,
appointed to succeed hiim Sir Thomas, nevertheless, con
tinued to exercise the supreme authority, until the arrival
of his successor, to Avhom he resigned the administration,
and remained some time on the island as a private gen- AvTl1 J"*-
tleman. - « ,
The assembly now seemed sensible of the impropriety of
their former determination respecting the governor's salary ?
and felt no difficulty in departing from a resolution equally
impolitic and unjust. On their first session, after Mr. Gren-
ville's arrival, they settled on him the sum of three thou
sand pounds a year, with a resolution not to increase that al
lowance on any pretence whatsoever*. The mild and pa
cific administration of Mr. Grenville affords few occurren
ces worthy of attention, except the dispute in which he
* One of the first acts of Mr. Grenjvill^'s sfdministration, was to restore Sir William
Gibbons to 'his military rank and authority. ¦X'j
s s

314 , THE HISTORY
chap. x. W5.s involved with M. de Cayl&s, concerning the island of
17*7- Tobago. *£ hat island had always been considered as a dependency
. on the government of Barbadoes ; but by the peace of Aix~-
la-Chapelle it was stipulated to. be neutral, and to be in
common to such of the subjects of England and France as
might occasionally resort thither for refreshment. Within
two short months after signing the definitive treaty, the
French court privately ordered a settlement to be made on
the island, under the protection of de Caylus, governor of
Maftinico. The design was no sooner knoAvn in Barbadaesy *
* than Mr. Greftville dispatened a frigate to Tobago, Avith a
proclamation, requiring the French settlers to evacuate the
island within thirty days, under peril of military execu
tion. De Caylus immediately published an ordinance,
in which, after treating Mr. Grenville's- proclamation as a
forgery, he claimed the sovereignty* of the islahd for Ms me&t
Christian Majesty ; promising' protection and Support to
such French subjects as should settle there, and prohibit
ing all intercourse with the adjacent English,, Dutch and
Danish colonies. To shew that he was in earnest, the
French General stationed two stout frigates at Courland-
bay, and erected two strong batteries on shore. In the in
terim, the Boston frigate having touched at Tobago for
wood and water, Capt. Wheeler was not allowed to land,
tout was told, that if he should be seen there again he
would be expelled by force.

OF BARBADOES. 315
A detail of these particulars Avas transmitted by Mr. chap.x.
Grenville to England, where they excited a considerable 1747.
degree of popular indignation at the perfidy of the French,
and the supineness of the English ministry. Lord Albe*
marie, the British ambassador at Paris, was, at length, in
structed to remonstrate against such a palpable breach of
friendship and good faith. The French minister, in reply,
accused Mr,'* Grenville of pfecipitapcy and exaggeration ; *
he, however, unequivocally disavoAved tne proceedings of De
Caylus, and promised that care sho'uldbe taken to prevent
similar complaints in future. Orders Avere accordingly
issued by the court of Versailles for the immediate evacua
tion of Tobago and the other neutral islands. These orders
were sent to Mr. Grenville to be fonvarded to De Caylus,
who refused to obey them, saying that he had received no
instructions from the king, his piaster, on the subject. For
the sake of procrastination, he entered into a discussion with
Mr. Grenville on the rights of the two crowns, which Avas
interrupted by his death, and the point Avas ultimately de
cided by an appeal to the sword.*
MeanAvhile the government of Barbadoes was conducted
by Mr. Grenville with becoming dignity and firmness. The
world, Avhich seldom looks beyond the surface of things, is
ever caught by appearances, and governed by opinion*
 :  „   ^- ¦
«
* Univ. Hist, wh xii. p. 179. Ehtick's Hist of the late .wot (176S) :.rel. i. p. 22, ke.
S S 2

3i$ THE HISTORY
During the long contests between the people and the re
presentative of the croAvn, the chief magistracy had gradually
sunk into a state not far removed from contempt; but Mr.
Grenville soon. restored the dignity of government by the
splendour and magnificence with Avhich he supported his
rank; and yet more by his dignified deportment and pa
triotic conduct. His candour, integrity, and impartiality
removed all cause of party disputes, and silenced the cla
mours of faction. His stern political rectitude disdained
the base arts by which ignoble minds court an evanescent
popularity, and sought only to establish his fame on the
durable basis of a conscientious discharge of his duty.
With no other object in vieAV than the public good, he
aimed to acquire no undue influence over the legislative
councils by gratifying the selfish or ambitious desires of
men in power; but bestoAved such employments as were at
his disposal on the most deserving, regardless of personal
connexions, or the solicitations of private friendship. He
had thus the felicity, known to feAv in his exalted sphere, of
draAving talents from obscurity and reAvarding merit in a
stranger.
1753. Having administered the government for six years and
one month, Mr. Grenville indulged a wish most natural to
an ingenuous mind; he languished for his native home;
and, having obtained his royal master's permission, resigned
his authority, Avith the design of returning to England.
Previous to his departure, the house of assembly, as a testi-

May 14-."

OF BARBADOES. Sit
mony of their grateful sense of the blessings which the peo
ple had enjoyed under his auspicious administration, voted
a liberal donative to defray the expenses of his voyage.
But his excellency generously refused to increase the bur
thens of a people, Avhom he could no longer aid with his
counsels nor benefit by his exertions. Impressed Avith be
coming admiration of such an extraordinary instance of dis
interestedness, the assembly resolved to perpetuate the me
mory of his exalted merit, by erecting a marble statue, re
presenting his excellency at full length, in the most con
spicuous part of the toAvn hall.*
On Mr.. Grenville's departure,, the government devolved -
on the Honourable Ralph Weekes, president of the council,.
Though this gentleman retained the executive authority foe
more than three years, the colonial records furnish no me
morial of his talents for government, nor of his genius for
legislation, except -an act prohibiting the firing of squibs,
serpents,. and other fire-works, the usual demonstrations of
popular attachment to. church and state, on the anniver
sary of the papists' conspiracy.. This laAV is annually
trampled upon Avith impunity by. vulgar loyalty and tumul
tuous piety. Mr. Weekes was reAvarded Avith a salary of
tAvelve hundred, pounds a year. His uninteresting admi-

* Hall's first settlement of Barb. p. 33. This statue, together with Lord Howe's .
portrait, was destroyed by the great burrjcane in 17.80.. -;.*. . ', . ,rati

318 THE HISTORY
chap. x. nitration Avas at length terminated by the arrival of Charles
Ma75?o Pmf°ld, LL.D. who had been honoured with his Majesty's
commission as governor of Barbadoes. The revenue allotted
for the support of Mr. Pinfold was the same as that which
had been allowed to the tAvo last governors.
1758. Whenever Great Britain is engaged in actual hostilities
with any other maritime power, the effects of the contest
are quickly felt in the remotest parts of the habitable
globe. The Avar Avhich Avas now kindled in Europe soon
.extended itself to the West Indies, and presented the Bar
badians with an opportunity of proving their zeal and fide
lity, by the readiness with Avhich they contributed their
feeble aid to promote the enterprises of the British govern
ment in the Avestern hemisphere. Towards the end of this
year, the cabinet of Saint James's formed the design of re
ducing the power of France in the Caribbean sea. For this
purpose, a fleet of six sail of the line, with a body of five
thousand troops, Avere ordered from Saint Helens to join
1759. Commodore Moore in Carlisle Bay. The junction Avas
effected on the third day of the new year. The governor
immediately convoked the legislature, for the purpose of
affording such assistance as might be in their power to faci
litate the expedition. With a spirit and promptitude highly
creditable, they granted a number of negroes for the re
moval of artillery and other laborious services, and fur
nished the seamen and soldiers with every species of re*

OF BARBADOES. 31g
freshment and accommodation which were deemed neces- chap. x.
sary or acceptable.* 1759.
The British armament left Carlisle Bay on the thirteenth
day of January, and entered the harbour of Fort Royal*
at Martinico two days afterwards, when the troops were
disembarked at Point des Negroes. But in consequence of
some difference in opinion between general Hopson and
Commodore Moore, they were re-embarked within twenty-
four hours after their landing, at the very moment when the
principal inhabitants were employed in arranging a plan for
the surrender of the island. The British fleet then pro
ceeded to Basseterre at Guadaloupe, where, though they
experienced a vigorous resistance, they were ultimately »
successful. -f-
During the progress of the siege, the commodore, having
received intelligence of the arrival of M. de Bompart, with
nine sail of the line at Martinico, left the troops to protect
themselves, and retired to Dominica with his squadron,
consisting of ten line of battle ships. With this superior
force Moore ingloriously lay at anchor in Prince Rupert's

* Smollet's Cont. vol. v. p^ 5. Hall's laws, p. 525. The compiler of the Universal
Hist. vol. xli. p. 181, erroneously assert that Barbadoes, on this occasion, furnished a
large body of volunteers, raised and disciplined at the expense of the country. This
error has been implicitly adopted by Mr. FJfere in his Short History> though his means
of information ought to have shewn him that the Barbadian volunteers were not raised
till nearly three years afterwards.
f Entick's Hist, of the War (1765) vol. iv. p. 14.4, -

S20 THE HISTORY
chap. X. bay, aboA'e eleven Aveeks, in which time upwards of ninety
175& sail of English merchantmen were captured and carried into
Martinico. The inactivity of the commodore excited consi
derable murmurings in Barbadoes; where he was burnt in
effigy; his person treated Avith indignity, and his name held
in absolute detestation. This occasioned some ill-blood
betAveen the inhabitants and the .officers of the navy ; and
the character of the country was afterwards grossly calum
niated, in a pamphlet, published by Captain Gardner ; which
produced a spirited reply from the classical pen of Sir
John Gay Alleyne, Avho, for his judicious defence, was ho
noured with the public thanks of the generaly assembly.
The design of annihilating the power of France in the
American archipelago, Avas revived by Mr. Pitt, though the
execution of it Avas destined to bestoAV a splendour, little
deserved, on the ministry of his unpopular successor. Go
vernor Pinfold lost no time in communicating to the coun
cil and assembly of Barbadoes, the intentions of the' British
cabinet ; and called upon them to second his efforts to pro
mote the public service. Nor was the application made
in vain. A regiment of five hundred and eighty-eight men
was raised, for the use of government, under the command
of Sir John Yeamans, armed and accoutred at the expense
of the country; to which was added a body of five hundred
and eighty-three negro men to serve as pioneers. The ex
pense of raising and equipping this corps amounted to twenty-
four thousand pounds; no inconsiderable sum to be paid

J7S1.

OF BARBADOES. 321
by a smal) colony, Avhich had never been distinguished by
the kindness nor the partiality of its parent state.*
The naval force allotted for the reduction of Martinico,
under the command of Sir George Bridges Rodney, arrived
in Carlisle-bay in November; but it Avas< not till the day
before Christmas that general Monckton Avas able to collect
the Avhole of the troops placed under his direction. From
that moment, hoAvever, no unnecessary delay retarded the
sailing of the fleet, which reached Saint Anne's bay, at
Martinico, on the seventh day of January. General Monck- ns?.
ton soon found it necessary to occupy the almost inacces
sible heights of Morne Tortenson and Morne Gamier, whose
natural strength had been improved Avith great skill and
judgment. Proper arrangements having been made for the
attack of Morne Tortenson, the troops advanced by break
of day. The engagement commenced Avith the grenadiers, jan. 24.
led on by Major Grant ; Avhile another brigade, assisted by
a thousand seamen in flat-bottomed boats, fell upon their
redoubts along the shore. A third division, supported by
the light infantry, after attacking a plantation Avhich lay in
their Avay, marched round in the rear of the enemy. The

* The House of Commons on the 7th May 1765, voted the sum of ten thousand
pounds, " to enable his Majesty to make a proper compensation to tbe government of
-Barbadoes, for the assistance which it gave bis Majesty's- forces under Major Genera,
Monckton, in the expedition against Martinico," Annual Register, vol. 8. p. 240.
T t

82H THE HISTORY
C^^3' a^at?k was made with so much impetuosity, that by the
nG'z. nmth hour of the day the assailants were completely in
possession of the enemy's works on Morne Tortenson. As
their batteries on Morne Gamier were capable of greatly
annoying the British troops, General Monckton ordered
several batteries to be erected, for the purpose of covering
his operations against Fort Royal. On the other hand, the
enemy formed the resolution of attacking the British troops.
The attack was sustained \Vith great firmness; the assailants
Were &oon iepulsed ; and, such Avas the ardour of the English,
that they pursued the flying enemy across a deep ravine
into their own batteries, and established themselves on the
redoubts of their adversaries. Morne Gamier Avas thus, in
afeAV hours, transferred to the occupancy of the British.
The possession of these important posts enabled Monck
ton to direct his views against Fort Royal. Batteries Avere
immediately erected, and were nearly ready to begin the
work of destruction, when the inhabitants proposed to ca-
Feb. 4. pitulate. The terms were easily adjusted, and the garrison
was delivered up to the British troops. The conquest of
Martinico was yet incomplete. La Touche, the governor
general, had retired to Saint Pierre's, with a determination
of maintaining the rights of his. sovereign. But the ineffi-
cacy of any opposition in his poAver, to make to the prepa
rations which he saw going forward for the siege of that
.fortress, induced him to submit to the conquerors. The

4

OF BARBADOES. 323
terms of capitulation were liberal and characteristic of chap. X.
British generosity; and Martinico Avas finally surrendered l7&.
to General Monckton on the fourteenth day of February.
.Thd distinguished part borne by the Barbadians in the
campaign in the West Indies, reflected great lustre on their
character, and procured them the most ' flattering testimo
nials of their sovereign's approbation. On the meeting of July si.
the general assembly, the governor opened the session with
a gracious speech ; in which, after congratulating the coun
cil and assembly on the conquest of Martinico, his excel
lency Avas pleased to add to his own commendation of their
conduct, the most gratifying information of his Majesty's
sentiments of their meritorious exertions to aid his arms in
this distant part of the empire. " Upon receipt of his
Majesty's commands," said Mr. Pinfold, " zeal and unani
mity appeared in every branch of the legislature. With
the greatest dispatch, ample provision Avas made for the
assistance of the king's forces ; and the hands of government
were strengthened with great and extensiA^e poAvers. By
your influence and example, a vigorous spirit Avas diffused
and communicated among all ranks of men. Each in his
proper sphere, Avith a laudable contest, aimed to be the
most actiATe in promoting the public service. The concur
rence of these circumstances enabled me to raise the most
complete, best accoutred, and best trained corps that ever
Avas sent from the island, whose behaviour has exceeded the
most sanguine expectations, and merited the approbation
t t 2

324 TIIE HISTORY
chap.x. of their commander in chief. Happy am I to have it in
1762. particular command from his Majesty, to convey to you his
gracious sense of the cheerfulness and unanimity Avith which
you enabled me to execute his commands; and his firm re
liance, that his faithful and loyal subjects of Barbadoes
Avill not cease to manifest the same laudable spirit in any
future operations that may be undertaken, for annoying and
distressing his enemies in the West Indies!"
From the proud contemplation of the national successes
abroad, the attention of the general assembly Avas turned to
< less pleasing objects of consideration at home. John
Adams, member for Christ Church, had, with a body of
armed slaves, opposed the provost marshal in the execu
tion of his office. For this violent outrage he had been in
dicted at the court of grand sessions, fined and imprisoned.
Not satisfied with this punishment, the assembly expelled
Mr. Adams from their house; and, upon their application to
the governor, a new Avrit Avas issued for the election of
another member. Adams's friends thought that the mis
demeanor, for which be had been expelled, Avas cognizable
only in the courts of laAv, to Avhich he had submitted and
received sentence: a sentence Avhich, it Avas contended
could by no legitimate construction whatever be deemed
to affect his seat in the legislature ; the freeholders there
fore re-elected him without hesitation or opposition. The
assembly,, persuaded that the power of expulsion Avould
avail but little, if the obnoxious member could thus be

OF BARBADOES. S25
retorted upon them, expelled him a second time. This proce- CHAP- £•
dure Avas warmly resented by the electors of Christ Church. 1762-
They considered it as an arbitrary encroachment on the
liberty of the subject, completely subversive of the elec
tive franchise. It Avas insisted that the assembly did not
possess an inherent, original authority, but a delegated
power; for Avhich, whoever receives it, is accountable to
those who gave it; since it is obvious that those, Avho
bestow^authority by commission, ahvays retain more than
they grant.
Whatever Aveight this reasoning may be thought to pos
sess, the right of the assembly to expel any of its members,
guilty of flagrant offences, is clear and incontestible. Ac
cording to an eminent law authority, if any person is made
a peer by the king, or elected, to serve in the House of
Commons, by the people, yet may the respective houses
upon complaint of any crime, and proof thereof, adjudge
him disabled and incapable to sit as a member*. In sup
port of this doctrine, the learned commentator on the laAvs
of England, refers to many respectable authorities; and
the journals of parliament furnish many precedents to jus
tify the right of expulsion, claimed by both houses. No
doubt then can exist that the assembly of Barbadoes, whose
functions and privileges are in all respects analagous to

* Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. i. p. 163.

326 THE HISTORY
chap. x. those of the Commons of Great Britain, have the same pa*
1762- ramount jurisdiction over the conduct of its members.
Finding that the freeholders Avere determined to persist'
in asserting their right to re-elect Mr. Adams, the assembly"
suffered their resentment to hurry them too far, and they
passed a laAV, to disqualify him from being elected a mem
ber of the assembly, or from bearing any office, civil or
military, in the government of the island. Adams was
not of a temper to submit to such an ignominous disfran
chisement. He appealed to the justice and moderation of
his Sovereign; and, after a due investigation of the cir
cumstances, the act was repealed by his Majesty's order,
grounded on the opinion of Sir MattheAv Lamb, counsel
to the Board of Trade, by whom it Avas represented as ar
bitrary, and contrary to the spirit of the British constitu
tion, tending to establish a dangerous precedent, and to
deprive his Majesty of the services of a subject. * It is to

* It is-a little singular that, within eighteen months after this affair, the public
mind was agitated by a similar transaction in England. The circumstances of this
occurrence are briefly these. John Wilkes, on the 19th of January, 17C4, was ex
pelled the House of Commons for a seditious publication. At the next election he
was returned for the county of Middlesex, upon which it was again resolv-ed, that
John Wilkes, Esq., for having published several libels, be expelled this House ; and a
new writ being issued, Mr. Wilkes was re elected without opposition. On the 17th
of February, 1769, the House resolved, " that John Wilkes, Esq. having boen in this
session of parliament expclkd the House, was, and is, incapable of being elected to
serve in this present parliament ;" the election was therefore declared void, and a new
writ ordered. Mr. Lulirel now offered himself a candidate, in opposition to Mf.

OF BARBADOES. 327
be observed, that the right of expulsion was not affected CHAP- X.
by this declaration ; it Avas the act of disqualification to ll6i-
which the King objected.
The unexampled success of the British arms in every
quarter of the globe, was soon followed by a general paci
fication. The Barbadians saw with regret the most import
ant conquests in the West Indies restored to their national
enemy ; for, although some politicians pretended to disco- nes.
rer, in the acquisition of the French colonies, much future
injury to the commerce of Barbadoes, by depreciating the
value of its staple productions, men of more enlarged
vieAVS, justly considered the possession of Martinico and
Gaudaloupe in the highest degree essential to the safety of
the English settlements in their vicinity, and to the security
of their trade and navigation. Nor was this the only
source of uneasiness to the Barbadians.

Wilkes. On the election Wilkes, having a vast majority in his favour, was returned
by the sheriff as duly elected. The House of Commons, nevertheless, resolved that
Mr. Luttrel ought to have been returned, and ordered the return to be amended.
The freeholders of Middlesex presented a petition to the House, complaining of this
invasion of their rights ; but the House, on the 8th of May, again resolved that Mr.
Luttrel was duly elected. In this state the matter remained nearly 14> years, when,
upon the memorable change of ministry in 1783, it was resolved by the House of
Commons, that the resolution of the 17th February, 1769, and all other declara
tions, orders and resolutions, respecting the election of J. Wilkes, should be ex
punged, as being subversive of the rights of the whole body of electors. Thus was
it established that, although the Commons have a right to expel their members, ex
pulsion does not create a disqualification from re-e1eet*en; -

328 THE HISTORY
The expense incurred in the prosecution of the late waf
had been most severely felt by the people of England ; and
to remove in some measure the exclusive burthen from
their shoulders, it Avas thought to be but fair and equitable
that the North American colonies, for Avhose defence the
war had been originally undertaken, should contribute a
due proportion towards defining the expense incurred for
their protection. To this end, it Avas proposed by Mr.
Grenville, among other financial expedients, to impose on
them the payment of certain stamp duties. Parliament
readily concurred in the arbitrary and unconstitutional
scheme, and passed the celebrated stamp act. The effects
produced by this fatal measure, are too well known to re
quire repetition in this place. The universal discontent
which it excited on the continent of North America, soon
communicated itself to the neighbouring islands. Con
scious of their Aveakness, the West Indians only remonstrated
against the oppression, except the inhabitants of Nevis and
Saint Christopher's. In the latter, the populace proceeded
to as great lengths of tumultuous opposition, as the people
of NeAV England; and, having burned the stamped pa
per of their own island, went over in a body to assist
their neighbours of Nevis in the same patriotic work.*
The Barbadians, more moderate, Avisely refrained from
a fruitless opposition; and, having tried the mild and legal

• Annual Register, vol. 8. p. 56,

OF BARBADOES. 329
mode of remonstrating against a measure so evidently per- chap. x>
nicious and subversive of their chartered rights, calmly l766,
submitted to the injustice Avhich they couM not resist. It
Avas not long, however, before the ministry, to presence the
peace of the empire, were compelled to abandon their pro
ject ; but for the short time during which the stamp act
was enforced, the sum of twenty-five hundred pounds was
exacted from the people of Barbadoes, and remitted to
England.* Governor Pinfold having exercised the executive autho
rity for nine years and nine months, with a propriety
Avhich added lustre to his reputation, and afforded satisfac
tion to the community over which he presided, resigned his May iS'
government and returned to his native country.-f- Although
Mr. Pinfold has been invidiously represented as " a quiet,
easy governor, Avhose qualities Avere wholly negative," £
there seems to have been no just cause of complaint against
him ; for, though Ave cannot agree with the author referred
to beloAV, that a quiet, easy governor best suits a colony, it
does not appear that the qualities, here sneeringly imputed
to him, ever obstructed the performance of his public du-

* Short Hist. Barb, p. 79.
f Mr. Pinfold, died on the 4th of November, 1789, in the eightieth Jear of hi
age. Short History, p. 77.
U U

330 THE HISTORY
ties.* Some men may probably prefer a governor of that
character, because the indolence of his disposition may
afford them opportunities of accomplishing their oavh ambi
tious projects, and of oppressing the people. To the au
thority of such easy, quiet rulers may the inhabitants of
Barbadoes never be subject. Better is the tyranny of a
single person, hoAvever oppressive, than the despotism and
misrule of a corrupt and arbitrary oligarchy.
The abuses committed by the deputy provost marshal, in
the execution of his office, Avere so generally and loudly
complained of, that the legislature determined to take the
direction of the office into their own hands. To this end a
laAV was enacted, under the administration of Mr. Pinfold,
authorizing the colonial agent to farm the office from the
patentee for the public benefit. Great advantages were
reasonably expected from a measure by Avhich the legisla
ture obtained the exclusive right of nominating the deputy
* Nor was the governor deficient in spirit upon proper occasions. Sir William
Gibbons, a man of the most considerable influence in the country, having resigned
his seat in the assembly, of which he had been speaker many years, on account of
his advanced age and ill health, yet wished to retain his commission as colonel of
Speight's division. But his excellency thought that, if age and infirmities rendered
him incapable of attending the house of assembly, they disqualified him for the more
active duties of a military command ; he therefore, on the 28th of March, 176Q,
dismissed him from all his military employments. Sir William survived his loss of
power only fourteen days, and died suddenly during the firing of a salute on his suc
cessor's taking possession of the division. He Was succeeded by the Honourable
Henry Thornhill

OF BARBADOES. 351
provost marshal, Avhose continuance in office Avould neces- CV5^JC*
sarily depend upon the honest performance of his duty. But
within less than tAvo years after the passing of this laAV,
notwithstanding some pecuniary profit had been derived
from it, the assembly came to a resolution to relinquish
the contract. It Avas alleged that the agreement entered
into by the agent Avith the patentee Avas illegal, and could
not be carried into effect Avithout the violation of an act of
parliament; and that it Avould be highly improper for the
legislature to take an assignment of the contract, as it
could not be made without an act of the island, Avhich
would render the transaction too conspicuous to escape the
censure of the lords of trade, before Avhom it must appear
for confirmation. This reasoning Avas founded on the statute
of Great Britain, against buying and selling of offices ; but
this point had been already so clearly decided, as to remoAre
every doubt of the legality of the covenant. Blanchard,
the provost marshal of Jamaica, had granted a deputation
of his office to Galdy, of that place, Avho had given a bond
for the performance of the agreement, upon Avhich an ac
tion had been brought to enforce the payment. The de
fendant pleaded that, by the statute against buying and
selling of offices, both the bond and the articles of agree
ment were voidj and that Jamaica having become a part
of the territories of Great Britain Avas subject to the laAVS
of the realm. But it was ruled by the court, that neither
Jamaica, nor any other of the colonies, Avas bound by the
xj u 2

332 THE HISTORY
chap:x. ]aws of England, unless particularly mentioned, but that
1766. they were to be governed by their OAvn laws and customs ;
and' judgment Avas therefore given for the plaintiff.* This
case was in point ; but perhaps it was not Avithin the con
templation of the legislature, and they relinquished the ob
vious advantage of possessing a paramount control over the
offices. Among the laws enacted under Mr. Pinfold's administra
tion, there is one which ought not to be passed over in si
lence. This is. an act to regulate sales at (outcry, byi
which, to avoid all doubt or ambiguity on the subject, it
is expressly declared that slaves shall be included in the
legal construction of the words goods, chattels and effects,
and as such may be taken and sold in execution for debt.
This indeed had been the practice for more than a century.
In the time of president Walrond a law had been passed,
allowing the creditor to attach the slaves of his unfortu
nate. debtor, and to have them sold as mere chattels. This
law Avas calculated to serve the sinister purposes of itiner
ant adventurers ; who, after making a-fortune in the colony,
were anxious to return and enjoy it at home. They had
no permanent interest in the country, and were heedless of
the remote consequences of those laws which answered

* Vide Modern Reports, Blanchard v. Galdy. Vide etiam Godolphin v. Tudor.
Salk. 468, and Culliford v. De Cafdonell, Salk. 4-66. In what cases a deputation is
legal.

OF BARBADOES. 333
their present convenience, by facilitating the collection of chap.x.
debts. But now, in a more enlightened state of society, 176tf-
when the colony was firmly established, and its population
consisted of a race of free-born sons, fondly attached to
their native soil, and deeply interested in its prosperity, it
must be a subject of no small surprise, that the legislature
should recognize and confirm a principle so impolitic, in
human and unjust.
There is scarcely a law in existence, from Avhose opera
tion the island has suffered greater injury than this. By
the authority given to a rapacious creditor to seize the
slaves of his debtor, and to sell them to the highest
bidder, the population of the country has been lessened;
its agricultural improvements have been impeded ; many
respectable families have been reduced to indigence, and
many driven into exile. When the labourers are swept
away from the plantations, the lands cease to be valuable;
the buildiiTgs are left to moulder into ruins by a gradual
decay ; and the fields, Avhose fertility added to the national
Avealth, become a barren waste over-run with noxious weeds.
Of the slaves thus sold the rich only can become the pur
chasers, to the utter extinction of those small estates, which,
in reality, constitute the real wealth and opulence of the
country. It is a gross, though a popular error, to suppose
that this transfer of property is attended Avith no detriment
to the state, because the negroes, Avho are removed from

334 THE HISTORY
chap. x. .one plantation are employed on another. The argument
1766. might assume a plausible tone, if the real and personal
estate went together; the aggregate Avealth of the country
might then be the same ; though it is obvious that the ge
neral prosperity Avould be diminished by limiting the diffu
sion of the means of subsistence. Wealth might accumu
late in the hands of the rich, but the inferior orders of so
ciety, deprived of the means of cultivating their little
farms, would be driven from the island to seek security
under the shelter of a Aviser policy.
It will probably be objected, that these eArils do not noAv
exist in their full extent ; that there are few attachments
made under this law ; and that, in the present prosperous
condition of the country, no man is Avithout a home, or
negroes to cultivate his land. But Ave should not suffer our
judgment to be blinded by prosperity. It is now only
thirty years since Ave Avitnessed the melancholy verification
of the arguments against this law. In the vicissitudes of
human affairs, similar misfortunes may be approaching to
overwhelm us. During the American war, when, added to
the evils incident to a state of hostility, the hopes of the
industrious planter were frequently frustrated by a series of
natural calamities, the fairest ^portions of the island Avere
desolated and sacrificed to an umvise and iniquitous policy.
Afflicted by continued drought, and visited by tribes
of vermin, more destructive than the locusts and caterpil-

OF BARBADOES. 3S5
lars of old, Barbadoes was then reduced to a state of com- CH1^X-
parative poverty ; her soil and her negroes had sunk fifty
per cent, below their original value. A total failure of
crops, instead of exciting commiseration, sharpened the
avidity of the rapacious; and the wretched slaves of the
unfortunate debtor Avere dragged in crowds to the market,
and thence transported to cultivate and enrich by their la
bour those colonies Avhich, at the conclusion of the Avar,
passed into the hands of our enemies. At that season of
calamity, the pernicious tendency of the law was made visible
as the sun at noon day. The slaves were sold for less than
half their value ; the soil remained uncultivated ; the ori
ginal proprietors were ruined, and the junior creditors Avere
defrauded of their just due, by the accumulation of ex
pense, and the rapacity of the provost marshal. The evil
of that day is happily passed. How soon Ave may be re
duced to the same deplorable condition, is known only
to that omnipotent Being, by whose providence all things
are ordered. It may be prudent to guard against the ad
verse change ; and, in this our better hour, repeal a laAV,
Avhich experience has sheAvn to be so pernicious.
The most enlightened writers on the subject of West In
dian concerns,"* have uniformly condemned this impolitic
* Vide Long's Hist, of Jamaica, vol. i. p. 3Q'2. Edwards's West Indie?, vol. ii,
y. 152. Raynal's History of tbe East and West Indies, \ol. vi. p. 228; and an exceK

336 THE HISTORY
chap.x. and inhuman law. In the Avhole system of colonial,
, 1766. slavery, so universally, and often unjustly, censured m
Europe, there is none more injurious and oppressive to
the negroes than the legal usage of levying upon them, and
selling them at auction. It is by far the highest degree of
cruelty annexed to their condition. One of the strongest
principles of human nature is, that local attachment, which
man feels for the place of his nativity. The untutored
African shares this universal sentiment in common with the
.civilized European ; and the sable Creole is no less tenderly
attached to the spot on which the careless days of infancy
were spent ; to the humble tenement which he has culti
vated ; to the friendly tree, under Avhose verdant shade he
has passed the noon-tide-hour; to the peaceful cot, beneath
¦whose loAvly roof he has participated Avith his wife and his
children the few domestic comforts which have fallen to his
lot. By a barbarous, erroneous policy, the Avretched slave
is dragged from this scene of all his enjoyments; torn from
the halloAved spot Avhich contains the remains of the mo
ther whom he revered, the Avife that he loved, or the child
who Avas dear to his heart; dispossessed of the little property
which bestoAved on him an ideal importance in the eyes of
his felloAV-labourers ; and sold into a neAV bondage, into a

lent Memoir, written by the late Hon. Joshua Steele, and presented to the Society of
Arts in Barbadoes, 1783.

OF BARBADOES. S37
distant part of the country, under the dominion of an un- chap. x.
knoAvn master. Separated from the only consolations 1^66'
which can beguile the rigour of servitude, these Avretched
victims of avarice and folly often sink into a premature
grave.

x x

338 THE HISTORY

CPIAP. XL
THE HONOURABLE S. ROUS, PRESIDENT  THE ASSEMBLY'S CLAIM
OF PRIVILEGES  DOCTOR W. SPRY APPOINTED GOVERNOR 
THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY VACATES HIS SEAT  THE FREE
HOLDERS of saint Andrew's refuse to elect a represen
tative — DEATH OF MR. SPRY— MR. ROUs's REASCENSION TO
THE CHAIR,
chap. XI. X HE chief magistracy, on the departure of Mr. Pinfold,
¦•l766,;* devolved on the Honourable Samuel Rous, senior member
May 26. of council. The first care of the legislature Avas to make a
suitable provision, to support the dignity of government ;
they accordingly settled on the president the yearly sum of
fifteen hundred pounds, during his residence at Pilgrim, in
quality of commander in chief.
The commencement of Mr. Rous's administration was
marked by the assembly's first claim to parliamentary pri
vileges. Mr. John Gay Alleyne, having been called to the
speakers chair, on the death of Mr. Lyte, determined to
remedy the omission of Avhich his predecessors had been
guilty. Mr. Alleyne possessed great talents and e:-. tensive
erudition. He Avas thoroughly acquainted with the princi-
1

OF BARBADOES. ^ 33$
pies of the English constitution, and Avith the forms and chap. xr.
practice of the house of commons. With an incorruptible n6&*
integrity, he had understanding to discover, and spirit to
assert, the rights of the people. His chief fault, if it be
one, Avas thatof a great mind, an insatiable thirst of praise;
and, though he pursued the phantom popularity, with un
ceasing ardour, he assiduously strove to attain it by the
noblest means, the Avelfare of his country. His appoint
ment having been confirmed by the president, the speaker, June 3<
in an appropriate speech, demanded of his honour the pri
vileges to which the assembly Avere entitled. First, security
to their persons and servants from all arrests and other dis
turbances, that may obstruct their regular attendance on
the house : secondly, freedom of speech in their proceed
ings ; and, lastly, free access, at all times, to the com
mander in chief. The president Avas a little startled at the
novelty of the demand, and excused himself from giving
an immediate ansAver. The house sat again the next day,
Avhen, receiving no ansAver to the speaker's demand, they
resolved to enter on no business till they had obtained satis
faction on this important point. On the next meeting of July?.
council, the president commanded the attendance of the
assembly, in the council chamber ; and, after an apology
for the delay, " granted them, as far as was consistent with
the royal prerogative, and the laAVS and constitution of
the island, every privilege which had been enjoyed by
any former assembly." x x 2

$40 THE HISTORY
These privileges are inherent in all legislative bodies,
since, Avithout them, their poAver must evidently be more
nominal than real. It is declared, by statute of England,
that the freedom of speech and debates, and proceedings
in parliament ought not to be impeached nor questioned in
any court nor place out of parliament. And this freedom
of speech, with the other privileges of security of persons,
servants, lands, and goods, is particularly demanded of the
King, in person, by the speaker of the house of commons,
at the opening of every neAV parliament *,
A colonial historian -j- treats the speaker's demand of pri
vileges with a levity, that betrays an ignorance of the con
stitution of his county, and an indifference to the rights of
the people; and represents it as a precedent pregnant with
1767- fatal consequences to the credit of the colony. Under the
protection of servants, he conceives, the poAver may be
given of screening from debt,, and of conveying from the
island a number of slaves. But it is obvious, that the se
curity from arrests, and other disturbances, here claimed,
is confined to the person of the member, and to such do-

* Black. Comm. vol. 1. p. 164.
+ Mr. H. Frere, vide Short Hist, of Barb. p. 83. These strictures-provoked Sir John
to publish a criticism on the work which contained them, as just as it was pregnant-
This produced a duel between the two gentlemen ; and, though it ended without
bloodshed, the dispute laid the foundation of an enmity which had a visible influence
on the politics of the literary antagonists during their lives.

OF BARBADOES. 341-
m'estics only Avhose services he may require, during his CHAP. xi.
attendance on the legislature, at its stated times of meeting, L767-
which are usually monthly. The course of justice cannot
be obstructed by a privilege, Avhich affords protection for
the short space of no more than one day in every four
weeks. At all other times, the person and property of the
privileged debtor, is subject to the ordinary modes of ju
dicial proceeding. Neither does the privilege of parliament
sanction nor facilitate the transportation of slaves, belonging
to those debtors Avho may happen to occupy a seat in the
house. The danger is effectually guarded against, by the
legal formalities Avhich must be complied with, before any
slave can be sent from the island.
Personal security is absolutely essential to the exercise
of legislative functions. The strong arm of poAver might
otherwise be occasionally extended, to prevent the attend-
ance of those members from whom opposition may be ex
pected. A sycophantic creditor may become the Avilling.
tool of despotism; and, by detaining his debtor, obstruct
the progress of public business, Avhenever the casual impe
diment may suit his sinister views, or enable a corrupt fac
tion to accomplish their designs, by hurrying their pernici
ous measures through a house thinly attended*.

* This point seems to have been placed beyond all dispute by the royal authority.
A merchant of Spanish Town, in Jamaica, in 1764, caused a writ of venditioni exponas,
to be executed upon the coach horses of a member of the assembly of that Islands

342 THE HISTORY
chap. xr. ^ few days previous to the departure of the governor,
1167m the inhabitants of Bridge-toAvn had experienced a most
dreadful calamity ; a considerable part of that metropolis

The assembly considered this a breach of privilege, and the officers who had executed
the writ were immediately taken into custody, by order of the house. The prisoners
were quickly released by habeas corpus, granted by his excellency, Mr. Lyttleton, as
chancellor. The assembly resented this act of power, as an invasion of their privileges,
and again ordered the provost marshal and his assistant to be taken into the custody
of their messenger. A petition was again presented to the governor, by the prisoners,
for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted, and they were once more set at liberty
by a decree of the court of chancery. This order produced a violent ferment in the
assembly. They resolved that the governor had acted in an unjustifiable manner, and
was guilty of a flagrant breach and contempt of the rights and privileges of their house.
And that a remonstrance against his conduct should be drawn up and laid at his Ma.
jesty's feet. The governor immediately dissolved the assembly and issued writs for a
new election. No advantage, however, was derived from this expedient. Upon their
meeting, the speaker omitted to apply to the governor in the usual manner for the pri
vileges of the house. "His excellency therefore again dissolved the assembly, alleging
that it was his duty to see that their usual privileges Were maintained, as well as that
of the King's prerogative suffered no violation. Annual Register, vol. 8. p. 17 Q. Five
different assemblies were successively called and abruptly dissolved, because they re
fused to raise the supplies, unless satisfaction was given them in this business. At
length, on a change of ministers in England, the governor was recalled, and the
lieutenant governor, Roger Hope Elktson, was directed to gratify the wishes of the
assembly ; and the whole of the proceedings in chancery were solemnly annulled and
vacated. Edwards's West Indies, vol. 2. p. 354. The privileges of domestics, lands, or
goods have been since taken away m England, by Stat. lO Geo. HI. c. 50. which
enacts that any suit may at any time be brought against any peer or member of
parliament, or their servants, which shall not be impeached or delayed on pretence of
any privilege of parliament ; exeept that the person of a member of the house of com
mons shall not thereby be subjected to any arrest of imprisonment. Blachtone's
Cemm.vol. \.p. 165.

OF BARBADOES. S4S
was consumed by fire*. The frequency of the misfortune c^^;
aAvakened the attention of the assembly, and they passed 179?'
an act for rebuilding the town on a more safe and commo
dious plan; but unfortunately this prudent precaution was
disapproved of in the council chamber. Seven months had
scarcely elapsed, Avhen the capital Avas again reduced
in ashes, by a conflagration still more dreadful than the
former -f. This was the fourth, time, in little more than ten
years, Bridge-toAvn. had suffered a similar disaster.
The necessity of rebuilding the toAvn, Avith greater order
and regularity, Avas now admitted by those Avho had before
doubted the propriety of legislative interference ; and a
JaAV Avas enacted for that purpose. At the same time, the
assembly adopted a scheme for deepening and cleansing
the mole-head, and building convenient quays and wharfs
for mercantile accommodation. But, sensible of the ina
bility of their constituents to prosecute such an expensive
undertaking, they determined to apply to the house of com
mons for pecuniary assistance. Such was 'their impatience,.

* May. 14th, 1766.
f December 27th, 1766. On this occasion, the legislature of South Carolina voted
the sum of seven hundred and eighty -five pounds sterling, for the relief of the sufferers.
The money was paid into the treasury of Barbadoes, where it was allowed to remain;,
unless the treasurer used it, till the 29th of April,- 1773, when an act was passed to
enable thecommissirners for cleansing the mole-head to borrow it, and apply it to that
undertaking. Whe1 her it was ever repaid, and applied agreeably to the intentions of
the benevolent donors, would now be an unnecessary inquiry.

344 THE HISTORY
chap. xr. on this occasion, that the petition was dispatched to the
m7* colonial agent, in London, Avith directions to present it,
without the concurrence, or even the knowledge, of the
other branches of the legislature. By the same conveyance
they transmitted a memorial to the King, complaining of
the great obstruction to public business, occasioned by the
absence of many members of council, Avho, regardless of
the Avelfare of their country, were dissipating their time
and fortune, amidst the pleasures and gaieties of the British
capital.
1768. The application to parliament Avas countenanced by the
ministry, and a donatiA^e Avas proposed by Mr. Grenville,
to enable the legislature of Barbadoes to commence the
Avork in contemplation ; but it Avas thought advisable, to
ascertain, previously, Avhat they Avould do of themselves,
towards accomplishing the design. This Avas fair; the
c. question, hoAvever, was retorted on the house of commons,
and four years had nearly elapsed before any assistance
could be obtained. At length, parliament, tired Avith con
tinued importunity, granted the trifling sum of five thou
sand pounds for the projected improvements*.
Feb. 11. Meanwhile, William Spry, LL.D. having been honoured
with his Majesty's commission, as governor of Barbadoes,

* In 1775, Mr. Walker, the colonial agent, obtained from parliament another grant
of five thousand pounds, for which service he was honoured with the unanimous thanks
of the assembly, presented in a gold box.

OF BARBADOES. 345
arrived in Carlisle Bay, accompanied by his lady, and as- c([^^_^[;
sumed the government of the island. To enable Mr. Spry
to support the dignity of his station, the assembly, Avith
the concurrence of the council, settled on his excellency a
salary of three thousand pounds a year.
Not long after his excellency's arrival, Mr. Cox, the nos.
store-keeper, presented a petition to the assembly, stating
the insufficiency of the tonnage duty to supply the de
mands for gunpoAvder, for the use of the forts ; and that
he had been obliged, in obedience to the orders of former
commanders in chief, to make advances to the amount of
three hundred and fifty- four barrels of gunpoAvder*, and
praying that the house would provide for his reimburse
ment. An application so extraordinary, from a public
officer, who, if he had not violated his duty, had certainly
exceeded his legal authority, excited no common degree of
popular clamour. The fund, appropriated to this particular
service, was raised by a duty of one pound of gunpoAvder
per ton on all vessels entering at any port of the island ;
and the storekeeper ought, on no pretence whatever, to
have suffered the disbursements to exceed the receipts of
his office. Should the storekeeper be allowed to comply
with the governor's orders, beyond the limits prescribed by
law, the treasurer might, on the same principle, supply his

* Of one hundred and twelve pounds each, valued at nearly 28001, currency.

346 THE/ HISTORY
chap. xi. excellency's pecuniary demands to an indefinite extent ;
1769. and thus, by an abuse of the trust reposed in them, the
executive power might be rendered independent of the
legislative, and a venal despot enabled to convert the peo
ple's money to his OAvn use, Avithout the consent of their
representatives. On these grounds, Mr. Cox's petition Avas strenuously
opposed by the speaker. He contended that the store
keeper had no discretionary pojver, by law, to purchase
poAvder for the use of the forts ; that, in the present season
of profound peace, the powder had not been required for
die service of the country, but had been Avasted in firing
salutes, either to indulge an idle vanity, or for the no less
miAVarrantable purpose of enriching some favourite captain
gunner. To impose on the people the burthen of paying.
fbf powder, thus illegally issued, and profusely expended,
fey the officers of divisions, during their military feasts*
would be contrary to justice, and inconsistent with the
trust reposed in the members " of that house, as faithful
guardians of their constituents' property.
The sense of the house appearing to be in favour of the
storekeeper's claim, it was agreed, after a long debate, that
the payment of his demand should depend on the future
savings of powder. And a memorial was presented to the
governor, stating the particulars of Cox's demand, and re
questing that his excellency Avould enforce the orders Avhich
he had already given, to prevent the unnecessary firing of
1

OF BARBADOES. 347
cannon, that thus a saving might be made, adequate to the ^f^3f"
liquidation of the debt in question. His excellency, in 17m
reply, assured the assembly of his determination to prevent,
as much as lay in his poAver, any improper expenditure of
poAVder in the forts, and of his cheerful concurrence in any
effectual measure for that purpose. Nor was it long before
they received a message from his excellency, signifying,
that in consequence of his endeavours, a saving of ten
thousand weight of poAvder had already accrued, whence
his excellency Avas induced to hope, that the whole of Mr.
Cox's demand might, in a short time, be paid, by the ob
servance of proper economy in that department *. A sys
tem fundamentally bad, and an egregious abuse of power,
rendered this hope abortive ; and, under succeeding admi
nistrations, encreased the storekeeper's debt. The tonnage
on vessels, and the appropriation of the money arising from
that impost, Avere soon afterwards altered by laAV ; but the
door to abuse was still left open.
Towards the latter end of this year, the governor's do- October 3.
mestic felicity Avas interrupted by the death of his amiable
consort. She Avas a niece of the illustrious Earl of Chat
ham, and a daughter of Thomas Pitt, of Bocconic, who

* It appears, by a subsequent petition from Mr. Cox to governor Hay, that Mr.
Spry's orders for preventing the waste of powder had produced so great a saving in
that article, that bis demand had been reduced to only eighty-eight barrels
and a half.
Y y 2

348 THE HISTORY
chap. XI. married a sister of the celebrated Lord Lyttleton. Thus
1769. nobly descended, and' elegantly accomplished, her conjugal
attachment impelled her to accompany her husband to
Barbadoes, Avhere her delicate constitution soon sunk
under the influence of an uncongenial climate;
1770. The following year was productive- of an extraordinary
dispute betAveen the house of assembly, and the freeholders
of Saint Andrew's parish. By a law of the island, the as
sembly Avere restricted from allowing more than two of their
members to be absent from the country *at the same time.
The speaker, however, finding his health impaired, was
desirous of trying the effect of a- voyage to Europe ; but as
tAVO members were already absent, he Avas precluded from
obtaining the same indulgence, by the ordinary means. Tb
remove this obstacle, a. bill was introduced by the attorney-
general, Henry Beckles, to empoAver Sir John Alleyne to
leave the island, without vacating his seat, and to extend
the permission to four members at a time. The bill was
passed unanimously, by both houes; but it appeared to be
a measure of so unusual a nature, that the governor
suspended his assent- until the King's pleasure could be
knoAvn. Sir John .Alleyne, nevertheless* left the island *; and the
* Before the venerable patriot's departure, he made his estate liable to the pay-
ment, of a perpetual annuity, ,o£ forty-five pounds a year, for the support of a charity-
schcol, in the parish which be represented ; that being the interest of the sum which,
iw had received on his succeeding, in rotation, to tbe, office of treasurer.

OF BARBADOES. 340/
assembly, at their next meeting, addressed the governor to CHAP- xi-
issue a writ for the election of a member in his. room. On li~'°-
the day appointed, the freeholders, of Saint. Andrew's ap
peared at the poll, but refused to make choice of another
representative : and presented an. address to Mr. Maycock,
the sitting member, explaining the reason of their refusal.
They could' not be persuaded that Sir JohnAlleyn© had
vacated his seat, by his absence; and could notj, therefore,
with propriety, proceed to another election. It Avould, in
the first place, they said, imply a forgetfuiness of his former
services, and a willingness- to deprive him of the benefit irif-
tended him, by two branches of the legislature. Secondly,
they affected an apprehension of violating a plain laAv,
since, by electing a neAV member, they would ^ in the event
of the old one's return, be represented by a greater number
than they Avere legally entitled to. From these consider
ations, they determined to imitate the governor's example,
and aAvait the result of the reference to the croAvn*.
At the next meeting of the assembly, the. governor sent October 2.
the sheriff's return to the house, and recommended the sub-

* The act was rejected by the King, on tbe recommendation of the lords of trade,
who reported to his Majesty, that as Sir John Alleyne had already come to England,
and vacated his seat, they conceived that the confirmation of tbe act would involve the
legislature in difficulties, in case of the election of another member, without benefiting
tbe person in who*=e favour it had been proposed; to whose merits Mr. Spry had
borne such ample testimony, as to occasion a wish that the indulgence could have ,
l>een granted; consistently withthe constitutionof the country, .

350 THE HISTORY
chap. Xi. ject to their serious consideration. The attorney-general
1770. immediately rose, and, in an elaborate review of the whole
affair, maintained that Sir John Alleyne had vacated his
seat, and justified the proceedings of the house. It had
been contended, both Avithin and without doors, that the
assembly were competent to grant leave of absence to any
of its members, without the concurrence of the other
branches of the legislature. For, by the law and custom
of parliament, whatever matter arises concerning either
house of parliament, ought to be examined, discussed, and
adjudged in that house to which it relates, and not else
where* Where, then, it was asked, Avas the necessity for
alaAv to enable the assembly to indulge i,ts members Avith
occasional leave of absence ? The ansAver was obvious.
The privilege' in dispute had been surrendered, by the
assembly, half a century before -j~. And, however uncon
trollable the house might have been originally, with respect
to its members, whateA^er privileges might have been in
herent in them, as representatives of the people ; if those,
said the learned gentleman, who have gone before us in
that capacity, by an acquiescence in a law for that pur
pose, have abridged the power of the house, until that Uav
is repealed, or the restrictive clause abrogated, it was ridi
culous to dispute its validity, or to talk of original privi-
 Sfc  . 

?j.i.)

Blacks. Com. vol. 1. p. 158» \ Hall's Law*, No. 148. c. 20.

OF BARBADOES. 351
leges. Though, he admitted, the constitutional maxim on chap^xi.
Avhich the laAV of parliament is founded, he insisted, that 177°*
no house of commons could pretend to urge a privilege
once given up, against a positive law, by which it had
been resigned. Nor could any colonial assembly, by an
independent act of their own, destroy that which had been
established Avith the concurrence of the other branches of the
legislature* To obviate any doubt that may arise, concerning the
legality of their proceedings, under an idea that the represen
tation of the country was incomplete, Mr. Beckles observed,
that the house had done all that the law prescribed in such
cases; and, as the freeholders had thought proper to give up
their birth-right for an idle and fallacious sophistry,
the authority of that house could not possibly be affected
by their contumacy; all acts of theirs would be as virtual,
without another representative for that parish, as if the writ
for a new election had been obeyed. This opinion was
grounded on the general maxim, that he who disclaims his
rights when they are tendered to him in due form of law,
can never afterwards complain of a privation of them. He
concluded Avith moving an answer to the governor's message
to that effect; which he observed, was all that could be
done, unless it should be thought proper to perpetuate their
exclusion ; but this,, for the sake of many worthy men in that
parish, he would not recommend, though the obstinacy of
fehosev by whom this ridiculous opposition had been creatr

.Sm "THE HISTORY
ohap.xi, e(j5 deserved to suffer the full Aveight of legislative dis-
l770« pleasure. The attorney-general then complained of an fnsult Avhich
had been offered to the house, no less heinous than that
-which had occupied their attention. Whilst the members
of that -assembly Avere under a reciprocal implied faith to
keep inviolable the secrets of the house ; and their clerk
-was bound by the sacred obligation of an oath ; he thought
it scandalous to see in a common neAvspaper a message
from the governor, Avith a confidential observation of his
OAvn, Avhich had never been entered on their journals till
that day. Hoav this had happened, he thought worthy of
an inquiry, that the person who had offended may be made
to express a due sense of his error. Colonel RidgeAvay
immediately rose and avoAved himself the author of the
communication alluded to, unconscious of any impropriety
attending the disclosure of Avhat had passed Avithin their
walls. With this explanation, Mr. Beckles professed him
self satisfied ; and there the business rested until a subse-
Nov.'27. quent meeting of the assemby, when the rule, Avhich Avas
supposed to have been infringed, was read' in these words;
that the minutes of the house, taken by the clerk at any of
their meetings, should remain with him undisclosed till
they shall be confirmed by the house at a future meeting.
The question Avas then put, whether the rule is to be con
sidered binding on the clerk alone, or whether it implies a«
obligation on the members of the house ? and carried in
%

OF BARBADOES. 55

the affirmative. A more extraordinary determination, or a ciiai7. xi,
stranger perversion of language perhaps Avas never known. 1''°
But admitting the construction to be just, it may be diffi
cult to conceive Avhat secrets of the house the representatives
of the people are under a reciprocal implied faith to conceal
from their constituents. Shall the most important public
concerns be canvassed and decided upon by a British legis
lature Avith the impenetrable secrecy of a Romish inquisi
tion ? Shall the free subjects of a British colony remain in
silent submission till their fate is determined by an Asiatic
divan ? or till their delegates condescend, as a matter of
grace and favour, to inform them of their proceedings ?
Nothing should ever pass Avithin the precincts of the
town-hall of which the people ought not to have the ear
liest notice. The inestimable right of proposing laws for
their own government is lodged by the constitution in the
great body of the people. The inconvenience of tumul
tuous assemblies first suggested the expediency of delegat
ing the sacred task of legislation to a select number; and
those Avho are appointed to execute the solemn trust are
unquestionably accountable to those from whom their au
thority is derived.
Thus the matter stood till Mr. Henry Duke, impatient mi.
July 16.
of the absurd restraint, objected to the construction which
had been put upon the rule, as imposing an obligation of
secrecy on the members of that house, equally unnecessary
and inconsistent with their duty to their constituents ; to
z z

354 THE HISTORY
chap. xi. -whose sentiments they Avere bound to pay a respectful at-
177t- ten tion. He, therefore, moved, that the assembly should,
by an explicit declaration, confine the rule to the clerk
alone. Mr. Beckles, far from Avishing to restrain any gen
tleman from consulting his constituents by an injunction of
secrecy, seconded the motion; and what Avas, if possible,
more extraordinary, it Avas unanimously agreed to.
it??. The scantiness of our records furnish no further informa
tion concerning the administration of Mr. Spry. After the
death of his former lad}r, he married the beautiful relict of
Hamlet Fairchild, but he had not long enjoyed the delights
of this union before he Avas removed to another, and more
perfect state of felicity.
Sept. i. This melancholy event placed the Honourable Samuel
Rous a second time in the presidential chair. Still occu
pied by the two great objects that had long engaged their
attention, of preserving their capital from fire, and facili
tating its commerce, the assembly passed two acts, one for
the establishment of six fire companies ; the other for deep
ening, cleansing, and improving the mole-head. To pro
vide a fund for effectuating the latter design, the tax on the
importation of slaves from Africa Avas increased; and, in
lieu of the former duty of one pound of gunpowder, a
duty of tAVO shillings* and sixpence a ton Avas indiscrimi
nately laid on all vessels resorting to the island. Of tho
produce of this impost, fifteen hundred pounds were an
nually appropriated to the purchase of gunpoAvder for the

OF BARBADOES. 355
use of the forts, and the surplus Avas made applicable to CHAP- x*-
the Avorks at the mole-head. 1772-
This bill Avas hurried through the house with such cele
rity, that the ship-owners, whose interest Avas most imme
diately affected by it, had no opportunity of endeavouring
to arrest its progress by any representation of its evil
tendency. The merchants of Bridge-town, therefore, pre
sented a petition to the council, in which they stated, that,
by a former lavv% all vessels, owned by the inhabitants,
Avere exempt from the payment of the tonnage-duty ; an
immunity which they insisted Avas calculated to promote
the interest of the country by encouraging the increase of
its shipping. They represented, that the vessels oAvned by
the native traders AArere employed in an intercourse amono-
the neighbouring colonies, in which they generally made
from twelve to fifteen voyages annually ; and that such an
impost, so frequently repeated, Avould be an insupportable
burthen on the navigation of the country, and, in effect,
prohibit a beneficial branch of commerce.
This being a money bill, could not be amended by the
council ; it was, therefore, returned to the assembty, Avith
a message, proposing, that vessels, owned by the merchants
of the island, should be subject to the duty only thrice a
year ; secondly, that a commission of two and a half per
cent, instead of five, would be a sufficient emolument for
the storekeeper; thirdly, that the sum of two thousand
7 % 2

356 THE HISTORY
Cf^-Jp- pounds annually should be appropriated to the purchase of
l77<2' gunpowder for the use of the fortifications. The first of
these propositions was agreed to on a division ; the second,
so apt is private interest to prevail over considerations of
public utility, was negatived by a majority of ten to three;
and the third Avas, with great propriety, unanimously re
jected. The bill, thus amended, was again sent up to the
council, 3>nd passed. Upon this occasion, the assembly
addressed the president to discontinue the firing of the
morning and evening gun at Needbam's, Avhich un
necessary parade, as they termed it, Avas attended with'
and expense of eight hundred pounds a year. This request,.
however, militated too strongly against the interest of the*
captain-gunner, to be complied Avith. And it is Avorthy of
observations that notAvithstanding the considerable saving;
of poAvder during Mr. Spry's administration, under that of
Mr- Rous, the collector, Avas inadequate to supply the de
mand, in a season of profound peace.
Both bills, on being transmitted to England, were re-
ferred to the consideration of Mr. Jackson, counsel to. the
board of trade. On the act for the establishment of fire
companies, he observed, that it had been more than once
reported to be the opinion of their lordships, that the creat
ing of a corporation, being within the power of the Crown,
and its representative, ought not to be exercised by the
provincial legislature, unless it be under singular circum
stances, of which the present occasion of incorporating six
1

OF BARBADOES. 357
bodies of men at once, may possibly be one. But the most CHAP- xr..
material objection to the act Avas the poAver given to the 1772*
commissioners not only to constitute and establish such
rules and orders as they should think convenient for the
good government of the fire companies ; but also, " to make
and establish such other rules and orders as they shall think
conducive to the better execution of the act; Avhich rules-
and orders, so to be made, shall bind and oblige all and
every person or persons, whom they shall or may concern."
** This power to be executed by a few members of the coun
cil and assembly," said the learned barrister, " is certainly
too extensive, and, at least, approaches too near to a dele
gated legislature, not to want limitation or explanation.
The utility of its object Avas sufficient, in Mr. Jackson's
opinion, to prevail against a manifest objection to the act
for improving the mole-head ; namely, that it imposed a
duty on the trade and shipping of Great Britain. The act
was, in no other respect, faulty, except that the private
property Avhich it might be necessary to convert to the
public use was directed to be valued by three justices in
stead of a jury. For these reasons, both bills were disal-
loAved by the King ; and Mr. Hay, who had been recently
appointed to the government, was directed, on his arrival,
to recommend the passing of others free from the faults im
puted to these. This was accordingly done, and his Ma
jesty confirmed them, in consideration of the importance
of their object

. THE HISTORY
Mean time a laAv Avas enacted to empower the general as-
177|- sembly to permit any of their members, not exceeding four
at a time, to be absent from the island. The propriety of
such an indulgence is at best highly questionable. Many
members of the house of commons, it is true, are fre
quently employed on foreign service, without producing
any national inconvenience by their absence ; but in a co-'
lony Avhose representative body consists of only tAventy-two
members, the absence of nearly one-fourth of the number
may justly be apprehended to impede the progress of pub-'
lie business, and to facilitate the sinister vieAvs of a venal
ir73. faction. The law, as Ave have already seen, originated in
the" partial design of granting a particular indulgence to
Sir John G. Alleyne ; but, from the failure of that attempt,
and the baronet's jealousy of Mr. Spry, the proposal Avas-
not revived until after his excellency's death. Nor was
this the only innovation introduced for the personal grati
fication of Sir John Alleyne. It had ever been a standing
rule of the assembly, that the speaker, like the speaker of
the house of commons, should vote only in case of an equal
division of the house. Such a rule did not suit Sir John
Alleyne* ardent, active mind. Anxious to distinguish him-;
self upon every question in Avhich the interest of hiscoun-'
try Avas involved, he could not bear to fettered by a rule
which confined the exercise of his intellectual poAvers, and
obstructed the rapid flow of patriotic eloquence which he

OF BARBADOES. 559
possessed. The restraint Avas, therefore, removed, and he cn^-J^
Avas permitted to speak, or vote, upon all occasions, as any
other member misriit do.
The day had now arrived Avhen Mr. Rous was to resign,
for the last time, the office of chief magistrate. His Ma
jesty had appointed the Honourable Edward Hay, late con
sul at Lisbon, governor of Barbadoes ; and his excellency,
accompanied by his lady and two daughters, arrived in Car
lisle-bay, on Sunday the sixth of June. On the Tuesday
following, his excellency landed in state, and was received
on the Avharf by the members of both houses of the legis
lature. He Avas attended Avith the usual military parade
to St. Michael's church, Avhence, after divine service, he
proceeded to Pilgrim, and, having taken the inaugural
oaths, was formally invested with the supreme authority.
Were an opinion formed of Mr. Rous, from the panegy
rics bestowed on him by different public bodies, in their
respective addresses, during his presidency, we should be
induced to esteem, him as- a modern Trajan, or Antonine.
But no dependence can be placed in such fallacious ap-
plause^ Truth is little regarded in the composition of these
eulogies. By his vigilance and assiduity we are told, that
Bridge-town Avas raised from cinders, that elegant struc
tures had risen, Phcenix like, from ashes; and that the
same patriotic hand which performed these wonders had
fixed the first stone in the head of the new mole; an un-

360 THE HISTORY
chap. XI. dertaking that Avould shed a lustre on his administration.
1773. What peculiar merit may belong to the president for the
part which he sustained in these transactions, • we cannot
precisely ascertain. It is probable, that -he participated in
-common with the other orders of the legislature in their zeal
to promote these useful Avorks. But, whatever credit may
be due to him on this subject, candour must condemn his
neglect of the administration of justice ; his inattention to
the waste of stores on the forts, and the infringement which
he committed on the rights of election.
At the general election immediately preceding his loss of
poAver, he interfered very improperly with the matrosses of
Speight's and Reid's-bay divisions ; several of whom he en
couraged to oppose the interest of their colonel, by promis
ing them indemnity at the expense of the adverse party.
But in the parish of Saint John, he not only appeared at
the poll and voted himself, but influenced others to vote for
the candidate Avhom he supported. Mr. Haynes, the un-
succesful candidate, petitioned the assembly, complaining
of an undue return, and praying that he might be permitted
to controvert the election. But before the affair could be
investigated, he consented to withdraAv his petition, on the
president's promising him his future support.
Nevertheless, the solicitor-general, Mr. Henry Duke, a
man of a strong, active and generous mind, Avho, in the
study and practice of his profession, had acquired a clear

OF BARBADOES. 36l
•and perfect knowledge of the English constitution, brought C1^^J**
the matter before the house. He represented the presi
dent's conduct as a flagrant violation of the elective fran
chise of which it Avas the duty of that house to record their
•decided disapprobation ; and concluded with moving a re
solution in these words ; That it is against the freedom of
¦elections, and the privileges of this house, that a com
mander in chief should vote at, or interfere in, the election
of representatives. The learjied gentleman's design, how
ever, was defeated, by the speaker's moving the previous
-question ; and the original motion was postponed for future
consideration, or, more properly speaking, consigned to
-eternal oblivion.
Twice in the course of Mr. Rous's administration the
•same enlightened member complained to the assembly of
•a suspension of justice, in civil cases, owing to the culpa
ble neglect of the persons appointed to preside in the courts
of law. He moved for a committee to inquire into these
abuses, and to report to the house Avhat Avas proper to be
done in aid of defective laAvs, or in redress of those which
were violated. But his patriotic exertions Avere rendered
ineffectual by the influence of the judges, of whom several
had seats in the assembly*.

* The house was, at this time, composed of Samson Wood, and H. Duke, for St.
Michael's. J. Burke and P. Lovell, Christ Church. Joseph Wood and Joshua Git
tens, St, Philip. H. Walker and J. Cogan Cox, St. George's, S. Wallcott and J«
3 A

SfB THE HISTORY
CHAP. XI. Miller, St. John's. George Sanders and W. Gibbes Alleyne, St. Thomas's. T. A1-
1773. leyne and J. Wheeler Ridgeway, St. James's. J. Leacock and S. Hinds, St. Peter's.
Sir John Gay Alleyne and James Maycock, St. Andrew's. Hillary Rowe and H..
Rowe, St. Lucy's. T. Payne and J. Stewart, St. Joseph's.
The members of council were Samuel Rous, J. Dotin, A. Cumberbatcb, H. Frere,
Conrade Adams, Gedney Clarke, Irenaeus Moe, R. Brathwaite, W. Senhouse, R.
Cobham, W. Bishop and John Best. The two last were added upon Mr. Hay's ar=
arrival.

OF BARBADOES. 563

CHAP. XII.

MR. HAY ASSUMES THE GOVERNMENT — DISTRESSED CONDITION
OF THE INHABITANTS  REPRESENTATION TO THE THRONE 
OPPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR — SUSPENDS THE SOLICITOR-
¦GENERAL AND THE JUDGE OF THE ADMIRALTY  ITS IMPRO
PER INTERPOSITION IN FAVOUR OF CAPTAIN DOTIN — AVAR
WITH FRANCE  DANGER OF THE COUNTRY — APATHY OF THE
ASSEMBLY  THE GOVERNOR'S DEATH.
vJN the first meeting of the provincial parliament after cHAP.xn.
the governor's arrival, his excellency opened the session in 1773.
T11 rip I '¦J
the usual manner, -with a speech from the chair. He ob
served, that the trust Avhich his Majesty had reposed in
him, by promoting him to the government of the island,
was, in its nature, very different from any of the former
posts Avhich he had held under the CroAvn. The adminis
tration of the most ancient, most populous, and, in pro
portion to its extent, the most wealthy of his Majesty's
dominions in the new world, Avas a charge of the utmost
importance ; and he was sensible required a more intimate
•knowledge of the laAvs and constitution of the country than
3 a 2

364 THE HISTORY
CH^-S" ne possessed. But when he considered the character o§
1773, the inhabitants from the first settlement of the island, their
loyalty to their Sovereign, and attachment to their excellent
constitution ; and that those principles had been carefully
handed down to the present generation, he professed to feel
encouraged to the arduous undertaking; happy in the
thought that he could confidently rely on their assistance
hi conducting the business of government. After recom
mending a proper attention to the defence of the island,.
for Avhich, he remarked, no time could be more proper than.
that of peace, his excellency modestly adverted to the
King's instructions respecting the usual provision for the-
support of the commander in chief, observing that it did
not become him to enlarge on a subject of so much deli
cacy. s
The addresses of both houses Avere in the highest degree-
polite and' respectful. They breathed the same sentiments
of joy at his excellency's appointment, and of cordial con-r
gratulation on his safe arrival. His excellency's amiable
character and approved conduct in other official situations
were sufficient pledges, they said, for the faithful discharge
of the high office with Avhich he Avas now invested, and of
the happiness of the people placed under his care. The
scene of business may be neAV, the post assigned may be
more important,, and, in such a situation, the ingenuous
mind may be led to feel a diffidence of its poAvers; but iri
the very principle which suggested those fears, the assemblj

OF BARBADOES. 865
were confident Avould be found the true resources of his chap, xil
excellency's ease and contentment. 1773~
This interchange of civilities Avas. followed by a more sub
stantial proof of regard. A settlement of three thousand
pounds a year Avas made on his excellency^ during the term
©f his administration. This sum, the speaker remarked on
presenting the bill, which in the days of their prosperity
Avould have been but the easy tribute of their benevolence;
must, under the pressure of recent calamities, be acknoAv- '
ledged as the utmost effort of their good-will. It cannot
escape observation, that through the Avhole of Sir John AIt
leyne's political life, his fine imagination was. clouded Avith
an idea of colonial poverty. On this topic he Avas perpe
tually disclaiming and lamenting the. visionary inability of
the country to provide for the necessary expenses of go*
vernment. The bill Avas received in the most gracious man
ner by the governor, who professed to consider it as aa
ample testimony of the public esteem.
Sensible of the importance of a regular administration of
justice, Mr. Hay's attention Avas early turned to the means
of redressing the abuses committed in the judicial depart
ment. He sent circular letters to the judges, remonstrating
against their dilatory proceedings, intimating that the cla
mours of the people had reached the Royal ear ; and re
ferring to his OAvn diligence on the chancery bench as an
example for the dispatch of business. The next object of
his care Avas not of less importance. Thoroughly acquaint—

566 THE HISTORY
CHA^L1I° ed with the principles of commerce, his excellency readily
1773. perceived the benefit which the island Avould derive from an
extension of its trade. To this end he recommended that the
assembJy should make an immediate application to parliament
for the establishment of a free port in Barbadoes. The pro
posal diffused the most general satisfaction ; and the com-?
mittee of correspondence directed the agent to pursue the
speediest and most effectual means of attaining this desire-
able object. The minister approved of the application,
and offered to grant a free trade Avith the Spaniards, on
the same terms as were enjoyed by Jamaica, which Mr.
Walker most unaccountably hesitated to accept till he
could consult his constituents; and, in the interval, the Ja
maica bill having past, the opportunity of securing the ad
vantage was lost.
1775. The extremities to Avhich the fatal disputes betAveen
Great Britain and her North American provinces Avere ap
proaching, excited the utmost anxiety and alarm through-
-out the Avhole West Indian archipelago. The commercial
intercourse between the British islands and the American
continent was deemed the most essential to the prosperity,
nay to the very existence of the sugar colonies ; as it Avas
the only channel through which they could be supplied
with articles of the first necessity. The interruption of
this necessary intercourse Avas anticipated by the Bar
badians with dismal forebodings of the dangers and dis
tresses to which it would expose them. Yet during the
1

OF BARBADOES. 367
whole progress of the dispute, the legislature of Barbadoes chap, xil
maintained a respectful silence, unwilling to add to the 7?6-
perplexities of the ministry by mingling their complaints
with those which Avere poured in from every other quarter,
or conscious that no application of theirs Avould be regard
ed Avhen interests of far greater national importance de
pended on the issue of the contest..
The sword Avas, at length, unsheathed, and the com
mencement of actual hostilities produced in Barbadoes the
most alarming apprehensions of famine.. Early in the pre
sent year, an attempt Avas made to ascertain the quantity of
provisions on hand in Bridge-to Avn, which was estimated to
be unequal to the ordinary consumption, for the short pe
riod of six weeks. At this critical moment Captain Payne,
an officer in the British service, arrived for the purpose of
purchasing provisions and live stock for the use of the
troops at Boston, who had endured uncommon distress
from the delays and misfortunes experienced by the vic
tualling ships from Europe. The permission Avhich this-
officer, received from the governor to execute his mission,.
excited a considerable clamour among the people..
On the meeting of the assembly, the solicitor-general conv Feb. is.
plained to the house of this indulgence,. as a measure calcu
lated to endanger the safety of the people, by depriving.
them of the scanty means of subsistence which they pos
sessed. It was the duty of that house, he said, to adopt
measures of precaution, to avert, if possible, the impending:

568 THE HISTORY
chap, xh calamity. All trade with America Avas prohibited; our
17J6' internal resources had failed, and self-preservation, the pri
mary laAv of human nature, constrained them to husband
the remaining stock of provisions, and not to suffer it to be
•further diminished. He lamented their inability to supply
his Majesty's forces Avith. every accommodation which their
situation required ; but, under the existing circumstances,
•a gracious prince would not wish us to become victims to
an impotent zeal for1 his service. Upon these considera
tions, Mr. Duke moved an address to the governor, beseech
ing him to prohibit the exportation of the necessaries of
'of life until the island Avas more plentifully supplied. As
this could only produce a temporary advantage, the soli
citor-general next proposed an address to the King, pro
fessing their loyalty and attachment to his Majesty and the
constitution of the mother country, expressing their grati
tude for the favours recently bestowed on the colony; re
presenting the misery and distress to which the bulk of the
people must inevitably be reduced, unless relieved by the
timely assistance of the King and Parliament; and implor
ing his Majesty's gracious interposition in their favour.
Both motions Avere unanimously agreed to; but, on the
suggestion of the speaker, the farther consideration of the
throne was deferred to the morrow.
In the meantime the governor Avent to the speaker's town
residence, and declared, that if the assembly persisted in
-their resolution .of addressing the King, as it would answer
2

OF BARBADOES. '569
nb other end than that of disturbing his Majesty's peace of cJ^^n-
mind, he would immediately dissolve the house. But, find- ,776-
ing that the speaker and the other members present Avere not
of a temper to be intimidated by menaces, he lowered his
tone, and condescended to employ entreaties. They Avould
make him happy, he said, if they would rescind their reso
lution ; adding that he Avas actuated by a friendly motive
toAvards the assembly, in Avishing to dissuade them from a
measure which he Avas apprehensive Avould be displeasing to
the King. Neither threats nor entreaties could divert the
assembly from their purpose. They met pursuant to ad
journment, and agreed to both addresses. But, notwith
standing the unanimity of the preceding day, the address to
his Majesty was warmly debated. An address proposed by
the speaker, and another by Mr. James Maycock, were both
rejected; at length the draught of the solicitor-general re
conciled all parties, and was unanimously adopted. But
Judge Rowe, Avho professed himself averse from addressing
at all, moved that the agent should be instructed to present
or suppress it at his OAvn discretion. This extraordinary
proposition: was opposed by the speaker. He could not
think, he said, of committing the dignity of that house to an
agent. If the address was improper, it ought to have been
rejected; but noAv, that it had passed the house, the agent
had nothing more to do with it than to present it in the usual
form. The propriety of this observation Avas self-evident,
3 B

S?0 THE HISTORY
^hap. xh yet Mr. RoAve's motion Avas negativep' only by a majority
1776- often to. nine.
Mr. Hay,, naturally irritable, Avas highly exasperated at
these proceedings. He transmitted to the secretary of state
a representation of the circumstances of the country, wholly
different from that Avhich Avas. made by the assembly, Avhom
he accused of exaggerating the distresses of the people. Not
satisfied Avith this expression of resentment, he determined to
make Mr. Duke feel the Aveight of his indignation; and ac
cordingly deprived him of his rank at the bar as his Ma
jesty's solicitor-general... Duke, ever anxious to. involve the.
public in his private quarrels, flew to the. assembly for. re-^
dress. He poured fortbbis complaints in an elaborate ar-'
gumentative speech, and endeavoured to persuade the house
that his dismissal.from .office, as.it Avas the consequence of
the faithful exercise of his Jegislative duty, was a direct vio-^
lation of; their privileges.. To, this conclusion the speaker
objected. He -lamented that the duty of an upright repre-
sentatiA7e of the people should in any.instance be deemed
incompatible Avith that- of a faithful servant of the crown?
but he denied that the soliciteflvgeneral's ; suspension Avas a>
violation of ' the privileges of the house; , On. the contrafy^
considering- the abuses . committed by patent officers, Sip
John Alleyne insisted that the governor's power of suspend*
ing them was beneficial to the public* and advantageous to-
civil liberty. The house concurring in these sentiments,;
Mv. Duke could obtain no other satisfaction thai* a reso~

OF BARBADOES. 371
lution, moved by Mr. V; Jones, that his conduct as a mem- CHAP- xh.
ber of that house had been such as became a dutiful and l7m
loyal subject. Nor Avas this tribute to his merit obtained
without difficulty, several of the members thinking it unne
cessary, as his loyalty Avas not impeached.
The address of the assembly to the King Avas^accompanied
by a memorial from Mr. Walker, the agent, to Lord George
Germaine, exhibiting a gloomy picture of the condition of
the country draAvn by the delicate pencil of Sir John Al
leyne. According to this pathetic representation, the poor
white inhabitants were on the point of perishing Avith hun
ger; those in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast came doAvn
in crowds to gather the most wretched of all the fruits of
the earth for their subsistence; the negroes, destitute of
any allowance for their support, Avere left to plunder or to
starye; the cattle had consequently been stolen; the feAv
plantane walks and corn fields, which, from partial shoAvers,
had produced an early harvest, had been robbed, and the
bloodshed that followed the rapine, opened a dismal pre
lude to the tragedy that was preparing. These accounts
have been accused of exaggeration. The event indeed
proved that the apprehensions of famine were providentially
relieved. Yet that the condition of the people, especially
the lower classes, was faithfully delineated by the pen of
the venerable patriot, is still within the recollection of many
who were participators in the common calamity. The
scarcity of provisions was so alarming, that the governox
3b2

372 THE HISTORY
ciiarxii. himself soon after applied to Admiral Young, to facilitate
]776, the importation, by granting passports to vessels laden with
American produce. The admiral readily assented to the
request; but, to guard against any abuse of the indulgence,
recommended an association to carry on the business under
his license. This proposal was deemed impracticable ; and,
for the want of a sufficient bond of union among the mer
chants, the scheme proved abortive.
Mr. Duke's dismission was soon folloAved by that of Mr.
Shepherd, chief baron of the court of exchequer, for having
opposed the governor's nomination of a mercantile gentle^
man to be one of ^the puisne barons. Mr. Miller, who was
appointed to succeed judge Shepherd, did not long enjoy
his elevation before he fell under his excellency's displeasure,.
by declining to preside as chief justice at the court of grand
sessions; and, in consequence of some incivilities which he
received from the governor, he resigned his situation.. Mr.
Francis Cawley Boson, an English barrister, was noAv placed.
at the head of the court of exchequer. Nor was it long
before Mr. Boson had the misfortune to offend the governor.
by appointing a reputable merchant of Bridge-town to fill
the vacancy on the bench. The governor, recollecting the
objection formerly made to a person of that character, pro
posed by himself, peremptorily refused to confirm the chief
baron's choice. Boson ventured to urge his recommenda
tion ; and, probably, Avith a vieAv of enforcing the necessity
of an early appointment, requested his excellency's per-

OF BARBADOES. 373
mission to leave the island for the benefit of his health. The C^^J1,
extreme inflammability of the governor's temper instantly 1776-
took fire at this importunity. He immediately convoked
the council, and having laid before them the judge's letters,,
proposed his removal from office ; the board readily con
curred Avith their irritable chief, and Boson, without the im
putation of any crime, was dismissed from his employment*
An injudicious attempt made by the governor to screen a
public officer from condign punishment, contributed ma
terially to increase the ill-humour between his excellency
and the assembly. R. Reece, a matross at James Fort,
near the Hole Town, lodged a formal complaint in Avrit-
ing to Colonel T. Alleyne against W. Dotin, chief-gunner of
that division, for having embezzled and sold considerable
quantities of gunpowder, and other stores, belonging to the
garrison under his command. The colonel, a man of the
most inflexible integrity, applied to the chairman of the
commissioners of fortifications, who was the captain's own
brother, to convene a board for the purpose of inquiring into
the truth of the accusation. The chairman, the Honour
able John Dotin, afterwards president of the island, having
evaded the application, Alleyne determined to lay the mat
ter before the governor; and, as a necessary precaution,
wrote to Captain Dotin, informing him of his intention to.*
suspend him, until he had cleared himself of ^the charges
exhibited against him ; and desiring him to deliver the keys
of the fort to a person whom he had sent to receive them*

374 THE HISTORY
*hap. XII. With this demand Dotin refused to comply, and accom-
•1776, panied by his brother, repaired to Pilgrim the next da}%
He did not deny having sold the poAvder in question, but
endeavoured to justify the act by alledging that it had accu
mulated from the usual savings to Avhich the captain gunner
Avas justly entitled, as a perquisite of office. To this doc
trine the governor readily assented ; adding, by way of
sanction, that it Avas a common practice in the navy ; and
immediately wrote to the colonel, denying his authority to
remove the chief-gunner ; ordering the keys of the fort to
be instantly restored to Dotin; and forbidding the colonel's
interfering farther Avith the gunners and matrosses than to
inform him of any misconduct or neglect of duty in the gar
rison. This Avas an unprecedented attack on the colonel's
authority. For though the appointment, and of course the
removal, of the gunners and matrosses is legally vested in
the commander in chief, it had ever been delegated to the
respective colonels in their several divisions; the governor
only reserving to himself the patronage of the captain-gun
ner at Charles Fort, and of the gunner and matrosses at
Pilgrim. The receipt of this letter hurried Colonel Alleyne to Pil
grim, with the view of entering into some explanation with
the governor on the subject; but he found his excellency
little disposed to listen to any thing which he could offer
for his vindication. Pale with anger and trembling with
*age, his excellency accused him of exceeding the bounds

OF BARBADOES. 375
of his authority in attempting to displace Captain Dotin, C^^5L
and of a. design to destroy a gentleman's reputation and 1776,
family, in listening to the idle tales of. dirty fellows. Alleyne
had a spirit too noble to submit to such treatment. . He tore
the cockade from his hat,, and, indignantly thrusting his
commission into the governor's hand, retired, saying he dis
dained to hold, ikon such terms.
Mr.AUeyne's next care was to submit, his complaints to
the only tribunal before which they were, cognizable. The
regular application to the proper authority having been made
Avithout. success, the only remaining resource Avas in the
assembly's interposition to enforce the claims of justice.
The house therefore presented an address to the governor, ...
Judge Rowe alone dissenting, praying that . his excellency
would order the chairman of the commissioners of fortifica
tions for Saint James's division to convene a board, for the,
purpose of inquiring into the charges, against, the chief
gunner. Unwilling; to. push matters -to extremity Avith the assem
bly, the governor issued the necessary directions for investi
gating "Captain Dotin's conduct.]. A board of commissioners
was accordingly. held at Jame fort, at Avhich General RoAve •
presided, in the absence of the chairman, and after a minute
examination of the witnesses, Captain Dotin was fully con
victed of having embezzled the stores entrusted to his. care,
and was sentenced to be dismissed from the service. The
captain's defence rested on the legality of the savings in the

37g THE HSStQRY
chap. xii. disbursements of the powder. These savings accrued by
177S- stinting the guns of one half the customary charge of pow
der, and were usually disposed of for the chief gunner's
emolument. This was, indeed, the common practice in
every division of the island long after Captain Dotin's dis
grace. That economy must be bad, which, by with-hold-
ing the fair reward of service, compels the officer to seek
remuneration in fraud and peculation. Ordinary service,
says a great master of political economy, must be secured*
by the motives to ordinary integrity. An honourable and
fair profit is the best security against avarice and rapacity ;
as, in all things else, a lawful and regulated enjoyment is
the best security against debauchery and excess*.
The breach between the governor and the assembly -was
now widened by the receipt of a letter from the agent, in
forming the house of his excellency's correspondence Avith
the secretary of state, concerning their late address to the
Throne ; which his excellency had described as a measure
of the assembly alone ; and that the distress of the coun
try was not so great as it appeared to them. Mr. Duke
took up the matter with his usual warmth and public spirit,
and concluded an elaborate harangue, with moving three
resolutions. That it is the undoubted right of the general
assembly, on all occasions, either separately or jointly Avith
the other branches of the legislature, to address the Throne;

* Vide Burke's Speech on Economical Reform.
i

OF BARBADOES. 377
and that Avhoever opposes or obstructs the exercise of this CHAP- XII«
privilege is an enemy to the country : that it manifestly ap- 1776>
pears that the governor has, by an application to his Ma
jesty's secretary of state for the colonies, done Avhat lay in
his poAver to intercept his Majesty's relief towards his loyal
and distressed subjects of this colony ; That a dutiful me
morial be immediately transmitted to his Majesty, in sup
port of their former petition. The first resolution Avas
agreed to unanimously ; and the other tAVO were voted in
the affirmative, by a majority of nine to five.
Things Avere in this state when the expiration of the
assembly Jed to a general election. On the opening of the Aug. 22.
session, his excellency made a gracious and conciliatory
speech to both houses. After expressing the satisfaction
Avhich he felt at meeting them again ; and his hopes that
their zeal for the good of the colony and their knowledge
and experience would be productive of such regulations as
would be of lasting advantage to the country, he observed
that the present conjuncture of affairs must awaken the
attention of his Majesty's subjects in every part of his domi
nions. All must feel the effects of a suspension of trade
with so many of the northern colonies as Avere then in open
rebellion ; nor was it possible that the West Indies could
be exempt from a large share of inconvenience from the
interruption. But such had been the provident care of the
King, and both houses of parliament, that every precau
tion had been taken for the benefit of his loyal subjects.
3 c

378 THE HISTORY
C^^5n* ^e congratulated them on the numerous cargoes which had
I776* been recently imported, and the continual showers of rain
Avith which the country had been blessed, and which af
forded the most pleasing prospect of greater plenty than
they had yet enjoyed. Firmly persuaded that the reprej
sentatives of the people Avere desirous of promoting the
interest and happiness of then- constituents, he earnestly
recommended prudence, calmness, and moderation in their
proceedings, as essentially necessary to the public welfare.
He again urged, Avhat he had often ineffectually suggested
to their consideration, the revisal and amendment of their
militia laAvs, and the provision of a daily maintenance for the
poor prisoners. The speech concluded with an assurance
of his cheerful concurrence in every measure which could
contribute to the peace, happiness, and prosperity of the
country, than which no object Avas nearer to his heart
The moderation and good sense contained in every sen
tence of this speech, produced no corresponding sentiments
October 1. of amity on the part of the assembly. They entered into
an injudicious recapitulation of past grievances, in their
address to the governor, and commented, Avith unseason
able asperity, on his excellency's malign interposition, by
Avhich they had been disappointed in the hopes of their
sovereign's benevolence, in the hour of distress. Whatever
might be his excellency's opinion of the provident care of
the King and parliament, they denied that the inhabitants
of Barbadoes had received the smallest benefit from theii
2

OF BARBADOES. 37.9
attention. Notwithstanding the supplies, of Avhich his ex- c^^n"
cellency had taken notice, they insisted that, from the 177<5'
extravagant prices of articles of the first necessity, many
of the poor inhabitants had been reduced to the most bitter
distress ; and that even the more opulent planters had
found great difficulty in procuring the necessary subsist
ence for their slaves.
They should be happy, they said, in being alloAved to
exercise that temper, calmness, and moderation, recom
mended in the speech, though they Avere not unprepared,
upon the occurrence of any just occasion, to sheAv that
sense of injury and spirit of resentment inseparable from
the character of faithful, independant representatives of the
people. Having, in the course of last session, passed an act
for the relief Of insolvent debtors, they thought that they had
o-iven sufficient proof of their humane attention to the case
of the poor prisoners. They unequivocally declared their
unwillingness to revise or amend the militia bill, from the
difficulties and distrusts that arose in their minds against
the undertaking; which, they acknowledged, Avere ra
ther increased, than lessened, by every fresh impulse to re
move them. In the principle of personal attachment, by
which the privates Avere bound to their officers, they con
ceived that every legal deficiency might be supplied. Nor
would they consent to renounce a principle so honourable to
society in times propitious to the claims of civil liberty in the
3 c 2

380 THE HISTORY
CS^aS1' colonies, and enforce obedience by a power congenial only
1776- with the habits of despotic sway.
These Avere certainly very extraordinary sentiments for a
legislative assembly, professing an unshaken loyalty to their
Prince, and a generous zeal for the interests of their country.
It rather seemed to be a dereliction of every honourable rule
of faction, thus to hazard the public safety, by a Avilful
neglect of the means of defence, from motives of personal
resentment to their commander in chief. Were all the faults
imputed to Mr. Hay admitted, yet the posture of public af
fairs was alarming ; and the assembly were bound by every
moral obligation, resulting from a sense of duty, to guard
againt the danger of invasion. To this- address his excel
lency laconically replied, " I have received your address and
laid it before the King."
1777. Mr. Walker had rendered himself highly obnoxious to the
governor, by the promptitude with which he presented the
assembly's addresses to the King, and still more by the free
dom with which he had censured his excellency's conduct.
The annual measure of appointing an agent, soon furnished;
the governor with an opportunity of indulging his resent-
Jan. 21. ment, by refusing his assent to the bill Avhich had been una
nimously passed by both houses, nominating Mr. Walker
their agent. His excellency, at the same time informed the
assembly, that he was ready to concur in the appointment
ofiany other person. They immediately voted an address*

OF BARBADOES. 38]
in Avhich, after an eulogium on the superior talents, and CHAP. xii.
faithful services of their agent, they requested his excellency I777«
would communicate to them his reasons for disapproving
their choice. To Avhich he briefly replied, " that his reasons
had been laid before the King."
Upon the receipt of this succinct message, Mr. T. Alleyne Feb. is.
moved the house to come to the following resolution ; that
after their full experience of the uncommon zeal and extra
ordinary ability of Mr. Walker, in his official capacity, they
could not renounce their nomination of him, and proceed to
another choice without an act of injustice to so Avorthy a
servant of the public, an injury to the country, and a dis-
hOttour to themselves. The motion Avas opposed by Mr. D.
Maycock. He knew of no circumstances, he said, that
ought to prevent a discharge of their duty ; and as occur
rences might happen to make the appointment of an agent
absolutely necessary, if Mr. Walker could not be replaced,
they must either elect another and violate the resolution ; or
adhere to the resolution, and have no agent ; by which they
would, indeed, to use the language of the motion, do injury
to the country and dishonour to themselves.
The speaker thought the resolution justifiable in its full
extent. The assembly, he said, were bound in justice to
Mr. Walker, in duty to their constituents, and in honour to
themselves, not to sacrifice an old and valuable servant to
private considerations. By a too ready submission to so
great a loss, thev would appear to make a virtual surrender

S82 ^THE HISTORY'
civ^^11, of the constitutional right of choosing their own ageiit, or
i7'7- utterly destroy the salutary effects of that indispensible pri
vilege. For should the assembly passively consent to name
another agent, should they thus requite the services of one
whose fidelity to their interests Avas his only fault, what re
turn could be expected from his successor, but that he
should betray his trust, encouraged by such an example
of their treacherous imbecility. These arguments prevail
ed, and the house agreed to the resolution. But in little
more than twelve months they Ave re guilty of the very in
consistency which Mr. Maycock's prudent foresight endea
voured to prevent; and Mr. Samuel Estwick, after some
opposition from the friends of Mr. Brathwaite, Avho Avas also
put in nomination, Avas appointed agent.
The unnatural contest in which Great Britain Avas en
gaged Avith her revolted colonies, exposed the Barbadians
to innumerable dangers and hardships. Their commerce
Avas ruined, and their coasts insulted by rebel privateers.
One of these had the temerity, under cover of the night,
to venture into Speight's Bay ; but, being discovered, and
April ss. fired at from Orange Fort, she retired Avithout doing any
other injury than carrying off a negro man, who Avas found
sleeping in a boat in the harbour. This attempt Avas soon
folloAved by another, less daring, but more injurious in the
June 12. event. A small American schooner appeared off the north
end of the island, and captured several fishing boats, with
many valuable slaves on board. The loss was estimated at

OF BARBADOES. 383
two thousand pounds, and fell principally on a useful class c™*^jL
of people, Avhose subsistence, and that of their numerous im-
families, depended upon their success in fishing. These
alarming attempts excited the apprehensions of the inha
bitants of Speight's ToAvn for their safety. They concurred
in a petition to the assembly, representing the danger to
which they were exposed from the defenceless state of the
toAvn, and its vicinity, and praying that the. house would
take proper measures for their effectual protection.
This irregular mode of proceeding, gave rise to another
•no less singular and unprecedented. Having taken the
prayer of the petition into consideration, together Avith the
state of the public finances, Avhich they deemed inadequate
to provide for the defence of their coasts, the assembly
adopted the strange resolution of applying, through their
speaker, to the naval commander on tlie station. The
governor certainly Avas the proper person to whom the coni=-
munication, in the first instance, ought to have been made,
and from whom the application to the admiral ought to
have proceeded. But, Avithout the smallest attention to his
excellency, Sir John Alleyne, avIio, in pursuit of the public
good, lost sight of every other consideration, readily under
took the task of representing to Admiral Young the defence
less state of the country, and the depredations committed
on the property of its inhabitants ; and concluded a highly
complimentary letter, Avith soliciting his particular attention
to the protection of Barbadoes. The admiral's reply Avas

384 THE HISTORY
chap. XH. p0Hte, and expressed his concern that he had been hindered
1777, by the nature of the service in which his squadron had
been employed, from preventing the injuries complained
of, but promised that he Avould station a frigate to cruize
round the Island for its more effectual security. For this
deviation from official routine, Sir John Alleyne was
honoured with the thanks of the assembly, unanimously
voted in a full house.
1778. The repeated applications of the assembly to the British.
ministry for relief, were at last attended with success. By
an order of the lords of the privy council, Mr. Atkinson,
one of the government contractors, purchased three thou
sand barrels of flour, three thousand barrels of herrings, and
a large quantity of pease and beans, and consigned them
to the governor, to be sold under his direction at prime
cost; the money to be received, and remitted to the per
son appointed by their lordships to transact the business*.
Jar£2o. Upon the receipt of this seasonable supply, for the sup*
port of their slaves, the governor, council, and assembly,
concurred in an address to the King, expressing the warm
est acknoAvledgments of grateful hearts for this gracious
proof of condescending attention to the wants of his faith
ful subjects in this distant part of the empire ; with the
most fervid assurances that, however impoverished and en-

* To the honour of Mr. Atkinson, let it be remembered, that he refused to accept
the usual commissions, on shipping these goods.

OF BARBADOES. 385
feebled by calamity, inclination as Avell as duty Avould c^^n>
prompt them to testify their unshaken loyalty to the best of
sovereigns, and to oppose all disturbers of the ease and hap
piness of his government.
Not to be inattentive to the opportunity of profiting still
more by his Majesty's paternal tenderness, the council pro
posed an humble address imploring his Majesty to recom
mend to his parliament the measure of putting this ancient
and loyal colony, noAv much distressed by unaA^oidable
calamities, on a footing Avith all the other West Indian Is
lands, in regard to the duty on their staple products. This
proposal Avas eagerly embraced by the assembly, though it
might probably have been more decorous to have laid the
effusions of gratitude at the foot of the throne unattended
by any solicitations for additional proofs of the royal
benevolence. The supply of provisions was accompanied by a propo- _
sal very inconsistent Avith the benevolent disposposition ma
nifested by that partial relief. Mr. Hay Avas directed by
the secretary of state to demand of the assembly an alloAv-
ance for the support of such rebel prisoners as should be
brought to Barbadoes. Thus, Avhile relief was adminis
tered Avith one hand, an attempt Avas made, on the other,
to exhaust the country still more by an accumulation of its
burthens. In obedience to these orders, the governor used
every effort to persuade the assembly to assume the charge
of providing for the prisoners. But, with a firmness highly
3 D

386 THE HISTORY
chap. xh. commendable, they resisted every solicitation on the sub-
1778- ject; and, as no provision had been made by the British
government for securing and maintaining prisoners of war,
his excellency Avas obliged to advance considerable sums of
money out of his OAvn pocket for their support.
The encouragement openly given by France to the rebel
lious colonies in North America, having rendered a Avar be
tween Great Britain and that kingdom inevitable, Mr. Hay
summoned a meeting of the general assembly for the pur-
May 28. pose of submitting to them the necessity of adopting effec
tual measures for the security of the country. At the open
ing of the session he had Avarned them of the approaching
danger ; and as the colony was exposed to insults and in
jury from American pirates, he earnestly recommended, that
provision should he made for repairing the forts ; and, above
all, urged a due attention to the militia as the most consti
tutional means of defence Avhich they could possess. As
these admonitions had made no impression on the assembly,.
his excellency again exhorted, them to exert themselves in
the cause of their country, and to strain every nerve in the
defence of its territories, navigation and trade. The repa
ration of their forts, and the organization of their militia,
were again recommended in the strongest terms. But ar
guments and entreaties Avere equally vain.
The assembly seemed noAv to have regained their good
humour. Their answer to the speech was unusually civil
and respectful ; but, Avhile they lamented their insecurity,

OF BARBADOES. 387
they persisted in asserting their inability to guard against CHAP.xn.
those dangers Avhich threatened them. To put their fortifi- 177S-
cations in an efficient state of defence Avould cost more>
they said, than the country Avas able to afford. And al
though they admitted the utility of a militia, properly
organized, and Avell disciplined, they asserted, that the le
gislature, after repeated attempts, had found it impracti
cable to make any material alteration in their military sys
tem Avithout increasing the inconveniences and hardships on
individuals. After some common-place professions of zeal
and loyalty, they calmly informed his excellency, that such
was the exhausted state of the public coffers, and the un
fortunate circumstances of the people, that their sole re
liance must be on his Majesty's goodness for protection.
Nor Avould they consent to increase the public burthens by
new taxes, or additional articles of expense, until Avar
should be actually declared against France. These senti
ments ill accorded with their late loyal declarations of op
posing all disturbers of his Majesty's government.
That a British legislative assembly should be so perfectly
insensible of the blessings of civil libert}r, as to hazard its
enjoyment by a pertinacious adherence to an erroneous sys
tem of economy, and to talk of arming only when the ene
my should be at their gate, are facts scarcely credible, Avere
they not authenticated by the minutes of their proceedings.
published by their own authority. Nor can it fail to excite
the astonishment of posterity, that the representatives of a
3d %

38& THE HISTORY
c^^Jr« free people should prefer individual conveniericy to the
I778> public safety, and risk, the whole of their property rather
than sacrifice a part for the preservation of the rest. That
public virtue, says the elegant Gibbon, which, among the
ancients, Avas denominated patriotism, is derived from a
strong sense of our OAvn interest in the preservation and
prosperity of the free government of which Ave are mem
bers. But among the Barbadians, the only patriotism
knoAvn, at the period of Avhich we are speaking, seems to
have consisted in an opposition to the measures of govern
ment, and an endeavour to promote the voluptuous ease
of mercenary individuals at the hazard and expense of the
country. The assembly Avere not, hoAvever, left long in a state of
uncertainty respecting the hostile designs of France. Cre
dible information was received early in September, that
Avar^ had been proclaimed at Martinico on the fifteenth
day of * August. This Avas soon succeeded by more alarm
ing intelligence-. The Marquis de Bouille, governor-gene-
Sept. 7. ral of ' Martinico, with a body of two thousand men, trans
ported in four frigates -and fifteen sloops, passed over to the
valuable island'of' Dominica* and commenced an imme
diate attack on its half-manned batteries. The Aveak and
defenceless state of' the garrison left Governor Stuart no
other alternative than to make the best terms he could Avith
the invaders. The articles of < capitulation Avere easily ar
ranged, and Dominica Avas surrendered to the arms of his

OF BARBADOES. 389
most Christian Majesty, on conditions the most favourable chap.xii.
to the eapitulants. This important conquest Avas achieved ms#
while Admiral Barrington, with two ships of the line, and
some frigates, was lying inactive at Barbadoes, Avhere he
had been waiting two months for orders from the lords
of the admiralty. But surely the French declaration of
war precluded the necessity of orders; and had the admi
ral, on receiving notice of that event, put to sea Avith his
squadron, and continued to cruise off Martinico, there is
not a doubt that he would have frustrated the design on
Dominica. On the meeting of the assembly, the governor informed Sept. is.
them of the recent capture of Dominica ; and availed him
self of that opportunity to enforce his former recommenda
tion concerning the forts- and the militia. " Nobody," said
his excellency, in his plain blunt manner, " laments the
unhappy situation of many of the inhabitants more than I
do, but the island is still the same ; the lands and posses
sions are still of importance ; and these are the proper
objects of the legislature,. Avhose duty it is to use every ef
fort to put the island in such a state of defence as time and
local circumstances will admit of; for should they be torn
from us then shall Ave be poor indeed." The proximity of
the danger noAv aAvakened the fears of the assembly. The
moment had noAv arrived when it confessedly became their
interest, as well as their duty, to prepare in the best man
ner, for their defence. Yet, at this alarming crisis, and

3po THE HISTORY
chap. xii. after such an acknowledgment, they resolved that the for-
i77S- tifications, in their utmost extent, Avere unnecessary and irre
parable ; that the guns and matrosses belonging to the
most useless of them, should be removed to places of more
importance ; that intrenchments should be throAvn up on
the most accessible parts of the coast ; and that the sum of
six thousand pounds should be raised to defray the expenses
of these preparations.
The payment of the gunners and matrosses salaries which
was provided for out of this fund, left a small surplus ap
plicable to any other purpose. And of this balance no in
considerable proportion was consumed in paying the Avages
of the supervisors employed in directing the throAving up
of sand-banks on the Avestern part of the island. Such Avas
the extreme jealousy entertained of the executive poAver,
that the assembly inserted a clause in the bill Avhich they
framed in these resolutions, enacting that the money should
only be paid on being addressed for by their house. But,
on the council's rejecting the bill on that account, they
waved this unconstitutional claim. Nor did they affect to
dissemble their unAvillingness to attempt any innovation in
their military system; " averse," as they expressed it, " even
under the most pressing exigencies, from resolving, after
the deliberation of a few days only, on points essential in
the minds of a free people, to their greatest happiness."
Melancholy indeed, said the speaker, upon presenting the
bill for the governor's assent, are the circumstances of these

OF BARBADOES. 591
times, compared Avith the flourishing state of the country C*^^3I*
in the last war; Avhen, upon a requisition from the CroAvn, 1778"
the assembly Avere able to raise a capitation-tax of seven
shillings and sixpence upon slaves, to defray the expense of
a body of our OAvn forces, sent upon the expedition against
Martinico, although Ave now find a difficulty in raising a
levy of fifteen-pence to protect ourselves from invasion.
Sensible of the danger to Avhich the islands in the West
Indies Avere exposed, Sir Henry Clinton, on the approach
of winter, detached five thousand troops from New York,
under the command of General Grant, for their protection.
The transports, Avith the troops, Avere convoyed by Commo
dore Hotham, with five sail of the line, and some frigates.
On their arrival at Barbadoes, Admiral Barrington, Avho Dec. ios
assumed the command of the fleet, anxious, by some bold,
successful stroke, to compensate for the loss of Dominica,
determined, Avithout suffering the troops to land, to pro
ceed immediately to Saint Lucia, and attempt the reduc
tion of that island r an enterprise of no small difficulty and
danger ; but which, from its ultimate success, Avas pro
ductive of no less glory to the naval and military officers,
and the forces by Avhom the conquest Avas achieved, than
advantage to the service, in the ensuing operations of the
war in this hemisphere.
On the intelligence of this event reaching Barbadoes, the
assembly unanimously voted the thanks of their house to
Admiral Barrington and General Grant, for their gallant

392

THE HISTORY

chap. XH. services ; arid, as a, more substantial proof of their grati-
l7?9, tude and esteem, passed an act for furnishing the army
Jan. 1.9. ¦¦'¦¦, i
and navy, at Saint Lucia, with a gratuitous supply of fresh
provisions and live stock. Admiral Barrington, however,
having resigned the command to Byron, politely declined
accepting the generous donative ; alleging, that the healthy
condition of the fleet rendered the intended supply unne
cessary ; and that great difficulty would inevitably attend
the transporting of it. But on the return of the fleet to,
Barbadoes, a few months aftenvards, Admiral Parker, on
whom the command had devolved, thankfully accepted the
liberal offer, observing to the deputation of the assembly,
by whom it was made, that a supply of fresh provisions
was extremely necessary for the recovery of the many
brave men who were then in a languishing, dying condi
tion ; especially as neither soldier nor sailor had eaten a
meal of fresh provisions for nearly eighteen months. It
must be observed, to the honour of the Barbadians, that,
hoAvever reluctantly they submit to the expense and incon
venience of defending themselves, they ahvays contribute
cheerfully to the accomodation of those who are employed
in protecting them.
June. The whole of the trade from the West Indies to England
having been collected at Saint Christopher's, the immense
value of such a numerous ffleet induced Admiral Byron to
employ his Avhole squadron in convoying them a consider
ably part of their voyage. However wise or prudent the
5

OF BARBADOES. 393
measure might have been, it was productive of the most c*|^311,
fatal consequences. Taking advantage of his absence, a m9>
handful of French, scarcely exceeding four hundred men,
under the direction of a naval lieutenant, were detached
from Martinico, for the purpose of reducing the valuable
island of Saint Vincent, garrisoned by seven companies of
regular troops, commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, besides
a militia far exceeding the invaders in number. To this in*
adequate, contemptible force, the island was surrendered
Avithout the firing of a single shot on either side. Far differ
ent Avas the reception Avhich the enemy experienced at Gre*
nada. With six and tAventy ships of the line, twelve fri
gates, and nearly ten thousand troops, Count D'Estaing
made a descent on that island. The whole force which juiy2»
Lord Macartney, the governor, had to oppose to this pro
digious armament, consisted of about one hundred and
fifty British soldiers, and not quite four hundred mili
tia. The defence, hoAvever disproportioned the means,
Avas obstinate. Advantageously posted on an eminence,
the brave defenders of their country, repulsed a formidable
column of French troops, headed by D'Estaing in person ;
but the numbers of the assailants prevailed after a Avelh
contested dispute of mote than an hour. A capitulation
was then proposed ; but the governor and the principal in
habitants preferred surrendering at discretion, to submitting
to the dishonourable terms dictated to them by the haughty
D'Estaing, in the pride and insolence of conquest.
3 e

394 THE HISTORY
chap. xii. These transactions produced a considerable "sensation in
11 779' Barbadoes, and increased the anxiety of the governor for the
safety of the colony. He immediately convoked the legis-
juiy 22. lature, and represented to them, in the most forcible man
ner, the danger to Avhich the island Avas exposed by the
progress of the enemy in their vicinity ; and particularly
from the recent injury sustained by Admiral Byron's fleet,
in a partial action with the French off Grenada, after his
return from convoying the trade to a certain latitude,
which had, compelled him to retire to Antigua to refit.
With the internal resources Avhich Ave possessed, his excel
lency Avas persuaded, that a vigorous defence might be
made, in case of an attack, and that the island might hold
out until it should be relieved by the arrival of naval as
sistance. As preparatory measures, he recommended pro
viding tents for the men ; raising entrenchments ; building
redoubts at proper distances ; and particularly proposed pur
chasing a spot of land, in some convenient situation, for a
grand redoubt and general dep6t of ordnance, ammunition,
and provisions, to Avhich the whole army might retire in case
of necessity. As the militia were raw and inexperienced, he
advised, that they should be more frequently assembled
and instructed in the use of arms, and submitted to the
consideration of the assembly, whether, in the present cri
tical posture of affairs, a temporary enforcement of mar
tial laAV Avere not necessary ? To evince the utility of a m\-

OF BARBADOES. 395
Htia, under proper regulations, he referred to the rebel CHAP- XIL
army in America, composed entirely of militia, and yet l779,
successfully fighting behind entrenchments and strong re
doubts against veteran troops.
The house Avere at last awakened to a due sense of the
dangers Avhich surrounded them. They immediately re
solved to provide tents for the men, to throAV up entrench
ments, and build redoubts ; to arm a proportion of effective
negroes, to call out the militia one day in every week
for four months ; to equip tAvo small vessels to Avatch the
motions of the enemy, to provide an additional stock of
gunpoAvder, and to purchase land for the purpose suggested
by his excellency. But they thought that the adoption of
these vigorous measures rendered martial law unnecessary.
To give effect to these resolutions, they voted the sum of July 26,
fourteen thousand pounds, one-half the money to be raised in
the course of the ensuing year, and the balance the year
after*. Bills Avere immediately prepared agreeable to these
resolutions, and Avere passed Avith the greatest unanimity by
both houses. By the additional ]evy bill, five members of
council, and seven of the assembly, or any five of them, were
appointed commissioners to carry the plan of defence into
execution, Avith full poAver to borrow money, on the pub
lic faith, or to contract for such articles as were required
* The minutes of the assembly say ten thousand pounds; but the law, which was
passed on the occasion, fixes the sum at fourteen thousand.
3 b 2

396 THE HISTORY
chap. xii. for its completion, until the taxes laid by the act could be
l779- collected. A sufficient quantity of land was accordingly purchased*
in the parish of Saint George ; and the building of a grand -
redoubt, called Fort George, was begun, to serve as a
general depot, in case of invasion. But his excellency
lived not to see the completion of his patriotic plans. In
the midst of those preparations, which he had so often
stenuously recommended, he Avas arrested by the hand of
death, and removed from all the grandeur, bustle, and
October 24. contention of this world, to the mansions of eternal peace.
The early partner of his bed, died in Barbadoes, on the
eleventh day of October, one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-five ; upon which occasion his daughters, returned
to England, and his excellency, soon after, married Miss
BariiAvell, a beautiful Barbadian, whose personal accom
plishments attracted his admiration, and compensated the
Avant of rank and fortune. It does not appear, that this.
lady's sorroAvs, for the loss of her deceased lord, experienced
any alleviation from those marks of public favour which-
have been occasionally shewn to the family of governors.
not more deserving than Mr. Hay. The character of liis ex
cellency presents the eye of 'candour with a tesselated scene
of good and evil. Of a temper irritable, impetuous, im
placable, and vindictive ; the extreme roughness of his
manners Avas little calculated to conciliate the esteem of a
proud, high-spirited people. The violence of his passions,,.

OF BARBADOES. 397
often hurried him into improprieties which justly gave chap.xil
offence, and for Avhich he had neither liberality of mind, 1779*
nor strength of understanding, to atone. Yet it must be
alloAved, that he Avas a man of honest, upright intentions,.
zealously attached to the interests of his country, faithful
to his prince, anxious to promote the happiness of the
people, and to provide for the public security.
The period of Mr. Hay's administration is not distin
guished by any peculiar traces, of legislative wisdom. Of
forty-one laws which received his assent, twenty-seven
were temporary, and of the remainder six relate to one ob
ject, the improvement of the mole-head ; and yet the plan
is either extremely defective and ineffectual, or, from an
entire dereliction of public spirit, "Avhich fatally pervades
every department of our little state, is miserably neglected
and abused in the execution.. Of the other laws one only
is entitled to particular notice; this is the hucksters', or, as
at is sometimes called, the inspector's act. By this law an
exclusive tax Avas laid on the shop-keepers of Bridge-Town,
to be proportionably rated by the parochial vestry, and
annually paid into -the public treasury*. It Avas also
enacted, that any free negro or mulatto Avho shall buy any
live or dead stock, fruits, roots, or vegetables, or other
things, to sell again, without a license from the treasurer,.

* This olau9e has been since repealed^

398 THE HISTORY
C^^_^!/L shall, besides the goods bought or sold, forfeit ten pounds
for every offence. And the treasurer is authorized to grant
an annual license to any free negro or mulatto to carry on
the business of a huckster, upon receiving a duty of ten
pounds, applicable to the uses of the excise act, besides a
fee of one pound fb^e shillings for his trouble. The object
of this heavy impost Avas to discourage, and in effect to
prohibit, the nefarious traffic carried on by coloured huck
sters. Mr. Duke, by Avhom the bill Avas introduced, saAV
early, and endeavoured to avert, the evils Avith which the
rapid encrease of free coloured people Avas pregnant. To
the penetrating eye of that enlightened statesman it was
clear, that the encouragement given to that spurious race,
Avould ultimately deprive such of the Avhite inhabitants as
were employed in the menial occupations of life, of the
means of subsistence, and-, by forcing them into exile,
exhaust the country of the best portion of its physical
strength. In this state the bill was sent up to the other house for
its concurrence ; and though it Avas evidently a money bill *,

* Under the denomination of money-bills, are included all those by which money
is directed to be raised upon the subject, for any purpose, or in any shape what
soever ; either for the exigencies of government, and collected from the kingdom in
general, or for private benefit, and collected in any particular district. Black. Comm.
vol. 1. p. 170. This rule, says Cliristian, in his notes upon Blackstone, is now ex
tended to all bills for canals, paving, poor rates, and those in which pecuniary penal-

OF BARBADOES. 399
the council inserted an amendment, extending the clause, c^j^\^}'
respecting free negroes and mulattoes, to all Avhite huck- 1779,
sters; Avho, in default of taking out a license, were made
liable to a forfeiture of fifty pounds, from Avhich penalty the
coloured retailer Avas exempt. This was undeniably a most
vmparliamentary interference, but the assembly, taken by
surprise, or heedless of their most invaluable privi
lege, silently submitted to the invasion of its funda
mental right, and unanimously acquiesced in the proposed
alteration. The avoAved object of this arbitrary, partial and uncon
stitutional amendment, was to reduce the number of huck
sters by the imposition of an oppressive tax, Avhich few of
them Avere able to pay. In support of the measure it Avas
alledged, that the hucksters Avere receivers of stolen goods,
and their shops the asylums of fugitive slaves. The legisla
ture therefore piously determined to destroy those petty re
tailers, Avho eked out a scanty subsistence by revending a feAV
articles of the first Necessity, and, to preserve their morals,
condemned them to hunger and nakedness. Should the

ties and fines are imposed for offences. 3 Hatsel 110. And the commons have been*
at all times, so tenacious of this privilege, that they never suffer the lords even to
make any change in the money bills, which they have sent to them ; but they must
simply and solely, either wholly accept or reject them. De Lolme on the Constitution,
p. 67.

400 THE HISTORY
chap.XH. hucksters be guilty of the crimes imputed to them, there ate
1779. laws sufficient for their punishment, without resorting to a
measure which threatens them with extinction. Far from
being those pests of society Avhich they are represented to
be, they are an useful description of traders. Through their
medium the poor and middling classes of people, and even
the opulent householder, are daily supplied Avith articles of
domestic accommodation, and the sable labourer obtains the
comforts of his abject condition. Here he barters the crude,
unsavoury, substantial allowance of the plantations for more
( palatable and nutritious food ; and, no less fond of variety than
his epicurean master, indulges his satiated appetite Avith a
change of diet ; refreshes his drooping spirits ; and reno
vates his almost exhausted vigour. Let not the hapless
slave be denied these needful comforts by an absurd, unna
tural policy, Avhich Avould confine him to feed perpetually
on the productions of the soil.
Were this laAV enforced with a spirit, congenial to that in
which it originated, its operation must inevitably produce
the most pernicious consequences Many of those who are
employed in retail shops, are Avomen, aged and infirm per
sons; and others, Avho, having been brought up to no pro
fession, or having failed in higher pursuits, are destitute of
every other means of supporting the Aveary load of life.
The capital thus employed, is in very few instances equal
to the sum required for a license. They depend for subsist-
5

OF BARBADOES. 401
ence on the small profits accruing on the revendition of a chapxh.
feAv articles procured on credit, from the credulous mer- 1'79-
chant, or the humane Avholesale dealer. Consequently, if
the duty be exacted from them, they must shut up their
shops, and remain in idleness and indigence, Avhilst
their helpless offspring become burthensome to their
parish*. There are others again, Avhose larger stock in trade Avill
enable them to pay the price of a license, and continue
their business Avith encreased advantage. By diminishing
the number of retailers, the law tends to lessen, if not to
destroy, that competition in the market which is ahvays
found beneficial to the bulk of the people. And the opu
lent huckster, Avho complies with the exaction, will triumph
in the privileged monopoly ; and, by extorting from those
who are driven to his shop by necessity, will amply reim-
burse himself for the expense of the license, and groAv rich

* Previous to all the laws of society, man had a right to subsist ; and is he to lose
that right by the establishment of laws ? To wrest from him, by a tax, the means
of preserving .life, is, in fact, to affect the very principle of his existence. By extort
ing the subsistence of the needy, the state takes from him his strength with his food-
It reduces the poor man to beggary, the labouring man to idleness, and makes the
unfortunate man become a rogue. Raynal's History of the East and West Indies,
•osl. 8, p. 270.
3 p

402 THE HISTORY
chap.xh. on tne Sp0iis ©f the community. Hence, as a regulation
r719' of police, the laAv is absurd, impolitic, and inhuman. Nor
is it less objectionable as a financial expedient.
The grand leading principle of taxation is, that every
one should be assessed in proportion to his property and
income. But, by this laAv, an annual capitation tax, of
all modes the most arbitrary and unjust, is imposed on a
particular class of traders, Avithout any regard to their
capital, or the profits of their business. To add to its ob
vious injustice, the tax is confined to persons who, besides
their parochial levies, are annually rated for the support of
government, by their respective vestries, on oath, in pro
portion to their trade and ability. But as this impost
falls on indigence and industry, Avhile it passes by the
door of wealth and indolence, its, manifest inequality can-.
not escape observation. The poor tenant of an humble
shed, who earns his daily support by the precarious reven
dition of a few provisions, is here taxed beyond all reason
able proportion, with the Avealthy merchant, or the opulent
possessor of an hundred slaves.
The bill Avas passed with such precipitancy, that th6
people without doors, ignorant of what was doing Avithin,
had no opportunity of deprecating its vengeance. But no.
sooner was it knoAvn, than the door of every huckster's
shop in the island was shut, except a few in the metropolis,
the owners of Avhich availed themselves of the sanction of

OF BARBADOES. 403
hcenses to enhance the value of the common necessaries of chap. xh.
life. The members for St. Michael's Avere instructed, by 1779
some of their constituents, to move for a repeal of the ob
noxious clause; and the most respectable inhabitants of
Speight's Town, concurred in a petition to the assembly
for its abrogation. These applications Avere ably supported
by Mr. Duke, avIio, in an excellent argumentative speech,
after obviating every objection on the plea of consistency,
proposed some modifications of the tax in question. But
the house was deaf to his reasoning and his eloquence.
They Avould not, formally, consent to rescind an act so
recently adopted ; but it Avas hinted, that the penal clause
Avould never be enforced.
This assurance, though it quieted the apprehensions of
the hucksters, Avho thereupon resumed their occupations,
affords them no security. They are still liable to be over
whelmed Avith ruin, by any malicious informer, Avho, from
personal pique, pecuniary considerations, caprice, or ma
levolence, may insist upon having the laAv enforced. The
worst tyranny is that of bad laAvs suspended over our heads,
by a single hair, Avhich envy or revenge may sever at dis-
cretipn. It is not enough that such laAvs should slumber
in oblivion ; they should be repealed. While they are ex
tant, they afford the means of oppressing the poor Avith
facility, and furnish the vindictive Avith convenient instru
ments of revenge, whenever he will avail himself of the
3 f -2

404 THE HISTORY
chap. xii. opportunity of prosecuting the disaffected person, under
1779, some one or other of the many statutes, which, hoAvever
useless, remain dormant, like unextinguished volcanoes,
ready to pour destruction on the head of the devoted
traveller.

OF BARBADOES* 405

CHAP. XIII.
THE GOVERNMENT DEVOLVES ON THE HON. JOHN DOTIN  SUCCEED
ED BY MAJOR GENERAL JAMES CUNNINGHAME  THE GOVER
NOR DISAPPOINTED IN HIS SALARY  QUARRELS WITH THE
ASSEMBLY — THE COUNCIL SANCTIONS HIS ILLEGAL CLAIM OF
FEES — THE ISLAND ALMOST DESOLATED BY A DREADFUL
HURRICANE.
U PON the demise of Mr. Hay, the council met for tbe chap.xiii;
purpose of administering the inauguration oaths to the 1779.
& & October 26,
president. Mr. Rous, who had twice filled the dignified
station, Avas noAv so enfeebled by age and infirmities, that
he prudently preferred the shades of retirement to the hurry
and fatigues of public life. In a respectful letter, addressed
to the council, he signified his resignation and enclosed his
mandamus; Avhich he requested they would transmit to his
sovereign. The government of course devolved on the
Honourable John Dotin, the member next in succession to
the presidential chair; he was accordingly invested with the
ensigns of authority, and commenced his administration with
an economical reform. He abolished the expense of oil
1

406 THE HISTORY,
c^^nL for the use of the lamps at Pilgrim; an act which Avas
extolled as a noble proof of his generous regard for the in-
terest of his country.
Nov. 2. The assembly, Avhich Avas near the period of its dissolu
tion, having met for the purpose of making a suitable pro
vision for supporting the dignity of the presidency, Mr.
Duke moved that the sum of one thousand pounds a year
should be settled on Mr. Dotin during his administration.
He insisted that it Avould be the highest folly, under the
existing circumstances, to give the next governor a salary
equal to that Avhich had been hitherto given ; and that it
would be prudent to begin the retrenchment noAv, when the
executive power Avas lodged in the hands of a native ; no
exception could then be taken by his successor at a eon-
duct so free from any appearance of partiality. These
arguments were far from pruducing the desired effect. The
motion was rejected by a large majority ; and the salary
fixed at fifteen hundred pounds.
±780. A general election having taken place, Mr. Duke em
braced the earliest opportunity of their meeting to press the
reduction of the governor's salary on the attention of the
neAV assembly*. The proper time, he insisted, to agitate

* The proceedings of this assembly form such an interesting part of our colonial
transactions, that curiosity may naturally enquire their names. These were, Val.
Jones and H. Duke, St. Michael's; J Burke and T. Burton, Christchurch; S^W-jflcott
and R. Haynes, Si, John's; Jos. Gittins and J. Wood, St. Philip's; James C. Cox

OT BAHBADOES. 407
the question was before an appointment had been made ; CHAP.Xiii'
the Aralue of the government would then be known at the 1780,
moment that it Avas solicited ; their, proceedings would be
free from any suspicion of prejudice ; no offence could be
taken nor disappointment felt by the gentleman Avho should
be selected to administer the government. As guardians of
the public purse, there Avas an obligation upon the mem
bers of that house, he said, to adjust the public expenses to
the poAver and ability of those who Avere to pay them. The
poor man contributed in an equal proportion, Avith the
wealthy, to the support of government; it Avas their duty
to look to the -community at large, and to form their judg
ment upon that comprehensive view. The unfortunate con
dition of the bulk of the people rendered the strictest fruga
lity necessary. He Avished not to dwell upon a detail of
distresses and calamities. Every one who heard him must
have seen and felt enough to render such a recital super
fluous. After some additional observations, Mr. Duke
moved three resolutions, in substance as follows : That the
people, reduced by a variety of misfortunes, Avere now
unable to pay a governor the same salary as had been for—

and Rob. Burnet Jones, St. George's ; T. Alleyne and B. Bostock, St. James's; W.
Gibbes Alleyne and R. Ashford, St. Thomas's; S. Hinds andli. Walke, St. Peter's;
B. Babb and S. Husbands, St. Lucy's; Sir John Gay. Alleyne, speaker, and A. Cum- -
betbatcb, jun. St. Andrew's ; J. Steward and Edmund Haynres, St. Joseph's,

%

408 THE HISTORY
chap.xiii. merly alloAved ; that tAvo thousand pounds were the most
17SQ. which they could afford to settle on the next governor; and
that a copy of these resolutions should be transmitted to the
agent for the information of the secretary of state for the
colonies. These resolutions Avere opposed as being prema
ture and inefficient; and, on the previous question being-
moved, the house refused to take them into consider
ation.
Feb. 23. At their next sitting the assembly receiA>ed a message
from the president, stating, that it being his Majesty's in
tention to station troops on the island for its protection, the
eighty-ninth regiment had been landed ; and that he had
provided them Avith quarters; not doubting that the assem
bly Avould approve of the measure, and defray the expenses
of their accommodation. This called up Mr. Duke. With
the utmost respect for the parent state, he found himself
under a superior obligation to his native country. He Avas
averse to any neAV article of expense, Avhich, however small
in the outset, may increase in its progress. Jamaica had
burthened itself Avith the maintenance of troops under an
idea that it was a temporary provision for a particular
exigency, but the load Avas fixed upon it and was likely to
remain. Conscious of the inability of the people to bear
any fresh impositions, Mr. Duke opposed the proposal for
quartering the troops, as a measure productive of one cer
tain evil, and of many that were probable, Avithout any pros-

OF BARBADOES. 409
pect of advantage. The house,' hoAvever, thought differently, chap^xhi.
and a committee Avas appointed to provide barracks for the l78°-
troops at the expense of the colony.
' On the next meeting of the assembly the president sent March 21.
doAvn another message to the house, announcing the ap
pointment of Major General James Cunninghame, to the
government of the island, and requesting that they Avould
prepare for his reception. A similar communication Avas
soon aftenvards received from the agent, accompanied by
the most favourable representations of General Cunning-
hame's character, his friendly disposition towards the peo
ple, and his professed inclination to render his government
easy and happy to them. To this was added, an account of
the steps taken by the agent himself, to obtain a remission
of the four and a half per cent. duty. Mr. Estwick had
submitted to Lord North a statement of facts relative to
that impost, and proposed, as a commutation of the duty,
a general tax of three pence a hundred upon all sugar- im
ported from the West Indies. Lord North appeared to
think that the proposal Avas fair and eligible; and that there
could 'be no reason Avhy the other islands should not' con
tribute to the revenue equally Avith Barbadoes. His lord
ship, however, having taken no steps in the business, Mr.
Estwick added, that he had intended? to bring the matter
before the house of commons himself; but that it had been
indirectly conveyed to his knowledge that General Cun
ninghame would carry out full poAver for the settlement of
3 G

410 THE HISTORY
c^^Jn* *ne zff&i* on thg islands And he understood the terms
178a were, that the islands subject to this impost, should engage
to raise a fund sufficient for the payment of the pensions
granted upon the duty ; that no additional grant should be
made ; and that as the pensions dropped off, the fund should
eease. These he observed were considerable, and some of
/ them, for two or three lives.
July 10. While every mind Avas anxiously anticipating the halcyon
days that were approaching,. General Cunninghame arrived,
and the illusion vanished. The hopes which had been
fondly cherished before his arrival,, derived a temporary
confirmation from his specious manners. Bred in camps,
he possessed the imposing politeness, the easy dignity, and
condescending affability of the polished gentleman. But
beneath that pleasing- exterior lurked a venality of soul
which soon obscured every virtue,; and cast a baleful shade
over every accomplishment.
His excellency landed from on board the Thunderer, Com**
modore Walsingham's flag-ship, on Wednesday the twelfth
of July. He was received at the wharf by the president
and council,* the speaker and the members of the assem-

* The membeas of council were, T. Dotin, A. Cumbeibatcli, Henry frere, Ire-
neaus Moe, Rob. Brathwaite, W. Senhouse, W. Bishop, John Best, Joseph Keeling*
and John Ince. There were two vacancies which were not filled up diujing Cunning-
hame's administration.

OF BAHBADOES. 411
bly, the principal officers of the militia, and most of the chap.xih.
elergy, Avhence they formed a grand procession, escorted 178°-
by the guards, the royal regiment of militia, and tAvo com
panies of the king's troops, to Saint Michael's church, where
an appropriate sermon was preached on these words,
" When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice *."
His excellency then proceeded to Pilgrim where the usual
oaths Avere administered, and he was invested with the go
vernment in due form.
Ths assembly having met pursuant to a special summons, juiy ^
his excellency commanded their attendance in the council
chamber, and addressed both houses in a speech of consi
derable length. After professing his sense of the honour done
him by his Majesty's appointment to the government of
the island, he observed, " the character Avhich your ances*
tors have successively transmitted to you, of loyalty to the
King, and attachment to the constitution, you have uni
formly maintained. The preservation of that order and
tranquillity which have reigned so long among you, undis^
turbed by violence and faction, distinguishes the temper
and wisdom of yout councils. These circumstances, he
added, had recommended and endeared them to their sove-

-j- Proverbs, c. xxix. v. 2. His excellency probably thought the sermon a sufficient
commentary on the text, and therefore determined that his conduct should be an illus
tration of the latter part of the verse; " but when the wicked bearetk rule the people
moi'rn."
3gI

412 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. reign, Avhose goodness and attention to their Av^ants had
irso. been signally displayed in the ample ,supply of provisions
which had been sent for their relief, without any charge of
transport, the royal present of artillery and military stores
for their defence; and the large sums granted for the im
provement of the mole-head. To this enumeration of the
royal favours, his excellency, by Avay of climax, added an
other instance of his Majesty's gracious attention to the
island, at a time of public danger, in so speedily sending
out a successor to the late governor; and he should be happy,
he said, if in executing the Royal commands he might con
tribute to the safety and prosperity of this respectable part
of the empire. Nor did he omit to remind them of the
zeal and diligence Avith Avhich, previous to his leaving Eng
land, he had urged every measure Avhich he thought condu
cive to the welfare of the island.
Having an equal confidence in the wisdom and liberality
of the assembly, he refrained from representing to them the
necessity of preparing for their defence; or to press for such
supplies as the works essential to their safety required for
their completion. As the public money Avould ahvays be
applied to such purposes as met their approbation, he trust
ed they would not neglect to raise sums sufficient for that
important service. In their consultations upon this sub
ject, he assured them of his readiness to give them all the
information and assistance which his professional experi
ence enabled him to do. To the expected settlement he .
1

OF BARBADOES. 413
alluded in these words, " Among many instructions which c^^31,
I have received from the King, framed for the good and 17S0,
Avelfare of the island, there is one Avhich it seems necessary
to communicate to you Avithout delay*; I have therefore
directed a copy of it to be laid before you. It Avould be
indelicate in me to enlarge upon a subject in which I find
myself so personally interested. I shall therefore submit it
to your consideration, with the hope, that an appointment
sufficient to support the dignity of government and your
OAvn honour, may be the result of your deliberations +."
He had the satisfaction, he said, of bringing from his Ma
jesty's ministers, assurances that every attention should be
paid to the safety and Avelfare of the colony Avhich its cha
racter and importance deserved. The poAverful naval force
destined for the protection of this part of the empire pro
mised the, most perfect security ; but it behoved them, he
observed, to reflect that a state of Avar is ever, in some de
gree, a state of danger; and that their confidence in. their
sovereign's attention to their safety ought not to abate their
exertions for their internal defence. Though he professed

* This was the instruction usually given to every governor, allowing him to accept
of any salary which the assembly should think proper to settle upon him, provided the
settlement be made for the whole time of his administering the government ; and that
it be done in the first session of assembly, holden after his arrival.
f He had been told before he left England that his salary would be only two thou
sand pounds.

414 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. to entertain no doubt of their attention to their present sif»
i780- tuation, he could edit omit recommending them, in the
strongest manner, to frame such a militia bill as should give
-them all the advantages derivable from the extensive popu
lation of the country. Whatever powers might be lodged
in the commander in chief, he pledged himself should be
exercised with all the moderation Avhich the nature of the
service would justify. He Avould not, he said, trouble them
with common professions, his conduct alone must determine
the character of his administration ; which he felt would
prove honourable to himself only in the degree that he
•should make it happy to them.
Conformably to the rules of the house, a committee Avas
appointed to prepare an answer to the governor's speech
against their next sitting, and the assembly, in the interim,
proceeded to take into consideration the settlement to be
made on his excellency. The house being in a committee,
Mr. Duke moved a resolution conceived in these words,
*' That the circumstances of the people of this island can
not afford a higher settlement upon his excellency, not-
Avithstanding the high sense which Ave entertain of his merit,
than two thousand pounds per annum, in augmentation of
the home salary," He prefaced his motion Avith remarking,
that his excellency's gracious speech deserved every testi
mony of gratitude which could be given by the assembly,
consistent with their duty to their constituents. It must be
the Avish of every member of that house, he said, to distin*
5

OF BARBADOES. 4JI5
guish their present commander in chief with a settlement CBAP.xffiv
no less liberal than that which, had been made on hk pre- 17S0-
decessor ; but acting as they Avere, in a delegated capacity,
they Avere not at liberty to consult their own inclinations.
They were bound to consider the strength of those by
whom the burthen av&s to be borne ; and from the deplor
able state of the country, afflicted by a variety of evils na
tural and political, the people were noAv unable to make &<
provision for the support of government equal to what they
had done under happier circumstances. In order, however,,
to evince a disposition to treat his excellency with becom
ing munificence, in the event of a more prosperous turn in-
their affairs, Mr. Dufce moved a second resolution, " Thafc
in case his Majesty, in consideration of the many distresses
and calamities that had for several years past overwhelmed
his faithful and loyal subjects of this colony, should be
graciously pleased to relieve them from the payment of.
the four and a half per cent., duty on their exported com
modities, the assembly Would make an additional provision
of one thousand pounds a year for the support of the colo
nial government."
Both resolutions were strenuously opposed by Mr. R.
Burnet Jones, who thought that the annual saving of one
thousand pounds in the governor's salary was not an object
of sufficient value to induce the house to acquiesce in a.
measure Avhich might render his excellency indifferent, if
not inimical, to the interests of the country ;., especially al

416 THE HISTORY *
chap.xih this particular juncture, when they were; critically circuni-
178a stanced Avith regard to their application for, relief from the
onerous impost on their staple products. Mr. Jones profess
ed .himself an advocate for economy ; but, as the sum in dis
pute Avould not exceed three-pence on each slave, or at most
twenty shillings on each plantation, he could not approve
of a proposal by Avhich so trifling a saving was put in com
petition Avith an object infinitely more valuable. He did
not deny that frugality Avas necessary, but recommended
that a reform should be made in some other department, in
which it might be more productive^ advantage, Avithout
the same risk of being prejudicial.*: The salary, he re
marked, Avas given for the express purpose of supporting the
honour and dignity of government, the house ought there
fore to consider that, this being a time of Avar, the expenses
of the governor's establishment must unavoidably be increas
ed, by the hospitality with Avhich his rank and character
made it necessary that he should receive and entertain the
officers of the army and navy on the station. .
To these solid arguments Avas opposed a presumption,
which a very slender knowledge of human nature Avould
have shewn to have been entirely unfounded. It was re-

.,'•¦.' I', i , 4
* In the expenditure of stores in the differerit forts a saving might* have been made
which, far from being detrimental to the public service, would' have reflected credit oii
the government. In Speight's division alone the waste ,of powder at this very time ex
ceeded the sum in dispute.

OF BARBADOES. 41?
plied, that the governor would ahvays perform the duties of c^^11,
his station uninfluenced by pecuniary' considerations. Nor 1780'
could his excellency justly entertain, it Avas said, any re
sentment against the members of that house for a conduct
evidently proceeding from a sense of public duty. j Actuat
ed by that motive, their conduct could neither give offence
nor require apology. Wrere only the opulent possessors of
slaves affected by the payment of taxes, Mr. Duke admitted,
that the reduction proposed Avould indeed be trifling and
insignificant; but, as the weight of the burthen would fall
heaviest on people of middling circumstances, and others
of inferior rank, who found it difficult even to maintain their
families, he thought that the smallest saving Avas impor
tant, as it Avas essential, to their means of subsistence.
On a question so interesting to his country, Sir John Al
leyne could not content himself Avith giving a silent vote.
Were the committee to be influenced by personal consider
ations, the amiable character of General Cunninghame, he
acknowledged, claimed the utmost exertion of their bene
volence; but when the circumstances of the people were
adverted to, he thought their accumulated distresses ren
dered them unable to indulge their native generosity. He
took a comprehensive survey of the impoverished state of
the island; and, with his usual pathos, expatiated on the
lamentable scenes of misery which every where arrested the
attention. The failure of crops, the long drought at a cri
tical season, the privation of accustomed supplies from
' 3 H

418 THE HISTORY
CHAP.XIH; Americaj, the wretched; condition of thesJajKes* wijth, respect
178°- to Avhom famine might be said to be stalking through th§
land ; the sale of plantations by decretal orders of the court
of chancery for less than two-thirds of their real value, the
depopulation of others torn to pieces by executions for debt,
were topics, insisted upon with great truth and energy, to
sheAv the positive disability of the people to display that
liberality in supporting the dignity of their first magistrate,.
which they had done in more prosperous times.
He remarked that the colonial salary was a free gift of
the people ; and that the revenue on the produce of their
estates, having been granted to the crown, among other usesr
for that of paying the governor's salary, they were under no
obligation to raise one shilling for that purpose. In aa
historical review of the subject, Sir John shewed that, even
in years of comparative prosperity, the salary had ftuetuated
according to the temper of the assembly, from two to six
thousand pounds. And, although for the five preceding
administrations^ the settlement had been stationary at three
thousand, the Avorthy Baronet contended that, upon a fair
comparison of the condition of the country at the different
periods, what had been formerly given might be likened, as
a part of oue abundance to the rich, man's portion, said,, in
scripture, t© be cast into the treasury; whilst aJA Aye have
to give- in this day of calamity must be throAvn in like the
poor widoAv's mite.
In the course of the debate, Sir John- Alleyne. took occav

OF BARBADOES. 419
sion to observe, that the proposed commutation of the four chap.xih.
and a half per cent, duty would be far more oppressive than 17so-
the original imposition. For, however grievous the duty
might be, as it was proportioned to the annual produce of
their plantations, it was preferable to a certain fixed sum
which must be raised at all events, and under every disap
pointment from a failure of crops. Besides, as all sums due
to the croAvn were entitled to a priority overall private con
tracts, the consequence of a commutation, upon the terms
suggested, would be injurious. to the credit of the country,
and accelerate its ruin. Precluded from every prospect of
"relief from this burthen, by the interposition of superior
"feuthority, he insisted that it was incumbent on the assem
bly, as faithful guardians of the public interest, to diminish
the load for themselves, in every particular under their im
mediate controul.
On the question being put, the motion for two thousand
pounds Avas carried in the affirmative, by a majority of six
teen to six; and the second resolution Avas then. agreed to,
on a division of eighteen to four. A bill was immediately
prepared, agreeable to the first resolution, and, being read
three times, passed the house. Judge Gittens, who had re
served his sentiments to the last stage of the business, op-
p'osed'the bill, because the saving intended by it Avas pitiful
Sold impolitic. His excellency, he remarked, had succeeded.
'to the government under circumstances Avhich must neces-
¦ saiily compel him to lite at- a greater'" expense than his pre-
3 n 2

420 THE HISTORY
ct^^n/* decessor had done. He had brought Avith him, Mr. Gittens
1780, said, a strong disposition to exert his interest for the benefit
of the colony; and his connexions were such as to afford
the best grounded expectations that his efforts Avould be
successful, if they Avere not obstructed by the ungracious
treatment of that house ; which, by a mere parade of eco
nomy might stop the genial current of his good intentions,
and lose the critical moment of obtaining the Royal favour
and indulgence.
The bill having been sent up to the other house for their
concurrence, Avas returned /with the following extraordinary
message: " The council have passed the bill for the better
support of his excellency, and the dignity of the govern
ment, as they cannot amend a money bill. But they can
not help expressing their concern at the injudicious saA'ing
therein established, as offering an indignity to government,
and doing discredit to the island." The speaker,, attended
" by the assembly, waited on the governor, and, after an
'elegant and respectful speech to his excellency, offered
the bill for his assent. He' had the honour, he said, of
presenting his excellency with a free and voluntary gift of
the people, in addition to the usual salary from the Crown,
Avhich also arose out of the produce of the lands of this
unfortunate country : unfortunate, indeed, when the re
presentative body, were obliged to appear; before his excel
lency w,ith an offering so much inferior to their inclination
and his merit.. But such were the melancholy circumstances

OF BARBADOES. 421
6f the people, that Avere a faithful representation of their chap.xih.
wretched state exhibited to his excellency's A'ieAv, it Avould 1780*
rather serve to shew, that they had nothing to give than to
excuse them for not giving more ; especially Avhen the dis
appointment which they had experienced in the expected
relief from, the heaviest of their burthens ¦, left them desti
tute of every resource but that of a rigid and determined
frugality in the management of the little that remained. Yet,
.of that little, they freely presented him Avith a part, and
such a part too as, proportioned to their real circumstances?
Avould abundantly testify their high regard for his charac-
. ter, and the affection which his amiable deportment had
already kindled in their bosoms..
These expressions of esteem were unable to soothe the
vexation of disappointment, or to soften a heart indurated
by avarice. His excellency replied, " I find, gentlemen,,
that you have begun your economical reform, with me. I
hope you mean to go on Avith it, as I am persuaded there
is an ample field. I flatter, myself you will believe, that I
shall endeavour to second you in every measure for the ad
vantage of the island; but I shall not give my immediate
assent to this bill ; because, by your resolve, I am con
vinced, that your attempt to force ministers into a measure
which they are certainly inclined to adopt, is more likely
to retard than to forward: their good intentions."
A more indiscreet answer could not have been returned.
Had the governor concealed his chagrin, and received the
%.

422 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. settlement with a courtesy equal to the politeness wifn
i780' which it was offered, there is not the shadow of a doubt,
that the assembly would soon haA'e displayed their Avonted
liberality, by an augmentation of the salary. It was a
mere vapour of economy, which the sunshine of Court fa
vour would soon have dispelled. But, whatever difference
of opinion may exist concerning the propriety of reducing
the governor's salary, it cannot be denied, that the motives
which influenced the majority Avere laudable. The condi
tion of the country was deplorable and disastrous in the
extreme. For a period of seven years, the soil, exposed to fre
quent droughts of long continuance, had lost its accus
tomed fertility ; and its produce Avas destroyed by various
species of vermin, not less destructive than the vengeful
tribes which afflicted the Egyptian territory.
On the back of these physical ills, a train of moral and
political evils ensued. The commerce of the country was
almost annihilated by SAvarms of hostile cruizers, Avhich in
fested the ocean. The negroes were almost starving ; and
the business of sugar-boiling Avas greatly impeded, for want
of the necessary supplies of lumber and provisions from
America. Many of the finest plantations Avere desolated
by the cupidity of rapacious, relentless creditors ; the slaves
of the industrious planter Avere sold at public auction for
less than half their value, and transported to the Outch
'settlements; their buildings were destroyed ; and some of
the fairest pontons of the earth became a barren Avaste, to
5

OF BARBADOES. 423
the utter ruin of their once opulent possessors, and the chap.xih,
no l^ss manifest injury of their junior creditors. In this its©.
lamentable state of things, prudence imperatively enjoined
the most rigid economy, both public and domestic. Yet,
on the other hand, Avhen the insignificant advantage Avhich
accrued to each individual by the reduction of the gover
nor's salary, is contrasted with the benefits resulting • from a
harmonious union between the respective branches of the
legislature, it is at least problematical, \yhether such a
trifling frugality was- worthy the attention of an enlightened
legislature. Both houses havmg met, after the usual adjournment, August 2 2„
they embraced the opportunity of addressing the governor
in ansAver to his speech. The address of the Council Avas a-
nervous,. Avell- written composition, abounding Avith profes
sions of attachment to their country, of loyalty and grati
tude to the King, and of the most profound respect for his
excellency. That of the assembly Avas not less respectful
and conciliatory. It acknoAvledged, in the most grateful
terms, the many instances of his Majest}r's paternal care
smd goodness, particularly in the early and judicious ap
pointment of a gentleman, of his excellency's character,
Ho the government of the island ; one, in Avhom the most
respectable and useful military talents Ayere happily united
with such an amiable disposition, as alloAved them to ex-
gect the exertion of those peculiar poAvers for their safety,
-vjrijjji^ut any fear, of changer to- their, civil rights. But Avhile

424 THE HISTORY
chapxhi. ;tney avowed their obligations to their Sovereign and regard
1780. for his representative, the assembly lamented their unfor
tunate situation, which deprived them of the means of
giving his excellency a more substantial mark of their
esteenr, in the provisions made for the support of his dig
nity. Yet they indulged the pleasing hope, that they
should' be enabled, in some more propitious hour, to testify
the warmth of their regard to his entire satisfaction. They
acknowleged the propriety of attending, as far as may be
efficacious, to their internal defence, and promised, agree
ably to his excellency's recommendation, to adopt some
more practicable plan of rendering' their military force ef
fective. But they peremptorily declared their unalterable
determination, after the immense sums Avhich they had al
ready voted for the use of the fortifications, to raise no far
ther supplies for that service, however fatal the conse
quences might prove to the very preservation of the people.
Upon the Avonted goodness of his Majesty, and the courage
and proAvess of the navy, they should trust, under Providence,
for protection. They concluded with the assurance, that
Avhatever benefits they might derive from the mildness and
equity of his administration, they were sensible they could
be happy only as they should be just in rendering his go- '
vernment, as far as depended upon them, easy and happy
to him. ¦'¦ ¦¦¦
It required not the gift of divination to perceive,- from
the w hole tenor of this address, that the- germ of generosity

OF BARBADOES. 425
was beginning to expand, and that, by proper culture, it chap.xih.
would soon have produced the most grateful fruits. But, irso.
unluckily, General Cunninghame possessed not the art of
cherishing and maturing the tender plant. His rough, un- N
skilful hand, repressed its delicate growth, and blasted its
infantine bloom.
With the illnatured design of vexing and embarrassing the
assembly, he interrupted their deliberations with peevish
messages, proposing neAV schemes of expense, and con
veying a decided censure on the management of the pub
lic concerns. A large body of prisoners of Avar being at
that time confined in the common gaol, he represented to
the assembly the necessity of providing a place in the inte
rior of the country to which they might be removed, to re
lieve the inhabitants of the metropolis from the danger of
Contagious distempers. The house replied, there Avas no
place of sufficient security in the country to Avhich the pri
soners could be removed, nor were the inhabitants able to
take upon themselves the charge of providing for them,
They requested his excellency, therefore, to prevail on the
admiral to send them to Europe in the fleet then ready to
sail ; but, if they were to remain on the island, the assem
bly apprehended it to be the duty of the commissary to
provide for their accommodation, as he received an ample
recompense from the Crown for his expense and trouble.
This message was immediately followed by another, pur
porting, that his excellency had hired a small vessel to
3 i

420 THE HISTORY
chap.xiii. convey intelligence to the naval commander at Saint Lu-
178°- cia, of the surrender of Charles-town ; and desiring that the
assembly would provide for the payment of the charter : it
Avould be difficult to assign any good reason for this being
done ; but as the expense did not exceed forty pounds, the
assembly complied Avith his request. This produced a fresh
demand to pay the salary of a proper officer to be employed
by his excellency to visit flags of truce, and other foreign
vessels, arriving in Carlisle-bay. A prompt compliance with
this requisition evinced the wish of the assembly to gratify
his excellency in all his reasonable desires : they unani
mously voted a salary of fifty pounds a year to the person
employed on this service, Avho Avas dignified Avith the title
of captain of the ports*.
The house had just entered upon the consideration of a
bill to .provide for the expenses of government for the cur
rent year, when they Avere summoned to attend his excel
lency in the council chamber. He informed them that he
saAV, with astonishment and concern, this respectable co
lony left with an empty treasury, a magazine without stores,
and a numerous train of distressed creditors. The una
voidable consequences, he remarked, must be the destruc
tion of public credit, and a stagnation of all business.
To guard against the evils incident to such a state, he
urged the passing of a constitutional levjr bill. The house
* In later times the salary of this officer has been encreased to eighty pounds.

OF BARBADOES. 427
accordingly got through the bill, before they rose, and sent CHAP- xm«
it up to the council for their concurrence. Finding that the 1780,
bill Avas repugnant to the royal instructions, on the very point
Avhich had been so frequently canvassed, and decided by
superior authority, the council rejected it ; and the gover
nor, anxious to have it passed, consulted the attorney
and solicitor-general, whose report, with a copy of the
instructions, Avas sent to the assembly; but they were in
flexible ; they would pass no other levy bill, though the
public creditors had not been paid for sixteen months.
Having gone through the whole of the business before
them, the house Avere called upon by Mr. Duke to express
a proper resentment at the unparliamentary message re
ceived from the council at their former meeting. The hap
piness of every government, he said, consisted in the undis
turbed enjoyment of the constitutional poAvers belonging
to each department. Where a legal privilege Avas exercis
ed, if abuse or defamation folloAved, the tendency must be
to encroach, to irritate, and to throAv the Avhole system into
disorder and confusion. The constitution had entrusted
the popular branch of the legislature with the right of rais
ing and disposing of the public money. The poAver of de
termining the sum to be raised, and the services to which it
should be applied, belonged exclusively to the representa
tives of the people. Arguments were rendered unnecessary
by the council's admission that they could not amend a
money bill. But then they could have rejected it. To
3 i 2

428 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. consent to a measure and to vilify it too was unprecedented
178°- in all legislative proceedings. Mr. Duke proved, from the
parliamentary records, that the House of Commons would
never suffer any aspersion from a peer, even at a free con
ference, without shewing a suitable resentment, and bring
ing the offender to condign punishment. What then, he
asked, must be the feelings of that assembly on an attack
from the Avhole council, clearly calculated and deliberately
contrived to interrupt the good correspondence which ought
to exist between the commander in chief and the represen
tatives of the people ?
After offering a variety of arguments, to convince the
house that they could not, consistently with their OAvn dig
nity, enter the message on their journals, unaccompanied
by a proper animadversion on its irregular and illiberal
contents, Mr. Duke moved a resolution to this effect, that
the council's message, at their last meeting, respecting the
settlement upon the governor, is extraordinary, indecent,
and unparliamentary. Extraordinary, that they should
give their assent to a measure which they considered to be
an indignity to government, and discreditable to the island;
indecent, because it casts an illiberal reflection upon the
judgment of the assembly, upon a point where the consti
tution has fixed the right of judging,, in the first instance,
for the credit, as well as for the interest of the public;
unparliamentary, as tending to interrupt that harmony and
good will between the governor and the house of assembly,

OF BARBADOES. 429
so essential to the happiness and prosperity of the com- chap.xih
munity* ; upon motives beneath the dignity even of up- 178a
right individuals, and yet more unbecoming the second
branch of the legislature. Upon the question being put,
the resolution Avas agreed to, the members for Christchurch
alone dissenting ; and a copy of it Avas sent to the council,
Avho sustained, in sullen silence, the reproof of their in
discretion. On their next meeting, the assembly received the go- gepti 5,
vernor's reply to their address, in ansAver to the speech,.
filled with the most insulting reproaches and illiberal invec
tives. He affected to consider their professions of confi
dence and esteem among the greatest honours of his life ;,
and Avished that their favourable opinion of him might in-
duce them to render back, to the proper branch of the
constitution, the appointment of the treasurer and store
keeper, of which they had usurped the disposal; and
which, he Avas persuaded, was, in a great measure, the
source of that profusion of Avhich they so justly complained.
He was sorry to observe, that the misfortunes which they
attributed to bad seasons, were principally, owing to cor
ruption in their present system of government; and the

* The learned member might have found a better reason in Black. Comm. v. 1. p.
183. It is i rule of parliament, when the house of lords reject a bill, that no further
notice is taken of it, but it passes sub silentio, to prevent unbecoming altercations,. . ,

430 THE HISTORY
CHAP.XIH. continual encroachments which they were making on the
1780. executive poAver, were, he said, partly the cause of that
Avaste of the public money, so notorious to every unpreju
diced observer.
He regretted that the exertions which he had made, be
fore he left England, in promoting measures advantageous
to the island, should have been so illiberally requited by
their prescribing terms respecting the settlement, highly
improper for his acquiescence. When they made a pro
vision for him, as the King's representative, they ought,
he told them, to have remembered the necessary expenses
attending his situation, from the high price of every article
of domestic accommodation ; and had their donative been
more liberal, he should haA-e thought it incumbent on him
to support his commission with greater dignity. Their for
tifications, he affirmed, were inadequate to their defence ;
and, though surrounded Avith danger, they had declared
that they would raise no farther supplies for their OAvn pro
tection; a declaration which could not fail to inspire the
enemy with joy. He earnestly exhorted them to lay aside
that spirit of contention, which, he said, was but too visible
in their proceedings ; to live with proper economy, the
only means of retrieving embarrassed circumstances ; and
to employ themselves in framing wise laws, on constitu
tional principles, Avhich would restore credit to their finan
ces, <energy to their government, and that lustre to the

4

OF BARBADOES. 45 1
island which formerly upheld it, as a model of order and chap.xih.
loyalty, to this part of his Majesty's dominions. 17s°-
Nothing could have been more inconsistent and impru
dent, than this illiberal and unparliamentary message. Six
weeks had not elapsed, since the governor had commended
the assembly for maintaining the character of loyalty to
the King, and attachment to the constitution, Avhich had
been transmitted to them from their ancestors ; and for the
preservation of that good order and tranquillity, Avhich
proved the Avisdom of their councils, undisturbed by vio
lence and faction. Yet no sooner Avas their conduct seen
Avith the jaundiced eye of disappointment, than its com
plexion Avas changed ; the government appeared corrupt
in its system, and administered Avith profusion, the legisla
ture seemed employed in continual encroachments on the
executive power, and its proceedings actuated by a spirit
of contention. Declarations so opposite, and irreconcile-
able, involved his excellency in this dilemma ; either his
panegyric was undeserved, and originated in the unworthy
motive of effecting his sinister designs by venal adulation,
or his subsequent aspersions, were the angry ebullitions of
disappointed avarice. Be this as it may, this imprudent
step Avas seriously condemned by Lord George Germaine.
" It Avas a great concern to me," said his lordship, in a
letter to Governor Cunninghame, " to find that your an
swer to the address contained so much matter for conten
tion and ill humour, and some expressions Avhich might be

432 THE HISTORY
CHAPjXm» expected to excite resentment in minds already heated,
nso. anc| deposed for inflammation. The address of the assem
bly certainly did not call for such severe reprehension, and
the introduction of neAV subjects ; and besides censuring
past transactions in an ansAver to an address, was irre
gular." This intemperate message, which Avas immediately pub
lished, by his excellency's directions, in a common neAvs-
paper, produced an instantaneous flame in the house, and
destroyed every hope of an amicable termination of the
dispute. Tired with resentment, the assembly immediately
appointed a committee to prepare a memorial, vindicating
themselves against the indecent aspersions of the governor.
But Avhen the memorial Avas presented, in the usual form,
his excellency declined receiving it.
Sept. 19. This paper Avas draAvn up Avith great temper, moderation,
and firmness. To be silent, under the accumulated charges
which his excellency had brought against them, the assem
bly said, might be construed into an acknoAvledgment of
guilt ; and to reply, in a manner suited to their sense of
the injurious treatment Avhich they had received, Avas no
inconsiderable difficulty in addressing the representative
of a Monarch, for whose person they entertained the most
inviolable esteem, and to Avhose government they were at
tached, by every principle of duty and affection. Con
sidering the governor's remark on the power Avhich they
exercised, respecting the treasurer and storekeeper, as a

OF BARBADOES. 433
formal demand of those appointments, they seriously de- chap.xih.
dared that they would never be persuaded to surrender the V-wo^
right of appointing those officers, which they had holden
from time immemorial, by the peculiar favour and indul
gence of the crown *. Nor could they conceive on what
ground his excellency had formed the opinion, equally in
jurious and unjust, that the right of the assembly, to the
disposal of those offices, was the source of public profusion.
By the laws of the country, all orders for the payment of
money, or the disbursements of stores, must originate Avith
the commander in chief, in council, consequently the pro
fusion Avhich was the subject of complaint, could not, with
any appearance of justice, be imputed to the assembly.
Equally inexplicable was the assertion, that the misfortunes
which they imputed to bad seasons, Avere, in a great mea
sure, owing to corruption in the system of government.
But they assured his excellency of their readiness to join
in the most rigid inquisition into the crime, for the tAvo-fold
purpose of procuring reparation of the Avrong, and of in
flicting the most exemplary punishment on the delinquents.
With regard to the charge, that their encroachments on
the executive power Avere the causes of the waste of the

* The members of the assembly succeed to these offices themselves, in a triennial
rotation, as a reward for their legislative services, and farm them to the persons by
whom they are executed at three hundred pounds a year.
3 K

434 THE HISTORY
chap.xih'. public money, they defied the governor to name a single
17b0, instance in Avhich they had infringed the prerogative or
usurped a power not expressly Avarranted by law ; or in
Avhich they had exercised their constitutional rights unin
fluenced by motives of the purest benevolence, directed to
the attainment of some public good. They lamented that the
Salary of his excellency should still be a subject of altercation,
after all that they had humbly and respectfully offered in
vindication of the abridgment. Had they given the full
weight to the consideration, mentioned by his excellency,
of the advanced price of the necessaries of life, knowing
how much the people had suffered, for a series of years,
from this very cause, they Avould have been discouraged
from making any settlement at all, instead of that Avhich
they had made under every disadvantage.
Respecting the fortifications, they attempted to justify
their resolutions on the plea of necessity, contending that
in the impoverished state of the country, it Avould be folly
and wickedness to impose additional burthens on a people
struggling under a load of taxes, which they were unable
to bear. Whether in their future conduct they should be
f© happy as to exhibit such a model of order and loyalty,
as in his excellency's opinion might be deemed Avorthy of
imitation, the memorialists could not determine; but they
would, at least, furnish an example of integrity and inde
pendence becoming the representatives of a free, yet loyal,
colony. And they concluded with the assurance, that there
6

OF BARBADOES. 435
Avas no .civil right given them by the laws and constitution chap.xih.
of their country, which they Avould either cease to hold, or 178C>°
cease to exercise, Avhene.Arer the public Avelfare called for
its exertion.
Whatever censure the message of the governor might have
incurred, for its intemperance and inconsistency, it must
be confessed, that some of the charges which it contained,
Avere not altogether groundless. The proceedings of the
assembly, for nearly a century, had been distinguished by
frequent attempts to encroach on the prerogative of the
croAvn, not in the appointment of public officers only, but
by endeavouring to usurp an undue controul over the dis
posal of the public money. These claims had given rise to
frequent disputes between the different branches of the
legislature, Avhich had been as frequently decided against
the assembly. But Avith regard to the nomination of the
treasurer and storekeeper, the point had been formally con
ceded to them, full seventy years before, by an order of
Queen Anne. I/nder this sanction, they have successively
assumed the right of appointing the comptroller of the ex
cise, the harbour-master, an inspector of weights and mea
sures, a gauger of casks in each of the four toAvns, and
twelve inspectors of cotton. I shall not stop to inquire,
whether the government is better administered, in conse
quence of this assumption of executive authority ; it is
sufficient that it is contrary to the principles of the English
3 k 2

436 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. constitution. It is a right unknown to the house of
i7«o. commons. Of the profusion imputed to the government, the proof
might easily have been found in every division of the
Island. The unbounded waste of stores, particularly of
gunpowder, Avas indeed a grievance of no small magnitude ;
but here, the remedy was in tbe governor's OAvn hands. No
stores could be obtained but by his excellency's order on
the store-keeper. Oyer this department the assembly had
no control. An abuse of poAver is too often the only means
by which men of Aveakand sordid minds display their autho
rity and consequence. At each convivial meeting of the
militia officers, their loyalty and patriotism Avere celebrated
at the public expense by the repeated discharge of cannon,
not unfrequently exceeding a hundred in number. On
these occasions half the quantity of poAvder, allotted for the
charge of each gun, Avas reserved for the benefit of the
chief-gunner. Mr. EstAvick, the colonial agent, was noAv doomed to
feel the weight of the governor's displeasure. His excel
lency attributed the abridgment of his salary to that gen
tleman's letter to the committee of correspondence, intimat
ing that General Cunninghame had received instructions
from the crown to commute the four and a half duty. Be
sides this, the agent, as a member of parliament, had ren
dered himself obnoxious to the ministry by opposing their

OF BARBADOES. 437
measures. For these reasons the governor rejected the bill, chap.xih.
which had been unanimously passed by both houses, re- 178a
appointing Mr. Estwick to the agency. Nothing is more
clear than that the right of electing their own agent should
be exercised by the council and assembly, independently
of the commander in chief. For as it is the duty of that
minister to convey to the royal ear the complaints of the
people, suffering under the incapacity, tyranny and injustice
cf their rulers, the governor's veto, in this case, must
necessarily supersede and destroy the very end and object
of the office.
As a constituent part of the legislature, the governor, it is
true, possesses a negative on all acts of the assembly,' but
this poAver is given for the purpose of preserving the King's
prerogative from invasion; and the agent's bill being of a
particular nature, resulting from the peculiar circumstances
of the colonial constitution, the right of negation is, at
least, questionable. The inference from analogy is de
cisively against it. In England no bill, and especially a
money bill, not affecting the -rights of the crown, Avhich had
been passed by both houses of parliament, was ever rejected
by the King. But what occasion is therefor a particular
laAv to appoint an agent ? A vote of the house of assembly
would be sufficient ; and the payment of his salary might
be provided for in the annual levy bill, as in the case of the
other officers of the house. In the passage of this bill, the
governor is generally too much interested to suffer his per-

435 THE HISTORY
CHAP.Xiii. sonai resentment to obstruct it. To preserve the privilege
irso. ^f electing an agent, in conjunction Avith the council, the
assembly resolved to nominate no other person to thaft
office, and to "allow Mr. Estwick the usual salary, as if his
appointment had been confirmed by the governor.
Matters having now come to an extremity between his
excellency and the assembly, both sides prepared for their
justification by an appeal to the secretary of state, in whose'
department the 'colonies lay. With this view the speaker,
by order of the house, transmitted to Mr. Estwick the
minutes of their proceedings from General Cunninghame's
arrival to their latest meeting, with directions to lay them
before Lord George Germaine. At the same time the
governor Avrote to the noble secretary, complaining of the
little harmony Avhich he found subsisting between the council
and the assembly. This disagreement, he imputed to the
factious designs of Sir John G. Alleyne and Mr. Duke.
The influence which the former derived from his taleuts,
probity and disinterestedness, Avas invidiously ascribed to
other causes. Mis poAver, the governor said, arose from his
being employed as attorney to a number of absentees; and,
with a view to his lordship's interfering to abridge that
power, he particularly mentioned that Sir John Alleyne acted
in that 'capacity for the Society for the propagation of the
Gospel, and for Captain Reynolds*, of the navy, patentee
* Afterwards Lord Burce.

OF BARBADOES.

439

of the marshal's office. Hence his lordship would perceive, CHApxiii.
that those people who ought to strengthen the hands of a mo'
governor Avere encreasing the power of a popular leader,
who constantly opposed the measures of government, and
Avas ready, when tlnvarted in his. purposes; to throAv every
thing into disorder and confusion.
In this letter his excellency congratulated himself on
having the advice of two such able lawyers as the attorney
and solicitor general *, the former of Avhom he particularly
recommended to his Majesty, and hinted that his salary-
ought to be encreased aid paid by the crown. All the
principal offices being vested in patentees, Avho farmed them
out to the highest bidders, Avas a circumstance, his excel
lency remarked, Avhich extremely limited the poAver of a
commander in chief, and disabled him from conducting the
business of government with energy and effect-j-. Either
deceived himself,, or willing to impose upon the credulity
of his patron, his excellency proceeded to state that the
memorial which he had refused to receive from the assem-

* The Hon. W. Moore, the elder ; and Charles Brandford, Esquire.
¦f Among the causes which contributed to lessen the influence of the crown ini
America, Mr. Stokes,, chief justice of Georgia, mentions as one of the most material
the fatal practice of bestowing almost every lucrative office in. the provinces, that
could be exercised by deputy, on persons residing in England. Stokes's Const, of the
Colonies, p. 138. Hence it would seem that the number of patent offices in the
colonies executed by deputies, is as unfavourable to the regal authority as it is per
nicious to the people,

440 THE HISTORY
CV^AJ^JI- bly had given great offence to people in general ; he Avas
17sa therefore induced to hope, now their ill-humour had
evaporated, that the assembly would consent to pass a
proper levy bill ; if not, it Avould be expedient to dissolve
them; and as, from their absurd conduct, they had lost
their popularity, he entertained the most sanguine expec
tations of the advantages to be derived from a new
election. Nothing could have been more fallacious than this repre
sentation of the state of the public mind. Nor is it difficult
to conjecture by whom his excellency was misled. The
council of Barbadoes had ever been remarkable for a com.
pliance with the Avishes of government. The two leading
members of this board Avere Mr. Henry Frere and Mr.
Ireneus Moe. Of these the former was haughty, reserved
and austere. With an understanding more solid than
splendid, he possessed an inordinate ambition, which led him
to support the most arbitrary measures of government A
strenuous advocate for the authority of the croAvn, he natu
rally became the opponent of Sir John G. Alleyne, Avho
was uniformly the noble, erect and zealous assertor of the
rights of the people. BetAveen these competitors for fame
and power, personal animosity had succeeded to political
controversy ; and Mr. Frere Avas generally anxious to em"
brace any opportunity of piquing and mortifying his popu
lar rival, by an inconsiderate opposition, too often incom
patible with the public welfare.

OF BARBADOES. 441
To a sound judgment, Mr. Moe united a brilliant imagi- chap.xih.
nation, and a private worth Avithout a stain. Nor is it easy llS0-
to reconcile, with his respectable character, the part which
he bore in supporting Governor Cunninghame's arbitrary
and illegal administration. To the counsels of these men,
General Cunninghame seems, in a great measure, to have
resigned himself; while actuated by a perverted ambition,
and an absurd opposition to the patriotic leaders of the
assembly, they scrupled not to recommend or sanction the
most unjust and pernicious measures.
Finding the door of reconciliation effectually closed, the
governor noAv turned his thoughts to devise some method of
compensating himself for the insufficiency of the salary.
With this view he claimed of the deputy-secretary certain
fees, which, he asserted, had been usually paid to former
governors; and Avhich, of late had been absorbed in the
secretary's office. Mr. Workman replied, that he did not
mean to dispute his excellency's right to. the fees in ques
tion, but having farmed his office from the patentee, under
the impression of his being entitled to them, he should
naturally expect a proportionable abatement of the rent, if
the office was rendered less valuable by a different appro
priation of any part of the profits. The governor was no
stranger to the hazard of attacking the host of placemen,
who, by virtue of patents from the crown, drain the
Colonies of their wealth; he therefore abandoned this pro
ject, and adopted a scheme, in the execution of Avhich he
3 L

442 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. thought to enrich himself, with greater security, from the
1780, spoils of a half ruined people. Having obtained a table of
fees Avhich had been taken by Lord Macartney at Grenada,
he submitted it to the consideration of the council. The
pliant members of that board readily concurred in the
mercenary designs of their despotic chief, and agreed to
sanction the demand of fees, as a compensation for the
inadequacy of the legal settlement, but ventured to disap
prove of those which Avere then proposed, as being too
exorbitant. To give these proceedings some appearance of legality,
the opinion of the attorney-general Avas demanded on these
queries, Whether either, and Avhich, of the laAvs of this
island, respecting the fees of public officers, extend to
any fees taken, or to be taken, by and for the governor ?
And Avhether the establishment of fees, by the governor, with
the advice and consent of the council, is, in any respect,
a breach or violation of any law of this island noAv in force?
A noble opportunity was here presented to Mr. Moore, of
immortalizing his name, by asserting the indubitable rights
of the people; and, by checking the infant struggles of des
potism, by a candid and upright performance of his profes
sional duty. But, he reported, that the several laws of this
island, relating to fees only, extend to inferior officers, and
not to the governor ; and that his excellency, notAvithstand-
ing those laws, may receive all such fees as he was legally
entitled to. Nor did he know, of any laAv that expressly

OF BARBADOES. 443
prohibits the governor from establishing fees for himself, chap.xih-
with the advice of his council. To say nothing of the lr8°-
ignorance Avhich this opinion betrays of the constitution,
its disingenuousness and sophistry are too obvious to require
illustration. This report Avas laid before the council, at their next Sept. 29.
sitting, together Avith a neAV regulation of fees, which, be
ing more moderate, was approved of by the members pre
sent *, Avho recommended his excellency to claim and
enforce the payment of them, and the secretary Avas accord-'
ingly directed to receive the fees thus settled for his excel
lency's use. This Avas the most arbitrary and illegal viola
tion of the rights of the subject, that had ever been com
mitted in any part of the British dominions, since the me
morable and fatal attempt of Charles I. to levy ship-money -1
on the people of England. It Avas a palpable violation of
the charter, the colonial magna charta, granted to the
Earl of Carlisle; by Avhich it is expressly stipulated, that'
the inhabitants of Barbadoes should possess all the liber
ties, franchises, and privileges of British subjects'; and that
no decrees, nor ordinances, should be made to the hurt or
discommodity of any person or persons, either to the bind
ing, constraining, burthening, or taking aAvay their liberty,

* These persons were Henry Frere, Ireneus Moe, Robert Brathwaite, John Best,
• Joseph Keeling and John Ince, Esquires.
3 h 2

444 THE HISTORY
Ci^^T' goods, and chatties, otherwise than by laws made with*
l780' their OAvn consent. It Avas evidently contrary to the spirit,.
if not the letter, of several local statutes*. Nor Avas it less.
repugnant to the principles of the English constitution.
As the King, says the learned commentator on the laws of
England, may create new titles, so may he create new
offices ; but with this restriction, that he cannot create neAV
offices with new fees annexed to them, nor annex new fees^
to old offices ; for this would be a tax upon the subject,.
which cannqt be imposed but by act of parliament -f.
What a field was here opened to the council for the dis
play of patriotism. Selected as the peculiar advisers of the
representative of the crown, had they performed their duty
with fidelity, they would have remonstrated with decent
firmness against the injustice and illegality of the. measure ;.
they would, have cautioned the governor against the fatal
tendency of his arbitrary proceedings; and by a steady,,
temperate opposition, they would have protected the rights
of the people, maintained the dignity of the legislature,
and shielded his excellency equally from royal indignation;
and popular odium. Qn the contrary, it must excite the
contempt and astonishment of every mind, susceptible o£
spcial. feelings, to know that a body of men, of the first
ank and fortune in the community, should thus pusillani-

Vide Hall's Laws, No. 6, 14, 44; and 55. ¦ t Black, Comment, vol. 1. pf 272..

OT BARBADOES. 445
mously surrender their most inestimable privilege, subvert chap.xih.
the laAvs of their country, and sacrifice the interest of the 17s0-
people at the shrine of despotism.
Nor Avere the absent members free from blame. The
negative merit of not consenting to an oppressive measure,
is lessened, if not destroyed, by neglecting to oppose it.
The establishment of fees had been already agitated in
council ,- and, knowing that it was to be determined this day,'
they ought to have attended and signalized themselves by a
spirited opposition to the measure. Such a conduct might
have been as fortunate as it would have been honourable.
A prospect of success might have encouraged some of the
other members, not wholly insensible to the calls of honour
and duty, to join in the virtuous opposition to tyranny and:
oppression. No man should be deterred from performing
his duty, by an apprehension that his exertions may be'
unsuccessful. No inconvenience nor disgrace can result from
the attempt; but the evil of the omission is not problematical.
The arbitrary and unconstitutional proceedings of the go
vernor andcouncil diffused a general dissatisfaction through
out the country; and recourse was had to every expedient by
which the payment of the illegal fees could be evaded. Even
the fair sex suffered their patriotism to prevail over their natu
ral delicacy, and submitted to the publication of the banns
of marriage, rather than their lovers should yield to the
governor's exactions for a license. A more spirited and
manly conduct was adopted by Mr, Duke. Having paid,

446 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. the new fee on the probate of a will, to which he Avas ap-
178°- pointed executor, that intelligent patriot determined to
strike at the root of the evil. Though the governor Avas
not immediately amenable to the laAv, Mr. Workman, as
the minister of his tyranny, Avas liable to punishment.
Duke therefore lodged an information, in Avriting, with Mr.
R. Beckles and judge Weekes, tAvo justices of the peace,
against the secretary for extortion ; and a day Avas appointed
for hearing the complaint. Anxious to ingratiate himself
at Pilgrim, Weeks informed the governor of the affair, and,
the next day, positively refused to take cognizance of the
offence. Incensed at such servility, Duke withdreAV the
complaint Avith the design of applying to another magis
trate. But the dreadful disaster Avhich occurred a feAV days
after, the important concerns Avhich pressed for immediate
consideration, and, above all, the subsequent illness and
death of that valuable man, put an end to the prosecu
tion. Though the Barbadians Avere sinking under the accumu
lated weight of a complication of evils natural, moral and
political, the measure of their avocs Avas not yet full. They
were noAv doomed to suffer a calamity, in comparison Avith
which all the other ills that afflicted them Avere light and
inconsiderable. A tremendous hurricane, which, with in
discriminate fury, continued to rage nearly eight-and-forty
hours, Avith a violence unparalled in the history of the
world, threatened them Avith universal ruin. This Avas one
5

OF BARBADOES. 447
of those aAvful visitations of Providence, Avhose irresistible chap.xih.
force humbles the pride of man, and sheAvs him his absolute 17§o.
dependance on the mercy of that God, Avho " rides in
the whirlwind and directs the storm."
On the morning of Tuesday, the fatal tenth of October, the
inhabitants were early alarmed by the unusual violence of
the wind, accompanied Avith heavy falls of rain. The Avinds,
which bleAV from the north-west, continued hourly to in
crease ; and, before noon, many houses in different parts of
the island were either blown doAvn or materially injured.
By the third hour of the afternoon, all the vessels in Car
lisle bay were forced from their moorings and Avrecked; or
driven to sea to encounter the horrors and perils of that
dangerous element, under circumstances of aggravation,
that appalled the hearts of the most fearless and expe
rienced mariners. Nor Avas the situation of those on shore
less hazardous and deplorable. The fury of the tempest
encreased Avith the approach of night; and a scene of ter
ror and distress aAvaited the ruined and dismayed inhabit
ants in the dread hour of darkness, of Avhich no powers of
language can convey an adequate idea. About the ninth
hour of the evening the storm had attained its utmost height,
and from that time till four the next morning the Avork of
destruction Avas accomplished. Within that dreadful inter
val the Avhole island Avas devastated, and its unsheltered in
habitants were reduced to the last extremity of misery and
despair.

THE HISTORY
Early in the evening the cattle had, in some places,
broken from their folds, and with dismal bellowings sought
refuge among the habitations of men. But these, alas !
afforded a doubtful shelter to their possessors ; Avho, to
save themseh^es from being crushed to death, or, Avhich was
more horrible, from a premature interment under their fall
ing mansions, fled for safety to the open fields. Each, ig
norant of the other's fate, thought his neighbour more for
tunate than himself; and, flying from certain death be
neath his own crumbling Avails, sought, an asylum, Avhich, in
that universal scene of desolation, was no where to be
found. The author of this narrative was himself, Avith his
wife grievously contused by the fall of his house, and an
infant daughter, only six months old, among the midnight
.Avanderers, Avho traversed the dreary waste in search of an
uncertain place of shelter and repose. The fairest female
forms, stripped of their drapery by the ruthless blast,
passed the dismal night, exposed, almost in a state
of perfect nudity, to the inclemency of contending ele
ments ; Avhile their Aveeping parents and affectionate hus
bands, in all the agonies of sympathizing tenderness,
ineffectually strove to shield them from the pelting of the
pitiless storm.
But the toAvns exhibited, if possible, greater scenes of
horror and distress. Here the sufferings of individuals were
augmented by /a participation in the general calamity ; and
the cry Avhich assailed the ear, and the havoc which met

OF BARBADOES. 449
the eye, contributed to sudue the firmest mind. The hoAvl- c^^Hj:'
ing of the tempest ; the noise of descending torrents from 17sa
clouds surcharged Avith rain ; the incessant flashings of
lightning; the roaring of thunder; the continual crash of
falling houses ; the dismal groans of the Avounded and the
dying, the shriek of despair, the lamentations of Avoe ; and
the screams of women and children calling for help on
those Avhose ears Avere noAv closed to the voice of complaint,
formed an accumulation of soitoav and of terror, too great
for human fortitude, too vast for human conception.
The return of light served but to render visible to the
wretched Barbadians the extent of the calamity in which
they had been overwhelmed. Far as the eye could reach,
one general scene of devastation presented itself to the
sight. The face of nature seemed completely changed.
That beautiful scenery, Avhich had so recently delighted the
admiring traveller with the variegated bloom of perennial
spring, had, in the short space of one night, vanished like
the illusive vision Avhich mocks the imagination of the un
conscious sleeper. Those luxuriant fields, which the day
before teemed Avith nature's most valuable productions, iioav
resembled the dreary, inhospitable regions, which had
never yielded to the arts of cultivation. Trees Avhich,
from their bulk and strength, seemed to be little less than
of antediluvian groAVth, were torn up by their roots, or strip
ped of their foliage, and their ponderous limbs scattered
3 m

45© THE- HISTORY
chap.xih. to an incredible distance. But the amazing force of tbe
i7so. winds and Avaves Avas particularly demonstrated at Bridge-
toAvn, in the removal of a cannon of tAvelve pound ball from
the pier head to the Avharf on the opposite side, a distance
of one hundred and forty yards.* The crops of canes and
corn were destroyed; buildings, strong as human art could
make them, Avere levelled Avith the earth, and of the few
which were left standing on the plantations none Avere free
from material injury. To encrease the calamity, the poul
try, live stock and horned cattle, so essential to aid the
planter's labour, had perished in considerable numbers ; and
many respectable families Avere left to sustain the unex
hausted fury of the storm Avithout raiment, food, or shel
ter. Speight's-toAvn, though materially injured, fortunately
suffered less than any other part of the island. The Hole-
tOAvn and Ostin's participated in the general havoc ; and
of eleven churches and two chapels only three Avere left
standing; these were Saint Andrew's and St. Peter's
churches, and All Saints' chapel.
It Avas in Bridge-toAvn, however, that the destruction of
property, and the distress of the people, exhibited, by their
concentration, the most lively and affecting spectacles of

Annual Register, vol. 24. p. 32, where it is stated on the authority of the go-

vernor's letter to the secretary of state.

OF BARBADOES. 451
human misery. That extensive capital Avhich, for splen- chap.xih.
dour and opulence, was inferior to no toAvn in the British 17S0-
West Indies, was converted into a promiscuous mass of
ruins. Not more than thirty houses and stores were left
standing, and most of these had suffered considerable da
mage. The mole-head, a Avork of great utility, which had
cost the country more than tAventy thousand pounds, was
destroyed; and the bason entirely filled up Avith sand, stones,
and pieces of timber. It Avas OAving to the obstruction giA'en
by the pier to the progress of the AvaA^es, Avhich rushed with
impetuous violence against it, that Bridge-town was pre
served from total annihilation. The castle, forts, and bat
teries, the town-hall and prison, were all demolished. The
spacious church of Saint Michael's, Avith its lofty steeple,
was tumbled to the foundation in one confused heap of
ruins. The elegant and stately mansion at Pilgrim, the seat of
government, escaped not the general destruction. There
every precaution had been early adopted, Avhich seemed
likely to afford security against the impending danger. But
no human strength nor art could avail. The resistless vio
lence of the Avind bore down every obstacle ; and soon forced
its way into every apartment. One Aving, and great part of
the other, having been bloAvn down, the governor and his
family retired to the centre, Avhere, from its circular form,
and the thickness of the walls, they expected to find safety.
3 m 2

452 THE HISTORY
chap.xih. But they Avere disappointed; thereof was bioAvri off, and
1780, the continual falling of the stones compelled them to fly for
shelter to the cellars; hence they Avere soon dislodged by
the irruption of the water Avhich floAved in Avith an alarming
impetuosity. No alternative Avas noAv left but to seek a
precarious security in the open fields. The governor, and
those Avho had strength to resist the force of the Avinds,
after being frequently throAvn doAvn and rolled in the
mire, got under the carriages of the cannon on the plat
form at Pilgrim. In this situation they remained dur
ing the continuance of the storm, in continual apprehen
sion that the cannon, Avhich Avere violently rocked by
the wind, Avould be dismounted, and crush them in their
fall. The superb residence of the commander in chief of his
Majesty's forces having been early blown down, General
Vaughan and his family experienced a full share of the
dangers and disasters of that long night of horror ; his secre
tary's thigh was broken, nor did the general himself escape
Avithout receiving several severe contusions. Though the
barracks and hospital were destroyed, such Avere the happy
effects of order and discipline, that, the troops sustained no
considerable loss; almost the whole of the provisions and
stores designed for the use of the army and navy Avere for
tunately preserved from the fury of the elements and the
rapine of the negroes.

OF BARBADOES. 4.5*3
The loss of human lives Avas proportioned to the dangers chap.xih.
which surrounded the affrighted inhabitants. Even among; 1780,
the Avhites the number Avas considerable, and, including the
blacks, avIio Avere most exposed, the loss was estimated to
exceed three thousand. It Avas impossible, however, to be
accurate in the melancholy enumeration. Besides the
Avretched victims Avho perished from the violence of the
tempest and the inclemency of the Aveather, many were
crushed to death and intombed in the ruins of their houses,
many were swept aAvay by the resistless force of the Avaves,
and AAere seen or heard of no more; and not a few Avere
precipitated into eternity by the rapid course of the rivers
and streams of fresh Avater Avhich poured into the sea. The
loss of property sustained on this memorable occasion Avas
more correctly ascertained, and amounted, according to
the returns made to the governor by the vestries of the
several parishes to the enormous sum of one million
eighteen thousand nine hundred and tAventy-eight pounds
sterling. Those Avho had survived the tragic catastrophe Avere still
exposed to dangers scarcely less imminent than those \vhieh
they had recently escaped. The general devastation had
deprived them of their internal resources, and exhibited to
their view the terrific prospect of famine. Availing them
selves of the consternation which prevailed, the slaves, in
stead of assisting their oAvners, or endeavouring to save the
effects of the unhappy sufferers, were actively employed m

454 THE HISTORY
CHAP.X111. plundering them of the poor remains of property whicbhad
1760. J36en Spare(i by the hurricane. A body of eight hundred
prisoners of Avar had been liberated by the demolition of the
gaol, and the most serious apprehensions were entertained
that these men, in conjunction Avith the licentious slaves,
Avould complete what the rage of the elements had left un
finished. But, fortunately for the Barbadians, General
Vaughan, with a body of troops, Avas at hand, ready to re
press any disorder, or to check any attempt on the public
safety, and probably prevented the consummation of their
ruin. Prom this gallant commander and his veteran corps,
the inhabitants received the most effectual protection, and
every humane assistance Avhich their forlorn and destitute
condition required. And to the immortal honour of Don
Pedro de Saint Jago, captain of the regiment of Arragon,
and the Spanish prisoners under his direction, let it be re
membered Avith gratitude, that, laying aside all national
animosity in that season of calamity, they omitted no ser
vice nor labour for the relief of the distressed inhabitants and
the preservation of public order.
From the number of dead bodies lying in the streets, and
among the ruins, and the quantity of putrid fish thrown up
by the sea, no unreasonable apprehensions were entertained
that a pestilence Avould ensue. To avert this evil, among other
necessary purposes, the merchants of Bridge-town formed
an association, and appointed committees for the interment
of the dead, and the distribution of provisions for the re-
6

OF BARBADOES. 4$$
lief of their indigent felloAv-sufferers. Nor were they un- chap.xih.
mindful of the services rendered them by the troops. They 17S0*
voted their thanks to General Vaughan and the officers of
the army, and a gratuity of sixpence per diem to the pri
vates, as an acknowledgment for protecting their property
from rapine and plunder.
The humanity of the Marquis de Bouille should not be
forgotten. The Laurel and Andromeda frigates having
been wrecked 011 the coast of- Martinico, that magnanimous
commander sent thirty-one English sailors, Avho were all
that were saved out of both crews, under a flag of truce to
Commodore Hotham, at Saint Lucia, with a letter pur
porting that he could not consider in the light of ene
mies, men Avho had escaped in a contention Avith the
elements; but that they, in common Avith his own peo
ple, having been partakers of the same danger, Avere, in-
like manner, entitled to every comfort and relief which
could be given in a season of such universal calamity and
distress. What a contrast does this act of generosity in a noble
enemy afford to the conduct of Governor Cunninghame.
Amid the general convulsion of the Caribbean sea, a small Oct. 12,.
Spanish launch, having a feAV mules on board, sought secu
rity from the winds and waves in Maycock's bay. The
matrosses detained her until the governor's pleasure Avas
known; and his excellency ordered her to be seized as a.

456 THE HISTORY
C2A*^IJ1' droit of admiralty, made the creAV prisoners of war, and
1780. converted the vessel and cargo to his OAvn use. Thus
Avhat the wretched mariners had saved from the angry
elements was torn from them by the rapacity of a hu
man being, insensible of the tender emotions of pity and
compassion!

OF BARBADOES. 457

CHAP. XIV.

ADDRESSES FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO THE THRONE. — EXTRA
ORDINARY PROPOSAL TO SUSPEND THE PROCEEDINGS OF JUS
TICE.  PETITION TO THE KING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S RE
MOVAL.  HIS EXCELLENCY PERSEVERES IN HIS ARBITRARY
AND ILLEGAL MEASURES.
1 HE bitter affliction with which Providence had visited chap.xiv.
the Barbadians had not softened the obdurate heart of '"nso?''
the governor. Suffering under a disaster so general and so
fatal to all ranks of people, it was natural for them to ex
pect that his excellency would have taken the earliest op
portunity of convoking the legislature, that the public
might enjoy the benefit of their collective wisdom, in a ease
of such uncommon difficulty and distress. But to sheAV his
utter contempt of the assembly, and, perhaps, Avith the
hope of impressing their sovereign with an unfavourable
opinion of them at this awful conjuncture, he summoned
the council only, for the purpose of framing an address to
the king on the late ruinous event. With the strongest as
surances of inviolate attachment to his Majesty's person and
3 N

45a THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. government, they humbly besought his gracious attention
1780- to their wretched condition. After a series of accumulated
misfortunes had reduced this once flourishing island to
the lowest degree of poverty, a devastating hurricane
had noAv, they, feared, completed the destructive work.
Destitute of resources to repair their fallen habitations, or
even to procure the materials required for reaping their
crops, they were left Avithout any prospect of alleviation to*
their distress, but in the benignity of his Majesty's compas
sionate disposition, and those endearing feelings which had
taught the world, that in the same person may be united
the great and powerful monarch Avith the good and amiable
man. They concluded, Avith imploring such relief as his.
Majesty in bis Avisdom and goodness should judge proper
to afford them.
This petition was accompanied by a letter from the go
vernor to Lord George Germaine, containing a recital of the
particulars of the dreadful calamity in Avhich the country
had been involved. Many years, he remarked, must elapse
before the injury which the planters had sustained could
fee repaired ; and he was apprehensive that the proprietors
of the soil would be unable to rebuild their houses and
sugars-works, so deeply were they indebted to the merchants
©f England. He particularly suggested to his lordship's
attention, the necessity of supplying the colony with provi
sions from Europe, as, Avithout the bounty and generosity
of the best of kings, th& people Avould be in the most immi-
6

OF BARBADOES. 459
nent danger of starving. Nor -was General Vaughan silent cx^^'
on this melancholy occasion. In his dispatches to the se- 17m
cretary of state, that distinguished officer concluded an
affecting representation of the general ruin and distress,
with a pathetic appeal to his lordship's feelings on behalf
of the inhabitants of this ruined country, assuring him that
a famine must inevitably ensue, unless some effectual means
were employed, on the part of government, to prevent it.
The assembly having been, at length, permitted to meet, October 31.
pursuant to adjournment, the speaker suggested to the house
the propriety of embracing that opportunity of addressing
the King, and supplicating his Majesty's gracious assistance
under their present exigencies. He regretted that they had
not been allowed to concur with the council in a joint ad
dress to the throne, but that the house might not appear in
attentive to their duty, on an occasion so interesting, he
submitted to their consideration an address to his Majesty,
Avhich he had prepared for the purpose. It Avas of course
unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be transmitted to the
agent to be presented. Mr. Estwick was at the same time
directed to reneAv his application to the ministry to relieve
the country from the payment of the four and a half per
cent, duty; and for the establishment of a free port, as the
most probable means of rescuing it from ruin, and restoring
it to its former prosperity.
Notwithstanding the governor's just and affecting repre
sentation of the deplorable effects of the hurricane, his first
3 n 2

460 THE HISTORY
chap.xw. proposition to the assembly was the imposition of fresh bur-
178°- thens on an afflicted people, who, according to his own ac
count, transmitted to the secretary of state only ten days
before, Avere in a great measure deprived of procuring food
or shelter. As soon as the house had sat, he sent doAvn a
message, informing them that he had omitted to convene
them on the late dreadful calamity, knoAving how much
every man must be occupied by his domestic concerns.
He. tauntingly recommended unanimity in their proceedings
at this trying conjuncture, to frame a proper levy bill, and
to put their fortifications in a suitable posture of defence.
Pilgrim house, he told them, Avas uncovered, the armory
destroyed, and that he had been at considerable expense for
labourers to preserve the arms, lumber, and materials ; and
hoped that the assembly Avould give directions for repairing
the buildings at Pilgrim. He concluded Avith recommend
ing their passing a laAv to restrain the high price of Avork-
men and labourers, and assured them of his readiness to
concur in any measure for the public Avelfare.
To this message the assembly replied, that, notAvithstand-
ing the pressure of their private concerns, they Avould wil
lingly have attended an earlier call of public duty, espe
cially at the time his excellency summoned the council..
Such, they observed, Avas the melancholy situation of the
bulk of the people, that the little property Avhich had been
spared by the storm must necessarily be appropriated to
their subsistence, and the rebuilding of their fallen habita-

OF BARBADOES. 46l
tions. For this reason, the assembly declined passing a levy chap.xiv.
bill, or incurring any expense for the repairs of the fortifi- l780,
cations. They, hoAvever, readily consented to put Pilgrim
house in as comfortable a state of accommodation as exist
ing circumstances Avould allow, and to provide for the secu
rity of the arms which had been exposed to injury by the
demolition of the armory.
This message was immediately succeeded by another,
requiring the assembly to provide for guarding the prison
ers of Avar, and for preserving the peace of the island, as the
troops Avould shortly be withdrawn. The house replied,
that they kneAV of no place of sufficient security to lodge
the prisoners ; nor could they consent to increase the pub
lic burthens, by raising a body of men capable of guard
ing them, in places so open and insecure as all Avere at that
moment. They, therefore, requested, that the prisoners
might be sent aAvay Avith the troops, or that the proper
agent Avould provide flags of truce for their removal.
A bill of a very extraordinary nature Avas introduced at
this sitting by Judge Gittens, for the purpose of suspenaV
ing the proceedings of the courts of j ustice, and of the
marshal's office, for a limited term of years. From the
novelty of the measure, it is but fair to hear the arguments
by Avhich it Avas supported. The learned judge remarked,
that the common ruin in which all ranks of people Avere in
volved, and the complete desolation Avhich overspread the
face of the country, called for the interposition, of the le-

462 THE HISTORY
Cj^3^' gislaf ure to alleviate, as much as possible, the miseries of
l78a the inhabitants, and to revive the sinking spirits of those
who had escaped with little more than their lives. Some
thing, he said, eught to be done, to calm the mind, and
assuage the anguish of the desponding debtor, who other
wise must seek some other friendly shore, where he might
reap, in security, the reward of his labour. With this view
he had introduced the bill in his hand, calculated, as he
said, in this hour of calamity, to brighten the clouded
prospect, and give confidence and assurance to the honest
and industrious, to look forward to days of comfort and
times more propitious, when the bread of carefulness should
not be snatched from their mouths by the rapacious claims
of an unfeeling creditor.
From this general view of the; subject, the honourable
mover proceeded to an examination of the separate clauses
of the bill, Avhich, he asserted, were self-evident proposi
tions deduced from facts. Nor could the timid creditor,
he insisted, have just cause of alarm at a measure which
would only deprive him of his power, for a while, to be
restored, with redoubled vigour and effect, at a period
when he may exercise it with greater advantage to himself,
than at a season when nothing but a wild waste of ruins
lay before him. To the elder creditor, he concluded, it
would only operate as a renewed defeasance, Avith the
prospect of better security; and to the junior creditor it
was such an act alone that could give hope, and keep alive

OF BARBADOES. 46a
his expectations, Avhich would otherwise sink into a gloomy chap.xiv,
despondency. 1780.
The second reading of the bill was ably opposed by Sir
John Gay Alleyne. He commenced an eloquent, argu
mentative speech, Avith observing, that the feelings of com
passion, like all other affections of the human soul, ought
to be regulated by the principles of natural justice; and
that even the love of his country, however ardent, must
yield to those superior obligations. He could not consent
to countenance a measure which tended to establish an un
worthy and an unwarrantable distinction between the land
holder and the other classes of society, Avho Avere all entitled
to the equal protection of Avise and equitable laAvs. No
partial regard to the embarrassments of men of landed pro
perty should ever influence the deliberations of that house;
there Avere others who ought to be considered with an equal
degree of tenderness. The man who had no other property
than money lent out at interest, and Avho, by the lata
dreadful visitation from heaven, Avas probably deprived of
a place of rest and shelter, ought not to be excluded from
the benefit Avhich the laAv had given him of procuring a har
bitation, or food for his family. In this class there Ayere
many young ladies whose whole fortune consisted in. debts
and legacies-, and who, perhaps, had been left by the storm,
with no other cloaths than those on their backs. Shall the
condition of these helpless females, he asked, be rendered
more destitute by a law, that would deprive them of the

464 THE HISTORY
CHAP.X1V, means of procuring the decent habiliments of their sex ?
nso. Neither could the merchants and tradesmen of the several
town, sharers in the common calamity, be debarred, Avith
out injustice, from recovering what Avas due to them, for
their immediate subsistence, or the support of that credit
on Avhich their mercantile existence depended. Still less
should those, Avho, in their several departments and profes
sions, earn their livelihood by their manual labour, their
learning, or their mental ingenuity, be denied the legal
right of enforcing their just demands to enable them to re
build their houses, and to furnish themselves with food and
raiment. Nor did Sir John Alleyne think the bill calculated for
tbe real and permanent advantage of those Avhom it fa
voured most, unless it Avere those Avhose debts exceeded
the value of their property. None others could benefit by
a suspension of justice. But to pass an act Avhich should
afford debtors, of this description, an opportunity of en
joying their plantations a feAv years longer, to the prejudice
of their creditors, would be to establish iniquity by laAv.
To debtors of every other class, the honourable baronet
contended, the bill Avould eventually prove injurious, as it
must effectually destroy all confidence in those Avhose un
fortunate circumstances more particularly required credit
to enable them to repair their Avorks, and restore their plan
tations to a proper state of cultivation. Sir John Alleyne
offered a variety of arguments to prove, that the operation

OF BARBADOES. 465
of the bill Avould not only be prejudicial to those for Avhose chap.xiv,
benefit it Avas intended, but that it AA'ould be inconsistent 1780#
with the honour of that house, and injurious to the cha
racter of the country.
On the resumed consideration of the bill, its principle Nov-2^
Avas judiciously combated by Mr.' Duke. A country, he
observed, in Avhich the course of justice Avas obstructed by
laAv, could be no eligible place for the residence of men.
From such a society all confidence, credit and commerce,
must be banished. It must Avant support from Avithout,
and be destitute of cement Avithin. The venerable speaker
of the assembly again exerted his patriotic eloquence in
supporting the claims of justice; and, rather than suffer
any imputation on his good faith, moved an additional
clause, excluding himself, by name, from any benefit to
be derived from the operation of the law. The integrity of
Mr. Husbands Avas eminently displayed in his opposition to
this measure. By a train of misfortunes, he had been al
most reduced to a state of insolvency ; but his liberal mind
Avas incapable of entertaining a Avish to oppugn the claims
of his creditors by an act, palpably inconsistent Avith every
idea of public faith. Being Avithout a horse, though he
had a considerable property in possession, he \valked Avith
great firmness, a distance of several miles, to attend the as
sembly, and give his negative to the bill But finding the
poAverful opposition Avhich he had to encounter, Mr. Git
tens withdrew the bill without putting it to the vote,
3 o

466 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. With the vieAv of harassing and irritating the assembly,
17.8O. tne governor t:Gw had recourse to Aveekly adjournments,
Avhich, as most of the members resided at a distance from
Bridge- town, subjected them to much inconvenience and
fatigue. The recent calamity had prevented the assembly,
at their last meeting, from taking any notice of the gover
nor's unprecedented and illegal demand of fees. Indeed
it Avas supposed, that the universal devastation with Avhich he
Avas surrounded Avould have softened his heart, and re
strained his cupidity from grasping at Avhat even the fury of
the elements had spared. But, finding that he persisted
in his unconscionable exactions, and that many extrava
gant fees had been paid for his use, Mr. Duke, in a speech
fraught Avith legal and constitutional knowledge, called
upon the house to assert the rights of the people. He la
mented that, in a season of no ordinary calamity, he should
be obliged to bring forward a subject of altercation ; but
they owed it to their own dignity ; they owed it to poste
rity, amidst all their distresses, to guard the constitution
from invasion. The assembly, he observed, Avere the guar
dians of the people, chosen not merely for the purpose of
making laws, but to watch over and preserve inviolate the
rights and privileges of the commons of Barbadoes. The
conduct of all public offices was subject to their cognizance,
It. was their province to bring to justice all offenders Avho
could not othenvise be made amenable to tho common
course of laAv. The records of parliament furnished, he
4

OF BARBADOES. 467
said, innumerable instances of impeachments and prose- chap.xiv.
cutions by the house of commons, not only against the 178°-
highest ministers of state, but extending even to the subor
dinate officers of the courts of justice.
The principal branch of their jurisdiction, Mr. Duke ad
mitted, Avas to guard the money of the subject, and to pre
vent its being taken aAvay without the sanction or authority
of the legislature; and this was the very grievance of Avhich
he Avas then to complain. The governor and council had,
contrary to laAv and usage, established a table of fees, to
be taken by the secretary of the island, for his excellency's
use, in all cases throughout the Avhole circle of business in
which his name was employed. From a review of the his
tory of the mother country, from the reigns of the Stuarts
to the time of the Revolution, Mr. Duke proved, that the
levying of money, Avithout the consent of parliament, had
been repeatedly and solemnly declared illegal. This being
the case with the King, it could not be supposed that the
servants, or ministers of the CroAvn, should be left at liberty
to oppress the subject by such arbitrary and unwarrantable
means. In this island the money of the people had ever been the
first and favourite object of legislative care and concern.
Not only taxes for the support of government require the
concurrence of the three estates before they can be levied,
but the fees of the public offices, which are virtually a tax,
had been fixed and prescribed by law, and the penalties
3o2

468 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. annexed to the demand of higher fees than those esta-
'78°- blished by that authority Avere sufficient, he asserted, to
deter the officer from the commission of the offence. He
then proceeded to sheAV that the commander in chief Avas
not entitled, by laAv or custom, to the receipt of fees ; and
that the addition made by the colonial legislature to the
salary alloAved by the Crown, Avas granted upon that im
plied condition. After vindicating the settlement made upon
General Cunninghame, by arguments draAvn from the im
poverished condition of the country, he quoted several
local statutes to prove, that no old fees could be altered,
nor neAV ones- established, othenvise than by the united au
thority of the governor, council and assembly. Yet his
excellency and the council, in direct contravention of tbe
most positive laAvs, had presumed, of their OAvn Avill and
pleasure, to arrange and settle a neAV table of fees, which
had been announced by a formal declaration, in Avriting, at
the secretary's office. Embracing a Avide extent of pub
lic business, these fees affected the administration of jus
tice, and added weight to an expense already too burthen-
some to admit of augmentation.
Such illegal exactions, Mr. Duke observed, bore harder
on the subject, in proportion to the rank and consequence
of the oppressors, because the people were discouraged
from applying to the laAv for redress, and every fresh in
stance of extortion, although but a repetition of iniquity,
served to give it a sort of sanction. Hence it would hap-

OF BARBADOES. 4G9
pen, unless the assembly would interpose, that a toleration Cl^^}y'
of a most nefarious practice Avould soon assume the name
of custom, and then of law. When the public AvelfareAvas
at stake, he thought? the assembly should not only be ready
to lay doAvn their political existence, but even to sacrifice
their natural lives in opposition to fraud and violence. He
mentioned the case of Mr. Wilkes and Lord Halifax as an
instance of a successful struggle against illegal poAver, sup
ported by a train of precedents for eighty years; and
thence inferred, that the authority given Mr. Workman to
demand the fees in dispute, could no more justify his re
ceiving them than the authority of the secretary of state
could protect the messengers who executed his Avarrant
against Mr; Wilkes. Indeed it Avas so much the weaker,
because it Avas unsupported by a shadoAv of usage; nor
could it derive any strength from the nature of the govern
ment, nor the policy of the measure, as it Avas simply a
scheme of public plunder and peculation.
" For every Avrong," continued Mr. Duke, " there is a
remedy, and the immediate instrument of that Av'rong acts
at his peril. Exclusive of the penalties created by the co
lonial statutes, Mr. Workman, as the governor's agent,
can be made to refund every shilling Avhich he had received
over and above his lawful fee. If he withhold papers
after a legal tender of the established fee,, an action lies
against him at , common laAv; and, should any special
damage arise, ,. a jury cannot fail to make him an-

470 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. swerable, by their verdict. He might not only be stripped
i78o. 0f his office, but rendered incapable of holding any other;
and, by prosecution and conviction at a criminal court, he
may be stamped with the ignominious appellation of an ex
tortioner, and undergo such farther punishment as the court
may think adequate to his crime." To be a slave or tool,
the learned gentleman remarked, Avas allowed to be no jus
tification. The act of every man Avas, in the contemplation of
the law, deemed to be his own. The governor and council
could neither compel nor authorize the secretary to rob and
oppress the people. With equal propriety might they di
rect him to attack their lives as their properties. One was
as much under the protection of the laAv as the other; and
the restraints of the law operate as effectually upon the
governor and council as upon the meanest member of the
community. It was unnecessary, he said, to demonstrate that the go-
A^ernor and council possessed no dispensing power over the
laAvs ; such a power Avas unknown to the King himself.
Neither was it necessary to shew that the neAv fees would
operate as a tax upon the people, and therefore required
the united authority of the three branches of the legislature
to legalize them ; these points Avere so obvious as to require
no illustration. Much, Mr. Duke said, might be urged
against the establishment of new fees in any case. The
great reason for the repeal of the stamp act was its ten
dency to obstruct the progress of business, and to impose

OF BARBADOES. 471
restraints and fetters on the commerce of the colonies. He chap.xiv.
would not insist upon the pernicious influence of fees and ^80-
the multiplication of offices. No policy could be more
evident than that the seat of government, the fountain of
justice, ought not to be polluted and degraded by that
species of traffic. If the governor and council had a
right to establish fees, they could occasionally increase them
till they became a source of vexation and oppression. If
they could raise and appropriate money in one instance,
their authority equally extended to all others ; the func
tions of the assembly Avere rendered useless, and nothing
remained that the people could justly call their OAvn.
Mr. Duke referred to a variety of authorities to establish
his position, that the Crown had not a right to create new
offices AArith profits annexed to them, to be paid by the
people, and cited a case of an office having been granted
by letters patent, to one Foley, for measuring Avorsteads,
Avith a neAV fee ; but the house of commons resolved that it
was void, for that the King could erect no offices Avith fees
to be taken of the people, who could not be legally charged
but by parliament; and judgment Avas afterwards given
against the patent in the king's bench. The conclusion is
invincible. A colonial governor and council could not le
gally exercise a power, which did not belong to their Sove
reign. .In the case of conquered countries, it Avas admit
ted, that a difference might exist. Over these the King
possessed a plenitude of power. But in colonies settled by

472 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. Englishmen, neither the Sovereign, nor his representative,
1780. could exercise any jurisdiction incompatible Avith the con
stitutional birth-rights of the subject.
After a variety of arguments, tending to prove that the
governor and Mr. Workman had been guilty of extortion,
interspersed with some strictures on the servility of the
council, as harsh as they were just, Mr. Dqke concluded
a luminous display of legal erudition, Avith moving nine re
solutions: 1. That any other demand of fees, than such as
have been prescribed by laAv, is illegal, and subjects the
offender to punishment. 2. That no public officer, on the
tender of such fees as arc conformable to law, can refuse
to perform the business, or Avithhold the papers, for which
such fees are directed to be paid, Avithout being guilty
of an offence and misdemeanor in the execution of his of
fice. 5. That a requisition to pay fees, on any pretence
whatever, Avithout, or contrary to, the establishment of
the legislature, is highly injurious to the subject, an arbi
trary and illegal levying of money, subversive of the con-'
stitutional rights of the people, and a dangerous encroach-'
ment on the peculiar privileges of the general assembly.
4. That no new fees can be claimed, nor allowed, Avith
out the joint consent of the governor, council and as
sembly. 5. That the governor and council, in undertaking
to settle a neAV table of fees, to be paid for his excellen
cy's use, had acted illegally and unconstitutionally. 6. That
the fees thus established are not obligatory on the inhabit-

OF BARBADOES. 473
ants of the island. 7- That the assembly Avill aid and as- cu^*^?''
17 80
sist all persons who may be aggrieved by the novel demand
of fees, or Avho shall be obstructed in a due course of law,
to enforce the penalties on all public officers Avho shall of
fend against the laAvs respecting fees. 8. That an humble
petition be presented to the King, beseeching his Majesty
to remove Major General James Cunninghame from the
government of the island, on account of his oppressiAre con
duct in extorting money from the people, contrary to law
and the rights of the legislature. 9- That the conduct of
such member's of his Majesty's council, as have concurred
in the governor's arbitrary and illegal exactions, be repre
sented to his Majesty, and that he be humbly requested to
sheAV such marks of his royal displeasure towards them as
the nature of their crime may deserve.
To prevent the house from coming to any decision on the
motion, Mr. R. B. Jones moved the previous question, in
order that they might have time to search for precedents,
as to the legitimacy of the fees. But, his motion being
negatived by a large majority, the question Avas put on
each resolution separately, and carried in the affirmative.
Mr. Jones having declined giving his vote, the opposition
devolved on Judge Gittens, Judge Walcott, Mr. Burke and
Mr. Burton, who voted uniformly against all the resolu
tions. To the eighth and ninth, Mr. W. G. Alleyne gave
his negative; and Mr. J. C. Cox sheAved his partiality to
the council, by confining his vote to the1 last. A petition,
3 p

474 THE HISTORY
c^A^jv- framed on the two latter resolutions, was accordingly intro
duced, and, having been agreed to, on a division of eleven
to six, the speaker Avas directed to sign it, and transmit it
to the agent, to be presented to the King.
The petition began with stating that, with hearts devoted
to his Majesty's interest, and with the strongest attachment
to his person and government, the assembly Avere con
strained, with grief and sorroAV, to supplicate the gracious
interposition of the royal authority, to protect the rights
and liberties of the inhabitants of the island, much injured
and affected by an order of the governor and council, esta
blishing new and oppressive fees for his excellency's use ; to
which no former governor, hoAvever arbitrary and rapacious,
ever formed pretensions in the most prosperous times. But
at this unhappy juncture, when the people were ill able to
bear even the necessary taxes, to impose upon them neAV
and illegal burthens and exactions, Avas adding cruelty tp
injustice. Nor could they see, without the deepest con-r
cern, his Majesty's sacred name and delegated authority,
prostituted to the mean and sordid purpose of raising a re
venue for the governor, to the great oppression of his Ma
jesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, contrary to the ancient
laws and statutes of Great Britain, which forbid the taking
any fee, gift or brokage, on the disposal of places and of
fices; contrary to the ancient charter of liberties, Avhich
provides that justice shall not be sold ; contrary to imme
morial usage, and subversive of the principles of the Eng-
1

OF BARBADOES. 475
lish constitution ; and in direct opposition to an express laAv chap.xiv.
of the land, confirmed by regal authority, A\diich reserves 1780,
the right of creating fees to the legislative body of the
island. Thus circumstanced, the assembly were driven to
apply to their beloved Sovereign for redress of these unme
rited and unexampled usurpations, tending to take from
the legislative body the right of raising taxes and appro
priating the public money ; and to bestow on the governor
and council a suspending poAver over the laws of the island,
and the constitutional rights of the people. The petition
ers therefore besought his Majesty, in compassion to his
loyal and oppressed colony, to remove General James
Cunninghame from the government; and to shew such
marks of his royal displeasure towards those counsellors^
Avho had concurred in the governor's proceedings, as his Ma
jesty in his great wisdom and fatherly affection, to his
aggrieved and distressed subjects, should deem them to
deserve. Notwithstanding the temper and moderation of this ad
dress, the noble secretary for the American department
remarked, on receiving it from the agent, that it Avas writ
ten with great heat and anger, and seemed to assume the
part of judge, jury, and executioner. The most excep
tionable passage was the prayer for the removal of Gover
nor Cunninghame. But the language Avas perfectly parlia\
mentary ; and it had been the fortune of Lord George Ger-
maine himself, not infrequently, to oppose motions, in the
3 p 2

476 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. House of Commons, expressed in similar terms, for the re-
nso. moval of his Majesty's ministers from his presence and
councils for ever. His lordship, hoAvever, in his conversa
tion Avith Mr. Estwick, very freely condemned the gover
nor's conduct. If, said he, the assembly had given him
but five hundred a year, he ought to have accepted it, and
instead of keeping his carriage, and living Avith the splen
dour of a commander in chief, he might have rode his
horse and lived like a planter. Lord George utterly dis
claimed the governor's acting under his instructions with
respect, to fees ; and admitted that, if they were taken conr
trary to. the laws of the island, he had dohe wrong in de
manding them. The petition, having been presented to
his Majesty, Avas, by his commands, referred to the consi
deration of the Lords Commissioners for trade and planta
tions, by whom a copy of it was sent to the governor, with
an order to transmit his vindication.
Though the governor was convinced, from the effects of
the late destructive storm, that the country Avas unable to
bear any augmentation of his salary, he determined to
make another effort. For this purpose he summoned the
assembly to meet on the twenty-eighth day of November,
when he laid before them a letter which he had received
from the secretary of state, Avith a copy of his Majesty's
instruction concerning the salary, which had been shewn
to them on his arrival. The secretary's letter expressed his
Majesty's disapprobation of the settlement on his excel-

OF BARBADOES. 47r
lency, and his displeasure at the stipulation made by the chap.xit.
assembly, in the event of the country being exonerated izso.
from the impost on their exportable commodities, and con
cluded with a hope, that they Avould now consent to grant
his excellency an additional thousand pounds.
The production of these papers gave rise to a Avarm and
animated debate, in the course of which Mr. Husbands in-*
sisted that their loyalty on various occasions had been so
ampty displayed as to require no farther proof. He de
fined true loyalty to consist in a due obedience to the laAvs,
and a zealous support of the constitution ; but a mean
compliance Avith every unreasonable demand of govern
ment, he asserted, Avas not loyalty, but a slavery of the
Avorst kind, a slavery of the mind. He professed himself
an enemy to the former resolution respecting the conditional
encrease of the governor's salary, and thought that it ought
to be rescinded. But he gloried in having voted for the re
duction of the salary ; he had done so, because the circum
stances of the people required the greatest frugality in the
public expenditure ; and because a reformation could be
begun no where Avith more propriety than at the head. He
had given that vote without fearing the displeasure of
ministers, nor should he retract it now he kneAV they were
displeased. A minister, Avhose private fortune and emolu
ments of effice, enabled him to spend more thousands an
nually than the Avhole amount of the colonial revenue^ and
who disposed of millions of the public money in a year^

478 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. could neither know nor feel the distresses of the inhabit-
i78o. ants 0f tne island; but the members of that house felt
them, and kneAv that a thousand pounds a year was no in
considerable saving in the public expense. Had Governor
Cunninghame answered the character which partial friend
ship, or servile flattery, had given of him on his arrival ;
and had not the late dreadful calamity befallen the coun
try, they might have been induced, they said, to pay some
attention to the present demand for an increase of salary.
But after the treatment that house had experienced from
his excellency; after the unjust and injurious aspersions
which he had cas ton them; after the indignity offered them,
in refusing to receive the memorial in their vindication; af
ter his unconstitutional attempt to tax the people by esta
blishing neAV and oppressive fees, Mr. Husbands contended,
that they could not consent to augment the salary Avithout
a forfeiture of their honour, and a violation of the trust re
posed in them.
In explanation of their former resolution, the house una
nimously resolved, that it nevet Avas intended, as a condition
with the minister fot the remission of the four and a half
per cent, duty, but Avas merely designed for the considera
tion of the council. A second resolution was also moved by
Mr. V. Jones, that in the present situation of the coun
try, afflicted by the hand of God, and subject to illegal
fees, recommended by the council and exacted by the
governor, the house were unable to make any farther set-

OF BARBADOES. 479
tlement on his excellency. Judge Gittens and Mr. R. B. charxiv.
Jones admitted the inability of the people to bear any en- 17S0-
crease of their burthens ; but insisted that the assembly
ought to yield to those considerations of policy and pru
dence, which strongly urged their giving his excellency the
same salary as had been allowed his predecessors. The
motion Avas, however, agreed to by a majority of ten to
six. The assembly returned r. civil answer to the governor's
message, communicating to him the result of their delibera
tions, expressive of their affliction under their Sovereign's
displeasure, and observing that the impoverished state of
the country absolutely forbad their passing a levy bill;
which appeared to them unnecessary, as a large part of
the former levy remained uncollected, from the known ina
bility of the people to pay it. The house continued sitting
till after sun-set, in expectation of being adjourned in the
usual manner by his excellency's order ; but receiving no
directions they adjourned, of their own authority, to meet
at the end of four weeks, at the same hour of the evening.
Disappointed in his grand objects, an augmentation of
his salary and the passage of a levy bill, both of which he
thought the secretary of state's letter had rendered secure,
the governor now gave his assent to the act of settlement,
Avhichhad passed on his arrival; and, in pursuance of his long Decern. 7,
projected scheme, dissolved the assembly by proclamation.
In tfie same malign spirit, wbich animated all his other ac-

480 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. tions, he issued Avrits for a general election, at a distance of
1780. more than tAvo months. But, Avhatever Avere the advan
tages Avhich his excellency might have expected from this
step, he Avas again doomed to suffer the vexation of disap
pointment. All the members of the former assembly were
again elected, with only tAvo exceptions, and in those in
stances he benefited nothing by the change.
i78i. One of these changes Avas unfortunately produced by the
an" *' death of that illustrious patriot, Mr. Henry Duke. Though
liberally endoAved by nature Avith a vigorous understanding,
improved by the study of a science the most likely to
strengthen and expand the powers of the mind, Mr. Duke
Avas less distinguished by his eminent talents, than the zeal
and spirit Avith Avhich they Avere exerted in the public ser
vice. Firmly attached to the interests of his native coun
try, he was neither intimidated by the frowns of poAver,
nor allured by its seductive smile, from diligently pursuing
the paths which he thought Avould lead to colonial prospe
rity. The activity of his mind Avas continually impelling
him to attempt the reform of abuses, or to suggest Avise and
salutary laAvs for the benefit of the state. Superior to the
sordid considerations of personal ease and private emolu
ment, his integrity and public spirit rendered him obnoxi
ous to those drones in the hive, Avho sought public employ
ments without any intention of performing the duties an
nexed to them, or who Avere desirous only of battening On
the spoils of the people. Every admirer of genuine pa-

OF BARBADOES. 481
triotism must lament the loss of one, Avhose firmness and chap.xiv.
intrepidity marked him the champion of liberty and the mi"
asserter of his country's rights.
The effects of the governor's anger Avere not confined to
the assembly; he embraced every opportunity of harassing
and distressing the militia, by keeping them out on alarms,
Avithout the smallest necessity. They Avere frequently kept
under arms the Avhole night, Avithout any sufficient precau
tion having been taken to afford them rest or shelter. This
inconvenience, which Avas more particularly felt by the
cavalry, having been represented to the governor, his ex
cellency ordered the LeeAvard regiment of horse,, commanded
by Colonel Poyer, to rendezvous at a small fort called
Dover, upon the hill above Speight's-toAvn. Leacock, the
colonel of that division, tliought this an infringement of
his authority, and, on the first alarm, detached Captain
Jordan with a company of infantry, from Orange fort, to
occupy the post. On the approach of evening, Poyer sent
to Mr. Jordan, saying, that he had his excellency's orders
to take post there, and requested that he Avould evacuate
the fort, that he might put his men under cover for the
night. Jordan replied, that he could not quit his station
Avithout orders from his commanding officer. Poyer, hav-
ing previously dismounted his troop, immediately put them
in motion, with the vieAV of marching into the fort; but
Jordan, faithful to his orders, threw himself, SAyord in
hand, into the- gate-way, and opposed their entrance. A
3 Q

48& THE HISTORY
C^A^JV' rencounter ensued, in which Foyer's impetuosity threw him
1781# off his guard, and he lost his sword ; Jordan took no ad
vantage of this accident, and the interference of some of
the officers present terminated the fracas, and Poyer imme
diately dispatched his adjutant to Pilgrim with an account
of this extraordinary transaction. Jordan was soon after
brought to a court-martial, by the governor's order, and
dismissed the service; while Colonel Leacock, under Avhose
orders he had acted, retained the command of the divi
sion. ToAvards the close of the last year Holland had joined her
arms to the combination, formed by the other great maritime
powers, for reducing the naval strength and national opu
lence of Great Britain. Governor Cunninghame received
early intelligence of this event, accompanied with an assur
ance that the proper authorities should be speedily for
warded, for granting letters of marque and reprisal against
the subjects of the States General; and directing him, in
the interim, to inform the owners of private ships of war*
that they should be entitled to the king's share of all Dutch
property which they should capture. The business of pri^
Tateering was carried on at that time with great spirit by
the merchants of Barbadoes, and frequently relieved the
distresses of the inhabitants, occasioned by the privation of
their wonted supplies through the regular commercial ehan-
nelsi Attentive to his own interest, Cunninghame conceal
ed the ©rdeEshehadireceived, and, unauthorized, proceeded

OF BARBADOES. 483
to issue letters of marque against tlie Dutch ; compelling chap.xiv.
the OAvners of privateers to pay the most extravagant fees 1781-
for commissions, Avhich, he was conscious, Avere of no vali
dity. To add to the injustice, and increase his emoluments
by extortion, he refused to issue commissions against the
Dutch, unless those Avho applied for them would take out
others, de novo, against the French, Spaniards, and Ameri
cans ; on which the fees collectively amounted to one hun
dred and thirteen pounds.
Many valuable Dutch prizes, Avhich had been captured
under commissions thus prematurely granted, were either
taken from the captors by his Majesty's cruizers, or seized
by the governor's orders, after they were brought into port,
and condemned as droits of the admiralty. From the de
crees of the court of vice-admiralty, the captors appealed to
the justice of a benignant prince, and his excellency insisted
that the prizes should be sold, and the money deposited in
his hands until his Majesty's pleasure was known. Had
this been done, there is little reason to believe that the ap
pellants Avould ever have benefited by any ulterior deter
mination in their favour. But Mr. Weekes, the judge of
the vice-admiralty court, acted Avith the spirit and integrity
becoming his high responsible situation. He appointed a
proper officer, under bonds, for the faithful execution of the
trust, to sell the prizes, and directed him to detain the mo
ney for which they were sold, until the appeals Avere decided
by superior authority. Exasperated at this arrangement.
ft q 2

484 THE HISTORY
-chap.xiv. the governor suspended the officer appointed by the courts
i7si. and endeavoured to intimidate the judge into a compliance
with his sinister designs ; but finding his menaces ineffec
tual, he once more had recourse to the prerogative: he sus
pended the judge, and appointed William Morris his suc
cessor. Weekes Avas not of a temper to submit patiently
to injuries. He presented a memorial to the King, and was
re-instated by his Majesty's particular order.
Feb. 14. , Meanwhile the neAV assembly having met, the usual inter
course of civilities Avas preserved between the governor and ¦
the house, notwithstanding the ill-humour Avhich prevailed
between them. In the speech from the chair, the usual topics
of discussion Avere renewed and pressed with great earnest
ness on the attention of the legislature. Upon the subject
of their defence, his excellency wished to engage their most
serious reflection. A poAverful armament, he informed
them, Avas daily expected from France, and the number of
their enemies had been increased by the rupture with the
States General. In the strong reinforcements sent out for
their protection, they had a fresh instance of his Majesty's
paternal care; but he cautioned them against trusting en
tirely to a naval force for security. A short interval of its
absence, he justly observed, might be fatal, if they neglect
ed, to improve their internal strength; and as their numbers
constituted the principal means of defence, he again re
commended a revision of their militia laAv. In their deli
berations on this subject, he trusted they would find that
the powers necessary to enforce obedience Avere not incom-

OF BARBADOES. 485
patible Avith the principles of civil liberty. Whatever poAvers CHAPJay.
they might think proper to vest in the commander in chief, 178i'
he assured them, should be exercised Avith an equal at
tention to the ease of the people and the safety of the-
country.. He particularly represented to the assembly, the injury
which the public sendee had sustained for the Avant of a
levy bill, and exhorted them to take the state of the fortifi
cations into their immediate consideration. The repairs of
the ToAvn-hall, Pilgrim house, and the Mole-head Avere
again adverted to, rather as subjects of irritation than of
well-grounded complaint. Nor Avere barracks for the troops
and a place of confinement for the prisoners of war forgot
ten, though they Avere points Avholly unconnected Avith the
colonial establishment. He Avas particularly commanded
by the King, he said, to recommend harmony to the two
branches of the legislature; and he Avished he had nothing
more to suggest for reform and correction; but their in
ternal police certainly required amendment. Their OAvn
observation, he thought, Avould readily suggest to them the
mischiefs and inconveniences to Avhich they were exposed,
from the remissness of magistrates and inferior officers; and
he hoped every gentleman Avould exert himself, in his oavii
vicinity, for the. preservation of peace, order, and deco
rum, among the different ranks of society. The speech
concluded Avith common place professions of zeal for the
welfare of the country and the happiness of the people.
%

486 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. The address of the council was in the usual style of adu-
1781 • lation. They extolled his excellency for virtues, which none
but themselves had the penetration to discover that he pos
sessed ; and declared their willingness, by harmony and
unanimity in their proceedings, to give stability to his go-
March 20. vernment. The assembly, Avithout transgressing the rules
of decorum, replied to his civilities in terms no less respect
ful, mingled with the most poignant sarcasms and deserved
reproaches. Sensible of the deficiencies of the militia law,
and desirous, as they said, of giving energy to a system es-
ential to their safety, they trusted his excellency would
pardon them, if, while they observed in him a disposition
to exercise extraordinary powers, not Avarranted by laAv, they
were restrained from investing him with such an increase of
authority, as by an arbitrary stretch or interpretation might
irretrievably affect the rights and liberties of the subject.
They disclaimed all agency in the inconvenience which
his excellency attributed to the loss of the levy bill,
which had been regularly passed by that house, and re
jected by the council. But, under the present circumstances
of the country, they considered the failure of the bill a for
tunate event for the people; who must have sunk under the
Aveight of their taxes, added to the misfortune inflicted on
them by the late direful calamity.
Faithful to the true interests of their country, they pro
fessed their readiness to concur, with unaffected harmony, in
every measure calculated to promote the general welfare;
1

OF BARBADOES. 487
but, when they reflected on the partial, oppressive system chap.xtv.
on Avhich the council acted, in support of his excellency's *781,
arbitrary measures, no harmony, they were convinced*
could exist betwixt bodies of men actuated by such oppo
site principles. On the defects imputed to their police they
remarked, that if the magistrates were remiss or negligent,
the blame could only attach to the power by which they
were appointed, and which, notwithstanding their neglect,
continued them in office. But if the magistrates were re
ally inattentive to their duty, or the police defective, it
was a circumstance highly creditable to the people at
large, that so few complaints were made, and so few in
dictments brought before the court of criminal judicature.
They received, Avith pleasure, the assurances of his excel-
jency's disposition to promote the happiness of the people;
but, anxious as they were to contribute to that ultimate
object of all human legislation, the honour of the act, they
declared, must be entirely his own ; since, to a free people?
it would be in vain to hold out a prospect of happiness,
whilst they continued to smart under the rod of des
potism. Hitherto the governor had omitted to demand any un
usual fees in Chancery; but, at a meeting of council on
the twenty-fifth day of April, he proposed a new table of
fees to be established for his use as chancellor. On this
occasion, the clerk of the council was excluded, and on
the subject of the fees being agitated, President Dotin and

488 THE HISTORY
chap.xiv. ]yjr Cumberbatch, were the only members who had the ho-
}781- nest firmness to express their disapprobation of them. No
question Avas put to the yote; but his excellency dreAV up a
minute of their proceedings, conveying the sanction of the
board to his proposal, which,-, without being shewn to the
members present, was aftenvards entered, on their journals,
by hjs directions.
It cannot fail to excite the astonishment of every man of
reflection, that these enormities should not have roused the
spirit of the people to vindicate their violated rights, by
an appeal to the laws of their country. Unhappily, those
laAvs afforded but a feeble security. In all cases, civil and
criminal, an appeal lies from the judgment of the courts of
inferior jurisdiction to the court of error, composed of the
governor and council. No prospect of success could,
therefore, attend a prosecution, which might be ultimately
determined by judges, who Avere themselves the authors of
the injustice which Avas the subject of complaint. Under
every disadvantage, Mr. Duke, as we have formerly seen,
made an unsuccessful attempt to punish the deputy-secre
tary, and Dr. ,Andrew Wade, about this time, lodged an
information against him before Mr. Babb and Mr. Skeete,
tAvo justices of the peace. But a difference of opinion
arising between them, from the latter's doubting Mr. Work
man's responsibility as the fees /were not taken for his OAvn
use, WTade, knoAving nat a want of unanimity on the bench
must prove fatal to the complaint, consented to compro-

OF BARBADOES. 489
mise the matter, on Mr. Workman's engaging to be no far- chap.xiv.
ther concerned in the governor's illegal exactions. His ex- 1781-
cellency, hoAvever, Avas not long at a loss for an agent to
execute his unlaAvful commands. He erected a new office,
and a Mr. Nicholas Humphrey Walrond, Avho had at" once
the meanness to accept the employment, and the boldness
to defy the popular resentment, became the instrument of
his tyranny and injustice.

3 R

490 THE HISTORY

CHAP. XV.
MUNIFICENT GRANT OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE RELIEF OF THE
SUFFERERS BYTHE STORM  DISTRIBUTION DELAYED— MESSAGE
FROM THE GOVERNOR  THE ASSEMBLY REFUSE TO RAISE THE
SUPPLIES  ALARMING PROSPECT OF AFFAIRS  OBSTINACY OF
THE ASSEMBLY  PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE  DISSOLUTION OF
THE ASSEMBLY — NEAV ELECTION  CONTINUAL ALTERCATIONS
BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND ASSEMBLY  PLANS FOR THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY BOUNTY  THE AS
SEMBLY PROROGUED — ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION.
chap. XV iT is now time that Ave should take notice of the result
1782. Of those applications, Avhich, immediately after the late de
structive hurricane, had been made to a beneficent monarch,
'by the ruined inhabitants of a devastated country. No
sooner Avas the direful disaster knoAvn in England, than the
sympathy of a generous nation was awakened by the suf
ferings of their unfortunate fellow subjects. In the midst
of an unnatural and ruinous foreign and domestic war, in
which the national treasure was lavished in a manner unpa
ralleled in any former period, the house of commons seemed,

OF BARBADOES. 491
for a moment, to have forgotten the dangers and difficul- c^AJ^y-
ties Avhich surrounded them, and to have felt no other l782-
anxiety than to relieve the distresses of others. With a
spirit truly characteristic of British liberality and grandeur,
that august assembly unanimously resolved, on the motion jan. 2s
of Lord North, " That the sum of eighty thousand pounds
be granted to his Majesty, for affording immediate assist
ance to our unhappy felloAv subjects in the island of Barba
does, and to relieve and support such of them as have
been reduced to distress and necessity by the late dreadful
calamity, Avhich, in the month of October last, ravaged
and laid Avaste the greatest part of the island." This noble
donative, and humane attention to the sufferings of their
felloAv subjects, in this distant part of the empire, will
ever be regarded with gratitude and admiration, Avhile
benignity and generosity are esteemed as virtues among
mankind. The liberal benefactions of individuals were proportioned
to the public munificence ; but the humanity of the gene
rous citizens of Dublin was peculiarly conspicuous. They
were convened at the Tholsel, by Sir Edward NeAvenham,
lord mayor of the city, to consider on the most effectual
and expeditious method of relieving the wants and neces
sities of the people of Barbadoes. TAventy thousand pounds
were quickly raised within that opulent city, by subscrip
tion, to which the house of Latouche and sons contributed
the princely sum of one thousand pounds. The money Avas
3 n 2

492 • THE HISTORY
c^^3# judiciously invested in the purchase of articles of the first
1782, necessity, and shipped to Barbadoes, to be distributed un
der the direction of the governor, for the relief of the suf
ferers. And, it is pleasing to add, the generous intentions
of the humane donors Avere literally accomplished by an
impartial distribution among the sufferers, in proportion to
their losses. Such an instance of exalted generosity failed
not to excite the strongest emotions of grateful sensibility.
The house of assembly did all that Avas in their power.
By an unanimous vote of thanks, transmitted to Sir Edward
NeAvenham, by their speaker, they expressed their grati
tude to that patriotic, civic officer, and his worthy felloAv
citizens, for their liberal donative. A sense of such refined
benevolence cannot be conveyed by Avords ; it will survive
the fragile records of political societies, and live for ever in
liberal hearts.
The vote of the house of commons was immediately com
municated to Mr. EstAvick, the colonial agent, by the lords
of the treasury; and a committee of the principal merchants
and planters of Barbadoes, resident in London, Avas formed,
by their lordship's recommendation, for taking into consi
deration the most effectual means of carrying the generous
intention of parliament into execution. The committee
having met, entered into several resolutions, for exporting
building materials, coarse cloathing, and provisions for the
immediate supply of those who wanted them ; and for re
mitting the sum of twelve thousand pounds in specie, to

OF BARBADOES. 493
purchase such articles as could be most advantageously chap. xv.
procured on the spot. A sub-committee was appointed for 1782-
the purpose of furnishing the requisite supplies, free of
commission, or of any emolument whatever; and of cor
responding with a board of commissioners, Avhich they ad
vised should be established in Barbadoes, consisting of the
governor, the council, the speaker, and a certain number
of the assemby, for the distribution of the parliamentary
bounty, by such acts or orders as the legislature should
think proper.
Unfortunately, such a diversity of opinions prevailed, on
the subject, that many months Avere permitted to elapse
before the legislature could agree on any specific plan for
the distribution; and the people had Avell nigh lost the
greater part of the benefit intended for them, from the
want of a proper concert and agreement among those to
whom the disposal of the bounty was intrusted. On being
informed of the proceedings of the committee in England*
the assembly lost no time in appointing a committee to join April is.
that of the other house ; but no corresponding arrangement
having been made by the council, the business remained
neglected for more than six months.
In the mean time, the assembly received a message from May i*.-
the governor, expressing his surprise that the passing of a
levy bill, notAvithstanding the obvious urgency and neces
sity of. the measure, should have been so long delayed. To
provide for the. support of government, was an act so essen-

494 THE HISTORY
c^Fl^' tial to the peace, safety, and prosperity of the country,
1782, that he tliought it his duty to give them an early opportu
nity of accomplishing a business that so materially con
cerned themsehres, as Avell as those whom they represented.
The colonial debt, he reminded them, had already accu
mulated to an amazing -amount, and was daily increasing
to such a degree, that unless its growth Avas anticipated by
a tax, proportioned to the public exigencies, it would soon
become enormous. Many of the persons employed in the
service of the country had been actually driven from their
stations and employments by the difficulty of obtaining the
reward of their labour. Public credit was almost annihi
lated; and, Avhilst the private buildings of individuals were
rebuilt or repaired Avith the most actiA*e and laudable indus
try, those of the public still remained in ruins. These cir
cumstances Avere not, he said, more honourable to a re
spectable colony than injurious and distressing to -indivi
duals; and the consequence of longer delay in raising the
supplies for the public service, must eventually be the im
position of burthens which feAv of the inhabitants would be
able to bear. He, therefore, conjured the house, by every
principle of regard for the interest and Avelfare of their con
stituents, not to defer making an adequate provision to
meet the necessary expenses of government, since the delay
was likely to be productive of consequences extremely dan
gerous, if not absolutely ruinous, to the community.
Whatever were the. governor's motives ifbr thus earnestly
1

OF BARBADOES. 495
and frequently urging the passing of a levy bill, the pro- chap.xv.
priety of the measure cannot be disputed. That the con- 1782-
dition of the country, Avasted by a series of calamities, was
rendered yet more deplorable, by the effects of the recent
disaster, is readily admitted ; but there can be no doubt,
that the bulk of the people were still able to pay the mo
derate taxes which were required, tg defray the annual
expenses of government. Besides, if it Avere necessary to
retain the ancient expensive establishments of the country,
it certainly behoved the legislature to afford immediate
remuneration to those Avho were employed in the several
departments of the state. And if a system of government
were to be supported by taxes, levied on the people, it was
a measure of common prudence, that the ways and means
should be gradually furnished, in a manner least oppressive
to the subject, rather than by a causeless protraction of the
evil,, to crush them on some future day, by the accumulated
weight of their burthens.
These considerations Avere,- however, disregarded by the
assembly. Smarting under the rod of oppression, they
were only solicitous of mortifying their tyra nical ruler;
and, in the indulgence of their resentment, the}7- sometimes
k>st sight of the welfare and safety of their country. —
Having taken the message of the governor into consideration,
the house unanimously resolved, that the distressed circum
stances of the people, labouring under the pressure of a
great natural calamity, aggravated by his excellency's illegal

496 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. and unconstitutional ' exactions, would not admit of their
1782. raising any extraordinary supplies, or even to provide the
means of their own defence. Such an explicit avowal of
determined indifference to public security, cahnot be jus
tified. It was sufficient to have encouraged the enemy to
embrace the opportunity, presented by intestine discord,
of attempting 'the conquest of the island. Hence, let
governors learn this useful lesson, that the most effectual
means of attaching a people to their government, and of
arming them in its defence, is the unmolested enjoyment
of their civil rights and immunities.
The capture of Saint Eustatius, the emporium of the
West Indies, 'had thrown into the hands of the British com
manders, employed on that service, such an immense plun
der, that they Avere, for along time, incapable of attending
to anything, but the sales of the valuable commodities of
which it consisted. Many British merchants, both in
England and the West Indies, had property to a consider
able amount deposited there, for mercantile speculations,
which Avere greatly facilitated by its being a neutral free
port, the whole of Avhich Avas included in the general con*-
fiscation. Whilst Sir George Rodney Avas thus employed,
enriching himself on the spoils of friends and foes, the
Count de Grasse arrived at Martinico, with twenty-five sail
of the line, and six thousand troops, designed to extermi
nate the British poAver in the American archipelago. On
receiving intelligence of this event, Admiral Rodney has-

OF BARBADOES. 497
cned to form a junction Avith Sir Samuel Hood, whose chap. xv.
squadron, consisting of only seventeen sail of the line, had l782*
sustained considerable damage, in a gallant attempt to in
tercept the French fleet going into Martinico. Some time
was necessarily spent at Antigua, in refitting those ships
which had suffered in the action ; but as soon as this busi
ness Avas accomplished, the commander in chief proceeded
with his Avhole fleet, having an immense treasure on board,
to Barbadoes.
The indiscriminate confiscation of property at Saint
Eustatius, involved Admiral Rodney in some very disagree
able disputes and legal discussions Avith the British mer
chants of both hemispheres ; and, in a fit of peevish resent
ment, he asserted, in his official dispatches, that the English
West Indian merchants, regardless of their duty to their
country, had contracted to supply the enemy of the neigh
bouring islands Avith provisions and naval stores ; and that
his utmost attention should be employed, to prevent their
treason from taking effect. A charge so scandalous and
dangerous was not to be endured, by men conscious of
their innocence and tenacious of their loyalty. The mer
chants of Barbadoes, from the latitude of the expression,
feeling themselves implicated in the false and malicious im
putation, immediately dreAV up a spirited vindication of
their character, in A\hich they wholly and explicitly denied
the charge as a hasty, pernicious, and infamous misrepre
sentation of their principles and conduct, and defied the
3 s

498 THE HISTORY
chap.xv. admiral to support what he had so solemnly advanced.
1782. rpfl-s paper was transmitted to the colonial agent, who, con
formably to the request of the mercantile body, wrote to
Sir George Rodney, demanding, as an act of justice, that
he would discriminate between the innocent and the guilty;
that those who deserved it might be brought to condign
punishment. No answer having been received to this rea
sonable request, Mr. Estwick repeated his application with
no better success. Disappointed in obtaining the repara
tion which he expected, Mr. Estwick then made a public
demand on Sir George, publishing his letters, together with
the defence of the Barbadians ; but the admiral, probably
regretting his having been betrayed into such an impropriety,
silently declined to maintain or to retract the charge.
MeanAvhile Saint Lucia was close invested by the
enemy's whole naval force ; Avhilst a considerable body of
troops, led on by an able and experienced general, Avere
exerting every effort on shore to reduce the island. To the
immortal honour of the gallant Brigadier General S. Leger,
and the troops under his command, this formidable attack
was completely defeated. Discouraged by the determined
resistance Avhich every where opposed his progress, the
Marquis de Bouille reimbarked his troops and returned to
Martinico. To compensate for this disgrace, the French commanders
immediately turned their arms against Tobago. On the
very day that Admiral Rodney arrived at Barbadoes, a

OF BARBADOES. 499
small French squadron, Avith a body of land forces, under chap. xv.
the orders of M. de Blanchlande appeared off Tobago. 1782,
Rodney, on the receipt of this intelligence, which was
instantly conveyed to him by governor Ferguson, con- May 23.
tented himself with dispatching Rear Admiral Drake, Avith
six sail of the line, some .frigates, one regiment and tAvo
additional companies, for the relief of the place. Upon
Drake's coming Avithin sight of Tobago he had the mortifi
cation to discover the Avhole French fleet, consisting of
twenty-seven line of battle ships, betAveen him and the
land. Finding it impracticable to succour the island, the
rear-admiral, after ascertaining the strength and situation
of the enemy, hauled his wind and soon appeared in vieAV of
Carlisle Bay. Though the proper communication Avas June 2.
directly made to the commander in chief, the fleet did not
get under Aveigh until the next day, having in the interim
landed the plunder brought from Saint Eustatius, and
taken General Vaughan, with a considerable reinforcement
of troops on board. But the opportunity of relieving
Tobago was lost. After as gallant and obstinate a resist
ance as is recorded in history, Governor Ferguson had been
compelled to capitulate.
The hostile fleets soon came Avithin sight of each Other ;
but, though, as the enemy were to leeward and sheAved no
disposition to avoid an action, the option of engaging lay
with the British Admiral ; they separated after various
manoeuvres, without exchanging a single shot. The protec-
3 s 2 ,

500 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. tion of Barbadoes seems to have been at this time the grand
n82. object of Sir George Rodney's care ; and his declining an
engagement with the Count de Grasse, Avhose fleet was only
four in number superior to his own, proceeded, as he stated
in his public dispatches, from an apprehension that it was
the enemy's design, by dnnving him within the influence
of certain lee currents among the Grenadines, to gain an
opportunity of reducing Barbadoes before he could return
to its succour.
The loss of Tobago, and the proximity of an hostile
naval force of acknoAvledged superiority, were circum
stances Avhich could not fail to excite the most lively alarm
in minds not Avholly insensible to the apprehensions of dan
ger. At this critical conjuncture, Admiral Rodney Avrote
to the governor, commenting, Avith some Avarmth, on the
inattention of the legislature to the safety of the colony ;
and, after menacing them with a formal complaint to the
King, recommended his excellency to lay the country un
der martial law. This letter was supposed to have been
written at Pilgrim, by the governor's desire; but of this
fact there is no evidence Avhatever. Be that, however, as
it may, neither threats nor entreaties could soften the
inflexibility of the assembly.
Happily the general spirit of the people served to supply
the deficiencies of their representatives. They formed
themselves into volunteer associations, and,, with a zeal and
alacrity highly honourable, undertook the reparation of
4

OF BARBADOES. 501
their dismantled fortifications. The example was set by chap.xv.
the public spirited inhabitants of Bridge-ToAvn,. who, with 1782-
° June 4.
the gentlemen of their vicinity, united for their defence, and
raised a liberal subscription for carrying their patriotic
design into execution. The example of the metropolis
excited a general emulation. Similar associations- Avere im
mediately formed in Speight's, Saint James's, OistinV and
Reed's bay divisions. It happened, hoAvever, that in some
of these places large sums Avere subscribed Avith greater
facility than they Avere paid ; and of the money, which Avas
collected with difficulty, much was applied in constructing
unserviceable batteries,- and in removing old rustreaten
cannon from the most assailable points to positions, Avhere,
had they been good, they could have given but little opposi
tion, to the progress of an invading army..
This laudable conduct, furnished the governor Avith an
opportunity of arraigning the loyalty and patriotism: of the
assembly,. Avhich he did not fail to embrace. Imputing
their refusal to grant the necessary supplies to factious
motives, he dissolved the assembly by proclamation, with- june 16S,
out even consulting the council. His excellency's reasons
for taking a step, Avhich was at all times extremely un
popular, Avere, at least, plausible. The proclamation stated
that, at the very moment when the neighbouring island of.
Saint Lucia, Avas actually invested by the enemy,, the
assembly Avere so utterly regardless of the safety of their
constituents, as to resolve not to raise any supply whatsor-

M02 THE HISTORY
chap. XV. ever for the defence of the country. The ample subscript
1782. tions which had been since laudably raised by individuals^
for repairing the fortifications, and the facility with which
they had been recently put into a state of defence, were
convincing proofs, it was asserted, of the inclinations and
abilities of the people to secure their country from the
attempts of his Majesty's enemies, and of the readiness and
willingness with Avhich they would have paid their respec'-
tive assessments, if they had not been prevented by their
representatives declining to pass a levy bill. It was there
fore incompatible Avith his duty, his excellency said, as the
king's representative, to suffer the public authority to
remain any longer in the hands of men who had so obstinately
refused to provide for the public Avelfare and security;
and, in order that the people might have an opportunity
of choosing men, who had a greater regard for their
interest and safety, to represent them, at this time of
public danger, he thought proper to dissolve the present
general assembly.
The proclamation occasioned a second meeting of thfe
associated inhabitants of Bridge-Town, by whom several
spirited resolutions Avere agreed to, and afterwards publish
ed, as a refutation of the governor's charges against the
assembly. These resolutions asserted, that the reasons sug
gested for the dissolution of the house were founded in
deceit and devised by extreme art, to pervert an originally
good act, and to gloss over a most unwarrantable exercise

OF BARBADOES. 503
of prerogative by a fallacious colouring. That the repre- chap.xv.
sentatives of the people had acted uprightly, and perfectly 1782-
agreeable to the wishes of their constituents, in refusing to
pass a levy bill ; and that they yielded only to the dictates,
of the soundest judgment and the impulse of the most
patriotic zeal, in disregarding his excellency's importunity*
for effecting his favourite object. That a subscription was
opened for repairing the fortifications, on account of the
inability of the people at large to p'ay any tax for that pur
pose. The apprehensions of an immediate invasion ; the
insufficiency of the public funds ; a*..! ,u< lamentable po
verty of the community in general, operating at one and
the same instant, impelled them to the adoption of that
useful, but now perverted* expedient : That the extreme
disproportion between the number of subscribers to the
laudable design of repairing the fortifications and that of
persons liable to pay taxes raised by/ a levy bill; and
between the fund acquired by contribution and the sum.
arising from a regular levy t>ill, carried in itself the; clearest
reputation of the opinion of the general opulenee, ex-
pre§sje4 in the proclamation, and completely exonerated
the representative body from the heavy charges which his
excellency had brought against them. That the assembly,.
^q far from being exposed to the imputation of feeling no-
regard for the true interests of their constituents, or the
safety of the island, had acted, upon principles diametrically
opposite, and altogether worthy of their warmest approb^
6

504 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. tiojk Actuated by the same sentiments, the other patriotic
1782* associations adopted similar resolutions, which were so' per-
fectly in unison Avith those of the metropolis, as to render
any particular notice of them unnecessary.
Whatever might have been the governor's motives for
resorting a second time to an expedient so unpopular, he
was now, as on the former occasion, doomed to experience
a disappointment, aggravated by several circumstances
which must have rendered it peculiarly mortifying and vex
atious. All the old members were re-elected with an un
usual degree of cordiality and good-will. In many parishes
patriotic dinners Avere given by the freeholders in honour of
their representatives,'' accompanied by the most flattering
testimonials of popular approbation and esteem. They
were presented with addresses from the electors, containing
the most pointed reflections on the governor's rapacity and
tyranny, at the same time applauding the firmness Avith
which they had refused to increase the public burthens by
the imposition of fresh taxes, and encouraging them to
persevere, with the same independant spirit, in opposing the
unconstitutional strides of -despotism. Thus the governor's
injudicious appeal to the elective body served only to pro
duce the clearest conviction of the unpopularity of his mea
sures, and the detestation in Avhich he Avas held by all ranks
of people, except the feAv, Avho, from the worst motives,
continued to court bis favour.
In this state of irritation, it was natural to expect that

OF BARBADOES. $05
the meeting betAveen the governor and the assembly could chap.xv.
not be very amicable. The house haAring met on the tenth 1782,
day of July, proceeded to the choice of a speaker, Avhen Sir
John Gay Alleyne Avas again called to the chair. This gen
tleman had become so personally obnoxious to- the gover
nor, that it Avas apprehended his excellency would not
confirm their election ; but, though he did not, as usual,
declare his approbation of the appointment, he coolly ex
pressed his consent. His excellency's speech was remark
able for its uncommon brevity. The organization of the
militia, the repairs of the fortifications, the necessity of
guarding the accessible parts of the coast, the passing of a
levy bill, providing barracks ( or quarters for the King's
troops, the improvement of the mole-head, and the esta
blishment of a proper market in Bridge-town, Avere to
pics suggested for their consideration, Avith a cold formality
and indifference.
On the last meeting of the late assembly, the merchants
of Bridge-town had presented a memorial to the house,
which they desired might be laid at the feet of their be
loved Sovereign, complaining of the governor's arbitrary
and unconstitutional establishment of fees, as oppressive
as they Avere unprecedented. They charged him Avith fraud
and duplicity, in issuing letters of marque and reprisal
against the Dutch,. before he Avas authorized to do so, and
with having, on Aveak and frivolous pretences, deprived the
3 T

500 THE HISTORY
C^*\?Y' captors of several valuable prizes, which he had con-
nss. trived to have condemned as droits of the -admiralty. It
was also alledged, that, in order to apply the value of the
prizes to his OAvn use, he had, without any just cause or
reason, su&pended the officer who had been legally ap
pointed by the court of vice-admiralty to receive the mo
ney arising from the sale of the droits. For these, and
many other reasons, the memorialists requested, that the
governor's abitrary and tyrannical conduct should be repre
sented to the King.
This memorial was followed, on the first day of the ses
sion, by a petition from the parishioners of Saint James'sy
condemning, in the most pointed and unqualified terms*
the tyranny of the governor and council, in extorting mo
ney from the people, under the denomination of fees ;
thereby establishing a system of taxation independent of
their representatives, impeding the progress of business*
abstracting the channels of justice, and subverting the
constitution. The petitioners concluded Avith praying, that
their complaints may be carried to the foot of the throne,
with an humble supplication to his Majesty, to redress the
grievances of his faithful subjects, and to signify his disagr
probation of the conduct of those members of council
who had voted for the establishment of fees, so as to deter
all future members of that board from prostituting the ho
nour of their high station, by obsequious compliances Avith
the arbitrary and avaricious inclinations of tbe governor.

OF BARBADOES. ,50r
The forms of the house Avould not allow the taking of CHAP- x^-
the governor's speech into consideration until the next . ,782/
Aug. 28.
meeting, Avhen an address Avas moved for by Mr. James
Straker, and agreed to by the house, with the exception of
Judge Gittens, Avho objected to it, as precluding every idea
of a revision of the militia law, and the passing of a levy-
bill ; objects, Avhich, he said, it had ever been his wish to
see effected. The assembly embraced this opportunity of
addressing the governor, to remonstrate with great spirit
and keenness of reproach on the stigma attempted to be
thrown on the character of their house, by the proclama
tion for its dissolution ; Avhich they termed a wanton and
manifest abuse of the prerogative, with an artful design
of misleading his Majesty's ministers in regard to the gene
ral temper of the people, and to gratify an inordinate re
sentment against the members of that assembly. In the
unequivocal approbation of the inhabitants of every de
scription, and the united voice of the Avhole body of free
holders, by whom they had been re-elected, the assembly
confided for a complete and unquestionable refutation of
the reasons assigned by his excellency for their dissolution.
The generous and voluntary contributions of individuals
were, they maintained, no proofs of general opulence, nor
of the supposed ability of the bulk of the people to sus
tain the heavy expense of repairing the fortifications. Hav
ing taken particular notice of each subject referred to their
consideration, they concluded with declaring, in conform
3t2

508 THE HISTORY
chap. XV. mity to the wishes of their constituents, openly and freely
1782, expressed, that they never Avould raise any supplies what
ever, while they continued liable to be aggrieved by the
demand of illegal and unconstitutional fees.
Public bodies, as well as the individuals who compose
them, are always ready to discern and censure in others
the faults which, from the partiality of human nature, they
are incapable of perceiving in themselves. Whilst the
assembly Avere commendably employed ^in resisting the ar
bitrary encroachments of the other orders of the legislature,
they scrupled not to overstep their constitutional limits, and
to assume a dispensing power over a positive law. They
directed the treasurer to suspend, for tAvo months, the
collection of the taxes remaining due on the levy bill, which
was passed on the twenty-sixth day of July, one thousand
seven hundred and seventy-nine. The council, who had
without hesitation consented to violate the fundamental
rights of the commons, now suddenly became the vindica
tors of that constitution whieh they so recently endeavoured
Sspt. 19. to subvert. They resolved that the directions given by the
assembly for stopping the payment of the taxes was exer
cising an illegal, unconstitutional poAver of dispensing Avith
the operation of a positive law, on the authority of one
branch of the legislature ; and that an order, so partial,
could be no justification of the treasurer for neglecting his
duty. But as the intention of the assembly Avas founded
on. humanity, for the indulgence of the people under their

OF BARBADOES. 509
present disastrous circumstances, their honours professed chap. XV;
their readiness to concur in passing an act to protract the 1782-
payment of the taxes to the time proposed by the assem
bly; the only constitutional method, they observed, of
checking or suspending the operation of the law.
The treasurer, having received a copy of this resolution from October 2.
the clerk of the council, laid it before the- assembly at their
next meeting. The reading of a paper of this tendency natu
rally called up the speaker. He observed that the mode of
proceeding now objected to, had been practised by that
house, merely for the sake of dispatch, for nearly tAventy
years, Avithout a single objection having been started by
either of the other legislative branches. But noAv, the ob
jection was made, he recommended the house to pass a bill,
as the more reginar way of obtaining the required indulg
ence. A bill for that purpose Avas accordingly passed, and
sent up to the council for their concurrence ; with a mes
sage, apologising for their unintentional infringement on the
privileges of that board. Pleased Avith the council's reso
lution of adhering to the principles of the constitution, the
assembly cheerfully renounced the slightest deviation from
the same line of duty in their own proceedings. But they
reflected, they added, Avith no small degree of consolation,
under the sense of having erred, that the error had arisen
solely from a zeal to. lighten the burthens on the shoulders
of their fellow subjects, and. not from a presumptuous de
sign of increasing their weight. The bill, hmvever,. was re-

510 THE, HISTORY
chap.xv. jected by the governor. No substantial reason, he said,
.1782. having been given to induce him to believe, that the pro
posed indulgence to the -inhabitants could materially alter
their situation at the expiration of two months. And as
the levy, to be raised by the bill .whose operation Avas thus
meant to be suspended, Avas the only fund applicable to
the defence of the island, and to carry on the works which,
from the. state of the war, it Avas absolutely necessary to
complete with the utmost expedition, he could not consent
to the delay.
Matters were thus verging to a crisis between the gover
nor and the assembly. Their complaints againts his excel
lency Avere pressed forward Avith great zeal and fidelity by
the agent, and a day Avas actually appointed for a final
hearing of the charges before the board of trade. In the
mean time, his patron, Lord George Germaine, had ex
pressed such an explicit disapprobation of his conduct, that
scarcely a hope remained of his being able to retain his
government, unless he could compromise the dispute with
the assembly. Hence, in his communications with them,
lie began to assume a milder tone. Before the house ad
journed, they received a message from his excellency^ con*
taining an extract of a letter from the secretary of state, in
these words : " The temper and good disposition which you
have shewn in your speech at theopenkg of the assembly,*

On the 1 4th February, 1781, previous to their tasY dissolution.

OF BARBADOS. 51 is
gives me just grounds to hope that all animosities will chap.xv.
cease ; and that the council and assembly will be ready to i7«c
act with you in pursuing the true interests of Barbadoes ;
by providing for its security by the passing of a proper levy
bill, and by repairing the forts and batteries necessary for
its defence ; his Majesty having no other wish than that of
promoting the happiness of all his subjects."
The message contained a profession of his excellency's
concern, at finding that the assembly's last address Avas
written in such an intemperate style, that he could not,
consistently with his character, and the station Avhich he
filled, return an answer to it. But he took that opportu
nity of declaring to them that, upon their passing a proper
levy bill, he Avas ready, as he had always been, to join Avith
them in every just and reasonable proposition, for the ease
and interest, as well as for the security of the people. On
the subject of fees, his excellency thus expressed himself:
" Although I consider them as part of my just and lawful
rights,. I can assure you, that, if the assembly had granted
me the salary long enjoyed by many of my predecessors,
and Avhich, it is Avell known, their constituents in general.
were not only willing, but desirous they should grant, it
never would have entered into my mind to propose the
establishment of fees to the members of his Majesty's coun- •
cil. Nor can I suppose that board would have concurred
in the measure, if they had not been fully convinced that the
abridged salary granted by the assembly was by no means
%

512 THE HISTORY
C^v-^y' sufficient to support the dignity of government. And if
any subsequent assembly had shewn an inclination to com
mute the fees established in council, for the usual salary,- I
should long since have cheerfully made them the proposal.
But as, in consequence of the assembly's petition, they
have been lately referred by his Majesty to the lords com
missioners for trade and plantations, for their consideration
and report thereon, that event must noAv take place, unless
by a proposition from the assembly, the matter is compro
mised and settled before it comes to a hearing." Here the
door of reconciliation was throAvn open ; but unfortunately
the assembly could not enter, either with honour to them
selves or security to their constituents. A commutation of
the fees Avould have amounted to an acknowledgment of
the governor's right to them ; and have laid them at the
mercy of every future commander in chief. .
The message then proceeded to inform the assembly, that
General Christie had arrived Avith a battalion of the sixtieth
regiment, which had been lodged, by his excellency's or
ders, in the forts ; and recommended that the house should
make some provision for the better accommodation of the
troops. The reparation of the forts Avas urged Avith great
earnestness, as being indispensibly necessary for the secu
rity of the country. And, as a proof of his excellency's
attention to minor objects of local convenience, he men
tioned the decayed state of^the tAvo bridges in Bridge-town,
-with a vieAv to their being immediately repaired, and at the
6

OF BARBADOES. 513
same time suggested the expediency of an act to prevent chap. xv.
the removal of those banks of stones Avhich had been for- W^
tunately throAvn up by the hurricane, and which contri?
buted in no small degree to the safety of the towns.
The assembly's answer breathed nothing of an amicable Oct. 9.
or conciliatory spirit. The duty and affection, Avhich they
held inviolable to his Majesty's person and government,
had induced them, they said, to take his excellency's mes
sage into their most serious consideration ; and after a calm
and dispassionate review of the real circumstances of the
people, they found themselves confirmed in their former re
solution, not to increase the public burthens on any pre
tence Avhatever. The interest and prosperity of the com
munity Avere blessings that depended lesss on their security
from external violence, than on the peaceable enjoyment of
liberty and property, secured from the encroachments of
arbitrary power Avithin. Concerning the fees, to which his
excellency had asserted a just and legal right, they chal
lenged him to produce a single law local or general, Avrittea
or unwritten, which could sanction his claim. On this sub
ject they ran into a tedious discussion, which Ave willingly
avoid. Their objections to the legality of the fees, and
the reasons on Avhich the salary was voted, being substan-
4aally the same as those of which we have already takeji
ample notice.
The overture for a commutation of the fees, as a basis of
reconcaiatiofny was rejected with the prudence and spirit
3 u

514 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. becoming the representatives of a free people. Thoroughly
1782. convinced of the illegality of the claim, and not less sensi
ble of the unconstitutional authority by Avhich it had been
sanctioned, they should consider it, they said, a dereliction
of their country's cause, Avere they to make any proposi
tion that might be construed into an acknowledgment of
his right, or that he had any thing to yield on the ground
of a commutation. On the contrary, they declared their
fixed determination that, so long as such a dangerous usur
pation of poAver, as the levying of money without the con
sent of the general assembly, Avas exercised, they, who
were the only proper persons to raise supplies for the ser
vice of government, Avould not, by increasing the burthens
of their constituents, become the instruments of adding to
their grievances.
Nov. 27. Notwithstanding the failure of this attempt, his excel
lency determined on making another effort to awaken the
assembly to a due sense of the danger to which the country
was exposed, by the proximity of a formidable enemy,
flushed with success. To this end he sent down a message,
intimating that, from intelligence lately received, there Avas
every reason to believe that the enemy Avere preparing to
attack Barbadoes. He therefore requested they Avould ena
ble General Christie to remove the heavy artillery, ammu
nition and provisions, to Fort George ; and recommended
that the militia should be more frequently assembled, and
better disciplined. His excellency, at the same time, com-
2

OF BARBADOES. 5U
municated to the house, on the authority of a letter from chap, xv
the secretary of state, that the application of a part of the "^m^
parliamentary bounty, to the defence of the island, would
be an appropriation perfectly agreeable to his Majesty ;
and concluded with hoping, that the loyalty of the assem
bly would induce them to take the alarming and critical
state of the island into their most serious consideration, and
to adopt such measures as Avere most essential to its safety
and defence.
The assembly readily voted an aid of negro labour for
the removal of the cannon and stores; but they Avould nei
ther consent to the more frequent assembling of the mili
tia, nor to the proposed appropriation of any part of the
money granted by parliament to the repairs of the fortifi
cations. While they acknoAvledged the danger of their si
tuation, they calmly protested, that they Avould not suffer
their apprehensions to betray them into any means of pro
viding for the public defence, not warranted by the prin
ciples of justice and humanity. Upon their loyalty, indi
vidually and collectively, they affirmed, his excellency might
rely with the utmost certainty; but they could not help
lamenting, that they should be called to a contest with an
inveterate enemy, under a chief, who, having despoiled
them of their property, had destroyed that necessary con
fidence, with which they Avould have been happy to have
followed a faithful representative of the father of his peo-
3u 2

516 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. pie. Finding every endeavour fruitless, his excellency pro-
1782. rogued the assembly to the twenty-sixth day of February.
MeanAvhile the council having appointed a committee to
join that of the assembly, to arrange a plan for the distribu
tion of the parliamentary bounty, a bill, the production of
the joint committee, had been laid before the house on the
second day of October. Various amendments were pro
posed by the speaker, and, being adopted by the house,
the bill passed the assembly unanimously on the thirtieth
of that month. The Avhole of the donation was, by this
bill, A'ested in a board of commissioners, composed of his
excellency and a certain number of the members of both
houses, to be distributed among such persons as had been
reduced to distress and necessity by the hurricane ; in other
words, to the poor and indigent sufferers. The governor
was anxious that the money should be applied to the de
fence of the island, and had actually written to the secre
tary of state, representing the want of unanimity in the
council and assembly, and soliciting, an order to throw the
whole of the humane benefaction into the public coffers,
by which he Avould have secured the payment of his salary,
and been enabled to complete his plans of fortification.
"With views no less sinister, the council, who were all men
of considerable landed estates, were desirous of appropri
ating the money to the payment of the public debts, and
of distributing the provisions generally arnpng the suffer.erg

OF BARBADOES. 5J7
of every description. The bill sent up by the assembly, cha™ xv.
being of an opposite tendency, Avas unanimously rejected 1782,
by the council ; and the prorogation of the assembly pre
vented their concerting any measures for the disposal of the
valuable cargoes sent out by the sub-committee, and Avhich
arrived only the day before that event.
The value of the provisions, many of Avhich were of a
perishable nature, Avas of course materially depreciated by
the delay, which Avas productive of an expense of tAvo hun
dred pounds a month for storage. Meamvhile the council
passed a bill, which was deliA^ered to the clerk of the assem
bly, to be laid before the house after the recess. The
design of this bill Avas to distribute the four cargoes which
had been received, Avhile the cash Avas to remain locked up
from those for Avhose benefit it Avas intended till the result
of the governor's application Avas knoAvn. It proposed the
appointment of commissioners, by whom the stores and
goods were to be divided into eleven equal parts, one of
which was assigned to the vestry of each parish, who were
required to distribute them generally in proportion to the
loss sustained by each individual.
Notwithstanding the obvious partiality and injustice of 1783.
this arrangement, it was plausibly and ingeniously sup- Feb- 27-
ported on the meeting of the assembly by Mr. Straker and
Mr. Husbands. The former of these gentlemen, in a long
and animated speech, replete with much severity of ani
madversion on the conduct of the governor and council,

518 THE HISTORY
chap.xv. professed himself an advocate for a general distribution.
1783. jy[r> Husbands thought that the best, the most effectual,
the most general and impartial mode of disposing of the
parliamentary bounty, Avould have been to have throAvn the
whole into the treasury, applicable to the public exigencies.
By such an appropriation of the donative, they might have
paid off the colonial debt, have done justice to the public
creditors, and sheAvn a due regard to their distressed con
stituents, by relieving them from a load of taxes ; -they
might have repaired the mole-head and rebuilt their fallen
sanctuaries. It Avas not Avithin the sphere of his compre
hension to discover how a state could be benefited more
effectually than by the payment of its debts, the reparation
of useful and necessary Avorks, and the establishment of a
fund to meet the expenses of government for a succession
of years. Besides the gift of parliament, he said, was a
public boon, conferred by the public of England on that
of Barbadoes ; the public Avere to be under the obligation,
and consequently ought to receive the benefit. But as he
was noAv precluded from all hopes of' such an appropriation
of the bounty, as he thought most eligible, and as a distri
bution at all events was to take place, he voted for the
bill, because of the tAvo he preferred a general to a partial
distribution. On the other hand, the bill experienced an animated op
position from the humane, disinterested, and patriotic
speaker of,, the assembly, whose generous soul disdained

OF BARBADOES. 519
every personal consideration, Avhen put in competition with chap. xv.
the welfare of his country, or the calls of justice and hu- 1783
manity. He commenced an eloquent and argumenta tiAre
speech Avith saying, that he could not rise to deliver his
sentiments upon that occasion, Avithout yielding to the
most painful reflexions, on the melancholy state of his ill-
fated country, Avhich could neither relieve itself from its
difficulties and afflictions, nor avail itself of the advan
tages which Avere held out to its acceptance. He Avarmly
reprobated the mode of distribution proposed by the coun
cil, and highly disapproved of the seeming surrender of the
money, implied by their silence on that point. He contend
ed Avith great force of argument, that the Avhole of the mu
nificent donative ought to be applied, in conformity to the
language of the vote of the house of commons, to the relief
of such as had been reduced to distress and necessity by the
hurricane. He condemned, in the most pointed terms, the
scheme of a general distribution among those, of every de
scription, Avho had sustained any injury by the storm ; many
of Avhom, notwithstanding their losses, continued to enjo}7,
if not the luxuries of affluence, the blessings of compe
tence. Such a plan, he said, Avas not less inconsistent
Avith the humane intention of the benevolent donors, than
injurious to those distressed^ necessitous persons, for whose
benefit the gift was designed.
With a peculiar felicity of expression and strength of
reasoning, the venerable patriot exposed the injustice of

520 THE HISTORY
C^^J~ liquidating the colonial debt, and exonerating the opulent
1783- planter from the payment of taxes, at the expense of the
houseless objects of charity, Avhose small properties had
been ravaged by the storm. By such a disposal of the
bounty, those Avho had suffered the least would probably
benefit the most ; Avhile others, Avho had been totally ruined ;
by the destruction of their property, might, in fact, derive
no advantage from the benevolent intention of parliament.
For as the taxes for the support of government Avere chiefly
laid on slaves, it was demonstrable, that he Avho had the
greater number would benefit by the proposed mode of
distribution, not in proportion to his loss, but in an exact
ratio to the taxable property which he had saved from the
conflict of elements. As an illustration of this part of his
argument, Sir John Alleyne mentioned an instance of a
planter Avho had a hundred and fifty slaves, but whose loss
Avas so trifling, that, in the event of the money being
thrown into the treasury, he would be a considerable gainer
by that calamity, Avhich had involved others in irretrievable
ruin. The honourable baronet concluded an elaborate and
brilliant display of oratory, with moving several amend
ments to the bill ; which being adopted by the house, it
passed without a dissenting voice. But its progress in the
council chamber was obstructed, by an occurrence Avhich
rendered it unnecessary.
The governor's application to the secretary of state, for
an order to appropriate tbe money to the repairs of the for-
1

QF BARBADOES. 52 1
tifications, had been referred to the lords of the treasury, chap.xv.
who immediately called for the opinion of the London comr 1783,
mittee on the expediency of the measure. Perceiving that
the difficulties Avhich impeded the disposal of the bounty,
had been purposely contrived by his excellency, the com
mittee, whose patience sems to have been exhausted by the
¦unreasonable protraction of the business, determined to
alter the plan, and exclude the governor from any concern
in the distribution. They resolved, that the constituting
a board of commissioners in Barbadoes, consisting of all
the resident members of council, and an equal number of
the assembly, of which the speaker should be one, having
power to dispose of the parliamentary grant by a majority
of voices, is the most expedient method of carrying the
benevolent intentions of parliament into execution. This
resolution having been approved of by the lords of the
treasury, the secretary of state, by his Majesty's orders,
wrote to the governor, directing him to recommend to the
council and assembly the passing of a bill, in conformity
to the mode suggested by the committee.
A board of commissioners Avas accordingly constituted
by an act of the legislature* Avith full power to make a
final distribution of the bounty in any manner they should
think proper. On the first meeting of the commissioners, May 1.
Mr. Bishop, of the council, moved that the sum of forty
thousand pounds sterling should be- thrown into the public
3 x

322 THE HISTORY
chap. xv. coffers to liquidate the colonial debt. The motion Avas sup-
ma. ported with great earnestness by Mr. Husbands. To him
nothing was more clear, from the Avords of the resolution
of the house of commons, than that it Avas the intention of
parliament to afford assistance to all, relief to the distressed,
and support to the necessitous. ,
On the other hand, Sir John G. Alleyne contended, that
the proposal was equally inconsistent with the vote of the
house of commons, and the minutes of the lords of the
treasury, from both of Avhich it was evident, that the dona
tive was designed for the relief of "the indigent sufferers by
the storm ; those who, by that dire calamity, had been re
duced to distress and necessity. All arguments were unavail
ing : there was no resisting the mute eloquence of numbers;
the boon that Avas intended for the relief of the poor dis
tressed, was applied to lessen the taxes on the opulent pos
sessors of slaves. Out of this fund, the board agreed to
provide for the repairs of the town-hall ; one thousand
pounds was allotted for the rebuilding the neAV bridge, and
nineteen hundred pounds Avere granted to six parishes for
rebuilding,their churches. Fifteen hundred pounds sterling
had been paid by the London committee to Mr. Estwick,
as agent for the island, to conduct the prosecution against
Governor Cunninghame. Of the halance, eighteen hun
dred pounds were allotted to the sufferers in each parish,
to be distributed proportionably among those persons whose
6

OF BARBADOES. 523
losses exceeded not fifteen hundred pounds. Great de- chap.xv.
lays Avere, hoAvever, suffered to obstruct the distribu- l783,
tion, and five years had elapsed before it was accom
plished. It was surely a curious arrangement, to allow
the least populous parishes a sum equal to those which
had . the greater number of families, equal even to that
allotted for the metropolis, whose loss of property as far
exceeded that of any other district, as its population
surpassed the inhabitants of the other parishes. There
cannot be a stronger proof of the absurdity and injus
tice of the plan which Avas adopted, than the following
fact. A gentleman of Bridge-town, who had very few
slaves, sustained a loss of more than fifteen hundred
pounds, in houses and other personal effects. But those
very circumstances, which were in reality aggravations of
his misfortune, precluded him from relief: his loss ex
ceeded the limits prescribed by the commissioners; and,
having but feAv slaves on Avhom he could save the tax,
he was left to bear the undiminished weight of his cala
mity. For the sake of perspicuity, we have pursued this sub
ject as far as our means of information extended, with
out much regard to the order of time. And, Avhile it
affords the most incontestible evidence of the national.
beneficence, opulence, and generosity, at the recollec
tion of which, every heart, susceptible of a due sense of
3x2

$24 THE HISTORY
chap.- xv. benefits, must throb with grateful sensibility, we cannot
1783. reflect Avithout humiliation and concern, on the dissen
sions which it produced ; on the obstacles that retarded the
distribution of the bounty, and lessened its value to
the unfortunate sufferer; and on the application of so
' large a portion of the munificent donative to public pur
poses. Whatever traces of genuine loyalty and patriotism may be
discovered in the refusal of the assembly to raise the necessary
supplies for the support of government, there seems to have
been no inconsiderable degree of impolicy in suffering the
public debt to accumulate to Such an amount, and of in
justice in neglecting to provide for the payment of the pub
lic creditors, many of whom, though placed in the most in
digent circumstances of human life, had been unpaid for
three years. At length, driven to despair, the gunners and
matrosses of Reid's Bay, Speight's, and Saint James's divi
sions could no longer suppress their complaints. Their pe
titions to the assembly, stated, that many of them,, with
large families to support, Avere reduced to the lowest ebb of
fortune ; and were frequently indebted to the benevolence
of their more fortunate neiighbours for their daily subsist
ence; their wants, however, were unheeded. The voke-of
justice and humanity was heard no more, or was Jisteia-
ed to only when it forbade the imposition of taxjesv The
petitions were ordered to lie <m the table, and in all ppoba-
1

OF BARBADOES. 525
bility would soon have been forgotten, had not the com- chap. xv.
missioners for the distribution of the parliamentary bounty 1783-
agreed, as we have already seen, to appropriate a consider
able part of that donative to the payment of the colonial
debt.

526 THE HISTORY

CHAP. XVI.

THE GOVERNOR RECALLED. — MR. DOTIN ASSUMES THE GOVERN
MENT. — EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF THE COUNCIL.  MR.;
ESTWICK's CONDUCT CENSURKD.  MR. DAVID PARRY SUCCEEDS*
TO THE GOVERNMENT.  LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.  AN
ATROCIOUS MURDER COMMITTED.
CHAP.XVI. Jl HE day was now approaching, when the Barbadians
1783. were to be relieved from the tyranny of a rapacious ruler,
and restored to the enjoyment of internal tranquillity.
Their complaints had been thus far urged, with indefatiga
ble zeal and perseverance, by their agent ; and the thir
teenth day of April had been appointed, by the lords of
trade, for a final hearing of the charges against Governor
Cunninghame. But, in consequence of the memorable
change of ministry, which had taken place within the last
week in March, Mr. Estwick suddenly adopted the resolu
tion, not less culpable than strange, of declining the inves
tigation, which he had so ardently and impatiently soli
cited. "When all difficulties were surmounted, and he had
nearly arrived at the end of his journey, he discovered that

OF BARBADOES. 527
the>R)ad which he had been diligently pursuing for twelve chap.xvi.
months Avas too circuitous to lead to the direct attainment 1783,
of his object. The board of trade, he found, could form
no ultimate decision on the point at issue. They were only
, a board of inquiry, on whose report the King, in council^
was finally to determine. Hence, he pretended to think it
better to. rely on the wisdom and' justice of Lord Shelburne,
the neAv secretary .of state, for an immediate^ but partial,
redress of the grievances Avhich were the subject of com
plaint, than to bring the matter to, a hearing before the
board of trade, which being composed, as he said, of per
sons devoted to the will of Lord George Germaine, the go
vernor's patron, their report might have been eventually
unfavourable to the colony. This is the substance of the
reasons Avhich, upon being pressed on the subject by the
secretary of the board of trade, Mr. Estwick assigned, for
declining, the hearing before the only tribunal, which, from
its earliest establishment, had- invariably taken cognizance
of all colonial complaints, preparatory to a final adjudi
cation.. Their lordships, however, in obedience to- his
Majesty's commands, met at the time and place appointed^
and although Mr; Dunning and Mr. Piggott had been re
tained on the part of the colony, the agent thought proper
to refuse the assistance of council, and* stated his objections
to any farther proceedings on the proposed inquiry. - Aftec
hearing what the governors advocates had to offer on the
occasion, the board hesitated whether they ought to report

528 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. generally on the case as it then stood before them, or spe-
1783, cially, that the agent for the colony had declined the hear
ing. Mr. Estwick's politeness removed all difficulty, by
declaring his perfect acquiescence in the latter mode.
Happily for Barbadoes? the agent's confidence in Lord
Shelburne was not misplaced. By the first packet Avhich
left England, after the arrangement of the new administra
tion was completed, General Cunninghame received his"
June n. Majesty's orders to resign the government. Thus the re
moval of the odious and tyrannical chief Avas entirely ari
act of royal clemency, or rather of ministerial patron
age, and not the result of any legal nor formal determina
tion of his guilt. The question of rnal-administration
was still undecided, and the oppressor escaped the punish
ment due to his crimes.
The governor spent but little time in preparing for his
departure. Unable to bear the public eye, or apprehen-
; sive of personal insults, he privately embarked, under
June is. cover of the evening, on board the packet, where he re
mained, unnoticed and unmolested, from Tuesday till the
Thursday following ; when, to the inexpressible joy of all
ranks of men, he bad adieu to a country whose govern
ment he had administered, without honour or satisfaction
to himself, to the manifest injury of a faithful, and loyal
people.
June 19. In obedience to his Majesty's commands, signified to him
by the secretary of state, the Honourable John Dotin, as*

OF BARBADOES. 52$
sumed the reins of government on the day after the gover- charxvl
nor left Pilgrim, and immediately issued a special summons ,78?-
to convoke the legislature on the second day of July.
Both houses having accordingly met, the president addres
sed them in a speech less remarkable for its elegance than
for the patriotic sentiments Avhich it contained. In simple,
artless language, he told them, that having been directed
by Lord Shelburn, to take charge of the ^government, his
first care had been the removal of those illegal tables of
fees which the late governor, Avithout any colour of right,
had set up and extorted from his Majesty's loyal and dis
tressed subjects. After an unqualified, reprobation of the
governor's conduct, he added, that he had been commanded
by his Majesty to use his best endeavours to secure and for
tify the island, and to rouse the spirit of the people to a
vigorous exertion in their own defence. To the repairs of
the fortifications he requested their particular attention,
and earnestly exhorted them to unanimity and harmony in
their proceedings, as the surest means of obtaining the fa
vour and approbation of their Sovereign, of promoting
the prosperity of the country, and of doing honour to
themselves. This honest, unstudied harangue drew from the council
the following indecent and unprecedented reply : " The
manner in which you were called to the command of the
island, your honour has been pleased to signify to us with
sentiments that do you credit. The trust delegated to you
3 y

530 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. cannot be abused, Avhile you thus honourably-bear Avitness
1783- to its importance. We look up to your honour Avithout a
shadow of doubt, for that moderation and propriety which
will ensure equal applause to this as t-o your former mild
and impartial administration. But, while Ave thus express
ourselves toAvards you, Avith that justice Avhich is due for.
the opening of your speech, Ave must, at the same time,
writh indignant freedom, condemn the censure implied on
that branch- of the legislature of Avhich your honour surely
did not, at that time, consider yourself as head. The li
berality of your self-denial, respecting the tables of fees,
may be applauded by some, yet how to reconcile your pre
sent declarations to your former conduct Ave are at a loss ;
and confess them to be no less strange than contradictory.
Governor Cunninghame's measures, so decisively, if not
indelicately, pronounced illegal and oppressive, met the
concurrence and confirmation of that board, at which your
honour Avas then sitting as head. Nor can Ave now acqui
esce in these new ideas of extortion and illegality ; but ra
ther place them to that Avavering of sentiment which sacri
fices the steady principles of government and virtuous con
sistency, to the giddy pleasure of fickle popularity and
ductile compliance. The opposition ' and extortion thus
wantonly thrown upon us, it behoves us to oppose in this
public address; and, we trust, that your language, on this
occasion, is rather inconsiderately, than deliberately, in
tended to stigmatise that hoard, of which your honour has

OF BARBADOES. 531
been so many years a member. But this is a subject too chap.xvi
delicate for the times, and too pointed to be discussed in 1783-
such a moment. Yet, surely, it may be permitted us to
remark, that, hoAvever expedient a compliance with the
Avishes of the people may have become, your honour might
have declined the work of recrimination in this your first
public declaration.
" We have hitherto done our utmost for the safety of the
island, so often recommended by the late governor, Avhose
attention and unAvearied perseverance in the discharge of this
part of his duty, every member of this board can vouch for.
Whatever difference of opinion may have existed, this tribute
surely he claims ; nor shall the rage of opposition deter us
from giving credit where credit is due. A retrospect of the
past, will lead us to adopt the happiest unanimity in all
measures that shall conduce to our internal tranquillity and
defence; and we look,'AAdth pleasure, to the concluding
sentiment in your honour's speech. May harmony and
peace reside among us ; may true freedom for ever flourish
over eArery tyrannic delusion, Avhether among the rulers or
the ruled ; may there be one contention only in the differ
ent parts of our constitution ; the contention of promoting
the public good."
This address experienced considerable opposition from
some gentlemen of the council. Far from concurring in
the resentment expressed in the address against the presi
dent for his free and candid declaration concerning the
3 Y %

552 THE HISTORY
cflA*.XVi. illegality of the fees, extorted by Governor Cunningham^
ns3. .^jr Bishop adopted the sentiments of the speech, and as
serted, that tbe fees Avere not only illegal and unconstittb-
tional, but that they were calculated to establish a danger
ous precedent, to the encouragement of future avaricious
commanders in chief, to trample upon the rights and pro
perties of the people. The address was, however, agreed
lo, and, being subscribed by Mr. H. Frere, Mr. Moe, Mr.
Best, Mr. Keeling, and Mr. Ince, was presented in due
form. It, however, produced a singular protest, signed by the
Hev. Mr. R. Brathwaite, in which, after dissenting from sb
-much of the address as censured the president's remarks on
the governor's oppressive exactions, he entered into a for
mal recantation of his own political heresy. " I do heartily
condemn myself," said the reverend divine, " for not having
protested against the table of fees which G6vernor Cun
ninghame laid before the council, and sincerely wish they
could be expunged out" of the council-book, and annihi
lated. His excellency having declared that he should not
Deceive more than fifteen hundred a year of the English sa
lary, and would not accept of the two thousand pounds
per annum settled on him by the house of assembly, I, am
bitious that the King's representative should have the means
=©f supporting tbe honour and dignity of his station, ac
quiesced with him in the measure, not having the least sus-
%

OF BARBADOES. 535
picion of the delusive purposes and fallacious drift of the chapxvl
man's mind." ^nes^
The president too was eager to repel the insinuations of .
duplicity and vacillation thrown out against him by the
council. He published a formal vindication of his con
duct, in which much was said and more hinted. Upon a
review of what bad passed in council, when the question
concerning the fees Avas agitated, he fully exculpated him
self, as far as his own uncontradicted assertion can be
admitted as exculpatory, from any participation in the
guilt of those by whom they Avere sanctioned. But as the
facts, to which he appealed, have been already taken
notice of in a former chapter of this volume, it is unneces
sary to repeat them in this place.
Agreeable to the forms of the assembly, no answer could
be returned to the president's speech until their next meet
ing, and as the house Avas on the eve of its dissolution, it
was proper that the salary should be taken into immediate
consideration. The house having, for this purpose, re
solved itself into a committee, Mr. W. G. Alleyne moved,
that the sum of fifteen hundred pounds a year should be
settled on the president during his administration. An
amendment was proposed by Mr. Straker, the object of
Avhich was to reduce the settlement to one thousand pounds;
but on the question being put, the amendment Avas lost on
a division of eleven to eight, and the original motion Avas
carried in the affirmative by the same majority.

534 THE HISTORY
-chap.xvl -^he house being resumed, unanimously resolved, that
1783. an humble address be presented to the King, to return his
Majesty their most grateful thanksfor having been graciously
pleased to remove Major-General James Cunninghame from
the administration of this government: That the thanks of
this house be transmitted to the Right Honourable the Earl
of Shelburne, for his active zeal and ready execution of
his Majesty's orders for the recal of Governor Cunning
hame ; by Avhich the country had been happily released
from an arbitrary and oppressive system of taxation, and
the assembly joyfully restored to the accustomed exercise
of their constitutional powers : That the thanks of this
house be transmitted to Samuel EstAvick, Esquire, for the
zeal and activity Avhich he. had manifested for the public
service, by his patriotic exertions in promoting his excellen
cy's removal from the government of this island.
The assembly having sat the ordinary term of one year,
its existence Avas terminated by a political euthanasia.
Perfectly satisfied Avith the conduct of their representatives,
the freeholders of the different parishes hesitated not to en
trust their rights in the hands of the same faithful guardians*.
* The members were for St. Michael's, J.Mayers and J, Beckles ; Christchurch,
:•<. * .J. Burke and T. Burton ; St. Philip's, J. Gittens and L Millington; St. George's,
It. B. Jones and A. Frere ; St. John's, S. AValcolt and R. Haynes ; St. James's, T.
Alleyne and B. Bostock ; St. Thomas's, W. G. Alleyne and J. Straker; St. Peters,
S. Hinds and H. Walke; St. Lucy's,' B. Babb and S. Husbands ; St. Andrew's, Sir J.
dQ. Alleyne and A. Cumberbatch ; St. Joseph's, J, Stewart and T. Waterman. s

OF BARBADOES. 535
On the meeting of the new assembly, the session was c^?^3»1'
opened with the usual formalities, and with a speech ^J3^
from the chair, containing a feAV trite observations on com
mon topics. The state of Fort George was recommended
to their serious consideration; and to their Avisdom it Avas
left to determine, Avhether they would be at the expense of
the Avorks Avhich had been begun there ; or rest sa
tisfied Avith the loss of the large sum which had been
already expended on them. His honour congratulated the
assembly on the unanimity of the late elections, and urged
the council to a punctual attendance on their duty in the
court of chancery. The economy' of his former adminis
tration, in saving the expense of oil for the lamps at Pil
grim, was not forgotten ; and he pledged himself to a
strict observance of the same frugality, now that the reins
of government were again placed in his hands. .And, Avhile
in the former part of his speech he regretted the insuffi
ciency of the guard at Fort George, were there was a con
siderable depot of gunpowder, with a strange inconsistency,.
he concluded Avith recommending a reduction of the ma
trosses at Pilgrim. This seems to have been an awkward
attempt to acquire popularity, b/a scheme of frugality not
less injudicious than trifling. The matrosses were entirely
at his disposal; and he ought to have made such an ar
rangement as might have strengthened the guard at Fort
George, by a detachment from Pilgrim.

536 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. The council's address was a sensible, nervous reply, to
¦i7*3- the topics adverted to in the speech, and concluded with
these just and apposite observations: " Economy could
never be practised at a season that calls more loudly for
the greatest exertion of it, than at present. But even in
economy, there may be a point to stop at; nor should the
mind be busied in little savings that are hardly distinguish
able in the greater and more necessary expenditure of
government. The true medium, it is hoped, Avill be attain
ed, equally avoiding an improper parsimony, and an useless
profusion. Yet, in a war so implicated as the present, it
surely Cannot be deemed an economy, either requisite or
prudent, to relinquish any part of the number of matrosses,
whose use is obvious, where cannon are intended as a
means of defence."
The assembly availed themselves of this opportunity, to
congratulate the president on his re-accession to the chair ;
which, according to their polite declaration, he had, by
his first generous act of power, elevated to an eminent
pitch of splendour, and rendered it, Avhat it always ought
to be, the seat of dignity and honour. His unreserved
condemnation of the tables of fees, set up by Governor
Cunninghame, however unpleasant to the few Avho had'
conspired with that venal chief in his oppressive measures,
could not fail, they said, to endear his honour to that
house, and insure to him the affection and confidence of
the people over whom he presided. As they could neither

OF BARBADOES. 537
discover the utility of Fort George, nor the propriety of C^A^7L
expending a larger sum on a place incapable of a permanent 1783,
defence, they Avere content- rather to lose Avhat it had al
ready cost, than to impose fresh burthens on their consti
tuents, for the purpose of perpetuating the senseless am
bition of the oppressor, under Avhose inauspicious admi
nistration it Avas planned and carried on. They thanked his
honour for continuing the system of economy so happily
begun during his former presidency, and assured him of
their cheerful co-operation in folloAving the great example
set by their beloved Sovereign, and adopted by his.parlia-.
ment, to restore the neglected virtue of frugality to its
proper rank and influence. This Avas an allusion to Mr.
Burke's economical reform in the expenditure of the civil
list. But while that great and enlightened statesman re
jected every idea of a mean and pitiful saving, our colonial
patriots amused themselves Avith extinguishing a few lamps,
and depriving half a dozen matrosses of their salaries.
The address Avas most graciously received by the presi
dent. He returned his Avarmest thanks, for the honour
Avhich the assembly had done him, and hoped that every
act of his administration Avould give them pleasure ; adding
this remarkable declaration : " Let the few, or let the
many, oppose" me, as much as they can, no poAver in this
world shall prevent me from being a patriot."
While the president Avas thus displaying his patriotism,
by retrenching the public expenses, a gentleman of an
3 z

533 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. ancient family, and amiable character, was manifesting
1783- his loyalty and attachment to his native country, by means
no less honourable. Emulous of the heroic virtues of his
great ancestor, Avhose name he bore, Mr. Timothy Thorn
hill, Avithout the smallest legislative ~ assistance, raised a.
respectable company of infantry, consisting of seventy-
four rank and file, under the patronage of General Vaughan,
for the service of his Sovereign. This corps Avas of essen
tial sendee during the remainder of the Avar, in strengthen
ing the garrison, not onlv in Barbadoes, but at Saint Lucia
and Antigua. But Mr. Thornhill was not treated by go
vernment zvith the liberality which he deserved. On the
restoration of peace, his company Avas disbanded; and,
though he Avas reduced to half pay, he Avas not alloAved to
retain his rank in the army.
NotAvithstanding the unanimity Avith which the thanks
of the assembly had been voted to Mr. Estwick, the first
transports of joy, at the governor's removal, had no sooner
subsided, than the error Avhich he had committed became
visible, and his conduct was censured with equal severity
in England and Barbadoes. His declining the hearing,
before the board of trade, Avas imputed, Avithout reserve,
to his Avish of affording impunity to the members of coun
cil, Avho were participators in General Cunninghame's guilt.
Nor did Mr. EstAvick altogether deny the charge, but at
tempted to justify his partiality, by affecting to consider
the members of council equally his constituents with those

OF BARBADOES. 539
of the other house. He kneAv them, he said, to be, in C^^^L
general, natives of the island, men of property, who of 1783'
course Avere, or ought to be, as much interested as the
assembly, in the happiness and prosperity of the country.
Hence he inferred, that to take an active part in a remon- ^
strance against the council, was to discover such an ab
surdity of conduct, as to disqualify him from any preten
sions of ever being again the agent for the island.
The fallacy of this reasoning, hoAvever, is evident. The
bill for his appointment having been rejected by the go
vernor, he was continued in the agency, by a vote of the
assembly alone; and Cunninghame, in a letter to Lord George
Germaine, expressed his surprise that he should be received
by his Majesty's ministers, as the accredited agent of the
island. HoAvever favourably he might have been inclined
to judge of the council's attachment to their native soil,
they had given him such unequivocal proofs, as could not
be mistaken, of their readiness to support the strong arm
of despotism, in burying the liberties of the people under
the ruins of their constitution. But, although Mr. Est\Arick
Avas doubtless very loth to adopt any measures Avhich might
have interfered with his pretensions to the agency, there
Avas another reason, which, though kept out of vieAv, had
its full weight. The agent had married the sister of Mr.
Frere. The public Avelfare is too often sacrificed to the
petty interests of family connexions, pnd the sordid cou-
siderations of retaining an office. 3 z 2

540 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. The introduction of a bill, re-appointing Mr. Estwick
i78|- agent for the island, .furnished the assembly Avith an oppor
tunity of arraigning his conduct, and sheAvirig their resent
ment, by discarding him from their service. But, strange
as it may appear, no direct opposition was given to the
appointment of one whom they soon afterwards, Avithout
any clearer evidence of his guilt, declared unworthy of their
confidence. A sub-agent Avas proposed by Mr. Straker,
and rejected by a large majority. And he then gave notice,
that he should, at the next meeting, submit to the con
sideration of the house, some resolutions respecting the
agent's conduct in declining the hearing of the assembly's
complaints against Governor Cunninghame, and the mem
bers of council who supported his illegal measures.
178*. The Barbadians were not permitted to continue long
under the patriotic administration of Mr. Dotin. The fall
of one ministerial favourite only made, room for the ad
vancement of another. On the recommendation of the
Earl of Shelburne, his Majesty Avas pleased to bestow the
vacant government on Major David Parry, a native of the
principality of Wales, Avho arrived in Carlisle-bay on the
eighth day of the new year.* His excellency landed in
Jan. 10. state on the Friday folio Aving; and, after attending divine
service, proceeded to Pilgrim; Avhere, having, taken the
* His excellency came alone, but was scon followed by hi* lady and their two sons,
who arrived on the fifteenth day of April. *

OF BARBADOES. 541
usual oaths, he Avas formally invested Avith his high em- chap.xvi.
ploynlent. At the same time the tAvo vacancies at the coun- 1784'-
cil board were filled by Mr. R. J. Estwick and Mr. T.
Gallender; and his excellency soon afterwards reinstated
Mr. Weekes, sole judge of the court of vice-admiralty *.
On the meeting of the colonial parliament, governor Parry Jan. 23.
addressed both houses in a nervous, animated, public spi
rited speech. He began, hoAvever, Avith a panegyric, Avhich,
it is apprehended, a mind less disposed to indulgence may
probably think undeserved. Since his appointment to the
government; he said, he had studiously examined and in
vestigated the laAvs and statutes of the island, and found
them so excellent in their nature, and so analogous to his
OAvn ideas of civil and political liberty, that he congratu
lated himself upon the pleasure he should receive in ruling
over a free and generous people, Under so happy a constitu
tion. He assured them that he should never forget that
every subject of the British empire, hoAveA^er remote from
the seat of government, is equally entitled to all the con
stitutional rights and privileges that are enjoyed by his fel
low citizens of London and Westminster. Nor could free
dom, he remarked, ever forsake an Englishman, while he
has wisdom and virtue to cherish and support it. He then
Recommended to them a perseverance in that loyalty and

* Mr. Dotin did not survive his retirement long. He died on the tenth day of Oc
tober of the same year.

542 THE HISTORY
chap xvi. attachment-to their King and parent state, Avhich had ever
17S4-. raost honourably marked the annals of Barbadoes, to pro
mote the general welfare of the empire by. every public spi
rited exertion, and by harmony and unanimity at home to
establish, and make permanent, the particular happiness
and prosperity of their native country. And he requested
them to rest satisfied that no effort on his part should be
Avanting to bring the bud of reconciliation, that he found
groAving among them, to maturity, by a strict adherence to
the laws, with every possible attention to presence the three
branches of the legislature in perfect equilibrio.
The interesting and critical situation of public affairs, he
told them, demanded their utmost attention; for, although
from the advanced stage of the negotiation Avith America,
a general pacification would probably ensue, the period of
suspence between peace and Avar Avas of all others the most
dangerous; diligence and activity being ever on the watch,
whilst sloth and indolence lay sleeping. The respectable
military force which they possessed, was, he said, under
proper regulations, fully equal to their internal defence.
To this subject he Avished to direct their immediate atten
tion, because they had close at their door a bold and enter
prising enemy; and, hoAvever much the apparent lenity and
insidious policy of his conduct toAvards the captured islands
may dazzle at a distance, the lettres de catchet and the
mandates of a French minister Avere very bad exchanges
for magna charta and the hill of rights. To make freemen.

OF BARBADOES. 543
happy, he observed, all the knowledge and good parts that C^^3L
ean be possessed by a legislator must be enlivened and
directed by true patriotism, or they will become pernicious
to the state and productive of discord.
Turning to the assembly, he proceeded in these Avords ;
" It having been represented to his Majesty, that you have
been much hurt and aggrieved by certain tables of fees
that Avere lately erected in this island, I am commanded by
his Majesty to signify his Avill and pleasure, that you forth-
Avith prepare a bill that Avill effectually prevent the possi
bility of such an evil arising in future. I shall, therefore,
leave this and another instruction,* Avhich I hold in my
hand under your consideration, earnestly recommending to
you a particular attention to the great objects of public
receipts and expenditure; by Avhich you will be enabled to
establish such a system of economy as will for the present

* This was the 36th Instruction. " Whereas laws have heretofore been passed in*
our said' island; establishing fees for the services peifoimjd by the several officers
therein-mentioned, which laws are now in force; and whereas doubts have arisen as
to the legality of any fees established by order of our governor and council, to prevent
which in future, it is our will and pleasure that on youi first meeting the g-c-neral as
sembly of the said island, you do propose, to them to prepare a bill for the fulute and
permanent regulation and establishment of such fees as may be deemed just and
equitable in respect to the pubhc officers, and as little burtben=oi:,e as j.usr.bie to our
good subjects on the said island; a draught of which bill, whtii prepared, you are tp
transmit to us through one of our principal ccrciaries of" state, that our pleasure may
be signified to you thereon," The other was the usual instruction respecting the
salary.

544 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. alleviate, and, I hope, in the course of time, effectually re-
nsi. move all traces of the great calamity that has lately be
fallen you. I therefore most ardently request, that, as I
was not fortunate enough to come among you in the days '
of your opulence, I may not add to your distresses in the
hour of your misfortune. Satisfied that Avhenever Provi
dence shall again extend her bounteous hand over this
happy island, the fruits of her beneficence will speedily
reach Pilgrim." Nothing could have been more liberal and
noble than these sentiments; they failed, however, to pro
duce their proper effect on the assembly.
The addresses in answer to the speech reverberated his
excellency's patriotic sentiments. Each house seemed emu
lous to surpass the other in the warmest-professions of re
spect and esteem for the person and character of the gover
nor, of profound loyalty and fidelity to the king, inviolable
attachment to the constitution, and the most zealous regard
for the Avelfare of their country. From his excellency's
constitutional declarations the assembly anticipated, with
rapturous exultation, the felicity and prosperity which they
should enjoy under the administration of a gentleman who
had studiously examined the volume of their laws, in order
to make them the rule and principles of his government.
Both houses professed equal anxiety i'of the preservation of
harmony and unanimity in their proceedings, and concluded
with the most fervent assurances of their cheerful co-opera-

4

OF BARBADOES. 545
tion in every measure essential to' the public welfare and CHAP^)1-
safety. > 17b4-
.-Having returned to their own hall, the assembly resolved
themselves into a committee of the whole house, for the
purpose of taking the governor's salary into their immediate
consideration. .The debate was opened by Sir John G.
Alleyne's proposing tAvo resolutions, the object of AvhichlAvas
to restrain the assembly from raising or granting any mo
ney, for any purpose whatever, until their rights and privi
leges Avere secured from invasion, by a.laAv declaring that the
poAver of establishing fees existed only in the three branches
of the legislature collectively ; but that as soon as an act of
that kind should pass, the assembly would then proceed to
make- such a provision for the better support of his excel
lency's dignity as the ; state of the public finances Would
permit. On these principles he had prepared two separate bills,
the first, declaratory of the rights of the assembly; which
in the event of its receiving the concurrence of the other
orders- of the legislature, Avas to be followed by a second, for
the support of government.* This mode of proceeding Avas
certainly liable to material objections. It Avas treating his
excellency Avith a degree of iliiberality and distrust, which
nothing could justify, after the patriotic sentiments Avhich
were yet vibrating in their ears, and the gracious instruc
tion Avhich had been just read. The measure of framing a
bill to remove all doubts on the subject of fees, came re-
4 A

546 THE HISTORY
Cs^^yi* commended to them from the throne ; to make- the passing
1784. Qf gucn a jaw.^ therefore, the condition on which the gover*
no/s salary depended, was neither respectful rtor decorous.
The stipulation Avas as offensive as the caution in Avhich it
errginale# was unnecessary. After a long and animated
debate; in which the resoMfctionS' were A?ehemen.tly- opposed
fey Mft A. IVefe and? Mr* Mayers, the speaker said he had
»»t so great a predilection, for hkvplan as to feel any difE*
eulifeyin. wkhdrarwang his motion, if the end in vieAv was
likely to be attained more effectually, and with- greater un-*
aninaity, by ©€ietf means.
The resolutions having been accordingly withdrawn, Mr.
F»ere mowd, that the two bills Avhich had been prepared
by Sir J; Gr. Alteyne should be blended together, and their
titles thus1 united, ** An act declaring the right of establish
ing fees to be only in the three branches of the legislature
in their collective capacity; and for the better support of
his excellency and the ' dignity of the government of this
islatfek'* This arrangement Comprehended all the indeli
cacy, absurdity, and irregularity of the plan which had been-
rejected but" the instant before, without embracing any of
its advantages* Probably the gentleman by whom the mo
tion was made, thoughts with a popular parliamentary leader,
in ta<*aesf less favourable to civil liberty, that the most effec
tual means of obtaining redress Avas by making grievances'
and supplies g& hand in hand together ; but an acquaintance
with the iaore modem usage of the British) Parliameiit

OF BARBADOES. 547
¦w&nld have shewn him »the irregularity of his plan; and chap.xvi.
have ttaught him rthat it is a standing order of the House of !?**•
Lords to reject any bill sent up by the Commons connected
with a money ;bill*
Composed of these heterogenous materials, the bill was
agreed to -by !the committee; but in filling up the blank, a
feesh subject of altercation was started ; whether the sum
to be settled on ihis excellency should be two or three
thousand pounds annually. This question was canvassed
with, an unusual degree of warmth and vehemence, and
was finally determined in favour of the smaller sum, by a
majority of thirteen voices to nine. The declaratory part
of the act, relating to the right of establishing fees,
formed no impediment to its progress through the council
ehamber ; and his excellency, on its being presented for
his assent, generously expressed himself in these words:
" I am truly sorry for the causes that oblige you to lessen
your donation, but am as well pleased with it as if it Avas
ten times as much/'
Pursuant to the notice given at a former meeting, Mr. Feb. is.
Straker now brought forward his promised investigation of
the agent's conduct, in an able, elegant, and perspicu-
ous^speech he proved, from a clear and candid review of
the whole transaction, that Mr. Estwick had grossly abused

* De Lolme on the Constitution, p. 77, note.
4 A 2

548 THE HISTORY
C^^S1' tne trust reposed hUiim by the house, and concluded with
1784. moving two resolutions. First, that the agent by declining to
bring the complaints of the assembly to a bearing before the
Lords of Trade, Avithout having obtained a solemn declaration
of our rights as a security against any future invasion, acted
contrary to his duty. Secondly, that so great a neglect, in a
point which so materially concerned the immunities of the
commons of Barbadoes, as it must be imputed either to a
defect in judgment, or to a wilful desertion of the cause,
from partial motivesj renders him unAvorthy of the future
confidence of the assembly. The .motion Avas productive of
a long and interesting debatey in Avhich the conduct of the
agent Avas canvassed with great acuteness and ingenuity, and
commented upon with equal freedom and asperity. His
defence was undertaken with great zeal and spirit by his
two kinsmen, Mr. AppleAvhaite Frere and Mr. Jones, who
displayed an uncoxrimon share of talents upon the occasion.
The debate was rendered more remarkable by the distin
guished part taken by Mr. John BeckTes, a young mem
ber, Avho, in support of the motion, gave an early specimen
of those commanding powers of eloqaence which have since
secured him a deserved pre-eminence in the seriate and at
the bar. Notwithstanding the notoriety. of the facts^on
which the resolutions Avere grounded, and the great abilities
exerted in their support, they Avere rejected by a majority
of ten to seven.
The freedom with which the agents conduct Avas ex-

OF BARBADOES. $4$
amined, and the severity with which it was condemned* chap.x vr-
Avere sufficient to provoke the resentment ofa man less irrit-r m4>
able, and less firmly persuaded of his own importance,
than Mr. Estwick. > It is not to be wondered at, therefore*
that the censure '-which- he sustained upon this occasion,
should have produced the most violent explosion of' anger
and indignation.' In a printed letter, addressed to the
speaker of the assembly, he poured forth a torrent of illi
beral invective on those public-spirited members, whose
strictures on his misconduct had rendered them obnoxious'
to his resentment. The intemperate Avarmth of this letter
considerably lessened the number of Mr. Est wick's friends
in the assembly. Sensible of the indignity with Avhich he
had presumed to treat them, the house agreed to several
resolutions, purporting that the agent's indecent and illi
beral letter, reflecting on two of their members for exer
cising the freedom of debate, Avas an insult on their body :
that the reasons Avhich he had assigned for declining the
hearing before the board of trade, Avere no justification of
his conduct : and, finally, that he was no longer Avorthy of
their confidence. These resolutions, Avhich Avere trans
mitted to Mr. Estwick, by the ' speaker, produced another
acrimonious letter, in which, he affirmed that the loss of
the agency could occasion no regret to him who had re
fused to be their ruler. The candid and upright conduct of
the venerable speaker of the assembly, in expressing a just
resentment against Mr. EstAvick, for his libel on the house,

5$0 THE HISTORY
C^^^li was maliciously imputed to the rage of disappointed am-
17*4. bition, occasioned by the failure of his ^application for the
government of the island; Mr. Estwick said„ ikM Lord
Bad nor called upon him, soon after General Cunninghame's
removal, and inquired if he did not think that Sir John
G, Alleyne's succeeding to the government, would reconcile
all differences, and. put an end to -disturbances; to which
he replied, that he did not think it would ; for there being
two interests in the country, either taking the lead of the
other Avould, perhaps, rather increase their animosity than
reconcile them. His lordship, afterwards, applied to Lord
Shelburne, in behalf of Sir John Alleyne, and Avas refused.*
Against this charge, Sir John Alleyne vindicated himself,
with his usual ability. He did. not entirely disav.QAV the
application made by his noble relative, but, Avith a mind
conscious of its purity, appealed to the integrity of his
life for the proof of his faithful and disinterested exertions
in the public service.
Meanwhile the two-fold act, respecting the right of esta
blishing fees, and the settlement on the governor, having
been transmitted to England, for his Majesty's 'information,
was referred to the consideration of a committee of the
lords of the privy council. Upon which their lordships
reported, " That the act contained clauses relative to mat
ters which had no connexion with each other, one of which
was foreign to the import of the title of the act ; and that,
although no clauses of an incongruous nature should be
5

OF BARBADOES. 55l
inserted in the same act, one part b£ k was intended to ckapjcvi.
operate as a perpetual declaratory law, while the other part l78*«
was in its nature, temporary*. Another, and still more
forcible objection against the operation of the act, was
deduced from the circumstance of the assembly having
preferred the most serious charges against the late Governor
Cunninghame, for establishing, by an order of council,
certain fees, which they asserted to be illegal; his Majesty
was pleased to refer the same to the consideration and
©pinion of the late board of trade ; and, in the very mo
ment Avhen the propriety of General Cunninghame's con
duct was at issue before that board, upon- Avhose repre
sentation his Majesty Avould have proceeded to a conclusive
determination, the agent of the assembly declined the
pursuit/' The assembly were deeply affected at the royal disappro*-
batiott of the declaratory law ; and even- the most sceptical
could no longer doubt the impropriety of Mr. EstAvick's
conduct. Unwilling, however, to admit the irregularity of
their OAvn proceedings, they consoled themselves under the
disappointment, by imputing the disalloAvance of the act

* Wisdom is not always acquired by experience. Notwithstanding this reproof,.
the assembly have fallen into a similar error; The act, increasing the fines on jurors-
required to attend the court of grand sessions, refers for admissable excuses for non-
attendance to the exemptions allowed by the present militia law/, tberi near expiring;,
sod Whieh- does not now exist.— 1 807.

552 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. to the inauspicious change in his Majesty's councils; the
1784;-' coalition^ ministry of Lord North and Mr. Fox having suc
ceeded to the short-lived administration of iLord Shelburne.
That his excellency might sustain no injury, by the rejec
tion of the bill, the assembly unanimously voted him a
salary of two thousand pounds a year, to commence from
the day, oil which he assumed, the. government.
Meanwhile, a general election having taken place, the
new assembly met on the eleventh day of September. In
the governor's speech, at the commencement of the session,
the public spirit, so conspicuous at this season, could not
fail, it was said, to produce the most happy-effects ; for
public virtue is ever productive of public benefits ; and the
unanimity with, which, the late elections Avere conducted,
Avould, his excellency trusted, inspire every honest breast
Avith such a share of benevolence, as should divert mens'
yieAArs.from the little, disgraceful objects of private interest-
to the more noble and liberal prospect of the public good.
Encouraged by such favourable appearances, and impelled
by a particular anxiety for the prosperity Of the island,
bis excellency was induced to suggest a feAV legislative and
economical reforms.
" The spirit of laAvs," he observed, " is equity, and it
might be better for all communities, if they adhered more
to the spirit than the bare letter of the law. Law's 'should
be adapted to the circumstances of the times. What might
have been very proper, at one period of a state's existence,

OF BARBADOES. 553
might be very improper at another, Avhich may, perhaps, chap.xvi.
lead you to think that Avhat was well calculated for this 1784'
island, in the zenith of prosperity, may be ill suited to the
present hour of distress. Distress, which I feel most
poignantly, when I behold the devastation that is made by
the too hasty, or injurious, execution of the laws, by which
the junior creditors are much hurt, • the lands laid waste, or
converted into provision fields, your staple products les
sened, your trade irreparably injured, and the royal revenue
excessively diminished. To these growing evils emigration
will succeed, and the strength and safety of the island be
affected. Your negroes too, the pillars of the colony, for
without them the land Avill be of little use, are, I see with
regret, daily sent off in crowds, under the sanction of a
very defective laAv. I shall, therefore, leave your wisdom
and experience to determine Avhether it will not be prudent
and-necessary to check the present unlimited poAver of ex
porting so valuable a part of your property."
A revisal of the militia laAv, and the state of the fortifi
cations, those topics of perpetual, unavailing declamation,
Avere next adverted to with great propriety. Nor Avas the
culpable neglect of the commissioners of public accounts
passed over without a gentle reprehension. Addressing
himself to the assembly, his excellency observed, " As the
levying of all public money is the undoubted right of the
representatives of the people, so it is their business to look ¦
into the expenditure of it when raised. Public accounts
4 b

554 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. cannot be settled too often, or inspected too narrowly ;
1784% those of this island have been strangely neglected; the
laws of the country give you the power of control, and
the interest of your constituents should furnish inclination
to exercise it."
The addresses of both houses Avere written in the usual
polite and respectful style. The honour reflected on the
public, by the unanimity which marked the late elections,
was courteously imputed to the mild and disinterested tenor
of his excellency's administration, which left them Avithout
a subject of contention. Ever querulous and discontented,
the assembly lamented, that after all the evils and disasters
under Avhich they had been long suffering, the blessings of
peace should at last come to them, clogged with the disad
vantages of war; a heavy load of duty upon their chief
staple, Avith an uncertain commerce for the supply of their
plantations, andShe sale of their produce. While they
acknowledged and deplored the devastation occasioned by
the too rigorous execution of the laAvs upon the estates of
unfortunate debtors, as tending to the removal of slaves to
other more flourishing settlements, such was the force of
their attachment to an absurd and pernicious system of
jurisprudence, that they professed themselves unable to
suggest any remedy for the evil, consistent Avith the Jong
established rights of the fair creditor, and the faithful ad
ministration of justice. With regard to the other topics
submitted to their consideration, Avarm professions of zeal

OF BARBADOES. 555
for the public good, and of attention to the means by chap.xvi.
which it may be best promoted, were substituted for those ^s*.
exertions by which the object Avhich they professed, to
have in vieAV might have been easily accomplished.
A spirit of licentiousness and insubordination among the
negroes, about this time, hurried them into the commission
of many atrocities. Among these, the murder of Doctor
John Horsham, is perhaps unparalleled for sanguinary cru
elty and Avanton inhumanity. This gentleman Avas a prac
titioner of physic, of considerable reputation, of manners
mild and inoffensive, and had been absent from the island
until within seventeen days of his assassination. In the Nov. 2s.
exercise of his profession, Doctor Horsham had, on the
day of his death, visited a plantation, called Tuncks's,
whence he was proceeding on his diurnal rounds, when he
was unfortunately driven by a shower of rain to seek shel
ter in a thatched shed, or watch-house, near the road, and
within half a mile of the buildings which he had just left.
Under this cover, the doctor found several negro-men, one
of whom, called Nick, belonging to Tuncks's, he employed
to hold his horse. The rain being over, Mr. Horsham pro
posed to pursue his journey, but, on attempting to quit
the shed, he was seized by tAvo of the men, while a third
stabbed him on the right side of the neck, dividing the
juo-ular vein, and gave him a wound under the left breast,
which pierced his heart. The horse was afterwards given
to the ranger of the plantation, vrith an information that it
4 b 2

556 THE HISTORY
chap.xvi. Was found grazing, and carried to the manager, Mr. F. S.
1784, Bayley, by whom it was ordered to be put into the stable
and taken care of, until the next day, Avhen it was sent to
the house of the deceased. This occasioned an alarm in
the doctor's family, and produced a diligent inquiry into
the cause of his absence. At length some information Avas
received from a negro girl, who, at a distance, was an eye
witness of the tragic scene ; and the corpse, by her direc
tion, Avas found buried in a field of canes, about thirty
feet from the road.
After a full and patient investigation of the affair, which
lasted the greater part of three days, the coroner's inquest
pronounced a verdict of wilful murder against four negro
men; Nick, already mentioned, and Jeffery, Prince, and
Sambo, belonging to the Belle plantation. But, on their
subsequent trial for the murder, Nick and Sambo only
were found guilty. The jury not thinking the evidence
sufficient for the conviction of Prince or Jeffery, they
were of course acquitted ; though, on the sentence being
passed, Sambo exclaimed, " We were all together ;" insinu
ating that they Avere all equally guilty. The murderers
were afterwards executed, pursuant to their sentence, with
out discovering the smallest signs of contrition. At the
place of execution, Nick confessed his having formerly
murdered a youth, in a neighbouring plantation, and ac
cused three others of being accomplices in the crime for
which he was going to suffer. One of these, called Borgia,

OF BARBADOES. 557
on hearing the charge, eluded the punishment of the law, CI^A^J1,
by taking a dose of poison, Avhich he carried about him for 178**
the purpose. The second was retained as a witness against
the third, who, after a trial of nine hours, Avas fully con
victed, and condemned to suffer death.
Of the motives Avhich led to the perpetration of this hor"
rid murder, it is. impossible to speak with certainty, or even
probability. From the evidence adduced on the trial, it
does not appear that the unfortunate man had given the
assassins the smallest provocation ; neither could they have
been instigated to the fatal act, by a wish to rob him ; for
not even the most trifling article which he had about him
was removed from his person, all Avas found deposited Avith
him in the place of his interment. To a principle of cm*
elty, inherent in the nature of these ruffians, we must then
refer for the proximate cause of an act of such wanton
and deliberate barbarity.

558 THE HISTORY

CHAP. XVII.
ALTERCATION BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES CONCERNING THE EX
CISE-BILL  APPOINTMENT OF A NEW AGENT  AUGMENTATION
QF THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY  SINGULAR PHENOMENON  A
LOTTERY  ARRIVAL OF PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY  COMMER
CIAL REGULATIONS  LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS  MILITARY
OUTRAGE  THE GOVERNOR RETURNS TO ENGLAND  PRESI
DENCY OF MR. FRERE  THE GOVERNOR'S RETURN — HE REGU
LATES THE CURRENCY OF THE GOLD COIN  HIS EXCELLENCY
RESIGNS THE GOVERNMENT TO MR. BISHOP  SUSPENSION OF
JUDGE WEEKES  MILITARY OPERATIONS  THE PRESIDENT'S-
EXTRAORDINARY ZEAL FOR THE SERVICE.
chap. xvn. 1 HE harmony which at this time happily subsisted be-
1785. tween the different orders of the legislature, and Avhich each
professed an anxiety to cultivate and render permanent,
without feeling a disposition to make any concessions for its
preservation, soon suffered a temporary interruption, by a
dispute between the council and assembly concerning the
excise-bill. For the perfect comprehension of the nature
of this dispute it is necessary to premise, that the act, lay-

OF BARBADOES. 559
ing a duty on wines and other strong liquors, on importa- cfiAP- XVIf-
tion, commonly called the excise-bill, had been, from its 17ss'
origin, considered of a temporary nature. Its continuance
was expressly limited to one year, and from thence till the
expiration of forty days, and from thence forward, until the
island is fully represented by a new assembly, according to
the laws in force.
The obvious intention of this limitation was to secure to
the assembly the certainty of an annual meeting, if for no
other purpose than to exercise their constitutional right of
voting the supplies for the service of government. But in
the excise act, Avhich passed in the year one thousand se
ven hundred and seventy-four, the council, ever anxious to
encroach on the privileges of the house of representatives, ,
or, perhaps, from a motive equally unjustifiable, a petulant.
wish to mortify the patriotic speaker, Avhose peculiar pride
and boast it Avas to guard the privileges of the assembly,
added these Avords to the clause of limitation, and until a
new excise-bill shall pass, and become of full force in this
island. This interpolation, introduced in a manner unwor
thy the dignity of a legislative body, escaped the vigilant
eye of the speaker, and the act, thus altered, received the
governor's assent. Thus, instead of an annual supply, re-
neAvable at the discretion of the assembly,; a revenue was
established, which, if not absolutely perpetual, possessed
all the disadvantages of perpetuity.
When it was too late to apply a remedy, the assembly

560 THE HISTORY
C?f^^LU' discovered the unfair advantage which had been taken of
.their Avant of circumspection. During the progress of the
war, and the contest in Avhich they were involved Avith the
council concerning Governor Cunninghame's illegal fees,'
they silently submitted to the injury ; but, Avhen the esta
blishment of peace abroad and concord at home seemed to
furnish a prospect of success, they attempted to recover the
right of which they had been surreptitiously deprived.
With this vieAV, they passed an excise-bill in the usual
Feb. n. form, which was sent back by the council, with a message,
contrary to parliamentary usage, assigning their reasons for
rejecting it; but, at the same time, expressing their readi
ness to concur in any bill of the same tenor, provided its
existence should be protracted until the passing of another.
excise-laAv. Had the assembly complied Avith this proposal,
it is evident that they would have relinquished, as far as
respected that branch of the revenue, the poAver of grant
ing, or withholding the supplies; the only constitutional
check on the executive authority, possessed by the repre
sentatives of the people.
The answer of the assembly Avas remarkable for its mild
ness and moderation. In a calm, dispassionate," but te
dious review of the subject, from the origin of the duty
to the date of the last excise act, including a period of
one hundred and twenty years, they shewed, that it had
been invariably an annual measure of finance. Nor could
they, consistently with their duty to their constituents, or a

OF BARBADOES. 561
just regard to their own inherent privileges, they said, yield c^^i^ir-
to a proposition, Avhich must deliberately and clearly tend
to establish a perpetual revenue.
To this the council replied, Avith an unbecoming degree
of warmth and asperity, " It seems useless to agitate any
question Avhere the parties have taken decided resolutions.
Predilection supersedes the necessity of argument. Fore
seeing the mischiefs attending the Avant of a revenue, Avhen
caprice or mistaken resentment may think proper to Avith-
hold it, the council are resolved not to lose the poAver which
the disputed clause in the excise-bill gives them of pre
venting the anarchy and confusion that may arise from a
total stoppage of public expenditure. To argue upon a
supposition that any constitutional rights are invaded, or
that any proposition is made to curtail the privileges of the
assembly," is to raise up an hydra-headed monster, Avhich
could never have existence, but in the heated imagina
tions of mistaken minds. The council disdain the idea;
they consider the fund raised by the excise act as coming
not immediately under the cognizance of the representa
tives of the people, it being an impost laid, not upon the
manufactures or produce of the country, but upon articles
of foreign growth, meant to answer the contingencies of
government, and which has been wisely permitted by the
Crown for such salutary purposes. Bearing this in their
minds, the council think it a duty which they owe to the
Crown, to adhere to the rejection of any excise-bill that
4 c

$$$ THE HISTORY
C^^,L shall come before them, without such a clause as was m-
™**' gerted in the excise-law now in force. This determination
experience justifies them in adopting. They see clearij
that such a clause as they require in the excise-bill, though
at present it gives disturbance to the assembly, may pre
vent a greater disturbance, by hindering an oppressive mea
sure of accumulating on the people a great and insupport
able tax at one period, by the delusive appearance of re
lief held out for a few preceding years. That the bill by this
bug-bear clause is made perpetual is surely a mistake, and
a mere play upon words ; the perpetuity lies with the as
sembly. An annual bill may be sent up, with such clauses
as, from time to time, may become necessary, and which*
it is hoped, the council, not less zealous; than the house of
assembly, in the service of their country, will adopt, Avhen
it appeal's to them that such alterations are conducive tQ
the public benefit. The prevention of an evil is all that is
aimed at ; and which, however illiberal the doubts arising
thereon may appear to the assembly, the council, by a re
trospect of the past, are too well justified in their attempts
to preclude."
From the whole tenor of this message it is evident, that
the old leaven of discord, notwithstanding the appearance
of amity which thee ouncil had lately exhibited, was still fer
menting in their minds ; and, that they Avere determined to
retain at their command a disposable revenue, to render
fulmre commasdexa in chief, in some measure, independent

OF BARBADOES. 568
of the representatives of the people. This determination c^^f'
was grounded ©n the firmness with which the assembly
withheld the regular supplies during the administration
of General Cunninghame; when, hoAvever justifiable the
motives, the effects were mo9t disastrous, in the accumula
tion of a debt far exceeding the colonial resources; and
Avhich, in all probability, never Avould have been paid, but
for the bounty of parliament. The reasons assigned by
the council were specious; but at the period to which thej^
alluded, they had given such a specimen of their seal for
the public service, as to preclude all confidence in their in
tegrity Avhenever they should be called upon to decide be
tween the wishes of the governor and the interests of the
people. The house considering any farther altercation be
neath their dignity, prudently declined making any reply
to the message. But the appointment of an agent soon fur
nished a fresh topic for disagreement.
After the criminatory resolutions of the assembly respect
ing Mr. Estwick, it would have been highly incongruous to
have continued him in an employment, in the exercise of
which he had added insolence to treachery; insult to in
jury. They, therefore, passed a bill, nominating Mr. John
Brathwaite, a gentleman of the most amiable character,
and unblemished reputation, to the office of colonial agent ;
but the council refused to concur in an appointment so pre-*
judicial to the interests of one whose partiality to their
4 c 2
6

564 THE HISTORY
c£^viL board was his greatest crime. The assembly, however, per*
17&5' sisted in their choice ; they appointed a committee to cor
respond Avith their newly-elected agent ; and, to his immor
tal honour be it recorded, Mr. Brathwaite generously and-
disinterestedly executed the office, Avith equal diligence
and fidelity, for several years, without enjoying its emo
luments. As Mr. Estwick, in refusing to bring the charges against
General Cunninghame, and the six members of council who
had abetted his illegal proceedings, to a hearing before the
board of trade, had acted without the consent or previous
knowledge of the assembly, the neAV agent was directed to
pursue such measures as he should deem proper to enforce
their complaints, and obtain a redress of their injuries,
agreeable to their former petition to the King. But, as the
petition had been imprudently, not to say perfidiously aban
doned, before the complaints against the governor had beeu
substantiated, Mr. Brathwaite thought that it could not
be resumed nor acted upon with any prospect of success.
At the same time the assembly unanimously resolved to
instruct their agent to call upon Mr.. Estwick to account
for the fifteen hundred pounds Avhich had been lodged, in
his. hands by the sub-committee, in London, for the pur-
pose^of carrying on the prosecution against Governor Cun
ninghame. To this demand Mr. EstAvick replied, that he
"was ready to account for the money whenever he was legally

OF BARBADOES. 5Q5
required to do so; but, as that could only be done through c^v^'
the medium of an agent appointed by the laAv of the island, 17'85,
he should regard this resolution of theirs no more than he
Avould that of " a set of drunken porters." By his expla
nation, of this affair, hoAvever, it appeared, that one thou
sand pounds were due to him for five years salary, and that
he had advanced tAvo hundred and seventy pounds of his
own money for the public service, besides other charges
incident to the office, to a considerable amount. No part
of this debt, he asserted^ Avould ever have been paid, but
for the dreadful hurricane, Avhich, according to his OAvn ob.
servation, had thus- verified the old adage ; " that it is an
ill Avind that bloAvs no one any good." The assembly hav
ing inconsiderately subjected themselves to these insults,
discovered, when it was too late, that they had no autho
rity to make the demand ; for as the money placed in his
hands was a part of the parliamentary bounty, it Avas con
tended by Mr. Beckles, that he was only accountable to
the commissioners, to whose disposal it had been entrusted.
* Meamvhile, the governor effected a reform in the dis
bursements of the poAvder office of far greater consequence
to the community than the petty retrenchments for v/hich
President Dotin had been so highly commended* or even,
the saving in General Cunninghame's salary, which had
been the source of so much strife and inquietude. The
waste of stores in the different garrisons had long been
complained of as a serious grievance, without any effec-
2

566 THE HISTORY
C^3L tual remedy having been suggested for the evil. But it was
ms' in Saint Peter's that the abuse was carried to the most law
less extent. There the officers thought they had a prescrip
tive right to wanton with the stores committed to their
charge to any extremity, to which folly, or vanity should
lead. Within the short term of three months after Mr.
W. Bishop had been appointed to the command of that di
vision, the consumption of gunpoAvder, on occasions of
.private festivity, amounted to near five thousand weight ;
an expenditure, which, had it been continued, would have
drawn two thousand pounds a year out of the mole-
Jiead fund, for the amusement of the officers of that
district alone. Indignant at so flagrant an abuse of
power, the author of this volume availed himself of the
freedom of the press, to convey to the knowledge of the com
mander in chief, a fact so injurious to the public revenue,
NorAA'as redress delayed. From that time, the disburse
ments for each division, except Saint Michael's, have been.
limited to ten barrels of powder annually, unless it be
under very particular circumstances, which make a large*
quantity absolutely necessary.
The proceedings of the assembly were hoav marked, by
an occurrence, whiGh, hoAvever right the measure might ap
pear, abstractedly considered, was rendered dishonourable
by the manner in which it Avas accomplished. On the sixth.
day of July, when there was a very thin attendance of the
members, a motion, was made by Mr. It, B. Jones, se-

OF BARBADOES. 567
conded by Mr. A. Frere, to grant his excellency an addi- CI^^IU
tional salary of one thousand pounds a year. The propo
sal was warmly resisted by the speaker. Though he ad
mitted the governor's extraordinary merit, he did not think
that the forms of the house should be dispensed Avith on
that account; and that a motion of such consequence
should be made without the smallest previous notice. To
carry such a question by surprise, and in so thin a house,
he said, would neither be honourable to his excellency, nor
creditable to the assembly. Several members concurring
in these sentiments, the previous question was moved;
but, during the debate, Mr. Mayers, being called from
the court of chancery, gave the advocates for the addi
tional salary the advantage of numbers; and the motion
was negatived by a majority of one.
The original motion was then put, and carried in the af
firmative, on a close division of seven to six. Not to lose
the favourable opportunity of accomplishing his design,
Mr. Jones immediately introduced a bill, which had been
previously prepared, and which having been read three
times, was passed by a majority of one voice. Determined
to give the measure every opposition in his power, the
speaker now resorted to the only expedient Avhich Avas left.
He adverted to the tenth rule of the house, by Avhich it
was declared, " that no bill whatever, or order of the house
for payment of money, shall pass, or be delivered over by
the clerk, unless it be read and voted three distinct times.

563 THE HISTORY
C!l^v^3<T' at two several meetings or sittings, between which one Sun
day, at least, .shall intervene; or unless extraordinary ne
cessity require more speedy dispatch, and in such case, if
tAvelve members consent, or if, the bill, or address, pass
nemine contradicente, it shall be good and valid, though
read but at one sitting. lr
' Agreeably to this rule, Sir John Alleyne observed, the
bill could not pass, as it was supported by only seven mem
bers, but must, be read for passing, at the next meeting.
But the friends of the measure, impatient of delay, were
not to be restrained by a rule Avhich could be broken Avith
impunity, especially when its infraction Avould facilitate
their vieAVs. They insisted that the house had a right to
dispense with their rules Avhenever they thought proper to
disregard them ; and that the same power by which they
were established, could unquestionably alter or annul them.
As an abstract proposition, it Avill not be denied that every
societ}', which has authority to prescribe laAvs for its own
government, is equally competent to annul or repeal them;
but the change should be rnade on a general principle, and
not merely to ansAver a sinister or temporary purpose. The
society which occasionally deviates from the rules esta
blished to regulate its proceedings, is in fact in a state of
vacillation, without any certain guide or principle of ac
tion. All the speaker's eloquence'Avas exerted without ef
fect. In vain he insisted on the necessity of a strict ob
servance of their rules, and urged the dishonour which must

OF BARBADOES. 569
be reflected on their proceedings, by such Avavering and c^j^u-
inconsistency. The measure was predetermined ; the rule 1785'
Avas rescinded, the bill passed both houses, and received
the governor's assent the same day. At a subsequent meet
ing of the assembly, the violated rule was restored to its
rank; and to prevent any similar attempt in future, it Avas
resolved, that if any member move to repeal any rule of
the house, except on the first meeting of the assembly, or
at some other sitting, Avhen every member shall be present,
he shall be expelled, and the speaker be at liberty to
quit the chair.
Among the various operations of nature, Avhich excite
our admiration, alarm our fears, or amuse our imagination,
the folloAving singular and extraordinary phenomenon 'will
not probably, be deemed the least curious and interest
ing. On the eleventh day of October, the inhabitants of
a jiart 0f Saint Joseph's parish, called Crab-hole, were
alarmed at the appearance of several deep fissures in the
earth, and their apprehensions Avere soon augmented, at
finding that some small tenements had sunk to a consider-
able depth. These alarming appearances continuing to-'
increase, many persons Avere induced to remove their effects
to places of greater safety. The plantation, known by the
name of Walcott's, was destined to be the melancholy:
scene of this extraordinary occurrence. Here the manager,
perceiving that the mansion house Avas in danger of being
buried under the soil, which was descending in lai'ge,
4 d *S

570 THE HISTORY
Cv^/^I?' connected masses, from a neighbouring hill* fled with his
1785, family to one of the negro huts for shelter. In the course;
of that distressful night, most of the buildings on the plan
tation fell, or sunk into a deep chasm, which was presently
filled up Avith the mold from the the adjacent heights. The
alarm now became general, and the people assembling near
the spot Avere Avitnesses of a scene truly awful and affecting.
The aspect of the Avhole region from Walcott's to Crab-
hole, extending upAvards of a mile in length, and in breadth
about three hundred yards, exhibited a lamentable pro
spect. The earth, violently torn asunder, was intersected
with numerous chasms, whose widely extended jaws seemed
ready to ingulph whatever might be precipitated into them;;
while, in other places itvvas swelled and inflated with enor
mous tumours, Avhose convulsive motions menaced the few
remaining buildings with destruction. Nor Avas it long before
they were involved in the geaeral wreck, "and, sinking into
the yawning gulf, left no traces of their former existence
behind them> The face of nature Avas so completely
changed in that district, that few of the inhabitants could
ascertain the spot on which many objects, familiar to their
remembrance, had been recently placed. A field, planted
in Eddoes, occupied the site on Avhich the mansion house
stood, and brought with it a long slip of the broad road, as
perfect and entire as if it had not been removed.* The
*^Thia is an .©ccuiureace that happens,, not infrequi&my, in the parishes of Saint

OF BARBADOES. 571
cocoa-nut trees, which grew about the house, and even the CH*P- xvn«
wind-mill, Avere gradually carried some hundred yards from l7^'
their original situation, where -the latter was completely
Swallowed' up, rto part of it remaining visible but the ex
tremity of the upper arm.
It is not easy, perhaps, to explain satisfactorily the cause
of this extraordinary phenomenon. Probable conjecture
ascribed it to the action of a number of subterraneous
springs, in a loamy sandy soil, surrounded with recent ex
cessive falls of rain : these springs, ' struggling for vent,
might possibly have excavated the incumbent earth where-
ever they endeavoured to force a passage. As these invi
sible waters glided onwards, the surface behind seems to
have fallen in, or, meeting with a substratum of a soapy
nature, continued sliding down the adjacent declivities as
long as it retained, or acquired, sufficient moisture to faci
litate its motion.

Andrew and Saint Joseph, during the rainy season. In that part of the country,
which, from its resemblance to the highlands of North Britain, is called Scotland,
the earth is composed of various strata obliquely disposed. The super-stratum is
generally a rich loamy soil of a saponaceous nature, which, being of no consider
able depth, easily separates, when saturated with rain, from the substratum, which
is commonly of a slippery chalk, flat stones, or loose, red gravel, and slides in large
masses, with its growing produce, into the vallies below. Thus whole fields of sugar
canes, corn, and potatoes have sometimes changed masters, and even lofty trees
have been removed to a considerable distance without injury. Of this the curious
reader may find instances related in Hughes's Nat. Hist. Barb, p. 21.
4 d 2

572 * THE HISTORY

CHAP. XVH;

Among the financial expedients of the present year, the
assembly proposed raising the sum of fifty thousand
pounds by two lotteries, for the purpose of repairing their
fallen sanctuaries, which had not been rebuilt since the
hurricane. In the original bill, which had been passed
two years before, the whole profit to be produced by the
scheme _was made applicable to the rebuilding of St. Mi
chael's church, without making any provision for the others,
which had suffered by the same calamity. But as the raisr
ing of money, in the way proposed, Avas contrary to the
positive instructions of the governor, the bill was transmitted
to the secretary of state, to be laid before the King. The
¦partiality of the arrangement did not escape the observation
of the privy council, and the bill Avas consequently disal
lowed by the King. But,, as the object of the. measure
appeared to be useful, his Majesty was pleased to author
rise the governor to. give his assent to any bill of a. similar
tendency, provided one half of the money raised sbould be
applied to the rebuilding the church of Saint Michael, and
the other half to the use of those parishes Avhose churches
had been destroyed. An act Avas accordingly passed, agree
ably to his, Majesty's gracious directions; but it Avas not
productive of those advantages, Avhich Avere expected, from
it. The drawing of only one lottery Avas effected, nor Avas
this done without difficulty and dishonour. One of the
managers, to whom the sale of the tickets was entrusted,
embezzled the money Avhichrhe received, and, though he

OF BARBADOES. 573
had given sufficient security for the faithful performance of c™^™^
the trust, the bonds were never enforced. ,787-
The state of the public roads had long been a subject of
general complaint, and though the inefficiency of the ex
isting laAvs for their repair and improvement Avas. readily
perceived and acknowledged, no attempt had been made
to alter or amend a system confessedly inefficacious, bur-
thensome, and expensive. At length a number of the most
respectable planters of St. George's, and several of the ad
jacent parishes, presented a petition to the assembly, re
presenting the evils and inconveniences resulting from that
cause ; and praying that the house Avould pass an act for
the more effectual repair of the great road leading from
Bridge-Town to Saint. Philip's church. Agreeably to the
prayer of the petition, Mr. A. Frere introduced a bill for
the establishment of turnpikes, which, after passing the
house, Avas rejected by the council. Encouraged by the
obvious utility of the measure, Mr. Frere brought it for
ward a second time, with a few alterations, to render it
less objectionable above stairs. Having gone through the
usual stages beloAv, it Avas again sent up to the council-
chamber ; where, although, agreeably to every parliamen
tary acceptation of the term, it was clearly a money bill,
no less than eight amendments Avere made in it. Heedless
of this invasion of their privileges, the assembly quietly
acquiesced in most of the amendments. But this was not
enough to satisfy the council ; not content with, a partial

£74 THE HISTORY
CHS^}L adoption of their emendations, they again rejected the
1787 • bill. Disappointed, but not discouraged, Mr. Frere made
a third attempt to effect his -purpose, in which he was
eventually successful. Turnpikes Avere established, and tbe
Toads were effectually repaired. But the spirit Avhich
animated the measure, soon evaporated ; it was neglected
and forgotten.
During the progress of this bill an act was passed for esta
blishing regular courts of quarter sessions, and empoAvering
the justices to appoint constables within their precincts.
By this laAv it is enacted, that courts of quarter sessions
shall be occasionally held every year in each parish; and
that no constable shall be compelled to serve longer than
one whole year, commencing from the day of his being
sworn, and until the first meeting of a court of quarter sessions
after the expiration of the said year. These latter words
condemn the constables to little less than perpetual servi
tude. Far from that regularity Avhich is promised by the
title of the act, courts of quarter sessions are not holden
oftener than once in four or five years ; and in one instance
the period'has been extended to eighteen or twenty. This
irregularity in holding the courts, and the consequent un
certainty of obtaining a release from the irksome duties of
this office, is a real and substantial grievance.
NotAvithstanding the public debt had been so recently
and completely liquidated by the appropriation of a large
¦part of the parliamentary bounty, and a considerable sur-
6

OF BARBADOES. 57-5
plus remained applicable to the exigencies of government, c^^h
such Avas the unwillingness of the assembly to draw the im#
purse-strings of their constituents, that no one belonging b>
the colonial establishment, except the governor, had been
paid for more than t\vo years. Frequently had his excel
lency warned the assembly of the folly and danger of suf
fering the public debt to accumulate to any considerable
amount* The only notice taken of his judicious admoni
tions was to. assure his excellency that they Avere restrain
ed from doing justice to the public creditors only by the
desire of collecting the money due to the treasury from in
dividuals-. During the short time that Mr. T. Rowe admi
nistered the revenue of the country, there Avas a deficiency
of two thousand pounds in his accounts; and,, though the
public creditors, for the greater part of that time were pe
culiarly distressed, seven years had. already elapsed without
any effectual attempt having* been made toobtain restitution,
from his representative. But, however, the assembly might
have felt the collection of this, money as a. necessary, though-:
painful duty imposed on them* there seems to have beem
great injustice in. suspending the claims of a numerous tram*
of distressed public creditors on that account. At length
the gunners and matrosses of several divisions were com
pelled by necessity to appeal to the equityand humanity of:
the assembly. This application produced the desired effect,.
and a trifling capitation tax of fifteen pence on slaves- was
ffund sufficient to restore the credit of the country.

576 THE HISTORY
C^^!J' NotAvithstanding their inattention to the state of the pub-*
lie finances, the assembly occasionally gave proofs of a
liberality as commendable as it Avas inconsistent Avith the^
Nov. 24.. parsimony Avhich generally marked their proceedings!. Thet
arrival of his Royal Highness Prince William Henry,' after-:
Avards Duke of Clarence, commander of the Pegasus fri
gate, was one of those occasions Avhich called forth ther
most ardent demonstrations of loyalty arid affection. At
Pilgrim his royal highness Avas received Avith every possible:
mark of respect, and all ranks of people seemed emulous of >
manifesting their veneration and esteem for the person and
family of their illustrious visitor. The presence of the: son
1 of a Monarch revered for his virtues, and justly regarded as
- the father of his people, inspired every breast Avith joy and
gladness. His arival was greeted Avith the most affectionate
addresses of congratulation from the members of his Ma
jesty's council, the general assembly, the clergy, and the
merchants of Bridge-town, and eA^en the JeAvs, as a distinct
body of people, joined in the general acclamation, and ex
pressed their gratitude for the happiness and protection
which they^enjoyed under the clemency of his royal father.
The short time Avhich the prince remained in Barbadoes
was the season of mirth and festivity. Besides the balls and
entertainments given by Governor Parry in honour of his
illustrious guest, his royal highness Avas sumptuously enter-'
tained by the legislature, at the public expense; and in the
plenitude of their zeal the council overstepped their consti- ¦

OF BARBADOES. 577
tutional bounds, and sent a message to the assembly, pro- ^^J^T"
posing that a SAVord should be procured, as soon as possible,
and presented to his royal highness as an humble but sin
cere testimony of their veneration, affection, and respect for
a prince who had graciously condescended to visit their
island ; and Avho had voluntarily relinquished the elegant
enjoyments of a polished court to encounter the dangers
and inconveniences of a naval life in the service of his
country. The assembly replied, that as it was the establish
ed privilege of their house, that all grants of the public
money should originate Avith them, they could not consist
ently with their ancient rights accede to any proposition
for an expenditure of the public money coming from that
board. Having thus maintained their privileges, the assem
bly immediately voted the prince a present of a sword of
three hundred guineas value.
After some princely frolics, the remembrance of which
often contributes to promote the hilarity of the festivo
board, his royal highness proceeded on a tour through the ,
other islands of the Caribbean archipelago; the inhabitants
of Avhich must ever acknowledge with gratitude, that the
royal duke has uniformly, manifested a thorough acquaint
ance with the true interests of the colonies and steadily sup
ported their rights. And, while labouring under a load of
unmerited opprobrium, exposed to the scorn and ridicule of
witty malice, and the calumnious misrepresentations of
Buisinfonaed philanthropists, it is highly consolatory to them,
4 e.

578 THE HISTORY

CHAP. XVII,
1787

to reflect, that an intelligent prince of the blood is among
the liberal few who have spirit and candour to vindicate
the unjustly aspersed West Indians.
The parliament of Great Britain having passed an act
- for the increase of shipping, and the encouragement of na
vigation, by Avhich the trade between the English colonies
arid the United States of America, Avas confined to British-
built vessels, navigated by British seamen, it became ne
cessary to ascertain the tonage of all vessels entitled to
registers, according to the neAV regulations. For this pur
pose Governor Parry appointed a Mr. Paul to examine and
ascertain, by admeasurement, the bulk and dimensions of
every vessel for Avhich a certificate of registry Avas required ;
and as a compensation for his trouble, Mr. Paul Avas di
rected, by his excellency, to demand certain fees, propor
tioned to the burthen of each vessel. This was certainly
an attempt to establish a neAV office, with new fees an
nexed to it. An exercise of the prerogative, so evidently
unconstitutional, was not suffered to pass without due re
prehension. Though it produced no legislative inquiry,
the measure Avas freely and judiciously canvassed, by an
ingenious anonymous writer, who so fully explained the
illegality of the proceeding, that Paul not only desisted
from any further exactions, but voluntarily returned the
fees which he had already taken.
i788. The restrictions imposed on the eommercial intercourse
between the colonies and the United States, were strictly

OF BARBADOES. 579
observed, and rigidly enforced by the governor of Barba- c^™-
does. An armed brig was equipped, at the expense of 178S-
government, to cruize round the island, for the purpose of
preventing all illicit or contraband trade ; and many British
ships Avere seized, under various pretences, of having sur
reptitiously obtained certificates of registry, or of being
navigated( contrary to law, and were condemned by Mr.
Weeks, the sole judge of the court of vice-admiralty. The
commerce of the country suffered materially by these harsh,
and in fnany instances, illegal proceedings, which were
openly encouraged by the governor, with a view to his pri
vate emolument; and drew on him, as well as on Judge
Weekes, no inconsiderable share of obloquy and reproach.
Indeed, his excellency appears to have acted so oppres
sively and unjustly, as to have incurred the censure of a
very high authority. Upon an appeal, in the case of the 1
ship Columbus, from the decree of the colonial court, his
conduct was animadverted upon by Sir James Marriot,
judge of the high court of admiralty, with such pointed
severity, that his excellency, who Avas then returning toN
England, some time afterwards demanded satisfaction of
the learned civilian, in the character of a gentleman. The
judge, however, not thinking himself personally responsible
for any thing said or done in the exercise of his office,.
declined the combat, and commenced a prosecution against
him in the King's Bench, but, upon- his excellency's making
a suitable^apology, the affair was compromised.
.4 e 2

580 THE HISTORY
C^^I/T' Meanwhile, on the prospect of a rupture with Spain,
1788, concerning the right claimed by Great Britain, of partici
pating in the trade to Nootka Sound, the governor con-
Nov. 2. vened the legislature, and, by his Majesty's commands,
recommended that they Avould concert proper measures for
securing the island against the hostile attempts of the na
tional foe. The state of the militia, and the fortifications,
was naturally brought into revieAV upon this occasion; and
his excellency strongly urged the enacting of such tem
porary laws as might give energy to their military system.
He further requested that they would provide sufficient.
funds for carrying into execution a plan formed by Lieu
tenant D'Arcy of the royal engineers, for forti tying the
island. Though the danger was remote, the assembly
readily voted the sum of two thousand pounds to defray
the expense of guarding the country from invasion; and a
bill for that purpose immediately received the. concurrence
of the other branches of the legislature. Fortunately the
dispute was adjusted Avithout an appeal to the sword ; but
not before some money and much negro labour had been.
literally wasted in collecting the perishable materials for
constructing fascine batteries, which Avere never erected.
Though peace was happily preserved, the governor insisted
in strong terms on the propriety of completing the Avorks
which had been begun. But his advice was disregarded •'
the surplus of the money which had been raised for this
particular service Avas applied to other uses, and the fortifi
cations Avere left to crumble in decay.

OF BARBADOES. 581
A most infamous practice had long prevailed among the c^^j-
178ft
unprincipled part of the community, to the manifest injury
of the cotton planters, of buying the produce of their fields
from the slaves by Avhom it had been stolen. No endeavour
to check this nefarious commerce had hitherto proved
success fuL The laAvs generally respecting larceny and the
receiving of stolen goods were easily eluded, and the muni
cipal laAv, Avhich had been passed for the express purpose,
Avas found insufficient to prevent the illicit intercourse be
tAveen negro felons and the dishonest receivers of their
plunder. It was reserved for the comprehensive genius
and intellectual acumen of Mr. Beckles to devise an effec
tual remedy for an evil which menaced the industrious
if
planter with ruin; and, if he had given no other proofs of
his talents for legislation, his bill to encourage the planting
of cotton is sufficient to establish his fame on the firmest
basis. But it cannot be dissembled, that the bill in its
^original state, was liable to many serious objections; yet,
though referred to a committee of the Avhole house," it un
derwent very little discussion within doors. This deficiency,
hoAvever* was amply compensated by the freedom Avith
which it was canvassed through the medium of the press ;
and the learned framer of the bill, with a candour as com
mendable as it was uncommon, readily availed himself of
these anonymous criticisms to Improve his plan and correct
its errors.

583 THE HISTORY
By this salutary law, the assembly is invested with the
power of appointing twelve inspectors, who are to keep an
office in each toAvn, not for the purpose of inspecting the
quality of the cotton, but to guard against fraud, by ascer
taining the property, growth, and produce of it, upon the
oath of the person by Avhom it is brought for examination
previous to its being offered for sale. On being satisfied in
these particulars, the inspector, who is entitled to one shil
ling for each hundred weight of cotton Avhich he inspects.
is required to issue a certificate, which entitles the owner
to dispose of his produce. Any person swearing to a
greater quantity of cotton than his land produced, or, upon
a survey, is thought, to be capable of producing, is, be
sides a forfeiture of the surplus, indictable for perjury
The bill, containing a variety of other provisions for the se
curity of this species of property, and the punishment of
those by Avhom it may be invaded, having passed the assem
bly, was sent up for the concurrence of the other house.
Equally inattentive to the privileges of the assembly and
the prerogative of the CroAvn, the council took no notice of
the right assumed by the assembly of appointing twelve
public officers at once, but sent back the bill with an
amendment, limiting its continuance to twelve months in
stead of three years. Considering this as a money-bill, Mr.
Straker opposed the amendment, as a violation of the funda
mental rights of that house; but the objection was over-

OF BARBADOES. 583
ruled, and the amendment adopted by a majority of nine C^V2V^J-
to four*, and the governor, Avithout hesitation, assented to 1788-
the bill, by which he surrendered to the representatives of
the people an important branch of the executive govern
ment, the right of appointing to public offices.
This laAv, as had been foreseen, gave rise to many cri- lu
minal prosecutions, and several persons convicted of per
jury Avere condemned to the pillory. Among these Avas a
poor old Avoman, Avhose poverty and ignorance had proba
bly contributed to reduce her to that state of degradation.
From motives of compassion, congenial to the character of
Barbadians, the magistrates directed the constables, Avho
were directed to attend the execution of the sentence, to
use their endeavours, during the hour of exhibition, to
protect the unfortunate sufferer from the insults and indig
nities common upon such occasions. An ensign of the
forty-ninth regiment, Avho happened to be present, not ap
proving of this forbearance, strove to instigate the mob to
acts of violence, Avhich produced a Avarm expostulation
from the police-officers. The military gentleman imme
diately drew his sword and made a thrust at one of the con
stables, who, no less tenacious of his authority, instantly
tripped up his heels, and deprived him of his weapon,
-which was directly carried and put into the possession of
'* The reader' who is desirous of determining the question may consul t.Blackstone's
Comment. toI. 1. p. 170.

584 THE HISTORY
C^^J" Mr. Errington, a respectable justice of the peace. A dis-
1789 graceful scene ensued. The grenadier company of the re
giment, led on by their serjeant, marched, Avith bayonets
fixed, from their quarters at Constitution-hill, to the house
of the magistrate, at the western extremity of the town.
They rushed up stairs, where Mr. Errington Avas sitting with
his family at dinner, and with the most horrid imprecations
presented their bayonets tp his breast, threatening him with
-instant death if the sword Avas not delivered. Incapable
of resistance, Mr. Errington Avas compelled to give up the
sword, with which they returned, after committing several
enormities in the neighbourhood, breaking the windows,
knocking down and wounding several of the inhabitants,,
and throAving the whole town into terror and confusion. I
have no authority to add, that any steps were taken by the
governor to obtain satisfaction for the insult offered the laws*
in the person of a respectable magistrate, or that any pu
nishment was inflicted on any part of the corps who had
betrayed such a want of discipline in the commission of so
flagrant an outrage.
In pursuance of the Duke of Richmond's scheme of for
tifying the British islands in the West Indies, the governor
of Barbadoes Avas directed to require of the assembly a
sufficient quantity of land, to be purchased at the expense
of the country, for the fortifications intended to be erected
agreeably to a plan formed by Colonel Fraser. This de
mand, with a requisition of negro labour, having been sub-
2

OF BARBADOES. 585
mitted to the house, they resolved, that the circumstances c^iS^}1,
of the people would not admit of any considerable increase 1785'
of their burthens, for the security of the island, and the
support of government ; they could not, therefore, com
ply with the demand farther than to appropriate to this
service, the labour which the inhabitants were required to
contribute, by the existing laws, for the use of the fortifica
tions, for the term of tAvo years.
The grief and consternation that pervaded the kingdom ?790.
on the severe indisposition with Avhich it pleased God to
afflict the King, naturally extended to this distant part of
the empire ; and Avhen his Majesty was happily restored to
health and the exercise of regal power, the most lively
emotions of joy animated the public mind. A day of ge
neral thanksgiving having been appointed by the governor,
the morning Avas ushered in with the ringing of bells, to
Avhich succeeded an appropriate service in all the churches
throughout the island ; and the grateful thanks of a loyal
¦people Avere offered up to the throne of grace, for the di
vine favour, vouchsafed to the best of Kings. After the
performance of this act of devotion, an ox, roasted whole,
with plenty of ale and punch, Avas served out to the popu
lace ; and, in the evening, Bridge-town was brilliantly il
luminated. Upon the Avhole, all ranks of people seemed
to vie Avith each other in the most splendid demonstrations
of joy. The legislature could not be silent on such an oc
casion i an address of congratulation was voted by both »
4 r

586 THE HISTORY
c^v^L houses, and'transmitted to the agent to be presented to their
1790. beloved Sovereign.
Mr. Parry noAv began to turn an anxious eye towards
his native country, and in a very kind and complimentary
May 12. speech, signified "to the legislature his intention of availing
himself of his Majesty's permission to be absent from his
government for twelve months. Agreeable to this intima-
Juiy6. tion, his excellency embarked on board the Philippa Har
bin, and returned to England. His excellency's departure
had been preceded by that of his lady about fifteen months,
who had died shortly after her return home.
On the governor's leaving the island, the supreme autho
rity devolved on the Honourable Henry Frere, president of
the council. Mr. Frere had now attained the object of his
ambition, pursued for thirty years, during which he had
sat at the council-board, in anxious expectation of obtain
ing the government of his native country as the reward of
his services. In the usual parliamentary communications
betAveen him and the assembly, all former political and per
sonal animosities seem to have been forgotten. He took
July 21. the first opportunity of addressing. the legislature from the
chair, to express the satisfaction with which he saw the har
mony and good disposition of the people in general. Hav
ing* the fullest confidence in the good sense, experience and
discernment of both houses, he hoped that unanimity,
which toad been always found necessary to give stability to
i. :p*iblic haopiffless, r would mark their proceedings. And he

OF BARBADOES. 587
reflected with particular pleasure, that linked together as cHA^xva
they were in one cause, the prosperity of their country,. 1790k
one common interest ought to unite them, nor should any
thing, he said, divide a legislature formed upon one just
principle and pointing to one salutary end.
The addresses Avere, as usual, little more than echoes of
the speech. The council would not suffer themselves to
doubt that his honour's sound judgment and competent
knowledge of the constitution, the result of a liberal edu
cation, and a long and faithful attendance on public busi
ness, together with his distinguished principles of loyalty
and patriotism, would leave his administration to reflect
the greatest lustre on his character, whilst it diffused hap
piness among the people. Nor was the address of the as
sembly deficient in expressions of respect and congratula
tion suitable to the occasion.
The business of the settlement Avas brought forward by
Judge Gittens* who moved^ that the sum of two thousand
pounds per annum be settled on the president during his
administering the government. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Mayers, and opposed by Mr. John Bishop, by
whom an amendment was moved, to omit the words " twcr
thousand," and imertfifteen hundred. The amendment Avas ¦
supported, Avith his accustomed ingenuity, by Mr. Beckles.
Disclaiming all personal enmity to the gentleman who then
filled the seat of government, he declared j that if the dear
est friend he had upon earth were presidentj he would not
4 f 2

588 THE HISTORY
™2£^2J- vote for an increase of salary. It had been said, upon a
175°" former occasion, that the King's example, in allowing the
president half the salary allotted by the Crown for its re
presentative, would be a proper rule for the observance of
that house ; and that, as it had been customary to give the
governor three thousand pounds, it would be right to al
low the president fifteen hundred. Mr. Beckles approved
of this rule, and lamented that it had been departed from
in the case of General Cunninghame; but, as it had been
adopted in favour of Mr. Parry, he thought it would be
prudent to make it the standard by which the salary of
both the governor and president should, in future, be re
gulated. After a long debate, the amendment Avas nega
tived, and the original motion carried by a majority of
fourteen to five.
The depreciation of the gold coin by the nefarious prac
tices of clippers and importers of light goldr was an evil
which did not long escape the president's penetrating
eye; nor did he omit any thing within the sphere of a
vigilant magistrate to suppress, a crime, so pregnant
with the most fatal consequences to the interests of a com
mercial country. He issued a proclamation, prohibiting
the iniquitous practice of clipping, under the severest pe
nalties of the law, and commanding all justices of the peace
to use every legal method of detecting the dishonest perpe
trators of the act, and of bringing them to condign punish
ment. On the meeting of the legislature,, the president re-

OF BARBADOES. 589
commended this subject to their most serious consideration ; C1}^™L
and a committee of the assembly Avas appointed to inquire 1790,
what would be proper to be done on the occasion ; but,
though they made a report to the house, no effectual mea
sures Avere taken to repress the evil until the following
year. Meanwhile, the council made an attempt to introduce an
innovation in the colonial penal code, and to punish the
white murderer of a slave Avith death. To this end, they
passed an act for the better security of slaves in life and
member ; Avhich, in consequence of the imposition of a pe
cuniary penalty of one hundred pounds on any person con
victed of maiming a slave, Avas rejected by the assembly,
under the impression of its being a money-bill.
After an absence of little more than eleven months, Mr. 1791-
June 24.
Parry returned to Barbadoes, and resumed the government.
Mr. Frere's short administration, far from giving rise to
those party dissensions which, from a previous acquaintance
with his political principles and conduct, were expected to
result from it, was happily a season of the most perfect
amity and concord. Undistinguished by the exercise of
any particular acts of executive or legislative power, the
even tenor of his government was influenced by no consi
deration distinct from the public welfare. And, whatever
might have been his errors in a subordinate character, it
was his peculiar felicity to administer the supreme autho
rity of his native country, without increasing the animosity

590 THE HISTORY
chap. xvn. 0f nis political opponents, Avith honour to himself, and to
179 u ' the entire satisfaction both of whigs and tories*.
His excellency's arrival was accompanied with fresh de
mands on the assembly to furnish negro labour for the com
pletion of the works carrying on at the castle, and to pro
vide funds for the purchasing of such lands as were still re
quired for extending the fortifications. These requisitions
were attempted to be enforced by a threat, that 'the refusal
of such moderate aids must suspend the execution of a
design, obviously essential to the safety of theisland. But
the assembly steadily adhered to their former resolution,
not to increase the burthens of their constituents by amy
pecuniary grants towards the works carrying on by govern
ment. The peace of Bridge-toAvn was frequently disturbed,
about this time, by the disorderly and offensive manners
of the officers of the army. Indeed it is much to be la
mented, that a more amicable intercourse does not subsist
between the natives and those gentlemen, among whom
there are many respectable and valuable characters. With
habits of life so widely different from those of the inhabit
ants, no principle of assimilation seems to exist between
1792, them. This contumelious treatment, at that time, occa
sioned many quarrels between the officers and the natives

* Mr. Frere, having received some injury in getting out of his carriage, died «r»
the 25th day of May, 1 792.

OF BARBADOES 591
some of which having terminated fatally, an appeal to the chap.xvji.
laAvs of the country became necessary. Of the result of 1792,
one of these appeals, it may be proper to take some
notice. It seems that Mr. Gabriel Weekes, son of the judge of
the admiralty, was involved in a dispute Avith Mr. Slater,
of the forty-ninth regiment. Each had, at different times,
committed an assault and battery on the other, for which
they were both indicted at the court of grand sessions. In
the event, Weekes Avas sentenced' to six months imprison
ment, and fined only ten pounds, in consideration of his
pecuniary embarrassments. Slater, on the other hand, was
sentenced to only three months imprisonment, and to pay
a fine of fifty pounds.. The chief justice, Mr. W. Bishop,
immediately applied to the governor, and obtained the
entire remission of Slater's punishment, while Weeks Avas
permitted to endure the unmitigated rigour of his sentence.
Neither the father nor the son were of a temper to submit
patiently to treatment, which appeared to them so partial
and unjust. The chief justice was attacked with all the
asperity of wit, and the venom of abuse.
The debased and. mutilated state of the gold coin had
now become a theme of general complaint. The importa
tion of light foreign coins from Great Britain and America
was carried to an alarming extent by strangers, who, hav
ing no interest in the colony, felt no scruples of conscience
at a practice so repugnant to religion and morality, while ,

592 THE HISTORY
CH(AJ^VJL the clippers Avere industriously employed in diminishing
1792, those Avhich Avere.of standard weight. Urged by the mag
nitude of the evil, the governor pressed the matter on the
attention of the assembly, and earnestly called for their as
sistance in suggesting some legislative measures, propor
tioned to the exigency of the case. The house readily
June 8. took the subject into consideration, and a law was enacted,
to punish all persons convicted of clipping, counterfeiting,
or filing the current gold coin Avith death ; and the importers
of all diminished or debased coin, besides forfeiture of the
coin imported, were made liable to a penalty of five hun
dred pounds. This law was soon found to be inefficacious.
Offences, privately committed, could not be punished for
the want of legal evidence to convict the offenders. Pre
vention is better than remedy. The most certain and in
fallible way of keeping men honest, is to make it their in
terest to be so. Had the gold coin been made current by
Aveight, the most incorrigible mutilator and importer would
have been more effectually restrained from their infamous
practices, than by their most sanguinary laws.
The subject Avas most ably and perspicuously treated by
the masterly pen of Mr. Gibbes, W. Jordan, the present
valuable agent for the colony, whose superior intelligence
penetrates with facility into the most difficult and abstruse
branches of human knowledge. From the soundest princi
ples, Mr. Jordan deduced this just conclusion, that the only
effectual remedy for the existing evil, was the establishment
of a legal currency of the gold coins by weight, at a rate

OF BARBADOES. 593
proportioned to the real value of the bullion, excluding C)^^IL
the expense of coinage. With this principle partly in vieAV, 1792"
Judge Gittens, one of the committee appointed to take the June 22.
subject into consideration, introduced a bill to remedy the
inconA'enience; but by a strange inconsistency, it Avas pro
posed to reduce the standard of all foreign gold coins in
circulation about ten per cent. beloAv their real value.
The pernicious tendency of the bill was clearly developed
and ably combated by Mr. Husbands and Doctor Hinds.
They demonstrated by an irresistible chain of reasoning, that
the value of the mutilated coin would be increased in pro
portion to its mutilation ; hence the villain, it was said,
would be encouraged in his fraudulent practices, and re*
warded for his nefarious industry : that as no regulation
nor change was made in the value of silver, all coins of tbe
latter metal would be sent out of the country, in change
for debased or depreciated gold, to the great injury of the
inferior classes of society, who, deprived of a convenient
circulating medium would starve, like Midas, in the midst
of gold. The obvious tendency of the measure to enhance
the price of every species of merchandise was elucidated
with great force and perspicuity ; and the proposed innova
tion in the value of the eoin, it was insisted, would
operate, like a two edged sword, to the injury of both
' debtor and creditor. In all insular contracts, the fair honest
creditor would be the party injured; as he would be com
pelled to receive money at a greater value than it was
4 G

594 THE HISTORY
chap. xvn. fcnown to possess. On the other hand, to the debtor Avho
1792i had remittances to make, either to Europe or to America, it
would prove no less detrimental by enhancing the prices
of our staple products, and encreasing the rate of ex
change. The principal arguments urged in support of the bill
Avere, that it Avould be the means of retaining the money
within the island, and of guarding from injury the honest
money-holder, who had fairly received the mutilated gold
in the course of regular circulation. The apprehension of
a scarcity of money is a chimera, Avhich has no existence in
nature. Agriculture and commerce Avill ever supply the
means of procuring a sufficient quantity of the precious
metals for the purpose of internal circulation. And to the
money-holder, whatever might have been his immediate
loss, the injury must have been small compared Avith that
sustained by the whole community, in permitting the infamous
traffic in debased and diminished coin. But all the argu
ments and rhetoric of the opposition were employed in vain;
the bill passed the house by a majority of nine to seven,
and was sent up to the council, by whom, it was re
jected.
juiy 5. The governor having recommended the assembly to
resume the consideration of this important subject, Doctor
Hinds, whose conduct through the whole of the business
reflects infinite credit on his talents and understanding, in
troduced a bill for regulating the currency of the gold coin.

OF BARBADOES. 595
,~» •
The bill Avas framed on the salutary and equitable principle c^^/^t
of preserving the standard and giving currency to the i792'
depreciated coin at two pence three farthings for each grain
of its Aveight. To every mind free from prejudice and un
biased by sinister motives, it must be matter of astonishment,
that any objection could exist to a plan so fair and eligible.
It afforded the only effectual remedy for the evil Avhich had
been so long the cause of complaint and discredit to the
country, and Avas the most permanent security against the
fraudulent practices of diminishing the coin, or of importing
depreciated specie. The bill, hoAvever, experienced a vigor
ous opposition from the friends of the former measure, in
s Avhich numbers again prevailed over sound reason and
good sense.
Mr. Mayers, Avas noAv encouraged to introduce a third Julyi9«
bill, the principle and tendency of which were precisely the
same as that Avhich had been already rejected by the
council, consequently it experienced a similar fate. Six
Aveeks had elapsed since the assembly had taken this import
ant subject into their consideration. Within that time they
had frequently adjourned, de die in diem, without being
able to come to any decision on the proper means of
correcting the evils and abuses complained of And, as
from the obstinacy of the majority there was little proba
bility of their agreeing upon any plan of restoring the
mutilated coin to its real value, his excellency had recourse
to his prerogative, and, by proclamation, established the Aug. 4.
4 g 2

b9Q THE HISTORY
cftAf.xvn. value of the several gold coins, in general circulation, at a
1792,! standard proportionate to the legal coin of Great Britain,
Avith an allowance of two pence three farthings for each
grain deficient of their original weight. The currency of
these coins has continued ever since, agreeable to this equit
able regulation ; though it must be evident to every man,
who is even but slightly acquainted with the constitution of
England, that the proclamation Avants the confirmation of
an act of the legislature to make it binding. The royal
proclamation may enforce the observance or the execution
of existing laws; but neither the King, nor his representa
tive, can, by proclamation, make that a law Avhich was
not so before*.
The bill formerly sent down by the council for making" a
better provision for the personal security of slaves having
been rejected by the assembly, from a punctilious regard to
their privileges, and the popular clamour on the other side
of the water still continuing against the Barbadians, for the
reputed insufficiency of their laws in this particular, the
Aug* 21. measure was revived, and a bill, making the wilful murder
of a slave felony, without benefit of clergy, was introduced
i>y' Doctor Hinds, Avho employed the whole force of his
genius and rhetoric in its support. The speaker took a
decided part in the debate, and spoke with his usual pathos

* See this subject clearly iUttstrdted in-Blackstoae's Comment, vol. 1. p. 27tO.
l

OF BARBADOES. 597
and energy in favour of the measure, av hich, the learned C^£^VJ'
member, who introduced the bill, affirmed, could be
opposed only by prejudices or the tyrant's fears, Avhile justice
and humanity pleaded in support of it. To talents so de
servedly high in the estimation of the public, were . opposed
the nervous eloquence of Husbands and the persuasive in
genuity of Beckles. After a long and animated debate, the
bill Avas lost in the committee.
The atrocious conduct of the regicides of France, having 1793.
rendered a war betAveen Great Britain and the French re
public inevitable, the governor, Avith that prudence Avhich
distinguished his administration, convened the legislature,
and recommended the putting of their militia into such a
state as to be capable of co-operating with the King's
troops. Sensible of the danger to Avhich the island was
exposed, from the critical posture of affairs in Europe, the
assembly appointed a committee to prepare and bring in a
neAV militia bill. The principal features of this bill Avere April 30,
the dismounting of the cavalry, and the establishment of
parochial regiments. After an ample discussion of its
principle and tendency, and various amendments had been
made by the house, the bill passed; but its progress was
obstructed by the unseasonable expiration of the assembly,
which prevented its being sent up to the council for their
Concurrence. Hostilities having actually commenced between Great
Britain and France, an expedition against Martinico was,

598 THE HISTORY
CH^JZlt undertaken by Admiral Gardner and General Bruce. The
17^3' inhabitants of that country, participating in the misfor
tunes Avhich afflicted the parent kingdom, AA-ere miserably
divided, and distracted by faction and rebellion. In this
deplorable situation, the royalists sent a deputation to the
commander in chief of the British forces at Barbadoes,
requesting his assistance, and stating that they were already
in possession of some strong posts. In consequence of this
invitation, Admiral Gardner, Avith seven ships of the line,
having General Bruce and a body of land forces on board,
proceeded to Martinico, where the troops Avere immediately
landed. But, finding they Avere likely to encounter a vi
gorous resistance, Avithout receiving that firm and effective
support from the royalists, Avhich they had been taught to
expect, the British commanders reimbarked their troops>
June 27. and returned to Barbadoes. Some hundreds of the wretch*
ed inhabitants of Martinico, took the opportunity of flying
on board the fleet, from the horrors of democratic rage.
The sensibility of the Barbadians Avas deeply affected at
the forlorn situation of these unhappy fugitives, Avho Avere '
thus thrown* on their humanity, exposed to misery and
want. A liberal subscription was opened for their relief*
under the patronage of President Bishop, and a sufficient
sum Avas soon raised to supply their necessities, and con
vey them among the neighbouring British islands, Avhere
most of them had connexions.
The ill state of Mr. Parry's health making a change of

OF BARBADOES. 599
climate necessary, he resigned the government into the CH^^}!m
hands of the Honourable William Bishop, president of l793m
the council, and embarked for Nevis, Avith the design of July 22,
proceeding to Halifax ; and, in the event of regaining his
health, of returning to Barbadoes. Disappointed in this
hope, he continued his voyage to England, Avhere, on
the twenty-sixth day of December, he paid nature's last
debt. A general election having taken place, a few day's before
the governor's departure, his honour, the president, had an
early opportunity of receiving the congratulations of the
legislature. The assembly having gone through the usual juiy 23.
ceremony of appointing a speaker, and presenting him to
the president, Avhose approbation of their choice was ex
pressed in terms the most flattering and polite, entered
upon the consideration of the provision to be made, for
supporting the dignity of gOA'ernment. The subject Avas
introduced by Mr. B. A: Cox, avIio moved, that the sum
of two thousand pounds annually should be settled on the ^
president,, for defraying the expenses of his administration.
An amendment Avas moved by Doctor Hinds, and seconded
by Mr. Mayers, the purport of which Avas to limit the set
tlement to fifteen hundred pounds. The amendment Avas
rejected, and the original motion, which was supported with
great eagerness, by Sir J. G. Alleyne and Mr. Beckies, was
carried in the affirmative, by a majority of fifteen to six. Thus
the standard,, which had been, so earnestly recommended on.

$00 THE HISTORY

CHAP. XVII.
1793.

the accession of Mr. Frere, was departed from on the very
first occasion that occurred.
, The first moments of Mr. Bishop's administration, "were
necessarily occupied in the disposal of the civil and mili
tary offices, Avhich had become vacant by his own promo
tion. Mr. J. B. Skeete was appointed to the command of
Speight's division, and colonel of the Leeward regiment of
foot*; and Mr. W. Pinder, an eminent attorney at laAv, Avas
honoured Avith the appointment of chief judge of Saint
Miehael's precinct.
These arrangements Avere quickly folloAved by the sus
pension of the Honourable Nathaniel Weekes, sole judge of
the' court of vice-admiralty. Previous to Mr. Bishop's
exaltation to the presidental chair, the ship La Libert6,
French East-Indiaman, had been captured, and brought to
Barbadoes for condemnation, by the Pilgrim letter of
marque, of Liverpool. The immense value of the ship
aAVakened the cupidity of the judge of the admiralty, who
immediately had it intimated to Mr. Barton, a merchant of
much respectability, at Bridge-Town, Avho was agent for
the prize, that he should expect a fee of one thousand
pounds for expediting the condemnation of the vessel*
Anxious to obviate the delays of office, and the difficulties
* Mr. Skeete dying soon afterwards, the command of that division was entrusted
to Samuel Hinds, Esquire, a man of the most benevolent and irreproachable
character.

0$ BARBADOS.
which were- thrown in his Avay, Mr. Barton submitted to CHAP- xvrt'
the extortion. Weekes received the money, and condemned ' "***'
the shjp. The act Avas grossly criminal, and deservedlv
punished. The commencement of the year was soon succeeded by Jan- 6-
the welcome arrival of a squadron, under the command of
Sir John Jeryis, and a considerable body of troops, under
the orders of Sir Charles Grey. From this moment all Avas
hurry and bustle at Pilgrim. The president Avas not only
disposed to grant every facility in his power, to the de
mands of the veteran commanders of the navy and army.
-•' • ¦¦'¦ ¦¦ ¦ v.' ¦...'¦. ¦.¦¦..: :;--_'- --¦- -. - i'-ir,yn) S .jst.-M7
he was eager to anticipate their Avishes. Having receited
3, letter from £>ir Charles jGrey, expressing a desire of be,ing
furnished with qne thousand negro men, to serve as pioneers
on the expedition in which he Avas about to embark, the
president immediately convoked the legislature, and laid
before them the general's proposal. At the same time,
anxious to manifest his extraordinary zeal for the service*
he encouraged the general to expect that a corps of insular
troops should^ be raised, at the expense of the colony, to
strengthen his Majesty's forces in the West Indies. In the
present state of the population of the country, the scheme
was absolutely impracticable ; and Avhen the proposition
.came regularly before the assernbly, in a message from his
honour, it Avas treated with neglect.
Sir Charles Grey's requisition was of a very different com-
-* * i ¦
4 H

602 THE HISTORY

"

c^^yy11- plexion. He proposed to allow a fair hire for each negro,
179*' that should be sent, and to pay the full value of such as
should be killed, maimed or missing when their time of
service had expired. A proposal so fair and liberal was
readily agreed, to by a large majority of the assembly; and
a bill was accordingly passed to compel tiie owners of
slaves to furnish a contingent proportioned tp their whole
number, which soon received the concurrent sanction of the
other branches of the legislature. But, after all, when the
negroes were ready to be sent in, Sir Charles Grey abruptly
refused to receive them; upon the very conditions which he
had proposed.
To lose no opportunity of manifesting the fervency of his
zeal, while the armament lay at Barbadoes, the president
generously opened a subscription for the support of the
wives and children of the non-commissioned officers and
privates of both departments. Four hundred pounds ster
ling Avere thus raised for the use of these people, who,
though they were not suffered to proceed with the,
troops to Martinico, Avere amply provided for by govern
ment. On the third day of February, the expedition left Carlisle
Bay, and made a descent on the Island of Martinico. From
the good understanding which happily prevailed between
the president, the admiral and general, their excellencies
condescended to communicate to him the ulterior opera-

OF BARBADOES. 603
tions of their combined forces, Avhich Avere regularly, pub- CHAP- xv"-
lished, by his authority, in the Barbadoes Mercury; a con- "^^
duct at Avhich" the admiral and general Avere not well
pleased. But, as the particulars of the campaign are un
connected with the design of this work, we- shall decline
entering on a subject which rather falls within the province
of the general historian. It may not, however, be improper.
to observe, that a voluntary subscription Avas opened Tor
supplying the brave soldiers and sailors employed in the
reduction of Martinico with live stock and fresh provi
sions; and that the quantity furnished Avas in the
highest degree creditable to the liberality and humanity of
the donors**
The president's indiscretion in offering the admiral and
general assistance which he had not influence to procure,
and which, had his influence been greater, the state of
society rendered unattainable, produced a letter from Sir
John Jervis, in which his honour and the Avhole legislature
were treated Avith equal indelicacy and disrespect. The
admiral began Avith remarking, that he had Avaited Avith
some degree of impatience for the poAverful aid Avhich Sir
Charles Grey and himself had been taught to expect. But
far from receiving any assistance, the creAVs of his Majesty's

* The value of this offering was six hundred and fifty pound*.
4 H 2

oi

CHApjcm sKips had fen f&iicefl to deserl, Wifhm adjacent "Sets
1794. were infested with swarms of rjirates; under the ?safictidH of
commissions issued by the governors of the different i§larMSv
For these reasons he desired his- honour w6vild convene the;
legislature and represent to thetti the iVecessity S'f rMrft| W$
all seamen harboured in hhk island, and Ending them *$&
bo4rd his Majesty's fleet.
March 21. Alarmed at fche apprenettsion of having given offeh'ce t6
persons whose friendship and esteem he had sedulously 'en
deavoured "to cultivate, the president hastened t6 comply
with the admirah desire. The 'assembly having met?, put-
suant to a special summons,, received a \ne§sage from tfofe
president, with a copy of Sir John Jervis's letter*,. e'a'rnestfljr
conjuring them, "by every, just and tender consideration,
For the honour and creoit of this ancient and loyal colonyy
to pay the fullest a-ttentieri to the suggestions; of his excel
lency;, the commander in chief of his Majesty's .naval forces-;
and as the representatives of the- people, 'to make use of the
power Vested in them to mark Nout that loyalty for Avhiehi
the country had been at all periods conspicuous." The
message concluded with itecommending the passing of an,.
act to strengthen the hands of the civil power, by enabling
the magistrates to apprehend seamen of all descriptions;;
and that a bounty should be granted to a number of able-
bodied seamen, to assist in manning the fleet.
The message having been read, Mr. SoKottoT-General

of 8ar£M)5Ms. 6o5
Beeves-, WfteVsome just and spirited remarks anfhe blfeft- c^.-*™-
sive insinuations tlifoAvh out by the admiral expressed his xm-
doubts cbncernibg the prdp'riety of the president's first re
quisition. Willing as 'that house were* at all times, ta
afford every necessary aid to his Majesty's forces, thef;
should take care, Mr. Beckles said, hot to lose sight of the
constitutional righte Jof the subject. Although the Im
pressing of seamen had been sanctioned by Custom^ he
"was n6t iiware of any act of parliament by Which it was
expressly authorized. To take up vagrant seamen^, and, if
they were f&und to lie deserters from the n^eet, to return them
might be very proper ; but to. take up all seamen, indis*-
fcriminately, and to send them on board his Majesty's ships,
^ftbuld be, he said, a most glaring infringeirient on the
liberty or* the subject. With respect to a bounty t®
iHibse seamen Avho should voluntarily enlist, Mr. Beckles
bad no objectiohj as it could riot burthen their consti
tuents much, and might be Of essential service to the ex
pedition. Justly indignant at the unmerited reproaches which the
admirai bad cast upon the 'colony, and yet more at the le
vity with which the assembly were treated in being ealled
irorn "their distant h6mes on so frivolotis an occasion, Sir
J"ohn G. Alleyne moved thMe "resolutions. The puTpoft of
%he first arid Second was the rejection of both the presi
dent's requtsMohs ; white the iihird Was intended, to ^fjaaifr-

2

606 THE HISTORY'

CHAP. XVII.
1794.

tain the dignity of the house, by. declaring that the assem
bly would not, in future, obey any summons for their
meeting out of the ordinary course of adjournment, unless
the cause of the special call should be recommended to
them, through the speaker, at the time of their being sum
moned. These resolutions Avere opposed by Mr. Mayers
and Mr. Beckles, Avho particularly objected to the last, as
being unparliamentary ; they Avere,- nevertheless, agreed to,
those two gentlemen alone dissenting. It must be confes
sed, that the last resolution was extremely unconstitutional,
and utterly indefensible upon any principle of parliamentary

usage.

The president's extraordinary attention to Sir Charles
Grey, and Sir John Jervis, and the uncommon earnest
ness with Avhich he endeavoured to promote their designs,
drew from them such favourable representations of his
conduct and zeal for the service, as produced the most flat
tering expressions of his Sovereign's approbation. And,
in consequence of a communication between Mr. Secretary
Dundas and Mr. Brathwaite, the colonial agent, to Avhom
the president Avas nearly allied by marriage, his honour ex
pected to have been confirmed in the government of the
island. But the policy of the British court not alloAving the
appointment of a native to that situation, Mr. Dundas, it
Avas said, proposed the government of Tobago as a reward
for his services. Without consulting the- president, Mr.

1794.

OF BARBADOES. 607
Brathwaite, to whom the offer was made, replied, that the CH^yjL
government of Tobago would neither be agreeable nor pro
fitable ; and these prospects at length terminated in an or
der from the Crown, to the next governor, to reinstate Mr.
Bishop in the office of chief judge of Saint Michael's
precinct.

608 thi ms <w

CHAP. XVIII.
1794.

CHAP. XVIII.
GEORGE POINTS RICKETTS, ESQ. APPOINTED^ GO VERNOR— • AUS
PICIOUS COMMENCEMENT OF HIS ADMINISTRATION — JUDGE
WEEKES CONVICTED OF EXTORTION— MILITIA ESTABLISHED —
A REFORM OF THE COURTS OF LAAV ATTEMPTED — THE STORE
KEEPER'S DEMAND REVIVED  ALARMING STATE OF AFFAIRS
IN THE AVEST INDIES — A MURDER COMMITTED BV JOE DENNY
— EXTRAORDINAY INTERPOSITION IN HIS FAVOUR  VIOLENT
COMMOTION IN BRIDGE-TOWN  DENNY TRANSPORTED  MR.
GIBBES SUSPENDED — GOVERNMENT ADOPTS THE DANGEROUS
SCHEME OF EMPLOYING BLACK TROOPS — SIR JOHN &AY AL
LEYNE RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE — MR. RICKETTS RESIGNS
THE GOVERNMENT — IS SUCCEEDED BV PRESIDENT BISHOP  A
COMPENDIUM OF THE CONSTITUTION.
1 HE government of Barbadoes was now destined to ex
perience an important change. On the recommendation
of Lord HaAVkesbury, his Majesty Avas pleased to appoint
George Poyntz Ricketts, Esq. to represent his royal per
son in this colony. This gentleman, Avho was then em
ployed in a similar character at Tobago, was a native of

OF BARBADOES. 60$
Jamaica; and, though born within the tropics, possessed chap.xviiij
the elegant manners of a courtly education. Fame pre- 1794-
ceded his arrival, and prepared for Mr. Ricketts the most
cordial and flattering reception in Barbadoes, representing
him as possessing all those valuable endowments of the
mind, Avhich peculiarly qualified him for the arduous and
delicate task of governing a people Avhose fidelity to their
Sovereign was inseparably connected Avith an ardent zeal
for the maintenance of their civil rights.
Having arrived and assumed the government, his excel
lency immediately issued the necessary directions for con
voking the legislature. On their meeting he addressed both
houses in an elegant and impressive speech. Among the June 4.
various duties annexed to his situation, which, he said, he
had undertaken with a pleasure not unmixed Avith diffidence,
he felt, that in availing himself of the earliest opportunity
to meet the legislative body of this ancient colony, he dis
charged the most welcome and the most important. Whe
ther they reflected on the unavailing efforts of distant na
tions and remote ages, to maintain a government that should
unite freedom, order, and stability; or if their attention be1
forcibly arrested by those wild and sanguinary theories
which had endangered the safety and roused the resentment
of Britain, her colonies and her allies, they may, he told *
tihem, indulge a fair pride in conscious superiority; and
exult in the glorious scene which that day presented, Avhen
the representatives of a free and happy people were- con-
4 i

610 THE HISTORY
chap.xviil vened to express their unrestrained sentiments, and to exer-
U94. cjse tnen. acknowledged rights. This dignified system of
liberty, whilst it taught them to defend their OAvn privileges,
would, he was persuaded, lead them to participate in the
general spirit of grateful loyalty which animated the British
empire. They would feel pleasure, he said, in maintaining
the most affectionate harmony with the mother country, and
in suggesting and promoting such measures as Avould most
effectually contribute to produce individual happiness and
general prosperity. These sentiments, he remarked, natu
rally arose in the minds of men Avho were blessed with a
constitution happily and equally remote from turbulence and
despotism. They were such as he was happy to recognise,
where indeed he had been taught to expect them, in a co
lony which he hoped long to consider as his home.
In allusion to the settlement, he requested that the assem
bly would suffer no personal consideration toAvards him to
have the smallest influence in the discussion of a public
question. He assured them that in attending to the in
terests of the colony, and the Avishes of their constituents, as
their primary objects, they would render any tribute of their
esteem doubly welcome to him. He urged both houses to
a continuance of every possible preparation for their de
fence, and a co-operation in any plan for general security*
and endeavoured to impress on their minds the propriety of
an unremitted attention to the various and important judi
cial duties of their situations individually. In the courts of

OF BARBADOES. Cl
error and equity they had a right, he said> to expect his per- c'r,T
sonal and impartial assiduity. Nor should they expect it
in vain. He anticipated the happiness Avhich would result
from mutual friendship and reciprocal confidence, and con
eluded a loyal, patriotic, and judicious oration with these
words; " Born, as I am happy to reflect, within the tropics,
and having occasionally resided in these climate?, ma pub
lic and private situation, I trust you will not find me wholly
unacquainted Avith the interests, and certainly not inatten
tive to the' welfare of my countrymen. And, hoAvever, un
able I may feel myself to emulate, in other respects, the
royal example, I shall, at all times, make the prosperity of
this respectable portion of his Majesty's subjects the object
of my warmest exertion, and ever consider their affections
my noblest reward." -v,,
A suitable provision for supporting the dignity of govern
ment was naturally the first object that occupied the atten
tion of the assembly. This necessary business was brought
forward by the solicitor-general, Mr. Beckles, who moved
that a salary of three thousand pounds per annum should
be settled on his excellency, during his administration. No
motion that had ever been made within those walls was
ever received Avith greater approbation and unanimity. A
bill framed, in conformity to the motion, was accordingly
introduced, and, having passed the assembly, immediately
reeeived the unanimous consent of the council; and was
4i 2

.612 • THE HISTORY
c^^nrI; most graciously assented to by his excellency the same
im- day. Few men in any age or country ever succeeded to the
supreme authority under circumstances more auspicious
than those which existed at the time of Mr. Rickettss ac
cession to the government of Barbadoes. A strong predi
lection in his favour pervaded the public mind, The po
liteness of his manners, the affability of his deportment and
the suavity of his temper, coneiliated all hearts and united
all parties in one common sentiment of approbation and
esteem. An understanding at least specious, joined to a
heart glowing with the genuine feelings of patriotism, af
forded the most rational presages of the happiness which
the prudence, the mildness, and equity of his administra*
tion would diffuse among the people placed under his go
vernment. The constitutional maxim, that the king can do
no wrong, Avas willingly extended to his representative;
and, as if an axiom, obviously right and expedient in poli
tics, were equally true and just in ethics, his most venial
faults were, without hesitation, imputed to others. The
early exercise of his functions confirmed the public expec
tation. A generous disinterested zeal for the welfare of the
community seemed to be the only spring that actuated his
conduct. From Tobago the governor brought with him, in the cha
racter of his private secretary, Mr. Robert Wimberiey, a
4

OF BARBADOES. Gig1
gfeatlema-n of tbe bar, who seems to have been the Piers CHAP- XVUL
Gavaston of Barbadoes, and to have possessed at Pilgrim > 17*,*,
the same degree of favour and confidence which had been
enjoyed by the favourite of Edward II. at the British court.
Soon after his excellency's arrival Mr. Wimberly Avas ap»
pointed to the command of Charles Fort, Avhich was follow
ed by the appointment of deputy-secretary, in the room of
Val. Jones, Esquire, who had resigned the office on being
appointed commissary-general of his Majesty's forces in the
West Indies. About the same time Mr. Pinder, chief jus
tice of Saint Michael's precinct, resigned his dignified si
tuation, and the president Avas satisfied to descend from ad
ministering the supreme authority to the subordinate office
of administering justice in a court of common pleas.
Sensible of the importance of a steady and faithful dis- -
tribution of justice, his excellency early manifested the
deepest solicitude on this subject. In his anxiety to re- -
store the judicature of the country to its proper, rank and i-
value, he Avrote circular letters to the judges, insisting on a
more sedulous attention than had been given, to their duty ;
to which they Avere encouraged by the laudable example of
diligence and dispatch exhibited to their view in the courts
over which he personally presided. .
The colonial constitution unwisely requiring an .Annual
election of representatives, we are frequently reduced to the
necessity of repeating, in the space of a few pages, the re
currence of the same events and ceremonies.. A general

614 THE HISTORY
ca^^}1' election* having taken place, the governor embraced the
AugustVi. opportunity of addressing both houses on the meeting of
the colonial parliament, to lay before them several import
ant particulars, which he felt it his duty, he said, to sug
gest for their consideration. The principle on which the
militia was founded, hoAvever congenial with the ancient
common laAv of England, experience had shewn to be in
effectual and oppressive. It Avas their province, he re
marked, to make such alterations both in the theory and .
practice, as may appear most conducive to the public in-
- terest, avoiding equally established prejudices, and unne
cessary innovations.
It Avas an unpleasant, but, he feared, an acknoAvledged
truth, that the administration of justice in most of the courts
of law was, at best, irregular and uncertain. This he as
cribed to some radical defect in the system, as he was too,
Avell acquainted with the characters qf the persons Avho pre
sided in those courts to impute any blame to them. The
ineffective state of the police was, he said, a subject of
shame and regret. The effects of this negligence were too

* The members were, J. Mayers and J. Beckles for St Michael's; E. Welch/and J.-.
Sullivan, ChristChurch; J. Gittens and J. A. Olton, St. Phillip's; B. A. Cox and H.
Trotman, St. George's; S. Wallcott and R. Haynes, St. John's; G. James and S.
Hinds, jun. St. James's; S. Forte andT. Williams, St. Thomas's; S. Hinds and Har-
Tison Walke, St. Peter's; Ben. Babb and S. Husbands, St. Lucy's; J. Stewart and
W. A. Culpepper, St. Joseph's; Sir J. G. Alleyne aud J. Jordan, St. Andrew's.
5

OF BARBADOES. , 615
obvious to require his enlarging on so painful a theme. c^^nj'
Their situations, as magistrates, he remarked, opened a wide
field to their exertions in the suppression of immorality and
the protection of the friendless and oppressed. This Avas
surety, he added, the most enviable privilege of wealth and
poAver, and rendered the possessors of them blessings as
well as ornaments to society. By the noble reward of an
approving conscience he encouraged their exertions in the
restoration and promotion of a constitutional defence, of
their judicial arrangements, and of a firm and effective po
lice. Unless these AA^ere secured and maintained, property
must be precarious, credit must be endangered, and free
dom itself but an empty name.
Meanwhile Judge Weekes having been restored by an
order of the Lords of the Admiralty," alleging that he ought
not to have been deprived of his office before he had been
convicted of the crime imputed to him, by the verdict of
the jury, the attorney -general Avas ordered by the governor
and council to prosecute him for extortion. Mr. Weekes December.
was accordingly indicted at the court of Grand Sessions,
and fully convicted of the offence with which he was charg
ed. In commisseration of his age and family, and consi
dering that he would be sufficiently punished by the loss of
his office, the source whence he principally derived the
means of subsistence, the court humanely sentenced him to
pay a fine of five shillings. Mr. Weekes was now judicially
declared unworthy of confidence; and Jonathan Blenman,

616 THE HISTORY
CJ^^"/- Esquire, a gentleman of unblemished character, Avas ap-
1794" pointed to succeed him as sole judge of the court of vice-
admiralty. Weekes consoled himself in meditating revenge on the
person Avhom he suspected as the author of his ruin. He
lodged an information with Mr. 'Philip Gibbes, one < of his
Majesty's justices of the peace, against Judge Bishop, for
extortion, in having demanded and received a fee of ten
pounds on issuing a process, for which he was legally en
titled to no more than twenty shillings. Mr. Gibbes, Avho,
among all his eccentricities, was always willing to do equal
justice betAveen man and man, regardless of rank or con
dition, readily issued a summons, commanding Mr." Bishop
to appear before him at a certain time and place to answer
the charge. <
The president immediately collected a large party of his
friends, chiefly lawyers, and repaired to the town-hall,
Avhence they dispatched Mr. Wimberley's carriage to fetch
the justice,. Mr. Gibbes inconsiderately went; and as soon
as he arrived, Mr. Bishop offered to give bail for his appear
ance at the court of Grand Sessions, which the other very
properly declined receiving before the day appointed for
hearing the complaint. This produced a violent alterca
tion, in the course of which Mr. Gibbes, for the faithful
performance of his duty, was most grossly abused and un
warrantably insulted by the, whole party. Without seeking
that redress and indemnity to Avhich, as a magistrate, he was

OF BARBADOES. 617
particularly entitled, in the execution of his office, he se- ^^^J^1'
lected the solicitor-general as the object of his resentment, im*
and sent a friend to him the next day ; but as it appeared
that he had misapprehended the particular expression at
which he had taken offence, the affair was settled Avithout
producing any ill consequences. In the event, the charge
against the president not being supported by evidence, Mr.
Gibbes dismissed the complaint ; and issued a writ of con
tempt against one Busby, an attorney, who being a mate*
rial witness in the cause, had neglected to appear, and con
fined him several days in the common gaol. Busby, hav
ing, at length, procured his discharge, brought an action of
false imprisonment against the justice, and obtained a ver
dict for one hundred and fifty pounds damages.
The militia bill, Avhich had passed the assembly eighteen
months before, and had been dropped from the expiration
of the house before it Avas forwarded to the council, Avas
thought of no more; till, urged by the governor's repeated
calls, the assembly resumed the consideration of a subject . , 1795.
which had been too long neglected. The bill Avas revived, Jan. i.
and, having undergone an ample discussion, successively
received the sanction of the three orders of the legislature.
By this laAv the military system Avas entirely changed ; the
tAvo regiments of horse Avere disbanded; the militia Avas di
vided into eleven parochial regiments; and every man from
the age of seventeen to sixty Avas required to enrol himself
in the parish where he resided; with the exception of the
4 k

61S THE HISTORY
r^S? members of both houses of the colonial parliament, the
,795, clergy, and all officers in the civil departments, together
with all chief overseers of plantations on which there should
be a specified number of slaves. These exemptions, partir
cularly the last, created a general dissatisfaction; but, as
the act was temporary and experimental, the people sub
mitted to the measure, in the expectation that upon the re
vival of the laAv the subject of their complaints Avould be
removed. An enthusiastic spirit of loyalty and patriotism,
Avhich peculiarly distinguished the present period, Silenced
the murmurs of discontent; and, in a very short time, a re
spectable military force, was created, as it were out of chaos
and confusion, and assumed an appearance of order and
discipline hitherto unknown in this country.
The governor's active mind was perpetually employed in
suggesting neAV schemes of political reform, and plans for
promoting the prosperity of the country. In the execution
of the designs, his excellency submitted to the assembly-
two plans which he had arranged, for effecting a radical
reform in the courts of laAv. Of these plans, the principal
object was the final consolidation of the judicature of the
island, into one supreme court in Bridge-Town. Tp antir
cipate the opposition which might have been elicited by a
collision of interests, it was proposed that the five chief
judges should, in rotation, exercise the functions^of chief
justice, until they should be successively removed by
death, when the whole judicial authority was to centre io

OF BARBADOES. 619
the hands of one supreme magistrate, with an establish- c^^^'
ment of fees, or a salary, at the , option of the assembly,
sufficiently lucrative to render the situation desirable to
some professional man of character, and abilities.
These plans experienced no inconsiderable opposition
without doors. Though the proposition assumed the spe
cious aspect of facilitating the course of justice, it Avas
represented to be obviously calculated for the indulgence
of the laAvyers, Avho were unAvilling to submit to the incon
venience of going the circuits ; and therefore suitors, wit
nesses, and jurors, Avere all to be dragged from the most
remote corners of the island, and detained from their fa
milies and domestic avocations, at a considerable expense,
that the officers of the court might enjoy their ease. This
was alledged to be contrary to every principle of legislation.
It is a maxim in politics, that the interests and inclination
Of individuals should yield to considerations of general wel- ^
fare ; but here, it Avas said, is a proposal to sacrifice the
ease and convenience of the Avhole community, to the gra
tification and indulgence of a favoured feAV. The necessity
of a reform Avas admitted, but the objections to the con
solidation were illustrated, and urged Avith great force, by
an anonymous Avriter, Avho proposed, as a modification of
the plan, to reduce the judicial establishment to three pre
cincts, by Avhich justice might have been brought home,
as it Avere, to every man's OAvn door.
A bilk, framed on the principles laid doAvn in the go-
4x2

$m THE HISTORY
m^x™h verfror^ plan, vras introduced by Dr. Hinds, and supported
1795, with his usual spirit and ability. The learned gentleman
found a zealous auxiliary in the solicitor-general^ who, with
a specious eloquence, and subtil ty of argument, strictly
professional, exerted all his ingenuity in support of the
measure*. The opposition was chiefly maintained by the
venerable speaker of the assembly, who was himself an
host, seconded by Mr. Husbands, the patriotic member
for St. Lucy's. With talents so equally balanced, _ the
question could only be decided by numbers, . influenced by
the prejudices of habit and education ; and the bill, on
the first reading, was rejected, by a majority of fifteen
to four.
A Meanwhile, the storekeeper's demand for powder, ille
gally and unnecessarily delivered to the commanding offi
cers of the forts, Avhich had been lying dormant for more
than twenty years, was again brought forward. Early the
last year, Mr. Cox had presented a petition to the assembly*
in whieh, after recapitulating the particulars of his debt,
' which have been already taken notice of in their proper
place, he stated, that during the administration of Mr.
Spry, his debt, from the economical arrangements made by
that gentleman, had been reduced from three hundred and
forty-four barrels,, to ninety-four and a half ; that, from the
* I regret that I am prevented from giving an abstract of the debates on this inte
resting occasion ; the minutes- which were published* having eluded my most diligent
t inquiry..

OF BARBADOES. 621
demise of Mr. Spry, to the date of his application, there CIJ^^IL
had been no saving made to liquidate that balance, which,. l7S5'
calculated at two shillings for each pound of powder, ex
ceeded, the sum of nine hundred and forty-four pounds
current money, exclusive of interest. The petition further
stated, that there were then in his hands upwards qf tAvo
thousand pounds belonging to the Mole-head funds, Avhich
he prayed might be appropriated to the payment of his
demand, with interest from the time that it became due.
We have already seen how this debt was contracted, and
how the powder Avas Avasted. It is admitted, that Mr. Cox
¦was unconcerned in the abuses which existed in the forts;
but then his duty was clearly defined by a positive laAv, and
the advances which he had presumed to make on the sole
authority of the commander in chief, Avere as. illegal and
unconstitutional as Sir Thomas Robinson's building an
armory, without the consent of the assembly, or as General
Cunninghame's arbitrary establishment of fees.
Mr. Cox's petition had lain on the table more than twelve
months, when Judge Gittens introduced a bill for applying Feb. s.
a sum of money arising from the funds established for
cleansing the Mole-head, to the payment of his demand.
With the integrity of a Roman senator, Doctor Hinds
steadily opposed the proposition. But, on the question
beino- called for, it was carried in favour of the store-
keeper's demand, by a majority of eleven to three. Up
wards of fourteen years had elapsed, since the demolition

622 THE HISTORY
CH^^Ln' of the pier, by the memorable hurricane, and, notwith-
l7'95* standing the obvious utility of the work,, to which the par
liament of Great Britain had contributed ten thousand
pounds sterling, not a single stone had been replaced. And
noAv, Avhen the funds established for that particular service
were sufficient to commence the needful repairs of a
fabric of acknoAvledged commercial convenience, they
were diverted into channels the most foreign to their ori
ginal design.
Nor Avas this the only drain on that establishment. The
celebrated infuriate democrat, Victor Hughes, having, in
the course of the preceding year, with a force compara-
tiArely inconsiderable, recovered the possession of Guada
loupe, applied himself, with a diligence and perseverance
worthy of a better cause, to injure and annoy the British
islands in his neighbourhood. Innumerable SAvarms of
armed boats and privateers, issuing from Guadaloupe, com
mitted the most unparalleled depredations on the commerce
of Great Britain. From the singular construction of these
small, light vessels, they easily eluded the vigilance of our~
cruisers, in the open sea, and pursued their predatory ex
cursions with impunity. The only effectual remedy for the
evil Avas to blockade the ports whence they issued, and
prevent their putting to sea. But as a sufficient number of
vessels for this service could not be spared from the naval
force on the station, General Vaughan and Admiral Cald
well applied to the governors of the different islands, re-

OF BARBADOES. 623
questing that an armed vessel might be furnished, at the c^™-
expense of each colony, for the protection of their trade.. 1795,
The requisition was complied with, by the assembly of
Barbadoes, as soon as it Avas communicated to them ; and
the sum of two thousand pounds of the money belonging
to the Mole-head was unanimously voted, for the purpose
of hiring the Lord Hawkesbury armed brig, for the service
required, for the space of four months.
Callous to every sentiment of religion or morality, the
sanguinary republican commissioner, to whom the command
of Guadaloupe was entrusted, sought by every practicable
means, hoAvever inhuman or unjust, to gratify his savage
enmity against the English. With this vieAv he contrived
to introduce his emissaries into Grenada and Saint Vin
cent's, in each of which the negroes, assisted by the French
inhabitants, Avere excited to insurrection. The insurgents
were supplied Avith arms and ammunition from Guada
loupe; and-, Avithout compunction, committed enormities, at
the bare recital of Avhich humanity shudders, slaughtering
their prisoners Avith an indiscriminate fury, which respected
neither age, sex, nor condition. Whilst this horrid drama
was performing in our neighbourhood, the happy Barba
dians enjoyed all the blessings of peace and tranquillity.
But sensible of the dangers which surrounded them, they
proved themselves Avorthy of the advantages they possessed*,
by the cheerfulness and alacrity with Avhich they prepared
to defend them. One general sentiment seemed to pervade

o,

624 THE HISTORY
c£Aj*.xvra all ranks of people, and finnly united them in a deliberate
i?95. , determination to resist, to the last extremity, all attempts
of the savage enemy of social order. Animated by loy-
alty to their prince, love for their country, and veneration
for its constitution, the militia voluntarily turned out,
weekly, for the sake of acquiring a proficiency in martial
exercises. To encourage and give energy to the popular
spirit and ardour, the assembly, in the course of the pre- /
sent session, passed two supplemental acts, to enforce more
full and frequent meetings of the militia, and to make
a sufficient provision of arms and military stores for their
use. The extraordinary mortality among the British troops in
the West Indies, induced the ministry to adopt the scheme
of raising black regiments, who, being inured to the cli
mate, were thought to be better adapted to the service
than Europeans. Sir John Vaughan Avas accordingly au
thorized to raise and embody two corps, of one thousand
negroes each, by contribution among the colonies ; and
Governor Ricketts Avas directed, by the Duke of Portland,
to recommend the measure to the legislature of Barbadoes,
and to request that they Avould grant, a proportionate num
ber of able-bodied negro men for the purpose. But when
June 25. the matter Avas brought before the assembly, on a message
. from his excellency, the house resolved, on the motion of
Sir John Gay Alleyne, that the requisition could not be
complied with, at that juncture, without distressing the
5

OF BARBADOES. Q%5
planters in the management of their estates, depriving the CHAPXVllt'
colony of a part of the means intended for its defence ; l795,
and, in its consequences, endangering the salvation of the
community, on the return of the slaves, after the service
for which they were to be enlisted Avas at an end. But the
scheme was not abandoned.
The disastrous situation of affairs in the West Indies,
demanded the most vigorous exertions for the preservation
of the British dependencies in this hemisphere. For this
purpose, and, at the same time, to deprive the enemy of
their colonial resources, a more^poAverful armament was
sent from England, under the command of Sir Ralph Aber-
crombie and Admiral Christian, than had ever crossed the
Atlantic before. On the expected arrival of this armament,
the governor laid before the assembly an extract from the Nov. 2s.
Duke of Portland's dispatches, demanding, that a body
of negroes should be provided to act on duties of labour
and fatigue Avith the troops1 destined for the attack of the
French islands. This requisition Avas enforced by General
Knox, in a letter to the governor, by an invincible chain
of arguments. As the extent and objects of this arma
ment were of the most important nature, and clearly
evinced' his Majesty's paternal regard for his colonies in
these seas, the governor was persuaded, he said, that every
assistance, on their side, would readily be granted, and
particularly, that the island of Barbadoes would maintain
4 l

626 THE HISTORY
-«22£J2?J her ancient character of being foremost in the public
im service. /
The house having resolved itself into a committee for the
purpose of taking the governor's message into considera
tion, Sir John G. Alleyne, in a speech of considerable
length, besides pressing the requisition on the house, as a
return of gratitude to the Crown for its attention to the
wants and weakness of the people -in the hour of natural
and political distress, insisted that the true interests of the
country enjoined their granting the required assistance;
and, therefore, moved, that a number of negroes, not ex
ceeding five hundred, should be raised, -to accompany the
army as pioneers and labourers. On a point of this kind
it would have been in vain to expect unanimity, especially
as we find, that even the worthy baronet himself had
changed his own opinion, on the same subject, in the short
space of five months. The motion experienced a formida
ble opposition from Doctor Hinds, and Avas Avarmly sup
ported by the solicitor-general, who Avas not present on the
former occasion. He commenced a loyal, patriotic speech
with declaring, the concern, chagrin, and disappointment
which he felt at the probable result of the question before
the house. Upon all former occasions, the assembly, he
said, had properly distinguished betAveen demands made to
gratify the vanity or ambition of a minister, or commander
in chief, and such as had been made for the real service of

OF BARBADOES. 627
the public. With a laudable spirit, they had rejected the chap.xvu.
one ; Avith becoming loyalty they had granted the other. 17y5-
Similar requisitions had been made before, under circum
stances which weakened the claim for colonial assistance,
and yet had never been refused. The expedition, he re
marked, Avas expressly undertaken for the protection of the
colonies, to preserve them from the shocking cruelties and
horrid massacres committed at Grenada and St. Vineent.
We Avere now contending for our lives with a horde of sa
vages. Should the island be taken, we should, probably,
be put to the most cruel and barbarous death ; or reserved
to suffer Avhat, to a feeling mind was worse than death, to
fraternise Avith our slaA^es, and to see our Avives and daugh
ters polluted by their foul embraces. Mr. Beckles admit
ted the inconvenience which the planters must feel in part
ing with any of their negro men during the crop season ;
but ought they not, he asked, to submit to some inconve
nience, to some expense for the general good, nay, for their
own preservation ? Fortunate, indeed, Avas their happy lot,
to sit in quiet and comfort Avith their families, enjoying the
produce of their estates, Avhilst the ravages of war Avere
spreading not only over distant but neighbouring countries.
This splendid display of eloquent patriotism, served only to
Teflect additional lustre on the character of the learned
member by whom it was delivered. A demand of this kind,
enforced by an act of legislature, Avas represented to be an
4 l 2

628 ¦ THE HISTORY
c^^51, infringement of the civil rights of the people ; and the rrio-
1795' tion was negatived by a majority of three voices.
It appears that the sentiments of the majority were not
in unison with those of their constituents : the contingent of
. negroes, denied by the assembly, Avas eagerly furnished by
the voluntary contributions of individuals. The negroes,
as they were sent in, were put under the care of Captain,
T. Thornhill, assistant quarteE-master-generaf; a liberal
hire Avas alloAved for them^ and security given by General
tKnox, for the value of those who should be killed, disabled*
or not returned to their owners.
, Meanwhile, the negroes of the different islands, intended
for pioneers, Avere collected and brought to Barbadoes, with:
a number of emigrants, chiefly people of colour, from
Guadaloupe, who had volunteered their services, and Avere
retained as guides. An influx of people of dubious prin
ciples and uncertain attachment, at a moment when there
were no regular troops at hand to keep them in subjection,
naturally awakened the attention of a vigilant administra
tion to the means of preserving the internal tranquillity of
the country. In such an emergency, his excellency Avas
compelled to call for the, services of the militia; and, with
a spirit and promptitude highly honourable, the royal re
giment, without the smallest legal compulsion, obeyed the
summons, and performed the duties of the garrison, at the
Castle, and Constitution-hill, in the absence of the King's.
troops.

OF BARBADOES. 629
To relieve the militia from this new and irksome duty, charxvul
in which the more remote regiments must have participated 1795-
occasionally, the assembly, on the motion of the solicitor-
general, unanimously resolved to embody three hundred
men, for the service, for one month, Avith proper officers,
to be paid at the public expense. Conformably to this reso- Dec 21.
lution, a bill Avas introduced the next day, and having pas
sed the house, Mr. R. J. Haynes alone dissenting, imme
diately received the concurrence of the council and the as
sent of the governor. Of this corps Mr. Beckles was ap
pointed to the command, with the pay of six dollars a day;
and until the number of men could be raised and embodied,
the governor Avas authorized to call out such companies of
militia as he should think proper, who were entitled to pay,
as follows: each captain four dollars, the lieutenants fifteen
shillings, the ensigns two dollars, the Serjeants one dollar,,
and the privates five shillings each a day*.
The act being near expiring, the governor convoked the 1796.
assembly, to give them, as he said,, an opportunity of ex
tending .the term of its existence; and, by Avay of encou
ragement, informed them, that the expense already incur
red for this service,, had fallen short of one-half the sum
at Avhich it had been estimated. Mr. Mayers concluded a
short speech, in Avhich he took due notice of the utility of

* At this meeting the assembly passed an act for appropriating one thousand
pounds of the Mole-head funds to the rebuilding of the old and new bridges..

630 THE HISTORY
c^^51' the act, with moving that it should be continued in f°rce
179<5, three Aveeks longer ; but the arrival of a small body of
troops having rendered the aid of the militia unnecessary,
the motion Avas rejected, on a division of eleven to four.
The discontents excited by the numerous exemptions
from military duty had been silenced by the hope, that, on
the renewal of the militia-bill, the cause of complaint would
May n. be removed. But on the passing of a new act, to .conti
nue in force for three years, the clamours of the people
were disregarded, and the same partial indulgences, were
again extended to those by whom they had been formerly
enjoyed. Incensed at this proceeding, the inhabitants of
many parts of the island, discovered an uncommon spirit of
insubordination, particularly in the parish of Saint Lucy ;
where, almost Avith one accord, they peremptorily refused
to appear under arms, and conform to a laAv, Avhich, it Avas
contended, established an invidious distinction between
the different classes of society. Besides denying the policy
' of relinquishing so considerable a portion of the physical
strength of the country, the enemies of the bill insisted that
the public safety was a common cause, to Avhich every man
in the community Avas bound to contribute his personal
and pecuniary aid ; and that, as freemen and loyal sub
jects, they could not but feel, most sensibly, the palpable
injustice of being obnoxious to a laborious personal service,
when particular bodies of men, and those too Avhose rank
and fortune were additional claims to the most spirited ex-

OF BARBADOES. 631
ertions in its defence, were privileged from serving in the C^^5C"
militia. m6'
To appease the popular clamour, Mr. Hinds, the amiable
and respectable member for Saint Peter's, introduced a bill AuS« 2-
to amend the objectionable clauses of the militia law. The
second reading of the bill Avas opposed by Mr. Mayers,
not from any objection to its principle, but, on the ground
of its being irregular and unparliamentary, to alter or
amend an act during the session in Avhich it had been passed.
The objection, hoAvever, Avas overruled, and the bill Avas
agreed to by a majority of eleven to five ; but it Avas re
jected by the council. Early the next year, a bill of a si-
milar principle and tendency was introduced by Mr. Na-
both Greaves, one of the neAV representatives of Saint
Lucy's. Mr. Greaves explained the object of his bill in a
very concise and judicious manner. As all Avere equally
interested in the preservation of the country, he thought
all, who were able, ought equally to participate in the fa
tigue and danger of defending it. Among the exemptions
claimed, that of the house of representatives, he said, Avas
too evidently partial to escape the most superficial observa
tion, and too Avell calculated to diffuse disti ,st among their
constituents. A second, than Avhich nothing could be more
repugnant to the dictates of reason and justice, Avas thatof
gentlemen of extensive landed property, Avho sheltered
themselves under the act as overseers. That those who had
most to be protected should be exempted, whilst others*
5

632 THE HISTORY *
c!J^^Lm;"wn'o had little or nothing to lose, Avere made liable to serve,
m6' was, Mr. Greaves said, totally unfounded in reason, and"
utterly incompatible with every principle of just and equal
government. The bill Avas Avarmly opposed by Doctor
Hinds, Avho defended the exemption with great ingenuity >
and, on the question being put, it was rejected by a majority
of eleven to two.
Thus far the administration of Mr. Ricketts may justly
be considered as the happiest and most brilliant era in the
annals of Barbadoes, surpassing even the traditional felicity
of the golden days of Lord Howe. Whilst the dogs of
war Avere ravaging the most fertile territories, almost Avithin
sight of their shores, and the demon of democracy,
endeavouring to reduce the most polished societies to the
rudest state of savage nature, was extending the miseries
of suffering humanity, the inhabitants of this favoured
island Avere enjoying all the blessings of peace. Under the
auspices of a chief, who governed by their affections, all
party feuds had subsided, every murmur was silenced, and
the most perfect concord presided over the public councils.
But the day Had now arrived when the clouds of distrust
and discontent were to obscure the gilded scene, and de
stroy that confidence between the people and their rulers,
which has ever been found essential to public happiness.
Joseph Denny, a free mulatto man, of a bold, turbu
lent and daring temper, whose life had been more than
once forfeited to the violated laws of his country, was in-
1

OF BARBADOES. 633
dieted, at the court of grand sessions, for the wilful murder C^^3L
of John Stroud, a poor white man, of Speight's-town. Dec. 13.
The deceased had lived Avith his mother, Avhose house and
yard were divided from that of the prisoner by a fence
so tall and thick as not to admit the passing of any person
from one to the other. Having occasion to go into his
mother's yard about tAvo o'clock in the morning of the thir
teenth of September, Stroud observed Denny, Avrapped in
his cloak, standing under an apple-tree in his own land ;
and in the instant that he Avas returning into the house,
Denny, at the distance of twenty-eight feet, fired a gun
at him, and mortally Avounded him. He immediately fell,
exclaiming, that Denny had killed him ; and the assassin,
after putting away the gun, ran round the front of the
house to his assistance, expressing great concern at the ac
cident, declaring that he did not knoAV it Avas John Stroud,
and that he did not mean it for him. No, replied the
brother of the Avounded man, with Avhom Denny had pre
viously had a quarrel, you intended it for me ; to which
the other made no answer. After lingering six-and-thirty
hours Stroud died, and Denny Avas indicted at the ensuing
court of grand sessions for the murder, of Avhich the jury,
after mature deliberation, found him guilty ; and sentence
of death was pronounced against him by the Honourable
Philip Gibbes, who presided as chief justice on the trial.
The prisoner had every advantage of counsel which
could have been desired upon such an occasion. His ad-
4 M

084 THE HISTORY
cHA^xvm. vocates were Mr. Coulthurst, the present advocate-general ;
1796. an(j MTm Gibbes W. Jordan, to whose management the co
lonial concerns at the court of London are now entrusted ;
two men, whose learning and talents Avould adorn any bar.
During the sessions, no idea of a reprieve was suggested;
but the morning after the court was finally adjourned, these
gentlemen, actuated, no doubt, by the,, purest motives of
humanity, called upon the chief justice, and requested
him to sanction a petition from the prisoner to the gover
nor, to suspend the execution of the sentence, and recom
mend him to the clemency of the Crown. Mr. Gibbes
readily complied with their request. But, Avithout discern
ment to discover the point where discretion should stop,
he proceeded to lengths which drew on him the odium of
the whole community. Not content Avith joining the pri
soner's advocates in an application for mercy, he presented
a long memorial to the governor, recapitulating the evi
dence on the trial, and, besides stating, " as a laAvyer," that
there was no legal proof of malice aforethought to convict
the prisoner of murder, he asserted, that " Denny's being
a man of colour, and, as such, having killed a white man,
had raised such a prejudice against him in the minds of
the jury, as was shewn in a manner too shameful not to be
observed by every impartial person present at the trial."
Yet the chief justice had taken no notice of this flagrant
partiality at the proper time and place ; but, avithout even
hinting the smallest disapprobation of the verdict, had
- b

OF BARBADOES 635
pronounced sentence of death on a fellow-creature, Avho CIJj£^vJtI*
appeared, to him, to have been unjustly convicted by a
prejudiced jury.
In consequence of this application, and, perhaps, not
perfectly satisfied Avith the chief justices representation,
his excellency demanded the opinion of Denny's council
in writing. They affirmed that there Avas no express malice
proved, on the part of the prisoner, against the unfortu
nate man, or against any other person, and that although
there had been a dispute betAveen Denny and the brother
of the deceased, they had been reconciled, and were -upon
good terms at the time of the accident. They alledged in
their client's defence, Avithout any evidence of the facts,
that his land had been frequently robbed, that he had lost
his corn and other articles, without his being able to detect
the thief ; that being disturbed by the barking of his dog,
on the fatal night when the murder was perpetrated, he had
taken up his gun, and placed himself under a tree in ex
pectation of discovering the person who had occasioned
the disturbance ; when, perceiving a" man in the adjoining
tenement, whom' he mistook for the thief, he fired and
shot him. Without arraigning the verdict of the jury, Mr.
Coulthurst and Mr. Jordan were both of opinion that the
evidence was insufficient for the conviction of the prisoner ;
and that he was, therefore, a proper object of mercy. But
the mercy for which Mr. Jordan interceded was condi
tional, and limited to the removal of the murderer from
4 m 2

636 ' THE HISTORY
CH^^i/1' the country in which he had committed so great an ofi
m6' fence.. Wavering and irresolute, as if conscious of being about
to do wrong, the governor was anxious to shelter his fault
under the authority of others. Hence he applied to the soli
citor-general, Avho had conducted the prosecution on the
part of the Crown. With characteristic candour and per
spicuity, Mr. Beckles submitted to his excellency a report
of the principal facts which had appeared in evidence, and
which haA*e been already detailed. He vindicated the jury
from the malign aspersions of the chief justice, and declared,
that so far from manifesting a shameful prejudice against
the prisoner, he had never seen a more respectable and
impartial petty jury. In short, he was of opinion, that
the prisoner had a fair trial. No question of laAv had
arisen, but the whole rested upon evidence, on which the
jury were competent tp determine; they had examined
the witnesses with a minuteness and attention Avhich shewed
an anxiety to discover the truth ; and, after an hour and
a half spent in mature } deliberation, they had found him
guilty. Though the verdict was not ag&inst evidence, Mr.
Beckles concluded with saying, had he been upon the jury
he should have had some doubt of the malice, and, hav
ing the smallest doubt, he should have acquitted the pri
soner. Without involving ourselves in an abstruse inquiry
.concerning the degree of evidence sufficient to remove
the scepticism of every temper and understanding, we

OF BARBADOES. 657
must confess our surprise, that these doubts were not sug- c^^;1-
gested to the jury by the learned Crown lawyer, who, as
he himself avers, had summed up the evidence, in his re
ply, Avith the impartiality of a judge rather than the zeal
of a prosecutor.
As this is an affair in which, from the events that sue- iw«-
ceeded, the character of the country is deeply involved, I
must be indulged in a few observations on the point at
issue. " It is a general rule," says a great law writer, " that
wherever a man, intending one felony happens to commit
another, he is as guilty as if he had intended the felony
which he actually commits." Now there was the strongest
presumption that Denny intended to murder the brother of
the unfortunate man Avho fell a victim to his mistaken re
venge, But if any doubt could have been entertained on
this point, there is another maxim of laAv which applied
exactly to his case. " Whenever it appears," says Haw
kins, " that a man killed another, it shall be intended,
prima facie, that he did it maliciously, unless he can make
out the contrary. No proof was produced by the prisoner
to shew, that the homicide Avith Avhich he Avas charged, Avas
not the result of deliberate malice : none but his own de
claration, that he had gone in pursuit of a thief. But the
criminal's ipse dixit, unsupported by any evidenccAvhatever,
was insufficient to invalidate the testimony of unexcep
tionable witnesses, strengthened by a train of corroborat
ing circumstances. The malicious design was fairly pre-

§38 THE HISTORY
c^^3' sumable, from the circumstance of Denny's lying in wait,
17W' to watch, as he said, for a thief. But it was proved, that
he had nothing growing on his land to be stolen. Admit
ting, however, the truth of this plea, did his apprehension
of thieves justify his shooting the first person he saw ? The
unfortunate man who was separated from his tenement by an
impassable hedge, consequently could have excited no sus
picion of his intending to rob him; and was, besides, near
enough to have been known, as is evident, by his recogni
tion of Denny. There is another maxim laid down by
Lord IJale, the great oracle of English jurisprudence, ex
actly in point. " Malice implied is in several cases, as
when one kills another voluntarily, without any provoca
tion, for in this case the law presumes it to be malicious,
and that he is a common enemy to mankind." Henee it
would seem, that it is not necessary to prove malice pre
pense in cases of Avanton, unprovoked murder. Among a
variety of adjudged cases, that of Captain Porteous can
not be forgotten. No previous malice was imputed to
him when he ordered his guard to fire among the mob at
Edinburgh, by which many Avere killed. The illegality
of the act Avas sufficient for his condemnation.
Regardless of the popular clamour, his excellency re
prieved the prisoner, and transmitted his petition, Avith the
representations which had been made in his favour, to the
Duke of Portland, to be laid before his Majesty. Such
an unprecedented interposition in behalf of a convicted

OF BARBADOES. 639
felon, excited a considerable ferment in the country; nor charxvuu
was this discontent confined to the lower classes of people, 1797,
it pervaded every rank in society; neither Avas it OAving to
any prejudice arising from local distinctions, but the result
of a strict regard to impartial justice. The resentment en
tertained on this occasion Avas aggravated by a suspicion,
that the intercession employed in behalf of Denny Avas pro
moted by the influence of certain coloured courtezans, Avho
were known to be favourites Avith some men in poAver.
Whether this suspicion Avere Avellor ill grounded, the author
of this work presumes not to determine : it is his province
to state that it existed, and that it made a sensible impres
sion on the public mind.
Unfortunately for the governor, unfortunately for Bar
badoes, his excellency had brought with him from Tobago,
a mulatto woman, Avho resided at Pilgrim, and enjoyed all
the privileges of a Avife, except the honour of publicly
presiding at his table. His excellency's extraordinary at
tachment to this sly insidious female Avas the greatest
blemish in his character, and cast a baleful shade over the
lustre of his administration. The influence which she was
known to possess, produced a< visible change in the manners
of the free coloured people* Avho assumed a rank in the
Graduated scale of colonial society, to which they had been.
hitherto strangers; and which the impolicy of subsequent
measures and. the immorality of the times have contributed
to extend and confirm in a degree that cannot be content*-

640 THE HISTORY / A
<U^^11" plated Avithout fearful apprehension. A woman, of this de-
" scription, Avho had been convicted of receiving stolen goods,
and condemned to imprisonment, had been lately liberated
by the governor's order; and some other offenders, in the
very commission of their crimes, had boasted of the im
punity which they qould obtain through the influence of
Betsey GoodAvin. A report had circulated, at least, a fort
night before Denny's condemnation, of his having received
assurances from her, that, let the event of his trial be what
it might, she would protect him.
At length the governor received a letter from the Duke
of Portland, in these Avords, " I am commanded to signify-
to you his Majesty's approbation of the motives Avhich you
have assigned for the determination you took to respite
Denny; and to acquaint you, that upon the most serious
consideration of all the circumstances which appeared on
the trial, and in conformity with the sentiments of the law
advisers of the crown, his Majesty is of opinion that Denny
is so far an object of Royal mercy as not to suffer the law to
take its course upon him in its full extent. But such is the
nature of the^act for which this man was brought to trial,
and the crime of which he was convicted, that, independ-
ant of his character and conduct, which, from the papers
before me,- do not seem to entitle him to any greater degree
of clemency than is warranted by the state of the evidence,
it is his Majesty's pleasure that the pardon which Denny is
to receive, shall be granted upon the express condition of

OF BARBADOES. 641
his being removed from the island, and that it shall become c^^}1
void and be of no effect should he ever presume to return 1797,
there upon any pretence whatever."
On the receipt of this letter, all the governor's firmness
forsook him. Apprehensive of some dangerous commotion,
he adopted those means Avhich were most likely to produce it.
Carefully concealing the purport of his dispatches, he pri
vately arranged a plan Avith General Murray for the re
moval of the prisoner. In the afternoon of the tAventy-
fifth day of May, when the inhabitants of the town had re
tired to dinner, the general, at the head of a corporal's
guard, was discovered by Mr. Woodroffe, an English mer
chant resident at Bridge-town, escorting Denny from prison
to the wharf. Mr. Woodroffe stopped the general, and, in
a very spirited manner, expostulated Avith him on his
adopting a conduct so inconsistent with the character of a
British officer of his rank; to which he replied, that Denny
was to be transported from the island, in consequence of
the King's pardon. Mr. Woodroffe Avas incapable of re
sistance, and the prisoner was conveyed on board a govern
ment brig, which immediately got under weigh.
An alarm Avas instantly spread, that Denny, under the
protection of an armed force, had escaped from prison.
The effect of this intelligence could not have been greater if
the capital had been invaded. The whole town was a scene
of uproar and confusion ; and men, the most respectable
for their fortune, virtue, and talents, joined their inferior
4 N

642 THE HISTORY
caS^31' fellow-subjects in resisting this .flagrant outrage on the jus
tice of their country. KnoAving of no authority for trans
porting the cause of this disturbance, several of the most
eminent merchants ran to Ricketts's battery and fired. upon
the brig; another party tumultuously assembled round the
house of a respectable gentleman with Avhom the governor
had dined, and insisted, upon the prisoner's being relanded.
In the hope of appeasing the tumult, the Duke of Portland's
letter Avas now read to the mob; but they were too much
irritated t& listen to any thing-that was offered in extenua
tion of the governor's^ conduct; an armed party manned
several boats, and having boarded the brig, brought the
culprit on shore. Meanwhile the governor, alarmed at this
violent commotion, hastened out of toAvn, and applied to
the commander in chief of the forces to keep the troops in
readiness to march into town in case of necessity. This,
hoAvever, was unnecessary ; the people had no intention to
resist the legitimate exercise of authority ; they only meant
to maintain their civil rights; and. having obtained his ex
cellency's order, remanding the prisoner to gaol, delivered
him, without injury, to the provoatr-marshal, and then re
tired to their peaceful homes. A body of soldiers, was
however sent to remain upon, guard at the gaol,, and topre-
serye the peace of the town during the night.
The inhabitants having assembled again the next day,
appointed a committee to consider of some effectual plan
for restoring the public tranquillity, and for preventing a
%

of barbadoes: 643
heinous offender from eluding the punishment due to his. chap. xvm.
crime. The committee entered on the>usiness Avith tern- ^"
per, firmness, and moderation. After mature deliberation
on all the circumstances relating to this extraordinary trans
action, they came to several resolutions, of Avhich the prin
cipal were, That the governor and his Majesty had been
grossly abused by the misrepresentation of facts stated in
the application for the pardon of Denny : That, as it was
impossible, under the existing circumstances, to execute
the sentence upon him, and as they were desirous of pay
ing due obedience to his Majesty's orders, though obtained
by misrepresentation, his excellency should be requested
to transport him as speedily as possible to the island of
Ruatan: That his excellency should be petitioned to re
move Philip Gibbes, esquire, from his seat at the council
board, and from all other public employments whatever
for his false aspersions on the respectable jury by whom
Denny had been tried and convicted, and for his misre
presentation and mistatement of the facts Avhich appeared
in evidence upon the trial.
Agreeably to these resolutions, an application Avas made
to the governor for the immediate transportation of Denny.
In the most conciliatory terms his excellency replied, that,
conscious of having in every instance, during his Avhole ad
ministration, acted with zeal and sincerity for the public
good, he was willing to give this additional mark of his de
sire to promote good order and tranquillity ; and he hoped,
4 N 2

&4A THE HISTORY
^j^^f' ia- return,, that, the committee Avould exert their efforts, and?
l797v in&uemce in calming the public mind, and restoring that
harmony and good; humour Avhich it was the interest of all
to- re-establish and perpetuate. Denny Avas accordingly
sent to- Grenada, to be transported with the traiterous bri
gands ©f that place to Ruatan.
Another victim Avas yet necessary to appease the popular
Resentment. A petition, subscribed by a great number of
the inhabitants of all parts of the island,. Avas prepared; to be
presented* to the house of assembly ; in Avhich they prayed
that the house would take proper measures, to obtain. Mr.
dxibbes's removal from the council board. But his- excel
lency, who had now become anxious to comply with the
wishes of the people, anticipated any application on the sub
ject. He proposed to the council to suspend' Mr. Gibbes from,
the exercise of his functions as, a member of that board. Of
sks members Avho were present on the occasion,, tAvo de
clined voting; the other four concurred in his excellency's
proposal; Thus Mr. Gibbes, who was more culpable only
as he Avas less cautious and less prudent than those with,
wfeom he acted? was made the scape-goat to expiate the
transgressions of all' who were concerned in this affair. He
immediately went* to England-- and obtained a royal ordej
for his restoration, grounded principally on the insufficiency.
of the number of members' who hadi voted for his suspen
sion; but he some time atftep resigned his mandamus*
l*@r the sake ®# per&fkuity we have, without any regard:

OF BAJtBADQES. 645
t$ chisonoiogical order,, brought together all the particulars c^^y*
of an affair, which, at one moment, seemed likely to have
produced the most fatal consequences; but which was: hap
pily terminated by the prudence and good sense of the
committee to Avhom its final arrangement. Avas entrusted.
And we have been the more circumstantial in this detail,,
from, an honest wish to vindicate the character of the coun
try from any imputation on its loyalty and attachment to
social order.
Meanwhile,, om the meeting of the assembly, his excel- Jan. i?;
lency sent a message to the house, informing them that Sir
Ralph Abercrombie had been commanded by his Majesty
to raise five regiments of black troops, consisting of five
hundred men each, to be procured by purchase among the
islands, and that these corps Avere to become a permanent
branch of the military establishment for the defence of the
©elonies. The- general requested his excellency would re
commend' this measure to the serious- consideration of the
legislature, and expressed his hope of receiving their coun
tenance and assistance in carrying it into effect.
A proposition so dangerous- to the future security of the
country, naturally called up the speaker of the assembly.
His known loyalty to the crown would, he trusted, secure
him from any imputation on the motives by Avhich he was
actuated in opposing a measure which endangered the lives
and fortunes of the inhabitants of the colonies , and even
the rights of the crcwn to the sovereignty of these islands. .

646 THE HISTORY
v
chap. xvni. Highly as he appreciated the wisdom and rectitude of his"
1797. Majesty's ministers, he lamented that their comprehension
of points that most essentially affected these distant parts*
of the empire, Avas inadequate to the 'forming of a correct
judgment on subjects connected with colonial' slavery. On
these points, he said, the inhabitants weret themselves the
best judges of Avhat belonged to their own safety and ad-
vantage. Sir John Alleyne concluded these observations
Avith moving several resolutions to this effect : That the rais
ing of black troops for the defence of the colonies, as far as
the design is likely to affect this island, will prove rather the
means of its destruction than its preservation : That the
only slaves likely to be sold for such a purpose Avere those
of the worst characters, villains, habituated to plunder, who,
Avhen formed into regular corps, and disciplined with arms
in their hands, would be enabled the. more effectually to
perpetrate every species of mischief to which they were na
turally prone : That, should an enemy im'ade our shores,
the arms of these black troops would be employed in mur
dering their former OAvners, destroying their plantations, arid
Avresting the dominion of the colony out of the hands of the
British government ; That, should it be their good fortune
to escape these evils, such an establishment Avould loosen
the band's of that subordination which so happily subsisted,
no* less to the ease and comfort of the negroes than. to the
satisfaction of their masters, would spread universal discon-,
tent among tijose who were retained in slavery; and dread;

OF BARBADOES. 6J7
and distrust among the Avhite inhabitants of the country. CI^j™
These resolutions Avere unanimously agreed to by the house, 1?97,
and a copy of them sent to the governor as an ansAver to
his message.
. NotAvithstanding this just representation of the evils
with which this scheme is evidently pregnant, in Avhich all
the other colonies concurred, government persisted in the
.dangerous design, and has raised ten regiments of Africans
by purchase. It requires but little political sagacity to
perceive the danger and impolicy of employing troops of .
this description in countries Avhere the population of Avhites
bears so small a proportion to that of slaves. And Avithout
: pretending, to the gift of prophecy, it may be hazarded, as
no improbable conjecture, that, at no distant period of
time, these faithless blacks, in conjunction Avith the national
foe, or colonial traitors, will employ the arms, umvisely put
into their hands, in murdering their officers ; subverting the
poAver of Britain in this hemisphere ; and erecting, the sa
vage despotism of Africa on the ruins of English liberty.
The house was noAv doomed to sustain the privation of jane6;.
those talents by Avhich it had long been illumined, and of
that wisdom Avhich had often guided its deliberations.
Worne doAvn by- the heavy hand of time and the increase
of infirmities, Sir John Gay Alleyne Avas now compelled to
quit the service of his country, whose rights he had vindicat
ed with equal spirit and ability, and Avhose prosperity he had
promoted for. nearly forty years Avith'the most disinterested

:-648 ' THE' HISTORY .
*J^v^vJIT- seal and integrity. Led by that hope Avhich never forsakes us
1797' till Ave die, Sir John Alleyne vainly sought in an Euro
pean climate, a renovation of that health and vigour Avhich
age alone had exhausted. Sir John Alleyne Avas not per
mitted to carry into retirement with him any testimonies of
public favour or gratitude. Even the poor unsubstantial
tribute of a vote of thanks Avas withholdeu from the vene
rable patriot, whose life had been spent in a series of meri
torious exertions for the benefit of the happy spot Avhich
gave him birth. In other men various passions alternately
rule the soul and direct their actions; but one uniform prin
ciple governed the Avhole of Sir John Alleyne's political
conduct. The welfare of his country was the primary Avish
of his heart; and, hoAvever mistaken he might sometimes
have been as to the means of attaining his object, be ever
steadily kept the end in vieAv. The sun, which decorated
the horizon, Avas no sooner Avithdrawn, than the light and
warmth Avhich it afforded Avere forgotten. No other notice
was taken of the speaker's letter of resignation than to ap
point a successor. On this occasion Mr. Joshua Gittens
was unanimously called to the chair, which he continued to
fill upvrards of six years.
179s. Although the assembly felt the necessity of rejecting the
overture made by government for raising black troops, they
soon gave more convincing proofs of their loyalty to their
King and their readiness to contribute by every means in
¦their power to the defence of the empire. The obstinacy

OF BARBADOES. 649
of the French, republic in refusing to listen t<a any reas©nasbl& ^ha?>xviu;
terms of accommodation, convinced th© people that they, were '^8*
con (lending Avith an implacable foe, not only for their civil and
religious rights, but for the preservation of then? indepeadw
anee as a nation. Under the expectation &£ invasion the na
tional spirit had been roused to the most vigorous exertion;
and the voluntary contributions raised in every part of the
kingdom evinced1 the zeal with which the people were ani
mated in defence of their King and constitution. The ge*.
nerous flame spreasd across the Atlantic, and warmed the
faithful bosoms ©#' the Barbadians. As a small, though
sincere testimony of their attachment to the principles f©r
which they were Contending, the assembly voted the sum May 15.
of two thousand pounds towards enabling his Majesty to
prosecute tbe just and necessary war in which he wasjen-»
gaged. The voluntary contributions o£ individuals far ex-»
eeeded the public munificence, Subscriptions were opened?
in every parish, and upwards of thirteen thousand pounds
sterling were collected and remitted to the Bank of England
for the service of government.
Having been informed by the governor of the deficiency juiy 3.
of gunpowder in the magazine, the assembly passed a bill
for appropriating one thousand pounds of the much-abused
Mole-head funds to the purpose of procuring a sufficient
supply of that necessary article. The facility Avith which
several sums were voted during this administration, cannot
fail to excite astonishment, when the decayed and ruinous
4 o

650 THE HISTORY
t
cHA^xvni. state of the fortifications at that time, is taken into con sider-
l798, ation. Few of the forts contained a gun which could be
fired without endangering the lives of the men upon d uty ;
and, while an expensive establishment was maintained to
its full extent, the assembly, with a strange inconsistency,
refused to repair a few forts of acknowledged utility, and to
supply them Avith cannon and ordnance stores.
isoo. The happiness of the Barbadians now suffered a tempo
rary interruption, from the afflicting hand of providence;
in the removal of a governor, under whose mild, benignant
administration, their colonial character had shone with pe
culiar lustre ; and, they had attained an unexampled degree
of prosperity amidst the ravages of war. On the twelfth
day of February his excellency convoked the legislature, for
the purpose of signifying to them his intention of leaving
the island for the benefit of his health. To this necessity,
he said, he was reduced by a long and obstinate illness,
which rendered him unable to fulfil the duties of his station
with that punctuality and attention, which Avere due to the
best of sovereigns, for intrusting him with a command that
would gratify proud ambition, and be esteemed a reward
for merit and talents far superior to those Avhich he possess
ed. This intelligence produced a deep sensation in the as
sembly; and, as a mark of their gratitude and esteem, they
unanimously voted him a donative of one thousand pounds
to defray the expenses of his voyage. But, from the nature
of the Royal instructions, prohibiting the representative of

OF BARBADOES. 651
the crown from receiving any gift or present from any per- C^T^31-
son or persons Avhatever, their intention could not take effect 1800'
until his Majesty's pleasure Avas known.*
Tavo days after this intimation had been given, his excel- Feb. h.
lency, declining all military parade, privately embarked on
board the Venerable, merchant ship, for Liverpool. The
anguish of separation Avas soothed by every mark of respect
ful attention to which he was entitled. The most affec
tionate and consolatory addresses Avere presented to him by
both branches of the legislature, the clergy, and all the inha
bitants who could collectively express their sympathy and
concern at the melancholy event. But of all the marks of
distinction with Avhich he Avas honoured on this occasion,
none was more singular and unprecedented, than that sug
gested by the piety of his successor. For six weeks succes
sively public prayers were offered up in every church and
chapel throughout the island, for his excellency's speedy and
perfect recovery. But the decrees of fate were not to be
reversed by an act of devotion, probably more ostentatious
than sincere. His excellency barely lived to reach Liver
pool, where he died, on the eighth of April, fifteen days
after his arrival.
On the governor's departure, the administration once Feb. 24.
more devolved on the Honourable William Bishop, presi-

* The King readily confirmed the grant ; and, his excellency dying in the interim^
the assembly, by virtue of a new act, paid the money to the governor's executors.
4 0 2

652 THE HISTORY
cha^xwh. £evft ^ the council. The early meeting of the legislature
furnished his honour with an opportunity of addressing both
houses in a speech remarkable only for the occasion on
which it Avas delivered. Proud, he said, -of meeting them
in the dignified situation which he then filled, he trusted
they would, injustice to his feelings, believe, that he had
reassumed it with regret on the departure ^>f their exeelAewt
.governor. The objects material for their consideration, he
remarked, had been so recently pointed out to them by bis
excellency, that it was unnecessary for him to enlarge on
them ; and it would spare the delicacy which had ever go
verned his conduct, could he at that moment omit the sug
gestion which had been always made to the representa
tives of the people by persons in his situation, on their
first meeting, respecting the provision for the support of
government. In their resolution to assist him in maintain
ing the splendour of his seat, he entreated they would have
in view the interest of their country rather than his OAvn.
He repeated the assurance, which he had given them on his
former accession to the chair, that he had brought with him
every sentiment of affection towards his native island ; and,
aided by their counsels, it should be his earnest endeavour
to carry with him from his command, Avhenever he should
leave it, the same approbation of his King and country
which it had been his happiness to obtain in his former
administration. The settlement, to which the president had* so modestly
1

OF BARBADOES. 65$
¦allraded in his speech, was move,d for by Dr. Hinds. He c^£v^1*
felt encouraged, he said, to the motion which he was about 180D'
to submit to their consideration, by the zeal which had
ever been evinced by that house for the honour and pros
perity of the 'country; and although the establishment
which he intended tp propose Avas greater than that of
former times, he flattered himself, that it would meet the
wishes of- the house. The considerable decrease in the
value of money was a circumstance which alone could
justify an alteration in the customary establishment. There
were other motives, however, which he was persuaded
would influence their determination. The president was
no new man. He was not known to that house merely as a
member of council. They had already been happy under
his government. Having been appointed early in life to
a seat at the council board, he had ardently promoted the
public Avelfare. United with the assembly, he had opposed
the tyrannical measures of Governor Cunninghame, and,
in -each succeeding administration, he had been distin
guished by a firm attachment to his native land. During
the whole progress of the war he had endeavoured to re
lieve the pressing wants of the people, and to prevent im
pending famine, by urging the occasional suspension of
those commercial regulations which, though founded in the
highest wisdom during peace, Avould starve the colony, and
materially injure the empire, if rigidly enforced in the time
of war. Doctor Hinds concluded with moving, as a grate-

654 THE HISTORY

.CHAP.

¦x™}" ful tribute to approved merit, that the sum of three thou-

.*>

no0' sand pounds per annum be granted to the Honourabl Wil
liam Bishop, during his presidency.
The motion was supported by Mr. Cadogan, in a long
encomiastic speech, in Avhich he took a Avider range, and
employed a variety of arguments to shew, that a president,
a native, possessing an essential and united interest in the
public welfare and prosperity, is entitled to a provision
for the support of his dignity, no less liberal than is usually
made for a governor, a stranger, of Avhom they know little
more than can be collected from the voice of flattery.
This called up the neAV attorney-general, not with a view of
opposing the motion, for that met his hearty approbation,
and, indeed, Avere the salary to be proportioned to the
president's merits, he thought, it ought to have been greater.
He rose merely to oppose the doctrine advanced by the
gentleman who_ had spoken last. Mr. Beckles then ex
plained, with his usual clearness and ingenuity, the differ
ent claims of a governor and a president, arising chiefly
from local circumstances. He expressed, in the strongest
terms, his dissent from tbe position attempted to be esta
blished, that a president was entitled to the same settlement
as a governor; but concluded with voting for the applica
tion of the principle in the present instance. The motion
having been agreed to without a single dissentient, a bill,
to give effect to the resolution, was immediately passed,

OF BARBADOES. 655

with equal unanimity, by the council,. a*nd assented to by CH<1!^I
his honour on the same day. '
The uncommon liberality of the legislature seemed to
render the president superior to all vulgar considerations of
political economy. Disdaining the parsimony of Mr. Do
tin's frugal administration, he encreased the expenses of his
establishment in an exact ratio to the augmentation of his
salary, particularly in the article of oil for the lamps at
Pilgrim, Avhich Avere noAv replenished with a double quan
tity. The office of chief judge of St. Michael's court hav
ing become vacant by his exaltation to the chief magis
tracy, the president bestoAved the appointment on his son,
Henry Bishop, Esq. than whom no one had fairer preten
sions to it.
Such was the declining state of the colonial commerce
and navigation at this period, that the tonnage duty was
found insufficient to supply the demand for gunpowder for
the use of the fortifications. This deficiency having been
intimated to the assembly in a message from the president, June i,
they took the subject into consideration, and, without in
quiring into the application of the former grant, or ascer
taining the necessity of a further supply, voted the sum of
one thousand pounds, to be paid out of the Mole-head
funds, for the purchase of powder to answer the public ex
igencies : this continuing to exhaust the resources of an
establishment of the most manifest public utility, whose

656 TBI HISTORY
eHARxvKi. rUinous condition required the application of the money
Avhich was diverted to purposes far less useful1.
While- the- president was anxiously endeavouring to diffuse
plenty among the people, by the admission of foreign sup
plies, in neutral vessels, he was not inattentive to the meane
of guarding thera from the imposition Avhich, fee imagined,
were practised by the bakers of Bridge-town. The re
duced size of the loaf of ba?ea>d appeared, to his watchful
eye, to be an evil ©f such magnitude, not only to the in
habitants of the metropolis, but to the community at
October 28. hwge, as induced him tonaake it the subject of a message
to the assembly, who very gravely replied, that they avouM
embrace an early opportunity of taking it into considera
tion.
38oi. They turned their attention, however, to a subject much
more Avorthy of it. Being informed of the death of their
late valuable agent, Mr; John Brathwaite, they appointed
a committee to erect a monument to th© memory of that
exalted man and faithful representative of the colony, and
soon after passed an act to pay the expense of this tribute
of their esteem out of the public coffers. This monument
may be regarded as a reproach on the assembly for the
neglect with which they have treated Sir John Gay Alleyae*
Vfho died not long after*, and to whose meritorious services
* On the 5th of December, 1801.

OF BARBADOES. 657
Barbadoes was more indebted than to those of any other c^v^vjJI*
man. But, though no sculptured marble speaks his coun- I801'
try's gratitude, his virtues have embalmed his memory,
and Avill transmit it to the admiration of succeeding gener
rations. A new assembly having been summoned, the president Feb. ig.
opened the session Avith a most gracious speech, in which
he congratulated both houses on the favourable change of
the Aveather which had recently taken place. And, although
he was not able, he said, to announce to them any im
mediate prospect of peace, he trusted in the goodness of
the great all-Avise disposer of events, that this most desir
able of all objects Avas not so far distant, as the distracted
state of affairs in Europe might lead them to imagine.
Having frequently witnessed hoAV far the Avisdom of the
assembly had anticipated the suggestions Avhich were usually
made from the chair, it Avas unnecessary for him to propose
any particular subjects to their attention. He was, there
fore, content to rely on their accustomed liberality to pro
vide for the expenses of the current year. It was his mis
fortune, he said, to be without any official information
with regard to the appointment of a governor ; but, appre
hending, from private communication, that a nomination
had been made, it was his duty to request that they Avould
be prepared for his reception. In retiring from his high
situation, he hoped they would believe that the welfare of
Barbadoes would be as much uppermost in his heart as
4 p

658 THE HISTORY
c^n£L"1; when in the exercise of his fullest command ; and he ea
gerly embraced that opportunity to return them his Avarm-
est acknowledgments for the assistance and support which
he had received from them individually and collectively,
in conducting his Majesty's government.
The addresses Avere, in the usual complimentary style,
echoes of the speech, abounding Avith professions of re-
March 26. gard. The day had noAy arrived when the president was
to lay down the government Avhich he had twice adminis^
tered. The Right Hon. Francis Humberstone Mackenzie,
Baron Seaforth, having been honoured Avith his Majesty's
commands to take upon himself the government of Barbae
does, arrived in Carlisle-bay, on the twenty-sixth day of
March. Within a month after Lord SeaforWs accession,
Mr. Bishop went to England, where be died shortly after
his arrival.
We shall now conclude this work Avith a compendium
of the government.
The constitution of Barbadoes is an humble imitation of
that great fabric of human wisdom, the constitution of
England. Here, as in the mother country, the poAver of
establishing laAvs resides in three distinct orders, who col
lectively compose the supreme legislature of the country.
The constituent parts of this legislative body are theigo-
vernor, who represents the CroAvn; a council, or upper-
house, Avhose rank in the colonial system- corresponds with.
that of the peers in Great Britain ; and a general assembly,

OE BARBADOES.. 63$
whose functions are analogous to those of the English CH^^rr!
house of. commons.
The governor's legislative authority is entirely negatiAre.
He may recommend proper subjects to the consideration
of the assembly ; and without his concurrence no bill can
pass into a law; nor can his assent sanction the existence
of any laAv beyond three years, without its having received
the royal confirmation. As the depositary of the execu
tive power, the governors power is more positive and exten*
sive. He is styled excellency, and his title is captain-ge»
neral, governor and commander in chief, chancellor, ordi
nary, and vice-admiral. The proATison for his maintenance
is a salary of tAvo thousand pounds sterling, paid by the
CroAvn out of the four and a half per eentage. Besides
wliich, he is entitled to one-third of all seizures made by
the custom-house within his government, for atiy violatioii
of the laws of trade ; and on the colonial establishment he
is generally allowed three thousand pounds a year to sup*
port the dignity of his government. This settlement, Avhich
is entirely op'tional Avith the assembly, must be made in the
first session of the house after his arrival ; aftd, under Lord
Seaforth's administration, has been encreased to four thou
sand pounds.
As captaifr-gerferal he is entitled to -appoint the officers
of the. militia, and to remove ihem if he find occasion.
He seldom exercises the right of appointment beyond the
choice of the colonels, who generally claim the privilege
* 4 r 2

660. THE HISTORY
r' of nominating the lieutenant-colonels, majors and captains
of their regiments ; and these again insist upon being al-
loAved the choice of their subalterns. Lord Seaforth as
serted his right to these appointments, allowing the officers
commanding regiments only to recommend ; but their re
commendation was invariably adopted. The appointment
of the gunners and matrosses also is legally vested in the
captain-general, but it is usually exercised by the colo
nels of divisions, the governor only reserving to himself the
patronage of Charles'-fort.
The governor, Avith the consent of the council, has poAver
to dissolve the general assembly, and to issue Avrits for a
new election; and, with the concurrence of five members,
to suspend any member of council; unless it be on some
very extraordinary occasion, requiring secrecy; and then ,
his power is absolute. He is, however, bound, in either
Case, to transmit his reasons to the King, before whom the
suspended member is permitted to make his defence.
Should there be at any time less than seven members of
council resident on the island, the governor is allowed to
appoint a suflkcient number, pro tempore, for the dispatch of
business.* As chancellor, the governor has the custody of the great
seal, and presides in the courts of error and equity. But,
... — _ — I... i i ni  ,,,
* The president possesses the same authority.

OF BARBADOES. 66 L
as the council are judges in both these courts, his excel- 'CU^^L
ency only sits primus inter pares, his vote, or opinion, being
of no greater consequence than that of any other member. In
the capacity of ordinary he collates to all church livings, of
which there are eleven Avithin the island. He takes probate
of all testamentary writings; and, in case of litigation, esta
blishes or annuls the Avill; and, in default of executors ap
pointed by the testator, issues letters of administration, ac
cording to the rules of law.
The judges of the courts of civil and criminal judicature,
and the justice of the peace can neither be appointed nor
removed Avithout the concurrence of the council. A neAV
commission of the peace is issued by each governor, as soon
as possible after his arrival, composed of persons recommend
ed by the council. The governor appoints the two masters
in chancery, the escheator and solicitor-general, the coro
ners of the several parishes, and* a captain of the ports.
The attorney-general, the judge of the court of vice-ad
miralty, the register in chancery, the clerk of the Crown,
the secretary and clerk of the council, the prothonotary,
provost-marshal, and naval officer, are appointed by pa
tent; and, with the exception of the two first, are all ex
ecuted by deputy, to the great injury of the colony. The
casual receiver and auditor-general receive their commis-.
sions from the Crown ; and the officers of the customs
have their appointments from the lords of the treasury.
Over each of these departments the governor possesses a
2

662 THE HISTORY
chap.viii. paramount controul ; he suspends, at will, all those offi
cers who have incurred his displeasure, and supplies, pro
tempore, all vacancies occasioned by death or stispen-
sion. The governor as vice-admiral, is entitled to the rights of
jetsdm, flotsam, and ligan* ; and, in time of war, being
himself previously authorized by the King, he issues his
Avarrantto the judge of the court of vice^admiralty to grant
commissions to privateers.
In case of the death or absence of the governor, the pre
sident of the council is directed by his M ajesty's instruc
tions to administer the government. To maintain the dig
nity of his station he is entitled to one-half the salary, and
Other emoluments of office, allotted by the Crown for the
support of its representative. But the inadequacy of this
provision is amply compensated by the liberality of the
legislature. It was formerly usual to allow the president
half the governor's colonial salary ; but in later times the
establishment has been increased to three thousand pounds.
His power differs in very few particulars frdm that of the
governor. He' cannot dissolve the assembly existing at the
time he assumes the government. Neither can he remove,

* JetsM, is Where goods fire castlMto the sea, and remain under water ; jtMi&irt,
is where they contjntfe swimming ; ligm, is where they are sunk, but tied to a cork,
or buoy. If no owner apjjsar, these articles belong to the governor, as vice-admi
ral ; but the lawful owner is entitled to recover thepossession, on proving his right.

OF BARBADOES 663
or suspend, any civil or military officer, without the con- CI^^Jn*
sent of at least seven members of council; nor can he
issue a new commisssion of the peace. In all other re
spects his authority is co-equal, and co-extensive Avith the
govern j/j.
The council consists of twelve members, Avhose appoint
ment is an act of the Crown, exercised on the recommen
dation of the commander in chief. By the courtesy of the
colonies they are styled honourable.' But holding their
seats by the precarious tenure of the royal will and plea
sure, and, in some measure, at the caprice of the governor,
they are supposed not to possess that independence which
is essential to an order of men whose rank, on the politi
cal scale of the colonies is equivalent to the peerage of -
England. Hence they do not, collectively, enjoy that de
gree of popular favour and confidence which is the exclu
sive privilege of the representatives of the people. As a
distinct branch of the legislature, their concurrence is ne
cessary in the passing of all laws. All bills unconnected
Avith the raising of supplies, or the disposal of the public
money, may originate Avith them. In their legislative ca
pacity, the freedom of discussion is expressly granted to
them by the royal instructions, but it is extremely circum- ,
scribed by the presence of the commander in chief; an
absurd custom, Avhich seems to have originated in the in
fancy of the colony, before the representative body was;

664 THE HISTORY
«™ called into existence ; and Avhich is, indisputably, a radical
defect in the colonial constitution.
As a council of state they stand in the same relation to
the governor as the privy council of Great Britain does to
the king ; and are bound by the solemn obligation of an
oath not to divulge any secret of government communi
cated to them in that character. As privy counsellors they
assist the governor Avith their advice, and are intended to
be a check upon him, if he should attempt to exceed his
commission and instructions ; a feeble check indeed, since
it is easy for him, by virtue of his prerogative, to throw
off the rein, and pursue the bent of his own inclinations.
For, although, as has been Avell remarked by the elegant
historian of the. West Indies, every governor is directed,
by his instructions, to advise Avith his council 'bri most oc
casions, he is competent to act in all cases, not only with
out, but even against their concurrence. AnsAverable only
to his Sovereign, his proceedings are legal and efficient to
all intents and purposes within the colony.
The house of assembly is composed of twenty-tAvo dele
gates, ,or deputies, annually elected, twc> for each parish,
by the body of the people. Of the qualifications of the
candidates and the electors due notice has been taken in a
former chapter bfi this work. On the expiration, or disso
lution of the assembly, the governor immediately issues
writs, directed to the senior counsellor in each parish, qr,
in the absence of a member of council, to any substantial,

OF BARBADOES. G6&
freeholder, requiring him to summon the freeholders to CHAP
meet, within fifteen days after notice being given at their
parish church, and to make choice of two able and
discreet persons of their own body to represent them in the
general assembly. The person thus authorised to convene
the freeholders, is the sheriff for the occasion, and makes a
return of the writ, with a certificate of the election, to the
governor, on his next sitting in council, when the represen
tatives also meet, and take the state oaths in his excellency's.
presence. Having performed this ceremony, which is also.
repeated on the accession of every new commander in, chief*
the assembly proceed to the choice of a speaker, Avhom
they present for his excellene}^ approbation- If the choice
is confirmed, the speaker, in due parliamentary form, de
mands from the representative of the Crown, the usual
privileges of the house. This done, they possess, within
the colony, the same legislative authority Avhich belongs to
the house of commons. All money bills must originate
with them ; though, as we have had frequent occasion to.
remark, they have often suffered this invaluable privilege
to be encroached upon, by admitting the council to amend
their bills of that description. They exercise the right
of expelling any of their members Avho have been guilty of
any heinous crime, and may grant leave of absence to any
of them, not exceeding, four at a time, for the term of six
months. In case of the death, or expulsion of a member*
the house addresses the governor to issue a writ for the elec-
4 Q

4%& THE HISTORY
ch^xvui. tion of a pe*son to supply the vacancy. They determine ail
controverted elections, and can adjourn themselves from
day to day; but no longer adjournments are valid bu
sueh as .are made by tlje commander in chief; who has*
power to* donvene fhem\#teneyer he' thinks proper.
-¦• Besides the choice of their chaplain, clerk and marshal,
i&e Assembly have successively assumed the appointment-
-of an agent, treasurer, store-keeper of the magazine,
comptroller of the excise, a guager of wine in each of the
four toAvns, a. harbour-masleiyan inspector ofLweights audi
measures, and tAvelve inspectors of cotton. To the office*
of treasurer, store keeper and comptroller of the excise,
the members of the assembly succeed in triennial rotation
.and farm them at an annual rent, to the person by Avhon*
they are executed ; who enters into recognizances before the
commander in chief for the faithful performance of thear
¦duty. No money can be issued from the treasury, nor stores
from the magazine, but in consequence of orders under
the governors sign manual. Nor can the treasurer
appropriate the pnbli© *n^aey~*o^aiiy use^whatever not
expressly warranted by laAv,
Four members of council, nominated by the commander
in chief* and six of the assembly, chosen by the speaker
¦constitute a committee for the examination and settlement
of the treasurer's accounts- and of all others relating to the
public expenditure. A committee of correspondence con
sisting of three counsellors and four assemblymen, are

OF BARBADOES. £67
appointed to Correspond Avith the agent in England. . The c^!™*
commissioners of fortifications are composed of the members
of council, the members of the assembly and the field offi
cers -of the militia resident < in each division. They possess
extensiA-e powers, in ordering .^atever repairs tliey may
deem necessary to the forts. Nine members of council
«,nd twelve of the assembly compose the mole-head Com
mittee. From the ruined state in which the pier has been
suffered to remain for more than tAventy six years, with
ample funds to commence its reparation, it would seem
that the members of this boarcFhave forgotten fhat they
have a duty to perform. ;
The judicature of the island consists of five courts of
common pleas, each composed of a chief judge and four
assistants, appointed by the governor's commission under
the great seal. They commence their sittings on the last
Monday in January and continue them, by adjournments,
every four weeks, until September. Appeals in all causes
above ten pounds value may be had to the courts of error
and equity ; ' and tfteircef -m «rery ; case of litigation
exceeding five hundred pounds, an ulterior appeal lies to
the king in council. The court of exchequer is held by a
chief baron and four puisne barons, of Avhom, as in the
other courts, three are competent to hear and determine
all matters at issue. T-fee court of chancery, composed^
xts has been already observed, of the government and
council, of whom five make a quorum, sits monthly, except
4Q 2

668 THE HISTORY OF BARBADOES.
enA^xvin. on' ".particular*,^ occasions Avhich require greater dispatch, or
?will admit of longer delay.
A court of grand sessions of oyer and terminer, general
gaol delivery, -and general sessions of the peace, is held
i^icera year. It is formed ^by,, a chief justice; .appointed
by the governor and council, assisted by at least five jusr
^ticda of the peace. The chief justice is generally a meriv
ber of the council, or a judge of one of the courts of comr-
mon pleas. Six freeholders from each parish are sunx-
.iponed to attend the court by virtue of thejgoyei'rior,s
..wriV directed toTtheseniOrTnember of council in each pa
rish ; or, in his absence, to any justice of the peace ; or
should there be no such magistrate in the parish, to any
substantial freeholder. From among the persons thus" in
differently chosen, the grand inq.uest and petty juries are
selected. This court may continue its session for four days,
and possesses a plenitude of power, in all criminal cases,
affecting even the life of the offender. In all inferior
voffences the governor may remit the punishment imposed^
*by'the court; .and, even in capitab cases*- such "as murder
andtreason, he may reprieve the convict until the king's
-pleasure is^kno wn . FINIS.

J. G. Bernard, Printer, Sno^-Hill,

YALE UNIVERSITY

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