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HISTORY

OF THE

BRITISH COLONIES.

R. MONTGOMERY MARTIN, F.S.S.

MKMBKR or THK * ASIATIC* AND OW THK ' UBDICAL ANI» PHYSICAL* tOCIBTiBS OP

BBNOAf.. AUTHOR OP * TAXATION OP TBB BRITISH BMPIRB,* OP TRB

' POLITICAL, FINANCIAL, AND COMMBRCIAL CONDITION OP TRB

ANOLO.RA8TERN BMPIRB,' &C. ftC.

IN FIVE VOLUMES.

VOLUME II.

POSSESSIONS IN THE WEST INDIES.

' Far as the breeze can bear — the billows foam —
Survey our Empire !'

LONDON:
COCHRANE AND M'CRONE,

11, WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL.
MDCCCXXXIV.

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LONDON :
PRINTED BT W. NICOL, 51, PALL If ALL.

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ILLUSTRATIONS-
GENERAL Map of the West Indies • to face title page

Map of British Guyana page 1

Map of Jamaica . . 137

Map of Trinidad 213

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INTRODUCTION

TO THB

SECOND VOLUME

or THB

HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLONIES.

Europe emerging from the dark ages which for centuries
had shrouded the genius of her sons, was roused from her
long lethargy at the close of the 15th century, one of those
memorable epochs when the human mind bursts through
the shackles of ignorance and prejudice, thinks for' itseU;
and approxhnates yet closer to the maximum of intelli-
gence allotted unto mortals. The invention* of the art of
printing, the discovery of the compass and astrolabe, the
knowledge of gunpowder, &c. &c., all conduced at this period
to stimulate men to investigate hypotheses heretofore neg-
lected, and among the speculative opinions of the day was
the possible existence of a Western Continent The master-
mind of Prince Henry of Portugal had already traced the
African shores to the Cape Verd isles, and meditated a
passage round the Southern cape to the rich kingdoms of
the East ; — an obscure navigator, yet bolder, contemplated a
shorter route across the wild and heretofore unknown waste

* I Bay invention and discovery as in common parlance, but it is more
than probable that what were then termed discoveries was merely imported
infohnation from China and the eastern hemisphere, where printing, the
compass, astrolabe, gunpowder, &c. were long known.

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11 INTRODUCTION.

of the western waters, where it had long been surmised a vast
transatlantic territory gave rotundity and balance to the
world. Then was the tradition remembered^ that at a period
of time indefinitely remote, there existed a vast insular ter-
ritory, stretching beyond the coasts of Africa and Europe^
which bore the appellative of Atlantis; and that for three
days this western land was shaken to its foundations by the
incessant and hourly increasing concussions of an earth-
quake^ when it at length yielded to the irresistible and un-
seen mysterious power, and sunk with its immense population
beneath the bosom of the ocean !* Nor ware the chronicles
of Wales forgotten — namely, that in 1170, Madoc son to
Owen Qtineihy Prince of Wales, seeing his two brethren
at debate who should inherit, prepared certain ships with
men and munition and left his country to seek adventures by
sea: leaving * Ireland N, he sayled W. till he came to a land
vnknown : returning home and relating what pleasant and
fruitfiill countries he had seene, without inhabotantSy and for
what barren ground his brethem and kindred did murther
one another, he provided a number of ships, and got wi<li
him such men and women as were desirous to liue in quiet-
nesse, who arrived with him in this new land, in the yeare
ilTO.t
As if in confirmation of these statements, pieces of curiously

• Tliis is the recorded tradition of Plato and the ancients, and on ex-
auiinin^the f^eological featum of the different West Indian islatids, intlie
following pages there will be found a remarkable confirmation of the
earthquake tradition : in particular vide * Bermudas' chapter.

t I notice these events in order to induce the attention of the rising
generation to the geogrnphy of our possessions, which is so little known
even in the highest quarters, that Berbice is marked {primed) in an offciml
document in the House of Commons as an islmkd^ and placed among the
Bahamas !

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INTRODUCTION. lU

carved woodylarge jointed reeds,aiidtreesof a kind unknown in
Europe, were picked up to the westward of Cape St. Vincent^
and at the Azores after long continued westerly winds. At
Flores the bodies of two human beings were washed ashore,
whose colour and features were distinct from those of any
heretofore seen men; and a singularly wrought canoe was also
driven on the same coast. Several Portuguese navigators
thought they had seen three islands when driven far to the
westward, and the sons of the discoverer of Terceira perished
in seeking them, while the legends of the Scandinavian voyagers
told of a mysterious Yin-land, enveloped in danger, and sur-
rounded by the awful superstitions of the northern mariners.*
Urged by these and many other indications, as also by some
sound geographical reasonings, Columbus, a Grenoese seaman,
of a hardy diaracter, and chivalrous spirit — ^imbued with th€f
religious enthusiasm of the times, and actuated by a lofty
desire for fame, after in vain tendering his services to several
European monarchs, finally engaged in the employ of the
politic Ferdinand and magnanimous Isabella of Castile and
Arragon, sailed from Palos with two barks or caravals and a
decked ship, on the 3rd of August 1492, and on the I2ih of Oct.
set at rest a long agitated question by discovering and landing

* Among the visions and delusions of the day was that recorded of the
inhabitants of the Canary isles, who imagined chat from time to time they
beheld a vast island to the westward, with lofty mountains and deep vallies.
It was said to be distinctly seen in cloudy or hazy weather, or only for
short intervals, while sometimes in the clearest atmosphere not a trace of
it was visible. The Canary people were so convinced of the reality of the
island, that they applied for and obtained permission from the King of
Portugal to fit out various expeditions in search of it, but in vain ; the
island, however, still continued to deceive the eye occasionally, and it was
identified by many with the legendary isle alleged to have been discovered
by a Scottish Priest St. Brandan in the 6th century, and was actually
laid down in several old cliarts, as St. Brandan's or St. Borodon's isle.

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IV INTRODUCTION.

one of the Bahama islands, now in our possession, and called
by its discoverer San Salvador.

Cuba was the next island of importance discovered ; then
Haiti or St. Domingo, where the Spaniards formed a colony,
and gave the isle die name of Espanola (Hispaniola.) It
would be out of place to detail the further progress of mari-
time adventure : in the three succeeding voyages of Columbus,
the main land near Trinidad, and several islands were ex-
plored, and as years rolled on, the Spuiiards extended their
colonies to Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, Porto Rico, &c. and'
finally to Mexico and Peru, under adventurers such as Cortez.

For some years die Spaniards were left in almost undis-
puted possession of the West Indies ; but the French and
English* began to molest them, the former in 1536, the latter
in 1565, under the command of Captain Hawkins ; in 1572,
by the celebrated Francis Drake ; and in 1595, by Sir Walter
Raleigh. The commencement of the 17th century saw the
first British colonization on the West India islands, (the
French and Dutch had been previously settling themselves
on the main land at Guyana, and on several islands not occu-
pied by the Spaniards,) and Barbadoes was occupied by the
servants of Sir William Courteen, in 1624. {Vide chapter on
Barbadoes.)

* Tbe first Eaglish vessck seen in the West Indies, were two ships
of war, under Sebastian Cabot and Sir Tboinas Pert, vice admiral
of England, in 1517. They touched at the coast of Brazil, and then
proceeded to Espanola and Porto Rico. The first trading English
vessel that viuted the islands, arrived at Porto Rico in 1519, being, as was
said by the captain, sent by the King to ascertain the state of those islands^
of which there was so much talk in Europe. The Spaniards at St* Do-
mingo fired on her, and compelled her to return to Porto Rico. The
Governor blamed them for not sinking her, and preventing any dis-
Bcmiuation in England of a knowledge of the West Indies.

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INTRODUCTION. V

For the next half century, the progress of English and
French settlement in the West Indies was extremely rapid.
Various disputes arose as to first location ; in some instances
the subjects of each nation resided on the same island^ parti-
tioning it between them, or alternately expelling each other,
{vide Montserrat chapter), and as> war raged in Europe be-
tween the chief nations, it was carried on in the West with
a. bitterness and fiiry outvying that waged in the Old World.
The Revolution and subsequent Restoration in England,
helped to people the Western isles, (vide Jamaica chapter),
and freedom of commercial adventure, and a bold enterprize in
unison with the spirit of the age, increased the wealth and
European inhabitants of the New World. The close of the
eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth centuries, were
marked by the most terrible European wars that ever de-
vastated the earth; its effects extended to the colonies of
the contending combatants; — ^for eighteen years England
waged against France and Spain the most destructive hosti-
lities on the transatlantic shores, and in 1810, Britain had
captured every West India island belonging to any Power at
war with her in Europe.

At the downfall, in 1815, of that extraordinary meteor,
who seems to have been sent on earth to teach a lesson to
arbitrary rulers, and afford an example of the instability of all
human greatness, a restoration and repartitioning of the West
India Islands took place, and tkey have since remained under
the government of the English, French, Spaniards, Danes,
and Dutch — as marked on the Map prefixed to this volume.
This concise notice of the settlement and acquisition of the
islands, will be found sufficiently amplified under each posses-
sion; but before directing the reader to the several chapters

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vi INTRODUCTION.

for the details referred to, I must briefly advert to the ori-
ginal and present popuUtion of the West Indies.

When Coluiobus first discovered the New World, he found
.flie whole cdntinenty and every island however small, densely
peopled with a mild, and just, and generous race of men, (I
do not allude to the Caribs scattered throughout the Archipe*
lagp, and preying, or rather feasting on their fellow-creatures),
with skins of a copper or light bronze colour, long silky black
hair; finely formed limbs, and pleasing features ; in some in-
stances warlike, and dvilized to no mean extent ; in others,
living in luxurious idleness, under the enervating efiects of a
tropical clime. Such were the Indians, among whom history
records some of the rarest instances of true heroism that man
has ever been ennobled by.

Within a few short years after the discovery of the W. I.
islands by the Spaniards, they had for the greatest part perished,
— milions of them had been swept from the face of the earth like
ao many ants from an ant-hill,* — countless myriads sank into the
grave by reason of the avarice of a mere handful of desperate,
immoral, and murderous adventurers from the west ! This is
one of the extraordinary, the inscrutable, the awful dispen^^
sations of Providence, which it is forbidden to mortals to
divine ; the human mind dwindles with all its boasted wisdom

• Bensom states, that of 2,000,000 Indians of the island of Hispaniola,
(St. Domingo or Haiti), when discovered by Columbus, in 1492, not more
tlian 0ne hundred and fifty were alive in 1645 ! The Indians in Cuba, to
avoid working in the mines, destroyed themselves in great numbers, not-
withstanding all the efforts of the Spaniards to prevent them. The men,
women, and children of a village containing fifty houses, have been found
at daylight all hanging to the trees ! In the Jam^ca and Trinidad chap-
ters, will be found illustrations of the cruel treatment of the Indians by the
Spaniards, who absolutely fed their dogs on the flesh of their fellow-
creatures, whom they shot or slew when th^r bodies were required.

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INTRODUCTION. VU

into utter insignificance, when attempting to fathom the in-
tentions of the Almighty; and I merely record the fact, in
order to indaee the condemnation of the most terrible event
in the moral history of oiir species, and to show how weafc^
how powerless, how. pitiful is man, either as an individual, or
when congregated into society, in attempting to resist the
decrees of Heaven*.*

I pass from this melancholy truth to glance at another
event scarcely less astounding, as regards its long and
desolating continuance, I allude to the slave trade, Wheii the
Spaniards found how rapidly the aboriginal or Indian popu-
lation of the West India isles perbhed under the syst^n of
forced labour, and beneath the tyranny of their krule, the ex-
pedient of introducbg negro slaves from Africa was resorted to,
and that infernal traffic in human blood and agony — doubly
^urst to the enslaver and to the enslaved — sprang into deadly
and ferocious activity. The exunple of the Spaniards was
soon followed by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and
English ;f companies for the horrid traffic were formed —

* Some retributi?e justice lias already been dealt out to Spain by the
Supreme Disposer of events. At one period the Spaniards possessed en«
tirely tbe Floridas, Mexico, Darien, Terra Firma, Buenos Ayres, Paraguay,
Chili, Peru, and California ; they arc now utterly expelled from every one
of these possessions, their dominion execrated, and new and flourishing
republics are rising on the ruin of their once valuable colonies.

t In the year, 1503, the Portuguese, who had settlements in Africa, had
begun to send negro slaves into the Spanish settlements in America, and
in 1511, Ferdinand the Fifth permitted them to be carried in greater num-
bers. Bartholomew de las Casas, the Bishop of Chiapa» actuated with a
desire to save the lives of the Indians, promoted the traffic -, but Cardinal
Xunenes perceiving the injustice and probable ill effects of the scheme,
discouraged it, and it experienced a partial interruption. Nevertheless, be-
fore the close of that century the African slave trade was carried on by
natives of nearly all the maritime states of Europe, and in after time%
prohpudori by the United States of America.

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Vm iXTRODUCTION.

monopolies granted, and Kings, Princes, and Nobles enriched
their coffers with the price of human blood.

About thirty mUUong of our fellow creatures have, been
dragged from their native homes, shipped like cattle in chains
to a distant land, worked like the beasts of the field, shot
like dogs if they murmured forth a claim in behalf of humanity
— and finally they have (with few exceptions) pined and pe-
rished under the cruelties, avarice, and brutality, of a hand-
ful of Europeans, — for of the thirty millions exported from
Africa to the W. Indies* since the commencement of the six-
teenth century, not half a million of the original slaves, or of
their unmixed descendants, are now in existence !

I cannot in this instance, no more than in the former, pene^
irate the ways of God towards man, — of the Being who de-
clareth that * He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he
be found in his hands, he shall surely be put to death.' ExocL
xxi. 16. I have careftdly studied the pages of W. India his-
tory which chronicle the deeds of upwards of 300 years, and

The first instance of an Englishman engaging in the traffic occurred in
the year 1662, when Sir John Hawkins, in his first voyage to Africa and
Hispaniola, carried slaves ; and on his return deceived his mistress. Queen
Elizabeth, in the report which he made of his proceedings. The Queen is
stated to have expressed her concern, lest any of the Africans should be
carried off without their free consent, and declared, ' that it would be de-
testable, and call down the vengeance of Heaven upon the undertakers/
Hall, the naval historian, has the following remarkable observations on this
fact : ' Here began the horrid practice of forcing the Africans into slavery,
an injustice and barbarity which, so sure as there is vengeance in Heaven
for the worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction of all who allow
or encourage it/

The African Company, formed in the reign of Charles H., granted by
letters patent, an exclusive right of trade to Queen Catherine, Mary (the
Queen Dowager), the Duke of York, and others, forming a royal company,
who carried on a traffic in slaves to the extent of .j^00,000 per annum.

* Naff a miliian of negroes were imported into Jamaica from Africa,
during the first half of the 1 8th century.

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INTRODUCTION. ix

I find nothing but wars^ usurpations^ crimes^ misery and
vice :* — no green spot in the desert of human wretchedness on
which the mind of a philanthropist would love to dwell; — all
— all is one revolting scene of infamy, bloodshed, and unmiti-
gated woe. Slavery (both Indian and Negro) that blighting
upas, has been the curse of the West Indies ; it has accom-
panied the white colonist, whether Spaniard, Frenchman, or
Briton, in his progress, tainting, like a plague, every incipient
association, and blasting the efforts of man, however originally
well disposed by its demon-like influence over the natural
virtues with which his Creator had endowed him — leaving all
dark, and cold, and desolate within.

But now a glorious and happier era bursts upon the Western
World, it difiuses the light of a new existence over the soul,
Liberty is the spirit it has awakened — already her voice re-
sounds along the beautifull hills and through the fertile val-
lies of the West, and is swept over the ocean to the utter-
most bounds of the earth., Long may England wear the
crown of glory that encircles her with an halo far brighter
than that of all her conquests and battles ; millions of the
human race will bless her name for ages to come, and
Afric's swarthy sons will pour forth prayers to the Giver of
all good, for her honour and prosperity. She was the last
nation in Europe to enter into that accursed traflic in human

* In 1730 the legislature of Bermuda passed an act, giving impunity to
the murderers of slaves ; if, hovtrever, it amid be proved that a person had
wilfully and maliciously killed a slave he was liable to be fined 10/. in
current money, towards the support of the government ! If the murderer
was not the owner of the slain slave, he was, in addition, to pay the ap-
praised value of the dead slave to the owner. What a picture of society
does this Legislative Act in 1730 evince? In some of the islands emas-
culation was resorted to for the punishment of rebellious negroes, in
preference to taking away life, because that was of value to the owner of
the slave. What refined and demoniac cruelty !

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X INTRODUCTION,

beings, — to her eternal honour be it said, she was the first
to relinquish it — to strike the manacle from the slave, — to bid
the bond go free !

Tell me not that Christianity has no power over the soul
when we ^tness the consummation of this splendid act, of
which the history of paganism affords no parallel. Slavery
we are told existed from the period when time was, and for
four thousand years has continued to afflict the earth ; under
the benign influenceof <>Kr* Christian faith It ceases on tlte
first day of August f Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-four;^^
it ceases throughout an Empire on which the -sun never sets ;
and myriads ^ redeemed, regenerated, disenthralled,*' walk
forth in all the majesty of freedom.!

listoopjiot to answer the impious assertion, that the image

* I say * our ' without any feeling of bigotry, in reference to Roman
Catholic countries which still tolerate the traffic in slaves.

t Progress of Slave AboiiITxon. It must be grateful to a British
mind to learn that, at an early period of our colonial history, negro slavery
was reprobated by many public writers. Early in the sixteenth century,
it was also discountenanced by Cardinal Ximenes, by Charles V. of Spain,
by Pope Leo X., and by the Spanish Dominican Friars. Queen Elizabeth
would also have discountenanced it, had the facts been known to her.
Milton, and many others, have left on record their solemn protests against
it. The sublime Poet of Paradise thus inveighed against this crying sin:

' O execrable son, so to aspire
Above his brethren, to himself assuming
Authority usurpt from God, not given ;
He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl.
Dominion absolute ; that right we hold
•By his donation ; — but man over men
He made not lord, such title to himself
Reserving, human left from human free.'

Also, Morgan Oodwyn, in a little book entitled ' The Negro's and
Indian's Advocate,' published in 1680 ; the celebrated Richard Baxter, in
his * Christian Directory ;* Thomas Trygon, in his ' Negro's Complaint,'
&c. ; John Wool man, in ' Considerations on keeping Negroes ;' Anthony

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INTRODUCTION. xi

of the Creator, made in his likeness, and imbued with a por-
tion of his divine spirit^ was bam to a state of slavery, —
Veluti pecon, — ^prona— obedientia rentri.
I heed not the physical care which may, and no doubt has, in
many instances been bestowed on the mere animal ; if the negro
were not a rational being, endowed with a mmd to reflect,
and with a soul to be saved, I might rest satisfied with

Benezet, in bis ^ History of Guinea/ &c. ; Southern, in his tragedy of
'Oronooko, 1696;' Dr.Primatt; Hutcheson, in his 'Moral Philosophy^'
Foster, in his * Discourses on Natural Religion and Social Virtue ;' Sir
Richard Steele, in his story of ' Inkle and Yarico ;' Atkins, in his 'Voyage
to Guinea, Brazil, and the West Indies ;' Pope, in his ' Essay on Man /
Thomson, in his ^ Seasons ;' together with Richard Savage, Shenstone^
Dyer, and other poets ; also Wallis, Hughes, the celebrated Edmund
Burke, Dr. Haytcr, John Philmore, Malachi Postlethwaite, Thomas
Jeffery, Sterne, and Warburton, in their prose writings. To these may
be added, Rousseau and Baron Montesquieu. Granville Sharp, Esq. a
gentleman of undying benevolence, took up the subject with intense
energy in 1768 ; and by his noble exertions, the judges, after three days'
deliberations, made the memorable decree, that the moment a slave
touched the soil of England he was 9L/fee man. Since Mr. Sharp's time,
further efforts have been made in the hallowed cause of slavery abolition ;
among others, by Thomas Day, author of ' Sandford and Merton,' and
the ' Dying Negro,' published in 1773 ; Dr. Beattie, in his ' Essay on
Truth ;' Rev. John Wesley, who had been in America, and observed the
condition of the slaves, in his ' Thoughts on Slavery ;' Dr. Adam Smith,
in his 'Theory of Moral Sentiments,' and 'Wealth of Nations ;' Professor
Miller, in his ' Origin of Ranks ;' Dr. Robertson, in his ' Histories of
America,' and of ' Charles V. ;' the Abb^ Raynal ; Dr Paley, in his
' Moral Philosophy ;' Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, afterwards of
London, who published a sermon on negro slavery in 1776, which he had
preached before the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and
became, from that time, an active and powerful friend of the oppressed
Africans. In 1784, Dr. Gregory, also in his 'Historical and Moral
Essays,' gave a circumstantial detail of the slave trade, in terms calculated
to excite abhorrence of it. In the same year, Gilbert Wakefield preached
a sermon at Richmond, in Surrey, in which he censured the conduct of
Great Britain towards the Africans ; this sermon was also published. In
the same year, the Rev. James Ramsay, vicar of Tcston, in Kent, became

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Xil INTRODUCTION.

thinking of the careful attention bestowed on him as a beast
of burthen; but he has far higher qualifications; he is equally

an able, zealous, and indefatigable patron of the African cause ; in de-
fence of which he published an Essay on the Treatment and Conversion
of the African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies, 1784 ; An Inquiry
into the Effects of Abolition, 1784; A Reply to Personal Invectiven
and Objections, 1785; A Letter to James Tobin, Esq. 1787; Objections
to the Abolition of the Slave Trade, with Answers ; and An Examina-
tion of Harris's Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade,
in 1788 ; An Address on the proposed Bill for the Abolition of the Slave
Trade, 1789. In 1785, a celebrated work of M. Necker, the French finan-
cier, made its appearance in the English language, and was found to contain
some very forcible observations on the slave trade. In this year (1785),
the first petition to Parliament, excepting one from the Society of Friends,
was presented from the borough of Bridgewater, at the instance of the
Rev. G. White and Mr. John Chubb, of that town. In 1788, Capt. J. S.
Smith, of the royal navy, authorized the publication of a letter in vindi-
cation of the facts w^hich had been stated by Mr. Ramsay, and disputed
by the West India planters. In the same year, the poems of the celebrated
William Cowper made their appearance, containing many strong passages
against the slave trade and slavery. Thomas Clarkson, M. A. has been
eminently distinguished by his writings against slavery, as well as by his
indefatigable labours in the cause of abolition, from the first agitation of
the subject. His most considerable work is his ' History of the Abolition
of the Slave Trade,' in 2 vols. 8vo. published in 1808 ; it is a faithful and
afiecting narrative, which ought to hold a conspicuous place in every
Englishman's library. His other works are as follow : — ' An Essay on
the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, particularly the African,
translated from a Latin Dissertation, which was honoured with the First
Prize, in the University of Cambridge, for the year 1785 ;' * An Essay on
the Impolicy of the African Slave Trade, 1788;' with several smaller
productions.

To the names already mentioned must be added those of Peers of
Parliament, particularly Lords Grenville, Holland, and Teignmouth;
also Sir Wm. Dolben, Sir P. Francis, Sir S. Romilly, Sir J. Mackin-
tosh, Messrs. W. Wilberforce, W. Pitt, C. Fox, S. Whitbread, J.
Stephen, C. Grant, H. Gumey, G. Harrison, Z. Macaulay, Alex.
Falconbridge, H. Thornton, William Dylwyn, Sam. Bradbum, Capt.
Marjoribanks, Captain Layman, James Montgomery, Joseph Woods, N.
Vansittart, the Rev. R. Boucher Nichols (Dean of Middleham, in York-

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INTRODUCTION.' XIU

entitled with his white brethren to every right and privilege
of man,* and the alleged superior skill and intelligence of the

* To the argument founded on an alleged mental inferiority of the Afri-
can race, my friend, Mr. Thomas Fisher, has thus furnished me mih an
admirably reply, to which, if space permitted, I could offer many addi-
tional illustrations, from observations made by myself in Africa. ' The
following are a few instances of African negroes who have been mathema^-
ticians, physicians, divines, philosophers, linguists, poets, generals, and
merchants, all eminent in their attainments^ energetic in enterprise, and
honourable in character. I/annidal, a colonel in the Russian artillery, and
Lislet, of the isle of France (the latter of whom was named a corresponding
member of the French Academy of Sciences, on account of his meteoro-
logical observations') prove the capacity of the negroes for the mathematical
and physical sciences. Fuller, of Maryland, was an extraordinary example
.of quickness of reckoning. Being asked in a company, for the purpose of
trying his powers, how many seconds a person had lived, who was seventy
years and some months old ? He gave the answer in a minute and a half.
On reckoning it up after him, a different result was obtained; * Have you
not forgot the leap year ?' asks the negro. This omission was supplied^
and the number then agreed with his answer. Jac. Eliza John Capitem,
who was bought by a slave*dealer, when eight years old, studied theology
at Leyden, and published several sermons and poems. His ' Diuertatio de
ServHute Ltbertati Chriitianae non contraria,* that is Treatise of a Servitude
(or Bondage) not contrary to Christian Liberty, went through four editions
very quickly. He was ordained in Amsterdam, and went to Elmina, on
the Gold Coast, where it is believed he was either murdered, or consented
to return to the practices and opinions of his countrymen. In 1734,
ji. W, ArnOy an African from the coast of Guinea, took the degree of
Doctor in Philosophy, at the (Jniversity of Wittemberg. Friedig, in
Vienna, an African negro, was an excellent performer, both on the violin
and violincello ; he was also a capital draftsman, and had made a very suc-
cessful painting of himself. Ignatius SancAo, who was bom on board a
slave ship, on its passage from Guinea to the West Indies, and Gusfavui
Fasa, of the kingdom of Benin^ doth distinguished themselves as literary
characters, in this country. Toussaint Louverture, the negro general, and
Christophe, the negroe Emperor of Hayti, and his admiral, acquitted them-
selves with sufficient energy in war, to achieve the liberties of their country,
which is still governed by persons of African descent.'

shire), the Rev. John Newton, the Rev. J. Jamieson, the Rev. Abraham
Booth, the Rev. T. Burgess (afterwards Bishop of St. David's), Messrs.
Beaufoy, Josh. Hardcastle, W. Smith, T. F. Buxton, W. T. Money, H.

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XIV INTRODUCTION.

European over the Begro should make the former a kind friend,
instead of, as has formerly been too often the case, a cruel and

Brougham, with several others, who have advocated the cause of the
oppressed Africans, either in pamphlets, or in speeches^ which have been
afterwards printed and circulated through the country. H. R. H. the
Duke of Gloucester especially distinguished himself by becoming the
patron and president both of the African Institution and of the Anti-
Slavery Society.

The Society of Friends, or Quakers, warmly espoused the cause of
humanity. The members of this community have long been, individually
and collectively, both in principle and practice, opposed to the enslave-
ment of the African race. So far back as the year 1671> it was adverted
to in an address delivered by the celebrated George Fox to the inhabitants
of Barbadoes. He was supported in his views and conduct by his col-
league, William Edmundson. The first public censure on the traffic^
passed by the society in its collective capacity, bears date in the year
1727> in which year it was resolved, 'That the importing of negroes from
their native country and relations, by Friends, is not a commendable nor
allowed practice, and is therefore censured by this meeting.' The same
sentiment was more emphatically urged upon the attention of the mem-
bers of this society in 1756, and has been since that time very frequently
reiterated in an improved form, as the subject has been better understood,
and the evils of slavery more distinctly perceived. In 1761, it was re-
solved to disown any member of the Society of Friends, who should have
any concern in the traffic in slaves. In 1733, the society petitioned the
English Parliament for the abolition of the slave trade, and it was the
first public body which adopted that course. From that time till the pre-
sent moment, its exertions for the suppression of the slave trade, and
emancipation of the slaves, have been indefatigable. The Friends have, at
a great expense, circulated information upon the subject ; and it is now
adverted to, as often as occasion presents, at the yearly meetings of the
society.

Nor let me omit to state that the University of Cambridge frequently
petitioned Parliament for the abolition of the slave trade, until that object
was obtained ; and it has since distinguished itself by petitioning the
House of Commons for the abolition of slavery.

Among the earliest friends of the cause in Parliament were Sir Charles
Middleton (afterwards Lord Barham), William Wilberforce, Esq. and the
Right Honourable William Pitt, then Chancellor of the Exchequer. The
latter, on the 9th of May, 1788, submitted a resolution to the House of
Commons, 'That this House will, early in the next session of Parliament,

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INTRODUCTION. XV

avaricious tyrant^ prompted only to kindness by the despicable
motives of self interest. Slavery, however, has now received

proceed to take into consideration the circumstances of the slave trade,
complained of in the said petitions, and what may be fit to be done
therein.' The. House, after some debate, agreed to this motion. Several
distinguished members of the House delivered their sentiments, on the
occasion, particularly the late Right Honourable C. J. Fox, the Right
Honourable Edmund Burke, Mr. S. Whitbread, Sir William Dolben, Sir
James Johnson, a' planter, Mr. Bastard, Mr. L. Smith, Mr. Grigby, and
Mr. Pelham, who were all favourable to the motion. Lord Penrhyti and
Mr. Gascoyue, the members for Liverpool, admitted the evils of the trade
although their constituents considered themselves as having a great in-
terest in its continuance.

Sir William Dolben having expressed himself particularly anxious to
apply an immediate remedy to the crying evils of the middle passage, a
short regulating act was brought in, and passed the House of Commons,
It also passed the House of Lords, after considerable opposition, especially
from the then Lord Chancellor, Thurlow. Upon the whole, the cause of
the oppressed Africans appeared to gain strength during the parliamentary
session of the year 1788.

From this time tiU the passing of the first Abolition Act, in 1806, the
subject did not rest in Parliament. Those who were friendly to the cause,
and cherished a desire to see the slave trade abolished, continued inde-
fiettigable in their exertions to procure information, with a view to en-
lighten the members of both houses ; (among those, Mr. Thomas Clark-
son deserves honourable mention ; his valuable life may be said to have
been devoted to this holy cause.) And on the 12th of May, 1789, Mr.
Wilberforce laid upon the table of the House of Commons twelve pro-
positions, deduced from the report of the Committee of Privy Council,
stating the number of staves annually brought from the African shores ;
the means by which they were procured ; their treatment ; the average
loss of British seamen and of slaves in the transit voyage, or, as it was
more commonly called, the middle postage ; also the average mortality of
newly-imported slaves in the West Indies. These propositions Mr. Wil-
herfore prefaced by a brilliant address to the House, which obtained for
him its plaudits, and he was supported by Mr. Burke, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox,
Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville, and other distinguished members ; but
the opponents of the cause, among whom were to be reckoned Aldermen
Watson, Sawbridge, and Newnham, three of the members for the city of
London, refused to be satisfied with the facts contained in the evidence
then before them, and required further testimony. To this the House

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XVI INTRODUCTION.

its death blow, not merely in the British colonies, but through-
out the civilized world ;* England has paid the penalty of her

* In 1807> the foreign slave trade was abolished throughout the United
States, by the Act of Congress, a revolting internal slave trade still, how-
ever, exists in the Southern States, and nearly 2,000,000 of wretched beings
are there in bondage. Mexico abolished the slave trade in 1824, and
Buenos Ayres, Chili and Columbia since the treaty of Vienna. The Con-
ventional Assembly of France, in 17^4, abolished slavery, but the Act
became void. Buonaparte, on his return from £lba in 1815, again decreed
its abolition, but the Bourbons had neither the wisdom, humanity, or
gratitude, to carry his decree into execution. England has paid nearly half
a million of money to Spain and Portugal, for the suppression of the slave
trade, but without a final effect. Now is the moment to enforce it, and to
invite the co-operation of France and the United States for the abolition of
internal slavery.

acceded, and the examination of witnesses commenced at the bar of the
House. The question was, in consequence, deferred till the following
session ; but before the Parliament adjourned. Sir llVilliam Dolben ob-
tained the renewal of his regulating act.

In 1790, the examination of witnesses against the slave trade proceeded
in the House of Commons, but not without opposition.

In 1791, it was resumed and completed; and, on the I8th of April, a
motion was made by Mr.Wilberforce on the evidence taken, for prevent-
ing all further importation of slaves from Africa, which, after a long and
warm debate, was lost by a majority of 75 votes, the numbers being for it
88, against it 163.

On the 2nd of April, 1792, Mr.Wilberforce moved the House, that
•The trade carried on by British subjects for the purpose of obtaining
slaves on the coast of Africa, ought to be abolished.' This proposition,
after a long discussion, was agreed to by the House of Commons, with a
limitation that the abolition should not take place till 1796 ; but when it
was brought up to the House of Lords, the discussion of it was postponed
till the following session, and their Lordships determined, in the interim,
to receive further evidence.

Mr. Wilberforce, in his introductory speech in Parliament, this session,
stated some dreadful instances of mortality, which had happened on board
of slave ships during the middle passage, particularly that one ship, with
a cargo of 602, had lost 155; another, with 450 slaves, 200 j another,
with 466 slaves, 73 ; and another, with 546 slaves, 158; and that out of

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INTRODUCTION. XVll

past wickednessy she must follow up her atonement by liie
performance of justice towards the colonists and their former

the survivors in the four ships, after the voyage was completed, 220 had
died on shore in the West Indies. The discussions relative to the slave
trade, were moreover conducted in this session with less command of
temper than they had -previously been on the part of the friends of that
trade, who began to distinguish their opponents by the terms yana/ic, mnfi
ipeculatuty or aboliiiouut.

Notwithstanding the discouragements in the House of Lords the qQes*"
tion was not allowed to rest after the session of 1792. In 1793 a motion
was made by Mr. Wilberforce in the House of Commons to renew the
resolution of the preceding year, which motion was lost, as was another
for the abolition of a foreign slave trade, then carried Oh by British oa:pu
talists upon British bottoms. The proceedings in the House of Lords
were also remarkable this yoar for (he opposition given in that house M
the cause of the Africans : but some progress was made there in the hear^
ing of evidence.

In the year 1794 the motion to abolish the foreign slave trade was re-
newed by Mr. Wilberforce in the House of Commons, where it was
carried, but was afterwards negatived by the House of Lords, who, never-
theless, made some small progress in the hearing of evidence.
• In February, 1795, Mr. Wilberforce moved in the House of Commons
for leave to bring in a bill for the abolition of the slave trade. This mo*
tion had then become necessary, if, according to the former resolution of
that House, already mentioned, the slave trade was to cease in 1796«
The proposition was, nevertheless, rejected.

In the years 1796 and 1797 a temporary success attended the exertions
of Mr. Wilberforce in the House of Commons, but it ended in disappoint--
ment i the enemies of abolition having, in the latter year, by a recom-*
mendation that the Colonial Assemblies would adopt measures of
amelioration, parried the blow aimed at their system by the abolitionists.
This scheme of ameliaration was fovourably received by Parliament, where
it checked discussion, although it produced few good results in the West
Indies.

In 1798 Mr. Wilberforce attempted to renew his foriper bill for the
abolition of the slave trade within a limited time, but was again defeated^
although by a small majority, in a thin House ; the numbers being, for
the question, 83 ; against it, 87. Mr. Wilberforce and the friends of the
Africans, convinced that truth and justice were on their side, still per-
severed in their hallowed course, and in the following session, 1799, Mr.
Wilberforce renewed his motion in the House of Commons for the abo-

VOL. ir.

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XVIll INTRODUCTION.

bondsmen; the meaiiures involving which will be found in the
last chapter of this volume.* Ere, however, I close this brief

* I have only briefly adverted, under the head of St. Vincents, to the
present system of West Indian Governments or Lieut.-Govemorships, in
my fifth Volume the West India Colonists will I trust find their views
fully developed.

Mtion of the slave trade, but it was again lost. Another measure, pro^
posed by Mr. Henry Thornton, for limiting the trade to certain districti
of the African coast, had scarcely a better ftXe ; the bill passed the House
of Ck>mmon8, but, after much discussion, was lost in the Lords. The
years 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803, were, therefore, allowed to pass without
any effort being made in Parliament to abolish this odious traffic ; but in
the year 1804 Mr. Wilberforce revived the subject, and, after a very in.
teresting debate, obtained, by a large majority of 124 votes against 49,
leave to bring in a biU for the abolition of the slave trade. The bill was,
nevertheless, when brought in, opposed in every stage of it, but it fiaally
passed the House of Commons, and was sent up to the House of Lords.
There, in consequence of the advanced state of the session, the conside-
ration of it was postponed till the following year.

It was of course revived early in the session of 1805, and met, as usual,
with decided friends and strongly excited adversaries. At length the
question upon it was lost in the House of Commons, owing, as was be-
lieved, to the excessive confidence of its friends.

The good effects of these proceedingsf became at4ast visible ; an order
by his Majesty in Council, 1805, gave the first check to the English slave
trade, by interdicting the importation of slaves into British colonies, ex-
cept in certun cases; in the succeeding year, 1806, the prohibition was
confirmed by Act of Pariiament, (46 Geo. III. cap, 62), vriiich also pro*
hibited a British traffic in slaves for the supply of foreign colonies.
In June following, the House of Commons came to certiun resolu-
tions for the more effectual suppression of the African slave trade.
On the 25th March, 1807, an Act (47 Geo. III. cap. 36) was passed, pro-
hibiting the trade, under large penalties, and offering bounties to those
who might be instrumental in detecting it. This was followed by the
Act of 181 1, (51 Geo. III. cap. 23) declaring the slave inde/eloi^, and
subjecting those concerned in it to condign punishment. By a more re-
cent Act of Parliament, (4 Geo. IV, cap. 17) the traffic in shives by Bri-
tish subjects vras declared to be piracy. These proceedings were followed
up by the Government at home, by the colonists abroad, aad by Parlia-

t I am under obligations to the philanthropic llios. Fisher, Esq. kte of
the India House, for many of these vijuable chronological records.

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INTRODUCTION. XIX

introduction^ let me entreat the reader to peruse the detaik
under each W. L possession, indicating the numerous re^
sources of. the coloniesi and their manifold advantages to
England, even in a mere commercial point of view.* To de-

* The example of St. Domingo has been frequently cited as an instance of
the commercial and social nun which will be the effect of 8lave emancipa-
tion in the British Colonies. Nothing can be more erroneous than sudi
conclusions, in illustration of which I am happy in being able to furnish
the following summary of events, dravm up by my friend, Mr.Fbher.

* The Island of St. Domingo, now the Republic of Hayti, was formerly
the joint property of the French and Spaniards ; who had acquired their
rights in it, as such rights used to be acquired, by taking possession of the
land, and stocking it with a slave population. But in August, 1791, the
slaves on St, Domingo achieved their own freedom by that successful in-
surrection against their white masters, the guilt of which was most erro-
neously charged upon English Abolitionists*

It has been asserted that the blacks on St. Domingo, when they acquired
liberty, in 1791, murdered nearly all the whites: and that their conduct
upon that occasion was marked by great cruelty and atrocity. To this it
is justly replied, that it was so reported by deputies sent by the whites to
the French National Assembly ; but to do justice to the negroes, it is ne-
cessary to advert briefly to some other circumstances in the history of the
transactions referred to. When the French revolution, which decreed
equaUty of rights to all citizens, had taken place, the free people of colour
on St. Domingo, many of whom were persons of large property and liberal
education, petitioned the National Assembly, that they might enjoy the
same political privileges as the whites there. The subject of the petition
was not discussed till the 8th of March, 1790, when the Assembly agreed
upon a decree concerning it. The decree, however, was worded so ambi-
guously, that the two parties on St. Domingo, the whites and the people
of colour, interpreted it each of them in its own favour. This difference

ment, in framing regulations for ameliorating the physical condition of
the slaves, and providing for their moral and religious improvement.
The crowning of all this was the final abolition of negro slavery through-
out the British empire by the Act 3rd and 4th ll^^lllam IV. which comes
into operation the 1st August 1834, and has already been unqualifiedly
adopted without the apprenticeship clauses, by the Antiguans, (ride
chapter xi.), .^620,000,000 having been appropriated by Parliament for
compensation to the planters, as regards any loss they may sustain from
abolition. [For the projected allocation see chap, zvi.]

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XX INTRODVCTtON.

Telope those resources a more generous mercantile code
^nust be adopted; the interest of an enormous public debt,

of interpretation gave rise to animosities between them ; and these animo-
sities were augmented by political party spirit, according as they were
royalists or partisans of the French revolution ; so that disturbances took
place, and blood was shed.

' In the year 1791, the people of colour obtained from the Assembly iti
France another decree in explicit terms, which determined that they were
entitled to all the rights of citizenship in all the French islands, provided
they were bom of free parents on both sides. The news of this decree
liad no sooner arrived at the Cape, than it produced an indignation almost
amounting to phrenzy among the whites. They directly trampled mider
foot the national cockade ; and were with difficulty prevented from seiz-
ing all the French merchant ships in the roads. After this the two
parties armed against each other ; camps were formed, and, it is to be
deplored, that terrible massacres and conflagrations followed ; the reports
of which, when brought to the mother country, were so terrible, that the
Assembly in the same year abolished the decree in favour of the fiee people
t^ colour,

When the news of this last act reached St. Domingo, it occasioned as
"much irritation among the people of colour as the news of the passing of
it had produced among the whites ; and hostilities were renewed between
them, so that new battles, massacres, and burnings took place, which
compelled the Conventional Assembly to retrace their steps. They sent
out commissioners ,* who, after several attempts at pacification, emanci-
pated such blacks as were willing to range themselves under the banners
of the Republic; and in 1794, the National Convention emancipated the
whole remaining slave population, who immediately betook themselves to
courses of industry. In these transactions it must be evident, that the
slaves in the first instance were the mere engines employed by their
owners, by whom they were hurried on to excesses. If afterwards they
found a cause properly their own, and in any instance prosecuted it with
cruelty, it should be recollected that they had not been educated in the
principles of civilized society. Their whole experience in the colonies
had been limited to the contemplation of but one mrotive for human
action, and that motive was fear. They had witnessed great excesses of
cruelty practised by white men upon blacks ; and when the ehullitions of
their own rage and resentment, for injuries long endured, had burst all
the restraints of law, and they knew that the foe they had nused up
would, if triumphant, resort to still more execrable cruelties than he had
formerly practised, what wonder that in the use of power they should b«
implacably cruel, thus following the example of theu: wUte oppressors.

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iKTRODUcnOK* XXi

i£28fiO0,00O yearly) as well as a portion of the current
expenses of the nation, must be levied on some other
sources, instead of causing them to fall so heavily as they
now do on oUr colonial produce. Again, I repeat, we must
bring the trade of our transmarine possessions as nearly as
possible to that of a coasting traffic. Why should an
Englishman settling in any part of the empire be burthened
with enormous fiscal duties on the produce of his skill and
industry, for the benefit of some more favoured portion of his
fellow subjects? In the hope, therefore, that the present
era of social liberty is but the prelude to a state of commer*^
cial freedom, when the rich and varied products of our
colonies will be unsubjected to heavy fiscal restrictions and
legislative enactments, I close my labours on the Second

who certainly were not less so i The very worst part of the conduct of
the blacks on St. Domingo, in their struggle for their liberties, is many
shades less dark and diabolical than that of the cool calculating slave
trader, who navigates his vessel, freighted with fetters, manacles, thumb-
screws, and scourges, to the shores of an unoffending people, and, after
drawing numbers of them into his toils by employing the most satanic
arts, sacrifices the lives of nearly half of his cargo of human beings that
he may secure the others in a distant region, in a state of irremediable
bondage. The outrages of men struggling to regain their lost liberties
have too much of virtue in them to admit of any comparison with such
transactions as those of the slave trader.

The inhabitants of St. Domingo have since, as might naturally be ex«
pected, experienced some revolutionary struggles ; but although they are
in the very midst of slave colonies belonging to several European nations,
they are at this moment an independent negro state, under a republican
government, over which a native mulatto chief presides, and are daily in^
creasing in population (it is now 1,000,000, having doubled itself in 25
years) and improving in power, in intellectual cultivation, and all the
arts of civilization. Boyer, the President of the Republic of Hayti, has
thrice, viz. In 1814, 1816, and 1823, offered to compensate the former
proprietors for their losses; but France wished to stipulate for sove*
reignty, and to this the Haytians of course would not consent. One miU
lion francs have been presented to Lafitte by the St. Domingans, for the
losses he may have sustained by his projected Haytian loan.

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XXIV CONTENTS.

Chapter VII. — Bu-badoes ; Locality ; History ; Phydical aspect ; Climate -,
Population; Productions; Commerce; Education; Property; Govem-
menty &c p. 312

Chapter VIIL — St. Lucia ; Locality ; History ; Aspect ; Climate ; Popu*
lation; Commerce; Weights and Measures; Revenue; Monies; Go>
vemment, &c. .- p. 329

Chapter IX. — Dominica; Locality; History; Pliysical aspect ; Geology;
Climate; Population; Resources; Commerce; Finance; Govemment,
&c. &c p. 336

Chapter X. — Montserrat ; Locality ; History ; Physical Aspect ; Geology;
Ph)ductions; Population ; Commerce ; Government, &c p. 348

Chapter XI. — ^Antigua ; Locality ; History ; Aspect ; Geology ; Climate ;
Vegetation; Ichthyology; Population; Commerce; Revenue; Govern-
ment, &c p. 354

Chapter XII.— St. Christopher's or St. Kitt's, Nevis, Anguilla, Tortola,
&c.; Locality; Physical Aspect; Mountains; Rivers; Geology; Cli-
mate ; Population p. 367

Chapter XIII. — ^The Bahamas i Locality ; History ; Aspect ; Geology ;
Climate; Population; Productions; Finances; Government; Waste
lands, &c p. 385

Chapter XI V.— The Bermudas, or Somer Isles ; Locality ; History ; Phy-
sical aspect; Geologry; Climate; Population; Productions; Govern-
ment, &c p. 394

Chapter XV. — Honduras ; Locality ; Early history ; Physical aspect ;
Geology ; Climate ; Rivers and mountains ; Natural Productions ; Com-
merce ; Government ; Finances ; State of society, &c p. 399

Chapter XVI.— General West India Commerce ; principally in reference
to sugar, cefifee, cocoa, rum, molasses, &c« Tables of the Staple pro-
ductions of each Colony for a series of years. Impolicy of enormous
taxation in England on West India produce ; necessity of giving relief to
the planters by permitting them to carry on a direct trade with foreign
countries, and advantages to all parties of freeing our colonial commerce
from legislative restrictions and fiscal impositions ; proposed W. I. bank

. and projected allocation of the grant of j£20,000>000 to the W. Indian
planters p. 425

Appendix. — ^Official tables of W. I. commerce, shipping, and tropical pro-
ductions; Returns from each possession; Slave population; Advan-
tages of making Tortola, Dominica, &c. free ports ; Saku'ies of W. I.

. Oov^rnors^ ^c. .,..•••.».••....•«••• •••..• p. 457

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HISTORY

OP THE

BRITISH COLONIES.

POSSESSIONS IN THE WEST INDIES.

CHAPTER I,

BRITiaH GITTANA — ^LOCALITY, BISTORT, PHYSICAL ASPECT^ RIVERS ANP
MOUNTAIKS, CLIMATE, GEOLOGY, MINERAL, VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL
KINGDOMS — POPULATION — NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — COMMERCE, GO-
VERNMENT, REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE — RELIGION, EDUCATION AND
THE PRESS— VAIfUE OF PROPERTY, ETC.

Locality. — ^British Guyana^ embracing the settlements on
the rivers Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, and covering
an area of nearly 100,000 square miles,* extends about 200
miles from E. to W. along that alluvial portion of the South
American Continent termed the ' Main,* which is formed by
the deltas of the mighty rivers Amazon and Orinoco, having
for its boundaries on the East the mouth of the river Couran^
tyn, m Lat. 6.10 N. Long. 56.2.5 W.; on the West the
boundaries of Colombia, between the Baryma and Pomeroon
rivers,f about Lat. 8 N, Long. 60 W., and to the southward
or inland, about 100 leagues, or perhaps to a mountain range

* Under the Demerara and Essequibo districts, 70,000 square miles ; and
lyithin the Berbice territory, 25,000 ditto.

+ Some consider the river Baryma in Lat. 8.36 N., Long. 60.10 W. the
Western boundary ; others the Pomeroon river, Lat. 7-40 N. Long. 58.60
W. 5 but the limits have never yet been completely settled.

VOL. II. B

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2 LOCALITY OF BRITISH GUYANA ; —

(the Cordilleras) extending on the eastward to within two
degrees of the Equator.*

General History.: — A detail of the early history of this
part of the South American Continent would be out of place
in a work whose chief object is to enable the British public
to fonn a correct view of the position^ magnitude and impor-
tance of our Colonies ; the leading points of the European
settlement and English acquisition will therefore suffice. So
early as 1580 the Dutch attempted to form small settlements
along this coast on the banks of the Amazon, Orinoco and
Pomeroon rivers (for trading purposes), on the latter named
river they had a factory called Nieuw Zealand, and in 1581
the States-General of Holland privileged certain individuals
to trade to the coast. These proceedings were viewed with
a jealous eye by the Spaniards, who, aided by the Indians,
drove the Zealanders from their station; the persevering
character of the Dutch would not allow a first check to daunt
tbfiir efforts, their commander Joost Van Den Hoog suc-
ceeded in gaining possession of a small island at the junction
of the Mazerooni and Cayuni, called Kykoveral, and in 1602
Jan Van Peere, a native of Flushing, attempted to open a
trade with the Indians of the Orinoco, but was defeated by

• The territories, on this coast are called, Ist, Spanish; 2nd, British;
3rd, French; and 4th, Portuguese — Guyana. The Ist lying on both sides
of the Orinoco, and extending S. and S. W. to the Rio Negro, and the Por-
tuguese settlements, is bounded on the £. by the river Baryma in 8:50 N.
Lat., 60.5 W. Long. ; 2nd, BiritUh (formerly Dutch) Guyana described in
tlie text ; and drd, French Guyana (called Cayenne from the name of the
inland on which the chief town stands) extends from the boundary of Bri-
tish Guyana on the W. to Vincent Pincon's bay, near Cape North, in Lat.
2.35 N., Long. 51 W.; (this bay the Portuguese have confounded with the
bay of the great river Oyapoko, which joins the sea in N. Lat. 4.35 W.,
Long. 51.20) and 4th, Portuguese Guyana, it is alleged, extends from Cape
l^orth between the parallel of 1 and 2.25 N. Lat. to the junction of the
great river Amazon with the Rio Negro or black river, thus cutting off the
southern parts of French, British and Spanish Guyana, from 51 to nearly
65 W. Long. 800 miles, and having For its 8. and S. W. boundary the great
river Amazon.

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EARLY DUTCH SETTLEMENT AND HISTORY. 5

the Spaniards; tlie Zealanders, however, about this timey
effected a settlement on the banks of the Essequibo, in 161$
they reported their colony to be in a flourishing condition, and
in 1621, the Dutch Government undertook to supply the
colonists with negro slaves from Africa ; for the prosecuting
of which trade a company was formed and a monopoly
granted. Jan Van Peere, with his companions, when driven
by the Spaniards from the Orinoco, commenced colonizing'
on the banks of the Berbice river, and cleared a large extent
of territory between the rivers of Berbice and Courantyne*
In 1657, the Zealanders colonized on the river Poomerooa
and the creek Morocco, and erected thereon the towns of
New Zealand and New Middleburgh. Essequibo, in 1665,
was taken by the English, and afterwards plundered by the
French; but both were expeUed from the Dutch settlements,
HI the following year, by an expedition from HoUand.* In
1712, the French took possession of Berbice by force from
the Dutch proprietors ; but, in 1714, returned it to its former-
owners, on the payment of a sum of money. At this period,
the States Greneral contracted for the supply of negroes to
the colony, in the proportion of two-thirds male, and one-
third female, at the rate of £250 each.

In 1720 the proprietors of Berbice not having a capital
e^ual to the cultivation of which the colony was capable,
raised a fund of S,200,000 florins, divided into 1,600 shares
of 2,000 each, to be employed solely in cultivating sugar,
cocoa, and indigo; 50 per cent, was tp be repaid in 1724, the
Remainder when required by the Directors, who consisted of

* It is said that, in 1662, after its settlement, the tthole coast was
ceded by Charles II. to Lord Willoughby, the then Governor of Barbadocs,
who named the principal river wherein Paramaribo is situate, and, in fact,
the whole colony, Surrt/ham (in honour of the Earl of Surry, the term
being aftenvards changed into Surinam), and that the colony was pur-
chased from the heirs of Lord Willoughby by the British Crown, and
exchanged with the Dutch Government for New Holland, in N. America
(now New York). In 1669, the whole of Dutch Guyana was transferred
from certain gentlemen in Amsterdam, Flushing, &c., who claimed to be
proprietors, to the Dutch West India Company.

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4. CAPTURE AND CESSION TO ENGLAND ;

seren Proprietors (afterwards increased to nine), of 20,000
florins each, residing at Amsterdam: the former Proprietors
of Berbice were also to be paid 800,000 florins, or allowed to
purchase 400 shares. From this period the Colonies rapidly
flourished and extended; cofiee cultivation was introduced
firom Surinam, and a fort built at the junction of the Canje.*
In 1741 the planters at Essequibo, thinking the low lands
near the sea more productive than the upper country over
which they had previously settled, began emigrating to the
former; and, in 1745, the Directors of the Chamber of Zea-
land gave permission to form plantations on the uninhabited
^oast of the river Demerara. A most disastrous negra
insurrection took place in Berbice in 1763, from which the
colony was not relieved until after eleven months desolation,
and only then by the arrival of a strong squadron from Hol-
land. Courts of policy and of civil and criminal justice were
establifihed for Demerara 1773, on an island named Borsden^
about twenty miles up the river ; but, the following year, the
seat of Government was removed from thence to the east
point of the mouth of the river, and named Stabroek, now
George Town. In 1781, the colonies on the Essequibo and
Demerara were placed under the protection of Great Britain
By a squadron of Admiral Lord Rodney's fleet; but, in 1783,
the French took temporary possession of the whole Dutch
settlements, which, in 1796, surrendered to the British
forces under the orders of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and
eommanded by Major General White. These settlements
were, however, restored to the Dutch by the treaty of
Amiens, in 1802, but again taken possession of by England
on the breaking out of the war in 1803 ; since which period
they have belonged to Great Britain. In 1812, all distinctions

* A passage from the river Amazon to the Essequibo was discovered,
in 1735, by a Portuguese named Silva de Rosa, who had been private
secretary to the Viceroy of Brazil ; but, having killed a nobleman in a
duel, he fled with some negroes in a canoe along the Rio Branca, Tacusa^
Moan, and across the lake Amuca ; thence entering the Rippanouny, and
finally reaching Essequibo.

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REGULATIONS FOR GUYANA CONSEQUENT THEREON. '5

between the colonies ' of Essequibo and Demerara^ whether
of jurisdiction or otherwise, were abolished — the office of
commander of Essequibo was done away with, the courts of
civil and!lcriminal justice of both colonies united at Denieraras
and the judicial establishment at Fort Island discontinued ;
the name of the capital was also changed from Stabr oek to
.George Town, and a board of police appointed for its in-
ternal management, the financial representations of Demerara
and Essequibo combined with the College of Kieaers, and
.the right of suffrage extended to all persons paying income
tax on 10,000 florins, or possessing twenty-five slaves. In
1807 the slave-trade was only finally abolished. By an ad-
ditional article to a convention signed at London, 13th Aug.
1814, Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice were finally ceded to
Great Britain, with the condition that the Dutch proprietors
had liberty, under certain regulations, to trade with Holland.
The year 1818 witnessed the first introduction of trial by
jury and the commission of oyer and terminer. In 18^,
after much angry dispute relative to the enormous and illegal
exactions of fees, a tariff of the same was fixed, and a petition
to the Crown, praying for an enquiry into judicial abuses,
agreed to, which enquiry was ordered. . A serious insurrec-
tion of the slaves took place on the east coast of the De-
merara river, in ] 823, which was finally suppressed, and Mr.
.Smith, a Missionary of the London Society, condemned to
.death for .inciting the negroes to rebellion — ^a sentence which
•was commuted at home to total banishment from the West
.indies: Mr. Smith died in prison pending the senteiK:e. In
.1831, the colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbiee
were united into one government, and called British Guyana;
the forms of the courts altered; civil causes to be heard
, before a chief and two puisne judges, in criminal causes, three
assessors to be associated with the judges, and a majority
of the whole required for condenmation; and the College of
. Kiezers and financial representatives, which had been united
in 1812, were separated. — [Vide GrQ.vernment section.] .
Physical Aspect. With the exception of ranges of sand-

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6 FHYSJCAL ASPECT OF BRITISH QVYAKA,

hUlSy about twenty miles inland, and rarely more than forty
or fifty feet above tbe level of the rivers and creeks,* the
whole country inhabited by the Europeans is perfectly flat
^d alluvial, bearing a striking resemblance to Holland and
handlers, and, like those countries, drained by canals and
duices, with lofty dikes or mounds of mud, of considerable
Sickness, embanking each estate, and kept, together with
the numerous bridges, in repair by the proprietors of the
land in which they are situate*

As the country is ascended from eighty to one hundred
miles inland, its fine savannahs are interrupted by, in some
places, a beautiful hill and dale territory, varied with high
43id firequently rocky land — presenting a strong contrast to
(the rather monotonous scenery which a dead flat possesses,
and which those who have visited Bengal and the delta of
the Ganges, as contrasted with the upper provinces, will
readily understand. Further southward, at the Coomarow
.Fall (vide river Essequibo), the granitic table-land belonging
to the Cordillera rises to the height of six thousand feet
above the level of the sea, at three hundred miles distant
tfrom the ocean.

The whole face of the coast of Guyana, firom the M aranon to
the Orinoco, is low, and generally bordered with a sandy flat,
.extending far out to seaward; — moreover the various large
rivers with which it is intersected, continually bring down from
the upper country vast quantities of alluvial matter, which, on
depositing, form a margin of low ground, covered with man-
.grove bushes, appearing an inaccessible barrier at low water,
but completely hidden at fiill tide. About five hundred
paces within Uiese mangroves, the low and level savannahs
.commence, extending irregularly inland, and every where
intersected by rivers, rivulets, and creeks^ with a dense*
luxuriant, and piagnificent vegetation. The plantations are
regularly ranged on either side of the great rivers, or along

* Some of tlie sand hiUa on the west bank of the Demerara river are
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet high, and nearly perpen-
£c«lar.

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PLEASINe INDICATIONS OF INDUSTRY. RIVEHS. 7

the coast, in allotments of from five hundred to one thousand
^res each.* The dwelling-houses, elevated on piles of
timber, are generally close to the river s brink, with a wharf,
or landing place, opposite for the convenience of shipping
produce ; — ^buildings of different descriptions are scattered
about in every direction ; sugar mills driven by wind, or
by steam f; and on the coffee plantations, logics y or bams>
three stories high, form a picturesque prospect, in addition
to the numerous boats sailing up and down the rivers aB4
creeks ; while the insulated, well-tilled plantations, excelleilt
bjick-madeandavenued roads, with numerous white bridge%
afford a most pleasing indication of an industrious and in*
telligent community. The physical aspect of the colony
may be further judged of by its

RIVERS.

The three great rivers within British Guyana are the
Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice, with their numerous
tributaries ; to begin with the most westerly, the Essequibo,
situate 9 miles west of the Demerara river, at its embou-
chure from one side of the main land to the other is from 15
to 20 miles wide, and covered with many beautiful, low, and
bushy islands, with shoals or sandy spits, extending from the
north parts of the islets a considerable distance to seaward,
and dividing the navigation into four separate channels. The
most eastern island is termed LeguaUf (containing 24 sugar
estates), between which and the east side of the river is the
ship channel, a wide passage but much encumbered with
shoals : to the westward is a long and narrow island, called
Wakenaam, containing 18 sugar estates, its dimensions are
about 9 miles long and ^ broad ; to the north west of the

* The Dutch West India Gompuiy parcelled the attotments eut into
five hundred acre conditiomd grants, with an additional five hundred acres
behind the first allotment, when two-thirds of the latter were cultivated.
Sales and divisions of patrimony have caused some changes in the area of
the estates.

t There are two hundred and sixteen sugar estates in the cdony ; each
has a steam-engine, many two.

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8 THE ESSiCaUlBO AVD SfAZAROONI RIVER^,

latter and near the west shores is a small islet, termed Tige^

Island^ (containing 3 sugar estates). A succession of other

islands'*^ (one termedFor/Js/aiidf about 15 miles fromthemouth)^

extend to the southward and further up the river, from 26 to

30 miles, between all of which there are channels, but from

the extensive deposits of mud, it is difficult to state the

soundings for any length of time, the depth of water on the

whole coast being continually undergoing a change, according

to the heaviness of the rains or the duration of the wuids

that blow on the shore. From Fort Island the Essequibo

runs nearly south for about 30 miles, where it is joined by the

large river Cayuni which runs nearly S. W., afterwards north

"west through the province of Colombian Guyana, where it is

supposed to join some of the interior branches of the Orinoco;

a little further, or inland, the Essequibo is joined by the

Mazarooni river, which makes a considerable sweep to the

north west and then returns, so as to form a large peninsula,

enclosing lofty mountains and considerable creeks or rivulets ;

indeed for 80 miles inland the breadth of the Mazaroony is so

great, and the wooded islands and creeks so numerous, that it

has more resemblance to a lake than a river, and the influence

of the tides is felt, at least in the Essequibo, 100 miles from

the ocean. The enterprizing Mr. Hillhouse, an engineer

officer at Demerara, has recently explored the Mazarooni

river, and from his manuscript journal, as kindly lent me, by

the intelligent and active secretary of the Royal Geographical

Society, I glean the following description of the river and

the adjacent country.

The distinguishing island feature of the Mazarooni river
commences at Caria island ;f from this point for nearly 100
miles, an innumerable string of islands divide the river into ,
from five to ten diflTerent channels, in which space the two
banks of the river are scarcely once visible together, and even

* Hog Island, the largest in the Essequibo 3 its South end exteads
nearly to Fort Island.

f. Caria was once a Dutch fort, and several plantations then existed on
f ach bank, but now only to be traced by a few cocoa trees.

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SCENERY ON THE MAZAROONlr-FALLS^ &C. . 9

one bank but seldom, the river continutng from three to four
miles broad throughout the Archipelago. The rapids com-
inence between these islands,* and at the fourth rapid (Warp'
tnambo) is a large open space in the centre of the river, which
in the rains has the appearance of a vast lake, and in the dry
season that of a rugged rocky plain.

Some of the falls are most difficult of ascent, the Caboory,
for instance, is full thirty feet high, in four different ledges, and
requiring an hour*s hard labour to get over a space of about
t)ne hundred yards. Oh emerging Arom the almost interminable
confiision of islands, creeks, and falls, and with the open and
placid Mazarooni river like a great inlandlake runningS. and W.
the eye of the low-lander is agreeably astonished vrith a sight
of ^Arthur's Tables' (the first visible point of the mountains of
Merumah or St. George, the great central chain of Guyana),
at an apparent distance of about sixty miles, and which would
seem by a comparison with other parts of the chain to be six
thousand feet above the level of the sea. At the thirty-fourth
and last fall, named Teboeot (and the extreme southern limit

* Tfape manner in wliicli the fi^lls are ascended is thus described l)y Mr.
Hillhouse. — ' The rapids do not ran in one sheet over a level ledge, but
force themselves through a number of fissures,— large intermediate blocks
of granite dividing the different shoots of the fall. At the base of these
blocks is an eddy, into which the boat is forced, and becomes stationary,
having no current either way. The crew then spring on the rock, and waile
as far as they can find footing; by means of a long stout rope they then pull
the canoe, or corial, into one of the shoots of the fall, where there is
water enough to float her, and by main streugth haul her up the ascent.
They then take her out of the current, and lay her stern against the upper
part of the rock, from the lower part of whichr they have thus ascended -, and
with her head right up the stream^ at a given signal they all spring in, and,
poUing with their whole might,, endeavour to cross diagonally the diftirent
«!urrents tiU they get into another eddy. This is the time of the greatest
danger : if not active in seizing their paddles, the head of the canoe is
taken by the current, and she drifts broadside down the fall and upsets, if
not strong-handed also, she cannot stem the currents above, and goes down
the fall stern foremost ; the currents, at most of the rapids, run at the
rate of ten or twelve miles an hour 3 and thus frequently many hours are
consumed in gaining a few hundred yards/

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10 FALLS OF TfiBOCO, MACREBAH^ &C. AND

of Mr. Hillhouse's expejiition), a lofty mountain was observed
due S.y with a conical peak at the N. extremity, like the
crater of a volcano, equal in height to Arthur's Table, and
named by the voyagers ^Raleigh's Peak\ the Caranang
loreek appeared to lead towards it, but was not explored. At
the fall of Teboco the river narrows to one-third of its
usual breadth, but widens again immediately after, and at
Aramayka the cliffs of Marybyacrew, became visible about
one thousand feet high, with perpendicular northern faces,
with a remarkable detached peaked rock on the W. &ce of the
cliffs called the CaribUce^ the legend of whose nation states
it to be a man turned into stone for presumptuously daring
lo scale the cliffs. At the point of Teboco the granite, for
the first time, assumes a regular formation, and as the river
is ascended is continued to be found in strata, at an angle of
about five degrees above the horizon, its apex being nearly
northward : it forms the base of all the cliffs, to a height of
six hundred to one thousand feet, when a perpendicular and
cubical formation of quartz is the general superstructure to
one thousand five hundred feet higher. From a little above
Aramayka the chain of Merumah or St. Greorge^s seen
bounding the horizon, stretching to the N. where it appears
highest, and terminates abruptly, in perpendicular faces, like
the other branches of the chain. Near the extremity in a clear
day, a white curved line is seen extending from the summit to
the base of the chain, this is the Merumah creek forcing its
way from the table land, a height of one thousand two hun-
dred feet, to the valley of the Mazaroony.

At the fall of Macrebah navigation ceases ; the creek winds
about in the most opposite directions, and at every turn a large
bold spit of white sand projects* The water though per-
fectly transparent, is of a deep chocolate colomr, and the sands
are reflected in it of a bright claret or purple — ^the dark and
still creek is fringed with a dense and gloomy foliage ; while
journeying in the midst of this gloomy valley, a perpendicular
cliff of one thousand five hundred feet high is suddenly seen,
and though distant it appears as if it could be touched ;—

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P£CULIAJi ASPECT OF TH£ COUMTAY AT MACRKSAH. 1 1

around are detadied masses of rocks, which seem abruptly
torn from the gigantic walls of nature, and every two or
three hours an immense block of granite must be passed in
a deep •channel, barely wide enough for the Corial (canoe),
then suddenly the channel widens into a shallow claret*
coloured lake one hundred and fifty yards broad, but scarcely
deep enough for the craft to swim in, and at last a capacious
bason is entered, surrounded by a bold extensive sand clay, as
white as chalk, while the waters are as black as ink, without
any perceptible current, though a fall of water is heard, and
there is a jGoam like yeast on the surface, whidi remains the
whole day without any visible alteration, save when a gust of
wind coming down the fidl, scatters the foam in flakes
exactly resembUng snow. At a distance a broken white line
(the fall of Maci«bah) of one hundred feet high is seen strug-*
gling through a cluster of granite rocks, at the base of two
quartz difis of nixed character.

Hdf way up the Macrebah &11, a small spring of clear,
transparent, and slightly effervescent water, exists without the
least ferruginous tincture, and issuing from a superior qtiarta
formation, indicating perhaps that the extraordinary purple
tinge of the waters of die creek is owing to a decomposition of
granitic iron in combination with a solution of astringent
vegetable matter. The distance of Carulang creek (in which
the Macrebah fall is situate) from the coast is estimated at
four hundred mQeS, (including the sinuosities of the river) and
the height above the sea, (roughly calculated by the boiling of
water at two hundred and eight Farenheit) above three thou-*
sand feet. A cataract above Macrebah named Coomarow is
MX hundred feet high, and exceedingly diflicult of access, the
greater part of the rise being an angle of forty<>five, with an
abrupt descent and only ladders of roots. On the crest of the
fidl there is not more than two feet of water in dry weather,
but in the rains the rise is above ten feet, when the sur-
rounding country is totally submerged. The table land above
the Coomarow faU is evidently the extreme height of the
horizontal granite formation, the laminae being here perfectly

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1st THE DEMBRARA RIVER AND GEORGE TOWN.

hbrizontaly and that of the bed of the creek in large plates or
layers, of from one to three inches thick : the creek itself
was one hundred yards broad and two feet deep, but com*
pletely choked with a sort of long grass, having stems as
thick as a miBUi's arm, dividing at top into a multiplicity
of long threads like the tails of horses, and completely cover^
ing the surface of the water.

The descent of the falls is accomplished with great rapidity,
in less than one day the ascent of three may be got over — ^
eighty or ninety miles being an easy day's journey. The
middle channels are now chosen, where the current is most
rapid and the greatest body of water rushing to the coast; it
requires four stout hands, two a-head and two a*stern, to give
steerage way whilst shooting many jcrooked passages, — that
of Itackeck is a zig-zag of four turns, where not a few accidents '
have .occurred to the small craft of the Indians*

We know nothing further of the Mazaroony region, and
even this knowledge is imperfect, owing to Mr. Hillhouse's
evident deficiency, of astronomical instruments. The Esse-
quibo and Cayuniare are almost unexplored.
' Judging from Mr. Hillhouse's observations, the El-Dorado
of the unfortunate Sir Walter Raleigh (to which the fall of
Teboco seems to be the key,) is not a very fertile country ;
Dr. Hancock differs from Mr. H«.and until the land be better
Explored it would be difiicult to arrive at a correct judgment
We may now proceed briefly to glance at the —
\ Demarara River — situate to the SE. of the Essequibo^
sixteen miles from Leguan island, and about fiflty seven miles
westward of the bar of the Berbice river in 6. 40 N. Lat. and
67.45 W. Long, nearly three miles broad at its mouth, and
becoming narrower as it is ascended. The capital of British
Guyana, in Lat. 6.47 N. Long. 58.1 W. formerly called Sta*
broek, now called George Town,* is situate amidst a dense

• If it were not for the tropical scenery around George Tomi it might be
mistaken for a Dutch city ; except close to the river the houses, raised on
supports to prevent damps, are widely scattered, built of wood, after the
Dutch style with a stoup, coloured according to the fashion of th^

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ASPECT OP THE COUNTRY,r-BERBICE RIVKR. 13

foliage, on its E. or right bank, about one mile and a half front
a small fortification, built of mud and fascines, with two low
platforms, and termed Fort William Frederick. The river is
navigable by ships of burthen for one hundred miles up, aa
far as the cataracts, and affording an excellent harbour, ca-
pable of holding the whole navy of Great Britain ; but unfor-
tunately the bar will not allow vessels that draw more than
eighteen feet to go over it. For thirty miles inland, along the
banks of the Demerara, the country, consists of extensive
level meadows or savannahs ; several sand hills then appear,
and as the river is ascended, the country becomes more bro-
ken and mountainous.

The general direction of the river, ascending it, is south, with
a slight inclination to E. ; the rapids in a straight line being
not more than seventy English statute miles S. by E. o^
George Town, but one hundred and six by the course of the
river. The difference of level between the water above and
below the rapids is only twelve feet, and the river describes at
them a very considerable arc of a circle, the chord of which
is about one mile and a half; the rapids are descended safely
hi small canoes. Of its source we know, I believe, nothing
certain.

The Berbice River. 57 miles E. of the Demerara, reaches
the Atlantic in 6. 24 N. Lat. ; at its luxuriant looking en^-
trance, a little to the N. of Fort St. Andrew it is about three
miles wide, with low cleared land on both sides, covered with
trees, and at a distance resembles a number of islands. In the

owners, surrounded by a garden and lofty trees, and separated from each
other by canals, dykes, or lofty mud embankments. The most ancieaC
part of the capital SUabroek, runs back from the riv^ towards the forest^
consisting of two rows of houses full a mile long*, with a broad and
shaded road between them, and a canal in the rear of each line of houses^
communicating with the river. In consequence of the scarcity of fresh
^ter each house is provided with a large cistern, and pipes leading into it»
for the preservation of rain water. The barracks, hospitals, and public
baildii^ in Demarara, are in evidence of the taste and munificence of the
Colomsts, at whose cost they hay^ been erected*

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14 PORT NASSAU : — TIDES AT BCRBICE.

■addle channel lii^s Crab laland (so called from its nmmefbus
erabs), about one mile in circumference^ with a spit of land
running out to the N. and S. dividing the river into two na^-
gable channels; the E. with 17 to 20 feet, the W. with but
8 to 13 feet water. Eight miles N. of Crab island is a bar of
sandy with only seven feet on it at low water,* thus lessening
the importance of the harbour.

There are several small creeks on the coast, but nayigable
only by boats, and a shallow flat extending along the shore
renders it impossible for vessels, except those of small draught,
to approach within a league of the coast. Moderately sized
ships can go up the river Berbice as far as Fort Nassau,
which is at the distance of fifty miles in a straight line from
the entrance, and vessels drawing fourteen feet water may, it
is said, sail two hundred miles up the Berbice. The banks
of the river are low and covered with numerous plantations,
as also along the sixty nules of sea coast territory of Ber^
bice, the roads through which close along the sea coast, com-
■kunicating with Demerara, are kept in excellent repair at the
expense of the individual proprietors through whose estates
they pass, and may be said to be almost entirely formed of
brick. The early Dutch settlers constructed a fortress fifty
miles up the river, called Zelandica, but this was subse-
quently abandoned and New Amsterdam built on the side of
the river Canjee,f at itis confluence with the river Berbice,
two miles above Crab island, on the £. bank of the river,

* Neap tides at Berbice rise from eight to nine feet, and springs cleveo
feet ; in September before the equinox they rise fifteen feet ; the flood
sets strong to the W. and the ebb to the E. The times of high and
low water at full and change of moon atong this coast are, seven miles
off Bram's point Sb. OQn. At Bram^s poiot 5ii. 30"^ Off Fort Amsterdam
QK \0\ ; Fort Zeelandia, 7**. OOn. At Demerara bar generally at half
past four ; and at Fort Frederick at five.

t The Canjee river, or creek, waters the Berbice district, and is navi-
gable for schooners for fifty miles, but its course is then impeded by falls
and cataracts. Aboat fotty miles below its head there is a creek, comnra-
aicating with theCourantyn river, by which despatches have been conveyed
from Surinam to British Guyana by the Indiana.

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FORTIFICATIONS, &C. — OTHER RIVBRS IN GUYANA. 15

where it is intersected by canals, and has all the advantage of
the tides.

Three strong batteries protect the entrance of the rirer,
two on the E. side, and the other York redoubt, on the west
side, opposite Crab island. Fort St. Andrews, nearly four
imles from the entrance of the river, and two from New Anw
sterdam, is like Fort Wm. Frederick in the Demerara river,
ft small, low fortification, consisting of four bastions, sur*
rounded by a ditch or fosse, and mounted with eighteet^
twelve pounders. An extensive savannah or swamp extend»
in the rear of the fort -(which is separated firom New Amster-
dam by the Canjee river or creek) so that it cannot be com«
manded from any adjacent point. Sixty miles E. of Berbice
river lies the Courantyne, about three mites wide at its en*
trance, with the navigation obstructed by many small islander
and quicksands. The islets are fertile, covered with trees,
and having on the W. side good clean anchorage in five
fathoms. The W. banks of (die river (which form the E.
boundary of Berbice) are under British jurisdiction, and havier
a smiling appearance of cultivation. Bic^sides the foregoing
there are numerous other rivers, which in Guyana are termed
creeks, though they would be considered large rivers ii^
Europe; among the principal is the Mahalea creek, about
twenty miles to windward or eastward of the Demerara, be-
tween that and Abary creek ; the Mahaicony is also on the E.
or windward coast, not far from the Mahaiea ; the Boesary is
on the leeward coast, near the Essequibo ; along the interior
or southern portion of the Colony there are numberiess smaft
rivers and creeks intersecting wild and almost impenetrable
forests, which, during the rainy season, empty themselves in
torrents into the larger rivers, Essequibo, Cayuni, (of which
we know very Htde) Mazarooni, Demerara, Berbice, &c.,
which latter rivers generally flow towarda the ocean in dis**
coloured streams at the rate of six or seven knots an houn

Climate. — ^The mortality of Europeans on the early set-
tlenmit or colonization of Giiyana wai^ .very gteat^ partly
owing to torrid heat acting on a moist soil and dank luxurious

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16 CWMATE OF BRITISH GUYANA, — DRY SEASOKc

Vegetation pregnant with animal and vegetable decomposition^
and partly owing to the intemperate habits of the settlers and
their non-conformity with the custonfis of the country, and
the dictates of nature : of late years, however, as the coast
became cleared, and a free circulation of air was admitted,
the health of British Guyana has materially improved, and may
now be considered as good as the nature of a low country
will permit in any zone, particularly when we consider the
extraordinary quantity of rain which falls annually.* It 19
difficult to ascertain accurately the quantity of rain falling
annually, not only because Demerara is subject to two rainy
seasons, but from the variation which takes place in cleared
and drained land, on the sea-coast or in the interior. In the
dry season^ and when the sea breeze prevails, there is rarely
any moisture observable in the morning, the thermometer F«
averaging about 82 during the night, with no very material
difference in the shade during the day. At the distance of
twenty miles from the sea, or where the country is not exten-
sively cleared, the trees and plants will be found every mom-t
ing dripping with dew, the thermometer falling to 76 or 78,
and a blanket is acceptable at nights* As the country is
ascended (or southerward towards the Ekjuator) the vicissi-
tude of climate is yet greater, and on the table land, 300 miles
inland, the climate is described to be delicious, and the influ-
ence of the monsoons regularly felt in the periodical fall of
rain. Two wet and two dry seasons mark the revolutions of
the year, each continuing for three months ; the wet embrace
the months of December, January and February ; and then
June, July and August, during which periods the thermome-
ter is lower than at any other time, and the land winds (which
are of course less healthy than the sea breeze) prevail. The
dry season is exceedingly delightful; the morning twilight
commencing at four, gradually unveils a deep azure sky, over
which the sun crosses cloudlessly from the ocean to the

* In 1830 there fell, in five months, six feet eight inches of xtin aft
George Tofm.

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WET SEASON. — COMPARATIVE MORTALITY OF GUYANA. 17

inland mountains, behind which it sets. The inyigorating sea
breeflse sets in at ten, giving animation to nature, and conti-
nuing to blow with increasing vigour till sunset, at 6 p. m.,
when it gradually dies away, but frequently returns again
during the night.

During the wet season the wind is often from S. to W., and
the rain then descends in torrents, sometimes for two or three
days without intermission, in the interior and on the coast ;
at these periods our sailors say it only leaves off raining to
commence pouring ; it appears to be admitted that the mois-
ture, and consequently the fertility, of British Guyana is
greater than that of the contiguous coast of the Orinoco, and
may be accounted for by waters of the Essequibo, Demerara
and Berbice having less declivity than those of the mighty
Orinoco. Yellow fever (if in reality it ever did exist there)
has for some years been unknown in Guyana, but agues, and
what we term in India jungle fevers, are prevalent among
new comers if they rashly expose themselves to the night air
or vertical sun. Demerara has been cited as one of the
strongest instances of a deleterious atmosphere, particularly
among our West India Colonies, but when we come to exa-
mine facts, it turns out otherwise ; the range of mortality,
even among the labouring slave population, is about one in
thirty-seven to forty, but in London and France it is equal as
regards the whole population, rich and poor, and in other
countries it is even more ; thus, in Naples, one in thirty-four ;
Wirtembergh, one in thirty-three ; Paris, one in thirty-two ;
BerUn, one in thirty-four; Nice, one in thirty-one; Madrid,
one in twenty-nine ; Rome, one in twenty-five ; Amsterdam,
one in twenty-four ; Vienna, one in twenty-two and a half !
Thus that which is termed our most unhealthy West India
Colony has, even as regards its working population, a greater
duration of Ufe than the rich and poor of some of the prin-
cipal parts of Europe! On six years, ending 1832, the
increase on 40,892 Creole population was 3,678, or nine per
cent. The following comparison will put this point more

VOL. II. c

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18 DURATION OF LIFE IK DEMERARA AKD IK EUROPE.

clearly ;* in the Appendix to the Report of the Committee
of the House of Commons on the Factory Bill, it appears,
that, in a number of 10,000 deaths in a healthy county (Rut-
land) under twenty years of age, 3,756 died; under forty
years of age, 5,031 died ; lived to forty years and upwards,
4,969. In London, under twenty years of age, 4,580 died ;
under forty years of age, 6,1 11 died ; lived to forty years and
upwards, 3,889. In the town of Preston, under twenty years
of age, 6,083 died ; under forty years of age, 7,462 died ; lived
to forty years and upwards, 2,538. In the town of Leeds,
under twenty years of age, 6,213 died; under forty years of
age, 7,441 died ; lived to forty years and upwards, 2,559. In
the town of Bolton, under twenty years of age, 6,113 died;
under forty years of age, 7,459 died ; lived to forty years and
upwards, 2,541 : contrast this with Demerara, where it ap-
pears, by the last registration, that the deaths during the
triennial period, were 7,016, of whom died under twenty years
of age, 1,929 ; died under forty years of age, 3,359 ; and 3,657
lived to upwards of forty years of age. Supposing, then, the
number of deaths to have been 10,000, instead of 7)016, the
result would be — died under twenty years of age, 2,749 ; died
under forty years of age, 4,788 ; and lived to forty and up-
wards, 5,212, being 243 in favour of the duration of life in
the colony of Demerara, as compared with a healthy county
(Rutland) in England, and a still greater and increasing dif-
ference in favour of the colony, as compared with the towns
before mentioned.

In the hurricane months, when the Caribbee islands are
ravaged with terrific tempests, vast masses of clouds, Pelion-
like upon Ossa, advance towards the south ; the mountains
inland reverberate with pealing thunder, and the night is
illumined with faint lightning coruscations; brief storms
succeed; but, happily, the Barbadian hurricane is unfelt.

* I am indebted to Mr. P. M. Stewart's valaable defence of the West
India Colonists on the 30th May, 1833, for these details.

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YEARLY METEOROLOGICAL REQISTBR FOR GUYANA.

7he length of the day in Guyana is about thirteen hours. In
the hot season, the thermometer ranges from 84 to 90^ on
the coast; and, twenty miles inland, seldom exceeds 80,
during the warmest part of the day, &lling at night to 60, or
even 50.*

The follo>mg Meteorological Register, though noted at the Military Hos-
pital at Demerara, may serve for the whole coast of British Guyana.

'January
Febraaiy
March
April ..
May ..
Jane ..
Jnly ..
August
September
October
November
December

Ther.

Wind.

86 to 74

86 to 76

K. B.

85 to 77

K.N.E,

85 10 76

86 to 78

N. B.

S3 to 75

S. and variable.

86 to 78

£. and S.

89 to 77

97 to 77

8. and E.

86 to 76

Variable.

85 to 77

N. and E.

78 to 75

N. N. E.

Remarks.
Cool and pleasant; refireshlDg breesea.
Clouds heavy, with occasional showers.
Ditto, flreqnent ditto.
Hot ; no rains.

Clouds heavy ; freqnent lightning:.
Hot, with occasional rains.
Sultry and oppressive.
Hot; occasional rains.
Warm ; tliunder and lightning.
Refreshing breezes; light showers.
Steady, exhilirating breezes ; ditto.
Heavy showers ) strong winds; cool.

In considering the climate of tropical countries, the in-
fluence of the moon seems to be entirely overlooked; and
surely, if the tides of the vast ocean are raised from their
fathomless bed by lunar power, it is not too much to assert
that the tides of the atmosphere are liable to a similar in-
fluence ; this much is certain, that, in the low lands of tropical
countries, no attentive observer of nature will fail to witness
the power exercised by the moon over the seasons, and also
over animal and vegetable nature. As regards the latter, it
may be stated that there are certainly thirteen springs and
thirteen autumns, in Demerara, in the year; for so many
times does the sap of trees ascend to the branches, and
descend to the roots. For example, the wallaba (a resinous
tree, common in the Demerara woods, somewhat resembling
mahogany), if cut down in the dark, a few days before the
new moony it is one of the most durable woods in the
world for house building, posts, &c. ; in that state, attempt
to split it, and, with the utmost difficulty, it will be riven in
the most jagged unequal manner that can be imagined; cut

* At the Portuguese fort of St. Joaquiro, on the Rio Negro, (Lat. 3 N.
Long. 62 W.) which was risitcd by Dr. Hancock, the thermometer rangei.
from 76 to 89 in April.

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so LUNAR INFLUENCE ON THB SEASONS, YEOBTATION AND LTFE.

down another wallaba (that grew within a few yards of the
former), tit full moon, and the tree can be easily split into the
finest smooth shingles of any desired thickness, or into staves
for making casks ; but, in this state, applied to house-building
purposes, it speedily decays. Again — bamboes, as thick as
a man's arm, are sometimes used for paling, &c. : if cut at
the dark moon, they will endure for ten or twelve years ; if
at full moon, they will be rotten in two or three years ; thus
is it with most, if not all, the forest trees. Of the effects of
the moon on animal life, very many instances could be cited.
I have seen, in Africa, the newly littered young perish, in a
few hours, at the mother's side, if exposed to the rays of the
lull moon; fish become rapidly putrid, and meat, if left
exposed, incurable or unpreservable by salt ; — ^the mariner,
heedlessly sleeping on deck, becoming afflicted with nyctolo-
pia or night bUndness, at times the face hideously swollen if
exposed during sleep to the moon's rays, the maniac's par-
oxysms renewed with fearful vigour at the full and change, and
the cold damp chill of the ague supervening on the ascen-
dency of this apparently mild yet powerful luminary. Let
her influence over this earth be studied, it is more powerful
than is generally known.

According to Mr. Hillhouse, who has repeatedly visited the
interior, the climate of the region inhabited by the Indians is
much more salubrious than that of the coast ; though ap-
proaching nearer to the line, its superior elevation causes a
decrease of temperature, and the surface of the earth is
always kept cool, from the thick shade of the forest with
which it is universally covered.

It is a common observation, that the air of the rivers is un-
healthy ; but this only applies to that part of them which runs
through the swamp land and level with the sea coast ; here
the exhalations and vapours accumulate, and the sea breeze is
not always sufficiently constant or powerftil to dissipate them.
Throughout the whole extent of the salt or brackish water,
fever and ague predominates ; but, beyond the influx of the
tide, the banks of the rivers are so proverbially healthy, that

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CLIMATE OF THE INTERIOR OF GUYANA. HI

were Che population ten times more numerous than: it i»,
there would be little employment for a physician.

As we approach the high sand hills of the interior, the
natural drainage is so perfect, and the torrents of freshwater
supplied by the creeks form so strong a current, that all im-
purities are quickly drained from the rallies, and the sur&ce
water is instantly absorbed by the sands. The water of those
creeks that are uniformly shaded from the sun, is about five
degrees colder than that of the river.

The breadth of the river, by exposing a great surface to
the influence of the sun, causes its increased temperature.
During the night, therefore, which is seven or eight degrees
cooler than the day, the water of the river becomes com-
paratively a warm bath; and the time of its lowest comparative
temperature is about noon, when the heat of the air is greatest,
and the river has not yet recovered the heat it lost during
the night. Bathing, therefore, in the heat of the day, is more
bracing to the system ; but bathing in the morning is most
congenial to the feelings, as there is scarcely any difference
between the temperature of the air and the water, for two
hours after sun-rise.

The evaporation in the neighbourhood of the line being
supposed ten times greater than near the poles, the rains are
in proportion much more heavy and frequent. In these re-
gions vegetation would cease, were the supply of moisture
only equal to that of temperate climates ; and, upon the hills,
where the water runs off^ more rapidly, a greater quantity
of rain is required than in the vallies, where it stagnates,
and is absorbed in superior proportion by the earth. We
accordingly find that, upon the hiUs of the interior, the clouds
discharge three times as much rain as falls upon the coast,
and without causing any inconvenience. This disproportion
between the rains of the coast and the interior would not be
so great, but from the circumstance of the vast tract of low
land, from which the forest has been cleared for cultivation.
Woody countries are always the most humid — ^and, in a plain
without trees, the clouds will pass over without discharging

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22 TREES CONDUCIVE TO RAIN : ^WINDS.

any rain, from the want of points of attraction. The importance
of this fact has not hitherto met with sufficient consideration.
A plain in the tropics, without rain to moisten it, soon becomes
a sterile desart ; and nothing will attract the electricity of the
clouds, and cause them to burst, but the intervention of
groups or rows of tall trees. It is a point, therefore, worthy
the consideration of the Colonial Legislature, to preserve a
portion of bush standing on the coast for the attraction of
the rains ; or, to oblige the different estates to plant tall fruit
or forest trees on their side-hnes — as there is no doubt, that
the more the country is cleared of bush, the drier itbecomes^
and the less fertile, and this more particularly with regard to
the sugar cultivation.

In the interior, the direction of the winds is by no means so
uniform as on the coast. From the month of April to July,
they blow more from the south than from any other point ;
and these land winds, which occur at intervals throughout the
year, by impeding the course of the clouds, as they are pro-
pelled by the sea breeze, are another cause of the increased
rains.

From the superior salubrity of the climate, and the simple
habits of the Indians, it is reasonable to suppose that, prior to
the introduction of rum, they enjoyed great longevity. The
native intoxicating beverages are so mild and diuretic, that
little inconvenience results from their excesses with them ;
but their system of computation is so defective, that they can
neither calculate their own age, or those of their offspring.

Early puberty is common in all hot latitudes ; but it does
not seem to shorten the period of existence, though the ap-
pearance of age comes on sooner. The Indian girls are mar-
riageable at twelve or thirteen, and the boys at fifteen or six-
teen— at twenty-five years the women lose all the appearance
of youth ; but the men at forty are not older in appearance
than Europeans of the same age.

I agree with the Surveyor of Demerara that upon the whole,
there is no doubt, that if the hand of cultivation reached to
the bills of the interior, and a few artificial improvements

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GEOLOGY OF GUYANA — ^SEA COAST STRATA. 23

were added to the advantages of local situation, the climate of
the Indians would be the most healthy and agreeable of any
within the tropics — ^with fish, flesh, fowl, and vegetables in
abundance, pure water, no fevers, and no mosquitoes.

Geology. Little is known of the geological strata of
Guyana. An alluvial flat extends along the sea coast for
about thirty miles inland, terminating at a range of sand hills.
Efforts have recently been made to obtain water by boring
at George Town. In 1830 Major Staples sunk a shaft of
140 feet at Cumingsburgh ; on arriving at the micaceous
8ub*stratum indicating a primary formation, a clear spring
of water, strongly impregnated with iron, burst forth.* At
twelve feet below the alluvial surface, an irregular stratum
of fallen trees (of a kind called the Courida, and still known
on the coast) was discovered, in a semi-carbonized state;
and, at forty feet depth, blue clay; at fifty feet below the
surface, another similar stratum of decaying wood, twelve
feet thick ; nine feet deeper, a compact of whitish grey clay ;
thirty-one ditto, yellow sand, mixed with clay; six ditto,
violet-coloured. clay, diminishing in shades to yellow light
straw, and again merging into slate-coloured clay; the re-
mainder, to a depth of one hundred and twenty feet from the
surface, is argile, the lower part being of that smooth soapy
surface indicating the purest wedgewood clay. Mr. Hillhouse
says, that it seems evident from this ' that, some ages ago,
this continent was habitable fifty feet below the present sur-
face, and that it was then covered with an immense forest of
Couridas, which was destroyed by conflagration, as appears
by the ochrous sub-stratum. The sea must, at that time,
have been confined to the blue water, where there is now
eight or nine fathoms; and, whatever may have been the
comparative level between the Pacific and Atlantic, on this
side of the Isthmus of Darien the surface must have been
then fifty feet lower than now,*

* This water is perfectly good for washing and for culinary purposes
(except for tea) after exposure to the air. Wells have since been sunk in

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24 DELTA OF THE RIVERS — AND FORMATION OF THE INTERIOR.

The delta of the Essequibo (and, to a considerable extent,
along all the rivers) is decayed vegetable matter, forming a
fertile black mould, on a clayey sub^stratum. As the Esse-
quibo is ascended, the alluvium of the estuary changes to
white sandstone^ with scattered appearances of black oxyde
of manganeze ; to the sandstone felspar succeeds, and then
granite. The mountain ranges seen on passing from the Es-
sequibo into the Mazarooni, appear to be white quartz, 5,000
feet high> having the appearance of gold, from the numeroas
shining particles of mica in the quartz, which give to the
mass the appearance of the precious metals, thus formiiig
the far-famed JS^Dorado of the chivalrous and ill-treated
Raleigh.* On the Demerara river, the first indication of
rock is met with at seventy miles firom George Town, under
water ; it appears to be porphyritic sandstone. At the Post-
holder's (ninety-four miles from George Town), there is a
large bed of rocks of a granitic nature, with some hornblende,
and at the rapids, one hundred and six miles up (or seventy
miles, as the crow flies, from George Town), there is abun-
dance of stratified green-stone.

The structure of the mountains is principally granite, with
a large proportion of ironstone. The Warow land of Poome-
roon, and the coast lands of the whole colony, are described
by an accurate observer as principally composed of an
alluvial blue clay, intermixed with narrow strata of sand —
and, on the Mahaica coast, with sand and shell reefs.

This tract is most particularly adapted to the cultivation of
sugar, cotton, and plantains, to which it is mainly devoted ;
nor does there exist in the known world a soil possessed of
such amazing richness and fertility. It is never manured,
though an acre has been known to produce upwards of
6,000 lbs. of sugar, or 20,000 lbs. of farinaceous food (the

varioas parts of the colony, and water obtained at depths varyinj( from 100
to 145 feet. This supply has proved a great advantage to the inhabitants.
♦ RaleigVs peak is supposed to be volcanic, and, according to the In-
dians, several volcanoes exist in the interior, particularly between the
Siparoonee and Ripanoone rivers.

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KOCKY REGION — GOLD AKD SILVER MINES. S5

plantain), in a year. As we go deeper into the interior, the
clay loses its blue tinge, and gradually becomes yellow ; at
this stage, it is always covered with a stratum of vegetable
residuum, called pegas, which is the half-decayed vegetable
mould from dead grass and leaves, and is, in many places,
several feet deep, forming a great impediment to cultivation*
Plantains do not thrive in this land ; but it is peculiarly
fftvourable to the growth of coffee, for which it is principally
cultivated, and the returns are ample, and of superior quality*
Behind the pegas lands, come high ridges of sand, inter*
spersed with vallies, in which is a slight admixture of clay*
These sand reefs present many fertile spots for the cultiva-
tion of coffee, cocoa, amotto, fruits, and ground provisions of
all kinds ; and, extending in their direction paraUel with the
sea coast, are occupied exclusively by the Arawaak nation.

To the south of this belt the rocky region commences,
consisting of elevated ridges and detached conical hills, rest*
ing on bases of sand, stone, granite, and silicious crystal,
containing a great variety of ochres and iron ores, mica,
prismatic, hexagonal crystals, and, in some instances, slight
indications of the precious metals. Though it is fully as
probable that gold and silver exists in the primitive moun-
tains of the west, as well as in those of the eastern coast,
yet no native specimens have ever been produced by the
Indians within our territory. Two or three attempts at mining
were made by the Dutch, on their first settlement in Esse-
quibo, but the ore was not found worth the expense of
wOTking* The most probable site of the precious metala^
is in the mountains of the Attaraya and Attamacha nations.

The rocky region is possessed by the Accaways and Can*
bisce, interspersed with small settlements of Macousi and
Paramuna; but these latter are principally found in the
debateable land at the foot of the mountains, where they
become the alternate victims both of the coast tribes and the
mountaineers.

In addition to the foregoing details derived Ax)m various
sounoes, I am indebted to the urbanity and science of Dr.

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SG COMPONENT PARTS OF THE INTERIOR MOUNTAINS.

Hancock of Demeraray for the following developement of the
geology of the interior of ^British Guyana, in which the
learned and philanthropic doctor has long resided. Nothing
of petrifactions, sea shells or the organic remains of marine
animals has yet been observed in the mountains of the in-
terior of British Guyana. The principal component parts of
the interior mountains are granite, porphyry, and their
various modifications, all denoting a primitive formation,
while the exterior ranges towards the coast of a minor eleva-
tion, are chiefly composed of indurated clays, with sand and
gravel stones ; indicating a secondary order of formation.
The great rocks of the interior are chiefly of a conoidal
figure; on. a savannah in 2.50. N. Lat. there is a mountain
called Weive, composed of one entire solid block of granite,
seven hundred feet high, and about forty miles to the N. E.
is another still higher, called Taripoor, (devil's rock) ; they
are both of the cone or pyramid shape, much exceeding the
Egyptian piles in elevation and magnitude. Veins of quartz
are very common traversbg the great masses of granite, and
most perspicuous along the channel of the rivers in the dry
season, the direction of all the strata in Guyana being almost
uniformly from N.E. to S. W. Vast quantities of iron are
met with in the mountains, the soil of which (as also that of
many parts of the interior), consists of a strong and fertile
loam, being a mixture of clay, sand, and vegetable mould,
with little calcareous earth, but much ferruginous matter,
giving to the soil a reddish tinge in some places. The soil
of some of the upland savannahs is composed of clay and
gravel very close, and though apparently sterile, yielding food
for the immense herds of cattle and horses that depasture
along the Rio Branco. Of a very pure white clay, there are im-
mense masses forming the high banks of the Essequibo above
the falls, which would probably prove a valuable article in
the manufacture of stone-ware or porcelain, as wou]d also
the huge blocks of milk-white quartz found in various places.
Some indurated clays, of great hardness, have been found
mixed with sand, mica, calcareous earth, oxyde of iron, &c.

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INDURATED CLAY8 AND METALLIC APPEARANCES. 87

amorphous and full of particles of a metallic brilliancy.
These indurations^ which are of various degrees of hardness,
lie in horizontal strata, breaking into diagonal plates ; they
are found along the edge of the water, and Dr. Hancock
thinks are caused from the alternate influence of the sun and
water, assisted by a deposition of heterogeneous earthy
matters. Substances of a metallic nature which have the
appearance of ores are also very abundantly met with in the
mountains, but still more plentiful among the falls and rapids
of the river. Rock crystal is found upon several mountains
of Demerara, growing (if it may be so said) out of beds of
quartz ; Dr. Hancock only met with one species, and that
always crystahzed into hexagonal columns, and generally
terminated by a single pyramid with from three to six faces.
These columns are commonly found solitary, but are some-
times met with in groups standing together as it were aggluti-
nated. They are perfectly transparent, of a water colour,
taking a fine polish, and nearly as hard as agate. Red agate
is found in the Rio Mow opposite, and not far distant from a
crystal mountain. Much of the land at Moroko is thickly
scattered over with silicious gravel stones of an iron colour.
At this range of mountains primitive rock in smaller or larger
portions is every where to be seen ; no traces of a secondary
formation are visible ; on most of them are found large masses
of indurated clay scattered in loose masses amongst the granite,
but no calcareous matter or organic bodies are to be found,
and they appear as if undisturbed since the creation of the
world. The Conoko mountains (belonging to the chain of
the cataracts of the Orinoco) form an insulated group, seated
on the elevated plains, which separate two great systems of
rivers ; the tributary streams of the Essequibo flowing N. E.
and those of the Tacutu, Branco, &c. S. W. towards the
Rio Negro and Amazon. From the summit of these moun-
tains can be seen the spot where the Tacotu and Rapanooni
take their rise. The soil here is also of a pure white clay,
(not chalk) giving to the Rio Branco and other rivers a milky
colour, owing to the quantity of clay therein diffused, and in

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

iSb POPULATION ; — ITS INCREASE OR DECREASE*

such a minute state of subdivision as to require several days
before the waters will become transparent by deposition. In
fine^ as regards geological science, British Guyana presents
a wide field for the geologist, and in reference to the agricul-
turist a great diversity of soil, the three leading features of
which are first, the clayey alluvial soil of the coast, extending
eight to ten miles inland ; second, hills of silicious sand or
gravel, which with intervening fertile savannahs extend to
the falls fifty miles inland ; third, a rich primitive soil ; and,
lastly, a mountainous country, with divers coloured ochres,
indurated clays, and various mixtures of loamy earth and
vegetable mould on beds of granite to a vast extent, all
offering food and the means of obtaining every necessary
and comfort of life to the hand of the industrious and skilful
emigrant.

Population. In estimating the population of births and
deaths in the African population of the West India Colonies,
it must be remembered that the African is as much a stranger
to the West India climate and soil as the European is, and,
indeed, experience teaches that the superior civilization and
food of the European renders him much better enabled to
withstand vicissitudes of climate than his dark coloured
brethren. The decrease of the African slave population
(especially when we consider manumissions, the prevaUing
disparity of the sexes, and the arts to which the African
women resort to prevent their being mothers) is not there-
fore to be wondered at, but it will be found to be over
balanced by the increase of the Creole population, or Colonial
bom African descendents. I am not now necessitated to
enter into the question whether a state of slavery in the West
India islands has caused a decrease of population or other-
wise ; my province is more particularly to detaB facts when
we have not sufficient means to draw a fair conclusion ; many
subsequent tables, therefore, will be considered as data
merely — ^rescued from the oblivion of fleeting and scattered
records — and not for the purpose of establishing any precon-
ceived theory or foregone conclusion.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

TWO COMPARATIVE CENtU^KS OF 1889 AND 1832.

Summary of the Slave Population of the United Colony of
Demerara and Essequibo^ from the year 1817 to the year
1832^ at intervals of three years.

8lBtM«7, 1817* .

siJtMar, laao .

SlitMny, 1828 .

Sill May, 1888 .

SIM May, 18» .

SlMMaj, 1832 .

1VS8
«1J«7
183»

18,619

17.W8
1W4S7

i93>n
ao,7»7

20^890

UHB9, IJrW
1M71 19/178
18,006 SOJ«
11,69S' Sl^i
10,2M3| S14Xi3
9,063 22,166

77,183
77.87F
74,977
71,3K
09.467
65,6ir

48 J60 80,818
88.M0 87«4S6
36.606 98,872
3«487i 86,126
36,883, 34,074
34,869 81,188

10«^
9,07H
7,471
6,181
4»816
8,181

7,28f

6,4«l

10,408

4An

4,494
4,664

4,088

lis

The two following censuses were made in 1839 and 1832.
I give them as historical records, in order that they may
serve for comparison at a future period : —

Summary of the Slave Population
of the united Colony of Demerara
and Essequibo, Slst May, 1829.

African malea^ 16,384; Creole
ditto, 20767; total, 37,141. Afri-
can females, 10,343 ; Creole ditto,
21,983; total, 32,326 ; grand total,
registered for 31st May, 1829,
69,467. Of whom are males under
three years, 2,319 ; females, 2,365;
above three, and not above five
years, 2^926 ; between five and ten
years, 6,251 ; ten and twenty,
13,060 ; twenty and thirty, 9,472 ;
thirty and forty, 10,8a5 ; forty and
fifty, 14,866; fifty and sixty, 6,239;
sixty and seventy, 1,621; seventy
and eighty, 417 ; eighty and ninety,
56 ; ninety and a hundred, 8 ; up-
wards of 100, 1 ; ages unknown,
presumed to be absentees, 41.

Statement of the Slave Popula-
tion of the District of Demerara
and Essequibo, 3l8t May, 1832.

African males, 13,619; Creole
ditto, 20,830; total males, 34,349.
African females, 9,052 ; Creole
ditto,22,116; totalfemales,31,l68;
grand total registered for 3l8t May,
1832, 65,517. Of whom are males,
under three years, 1 ,974 ; females,
ditto, 2,112; above three, and not
above five years, 2,744; between
five and ten, 5,401 ; ten and six-
teen, 6,115 ; sixteen and thirty,
16,013; thirty and forty, 8,345;
forty and fifty, 13,585; fifty and
sixty, 7,179; sixty and seventy,
1,613; seventy and eighty, 363;
eighty and ninety, 40 ; ninety and
a hundred, 7 ; aged one hundred
and upwards, 2; ages unknown.

- Mfmw^^mu «u7 aad I8S0 wen eoatidcnbl* Imporutiom of BUves tnm other Colooke i mhm ttw ti

ISO and HO i aad aftenrwds at Ike Censai of MSIL there vere of maUt vndcr three rcere of ■■«, Ml** of
/MMlM. S,M I ead In US2, .ulee. 1,074, fneki, mSi thee indiettlaff e rlsisff ptepondmnee laVSMSeCthe

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

80 BERBICE SLAVE POIULATIOM PROM 1817 tO 1831.

presumed to be absenteeK 24 ;
total, 65,517.

Decrease by death since the pre-
ceding Registration — males, under
ten years of age, 770; females,
ditto, 714 ; males, between ten and
twenty, 216; females, ditto, 229 1
males, between twenty and thirty,
254; females, ditto, 194; males,
between thirty and forty, 637 ; fe-
males, ditto, 345 ; males, between
forty and fifty, 1,277 ; females,
ditto, 622; males upwards of fifty,
1,121; females ditto, 637; total,
7,016. Of whom were Africans,
3,850; ditto Creoles, 3,166.

Births since last Registration —
males under three years of age,
1,974; females ditto, 2,1 12; total,
4,086.

Decrease on the past three years,
2,930,

I have found it difficult to obtain returns of any nature
from Berbice ; it is to be hoped that in ftiture the general
returns for Guyana will not disappoint the statistician.

Decrease by death aiim the pre-
ceding Registration — males, under
ten years of age, 547; females,
ditto, 517 ; males, between ten and
twenty, 214; females, ditto, 195;
males, between twenty and thirty,
222; females, ditto, 170; males,
between thirty and forty, 775 ; fe-
males, ditto, 436 ; males, bet^veen
forty and fifty,l,129; females, ditto,
503; males, upwards of fifty, 630;
females, ditto, 393; total, 5,371.

Births since last Registration —
males, under three years, 2,319;
females, ditto, 2,365; total, 4,G84.

Decrease on the three past years,
1,047.

Berbice Slave Population from 1817 to 1831 :

Increuebjr
Birtb.

Decremsebjr
Death.

Decrease bf

Manamft-

8ion.

1817

18,802

10,747

84.549

—

1819

13,327

10,441

23,r«8

—

1832

12.007; 10,349

22,350

827

828

1.849

987

1885

11,423 10.041

21,404

773

740

1.348

1,052

I8S8

11.868

9,541

80,899

919

809

1,029

7»7

1881

11,080

9.085

20,045

880

770

1.098

795

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

CENSUS OF DEMERARA AND ESSEQUIBO.

The following Census shews the total Population of Demerara
alone, Slst October, 18S9.

DISTRICTS.

Whites.

Free BUck
and Coloured.

From pL Thomee to pi. Losigiuui, perish of

St. George end St. Mary

From pi. Annandale to pi. Lancaster, perish

of St. Paul and St. Marf

From pi. Cane Grore to Mahaica VUlage,

parish of St. Mary

From Abary to pi. Bath, parish of St. Mary .
From pi. La Penitence, including Canal No.

3, parish of St. Matthew

From pi. La Orange to pi. Waller's Delight,

parish of St. Swithin

From pL. La Parfait Harmonle to pi. Wales,

parish of St. Mark

From pi. Vriesland to Socsdyk, parish of St.

Mark and part of St. Matthew
From pi. Sans Souci on the lower side, to

Dlnabona on the upper, parishes of St.

Mark and St. Matthew

From Windsor Forest to Bocrasirie Creek,

parishes of St. Swithin and St. Luke . .
From pi. Zeclugt to Beverhants, parish of

St. Lake

From pi. Mara to pi. Loo, Upper Demersra

River, parish of St. Luke

11 71

S, 84

9 32

9 8S

23 38

15' 40
110 77^

46s 017.1080

133

134

SOl
143

189

130

118

138
133
140
130
1883

A similar Return for Essequibo, at the same date, gives
the population thus.

DISTRICT.

wi.!*-. 1 ^^ Black
Whites. I^nj Coloured.

From Fort Island, indnsire of both aides of
the river upwards

Legnan Island and Hog Island, parish of St.
Peter

From pi. Caledonia to pi. Maria's Lodge,
parish ofSt. James

rishofSt.John

From Caro Caro Creek to pi. Hoff Van Hol-
land, parish of St. John

Fnm pi. Alliance to CatUe Town, parish of
St. John

From pi. T&ymoath Manor to Shamrock Hall

9
110
80
83
34
03

lai

87
10

142

101

100
137

170

38
SO

186

Ofi

86
84

ii»

108
71
803
188

141
143

ITS

406

194

100
SCO

470

138

•u

♦70

01S

13S0

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

s»

GRAND TOTAL POPULATION IN GUYANA.

Of Berbice, I can find no similar return ; but the accom-
panying shews the

General Population of Demerara and Essequibo, 31st. Oct
18S9; and of Berbice, agreeably to Census of 1827, and
Slave Registration of 1831.

1 vmrut^.^

Fl-ee, Black,

Slaves on the

and Coloured.

3l8t May,

1839.

Demenra .. .. Ms

110

779

469

617

1080

1853

39,199

41,051

Bneqaibo .. ..470

138

014

442

470

913

1536

33,553

35,079

Total in the Coantry 1 138

948

1386

905|1087

1999

8978

33.833 38.869

63.572

66.130

Do. in Georre Town* 9fl«

658

1630

1625 2743

4368

5988

S309I 3407

6616

13,604

General Total .. Sioo

906

3006

9530

3830

6360

9366

37,093; 33,376

69,368

78,734

Bcrbicet ..
OrandTotalofMoaths

419

104

523

454

707

1161

••

10,998 9430

30,418

93,109

9A19

1010

3599

9984

4537

7591

9.866

48,090J 41,696

89,786

100,896

^ General Census and Appraisement of George Town of the Slat of October,

1829.

Free, Bl4clt,

and Coloured.

Appralfed

Valup nf

LoU and

DISTEICTB*

BuUdjctftt

•jj

•

\a LBJff.

Kloftton

131

158

arr

i^i

509

/.S0A,M«

Nortli Cirmlnf^bdr

sh, a»3

2S]

3Jifl

792

l,S5ipW0

South ComlniTfibtirfrH inclu^fnff CompaBf Path 1
with reAi^ect to A^pr«i^ni«Dt ., .. /

3«2

loai Hit

:17s

A30

J0U4

I5B

l«554.340

Bfebb^Towo

144

3!ll I7d

7»

L9-I

3tHj

1,(J6S,?W

Kew Town, iuclndJne CDlombk ..

tk-Jt

t\\ 7^

itfo

aaa.oo*

Etfthfook

G9, LAO

IDA

IS'2

4rs

437*3:5*

Werlten Ra«t

14«

iw tm

3J«

4S»

iu;f

77«.fl«o

CtovLeAUiwa

*4. i;o

19S

44^

fld£

407,750

LiOfTui^

7J| IBU

ira

403

atis

—

90i

668

)d20

J6u

1743

430»

5«H«

%m.m

. t The Population of Berbice in 1764 was whites, 116; mak negroes,
ia06; female ditto, 1307; children, 745) total, 3476.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

SLAVE POPULATION IN EACH PARISH*

The Slave Population in each parish of Demerara and Esse-
quibo, 31st May, 1832, was —

Births under
3 years of age.

Parishes.

Males.

Females.

Total.

Males.

Fe-
males.

Births
percent.*

Deaths.

St. Mary . . .

3.394

2,907

6,301

237

224

f¥ lags

7. scr

0 ^

Si. Paul . . .

4,510

4,262

8,772

300

338

Q 1«1
0*S1M

St. George and 1
St. Andrew J

3,993

4,040

8,033

280

297

r,ro

7.Z

St. Matthew . .

2,934

2,670

6,604

158

162

5, Hoi

11.^

St. Mark . . .

2.570

2,063

4,633

116

108

4,«M

10,^

St. Swithin . .

2,059

1,851

3,910

104

K 1^

13,^

St. Luke . . .

2,930

2,605

5,535

167

193

6.5

11, iw

St. Peter . . .

3,015

«,872

6,887

178

155

13. £

St. Janies . . .

2,126

2,040

4,166

106

A 10"

IS 2^

St. John . . .

2,471

2,146

4,617

128

144

11 — *

The Trinity . ,

4,347

3,712

8,059

224

281

45 ««
O,80S9

10, m

34,349

31,168

66,517

1974

2112

Slaves attached i
to Plantations /

28,083

25,394

53,477

1559

1705

Personal and 7
Unattached j

6,266

5,774

10,040

416

407

The native Indians of this coast hare long engaged fhe
attention of Europeans, and indeed imperatively call for the
protection of the British Governments When this part of the
South American continent was first visited by the mariners of
the old world it was found densely peopled ; but few, alas.

VOL. ir.

• Since the Rcgiitration of May, 1829.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

Si INDIAN TRIBES IN BRITISH GUYANA.

now remain to indicate the aboriginal inhabitanta of a land
which the Whites have made their property^ — offering a me-
Isneholy contrast to the progi^ess of European coloniaation
and civilization in the Eastern hemisphere.

Mr. f'owel Buxton^ and his philanthropic coadjutors, are
now directing public attention to this humane and indeed im-
portant subject ; the following details will therefore be accept^
able to all who think it of little consequence whether the
image of the Creator be carved in ebony or in ivory, each and
all clainfiing th^ attention of the philanthropist and christian.

The principal tribes in and around British Guiana, are the
1. Arrawaks, 2. Accawai, 3. Caribisce, 4. Warrows, and
5. Macoosies. The first mentioned border on the coast line —
the 2nd are removed further inland— * and in stature, colour, and
aome otfher respects are like the first. The 3rd. inhabit the
upper country between the Esaequibo and Cayuny — they are
described as having the manliniess and intrepidity of all high-
land tribes, and aat being fairer than the Arrawaks, or low-
landers. According to tradition they once inhabited the West
India islands ; it is piore probable however that the W. I.
islands were origint^ly peopled by the Caribisce from the main
land. The 4th, or Warrows, occupy the coast between the
Pomeroon and Orinoko, and are a black short hardy race
of fishermen and sailors, subsisting chiefly by boat building.
The 5th, or Macoosies, reside in the deep recesses of the
forests of the interior, and are numerous, very industrious,
extremely cunning, and implacable in their revenge; pro-
bably they are the aborigines of the country, and fleeing before
more civilized tribes, as we find to be the case in every part
of the Eastern hemisphere.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the number of
Indians south of the Bippanooney ; about 5000 consider them-
selves under the protection of the British Government ; re-
ceiving triennial presents and annual suppUes ; about 20,000
are migratory, unattached to any particular government, and
removing at pleasure from the Orinoque to the Brazils,
Cayenne^ or Siirinam, as necessity (L e^ want of food) or incli-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

AIUIAWAAKS;— THBIR CASTES OR FAMILIES. S5

nation may dictate. Mr. Hfllhouse, of Dmnerara, the generoiia
and indefatigable friend of the Indians, to whose pbilanthropie
labours and varied talents I am indebted for die following
details of the different nations within our boundarji places
them as in the annexed order : —

1. Caribisce, 5. Macusi,

2. Accaway, 6. Parammii,

3. Arawaak, 7. Attaraya,

4. Warrowy 8. Attamacka.

The Armwaaksy it is justly observed, demand our first
consideration, as living within the immediate vicinity of the
plantations, being the most civilized, and whose services
have been the most frequently required. As we are also most
finniliar with them, their character will serve as a model of
general approximation for all other tribes.

This nation can furnish about 400 men, all perfectly ac-
quainted with the use of fire arms, and particularly serviceable
in the intersected country and swampe adjoimngthe plantations.

They consist of the following families, or castes :— ^

1. Marataki^,

14. Nebebeetaddy,

9. Queynrunto,

15. Seewedey,

8. Wooneseedo,

16. Jorobalina,

4. Demaridy,

17. Haduadafunha,

5. Ck>robahady,

18. Boerybetaddy,

& Wurallikaddy,

19. Caruaftiddy,

7. Ebosuana,

20. Bakurucaddy,

ft. Dacamocaddy,

SI. Euboqoaddy,

9. Aramukunyu,

22. Wakuyaddy,

10. Baboena,

S3. Ehbebselio,

11. Kanahea |
Macoveyu, J

84. Wareerobaquady,

25. Aiamkritu,

IS. Dahatabetady,

26. Kariwhete,

18. Carabttnwy,

27. £ubot»ddy.

The cast of bkmd is derived from the mother, and the
fiunily genealogy preserved with the greatest cai^e, as a pre-
servative from incestuous intercourse — one family not being
allowed to intermarry within itself. The children of the Mara-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

36 MAERIAGE RELATIONSHIP — PLURALITY OF WIVES.

takayu father cannot, therefore, be Maratakayu ; bat if the
mother be Queyurunto, the chOdren are also Queyurunto, and
can marry into the father's family, but not the mother*s.

Marriage is frequently contracted by the parents for their
children, when infants. In this case, the young man is bound
to assist the family of his wife till she arrives at puberty ; he
then takes her where he pleases, and establishes his. own
household. But young men and women who are free, at a
more advanced age, consult their inclinations without any ce-
remony beyond the mere permission of the parent, which is
never withheld but on account of family feuds.

Polygamy is allowed and practised by all those who have
the means of maintenance for a plurality of wives. This is
generally the case with the chiefs or captains, who have some-
times three or four wives. All the inconveniences common in
Europe, where there are more mistresses than one in the
house, are also felt here ; and envy, jealousy, and henpeck-
ing, are perfectly understood by their effects in the Arrawaak
seraglio. The interference of the husband, with a stout bush
rope, is frequently necessary to restore tranquillity, and he is
often driven out of the house by the din of domestic warfare.*

The captain commands the services of the families of his
different wives on emergencies; and, in return, he is re-
quired to become the principal in all feuds, and to exercise to-
wards them all the rights of hospitality, in their most extended
sense. On any scarcity of provisions, or prevalence of sick-
ness, all the branches of the family flock to the dwelling of
the chief, and live at his expense, without the least doubt of
a welcome. It therefore frequently happens, that . the chief
is fairly eaten out of house and home, and his cassava field
completely exhausted. In this predicament he. unties his
hammock, puts his family into his canoe, and starts off to pay
his round of visits amongst his friends, at whose expense he
lives, till his next crop of provisions coming in, enables him
to return to his home. The visiting is a complete system, and
is always made to occupy three months of the twelve.
* Petty family feuds or quarreli are unknown. . .

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

^ APPEARANCE OF THE ARRAWAAK8. * 87

The Arrawaak, therefore, in preparing his cassava fields,

calculates upon provisions for his family and guests for nine

. months ; and he is never disappointed in the hospitality of his

. friends for the supply of the other three, although this might

. be a dangerous experiment in a more civilized community.

The Arrawaaks seldoYn more than five feet four inches
in height, are stout and plump in proportion, but not mus-
cular. Their necks are short, and their ancles, hands and
feet, particularly those of the women, remarkably small. The
eye slopes upward towards the temples, and the forehead
is uniformly lower than that of Europeans. This trait of phy-
siognomy may be supposed indicative of inferiority of intel-
lect; but it is incomparably superior to the cranium of the
' Negro, whose untutored powers of mind are as much inferior
to those of the Indian as are those of the latter to the mental
calibre of the European. Some of the castes are almost as
.fair as the Spaniards or Italians*-- whilst those who live near
• the sea are of a very dark brown, sometimes as dark as what
. is called a yellow skinned negro ; but the straight strong
. black hair, small features, and well-proportioned Umbs, are
. peculiarities that can never make the Indian be mistaken for
. the African, even if alike in colour. On the birth of children,
the husband, in his hammock receives the congratulations of
. his friends in due form ; and the women of the village are
> particularly attentive to the wants of the mother. An Indian
will bear any insult or inconvenience from his child tamely
, rather than administer persojial correction ; Mr. Hillhouse
. strangely, and I think erroneously, asserts, that the conse-
quence is, the children do not show one-half of the respect to
the parents that the extraordinary afiTection of the latter entitles
them to ; there is great paternal, but very little filial affection.
A child is named by a pe-i-man, or magician, at any age.
An offering of considerable value is necessary on this occa-
. sion, as, according to the fee given to propitiate the pe-irman»

* Dr. Hancock saw some Indian women at the Portuguese fort on the
. Rio Branco (within two degrees of the Equator) who kept themselves within
' doors and did not use the Indian paints ; and, in respect to colour, lh«y
might hare passed for Europeans.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

38 NATURAL CHARACTER OF TUB INDIANS.

80 is the virtue of his incantations proportioned. An un-
named Indian is thought to be the certain victim of the first
sickness or misfortune that he may encounter; — ^accordingly^
only the very poorest of them are without names. They fre-
quently take the names of Europeans in addition to their In-
dian appellations, more especially when they have been in
the habit of receiving obligations from them; and they fre-
quently ask an European to name a child, by which he enjoys
the privilege of making an occasional present.

The secret attachment between the old Dutch proprietors
and the Indians, consisted in the colonists taking Indian
women for their house-keepers ; and of course acquiring some
knowledge of their language, and becoming what may be
termed ** broomstick reladons.'* The Indian is proud of these
connections, and though he makes it a point to tease, harass,
and defraud the European usurper, who has no connection
with him — ^yet, the moment a family compact is entered into,
and the Indian is addressed in his own language, nothing
can exceed his fidth, attachment, and honourable conduct to
his white relation. His heart opens at once, and instead of de-
ceit, suspicion, and distrust, he becomes open and confiding.

This was common during the time of the Dutch govern-
ment; but, as the taste of the English seems to be directed
in a darker channel, the ties of confidence have become en-
tirely extinct, and all that the Indian now cares for, is to levy
contributions on all who are simple enough to pay them.

Those who live in immediate contact with us, are so de-
graded by the practice of all our vices, without any encourage-
ment to copy our virtues, that a humane mind is disgusted at
the picture. To such, how bitter must be the reflection, though
undoubtedly true, that this horrible state of abandonment is
entirely caused by our criminal and hard-hearted neglect of
the first duties of humanity. The Dutch were angels to us.*

The Indian, having no inducement to carry on trade or

* To As. labour snd indiwlrjr of the Indiaas the Dutch were indebted
for th« swcosift of their early setOemeDte; the example of negro sbvery
must have contributed to bring them to iJieir present state.

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HODB OF 00CUPATION~«EBAT HOSPITALITY. . Z9

cottunerce^ cultivatesi during three or four months^ as much
provision as is necessary for the consumption of his famOy
during the year* The rest of the time is spent in huntings
fishing, visiting, drinking, and dancing. His life is therefore
a life of pleasure; and it is with great unwillingness that he
undertakes a superfluous degree of labour, by which he relin-
quishes a present enjoyment for the prospect of future provi-
sion, about which he has no care. He takes no thought for
to-morrow ; Mr. Hillhouse supposes that this is the fault of
the climate not of the man, but he should visit Bengal, where,
under a similar climate, the thrifty and provident Hindoo
accumulates, not merely for the morrow, but for posterity.

The lex talianis is observed rigidly, and tends greatly to
prevent the increase of population ; but, in this respect, the
influence of Europeans is productive of the happiest effect :
for though an Indian will hear of no compromise from another
Indian in a feud of blood, he will yet faithfully abide by the
determination and award of a favourite European, and will
consent to a commutation, even for the life of the dearest re-
lative, when proposed by his '^ backra matty." Without this
interference, the accidental death of one individual frequently
entails destruction on the families of both the slayer and the
slain. Most of the blood feuds originate in jealousy and the
revenge of connubial injuries, of which they are highly
resentful.

The duties of hospitality are paramount with all barbarous
nations. When a stranger, and particularly an Europeanj
enters the house of an Indian, every thing is at his command.
The women prepare the pepper-pot, and bake a hot cake of
cassava bread; a bowl of caseri is produced, (a fermented
preparation from the sweet potatoe,) and the head of the
family strives to forestal all his wants. The young men im«
mediately leave their hammocks to hunt and fish ; every aiticfe
of arms or iumiture, except the toys of the children, is at his
disposal, and he is absolutely oppressed with the kindness
of his welcome* This is exceedingly inconvenient in tbe
sequel, because, all offices of kindness are supposed tor be

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40 MORALS — DISTINCTION OF PROPERTY.

reciprocal. When the Indian pays the white man a visitj the
difference in value of his furniture and equipments causes a
return in kind to be too expensive. The Indian therefore
says, ' When you visit me, I give you every thing I have in the
world — but when I visit you, you refuse me the commonest ar-
ticles of your daily expenditure:* therefore, though they bow
to our acknowledged mental superiority, they despise us for
our stinginess and inhospitality ; and while giving us all due
credit for the virtues of the head, they say we have * no heart
for any thing but money.' They have not a community of
goods, — individual property being distinctly marked amongst
them ; but this property is so simple, and so easily acquired,
that they are perpetually borrowing and lending, without the
least care about payment ; and, in the purchase of corials and
canoes, their most expensive articles, the buyer is frequently
credited, to what we should call a ridiculous extent, especially
as there seldom exists the means of enforcing payments.

It is reckoned highly indecent in the men to caress or notice
the women in public ; and our practice in this respect, appears
to them highly contemptible. But the Arrawaak, when se-
cluded from public observation^ exhibits as sincere and unre-
served an affection for his domestic connections, as the more
civilized of any nation ; and though apt to fly into the ex-
tremes of passion, when influenced by jealousy and intem-
perance, he is on the whole a good husband and relative, and
a most kind and indulgent parent.

The Indians are considered by many deficient of personal
courage. It is true, that being of less stature, and possessing

' less bodily strength, they are unable to cope equally with Eu-
ropeans, or even negroes. However, in wars amongst then>-
selves, where they are more equally matched, they display a
fierce determination that despises all danger ; and their com-
bats are always k I'outrance. An Indian, who is deputed to
revenge a murder, v ill follow his enemy for years together,
pubHcly avowing his purpose, which he will not relinquish

^but with life* Their principle valuable qualities are agility,
dexterity, and the intuitive tact of tracking, or discovering

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VALUABLE OUALtTI ES— GOOD SOLDIERS AND GUIDES. 41

footsteps in the bush.* Where an European can discover no
indication whatever, an Indian will point out the footsteps of
any number of Negroes, and will state the precise day in which
they have passed ; and, if on the same day, he will state the
hour. In all pursuits of deserters, and reconnoissances of
Negro camps, this qualification makes them indispensably
necessary, as an expedition without Indian guides has tittle
chance of success.

The Indians manufacture bows, arrows, hammocks, baskets,
canoes, and corials, and apparatus for fishing, with consider-
able ingenuity; but, at a certain pitch, their art is stationary,
and there does not appear to have been any improvement or
new idea struck out in any of these branches, from time imme-
morial. This is the case with all barbarous nations till they
begin to work the metals ; which material, by its fusion and
ductility opens a new train of ideas, and enlarges the field for
improvement, ad infinitum — ^whereas, in works of wood, bone,
or stone, all possible excellence is very soon acquired, and
improvement quickly ceases. Their animal perceptions are
astonishingly acute ; and their speed in their native woods, and
over the most difiicult ground, far outstrips that of Europeans
— few of whom can keep pace with them, even for a short dis-
tance. No European march could ever come into competition
with the astonishingly rapid movements of the Indian regi-
ments in the army of Bolivar. An expedition, composed ex-
clusively of Indians, will go over three times the ground in
the same time that can be traversed by European troops ; and
this superiority of locomotion, renders them more than a match
for double their numbers, in their native wilds. They can,
moreover, live comfortably where European troops must
starve, and they require no commissariat. With 10 lbs. of
cassava bread, an Indian can keep the field for three weeks
or a month. His gun will be always in order, and his ammu-
nition dry and serviceable. It is impossible to surprise him ;

* Their sense of smell is so g^reat that they will track any animal (man not
excepted) by merely smelling the stones or earth on which he may have
recently trod.

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48 INDIAN COMMUNITIES PETTV REPUBLICS.

and| with a commander who can keep pace with him, and in
whom he has confidence, the Indian ranger cannot be equalled
by the best troops in the known world, for service in a tro-
pical region, and under the burning sun of the line*

Mr. Hillhouse, whose extensive knowledge of the subject
entitles his opinions to the utmost attention, considers the
settlement of the Indians as so many petty republics, without
any universally acknowledged authority, and he strongly re-
commends our pursuing the same line of policy as that of the
Spanish missions on the Orinoque ; i. e* placing an intelligent
and accomplished European in authority over the Indians,
and forming them into miHtary detachments, and establish-
ments. To proceed with the Indian's description : —

The Accawai occupy the country between the rapids and
the high mountains of the interior. In the Demerara River,
their number is about seven hundred, and in the Massaroony,
about 1500. They are not superior to the Arrawaaks in
stature, but their skins are of a deeper red, and they are
more resolute and determined in their enterprises. They
are recognised, at first sight, by a large lump of amotto,
stuck upon their hair over the forehead — ^with which they
paint themselves, both to strike terror, and as a defence firom
the bite of insects, by its properties. In character they are
quarrelsome, warlike, and capable of enduring considerable
fatigue and hardship; but such determined repubUcans in
principle, that it is difiicult to preserve subordination amongst
them; and their chiefs have less consideration out of the
limxta of their family connections, than the chiefs of other
tribes. As soldiers, a well-trained body of Accaways would
be capable of performing the most desperate enterprises ; but
their commander must be endowed with some most peculiar
and acknowledged claim to superiority, or they will not yield
the least obedience to his authority.*

The Accaways anre dreaded by all the other tribes; and,

* At the Portuguese fort St. Joaquim, on the Rio Braoco or Ptorhna,
there are several hundred Indians, some employed as soldiers, others as
agriculturists, and many in manufacturing hammocks and coltoa clolhs*

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ACCAWAI — THEIR HABITS, CHARACTER, &C. 48

wherever they settle, they soon make a clear neighbourhood.
They are the pedlars and news-carriers of the whole eastern
coast; and their numbers in the interior being superior to
those of all the other tribes together, they could easily sub-
due them, were there any thing like union or subordination
amongst them ; but, from the want of these, they are con*
stantly at war amongst themselves, and the extent to which
they carry on the slave trade keeps their numbers from in«
creasing, so that the other tribes, under the patronage of the
Colonial Government, still preserve their liberty.

From their constant locomotion, no accurate census can be
taken of their number. It differs every year, and every
month of the year, so numerous are their expeditions and
emigrations to and from the Orinoque, the Brazils^ and Cay-
enne ; but, wherever they travel, they trade and fight — and
the travelling kit of an Accaway Indian is as well calculated
to drive a bargain as to sack a village.

They are fiilly as improvident and irregular in their habits
as the other tribes; but they calculate their interest to a
nicety, and the greatest number of Accaways will always be
found where they are best paid, and most encouraged.

Being as hospitable as they are quarrelsome, an Accaway
village is always on the alert, to receive properly either a
friend or an enemy ; and, as the sudden and frequent visits
of the numbers that are constantly travelling, demands an ex*
traordinary supply of provisions, their cultivation is double
that of the other tribei^. If any period of general truce be
allowed amongst them, it is during the dry season, in which
they prepare and plant their numerous and extensive fields of
cassava. But no sooner have they provided a supply for all
goers and comers during the ensuing year, than they set to
work manufacturing warlike implements of all kinds; and if, by
the sale of a few articles, they can muster a cargo of European
goods, and a few fire-arms, they set off to the Spanish or
Portuguese frontier, to barter them for dogs, hammocks, &c.
In these expeditions several families join, as in the cara*
vans of Asia — their only care being to supply themselves with

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44 .' DRINKING FESTIVALS OF THE ACCAWAT.

a good stock of bread ; they then march for three days, and
halt for twoj during which they hunt and barbacot (smoke
dry) their game, and are in no distress for provisions, for
even two or three months, which is frequently the duration of
their journeys.

In these marches, when they approach a village, it signifies
not of what nation, they prepare to attack it. If it be on the
alert, and strong enough to resist, they conclude a treaty of
commerce, eat together, and trade, without reserve or sus-
picion ; but if the place be weak, and the inhabitants off their
guard, those who resist are instantly massacred, and the re-
mainder become slaves to the victors.*

Their audacity in these predatory excursions is astonishing.
.If a party can muster eight or t«n stand of fire-arms, it will
fight its way through all the mountain tribes, though at open
war with them ; and, by the rapidity of their marches, and
nightly enterprises, which they call Kanaima, they conceal
the weakness of their numbers, and carry terror before them.

On their return from a successful expedition, they pre-
.pare for a general and tremendous drinking-match. For
several days prior to the piworry feast, all the women in
.the vicinity are assembled. They sit round a fire, on which
the cakes of cassava, made about three-fourths of an inch
.thick, are baked till they are brown throughout. Each
.woman, then moistening her mouth with a httle water, chews
a piece of bread till it is perfectly saturated with saliva ; she
then strains it in her mouth, and spits out the moisture into a
vessel in the centre. When a sufiicient quantity of this
extract is accumulated, water is added, and it is thrown into
a hollow tree, or corial, cleaned out for the purpose, which
contains two or three hundred gallons. There it is left to
ferment ; and as soon as it begins to get sour, the guests as-
semble, and for two or three days continue to drink, till the
.whole supply is exhausted. On the second day's debauch,
inebriety is general, and all the consequences then ensue, as

* The Portuguese have aboliehed the slavery of the Indians on Rio
Branco.

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THE PIWORRY — MODE OF PREPARING IT. 45

regularly as at an Irish fair. Quarrels^ broken heads, pitched
battles, incontinence, and frequently murder.*

During the dry season, the chiefs, or heads of families,
exercise more authority than at other periods. The security
of a supply of ground provisions for the ensuing year, is a
point in ^rhich all are concerned, and to this all are boimd to
contribute to their utmost. The chief, therefore, calls his
young men around him, and, selecting a fertile spot, he pro-
ceeds with axes and cutlasses to fell the trees with which it
is covered, which are left to dry as they fall, and in six or
eight weeks they are collected into heaps and burnt The
ashes, forming a strong manure, are mixed up with the soil,
and cassava being planted, in nine months the roots are ripe
for use. A succession of fields are necessary to keep up the
supply during the year ; and two crops are all that can be ex-
pected from the same field. One Indian will clear, and with
his wife, plant two or three acres in as many weeks ; and

* These orgies are common to all the Indian nations, and seem to be
their £^eat besetting sin, since numerous feuds and fatal consequences fre-
quently ensue, from afironts given or received in these parties; and
it is not improbable that the character the Accaways have for frequent
quarrelling, may originate in the superior excess to which they indulge
themaelves in these feasts beyond the other nations, who are more moderate
in their debauches. The piworry is very diuretic, and, notwithstanding
the insensible state of inebriety, brought on by the enormous quantities
of it they imbibe at one sitting, few inconveniences result from it as to
health. Now and then a slight fever occurs from exposure to the night
air, with the damp earth for a bed ; but its ill effects bear no comparison
with those resulting from the use of rum. The Indian women, by fre-
quently chewing the piworry, contract a scorbutic redness in their gums.
They are frequently annoyed with the tooth-ache, and soon lose their teeth.
[The African, Otaheite, and Sandwich Islands' women are similarly affected
from preparing a similar drink, in which millet is used.]

Throughout all the tribes of Guiana, however differing in habits or
language, the devotion to piworry is universal, and its mode of manuftu;-
ture the same. It fills the cup of welcome on the arrival of the stranger,
and is the pledge of good wishes on his departure — and, though an Euro-,
pean stomach may rebel against the mode of its preparation, the rejection
of it vrill, undoubtedly, be resented as an insult to the house and person^of
the host. ■*

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46 WIT AND MIMICKRY OF THE ACCAWAI.

seven or eight aeres will supply them with a yearns food ; so
that ten or twelve weeks in the year> is absolutely all that is
required for actual labour, and the rest of the time remains
for pleasure, hunting, and fishing.

Those who are lazy or absent upon these occasions, receive
most severe chastisement, or are driven out of the viQage ; and
as their natural impatience of restraint frequently provokes
the culprit to an insolent retort, when reprimanded, the
punishment, which is uniformly inflicted with the moussy or
club, is not unfrequently fiitaL At other timers, this stretch of
authority on the part of the chief, would unite all hands
against him ; but here they support him from the urgency of
the occasion, and his harshness is not resented.

The Accawai are most determined humouriste; and io
their choice of nick-names, by which they all familiarly address
each other, they are carefixl to select some animal^ or peculiar
part of one, from which they form the most ridiculous com*
parison, with some outre quality of the individual.* They do
not see an European twice, without affixing to him some
ridiculous epithet, most mortifying to his personal vanity.
Rank and tide have no influence with them in waving, this
custom ; but even a governor or protector has no benefit freas
his station, but by bdag made appear more conspieuoasly
ridiculous. This is very annoying to individuals in authority
over them ; but it is meant as a trial of temper ; and, if passed
over, or merely laughed at^ they yield in return a most prompt
obedience, and an alacrity in the execution of the duties re»
quired of them, unknown to the other tribes. In fiict, the
Accawai are more difficult to command by strangers, than the
others ; but if they see that you will not be put out of humour,
nor lose your self-possession, they will soon evince an affec-
tion and devodoui encreasing as they become better acquain-
ted with the oljiact of it„ and. yielding to na instances of
£urop«an fidelity. But the first impression is with them
indelible; and If it be mfavoarable, no eonoiHaiory attempt,

• TtoU aba Urn cu^ with tbe New HoUsoden sad Mveral Afiicaa
Bsdoni I have met.

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THE WORALLY POISON— ITS EFFECTS. 47

or after efforts can efface it. An Accaway, if once a friend^ is
always a friend ; but, if in enmity with you, he can never be
reconciled. With indifferent persons, the Accaways are very
Jews at a bargain ; but they will sell to a favourite for one-
half what they demand of a stranger, and they seldom pay
debts till they are forced to do it. They manufacture the
woraly poison, which they use in shooting feathered game,
by means of the woody fibre of the centre of the leaf of the
palm. This is blown through a long tube often feet, which is
also a kind of small palm, hollowed for the purpose, and
lined with a hollow smooth reed, called a 9ody. The common
woraly has little effect upon the larger animals ; but the macusi
woraly is sufficiently strong to destroy large animals, and even
man. After witnessing various methods of preparation, Mr.
Hillhouse is inclined to think that the vegetable extract is
merely the medium through which the poison is conveyed —
the common woraly owing its poisonous quality to the infu-^
sion of the large ants, called Muneery, and the stronger kind
from the fangs of venomous reptiles, particularly the Coony
Coochy, which is the most venomous of all known snakes.

The Muneery gives the Indians, by its bite, a fever of
twelve hourif, with the most excruciating pain ; and a decoc-
tion of two or three hundred of these, may well be supposed
capable of depriving small animals of life.

The Accaways have not that open and determined deport-
ment which characterises the Caribisce; but they are, un-
doubtedly, superior in courage to all the other nations ;* and
their great numbers, and constant communication with the
interior, renders them the most valuable of all the Indians
widim the Colonial boundaries. Their numbers can be en«
erea3ed at will, by holding out proper inducements; but at this
day they are dissatbfied and discontented, and of course
daily decreasing.
The Caribisce occupy the upper part of the rivers Esse-

* The Aocawai and Atoriis bury their dead ia a sitting posture in a pot
wide of clay with a cover; and yet they say th^t the soul of man dies with
the body.

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4S CARIBISCK OR CARIBS — HABITS AND CHARACTER.

quibo and Cayuny, being at the extreihest verge of the
colony, where they retreated on the first settlement of the
Dutch in the lower Essequibo. They are the most brave,
credulous, simple, obstinate, and open in their resentments, of
all the Indian nations* Their opinion once formed is never
modified by circumstances, and that kind of prudence, deno-
minated policy, is unknown to them. They are, in conse-
quence, rapidly decreasing ; and though, about twenty years
ago, they could muster nearly a thousand fighting men, at
this moment Mr. Hillhouse thinks it would be difficult to collect
fifty in the whole country below the falls.

Those that remain have retired so far into the interior,
that their services are entirely lost to us ; but they still pre-
serve a strong attachment to the colony, and a very slight
manifestation of kindness would soon induce them to return.

The Caribisce differ materially from the Accaways, in that
they never go to war for the purposes of traffic, or procuring
slaves. Their disputes are either on account of personal
affronts, or infringement of territory,, and their wars are
always wars of extermination. On the Portuguese frontier,
they used sometimes make prisoners and sell them ; but with
us never, the purchase being prohibited. It was a Caribisce
captain, who, on the refrisal of a late Governor to accept of a
fine slave, immediately dashed out the brains of the slave, and
declared, for the future, his nation should never give quarter.*

The Caribisce have some slight tradition of their having
once occupied the Caribbc^an Islands. This is undoubtedly
true, as the names of many rivers, points, islands, &c. both in
Trinidad and the Leeward Islands, are decidedly Caribisce.
It may not be improbable, that the difference in the character
of the Caribisce, and the Accawai of the present day, may

* Mr. Hillhouse thinks that to pre?eDt this cruelty, the Governor ought
to be empowered to purchase the slave and attach him to some public
Indian establishment until his labour remunerated the cost of his ransom.
Though this system would save some bloodshed Mr. H. will find, on
reflection, that it would cause more wars than before, as has indeed been
the case throughout the greater part of Africa.

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MODE OF LIFE HOUSES AND POOD, &C. 4d

originate in the former occupation of the islands by the one,
and of the continent by the other — their language being
nearly identical, and the Caribisce only distinguished by that
independent boldness that characterises all islanders, when
compared with the inhabitants of neighbouring continents.

The houses* of the Caribisce are constructed of two rows
of elastic rods, about twenty feet long, stuck firmly in the
ground, and bent over at top into the shape of a pointed
arch ; the base is about twenty feet, and the whole is covered
by the leaves of the palm, laid horizontally from bottom to
top. The houses of the Accawai are built either square, like
those of the Arrawaaks, or conical, like a bell tent : these are
called weemuh, and are very close and warm, being also
thatched from the ground to the top, and no aperture for the
smoke to escape by, but through the door-way. These
weemuh are also used by the Macusi, and several inland
tribes. The Caribisce are very indiscriminate in the use of
animal food. Nothing comes amiss to them. Tigers, cats, rats,
frogSj toads, lizardsj and insects^ are equally welcome with
fish and game. If they shew any predilection, it is in favour
of fish. This they catch by stopping creeks at high water, and
infusing the hai-arry, or the gonami, in the shallows, the in-
toxicating qualities of which cause the fish to rise and float
insensible on the surface.f

They also shoot them with arrows, as they seek their food*
in tl^ banks of the river ; and this method is peculiar during
the rainy season, as then all kinds of seeds and fruits fall in
the water from the trees on the margin, and the fish crowd
to the sides to devour them.

In the dry season the fish leave the sides, and are only
caught with hook and line in the deeps, except at the falls/
where they are shot as they pass and repass.

* The Cttribs alone prefer opeo land for their habitations, the other
natiooB dwell chiefly in the covered retreats of the forests. Though warlike,^
they are fond of cultivating land, and disposed to traffic.

t Vide Vegetable Kingdom for a description of the plan of poisoning th#
waters, and intoxicating the fish with the hai-arry.

VOL. II. £

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50 THE WAROWS — OR SAILORS AND SHIPWRIGHTS OF GUYANA.

The Warows, inhabiting the Pomeroon coast from Morocco
Creek to the Oronoque, are a nation of boat-builders. They
are about seven hundred in number^ and derive considerable
emolument from the sale of their canoes and corials. It is
most extraordinary that a maritime nation like ours should,
up to this time, have paid no attention whatever to the
peculiar and appropriate qualifications of the Warows.

The mora furnishes excellent crooked timbers, of any di-
mensions, and the silvabally is, beyond all known woods,
incomparable for planking ships* bottoms, being almost im-
pervious to the worm, light, and easily worked. With such
materials, and such workmen, as a little instruction would
make the Warows, Mr. Hillhouse thinks a dock-yard might be
established in Pomeroon, adequate to the repairs of all our
cruisers in these seas, and at a comparatively trifling expense.

The large canoes and corials made by the Warows have
been known to carry one hundred men and a three-pounder.
They are constructed on the best model for speed, elegance,
and safety, without line or compass, and without the least
knowledge of hydrostatics ; they have neither joint nor seam,
plug nor nail, and are an extraordinary specimen of untaught
natural skill. These crafts are almost exclusively monopolized
by the Spaniards, who, according to the above-named authority,
do not scruple to take them by force, wherever they find them,
at their own price, though made within the British boundary.*
They fit them out as launches, and in this state they are
admirably adapted for privateering, and even piracy. This
practice ought, certainly, to be prevented, as it is both our
interest and duty to protect the property of the Warows
within our territory, and the craft itself is highly usefiil for
colonial purposes.f

The Warows frequently hire themselves as sailors in the

* I trust this system has been put a stop to. R. M. M.

t Of late years, the Warows have suffered dreadfully from measles and
small-pox, which last, Mr. Hillhouse says, has been entirely owing to the
neglect of their protectors, in not spreading the vaccine virus at a time
wliea the other tribes were saved by the inoculation.

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THEIR PRINCIPAL RESOURCES: — THE ETA. 51

colony crafts ; and, in the Oronoque, they compose the ma-
jority of the crews of the feluccas and launches. They
speedily acquire a practical knowledge of navigation ; and,
being expert fishermen, soon become good sailors, and con-
sequently are ill adapted for land service.

My informant sa^^s they are drunken, quarrelsome, and in-^
subordinate, and have little taste for agriculture — their food
being principally fish, of which they will devour, at a meal,
suflicient for three moderate Europeans ; and they will ally
themselves indiscriminately to whites, negroes, or mulattos.

Like their European sea brethren, they would become rich
from their trade in corials, but that they soon dissipate the gains
of their industry. One month they will be seen gaily dressed,
and elevated with good living, and the next they will be
starving, and working harder than any slaves, in the formation
of craft, for a fresh supply. This improvidence, however
inconvenient to themselves, is, nevertheless, capable of being
turned to good account by an- intelligent Government, and
becomes an unceasing spur to their industry.

The climate being peculiarly sultry on their strictly-wooded
coast, is also particularly infested with musquitoes. To re-
medy these inconveniences, they smear themselves profusely
with the oil of the carapa, and this renders their skins so
dark, that, but for their hair, they might be mistaken fre-
quently for yellow-skinned negroes.

The «ta tree (mauritia) is the grand succedaneum of, and
is almost adored by, the Warows (as the cocoa nut is by the
Maldive fishermen in the Indian Ocean). The fruit tastes
like cheese, and is eaten with the pith, manufactured into a
kind of cake of the consistency of sago. The young leaf is
woven into hammocks, ropes, and baskets. The old leaf
thatches the house. The trunk, split up, encloses it, and
makes the floor. The pith of the large arm of the leaf, split
longitudinally, makes a sail for the corial; and^ by raising
the fibres of the arm, and placing a bridge under, they make
a rude kind of viol, to the music of which they dance.

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53. THB MACOUSI — THEIR CHARACTER AND HABITS.

They barbacot* and salt great quantities of the querry-
man, (genus mugil,J with which they traffic on the coast, and
sometimes as far as town.

The Warows, though deficient in the requisite qualifica-
tions for service by land, are yet equally valuable with the
other nations, as they occupy a tract of land otherwise unin-
habitable, and thus form a barrier to the emigration of
fugitives westward. In their present neglected state, their
point of peculiar excellence is overlooked, and of no advan*
tage to us ; but there is no doubt that, at some future day,
we shall find it necessary to husband them with our other
neglected resources ; and the benefit to be derived from so
doing is manifest.

The Macousi. These Indians are little known. Dr.
Hancock, whose extensive knowledge of Guyana is highly
appreciated, says, he found the Macousi a very numerous
tribe, inoffensive and hospitable, and more industrious and
provident than their neighbours, and the only tribe, except-
ing the Accawai and distant Torumas, independent of the
Caribs, whose warlike spirit and rapacity have almost annihi-
lated the other tribes. Dr. H. says, that they are continually
subject to civil broils, by reason of the strange custom, of
selling their own people, and even relations, as slaves. When
a Macousi dies, his wife and children are at the disposal of
the elder surviving brother, who may sell or kill them at his
pleasure. Mr. Hillhouse says, they are timid, taciturn,
obedient, and tolerably industrious ; but deficient in stature
and personal strength, being of a yellower cast than the
Accawai, whom otherwise they somewhat resemble. Having

* Amongst all the tribes of Indians, the virtues of the pyroligneous acid
has been acknowledged from time immemorial. There being many kinds
of meat that will not imbibe salt with sufficient rapidity in this climate to
prevent speedy putrefaction, they prepare a stage, under which they make
a clear wood fire, and laying fish, fiesh or fowl upon the stage, twelve
hoars' smoking will preserve it for several weeks. This is called • barbo^
coting.'

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PARAMUNI — ATTARAVA, AND ATTAMACKA INDIANS. 53

little courage, they resort to artifice in self-defence, and they
have the general character of poisoners and assassins.

Paramuni — Attaraya — Attamacka. These three na-
tions, "with several others, reside far in the interior, and are
little known. They may be called mountaineers, and have all
the propensities peculiar to highlanders, being always at war,
or engaged in predatory expeditions.

All the information we possess concerning them is derived
from the Accawai, who sometimes purchase their slaves;
but they are described by them to be warlike and ferocious,
and determined against the admission of any white person
into their country. However true this may be, it is certain
that no European has ventured yet beyond their boundary ;
and even the accounts given of them by the fathers of the
missions, are equally founded on report alone. It is remark-
able, that even these Indians, who are, undoubtedly, the
most likely to incur the charge, have never been suspected
or accused by the other nations of cannibalism; and Mr.
Hillhouse asserts that, in all his transactions with the different
tribes, he has never met with any trace or fact to justify such
a supposition. It is true the Caribisce make flutes of the
thigh-bones of their enemies; but they abhor the idea of
either eating their flesh or drinking their blood, and this
abhorrence is general.

There are six protectors of Indians in British Guyana,
under whom are six postholders and assistants, on the dif-
ferent rivers. The postholders receive each £158 a year
and a house; their assistants each £72 per annum. The
protector's duty is to overlook that of the postholders in the
performance of their duties, to endeavour to make peace
between the Indian tribes when at war, and to transmit
quarterly returns to the Lieutenant-Governor. They receive
no salary, and are generally merchants and planters along
the coast. The postholders are instructed to keep their
posts or stations in good order — to attach the Indians to
their posts — to prevent, as far as in them Ues, quarreUing or
fighting between the tribes — to obtain passes, signed by the

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SCALE OF LIFE AND OCCUPATION IN GUYANA.

Lieutenant-Governor or Protector of Indians, from all per-
sons passing the station, and to give in quarterly returns of
all occurrences at their posts. It is to be feared that the
lowness of the salary, and the want of vigilant superintend-
ence by the chief authorities, have caused this otherwise
excellent plan to be of little utiUty in practice.

I trust that these statements will have some effect in in-
ducing attention to the state of the native aboriginal popula-
tion in British Guyana.*

* According to the testimony of Mr. HiUhouse, who has resided in the
West Indies for many years, the following is the scale of life or occupation
of the year, from the line t» the 20 of N. Lat. I give it as the production
of an analytical mind, without vouching for its infallibility.

[NFERELNXES, HEMARICS, and DESTI^JATIOK.

He generally keeps the Sabbath» and retiree to

English

200

Bath or Cheltenham a wealthy and soperan.
nuated invalid.
Drinking his vrhlskey punch at night, and living

Scotch

265

Reekie.

Irish

200

Werk.en.RiMt.t

Itench

800

40 ..

115

He buys a Utle and estate in Flanders, or dies

from drinking sour eiaret.

1 i

He drinks drams, from snn.rise to breakfast, sys-

Datch

225

20 100 ..

teroatically~and modifies the miasma without

detriment to his business or constitution.

German

275

20 50

A Lordship on the Rhine.

Spaniard . .

100

20 10

1 ^

135

Attached to the soil, from whence he never re-
moves.

MnUtto '..

100

60 fl5

1 A premature death from drunkenness or its cob-

Mestizo

100

125

24 50

V sequences, united to the evils of constant

IndUn

ISO

50 50

j poverty and want.

150

20 50

Dies at an advanced age from want.

KefTo Slave .

250

After ten or fifteen years of Invalided ease, he diet
of old age having never known want.

If the European attains independence, his constitution is so much shat-
tered that he is unable to enjoy it. The life of the Creole Spaniard ap-
pears the pleasantest — and that of the Negro Slave of the best moral and
political tendency.

The intemperance of the European is frequent, but not excessive or of
long duration— but of the others, though seldom indulged in, it is more
prolonged and desperate.

t The Burial Ground.

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LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN GUYANA. 5&

Language. The principal language in British Guyana is,
of course^ English ; but the Dutch colonists still keep up, as
much as possible, a knowledge of their mother tongue, which
is the more necessary, as many of their hereditary rights and
deeds of property are in that language. The negroes speak
(as is the case in all our ci-devant slave colonies) a mixed
jargon of English and African words, according to the part
of the coast from whence they emanate. Of the language of
the Arrawaaks, Accawai, Caribisce, &c. little seems to be
known ; and the dialects of the Indian nations east of the
Andes appear not to have been known even by the profound
Humboldt. An extraordinary dissimilarity is observable
between the languages and dialects of the natives of Mexico
and Peru, and those of British Guyana and the whole east
coast of the South American continent — as much so, indeed, as
between the Indians of Canada and the other northern states,
when compared with those of the southward. The Indians
of Guylana do not appear to have any hieroglyphical cha-
racters to express their ideas, nor, though possessing a rude
knowledge of astronomy, any symbolic almanac, as their
brethren on the west of the Andes have. Owing to the great
variety of animated nature and of the vegetable kingdom, the
language of the Indians is extremely copious. Mr. Hillhouse,
to whom I am indebted for the following vocabulary of the
four principal nations in British Guyatia, says, that the
Arrawaak has at least some claim to harmony and expression.*

Whether the whole of the languages spoken on the east
side of the Andes be not merely dialects of the principal
language (Caribisce), is worth consideration. Mr. Hillhouse
thinks that the Caribisce, Arrawaak, and Warow, all materially
differ in their composition, and never run into each other;
whQe the similarity between the tongues of the Caribs and

* The Lord's Prayer in the Arrawaak language is thas given by Mr. Hill«
house: — Kururuinanny— haamary caleery oboraady— bachooty deweet
booBsa — ^baynse parocan bay in so pareeka-^yahaboo ororoo adiako— me-
heracheh beyn dacotooniah — Ebehey nebehedow wakayany odomay-«-
Mayera toonebah dayensey — Boboro talidey. — Hedwolney,

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.56

THE FOUR INDIAN LANGUAGES OF GUYANA.

Accaways is accounted for by the former calling the latter a
brother nation^ as the Enghsh would do the Americans. With
the view of stimulating further inquiry, I give the annexed

Vocabulary of Eighty-two Nouns and Numerals in the
Four Indian Languages of British Guyana.

JVo/ir.— Where the Accaway and the Carlbisce are exactly the sune, one Is omitted. Th«
vowels have mostly the broad accent.

BNOLISB.

ARRAWAAK.

ACCAWAi.

CARIBI8CB.

WAROW.

Man, ..

Wadeely, ..

Weenow.

Neebooroo.

Woman,

Hearoo,

Ebooetey.

Woorey, ..

Teeda.

Boy, .. ..

Elnnchy.

Weenoftitoonoh,

Meh,

Noboto.

Girl

Headaaza, . .

Yemooroh,

Annebacka.

Old Man. . .

Habettoo

TOmpoco,

. • . • .•

Edamoo.

Old Woman,..

DaacaTay, ..

Wabotorey, ..

Pcepeh, ..

Natweet.

Brother,

Dalookeytcbey, . .

Sayowa,.. ..

Seewoh. ..

Daheyey.

Slater,..

Dayoodaate,

Yeynootey, ..

Wahwah,..

Daakooey.

Uncle,

Dadayinchy,

Yaaooh,

Yaawooh...

Daatoo.

Aunt,..
Consln,

Daarey

Waapoh.

Daakatey.

Daooeuchy,

Baatomoh,

Hesenga.

Grand&ther,

Dadookootchy, ..

Taamoh,

Taamcob...

Nobo.

Grandmother,

Daacootoh, ..

Pcepeh

Naata.

Grandchild, . .

Daalekenchy.

Eupaarey,

Naatoosenga.

Head,..

I>aaseye. . .

Ettpopo

Enbooboh.

Maqoaw.

Neck

Oaanooroo, . .

Yewasacorooey.

Yenasally.

Mahaabey.

Byes

Daaconsy, . .

Yenooroo,

Maama.

Nose,.. ..

Daseery,

Yenatarry.

Mayhecaddy.

Month,

Daleercko, ..

Eabotarry,

Endarry, ..

Maroho.

Hair, ..

Dabarra,

Eyonsettey. . .

Ettsettey, . .

Maaheo.

Bars

Dadeehy

Hahohoko.

Arms

Daadenaina,

Yaboorey.

Mahaara.

, Hands,

Yeynarroo, . .

Yenarry, ..

Fingers,

Yeyuaroo- \
seeteireh. /"

Yenarry \
eteedeb, /

Mamnhoo.

Bones,

Daaboonab. . .

Yehpoh...

Moohu.

Skin

Daada. .. ..

Mahoro.

Flesh

Daseeroquaw.

Paacah.V. ' ..

Eabonoh, ..

Matoomuh.

Back

Dahaborooh,

Yaaboob,

Enganarry.

Maahnh.

Belly

Daadeybayoo,

YoQcmboo.

Eaenboh, ..

Moboonah.

K"**

Epopoomhy

Epoboroh...

Maameyhoo.

Thighs.

Dabookeesa,

Eupatooh.

Eapeeteh...

Marolo.

Legs

Datlaanab. . .

Eusalrub,

Euseedeb...

Maahah.

Feet, .. ..

Daacooty, . .

Euboboorah, ..

Pobooroh, . .

Moomoo.

Blood,

Cooreeaa. . .

Mooenooroh. ..

Motnh.

Fire

Ikhe.kee

Waatuh,

Ikkoonufa.

Wind, \
Air, /

Awadooley, ..

Pepenob,

Ahaaka.

Water.

Waoney.yabbo. . .

Toonah,..

Tooniah. ..

Ho.

Earth,

Eetoh

Hotah.

Sky

Ooraroo. \
Casaako. f"

Caaboh

Bow. ,. ..

Ooreybah.

Ataboroo.

Arrow,

Semaara,

Poolewah^

Ataboo.

Bow-strlDg...

S. h. Tecmy.

Labarey \
omootch, /'■

Ooreybah "t
amooteh, J

A. Ahootnh.

Hammock. ..

Daacorah, ..

Eubaatey.

Hah.

Honse.

Baacheh. ..

Yeowteh.

Hanooko.

Ooilal.

Coriaal,

Cooriaala,

Wayeybacka.

Paddle.

Kahaaley

Abagoeta,

Haaheh.

Bnck.FM, ..

Dawadda, ..

Toomayeng. . .

Toomaany,

HahlQh.

Knife

Eadawalla. ..

Mareea

Daabo.

Hook... ..

Bodeyhey. ..

Kehweey.

Kuhweh, ..

Osceeboksiy.

Calabash. ..

Eweedah. ..

Quahey...

MatalQ.

aob

Moossy

Eubodooroh. ..

Pooduh, . .

Dooscb.

^. ..

Coraara.

Casoorob,

Naascey.

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RELIfllON EDUCATION AMD THE PRESS.

SNOLISB.

ARRAWAAC.

ACCAWAI.

CARIBISCI.

WAROW.

Cloth,..

Caremsny, ..

Tebooroh,

Cameesa, ..

Heakaarah.

Bnrar,

Secaroco, . .

Asekara,

Secaramutuh.

Salt. .. ..

Pamoo,

Waaeyu.

Bam.

Pepper.

Haatctaey

Pooeymay.

Poomeb, ..

Hooka.

Gun, ..

Aracaboosa,..

Arakoobsa. ..

Powder,

Culbara.

Calbara,

Henehbwah.

Shot, ..

Bala.

Peeroto,

Beerotoh...

A.Ama.

Tobacco,

Ycnry,

Taamooy,

Taamuh. ..

Aoba.

Sun, ..

Hadallej, ..

Weeyeyu,

Yah.

Moon.

Kaatctaey. . .

Noonoh.

Waanehah.

Stan

Weewah, ..

Eeremah,

Seeregoh, ..

Koorah.

Rain... ..

Wunncy, ....

Konobo,

. . .. ••

Naabaa.

Wind

Awadooley

Pepeytoh,

Beybeytnb,

Abaaka.

Thander,

Acoollla caUy.

OoDomaru,

Nahaa.

Ugrhtniog, ..

Beylebclecro,

Cabeyta,

Abeylebeyleb.

HlUs, .. ..

Ororoo-Ayomantuh.

Wooeybooey, ..

Wooboh, ..

Hotaquay.

Woods,

Koooko

Eetob

Daunah.

Rocks,

Seeba, .. ..

Toebob...

Hoeya.

Sand...

Murtooko

Sacow, ..

PftalriiW ii

Kahemrah.

Islands,

Kal-eery

Paah.oh,

Balohoh.

One

Abaaru

Tegecnah. .

Hesacba.

Two. .. ..

Beama.

Asagreh.

Monamo.

Three,. .

Cabooin

Osorwob,

Four

Bee-y-beech,

Asagrcyney. ,
Tcgenebseh, .

Five, ..

Abadacabbo.

Mahabass.

Six. .. ..

Aba temainy.

.Meahdaroy, .

MohomataDa-hesecka.

Seven,

Elgbt

Nine

Ten, .. ..

Beama temainy, . .
Cabooin temaln, . .
Beeybeech temain,
Beama dacabbo, . .

lYacombeh

*if _ n n 11 1

1 I ncviiiDcu, .

lYacombeh-oeU:
iYiuna-cawah,.

r ,, , ,

Mooreycooyt.

Religion, Education, and the Press. — Throughout the
West India Colonies considerable efforts have been made by
the local governments and legislatures, for several years back,
to promote religion and education ; and by none more so than
Guyana ; in Demerara and Essequibo (independent of Ber-
bice) there are attached to the Established Church of England,
seven rectors and one curate ; to the Church of Holland, two
ministers ; to the Church of Scotland, five ministers ; and to
the Roman Catholic Church, two priests ; twelve catechists,
or schoolmasters, one being attached to each parish church
of the English and Scotch persuasion; besides four schools
in George Town for free boys and girls, and slave boys and
girls, to which there are two masters and two mistresses.
The annual sum paid to the clergymen,* catechists, school-
masters and mistresses, from the colonial fund, amounts to
135,450 guilders, equal to about £10,000 : in addition to this

* The fixed salaries, independent of contingents and the rectors, are
6(KX) jruilders, or j^600. sterling a year : — the Roman Catholic clergyman
is placed on the same footing an the clergy of the Established Church, or
those of the Dutch or Scotch persuasion.

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58 COLONIAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

sum, there have been expended^ between the years 1824 and

1831, upwards of 350,000 guilders, equal to about £26,000,
on the building of churches land parsonages ; independently
of which, large sums have voluntarily been contributed by
individuals for that purpose. On the estimate for the year

1832, a sum of 200,725 guilders, equal to £14,337, was placed
for the s^upport of the establishment for that year alone.

Let it be remembered that these expenses are borne solely
by the inhabitants, by taxes levied on them by the Court of
Policy, combined with the financial representatives of the
community. In Berbice there were, in 1831, three places of
worship capable of holding 1,000 persons; and the usual
congregation is 800. There are two public or free schools,
with 155 male and 147 female scholars.

The press has made as much progress as could be expected
in a community where the cultivation of the land and propor-
tion of its products forms the chief object of men's attention.

There are two well conducted newspapers, a very good
almanac, the printing of which would not be discreditable to
a London typographer ; and several local works printed in
Demerara shew that the mighty engine of civilization, by
which I trust its blessings will be extended and perpetuated,
is making progress on the continent of South America.

Among the EngUsh Colonists the Episcopalian is the prin-
cipal creed, and each parish has its rector, under the diocese
of Barbadoes ; the Dutch have their Lutheran church and
minister, the Romish their chapel and minister, all paid (as I
before said) and supported by the colony; and there are
several active and useful missionaries endeavouring to instil
Christianity into the negro population. Of the creed of the
Indians we know little. Mr. Hillhouse says that they acknow-
ledge the existence of a superior divinity, the universal
Creator ; and most tribes also believe in a subservient power,
whose particular province is the protection of their nation.
Amongst the Arawaaks, Aluberi is the supreme being, and
Kururumanny the god or patron of the Arawaak nation.

Woorecaddo and Emehsewaddo are the wives of Kururu-

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CARIB IDEAS OF THE SUPREME BEING. 59

manny — one signifying a worker in darkness, and the other
the couchy, or large red ant, that burrows in the earth ; toge-
ther, they are typical of the creation of all things out of the
earth in the dark.

The Caribisce and Accawai call their god Maconaima,
also signifying one that works in the dark. Their idea of
the creation is, that coeval with Maconaima was a large tree,
and that, having mounted this tree, with a stone axe he cut
pieces of wood, which, by throwing into the river, became
animated beings. The details of this tradition are nearly as
absurd and obscene as the mythology of the Hindus — they
are, however, sufficiently indicative of the acknowledgement
of a supreme being. Mr. Hillhouse thinks the Indians have,
undoubtedly, a religious principle amongst them ; but, as they
have no priesthood, and no form of worship, it degenerates,
as with all ignorant minds, into superstition and a belief in
magic. I learn from Dr. Hancock that the Accaways are in
perpetual fear of evil spirits, whom they consider night
murderers, that continually lie in wait to entrap and destroy
them ; the Accaways are in fact real vassals to a fancied
daemonocracy.

The great and just Creator is believed to be incapable of
wantonly afflicting the works of his hands ; and, as his power
and unearthly nature places him above the requisition of
services from mortals, they conceive that prayers or adoration
are superfluous — ^his will being independent of the wants or
caprices of mankind. They laugh at the idea of the supreme
power being propitiated by the suppUcations of individual
interest, because they say he is supremely just, and that if he
hears the prayer of one, he is bound to hear all ; and, as the
interests of one individual are always interfering vrith the
interests of others, so, to prevent unjust precedence, he will
be influenced by no supplications, but execute his own will^
without deigning to consult that of mortals.

The Indians of the Spanish missions of the Oronoque, who
are of the same nation as ours, believed, that the object of
the fathers in confessing, was to obtain a knowledge of their

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60 ASCENPENCY OF THE INDIAN PE-I-MEN OR PRIESTS.

-pecuniary means, in order to lay them under more effectual
contribution. As to absolution, they thought the idea of a
delegation of such a power to mortals, was too absurd to be
worthy even of dispute ; but they readily, from their beUef in
magic, subscribed to the virtues of the rosary, beads, amulets,
and relics. Matins, vespers, and houris, were considered as
incantations, and efficacious in expelling the evil spirit; and
to this hour, the Spanish Indians of the Orinoco, who all
wear the cross, and denominate themselves " good Catholics,'*
chaunting their services morning and evening, have no other
idea of a. religious principle, than that the performance of
these ceremonies gives them a charmed existence.

It is true these Indians are more sober and industrious
than any of ours; but this arises from the circumstance of
.their having beeii long congregated in towns and villages, and
subjected to the municipal guardianship of the local autho-
rities. The Spanish missions evidently began at the wrong
end — ^but, even under this great disadvantage, the Indians
slowly improved under their care, from the example of their
regularity and discipline, and an exemplification of the su-
perior comforts of a state of society.

The evil spirit is believed to be the author .of all the
miseries that afflict humanity: every idea of terror is attached
to this power of darkness ; and the pe-i-man, who claims the
qualification of an exorcist, is regarded with the greatest con-
sequent reverence and respect. The ascendancy exercised
by the pe-i-man, can only be compared to that of the Pope, or
of a CathoUc priest. All attempts, therefore, at conversion,
must be utterly futile, except the pe-i-man himself be made an
interested party.

In the present circumstances, the pe-i-man derives all his
power and authority from the conviction of his supernatural
agency ; and he moreover derives all his subsistence from the
contributions levied on the creduUty of the ignorant. This
is so truly monkish, that the bad success of the latter need
no longer to be wondered at — ' Two of a trade never agree.*
. To convert the Indians, the pe-i-man must first be made

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GAOLS OF DEMERARA, &C. 61

sensible that his change of creed will more amply fill his own
pockets. To individuals only alive to self-interest (and these
form a vast majority in all communities), that religion is
always the best which is most in favour of pecuniary emolu-
ment. At present, a puncheon of rum, and a few beads or
clothes, would convert more Indians than all the holy water
that was ever consecrated. It would be therefore highly im-
prudent, in the present unprepared state of the Indians, to
make religious instruction the first object. There is little
doubt that a missionary, more zealous than prudent, would,
at this moment, soon receive at their hands the crown of
martyrdom; and one such occurrence would retard their
conversion for ages. The slower, yet more certain, medium
of association and exaifiple, is infinitely preferable. Pageantry,
show, and ceremony, have little influence, except as employed
for magical purposes ; nor will they respect a priesthood that
is not endowed with the most palpable mental superiority.

In the foregoing remarks, I perfectly agree with Mr. Hill-
house.* The Moravian missionaries would be the most effi-
cient converts of the Indians of Guyana.

Gaols, &c. In Demerara and Essequibo, the number of
persons confined for debt, in 1831, was three; for misde-
meanors, sixty-five males and thirty-five females ; for felonies,
three males and one female. There is but one prison, and it
is capable of containing two hundred and seventy-three pri-
soners. In Berbice, there is one prison, suited for fifty pri-
soners ; and, in 1831, there were therein twelve males for
misdemeanors, and one female for ditto; four males for
felonies, and no debtors.

Staple Products. Sugar, nun, coffee, and cotton^ form

the principal articles of growth and export. The following

return, given on oath, shews the production of Demerara

and Essequibo for three periods of three years each : —

In the first period (1823, 1824, and 1825), 213,478,633 lbs.

* It is one out of many lamentable instances of the neglect which talent
and enterprize meets with from the British Government, when we find
such men as Hillhouse and Hancock uuhonoured and unknown.

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62 STAPLE PRODUCE OF DEMERARA AND ESSEQUIBO.

(Dutch*) sugar; 17,779,473 lbs. coffee; 6,808,913 lbs. cotton.
In the second (1826, 1827, and 1828), 239,556,975 lbs. (Dutch)
sugar ; 13,897,083 lbs. coffee ; 7,389,373 lbs. cotton. In the
third (1829, 1830, and 1831), 262,709,559 lbs. (Dutch) sugar;
7,059,431 lbs. coffee; 2,252,557 lbs. cotton.

It will be seen from the foregoing, that, while coffee and
cotton cultivation has diminished, sugar has increased. We
have no returns for Berbice ; there, however, the production
of coffee and sugar has increased. The following is a con-
secutive return of the

Produce

of Demerara and Essequibo.

DEMERJ^ftA,

ESSEQUJBO.

Sngiir.

Rum.

Holanes

Coffee*

Cottoo-

Sii^u,

EorIk

MQlasscfl

Coffbe,

Cotton,

Ibi.

B»l.

gii\^

lb!5.

l>>i.

Jba.

iral.

fia.

Ib^,

tb?.

leio

B.!123,S5B

471,30*

iM4S,aio

5.«Sl.77f

f 3. 349,590

600,340

S,Sfip,920

i,293,6aa

13,351, i>7g

81 Ma I

6.1C7.3W

1,323. i3&

t6.3l7.354

843,035

687,1 34

399*711

i3.ao;.cf7iE

847,(181

!r.9AKS55

MU8,2fc,

16,758,414

843,266

6h,U9

aa7rS8^

ia,7«o.36a

7^2,140

rp43l,y2fi

%<gj,4lC|

18,52(5,^24

y55,523

91*, SB*

5Kg*4»l

ii.e^7,mi

9fi5.n]i

8, 370^432

:J,fl4 4,690

£1,^*5,3^$!

1,0^St^6

|,586,tl43

B60,ftW

^%nm,7u

ef^fl.imo

11,254,3116

i. 393,980

i4,346.ufi(*

i.ni»,i:iw6

b ,

603,411

49^531

sa.7S7pm

946. JoQ

5^,988

5,370,4 It

3,B46,e£9

10,462,555

lji>9.l6t

547,151

935.454

a>0,O4*l

?MS7.*i8

i.n-Ls.osa

50l.Da«

9.S55,7I7

4,19S,S91

i0,O35.438

hmi.jag

437.121

*t 1 8,827

5ft4,6S3

3a,009.M48

1,445,465

£26, 35^

3,033,310,

1.485,483

*3, 78 1,9 12

1,35G,538

485.499

440.9110

S28,502

35,l!!S.t07

J.fir9.u:ii

333. a51

4,1(S4>,133

J,2fi6.S73

15,467,561

1,551,917

407.64^7

27^.r7»

150,250

30,SaS,407

i,4aa,574

m^m &,m,^97

J, 483,137

ll,379.3«2

1,284,^38

315,2tH)

709^09

S22.4W

3a.ftaa.7ia

umMJ

sai.aUd 6.437,9Si

,1,543,514

13,025,734

1,336,0G7

574.017

3fl'J,45&

ie».44»

3ff,&fi3,l?4

l,S(tS,U35

MS3.6«7 5,9B6.43i

i.oe.',M;

i7.8&».359

1,152,981

J*ii-:m

^1,588

178,161

31,S3ft,3Qll

r,0P3,g3i

1,373 JM 4,735,531

1,^74.14?

I4,4 22.HH2

1.027,721

1.137.52(1

255.958

17^,168

3J,63i,rsl

1,053.3^

1,311,014 6,1130.09^

i.atf7.'>41

17.672.041

1,014,7^5

l,45s;,5lJ4]

350,862

218, 4:111

33.001,^)5

l,«0^.l«a

1,3^3,284 a,57P.4'l'

j.ei*;.h6i

{7,101,378

1,144,5R0

1.162,057

193,074

373,903

4?,«2^,«g3

1,337.267

1,495,3^6 ajai,7;a

i,558.7tl7

12,43 l,JJ9

U09, 191

l,5:£4,a98

255. 7 i3

Jn.4WI

4%Ji!,%3f}Q

1,371,399

i,45fi,536

S,115.«41(

l.56l?,4{Mi

i2>441,lfll

1,^73^907

1,430,7W

;*3 1.39s

355,«aA

46,357,180

l,«Uf,UOi

Uli3,14B

4,450.12:

1,127.171

L3,21«5.151

1.379>7^i

l.l?5.i89

105,(560

90,796

4rt. 43 1.553

i.Pto.oau

i,l«7>*37

J .274,17;

r>46.7w

1 3,920 ,*Jir4

l.9^i*,99a

97**,3r4

M,m

fl7,»S«

31
S3

46,IJU4,2U^

2,U3U,100

l,607,5l(*

1.441>,21fe

379, ufl*.

J4,IJ31,iH9

1,514,60^

I, '^9, 036

27, m

4I«^0

There are many other articles to which I hope the attention
of the colonists will be turned. I would suggest opium as
likely to succeed, and yield a large profit ; tobacco also, if we
can get the duty reduced in England on the colonial product,
would be found advantageous.

According to Mr. Peter Rose,f of Demerara, the following

• 1121b8. Dutch s 1121bs. 4 oz. Avoirdupois.

t Evidence before W. L Parliamentary Comnuttee.

Digitized by

Google

COST OF A SUGAR ESTATfi IN DEMERARA. 63

18 the cost of producing 10,769 cwt. of sugar, and 58,2

gallons of rum, on an estate in the best part of Demerara,

with five hundred negroes, or workmen, on it: — Salt fish,

£677. 1«. ; clothing, £750; plaintains purchased, £1,143;

coals and sugar hogsheads, £1,205; drogherage, £300;

salaries, medical attendance, and taxes, £1,500; pork, rice,

port wine, bricks, lime, timber, lumber, nails, temper-lime,

lamp oil, tar,* pitch, cordage, cane punts^ &c. £1,096 ; ma*

chinery, implements (employed in the manufacture of sugar

and rum), repairs of buildings, negro houses, &c. £1,000 ;

insurance on buildings, £248; — total, £7,919. U. Cost of

production: 10,769 cwt. sugar, at 12*., £6,461. 8*.; 58,334

gallons rum, at 6d, per gallon, £1,458. 7*. ; — total, £7,919. 15*.

These calculations are without reference to the invested

capital : this estate cost the proprietors £120,000 sterling.

I give the foregoing statement that it may serve for future
comparison with a system of free labour.

Vegetable Kingdom. It will be observed from the pre-
ceding section, that sugar and cofiee are the chief vegetable
products of Guyana. Did space and time permit, it might be
readily shown that no part of the earth is richer in vegetation
than Guyana. The most careless observer is struck with as-
tonishment on beholding the magnificent forests and splendid
verdure of the South American continent, where every variety
of timber flourishes in inexhaustible profusion, and each dye
and spice that ministers to commerce or health, scarcely
requires the industry of man for its production. Those ma-
jestic trees, the wallaba, silvabali, buUetre, and purple heart,
whose stems are straight and branchless for seventy feet, and
then crowned with splendid foliage, are abundant in various
parts of the colony ; but, as the vegetation of all our West
India possessions is pretty much alike, and the productions
similar to those of the main land, I will here give a detail of
the forest trees which, though prepared at first for the island
of Dominica, may, with equal propriety, be given under the
head of Guyana for the purpose of saving repetition. The
commercial reader will perceive what an advantageous timber

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

64 TIMBER TREES OF GUYANA.

trade we may carry on with our West India colonies^ if the
import duty be reduced, or, as I hope, finally removed from
colonial timber. The timber of British Guyana is extremely
valuable for ship-building. Among the numerous varieties
of wood, may be mentioned the Mora (mimosa), equal to East
India teak, and superior to oak, — ^it is not subject to dry-rot ;
the green heart, a very fine-grained hard wood ; the purple
heart, also possessing the same qualities; the^hite cedar;
and the locust, or coubarre, &c. The following is a descrip-
tion of the different sorts of timber trees, shrubs, plants, &c.
natural to our West India possessions, with their qualities,
and the purposes for which they are best adapted.

The Black cintmmon is generally found about fifty feet in
height and two feet in diameter, and delighting in arid and
barren soils. The leaves are about the size of those of the
orange tree, which they also resemble in fragrance. When
fresh cut, the wood is of a deep blood red, but in time becomes
quite black ; it is very durable, takes a fine polish, and, from
its hardness and smoothness of surface, peculiarly adapted for
mill cogs, wheels, and other purposes, where its great weight
is not an objection.

There is an inferior sort, called the White cinnamon (from
its wood being of a lighter colour), only valuable for its leaves
and berries, which possess an aromatic pungent smell and a
powerful spicy quaUty, and is esteemed an excellent substitute
for the East India cinnamon.

The Aeoucoa generally grows very crooked, seldom ex-
ceeding eight or ten inches in diameter, and is chiefly made
use of for posts ; for which purpose, on account of its extreme
durability, it is valuable, — ^most other W. I. woods decaying
quickly when exposed to moisture.

The Locust tree is often found eight or nine feet in dia-
meter, and upwards of seventy feet in height ; the branches
begin to spread in the highest parts of the tree, and are very
full of leaves of an oval shape, and a dark green colour, about
three inches in length ; the blossoms are of the papilonaceous
form, with a long flat podj shaped like the husk of a broad

■ Digitized by LjOOQ IC

TARISTIES OF WOODS IN THE WEST INDIES. 65

bean, about four inches long, of a strong texture, and a dark
brown colour when ripe, containing three beans of the same
colour, which are of a farinaceous consistence, and of a plea-
sant sweetness. The wood is a rich brown, intermixed with
dark veins like marble, and takes a beautiful polish, for which
reason it is chiefly used for the manufacture of furniture and
articles of taste. It is very strong and durable, and therefore
employed with advantage for rollers in sugar mills, &c. .

The Letter wood^ of a beautiful brown colour, mixed with
black spots, bearing some resemblance to hieroglyphics, or
letters ; (from which circumstance it derives its name ;) is
chiefly made use of for walking canes, segar tubes, and other
small articles. As the fine part of the wood is taken from
the heart of the tree, which is seldom more than twelve inches
in circumference, it is not available for work of aqy siae, and
therefore confined almost exclusively to the before mentioned
purposes. It is about twenty feet in height, the leaves nar-
row and pointed, and the flower, which is pentapetalous, and
of a purple colour, is succeeded by a red berry.

The Ironwood tree grows to the height of about fifty feet,
and six in circumference ; the bark is of a whitish grey, the
leaves light green, and about three inches in length, and the
flowers white, with red berries. It derives its name from its
remarkable strength, but, as it is not durable when exposed
to wet, the colonists generally employ it' in the interior of
their buildings.

The BoUo or BuUy tree, usually found about fifty feet in
height, and six in diameter, is covered with a smooth bark
of a grey colour ; the branches, which grow near the top of
the tree, are commonly cut into shingles for covering build-
ings, being particularly compact and durable, (resisting even
wet) ; and therefore very well adapted for house timber, and
other purposes, where but few woods would be found an-
swerable. The leaves are long, and become narrow towards
the foot stalk ; and the flower, consisting of five petals of a
beautiful purple colour, is succeeded by blue berries.

The Purple Heart tree, so called from the beautiful colour

VOL. II. F

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

66 rURPLE AND GREEN HEARTH-SILK, COTTON, &C.

of its wood when dry, is about sixty feet in height, and two
in diameter ; the branches, like those of the preceding, grow
very near the top of the tree ; the leaves are of a dark green
colour, about four inches in diameter ; and the blos8oni» of
a deep red, consisting of five petals, and socoeeded by red
berries, which contain the seeds. The wood is mostly used
for furniture when new, on account of its durability, as well
as beauty of colour ; but as it gets old the colour darkens, so
that at last it becomes as black as ebony.

The Green Heart tree, which, like the former, derives its
name from its colour, and grows about the same siie^ is much
(esteemed for its durability, being of a close grain, very hard,
and peculiarly adapted for ships' planking. It possesses the
-singular property of changing its foliage twice a year ; the
flowers are. of a yellowish white, tetrapetalous, and are suc-
ceeded by a small farinaceous fruit, of which the Indians
sometimes make bread, but of a very insipid taste.

The Cope tree, generally found about forty feet high, and
eight feet in circumference, is divided into many branches,
plentifully supplied with leaves about two inches in length,
and of a light green colour. The bark, of a light gray or
ash colour, is of a rough texture, the wood light, and easy to
work, and chiefly employed for the manufacture of domestic
furniture.

The Silk Cotton tree grows to the height of 100 feet, and
twelve or fourteen in diameter, and is very much sought after
by the Indians to make their largest canoes. Its roots spread
along, on the surface of the ground, to the distance of from
ten to fifteen feet ; the trunk is covered with a thick, ash
coloured bark, set with short sharp prickles : the branches,
which do not begin to grow nearer to the ground than sixty
feet, are full of oblong leaves about seven inches long. The
blossom, which appears only once in three years, and consists
of a green calyx, with five white folliculi, and the petals, with
five stamina, is succeeded by a bud, containing a fine silky
cotton, of a light grey colour, but being of too short a texture
for the manufactories, it is made use of for stufiing mattresses.

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THE PALISAPSy B0» PIAN-^RIVIERE, &C. 67

&c. The humimng birds are very fond of it (from its soft
nature) to line their nests with.

The Pcdisade tree, the smallest species of palm, is princi-
pally used by the negroes for the side walls of their huts^ or
split into staves ; the stalk being small upon which the seeds
grow, is also used by them as a broom. The tree grows to
the height of twelve or fifteen feet, and eight or nine inches
ih diameter, and produces a very fine cabbage.

The Troolieg are chiefly employed for covering the ropfs of
buildings in the country. They are large leaves, twenty feet
long, and two broad, of a strong texture, and straight fibres ;
growing from a small fibrous root, from which arise eight
or ten stems, each producing a leaf of the above dimensions.
They are very durable and well calculated for the above
purpose.

The BoU* Pian is very good wood for house frames and
sills, for which it is much used. The shingles made from it
wiU last nearly as long as the best cypress. It is oftofi found
fifty feet in height, even when the diameter does not exceed
a foot, which seldom extends to more than eighteen inches.
The immense length renders it so springy, especially if sawed
when green, that the process of sawing is very seldom at-
tended with success, if adopted.

The Bois Riviere is seldom found far from the borders of
rivers or streams, and generally on their edge. It is of very
rapid growth, with roots running superficially. It is very
heavy when green, but comparatively light when dry, in con-
sequence of its parting with so much of its moisture ^ of
which it imbibes a large quantity immediately when exposed
to air. It is therefore evidently very porous, ftnd liable to
decay, if so exposed. Nevertheless, it is much used £ot
rafters and other parts of buildings not exposed to wet, -and
answers die purpose very well in those places. It splits freely^
and therefore is not fit to be used where timber of a tough
grain is required. It is so tenacious of a nail that has en-

• French words in this description arc accounted for by a part of it
being drawn up for Dominica.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

68 8EA-«IDB GRAPE— OLIVIEREy &C.

tered without splitting it that it is almost impossible to draw
it, 'e8{)ecially if left in the wood any length of time. It saws
very smoothly, and will make good boards for many pur-
poses.

Lauriere Coca, so called from its leaves resembling the
laurel, is a very useful wood for various purposes, particu-
larly for boards, being tolerably durable ; or for flooring,
sides of houses, &c. It reaches to the height of forty or
fifty feet, and in diameter about eighteen inches, but seldom
more than two feet. The wood has a very unpleasant smell,
especially about the knotty parts, very like that of stercum;
it goes ofi^, however, as it dries, and is imperceptible when
completely seasoned.

BoU Perdrix or Sicard is only found near the sea. It bears
a large yellow plum of a sweet and sickly taste, and but seldom
eaten by the least refined palate, although not hurtful.

Olivier y so called from its resemblance to the olive tree, is
a very useful timber, and tolerably durable. It burns with
difficulty, and is therefore often used for shingles, to cover
roofs near chimnies, or otherwise contiguous to the fire.

The Cantrevint is tall and straight, the timber likely to
decay in damp places, but is sometimes used for beams, being
very stifiTand strong, but not durable. It makes good fire-wood.

Sechside Grape is never found except near the sea-shore.
The timber is very durable in every situation, and very heavy,
but always so crooked that it can seldom be used in any
valuable work. It bears a berry about the bigness of an
olive, but quite round, of a beautifiil damson colour, with a
delicate down upon it, is very juicy and delicious, and much
resembling the real grape in taste. The pulp which covers
the kernel is the only eatable part, and does not exceed the
eighth or sixteenth of an inch in thickness. The kernel has
the appearance of the wallnut, but is of a harsh astringent
taste, totally unfit for use. The fruit grows in long bunches,
very much like the grape. It bears an immense quantity
when in favourable situations : the leaves are large and nearly
round, smooth and thicks

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

BOIS DIABLE — SOUR ORANGE, &C. 69

The Bois Diable is a native of the poorest, cold, and clayey
soils and ridges. It grows to a great height, but never ex-
ceeds from two to three feet in diameter. Its shape is regu-
lar and straight, but unfortunately the timber is of the worst
kind, and unfit for every thing but fire-wood, which it is
peculiarly adapted for, as it bums extremely fierce, even
when green, and lasts longer than any other wood for that
purpose. It is of a deep blood red, and very hard ; whether
it derived its name from the latter quality, or its igneous pro-
perty, is a question of very little importance, but it is most
undoubtedly devilishly hard and hot. Its bark is thick, and
of a very dark-green colour, with small white specks on httle
rigid eminences ; the leaves small and pointed.

The Sour Orange Tree is too well known to need much
description. The fruit is no less so, though perhaps not
so much esteemed as it deserves. Independently of the
common purposes for which it is used as an acid, it makes
an excellent cooling beverage in fevers, particularly of the
putrid kind, and unites with that quality those also of being
both laxative and sudorific. The rind contains an extremely
aromatic and inflammable oil, and when squeezed before the
fire flashes like gunpowder ; chipped small it is an excellent
ingredient for puddings and confectionaries, and in the com-
positions of stomachic bitters.

The Grigru is very much in appearance like the Olivier, but
very much inferior in quality, although it makes good beams
and lasts a loi^ time if not exposed to moisture. The greatest
objection to it is its liability to warp and spring although sea-
soned ever so long. It is of a dark lead colour.

The Boisseladame varies in height from forty to sixty feet,
and is about two feet six in diameter. The timber, though
not particularly valuable, makes very good boards for va-
rious purposes. It is when new of a dull rose colour, and
smells something like musk ; the leaves are rather larger than
a man's hand, and the bark approaches to orange colour.

BoUfourmL — ^The ramiers, or wild pigeons, are very fond
of the berries of this tree. It is of little value as a timber.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

70 THE WHITE CEDAR TREE,

growing crooked, ramifying very mucb, and is generally c<^-
▼ered over with tubercles, which afibrd shelter to the ants^
with which this tree abounds { from this cause the name is
derived.

The Bois Jaune derives its name from the colour of the
wood, which is of a pale bright yellow when fresh cut. Al-
though not of a very close texture it is useful for posts, which
will remain sound ten or twelve years ; andjs also much used
for oars, being fight, straight, and elastic; and not cross
grained.

The White Cedar is usually found near the sea shore,
and thrives better to windward thMi to leeward, evidently oa
account of its receiving more of the safine particles in these
situations. It is principally used for ship and boat building,
especially for timbers, which it affords- of all degrees of cur-
vature, and in greater abundance than any other tree in this
climate. It is also sawed into boards for planking vessels,
being valuable for that purpose as it lasts a long while in the
sea water, but decays soon in fresh water or damp situations.
It shrinks less in drjring than any other wood, and conse-
quently swells less, which is a most favourable qualily for the
above*-mentioned use. It is also very light when young, but
brittle and almost useless when frill grown, tough and cross
grained. It grows very crooked and much ribbed in the trunk,
especially near the root, which renders it difficult to get
boards of any length out of it. Its leaves are oval, with three
strong ribs, about six or eight inches long, when the tree is of
hixuriant growth, and about five or six wide, but in general
much less. In the months of June and July it bears a bell-
flower, of a pale violet colour, with small yellow anthers^, be-
coming yellowish toward the stem, and is slightly odoriferous.
The flower is succeeded by a long slender x>od, containing
some hundred seeds, which are very small and flat, lying close
together, and much resemblmg parsnip seed, being of the
papflonaceous kind, and are therefore carried to a great dis^
tance by the wind. The pod is about six inches long, and a
large tree will bear several thousand of them. The tree grows

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

THE B01S ANGLOIS, THE BOIS COTE, &C. 71

very rapidly, and stands to a great age. The colour of t)ie
wood darkens as the age of the tree increases.

The Bois Anglois is seldom found above a foot in dia-
meter, and not lofty. The stem is round and smooth, the
branches growing by regukr stages and nearly horizontal,
but slightly inclining upwards. From this circumstance the
young stems are much used by the lower classes of people as
a charm to stir pots, after having cut the diverging branches
to a convenient length. This wood has a strong smell pf
musk, is very pliant, and much used for oars, staves, &c. J>ut
is too scarce (in Dominica) to supply thepi in sufficient number*

The Bois Cdte, so called from its growing longitudinally
ribbed throughout, is made use of for ordinary buildings a9
rafters or plates, but decays too soon to be employed for
valuable work. It makes good fire-wood when quite dry»
It grows between two or three feet in diameter, and is lofty
for its size.

The Gommier derives its name from the gum, which exudes
from it in great abundance, and is a very useful article to the
inhabitants for various purposes. When fresh from the tree
it is quite soft and sticky, but becomes hard and brittle by
exposure. It bums fiercely, and is much used for torches,
especially by the negroes to search by night for crapeaux^*
which during the day remain silent and confined to their holes^
from whence they issue at night, and by their croaking, guide
the frog hunters to their abodes. This gum is a good sub-
stitute for tar when mixed with grease, although not equal to
the resin from the fir tree, as it is apt to scale off sooner. It
has an aromatic smell, but the smoke, which it yields in
abundance, blackens every thing near, even die nostrils of
those who inhale it, but it is not injurious to health. The
wood is principally used for making canoes, on account of
the singular property it possesses of expanding by heat ; and
is occasionally employed for other purposes, but principally
for the former. The stem of the tree is generally round and

• The AV. I, French, lore frog's as well as the Parisians.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

72 THE CHATANIER : THE POIX DOUX^ &C.

Straight, and is usually found about sixty feet in height, and
twelve in circumference.

The Chatanier Grand feuiUe derives its name from the re-
semblance it bears to the chesnut tree. The shape of the
stump is very remarkable, as it shoots out very wide and thin
ribs, which begin to spread out at the height of eight or ten
feet, and upwards, according to the size of the tree ; so that
a full-grown tree will sometimes spread its ribs at the surface
of the ground so as to extend to one hundred and twenty
feet in circumference, although the stem, where the ribs
begin to diverge, may not be more than three feet in diameter,
which, in fact, they seldom exceed* It is extremely lofty ;
the leaves are very large, of an oval shape, from twelve to
eighteen inches long, and from eight to fourteen broad ; the
wood is very heavy, and held in little estimation. It is a
native of low and rich soils. There is a smaller and inferior
specimen of this tree found in high, ridgy, and poor soils.

The Poix Doux is of httle value for its timber, being of an
irregular shape, very small, and the branches beginning near
the surface of the ground, and having, therefore, scarcely any
stem. The wood besides is of a most inferior quality ; but it
is extremely valuable as a fence to the coffee bushes, to which
plant it is particularly congenial. The careful coffee planter
plants them very near, with no greater interval than six or
eight rows of coffee trees between them. The fences are
planted both up and down and horizontally, on the sides of
the hills, forming squares, like a chess board, and looking
very beautiful in a wellK^uItivated and fruitful coffee estate.
These fences are generally lopped and trimmed alternately
every other year, leaving the intermediate fence as a pro-
tection until the last cut one can acquire strength to shelter
the coffee bushes. These dismembered branches and leaves
are considered very useful as a manure to prevent the growth
of grass. It is of quick growth, and suffers no injury from
these repeated croppings. It is remarkable that the c6ffee
trees which grow nearest to the Poix Doux are always the

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REASONS FOR PECULIAR LANGUAGE OF DESCRIPTION. 73

finest, and outlive by many years those that are at a distance ;
indeed, it may be called the patron of the coffee tree.*

Branda. The wood of this tree is mostly used for beams
and stanchions, and answers very well for that purpose when
it is not much exposed. It springs a great deal when sawed
green, grows tall and straight, and seldom exceeds two feet
in diameter.

Bou Sept AnSj so called, it is presumed, from its duration
not exceeding seven years, and that too must be under
favourable circumstances. It is seldom otherwise used than
by being sawed into boards for the most common purposes.
It answers very well as heading for sugar casks, and is light
and porous, and therefore evidently unfit for durability.
Being common, and easily worked, it is often resorted to
where better kinds cannot be had, or are too expensive. It
has a moderate large leaf, and grows in superficial soil.

Bois Violon. It is difficult to give a sufficient reason for
its being so called, unless its great levity may be considered
so. It generally grows straight and tall, and about twenty
or twenty-four inches in diameter. It is frequently made use
of for masts for small vessels ; but is incapable of bearing
any great strain, and seldom for that or any other purpose,
except from necessity. Its bark is of a very dark colour
outside, and strips ofi* freely, and sometimes serves for tying
bundles. The wood b of a pale yellow, and smells, when
green, exactly like the copariva juice, so much esteemed in
medicine, and may probably be a species of the tree from
which that liquid gum is extracted.

Bois Frai is a very singular tree, being hollow, with thin
partitions at intervals of from three to four or five inches
distance ; the inner part with a thin integument, that hardens
as the tree approaches to maturity : therefore, by the time
the tree has arrived at its full growth, the hoUowness almost

* The manuscript whence a great part of this description is derived, I
found translated from a French account ; the reader will probably, how-
ever, ag^ree with me, that the information it conveys, compensates for
iuiperfeclness in literary or scieniific compo^iiion.

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74 SINGULAR KIND OF BAMBOO TREE.

disappears. From this hoUowness it evidently derives its
name. The wood is extremely light, which, added to these
vacancies, render it peculiarly useful to suspend any heavy
substance in the water. As a timber, it cannot be apphed to
any use ; it grows from thirty to forty feet in height, with
uncouth straggling branches. The young leaves grow in a
very curious manner : before they expand, they are enclosed
in a sheath, or spatha; when this bursts, the young leaf
expands by degrees, of a beautifiil pink colour inside, and
white outside, which after being exposed to the rays of light,
gradually becomes green. These are of the shape of the
vine leaf, with more numerous and deeper sinuosities. They
are nearly circular, each ray or division growing from six to
ten inches from the leaf or stem ; consequently the entire
diameter, from point to point, is sixteen inches, but generally
considerably less. The interior integument before mentioned
is rather pulpy in the young and tender branches, and in that
state is used as a styptic to staunch the bleeding of fresh
wounds, &c. The outside of the young branches is green;
but the bark turns white afterwards, as does the under part
of the leaf, which causes the tree to present a beautiftd
appearance from the contrast it displays with the verdure of
other trees.

Laurier Blanc is a species of the laurier,* of a white colour,
from which boards are produced, of middling quality, for
ordinary purposes ; but not at all fitted for valuable work.
The tree seldom exceeds thirty feet in height, and twenty
inches in diameter. The outer bark is of a deep green,
stained with whitish spots as large as the hand.

Mahaut Cocbon is a native of moist and fresh soils, where
it may sometimes be found sixty or seventy feet in height,
and from three to four in diameter. It bears a large leaf with
sinuosities, but not deeply indented. It is very abundant and
much used for ordinary buildings, staves for sugar casks,
shingles, &c. for which it is well adapted, as it splits free, is
easily worked, light, and porous.

• Fide No. 12.

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THE SOAP AND POISON APPLE TREES. 75

Rose Mahaut is a straggling tree, which never rises high,
but the branches as they become heavy drop down to the
ground by degrees, when they take root and shoot out other
branches. The young saplings before they become too
strong are cut down and stript of the bark> which is very
useful for common ropes. It is moderately strong, and if the
ropes are well manufactured and kept dry, they will last a
long time. It bears a large round leaf, six or eight inches in
diameter^ of a deep green colour on the outer side, and of a
whitish tint underneath; the timber is by no means valuable.
It is found near running streams of fresh water, or on the
sea shore.

Sara Bara is a middling sized tree, usually about twenty
inches in diameter, and proportionally lofty, i. e. twenty or
thirty feet high, the wood is seldom used for building, it
being so very light >nd brittle. It bears an apple about the
size of an English pippin, of a poisonous quality, which the
Chaiibbean Indians use for poisoning fish, which latter do not
however prove injurious to those who eat them.*

SavoueUe^ so called from its forming a lather with water in
the same manner with soap. The tree grows to a great size,
but has a very small leaf, resembling the leaf of the Cassia
Fistula. The wood is used for shingles, and boards for
ordinary purposes, it has a strong smell of garlic when
fresh cut

Gaiba or Calba. This tree grows to the height of from
twenty to twenty-five feet, and about fourteen or sixteen in
diameter. The leaf is small and thick, and the wood is prin«
cipaUy. used for fences, posts, &c.

. Bois d^Ailf sp called from its strong smell of garlic« It
grows tall and straight, and about twelve inches in diameter ;
the leaf is long and narrow. The timber is sometimes used
for common roofs, but is not much employed, as it is not
lasting, and subject to be worm eaten.

BoUtan. The bark of this tree is much used for tanning

* The name of this tree, m well as of every other, when the same syl-
lable 18 repeated, is Gharib.

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76 TAN AND GLUE WOODS — MANGROVE, &C.

leather, from which the tree derives its name* It grows tall,
straight, and about two feet in diameter, and is generally
found in steep and craggy places. The wood is tough, and
commonly used for boards, cart wheel naves, and other
ordinary purposes. When fiill grown, the colour is of a' deep
red or blood-colour, and the bark very thick, and of the
same colour inside.

Pommier, is a soft light wood very similar to the Gommier,^
but of inferior quality, although occasionally used by the
Caribs for canoes. The leaf is about the size of a iaan*s
hand, and of an oval shape.

Mangle or Mangr<we-f is a tree of singular structure, as it
shoots fresh roots as it grows, which when the tree is at its
full age, may be found six or eight feet from the ground ;
to which they gradually tend in regular succession. The
timber is very heavy and of a free grain, and employed
principally for the manufacture of fishing-rods, walking stidLS,
arrows, and other light purposes. It is not available for
building as it soon decays. The leaf is very thick and stiff^
and about eight inches long and nine wide. The tree seldom
attains more than a foot in diameter, and fifteen or twenty
feet in height. The leaves and bark yield a thick juice,
which is very viscid and of a yellow colour.

Bois BlanCf derives its name from the colour of its wood ;
grows to a good size (about thirty inches in diameter) lofty
and straight, of a free grain, and used principally for boards
for ordinary purposes ; although not durable, it is less likely
to be worm-eaten than most of the soft woods, on account of
its extreme bitterness, for which quality the bark may be used
in the same manner as that of the Angelin,}: and with less
danger, as it is not so powerful as the former.

Bois Gluey so called from the gluey juice that exudes from
the bark, on an incision being made in it. This juice thickens
when exposed to the air, and is much used for bird-lime,

• Fide No. 26.

t SkirtH the whole sea^coast of Guyana, aud most low tropical afaoret.

t ride No. 5,

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CORK WOOD — MASTICH9 &c. 77

which is, with the exception of fire-wood, the sole benefit

derived from the tree. It grows tall and straight, and of a mo«

derate size, and the leaf is six or eight inches long and two wide.

SaU Flat, or Cork-wood. From its very buoyant qualities

this tree is thus called, and the wood is very available for

fishermen's floats, turtle trammels, fish pots, &c. It is also

employed for rafts, to convey heavy timber by water. It may

usually be found about thirty feet in height, and twelve or

fourteen inches in diameter ; the leaves are rough and round,

about twelve inches across. The bark is white, and strips

ofF with facility, but has no strength. It has but few branches,

which grow in a wild straggling manner ; the pith, when dry,

is very light and elastic, and may be pressed into a quarter

of its original size, but upon the pressure being removed, it

assumes its former shape and size.

Mastich. The timber of this tree is more durable than
that of any before mentioned, very scarce, and only to be
met with in a few places to leeward. It is of a brownish
yellow colour, and very close grained and heavy. It is very
valuable for shafts, and other parts of a water wheel, as it
will resist moisture better than any other wood. It has an
oily appearance, and will take a very fine polish. When de-
caying, it very slowly begins to be affected externally, so
that after taking a part out of the ground half eaten through,
the remainder will be as sound as the first day it was put in ;
seeming to wear away instead of rotting like other woods.
There is also an inferior sort called the white mastich.

Guava (Psidum fructicosumj. The fruit of this tree, which
is common every where in the W. Indies, is justly esteemed as
very agrieeable, especially when preserved, or made into mar-
malade. The wood is tough, and used mostly for cattle crooks.
The seeds of the fruit are considered a restringent medicine
in some fluxes.

The foregoing detail demonstrates, as I before said, what
a valuable timber trade may be carried on with our West
India possessions; every one of the trees just mentioned
might be adapted to a variety of useful purposes in England;

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78 THE CASSAVA ROOT — MODE OF MAKIKG

before quitting this subject a few more specimens of the vege-
table kingdom of the Western hemisphere may be mentioned.

The AgnierOf a species of pahn^ has the stem and branches
covered with sharp ebony-like spines six inches long; it
produces a fruit the size of a walnut, consisting of a slimy
substance ; the stone resembles a diminutive cocoarnut, and
being susceptible of a high polish^ is cut into rings as orna-
ments for the Indians* wives and children ; the outer rind is
sweet and pleasant when chewed for some time.

The Assery fruit grows on a species of vine which creeps
up the branches of trees ; it is about the size of a large goose-
berry, and is of a deUcious flavour of sweet and acid resem-
bling lemonade.

One of the most valuable roots in tropical countries is the
CiMsada, which grows to about four feet in height, covered
with an ash coloured bark, dividing near its top into several
green branches ; from which spring large leaves supported
by a red stalk. The root, when cut, is in substance like a
coarse potatoe, the bitter species whereof is* a rank poison
until exposed to the action of fire. The Indians manufacture
bread from this root, and also a drink called piworrie ; the
process observed for the former is as follows. The root is
first grated, by means of a large board stuck full of smalt
sharp pebbles, against which they rub it, the pulp is put into
a long elastic tube, made of basket-work, about seven feet
long, though not above three inches in diameter, and closed
at the bottom. This is crammed full of the grated cassada
root, which causes it to shrink or contract ; they then extract
the juice by suspending it to a beam, and by means of a
heavy weight attached to the end of it the machine is pulled
out to its former size, and the poisonous juice, forced through
the interstices, falls into a calabash placed underneath to
receive it.f The root, after being thus squeezed and dried in

* There are two species, a sweet and bitter Cassava or Cassada ; it is the
latter which is poisonous until cooked.
t This juice often proves fatal to birds and animals who drink of it.

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BREAD THEREFROM. SILK GRASS. 79

the sun, is grated^ and then sifted through a basket-worked
machine constructed for the purpose; and finally made into
small thin flat cakes, which are of an insipid taste when dry,
but if eaten with fresh butter, palatable : the expressed juice
not only becomes innoxious when well boiled, but it forms
the principal ingredient in the celebrated pepper-pot of the
colonists. Tapioca is the farina of the Cassava, and well
known as a light, pleasant, and nutritive diet for invalids. I
agree with the celebrated agriculturist. Sir John Sinclair,
that the increased cultivation of the bitter cassava, (or cas*
sada,) and the transmission of machines for grating it, would
be an effectual means of rendering our valuable colonies in
the West Indies independent of other countries for food*

The Heri fieri, a large and majestic tree, furnishes the
Indians with an excellent material for kindling a fire. Taking
two pieces of this tree they cut a notch in one, and placing
the other perpendicularly into the notch so made, by rubbing
it round and round between their hands for a few seconds,
the friction causes it to ignite ; they then light the maroon,
which is a species of moss produced from the behersda, and
collected by the ants from its leaves to form their nests with.
The Moan tree produces a gum, which when boiled makes
excellent tapers ; before boiling it is very hard, and called
carimaan. Another tree, called Dali, bears a berry from
which wax is extracted.

The Silk Grass Shrub, called by the Indians curra, bears
some resemblance to the aloe, but is much smaller ; its leaves
rise in clusters immediately from the root, five feet in length,
with indented edges, protracted into prickly points. The
inner substance of the leaf consists of a number of small strong
white fibres, running longitudinally, which the Indians extract
by means of a small loop of cord fastened to a post, through
which the leaf is drawn with a jerking motion ; this takes of
the outer green substance, and leaves the fibres ready for
twisting into cord, which is done afler drying in the sun.
When the cord is made, which the Indians do with remark-

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80 THE HIARY — MODE OF INTaXICATING FISH.

able neatness, it makes excellent bow strings, as it possesses
extraordinary elasticity and strength.

The Hiary (with which the Indians intoxicate fish) is a
plant of the papilonacea order, bearing a small quantity of
bluish blossoms which produce pods about two inches long
less in the leaf than a goose quill, and enclosing about ten
small grey leaves : leaf nine inches long, central stem with
four spear-pointed leaflets on each side, two inches long and
one at the apex : root, when full grown, three inches in dia-
meter, containing a gummy milky juice, which is a power-
ful narcotic, and prepared by the Indians for fishing, by
beating with sticks until reduced to a mass like coarse hemp ;
the Hiary root is then employed to saturate a corial (canoe)
fidl of water until it is of a milky whiteness, then conveyed
to the selected fishing spot, and the water sprinkled with
the infusion, (a solid cubic foot of the root will poison an
acre of water surface), in about twenty minutes every fish
within its influence rises to the surface, and is either taken by
the hand or shot with arrows, neither deteriorated in quality
nor tainting more rapidly than when hooked.

The Cockarito Falniy usually grows to the height of fifty
feet, and produces the most delicate cabbage of all the palm
species. The cabbage is found in the very heart of the tree
at its summit, enclosed in a green husk, which is pealed off* in
strata, until the white cabbage or inner leaves appear in long,
thin, white flakes, and are in taste much like the kernel of
a nut ; the heart, or centre of it is the most delicate, and,
being sweet and crisp, is frequently used as a salad ; the out-
side, when boiled and eaten with butter and salt, is far pre-
ferable to an European cabbage.* The bark of this tree, on

• There is n worm or magf^ot natural to this tree which is reckoned a
great delicacy in the AVest Indies. It is the larva of a hlack beetle, and
grows to the length of four inches, and as thick as a man's thumb ; it is
called Grogro — and, although disgusting in appearance, when well dressed
furnishes a delicious treat, partaking of the flavour of all the spices of the
East. Grogros arc ouly to be found on such trees as are in a state of decay.

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THE PLANTAIN — MAIZE DE DOS MESES. 81

account of its hardness^ is used by the Indians for the
manufacture of their poisoned arrows. They are generally
cut twelve inches long^ with one end sharpened to a point,
which is dipped into the poison of the wouralie, so called^
from the nebe, or bushrope, which forms the principal ingre-
dient in its composition. The other end is wrapped round
with a small piece of cotton, adapted to the cavity of a long
hollow reed, (usually about nine feet long) into which the
arrow is inserted, and by one blast of the breath it is dis-
charged with extraordinary swiftness and unerring aim,
carrying inevitable death to the person or animal wounded
by it.

The Plantain tree (whose fruit forms so large a portion of
the food of the negroes and labouring population), grows to the
height of from sixteen to twenty feet, throwing out its leaves
from the top of the stem, somewhat in the form of an umbrella.
They are like rich satin, of a shining sea-green till fading, when
they hang down in tatters, as their places are supplied by
the young shoots ; which open and expand from the top.
From the centre of these grows a strong stalk, about three
feet in length, that bends downwards with the weight of its
purple head, which exactly resembles a calf's heart, and on
this stalk, the plantains grow, in considerable numbers,
forming one large bunch, of which each tree bears no more
than one at a time. When boiled or roasted the plaintain is
a good substitute for potatoes, and when ripe a delicious and
nutritive desert.

The Cariaca, or maize de dos meses, hitherto but little
know in. Europe, is a sweet and profitable com, which in the
short space of two months from the time of sowing, yields
ripe grain. It is not certain whether this plant is a distinct
species, or only a variety of the common India corn : but it
is in every respect more diminutive, being very slender in its
stalk ; and with the leaves and cars also small in comparison
with the former.

The flavour of the Cariaca is very fine, when roasted in
the milk, i. e. before the kernel is dry, when it is very soflt and

VOL. II. G

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8S> THE COW OR MILK TREE OF GUYANA.

juicy; indeed, it is usually prepared in this way, and
seldom permitted to arrive at maturity* The natives some-
times crush, and bake it, and it makes a nutritious, juicy sort
of bread which they call Cachapo.*

The Tayes^ a root growing about eighteen inches high,
and a foot in diameter, is much used for food among the
negroes; the white inhabitants likewise boil the young
sprouts in broth. The root is very productive and forms
the chief food of numerous domestic animals.

Of the fruit trees of British Guyana the following, are
celebrated for their delicate flavoured products, or medicinal
qualities.

The Hyahya tree^ is of the species of sapotacea^ many of
which furnish excellent fruit, and some of them are extremely
valuable as timber. The whole of this numerous class contain,^
in a greater or less degree, a milky juice, and in all probability
the Hyahya will be found identical, (or a very near species)
with the Cow Tree, (Palo de vaca) of Venezuela. It bears a
small eatable yellow fruit, of an oblong shape, the leaves are
oval, rigid, and lactescent on being broken. It yields abund-
antly a milky fluid, of a sweetish and rather pleasant taste,
* also a resinous and albuminous matter, or kind of elastic gum
or caouchtou. The tree grows tall, and proportionate in size,
but the timber is not reckoned valuable.

The Star Cherry is of such size and form as if four
European cherries were compressed into one, each division
having a stone; the pulp is enclosed within a clear, tender, red
skin, of a very agreeable taste, somewhat between sweet and

* It 18 also very often roasted or parched by them in the following
manner : — an iron pot is filled with sand, and set on the fire till the sand
is nearly red hot, when two or three pounds of the grain are thrown in and
stirred up with the sand, the latter throws up the grain, which bursts and
yields a white substance of twice its size before undergoing the process,
which is separated from the sand by a wire seive ; the latter is then re-
turned into the pot to be heated up again for the same operation. The
flour of xnaize, mixed with wheat, makes sweeter and more agreeable bread
than that of wheat alone.

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THte CHERRY, GUAVA AND PAPFAW FRUITSi 8^

ioiir, with a slight aromatic flavour. There is another cherry^
peculiar to the country, resembling very ilearly the European^
but not nearly so fine in flavour, and but little valued, except-
fbr conserves^ &c. The former tree, it has been asserted, pro*
duces fruit every three months.

The Missel or Medlar, is a high growing bush, with small
pointed dark leaves, producing fruit about the sixe of an olive»
and in form Uke the hip of the wild rose, and of the same
colour when ripe, but containing no hard stone ; tastes very
much like raspberry cream, it is very delicate and will not
keep long.

The Marches, grow on a high shrub, With strongly fur-*
rowed leaves, sharp pointed, and of a light green colour ; the
blossoms have some resemblance to the passion flower. The
fruit, when ripe, is of a dark yellow, and shaped like a lemony
and when cut through the middle and mixed with wine and
sugar, is a delightful jelly, and much esteemed.. There i^
another sort, but of an inferior quality.

The Guava tree, rises in Guyana about eighteen feet, th^
leaves rough, running to a point, and of a dark green colour ;
blossoms white, fruit green, at first, but changing to a light
yellow, and about the size of a russeting apple, which it also
resembles in shape ; pulp soft, of a red • colour, and inter-"
mixed with very small hard seeds, taste a pleasant subacidf
and forms a rich marmalade, as stated under timber trees.

The Pappaw tree, male and female. The male tree may
be easily distinguished by the foot-stalks on which the blos-
soms stand, being about two feet six inches in length, and bjt
its bearing no fruit. The female grows about fifteen feet
high, and eight in diameter, its trunk or stem, is soft, greeni
and hollow, and the interior part pithy, like the palm \ th^
leaves are about three feet in circumference, and havesonte
resemblance to those of the fig-tree, but are stronger and mor$
pointed; they are supported by long green stalks^ rising in
clusters from the highest part of the tree, and are sddotki
more than fifteen in number. The blossoms, which are of
h pale yellow, are pentapetalous flowers, very fragrant, and

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84 CINNAMON At»PLE| MARMALADE tKVlTy ScC*

much used for confectionary. These blossoms are succeeded
by a fruit about six inches in length, of an oval form, which
when full ripe is of a bright yellow, but it is generally gathered
while green, and ai%er extracting the caustic milky juice it
contains, it is boiled and served up to table as a vegetable,
or made with sugar into preserves. The seeds, when boiled
have been reckoned a good antiscorbutic, and resemble the
salad we term ** mustard and cress."

The Cannelle, or Cinnnamon Apple tree, bears a fruit
about the sisse of a turkey's egg, and of the shape of a pine
cone, which, when ripe, is of a beautiful violet colour, and
tastes like very rich cream, flavoured with cinnamon.

The Marmalctde tree fruity is of a globular form, about the
size of an apricot, has a strong skin, and is of a yellowish
brown when ripe ; and when the fruit is divided in the middle,
ihe soft pulp, (of a deep red colour) is equal to the best
marmalade.

The MoupeCf which is very much like the European plum
tree, bears a fruit of a dark orange colour, of the shape of an
olive, though much larger, which encloses a stone having a
Itcid taste, and fragrant smell.

' The Marippttf a species of palm, has fruit as large as an
apricot, but rounder in shape, and of an orange colour; it
contains a large hard stone, which changes to a jet black ; of
this ihe negroes make rings. The fruit is not much esteemed^
but a good oil is made from the kernel.
' The Simaruba tree has a pleasant bitter taste, and is
esteemed a specific against the dysentery, as well as an ex-
cellent stimulating medicine. The tree bears a resemblance
to the European apple tree ; but the blossom is of a violet
Colour, and has a sharp unpleasant smelL The fruit, about
the size of an English pippin, is of a blood red, and divided
into partitions, like a walnut.

The Physic nut shrub grows about six feet high, with a
slender knotted stem ; the leaves, arising from the top of the
branches, are slightly indented, and of an oval shape ; blossom,
red ; nut) thin-shelled ; kernel, about the size of a Albert,

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CASTOR OIL PLANT, IPEGACUANIfA, &C. S5

divided into four parts by a thin white skin which has no
taste, but, if not peeled off, will occasion a strong purging,
and, if a sufficient quantity be eaten, a^violent vomiting.

The CMtor oil bush, or palma christif is about the same
height as the before-mentioned shrub ; the stalks jointed, and
the branches covered with leaves about eighteen inches i^
circumference, forming eight or ten sharp-pointed divisions,
spreading out in different directions; the flowers contain
yellow stamina; the nut is enclosed in a trianguUr-formed
husk, of a dark brown colour, and covei^ed with a light fur,
of the same colour as the husk. It has been said there were
two sorts of this tree ; but the only difference between them
is the colour of the stem — one being green, the other of a
dirty reddish colour: their properties are exactly similar,
both producing oU of a highly medicinal quality.

The Quassia root, whose stomachic qualities are too well
known to need description, was first discovered by a negro,
whose name it still bears. It is of a strong bitter, and an
excellent remedy against the intermitting fever ; but must be
made use of with extreme caution, as frequently, if too great
a quantity be administered, it enervates the system, and
renders the patient liable to paralytic disorders.

The Ipecacuanha bush grows about two feet high, with
large smooth leaves pointed at the end ; blossoms of a red
colour; fruit, oblong and pointed in shape, about two inches
in length, is enclosed in a smooth green husk, containing a
number of small fiat seeds, of a brown colour, joined by a
fine silky filament

Dr. Hancock, to whom I am indebted for many valuable
facts in the Guyana chapter, says — *No soil can be more
congenial for the produce of dates, figs, and grapes of supe-
rior quality, as proved by the Friars of Carony ; as well as
for the various aromatics and spiceries, such as the nutmeg,
cloves, and cinnamon.* This is the natural soil of the odori-

* The writer has observed a wild kind of cinnamon on the mountainfl of
Bippanonie and Panmma« It is called by the GaribeeB, wabaima, and by
die Portuguese, casca preciosa. It grows to a very large tree, having a
swe^t aromatic bark. The natives represent its wood as being very durable.

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86 VARIETY OF IMPORTANT FRUITS, DRUGI, SPICES, &C.

ferous vanillaj which has been taken to Martinique and sold
at fourteen dollars the pound. Dying woods, cochineal, wild
honey, gum copal, &c« abound in the forests, beside a multi*
tude of treasures unknown to Europeans.

'Many of our most valuable and expensive medicines,
moreover, could be produced here with facility ; as opium
and ipecacuanha, which would give a quick return. The
more humid parts would likewise produce the invaluable
Sarsa de Rio Negro (Smilax syphilitica), which doubtless,
with a little research, might be found growing wild.

'It is not improbable that some of the more febrifuge
species of cinchona (Peruvian bark tree) would be found on
the mountain Mackerapan, or others of the elevated range of
Parime. . But, whether found indigenous or not, this would
afford a proper soil for its cultivation, which would be de-
sirable, now that the cinchona forests on the declivity of the
Andes are becoming exhausted.

'The Rubiaceous plants are especially numerous in Guyana.
There are several different species of coffee growing wild
in the interior parts, as well as of the cephalus genus, of
which the. true ipecacuanha is one; and there can be no
doubt but that the cinchona will likewise be found, all these
being of the same natural family. Another tree (of a new
Igenus perhaps) found in Pomeroon, and described by the
writer, affords a tonic and febrifuge bark, not inferior to
cinchona.

'The cocoa tree grows spontaneously in various parts of
Guyana; coffee, pepper, indigo, and vanilla, are indigenous
to the soil; manioc and cassada are considered the best ali-
mentary plants; the potatoe, the igname, two kinds of millet,
and the tayove, are also very nutritive.
. 'Guyana is famed for its medicinal plants. It supplies
Europe with quassia, or the wood of Surinam. The doUchos
pruriens, the palma christi, a species of ipecacuanha, gentian^
the Arabicus costus, the copaifera balsam, and many others^
are mentioned in the memoirs of Bajon and Aublet.*

Sufficient has been written to shew the value of the vege-
table productions of the British settlements on the contingent

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AKIMAL KINGDOM or GUYANA. 8t

of South America ; and I now hasten to offer a few remarks
on the —

Animal KiiIodom. The New World, when discovered by
Oolumbus, was found to contain few quadrupeds, and those
few by no means equal in size, strength, or ferocity, to the
animals of Asia or Africa ; while some were peculiar to the
American continent.

Among the principal animals found in British Guyana are
the M ypourie (Tapir) ; Jaguar (S. American Tiger) ; Bakkire,
Pingo, and Peccary (Wild Hogs) ; Lobba (a small amphibious
animal) ; Salempanter (large Lizard) ; Cayman (or Crocodile) ;
Coatimundi (or Fox) ; Opossum ; Deer ; Manati (Sea Cow) ;
Sloth ; Ant-bear ; Vampyre, &c. &c.

The Tapir y or Mypourie^ is about the size of an Alderney
cow ; its body is shaped like the hog, having short legs and
tail, and four small hoofs on each foot ; its head like that of
the rhinoceros, with a prominent bone projecting from the
forehead, to which its moveable upper lip and nostrils are
attached, forming a kind of proboscis ; in its upper jaw there
are seven grinders on each side, four front teeth, and two
sharp tusks — the grinders very large and deeply cuspidated ;
in the under jaw, six grinders and one tusk on each side, and
six fore teeth ; the ears are small, oblong, and pointed ; back
slightly arched, and covered with short hair of a greyish
brown or dun colour. The greatest singularity in this animal
is its want of a gall bladder. It confines itself chiefly to
marshes and rivers, feeding upon roots and aquatic plants ;
and, when pursued, invariably takes to the water, and there,
like the hippotamus, is sure of a safe retreat. The flesh of
this animal, when roasted, closely resembles beef, especially
if it be young. The hide, when tanned, makes excellent
boot soles, and is highly prized by the Indians for the manu*
facture of shields.

The Bakkire resembles the Egyptian wild boar in shape,
but is not so large. It is a native of the high and moun-
tainous parts of the country, subsisting on roots, branches of
trees, occasionally on snakes and lizards, &c. ; in fact, on any

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88 THE MANATI> OR SEA-COW — ^PACA, &C.

thing that comes in its way. It is very courageous and fierce
when attacked, often coming off best in a combat with the
panther, and sometimes even with the jaguar, but not often
with the latter. When young, its colour is light brown,
marked logitudinally with light grey stripes, which gradually
become dark as it gets old, when it is of an uniform dusky
hue. The bristles on its back become very stiff, and raised
like those of a hedge-hog, when the animal is irritated. It
has a glandular orifice in the back, containing an offensive
liquor, similar to the peccary*

The Pingo is another animal of the same species, but
smaller, and more slender in shape. Its habits and propen-
sities are in every respect the same as the former.

The Coney Coney is one of the cavery species ; in form,
something like the guinea-pig, but more delicately shaped,
having fine long limbs, with which it runs very swiftly. It lives
in hollow trees, banks, and other places where it can burrow.
Jts food is wild plants, roots, insects, &c.

The Paca is also like the guinea-pig in shape; about a
foot in length ; its hair of a fine chesnut colour on the back,
sprinkled with white spots ; underneath the belly it is entirely
white. It is a remarkably clean little animal, and its flesh
esteemed a deUcacy, something like the European hare, by
which name it is sometimes called. It is very docile, and
easily domesticated.

The Manati, or Sea-cow, has a head somewhat like a bull-
dog, nostrils semi-lunar, and eyes very small and near the
snout ; it is without ears in outward appearance, but has two
small spiracula situated at the back part of the head : mouth
large, with soft and protracted lips, fitted for laying hold of
the grass or herbage growing near the shore ; neck short,
and body covered with a rough, blackish skin, thinly sprin-
kled with bristly hair; the belly and sides near the tail,
white. From the shoulders protrude two pectoral fins re-
sembling arms, with which it supports itself in the water,
and which enable the female to give suck to its young (of
which it only bears one at a time) who receive it from several

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THE PECCARY — WATER-HARE^ &C. 89

porous Openings or mammae in the breast of the animal. It
has no other fins, but its tail is formed like that of the whale.
It is not an amphibious animal, never leaving the water, but
feeding upon the aquatic plants and shrubs growing on the
borders of the rivers and lakes, sometimes elevating its head
to munch at the bushes which overhang them. Its flesh is
white and delicate, resembling veal more than any thing else,
and when dressed has also a similar taste. It is very singular
that the flesh of this animal will keep good several weeks,
even in the hot cUmate of which it is a native, when other
meat will not resist putrefaction for as many days. The
length of this animal varies from eight to fourteen or sixteen
feet.

The Peccary i or Mexican Hog, is supposed to be indigen-
ous to Guyana, and will not breed with either the wild or
domestic hog: it has an orifice in the lower part of the back,
from which a fetid liquor is constantly oozing of a very dis-
agreeable smell ; and the natives, upon killing the animal, cut
away that part to prevent its infecting the flesh and rendering
it uneatable. When full grown it is about three feet in
length, with finely formed strong Umbs, short tusks, and
white or grey bristles. A light coloured mark extends from
the shoulders on each side of the breast having some resem-
blance to a horse collar. The Peccarii run in large droves
in the woods uttering a loud noise, and are very vicious and
mischievous when pursued or irritated.

The Water-hare^ (also called the water-hogi) is an animal
about the size of a half-grown English pig, of the hippopo-
tamus species, but differing in shape from those of Africa,
although of similar habits. Its mouth is exactly like that of
the hare, having long front teeth, the ears shorter and more
erect, and the head large and broad. The back is covered
with stiff hair of a dusky brown colour, the belly and inside
of the legs grey or dirty white : its tail very short. When
pursued by dogs it makes the nearest way for the water, and
swimming into the centre or deepest part, waits the attack
with coolness. On its pursuers approaching it strikes them

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90 THE QUACY-QUACr — SLOTH— ANT-BEAR, &C.

with its fore paws, with such surprising quickness and strength,
forcing them under the water at every blow, that they are
obliged to return to the shore tired out and half drowned.
The flesh is considered excellent food, being white and deli-
cate, and much of the same flavour as the tapir (mypourie).

The Qtmci/'quacy, or Coatimondi^ (the fox of Demerara) is
in body shaped like a dog, of a dark brown colour, and mea-
suring two feet from snout to the tail, which is long, hairy, an*
nulated, having black rings upon a deep buff^-colour ground ;
breast and belly dingy white, jaws long and light brown, snout
black and projecting upwards, legs short (particularly the
foremost), feet long, and like the bear, frequently standing
upon its hind legs, and walking always upon its heels : ad-
mirable climbers, very cunning and strong, and great depre-
dators on the poultry-yards of the planters.

The Sloth^ of which there are two or three species, varying
in size, is usually about two feet in length, with a head like a
monkey, mouth exceedingly wide, eyes languid, hinder legs
shorter than the fore, hair long, bushy, of a dirty grey or
reddish colour, resembling moss, and with three or two toes,
(according to the species), and long and arched claws, with
which it clings to the branches always hanging from them,
(never standing on them), in which position it is to be found
asleep or in action. Its flesh is devoured with avidity by the
natives.

The Ant-bear measures six feet from the tip of its long
tail to the snout, covered with long shaggy black hair on the
back and belly, and on the neck and sides of a yellowish grey,
the head extremely long and slender, of a light bay colour^
ears short and round, mouth without teeth, and only larg^
enough to admit its tongue, which is nearly twenty inches in
length when elongated on an ant hill, and resembling a worm
covered with slime. When seeking food the bear stretches his
tongue on a hiUock and draws it into his mouth as often as
it is covered with the ants, which stick to it in crossing. The
hind legs are black, shorter than the fore, and having five
claws ; the fore legs are of a dirty white, with four claws, the

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THE JAGUAR— TIGER CAT — CRABO DAGO, &C. 91

two central of enonnous length. The ant-bear travels slowly
(walking on the outside of his fore feet) in search of ant hills,
and when asleep covers itself with its enormous tail. It is
esteemed good eating.

The Jaguar i or, as it is sometimes called, the South Ame-
rican tiger, (although it more properly should be classed with
the ounce species,) is of a beautiful bright colour, between
brown and yellow, and when full grown, about the size of,
and very much resembling the ounce in shape ; the top of
the back is striated, of a dark colour, which, as the animal
gets old, become at last quite black : the sides are beautifully
variegated with irregular oblong spots open in the middle,
with a central shading of a light yellow. The jaguar is very
courageous, and will attack an ox or buffalo ; but if he fails
in bringing it down, he retires to seek an easier prey, which,
should he not obtain, he will then lie in wait for the human
species ; this, however, is very seldom the case, unless when
compelled by extreme hunger. It can swim well, crossing
the large rivers with which the country abounds with the
greatest faciHty.

The Tiger Cat is as large as a well grown 'European cat,
but more slender in shape and longer limbed ; usual colour
light grey, head striped with black, and body marked with
long irregular dark spots : there are some variegated with
red and black. They live generally in the woods, feeding
upon small lizards, mice, birds, &c., and when taken quite
young may be domesticated.

The Crabo Dago, (L e. a dog living on crabs,) is about
two feet long, and nine inches high, head large, and snout
full and thick like that of the hyena, tail long, and legs
rather short: the colour generally is a greyish brown; it
lives upon crabs, birds, and fruits ; is not ferocious, but very
mischievous.

There is another species of crabo dago, described under
the title of quaci-quaci. None of the native dogs of South
America have any voice.

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92 orossuM — armadillo — deer^ &c.

The Opossum, a small animal of the Kangaroo species, varies
from six to thirteen inches in length, the colour sometimes
black, brown or grey, head oblong, and large in proportion
to the size of the body, eyes small, ears large, pointed at
the end, and standing upright ; the tail long and prehensile,
but not hairy in general ; the feet have five toes with sharp
claws, except on the large toe on the hind feet, which is round
Its chief food is nuts, buds of trees, and grain of any kind.
There are two or three sorts of this animal, but the above
will suffice for a general description.

The Armadillo (of which there are several varieties) is
covered with a strong crust of scales or shells, in hexangular
figures, and of from seven to ten moveable bands, the last of
which is only halfway upon each side; the head is very oblong,
ears in proportion and erect, claws sharply pointed, and tail
long and jointed. The animal rolls itself up when sleeping, to
cover with its armour its vulnerable parts (the snout, ears,
and belly,) in case of attack ; it is a quiet, harmless creature,
feeding upon roots, worms, and other insects, and grows to
about eighteen or twenty inches in length : its flesh is consi-
dered delicate eating, somewhat like a rabbit in taste and
x^lour, and it burrows in the ground like that animal. When
pursued it begins digging a fresh burrow, if too far off" its
own retreat ; and when half buried, and its tail taken hold of
by its pursuers, it will suffer it to be torn off* sooner than let
go its hold : the Indians tickle it behind with a small stick,
which soon causes it to relinquish its hold, and allow itself
to be taken.

There are two species of Deer very numerous in Guyana,
the one resembling in shape the fallow deer of Europe, but
witli shorter and less branching antlers, usually of a brown
grey ; very fleet and courageous when closely pursued. The
other, something like the European roebuck when young, of
a light brown, with longitudinal stripes, of a clear white,
about the size of a goat, very delicately fi-amed, and without
horns. It lives chiefly in the marshy parts of the colony, and

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MONKEYS — BABOONS, &C. 98

if taken* when quite young may be domesticated, but never
lives long in that state, gradually, pining to death. When fiiU
grown, its colour becomes uniformly brown.

The Baboons and Monkeys of Guyana exhibit great
variety ; — among the most remarkable are, —

The Howling Baboon, — of a bright ferruginous colour, and
about thirty inches in height when standing erect ; face beard-
less, quite bare, and covered with a black skin, as are also
the hands : tail prehensile, and of considerable length. The
cartilaginous organ with which the rattling noise is made,
from whence it is named, is about six inches in circumference,
in the form of the cup of a wine glass, with the upper part
turned to the windpipe, and surrounded with numerous mem-
branes, which can be opened or closed according to the plea-
sure of the animal; the noise issuing from it is clear and
shrill, and can be heard at a considerable distance.

The Kissee Kissee (of the Sapajou species) is about the
size of a half grown cat, perfectly symmetrical in form; head
small and round, face of a flesh colour, and covered with short
white hair ; eyes large, black, and piercing ; the tip of the nose
and the mouth surrounded with black hair ; the body is of a
bright gold yellow shaded with brown, the under part white ;
bands and feet orange colour ; the tail, which is tufted at the
end, dark brown or black. When this little animal is taken
young it becomes quite domesticated, but if confined to a
r()om or chained up, soon frets itself to death. There is a
rare species of the sapajou which can seldom be caught,
about the same size as the above, but differing in colour, —
the body being brown, the head face and hands black, the
chin edged with a short straight beard, which is continued
all round the head; the face is flat, and the cartilaginous

* The Indians have a curious method of takin/^ auimald, which they
perform in the following manner : — a man, seated in a tbiekly-branched
tree, blows a species of flute or whistle called pita, with which they can
imitate the cry of a young deer ; by this means he not only brings the old
dam to him, but various beasts of prey, which are soon shot by hunters
concealed in other trees near the spot.

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94 lACCAWINKIK MOMKET^BIRDS — YAMPYRES

partition of the nostril very broad. ' It ia of a mild diapo-
sition.

The Wanacoei or bush-tailed brown Saccawiniee, is rather
larger than the two preceding, and coYered all OYer with long
brown hair, which turaa on the head towards the face ; taQ
like that of a squirrel. It is in general a liYely and docile
animal} but turns melancholy if confined, in which state it will
not Uyc long.

The Large-eared Saccatcinkee is not more than eight or
ten inches long, but beautifully formed; the face is round,
nose high between the eyes, and flat towards the end ; upper
lip diYided, like that of the hare, eyes dark chesnut colour;
ears large in proportion to the body, and tail at least a foot
long ; the fore hands, and as high as the elbow, are of an
orange colour; the body a shining black, intermixed with
yellow hair ; the face is also black ; although there is a Yerj
rare species having a white face. The Dutch have named
the first-mentioned CAagrintee, on account of its being soon
offended, when it becomes spiteful and mischievous.

BIRDS.

The sportsman and naturalist will find ample employment in
Guyana, where the feathered tribe, in number and splendour
of plumage, make some amends for the deficiency observable
in quadrupeds ; — to particularize each species, whether of
bird, beast or fish, would be beyond the Umits assigned me ;
I must therefore content myself with giving, as in the fore-
going section, a few specimens as illustrative of the country,
reserving for another opportunity a more detailed account of
the NcUurcU History of the British Colonies, "to begin with
the connecting link between birds and beasts, I may mention ;

The Vampyre Bat, which often measures thirty inches from
point to point of wing when extended, although the body sel-
dom exceeds seven or eight ; resembling the harpies of old in
their hideous and disgusting appearance. The vampyres may
be seen in the forests, hanging head downwards in clusters on
the branches of trees : the large kind suck the blood of men

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SAGLE — FALCON. 95

and animals when Bleeping, the smaller that of birds ; while
sucking a gentle flapping is kept up by the wings, which lulls.-
the sufferer until an exhaustion of blood prolongs the period
when the vampyre may suck with impunity. While sleeping,
in an open hut the yampyres are only kept off by means of
large fires.

The Crested Eagle far surpasses in size the monarch of
European birds, sometimes measuring seven or eight feet
across the wings ; it has a crest of four long black feathers,
which are erected when about to seize its prey or if it be irri-*
tated. The ground colour is of an ash grey with dark shad-,
ing; the bill and legs yellow, very strong and long ; eyes large
and black.

The Falcon, of which there are two or three species, differs
very little from those of Europe in shape or size, and is
chiefly distinguishable by the colours. The White Falcon (sa
called from its body being of a beautiful clear white) has winga^
and tail like a swallow, of a bright glossy black, as are also
the legs and eyes.

The Brown Falcon is in every respect Uke the former ex-,
cept the colour of the body, which is brown, with the belly and,
thighs covered with yellow spots.

The Spotted Falcon is a most beautiful bird, about the size^
of a pigeon, and similar in shape to the proceeding ; its head,
beak, wings and tail are black ; legs yellow, and breast a deep
orange, with white specks scattered over the whole body.

The King of the Vultures, an immense bird, as large as the
black eagle, is of a pinky white, or flesh colour, in the body ;
wings black ; head and neck (entirely divested of feathers)
of an orange and rose colour, alternately shaded ; the beak is
overhung with a fleshy substance^ also of an orange colour,
curiously shaped, like an ornamented tassel. The eyes of a
light pearl colour, are round and large and sparkling ; around
the neck, above the breast, is a kind of collar of thick rough
feathers, of an iron grey colour, which serves it as a safeguard'
to draw its head into when likely to be stung or wounded by
the venomous snakes, upon which it usually feeds.

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96 BANANA AND TIGER BIRDS — GUYANA PARTRIDGE, &C.

Among the birds worthy of notice for the beauty of their
plumage, or singular propensities and habits, are —

The Banana Bird (so called from its fondness for that
fruit), as large as a thrush; body chiefly of a yellow or
orange colour, beak and legs horn colour, wings and tail
black ; it builds its nest nearly a yard in height, of a conical
form, composed mostly of grass, with an opening half way
down for its entrance. The bottom is semi-globular, with the
upper and narrowest part fastened to the extremity of a
branch that overhangs the water, in order to secure its inmate
and brood from lizards and other reptiles.

The Currie Currie, or Red Curlew, is a very beautiful
bird, having a neck, body and wings of bright scarlet, the
four principal wing feathers tipped with black ; its legs are
long and slender. It is larger than the common curlew, and
very delicious eating when young, at which time it is quite
black, not attaining its rich plumage until a year old.

The Partridge J called Anamoe, is much of the same shape
as the European partridge but larger, of a dark brown colour
on the top of the head, back, and wings ; the breast, legs and
thighs, of a cream colour, with transversal bars of orange and
black feathers. The head and bill are small, neck long, tail
wanting ; it is a bad flying bird, runs very swift, and finds
shelter among the low bush-wood ; its flesh is extremely
luxuriant eating.

The Maam is about the size of a pullet, which it resembles
in shape and habits. It is of a light brown colour, and
when dressed the flesh is white and delicate, but very dry,
which is rather remarkable, as the bird is exceedingly plump
and fat, and cannot fly any great distance without resting.

The Wallababa is a beautiful bird, with a deep purple
body and white wings. Its cry sounds like its name, but its
voice is harsh and hoarse.

The Ibibirouy is somewhat like an English magpie, its
head being black and white, the breast, back, and wings arc
tastefully variegated.

The Tiger Bird, or Bittern is of a briglit brown colour,

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THE MOCKINO AND TRUMPETER BIRDS. 97

marked with black stripes like the animal after which it is
named; bill hard, long, and yery sharp pointed, neck and
legs very long, and the body, although looking large when
the bird is flying, generally small and thin.

The Douraquarey resembles the English partridge in its
colours, but is not more than half its size.

The Dara, is about as large as the jay, with a plumage of
snow-white, and a high crest of black and white rising from
its head ; its notes are clear, loud, sonorous, and romantic,
resembling the sound of village church bells.

The Mocking Bird is larger than the starling, of a black
and yellow colour, with its beak of a sulphur tint; delights
(as most of the birds of this continent do), to take up his
abode near the habitation of man; his note is sweet and
short, but if a sheep bleat near him, a dog bark, or a hen'
cackle, he stops his own note, and instantly commences with
apparent delight an imitation of the animal he hears, with a
mimicry quite extraordinary. The nests are penduldus, and
suspended from the outer branches of trees, similar to those
of the Banana Bird, to which it is a near species, if not
actually identical; but the latter is not so perfect in its «
imitations, which is in all probability the reason they haye^
been distinctly classed.

The Waracoba, or Trumpeter (Psophia Crepitans of
Linnaeus) is about the sbe of a domestic fowl, with short
wings and tail, and long legs, runs yery fast, but seldom flies.
The singular habits of this bird are yery amusing : it will
stand on one leg as the traveller approaches, and hop or
dance before him, and then tumble oyer and over like a
merry andrew, uttering at the same time a peculiar noise»
from which it derives its name. When domesticated it
becomes much attached to the person who feeds it, following
him about like a dog, and driving away all other birds, and
even a hog or any domestic animal; jumping upon and
scratching them with such fury that it intimidates and puts
them to flight. Naturalists are at a lops to account for the
sound it makes, soma averring l;bat it proceeds from this

VOL. II. H

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98 THE VENTRILOQUIST — SUN- FOWL— TOUCAN, &C.

belly^ after the manner of a ventriloquist; others (and'
Linnaeus amongst the number), say it is caused by the anus,'
but they all agree that this power is confined to the male
bird. According to Dr. Hancock, a gentleman of great
experience, who resided in the West Indies nearly thirty
years, the trachea (wind pipe) runs down the belly to within'
an inch of the anus, it is then doubled back upon itself and
enters the cavity of the chest at the anterior part of the
breast^bone ; in all probability, therefore, it is this peculiar
formation that gave rise to the before-mentioned conjecture.
These birds are highly prized by the Indians, and kept in
their houses, but are seldom or ever known to breed when
domesticated.

The Sun Fowl is about the size of a woodcock, and similar
in shape, with a long pointed beak, and long slender legs ;
colour brown, shaded with black and yellow; the long
feathers in the wings resemble the rays of the sun, which it is
apparently very proud of shewing, as it almost invariably
appears with its wings spread out like a peacock's tail. It
lives upon insects and soon becomes tame.

The Swallows of Guyana resemble those of Europe in most
respects, but are rather larger, and in place of the white
mark under the throat of the latter, have one of an ash-grey.
They build in houses, and never quit the country.

Macaws and Parrots are in great variety.

The Toucan (called by the natives Pia-poco, from its cry)
is about the size of a magpie, having an enormous beak, or
proboscis, which appears to weigh the bird down to the
earth. Its plumage is exquisitely variegated with yellow and
black, upon a ground of brilliant scarlet; the eye is also
encircled by bare skin, of the same colours combined. It
iBies by jerks, like the magpie, and is equally cautious of
strangers.

The Houston (also named from its cry) is a most magni-
ficent bird, — its plumage partaking of all the colours of the
rainbow. It can only be met with, at the dawn of morning^
in the woods and unfrequented places, and may then be

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. THE FLY-CATCHER — ^WILD TURKEY, &C. 99

heard articulating, with a loud and clear voiced " Hau-^tou
kou'tou^'' in such a distinct mournfiil tone, that the traveller
is at once interested and delighted. This bird never ap
proaches the habitation of man, shuns all society with other
birds, and is seldom caught.

The Wow WoWf so called by the natives, is a beautiful
bird, with a head and breast of a deep blue ; back and rump,
very much like the peacock's neck ; belly, bright yellow, or
gold colour; and very short legs, so that the bird seems to
squat on its stomach, much like the swallow; the neck ia
quite destitute of feathers, although it cannot be easily ob-
served as it sits upon the branches with its head sunk
between its shoulders ; it flies by long jerks, and is about
the size of a pigeon.

The Han^a-qua somewhat resembles a hen pheasant^
though smaller in size ; the bill and legs are flesh-coloured,
and the cheeks red.

The Marradicy or Wild Fowl, is of the same species as the
former;- about the size of a barn-door fowl; head and body
chiefly black, slightly speckled with white*

The Cole is also of the same species, size and colour as
the Maradie, except the head and cheeks, which are white-^
the latter are naked.

The Derli, or Fltf-^atcherf equal to any before mentioned
for variety and beauty of plumage, is about the size of a
pigeon, its body partaking of all the different shades of
brown, spotted with white and black. It may be easily tamed;
and will stay in a house, feeding upon flies, which it darts at
with its bill.

The Powie Powie, or Wild Turkey, (somewhat smaller than
the domestic bird of Europe) has a bright yellow bill, and a
beautiful crest of glossy black feathers, very curiously curled
near the points ; head, neck, and body, of a shining black ;
tail long, consisting of several broad feathers, which it can
spread at pleasure. ' This bird, like the Hou-tou, &c* derives
its name from its cry, and is excellent eating.

The Peacock CoUbri, or Humming Bird, of which there
are varieties too numerous to be treated of here» is of an es«

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100 HUUMIKO BIRD — ^EOBVTTE — SPOONBILL, &C

qokite shining green^ with a rich red brown shading; neck,
particularly brilliant, of a still lighter green ; tail, a bright
purple, with gold-coloured feathers on each side ; the bird is
about three inches long, of which the tail is full half. There
are several other species, varying in sixe from a quarter of an
inch to five inches, and variegated with all the colours of the
rainbow. Their nests are built between the forked branches
of trees, and are composed of dry leaves, lined with silk
cotton ; they lay two white eggs, of the sise of peas, but
father oval in shape, on which they sit ten or twelve days.
These exquisitely lovely creatures subsist chiefly on the juice
of flowers ; the largest sorts upon gnats and other very small
insects.

The Black-winged Woodcreeper, s<miewhat larger than an
European titmouse, is of a most brilliant ultra-marine blue,
except the throat and wings, which are glossy black; the
inside of the wings, silver grey ; the bill, about an inch and a
half long, is black, and the legs orange, with three toes
before and one behind, ending in small crooked nails.^

Among the principal water-fowl are the

Snanhwhite Egrette, so called from the delicate and beau-
tiftd pkune on its breast, which so frequendy adorns the
heads of the European noblesse. The bird is of the shape
of the heron, but not quite so large, with a black bilL

The SpowMU is as large as a full-grown goose, and, like
ihat bird, web-footed; the bill, from which it derives its
name, is from six to seven inches long, quite straight and
flat to within two inches of the tip, where it becomes broad
and round, exactly resembling a spoon; the head is of a
wUtbh or grey colour, and rather bald on the top; and the
feathers on the body are slightly tinted with pink* The
spoonbills may be seen by dosens standing in a fine, ranged
like soldiers, on the beach, waiting for the small fish which
are brought in by the tide.

The Hammie HamnUe^ a large bird of the heron species^

so called by the natives, measures about six feet from hea4^

' to foot, with a long straight faiD, t^minating in a poini, of a

light phik» or flesh colour. The top of the bead is Uack,

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THB VICIMY DUCK, CBANKi FLAMINOO, &C. 101

Adorned with a small crest; neck long and white; wings
brown, and tipped with black ; and back covered with long
hairy feathers.

The Vieissy Duck is smaller than the European duck;
bill, legs, and feet of an orange colour ; feathers on the top of
the head brown, with variegated bars of a light chesnut }
breast, a dark mahogany colour. The Yicissy breed in the
savannahs, and make a sort of whistling noise, not in the
least like that made by ducks in England, They are so
timid that, when fired at, though unhurt, they £all to the
ground to all appearance dead; but if not mortally wounded,
they are scarcely ever discovered, as they hide themselves in
the grass with surprising dexterity. They are very delicate
eating, being free from that fishy taste so unpleasant in the
Muscovy duck.

The Jabiru or Crane is clear white, except the head and
prime feathers of the wings and the tail, which are black ; Uie
legs, neck, and back, are very long like the European stork,
which i^ also resembles in sise.

The Grey Crane is of the same shape, but not so large as
the former ; of a blueish grey, with a small crest on the back
part of the head, and some long light grey feathers along the
neck ; the beak and legs (long, like the preceding) are of a
greenish cast.

The Flamingo, about half the size of the European stork,
and of the same shape, is of a lively scarlet when full grown ;
(when young, white or grey^) with an arched bill, long legs
and wings**

The Aunakee, or Wild Duck, is not so large as those of
Europe, but stands higher on its legs; it is of a light brown«

* The emboachores of the.ri?er8 in Eastern Africa are crowded with
these beautiful birds, which, at a distance, resemble regiments of soldiers
drawn up on the beach to oppose a landing. During the expedition of
Captain Owen in the Leven and Barracouta, I have seen our sailors shoot
hundreds of flamingos for the purpose of making a dish of the tongue aionet
the remainder of the bird, in imitation of the Roman epicures, being
thrown away.

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108 THE DARTER — ^LIZARDS AND SERPENTS.

Beautifully variegated with darker shades^ bill and legs of a
pale orange ; frequently domesticated among the poultry^ and
excellent eating.

The Water Hen is about the size of, and resembles in
shape, the European moor hen, but of a deep cinnamon
colour, with the principal wing feathers of a light green ; it
has a small comb on the forehead, crossing the beak, of a
blood-red ; the beak, which is about two inches long, is of a
yellowish green* It has three long toes before and one be-
hind ; taste rather insipid and somewhat fishy.

The Darter is a fine bird, as large as a Muscovy duck, and
something like it in shape, but more slender ; the head is ob*
long, and small in proportion to the body, ending in a pointed
beak about three inches long, which causes it to look like a
serpent; the neck long, body chiefly grey, shaded with
black and white^ This bird waits on the bank until it sees
a fish rise in the water, when it pounces down with amazing
quickness ; if unsuccessful in transfixing the fish with its
beak it will pursue it under water, and indeed it rarely fails
in catching the object pursued.

Lizards and Serpents. — Gruyana, teeming with animal and
vegetable life under a vertical sun, may be naturally sup*
posed prolific in lizards, serpents, &c. ; these reptiles are
however objects of fear, owing rather to their prodigious
size or hideous appearance, than to their poisonous qualities
or voracity towards man.

The Cayman,^ or Crocodile^ or Alligator, is seldom found
more than from fifteen to twenty feet in length, usually of a
light dusky colour when young, but becoming iron grey when
full grown ; it has a hard scaly impenetrable skin, indented

* The Indians, it is said, are very expert in catching the cayman t—
a man dives down upon the crocodile*8 Iwok, while asleep, and
fastens a rope round its body ; he then strides across it and, making a
si^al to his companions on the river's bank, they are pulled towards the
surface of the water together. By tickling it under the axilla with a stick,
the monster, it is stated, becomes perfectly manageable, and is hauled te
the beach, where the rider's comrades despatch him with iron-shod elabs.

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THB CAYMAN, OR CROCOI>1L£ — GUANA, &C. J08

on the back and upper ridge of the tail ; the head very strongly
formed, with a long snout and extremely wide jaws, armed
-with a formidable double row of sharp teeth* The claws on
the fore feet are tremendously strong and sharp* The flesh,
although of a musky smell, is eaten with avidity by the In*
dians. For a description of the internal structurle see Cuvier't
Natural History.

The Guana is about three feet long from the head to the
extremity of the tail, and covered with a soft skin, of a blueish
green colour on the back and legs ; on the sides and belly
nearly white. It has a bag or pouch of loose skin under its
throat of a light green ; eyes black ; and claws, of which there
are three or five on each foot, sharply pointed. It has also a
fringed skin or kind of mane running along from the head to
the tail which it erects when irritated, and will then snap hold
of any thing with great tenacity, but it is perfectly harmless if
tindisturbed ; the bite is painful but not dangerous. The
Indians hunt this animal for its flesh which is very dehcious,
and reckoned but Uttle inferior to turtle.

The Brown Lizard^ called also the Devil in the Woody is
about eighteen inches long, tail included ; it has no scales, is
of a dark brown colour, mixed with black spots ; the head
large, and the legs armed with strong claws. It runs very fast«
feeds on small birds and insects, and will bite very severely. :

The Serpentine Lizard is a very singular reptile, being
neither serpent nor lizard, but partaking of the characters of
both. The shape and contour of the body is exactly that of
a serpent, with four armatures or feet attached* The body is
Very slender and nearly cylindric, covered with small annular
bands, a httle interrupted at the insertions of the feet, which
are very imperfect, being small appendages, almost without
toes or nails except mere rudiments ; it is therefore their situa*
tion alone that would imply them to answer that purpose. The
eyes are small, teeth widely placed and very fine, tongue bifid
and cutaneous ; the back is of chocolate colour, belly white.
^The Umbs have each a joint about the middle, forming a sort
of elbow, and there are three toes on each fore foot. When

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104 SERnNTINE LIZARD, CHAMELION, &C.

toused by any approaching of danger it displays much courage
and agility, notwithstanding its hdpless appearance, and
springs aside at the assailant sometimes to the distance of two
fcet, never making the least attempt to escape. The banda
under the belly are quite incapable of being elevated so as to
facilitate motion, as in most other serpents.

The Banded or Annulated lAxard, a harmless little crea-
ture, about five inches long, is one of the prettiest of the spe-
des ; it has a flat and pointed head, the body coloured with
black and hght blue regular stripes, about a quarter of an
Inch wide ; the feet have each five small sharp claws, the tail
about an inch and a half long, is pyramidical in form, and
covered with fine bristles.

The Salempenta, or El Mateo, measuring from the tail to the
nose three feet, is exceedingly ugly ; colour chiefly a brownish
green, with yellow spots $ and marked in the most extraor*
dinary hieroglyphical manner : amphibious, running along the
bottom of rivers as easily as it does on dry land, and feeding on
herbs and small insects ; it is thought (particularly by the In*
dians) good eating, the flesh being white and tender. It has
some resemblance to the Guana when seen at a distance, but is
much more repulsive in appearance than that aiumaL The
Salempenta has (like the Chameleon, and several others of
the same species) in some measure the faculty of changing its
colour when in any way excited, either through firight or
anger ; but does not shew its shades in such great variety aa
the Agamma, or common Green LiMard, which is about ten
inches long, of which the tail measures half.

The Agamma^ or American Chameleon^ is distinct from
those of Africa in shape, by the back part of the head not
running to a point, and its tongue being short and thick. The
body is about six inches long, and the tail above nine, in
shape is like the Guana, to which genus it belongs; the
principal change of colour observed in it is firom green to
brown, or vice versa, which, in the opinion of Baron von Sack*
(who had several of them domesticated) is assumed to deceive
an enemy when approaching, and to render itself inyi8ible»--r

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THK KATTLB SMAKS — KVKUKIISI, &€• 105

finr exuaple> if put on a green umbrella (says the Baron,)
it immediately changed to that colour, and upon beii^ let down
upon the floor, which was made of the bollo tree (of a dark
brown) it aatumed a very dark chocolate colour. This change
seems to be effected by the motion or disposition of its scales^
as they are either elevated or depressed by its voluntary powers
and when the reptile is fresh caught this will take place five or
six times in a ndnute, all the time snapping at any thing that
approaches it The bite, if not attended tO) will inflame and
become painful, but is not at all dangerous. The power of
changing colour is not confined solely to the chameleon, but
common to several of the lizard tribe.

Of «the Serpents, the Iguana is in coloiur resembling the
Guana lizard, and has a similar bag or pouch under the
throat It is about seven or eight feet in length when fuH
grown; its bite is said to be in most cases fatal.

The Route Snale, is usually between seven and eight feet
long, very thick in the middle, and tapering towards the neck
and tail ; head large, flat and broad, with two knobs or pro*
jections over the eyes ; nostrils wide, and snout blunt at the
end. Within the tail are several thin homy hollow rings, with
which, when the snake becomes excited, a rattle-hke noise is
made. The colour of the head and back is a dusky orange,
nuxed with brown and black spots; belly a whitish grey or
ash colour, teeth long and widely situate, tongue forked and
quite black ; bite ccmsidered fatally ]M>isonous.

The Kunuiutif or Cannukuti, so called from counoko, the
wood or bush ; attains very often ten or twelve leet in length,
and is of a yellowish grey colour, marked on the back with
dark brown or black spots, of a diamond shape, and zig-«ig
or diagonal lines ; the belly of an ash or dirty white colour.
The Kunmhtsi is the Crotalus Mutus of Linnsras, placed by
some naturalists under the genus Boa, but more property b^
longing to that of the himararia, htbaria, and parrot snake.
The kunukusi has a head somewhat three sided in shape,
and obtusely levelled, or as if pared round with a perpen*
dicular stroke of a knife : eyes placed laterally, having over
each a large oblong scale. On each side of its mouth there

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106 KUNUKUSI SNAKBj AND OTHER POISONOUS SERPENTS.

is a bundle consisting of seyen fangs, the foremost one fixed
in the upper jaw, on a prominence or projecting point of a
bone, which is capable of motion. The second, of about the
same size, is attached, as it were, by cartilage, and keeps the
same position as the first. The remaining five lie in a bundle
enveloped in a separate sheath, immediately behind the two
primary ones, gradually diminishing in size backwards ; the
tongue is three forked ; the tail, which is short and pointed,
terminates with a horny substance, sometimes an inch in
length. This serpent, like most others of a venomous cha*
racter, is very sluggish, and slow to bite, unless irritated, and
then it darts with great velocity, springing its whole length
on an enemy ; who, if bitten, meets inevitable death.

The Labaria is another venomous serpent, of the same
genus as the preceding, which it closely resembles in shape,
but is much smaller, and its colours more vivid ; it generally
measures five or six feet when full grown, and is of an ashy
grey on the body, and light blue on the sides and belly : the
back is marked with dark spots and yellowish transverse lines*
The head and fangs are similar to those of the preceding.

The Himararia is another of the same character in every
respect as the two above named.

. The Parrot Snake, so called from its colour beuig exactly
like the common green parrot, is of the same genus as the
three former. It grows to about a yard in length, and resides
in hollow trees, preying upon small birds, mice and insects ;
the bite is extremely dangerous, in most cases proving mortal.
< The CebayrUf one of the worst class of poisonous serpents,
is generally found about three feet six inches in length, and
thick in proportion, of an ash colour, with transverse bands
of black, and white under the belly : eyes large, and covered
with a thin transparent convex or lens, of a grey colour;
mouth also large, with two rows of teeth on each side of the
upper jaw, and one in the lower; at the posterior extremity of
the outer row, in the upper jaw, on each side, is a large fiing
pointing backwards, provided with a muscular sheath or covej.
The whole body is covered with large scales : it moves with
great rapidity, (contrary to the habits of most others of thi^

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THE SCARLET SERPENT — BOA CONSTRICTOR| &C. 107

class,) sometimes springing 'several yards at a leap; theliite
causes the body to swell, producing almost instant death : it
preys upon small birds and reptiles.

The Scarlet Serpent reaches to the length of five feet, and
to four inches in circumference. The upper part of the body
is of a brilliant scarlet, the belly of a dull red, the head flat
and white, tail very slender and short ; bite in most cases fatal.

The CaruTM, when full grown, is about four feet long,
slender iii shape, and of a brown colour on the back, belly
dusky white, the sides and back covered with black oval
spots. Its head is wide and flat, neck small, and its bite is
believed to be poisonous.

The Colukunaruy* growing as large as the East India boa
constrictor, and to which genus it belongs, is generally of
a grey ground colour, beautifully dotted with brown spots ;
towards the tail the colour becomes of a reddish brown, joined
with white rays, or bounded by irregular white spots ; on the
back and sides it is finely marked with transverse bars of an
ash colour, the belly speckled with a light yellowish green*
It is much feared by the Indians on account of its prodigious
strength, as it very often seizes a horse, or other animal of
equal size, and binding itself round the lower part of the
belly, makes its way towards the head, breaking every bone,
and holding as it were by hitches QSike that part of machinery
called the cog wheel, which forms a stop or check to retain
whatever it has gained) until its victim is incapable of motion,,
when it begins to gorge the carcase whole. The colukunaru
is said to exhale a pestilential air from the mouth which de-»
prives its prey of motion, and renders it perfectly passive,
but this has never been substantiated.

The Camodif an amphibious snake^ from ten to fourteen
feet in length, and sixteen inches in circumference, is of a
grey ground colour, with large oblong dark-brown or black
^pots ; the sides have ocellated marks or spots of the same
colour, with yellow centres,* It. is of the same class of ser4
pients as the preceding, but usually living in creeks or ponda^
• In Arrawak-— to take Deer.

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108 WATER 8BRPEMT8— LAND TURTLES.

•

-and subsistiiig upon ducks and other water-fowl: its bite,
though not poisonousi is yery seyere, as it has two rows of
sharp teeth in the upper jaw a quarter of an inch long, and
pcMuted slightly backwards.

The Manmria is about the same siae as the kunukusi or
bush-master, of a yellowish grey ground colour, with oyal
ocellated black spots on back and sides, belly speckled with
yellow and grey, head broad and flat, and marked with black
stripes, a dog's nose, audits lips serrate or notched.

'' The Boa Scytala oflinnasm^ attains ayast sise in these
retired and humid regions, (often measuring thirty feet,) but
seldom met with, and therefore but litde known. There is a
smaller snake of this class very often found (usually fiye or
six feet long, and rather thick in the middle) with a dart of
bone attached by muscular fibres to the upper jaw or palate,
about two inches in length. The colour on the back is a
dark luridous green, the belly and sides douded with black
and ash coloured spots : it has a homy substance at the end
of the tail, similar to the kunukusi, lamaria, and others of
that class.

Turtles. — ^There are two species of land turtles indig^iOQa
to these Colomes ; the first of which, the common turtle,
eighteen or twenty inches in length, has an upper shell of an
oyal form,hexangular in shape, highly conyez and eleyated, of a
yellowish brown colour, and yery hard texture ; the under shell
slightly concaye, and of a lighter colour. The head, feet and
tail resemble those of an European tortoise, which it is also
like in its motions: they feed on firuits and yegetables, and
are tolerable eating, but not equal to sea turtle.

The other spedes, called by the Indians Arracaoa, is of a
smaller size, its upper shell flat, of a dark dingy colour, and
seems capable of a fine polish; the body of the animal is black,
with light red spots ; the taste is yery indifierent.

There are likewise three different spedes of land craba,
but being nearly alike in most respects, it will be sufiBdent to
QOtioe only —

The Abenoura, which is about the siae of a man's hand.

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THE LAND CBABS— RAKA PARADOXA. 109

the body of a quadrangular shape, and a vivid blue colour ;*
there are eight legs, four on each side, covered with bristly
hairs, and towards the end tending to a fleshy hue. The
abenoura burrows in the earth near the sea-shore, and on the
banks of rivers, from which they are dug out by the Indians,
who are very fond of them ; they are also esteemed a delicacy
by the white inhabitants. The best manner of dressing them
is to pick out all the flesh from the shell, the former is then
made into a stew, with plenty of cayenne pepper, and then
dished up in the shells : in this way they are very little in*
ferior to turtle* The Indians, who do not understand the
above method, merely boil or roast them in ashes, by which
Aey are deprived of their luxurious flavour, and become not
only insipid in taste, but disgusting to look at.*

Mana Paradoxes There are several species, or perhaps
varieties, of frogs in Guyana, whose larvss or tadpole grows
to a considerable length before the tail drops. In these cases
it does not fall suddenly, but begins from the extremity to
lose its vitality, shrink and slough off, till the perfect frog
appears: previously, however, the legs are gradually pro-
truded, the hinder ones are first observed, then the fore legs :
the skin, which may be observed to grow to the body of the
larva, only in a small number of points, loosely envelopes it^
as it were, in a purse. This is, however, not peculiar to the
species, but common, perhaps, to most of the genus. The
above subject has a branchial opening, or gill aperture, only
on one side of the head, by which it imbibes oxygen from the
air contained in water, in the same mann^ as fishes do.

Insects. The Kn^e Grindery or Rhinoceros Beetle, re-
sembles an European beetle in shape and colour, but is of a
much larger size, with a long stout horn, projecting from the end
of the nose, and a smaller one beneath. With these horns the
knife grinder seisses on a young branch of a tree, then setting
its body in arapid circular motion^ an attrition is kept up for

f LieuleMBti^Moael St. Clair, in his aoioaiiig West Indian reeolkctions^
gifts tUs epinion respecting the cooking of the I>ein«rara crab.

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IIQ INSECTS-T^KNIFE QBINDER — LANTERN CARRIER^ &C.

some time, until the wood is completely sawn through ; the
insect making all the while a deafening noisc> exactly like
that of a knife grinder holding steel against the stone of his
wheel. When the branch drops off they strip it of the bark,
upon which they subsist while it lasts ; when a fresh supply
is required they again commenee the usual operation.

The Lantern Carrier is nearly three inches long, the body
of a beautiful green, in shape something like the common
moth ; with four transparent wings, of a delicate light green,
and on each of the under wings a spot brilliantly rariegated
with purple and yellow, not unlike the feathers in the pea-*
cocks* tail : from the head rises a large proboscis of an o?al
form, but tapering most towards the head, which is called
the lantern, as it emits a bright light, said by some to be so
powerful, that on putting two of them under a glass, a com-
mon print may be read by them. There are two other
species of fire-flies, having a luminous spot under each wing,
(so that the light can only be observed while they are fljring),
which in the rainy season assembling in great numbers, ap«
pearing sometimes like so many intermitting sparks from
fire-works.

' The Cacerlacie^ or Coei Roachf (so well known as scarcely
to need description) is about an inch and a half long, of an
oval form, shaped like the common black beetle, but of a
brown colour ; the body of a soft texture, has six legs at*
tached, head almost triangular. It sheds its skin once a year,
when it obtains wings, but does not make much use of them,
is of a noxious smell, and very destructive to wearing ap*
parel of any kind; seldom appears in the day time.
. The Scorpion^ a very formidable insect, in these colonies,
is usually about three inches long, of which the tail is one-
third ; the body shaped like a lobster, and of a grey colour :
from its neck proceeds two claws, having three, divisions or
joints, and armed at the end with a pair of sharp pointed
forceps; the other four pair of legs resemble those of a
spider, the tail is jointed, and has at the extremity a crooked
tube of k homy substance, containing a liquid, which the

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SCORPION, CGNTIPEDC, TARANTULA, &C. lit

insect injects into the wound inflicted 1)y it, and causes it to
swell and become exceedingly painfuL The Scorpion preys
upon other insects, and will not attack an individual unless
in defence, for which it is always prepared, flying with its tail
coiled over the body.

The Centipede^ a kind of caterpillar, growing sometimes to
the length of seven or eight inches, is provided with a tremen-*
dous pair of forceps, proceeding from the head, and, like the
Scorpion, inflicts a severe wound when irritated. The body,
consists of twenty articulations, each having a pair of legs
attached, with which the insect runs with amazing quickness^
These noxious vermin will sometimes breed in houses, but do
not then attain above half the size before-mentioned.

The Bush Spider is about two inches long, of an oval form,
the abdomen covered with black hair ; the fore part of the;
corslet is almost square^ to which are connected five pair of
legs, about two inches long, armed at the end with two
yellow claws ; from the mouth projects two teeth in form of
inward pointed pincers. It makes a strong thick web, but
small in proportion to its size; it is asserted the females:
carry their young ones in a bag or web, which they deposit
beneath the belly. The bite of this spider causes a violent
inflammation, which no doubt proves fatal to its prey, which
is composed of large and small insects.

The common House Spider is somewhat less than the pre^
ceding, of a light grey colour, making no web, but pursuing
the cock roach and other insects, when it grows dark; the
bite is not dangerous to the human species, nor are its pincera
strong enough to penetrate the skin.

The Tarantula is about three quarters of an inch in.
length, of a light green colour, with diagonal stripes of yellow^
the body is divided into two parts, the lower or abdominal
part, of the form of a pea ; its forefeet, of a bluish colour, has
sharp pointed claws, which it turns on every side as if it ex->
pected to be attacked; they inflict, when laid hold of, a
p§inful and venomous wound, difficult to heal, but not en-
dangering life. There is another species of tarantula^ of &

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1 1 2 ANT9 — WASPS— BUTTERFLIES, &C.

larger nhe, and black colour in the body, armed with yellow
claws, chiefly confined to the forests.

The Mary Bunter, or Guyana Wasp is not so large as
tikoae usually found in England, but its sting is much more
painful, so much so that very often they will draw blood from
each sting leaving a troublesome wound. There is another
wasp, above an inch long, but very slender in shape, the
body of a purple colour, legs yellow, sting very long, their
nests are in the roofs of houses, or in hollow trees.

The largest of the Anis, of which there are abundance in
the colonies, is—

The Black Ants, about three quarters of an inch in length ;
they build their nests deep in the earth, fetching their materials
from the higher parts of trees ; the bite causes considerable
pain.

The White Ants, nearly as large as the preceding, form
their habitations on the upper part of a tree, of incrusted earth,
several feet in circiunference, and containing many covered
alleys. They are very destructive to household furniture if
they take up their residence in a dwelling.

The Red Ant is a very destructive insect ; its march is in
dense columns of myriads at a time, destroying and devouring
every thing in the way. These vermin, in utter contempt of
the safeguard of lock and key, make their way through the
smallest crevice, and take up their abode as long as any thing
in the shape of food remains ; it is said indeed that they wlU
cover the whole body of a sleeping person, and there stiek
with the tenaeity of leeches until satisfied. They have even
been known to cause the death of animals, by lodging them-
delves in the hollow part of the fi>ot and eating their way clear
to the bone.

Butterflies are very numerous, and of every colour that it
is possible to conceive ; they are much larger than those of
Europe, very similar in shape, but fiur surpassing them in
splendor and variety of tints and shades*

The Chigre is a small species of sand-Ay, which insinualfts
itself into die skin of the feet and toea» and if not disturbed.

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ICHTHYOLOGY OF BRITISH GUYANA. 1 IS

penetrates between the skin and the flesh, and forms a bag
in which it encloses itself and deposits its eggs, which are
very numerous ; in a few days this bag increases to the size of
a pea, when it bursts, and the young brood begin to form
other bags ; so that if not timely prevented they occasion
severe ulcers, which are healed with considerable diflScuIty.
There are several other insects which, like the former, enter
the skin, but are not so formidable, as they only occasion an
itching, and are easily destroyed by washing wifh soap and
lemon juice.

Before quitting the animated portion of Guyana it may be
considered necessary to give some description of its— -

Ichthyology. As may be expected, from the niunerous
rivers and extensive flat coast, British Guyana teems with
fresh and salt water fish of every possible variety ; as yet we
are imperfectly acquainted with this as well with the other
kingdoms of nature, and I therefore gladly avail myself of the
long experience and scientific knowledge of several gentlemen*
to whom I am under many obligations for details relative to
the important Colonies of Britain on the American Continent.

The Low Low (of the genus Silurus)'^ is the largest fish of
the tropical rivers, very often measures twelve feet in length,
weighing upwards of two cwt. ; the head, which is flat
and broad, is covered with a strong bony plate extending to
the first back fin. This plate, as well as the first ray of the
dorsal and pectoral fins is a small spine, studded with white
bony tubercles ; the bones of the fins, about five inches long
and sharply pointed, are most formidable weapons of defence,
and can be erected or depressed as occasion requires. The

• Dr. Hancock and Mr. Hillhouse of Demcrara, formerly an officer of
the staff corps, and now a Surveyor, who, it is melancholy to think, has
received so little encouragement from the local Government in his arduous
and meritorious efforts to extend our knowledge of British Guyana.

t The genus SUurus have a remarkable peculiarity, noticed by Mr. Hill-
house, namely, that of the young fry entering the mouth of the female fish
in cases of danger. 1 have observed the same with the shark, or a nearly
similar fish on the Madagascar coast.

VOL. II. I

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1 14 THE LOW LOW, SUN FISH, TETRODEX, &C.

back is of a bluish cast, belly white, mouth and fins yellow,
hinder parts reddish. The Low Low feeds chiefly upon other
fish, and although of so large a size is considered excellent
eating.

The Gillbagre {SilurtU) a sea fish, called by the Indians
Weerokotoory, is similar in every respect to the preceding,
but does not attain half the weight or size of the Low Low, the
swim or sound of the former contains a highly glutinous sub-
stance equal to that of the sturgeon. Although rather bard
as food it is exceedingly well flavoured.

The Cuirass, is of the same genus, and scarcely diifering
from the last-mentioned except in its colour, and in its not
affording the isinglass substance peculiar to that species.

The Cum Cum is in its general conformation like the cuirass,
to which it also bears a resemblance in colour, but is slightly
darker, rather more slender in shape, and consequently not
so heavy. It feeds upon crabs and insects, and is well fla^
voured.

The Lucannany, or Sun Fish, is seldom more than seven
or eight pounds in weight, or two feet in length ; it has in its
tail a golden circle that renders it perceptible to the Indians
at the depth of three or four feet in the water, who shoot it
with barbed arrows called wayuwakass^. It feeds upon smaller
fish and insects, and it is excellent food, being firm, fat, and
with but few bones. Owing to its extreme lusciousness it is
difficult to salt or dry.

The Arawan is between two and three feet in length, its
body somewhat compressed and covered with large scales,
edged with a beautiful scarlet. As food this fish is particu-
larly fine, but, like the last treated of, very fat and luscious.

The Tetroden, or Swell Belly (so called from the power it
possesses of inflating its body into a globular form, with only
its head and tail slightly protruding, and in this state swim-
ming almost out of the water,) is seldom more than six inches
long, the body of a yellowish brown colour, crossed on the
back with black bands. It is a very voracious fish, and con-
sidered fatally poisonous.

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TUB «TINO RAY, PYARA, ARAPAIMA, &C. 1 15

The Haimora (Esox) is a fine fish^ growing to the length
of four feet, and twelve pounds in weight. The power of its
teeth and jaws is suflicient to cut off a man's hand at the
wrist ; it is exceedingly voracious^ preying upon fish half its
size, — is excellent eating, and forms the principle article of
food with the Accaways of the Demerara river.*

The Pyara is four or five feet in lengthi and weighs twelve
pounds. It is remarkable for the length of the two lower
front teeth ; on the full grown male they are four inches long»
fitting into two flexible apertures between the nostrils; it swims
with great strength and velocity, and attacks all other fish. It
is not particularly esteemed as food being coarse and bony.

The Cumuruaa is a large fish, in most respects similar to
the haimora, with very large scales ; it is good eating, and
inhabits the creeks and rivers.

The Separie, or Sting ray, is in form much like the salt
water sting ray, with a long tapering tail hke a whiplash^ and
a narrow membranous fin, extending about eight inches on
the under side, backward from the point opposite the thorn,
which is a strong sharp white pointed bone, four inches long,
barbed on both sides, and a most formidable weapon, with
which the Indians very often mount their arrows : — a wound
inflicted by them is very di£Scult to heal and apt to mortify,
for which reason the fish has been said to be poisonous, but
the extr^ne laceration occasioned by itf no doubt gave rise
to this assertion.

The Arapaima, a large fish but little known to ichthyolo-
gists in general, is between six and seven feet long and five

* The Indians have an ingenious mode of catching this fish, by means of
a trap made of a cylindrical piece of bark, about five feet long and six
inches in diameter, which, after being stopped at one end, and a live fish
fastened to the bottom, is suspended horizontally by a string tied to the
branch of some neighbouring tree, at about two feet below the surfiice ;
the kaimffi^a then, attracted by the bait, puts his head Iteyond the centre,
the lower end of the cylinder sinks, it becomes vertical and the fisli,
enclosed with its head downwards, is beyond the possibility of escape.

t These fish lie concealed under the mud, and very often inflict severe
wounds on the feet of the Indians.

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116 THE PERI-^CARTABACy PACOU, &C.

inches broad, and weighs about seventy pounds ; of a silver
grey on the back ; belly white ; the outside of the pectoral
fins a vivid green ; the scales are large, and their margins,
particularly along the inferior and posterior parts, marked
with a brilliant red or scarlet ; the head is elongated, and the
snout also, like that of a hog ; teeth very small and sharp.
This fish is very shy, and seldom caught.

The Peri is about two feet in length, of a flat shape, with
a large head, wide mouth, and very sharp teeth. It has a fin
on each side of the belly, and a single fin on the back, which
is covered with shining scales of a blueish colour. It Hves in
fresh water, and is very rapacious, very often snapping off
the legs of ducks and other water fowl, or even a man's foot ;
but the Indians, in order to frighten them, keep in constant
motion while bathing, in which case the fish always remains
at a distance.

The Cartabctc is from fifteen to eighteen inches long ; back
of a darkish colour ; sides light red or orange ; belly white ;
the fins very soft and fleshy, and the whole body covered
with small scales. It feeds on fruits, seeds,* and insects,
and is excellent food, being fat and containing few bones;
the taste somewhat resembles turbot.

The Ptzcou is from sixteen to twenty-four inches in length,
sub-oval in shape, with very small scales, of a silver grey
ground colour, beautifully spotted with bright scarlet. It
chiefly feeds upon aquatic plants and seed8,f and is, when
well prepared, quite a delicacy.

* This fish is peculiarly food of the seed of the carassa, and is in the
highest state of perfection in the month of June, when that seed falls from
the trees. The Indians boil the seed and» enclosing it in a small basket,
lower it about two feet in the water, and as the fish appears to devour it,
shoot them with arrows.

t The Weyra, an aromatic vegetable, eaten by the Ptocou and other
gregarious fishes, is thus employed by the Indians for the purpose of taldng
that valuable fish. A part of the falls, where the Weyra grows plentifully,
and where shoals of the Pacou are perceived feeding, is enclosed witl^ a
wall of loose stones, about a foot above the surface of the water, leaving

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THB OSIBU — ^YARROW, SNAKE FISH, &C. 117

The Morocoto, or Osibu^ usually between two and three
feet in length, feeds entirely on herbs and fruitSi and is a
most delicious fish, equal to the pacou, or in fact any other
natural to the tropics. It is in taste nearer resembling flesh
than fish, and eagerly sought after by the epicure.

The Bcishaw grows to the length of thirty inches, some-
what resembling the last in shape, but not so much in demand
as food, the taste being rough and strong.

The DawaUa, or Piava, is shaped something like a trout,
and also in some degree resembles it in taste, not however
possessing the fine flavour of that fish, being dry and insipid.

The Lowkiddtfy or Yelhuhbact (Silurus), is about fifteen
inches long, with a large head, and two very long whiskers
extending from the upper jaw and four shorter from the
lower ; the body is small in proportion, with small scales. It
is pretty free from bones, and the taste tolerable, but not
generally esteemed.

The Yarrow (Esox) is about a foot long, and when the
water is drying off it burrows in the mud, and has been
found* living under the earth when there was no water at all.
It is fat, free from bone, and very good eating ; it feeds on
fruit, seeds, and insects.

The Snake Fish is about two feet six inches long, and an
inch and a half in diameter ; of a dark brown colour on the
upper part, underneath of dull yellow, studded with dark
spots ; the head is very soft, snout flattened, eyes small, and
near the point of the jaw. The greatest singularity connected
with this fish is, that its heart will continue to move several
hours after the fish is dead. The bladder, or sound, running

two narrow spaces for the fish to enter, which, having done, the apertures
are speedily and silently closed with long stakes and bundles— and the fish
are thus confined within a temporary dam or pond. In this manner from
fiOO to 300 Pacou, weighing, on an average, seven pounds each, and a hun-
dred weight of other fish are taken at a time. The Pacou are split, salted
and dried on the rocks, and when cured will fetch a guilder each.
^ Dr. Hancock.

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1 18 COMMERCE OF DSMBRARA AKD E5SEQUIBO.

along the spine, contains air that burns when put in contact
witih a light.

There are numerous other species of small fish ; but my
limits will not admit any further description. The above are
those most generally known, and esteemed for their fine
flavour or other peculiarities.

Commerce. Of the trade of the entire colony of British
Guyana, I have no complete return ; that for Demerara and
Essequibo I give according to the latest year in my pos-
session, and which', with many other valuable documents, has
been kindly furnished me by Mr. Rose, the indefatigable and
intelligent agent for the colony.

TRADE OP DEMERARA AND ESSEQUIBO FOR 1830.

Imports. From the United Kingdom — official value,
£54^,107; West India Colonies, £^1,628; North American
Colonies, £1^5,168; United States of America, £541; Fo-
reign States, £45,084; -total Imports, £734,528.

Exports. Sugar, 56,666 hogsheads, 2,848 tierces, 4,602bar-
rels— official value, £1,361,925; rum, 26,143 puncheons,
4,835hog8heads, 1,296 barrels— £139,106; cotton, 3,695 bales,
£85,971; coffee, 5,025,256 lbs., £181,863; molasses, 19,585
hogsheads, £70,081 ; British manufactures, £26,068 ; mis-
cellaneous articles, £20,690 ;— total Exports, £1,835,704:
thus forming a grand total of £2,570,229.

Ships Inwards. From the United Kingdom, 169 ships,
50,438 tons; British Colonies, 319 ships, 31,632 tons; Foreign
States, 79 ships, 7,170 tons ;— total, 567 ships— 89,240 tons—
5,230 men.

Ships Outwards. For the United Kingdom, 192 ships,
64,858 tons ; British Colonies, 379 ships, 85,872 tons ; United
States, 1 ship, 96 tons ; Foreign States, 28 ships, 3,697 tons;
—total, 595 ships— 94,523 tons— 5,600 men.

The greatly increased exports of siigar will be seen on
comparing the year just given with the following statement
of produce shipped from the Colonies of Demerara and Esse-
quibo, from 1803 to 1825 :—

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EXPORTS PROM DBMBRARA, &C. FROM 1803 TO 1825. 1 19

Ymr.

Sagtf.

Run.

COttOB.

Oofltec.

MolMM*

Doich

Hds.

Here.

Brls.

PODC.

Hdl.

Brls.

ItalM.

pooods*

Hds.

Tiue,

BrtB.

IMS

894

19.6B8

913

161

4.887

46.435

9.054.610

311

1W4*

9.161

504

—

6,318

439,590

311

—

IMi

16,839

919

3.611

—~

91,909

8.995.701

1.637

IMO

931

19.337

474

604

4.7M

93.604

19.390,109

1.694

— .

196,16.857

138

643

5,813

96.314

4,390.141

4,955

1806

909.18,383

166

578

6.474

—

18.361

0.904.718

9,544

171

IMO

101

17.065

910

986 ! 6.419

13,586

9,463.163

1,591

I81»

911

15.731

409 1 4.967

—

96.850

7.659,349

1.507

190

1811

900

18,374

943 . 0.364

— .

90.916

18,933,534

3.856

156

306

I81S

974

99,976

186 10,066

—

95,069

8,970.725

9,513

144

959

1813

997 90,565

163

637 |I9,1I7

190

16,496

10.485,158

777

—

1814

945 29.170

187

814

10,960

107

—

1,447

6,950,419

780

I81S

90431,550

396

649

14,181

197

—

30.315

10,904.009

9,327

1818

336:99,418

510

567

11,038

135

— •

15.361

18,971,476

3,843

1817

809 36.669

474

15.069

17.935

14.006,043

0,567

1818 ; 4*3;37.3«7

157

797 : 14,587

161

•«

10,137

.,944.085 I 8.068

1819 > 434 45,936

470

1,194 15,761

446

—

0.718

8.944.009 , 9.450

—

18M 42S49.9M

730

1,994 33,600

561

0,193

4.518.593 1 7.567

—

•—.

18»

496 39J60

763

785 16, 169

881

—

9,006

5,709.919 1 5,191

I83S

89145,177

1,006

1,671 19.679

1.841

—

14,905

10.964.997 '10.900

18»

368,51,360

449

9,470 ,15.781

2.566

'—

9,587

8,084,729 .10.to4

930

1814

395 47.393

371

1,631 ,13,531

1.066

789

8,975

7.761,355 94,598

969

IBS6

374

.;.«.

481

1,603

19,300

9,990

1,933

18,663

«.»00,96»

j«^

746

311

The trade of Berbice for 1831 was—

Imports. From Great Britain, value sterling, £1 10,450 :
British Colonies, ^£40,811; Foreign States, ^£9,916;— total
Imports, £161,177.

Exports. To Great Britain, value sterling, £235,242; to
British Colonies, £65,080; to Foreign States, £23,515;--
total Exports, £323,837,

The principal articles of Exports were — sugar, 10,850 hogs-
heads; molasses, 279 casks ; rum, 2,117 puncheons; coffee,
2,241 tierces.

The shipping employed was —

Inwards. From Great Britain, 34 ships, 8,937 tons ; Bri-
tish Colonies, 194 ships, 10,665 tons; Foreign States, 14 ships,
1,616 tons;— total Inwards, 242 ships, 21,208 tons.

Outwards. To Great Britain, 30 ships, 7,737 tons ; Bri-
tish Colonies, 210 ships, 1 1,304 tons ; Foreign States, 6 ships,
1,087 tons ;— total Outwards, 246 ships, 20,128 tons.

The quantity of Sugar, Coffee, Rum and Cotton imported
into the United Kingdom for the year ending January, 1832,
was —

* From 10th September, 1804, to 5th January, 1805.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

190 IMPORTATIONS INTO ENGLAND FROM BRITISH GUYANA.

Sugar.

Cofltee.

Ram.

Moluses.

Cotton.

Demerara & )

Essequbo )

Berbice . .

CWtfl*

802,134
122,087

Ib8.*
1,991,352
1,585,402

SaUi.t
2,320,000
220,000

giais.
2,000,000
200,000

Ite.

979,702
554,083

Total .

924,221

3,576,754

2,540,000

2,200,000

1,533,785

The relative state of cultivation of Staples in Demerara
and Essequibo in May, 1832, may be judged of by the fol-
lowing return of Estates to Government : —

PARISH.

St. Mary, No. of estates^

St. Paul, ditto.

St. George & St. Andrew, do.

St. Matthew, ditto, .

St. Mark, ditto, .

St. Switbin, ditto, .

St. Luke, ditto, .

St. Peter, ditto, .

St. James, ditto, .

St. John, ditto, .

Trinity, ditto, .

Total Number .

152

Weights. Principally steelyards, from 1 to 3,500 lbs. ;
110 lbs. Dutch = 100 lbs. English, or 10 per cent difference.
Of measures, 1 Dutch ell of 26 inches Rhyaland, is equal to
27 inches.

The Form of Government in Guyana is peculiar. At the
capture of Demerara and Essequibo, in 1803,

* In 1828 there was imported from Demerara of coffee, 3,832,194158.
and from Berbice, l,792»6771b8.

t Eighty gallons of mm are expected ftt>m eyery hof^shead of sugar.
The ram of Demerara has a richness of flavour, which gives it a preference
in the American markets over the Jamaica rum.

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FORM OF GOVERNMENT — DUTCH AND ENGLISH. 121

The Court of Policy consisted of eight members — four
official appointed by the Sovereign, and four from amongst
the inhabitants by the College of Kiezers. Official members
— the Governor, the Commander of Essequibo, the Fiscal of
Demerara, the Fiscal of Essequibo ; two members returned
from the district of Demerara, and two from the district of
£ssequibo« Each district had a College of Kieasers, consist-
ing of seven members.

The College of Kiexers for each district was elected by
the inhabitants. They held the situation for life, or during
their residence in the colony ; qualification, twenty-five slaves^
and three years' residence in the colony; qualification of
electors, the possession of twenty-five slaves. Vote by ballot.
Votes sent into the Governor's Secretary's office, and depo-
sited in a sealed box, and opened in the presence of the
Governor and not less than two other members of the Court
of Policy.

The College of Kiezers nominated two persons to fill va-
cancies in the Court of Policy. The Governor and the
Court selected one firom the nomination, and notified in the
Gazette the person selected. The senior member of the
Court went out after the meeting of the Combined Courts
which assembled annually for levying the taxes.
' FinanciiU Repreeeniathes. The College of Financial Re-
presentatives, nominated by the inhabitants, the same as
Kiezers, and consisted of six ; three returned by the district
ef Demerara, and three by the district of Essequibo. Term
of service, two years ; qualification, same as Kiezers ; duties,
to sit with the Court of Policy annually, for the purpose of
levying taxes and regulating the expenditure, which was then
called the Combined Court— "the Court of Policy combined
with the Financial Representatives." At this combined
meeting the Court of Policy submitted an estimate of the
expences for the year, which had previously been prepared
and discussed in that Court. In the Combined Court every
item of the estimate was discussed, and every member,
whether of the Court of PoUcy or Financial Representatives,

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122 FINANCIAL REFRE8BNTATIVES— JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT:'

had an equal yote. At this meeting the public accounts of
the preceding year were examined and audited, which was
the peculiar province of the Financial Representatives.

The Court of Policy passed all laws for the internal regu-
lation of the Colony. It required four members to constitute
a Court. No law binding without the concurrence of one
member of the representative section of the Court. Quali-
fication for a member of the Court of Policy, the owner of a
plantation, and three years' residence.

Judicial Department. — Each district had a court of civil
and criminal justice, which consisted of six Members and a
President. The Members (Colonial) elected by the Kiezers
in the same manner as the Court of Policy ; the two senior
members retiring every year; qualification, possession of
twenty-five slaves, and three years' residence in the colony.
The Commander was President of the Court of Justice of
Essequibo ; the Governor President of the Court of Justice
of Demerara ; the law of Demerara was the law of Holland
ot Roman law. Each member of the court an equal vote on
both law and fact : all cases decided by a majority of votes.

In 181S the courts of justice of Essequibo and Demerara
were united by proclamation of the Acting-Governor, Major-
General Carmichael ; and the court of justice of Demerara
became the court of both districts ; and consisted of eight
colonial members and a president, the president appointed
by the Crown.

The colleges of Kiezers and Financial Representatives
existing in 1812 were dissolved by General Carmichael's pro-
clamation, and a College of Kiezers and Financial Represen-
tatives was established, in which the functions of both col-
leges were united ; this college consisted of seven members :
term of service two years ; and elected by the inhabitants of
both districts, paying tax on an income of 10,000f. per annum,
or possessing twenty-five slaves ; all the courts having been
united.

In July, 1831, the ancient court of justice was abolished,
and a new court constituted by Order in Council, by which

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NEW COURT OF JUSTICE — COLLEGES OF KIEZERS^ &C. 123

Berbice was united with Demerara and Essequibo ; and the
Court of Policy formed of ten members, five official, and five
colonial ; the governor, in case of an equality of votes, having
a casting vote as formerly.

The Colleges of Kiezers and Financial Representatives
were separated in 1831 ; the members of the College of
Kiezers are now for life, and consist of seven members;
the Financial Representatives of six members, term of service
two years ; one college each of Kiezers and Financial Repre->
sentatives for the Colony of British Guyana, being Demerara«
Essequibo and Berbice ; and the qualification, possession of
twenty-five slaves as previous to 1812.

The court of criminal and civil justice of British Guyana,
and the court of civil justice and the court of criminal justice
of Berbice, together with several courts of criminal trial, and
of first instance of civil jurisdiction in the island of Trinidad,
and also the royal ^^ourt of St. Lucia, by an order in council,
23rd April, 1831, are directed to be holden by and before
three judges ; that is to say, before the president of the court
of civil and criminal justice in Guyana, the chief judge of
Trinidad, and the first president of the royal court of St.
Lucia ; the three judges repairing, from time to time, to the
sud respective Colonies ; two sessions in the year, at the
least, to be holden in each settlement. In criminal cases three
assessors, qualified by certain regulations, and open to chal-
lenge as jurors, are associated with the judges, and punish-
ment can only be inflicted by sentence of the majority deli-
vered in open court. In each of the above mentioned colo-
nies courts of inferior jurisdiction in civil and criminal causes
are established, subject to the appeal and revision of the
superior court of assize. The colonists object to these pro-
ceedings; they deny that the Home Authorities have any
right to annul their ancient form of government, because a
compact was solemnly entered into at the capitulation in 1803,
and signed by the legislative assembly of the colonists, {not
merely by the military potoers,) wherein it was agreed that
the religion, laws, liberties and institutions of the colonists

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124 INJUSTICE TOWARDS THE COLONISTS,

should be guaranteed to them and their heirs for ever, unless
where and when altered with their own consent. Contending
as I do, most strenuouslyi for the right of every colony to its
local legislature, I perfectly agree in the justice of the
following observations recently addressed to Lord Goderich
by Messrs. Rose and Smith, the deputed agents for the
colonists.

They say that " the first point to which they clidm attention is the right
of legislating for themselves on all matters of internal policy ; a right which
they possess, both as British subjects, and by virtue of the articles of capi-
tulation under which the eolonies surrendered to His Majesty's arms.

In July 1831, an order in Council was published, abolishing the Courts
of Justice then subsisting in the colony, and directing others to be estab-
lished in their stead, but the judges who were to compose the new court,
were not then in the country, or even in the West Indies, independent of
which it was for other reasons physically impossible that the details of the
order should be carried into effect, yet by its mare publication the colony
was deprived of its courts ; but what was still more extraordinary, one month
before the publication of this order, and consequently before it ever had,
or could have come into operation, it had actually been suspended by
another order in council, issued in this country, and bearing date 20th of
June ; this second order was not published in the Colony till 22d of Nov.
1831, and for the whole intermediate period from the 2ist of July, till the
22nd of November, this large and valuable Colony was without a court of
justice, or any legal tribunal whatever, either for the protection of pro*
perty, or for the punishment of crime, exhibiting the unprecedented spec*
tacle of a community, enjoying all the institutions necessary for conducting
the affairs of civilized society, stripped in one instant of all these acU
vantages — reduced to a state of anarchy — and that by an Act, not of a
hostile power— 4i>ut of the government, to which allegiance has been sworn,
and from which protection was due, an Act framed by that govemmentf
not with the intent to injure, but to benefit the colony. Nothing surely
can point out more strongly the good sense on which the claim of the colony
rests, or demonstrate more clearly the impossibility of the Mother Country
legislating for a community four thousand miles distant ; nor can we con-
ceive the claim of the colonists to control their finances, resting as it does
both on established right from the earliest period of their history, and on
its own self-evident justice and reasonableness, to require more than to be
stated, in order to be at once admitted by His Majesty's government, in
accordance with the principles of the British Constitution.

The franchise, the right of voting for Kiezers, the colonists readily con*
cede, was, in the infancy of the settlement, restricted to persons having

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AND MEMORIAL FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES. 1£5

twenty^ftve alavca» but reguUtions of this kind applicable to a settlemeot
consistini^ of a few planters, receiviDg their supplies from ship-masters^
and other transient traders, would be utterly inapplicable to a community
where the planters form but one class of a society which comprises among
its members a large body of merchants, and many of the learned profes-
sions ; to disqualify these latter classes because they are not proprietors of
twenty-five slaves, and for that reason alone to exclude them from any
voice in the government, whatever their wealth, their talents, or station
in life mtey be, whatever may be their possessions in land or buildings^ in
the colony, or however great their contributions to the public purse, would
be an act in itself so unjust, that it would never receive the deliberate
sanction of the British government, certainly not of the mimsters who now
guide the councils of their sovereign.

As regards the court of justice, the colonists feel that it is a stigma
wholly unmerited, to deprive them of a seat in that body.

They appeal to the records of the colony to prove the unimpeachable
integrity of their old court, they appeal to the fact, that in more instances
than one, the opinion of the colonial members of the court, in opposition
to that of the professional judge, has been confirmed by His M^esty in
council, and tliey unite in praying the restoration of an institution so well
adapted to the wants of the community, and so revered and cherished.
The nature of this communication prevents us from entering into details,
but it would be very easy to shew how impossible it is for a court com-
posed only of three lawyers, sent out from this country to administer a foreign
law amongst a people, of whose manners, customs, and modes of trans-
acting business, they were totally ignorant, how impossible it is for such a
court to conduct the judicial business of a large and trading colony, without
the aid of colonial members, or the intervention of a jury. How uigust
that a man tried, perhaps for his life, should be deprived of the jury or
any equivalent institution. But whilst the colonists urge the re-establish*
ment of their court of justice, they claim not infAliibility for the institution,
and to evince their readiness to meet the wishes of His Majesty's Mi-
nisters, they would, notwithstanding the impoverished state of the country,
consent to an addition of three judges, men of legal education, to be ap-
pointed by His Majesty, that is, in all, three professional judges for Deme-
rara and £ssequibo, and one for Berbice. On these points, which refer
more particularly to the constitution of the colony, the right of legislation,
the control of the finances, the franchise, and the re-establishment of their
courts and institutions, the colonists are aware the law would secure to
them ample redress ; but they have ever anxiously desired not to stand in
opposition to His Mi^esty's government, and they would willingly accept,
as a boon from His Mi^esty's grace, what they might have demanded as a
right from his justice." Messrs. Rose and Smith then proceeded to
*' sketch out the heads of a plan of redress, which if embodied in a new

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ISC NEW CHARTER OF GOVERNMENT AND OF nTSTICB

c*harter to the colony, would remove many of those erils which are ao
rapidly destroying its best interests, would restore to tranquillity the country
in general, and place it in that state of peace and security, which must
undoubtedly be the great object of His Majesty's Government.

The Court of Policy of Demerara and Essequibo consists of eight
members, four official, and four colonial ; the number established in 1789,
when the colony was just beginning to grow into some consideration^ and
to attract the notice of the Mother Country ; but which of necessity is
very inadequate to its present maturity and importance, since the period
referred to, other interests have arisen, which were then unknown in the
colony. Mercantile establishments have been formed, the trades, the arts
and sciences, incident to a community have been extensively cultivated. It
is, therefore, highly necessary that the court should keep pace with the
colony, and that it should be established on a basis sufficiently extensive
to afford scope for including a fair average expression of the sentiments,
and representations of the interests of the community for which it is to
legislate : for this purpose the number of colonial members should, they
conceive, be increased to ten more, especially if the court is henceforward
to be the Court of British Guyana ; the Governor, and at least ten other
members should be required to form a court, for the dispatch of business ;
this court to originate and make all laws for the internal government of
the colony, subject to His Majesty's allowing or disallowing the same, any
member to be at liberty to submit to the court for deliberation and decision,
any bill or motion, after notice and leave, had the question of granting or
refusing such leave, to be decided, as all other questions, by the majority
of the voters of the members present.

For the reasons above alleged, for the increase of the members of the
Court of Policy, the financial representation ought also to be increased,
say to nine, chosen as formerly by the inhabitants ; (individuals or firms),
possessing twenty-five slaves, or paying tax on an income of ten thousand
guilders, and upwards, the financial representatives, of whom, not less than
six to be present, to sit with the Court of policy, in a combined court, for
the purposes of taxation, each meml>er of this combined court to have an
equal vote. No tax or other burthen, to be laid on the colonists, except
by this combined court, which should deliberate on all matters of finance,
discuss the est' mates, item by item, and fix both the amount to be raised,
and the mode of raising it ; the King's chest to be consolidated with the
colonial. The Kiezers might remain at their present number, seven, chosen
as formerly by the inhabitants, (individual or firms), possessing twenty*
five slaves, or paying tax on an income of ten thousand guilders and
upwards, the term of service to be limited to five years, but the members
who ha^e served to be immediately re-eligible. In accordance vnth. the
ancient practice, a financial representative may bold the office of Kiezir
and vice versa, but no person actually filling a judicial situation, whether

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REQUIRED FOR BRITISH GUYANA. 127

appointed by His Majesty, or elected by the Kiezers, as a colonial member
of the court of Justice, to be eli^ble to the office cf Kiezers, or financial
representative, or to a seat in the Court of Policy, either as an ez^>fficer,
or a colonial member ; the Kiezers, in a meeting of not less than five of
them, to elect, as formerly, the colonial members of the Court of Policy
and Justice i nominating such persons as from their stations, respectability
talents, propeny, and residence in the colony, they may, on oath» deem
best qualified to discharge those important duties, mthout reference to
the particular district, in which the property of the party elected may be
situated. The qualification of a colonial member of the Court of Policy,
to be, as now, the possession of a plantation in the colony, or as regards
three seats in the court, the paying tax on an income of not less than
*/i 20,000, coupled with a residence of seven years in the colony.

The court of justice to consist of eleven members for Demerara and
Essequibo, namely, the President and two Puisne Judges nominated by
His Majesty and eight colonial memliers, chosen as formerly by the
Kiezers. For Berbice also of eleven members, namely the President and
one of the Puisne Judges of Demerara, the Puisne Judge of Berbice, and
eight colonial members, the President, two Puisne Judges, and at least
four Colonial Members to form a Court, which should set once in every
three months, in each colony. One Puisne Judge, to hold the Roll Court
every fortnight, and to discharge the duties now performed by the presi-
dent, granting arrests, &c. &c.

One Puisne Judge, and two colonial members, to hold the Commissary
Court every month.

The rules for proceeding, to be drawn up by the Court of Justice, and
submitted by the Court of Policy, if approved of, to be made law by the
latter court.

The Deputy Fiscals in each district, or others, appointed magistrates, to
hold courts for the recovery of debts under f 100, and for the trial of minor
offences, with authority to inflict punishment by imprisonment, not ex«
ceeding one month, or fine, not exceeding f 100, or by whipping s three
magistrates to form a court.

The colonists also complun of the exorbitant fees of the public offices as
at present regulated in the colony, and they require the table to be revised,
and new ones formed by the combined court on more equitable principles ;
the remodelling of any of the existing offices, to be effiected by the Court
of Policy. As regards those public officers who have fixed salaries, the
colonists desirous of proving theur readiness to give government every fair
support, would disdum all interference with the salaries of the governor or
Lieutenant-Governor, the President, the Puisne Judges, Fiscals, and the
protectors of the slaves, unless with the previous sanction of His Mcyesty's

* /. florin or guilder.

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128 DIVISION OF DEMERARA INTO PARISHES.

ministen ; tbey would only stipulate that these salaries should noir be
adjusted to the circumstances of the times, on a scale to be approved of by
His Majesty; the salaries of the public officers to be revised by the com-
bined court, with reference to the diminished expense of Uving in the
colony, and the impoverished reaourees of the inhabitants."

I have every hope that this reasonable prayer of the
Guyana colonists will be granted ; no minister who watches
the signs of the times and provides for coming events will
refuse an accession to just claims.

Demerara and Essequibo contains eleven parishes, whose
names and extent are, St* Mary's, extending from Abary
Maicony, and to Mahaica, thence to Plantation lowlands
inclusive, and embracing the settlements on the banks
of the Maicony and Mahaica creeks; St PauFs, from
plantation Northbrook to Cuming^s lodge, inclusive; St
George* and St Andrew united, embrace George Town
and the plantations on the Cumingsburgh canal; St.
Matthew, from George Town up the East bank of the

• George Town, the capital, is divided into districts, thus ; — Kinj[:8ton,
joining Fort William FVederick ; Cumin^rsburj^h, North and South; Vlissen-
gen, which is sub-divided into Robs Town and Lacey's Town. Sitthroek, a
district in itself, and ancient part of the Dutch capital ; also en Rust and
Charles Town, which are bounded by plantation La Penitence; to the
Eastward of Fort William Frederick is situated Camp House, the residence
of the Governor— a few hundred yards to the East of which is the re-
sidence of the Ordnance Storekeeper. Between Camp House and the
Ordnance Department, a little to the South, are placed two splendid hos-
pitals, >vith kitchens, cisterns, &c. for the military— nearly opposite to
which the new military barracks have been lately erected ; they cannot be
surpassed in accommodation in any part of the Kin^s dominions — two for
the men and officers, with kitchens, servants' apartments, cisterns, &c. &c.
To the East of the Ordnance Department are the quarters of the enpneers'—
and adjoining the engineers' quarters are the York and Albany barracks,
biult by the colony, for the accommodation of 200 men and officers.
Facing the river, in the district of Stabroek, new public buildings of bricks,
stuccoed, have been erected by the colony to accommodate all the public
officers — they have cost the colony upwards of ;C60,000 sterling ; near to
the latter is the Scotch church, a very handsome modem building— to the
Eastward of which is the town guartl-house, &c.

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MILITARY DEFENCE — FINANCE OF GUYANA. 129

the river, as far as the settlements extend, including those in
canal No. 3 ; Si. Mark, from plantation Mindenburgh along
the W. bank of the river as far as the settlements extend,
including those on canals No. 1 and 2 ; ^S^^. Swit/tin, from,
plantations La Grange to Jalousie inclusive ; SL Luke, from
plantation Blakenburgh inclusive to the Essequibo river, and
along the E. bank upwards as far as the settlements extend ;
St. Peter comprehends Leguan and Hog islands, in the mouth
of the Essequibo river ; St. James, Waakenham and Troolie
islands, in ditto ; St. John, from Schoeven creek to Capoey
ditto, on the W. coast of Essequibo river, including the set-
tlements on the intervening creeks and on Tiger island;
Trinity, from Capoey creek to the Pomeroon river, and as
&r as the British settlements extend.

Military Defence. Each male freeman between the ages
of sixteen and fifty is compelled to enrol himself in the
militia, which is liable to be called out at the pleasure of
the governor, for service, not extending beyond the preser-
vation of internal tranquillity. The strength of the militia
may be reckoned at five thousand men. The senior officers
in the country are justices of the peace, and exercise a juris-
diction over certain districts, each of which is distinguished
by different coloured banners. They are termed burgher
officers, and their duties in general consist in promulgating
proclamations, taking depositions upon tax schedules, carry-
ing into effect public and local laws, and putting down any
disturbances which may arise within their jurisdiction.

Finance — Revenue. — ^The items of taxation in Demerara
and Essequibo are principally as foUow: — Tax on produce
yielding about 220, WO florins f on income / 46,000; on
horses and carriages f. 30,000 ; tonnage and beacon duty
f. 30,00Q ; wine and spirit duties, and ta^ on transient traders
f. 65,000 ; poU tax on slaves^ f, 28,000 ; grog shop licences
f. 10,000; gain on btlls of exchange/. 20,000.

. * A florin or ^ililer is equivalent to 15 8ti?er& — each one penny English,
t How this tax is in future to be levied is not known or provided for.
VOL. IK K

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ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF GUYANA.

paid from this fund; Governor, President of the Court of
Justice, Protector of Slaves, besides various other officers,
who hold appointments under the crown, but which have
little or no duties attached to them, several of which have
been lately abolished.

Expenditure, The disbursement of the sums levied accord-
ing to the foregoing account for Demerara and Essequibo is
thus given for 1830, the latest year before me.

Amount remitted, Hall, M'Garel, and Co. for balance
due to Slst December, £2,284. 6*. 5d.—f. 31,980. 10.0;
Amount remitted. Hall, M'Garel and Co. for cost of new paper
money, &c. £358. 10*. 8rf.— 4,302. 8. 0. ; provisions for reli-
gious establishments, 14,084. 9. 0. ; repairs of the court house,
9,000. 0. 0. ; cost of the new public buildings, 197,584. 0. 0;
extraordinary expenses, 22,064. 2. 0. ; contingent arrears,
3,975. 5. 0. ; repairs of public buildings, 13,981. 16. 0. ; ba-
lance of a negro sold and credited last year, 190. 10. 0. ;
amount of militia fines paid, 100. 0. 0. ; amount of taxes re-
funded, twice paid, 148. 0. 0. ; table money, 39,678. 15. 0. ;
fixed annual salaries, 297,425. 0. 0. ; annuities, 13,194. 0. 0. ;
colony jail expenses, 17,703. 10. 0.; house hire, 21,004. 0. 0.;
expenses ofjustice, 30,01 4. 5.O.; militiaexpenses, 6,913. 19.0.;
allowances and rations to the Indians, 24,034. 6. 0. ; colony
house expenses, 18,636. 0. 0.; colony hospital expenses,
7,403. 15s 0. ; prmting expenses, 6,238. 10. 0. ; vote to sur-
geon of the tread-mill, 1,400. 0. 0. ; contingent repairs .of
colonial barracks. 9,857. 15. 0.; recording manumissions,
4,800. 0. 0. ; additional vote to Mr. Veret, 1,200. 0. 0.; vote
in aid of free schools, 2,100. 0. 0. ; amount voted to the pro-
prietors of lots in America street, 4,256. 0. 0. ; amount paid
to Captain Luckie for a lot of land, 1,400. 0. 0. ; expences of
steam boat ferry stelling, 4,471. 15. 0. ; repairs of sea dam,
320. 0. 0. ; expenses of the light-house, 6,078. 12. 8. ; ditto
main roads, 9,000. 0. 0. ; ditto beacons, 2,562. 0. 0. ; ditto
and renewal of public stellings, 10,645. 0. 0. ; triennial pre-
sents to the Indians, 16,500. 0. 0. ; repairs of public bridges.

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MONETARY SYSTEM OF BRITISH GUYANA, ISS

iyOOTy 4. 0.; expenses of bush expeditionsi 691. 18. 0.;
the receiver's commission^ 22ft00. 0. 0. ; — totaiy*. 877|947. 4. 8.

Among the fixed salaries (that is those which are not altered
from year to year) are, the Lieutenant Governor 35,000 g.^
(sterling, £2,500.) ; the President of the Court of Justice,
21,000 jr. (£1,500.); first Fiscal, 25,000^.; second Ditto,
15,000 g. (The table money to the officers of the King's
regiments and to the Governor has been recently reduced;)
six Post-holders have 13,200 jr. (each 2,200); and four As-
sistants to ditto, 2,792 jr. The Mimsters of St Paul's, St.
Swithin's, St. John's, St. Luke's, St. Mary's, St. Marks, St.
Peter's, St. James', St. Matthew's, and Trinity Parishes,
have each 6,000 g. ; the Minister of St. George's, 5,000 g. ;
the Roman Catholic Clergyman in George Town, 9,450 g. ;
the Adjutant General of Militia, 6,000 g. ; the Colony House-
keeper, 6,000 g. ; the Colonial Agent in London, 5,600 g. ;
the Protector of Slaves, 7,000 g. ; the Accountant in the Fi-
nancial Department, 7,200 g. ; &c.

Monetary System. — ^The monies of account in British
Guyana are — guilders, stivers and pennings; sixteen pen-
nings one stiver, twenty stivers one guilder.

Dutcli

Eaglidh Guilder.

Stivers.

Penmng*

Half-a-crowir = 1

. 15

- 0

One shilling - 0

- 14 -

- 0

Sixpence . 0 -

- 7

. 0

One penny - 0

- 1

- 4

Half-penny - 0

- 0

- 10

Farthing - 0 -

- 0

- 5

Pass at these rates by virtue of a proclamation of the Go-
vernor.

The Par of Exchange is 12 /. per £. sterling ; but for
many years it has been at 14 /. per £. except for the year
I6S2, and part of SI and SS, when it ranged as high as

* The other h^lf of the OoTeniore' salary is paid from what is termed the
King's chest, the funds of which arise from licenses for wood-cutting^, lands
granted, capitation tax on slaves, &c.

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134 PAPER CURRENCY IN BRITISH GUYANA,

16.10/. per £. ; it is now at 14 /. per £. and which is the
rate that the Govemor^s salary is paid> and all other officers
of the Crown who hare a fixed sterling salary.

The metallic money in circulation consists of Spanish dol-
lars ; three guilders equal to a dollar.

The Colonial silver coinage, consists of three-guilder pieces,
two-guilder ditto, and one-guilder ditto, and ten-stiver and
five-stiver pieces.

The paper currency is secured on funded property and
Colonial security, and amounts to S, 199,970 guilders. The
money invested in the three per cent. Consols and Bank Stock
nearly cover the paper money of Demerara and Essequibo in
circulation. Notes of twenty joes are equal to 440 guilders,
and proportioned down to one joe, which is equal to twenty-
two guilders.'

Amount of Property in Guyana. It is difficult in any
community to ascertain the amount of property in a given
place, or for a fixed period, partly from its fluctuating nature,
partly from its relative value — that which may be worth
£1,000 at one time, and in one country, being scarcely worth
more than half the sum if attempted to be realized in cash
for transmission to another place. In every instance, there-
fore, where the value of property is given in the History of
the British Colonies^'* it must be considered in the light of an
approximation to truth, and for the purpose of affording a
comparison between one colony and another. The following
detail will probably afford the most correct view of the
subject.

* I had intended to give a table 6f the property in every W. I. posaes-
aion ; I find however that considerable space woald be occupied therewith ;
1 woold therefore reqnest the reader to observe, that the data given on the
next page will enable him to find the amount of property created, &c. by
referring to the sUtement of annual produce, and calculating accord-
ingly.

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VALUB OF PROPERTY IN GUYANA.

135

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1S6 IMPORTANCE OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS IN GUYANA. -

General View and Future Prospects. The importance
of our possessions in South America rafty be gathered froin
the foregoing detail. The social condition of the mass of the
population is now in too great a st&te of transition from slavery
to freedom to admit of much speculation as to the future ; and,
reserving my general views of the whole on our West Indian
possessions for the termination of the volume, I conclude
with observing, that British Guyana offers a wide and fruitful
arena for the industry of the emigrant, the enterprize of the
merchant, and the science of the geologist and natural phi-
losopher. Millions of acres of fertile land, now lying waste,
are adapted to the cultivation of every tropical product of
which the mother country stands in need. Cotton, tobac<x>»
opium, silk, pepper, rice, indigo, timber, drugs, dyes, and spices,
may be riused and exported, to an incalculable extent, with
benefit to all who engage in these pursuits. There is wanting
to develope the resources of so fine a country, the granting
of a free government to the colonists — the disposal of the
crown lands, at a nominal quit rent, to intending emigrants —
the reduction of the duties in England on articles of colonial
growth and manufacture, or the permission being given to the
Colonists to trade with any European nation they choose, on
their own terms. Surrounded, as British Guyana is, hy the
^ntinenUl possessions of France, Spain, HoUand, Portugal,
&C. it behoves the British nation to view with interest, and
even anxiety, the psogress of our colonial power on one of
the most eligible spots of the American hemisphere.

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137

CHAPTER 11.
JAMAICA.

BISTORT, FHTBICAL AflFBCT» MOUNTAINS, RIVBRS, OKOLOGT, SOIIi, CLI-
MATE, MINERAL, VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS, POPULATION,
GOVERNMENT, CIVIL AND MlLlTART ESTABLISHMENTS AND STATIONS^-
COMMBRCB, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, MONIES, WEIGHTS AND MBASURBS,
REVENUE AND RXPBNDITURB— THE PRESS, EDUCATION AND RBUOION,
VALUE OP PROPS RTT, SOCIAL 8TATB AND PUTURB PROSPBCTS.

Locality. — Jamaica^ (Xaymaca* or St Jagof ), a magnificent
island, one hundred and sixty miles long, by forty-five broad,
containing 4,000,000 acres, and situate between the parallels
of 17.35 to 18.30 N. Lat. and 76 to 78.40 W. Long.J four
thousand miles S. W. of England, ninety miles W. of St.
Domingo, the .same distance S. of Cuba, and four hundred
and thirty-five miles N. of Carthagena, on the S. American
continent ; was discovered by Columbus on the morning of
the 3d of May 1404, during his second expedition to the
New World.

General History. When first visited by the Spaniards
Jamaica was found to be densely peopled with Indians, re-
sembling in appearance and language the inhabitants of the
contiguous mainland; numerous canoes put off from the
«hore to meet Columbus, and resistance was offered by a large

* The isle was thus called by the Indians, signifying, in the language of
Florida, abundance of wood and water.

t According to Oldmixon this name was given by Columbus, on his
second fisit lo the island, in honour of St. Jago, alks St. James, the patron
Saint of Spain.

X The latitude and longitude of the principal porta are —
East Part Long. W. 76.63 . . Ut. N. 17-56

West Part .. 78.22J . . . 18.16

South Cape of Portland, 17.4di

North Part, . 18.33

Centra of the ble . 77-8 . • « ABASj^

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138 COLUMBUS — FIRST LANDING IN JAMAICA.

party of armed Indians, when the Spanish boats proceeded
to obtain soundings in the haven, now called Port Maria.

The voyagers then entered another harbour, named Ora
Cabeca, and on experiencing a similar demonstration of
opposition, several arbaletes were discharged at the Indians,
who fled on witnessing the slaughter of their companions,
and permitted the quiet landing of Columbus. The admiral,
(who took formal possession of the island for his sovereign,)
remained ten days among the astonished natives, and then
(18th May 1494), sailed for Cuba. On the S2nd of the
ensuing month, Columbus again approached Jamaica, off Rio
Bueno, and surveyed the coast (without landing), till the SOth
of August, when he reached San Miguel, now Cape Tiburon.
For eight years from this period nothing further was heard
of Jamaica, and the peaceful Indians were yet a little while
left in the tranquil occupation of their lovely and happy home.
In 1502, (14th July), Columbus, then on his 4th voyage,
sailed from Hispaniola for Jamaica, but contrary and
boisterous winds compelled his sheltering at Guanaja, or the
isle of Pines. The succeeding year saw the first European
settlement on our present colony, the result of necessity,
rather than choice. Returning from the disasterous expedi-
tion to Yeragua, Columbus (with his son and brother and
two ships), was driven for shelter to Maxaca, on the S. coast
of Cuba, whence after imperfectly repairing his vessels, be
again put to sea, but was forced, by stress of weather, and in
a sinking state, on an uninhabited part of the N. coast of
Jamaica, where neither water nor provisions were procurable ;
once more the intrepid navigator turned his shattered prows
to the faithlesa deep, the tradewind drove him down the
coast to the westward, and at St. Ann*s Bay, (called by the
devout and weather-beaten mariner Santa Gloria), the sinking
vessels were run on shore for the purpose of preserving the
lives of the almost exhausted adventurers, who, protected by
a reef of rocks, lashed the wrecks together, and canopied
beneath a canvas awnmg, found present shelter and repose.

Friendly communications were opened with the unsuspect-

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SHIPWRECK ON THE ISLAND — MUTINY. 139

ing Indians, who supplied the ship-wrecked seamen with
abundance of provisions in exchange for beads, bells, or other
trifles. Columbus dispatched Diego Mendez, the secretary
to the squadron, in company with a Genoese named Fieski, in
two canoes (each furnished with six Castilians and ten Indians)
to Ovando, the GoTcmor of Hispaniola, then the capital of
the Spanish western isles, distant 200 leagues from Jamaica,
and with a strong adverse wind in their course. Ovando, the
Governor of Hispaniola, was the inveterate enemy of Colum-
bus, and availed himself of the occasion of his rivaPs misfor-
tune, to heap insult and injury on the unfortunate admiral; a
vessel was dispatched from Hispaniola, to mock the sufferers
with condolence and ironical regrets of inability to afford
assistance, the commander of the reconnoitering ship (which
purposely lay outside the reefs of Santa Gloria) having been
expressly selected on account of his being the personal enemy
of Columbus. The suffering Spaniards, under the impression
that they were neglected by the Viceregal and Home Autho-
rities, by reason of their fidelity to Columbus, mutinied at the
instigation of the brothers Pooras, (one a commander, and
the other a military treasurer), Columbus was accused of
witchcraft;, and several attempts to assassinate him as he lay
confined to his bed with the gout were only frustrated by the
bravery and presence of mind of his brother Bartholomew ;
the mutineers seized on ten canoes which the admiral had
been preparing, plundered the natives of provisions wherever
they could be found, forced several to accompany them in
their efforts to cross the sea to Hispaniola, and threw them
overboard with their baggage to lighten the fragile barks in
which they several times endeavoured to gain the seat of Su-
preme Government, and when compelled to return by the
storm to Jamaica, it was but to lay waste and destroy the
unoffending Indians, and to make fresh attacks on Colum-
bus and his few faithful followers. At length, after losing
several of their comrades in a battle with the admiral's
friends, headed by Diego Columbus, the renegades sued
for permission to return to their allegiance, and in a month

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140 DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIANS BY THE SPANIARDS.

fifter (28th Juney 1504/^) Columbus bade a final adieu to Ifae
Jamaica shores in vessels prepared for his relief by Mendez
^nd Fieski, whom he had dispatched from Santa Gloria to
Hispaniola and Spain (as before stated) soon after the ship-
wreck of his vessels. The peaceful Indians of Jamaica were
now left for a brief period in the quiet possession of their
lovely isle, but in three years after the death of Christopher
Columbus, i. e. in 1509, the Spanish Court divided the Darien
Government between - Alfonzo d*Ojeda and Diego Nicuesa,
authorizing them jointly and severally to make what use they
pleased of the unoccupied island of Jamaica as a garden,
whence provisions might be obtained, and as a nursery
whence slaves might be procured to work in the mines. The
result of such orders, in such times, may be easily imagined ;
a contest arose between the provincial Governors who
should make the most of the unfortunate islanders and their
country ; towns and villages were laid waste and burned ; the
slightest resistance was returned with indiscriminate slaughter;
the caciques, or chiefs, murdered in cold blood ; the women,
who tempted the lust of the invaders, became victims to their
sensuality ; tortures of the most infernal nature were resorted
to for the purposes of forcing a discovery of that which the
Spaniards eagerly thirsted for — gold; and the adults and
children of Jamaica who were not fortunate enough to escape
to the recesses of the mountains, there to perish, lingering
of famine, were borne away into captivity, to wear out a brief
existence in the rayless mines where their merciless oppressors
sought wealth at an incalculable sacrifice of human life and
misery,— justly may we exclaim with the poet —
quid Don mortalia pectora cogis,
Auri sacra fames!

While the rival governors, Diego and Nicuesa, were dis-
puting about the adjudication of Jamaica, Diego Columbus
(the son of the great navigator) stepped in to assert his
prior claim, and accordingly despatched, in 1509, Don Juan
d'Esquimel, with seventy men, to take possession of the
island and form a settlement at Santa Gloria, a spot sacrcNi

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FIRST SPANISH COLONY IN JAMAICA, 141

to Ilis filial affections^ by reason of the shipwreck and suf-
ferings of his father. The seat of government was fixed on
the banks of a small rivulet, termed SeviUa Nneva, to com-
memorate the successful termination of his suit against the
crown, as recently decided by the council of the Indies;
and Ferdinand, another son of Columbus, was despatched
firom Spain to establish a monastery, and assist in the exten-
sion of the new colony. The unwarlike Indians of Jamaica
did not long offer resistance to the government which they
found disposed to settle amongst them, they sank by degrees
into the condition of serfs and slaves, and were regarded as
mere ministers to the pleasures of their white brethren, who
had now usurped the sole occupancy of the soil. San Do-
mingo, then in all its glory, graced by the presence of royal
blood, and many of the nobility of Castile, and the seat of
fashion in the new world, communicated its luxuriance and
taste to Sevilla Nueva (now called Sevilla dOro, from the
gold brought thither by the natives,) and a splendid city arose,
rivalling in magnificence the towns of the mother country, but
of which not a vestige remains, save the memory of the name,
— ^the cane fields, on the site of the former capital, being stOl
termed Seville.

The chroniclers of the day represent the government of
Don Juan d'Esquimel as mild in character towards the
natives, and fostering in regard to the culture of cotton, the
introduction of the sugar cane, vine,* and European cattle,
which flourished in the virgin soil, and fruitful vallies, and
savannahs of the island. The cotton wool was celebrated in
commerce for its quality as well as quantity ; and the beautiful
fabrics woven therefrom by the Indians became a source of
wealth to the Spaniards, which, if they had been attended to,
would have proved of more lasting value than the precious
metals, in the avaricious search for which every thing living
and dead was sacrificed. Unhappily for the Indians, the rule
of Don Esquimel was brief; he died, and was buried at
Sevilla d'Oro, the beautiful bay on the south of the island
* Claret was then made in Jamaica.

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14Si DEATH OF DIEGO COLUMBUS, AMD

now called Old Harbour, where he had fixed his estate as an
eligible ship-building settlement, inheriting his name, and
bequeathing to posterity the remembrance of a man whose
character offered a bright contrast to that of his sanguinary
successors. Francisco de Garay, a Spaniard, who had long
been a fortunate partner of the celebrated Diaz in the famed
mine of St. Christopher, in Hispaniola, and whose insatiAble
avarice and cruelty was notorious, succeeded Esquimel as
lieutenant of Diego Columbus, in the government of Jamaica,
which, in 1519 (ten years after its settlement), had risen so
rapidly as to have been enabled to fit out three vessels,
manned by two- hundred and seventy men, to endeavour to
take possession of a territory named Panuco, on the main
laad«. In 1S2I, Sevilla d*Oro began to send off branches
firom the parent stock, and two new towns were founded — ^the
one on the Bay of Blewfields, named Oristan, firom a place
in Sardinia ; the other, Melilla (supposed to be on the site
where Marthse-bras now stands), so called after a small town
in Barbary.

The death of Diego Columbus (who, in 15S3, had founded
St. Jago (He la Vega, or St. Jago of the Plains, to distinguish
it firom St. Jago de Cuba)^ in 1526, checked the improvement
of the island ; and the cruelties of the Governor, Don Pedro
d'Esquimel, whom LasCasas declares to have been the greatest
destroyer of the Indians, added to the destructive piratical
warfare carried on by French corsairs, under the nanfe of JFB-
bustiers — all tended to cloud the rising prosperity of Jamaica.
The intelligent author of the Annals of Jamaica, the Rev. G. W*
Bridges, says, that the consequence of such proceedings was,
that the settlement of Oristan was destroyed in its infancy,
Melilla was abandoned almost as soon as built, and the capital
became the repeated prey of a lawless bandittL ^ Its buildings,
many of them the creation of monastic munificence, were
suspended — its trade interrupted — and, such as were not
bound by office to the seat of government, deserted their
half-finished walls to seek a safer retreat in the southern
districts of the island. The Jamaica Almamac says, that St.

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PIRACY OF THB FRENCH FLIBUST1BR8. 143

Jago de la Vega, or Spanish Town, was founded by Diego
Columbus, in 15Z3 ; but Mr. Bridges states its origin to have
been owing to the affirighted Spaniards, who fled over the
mountain range, in 1538, in order to breath in security from
the plundering attacks of the French flibustiers, or corsairs ;
while superstition suggested the name of the -new capital,
under the impression that the patron saint of the island had
been offended at the name (St Jago) given by Columbus
having been outlived by the native cognomen, Xaymaca^ or
Jamaica. Security of person and property, the midn spring
of national wealth and happiness, soon contributed to raise
St. Jago de la Vega into a flourishing city : the neighbouring
savannahs were quickly cultivated, the manufacture of sugar*
rapidly extended, and, in sixteen years from its foundation
(1555), the capital of Jamaica gave the title of Marquis to
the grandson of the extraordinary mariner who may be truly
said to have discovered a new world for the purpose of sti*
mulating into renewed energy the enterprize and intelligence
of the old. The wars between Charles V. and Henry of
France were carried on in America by the latter under pi*
ratical leaders ; and, after a desperate attack of the flibustiers^
in 1554, who massacred all the inhabitants, sculptured arches
and bare walls alone remain as evidence of the pristine splen*
dour of the once celebrated city of Sevilla d'Oro.

In 1558, it is stated that the native inliabitants of Jamaica
had entirely perished,f and the Spaniards cultivated the
lands in the neighbourhood of St. Jago de k Vega, by
means of the few slaves which (says Mr. Bridges) they were
enabled to purchase ; whence they were derived the annalist
has not recorded. In 1580, owing to the junction of the
crowns of Spain and Portugal, the territorial right of

* In 1523 tbere were thirty sugar millfl established in the island.

t Gage, writing in 1637, says, * This island was once very populous,
but is now almost destitute of Indians, for the Spaniards have slain in it
more than 60,000; insomuch that women, as well here .as on the continent,
did kill their children before they had given them birth, that the issuet of
their bodies might not serve so cmel a nation.*

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144 PIIOGRE88IVE PROSPERITY OF JAMAICA.

Jamaica was vested in the royal house of Braganza, and the
Portuguese, who emigrated to the island, gave new life and
vigour to the settlement. In 1587 Jamaica was so over run
with the bread of homed cattle, swine, and horses, originally
imported from Hispaniola, that a considerable trade arose in
provisions, lard, and hides ; the cultivation of sugar which
had been neglected after the destruction of Sevilla d'Oro,
was resumed ; and ginger, tobacco, and other articles were
added to the planters* commercial stock. In 1605 the famed
wealth of Jamaica induced a predatory incursion on the
settlement from Sir Anthony Shirley, who was cruising in the
neighbourhood with a large fleet, but the invaders retired
after plundering only those parts of the island that were
most accessible.

In 1644, Col. or Capt. William Jackson, made a descent
upon Jamaica from the windward islands, at the head of
five hundred men ; the Spaniards fought bravely at Passage
Fort, but were beaten, and compelled to pay a large sum of
money for the preservation of the capital. Little, or indeed
nothing authentic, is known of the internal history of the
island up to the period of the British Conquest in 1655 ; the
acquisitions of Spain on the Continent, and the vast quantity
of precious metals thence derived, soon induced the neglect
of the insular possessions of the Mother Country for the
sake of the more shewy, but less substantial advantage,
derived by the conquest of Peru and Mexico ; all accounts,
however, agree in representing the Hidalgos of Jamaica as
leading a life of slothful luxuriance ; for the latter fifty years
the N. side of the island had been abandoned and allowed to
grow into dense woods, the population at the time of the
British Conquest was stated by Venables to be no more than
1,500 Spaniards and Portuguese, with about an equal number
of Mulattoes and negro slaves, and the higher class of inha*
bitants was composed of only eight families, who may be
said to have divided the country between them into eight
iatos or districts.

Cromwell, no less with a desire to rid himself of those dis*

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POLICY OF CROMWELL IN COLONIZINd. 14if(

Effected towards his gOTerniuent, than with a hope of
humbling the power of the Spanish court, which favoured
the restoration of Charles, — aided by the popular feeling in
England against the Spaniards^ for the condemnation of six
hundred peaceable English settlers at St. Christopher's, to
work in subterraneous bondage in the mines of Mexico in
16S9> — anxious to avenge the murder of a smalT English
colony, who had quietly settled on the unoccupied island of
Tortuga eight years after the peace of 1630, and a repetition
of the same bloody tragedy twelve years afterwards at Santa
Cruz, in which, as at Tortuga, even the women and children
were put to the sword, — and urged, moreover, by a desire to
establish the maritime supremacy of England, by the founda-
tion of colonies, and by putting an end to the exclusive right
of navigating the American seas, as claimed by Ferdinand
and Isabella ; — ^influenced, I say, by these and other motives,
Cromwell fitted out a large armament, which he placed under
the joint command of General Venables and Admiral Penn,
with three controlling commissioners, for the purpose of
seizing on Hispaniola at the moment of declaring hostilities
against Spain in Europe. The expedition was hastily des*
patched, the ranks of the army filled from the gaols and
prisons in England and Ireland, and the fleet so hurried out
to sea that the store-ships were left behind ; the capture of
Hispaniola was prevented by the vigilance of the Spaniards,
but to make amends for the discomfiture, Jamaica was at-
tacked by a force of 6,500 men, on the 3d of May 1665, after
being one hundred and forty-six years in the possession of
Spain* Little resistance was offered, negotiations were
entered into for the British occupation, and skilfiilly pro*
longed by the Spaniards, until the latter removed all their
valuables, so that when St Jago de la Ve^a was entered by
the British forces, about ten days after the landing, nothing
but bare walls were found, the inhabitants having carried off
all their goods to the mountains, where, aided by their slaves^
and by occasional reinforcements from Cuba, they long held
out, but after some years were gradually annihilated, par-

VOL II. L

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iA6 BRITISH CONQUEST OF JAMAICA, ANP;

4oned^ or permitted to emigrate. Spain viunly endeavoured
to recover Jamaica, which «ome skill and energy would
have enabled her to do, owing to the disaffection and dis'or^
ganization of the British army and occupants; but the rapid
acquirement of wealth, without the aid of industry, and
dmost solely by means of violence and craft, is as fatal to the
strength and happiness of a nation as it is to that of an indi-
vidual, and the Spanish government, after several and mtf
successful efforts, abandoned all further prospects of re-
possessing themselves of the island. During the early
British occupation much inconvenience and distress (as is
the case in all infant settlements), was experienced, some <^
the Spaniards and their negroes still occupied the mountains,*
and martial law was the sole judicature for a series of y^urs*
during which period little progress was made in cultivation^
the soldiers being disinchned to turn their swords into
ploughshares.

Under the government of Colonel D'Oyley, Jamuca be*-
came the head quarters pf the pirates, or buccaneers, who
infested these seas, and derived inordinate wealth from the
plunder of the Spanish colonies and the fleets laden with the
precious metals on their return to Europe ; it is stated that

* Colonel D'Oyley, the Governor of Jamaica in 1^1, wrote to Secre-
tary Nicholas, that a party of soldiers had just brought in from the moim*
tains about 100 negroes, the remainder of some 2,000, who had infested the
place since their arrival. He adds, (and it corroborates what I demon*
strated in my work on the Tajcation qf the British Empire respecting the
Parliamentary Ooyernment of the revolution) " the soldiers have received
no pay since they came/^State Paper Office. It would appear that blood-
hounds were now introduced into Jamaica, and not, as was supposed, for
the first time by Lord Balcarras. The two following Jamaica orders
respecting bloodhounds and Bibles, afford a curious picture of the mannerB
of the times : —

August 14, 1656. " An order signed Edward D'Oyley, for the distri*
bution to the army of 1701 Bibles/'

August 26, 1659. <* Oitler issued this day unto Mr. Peter PUgh, Trea-
sorer, to pay unto John Hoy the summe of twenty pounds sterling, out of
the imposUmoney, to pay for fifleene doggs, brought by him for the
hunting of the negroes."

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WISE COMMERCIAL MBASVRES tt>R ITS fHO^ERITY. 147:

the tables and household utensils of the colonists were of
silver akid gold^ and their horses sometimes shod with the
former metal^ loosely nailed on, to indicate the abundance
and contempt for slight losses of wealth. Negro slayes ap-*.
pear to have been imported by the British in pursuance of
the policy of their predecessors, and in 1659 the population
of the island was rated at 4,500 whites, and 1,400 negroes.
Of the white population a chief proportion must have been
outlaws and soldiers ; for, according to the Board of Trade
and State Paper Office Records, — " Two hundred of the
rebels taken at Sedgemoor were transported to Jamaica;**
and the military strength of the island in 1662 consisted of
five regiments, containing S,088 men at arms ; that emigra-.
tion from England began early is nevertheless correct; Sir
Thomas Modyford, in a letter dated Jamaica, January SOth»
1664, mentions the number of settlers recently arrived, at 987,
of which 855 came from England, and the remainder from
Barbadoes. i

At the restoration Charles sought to allay the feuds existing
in the island between the republican and royalist parties in
Jamaica ; the restraints oY martial law were abolished, courts
of session formed, and a council of 12 elected by the inhabit-
ants to aid the government convened ; a partial survey took
place, 12 districts were marked out, laws framed by the
council for the government of the island, and taxes levied for
the maintenance thereof; every encouragement was held out
to new planters, and the wise regulations of Cromwell, ex^-
tmpiing planters or ' adventurers * from paying excise or
customs on any produce, ^c. exported to Jamaica, or imported
from thence into the dominions of the conunonu)eaUh,for 10
years, was allowed ; together with the abolition of hindrance
^r impressment on ships or mariners bound for Jamaica.

On the accession of Lord Windsor to the chief authority,
in September, 166S, a municipal government was formed:;
judges of session and magistracy appointed ; the militia e^-
•taUished ; the island divided into seven parishes^ and patents
4>f land in free soceage granted. It is interesting to

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148 ORIGIN OF OUR WEST INDIAN COLONIAL LEGISLATURES.

the origin of our colonial legislatures. According to a lettelr
in the State Paper Office from Colonel (afterwards Sir
Thomas) Modyford, dated Barbadoes, February 16th, 1651,
addressed to Bradshaw (the regicide), the following sugges-
tions occur, relative to the island sending representatives to
Parliament : — ' Th6 great difficulty is, (which your wisdoms
will easily overcome) how we shall have a representative with
you in your government and our parliament : to demand to
have burgesses with yours to sit and vote in matters concern-
ing England may seem immoderate ; but to desire that two
representatives be chosen by this island to advise and consent
to matters that concern this place, I presume may be both
just and necessary ; for if laws be imposed upon us without
oiir personall or impHed consent, we cannot be accounted
better than slaves, which, as all Englishmen abhorre to* see,
so I am confident you detest to have them : This is so cleare
that I shall not need to enforce it with argument, neither
enter upon particulars for the good of this place,'. &c. &c.

It may be gathered from this that the home authorities
preferred granting colonial legislatures to colonial represen-
tatives in the British Parliament. '

In January, 1664, the first assembly of Jamaica was con-
vened by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Charles Littleton, in
conformity with the power of his commission from England;
it consisted of 30 members, who chose a speaker (Mr. Robert
Freeman) the SOth of January, and continued their sittings to
the middle of February, then adjourned to May, and afterwards
resumed them at Port Royal ; thus dividing its session be-
tween the seats of Government and trade. This early esta*
blishment of a popular legislative assembly was attended with
signal advantages ; laws suited to the community were framed^
taxes raised independent of the Governor and parent state^
and the acts of assembly were sent for confirmation to the
King. Disputes subsequendy broke out between the Go^
vernor, Sir Thomas Modyford, and the house of assembly ;
but those who appreciate the blessing of legislative repre<-
sentation in unison with taxation, will think lightly of dif-

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MOBLB CONDOCT OF THE /AMAICA LBOISLATUEX. 149

ferences between the party desiring the exerdse of luicon*
troUable authority, when balanced by the cafan and efficient
power of a chamber freely elected by the intelligence and
wealth of a community.*

For sixty-four years the House of Assembly of Jamaica
carried on a noble contest to secure the means of defend-
ing itself against tyrannical acts on the part of the Crown,
and for controlling the expenditure of their own supplies.
Up to 1670, when peace was ratified with Spain, Jamaica
was the head quarters and rendezvous of aU the pirates,
corsairs, and buccaneers of the New World, encouraged by
many of the Governors of Jamaica*! The celebrated, the
notorious Morgan,| as well as other bandits, contributed to

* Of Colonel Samuel Long, who nobly opposed the arbitrary measuret
of the Crown, endeavoured to be enforced through the then Governor, the
Earl 6f Carlisle, in 1679, the following notice occurs in a paper in th^
Board of Trade:—

Nov. 23, 1676. "HisExceUcnc^,'' Lord Vaughan, " havdng acquwnted
the Council of the present vacancy of the Chief Justice's place, and that,
in this emergency, he could not propose any other than Lieutenant-Colonel
Samuel Long unto them, wherein his Lordship desired their advice, all
unanimously declared that they were fully satisfied with the great abilities
of Lieutenant-Colonel Long to performe and discharge the said trust and
employment, and did approve of his Excellency's choice."

This distinguished colonist died possessed of nearly 20,000 acres in
Jamaica. His descendant* Mr. Edward Long, was the accomplished and
learned author of the history of that island, and to the grandson of that
gentleman I am indebted for several valuable memoranda.

t Sir Thomas Lynch, in 1664, considered the calling in of the pri-
vateers * a remote and hazardous experiment.' * If they cannot get Eng-
lish commissions/ he says, ' they will get French or Portuguese* although
they be dangerous rogues.' Sir Thomas Modyford, in 1666, acknowledges
the receipt of a letter from Lord Arlington* directing that ' privateers be
handled quietly for the future, and be reclaimed by degrees i encouraging
them to return home and take service in H. M. fleet against the Dutch. '
Siate Paper Office.

X This extraordinary adventurer was a native of Wales, bom in 1635*
of a junior branch of the great clan of the Morgans of Tredegar,
but by daring courage, talents, and successes* became advanced to the
dignity of Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. Having no inclination to
follow his Cither's agricultural pursuit, Morgan bade him adieu, wandered

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150 LIFE AMD EXPLOITS OF MORGAN (AFTERWARDS

pour a vast flood of wealth into Jamaica^ the prize of their

infamous marauding expeditions.

to Bristol, and embarked for Barbadoes, where, according to the custom
of the times, he bound himself as a servant, or sold his services, for .the
space of four years. As soon, however, as he gained his freedom, Morgan
Went to Jamaica, where the temptations held out for the rapid acquire-
ment of wealth induced him to join the West India buccaneers, who con-
sidered their pursuits legitimate because the Spaniards refused to be at
peace with other nations within the tropics, where they asserted English^
men had no right to settle. War was declared against the Spaniards, by
beat of drum, at Port Royal, 27th February, 1666 ; and Morgan, by his
daring intrepidity, soon brought himself into notice, made several suc-
cessful cruises, and secured a share of the spoil. Seeing the excesses and
improvidence of his companions, he profited by the example, and lived so
moderately, that he soon amassed a sufficient sum of money towards pur-
chasinfif a vessel, in conjunction iinth some of his comrades, who elected
him their commander, and he returned to Port Royal with several prizes
from the Bay of Campeehe. Mansfeldt, the prince of pirates, v/ho was
then preparing a formidable expedition against the Spaniards, pitched
upon him to be his vice-admiral ; and in a short time, with fifteen ships*
and five hundred men, he stormed and plundered the island of St. Ca-
therine (Providence), thirty-five leagues from Chagres river, and, after
various successes in different places, next proceeded, in 1668, with a fleet
of nine ships and four hundred and sixty men agunst Puerto Bcllo. This
city ^vas defended by three castles, two of which were so situated that no
hostile boat could pass, and the town itself was well garrisoned. It was
night when he arrived, and, being acquainted with all the avenues of the
city, he sailed in canoes up the river to Puerto Pontin, where he anchored,
and, guided by one who had been a prisoner there, reached Estera longa
de mar, whence he marched to the outposts of the city. After securing
the sentinel, he assailed the castle with such resistless impetuosity, that
the Governor was compelled to submit. Being unable to spare mei|
to guard his prisoners, Morgan is accused by the Spaniards of having
enclosed them all in a large dungeon, fired the magazine and blown up
the fortress with every Spaniard in it. They then fbrced the com-
mandant of the city into the remaining fort, who vainly endeavoured,
by an incessant cannonade, to prevent the plundering of the town
below ; but it had no other effect than to urge them to make a quick
and sanguinary dispatch. The buccaneers rifled tha churches and houses,
and stormed the castle at the very mouth of its guns. The carnage of
this nocturnal conflict was dreadful. After performing prodigies of
valour, Morgan's men became dispirited and fiiint; but their courage
was restored by seeing the English colours waving over the third and only

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Sir epward) Tim Jamaica buccanees. 151

' In 1670, the total white population was 15^98 (vide section
on population); the militia muster rolls exhibiting an internal

remaiDing castle, which another party of these desperadoes had successfuUy
stormed. Our hero commaoded the prisoners, they had taken from the
Teli{(ioiu houses, at the point of the s^vord, to place the scalinfj^ kddert
a|{aiB8t the walls. The Spanish soldier's duty prevailed over his snpersti-
tiOB, and many of the religieuse were slain. The pirates^ however,
mounted the ladders, and the Spaniards, throwing down then: arms,
begged for mercy. The commandant alone refused to yield, and nobly
met hid fate in the presence of his wife and daughter. Every species of
excess marked the footsteps of the remorseless conquerors during fifteen
sooeeseive days. A ransom of 100,000 pieces of eight was demanded for
tbe preservation of the town, and paid. After levelling the redoubts
which had been raised by the Spaniards, and dismounting their guns, the
buccaneers returned to Jamaica with a ransom and plunder of 250,000
pieces of eight and much merchandize. The chroniclers of the day
namte that, on the sea shore at Port Royal, plate, jewels, and other rich
effects were literally piled beneath the eayes of the houses for the want of
warehouse room. But this immense wealth was soon transferred to others,
and the pnrates, reduced almost to starvation, constrained their captain to put
to sea again, after a few short weeks of riotous debauchery. Morgan was
now at the head of a thousand desperate fellows and a fleet of fifteen
vessels, to which was added, it is said, the Oxford frigate, commanded by
Captain £. Collier, sent by Charles II. to aid in tlie war against the
Spaniards. The fleet rendezvoused at the Isle de Vache, in Hispaniola ;
and Sir William Beeston and Esquemeling relate the following almost
incredible circumstance. A council of war was hekl on board the Oa/ord,
on the 2nd January, 1669. The captains remained to dinner, and, while
feasting, the frigate, ' by some unknown accident, blew up at once, and
killed two hundred and fifty men : Admiral Morgan, and those captains
that sat on that side of the table that he did, were saved ; but those cap-
tains on the other side were killed.' This misforttme prevented an attack
on Carthagena; but Macawubo, with Gibraltar (on the Spanish main) was
agun sacked, and the inhabitants underwent the same cruel torture they ex*
perienced at the handa of Solonnois. Failing, however, in this attempt to
plunder them, the inhabitants having cotacealed their valuables in the woods,
the pirates wearied and vexed at their unusual ill fortune, retreated from
the town. They were waited for by the Spaniards, who were prepared with
three men-of-war to obstruct their passage from the lake ; and even in this
dilemmay when life and death were in the event, Morgan's courage alone re-
mained unshaken. He eoatrived a fire ship with such ingenuity, that it was
impoesible for the enemy to recognise her as such. With this he destroyed one

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15S*^ DARINO BRAVSaV A»V CUVMIHO OF THE PIEAITES.

strength of S,720 men, and the British seamen about the
island being S,500 strong. Fifty-seven sugar works were

of their vesselB — ^the second ran on shore, and the remuning one became
an easy prey to the pirates ; but, although he had destroyed their fleet, the
castle, which they most pass, was impre^able. In vain did he resort to
his usnal practice in exposing the nuns and friars they had taken prisoners
upon the deck, to restrain their countrjrmen from firing. Finding it utterly '
useless, he had recourse to a wily stratagem. He withdrew out of the
reach of the guns, and, filling his boats with men» they were ordered to
row ashore, as if with the design of ]an<ting ; but, instead of doing so,
they concealed themselves at the bottom of the boats, and the boats
returned apparently unth only two or three men. After doing this several
times, the Spaniards, thinking they were going to attack the castle from
the land, removed their guns from the sea side to the ramparts, leaving
the former almost defenceless. The pirates then by moonlight dropped down
with the tide, when opposite the fort, spread every inch of canvass, and
saluted the mortified Spaniards as they passed with a few shots, which the
governor, completely outwitted, was unable to return ; thus again was Ja-
maica deluged with wealth and benefitted by the prodigality of the pirates*
Morgan's reputation was now so great that he was joined by several young
men of family from England. After a few months' peace, war was again
proclumed (2nd July, 1670), at Port Royal, against the Spaniards. Morgan
received a commission from the Governor to harass the enemy, and sailed
with a fleet of thirty-seven sail, carrying two thousand men at arms, besides
large crews of good sailors. St. Catherine was recaptured, and kept as a
place of retreat. Morgan's vice-admiral (Droadley), with four ships and
four hundred men, gained possession, (after losing one hundred men in
killed and wounded,) of the town and castle of Cliagres. Morgan next
sailed to Panama, which, after a desperate conflict, he succeeded in taking
possession of; but it, by some accident, took fire, and continued burning
several days. Vast quantities of molten gold and silver were found en-
crusted on the very pavements of the town, «ud the worth of millions ivas
collected from the wells and fountains, where it had been hastily concealed.
With one hundred and seventy-five mules, richly laden with gold, silver^
and jewels, Morgan arrived at Chagres. There he made a division of the
spoil \ but his crew, suspecting him of fraud in the partition, mutinied*
and he was glad to escape with two or three ships and 400,000 pieces of
eight in specie, with which he arrived in Jamiuca. Morgan now gavA
up his depredations, retired into private life, purchased a plantation*
lived upon and improved it, and so effectually recommended himself to
public favour, that he was made a naval commander in the service of his
King, obtained the honour of knighthood* became Pk'esident of the Cknincil

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EARLY STATS OV CULTIVATION IN JAMAICA. IfiS-

ettabliBhed, yielding annually IJIO^OOO lbs. of sugar; forty*
seven cocoa walks, giving 180,000 lbs. of nuts ; and forty-nine
indigo works, producing 49,000 lbs. of dye. The indigenous
pimento afforded an export annually of 50,000 lbs. ; 10,000
bushels of salt were produced from three salt pans;— in
six years, 60 tame cattle had increased to 60,000; and sheep»
goats, and tame hogs, were innumerable ;* cotton, tobacco,
amotto, and other articles, were being attended to ; and, in
die brief space of fourteen years, amidst numberless misfor*
tunes abroad and at home, Jamaica exhibited a wonderful
progress in colonial prosperity.

Sir Thomas Lynch, on his arrival as Governor in 1671,
put an end to the privateering system, and directed the atten*
tion of the Colonists to the more permanently profitable means
of attaining wealth, agriculture and commerce. The assembly
(consisting of eighteen representatives) was convened, and
the revenue fixed as follows : — land at Port Royal one half*
penny per foot ; cleared land and savanna, one penny per acre;
license to sell liquor, 40s. per annum ; brandy and spirits im»
ported, 6d. per gallon ; Portuguese and Spanish wines, £4
per ton ; beer, SOs. per ton ; and mum, at 40s. ditto ; British
ships, Is. per ton anchorage; foreign double; the salary of
ihe Governor or Commander-in-Chief fixed at j£1000 per
annum ; JS400 to the Lieutenant-Governor ; £S00 to the

of Jamaica, and thrice filled the office of LdeuteDant-Oovernor. According
to some chroDicles, the puBillaniinity of the British Court, and .Morgan's
Spanish enemies, however, prevailed so far as to procure a letter from the.
Secretary of State, ordering him a prisoner to England, where his robust
oonstitation, which the numberless trials to which he had been exposed
oookl not impair, sank beneath unmerited disgrace. Others assert that ha
died at Port Royal, in comfortable retirement, and much beloved, the 26th
Angust, 1668 ; leaving a name which struck terror into Spain, and which
records exploits rarely equalled in the annals of British courage.

* The price of provisions had fallen rapidly — ^for in 1663 Sir Charles
Lyttleton, the Lieutenant-Oovernor, says— '* Hogg, which is, planter's
food, is sold at 2d, per pound — and I have paid here 7d, t every thing
else does abate almost in proportion."

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154 FORMATION OF JUDICIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. :

Major-Greneral ; £80 to the Chief Justice ; £S0 to -ererj
Judge ; and £lt) to his Assistant.

According to documents in the State Paper Office the As-
semblyi in 1671, consisted of eighteen representatiyes, and
in 1674 Mr. Cranfield, in reply to some queries from his
Itfajestyi stated, that the Council of Jamaica consisted of
twelve gendemen ; the Assembly of Representatives elected
by the freeholders ; two from every parish except from St..
Jago and Port Royal, which have the privilege of choosing
three. A Chief Court of Judicature sat at St Jago, sitting
every three months with appeals to the Governor as Chan-
cellor, with six inferior courts in different parts of the island,
sitting every month, and holding pleas not exceeding £20,
except by Justices, and these of any sum whatever* Quarter
Sessions, according to the custom of England, were held in
every precinct, and an Admiralty Court was established ; the
domestic armed force of the island consisted of one regiment
of cavalry 500 strong, and the infantry regiments containing
5000 men.* The administration of LordVaughan commencing
in 1677 was tenhed indulgent, steady and impartial, but the
conduct of his successor, the Earl of Carlisle, has been cen-
sured as weak, petulant and tyrannical; his efforts to induce
the Colonial Assembly to surrender its independence, were
happily attended with discomfiture, and every lover of liberty
will rejoice that the planters of Jamaica were among the fore-
most to resist the unconstitutional pretensions of the Crown.

In 1684 the first fruits of the impolicy of slave labour was
felt by a serious insurrection of the negroes, which however
was speedily suppressed ;. in 1686 the extensive immigration
af Jews gave renewed commercial stimulus to the island, but

' • In 1680 the military force of the island was 4,626 men in eight regi-
ments, the relative strength of which was as follows, —
3?7 661 692 420
616 496 1,101 364
Sir Henry Morgan, (the LieutenatGovernor) in a letter dated 1681, says
that the North side of the island had then only l>een settled &ve years.

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DESTRUCTION OP PORT ROYAL BY AN EARTHQUAKE* 15S

the sectarian Popish zeal of the Duke of Albemarle, who, to
)>re8erYe him from starving in England, watf appointed bjr
James II. GoTemor of Jamaica, temporarily checked the hap-
piness and prosperity of the islanders.

In 1691, the maroons or run-away negroes became exceed-
ingly troublesome to the planters, several of whom, with their
families, were murdered, but by the vigilance of the militia
the evil was for the time suppressed. In the midst of much
prosperity, and when the Colonists were exulting in their
good fortune, the town of Port Royal, into which the wealth
of the Buccaneers had been poured, and on whose shores their
crimes and wickedness had been felt, by the awful interposi-
tion of Providence, was suddenly destroyed, and 3000 of its
inhabitants instantly engulphed in the earthquake which en-
tombed the scene of so much depravity for ever ! On the
7th June, 169S, at mid-day, while the Governor and Council
were sitting, and the wharfs were loaded with merchandize
and rich spoil, a roar was heard in the distant mountains, and
reverberated through the vallies to the beach where the sea
suddenly arose, and in an instant stood five fathoms deep,
where a moment before were displayed the glittering treasures
of Peru and Mexico ; in some places the earth opened wide
and swallowed whole houses, which were again, perhaps,
thrown upwards by the violent concussion of the sea ; in
others, many individuals were swallowed up to the neck, and
the earth then closing strangled them ; the Swan frigate was
forced over the tops of the sunken houses, and afforded a
providential escape to many persons, and of the whole town,
perhaps the richest spot in the world, not more than two
hundred houses of the fort were lef);. The whole island felt
severely the 'shock, in some parts mountains were riven, in
others connected, the outline of every thing was changed, and
the entire surface of the island considerably subsided ; many
thousand persons were destroyed in the overwhelming of
Port Royal, the ruins of which are yet visible in clear weather
from the surface of the ocean, beneath which they lie. A
dreadful epidemic, arising from the putrifymg bodies floating

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156 ' QALLANT DEFENCE AGAINST THE FRENCH.

in shoals about the harbour and from the noxious miasm, su6-
ceeded, in which S^OOO persons fell victims. Amidst the loss
of much wealth and property, the destruction of the official
papers and records of the island was not the least valuable*
Jn June 1694, while the colonists were yet bending under the
effects of the earthquakej a formidable descent was nuide
on the island by M. Du Casse, with three ships of war,
twenty-three transports and 1,500 men, from France and
Martinique.

This formidable invasion was most gallantly met by the
Jamaica militia, and utterly routed, with a loss to the invaders
of seven hundred men, and on the side of the English of
about one hundred killed and wounded. The most wanton
cruelties were committed by the French ; fifty sugar estates
were totally destroyed, many plantations burned, and 1,500
negroes and several merchant ships carried away by the
retreating marauders. The latter years of the seventeenth
century were not remarkable for any memorable events in
the colonial annals of Jamaica. The Scots colony of Darien
was formed about the period of October 1798, and very soon
after suppressed, but the colonists of Jamaica generously
extended encouragement and support to those whom the
miserable policy of the home government would not permit
the defence of, against the tyrannical and false usurpation of
the territory by Spain. In 1698 the population was, whites,
males, 2,465 ; women and children, 4,900; total, whites, 7865;
negroes, 40,000; and in August 1702, the following return
was given in :— servants, 1,307; slaves, 41,596; cattle, 38,248 ;
sheep, 28,598. Port Royal, which had begun to rise again
contiguous to the site it had occupied previous to the earth*
quake, was now doomed to a second destruction by fire; the
whole town having been annihilated by the blowing up of some
gunpowder, loosely lodged beneath roofs of pitch pine;
Kingston rose in prosperity as Port Royal sank under re-
peated misfortunes. During the reign of Queen Ann, various
unconstitutional efforts were made to induce the Jamaica As-
sembly to pass a bill granting a permament revenue to tbc^.

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CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES IN MIIAICA. 157

crowiiy but the measure was steadily and triumphantly re-
jected. For the first nine years of the eighteenth century, there
had been fifteen Sessions and eight AssemblieSi convened for
the purpose of endeavouring to give the crown a power over
the money bills or supplies, raised by the representatives of
the people; but the Jamaica colonists have never allowed
an encroachment on their constitutional rights, and neither
threats nor persuasions could induce the House of Assembly
to part with a power, which once lost, would have left no
principles or rights worth preserving. In August, 1722, a
tremendous hurricane sunk several ships, and destroyed much
property and many lives ; a fatal endemic, as usual, followed,
causing thereby great distress, nevertheless one of the first
Acts of the House of Assembly on being convened in Jan.
1723, was to double the Duke of Portland's salary, making if
£5,000, * in deference to His Majesty's recommendation and
to His Grace's character.'

This fact demonstrates that the opposition of the House of
Assembly to binding and burthening their posterity with op-
pressive, taxes, was not founded on a parsimonious, but on
a constitutional and patriotic principle. The Duke of Port-
land's administration is represented to have displayed a just
blending of moderation and firmness, of urbanity of manners,
and decision of judgment ; unhappily, however, his rule was
too brief to be productive of much advantage, save in the
excellent example of calm discussion, which he gave to poli«
tical parties. His Grace was honoured with the tears of all
who knew him. In May, 1727, the long agitated revenue bill
passed through the House of Assembly; and articles of
foreign growth or manufiicture, with the quit rents, fines, and
forfeitures, which had already been relinquished, suppHed
the required fund of £8,000 per annum, and that which has
been termed the MagniL Charta of Jamaica passed, namely,
that ' all such laws and statutes of England as have been at
any time introduced, used, accepted, or received as laws in
the island are declared to be laws in Jamaica for ever,*

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158 STATE OF THE tSLAKD IN 1T39.

From this period to 1740,* few events occurred worthy of
notice in a work, the main object of which is to lay before
the British public the present value and importance of the
colonial appendages of Britain ; the Maroon war was carried
on for some time to the great vexation of the planters, and
although the Maroon marauders did not exceed 500 men,
they kept large bodies of troops at l>ay, owing to the natural
fastnesses of their mountain retreats ; the submission of Cud-
joe, the leader, and most of his followers, was eagerly accepted
by the government, and portions of land quickly allotted for
their use. The war with Spain, the gallantry of Vice Admiral
Vernon, and the patriotism of Governor Trelawney, gave
glory to the British arms in the West, a stimulus to the

* The following detail of the produce of Jamaica Estates and its value,
in 1739, has been furnished to me from the MS. collections of the late
Mr. Long. This MS. is entitled, ' Number of sugar plantations in Ja-
maica, with the quantity of sugar generally made for some years past on
them. Date, Christmas, 1739.'

It mentions every estate separately, together with the name of its
owner and its produce. The estate producing the largest return appears
to have been Old and New Buxton, in the parish of St. Thomas in the
Vale, the property of Charles Price, Esq. The produce was 300 hds.
The next single estates, producing about 260 hds., were the properties of
the Beckford, Pennant, and Dawkins* families. The two estates of Long-
rille and Lucky Valley, in the parish of Clarendon, belonging to the Long
family, yielded, the first 130, the second 60 hds. In the same parish the
estate of Seven plantations, formerly also in that family, produced 200
hds. An esute, called the Crescent, in St. Mary's parish, first settled in
1676, produced IfiO hds. It has since, on one or two occasions, yielded
400.

The general summary of the island produce, in the same document, is
as follows : —

48 sugar works in St. Thomas in the Vale, producing 3315 hds. ; 3 ditto
St. Catherine's 210 hds.; 31 ditto, St. Andrew's, 1390 hds.; 8 ditto St.
David's, 466 hds. ; 44 ditto, St. Thomas in theEast^ 4120 hds. ; 4 ditto St.
George's, 380 hds. ; 19 ditto, St. Mary's, 1626 hds. ; 19 ditto, St Aime's,
2050 hds. ; 8 ditto, St. James, 660 hds. ; 39 ditto, Hanover, 2620 hds- ;
64 ditto, Westmoreland, 5450 hds. ; 32 ditto, St. Elisabeth's, 2746 hds. ;

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DREADFUL BARBARITY-^^LAVE iN«URRXCTION. 159

ardent and enterprising spirits of Jamaica, and a flow of wealt]|^
towards their shores from the expeditions of the English
fleets and cruisers against the Spanish settlements ; and in
1740 Jamaica contained 14,000 whites and 100,000 slaves^.
Under the government of Admiral Knowles in 1751, the seat
of government was removed from St. Jago de la Vega, or Spar
nish Town, to Kingston ; the lands patehted, or granted^
amounted at this time to 1,500,000 acres ; and the exports tQ
Great Britain, on an average of four years, were estimated at
nearly jB 800,000. In 1758 the government was again re-
moved after much acrimony between the government and the
planters, who opposed the removal of the seat of government
to Kingston. The year 1760 witnessed one of those despe--
rate insurrections which must ever characterise a population
where nine-tenths are bondsmen, and though with the feelings
of men, treated as brutes ; the contest ended only with the
destruction of the greater part of the rebel slaves ; and it ex«
hibited the most disgusting cruelty and barbarism on the part
of those whom civilization ought to have taught that humanity
never suffers by the exercise of clemency towards a fallen
foe. The Rev. Mr. Bridges says, that some of the con-
demned rebels were burned, some fixed alive on gibbets, and

7 ditto. Vera, 405 hds. j GG ditto, Clarcndun, 6480 hds. ; 8 ditto, St. Do-
rothy's, 370 hds. ; 28 ditto, St. John's, 2000 hds. Total, 418 sugar
wcM'ks (whereof 10 are new and make no sugar, producing 33,155 hds.
33,155 hdfi. of sugar, 1600 lbs. each, is 53,048,000, sold at \Ss.

percwt., is, ----- £477,432

Each 60 lbs. sugar to produce 4 gallons molasses, is 3,536,532
gallons, one-third whereof sold, is, 1,178,844 gallons, at Sd,
per gallon, - - - - . - 39,21M

Tlie remaining molasses, 2,357,688 gallons, 3 gallons to make
2 gallons rum, includiug the skimmings, is 1,571,7^2 gallons
rum, atl8</. 117,884

j« 634,610

N. B. The above is' exclusive of plantation consumption.

Sugar. Consumption of Jamaica, and sent to the northward and other

places, about 2000 hds., the rest sent to Britain. — Rum. Consumption of

Britain, 5000 puncheons ; of Jamaica and other parts, 9000 ; total, 14000.

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160 PROGRESS AND PRICE OP THE SLAVE POPULATIOK*

one lived SIO hours suspended under a tropical sun, without
so much as a drop of water ! It is to be hoped that the day
for the repetition of such monstrous and ineffectual attempts
to enforce obedience have passed away for ever. Ninety
white persons fell in this rebellion ; 400 of the rebel negroes
were slain ; many destroyed themselves in the woods sooner
than again fall into the hands of their former masters, and
their skeletons were found suspended in the lofty branches
of the cotton-treeSy and about 600 were transported to the
Bay of Honduras. Prosperity attended the island during
the war ending in 1768, the king's house was completed and
furnished at an expense of £30,000., and the banks of the
Rio Cobre adorned by elegant villas and well cultivated farms.
One of the finest fortresses in Jamaica, perhaps in the West
Indies, Fort Augusta, was blown up, 14th September, I76S9
by reason of the magazine, containing 3,000 lbs. of gunpowder,
being ignited by lightning, by which several hundred persons
were killed and wounded, and £43,000. of property destroyed.
It is stated that the number of slaves annually imported into
Jamaica about this period, amounted to 16,000 ;* and within
thirty years the slave population had increased from 99,000
to upwards of S00,000, while the total numerical strength of
the whites did not exceed 16,000.

The war waged against England by the N. American co^
lonies, in a struggle for independence from a country which
could not appreciate their value, and therefore deserved to
lose them, called forth the utmost energies of Jamaica to
preserve the island from the meditated combined attack of
the French and Spanish forces ; and here it may be remarked,
that in every contest in which England has been engaged,

* According to a msnuscript joomal of Hampson Needham, in posses-
uon of his grandson, Major*General Needham^ the price of Negroes in
1750 is thus stated :— '' Bought ten Negroes at jf 50 each"— and in 1747
the following calculation appears in the Board of Trade Papers :— ^

500 Negroes, at jf 30 each JtlBfiOO

Clothing with Osnabnrghs four times a year, at 4j. 6^. each, 460

MaiDtennice— Aftyrtwo %f«cln, «t U. lOif. each per week* 2,383

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JAMAICA LOYALTY — RBCEPTION OF HIS PRB9BNT MAJK8TY. 161

the inhabitanta of Jamaica have evinced a loyalty and attach-
ment to the mother country, unsurpassed in the annals of
colonial history. The combined jSeets of France and Spain,
amounting to 60 sail of the line, with 6,000 choice troops
and a well organized artillery, destined for the conquest of
Jamaica, were frustrated in their intentions by the splendid
▼ictory of Rodney and Hood,* on the 12th AprU, 1782, off
Dominica, over the French squadron of 36 sail of the line
and 10 frigates, commanded by Count De Grasse, by which
personal security was afforded to the islanders, whose condi-
tion was much reduced by several years of continued hurri-
canes, and by the extraordinary efforts which they made for
the preservation of Jamaica to the British crown. His present
Miyesty, then a midshipman in the British navy, vbited Ja-
maica at this period, and generously bore testimony to the
enthusiasm displayed by the colonists in their heroic endea-
vours to defend this valuable island from becoming the pro-
perty of the enemies of England ; and on His Royal Highness'
return to Jamaica in 1788, the colonists soUcited the Prince's
acceptance of a star of the value of one thousand guineas,
while to General Campbell was presented a splendid service
of plate, in testimony of his exertions as governor during the
anticipated invasion from the combined fleets. And here let
me regret the insane policy of England in imposing heavy
duties on the produce of Jamaica and of our other E. and W.
India colonies, when imported into England ; nothing could
(as was then justly complained of) more effectually tend to de-
stroy the planters, not even the almost annual visitation of
the hurricanes with which they were afflicted ; the full benefit
of colonies can only be experienced when their trade approxi-
mates as closely as possible to a coasting commerce, freed
from fiscal exactions and legislative decrees.

The Maroon war, so imprudently and unjustly brought on
by the intemperate policy of the Earl of Balcarras, then (1795)

* The Jamaiduis, with their usual liberality, caused a marfoie statue to
be erected in menaary of Rodney, which was executed by Bacon, and cost
.3*000 guineas.

VOL. u. M

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CHRONOLOGICAL DATA OF THE GOTSRNOR8.

Governor of Jamaica, cost the tives of many brave men, and
ended in the removal of the surviving Maroons to Nova
Scotia, and finally to Sierra Leone. The disastrous revolu*
tion in St. Domingo caused additional expense to the island,
and the West India or coloured regiments, were then first
raised, much to the dissatisfaction of the colonists, who were
also at this time burthened with the absurd support of the
80th regiment of Dragoons; a pretty species of force for a
West India sugar plantation.* In 180^, Kingston was con-
stituted a corporation, and a mayor, aldermen, &c. appointed.
But I have already encroached on the limits allotted to this
portion of my work, and it would detract from the object I
have in view, namely, to develope the actual condition and
commercial and political advantages of the British colonies,
were I to continue a minutiae of facts or chronological account
of domestic occurrences ;f sufiicienthas been written to demon-
• strate the manner in which the island of Jamaica became
colonized and attached to Great Britain,;}: and we may now
proceed to contemplate its —

* After putting the country to an enormous expense for the support of
this regiment, the wiseacres of the day discovered, after a lapse of several
years, that the mountains of Jamaica were not favourable to the move-
ments of a regiment of cavalry, and it was accordingly withdrawn.

t The terrific slave insurrection of 1831-2 need not here be mentioned.
1 trust it is the last civil or predial war which the island may be doomed to
witness.

{-The following are the names of the Governors, Lieutenant-Gover-
nors, &c. of Jamaica, with the years when they commenced their admi-
nistrations : —

(7wCT-iwr, Colonel D*Oyley . 1660
Lord Windsor. .1662
Lwutenani-Gooemor, Sir C.

Lyttleton, Knt 1662

President, Col. Thos. Lynch, 1664
Goo. Sir T. Modyford, Knt.. 1664
Lt,'Gw. Sir T. Lynch. Knt. 1671

Sir H.Morgan, Knt. 1675

Gwemor^ Lord Vaughan, . 1676
lA.'Gw. Sir H.Morgan, Knt. 1678

Gov, Chas. Earl of Carlisle, 1678
Z^.-(7iw. Sir H.Morgan, Knt. 1680
G^.SirThos. Lynch, Knt. . 1682
ZriM/.- Governor, CoL Bender

Molesworth, . . . • 1684
Governor, Christopher, Duke

of Albemarle .... 1687
President, Sir Fras. Watson . 1688
(F0o.Wm.£arlofInchlquin, 1690
President, John White, Esq. 1692

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PHYSICAL ASPECT OF JAMAICA.

163

Physical Aspect. This beautiful isle, happily screened
by Cuba and Hispaniola from the tempestuous winds of the
Atlantic^ and peculiarly adapted for an extensive and profitable
commerce with the adjacent continent, by reason of the
number and disposition of its excellent hayens, is really one
of our most valuable colonies* Jamaica is somewhat of an
oval shape, with an elevated ridge called the * Blue Mouii*
tains/ (towering in some places to nearly 8|00Q feet above
the level of the sea), running longitudinally through the isle
£. and W. and occasionally intersected by other high ridgeg^
traversing from N. to S. ; approaching the sea on the S* coast
in gigantic spines, of sharp ascent — di^cult of access, and
clothed with dense and sombre forests; — on the N. de*
dining into lovely mounds and round topped hills, covered
with groves of pimento, and all the exquisite verdure of jtbe

PrMiV/tfft/,Jiio.Bourdeii,E8q. 1692
/./.-(7w.SirW.Bee8toii,Knt. 1693
Gtmemorfyfm Sdwyn, Esq. 1702
Lieta^Gotf.P,Bee\ifoTd,BBq. 1702

• T.Handasjrd^EBq. 1702

Gpv. Lord Arch. Hamilton, 1711
— Peter Heywood, Esq. .1716

Sir Nich. Lawes, Knt. 1718

Hen. Duke of Portland, 1722

Pres, John Ayscough, Esq. 1722
C^.Maj^Gen. Rob. Hunter, 1728
Pres. John Aytcough, Esq. 1734

John Greg^ory, Esq. . 1736

Henry Cunningham, Esq.
was appointed Governor in
1736, but President Gregory
was succeeded by
GW. Edward Trelawny, Esq. 1738

Charles Knowles, Esq. 1762

Lt.'Gav. Henry Moore, Esq. 1766
Gov. George Haldane, Esq. 1768
/^.-6^. Henry Moore, Esq. 1769
Gao. W. H. Lyttelton, Esq. 1762
lA-Goo. R. H. Elletaon, Esq. 1766
Gov, Sir Wm. Trehtwny, Bt. 1767

Li.-Gav. Lt.-Col. J. Bailing, 1773
Gov. Sir Basil Keith, Knt. ' 1773

Major-Gen. J. Daffing, 1777

— Mi^or-Genend Arch.

Campbell, . . . . 1782
Li.'Gov. Brig. Gen. Alured

Clarke 1784

Gov. T. Earl of Effingham, 1 790
Le.-GovMtti'Q. WiUiamson,1791

Earl of Balcurras, 1 796

Lt.-Gen. G. Nugent, 1801

^Lt.-Gen. SirE. Coote, 1806

Gov. Duke of Manchester, 1806
Lt.'Gov, Lt.-Gen.E.Morrison, 181 1
Gov. Duke of Manchester, 1813
Lr.-(r(w.M.-Gen.H.Conran, 1821
Gov, Duke of Manchester, 1822
Lt.'Gov. Major-General Sir

JohnKeane, .... 1827
Gov. Earl of Belmore^ . . 1829
Pr«. G. Cuthbert, Esq. . 1832
Gov, C. H. Earl of Mulgrare, 1832
IA.-G0V,
6^9. Marquis of Sligo^ . ]83^

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164 SPLENDID VIEW FROM POINT MORANT.

tropics, — the coup dcsil presenting a splendid panorama of
high mountains, embosomed in clouds, and vast savannahs or
plains, hills and vales, rivers, bays, and creeks. The middle
part, called Pedro's Cockpit, lying between Clarendon and
St. Ann's Parishes, is spread for an extent of many mOes,
with an infinite number of round-topped hills, whose surface,
covered with a loose lime-stone, or honey-combed rock, is
clothed with fine cedar and other trees, of enormous bulk ;
the dales or cockpits meandering between these hummocks
contain a rich soil, of great depth, where the succulent
Ghiinea grass forms a perfect carpet of ever-verdant beauty.^
When viewed at a distance from Point Morant (the south-
ernmost high land on the coast), the picture is splendid ; the
blue mountains appear above the stratum of clouds, which
roll along their precipitous sides, — ^beneath the rugged hills
are furrowed with ravines, and stieeps cliffs descend abruptly
to the sea; on a nearer approach lofly forests are discovered
on the sides of the hills, and patches of bright emerald green
become visible 'on running along the S. coast towards Port
Royal. From Fort Morant (conspicuous under a steep hill),
to Port Royal, there is a narrow spit of land, called the
palisades, composed of sand, overgrown with mangrove8,f
behind this is the harbour of the chief commercial town.{
(Kingston) situated on a gentle slope of about one mile in
length, which is bounded on the S. by a spacious bason,
through which all vessels must advance beneath the com-
manding batteries pf Port Royal. The extended inclined
plane, on the verge of which Kingston stands, is inclosed on
the N. by the loftiest ridge of the Blue Mountain chiun,

* Bntter made from the cattle fed liere, is by some persons thonght equal.
If not superior to any in Enfi^land.

t Quicksands are commonly met with in Jamaica (and indeed in most
tropical isles) on crossing the mouths of rirers or gullies on the coast, at
the junction of the sea and freshes.

I St. Jago de la Vega, or Spanish Town, Co. Middlesex, on the S. W.
tide of the island, about sixteen miles from the sea and sixteen from
Kingston, is the seat of Government, but Kingston is in reality the capital
of the island.

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APPSARANCK OF KINGSTON AND PORT ROYAL. 165

termed Liguana, which, forming a semi-circle, terminates in
the £. at the narrow defile of Rock Fort, — from thence a
long neck of land stretches far away to Port Royal, forming
the S* barrier of a beautifiil haven ; in the W. the semicircle
terminates at a contracted pass upon the edge of an imprac-
ticable lagoon, from thence the main land sweeping round to
Port Henderson, and the projecting salt pond hills secure
an harbour, in which the navies of Europe might safely
ride.* The entrance is defended on the E. point of the
delta of Port Royal by the formidable ramparts of Fort
Charles, thickly studded with heavy ordnance ; on the W. side,
by the cannon of Rock Fort, while the low raking shot from the
long level lines of Fort Augusta, which face the narrow channel,
would sweep a hostile navy off the ocean. For nine miles
around Kingston is an alluvial plain, surrounded by a series^
of irregular mountains, some of which to the E. and N» E.
are of considerable elevation, — constantly cloud-capped, and
appearing as if made up of several hills piled upon one ano-
ther, with various elevations, picturesque vallies and chasms,
impressing the mind with an idea of volcanic origin, or that
some convulsion of nature, had caused the strange irregularity
displayed.

The streets in Lower Kingston are long and straight, with
a mathematical regularity like the new town of Edinburgh,
the houses in general two stories, with verandahs above and
below. The English and Scotch churches are really elegant
structures, particularly the former, which is built on a pic-
turesque spot, commanding a splendid view of the city, the
plains around it, the amphitheatre of mountains, and the
noble harbour of Port Royal.

On a plain at the top of the declivity on which Kingston is
built are the fine barracks, called Up Park Camp, and not far

* The anchorage is good all over Port Royal Harboor— but for ships
bound to sea the best is in nine fathoms, with a remarkable notch on the
East side of ajiigh mountain, called the leading notch, a little open to the
Eastward of Fort Augusta, bearing nearly North, and ha^og Rackum
Key on with Port Royal Point.

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166 MOtriVTAIKS OF JAIIAICA-^THEIR HEIOHT, &C.

hence on a fatfllmore concrpicuous spbt/is the residence for
the naval cornmander-in-duef on the station^ called the
Admiral's Pen.

• Mountains. The heights of the principal places above
the level of the sea, are thus computed'—^
Bine Mountain Peak, 7,770 ft. Flamstead House, S,800 ft.
BSdge of ditto, - - 7,163 Sheldon House, 8,417
Portland Gap ridge, 6,501 Mfddleton ditto, 2,840
Portland Gap, - - 6,640 Stoney HOI, Bks. 1,860
Catherine's Peak, - 4,970 Green Castle, - 1,828
AbbeyGreen House, S.D.4, 233 ' Hope Tavern, - 699
Clifton House, s. a. 4,228

It is asserted, however, that th6 three very remarkable
peaks on the grand ridge of Blue Mountains at the eastern
part of the Island called the Coldridge^ have their resjpective
summits 8,184, 7,656, and 7,576 feet above the level of the
isea, and there are other mountains in this ridge exceedibg a
mile in height. Catherine's peak, about seven miles and a
half N. of Kingston, is stated to be 5,075 feet, and Hardwar
Hill to the westward of it nearly of equal elevation, forming
the summits of another grand ridge which crosses the island
diagonally. The mountains to the W. in the counties of
Middlesex and Cornwall do not reach the height of k mile,
rarely exceed half a mile : LematCs mountain* in the county
of Middlesex, six miles N. of Spanish Town is 2,282 feet
high, and the BMs Head, in Clarendon, near the centre of
the island on the meridian of Carlisle Bay, is 8,140 feet. In
the W., the Dolphin's Head S. of Lucea is 8,450 feet. On
the S. E. coast Yallah's Hill which is within the point of the
same name is only 2,706 feet. The greater proportion of the
mountains are of conical form, with steep declivities, ap-
proaching very near the shore on the N. coast, and leaving
plains of about twelve miles wide on the S. ; the dark and
deep ravines between the lofty mountains, denominated

* Near this mouDCain is Higrhgate, a delightful residence, where Lord
Belmore resided with his family in the hot months, and lately occupied by
Lord and Lady Mulgrave.

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RIVBR8, HARBOURS, HOT SPRINGS, Scc 167

Cockjnts, 9xe closely shut in by dense woods, and offer a
marked contrast to the lower mountains, which are cultivated
with coffee, pimento, cotton, capsicums, &c., in all their
variety, affording delightful country retreats from the coast.

Rivers and Harbours. The beauty of the island is further
enhanced by its numerous rivers, upwards of two hundred
of which have been enumerated; few, however, (owing to the
mountainous and hill and dale nature of the country), are
navigable for vessels of any burthen, though they might be
made so by means of locks, &c. In St. Elizabeth parish.
Black River, which flows for the most part through a flat
country, is the deepest and least rapid, and is navigable for flat-
bottomed boats and canoes for about thirty miles. The other
chief rivers on the S. side are the Rio Cobre and Rio Minho,
and on the N., Marthabrae, White, Ginger and Oreat River,
&c. The precipitate current of the streams renders them the
better adapted for mechanical purposes, their quick agitation
over the fSaUs preserves their zest and sprightliness for animal
drink, and prevents the too great evaporation and formation
of damps and mists, which would otherwise be occasioned.

Springs are extremely numerous, even in the highest moun-
tains ; about Kingston, and on the N. side, they are generally
impregnated with calcareous earth, and in the latter stalactites
are met with. Several are of a medicinal nature in Vere and
Portland ; the most celebrated is one of a sulphureous nature
in the £. parish of St. Thomas, giving name to a village called
Bath ; there is a cold and a hot spring ; the latter runs by
many rills out of the side of a rocky cleft that confines the
middle part of the sulphur river to the £., as it runs towards
the South ; it is very hot at its source, naturally Ught, and
plentifully charged with volatile particles of mineral acid,
combined with sulphureous steam, slightly engaged in a cal-
careous base; the cold spring differs only in being more
abundantly charged with sulphur ; the use of both is exceed-
ingly beneficial in cutaneous disorders, obstructions of the
viscera, &c.

Of the harbours it may be sufficient to state, that the Ja-

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168 DIVISION OF THE ISLAND INTO PARISHES, &C.

maica shore has sixteen principal . secure havens, besides
thirty bays, roads or shipping stations, which afford good
anchorage.

Division. — The island is divided into three counties —
Middlesex, Surrey and Cornwall,* each of which is subdivided
into parishes, nine, seven and five. Middlesex contains St.
Jago de la Vega, or Spanish town, situate in a noble plain,
and adorned with many fine buildings in the Castilian style ;
Surrey contains Kingston and Port Royal, and likewise the
villages of Port Morant and Morant Bay, the latter of con-
siderable importance on account of its shipping ; Portland
parish, in this county, contains Port Antonio, one of the most
commodious and secure in the island; St. George parish
contains Annotto Bay ; Cornwall county has Mont^go Bay
on the north-west coast, on which coast Falmouth, twenty
miles east of Montego Bay, is also situate. The other places
worth notice are Carlisle and Bluefield Bays on the south,
and Marthas-brffi and Lucea harbours on the north coast.
The chief headlands of the island are Port Morant, at the
east end of Jamaica, and two promontories on the west end,
the coast along which is bold and high.f

It may be necessary to say a few words respecting the
position of the military stations, &c. in Jamaica, especially
on the south side of the island, where four out of five regi-
ments are stationed. To begin with

Fort Augusta. This strong fortress is built upon a low

Connties. Area in Acres.

•CornwaU 1,306,236

Middlesex 672,616

Surry 1,522,149

Parishes.

VUI«C<*.

.. 6

.. 7 .

Total.. 3,600,000 6 21 27

t The roads through the island are in general narrow but good. By the
old laws the width of the roads was ordered as follows ; —

Width in standing wood 60 feet

Do. wood on one side 40 do.

Do. open ground 24 do.

The making ofsome roads in the island have cost ^£^700 per mile.

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VT PARK CAMPy JAMAICA. Ifl9

neck of land, or peninsula, joined to thre hills at Port Hen-
derson by a narrow isthmus of sand, having a coral formation
for its base. The buildings of the fort occupy the whole area
of the j>oint of the peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea,
except to the west,— the south face of the fort being washed
by the deep water of the ship channel, while the east and north
fronts are environed by the shallow waters of a lagoon. The
fort is considered healthy, owing to the prevalence of the
wind from the S. and S. E. The barracks are two stories high,
well ventilated,* and contain generally four service companies.
Up-Park Camp contains the only government barracks in
Jamaica, and they are indeed highly creditable to the island.
They are situate about two miles north of Kingston, at the
extremity of .the plain of Liguana, which gradually rises
above the level of the sea; is well cultivated,^-extremely
fertile, — about one mile and a half south of the Long Moun-
tain, with an elevation of eight hundred feet, covered with
brush wood, and exceedingly steep towards Kingston. The
height of the camp above the sea shore is about two
hundred feet, and it covers an irregular square of between
two and three hundred acres, sloping towards Kingston.
The barracks consist of two long parallel Unes of buildings,
extending from east to west (that to the south, or seaward,
comprising the officers* quarters), two stories high, a six-
feet basement, an excellent hospital, a splendid bath of
forty feet clear and four deep, containing 70,000 gallons of
running water ;f the whole cantonment, at sixty feet distance,
surrounded by a wall of six feet high, surmounted by an iron
paUsading. Twelve hundred and eighty-four European sol-

* The efforts of the surgeon of the 84th regiment, in ]828, caused the
House of Assembly to make considerable improvement in the barracks and
hospital at this station.

t This fine bath is supplied with water from Papine estate, four miles
and a half distant ; the pipe conveying it is six inches in diameter, with a
velocity of twelve inches, and discharging 4,500 gallons per hour. This
plentiful supply of so indispensable an element, enables the soldiers to irri-
gate their beautiful gardens, which are laid out in the camp, and which
furnish the garrison with a constant supply of vegetables.

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170 STONY HILL — PORT ANTONIO, FALMOUTH, &C.

diers are encamped with comfort, and the attached offices are
spacious, lofty, and commodious.*

Stoney Hill garrison, capable of holding fiye hundred
men — is situate S,000 feet above the level of the sea, on the
ridges of a chain of mountains, (in a depression between a
more elevated chain), running in a curved direction from east
to west, and enjoying a most beautiful and picturesque view
of the indined alluvial plain of Liguana, of the city of Kiiig-
ston, of Port Royal, of Fort Augusta, and of the adjacent
country. The barracks, hospitals, &c. are, generally speak-
ing, situate on small detached eminences, and are nine miles
north of Kingston, seven of which cross the plain of Liguana ;
the remainder of the road is a rather an abrupt ascent to
the garrison, but practicable for wheeled carriages of every
description. This post commands the grand pass, which
intersects the island from north to south, and is therefore
justly considered of great importance. The government
ground at the station amounts to eighty*three acres. «

Port Antonio, situate at the extremity of the island,
eighty miles from Kingston, is nearly insulated ; — its fort
exhibiting a half-moon battery, with a magazine in the rear,
one hundred and forty-four feet long by twenty-one wide.
The barracks are placed upon a kind of peninsula, forming
on either side a bay, and capable of containing upwards of
fifty men. The buildings are new and elevated, commodious,
and commanding a fine view of the sea.

Falmouth, or Martos-brjb, fifteen miles east of Montego
Bay, has a small fort at Point Palmetto, with a good set of
artillery barracks, and an hospital, stores and quarters, open
to the sea breeze. It is a bar harbour ; channel very narrow,
intricate, not more than sixteen or seventeen feet deep, but
within a regular depth of from five to ten fathoms. The town
of Falmouth is built on the west side of the harbour.

Maroon Town is situate in the interior, between the
parishes of Westmoreland and St. James, on a very high

* Dr. Adolphus, late Inspector of Hospitals at Jamaica, has been one of the
main causes of the great improvements recently effected at Up Pkik Gamp.

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MAROON TOWNt-MOMTEGO BAY— SAVANNAH LE MAR. 171

mountain, affording a most desirable station, in a military as
well as in a sanatory point of view {vide Climate). The barracks,
delightfully placed in the midst of verdant mountains and
springs of the most delicious water, are capable of accom*
modating upwards of two hundred men, with an excellent
hospital for twenty patients.

MoNTEGO Bay is situate at the foot of a range of mountains
which nearly surround the town, except on the sea side.
The barracks for one hundred men, and an hospital for forty
patients, are complete and comfortable. The N. point is in
Lat 18.30i N. It is a good bay, sheltered from all winds,
from the N.N.E. round to £. and W. and open to those from
N. and W. It is distant fifteen miles from*-

LvcEA, or Fort Charlotte, which is built on the north-
east extremity of a peninsula, bounded on one side by the
beautiful bay and secure harbour of Lucea, and on the other by
the sea. The mountains of Hanover and Westmoreland rise
abruptly and majestically high immediately behind the town of
Lucea, about one mile from the garrison. The highest peak,
termed the Dolphin's Hecul, serves as a good land-mark to the
mariner.

Savannah Le Mar. This is a fine station, in the midst
of a highly cultivated country. From the sea shore the
ground springs a little towards the north, pretty level, and
intersected by several fine rivers; towards the east, at the
distance of twelve miles, the mountains begin to rise near the
coast, running nearly northerly upwards of sixteen miles, when
they turn to the west, and incline, after running several miles
further, towards the south, where they terminate not far from
the ocean, and embrace within their border a beautiful and
highly cultivated amphitheatre. The town of Savannah le
Mar is situated on the beach, from which a low alluvial flat
extends for several miles ; in this plain, about one mile from
the town, are an excellent range of barracks. The station is
now healthy,* and the harbour good ; but requiring a pilot,
on account of its intricate entrance.

* It is a remarkable circumstance that the most healthy stations in tro-
pical dimes have become, at times, quite the reverse.

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17«

POET ROYAL, SPANISH TOWN, &C.

Apostles Battery is a small fort, erected on a high rock,
on the shore opposite to Port Royal.

Port Royal, situate nearly at the extremity of a tongue of
land, which forms the boundary of the harbours of Kingston and
of Port Royal. Towards the sea, the tongue is composed of
coral rocks, covered with sand, which the tide frequently
inundates, as a great part of the town of Port Royal is only
a few feet above the sea level. The royal naval yard lies to
the N. the naval hospital to the S. W., and the works of
Fort Charles, and the soldiers' barracks, to the southward.
The fortifications are extremely strong, and the situation
(though low) healthy from its openness to the sea breeze.
The harbour is capable of containing 1,000 large ships with
convenience.*

Spanish Town. The capital of Jamaicaf is situate at the

* The European reader will remember that it was on this spot the
former Port Royal stood ere it was overwhelmed by the earthquake of
1692, and with 2000 houses buried ei^ht fcithoms under water.

t The following are the Post Roads Windward of the Island : —

MUM.

Distance from Kingston to St.

Da?id . .19

St. David to Blue Mountain . 8

Blue Mountain to Morant Bay, 8

Morant Bay to Port Morant . 7

Port Morant to Bath . . 6

Bath to Amity Hall . 7

Amity Hall to Manchioneal . 9

Total

North Side to Port Antonio.
FVom Kingston to Annotto Bay, 30
AnnottoBaytoBuffBay . 10
Buff Bay to Hope Bay . .10
Hope Bay to Port Antonio . 10

Total

MUM.

North Side to Port Maria.
From Kingstown to Highgate, 32
Highgate to Port Maria . . 10

Total

North Side to Green Island.
From Kingstown to Spanish

Town . • . .13

Spanish Town to Rodney Hall, 14
Rodney Hall to the Moneague, 15
The Moneague to St. Anne's . 16
St. Anne's to Dry Harbour . 14
Dry Hi^our to Rio Benno • 6
Rio Bebno to Falmouth • .17
Falmouth to Little River . 12
Little River to Montego Bay . 11
Montego Bay to Flint River . 12
Flint River to Lucea .11

Luda to Oreen Island . 12

ToUl

. J51

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OBOLOOY OF JAMAICA. 17S

extremity of an extensive plain, extending far to the S., S.E.
and W.y but with the mountains closely approaching the
town on the N« and N. W., and distant from the sea at Port
Royal Harbour six miles. The Cobre, a river of considerable
depth, passes the city at the distance of about a quarter of a
mile on the N. E. The barracks are good^ well situate^ and
capable of holding three hundred and seventeen men ; the
hospital, however, will not accommodate more than thirty-six
patients. The buildings of the capital, as before observed,
are in the magnificent style of Spanish architecture, and the
city has an imposing appearance.*

Geology. The soil is generally deep and fertile, on the
N. of a chocolate colour, in other parts a bright yellow, and
every where remarkable for a shining surface when first
turned up, and for staining the skin Uke paint when wetted ;
it appears to be a chalky marl, containing a large proportion
of calcareous matter ; there is a. soil in the island termed
'^ Brick Mould,** which is deep and mellow, on a retentive
under strata ; this, next to the ash mould of St. Christophers,
is considered the best soil in the W. Indies for the sugar cane.
A red earth abounds most in the hilly lands, and a purple
loam sometimes nrixed with a sandy soil in the savannahs and
low-lands, but the highest mountains are remarkable for
having on their summits a deep black rich soil. The principal
Bofls on the interior hills and mountains of Jamaica may be
enumerated thus : a red clay on a white marl ; a ditto on
a grit ; a reddish brown ditto, on marl ; a yellowish clay,

Mllet.

SoQtIi Side to Savannsh le Mar.

From Kingstown to Spanish

Town 13

Spanish Town to Old Harbour, 12
Old Harbour to Clarendon . 12
Clarendon to Green Pond . 16
Green Pond to May HUl . . 6
May Hill to the Gutters . 5

The Gutters to Goshen . . 6

• Population about 6,000.

Goshen to Laconia . .12

Laconia to Black lUver . . 12
Black River to Robin's River, 16
Robin's Ri?er to Savanna la
Mar • • . •16

Total . . 124

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174 VARIOUS SOILS AND MOULDS OF JAMAICA.

mixed with common mould; a red grit; a loose conchaceons
mould ; a black mould on a clay or other substrate ; a loose
black Tegetable mouldi on rock ; a fine sand ; and the varieties
of all the foregoing. The mountain-land in general when
first cleared of its wood, possesses more or less a deep
surface of rich black mouldy mixed with shells ; a soil which
will grow anything.

The brick mould soil of Jamaica (which is a compound of
very fine particles of clay, sand, and black mould), is of
amazing depth, and is considered by far the best for cultiva-
tion ; it is always easily laboured, so inexhaustible as to
require no manure, in very dry seasons it retains a moisture
su£Scient to preserve the cane root from perishing, and in
very wet it suffers the superfluous waters to penetrate, so
that the roots are never in danger of being rotted ; next in
fecundity is the black shell mould, previously mentioned,
which owes its fertility to the mineral salts and exuviss inter*
mingled with it. The soil about Kingston on the alluvial
plain, consists of a layer of deep mould, chiefly composed of
decayed vegetable matter, with a proportion of marl and
some carbonate of lime, entirely free from gravel, and highly
absorbent of water : the substratum varies, being sometimes of
a compact aluminous earth alone, in other places mixed with
gravel; in sinking a shaft, layers of aluminous earth and
gravel are found, running horizontally, approaching to pure
clay at the bottom, and at four feet from the surface a strata
of fijiely divided siUcia. About Stoney Hill garrison, the
surface is similar to what is frequently met with in elevated
situations in Jamaica, nataely, a superstratum of rich dark
mould, varying in depth from two to twenty inches, with a
substratum of argillaceous and red earth, evidently con-
taining a mixture of carbonate of iron ; and in many parts the
surface of the ground studded with lime stones of a very
large size. Silver and golden mica is frequent, especially
among the hills between St. Catherine's and Sixteen Mile-
Walk, and when washed down vnth the floods mistaken for
gold sand: — near Spanish Town it is found incorporated with

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MIMBRALOGY AND CLIMATE. 175

Potters' clay. Mixed and purplish schistus are common in the
mountains of St. John's, and about Bull Bay, and the hard
lamellated Amianthus is found in large detached masses,
having all the appearance of petrified wood* The lower
mountains £. of Kingston are principally composed of a
whitish bastard marble, with a smooth even grain, taking a
good poUsh, and frequently used in Jamaica for lime stone.*
White free stone, quartz of different species, and lime stone
are abundant, — subcrystaOine spar is found in small de-
tached masses, and rock spar, very clear, may be seen formed
into rocks of prodigious size in the mountains of St. Ann's,
where it is observed to constitute whole strata. When ex-
posed any time to the weather the surface grows opaque, and
of a milky white. Friable white marl and clammy marl, or aboo
earth, (of an apparently smooth, greasy, and Cohesive nature),
are found, and the latter sometimes eaten by the negroes
wheh they are diseased, to the great detriment of health.

Mineralogy. The lead ore of Jamaica is extremely rich
and heavily impregnated with silver ; several varieties have
been found, and indeed, worked at Liguana, where also
striated antimony is obtainable ; in the lower mountains of
Liguana every variety of co]pper ore is in profusion, in par-
ticular the green and livid, and the shining dark copper ores ;
in the more mellow matrices, yellow mundick (marchasites),
b largely mixed. In the mountains above Bull Bay, a dark
iron sand, attracted by the magnet, is found : neither gold nor
silver ore has yet been discovered, though it is certain the
natives possessed those metals in abundance when first visited
by Columbus and the early Spanish settlers*

Climate. The heat of Jamaica is by no means so fearful
as has been represented ; even on the coast it is temperate,
the medium at Kingston throughout the year being 80 F. and
the minimum 70. As the country is ascended the tempera^
ture of course decreases; eight miles from Kingston the
maximum is 70, and at the distance of fourteen miles, where

* Long Mountain, near Kingston, is eolireJy composed of csriNUUile of
lime. Yet limestone was sent to Jamaica from England !

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176 DELIOHTFtJL WEATHER IN JAMAICA.

the elevation is 4000 feet, the average range is from 55 to
65 F. the minimum in winter 44^ and a fire in the evenings
not only agreeable but necessary. On the summits of the
mountains the range in summer is from 47 at sunrise to 58
at noon, the minimum in winter 4£. The heat of a tro-
pical climate is materially mitigated by imremitted breezes
from sea^or land, and by vast masses of cloud^ which, inter-
posing between the sun's rays and the earth, prevent any
great inconvenience therefrom ; the air is remarkably light
and enlivening, producing great cheerfulness even in old age,
and so equal in its pressure that it rarely varies more than an
inch at anytime of the year. Although the temperature alter-
nates eight or ten degrees on the south side of the mountains,
and more so on the north, it is not subject to the sudden and de-
trimental transitions experienced in South Carolina, and other
parts of the United States. From July to October is the hur-
ricane season, but severe storms at the Windward Caribbee
isles are not felt at Jamaica. For two or three months pre-
ceding the May rains,* Ughtning and thunder are prevalent,
but not very mischievous ; and from November to March,
when the sea-breeze is irregular northerly winds blow, be-
coming colder as they recede towards the west ; during this
season the air is delicious, resembUng the finest English
vernal weather.f The seasons are divided into four,—- viz.
vernal or moderate rains, in April and May, lasting six weeks ;
the second, hot and^dry, including June, July, and August ;
the third, hurricane and rainy months, embracing September,
October, and November ; and the fourth, serene and cool,
comprising December, January, February and March.

There is however considerable difference of climate on
either side of the island ; on the south it may be said that
spring ranges through the months from November to April ;
summer from May to August , and winter from September to

* The quantity of rain falling in the year is nearly fifty inches.

t These statements demonstrate how well adapted the high lands of
Jamaica are for the settlement of European cttltirators of tropical pn>dac-
tions.

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METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER AT UP-PARK CAMP.

177

October ; while on the north side winter ranges from October
to March ; the north has a larger supply of rain than the
souths but distributed in smaller and more frequent showers,
and it is cooler, and with a vegetation of greater bulk and
height. The following Meteorological Register for Up-Park
Camp, is from Sir J. Mc Gregor's office.

Wind.*

January t .

N&SE

Fine, some showers, strong N. winds.

February •

mib

7% Ditto

Fine and dry, strong sea breezes.

March . .

Ditto

Ditto, Earthquakes felt, ditto, ditto.

April . .

Ditto

Very dry, ditto, moderate ditto.

May . .

Ditto

Fine, with lipht showers.

June . .

Ditto

Mostly ditto, with heavy ditto.

July . .

Ditto

Many showers, but generally fine.

August

s.s.w.

Some heavy rain, ditto.

September

Ditto

Mornings fine, noon heavy rains.

October .

Ditto

Some heavy rain, mostly fine.

November

Ditto

Ditto, ditto.

December

Ditto

Some rain, generally fine.

On the southern side of the island, the sea breeze from the

* For a more accurate account of the windB, vide page 178.

t That the climate of Jamaica has undergone great change since the
cultivation of the isle is most true. From Mr. Nedham's journal, kept
at Mount Olive, in the parish of St. Thomas in the Vale, 1 find that the
thermometer is noted January 5th at 50 — " whole day cold." Governor
Modyford, in a letter to Lord Ariington, then, in 1666, Secretary of State,
observes, with regard to the healthiness of the island, that " the officers
of the old army, from strict saints, are turned debosht devils;" and
'* really my Lord," he adds, " no man hath died but an account hath been
giiren— y* he gott his decease either by surfeitts or travelling at high
Doone in a hott day— or being wett with rain, and not changing m season.
The Spaniards, at their first coming, (I mean those who trade with the
Royall Company) wondered much at the skJiness of some of our people ;
but when they understood of the strength of their driukes, and the great
quantity they charged themselves with, and the little observation of timea
and seasons, they told me they wondered more they were not all dead.
Their health and cheerfulness depending upon their temperance, which,
being my natural disposition, I doubt not but will continue me capable to
t^rve his Majestic," &c. &c.

VOL. 11. N

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178 LAND AND SEA BREBZBS, ftc.

9outh-ea8tward comes on in the morning, and gradually in-
creases till noon, when it is strongest ; at two or three in
the afternoon its force diminishes, and in general it entirely
ceases by five o'clock. About eight in the evening the land
breeze begins ; this breeze extends to the distance of four
leagues to the southward of the island. It increases until
mid-night, and ceases about four in the morning.

The sea and land-breezes are pretty regular from the latter
end of January until May. In the middle of May the sea-
breeze generally prevails for several days and nights, especi-
ally abotit the times of full and change of the moon, and thus
they continue throughout June and part of July : from that
time the sea-breeze diminishes, and veers round toS. by W.
or S. S. W.5 with frequent calms. August, September, and
October, have generally strong gales of wind, with much rain.

In December, January, and February, when the north
winds predominate, their force checks the sea-breeze. The
southern coast is that, which, of course, is least exposed to
these winds, being sheltered in a great measure by the moun-
tains. When combined with the land breeze they render the
air very cold and unhealthy.

On the northern side of the island, during the greatest part
of July, and the whole of August, the southerly, or sea-breeze,
generally blows hard off the land, with frequent squalls ; but
in October, northerly winds prevail, and frequently extend
ovef all the Bahamas and Cuba ; and for some time on the
north side of Jamaica, where the current of air is forced up-
wards by the mountains, and its strength spent in the heights ;
but it sometimes reaches the southern coast, particularly in
the neighbourhood of Kingston, and has been known to cour
tinue for some days.

During the winter season, the land-breeze is more general
off the shores than in summer; and it sometimes continues
through the day as well as night. Westerly winds prevail
also over the whole space between Jamaica and Cuba, and
even so far as the Island of Hayti.

On the south side of the island, during the month of

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CLIMATE IN THE INTERIOR OF JAMAICA. 179

November, southerly winds generally prevail, and have been
known to extend from the Mosquito shore. These winds are
generally faint ; nor do they reach the land until it be heated
by the sun, and sQon after mid-day are often expelled by a
fresh land-breeze, which also abates in a few hours.

The return of the sea-breeze in autumn is gradual ; it first
approaches the east end, then advances a little, and some-
times reaches Morant Point a fortnight or more before it is
felt above Kingston. It also continues to blow a week or two
later on the east end of the island than at Kingston ; and has
been known in some years to prevail there in the day-time,
during the whole time it was unf elt at the former place*

That the climate is not inimical to the human constitution*
is evident from the long lives and good health which Euro-
peans and negroesf enjoy who live temperately, — ^and indeed
intemperance, which in more temperate climate would be
punished with death, here too often and too long escapes with
hnpunity.

At Stoney Hill garrison, nine miles from Kingston, and
S,000 feet above the sea, the thermometer is generally during
the hot months 74 at 6 a. m., 82 at 2 p. m., and 80 at 6 p.m. ;
during the cold months at corresponding hours, 68 — 75 and
73; in November and December, when the north winds
prevail, the mercury falls as low as 66 F.

AtTrelawney-Maroon town, which is situate on a very high
mountain in the interior of the island, between the parishes
of Westmoreland and St. James the thermometer seldom or
ever rises higher than 71 or 72 at noon, falling during the
night and early part of the morning as low as 50 and 5S.
The troops stationed here have for several years enjoyed as
good if not indeed a better state of health than they would
perhaps have experienced in any other part of the world ;
and, in 1795, when the yellow fever was at its acme in Ja«
maica, the men and officers of a newly raised regiment (83rd)

• Of late yean the yellow ferer has almost, if not quite, disappeared
from Jamaica and the other West India iabods.
t M negro, called ' Poor Hope^* recently died at Jamaica, aged 1 50 years !

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180 COMPARATIVE HEALTH AT DIFFERENT STATIONS.

did not lose a man by fever at this station.* I have the
testimony of that highly intelligent and zealous officer. Dr.
Adolphus, Inspector of Military Hospitals, whose eminent
services in Jamaica, and wherever his professional zeal and
duties have been engaged are duly appreciated, in proof that
the climate of Jamaica has of late years most materially im-
proved ; that the high-lands of this beautiful isle are well adap-
ted to the European constitution, the more so when they
become cleared and cultivated, (a measure, I trust, which will
speedily be accomplished), and there are many districts in the
interior of Jamaica where the climate and soil are nearly as
favourable to health as in any part of Britain, which dis-
tricts are the property of the crown and now lying waste.

Vegetable productions. Fruitful in all the rich vege-
tation of the tropics, but having for its present staple sugar
we will first advert to that important article. It is difficult
to say whether the sugar cane is indigenous to the Antilles,
or whether, as some say, it was introduced from the Canaries
intoHispaniola, soon after the discovery of the New World ;t

* The comparative health of the different Military Stations at a period
of anusual sickness — nameljr, for six years ending in 1822, is thus shewn :

Avenge
Station. Strenrth. Deaths. RUtlo.

Up.ParkCamp - 5,643 1,100 I in 5

StoneyHiU - - 1,878 163 1 in II4

Port Royal - - 1,661 190 1 in 8|

Fort AuipiBta • - 2,024 126 1 in 16

Spanish Town - . 1,885 300 1 in 6*

Port Antonio - - 814 124 1 in 6*

Port Maria - - 116 30 1 in 3^

Falmouth - - 703 66 1 in 101

Maroon Town - - 676 9 1 in 64

Locia . . - 417 29 1 in 14^

Savannah le Mar - 331 47 1 in 7

Mont^o Bay * • II7 10 1 in 10*

The total number of deaths during each of the six years ending in 1822»

was 316, 332, 754, 300, 312, 287. Owing to the humane zeal of Sir James

M'Gregor, the mortality in the West Indian army has, of late years, been

considerably diminished,
t The sugar cane is asserted by many not to have been cultivated in the

New World on its discovery by Columbus-^t is known that this valuable reed

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VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF JAMAICA— BUG AR. 181

certain it is that at an early period it was extensively culr
tivated by the Spaniards in Jamaica^ and in 1671 Traphao
speaks of the numerous complicated sugar works like a town
or village in various parts of the island.* The quantity of
sugar now made in Jamaica is very great ; and the impor*
tations into Great Britain have for some years averaged cwts.
15400,000: which, rated so low as 2U. per cwt.i would
give nearly one nUUion and a haff sterling. The Jamaica

was introduced from Asia via Africa, Spain, the Canary Islands, and thence
to St. Domingo in 1520, when the first sugar plantation was established, the
number of which had increased to thirty in 1635: this was the 'Creole'
cane. In 1788 M. Martin, a French botanist, introduced the celebrated
Otaheite cane into Cayenne and Martinico from the Isle of France, whither
it had been brought by the justly celebrated Bougainville. The great
advantage of this latter cane is its flexibility of organization, or property
of accommodating itself to various temperatures much more than the
Canary or Creole cane, (which will scarcely yield any sugar in Louisiana ;)
besides it yields more sugar and of better quality, does not require re-
planting in three times the time the Creole cane does, (every two or three
years) and it yields more refuse for fuel. Although the Spaniards at first
attended to the cultivation of sugar, it was subsequently neglected. In the
year 1743 the chief productions of Jamaica were cocoa, indigo and hides $
the cultivation of sugar had just re-commenced. The increase in the
growth of this staple article of the island has been as follows: — 1722,
11,000 hogsheads were exported; 1739, 33,155; 1744, 35,761; 1768,
65.000; 1774, 78,304; 1790, 105,400; 1802, 140,000; 1832, cwts.
1,200,000.

* Governor Knowles's cakuktion in 1755 waa— 2,128,431 acres ua-
granted, out of which 400,000 are plantable; of these 100,000 are fit for
growing sugar, and the rest for coffee : the remaining 1,728,431 consist of
barren mountains, &c. A return was made about the year 1755« of properties
in the parish of St. Andrew's, and their produce, to the Board of Trade.
In this, an estate caUed Norbrook, the property of Charles Long, Esq. is
thus entered ;— ' 2,222 acres, 55 hogsheads of sugar, nine puncheons of
nun ; fire acres in coffee, producing 2,972 cwt. ; 100 acres in provision
ground ; 500 in pen and pasture— five servants, 153 negroes, and eighty-
six head of cattle. Indifferent land— some parts rocky and mountainous/
This estate, in the return of 1739, is put at sixty hogsheads. The culti-
vation of Jamdca in 1818, according to Mr. Robertson's surrey, was— in
sugar plantations, 639,000 acres ; in breeding fftrros or fens, 280,000; and
in coffee, pimento, ginger, &c, 181,000;— total 1,100,000.

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182 RUM, COFFEE, &C. — IMPORTANCE OF JAMAICA.

fiugar is of a very fine quality, aad by the improTed systems
of culture and mahufactore. coining into operation, there is
little doubt but that the quantity and quality may yet be more
extended* if the Home Government will reduce the monstroua
rate of taxation now levied on what ceases to be a hixury, for
it is a necessary of Ufe to the poorest individual. The quantity
of rum made from the sugar is also very great ; the annual
ayerage exportations to England may be taken at 3,500,000
gallons, which may be estimated in value at 1,000,000/.
sterling. The Jamaica rum is justly prized as an excellent
fipirit. Of coffee, (and that too of excellent quality,) the
quantity grown in Jamaica is very great : and the importation
into Great Britain nearly 20,000,000 lbs.f yearly, which, at
the low value of Is. per pound, is another ndllion sterling.
Now let the opponents of the colonies remember that this
great accession of wealth, annually produced and crossing
the Atlantic to Great Britain, is not grown or prepared by
foreigners on a foreign soil, but by Englishmen, on land that

* Dr. Adolphus, of Jamaica, (for whose opinions I entertain the highest
respect) on perusinj^ my manuscript, has done me the fovoor of appending
the following note ; — ' llie abolition of slavery will render this quite im-
possible ; the negroes will not work for wages ; their idea of freedom is
entire exemption from labour. The apprenticeship system will prove aa
unpleasant pastime.' If the worthy doctor's view be correct, there is the
more necessity for the location of a wbite population in the island.

t The coffee plant was first introduced into Jamaica by Sir Nicholas
Lawes in 17^8, where it was cultivated on an estate called Temple Hall, in
Linguanea. An act of legislature of the island was passed to encourage
its growth) and in 1732 coffee was advertized in a Jamaica paper at
a pistole a pound ; in 1662 there were exported 60,000 lbs.*-ahd in
1776, 440,000 lbs. Until 1788 little attention was paid to this singular
berry. In the four years ending 30th September, 1794, the average
exportation of coffee was 1,603,066 lbs.— in 1604 it amounted to
22,000,000 lbs.) and during three years ending 30th of September, 1807,
the average exportation was more than 28,500,000 lbs., which, at £6 per
cwt. its cost in Jamaica produced more than j^l,700,000. The production
is now about 20,000,000 lbs. yearly. It is calcuhited that j€20,000,000 is
invested in coffee estates. The coffee plant thrives in almost every soil
about the mountains of Jamaica, and in the very driest spots has frequently
produced very abundant crops.

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COTTON, COCOA, PYM, 0RU08, E8CULBNT8, ftc. iSt

is as much a part and parcel of the empire as any field
around London.

Cotton, indigo, and cocoa,* were at one time extensively
cultivated ; but they have principally given place to the fore-
going staples of the island. Various drugs, dye stuffs, and
spices, are of excellent quality. Aloes, cochiifeal, spikenard,
canella, liquorice root, castor oil nut, vamlla, peppers, arrow-
root, ginger, ipecacuanha, scammony, jalap, cassia, euphorbia,
senna, &c. all attest the fruitfulness and capabilities of the
soil and climate. The cultivated vegetables of Europe arrive
at great perfection. Maize is the principal*com grown, and
together with calavances, the yam and sweet potatoe, cassava,
&c. form the chief food of the negroes* Various grasses
thrive, but Guinea grass abounds ; and, in consequence, of
its indispensable importance in feeding the cattle that supply
manure for the sugar plantations, it is considered next in
importance to the sugar cane. It was introduced into the
island in the early part of the last century by accident,
having been forwarded with some Gxunea birds that were
sent as a present. The birds died, the seed was thrown
away, the grass sprung up, and the cattle were observed
to devour it eagerly, attention was accordingly paid to the
subject. It now grows all over the island, thriving in the
most rocky places, and rendering (like sainfoin) lands pro*
ductive that were heretofore considered barren, and making
good hay, if salted or sprinkled with sea water when being
ricke d.The immigration of European industry would doubt-
less make further additions to West Indian agriculture.

Of vegetables — potatoes (Irish and sweet), yam, cassava,
peas and beans of every variety, artichokes, beet root, carrots
ttid parsnips, cucumbers and tomatoes, radishes, celery, choco,
ochro, Lima bean, Indian kale, calalue, various salads, cab-
bage trees (two hundred feet high!)f, &c. all flourish in

* Blome, who published a short account of Jamaica in 1672, mentions
the existence of sixty cocoa walks. At present there can scarcely be said
to be a plantation in the whole island.

t Some cabbage trees have been known 270 feet high.

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J 84 DELICIOUS FRUITS — ^BEAUTIFUL PIMENTO TREE.

abundance ; and, indeed, it may be said that Autumn is per-
petual in Jamaica, for every month presents a fresh collation
of fruits and vegetables, and some species are at maturity all
the year round. The bread-friiit tree, cocoa nut, plaintain
and banana, alligator pear, the delicious mellow fig, pine,
cashew — ^papaw — and custard apples, orange, lime, lemon,
niango, grape, guava, pomegranate, soursop, shaddock, plums,
tamarind, melon, wall and ches-nut, mulberry, olive, date,
citron, and many other delicious fruits, all arrive at perfection.
The native and exotic grasses are excellent for cattle and
horses, in particular that called the Scotch grass, which
vegetates rapidly, and grows to the height of five or six feet,
with long and juicy joints. Five horses may be fed for a
year on an acre of this vegetable, allowing each, every day,
fifty-six lbs. of grass.

Of Trees Jamaica possesses a great variety, one of the
most valuable of which is the pimento,* which flourishes
spontaneously and in great abundance on the N. side of the
island ; its numerous white blossoms, mixing with the dark
green foliage, and with the slightest breeze diffusing around
the most delicious fragrance, give a beauty and charm to
nature rarely equalled, and of which he who has not visited the
shady arbours and perfumed groves of the tropics can have
little conception. This lovely tree, the very leaf of which
bruized emits a fine aromatic odour, nearly as powerful as that
of the spice itself, has been known to grow to the height of
from thirty to forty feet, exceedingly straight, and having for
its ba§e the spinous ridge of a rock, eight or ten feet above
the surface of the hill or mountain. A single tree will pro-
duce one hundred and fifty of the raw, or one hundred
pounds of the dried fruit. The indigenous forest and even
exotic trees of Jamaica grow to a prodigious height; the
palmetto royal is frequently found one hundred and forty feet^
the vast trunks of the ceiba, (wild cotton tree) and fig-trees,
often measure ninety feet from the base to the limbs, and the

* The cultiyatioD of pimento is extending (as is aho that of ginger) in
Jamaica,

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FOREST TR£ES — CULTIVATION OF THE SUNFLOWER. 185

trunk* of the formeri when hollowed out^ has formed a boat
capable of holding one hundred persons. There is a great
variety of timber for agricultural and household purposes,
and some exquisitely beautiful cabinet woods.

The trumpet tree grows from thirty to forty feet high, its
trunk and branches are hollowed and divided with mem*
braneous septse Kke the bamboo : it produces an agreeable
fruit, like our strawberry, the strong and fibrous bark is used
for cordage, and the light trunks are for bark logs, &c. The
bamboo is plentiful, and houses built by the Spaniards with
it at St Jago de la Vega (Spanish Town) are still standing.
Cedar, mahogany, lignum vit®, Spanish elm, mangeneel, brse*
ziletto, the valuable palmetto,f (thatch), white bully, or gali-
meta, dog-pigeon-rose — ^beef and iron woodls, the black man*
grove, greenheart, &c. all flourish.^

The attention of the planters is being now turned to the
cultivation of other vegetable productions, which I doubt not
will be attended with success ; for instance, a correspondent
in a recent Jamaica journal, makes the following observations
on a plant of great beauty and worth, the utility of cultivating
which is deserving of consideration in our other colonies, and
indeed at home.

' Hie Snn-flower is a plant of peculiar beauty, and which, if cultiyated
with attention, may be rendered valuable in a pecuniary point of view. Its
fecundity in this climate renders it far preferable to corn for the common
purposes of food for poultry ; and when mixed with com in the proportion
of a pint to two quarts, it is valuable as a nutricious food for horses. As a
proof of its fruitfulness, I have lately gathered several hundred heads ; and
averaging the quantity collected by the stalks from whence taken, I find
that each stalk may have produced eleven flowers, and that eight flowers
will yield one quart of clean seed, by a process much less laborious than
rubbing out com/ [Maize, called " com," is husked by the hand.]

' For the production of an oil, in my opinion preferable to olive oil, the
seeds of the Sun-flower are more easily manufactured than even the Castor

* The wild pine commonly takes root in the forks of the ceiba, and by
the conformation of its leaves, catches and retains the rain water, each leaf
holding about a quart ; it would seem as if nature designed it to supply the
gigantic trank with occasional moisture.

t Has been found 140 feet high. | Vide Guyana Chapter*

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186 ANIMAL KINGDOM OF JAMAICA.

nut, land will yield a greater proportion dther by heat or pressure. In
short, like many other productions of Jamaica which are overlooked in the
eager pursuit of Sugar and Coffee, the Sun-flower, which here grows with
such superior luxuriance, needs only to be more extensively cultivated to
add to the valuable gifts of nature in the torrid zone. The best manner of
planting them, as indeed I have seen practised in the North of Italy, is to
dibble them, in rows about three feet asunder, putdng two seeds into each
hole; in this way I have reaped the ripe seed ten weeks after planting/

Animals. Animal life has attained neither great variety
nor size in the new worlds and the islands appertaining to
that vast continent, when discovered, were found to contain
but few species ; Jamaica, for instance, had only eight varieties
of quadrupeds, — ^the agouti, peccari, armadillo, opossum,
racoon, musk rat, alco, and monkey, of these only the first and
last remain ; all the domesticated animals of Europe thrive,
and are found to multiply fast ; there are many varieties of
beautiful lizards, and the feathered tribe are exceedingly
numerous, and some (especially the parrot) of fine plumage.
Of the wild fowl, the most delicious are the ring-dove and
the rice bird of S. Carolina, which, after fattening on the
rice there arrive in Jamaica in countless numbers in October,
to feed on the Guinea grass. Epicures compare the plump
and juicy flesh of this delicacy to the Ortolan.

Fish. The rivers and sea coast abound in fish of various
quality, and there are several salt ponds which, if attended
to, might render the planters in a great measure independent
of supplies of salt fish from Europe.

The sprat, herring, dolphin, anchovie or silver fish ; the
flying, sword, sun, parrot, rock, king and gar fishes ; flounderi
sole, eel, bream, snapper, mullet, perch, boneeto, Spanish
mackerel, sea devil, (weighing from 100 to SOO lbs.) old
wife, shark, porpoise, sting ray, thrasher, &c. &c. may be
caught ; sea and land turtle are plentiful and good eating.

Reptiles. The silver, black and yellow snakes are numer-
ous, excepting the former; the yellow is considered good
eating by the negroes ; the alligator, together with varieties of
lizards, guanas, and chameleons, are natives of the isle.*
. * The animal kingdom of the West Indies is fully detailed in Chapter I.

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POPULATION— EARLY AC0OUMT8 OF. 187

Population. It is a melancholy reflection .that the abor
riginal inhabitants of Jamaica, to the amount probably of
Beveri^l hundred thousand, were destroyed by the European
colonists within fifty years after their settling on its shores ;
had they been preserved, as sound policy as well as humanity
would have dictated — and of which the island of Ceylon^
with its million of coloured inhabitants, afford us an excellent
illustration, the deadly curse of slavery — doubly curst to the
enslaved and the enslaver — would have been avoided, and an
incalculable amount of human misery prevented.

We have no authentic accounts of the Indian population
on the island when first visited by Columbus ; all accounts
agree in representing it as densely peopled — within half a
century they had all ceased to exist!* The original Spanish
colony consisted of seventy persons, whose numbers were ra-
pidly increased by immigration, until the riches of the main
land caused Jamaica to be comparatively neglected, and the
incursions of freebooters rendering property insecure checked
population ; it would appear that the Spaniards began early
to import negro slaves, but on the capture of the island by the
British in 1655, Venables stated the whole population to be —
not more than 1,500 Spaniards and Portuguese and an equal
number of negroes and mulattoes, although Spain had been
one hundred and forty-six years in possession of tiie island.
The troubles in England during the common wealth and the
early years of the restoration, contributed materially to
people our western colonies, and Jamaica exhibited the fol-
lowing progressive rate of population.f

* Lfu Casas safs— ' Uiey hanged these unfortunates by thirteen, in
honour of the thirteen Apostles; — I have beheld them throw the Indian
infants to their dogs, — I have heard the Spaniards borrow the limb of an
human being to feed their dogs, and next day return a quarter to the
lender!'

t Seven years after the conquest of Jamaica by England a census ^vas
taken, of which the aggregate was — ^2,600 men, 645 women, 408 childreui
and 552 negroes. In this census the acres under cultivation are 2,917*

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189

FaOOABWIVE SLAXK POPULATION; INPBIUPECT

Year.

WhftM.

Ck>loared. 81ftTeB.«

Tear.

Whites.

Coloond.

SlaTet.

1668t

4,600

1,400

1768

17,947

176,914

1670

7,600

8,000

1775

18,600

3,700

190,914

1734

7,644

86,146

1717

30,000

10,000

260,000

1746

10,000

112,428

1800

300,000

The number of Slaves in Jamaica at the expiration of each
year, from 1800 to 1817 wasj—

A.D.

No.ofSlaTee.

A.D.

NcafSlftTei.

A.D.

No. of staves*

1800

. 300,939

1806

. 312,341

1812

- 319,912

1801

- 307,094

1807

. 119,351

1813

. 317,424

1802

- 307,199

1808

- 323,827

1814

- 315,385

1803

- 308,668

1809

- 323,714

1815

- 313,814

1804

- 308,548

1810

- 313,683

\8\&

- 314,038

1805

- 308,775

1811

. 326,830

1817

- 345,252

stand of

Acre*

Men.

Women.

ChUdren.

fiepoes.

Arms.

planted.

Precittct« of Port Morant

168

126

467

Morant ....

122

129

Yallah ....

207

363

Ligonee (now Liguana) .

663

139

136

121

480

St. Jago Town
Black River, Bower's Sa- \
yannah, &c. . .J

207

138

128

Angellfl ....

133

Seven Plantationa, Bay of 1

Macario, and Quatha- >

216

206

bacoa . .J

Guanaboa and Ouardaleone

361

610

Cagua ....

400

160

100

—

2468

464§

448

614

618

2688

• From the year 1702 (when the importation was 800) to 1774, when
the importation was 18,000) the number of slaves imported into Jamaica
was haff a milliM, of which 130,000 were re-exported, and of those
retuned in the island not more than 19,000 were alive in 1776.

t Census of Jamaica, December 12, 1661.

) I give these returns, together with many other documents, as hbto-
rical records for future comparison.

^ Some erraU, but of no importance in a general view.

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CENSUS, AND NKGLECT OF THE JAMAICA LEGISLATURE. 189

From 1817 to 1829 (the latest years before me) the Slave
Population of Jamaica was—

Birth.

DecrmMbf

DMith.

Decrease bf

MuiiudIo.

■km.

1817 ..

178,819

179.831

840,150

«_

18M ..

178.4«6

I7l.»lfl

849,889

19,981

19,145

18,498

11,081

800

060

18SS ..

166,59S

100,058

830.958

11,085

11,504

14,030

19,391

871

550

in6 ..

mji6

106»S9S

881,119

11,004

11.499

18,520

11,050

810

011

1899 ..

158,954

104,107

899,491

10,980

10,749i 13.435

11,709

809

755

18S9 ..

I have prepared the following imperfect (yet the most
complete which I have seen) view of the population of Jamaica
from various documents laid before the Finance Committee of
1828.

PARISir AND
COUNTV.

K^^tois, Snrjy\

eimiiCT , » /

St, Geoffff, ditto,,
Kt, D«Hd, ditto . .
i^rt RoyftU dittfl. ,
fit. Andrentr, ditto .
Sl^ Tlioma* in \

^ortlamL, dttto.. ,.
Verc, Mtd4le»exi.

eo«uC]r J

tt. Atis^dlttD,...
ClwtMtini ditto . .
St,I>c»rf)t|jy, cUtto,
St, Mary, ditto.. ..

CorDWoll /

SL Eiic«%»th» ditto
Trelawovy, ditto
St JuBca* ditto .
B«a«iT«r, ditto ,

fig

WhitM,

a? I
1"*

849

tr33

33{

338

190

S50
401

51
111

110
1801

0711

010

Frco Co-

54f

LI90

I0OO

970

SlMViHI.

Mil, 0*37°

3,585

8.S47

10,(

9,to5

3^80^

8,958

9,844

i9,7ai
7*r-

5,331

4,700
«SjMO

^,00<»

39*451

0,AM

*f0g3

n.oag

Op0QO

»,90i

4ifi50

llfOM

I^ti4

8i«81
H,5f!4

5,591

B,149

34,00«
80,0(10
Jt,t90
90.1^3
91,««0

S$,4M

t3,IH

94I0O*

UAH

I trust the view of the foregoing mutilated Table (some of
the parishes having no place even in it) may, when it reaches
Jamaica, stimulate the House of Assembly to cause an accu-
rate census of the island to be immediately prepared.

It is impossible to state with accuracy the actual p9pula-

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190 PARISH RBTURNS OF SLAVES, STOCK AND LAND, &€.

of Jamaica,* owing to some mistaken feelings the census has
not been completed ; by some it is said that the population
of the island is half a million of mouths, which would give
seventy eight persons to the square mile, a remarkable small
proportion, particularly in comparison with Barbadoes,
where there are six hundred to the square mile !

The following is a summary for 1833 of the returns of the
number of slaves on each estate in the island ; the number of
stock, or homed cattle, and the quantity of land in cultivation
and pasture ; these returns are given in on oath.f —

Co. MIDDLESEX.

Co. SURREY.

Parxshss.

SlATes.

Stock.

Acres of
Land.

Parishes.

SUt^^b.

Stock.

Acres of
Land.

St Catherine
St. Thomas!
in the Vale/
St. John . .
St. Dorothy .
Vere . . .
Clarendon
Manchester .
Si. Ann . .

7,507

10,733

5,985
5,142
8,002
16,156
19,304
24,821
23,544

5,976

3,127

985
3,358
3.630
5,999
9,872
23^69
8,900

64,768

79,668

62,060
40,149
59,086
183,891
170,377
243,761
122,726

Kingston . .
Port Royal .
St Andrew .
St Thomas"!
in the East J
St David . .
Portland . .
St. George •

Totel

5,265

5,965

13,545

23,319

7,417

7,267

11,508

345

405

2,183

6,362

1771
1,682
3,707

3,612
26.008
79,183

132,395

45,858
13,557
89,773

St. Mary . .

74,286

16,455

390,386

Total

121,194

). CORNY

21,826
25,337
18,371
22,019
19,599

65,416

ITALL.

14,583
25,657
8,152
17,034
18,047

l,026y486

115,741
168,947
216,.'>42
145.456
172,166

Grand Total.

Hanover . .

Middlesex .

Sorrey

Cornwall

Slaves.

Stock.

Acres of
Laad.

Trelawny
St. Elixabeth
St Jamea . .
Westmorland

121,194

74,286

107,152

65,416
16.455
83.373

1026,486
390,.386
818^52

Total

107,152

83,373

818,852

302,632

165,244

2235,724

• By some the number of whites is estimated at 36,000 ; of maroons
there are about 1200 in Jamaica.

t The Jamaica Almaoac for 1833, whence I derive this statement, is so
imperfectly printed that whole columns are ille^le, and even the sum-
mings up are incorrect j I have endeavoured to complete the return by a
'reference to the returns for 1832.

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FORM OF OOVBRKMBNT — LBOISLATIVE COUNCIL^ &C. 191

Form of Gtovernmbnt and Law Courts. Jamaica is
ruled by a Governor, or Captain-general, (appointed by th^
crown,) aided by a council of twelve, somewhat sinular to the
House of Lords ; and a House of Assembly answering to
die home House of Commons. The Council is generally
appointed by the King, through the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, from among the most respectable colonists who
are ex-officio justices of the peace. The Lieutenant-Governor,
Chief Justice, Attorney-General, and the Bishop, are all ex-
officio Members of the Council, each member of which is remov*
able at the pleasure of his Majesty. The Assembly consbts of
forty-five members, each of the parishes sending two repre-
sentatives; and Spanish Town, Kingston, and Port Royal,
one additional member each ; a representative must possess a
freehold of £300. per annum* in any part of the island, or a
personal estate of £3,000; an elector must be of agef and
possessed of a freehold of £10. per annum in the parish for
which he votes. The Governor has the title of his Excel-
lency, and is invested with the chief civil and military autho-
rity; he is also Chancellor, Ordinary, and Vice-Admiral.
On his death or absence, the government devolves on the
Deputy or Lieutenant-Governor, if there be any : otherwise
on the senior Councillor.

He has the disposal of such appointments as his Majesty
does not reserve to himself or his Ministers ; and as to such
offices so reserved, whenever a vacancy occurs by death or
removal, the Governor may appoint to them till they are filled
up from home, and his appointee, till superseded, takes all
the emoluments.

The Council, who are by courtesy severally addressed in
the colonies by the title of Honourable, consists of twelve
Members. They are appointed by mandamus from the

* Such was the law, but it has not been attended to.
t Fenotts of colour are now admitted to all the privileges of white per-
8on8» and there are no civil disabilities from religious difierences.

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192 JUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

King, and hold their offices during his Majesty's pleasure ;
but if at any time by death, absence from the island, or
suspension, the Council should be reduced to less than the
number limited by the instructions to the Governor, he may
appoint as many persons out of the principal freeholders^
inhabitants of the island, to be Members of th^ Council, as
will make up such number ; which persons so appointed may
act as Councillors until they are disapproved, or others are
appointed by his Majesty. The Governor may, however,
suspend any of the Members of the Council from sitting,
voting, or assisting therein, if he find just cause for so
doing; but he must, by the first opportunity, signify to the
English Government any vacancy in the Council, from what-
ever cause it may arise.

The duty of the Council is to give advice to the Governor
or Commander in Chief for the time being, when required;
and they stand in the same relation to the Governor in the
colony as the Privy Council in England does to his Majesty ;
they are also a constituent part of the Legislature of the
colony, corresponding with the British House of Peers ; and,
finally, they sit as Judges on certain occasions.

The General Assembly are the Representatives of, and
chosen by, the people, and correspond with the British
House of Commons, and its utmost duration is seven years.*

The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council,
may, from time to time, as occasion requires, summon the
General Assembly together, and may, of his own authority,
adjourn, prorogue, and dissolve them.

« The laws and statutes of Eng^land passed previously to the settlement,
unless they are from their enactments inapplicable to the local circum'-
stances of Jamaica, apply to the colony. Statutes passed in England
since 1728, unless they relate to trade and navigation, are not in force there.
The Assembly have all the privileges of the House of Commons in England $
they have the sole power of levying taxes, and the distribution thereof, with
the exception of an annual permanent revenue to the Crown of j£10,000.
the salary of the Speaker of the Assembly is £ 1,000 per annum.

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LEGI»LATITB FOWBR — ^AND SUPREME COURT. 193

' The Council and General Assembly, with the concurrence
of the King, or his representative the Gpvemor, may make
laws, statutes, and ordinances for the public peace, welfare,
and good government of the colony, so that they be not re-
pugnant, but as near as conveniently may be agreeable, to
the laws and statutes of Ghreat Britain.

By an order in Council, dated 15th January, 1800, it is
declared, that in all cases when his Majesty's confirmation is
necessary to give vaKdity and effect to any act passed by the
legislature of any of his Majesty's colonies or plantations,
unless his Majesty's confirmation thereof be obtained within
three years from the passing of such act in any of the said
colonies or plantations, such act shall be considered dis-
allowed.

By the English statute, 6 Geo. S. c. 13, all the British
colonies are declared to be dependent upon the Imperial
Crown and Parliament of Great Britain, who have full power
to make laws to bind such colonies in all cases whatsoever.
But by the 18 Geo. 3. c. IS, the King and Parliament de-
clared, that thenceforth they would not impose any duty
payable in the colonies, except for the regulation of commerce,
the produce whereof should always be applied to the use of
the colony in which it is levied.

The Supreme Court. The jurisdiction, both civil and
criminal, of the Supreme Court is co-extensive with those of
the Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, ^
(and Insolvent Debtors), in England, taken collectively, and
it has also the exclusive power of hearing and deciding on
informations for the breach of any act of Parliament or As-
aembly relating to trade and navigation, or for laying any
duties or customs on the import of goods, wares, and mer-
chandizes into, or on the exportation thereof from, the
the island ; also on informations for land under the quit rent
acts, and all escheats. It is likewise a court of appeal from
the inferior Courts of Common Pleas.

This Court sits in the capital of St. Jago de la Yega, or

VOL. II o

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194 ASSIZE COURTS — CUSTOS BOTULORUM.

Spanish Town> three times in the year^ for three consecntiTe
weeks each time^ commencing respectively on the second
Monday in February, the first Monday in June, and the first
Monday in October in each year.

The Chief Justice is nominated by the Government in
England, and has a patent of office under the great seal of
the island ; and the Assistant Judges are appointed either
by his Majesty's Ministers or by the Governor of the island.*
All the judges hold their offices during his Majesty's
pleasure, and are removable by his sign-manual only; but
they may, upon sufficient cause, be suspended by the Go-
vernor, with the consent of a majority of a board of the
Council, till his Majesty's pleasure be known.

The Assize CouRxs.f The jurisdiction of these Courts is
limited to their respective counties of Surrey and Cornwall ;
and the Justices in the Courts to be held respectively
before them have the same power, authority, and jurisdiction
that the Justices of Assize and Nisi Prius, Justices of Oyer
and Terminer, and Justices of Gaol Delivery have in
England.

The Court of Assize for the county of Surrey sits three
times in the year, for three successive weeks each time, if

* There are ei[(ht or ten Assistant Judges^ who sit in rotation with the
Chief Justice ; they have each a salary of jf 500 per annum West Indian
* currency.

t The parishes, which are more like counties as to their extent, are
under the superrision or government of a chief magistrate (termed the
Cuitoi Roiuhrum) and bench of justices, who hold sessions of the peace
every month, and Courts of Common Pleas, for trying actions to the ex-
tent of j£20.;— -debts not exceeding 40t, are determined by a single jus-
tice ; each parish has a rector and church officers, according to the number
of churches or chapels in the parish ; the vestries consist of the Ctutoi,
two magistrates, ten vestrymen, and the rector ; (the vestrymen are elected
annually by the freeholders) ; the vestries have the power of assessing and
appropriating local taxes, allot labourers for repuring the highways,
appoint way-vmrdens, nominate persons called constables, for the collec-
tion of public and parochial races, and regulate the police of their several
parishes.

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COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS AMD SESSIONS. 195

necessary ; and such sittings are held at the town of Kings*
ton, in that countyi and commence respectively on the second
Monday in April, the first Monday in August, and the second
Monday in January.

The sittings of the Court of Assize for the county of Corn-
wall are held at the town of Montego-Bay, for the like period
as the Court of Assize for the county of Surrey sits ; and
such sittings respectively commence on the second Monday
in March, the first Monday in July, and the first Monday in
November.

The Justices of Assize receive no salary, are appointed by
the Governor, by a commission under the broad seal of the
island. They, like the Judges of the Supreme Court of
Judicature^ hold their places during his Majesty's pleasure,
and can be removed by his sign manual only ; but,' upon
sufficient cause, may be suspended by the Governor, with the
consent of the minority of a Board of Council, till his Ma«
jesty*s pleasure be known.

Courts of Common Pleas. The several inferior Courts
of Common Pleas in the island of Jamaica have jurisdiction
over all causes (wherein any freehold is not concerned) to the
value of £20 with costs, and no more, but by the aid of a
justiciM from the Chancellor, who is the Governor, they may
hold Pleas to any amount. They are, however, absolutely
restricted from intermeddling with or determining actions
where the title to land or negroes is concerned. These Courts
are held at the same time, and in the same place of the
respective precincts, as the Justices of the Peace hold the
Quarter-Sessions, once in every three months; some of them
have the privilege of sitting oftener. The appointment and
removal of the Judges of these Courts are under the controul
of the Governor, and an appeal hes against their decision to
the Supreme Court of Judicature.

Courts of Sessions. Every precinct has a Court of Ses-
sions, held quarterly.

All manner of debts, trespasses, and other matters, not
exceeding the valine of 40«. wherein the titles of land are not

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196 COURT OF CHANCERY — VICE ADMIRALTT, &€•

Goncemedy may he heard and determined by any Justice of
the Peace of the island within their respective precinctSi
without appeal; and after judgment, the Justice may grant a
warrant of distress, and, for want of sufficient distress, may
imprison the defendant in the common gaol of the precincts
till he pay the debt and charges.

[A law passed in 1828 extended this jurisdiction to sums
not exceeding £10, but was lately disallowed by the King in
Council. A bill for a similar object is now (December 1831)
in progress through the legislature.]

In concluding this brief notice of the Common Law Courts,
it may be observed, that their mode of proceeding is, in most
respects, similar to that adopted in Westminster Hall.

Court of Chancery. The Governor sits as Chancellor,
with the same powers of judicature that the Lord High
Chancellor has in England, and the proceedings of this
Court are similar to those of the English Court of Chancery.

The Court of Error is held by the Governor and
Council for hearing Appeals, in the nature of Writs of Error,
from the Supreme and Assize Courts.

These Appeals, or Writs of Error, are allowed and regu-
lated by his Majesty's instructions to the Governor.

An appeal also lies from the judgment of the Court of
Chancery, to his Majesty in his Privy Council under certain
restrictions.

On an appeal to the King in Council, the proceedings
must be transmitted, and the party appealing must proceed,
within a year after the pronouncing of the decree or order
appealed against.

The Court of Vice-Admiralty has two distinct juris-
dictions; by one of which it is an Instance Court for deciding
all maritime causes, and by the other a Prixe Court: its
practice is similar to that of the High Court of Admiralty in
England, to which Court, or to the King in Council, an
appeal lies from its decision. The Judge is appointed. by
the Government in England, and holds Us office during his
Majesty's pleasure; but may be suspended by the Governor

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MILITARY FORCK^AND MILITIA. 197

for good cause, with the consent of a majority of a board of
Council, till his Majesty's pleasure be known.

The Court of Ordinary is for determining ecclesiastical
matters, and the Governor presides in it as judge.

The English Bankruptcy Laws are not in force in Jamaica,
but there is an ' Insohent Debtors* Act^ by which a debtor,
on making oath that he is possessed of no property above
bare necessaries, and delivering his books, if he has any, into
the hands of the Deputy Marshal or SheriflTs Deputy, he is
exonerated from all demands against him after suffering three
months' imprisonment. Any person leaving the island must
give three weeks* notice on account of creditors.

Military Force. — The military establishment of the
island generally comprises the head-quarters of four Euro-
pean regiments of the line ; one West India regiment, com-
posed of CafiVes or W. Coast African negroes ; a strong
detachment of Artillery ; altogether comprising about 3,000
men ; and of Colonial militia, from 16 to 18,000 men at arms,*
comprising in Middlesex County ^^ a regiment of horse of
eleven troops, well equipped and mounted, and nine infantry
regiments; in Surrey County, a regiment of horse of nine
'troops, and eight regiments of infantry, with artillery; in
Cornwall County, a regiment of horse of six troops, and six
regiments of infantry ; and to each regiment are attached two
field pieces and a company of artillery ; the whole well ap-
pointed and proving a most efficient force in case of internal
insurrection or foreign aggression.

The following detail shows the strength of the European

• All white males, from the age of fifteen to sixty, are obliged by
law to provide themselves with suitable clothing, and to enlist in either
the cavalry or infantry of the militia. Substitutes are not allowed. When
on permanent duty (which occurs on the proclaiming of martial law) th^
militia receive pay 2«. 6</. a day and rations ; arms and ammunition are
found by the government. When the militia and line act together, a lieu-
tenant-colonel of the latter has the rank and command of a mi^or-general
of the former, amijor of brigadier-general, and a oaptiUD of lleutenant-
eolond, &c.

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198

BRITISH TROOPS FROM 181^ TO 18£8.

troops employed in Jamaica, the number of deaths, and the
annual ratio of decrement by death per cent per annum, from
the year 1818 to 1828 inclusive.*

Yews.

1812

Streoftb.

. 4,826

Deceased.

. 474 .

Rutioof
Lou.

9.8

YeMi.

1822 -

Strength.

2,4S5

Deeewed.

- 441 .

Ratio ol
Low.

18.3

. 4,128

. 371 ■

8.9

3 -

2,476

. 166 .

6.2

4 .

. 3,902

- 322 .

8.2

4 -

3,150

. 235 -

7.4

6 .

. 4,331

- 336 -

7.7

5 -

2,644

- 777 -

29.3

6 .

. 4,235

- 434 -

10.2

6 -

2,237

- 176 .

7.3

7 ■

. 4,322

. 317 -

7.3

7 -

3,083

- 636 .

20.6

8 .

. 3,025

- 230 -

7.6

8 .

2,700

- 192 .

7.1

9 .

. 2,969

- 754 .

25.4

20 .

. 2,546

- 301 .

11.8

Mean -

3,287

438

13.3

1 ■

. 2,885

. 310 .

10.6

It will be observed that, in 1828, the ratio of loss was small,
owing to the judicious arrangements of Sir James M'Gregor,
seconded by the Medical Staff and Colonial Legislature, the
health of the troops has since materially improved.

Income and Expenditure.— The annual income or ways
and means of the island, on an average of ten years, ending
1831, was as follows : —
Poll Tax (at 5s. lOd. per head on

Slaves, and 2s. per head on stoek,

exempting Working Stock on

Plantations), Rents at Is. 8d.

in the £., and Wheat at 20s.
^105,000
Tax on Transient Traders, . 150
Arrears of fomaer Years* Taxes,
3,000
Land Tax, - - 23,700

Deficiency Tax, - 14,000

Rum Duty, - - 24,000
Additional Duty on Wines and

Spirits, - - 15,000

Tea Duty, - . 1,400

Duties on Goods from foreign

Ports, - - 4,800

On Goods from United States,
j^31,000
Surplus of Revenue, . 8,300
Stamp Duty, . 19,000

For Arms and Gunpowder, 900
Balance of Cash 30th September,

1830, . . 147,945

Duty on Cattle imported, 1,000
Tonnage Duty on Ships to pay

Custom House Salaries, 25,000
Loan to be raised, - 50,000
Debts due to Public on Judgments

500
Double Duties received by Officers

of Customs and refunded, 15,048

• This statement has been obligingly furnished me by Mr. Henry Mar-
shall, Deputy Inspector-General of Army Hospitals, whose zeal in pur-
suit of science endears him to every friend of humanity.

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FINANCES — INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.

199

Excluding the shillings and pence (as given in the Parlia-
mentary Return) the total ways and means thus given for
Jamaica in 1^1, is £489,743. The return is certainly not a
very explicit onei and it is difficult, if not indeed impossible^
to ascertain the actual state of taxes in the island, and th«
nature of their bearing or operation on commerce.

Jamaica Expenditure (as laid before Parliament in the
return whence the foregoing statement is derived) defrayed
by the Ishind in 183L—
Governor, - . j£5,600

Chief Justice, - 4,000

ABBistant Judges, - 3,400

Speaker of Assembly, 1,400

Governor's Secretary, 3,000

Officers of His Majesty'sOustoms,
23,390
aergy of Established

Church,*
23,593
. tl,201
1200
14,656
157,032

Ditto Presbyterian,

Ditto Roman Catholic,

Charitable Institutions,

Army Expenses,

Clerk of Supreme Court and Pro-
vost Marshal, - 1,160

Secretary of Commissioners' of
Public Accounts, - 1,000

Secretary of Ditto Correspondents,

300

Clerk of Board of Works, 400

Commissioners of Stamps, 1,550

Deputy Receiver General and Se-
cretary at the Outports, 1,560

Marshals of Militia Regiments,
1,050

Alien and Bonding Office, £600
Island Agent, - 2,542

Captains of Forts, • 669

Officers of Assembly, 6,146

Island Botanist, - 560

Engineer and Surveyor of Public
Worics, - - 740

Storekeeper, - - 500

Receiver General, - 7»000
Law Expenses and Goals, 14,874
Roads, Bridges, and Public Build-
ings, - - 25,850
Printing - - 7,169
Militia Anns and Gunpowder, 8,594
Board of Works, - 8,890
Premium on Increase Slaves, 8,120
Registry and Vestry Returns, 5,378
Maroons and Superintendant of
Maroon Towns, - 2,030
Miscellaneous, - 10,000
Interest on Public Loans, 16,900

370,000

• Curates' stipends 8000/. ; Rectors' ditto, 11,718/. ; Registrar and Ap-
positor to the Diocese, 475/. ; Annuitants, being widows and orphans of
the aergy 2,000/. ; Expenses of buUding chapels, 1,400/.— Total 23,5931.

t Presbyterian Institutions, 301/. ; Support of Kirk in Kingston, 700/. ;
Presbyterian Charity Schools, 200/.— 1.201/.

J Pay, 14,000/.; Contingent Accounts, 20,645/.^ Rations, 72,000/.;
Ditto to Ist April, 1831, 35,700/.; Repairs of Barracks, 10,483/.; Lodg.

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200 EXPLANATION OF JAMAICA CURRENCY,

The Jamaica budget for 183^ gives the taxes and intenial
duties at £207,367 ; duties on vessels and cargoes £95,970 ;
the certificates in circulation were £399,205;* and the loan
(Certificates, including £64,415 loan deposits, was £250,085w
Of the expenditure, the military amounts to £184,143, be-
sides £222,729 for the general defence of the island, of which
^6176,691 was incurred for martial law in 1832. The civil
expenditure was £85,078, of which £15,544 was for interest.
On a general view, it may be stated that the annual pubKc
revenue of Jamaica is £300,000; and the vestry, or parish,
or local taxation of the different coimties, a nearly similar
sum. The poll-tax on slaves heretofore formed the largest
item of the public income. How the amount is in future to
be supplied, has not been devised. So far from Jamaica and
other of the colonies being a drain on the home exchequer, it
will be seen that they add considerably to the national ex->
chequer; this one island alone contributing nearly half a
million of money per annum ! f

Monies. The West India islands are much in want of
some established currency ; in no two islands is the currency

ings for Officers, 2,090/.; Island Pay, ditto, 997/.; Sundry Wharfage,
Water, &c. for Troops, 1,116/.— Total 167,032/.

* The distribution of the certificates in circulation, from 1822 to the
year 1832, is as follows i-Of 1822, 645/. ; 1826, 6,635/.; 1826, 41,203/.;
1827, 79,928/.; 1828, 61,741/.; )829, 39,966/.; 1830, 96,499/.; 1831^
10,825/.; 1832, 12,000/.; and of 1832, comprising 1/. 2/. and 3/. certifi-
cates in circulation was, 49,864/. The legal rate of interest is six per cent;
the Government borrow at five.

t Mr. Burge says—' The annual expenditure of Jamuca is jf 489,849 ;
to this must be added jf 10,000, which is annually raised, and is a per-
petual revenue granted to the Crown, and made appUcable to the orders
of the Governor in Council, and over which the Houae of Assembly
exercises no superintending control.' It was given in evidence before
Parliament in 1832, by the same authority, that ' the island of Jamaica
sustains the whole burden of its Government, with the exception of the
salary of the Bishop ; every other species of its expenditure, including its
ecclesiastical, military and civil establish meots, ar^ defrayed by the island
itself.'

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

100/.=

= 140/:

lz=6s.8d.

100/.

135/.

I 6a. 3d.

100/.

175/.

1 8:Sd.

100/.

200/.

I 9«.

VALUE AND WBI6HT OP COLONIAL COINS. 201

alike, and they again vary in proportion to sterling money
thus: —

Stnliiiir* CwTCBCT. Dollar. Comncr.

Jamaica,* • «

Barbadoes,

Windward Isles, except

Barbadoes, •
Leeward Isles,

At the estabUshed rate of the dollar in Jamaica, 4«* SicL
sterling will be equal to 6s. currency, or l4fS. Sj^d. sterling to
£1 currency. The metallic currency in the island is estimated
at £100,000. A silver standard for all the West India pos-
sessions (of a depreciated value to that of the English coinage,
so as to keep it in the settlements) would probably be pro-
ductive of considerable benefit.

The following are the weights of the gold coins current in
Jamaica : —

Dwts. 6r. Dwts. Gr.

Old Spanish doubloon, 17 8 The pistole, 4 8

Half doubloon, . 8 16 Half ditto, 2 4

Colombian doubloon, and its aliquot parts in the

same proportion, 18 12

The old Spanish silver dollar weighs 17 dwts. 8 gr. and
the small silver coin, called a bit, is of the value of 7|«f. cur-
rency.

The paper currency consists entirely of the island checks
issued by the Receiver-General, under the orders of the

* As regards Jamaica, this is the nominal par of exchange. In real
transactions of buying or selling bills, the exchange is thus adjusted : —
if bills bear a premium, say twenty per cent, then a bill for £100 sterling
is said to be equal to ^£120 sterling ; this latter sum, turned into Jamaica
currency at 40 per cent, makes a bill for jCflOO sterling require about
jC168 currency. The relative value of the currencies of the mother
country and colony varies, of course, from this ratio, as bills may at the
time bear a higher or lower premium. In Barbadoes or the other
colonies the currency, as compared with sterling, varies according to the
demand for bills. In Jamuca j£100 sterling is alwayi equal to 4^)40
currency^ •

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

202 UNITAD KINGDOM D£Riy£D FROM JAMAICA IMPORTS.

Board of Accounts, and upon the security of the island and
its revenue.*

Commerce. The trade^ of this important island is very
considerable, and principally confined to the mother country .f
Its maritime worth will be seen by the following return of
Jamaica Shippings —

SHIPPIirO INVARDB.

8BIPPIN0 OUTWAED8.

Flroin Gt«
Britain.

No.

Ton*.

Ftom
Brit. Col.

No,

Tons.

Fton For.
States.

No.

Tons.

Total
Inwards.

To Great
Britain.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

To
Brit. Cols.

NO.

Tods.

To For.
States.

No.

Tons.

Total
Ontwards.

Nd.

Tons.

18S8 240 75,541

105 38,974 a69 85,087 074 184,803 887 87,780 145 18,805 856 84,454 088 130,388

In 1830 the total shipping inwards was number 715 — tons,
120,721 ; outwards, 690— tons, 130,747— employing altoge-
ther about 15,000 seamen.

* The state of the money market in Kingston 29th March, 1834, i
Bills op Exchange. Commissariat, 30 days— 18 per cent, premium,
payable in Doubloons and Dollars. On London, at 90 days — 12 1-2 to
15 per cent, premium. On America, at 30 and 60 days— 7 1-2 to 10 per
cent, premium. Specie. — Mexican Doubloons, 7 per cent, premium —
very scarce. Columbian Ditto, 2 ditto ditto. Dollars, 6 to 6 ditto ditto.
Small Silver 2 1-2 to 3 ditto ditto.

t Mr. Burge, the indefatigable agent for the colony, thus demonstrated
before Parliament the importance of this colony to Great Britlaiin.

Returns of the Net Revenue derivable from Imports into the United
Kingdom from the Island of Jamaica, supposing that the whole of those
Imports were to be entered for home consumption for the year 1831 : —

Duty.

l,429.0()SCwts.ofSoK«r, atS4t. perCwt

8,538,668 GalU. of Ram, at 08. per Gall

107 Puns, of Molasses, say 1,177 Cwts. at 9b. per Cwt

15,844,078 lbs. of CoffiM, at M. per lb

^'siO Bag*. } G*nK«- »*y *»*«* CwU. at 1 is. fid

4,974,308lb8. of Pimento, at 5d. per lb

4,586 Cwts. of Arrowroot, at id. per lb

80 Puns, of Lime Juice, say 8,000 Galls, at O^d. per Gall.

673 Packages of Sweetmeats, say 6,730 Ibe. at 3d. per lb.

870 Bales of Cotton, say 50.830 lbs. at 4d. per lb

3,188 Hides, say 8,000 Cwts. at 4s. 8d. per Cwt

7,861 Tons of Logwood, at 8a. per Ton

I,4saTonsof Fustic, at 3s. per Ton

888 Tons of Nicaiai^aa Wood, at iss. per Ton

319 Tons of Lignum Vlfae, at lOs. per Ton

844 Tons of Ebony, at 15S. per Ton

8,31 9 Logs / Mahogany and Cedar, \ say at 41. per Ton \ . .

1 ,750 Pieces \ Cabinet Wood, &c. / ah 15s. per Tyan / . .

S9f834 Lance Wood Spars, at is. each

Total..

df. a.

1,714,011 18

1.587,808 8

580 IS

801,101 11

8,487 13

1,363 8

8,118 8

10 0
64 i

837 0

466 IS

1,104 8

817 16

846 0

150 10

188 0

81,000 0

1.466.4

3J36.US 10 6

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

IMPORTS AMD EXPORTS OF JAMAICA.

SOS

■3
I

4 I

Cm *'

-O 00

5 '"
^ s

•5 g
I g<

** i
|i
s

••e

c«^

pes
O

•aofpTOH

Ills

•p*Ma

3 E

i SJ.^

K 6

^JY

«« -^ ** a"

r" i .'I : fi
1 :'^ai : 8.

III

•pooM

•jvpoo pira
iCinJoiiBif

'looqx

•9flinA

•pooaSoi

•WPIH

•nonoo

'09|Df OUfl

•Mn«ioM

Li.

s &

8 S

S «

a S" I

l§

S b

# Hi

Digitized by ^

204

EXPORTS FROM JAMAICA FOR THIRTY YEARS.

An Account of Sugar, Rum, and other Produce, exported
from the Island of Jamaica, from the year ending the 29th
September, 1800, to the year ending 29th September, inclu-
sive, 1829; extracted from the Journals of the House of As-
sembly at Jamaica : —

Sugar, ,

Enai.

MdUttfl

GiDffcr.

Pimento,

C0*K,

H<!(i,

Ticre; Bar,

Pnn,

Hd9.

Ciuki.

BtLSi

CaekA.

B»ff*.'CfcBkB.

lbs.

1800

96,347

t3.5jp

J.ti^l

3:,im

1,3.10

, ,

A,iS^

4i4

12,rS9 610

11.116,474

isfli;

I^JISI

i>*,70-*

3.692

13,879

1,514

339

14,094 ^f-

13,401,4^

i8oa

iH&M^

15,405

3,41)3

15,fi3a

■i,n7t

3fifl

^,m

7,793' 591

17.961 ,fl3J

18V3

I97t3fi-

1 U825

1-797

13,29-1

l,4lri|

461

3.987

14,875

867

15.H66,39i

liW

tim,^si

J a, 80-2

3*ttt7

4^.307

gi3

l,8J4

h^m

19,57a

1,417

^2,WI3,9W1

IflOl

m^mi

"7-977

3,fi8y

ixaii

1,321

471

3,12fa

315

7,157

388

J4,137.3pa

IWB

isa,S^

iH^aar

^1*57y

'f^.im

1.17s

*9fl

l,81i?

485

iy,534

1,094

i9,^.03fl

IKJT

17p34^

3,7lf

5l,il3

U90i

1,411

AI3

19.334

£35

3«K7S]>ia8

1«»U

m,U4

15,B3«

2.<J25

J3.40g

2,ig6

37»

l,47(i

436

6.539

xss

a9,3TO.e7»

IB09

HH,ib:

^*,m

3-534

t3,l02

3.717

23ft

67^

3.331

1.177

34,023

3»,5^,Ma

1810

imjo:-

-i.&eo

3.719

J 2,3^3

lt9^

ago

l,B8i

aao

Jl.lfiS

4,*7fl

35,S8S.38S

lan

i27Jil

I5.33fl

3.04(5

'ii.mi

i,041

446

a.07a

1.110

ia.074

631.

17,460,008

1H12

Mts,iig:

ir.a&7

2,5JiB

43,3lfi

t,53l

151

1.335

S04

7.771*

596

lM8l,8pCr

1813

sr.i-'i^

IO»(V29

3.30*

ll.dlS

1,315

308

i.-*2&.

816

14,361

1,(124

34*«S3^?i

liu

iui,e4^

lD.'f85

3, A 75

1.1. ISS

1.557

145

utm

884

10,711

394

34.04^,58*

lais

118.76;

12,234

2,fil7

52.9i>fi

1,4d:i

349

iM:

1,493

17.3S8

844

?7*36J,7«

181«

ga.Hi^a

g>33a

3>335

3Ji,7^iri

709

LUH

3,364

Ji.fls;

tSl

l7,S8i,S99

UfipOU

n,094

3,H(Jy

i7.&iy

1,094

254

1,896

3,301

i&,8i7

9*^

14.793,S&6

IR18

U3,9T^

1 u^m

2,796

-■» 0,19.1

l.lOt?

407

1,067

3,33fi

ii,07i

9»t

25,3SP,45fi

leig

ioe,3o;.

n,540

9,211

I3»9i6

I Ma

353

1.714

il,500

682

U,091t4^3

18^

UM's

IU3^

3,474

15.381

U7B3

35 i

316

I1I59

19,880

673

'J2 J 27.444

liai

UUfili

11,703

)p97S

|fl,80'J

U79J

371

984

H,*f37

1,K24

i6,Hip,7«l

1833

e«,i5]

a.roa

l,3#i

18,7i«

i.iai

141

891

lM7i

699

19.77^-992

1823

91. BO.'

9pi7ft

l,yl7

3i,i^1^

ugs.i

614

1,041

si,«8i; i,j^4

3n,«e.44*

J8M

PO.tai

g*6ii

3.791

i7.lil

3,2fil

910

S'J

3.930

34,30y 599

«7,677,*39

tttHi

7a.si:i

7,380

3.H5H

a7,a3&

2,077

S94

3lfi

3.917

30,979 JS^^7

3l,354,d56

1836

Wtm

»,5H

3,136

33,(J10

3,098

$19

ai;

5.734

16,433 firJ

lbs.

3,807,523

30,3^9,88(1

1837

82,30f

7,5SJ

3,411

:i3,34a

3*09!>

314

i^r

4.836

i5.So6,03O

lias

8l»0Ot

S.7W

3,810

33,717

3,253

2S3

41S

1.9*3

3,473.149

17.247 .94S

issg

Pl.lAU

g.»e4

hS93

M.031

3,513

107

31S

lj333 ,

6.069,187

13,955,733

1830

1831

1833

As stated under Guyana, it is difficult to form a definite
idea of the amount of property in any place. Mr. Colquhoun,
in 1812, estimated Jamaica thus: — Negroes, £19,250,000;
cultivated lands, (809,450 acres) £16,189,000; uncultivated,
(1,914,812 acres) £1,914,812; buildings, utensils, &c. on
estates, £12,709,450 ; stock on estates, £4,800,000 ; houses,
stores, merchandize and furniture, £2,000,000 ; colonial ship-
ping, £4^,000 ; metallic money, £220,000; forts, barracks, &c.
£1,000,000;— total, £58,125,298 sterling. The same authority
estimated the productions annually raised, including cattle,
esculents, &c. at £11,169,661 ; exports to the United King-
dom, £6,885,339— and to the other places, £384,322. It
will be observed, therefore, that in the following statement
I have undervalued the yearly creation and total amount pf
property in Jamaica,— ^ "^^ ^^ L^OOglC

PROPERTY ANNUALLY CREATED— MOVABLE & IMMOVABLE. 205

e
o

(30

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

906 POST OFFICE AND PACKET ROUTINE.

General Post-office, Jamaica. The mails for all
of the island are closed at four, p. m. every Saturday, and
dispatched from the General Post^fBce the same day, at six,
p. M. The retam mails arrive at ten, a. m. every Thursday,
and the letters are delivered at the General Post-office the
same day, at noon. An extra mail for Spanish Town leaves
the General Post-office, at nine, a. m. every Friday, and
arrives again the following day, at eight, a. m. The rates of
postage are from Tj^d. to !«. 3d» for single letters, according
to distance.

Two packets are dispatched monthly from Great Britain
for this island. The first sails from Falmouth on the Satur-
day after the first Wednesday ; touches on her passage at
Barbadoes, St. Vincent's, and Grenada; and after her arrival
at Port Royal, where she remains two days, proceeds to Car-
thagena, where she remains until the mail, that is dispatched
from Bogota on the 25th of every month, arrives, and, after
her return to Port Royal, proceeds to Falmouth, touching at
the Crooked Islands on her way home. Three Saturdays
must intervene between her first arrival at, and final sailing
from, Port Royal, and, unless postponed by the Governor,
she sails on the Tuesday following the last Saturday. The
second sails from Falmouth, on the Saturday after the third
Wednesday, and heaves to off Jacmel to land a mail for St.
Domingo. Aft;er arriving at Port Royal, she remains two
days, when she proceeds to Belize, Honduras, where she
remains two days ; and from thence to Zampico, where she
leaves for la Vera Cruz, and afterwards returns to Zampico,
in doing which she is occupied ten or twelve days ; and then
proceeds to the Havanna, where she again remains two days ;
and finally prosecutes her voyage from thence to Falmouth,
G. B. The mail for Great Britian is made up at the General
Post-office, on the Monday previous to the sailing of the first
packet, at four, p. m. The first packet is expected from
Great Britain about the ^th of every month, and, if she
arrives between Saturday and Tuesday inclusive, the mails for
the country are forwarded by express. The second packet

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

THE PRE89— EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 207

may be looked for about a week after tbe former, in conse-
quence of ber not baving to call at tbe Windward Islands
in ber route. Tbere is no express post for tbe second
packet

The Press, Education, and Religion. I connect tbe tbree
foregoing subjects under one bead, because tbey are intimately
blended with eacb otber. Tbe press is unsbackled by stamp
duties, and on tbe increase ; tbere are six newspapers (two
daily and four weekly), in tbe island, all well conducted, and
displaying considerable talent ;* every class of tbe community
has its puMic organ, and tbere is, perbaps, less p^tty feeling
and faction displayed tban in many journals of tbe Mother
Country. Education is I'apidly progressing under tbe aid of
tbe local government, as well as with tbe assistance of private
individuals. In tbe expenditure budget of tbe island for
1831, tbere is nearly £ 10,000 allotted for free scbool8.f In
1821, (since which all accounts agree in admitting a very
great increase), tbe public or free schools and scholars were.
Schools, 23 ; Male Scholars, 1,125 ; Female, 912 ; Total,
2,037. (In 1827 the number of Scholars was 3,500.)

Tbe efforts for the extension of reUgion have been great,
whether they have produced a beneficial effect as yet it is
difficult to say ; tbe outlay by the colonial government for the
purpose is considerable, viz. nearly £25,000 per annum,
(vide Expenditure). The bishop of Jamaica (whose see ex-
tends over the Bahamas and Honduras), has £4,000 sterling
per annum, and tbe archdeacon £2,000 ditto. There are
twenty-one rectors, and altogether of clergymen of the estab-
hshed church fifty-seven. The Scots Presbyterian clergy-
men are in number four, the Wesleyan ditto about twenty-
four, the Baptist ditto sixteen, and the Moravian eight.
The crown livings in Jamaica were in the gift of tbe

* The Jamaica almanac stands much in need of reform, it is more barren
of general information tban tbose of some of tbe smallest islands in the
West Indies. Those of 1832 and 1833 hare in some deforce improved.

t The Jamaica free school has 1,620/.; Wolmer's ditto, 1,600/.; Vete
ditto, 1,120/. ; and so on.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

§08

THE CAYMAN IStE8»

governor, in virtue of his station as such.* The esta*
blished church clergy are paid partly by a stipend, partly
by fees; take for instance the parish of St. Ann's, as an
example; acres,235,S60 ; slaves, 24,761 ; proprietors, 47. 6.;
stipend, £378; fees, average, £200, vestry allowances,
average, £400; church burials, £50; total, £1,028— with
thirty acres of glebe and an island curate. Some parishes
have a large glebe ; thus, St. Elizabeth's has three hundred
acres of glebe, a rectory and sixty-eight slaves, and the income
is— stipend, £378; fees, £245; burials £50; total £673
— and the aid of an island curate and auxiliary. The Rev.
Mr. Bridges says that the average annual expenditure of
Jamaica of late years, for her ecclesiftstical establishment,
has not fallen far short of £30,000, (an immense sum for so
small a country). He gives the rectors* stipends at £ 8,820,
the curates' salaries £10,550, the aggregate vestry allowances
£3,430, and the average sum drawn from the inhabitants for
surplice fees £ 5,372, independent of the annual expenditure
in maintaining thirty-nine churches and chapels. Pluralities
are not permitted, and the slave (or as he is now termed, the
apprentice), is entitled to demand the gratuitous services of
the clergy ; these facts speak volumes in favour of the long
calumniated colonists.

Before summing up this Chapter, it is necessary to advert
to a dependency of Jamaica, termed

THE CAYMAN ISLES.
Locality. The Caymans are three small isles, in Lat.
19.20. N. ; from thirty to forty leagues N. N. W. from Point
Negrill, on the westward of Jamaica, the grand Cayman being
the most remote. Cayman-braque and Little Cayman lie
within five mOes of each other, and about thirty-four miles
N. from the Grand Cayman, which is about one mile and a
half long, and one mile broad, and containing about 1,000
acres.

History. Columbus fell in with these islands on hb
return from Porto Bello to Hispaniola, and observing the
* Now in the gift of the bishop.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

THEIR PHYSICAL ASPECT — GOVERNMENT — TURTLES, &C. ^809

i^oast swarming with turtle, like ridges of rocks^ he called
them Leu Tortugas.

The Caymans were never occupied by the Spaniaf ds, but
became the general resort of adventurers or rovers, (chiefly
French), for the sake of the turtle, which rendezvoused here
to lay their eggs in the sand, and then returned to the gulph
of Mexico, Bay of Honduras, and the adjacent coast.* In
1655, when Jamaica was taken by England, the Caymans
were still uninhabited.

Physical Aspect. Grand Cayman (the only island inha-
bited) is so low that it cannot be seen from a ship's quarter-
deck more than twelve or fifteen miles off, and at some dis-
tance the lofty trees on it appear like a grove of masts emerg-
ing from the ocean. It has no harbour, but the anchorage on
the S. W. coast' is moderately good ; on the other, or N. E.
side, it is fortified with a reef of rocks, between which and the
shore, in smooth water, the inhabitants have their craals, or
pens, for keeping turtle in. The soil towards the middle of
^he island is very fertile, producing corn and vegetables in
plenty, while hogs and poultry find 'ample provender.

Inhabitants, Government, &c. The present race of in-
habitants, of whose numbers I have not been able to find any
accurate account,f are said to be descended from the English
Buccaneers, and, being inured to the sea, form excellent

* The instinct with which the sea turtle annually visits a fovourite breed-
ing spot is very remarkable. The Cayman isles near Jamaica are yearly
frequented by innumerable shoals of these animals, who cross the ocean
from the Bay of Honduras, a distance of 450 miles, without the aid of chart or
compass^ and with anaccuracy, says the eloquent historian of Jamaica (Long)«
superior to the best efforts of human skill ; it is affirmed that vessels which
have lost their latitude in hazy weather, have steered entirely by the noise
t»f the turtle in swimming. The shore of the Caymans is low and sandy^
and consequently well adapted to hatch the turtle eggs ; and the rich
submarine pasturage around the islands afford' abundance of nourishing
herbage to repair the waste which must ensue after a female lays nine
hundred eggs*

t Mr. Long states them to have reckoned in 1774, to the number of
106 white men, women and children. The Bishop of Jamaica in 1827
estimated the inhabitants at 1,600.

VOL. II, , P

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^10 ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN JAMAICA.

pilots and seamen ; they have a chief or government officer of
their own choosing and they frame their own regulations ;
justices of the peace are appointed from Jamaica, but in no
other way are the inhabitants interfered with by the authorities
in the chief settlement to which they undoubtedly belong.
The islands are extremely healthy, and the people attain a
longevity, as they do also on the Mosquito shore, greater
than is enjoyed in Europe.

Social State and Future Prospects. The transition
which society is now undergoing in all our slave colonies
renders it impracticable to say fnuch on this head : judging
from the past, and from the temper with which the slave
emancipation bill was passed,* a less gloomy, if not a

* The hill finally passed the Jamaica House of Assembly 12th December^
1833 ; the following are its leadinfr provisions : —

From 1st Aufi^ust, 1834, the slaves, Bf^ed six and upwards, are to become
apprenticed labourers without any formal indentures.

The slaves are divided into three classes — Prseriial labourers, employ^it
on their master's lands — Prsedial labourers, employed on other lands —
Non-praedial labourers.

The apprenticeships to cease in Aufi^ast, 1S40, and the hours of labour
not to exceed forty.fi ve hours in the vi;-*k. Non-prsedial apprenticeships
to cease in 1838.

Masters to be liable for the maintenance of discharged labourers above
fifty, or those that are disabled.

Apprentices may purchase their discharge, without comment of the master,
by paying the appraised value.

The value to be appraised. by three Justices of Peace, who are to order
sums advanced on the security of the negro, to be paid out of the purchase-
money.

No apprentice to be removed from the island, nor to another estate, if
the removal separates him from his ^vife or child.

An employer's right to an apprentice's labour may be transferred by bar*
gain or sale, but families not to be separated.

The employer bound to supply the apprentice with food, clothes, and
medicine.

Children under twelve, now bom, to be indentured, and remain appren^
tices till twenty-one.

Special Justices, to be appointed for the execution of the Act, who shall
take cognizance of ofiences committed by negroes.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

COLONIAL FEELING ON THE SUBJECT OF EMANCIPATION. 211

more happy augury, than has been indulged in nlay be formed
for the future ; the condition of the slave population has long
been undergoing amelioration, and the coloured colonists have
been admitted to those rights, and to that position in society
to which their talents, wealth and conduct, might entitle thepi ;
no political or religious disabilities exist ;* the progress of
liberal institutions has been sufficiently gradual to allow of
their taking permanent root, and affording that constitutional
freedom which is the result of order, security of person, and
die safe enjoyment of property.

I look not despondingly on the prospects of Jamaica, or
the other West India islands or possessions; on the con-
trary, I think (as indeed has been demonstrated by Mr. Ward,
in reference to the cultivation of sugar on the South Ame*
rican continent,) that the abolition of one of the direst curses
with which mankind was ever afflicted, will place society on a
aurer basis, and give renewed stimulus and energy to every
one possessed of property ;f and when we reflect that out of

There are lonf( regulations as to punishment, which we canuot abridge ;
but it is enacted that females are not to be flogged.

Sunday markets are to be abolished, and predial labourers are to have
Saturday free.

The Kingston Commercial Advertizer thus temperately comments oa
the new state of things, —

' The fate of the colony is now sealed, whether it be good or evil.
Whether its resources will be developed, or its present means be totally
annihilated, the revolution of time can alone fully determine. Prudence,
self-preservation, and expediency, loudly proclaim the necessity of employ-
ing means for rendering the changes now recognized and legalized by the
Legislature of Jamaica conducive to the public good. A great duty lies
before us, which is to rightly inform the negro mind, and prepare him for
performing those duties to himself, his neighbour, his master, and the
country, so essential to the welfare of all, and to the peace and happiness
of society.'

* A person of colour has now all the privileges of a white.

t I am indebted to the philanthropic Dr. Adolphus, of Jamaica, for the
following note appended while perusing my manuscript ; I agree with the
worthy writer in hoping he may be mistaken.

' The new order of things may probably succeed in the smaller isbndii

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212 ENGLAND SHOULD DO JUSTICE TO HER COLONIES.

upwards of 4,0009000 acres in Jamaica, only 3,236,732 are
occupied, and with otAj fifiysix mouths to a square mile
(Barhadoes has 816 !) we see what ample scope there is for
a developement of social prosperity and happiness. Lord
Belmore justly observed, that the capabilities of this iSne
island would never be brought forward until slavery was
abolished, — ^tn this sentence his Lordship doubtless alluded
to the introduction of free white labourers, the advantages of
which will be found set forth under the OenercU View of the
West India Colonies; there are very many articles which
might be largely cultivated and prepared in Jamaica, that
would yield a more profitable return than sugar, such for in-
stance as pepper, ginger, nutmeg, and various spices, — silk,
indigo, cotton, drugs, opium and dye stuffs ; but Jamaica,
and our other possessions in the West India islands, have a
right to demand from the mother country a reduction of the
present enormous duties levied on their produce particularly
in respect to the article sugar ; the colonists of this island, in
common with their brethren throughout the Western posses-
sions, have ever distinguished themselves by loyalty and
attachment to the mother country in times of difficulty and
distress, — let that country now exercise common justice to her
colonies, and they will prove, even more than they have yet
done, a bulwark of maritime strength for the Empire, and
a mine of commercial wealth for millions of the human race.

where almost the whole of the land is in caltivation ; but in Jamaica, where
there is such an abundance of uncultivated land, where vei^tation is so
rapid, and where such little labour is required, the negroes will never work
for the paltry wages which the poor planters can iU afford to pay them ; it
will be found that they will, for the most part, prefer working for them-
selves. I hope I may be mistaken.*

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213

CHAPTER IIL
TRINIDAD.

LOCALITY — GENERAL HISTOBT — PHYSICAL ASPECTS— MOUNTAINS, RtVBBS,
HARBOURS, VOLCANOES, AND TOWNS— GULF OF PARIA — ^NATIOATION —
CLIMATE — YEGBTABLE, MINERAL, AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS— GEOLOGY —
STAPLE PRODUCE — POPULATION — COMMERCE — GOVERNMENT— FINANCE
—VALUE OF PROPEBTY, &C. &C.

Locality. Most favourably situate for commerce, maritime
strength, and political importance, at the mouths of Ihe
mighty Orinoco, as if destined by nature to form a barrier
for restraining the impetuosity of its rapid tides and currents,*
— the picturesque and valuable island of Trinidad extends
from Lat. 9.30 to 10.51 N. and Long. 60.30 to 61.^ W.
separated from the province of Cumana, on the S. American
continent, by the gulf of Paria ; ninety miles long by fifty
broad, with an area of 2,400 square miles, or 1,536,000 acres.
General History. He who may be said to have dis-
covered a new world for the purpose of giving a stimulus to
the old, Christopher Columbus, was the discoverer of this
fertile isle, on the 31st July, 1498, during his third voyage.
According to some, it was named TVf nidad by that wonderful
man, while distant thirteen leagues S.E. from it, on account
of the three mountain tops seen in that position. According
to others, it was thus named, in conformity to the piety of the
times, in honour of the Holy Trinity. The island was then
densely peopled by Caribs of a mild disposition, of much
industry, finely formed, and of a lighter colour than the
aborigines or inhabitants of the other islands. These people
remained unmolested until the Spaniards took possession of
Trinidad in 1588, when they fell a sacrifice to the cupidity
and religious bigotry of the Castilians, who, as in Jamaica,

* The £. mouth of the Orinoco, or Great Seqicnt, is about nine miles
wide.

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14 GENERAL HISTORY OF TRINIJ>A».

drafted off to the mines those who escaped a more san-
guinary death by fire or the sword ; but a few, indeed, were
saved by the apostle of the New World — the benign, the
eloquent, the heroic Las Casas.* The occupying Spaniards
forced the Indians to cultivate, as servants, that which they
once held as masters, and negroes were brought in from Africa
to aid their labours. The chivalrous Sir Walter Raleigh
visited Trinidad in 1595, and states that the inhabitants then
cultivated excellent tobacco and sugar canes. The Spaniards,
to divert his attention, described to him the £l-Dorado, where
the rivers were full of gold dust ; but, on Raleigh's return
from exploring the Orinoco, he entered into a treaty with the
Indians (then at mortal enmity with the Spaniards), marched
with them, attacked and carried by assault the capital of San
Josef, and put the garrison of thirty men to the sword. The
English Government disowned this action of hostilities ; yet
Spain paid little attention to her valuable possession, being
then fully occupied with conquests on the contiguous conti-
nent. The population and trade of Trinidad werc/subsequeutly
almost extinguished,f and, in 1783, the island contained but
a very small number of inhabitants considering its long settle-
ment ;X while its sole commerce consisted in bartering cocoa
and indigo for coarse cloths and agricultural implements with
the smugglers from St. Eustatia. The severing of the British

* Mr. Biimly, a Member of Goaacll for Trinidad, on penuiu^ my
manuscript, has appended to it the following note : — ' I consider the ac^
counts of the cruelties of the Spaniards to be very apocryphaL The Indiana
died off because they endured no labour, which must have been the opinion
of Las Casas, who first recommended the introduction of Africans — cer-
tainly not for the purpose of being worked to death.' Unfortunately for
the memory of the Spaniards of those days, their demoniac cruelties were
attested by too many eye-witnesses to admit of doubt. The Indiana were
drafted by their tyrants from the islands to work on the main land, and
the object of Las Casas in recommending the introducti<m of Africans^ was
to save the Indians from total destruction.

t In 16/6 Trinidad was captured by the French, but almost immediately
restored to Spain.

X Mz. whites 126, free coloured 295, slaves 310, and Indians 2,032.

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NEGLECTED AT FIRST BY THE SPANIARDS. 215

jirovinces in N. America from the mother country, and the'
fear that the Castilian dominions in S. America would follow
the example thus set them^ induced the Council of the Indies
at Madrid to lend a willing ear to an enterprizing planter,
named Saint Laurent, who had Tisited Trinidad, from Gre-
nada, afid thence proceeded home to enlighten the Spanish
Gove^ment as to its true interests, not merely in reference
to the fertility of the island, but as a commercial emporium
at the mouths of the Orinoco, as also in regard to the nu-
merous advantages of its geographical position in a political
point of view. The ministers entered actively into the views of
Saint Laurent ; many embarrassments under which Trinidad
laboured with respect to its commerce and agriculture were re-
moved; an edict was passed, permitting all foreigners of the
Roman Catholic religion to establish themselves in the colony,
and they were protected for five years from being pursued for
debts incurred in the places the new colonists had quitted.
In consequence of these measures, and owing to the indo-
mitable energies of Laurent, as also to the disturbed state of
St. Domingo, which drove numerous planters with their slaves
from that island, crowds of adventurers and abundance of
capital poured into Trinidad from Europe, from continental
America, and from the British and French possessions in the
west, bringing their industry, skill,* and perhaps ill-gotten*
wealth (the property of numerous creditors, who could not
touch them for five years), for the benefit of their new home.
The number of inhabitants, as will be seen under the head
of population^ rapidly increased ; and, as a mixed society,

* In 1787, M. (le la Perouse established the first su^ar plantation^ and
in 1797 there were 159 large sogar plantations, 130 cofice farms, 60 cocoa
ditto, and 103 cotton ditto, besides many small plantations, the whole
yielding 7,800 hds. of sugar, 330,000 lbs. of coflTee, 96,000 lbs. of cocoa,
and 224,000 lbs. of cotton ; and while in 1783 a Dutch house at St. Eustatia
carried on all the commerce of the colony in a vessel of 160 tons burthen,
in 1802 the island employed 15,000 tons of shipping for the transport of
its produce : such have ever been the beneficial effects of relieving the in-
dustry of man from shackles and impediments on free intercourse with his
fellows.

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S16 BRITISH CAPTURE OF TRINIDAD^

containing the germs of so many evil passions, reqtnred.
vigorous control, a strong government was formed under Don
Josef Chacon, a naval captain, one of whose earliest measures
was the expulsion of the dissolute monks, the prevention of
the demonii^cal inquisition, the granting of fertile lands
to new colonists, with advances from the royal treasury to
purchase cattle and implements of husbandry, and the pro-
viding freedom and safety for mercantile speculations. The
revolution in France, and the disturbances in her colonies^
added numbers and wealth to Trinidad ; the whole face of
the island was changed ; and, in four years, the magnificent
capital of Port of Spain usurped the place of a few miserable
fishers' palm leaved huts. Trinidad was then a sixth de{>endant
on the government of Caraccas.

On the 16th of February, 1797, Admiral Harvey, with
four sail of the line, appeared off Trinidad; the Spanish
Rear Admiral, Apodaca, who then anchored at Chagaramus
with three first rate ships of the line and a fine frigate;
instead of giving battle to Harvey — burned Ids ships^ — re-
treated to Port of Spain, reciting his rosary at the head of
a ban4 of priests — ' well, Admiral,' said Chacon, ^ all is
lost, you have burned your ships." — ^ No,' said the gallant and
pious Admiral, ^ I have saved the image of San Jago of Com-
postella, the patron of my ship and myself,' exhibiting the
image of the saint I General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, with
4,000 men, marched to Port of Spain, and, after a few dis-
charges of artiUery, Trinidad became a British colony.

Physical Aspect. — ^Trinidad appears, at a distance, like
an immense ridge of rocks along its whole N. front : but, on
entering the Gulf of Paria, the mind is imbued with intense
emotions on beholding one of the most magnificent, variegated,
richly luxuriant panoramas that nature ever formed ; to the
E. the waves of the mighty Orinoco dispute for the empire of
the ocean with contending billows ; the lofty mountains of
Cumana rise from the bosom of the horizon in stupendous ma-
jesty ; and on the W. appear the cape, headlands, mountains,
hills, vallies and plains of Trinidad, enamelled with eternal

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MAGNIFICEKT ASPECT OF THE * INDIAN PARADISE.* 217

verdui^y and presenting a coup cTceil of which the old world
affords no parallel. The view from the block-house is mag-
nificenty the deep blue waters of the gulf with the wliite-
sailed light canoes in the distance ; to the left the splendid
capital of Trinidad^ in front the mountains of Cumana; and,
on the right, the picturesque valley of Diego Martin, ex-
tending across the island to the Atlantic, with its carefully
cultivated fields and deep foliaged woods. The batteries of
Fort George rise in succession from the gulf shores to the
barracks, 1,200 feet above the level of the sea.* A range of
slightly elevated mountains occupy the N. coast; a group of
finely wooded flat or round topped hills the centre ; and a
chain of fertile evergreen downs the S. coast of the island. The
fecundity of the soil, its gigantic and magnificent vegetation,
(compared with which the loftiest European trees are like
dwarfish shrubs, and our loveliest flowers appear pale and
inanimate,) its beautiful rivers, enchanting slopes, forests of
palms, groves of^ citrons, and hedges of spices and perfumes, —
its succulent roots, delicious herbs and fruits, abundant and
nourishing food on the earth, in the air, and in the water ;— in
fine its azure skies, deep blue iseas, fertile glades, and elastic
atmosphere, have each and all combined to crown Trinidad
with the appellation of Tie Indian Paradise.

Puerto D'Espana, or Pori ofSpain^ the capital of Trinidad,
embosomed in an amphitheatre of hiUs, is one of the finest
towns in the West Indies. The numerous buildings are of
an imposing appearance, and constructed of massive cut

* This fort commands the paas leading to Diego Martin's valley, and in
the event of war, a few judiciously disposed fortifications at the other en-
trances to the interior of the country would render the island impregnable.
lite entrenchments are elevated along several ridg(» and round backed divi-
sions, with a variety of surface : some part of which are sufficiently flat for the
erection of military works, and on the best of these, at the elevation of 1000
feet, is the Blockhouse barracks, calculated for 200men. Fort George is inac>
cessible from behind, and not commanded by any hill in its neighbourhood,
it is admirably fortified by batteries that are disposed, as it were, along the
two sides of an acute angled triangle terminating on a point at the Block-
house redoubt, each commands the other, according to the situation in
which they arc placed.

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218 PORT OF SPAIN. — MOUNTAINS^

stone. No houses are allowed to be erected of wood, or in-
dependent of a prescribed form : the streets are wide^ long,
(shaded with trees), and laid out in parallel lines from the
land to the sea, intersected, but not intercepted by cross
streets, thus catching every breeze that blows ; and as in most
tropical countries, there is a delightful embowered public walk.
Among the principal buildings the Protestant church stands
conspicuously and beautifully situate, with a large enclosed
lawn in front, surrounded on two sides by the best houses of
the capital ; the interior of the church is superb, and at die
same time elegant, its sweeping roof and aisless sides being
variegated with the various rich woods of the island, tastefully
arranged ; there is also a splendid Roman Catholic church,
and well situate ; and an extensive market-place, with market-
house and shambles, all built since the burning of the town in
1808, of handsome cut stone.

The Port of Spain is divided -into barrios or districts, each
under the superintendance of alcaldes or magistrates and
officers, who are responsible for the cleanliness of the
streets, for the regulating and order of the markets, and
for the due execution of ther law in their several divisions ;
hence the policy and good order established in the capital is
admirable. The St. James' barracks for the accommodation
of six hundred men are substantially, and I may add,
beautifully erected, on a fine plain, about a mile from the
capital.

Mountains. The highest range of land (about 3,000 feet)
irto the N. near the sea; in the centre of the isle is a less
elevated group of mountains, to the S. a series of lovely
hills and mounds appear in delightful contrast to the northern
shore ; and as on the contiguous coast of Cumana, the chain of
mountains in the N. of Trinidad runs E. and W. Las
Cuevas has a double summit, with a magnificent platform in
the centre, from which there is a view of the ocean E. and
W. ; four delightful vallies, watered by numerous rivulets,
add beauty to this charming landscape.

Rivers. On the W. coast the principal navigable streams
are the Caroni, Chaguanasy Barrancanes, Couta, Guaracara,

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RIVERS^ HA|IB0UR8> AND BAYS OP TRINIDAD. 819

and Sissaria; the first is navigable from its mouth in the
gulph^ to its junction with the AripOf* (ako navigable) a dis-
tance of six leagues ; the Guanaba, like the Aripo, flows into
the Caroni, but has less water ; there are many other streams
on the W. coast, which being navigable for small trading
vessels, afford great facilities for the cultivation of land, and
the transport of its produce. The N. and E. coasts are well
furnished with rivers and rivulets of pure and crystalline
water; the principal on the E* coast are the Rio Grande,
Oropuche, and Nariva, (called by the Creoles Mitan, from its
flowing through a grove of cocoa trees). This latter has been
sailed up seven and a half leagues, and found navigable for a
two hundred and fifty ton ship, at less than a league from its
source. Guaiavo, to windward of the island, is large, but not
navigable to any great extent, for more than small boats;
further S. is the fine river Moruga^f while in every direction
limpid brooks run murmuring over pebbly beds to the ocean,
through lofty forests and the most picturesque scenery.

Harbours and Bays. The gulf of Paria, formed by the
W. shore of Trinidad, and the opposite coast of Cumana
(which is thirty leagues long and fifteen ditto from N. to S.),
may be said to form one vast harbour, as ships may anchor
all over the gulf in from three to six fathom water, on gravel
and mud soundings. The principal ports are, first, the bar*
hour of Port Royal, ChagaramuSj on the N. W« peninsijda
of the island, at the entrance of the N. mouth, three leagues
W. of Port of Spain, and comprehending a space of about
seventy square miles ; it is esteemed the best and safest port

* It has been proposed to cut a canal between the Aripo and the Qro-
puche, which discharges itself on the £. coast of the island, where the
DaTixation is difficult and the anchorage insecure, when the winds are
northerly or easterly; thus a safe communication would be established
between the two coasts of Trinidad, and be the means of bringing into cul*
tivation a great quantity of fertile land.

t The rivers ou the E. coast, especially that of Moruga, ha?e abundance
of excellent oysters attached to the stems and branches of the Mangrove
bushes, as I found them on the shores of Africa, where our sailors used to
say it was the first time they ever aaw wch fruit on trees.

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220 THE BOCAS OR ENTRANCES TO THE

in the island, is capable of receiving the largest ships of war,
has from four to forty fathoms soundings of gravel and mud,
or ouze, with bold and steep northern shores.

Port of Spain^ on the W. coast, which gives its name to the
capital, is the next best harbour, and has one of the most
extensive bays in the world ; the surrounding fortified heights
completely command the town, and a fine stone quay,
running several hundred yards into the sea, has a strong
battery at its extremity. All the W. coast is a series of bays
where vessels may anchor in safety at all times. The Ca-
reenage, not having more than two to four fathoms, is only
fit for small vessels ; and Gasper Grande is an islet within
the mouths, where the Spanish ships of war were wont to
anchor under the safeguard of a battery intended for the
protection of the passage. The N. and £. coasts are not
equally well furnished with harbours and roadsteads, which is
the more to be regretted, as the wind blows for three-fourths
of the year from the east and north. The principal ports to the
N. are Maqueribe and Las Cuevas, (where fort Abercrombie
is situate) ; to the N. E. are the ports of Rio Grande, Toco,
and Cumana ; on the E. is Balandra Bay, or Boat Island,
where safe anchorage may at all times be found for small
vessels; further E. are Guiascreek and Mayaro Bay; the
safest port on the E. coast is Guaiguaire, from its being
sheltered by a point of land against E. winds, and its en-
trance to the S. from which the winds are neither frequent
nor violent.*

* The Boeas, or mouths of the N. entrances of the j^nlf of Paria, are
four — Boca Grande, or great channel ; Boca de Naviot, or ships' channel ;
Boca Aucvog, or egg, or umbrella, channel (from the appearance of a re-
markable tree, growing upon a rock on the lee side, mut-h resembling an
umbrella) ; and the Boca de Monas, or apes' channel. In sailing for the
Port of Spain, vessels generally pass through one of these passages into
the gulf of Paria ; and, as the currents must be particularly attended to,
and the navigation Is very intricate, the following sailing instructions are
Subjoined from the Trinidad Almanac for 1832 : —

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VB8SBL8 COMING TO TRINIDAD.
To run down ike North Shore from Point Golere to the Boeo*.
After passing Toco Bf, haul in for the laad wid ran down the Const ahoot one mile dlft^

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GULF OF PARIA— SAILING DIRECTIONS. 221

Geology. Trinidad, as viewed from the Gulf of Paria,
presents an alluvial country in an active state of formation ;

tent from the shore i run will find anchorage in reiriiler ■oimdtn(t (at laid down in Ceptein
CoL0MBiNB't Cbart) ell alonr the coeet nntU 70a come ahreest of the Boom i when Che
wnter beeomee Tcry bold and no mt9 anchoiagc, ezeept on the North lide of the ifland of
HooToe, distance about half a mile. Hie Kmndinct in and aboat Che Bocae are alio eor-
reetlr laid down in Oaptain Colombine's Chart, with which every tcmcI ihoald be proTided.
Should the cmrent be rannlnc to leeward and the wind Ucht, 70a •honld anchor and wait a
faToorable change, to posh at once throof h the Bocas. Bj not anchoring in each casen,
▼estels are freqnentlr drifted to leeward altogether, or so ftur in the oOng, that i^en the
cnrrent changes and a fayoorable breeze springs up, thej are onable to take adrantage of
them to get at once through the Bocas, being so for off it takes nearly the whole day to re.
,gain their lost groond, and by the time they beat op abreast of the Bocas again, the breeze
dies away, the current sits oat, and away they drift to leeward as before, and are freqoently
baffled in this way, backwards and forwards for days together. To this caose is principally
to be attributed the freqnent occurrence of Tessels remaining so long outside without being
alAe to get into the Golph of Paria. Strangers are apt to keep out too far from the land in
ranning down this coast. The currents are very irregular outside, and about the Bocas,
and much stronger during the wet season than at any other time of the year, particularly at
the full and change. The winds prevail from the Northward during the months of November,
December, January, and February} from the East in March, April, May, and June; calm
and variable in July, August, September, and October, when they are generally southerly.
The most fkvourable time for entering the Bocas is about two hours after the tide begins to
flow, and for going out, one hour after ebb commences.

Vessels in want of water can be supplied at Toco, Point Bans Souel, Rio Grand, Petit
Matelot, Rio Paria, Esenvas, Maraccas Bay, Chute d'JBan, and Macaripe.

DIRECTIONS FOR ENTERING THE BOCAS, AND NAVIGATION OF THE GULF

OP PARIA.

BOCA oaAKua.

The current sets very strongly from the S. E. upon the southern and eastern coast of the
island, and Is particularly rapid in the strait between the southern coast and the Continent,
through which it sets into the Gulph of Paria t another current sets along the northern
coast, from the eastward In a W. by S. direction, and having a tendency to the southward
on the S. B. coast of Cumana or Paria. The effects of these currents is an accumulation of
water, which seeks an escape to the northward from the Gulph of Paria, and which must
naturally be increased in the rainy seasons by the influx from the surrounding lands.

As the water seeks Its escape through the Bocas to the northward, It meets the westerly
current from the north-eastward, which so frir opposes it as to cause perpetual agitation of
the sea. It was from this circumstance that Columbus called these passages Bocas del
Dragon, or Dragon's Mouth.

Shipping bound for the Port generally run down to the northward of the Island, with the
advantege of wind and current, Ibr the Boca Grande, or Dragon's Month, passing to the
westward of the Isle of Chacachacareo. This passage is more than flve miles broad, with a
depth of not less than flfty fathoms. In entering, you must be very cautions not to get too
fiu- to leeward, for the cnrrent may be so strong as to render it impossible for you to gain
the Port. It is therefore recommended that yon haul round the western side of Chacacha.
careo, not however within the distance of a mile, firom the sonth-westemmoet land. Having
IMUwed the rock laid down on the Chart, make a long board to tlie S. E., and then, as the
wind permits, to the N. E. for the road, wherein you may anchor at pleasure, in 3, 4, or 5
frttboms, in good holding ground.

The above-mentioned Rock, laid down in the Chart to the S. W. of Chacachacareo, is about
fcity yards in circumference, and is said to have only nine feei water over it on the shoalest

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222 NAUTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR NAVIGATORS.

the primitive foundations of the land arranged in a form
nearly semilunari incline as with outstretched arms to receive

put at low water. On the morning of the aOth of Jane, 1809, the ship Samuel, Captain
Boooau, of LoDdon, drawing 17 feet water, straek upon it, and remained fast for aereral
taoora. While this ship was agronnd, two others passed, one on each side, without touching,
although not S6 Ihthoms distant ; the water being very deep aU roaod. The bearings, br
compass, from the Ship were, Chacachaoareo, soothweiit Point, E. N. E. i El Plato, or Qoose
Island, 8. W. by W. i W. ; the south-east Point of Cnmana, or Faria, W. by S. Hie cor-
rent was setting very strongly fhnu the soathward, with tight variable winds.

BOCA OB NATIOS, OR SHIFTS FASSAOB.

The Boca de Navios, or Ships' Passage, is considered as the best channel for Ships sailing
outwards. It Is about one mile and a half broad, and steep on each side. Here, as in the
Boca Grande it Is proper to keep the eastern land on board. To Ships which may attempt
this passage fk-om the northward, the wind will be fhTOurabte until within the head, but
fUws trom the high land may then be expected.

BOCA HOBVOS.

Boca HucTOS has been considered by many the best, shortest, and most conyenicnt pas-
sage for ships bound inwards } but experience has proved the contrary. It is known to be a
▼ery dangerous passage for large vessels. The high land.on the Monos side causes frequent
sudden flaws, succeeded by almost instantaneous calms } the current sits strong over upon
the windward shore, drawing you at the same time into a small Bay on the north-west end
of Monos, full of sunken rocks, where the Napurima was lost. The indraft into this Bay is
very extraordinary and rapid } so much so, as to have caused Its being named by the fisher-
men " Thb Dbvil's Holb.*' Small vessels acquainted with this place may anchor in fh>nt
of the Bay, In 10 to 16 fathoms water { foul bottom ; but large clafis of vends have not suf -
flcient room to swim clear of the rocks. Vessels attempting this channel should be carefVU
to keep the lee shore aboard, as less dangerous and more likely to carry a breeze through.
Tliis passage should never be attempted with a scant wind.

BOCA MONOS, OR AFBS' PASSAOB.

litis Boca is next to Trinidad ; the passage Is narrow and dangerous in several places,
particularly at the outer entrance, where there is a sunken rock extending tmm the South
side of the small Island In this channel, towards the Island of Monos, upon which are
breakers, yet there is ground all the way through, in which vessels may anchor in ss to M
Ikthoms ; the currents are here strong and irregular, and the wind generally scant, coming
in flaws down the vallies. This passage is recommended for vessels under 60 tons.

SA(p Calypso, Wedneada^ Wh December, 1820.
' Approached the Grand Bocas at 6 o'clock, f. m. with a fair wind, but on entering at eight
the breeze died away, and the ship drifted back with the current. Tlie calm continued till
nine next morning, when a breeze sprung op which enabled her to stand in till ten when it
again became calm, but the ship was carried through by the current. At 1 1 o'clock Captain
M 'Arthur discovered on the starboard side a Coral Rock, which on sounding proved to have
16 feet water over it. He then lowered the Jolly boat and found the Rock to be nearly half
a mile in circumference, having only nine feet water over it on the shoalest part. Captain
M'Arthvr with a view that measures may be taken to have a permanent mark placed over
the Rock, has left a buoy on the spot* It bore E. by N. per compass f^om the innermost
point of the Bocas.

The followiog further directions will be found deserring of attention ;
and I subjoin them because I wish the Hiitmry of the BritUh Coionie* to be
a useful work to every captain of a ship or navigator. Mr. Norrie says
that if the navigator —

Should enter by the Boca Grande, it will be highly requisite that he should remember and

* This buoy has since, however, been washed away.

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CURRENTS AND ANCHORAGES IN THE GULF. 2S3

into their bosoms the greater portion of the alluvies from, the
mouths of the mighty Orinoco ; the currents, deeply charged

roMtl aicftlnst the effect of the enrrent deacrthed (p. stl) for otherwise he will Aod hlniMlf
drlTeo too fhtf to leewwd, end heve greet dlScaltf in beetlng ap for tke port j it will,
therefore, be edviieble, in taking this pessage, to heal Immedletely round the Mani Ch^
eaekaemreo, giving its B. W. pert a berth of a good mile, and having passed the Dianumd
Roek, make a long board to the 8. eastward, then, should the ^nd permit, steer north*
easterly for the road. Or In entering bj either of the B6eagt m soon as yon hare passed
tfaroogfa, and are to the soothward of them, yon should hanl by the wind on the larboard
tack, both to get away fhmi the Boom, and to near the coast of Trinidad f follow this track
while the flood tide lasts, and take the starboard tack so soon as the ebb begins » by which
means you will either fetch the anchorage, or approach ^try near to it.

Some persons consider It prefeiable, after they have entered the Outf, to work tack and
tack, cMpedaUy should the larboard tack be not fsvoorable, but It shoold be remembered,
that the corrents always ran strongest opposite and near to the stnUe i thereCore beginning
to tack too much within the Tlcinity of the Boeot, tiie ebb tide will endanger their being
fioreed out again, or to prerentthat, they will be compelled to anchor i and shoold neither
of these events take place, they will meet the ebb, which will in all probability hinder their
reaching Port Spain, On the contrary, by prolonging their track well into the Omlf, even to
the parellel of Mount Nigtarhna, if necessary, they there will find the ehb tide most advan*
tageoos for the starboard tack, so that they may either proportion their course, so as to reach
the anchorage, or may gain it by making a short tack. Whenever it happens to be a cslm, or
the wind so light that yon are unable to gain any tiling, then come to with yonr hedge, and
that will be snfllcient to hold yon against the strength of the tide. Yon ihould avoid using
yonr Isrge anchors, if possible, beeaose they sink so deep, yon will haye difflcolty to pur-
chasing them again.

Or, having safely cleared the Boeaa, and got well within the Om^f of Pmria, yon will peroelve
St, DrnrUPs Tower, standing above the Town </ Spai$^ come open to the southward of tlie
loUmd of Oaapar Ormndef this will be visible 4 or 6 leagoes i It Is built of white stone, and
stands in the Interior of the fortifications upon Aborcrombp't Height§ f in salilsg up, as yon
advance, wfth the tower B. by N. you will see the forts on Oaapar Gmnde and Point Oorda,
which protect the careenage and the anchorage In Chaguaramna Harbour, after which the
shipping off the town will become visible. In fuerto d^Eapagne you may anchor to the S«
westward of the town. In A or 4 fisthoms water, agreeable to the size of yonr vessel, and
moor with your bowers N. W. and S. E., having a stream cable and anchor out astern. It
Is high water at Puerto d'Bepagne at half.psst four, fall and change, and spring tides rise 6
and 7 feet.

Should a vetsel happen to drive from her an^iors, she will go on soft ground, and receive
no damage s the best place to ran aground Is In the N. W. part of the bay. The town has a
•tone Jetty, and Is defended by batteries : a white half.moon battery forms a good mark for
the bay, aod is visible a long way off} large ships should bring this battery to bear
N. N. B.

All the western coast of Trinidad Is low, except the Mount Naparbna, which forms a con*
sfdcnons obdect, being 6M feet above the level of the sea ; this appears round, and may be
seen in dear weather full to leagoes off. The adjacent sliores of the continent to the west-
ward are low, swampy, and fall of rivulets i the most considerable river is that of GnaH-
peche, which is navigable for the largest schooners, and by whicb the eommeroe of tlie
interior of CaeMfiM is principally carried on.

There are many places on tlie western coast of Trimidad where you may obtain fresh
water i and from Point Jea^ue, or Yeaeoe, to Point Brea, or Pitch Point, the flood tide sets
to the southward and westward, and the ^b to the northward snd eastward. From Point
Brea, to Puerto d^Bepagnm It follows the dbection of the Isnd, with very little dlArence, the
flood setting south, and the ebb north.

The best anchorages, on Oie northern shores of Trinidad, are in the bays of Toao^ itia

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Sg4 GEOLOGY OF TRINIDAD.

with this alluvial soil, drive along the cliffy sides of the nor^
them ridge and southern shores, (from which they borrow in

tjfnmde, Punta ie Chup^roM, Im Cunat, Maraeat, ud to tbe leeward of MarmSarai, in wUoh
water maj be obtained, there being a beacb, wblch renden the aoqnUltlon easj. All wkmg
the whole coast, and for the distance of three learoes outside, the stream runs north-esst*
ward, or rather east, with the ebb tide, and 8. W. with tiie flood, bat beyond those limits ito
fenoral tendeacr Is 8. W. i and the same dIreetioB prevails between Trimidmd and Ti»hmg9t
only tbeVb to less raidd than the flood.

Although from the parallel of the middle of Tohug; the Island of Tobago may easUy be
distlngnlshed In deer weather, yet you will not be able to see Petal GaUra at the distanoe
of more than three leagues, on aceonnt of Its being so mnch lower than the coast to the
westward, and Its projecting oat flrom the mala land i bat in coming flrom the eastward the
monntslns at the back of the Point wUl be TtolUe 11 or IS leagues. All the eastern coast,
southward from SaUbia to Patni Galiote, to mochlower, ezceivt near Point MtmttlmUta, whence
four monntains rise to the W. 8. W., which may be seen 8 or 0 leagues off) Ihto to the be-
ginning of the middle ridge of hills, and here named the BorMmMs ^f ManmtmiUn f here also
to the entrance to the Rioer Le Broneke, from whence the canal to IntMided to be made to
Join the Rioer Caroni.

To the southward to Gmstmro Point, which may readily be known by Its stretching oat
from the coast to seaward, and by the height of the tongue that forms it i from hence tiiera
are many plantations of cocoa, cotton, coflRee, and sugar i a little northward of the Point to
a landing-place, and here the River GwUaro, or Ortoire empties itself into the sea, after
haying sent some branches to the northward, which are naTigated by canoee and small
craft. Po<nf6a/iole may be seen at the distance of six or seven leagues; here tiiehilto begin
to rise, and stretch aloag the whole southern coast, rising to 700 feet abore the level of the
seaj the highest of these to situated a little to the westward of the PwUa 4e C«re Crm»f
'thence they continue so fsr as Pol$U Herin ; and from Poi$U Hertn to PobU Jemque^ or
Yeaeott they dlmintoh in else, until the last point becomes a low beach.

It to obeervaUe, that on all the esstem coast there to no good watering place ; the large
rivers discharge themselves into the bays of Matmra, and Cocos, called also Jfeiuanilbi and
Guataro, the bars of which are too shallow to allow even a canoe to pass them. There are
several places of temporary anchorages, as shewn on the chart, but they are none of them
safe, being too mnch exposed to the eastward. The current here sets north, but with mnch
less force during the ebb than the flood i this to also accompanied by a heavy swell of the
sea, especially during a gale of wind, which renders a near approadi to the shore eztremelf
dangerous.

On the southern coast you cannot obtain fresh vrater, except a little to the westward of die
Point of Caaa CruM i here a torreot from the southern mountains predpltatss itaelf Into a
hole or well near the shore i but its attainment to always attended with trouble and dlf-
flculty. Hie current along the coast to always westerly, and conunonly at the rate of two
and two and a half miles an hour.

To enter the Gn^tf Porta bg the Southern Channel, which to generally prefeired during
the rainy season, or fttmi Jnljr to Doeemher, the mariner should direct hto course for Point
GaOote, which to situate In latitade l«.l».3e. N., and will easUy be reoogaUed. Having «^*Hi*
and rounded thto point, you maj run along to the westward, keeping about two mUes off the
land, where yon will flnd ih>m 8 to is fothoms vrater, free from every danger, the bottom
being generaOy sand and gravel. Having arrived to the vicinity of Point Herin, you wHI
experience a change in the colour of the sea, but thto to occasioned solely by the canent,
and there to no impediment whatever i proceeding onward yon will pass Point Qmemada, or
Burnt Point i here you may approach within half a mile of the shore without fear, for there
is no danger, and take whatever channel you flnd most convenient.

THE FIRST CHANNEL to formed by and between Point Yeaeot and a shoal of 9 feet vrater,
which lies to the westward of the point, at the dirtance of abont half a mile from the land i
thto shoal to two cables* leogtb from east to west, and has a rocky bottom ; bat the channel

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CHANNELS OF THE ROCAS. ^3

their course), to deposit their lading at the bottom of the
gulf where the metropolis, at the base of its beautiful moun-

betwceo it and the point has a depth of 8 and 10 fathoms, and Point Yeacot is so bold, that
act half a cables' distance fhim it, there is 9 and 9 fathoms water. The carrent here rans to
the S. W. with the flood, at the rate of 9^ miles an hour, and with the ebb it sets N. W. with
the Telocltjr of S and 34 mUea an hoar.

To enter bp tki$ channel, yon have onlf to roond Point Yeacott at less distance than a cable's
length, lofllng up as yon donUe it, ontU yon are close baoled ; steer on to the northward,
weathering at a proper distance the PoMt Corral and Gallo. This channel is not dangcrons
by day or by night, especially with an ebb tide, the corrcnt of which will always assist fo^
in passing the shoal to leeward \ besides, yon can anchor, if necess%ry, and never ran the
least danger of getting on shore, while yoa will leave the shoal at least 8 cables' length Arom
yoar ▼essel.

THE SECOND CHANNEL is formed by the abore rocky shoal, and another of gravel and
rocks to the N. Westward of it, and on %hlch there are foar fathoms water. This shoal lies
firom Point Gailo W. S. W. i W. distant 8 miles, and from Point Ycaeo* W. N. W. i W.
distant two miles, its greatest extent being three- qaarters of a mile N. W. and S. E. ) thla
passage is a mile wide, and the corrents take the same direction as in the first channel.

To enter by the second channel, it will be advisable, after yoa have made Point Qnemada,
and ran from thence along the coast about a quarter of a mile, to steer towards the SoUado,
or Soldien^ Island } and keep on the same coarse until the whole of Point Gatlo ts open of
Corral Point, when yoa shoold lalT op ; bat not higher to the N. N. E., until yoa get east
and west with Point Corral, when yoa may haal close to the wind in order to near
Trinidad.

THE THIRD CHANNEL is formed by and between the last mentioned shoal and the
Soldado Mand, with its reefs and shoals to the S. EastiK'ard i this channel is nearly two
miles in extent, from east to west j two and a half cables' length from the eastern part of
tfaa SoldadePo reefe, yon will have 7 fathoms water ; in the middle of the passage are 9
Ihthoms, and near the shoal 6 fathoms. Td enter by this third channel, yoa should first steer
ftnr the island, as directed, to the second channel, and continue that course until Poini GitUo
bears K. by E. 4 E. i when laff ap north, ontil the south front of Point Ycocm comeftE. S. E.
^ B., and Point Gallo E. by N. } tlien hanl ap to fetch the coast of the island. With the flood
tide, the stream sets W. by S., at the rate of 3 and 3^ miles an hoar, and with the ebb N. W.
and W. N. W. near Soldado, and in mid.channel, with the velocity of 4 and 4^ miles an
hour. The above passages are commonly denomioated the Serpent** Mouths,

THE FOURTH, or SOLDIER'S CHANNEL, is formed by the Soldado, ot Soldier* s Island,
and the const of Colombia or Land of Orinoco j this is about 4 miles in extent, and the carrent
within it, in mid-channel and near the Soldado, always runs at the rate of 4^ and ft miles an
hoar I bat the stream slackens its velocity to one mile and a half, as it approaches the
opposite shore, which is low, and shallows to a considerable distance.

To enter bf the/omrth channel, you shoold steer so as pass two miles to the southward of
tiie Soldado t and when yon bring that Islet N. E. bear up north, and ran afterwards, laffiog
ap soccessfolly, by little and little, until yoa haul by the wind to gain the coast of Trinidad}
bot yoa should be very carefiil. In passing tothe southward of the Soldado, not to go nearer than
the abova-mentiofied distance, lest the carrent, which sets strongly to the N. Westward,
ahould entangle yon with the rocky reefs, with which the island is encumbered.

From a conslderatlott of what has been said, it will readily be seen, that at whatever time
yoa auty enter the Somtkem Boom, or Soldier's and Serpent*s Channels, even if by night, the
llrst channal ia the moat advantageoosi not only because it lies to the windward of all the
others, but becaose, by luffing, especially with ebb tides, you will pass every danger ; in-
deed, there will be no danger whatever, if you keep an anchor ready to let go, in the event of
tti suddenly ftOling quite catan } or any other accident should happen calculated to drift the
vessel towards the shoals ; and by night no other Boca can be taken so readily as this,
beoaose you will have to pass at less dlstaBoe than a cablet' length from the point } this will

TOL II. Q

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PORT OF SPAIN^-HARBOUB RSGULATIONS.

tain stands. The tides, (which there rise higher by several
feet than in any other part of the West Indies,) flow muddy

render ttie obacoiitjr of the night of little Importaace, as 70a will be able to diaccm tout
poasaffe, and the shore at so short a distance from 70a.

Should, however, circnmBtances occor, ftom calms or otherwise, to hinder 70a taking
7oar passage into tiie Gt^, then 7on can anchor in Herin Bag, or an7 where on the south
side of the Island of Trinidad, until da7-]ight ; but b7 no means should 70tt lie off and on
the land, for the current, which alwaTS runs 8trongl7 in, will insenslbl7 drift 70U towards
the Sotdado, and 70U will find the utmost difflcnlt7 in maintaining tout ground at an7
giren point.

Having passed either of the above channels, 70U will find 70urself within the Gvifof Paria,
and 70a shape tout coarse, so as to gain the western coast of the island, wtiich 70a ma7
•ail along at the distance of 34 or 8 miles, so far as Brea Paint, and from this Puerto d^E»-
pagne is distant 8 leagues, so that b7 steering N. N.E., 70a will soon see the town i and ia
case 70U should not be able to steer that coarse, 70U must tack, and beat up, never standing
nearer to the shore than three miles, for the water along the coast becomes shallowf but,
if 70U choose to prolong 70ur tacks into the Bap of Naparima, then 7on most tack 4 miles
firom the coast, giving a wide berth to two shoals that are within it 1 the one W. i S. from
the mount, distant a^ miles } the other W. S. W. i W. from it, distant 4 miles.

Vessels never attempt sailing out of the Gv^fhj the Saldado, or Southern Chatuui, becanse
of the current, which would render ever7 attempt impracticable.*

REGULATIONS FOR THE HARBOUR OF PUERTO D'ESFAGNB, OR PORT OF

8PAJN.

1. No boats to go on board an7 vessel before the HariMur-master has visited % and bo
boat to go on'board after the vessel has been cleared b7 the Harboar.master, except tfa«
boats of His M8je8t7*s vessels, of the Custom-house, or such as hare leave from the Har-
bour-master, under a penalt7 of one hundred dollars.

S. All vessels entering b7 da7, must show their colours, and b7 night a light j and
anchor where the Harbour-master shall point out 1 the Master to report at the Govemment-
house immedlatel7 on landing. If intending to remain mora than 48 hours, to moor ftom
the bows one anchor to the N. Eastward ; to rig in their Jib, outer Jib, and main booms dose^
and keep their boats and lighters alongside, under the penalt7 of one dollar per da7, for
each da7 the7 shall remain without being so moored, with booms in ; and be accountable
for all damage an7 vessel or boat ma7 sustain b7 their neglect.

3. Masters of vessels must friralsh the Harbour-master with a written aecowmt of all
passengers on board, and also a written aeeount of all the crew, specifying ttielr altnatlons:
and on the departure of the Tessel, the Matter must satisfactorll7 aooount for an7 altera,
tlons, otherwise the vessel will be detained untfl 8ecarlt7 be given.

4. No foreigners, coloured persons, or slaves, can be landed, nntU written permission has
been obtained fkom the Govemment-house, nor an7 other passenger until repeated to the
Harbour-master } under the penalt7 of one hundred dollars.

ft. No stones, sand, or dirt, to be thrown oveihoard in the harbour ; but landed at the
place which the Harbour-master shall point out. No tar or pitdi to be boiled on board {
penalt7, in each case, one hundred dollars.

0. None of the crew can be discharged here, without flnt obtaining leave flrom the Go-
Temor ; under penalt7 of one hundred dollars. Sailors deserting, must be reported to the
Harbour-master, and to the Chief of Police, within 94 hours alter desertion, otherwise the7
will be considered as discharged without leave.

7. Masters of vessels mast give t4 hours written notice to the Government Secrctar7,

« The Gulf of Parla is so abundant In Ash, as to be capable of amply supplying the greater
part of the West India IsUnds.

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OBOLOGICAL FORMATION OF TRINIDAD. 91X1

Und foul, and ebb with clear waters, which may be seen at
some distance from the shore ; each extent of new formation
being marked by muddy banks of Mangrove bushes ; in this
way Port of Spain — like, as Dr. Fergusonsays, (of the ancient
Ostia, that was built upon the sea,) may become in time an
inland city, the metropolis of many other towns built on the
fertile and flourishing country.*

The island (as also Tobago) is evidently a section of the
opposite continent, formed either by a volcanic eruption or
oceanic irruption — the same strata of earth, the same rocks,
fossils, &c. are common to both. The nucleus of the moun-
tains b a very dense argillaceous schistus, becoming laminated
and friable when exposed to the atmosphere, and changing to

before their depeitore, of the port to whieh tiiey ere bomid | ft neg^lect of this will aal^ect
them to 34 hours detention, efter being cleared out.

8. No foretfTA Teasei can lay off and on, without permlsaion from the Goremor ) BritliK
▼esaele can only lay off and on till ft o'clock of the day they arrlre } provided they have no
paasenger. Any Teesel which has passengers on board, or intend to take off passengers,
most oome to an anchor.

p. All sailors foond on shore, wtthoat peimission flrom their Captain, wUl be sent to gaoL

10. Masters of vessels who hire slaves, without a written permiation from their Masters, or
Owners, subject themselves to all damages, and a fine of sixty dollars.

1 1 . AU sealed letters must be delivered to the Hsrbonr.mastcr.

la. Masters of vessels are warned not to allow any of their men to enter the town, above
tiie Jnnetion of the wharf and Marine-square, without permission firom the Harbour-master,
under the penalty of fifty dollars for each ofltooe.

15. All persons arriving in this colony, are to deliver their names to the Harbour-master,
OB his visit (0 the ship, declaring their number of servants, if free or slaves j from that offlcer
they will, except in special cases, receive permissioo to land, when they must report to the
Government-house ; where, if EngUakt they will show their passports, which will be in.
doned by the Secretary ; If foreigners they must obtain the Governor's license to reside Isi
this Colony.

14. All persons, BrUi$h or foreigners, must apply to the Custom-house for permission to
land tiietr slaves.

16. All persons impoiting slaves, as domestles or by bond, must lodge the Custom-house
certificate of their lawful Importation, within twenty-one days, with the Registrar of
Slaves.

Sbahbv. It is prohibited, even fbr temporary purposes, to employ, harbour, conceal, er
allbid a residence, under any pretence, to any seaman, or person attached to any vessel,
wnless they be furnished with a permission to remain on shore by the Harbour-master,
under penalty of £lOO., or suffer three months imprisonment.

* It has been observed^ that the land encroaching on the sea on the
coast S. W. of Trinidad increases the territorial extent of the island ; and,
ait some distant day, the Gulf of Paria will be a mere channel for the con-
veyance of the waters of the Orinoco and Gnarapiche to the ocean.

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228 CONTRAST BETWEEN THE CUMANA & CARIBBEAN MOUNTAINS.

micaceous schistus in the inferior layers and near the beds of
rivers ; in the interstices of which latter, particularly to the
northward, are found great quantities of sulphureous pyrites
in cubic chrystals. There is no granite on the island (while
the Caribbean chain of mountains are principally composed
of that substance) ; but blocks of milky quartz, of different
sizes, are found in every valley, beneath which there is fre-
quently to be found a light layer of sulphate of lime ; on the
precipitous sides of the mountains, washed- by the torrents,
maybe seen layers of a coarse argile, mixed with ferruginous
sand. Thus the absence of calcareous masses in Trinidad,
Tobago, and Cumana offers a strong geological contrast to
the Antilles, or Caribbean Mountains. Gypsum and lime-
stone are rare in Trinidad. One quarry of calcareous car-
bonate, situate at the foot of a hill near the Port of Spain, is
mixed with veins of silex and heterogeneous substances.
Considerable quantities of pul vera ting feldspar are found on
the rising ground, washed by the rains, near the Guapo
mouth and on its left banks. The micaceous schistus has
sometimes a transition into talcous schistus ; thus giving an
unctuous appearance to the soil. Near the coast are found
rocks of a bluish calcareous nature, veined with white calca-
reous carbonate, chrystalized, rather hard, and resting on
coagulated clay, with pebbles of primitive rocks. The mag-
netic needle indicates the presence of iron in many rocks ;
but volcanic convulsions have produced different effects from
similar eruptions in Europe : thus gypsum is found abounding
in sulphur and pyrites, mingled with granite. No vestiges of
organic bodies have been discovered; maritime and land
shells (many of unknown and extinct species) are found in
the great alluvial plains ; and, although madrepore are drifted
on the coast, no coral banks exist On the surface of the
soil of the vallies where rivers run, rounded pebbles are
observed ; but in the plains they disappear : this is particularly
the case on the E. and very rare on the W. coast. There
arQ several extensive vallies and plains of a deep and fertile

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PETREOLUM — SULPHUR — AND MUD VOLCANOES. 829

argillaceous vegetative earth, without a rock or even pebble
to be seen.

Volcanoes. There are several craters in Trinidad% S* of
Cape Dela Brea is a submarine volcanoj which occasionally
boils up, and discbarges a quantity of petreolum ; in the £•
part of the island and Bay of Mayaro is another, which, in
March and June, gives several detonations resembling thun*
der, — these are succeeded by flames and smoke, and, some
minutes after, pieces of bitumen, as black and brilliant as
jet, are thrown on shore. Near the forests of point Icacos, on
the summit of a hill of argillaceous clay, M. Levyasse found a
great number of little mounds, about two feet high, whose
truncated and open-coned tops exhaled a gas smelling like
sulphurated hydrogen; one cone, of six feet high, on the
most elevated part of the hill, continually discharged whitish
matter, of an aluminous taste ; a sound was heard, indicating
a fluid in a continual state of agitation, and globules of an
elastic gas evaporated continually; the scum at the top was
cold ; four poles, measuring sixty feet, did not touch bottom,
and disappeared on being let go. There is neither stone nor
sand within the circumference of a league of the cone ; but
handsome rounded pebbles were found round the hill, toge-
ther with small calcareous stones, encrusted with sulphur of
a prismatic form. Contiguous to this crater, and encompassed
by a marsh of mangroves, which communicate with the sea, is
another hillock, with a circular shallow cavity full of a boiling
liquid like alum ; a dull subterraneous sound was heard, the
earth was found to tremble under the feet of the explorers,
and two poles pushed into the crater disappeared in an instant ;
detonations like distant cannon are heard every year in the
month of March. It is remarkable that earthquakes, felt
violently in the Antilles in 1797, were not perceived at
Trinidad or in Cumana, and when the latter province was
shortly after desolated by terrible earthquakes, the shocks
were slightly felt in Trinidad, but not at all in the Antilles.

Mud Volcanoes. Forty miles S. of the Pitch Lake (vide
Mineral Kingdom), are several mud volcanoes, in a plain not

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ftSO GENERAL VIEW OF THE MUD YOLCAMOES.

more than four feet above the general surface ; the largest is
about one hundred and fifty feet in diameter, and has boiling
mud constantly bubbling, but never overflowing, remaining
constantly within the surface of the crater. When the old
craters cease to act, new ones invariably appear in the vicinity ;
thus resembling the mud volcanoes witnessed by Humboldt.
Some of the mud volcanoes throw out salt water, heavily
loaded with argillaceous earth: — during the hottest months
of the dry season, cold mud is thrown to the height of thirty
feet, and the volcano is unapproachable to within fifty paces.
The following detailed description of this extraordinary phe-
nomenon is worthy of perusal.*

'They are situated near Point Icaque, the southern ex-
tremity of the island, on an alluvial tongue of land, that has
been appended to the primitive rocks,- where, no doubt, the
land originally terminated. This appendage is several miles
in length, and points directly into one of the mouths of the
Orinoco, <m the main land, about twelve or fifteen miles off.

'We landed nearly opposite to where we were told we
should find the mud volcanoes — and, after making our way
about five miles across the sandy isthmus, we came upon two
plantations, very pleasantly situated, amidst a group of re-
markably round little hills, each from eighty to 100 feet in
height Our path, on leaving these, led us through some
very thick wood of tall trees, till we found ourselves again upon
a pretty steep regular ascent, which had nothing remarkable
in it except the diminishing height of the trees as we went
up. Only the tops of those trees, which were of the kind that
usually grow near lagoons and salt marshes, at last appeared
above the ground, as we opened a perfectly uniform round
bare platform of several acres, with different chimnies in the
shape of truncated cones, the highest of them not exceeding
three feet, some of which were throwing out, with a strong
bubbling noise, salt water, about as salt as that of the Gulph

* I am indebted to the scientific observation of Dr. William Fergusson
for this account, an officer whose valuable communications to the Army
Medical Department evince a very high range of talent.

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CONTIGUOUS COUNTRY TO THE. VOLCikNOES. 2Sl

of Paria, loaded, as much as it could be to preserve its
fluidity, with argillaceous earth* In some of the chimneys
this went on slowly or not at aU — ^in others it might be called
a pretty active cold ebullition. The surface of the platform
round the chimneys was perfectly firm — and one of our party
picked up a white sea sheU of the turbinated kind, in the act
of being thrown out along with the mud.

' We afterwards procured various pyritic fragments that
had been picked up in a similar manner — but the inhabitants
of the quarter assured us that the ebullition, even during its
greatest activity, was quite cold. The smooth circular plat-
form was bounded by a perfectly regular parapet of clay, about
three feet in height, propped up as it were by the tops of the
trees, that like shrubs were shooting out of the ground im-
mediately behind it. This appearance was most likely to be
referred to the buried trees around having had time to shoot
out in the interval between the two last great eruptions, which
take place only during the hottest months of the dry seasons,
and then the noise is described to be Uke the loudest cannon ;
the mud being thrown up to the height of at least thirty feet
in the air, and the theatre of the eruption being unapproach-
able within fifty paces.

' Close to the first volcano, but in a much more low and
sunk situation, is another of precisely the same appearance
and character, with only a narrow ravine between the two.

' Such an extraordinary phenomenon induced us to examine
the neighbouring mounts of the cleared country, close to which
stands the residence of Monsieur Chancelier, a French planter
— and we found them all (bating only the eruption) to possess
the same form and composition, in all respects, as those we
had just quitted. The platform and parapet were easily dis-
tinguishable, the chimnies only were gone; but just smaU
pits were left in their places, filled with mud, from which
air bubbles rose, even under our own observation ; and our con-
ductor, the intelligent manager of the estate, told us that
when these rose in salt water, a fresh eruption was to be
apprehended. He pointed out the former site of his master'?

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232 MINERAL KINGDOM OF TRINIDAD.

residence, half up the mount, which had been destroyed by
one of these eruptions, after a period of cessation so long
that no record remained of the one that had preceded it;
and he assured us that, during the period he had lived there^
(fourteen years) the largest mount now in activity had gained
a very considerable increase of height.

The magnificent isolated mountain of Tamanace, in the
centre of the great eastern marsh, unconnected with any
chain of hills, and at an immense distance on every side from
what may be called terra firma^ may be supposed, till ex-
amined, to have arisen from the plain through the means of
some similar elaboratory in the works of nature.*

Mineral Kingdoms. The precious metals have not been
found in Trinidad, but the magnet discovers iron in the
greater part of its rocks and pebbles ; a very brilliant white
metal, (specific gravity ten,) more ductile and malleable than
silver has been found, and M. Vauqueline thought it either
a new metal, or composed of several others ; crystals of sul-
phate of copper have been found encrusted with alum among
flints, as also arsenic with sulphurated barytes for a matrix ;
schistus plumbago has been discovered, and near it a mine
of coal, about five miles from the sea-shore ; but the most
remarkable mineral phenomenon is the Asphaltum^ or Pitch
Laie^ situate on the leeward side of the island, on a small
peninsula, jutting into the sea about two miles, (opposite
the Parian Mountains on the Continent,) and elevated 80 feet
above the level of the ocean.

The lake is bounded on the N. W. by the sea, on the S.
by a rocky eminence, and on the £. by the usual argillaceous
soil of the country ; it is nearly circular, and better than
half a league in length, and the same in breadth,* occu-

* The headland on which it is situate, when seen from the sea, resembles
a dark scoriaeeous mass ; hut, when more closely examined, it is found to
consist of bituminous scorise, vitrified sand, and earth, all cemented toge-
ther. In some places beds of cinders are found ; and a strong sulphureous
smell pervades the ground to the distance of eight or ten miles from the
lake, and is felt on approaching the shore.

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EXTRAORDINARY PITCH LAKE. 233

pying the highest part of the point of land which shelves
into the sea, from which it is separated by a margin of
wood; the variety and extraordinary 'mobility of this phe-
nomenon is very remarkable, groups of beautiful shrubs and
flowers, tufts of wild pine apples and aloes, swarms of mag-
nificent butterflies and brilliant humming birds enliven a
scene, which would be an earthly representation of Tartarus
without them. With regard to mobility, where a small islet
has been seen on an evening, a gulf is found on the following
morning, and, on another part of the lake, a pitch islet has
sprung up to be in its turn adorned with the most luxuriant
vegetation, and then again engulphed !*

The usual consistence and appearance of the ctsphaltufn,
(except in hot weather, when it is actually liquid an inch deep,)
is that of pit coal, but of a greyish colour, melting like sealing
wax; ductile by a gentle heat, and, when mixed with grease,
oil, or common pitch, acquiring fluidity, and well adapted for
preserving the bottoms of ships against the destructive effects
of the worm termed the teredo navalis. Sometimes the As-
phaltum is found jet black and hard, breaking into a duH
conchoidal fracture, but, in general, it may be readily cut^
when its interior appears oily and vesicular.

Deep crevices or funnels, inclining to a conic form, and
sometimes six feet deep, are found in various parts of the
cupkaUum, (pitch), filled with excellent limpid running water,
and often containing a great quantity of mullet and small
fish.f The bottoms of some of these canals are so liquid
that marked poles thrust in disappear, and have been found
a few days after on the sea-shore !

Pieces, of what was once wood, are found completely
changed into bitumen; and the trunk of a large tree, on
being sawn, was entirely impregnated with petreolum ; where

* Near Cape La Brea, to the S. W. (the place where this lake is) Gapt.
Mallet observed a gulf or vortex, which, ia stormy weather, gushes out,
raising the water five or six feet, and covering the surface, for a consider-
able space with the bituminous substance. A similar gulf is said to be on
the £. coast, at the bay of Mayaro.

t Alligators are said to have been seen in these extraordinary chasms.

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£34 SINGULAR VIEW AROUND THE PITCH LAKE.

the petreolum mixes with the earth it tends greatly to
fertilize it^ and the finest fruits in the colony come from
districts bordering on this singular lake ; the pine apples, in
particular, being less fibrous, larger, more aromatic, and of a
deeper golden colour than are to be had any where else.

A very intelligent and enterprising traveller, (to whom the
author is indebted for many valuable observations,) Captain
Sir J* £. Alexander, furnishes the following graphic account
of his observations on this extraordinary phenomenon.

* The western shore of the island, for about twenty miles,
is quite flat, and richly wooded ; and though only one or two
houses are perceptible from the sea, the interior is well cul-
tivated, and several small rivers, which empty themselves into
the Gulf of Paria, afibrd great facility for the transport of
sugar to ships that anchor off their embouchures. As Na-
parema is approached, and the singular mountain, (at the
foot of which San Fernandez is situated,) is plainly distin-
guished, the shore assumes a more smiling aspect; here, one
sees a noble forest, there, a sheet of bright green, points out
a cane field. Cocoa nuts and palm trees are sprinkled over
the landscape, and now and then a well built house, close to
the water*s edge, appears, with a verdant lawn extending
from it to the sea, and the ground sometimes broken into
sinuosities, and then slightly undulating. The beauty of
this part of Trinidad is very great, though, from some un-
drained swamps, poisonous malaria exhales. At Point La
Brea are seen masses of pitch, which look like black rocks
among the foliage. At the small hamlet of La Braye, a con-
siderable extent of co^st is covered with pitch, which runs a
long way out to sea, and forms a bank under water. The
pitch lake is situated on the side of a hill, eighty feet above
the level of the sea, from which it is distant three quarters of
a mile ; a gradual ascent leads to it, which is covered with
pitch in a hard state, and trees and vegetation flourish upon
it. The road leading to the lake runs through a wood, and,
on emerging from it, the spectator stands on the borders of
what at the first glance appears to be a lake, containing many
wooded islets, but which, on a second examination, proves to

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USES OF THE TRINIDAD PITCH OR ASPHALTUM. ^5

be a sheet of asphaltum, intersected throughout by crevices
three or four feet deep and full of water. The pitch at the
sides of the lake is perfectly hard and cold, but as one walks
towards the middle with the shoes off in order to wade
through the water, the heat gradually increases, the pitch
becomes softer and softer, until at last it is seen boiling up
in a liquid state, and the soles of the feet become so heated
that it is necessary to dance up and down in the most ridi-
culous manner. The air is then strongly impregnated with
bitumen and sulphur, and the impression of the feet is left
upon the face of the pitch. During the rainy season it is
possible to walk over the whole lake nearly, but in the hot
season a great part is not to be approached. Although
several attempts have been made to ascertain the depth of
the pitch, no bottom has ever been found. The lake is
about a mile and half in circumference ; and not the least
extraordinary circumstance is, that it should contain eight or
ten small islands, on which trees are growing close to the
boiling pitch. In standing still on the lake near the centre
the surface gradually sinks, forming a sort of bowl as it were,
and when the shoulders become level with the lake it is high
time to get out. Some time ago a ship of war landed casks
to fill with the pitch, for the purpose of transporting it. to
England ; the casks were rolled on the lake, and the hands
commenced filling, but a piratical craft appearing in the offing,
the frigate, with all hands, went in chase ; on returning to
the lake all the casks had sunk and disappeared.* There is
a metallic substance thrown up by the pitch fountains, much

* I am indebted to Major-General Sir Lewis Grant, late Governor of
Trinidad, for the following curious fact : — 'The pitch of the lake has been
adopted for the improvement of the roads, particularly in the fertile district
of Naparima, where it was brought for the purpose from La Brea. In the
wet season the roads at Naparima are almost impassable in those parts
where there has been no application of the pitch ; but where the pitch has
been applied, which is the case for several miles in North Naparima, there
is a hard surface formed, which makes transport comparatively easy, both
from the support afforded and from the little friction of the hardened
pitch.— L. G.* [R. Montgomery Martin.]

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S36 CLIMATE OF TRINIDAD — ^RAINS.

resembling copper ore. Science is at a loss to account for
this extraordinary phenomenon, for the lake does not seem
to occupy the mouth of an exhausted crater, neither is the
hill on which it is situated of volcanic origin, for its basis is
clay. The flow of pitch from the lake has been immense, the
whole country round, except near the Bay of Grappo, which is
protected by a hill, being covered with it, and it seems
singular that no eruption has taken place within the memory
of man, although the principle of motion still exists in the
centre of the lake. The appearance of the pitch which had
hardened is as if the whole surface had boiled up in large
bubbles, and then suddenly cooled ; but where the asphaltum
is still liquid, the surface is perfectly smooth. Many experi-
ments have been made to ascertain whether the pitch could
be applied to any useful purpose. Admiral Cochrane sent two
ship loads of it to England, but, after a variety of experiments,
it was found necessary, in order to render it fit for use, to mix
such a quantity of oil with it that the expense of oil alone ex-
ceeded the price of pitch in England. Another attempt was
made by a company, styled the Pitch Company, who sent out
an agent from England, but finding Admiral Cochrane had
failed, and feeling convinced any further attempt would be
us^ss, he let the matter drop.

Climate. The dry and rainy seasons into which the
tropical year is distinguished is more marked in Trinidad
than in the Antilles. The dry season commences with the
month of December, and ends with that of May, the £• N. £•
and N. winds then become less cool; the heat increases
and is at its height by the end of June, storms commence
and augment in frequency and violence during August and
September, and in October they occur almost daily, accom-
panied by torrents of rain ; there is seldom any fidl of rain
during the night, but a heavy shower without wind usually
precedes sun-rise by half an hour during the season. Hurri-
canes are unknown in Trinidad or Tobago.

The hygrometer varies much in different seasons ; during
the rainy season it is usually between 85 and 90, — in the

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PURE AND WHOLESOME ATMOSPHERE. UST

Spring between S6 and 88 in the day, and about 50 at night ;
on an average there falls about sixty-two inches of water during
the winter, and about ten inches (including the heavy dews,
which may be estimated at six inches) during the spring. The
October rains are very gentle ; in November they are less
frequent and more slight ; and from the end of December to
the beginning of June of some years, there does not fall a
drop of rain during the 'day: as the island has become
cleared, the quantity of rain falling has diminished.

During even the hot and stormy season the thermomet^
rarely stands at Port of Spain before sun-rise so high as 74
(and in the country occasionally as low as 68 ;*) from sim*
rise to sun-set 84 to 86, falling in the evening to 82 or 80 ;
in August and September, when the air is saturated with
moisture,' the[mercury rises sometimes to 90 — rarely above that
height. When during the winter there is wind with the rain
the mornings are less hot, as are also the evenings, when the
rain has been preceded by thunder during the day ; but the
temperature of the whole island varies with the elevation
above the sea and the aspect of the place, especially in spring,
when the thermometer descends to 60, and sometimes to 50,
in places, of moderate elevation; on the whole it is less moist
than Guyana, and not so dry as Cumana, and being an island,
the winds are more constant, and the atmosphere therefore
more frequently renovated ; the vallies of Santa Anna, of
Maraval, Diego Martin, Aricagua, and the heights of St.
Joseph, to the N. W., as also the vallies on the N. coast,
enjoy a mild temperature, and their inhabitants breathe
during nearly the whole year a fresh, pure, and very elastic
air, by reason of the simultaneous action of the evaporation
of rains, dews and winds, on the well-known eastern prin- .
ciple, by which liquids are cooled, and even ice formed, by
solar evaporation or exposure to a current of air. The bene^
ficial and abundant dews (arising from the numerous rivers
of the island and suiTounding ocean) cool and invigorate the

• From the coolness of the night, it is the ordinary custom to have a
blanket folded up at the foot of the bed to draw up when necessary, during
a residence in the country or in the high lands.

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240 ZOOLOGY OF TRINIDAD.

deed are common every month in the year"; cocoa nuts,
which are seldom used but for cakes and puddings, ground
down ; pigeon, or Angola peas, sweet potatoes, yams of dif-
ferent sorts, and tanias. February, the vegetable called
chicon, or christophini comesan. March, grenadilloes are
added to the former Hst. April, Java plums, mangoes, mamme
sapoetas, pines of several varieties, the Otaheitan gooseberry,
Jamaica plums, cerasees, and bread fruit. May, water-lemons,
and cashew apples. June is much the same in her produc-
tions ; pigeon peas are now nearly out of season. In July
the avacado pear comes in ; it is also known by the name of
the alligator pear, or subaltern's butter, from its inside re-
sembling very yellow fresh butter, both in consistence and
colour.

In August the only new fruit is the yellow hog plum ; the
other iruits in season are the mamme sapoetas and avacado
pears. September produces sugar and custard apples, sea-
side grapes, and Portuguese yams. The fruits and vegetables
of .October are nearly the same as September; and the only
difference in November is the bread-fruit being ripe again.
December bringsinguavas, and that most excellentproduction,
sorrel. This plant has a succulent stalk, and grows from three
to four feet high. There is a blossom, not unlike the common
English columbine ; there are two varieties, white and red ;
the blossoms when slightly fermented, produce a delightful
beverage, or, stewed with sugar, make tarts or jam. All the
orange and lemon tribe, shaddocks, and forbidden fruit, plan-
tains, and bananas, may be had every month in the year, but
they abound most from April to September. Mountain
cabbage is always in season, and is a most delicious
vegetable.

ZobLOOY. As in the vegetable, so in the animal kingdom,
there is a great resemblance between Trinidad and the Con*
tinent, both being equally free from large or destructive
animals, such as the elephant, lion, and tiger. Two species
of small deer {cervus Americanus) and the mangrove stag, are
found in Trinidad, but not in Tobago. The paca, or lapo, of
Trinidad, is a singular animal ; it is rather larger than a hare.

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MONKEYS--ICHTHYOLOGY. 2*1

is extremely handsome, cleanly, and easily domesticated ; from
birth to four or six months, the hair, naturally of a deep red,
is spotted with white, which spots then disappear ; it is am-
phibious, dives under water when hunted, and remains there
like the otter several minutes ; — ^the flesh is excellent food.

Opossums are numerous ; the females have all the membra-
nous pouch, like the kangaroo, for depositing the young. (It
is singular that New Holland and America should have the
marsupial animals peculiar to them.) The armadilloes, re-
markable for their laminated shell, are numerous, and baked
in their scaly coats are a good treat. A species of porcupine,
(the hysirix prehetmUs of Linnaeus) ; two species of lizard,
termed the Guana and Dragon ; two species of ant bears ; the
lazy sloth ; the musk, and crab-swallowing rat ; the tiger-cat ;
the peccary (wild American hog) ; water-dog (didelphis Phi-
landar) ; and a variety of monkeys,* are f^und in Trinidad.
Ichthyology, &c. Among the great variety offish on the
shores of Trinidad, one of the most remarkable is the squcdnt
zygtBna^ measuring twelve feet in length, and thick in pro-
portion, after the shape of the blue shark, and with a mouth
like the latter, armed with a triple row of formidable teeth ;

' the eyes are large and terrifying, and the head has the shape
of a hammer. Another equally formidable fish is shaped

•somewhat like a cod, and esteemed excellent eating in the

. colony, although they have been found with part of a negro in
the maw. M. Levaysse states, that the sea cow (trichecus
menaii) is ofi^en found in pairs, with their young, browzing
on the marine plants in the cocoa nut-groves ; their weight is
about 1,200 lbs. the flesh tasting Uke that of the hog, eaten

.firesh and salted, while the fat forms excellent lard.

* M. Lavaysse assures us that he has seen a tribe of monkie# in Trinidad
who have a great aversion to water ; — ^if obliged to cross a narrow stream.

' they dimb a tree near the bank, and form a chain by hangipg from the tails
of each other ; the whole string of animals then swing backwards and

iforwiffds until the lowest, to whom the post of honour has been assigned,
alights on the opposite bank, and pulls over, by the aid of the *' tail," his com-

ipanioas on the tree and bank ; this singular operation is carried on amidst
terrible howling, accompanied with the most frightful cries and grimaces*
VOL. II. R

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0:2 ORNITHOLOGY OF TRINIDAD.

Land tortoises of various kinds are abundant, tlie flesh it
delicate and very nourishing ; die savannahs (marshes, in the
wet season) abound with a great variety of marine birds,* grey
partridges, water-4iens, flamingoes, and white woodcocks, of
delicious flavour ; wild ducks are innumerable ; one species
resembles the East India duck, another <he European, and
the third is very small, with a beautiful plumage, including
blue, rose-coloured, yellow and white, with a brilliant gold-
coloured star on the forehead of about an inch in diameter;
it is called Ouikiki. The brown pelican, scarlet-necked vul-
ture, the lancet bat, or vampjrre, the frigate bird, &c. are
numerous : jMirrots and parroquets are in great variety, and
of exceeding beauty ; the green and gold humming-bird has
long been celebrated for its plumage ; and the doves and wild
pigeons are found of every species. Those magnificent birds
termed Haccos, are found at Trinidad, but not at Tobago.

Staple Produce. Previous to 1783 the whole produce of
Trinidad was a very small quantity of cocoa, vanilla, indigo,
amotto, cotton and maise, not more than sufficient to employ
a small schooner two or three times a year for its conveyance
to St. Eustatia. In 1787 the first sugar plantation was
formed, and in 1808 the cultivation and produce of some of
the principal articles was as follows :-t-19S sugar plantations
yielding 15,461 hogsheads;* 128 coffee ditto, 358,660 lbs.;
57 cocoa ditto, 97,000 lbs. ; 101 cotton ditto, 263,000 lbs. ; em-
ploying shipping annuidly to the amount of 15,000 tons.
In 1807 there were exported to England, British America,
and to the United States, 18,S35 h<^sheads of sugar, or
21,284,600 lbs.; 4«0,000gallonsofrum;and 100,000 gaHons
of syrup ; there were made besides in the same year,500,0001bs.
of coffee; 855,000 lbs. of cocoa, and 800,000 lbs. of cotton.

• The Chilf of P^uia, near the Bocas, is tvXL of smsH roeky isleto, sonde
of which contaiii caves of an extraordbiary biec, in whieh «e fiNnkIa
Cttrions bird, the Diablotin, (for description fide Dominica) which, if Mm
when taken from the nest, is pronounced by epicares nminillod.

t Tbe hogshead in 1802 weighed 1,200 lbs. ; it has shMe been made 0
contain 1,400 to 1,600 lbs.

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STAPLE AGRICULTURAL JPRODUCE.

243

The annals of no country present such an extraordinary
increase of eukivation, and consequent production of wealth.*
Tlie resources of the island are in fact very great ; the
mountainous portion which cannot be cultivated, forms less
than one thirtieth of the surface rf hy a measurement in 1799

• PRODUCE OF TRINIDAD FROM 1799 TO 1831.

tbs.

lb«.

Um.

Ita.

S*Uoiw.

«aUoiw.

1799

8,419,859

258,390

335,913

323,415

170,671

142,636

1800

9,895,634

284,170

449,614

317,395

194,488

128,607

1801

15,461,912

324,720

328,666

262,997

343,113

173,369

1802

14,iri,a^J 138,669

278,271

190,210

350,049

143,237

1803

16,01 4, t)5f; 361,070

185,658

178,046

344,292

214,120

1804

18,595,4 1'i 503,210

304,138

164,069

371,544

355,877

1806

29,433,27€l 527,690

286,379

256,792

426,469

564,558

1806

29,045,43!/: 588,805

418,049

167,700

399,122

649,432

1808

25,950,!>i?j^i 668,993

387,028

139,200

940,564

606,100

1809

24,85f»,97':t

719,230

264,330

134,190

539,081

477,262

1810

21,74(^,775

726,173

295,443

114,980

463,870

82,163

1811

18,513,302

640,732

276,243

159,136

426,691

324,942

1812

20,971,580

1,375,539

282,460

130,390

548,014

366,070

1813

22,288,145

1.029,512

540,716

184,400

666,761

301,795

1814

21,604,038

1,158,163

382,888

148,505

487,142

262,098

1815

25,075,281

1 ,m5,ms

262,289

115,150

523,632

682,718

1816

24,122,415

l,05t>,G62

119,974

93,710

449,067

373,873

1817

22,7H4J67

1,341,461

215,190

65,951

371,422

361,234

1818

23,200,32fi

1,232,685

224,972

109,070

439,663

415,261

1819

30,205 j:n

1,506,445

258,220

131,990

534,626

645,406

1820

30,714,3^3

1J44,465

211.555

96,545

524,316

471,001

1821

31,127,80:j

l,648,n4

222,809

52,871

496,817

430,092

1822

35,6n5,9y:2

l.W)9J30

205,586

64,300

555,878

488,126

1823

37,0:^2,f^\^

1,892,11^5

245,567

91,550

391,528

668,870

1824

36,85r^fMfi

2,443,388

245,592

45,750

344,074

798,814

1825

36,2HI).;J47

2,835.935

274,735

58,189

346,543

865,814

1826

43,154,456

2,640,989

275.226

58,030

417,794

996,201

1829

50,089,421

2,206.467

226,123

25,230

400,321

1,362,606

lasi

39,240,960

1,479,568

999,373

6,800

390,536

974,031

t Major-General Sir Lewis Grant, whose enlightened government of
THnidad is sensibly appreciated in that island, and by all friends of the
colonies, has favoured me with the following note : — ' I coneeive that the
momitains of Trinidad may be cultivated to their summiu : the mhI If
good, and the growth of timber superb ; but, until the level land be occu-
pied, they will not, of course, be worth cultivating, from the diflficulty of

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

244 MODE OF CULTIVATINO tHE CACAO NUT.

it was found that there may be formed on the territory l^StS
sugar, 945 coffee, 804 cacoa,* and 158 cotton — ^plantations
of 100 squares, or 320 acres each. A general return for
18S1, gives the number of quarreesf of land in cultivation,
crop, works, and stock in Trinidad as follows : —

establishing roads. The sandy savannahs are the only barren spots, and
they serre to pasture cattle/ Sir Leivis informs me that he has in his
possesdon specimens of Trinidad spices as fine as are to be found in any
part of the East. This distinguished officer is a zealous advocate for the
colonization of the West Indies with European settlers.
* * As I hope ere long to witness the final abolition of the tax &d, per lb.)
on caeoa when imported into the United Kingdom from any of our colonies,
because it afibrds a wholesome nutritive diet for the poor, I subjoin the
following direction for the cultivation of the plant, which, though now
principdly confined to Trinidad, may have its growth extended to our other
colonies in the E. and W. hemispheres.

Hie cacao, or chooolato plant dellgbts In a rich soil, if poisible near the banka of a river,
or in a litaation'admitting of occasional irrigation. Seedling plants ahonUl be raised in the
dry and sheltered spots of a nnrsery ground. The seeds are sown in small raised moands,
at regular intervals, two seeds being deposited in each moimd, lightly covered with moold,
and sheltered from the scorching son with plantain leaves or some other cool and ambBage-
ons canopj. If the season be dry moderate watering should be need, and if both seeds
germinate, the weakest plant most be destroyed. When the shrab attains fifteen or eigh-
teen inches in height, (which win be the case in ten or twelve wedks), its transplantation to
the fixed location is necessary. The pianta must be arranged in straight rows, in a qninconz
form, with a distance between each of sixteen feet, should the soil be rich, and of not less
than thirteen if less fertUe. Transplantation in dry weather, earth removed with the plants
and the tap root deegiset when replaced. The cacao deliiffatB in the shade} a vertical son
destroys it, therefore it is imperatively necessary to plant between every second row either
ttie plantain tree or the coral bean tree^ (erythrina). When the tree is about two years old
It osoally pat ftatth from five to seven branches from the top, all beyond five are cat away i
In aboat six months more flowers commonly appear, which mast be also destroyed ;— indeed*
It is osoal to repeat this absdsion annoally, antU the fifth year, in ofder that the prodactive
power of the tree may be finally perfected in greater strength. A great number of flowers
lui without frootiiying ; the fruit, while growing, is green, but as it ripens the pod changes
to a bluish red, approaching to poride, with pink veins i in sane varieties the fruit pod
becomes of a delicate yellow or lemon colour. When over ripe the pods sometimes burst,
and the seeds foil tnm their gelatinous pnlp. The crop may be said to last throughout the
year, but the principal gatherings of the fruit are in June and towards the end of December.
No unripe pods must be gathered. The ripe pods are broken with a mallet or cut open, and
the seeds separated from the pulp with a wooden spatulari to separate the seeds entirely from
thepnl^ they are placed in a hole with some dry sand, and left untQ a very slight fisrmen.
tatlon oomes on the sand, being fitequently stirred and replenished to absorb the moistore
from the seeds } when at the end of three or four days the process is completed by spreading
out the cacao nuts on rush mats, or upon a platform in the son to dry, care being taken to
prevent nln readilng the seeds. When quite dry and hard the nuts may be lightly packed
in bags or boxes, and kept in a dry or aby place fior use or exportation.

t A.quarree contains three and one-fifth English acres.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

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Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S46

POPULATION OF TRINIDAD FOR THIRTY YEARS.

Population. When Trinidad was first discovered by
Europeans it had a dense Indian community, who, on its
occupation by the Spaniards, were murdered or transported
to the Hispaniola mines, to make room for the new occupiers,
who seized on the lands of those they had slain or sent into
9 captivity worse than death. In 1783, the number of mouths
was only — whites, 126, coloured free, 295, slaves, 310, and
Indians of all ages, 2,032 ; total, 2,763. Owing to the cir-
cumstances detailed elsewhere, relative to the throwing open
of the island to settlers, the population thus subsequently
increased.

Abstract of the Annual Population Returns.

WHITE.

COLOURED.

INDIANS.

Chlldrca

ChUdieD

ChildrcD

ft S

17P7
I7P0

PQ4

£9(> atfi

sflfliisi

u»a

1034' »g«

7Sfl

4474

301

401

1S6

lOTS

tlHH»g

I77i»

1»M

fiOfl 301

391 ai^e

iMi

1@0]

*J5fi

333

n^ 34al 943

373

1143

14110

9tB7S

1000

lulO

7ll! 327

sij.imd

1M41

i5!;o

««;' 740

440B

J344, St7

lorj

leois

^31^0

1801

078

eas

ad7!aifi3

1347' 17411

paa

aea

49W>

m\ 3&4

297

33L3

15064

94390

1803

jtiaij i»-i«

9ti[j2333 ]&UI [»9ff

95fl

919

3311 1 311

274

960

1166

19709

383^

l*W3

ml m

as^ 21 S5i 1104 '1751

rtsr

74*

4313

327 320

371

336

11M

30136

38337

iSQ4

isas "

320

342 25(J| I^ftfJ 2ipri M71

1034

5103

3P7 437

£i(3' 3(10

3416

tll^PJ^

31004

iitf*

099

3D]

niii'^j^^* lOfffi jnji,ifl&*

tOllO

3S01

4SS SIU 372. 330

173.^

301 Oil

30076

1906

I bo;
laos

J^i

ASe

sail

3ifl|Sia74 isoa

ii;»K(}|iU47

(^71!

&wt

a97i ^7^ 3«a

349

m?^

siriji

3l0iS

nA«

s;*

ajB

3 is! 347(1 1 1730

32r3,i;ijoaifi7

647 H

39a! 4331 300

1633

3149fi

3347*

langisii

(J5g

360

34i})3S»'j mn

e^ishaspirsflo

63S4 413 484

377

a?*

164?

2U75

3309$

ISIO

M4T\ QU

314

3 43^ 24 N 7 lr.i.ii

';ir;i.i'l:i4o!ii5^

62fi& 4i>4 473

404

a7y

16&P

207 2li

aiU3

i<iii

n«5

7S;'i

!»fiO

338 2617 I7■J^|

■r^^>} Li56il4I7

70 *a 422 47n

4ti

403

1710

31041

3321;

I!i19

mis

710

434

303'37ti,'. 177.'^

2ii!fi;i*or'lJ*t^3

7OS6

433

479

459

433

l«04

tasa

S!"*

4iA

45i! au9e,^'4>ey i!!]r,i ifW.i ir^vt

md2

31SI

346

3U8 3t)g

VIti5

sari7

3799«

JNH

iirja

S03

flB3

4a^3l27 3'ilG

^Vii^ iw'^ii i:jy

B71*

3£l

371

9,^3

•V^§

I'jsn

iBia^

13SS

8SU

&3]

&3lj^:iI9!24^3

:ii»3,2uii aiJAJ

tMJaa

3 m 342

341?

23b

Lt47

24;i39

m^iS

iPia

1333

i(Hia

5B$

.a^;3«E9{3fi^

3^13 1iS15;l»i64

]06Afi

2fl7 337

315

332

lUl

35t>7l

41303

1HI7

HflL

iftri

OSfS

63Y 3733 31S4

aiKl3|34H7 1*3*3

ILl^'^^ 3^4! 301

379

IU3

1157

33HMtf

40067

]St8

12S1 eat

fi33

«S3'3-^1|A(HI1

37<JH 3240 3343

113H7' 3*4 9^

33Ji

19,1

939

2fi

225rtn

37904

ifttfi

l4e3t(N$U

5«4

fi«g;3rLt>|357J

4'j|{f sanc^lisig

134i)5; 1L^ S&7

Ijjg I80I

*t^0

aa6pi

40771

1090

H&d

1074

fioo

^78 37t»ri:3flB9

i^-9:ni>^,2mA

}!m^ 367 as^

20*»

PlOj

^'48

-jll^l

J«3t

IU&

97i

534

^m auo araji

U\H2GSi £607,

ld3^ 340 iQH

sar

311

PJ^6

SI710

3p52f

laai

1311

P4a

553

fi33 a:lJl 3713

4430 36di?a^Sl|

t33gt 213 3:^4

323

31 (j

H9:j'

43327

40S7«

isii

lafl?

9&i

£33

5U .^3(J6 3a57

4&l'0 3ft»aX4(k'

l3iM; aoo; 3SS

22g

184

«73,

l(i

"jaiio

41989

ISM

13S8

PSA

314

iie;33i:j,4&a4

43^4

^719430

L3g»A 9«g 319

193

)6^

?li9JI9l

23117

41131

leas

1309

lOtO

401,^10

4A(I^

5066

U7* 0,1 11674 1

]4$^tt3 ifa; 301

19^

ub rar'ia'

202Hft

4«6|

1B31

1399

»«

£SI

639

aaiff

«3»8i

5914

^35 j

3X3^1

lOies

303l

.,.[

187

laa

2130a

4167*

• These natives of the eastern hemisphere were brought to the west for
the purpose of cultivating rice, and perhaps, with the idea of forming a
free labouring population ,• unfortunately no Chinese women were induced
to accompany them ; the men soon became discontented, and there now
remain but a few of them as fishermen.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

SLAVE POPULATIONS-INCOME AND DECREASE.

a47

The Slave. Populntion, ac<eording to a Parliamentary Re-
turn, was in numbers, from 1816 to 1828, as follows : — ^

Increaie hj
Birth.

DecreuebT
Death.

DecreMebjr
Manumls-

1816
1819
l8as
1886
18»

14,138
18,155
13,063
17.436
19,501

11,411
10,888
10,836
11,017
11,186

85,544
83,637

94,458
93,776

780
767
819
710

731
884
759

1417
1303
1063
1070

1852 151

1101 190

699 188

7^7 177

835

977
960
341

General Return of the Population of Trinidad for the Year
1881 :—

* It will be observed froin the foregoing, that the Indian or aboriginal
population are fast decreasing, and, it is to be feared, they wilt utterly
pass away, unlesa measures be adopted for th^ preserratien ; what these
measures should be is another question; the Indians will not amalgamate
with the negroes, from whom they totally differ in appearance and man-
ners : their stature is short, (seldom exceeding fi?e feet six inches) of a
yellow colour, with dark eyes and long hair, glossy as a raven's wing;
the wide space between the nostrils and upper lip is very remarkable, (so
indicative of wisdom and firmness in the European), and although with an
immense breadth of frame, or rather massiveness between the shoulders,
their hands and feet (as among the Hindoos and Tartars) are small boned
and delicately shaped. In their present state apathy is certainly predoml*
nant; neither joy or sorrow seems to affect them — they appear to be witlw
oat curiosity or anger — ^the prominent traits of savage life. I cannot
think with Mr. Coleridge, that this extraordinary, I may say mysterious,
race of bemgs are inferior to the negroes, their countenances, when lit up
by the passions of the soul, pourtray the most intense mental emotions, and
the abject state to which the whites have reduced them, does not present a
fair Md for comparison ; while lamenting their utter destruction in the
islandaaod on the continent, I confess my inability to divine the in8crut*>
able dbpensations of Providence.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

@48

•BtJiD

Bioe

'tnoM

'Han

'uio.vt

■uaw

■flLJPQ

to ■? R]

2i-.^||««fl*«« aeai *«j„^-*i^ d qi ^ 0**1 ap^ ^'a^ « ^m a mqa tj^Kaa'^^ogg

:sr**"S;;S"2^SJS**'-g2&'|^5^T2£|""s?^

B* h.« snceitrjoB nnv-

S3S^S5^^ft|5^ ;iS*£^ 252Ssgfc-|||I;3S|g";jL~'^

f ^ ■# ei A ^ ^^

£^^ ga*i5"*K5il;:|R^5|^5^si^$^ -

t''r^£-'a5Ssg|S3SB£5«^"'

■uaK

I ^^ ^ R ^

J^-

s S - 1^ 5 ^ :: ;i! i^ " ;^ 1 f:;*£'^^ :; S g-g »« H 2

n ^ H 0} ^ „

jgau^Ua I

'm'>x

s"5 5 |-

'I '-

g 1^ w J^^

■K-toQ

5-S

a-i

&"i =

1»lOA

^|JtO

i^og

•WOX

*1^D

U*tt

? S S^ £ t !! ?ir.i^gi «5"^"&8 s I g« s"p'sF|gWs|^s^^s¥55

:ssi^s¥^

s-fesss^esssisssigri-s&^ssT

^ut *o«* ifc'^is 3"ffl^« „ ■.Oils, 'oo";^

:*SJ:

*^!;S2»'-2-g=*22SlS^^aSS|{^S8*Tb"'*S"|

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

COMMERCE OF TRINIDAD— SHIPPING^ &C.

249

Commerce, Imports and Exports. The trade of the
island may, to a great extent, be judged of by the quantity
of produce raised in it, as given at page S45. For twelve
consecutive years the quantity of the principal articles ex-
ported from Trinidad is thus shewn, —

Exported Produce of Trinidad from 1821 to 1832:—

Sagar.

MolASMS.

Rom.

Cocoa.

Coffee.

Cotton.

In<U«o.

Uhds.

Tlercet.

Bar.

llhds.

•ner.

Pan.

ilM.

Ibi.

Bales.

Seroona.

Seroona

90,419

576

7,yw

9,730

19,06

1,U4,098

199.656

968

«,

18SS

90,051

714

7,908

9,939

761

1.780.379

347,399

999

ins

93,009

510

7,038

6,945

666

9r4M.r03

999.404

460

18S4

93,869

889

6,856

7.409

471

9,nrii.fia8

984,637

859

18U

99,519

16,970

7,890

7.896

9,rrKt,fvo3

177.348

499

667

18S0

95,641

1,358

8,075

8,679

863

9,I^S]J7l

391,954

107

'•®11

l«7

96,075

1,390

7,618

9,694

689

8,'i4>li,]44

373,494

901

9,366

1898

90.605

1,067

6,634

11,390

806

985

9,S»M^,rt93

966,754

148

9,9is

18S9

30,690

877

5,184

10,686

596

669

%7:,n,ir4a

199,015

198

1,984

1830

91,819

480

8,781

4,846

163

958

l,tsifi,ss}

197,860

1,010

1831

93,750

449

5,500

8,997

853

l,^Bbi,«69

19.994

960

18SS

95,919

T7<

6.895

10,977

604

1,S30,990

150,966

496

1832

1834

The Imports valued in sterling money, were in 1831, from
Great Britain, £182,866; from British Colonies, £51,197;
from Foreign States, £66,514 >-total, £300,667. The Ex^
ports were, to Great Britain, £202,057 ; to British Colonies,
£30,428; to Foreign States, £11,907:— total, £244,392,
iffiikipg a grand total of maritime commerce to the amount of
£ 644,969. The shipping employed in the trade of the island
will be seen from the following official return.

Shipping of Trinidad, Inwards and Outwards : —

SUIFS INWARDS, FKOM

BHira OUTWARDS, TO

GrrM

Biitl#b Korelen l ^„*., |

Great British

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

CaloDJea^

St»tM,

BrltaJjQ* Colonies.

StRtefl,

l' 1

III

1R^

0*941

IMUSiSl^

i£i,3«0 44^ ^jioaaa

-IS13|

1^,1^ Jfl7

1,039 178

17 f3^41H>| 4^,327

«$

16,375' IBS

n.swi 159

Ll,tl4^U-lfi 4158&

l|ft^23 '217

15,3 ag; L^'l i 1 ,380 IST^J *U,^3

UN8

109

ftSiad'iiui

L»,88l 173 ll,37l|'l^ 4S6t$

1Q&

a^ijO^klii

**'?S!i*^i!

jt.45ja|iay «8,34u

11)39

'U,3Ti'l7<i

I7,fl5»!s^l(j ll»3-2t ifil !i57lS' ., ' Tl'l

23,804 J4S

19,171 13*

ll^lOi llil 54.079

ifiai6

IMft^ 17*

UpgdJlHUiO.fiLS^Sdl »bm

i;,75a aie

17.iWllM

1 (l,1*.T*. 4 iO^ 45,191

1911

9J,6ii lei^

li.B60

1«3

0,t3fl3a0 il7S7

17,807*18

i6,trai 78

»,a7*|3ffi>i4a,ii4

jB3e

1 1

lew

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

nao

WBIOHT8 AND MBA8VBBS.

Weights and Measures.

The following art

i the Sputish

Weigl

[its and Measures, and the proportion they

bear to each

other.

Weights.

The Fanega =

110 lbs. English

— Quintal =:

100

»»

1 Aroba =

»•

4 Arobas =

1 Quintal.

Measures.

Varas. Estadale.

100 = 1

Solare.

2600 ss 25 =

Suerte.

10000 = 100 =

4 =

Fanega.

40000 = 400 =

16 =

4 =

English Inches.

TheVaraofCastille

« •

•

32,529

Seville

• •

•

33,127

Madrid

•

39,166

The Measures used in surveying in Trinidad is the Quarree,
containing 18^5261 Varas of Castile^ or S and l-6th Engfish
Acres ; consequently 100 Quarree are equal to S20 acres.

The side of a square of a Quarree or S and l-5th English
Acres, is equal to 378 8-llths English feet; 408| Spanish
ditto; 350 French ditto, or 136 and 1-lOth Spanish Varas.

Form of Government. The administrative functions of
Trinidad are entirely despotic, though nominally vested in a
government aided by an executive and legislative committee.
The executive council consists of three qfficial members (viz.
the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer and Attorney
General), selected from the Legislative Councils; — ^they have
no powers, and no other functions than counsellors of the
Governor, who may follow their advice or not, as he pleases.
The Legislative Council consists of twelve members, six of
whom are styled official, holding offices and salaries at the
pleasure of the Crown, viz. the Chief Justice, the Colonial
Secretary, Attorney General, Colonial Treasurer, Public
Prosecutor, and Collector of Customs, and six are styled non

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

FORM OF QOVEENMBMT IN TEINIDAD. Sffl

qficialf selected firom amoogst the inhabitants! the whole re-
morable at the pleasure of the Crown. The governor
presides at the board, has a vote, and a casting vote in addi-
tion, and no measure can be introduced or proposed at the
board which he objects to! So that the whole power and
function of the board are virtually lodged in his hands, al-
though nominally the laws may be passed, and the taxes im-
posed by the legislative council. The inhabitants of Trinidad
are very properly endeavouring to obtain something more
liberal than such a mockery of freedom.

The CabUdo in its authority and functions resembles our
municipal corporations : — ^it has power to raise revenues
which are derived from licenses to the dealers in spirituous
liquors, to hucksters, &c. and from a tax on carts, and on
meat and fish sold in the town of Port of Spain, thus re-
alizing about £ 12,000 per annum, with which the streets and
market-house are kept in repair, and the salaries of the police
officers paid. All other salaries are paid out of the Colonial
Treasury. The laws are principally Spanish, executed after the
Spanish form, with some modifications ; the titles of Alcade,
Alquazil, &c. are always used instead of the corresponding
terms in English.

Trinidad Milfiia. Every freeman of the island is enrolled
in the militia, which is composed of artillery, cavalry and infan-
try, with a very numerous staff. Their appearance on the great
plain before St. Anne's is really superb ; the muster is about
4,500, and a more efficient state of discipline is kept up than
perhaps in any of the other islands. The Governor is of
course Commander-in-Chief; there are two Brigadiers-Gene*
ral, an Adjutant, Commissary, Pa}anaster, Muster-Master,
Provost-Marshal, and Judge Advocate- Genera/; with de-
puties to each; Physician, Surgeon, and Apothecary Ge-
neral, and of Field Officers, two Colonels, twenty-one Lieu-
tenant-Colonels, twelve Majors, and fifty-seven Captains. The
uniforms are various and splendid ; — the artillery is blue, with
red facings, and gold lace ; the royal Trinidad light dragoons
blue, facings bufl*, and lace silver; mounted chasseurs and
light infantry green uniform ; and the sea fencibles blue, witli

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MILITIA — ^TAXATION AND EXPENDITURE.

white- facings ; and so on through the whole of the other corps*
The fines for non-attendance on parade^ agreeably to the
resolutions for the govemment of the militia forces of diis
island are —

50
40
12

Sergeant-Major and Qr.

Master Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal

Private — ^first offence
second .

dd.

A Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major^
Captain

Lieutenant^ Ensign^ Sur-
geon, Adjutant, and ^ 8
Quarter-Master
and for the third renders himself liable to be brought to
trial by a general regimental court martial, which court is
empowered to pass sentence of fine and imprisonment ; not
however exceeding twenty dollars, and forty-eight hours con-
finement. And should a fourth offence occur, any private so
offending, is liable, on conviction before a court martial, to be
removed from the colony, as being inimical to the regulations
established for the security and good order thereof. Besides
the militia, these are the head quarters of a European regi-
ment of the line, and part of a West India regiment.

Taxation and Expenditure. It is difficult to learn the
actual financial state of any of our colonies ; no measure
would be more advantageous to the general weal and com-
merce of the empire than the appointment of commissioners
to visit the different colonies, and make explicit reports on
this important subject. Trinidad defrays the whole expenses
of its civil establishment, the extent of which is fixed by the
Secretary for the colonies in England, without the Go-
vernor or Council having the power to increase or diminish
the amount of the expenditure. The following are the colo-
nial duties payable at the treasury : —

On Imports, per Cent.
On Invoice, excepting Cot-
ton, Linen, & Cod Fish, 3 J
On Wines . . . . 7
On Spirits 4*. per gallon
in addition to . Si

On Exports. per Cent,
On the value of Produce
regulated per Tariff
of the Market Price 3i

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DUTIES LBTIKD ; SALARIES, &C.

a»

. 2{

ditto.

. H

ditto.

. -H

ditto.

Tare — ^Hogsheads and tierces, 14 lbs. percent.; onbarrels,
SOlbs. each ; and on bags, Slbs. each. Transient Property to
pay m per cent Tonnage duty, 6d. sterling per ton.

Duties on bequests by will made in Trinadad >—
In the ascending line
Collateral line of the first degree •
Of the second degree
Of the third degree
To illegitimate or natural children
To all other persons
Bequests firom the fifth
And on all legacies, or inheritances paid to

persons, residents of a foreign colony or

state (except in the descending line) an

addition of • • • •

Besides the foregoing, there is a tax of 5 per cent, on the
assessed rent of houses ; and a poll tax oiAs. 8A sterling on
each slave.

The taxation raised on the principal items is £ 15,000.
on colonial produce exported, being levied at the rate of
3| per cent, ad valorem; £8000. on all goods imported at
the same rate, except British linens, cottons, and salt fish;
£ 10,000. on slaves as a poll tax ; and £2,500. on the annual
rents of houses. The civil establishment costs £10.000, and
the judicial £ 7,000. A recent Parliamentary return states
the revenue and expenditure for five years thus : —

ditto.

18M

I8U

1898

1817

1898

1899

1830

1881*

iS.

£.

30,980

44,339

54,9»

50,080

49.190

43,190

97,M7

35.058

44,689

54,015

30,584

1839

£.

The amount of the principal salaries is annually — Governor,
£4,000.; Chief Judge, £2,000. ; first Puisne, £1,500.; second
Ditto, £1,500. ; Island Secretary, £8,00.; Register, £600.;

* Mr. Porter's Board of Trade Statistical Vol. gives the fi^ross revenue
of Trinidad for 1831 at 34,993/. The expense of civil establishmenU,
41,801/. ; and the charges incurred by the colony for garrisons, 72^*$
total, 42,527/.

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MONIES— VALUE OF PROPERTY, &C.

Attorney-General, £1,S00. ;
Treasurer, £800.; Examiner
of PubKc Accounts, £400. ;
Eficriband to Judicial Courts,
£8,000. ; Commissioners of
Population, £500.

A very large sum is raised
by fees, the tables for regulat-
ing which occupy the greater
part of the colonial almanac ;
it would seem very desirable
that such a system were in a
great measure reformed. By
the 1 14th cap. 6. Geo. IV., afl
custom-house fees are wisely
abolished, under a penalty of
£100. for any officer receiv-
ing such fee or bribe, besides
dismissal from office.

Monies. Accounts are kept
in dollars and bits, (reals are
sometimes denoted, particu-
larly in the multifarious fees of
the Roman Catholic church) ;
the difference between the
Colonial currency and ster-
ling is — Set cur.=lirf. ster-
ling; U. cur.=54cf. sterling;
£1. cur.=:8«. Sd. sterling.

Value of Property. Re-
ferring to the general remarks
on the value of property, as
made under British Guyana,
I give the following table as
the nearest approximation to
truth-

I
I

s
s

i
I

o
>

■•fqwMtuiai inn

oiaiviax

iipniny iiMdoij |»|0i

*aof|ii|mAj|3
■I "l-O *• —

■^U*4ajj ^VVV^

Ifii* I

ill' I

•a««H«i«n*l***il

•••{jpaiis
pn •ao9ai

*j«f«8

«•

<bs

4il

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GBKBRAL VIBW AND FUTURE PROSPECTS. S55

OxiTBRAL View and Future Prospects. No person can
peruse even tibe brief descriptioii now given of this lovely
isle, wiliumt admitting its mportance and value to Great
Britain, not only in reference to its fertile soil, and the
quantity of crown land lying waste,* but also with regard to
its admirable position on* the S. American coast, by means of
which an extensive depot may be formed for continental
commerce, as the civilization and wealth of the Transatlantic
republics increase. The remarks made under Jamaica, in re-
ference to the future prospects of that island, apply equally well
to Trinidad, as regards the ultimate result of the Slave Eman-
cipation Bill. The grand principle by which our colonies ought
to have been governed, after they have arrived at a certain
extent of population and wealth, has not yet been applied to
Trinidad. I am confident, however, that the inhabitants of
Trinidad have only to press forward their claims for a Legis-
lative Assembly, with somewhat of vigour and energy, and
their prayer will not be refused by the ministers of the
crown or the Parliament of the nation. If our fellow subjects
in Trinidad be hot admitted to send a representative to sit in
the Imperial Assembly, they must, in common justice, be
permitted to manage their local affairs by a local assembly at
home. The colonies possessing local legislative assembUes
are not only no drain on the British exchequer, but a very
great support to it ; and although Trinidad now defrays the
whole of its civil and a part of its military defence, yet would
its inhabitants yield more readily a greater revenue if allowed

* Situation and extent of the Crown Lands, in acres, in Trinidad in
1827 :—

Arima, 11,439; Carenage and Caesae, 6,221 ; Caroni, 30,858 ; Cudros,
2,136^ Cbaf^anas, 8,010; Conra, Savanetta, &c. 22,969; Diego Martin,
2,427; Erin, 1,491 ; Guanapo, 62,317; Hicacos, 3,017; Irios, 6,474;
Labrea and Guapo, 6,474 ; Las Guevas, 4,502 ; Maraval, 4,021 ; Maraccas
Valley, 1,328; Mayaro, 7,685; Oropuche, 3,175; Point a Herre, 4,527 ;
South Naparima, K,902; Santa Cruz, 406; Savanna Grande, 733; Jaca-
riqua and Aranca, 9,763; Joco and Cumana, 2,765; Valley of Caura,
2,955; land in the interior undefined in its boundaries, 881,658. Total of
crown lands in Trinidad, 1,080,500 acres.

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256 NECESSITY AND JUSTICE OF LOCAL ASSEMBLIES.

to tax themselTes ; or they would be enabled to reHeve them-
selTes of injurious fiscal imposts by curtailing unnecessary
taxation, and by keeping a watchful eye over the expenditure
of the government. However, as I propose giving a general
view of Ancient and Modem Colonial Policy in the fifth
volume of this work, I reserve for that period any further
remarks on this important branch of my subject.

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267

CHAPTER IV.
TOBAGO.

ITS I.OCALlTT«*GINimAL HISTOET— PBTSICAIi ASPECT— OlOLOOT—CLt-
MATB — ANIMAL AND YBGETABLS KIN0]M)M8 — POPULATION— GOMMEECB
— REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE* GO VBRNME NT, &C.

Locality. In 11. 16 N. lat. 60. SO W. long, the western
end distant but six miles from Trinidad, and the eastern
twenty-four leagues from Grenada, is situate Tobago> the
most southerly of the Caribbee - islands, about thirty^-two
m3es long, in an E. N. E. direction ; and in its greatest breadth
twelve miles, embracing a mountainous area of 44 square miles.
GsNBBAL History. Tobago, or Tobacco, was discovered by
Colimibus in 1496, and thus named after the pipe used by the
islanders in smoking the herb now so extensively used in the
Old World, and then termed Kohiba.^ When first visited
it was found to be peopled by a race since well known under
the denomination of Caribs, who were at continual war with
another nation denominated the Arrawaaks, residing on the
main land«f The Tobagians sometime after left the island
and retired from the pursuit of the Arrawaaks to St. Vin-
cents,): where, it is said, they lived in peace with the Indians
inhabiting that isle. In 1680, the British flag was planted on
the island ; in 1608, James the First chumed its sovereignty ;
no efiectual colonization however then took place,$ although
the isle was granted to the Earl of Pembroke in 1638 by

* The herb and pipe bore the same name at the other extremity of the
Caiib Archipela^ in St. Domingo.

t'Vide chapter on British Guyana for a description of these people.

X It would appear from tlds that the Arrawaaks, as asserted by some,
were a nation of Caribs, differing in some points from those now generally
.called by the name of Carib.

§ A small British Colony is said to have settled on the island from Bar-
badoes, in 1625 ; but it was subsequently abandoned. A description of
Tobago is said to have suggested the scenery of Crusoe's island to De Foe.

VOL. II. s

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S68 HISTORY OF TOBAOO— ITS EARLY

Charles the First. Some Dutch navigators visited Tobago
on their return voyage firom the Brazils, and, struck with its
advantageous situation for trade with the continent, as also
with the beauty of its climate and the richness of its soil, a
company of Flushing traders formed an establishment on the
almost deserted isle in 1632, founding the colony with SOO
persons, and naming it New Walcheren in honour of theif
iiative home ; but, in 1634, before the Hollanders had time
to fortify themselves, the jealousy of the .Spaniards of Tri-
nidad was roused, and, aided by some native Indians, the
Dateh tbat escaped the onslaught were conducted as pri*
•oners to Trinidad, the rising walls of the fortress of New
Walcheren raxed, the cannon and stores carried dff, and the
plaatatioms utterly destroyed. For nearly twenty. sueoeedisg
years tiie island remained untenanted, but occaoonally be-
quented by seamen from Maartinique and Guadaloupe to fish
toir turtle^ or by die Indians of St. Vincent and the other
Antilles, who touched there on their frequent expeditions
against the Arrawaaks of the Orinoco.'

In 1654* some merchants at Flushikig, named the laoaaipmoB,
bbtained a charter from the government of tho United Pro-
viaces, authorizing their occupation of Tob^o for their sole
use, with the privilege of appoi&tii^ a Grovemor and Ma-
gistrates, but giving a veto to the Dutch government at. home
on the nomination of the fotlner. The spirit of commerce
was then at its height in Holland, and Tobago, dr Neir
Walcheren, soon became not merely an agricultural colony,
but one of the most thriving commerdud emporiums In Ae
West Indies. Shordy after the Dutch occupation, a vescfel
arrived at Tobago with colonists from Courland, James
the first of England having previously granted Tobago to
his godson the Duke of Courland, Near^ .100 fiimilies were
.thus landed on one of the most beautifrd parts of the island
termed CourLind Bay ; in a few days the contcnidiiig colonists
came to blows, but the belligerents at length agreed to leave

. * Some say that the Courlaaden arrived oo the north coast of Tobairb in
1648.,

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SETTLBMSNT BY THE DtTTCH AND ENGLISH. S5!^

^ch Other quiet until their respective governments at home
should decide to whom the island belonged. The Courlanders
wereneglected,partly owing to the Duke being imprisoned and
deprived of his territories by the King of Sweden/ while the'
Lampsins strongly reinforced their ftiends ; the result waft^
that, in 1659, the'latter forced the Courlanders to relinquisK
Fort James, which they had built in Courland Bay. ^ The
efforts of the Duke of C!ourland to recover Tobago, on the
restitution of his states, were ineffectual, notwithstanding -the
manifesto of Charles II. in his favour, 17th of November, 1664^
when declaring war against Holland ; — tfie Lampsins therefor^
remained in peaceable possession for some years. No mention
was made of Tobago at the treaty of Breda ; and during
the interval of the first and second war between Englahcf
and Holland, the Governor, Hubert de Beveren, and the
colonists, amounting to ISOO, placed Forts James and Lamp^
flinberg in a good state of defence, while the commerce and
oultivataon of the island rapidly increased.

Nevertheless Tobago was shortly after plundered and
sacked by JSir Tolrias Bridges, at the head of the Barbadiinh'
privateers, and subsequently the Dutch having declared war
against the French, the Duke D*Estrees attacked md de-'
feated Admiral Binkes, in Scarborough Bay, and pillaged the
island. Four months after D'Estrees again appeared off*
Fort Lampsins, landed his in&ntry, and attacked Binkes in*
the fortress, who, aJFiter a. gallant defence was, together witltf
a great pact of his little garrison, blown tip by the explosidii
of a powder magazine, and on the 24tihL Dec. l&fi, the l^raiv^
and industrious Hollanders were compelled to abandon a
colony which they had commenced under such favourable
auspices in 1664; such are the wretched effects of desolating^
wars for personal aggrandizeinefit. In BS78 the Dtlkfe of
Courland renewed his pretensions, and for many* years
strenuous, but unavailing efforts were made to induce co-;
loniats to settle in the island. In 1737 the house of Kettler^
sovereigns ei Courland, being eictinet by the death of Fer^
dinand» son of James, England claimed the retention of

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fl60 CESSION O^ TOBAGO TO EKOLAKD.

Tobago. In 1748, by the treaty of Aix-brChapelle, it was,
stipulated that St. Luda should belong tO' France, and that
Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, and Dominica should ber
considered as neutral islands, that the subjects of all Euro-
pean powers should have the right to establish themselTes,
and carry on commerce in and with those islands, but that
none of the contracting parties should place garrisons in'
them.*

At the peace of 176S, Louis XV. ceded Tobago in per-^
petuitjr to England, and on the SOth of May 1765 a commis^
sion was appointed for granting lands on the island. The.
prosperity of the island dates from this period, lasge capitals
were invested by enterprising British colonists, and agricul--
ture and commerce rapidly progressed; but the miseries of
war had not yet terminated ; during our contest with North
America, in 1781, Tobago was captured by the Marquis de
BouiUie, and ceded to France by die treaty of VersailleB in .
1783. While Tobago remained in the possession of France^,
a few French settlers estabUshed themselves in the island, and
on the breaking out of hostilities between England and
France, General Cuyler, in March 179S, at the head of 2,000
men, took possession of the island for Grreat Britain, in whose
possession it has ever since remained.

Physical Aspkct* Tobago has been termed the ' Melon-
eholy Ulei because when viewed from the N. it seems to be
only a mass of lofty, gloomy, mountains, with black precipices,
descending abruptly to the sea ; on a nearer approach the
island exhibits a very irregular aspect ; it is principally com-
posed of c^onical hiUs of basaltic formation, and of ridges
which descend from the interior, (where they rise in a distinct
manner from, a common base or dorsal ridge 1,800 feet high,
and rumung twenty mfles out of the thirty-two.that the island

• Whether Tobago was then inhabited or not, it is hard to say. The
chroniders of the island assert, that, in 1757, the ship S^Ung Ctuiie
tpndied at Tobago; and on Mr. Thompson, a midshipman, landing, h»
found aa pl4 Rren^ hermit on^ the isjaad, who had been Qving alo^ on it.
for twentj-oneyears.

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PHYSICAL A8PSCT«-»^HAR]I0VIIS| BAYS^'&t. 961

is long)) toward the sea, terminating sometimes iti abrupt
precipices; the ravines -are deep and narrow, and end
generally in small aUuvial plains. The N. W. part is the
least mountainous, terminating in the N. in abrupt precipices,
with the dark island of little Tobago and the dangerous rocks
called St Gfles's. The S. terminates in broken plains and
low lands, the whole aspect, like Trinidad, being calm and
magnificent, with occasional beautiful mounds of isolated hills,
80 close that few leyels for marsh or swamps present them-
selves, the delightflil vales every where exhibiting the effects
of a rotatory and undulating motion of vast currents of water,
and forming with the contiguous mountains truly picturesque
Bcenery. The island is well watered by rivulets and streams,
arising iti the interior, and passing over the low lands to th*
coast, where they are occasionally obstructed^ which how-
ever a little attention would prevent.

Scarborough, the principid town, is situate on the S. W.
side of Tobago along the sea shore, (at the base of Fort
George Hill), and extends, with little uniformity, easterly
towards the Fort, the distance from the latter place bemg
upwards of half a mile. On the S. and S. W. the desctot to
the sea is gradual, and at the base of the hill approaching thiS
town are several scattered country houses. Fort George
Hill (the road to which is steep and towards the W.), rises
to the height of four hundred and twenty-two feet, of a
conical shape, and crowned by 'Fort King George,' the
chief military station in the island. On the windward side
are numerous excellent bays, and on the northward is
teituate ' Man-of-War Bay,' capacious, safe, and adapted to
th^ latgest ships. At Courland Bay (on the N. side, silt
miles from Fort King George), which approaches the lee*
Ward extremity, the hills, covered with rich forests, arc
bolder and more abrupt than on the S. side, and conse^
quentlythe cultivation more scattered; the 'Richmond,' a
large riverj passes through the district Extending from
Courland to Sandy Point, oft the S. side are several estates
en the low lands in good eultivation> owing to th€» number of

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868 GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF TOBAGO*

rivuleU watering the shore. Sandy Point distriet (ot as it
vpaj be termed Garden), forms the western extremity of the
island^ and is the only level land of any extent bi Tobago.
The eastern dist^ipt is chiefly composed of h^h mountains,
clothed with nobl^ trees, and but thinly cultivated.

Man of War, Courland, Sandy Point and Khig Bay^, ire
fidapted to the largest sized ships ; Tyrrels, Bloody, Man?
grove, Englishman's, and CasCara^s Bays have good an*
dM>rage for vessels up to 150 tons burthen; Halifrx Bay
^idmits vessels of 250 tons — ^but a shoal at the entrance re*
^^es a pilot

Geology. On a complete view of the island, as compalred
with the adjacent continent, the observer is impressed with the
belief that it formed, at some distant day; a bold promoirtory
of main land, from « which it has been violently dissevered.
There is, in fact, a general physiognomical resemblance be^
tween Tobago and Trinidad, except that there are not seen
those large blocks of hyaline quarts in the former that are
found almost every where in the latter, on the summits of
mountains as well as on the plains; the rounded pebbles found
in the beds of rivers are generally of quarts or freestone, some
of hyaline quartz, others of amphiobolic schiitus, &c. Neither
sulphur nor carbonate of lime have been seen. The hill
above Scarborough appears to be a bed of basalt and schistus
i^ock, with a loose and heavy super-stratum. The soil is a
rich dark mould, and resembles (particularly in the £• part)
tb«at of its neighbouring isle, with the advantage of the vege-
tative earth being deei>er on the hills of Tobago.

Climatb, — though moist, by being impregnated with saUne
particles, is not at all unhealthy, particularly if proper atten«
tion were paid to preventing the exits of the mountain streams*
The rainy season begins in June, and gradually becomes
heavy until September, the violence of the rains then abatej
showers continuing, at intervals, to the end of December or
beginning of January, when the season termed ' croptime*
begins. The island is out of the usual range of hurricanes —
the winds are S.E. and S. during the greater part of the year ;

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CLIMATE — ^WINDS AND SAILING INSTRUCTIONS. M9

in December and January thej prevail from the N. — often
▼ery strong and colfl. So decidedly salubrious are the fai^
lands of the ifit^eripr, that Dr. Lloyd, the principal medical
oflScerj reported to $ir James M^Ghregor* in 1827, that * on
some of the ^states in.the interior, no European resident had.
been buried for upwards of ten years' !

Tides, Winds and Sailing Directions. The currents
round the island are very uncertiun, especially in the Trinidad
channel. At new and full moon the rise of the tide is four ^
feet. The N. £. trade blows all the year about the island* The.
island being seentowards evening, the mariner cautious of ap-
proaching, should stand under easy sail to the southward, as
the current sets to the N. W. ; coming from the £• steer for the.
S. coast, and keep well to the southward to stem the N. W.^
current, which always sets round the lesser Tobago. On^
ei/ytering any of the bays to leeward, ships may approach quite^
close to St. Giles's rock. • There is nothing to fear at the
S. W. Bay of Courland but rocks above water, except the
Chesterfield rock. Tobago is free from hurricanes, though
Grenada, the most southward of the Antilles, and only thirty,
leagues from the continent, is as much under the influence o|
squalls as the other Antilles.

Vegetable Kingdom. Almost every kind of plant that
grows on the Antilles flourishes at Tobago— and also, in
common with Trinidad^ the greater part of those which are.
cultivated in Guyana and Cumana. The orange, lemon, guava,
pomegranate, fig and grape are in perfection ; the two latter^
yield fruit twice a year, (if pruned three weeks after the fruit
has been gathered) and all the culinary plants of Europe
arrive at perfection. The cinnamon and pimento (some say
also the nutmeg) trees grow wild in different parts of the
island — and the cotton of Tobago is of excellent quality.

* Through the kindness of Sir James, I have been enabled to render my
labours more beneficial to the empire by the fadle access, which the Jiead
of the Army Medical Department most politely granted me> to refer to the
valuable topographical reports, furnished by the medical officers of the
army, from our different colonies.

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JX&lt VEGETATION AND ZOOtOGY^OF TOBA<H>«

Zoology. Although the vegetation of Tobago and Triid*
dad is similar, some quadrupeds and birds are found in the
latter which do not exist in the former, and vice versa ; the
Kairaka, for instance, a very singular species of pheasant,
although taken from Tobago to Trinidad and let kose, has
not multiplied there ; while the Hoecos of Trinidad are in a
similar position with regard to Tobago ; and although nearly
all the quadrupeds of the immense region between the Ama«
zons river and the isthmus of Panama, are to be found at
Trinidad, very few of them are to be seen at Toba^ ; even
the small deer of Guyana, so plentiful at Trinidad, do not
exist here. The indigenous birds are — varieties of wild
ducks, pigeons, blackbirds (yellow and black) white wood-
cocks, thrushes, herons, pouched pelicans, &c. The eagles
of the Orinoco, and flamingoes, frequent the coasts. Three
varieties of humming birds exist, and a small bird of the
size of a sparrow, with magniflcent plumage; the head,
neck and upper part of the body is of a most brilliant red —
the feathers of the wings and tail of a deep purple above and
a sky blue underneath, and the breast and belly of an azure
hue. A great variety of shell-fish is found on the coast,
which is frequented by sea^ows and turtles in abundance.

Population. Of the yearly increase or decrease of the
inhabitants I can find no connected details ; * the whites are
estimated at 450 ; the free coloured, nudes 477, females 686;
the following Table shews the numbers, increase and decrease,
of the slave population from 1819 to 183S.

* Since tbe text was written I have found the following statements of
early population ; it would appear from this that the whites have not
augmented of late. In 177^ the population was 2,397 white, 1,050 free
negroes, and 10,752 slaves; in 1787, whites, 1,397; free coloured, 1,060;
slaves, 10j539 ; and the import of slaves, in a medium of four years, 1,400 ;
in 1805, whites, 900; coloured people, 700; slaves, 14,883.

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POPULATION, COMMERCE, REVENUE, GOVERNMENT, &C. 265

tDcr«ftn

Decreue

Hwrauabr

bjrBljtli.

bjrOwitll.

lutOQ.

n £

1819 ..

7.633

7,837

16,470

18M ..

7.884

7.679

16.068

168

416

884

IMl ..

7.107

7,474

14.581

178

156

370

806

lau ..

5.968

7,863

14.815

159

158

867

808

1823 ..

(J.8ia

7.863

14.074

161

167

232

911

I8S4 ..

0.W8

7.098

13.656

166

157

871

890

I8S5 ..

0.582

7.151

13.683

184

157

218

191

1886 ..

fi.S91

7.084

18,428

168

160

862

838

1887 ..

6.138

6.861

13,999

170

163

213

185

1888 ..

0.088

6.807

18,895

178

191

889

849

1890 ..

5.9W

6,767

12,793

178

196

283

848

1880 ..

«.87»

6.614

12.656

165

155

288

820

1831 ..

6.7«9

6,601

12,870

170

171

974

941

1888 ..

5,603

6.488

18,091

145

161

898

258

CoMMBRCB.— -Exports. The principal exports are sugar^
molasses and rum — of which there were exported in 1831
— sugar, 8,453 hogsheads; molasses, 183 puncheons; rum,
5,171 ditto. The value of the trade of the island, and the
shipping employed for the same year

IMrOBTS. VALVB IN BTMSLLISQ,

Tons,

III

M,5M

7.1*7

57.961

4.780

117.841

i Ihips Inwards.

6.647

1,478

15,959

BZrOBTS. TALUS IN STSBLXMO.

144,384

7.885

15,686 990
Ships Ontwsitls.

s
3

160,91

7,877

588 16,344

Revenue and Expenditure. — ^The gross receipts of the
island revenue for 1831 was £9,99S, and the expenses of the
civil estahlishment Je7,388.

Form of Government. Tobago is ruled by a Governor,
Council and House of Assembly, whose powers and authority
are similar to those of Jamaica, &c.

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S06

CHAPTER V.
GRENADA.

ITS LOCALfTT — PfiTSICAL ASPECT — MOUNTAINS, RIVKRS, AND LAKES —
OBOLOOT — VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS — POPULATION — COM-
MERCE— BEYBNUB AND BXPBNDlTUBE*-HIOTBRNMENT, &C.

LocAUTY. Grenada, the most southerly of the Antilles,
and most lovely of our West India isles, is situate between the
parallels of 12.20 and 11.58 N. Lat. and 61.20 and 61.S5 W.
Long., nearly equi-distant from Tobago (60 miles) and the
nearest point pf the continent of South America.; its greatest
length, N. and S. about twenty-five miles, (and^at either ex-
tremity narrowing to a point)— in its greatest breadth 12^
in circumference 50, miles, and containing abput 80,000 acres.

Genera^ History. Christopher Columbus, during his
third adventurous voyage in 14d8, discovered Grenada, and
found it fully occupied by a warlike race, (the Charibs)
among whom the Spaniards never attempted to form a settle-
ment, and who remained for a century after in peaceable pos-
session of their native home. In 1650 the French Governor
of Martinique^ Du Parquet,* collected 200 hardy adventurers,
for the purpose of seizing on the island, which, from the manly
character of the natives, was considered an enterprize of
difficulty and danger.

This expedition,! as related by Father du Tertre, exhibits
a monstrous mixture of fanatacism and knavery. The com-
manders administered the holy sacrament, in the most solemn
manner, to all the soldiers on their embarkation, and again on
their landing — ^and Du Parquet, causbg a cross to be erected,

• Du Pecquet subsequently sold the island to Count Cerillac for 30,000
crowns.

t 1 am indebted to the Grenada Almanac for many details relative to
this isle.

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pmsKen co»wwt a^d sarThWMmiT of BfLKn ada. ffSS

tenHspelieA theiii to kneel dowh before it, And join in devout
prayer ,to Alsiighty God for die «ueoeB8 of their eoterprize.

The natives received and entertained the French with the
utmost kindness and cordiality, inretendin^ to open a treaty
with the chiefs of the Charibs for the .purchase of the
country. The latter gave the natives **$ome hmves^md hai"^
ehels, and a large qmmMty qfgla$$ beads^ besides iwo botUes
of brandy /^ihe-^kiefkimseffrmd then asserted that the
ishmd wais fiurly ceded to the French nalaon, by the natives
tkemselvesy in lawfiil purchase!

Du Parquet thus established a colony in Grenada, built a
fort for its protectimi, and left the government of the island
to a kinsman, named Le Gompte. Within eight months after
this period we find a war of extermination earvied ^i by thQ
French against the Charibs. Du Parqpiet s^it a reinforce-
ment of 800 men from MartiBique> with orders to extirpate
'the natives altogether; but Le Compte seems not to have
wanted any incitement to acts of barbarity ; for Du Tertre
admits that be had already proceeded to murder, without
merdy, every Charib that fell into his' hands* not apaiii^
even' the women and children.

-The mfeumer ht winch the unfortunate aborigines were
destroyed may be judged of by a drcumstanee which Father
Du Tertre relates of one expeditioR. ' Forty of the Cha*
raibes were massacred on the spot. About forty others, who
had escaped the'swbrd, rail towards a precipicey from whence
thcfy caM theteselves headlong into the sea/ and miserably
perished. A beautifid girl, of twelve or thirteen. years of
age, who wae taken alive, became the object of dispute
between two of chut officers, > each Of them claiming her as his
priae; a third oonnng up, put an end to the contest, by
shdoting the girl through the head. The place jfrom which
these barbarians threw ' diemselves into the sea, has been
edkd ever 6ince le Mome de Sauteurs^ilAspevs* Hill.) Our
people, having lost but one man in the expedition, proceeded
hi the next place to set fire to the^cotlages, and root up the
•provisions of the savages-->-4ind having destroyed or taken

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^268 CESSION TO ORBAT BRITAIN — RBSISTANCB TO .TAXB$.

away every thing belonging to them, returned «« high spirii$J
No wonder that the whole native population was soon extir-
pated.

It may well be imagined that cultivation made but Htde
progress. So late as 1700 the island contained no more than
251 whites and 625 blacks, who were employed on three
plantations of sugar and fifty-two of indigo.

After the peace of Utrecht, the government of France
began to turn its attention towards her West India posses-
sions. Grenada, however, for many years, partook less of
its care than the rest. By a smuggling intercourse with the
Dutch, the Grenadians changed their circumstances for the
better — increased their numbers — and a great part of the
country was settled. In 176S Grenada and the Grenadines
are sud to have yielded annually, in clayed and muscovado
sugar, a quantity equal to about 11,000 hogsheads of mus-
covado of fifteen cwt. each, and about 37,000 pounds of
indigo.

Grenada surrendered on capitulation in February, 1762,
and, with its dependencies, was finally ceded to Ghreat Britain,
by the definitive treaty of Paris, on the 10th of February,
1763 — St. Lucia being restored at the same time to France.
The chief stipulations in favour of the inhabitants, as well by
the treaty as by the articles of xsapitulation, were these : —
First, That as they would become, by their surrender, sub-
jects of Great Britain, they should enjoy their properties and
privileges, and pay taxes, in like manner as the rest qf His
Majesty's subjects of the other British Leeward Islands.
'Secondly, With respect to rehgion, they were put on the
same footing as the inhabitants of Canada — ^viz. liberty was
given them to exercise it according to the rites of the Romish
Church, as far as the -laws of Great Britain permitted.
Thirdly, Such of the inhabitants of Grenada as chose to quit
the island, should have liberty to do so, and eighteen months
allowed them to dispose of their effects*

A Legislative Assembly was granted by England, and
the Grenadimis reai^^d the imposition of the 4| per cent*

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FUENGH OCCUPATION AND GALLANT. DEFENCE. fflt^

4u^es. The Crown, however, persisting in its claim, and the
inhabitanta in opposing it, issue was joined before the judges
of the Court of King's Bench in England. The case was
elaboratdy argued in Westminster-haU four several times;
and in Michaelmas Term, 1774, Lord Chief Justice Mans-
field pronounced judgment against the Craum. The con«
sequence was, that the duty in question was abolished not
only in Grenada but also in Dominica, St. Vincent's and To*
hago. [It sh(»ild have been abolished in all the islands.]

On the Sd o£ July, 1797, a French armament, consisting of
t^fieet of twenty-£ive ships of the line, ten frigates and 5,000
troops, under the command of the Count D*£staing, appeared
off the harbour and town of St. George : the whole force of
the island was composed of ninety men of the 48th regiment,
SOO militia of the island, and 150 seamen from the merchant
ships ; and - its fortifications consisted chiefly of an entrench-
ment, which had been hastily thrown up round the summit of
Hospital-hill. This entrenchment the Count D'Estaing in-
vested the next day, at the head of 3,000 of his best forces,
which he led up in three coliunns, and, after a desperate con-
flict and the loss of SOO men carried the lines. . Never did so
small a body of men make a nobler defence against such
inequality of numbers. The Governor (Lord Macartney) and
the remains of his little garrison immediately retired into the
old fort at the mouth of the harbour, which, however, was
wholly untenable, being commanded by the Hospital-hill
battery, the guns of which, having been most unfortunately
left unspiked, were now turned against them. At day break
the French opened a battery of two twenty-four pounders
against the walls of the old fort. In this situation, the Governor
and inhabitants had. no alternative but an unconditional sur-
render; wd the Count d'Estaing became master of the
island.

Grrenada and. the Grenadines were restored to Grreat
Britain, with all the other captured islands in the West
liidies, (Tobago excepted) by the general pacification which
took place in 1783. In 1795 an .insurrection, fermented it

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Wb CHR0NOtX)OI€AL U6T OF TUB OOVBRNORS OFORBNADA,

iRras said by the French RerohitieiiistBy breke out March
ITMs which was not finally termkiated untS July 179S.
During the continuance of the disturbance the greatest dis-
tress prevafled, and the most horrid murders were per^
petrated by the infiituated rebels; whereTcr they appeared
devastation followed them; and, firom the direful effects of
their cruelty and rapine Gh^enada has never recovered the
flourishing state whieh it had previously enjoyed.^

Physical Aspbct. The general aspect of Grenada is ex-
tremely lovely, but mountainous and picturesque ; the interior
and N. W. coast consist of successive piles of conical hills or

* For the sake of reference and as historical data I give, wherever I
find It practicable, a list of the chief authorities in each settlement, with
the dates of their period of office.

A list of €breniors, LienL-Govemon, &c. wiiahare held Ifat Qovani*
meat of Orenadsy since the cession of the Colpny t9 .Qte/kt Britna, in the
year 1763 :—

Brig.*Gen. Robert Melville^ Capt.-Gen. Commander-inpChief in and over
the southern Charibbee Islands of Grenada, Dominica, St. \^ncent, and
Tobago, 1764 ; Ulysses Fitzmaurice, Sen. L1eut.-Govemor of St. Vincent,
\7eS ; Brig.-Gen. It. Melrifle, again, 1770 ; F. Oorsar, Esq. Pk«sident, 1771;
LJ. Fitsmauike, Ueiit...Gov. of St. Viottot* agun, 177i i Brig^-Gen. W.
|jeyhoame« Gov. S. CL Isl^nd^^ 177)1 i F. Oorsar^ E94. Prefide^t agm»
1775 J W. Young, Ueut.-Gov. Tobi^o, 1776; Sir G. (afterwards Lord)
Macartney, K. B. Gov. 1776; Lt.-Gen. £. Matthew, Gov. 1784 1 W. Lucas,
Esq. Pres. 1786j S.WUliams, Esq. Pres. 1787; J. Campbell, Esq. IVes.
17^; S. Williams, Esq. agamPh^s. 1789 to 1793; N. Home, Esq. Lieut.-
Gov. 1793; K. M*Kensde, Esq. Pres. 1796; S. WUliaros, Esq. again Pres.
1795; A. Houstoam Esq. Lt.-Gov. 1796$ Cd. C. Greeo, Gov. i797; &
Mitchell, Esq. Pres. 1798; Bev. S. DpuK, Pires. 1801^ G- V. Hobart, Epq.
Lt.-Gov. I8Q2; Bev. S. Dent, again Pres. 1802; Maj.-Gen. W. D. M'Leaa
Clepbane, Lt..Gpv 1803; Rev. S. Dent, again Pres. 1803; A. 0. Adye,
iSsq. P^es. 1804; Brig.-Gen. F. Meutland, Gov. 1806 1 J. Harvey, Esq.
Vns. 1807; A. C. Adye, Esq. again Pres. 1808 to 1809 ; Major-Gen. F.
JMaitland, Gov. 1810$ A. G. A^ye, Esq. again Pres. 1810 to 1811$ Col.
G. R. Ainslie, Tice^ov. 1812; J. Harvey, Esq. Fm. 1813; U^Muk.
Sir C. Shiplej:, Gov* 1813 to 1816; G. Piaterson, &q. Pres. }8(.6;;Vij^
Gen. Phineas RiaU, Gov. 1816; A. Houstoun, Evi. Fres. 1617 to 1819;
Maj.-Gen. P. Raall, (resumed) Gov. 1821 ; G. Pkterson, Esq. Pto. 1821 to
1823; Sir J. Campbell, K.C.6. Gov. 1826 to 1831; A. Boustoun, Esq.
Pres. 1829; F. Palmer, Esq. Pres. 1831.

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PHYSICAL ASPECT OP GRBMADA. 271

eontinuous ridgefty rounded in thtit outlinoi and eovered with
▼ast forest trees and brush wood ; from N. to 8. the island is
trayeraed by one cdntinued though irregular range* rishig in
toifie plaees to a Tdry considerable ekvation, ctften to 9,000
fedt aboT^ the level of tibi^ sea, but everywhere aeoessiblak
From this chain^ but particularly from one very remarkable
and magnificent spot in th^ centre of the idand, N, £• of St
Geoi^e's, caUed the Gramd-Etamg^ numerous small rivers
and streamlets have their source irrigating the country in
every direction. One of the most pr6minent features in Ihts
wild itaiaatic district is Mount St Catherine (Mohr Michel)
which, clothed with a«plendid vegetation, towers to an ahitade
of 3,S00 feet above the ocean level! Several mountain ridges
extend from the great chain towards the windward or S. £.
side, forming rich and picturesque vaUies, but nearly the
whole of the windward Coast from thfe S. termination of the
range of mountains at Point Calivigny, about five miles from
St. George, till it reaches the leeward boundary, looses the
rugged and precipitous feafuraB and deep bold shore (as
seen on the leewaid side), and conaistB of % level aUttffid
pUin with numerous coral reefr*

iUvBRs AND Lakbs. The rivers, as befdre observed, are
numerous, but not large ; the principal are those df Great
Bucolet, Duguisne, and Antoine on Ae windward, and St.
John's and Beau Sejour, on the leeward. Several hot
chalybeate and sulphurous springs exist, the fonner being
^e most numerous ; ote of ihese* is very remarkable for its
beat and strong metallic impregnation ; tihe mercury rises to
86. and since the earihqtiake, df 18S5, both the temperature
and impre^iation have been very sensibly increased. A hot
spring in St Andrew's parish emits cOnriderable qivantities
of carbonic acid gas, possessing amdogons quafities to the
fronous groito del eane ; it contains iron and lime, and possesses
a strong petrifactive quality. Some of the warm sulphur-
ous springs in the hilly parishes of St. Mark and St John's
are hot enough to boil an egg. Near the centre of the
* At Annandale in St. George's parish.

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272 MOUNTAIN FABSH WATER LAKE — GRENADA.

island/ at an elevation of 1,740 feet, amidst the mountain
scenery, is situate the Grand Eiang^ an almost perfectly
circular fresh water lake.« two miles and a half in circum-
ference, and fourteen feet deep, with- a bottom composed of
a-superstrature of soft mud, arising from decayed Tegetable
substances, (especially Loti, which grow in great profusion
around the margin, over a light cold argillaceous bed). Around
this singular lake is a superb sylvan amphitheatre of moun-*
tains, clothed in all the verdant grandeur of a tropical forest
Another lake (Antoine) of nearly similar size, (covering sixty
English acres), and form, is situate on the £• coast only half
a mile from the sea, and but forty three feet above its level:
It is about fifty feet in depth, having no communication with
the sea, constantly increasing towards the centre, in the
shape of an inverted hollow cone, and increasing in size for
the last sixty years : from these circumstances, and the for-
mation of rocks, and the quantity of scorisB found near its
brink, there is every reason to suppose it the crater of an
exhausted volcano. The inhabitants state that there are
subterraneous communications between this lake and different
parts of the island, and that during the great eruption of the
Souffiiere in St. Vincents, in 1812, the waters of Lake
Antoine were not only in continual agitation and undulation,
but that considerable quantities of lava and sulphur were
thrown upon the surface of the water from beneath. On the
S. shore, near Point Salines, there are extensive salt ponds;
Division. This island is divided into six parishes or
districts,* the principal whereof (St. George,) contains
the capital of that name, and* the fortifications and mOitary
posts of Richmond Hill, Fort King George, Hospital Hill, and
Cardigan Heights ; it is also the chief sea-port, the residence
of the Governor, and the station of the Courts of Judicature,
&;c. The district is situate on- the. S. and W. part of the

* Sts. Patrick, Andrew, John, Mark, David and Geor^. The three fint
named are the least mountainous, and the most productive in sugar, cocoa
and coffee. St. John and Mark are mountainous ; and the two latter
named rather less so.

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PARISHES, &C. OF ORBNADA, 27S

island, embracing twenty-six square miles, and extending
idong the King's high road, eleven miles, and twenty-eight
chains from the river Douce to the river Chemin. It has
twenty-eight sugar estates, twenty coffee settlements, and
eight coffee plantations. The population of the capital and
parish is about 10,000. St. David's lies towards the S. E.,
and forms several points and some bays capable of receiving
small craft ; it extends from the river Chemin to the river
Crochu, nine miles and fifty chains along the King's high road,
and contains twelve sugar and several provision estates* Si.
Andreuf's^ situate on the £. side, extends from the river
Crochu to the river Antoine, eleven miles and sixty-six chains
along the high road, it comprises the town and port of Gren-
ville, formerly called La Baye, and contains thirty-seven
sugar plantations, and eight coffee and cocoa settlements.
St. Patrick, situate on the N. £., containing sixteen square
miles, extends nine' miles and forty-four chains along the
high road from the river Antoine to the river Duguesne. In
this parish is the town of St. Patrick, formerly, and now
known by the name of Sauteurs; it contains twenty-six of the
richest sugar plantations in the island. St. Mark, the smallest
and least considerable in the island, is situate on the N. W.
extending four miles and forty-three chains along the high
road, from the river Duguesne to the river Maran, which
separates it on the S. side from the parish of St. John. St.
John's, on the W. side, extends from the river Maran, to the
river Douce, six miles and thirty-six chains; Charlotte town is
situate in this parish, which is the next in magnitude and
population to the town of St. George. It contains sixteen
sugar estates, and eleven cocoa and coffee settlements. St.
George, the capital, is situate within an amphitheatre of hills,*
with a good harbour in front. The houses are well and taste-
fully built of stone or brick, with sashed windows and tiled

* Were it not for the military works on Richmond Hill, which are seen
at a great distance, it would be difficult to ascertain from the sea where
Geoi^ town and harbour are placed, but on approaching; the base of the
fortified hills an opening is discerned into a spacious and excellent harbour.

VOL. 11. T

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^4 ST. GEdRO£*S THE CAPITAL OF ORCNADA.

roofs, with the streets well ventilated, and a spacious hand^
some square in the centre, and the shops equal to any in
Oxford-street. The town is divided into upper and lower,*
the latter, or carinage,f being principally occupied with stores,
ship-yards, and wharfs. The population consists of 4,000,
of whom SSO are whites and 2,000 free coloured. A recent
visitor says that Grenada with its azure sky, cloud capped
mountains, and verdant slopes, well merits to be entitled the
gem of the ocean. A town of white and gay looking houses,
occupies a rocky peninsula, projecting into a clear bay; the
spire of a church rises on the isthmus, and Fort George, and
Hospital Fort, with flag stafFs, on which are displayed waving
signals, look down on the harbour from their commanding
heights. Behind a point, numerous vessels are seen, sheltered
from every wind. The fortifications of Richmond heights,
far above and beyond the town, occupy the back ground in the
picture. In the country, on the slopes of the hills, are orange
groves and palm trees, plantations and cultivated fields,
mound and dale, through which numerous streams are con-
stantly rushing to the sea.

The dependencies of Grenada are, the island of Carriacou,
and such of the small islands called Grenadines,:}: as lay be-
tween it and Grenada. Carriacou constitutes a parish, con-
taining, according to estimate, 6,913 acres of land ; it is

* The streets leading from the one to the other are extremely nig^
and steep. ConHitution HiU^ leading to the market-place, is at an an|^
not for removed from the perpendicular.

t The carinage of Grenada is one of the best that can be conceived both
for the convenience and securing of shipping ; it is completely land-locked ;
there is a sufficient depth of water and good holding-ground ; it is protected
by the batteries on shore, and it is exempt from hurricanes. The harbour
is said to be capable of containing 1,000 ships, of 950 tons each, secure
from storms.

X These are a cluster of isles, of more or less extent, between St. Yin-
cent and Grenada ; the largest are Becquia, Canuan, Urion and Carriacou :
the last named alone dependent on Grenada \ many are inhabited, and
several well cultivated, producing smaU quantities of sugar, rum, molasses,
cotton, fruits, vegetables, poultry, live stock, &c. in great abundance.

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CARUCOU — GEOLOOV OF 0R£l4ADA« S75

about nineteen miles in circumfelrence* In the town of Hilk^
borough is a church and rectory. The islandis, ingeneral^fertile^
and weU cultivated ; and the successful mode of the manage-
ment of slaves is amply manifested in their constant increase.
Cotton was formerly the chief article of cultivation, and about
lyOOO^OOOlb. was annuaDy exported. Eight of the principal
estates are now cultivated in sugar; and the average produce
of that article in a good season, is upwards S^OOO^OOO lbs*
The island is however greatly exposed to suffer from droughts,
which mars the best efforts of industry. The chief cause of
this caiaxoky is supposed to be the want of wood, which has
gradually become exhausted, without proper means having
been used to renew it by planting. A society has lately been
established for the sole purpose of remedying this defect ;
and it is to be hoped, that a few years will reward their exer«
tions, by producing more regularity in the seasons.

Geoloot. The geology of the island * is very complicated
and irregular ; the mountains, and different parts of the low
lands, so far as they have been examined, consist of strata, or
rather mingled portions of red and grey sand-stone, gray-
wacke — ^irregular alternations of hornblende, hard argil-
laceous schist, and a variety of gneis. In various spots (as at
Richmond HiU) an imperfect species of granite, or nodules of
thesame,interbeddedina coarse loose red sand-stone are fre-
quently met with, and sometimes in argillaceous schist ; a very
coarse porphyry is also sometimes seen; immediately behind
Richmond Hill, on the estate of Mount Parnassus, limestone
is found, and quarry was atone time was worked for agricultural
purposes). Basaltic rocks are met with on the N. W. coast,
and it is said magnesian limestone also. At Point Salines
(the extremity of the island) fullers-earth, of the very finest
quality, is procurable in abundance ; and at La Fortune, in the
parish of St. Patrick, numerous specimens of the natural
magnet ; sulphur, in its native state, but not crystallized, is
almost every where met with. In fine, it may be smd that

* According to Dr. Simpson in his Rqport to the Army Medical Board.

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S76 SINGULAR GEOLOGICAL APPEARANCES.

the great mass of mountains consist of sandstone,* greywack^,
hornblende, and argillaceous schist, but the stratification is
so diversified, and the face of the country so rugged and
abrupt, as to bid defiance to any regular definition.

In one place they are horizontal, in another vertical, and
in almost all they are suddenly and abruptly intersected
by each other — appearing as if they had been separated and
again mingled together by some great convulsion of nature.
One remarkable cliff on the river St. John, about one mile
and a half from St. George's, presents a curious arrangement,
which Dr. Simpson is inclined to ascribe to volcanic origin;
immediately under the soil is a stratum of pudding stone — to
that succeeds one of iron pyrites (exhibiting regular prisms),
then one of alluvial foriAation, and lastly one of brown sand-,
stone ; in some of the less elevated situations, the strata are
extremely thin, numerous, and more regular; in one clLBT,
near Government House, (not more than twenty-five feet
high,) are seen running from S. E. to N. W., at a very obtuse
angle with the horizon, at least sixty distinct strata of white,
grey and brown sand-stone, alternating with loose sand and
gravel, and near the surface mixed with alluvial soil. No shells
are found in any of these formations ;f but the red sand-stone of
Grand Mai and CaUevigny, in the parish of St. George (which
is much used for building), is thickly studded with beautiful
crystals of carburet of iron ; and in the Callevigny sand-stone ve-
getable remains, such as the leaves and stalks of trees, are not
uncommon. The soil varies with the external features of the
country; in the low lands, consisting of rich black mould on a
substratum of light-colpured clay, while in the high and
central situations the soil is of a dingy red or brick colour.

Climate. LbcaUty, as may be supposed, influences mate-
rially the temperature and health of Grenada ; 82 F. may be

* The bed of the sea on the S. W. point of the island is composed of
phosphate of lime or a species of coralline, but its effects are not observ-
able on the surface of the water.

t Neither the sandstone, nor the very imperfect species of granite found
effervesce with acids.

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CLIMATE — ANIMAL KINGDOM, &C. 277

considered the medium heat throughout the year in the law
country; but in the high lands the mercury, which at St.
George, stands at 86, will be ten degrees lower at the Grand
Etang at the same moment. The quantity of rain which falls
is very considerable, and throughout the year showers Ure felt :
hurricanes are comparatively mild and infrequent^ but earth-
quakes, or shocks, are sometimes felt. The climate is much im-
proved, in common with the whole of the West Indies of late
years. (For yearly range of thermometer vide St. Vincent's).
Animal Kingdom. As in all the West India Islands, the
animals of Grenada are few and uninteresting to the naturalist.
It is a matter of dispute whether even the monkey be a native ;
black snakes are common, but almost harmless; scorpions
and centipedes abound, but their bite is mild and little re-
garded ; the principal annoyance is from that species of ant
csiliedformica omnivora ; it is recorded in the island that at a
former period these minute creatures threatened the destruc-
tion of the' colony ; they were in such myriads as to form
bridges of each other s bodies across the largest streams, and
to extinguish the fires kindled in' the fields for their destruc-
tion ; a reward of £20,000. was offered in vain by the legis-
lature for any plan that would ensure their destruction ;
his terrible (Egyptian) plague, after bafHing human in-
vention for its suppression, was only finally destroyed by the
hurricane in 1780.* The Ornithology of Grenada is similar

* This extraordinary plague was termed the sugar ant, and described
by Sir Hans Sloane as the formica fusca minima antennis iongissimi^.
They are of an ordinary size, a slender shape, a dark red colour, remark-
able for the quickness of their motions ; but are distinguished from any
other species, chiefly by the sharp acid taste which they yield when applied
to the tongue, and the strong sulphurous smell which they emit when
rubbed together between the palms of the hands. Their numbers have
often been so immense as to cover the roads for the space of several miles ;
and so crowded in many places that the prints of the horses' feet were
distinctly marked amongst them till filled by the surrounding multitudes ;
they were never seen to consume or carry off any vegetable substance what-
ever, but always laid hold of any dead insect or animal substance that came
in their way. Every kind of cold victuals, all species of vermin, particu-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S78 EXTRAORDINARY ANT PLAGUE OF GRENADA.

to that of the other islands, but with rather less numeroua
varieties of birds.

The rivers, or rivulets, are plentifully supplied with fish, —
such as snapper, mullet, cray-fish, eels, pike, &c.*

Vegetable Kingdom. The descriptions given in the
Guyana and Jamaica Chapters answers for Ghrenada, and the
fruits and vegetables,! which for their seasons will be found

larly rats, and even the sores of the negroes were exposed to their attacks.
But they were decidedly injurious by constructing their nests among the
roots of the lime, lemon, orange trees and sugar canes, and so obstructing
their growth as to render the plants sickly and unproductive. A premium
of £20,000 from the public treasury was offered to the discoverer of any
effectual method of destroying them, and the principal means employed
were poison and fire. By mixing arsenic and corrosive sublimate with
animal substances, myriads were destroyed $ and the stightest tasting of
the poison rendered them so outrageous as to devour one another. Lines
of Kd-hot charcoal were laid in their way, to wUch they crowded in such
numbers as to extinguish it with their bodies ; and holes full of fire were
dug in the cane grounds, which were soon extinguished by heaps of dead.
But while the nests remained undisturbed, new progenies appeared as nu-
merous as ever, and the only effectual check which they received was from
the destructive hurricane of 17S0, which, by tearing up altogether, or so
loosening the roots where they nestled as to admit the nun, almost extir-
pated the whole race, and pointed out the frequent digging up and con-
taming by fire these stools and roots in which they take refuge, as the best
preventative of their future increase.

* The prices of provisions estabHshed by the magistrates, and settled by
the Market Act, in 1831 was — beef, prime pieces, per lb. 2#., all others, do.,
1#. 9d, ; veal, ditto, 2#. ; goat or kid, ditto, 1«. 9d. ; turtie, ditto, 1«. 3d. .
hawksbill, ditto^ 1«. 9d. ; fish, large, ditto, U. ; jacks, three to the lb. Sd.-,
ditto small and sprats, 6d. ; milk, pure, per quart, 1«, These are currency
prices (vide Monetary System).

t In 1700, more than twenty years after the sovereignty had been vested
in the crown of Fhtnce, there were found on the whole island only sixty-
four hones, 669 homed cattie, three plantations of sugar, and fifty-two of
indigo. About fourteen yean afterwards, however, an active commercial
intercourse was opened with the island of Martinique, cultivation was
rapkily extended, and notwithstanding the interruption which these im-
provements sustained by the war in 1744, Grenada was found in 17^ to
contain 2,298 horses or mules, 2,556 homed catUe, 3,278 sheep, 902 goats,
331 hogs, 83 sugar plantations, &c. ; and in 1762, when it surrendered to

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

AOBICVLTURAL PRODUCE OF EACH PARISH.

«7»

und6r Sty Vincents equally applicable to the island under,
consideration. The principal vegetable staples are sugar,
cocoa, coffee and cotton;* and the following return shews
the Produce made in Grenada and the Grenadines in 1830.

Ptflflhet and Istaad.

Sugar.

Rom.

MolMies. CofllM.

Cocoa.

Cotton.

Pivish of St. George. . . .

Muk»8....

— ^— John

Pfetriek....

Andrew's . .

D»Tid

Island of Carrlacoa

lb«.
3,170,910
058,270
013,347
S.SU.S.'iO
0,75d,Ml
1,853,443
S,SSS,700

Gallonfi.

132,433

34,588

30,450

378,801

803,508

114,650

0,000

Oalloos.

50,883

11.784

7,880

8,007

84,055

0,808

144,313

Total.. 23,100,053 j 800,434

355,070

lbs.
0.839
5.387
7,853
500
1,500
1,144

Iba.
30,033
135.454
148,335

8o!07o

4,534

lbs.
7.180

00,055

30.133

837.008 07.804

Population. We have already seen how the unoffending
native inhabitants were destroyed. In 1700 there were but 151
whites, 53 blacks, or mulattoes, and 525 slaves. In 1753 there
were 1262 whites, 175 free negroes, and 1 1,991 slaves ; the next
data shews that, in 18^, the island contained 29,168 mouths,
namely, of free whites, 834, free blacks and coloured, 3,892 —
Total, 4,726; slaves agricultural, 21,652, slaves domestics and
artizans, 2,790— Total, 24,442. The following return shews

the British arms, it u said to have yielded annually, together with its de-
pendencies, the Grenadines, a quantity of clay and muscayado sugar, equal
to 1 1,000 hogsheads, of fifteen cwt. each, and 27,000 lbs. of indigo.

* Dr. Hancock informs me that he found a very singular ammal (lower,
(or Zoophyte,) inhabiting the side of the rocky wall tliat lines the carinage,
next to the town, about two feet below the surftu» of the water, and con-
sisting of a worm encased in a cylindric tube, fastened at the end to the
rock, and throwing out its rays or tentacula at the other or outward end ;
the rays when extended standing in a sort of funnel shape ; the flower
bearing an exact resemblance to the purple passifloras or granadiUa (pas-
sion flower) i when fuUy expanded, this flower is peculiarly sensitive of
the approach of any thing towards it, and it is next to impossible to ob-
tain one in that state, as it is immediately retracted, (something in the
manner of a snail when its horns are touched) even on the undulation of
the water, within its tubular shell. Whether this shell b separable from
the rock at the will of the inmate, has not yet been thoroughly ascertained,
conflicting accounts being given. It is evidently one of that genus called
TuBULARiA by Lionsdus, of the order Zoophyta, and which are designated
as composite animals rfflorctcmg like vegetables.

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280 POPULATION OF GRENADA — ^WHITE AND COLOURED.

the Population of Grenada and the Grenadines, December
Slst, 1832:—

Pariahes.

Free, W1ilt««
and Coloured.

Males. Females

Slaves.

Males. Females

Total

Total
Females.

Aliens

and

Strangers.

Town of St. George. . . .

Parish of St. do

— ^— — John

Marks....

Patrick...

Andrew.. .

— — — .— DaTld*s. . .
Island of Carrlacou. . . .

TotaL

9S2

1,349

311

348

180

286

IS!

S38

317

124

105

207

256

786
1,942
1,086

646
2,042
8,877

900
1,607

859
8,067
1,068

720
2,239
2,430

949
1,753

1,708
2,253
1,272
717
2,193
2,616
1,024
1,814

2,208
2,416
1,303
780
2,327
2,747
1,054
2,009

65
28

2
12
20

9
18

2,210

2,758

11,386

12,085

13,596

14,843

The white population was, in 1829, Town of St. George,
177 males, 107 females ; parish of ditto, 90 males, 28 females;
— St. John's, 38 males, 34 females ;— St. Mark, 25 males, 10
females ; St. Patrick, 84 males, 3 females ; — St. Andrew, 94
males, 8 females ; — St. David's, 38 males, 1 1 females ; — Ca-
riacou Isle, 50 males, 4 females ; — ^Total, 596 males, 205
females: — total, coloured males, 1,562; females, 2,224.

The progressive decrease of the Slave Population was, in —

iDCtaSiD

Derrefljicbr

by Birth.

D^^ath.

1817 ..

13,737

HM^

*^,029

212-, 339

dJil

47B

414

floa

WIU ,.

13,32B

I4,dfi7

t7,n^

bos; 35a

flS7

iat*

(^au

r,()70

liiV ..

i3AU

n,Oii&

t;,o^

aa|> 375

iSi

S8J

UiOfil

1B90 ,.

13,(MI7

13,»9S

afl.6pg

(141

4*g

410

SSs^

1«S] ..

tS.SlfS

J3,36ff

534,667

as*

33fl

des

hif^

4iS

S'jfl

1BS3 ..

IS, 356

I3,S31

•i^.&HQ

aso

rai

3\ii

JIG

C1*PJ

«3

1»58 ..

1S,3£«

) 3,0^2

35,310

35k

719

3Prt

420

ffni

LD4

ISSM ..

12,101

12.87J

34.1173

asa

334

{J77

3Wi

Xii

7^*

ISSJ

19,057

13.840

M,B97

337

331

<1?7

ai^ii

^60

7&9

14»

1816 ..

11,896

lM,eM

14,581

390

34(1

Of^o

397

ai?7

79*

Ua7 ^.

u,m

19,032

24,473

33A

7<>*

3541

!*tK5

IfiSfl ,.

11,777

L2,&«5

34,NS

8S»

331

tor

;i76

a:i;

7ia

itagt .*

n.7ii

12,434

2iJ4A

»77

SSB

r.'jfl

:j7s!

'A&H

7^9

Ofi

18^ ..

11,573

t3,M0

t3,B7B

94!/

476

97Q

1B31 „

11,4311

ia,in

33,&04*

949

aae

5U0

4i:i^

U3»

lift

• The slave population was rated at thirty-five thousand in 1779.
t Of Africans, males, 2,226; females, 2,075.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

government, laws, church, schools, &c. 281

Government, Legal, Military, and Ecclesiastical.
The people are ruled by a Lieutenant-Governor, Council and
House of Assembly, whose powers are similar to those des-
cribed under Jamaica, &c. The Council consists of twelve
members, and the Assembly of twenty-six. A freehold, or
life estate of fifty acres in the country, and of £50. house rent
in the capital, qualifies for a representative. An estate often
acres in fee, or for life, or a rent of £10. in any of the country
towns ; and a rent of £20. out of any freehold, or life estate
in the capital, gives a vote in the election of the represen-
tatives. The law courts, besides those of Chancery, in which
the Governor presides, are the Court of Grand Session of the
Peace, held twice a year, in which the person first named in
the Commission of the Peace presides ; the Court of Common
Pleas, in which a professional judge, with a salary of JC600.
presides ; the Court of Exchequer, lately fallen into disuse ;
the Court of Admiralty, and the Court of Error, composed of
the Governor and Council, for trying appeals. In all cases
the common statute law of England is the rule of justice,
unless when particular laws of the island interfere. Since its
restoration to Great Britain, in 1783, a Protestant clergy
have been established by law. Four clergymen are allotted
to the whole, and each is provided with an annual stipend of
£SSO, currency, £60. for house rent, and a considerable
portion of valuable glebe land, which had formerly been ap-
propriated to the support of the Romish clergy, for whose
benefit a part of the grant is still reserved.

There are eight places of worship, capable of containing
2,870 persons ; and the expenses of the church establishment
to the colonists is about £1,500. sterling per annum; that
of five public schools is £430.

Finance. Colonial taxes and duties, (payable at the Trea-
sury, by virtue of acts of the legislature), are levied on aU
wines imported, (wines for the use of his Majesty's service
excepted), per pipe, £3. 68. In bottles per dozen, 2s. 3d.
on all brandy and gin, per gallon, 18*. ; on each and every
saddle horse, or mule, £3. 6*. ; for every £100. of actual

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

882

REV£NU£ AMD £XP£NDITURE OF GRENADA.

rental of houses, stores, biuldings, and sheds, (not used in
the manufacture of produce,) or of the estunated rental
thereof, when occupied by the proprietor, £3. ; on each and
every slave, 18^. ; on every £100. value of produce, grown or
manufactured in the year 1831, estimated as follow: — ^Mus-
covado sugar at 40s. per 100 lbs. ; Rum, 2s. per gallon ;
Molasses, Is* 6d. do, ; Cotton, 6d. per lb. ; Coffee, Is. do. ;
Cocoa, 4d. do. ; £3. per cent.

Harbour duty on all vessels clearing, per ton, 4fd. ; canal
duty on all vessels clearing, per ton, 2d.

Monetary System. Each of our W. I. settlements, it
wQl be observed, has almost a distinct currency, at least few
are alike, the following is the standard table for Grenada
currency, established (by proclamation) in 1798.

Weight

Value 10

V^alue in

COINS.

Sterling.

Currency,

dti.

gT9,

£.

doh.

biiU.

Joe*

• .

■ .

Joe

• .

Pistole ...

• •

• «

Moidore . .

• •

Guinea . . .

, ,

Dollar....

• •

• .

• •

Bitt

• .

. .

• •

The British and Colonial currency, established by procla-
mation in May, 1797, consisted of British half-crown, &. 3d.;
shilling, 2s. 6d. ; sixpence. Is. 3d. ; Colonial Moneta, marked
IV. 2s. 6d. ; VIII. 1*. 3rf.; XVI. 7jrf.

Commerce. In 1776 the exports from the island and its de-
pendencies were 14,01S,1571bs, of muscovado, and9,373,6071bs.
of clayed sugar; 818,700 gallons of rum; 1,827,166 lbs. of

• A Joe, value £3. 12#. has a Q stamped in the middle of the face side.
A Joe, value j£3. 6#. has a G stamped in three places near the edge of the
face side. When a Joe is plugged, the initios of the workman's name
are stamped upon the plug.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

MONETARY SYSTEM AND COMMERCE.

iss

coffee; 457,719Iba. of cocoa; 91,94S11>b. ofcotton;S7,6S81bi. of
indigo; and some smaUer articles, the whole of which at a mo*
derate computation was worth at the ports of shipping, 600,000/.
sterling. The sugar was the produce of one hundred and six
plantations, worked by 18,293 negroes, which gives rather
more than a hogshead of muscovado sugar of 16 cwt. from the
labour of each negro ; a return, which Mr. Edwards affirms to
be unequalled by any other British island in the West Indies,
except St.Christopher'8. In 1787 the exports were 175,54i8 cwts.
of sugar ; 670,390 gaUons of rum ; 8,812 cwts. of coffee ;
2,062,4^7 lbs. of cotton, and 2,810 lbs. of indigo. In 1831
the principal articles of export were, sugar 11,908 hgds,
rum, 6,634 pchs. ; molasses, 2,464 phs. ; coffee, 6,103 bags.
The total value of the exports wm iS 1 18,761, and of imports
£81,835.»

* Principal Exports from Grenada
(except Cocoa.)

Grenada Colonial Revenue and Ex-
penditure, from 1821 to 1831,
in pounds sterling.

Tcut.

'^:

Rmn,
Put.

MOIMMS

Pu.

Coffee

TMurs.

GroM

Eipenditnra.

CiTll.

MUitwr*

16,766

5,263

15,848

15,441

12,695
20,171

13,268
11,906

11,288

8,663
7,964
8,358

7,730
9,464

2,777
6,634

3,799
1,869
2,945
2,498

1,403
3,216

864
2,464

222

147

11
176

17,120
28,320

31,604
6!!!03

Totml.

1823
1824
1825
1826

1827
1828
1829
1830

1631

1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831

11,325

12,302
10,360
13,059
12,740
16,658
12,473
13,810
12,443
12,268
12,513

10,512
11,592
8,722
8,311
11,455
15,273
12,466
11,304
11,302
11,132
12,630

800
555
720
1,704
960
659
727
836
822
761
719

11,312
12,147
9,442
10,015
12,415
15,931
13,193
12,142
11,954
12,722
13,340

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

284.

CHAFfER VI.

ST. VINCENT'S.

LOCALITY — PHYSICAL ASPECT — VOLCANOES — GEOLOGY — CLIMATE —
VEGETABLE KINGDOM AND PRODUCE — POPULATION — FINANCES —
COMMERCE — GOVERNMENT, &C. &C.

Locality. This most beautiful of the Caribbee Islands,
about eighteen and a half miles long, and eleven broad, con-
taining 84,386 acres, is situate in 13. 10. 15. N. Lat ; 60. 37. 67.
W. Long., nearly equidistant from Grenada and Barbadoes.

General History. St. Vincent's* was discovered by
Columbus, during his third voyage, on the 22nd day of
January, 1498, but it does not appear that he took any formal
ipossession of it ; the native inhabitants, the Caribs, being very
numerous and warlike. In 1672, this island, with Barbadoes,
St. Lucia, and Dominica, was included in one government
by King Charles II., although no steps were taken to occupy
St. Vincent, unless occasional visits, both by English and
French, for the purpose of obtaining wood and water may be
deemed such. About 1675, a ship from Guinea, with a cargo
of slaves, was wrecked either on this island or on Bequia, and
a number of the negroes escaped into the woods ; these in-
termingled with the natives, and hence as it is supposed ori-
ginated the black Caribs. In 1719, the French sent over some
settlers from Martinico, a few of whom succeeded in establishing
themselves in the leeward part of the island. In 1 723, George I.
granted this island and St. Lucia to the Duke of Montague,
who made a feeble attempt to take possession of it, but his
expedition failed ; and, by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in
1748, it was declared neutral, and the ancient proprietors
left in unmolested possession. The French, however, conti-

• Thus called from the day of its discovery, being St. flncent's day in
the Spanish calendar.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

EARLY HISTORY OF ST. VINCENT's. S85

nued in their settlements until 1762^ when it was taken by
General Monckton and Admiral Rodney ; and in 1763, by the
peace of Paris, the island was ceded in perpetuity to Great
Britain, without ffitfcA consideration for the native proprietors.
The lands were directed to be sold to defray the expenses of
the war, and 20,538 acres produced j£l 62,584. sterling. In
1772, a war with the Caribs commenced, which was termi-
nated by a treaty in 1773, when certain lands were allotted
them. In 1779 the island was taken by a small body of
troops from Martinico, who were joined by the Caribs, which
circumstance, coupled with unfortunate political differences,
caused the surrender to be made without a struggle. The
conquerors, however, made no alteration in the government,
probably contemplating only a temporary possession. In 1780
the dreadful hurricane occurred, which destroyed the church
and a great proportion of the buildings in the island, besides
occasioning serious loss to the planters. St. Vincent was re-
stored to Great Britain at the general peace in 1783; at
which time it contained sixty-one sugar estates, besides other
small plantations of cotton, coffee, and cocoa. In 1795 the
doctrines of liberty and equality, which prevailed in France,
were disseminated in the West India Islands, through the
infernal agency of Victor Hugues, whose emissaries excited
the Caribs, and some of the French inhabitants, into an insur-
rection, which continued for upwards of two years. Many san-
guinary contests took place, with various success, which can-
not be detailed within the Umits of this work ; but, ultimately,
by the judicious measures of Sir Ralph Abercrombie and
General Hunter, the French were subdued, and the Caribs
removed to Ruattan, an island in the Bay of Honduras. The
devastation occasioned by the enemy cost the proprietors at
least, one-third of the value of their properties ; but uninter-
rupted tranquillity has since prevailed, and the fine tract of
land in Charlotte parish, called the Carib country, consisting
of 5,000 acres, has been put into cultivation, and greatly in-
creased the prosperity of the island.

In 1812 the island suffered from an eruption of the Souf-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S86 DESCRIPTION OF THE tOUFFaiEAE.

friere volcanic mountaiiii which had heen tranquO for nearly a
century (from 1718). It was ahout 3,000 feet high, with a crater
half a mile in diameter, and dOO feet in depth ; in the centre
was a conical hiU, 200 feet in diameter, and 900 in height, the
lower half skirted with luxuriant vegetation, the upper with
pure virgin sulphur ; various evergreens and aromatic shrubs,
covered in exuberant fertility, the sides of the capacious crater,
the interior of which presented a scene of Alpine seclusion and
peacefiilness that can scarcely be imagined. From the fissures
of the cone, a thin white smoke exuded, occasionally tinged with
a light blue flame ; at the base vfere two small lakes, the one
sulphureous and aluminous, the other pure and tasteless. At
noon on the 27th of April, thirty days after the destruction
of the Caraccas by an earthquake, and during the commo*
tions in the vallies of the Missisippi and of the Ohio, a severe
concussion of the earth took place, and a black column of
smoke burst from the crater, which was followed by volumes
of favillse, which continued for three days.

An account written at the time says, that ' on the SOth April
1812, the reflection of the rising sun on this majestic body of
curling vapours was sublime beyond imagination; it afterwards
assumed a more sulphureous cast, and vx the course of the
day a feruginous and sanguine appearance, with much livelier
action in the ascent,* a more extensive dilation, as if almost

* A cousin of mine (Captain George Palmer Hawkins) wbo was sta-
tioned with his re^ment at Barbadoes when this eruption took place,
informs me that, for four hours, the island was obscured in nearly total
darkness, with the dense and unceasing fall of (favillae) ash-coloured dust,
which covered the whole of Barbadoes (distant full sixty miles from
St. Vincent) to the depth of several inches, and proved a most valuable
fertilizing mould to the then almost worn out island. The noise of the
eruption was thought to be that of hostile fleets, and Captain Hawkins
was laughed at for supposing that the dust and thunder could proceed
from an island siaty miies to leeward. When we consider the quantity of
ashes which fell at Barbadoes, and that many ships at sea had their decks
covered with them, we may suppose that the quantity thrown from the
wuffriere must have been enormous, and the momentum with which it was
ejected tremendous. R. M. M .

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

TREMENDOUS ERUPTION IN 1812. 287

freed from any obstruction : in the afternoon the noise was
incessant, and resembled the approach of thunder still nearer
and nearer, with a vibration that affected the feelings and
hearing; terror and consternation now seized all beholders.
The Charibs settled at *Mome Ronde' fled precipitately
towards the town; the negroes became confiised, forsook
their work, looked to the mountain, and as it shook, trembled
with the dread of what they could neither understand nor
describe; the birds fell to the ground, overpowered with
showers of favillae, unable to keep themselves on the wing ;
the cattle were starving from want of food, as not a blade of
grass or leaf was now to be found. The sea was much dis-
coloured, but in no wise uncommonly agitated; and, it is
remarkable, that throughout the whole of this violent dis-
turbance of the earth, it continued quite passive, and did not
at any time sympathize with the agitation of the land.
Scarcely had the day closed, when the flames burst at length
pyramidically from the crater through the smoke; the rolling
of the thimder became more awfiil and deafening ; electric
flashes quickly succeeded, attended with loud claps ; and now,
indeed, the burly burly began. Shortly after 7 p. m. the
mighty cauldron was seen to simmer, and the ebullition of
lava to break out on the N. W. side. This immediately after
boiHng over the orifice, and flowing a short way, was opposed
by the acclivity of a higher point of land, over which it was
impelled by the immense tide of liquified fire that drove it on,
forming the figure V in grand illumination. Sometimes, when
the ebullition slackened, or was insuflicient to urge it over the
obstructing hill, it recoiled back like a refluent billow from
the rock, and then again rushed forward, impelled by fresh
supplies, and scaling every obstacle, carrying rocks and
woods together in its course down the slope of the mountain,
until it precipitated itself into some vast ravine, concealed
by the intervening ridges of Morne Ronde. Vast globular
bodies of fire were seen projecting from the fiery ftimace,
and bursting, fell back into it, or over it, on the surrounding
bushes, which were instantly set in flames. About four

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288 AWFUL STATE OF ST. VINCENT's.

hours from the Iava*s boiling over the crater, it reached the
sea, as we could observe from the reflection of the fire and
the electric flashes attending it About half past one another
stream of lava was seen descending to the eastward. The
thundering noise of the mountain, and the vibration of soimd,
that had been so formidable hitherto, now mingled in the
sullen monotonous roar of the rolling lava, became so terrible,
that dismay was almost turned to despair. At this time the
first earthquake was felt : this was followed by showers of
cinders, that fell with the hissing noise of hail, during two
hours. This dreadful rain of stones and fire lasted upwards
of an hour, and was again succeeded by cinders fi*om three
till six in the morning. Earthquake followed earthquake
almost momentarily, or rather the whole of this part of the
island was in a state of continued oscillation ; not agitated by
shocks, vertical or horizontal, but undulated hke water shaken
in a bowl. The break of day, if such it could be called, was
truly terrific. Darkness only was visible at eight o'clock,
and the birth of May dawned like the day of judgment: a
chaotic gleam enveloped the mountain, and an impenetrable
haze hung over the sea with black sluggish clouds of a sul-
phureous cast. The whole island was covered with favillie,
cinders, scoriae, and broken masses of volcanic matter. It
was not until the afternoon that the muttering noise of the
mountain sunk gradually into a solemn yet suspicious silence.
The damage done according to estimate was inconsiderable,
and not more than fifty souls perished. The beds of the
Wallibau and Rabacca rivers were completely levelled.'

St. Vincent's suffered severely from the effects of the hur-
ricane in 1831, but this beautifiil and extraordinary island is
now, it is to be hoped, recovering from such disasters.*

• The following is a list of the Governors, Lieutenant^Qovernors, &c.
who have administered the government of St. Vincent since the cession
of the colony to Great Britain in 1763. —

Brig-Gen. R. Melville, Captfun-General and Govemor-in-Chief in and
over the Southern Charibbee Islands of St. Vincent, Grenada, Dominica,
and Tobago, 1/63; Brig.-Gcn. W. L. Leybornc, Gov. of the Southern

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PHYSICAL ASPECT ANDOIOLOGY OP 91. VINCENT*S. S89

Physical Aspbct and Geology. The mountains of St.
Vincent are bold» sharp, and abrupt in their terminations^with
deep interrening romantic glens,* and bound by a lofty and
rocky coast The connected chain of high mountains runs
from N. to S., clothed with immense trees, breaking into su-^
bordinate masses towards the sea, of a less elevated descrip-
tion, and intersected by deep ravines in the interior, which gra^
dually widen on the approach to the shore, and become valUes
capable of cultivation, as they are generally well supplied with
water; this feature is principally descriptive of the north*
westem side of the island. On the north-east the surface
is more level and less broken, and there is a large tract
of land at the base of the Soufiriere mountain, gradually
declining towards the sea, which forms an extensive plain
of upwards of six thousand acres, and is the most pro-
ductive land in the colony* The soil in the vallies is a
rich tenacious loam, and occasionally a fine black mould;
on the higher regions it assumes a more sandy character,
and is less fertile; the lands adjoining the Sooffiriere are
also clay at the bottom, but the surface having been
covered with the sand ejected by the volcano in 1812, it
presents the feature of a loose porous superficies. The
character of this island, Mr. Shepherd f thinks, is decidedly
volcanic, traces of strata which have undergone the action of
fire, are visible every where, and huge masses of rock, dis-
placed from their original situations, indicate the powerfiil

Charibbee Islands, as above, 1771 ; V. Morris, Esq. Gov. 1776; £. Lin-
coin, Esq. Gov. 1783 ; J. Seton, Esq. Gov. 1787 ; W. Bentinck, Esq. Gov.
1798; D. Ottley, Esq. Pres. 1799; H. W. Bentinck, Esq. Pres. 1805; Sir
G. Beckwith, K. B. Gov. 1806 ; R. Paul, Esq. Pres. 1807 ; Sir C. Brisbane,
Knight, Gov. 1812; R. P^ul, Esq. Pres. 1816; Sir C. Brisbane, K.C.B.
Gov. 1817; Sir W.J. Struth, Kt. Pres. 1829; Right Hon. Sir G. F. HUl,
Bart. Gov. 183L

* The delicious Valley of Bucament is five miles long and one wide,
entirely open to the sea, ivith lofty mountains at the upper part and sides
—and throughout the vale a clear and rapid river.

t Fide Historical Account of St. Vincent's, (principally in reference to
the Carib war) published by Ridgway, nccadilly.

VOL, II, u

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S90 DIVISION INTO PARISHES.

agency which alone could have effected such a change; there
is not a primitiTe rock in the island, an opinion which is sup-
ported by brisinches of trees and other substances, being
frequently discovered in large masses of rock at considerable
depths, which must at one tune have been in II state of
fosion ; a remarkable instance is to be seen at the tunnel at
Grand Sable.

Division. The island is divided into five parishes. Saint
George, Charlotte, Saint Andrew, Saint David, and Saint
Patrick. Within the first, stands the capital, Kingstown,-—
which is situated in 13. 8 N. Lat. 61. 17 W. Long., near the S.
W. extremity of the island, about a mile along the shore of a
deep and beautiful bay, protected by a battery on the S., or
Cane Garden Point, and by Fort Charlotte* on the N. W-
which are the chief defences of the island. The fort (distant
one mile from Kingstown in a direct line, and two miles by
the circuitousness of the road,) is situated on a rock above
the level of the sea, and well fortified, it contains barracks
for 600 men, and has thirty-four pieces of artillery of different
descriptions, besides several outworks, for the protection of
detached buildings.

The town, behind which the mountains gradually rise in a
'semi-circle, terminating at the greatest height in Mount Saint
Andrew, consists of three streets, intersected by six others.
•There are about 300 of the larger sized houses, the lower
stories of which are in general built with stone or brick, and

• The road to Fort Charlotte is very steep— so much so, that in looking
from the mess-room windows, the sea is seen perpendicularly below, with
the Island of Becquia and the Grenadines in the distance ;-^01d Woman's
Point, forming the opposite horn of the Bay of Kingstown and Dorset-
Blure Hill, about two miles of gradual ascent to windward from the town
of Kingston, which it overlooks with an imposing aspect. Hie garrison
was formerly stationed here, but latterly removed to the opposite pro-
montory, as a more commanding site. Berkshire Hill, on which is placed
Fort Charlotte, is a promontory or high projecting neck of land over-
hanging the sea, and nearly perpendicular on three of its sides. It com-
pletely commands the Town and Bay of Kingston, and can be easily
separated from both should it be necessary to cut off the intercourse.

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Al»PEARAKCB OF KINGSTOWN St. VINCENT's. 291

the upper of wood, with shingled roofs, while the close ad«
joining sugar plantations form (particularly when viewed from
the harbour,) a very beautiful prospect. The public build*^
ings are substantial, but not elegant. The church is a large
heavy brick building, capable of containing 2,000 persons,
it has an excellently toned organ, a splendid chandelier, and
very handsome pulpit, and bishop's throne.*

The Court House is built of stone, and contains two rooms
on the upper story appropriated for the sittings of the
Council and Assembly, with two Committee Rooms; below
the Courts of Justice are held. Here also are the Public
Offices of the Registrar and Marshal ; this building stands
in front of the Market Place, and is inclosed with an iron
railing ; behind it the Gaol, the Cage and the Treadmill are
placed. In the front close to the sea-side, stand the Market
House, and the depot for the Militia Arms. The Wesleyan
Missionaries have a commodious wooden Chapel, and the
Romanists have commenced a brick Church.f

* The expenses of this buUdiog, which \vw opened for divine service
in 1820, amounted to upwards of j^47>000 currency, of which Ooveni«>
ment contributed j£5,000 sterling, out of the purchase-money of the Carib
lands. The old building was destroyed by the hurricane in 17B0.

t The famed botanic garden, about a mile from Kingston, occupies
thirty acres of ground, in the form of an oblong square, the lower part
level, but soon becoming a gradual ascent until it terminates in a steep
hill, a beautiful mountain stream forming its northern boundary, near the
upper part of the garden, and in the centre stands the Oovemor's house,
commanding a splendid view — immediately below the capital of the island
^-in front the deep blue sea and the Grenadine isleS'-in the distance a
magnificent vista, bounded on each side by a long and spacious avenue
of lofty forest trees.

The roads on the windward coast are tolerably good for thirty
miles, their track in general is near to the sea-side, except in cases of high
land, when it is necessary to pass along the indentations of the vallies.
On the leeward coast, for a distance of twenty-three miles, they are much
inferior, the hills being much higher, the circuity of the track is propor-
tionally increased ; the latter are little frequented, the passage by sea in
canoes being more easy and commodious. The highways are kept in

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f93 . NBCE9SITT OF LBAYINO STANDING Tfl^BS.

.; Saint George's Parish extends from Kingstown north
t^ the riyer Jamhou^ and contains 9,837 acres of knd in
iruga^ estates; it has seven rivers capable of turning mills;
•the different ridges in this parish having been cleared of
their wood bj the earlier settlers, the clouds are attracted by
the more lofty mountains in the interior; and it has been
deemed prudent to preserve the timber on an elevated
aituation, called the King's Hill,* from fixture destruction, by
W especial Act of the Legislature.

At three miles from Kingstown is the small town of Cal-
hl^a, consisting of 59 houses, and 400 inhabitants, its chief
attraction is the commodious harbour, and very convenient
beach for shipping produce. There is a singularly insulated
ro(^k on the north western side, 260 feet above the level <^
the sea, on the top of which. Fort Duvemette is constructed;
it is ascended by a staircase cut out of the solid stone. On
Dorsetshire Hill there are barracks for troops, but in such a
dilapidated state, as not to be . habitable. Some distance
above Calliagua, towards the interior is the Vigie, (or look
-out) a very commanding situation. The different ridges are
'here concentrated into one elevation with three conical hills.

rqMir by the proprietors of the estates who have adjoining portions al-
lotted them by an Act of the Legislature, on which they are required to
expend an estimated quantity of labour, and for which they are all6wed
a certain sum from the treasury, on a certificate from the Way-wardens
of the parish, who are nominated by the Justices at the February Sessions
in each year.

* Baron Humboldt's remarks on this subject ought to be deeply im-
pressed on the mind of every proprietor, not only in the West Indies but in
every country, more especially in a tropical climate. ' By felling the trees
that cover the tops and sides of the mountains, men in every climate
prepare at once two calamities for future generations, the want of fiiel
and the scarcity of water. Where forests are destroyed^ as they are every
where in America by the European planters with an imprudent pre-
.cipitation, the springs are entirely dried up or become less abundant, the
beds of the rivers, remaining dry during a part of the year, are converted
into torrents whenever great rains fall on the heights^'^Pdr^. Namaiwt,
vol. iv. p. 142.

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TUNNELS THBOVOU THE MOUNTAIN6. S98

where the Caribs fixed their camp. Eastward is the very
extensive valley of Maniaqua, which has only one singular
cleft, or opening, with almost perpendicular sides, through
which the river Jambou flows to the sea.* Some persons
have conjectured that this valley is an exhausted crater, which
has been thus drained of its waters ; the position is too low to
maintain this hypothesis, as the volcanic craters in all the
Islands, are situated on the most lofty mountain^.

Charlotte Parish is bounded on the south by St. George's,
and northerly by uncultivable lands, it contains 11,849 acres
in cultivation, and that part of it called the Carib country^
which was only partially settled in 1804, is the most pro-
ductive in the Island. The southern part consists of a
portion of General Monckton^s grant of 4,000 acres, which
he sold for iP30,000. sterling, and which was subsequently,
disposed of in lots by the speculators* This parish is so well
suppUed with rivers, notwithstanding several were absorbed
at the time of the eruption of the Souffriere, that all the
mills are worked by water; and the estates are generally
larger than in the other parishes.f

Saint Andrew's Parish is the first on the leeward side ad-
joining the town, it contains 4,096 acres, and the vallies being
narrower, the estates are small and more compact, neither is
it BO well supplied with water, except in Buccament Valley^
which is one of the most extensive and fertile in the Island.

• ' Here/ says Mr, Shepherd, ' is a majestic cabbage tree, (Arecs olera-
cea) which in 1814 was ascertained to be 156 high by trigonometrical mea-
surement. This is considerably higher than Mr. Coleridge has admitted,
though the existence of Ligon*s 300 feet trees is by no means contended for/

t A tunnel of 200 feet long was cut through Mount Young in 1813»
which greatly improved the means of communication with the newly-
settled country ; and a stupendous work was afterwards undertaken by
the owner of Orand Sable estate, in cutting another tunnel through the
same mountun, lower down and nearer the sea, for the convenience of
shipping the produce. The material to be perforated proved to be stone,
instead of terrass, as was expected— and 360 feet in length were accord-
ingly blasted by drilling in the solid rock, at an expense of about jf 5,000
currency.

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S94f APPEARANCE OF THE SOUFFRIERE.

In this parish is the small town of New Edinburgh, where
the depot for the commissariat stores is erected.

Saint Patrick is the next in order, on the western coast,
containing 5,426 acres, with the two small towns of Layoa
and Barouallie : here the land becomes much more preci-*
pitous and difficult of cultivation, and the fertility decreases.

The last is Saint David's, containing 4,198 acres, whose
characteristic features are the same as the preceding; in
)Vashilabo Valley, and also at the south point near to the
entrance of Chateaubelair Bay, are some fine specimens of
Basaltes; the vicinity of the Souffriere and other lofty moun-
tains ensures the planters in this quarter plenty of rain, and
the faciUties of shipping produce, compared with the bold
eastern coast are very great, and reduce the expense and
risk of an estate considerably. A most intelligent and enter-
prising traveller, Captain Sir J. E. Alexander, thus gra^
phically describes his recent visits to the terrific Souffriere : —

' Conspicuous among the majestic mountains of St. Vincent is the Souf-
friere, occupying the N. W. point of the bland. This celebrated volcane
is the grandest scene in the West Indies. The lofty summit is only to be
seen at intervals between the rolling clouds, and the sides are furrowed
with streams of lava. The Crater is three miles in circumferencej and
600 feet in depth ; it contains within it a conical hill beautifully streaked
with sulphur, and covered with shrubs and flowers. The road to the Souf-
friere passes through corn fields and a thicket of long grass and ferns,
Yvhich reach over a horse's back ; the path then can hardly be seen, and
seems to be on a narrow ridge, on each side of which is a precipice, that
to the west being most terrific. There is considerable danger here from
the difUculty of keeping the path ; the shrubs are so thick, the ferns so
tough, that they can hardly be broken through, and the grass is sharp
and cutting ; the ascent is gradual. Six large trees, half way to the
volcano, affbrd a shade under which to refresh and to admire the graceful
forms of the tree ferns scattered here and there. For some distance be*
yond the resting place the path continues intricate as before, and then the
crater ridge is reached. This is more thinly sprinkled with trees i towards
the summit it is quite bare, and furrowed with the traces of the mountidn
torrents and of lava, while sand and ashes are under foot. To the south
is a mountain which seems to overhang the traveller; it is richly covered
to the top with tufted foliage, which forms a contrast to the scene on the
porth ; there desolation seems to have marked it for its own ; the destruc-

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. 'HORRIBLE. VIEW OF THE CRATBE8. S9ft

tire «g^cy of fire has annihikted the vegetation, and left nothing bat a
bare, barren, and blackened mass of rocks. The naturalist might here
pitch his tent, and observe the vegetation improving as he descends the
mountain, abounding in lichen, mosses, grasses, shrubs and trees. There
is a convenient nook for leaving the horses, and then on walking forwards
twenty 3rards probably a mighty cloud of vapour may be seen $ it fills
the crater to the brim, gradually clears off, and then the awful mi^esty of
the scene is unfolded. Instinctively the gazer recoils from the abyss be«
neath his feet, and his senses are wrapt in amazement, for he sees before
him one of the most sublime scenes in nature ; the sides of the mighty
goblet are themselves mountains, here descending in a perpendicular wall
to the water, and there kiclining at an angle of 45° : distinctly marked on
the sides of the cauldron is the height of the water of the lake at different
times, the variation of which takes place doubtless from rains and eva^
poralion. The eastern top of the crater is about 3,500 feet above the
level of the sea, and there also the depth from the top to the surfiice of
the lake is 300 feet, the circumference of the cauldron at the top is about
three miles : a cold mist commonly rests on the surface of Uie green»
slimy, and unfathomable water at the bottom ; and so horrible is the scene,
that one almost expects to see the fluid rise from the surface of the dreary
lake. The three peaks to the north of the crater are nearly all of the
same height, that is 4,000 feet above the sea. On one of these Mr. Charles
Parker, of Liverpool, a gentleman of considerable scientific acquirements,
observed the thermometer at 45 minutes past 2 p. m. on the 31st July,
1824, when clear, to stand at 69°; and when hazy at 70^; whilst about
noon in the plain, it indicated 82° of heat. From the Souffriere, when
the day is clear, an extensive view may be had of that wild region the
Charib country, now occupied t)y a mere handful of red Indians.

' In walking along the brink of the crater, it is necessary to clamber over
ridges, covered with slippery moss, on a loose soil, without a shrub to
hold by, and one false step will send the adventurer rolling down into the
Souffriere. After a mile and a half is accomplished, the new crater is
seen : it lies to the S. £. of the other ; and, if the mist is thick and a
breeze blowing, as is often the case, it is necessary to crawl forward on
hands and knees, otherwise it in impossible to avoid a fatal accident whilst
looking into the lesser crater. The two craters are separated only by a
narrow ridge or saddle, which, though apparently impassable, asulor
once succored in crossing. The new crater is more of an abyss than its
neighbour : its sides are more rugged and frightful, but it is much smaller
at bottom, where there is a mass of black ashes and sand, and a littlA
water of a red clay^ hue « sometimes it is quite dry. It is possible, but it
1)1 a perilous enterprize, to descend to the surface of the lake in the great
crater. It is necessary to slip down rocks and guljeys, having only small

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i96 . DELICIOUS CLIMATE OF ST. VINCBKT^S.

projecting stones, roots of grsss, and shrul>s to bold by and stand upon.
The n^id descent occupies about twenty minutes, and then there is a
small promontory, which juts out a few yards into the water. Here two
friends stripped and determined to bathe in the appalling lake, with ito
slimy water of unfathomable depth ; they plunged into the abyss, but the
sensations they experienced on looking up around them were so oyex-
whelming, and the water chilling their bones, they were not long in
regaining the land, having performed a feat that none ever before
attempted.*

Climate. This very beautiful isle stands high in reputa-
tion as a healthy station ; hills and valliesi wood and water,
in abundance, are so disposed as to contrioute to its salubrity ;
—the hills being of a conical shape, there are no livid surfaces
of uncultivated shrubs to harbour miasm, and be swept
down occasionally on the inhabitants below with destructive
effect. The vallies are not deep or filled with jungle and
brush wood impervious to the sun's rays, but the woods
being composed of large trees, and growing from the base to
the summit of the mountains, forms an agreeable shade,
cooling the breeze as it passes through them. Composed as
St. Vincent's is, with sloping surfaces, and gravelly subsoil^
there is hardly any flat ground in the island, and the per-
petually flowing streams from the mountains and hills, while
they tend to temper the air, make the general scene ever. ver-
dant and cheerfuL Hurricanes have been severely in this
inland.*

• On the morning of the 11th August, 1831, St. Tmcent was visited by
a severe gale of wind, or hurricane, which did very great injury to the
plantations on the north and west sides of the island, destroying the greater
part of the sugar works and other buildings in the beautiful vale of the
Charaib country, to windward, as weU as at €hateaubelair and other
places in the leeward quarter. Nineteen vessels were driven on shore in
Kingston bay, of which the greater part were got off in a few weeks, and
seven others were totally wrecked in different parts of the government.
The gale commenced in Kingstown from the north, shortly after daylight
and went round to the north-west ; it then shifted to the south-west, and
subsided about one o'clock in the afternoon ; but in other parts of tho
island it commenced much earlier, and its violence was much greater.
The estimate of the losses, as taken by the Committees of the Legislalare,
amounted to £ies,420.

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MBTBOROIiOGICAL TABLB«— KlMeSTOWM— eT« VIMCENT's. Sffl

The following complete meteorological table, though giTea
for Kingstown in St. Vincent's, will enable the European
reader to form a general idea of the climate of the Caribbee
islands :—

mBKHOMITB***

ffLQ7IAaflTBK.t

HTenoannn.

lo King Town.

Quantity of Rain, in inches.

Mean
Temperature

Lowest*

Higheit.

Uoidhfy

Meea.

1831.

InKtnfslown.

81lllesB.or
Town.

in
Kingitown.

1831.

1889.

1881.

1889.

1831.

1889.

JannBrr....
Febraanr...
March.:...

^—:

Joae

July

Angiisfc....

December..

7»

7«
77

77
78
7B
71

80
M

?•

89
88

78:M
78:80
78:19
79.09
81 :M
81:19
81:18
81:79
81:10
81:48
80:0t
79:81

80:01
79:89
79:0S
80:14
81:08
81140
81:10
88:18
81:80
88:80
81:87
79:81

s:«0

1:17

8:97

l:lO

8:68

18:70

10:89

11:18

9:85

0:94

18:19

9:84

9:90
8:96
1:49
8:89
4:58
794
9:70
8:80
13.88
9:31
8.08
4:83

9:43
8:81
1:53
8:07
0:44
7:47
8:31
0:55
11:99
0:80
8:18
5:95

1:98
1:84
1:10
8:98
9:70
8:08
5:91
7:40
15:14
8:40
9:08
9:75

*78:W
70:76
70:95
70:99
09:94

08:08
07:14
07:99
07:98
09:38
09.98

SIS

09:09
09:39
09:41
07:89

Ymmt..

7<:tf

8fiJ0

80:S8

88:88

87:40

78:18

05.98

09:0O

78:40

08:80t

Vegetable Kingdom. It would be mere recapitulation to
detail the yegetation of St. Vincent's ; the following enumera-
tion of the fruits, esculents, &c. in season throughout the
year will demonstrate the great yariety of vegetable food
which our West India Islands afford : —

' January. — Sappadillos, pomegranates^ papaw8> Bonr-sops, plantains,
okro8> peppers, cocoa-nuts, pigeon or angola peas, sweet potatoes, yams,
Creole ditto, tanias, cotton. /Vftraaiy.— SqipadiUos, sov-sops, cfaicon.
ifofwA.— SappadiDos, sour-sops, graoadillos, custard apples, guavas,
plantains, cerasees, Ceylon ditto, sweet potatoes, yams. ^4^.— Sap-

• St. Vincent, July 30, 1824, observed tlie tliermometer at 2h. 45m. p. m.
on Knole of Benmore when clear, GdP; during haiy, 7(f i about noon in the
plain, 82°. At 5h. dOm. p.m. in New Crater, air, 71^: at 6h.l5m. p.m.
in ditto, water, 68°. At Sh. 30m. a. m. July 31, chudy ,-*top of hill, 65° ;
lee of ditto, 67° ; interior of care, 71^ [Mr. Charles P^ker, Liverpool]

t At Langley Park, St. Vincent, 850 feet above the level of the sea. La
1822, there fell 120.14 inches of run; there were 104 dry daysi weC
ditto, 261 ;— 4otal, 365 : floods, forty days ; thunder-storms, sixty days.

t The highest number denotes moisture ; the lowest a dry state of the
atmosphere. i

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S98

STAPLI^ PRODUCE FROM 1801 TO 18S2.

padillos, Java plams, mangoes, mamme-sqiotaSy pine-apples, Otaheite
gooseberries, Jamaica plums, cerasees, Ceylpn ditto, bread-fniil, silk
cotton, galba-seeds for fences, ^ay.— Sappadillos, mangoes, grana-
dillos, water-lemons, cashews, pine-apples, Otaheite gooseberries, Ja-
maica plums, Ceylon cerasees, silk cotton. •/»n^.— Mangoes, Java plums,
Jamaica ditto, cashews, Ceylon cerasees, pigeon peas, (nearly out of
season) cloves. July, — Mangoes, mamme-sapotas, granadillos, cashews*
avocado pears, cerasees. August. — Mangoes, mamme-sapotas, avacado
pears, hog plums. iSlf/i/^m^r. ^Sugar-apples, sevside grapes, grana-
dillos, hog plums, pompions, Portuguese yams, tanais. Oc/o6^.— Sugar-
apples, guavas, sea-side grapes, avacado pears, Portuguese yams, coffee.
November. — Granadillos, chicou, okros, peppers, bread-fruit, coffee.
December, — Sappadillos, sour-sops, guavas, granadillos, sweet cerasees,
pigeon peas, okros, peppers, sorrel, yams, cotton.'

The following shews the quantities of staple produce made
in St. Vincent and its dependencies from 1801 to 1831,
together with the number of negroes in each parish,*

. * As an historical document I give the following account, shewing the
total number of Slaves annually employed and quantity of produce raised.
In the island of St. Fincent and its Dependencies from 1801 to 1831,
both inclusive. —

w ' «

£J

» tf i s ;

No.

Hdfl. Pud pun

tJjfi. , Llii, 1

BiileH.

Xo,

Hda. Pui3 Pub Lb-i, Lti«.

BftN&.

leoi

17,343

i7»e9gs702 J493

ISIS

W.BI7 19,436 9673 afii3| fl,^4S'll,«M

tSOfl

17iiSl

19,3 ir puiiiiyw

1B19

ao,74S

t| jimiuftfts 10.744

151^«ll

1103

\7An

ig.ari spsp ing;

IB»

M^ias

iflpfiai Ba7SK23ij 7,947 ly.rm

ssS

IB04

»ci,a$t4ii7/2:*5 BSfl4'i6fioiMOfl s.sifi

fl&O

IWl

3ll,30il

IS, 9;}! 9797 437^1 «.03O t3,3«S

401

IBOfi

19M7'^^,^^\ 9:l^^!^l IMS^ 1.5H1

1,493

issa

Bd.asfl

I9h^^9&^0BN8

7,S57 i4.*a3

001

ieo«

10*07^ -SlDi^4 e»4l 3454, «.[M)4 3 J 41

1*150

1S39

ao.o;7

17.5S4 47797^73

9,i53 9.r3fl

044

1W7

90,A£fi J9J3« ft)uii9gfl?;i4,6^a 3745

777

ia^4

1M>,ia5

ltt,54S 53*1 8712

13.743 33,110

0U9

IBM

»»t!7 X B,073 ' M 1 8 14 70 27*SW ». 71 »

i.tia

1835

311,023

10,371 .'^674 0401

8,707 19,309

4lti

isog

i!D,7as ipptsd £>3G9 i3S8^,NQo n,65L

,182(1, 1 9. 8S9

19,591 565flS67fl

6,990 30,173

*33

liio

S0,6$0 l6.tS7 7501 144 1'la.fllW 3,&79

S*^

H37

r 9.833

19,340 0^ft$ 7090

10,t03 13,301

Ull

aO/603 \'M^ ^n\^\i\,^7^ ]V,£7A

03g

18^

t9pB(}S

aij6o 0037 3973

1,87^ 1^,434

309

1813

30^44 I5,H73 ¥740 lor^iajia 4,^7

fl69

1839

19.^

Li,070 0W3

3,»7S 13J10

»7

liiS

«D,4SS tfi.IOti g^ftn 5S4 14,049 s.ios

743

JS3f)

f ,43ao

ISH

20.888 117*3-7 P3S

lid;, a.B^M 9,7«5

01 &

IhSl

i3,3«fl mt

i.a«o. fM\

\Uh

flft.Kas 17.&17 9181

1731' 9,i;e 9p*3o

44a

11833

i&LO:so,5r3|jg»r3i 39^

31 1 010,479 )3jA(l

031

iiesa

iai7

Sa,£H5l

tM41

^042

14 45

1S.P9

10,971

S9I

idB4

f The quantity of sugar, rum and molasses manufactured in the Gre-
nadines are not included in the first three years of this return. The
figures from 1801 to 1819, 1 derive from the official account published at
St. Vincent in 1819 ; from 1820 to 1829 Mr. Shepherd's work is my
authority; 1831 from the St. Vincent Almanack, converted into the
denominations here used.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

SUGAR, RUM, &C. OF EACH PARISH.

!i99

PMiahet and Islands.

Sugar.

Rum.

Molasses.

Cotton.

Cofllw.

Coco».*

Neproes ob

l8tJanaar7»

1881.

Charlotte Parish

St. George's do

St. Andrew's do

St. Patrick's do

8t.DaTid*sdo

The Oreoadlnes

Lbs.

6i849!236
1.514,89S
M52.648
1^0,868
l.«77.787

Gallons.
370,603
193.853
67.034
54.551
45,881
«5,197

GaUons.
159,948
100.873
58,594
45,171
S5.944
53,195

Lbs.

55.597

Lbs.
1,960

Lbs.
561
950

No.
6,887
5,984
1.6M
1.747
1,619
9,817

Total..

94,454,550

657,069

486,095

55,597

1,260

7.861

19.855

Population. , The aborigines of the island were undoubt*
edly the yellow Caribs^ probably emigrants from Guyana«f
When St. Vincent's was visited by Europeans^ two dbtinct races
of men were discovered ; they were of different origins^ and
^eir appearances and manners plainly corresponded with
those of different portions of the globe. One of these tribes
had evidently descended from the aborigines of the island^
those of the other tribe were evidently intruders, and the
great difficulty consists in accounting fairly and fully for their
introduction. It is supposed that about 1675, a ship carry-
ing out negroes from that country for sale, foundered on the
Qoast of Bequia, a small island near to Saint Vincent, and
that the slaves who escaped from the wreck were received
by the inhabitants as brethren. But this was not all, the
proprietors of the island gave their daughters in marriage to
these strangers, and the race which sprang from this mixture*
were called Black Caribs, having preserved more of the prU
mitive colour of their fathers, than the hghter hue of their
mothers. The yellow Caribs are of a low stature, the black
i^e tall and stout, and this doubly savage race speak with a
degree of vehemence which seems like anger.

At length some difference arose between these two classes,
of which the French in Martinico resolved to avail themselves,
and as is usual to profit by the ruin of both parties ; but the
smallness of the numbers sent against the Black Caribs, and

• Arrow-root, 3,763 lbs.

t For a description of these people I refer to the chapter on British
Gnyana.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

800 EARLY HISTORY OF THE BLACK AND YELLOW CARIBS.

the defection of the Yellow Caribs, who refused to supply
such dangerous allies with any of the succours which they had
promised them to act against their rivak, together with the
impossibility of coming up with enemies who kept themselves
concealed in the woods, were circumstances which combined
to disconcert this rash and violent enterprise ; the Gallic in*
vaders were therefore forced to reimbark, after losing many
valuable lives: — but the triumph of the Black Caribs did
not prevent their suing for peace^ they even subsequently in-
vited the French to come and live with them, swearing sincere
friendship: the proposal was accepted, and in the year 1719
many of the French inhabitants of Martinico removed to St.
Yincenl^s. When the French came, they brought their slaves
with them to clear and till the ground; the Black Caribs,
shocked at the idea of resembling persons who were degraded
by slavery, and fearing that in process of time their own co-
lour, which betrayed their origin, might be made a pretence
for enslaving them, took refuge in the thickest part of the
woods, and in order to create and perpetuate a visible distinc*
tion between their race and the slaves brought into the island^
and likewise in imitation of the practice of the Yellow Caribs,
they compressed, so as to flatten, tibe foreheads of all their new
bom infants, and this was thereafter concluded as a token of
their independence. The next generation thus became as it
were, a new race, they gradually quitted the woods, erected
huts, and formed little communities on the coast; by degrees
they chumed a portion of the territory possessed by the
Caribs, and having learned the use of fire-arms, which they
procured from the French traders, on being refused a finendly
participation in the landed property, established themselves
as a separate tribe, elected a chief, re-commenced hostilities
against the Yellow Caribs, and by force brought their adver^
saries to terms of accommodation, by which it was agreed to
divide equally the lands situated on the leeward coast. It
happened however, after this division, that the Black Caribs
experienced a most mortifying disappointment, for most of
the new planters from Europe, and from the French settle-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

niEKCH 8STTI.BMBNT& ON 8T. yiNCBNT*S« 801

ments in the West Indies, landed and setded near the Yellow
Caribs, where the coast is most accessible. This decided pre-
ference occasioned a new war» in which the Yellow Caribs
were always defeated, and at length obliged to retire to the
windward parts of the island, some fled to the Continent, and
some to Tobago, the few that remained lived separately from
the blacks, who became the sole masters of all the lands on the
leeward shore, assumed the right of conquerors, and obliged
the European planters to re-purchase the lands, for which
they had already paid the Yellow Caribs,*

While these differences were in progress, and while the
French were gradually gaining a footing in the island, Greorge
the first granted it to the Duke of Montague, who in 172S,
sent out a small armament to take possession, but the
English on their arrival found the French influence under
the appearance of protection so predominant, and the deter-
mination of the natives to admit no Europeans to a perma-
nent settlement there so fixed, that they were ghul to abandon
their alleged proprietorshipe ; and when the Doke, at a subse-
quent period endeavoured to establUh his daim before the
Privy Council it was disallowed.

Notwithstanding the difficulties created l^ Caribs, the
French prevailed bymeanaof ccmtinual reinforcements of men
and money, and superior skill in agriculture and commercial
affairs ; so that in less than twenty years, 800 whites, and 3,000
black slaves, were employed in the cultivation of conmiodities
for exportation, which yielded a sum equal to £6Sfi25i
sterling. The expedition which was sent against Map-
tinico in 176S, under General Monckton and Admiral Rod-
ney, subsequently captured St. Vincent's, and a war be-
tween the British and Caribs soon followed. The result of
several severe contests was (as stated under the general his-
tory of the island) the final subjugation of the Yellow and

• A Frenchman havin^^ produced to a Black Garib Chief a deed of
land that he had purchased of a Yellow Garib, was told he did not know
what the paper contained* but pomting to his own arrow, said if he did
not gi^c ^in^ ^'^ Bum he demanded, he would set fire to and burn down
his house that very night. Shepherd's Si. FIncent.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

^Od POPULATION PROM 1735 TO 18dl-»WHITB AND BLACK.

Black Caribs, and their deportation to the number of 5,080
from the island to Ruattan in Honduras Bay, after costing the
colonists in expenses and losses £900,000. sterling, and a
considerable sacrifice of European life.^

The following shews the Population of St. Vincent and its
Dependencies at several intervals : —

Tear.

KegToea.

Caribs.

Whites.

Coloarad.

Blav«.t

1735

6,000

4,000

1764

-;-

«,104

—

7,414

1787

—

—.

1,450

300

11,853

1805

1,600

450

16,500

1819

—

1,053

1,489

24,990

1825'

—

1,301

2,b24

23,780

1831

mm-m

""~

"■■"

^mmm

22,997

Finance. The revenue of the island is stated by Mr.
Shepherd at about £S6,000 per annum, and raised by an annual
tax act, by which assessments on all the staple commodities
of the Island are made, and a proportionate per centage on
the incomes of merchants and other persons, with a poll tax
on unattached slaves; Commissioners to carry the act into
execution, are named for each parish, and the returns are
directed to be given in to the Treasurer in January, from

♦ For a very able and interestiof^ account of the Carib war vide Mr.
Shepherd's History of St. Vincent before referred to.
- t "The pro^esflive increase or decrease of the slave population from
-1817 to 1831 was,—

Increase by

DeGreesebf

Btrfh.

Defttb.

1817 ..

19.748

19.475

95,918

isn ..

12,007

19,345

91,959

1*298

1,358

9,050

9,975

1,930

4.90S

18SS ..

11,085

19,095

93,780

918

934

1.859

1,157

949

9.900

I8i8 ...

11,683

19,110

9s,09g

939

890

1.799

1.117

903

9.190

I8S1 ..

11,910

11.781

M.997

919

809

l»78l

1.930

1.090

S.900

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

FINANCIAL STATB OF THE COLONY. SOS

whence the rates are calculated according to the estimated
expences of the island, and submitted to the Assembly.
The Colony derives no pecuniary assistance from Great
Britain; the garrison, the proportionate expence of the naval
establishment, the packets, and the home salary of the
Governor, form the only burthen, if such it can be calledi
sustained b^ the mother country.

The estimated expences of the Colony, for the year 1893;
was, salaries to public officers, H. Ex. the Gov. 5,000/. ; Chief
Justice, 1,200/. Attor.Gen.500/. ; Clerk of Council, 200/.: ditto
of Assembly, 500/. ; Messenger and House-keeper, 200/. ; Clerk
to the Magistrates, 50/. ; Register of Slaves, 250/. ; Treasurer,
1,200/. ; Colonial Agent, £850 sterling, 840/. ; Signal men, 85/.
Clerk of the Market, 100/.; Overseer of Tread-mill, 150/.;
Chief Constable, 300/.; Extra Constable, 300/.— 10,875/. Mi-
litary Establishment. — Adj. South. Regt. Militia, 100/. ; dittd
N. Reg. 50/. ; ditto Queen's Compa;nie8, 50/. ; Armourer, 100/. \
Repairing Military Roads, 210/. ; Clearing the Parade Ground.
150/.— 660/. Clerical Establishment.— Rector of St. Georg6
and St. Andrew's Parishes, 1,060/. ; Parish Clerk to ditto,
100/. ; Organist to ditto, 300/.-^ 1,460/. Rector of Charlotte
Parish, 700/.; Parish Clerk to ditto, 66/.— 766/. Rector
Leeward Parishes, 700/. ; ditto. House-rent, 100/. ; Parish
Clerk to Leeward, 66/.— 866/. Rector of the Grenadines, 700/. ;
Parish Clerk to ditto, 33/.— 733/. Estimated expences for
repairing Churches, &c.— 4,825/. Annuities. — ^To Militia
Men, &c., 286/; to Manumitted Slaves, 420/.; Arrears to
ditto, 706/.— 1,412/.— Public Roads. — Annual Repairs^
2,715/.; ditto, Vigie and Owia, 199/.; Arrears of Annual
Repair, 2,733/. ; allowed extra for heavy rains, 500/.— 6,147/. ;
Repairs to Governor's residence^ 3,000/. ; Accounts against
the Public, 3,500/.; Arrears of ditto, 1,871 ; Allowed for
contingencies, 3,000/. ; Rewards under the Slave Act, to
Nurses and Midwives, 3,000/. ; Register of Slaves, for Tri*
«nnial Return, 1,000/- -15,371/. Total 39,290/.

The taxes, &c. to meet these estimates, were — Due by the
Treasurer's accounti to Slst Dec. 1831, per his statement.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S04 ISLAND EXPENDITURE FROM 1806 TO 1830.— MONIES.

877/.; Deficiency of White Serrants, 1,908^; Ihiliefl Ob
Liquors, 1261.; Powder Officer, 418/.; Transimt Traders,
45/.; Custom-Hoiue, 31/.; OuUtandiog Taxes, 12,904/.;
Liqww Licenses, 1,266/.; Amount of Produce, Polland House
Tax, at 2 per'eent, 12,826/.; 1,621 Negroes, at 5*. 4i05/L—
30,810/.

The expenditure of the Island from the Treasurer's Books,
was, in Currency —

£.
1806- 16,483

1807 - 28,536

1808 - 22,504

1809 • 16,158

1810 - 19,868

1811 - 21,253

1812 . 19,583

1813 - 24,123

1814 - 22,036
1815- 18,633

1816 - 24,250

1817 ■ 22,133

£.

1818 - 37,858
1819- 85,126

1820 - 39,710

1821 - 18,130

1822 - 37,712

1823 - 29,908

£,

1824 . 38,034

1825 - 23,134

1826 - 36,173

1827 - Si,SS7

1828 - 31,671

1829 - 25,361

. Monetary System. Current value of the coins in cir-

culation within this Government. Silver coins, — Spanish

dollar, 10«. half dollar, 5t. ; Carolus, 2«. ; Pistareen, Is. 6d. ;

Quarter Colonial coin, 4 dwts. 9 grs. 2*. 6d. ; English

•UUing, 3 dwts. 16 grs. 2«. 3i</.

Cro/c/ cotM.— Doubloon 17 dwts. 8 grs. 16 doL £8 0 0
Half do. 8—16— 8—400
Guinea 5 — 8 — 44 Sths 2 8 0
Sovereign 5 — 3i— 43 5ths 2 6 H
Copper coins. — English penny-piece, and stampee, i^tL

each ; ditto, halfpenny, l^dL ; dog, l^d.

The gold coins in circulation are exclusively Spanish
and Portuguese, the Doubloon at the value of sixteen
dollars with the aliquot parts in proportion; the Johannes
pass by weight at nine shillings the penny-weight; for-
merly this coin was the most common throughout the Is-
lands, each Colmy mutilating their own by plugs and
various marks, to prevent exportation; from these prac-
tices the coin became so deteriorated, that in 1818 it was
-called in at a considerable loss, and Doubloons came into
more general circulation. The sQver coins are the dollar
which passes at ten shillings currency, and Colonial coois of
.one-fourth, one-eighth and one-sixteenth: the British silver
occasionally forms part of the commissariat issues, from

Digitized by VjOOQIC

COMMERCE AND SHIPPING OF ST. VINCENT's.

906

which source nearly «11 the bullion of .the country arises, hut
it is speedily collected by the merchants for remittances to
Europe, and is therefore of little benefit as a general circu-
lating medium ; the English copper money, and a barbarous
Colonial coin, with the equally barbarous names of Stampees
and Black Dogs, complete the catalogue. The sterling value
of the dollar being four shillings and four pence, gires £ 230 &
as the currency value of £100.

. Commerce. In 1832 there were shipped from St. Vin->
cent'a to Great Britain, of sugar, 12,477 hogsheads, 441
tierces, 197 barrels ; of rum, 225 puncheons ; of molasses^
2,398 puncheons. To the British American Provincesj
sugar, 91 hogsheads, 116 tierces, 441 barrels; rum, 2,238
puncheons; molasses, 1,111 puncheons. To the British
W. I. islands, and to other ports there, were small quantities
of the above mentioned items, making a total of ugar, 12,647
hogsheads; 567 tierces, 718 barrels; of rum, 3,2LJ6 puncheons,
87 hogsheads, 21 barrels; of molasses, 4,206 puncheons^
and there were also some small shipments to Europe, inr
eluding 631 boxes of arrow root.

- The value of the total maritime trade of the island, and
the amount of shipping therein employed is thus shewn: —

VALVU OF IMWOVn WtLOU

Bmnrttto oi/rwAavs to

GreiU
Bri-

tain.

West
Indies

North
Ame.
rica.

FO. 1

Great

Britain.

British
Colonies.

Foreign
Stotes.

Total.'

18M

£.

57,185
90,35«

85.068
61,058

£.
43,888

41,005

iff. 1 ^.
S8»801 148,898
53,568 858,875

IMI

isaa

;i830
1881
1888

45
37

18,783
10,891

898
848

17,735
80,860

8.588
5.685

488

401

34,055
36.736

TALUS OF BZrORTt TO

\ ¥

18M
IMl
1898

8te,347
S1»,S0S

87,««4
81,7M

84,597
88,189

8,536
8,081

888,045

1880J
1881
1888

36
46

•■X

10,846
13.486

fmt

846
1»4

1 xywA

16,417
17.069

RDS

104
106

FROM
5,588

7,740

885
446

38.895
38,895

Form of Government, Laws, Ecclesiastical Establish-
ments, Military, &c.* The authorities which constitute
• I am indebted for this section (and indeed I ought to say that I have
VOL. 11. X

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

900 FORM OF GOVERNMENT — LEOlSLATIVE COUNCfL.

the Government of the Island, are, the Governor, Council/
and Assemhly, the former is Chancellor, Ordinary and Vice
Admiral. His duties are regulated hy instructions from His
Majesty, which are said to have been originally framed in the
time of Charles 11. for the Island of Jamaica, and have been
adopted for the other . Islands ; to these may be added Him
Majesty's Proclamation of the 7th of October, 1763, whick
may be called the foundation of the insular constitution, by
this authority the general assemblies are summoned, and the
powers of enacting laws, as near as may be to the laws of
England, are given, the authority for erecting Courts of
Judicature, with the liberty of appeal, is also recognised in this
document, which was promulgated after the treaty of Paris.^

The Council consists of twelve Members, five or six of
whom are usually named in the Governor's Commission, and
the remainder supplied by recommendation of the Governor^
or by mandamus; five in number constitute a board, and
when the original number is reduced to seven, the Governor
has a power of nomination to supply the vacancies.f

The Council sit in two capacities. Privy and Legislative,
in the former the Governor presides, in the latter the senior
member, under the title of President, on whom also the tem-
porary Government devolves on the absence, or death of a
Governor. Since the appointment of a Bishop, he has been
sworn in ex-officio a Member in Council in all the Islands
composing his diocese, and where the date of his appoint-
ment has preceded that of a Governor, he is also Ordinary.

only been enabled by means of the same gentleman to make the St. Vin-
cent chapter complete) to the intelligence and energetic zeal of Mr.
Shephardf the barrUter, a resident on the island, as before adverted to.

* The Governor's salary, which he is required by his instructions to
apply for on his first meeting the Council and Assetibly, is ^4,000 cur-
rency.

t By a late rule of the Colonial Office, no Councillor can be absent
longer than twelve months — after that period his name is directed to be
struck out, but no objection appears to his r^-admission, at a subsequent
period, as the junior member.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF ST. yiNCENT>. SOT.

The Assembly consists of nineteen members, three fox;
each of the five pmshes, two for the town of Kingstownj,
and the Uke number for the Grenadines ; the qualification of
Members for the Parishes and Islands, is fifty acres of land
in cultivation, or producing an income of £800. currency a,
year, and for the town a house of the yearly value of £100. ;
the titles of the candidates to their property must appear to
have been registered in the office twelve months, except in
cases of wills, and conveyance of property executed in Great
Britain. Electors must have a freehold of ten acres, or a
house in Kingstown of twenty pounds yearly value, or of ten
pounds elsewhere, registered in like manner. Elections take
place under the authority of a writ issuing from the Govemoc
and Council, on an application from the Speaker, to the Provost
Marshal General, and the whole regulations, on this subject,
are prescribed by an Act of the Legislature, which passed in
1786; these three branches assimilate their proceedings as
near as possible to those of Great Britain; their meetings
are quarterly, and the Acts that are passed proclaimed by
the Marshal, and enrolled in the Registrar's Office. These
Acts may be divided into three classes, the first temporary
and purely colonial, which take efiect immediately on their
publication; the second, such as have a clause annexed
suspending tiieir operation until His Majesty's pleasure be
known; and the third, the permanent laws, which if not
confirmed in two years from their enactment, are to be con-
aidered as disallowed. In strictness the Governor is not aur
thorized to pass any law, repealing one which may have
received the royal approbation, without a suspending clause;
but this in the cases of the old laws, has been frequentiy overr
looked. The Attorney-General has asalary of £500. currency
per annum, which is in part given to him for framing the
biDs, which may be required, but he is not obliged to
introduce them to either house, and a considerable difficulty
has frequently occurred from the want of an accredited
person, as the organ of Government, who might introduce

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S08 COURTS OF JUSTlCB^-^MILITIAy &C«

£he measures proposed by the orown tlirough the Colonial
Secretary to either house. At present the Oovemor com*
nunicates by letters with the President and Speaker, but no
member is intrusted with the charge of carrying any ImUs
through the different stages prescribed by the Legblature.

Courts of Justice. The supreme court for ci^il causes ja
called the Court of King's Bench and Conunon Pleas, where
the Chief Justice presides ; his salary is jGS^OOO. currency.
There are three other Assistant Justices, who are not pro^
fessional persons, and act without any salary. This Court
liolds its sittings for the trial of causes once in every month,
fipom March to August, when executions for debt can be
obtained in about ten weeks, from the entering day. The
proceedings are regulated by a Court Act. The Court ot
Sessions for the trial of criminal oflPences is held twice a
year. The Chief Justice is President, and the Members <^
Council and Judges sit according to seniority. The Court of
Error for appeals from the King's Bench and Common Pleas,
is composed of the Governor and Council. The Governor
is also sole Chancellor, and from these two last Courts an
appeal lies to his Majesty in CounciL*

The Militia consists of all the free inhabitants between
the ages of eighteen and fifty-five, and is fdrmed into one
regiment of 580 men, two King's companies of 150 men, and
two Queen's companies of 1S5 men, and twenty-five cavalry,
these assemble for exercise once in every month, at the di&
ferent stations in the island. The legislature has «[idea»>
voured to keep up an effective force of white peraons by
requiring the planters to keep one white person for every
fifty slaves, under a penalty of £50. for each deficiency.

The Garrison of British regulars for the protection of the
Island, since the peace has been reduced to one wing of a
regiment, with a few artillery men, during the war two regi-

* In consequence of the reports of the Commissioners of legal enquiry,
it may be fully expected that the whole judicial system of the West Indies
will be greatly modified and improved — for the defects of the present
must be obvious to the most superficial observer.

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RSOISTftATION OF RBAL PROPERTY. $09^

m^ntswere the complement which the Goveniment undertook
to iumish^ in consideration of the assistance which was given
by the Colony at different periods^ towards building the forts
and barracks^ and of maintaining the roads thereto at the
public expense of the colony.

. Th£ Police is excellent, especially in the town of Kingq*
town ; it is regulated by three Town Wardens who are m^
nually appointed, and a Chief Comtable, with very extensivf
powers ; the tread-miU affords an efficient mode of punishr
ment, heretofore unknown in St. Vincent'st

The Registration of real Property is requisite, and
the deeds of conveyance must be acknowledged either per*
soiially, or by attorney, before the Registrar. The Provoet
Marshal General executes an office corresponding to that
of Sheriff, and inquests are regularly held by the Coroner in
all necessary cases.

The commerce of the Island is regulated by the officers of
His Majesty's Customs ; a Collector, Comptroller, and thre^
-Waiters constitute the estabUshment ; the regulations of
trade having been much simplified, and amended of lat^
years, by the repeal of several hundred Acts, and consoli-
dating their provisions under six or eight distinct head^.
The fees on shipping are now abolished, and the salaries of
the officers are defrayed from the dutiable articles imported
firom foreign ports.

Ecclesiastical. The Church in Kingstown having been
destroyed in the hurricane of 1780, the present structure was
finished in 1820, and an Act was passed for the building of
Churches in the different parishes, each of which is supplied
with a minister.

The salary of the Rector of Saint George and Safait An-
drew, including a compensation for a house and glebe, is
£1,060 per annum; the other salaries are £700 currency,
and the Legislature having resolved on the expenditure of
'£ 5,000 sterling on ecclesiastical improvements, and the Go-
vernment having directed a sum arising from the sale of
Crown Lands to be appropriated to similar purposes, it may

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i\o

THE WEST INDIA BISHOPS.

be confidently assumed, that in a few years, there will be
suflicient buildings of every description erected.*

By the Act 6th Geo. IV. c. 88, amended by the 7th Geow
IV. c. 4. His Majesty has graciously erected the West
India Islands into two Sees, the salaries of the Bishops pay-
able out of the 4i} per ceqt. duties are £4,000 steriing each,
with a provision for a retiring pension of £1,000 after a
'service of ten years ; and the sum of £4,300 is at the disposal
of the Bishop of Barbadoes, for the maintenance of Mi-
nisters, Catechists,^and Scoolmasters in the Diocese, with a
limitation that no Minister's salary is to exceed £300 ster-
ling. This is the first instance of such a provision in the
West Indies (except in the case of the Judges in the Priie
Courts) and cannot be too highly commended, f

These episcopal appointments have already been of great
utility, the inferior clergy have been regulated, and a system
adopted of conveying general instruction to the negroes by
means of catechists and schoolmasters.^ The residence of
the Bishop is in Barbadoes, from whence he makes occa-
sional visitations to the different Islands in his Diocese, and
it is pleasing to add, that all authorities agree in representing
.'the present Bishop as singularly active, and energetic in the

* There are at the disposal of the Crown in St. Vincent^ of land
saleabie and fit for immediate cultifre about 2,500 acres in the N.E. quarter ;
at the N. end about 500; at the N.W. 600; and in the interior of the
parishes of St. George, St. Patrick, St. Andrew, and St. David, 500 ;»
in all 4,100, and as much more remotely situate and difficult of access,
t Mr. Shepherd rightly observes, that, if the Government desire to be

.well and faithfully served by persons adequately qualified to execute the
trusts reposed in them, they must secure them a remuneration for thdr

, advancing years ; in most instances the colonial salaries barely afford a

, decent maintenance, and many persons have been obliged to continue in
office, from necessity, long after they have been enervated by disease, or

' disqualified from age. Such a system also tends to check any disposition
towards the undue acquirement of the emoluments of office, it will be

' found most beneficial to both parties, and will confer lasting honour on
' the provident humanity of His Mi^eaty.

^ I The number of places of worship are eleven, capable of containing

2,500 persons/and usnally attended by 1,870 ; the total expense is jf3,000.

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EDUCATION AND FUTURE STATE OF ST. VINCENT's. 811

peifomiance of his spiritual duties towards the more helpless
classes of his fellow-creatures.

Education. The want of education has been a sore evil
in the Colonies, but a decided improvement has taken place,
under the auspices of the Bishopi and it is to be hoped
that in a few years the parochial schools will manifest thw
utility.* There is a laudable institution by a few coloured
persons in Kingstown, for the education of the coloured poor,
which with very limited means, has been productive of great
advantages, and deserves more patronage and support, than'
it has hitherto received from the white population. The Le-
gislature has removed the disabilities attendant on colour,
and stricken the fetters from the slave, but I agree with the
ingenious author I have before cited, that these concessions will
be of no actual benefit to that race, unless they become qua*
Mfied by education and morals, to assume their advanced
station in society, and to perform the duties required of
them, and this will depend on freedom from commercial res-
trictions at home as well as on their own exertions to obtain
property by their industry, and respect by their integrity .f

* State of public education in 1830: males, 135 ; femaleH, 74 ; — total,
209.

t The dependencies within this Government are the islands of Bequia,
3,700 acres, with a very fine harbour, called Admiralty Bay; Union,
2,150 acres; Mustique, 1,203 acres; and Canouan, 1,777 acres. There
are also the lesser islands of Balliceaux and Battawia, Myera, Petit St.
Vincent, Islet a Quatre, Isle of Wash, Church Island, Petit Nevis, Three
Ramiers, Pillories, Savan, Petit Bermuda, Petit Canouan, Barbaroux Is-
land, or Petit Curacoa, Two Taffia Quays, Two Baleines, Two Catholics,
Prune Island, Four Tobago Quays, Umbrella Quay and Petit Martinique.
The cultivation in all these islands is very much reduced, from the wooda
having been cut down, and the consequent decrease of rain; the seas
abound with fish ; many whales make their appearance in February and
March, and the air is remarkably fine and salubrious.

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ai«

CHAPTER VII.
BARBADOE8.

fiOCALlTY — HISTORY — PHYSICAL ASPECT — CLJMATB — POPULATION

PRODUCTIONS — COMMERCE— EDUCATION — PROPERTY— OOTERNMENT,
&C.

Locality. This ancient British colony is situated at the S, E.
extremity of the great American archipdago, in Lat 1 SJL N*

* For the sake of the general navi-
gator, I give the course and distance
firom Bridge Town, Bai1)adoe8, to St
Pierre, Martinique ; and thence to the
principal Ports in the Northern direc<^
tion, down to St. Thomas, with the dis-
tance added to each course, for turning
in and out of the ports.

PKiircirAL roais.

Bridre Town to St. Pierre . .
St. Pierre to Roeeaa, D<Hni'

nica

Roeean to BMieterre, Gua*

daloape

Baeieterre to Montsenwt
West Point of Montsenrat to

St. John's^Antlffoa..
St. John's to Charlestown,

Nevis

Charieetown to Basseterre,

St.Kitts

Basseterre to St KastaUns.
St. Eastatlns to Oastayia,

St. Bartbolomew

Onstavia to St. Martin's
St. Martin's to West Bad of

AnaniUa

Angnula to S.W. Point of

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Oorda to Tortola. . .. .

Toctolato St. John's

Tortola to Port

St. John's to St. Thomas,

general coarse

Whole Distance .

Distance in smooth water,
under the lee of the islands,
in the above given direc-

Count.

N.W.

N.hyW. |W.

N.iW.
N. W. by W.

N.B.

W.^S.

N. N. W. I W.

N.W.

N.N.E.
N.W. b W. i W

N.bjW.

W.byN.

W. AS.

S.W. by S.

W. JN.

W. by N.

Course and distance from
Bridgetown, Barbadoes, to Ca-
renage, St. Lucia ; and thence
to all the principal Ports in the
Southern direction to Port of
Spain, Trinidad, with the dis-
tance added to each course, for
turning in and out of ports.

paiNciPAi. poaTs.

Bridge Town to Ca>

renage, St. Lnda
Carenage to Kings.

town, St. Vincent
Kingstown to St.

George's, Grenada
St. George's to Scar'

boroo^, T6bago.
Scarborottgh to the

Bocas, "Mnidad . .
Hie Boeas to Port of

Spain

N.W. i W.
S.byWJS.W.
S. 8.W. 4 W.

S. B. i B.

W. 8. W.

Whole Distance..

Distance under the
lee of the islands,
in the above given
dlrection,tfae winds
Northerly

Ditto, winds being
Southerly... .,

1«7

4SS

lift

igft

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GENERAL HISTORY OF BARBAOOES; . SIS

Long. 59.41. W.* extending about twenty-two mUes in length
and fourteen in breadth, with a surface of IO6947O acres.

General History. The early discovery of Barbadoes is
involved in obscurity ; the island remained unknown and un«-
noticed for a century after the discoveries of Columbus, and
the first indication of its existence in the charts of European
navigators, was A. D. 1600. It is said to have been first
visited by the Portuguese, who, finding it uninhabited, and
rude in appearance, named the isle Los Barbados^ or as some
say in reference to the number of fig trees which from their
spreading branches were hkened to luxurious beards. The
original discoverers left some swine and plants on the isl^
and abandoned it. In 1605, an English ship, the O/tf^, re-
turning from Gkiinea, accidentally touched at Barbadoes,
landed a part of her crew at the spot, where the Hole Town
was aft;erwards built, erected a cross, took possession of the
island, and inscribed on several trees, 'James, King of Eng-
land, and of this island.' Finding no refreshments the crew
was reimbarked, and the adventurers proceeded to St.
Christopher's, where an English colony had recently been
formed. The island was then neglected for nearly twenty
years, when some Dutch menof-war having visited it,
reported favourably of its adaptation for cultivation. These
particulars having reached Sir Wm. Courteen, an entei^
prizing London merchant, he endeavoured to efiect a settle-
ment on Barbadoes. The beauty and fertility of the island
became also much talked of in England in consequence of
a ship of Sir Wm. Courteen's having put in there, in stress
of weather, and the mariners, on returning home, expatiated
on the advantages of the place. The spirit of colonization
was at this time exceedingly active in England, (I wish
sincerely it could now be revived), and the Earl of Marl-
borough (afterwards Lord High Treasurer), obtained from
James I, a patent for the island to him and bis heirs for
ever. Sir Wm. Courteen having obtained the sanction of the
noble patentee, fitted out two large ships with men, arms^
ammunition, and every thing suited to the establishment of a

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814 BRITISH COLONIZATIOX OF BARBADOSS.

new colony. One vessel only arrived at Barbadoes, and wt
town was commenced in February 16S5, at the spot where
the OUve had touched twenty years before, and named
■James*9 (hy some called Hole) town. In 16S7, James Hay, Elarl
of Carlisle, stimulated by the representations of Thos. Warner
who had been engaged in forming a settlement at St. Chris-
topher's applied to and obtained from Charles I. (who had
then newly ascended the throne), a grant of all the Caribbee
islands, to be formed into a palatinate or proprietary govern-
ment, under the name of Cariola. The Earl of Marlborough
of course strenuously opposed this enormous grant, as affecting
his prior right to Barbadoes, and litigation commenced
between the two noblemen, which was compromised on Lord
Carlisle agreeing to settle on the Earl of Marlborough and
his heirs for ever, an annuity of £300 in lieu of his claim.
The Earl of Carlisle's patent passed the great seal the Snd of
June 16S7, and the preamble of this singular charter runs as
follows : —

' Whereas our well-beloved cousin and counsellor, James Lord Hay,
Baron of Sauley, Viscount Doncaster» and Earl of Carlisle, endeavouring,
with a laudable and pious desi^^, of propa^fating the Christian Religion,
and also of the enlargement of the territories of our dominions, hath
humbly petitioned us for a certain region of islands in our dominions after-
.aamed, l^ng towards the north part of the world, as yet void, and inha-
.bited by savages, who have no knowledge of the divine power, commonly
called the Caribbee Islands, containing the islands of St. Christopher,
Grenada, Sunt Vincent, Saint Lucia, Barbadoes, Martinique, Dominica,
Marigalante, Deseada, Todasantos, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat,
Redondo, Barbuda, Nevis, Eustatia, Sunt Bartholomew, Saint Martin,
Anguilla, Sombrera, and Anegada, and many other islands, found at his
great cost and chiu'ges, and now brought to that pass to be inhabited by
a large and copious colony of English, with certain privileges and jurisdic-
tions belonging to the said government and state of a colony and region
to him, his heirs, and assigns, to be granted/

' By the succeeding clauses, his Majesty did, by the same grant, for him,
his heirs and successors, make, create and constitute the sud Earl of Car-
lisle, 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

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KiKG Charles's grant to the earl of Carlisle. 316

whom the ri|fht belongeth, know ye, that we have authorised 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 signets to pub*
lish such laws as he, the sud Earl of Carlisle, or his heirs, with the eomenf,
assent and approbation^ of the free inkagntants of the smd province, or ik€
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 returning to England, or any other of our dominions, or
any other place appointed, upon such impositions, penalties, imprison-
ments, or restnunt ; and if it behoveth, and the quality of the offence re-
quireth, either upon the body or death itself, to be executed by the said
James Earl of Carlisle, and his heirs ; or by his or their deputy, judges,
magistrates, officers, and ministers, according to the tenor and true mean*
ing of these presents, in what case soever : and with such power as to him,
the sud James Earl of Carlisle, or his heirs, shall deem best. And to
dispose of all offences or riots whatsoever, either by sea or land, whether
before judgment received^ or after remitted, freed, pardoned or forgiven.
And to do and perform all and every thing or things ; which, to the fuU
filling 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 produmed, and by
strength of right supported, as they are granted, we will eigoin, charge
and conunand, all and every subject and liege people of us, our heirs and
successors, as far as them they do concern, inviolably to keep and ob-
serve under the pains therein expressed ; so as, notwithstanding, the
aforesaid laws be agreeable, and not repugnant unto reason ,- nor against,
but as convenient and agreeable as may be to the laws, statutes, customs uphI
rights, of our kingdom of England,*

* And because in the government of so great a province oftentimes sud-
den 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 always be needful, in such cases, that all the people be
called together ; we will and ordain, and by these presents^ for us, our
heirs and successors, have granted to the said James 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 profit-
able, firom time to time, that they may be esteemed, kept and observed,

.within the taid province, as well for keeping the peace as for the
better government of the people there living, so that they may be publicly

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SI 6 TUB BARBADOES PATENT REVOKED BY THE KING« >

known to all whom tkey do concern. Wliich ordinances we will, witliia.
the said proyinces^ inviolably to be kept, upon paia in them expressed ; so
that these laws be agreeable to reason, and not repugnant nor against it,
bnt, as far as may be, agreeable to the laws and statutes of our kingdom
of England ; and so fhat ihi^e laws ewtend not to the hurt or ducommotRt^
i/tmy person or pertofu, either to the bindings, constrmning, hwrthening^ or
tMng aumy, either their liberty, goode, or chatteU.'
' * 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 alle^.
glance; and that all and every subject and liege people of us, our heirs
and successors, brought or to be brought, and their children, whether then
bom, or afterwards to be bom, become natives and subjects of us, our
heirs and successors, and be lufree as they who were born in England; and
so their inheritance within our kingdom of England or other of our
dominions, to seek, receive, take hold, buy and possess, and use and
enjoy them as their own ; and to give, sell, alien and bequeath them
at their pleasure ; and aho/yeely, quietly, and peaceably, to have and poiseu
all the liberties, franchises, tmd privileges of this hingdom and them to enjoy
as liege people 0/ England, whether bom or to be born, mthout impedi-.
ment, molestation, vexation, iigury or trouble of us, our heirs and suc-
cessors ; any act or statute to the contrary notwithstanding/

Charles soon forgot that he had ever made this grant to
Lord Carlisle, and in February 1628, being much pressed by
the Earl of Pembroke, the unfortunate monarch made over
Barbadoes to his Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Pembroke,
in trust for Sir Wm. Courteen, who, reaUy for his zealous
energy, deserved to have had the island bestowed on him ib
the first instance. Scarcely had this grant been made when
the Earl of Carlisle returned from a foreign embassy, and to
appease his lordship's resentment at the breach of faith
evinced towards him, the irresolute monarch revoked the
charter or patent, granted to the Earl of Pembroke, and
restored the proprietory rights to his favourite, Carlisle.
The proceedings just mentioned had the good effect of sti-
mulating the Earl to improve the territory bestowed on him,
he contracted with a company of London merchants for a
grant of 10,000 acres of land, on condition of receiving from
each settler forty pounds of cotton annually, and the privilege
of nominating a governor, or chief. Wolferstone, a native of
3ermuda, was commissioned by the Earl of Carlisle as gover-

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LORD CABLISLE's FIKST BKTTXJEliBNTS IK BAABADOES. 817

ai», with the power of Govenior-Conimander^in'-Chief . and
£aptaki,to dojusticei decide controrersies^ keep his Mi^sty's
peace, and punish oflPenders, according to the laws of England
-and the nature of their crimes. Sixty-four settlers (each enr
titled on landing to 100 acres of land) arriTcd in Cariisle Bay
S5th July, 1628, commenced the erection of wooden houses^
tiirew a bridge across the river which intersected the ground,
and laid the foundation for Bridgetown, the present capital
The Eari of Pembroke's men, who were settled on the lee-
ward of the island, refused to obey the windward, or CMrliale
Bay Settlers. Arms were ultimately had recourse to, the
windward men triumphed^ and while the latter were asserting
their right of jurisdicti<m in Barbadoes, the Earl of Cariisle
-had a new royal patent, made out in England, confirming in
the most explicit and unequivocal manner the former grant.
Sir William Tufton was appointed Govemor-Commander-iii-
Chie^ in February, 161S9. A military force was sent out to
keqp the leeward men quiet. A council of twelve settlers,
appointed to assist the Governor in hdding a Courts GenenJ
Sessions of the Peace, laws were enacted suitable to an infattt
setdement, and the cultivated or occupied parts of the isle di-
vided into six parishes, viz. Christ Church, St. MicbaeU St.
James, St. Thomas, St. Peter, and St. Lucy.

It would be uninteresting to the general reader, an4
foreign to the object of my work, to enter into a detailefl
view of the early history of Barbadoes. As in all new colonies,
the inhabitants met with no inconsiderable difficulties, — ^local
feuds were added to domestic privations ; but the civil war
which raged in England contributed to people and enrich
die bland, as it had done other places, and, on^the downfal
of Charles, many respectable families attached to the royal
: cause found shelter and comfort in Barbadoes. The autho-
rity of the Earl of Carlisle, in the West Indies may be said to
.have declined with the regal power at home, and the colony,
left to its own government and resources, and under the
auspices of commercial fireedom, rapidly acquired independence
.and opulence.

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318 FIRST GENERAL LEOISLATTVB ASSEMBLY.

In 1645 the island, under the prudent rule of Mr. Bell»
was divided ipto four parishes, (George's, Philip's, John's,
and Andrew's, were added to the before^mentioned) a church
built in each, and an officiating minister appointed. A gener
ral assembly was instituted, composed of two deputies elected
in each parish from the majority of freeholders. The island
was divided into four circuits, in each of which a court of law
was constituted — defensive fortifications erected around the
isle*— the militia constituted a formidable force of 10,000 in-
fantry and 1000 cavalry — ^the total population of the island
had increased to 150,000 persons, of all colours and sexes,
and the value of property was quadrupled in seven years.
This prosperity was not owing to sugar culture, for Ligon
who visited the island in 1647, says, that the plantation of the
cane had only then recently begun ; but it would appear that
Barbadoes carried on an unrestricted foreign intercouse with
Holland and other countries. The^ number of slaves in the
island at this period is not on record, yet here, as elsewhere,
the evils of the system were early felt, for in 1640 a formi-
dable insurrection took place at Barbadoes, and a general day
was appointed for the massacre of all the white inhabitants.
The plot was discovered by a negro, in gratitude to his
master, the day before its contemplated execution, and
twenty-eight of the leading negroes were gibbeted, according
to the custom of the times. ^

In 1650, Lord Carhsle, (the son of the first patentee),
hearing much of the wealth of the island, which he considered
patrimonial property, and desirous of reaping some advantages
from the same, executed a lease to Francis Lord Willoughby,
of Parham, an active royalist officer, conveying to his lordship
all his right and title to the colony for twenty-one years, upon
condition that the profits arising from the proprietary right
should be mutually shared between them. Charles II., (then
in exile), desirous of securing the West Indies for his crown,
appointed Lord Willoughby Governor and Lieutenant-Ge-
neral of Barbadoes and of all the Caribbee islands ; and the
legislature of Barbadoes, on his lordship's arrival, passed an

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CROMWELL REDUCES THE BARBADIAICS. S19'

Act, acknowledging his Majesty's right to the soyereignty of
the island^ and that of the Earl of Carlisle, derived from his-
Majesty, and transferred to Lord Willoughby. Barbadoes,
always distinguished for its loyalty, exerted itself on this oc-
casion, and equipped several ships of war, which compdled
the neighbouring islands to submit to the authority of the
crown, as emanating from the chief W. I. Government at'
Barbadoes. Cromwell, it may be supposed, did not quietly*
permit this refuge to his royal opponent, and a formidable
squadron, under the command of Sir George Ayscue, con«
taining a large body of troops, was despatched for the pur-*
pose of reducing the refractory colonists in obedience to the
Commonwealth, and with the view of crippling the power of
Holland, with which Barbadoes and the other W. I. posses^
sions carried on a lucrative traf&c. The far-famed navigation
laws were passed, by which the ships of any foreign nation
were prohibited from trading with any of the English planta-
tions, without a license from the Council of State.

The Barbadians for some time gallantly defended them-
selves against the tyranny of Cromwell, and it was not until
the Parliamentary forces had laid waste a large portion of
the island, the defection of Coh Modiford, and that many had
been slain on both sides, that the island was subdued by the
Cromwellian power. Sir George Ayscue was appointed Go^
vemor after the reduction in 165-2, and proceeded to subdue
the other islands that had maintained their allegiance to the
royal authority. On the restoration of Charles !!.,♦ Lord Wil^
loughby, who had been banished for Ufe from the island, ap-
pointed Col. Humphry Walround, a faithftd. old royalist,
superseding Col. Modiford, who proceeded to Jamaica, to be
Deputy-Governor and President of the Council of Barbadoes.

Lord Willoughby, in 1663, as lessee of the Earl of Car-
lisle, renewed his claims on the island. Lord Kinnaird, the
kinsman and heir of the Earl of Carlisle, brought forward
demands on the settlers amounting to j£60,000, and the heirs

* Charles II. conferred the dignity of Knighthood on thirteen gentlemen
of Barbadoes, in testimony of their bttachment to the royal cause. ^

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SiBO CONCIiVSION OF THB PROmiSTARY OOVERNMENT.

of the Earlof MarlborotLgh^ who were entitled to a perpetual
annuity from the same quarter, claimed a large sum for ar-
]Cear8» To satisfy these claims, now urgently made, a large
number of the Barbadians, (by Mr, Kendal) agreed to lay a
duty of 4]| per cent» on all native commodities, the growth
and produce QfiAarbadoes, when exported from the island.
This impost wSs estimated at £10,000* a-year. Many Barba-^
dians protested against the perpetual rent^harge of 10 per
eent on their plantations; but, after being submitted to the
decision of the Privy Council, it was finally agreed, that the
44 per cent, fund should be applied towards providing a suf-
ficient compensation to the Earl of Kinnaird, for surrendering
his right to the Carlisle .charter — to provide for discharging
the Earl of Marlborough's annuity— one moiety of the surplus
to be paid to Lord Willoughby for the remainder of hia
lease, the other moiety to the creditors of Lord Carlisle, until
the expiration of Lord Willoughby's contract, when, after a
salary of £ 1 ,200 a-year for the future Gk>vemor of Barbadoes,
the creditors of the Earl of Carlisle were to receive the en-
lire balance, until their demands were Uquidated. Under
these conditions (agreed to by all parties) the proprietary
Government was dissolved, and the sovereignty of Barbadoes
annexed to the British crown. Some of the inhabitants of
Barbadoes long protested against the imposition of the 4|
per cent, duties, but the rigorous and prudent administration
of Lord Willoughby brought internal peace to the island,
while his lordship extended the power of Britain in the
western hembphere*. Col. Christopher Codrington became
Peputy-Governor in 1668, and his administration was dis-
tingubhed by vigilance and circumspection. In 166^9 the
windward and leeward isles were formed into distinct go-
vernments, Guadaloupe being the line of demarcation, and
the commerce of the leeward isles was given to Sir W. Sta-
pleton, while Lord Willoughby retained that of Barbadoes
and the windward islands, which he kept until 1673.

. * liOrd Willoughby wm lost in a hurrictme, near Guadaloape, while
employed in reducing several islands to subjection.

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THE PRESENT KING*8 VISIT TQ BARBADOES. S&V

To detail the local affairs of the island would occupy*
several volumes, I must therefore pass rapidly to a conclusion ;:*
in nS2 on the appointment of Governor Worsley, a salary of-'
<£G000. sterling per annum was fixed on his Excellency, and-
provided for by a capitation tax of 2«. 6d, on each slave-*and-
by a tax on lawyers, patentees, and public officers, &c. — a^
burthen which the colonists soon found themselves unable
to defray. The administration of Lord Howe (commencing
in nSS) seems to have been generally applauded; under hiS'
generous auspices a free press was established in Barbadoes,-
and he died at his government in 1735, beloved by all who'
knew him. In 1780 Barbadoes was ravaged by a terrific hurri-.
cane, which lasted for forty-eight hours, and devastated the-
island ; such was the violence of the wind that a twelve pound
carronnade . was blown firom the pier head to the wharf, a
distance of 140 yards. Of eleven churches and two chapels^
only three were left standing; and not more than thirty houses'
ofthe extensive capital of Bridge-town; the Mole-head, which'
cost the colonists £SO,000. was destroyed, and the castle,
battery, forts, town-hall, prison and cells demolished ; the loss
of lives amounted to 3000. and of property to £1,018,9S8.

Public S3rmpathy was excited at home, Parliament granted
a siun of money for the relief of the sufferers, and the citi-
zens of Dublin munificently subscribed £20,000.*

On the 24th of November, 1787, His Royal Highnesg^
Prince William Henry (our present Gracious Sovereign) vi-
sited Barbadoes in command of the Pegasus firigate, and was
received with the most ardent demonstrations of affection and
loyalty ; all ranks vied in their enthusiastic desire to receive
the son of their beloved Sovereign with dutiful respect, and
on His Royal Highness's departure fi-om the Colony, the
House of Assembly voted the Prince a sword of the value of
three hundred guineas.

The events which have since occurred do not require much
detail — the Colonial Almanac affording complete chronological

• • It sboold be recorded that the bouse of Latoucbe-and Sons contriJ
baled tbe princiely ium of jf l>Oda for tbe. relief of tbe Barbadians, i '^
voi.. II. Y r^^^^T^

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• CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF QOVERNOBS OP BARBADOE9.

d^te; huirieaiies, earthquakes, slare insurrectioiu, make up
the principal features of the latter years history of Barhadoes ;
•uffieient has been stated to gire a correct view of our acqni-
•ititm.of the island, and its singular primary proprietary go-.
Tenunent. As historical data, the following list of the rulers
of Baxiwdoes is appended, —

1625^ W. Deane. Gr.; 1628, C. Wolferstone, do.; 1629»
jr. Powell, do.; 16S9, R. Wheatly, do. ; 1629, SirW. Tufton,
do. ; 1630, H. Hawley, do. ; 1633, R. Peers, D. Gr. ; 1636,
Hawley,D.Or.: 1638, W. Hawley. D. Gr ; 1639, H. Hawley,
Gr.; 1640, Sir H. Hunks, do. ; 1641, P. Bell, do. j 1650,
F. Lord Willoughby, do. ; 1651, Sir G. Ayscue, do. ; 1652,
D. Searie, D. Gr. ; 1660, T. Modiford, Gr.; 1660, H. Walroud,
Pr, ; 1663, Francis Lord Willoughby, Gr. ; 1666, H. Wil-
loughby, H. Hawley, Samuel Barwick, Joint Grs. ; 1667,
William L<H>d Willoughby, Gr. ; 1668, C. Coddrington. D.
Gr. ; 1670, W. Lord Willoughby, Gr. ; 1670, C. Coddring-
ton, D. Gr. ; 1672, W. Lord Wilfcughby, Gr. ; 1673, Sir P.
CoUetpn, Bt. D. Gr.; 1674<, Sir J. Atkins, Gr.; 1680, Sir
R. Dutton, do. ; 1683, Sur J. Witham, D. Gr. ; 1684, Sir R.
Dutton, Gr.; 1685, E. Steed, D. Gr. ; 1690, J. Kendall, Gr. ;
1694, F. Russell, do. ; 1696, F. Bond, Pr. ; 1698, R. Grey,
Gr. ; 1702, J. Farmer, Pr. ; 1703, Sir B. Granville, Gr. ;
1706, W. Sharpe, Pr. ; 1707, M. Crowe, Gr. ; 1710, G. Lil-
Ungton, Pr, ; 171 1, R. Lowther, Gr. ; 1714, W. Sharpe, Pr. ;
1715, R. Lowther, Gr. ; 1720, J. Frere, Pr. ; 1720, S. Cox,
do.; 1722, H. Worsley, Gr. ; 1731, S. Barwick, Pr. ; 1738,
J. Dotift, do. ; 1733, Scroop Lord Viscount Howe, Gr. ; 1735,
J. Dotin, Pr, ; 1739, Hon- R. Byng, Gr. ; 1740, J, Dotin, Pr. ;
174«, Sir T. Robinson, Gr.; 1747, Hon. Henry GrenviUe, do. ;
1763, R. Weeks, Pr. ; 1756, C. Pinfold, Gr. ; 1766, S. Rous,
Pr.; 1768, W. Spry, Gr.; 1772, S. Rous, Pr. ; 1773, Hon. E.
Hay, Gt. ; 1779, J. Dotin, Pr. ; 1780, J. Cunningham, Gr. ;
1783, J. Dotin, Pr, ; 1784, D. Parry, Gr. ; 1790, H. Frere, Pr. ;
1791, D. Parry, Gr.; 1793, W. Bishop, Pr.; 1794, G, P.
iUcketts, Gr.; 1800, W. Bbhop, Pr.; 1801, Francis Hum-
berstone. Lord Seaforth, Gr. ; 1803, J. Ince, Pr. ; 1804,
F. H. Lord Seaforth, Gr.; 1806, J. Spooner, Pr.; 1810« Si«

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PHrnCAL ASPECT AND CLIMATJB* S8S

0« Beckwith, K. B. Or. ; 1814, J. Spooner, Pr. ; 1815, Sir J«
Leith, K. B. Gr. ; 1816, J. Spooner, Pr.; 1816, Sir J. Leiih,
Or.; 1817,J.F.A]leyne,Pr.; 1817, Stapleton Lord Cambeiu
mere, G. C. R, Or. ; 1817, J.F. Alleyne, Pr. ; 1817, S. Lord
Combermere, 6r. ; 18SQ, J* B. Skeete, Pr. ; 1821, S. Hinds^
do. ; 18ei, Sir H. Warde, K. C. B. Or. ; 18S5, J. B. Skeete,
Pr.; 1886, Sir H.Warde,^.Gr.; 1827, J. B. Skeete, Pr. ; 1829,
Sir J. Lyon, R.C.B., Or.; 1829^ J. B. Skeete, Pr.; 1829,
Sir J. LyoD, Or. ; 1882, Sir Lionel Smith, K. C. B. do.

Phtbical Aspect. Barbadoes, althou^ generally lerd^
except in the N. E. quarter, called Scotland (which is about
1,100 feet above the sea) * has a very beaujtiful appearaado^-
owing to its extensive cultivation, and sloping fields or ter«
jraees. The base of the island is calcareous. rod(, formed' of
madrepores, and other marine coneretions, and is probably of
volcanic origin, like the greater number of the aurrounding
isles. Bridge-town the Capital extends along the shores
of the beautiful Bay of Carlisle for nearly two miles in length
and half a mile broad, with about 20^000 housee. The hand*
some and spacious barracks of St. Ann's, with their fine parade,
are at the southern extremity of the town. Th'e square, with
Nelson's statue, is well laid out, and many of the houses are
handsome. The Government-house, called Pilgrim, is about
half a mile from Bridge-town. The fort of St. Anne, though
small, is capable of making a good defence ; it contains several
excellent magazines stored with ammunition, and an armoury,
with many thousand stand of arms in perfect order. The
soil varies much ; in some districts it is sandy and light, in
others a rich black earth, and in several places spongy. Here
and there is found a red clay of considerable depth, and the
light whitish earth broken into a grey mould, or hardened
into lumps resemble chalk, but actually consist of indurated
argilla^, bleached by exposure to the weather.

Climate, Vegetation, &c. — Owing to the flatness of the
island, leaving it open to the sea-breeze, and its extensive culti^

* In sotae deq^ vaUlee there are tlie remiips of <te primitive fonilf
wliich fomeriy covered the whole Islaad.

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S34

EARLY POPULATION OF BARBADOES.

vation, Barbadoes is pecttliarly healthy ; and the details given
of the range of the thermometer, &c.y under St. Vincent^s wiU,
with some modifications, answer for Barbadoes; a similar
remark will apply to vegetation. One peculiarity is deserving
of notice, foiir distinct crops of sugar-cane, maize, tobacco, and
sweet' potatoes, may be seen in the same field, and in alternate
drills.

PopuLATioK. The inhabitants of this colony rapidly in-
creased from its first settlement . In 1674 their numbers were
calculated at 50,000 whites, and 100,000 coloured or negroes,
thus giving 500 mouths to every square mile, while China,
with its 350,000,000, has not more than S88 to the square
mile.*

The population at difierent periods of the last century
was, so far as we have returns,

YcMS. Whites. BlMda.

17«4 18,895 —
1753 — 69,870
1786 16,167 62,953

The slave population from 1817 to 1832,

f was

IncnsMe by Birth.

Decrease by Death.

MannmU.
•ion.

1^.

1817

85,S64

49,180

77.408

18S0

86.788

41,612

78,845

8.654

8,758

7.419

8,317

8.996

6.6«3

950

1&S8

86,189

48,657

78,816

4,178

4,«68

8,986

8,487

8.998

6,715

907

1880

86,009

48,656

80,551

4,788

4.814

0.6O9

3.400

3,304

6,713

899

1SS9

87>^1

44,111

81,088

4,748

4,509

0.950

8,404

8,390

6,814

670

183S

S7.768

48,738

81,500

9,075

8,587

1.080

' • In 1676, Barbadoes, on 100,000 acres, contained 70,000 whites and
80,000 blacks— total 150,000 sonls. This great population lyas effected
by granting out land, in lots of ten acres each, to poor settlers, and whiti^
servants who had fulfilled the term of their indentures. Some, perhaps
many, of these lots were subsequently sold when the island became too
populous for the extension of sugar plantations ; and the late occupiers,'
with the puiicha^e money, proceeded to settle in other islands, where land
was cheap and plentiful. •«

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PARISH DIVISIONS — ^INHABITANTS AND COMMERCE. SS5

* The total population and the division into parishes is thus
stated : —

Area in

Free

PARISH.

Sq.MUM

Whites.*

Cotooicd.

SlATes.

Total.

St. Michael - - -

4,966

3^045

17,990

26,000

St PhUip . . -

1,207

307

9,840

11,354

St. Lucy - - - -.

900

5,345

6,320

St. George - - -

927

176

7,381

8,483

St. Andrew - - -

600

300

3,660

4,650

St. Joseph - - -

890

4,261

6,231

St. John - - - -

906

172

6,487

6,567

St. Peter . - - -

1,600

6,617

8,117

St. Thomas - - -

750

6.000

6,750

Christ Church - -

22«

1,700

120

10,000

11,820

St. James - - -

700

4,300

5,060

Total . -

162

Commerce. The trade of Barhadoes has fluctuated very
much at various periods owing to hurricanes and bad seasons,
as well as to the equally injurious fiscal restrictions of man;
its early exports were —

Sugar.

Ram.

Oioffer.

Aloeo.

Cotton.

ITSfl
1790
1791
1798

Hde. Tn. Bar.
8,059 8S 3,419
9.998 1» 2,985
11,833 do 1,346
17,078 185 S,fi98

Hds.

114

188

Hds. TkB.Bar.
5,199 89 093
9,331 • 961
8,008 0 411
5,064 0 519

Ba«i.

8,070
4,565
8.785
8.046

Hdt. Qds.
1 409

0 475

0 770
0 515

8,004

1.987.088
1,163,157

974.178

: In 18S8 the colonial produce exported from Barhadoes
was — Muscovado sugar^ S6^790 hogsheads, 2,662 tierces,
835 barrels ; Cotton, 1,747 bales ; Molasses, S,2G8 puncheons ;
Rum, 371 puncheons; Aloes 738 packages.

* Among the inbabitants of ibis island, tbere is a numeroiu class be-
tween the great planters and tbe people of colour, termed Barbadians j
a circumstance whicb forms a striking difference between Barbadoes and
tbe other colonies. Many of them are descended from the original
settlers, and have no precise knowledge when their ancestors first arrived^
They accordingly regard this island as their nation and only abode, and
do not, like tbe planters or the negroes, look back to the scenes of infancy
as their better home. . . ^

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896 BARBADOBS' EXPORTS FROM 18SS tO 1830 — ^REYBMVE.

The value in money of the trade of the island in 1830,
was —

Import! finom

Exports to

BritaOD.

Britfah
Ckiloeies.

States.

Total
Valne.

Oraat
Brltaio.

Britlih

Colonies.

States.

TMal
Value.

^m9,ii7

0S,8S4

71,909

800.190

9U,79i

1S0^S

IS.llS

77«»<»«

t^rincipal Articles of Export from Barbadoes, from 1822
to 1830, were:—

Years.

Aloes.

Sagar.

Years.

Aloes.

Sugar.

I8t9
188S

1834
1836
1896

676 packages.
16,667 lbs.
88,337 ..
86,763 ..
63,484 ..

tads.
13,838
96^35
31,639
18,666
98,880

386 cases
8,747 gall.
33,363 ..

116 pan.

1837
1838
1839
1880
1831

tads.

9,8968 lbs. 17fl9lB
No

788 pack. I 36,371

Revenue. The income is raised as in the other islands.
The following was the Barbadoes' gross Revenue and Expen-
diture, in £ sterling from 18S1 to 1830:—

BcTtaw.

Espeiidhw*.

YMn.

RcreniM.

EzpcBdHsn.

CWL

Mttltuy.*

Total.

CIvU.

MIUtfHj.

TtaL

1831
1883
1833
1834
1836

13.137
17.431
80.481
36.136
31,338

16.670
13,798
33,511
13,000
33,878

3,603
3,607
9,400
1.664
1,747

10,971
16,403
36.010
13.663
34.636

1836
1837
1838
1880
1880

31,033

30'.167
10.300
16,340

97.140
90,343
18.133
18.380
16,800

3,600

l!677
1,604
1.666

30,640
31,065
10.799
10,948
18.668

Schools, Education, &c. There is a church and chapel
in each of the eleven parishes of the island, capable of con-
taining 8,000 persons in a]l.f Besides the central sdbool for
160 white boys, founded by Lord Combemere,{ there aM
many others of more recent establishment for both sexes and
for all colours.

* By Milltwry Eapendituret I wish it to be understood, throughout this
work (unless otherwise expressed), the charges incurred by the colonists
for British military forces or garrisons.

t The ezpence of the clerical establishment is j£4,050 per annum.

X The central school is a large and convenient building, nearly oppo-
site the King's house, and within two minutes walk of the cathedral. Mr.

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EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS — FORM OP OOVERNM£NT» && 397

The situation of Codrington CoUege, according to a recent
TisitoTy is one of the most delightful that can possibly be
conceived ; surrounded by hiUs on every side, possessing the
superior advantages of the sea breeze, an unbounded view of
the Atlantic, and refreshed by a clear stream of water, col-
lected in front into a small lake. The students receive their
board and education for £35 per annum, and are examined
and ordained by the bishop if intended for the church.

Form of Government. The government of the island is
omstituted hi a manner similar to that already described
under Jamaica ; namely, a Governor, a Legishtive Council,
and a Representative Assembly. The Governor's legislative
authority is entirely negative, he can only recommend subjects
for consideration to the Assembly, and his concurrence is re*
quired before any bill can become law, such concurrence,
however, not being valid beyond three years, unless sanctioned
by the royal confirmation. In his esecutive capacity the Gk>-
vemor is entitled to nominate, and of course remove the

Ooleri4ge says, it ia impossible to f pesk in too high terms of this excellent
institution, which reflects upon LordCombermere, who promoted, and the
Legislature, which liberally seconded the undertaking, the utmost credit.
At present, about 160 white children are educated here, precisely upon the
plan of the national schools in England ; all of them are fed during the
day, and the major part are well clothed. The beneficial effects of this
charity are already confessed on all hands ; principles of sobriety and
devotion are instUied into their minds, and habits (ff regularity and
peaceful subordination are enforced. From this class of boys the master
tradesmen, mechanics, oyerseers, and even managers, are now supplied ;
and when it is considered how much the comfort of the slaves must
depend upon these persons, their education will be found to be, as it
really is, a direet measure of general amelioration. A giris' school
has also been founded, under the auspices of the Bishop i they are
both favourite institutions, and the chief people in the colony spare
neither pains nor expence in strengthening or maintaining them. There
is also a large school for coloured children, with coloured managers,
established under the Bishop's superintendence ; and several more have
been opened by the Bishop, at the Government expence, every colour are
admitted— the only conditions being cleanliness and constant attendance.
Instruction is gratuitous.

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S2S POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR — MIUTIA OF BARBADOES. '

officers of militia ; the rigbt, however, is seldom exercised
beyond the choice of Colonelsi who nominate their Lieute-
nant-Colonelsy Majors, and Captains, who in turn appoint
their subalterns. The Got^enior, with the consent of the
Council, has power to dissolve the General Assembly^ and to
issue writs for a new election ; with the ccmcurrence of five
members he may suspend any member of Council, unless it
be an extraordinary occasion requiring secrecy, when his
power is absolute, subject to explanation at home. If there
be less than seven Members of Council residaott in the island^
the Governor may fill up the number (to twelve,) pro tempore^
for the dispatch of business. As Chancellor, his Excellency
has the custody of the great seal, and presides in the Courts
of Error and Equity, in which courts the Judges being
Council, he only sits primus inter pares, his vote or opinion
being of no greater consequence than that of any other
member. As Ordinary he takes probate of all testamentary
writings ; in case of litigation establishes or annuls the will; and
in default of executors appointed by the testator. His Excel-
lency issues letters of administration according to the rules of
law. As Vice-Admiral he issues his warrant to the Judge of
the Vice- Admiralty Court to grant commissions to privateers^
&c. The militia force is strong and well appointed ; there
are six regiments of several battalions each, together with a
corps of life guards, and a numerous and brillianl staff.* The
Governor of Barbadoes has a controlling authority over the
British windward islands and possessions, each of which has
its Lieutenant-Governor. I do not think the arrangement a
good one, the rather so when St. Vincent's (for example,)
possesses its own Legislative Assembly ; economy of a Go-
vernor's salary seems to have been the only object sought
and attained; but, though frugality is extremely desirable,
there are considerations of far greater importance than mere
pecuniary advantages.

* In 1666, Barbadoes had an effective military force of 20,000 inftuHry
and 3,000 cavalry composed of the colonists.

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S29

CHAPTER Vni.
ST. LUCIA.

LOCALITY — HISTORY — ASPECT — CLIMATK — POPULATION — COMMBRCX-—
WRIGHTS AND MEASURES — RBVRNUR — M0NIR8 — GOVERNMENT, &C.

Locality. This wOdly beautiful island is in lat. 18.50 N.,
long, 60.58 W.| about thirty-two miles in length, from N.
to S.| and twelve broad, contains 37|500 acres of landi was —

History — discovered on St. Lucia's Day, and first settled
on by the English about 1635| since which period it has
undergone various changes, being sometimes declared neu-
tral, (as by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle,) next in the pos^
session of the French, then captured or transferred to the
British, and vice ver^o. By the treaty of Paris in 1763,
St Lucia was allotted to France ; and Dominica, St. Vincent,
Grenada, and Tobago to England; during the American
war, in 1779, it was taken by the British, but restored to the
French by the peace of 1783; it was conquered at the com-
mencement of the French revolutionary war in 1794, evacuated
in 1795, and retaken in 1796 ; by the treaty of Amiens it
was restored to France in 1801, and recaptured by us in
1803. The detail of the hard fought battles for the acquisi-
tion of this isle would be out of place, it may suffice to state
that the fortune of war, in 1803, has finally left it an English
colony, with a French population, manners, language, and, I
may add, feelings.

Physical Aspect. The first approach to this island,
(which is divided longitudinally by a ridge of lofty hills,) from
the S. is very remarkable. An accurate observer and de-
lightftil writer thinks it offers one of the most striking com-
binations of various kinds of scenery ever witnessed.

' Two rocks, which the gods call Pitons, and men Sugar-
loaves, rise perpendicularly out of the sea, and shoot to a
great height in parallel cones, which taper away towards the

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SSO BEAUTIFUL ASPECT OF ST, LUCIA.

summit like the famous spires of Coventry. These monn-
tains,^ which are feathered from the clouds to the waves with
evergreen foliage, stand like pillars of Hercules on either
side of the entrance into a small but deep and beautiful bay.
A pretty little village or plantation appears at the bottom of
the cove ; the sandy beach stretches like a line of silver
round the blue water, and the cane fields form a broad belt
of vivid green in the back-ground. Behind this, the moun-
tains, which run N. and S. throughout the island, rise in the
most fantastic shapes, here cloven into steepnlown chasms,
there darting into arrowy points, and every where shrouded
or swathed, as it were, in wood, which the band of man wiU
probably never lay low. The clouds, which within the
tropics are infallibly attracted by any woody eminences, con-
tribute greatly to the wildness of the scene ; sometimes they
are so dense as to bury the mountains in darkness ; at other
times they float transparently like a silken veil; frequently
the flaws from the gulleys perforate the vapors and make
windows in the smoky mass, and then again the wind and
the sun will cause the whole to be drawn upwards majestically
like the curtain of a gorgeous theatre.*

While sailing along the shore the vanety of scenery is
exquisitely beautiful ; the back ground continues mountainous,
but ev^ry three or four miles appear the most lovely little
coves and bays, fringed with the luxuriant cane-fields, and
enlivened by the neatly laid-out mansions of the planters;
while the flotillas of fishing and passage, or drogher boats,
with their long hght masts and latteen sails, add life and ani-*
mation to the scene. On the west coast there is an excellent
harbour, called the Little Careenagef with three careening
places, one for largfe ships, and the others for frigates. It is
accessible only to one vessel at a time, (the entrance defended

• The Author of ^* Months in the fTett Indies (Henry Nelson Coleridge,
Esq.), calls them ' rocks ;' tliey are rather monntains, round and high,
and appear to hare been volcanoes. In one deep valley there are several
ponds, where the water bursts up with great violence, and retains some
of its beat even at the disttince of 6,000 tois^s from its source.

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CJkMfCBXEB — ^flPLSNDID PROSPECT. 881

by wvend batteries) but capable of hoUBng thirty ships of the
line.

The plains thjroughotit the island are well watered, and
(he mountains clothed with the finest timber.

Castries, the only town in the isle, is situate at the boltott
of a long and winding bay of the same name. The fort is
situate on the summit of Mameforiwne, which is about two
miles of exceeding steep road, or path, from Castries. Mr*
Coleridge thinks the road |)erilotts ; it is in a mg-^ag of acutb
angles, and is thus described by that delightftd traveller ; —

* As it rains nine mondis out of the twelte in St. Lucia^
diere are deep bricked trenches or^hanneb traversing die
path at eadi turn for the double purpose of carrying off the
water and of dieckkig a redundttit population. But when I
got to the top — oh never will tibat moment be forgotten by
me ! — I reniember staring without breath or motion as if I had
been really enchanted. I never saw heaven so dose before.
The sky did not seem that solid ceiling with gold naila
stuck in it which it does in England, but a soft transparency
of diowery azure, &r witlun which, but unobscinred by its
intervention, the great stars were swinnning and breathing
and looking down tike gods of Assyria. Not only Venus and
Sirius and the glorious Cross of our Faith in the south, und

Charlemagne amongst the stsrris seav^a
low in the north, shone like segments of the moon; but hosts
of other luminaries of lesser magnitude flung eaich its parti*
cular shaft of splendor on the tranquil and shadowy sea..
As I gazed, the air burst into atoms of green fire before my
face, and in an instant they were gone ; I turned romid, and
saw all the woods upon the mountains illuminated with ten
thousands of flaming torches moving in 6very direction, now
rising, now falling, vanishing here, re-appearing there, con-
verging to a globe, and dispersing in spangles. No man can
conceive from dry description alone the magical beauty of
these glorious creatures.'*

* 'There are two sorts, the small fly, which flits m and out in the airji

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S32 . PIGEON ISLAND — ^PIRE FUE8.

'. Pigeon Island is six miles distant from the harbour of St
Lucia, and) in a military point of view, is of great importance to
the colonies, being within a short distance of Martinique, and
commanding a view of every ship that may enter or depart
from that island ; — ^it is moreover valuable for a very fine
and extensive, anchorage between it and the N. part of St.
Lucia. The isle is about half a mUe in length N. and S. and a
quarter broad, the side towards the sea (W«) is a perpen-
dicular cliflT, from the ridge or crest of which there is a
gradual descent to the opposite shore, and level ground
enough to erect a barrack for 500 men. A barrack and hos-
pital has been constructed on this healthy spot, and it is one
of the most salubrious that can be expected in a tropical
clime. St. Lucia is divided into Basseterre, the low or
leeward territory, and Capisterre, the high or windward
territory. The former is well cultivated and most populous ;
but the climate is unwholesome from the abundance of stag-
nant waters and morasses. The latter division is also un-
wholesome, but it becomes of course less jso as the woods are
cleared away. Indeed the health of all tropical countries
will be found to be in proportion to their cultivation.
- Population. In 1777 the island contained whites, S,397 ;
free coloured, 1,050; slaves, 10,75S; total, 14,199.

The population of each parish, according to the latest re-
turns before me, was, \st district, Castries, 4,420; Gros
Islet, 1«431; Anse la Raye, 1,036: 2nd district, Soufriere,
4,116; Choiseul, 1,375; Laborie, 1,718; Srd district, Vieux
Fort, 1,399; Miconel, 1,164; Deunerie, 650; Dauphui,666;
total, 17,975.

the body of which I hare never examined i, and a kind of beetle, which
keeps more to the woods, and is somewhat more stationary, like oar
glow-worm. This last has two broad eyes on the back of iu head, which,
when the phosphorescent energy is not exerted, are of a dull parchment
hae ; but, upon the animal's being touched, shoot forth two streams of
green light as intense as the purest gas. But the chief source of splen-
dour is a cleft in the belly, through which the whole interior of the beetle
appears like a red-hot furnace.'

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TOVVhkTlO^f OP ST. LUCIA — ^PRODUCE, &C.

The slave population from 1816 to 18S1 was —

Incrcmse bf Birth. DeeiMM by Deadi.

•

Manomls-
Bton.

Total.

1816

7,394

8,891

16.386

.. f ..

1819

0,811

8,338

15,039

386

344

739 1.087

906

1,998

18SS

6.397

7.497

18,794

478

440

934, 691

643

1,334

18S5

6.SS5

7»89S

13 J 17

591

616

1,307 356

488

1.039

184

lfiS8

6,380

7,881

18,661

687

606

1,198 ' 586

416

1.003

319

1831

0tll9

7.339

13,3«8

«,.

1,130

»73

47«

1,048

360

The Board of Trade returns for 1831 state the inhabitants
at — uhiteg and free coloured*, males, 1,690; females, 1,838:
slaves, males, 5,24S; females, 6,1^ — total, males, 6,932;
females, 7,967. The births for the year, 451 ; deaths, 430;
and marriages, 19. There are 4,190 persons engaged iri
agriculture ; in manufactures, 670 ; in commerce, 86.

Produce and Agriculture. The number of stock in the
island is, horses 578; homed cattle, 2,SS9i' sheep, 1,741;
and goats, 594.

The quantity of agricultural produce in 1831 was, sugar,^
5,561,815 hogsheads; coffee, 149,571 hogsheads; cocoa,
33,515 hogsheads ; rum, 90,687 gallons ; molasses, S24,700
gallonsf . The number of acres of land under each crop
was— in sugar canes, 475S; coffee, 696; cocoa, 316; pro^
visions, 4,049; pasture, 4,685 — total, 11,321; leaving uncuU
tivated — acres, S6,134.

* Another account estimates the whites at 570 males, and 500 females ;
free coloured, 1,745 males and 2,238 females.

t The difiSculty in obtaining correct statistics of any of our possessions
is very great, particularly in reference to many of the W. I. islands. The
return given in the text ifbr St. Lucia is derived from the Board of Trade
statements; but the bond population for 1831 quoted, varies from the
slave table given from the House of Commons library. So also the fol-
lowing, from private authority, differs in regard to agriculture. The
stock in St. Lucia is estimated at horses, 708 ; horned cattle, 3,022 ; sheep,
1,884 ; goats, 769. The produce of sugar, 7,683,800 lbs. ; molasses,
120,000 gallons; rum, 28,000 gallons ; coffee, 50,008 lbs.; and cocoa,
30,000 lbs.

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9M COMMBECE OF ST. LUCIA— WSIOHTS AVD MSASVRBS.

CoMMERCB. In 1810^ the official notice of the exports was
£*S,8S0, and of unports £193,74i3. The total value of the
^exports for 1831 was £64,878, and of imports £83,003, emr
ploying a total shipping inwards, tons, S0,38S; outwards, tons,
S0,839. The greater portion of the trade is with great Britain,
but a large part of it is still carried on with France.

The principal articles of export, from IS22 to 1831, were.

Sugar.

18»*

7,745 hds.

18S3

0,001,709 lb«.

I0tt

7.946 tads.

IMQ

8,886 ..

ISM

1,188 ..

1831

5,776 ..

Oollto.

857 tierces.
861,189 lbs.
MOtterott.
No Return,
do.
6p4 tierces.

601 panctaeons.
31,050 gaUoos.

874

Weights and Measures. The Weights in use are the
French pound and quintal; the pound = 2 marc (Paris); the
marc = 8 oz. ; the oz. = 8 gros, the gros zz 78 grains ; the
quintal = 100 French lbs. ; the French lbs =: 17 oz. 9 dr.
English; quintal of 100 French lbs. =: 109 English.

The Measures are (land or square measure); the carre^
containing 3 acres, 78 perches, S8 feet square (Paris mea-
sure) or 10|000 square paces ; the acre =100 square perches, or
je,644 paces, 1 1 feet ; the perch =: S6 paces, 5 feet, 7S inches
square, or 9 square toises; the square toise s S6 square feet^
or 2 paces, 11 feet, 72 inches square; the square pace
zz 12 square feet, aad 30 square inches; the square foot
= 144 square inches ; the square inch = 144 square lineSi
(long measure) ; the toise = 6 feet French ; the foot =r 12
inches; the inch = IS lines; the French foot= 12^ inches
British ; (cloth measure) the aune or ell = 3 feet 8 inches ;
and it is subdivided into one-half, one-third, one-fourth, and
one-eighth; the ell= 1 yard 10^ inches. (Wine measure)
gallon = 2 pots ; 1 pot =: 2 pints (Paris measure), 1 pint n
2 chopines ; 1 chopine*^ 2 raquils ; 1 raquil = 2 muces.
(Dry measure) the barrel = 44 quarts, or 55 pots ; the half
barrel = 27 pots ; the quarter ditto = ISi pots ; the half
quarts ditto 6^ pots.

Finance. The revenue of the colony is derived from cubk
* These are the only years in the Colonial Office documents.

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REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE — MONIES — GOVERNMENT, &C. 385

torn duties, a capitation tax, licences, fines, stamp duties, &c.
The only consecutive years of revenue and expenditure be-
fore me are * —

Rerenue.

Expenditure.

Rerenue.

Expenditure.

1817
1818
1819
1820
1821

£ 8,305

9,553

11,471

10,300

9,886

11,188

10,694

14,391

7,336

8,091

1822
1823
1824
1825
1826

£ 9,448

10.713

6,825

10,986

12,978

8.031

6,687

8,530

11,345

13,096

Surplus revenue, jC1,075.

In 18S1, the revenue was £9,452, and the expenditure
£10,148.

Monies. Accounts are kept in pounds, shillings and pence ;
but the vahie of the circulating medium is thus stated : —
12 deniers = 1 sol ; % sols and 6 deniers = 1 dog ; 6 dogs,
or 15 sols = 1 bit ; 8 dogs, or SO sols 1 livre; 9 livres » 1
current dollar; 10 livres =1 round dollar; 90 livres == one
pound currency. There is no paper money in circulation.

Government. The inhabitants have their affairs adnu-
nistered by a Governor and Council, with French laws, where
they are not adverse to the British ; I hope soon to see St»
Lucia, as well as every other English colony, with its own
legislative assembly.

* Another return gives as follows : — St. Lucia gross Revenue and Ex-
penditure in pounds sterling .—

Revenue.

Expenditure.

Revenue.

Expenditure.

1820

jgl0,300.

7,336

1826

jC 10,435

12,664

1821

9,886

8,091

1827

No Return.

1822

9,448

8,031

1828

11,941

10,923

1823

9,629

6,042

1829

12,647

12,063

1824

11,188

8,166

1830

12,531

12,014

1825

10,770

12,147

1831

9,542

10,143

The inhahitants of St. Lucia have recently complained of their heavy
taxation, and well they may when ^1Q,000 per annum is wrung from so
few colonists.

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SS6

CHAPTER IX. _ _

DOMINICA.

LOCALITY— HISTORY — ASPECT — GEOLOGY — CLIMATE — POPULATION —
RESOURCES — COMMERCE — FINANCE — GOYBRNMENT, &C. &C.

Locality, The island of Dominica is situated in 15.S5
N.9 61.15 W.| about twenty-nine miles in lengthy and sixteen
in breadthy and containing S75 square miles^ or 186,486
acres.

History. The discovery of this island was made by Co-
lumbusy* on Sunday, the 3rd Nov. 1483, and so named by the
great nayigator; its rightof occupancy was claimed by the three
kingdoms, of England, France, and Spain; but the right of
possession remained undecided, and Dominica was considered
a neutral island by the three crowns, till the year 1759,
when, by conquest, it fell under the dominion of Great
Britain ; and was afterwards ceded to England by the treaty
of Paris, February, 1763. On the cession of the island to
the English, commissioners were appointed under the great
seal, and sent out there with authority to sell and dispose
of the lands by public sale, to English subjects in allotments
' of not more than 100 acres of such land as was cleared ;
and not exceeding 300 acres of woods to any persons who
should be the best bidder for the same.' These allotments
were disposed of for the benefit of the crown, and were con-
firmed to the purchaser by grants, under the Great Seal of
England, with conditions in each grant, ' that every pur-
chaser should pay down 20 per cent, of the whole purchase
money, together with sixpence sterling per acre, for the
expence of surveying the land; and that the remainder of
the purchase money should be secured by bonds, to be paid
by equal instalments, in the space of five years, next after the

* It was the fint land seen on his second voyage, after haying been'
twenty days at sea from the Canaries. ^

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SALE AND DISPOSAL OF DOMINICA Lands. ' 'SS7

date of the grants. 'That each purchaser should' keep on the
lands, so by him purchased, one white man, or two whitte
women for every 100 acres of land, as it became cleared, for
the purpose of cultivating the same. Or, in default thereof,
or non-pajnment of the purchase money, the lands ^ere to be
forfeited to His Majesty, his heirs, and successors.' The
'Comnussioners were also empowered to execute leases to the
'French inhabitants, of such lands as were found in their pos-
session on the surrender of the island ; which lands were
again leased to those inhabitants, who were desirous of keeping
them in possession, on consideration of their taking the oaths
of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty.

These leasee were executed for a term not less than seven,
'some fourteen, and others for forty years absolute, renewable
'at the time limited for the expiration of the same. With
conditions in every lease, 'That the possessor, his heirs^ or
assigns, should pay to his Majesty, his heirs, or successors,
the sum of two shillings sterling per annum, for every acre of
land of which the lease should consist. And that they should
not sell or dispose of their lands without the consent and ap-
probation of the Governor, or Commander in chief of that
island for the time being.' The Commissioners were Ukewise
empowered to make grants, under the Great Seal, of lots to
poor settlers, to such English subjects as should be deemed
^fit objects of his Majesty's bounty, in allotments x)f not more
than thirty acres of land lo any one person. With authority
also, to the said Commisrioners, to reserve and keep such
lands, in the most convenient parts of the island as they
should think proper, for fortifications, and the use of His
Majesty's army and navy; together with a boundary of fifty
feet from the sea shore, round the whole island; and reserv-
ing all mines of gold and silver, which might thereafter be
discovered there, for the use of his Majesty, his heirs, and
successors.

By these measures 96,344 acres (half the inland,) were
.disposed of in lots of from fifty to 100 acres, which produced
£31^,090 sterling. The prosperity of the island rapidly in-

VOL. u. z

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S38 PHYSICAL ASPECT OP DOMINICA — MOUNTAINS,

'Cfeasecl ntidet a system of free trade ; but tbe happiness of
the .inhabitants was interrupted on the capture of the island,
by a large French force, from Martinique^ under the Marquis
de BoijiUe> in 1778, after a gallant resistance on the part of the
British colonists, by which they secured for themselves highly
hojiourablerttii^rms ; the subsequent advantage of which were
however frustrated by the tyranny of the new French Governor,
the Marquis Ppchilleau, whose. memory is deservedly held in
the deepest: &col!». After five years' brutal treatment by the
French;. our coloifists were rejoiced on the restoration of the
island, to England at the peace of 1783. During the war of
1805, a devastating descent was made on the Island of
Domimea! by afonni^able French squadron; and although
Roaeeu> the capital, was burned, the colony was preserved to
Great Britain by thQ skill of Sir George Prevost, and the
gallaiit behnviour of the colonists. The island has ever since
remained under the dominion of Great Britain.

Physical Aspect, Dominica is one of the volcanic bles
of the West, with lofty rugged mountains*, and fertile inter-
v^iing valleys, watered by about thirty fine rivers and num-
berless rivulets, springs,, and waterfiills, which descend with
great impetuosity frpm the hills, aiid, under the umbrageous
canopy.of lofty and magnificent forests, form the most romantic
cascadesf . Roseau, the capital, is situate in the parish of
St. George, (about seven leiigues from Prince Rupert's Bay),
on a point of land on the S. W. side of the island, which

. * Their height has been thus noted :.*-Mome Diablotin, or Terre Firme,
5,314 feet above the sea; Laroche, 4,160; Coulisboune, 3,379; Outer
Gabrite, 642 ; Inner ditto, 430 ; Morae Crabier, 486 ; Morn6 Bruce, 465 ;
Daniole, 329. The heSghts of the forts and batteries are, Scots' Head,
231 feist; MdviUe's, 147; Magazine filrt. 320^ Hospital ditto, 440;
Fort Youogv 44a; Fnt Shirlef, 153j Bsmcks at Douglas Bay, 126;
GrandSavanniih, 170| Ltfon, 160.

t About six miles from Roseau, almost in the centre of the island, and

on the top of a ?ery high mountain, surrounded by other more lofty hills,

is a large lake of fresh water, covering a space of several acres, and in

soikie places unfathomable; it spreads into three didtinict branches, and

* has a very extraordinaiy appearance.

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ROSEAU, — ^SPLENDID PROSPECT. 839

pofait forms two bays — ^Woodbridges to the N. and CbarlotCe-
▼aie to the S, ' The landscape behbd the town is beautifuHy
grand ; indeed the whole prospect from the edge of Mome
Bruce, a iofty table-rock occupied by the garrison^ is one of
the yery finest in the West Indies. The valley runs up for
many miles in a gently inclined plane between mountains of
irregular heights and shapes, most of which are clothed up'
to their cloudy canopies with rich parterres of green cofiee^
which perfumes the whole atmosphere, evien to ^om^ distanoe-
over the sm; the rirer rolls a deep and roaring stream dowii^
the middle of the vale, and is joined at the outlet'of edob
side ravine by a mountain torrent, whilst at the top,' where
the rocks converge into an acute angle, a cascade' falk from:
the apex, in a long sheet of silvery foam* Beneath, the townf
presents a vei^y different Appearance from what it does at sea'^
the streets axe long and spaciotis, regularly payddiand intem
secting each other at right angles; there is oni& liurge:aqviare/
Of promenade ground*, and the shingled roofsf of the hodseft/
tinged with the intense blue of the. heaven abow them, seentf
like the newest slates, and remiiid o^ of that cleiM! audits-
dnct look which the good towns of France have when viewed
from an eminence.];

The roadstead of Roseau (it can seai*cely be called a hate*
hour) is very capacious and safe, except in the hurricanis
months, (from the end of August to October), when the jea,
from the southward, tumbles into the bay in a terrific mauf
ner, sometimes rising to an alarming, height} ThefbrtifiN
cations of Roseau, namely. Young's Fort, Melville's Batterjr^
Bruce's Hill, and Fort Demoulin, are very strong and com«
mandlng positions. Pripce Rupert's '3^y, on the N. W* .of

* Roseau h88 nerer recovivsd the effects of a conflsgntioa ordered of
caused by the J^arquisDttcliflliBaa,. in 1781. ^ ' / : . .

t Shingles are thin planks or slips of pine imported . from - N^npCM
America, and used universally throughout the West Indies in lieu of slates.

X Six Months in the West Indies.

$ On the last day of September, 1780, the sea suddenly rose to the
height of 21 feet perpendicular aboye its usual lereU destroying several
houses in front of the b^ach and wrecking many vessels.

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84Q GEOLOGY OF DOMINICA— VOLCANIC.

the island in St. John's parish, is three miles broad, one and
a half deep, and safe and commodious enough for the whole
British navy at all seasons : it is surrounded by two high
mountains, called the Cabrittes, the inner of which is about
500, and the other 600 feet in perpendicular height, both out
of the reach of any other elevated land. Fort Shirley lies
between the two Cabrittes, with a rich plain of 100 acres in
Qztent at its base, and in the event of war the fortifications
<Mi these heights might be rendered as strong as Gibraltar.
The grand Savanna, nine miles from Prince Rupert's Bay,
and twelve from Roseau, is a fine fertile elevated plain,
upwards of a mile in extent, and at a good distance from the
Aeighbouring mountains, whose terraces jut out from their
breasts; around whose declivities flourish the richest ver-
dure, while murmuring cascades of babbling brooks, burst
through the luxuriant vegetation, or roll along the hilly ave-
nues, -surrounded by magnificent piles of rocks, sometimes
black and bare, sometimes green, with countless traceries of
lovely creepers, interspersed with ferns and palms.
' Geology. Dominica, as before observed, is volcanic : the
soil in some pdaees is a light brown coloured mould, that ap-
pears to have been washed down from the mountains, mixed
with decayed vegetable matter. In the level country, towards
die sea 'Coast, and in many districts of the interior, it is a
fine, deep, black, mould, peculiarly adapted to the culti-
vation of the sugar cane, cofiee, cocoa, and all other articles
ef tropical produce. The under stratum is a yellow, or brick
clay, in some parts ; in others, it is a stifi^ terrace, and fre-
quently very stoney. Large quantities of excellent freestone
have been quarried in the Savanna, and at one time it formed
an article of export to Gruadaloupe and elsewhere.

Several of the mountains of this island are continually
burning with sulphur, of which they emit vast quantities*.
From these mountains issue various springs of mineral waters,
(whose virtues are extolled for the cure of many disorders)
which in some places are hot enough to cook an egg in
* Attwood'B Dominica.

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SULPHUREOUS EXHALATIONS — CLIMATE.

341

less time than boiling water. The sulphureous exhalations
from these springs are very strong, often too intensely pene-
trating'for continued respiration, while the soil, or sulphur
and sand, around them in the Souffrieres, is too hot for the
feet, and scarcely firm enough to tread upon. Owing to the
dense vegetiation of the island, and the general apathy of
W. I. planters for any thing but sugar and coffee, we know
nothing further of the 'geology of Dominica. It is stated
that gold and silver mines exist, and that the latter metal was
at one time to be found in abundance.

The Climate may be said to resemble that of England very
much, with the exception of its greater moisture. The fol-
lowing thermometrical register is for Roseau, the capital
(Lat. 15. 18. N,; 'Long. 61. 22. W.) but in the interior, and
on the mountains the heat is much reduced, and indeed so
cold as to render woollens indispensable for body clothing,
and bed covemg.

Meteorological Register for Eleven Months at Roseau.

T0£HH.

WlWtJB.

llONl^Kap

REM AUKS.

% B

January ■ -

76 70

E.N,E. and N.

Cloudy fttmospliere, *

February . .

%\lAm

KN.E, and S,E.

Cool — showery.

March.,.,

S4 77 71

N.E tr> S.E.

Fair, aomelimes doudy.

April

Hay. ....

85 77 70

E.N.E. andS.K und by S.

Ditto, moderate breeze. ^

86 7»74

N.E, to i^,R and E,

Calm and clear.

June , , . .

8S8I 75

S,E, and E. to N.E.

DtUOj and sidtry and nuiiy.

July

S8 71 75

ditto.

Ditto, and cold ntffhtE*
Ditto, Ditto, thundr. stornis.

August t .

88 80 7^

S,E. and N.E.

September

87,»0,74

S. and S.E.

Generally fair, tv^u.

October ..

ft6 80 75

N.E^ to S.E.

Cloudy and fair do.

November

ditto.

Fine, ilry atmosphere.

' The wet season commonly sets in about the end of August
and continues till about the beginning of January, but with
frequent intervals of fine weather. The severity of the rainy
season is usually in the months of September and October^
when very heavy continual rain fells for days together; some-

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^li HEAVY RAINS — AKIMALS T)F DOMINICA.

times for two or three weeks. The island indeed is seldom
without rain in some part or the other ; and! often during a
promising day, the traveller meets with siich sudden and
lieiavy showers^ that almost in an instant wet him to l^e dun,
in spite of either umbrella or great coat. When the rains are
violent and of long continuance they do great mischief in the
island among the pUntatiousi carrying away large tracts of
iandy with coffee^ plantain trees^ sugar canes, and ground pro-
visions, which are all hurried into the sea. To the towns also
they do great damage, causing the rivers to overflow their
banks, or breaking out in fresh places, sweeping off houses,
or whatever else stiinds in the way of these destructive torrents.

Thunder and lightning is seldom so severe in Dominica as
in many other parts of the West Indies ; neither are earth*
quakes so frequent or so destructive.' It has been asserted
that sodn after the English first took possession of die island,
it was split in several places by one of those awftd convul-
sions of nature ; and in particular, a large chasm was made in
a mountain called Demoulins, sb deep, that, although it was
several times attempted, it never could be fathomed ; the traces
of this remarkable circumstance have, however, long since
disappeared.

Animals, &c. The only native quadruped is the coney ;
about the size of a rabbit, with the head, ears, eyes, nose,
mouthy and teeth exactly like those of a rat, but with a body,
legs, and hoofs like those of a hog, and a very short tail
covered with bristly hair ; it springs on its hind legs like a
rabbit; running with great speed when pureed, and making
a noise like a guinea-pig. European domesticated animals
and poultry all thrive, and there are' numerous wild hogs and
goats in the island. Snakes, lizards and guanas* abound;
frogs, or toads, of an enormous size (crapaux) are very, nu-
merous, and much esteemed as an article of food ; ' the flesh,
when fricaseed, being preferred by the English as w^ell as

* For a description of this large lizard (from two to three feet long,)
Tide Guyana. Mr. Attwood says they can be caught by whistling which
lulls them asleep, when a slip knot fastened at the end of a long stick is
suddenly Jerked over the head and drawn tight.

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FRICASEKD FROGS PREFERRED TO CHICKENS. SM

French to chickM8» andwlieii made into soup recommended
for the sicky especially in consumptive cases.

The forests abound with wild pigeons, mountain-ring-neck
dovesi and ground i&veBfduMaiius, and a yariety of melodious
and other small birds ; among which the mountain whistler,
the dirusk, and wren ; with the singing, whistling and chirp*
ing of whidi the woods resound in a most ddightM manner*
The diablotini' thus called from its ugly appearance, is nearly
tl^ sise^of a duck, and web-footed, with a bigroufid head
and crooked bill Kl^ a hawk, and large full eyes,, like lui owl :
Sheliead, part of the 'neck, and chief feathers of the wing and
tail are black, while the other parts <^ its body are coTcred
with a fine nnlk whitedown ^the whole appearance bemg Tcry
singular* The diablotin feeds on fidi, flying in great flocks
to the sea^side at night time, wiih hideous screams like the
owl, which it resembles in its ifislike to day-light The nests
are made in boles in the mountains, and the flesh is considered
A delicacy, parttcularly when salted.

Land crabs of three varieties (white, blacky and red) ft^^
most plentiftd; the black and red crabs are considered. ex-
cellent eating ; when in season the females are full of a rich
glutinous substance called the eggs, which is perfectly deli-
cious ; epicurean planters have crab-pens (after the manner
of fowl-coops) for fattening these luxuries; the white crab is
•said to be poisonous, irom its feeding on the leaves and blos-
soms of the mahaut tree. The grogo worm (vide Guyana)
is another Dominica ddicacy. The entomological field is full
of variety for the naturalist, among whidi the sawyer and
blacksmith flies are very curious — as also the free-mason and
vegetable flies ; the latter it is said buries itself in the ground,
where it dies, and from its body (which may be found perfect
at the root as when alive) springs up a small plant, resemlK-
ling the cofiee-tree, with small leaves. [Attwood*s Dominica.]
The rivers and rivulets are plentifully stocked with ex-
cellent fish,* the principal of which are mullets^ srocroes,

* The frey, or fry, or spawn of the fish which cover the rivers of Do-
minica twice or thrice every year, is esteemed one of the greatest
delicacies.

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344 VEGETATION OF DOMINICA — FORESTS*

pike, eels, suck^ and cray-fish ;-^the shores' of the island
abound in excellent sea-fish.

Vegetation* Dominica is one of the best watered of the
Caribbee islands, and^ with its rich soil^ may be naturally
expected to have a luxuriant vegetation. Under the head of
Guyana, a brief description of the forest trees has been given
for the W. I. possessions generally, though it was originally
drawn up for Dominica: it will be sufficient therefore, to
to state, that the woods affi>rd a vast supply of excellent
timber^ consisting of locus-wood, bully-tree, mastic, dn-
Aamon, rose-wood, yellow-sanders, bastard-mahi^aiiy, iron
wood, several species of cedar, and various other sorts useftd
for building houses, vessels, and canoes,— for furniture, for
dyeing, and other necessary purposes. The trees are of un-
common height, and by far exceed in loftiness the tallest
timber in. England ; their tops seem to touch the very clouds,
which appear as if skimming swiftly over the upper branches.
Many are of enormous girth, and the seeds of different trees,
being scattered by the wind, fall into the heart of the same
plant, and thus become incorporated with the tree on which
ihey are seen growing. Among other valuable trees in the
woods of Dominica is the gum tree. The circumference of
the body of this tree is generally very great, and its timber
is, on that account, made into canoes, by digging or burning
out the inside, and shaping the log into form. The gum
falls from the body and branches of the tree in great
quantities, in substance like white wax : — ^it was found very
serviceable to the planters of that island during the time
it was in possession of the French; the gum being used

.instead of oil, (which could not then be had,) to bum in
lamps in boiling-houses when making sugar. The Romish

-priests of Dominica use it Ukewise in their censors at

, funerals, and other ceremonies of their church, on account of
its deUghtful aromatic smell when burning; it is supposed

. to contain virtues which might be valuable in medicines, were
they better known.*

The timber also of this tree, as well as that of several

* Attwood's Dominica.

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OlOAMTrc FERNS — IfOPULATlON.

345

Others in the woods, make good shingles for'coyering houses
and staves for sugar and cofiee casks. Several fine sloops
and schooners have likewise been built here, and esteemed
for their strength and durability. Cabbage-trees are in great
plenty, and serviceable, as their trunks sawed, or^ split',
make good laths, or rails, for cattle-pens, being very durable;
the branches and leaves are used for thatching of houses ;
and the cabbage part of them is excellent eating; when
boiled it tastes much like the bottom part of an artichoke ;
it makes also a good pickle.

The size of the ferns (whole forests of which are found in
the dips and recesses of the hills,) is very remarkable, some of
them rise to the height of twenty-five feet, with the branches
as finely pennated, and their colour as vivid and fresh, as the
dwarfish and lowly but lovely English fern.

Population. At Dominica, as elsewhere, European co^
lonists have destroyed the natives. In the year 179S, Do-
minica contained 938 caribs, and 349 French occupied the
part of the coast which had been abandoned by the natives,
and which they cultivated by the aid of twenty-three free
mulattos, and 338 slaves. At the peace of 1763, the island
contamed 600 whites, and 2,000 blacks; and, in 1788, the
population consisted of 1,236 whites;* 445 free negroes;
and 14,967 slaves.— Total, 16,648.

The population, as given in the Board of Trade returns
for 1831, whites and free-coloured, males, 1,120; females,
2,538; slaves, males, 6,859; females, 7,373.— Total males,
8,979; females, 9,99L— Grand total, 18,970.

The slave population has thus decreased : —

ToUl.

InocMebsr Birth.

DecroMe by Death.

Mann.
miflstoD.

Males.

FemalM.

Total.

Maleii.

Femalea.

Total.

Total"

1817

ino
ins

1896
1831

8,(184
7.919
7.4SSt
7,3««

9,885
8.085
8,888
8,880

17.959
ia,554
1*»7H
16,898

789
«9l
«69

1438
1804
1809

915
818
7M

888

709

1,748
1.587
1,498

118
103
806

Commerce. It may be expected, from the foregoing state-

* At present there are about 840 whites.

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94$ COMMERCE QV DOMIMiCA — ^REVENUE JIMD EXPENDITURE*^

inieiit) that the trade of the setdement has andergcme great
changes. Durii^ the.year ending 5th of January, 1788, its
exports were, —

Sugar l,80@cwt; Rum 63,892 gaL; Molasses 16,803 gaL
Cocoa 1,194 pwt; Coffee 18,140 cwt.; Indigo 11,250 lbs.;
Cotton 970,816 lbs. ^ Cotton 161 cwt; Hides, dye woods, &c.
£11^12 10s. 9d.

In 1831 the total value of the exports was £118,761 ater-
lingy and the Imports £81,895. — [For a detail of the impor-
tations of sugar, coffee, &c. into Great Britain, vide Ap-
pendix and General V iew.4>f the West Indies.] The shipping
entering inwards for the same year was 214, and. 11,709 tons ;
otatoards 213, and 11,256 tons. The principal articles of
export from 1826 to 1830 were,—

Yetn,

Sagur.

CofllM.

Rom.

Molaos.

Touri.

Sngw.

Coflto.

Ram.

Molaas.

I8i6

1827
18S8

bds.
8178
9967
S688

CWtB.

l»l99,S69lbt.
S,ft46,a89..

pan.
8ia
S81
M8

8S8
1,186

18S9
1880
1881

hds.
8805
4071

CWtB.

i,096»»slbo.
MII,47S ..

pan.
660
878

154

Finance. The revenue is raised generally as in the other
West India colonies. Its amount for 1831 was hut j£6,300,
while the expenditure was £28^765,* the difference heing
made up hy Parliamentary grant. The island is quite ade-
quate to every proper civil expense; — any extra military
strength should, in part, be defrayed by the mother country
for the benefit of all the possessions.

Dominica gross Revenue and Expenditure in pounds ster-
ling.!—

Reyenne, Colonial

Sxpebditozo.

Rerenae, Colonial
and BrItiBta.

BzpcjidStare.

CoLRer.

Gnnt.

«▼.

MU.

ToW.

CJoLBcT.

Parlia-
mentary
Grant.

«▼.

Mil.

Total.

IRtl

6811
4841

5088
8810
89SS

586s
6686

686
544

657
758
778
7»8

6498
7»0
547»

4958
8488
8791

1887
1898
1889
1880
1881
1889

6109
1886
7680
6897
6800

91,9M

88,769
99,614

4488

8400

1,914
90.668
80,497
88,679
80,889

5.708
99.068
89,885

30,098
«J65

18W

imn

1814

IffUt

1M6

* Of this sum £20,S39 was for jpurrisons.
t It will be observed that this island has its revenue assisted from the
British Treasury as a military station of importance.

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GOVERNMENT — MILITIA— EDUCATION — CROWN LANDS. 347

GrovERNMENTy &c. There 18 a Lieutenant-Goyernor, a
Council of Twelve^ and a Representative Legislative As-
sembly of nineteen Members to achninister the affairs of the
colonists ; and there are courts of Grand Session^ of Common
Pleas, of Complaint and of Petty Sessions.

Tlie militia is an excellent body of men, little inferior to
regular troops, and under the same regulations as in the
o^er islands.

There is a public free-school, with 140 male and forty fe-
male scholars, at an annual expense of £180 — and education
is making considerable progress. Fourteen places of worship
exist in the colony, at an expense of J6S40; and if we take
the small number of prisoners for 1831 (ten males and one
female) as a criterion, the morals of the population are fa-
vourable. On the whole; Dominica, from its admirable situa-
tion, strong fortifications, fine climate and . fertile soil, is a
very valuable colony.

A part of the crown lands admirably adapted for cultivation
consists of a large run of woodland, known by the name of the
Luzon Flats, extending across the island to Paguon or Commis-
sioners* Bay, and comprising a surface of 20,000 acres,
covered with the most valuable and durable timber, nearly on
the same level, and watered by a. great number of small
streams^ forming the Mahout and Lazon rivers on the W. side,
and the Quanary and Pagoua rivers on the £. of the island.
This land is stated by the intelligent Surveyor-General of the
island, Mr. Flnlay, to be admirably adapted to the culti¥ation
of cocoa, coffee and all kinds of provisions ; large pastures
might easily be formed for cattle; its elevation above the
level of the sea is from 800 to 1,000 feet; the general tem-
perature 68 to 75 Farenheit; and there are no local impedi-
ments but a want of funds, or it may be said of population,
to demonstrate the advantages which would arise from Euro-
peans colonizing this delightfiil West India island.

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S4S

CHAPTER X.

MONTSERRAT.

IfOCALITY-— HISTORY — PHYSICAL A8PBCT — OBOIiOGY — PRODUCTIONS

POPULATION — COMMERCE^-OOVBRNMBNT, &C.

Locality. This romantic isle* in 16,47. N. Lat.^ 62. IS.
25. W. Long., 22 S. W. of Antigua^ the same distance N. W.
of Guadaloupe, and S. E. of Nevis ; being about twelve
miles long, seven and a half broad, and thirty-four in circum-
ference, and containing forty-seven square miles, or about
30,000 acres.

History. The isle was discovered and named by the
sailors of Columbus Montserrai, a name expressive in the
Spanish language of its broken and mountainous appearance.

* I cannot abstain' from paying a tribute to genius, and at the same
time to the beauty of the West India isles, as evinced in the following
truly poetic i^ostrophe of Mr. Coleridge, which though some may think
out of place in a work of this sort, I am far from agreeing with them. I
would delight to witness the blending of the muses' labours with those of
the statists, that the elegance of the former might lighten the (to some)
cheerless and uninviting array of figures of the latter ; and wherefore
should I desire it otherwise ? are not the heaviest toils and most arduous
enterprises of man soothed and cheered by the presence and encouraging
smiles of woman ? Does not the soft and lovely moss deck the sterile
mountain's brow ? thus should it be with statistics and poesy : —

Beautiful islands 1 where the green Yet oft I see in noonday dream

Which Nature wears was never seen Your glorious stars with lunar beam j

*Neath zone of Europe i— where the hue And oft before my sight arise

Of sea and heaTen is such a blue, Your sky.like seas, your lea- like skies.

As England dreams not ; where the night Your green banana's giant leaves.

Is all Irradiate with the light Yoor golden canes in arrowy sheaves.

Of stars like moons, which, hung on high, Your pahns which never die, but stand

Breathe and quiver in the sky. Immortal sea<marks on the strand,—

Each its silver haze divine Their feathery tufts like plumage rare,

flinging in a radiant line, Their stems so high, so strange and fair 1

O'er gorgeous flower and mighty tree Yea 1 while the breeze of England now

On the soft and shadowy sea ! Flings rose-scents on my aching brow,

BeantifU islands ! brief the time I think a moment I inhale

I dwelt beneath your awfnl dime ; Again the breath of tropic gale.

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PHYSICAL ASPECT — PERPENDICULAR MOUNTAINS. S4&

In 16S2 it was first settled on by Sir Thomas Warner, under
the protection of the British Government ; about 1664, in the
beginning of the reign of Charles II. it was taken by the
French, but restored to the Englbh at the peace of Breda,
and has continued ever since under our flag.

Physical Aspect. Like many other islands in its vicinity,
Montserrat most probably owes its, origin to a volcanic erup«
tion ; like them it runs from 8. E. to N. W., is equally moun-
tainous, broken, and intersected ; on the N. the extremity of
the mountain chain terminates in a bold head-land coast, close
to which vessels may approach with safety, but there is no
landing, and scarcely any anchorage along the coast; the
land slopes gently down to the shore, or rather ascends from
it, like the W. side of the island, by a succession of round
conglomerate hills, overtopping each other in pleasing undu-
lations until they reach the mountain base.

On the S. there is no approach for vessels of any descrip-
tion until they get to the westward ; the sea for a mile or two
is studded with immense rocks and shelving banks of coral,
which prohibit even the approach of boats ; at this point the
island springs up at once, and nearly perpendicular, to the
height of 1,500 feet; from thence the mountains begin to
accumulate, throwing out branches nearly at right angles
E; and W., of unequal magnitude, as if for supporters, to
those originally formed ; subsequently they advance and shoot
up to S,500 feet, stretching across to the N. extremity, and
terminating in the abrupt head-land above-mentioned.

The mountains in many places are totally inaccessible in
consequence of their declivities forming steep precipices of
clay-stone, and being separated from each other by immense
perpendicular chasms, several hundred feet deep. These
gullies, and the mountains, are richly clothed to the very
summit with lofty woods, and all the variety of beautiful
.shrubs and plants peculiar to a tropical moimtain region. On
the S. W. side of the chain is a small souffriere, situate 1,000
feet above the sea in a dell, formed by the approximation - of

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800 picnmEflQUB appbaramcb of montsbrrat.

three conical hQls-^-the scenery around whieh 19 grand and
beautiful.* No marshes exist, but a small lake is situate on

* The road from Plymoath (the capital of MontserratJ to the Soufriere
lies at first along the margia of the sea, winding Inwards by a gentle ac-
clinty towards the monntuna, and is thus beautifully described by Mr.
Ck>leridge» whose language I quote, that it may not be thought I am pre-
judiced in faybur of the WestJadues— •

' The path was like one of my native Devonshire lakes : no primroses
or violets were there, indeed, but the snowy amaryllis (pancratia Carib-
bea), drooped her long and delicate petals like a love-sick girl; the
thrice gorgeous hibiscus was unveiling his crown and feathers of scarlet,
and the light limes and darker orange trees, which formed a verdant
hedge on either side, were exhaling their perfumed incense to Him who
made them so beautiful and so good. A thia grey cloud obscured the
sun, whilst imi. Atlantic breeze blew gently and freshly upon my ^ce and
open neck. The air was as cool as on a May morning in England, but
so inexpressibly soft, so rare and subtle to the senses, that- 1 may think
the ether which angels breathe cannot be purer stuff than tlus. After
this I nearly broke my neck in a dry gulley which was about as good a
bridle-path as the steps to the top of St. Paul'-s. The gully ended in one
of those green Savannas which Diit«iie has ofttii^es so mysteriously cleared
in the midst of the impenetrable virgin woods of tropical regions. No
difference of soil or situation can be the cause ; you may lean your back
against the frontier tree of a forest which no axe or torch have ever
invaded, and stretch your body on the meadow turf where scarcely a
weed can be seen. There is no man to fell these trees or divert their
growth ; there is no hedge or wall or treaeh to impede their march ; but
Ood said to the Forest, as he said to the Sea, ' Thus far shalt thou go, and
DO farther.' The new was beautiful ; behind me the woody mountain
rose into the clouds, before me it descended into a long grassy slope to
the edge of the sea ; on my left hand to the south, the broad and irregular
eminences of Quadaloupe presented the appearance of a continent ; to
the north Redonda shone like an emerald in the midst of the blue waves,
and beyond It stood the great pyramid of Nevis, cut off from sight at Qn$
third irom its summit by an ever-resting canopy of clouds. The wind
was so fresh» the air so cool, the morning-dew so healthy and spangling,
that I might have forgotten, but for the deep beauty that was around me,
that I was still within the tropics. I seemed to have left all languor and
listlessness below, and really felt the strength, the spirits, and the elasti-
city of youthful life in England.

' We began to descend a circuitous and over-arched path to t1|e vale of

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OBOLOGY — CLIMATS OF THE W. I. MONTPBLLISR. 851

the top of a high hill on the west side of the mountainsi
about two miles from Plymouthi which remains full the whole
year.

Plymouth, the capital is small, but extremely well built, and
the houses constructed of a fine grey stone, haye a substan*
tial and comfortable appearance.

Gjboloot. The same geological features mark Montsenrat
as are to be found in the neighbouring isles ; many of the
rocks might be termisd vast masses of clay of various hues
and colours. The coilicul hills abound with carbonate of
lime, ironpyrites, and aluminous earth. The superstrative
soil is in general dry, light, thin, gravelly, and thickly
covered with blocks of clay and sandstone, except in the
vallies where the loamy earth is deposited by rains.

Climate. The Montpellief of the W. is the term given to
this Indian isle, which has long been celebrated for the

Sonfri^re. The wliele of the bottom of the (dell) ?alley is broken into
vast and irregular masses of clay and lime-etbne, which are scattered
about in the utmost confusion, and render it a laborious task to scramble
and leap from one to another. The surface of the ground is hot every^
where, and so much so near the streams of water which ran between the
fragments that I could not keep my foot half a minute upon it. The
water at its source boils up violently, and- viiry gradually cools as it finds
its way in a thousand meanders to the sea. A thidk vapor slowly rises
upwards till it meets the wind, which cuts it off at a straight Ime and
drives it down to the coast The sides of the mounds of clay are-entirely
crusted with pure alum, formed by the constant action of the sulphuric
acid of the water and the exhalations. In the midst of all this there is a
green and luxuriant vegetation of bushes and creepers; some of the
flowers were marvellously beautiful, and seemed to me to be peculiar to
the spot. The mountains, which rampart round this solitary glen, are of
a skeyey height ; they appear indeed higher than they really are, for their
lancet peaks are never seen except dimly and at intervals through the
vast and moving masses of clouds, which are first driven from the east
against the other side of the sierra, then are pressed upwards, and at last
come rolling and tumbling over the summits into the vale below. The
wood which clothes every inch of Chance's Mountun is soft, level, and
uniform, feathering him vrith a grass^like plumage as an Indian warrior,
whilst every branch and every leaf bends devotedly forwards to tbe setting
sun under the unceasing breath of the Trade-wind.'

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^52

^ POPULATION OF MONTSERRAT — IRISH B^OOUE.

peculiar elasticity of its atmosphere^ the majestic grandeur of
its picturesque and lofty mountains and bewitching scenery.
The temperature of course varies according to locality. On
the windward and leeward sides, and according to the eleva-
tion above the sea, the air is generally cool and dry ; — ^the
seasons are similar to those of the neighbouring isles ; it is
subject to hurricanesi but their visitation are not severe or
frequent

Population. This island, hke many ofourW.I. possessions;
was at one time more densely peopled by European colonists
than it is at present. In 164i8 there were 1,000 white
families, with a militia of 360 effective Europeans. In 1791
there were about 1,300 whites, and 10,000 negroes.*

The white population is now (exclusive of King's troops^
und their families,) males, 175, females, 213 ; free-coloured,
males, S34, females, 320.

Another return gives the white and free-coloured at males,
467, females, 677 ; slaves, males, 2,859, females, 3,350— total
males, 3,326, females, 4,027 — Grand total, 7,353. The
increase and decrease of the slave population, since 1817,
was —

IncraMebfBlrtti.

DecrcMe by DettUi.

Mana.
mlBsion.

TOteL

Milw.

FonuaM.

'Mai,

Males.

Females.

Total.

1817

S,»47

3^68

0,010

18S1

s,oat

3,473

0,505

880

881

010

816

970

607

18M 9,876

8,400

0.878

318

280

Ooa

397

280

018

18S7 a.8«7

3,395

0,808

314

888

048

805

904

689

1881

* Montserrat had Irish colonistB for its early settlers, and the negroes
to this day have the Connaught brogue curiously and ludicrously en-
grafted on the African jargon. It is said that a Connaught man, on ar-
riving at Montserrat, was, to his astonishment, hailed in vernacular Irish
by a negro from one of the first boats that came alongside—' Thunder
and turf,' exclumed Pat, 'how long have you been here?* — 'Three
months,' answered Quashy, 'Three months! and so black already !i
Jfanum a jowl,* says Fat, thinking Quashy a ci-devant countryman, ' I'll
not stay among ye;' and in a few hours the Connaught man was on his
return, with a white skin, to the emerald isle.

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PRODUCTIONS^ COMMERCE, &C. OF MONTSERRAT. S53

There are six public or free schools, with 298 males, and
390 female scholars, and five places of worship, capable of
holding 1,000 persons.*

Productions, Commerce, &c. The details enumerating
staple products as given under the other islands answer for
Montserrat, the sugar and rum of which are much esteemed«f
The exports of sugar in 1830, was 1,408 hogsheads; and
of rum 98S puncheons; the value of the exports £29,729;
and of the imports, £17,781, shipping inwards, 5,824 tonsy
outwards, 6,5764

Government. The executive is embodied in the Grovern-
ment of Antigua, but the islanders enjoy their separate
Council and House of Assembly, the former consisting of six
members and the latter of eight, L e. two from each of the
four districts into which the island is divided. The gross
annual revenue of the isle is about £2,500.

* Since the foregoing pages went to press I have foand* among my par-
liamentary documents, the following censos of Montserrat in 1828—

Males. Femiaes. Totia.

Whites, 139 176 S\S

FVee coloured, 337 481 818

Slaves. 2,923 3,324 6,247

Total 3,399 3,981 7,380

of the population 4,600 were engaged in agriculture, 30 in manufactures,
and 40 in commeroe. In 1830 the births were 233, and the deaths 33.

t Indigo was formerly rused in great quantities.

X This little island, in common with Barbadoes, Antigua, Nevia, St.
KittSt and Tortola, is suffering under the grievous exaction of the four and
a half per cent, duties, which have amounted since their first establishmeu$
to the enormous sum of i£6,85 1,640. sterling 1

VOL. II. A A

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354

CHAPTER XL

ANTIGUA.

LOCAUTT—HISTOay — ASMCT— GEOLOGY— CMMATB—VEOBTATION

ICBTHTOLOGT — POPULATIOW— COMMIRCB— BKVWfU* — GOVBRMMBNT,
&C.

Locality. This fertile island is situate in lat. 17.S N«
long. 62.7 W. 40 miles N. of Guadaloupe, 25 N. E. of
Montserrait^ SO S. of Barbuda^ extending in parallel lines
from Friar's Head in the E. to Peyrson's Point in the W., 15i
miles ; contuning from Shirley's Heights in the S. to Boon's
Point in the N. llj miles^ being about 20 miles long, about
54 in circumference, and containing 108 square miles, equi-
yalent to 69,277 acres.

History. Antigua was discovered by Christopher Colum-
bus, on his second voyage, in 1493, and named by him, from
a church in Seville, Santa Maria de la Antigua. Next to
Barbadoes and St. Christopher's it is the oldest British co-
lony in the leeward isles, having been settled by Sir Thomas
Warner* with a few English families m 1632. In 1666 a
French armament from Martinique and Guadaloupe, assisted
by scnne.Caribs, got . temporary possession of the isl^d, and
plundered the planters unmercifully. By the. treaty of Breda
the island was in 1688 finally settled under the British do-
mimon,f and by means of free trade, and beneath the auspices
of the Codrington family, rapidly, prospered.

• Antigua was granted to Lord Willoughby, of Farham, by Charles II.
in 1663.

t Want of space has unavoidably compelled me to omit the notice of
)ocal events in each colony ; an occurrence, however, which took place
in Antigua, deserves being chronicled, not less for its daring and san-
guinary nature than because it has no parallel in our Colonial annals.
Colonel Daniel Parke (a man whose character has been^dternately con-
demned and praised,) succeeded, in 1706, to the Government of Antigua,

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. PHVMCAL ASPECT OP ANTIGUA. 355

Physical Aspect*. Antigua is nearly of an oval shape^
with an extremely irregular coasts indented- with numerous
bays,, and almost surrounded, by islets^ rdcks, ilnd shoals^
which render the approach to it very dangerous on every
side except to the S. W. More than one-half of the island
on the N. E. is low, in some places rather marshy, and inter-
spersed with gentle acclivities and swelling eminences, which,
if less denuded of trees, would present the beautiful hill and
dale scenery of England. Towards the S. and S. W. the
elevation of the land gradually increases, forming round
backed hQls of a moderate height, generally running E. and
W. intersected by cultivated vallles, and partially^cloathed
with small trees and brushwood. The greatest elevation
(computed at 1210 fi^et) is on the Sfaeckeriey range of moun-
tains, called Boggles Hill, about six miles t6 the W. of
Monks HilL The highest district may be said to take its
rise from Falmouth, and to continue with various elevations
to Five Island Harbour. The height to the N. £. and S. W.
is not considerable, but on the latter part the hills are occa^
sionally bold and precipitous, forming numerous ravines and
Tallies, their summits being extemely irregular, sometimes
round, — at other times conical, and occasionally tabular;
the rest of the island may, as a general feature, be said to
consist of broad slopes, and repeatedly occurring undula*
tions.

No island in the W. Indies can boast of so many excellent
bays and harbours, but they are all, except those of St
John, English Harbour, and Falmouth, (which require pilots)

vacant by the death of Sir CfariBtopher Oodringtoa. During fovr yean
ef Ck>1enel Parke's admimstralion, party spirit and Colonial feuds rose to
the greatest height ; the House of Assembly refused to be dissolved by
^he Governor ; the Col<mists finally rose, ai nuut^, in arms against Parke,
who, with the aid of the Queen^ troops, gallantly defended himself for
some time, until many •of the soldiers were killed, and the Governor
and several of the officers wounded) the unfortunate Paricewas then
dragged into the streets, his cloaths torn from him, and his hack broken
with the musket stocks, in which eondition he soon expired.

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356 VIEW ON ENTERING ANTIGUA^S CAPITAL.

difficult of access.* St. John's^ the capital^f is irregularly laid
out, pretty large, and built on the N. W. side of the island,
at the head of a large but not deep harbour, the N. side of

* The other bays and harbours are St. Freeman's (at the entrance of
English harbour.) Rendezvous Bay, Morris Bay, Five Island Harbour,
Lydesenfis Bay, Parham, Nbnsuch, and Willoughby harbours, and Indian
Creek, contiguous to Freeman's Bay.

t Mr. Coleridge thus beautifully describes his feelings on entering the
harbour of the capital of Antigua —

' This is, without exception, the prettiest little harbour I ever saw.
The extreme neatness of the docks, the busy village which has grown up
in their vicinity, the range of hills of various shapes and colours, which
encircle the inland sides, and the rocky Ridge which frowns over the
mouth, with its Union, and cannons, and ramparts, presents such a com-
bination of tropical beauty, and English style and spirit, as I never saw
elsewhere in the West Indies.

' I was very pleasantly surprised with the look of the country. An-
tigua is so generally spoken of as a dry and adust place, where the earth
refuses to yield water for the use of man, that I received more than ordi-
nary pleasure in gazing on the gentle wooded hills and green meadow
vales which decorate the interior of the island. Antigua on a larger
scale is formed like Anguilla, that is, without any central eminences, but
for the most part ramparted around by very magnificent cliffs, which
slope inwards in gradual declivities. From some of these rocks, espe-
cially near the parsonage of St. Philip's parish, one of the finest pano-
ramic views in the world may be obtained. The whole island, which is
of a rough circular figure, lies in sight ; the grand fortifications on the
Ridge and Monk's Hill silently menace the subject fields; St. John's
rises distinctly with its church on the north-western horizon, whilst the
woods which cover the sides and crest the summit of Figtree Hill just
break the continuity of sea in the south-west. The heart of the island is
verdant, with an abundant pasturage or grassy down, and the numerous
houses of the planters, embosomed in trees, have more of the appearance
of country mansions in England than almost any other in die West
Indies. The «hores are indented in every direction with creeks and bays
and coves, some of them running into the centre of the plantations like
canals, some swelling into estuaries, and others forming spacious har-
bours. Beyond these, an infinite variety of inlands and islets stud the
bosom of the tlue sea, and stand out like so many advanced posts .of
defence against the invading waves. 1 hey are pf all shaf>es and sizes,
and are given up to the rearing of prorisions and the maintenance of a

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ST. JOUN*S HARBOUR — MILITARY STATION. 357

which is partly formed by an elevated rock^ called Rai Islaftd,*
about midway up the harbour, and connected with the main
land by a causeway, which is submerged at high water.
From St. John's to the extreme N. and N. E. of the island
the land is generally very low, interspersed with numerous
ponds and marshy hollows ; but, with these exceptions, the
surface of the whole is sufficiently varied to prevent the ac-
cumulation and stagnation of water on its surface. Monks-
hill (a military station) gradually rises from the bottom of
Falmouth Bay, and, as it ascends, becomes precipitous till
surmounted by Great George Fort,f at the height of 625 feet,
commanding to the N. and N. E. an extensive view of a

grtaX number of cattle. From the same hill, when the western sky is
clear, Guadaloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Kitt's may all be distin-
guished by the naked eye.

' The tortuous descent of Figtree Hill, though not so rich and im-
posing as the mountains and rallies of Trinidad, is yet a landscape so
exquisitely beautiful that no painter or poet, who had once seen it,
could ever forget the sight. A prodigious number of forest trees grow
on the tops and declivities of the cliffs, and luxuriant festoons and knots
and nets of evergreen creepers connect them all together in one great
tracery of leaves and branches. The wild pine sparkled on the large
limbs of the wayside trees; the dagger-like Spanish needle (Udens
pihia)^ the quilled pimploe (caciui iunaj, and the maypole aloe (agave
Americana)', shooting upwards to twenty feet with its yellow flowering
crown on high, formed an impenetrable mass of vegetation around the
road, and seemed fixed on purpose there to defend the matchless purple-
wreaths or lilac jessamines, which softened the dark foliage amongst
which they hung, from being plucked by the hand of the admiring
traveller. Meanwhile a vigorous song of birds arose, and ^made the
silent defile ring with the clear morning sound of European warblers,
in the midst of which, and ever and anon, some unseen single creature
uttered a long-drawn quivering note, which struck upon my ear with the
richness and the melancholy of a human voice* Many persons have re-
marked the extraordinary tones of this bird, but I could not learn any
name for it. It is the love-lorn nightingale of a silent tropic noon.'

* On this isle a regiment was stationed during the war, but the build-
ings are now solely used as a Colonial hospital.

t Great George Fort at Monk's Hill extends over about ten acres of
ground. It was constructed by the colony, at a very great expense, as a

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^58 OEOJLOOIGAL FEATURES OF ANTIGUA.

•

!4gUy c^tivated country, oveclooking the bay below ihe pe^
ninflubt'of Middle Gronnd, English Hacbbur; and the Ridge,
whilst m the distant hormcfa are to be seen Gnadaloupe,
MohtiBerrai^ and in clear weather Nevis and St\ Christopher's.
iEnghsh Hadbour is a retf complete dock-yard, oik a smaD
«cale, . siorrounded bylnlls, on one of which at die N. B.
the jiiiydt hospital is situate. With the'eabBeption of a few
scanty rivulets amongst the hills, thie whole island is desti-
tute of running water, and the wells, heretofore dry; haye
proved brackish ; ponds, and tanks are, therefore, the nuiih-
stay of the planters. The plan of boring for water should be
adopted.

Geology. The soil of the high lands is of a red clay, ar-
gillaceous^ with a substratum of marl ; in the low lands it is
a rich dark mould, on a substratum of clay. The most su-
perficial strata occupy the N. and £. parts, and are of a cal-
careous formation, and the outline of the district is in round
hills and knolls, similar to those found in the chalk districts
of England. Through the stratum of marl which appears on
the surface run layers and irregular masses of limestone, con-
taining a variety of fossil shells, nodules of calcareous spar,
cellular and chrystahzed quartz, chalcedony, agate, and coral-
lines, both in a calcareous and sfficious state. A calcareous
sandstone is also found in this marl formation, composed of

place of refuge for the wives and children of the inhabitants, in the event
either of insurrection or foreign invasion : permission being given to
them, under certun restrictions, to build houses for the reception of
thdr families. These houses have fallen in ruins. The fortress is still
supported by the Colony, and, from its commanding situation, has very
properly been selected as a signal station, displaying to most parts of
the island information of the arrival of mails from England, which is first
communicated by signal from Rat Island, in the harbour of Si. John.

From this elevated point, on one side, an extensive country of planta-
tions, stretching to the extreme verge of the opposite shores of the island,
forms a roost singular and pleasing contrast with the scene which the
different eminences, and the fortifications and harbours already noticed,
present on the other. The town, or rather village of Falmouth, lies im-
mediately under the brow of this hill to the southward.

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VARIBTY OF fcamatiok; oumats, 850

siiiciouB partielefl^ carbonate of Iiaie, and a little ozyde of
iron, A bre^a also frequently appears, conristing of an ag-
glutniMion of fragments . of diSeifent colomred porphyries*
No bones of the larger awnnals have been fouiid in this for-
matioii. The coarse «herty or flinty ia seen, in inregular
masses on the surfiMse, biteakiAg into sharp anguiav blodks^
and coniaining a great quantity of petrified wood aiid cairta
of sheUsi Petrified wood is ako found on the surface of the
donglomerate and marl fbrmations, often so delicate and
beautiful, thtft the colour of the wood and the distinctive form
of its fibre are perfectly preserved. Agate, cornelian, and
chalcedony, are frequently seen intermingled in tibe same spe^
cimen. Nitrate of potass, like a hoar frost, covers the flisit
oozy shore which bounds the bay of Falmouth on the N. and £•
On a general view, the geological formation of the island may
be said to consist of marl, conglomerate chert and trap**
Marl forms the greater part, and extends over the whole
N. and N. E. part ; trap, the S. W. ; conglomerate, an inter-
vening section, extending inland from St. John's Harbour,
and chert, embracing a section with the latter segment. The
fossils and petrified woods found in Antigua, when polished,
are exquisitely beautiful.

Climate. Owing to the elevation of the land, and the
absence of dense and lofty woods, visible in Jamaica, Do-
minica, &c., the climate of Antigua is dry, and the rainy
season so uncertain, that sometimes a great part of the hur-

* Dr. Nugent divides the island into four distinct clasnfications. The
range of mountains, or rather highlands, in the S. W. quarter, ponaisting
of unstratified conglomerate, composed of masses of trap, breccia,
wack6, porphyry, greenstone, &c. which are embedded in a clay matrix
with brownish decomposing chlorite baldag^. Parallel with thi)i range
inland, a different formation appears, consisting of a claystone c6ngio-
merate, containing silicified wood, coralline chert, agate, amygdaloid,
porphyry slate, bloodstone, &c. in a matrix of an intense green colour.
The N. and £. districts have a calcareous formation subordinate to the
lowest beds, of which, and nearly in the centre of the island, are extensive
irregular masses of coarse chert, containing a prodigious quantity of
casts of shells.

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560 ANNUAL METEOROLOGICAL RETURNS OF ANTIGUA.

rieane season pass away without rain. The dry season ge-
nerally commences in January, continuing to April or May,
and from «Fune to the end of the year the rains are usually
abundant. Hurricanes seldom occur,* and when they do are
lesis devastating than in some of the other idands ; sMghl
shocks of earthquakes are not unfrequent, but ktterly they
have seldom occasioned any damage«f . Owing to the great
di7ne6s of tben^limate, the temperature is less subject to the
variations observed jn the other islands; heavy dews are not
often experienced, and the thermometer seldom ranges more
than 4^ in the 24 hours. Oh the ridges, or hills, the tempe-
rature is considerably modified \y the sea breezes, or trade
winds, which occasionally shift a fe^ points to the N. and
South*

The following table shews the medium and faD of rain for
I8S6, (the latest year in my possession).

Jlanaary ,
Febroaiy .
March ...

June

Mediam

Temp.

Ridn.

7SA

8.99

S.44

7«.9

1.19

78.8

1.96

80.7

5.11

80.8

4.19

Jul7

Aagost ....

September

October....

November

December..

Mediom
Temp.

81.8
8S.1
83.4
81.4
78.4
78.8

1. 8
1.09
6.7

4. 6

t.98

Shewing an annual medium of temperatinre of 79.68, and a
total annual fall of rain of 35.58.

Vegetable Kingdom. Antigua is most bountiililly sup-
plied with a variety of edible vegetables and fruit ; the yam,
sweet potatoe, cassave, cabbage, turnips, carrots, radishes,
eddoes, squash pumpkin, cucumber, plantain, ochro (spin-
nage), &c. are among the former ; and among the latter are
the orange, mango, guana, shaddock, sweet lemon, pine
apple, sapadiUo, pomegranate, grenadilla, plum, grape, al-

• The most severe hurricanes were those of 1681, 170?, 1740, 1772,
1780, and 1792.

t A dreadful earthquake occurred in 1689, and committed great
destruction in Antigua.

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VEOBTABIiE KINGDOM VARIETIES OF FISH. 861.

tnond, alligator, (and other) pears, melon, citron, banana,^
cashew, dildoe, redcaps, soursop, bread, and jackfruits, &c.

Sugar is the staple of the island, but other productions
are now being attended to. Among the medicinal plants,
spices, and trees, are a species of absinthium, aloe perfoliata,
amomum zinziber, anisum vulgare, dolichas pruriens, datura
stramonium, faeniculum dulce, glycirrhizza glabra, guaicum
officinale, several species of mentbas, rosmarinus officinalis,
quassia, ezcelsa, and ricinus communis ; guinea grass is exten-
sively cultivated.

The coast, bays, and harbours, are plentifully supplied
with excellent fish ; among the most numerous are the herring,
mackarel, baracouta, (of great size) ; glouper (sometimes fifty
pounds); toad (poisonous); mauget, hedgehog, hogfish (poi-
sonous) ; jew-fish (large and dear) ; snapper, flatfork, squerrel,
chubb, snitt, flounder, mullet, parrot (coloured like the bird),
eel (like a serpent) ; silver, luck, and ink (shedding ink when
caught) fishes— abacore (a large size); shark (plentiful);
doctor (has a lance in the tail) ; sprat (two varieties, one poi-
sonous); king,* fry, whitening (poisonous); wattee, hind,
comaree, convalby, old wife, queen mullet, cobbler, tea
pounder, garr, bolalwe, r^ay, shew, and crawfish cat (a
curious fish with five prongs, which if left on the skin
sucks blood) — ^in fine —

^— — ^— — — ' Each creek and bay.

With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals

Of fish, that with their fins and shining scales

Glide under the green wave ; . . .
part single, or with mate

Graze the sea-weed, their pasture, and through grore^

Of coral stray; or sporting, with quick glance

Show to the sun their wav'd coats dropp'd with gold.'
Population. According to the Abbe Raynal, the white
inhabitants of Antigua, in 1741, amounted to 3,538, and the

* The king fish taken young is termed caramour, and, when kept in a
fish pond or crawl for some time, is esteemed a great delicacy, as is
also the mud fish (resembling tench) commonly found in the water
courses. The mangrove oysters are considered a tantalizing dainty, and
the trunk lobsters, cockles, &c. are excellent.

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36Z

POPULATION OP ANTIGUA — ^PAKUHES.

negroes to 27,4l& In 1774 the whites wcare IjBOO, and die
negoes 37,808. Colquhonn computed the' whites in 1815 at
SySOOy the free people of colour^ l^SOO^ and the slaves at
36,000. In 18S1 the male slaves were, 14^1; females,
16,533— Total, 31,064. Hie number of white men liable to
serve in the militia, from 14 to 69 years old, 877; of white
females and children, 840 ; of white males, under 14 years,
£35 ; number of coloured and hlaek men, liable to nulitia
service^ between 14 and 59 years, were 881 ; of coloured and
black females, including children, 3,346; ditto males, under
14 years, 6S2. Discharged and pensioned soldiers, 9; of
African apprentices, 378 ; of white men, exempt firom militia
duty over 60 years old, 46. Grand total, 6,16S.

Census of Antigua, taken in 1831 ; similar numbers are given

for 1838.

COLOVEBD

Area in

}

HTHITES.

FREE POPULATION.

PAEISH.

lUlM.

Males.

Females

TVital.

Males.

Females

Total.

St. John -

644

563

1.207

1,210

1,623

2,833

12.284

St. Philip -

116

162

161

4,323

St. George -

3.580

St. Mary .

22^

124

159

4.432

St. Peter -

!Sl

100

137

118

4,666

St. Paul- -

142

117

259

292

435

727

4,051

Total -

107

1,139

841

1,980

1,706

2,370

4,066

The slave population on series <

of years has been :-

—

Increase by Birth.

Decrease by Death.

Maiiii.

Males.

Females.

Total.

Males.

Females.

Total.

TotU.

18SI
1834
1W7

15.0fi3
U,4S4
U.2S5
14,966
13,W2

17*910
10.531
10.089
16.778
15.545

32.269
30.985
30.314
30.830
80,537

I.'l93
1.362
1.180

I.V46

1.230

1.104

2.'239
2.492
S.S03
2.589

1.497

1.318
1,146

l,M8
1.216
1,131

2.885
2.534
8.227
8,677

206
218
228
314

Produce, Commerce, Revenue, &c. The variation of
seasons, as regards drought or rain, causes great fluctuation

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COMMERCE— RBVENUE ANI> EXPBKDITVRE.

363

in the production of sugar, &c, in Antigua^ and consequently
in the commerce of the island.* The exports of the island in
1787, were 284,586 cwt, of 'sugar; 716,546 galloDS of rum;
5,910 gallons of molasses ; 160,510 Ibfe. of cotton ; value of
dyeing woods, JS4,14b; miscellaneous, £48,006; — ^total value,
£592,596.

The principal Exports from 1822 to 1831 were:—

Ycwv.

Bagmr.

Kam.

MdlMMB.

Ymn.

Sttgwr.

Ram.

HolMMS.

hds.

paoch.

panch.

hds.

ptmch.

punch.

IflSS

0,009

V97

flso

M17

ft.gos

089

S990

1893

10,301

SAIS

5.304

1838

14,150

3136

I8S4

1«.«77

8703

7,»80

1839

1S,849

3034

0338

183S

IS,534

7,358

1830

13,035

3943

43S9

18t0

17.M6

no6

«J47

1831

18,148

3489

7919

The Antigua gross Revenue and Expenditure in pounds
sterling from 1821 to 1831 was,—

Tears.

Rerenoe.

Expendltore.

Yean.

ReTeo.

Expeoditore.

CiTll.

MiUtUT

Total.

ClTtt.

BIUtai7.

Total.

1831
1833
1833
1894
183S
1830

19.383

7.084
9.099
13,703
14,591
10^084

11,551

ll!d95

11,154
10,789
13,093

1934
1064
1987
9099

9794
9557

19.798
10.019
19,083
13,358
13,500
14.060

1897
1838
1889
1830
1831

19.499
14.391
J4.S57
10,007

nore
18,089

14.507
13,031
13,010

torn.

1889
1018
1538

9097

90,698
10,185
13,609
16,708

The crown lands in Antigua and Montserrat are 458 acres,
in the parish of St. Paul Falmouth, and the immediate vicinity
of His Majesty*s dock-yard, English Harbour, employed as,
and under, batteries, garrison buildings and ordnance quarters
and stores: 171 acres E. N. and W. of English harbour and

* The sugar cane waa introduced into Antigua by Colonel Codringtoi^,
who settled in the island from Barbadoes in 1674, and employed his
knowledge in the cultivation of the cane with such success, that others,
animated by his example, and assisted by his advice, engaged in the same
pursuits. At first, indeed, the produce was black, harsh, and coarse, and
on this account it was rejected in England; and when it was sold in
Holland and the Hanse towns, it did not bring so high a price as that of
the other colonies : but at length the planters triumphed over these ob-
stacles, and brought sugar to the market equal in value and quality to
that of any of the islands.

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364 FORM OF GOVERNMENT — ANTIGUA SCHOOLS, &C.

contiguous, as a naval yard department, and ten acres as a
naval hospital, very near the latter. In Montserrat there are
two acres, under a few small batteries on the sea-coast.

Form of Government. Antigua is legislated for by a
Governor, Legislative Council and House of Assembly, the
latter consisting of a Speaker and twenty-five members, re-
presenting the capital town (St John's) and twelve divisions,
or six parishes, into which the island is divided. The
Governor of Antigua is also Governor and Commander-in-
Chief over Montserrat, Barbuda,* St. Christopher, Nevis,
Anguilla, the Virgin Islands and Dominica; he, however,
generally remains stationary at Antigua. The Governor is
chancellor of each island by virtue of his office, but com-
monly holds the court in Antigua. In hearing causes from
the other islands he acts alone — but in cases which arise in
Antigua he is assisted by a council, and by an act of the
Assembly of this island, the president and a certain number
of the council may determine chancery causes during the
absence of the Governor. The other courts of this island
are a Court of King's Bench, a Court of Common Pleas and
a Court of Exchequer.

The militia consists of a brigade of artillery, a squadron of
light dragoons and a windward and leeward regiment of
infantry.

There are nineteen public or free schools in the island,
providing for 1,216 scholars ; the number of places of worship
are twenty-two, capable of containing 3,618 persons— and the
expense of maintaining the church establishment is £5,560
per annum. A gentleman totally unconnected with the church

* Barbuda. — ^This island the property of tbe Codrington family, is
situated thirty-six miles N. of Antifpia, about twenty miles broad, with
1,500 inhabitants ; the interior is level, the soil fertile, and the air of
^eat purity. It was first settled by a party of Colonists from St. Kitt's
under Sir Thomas Warner, whom the Caribs at first compelled to
retreat, but the English finally returned and quickly began cultivatior.
The chief trade of the colonists consist in raising cattle, swine, poultry,
horses, and mules, for sale in the neighbouring islands. There is a good
roadstead but the coast is dangerous.

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CLERGY — ^BILL FOR TOTAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. 365

has recently described the state of religious instruction in
Antigua, which may be taken as a specimen of most of the other
islands.

Thm is a vty general coonteoanee of rcUffloiu liutnietors and inttrocttoii in most of
the iaiands ; and in Antigua parttcnUrlr.

Schools and Chvrchbs.— Tbere are Sunday and infknt day schools, carried on bj the
Chorcli of England, the Moravians, and the MettuMtists. The majoritj of the dergy are
intent on the great datiea of their calling : of the missionaries too moch can scarcely be said.
A jtoo rigid adherence to high charch principles has done much injnry to the establishmeot,
and exhibited the inadequacy of the episcopal system to the religions reqnfaroments of the
slave population. The abandonment of the West Indies by the Chmch Missionary Society
has been of essential disservice } still there is much doing by exemplary and devoted men
in the establishment, by going about on the estates, and preaching in the nagio houses in
a truly missionary spirit. The appointment of assistants or helpers (caUed by the negroes
" Godlkthers,") to exercise a certain surveillance over their flocks on the plantation has
tended very much to give eftct to their ministrations. By these and other meana the cha-
racter of the negroes has been much improved, and their outward attention of religion
greatly increased j add to this, the refusal of all the ministers and missionaries to bury
any whose names are not inserted as members in their books, produces an anxiety, on
this if on no other account, to be enrolled among the professors of religion.

FsBs TO TBH CLsaoT.— The vestry assembles, when the acting churchwarden lays before
them an estimate of the ways and means for the year. The nmnber of acres and of slaves
in the parish show the amount of the tax on each. Tliis amount, with all items, is settled
by the majority ; the churchwarden delivers the accounts and collects the money. One of
the principal disbursements is the minister's salary } about £S0O sterllnir, is provided by an
act of the inland, and it is customary for the vestry to make a voluntary addition to it, gene-
rally from ^60 to ^100 per ann. This, with a parsonage house, and sometimes a horse, is
sufficient to make a dergyman comfortable i and ttie minister is under ttia necessity of
avoiding conduct which would be offensive to his parishionas, while a portion of his in-
come depends on the good will of his flock. The salary of the clerk Is also on a liberal
scale, being from £75 to ^130 per ann. } he acts as vestry derk in keeping the aocounto
and collecting the taxes. The surpUce fees are liberal } three guineas is a common fee to a
clergyman, and not unfrequently one guinea and a half, to the clerk, as a wedding fee.
This, with 4^8. 13«. (Id. to the governor for a Hceoca ( few white people being married by
banns), makes matrimony an expensive business.'

I cannot pass to the next British island (in a geographical
position) without noticing an act that reflects much honour
on the colonists of Antigua, who have ever been distinguished
for their desire to mitigate the horrors of slavery* and to
inculcate morality and religion among their dependents. An

* The le^glature of Antigua was the first which prescribed the ex-
ample of an amelioration of the criminal law with regard to negro Blares,
by aflfording the accused party the benefit of trial by jury, and allowing,
in the case of capital convictions, /wr days to elapse between the time of
sentence and the execution. This Colonial Assembly has, in other in-
stances, displayed a proper sense of its own dignity. The W. I. islands,
belonging to Great Britun, have no coin of their own ; what is in circu-

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366 FOUR AND A HALF PER CENT, DUTIES.

act passed >the Island Assembly ISth Februarf, 1834» and
was ratified by the eoudcil two dxfs after, decseeiiig the
emancipation of every sbnre m the ialaiid on the Ist of August,
1834^ onqoaBSed fimm all the provisions of the act of the
Bridsh Parfiament with reference to apprenticeship. The
Inll provides for locating, m their present domiciles, all the
slaves residing upon sugar plantations for the space of one
year, and also for settlement in the parishes in which their
present residences are situated, for the same period. In case
of insubordination or improper conduct, two magistrates to
have the power of removing them. Food and clothing, as
now provided by existing laws, to be supplied to the old,
infirm and young for one year, at the proprietor's expense,
and reasonable wages allowed to all the able and competent
labourers. The laws of the island relative to the slaves to be
abrogated, and the statute law of England to take their place.

In the words of this most righteous Act — * From and after
the l9t of August, 1834, slavery shall be and is hereby utterly
and for ever abolished and declared unlawful within this
colony and its dependencies ! *

I trust this prompt measure of the Antiguans will be met
in a corresponding spirit at home, and that the destructive
four and a half per cent, duties levied on all their produce ex-
ported (and which his present Majesty has so nobly resigned,)
will be immediately abolished— the local act for its abrogation
being very properly combined by the colonial legislature in
the slavery emancipation act.

lation being all foreign. In the beginning of the last centurj the
mother country thought it necessary to settle the value of it, but as the
arrangement she made was considered to be contrary to the interests of
the colonists, they fixed it at a higher value. But notwithstanding this the
lawyers agreed, that if the event should take place, they would never
grant their assistance to any one who should refuse to accept the coin at
the price fixed by the Assembly.

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367

CHAPTER XIL

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S. OR ST- KiTT'S, NEVIS, ANGUILLA,
TORTOLA, &c.

LOCALmr — PBTSICAL ASPECT — MOUNTAINS — RIYBBS — OBOLOGT -«
GUMATE — POPULATION.

Locality, In 17.18 N. lat., 62.40 W. long., serenfy-two
miles . in circumference, and containing sixty*eight square
miles, is situate St. Kitts or St. Christopher,* called by th^
Caribs lAcmuiga^ or the fertile isle — and in shape somewhat
like Italy — as an outstretched leg.

History. This ungular-looking but beautiful spot was
discoyered by Columbus in 1493, and, as stated by some,
receiyed ita name from the great navigator himself, by reason
of his being so pleased with its fertile appearance; others
say its name is derived from a part of Mount Misery bearing
a resemblai^ce to the statues common at that period on church
porches of St. Christopher carrying our Saviour on his should-
ers. The island was then densely peopled by Caribs, who
remained for some time after its discovery in possession of
their native home, subject to the occasional visits of the
Spaniards for water, with whom they are stated to have been
on terms of friendship f — a very doubtful fact, unless the
Spaniards did not require the land or persons of the Caribs.

In 1623 Warner (afterwards Sir Thomas) settled on the
island, with his son and fourteen Londoners, and found three
Frenchmen residing in ti:anquillity with the natives. Warner

^ ThU island U not only honoured by being named after Columbus,
but it is said to bave given birtb to Ghristopbe, first a slave, afterwards a
waiter in a hotel, and on board a privateer, and finaUy Emperor of Haiti.
According, however, to one account, this remarkable man was bom in the
island of Grenada in 1769, and was a slave at St. Domingo so late as
1791.

. t So stated by the intelligent and eloquent author of the West India
Sketch book.

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368 EARLY HISTORY OF ST. CHRISTOPHER'S.

returned to England for more recruits, and on his return in
1625, landed the same day with M. D*£namhuc, who had
arrived from France with a party of colonists. The Caribs
took alarm — ^made war on the European invaders — ^were dis-
comfited with the loss of 3,000 in killed and wounded, leaving
100 foes dead from their poisoned arrows. The English and
French agreed to divide the island between them, and
articles of partition were signed 13th of May, 1627. The
island was divided into upper and lower portions-^the former
and most extensive called Capisterre, belonging to the
French, and the lower called Basseterre, alone inhabited by
the English.

Don Frederick de Toledo, a Spaniard, proceeding ta
Havannah with fifteen frigates and twenty-four ships of bur-
then, attacked the colonists in 1689, burned and plundered
in every direction, and carried ofi^ 600 Englishmen as pri-
soners ; but the flow of emigration was so great to the West
Indies at this period, that in the following year the number
of English settlers amounted to 6,000. Jealousies, bicker-
ings, and at length hostilities began between the English
and French settlers, which were stopped by the latter com-
pelling the former to return within their line of demarcation ;
but although it was agreed that if France and England went
to war, the colonists of St. Christopher should remain neutral,
the resolution was broken on the commencement of hostilities
in Europe, and a terrible battle, which lasted several days,
ended in favour of the French colonists, who assumed the
mastery of the whole island, and gallantly defended their
acquisition in the following year against a large English
force, (sent to recover possession) in the contest for which
Lord Belamont and Colonel Lauvreu were slain, all their
officers wounded, eight colours lost, 700 British troops killed
and drowned, and many taken prisoners. At the peace of
Breda the English colonists were restored to their portion of
thfe island — and for twenty years the French and English
lived in peace ; but in 1689 the former entered the territory
of the latter, put to death all who opposed, and by the aid of

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PHYSICAI. ASPECT-AMOUNT MISERY. 869

fire and sword, forced the English to fly from the colony. In
the following year General Codrington and Sir F. Thornhill,
With a large force from Barbadoes, drove the French from
St. Christopher's^ and for several years the English, in turn,
remained masters of the whole island ; but by the treaty of
Ryswick restitution was made to the French of the part they
had formerly possessed — this they retained until 1702, when
the island was captured by the English ; and by the treaty of
Utrecht in 1713> entirely ceded to the British crown. Most
of the French removed to St Domingo^ and the sale of the
crown lands produced a large sum for Government) of which
£40,000 was voted as a marriage portion for the daughter of
George II. St. Kitt's rapidly increased in prosperity, not-^
withstanding the effects of a terrific hurricane in 1722, which
destroyed £500,000 worth of property. In 1782 the Marquis
De Bouille, with 8>000 troops, and supported by the Count
De Grasse with twenty-nine sail of the line, captured the
island ere Sir S. Hood, with twenty*two sail of the line, could
efiect any thing for its relief. The Treaty of Peace, signed
at Versailles in the following year^ restored St» Christopher's
to Great Britain, in whose possession it has since Remained.*

Physical Aspect. St. Kitts present to the eye an ir«
fegular oblong figure, through the centre of which runs a
regular series of mountains from N. to S., in the midst of
which stands Mount Misery, 3,711 feet in perpendicular
height, and) although evidently a volcanic production, clothed
with the finest wood and pasture, almost to the very summit*
From the foot of Mount Misery and the adjoining hills the
country has a uniform sloping direction, stretching from a
centre to a circumference^ bounded by the coasts every inch
of which is in a high state of cultivation* There is no plain
in the bland deserving the name of a swamp, and the great
declination of the land towards the sea carries off any super*-

* In 1805, a large Prench force landed at Basseterre without opposition,
levied £18,000 as contribution^ and sailed away with six merchant shiprt
which they found at anchor in the bay, and burned as soon as they got
out to sea.

VOL. ir. B fi

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870 LOVELY VALE OP BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS.

abundant moisture. On the W. side Brimstone HiU rises
graduafly from the sea to a height of 750 feet ; its E. pros^
pect for two thirds of its altitude has a somewhat conical
appearance, and then suddenly projects into two peaks, the
N. one being called Fort George ; the S., Fort Chariotte or
Monkey Hill. At the 'foot and between these prominences is a
plain of quadrangular shape, compassing about an acre of
land, having on its E. skirts the barracks (denominated
Bedlam), for S0O men.* Monkey Hill is the S. termination
of a range of great mountuns, which increase in height
towards the N., and thicken together in enormous masses in
the centre of the island. The apex of this rude pyramid is
the awful crag of Mount Misery, which is bare, black, and
generally visible whilst the under parts of the mountain are
enveloped in clouds. It may, indeed, be termed a tremend*
ous precipice of 3,000 feet, shooting slantingly forward over
the mouth of a volcanic chasm, like a vast aerial peninsula.
The vale of Basseterre is exquisitely beautiful when viewed
from the hills of Mary Cayone, it has been said that there
is * no place on earth which can surpass the richness and
cultivated beauty of this lovely scene. Nothing can be
better disposed for completing the efiect than the plan-
tations are ; the tall and moving windmills, the houses of
the proprietors, the works and palm-thatched cottages of
the negroes embosomed in plantain groves, present the ap-
pearance, as indeed they are the substance, of so many
country villages in England. On one side is Basseterre with
the ships, on the other the ocean to windward, the moun-
tains behind, in front the broken peninsular termination of
the island to the S., the salt lakes gleaming between the
opening of the rocks, and Nevis towering majestically over all.'
RrvERS. There are four rivers in the isle, two at Oldroad,
in the parish of St. Thomas, middle island, another at the
small village of St Mary^s (Cayone), and the fourth (Pelhans),
at Palmetto point. Trinity parish. In rainy weather few

* The fortifications are very strong, and there is a tank within the ram-
parts capable of containing 90,000 gallons of water.

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RiySRS-^-GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 371

plantations are without their running streams. In the low-
lands springs are plentiful, but some of their waters unfit for
drinking, owing to strong saline impregnations. The water
in common use (as is the case in most of our West India pos-
sessions), is rain water, collected from the houses, preserved
jn large tanks, and of excellent quality.

Geology. This isle is unquestionably of igneous origin;
immense layers of volcanic ashes are found in every parish,
and the soil is chiefly of a dark grey loam^ extremely porous.
At Sandy Point, (St. Ann's parish), there are alternate layers
of this loam and ashes, to the depth of 75 feet, on a substra*
tum of gravel. This compost is considered the best in the
West Indies for the cultivation of sugar. Clay is found in
considerable quantities in the high or mountain land, while
the low lands are entirely deficient of it. Among the moun-
tains in the centre of the island there is one which contains
mines of sulphur, and there is another not far distant from
Fort Charles, in which there is said to be a mine of silver*
In the N. E. there are very fine salt ponds, which produce
most excellent salt; one of these is more than 100 acres in
extent, surrounded with several lesser ponds. The structure
of Brimstone Hill consists of granite, limestone, primary rock»
schistus, volcanic ashes and madrepores, with a very small
proportion of alluvial deposits on a few spots.

Climate. From the smallness of the isle, and its elevation
above the sea, St. Kitts is extremely dry and healthy ; th&
mean temperature on the coast is 80, but the mc^mings and
evenings of the hottest days are agreeaUy cool. The coldest
month is February — the warmest August. The winds for
the greater part of the year are fi*ora the N. E. and S. £. ;
and although the isle is, firom its position, within the range of
the hurricanes, yet by these storms the air is tempered and
purified^ and health is the natural result. The rains that fall
are more frequent than heavy, and the bracing qualities of
the atmosphere are pourtrayed in the ruddy complexions of
the inhabitants and the vigorous strength of body which they

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872 FRUITa**THB SHADDOCK --GRENADELtA^ &C.

Veobtation is similar to that of the neighbouring isles
already described. Among its numerous fruits^ the citrus
aurantiumf or China orange->tree (as also the Seville) grows
in great luxuriance; it rises from twelve to twenty feet
in height, distinguished by the beautiful deep green of its*
foliage; stem upright and ramifying in every directioui form-
ing a regular and beautiful head* The fruit is excellent, and
may be improved by grafting on the Seville orange stock,
but the best is to be obtained by grafting on the pomegranate.
The flowers are highly odoriferous, and yi^ld their flavour to
rectified spirits by infusion, and to both spirit and water by
distillation. The citrus acrus, or lime tree, as also the
citrus or sweet lime, resembles the orange* From the
latter the perfume called burgamot is obtained, which is,
in fact, the essential oil that resides in the rind of the
fruit, and easily extracted by expression or distillation.
There are varieties also of the lemon, citrus linum; but the
most elegant of this genus is citrus tuberosa, or citron tree,
the fruit of which imparts to spirits an agreeable flavour.
The shaddock and forbidden fruit . are of the citrus tribe.
The shaddock is supposed to have been transplanted from
Guinea, in Africa, by a Captain Shaddock, whose name it
Still bears throughout the West Indies. The fruit has all
the appearance of belonging to the orange species, and is
divided in the same manner, by a thin skin, into several quar-
ters, but it is as large as a melon, and of a most agreeable
and refreshing flavour, between sweet and acid. The outer
coat or skin is extremely thick, of a bitterish taste and a pale*
yellow, or citron colour, very Uke, in appearance, to the skin
of a lemon. There are two species of the shaddock ; the pulp
or inside of one is white— that of the other a beautiful pale
red : the last is considered the most wholesome. This fruit a-
European may indulge in with safety— and it is almost the
only one in this climate, excepting the orange, that will not
injure him on his first arrival The forbidden fruit is a
species of the shaddock, only smaller and more delicate,,
while the outer skin is less coarse. Its juice and the flavour

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POPULATION — DISTRICTS— AREA, &C.

373

of the inside are quite delicious in a West Indian climate.
The grenadella is another excellent fruity contuned in a soft
husk^ which is produced by a large passion flower; the husk
is filled with a sweet and most agreeable liquid ; and the
manner of eating it is to cut off one of the ends^ and mix up
in it Madeira wine and sugar, stirring it all up together; this
renders it safe and wholesome for the stomach. It is of the
size of a small melon. The laurus persea, or avocato, vulgarly
called alligator pear, comes to fine perfection here; it is a pulpy
fruit, resembling in appearance a large-sized swan's-egg ; the
pulp, or vegetable marrow as it is called, is enclosed in a
light green papyraceous skin, and contains a large irregu-*
larly-formed seed, that is immediately surrounded by brownish
membraneous coverings.

Population. The number of inhabitants^ (as has been
shewn under Hittorff,) was at one period, particularly as
regards whites, very numerous ; but war and distress have
veduced their strength. In 1804 the island contained 8,000
whites, and 20,000 blacks.

The following shews the name, area in square miles, and
population, (as late as can be obtained by me, viz. 1826,) of
each parish in the island—-

District.

Population.

Leris.

laSve

Parish.

Mem-

Whhe.

Coloured.

Slaves.

bers.

St. George .

Basseterre . .

864

1172

3738

St. Peter .

Ditto

108

2782

St. Mary .

Oayon

2222

Christchuroh

Nicola-town

2063

St. John .

Cassisterre

lOi

152

1511

St. Paul . .

Ditto

1588

St. Anne

Sandy Point .
Midme-island .

167

247

1997

St, Thomas .

179

276

2441

Trinity

Palmetto Point
Total .

1543

681

1610

1996

19885

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874

COMMERCE AND REVENUE OF ST. KITT9*

Slave Population of St Kitt's, from 1819 to 1831—

Males.

Females.

Total.

Increase by Birth.

Decrease by Death.

jil

Males. 1 Females.

Total.

Males.

Females.

TWal.

1817

9085

10,488

20,lfl8

1832

9609

10,313

19.817

IIM

1187

2819

1494

1415

3889

«7

1836

9324

10.192

19,516

901

7flfi

1666

893

799

1691

901

1838

9198

10,118

19,810

858

848

1706

845

788

1609

349

1831

9141

9,944

19,085

827

801

1628

801

739

1515

S4S

Commerce, Revenue, &c. Sugar • is now the principal
product of St. KittSy* and the amount of the crop varies of
course with the seasons. There was of sugar produced in
1890, 8,700 hogsheads ; rum, 2y4S9 puncheons ; Molasses^
1,236 puncheons.

The aggregate quantity of produce, cleared out from the
Port of Basseterre, from 11th of October, 1829, to 10th of
October, 1830, was, Sugar, 8,658 hogsheads; 506 tierces;
1,073 barrels — ^rum, 2,429 puncheons; 8 barrels; 125$ hogs-
heads— ^Molasses, 1,236 puncheons — Lime juice, 1 puncheon
— Shrub, 1 pipe — Arrow Root, 4©| boxes, 1 puncheon —
Ginger, 9 barrels — ^Tamarinds, 10 kegs, 4 barrels — Pickles,
62 jars — Preserves, 30 cases, 6 jars — Cocoa nuts, 1 barrel.

The value of imports in 1831 was £59,518 ; and the ex-
ports £149,559, employing a tonnage inwards of 29,152, and
outwards of 27,881.

The produce cleared from Basseterre, the year ending
10th October, 1832, was, sugar, 5,267 hogsheads ; 335 tierces ;
4,824 barrels — rum, 1,014 puncheons, 22 hogsheads — Mo-
lasses, 3,384 puncheons — ^Arrow root, 84 boxes^ 6j barrels —
salt, 2,080 barrels.

* Great atteation is bein^ paid to agriculture ; an association for the
promotion of which was established in June, and for the discussion of all
subjects relating thereto, llie meetings are held quarterly, when ploughing
Aiatclies take place, and prizes are distributed for shew of cattle, &c. &'c.

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EXPORTS; REVENUE; AND EXPENDITURE.

376

Principal Exports from St. Christophers : —

Yews.

Sugar.

Rom.

Malaawfii.

Ye«».

Sagar.

Rom.

Molanes.

hds.

paneh.

punch.

b<U.

punch.

pouch.

1833

6,901

509

100

1837

7,il4

1,871

3,180

1833

6,000

431

1,814

1888

NoretDn.

1834

9.197

1,503

3,390

1889

8,801

3,359 1 1,703

1835

0.070

1,081

3.898

1880

8,781

9,883 1 1,360

1830

8,987

1,735

3,309

1831

The revenue of the island is derived from custom duties,
licenses, &c. as in our other possessions.

The gross revenue and expenditure in £ sterling for 18£3.

HOTenixe*

Szpeiidi.
tore.

Revenne.

Eicpendl.

tore.

Rerenoe.

Xxpendi.
tore.

1898
1834
1895

7,158
13,031
9,073

7,158
9,430
0.179

1830

1887
1838

5,418
3,840
4A>67

5,030
6,833
6,878

1839
1830^
1881

8,740
6,987

6,a»7
4,938

Monies. The coins of the island are principally English,
with some Spanish; and there is also a colonial coin sent
from England, consisting of the following pieces,

Pieces i dollar Currency 2s. 3d. Sterling 1*. l\d.
1 — —Is. lid. ^ 0 6id.

Uy _ — 0 6irf. — 0 Sid.

The copper coin used, (besides the English penny,) is the
dogf which passes for three farthings sterling, 72 making the
Spanish dollar ; the bitt is a nominal coin, value 41 sterling.
This description of the coin of St. Kitt's will serve generaDy
for the Virgin Isles, and indeed for the whole of the W. L
isles, as regards the same denomination, unless where other-
wise specified.

Government. There is a Lieutenant-Governor, Council,
and House of Assembly at St. Kitt's, (with a deputy from
AnguQla). Education* and religion are generously encou-
raged, and the Colonists have ever manifested a great deal of
publid spirit.

* The number of public, or free schools, b six, with 2,002 scholars.
There is also an institution for the support and education of poor and desti-
tute children, which was established by private subscription in 1803, and is

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S76 NEVIS— LOCALITY— PHYSICAL ASPECT|&C.

NEVIS.

Locality^ &c. This beautiful little island, (one of the
leeward Caribbees,)* is reparated from St. Kitt*s by a strut,
almost two miles broad, and full' of shoals, in lat. 17.14 N.
long. 63.3 W. It was first colonized hj a few Englishmen
in 16S8, under Sir Thomas Warner.

Physical Aspect. Nevis is a single mountain, about
four miles in length, three in breadth, eight leagues in cir-
cumference, with an area of twenty square miles, springing
by an easy ascent, as it were, out of the sea, and evidendy
of volcanic origin.*]- At the base of the mountain is a border
of level land, extremely fertQe and well planted. The ap-
pearance of Nevis is perhaps the most captivating of any
island in the West Indies. From the S. and W. it seems to
be nothing but a single cone rising with the most graceful
curve out of the sea, and piercing a fleecy mass of clouds
which sleep for ever round its summit. It is green as heart
can conceive, perfectly cultivated, and enlivened with many
old planters' bouses of a superior style, and churches peeping
out in the most picturesque situations imaginable. A com-

now provided for out of the public Treasury of the island. The present

•tate of the school is—

Boys. Gtrls.

Permanent boarders . • 8 4 12

Day Ditto - . 13 9 S2

Day scholars . . 19 22 41

Total . 75
Excellent private subscription rooms were formed in 181 7* and re-
ceived a Charter of Incorporation in 1827. The principal object of the
Society the f^radual formation of a permanent library, as a useful addition
to the existing public establishments of this island. Regular and early
supplies of the best modem productions, reviews and periodical works,
are received in quick succession. The number of subscribers is limited
to 60. The number of places of worship are 15, capable of eontauning
2^980 persons : the annual expense of the esUblishment is i£2,966.

* It is termed by Smith, in his amusing natural history of Nevis, '* the
Mother of the English Caribbee Isles.''

t The summit has the appearance of a crater. At a short distance from
Clarke's Hill there are several hot springs, containing neutriLl s^ts in so«
lutioQ. Their beat varies from 100 to 108 F,

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AN EVERORBEN CONE. POPULATION.

S77

plete forest of evergreen trees grows like a raff or oolkr
round the neck of the high land where cultivation ceases.
On the N. and the E. the cone is not so perfect ; it falls off
in one direction m a long slope which terminates in a plain
towards the Narrows of St. Kitt's, and is brokte to wind*
ward into one or two irregular hills.*

Charlestown, the seat of Government, is a larger, smarter,
and more populous place than the capital of Montserrat. It
Ues along the shore of a wide curving bay, and the mountain
begins to rise immediately behind it in a long and verdant
acclivity. The Court House is a handsome buOding with a
square in front ; it contains a hall on the ground-floor for the
Assembly and the Courts of Law, and another room upstairs
for the CounciL The public offices are all placed at one end
of the hall, and the chairs for the members, the table
riuling, and the whole furniture remarkably neat.f

The island is divided into five parishes, and it has three
tolerable roadsteads*

PopuiiATiON. The white inhabitants are estimated at 500 ;
and the slave population from 1817 to 1831 is thus shewn:—

InciMiebyBtrtli.

DecTCMO by Death.

Males.

ItanalM.

Totel.

Mtlflt.

F«ill488.

Total.

Bialee.

Females.

Total.

181S

4068
4588

gO0i

0801

847

517

1004

085

587

1999

18i6

4008

0880

840

810

005

858

888

1838

4085

0850

898

815

088

888

801

090

1881

4890

4010

0148

884

800

043

948

880

070

The chief production of the island is sugar, the cultivation
of which gives such richness to the scenery, % particularly

* Columbus 18 said to have given the present name to this island from
the mountain of Nleves in Spain. Edwards supposes that a white smoke
issued in that age from a volcano now extinct, but perhaps the vapours,
which rest on the summit, may more probably have suggested the notion
of snow.

t Six Months in the West Indies.

I Mr, Beckford of Jamaica describes a field of ripe canes, as one of the
most beautiful productions that the pen or pencil can possibly describe.
It in common arises from three to eight feet in height; a difference in

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378 ANGUILLA — ^LOCALITY -^HISTORY, &C.

when contrasted with the mountain forests. The quantity
cleared at Nevis, for the year ending 5th December, 1829^ was
3,895 hogsheads r 226 tierces; 732 barrels. The Govern-
ment is quietly and respectably conducted by its Council and
Assembly, under certain subordinate restrictions to St.
Christopher's.

ANGUILLA.

Locality. Anguilla, or Snake Island, (so called from its
tortuous or eel-like form), is situated between 18 N. lat. and
64 W. long., 45 miles to the N. W. of St. Kitts, and separated
from St. Martinis by a narrow channel. The island is in
length about 30 miles, and in breadth scarcely more than
three miles.

History, In 1650 it was discovered and colonized by the
English, in whose possession it has ever since remained, sub-
ject, however, to transient incursions from the French and
from pirates, and to a brutal attack and pillage from the
marauders under Victor Hugues, in 1796; in every instance,
however, the islanders have displayed a noble spirit of inde-
pendence and bravery.*

growth that very stroogly marks 4lie difference of soil or the varieties of
culture. It is, when ripe, of a bright and golden yellow; and where
obvious to the sun is in many parts very beautifully streaked with red ; the
top is of a darkish green, but the more dry it becomes, from either an
excess of ripeness, or a continuance of drought, of a russet yellow, with
long and narrow leaves depending, from the centre of which shoots up an
arrow-like and siher wand, from two to six feet in height, and from the
summit of which grows a plume of white feathers, which are delicately
fringed with a lilac dye/

* In 1745, the Colonists, although then only about 100 strong, repulsed a
body of l^OOO French who came to attack them, and obliged them to retire
with the loss of 150 men. In 1796, the latter retaliated in a manner
worthy of the atrocities of the Revolution. Two ships of war were sent with
400 picked troops, by Victor Hugues, of " red-hot memory," with direc-
tions to bum every settlement, and exterminate the whole of the inhabitants
(British) in the island. I'hese emissaries set about their work iu good
earnest, and committed the most barbarous atrocities on the defenceless iiiha-

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PASTOBAL FEATURES-- POJPULATIONy &C. S79

Physical Aspect, Climate, Government, &c. AnguiOa
is flat, without mountains or rivers, and with a deep chalky
soil. It presents a very singular appearance for a West Indian
island. A little wall of cliff of some forty feet in height ge-
nerally rises from the beach, and, when you have mounted
this, the whole country lies before you, gently sloping in-
wards in a concave form, and sliding away, as it were, to the
south, where the land is only just above the level of the sea.
The Flat island and St. Martin's terminate the view in this
direction. Nine-tenths of the country are entirely unculti-
vated ; in some parts a few coppices, but more commonly a
pretty species of myrtle, called by the negroes, maiden-berry^
seems to cover the whole soil ; the roads are level grassy
tracks, over which it is most delightiiil to ride, and the
houses and huts of the inhabitants are scattered about in so
picturesque a manner, as to bear a great resemblance to
many scenes in Kent and Devonshire. Indeed there are
scarcely, any of the usual features of West Indian landscape
visible ; neither of those prominent ones, the lively windmill
or the columnar palm, are to be seen, and there is a rus-
ticity, a pastoral character on the face of the land, its roads,
and its vegetation, which is the exact antipode of large plan-
tations of sugar. In the centre of the Island is a salt-lake,,
yielding annually 3,000,000 bushels, a great part of which
was wont to be exported to America. The soil yields freely
sugar, cotton, maize, and provisions, and many cattle are
reared. The climate is extremely healthy, and the people
(amounting, in 1819, to, whites, 360; coloured 320; and
slaves 2451) strong and active. The Colonists have a chief,,
or head magistrate, who is confirmed in his office by the Go-
vernment of Antigua, and a Deputy is sent to the St. Kitt's.
Assembly.

bitonts, but were bappily iDterrapt€d by the arrival of Captain Barton, in^
the LapwiDg man-of-war, who brought the FVeuch ships to action^ sinking,
the one and taking the other.

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380 THE VTROIlff ISt£8— LOCALITY, HISTORT, &C.

TORTOLA AND THE VIRGIN ISLES.

Locality. The Virgin Islands, (so named by Columbus,
on discovery in 1403, in honour of the 11,000 virgins in the
Romish ritual) are a cluster of lofty (except Anegada) isleta
and rocks, to the number of 50, to the N. W. of the Leeward
Islands, extending about 24 leagues from E. to W. and
about 16 from N. to S. Tortola, the capital, is situate in
18.20 N. lat. and 6i.39 W. long. t

History. The Virgin Islands are divided between the
British, Danes, and Spaniards ; the E. division belong to the
former. The names are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, (or Pennis-
ton, and sometimes corrupted into Spanish ToumJ, Josvan
Dykes, Guana Isle, Beef and Thatch Islands, Anegada, Ni-
qhar. Prickly Pear, Camanas, Ginger, Cooper's, Salt Island,
St. Peter's Island, and several others of little or no value.*

The first possessors of the British Virgin Islands were a
party of Dutch buccaneers, who fixed themselves at Tortola
about the year 1648, and built a fort for their protection. In
1666 they were expelled by a stronger party of the same pro-<
fession, who took possession in the name of England ; and the
English monarch, (Charles II.) availing himself of this circum-
stance, shortly thereafter annexed it to the Leeward Island
Government^ in a commission granted to Sir William Sta-
pleton.

Physical Aspect of Tortola. A succession of precipi-
tous and rugged mountains run E. and W. from one ex-
tremity of the island to the other. The shores are indented
with bays, harbours, and creeks, and, together with the ad-
jacent (juays, afford shelter and anchorage for a great extent
of shipping. The interior contains large tracts of waste
land and pasturage, with zigzag paths skirting the mountain
sides, and rendering the. interior difficult of access, and of
course of cultivation : the soU, however, is thin and impove-

* Tbe Western division be]oDj|^ing to the Danes are St. Thomas, John's,
James, Montalvan, Savannahor, Green Island. Brass Isles, Hauseatei, &c.

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TORTOLA — APPEARANCE —POPULATION, &C.

381

rished, offering little encouragement for sugar cane planta->
tions*

Capital. The chief town^ Tortola, is situate on the S.
side of the island, close to the water's edge, in the western
bight of a magnificent harbour or basin, and forming one
long street, curving at the base of a projecting point of land.
In front of the town and harbour is a chain of small islands,
extending far to the southward, and forming the passage
called Sir Francis Drake's ChanneL The harbour of Tor-
tola, extending thus in length 15 miles and in breadth d|,
perfectly land-locked, has been seen ip war time affording
shelter to 400 vessels waiting for convoy.

The Population is, of whites and free coloured males, 787,
females, 986. The slave inhabitants were, from 1818 to 1828,

Increase bj Birth.

Decrease by Death.

ifii

Males.

Females.

Total.

Males.

Females.

Total.

Males.

Females.

Total.

1818

8831

8008

0899

18S8

8975

848S

0400

800

839

505

871

847

718

18SS

8505

8031

5480

887

881

406

108

1S7

soft

1688

8610

8889

5899

838

881

459

157

180

388

There are four free schools in Tortola, with 151 males and
260 female scholars, and five places of worship.

Up to 1773 the government of these islands was entrusted
to a Deputy-Governor, with a Council, who exercised in a
summary manner both the legislative and executive authority ;
but, in the latter year, a local legislature, similar to that of
the other islands, was conferred on them, with courts of jus-
tice, in consideration of the inhabitants voluntarily (/) of-
fering to pay an annual impost of 4ii per cent, to the crown
upon all the natural productions of the islands. They are
now under the Government of St Kitts, but possessing in
Tortola a Council and Assembly of their own. The princi-
pal articles of export in 18S8 was, sugar, 959 hogsheads;
rum, 4 puncheons; molasses, 20 ditto; cotton, 980 bales;
employing a shipping inwards of S,632 tons, and outwards of
3,184 tons.

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382 ANEGADA — ^VIRGIN GORDA, &C.

In war time these islands afford a valuable retreat for
shipping. On this account I give the following detail of the
geographical position of the chief British Virgin settlements :

' Anbgada, or DaowNBD IsukNB, is the N. easteramost islaad, of a
semi-drcular fonD, esrtendiiif^ nearly N. W. by W. and S. E. by E. ; its
lenfi^fa being* about twelve miles, and breadth two and a quarter miles ;
surrounded by a reef, which also stretches off from the S. E. end fiill four
leagues, and from its windiag^ form u called the Horse-shoe ; this reef has
from two to six feet orer it, and is extremely dangerous ; no marks can be
ffiyen to enable the mariner to steer clear of these dangers ; the island of
Anegada being so low, that the sea frequently will break almost all over it.
Anegada now produces some cotton, and has about 200 inhabitants ; the
goats, sheep and cattle are good, and near the southern point fresh water
may be obtained. The course from Saba to the eastern part of Virgin
Gorda is N.W. k W., and the distance 26 leagues.

Virgin OoRDA.^The Island of Virgin Gorda, or Spanish Town Island,
u nearly eight miles long, and of irregular shape, being exceedingly nar-
row at both ends, but somewhat broader and higher near the middle ; it
lies almost in a N. E. and S. W. direction, bending a little circularly toward
the northward, and contains 51,900 square acres of land ; and is divided
into eight districts, possessing 345 plantations. Its exports are sugar, rum,
tobacco, indigo, peas, and some cotton, but the latter article seems not to
be congenial to the soil, which is dry and sandy $ the land is mostly level,
and in rainy weather is watered by several small rivulets, but these in
summer frequently dry up and disappear ; the inhabitants are supported
•chiefly by potatoes and fish. The island has three harbours, that on the
north-east side is called North Sound. Mr. Lockwood says, this is a se-
4*ure port of great capacity, and its entrance is not difficult to discover.
It is protected by several blands, between which the passages are narrow,
and encumbered with rocks, so that no stranger should attempt them with-
out the assistance of a pilot ; but when within the Sound, you lie in great
security. The west Bay, on the N.W. side of this island, is more open,
and much frequented, but some rocks under water are situated about the
middle of the bay, and must be avoided; the anchorage is to the southward
-of these rocks ; here you will have eight and ten fathoms, sand and ouze,
and lie neariy midway between some islands called the Dogs and Virgin
Gorda; the ground holding well. A better place for anchoring is to the
southward, in Thomas's Bay ; here you will ride safe in six, seven, or eight
fathoms, directly before the town ; but there is a reef in the middle of the
bay, which runs north and south, and many ragged rocks at the bottom,
which greatly chafe the cables. The best mark to know Virgin Gorda it
the hill, situated near the middle of the island, of moderate height, and

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PETER*S AND NORMAN's ISLANDS. 388

Standing alone ; this in clear weather will be teen seven leases off. The
ground b so dear under the lee of Virgin Oorda, that 300 sail may anchor
in the space between the Dogs and the valley. Three miles to the west-
ward of St. Thomas's Bay is Scrub Island, and a little to the S. Westward
of that is Beef Island ; these form passages into Sir Francis Dralce's Bay :
you may sail in on either side of the Dogs, or between the Dogs and Scrub
and Beef Islands; this latter is the \Tidest passage, but there is a shoal of
twelve feet water lying mid-channel, about one mile to the north-eastward
of the eastern end of Scrub Island ; this you must be careful to avoid,
going on either side of it, which you will easily do, by borrowing near to
the islands each way.

To the S. Westward of Virgin Gorda are a remarkable cluster of ragged
Rocks, the apparent effect of some volcanic convulsion of nature ; these
are named Old Jerusalem or the FaUen City, the Round Rock, and Ginger
Island. Between the two latter is the common pasMg'e into the Great Bay,
called also Sir Francis Drake's Channel, and King's Channel ; but to the
northward of the Round Rock, is a dangler under water, with only 1 1 feet
over it. Between Round Rock and Ginger Island the channel is clear, and
has 18 fathoms water in it, both sides being steep too; further west are
Cooper's and Salt Island; the passage between Ginger and Cooper's
Island is good, and sometimes used ; in it are 11, 18, and 19 fathoms. On
your larboard side is the Carvel Rock above water ; but the channel be-
tween Cooper's and Salt Island channel has a dangerwi rock in it, and
therefore seldom frequented.

Peter's Island is a narrow, crooked island, of irregular form ; one-third
of a mile off its N. East point is a remarkable rocky islet, called the Dead
Chest ; the channel between Peter's Island and the Dead Chest is very
clear and good, and consequently much adopted ; but that between the
Dead Chest and Salt Island is not so safe, on account of a sunken rock»
called the South Rost, over which are only 12 feet water ; this bears from
the Dead Chest N. £. by N. distant about half a mile, and may be passed
on either side.

Normand's Island lies about a mile to the south-westward of the S. W.
end of Peter's Island ; its length W. S. W. is two miles, and its breadth
no where one mile ; its shores are irregular and much indented with
coves ; on its western side is Man of War Bay, where vessels may ride in
from thirteen to three fathoms, the bottom dear from, all danger. To
the northward of Norman's Island is the Pelican, or \^tch, and near that
are four small perpendicular rocks, called the Indians. In passing be-
tween Peter and Norman's Islands, you should run in nearer to the
latter, for at the S. W. point of the former is a rocky kay, called the
Carrot, and a sandy shoal, stretching out a considerable way into the
channel; S. W. by S. from the S. W. end of Normand's Island, distant

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384 AREAi PRODVCTfONS, ftc. OF EACH ISLAND.

nearly half a mile, lies a sunken rock, called Santa Monica» with only 11
feet water over it, and midway between Nonkiand's and St. John's Islaads
is Flanagan Island, off the southern part of which is a rocky reef. There
are navigable channels on each side of Flanagan Island, only taking care to
give a good berth to the Santa Monica Rock, in the eastern channel, and
to St. John's Island in the western channel, for some sunken dangers lie
on that side. These are the islands from the S. Western part of Virgin
Gorda to St. John's, which enclose Sir Francis Drake's Channel on the
south-eastern side, while St. John's, Tortola, Beef, and Scrub Islands, form
its \V. and N. W. boundary.

According to a voluminous statistical table in the posses--
sion of James Colquhoun^ Esq. the agent for St. Vincent's and
several other islands, to whose urbanity and philanthropy I
am indebted for many of the facts contained in this volume \
the area of the several Virgin isles in acres were — ^Anegada
31,300; Tortola 13,300; Spanish Town 9,500; Jos Van
Dykes 3,200; Peter's Island 1890; Beef Island 1560; Guana
Island 1,120; and forty other isles, with areas varying 900
down to five acres each, comprising in the whole 58,64d
acres ; of which there were in 1823 under sugar canes 3,000
acres; cotton grounds 1,000; provisions 2,000 ; pasture land
33,500; forest or brushwood land 11,440; and of barren
land but 7,257 acres. The quantity of stock on the island is
given at horses 240; mules and asses 529; homed cattle
2,597; sheep 11,442; goats 3,225; pigs 1,825; poultry 44,050 ;
and of £sh caught within the year 15,837,371 lbs. ; and yield-
ing altogether an annual production of property to the extent
of £100,000. sterling ; and with a total aggregate of move*-
able and immovable property of nearly one million sterling.

If encouragement were given to the growth of agriculturiil
produce by the remission of duties in England, there are
many spots on the Virgin Isles where industrious Britons
would find a livelihood, instead of perishing of want«t home.

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885

CHAPTER XIII.
THE BAHAMAS.

LOCALITY — HISTORY — ASPECT — OgOLOQT — CLIMAT8 *- POPULATION -»
PRODUCTIONS — FINANCBS— OOVBRNMBNT, WASTE LANDS, &C.

Locality. This singular group of isles, reefs, and quays,
termed the Lucayos,* or Bahamas, extend in a crescent-Uke
form; from the Matanilla Reef in 27.50 N. lat. and 79.5 W.
long. ; to Turks Island in 21.23 N. lat. and 71.5 W. long., a
distance of about 600 miles, not including various sand banks
and coral reefs, stretching to a great extent eastward.

History. One of the Bahama isles, St. Salyador,f is celc'
brated as being the first land discovered by the immortal na-
vigator on the 12th of October, 14d2, when he made this
advanced post of a new world. The Bahamas were then
densely peopled by the mild and happy Indian race, who
were soon shipped off to work in the mines of Peru and
Mexico, when the Spaniards began their search for gold.
In 1639 New Providence was colonized by English, (the na-
tives were then totally extinct) who remained there till 1641,
when the Spaniards drove them from the islands, murdered
the Governor, and committed many acts of savage cruelty.
In 1666 the English again colonized in the Bahamas, and
New Providence remained in their hands till 170S, when the
French and Spaniards again expelled them, and destroyed
their plantations. The Bahamas now became a rendezvous
for pirates, whose proceedings, so hurtful to commerce, were
only finally suppressed by Capt. Woodes Rogers, of the
British navy, who was established as Governor, and soon re-
duced the outlaws to obedience. After this some of the other
islands became inhabited, and remained quietly in our pos-

* This word probably owes its origin to the Spanish words lat cajfoi,
(AngHce, the keys.)
t Guaqahani, now called Cat Island.
VOL. II. C c

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886 HISTORY OF THE BAHAMAS — PHYSICAL ASPECT,

session until the American war^ when, in 1776, Commodore
Hopkins, with a squadron from Philadelphia, attacked and
plundered the settlement, and carried off the Governor. In
1781 the Spaniards took possession of the isles, but they
were restored to the British crown by treaty in 1783, having,
however, been previously captured for England by the enter-
prising Col. Devaux, of South Carolina. The Bahamas have
ever since remained in our possession, and the historian is not
called on to narrate any further event of importance to Great
Br3l»in as connected with them.

Physical Aspect. Amidst a group of several hundred
islets none are elevated; they are evidently the work of
that extraordinary being — the coral insect,^ who, with all
his apparent insignificance, has created many beautiful and
habitable spots for the dwelling and culture of man. Some
ef the Bahamas are inhabited, others present to the eye a
few plantations, the remainder are tenantless, though doubt-
less suited for culture, if there were an abundant population
desirous of obtaining food. Generally speaking, the Baha-
mas are low and flat, indeed little elevated, even in their
highest points, above the level of the sea, nevertheless, their
verdant appearances render them extremely prepossessing.
It will be sufficient to particularize a few of the principal of
our possessions in the group.

New Providence, from its harbour imd relative situation
with respect to the Florida Channel, is considered the most
important of the Bahamas, and on it is situate Nassau, the
seat of Government for the isles, and the head-quarters of
the naval and miUtary establishments. The island is about
SI miles in length from E. to W. and 7 in breadth from N.
to S. mostly flat, and covered with brushwood and extensive
lagoons ; a range of hilly rocks runs along part of the island^
at a very short distance from the sea, in a direction E. and W.
On this ridge many of the buildings of Nassau are constructed,
including the Government House, and at its extremity to the

* The ocean close to the islea is of an unfathomable depth ; reefe of
rocks, or rather walls of coral, bound the islands after the manner ob-
servable in the South sea isles.

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LOCALITY OF THE BAHAMA ISLES. 387

W. are the barracks and Fort Charlotte. Another ridgei
called the Blue Hills, runs in a direction nearly parallel mih.
the former, and at about 2| miles distance. Hog Island is
little more than a reef of rocks, which forms part of the N.
harbour of New Providence. Rose Island, to the N. and
E. of New Providence, is about 9 miles long and i broad* It
affiirds protection to 'Cochrane's Anchorage.' Harbour
Island is 5 miles long and 2 broad, lat. 25.S9 N. long. 76.34*
W. very healthy, and a favourite resort for convalescents.
Turks' Island, lat. 21.32 N. long. 71.05 W. principal mart
for salt making, peculiarly healthy, and a point of military im-
portance in regard to St. Domingo. North and South
BiMiNis. These isles are about seven miles long, in Lat.
35.40 N. Long. 79.18 W. healthy, well wooded and watered,
capacious anchorage, and in the event of a war highly im-
portant for the protection of the trade of the gulf of Florida,
to the E. of which they are situate. The anchorage on the
gulf side can admit any class of shipping.

An idea of the number and extent of the isles^ will be con-
veyed by the following statement of the lands in the Bahamas,
from an official return dated in 1827.

« nuMe not montloned abore an in cMef —

ANnnos lonir (» leases) and frregralar, to the W. of New ProTidence, 8 leairaefl. Be.
tween them a tong^ne of ocean water rons in S. E. as far as Lat. 2S» si% called the Gulf of
nnoTidence: access dlAcnlt from reeft. Off its 8. E. end are the Espirito Santo Isles. The
Bbrbt Islands, an irregrolar group. ScTeral small harbours formed bj them, where re-
freshments may be had. The 8. B. of these islands are denominated the Frozen Kays, and
the N. the Sttrmp Kays. Offthe novtbemmost of the latter there is anchorage on the bank,
in Lat. 25o 49'. The Grkat and Littlb Isaacs.— W. j N., 48 miles from Little Stirrnp Kay,
is the eastemmoet of three small kays, called the Little Isaacs, and five miles farther, is the
westernmost kay of the same name : these are from 50 to 60 or 70 feet in length i the middle
kay is not so large. These kays are situated on the western end of the Gingerbread Oronnd,
which extends five leagues E. by 8. from the westernmost rock, or Little Isaac, Is about Hve
miles wide near the east end, and has some dangerous sharp rocks upon it, with only seven
to nine feet water. The Naranjos, or two Or anob Kats, lie four miles within the edge of
the bank, in lat. 94o 66/, and long. 79* 7^> Elbuthsra extends E. 9 leagues, 8. E. 4 ditto,
and S. 4 B. 19 leagues. GoANAnAvi, or Cat Island 1^. W. 6^ leagues, B. ^ S. from Powel's
Point, in Eleuthera; it thence extends south eastward, 16 leagues, haying a breadth of three
to seven miles. Eleven miles S. E. frt>m Cat Island is Conception Island, of about seven
Biiles in length N. B. and S. W., and three mUes in breadth. Yuma, or Long Island, 17
leagues in length from S. E. to N. W. S. by W., i;^ leagues from the 8. point of Long
Idaad, U Cayo Verde or Green Kay. From Cayo Verde the edge of the bank forms a great
and deqp bay to the N. W., in the S. W. part of which is Cayo de Sal, at the distance of 10
leagues from the former. Eoo Island is small, in Lat 25. 31 .
There are many smaller kays and rocks too numerous to mention.

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388* AREA OF EACH BAHAMA ISLE, ANP CROWN LANDS.

New Providence, Hojjj Island, Roae Isle

and Kev8 - - - - -
Andros Islands, Sheep, Grass and Green

Keys ------

Berry Islands, Biminis and Chain of

Keys ------

Grand Bahama and its Keys

Great and Little Abaco, and Chain of

Keys ------

Harbour Island . - - - -

Eleuthera, Royal and Egg Islands, and

Keys - - -
St. Salvador and Leeward Little Isle -
Watling's and Windward Little Isles -
Great and Little Exuma - - -
Rnm Key ------

Ragged Island and Keys . . -
Long Island - - . . -
Crooked and Acklin's Islands and Long

Keys ------

At wood Keys - - - - -

Mayaguana and Fr^ch Keys

Great and Little Heneague - . .

The Caicos Islands . - . -

Turk's Island

Keysal and AnguiUa* &c.

Total acres -

Acres
Granted.

33,281

25,380

2,116
6,019

24,716

43.922
60,868
18,016
32,876
15,434

67,260

31,509

6,210
37,881

Acres
VacaoL

408,486

31,000

476,000

18.000
282,000

296,000
1,000

227.000

190,000

10,000

68.000

5.000

3,000

86,000

130.000

18,000

60,000

351,000

171,000

9,000

10,000

Total.
Area.

2,434,000

64,281

500.380

20,116
288,019

320,715
1,000

270,922

240,922

28,015

90,876

20,434

3,000

153,260

161,509

18,000

60,000

357,210

208,881

9,000

10,000

2,842,000

Remaining in possession of the Crown^ acres ^^434^000
in the Bahama Isles.

Geology. The Bahamas are formed of calcareous rocks,
which are composed of corals, shells. Madrepores, and
Tarious marine deposits, hardened into solid masses in the
revolutions of ages. The deposits appear to have been
thrown up in regular strata at various periods, and their
upper surface deeply honey-combed, bears evident marks of
having been long covered by the waters of the ocean. No
primitive formation has been formed, and the bases of the
islands are evidently coral reefs, originating with the MoU
luscse, which, unpossessed of locomotive powers, have organic
functions destined for the secretion of the lime required f<»r
their calcareous coverings. Marl is formed on many of the
out islands, and here and there strata of argillaceous earth

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GEOLOGY AND FINE CLIMATE OF THE BAHAMAS. S69

may be met with. Meteoric stones have been discovered rudely
sculptured with human features^ by the Aborigines, but
whether found on the island or brought thither it is impossi-
ble to say, and at Turks' Island a great number of cal-
careous balls have been found, all bearing an indentation as
though they had been suspended to a pedicle : — their origin
or nature is equally unknown. In confirmation of the idea that
these islands have been raised from the bottom of the ocean
on pillars of coral after the manner of the £. and southern
hemisphere, it may be stated many of their salt water lakes
and ponds communicate with the ocean, as shewn by their sea
fish, many of them are so deep as not to allow soundings, and
the water in them rises and falls with the tides on the coast.
Climate. Situated at the mouth of the gulf of Florida,
placed by geographical position without the tropics, removed
from the excessive heat of a vertical sun, and the intense
cold of a northern winter, the Bahamas enjoy a climate mild,
equable and delightful; to the islands within the torrid zone
they are nearly akin, in the little variety of season, the
natural productions of the earth and the manners and customs
of the people, but the decided difference in the mean
annual temperature, and the more robust and healthy ap-
pearance of all classes of the community, gives to the
Bahamas all the appearances of a country situate in a more
temperate latitude. The summer and winter, (hot and cold),
the wet and dry seasons are well marked ; the cold season
lasts from November to May, during which period the sky is
remarkably clear and serene, the mercury at noon F. oc-
casionally below 60 seldom beyond 70 or 75, while a re-
freshing N. breeze tempers the mid-day heat, and the mornings
and evenings are cool and invigorating. From May to Nov.
the heat increases and decreases as the sun advances and retires
from its great northern declination. The thermometer ranges
from 75 to 85 F. rarely higher; a fine breeze frequently
blows from the E. with cooling showers of rain, before the
summer solstice and towards the autumnal equinox. The
mornings have then a peculiar freshness, and the evenings a

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390

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE— •POPOLATION.

softness and beauty unknown to eolder countries. From the
flatness of the isles the full benefit of the sea breezes is felt
throughout every part of each island. The health of the
climate will be indicated by the fact that out of a population
of 1,148 at Harbour island, no funeral took place horn the
5th of June to the 12th of November, while with the same
population 20 or 30 would have expired in any part of
Europe ; and at Nassau the proportion of deaths to the po-
pulation was, in 1826, only 1 in 45, which is less than the
mortality of England.

The following is a Meteorological Table for Nassau, New
Providence : —

THERMOM.

WIND.

RKMAKKS.

Max.

Med.

Mln.

January - -

S. N.E. N.E. N.

Strong breeses and cloudy.

February -

7a.

N.E. S.E. N.E.

Moderate and variable.

March - -

N.E. S.E. N.E. N.

Clear and squally.

April - - -
May - - -

E.N.E.S.E. N.W.

£Htto, little rain.

Variable.

Moderate showers.

June ...

Ditto.

Clear and dry.

Jply - - -

S.E. E. S. N-E.

Mild and clear.

August - -

N.E. E. N.W. S.

Squalls, With rain.

CI ear, showery, and hazy.

September -

N E. N. N.W. S.

October - -

E. N E. N.W.

Mild, run, and squally.

November -

S. S.W. W. N.W.

Moderate and squally.

December -

S.S.W. N.W.

Variable, mild, clear.

Population. Of the early population we know nothing
certain ; the slaves are thus detailed before Parliament : —

Males.

Femalef.

Total.

IncreaM by Birth.

Decrease by DeaOi.

1«

Males.

Females.

Total.

Males.

Females.

Total.

1893
I83A
1838
1831

56S0
4670
4608
4777

fill

10,808
9,984
9,968
9,705

417
437

393
496

809

863

1100

966
944

169
171

498

415
439

118
190

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WHITE, FREE COLOURED AND SLAVES IN THE BAHAMAS. 391

Accordbg to a census in 1826, the population was : —

Whites.

Coloured, Free.

Slaves.

Total.

includins
Fsmilles.

Males.

Fenudes.

Males.

Fenmles.

Males.

Females.

Males. 1 Females.

aa97

SS91

897

1362

4509

4504

7786 8247

380

The aggregate of the population from 1822 to 1831 was —

White and
Free Col.

Slaves.

Total.

White and
Free Col.

Slaves.

Total.

1829

2,702

1823 2,712
3,140
3,140

1826: 3,104

1824
1825

3,220
8,246
3,610
3,610
3,658

6,251
5,151
5,251
4,503
4,502

5,010
5.010
6,010
4,504
4,504

7,053
7,069
8,400
7,761
7,786

8,230
8,265
8,620
8,204
8,247

1827 3,164

1828 3,214
1820! 3,368
1838 8,866
1831 3,666

3,626
3.731
3,863
3,863
3,863

4,690
4,601
4,602
4,602
4,727

4,724
4,606
4,606
4,606
4,880

7,854
7.003
8,060
8,060
8,005

8,850
8,837
8,460
8,460
8.603

Produce and Commerce. European and tropical vege-
tables and fruits thrive and are abundant ; beef> mutton and
poultry^ good and plentiful ; the shores abound with fish, and
there is turtle enough among the Bahamas to supply all
£urope; almost every island has pretty good water; am-
bergris is occasionally found ; cotton was formerly an abun-
dant article of exportation^ and there is scarcely a spot in any
of the islands that is not covered with a luxuriant vegetation.

Ship timber^ of a most excellent quality, is abundant on many
of the Bahama islands; logwood^ brazilletto, fustic, green
ebony, and satin wood, are produced in considerable quan-
tities, for building or planking vessels^ the cedar, horseflesh,
madeira, mastic, and other durable woods, in great plenty,
and there is an inexhaustible supply of very superior fire-
wood; sponges of good quality abound on the island shores^
and the water from the wells at New Providence has the de-
sirable quality of keeping good at sea for any length of time.

The agricultaral stock in the Bahamas in 1831 consisted
of 1,165 horses, asses, and mules ; 3,250 homed cattle, 5,975
sheep and goats ; and 3755 swine. The quantity of produce
raised was 30,350 bushels of Indian corn (at 4#. 4c/. market
price per bushel); 74,250 lbs of potatoes and yams (at 6*. per

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VARIED PRODUCE AND COMMERCE — EMIGRATION*

cwt) ; 3S25 bushels of peas and beans (at 5s. lOd. per bushel) ;
38,465 dozen of pine apples (at 2s. per dozen) ; 22 tons of
cotton (at 5d. per pound); 30,500 melons and pumpkins (at Ss,
per doz.); 81,300 lbs. of ocre^at 2d. per lb.) ; and 19 tons of
cassada, or cassava, (vide British Guyana for a description), at
10*. per cwt.

The principal articles of export in 1831 were, cotton 69
bales; bark 70,3^ lbs.; braziletto 255 tons; ftistic, 308
tons. The value of the imports in 1831 was £91,561. ; and
of the exports £74,658. ; employing a shipping inwards of
48,765 tons, and outwards of 54,264 tons. When we observe
that there are nearly two millions and a half of acres of land
in these isles unoccupied, and admit that half are fit for the
support of human life, I cannot see any reason, any justice^ or
state policy, in leaving thousands to starve at home when we
should be offering every encouragement to the unemployed
to accept of and till the waste colonial lands.

Finance, &c. The revenue of the settlement is raised
after the manner adopted in the other West India settle-
ments.

The gross Revenue and Expenditure in £ sterling, from
1821 to 1831, is stated in official documents to have been: —

Yean.

REVENUE.

EXPENDITURE.

Colonial.

Grant.

Total.

avtt.

MUttary.

Total.

]S21

8,419

3,147

11,566

14,642

206

14,848

1822

16,297

3,343

19,640

17,316

223

17,539

1823

17,836

3,413

21,249

No return.

14,834

1824

10,699

3,413

14,112

16,686

1826

11,356

4,782

19,137

«.—

17,367

1826

13,176

3,r,97

17,172

— .

18,329

1827

11,853

4,880

16,513

25,810

790

26,600

1828

15,210

3,252

18,462

17,395

31,279

48,674

1829

17,092

3,252

20,344

24,343

28,839

53,182

1830

14,691

3,262

17,943

19,266

28,831

48,117

1831

19,147

3,252

22,399

20,413

25,920

46,333

The number of free or public schools is seven, with 227
male, and 231 female scholars. There are 41 places of wor*
ship, maintained at the expense of about £2,000 per annum.

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FORM OF GOVERNMENTr^APITAL, &C. BAHAMAS. 89S

GovERNMEi9T. As in the other West India possessions
the Government of the Bahamas is modelled after that of
England, viz. a House of Assembly, or Commons, consisting
of between twenty and thirty members, returned from the
several islands, a Council of twelve members, approved by the
crown, and a Governor, who is Commander-in-chief of the
militia, and has the power of summoning and dissolving the
legislative body, and of putting a negative on its proceedings*
The Electors are free white persons, of twenty-one years
of age, who have resided twelve months within the Govern-
ment, for six months of which they must have been house*
holders, or freeholders, or in default of that have paid duties
to the amount of £50. To become a representative the
person must have SOO acres of cultivated land, or property to
the value of £S,000 currency.

There are several Courts at Law, such as the Supreme
Court, which holds its sessions in terms of three weeks, with
the powers of the common law at Westminster, and its
practice modelled on that of the King's Bench, the Courts of
Chancery, Error, Vice-Admiralty, &c.

Nassau in New Providence, as before observed, is the seat
of Government and the centre of commerce ; it possesses a
fine harbour, nearly land locked, and on the S. side of which
the capital extends over a rather steep acclivity to the summit
of a ridge, the W. of which is crowned by a fortress of consi-
derable strength, where the garrison is kept. The island is
divided into parishes, each of which has its church, clergy,
and school, liberally provided for. The streets are regularly
laid out, the public buildings good ; and there is an air of
liveliness and cleanliness which' immediately attracts the eye
of a stranger.

In conclusion— I should be rejoiced to see Government
granting the unoccupied lands in the Bahamas in fee simple,
and in perpetuity to any responsible individual who might
either settle thereon himself, or locate others who possess
industry without the means to render it available, either for
their own advantage or for the welfare of the state.

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CHAPTER XIV.
THE BERMUDAS, OR SOMER ISLES.

LOCALITY — BISTORT — FHTSICAL ASPECT — GEOLOGY — CLIMATE — POPULA-
TION — PRODUCTIONS, GOVERNMENT, &C.

Locality. The Bermudas, or Somer Isles, exceeding 300
in number, lie in the Atlantic Ocean, in lat. 32.S0 N., long.
64.50 W. about 600 miles E. of South Carolina, the nearest
point of North America, and containing about 14,000 acres of
land.

History. They were discovered in 1522 by J. Bermudez,
a Spaniard, who found them uninhabited.* Sir Greorge
Somers was wrecked upon them in 1609, and made his way
to Virginia in a vessel constructed of cedar, which did not
contain an ounce of iron, excepting one bolt in the keel. They
were settled shortly after from Virginia and England, but
disputes for some time prevailed respecting the rights of (he
Virginia Company. They have ever since remained in the
uninterrupted possession of England, and at one time at-
tracted great attention from their salubrity and picturesque
scenery.

Physical Aspect. When viewed from a ship at sea, the
Bermudas appear to have but a trifling elevation comr
pared with the bold and lofty aspect of many of our West
India Islands ; indeed the surface is very irregular, seldom
presenting any lofty elevations, the highest land not exceed-
ing ^00 feet. The principal islands (St. George's, Ireland,
St. David, Somerset, Paget, Longbird and Smith's) together
with the minor islands, lie in such a manner as to form several
bays, some of which are capacious and deep enough to afford
harbour for the whole British navy, but difficult of ingress and
egress ; St. Georges's, the main island, Somerset and Ireland,

* May, an EnglishmaD, is said to have been wrecked there at an earlier
period, and with his companions built a vessel, in which he returned to
Engknd.

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PECULIAR PHYSICAL ASPECT OF THE BERMUDAS. 395

form a chain, with very little interruption, for about thirty
miles long, seldom exceeding in breadth two miles, (re-
sembling a shepherd's crook) running nearly E. and W.,
St. George's being the E. and Somerset and Ireland the W. ;
it appears, in fact, as if an extensive island had disappeared
in some convulsion of nature, leaving above water only a long
narrow ridge, without either mountains or vallies, rivers,
forests or plains. Groves of cedars are here and there
detached on little plateaus of rising ground ; and the nu-
merous basins (some sixteen miles in circumference) formed
by the islands give very much the appearance of lake scenery.
The N. shore is defended by the heavy sea from any ap-
proach to the island on that side (except through the chan-
nel) and by innumerable sunken rocks, which form a shoal, with
little interruption, for the whole length of the islands, and
stretching in a N* E. direction for nearly ten miles, leave but
a narrow and intricate passage for shipping, which is close to
the shore, and defended by several strong batteries. The
S. coast is bold, and guarded by sunken rocks in a manner
similar to the north shore.

The island of St. George, the military station of the colony,
and formerly the seat of Government, is about 3 miles long,
and at no part exceeding half a mile broad ; it lies at the
entrance of the only passage for ships of burthen. The town
of St. George is situate on the S. side of the E. extremity of
the island, in a sort of amphitheatre, low built, and with
narrow streets.

Geology. A stone called " Bermuda rock,'* and peculiar
to the place, forms, with few exceptions, the basis of the
islands and minor rocks ; it is extremely porous-Hso much so
as to be unfit for filtering stones ; at first sight it closely
resembles loose sandstone, but on minute inspection will be
found to consist of a congeries of comminuted shells ce-
mented together, and occasionally including larger and tole-
rably perfect portions of shells ; the layers of this stone are
stratified, and the dip varies very much in the direction it

• Vide introduction, for Plato'a account of ' Atalantia.*

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396

GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE OF THE BERMUDAS.

takes and the angle it forms with the horizon ; the stone iff
easily wrought with axes and saws^ is naturally friable^ but
becomes harder when exposed to the atmosphere, and
changing from a whitish to a bluish grey colour ; it is used in
the principal buildings — for when covered with cement or
lime it is impervious to the rain or damp, and was therefore
at one time an article of extensive export to the United States
of America.

The soil is of a reddish brown colour, and in some places,
as at Ireland isle, hearing strong marks of oxyde of iron.
Round the coast there are some districts with a strong tena-
cious blue clay — in others a micaceous, kneadahle brick earth ;
and again, an argillaceous soil, with luxuriant pasturage.
There is no other point in the geology worth noticing.

Climate. The climate is favourable to European health,
and may be said to be a perpetual summer. The meteoro-
logical register for the year

THBRMOM.

WINDS.

REMARKS.

Max.

Med.

Min.

January -

N.W.

Cold, frequent rain.

February -

N.E.

Ditto.

March - .

N.W. by W.

More temperate, gentle breeset.

April - -
May - -

S.E.

Warm, and showers.

S.S.E.

Sultry, ditto, thunder.
Hot, light breezes.

June • -

S,W.

July - -

Ditto, thunder storms.

Au^^uflt- -

S.E.

Sultry, heavy showers.

September-
October -

77
78

79
79

78
75

S.W.byW.
N.E.

Hot, freauent ditto.
Stormy, heavy rains.

November -

N.W.

Cold, with heavy rain.

December -

NE.

Ditto, thunder and lightning.

Water is supplied to the inhabitants all the year round from
tanks^ in which it is collected during rain.

Vegetation, &c. The cedar grows to a great height in
many places, and would seem in several parts to spring from
the bare rock ; it is used for ship-building ; the palmetto is
much cultivated for the making of straw hats, but arrow-root

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VEOETABLB KINGDOM AND POPULATION,

S97

seems to be the staple of the island^ and machinery has re-
cently been imported for its preparation; coffee, cotton,
indigo, tobacco, &c. are grown as good as in the West India
islands, as do also all the fine fruits and vegetables of the
tropics. There are no wild animals, the feathered tribe is
confined to a few varieties, but the sea around teems with
fish, and the whale is pursued with great animation, and
killed for the sake of his oil and bone.

Population. The latest returns before me of the number
of inhabitants are the census of 1822, 1828, and 1831.

White and Free
Coloured.

Slaves.

Total
Males.

Total

Yeaw.

Males.

Females.

Males.

Females.

1822
1828
1831

2,209
1,872
2,135

3,161
2,771
6,193

2,620
1,825
1,825

2,622
2,002
2,090

4,899
3,697
3,960

6,783
4,773
6,282

At one of the late censuses there were in each parish,-

PARISR.

St. George . .
Hamilton ....

Smiths

Deronahire ..
Pembrolce . . . .

Pac;ets

Warwick ....
SoQthamptOA
Sandys ......

Total..

1.580
1,651
l,S8l
l,S8l
1,S81
1,381
1»981
1,281
1,507

ia,4M

Whites.

S04
130
04
100
348
184
809
141
I9S

1,564

967
194
130
198
491
803
Sll
198
889

8,841

Fkee Blacks.

90
81
7
17
06
24
35
18
28

Slaves.

Total.

220

210 1

104

188

106

120

113

124 I

103

810

836

821

245

158

198

183

256

850

335

514
384

177
280
726
409
893
343
673

587
427
857
364
930
541
540
470
648

430 1 1,835 j 3,002 , 3,687 4,764

.1
1

1,525
1.6iO
1.265
1.246
1.2S6
1,216
1,256
1,200
1,408

12,602

The parliamentary return whence the foregoing is derived,
gives minute statistics for each parish, the aggregate of which
is (for 1886), hirths, 299; marriages, 34; deaths, 219.
Persons employed in agriculture, 689 ; manufactures, 71 ;
commerce, 59L Number of scholars, males, 274; females,
233. Acres of land in onions, 50; arrow-root, 51 ; potatoes,
197; barley and oats, 67; garden vegetables, 106: — total

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898 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS — GOVERNMENT FINANCES, &C.

acreS) 461 ; the produce of which was, onions, SSS,830 lbs. at
6*. 8d. per 100 lbs. ; aiTow-root, 18,174 lbs. atl*. 8rf. per lb. ;
potatoes, 10,404 bushels, at 4fS, 4if. per bushel ; barley, 435
bushels, at ditto; garden vegetables, 65,800 lbs. at Hd. per lb.;
Number of horses, 250; homed cattle, 1,538; sheep, 238;
and goats, 199. The colonial revenue is about £ 10,000 per
annum,* of which £ 6,000 is derived from custom duties.
The value of the trade inwards in 1831 was £79,953; out-
wards, j£ S7,4S8, and the shipping inward, tons, 15,500.f

The colonists have their own Legislative Assembly and
council; the men are distinguished for their industry, the
women for their beauty, and both sexes are celebrated for
their morals and hospitality. Although ^the Bermudas are
not, properly speaking. West India settlement, they are,
or I should now say have been, always included among the
western slave colonies, I have, therefore, given this brief
sketch of these singular isles of the Atlantic, the origin of
which I am unable to account for, unless I consider them the
remains of the vast continent Atalantis, which, tradition in-
forms us, sunk beneath the ocean.

* Bermudas Gross Revenue and Expenditure in pounds sterling : —

RSVSNUB.

Colonial.

Parliamentary
Grant.

Total.

EXPENDITURE.

1828
1829
1830
1831

9,789
10,397
13,902

9,484

4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000

13,789
14,397
17,802
13,484

27,813
15,834
15,452
16,200

t In 1825 there was of sujjrar exported 406,3471b8.; of rum, 113,636 ^al.
of molasses, 79744 lbs. ; and of coffee, 9,400. This amount of staple W. I.
produce has of late years diminished.

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CHAPTER XV.

HONDURAS.

LOCALITY — SABLT BISTORT — PHYSICAL ASPECT — GKOLOGY — CLIMATE—
RITBRS AND MOUNTAINS — NATURAL PRODUCTIONS-^COMMBRCB— GO-
VERNMENT— FINANCES — STATE OF SOCIETY, &C. &C.

Locality. The British settlement of Honduras^ in the Pro-
vince of Yucutan, is situate in the southern part of the North
American continent, between the parallels of 17 and 19
N. lat. and 88 to 90 W. long., on a peninsula extending from
the W. side of the Bay of Honduras (that either gives or takes
its name from the settlement) to the sea, northwardly forming
the Bay of Campeachy on the W. and the Bay of Honduras *
on the E. side of the peninsular, the coast here extending
about 270 miles — ^but the inland boundaries are ill-defined.
According to Henderson, the line which includes the set-
tlement commences at the mouth of the Rio-Gfrande, or
Hondo, whose course it follows and afterwards runs parallel
with for thirty miles — ^then, turning S., passes through the
New River Lake, in a straight line, to the river Balize, up
which it ascends for a considerable distance — and then again
proceeds S. till it reaches the head of the Sibun, whose
windings it pursues to the sea-coastf — the whole settlement
embracing an area of 62,750 square miles.

History. The Honduras coast was discovered by Co-
lumbus in 1502 — its period of early settlement is very vague.
At first it was occasionally resorted to by mahogany and

* The Spanish term Hondura, signifyinfr depth, was thus given to the
coast by its discoverers from the great depth of water along the shore.

t The Mosquito shore — the Indians of which are in alliance with, and,
in some respects, subject to, the Crown of Great Britain— extends from
Gape Qracios a Dios, southerly, to Punta Gorda and St. Juan's river ;
N. W. and Westerly, to Romain river 5 and S. E. beyond Boco del Toro to
Coclee or Coli, near the river Chagre and Porto Bello.

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400 EARLY HISTORY OF THE HONDURAS.

other wood-cuttersy whose chief place of residence was then
a small island called St George's Key, ahout nine miles to
the N. E. of the town of Balize, the present capital of the
settlement. The first regular establishment of British log-
wood cutters was made at Cape Cartoche by some Jamaica
adventurers, whose numbers increased so that, in a short
time, they occupied as far S. as the river Balize, in the Bay
of Honduras, and as far W. as the island of Triste and the
Laguna de los Terminos, adjacent to Campeachy. The ter-
ritorial jealousy of the Spaniards was soon roused, and the
Governor of Campeachy fitted out several expeditions against
the logwood-cutters, in which he not only failed but, on two
occasions, in 1659, and 1678, the cutters actually took pos-
session of the town of Campeachy, without a single cannon,
and aided only by the seamen engaged in the trade.

By a treaty concluded with Spain in 1670, by by Sir W.
Godolphin, the seventh article generally, though not spe-
cifically, embraced the territorial right of British occupancy
at Honduras — and in consequence the English population
fast . augmented, the number of whites (no negroes were
introduced) being then 1700. The jealousy of the Spanish
monarch at the success of the English led to a renewed dis-
cussion of the territorial right of our settlers, which the
imbecile ministers of the pusillanimous Charles II. so far
admitted as to direct the Governor of Jamaica (Sir Thomas
Lynch,) in 1671, to inquire into the same, and had it not been
for the spirited and patriotic conduct of Sir Thomas Lynch,
the conduct of Spain would have been sanctioned by the
court of St. James*. The Spaniards at all events deter-
mined to drive the woodmen from the Campeachy shore,
and, by 1680, they succeeded in confining the English to
the limits now occupied.

From this period the establishments on the other side of
Cape Cartoche were entirely abandoned by the settlers. In
1718 the Spaniards sent a large force to try to dispossess the
English from the Belize river, as they had done from the
opposite coast, but the bold front of the log wood cutters de-

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SPANIARDS' /BALOUSY OF THE SETTLGMEIf T. 401

terred the Castillatis, who contented themselves with erecting
a fortification in tiie N. W. branch, of which they held pos«*
session for a few years, and finally abandoned it. The k>g«
wood cutters were left for thirty-six years in peace, until the
attack on TruxiHo by the English in 174&, which led to the
long projected expedition of 1754, to exterminate the latter
firom Honduras. By the treaty of peace in 176S, the
Spaniards were ccnnpelled to give a formal permission of
occupancy to the British colonists, though they subsequently
endeavoured to annul it.

The Spaniards made another attack on the settlements in
1779, destroyed a great deal of property, and marched off
many of the English settlers of both sexes, blindfolded and
in irons to Merida, the capital of Yucutan, and thence
shipped them to the Havannah, where they were kept in cap-
tivity until 1782; but, in nS'l, a commission firom the crown
of Spain was authorized * to make a formal delivery to the
British nation of the lands aUotted for the cutting of logwood^'
&c. It is necessary to state this explicitly, because many
persons are not only ignorant whether Honduras is an island,
or part of the continent, but very many, who are aware of
the position of the settlements, think the British have merely
a right to logwood and mahogany cutting in the Bay of Hon-
duras, and that it is not a territorial occupancy of the British
crown, which, in fact it is, as much as Jamaica or any other
settlement. The last Spanish attack on the settlements was
during the war in 1798, and consisted of an expedition of
3,000 men, under the command of Field Marshal O'Neil, who
was gallantly repulsed by the ' Bay Men/ (as the Honduras
settlers are termed), for which they received the thanks of
His Majesty.* .

Physical Aspect. The sea coast of our territory at the
Bay of Honduras! is low, and the shore studded with low

* Thia act of conquest is a perfectly jfood title of occupancy.

t The bay reaches from Cape Catochc, in 21.31, the N. point of the
peninsula of Yucutan, to Cape Honduras, in 16 S. Lat. and 86 W. Long.
From thence the coast, comprehending Cape Gracias a Dios, and extend-
ing between 600 and 600 mUes to the mouth of the Rio de San Juan as it

VOL. II. D D

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409 APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN OF BALIZE* >

and verdant isles (keys); from the land the coast graduaUy
rises into a bold and lofty country, interspersed with rivers
and lagoons, and covered with the noblest forests.

The town of Balize,* the capital of the Honduras settle-
menty is divided into two parts by the river Balize, which
empties itself by two mouths in a tortuous manner into the
sea, at the western side of the Honduras Bay, where^ aa
before observed, the shore is extremely flat, with numerous
keys or small islands, dispersed along the coast, and densely
covered with trees or shrubs, so exactly resembling each
other as to puzzle the most experienced sailor, and rendering
navigation exceedingly difficultf That4)art of Balize which

flows from the Nicaragua lake, is known by the name of the Mosquito
shore ; within these limits lie the settlements which have been considered
the dependencies of Jamaica.

• Called by the Spaniards, Falize ; corrupted from the original, Wallis,
the noted English buccaneer.

t F<>r t^e same reason given under the Trinidad chapter, I append,
from the Honduras Almanac, the following directions for making the
coast of Honduras and the harbour of Balize ; together with a description
of the bay light-house.

Hie Island of Bonacca should be made early in the day, bo that yon may run down to the
middle or west end of RMotan by the evening, and from thence take yonr departure fbr
the SatOhem Four Kept, at 8, 7» or 8 o'clock, acconHng to the breexe.

If yon take your departure from the middle of RtuUam steer W. N. W. i W. making that
coarse good. To avoid Ghver't Reef keep to leeward, and on no account whatever run
ttore than 48 mUes ftom RwOan before day.Itght s if you run more than that distance you
•re in danger of running your vessel on the Reef. At day light, if you do not see the Keys,
make satt, and you will soon lift them. The principal Key is called Hatf Mo&n Keg. On the
Key there Is a light-bouse, elevated about AO feet from the surlhoe of the seaj tta lat. te
17.12 N. and long. 87.98 W. A fixed light Is exhibited from sun-set to sun rise each night.
It was lit on the 1st December, isai. This highly useful building is situated on the eastern
point of the island, and resembles a pyramid. The whole is neatly shingled and painted
white. These keys ought to be made as early in the day as possible. In order to ensure an
anchorage In harbour before night. It flrequenUy happens that vessels, after leaving
HtMOeN, are becalmed during the night, and. In consequence, they wlU not make Hmtf Moom
Keif before the afternoon. In this case it Is advisable to brace sharp upon a wind, and beat
to windward all night, tacking every two hours j for it must be noticed that ttie current sets
ftrongly down on the 8inUk§rH Four JCcys Retf, and several vessels have been lost on this
Reef owing to their laying.to ; and by keephig the light in sight till morning it wUl be sof-
fldent to prevent accident by maintaining your position till you get a pilot, or tiU yon have
the day before you. Should it happen that pUots cannot be had, aU possible sail must be
made, keeping a watch at the mast-head, and you wiU soon discern Bat JTey, with only low
trees upon It. After rounding the dhow of the Reef, steer W., and you wiU very soon lift
the island of Tmm^, At the south end of thU island U Keg Bokel, with several cocoa-nut
trees upon it, and where piloit formerly resided. You may round this key by your lead, and
if it be later than three o'clock, p. m. you must aodior there for the night The anchorage

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SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR HONDURAS COAST. 40S

is situate oh theS. or right bank of the river, alorig the eastern
edge of a point of land is completely insulated by a canal,

it feboat one mile end r half from fhe Keg, that la, hring the Jtey to bear about B. by 8. } bnt
roar lead and yeor eye is the best jHlot tor this aaehorage. Toa aachor on a lae white und*
bank. The lint aonading you wlU get is about ten fiKthoBUi ran in three or foor ikthoms,
clewing np your vails as that as possible, and giving the veasel-at least 40 flUhoms of cables
tar Hm sand is so yery hard, that with a Aort scope yonwiU certainly drift off the bank, and
then yon hare no bottom. If this shonld be the case, yon must heaye np immediately, ai^
make sail again to get on ttie bank . In the morning get under weigh at day-Ught, and steer
K. W. by N. for Sngttth Keg, distance U miles. Bm^fiiak K99 Is tftaated on the south side
of the channel } it is low, round, and sandy, with a few thatched houses and two shingled
ones on it, and entirely shaded wlih'trees. Here alto stands a dgnaU^ouae and flagotair,
upon which you will pereelte the Briilak enslga flying, which is atways hoisted when a
▼essel heaves in sight s bat should any signal or other devfcx be hoisted at tuch flag^aiag
you will take no notice of the tame ; it is intended as a communication to the town of
JMUe, On the opponite side of the channel, that is, on the N. side« there is another Bmall
key of the same size, called Gof*a Keg, about half a mile to the eastward of which is a little
sand patch, nearly even with the water, called by the pUoit the 8a$id Bore, This is the place
you must anchor at, for it Is impossible for a stranger to proceed any farther without a
pilot, as the channel becomes so very intricate, and the various keys have such a similarity
in their appearance, that a deeeriptlan of them would be useless to the commander of a
▼esMl. When yon have made out KngUah and QoJTe Keg; run for them, but mind and
keep nearer to GoJTe than EnglUk as there is a dangerous reef oiT the latter. The pilots'^
mark for andioiage here, is to bring three Httle keys, situated to the northward of G^T^
Keg, called CuRLUw, Sbrobaht'b, and Pancsitt Kara, a little open to flie eastward of GqjT*
Keg, There are no trees on Curlew but bush, such as bay, cedar, and nUywood grass. Ser~
gemWe Keg has a nigged appearaaoe, and is easily diatiaguisbed by Its several eoooa-not
trees, on wiiich there are two shingled houses 1 and Panehgut Keg is small and round, with
two trees In the centre. From this anchorage your ship can be seen from tlie Oooemmenl
Sauee of BeMme, and in a few hours it is possible to have a pUet from the fown.

The light House of Honduras, sltnato 00 Half Moon Keg, or Isle, is about 43 miles S.
by S. souCheriy from Belize. Uke all the islands with which the Bay of Honduras ia
utndded. Its appearance at a distance is flat, but, on a nearer approadi, it is found to be
more elevated than the kejrs In the neighbourhood. On this Bay stands the UghUunue, la
18S1 this highly usefrd bonding was erected on the north east point, the most elevated on
the island, which Is a rocky promontory, neariy SO feet above the low water mark} aad
from ita baae, which is SS feet square to the lanthorn, it rises about 50 ftat. It is in lat.
17.1s N. and long. 87.S8 W. It is built in a pyramidal form to within nine or ten feet of
the top. Tliere is a flxedreflected light from sun.«et to sua-rise, for which the public of
Honduras aUaw the contractor the sum of 4^400 currency per annum. By day the light-
house, being painted white, aervea as an ezceUent beacon. In days of yore this deUghtlhl
spot was much resorted to, and at several periods was the residence of the bnccaneen
when they infested these seas.*

This key Is now the chief residence of the branch pilots. They are a set of men remark-
«ble for their abstemious habitB, activity, and humanity on all occasions} and there hardly
<:an be remembered an instance of their deviation from duty.

* TlieoB are many traditions of treasures having been buried here by them when closely
irarsned by the Spaniards, which have induced some individuals to search in the hope of a
discovery } bnt as yet every trial has proved unsuocessfifl, notwithstanding a superstitiou
-which accredits the aoctumol visit of a spectre, who, though in guise of a mutilated
jDortal, yet, la an unearthly horrldness, appears to guard them at the hour described by

Burna,as

* Of nighf s black -arch the keystane.*
It U to be feared that every attempt to recover the supposed wealth will be, as hente-
fore, unavailing.

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404 1PL£ASmG AFPEARAKCE OP THE COUNTRY.

on its western side which rtxns across from a small arm of Ihtf
9ea and bounds the town on its S. side.

The number of houses are nearly 500, many of them con-
venient, well built, spacious, and even elegant; they arc
chiefly constructed, of wood, and raised 10 feet from the
ground. The streets are regular, running parallel N. and S.
and intersected by others, the main one running in a N. £•
direction (to a bridge crossing the river and facing the chief
quays and wharfs)* from the government house, which is
situate on the S. E. point or angle of the island, on the right
bank of the river, and bounded on the S. and E. by the sea.
The church is situated behind the government house on the
£• side of the main street, and the whole town is shaded by
groves and av6nues of the cocoa-nut and tamarind trees. To
the N. of Balize is an extensive morass, three miles in cir-
cumference, now being drained. Fort George is situate
about half a mile from the river on a small islet ; it is low,
(600 feet long and 200 broad, principally formed of the ballast
from the shipping, every vessel being obliged to deposit a
portion of ballast proportioned to its tonnage. The aspect of
the interior is worthy of notice. The falls in different parts
of the river are extremely grand, and the scenery along the
banks really sublime ; as a specimen the river and lagoon of
Manatee, situated ten leagues S. of Balize may be selected.
At about a mile from thcf motitfa of the river, is a magnificent

* The bridge whicli conneete the northern to the southern town was
btdlt ia 1816; its span Is 220 feet, the width 20. It is constmcted
entirely of timber, and rests on coppered piles of wood, which are found
in abundance in this country, remarkable for their durability ; indeed,
the downess with which they yield to decomposition; may almost entitle
them to the appellative imperishable. Government gave £1,000 sterling
towards the expence of erecting it. The entire is well compacted, and
secured by balustrades on either side. The appearance of this building
from the Balize roads is very pleasing j the thick forests of evergreen,
with which the banks of the river are dotted, form a rich back scene, and
the many objects of various characters representing commerce sAd re-
creation, dispersed on either side, form a picture of no inconsiderable
interest.

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MAGNIFIGSNT AND CUJUQVS aCENBaV AT HONDURAS. ,405

sheet of water; usually denolniliated the LagpoUf which .ex*
tends «fai a northerly direction fbr several leagues. The sur<-
rounding scenery is very.romalntic, embracing unmense mounr
tains, which descend in maay places to its margin; and inter-
sected by vallies opening' into woody ranges of vast extent,
possessed almost solely by wild herds of various iMumAls, such
as the tiger, antelope, armadiUd, quash, opossum, racoon,
and several species of deer ^ awopg the last named, the velvet
deer is much esteemed for its soft and delicate flavour. The
sportsman also finds ample, amusement among the feathered
tribe, as quails, plover, pigeons, pheasants, and wild turkeys ,
are abundant in these regions of silence. Among these vast
ridges, where no stream flows to cool the parched earth, na*-
ture, ever bountiful to all her creatures, has placed large
marshy spots, or shallow ponds, the banks of which are fre-
quented by the wild duck and almost every species of aquatic
bird. These ponds contain vast quantities of flsh during the
greatest part of the year ; but at the season of drought their
situation may be easily discovered by the traveller at a great
distance, from the quantity of sea-fowl which hover over them
to prey upon the putrid fish that have been destroyed by liie
evaporation of the waters. At this season the alligator* also
travels to these marshes to partake of the fish thus yearly
provided. It is very singular that many of those ponds, scat-
tered through the flat country, which have no apparent com-
munication with each other, should annually abound with the
same species of fish. The lake, or lagoon of Manatee, is
supplied in the wet season by innumerable rivulets; but,
during the dry months, by three streams only, viz. Corii

* This extraordinary animal leaves his nsaat residence, and goes inlaiid
to partake of the fish yearly provided as above detuled. He wanders
these trackless ^ds, from one pond to another, in search of fish, and
not unfreqnently has been seen many miles in the interior. Notwith-
standing the strength of this terrific aniqaal, snch is the awe of man with
which the most powerful creatures are filled, that he seems timid, from the
extreme caution with which he pursues his course, and, by the motionless
posture in which he lies, he shows his desire to remain unnoticed if he
hears the least noise.

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406 THE BAUze AND U8VMA8INTA RITBRS.

Creek, Plantation Creek, and the Main River, which empty
themselves into it. Although they are called creeks, they
extend so far into the interior that their sources are unknown
to the British settlers. The hanks of the river are pictu-
resque, and divested of that sameness which marks most of
the rivers on this coast*

Eight to ten miles from the lakes the rapids begin, and the
high rocky banks of the river wear a delightful appearance—
a little further on (it is thus vaguely stated by the Honduras
almanack,) there is an extensive cataract about a quarter of
a mile in length, and of considerable acclivity.f A cluster of
beautiful caves, through which the river winds its way, and
beneath which the traveller must pass, is next arrived at«
These magnificent natural excavations of the mountains are
semicircular at the entrance, and about five yards in dia->

* About a mile from the lake is an efitablishment of disbanded soldiers,
from the black rei^ments, that were broken up on the late peace. They
have cleared a considerable spot of ground, and constitute the only regular
settlement that could be formed by these Africans.

t Colonel Galindo has furnished an interesting paper to the Royal
Geographical Society on the UsumtuifUa, which takes its rise not har from
the source of the Balize. on the opposite side of the chain of mountains
that bounds the Honduras territory. He describes it as remarkable
among the rivers of this part of America, not only for the length of its
course, the advantages of its narigation, the fertility of its banks, and the
superiority of the climate of the district through which it flows, but also
for the almost total ignorance in which even the inhabitants of the sur-
rounding country remain with respect to its relative position, its course
and branches. Part of the rich but wild territory of the Mayas is watered
by the Usumasinta, which, in its course from E. to W. receives the im-
portant navigable river of Chicsoi; after which its course to the sea
inclines to the N. W., its principal mouth being the port of f^ictoria, in
the Gulf of Mexico, to the W. of the lake of Liaguna de Terminus. The
river Tabasco, which, near the sea, joins the Usumasinta, is much fre-
quented by vessels from the United States of North America, which sail
up to San Juan Bautista, the capital of the state of Tebasco. The banks
of the Usumasinta, after passing the chain of mountains which separates
the Maya territories from the Mexican states, are studded with rillages of
logwood cutters. The ruins of Palenque, an ancient and magnificent city
in the Maya country, well deserve further investigation.

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IMMENSE CHAIN OF HONDURAS MOUNTAINS, 407

meter. Within the cave the arch rises to the height of 100
feet, and leads to another low arch, which, being passed, a
second cayem of large size opens, beyond which is a third,
with a circular orifice through which the river enters.
During the floods the mouths of the caverns are filled with
water, which boils up with prodigious fury, and thus de-
tains travellers many days before they can pass through the
caves or tunnels. In the rainy season, as the water increases
on the upper, or inland sides of the mountains, the river
forces its passage through the interstices and openings in its
sides with tremendous noise, forming an indescribably grand
cascade of from forty to fifty feet high issuing from an hundred
orifices.*

The immense chain of mountains which form the inland
frontier of the British territory, has only one pass — that
leading to Peten, which is merely a pathway through rocky
dells, and might be defended by a few men. The mountains
are covered with impenetrable forests and brushwood, and
contain abundance of the finest mahogany.

The face of the country is technically divided into, the Pine
and Cahoun ridges from the respective locations of these
trees ; the pine trees extend over immense tracts of country,
presenting to the eye the resemblance of an interminable open
park, clothed with verdure, and exhibiting an appearance of
taste and design, rather than accident. The Cahoun ridge
is covered with gigantic trees, such as the wild cotton, and
other vast trees, and the fertility of the soil occasions much
brushwood.

Geology. The first geological feature requisite for the
knowledge of man, is the capability of the soil to grow food.
In this respect Honduras is not behind hand in fertility to
any spot in the Old or New World. The soil of the Cahoun
ridge consists of a deep loam produced by decomposed ve-
getable matter, and capable of growing every European, as

* There are also magnificent caves in the river Libun» eight or ten days'
journey from Balize^ and some interesting creeks or caverns exist in the
creeks or arms of the old river.

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408 GEOLOGICAL FEATURES — MINERALS — CLIMATE

'well as tropical aliment The Pine lidge lancl- has a sul>-
fitratum.of loose reddish dand^ and ltd indigenous products
rCxhihit those varieties of ^ the vegetable kingdom^ whose assi-
milative powers are strong and perennial. - E^f^nsiveiiatund
'prairies, or pastures spread over thift s<riL An inexhaustibly
rich alluvial soil exi^ on the knargih df the numerous creeks
and^rivers which stud the country.

Veins of fine marble, and mountains of alabaster, are known
to exist $ valuable chrystals have been found within 180 miles
6f Balize; and fine pieces of transparent feltspar lie along
'the* banks in many places, which are used in Ornamental
'Stucco work. Gold has at various periods been found in the
Roaring Creek, (a branch of the Balize river,) but no trouble
has been taken to ascertain from whence it proceeded. Quanti-
ties of lava and volcanicsubstances have been found in difierent
situations. > Labouring Creek, about 100 mites inland, on the
Balise, is remarkable for the petrifying proi>orties which it
jiosseisses; its waters have a powerfid cathartic effect on
strangers, and a healing property when applied externally to
an ulcer.

Climate. The climate about Balize is generally moist;
in July, the dryest and hottest month of the year, the average
maximum heat is 83 F. the medium 8S, and the minimum 80,
but though the absolute heat appears so great during the
hot months, yet it is so tempered by the sea breezies, which
almost constantly prevail frcwn the N. E., S. £. or £. that the
air feels pleasant and often cool, but, on the wind shifting to
the N. or W., the atmosphere becomes sultry and often op-
pressive.* During the wet seasons, which lasts five months,
the mercury sinks to GO. The variation in the temperature is
very great, sometimes 15 between 6 a. m. and H p. m. and at
night SO or 85 less than in the day.

* Although I have giren in every posaible instance a thermometrical
register for each British Colony, I wish the observations which I made
in the Ist volume, under the * Climate of Bengal,' to be borne in mind.

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AND POPULATIOMy &C. OF HONDURAS.

Thermometrical Register at Balize, Honduras :—

409

TBSIUIOM.

WINDS.

RBMARKS.

Mai.

Med.

Mln.

January -

W. N. and N.W.

Generally dry, fine weather,
some rain.

February -

W. E. and N.E.

Ditto, with pleasant breezes
and showers.

March- -

E. N.E. and W.

Ditto, ditto.

April . -
May - -

E. and N E.

Ditto, sea breeze regular.

E. N.E. and W.

At times drv, then heavy
showers, lightning and

thunder.

June - -

E.N.N.E.andS.E.

Air moist, cloudy, heavy

July - .

E. N.E. and S.E.

Ditto, thunder and light-

August -

E. N.E. and W.

ning.
Ditto; ditto.

September

E. W. and N.E.

Fine occasionally.

October -

E. N E. and W.

Rne, withsome heavyshow-

November

B.NE.andW.

ers.
Dry and pleasant.

December

N. N.E. and W.

Ditto, ditto, slight shomrs.

It is asserted* by those who know the climate best that
Honduras is more favourable to European constitutions than
any other climate under the tropics; those who have not
trifled with it by intemperance and irregularities enjoy the
best healthy as demonstrated by the many instances of lon-
gevity, European and native, that exist.-)-

PopuLATioN. According to a census in IS23 the popula-
tion was, whites, 217; slaves, 2,468; free people of colour,
809; free blacks, 613; pensioners from discharged West
India regiment, 819; detachment of second West India regi-
ment, 231 ; ditto of Royal Artillery, 22; total, 5,179. The
proportions of males and females adults and children, were —

* By the Honduras Almanac.

t Every inducement ought to be held out by Government for settlers
to locate themselves on the waste lands of the Honduras territory, where
about 60,000 square miles lie untillcd.

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410

CLASSIFICATION Ot THE I>0I>ULAT10ir.

Male

Female

Male

Female

Adulu.

Adults.

Children.

Total.

Whites . - - .

136

217

C/oloured - - .

192

243

183

191

809

Free Black -

217

222

613

Slaves - - . -

1440

628

214

186

2468

Pensioners - - -

650

819

2d West India Regiment -

200

231

Royal Artillery

In 1826 there were, whites — ^367 males ; 66 females. Co-
loured and free — 1,6^ males; 8^ females. Slaves — 1,606
males; 3,502 females. Grand total— 3,502 males; 4,S9S fe-
males. King's troops — 379 men; females, 30; ch0dren,47.

The aggregate Population of Honduras from 1823 to 1830
was — *

White and Free

Coloured.

Slaves.

Total.

Years.

Males.

Females.

Males.

Females.

Males.

Females.

1823

842

798

1654

814

2496

1612

1826

lHf;6

891

1606

804

3502

1695

1829

1696

920

1329

798

2926

1718

1830

937

919

1347

680

2284

1699

Various classes of society at HoNDURAS.f The blacks

of Honduras are not derived from the aborigines of the

country, but have been in their own persons or those of their

• forefathers imported from Africa, either direct or through the

* I have here given three different returns of the population, all derived
from different sources ; the discrepancy shews the necessity of causing'
more attention to the statistics of our colonies.

t I am indebted to the Honduras Almanac for this statement, and
1 cannot help regretting that the latter numbers of this admirable
periodical are so deficient owing to the withdrawal of the grant of the
magistrates ;-> no money can be better laid out by the colonial legislatures
than in improving their respective almanacs.

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Various grades ot society at Honduras. 411

West India Islands* Though there are many free blacks,
yet for the most part they are either the children of slaves,
or have been slaves themselves ; and few of them are to
be found entirely exempt from those low propensities which
are exhibited in a state of barbarism. Some few, how-
ever, display some striking features of consistent character.
There are some who possess an utter aversion to spirit
tuous liquors, and can by no means be prevailed upon to
taste a beverage in which they know any thing of the sort
to be a component part ; but by far the greater proportion
are so strongly addicted to the use of liquors that it is very
common to see them exposed to the scorching sun, or the
midnight dew in utter insensibility. Some have been ac«
customed from infancy to indulge in this vice ; whilst others
in rejecting it, act not so much from a correct principle as
from national usage, or original intercourse with Mahometan
connexions. As they have come to this and other neigh-
bouring regions from various places, so they maintain the
custom of the countries whence they come ; and hence their
habits in a great measure continue. In order to preserve
themselves distinct, and to uphold their customs,* each nation
selects one from their body, to whom they give the title of

* The African negroes of Honduras, as is the castom in Jamaica and
the other islands, hold, at Christmas, a saturnalia, ^vhich continues with-
out interruption for the space of a fortnight. During this time, there is
an entire relaxation from all their toils; negroes of all conditions join in
sets, and perambulate the streets from morn till night, with colours flying
and music playing, to which they keep time in graceful movements,
waving their flags and umbrellas to the measured beat of the drum. Wakes
and gumby are recreations of vivacity among the people; the former
present a tolerable resemblance to the Irish wakes, where the house of
mourning and the house of feasting are identified as one and the same—
and the latter are interesting merely from the circumstance of their being
importations from the coast of Africa. Large parties meet at night, at
some appointed negro yard, where they commence dancing to the beat of
the drum and the music of their own voices. It is really curious to ob-
serve the ceremony of these pastimes ; and there can be nothing more
calculated to impress a stranger with surprise than the different formation
of their drums and the variety of their dances.

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41£ THE COLOURED AND MOSQUITO POPUI.ATIO)^—

king, who exercises a certain degree of lordship over his
subjects, and receives m return the most marked attention
and respect Their affection for their country is very con<>>
qpicuous; a black man will share his hat phmtain with another
natLTC of his own huid, and seldom distinguishes or addresses
him by any other appeUatiTe than countryman. They possess
upon the whole but little intelligence ; their dubiess of com-
prehension, and the difficulty of picturing on the minds ct
others the ideas present in their own, are at once remarkable
and distressing* This remark would apply to several Euro-
peans of the present age, and to very many of the past gene^
raticn, as well as to the Honduras blacks, and, indeed, the
writer of the Honduras Almanac when descanting on the state
of society there, subsequently negatives to a great degree diis
assertion by admitting that there are many who exhibit an
originality of talent, and a vigour of mental action in a degree
little inferior to their European brethren.

The coloured population has arisen from the intercourse
of Europeans with Africans or Indians. They, therefor^
partake more or less of the qualities of black and white,
directly as to their distance from either.

The Mosquito shore men sojourning in great numbers in
the colony, have long greasy black hair, and countenances
remarkable for vacuity of intelligence, but with a muscular
formation of body that might serve as a model for a sculptors'
Hercules ; they walk at a slow and lazy pace, in a state of
perfect nudity, devour their food voraciously, and lie down
to sleep until absolute hunger causes them to seek a fresh
supply. A canoe,* a paddle, and a harpoon, constitute the
Mosquito man's whole wealth ; with these he can supply the

* The canoe used by the natives here as most subservient to their pur-
poses, is called a dorey. The bottom being rounds it has a very sli^t
hold of the water, and not unfreqnently swamps or capsizes ; in which
emergency the dexterity of the. native in holding on, righting the craft,
buling out the water, and resuming his seat, is truly surprising; she
seldom draws more than a few inches when light. Sometimes the dorey
is raised upon a keel; it is then called a crean, a craft of handsome
model, which answers well in these waters. The rig most used is the

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THE INDIANS OF HONDURAS — THBIR MANNERS^ &C. 4lS

craTings of nature, and beyond these he requires no more*
They acknowledge the existence of a good and bad spirit ;
the latter of whom they propitiate in order to deprecal;^ his
malevolence, while they neglect the former on th^ plea that
his goodness is so great as to leftye them nothing to appre*
hend firom his wrath. It is customary, as with other savage
nations, at their funei^als of the dead, to inter the paddle and
harpoon in die grare of the deceased, that he may be enabled
to work a canoe, and procure sustenance in another state of
existence.

The Indians, who are the real aborigines of the South
American codttnent, a timid inoffensive race, seem to be
guided as much by instinct as reason, — travelling inde«
pendent of either track or guide, through wood and bush,
impervious to others, and performing their journeys with a
rapidity and correctness of direction that sets other modes
and marks perfectly at defiance* A small bag of maize slui^
over the shoulder, from which they take a handful by a
rivulet or well, is all the refreshment they need ; and thus, in
a state of nature, they wander with Parthian movements, over
wilds unknown to other men, and through forests where one
would fancy their uncultivated state alone procures for them
the sympathy of wfld beasts. * Their greatest luxury is com*
j>osed of the rind of limes, rubbed with com, and allowed to
ferment, which they term Pesso ; which, with a little honey
added, forms a beverage of which they are particula|;ly fond.

schooner, and the main-sail is that on which most dependence is placed.
There is a craft peculiar to this colony, called the pitpan, which is, like
the dorey, round at the bottom, but rather more flattened, and without a
keel. It is excavated from a solid tree, and is very often 40 or 50 feet
long, and from 3 feet to 4 feet 6 inches wide. It is shaped at the ends
something like a butcher's tray, and the bottom neatly rounded upwards ;
this enables the paddlers to run a long way on the beach or shore, and, in
some measure, supersedes the necessity of a plank to aid embarkation.
The pitpan is usually fitted up in a handsome style, with awnings and
curtains of oil cloth on rollers, which enclose seats and space for provi-
sion, and is the only mode of conveyance to the mahogany works $ indeed,
one more pleasant and better adapted to the purpose need not be desired.

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414 • STATE OP SOCIETY — ^MORALS^ &C. AT HONDURAS.

They are, almost without exception, addicted to drunkenness
to an excessive degree, but appear to be entirely free from
rindictive or malicious propensities.

State op Society, Morals, &c. Previous to the erecdm
of Januuca into a bishoprick, the churdi of England was
made the dominant religion of British Honduras, and the
facilities afforded for religious instruction by the establish-
ment are by no means contemptible. The school attached to
the ehnrch establishment is weU endowed, and has already,
exhibited some of the benefits expected to arise from insti*
tutions of the kind, in the situations filled by several of its
pupils. It is conducted on the Madras system, and the
average daily attendance of children is above 100. The
attendance on the services of the church is upon the whole
also good, and marked throughout by the strictest order and
decorum. There are also two other mission schools, the
Wesleyan and the Baptist, which are daily becoming more
useful, and no doubt in time will effect the object for which
they were established. The difficulty of attaining this de-
sirable end is considerably increased by the greater part of
the population being engaged at the mahogany works, and
spread over a surface of country containing between 50,000
and 60,000 square miles, for at least ten months in the year ;
i^ome of those who are not so employed are distributed
among the keys or islands, at a distance from the shore ;
the business of others lies upon the waters, in continual
traffic with the main ; and to these causes may be added, the
immoral lives of many Europeans, to whom the poor untutored
semibarbarian naturally looks up with reverence and con-
fidence. When there are such obstacles to be surmounted as
those presented by local peculiarities, united vrith the de*
trimental influence of vicious example, refonnation is an
Herculean task. Nevertheless, the more atrocious grades of
delinquency are happily but seldom witnessed; sometimes
the jail will not afford even a single prisoner for the public
works ; and there are some who do not think it necessary to
isecure their doors at night. The occurrency of petty larceny.

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RARITY OF CRIMB— ^HE BfECHANIC ARTS* 415^

however, is very frequent, as are also those of other crimes
and misdemeanours, which arise from intemperance. A few
years back there were very few married couples in Balize,
and the sacred institution of marriage was not only neglected
but despised ; concubinage, if not promiscuous intercourse,
&c» were among the besetting sins of the land, and virtue
and decency were but little known and less thought of;
but now a brighter prospect has opened ; marriages are
decidedly on the increase ; the advantages of families being
united under one common surname, the dignity which the
matrimonial tie confers on relationship, and the charities
of life beautified with the sanction of a divine ordinance are
now more highly esteemed and duly appreciated. The
legislature has taken advantage of this change of sentiment ;
and for the encouragement of public morals, have added
great fatilities to the marriages of slaves by recent laws and
regulations. Though there are still a great number of people
who can neither read nor write, yet there are also many, in
the classes to which these acquirements were formerly un-
known, who have made considerable proficiency. To the
production of this change, the Honduras Free School has
certainly in a very great degree contributed; and this institu^
tion has the honour of leading the way in the beneficial work
of education.

The Mechanic Arts, as yet, have made but little progress
in comparison with what might have been done. The guar^
dians of youth seem to cherish hopes of greater gain from the'
trade of a carpenter than any other; and hence the great
majority of boys are put to that trade ; the evil consequences
of this system are so apparent that shoals of industry might
be set on foot with flattering prospects of success* As an
individual rises in the scale of society, it is natural to sup-
pose that his station calls upon him for a certain degree of
exertion. The black, from physical causes, seldom rises;
but the coloured, approaching nearer to the white, has more
elevated ideas of himself, in proportion to his remove from
his sable ancestor. But with all this encouragement, the

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416 FOOD» yBGSTAT10N».&C» IN HOVDURAS.- '

degvte of acdvity which might reaaonaUy be eiqpected* ia
seldom eYiooed. Whether this be attributable to the vadl-
laliDg effects of dimate, or otherwise, remains to be decidecL
The writer hi the Honduras almanac asserts that the invent
tive fiMnilties of the native artists seem to be only proportioned
to die supply of native wants^ without even the recommenda-
tion of embellishmehts or design.' He is equaUy indifferent
about forming contracts^ and completing his stipulated woHl;
and a peculiar inactivity of mind as well as corporal movement^
is perceptible even in his manner of working. This has been
the reason why architectural designs have-not, till lately,
been extended to domestic comforts. Some years back this
settlement exhibited nothing better than stoecadoed huts, the
most primitive shelter imaginable, roofed with a thatch of
leaves coarsely and clumsily compacted ; now, however, it
presents many large and commodious houses, more particu-
larly in Baliae.

Food, Vegetation, &e. . To detail the great variety
of fruit spontaneously produced in Honduras, would far
exceed my Umits. Oranges, (which are uniformly of excellent
quality,) shaddocks, lime, mangoes, melons, pine apples,
water melons, avocato pears, cashew, cocoa-nuts, and many
others too numerous to mention, are very abundant during
their respective seasons. They all grow in the neighbour-
hood of the town, but are also brought in large quantities
from higher plantations. The country abounds with game of.
every variety, whether fish, flesh, or fowl. The Spaniards,
who frequent Balize from Bacalar in open crafts, carry on an
extensive trade in poultry, eggs, com, &c*, and, except in
very rough weather, the supply of salt water fish is abundant
and excellent.*

* The common green turtle^ so called from the colour of the fat, when
the animal is in a healthy state, is a staple commodity in the market* The
turtle is often five feet long, and from 200 lbs. to 250 lbs. in weight. It
feeds on a sea grass, which is very abundant in these parts. It is generally
taken in nets, and not unfrequently by the harpoon. Sometimes it is
watched from the beseh to its haunts, where it is secured by being turned

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. ACCOUNT OF MAHOGANY AND LOGWOOin 4n

To give a history of the celebrated mahogany tree* or df
logwood, (the present staples of Hondurjas,) would be su*
pererogatory, but there is a valuable timber which covers the.
country for many thousand acres, and which would prove »
Valuable article in England, if the timber duties on cokmial.
wood were removed ; I allude to the pinus occtdentalis^ whick
grows to sixty feet high, with irregular branches and serrated
edged leaves, and which, owing to the quantity of tar and tiur*
pentine which the best sort contains, will sink in water when
felled.

The pihewood is of course highly inflammable, a property
which, to the poor, renders it very valuable; a torch of this
wood, one end inserted in the earth, and the other ignited^
emits a clear and powerful Ught, round which may frequently
be seen groups of negroes assembled, (their daily task com*

over, and nrhen on iu back the creature is unable to rise. It is seldom
seen on land. The movements of the turtle are slow, except at the time
when they deposit their eggs, which they do at severid times after interval^
of 14 days. The female lays about 900. The eggs are found in abundance
on the low sandy beaches of the keys, towards the Spanish main^ between
the ports of Omoa and Truxillo.

. * The mode of procuring it is to despatch a skilful negro to climb thjC
highest tree on lofty places, for the purpose of discovering mahogany in
the woods, which is generally solitary, and visible at a great distance from
the yellow hue of its foliage. A gang of from ten to fifty men is then
eent out to erect a scaffold round each tree that is selected, and to cut it
down about twelve feet from the ground. When felled the logs are witk
much labour dragged to the banks of the streams, and being formed into
crafts, sometimes of 200 united, are floated as many miles to places where
the rivers are crossed by strong cables, and then the owners separate their
respective shares. It is said that the boughs and limbs afford the finest
wood, but in Britain mahogany is more valued on account of size ; and
none is allowed to be exported to the United States of America exceeding
20 inches in diameter. The logwood, on the other hand affects low
swampy grounds, growing contiguous to fresh water creeks and lakes, oi|
the edges of which, the roots, the most valuable part of the wood, extend.
It is sought in the dry season, and the wood cutters having built a hut in
the vicinity of a number of the trees on the same spot, collect the logs in
heaps, and afterwards float up a small canoe in the wet season, when the
ground is laid under water to carry them off.
VOL. II. E £

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4flS THE INFLAMMABLE PINE AND CAHOUN TREES.

pleted^) and occupied in the fonnation of articles required for
their own use^ or intended for that of others. Owing to its
durability it is^ of course, much used by buOders. It not only
resists the action of the atmosphere, but it is also proof
against the chemical influence of the earth even in the dampest
mtuations. It is not uncommon to see posts extracted from
the ground in which they have been fixed for years, in as high
a state of preservation as when they were first put down ; and
the only difierence they exhibit is increased solidity and
hardness, and a strong bituminous smeU.

The cahoun (locally pronounced cohoon) tree is chiefly
valuable for the elegant vegetable oil it yields ; which when
unadulterated is almost colourless, being paler than the cold
drawn castor oil. It is entirely firee from iany empyreumatic
or foetid taste, possessing a slight and rather agreeable flavour.
It emits a beautiful palish flame without smoke or smell, a
property which renders it as a lamp oil, not equalled by any
other known, and therefore much in demand in genteel so-
ciety. Its affinity for oxygen is so remarkably strong, that
steel smeared with it very soon rusts. Indeed its caloric ia
so easily abstracted, that at the temperature of 60, F. it con-
denses into a white waxlike substance, but when heat is ap-
plied it immediately expands and resumes its original appear-
ance. There are several little known woods, of beautiful vein
and close texture, which might be turned to a profitable
account, such as the iron-wood, claywood, rosewood, palma-
letta, dark and beautifully figured, Santa Maria, which pos-
sesses the properties of the Indian teake, caoutchouc, or
Indian rubber, sapodilla, and innumerable others.

Many other valuable products of the territory would be
developed with an increased population, and by the removal in
England of the restrictions which check and hamper out
colonial prosperity.

Government, Finance, Commerce, &c. The Government
of Honduras is peculiar and worthy of example in young colo-
nies. The Superintendant, as he is termed, is nominated by the
Crown to watch over the interests of the settlers, to secure

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PBCULIAH government of HONDURAS IflLITf A. 419

.them from any improper intrusion of foreigners, &nd to regu*
late all affidrs which more particularly affect the dignity of
the crown.* The grand authority of the colony is a mixed
legislative and executive power, termed the Magistrates of
Honduras, by whom enactments are made; which, on re-
ceiving the assent of the King's representative, become laws
to be enforced by the executive power. The magistrates in
whom the power is thus vested, are in number seven, elected
annually by the inhabitants, thus — ^A poll is opened on the
order of the bench to the Provost-Marshal-General, and
remains so twenty-one days; at the expiration of which a
scrutiny takes place, and the Provost-Marshal-General returns
those duly elected, who are sworn into office on being ap-
proved of by the Superintendant. They are the Counsellors
of His Majesty's Superintendant, the Guardians of the Public
Peace, the Judges of all the Lower Courts ; they form the
Court of Ordinary, they are the Guardians of Orphans, arid
can delegate their power in the management of the property,
to such persons whom they consider worthy of their trust.
They are the protectors of all properties of intestate, of
insane persons, or of those incapable of managing their owii
affairs. They settle all salvage on wrecked vessels, stores,
and merchandize. They manage the public funds, and
control the Treasurer ; and no money can be paid without
the sanction of four, who sign all orders for the issue ;
and previous to retiring from office they examine all his
accounts, and sign them, if approved. No emolument arises
to them — services are entirely gratuitous. Trial by jury, the
bulwark of British freedom, is established ; and from the de-
cisions of the Court an appeal lies direct to the King in
Council, which, however, is rarely made.

The militia of Honduras is a very fine body of men, about
1,000 strong, and consists of a brigade of Royal Artillery,
and a regiment of the line; there is also a local maritime
force, termed the Prince Regent's Royal Honduras Flotilla.
The Superintendant of the settlement is of course Commander

• Until 1783, Honduras was solely governed by magistrates elected by
ike people. Since then a Superintendant has been added.

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REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR S4 YEARS.

in Chief of Ae Militiai with a fair proportion of Aides-de-Cam^
and Staff.

Finances. RoTenue and Expenditure of Honduras from
1807 to 1830.

Rerenne.

Ezpenditore.

1819

Rerenne.

Expenditarc.

1807

jff 7»SM

£ 8.991

itf 15.907

iff 10.890

1808

0,005

5.170

1890

17.949

17.206

1800

«.890

0.060

1881

19.800

19,097

1810

9,583

9.004

1899

14,831

14,990

1811

8,«43

8.981

1893

19.994

90,119

18IS

0.690

0,818

1834

14.195

14.103

1818

5.488

5,648

1895

17.594

17.034

1814

5,474

5.089

1890

13.960

13,785

I8IS

18.944

18.587

1897

17.415

17.508

1810

10.078

9.870

1898

10.058

10,700

1817

8.108

8.888

1899

11,744

ni759

1818

10,501

18,198

1830

18,073

15,800

Total..

104,353

104,435

Total..

180.107

189,030

The reTenue of the colony it will be perceived has con-
siderably increased, and it affords another example to the
anti-colonial writers that there is no drain (even in the un*
statesmanlike mode of viewing the subject) on the home ex-
chequer. All duties and taxes are levied under the autho-
rity of Acts passed in the Legislative Meeting, The income
is derived from customs and shipping dues, poll-tax on horses
and cattle, domestic licenses, and tax on foreign goods and
foreign traders. The custom duties are light, and amount
on spirits, wines, and cordials, to 2#. per gdUon.

The following detail of expenditure of this settlement for
the year 18S6, from its internal revenue, will convey an idea
to the British public of the disbursements of the Baliae trea-
sury:

His Majesty's Superintendant, £1,000;* Public Treasurer
and Collector, £1,000; Colonial Agents, £869; Chaplain to
the Settlement, £4^0 ; Endowment to the Free School, £167$'
Public School Master, Public School Mistress, Contractor for
the Light-House, £400; Pensions to Paupers £ 135; Physi-
cian to the Hospital, £150; Housekeeper to ditto, £60 ;
Keeper of the Militia Clothing, £184; Adjutant to the
Militia, £40; Overseer of Working Party, Pay of Men in the

* Ail these items are Honduru currency.

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CURREKCY— COMMERCE— ^EXPORT ARTICLES.

Government Schooner, £75; Church Clerk, jBTO; Sexton, £30
— Total affixed annual charges t £4,742*

Contingent expenses incurred upon the administration of
justice and maintenance of the Jail Establishment, £1,811;
for the Military Post at Tyger Rim, up the river Bali^e,
£185; Militia Establishment, Saint John's Church, £6,740;
Public works and improvements in the town of Balize, £4,102;
Mission to Guatemala, Peten, and Bacalar, £414; extraor«
dinary and miscellaneous expenses not enumerated under any
particular head, £2,498— Total expended in 1826, £13,755.

Value in English money of the Spanish coins in circulation.

Gold.— Doubloon, £5. 6#. 8rf./ half ditto, £2. 13*. 4rf./
quarter ditto, £1. 6«. 8rf.; one-eighth ditto, 18*. 4rf./ one-
sixteenth, 6*. 8rf. currency.

Silver. — Dollar, 6*. Sd. ; half ditto, 3*. 4fd, ; quarter ditto,
1*. 8<f. ; one-eighth, \0d. ; one-sixteenth, 5d. currency.

Commerce. — ^The trade of Honduras is as yet but in its in-
fancy, although exceeding half a million sterling annually. The
value of the unports in 1830 was £234,379, and of the ex-
ports £316,151 ; empjfoying a shipping inwards, of tonS|
13,918, and outwards, tons, 16,351, independent of a large
coasting trade, carried on by vessels of various burthen be-
longing to the merchants at Balize.*

The principal Articles of Export from 1824 to 1830, were— t

Years.

Mahogany.

Cedar.

Indigo.

Feet.

Lbs.

1824

6,673,819

2,493

199,867

1826

6,083,170

21,000

211,447

1826

6,386,689

30,171

368,662

1827

6,904,998

19,781

81,767

1828

6,466,806

• • • •

1,610 leerooDB,

1829

4,631,391

912

1,474 ..

1830

4,656,986

• •« a

%660 .

* The aggregate burthen of the colonial shipping amounted, in 1830,
to 1,661 tons, employing 286 seamen, and it lias since increaeed.

t The documents whence this table (and many others in this Volume)
are derived, have been drawn up by the Colonial Office, but never before
printed : the export of logwood is not given.

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4SSt MAHOGANY^ LOGWOOD, &€.— DUTIES AND REVENUES.

The Mahogany, Log^vood, and Nicaragua imported^ rc-cxportcd and
consumed in the United Kmgdom, with the taxation thereon, &c.

MAHOOANY.

s a

Bates cf Duty per Ton.

Bermada,
Bahamas,

Hondnraa

direct.

o»-«

LOGWOOD.

NICA.
RAOUA
WOOD.*

B« Ton.

I8S0
18S1

isn

18S3
ISM
1835
1836

162;

1888

1829
1830
1831
I8S:

183:

tons,

16005
13036
18118
12334
16116
15705
17953
19964
19927
19335
15993
11542

ton.
862

1881
464
403
900
334

tona,
14007

14531
15599
15232
I6O29
14452

s 16

je. 9. d. £, <. d,
11 17 6 II 17 6
5 0 0

45612079

1066
1265

341
1171

46?

1993A
18038
16546
15478
1217s

2 10

£.
76016
72262

tons.

5292
8809

7276S 17286 ;(

700

ton,

5552
4749
6469
8734
90779 1910515967

6848

5894
7177

85423

90140
51954
68730

15429 {

22016 (
10246^
1088713

tons.! <. d.
4347 9 S
507s ...
9000 ...

8764 ...
1I024> ...
12884 S

0807. ..

7162 ..,

<. d,
9 2

4 6

947
267
1646
1994

Siss

4853

74470 14046 6395 9297

'6227

5938

47932 14853;6011

65785
59970

13893
16782

8852'
10100
T0405

839

loes
1277

M
SSI
SQI
808

474
74a
1129

i«aa
7»
287

General View. I cannot conclude this Chapter without
expressing my regret, that such an important settlement a&
Honduras should have been so long neglected at home. It
is valuable not only in a political but in a commercial aspect ;
inasmuch as it opens to our trade new regions and countries^
while its rich and fertile lands await only the skilful handicraft
of the British emigrant to pour forth the abundance of life.
The eloquent annalist of JTamaica, writing within the last two
or three years, says, ' it is but within the last few months that
the town of Peten, situated 2S0 miles west of Balize, at the
head of its magnificent river, has been exposed to specula-
tion, or even to our acquaintance. A road is now open, and
a lively intercourse with the British merchants has arisen
there. Fleets of Indian pit-pans repair almost weekly to Ba-
lize, and return loaded with articles of British manufacture.
Peten, formerly the capital of the Itzaec Indians, was one of
the last conquests of the Spaniards in the year 1679. It
stands on an island in the centre of the extensive fresh-water

• The duty on Nicaragua wood imported from all parts was, in 1820^
£ 1. 6f. 2d. per ton, and in 1825, 15^. per Ion.

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IMPORTANCE OF THE COLONY OF THE HONDURAS. 4SS

lake Itza, in lat. 16 N., long. 91.16 W. Within 50 miles of
it the enterprising spirit of the British settler has already ex-
tended the search for mahogany ; and what may not be ex-
pected from a people so industrious, so judicious, and so
persevering. The Itza is 26 leagues in circumference, and
its pure waters, to the depth of 30 fathoms, produce the most
excellent fish. The islands of Sepei, Gahes, Lopex, Bixii,
and Cofu, lie scattered over its surface, and ai!brd a delicious
retreat to 10,000 inhabitants, who form part of the new re-
public of central America, within the spiritual jurisdiction of
the Mexican diocese of Yucatan. The fertile soil yields two
harvests in the year, producing maize, chiappa pepper, bal-
sam, vanilla, cotton, indigo, cocoa, cochineal, brazil wood,
land the most exquisite fruits, in wasteful abundance. Several
navigable rivers flowing thence are lost in the great Pacific,
and suggest an easy communication with the British limits.
Within ten leagues of the shores of the Itza lake commences
the ridge of the Alabaster mountains, on whose surface ghttet
in vast profiision the green, the brown, and the variegated
jaspers, while the forests are filled with wild and monstrous
beasts, the Equus Bisulcus, or Chinese horse, and with tigers
and lions, of a degenerated breed. Roads diverge in aU direc-
tions from this favoured spot, and afford an easy communication
with a free channel for British merchandize to San Antonio,
to Chichanha, San Benito, Tabasco, and even Campeachy;
while throughout the whole country the most most stupend-
ous timbers are abundant. The most valuable drugs, balsams,
and aromatic plants, grow wild ; and the achiote, amber, co-
pal, dragon's blood, mastic, and almacigo, are everywhere to
be gathered.*

Such is the splendid country which England deserves to
lose, for she knoweth not its worth. May I hope, however,
that my labours in endeavouring to develope the treasures, (by
treasures I mean, not gold and silver, but food, raiment, and
the necessaries and conveniencies, and even elegancies of
life), spread abroad by Nature, for the welfare of miUions,
will not be without some good result.

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483

CHAPTER XVI.
. GENERAL WEST INDIA COMMERCEj

raXNCIPALLT IN BSPSftSXCa TO

SUGAR, COFFEE, COCOA, RUM, MOLASSES, &c.

IM POLICY OP BNORMOUS TAXATION IN ENGLAND ON WEST INDIA PEO-
DUCB — NECESSITY OF OIVINO RELIEF TO THE PLANTERS BY PER-'
MITTINO THEM TO CARRY ON A DIRECT TRADE WITH FORBION COUN-
TRIES, AND ADTANTAOES TO ALI* PARTIES OF FBEBINO OUR OOLONIAJb
COIfMERCE FROM XfEOISLATIYR RBSTRICTIONg AND FISCAXi IMF08I*
TIONB.

Of the importance of the West India Colonies to Great
Britain, I trust it is not necessary to speak; they are in fact
tropical gardens for the growth of various articles which our
temperate clime will not produce;* rendered more Tahiable
by their contiguity to England, and by their geographical
position as regards the vast and improving continent of Ame*
rica, and its numerous rising and prosperous republics«f I do
ilot advert to the lands in the W. I. islands being owned by
Englishmen, because the same occurs with most of our other
colonies. Nor do I desire to lay much stress on the calcuhiF^
tion of the balance of trade in favour of England^ or of

, * Quantities of principal aitioles imported into the United Kingdom Id
1830, from the British West India IsUnds. Cloves, 10,000 lbs. i cochineal,
111,000 lbs.; cocoa-nuts, 7U,9231b8.f coffee, 27,460,421 lbs. ; dye and
hard woods, 2,000 tons $ logwood, 10,000 tons ; mahogany, 12,000 tons ;
ginger, 6,000 cwts.; molasses, 250,000 cwts. ; castor oil, 1 0,000 lbs. i
pepper, 20,000 lbs.; pimento, 3,500,000 lbs.; sarsaparilla, 50,000 lbs. ; rum,-
6^500,000 gall. ; sagar, 4,000,000 cwt. ; tobacco manufactured, 3,000 lbs. ;
cotton wool, 4,000,000 lbs.

' t At present even a large proportion of the manufactures (^£700,000*
worth) shipped from England for Jamuca, are re-exported from the latter
place to the Spanish Main.
X Since the establishment of the British West India colonies the ezportr

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4S6 NECESSITY OF DOING JUSTICE TO THE WEST INDIES.

capital or wealth, drawn from the W. Indies to the mother
country, because that also has a general reference to all
colonies, and, if carried to excess, is injurious to the latter,
and therefore ultimately detrimental to the former. But I
claim for the W. Indies, (or British plantations as they are
sometimes termed,) that, in common with all our colonies,
commercial Justice may be accorded them ; it may have suited
the temper and taste of byegone times to have established
particular monopolies, and split the nation into sections ; such
measures will no longer answer — we must cease legislating
for party interests — ^we must look to general not individual
weal as the best means of promoting human happiness. Re-
serving, however, an exposition of sound colonial policy for
my last volume, I proceed with my historical details, and first
with reference to the trade in —

SUGAR.

That a nutritive so delightful as sugar should have long
rjemained unknown in its concrete form to our ancestors, is
another proof of the comparative modern date of civilization
in Europe — ^I say of Europe — because the process of extract-
ing and crystallizing the juice of the cane has been practised
from time immemorial in the East, particularly in China,
where, however, dormant or stationary, the human mind may
now be, it is certain that at one period it had all the inventive
&culties in full play. According to chemical analysis sugar is
a vegetable oxyde, composed of oxygen, carbon, and hydro*
gen; 100 parts containing (according to Ure) of oxygen,
50.33; carbon, 43.38 ; hydrogen, 6.29. It may however be
described as comprising, in the most concentrated vegetable
form, the principle or nutriment of life, axoie, a fact which
admits of natural demonstration, for not only do the inhabitants

from them to Great Britun amounted to i£4d0,000,000. sterling; and
the value of merchandize exported from Great Britain to the West Indies^
i£230,000,000:— balance in favoar of Great Britiun, <£ 200,000,000:-*
annual value of imports from West Indies, ^^,000,000: ditto of exportf
to ^£4,000,000 :*ezpended anuaily in Engkmd, ^£4^000,000.

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IMPOHTANCE AND USEFULNESS Or SUOAR-*>-AS FOOD, &C. 487

of every part of the globe delight in sugar, when obtain-
able, but all animated beings; the beasts of the field — ^the
fowls of the air, insects, reptiles, and even fish have an
exquisite enjoyment in the consumption of sweets, and a
distaste to the contrary; in fact sugar is the alimentary
ingredient of every vegetable substance encumbered with
a greater or less proportion of bulky innutritious matter*
A small quantity of sugar will sustain life, and enable the
animal frame to undergo corporeal (I may add menial,
from personal experience,) fatigue better than any other
substance ; often have I travelled with the Arab over the
burning desert, or with the wQd Afric through his ro-
mantic country, and when wearied with fatigue and a noontide
sun, we have sat ourselves beneath an umbrageous canopy,
and I have shared with my companion his travelling pro-
vender, a few small balls of sugar mixed with spices, and
hardened into a paste with flour. Invariably have I found
two or three of these balls, and a draught of water, the best
possible restorative and even a stimulus to renewed exertion*
During crop time in the West Indies the negroes, although
then hard worked, become fat, healthy and cheerful, and the
horses, mules, cattle, &c. on the estate partaking of the refuse
of the sugar-house, renew their plumpness and strength. In
Cochin-China, not only are the horses, bufialoes, elephants,
&c. all fattened with sugar, but the body guard of the King
are allowed a sum of money daily with which they must buy
sugar-canes, and eat a certain quantity thereof in order to
preserve their good looks and embonpoint; there are about
500 of these household troops, and their handsome appear*
ance does honour to their food and to their royal master.
Indeed, in Cochin-China, rice and sugar is the ordinary
breakfast of people of all ages and stations ; and the people not
only preserve all their fruits in sugar, but even the greater
part of their leguminous vegetables, gourds, cucumbers, ra«
dishes, artichokes, the grain of the lotus, and the thick
fleshy leaves of the aloes, I have eaten in India, after a si^^

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4S8 SltTGAIh it HSALTH RESTORING T^VTRIHENT.

months* voyage, mutton killed in Leadenhall market^ pre-
served in a cask of sugar, and as fresh as the day it was
placed on the shambles. [In the curing of meat I believe a
portion oi sugar is mixed with salt and saltpetre.] The Kan-
dyans of Ceylon preserve their venison in earthem pots of
honey, and after being thus kept two or three years its fla->
vour would delight Epicurus himself.

In tropical climes the fresh juice of the cane is the most
efficient remedy for various diseases, while its healing virtues
are felt when applied to ulcers and sores. Sir John Pringle
says, the plague was never known to visit any country where
sugar composes a material part of the diet of the inhabitants.
Drs. Rush, Cullen, and other eminent physicians are of
opinion that the frequency of malignant fevers of all kinds ia
lessened by the use of sugar ; in disorders of the breast it
forms an excellent demulcient, as also in weaknesses and acrid
defluxions in other parts of the body. The celebrated
Dr. Franklin found great relief from the sickening pain of
the stone by drinking half-a^-pint of syrup of coarse brown
sugar before bed-time, which he declared gave as much,
if not more relief, than a dose of opium. That dreadful
malady, once so prevalent on shipboard, scurvy — ^has been
completely and instantaneously stopped by putting the afflicted
on a sugar diet. The diseases arising from worms, to which
children are subject, are prevented by the use of sugar, the
love of which seems implanted by nature in (hem; as to the
unfounded assertion of its injuring the teeth, let (hose who
make it visit the sugar plantations and look at the negroes
and their children, whose teetii are daily employed in the
mastication of siigar, and they will be convinced of the ab-
surdity of the statement. I might add many otiier &ct8 .
relative to this delfghtfiil nutriment. I conclude, however,
with observing, that I have tamed the most savage and
vicious horses with sugar> and have seen the most ferocious
animals domesticated by . means of feeding them with an
acticle. which our.^baneful ^scaL restrictions and erroneous

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PROORESSITB TAXATtOM ON StrGAll IN BNOCANB;* 4flB

commercial policy has checked the use of iii Englandj wherfe
millions pine, sicken, and perish for want of nutriment*

The extended consumption of sugar in England began
with its cultivation m the Britbh W. I. islariBs. In 1466 it§
use was confined to medicines and feasts, and was thus con^
tinned until IfiSO, when sugar was exported from Brazil to
Portugal, and thence to this country. In 1641 sugar canes
were transplanted from Brazil to Barbadoes, and thence to
our other Western possessions ; and, in 1648, the English
settlers in St Christopher's made very good sugar, an
example which was soon followed in the other islands. Tfa^
moment, however, that its ccmsumption extended in England
that moment the Government stepped in with the tax-ga^
therer to mar the efforts of human industry, and to check human
happiness. The progressive increasing rate of taxation
was as follows: — ^In 1661 at 1*. 6rf. per cwt, in 1669 at 8*s,
m 1703 at 3s. 4d., in 1747 at 4«. 10c/., in 1759 at 6s. 4d., m
1779 at 6s. 8d., in 1781 at Us. 8d., in 1782 at I2s. 3d., in
1787 at Us. 4fd., and in 1791 at 15s. The natural result
of this impolitic taxation was to check consumption; in 1787
but 77,355 tons of sugar were retained for home use, while
ten years previously the consumption had been 81,000 tons ; —
in 1790 the consumption decreased to 76,811 tons; in 1791
it fell to 70,160 tons, in 1792 to 68,000 tons. The financier
of the day, however, would not take- warning, and in 1797 the
duty on British plantation was raised to ns.6d. per cwt., and
Bs. 2d. ]>er cwt. was levied on East-India sugar, in addition
to a previous ad valorem duty of iS37. 16^. 3d. per cent. : the
result was a further reduction of consumption, which in 1797

* It 18 impossible (says Mr. M'Quecn, of Glasgow, in Lis lucid evidence
before Parliament, 8th February 1832p« for Engiisb irearers earnings only
from 3s, &d. to 5#. a week to consume sugar or any thing else. For the
fullest confirmation on this point, and evidence of the deterioration which
revenue and commerce experience from the impoverishment of the working
classes, see a very important brochure by John Maxwell, Esq. Jun. the
Member for Lanarkshire, whose efforts have been so strenuously, so ably,
and 80 disinterestedly devoted to ameliorating the miseries of his fellow
creatures, particularly those of the meritorious hand-loom weavers.- '

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490 TAXATION ON WEST AND BAST INDIA SUGAR, AND

amounted fo only 63,000 tons, beiiig a reduction of nearly
20,000 tons in the course of a few years owing to taxation.

In order, however, to forge rivets for the chains of other
nations money inust be had, and accordingly the tax went on
ahnost yearly augmenting, until 1805 it was £1 7s. per cwt.
on West-India sugar, and £1 9s. Sd. on East-India, in ad-
dition to £1 7s. per cent, ad valorem ! The consumption, it
is true, slightly increased notwithstanding the rapid augmen-
tation of the tax, owing to extended production keeping
down the price, in consequence of the increased consumption
of tea and coiFee, and by reason of the Bank restriction act
augmenting the supply of money. The progressive and dis-
.criminating rates of duty levied on the two sugars in the
English markets, up to 1833, will be best seen by the fol-
lowing table : —

Rates of Duty on West and East India Sugars in England.

PERIODS.

Wwt India Sugar,
per Cwt.

East India Suf»«r,
pcrCwt.

In 1803

1 4
1 6
1 7
1 8
1 7
1 10
1 7
1 10
1 7
1 4

d.
0
6
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0

£.i. d.
1 6 4

— 1804

1 9 1

From 1805 to 1809 ,

1 9 8

In 1810

1 11 6

From 1811 to 1812

1 10 0

1813 to 1815..

1 13 0

— — 1816tol817

1 18 0

1818

2 0 0

1819tol830

1 17 0

— 1831 to 1833

1 12 0

Averagfe Duty

1 7

1 12 8

In addition, there was an ad valorem duty on East India
sugar, which from 1787 to 1797 was £37 16*. 3rf. per cent. ;
1798 to 1802 was £42 16*. Sd. ditto; 1803 to 1813 varied
from £1 7*. to £1 ditto.

The result of this mischievous policy may be readily fore-
seen ; the importations of the E. I, sugars of course fell off,
and the total consumption of the country on the aggregate of
a series of years will be found to have considerably dimi-r
mshed»

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ITS NATURAL RESULT, DfiCRfiASED CONSVMPTTOK. 431

From 1804 to 1813, 89,898,516 cwts.; 1814 to 1823,
SI JOnSfiSI— Decrease 2,819,659.cwts.

Thus, with an augmented population — in time of peace — a
great reduction in the cost of production, freight, &c., there
was in ten years a diminution in the consumption of sugar to
the extent of upwards of 300,000,000 lbs. weight!

Even in Great Britain alone (independent of Ireland) the
result has been most disastrous to the commerce of the coun-
try and the health of the people : the consumption was, per
head, in 1801, 440 oz. ; 1811, 4^ oz. ; 1821, 333 oz. ; 1831,
393 oz. — Decrea$e on the two latter periods 148 oz. Had it
not been for the reduction of the duty in 1830, the decrease
would have been much more than it now stands at.

The iconsumption of sugar in the United Kingdom for
the year 1810 was 3,769,565 cwts.; 1832, 3,655,000 cwts.
— Decrease y 114,565.*

The consumption of the distilleries is included, it is true,
in the year 1810, and we cannot accurately ascertain the
amount ; but admitting the distilleries to have consumed a
krge quantity, we find that in 1808 (not a year including
distillery sugars) the consumption of Great Britain wal^
8,842,813 cwts., while so late as 1825 it was no more than
2,655,959. Nor has the revenue derived by the state been
more fortunate than the commerce of the country. For
16 years the duty derived from the sugar in Great Britain
was— from' 1807 to 1814, £27,723,224; 1815 to 1822,
£26,648,473— 2)ecr<?a*<?, £1,074,751.

That this diminished consumption (whether positively or
relatively as regards the increase of population and wealth)
was not owing to a lessened supply or cultivation in tropical
countries is thus evident :

* To make this decreased consumption more evident, it should be remem^
beredthat the population of the United Kingdom, in 1810, was about
16,000,000 mouths, and in 1832 fully 25,000,000 ; thus in 1810 the con",
sumption of sugar was 421 oz. per head, and in 1832 only 261 oz. ! r. e. a
falling off of 160 oz. of sugar per head per annum*

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4SM TAST AND PRESENT STATE OF SUOAE TRADE* :

r 9p^ pnduoed in. different Countries in 1814 and in 1830.

aVOAB 0OUNTRIK8.

1814.

1830.

Increase.

Britbh West India Islands

Mauritios ••• . ••••

Tons.
190,000
6,000
20,000
60,000
35,000
50,000
80,000
10,P00
none

Tons.
185,000
30,000
25,000
95,000
30,000
90,000

70,000

38,000
6,000

Ill

Biitisli East India Possessions

5,000
35,000

Dutch and Danbh Goloides

Cuba

Brazils

none -

40.000
40,000 ♦

America ,.••..•••...•••••

28,000

BfMt.i'oot Siiirar ...........••>.>••••

6,000

Total Comparisons .... Tons

401,000

569,000

178,000

Here we observe an increased supply of 3,560,000 cwt.* ^
while the production of our W. I. islands has woefully de-
creased, even of late years, as will be thus seen: —
Importation of Sugar into Great Britwn.

WRBNGB IMPORTED.

1828.

1829.

1830.

1831.

IncreMe

British Plantation,

West Indies

Mauritius

Bengal

I^am, Java, &c •

Cuba

Brazil

West India Molasses,
. (bastards) »..

}

Tons.

203,403

18,570
6,635
1,175
1,900
4,940

25,254

Tons.

195,230

14,580
8,700
1,600
5,300
4,680

19,403

Tons.

184,222

24,266

10,680

4,000

6,060

4,760

12,191

Tons.
190,790

25,100
7.870
3,870
6,610

20,960

16,306

Tons,
none

16,238
3,216
5,096
5,470

16,100

Total and Comparisons 261,877 249,493

246,179

271,506 46,118

• The total quantity of sugar imported into the European ports in 1830
and 1831, was 871,721 tons. The consumption of America in 1830 wm
estimated at 70,000 tons. In New Orleans the exports of sugar in 1827-8
were 60,000 casks; in 1830-1 they had increased to 90,000 casks. The
exportation of sugar from Ja?a in 1825 was 960 tons, in 1829 it amounted
to 3,330 tons. The produce of sugar in Chiba was in 1829, 72,000 tons;
and in 1830, 92,000 tons. The Brazils in 1830 exported 70,000 tons of
sugar. Martinique and Guadalbupe produced of sugar in 1827,62,800

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ENORMOUS TAXATION ON WEST INDIA SUGAR. 43»1

I do hot attribute this reduced importation to worn out
West India soils. The planters find that improved husbandry^
and the alternation of crops, are as conducive to fertility and
renovation of the earth in the new world as in the old, but I
attribute it to the enormous, and unjust, and impolitic taxa-
tion levied on sugar imported into England, and which the
planters, notwithstanding the reduced price, have been una-
ble to compete with.

Proportion of Taxation on the Price of West India Su^ar for Thirty

Years.

\79» to 179<$, avenelor ptlce SSa. id., daty or tax, iSs. p«r Cwt., I. e. 974 P^ Cent.

1797.. 1798 fl78.3d I7S.M 36 ....,..,

1799.. 1800, 04t.2id., 18s.3d S8

1801.. 1802 6SB.7d 90s 38

1803.. 18S3 4d9.4d 870 68^

1834 .. 1826 538.5d 278 80^

Det. 1829 23a.39d 278 110

Herein we witness the bane of our colonial policy. We
have not only imposed enormous duties on the produce of
our transmarine possessions, but, with the idea of keeping up a
mercantile marine, we have, while almost shutting the W. Indies
out from the home market, forbade their selling their surplus
in those of Continental Europe or America ; nay, not only from
selling, but even from buying food and the necessaries of
life, where the Colonists could readily obtain them in ex«
change for their sugar, rum, &c. What miserable policy !
What short-sighted statesmanship ! Better were it for the
planters of Jamaica, &c. to cut the painter that holds them'
to a country which, like the dog in the manger, will neither
consume what is within its reach, nor allow others to obtain
that which is refused or neglected. At present the consump-
tion of sugar in the United Kingdom (vide 1st vol. History of
the Colonies, p« 219) is not more than 5 oz. a-week for each
individual — ^a quantity which the youngest child would con-
sume. How many millions of our starving countrjrmen

tons; in 1830, 70,000 ton. Bourbon Isle in the same years, 7>200 tons,
and 18,000 tone. These statements show what abundance of nigar there
ia in the world.

VOL. II, F F

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434 ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS EMBARKED IN SUGAR PLANTATIONS.

scarcely ever taste sugar, though were it within their means
(which it would be but for our destructive system of finance
and impolitic restrictions on commerce) they would use, at
the very least, three times the amount now imported.

We have been engaged in upholding a false system. When
the British W. I. Colonies were first established they had a
free trade to all parts of die world, and the result was the
most rapid strides in prosperity ever known. Our exclusive
system checked that prosperity — our taxation within the
present century completed its ruin. Upwards of £100,000,000
sterling have been invested in the British sugar plantations
in the W. Indies — ^loans of relief have been issued firom the
British Exchequer to a vast amount — and £20,000,000 sterling
have lately been added to purchase slave emancipation ; — ^AU
this money, and what is of far more worth, all the gallant
blood spilt in defence of those possessions, will have been
expended in vain by a perseverance in the present system.
We must lower the duty on W. I. sugar from 24*. to 12*.
and proportionally reduce the duties on £. I. sugars. We
must allow the W. I. islands a free trade with North Ame-
rica and with Continental Europe on their own terms* — ^the
Colonists must, in fact, be permitted to buy food at the
cheapest rate where they can sell sugar at the dearest price.
If this be not done the destruction of all the property em-
barked in the W. L islands is inevitable, and those Colonies
will remain like a drag chain round our necks, instead of
being, as they would under the system recommended, a
source of happiness and prosperity to the parent state.

• The following are the Free (so called I suppose on the principle
lueui a non lucendo). Ports among the British colonies in thb wsstern
HKMI8PHBRB. * No goods shall be imported into, nor shall any goods,
except the produce of the fisheries in British ships, be exported from any
of the British Possessions in America by sea, from or to any place other
than the United Kingdom, or some other of such possessions, except into
or from the several ports in such possession, called ' Free Ports,' enu-
merated or described in the table foUomng ; (that is to say) —

Jamaica, Kingston, Savannah Le Mar, Montego Bay, SanU Luda,
Antonia, Saint Ann, Tahroun Maria, Morant Bay, Annotto Bay, Blark

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SUGAR IMPORTATIONS AT THE PRINCIPAL PORTS,

4SB

The diminishing production of sugar imported from the
several W. I. islands is shewn in the tahle facing this chap-
ter. The annual importation at the principaV ports of Great
Britain of Plantation sugar from 1823 to 1833 was*—

In Cttks.

1833

1883

1881

1830

1839

1838

1837

1830

1885

1834

1833

liTCfpOOl ..

ayde

181300

MNO
31ftO0

ItfOOO
45000
87800
3O4O0

188800
48000
83000
80300

180000.108300
43000 43700

30000 88400

170000
45500
85000
81000

148000 108700
37500 41800
38300 81700
37800 30000

140100
80500
38800
35000

108300
40800
81000
35500

150000
40850
81800
30800

Totel ..

S87M0

348800

900000

300000 873400

388100

338500

308800

380600

300000

30845O

For the years ending in January 1834 and 1833, of sugar
there were total importations — ^in 1834, 4,732,749 cwts. ; in
1833, 4,876,748 ;— of which the West India Colonies furnished
in 1834, 3,648,026 cwts. ; in 1833, 3,784,244. Total consump^
Hon in 1834, 4,075,762 cwts. ; in 1833, 4,130,474 cwts.; of
which the West Indies furnished, in 1834, 3,469,612 cwts.;
in 1833, 3,824,263 cwts. The gross revenue was in 1834,
£4,984,098.; m 1838, £5,354,437; of which the West India
sugars paid in 1834, £4,167,268 ; in 1833, £4,595,377.

Before passing from this branch of my subject, I cannot
help adverting to another grievous imposition under which

Ri?er, Rio Bueno, Port Morant. Grenada, Saint George. Domniea^
Roseau. Mii^ua, Saint John's. Trinidad, San Josef. Tobago, Scar-
borough. Tortola, Road Harbour. New Providence, Nassau. Crooked
lelandi Pitt's Town. Saint Fincent's, Kingston. Bermuda, Port Saint
George and Port Hamilton. Bahamas, any Port where there is a
Custom House. Barbadoes, Bridgetown. New Brunewtek, St. John's,
St. Andrew's. Nova Scotia, Halifax, Picton. Canada, Quebec. New*
fimndland. Sunt John's. Demerara, George Town. Berbiee, New
Amsterdam. Smni Lucia, QtuXritA. Saint Kitts, BtM^tare, AVtfiV, Charles
Town. Monteerrat, Plymouth. Cape Breton, Sydney. Prince Edward^t
/stand, Charlotte Town. AngruiOa, Anguilla. And if any goods shall be
imported into any port or place in any of the sud possessions contrary
hereto, such good shall be fcrfeited.'

* I hare compiled this important comparatire statement from various
numbers of Myer's Liverpool Price Current.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

436 M0LASSE9 AND RUM, DUTIES THEREON.

the Colonists labour, by being virtually forbidden to refine*
their own sugar on the spot where it is made, (the duty on
importation into England being £8 8s. per cwt) for the sake
of benefitting a comparatively small body of refiners in
England. If such a measure were now to be proposed for
the first time, would it not most deservedly be scouted by
the good sense of the country ? Why, then should evil be
persisted in. Instead of the West Indians petitioning for the
prevention of foreign sugar being admitted into the home
market for refining, let them strenuously petition to refine
their own article on the spot where it is grown and manufac-
tured.

MdLAssEs. The remarks made in the foregoing pages have
equal reference to molasses, or treacle, the annual impor-
tations of which now average upwards of 300,000 cwt
[vide page 4S4,] the duty on which, from British possessions,
is 9s. per cwt., producing a net revenue of not more than
£150,000 per annum; it would be desirable to reduce this
duty to 5s. per cwt., and to permit the use of molasses iii
breweries, distilleries, &c.

Rum. The West Indians have pressed much for a reduc-
tion of duty on this article ; on this point I do not agree with
them : rum is not a necessary of life — it is quite cheap enough
for any good purpose, perhaps too cheap for a bad use ; never-
iheless, though I would not augment the duty on its impor-
tation, I would not assuredly reduce it ; to give the planters
relief, they should be permitted to send their surplus to
foreign markets. To dispose of it, in fact, freed from our
banefiil monopolizing restrictions. The following table shews
the quantity of —

f In the report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on
Wi I. Affairs in 1832, the committee justly state that they ' are at a loss
to trace to any sound principle the prohibition of refinin^ir sugar in the
West Indies ; they cannot justify the prohibition of manufacture in any
part of the King's dominions, but least of all the mam^adure of their wen
produce by the cuitimtore; and they recommend, without hesitation, that
this restriction be removed.'

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

RUM IMPORTED FROM THE BRITISH WEST INDIES.

437

B
$

%
.3

-8

a
>

■o<OM><tftf<d'tC<tfeif<OiooiCtC'<

f CO gT-^tC^rfofrC-^

Sf 2 JS? P "^ JS- !^ 5 • •« •^'® 2 2 ® »o bC lo" V« o s -T h^

00 MXO t>«M eq o 1^ •« M n M «H «H ^ >« '^ ^ le ^ •h

ssiiiig^siiniiinii^iiiii

Sf5ft2gg*|S"SJ8?jSSlJ8&8"S?S2|S»

00 M» m id e «» to iQ 9* «m ^ « ^^ ^ntn&tn

8»-a2'?a"f2"SSfSS5R;"sgf2"5SS^»

a .3

U^.

•>

£5

"-<

•0

•fit

S 82 n 2 2 2 22 I^-S S§ S SJ S S S^ SJ S ^S « ?? S S 8

o ?

a "^

o t-

a GO

O CO

a. «

o o

>- §

** o> §

^ »ft lO

•^

Digitized by VjOOQIC

438 COFFEE— INTRODUCTION INTO ENGLAND AND TAXATION.

Rum Imported at the principal ports of Great Britain from 1823 to 1833.

1833 1833

1831

1830 1830

1818

1837

1836

1835

1894

1838

LODdOB....

Llferpool ..
BrUtol, &c.
Clyde

310001 17000

10400 0100

SOOO MOO

1000 3400

4A40O
10000
4300
3400

30800 41700
ISOOO 11650
3000 3800
3000 4300

38000

10700
3000
9750

35000

830€
3000
SSOO

38900
7950
3700
3000

tMOO
5500
9000

9800

95400

8600
3100
3600

98100
10100
470«
4100

^jj^l0 ^ogoo

roioo

38300 61490

S94B0

40900

43750

84000

41700

47088

COFFEE.
The berry which furnishes this delightful refreshing be-
verage, was first publicly introduced into England in the
middle of the 17th century, and soon after feD under the
taxing claws of the Government ; for, in 1660, a duty of 4d.
per gallon was laid on all cofiee made or sold; this duty was
subsequently changed to a rated tax per lb. From 1689 to
1733, the tax was varied from Is. to Zs, per lb. ; it was then
lowered to Is. 6d. per lb. at which rate it remained for several
years, producing 10,000/. revenue; the latter, however, as
well as the consumption, fell off, from the high rate of
taxation; and in 1793, the revenue from coffee was only
£2,869. In 1784, the duty was reduced in Great Britain*

* Tlie almost rirtual exclusion of East India Coffee from the EngUsh
market, and the hif(h rate of taxation levied on the Weot India coffee is
thus she^yn for a series of years : —

W.l. Coffey

per lb.

*. d.

=Voii

1 1789 to 1794

0 10

—

1795 to 1796

1 6

—

1797 to 1798

1 5

—

1799 to 1802

1 6

—

1803 to 1807

1 7

—

1808 to 1813

0 7

—

1814 to 1818

. 0 7«

—

1819 to 1824

1 0

—

1825 to 1832

. 0 6

B.i.coaiM,

per lb.

i. d.

2 0

2 6

3 7

2 7

2 0

0 10

0 lU

1 6

0 9

1 Hi

ed on E. I. coffee.

Average rate of duty for 44 years 1 Ok
In addition to the taof (I hate the word duty), thuslevi^
there was an ad valorem duty, varying from two and a half to four per
cent, during the period between 1799 and 1813.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

EFFECT OF HIGH TAXATION ON COFFEE. 4S9

from Stf. Sd. to 6d. per lb. excise, and 4d, per lb. customsi on
British plantation coffee, while the duty levied on East India
was 2s, lOd, per lb. excise, and 4fd, per lb. customs. (What
a shameful prohibition against Eas^ India coffee !) The con-
sumption of coffee rose, on this reduction, annually, until, in
1791, it amounted in Great Britain to 1,047,276 lbs. the re-
venue on which augmented to £57,659. The Government of
that day, not content with this increasing prosperity, raised
the duty, in 1795, on British plantation, from 6d. to Is, Id.
per lb, and on East India from Is, 8d, to 2s* 2d. in addition
to the 4fd. per lb. customs' duty levied on each sort ; the
entire duty, therefore, was, on British plantation, 1^. 5d. and
on East India 2s. 6d, per lb.

The result of this fiscal exaction may be easily imagined;
the consumption of coffee in Great Britain fell off from
1,054,588 lbs. in 1795, to 396,953 lbs. in 1796; and for eight
succeeding years the consumption of coffee never rose beyond
that of 1795 !

In 1803, the excise duty on East India coffee was lowered
from 2s, 2d, to Is. 6d, and accordingly, in 1804, the consump-
tion rose to upwards of 1,000,000 lbs. about equal to what it
had been in 1791. From 1804 to 1808 the customs' duty
was raised, and the consumption decreased so, that, in 1808,
the quantity of coffee used did not exceed that of 1791.
Juster views were now, however, adopted; for, in 1809, the
excise duty was lowered from I*. Id. to 3d. per lb. and the
customs' duty from 6d. 7-8th to,4fd, per lb. on British Plan-
tation, while on East India the excise was lowered from ls.6d,
to 6d, and the customs from 6id, and £3 7s. lid. per cent.
ad valorem to M. per lb. In consequence of these beneficial
reductions, let it be remembered, the consumption of coffee
thus extraordinarily increased in one year —

Consumption.— 1808, lbs. 1,069,691; 1809, lbs. 9,251,887.!

The revenue also increased ; but the West India interest,
jealous of the prospects of the East Indies sharing in the
home-market supply, caused, in the very subsequent year, an
additional duty of £3 6s. 8d. per cent, ad valorem to be levied

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

440 PROGRESSIVE TAXATION ON WEST INDIA COFFEE.

on East India coffee ; the result was that the consumption
fell off; in 1810, to 5,308,096 lbs. and for fifteen years, L e.,
until 1824, the consumption was not so great as in 1809!
1810, 6,092,800 lbs.; 1811, 7,571,200 lbs.; 1812, 8,265,600
lbs. ; 1813,* 6,048,000 lbs. ; 1814, 5,868,800 lbs. ; 1815,
6,832,000 lbs.; 1816, 7,436,800 lbs ; 1817, 8,108,800 lbs.;
1818, 1,308,737 lbs. ; 1819,t 7,790,783 lbs. ; 1820, 7,103,409
lbs.; 1821, 7,593,001 lbs.; 1822, 7,669,351 lbs. ; 1823,846,920
lbs.; 1824, 8,262,94S lbs.

On the reduction of the duty in 1825, from. Is. to 6rf. on
the W. India, and from 1^. 6d. to 9d. on £• India coffee, the
consumption thus rose in one year, 1824, 7,993,040 lbs. ;
1825, 10,766,112 lbs.; and went on rising thus— 1826,
12,724,139 lbs.; 1827, 14,974,378 lbs, ; 1828, 16,522,423 lbs.;
1829, 18,476,180 lbs. ; 1830, 20,728,000 lbs. ; 1832, 22,952,000
lbs.

The present consumption, though large as compared with
the past, is small in reference to the population, and in com-
parison with other countries \X ^^^ instance — Coffee consumed
in Great Britain, 14 oz. per head ; ditto, in the United States,
68, ditto. — Difference, 44.

This extraordinary increase in America over Great Britain
is owing to reduced taxation^ In Camberleng's able Report
to Congress, 8th February, 1830, we find the duty on coffee
bad been then lowered to five cents, or 2id. per lb. and it baa
since been further reduced to 2 cents, or Id. per lb. The

• Tax raised to 7^d,

t Tax raised to U, per lb. ; hence the falliDg off.

X The consumption of coffee in Great Britun is about 10,000 tons i
Franee, 20,000 tons ; in the Netherlands, 40,000 tons ; Spain and For-
tii^, 10,000 tons ; Germany and the Baltic, 32,000 tons ; United States,
15,000 tons : — ^total consumption, tons, 127>000. Of this large quantity
the British West Indies does not produce more than 30,000,000 lbs., or
13,392 tons ; >vhUethe island of Java alone yields 20,000 tons ; Cuba about
! 5,000; St. Domingo nearly 16,000 tons ; the Dutch West India colonies,
5,000 tons ; the French ditto and Bourbon, 8,000 tons ; and the Brasila
and Spanish Mun, fully 32,000 tons. Our E. I. colonies are capable of
yielding excellent cofiee to an indefinite amount.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

PopalaUoo.

ContumptloB

per head.

oc.

4,627.026

6,000,000

8,430,267

11.000,000

12,246.943

12,325,012

12,461,821

13,124,937

14,866,601

16,000,000

COFFEE CONSUMED IN THE UNITED STATES. 441

result of this wise policy will be thus seen : the consumption of
coffee in the United states was on the average of three years
in annual amount as follows : —

COFFEE CONSUUED IN THE UNITED STATES.

CoDSQinptioii.
Yean. Ibe.

1790 3,836,891

1798 7,351,665

1812 10,107,380

1818 19,199,443

1825 22,357,721

1826 26,449,356

1827 31,895,217

1828 37,268,879

1831 44,000,000

1832 56,000,000

Let the advocates of taxation on colonial produce ponder on
the foregoing table^ and reflect on the evils which ensue from
raising money on the necessities of the people, to descend
only, as they affirm, * in refreshing showers on the country !'

When the government tax on coffee in America was re-
duced 2id. per lb. consumption rapidly increased ; when it was
yet farther lowered to a Irf. per lb. it bounded forward yet
faster ; and now it is expected that only j^d. per lb. will be
levied by government: — but happy (at least once happy)
England has 6d. levied on her West India coffee, 9d. on her
East India coffee, and U. 3d. per lb. on foreign coffee. Nor
is this all — again we have unequal taxation staring us in the
face, the poor man pays a tax to the state on the worst West
India coffee which he consumes of 124 to 224f per cent. ; the
rich man drinks the finest Jamaica, and pays only a tax to
government of 71 per cent, not half the sum which the poor
man is taxed/ Is this equity ?

But let it not be said that it is easier to complain than to

suggest a remedy. It has been shown in the article ' sugar ;'

how the poor man may be benefited, and the state revenue at

the same time augmented — that is, by affording encourage-

. ment to a greater supply, and thus lessening the price de*

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

442 PROPOSED FISCAL CHANGE ON COFFEE.

manded by the seller, which result would ineyitably follow
from competition. Ceylon is as valuable a colony to England
as Jamaica, and yet its coffee is charged with duty in the
home market to the extent of 260 per cent. ; while the finest
Jamaica coffee is only assessed from 70 to 80 per cent. One
pays ninepence per pound to goyemment, after a voyage
of six months — ^the other sixpence, after a voyage of six weeks
— ^Is this justice?

If the government tax on coffee were reduced and equa-
lized, the consumption would readily be increased from
£2,000,000 to 40,000,000 lbs. or indeed at the moderate esti-
mate of 2 lbs. of coffee a year for each individual (which is
less than the American consumption by 2 lbs.) to 50,000,000
lbs. weight ; the revenue to the goveriunent at the following
proposed rates of duty would then be : —

Contnmption. RcTeaoe.

H^est India coStQ lbs. 30,000,000

Government tax of 3d. per lb. would produce . if 375JDOO
East India colonial cojQfee .... 10,000,000

Government tax of 3d. per lb. would produce . 126,000
Brazil and other foreign coffee . 10,000,000

Government tax of 6d. per lb. would produce 250,000

Consumption and revenue . . lbs. 50,000,000 j^ 750,000*

Here we see that on the moderate calculation of 2 lbs.
of coffee per annum for each individual (the consumption
in America being nearly 4 lbs.) the colonial and general
commerce of the nation would be materially increased, the
revenue augmented, and above all, the comforts of the people
extended ; while there would be less necessity for Parlia-
mentary Committees to enquire into drunkenness, for the
morals, and consequently health, of the working classes, would
be materially improved by the substitution of a wholesome
and vivifying stimulant for the pernicious and demoralizing
use of gin and other ardent spirits. The following return
shews the quantity of—

* I am justified in proposing this fiscal change by reason of the in-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC

COFF££ IMPOaTED FROM EACH WEST INDIA POSSESSION. 443

Coffee (lbs.) imported into the United King^dom from the British West
India Possessions.

DempmrA.

Bctblcc.

DomiTitca,

Trt-
nldaU.

Bt.
Lucia,

BAtm-

Othcr
L W. I

tVtid.

1031
1833

isafl

1B3S

t
isai

]:
IS33

isa4

1 6,730,3m I

]a,a9a,6S4

a,ft7*»79fl
4,371,939
3**4a.0SJJ

3,447,43fi

3^BaJU£fi

S,1tt4«IH!t
l*7&3,57r

1 ,71 1 «94a

3.075,144
1 ^ap,344

1,709,(193

949,1 U

L,Dl5,tf4t

5i 3,a0o

l,A40,4<lt

I IS0,B44

»5t^,d28

. 33(»t730
I IS7,3™

iin,4A0

! 64 » 437

54,S03

l,76fl

01 1^39

906,439

I7V»4

97A ,4%4

1 &9|A44
LU,9ti4
198,377

M»*»4«
U3,5I7

64^19

&fi7J»4

343, 4IW

S9,l&9

IS»,7*>4

7B,sta
a^.&94

4,009
U7,»l»

4s,»oa

011,537

«0,^9
54f44S
73,^M
9l3,ati7
4i»,«t^-i

91,904
74,01 d

] 79i7ff^

ia,734

91^,990

as,97fi,9oa
a(». 9^9,904
99.93a,3«4
^4,9^»t783
91,97t»,a<}l
li.i(}^.790
99p0ll.«O«
a9.aM»0«4
9d,g00w40O
37,003.041

9o,f)7«,0a4

94,<i73,asa

The quantity of coffee imported from the British West
India colonies was, for the year ending January 1833,
lbs. 24,642,867 ; m 1834, lbs. 18,852,423. The quantity
entered for home consumption from the British West India
colonies was in 1833, lbs. 20,974,933, for 1834, lbs. 20,957,379.
The revenue on which for those years was £ 524,921 ;
£ 523,959. The grand total quantity of coffee entered for
home consumption from all countries was in 1833, lbs.
22,965,532; in 1834, lbs. 22,760,523; the gross revenue on
which was, m 1833, £ 599,030; fai 1834, £591,625.

The relative importation for a series of years into the prin-
cipal ports of Great Britain, — •

creased consumption, which has invariably followed reduction of duty as
before shewn ; but that the reader may have, at one view, the effect of
diminished taxation on an article that enters into the consumption of the
bulk of the people, I give the following table of coffee consumed and tax
thereon, shewing the effect of reduced duty : —

Yean

W.L

CoBAamption for that
PMlod.

Yewfly

induiire.

Tas.

ATerm^.

1. d.

TOM. lbs.

lbs.

From 1791 to 1794

0 11

1,666 or 3,483,100

870,776

.. 1796.. 1799

1 5

1,229.. 2,741,700

648,340

.. 1800.. 1804

1 6

1,814.. 4,063,300

812,460

.. 1806.. 1807

2 2

1,489.. 3,337,200

1,112,400

.. 1808.. 1812

0 7

16,020.. 36,884,800

7,176,960

.. 1813.. 1818

0 7}

19,019.. 42,603, 137

7,100,623

.. 1819.. 1824

1 0

20,887 . . 46.874,407

7,812,402

.. 1826.. 1830

a 6

43,691 ..98,183,481

16,363,916

.. 1831 . 1834

0 6

22,000,000

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

444

coco OR CACAO CONSUMPTION IN ENGLAND.

■s

s
a

4
I

S2 "

|§Mi

8^- -

llllli

B«S'

§5?-' "'

lll^t

llllli

iiif

|IH

nil

fill

§§si

3|§§!l

jigfi

nil

llll

JSii

llli

coco, OR CACAO.

The nutritious and whole-
some beverage prepared from
the nuts of the cacao tree
(vide Trinidad chapter) has
only of late begun to attract
much attention in England,
where its consumption is far
below what it is entitled to be,
the average annual consump-
tion per head for each indivi-
dual beingnotmuch more than
^ve drachms weight / The
reason of this small demand
has been owing to excessive as
well as unequal taxation: in
1831, Trinidad and Grenada
cocoa were worth in bond in
the London market from 24a.
to 65^. per cwt. while the tax
was 56s. being nearly 100 per
cent, on the finer qualities,
and no less SSOper cent upon
those cocoas which were con-
sumed by the poor !

The tax on cocoas having
of late been reduced, the
consumption as usual has in-
creased, thus :—

COCOA EKTERBD FOR HOMB
CONSUMPTION.

Yean.

B|rii.&BrIs.

Yeurt.

Bgt.&BrU.

1828

2,700

1830

3,320

1821)

2,980

1831

5,600

Total 5,680 Total 8,920

In 18S6 the quantity of co-
coa delivered for consump-

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

POLICY OF ENTIRELY REDUCING THE TAX.

445

tion in the United Kingdom was only 150 tons,. in 1830 it rose
to SOO tons, in 18S2 it was as high as 500 tons, and in 1833
there were 566 tons retained for home consumption, the in-
crease arising principally from the reduced duty on the article.
The latest returns made up at the Custom House are as
foUow:— Imported, 1833, 2,951,019 lbs.; 1833, 4,607,«01 lbs.
Home consumption, 1833, 1,150,193 lbs, ; 1834, 1,268,217 lbs.
Cocoa Imported at London and Liverpool from 1825 to 1833.

Imported into
Londoo.

1838

1889

1831

1830

1829

1836

183«

From Trinidad
Brazil, &c.
Other iNurtB

Cks

20
130

Brtaft
Bag.

17B00
S150

Cks

300

Brlsft
Bays

1170
17300

980

Cka

BrlB&

Bags

4850

13600

3800

Cka

Brlsft

Bag:.

3000

0000

1460

Ckt

Brla&
Ba«t

1736

13000

1630

Cka

863

BrlBft

Bag:.

545

4105

1720

Ck8
340

390

Brls«e
Bags

3400
3870
1710

Total ..

150

37550

300

19300

20750

10060

*41»

158SB

400

6370

630

6980

Imported iato
Urerpool.

Trinidad

Brazil, ftc

Other parts . . . .

Total ..

3750
900
350

670
100
80

860

1145
65
168

Sl 1878

372
123

894-

4li

ISO

4830

1377
4797

471 6087

We can not grow coco or cacao nuts in Great Britain — we
can in our colonies ; — and the revenue now received is trifling ;
it would be well, therefore, to abolish the duty on that grown in
and imported from our colonies altogether, the Exchequer would
lose nothing by such a step, for the consumption of sugar
would be increased, — the colonial planter, the merchant, the
shipowner, and impoverished artizan, would materially gain.
Let us hope that state policy, if no higher feeling should
prompt, wiU cause the total abolition of the tax on cocoa. It
is the imperative duty of the statesman, as well as the moralist,
to watch over the social habits of the people, and prevent by
every possible means the habit of indulging in spirituous
liquors, to which mankind are in general so much addicted.
The temptation to this horrid vice of inebriety is wofuUy
increased by fiscal duties on such articles as cocoa, coffee,
tea, &c., and every man who desires to see his fellow creaturesr
sober, industrious, and virtuous, (for these three are natural
sequences) will aid me in endeavouring to get the taxes on
the necessaries of life lightened and abolished, &c.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

446

PALL OP PRICES ON WEST INDIA PRODUCE.

Prices in England (exclusive of daty) of West India and Spanish Maia

Produce.

18S6

lasB

18S9

UBS

i8n

1818

tnm

tarn

■too
fro«
1886

C«eo«, WcM inOU -
GnaMa,6Mcea ~

Goo4 aad 8m aiMllof

JmmIc* •t4.
^ Good. 6m. uia eUdUnf
Cotton, eoeeoa, W. I. lb.

vSmCras . . -
TuMriods . . ewt.

^^^SiSIS^Im scnped

Rld«.aiau4 . . lb.
ladifo, Cwmoeo Flore* —
CopwrBodloword. -
lAgnwmrUm . . too.
gwood.J«.lc.,plck.d-

NicorofM Wood, toa.r—

iSS""^* :

JMIOIMISIOUI

mtio utoisr

Ditto S8to£0 .

DwMraro —
T.bMe..St.Do«lofoL«rf-

"•..ie.. 6m -
Ditto jfoUoir -

% 34
W 84

1 00
8 00
4 00

8 SO

4 160
S160

4 180
0 09^
0 111

10 17 0
0 18

8* 14

14 8 6
0180

li»

0 60,

14 8 8
7 60
i SO

SI 60
17 60
0 09^

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IS
IS

It win be observed from the foregoing, that the prices
of W. I. produce have fallen rapidly of late yeaxfi : the re-
duction will go on until a large quantity of land be thrown
out of cultivation, when general poverty wiU ensue. Then
will arise a servile war between the negroes and the owners
of the soil, — ^the former will lay their sufferings at the door of
the latter, and vice versa; mutual recrimination follows, and.
and the result may easily be foreseeen — each British West
India possesion will become a St. Domingo or a desert — ^but
not without a great sacrifice of life,* and the almost incalcu-

* Tlie past system in the West Indies has necessitated the keepini^ up
of an immense military force, even in peace time : at this moment there
are from 8,500 to 9,000 regular troops in the different British possesuons,
Jamaica alone is head quarters for six re^ments, Guyana for two, Tri-
nidad one European and one West India (a black regiment), Barbadoes
one, St. Vincent's one, Grenada one, St. Lucia one, Bahamas (the second
West India regiment, blacks), Antigua one, and one at Bermuda. To

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PROMPT MEASURES NECESSARY TO SAVE THE WEST INDIES. 447

lable wealth expended in bringing those islands to their pre-
sent state of refinement will be irrecoyerably lost. Is this a
state of things for a British Statesman or a Philanthropist to
contemplate calmly even the possibiUty of?

I fear the grant of £30,000,000 has produced a state of
apathy highly injurious to the W. I. interests ; seyeral in-
fluential persons think that by that act enough has beep done
to preserve the W. Indies,* while the mortgagees are supine
as to the future in rejoicing over their present gain.

Although a firm believer in the wise ordinations of Provi-
dence, I do not think we are justified in leaving every thing
to apparent chance or destiny ; we are bound to act accord-
ing to the best of our judgments, and commit the result to
superior wisdom ; therefore do I contend we ought to take
immediate steps for the future benefit of the W. I. posses-
sions ; the duty on their sugar and molasses, cofiee, and to-
bacco, when imported into England must be reduced, and on
all articles which have not produced each a £1,000. per an.
to the Exchequer during the the last ten years, or which
have not been previously imported, the duty should be totally

admit of reliefs, at least 9,000 men more are required; and taking
casualties into consideration, we may calculate that the W. I. colo-
nies employ 20,000 men out of the whole British army, or require
that number of men to be kept up. Under the system of free trade,
which I propose the necessity for the mother country to m«ntain, this
force would cease, or if it were deemed advisable to retain troops in the
islands, the West Indies (as the East Indies now do), would be obliged
and indeed be enabled to defray the whole expenses of the same.

• The 4 J per cent, duties which are levied on the produce of Barbadoes,
Antigua, St. Kitts, Montserrat, Tortola, &c. ought, long ago, to have
been repealed ; that their imposition, up to this moment, is not owing to
His Gracious Miyesty is evident from the following passage in the
Royal Speech, in ISdO. ' I place, without reserve, at your disposal my
interests in the Hereditary Revenues, and in those funds which may be
derived from any droits of the Crown or Admiralty, from the fFett India
duties, or from any casual revejiues either in my foreign possessions, or in
the United Kingdom.'— iSJ^^^A o/ ITdUamlF. to his first Parliament,
Nov. 2, 1830.

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448 ARTICLES ON WHICH THE DUTY SHOULD DE ABOLISHED.

abolished, or at least (after the wise example of Cromwell)
not levied for the next ten years.*

The following are among the articles which should be ad->
mitted into England, duty free, from the British W. Indies :
cocoa, or chocolate, cotton, vinegar, dates, oil of pimento,
blossoms of pimento, leather, logwood, brazilletto, starch,
tamarinds, balsams, baskets, plantains, dried or preserved,
hides, lime juice, ebony, lignum vitae, nicaragua wood, ma-
hogany, preserved ginger, lancewood spars, pickled peppers,
succades, preserved fruits and pickles of every kind ; honey,
wax, arrow root, tapioca, cocoa nuts and castor oils^f turmeric
and various dyes. (Liqueurs at the same rate as spirits, and
Segars and snuff as tobacco ;) oranges, lemons, limes and
citrons, cordage^ hemp, pepper extracts, palmetto thatch for
hats, Guinea and Indian com, rice, various drugs, such as
senna, aloes, jalap, barks, &c. &c. &c.

Our next step should be permission for the colonists to
open a trade on their own terms, fettered by no restrictions
with Continental Europe or America, for the disposal of that
surplus produce which we do not require, and that they may
obtain at the lowest cost the necessaries of life ; (that this
would not injure our North American Colonies I will de-
monstrate in my next volume.)

The Parliamentary Select Committee of 1832 report that —^
' In its competition with foreign countries, the colonial pro-
duce of Great Britain is also subjected to disadvantages, oc-
casioned by the commercial and maritime policy of the mother
country. Partial attempts, counteracted in a degree by cir-
cumstances, have been made of late years to relieve the colo^

« For a tariff of articles, with the discriminating duties levied on West
India, East India, and foreign articles, see first volume of the HisitMy ^f
the British Coiontes. Page 221:

f An acre of the worst ground, viz. the sides of gullies, &c. if planted
with the castor oil nut ti*ee (ficinus), yields nuts capable of giving 1,000
gallons of oil, which, at 3#. per gallon, would return £\bQ per acre, witK
little or no trouble in the cultivation.

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PARLIAMENTARY ADVOCACY OF FREE WEST INDIA TRADE. 449

nies from the effects of restrictive laws. They have been per-
mitted to carry on a direct intercourse with those countries of
Europe and America, which by complying with the terms pre-
scribedy have entitled themselves to such intercourse ; but the
importation of goods from these foreign countries has been
clogged by discriminating duties, and there has been in fact
scarcely any intercourse with those countries. In respect of
the United States of America, the most important either for
export or import, the intercourse has been from time to time
suspended, renewed and modified ; and has finally been per-
mitted under a system of protection for the North American
colonies, which, together with the uncertainty produced by
frequent changes, renders it as yet doubtful, whether, during
the existence of that protection, any benefit will be derived
by the West India Colonies from its renewal. And in regard
to some very material articles of supply, a strict monopoly is
still maintained in favour of the mother country, or of her
North American possessions.' The direct effect of these com*
mercial restrictions has been computed by the W. I. mer-
chants at the annual charge of no less than £1,39S,S53. ster-
ling; thus abstracting from the pocket of the planter in
the article of sugar alone 5s, on every cwt. of sugar he
makes. But grievous as this imposition is, the indirect effect
of the commercial monopoly against the W. I merchant and
planter is far more ruinous, for it has been one of the main
causes'of destruction to the colonies — it has been the inward
canker, undermining the very existence of West India agricul-
ture, trade, and property.

Thirdly, the emigration of Europeans or whites to the
West Indies should be encouraged by every possible means ;
the millions of acres of fertile territory in Crown lands now
lying waste, should be granted at a nominal quit rent to any
person of industry and character for the purpose of coloniza-
tion ; and I refer to the description of each possession in the
foregoing pages for proof of the capabitity of the soil and
delightfulness of the climate as regards European settlement.
The beneficial effects of an extensive location of whites in the

VOL. II. G G

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450 DIVISION OF THE NEGROES INTO CLASSES.

West Indies would not only be fdt in eonmiercial imdertak-
ings but also in the example which would be set to stimulate
the negro and coloured race * to greater mental activity and
bodily energy than under the present change they might be
disposed to adoptf

* The ne^o population of the West Indies are of different nations in
Africa ; some termed Congo, others Obbe, Coromantee, Pktpaw, Mandingo,
Chamba, &c. all varying in disposition, intellect, and habits ; while their
Creole descendants possess in common the mingled disposition of their
ancestors, but in general are more acute and quicker of i^preheaaion than
the pure African. The coloured inhabitants have several denominatioDs,
thus — muhttoei are sprung from white and black parents, Munboes from
black and mulattoes, quadroons from white and ditto, mesteet from wldte
and quadroons. Below the latter, the distinction of colour is hardly per-
ceptible. Between the castes an endless variety of nondescript shades
exist, descending from deep jet to olive.

t The following sound views on this subject are thus set forth in the
Antigua Herald, Barbadon Mercury, and Liverpooi SUindard, by various
correspondents :—

' Letntlmagioe the protnble effect of the iBtrodnftbn of ten white fiunUln of oar ctvUlaed
peasantry, cootietiac, ny of five persoas each— iato a eommealty of 800 blacks. Let aa
•appoie that sach oaly be teat as baye habits of molality and ladastiy prefioasly foiaad, aad
that comfortable cottages are prepared for them, moberate laboar fyuvlshed lo them, aotf
remoaeratloB la retara— eqaal to the sopply aot only of the necessaries and comforts, bat
iHiarlcs of life— let as look at, say thirty of these fifty persons, attending to their agrleaHaral
labonr with alacrity daring the hoars devoted to work-Hiad retaming to their white washed
cottages and happy fhmllies In the erenlag; there and In their owa immediate circle e^yiag
diemselves, as the labonrers of England do, when the tolls of the day haTCoaased. Man, all
over the world. Is aa ImitailTe animal. The cleanly cottages— the small bnt neat garden
before the doors of the whites, woald first attract aoUoe ; thea, the deceat dothlag, the moial
conduct of Bngikh Ihmllies u compared with negroes, woald Ui time nfMwtnd atteatloa.

' Then the unwearied Industry, the thought of prorlding for the fhtnro support of themseltas
aad fhmllles, which their habito woald exhibit, would be obserred ; and. In the coarse of tioK,
is it unreasonable to hope, imitated? The desire to be equal to them woald be cieatad, and
the gratificatioa of this desire coald oaly be accomplished by Indastry. The negroes on this
estate were obliged to work In the field like themselves, and that exactly the same BMans
would be open to them to reach the same end at the expiration of their apprenticeship.

' The machinery of life would thus be daily placed before their eyes, in the operations of
which, by and by, they are to take their part. This chiefly (bat not only) Istheedacatlon which
1 woald give them.

* There are upwards of 800,000 negroes In Jamaica alone. Ut me ask the philanthropist to
picture to himself the great moral effect likely to be produced In the course of a very few yean
on sttch a nnmber of onr fellow-creaiures by the plan which 1 propose. I now cone ta show,
secondly, ' the benefits to the emigrants.*

' There Is not a berry of coffee or pimento shipped nrom the island, the laboar attending
which cannot be done by white Buropcan men, wumen, and children. The labonr to be per-
formed is like the gathering of goose -berrief, (sans cpines,) then the coffee hu to be pulped,
dried upon the baiblcines, put into bags, aad Is carried to the backs of mules aad asses. |n

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CAPABILITY OF RECEIVING A LARGE POPULATION. 451

Two Other measures deserve attention — 1st. the Monetary
System in the West Indies —and 2nd. the principles oit which

•bort, I fearleMly Mtcit tlitt oae-Uiird o^ the labonr pf rrormed by Ihe 800,000 negroes in
Jaaalca, cin be done teller by the wblte Europeans, nnd witbont l^|ary to tbeir bealtta.

From nn eminent medical practitioner, and an eitensi^'e propiletor, Kingston, Jamnlcn:'-

' You wonid be oonfierring a great benefit both upon as and yonr poor fellow- countrymen
were yon to send ont to ns a number of them is free labourers. I would Instantly place some
hundreds of them In the monntains beyond I be line of fever, wbere there wonId be abundance
of occupation and better pay than tbey recelTe in tbeir own country. Their food would be
yams, OIke and equal to any potatoes,) plantains, cocoa, salt flsb ; tbeir own hogs and
poultry, and sometimes fresh and salted beef and pork; houses, gardens, and clothing,
besides a sum in money, weekly,' Ac. Ac.

The following is from a Oerman planter, resident In St. David's, Jamaica.

' WIsbinr BOW, as well as yourself, to forward the welflire of and secure the property In the
Island, 1 am ready to take twenty free labourers, males and females with tbeir children, but
excluding old people, under the following conditions :— For the first year I could pay to each
able person S% Jamaica currency, maintaining them for nine months in the following articles,
via. twelre yards of duck, six yards of penntstone, a coarse hat, one pair of shoes, one iron pot
snffldent for two people, and one frying pan, giving them for food a weekly allowance of Mlb.
of yams or cocoa, or 70 ftitl grown plantains, 6 lb. salted Ash, and coffee, and half a pound of
sugar, and one quart of rum. To enable them to maintain themselves after the first nine
months, I agree to assign tbem on tbeir arrival two acres of virgin land for each labourer for
cultivation. It requires no remark that I would provide for them good commodious habitations,
and on finding them fbitbfnl and industrious. Improve their wages ;— InAint children I would
maintain until their parento were able to do it themselves, and to those that could be in any
way useful to the property I would give clothing. Medicines and medical attendance I could
keep for these emigrants the first year only, leaving II to them to procure these things
afterwards.

' But, doubtless, the Industrious emigrant would look forward to something beyond being a mere
labourer, if not for himself for his children. And where, let roe ask. Is there a better field for
Industry and perseverance t Almost every description of climate that is to be found in Burope
Is to be met with in Jamaica. In short, the cold, dismal, cloudy, wet days of this country are
there unknown, and a healthier race does not ealst than the Inhabitants of the monntains.

■ Hundreds of thousands of acres of rich and fertile lands In the parishes of Sr. James, St.
David's, St. George, Ac &c. remain still in a state of nature, and to this hour nnculUvaled ;
valuable copper and other mines unexplored, and whole forests of rich and rare timbers, uncnt.
In consequence of the want of roads, and difficulty of convening it to the sea coast. Ut
then, the tide of emigration flow thither :— let British enterpiise, BriUsh industry, Biitish ca-
pital, find a safe home there, and then, and then only, can the * resonroes of that fine island
be developed.'

According to some lettera which I have seen, Suffolk husbandmen with tbeir ploughs and
cattle have been already located on several West India estates, and tbe result has been happiness
to tbemselvea and advantage to their employers.

• unded property, writes a gentleman fiom Jamaica, would be of little value in Bngland wliL-
out labourers to till the soil ; tbe same observation applies to Jamaica, the ownera of the soil
there are apprehensive that the blacks will not work, and they want from this country whiles
that win. In order to make their freeholds valuable.

• It Is chiefly with respect to the low lands that this appiehension existe. It is not, I hope,
presnmptuons, to suppose that the Almighty has created, in his all-wise providence, not only
differentcllmateslnthe world, but human beings to Inhabit aad work In tbem, without injury to
themselves respectively. I would not place a black man to work In tbe cpen air in Russia, or
even In England, during tbe depth of winter.'nor would I a white man to dig cane holes in tbe
low lands of Jamaica ; but 1 would, by my plan, endeavour to supersede Ihe necessity of any
black labourers in the mountains, and by having 50 to 60,000 whites there, bring down say

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462 ADVAXTAGES OF WHITE EMIGRATION TO THE WEST INDIES.

the £^,000,000 Compehsation Fund is to be disbursed ,— as
regards the first, the reader will have perceived the various

100,000 blacks to tbc low hfflds. This weiitd bcsellt the planters wltlioat li^ary to tke necroes;
to the former H would xive a givaier qwuitlty of laboarera, cooseqaently a greater eompetltioa
Id the market, and a greaur cerulntj of gettHig off his crops ; to the latter, it would mate the
necessity of working greater, consequently, less fear of their relapsing Into barbartim.

< With respect tothebeneflt to the mother country (h>m white emigration to the West ladies.

< You cannot benefll any of England's colooies without the largest poition of such bencltl
flowing back to England.

' Let us then suppose the industry of fifty or one hundred thousand persons transferred ft-om
England, in which their utmost exertions, early and.late, can scarcely furnish the mere necea-
sarips of life, to one where two thirds the toil will bring three-fold the return.

' Huw will this addiUonal return be spent 9 It will reach England every fhiction of it ; all
tbeir wants are English ; and an additional impetus will be given to English manufactures and
in British shipping. Let ns suppose that emigrants, or emlgranU* children make a foitune —
where will it be spentf— In England, to be sure.*

* Very exaggerated Tiews are entertained in this country relative to the difficulty and danger
of agrictiltural labour in tropical climates. There are several of the West India Islaads in
which, with ordinary care and prudence, illness Is very rare among the white Inhabttantt—
where the beat, on an average of six working hours in the day, is but little greater than it la
during tlie months of July in England, and where there are immense tracts of fertile land
nncultivated. (Vide Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad, Dominica, Ac.)

' In the Islands of St. Vincent's and Grenada there are many estates which cannot conlinn*
the extent of sugur-cane land formerly in cQltivation withont additional labourers, and the
proprietors would be very glad to select such from ttmong industrious^ sober and resptctabl*
Englishmen.

. ' The sugar-cane cultivation, however, is not the only employment In which Enropcaii I»-
bourers might be engaged with advantage to themselves and the proprietors.

' There is In the Islands before mentioned, a great extent of fertile laad, capable of p$^
ducing the finest vegetables, arrow rot»t, indigo, coifeccoooa, &c., which might be bnmght inta
productive cultivation. Indeed there is probably no part of the world where skilful aad Indus-
trions persons might find more useful and profitable employment than in these Islands, which
produce every thing Uiat can be found In a tropical climate, and where manyof theproduciiona
of a temperate one could, by care and cultivation, be much improved. By encouraging tlM
growth of various articles of consumption, which, from want of skill and labour, are now no*
cessarlly procured from abroad at high prices, these colonies wonld be rendered more inde-
pendant of foreign support.

' It is considered that. In addition to the advantages both to the proprietors of estates and
the Engliftfa laboniers by this plan of emigration, the Islands would be benefited by having
their local militia strengthened, and a greater security offered them against local revolt or
foreign enemy.

' The example of the iudustrioos habits of the emigrants would infuse a new spirit aa4
feeling throughout the labonriug class of negroes; agricultural labour would no longer be
considered (as it now is In the West Indies) a degrading employment ; the system of work-
ing for wages would be more generally understood ; the external observance of those ties which
ought to govern moral and social life would be rendered more probable ; and snch a change
would be effected In the habits and dispositions of the negroes, as would qualify them to derive
the full advantage designed for them by emancipation.

' The obstacle which has hitherto proved the most formidable to the employment of European
labourera in the West Indies is Intemperance.— From this cause far more fktal consequences
are to be apprehended than ft-omlhe climate ; and the individuals who intend making proposals
to the Engtish peasantry to emigrate, will require that all they employ should be bound by a
heavy penalty not to taste ardent spirits.

' The wages which estates would pay to labourers of this description« m^y be stated geneialiy

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PROJECTED INDIA BANK — CAPITAL £ 1,000,000. 453

currencies, in the different islands, and may naturally infer the
impediment thus offered to commercial intercourse. This is
a great evil — but a still greater evil is the state of the ex-
changes between England and the West Indies, which has
caused the constant transmission of any metallic currencyi
that may be poured into the colonies, to the Mother Country,
thus affecting the body politic in a maimer similar to that
which a daily or weekly abstraction of blood from the body
corporate would have. To remedy these great evils, it is
proposed (and I hope Government will give it every aid), to
form a West India Bank, with a capital of £1,000,000 Ster-
ling, the headH]uarters of which shall be in England, and the
branches thereof divided among the colonies ; such a measure
would equalise or regulate the exchanges, would promote
commercial intercourse, between each island, and facilitate the
operations of the planter, by affording him that accommo-
dation which the country bankers of England give to the
farmers and merchants. By drawing bills on England at
2 or 2\ per cent, the irresistible temptation to the transmis-
sion of the colonial currency to England, would be prevented ;
and by giving an expansible circulating medium as the repre-
sentative of value to the colonists, their wellbeing would be
materially promoted. Coupled with this banking system should
be the calling in of all the debased colonial dmallcoin, and the
substitution of a sterling currency of shillings, sixpences,
and threepences, all in silver, the negroes will not, if possible,
touch copper coin. I have no doubt that this measure would
prove of infinite value to the W. I. colonies and parent state.
With reference to the 2nd. question, on which the public
mind is much agitated : — The principles on which the sum of

aft the rite oi£% tteriliic per imu, aM per wotnu, and £4 per boy above tea yean of age, aa-
nnatly, with a hoate and provision croonds rent tttt, at well as a day per week, exclastvc of
SiiMtay for culttTaUng their gronnds. This wonld enable tbeni to raise soAclent food for tbeir
anpportp and somewhat to sell besides. A taboorlng fhmlly, consisting of fkther, mother, and

.three cblldreD, (two abore ten years of age,) might earn as wages ^en sterling per annum,
have their boose and provision groands rent fkwe, live 6n the produce of the latUr, and sell the
•urplm provisions, which, If they were industrlons, would yield them abont iffM sterling in

. addition/ 1 earnestly hope Insuot bteps will be taken to carry the project of emigration into
Itell eiiect ; It is now being partially adopted in St. Bltti with complete saeoets.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

454 PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF £ 20,000,000. COMPENSATION.

£30,000,000 allocated by the Legislature for the reimburse-
ment of loss owing to the emancipation of slaves, may I be-
lieve, be considered settled as regards the questions of ad
valorem or per capita; it seems to be now acknowledged
that the sworn or arbitrated value of a slave, according to his
current market price, is the fairest principle for awarding com-
pensation. In order to determine the amount of compensation,
accurate and complete returns from every plantation in the
slave colonies are to be sent in by the 1st August, or within
three months from that date. These returns are to be trans-
mitted to England, and as soon as they have all arrived, the
process of awarding the compensation-monies will commence,
unless where counter claims may be sent in frx>m mortgagees,
&c. Although the mortgagees have an undoubted claim on
the property, I think measures should be taken to secure a
portion of the compensation-money to the planter, and not
allow the creditor to grasp all, thus leaving the former in no
condition to proceed with the culture of the estate ; if the
mortgagee were secured the interest of hb money for five or
seven years, binding him down at the same time not to fore-
close the deed, the planter would have time to raise his head
above water, and struggle through past difficulties ; or if this
be not acceeded to, the mortgagee should have the option of
entering into a fair compromise for his claims, say, one half or
two-thirds of his dues being paid down in order to give up
any farther lien on the planter. If some step of this kind be
not taken, the half of the planters will be utterly ruined, and
land, which under the present system has little value accord-
ing to its geographical extent, will lose the chance it now has
of possessing intrinsic worth per se. By the planter having
his land unincumbered, and some ready money in his pocket,
he will be enabled to commence the Metayer System^ ^ as now

* The introduction of the Metayer System of the East Indies (see First
Volume), into the British West India colonies ought to be adopted as soon
as possible ; by this means industrious, well-disposed, and intelligent co-
loured people will stimulate their lees active bretheren^ and set a good
example.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

NECESSITY OF ABOLISHING COLONIAL MONOPOLIES. 455

practised in British India, and in Italy^ with advantage to
himself, to the numerous small* farmers or planters which will
be created, and with benefit to the parent state. I urge these
points strenuously, because the British nation having munifi-
cently granted £^,000,000 compensation, have a right to see
it beneficially distributed, and not squandered for the sole
use of Jews and money brokers.

The planters have already made great pecuniary sacrifices
for the moral and religious instruction of their dark brethren,
to enable them to continue their praiseworthy efforts, the
measures I have pointed out should be adopted without
delay ; it is no longer consistent with justice or sound
policy to continue to the West Indies a monopoly of the
supply of the home market ; other tropical colonies demand
our attention, and have a right to insist on equitable treat-
ment firom the mother country ; besides, we cripple our
own power — ^and resources and commerce by the present
exclusive protection to West India su^ar, coffee, and rum,
'—we impoverish a dense population at home, and (as the
experience of the past proves) confer no benefit on the colo-
nial agriculturists. Let me implore all who value the hap*
piness of their fellow subjects in every clime to aid in abo-
lishing the wretched policy of pitting one interest against
another — the TFe^/ Indian against the East Indian; the Cana-
dian against the Australian ; the European against the Afri-
can ; — ^it is indeed imperatively necessary that such miserable
legislation should cease ; — Rngland derives no advantage from
it, on the contrary, she materially suffers in her revenue — in
her internal and maritime commerce — as well as by depriving
herself of free outlets to every part of the globe for her un-
employed population and surplus manufactures. I advocate
nothing Utopian ; in the preparation of this Work I have been
necessitated to look into the early history of the colonies and the
mother country*— and I invariably found that it was owing to
commercial fireedom that the British West India Islands became
peopled, cultivated, and enriched ;* whenever restrictions were
« See Appendix for a view of the adyanta^es resulting* to the Danith

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

456 RESULT OF DENYING COMMERCIAL FREEDOM TO THE W. I.

placed on their trade with America, Holland, France, &c. they
immediately began to decline in prosperity, and by a singular co-
incidence the mischiefs inflicted by the cupidity of man were
frequently followed by the terrific visitations of the elements.
What with the curse of slavery, the blighting efiects of hur-
ricanes, and the far more destructive influence of commercial
jealousy the wonder is how the West India colonies have
maintained themselves during the last thirty years ; nothing but
the unconquerable energy of Britons could have surmounted
the ruinous prospects and destruction of property which has
been annually going on, and which will progress in an
accelerated ratio unless the islands be permitted to renew
their commercial intercourse with Europe and America,
totally unfettered by any legal restrictions from the mother
country. Give, I repeat, the British West Indies that unli-
mited mercantile freedom, for which their geographical posi-
tion, fertile soil, and fine harbours so eminently quaUfy them,
and neither the mother country, nor the colonies, have any
thing to fear for the future ; — Deny it them much longer and
it were far better that the surrounding ocean overwhelmed
and sunk them in its fathomless abyss, rather than that they
should continue to drag on an anxious and paralyzed exist-
ence fraught with misery and ruin to all engaged in those once
prosperous but still highly import4int and beautiful Isles of
the West.

island of St. Thomas, by making^ it a Free Port, and the necessity of
making Tortola and Dominica (at least) also free ports ; not with the
present mockery of privileges, clogged and rendered in fact inutile by
all the forms and ceremonies of Official Authorities, Custom Houses, &c.
our, so called West India free ports, have been a subject of merriment for
the Americans, of ridicule for the French, satisfaction for the Danes, and
of wonder to all the European powers. Let our free ports in the West
Indies be in reality as free as the air that blows around them, and white
settlers, with small capitals, will be attracted, who will soon find the
channels of a beneficial intercourse with continental Europe and America,
and with the valuable islands of Porto Rico, St. Domingo, and Cuba.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

*57

APPENDIX

TO THE

SECOND VOLUME

OF THE

HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLONIES.
[OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.]

Total Amount of the Trade between the United Kinodo&i and the
British Webt India Colonies since 1814.

OrnCIAL VALUE.

Declared
Value of Bri-
tish and Irish

Produce

EXPORTS TO THE BRITISH W. INDIES.

Imports

British and ]

F'orei^ and

and Manufitc-

from the

[rishProduce

Colonial

total

tures Export-

British W.

and Manu-

Merchan-

ed to the Bri-

Indies.

factures.

dize.

exports.

tish W.Indies.

1814

9,022^09

6,282,226

339,912

6,622,138

7,019,938

1815

8,903,260

6,742,451

453,630

7,196,081

7,218,057

1816

7,847.895

4,584,509

268,719

4,853,228

4,537,056

1817

8,326,926

6.632,708

382,883

7,015,591

5,890,199

1818

8,608,790

5,717,216

272,491

5,989,707

6,021,627

1819

8,188,539

4,395,215

297,199

4,692,414

4,841,253

1820

8,363,706

4,246,783

314,567

4,561,350

4,197,761

1821

8,367,477

4,940,609

370,738

5,311,347

4,320,581

1822

8,019,765

4,127,052

243,126

4,370,178

3,439,818

1823

8,425,276

4,621 589

285,247

4,906,836

3,676,780

1824

9,065,546

4,843*556

324,375

5,167,931

3,827,489

1825

7,932,829

4,702,249

295,021

4,997,270

3,866,834

1826

. 8,420,454

3,792,453

255,241

4,047,694

3,199,265

1827

8,380,833

4,685,789

331,586

5,017,375

3,683,222

1828

9,496,950

4,134,744

326,298

4,461,042

3,289,704

1829

9,087,923

5,162,197

359,059

5,521,256

3,612,085

1830

8,599,100

3,749,799

290,878

4,040,677

2,838^448

1831*

18321

1833

* I leave several blank years to be filled in according as returns are made
up by government, for future reference to a standard work like the
' liiitory of the Brituh Colonies,' there will be thus more facility in noting
down from year to year the data as they appear before Parliament.

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

438

APPENDIX B.

An Account of the Imports, Exports, and Home Consumption of Sugar,
inclusive, with the Annual Average Prices and Rates of Duty for

Yean.

IMPORTS.

Plantation.

MsiudUiis.

East Jndbi.

Imports.

laia

1S20
1933
tfi34

lead

182B
l&3ff

tesa

1834

3,S50p317
3,g/^,3aa
3.775-^79
3»£ia7,l5l
3,7S9,4S8
3^906,1^7

3,77^.523

3,51)],^]
4»OD3*4S0
3,M0,pie
4,313.430
4,1&MIA

4,t&S,J4t}

Contidered

&j EiuC Iddin

"Sugar In these

Yc*rg.

P3J23
18fi»-i*

3a],3XS

4SfiJ1i)

49,840

103.^39
135,693

ifii^&gs

2a&,&27
37?»ti9

S7J,«4d

]A0,347

]7s,e44

S9V(J9
S37,4lfl

CwU.

5il,4fl

i9i*7aQ

ieA>0ia

198,033

I97*l>37
113,^4

»i*,7*tt

lOa,^
0S,»69
iTHiPl*

S23»VF57

&07p547

4iis;7M

4J34.3SS

3,911, ir^l
4,d;5,&d«

4J98,5IS
4,!M9,67fi

4,3;s,i60
3,774 itatt
4,a»i,7«fl

4.412»MI
3,0Qt,t9S
4,4ig,D^
4,Ul>,il8

4>i5l!,!N»9
4,9lAw0ft«

REVENUE COLLECTED UPON" SUGAR.

(iAoa» niccKirT or dlttiih^

BrftJsh

PlniiN-

IJQn,

Mauri'
tl^d.

East
India,

FjuTip" riitit^tiufi, On-

cliiLijhj Sitter Qf TiIfcMl-

itliuJEtdl Fof llaiit^ Tim'
■uiii[illi:»nT uniUft Ait

Total of

GTfISS

to lunrlgtt PnrUiWitl

Net
Produce

of
Dntla.

iei9

1816

1817
liis

K91{|

182D
1831
1833;
I&34

4,740,7S1

4t93],C^4

4,a]3,sai

4,9S4,87S
A,38S,0a6

4,01 r,730

5,135,400

ie94s,jta7.n3

l8a5L,§St,535

IBSfl 5,473,548

1837 5,0.-^9,208

1838 5,415,715

1\
' 2J»S&9
73»SM

: = <

,fi]3
.lU

J93,CI4

1829
1830
IB31

ins

5,310,358

5,a3S,p6e

4,030,«93

ra.4J8

;4.33ri
^(J,7b:i
iSpSa;

10e,SQ5 19^,332

50,3511,405,037
130,005 ]71,4U£

rj0,44*^ iKiUOi*

.Ji4,75? 233.0l>a
158,307 |i!30J95
W,S55;]8Q,0t»ir

as 3,329

05,570
7tt,3<9

8,034
%MU

934

],Olt

i.cr;5

1,117
750
910

80,95 1
a.fi58
8.745

47,9*4

104,358

4 ,9^^484

4,fl^,35»

5,oe5,3|^

et«25|t91
4,365,8t3

5,I77*»IG

5,446,0115
5,575,643
4,tt4i7pl82
5p32fi,943

4,050,151

5,689,110
5,491,670

5,g^,870
a.89fi,757
0,oG3,3af
5,77fl|4l4

1,430,036
1,453,103
l,5gi,3«5

i,ei i,;o6

1,181,273

i.iti,iia >

1 ,^e6,tf?5

^a6,7Hit

919*539

&4r,97a

77tf,4flfl

738,1311

841,0;^

931,57*

1,000,315

I,3g5,98t» f

4?.

s.;i!7.5Ji

11,454,333

3,012,103

4,433,9^
2,7*1.107

3,P05,S43

3,inj,387
4,186,958
4,060,441 I
4,4(I17,41»
4,541,004

4,170.655

4,1»50,W8
4.050,193
S,OOa,392f
4,^)96,343

4,707,3*3
4,65<U|fr

APPENDIX B.

459

and of the Revenue collected thereon, in each Year from 1814 to 1831
the same period ; stated for the United Kingdom.

EXPORTS.

RAW SirOAR.

British

Plante-

tlon.

Cwtii.

480,817

888.7«l
934,996
US,A71

9e,Ais

ft8,918

77.057

9,851

io,te7

11,831
8,880
11.589
101,897
40,981
60,080
l«b407
1S,8M
10,800

Mm.
ritios.

CwtB.

81.008
40,634
46,480
"7.986
68,381
48,388
11,174

Bast
India.

Fo-
reign
Pltnta.
tion.

Cwts.

41,063

67,666
101,681
96,818
109.968
87,687
186,068
144,838
98,877
104,796
146,368
86,686
46,669
64,079
42,646
66,174
83,413
111,108

Cwts.

460,990

311,378
190,190
132.937
108,687
102,710
138,298
186,314
137.707
176.717

818,980
173,076
106,801
103,965
160,329
172.950
166,310
887,644

Total
of Raw
Sagar.

CwU.

931,890

764,804
586,767
370,726

317,161
849,210
400,423
340,497
246,641
292.744
S69.I74
248,882
300,801
266,455
371,446
297.9I8
311,461
420,720

BRITISH

Reflned Sugar,

(reduced to its

eqalvaleDt

Quantity of

Raw Sugar.)

Cwts.

897.847

994,026

968,314

1,141,724

1,167.082

847,798

1,098,616

1,022,731

661,206

677,593

640,004

049,782

686,179

695,402

77^624

808,430

1,082,886

989,iio

Total

Export

of Sagar,

Raw

and
Refined.

Consumption.

Quantity retained

for Actual Conaumption

in the

United Kingdom.

Cwts.

1,829,237

1,768,829

1,480,081

1,512,460

1,474,283

1,097,008

1.499.039

1,363,228

807,847

970,387

1,009,298

792,004

886,473

900,867

1,148,070

1,106,347

1,344,347

1,409,840

perCwt

78«.4#.

6i«. lOrf.

48f . 7'-

49f. 8A
60t.

4U. 44.

S6«.9<l.
39a. 9d.
8U.

82f. nd.
8I«. 6d.

S8f.6cl.
S0t.7A

ZU,8d,
98s. 7«t.
lis. lid.

isf. ai

Cwts.
2,394,061

including Sugar u
in DiotiUcries.

9,211,290
9,5294)31
3,298,941

1,796,896

1,820,900
9,901,864
8,066,882
9,989.057
8,228,991
3,367,424
8,079.848
3,673,990
8,340,927
8,601,419
3,689,881
8,722,044
3,797,391

RATES OF DUTT.

British

Plantation,.

(Brown or

Mascorado.)

perCwt.
M, 8. d,

I to —

1 10 —

(To6 8«Dt.A.10. 1
iVnmifktiU £1.7. /

1 7 -

I 10 —
rTotM«r,41.10. )
SBU7toiSep.jeiA>
tFronfiOcpCiOLr. 3

1 7 —

i I-

I 7 —

r- {

1 7 —

1 7 -

I 7 -
/Tb6July,iffi.7.\
I From do. jtfl.4./

14 —

Manritioo.

t S. L Sagar.

•{

To B Jnljr chawed u
E I. Snfti bomb
Jttlf ctamd M Su-
nr of f hcBricPlant
Charaad m Swpur of
the British PImUO.

EastlBd^

perCw^.

TolONA#ra,j8l. is.
ft U. t' cent, at tbIot.
U)&Tf;M6M«fi8l.lO.
i Mar to 6 Sepi MAI.

Front Sept. J8140.
To 6 Mar, iOl.lO.
Fro8iSna7,iSI.I7.
To S Mar, iCLlO.

tMaftoiSopt.^.

FioB5 8epl.«1.17.

1 17 —

2 — —

To 6 Maf , 481.

6Ma7t06SlflpC.1ei.l8.
Fkon6 8«pi.«|.I7.
1 17 —
1 17 -
1 17 —
1 17 i-
1 17 -^

1 17 —

17
17
17

T06 Joly, jei.17.
From do. iff 1.1 2.
1 19 —

oreign
Plantatioo,
(Brown or
Muscovado.)

perCwt.
iff. 8. d,

3 3 —

8 8 —

\ToS8epC.£8J.
, Ftoa 6 Sept. £3.

8 — —
8 8 —

}To5MB7.ieS 8.
6Ma7toi8cp.£8.I.
FVoia&S«pt.4B8.
8 — —
3 — —
8 — —
8 — —
8 — —

8 — —

8 3 —

'88 —
3 3 —
3 3 —

I 3 8 — ,

■' Digitized by '

N. B. Foreign Su-
gar was, daring tho

rioda,

entr7fbr Ibe. .__

of being rrfloed, on

pa7ment of the fol-

Itiwing Kataa of

011171

Fkoai 1 luno, 1827,

£1.9. per evt.
FroB»Jnl7,18tt^

to 6 Jal7,18W I
If net of gttater rm-
lam than th« avo>
rage priee of Sugar
oHha British Plan-
tation* in Amcrlea.
^.r.parnrt.
And farther la re-
■pect of aTar7 shil-
ling b7 whieh It
might exceed each
avoragfe prIee, M.
Froni«JQl7,USI0,to

t JnW, 1831 1

If not of^gnater ra-

Ina than the are-

rage price of bngar

ofthe British Plan.

tackmslnAaeriiett,

£1A. per cwt.

And fnrthrr In m-

8p6etofeTer7shU-

^ Ung b7 whbh It

f . might cseeed sMh

^ - aTcraga price. On.

AGO

.APPENDIX C

o a

fe ^ 'C

I ll

Ji Z ^

»i« o S

§^ s

0^ CO

.^ . =3

S 5 -

•a * ^

O O 4>

.2 ns

^ 2

1-^ ^

bfi

§
e

^1 g ^

CO ***

.2 '^ "^

5 "S «

.S es ^

i §-

;2 ^ bO

«2 -g -c

^ g ^

V a

1
I

a fe

fiiii

Hill

£'

lilil

liill

mil

ill!

0 e 9 e e
SSg52

a«

|li

l!S«

m^^

Br-

im'

*i.S

im'

iw^

III!

iiiii

IIIII

II!

•^•^ -*

nil

[III

ill!

ill

e S S S

III

il«

11==

Ipf

IfF

IP«

liP«

lilll

JSSSS

Illii

III

n«»

3cm

Digitized by LjOOQIG

8 a

•si

bo
§.9

t ^

T3 'a

S •£!
O **

^ (S

a •»

« I

•a ••

o «

O ►.

s ?
a

■2-
€§

s
o

^34903 ctofla

4j d

.•>f

«; ^ S ri

Jill l^l;ii;£

■ la *5^ tfi — _ fh F^ T. ^. ^. ^ ^ '^

^3"5'^"sif ' -^ •»■ - -f

2Hi='5 ;' mii s

^ ^ « (n 1^ ;S tn M f^ ^ e? a •&

4fi ri w — -i ^ — ^ ^

iSkHO^n» en Qcs-P-ia e

ifl ?i -» to C I ^ t^S — — * «

^ 5 - ri fl ef o( e *_ -_ e> ?i^ io_

J *^ « a S 30^ vS iS ?<^ o 0 ffi ^

^ 5s « i » K 5e « IS !*3 *^ 'P*^ *_

ss-Bsa 5 gala's a

_..-,, — — a « ^ ffi"^ ^

4 iCio w n

1^ oa gtaaff

» a ■▼_ * ^

§11S§

ei'io I'C *^ pj*

s
s

<»' a ~ ?• r;.

* ■* i^ T ^

= S£3S

DiJSized

'* « X -B T « X «

462

AFFEMDIX E.

II
It

1-1

Ji
II

II
J|

O V

i
I

&§ISii»

3§

•5 -r_r_r«?_? "_r_

isseggiggsssssi

I
1

^32225 22Sff22

* Jl3« • •

•^o o ** . . .

«Sm ' '•• * -

•J- * '- * o

Him tmm

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX F.

468

SPICES.

An Account of the Quantities of the undermentioned Spicea Imported
into and Exported from the United Kingdom, and Cleared for Con-
sumption, together with the Rates of Duty, and the Net Amount of
Revenue in each Year, commencing 5th January, since 1820.

NUTMEGS.

Years.

Quantities.

Rates of Duty.

Net

Imported.

Exported.

aearedfor
Consumption.

BiltbhPoe.
setiions.

pjriG...

Revenue.

Per lb.

lbs.

lbs

lbs.

s. d.

t, d.

1820

91,192

114,277

90,771

2 6

3 6

11,212

1821

35.086

111,793

94,589

11,721

1822

45,568

65,863

112,096

14.000

1823

14,958

■ 99,071

117.768

14,723

1824

83,438

101,185

129,702

16,177

1826

183,470

35,588

99,214

12,406

1826

338,702

79,679

101,117

12.624

1827

74,854

35,389

125,529

16,707

1828

58,685

32,618

140,002

17,514

1829

38,868

47,913

113,273

14.114

1830

247,912

163,045

121,260

16,158

1831

210,363

88,362

152,369

19,025

1833

IMENTO.*

1820

1,226,235

1,169,951

250,630

0 10

1 3

10,341

1821

2,636,666

2,808,453

260,689

10,463

1822

1,605,590

1,340,141

294,395

12,273

1823

2,394,793

1.743,887

293,223

12,218

1824

2,499,250

2,135,666

298,412

12,418

1825

1,594,080

1,364,086

303,066

0 5

7,602

1826

1,564,469

1,428,739

330,473

6.884

1827

2,235,350

2,005,252

319,667

. 6,619

1828

2,269,645

1,677,922

310,182

6,469

1829

3,599,268

2,732,493

339,013

7,064

1830

3,528,104

2,262,951

348,525

7,249

1831

1,810,616

1,815,537

304,400

6,376

1832

1833

* The duly on this staple of Jamaica produce ought to be entirely re-
mitted,— it produces little to the revenue, while freedom from impost
would in this, as in all other instances, be a great stimulus to industry and
commerce.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

464

APPENDIX F.

CASSIA UGNEA.

Years.

Quantities

Rates of Duty.

Net

Imported.

Exported.

Cleared for
Consumptloii.

Britteh

Rerenne.

lbs.

Per lb.

lbs.

». d

«. d.

1820

175,477

212,566

32,064

2 6

4,008

1821

308,960

338,910

31,721

—

■ —

3,964

1822

272,868

375,722

33,581

. ...

—

4,195

1823

277.066

260,568

32,622

...

—

4.062

1824

639,188

559,651

42,797

..1..

5,056

1825

528,991

278,063

49,046

1 9

1 0

3,116

•1826

533,948

347,784

43,182

...

2,159

1827

415,702

427,695

42,984

.- .

—

2.123

1828

549,535

356,320

55,787

-—

—

2,769

1829

817.968

795,242

62,252

0 6

2.101

1830

837,589

797,642

65,705

—

1.624

1831

398,420

718,772

61,162

—

1,526

1832

1833

CLOVES.

1820

8,428

143,776

36,554

2 0

3 0

3,667

1821

32,517

21,014

32,933

—

3,286

1822

106,946

42,381

49,765

—

6.027

1823

200,141

77.131

57,780

...

5,748

1824

387,412

186,191

60,323 '

—

6,035

1825

92,153

8,586

45,261

—

4.543

1826

280,350

75,247

52,701

—

...

5.279

1827

253,009

27,812

85,990

8,602

1828

484,368

152,687

61,216

—

.i—

6.149

1829

36,071

57,904

48,638

— .

4,876

1830

158,006

39,576

60,111

...

6,061

1831

128,223

81,912

83,885

—

...

8,374

1832

1833

CINNAMON.

1820

334,113

306,702

10,618

2 6

3 6

J'S!

1821

417,635

298,538

12,002

...

1,504

1822

121,630

304,441

14,507

—

-.-

^•2H

1823

900,799

418,356

14,225

«»

1,767

1824

381,056

584,924

13,767

..^

1.724

1825

425,643

400,425

14,098

1.766

1826

156,485

344,404

14,165

«_

1.783

1827

1^67,444

369,692

14,351

...

1,808

1828

337,483

354,536

15,696

1,774

1829

544,225

386,108

29,720

1 0

0 6

1,943

1830

464,175

535,223

dU.

709

1831
1832
1833

225,869

504,643

23,172

—

584

•

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX F.

465

GINGER.

Years.

Quantities.

Rates of Duty.

Net

Imported.

Exported.

Cleftred for
Consnmptioii.

BrltiLihPoe.
•eulons.

PoSSSS.

Revenue.

Per Cwt.

Cwts.

£ s, d.

£ s. d.

1820

24,848

15.281

4,869

1 3 0

2 13 0

5,544

1821

15,253

15,036

4,172

4,635

1822

5,111

3,028

5,930

6,829

1823

5,809

767

6,079

6,982

1824

5,128

344

7,002

8,074

1825

10,875

300

9,516

0 11 6

6,310

1826

20.417

2.815

13,405

7,626

1827

12,253

6,504

12,383

7,121

1828

14,600

6,930

7,374

4,335

1829

11,007

11,209

5,947

3,403

1830

5,491

4,575

6,284

3.660

1831
1832
1833

5,315

6,092

4,816

2,800

MACE.

lbs.

Per lb.

1820

7,266

48,857

12,193

i. d.

#. d.

2,174

1821

13,893

41,722

11,672

3 6

4 6

1,805

1822

16,837

37,458

13,498

2,361

1R23

4,773

35,201

13,319

2,485

1824

28,739

32,871

16,879

2,967

1825

72,364

16,065

14,852

2,602

1826

118,975

51,079

15,600

2,720

1827

23J33

3U738

16,760

2,963

1828

42,134

37,783

16,094

2,829

1829

6,841

20,106

14,254

2,549

1830

15,789

14,596

12,600

2,205

1831
1832
1833

41,287

63,795

18,894

3,266

PEPPER.

1820

789,300

3,985,353

1,404,021

2 6

174,063

1821

852,038

1,630,968

1,256,532

156,206

1822

7.244,778

4,451,396

1,446,400

179,586

1823

6,137,993

5,241,141

1,368,983

170,627

1824

8,818,697

2,926,857

1,447,030

180,816

1825

5,438,428

3,330,968

850,087

106,222^

1826

14,091,799

5,329,525

2,529,027

1 0

l«.2(/;l«.6d

126,617

1827

9,083,605

4,092,386

1,949,931

97,496

1828

4,987,630

4,226,031

1,927,718

96,468

1829

2,015,184

2,962,063

1,933,641

96,726

1830

2,816,598

1,488,238

2,009,154

100,492^

1831
1832
1833

6,273,480

6JB44,616

2,050,082

10%639

YOL. H,

H H

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

406

APPEKDIX P.

An Account of the Imports, ExportHy and Home Consamption of Ram, and of the
Revenue collected thereon in each Year, from 1814 to 1 831 inclusire, with the
Rates of Duty for the same period ; stated for the United Kingdom.

Years.

Quantity
Imported

Quantity
Exported

Quantity entered

for Home

Consumption.

Net Pro-
duce of
Duties.

Rates of Duty,

British Plantation

Rum.

Imp. Gal.

Imp. Proof Gal.

Per Imperial Gidlon.
s. d.

1814

7240537

3271206

3703835

2513578

13 la

1815

5736372

2975538

3365785

2240472

1816

3258598

2325935

2428950

1636386

■ —

1817

5332737

2640062

2408311

1619425

1818

4580420

2633891

2631583

1775714

1819

5341494

1994974

2564883

1730446

13 \\k

1820

5878415

3108553

2489120

1684425

1821

5945738

26296.0

2324315

1576377

1822

3544929

1542133

2246839

1516645

1823

4069473

1550192

2349660

1S90666

1824

4015554

1630919

2551646

1600827

12 74

1825

3286181

1241793

2095687

1278313

1826

4010755

1187725

4305316

1817108

8 6

1827

4828954

1380517

3288606

1386726

1828

5297013

1598674

3277653

1382024

1829

5708558

1424512

3375866

1434782

1830

5569739

1344447

3658958

1600331

J to 15 June 8 6
t from 15 June 9 0

1831

6474769

2012405

3624597

1629881

9 0

183S

1833

An Account of the Imports, Exports, and Home Consumption of Molasses, and of
the Revenue collected thereon, in each Year from 1814 to 1831 laclosive, with
the Rates of Duty for the same period ; stated for the United Kingdom.

Years.

Quantity
Imported

Quantity
Exported

Quantity entered

for Home

Consumption.

Net Pro-
duce of
Duties.

Rates of Duty,

(BritUh PUntaUon

Molasses.)

cwts<

cwts«

cwts.

Per cwL
s. d

1814

141227

2469SI

58829

21279

1815

119.-^81

34674

6(i407

24740

1816

1647

37876

50247

18465

7 6*

1817

7921

5599

19464

7328

7 6i

1818

31832

389

32618

12248

7 6*

1819

54919

2234

51187

21106

10 0 (from 5 July.)

1820

39990

6314

27895

13908

10 0

1821

58185

1795

57527

28549

10 0

1822

76298

749

78461

39278

10 0

1823

189968

868

161351

80622

10 0

1824

239088

1750

239540

119739

10 0

1825

355592

883

3i2453

166254

10 0

1826

290504

5488

279748

139958

10 0

1827

392444

928

412665

206331

10 0

1828

510708

441

381761

190852

10 0

1829

394432

2312

386143

193072

10 0

1830

250648

4824

.337587

159683

9 0 (from 5 JulyJ

1831

332875

6.'>5

348631

156883

9 0

1832
1833

r^ T _

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX G.

467

AN ACCOUNT of the Declared Value of the following Articles of
British and Irish Producb and Manufacture^ Exported from the
United Kingdom to the British West Indies, in each Year, from 1814 to
1830, inclusive ,• viz. Cottons, Linens, Woollens, Hardwares, Machinery
and Manufactures of Metal, Grain, Provbions» Fish, Sec, i Clothing and
Lumber.*

Declared Value of the undermentioned Articles, Exported from
the United Kingdom to the British West Indies.

o
o

s
m

5
I

nUdWUCAy

Macblnery

and

Manurac-

tnredMe-

tahin

General.

Grain,
ProTla.

ciotblng
of all
Sorta

madeniK

Lnmber;

viz.
Hoops,
Staves

and
Headittfi.

Total
ofibe

Artlclea.

1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1125
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
IB31
1832
1»33

2228970

2609232

1206457

2147042

1899165

1086945

1078931

1320063

872596

1036674

1108386

1209360

781412

942846

730850

1060475

646466

929707
968586
675517
698272
696964
623736
662924
676897
669392
562163
662427
627714
401198
479152
412734
385303
325623

£
301966
307712
177533
278014
284450
260461
172698
177471
177673
167022
151572
139122
106615
137001
126262
119792
99888

£
511014
614289
507333
628763
692778
682620
414976
367818
308713
316367
324797
348998
363077
340740
396238
444139
361460

£
1153864
826007
633684
770104
867894
775912
698567
564962
444464
446555
497174
501296
447401
47382ft
417808'
445057
394610

£ '

472737
486134
355106
396881
496610
422861
376041
365392
334814
370166
344149
34811Q
319264
340676
330726
327063
279662

£
184152
96788
70314
67295
76784
81508
77838
69950
48801
62906
61946
60542
64775
69276
77180
60479
58727

£
5782410
5907748
,3525944
4786371
4814645
3724042
3281874
3422553
2746453
2941853
3040461
3135132
2482632
2783519
2490798
2832308
2166426

* This table shows how much our erroneous coramercilal policy has
fliminished the power of our colonies to purchase British manufactures t
by our past system we have not enriched ourselves, while we h&ve made
others poor indeed;

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

468

APPENDIX H.

AVERAGE PRICES OF SUGARS.

Yctf.

Avenge
Price

Weight of
Cade.*

Daty.

OroM.

Charges Inclad.
IngDDty.

Prollte.

Cwt.

8. d.

£.

1791

12 4

1792

• • • •

1793

• •

• • • •

1794

• •

15 0

1795

• •

» • • •

1796

• • • •

1797

• •

17 6

1798

• •

19 4

1799

• .

20 0

1800

• •

• • • •

1801

• •

• • • •

1802

• •

• • • •

1803

• •

24 0

1804

• •

26 6

1805

• •

27 0

1806

, ,

1807

• •

> •

, ,

• • • •

1808

• -• i

» •

• •

• • • •

1809

i«j

1810

27***0

1811

• •

1812

1813

• •

1814

• •

1815

14J

1816

• •

1817

• •

1818

• •

1819

• •

1820

• •

1821

• •

1822

• •

1823

• •

1824

• •

1825

• •

1826

• •

■ •

• •

• • • •

1827

• •

• • • •

1828

• •

, ,

• • • •

1829

• •

27 *0

1830

1831

1832

1833

1834

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX I.

469

Return of the Shipping, Foreign and British, employed in the Trade with
the British West India Isbnds, from 1820 to 1830, both inclusire, dis-
tinguishing each Year.

UNITED KINGDOM.

Years.

Ships.

Tonnage.

Ships.

Tonnage.

1820

857

240,510

831

233,486

18«1

884

245,321

891

246,180

1822

839

232,426

743

208,099

1823

861

233,790

842

232,717

1624

899

244,971

848

233,097

1825

872

232,357

801

219,431

1826

891

243,448

907

251,852

1827

872

243,721

906

248,598

1828

1,013

272,800

1,022

270,496

1829

958

263,338

918

252,992

1830

911

253,872

868

240.664

1831

1832

1833

• Note to page AGd.

Rates of Tares allowed on West India Sugar imported into Great
Britain.
From Jamaica, Grenada, Tobago, St. Vincent, and St. Kitt's.

Gwt. qrs.

Hogsheads, from 8 to 12 cwt. ...10

From 12 to 15 - - - 1 1

From 16 to 17 ...12

From 17 and upwards -.-12

From Dominica, Antigua, Neris, Montserrat, and Trinidad.

Hogsheads, from 8 to 12 cwt. ... 1 0

From 12 to 16 . • . 1 1

From 16 to 17 .... 1 1

From 17 and upwards - - i 2

lbs.

7
12

0
14

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

470

APPENDIX K.
Jamaica.^ — Ships Inwards.

1822
1823
1824

Great
Britain.

British United
Colonies. States.

No.
271
322
258

Tons, iNo.
79,925179
97.597,136
79,219,143
84,740105

1825274

1826

1827

182830093,087145

1829 24075,541 165

1830'263 68,700 172

1831

1832

1833

1834

Tons.

24,007

16,349

16,

12,557

Foreign
States.

No.

33
266

Tons. No.

4,583354

30,867277

18326336,785248

17924,866218

23,043
22,974
25,491

Tons,

24,233

18,375

17,385

15,874

248
1269
280

Total.

No. I
837,

1,001
912
776

21,056 693
25,(587 674
25,530 715

Tons
13-2,748
163,188
149,572
138,037

137,186
124,202
120,721

Men.
8,678
10,087
9,050
8,404

8,177
7>18

Outwards.

Great
Britain.

No.
1822,310
1823,274

1824 301

1825 253
1826

1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834

277
287
290

Tons.
96,193

86,825
92,779
78,588

British
Colonies.

No.
151
131
141
117

Tons.
22,241
15.038

86,532
87,729
87,480

138
145
154

United
States.

No.

219

Foreign
States.

Tons. No. Tons.
3,986 373,29,190
25,548'309 23,942

1 5,052,260 35,635 1238 1 1 7,645

13,260

19,969
18,205
21,766

162

22,182

232

17,614

Total.

.6109

No. Tons.
875 15 1, (
933|15l,353
940161,11
764 131,644

285
256
255

28,610
24,454
21,501

Men.

,408

9,369

1 9>563

7,899

700135,101
688 130,388
699 130,747

8,010
6,993

* Our statistical returns from Jamaica, as observed under the head of
population in the Jamaica chapter, are extremely deficient. I give the
above mutilated table, as I do many others in this work, in order to pro-
mote greater attention to the subject in future 3 it is only by means of
accurate and full returns that legislation can be wisely performed, more
especially in reference to commerce, tvhere so much depends on just
analytical comparisons.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENEIX L,

471

Abstract of the latest Returns received from each of His Majesty's Slave
Colonies of the Slave Population, distini^uishing the Sexes.

Males.

Fe-
males.

Total.

Date to which

the Returns

have been

made up.

When received
in the

Jamaica ...

158254

164167

322421

28 June, 1829

18 Dec. 1S30.

Barbadoes

37691

44211

81902

For 1829.

18 Mar. 1830.

Dcmerara

37141

32326

69467

31 May, 1829.

Ditto 1830.

Berbice ...

11284

10035

21319

1 Jan. 1828.

15 Dec. 1828.

Antigua ...

14066

15773

29839

For 1828.

13 April, 1829.

Montserrat -

2867

3395

6262

Ditto 1828.

8 June, 1829.

Bahamas

4606

4660

9268

1 Jan. 182d.

8 Nov. 1830.

Dominica

7362

8030

15392

For 1826.

15 Dec. 1828.

Grenada*

11711

12434

24145

31 Dec. 1829.

18 Feb. 1831.

St. Christopher

9198

10112

19310

1 Jan. 1828.

23 Sept. 1829.

Nevis - . .

4574

4685

9259

For 1828.

21 Nov. 1828.

Virgin Islands -

2510

2889

5399

Ditto 1828.

21 July, 1830.

St. Lucia

6280

7381

13661

Ditto 1828.

10 Dec. 1829.

St. Vincent -

11583

12006

23589

31 Dec. 1827.

6 June, 1829.

Tobago.. . -

5872

6684

12556

1 Jan. 1830.

11 Dec. 1830.

Trinidad - .

13141

10865

24006

31 Jan. 1828.

Ditto 1830.

Total West Indies -

338142

349653

687795

Bermuda

2208

2400

4608

For 1827.

24 Nov. 1827.

Mauritius

47657

29117

76774

Ditto 1826.

18 Feb. 1829.

Cape of Good Hope

21210

14299

35509

Ditto 1825.

I Oct. 1825.

Totol . .

409217

395-169

804686

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

4TS

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.--In Value Bterling.

From
Great

British Colonies.

Year.

West

North

Else- X

United

Foreif^n

Total.

Britain.

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

18S2

544210

43963

48877

10284

21621

24224

693180

1823

608815

56051

109020

23714

166741 36318

998659

1824

389426

39225

73242

17168

203710 65372

788143

1826

353246

81950

89787

5542

143181' 54846

728552

1826

381127

197075

84443

6804

313327' 16453

999231

1827

219971

30528

69332

2675

5643' 48717

376866

1830

203417

I 71869

369120

1831

1832

1833

EXPORTS.— In Value steriing

British Colonies.

Year.

To
Great

West

North

Else-

United

TotaL

Britain.

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

1822

447544

184914

1454

1372

12847

648131

1823

655480

348325 9516

24446

26477

1064244

1824

649832

137377, 5710

16891

36114

845924

1825

670109

1445 17| 10379

1829

32618

859452

1826

846646

423199 8802

11545

17696

13078b9

1827

422798

120951

2260

56342

1K)16

657423

1830

624734

1831

1832

1833

These official returns from each W. I. possession are given by the author,
at considerable expense, in order to leave nothing to make this volume the
most complete and ample work that has ever appeared on the British West
India Colonies. The years left blank are for the purpose of being filled

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

478

EXPORTS OF BARBADOES.
IMPORTS.— Ships Inwards.

Great
Britain.

Bridah
Colonies.

United States.

Foreign States

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

18000

209

17279

1000

4000

341

40279

2849

23982

283

20108

1)3

12629

3673

545

60242

4084

29338

197

12547

117

14963

3541

460

53299

3476

24072

217

13034

11016

5046

457

52168

3818

19542

288

19694

120

16713

2724

526

57673

3916

22021

236

18878

949

125| 8023

475

50776

3797

19406

289

23532

No.

170. T

ons 1

0,994.

536

53932

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great
Britun.

No,
38
74
61

Tons.
11620
19420
15594
19025

24824602

6015699

13042
19680

British
Colonies.

267
247
262
357
312
367

Tons.

22356
20085
21963
29260
26768
30S23

United States.

Foreign States

No.
13
66
87
68
91

Tons.
2200
7191

10936
8661

12754

No.
32
37
61
48
26
82
No. 103. Tons

Tons.
2600
2484
4181
3534
2019
5842
6,742

Total.

No.

Tons.

331

40922

444

51451

456

50907

452

53163

534

59752

440

45652

544

56345

Men.
2849
3380
3501
3676
3900
976

up from time to time, as returns arri?e from abroad. The most careless
observer cannot but be convinced of the value of oukr colonies, when
he sees the extensive trade which is carried on by the very smallest of
them.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

474

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND

IMPORTS.— Value sterling.

From

British Colonies.

Year.

Great

West

North

Else-

United

Foreiirn

Total.

Britain.

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

1822

43500

2400

49322

• •

19733

65009

179964

1823

50000

17568

20009

1143

51584

11897

152201

1824

50000

25779

21241

, ,

71530

8134

176784

1825

• •

20173

21702

11530

81916

3819

139140

1826

Returns not rccdred

• •

a •

1827

NotAMer. 28865

• •

46936

75801

1828

fined. 4igyj

• •

, ,

58789

10046O

1829

8104| 17485

• .

• •

62131

87720

1830

10895

12569

1000

1116

36737

62317

EXPORTS.- Value sterling.

Great

Britain.

British Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

Total."

1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830

154403
215950
304423
370730

108464
467124
278202
197859

7000

13697

19754

21241

27537
38397
28678
17981

16398
7313
7248

11443

18548
14491

648
1234
3552

933

2039
18787
28336
52216

9S3

11824
4993
4435

2895

16173

25772

22405

8774

£
191664
261388
365430
462077

152174
530293
348766
230068

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

475

EXPORTS OF ANTIGUA.
IMPORTS.— Ships Inwanls.

Great
Britain.

British
Colonies.

United States.

ForeignStates

Total

No.

Tons. No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No-

Tons.

Men.

6907,119

7117

2064

172

7853

339

23941

1908

9272,142

7400 70

6988

1321

292

24981

1777

10787117

7448

9252

1705

290

21192

1889

11190116

6423

9615

1077

268

28305

1824

I2043|l62

9790

• .

144

11656

348

33494

2607

5410124

6832

. •

281

9426

434

21668 . .

13661 ;i72

10534

• •

276

10116

517

34311 •..

11309,157

11101

281

10804

488

33214 2937

8381

|H8

9919

• •

164

6878

349

25208

2060

EXPORTS.— Ships OutTOrds.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No. Tons.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men*

6413

137

10627

1359

153

7288

326

24587

1883

7878

140

8515

6738

1257

280

24388

1668

11096

121

8031

9032

1510

285

29669

1780

9520

113

6985

9353

798

244

25656

1575

11230

240

11748

9713

379

32691

2614

4753

131

7644

271

9592

422

21989

10349

181

9657

235

9080

466

29086

9968

195

11918

259

11176

501

33062

2786

10576

157

9085

256

156

6373

361

26290

2084

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

476

APPENDIX H.

IMPORTS AND

IMPORTS— Value •terlin; .

From
Great
Britam.

British Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

TotaL

1822
1827
1830

7000

346

4998

3000
3385
9361

4500

995

1185

£
716

£
3000
2795
2237

£.

18915

7580

17781

EXFORTS.—Value steriing.

Great

Britain.

British Colonies.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

United Foreign
States. States.

Total.

1822
1827
1830

£
36000
29900
23835

400
1075
1650

1200

742

2565

4000
2950
1679

£
4120O
34667
29729

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

477

EXPORTS OF MONTSERRAT.

IMF0RTS.--Sliip8 Inwards.

Great

British

Britain.

Colonies.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

1254

972

1773

2223

1324

1921

852

3865

United
States.

No.
1

Tons
60

Foreign
States.

No
14
21
39
28

Tons.
631
1135
1237
1107

Total.

No.

Tons.

2807

5131

4482

110

5824

Men.
239
438
447
679

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

1162

1381

707

3260

274

1466

1680

1174

4319

377

1210

1161

875

3246

283

1237

4060

1279

119

6676

648

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

478

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.— Value sterling:.

Year.

From
Great

British Colonies.

Britun.

West

North

Else-

United

Foreign

Tnt*]

Indies.

America

where.

States.

1822

70500

1 1700 1900

58300

4700

25400

\7%bOO

1823

172666

7388] 1022

37625

31698

39522

251975

1824

204166

25676

1897

32615

25421

46958

339142

1825

202416

20374

3272

30335

21529

24952

302878

1826

204166

20120

2123

28583

47779

49301

352074

1827

120400

15638

16142

27587

12631

34986

231384

1828

132915

18898! 5050

97962

, ,

86875

338700

1829

36774

19236

3713

10531

26851

97150

1830

69480
23539

17144

3047

22674

1709

23797

137853

1831

29853

38169

91561

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colonies. |

Great
Britain.

Year.

West

North

Else-

United

Foreign

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

Sutes.

1822

40100' 18700

4700

13300 120800

217600

1823

265241 19977

2522

•• •

38494 130141

317659

1821

32083 6919

5541

510

27183 245169

317407

1825

30333 9960

4772

• •

25387

163393

233S45

1826

23333 5718

1597

• •

14193

88778

145305

1827

2832S 4319

18636

• .

2166

75944

129393

1828

24803 21329

7720

• •

ia383

51111

122472

1829

21222* 15153

3222

• •

22222

151.57

76977

1830

15488
12155

8859

2419

1375

13249

8768

50158

1831

0046

457

74658

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX U.

479

EXPORTS OF BAHAMAS.
IMPORTS.— Ships Inwarda.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

1616

1929

440

3062

122

7047

705

1«

2365

2!)

2558

308

41935

4014

424 50902

2133

2253

5460

193

19351

2428

304'29492

1715

2474

9986

5445

169

16351

335

34256

1657

1750

1186

2354

3071

141

8369

839

1647

2484

1001

3303

134

8435

713

1704

8554

227

34457

100

7674

429

52389

2516

1869

7799

3491

307

34787

450

47946

2645

2076
2033

107
174

7948
17827

3150

161

11429

308
466

24507
48765

1879

^281

Tons,

28905

EXPORTS

.—Ships

Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

.2299

4176

262

92660

5130

422

104265

2235

2470

3009

301

41677

3800

437

50956

2131

1698

5899

221

23361

2779

354

34941

1965

1816

3360

213

25932

2901

399

38569

1872

1940

3534

183

21498

3632

310

30604

1875

1740

3023

949

3640

127

9352

765

20S2

108

8821

234

35275

5951

444

52129

2531

1629

113

8630

246

33042

5677

455

48978

283a

1765
2054

105
92

7742
7178

10513

4681

293
499

24701
54264

1799

.395. '

rons.

45032

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

480

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.— Value sterlinj^.

From

British Colonies.

Year.

Great
Britain.

West

North

Else-

United

Foreign

Total

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

1822

352080

29736

28676

18687

11714

14676

465576

1823

406719

16174

95046

17293

44415

1382

580929

1824

468646

13381

98S34

• •

62283

20490

663634

1826

431155

21662

36516

• •

44964

16448

550747

1827

533819

24361

136683

• •

48599

743462

1828

505504

22781

147222

674

33624

709805

1829

586998

24560

139150

3179

50521

804408

1830

542107
436527

21628

125168

••

541

45084

734528

1831

35613

55694

527831

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

To
Great

British Colonies.

Year.

West

North

Else- United

Foreign

Total.

Britain. Indies.

America.

where. States.

States.

JL'

1
£ £

1822

1185267

12210

40414

3993

171351

1413235

1823

1234482

7094

34202

15387

91676

138284!

1824

1248563

11912

41472

.. 1 30286

87685

1414818

1826

1026732

34769

28013

17596

98257

1205369

1827

1684850! 50673

48107

• • . .

111991

1895621

1828

15445331 42693

38723

1682110712

3097

1641440

1829

1649318

41812

43255

6281 ..

143399

1884065

1830

1707605

51317

69667

101027! . .

6088

1835704

1831

1411539

90416

987

153614^

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

4«1

EXPORTS OF DEMERARA.
IMFORTS.~Sliips Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britidii.

Colonies.

Stetes.

States.

Total

No.

T0D8.

No. Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

M«n.

, ^

Returns' not received

155

44254

146

14081

6748

3493

S70 68576

3946

128

S7037

141

15017

10272

3236

365

655623650

145

42142

176

16280

8973

3044

412

70739

4078-

177

49964

250

28540

• •

7941

517

86445

179

51318

268

27037

• •

, .

6722

537

85077

5157

184

53356

299

30266

245

105

8938

589

92805

5540

169

50438
54080

319
323

31632
27498

••

• •

7170

567
601

89240
89760

5230

190

). 88. T

OD8 8

182.

EXPORTS.— Ships Out^vards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tom.

No.

Tons.

Men.

• •
167

• •
45844

• •
144

• •
12639

5406

• •
18

3476

368

67365

3667

155

43148

168

14338

7549

2972

395

68007

3952

145

41701

201

16789

6498

2537

405

675253708

196

55917

321

25925

• •

4446

542

86288 5065

196

55249

331

26504

• •

3572

541

85325 5094

212

57870

355

30388

• •

m •

4932

593

931905525

192

54858
52412

379
336

35872
27950

3697

595
563

94523
85967

5600

188

0. 39, T

ons5

605.

VOL II.

1 I

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

482

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND
IMPORTS.

Bntish Goloniei.

From

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year*

West

North

Else-

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

isas

6421S

15390

12906

1515

2862

5712

92598

1823

66773

9013

13813

121

1205

4837

95762

1824

61292

8642

10531

• •

10514

2618

93597

1826

84000

18500

9000

• •

5300

850

117650

1827

58285

34542

15377

• •

5665

113869

1826

71500

27000

25000

•

8000

131545

1829

77500
110450

26202

17707

2517

• •

7852

131778

1831

40811

9916

161177

EXPORTS.

' British Colonies.

To
Great

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

Total.

Britain.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

1822

257919

19110

4950

5932

931

82189

289031

1823

185910

33375

5439

385

49112

274221

1824

180256

15678

4037

5447

35552

240970

1826

152600

36700

9000

3000

26000

227300

1827

222428

31457

9771

• •

34489

298145

1828

239350

41800

15427

• •

23220

319797

1829

184736
235242

53875

14137

• •

30120

282868

1831

6508O

515

323837

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPKHDIX M.

483

EXPQIO'S OF M;R3ICE.

IMPORTS.— Ships Inward*.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tooe.

No.

Tom.

N4».

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

T<MIS.

Mes.

5300

162

8636

871

1684

204

15991

1089

6532

144

7381

220

1128

181

15261

1008

6816

133

6192

1972

1222

181

16204

1123

6303

158

7426

1114

270

190

15113

1057

8170

168

9475

• .

• •

1272

2J8

18917

1145

7105

189

11438

• •

1190

229

19733

1366

6863
8927

179
194

10894
10665

. •

• •

1404

221
242

19161
21208

1338

>. 14. T

ons 1

616.

EXPORTS,— Ships Outwards.

Great

British-

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies. '

States.

Total.

No.

'Tons.

No.-

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No. Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

6691

168

9075

421

17, 1806

219

17993

1191

5363

4448

113

15' 1467

126

11381

rro

7139

150

6931

1582

4 1122

193

16774

1196

5156

182

10553

645

4, 1004

17358

1245

7543

149

8595

. • • .

• . . •

3 758

183

16896

1124

6996

216

13279

. • . .

....

• 7 985

250

21260

1469

6230
7737

206
210

12168
11304

• • • . • . .^

8 1032

239
246

19430
20128

1375

fo. 6. T

ons 1087.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

484

APntNDIZ M.

IMPORTS AND
IMPORTS.

From

Great

Britain.

British Colonies.

United

States.

Foreiicn
States.

Year.

West

Indies.

North
America.

Else,
where.

Total.

1827
1828
1829
1830

£
34300
32175
30198
16316

56118

£
20900

8987
33863
20346

8192
9354

• •

■ •

• •

m •

• •

£
11100
32152
12927
12953

66300
81506
86343
49615

1831

16563

2154

81835

EXPORTS.

Oieat

Britain.

British Colonies.

United
States.

Fordgn
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Elw.
wbere.

TotJ.

1827
1828
1829
1830

109400
141075
115481
135572

104545

£
5800
3994
2149
8375

7848
6392

• «

• •

600
1604

931
S015

£
115800
1545«8
118561
14596S

1831

10364

5«

118761

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX* M.

485

EXPORTS OF DOMINICA.

IMPORTS.— sups Inwaids. ,

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

2153

3197

• •

.. 1 79

3588

148

8938

• •

3116

3794

• •

.. 107

4548

192

11458

1169

1988

4398

. •

.. 126

5214

215

11600

l«75

1632
3367

86
81

4448
4175

. .

.. ,131

5111

224
214

11191
11709

• •

No.

119.

Tons 4167.

• •

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britun.

Colonies.

States.

Stat4.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tom

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

2658

4472

• •

149S

144

86SS

• •

3892

4825

• •

«7T4

186

11491

119ft

3529

102

5229

• •

«41S

SOS

1180S

18S1

3599
3316

110
110

5578
5187

• «

• •

106

S260

SSI
SIS

IS487
11S56

• •

.89.

Tons

«r5s.

• •

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

466

APPENDIX M.

HtfPORTS AND

IMPORTS.— Value aterling.

Britbh Colonies.

To
Great

United

States.

Fordgn
States.

Year.

Total.

Britun.

Weet
Indies.

NorUi
America.

Else-
where.

1823

3404

23270

39302

29369

19261

104608

18^

766

39175

37893

27741

11021

116596

1825

11.682

46951

26834

55737

2481

143685

1826

6387

3963

18355

39412

4090

107874

1827

7920

^54943

, ,

20262

83116

1828

7522

18934

37166

, ,

22240

85863

1829

16088

26133

92341

, ,

29748

164313

1830

3076
8541

53342

'. •

••

16232

72652

1831

56668

13791

79000

EXPORTS.-'Value steriing.

British Colonies.

To
Great

United

States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

Total

Britain.

West

^forth

Else-

Indies.

America.

where.

- £

1823

380914

11698

80527

■ ■. • •

' 26080

6092

455318

1824

302715

7094

27050

15234

7220

359313

1825

266418

i3716

25090

19008

3805

337116

1826

238908

22975

21864

17846

2648

349241

1827

289744

50869

• •

7292

347906

1828

504930

12713

31506

, ,

'8537

557689

1829

310393

15802

25575

, ,

7656

359427

1830

214420
182410

45143

•

« •

3700

263264

1831

31291

218350

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

487

EXPORTS OF GRENADA.

IMPORTS.— Ships Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

13750

6935

5219

1214

187

27136

1609

8346

7043

4273

954

162

20616

1263

11812

5826

4572

522

170

22732

1443

9033

132

8555

5227

1133

230

23948

1717

11538

11525

16338

1796

11473

154
166
186
211

218

10214
11367
13240
13893

13556

100

5760
4426
6203

3868

287
286
342
310

308

27509
27318
35/81
26667

28883

2085

2$23

• • • •

No.

60. T

DOS 3

854.

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great
Britain.

British
Colonies.

United

States.

Foreii^n
States.

Total.

No.
41
37
37
39
33

Tons.
12457
11469
10798
11237
10514
13985
14120
11707

10116

No.

129

186

178

233

235

229

Tons.

6766

5225

5372

7957

12154

10383

15409

15313

13286

No.
41
31
31
28'

Tons.
4663
3350
3313
3511

No.
27
18
13
15
63
62
77
57

Tons.
1529
1095
659
609
3438
3700
6885
3624

No.
185
141
151
211
282
288
358
332

310

Tons.
25415
21139
20142
23314
26096
28068
35414
30671

27435

Men.
1561
1250
1293
2178

. • • •

2189

....

2634

No. 4

\S. T

oju 4

,003.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

48»

AITENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.— Value tterling.

British Colonies.

From

Great

Britain.

United

Sutes.

Foreiipi
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

Total.

1824

335335

8486

• •

19100

363988

1835

344131

18806

34877

1917

389871

1836

303883

54648

, ,

38893

36303

413737

18«7

371^9 131610

638

• •

30053

313503

1838

185939

16708

1894

• •

33999

333766

1839

309199

38154

3311

• •

4800

344464

18S0

193693

4015

• •

10180

36493

334379

1831

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colonies.

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West

North

Else-

TotaL

Indies.

America.

where.

1834

318533

4313

• •

50068

373836

1835

333053

3380

68883

819

395111

1836

383076

4734

• •

39578

33836

164

350370

1837

374394

8439

3150

• •

9148

394133

.1838

319798

10897

• •

•

70650

301356

1839

319663

7800

• •

37830

356383

1830

196193

3589

• •

16184

103186

S16I61

1831

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

4SS

EXPORTS OF HONDURAS.
IMPORTS.— Ships Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Ton

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

l«72l

519

9514

15787

866

«7

7005

1641

9193

9744

13513

806

19084

1908

3977

863

18839

1065

16400

1195

• •

1436

19041

1095

11889

849

• •

•

9956

14387

879

9588

4357

• •

801

14746

860

10035

497

9036

1350

13918

814

EXPORTS.—Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

Total.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

14039

576

9665

'86

17306

974

19813

387

9689

945

16197

907

19585

888

4464

449

18379

1009

16530

633

• •

1509

83 1 17665

1093

19995

361

• .

• •

9459

75 '14038

868

10803

599

• •

1975

55 [19700

689

11053

305

1194

3799

16351

798

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

490

APPBNDIZ M.

IMPORTS AND

IBIFORTS—Valne steriing.

•

British Colonies.

From
Great
Britain.

United
States.

Fon%n
States.

Year.

West

North

Else.

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

1884

• •

5388

3647

• •

10304

8788

88061

1886

66984

3706

1443

• •

81700

3604

94737

1888

8608

30071

7490 . . 1

• •

40395

80559

1889

1901

17389

4876

■ •

35418

59580

£XFORTS.--Yalae sterling.

British Colonies.

To
Great

fTnifA^ i?^.^:^«

Year.

St&tftfi

StAtAfl

TotaL

Britun.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Ebe.
where.

1884

148683

3473

8891

• •

9375

4168

161984

1885

108648

3838

1888

• •

5850

4748

117706

1888

118108

8383

8674

• •

« •

5173

188878

1889

187568

11108

7868

• •

3681

149560

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPBMOIX M.

491

EXPORTS OP ST. CHRISTOPHER.

IMPORTS.— Ships Inwarda.

.Great

British

United

Foreign

Totol.

Britain.

Colonies.

-States.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons. Men.

«7

5979

708

1766

2083

113

10536 761

6739

2380

2503

1421

195

120431173

6882

245

9934

• •

320

9831

592

26647,2835

7400

211

10798

• •

• ■

317

10954

556

291522810

EXPORTS.^Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Fordgn

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

Sutes.

Stales.

No.^

Tons.

No,

Tons.

No.

Tons

No.

Tons.'

No.

Tons.

Men.

6702

914

2662

1750

120

11928

866

4368

101

4711

2374

1176

186

12629

1057

6213

293

11067

• a

• •

279

8741

596

26021

2918

6590

234

12108

• •

262

8983

522

27681

2833

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

402

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND
IMPORTS^Valne sterling.

IVom
Great
Britain.

British Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

Total.

1894
1895

• • • •

17585

818
940

1199
696

• • • •

£
9747
17034

£
3731
4185

£
15419
50650

EXPORTS.- Vahie sterling.

Great

Britain.

British Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

TotiO.

1824
1895

39815
69645

6095
19789

683
9074

• •

4986
7996

«190
«788

£
6S699
88193

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

49d

EXPORTS OF NEVIS.

IMPORTS.— SUpt Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Goloniei.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons,

Men.

2274

448

1862

950

5524

362

1382

3937

2511

1044

131

8874

784

EXPORTS.— Slups Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

1939

905

1671

836

5351

433

2392

3038

2135

845

129

8410

767

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPBKDIX Iff*

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.— Value sterlinfir-

British Colonies.

From

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Forei^

States.

Year.

West

North

Else-

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

1899

5,917

3979

• •

9796

4548

13745

1823

5,917

3979

• •

9796

4548

13745

1894

4,000

8754

• •

780

1794

15398

1895

1,900

• •

1039

9806

6080

EXPORTS.— Value steriinp .

BritSsh Colonies.

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West

North

Else-

( Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

1899

45358

4590

• • • •

490

884

» 51189

1893

45358

4590

• • • •

490

884

51189

1824

18137

405

• • • •

353

543

19438

1895

10185

616

• • • •

899

90781

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPKNDIZ M.

495

EXPORTS OF TORTOLA.
IMPORTS.— Ships Inmrds.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tods.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

1365

559

390

879

3993

745

1965

559

390

879

3993

745

1521

883

305

1047

4655

334

688

619

437

952

8666

418

EXPORTS.— Sliips Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

Total.

Britun.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

i^.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

1096

164

105

345

1610

133

1096

164

105

345

.35

1610

133

1531

1334

305

1059

4109

363

943

384

339

nil

3667

315

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

406

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND -
IMPORTS.--In Value steriin; .

Britisli Colonies.

From
Great

United

States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

Total.

Britun.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

18«8

47491

10377

10417

7512

6765

4393 86957

1823

51339

15985

6932

4708

14271

2175* 95414

1828

43472

26507

13604

• •

14222 97807

1829

57187

33261

10397

• •

15864' 116710

1830

68803
13853

22284

3979

• •

36642

212516

1831

34109

16916

64878

EXPORTS.— In Value sterUng

British Colonies.

To
Great

United
Sutes.

Foret^
Strtet.

Year.

Total.

Britain.

West

North

Else-

Indies.

America.

where.

1822

91616

20844

• • • •

1643

• • • •

114104

1823

66081

6530

5510

7831

210

86164

1828

111238

6317

9240

• • • •

3532

130329

1829

100918

9211

5933

• • • •

2882

118946

1830

104231
51867

10077

6647

• • • •

6^53

126610

1831

$646

14i

190

83003

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

407

EXPORTS OF ST. LUCIA.
1MP0RTS.--Ship8 Inwards.

Great
Britain.

No.

Tons.
9893
9(139
4667
5364

British
Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

5364 139

3979

55
190!
149

165

I ;

No. I Tons. No.

roi 56541 6

36991 95

6398! . . • .

7395

5365

6187

Tons.
733

9843

• t • •

• • • •

No.
93

• • • •
951
959
969

Tons.

nil

• • • •

6764
8955
7899

No. 983, Tons, 10,933.

Total.

No.

Tons.

Men.

110

10391

831

8504

638

899

17749

9434

495

90944

9639

418

90558

9634

466

90389

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Forei^

Total.

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No. Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

18 4996

3809

635

1869

114

10595

844

16 3964

3961

3199

190

10748

854

94 4657

107

5988

• •

• • • •

937

6441

368

i7086

9339

5968

117
188

7059
797S

• •

• • • ■

990

8845

499
467

91165
90839

9907

90 14598

' No

. 959, T

ona, (

),338.

VOL. II.

K K

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

498

APPENDIX H.

IMPORTS AND

IMPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colonies.

From
Great

United

Year.

Foreign TouL

Britain.

West

Indies.

North
America.

Eke-
where.

States.

1822

92 600

18400

34800

• • • •

2500

10000

158300

1824

101100

16000

29000

500

31900

11100

189600

1827

89235

SS158

37758

• • • ■

• • • •

22612

187764

1828

87137

17476

45430

• • • ■

• • • •

28092

178135

1829

84513

31161

41706

t • • •

• • • •

27922

185305

1830

57136

25088

43282

• • • •

22801

148307

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colonies.

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West

North

Else-

Total

Indies.

America.

where.

1822

410800

8200

2^000

• • • •

1100

12900

455000

1824

372500

14600

16200

1200

14000

5600

424100

1827

426829

28474

19529

• • • •

6804

481637

1828

733506

20171

138889

• • • •

5369

897935

1829

433964

23901

22389

• • • •

1323

481579

1830

263347

37564

34597

• • ■ •

• • • •

2536

338045

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

EXPORTS OF ST. VINCENT.

IMPORTS.— Ships Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreiffn

T» *..!

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

States. 1 •"*»'•

No.

Tons,

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No. Tons.

Men.

8644

107

10086

794

2270

200 21794

1440

15066

7266

4923

229; 29220

1890

16070

150

12852 ..

• •

114

5528

325, 34450

—

15711

149

16714

. •

» ,

160

8531

3681 40956

2492

16520

210

15057

. .

125

6104

394 37681

2872

10346

245

16427

104

5532

385 32295

2775

EXPORTS.— Shipi Outwards.

Great

1
British ; United

Foreign

Total.

Britain.

Colonies. 'States.

States.

No.

Tons.

Tons. ' No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

13565

6597

597

3678

221

24413

1807

12450

6505

4993

2756

232

26644

1794

14238

163

12291

• • • •

116

5605

333

32134

• • • •

16906

207

13037

• • • •

144

6243

409

36186

2980

14081

255 16726

• • • •

114

6821

420

37628

2982

12732

292

17735

• • • •

• t • •

3588

328

34055

2763

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

500

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND
IMPORTS.— Value sterling.

From

British Colonies.

Year.

Great

West

North

Else-

United

Foreifrn

Total.

Britain.

Indies.

America.

where.

States.

£.

1822

170603

11530

32173

4344

8836

18605

246092

1823

277322

12860

24153

5715

26564

4480

351095

1824

2a3312

9559

19868

11852

33145

8012

285750

1826

297293

^61,403

• • • •

101467

460163

1827

287178

24955

36584

525

79607

428849

1828

326285

11895

36906

• • • •

72023

447109

1829

316106

13587

38289

• • • •

66848

434830

1830

152818
182856

13099

29620

1110

53908

250555

1831

51197

65514

300567

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colonies.

Prom
Great

.United

Foreifpi

Year.

Total.

Britain.

West
Indies.

North
America.

Else-
where.

States.

1822

238095

4012

23941

28660

2994

ia52

299558

1823

265881

3319

15326

57551

17426

3461

362965

1824

261437

4325< 18965

60167

19639

623

365197

1826

327332

^636194

, ,

Jg89788

453314

1827

352912

10764

30099

43762

. .

11276

448813

1828

416521

11057

20279

4694

• .

26319

478870

1829

401965

9548

23064

4245

• •

12774

451628

1830

167657
202057

91781

14769

• «

7478

199082

1831

^630628

K>7

244392

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

APPENDIX M.

BOl

EXPORTS OF TRINIDAD.
IMPORTS-Ships Inmrdi.

Great

British

United

Foreign

TotaL

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

MeiL

9421 175

13614

1788

3308

277

28131

2238

16375 172

10577

6583

2446

275

35981

2909

Returns not received.

18305

151

10532

, ,

214

19399

442

210236

4212

18697

185

11845

• •

158

11043

426

41585

-«

102

22364

151

12884

• •

176

11371

429

46619

—

24333

179

1705S

• .

206

14324

484

55715

—

13865
21611

174
189

13681
14860

••

148

10619

381

38165

—

No.

103.

Tons,

9136

380 48787

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

TotaL

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

12812

169

12184

1354

2296

279

^8646

2448

15958

174

10694

6613

2430

335

35695

2836

Returns not received.

16920

167

1039

178

17368

421

44327

— .

19823

217

15139

124

11380

428

4634S

—

109

23928

218

15986

102

8435

429

48349

101

23804

245

19171

135

11104

481

54079

17755

216

17191

123

10235

410

45181

"■"

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

502

APPENDIX M.

IMPORTS AND
IMPORTS.— Value sterlinjf.

Britisli Colonies.

From

Great

Britain.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

We6t

North

fiise-

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

1822

25000

13000

31500

• • • •

850

5000

75350

1823

40686

10644

5337

• • • •

5745

11007

73419

1824

40642

9593

7936

• • • •

12771

1936

72878

1825

41224

9029

9706

• • • •

12471

2374

74804

1826

42136

18055

11906

• • • •

14472

2174

81293

1827

50563

32014

42426

1196

• • • •

6108

132307

1828

52871

16391

20678

• • • •

9991

99932

1829

62479

16574

15881

• • • •

13256

108192

1830

40963
54530

12352

11969

• • • •

11827

77114

1831

57961

4750

117241

EXPORTS.— Value sterling.

British Colon!

es.

Great

Britain.

United

States.

Foreign
States.

Year.

West

North '

Else-

Total.

Indies.

America.

where.

' £

1822

131500

3150

3200

• • • •

1100

138960

1823

147160

3870

6630

3<fO

6717

1542

166279

1821

172539

6595

3137

• • • •

10155

1784

193210

1826

192342

2073

14750

3401

1574

214140

1826

153061

2225

4976

4396

• • • •

164633

1827

114183

6II7

2300

• • • •

2537

125137

1828

198375

4040

7265

• • • •

620

210301

1829

138574

6878

4991

• • • •

1908

152352

1830

100661
144384

6318

3043

• • • •

767

110790

1831

15686

160290

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APPENDIX M,

503

EXPORTS OP TOBAGO.

IMPORTS.— Ships Inwards.

Great

British

United

Foreign

TotaL

Britain.

Colonies.

States.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

No.

Tons.

Men.

5300

3594

107

559

9560

658

7067

2549

1289

175

11080

778

6027

2603

2407

331

1 1368

854

8141

2376

1067

478

12062

652

6525

4186

1166

526

12403

894

6461

5657

, ,

• •

833

122

12951

1037

6818

5565

, ,

. •

1379

130

13762

1036

37
23

9002

6589

. .

• •

1588

151

17179

1307

5892
7127

97
108

6228
6647

• •

••

1825

146
156

13945
15252

1072

>. 20. 1

'ons,

1478

EXPORTS.— Ships Outwards.

Great
Britain*

British
Colonies.

United
States.

Foreign
States.

Totol.

No.
27
30
23
22
27
18
32
25
26

Tons.
6265
6943
6323
6410
6456
4649
7758
6528
6917

No.
51
22
27
15
56
77
85
105
121

Tons.
4391
1876
2651
1383
3714
6266
5994
8711
8590

No.
. •
10
13
11
6
11

• .

Tons.

1075
1586
1090

548
499

• •

No.

Tons.

696

434
2073

181

1521

1171

1037

717

No.

127

132

145

158

Tons.
11352
10328
12933
9064
10786
13135
14923
16276
16224

Men.

763

631

786

492

851

1016

1127

,1260

1414

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504

APPENDIX K.

The following returns of Exports from Demerara, Berbice,
Tobago, and Trinidad, I received from the Board of Trade
too late to insert in the proper chapters treating of the pos-
sessions referred to. I give them as historical documents
ibr future comparison.

DEMERARA— PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF EXPORT.

YEARS.

SUGAR.

RUM.

MOLASSES.

COFFEE.

Hoffsheads.
47,453

Puncheons.

Hogsheads.
10,334

lbs.

1822

22,030

10,494,769

1823

55,453

17,741

19,803

8,085,729

1824

47,54«

13,477

24,637

7,761,135

1825

1826

44,457

19,365

16,365

5,890,446

1827

58,360

19,431

25,814

4,782,253

1828

59,652

13,592

31,822

3,809,875

1829

59,589

22,517

21,237

4,684,991

1830

58,111

27,847

19,585

5,025,256

1831

52,844

18,164

21,807

1,227,705

BERBICE— PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF EXPORT.

YEARS.

SUGAR.

MOLASSES.

RUM.

COFFEE.

1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831

Honheads.
4,416
5,081
6,138

1,356
6,4«4
6,198
5,258

10,850

Casks.

581

1,145

2,540

1,827
429

1,024
248

279

Puncheons.
600
1,050
913

1,664
1.912
2,563
2,738

2,117

lbs.
4,098
2,602
2,005

1,230
4,785
1,989
2,239

2,241

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APPBNOIX M.

505

TRINIDAD— PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OP EXPORT.

YEARS.

1823
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
,1831

SUGAR.

lbs.
29,366,667
31,815,551
31,498,773

36,532,238

49,531,539
43,135,662
28,072,596
33,593,969

COFFEE.

Iba.
346,588
394,730
267,678

285,933

277,627
190,332
136,900
894,289

RUM.

MOLASSES.

Gallons.

89,965

316,574

35,351

634,252

47,922

788,74«

41,331

917,979

1,218,463

44,915

1,218,463

70,927

1,150,943

27,500

534,280

19,521

1,943,952

TOBAGO— PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF EXPORT.

YEARS.

SUGAR.

MOLASSES.

RUM. 1

Hogsheads.

Puncheons.

1822

7,509

442

6,111 '

1823

8,760

850

4,667 1

1824

8,681

401

5,053

1825

8,110

757

5,4«4

1826

8,760

300

5,477 i

1827

5,419

138

4,136 ;

1828

8,685

812

5,450

1829

7,570

183

4,154 1

1830

6,687

4,220 i

1831

8,453

138

5,171 1

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506

APPENDIX O.

ADVANTAGES OF MAKING THE BRITISH WEST INDIA ISLANDS FREE
PORTS, PARTICULARLY TORTOLA, ILLUSTRATED BY THE
EXAMPLE OF THE DANISH ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS.

Nothing in the system of restrictive policy has been more
palpably injurious to national or colonial prosperity than the
refusal to place Tortola on the same footing as St. Thomas
in regard to free port privileges ; and, what is equally sin-
gular, the English packet calls at the foreign island of St.
Thomas instead of Tortola, although Tortola is preferable
in geographical position, in the convenience of the harbour
as a healthy residence, and in every respect which could
entitle it to a claim to a fair and honourable commercial com-
petition. Both are nearly unproductive as sugar colonies;
in order to prevent the little sugar grown in Tortola from
being increased in quantity by foreign sugar being smuggled
in and becoming naturalized as British plantation^ and paying
the British duty only, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1802,
and renewed in 1806, but which expired in three years, limiting
the annual export of Tortola sugar to the average export
thereof during the preceding seven years, thus protecting
the other colonies from injury, from an unlimited import of
foreign sugar becoming nominally British, and benefiting
accordingly as to duty in the home market. But all the
other restrictions, as to imports from foreign countries into
this colony, were continued, and the measure was almost va-
lueless as an experiment of an unrestricted free port to
compete with her neighbour St. Thomas.

It is evident, then, that all restrictions as to imports and
exports must be done away at Tortola, saving the Umitation
as to the quantity of British plantation sugar to be exported.

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APPENDIX O. 507

A duty of one-quarter, or even half per cent, ($d valorem, may
be raised on imports, to pay the charges of government. At
present, to use the language of a public functionary there,
whose practical knowledge and intelligence are unquestion-
able, ■* a more distressed and deserted island I never saw*
As to trade there is none« The shipment of sugar is a mere
bagatelle. Yet such a spot for rivalling St. Thomas is not
possessed by the Government. The trade is now very large
to that island. Vessels from the windward islands would
save by it two days' sail, at least, by not going so far to lee-
ward to bear up again/

The trade, in value to St. Thomas, is stated at 2,000,000
sterling : the profit on this trade may be estimated at ten
per cent, nett, or £200,000. Now, why should not Great
Britain at least share in this profit? It may be asked, what
would you have ?— what do you mean by an unrestricted free
port? This ; that the people of all countries should be at
liberty to settle there — to purchase land — to build houses —
to be entitled to all the privileges of natural bom British
subjects — and to be, during good conduct, equally protected
in person and property, with permission to import and export
in vessels of any country the produce and manufacture of
every country. Let us consider the objections. Other
British colonies might ask for similar privileges, and could
not be refused if the experiment succeeded and if it en-
riched the colonists. And why should they be refused?
But, unless the other islands could move themselves to the
site of Tortola, they could not benefit by the trade she would
have with the two Americas, in addition to that with Asia
and Europe. Tortola is geographically placed for the
purposes of commerce between the old world and the new,
and may be made the link to unite theip in trading inter-
course and in the bonds of friendship, just as St. Thomas
does now, which is the great pawnbroker's shop of the
tropics, where goods jaxe deposited for sale, and money lent
on them to enable the trader to go and fetch a fresh cargo.
The present British free ports are so fettered by regula-

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508 A1>PEMDIX O.

tions, that they are mere nominal free ports, called ironic
cally by the Americans, regal republics.

There should therefore be no jealousy on the part of the
British Islands, nor should the experiment be denied on this
ground to an almost barren island ; but, if it he practicable in
the productiye agricultural colonies, why not give them the
same privilege — the shipping interest may possibly from mis-
conception object, but they will not be injured by foreign ships
trading to Tortola, where not above two or three British ships
go now ; these would still go to bring the mortgaged sugar home ;
—nay, the ship owners would be benefited, for many British
ships would trade to Tortola instead of the many foreign ones
which now go to St. Thomas from the British connection in a
British island ; and if the British ships did not supersede the
foreign ships they would not be in a worse position than now.
In short, it is sharing with a foreign island and competing with
foreigners, and not with British capital, except as far as Bri-
tish capital has been attracted to St. Thomases, from the cul-
pable negligence or perverseness of Great Britain by St.
Thomas having been permitted to supersede her next door
neighbour, Tortola. There is in Tortola a large free African
population let loose on the island and wanting employment ;
there is a British apprentice population, occupied in raising
sugar at a larger cost than elsewhere, and who have not ade-
quate employment* Will you give these people employment
by trying an experiment, which may benefit that community
and can injure no other, and may be of great service to the
manufactures, commerce, and navigation of Great Britain.
Tortola has some claim too on the benevolence, I may say
justice, of the British Government. As the price of a
British Constitution she paid in 1774 the four and a half
per cent, duty to the crown, amoimting in 18S0 to £105,000.
sterling, no part of which has ever been applied to island
purposes. She erected at her own expense fortifications
to preserve the colony to the Crown amounting to £22,000.
She experienced a tremendous hurricane in 1819, nearly
fifteen years ago, from which she has never recovered;

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APPENDIX O. 509

her losses, ascertained on oath, haying been upwards of
£150,000. sterling ; and will it be credited in these liberal
days, when one hundred thousand pounds were given
two years ago by Parliament to Barbadoes, and St. Lucia,
and St. Vincent, under precisely similar circumstances,
and a loan of half a milUon sterling for ten years, that
Tortola was in 1820 refused a Goyemment loan of £10,000.
sterling for any period ; the Colony has necessarily con«
tinned in the same state of misery ever since — their slaves
not allowed to be moved to more fertile colonies, have be-
come of little value, and these very misfortunes become a new
source of loss in the reduced rates to be paid to them for
slave compensation out of the twenty millions.

There have not for many years been any troops in Tortola.
In 1882 they were threatened with insurrection among the
negroes, the commander of a Danish ship of war. Captain
BodenhofF, of the St. Jan, landed his marines, laid off the
town, and thus at that time preserved the island to the Crown
of Great Britain, at least the remaining property there, to its
subjects.

It has been stated that from the great resort of vessels of
all nations and flags to St. Thomas's, that the slave trade
dealers find in the large magazines or stores of St. Thomas
facilities in fitting out slave vessels, and that many are so
fitted out it is presumed without the knowledge of the autho-
rities, but arising from the island being so convenient in all
respects. If this charge is as true as it is believed to be, it is
an additional reason for sharing the trade between Tortola
and St. Thomas. Lieut.-Col. Moody, Royal Engineers,
thus explains the nature of the free port of St. Thomas.

' Let us suppose a vessel from the Spanish main to arrive at
St. Thomas, a Danish unlimited free port. . If the vessel has
a cargo of produce, the value thereof is declared to the chief
officer of the customs, who also now is chief military and
naval officer in the colony ; as it is a very small one, the
King's duties are ascertained, and the fees to all the officers
in like manner determined on a per centage. There is no

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510 APPENDIX O.

trouble about paying so much to the collector, so much to
the comptroller, then to the searcher and waiter; agam to
the clerk, and finally to the naval officer, as in the English
Custom House, when fees are paid. When the captain
thinks he has done, then comes payment for permits, certi-
ficates, bonds, &c. of which the poor captain cannot see the
necessity. In St. Thomas all kinds of fees are moderate, and
paid at once to one person, who accounts to the King for the
amount, and the King divides the amount according to firac-
tional shares, keeping one-third for the Crown. The vessel
being now entered, and the Spaniard having sold his cargo,
if he did not bring up dollars with him, as is generally the
case, he visits the different merchants' warehouses, often with
the crew laden with dollars, in bags, at his heels. In one
warehouse he buys British goods, in another American, and
East Indian, in a third French, and a fourth German goods,
&c. or he may find in one store (as the warehouse and shops
are called), all the articles he wants collected together. The
Spaniard having made his bargains, ^an important arrange-
ment takes place, which induces him to perfer the unlimited
free port to a free port like those of the English colonies.
According to the part of South America to which he is going,
does he assort his packages, and suit their size to the load of
a man, a mule, or a canoe, according to circumstances. Each
package must contain a variety of articles, many of which he
could not get at the English islands, but at a great price. In
some packages may be seen a piece of nankeen from China,
silk handkerchiefs from Madras, a piece of Unen from Ger-
many, ribbons and gloves from France, muslin and chintz
from England, &c. These packages are almost infinitely
varied and faithfully invoiced, so as to suit all classes of
customers. Their new forms and smaller bulk also enable
the Spaniard to land and unload his cargo at unfrequented
bays, after he has evaded or bribed the Guarda Costas, and
in like manner he disposes of his goods, avoiding the pay-
ment of the national duties to the King of Spain or the Co-
lombia Republic. This kind of trade, it will be perceived.

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APPENDIX O. 511

can only be carried on where foreign vessels of different
nations are permitted to make a depot, as no one nation could
furnish aU the articles without an increase of expense, which
would defeat the object, and hence our English free ports
have failed. This sort of trade, when the Spaniard visits
the free port, is that most profitable to the European mer*
chant, and it will now be seen that, from the superior value
of those assorted packages to the customers of the Spaniard,
it is more advantageous for him to pay the duties and fees at
St. Thomas, rather than purchase packages less saleable at
an Enghsh island, though he would have neither duties nor
fees to pay. The repetition of this idea so often demands
an apology, but it is upon it that the whole question turns
respecting free ports in the West Indies. It will also be seen
that for some time to come in a thinly settled country, this
clandestine trade will flourish, as the Spaniard, whose case
we have supposed, will continue to be able to undersell even
the merchant who may import his goods direct from Europe
to the Spanish main. The latter must pay warehouse room,
and enormous duties on foreign commerce, and heavy fees to
corrupt men in the new government. All these expenses
must be put on his goods, and which the contraband trader
avoids. Mr. Sarqui, one of the first foreign. merchants at St.
Thomas, and who has had the greatest experience in that
trade, told me, that encouraged by a fair and moderate tariff
of duties, especially promulgated by the Colombian Republic,
he sent down two vessels to La Gruayra, laden with goods,
proper for the market, and the vessels entered at the Custom
House in a legal manner. As soon as his and some other
vessels had begun taking in their loading, the tariff of duties
was altered by the government to a scale extravagantly high,
so that he and other merchants had generally suffered con-
siderable pecuniary losses whenever they depended on the
government of South America. Such proceedings on the
part of the executive are considered by merchants to justify
smuggling, in which manner, for many years past, trade has
almost universally been carried on. These considerations,

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5 IS APPENDIX O.

with some others which I have not time to detail with all the
circumstances necessary to give them due political weight,
induce me to believe that for some time to come the markets
of South America will continue to be supplied from unlimited
free ports^ notwithstanding the formation of Repubhcan forms
of govemmenty in a country where individuals are not found
with capitals to trade on their own accounts, and where the
executive either wants the necessary strength or the necessary
integrity to induce prudent men to invest much capital
amongst them. This trade is now chiefly engrossed by the
Danish Island of St Thomas, but I think it possible, without
any sacrifice for Great Britain still to enable Tortola to
partake of it.' In illustration of the foregoing I give an
Extract from a Letter from the Speaker of the Assembly of
TortoU, dated Ist July, 1830.

' Tortola feels the existing restrictions more sensibly than
any other island, and it produces only about three and a half
cwt. of sugar to one negro, and which is almost the only
production, cotton being nearly abandoned from the low prices
in England, and rum not worth the making, as it obtains in St*
Thomas only about SO cents, or lOd. sterling per gallon, and
the puncheon is given to the purchaser, which at the above
price is 25 per cent, of the whole ; the freight down is 10 per
cent., and the commissions, storage, &c. there, is five per
cent., leaving Uttle more than one half to the seller.

About 1,400 hogsheads of sugar have been made per
annum on an average of the last seven years, but not near so
much will be produced this year, as the rains have fallen in-
cessantly. From the above we conclude that the whole pro-
duce of the island cannot weigh for one moment with the
mother country a mere drop in the ocean. And now let us
consider the advantages to be derived from a different system:
and 1 St. as to salubrity, Tortola is admitted on all hands to be
full as healthy as any other island in the West Indies, — a dr*
cumstance of very considerable importance to European set-
tlers. The harbour is large, and capable of containing any
number of ships of any burthen, as the road-stead may with

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APPENDIX O. 513

propriety be classed with it, it being entirely land-locked
around, and excellent anchorage throughout, and deep water
dirough all the passages; indeed, ships and yessels of all de-
scriptions choose to come inside to take advantage of the
smooth water.

The rising land around the harbour offers the most beau-
tiful sites for building upon, and the flat on which Road
Town principally stands, is most convenient for wharfs, land*
ing-places, &c., the water being deep close up to the shore.
There are two strong fire-proof stores built, and others would
very soon be in progress. ^

' Would Great Britain concede to us such a boon, under the
protection of the British flag and British laws, it is not too
much to say that every class of merchants, now trading to,
or residing at St. Thomas, would immediately take advantage
of it, as there is no single convenience connected with St.
Thomas, which Tortola either does not now or could enjoy
two fold ; in point of healthiness, no comparison can be
drawn. At a small expense it might be rendered almost im-
pregnable to attack in time of war, as there is a reef which
runs out, on which a water battery might be constructed, to
command both the harbour and road-stead, and be covered
by the forts now built on the hills around and over the town.
The constant presence of vessels of war would not be neces-
sary, either for the protection of the commerce or revenue, as
nothing could either enter or depart without permission.

The duties to be levied ought not perhaps to be too high,
as it would be principally an entrepot for the division of car-
goes for the main. St. Thomas demands a nominal duty of
5 per cent, ad valorem^ on all cargoes entered, but a twentieth
part is seldom given in, and no surveillance follows ; notwith-
standing which the Governor-General of St. Croix, the Com-
mandant of St. Thomas, and other officers recdve immense
salaries out of the colonial chest of St. Thomas, whilst the
contents of that in St. Croix, is remitted to Copenhagen.
There is also an impost under the name of weigh money, of
the nature of which I am not informed. '

VOL. II. L L

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514 AFPBNDIX O.

A petition mm sent from here aome time ago to request
that the packet* from England might wait here instead of at
St Thomasi when it was asserted that it would be inconyenient
toft the packet to wait at Tortola, in consequence of the mail*
boat from La Guayra not being able to beat so far to wind*
Wttrd ^thout detaining the packet. The fitct however prores
the contrary^ tM the boat from the maiui after leaving her
bags with the padcet, and stopping on her own account
twenty-four, or perhaps forty-eight hours, arrives at or passes
by Tortola on her passage to windward, very frequently some
days before the arrival of the boat from Barbadoes following
the packet, and as in this case she would not have to call at
St. Thomas, she m^ht at least be here two days earlier*
Surely this will not be considered too much for a British Is-
hmd to ask of the Pax<ent State.

The next most conveni^it island, as to geographical po-
sition for an unlimited free port, is Dominica, situated be*
tween the French islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe ; it
would command a large trade with them and other countries*
The succession of hurricanes^ which since the last war have
desolated this iskhd, has reduced the colonists to the lowest
ebb of despondency. Nodiing but a thriving trade can re*
store the prosperity of this once flourishing colony, which
has received no assistance bom the governor to repair the
mischief arising from these &tal visitations.

APPENDIX P.

the foUowiiig is an ^sthnote of the sutn of £16, 167 required to be voted
V FtoUsmeBt* to defray the chame of the salaries of CfoTemora, Lieut^
QovtrDon, and others in H. M.'b West India Colonies^ from 1st of April,
1834, to dint of March, 1835 :—

Oo»en§9r4»i€Ai^oi AnUgfBUB^ 8t. GhristopherB, Dominica, and their de-
pendendes, i^3,000; Ueut— iSovemor of St. Chnstophers, ditto of Domi-
nica, each £\,$00 ; Gao^mor-ln-Ckitf of Btabadoei^ St. Vincents, Grenada,
tDdTolngo, j£4»(X)0;LleQt.OoTenior of Grenada, iC960; Ueut^-Oovemor
of Tobagro, £l,3O0 ; Lieat^oTemor of the Bahamas, i€l,200; Secreta-
ries'to the Gov^mors-in-Chief of Barbadoes and Antigua, j£300 per annum
eadi; Chief Justice of Tortola, jei78; ditto of Ai^piUla, ^£200; Ueot.-
GoTcmor of Grenada,* jC273; ditto of Dominica,* 1^366; clerks and
itationely to the Goyemors-in-Cfaief, £200; total, jfl6,167.

* To ^ ibolltked u Vacanclet occar.

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515

APPENDIX Q.

WEST INDIA POST-OFFICE CHARGES AND ARRANGE-
MENTS,

RATES OP PASSAGE IN THE W. I. PACKETS.

CMh. StMrag**

From Falmouth to Madeira 1^28 £IS

From ditto to Bermuda via Halifax 45 25

To or from Halifax and Bermuda 12 7

From Bermuda to Falmouth via Halifax 40 22

From Falmouth to Barbadoes, St. Vinceat, Grenada,

St. Lucia, Martinique, or St. Domin/^o 43 22

From ditto to Dominica or Guadaloupe 44 23

From ditto to Antigua or Montserrat 46 25

From ditto to Nevis or St. Kitt'8 47 26

From ditto to Tortola, St. Thomas, or Jamaica .... 48 27

From ditto to Carthagena or Honduras 55 30

From ditto to Vera Cruz or Tampico 60 32

From St. Thomas to Falmouth 50 28

From Jamaica or Havanna to Falmouth 60 32

From Carthagena to Falmouth • 66 35

From Vera Cruz to Falmouth 70 38

Female servants to pay two-thirds of the Cabin passage-money. Men
servants as steerage passengers.

N.B. All former rates to be cancelled.

Pettoe EsiabUskment, Ifih Augmt, 18SS.

Lbbward Islands. — 12 weeks; sail Saturday after 3rd Wednesday
every month. Route: to Barbadoes, St. Lucia, Martinique, Domi-
nique, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitt's, Tortola,
St. Thomas, and Falmouth.

Mexico, Jamaica, and Hayti,— 18 weeks ; sail Saturday after 3rd
Wednesday every month. Route : to St. Domingo, Jamuca, Belize,
Vbra Cruz, Tampico, Vera Cruz, Havannah, and Falmouth.

Jamaica and Carthagbna.-^16 weeks : sail Saturday after 1st Wednes-
day every month. Route : to Barbadoes^ St% Vincent, Grenada, Ja-
maica, Carthagena, Jamaica, Crooked Island and Falmouth.
Post Office Regulations. — Of the two monthly packets, which

furive at Barbadoes from Europe, the first called the ' Jamaica packet,'

after landing her mails for Barbadoes, &c. proceeds (in the event of her

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

516 APPENDIX Q.

arriving before 12 o'clock,) the same day, with the Euglish and Barba-
does mails to St. Vincent and Grenada, and from thence direct to Ja-
maica ; but should she arrive after twelve o'clock, she remains at Barba-
does until the following evening.

The day after the arrival of this packet, the mul-boat? invariably sail,
and in the following order, viz : —

No. 1. Deraerara direct : after landing her mails there, she proceeds,
the next tide, to Berbice, where she remains three days. She returns to
Demerara, and from thence to Barbadoes. This boat may be expected to
return in about fifteen days from the day she left Barbadoes.

No. 2. St. Lucia, touching at the whole of the islands northward to St.
Thomas's. She remains at each of the same islands six hours, on her
return to Barbadoes. In 21 days she may be looked for at Barbadoes.

No. 3. Tobago, Trinidad, Grenada, and St. Vincent, remaining 24
hours at each island, and returns direct to Barbadoes. Fifteen days is
the usual time in which this route is performed.

No. 4. La Guayra ; remains there one week, and from thence proceeds
to St. Thomas's, where she remains six hours. This boat returns direct
to Barbadoes, and is considered due in 28 days from the time of her leav-
ing Barbadoes.

The second monthly packet, usually termed the ' Island Packet^' sails
the next afternoon, should she arrive before sunset ; but if she arrive
after sunset, she does not sail until the second afternoon. She proceeds
to St. Lucia, and touches at all the islands northward to St. Thomas's,
where she awaits the arrival of the eight-day boat, with the English mails.
The mail-boats sul the same day with this packet, viz :

No. 1. St. Vincent, Grenada, and Trinidad, at each of which islands
she remains only sufficient time to land the mails, and then proceeds to
the other. On reaching Trinidad, she returns immediately to St. Vincent,
^nd there takes off the mails for Europe, which are ready for her arrival,
and conveys them to Grenada, where they remain until the Tobago and
Trinidad mails reach that island^ when the whole are forwarded to St.
Kitt's by the same vessel. This service is usually performed in 21 days.

No. 2. Tobago, remaining there three clear days, to receive return
mul for Europe ; and then proceeding to Trinidad for the mails of that
island, when she takes both to Grenada to join the mail-boat at that island
from St. Vincent, and calls at the latter, on her return to Barbadoes.
Fifteen days is the time usually occupied in completing this service.

No. 3. Eight-day boat sails the day after a week of the sailing of the
packet ; that is, if the packet sail on a Tuesday, Wednesday week is the
day for the boat. She touches at St. Lucia, and the whole of the islands
northward to St. Thomas's, where she remains twelve hours ; and on her
return to Barbadoes, she remains six hours at each of the same islands.

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APPENDIX Q. 517

She 18 considered due at Barbadoes about the fourth week of her de-
parture.

No. 4. Demerara direct; after landing her mails there, she proceeds,
the next tide, to Berbice, where she remains three days. She returns to
Demerara, and from thence to Barbadoes. In fifteen days she may be
expected to return.

N. B. The mails are closed at the Post Office at 3 o'clock p. m. on the
days of sailing.

The two monthly mails are made up at the Post Office, St. Martin's-le-
Grand, London, on the first and third Wednesdays in each month, and
the regular times for the sailing of the packets from Falmouth, are the
Saturdays next following the first and third Wednesdays in each month.
Each packet is considered to be due at Barbadoes five weeks after the
regular time of her sailing from Falmouth.

RAXES OF PASSAGE IN THE W. I. MAIL-BOATS*

DoUan.

From Antigua to Barbadoes .... 32

— — — to Dominica 24

to St. Kitt's, Montserrat, or Nevis 16

From Barbadoes to Antigua 32

— — ^— to Demerara, Dominica, Grenada, or St. Vincent 24

■ to St. Kitt's, Nevis, Montserrat, or Surinam ..... 40

' to Tobago . . .... .... .... .... 16

■ to Trinidad 32

From Demerara to Barbadoes 24

From Dominica to Barbadoes .... .... 24

■ to Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, or Montserrat ... 24

From Grenada to Antigua, St. Kitts, &c. 32

————— to Barbadoes 24

-■ to St. Vincent 16

From St. Kitts, Nevis, &c. to Antigua 16

m to Barbadoes .... .... .... 40

- to Dominica .... • . . . 24

From St. Vincent to Antigua, St. Kitts, &c 32

, to Barbadoes 24

m to Grenada .... .... 16

From Tobago to Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, or Montserrat .... 32

■ to Barbadoes . . • • 24

.. ■ to Grenada, St. Vincent, or Trinidad 16

. Servants to pay half price. A reasonable Freight also for all baggage
above a bed and trunk. Passage -money paid before the baggage is de-
livered.

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INDEX.

AnguiUa, locality and area, 878. history, a8pect>goveromeDt,&c. 379.

Armjf employed in West Indies, 446. mortality of in Jamaica, ISO.

Antigua, locality^ area, &c. 354. discoyery and histoiy, &c: ih. physi-
cal aspect of. 355. St. John's Harbour, &c. 356. geological fea-
tures, 358. climate, meteorological register, &c. 359. Tcgetable
kingdon, 360. fish, great variety of, 361. population, white and
coloured, S6% commerce, revenue and expenditure, 363. form of
government schools, &c. 364. state of religious instruction, 365.
total abolition of slavery, 1st August, 366.

Barbadoes, geography, area, &c. 319. course and distance to other
ports, ib. discovery, colonization, and history of proprietary go*
vemment, 313 to 320. terrific hurricane in, 321^ present king's-
visit to, ib. government chronological list of, 322. physical aspect
of, 323. climate and vegetation, 324. population and commerce,
325. revenue and expenditure, schools, &c. 326. form of govern*
ment, &c. 327. power of the executive, 328.

Barbuda, description of, 364.

Baryma, river, latitude and longitude of, 1. territory, area, &c. ib,

Berbice, river, description of, 13.

Birds, West Indies, description of, 94.

Bahamas, locality, area and history, 385. physical aspect of, 386.
names and position of each isle, 387. acres of land in each granted
and warranted, 388. geology and climate, 389. population, white
and coloured, 390. commerce and produce, 391. finances, revenue
and expenditure, 392. government, laws, and prospects, 393.

Bermudas, locality, area, and history, 394. physical aspect and geo-
logy, 395. climate and vegetation, 396. population and divisions,
397. produce, finances, and government, 398.

Cassada^root, description of, 78.

Cadrington College, Barbadoes, account of, 527*

Coffee, imported from each West India possession, 443. imported into
the principal British ports, 444. destructive eflfects of high taxa-
tion on, 439. projected fiscal r^ulation on, 442. advantages of
lowering duties, 440. consumption in the United States, 441.

Coffee-plant, account of, 182.

CacaO'fiut, description of, 244. consumption of, 444.

Commerce, value of in each W. island. Appendix M.

CromwelVs wise colonial regulations, 147.

Compensaiion'-moneif, j62O,00O,O0O ; how it should be disbursed, 424.

Columbus, his discovery of West India Ishuids, Intr. iii. shipwreck on
Jamaica, 137*

Currency, {vide each island,) projected improved plan of, 453.

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INDEX* M9

Demerara and Eaeqtdbo, area of> 1.

Demerura River, desciiption of, 19.

Dominica, locality and area 336. history of aad laad diTkioD, 3S7»
physical aspect and mountaiiiSy 338. splendid prospect «t, 389.
geology, curious features of> 340. dimate and meteoralogioal re-
gister, 84 1 . animals/ account of, 349. birds, fish, and reptiles, M3.
vegetation, description of, 344. population, white and oolonced,
345. commerce, rerenoe and ezpcnditure,'d46. govcrnineat, iraate
crown lands, &g. 847*

Destruction of property in West Indies, 446.

E^tkquake at Port Royal, IS5. Phito*8 account of Atlantis, inlr. ii.
Essequibo River and its tributaries, description of, 7.
Entomology of the West Indies. 108.

Fruit trees, Guyana, description of, 89.

FWe-fiy, account of, 339.

Frogs eaten in the W. Indies preferred to chiclcens, -343.

Geology, (vide each island.)

General view of West India Colonies, 496.

Governors, salary of, from 1834 to 1836, Appendix P.

Grenada, geography, area of, &c. 966. discovery, colonization and
conquest, 967 to 969. governors and lieuteaant-goyemors, &c.
since 1763, 970. physical aspect and mountains, 971. rivers and
lakes, 979. island division into parishes, 973. Grenadines, depen-
dencies of, &c. 974. geology, very complicated, 975. climate, rain,
&.C. 976. animal kingdom, food, price, 977^ ant-plague extraor-
dinary, 978. agricultural produce in parishes, 979. population,
white, coloured, and bound, 980. government, civil, militaiy, and
ecclesiastica], 981. finance and monetary system, 989. commerce
and principal exports, 983.

Guyana, British, area and boundaries, 1. Spanish, Portuguese, ,and
French ditto, 9. British, early and general history, 3 to 5. physical
aspect and coast line, 6 to 7. rivers, Essequibo, Demerara, Ber-
bice. Sec. 8 to 15. climate, seasons, and effects on population, 16
to 99. geology of minerals, &c. 93 to 98. population, white,
Creole, and African, 99 to 33. Indians, viz : Arrawaaks, Accawai,
Caribisce, Warmws, Maeoosies, &c. 34 to 54. language of, dia-
lects, &c. 56 to 57* religion, education, and the press, 57 to 61.
produce, agriculture of, 69 to 63. vegetable Idngdom, timber
trees, &c. 64 to 86. animal kingdom, insei:ts, birds, reptiles, &c.
87 to 119. icthyology, varieties of, 113 to 117* commerce, exter-
nal of, weights, &c. 118 to 190. government of, peculiar forms,
laws, &c. 191 to 197. dtvisipos of and military defence, 198 to
to 199. finance, revenue and expenditure details, 130 to 139.
monetary system, and value of property, 133 to 135. general view
and future prosiiects of, 136.

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5S0 INDEX.

Honduras, locality and area> 399. discovery and history, 400 |o 401.
physical aspect and sailing directions for the coasts 409 to 405.
rit'ers and lakes, 406. mountains and geology, 407. climate and
meteorological table^ 408. population, white and coloured, 409.
description of various classes of society, 410 to 414. state of the
mechanic arts, 415. vegetation, food, &c. 416. mahogany and
logwood, 417* primitive form of government, 418. finance, re-
venue and expenditure, 420. commerce, imports and exports, 421.
importance of the colony toGreatBritain,inacommercialview^ 422.

Jamaica, locality, geography, area of, &c. 137. discovery, conquest,
and history of, 138 to 162. governors and lieutenant-governors
since 1660> 163. physical aspect* chief towns, &g. 164 to 165.
mountains, height and appearance, 166. rivers, harbours, and
springs, 167. division into districts* parishes, and villages, 168.
military stations, aspect of, &c. 169 to 171. post roads* and dis-
tances, &c. 172. geology, soils, and mineralogy, 173' to 175. cli-
mate* thermometer, winds, rains, &c. 176 to 180. vegetable
productions, cultivated and natural, 181 to 195. animals, birds,
reptiles, and fish, 186. population, white, free, coloured, and
slaves, 1 87 to 190. form of government, council, assembly, judges,
&c. 191 to 196. military strength, militia &c. 197. finance, in-
come and expenditure, &c. 198 to 200. monetary system, currency,
bills, &c. 201. commerce, shipping, imports and expp»rts, 202 to
204. property annually created, moveable, &c, 205. general post
office of, 206. The press, education and religion, 207 to 208. de-
pendencies of. Cayman isles, 209. present state and future pro*
spects, 210to212.

Lizards and Serpents, description of, 102.

Lunar influence, effects of, on man, animals, and vegetables, 19.

Macrebah, full description of, 11.

Mahogany tree, description of* 417. and importation of* 422.

Morgan, the buccaneer, history of, 149.

Monkeys in Trinidad, 241.

Mnneery-poison, description of, 47.

Moneys, (vide each possession.)

Monetary System of W, L improved plan for, 453.

Moniserrat, locality and area, 348. history and physical aspect, 349.

beautiful English-like landscape, 350. geological features, 351.

population and eariy settlers, 352. productions, commerce, and

government, 353.
Molasses, importation of, 424. advantnges of reducing duty on, 436.
Mosquito-shore and inhabitants;, 4 12.

Ntvls, locality, area, &e. 376. history and physical aspect, t6. popu-
lation, white and coloured, 377.

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INDEX. , 621

Piworry, singular intoxicating drink, 44.

Pomeroan river, Lat. and Long, of, 1.

Population, (vt^« each island, table fiicing Intr. ond general map.)

Property embarked in sugar cultivation, 434. value of, in Guyana,
Jamaica, Trinidad, &c. {vide each possession and table facing In-
troduction.)

Prices of W. I. produce for nine years, 446.

Rum, importation of from each W. I. colony for a series of years, 437.
ditto into the principal ports, 438. duties on, e^ect of, 436. aggre-
gate importation of. Appendix F.

St, Domingo, history of slavery in, abolition, Intr. xix.

St. Kitfs, or St, Christopher's, locality and area, 367- discovery and
history of, 368. physical aspect peculiar, 369. Mount Misery, sin-
gular appearance, 370. geology, rivers, and climate, 371. vegieta-
tion, variety of fruits, &c., 373. population and districts, &c. 373.
commerce, imports, and exports, 374. Government revenue and
expenditure, schools, &c., 375.

St, Lucia, locality, area, and history of, 3*29. physical aspect, 330.
magnificent appearance at, 331. Pigeon Island, near, 338. popula-
tion and produce of, 333. commerce, weights, and measures, 334.
revenue, and expenditure and Government, &c. 335.

Shipping, inwards and outwards from each possessbn, App. M.

Spirit of the present age, Intr. xxii.

Slatfe population of each possession, male and female, Appen. L. 471.

Slavery, rise and progress of in W. I. Intr. vii. efforts for abolition
of in England, proceedings in parliament, progressive amelioration
and glorious termination of, Intr. ix. to xxii.

Statistics, value and utility of.

St, Vincenfs, geography, area of, &c. 284. discovery, colonization,
and conquest, 285. account of Souffriere eruption, 286 to 288.

. chronological list of governors, 288. magnificent physical aspect,
289, description of parishes, Kingston, &c. 290 to 294. souffriere,
or volcano, awful appearance, 295 climate, meteorological regis-
ter, 296. vegetable kingdom, fruits, &c. 297- agricultural produce
for thirty years, 298. population, Caribs, history of, 299 to 300.
ditto white, free coloured, and slaves, 302. finance, revenue, and
expenditure, 303. monetary system, 304. commerce and shipping,
305. government and council, 306. legislative assembly, 307* law
courts, military, and police, 308. ecclesiastical establishments and
education, 309 to 310. dependencies of Bequia, &c. 311.

Sugar ant'plague, description of, 277-

Souffriere, St. Vincents, account of, 294 to 296.

Souffriere, Montserrai, 350.

Sugar cane, account of, 181.

Sun-Jhwer plant, utility of, 185.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

S22 INDEX.'

Sugar, diminished coDSumptioii of in Great Britain, 431. impolitic
and enormous taxation on, 433. quantity imported from each W. 1.
possession, 424. production of in various countries, 432. value of
as a nutriment and medicine, 489. necessity of reducing duty on,
430. official return of importation, consumption^ and revenue, &c.
Appendix B.

Tobago, locality, length, breadth^ and area, 257* discovery, coloni-
zation, and conquest, 258 to 269. physical aspect of, bays, &c.
261. geological features and climate, 262. tides, winds, and sailing
directions, 263. vegetable and animal idngdonos, 264. population,
white, free coloured, and slaves, 265. commerce, imports and ex-
ports, finance. Government, &c. ib,

Trmde, imports and exports, {tnde each W. I. possession and App.)

7<0r/o<a, physical aspect of, 380. population, commerce, &c. 381, {vide
abo Flrgin Islandi), advantages of making a free port, App. O.

Turtle, instinct of in navigating the sea, 209.

Trinidad, geography, area oi, &c. 213. discovery, history, coloniza-
tion, and conquest, 214 to 216. picturesque aspect ot; capital, &c.
217. mountains and ruins, 218 to 219. bays, harbours, and sailing
directions, 220 to 226. geology, and varied features of, 227 to 228.
volcanoes, craters, and earthquakes, 229. mud volcanoes, peculiar
view of, 230 to 231. mineral kingdom, 282. pitch lake, extraordi-
nary appearance, 233 to 236. climate, thermometer, winds, rain,
&c. 237 to 238. vegetable kingdom, luxuriance of, 239 to 240.
Zoology, Ichthyology, &c. 241 to 242. staple products for thirty
years, 243. cacao, or coco, mode of growing, &c. 244. lands in
cultivation, crops, stock, &c. 245. population of every class for
thirty-two years, 246. ditto slaves, males and females, 247. total
population by districts, 248. imports and exports, ship|iing, &c*
249. weights and messures, Spanish, 250. form of Government^
military defence, &c. 251 to 252. taxation and expenditure sala-
ries, 253. monies and value of property, 254. waste or crofwn
lands, 255. general view and prospects, 256.

Falue of West Indies generally, table focing Introduction, and 425.

Fif^ia Idktnds^ locality, area, &c. 380. history and names, t6. popu-
lation and government, 381. geography and sailing directions,
382 to 383. produce and property in each, 384.

JVest India Bank proposed, 453.

West Indies^ complete tabular view of, table facing Introduction.

West India monopoly, abolition of, 426, 448, 449.

Zoophpte, flower of Grenada, 279.

Zoology of West Indies, (vide Guyana chapter, p. 870

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PROSPECTUS.
HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLONIES.

IN FIVE VOLUMES.

With Dumerous Maps and authorized Official DocumeDts (hitherto unpub-
lished or unprinted). Statistical Charts, Sec, handsomely bound in
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Vol. I. — ^AsiA. — ^Bengal, Agra, Madras, Bombay, Ceylon, Penang, Ma-
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Vol. II. — ^We8t Indibs. — ^British Guyana, comprising Demerara, Esse-
quibo, and Berbice ; Jamaica, Barbadoes, Trinidad, St. Vincent's, Gre-
nada, Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitt's, Montserrat, Tobago,
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CRITICAL NOTICES OF THE LEADING JOURNALS ON THE Ist. VOL.

(ASIA.)

* Mr. Martin poMesset ominent qaaliflcfttiona for the task he has anderteken,— he has not
merely a taste bat a passioo for statistics; a sheet of flgnres is to him as delightftil as a
landscape of Claude's to a Tirtuoso, and he forms tables with as mnch fttcility as if Bab-
base's calculating enfpine formed part of his mental machinery. Connected for many years
with the colonies, he has acquired a thorough knowledge of colonial and commercial pcuicy
—an economist of no mean order, he has arranged and digested that knowledge so as to
afford information and guidance for the future. Above all, imbued with the purest prtn.
dples of philanthropy, Ms aim, in all his publications, has been to point ovt the best meant
for increasing the amount of human happiness.— ilMai«fHii.

< A work of extraordinary industry and great utility. Mr« Martin ezhihita a renrnure
talent for grasping extensive subjecto, for seising with rapidity upon their distinguishing
features, and for collecting ovideuces and illustrations to strengthen and lUuminate his
work.*— illlat.

'This Is a work of great research, weU and ably written, clear and lucid in its arrange-
ment, and correct in the statements which It embodies. To a great extent, too. It may be
considered a desideratum, AUing up as it does a bfamk in the Uteratare of the country. It
contains a vast fund of information, and If extended in the same spirit and style to the otlier
Colonies, the whole series wUl form an admirable library work of rsforence.*— OloAe.

« An elabonte wnrfc, fuU of taUes of every MacrlptioB oalcataited to Ulostrate the wsalth,
produce, miUtary resources, and trade of these extensive and Important possessions, and
systematically and taddlv arranged so as to give at oaoe a oompleta view of our coloolss j
whoever wanta to get infannattoo on our Asiatic possessions will make Mr. Martin's week

' One of the most important works that has of lata years Issued from the prwB.*«^irM«l
•nd MUUarp GweUe.

Digitized by LjOOQ IC

PROSPECTUS.

' Mr. MoDtfomery MutiD'B valuable History of tlie British Colonies contains a Amd of
useful information, well illustrated by copious tahln,*— Morning Heratd.

'The Christian, the merchant, and the statesman is enabled, by Mr. Martin*8 work, to
appreciate the vast magnitude and incalculable importance of the splendid— the mapmiflcent
liossessioDS of Britain in Asia, to whom Eoglaod has been hitherto rather an iudilferent
step-mother } we hope the truly eloquent appeal of Mr. Martin will not be made in vain.* —
Monthly Magazine.

' A most interesting and valuable work, highly honourable to Mr. Maitin*s industry and
correctness. The history, statistics, climate, commerce, internal and external relationa of
onr eastern colonies, are discussed with animation, order, and perspicuity, which must be
studied to be appreciated } the mercantile relations of China and India exhibit stupendous
research i It is ^e labour of a life, and should be suitably remunerated.*— l^mlrtf Senriee
Gat^eUe,

* An able and laborioos woik.' — LiUrurg Gazette.

* Mr. Montgromery Martin has produced a history as creditable to himself, as it will nn-
donbtedly prove advantageous to the conunerce of the country and the proq)erlty of the
people. That his labours may be crowned with success, must be the wish of ail who seek
the prosperity of their country, llie History of the British Colonies is indeed well worthy
the patronage of the monarch to whom it is dedicated. It embraces not only the history of
the magnificent possessions of England in the East, but also every f«niture, topogra|4iical,
commercial, and statistical, derived fh>m official, and hitherto nniMibUsh«d, docuiaenta,
furnished to the author by the East India House. This work should be in the hands of
every merchant and member of Parliament, of every philanthiopist, whose heart vfbratea

. for the welfare of 100,000,000 British subtieets.*— Sm«.

* It is highly honourable to his Majesty as the ' sovereign of the greatest colonial empire
in the world,* that he should have accorded to Mr. Martin his gracious permission to in-
scribe to him the first history of that empire ; and we cordially congratnlate the author on
this distinguishing mark of royal favour. The History of the British Colonies teems with
information, the most diversified and valuable information in every page, written with a
noble* generous, patriotic, proud, and lofty spirit.*— Co»W Journal.

* The first volume of this splendid production of talent, as varied as it is replete with un-
wearied industry, treats of the British possessions in Asia, comprising the history, com-
merce, finance, pxtxioctions, monetary system, state of rellf^on and of tlie press, with a
mass of statisticsJ, geographical, scientific, and other detsils upon our Hindustani tenritoriea
and dependent possessions, accompanied with valuable notices of their intercommerclal
relations with the Chinese empire. It is, in fact, a work of very high merit, and embodying
a fund of information indispensable alike to the statesn^an, the legislator, the merchant,
manufacturer, and trader in every class, as well as the general reader. We do not think
that for many years past, a work of more utility and instruction has issued from the fertile
press.*— Off ariftan ofuf Public Ledger,

* Few would have bad the assurance to undertake, and still fewer have been able to ex-
hibit the diligence and talent necessarv for the due execution of tliis arduous work, which
amply merits the attention of the public, whether It be considered morally or politically.*
-^Morning Adveriiter,

* The vast Colonial appendages to the Empire of Britain— wings spreading over all the
divions of the habitable earth— have yet never found a writer of powers equal to the task
of arraying all their wonders, in so comprehensive and splendid an order of arrangement,
as appears In the volume now under our notice. Mr. Montgomery Martin, a gentleman of
very extensive travel as an officer in the Naval Service of his country, has come well pre-
pared with materials for the task of describing the natural history, commercial importance,
and political value of all onr colonial dominions in the old and new worlds. We express
onr sincere desire that a work of such vast research, clear arrangement, and extensive
commercial utility may meet with that extended patronage whih alone can reward the
labour and talent which abound in the present volume of the Colonial History of the
Empire.* — Sunday Herald.

We wonder such a work has not appeared long before the year 1834— considering that
the mother country possesses Colonies in every part of the globe, but it is a matter or con-
gratulation that now it has been undertaken, the task has devolved upon a man fully com-
petent to accomplish it. A more varied history (it is one demanding deep research, patient
toil, unwearied industry, and vigorous intellect) could not be produced } Mr. Martin, having
passed one-third of his life travelling in the Colonies, has spent his time indortriously and
well, he has indefistigably persevered in collecting important information, and has filled up

• a blank sheet In the pages of our history, the absence of which has long been felt i every
class who live by commerce, agriculture, and mannfactnres will do well to study this Un-
portent national work, where new sources for the employment of industry are pohnted oat

* In a clear, ample, and satisfactory manner, and a mass of fiscts collected which will Interest
every one.'— Stnufay Timet.

* Mr. Maitin*s first volmne will make a text book for after, aa It Is an ornament to the
present time. In fact, it is a complete digest of all that is necessary to be known on a
subject of such paramount interest. A standard work upon the vast Interests that are so
essential to the very existeoce of the empire, has long been wanting. The * History of the
British Colonies' bids fair to assume the vacant niche in the literature of the country .*—
MetropolUan Mag.

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PROSPKCTUS.

' An ondertaklng: of immense gra«p and great importance \ the present Tolume indades
every thing relating to our Eastern Possessions, collected from a variety Of sources, most
of them onclBl.^^Atiatic Journal.

* It has often been s sotuce of wonder to us that no one oonld be foond of saflicient talent
and research to furnish an hlstorfcalt s^tistical, and geographical description of the most
interesting portions of our empire ) It has been left to Mr. Martin to accomplish this
fiMgnum oput, and he hss execated it with such knowiedce, industry, and Judicious
arrangement, as deserves our highest praise and warmest thanks. The present volume
contains a brief, yet clear account of our possessions in Asia : brief (though filling a large
8VO. volume) in compaiison with their immense interest and importance, and clear, from
its accuracy and distinct classification of the subject. This truly national woric commences
with an account of the acquisition of our Asiatic territories, and an interesting examination
of our subsidiarr poUcy i it then proceeds with the physical aspect and natural productions }
a lucid exposition of Indian government and patronage} the flnandal and monetary
system i commerce and staples of India } religion, the press, education, and slavery, and
an appendix of statistical and commercial tables of the utmost value. The style is easy,
and at times eloquent, and the whole work has the great and rare merit of being firee from
any ptrty feeling or prejudice. We recommend Mr. Martin to that patronage to which his
talent and industry so eminently entitle him.'— S«/r« Weekly Messenger.

* A very elaborate work which must have required much time and great care in prepar-
ing it for the press.* — Gentleman*s Mag,

'The contents of this Interesting and valuable work are extremely and most agreeably
diversified, the reader finds In its pages every thing he could wish to know respecting the
statistics, topography, natural hUtory, manners, customs. &c. &c. &c., of the vast regions
treated iif.'^Liverpool Mercury.

'The intelligent aothorof this very valuable and Important work, has spent the best
years of his life in visiting the colonial possessions of Great Britain in every part of the
world, in collecting materials, and a statistical account of our Colonial Empire ; the most
varied, magnificent, and extensive empire on t^e face of the earth. It is a history which
ought to be in every public library, for besides the conmiercial Information collected
from documents in the possession of the Government and East India Company, and from
offlcial dispatches, and the most Authentic sources, it contains other matter which cannot
faU to interest and even amuse the general reader.' — Liverpool Standard,

* A ponderous work upon a gigantic subject } it Ls a page of history that has long been
required to be filled up, and we are glad that the work has been underteken by one, who is
in every wav so competent to undertake it by his long acquaintance with the subject on
which he writes ; If the sueceeding volumes should be equal to this, it will be one of the
moat valuable and complete works ever published ; as it sets before ns in all its depart*
ments, physical, statistical, political, and ecclesiastical, the history of those countries,
which, being the oftprlng of our own, are undoubtedly entitled to the highest place. The
statements must have cost Mr. Martin Immense labour and research.' — Liverpool Courier.

* A work which would seem too herculean for individual achievement : we can say, how-
ever, after a very careful perusal, that its author has eminently succeeded.'— Lto«rpoo/
Journal.

* The plan, as exemplified before us, comprehends every feature of interest to which the
ooriositv of mankind can be directed in a given country, and onr literature is enriched with
one of the most valuable contributions that it has ever received. — Liverpool Albion.

• Mr. Martin not only surveys, but he explains ; he not only gives you measurement, but he
is a meteorologist, a mineraloglstt and a financier } he omits nothing that can possibly be
brought to bear on the subject of his work, which in point of value, has perhaps never been
exceeded. The varieties of nations among 100,000,000 British subjects, on 1,000,000 square
miles of English dominion, the form of government of the presidencies } the exact state of
their several civil and militai/ establishments } their debt and expenditure } the value of
money In the different provinces } the general policy ; the manners, and customs, and ell-
mates of these swarms of nations, all meet with attention, and on each point where it is
practicable, we have a statistical table, defining, with precision, all matters that can be re-
duced to such certainty. The volume is adorned with three excellent Maps.'— AT^k; Monthly
Mag. AprU.

' We have been delighted as well as instructed by this volume, and have risen from the
perusal of a great work with pleasure and no mean idea of the talent, perseverance, and
knowledge of the author. We have bad no National Colonial History— this branch of our
literature was utterly barren. We could study the causes and effects of the rise and fall
of other nations and their oflbpring, and yet remain Ignorant of the progress of our own
transmarine possessions } and tills not trom a want of material, but because the necessary
papers could only be found by men, who, like Mr. Martin, added to a perseverance in pur-
suit of knowledge, a facility of obtaJning documents, and taste and expression to impart his
Ideas. The information collected by our author, after having passed one-third of his life in
visiting the colonies, and from having viuit facilities since his return in the u&e of Govern,
ment papers, is admirably condensed, and the cream of oflldal papers laid before the public
In a plain, clear, and manly style : the veriest trifier of readers must have his attention
fixed by even a cursory glance at this highly important 'voxk.*." Dublin University Mag,
June 1831.

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CONTENTS OF VOL- L— ASU-

Chapter I. — ^Riae and progress of the British power in Asia ; Conquest
and formation of the Territories under the Presidencies of Bengal,
Agra» Madras^ and Bombay; an account of the stipendiary Princes;
of the subsidized and protected States^ and of the tributary or feuda-
tory Chiefs, and a full examination of our subsidiary policy.

Chapter IL<— Physical aspect, area, climate, natural productions, and
population of each province of the Bengal, Agra, Madras, and Bombay
Presidencies : Population, number of Houses, Villages, &c. in each
district ; Varieties of nations, among 100,000,000 British subjects, for-
mation of national character, &c.

Chapter III. — Exposition of the English and Indian Governments of
Bengal, Agra, Madras, and Bombay $ Patronage of ditto ; Civil, Judi-
cial, Police, Military, Marine, Medical, and Ecclesiastical Establish-
ments, &c.

Chapter IV. — ^The financial and monetary system of British India;
different systems of Land Revenue, and aggregate taxation ; Expendi-
ture and Debt of the three Presidencies, with the Surplus or Deficit
Revenue of each since 1814 ; Monetary system of India, Bank of
Bengal, &c.

Chapter V.— Commerce, Maritime and Internal of Bengal, Madras, and
Bombay ; Trade with Great Britain, Continental Europe and America,
China, Eastern Islands, &c.; Staples of India, and suggestions for
their improvement and developement ; injustice of England towards
India.

Chapter VI. — ^The Press ; (European and Native) State of Education,
and Colleges in each Presidency; Religion of the Hindoos, Fanees,
Mahomedans, and Christians, &c. ; Slavery ; Crime in India and in
England compared ; Social aspect of British India, past and present.

Chapter VII. — Ceylon, its area, physical aspect. Climate and Natural
Productions; early History; European Conquest and British Settle-
ment; Government^ Population, Male and Female, White, Free,
Black, and Slaves, in each district ; Classification ; Boodhist Religion •

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PROSPECTUS.

Civil Oovernment ; Judicial Establuhments ; Military forccj Revenue
and Expenditure for twenty-two years; Government and Missionary
Schools ; Internal and Maritime Commerce ; Social and Political
Aspect, in a Military and Nautical view^ and advantages to Great
Britun, &c.

Chapter VIIL — Steam Navigation with India ; Proposed plan of Post
Office Steam Packets, via Madeira^ St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope,
Isle of France, Ceylon, &c. ; advantages and disadvantages of the Red
Sea and Cape of Good Hope route balanced ; computation of the
expense of twelve Steam Packets, &c.

Chaptbr IX. — Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and China, their area, phy-
sical aspect. Climate, Population, Government, Revenue, Expenditure,
Natural Productions, Commerce with different Countries, Mt)netary
system. Weights, Measures, and Numbers, Trading Regulations, Port
Dues, &c. ; Imports and Exports to and from England, and general
advantages.

Chapter X. — British Possessions in Asia in a Christian, Political and
Commercial point of view, and Future Prospects of the Empire.

Appekdix. — ^Tables of Population, Houses, Villages, Stock, &c* in Bri-
tish India ; Military Returns from the Anglo-Indian Army ; Expenses
of Haileybury and Addiscombe Colleges since their establishment;
Analysis of the whole of the Indian Coins and moneys circulating in
the East ; External Commerce of Bengal ; declining state of the In-
dian trade with England ; Importation and Exportation of Bullion at
each Presidency; ditto at Bengal to and from different countries;
money expended in educating the Natives at each Presidency since
1814 ; Costs of Suits at Law in the different Courts of British India;
Duty on East and West India Sugars in England, for fifty years, &c.

LOHBON t
PRINTED RT W. NtOOL, 61, PALL MALL*

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