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THE 

HISTORY 

O    F 

JAMAICA, 

O    R, 

GENERAL   SURVEY  OF   THE  ANTIENT 
AND    MODERN    STATE 

O    F 

THAT        ISLAND: 

WITH 

Refledions  on  its  Situation,  Settlements,  Inhabitants,  Climate, 
Produds,  Commerce,  Laws,   and  Government. 

IN      THREE      VOLUMES. 
ILLUSTRATED     WITH     COPPER     PLATES. 


VOL.     I. 


•^—  inea   fuit  fenper  hac  in  re  voluntu  et  fcDtcnda,  quemvii  ut  hoc  TcUem  de  iu,  qui. 
e6cnt  idona  fdopere,  qt^m  mc ;— me,  ui  naUem,  qukm  Deaunem. 

Cic.  Ontt,  inC«cii.tvH. 

I    O    N    D    O    Nt 

PRINTED   FOR    T.    LOWNDES,   IN  FLEET-STREET. 

MDCCUXIV. 


INTRODUCTION; 


SEVERAL  hiftories  have  been  publiflied  of  this  ifland; 
yet  none,   that  I  have  met  with,  aiFords  much  more  than  a 
general  outline,  very  unfatisfaftory  to  thofe  who  intend  to 
fettle  in  it. 
Having  ipent  Ibme  years  of  my  life  there,  I  thought  I  could  not 
devote  my  leifure  to  better  purpofe,  than  endeavouring  to  give  an 
-idea  of  its  produAs,  and  importance  to  Great-Britain,  beyond  what 
may  be  conceived  from  a  perufal  of  thole  publications. 

In  regard  to  the  plan  of  this  work,   it  may  be  proper  to  adver- 

tiie  the  reader,   that  I  have  avoided  entering  into  detail  of   the 

chara«flers  and  fpeeches  of  our  governors ;  or  reciting  the  various 

Vol.  I.  B  exploits 


^  INTRODUCTION. 

exploits  of  admirals  and  generals.  The  former  would  afford  very 
little  matter  either  for  entertainment  or  inftruftion ;  the  latter  are 
copioufly  related  by  different  hiftorians,  in  treating  of  the  naval 
and  military  affairs  of  the  mother  ftate.  .    , 

My  intention  is,  to  give  a  competent  information  of  the  efta- 
blifliments  civil  and  military,  and  ftate,  of  Jamaica,  its  produc* 
tions,  and  commerce  ;  to  fpeak  compendioufly  of  its  agriculture ; 
to  give  fome  account  of  the  climate,  foil,  rivers,  and  mineral 
waters  ;  with  a  fummary  defcription  of  its  dependencies,  counties, 
towns,  villages,  and  hamlets,  and  the  moft  remarkable  natural 
curiofities  hitherto  difcovered  in  it ;  to  difplay  an  impartial  cha- 
racter of  its  inhabitants  of  all  complexions,  with  fome  ftriftures 
on  the  Negroe  flaves  m  particular,  and  freed  perfons,  and  the  laws 
affedting  them ;  and  to  recommend  fome  general  rules  and  cau- 
tions for  preferving  the  health  of  thofc  who  come  hither  from 
Northern  climat6s.   ^^  '    ' 

I  fhould' think  my  ta(k  but  indolently  performed,  if  I  did  not 
attempt,  at  the  fame  time^  to  point  out  many  abufes  in  office,  and 
defefts  in  the  fyftem  of  government,  which  feem  to  call  for  re- 
medy, or  amendment ;  and,  where  the  means  of  effeding  the  re- 
medy have  occurred  to  me,  I  have  prefumed  to  offer  my  fenti- 
ments  with  freedom,  and  impartiality. 

The  fU%jea»i  which  I  wiflied  «a  handle  with  ^nofl:  accuracy, 
are  thofe  which  have  relation  to  our  commerce.  Unfortunately, 
I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  fuch  ample  information  as  I  wanted. 
But,  where  a  full  information  has  been  wanting,  I  have  fubftituted 
the  refult  of  my  own  judgement,  founded  on  the  beft  lights  in  my 
power  to  procure. 

I  confefs,  that,  in  order  to  illuftrate  fome  particulars,  as  well  as 
to  render  this  traft  more  fatisfa£lory^  I  have  had  recourfe  to  a  va- 
riety of  autliors :  fo  that,  in  many  refpedts,  it  will  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  compilation. 

The  period  of  its  hiftory,  from  the  invafion  under  Penn  and 
Venables,  to  the  firft  eftablifliment  of  civil  government,  has  been 
very  fuperficially  touched  in  other  publications  relative  to  this 
ifland.  A  narrative,  therefore,  of  that  memorable  expedition, 
with  the  ftate  of  affairs  whilft  the  army  remained  embodied  in  the 

illand. 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

ifland,   I  have   coUefted  from  the  beift  authorities  I  could  meet 
with. 

In  regard  to  my  remarks  upon  mal-adminiftration,  whether  of 
government  or  office ;  as  I  utterly  difavow  any  thing  perfonal,  fo 
I  defire  they  may  be  conftrued  to  fligmatize  meafures,  not  men ; 
or,  if  the  latter,  thofe  only  who  have  been  criminal. 

My  readers  muft  be  fenfible  of  the  many  difadvantages  under 
which  a  writer  labours,  who,  in  treating  of  recent  fads,  or 
fpeaking  of  his  co-temporaries,  is  equally  in  danger,  either  of 
flattering,  or  of  giving  offence. 

The  fpring  of  men's  a£lions,  as  well  as  the  true  colour  of  their 
charafters,  are  feldom  clearly  difcernible  whilft  they  arc  living. 
On  this  account,  a  writer  is  liable  to  be  mifled,  either  by  popular 
rumour,  or  his  own  imperfect  judgement ;  for,  where  the  grounds 
of  any  aftion  are  unknown  to  the  multitude,  a  common  fpedlator 
can  only  endeavour  to  fix  them  as  near  to  probability  as  his  reafon 
and  penetration  will  enable  him. 

In  regard  to  Colony  adminiftration  in  general,  there  is  fcarcely 
an  author  on  the  fubjedl,  who  has  not  produced  inftances  of  con- 
fummate  tyranny  and  injuftice,  pradifed  in  thefe  remote  parts  of 
the  Britifh  empire.  The  fubjefts  here  may  be  compared  to  the 
helplefs  offspring  of  a  planter,  fent  to  the  diflance  of  many  thou- 
fand  miles  from  his  parent,  expofed  to  the  imperious  domination 
of  ftrangers,  and  exiled  beyond  the  reach  of  fatherly  proteflion. 

It  is  not  an  ealy  matter  to  difcredit  what  fo  many  evidences 
have  concurred  in  aflferting :  but  it  is  very  natural  to  fuppofe, 
that  the  lufl  of  unlimited  power,  inherent  to  mankind,  will 
always  ravage  mod  licentibufly  in  thofe  fequeflered  places,  where 
the  hand  which  (hould  reft  rain  its  career  is  too  diflant,  and  the 
reins  are  too  much  flackened  by  their  inuTioderate  length.  Men, 
entrufted  with  public  offices  fo  far  from  the  Mother-ftate,  require 
a  chain,  inftead  of  a  thread,  to  hold  them  within  bounds.  It  was 
for  this  reafon,  that  the  Romans,  the  moft  generous  of  all  con* 
querors,  inftituted  a  means  for  punifhing  extortion  committed  by 
their  praetors,  or  other  officers,  in  their  feveral  provinces.  The 
impeaching  before  the  fenate,  and  bringing  to  juftice,  fuch  offen- 
ders,  was  thought  highly  honourable ;  and  was  anxioufly  coveted, 

B  2  and 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

and  undertaken,  by  advocates  moft  diftinguiflied  in  the  city  for 
their  virtues,  rank,  and  ability. — Wc  have  feen  (unhappily)  the 
reverfc  of  this  in  our  fyftem ;  and  tyranny  has  not  only  been  de- 
fended, but  even  carefled  and  rewarded,  in  proportion  as  it  has 
been  uncommonly  daring  and  enormous. 

The  tyrant  had  only  to  call  the  ftruggles  of  the  oppreflcd  by 
the  name  of  faStion  -,  and,  under  the  (hadow  of  this  word,  he 
could  conceal  their  wounds,  and  his  own  guilt. 

A  faithful  defcription  of  our  Provincial  governors,  and  men  in 
power,  would  be  little  better  than  a  portrait  of  artifice,  duplicity, 
haughtinefs,  violence,  rapine,  avarice,  meannefs,  rancour,  and 
difhonefly,  ranged  in  fucceffion  ;  with  a  very  fmall  portion  of  ho- 
nour, judice,  and  magnanimity,  here  and  there  intermixed,  to 
leflen  the  difguft,  which,  otherwife,  the  eye  muft  feel  in  the  con- 
templation of  fo  horrid  a  group. 

How  unpleafing  then  would  be  the  tafk  of  fuch  a  Biography, 
'which  is  to  exhibit  the  deformities  of  human  nature,  unenlivened 
with  any,  or  but  too  few,  of  its  graces ! — Yet,  I  confefs,  that, 
if  a  writer  could  fupprefs  the  averfion  which  naturally  rifes  at  the 
iight  of  loathfome  objedls,  it  would  be  no  fmall  relief  now  and 
then  to  paint  thofe  brighter  tints  of  character,  whofe  radiance 
gliftens  through  the  difmal  fcene,  and  receives  a  heightening  from 
the  (hades  and  darknefs  that  furround  it.— —It  is  not  the  leaft  of 
our  misfortunes,  that,  without  recurring  to  paft  annals,  we  can 
find  but  too  much  employment  for  the  pencil  in  defcribing  tyran- 
nie's  of  the  prefent  hour  :  let  thefe  be  expunged,  and  we  (hall  foon 
forget  what  our  progenitors  have  felt. — Among  the  reigning  op- 
preffions,  none  are  more  grievous  than  thofe  which  flow  from  tie 
injolence  of  office. — ^Whatever  examples  of  this  fort  I  may  drag  to 
the  light,  they  will  only  be  expofed  from  the  hope  of  producing  fu- 
ture amendment. — We  are  not  to  expcft,  that  men,  inverted  with 
power  at  difcretion,  will  forbear,  from  an  innate  principle  of 
goodneft,  to  make  an  ill  ufe  of  it,  while  they  can  abufe  it  with 
impunity  and  profit.  The  moft  certain  method  of  teaching  them 
moderation  is  to  take  this  exorbitancy  of  power  out  of  their 
hands ;  as  a  bear  is  rendered  an  inoffenfive  animal  by  muzzling ; 
or   a  viper,  by  drawing  its  fangs.— A  knowledge   of   what  paflcs 

within 


INTRODUCTION^  5 

within  thefe  diflant  governments  will  convince  the  public,  that  the 
two*edged  weapons  of  power  ought  to  be  dealt  out  in  them  but 
very  fparingly.  Perhaps,  one  principal  caufe  of  its  abufc  in  the 
colonies  may  have  b^n,  that  it  has  feldom  been  arraigned  at  the 
bar  of  the  public :  for,  however  ridiculous  lome  men  would  afFcd 
to  treat  fuch  appeals ;  yet  there  are  no  delinquents,  who  are  not 
coufcious  that  they  feel  an  inward  tremor  at  the  very  idea  cf  hav- 
ing their  deeds  of  darknefs  revealed,  and  difie6ledy  before  fo  im* 
partial  and  rigid  a  tribunal.  And,  as  frequent  free  afTemblies  of 
the  commons,  by  uncorruptible  reprefentatives,  have  been  juftly 
cfteemed  the  heft  fafeguard  to  our  national  freedom  >  fo  frequent 
appeals  to  the  public  may  be  a  fure  and  fpeedy  means  of  procuring 
redrefs  for  provincial  grievances.— When  the  planters  have  com- 
plained of  violations  done  to  their  liberty,  the  enemies  of  the. 
Weft-India  iflands  have  often  retorted  upon  them  the  impropriety 
of  their  clamouring  with  fo  much  vehemence  for  what  they  deny 
to  fo  many  thoufand  Negroes,  whom  they  hold  in  bondage* 
"  Give  freedom"  (fay  they)  *'  to  others,  before  you  claim  it  for 
*'  yourfelvesJ' — Servitude,  reftrided  to  a  particular  clafs  of  perfons, 
-was  tolerated  both  by  the  Romans  znA  Athenians :  yet  no  people 
were  ever  more  jealous  of  their  own  liberty  ;  nor  did  they  find 
their  own  enjoyment  of  it  at  all  incompatible  with  the  exclufiv^ 
obligation  to  labour  impofed  on  others  within  a  certain  limit.  On 
the  contrary,  the  higher  eftimation  they  put  upon  their  own  in- 
dependence, the  more  indulgent  mailers  were  they  to  their  flaves  : 
for  who  doubts,  but  the  fervant  of  a  free  man  is  more  likely  to 
receive  a  mild  treatment,  than  the  fervant  of  an  enflaved  perfon  ?— - 
What  I  have  faid  does  not  imply,  that  a  fyftem  of  fervitude  ought 
to  be  introduced  into  any  free  country  ;  but  only  means  to  (hew, 
that  it  may  be  permitted  with  leaft  difadvantage,  both  to  the  mafter 
and  vaflal,  in  thofe  parts  of  the  world,  where  it  happens  to  be  ine-* 
'uitably  neceflary,  and  where,  under  proper  limitations,,  it  cannot 
tend  to  enflave  the  principal  ftate. — To  pave  the  way  for  fo  fatal  an 
cffed:  as  the  laft  mentioned,  the  flave-owners  themfelves  muft  firft 
be  gradually  inured  to  fubjedlion,  and  deprived  of  the  right  notion 
of  a  generous,  legal  freedom.  They  muft  be  taught  to  confider 
implicit  fubmidion  to  fuperiors  as  the  greateft  of  all  virtues  ;   and.  a 

boundleis^ 


6  iNTRODUCriON. 

boundlcfs,  blind  obedience  to  authority,  as  the  effence  of  all  civil 
duties. — Nothing  is  more  repugnant  to  fuch  a  degeneracy  of  the 
human  mind,  than  to  encourage  a  high,  a  liberal,  and  independent 
fpirit :  and,  for  this  reafon,  the  planters,  or  owners  of  flaves,  in 
our  colonies,  cannot  be  too  fteddily  fupported  in  the  poffeflion  of 
Britifh  freedom,  to  the  fulled  extent  that  our  conftitution  will  bear. 
— Confidering  the  many  efforts,  that  bave  been  made,  at  different 
periods,  to  debafc  their  minds,  and  the  firm  refiftance  they  have 
given  to  fuch  ungenerous  attempts ;  we  have  grounds  to  hope,  that 
they  never  will  furrender  their  birth-right,  but  continue  to  maintain 
the  facred  charter,  with  equal  fortitude,  to  the  end;  that,  when 
Time  fhall  have  left  fcarce  a  fragment  of  it  extant  in  the  country 
where  it  was  firft  promulged,  it  may  ftill  be  found  entire  and  un- 
diminifhed  in  Briiijh  Anierica. 

To  obviate  flanders,  and  explode  thofc  prejudices  which  malice, 
or  error,  have  generated,  is  another  branch  of  this  defign. 

In  the  execution  of  my  plan,  I  have  digefted  the  various  fubjeift- 
matters  under  their  refpedive  heads.  They  might  poffibly  have 
been  thrown  into  a  more  conneded  train.  Bui  there  are  (bmc 
among  them,  which,  with  the  remarks  upon  them,  are  particu- 
larly interefting  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  ifland  ;  and  not  of  a  nature 
to  claim  much  attention  from  thofe  who  have  nothing  to  do  with 
its  internal  policy  and  regulations.  In  fuch  a  variety  of  topics,  it 
is  difficult  to  avoid  fbme  little  confufion,  and  perhaps  repetition  ; 
though  I  have  fallen  into  fuch  irregularities,  I  may  hope,  but 
feldom. 

A  complete  hiftory,  which  fhould  omit  nothing  worthy  of  no- 
tice, either  in  the  frame  of  conflitution,  the  government,  laws, 
manners,  commerce,  climate,  difeafes,  and  natural  hiflory,  can 
only  be  formed  upon  a  regular  courfe  of  ftridt  enquiry,  vaft  appli- 
cation, and  very  long  experience  or,  perhaps,  from  the  united 
endeavours  of  feveral  perfons ;  for  thefe  various  materials  can  nei- 
ther be  well  collefted,  nor  digefted,  by  one  man,  efpecially  in  a 
plAce  where  fuch  fubje^  of  enquiry  are  very  little  attended  to. 

They  who  in  general  vifit  this  ifland  do  not  emigrate  for  the 
purpofc  of  compiling  hiflories,  but  avowedly  that  of  accunuilating 
money ;  which  being  their  chief  employment  while  they  continue 

to 


IN    T    R    O    D    ir    C    T    I    O    N.  7 

to  rcfide  in  it,  we  cannot  cxpedt  diat  any  caie  perfon  (hould  of  him« 
felf  find  leifurc  fufficicnt  for  bringing  together  the  many  things 
required  to^  form  fo  perfed  a  ftru£hire ;  or  that  he  can  reap  much 
affiftance  from  others^  who  regard  it  only  as  a  temporary  abode,  and 
have  Ao  inceotire  to  know  any  thing  further  about  it,  except  in 
what  relates  to  their  immediatexx^cupation. 

It  is  weU  li^nderftood,  that  our  governors  have  not  gone  thither 
merely  for  the  fake  of  ^king  the  atr ;  yet  a  gentleman  in  this  office 
is  hetter  enabled  than  any  other  man  to  colled  the  ufeful  points  of 
iT)formation,  as  he  poffefles  ample  authority,  its  well  as  influence,. 
to  obtain  it  from  parties,  and  documents,  the  bed  calculated  to  fa- 
tisfy  his  ent]^airies. — It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  none  of  thefe  gen- 
dcmcn  have-  favoured  the  public  with  an  account,  for  which  they 
might  have  procured  the  ground^work  with  fo  much  eafe  to  them- 
fdvea,  and  utility  to  others.  For  want  of  fuch  information,  it  is 
impoffibie  not  to  commit  miflakes  in  treating  of  the  commercial 
ftate  and  population  of  this  ifland.  Private  men  are  unabJc  to  rec- 
tify thefe  errors,  tis-  they  want  the  means  and  opportunity  of  ac.* 
quiring  exaft  inteHigcnce. 

It  may  be  thought,  that  political  coniid^atlons  may  have  re* 
flrained  them :  but,  furely,  when  a  colony  is  found  to  be  in  a  mora 
flourishing  condition  than  is  generally  imagined,  no  injury  can  ac- 
crue from  correcting  the  popular  ipifapprehenfion  ;  and  a  difclofure 
of  its  ftrength  mufl  rather  ferve  to  intimidate  than  encourage  an 
enemy. 

What  relates  to  forts  and  fortifications  does  not  fall  within  the 
hiftorian*s  province  fo  much  as  thofe  defences  and  muniments  which 
are  founded  on  a  right  fyftem  of  government  and  policy ;  thefe  are 
the  eflential  bulwarks  of  a  country.  Whilft  Britain  continues 
miftrefs  of  the  fea,  it  is  of  very  little  confequence,  whether  the  forts 
at  Jamaica  are  well  or  ill  conflruded  for  defence. 

The  true  ilrength  of  the  ifland  muft  originate,  not  from  the  num- 
ber or  nature  of  its  lines  and  baflions,  but  from  a  well-regulated  fpi* 
rit  of  induftry,  difTufed  through  every  part  of  it..  If  this  fpirit,  by 
means  of  any  defeds  in  adminiftration^  is  hindered  from  a£ling  to  its 
free  and  full  extent,  they  6ught  to  be  pointed  out^  in  order  to  be  re- 
7  moved ; 


8  INTRODUCTION.: 

moved ;  and  the  renroval  of  them"  mufl:  tend  to  invigorate  the 
colony* 

Where  any  weak ncfs,  therefore,*  is  obferved  to  ipring  from  this 
fourcc,  a  national  enemy  can  derive  no  advantage  from  icnowing  it^ 
unlefs  he  is  able  to  prevent  a  removal  of  it;  which  cannot  happen,  but 
by  his  bringing  it  under  his  own  fovercignty  and  legifl^tion. 

But  it  is  of  the  utmoft  confequence,  th^t  it  fhould;  be  laid  open  to 
the  view  of  thofc,  whofe  duty  and  interefl  it  is  to  apply  fit  remedies* 
And  the  prefent  calm  of  peace  mofl:  opportunely  affords  leifure  for 
deliberating  on  the  beft  plaris^  and  executing  them  without  inter*- 
r-uption. 

I  have  remarked,  in  public  afifemUies,  that  the  ableft  politicians 
are  not  always  the  firft  fpeakers ;  that  all  wait  with  impatience 
t^U  filence  is  once  broken,  perhaps  by  orators  of  the  fmallefl  capacity* 
Like  one  of  thefe  orators,  I  deliver  my  (peculations  and  projedls ;  be* 
caufe  none  other  of  the  crowd  has  ftood  forth  to  anticipate  me ;  and  in 
the  hope,  that  fome  of  better  knowledge  and  experience  will  fecond 
my  argument.  Imperfed  as  my  endeavours  are,  I  (hall  think  them 
well  rewarded,  if  they  meet  with  approbation  from  tbofe  worthy  men, 
who,  having  fixed  themfelves .  upon  the  foil,  difpenfe  happmefs  and 
iiiflenance  to  thoufands  in  Britain*  To  their  ufe  1  principally  dedicate 
my  pen ;  and  to  their  generous  opinion  I  fubmit  this  unpolKhcd  Jurviy 
of  Jamaica^ 


CHAP. 


t 

« 


i 


I  m 


'^  [a]   Sec dup. X. of  this  Book.    AppendiztlX  ' 


^ 


V 


CHAP. 


i   9.   1  . 


C  H  A  P.      I. 

Of  the  Government  and  Con/litutm. 

«  •  •  • 

AFTER  the  rcduftion  of  the  ifland  by  Pcnn  and  Venablcs^ 
the  Spaniards  either  quitted  it,  or  were  all  driven  out;  fo 
that  it  remained  inhabited  chiefly  by  the  fbldiers  who  had  con- 
quered it :  and  it  was  governed,  of  courie,  by  military  law  (which 
28  a  branch  of  the  law  of  England)^  until  ibihe  time  after  lliit 
Reftoration  of  Charles  1\. ;  when  the  meafure  of  making  it  an 
Eiiglifli  fettlement  was  adopted.  The  king^  in  order  to  induce  his 
fubjefts  to  tranfport  themfelres  and  families  hither,  put  out  a  pro* 
clamation  \a\y  offering  them  oiany  encouragements ;  and  particu* 
larly;  ^<  that  all  children  of  natural-born  fubjeds  of  England,  to 
««  be  bom  in  Jamaica,  (hall,  from  their  refpeAive  bttths,  be  reputed 

'  «  to  be,  and  (hall  be,  free  denifons  of  England i  and  (hall  have  the 
<^  fame  privileges,  to  all  intents  and  purpofes,  as  the  free-born  fub- 

'  '^  jeds  of  England/'  Nor  could  any  thing  le(s  than  this  have  been 
fuflicient  to  induce  the  free  fubjedts  of  England  tb  quit  their  cou}i* 
try,  2ittA  fettle  in  a  remote  climate. — ^In  pur(oance  of  the  royal. pro* 
mife,  and  as  foon  as  the  colony  was   numerous,  and  confiderable 

'  enough  to  make  it  an  objedfc  for  civil  government,  a  civil  govern* 
ment  was  inftituted,  in  moft  refpeds  the  fame  as  what  now  exifts* 
The  king^  could  not  give  any  other  form  of  civil  government,  or 
laws,  than  thofe  of  England ;  and  accordingly  the  foim  of  govern* 
ment  her^  refembles  that  of  England  almoft  as  nearly  as  the  condi«^ 
tion  of  a  dependent  colony  can  be  brought  to  refembk  that  q£  its 
mother  country,  which  is  a  great  and  independent  empire.  Here, 
as  in  England,  we  have  coroners,  conflables,  and  juftices  of  the 
peace»  We  have  a  court  of  common»pleas,  court  of  exchequer, 
and  court  of  kingVbench :  we  have  grand  and  petty  juries:  we 
have  a  court  of  chancery;  court  of  ordinary  for  the  probate  of 

*  wills,  and  granting  adminiftrations ;  a  court  of  admiralty  for  trial 

[«]    See  chap.  X.  of  this  Bookt    Appendix,  IX  '' 

Wouh  C  ' 


lo  JAMAICA. 

of  ofFenccs  on  the  high  fcas,  and  other  bufinefs  civil  and  maritime ; 
courts  of  quarter-feflion,  veftries ;  and^  in  time  of  law-martial,  a 
military  court,  whofe  jurifdiftion  is  controuled  by  the  militia  ads, 
and  from  whofe  judgement  an"  appeal  fies,  m  capital  offences,  to  the 
governor  in  the  firft  inftanc^  .?n^.f?,  ^!^®  ^^"g  "^  council  in  the  der^ 
flier  reforty  in  inferior  cafes,  to  the  governor  only.     The  coroner 

,i$  dlc£ted  by  the  people  ;•  the  conftables  are  appointed  by  the^uflices 
of  .the  peace;  and  the  judges,  of  all  the  courts  aift  by,  authorAy  of 
tho  ki«>i*s  com^iifliqn  under, the  broad  feal  of  the  ifland.  The  dif- 
ferent  orders  of  judicatuic  aretljeo  cx^dlly  like  ,thpfq  in  England, 
iijbfifting.  hiyj  the  feme  authority, /,and  ?ire  inftitutcd,  ^r  the  farjja 
purpofes,  ..Thtre  js  foxpewiif^  9^.}^  fame  refemblance preferved  in 
the.  form:s  of  pur  IcgjAature,  •  Jt  is  compofed  of  three  eftatcs,  of 
which  the.  governor  {as  rcprcfenting  ihb  king)  is  head.     Having  no 

-er&r  of.  nobility  ;:here,  tbe^place  of  aA  hpufc  of  peers  is  fupplied 
by'acbudciliof  tw^il^ti  gentlepen  appointed  by. the  kiiig  ;i  which, 

*  ia  the  i^{\ctt%<>i  pUr  Icgiflatpre,  Sox^S't)^  u^per  boufe.  The  Jowfr 
houfeis  cbm'poIed.(a*in'BriCaii^)  of\tlje,reprefenta|:ives'of  the  people,, 
elected  hy-tbe  freeholders.  Thefe  three;  fiodies  forni  a  legiflature, 
which  exercifes  the  high^ft^iSts  qf  Inflation  j.for  it  raifes  money ;: 
and'  its  laws  extcrfd .  to./the,  Ji'fo,  hbfirty,;^nfl^prgpcjrty,  of  the/  fub- 

—         * 

jeft,  fevefal:  pfcribos,  leaving  Ifuffered  fdpath.wpon  lawfpafled  by  our 
legiflaturc^  ievcn  before  they  h^ve.recQivec};  thf  ^r^yal  affent^  .T.^^^ 

-three  ejlates  ought,  by  theEjigU^l^  confthii^ipn,  ap  be  pcrfeftly  free* 

.  in  their  deliber^uons,  .and.  perfedly  independent    of  -  each  other. 

.  But  the /two  firfl  branches  do  not  bv  any  means  refemble  thofe 
.they  are  >tO:ftand  for  fo  nearly  as  the  aflcmb|y  docs.  -^ For  example: 
The  king  appears  perfpnally^  and^infujl  ;^najefty,  at  thcj  head  of 
*bis  parliament  j  his,  qofiitnt  gives  full  life  ai^d  duration  to  f^ch  bills, 
as  are  offered  to  him  by  his  parliament^  and-be  has  in  himfelf  full 
power  to  approve  or  rejedl  Uiem*     The  governor,  although  he  re- 

•  prefcnts  the  king  in  pur  legiflature,  yet  aj£ts  by  a  delegated  power,, 
and  exercifes  only^ijuch  parts  of  the  prerpgatiyeas  the  king  is^pkafed 
to  inftrwft :  him,  ThuS  too,'  {^Ithough  ;lv«  cpnfept  be  p^ce^Tajy  to, the 
cAadling  of  laws,  and  to  the  giving  tl^tn:fvill,  force  while,  they  Jail ;. 
yet  it  can  give,  them  but.  a  tempprarjr  cxiftence,  until  the  king's. 

■  pleafure  is  known  j  it  is  from  his  majefty's  confcnt,.  Ul^t:.^!^  re- 
ceive 


BOOK     I.        CHAP.    L  II 

art      ^ 

ceive  tbcir  full  life  and  duration,     Oi^r  governor  is  a^fo  bound  to 

foDow tnftrpftionjs  in  his  Icgiflatiye  capacity;  and  is  not  therefore^ 

nor  can,  from  the  nature' of  things,  be  independent.     The  naembers 

of  the  council  hold  their  places  at  pleafure,  are  liable  to  be  dif- 

. placed  upon  any  oqcafion  by  a  goVjCrnor ;    and  they  have  often  been 

^ifplaced  qpon  .very  flight  pretences.     This  body,  therefore,  is  but 

a  very  jfliperfcfi:  reprefcntation  pf  a  houje  of  peers ;  and,  becaufe  of 

the  uncertain  tenure  hj  ]which  they  .hold  their  places,  wants  qiucn 

^qf  that  independence  which  is  proper  to  every  branch  pf  the  le^ 

;gifla|ure  in  a  free  couDtry.     In  their  legiflative  capacity,  they  claim 

aright  to  the  privileges  of  parlia^ment ;  fince,  in  our  conftitution, 

^t^eir  confent  has  been  thought  neceiTary  to  the  enading  of  laws* 

The  aifembly,  or  lower  houfe,  |ias  an  exadt  refemblance  of  that  part 

.Qf  theBritifli  con{lituti<m  which  it  (lands  for  here;  it  is,  indeed,  an 

^epitome  of    the  houfe  pf  commons,,  called  by  the  fame  authority, 

^deriving  its  po^er  from  the  fame  fource,  iqilitu ted  for  the  fame 

ends,  and  governed  by  t;he  fame;  ^  forms.     It  will  be  difficult  to  find 

a  reafon,  why  it  fhpuld  not  have  the  fame  privileges  and  powers^ 

the  fame  fupcriority  oyer,  .the  ^fQurt?  of  juftice,   and  the  fame  rank 

in  the  fyflem  of  our  little  cpmmunity,  as  the  houfe  of  commoiis 

has  in  that  of  Britain  4  efpecially  fince  all  the  courts  of  juftice  here 

are  governed  by  the  fame  ^aws,  enjoy  the  fame  privileges,  exercife 

the  fame  powf rs,  and  hold  the  fame  rank,  with  thofe  they  reipec- 

t4vcly  rcgprefent.     In  Charley,  the  Second's  time,  the  earl/6f  Carlifle 

was  fent  ))ither  governor,  and  brought  with  him  a  body  of  laws 

fafhioned  after  thofe  in  Ireland  purfuant  to  Poyning^s  adl  [^],  with 

inflru6tions  to  get  them  paffcd  here.     But  the  affembly  rejeded  them 

.  with  indignatipn ;  no  threats  could  frighten,  no  bribes  could  corrupt, 

no. art  nor  arguments  coiild  perfuade  them,  to  confent  to  laws  that 

.  would  enflave  their  poflerity.      The  endeavours  of  fucceffive  mi- 

niflers  were  continued,  for  this  purpofe,  until  the  year  1728,  when 

.  king  George  IL  gave  his  mofl  gracious  aflent  to  an  adt,  commonly 

<:alled  the  revenue  aSt^  which  put  an  end  to  the  conteft.  This  ratifica- 

tlpn  of  what  may  not  improperly  be  deemed  our  great  charter  was 

.  purch^d  by  granting  therein  a  perpetual  revenue  to  his  majefty  and 

^  hi.s  fucceflbrs.-— Havii^  thus  given  a  general  view  of  our  fbrnjLof  ^0- 

[3]  Sec  Appendix,  B, 

C  %  vemm«nt^ 


12  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  1660. 

vcrnnient,  I  ihall  reprefent  its  progrefs  from  the  coiiqucft  of  the 
ifland  to  the  year  1684,  a  fpace  of  twenty-nine  years,  extraAed 
from  a  manufcript  whofe  authenticity  may  be  depended  on. 

After  the  conqueft  of  Jamaica,  part  of  the  army  being  left  for 
its  fecurity,  and  the  protedion  of  thofe  who  (bould  be  induced  to 
fettle  and  plant  there,  martial  law  became  the  rule  of  their  govern- 
ment, and  was  continued  until  the  Reftoration  of  king  Charles  IL : 
but  his  majefty,  bending  his  thoughts  and  councils  to  promote  the 
profperity  of  this  colony,  foon  refolved,  that  the  army  fhould  be 
difbanded,  and  that  a  civil  government  fliould  be  eredted,  under 
fuch  known  cufloms  and  laws  as  would  render  the  ifland  agreeable 
to  the  inhabitants,  and  beneficial  to  his  kingdom.  i\ccordingljr, 
colonel  ]£dward  D'Oyley,  by  his  majefty's  commiffion  under  the 
great  feal  of  England,  dated  the  8th  of  February,  1660,  was*  ap- 
pointed governor  of  the  ifland ;  and  was  direded  to  proceed  forth- 
with to  the  election  of  a  council,  to  confift  of  tNyelve  per(bns^ 
whereof  the  fecretary  of  the  ifland  was  to  be  one,  and  the  reft  to 
be  fairly  and  indifferently  chofen,  by  as  many  of  the  army,  planters, 
and  inhabitants,  as  by  his  beft  contrivance  might  be  admitted;  and, 
with  their  confent,  the  governor  was  ehipowered  to  ad  according  to 
fiich  jufl  and  reafonablc  cuftoms  and  conftitutions  as  were  held  and 
fettled  in  his  majefty^s  other  colonies,  or  accprding  to  fuch  other  as, 
upon  mature  deliberation,  fliould  be  held  neceflary  for  the  good  go- 
vernment and  fecurity  of  the  ifland,  ^  provided  they  were  not  rc- 
**  pugnant  to  the  laws  of  England^  .  In  obedience  to  this  com- 
roifiion,  a  council  was  clefted  by  the  colonifts,  in  the  nature  of  their 
reprcfentativcs ;  feveral  municipal  Jaws  were  ena6ted  j  civil  officers 
were  conftitutcd  ;  and  provifion  made,  by  a  revenue  adt,  to  fUpport 
the  charge  of  governmient,  which  was  then  computed  at  t6^oL  per 
annum.  But,  the  Spaniards  frequently  difturbing  them  in  their  new 
pofTeflions,  the  army  was  ftill  kept  on  foot :  which  preventing  the 
increafe  of  the  cobny,  and  reflraining  the  induftry  of  the  inhabi-- 
tants ;  the  planting  bufinefs,  and  breeding  of  cattle,  during  this  go- 
vernor's adminiftration,  were  very  little  attended  to. 

The  firft  efTay  towards  eftablifhing  and  fettling  of  the  government 
proving  therefore  dcfe<Stive,  his  majefty  conftituted  Lord  Windforgo- 
vcrnor  of  the  ifland  j  and,  by  his  gracious  proclamation  of  the  14th 

3  ^i 


x66i— 1664.]  BOOK    I.    CHAR    I.  13 

of  December,  1661,  (which  his  lordfliip  carried  with  him  fc]),  gave 
great  encouragement  to  the  planters;  and  declared,  that  all  the  chil- 
dren of  his  natural-born  fubje<Ss,  to  be  born  in  Jamaica,  (hould  be 
free  denifons  of  £ngland,^and  have  the  fame  privileges^  to  all  in- 
tents and  purpofes,  as  the  free-born  fubjedts  of  England.  And,  as 
his  lordfhip's  commiffion  and  inftrudtions  contained  greater  privi* 
leges,  conceflions,  and  indulgences,  to  the  inhabitants,  than  thofe 
that  were  fent  to  his  predecefTors ;  fo  they  were  better  calculated 
for  the  more  efFedual  eftabli(hment  of  the  government,  by  direfl- 
ing,  that  it  (hould  be  allimilated  to  that  of  the  kingdom:  and,  to 
this  end,  he  was  empowered  to  appoint  his  council,  and  to  call  af- 
iemblies,  according  to  the  cuflom  of  his  majefly's  other  plantations  ; 
to  make  laws,  which  were  to  be  in  force  for  two  years,  and  no 
longer,  ualefs  confirmed  by  his  majedy  ;  and,  upon  emergent  oc- 
cafions,  to  levy  money,  &c^  Lord  Windfor,  not  enjoying  his  health,, 
semained  there  bat  a  few  months:  however,  he  fettled  the  militia, 
and  confeqjuently  difbanded  the  army.  Upon  his  departure,  in  Oc^ 
tober  or  November^  1663,  Sir  Charles  Lytteltonr  at  that  time  chair- 
cellor  of  ^he  ifland,,  fucceeded  in  the  government ;.  and  in  De- 
cember 1663,  by  advice  of  hiS' council,  called  the  firft  ad^mbly,^ 
ivhich  coniifted  of  thirty  perfons;  and,  upon  their  meeting,  they, 
ena&ed  a  body  of  laws,  with  an  aA  for  railing  money  for  the  public 
nfes,  wherein  the  colleftion,  difpofal,.  and  accounting,  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  affembly.  In  1664,  Sir  Charles  Lyttelton  left  the 
government  under  the  care  and  direftion  of  the  council,  who  chofe 
Colonel  Thomas  Lynch  prefident..  ^wo  tboufandjive  hundred  of  the 
inhabitants  were  then  regimented,  hefidts  four  or  ^ve  hundred  movQ 
difperfed  in  the  country  ;  and  their  provifions  (as  he  aflerted)  greatly 
increafed.  This  account  was  fo  acceptable  to  his  majcfty  in^  council^ 
that  Sir  Thomas  Modiford  was  recalled  from  BarbadaeSy^ind^hy  com- 
miflion  under  the  great  feal,  (15  November,.  1664,)^  was  conftituted 
governor  of  Jamaica;  with  a  power  to  eredt  judicatories,  to  call 
aflemblies,  and  (with  their  confent)  to  make,,  ordain,^  and  conftitute, 
all  manner  of  laws,  ilatutea,  and  ordinances,  and>  upon  imminent 
occaiions,  to  levy  money  for  the  good  and  fafety  of  the  public  v 
which  laws  were  to  be,  as  nearly  as  might  be,  fuitablc  with,,  and 

[r]  See  Appendix,.  D. 

agreeable 


14  JAMAICA^  [1670— 1 674, 

ajgreeibic  to,  the  laws  of  England,     Accordingly^  in  his  firft  year, 

lie  called  an  srffembly,  who  enlarged  'a«id  re-en atSed  the  former 
laws ;  ahd  thefe,  upon  fome  affurances  given  hini  of  his  roajefty's 
approbation,  were  continued  in  force  during  hi^  government,  which 
ended  in  the  year  1670.  By  the  mufter-rolls  of  the  militia  about 
this  time,  tranfmitted  to  the  lords  of  the  Committee  for  trade,  it 'ap- 
pears their  number  was  two  ihoufand  [even  hundred  and  twenty  *  and 
that  the  number  of  feamdn,  in  '^nd  about  the  ifland,  was  two  thou-- 
fandjhe  hundred^  privateering  being  then  the  great  bufincfe  and  con- 

'cern  of  the  ifland.  But,  an  end  being  put  to  that  trade  foon  after 
the  American  treaty  with  Spain,  and  the  government  being  con- 
firmed by  the  new  governor  Sir  Thomas  Lynch's  commiffion  and 
inftrudions,  the  improvement  of  the  ifland  was  induftrioufly  profe- 
cuted  and  encouraged ;   and  the  planters  increafed,   by  the  conftant 

\acceflion  of  others  from  all  the  feveral  parts  of  his  majdfty's  domi- 
nions. An  aficmbly  was  called  foon  after  his  arrival ;  by  which  the 
laws  that  were  paffed,   and  had  expired  in  the  time  of  the  preceding 

'governor,  were  altered  and  enlarged;  and,  in  two  years  after,  not 
being  confirmed,  they  were  again  re-ena<3:ed,  and  fent  to  England 
for  his  majefty's  royal  approval.  Lord  Vaughan  fucceeded  Sir  Tho- 
mas Lynch  in  1 674 ;  his  commiflibn  named  his  counfellors^  dircSe 
his  calling  aflemblies,  to  be  chofen  by  the  freeholders  and  plantei^s, 
according  to  the  cuftom  and  ufage  of  Jamaica,  who  were  to  be 
deemed  the  reprefentativcs  of  the  people,*  to  make  laws  (as  near  ias 
conveniently  might  be)  agreeable  to  the  laws  and  ftatutes  of  Eng- 
land ;  thefe  laws  tcT  continue  in  force  for  two  years ;  but  none  to  be 
re-enadled^  except  upon  very  urgent  occafions,  and  in  no  cafe  more 
than  once,  except  with  his  majefty's  exprefs  confent.  His  lordfliip 
immediately  fummoned  an  aflembly,  and  palled  all  the  laws  that  were 
then  expired,  which  were  fent  to  England  to  be  confirmed,  or  other- 
wife  difpofed  of,  as  bis  majefty  ihould  determine ;  but,  not  being 
returned  in  two  years,  another  afTembly  was  called,  by  whom  all 
the  fame  laws  were  re-enaftcd,  except  the  revenue  aft,  which  was 
rejected  by  his  lordfhip.  As  he  found  the  ifland  in  a  fiouriQiing 
condition,*  and  that  the  people  had  been  very  cafy  under  the  mild 
and  fuccefbful  government  of  his  predcceflbr ;  fo,  by  his  indulgent^ 
ftcady,  and  impartial  conduft,  he  greatly  contributed  both  to  the  in- 

creafe 


,^74— i^7M         BOOK    L      CHAP.    I.  ig 

creafe  and  ftrength  of  the  ifland.  By  an  account  of  the  militia  fcnl: 
home,  not  long  after  his  departure,  they  were  augmented  to  four 
iboufandfive  hundred  and  ifweniy-JiXf  a  greater  number  than  they  have 
ever  (ince  muftered ;  and  the  planters  exported^  in  the  four  years 
from  the  commencement  of  his  government,  very  near  three  tinaes 
as  much  fogar  as  they  had  exported  in  the  d^ree .  years  and  three 
quarters  preceding^  Neverthelefs,  this  prolperousfcourfe  was  foon  in- 
terrupted. Upon  examination  of  the  laws  then  in  force  in  Jamaica, 
iuch  objeftions  were  raifed  ;by  the  lords  of  the  cjommittee  for  trade,. 
that  his  m^'efty .  was  .-pleafed  to .  irejeft  J5)me,  and  dire<a  the  new-wo^ 
iiiiing  of  the  reft,  which  were  to  be  fent  back,  that  they  might  be 
jpaiiedy  by  ^he  aflembly,  after  the  ijianner  in  IneUnd,  according  to 
Pcyning's  laws.;  to  which  rule  they  were  to  -be  bound  for:the  fu- 
ture :  andy  the  aflembly  having  imprifbned  one  of  their  members,, 
for  fcveral  mifdemeanors  and  breaches  of  order  of  their  houfc,  the 
privileges  they  infifted  on  as  natural  and  neceflary  to  the  reprefen- 
tatives  of  that  colony,  which  wer?  the  fame  that  the  houfe  of 
commons  have.inEnglaqd,  were  likewife  controverted.^  The  afore- 
iaid  laws  were  accordingly  returned -to  Jamai9a  in  1678,  by  the 
earl  of  Carlifle,.  their  new  govern,pr ;  who>  on  his; arrival,  called  an* 
aflembiy,  inor^er 'to;pafs  the.fame:  but  they,  being  much  difll^tis- 
•fied.  with"  this  frame  of  government,  and  with  Ipling.  their  delibera- 
'tive  part  ^n  making  and  pafling  their -laws,  rcje<9:ed  .them.  The: 
next  year,  1679^  the  faid  laws  were  again  tranfmitted  thither  under 
t^e  broad  feal  of  England;  and,  though  his  njajefty>was  advifcd 
tso  furnifti  his  governors,  and  their ,  council ^^  for  the  time  to  come,« 
'}vitlL power  Jo  raife  money,  as  had  been  praflifed.in  their  infant  f^te, 
if  they  did  not  comply  with  his  royal  commands,  yet  they  again 
Dgtfitcd.  them^  It  would  be  too  tedious  here  to  enter  iqto  the  argu- 
-ments  andreafons,  that,^on  the  one  hand,  were  urged  to  oblige  the 
aflembly  to  comply,  and,  on  the  other,  that  were  QfFered  to  fupport 
the  neceflity  of  re»eftabli(hing  their  late  conftitution.  However,  it 
.muil:  bet)bferved,  that,  on  the  ^3d.  of  June,  i68q,.  his  majcfty  hr 
council  was  pleafed  to  order,  that  th^  following  queftipn  fl^ould  be 
*propofedto  all  the  judges,  viz.  *' Whether,  by  his  m^jejfty*s  letter,. 
M- proclamation,'  or  commiffion .  annexed, , his  jmajtfty  had  excluded 
•  ^  himfelf « frqmilhe:. ^kower  4>£  cftabdiihii^  Jla W5  in.  jf^m^i<^^  > ,  ^^  t)c> ^g 
•  •  '  «*•  a  conquer edi 


i6  J  A  M  A  I  C  A.  [nS/p— 1^82- 

"  conquered  country^  and  all  laws,  fettled  by  authority  there,  being 
**  now  expired?**  What  was  reported  hereupon  by  the  judges  doth 
not  appear  ;  neither  is  it  material,  fince  his  majefty  very  gracioufly 
condefcended,  after  hearing  colonel  Long  and  colonel  Beeftou 
(who  were  deputed  by  their  colony  to  fupport  their  allegations), 
and  the  planters  and  merchants  then  refiding  in  London,  by  and 
with  the  advice  of  his  moft  honourable  privy  council^  to  determine 
in  their  favour ;  and  accordingly,  by  a  new  commiffion  to  the  earl 
of  Carlifle,  under  the  broad  feal,  dated  the  3d  of  November  fol- 
lowing, not  only  reftored  to  their  illand  its  former  government, 
and  all  privileges  they  had  hitherto  enjoyed,  but  enlarged  them ; 
and,  in  confideration  of  the  languifhing  ftate  of  the  country, 
granted,  that  the  quit-rents,  &c.  there  arifing  to  his  majefly,  fhould 
thereafter  be  appropriated  and  applied  to  the  ufe  of  the  public. 
The  earl  of  Carlifle  having  left  Jamaica  during  this  debate.  Sir 
Henry  Morgan  afled  as  lieutenant-governor  in  his  abience.  His 
lordfliip  declining  to  return,  his  majefty  gave  the  rfland  a  further 
inftance  of  his  great  favour  and  goodnefs  ;  and,  in  1681,  appointed 
Sir  Thomas  Lynch  governor,  and  empowered  him,  with  advice 
and  confent  of  the  alTembly  and  council,  to  make  fuch  laws  as 
fhould  be  conducive  to  his  majefty's  intereft,  and  agreeable  to  them. 
Accordingly,  in  1682,  feveral  new  laws  were  pafled  by  the  gover- 
nor, council,  and  afl'embly,  whereof  twenty-eight,  on  the  23d  of 
February  following,  were  approved  and  confirmed  by  his  majefty 
for  feven  years  ;  and  thofe,  with  fome  others  that  complete  the  firft 
volume  now  in  print,  on  the  17th  of  April,  1684,  were  approved, 
'  and  confirmed  by  his  majefty  for  twenty-one  years,  and  are  ftill  in 
force. 

In  this  manner  was  the  legiflaturc  of  Jamaica  at  laft  happily 
fettled,  to  the  great  fatisfaftion  and  encouragement  of  the  inhabi- 
tants :  and  as  this  government  was  affimilated,  as  near  as  poflible, 
to  the  government  of  their  mother  kingdom ;  fo  their  affemblics 
were  allowed,  and  enjoyed,  the  fame  privileges  that  the  houfc  of 
commons  pofleflcd  there*  And,  fince  lord  Windfor,  under  whofe 
coramiflion  aflemblies  were  firft  eflablifhed,  was  direftcd,  **  to  do 
^  and  execute  all  things  according  to  fuch  reaibnable  laws,  cuftoms, 
^<  and  conftitutions,  as  fhould  be  fettled,  provided  they  were  not  re- 

**  pugnant 


B  O  O  K     L      C  H  A  P.    L  yy 

•'  pugnaixt  t0  the  laws  of  Epgl^n^d^  but  ^grceiiig  thcrenntiQ  as  mux;h 
<^  as  the  condition  of  affairs  would  permitt/*     And,  ^s  the  comm^f- 
£ons  of  Aicc^ediiig  governons  are  of  the  fanxe  import  (as  it  cannot 
be  doubted,  it  was  abfolutejy  ueceiTary  the  afiEembly  ihould  have  a 
rule  to  go  by) ;  fo  it  is  fubmitted^  whether  the  governors,  had  it  not 
in  their  power  to  prescribe  this   known  rule  to  themfelves,  and 
reconun^nd  it  to  the  aflembly ;   and  whether  they  could  lay  doy^n 
a  betten     Their  opinions,  however^  both  of  the  conftitution  and 
privil^cs  of  the  affcmbly  of  Jamaica,  will  appear  by  what  follows. 
In  the  ytar  1669,  Sir  Thomas  Modiford  anfwers  to  the  conxmittee 
for  trade,  upon  their  encjiiiry  hqw  t^e  Jegiflature  was  fettled,  ^'  that 
^*  the  l^iilative  power  of  making  and  repealing  kws  is  fettled  in 
<^  the^gQvernor^  jas  his  majefty's  commifiofur ;  in  his  majefty'a  council^ 
*^  as  reprefenting  the  l^rdd  bouie;  ,aAd  in  the  ajf^mbly^  compofed  of 
'<  the  rcprefcatativca  of  d^  freefaoldci;s,  two  perfons  elected  out  of 
*^  eachpariib,  and  chefe  chofen.as  the  commons  of  England ;  being 
^^an  bumble  model  of  our  h^h  court  of  parliament,  each  of  the 
'^  reipedive  .bodies  .enjoying  a  ncgatpv^^    ;K*wejl  as  an  .normative ^ 
*'  vote/'    :Lord  Vaug^an,  on  a  queftlon  that  arofe  about  the  methpd 
of  pafling  laws,  declared  to  the  afTemblyf  **  that  he  Should  guide 
*^  himfelf  .according  to  the  4^^^  and  cufiopi  of  parliamenis  ifl  Eng^ 
<<  LmJ.'^  The  aiiembly,  in  an  addrefs.to  the  earl  of  Carlifle,,  upon  the 
^bjedUons  that  were  made  againft  the  imprifoning  their  members  for 
mifdemeattoifs,  &c.  fay,  ^f  they  hope  it  isjuftifiable;  the;king,*s^o« 
<^  vernor  i^aying  alTured  them,  that  they  haye  the  fame  power  pyer 
^*  their  members,  which  the  hov^e  of  commons .  have  over  theirs  j 
<^.and  all  ipeakers  here  praying,  and  the  governor  granting  >.the 
^*  uioal  petitions  of  .ipeakers,.  as  in  EQglgnd."     Sir  Tfaonias  Lypch, 
about  the  £ime.time,  beipg  callod  ppon  to  give  an  account  of  the  go- 
vernment  of   Jamaica,  .ajrgMes  thus  :  ^<  If  the   king's  commiiliQns 
<'  have  appointed  afiemblies,  and  if  they  have  been  .appointed  |n  »\l 
*^  die  colonies  from  their  firft  eftablifhment,  as  a  govern m^^nt  the 
'^Oiioft  5a^,rai|d  like  .this  of;  England;  then  they  hope,  thpt  they 
^«;Blonei)  pf  rfiU  the  glomes,;  fliall  fAot  be  retrenched  in  any  of  the 
"  priviipges .  oatural  to  fuch  afiemblies/^     And,  upon  the  aforefaid 
de/ign  relative  to  the  p^fling  of  their  laws  according  to  the  Ici(h 
model,  he  offers  it  as  his  opinion,  <^  that,  it  was  pofTiblcy  the  council 
Vol,  I.  D  « might 


U  J    A'  M    A-    I    C    A.    * 

"  might  join  with  the  governor  lo*  order  thofe  laws  to  be  continued  ; 
<•  but,  he  verily  believed,  they  would  not  continue  the  revenue  btll^ 
<«.for  that  they  thought  peculiar  to  the  ajemily.^*  In  Sr  .Thomas 
Lynch's  ftate  of  Jamaica,  •  which  he  tranfmitted  to  .England  in 
1663,  when  he  was  placed  the  third  time  at  the  head  of  govern- 
ment, and  after  its  re-eftabli(hment,  he  aflerts,   "  that  all  the  me- 

*  thods  and  proceedings  of  the  aflcmbly  were  conformable  to  thofe 

*  of  the  Englifh  parliament,  as  much  as  fo  little  a  body  may  be  to 
'  fo  great  a  one."  And,  in  another  account,  he  adds  thus:  '^'Thc 
«  king,  by  his  charter  of  government,  as  commiffioner,  has  confti- 
« tuted  affemblies,  that  are  umira  of  an  Englifli  parliament."  Nei- 
ther were  fuch  conceffions  inconfiftent  with  the  ancient,  nor  the 
modern,  conftitutions  of  colonies ;  for,  as  Grotius  obferves,  the 
Grecian  colonies,  which  conftituted  particular  commonwealths, 
were  to  enjoy  equal  privileges  and  liberties  with  their  mother  cities. 
And  thofe  that  were  afterwards  planted  by  the  Romans  were  mo- 
dels of  that  republic,  notwithftanding  they  kept  them  in  fubjedibn 
and  dependence :  to  which  example  all  the  nations  in  Europe  have,, 
in  general,  ever  fince  rcfpeftively  adhered.  From  the  whole,  there- 
fore, it  is  very  apparent  by  what  rule  the  aficmblies  of  Jamaica  were 
at  firft  conftituted,  and  afterwards  direSed.  And,  fince  neither  the 
ftanding  rules  of  thofe  aflcmblies,  nor  the  privileges  they  enjoyed, 
were  ever  difallowed  at  home,  or  oppofed  abroad,  •  during  the  reign 
of  Charles  11.  except  as  has  bden  related ;  it  was  manifeft  upon  what 
foundation  they  ftood.  And  it  is  fubmitted,  whether  any  frame  of 
government  lefs  perfe(3,  or  lefs  acceptable  to  the  inhabitants,  coiild 
have  fupported  them  under  thofe  terrible  calamities  to  which  they 
have  been  expofed;  or  have  enabled  them  t!o  fuftain  the  lofles  and 
damages  they  have  fufFcred,  and  to  furmount  thofe  difficulties  under 
which  they  have  long  laboured. — A  few  obfervations  neceffarily  oc- 
cur on  the  foregoing  Chronicle  [J]. 

That  the  original  foundation  of  government  in  this  ifland  was 
planned  on  the  grounds  of  aflimilation  to  that  of-  the  mother  coun- 
try, by  introducing  a  legiflature,  and-  by  forming  courts  of  Juftice, 
and  every  other  civil  eftablilhment  in  general,  agreeable  to  tKe  model 

[<^  Drawn  up  by  Sir  W.  Beeilon,  and  quoted  in  "  Privileges  of  Jamaica*  vindicated ;"  a  painphret. 

of 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.    I.  i^ 

or  the  mother  ftate ;  leaving  it  to  time,  and  the  progre&  of  fettle-  i 
inent^  to  feuider  the  fame  more  exaft^nd  perfedt  refemblances. 

'That^  under. this  mode  of  eftablifhed  government,  the  inhabi* 
tants  vfere  eafy  and  content,  the  colony  grew  populous,  and  contir  ^ 
nued  to  flouri(fa  ;  until  the  ininiflry  attempted  a  total  innovation  in ; 
their  legiflature^  which  aimed  at  taking  away  from   the  common 
people*  their  deliberative  (hare  in  the  framing  of  thofe  laws,  byj 
which  their  lives,  liberties,  and  properties,   were  to  be  bound.     The 
fiamcj  which  this  indifcreet  meafure  kindled,  in  this  infant  and  as* 
yet  unlettled  colony,  gave  ah  immediate  check  to  its  growth,  and 
had  well  nigh  i^onfutned  ifr  to  the  very  root.     And,  although  this: 
difpute  with  Lord  Garlifle   was  terminated  at  length  to  the  fattsfac*- 
tion  of  the  inhabitants ;  yet,   during  the  conteft  (I  ihfall  affirm  upon  • 
the  faith  of   other   manufcripts,  equally  authentic),    a  very  great 
number  of  planters,     and   new  fettlers,  deferted   the  iiland,  and 
fought  refuge  in  other  colonies  ;  induced  by  a  very  natural  Sand  juft  ^ 
apprehenfion,  that,  if  the  folemn  promifes  held  out  to  them  in  the 
king's  proclamation,  brought  over  by  Lord  Windfor,  and^he  uni^^ 
form  aflurances  of  all  their  governors,  were:thas  infringed,  at  the: 
pleafure  of -the  prince^  in  one  efferitialpoint,   they  could  hope  for* 
no  fecurity  againft  fubfequent  violations  of  them  *  in  every  other,  i 
From  adiftruil,  therefore,  of  the  machinations  of  government  to- 
wards their  iiland,  they  f«9ared  to  continue  any  longer  in  a  country,  r 
to  which  the  pr6fpe^of  enjoying  an  Engliifh  conftitution,  had  in^, 
vltcd  tkctri,  bvii  where   they  began  to  find  they  were  likely  to  have 
no  fufficient  fafeguabfl   againft.  an  arbitrary  form. — It:  would  have* 
been  more  coniiftent  with  the  honour  of  the   ibvereign,  tp  have, 
taken,  the  ferrfe.  of  his  judges,  on.  the  teditude  of  the  meafure,  ra-. 
tber /fm;/(0Mi' to.  its  being  adoptdd,  than  afur^    But  the  coiirt . chofe . 
rather:  to  make  the  experiment  firft,  and  then  to  coiifider  its  Legality. 
The  ad?ifcrs»of  fo.  unjuft  and . indefenfiblc  an. outrage  ought  moft. 
de(ervedly  to  have : fallen  under  the  vengeance  of  parliament ;  but. 
it  paiied  unnoticed*      The  ruinous  condition  of  this   colony,  for. 
fame  time  afterv^ards,  demohftrated  the  wretched  pplicy,  as  well  as. 
the  bafe  perfidy, .'of  attempting  fuch  a  change-     The  writer  has. 
mentioned,.tiiat,  after  this  fa(al  epoch,  the  inhabitants  of  his  time; 
cdiltinued  in  the  .unintecrupted  poiTcffion  of  their  ancient  ef);abli(h-?. 

D  z  ment. 


20'  J    A    Nl  jA   1    C    A. 

moitt.      Bat  innovation^  haw  heveithcleis  been  attempted    iince- 
thofe  da^s.     Within  the  pxe&at  fientury^  a  mi'nifl^Fial  prc^£l  was 
ftatted^  for  compelling  the  peopb  of  this  ifland^  by  the  powef  of 
prerogative,  to  pay  the ^ir  anJ  A^^/^r  cw/«  annual  duty  an  their 
produce^    to  the  crown^  according  to  the  uAge  of  Barbadoes  and 
the  other  iflands.     But  the  iblicitor^general  (Mr.  L#echmere,   if  I 
miflake  not),  being  confulted  hereupon,  aflured  the  mini{ler,  that 
fuch  an  attennpt  would  be  no  h&  than  high  treafoo.     And  vnider 
the  terror  of  this  opinion  the  fcbeme  was  dropped*     Attempts  have 
bben  alfo  made,  and  frequently  renewed,  bo  prevail  on  the  afiemUy 
to  pafs' their  bills  with  a  ciaufe  fufpeiiding  their  oper^at ion  until  the 
king's  pleafu re  relative  to  them  (hould  be  known  ;  hut  this  with 
an  exertion  of  mcmey  biH^:  an  exception,  which  immediately  he- 
trays  the  cloven  foot.;  iot^  no  dovibt,  bills  for  levying  money  on  the 
fiibje£t  muft  be  always  fuppofed  free  of  error,  and  perfedly  unex* 
ceptionable ;   but  a  bill  of  fnore  piiblic  \itility  would  probaUy  meet 
with  many  obfiacles,  unlefs  pu^rchaied  for  a  vduable  confideration^ 
like  the  claufe  in  tlie  revenue  bill  be£e>re-mentioBed«      The  ad- 
mitting a  fufpending  power  of  this  kind  would  >at  once  preclude  us 
ftotn  all  temporary  ;proviiions  (mbney  hiXis  excepted^    even  the 
moA  necefiary  and  i^cndictal.      It  is,  in  0i0f t*  the  old  fiory  of 
Ptynings  law  new'^drefled.      Moft  minifter$,    who  endeavour  to 
force  innovations  of  this /nature  upon  a  colony,  are  tmfbrtunately 
fo  iii(tle  acquainted  with  its  intemaLpolicyi,  that  they  do  i^ot,  io« 
deed   cannot,    fee  th^e  obje£kions .  agaii^ft  them,   arifing  from  that 
v^ry  policy,  moft- of  which  are  infuperabk.     Human  wifdom  is  ^ 
limited,  that  laws  are  'never  made  perfe&  .at  firft  :  tin>e,  and  loog 
experience,  deteA  their  miftakes  in  ibme  points;  their  inefficaoy  in 
others.     When  aiegiflature  sseftabliflied  in  a  commercial  colony, 
not  half  peopled,    and  nvhere  a  fp^cies  of  fiavery  has  been  aid- 
n^ltted,  new  objeAs,  new  incidents,  are  daily  arifing,  to  caU  for 
new  legiilative  regulations.     Our  diftancefrom  the  mother  countiy 
is  (b. great,  that  matters,  which  require  an  inftant  .application  of 
legal  expedients,  would!  become  irmnediahle.  evils  ;  and  the  colony 
would  be  expofed  to  the  heavi^  oppreffions,  and  moft  fatal  cala* 
mities,   before   his  majefty^s .  pleaiure,    cohcernii^  onradls  of  af-*. 
ilenibly,  could  poifibly  be  ^knowo ;  liOftentxmes^ubetifire  thofe  iads*. 

could 


B  O  O  K    I,      C  H  A  p.    L  9% 

could  perfarqd  \iaXf  the|r  vay^e  to  Gre4t*Br;^ain*  Pur  caif  wo^ld 
i>e  vfiry  diJfe.rwt,  pf,  liJie  Jfrfcy  pr  pupjrnfey,  v?c  ^ere  flmoft  ip 
thi^  ni^igbbpiiFbotod  of  Wl);tebalK  Any  peribn^  that  0).^11  mfped}: 
the  {ptnut93  of  our  al][emb|y,  aud  peruijb  only  jtl^a  titles  qf  thofe 
3^  l^hjph  tli^y  9i)(iua]Iy  ff^me^  ^HpJ^i  or  ap^f^d,  fvill  .i>e  con* 
vii^jQfdf  l(h»(  o^r  ^hiffi  of  legiflation,  according  tp  thf  prefbut  moflc^ 
i*  gro«iKlc4  iij  rfafan,  juft  pQlicy,  and  ^ije.^^ef^ity  .of  }l^c  c^y 
and  that  tp.pa($  tbeei  v^^th  ^fufpinding  clauft  wpuld  be  higl^Iy  pe;- 
9i^S>Vs  :l:p  .{he  polony^  The  greater  part  of  them  are  n^erely  local^ 
or  |>fovii^«li  ib^ne  ^Icjul^ted  for  only  temporary  .ends;  others  to 
U^be  ie0e&4s  jH'qfbatJAi^.ftry,  and  to  I^  refcinde^  a£^.in,  qr  ^gradualj^ 
W^lgrged  >ao4.  aoje^ded^  according  as  enperiei^  ioay  determine  their 
goodoTievtl  operation  ^rthe  purposes  iotende^*  I  P^all.^eg  leave 
to.emimerate  a  jlinaU  ovmbcr  qf  the  Joiejids^  in  order  to  juflify  thefc 
femai:ka»  viz.  a^s-^  <*  for  the  better  order  and  government  of 
**  flavesf'f—  **  for  preventing  ^the  ittyeigling  of  (laves  from  their 
^  owo^rS)  and  the  tr^nfpoftation  of  them  frona  the  ifland  by  niort- 
^V^goeSf  aod  tcn^ktiS  for  life  or  years  s''-rr«*Vfpr  preventing  the 
**  prafttcC'  of  Ohtflk^  ^nd  the  firing  of  hoyies  and  ,cancpieces;*'— ; 
'^-for  r^gulatJQg  buildings,  wheel*cgrri.ages  of  burthen,  highways^ 
^  tolls,  tttfppik^3»  prices  qf  ine^t,  :niackets,  and  fiiheries/'^-^^  for 
^  semoiring  occaijonal  nuifances  from  tpwns^  harbours,  roads>  and 
"-rivfw.;**'—:fi)r  encouraging  (^ttlers»  regulating  ixt^  Negroes,  Mu- 
^;  Jiattoes,  and  .Negroe  toiwii^,  ^fale  qf  Negroes  on  writ,  execution  of 
**rlev4es,  ele£^i<9i$»  courts,  lawyers,  and. pollening  conflables.  Mi- 
^  iitia,  .oartial  law,  and  articles  of  war  ;**-—><  Tales  of  certain  goods 
^  by  weight,  and  qot  by  invoice  ;*'-~  ^<  droguers,  or  coailing  ve(^ 
^^f^f*  1^  *<  tcanfcribing  decayed  records,  and  niaking  them  legal 
•^evidetwe;"-i-*VappQinting  commiilioqers  of  forts  and  fortifica- 
**  ttoiis;"-r--prefervi|)g  the  public  papers  and  records  ;'*— giving  free- 
^  dom  tO'  flares^  in  reward  qf  public;  jfervices  ;''--«^and  various  other 
proviiiQos,  all  incidental  to  the  colony,  and  calculated  for  |he  re- 
lief or  benefit  of  its  iuh^bij^nts ;  who,  it  cannot  be  denied,  are 
ia  general  the  heft  judges  of  the  evils  they  feel,  and  their  proper 
cemedies :  apd,  if  ^n^  of  their  a^s  have  been  deficie;nt  in  fly le 
and  compofition,  or  have  failed  of  due  fuccefs  upon  the  firft. trial, 
flail  it  (hoaldicsm,  Jhat  th^fe  arejaot  iufficient  reafons  for  the  abo- 

litiqn 


22  J    A    M    A    I    G    A. 

lition  of  their  legiflative  rights,  or  dejpriving  the  iphabitanis,  by 
fbfpenfion  of  two  or  three  years,  of  beneficial  jDrovifions,  framed 
to  fccurc  their  lives  and  properties,  which,  in  various  cafes,  might 
require  fuch  immediate  protection,  and  where  delay  would  be  death 
or  ruin. — In  all  flates  it  is  beft,  that  evil  praftices  (hould  be  nipped 
in  the  bud  ;  the  detedion  of  them  ought  inftantly  to  be  accompa* 
liied  with  a  fuitable  remedy.  The  invention  of  fome  men  is  ever 
oh  the  ftretch,  to  find  out  fbme  new  modifications  of  criminal  pur- 
fiiits  ;  and  hence  arife  thofe  frequent  fophiftical  evafions  of  penal 
laws ;  and  the  reiterated  exertion  of  legiflaturc  to  flop  up  every  holc^ 
that  the  mofl  wily  tranfgrefTors  may  not  ^fcape.  Yet,  as  it  is  im- 
poffible  to  advert  to  every  contingent  circumflance  j  fo  the  genius  of 
man  invents  new  evils,  which  require  new  and  timely  remedies. 
The  maxim  of  our  conflitution  is,  ubi  damnum,  ibi  remedium. 
This  fhould  be  a  lefTon  to  every  legiflature;  not  only  that  the  evil 
and  remedy  fhould  be  conflantly  found  together,  but  that  the  former 
fhould  no  fooner  be  difcovcred  than  reprefTed  by  the  latter.  Butj  if 
a  legiflaturc  has  power  only  to  enaft  laws,  to  be  of  cfFeift  at  a  future, 
diftant  period  of  time;  their  provifions  will  operate,  until  that  time, 
only  as  notices  to  bad  men,  to  employ  every  moment  of  the  in- 
terval in  reaping  a  full  and  plentiful  harved.  It  is  not  many  years 
ago,  that  a  mortgagee  found  means  to  get  pofiefTion,  upon  his 
debtor's  deceafe,  of  all  his  eflate,  and  fhipped  off  the  ifland  and 
fold  all  his  Negroes,  whofe  value  was  of  treble  the  amount  of  his 
demand.  He  alfo  conveyed  himfelf  away  foon  afterwards,  to  the* 
great  lofs  of  the  other  creditors  and  heir  at  law.  Had  this  man 
flaid  in  the  ifland,  here  was  no  law  upon  which  he  might  be  tried 
and  punifhed.  What  then  would  have  been  the  confequcnce,  *  if 
our  legiflature  had'  laboured  under  a  difability  of  providing  a  re- 
medy? Every  other  mortgagee  in  pofl'cffion  throughout  the  iflaiid 
might  have  adopted  this  iniquitous  example  with  impunity,  and  fet 
our  courts  of  juftice  at  defiance  for  feveral  years,  or  until  the  pre* 
ventative  law  ihould  have  been  confirmed  by  the  crown,  and  pub- 
lifhed  in  the  iflnnd.  A  multitude  of  cafes  might  be  propofcd,  to  d«^ 
monflrate  the  abfurdity  and  evil  tendency  of  /unending  clmiftsi 
Every  colony-man  is  fully  fenfible  of  this;  nor  will  any,,  but  the 
moil  profligate  and  ill-intentioned,  ever  give  .them  the  fmalleft 
6  countenance. 


BOO^K;  1/       CHAP.    I.  23 

conntMiancc,     The  mmiftry,  I  am  perfuaded,  vyould  ceafe  to  con- 
tend for  them,  if  they  were  better  inforoied,  and  made  to  fee  their 
mifcbief  in  its  full  latitude*     Some  of  the  ableft  writers  have  coni- 
iidered  the   difpenfing  power y  formerly   exercifed   by  the  crown,  as 
amounting  to  a  full  legiflative  authority.     Of  the  two,  a  difpenjing 
IS)  doubtlefs,  of  more  pernicious  confequence  to  the  public  welfare 
than  zfufpendmg  power.     It  is  more  fatal .  for  the  fovereign  to  break 
at  pleafure  the  eftabliflied  laws^  which  are  the  main  reftraints  upon 
bis  defpotifm,  than  at  pleafure  to  hinder  any  from  being  eftabli(hed. 
This,  however,  muA  be  taken  in  a  relative  fenfe,  and  ^according  to 
the  circunyftances  of  any  particular  ftate:  for,  in  a  flate  as  yet  un- 
provided with  fufficient  laws  for  controuling  the  regal  will,   the 
power  of  fufpending  would,  at  all  times,  ftrivc  to  prevent  any  new 
contTOuling  laws  from  taking  efFcft,     Thcfe  two  powers,   though 
tending  in  the  main  to^n  iflue  fomewhat  diflferent,  may  yet  .be  pro- 
du<fli*e  of  one  effect  common  to  both  ;  namely^  that  of  enabling 
the  fovereign  to  abforb  the^  whole  legiflative  authority  into  himfelf ; 
fince  a  power  of  fufpending  durante  bene  placiio  implies  a  power  oF 
taking  ofF  the  fufpenfion,  and  giving  vitality  to  any  law  upon  fuch 
conditions  only  as  he  may  pleaie  to  impofe  or  exadt.     Thus  the  af-- 
feoibly  could  never  be  fecure  of  permiflion  to  obtain  any  new  law,> 
except  with  a  tack  of  perhaps  very  unpleafant  conditions,,  entirely 
foreign  to  their  inclination  and  interefl.     In  thii  cafe  the  fovereign^ 
might  proceed  to  exercife  a  full  legiflative  authority,   by  fr-gming,  as> 
weir  as  enacting,  the  elTential  parts  of  a  law;,  or  might  annihilate 
the  legiflative  authority  of  the  people  at  pleafure,   by  rendering  ajl 
their  adls  non-effFcdtive  ;  or  he  might  afl'cnt  to  them  only  , upon  fuch 
terms  as  ftiould  wholly  deftroy  their  legiflative  independency.     The 
diflindtion  between   thefe  two  exorbitances  feems  to  be,  that,  as  the- 
dypenjing  power  enables  the  fovereign   to  free  himfelf  from  all  obli- 
gation ot  the-  laws  to  which  he  has  folemnly  aflented  j  fo  the  fuf--- 
pending  power  enables  him  to  dil'qualify  the  popular  reprefentativcS' 
from  pofle fling  any  fliare  of  legiflation,   except   in  .laying  burthens 
upon  their  conlHtuents;   leaving  them,  in  Ihort,    no  other  power,, 
than  the   power  of  opprejmg  the  fubjedt   under  the  colour  of  law. 
Another  attempt  has  more  recently  been  made,  to  deny  the  aff'^^mbly 
their  accuilomed  privilege  of  freedom  from  arrefts  pending  the  i;jf- 

iiom 


i4  JAMAICA. 

fibn  of  their  houfc ;  the  rigi^  of  cakibg  in  caftody,  by  their  fpeaker^^ 
warrant,  contumacious  perfons,  according  to  cuftom  of  parliaAieot ) 
and,  thirdly^  to  fubjed:  fut^h  commitments  to  the  abfolute  coii'troul 
of  the  governor  as  chancellor ;  reditcing  tbem,  by  this  inean^  to 
an  inferiority  of  JQrirdi<^ion  to  all  thofe  courts  which  are  neceifarily 
conflituted  amenable  to  the  afTcmbly ;  and  difarming  them  of  aH 
power  to  enquire  into  the  illegal  ptx)ceeding8  of  the  chancery  arid 
other  courts ;  or  to  procure,  for  injured  and  opprefTed  fubje^s^  that 
i^edrefs  which  they  could  no  otherwife  hope  to  obtain.  But  from 
thefe  extraordinary  attacks  of  defpotifn),  as  well  as  from  an  endea* 
vour  to  wreft,  out  of  the  hands  of  the  people,  their  right  of  raifingf^ 
appropriating,  and  examining  into  the  expenditure  of,  their  own 
monies^  notwithftanding  every  art  of  wheedling  and  intimidation 
have  been  ufed,  they  haVe  been  hitherto  (bielded  by  the  laudable 
fpirit  and  virtue  of  their  reprefciitativcs :  nor  will  thefe,  nor  other 
:evil  defigns,  tie  tittended  with  at)y  thing  but  reproach  and  difgrace  to 
the  projedtors  and  abettors  of  theni,  fb  long  as  the  afiembly  (hali  be 
<:Dmpofed  of  honcft,  fHady  riien ;  Who  kftow,  that,  however  mudi 
the  conceffion  of  fuch  rights  may  be  pleafing  to  the  governor,  or 
miniiler  of  the  day,  it  cannot  fail,  in  the  end,  of  defolating  this 
colony.  Whatever  a  governor^  or  other  minifter,  may  thinks  or  be 
told,  the  moft  valuable  nien,  and  beft  fupportera  of  it  (virho  are  the 
honeft  and  induftrious),  will  tafily  remove  to  other  countries,  per« 
haps  to  a  worfe  government,  even  in  the  French  iflands,  where  itten, 
bringing  their  families  and  efiedis,  would  be  well  received,  rather 
than  continue  where  they  are  not  fuffered  to  enjoy  ^nEngli/b  go^ 
Apernmenf.  An  imrettfed  mode  of  governing,  and  the  apparition  of 
freedom  without  the  fubftance,  will  mj<kc  every  thinking  indepen- 
dent Briton  rather  prefer  a  fettled,  abfcdute  form  of  eftablifhrneilt, 
than  fuch  a  fleeting,  painted  fhadow.  The  uncertain  tenure  of  the 
largeft  property.  Under  a  government  which  is  ever  mutable,  and 
whofc  limits' are  not  marked  by  the  plain  lines  of  known  laws  and 
,cfquitable  farididrts,  wilt  incline  all  reafonable  pcrfons  raither  to  fetfk 
an  afylum,  where  tHcy  may  be  fure  of  holding  a  certain,  thoqgh 
fraaller,  benefit,  Where  they  already^ knoW,  or  think  they  know,  the 
word,  than  remain  in  a  fituation,  where  they  ate  ever  fufptciotts  of 
ibme  confpiracy  agaltid  their  welfare^  and  retain  only  the  found,  not 

the 


B.«lOLKlLx^    (tr.HJA^.    L  fey 

.•the.  fQa3itJ?i.:of.  a  WrtbrfT^ht.  ^  It  is  much,  to  •  beircgf^bUedpthai  tlw 
•|>?9pie  of  t^Q-  colDoie3 i ifliobld  ndt  be,  left  un(Jiftuqbcd  lih:  tli«  po£- 
'fcfiiCHX  of:thofe.*few;lii5firti)es  ^their  J)regenitbrs:.cfeaffly5wfhdd,;atid 
5yhteli  awabfoiutely.  necefikry. for  them  ;.  and' that  theyefliould  not 
be  rath^r:^ra^Ufi^.thaa  abridged.  ;  Bjjt.  hiftory.  evinces;:  trliat^  in  all 
ages,  there  has  been  one  fet  of  perfons  uniting  its  efforts  to  enflave 
mankind  ;  and  another  fet,  to  oppofe  fuch  attempts,   and  vindicate 
the  caufe  of  freedom.  .  The  accidental  circumftances  of  men  may^ 
perhaps,  occafion  this  [difference  :  the  xich  are  the  natural  enemies 
of  the  poor ;  and  the  poor,  of  the  rich ;    like  the  ingredients  of  a 
boiling  cauldron,  they  feem  tp  be  in;  perpetual  warfare,  and  ftruggle 
which  fhall  be  uppermoft :    yet,  if   both  parties  could  compole 
themfelves,  the  yi^^^j^  \vould\r€iJaaih. peaceably  at  the  bottom;   and 
all  the  other  particles  range  themfelves  in  different  ftrata,    accord- 
ing to  their  quality V  the  moft  i«firied  floating  always .  at  tc^/    |fis 
the  myfterious  ^aifte^  t\it'^ facer 'ignisioi'  prerogative,  whidi  ciiifes 
•th^  ehollitiOH^  and  Wifes^'thatFdrrtient^Wliich  goes  under  the^  ftigtrta 
of.  p<Dpbkr  faftiou^   by  which  means  it  rtpt  feldom^.hafipettS':(as  I 
have  Ihmewhere  read),  -  that  the  d»gs,ibyti:degreesi -attain  to   the 
./^^,'  and  there. fetble! themfel yes.  ^'  Jii  a^^colbny,  which, -by  the  na;tur^ 
.of  things^  can  flour ifh  no'  longer  than  whilftits  inhabitanrts  are  at 
peace  with  each  other; iapd  employed  in* the  avdcatiA»s,dfiiiduftry; 
iiothmg.  furely  can  be  mt)r6  i:nlpolitic,  iand  banefahtso  ;thei . mother 
.ftate,  than'  tointrdclQce^party  fc^d6,.-''The'cantagi<Mi^of!tbis  pefti- 
Jdnce:  reaches -fat  awd.  wide':;  nckii>efcap^'it  j-  even  ouir^very.  Negroes 
turn  politieiaris, '  i\Vafte  of -time^  obftru<9:f6n',to  all  profitablebu- 
finefs,  are  the  leaftihurtfulconfequences.  tFdrtmies  have  been  co»- 
furaed:here,  ;whale  .famitte?  ruined,  b^  t*ppofiti6n  ;  .aiid^many  )io- 
ne/b creditots  defeated  of  their -diSei(pe>ihaps, ruined  alfo)/hy  nu- 
.merwis  iafolvencies^   ^TThe^fWther:  ha§  befen  enlbittered  againft  the 
-fon^^'tbe  foiiic  aga'mft  the.fatlietJ*}.   the  >  wfefmeft  frifentds 'have*  ibeen 
converted  into'  irhplacable  enemies 4   and  many  havd  defcended  into 
■tbeir-graves  widiout  reconciliation  'dr-forgivcncl's.^   S^-Tch  are  the  dd- 
•plowblc  .0ffe<a8  f^-  krndiing  pattyi-rftgfe  in^-iiliWr  fc?OmfeGftltie's ;   and 
-mbre^parkicularlyviii  thofe^parcsi^  of' 'che^vSroflfel,'* Where- the- i^aiureoJf 
-tbe  elimweitendsitoiexafpefiiij^men-fi  p^dnsf^  and'is'tvei-iacWing  fiitl 
•fotWd-'fire.^  -Thaj:  •mii>ifter^*^ft'^e,  J  orfgtfve^nor,:  \vill,dfef^rve-bep: 
v..     Vol.  I.  E  cf 


a6  J    A    M    A    I    C    il. 

4oF  kit  tountry^  wha  Itboors  mod  to  prdferve  the  coloniiU  in  pMoe 
aad  luanimitj ;  and  to  hold  their  miada  dire€bed  to  a  Aeddy  cquirft 
of  iodoftiy,  £>  beneficial  to  Great^Britain ;  granting  tfaett  aH  dM 
^te^non,  and  every  other  juft  enopiirageinent  and  irmw  ^tiiat  a 
injUble  people  oan  reqaii^e,  or  4t  ptcriotic  aMoifter  Mkiw. 


C    H     A     P.       II. 
SECT.    I- 

» 

THE  rgovecnor  i«  rai^fttkatbie  of  thek^ig  b«£b4)f  Le^^jifia* 
turns  gfiociratii&mo tof  all  th^  JpiUliar/ ^nes ;  vke-iadnEUjial 
Ibr  •con&rvfttioa  of  th^  rights  fif  £1oi»«fn»  ^t&n^  kci  and  pm- 
iident  on  traids.fbr  piracy^  binder  ^i^<.  ^«i6  /crtf«;  dianceUbr*  and 
lueepfir  of  the  gseat  ieal,  of;^^  iihtfid ;  jadge  of  fwobate  of  iksIIs, 
and  granting  adminifhationd  in  the  ^cchsfiaftical  couct.;  j/iuigp  of 
apqpeal  in  the  court  of  errors*  Ho  ifrililed,  ^  jgp^&met  of  Jamaicat 
«<  and  of  the  territories  theKe<m  ^(qxiidiDg  in  America^"  By  theie 
tcoitorks  :ace  fuppoied  to  heineaQtiflie  :thf ee  CayntaaaL  iflands^  fi- 
-tuatjpd  a  few  leagues  Weftward  of  Jamaica;  thefegwood  creek  at 
.Uojiydiiiras*;  'Gampeadie  bay;  and  ^e  i:ountry  of  the  J&dbfi^ito  hu 
^nsj  who>  having  naaijty  years  ifinoe  fubcnitted  voluntaiiiQy  to  the 
crown  of  Great-Britain^  and  admitted  feverai  Britiflu  fnbjeds  to 
^Dpy  very  large  trads  of  land  anuvig  them,  may  juftly  now  he 
deemed  adopted  fubje£ls  of  thejiempirc^  and  merit  oujr  enanicago- 
ment,  not  only  for  their  Ipiig  and  iaithfnl  attachment  to  ais»  but 
for  their  annual  QQufumptton  of  ^itttilhananu&dures,  by  no. means 
inconiiderable ;  for  which  they.^pay  us  in  valuable  prodn&ions  of 
-the  Continent.  But  to  retufrnto  the  igoverxu)r.  He  is  a  vioeiroy.; 
alegiflator;  a  general;  ajud^ci  in.equity  and  law^  jn  ecxkfiaftical 
«qd  in  maritiiqe  affairs ;  aqAobinaiion  of  oiSfies,.  which^  dS&fJS: 
"nifiWy  <feem  to  require  fuch  an  acaoinp)Iiilied.ednc3ttoo^  :iiiQh.ax6oinr 
ipreh^nfwe.  pow/erof  genius  judgein«sit|  memoi^j  and.expecienc«9 

as 


BOOK    t       CHAP.    IL  if 

ft$  ite  ahttfift  inc6hf5(^dht  with  the  limiiied  period  ot  inortat  ex* 
iftehce,  dr  With  the  toflflftiott  faculties  of  the  human  mirid.    What 
then  4f6  we  to  eXpeft  from  thofe  governors,  whofe  educatioh  add 
profcflion  have  tended  mofe  to  miflead,  than  inftl-u^  them  in  the 
knowledge  of  thcfe  fo  very  diffimilar  funftidns,  aild  who  cannot  be 
fuppofed  to  know  what  has  liever  been  any  part  either  of  their 
Hudy  or  purfuit  ?     Would  hot  a  Chinefe  philofdpher^  if  he  Wis 
to  be  told  of  thefe  various  employments  thus  ceritred  in  one  mah> 
neceflarily  conclude,  the  firft  and  ablcft  geniufei  were  feleaed  from 
the  whole  nation,  to  undertake  and  execute  a  fyfteiii  of  duty  fo 
complicated  ?     But  what  muft  be  his  amazement,  to  be  informed, 
that,  in  general^  their  qualifications  have  been  neither  enquired  into, 
nor  regarded,  in  the  appointment?     From  the  commander  of  a 
brigade  of  foot,  a  gentleman  is  metamorphofed,  on  a  fudden,  into  a 
grave  judge  of  courts,  to  difcufs  cafes  in  equity,  folve  knotty  points 
of  laW|  or  expound  the  doctrine  of  laft  wills,   devife,  and  inheri- 
tance.    What  is  to  be  expected  from  fuch  judges  ?     May  they  not 
either  commit  grofs  abflirdities  from  ignorance,   make  strbitrary  de- 
cifions  from  avaritious  or  tyrannical  principles,  be  remifs  and  dila- 
tory from  a  Scrupulous  fear  of  doing  wrong,  or,  confcious  of  theit 
own  weaknefs,  reft  themfelves  on  the  private  opinion  of  fome  felfi(h 
retainer  to  the  law,  who  has  cunning  enough  td  turn  this  abfolute 
controul  over  a  governor's  judgement  to  his  own  lucre  in  the  courfe 
of  pradice  ?     1  have  heard  of  a  colony-chancellory  who  ufed  io 
throw  the  dkcg  in  order  to  determine  whicTl  way  he  (hould  decree : 
the  higheft  throw  went  in  favour  of  complainant;  the  lowcft,  for 
defendant.     Sometimes  (the  (lory  fays)  his  decrees  were  confirmed : 
but  whether  he  was  right  once  in  ^ve  tlmfes,  or  oftciicr,   I  mirft 
leave  to  the  enq|Uiry  of  thofe  who'' are  learned  in  the  calculation  of 
chances.   I  have  been  told  of  another,  who,  after  the  caufe  (which 
reipeded  a  certain  title-deed  tlien  given  in  evidence)  was  finifhed, 
found  himfeif  exceedingly  puzzled  with  the  argumenlts  of  counfel 
OD  both  (ides.     But  at  length,  happily  difterning  the  gif)*,  and  de- 
livering Ills  opinion,  *'  that,  if  it  were  not  for  that  fame  deed,  no 
^'  caufe  of  litigation  would  remain  between  the  parties,'*  which 
they  afllired  him  was  extitmely  true ;  he  Tery  wifely  poke4  it  into 
tk&ifirei  andconfumed  it  before  their  faces^  in  order  to  ta&e  away 

£  a  the 


ii  J-  A    ;M  ,A    I    C    A.     r 

the,  bone  of  eontentiori  ;  and  vipon  this  maxim,  cejfante  caufd^  cejfat^^ 
effe£iu$.     'I:hav:e  been,  informed  of  another,,  who,  after  hearinga 
caufe  in  chancery,   defcended  fo  low  as  to  aik  a  Aupid,  drunken  fb- 
licitor,,  one.  day  after  dinner,  and  over  the  bottle,  *^  how  he  thought 
*f  the     decree    ought    topafs^    for   that,    as  to    himfclf,  h?   was 
"d— mn — bJy  at  a  lofs  what  to  determine.'*     I  have  heard  of  ano- 
ther,  who  refufed  a  civil   officer,  the  habeas  cx>rhusj  and  caufed  hirri 
to  be  laid  in  gaol",  and  copfined  like,  a  felon  for  a  long  Uiinb  in^irOjiis, 
/or  no  other  offence,  but  bccaufe  theofficer  would  iiot  affift  him  in 
making  falie  returns  of  aflembly  members.     The  fame  chancellor 
held  a  difputation  from  the  bench  with  a  fblicitor  bfhis.  court ;   and' 
threatened  to  imprifon  him  Jor  Jife,  becaufc  he  had  t;akcn  notes  or 
Ibme  expreffions  that  had  dropped  from  the  chancellor  ^t,the  hear- 
ing,  which  the  chancellor  denied   having  fpokeh,  although  every 
one  prefent  affured  him  that  he  had  uttered  them  ;•  and,  to  compieat 
all,  he  committed  the  folicijor.to  prifon,  for  this  high  contempt  of  the 
court.      The  farae  chancellor    is  .  ipoje  than  fufpe^tcd  ^q^,  having 
caufed  a  fuit  to-be  inftituted  agaihft'  a  gentleman 'of  fortune,  wfio 
had  oppafed  his  violent  proceedjn^s' in  the  colbn)^.  -  He   is  faid  to 
have  fet  up  an  a.ttorney  at  la\V  to  claim 'an  e'ftate. belonging  to  that 
gentleman,  and  to  have  given  a  decree  in  favour  of  the'  attorney, 
which  entitled  him  to  immediate  pofleffion  :,  but,  uffon   appeal  to 
Great-Britain,  the  decree  was  reverfed,  asjh jufticc* wai  to  be  eJc- 
pe£lcd  M,     Report    fays,   that,  another   waived ' holding  courts  of 
chancery,    to    the   great  oppreffion  of  tlie  fuit6rsV\who  cared  not 
which  way,  he  decided,  fo  he  would  not  thus  oburu£k  their  catifes 
from  travelling  onwards  to.  the  appeal  court.     The  reafbn  he  af- 
figned  for  this  neglect  and  deUy  of  juftice  was,  that  bis  profits   in 
chancery  (about  50/.  per' annum)    were  not  proportioned  to  th6 
trouble  and  drudgery  of  futingj   as  if  the; 'large- fakry  glV'en  hini," 
and  the  whole  emoluments  of  his  government,  'were  not  a  fufficient ' 
compendition  for  his  trouble .  in  the  cxercife  ofhis    feverar'dutiesj 
The  fame^chancellor  ufed,  when  he  did  fit,  to  ci,tc'the  king's  in- 
ftruftions  as  rules  of  his  copfcience  in  .that  court,    J  .need  jiot  add  ' 
more  examples  in  corroboration  of  my 'premifes..  Indeeq,  moflr  of 

\A'N.  B.  Since  this  affair,  the  gowrnor's .decree, (l^^qrder)  (jannqt gi ve  pollcfioo,  exc9pt  ^yher9 
tkclofing  patty  dcdipei  his  right  ot  appcaL  ^  -      ,     •    .  ^  ,  .    *     , 

■  ?  '  i     ••     ji  .  -fj  i,  i     •  h."   -\    x)iMr' 


B  O  O  K^    L       C  H  A  p.    IL  29 

our  governors  have  been  ingenuous  enough  to  confefs,  that  there 
was  no  part  of  their  duty  which  they  difliked  fo  much,   and  under- 
ilood  fo  little, '.as  that  of  determining  caufes   in  the. courts  of  chan- 
cery, and  ordinary.     No  wonder,   then,   if  they  are.  frequently  be- 
wildered in  a  maze  of  doubt  and  uncertainty  ;   liable  to  great^  errors, 
if  they  rely  on  their  own  opinion  (which,  however,. is  the  moft  con- 
Icientious  mode   of  deciaing|;   and   to  partialities  and   injuftice,  if 
they  fufFer   their  judgement  to  be  influenced  and  perverted,   by  alk- 
ing  advice  of  venal,  crafty  perfons,  who  will  be  more  likely  to.con- 
fult   the    fattening  their  own  purfe,  than   preferving  the  governor's- 
charadler  from,  blemifli.     BefidcSvfomc  jcf.  this  mercenary  ftamp  are 
apt  to  value  themfelves  on   being  thought  intimate  confidents  of  a 
governor  J   like  thofe  .coxcombs,  who  vvidi   to  appear  in  the  height 
of  favour  with  women  of  rank,  beauty,  and  virtue,  .and  thus  bring,  . 
fonietimes,  an. unmerited   flur.upon  their  reputation.     As  a  remedy^ 
for  this,  we  may  fuppofe  the  office  of  chancellor  to.be  held  and  ex-* 
ercifed  by  a  diftin6l  perfon  or  perfons  :  for  example;  by  one,  or  more 
old   barrifters,  who   have  pradifcd   at   the.  bar  a  certain  number  of 
years  (fourteen   at.- the  lead),     of    known   good .  ability",    moderate' 
fortunes,   and  refpecflable  chara(fters  ;    v/ho  (houJd  have  a  falary,  to 
be- paid   by  the -ifland,    over    and   above   the  .cuflon:iary   fees,   and 
ihould  every  year  hold  four  courts,   at  flated  times,  for  motions  and 
petitions,    and.  four  for  hearings.     Nothing  is   more,  true,  than  that 
the  procraftination   of  juftice  IS  as  grievous  as   a   denial  of  it.     The 
tardy  procefs'of   the  chancery  court  is* the  principal   caufe  -of  its 
being  made  (With  us)  a  fahAuary  for  knaves,  and  malicious  litigants.   . 
iThe  eafy  and  honeft   method  of  giving  relief  in   this  cafe' is,   by 
frequent   fittings ;  thus  connterafting  the  vis  inertia  of  procefs   by 
the  great  energy:with  which  it  is  urged  forward.   .  This  is  one  means 
of  preventing  vexation?  fuits :   another  is,   by  rendering  the  inftitu- 
tion   of  frivolous  fuits  a   matter  of  more  ferious  concern  than  it  is 
ordinarily  .confidered.      This  is  to  be  cffefted  by   enhancing  the  ex-  - 
pence,    and  making  it  ultimately  fall  upon  the  party  in  the  wrong  in  : 
all  adverfary  fuits.;    and   this   will  be  no.  inequitable   tax   upon  his 
wilful  obftinacy.     For  .inft^ince;    a    tax  .  might   be  laid   after  this   . 
manner :  .       '  .  . 


30  JAMAICA. 

bn  every  bill  filed, ^ —      z      otxctptmformdpauperh. 

On  every  anfwer,     •— — •       ■    ■■  '■         2       o 
On  every  interlocutory  decree,  2     10 

Oh  every  attachment,         ■       ■    »        ^       o 
Attachment,  with  proclamsltion,  1      lO 

Commiflion  of  rebellion,  ?        5       b 

Commiilion  to  examine  witnefles,         %       d 
Final  decree,       ■  ^  5       o 

Motions  and  petitions,  each  — — —       o       5 

The  produce  of  thi«  taxi(wbich  (hould  be  received  by  the  regifter, 
and  by  him  accounted  for,  and  paid  over  once  a  month  to  the  re- 
ceiver-general, deduding  a  fee  of  fix  pence  in  the  pouild  for  his 
irouble)  might  be  applied  towards  defraying  the  chancellor's  falary  j 
^^hich  officer  Should  be  removeable  by  the  governor  by  advice  of 
Ills  council,  or  by  his  majefly  in  council,  upon  due  proof  and  con- 
viction of  mifdeineanor  in  office.  The  governor  to  be  allowed  50/. 
^r  annum  by  the  iiland,  in  addition  to  his  falary,  foi"  the  lofs  of  his 
difual  profits  of  this  office.  The  judge  of  probate  of  wills,  and 
;grahting  adminifirations,  (hould  alfo  be  a  difiinCfc  perfon,  a  man  of 
-fortune  fafficient  to  let  him  above  corruption,  qualified  by  education 
for  this  office,  aiid  fatisfied  to  tranfad  it  for  the  cuftomary  fees  and 
emoluments,  which,  I  believe,  do  not  exceed  tool,  per  annum ^  in^ 
xluding  the  feal-fees  on  every  dedimus.  This  fee  is  1/.  7/.  td.  which 
might  dill  be  paid  to  the  governor:  but,  iiFit  (hould  appear,  upon  fair 
inquiry,  that  the  remaining  kt%  (hould  come  ihott  of  loo/.  (wtly^ 
this  appointment  would  not  fall  very  heavy  on  the  public,  in  beftow- 
ing  (uch  an  annual  falary.  Perhaps^  no  peribn  is  better  qualified  for 
this  duty  than  a  fenfible  clergyman.  Our  governors  have  ufually 
given  the  redtbry  of  &pani(h  town  to  a  man  of  good  character  and 
ability.  The  fiipend  and  furplice*fees  of  this  fiving  are  a  very  fuf- 
ficient  pfovifion  to  keep  the  incumbent  above  meannefs  and  venality : 
befides,  he  is  refident  where  the  court  of  ordinary  has  been  ufually 
held ;  and  the  public  would  have  a  firm  fecurity  for  his  faithful  dif* 
charge  of  the  office,  if  he  was  to  be  declared,  by  law^  to  incur  for- 
feiture of  his  (lipend,  upon  being  legally  found  guilty  of  mal»prac* 
tice  and  corruption  in  the  office  of  ordinary.  The  addition  of  looh 
a  year  to  the  xe6lor*5  iacome  might  be  a  defirable  objeA  to  him,  who 

has 


B  O  Q  K    I.     €  H  A  P.    11.  31 

hifi  ^  mtny  l^iAir^  hours  jto  fpare ;  and,  perhaps,  it  might  not  be 
ffHally  1^  eligtbliB,  or  fo  prQp^r  io  all  refpeds,  for  moft  others.  The 
gpvfsrrior's  jm&ti^ipnt  «?  p)^ceU<Mr  ai^ji  ordinary,  bring,  in  the 
foprfe  of  a  few  yeftfs,  fh^  greateft  fliare  of  thU  country's  property 
to  his  49tfirffim^m  t  Vf^k  fjir^^iihes  ^nothi^r  9huous  argument. 


SECT.      ir. 

Governor's  Salary; 

ORICylNALLY,  g<xrernorS''W!eM  pakl  by  the  king  eurof  hir 
civil  lift*    'By  degree^,,  as  the  cdonies  grew  richer  and  iBore  popu* 
loy^  they  gave  pFelcnts  or  de^attone  to  facb  gaveroors  as  9ierited'' 
virell,  9r  had  art  ^ixxigh  to  cajole  them  into  good  humour*    The  - 
crown-  at  length  feaii(ig»  ^t«  if  governors  were  left  at-  liberty  tO'^ 
nke  wbsttever  yt^s  g^ven  by^  c!ie  people,  they  might  accept  bril^eoir^ 
and.  -reilax  in  their  care  of  prerogative, .  with  a  view  to  pleaie  tbeir-^ 
i>enip£sidors^ .  ibri>ade  them  to  aecept  of  any  fatuity,.,  unlefs  fettled^ 
i^n  th^aa  hj  a  law,^  4Mi  their  entrance  into  adnuaiftration^  to  con^ 
timie  during  tha  term  of<  k..   When  a  perpetual  revenae  was  eftar- 
bitflled  in  Jamaiica,  the 'govemor^s  falary  was  fixed  at  2500/.  cui:^- 
ftiAcy  fer  a/tmwij^sjRd  charged  upon  that  fund..    The. inhabitants 
liave,  iince  that  tin)e,.u(ually  made  an  augmentation^ to  it  of'  2500  /«! 
more.    Our  governor^ibr  the  time  being,  has  likewife  a  farm  ftocked  '■ 
with  cattle   and  flieep,  and  a  mountain  iettlement  for  provifions^  - 
with  a  confkfoFtable  houie  upon  it ;  both  nt  a  fmall  diiknce  frbm  the 
ieat  of  government.     His  emoluments  altogether-ape  computed,  onc^ 
year  with  another,. at  a  certain  5000/.  fterling/^^^««»/w,in  time  of' 
peace:  butvthcy  exceed  this  in  time  of  war ;  the  granting  letters  of  ^ 
marque,  and  commifiioning  cartels, ,  or  flrags  of  truce,  bfeing  no  inr- 
confiderable  perquifites;.    In  the.  bands  of  feme  gcniIemcn,..whofe  ■ 
vigilance  nothing  could  efcape,  it  has  been  raiied  to  much  more,  by 
ihe  fale  of  efeheats,   rei^ories^-  and  all  other  appointments,  which « 
happened   to  fall  vacant,  during,  theii^  adminiftration»     Some^have' 
pra^ifed  this;  and  others  descended  to  very  culpable .  meanness, ^ 
till  they  contrived  to  make  the  profits  double  what  I  have  men^^ 
tioned :  for  there  are  betweea  £fty  and  fixty  pffices  of  profit  \n  this  ^ 

iiland^, 


3i  •  '    J'  'A''M^    A'  V^C    A. 

iflahdj  without  including  beryefice9^  .fome-&f  which- are  in  the  go- 
vernor's abfolute  grant  by  warrant;'  and  df  the  remainder  he  has' 
the  appointment,  pro  tempore,  iipoi>  accidental  vacancies  by  deaths 
Fufpenfion,  orothervvife.  A  governor,  not  of  rapacious  difpofition,* 
might  unquefHonably  fupport  the  dignity  of  his  ftation  in  every  ne-^ 
ccffary  point,  live  with  elegance,  and  lay  up  3000/.  flerling  per 
annum.  The  colonies  are  remarkable  for  having  always  (hewn  a 
Ipirit  of  liberality  towards  their  governors ;  which  rarely  met  with 
a  grateful  return.  The  inhabitants  of  Barbadoes  were  drawn  in  to 
grant  to  the  crown  four  and  half^^r  cent,  on  their  ifland  produce 
tinnually;  which,  they  were  affured,  ihould  be.  ftriftly  applied  to 
•all  the  contingences.  and  exigences,  of  .their  goveroment..  So  far 
Arvas  it,  however,  from  ferving  thefe  purpofes*  that  it  became  only  a 
prefent  from  the  crown  to  worthlefs  favourites  ;  and  the  people  had 
the  mortification  to  find,  that  not  a  .fhiliing  of  it  Was  expended  on 
4:heufes  for  Avhicli  it  had.  been  granted-  The  people  of  Jamaicai 
profiting  by  example,  rcfifted*  and  .efcaped  the  tax. ':  Although  fe- 
-cured  from  this  impofittoa,  they  have  nevertUelefs  exceeded  the  pror 
-\afion,  made  in  their  .revepue  law,  .by  a  ,bill^  which  is  pafled.at  th? 
-acceffion  of  every  new  governor, ;  as  ,  I.  have  already  meiUioned, 
This -addition  thev  mean,  as  an  inducement  to  their  governor  to  treat 
them  well,  A  governor-  ccmfiders  it  in  a  differen^t  light ; .  for,  thi$ 
^d  of  liberality  being  confirmed  and  ftrengthened  in  a  courfe.of 
feveral  years,  he  regards  it  as  much  a  matter  of  right  belonging  to 
'him,  as  what  is  called  the  king's  falary,  which  is  paid  out  of  the  . 
dfl^nd  revenue.  It  muft  be  ownqd,  he  is  exccffively  civil  and  com- 
plailant  at  firft  fetting  out;  but,  the  bill  being  once  pafled  which 
fettles  the  annuity  upon  him  during  his  government,  he  feems  to 
retain  very  little  I'enfe  of  obligation.  He  a*5ls  like  a  groom;  who 
coaxes  and  careiies  the  fteed  tjiat  enjoys  freedom  in  the  part ure, 
until  the  bridle  is  fixed  in  its  mouth,  and,  then  vaulting  orbits  back/ 
whips,  kicks,  and  fpurs  it  on  through  thick  and  thin,  without 
mercy.  The  people,  it  mufl  be  allowed,  have  (hewn  fbme  pru- 
dence in  granting  this  falary  only  during  the  governor's  a<5lual  rcfi-  . 
dence  in  the  ifland;  by  which  precaution,  no  perfon  appointed  to  the 
poft  tan  cnj(?>y  thefe  fruits  of  -it  without  comiji^r  to  refide  here/  and 
not  an  hour 'after  quitting  the  illand.  The  people  have,  4iow  and 
then, 


B  O  O  K     I.      CHAP.    II.  33 

then,  determined  to  break  through  this  ftrong  hold  of  cuftom,  and 
pafs  an  annual  bill :  but  this  could  only  be  efFedled  with  a  new  go?- 
•vernor;  aiid  fUch  a  man  having  generally  (as  a  ftranger)  many 
friends,  and  no  enemies,  the  aflembly  have  relented,  from  a  genero- 
fity  and  good-nature  peculiar  to  them,  and  from  an  unwillingnefe 
to  greet  a  gentle^nan  of  rank,  on  his  firft  arrival  among  them',  in  ja 
manner  that  might  feem  difobliging,  and  to  carry  the  appearance  of 
a  puniihment  inflided  upon  him  for  the  fins  of  his  predeceffors  in 
office.  It  had  been  better,  perhaps,  if,  like  the  people  of  New- 
England,  they  had  fliut  their  eyes  and  ears  againft  every  argument, 
but  the  peace  and  welfare  of  their  country.  If  their  donation  was 
originally  intended  as  a  purchafe  of  friendfliip,  and  they  found,  by 
experieiKre,  that  they  gained  nothing  by  making  payment  before- 
hand, they  ought  to  have  been  lefs  liberal  to  men  of  whofe  dil^ 
pofitions  they  were  totally  ignorant  A  competent  knowledge  might 
have  been  obtained  of  both  upon  proper  enquiry  and  reafbnable 
trial :  the  reward  fliould  have  followed  the  fervice ;  for  the  expec- 
tation of  future  recompence  will,  in  general,  be  more  prevalent 
with  mankind,  and  ilimulate  more  to  good  deeds,  than  a  fenfe  of 
gratitude  for  paft  favours  ;  a  fenfe,  that  too  often  is  obferved,  like 
the  memory  of  diftant  tranfaftions,  to  grow  every  day  more  faint 
and  inadive,  until  at  length  it  becomes  totally  obliterated,  A  go- 
vernor, having  <JiK:e  eftablifhed  his  falary,  has  nothing  left  to  wifhj 
or  defire,  from  the  people,  except  the  popularis  aura^  the  breath  of 
applaufe,  which  it  has  been  fafliionable  for  all  thofe  to  difdain,  who 
were  ambitious  of  being  well  with  the  minifter :  for,  as  the  minifter 
is  the  obje£t  either  of  deteftation  or  popularity,  his  fubalterns  muft, 
in  common  good-manners,  take  (hare  with  him  in  the/ormer,  and 
not  rival  him  too  far  in  the  latter.  A  governor,  then,  having  got 
all  he  can*  expcdt  from  the  bounty  of  the  ifland,  exclaims,  with 
Syphax  in  the  play,  **  Cafary  Vm  wholly  thine  /"  and,  neceffiirily 
turning  his  eye  towards  hif  minifterial  creator,  purfucs  fuch  a 
fyftem  of  conduft  as,  he  thinks,  will  beft  obtain  prefent  protedlion, 
and  entitle  him  to  future  remunerations  at  home,  after  the  talk  of 
his  praetor fliip  fhall  be  accompliflied.  I  mean  not  to  give  offence  : 
I  apply  to  no  particular  man.  The  Roman  provinces  were  not  with- 
out their  Verres,  Our  ifland  has  unfortunately  been  fcourged  by 
Vol.  I.  F  more 


34  J    A    M    A    I    C    A, 

more  than  one  of  that  family.  I  muft,  therefore,  exhort  my 
oerous  countrymen  to  draw  their  purfe-flrings  with  difcretion^  and 
never  lofe  fight  of  the  beacons  held  out  to  view  in  their  Ikler  co- 
lonies, as  well  as  in  their  own.  It  is  more  natural  to  fuppofe>  that 
a  man,  who  has  himfelf  an  intereft  in  a  country,  fhould  be  more 
concerned  for  the  good  government  of  it^.  than  one  who  looks  upon 
it  as  a  temporary  dwelling  [/],  whither  he  has  procure4  himfelf  to  be 
fent,  to  build  a  fortune  from  the  ground,  or  patch  up  one  that  is 
wearing  into  a  ftate  of  decay..  The  people  of  Barbadoes,  in  the 
year  1665,  by  the  perfuafion,  it  is  thought,,  of  Lord  Willoughby 
their  governor,  pai&d  that  fatal  law  before  noticed,  granting  to  the 
crown  four  and  half  per  cent^  ^^  upon  all  dead  commodities  of  the 
•'growth  or  produce  of  their  ifland,  fliipped  off  the  fame."  This 
was  intended,  ^^  for  maintaining  the  honoun  and  dignity  of  go- 
«*  vernment  there,  the  charges  of  the  meeting  of  the  feffions-houfe, 
^  the  attendance  of  the  council,  reparation  of  forts,  building  a  fefJions- 
•*  houfe  and  prifon,  fubiifling  the  regular  troops,  the  governor's  far 
*<  lary,  and  all  other  public  charges,  and  contingences  incumbent  on 
*^  government."  .Not  one  of  which  articles  was  in  the  leaft  com- 
plied with  ;  but,  oathe  contrary,  the  inhabitants  were. obliged,  by 
other  taxes,  to  defray  all  the  charges  of  their  government :  none  of 
the  money  remained  in  Barbadoes,  except  with  the  cglledtors  of  the 
duty.  Charles  II.  in  whofe  reign  this  grant  wa$  made,  laid  claim 
to  the  whole  for  the  fupply  of  his  privy-purfe,  and  diftributed  it 
away  inpenfions;  fo  that  the  ifland  Deceived  no  benefit .  whatever 
from  it.  The  people  made  fomc  attempts,  particularly  in  1675, 
when  their  country  was  almoft  defolated  by  a  terrible  hurricanej  to 
get  this  law  repealed  ;  and  petitioned  for  this  purpofe,  but  without 
effefl: ;  for  the  dodtrine  of  refunding  ntycx  holds  in  thefe  cafes.  Sp 
far  from  giving  any  redrefs,  an  additional  duty  was  laid  upon  their 
fugar  in  the  following  reign  ;  which,  though  obtained  in. parliament 
upon  the  faith  of  the  king's  promife[^],  **  that,  if  it  proved  grie- 
**  vous  to  the  plantations,  it  (hould  be  taken  off/'  has  been  ever 
iince  continued,  in  breach  of.  the  royal  word,  notwithilanding  the 

[/]  This  is  meant  only  of  ^overaort  fo  long  as  they  may  continue  to  be  paid  and  maintained 
by  the  cdony,  and  not  by  the.  crown, 
[g]  King  James  II. 

many 


BOOK     L        CHAP.     11.  35 

many  reprefentations  of  diftrefs  thereby  occafioned  ;  and,  in  fubfc- 
quent  reigns,  it  has  been  fwelled  with  frefli  augmentations.  About 
the  year  1722,  Mr.  Worfley  being  appointed  governor  of  the  fame 
ifland,  the  aflcmbly  there  fettled  on  him  6000  /.  a  year  fterling,  for 
the  fupport  of  his  government,  by  a  tax  far  exceeding  the  ability  of 
the  people,  no  lefs  than  2J.  6d.  per  head  on  Negroes.  This  was 
over  and  above  the  ufual  fees  and  perquifites  of  office,  which  alone 
would  have  been  fufficient  for  his  pcrfonal  and  houfliold  expences. 
It  was  granted  from  the  hope,  that  it  would  induce  him  to  obtain 
redrefs  of  their  grievances,  and  reftore  peace  and  tranqu  llity  to  the 
ifland.  The  governor,  howQver,  having  fecurely  fattened  this  bur- 
then upon  their  (houlders,  was  fo  void  of  all  fcntiment  and  grati- 
tude, that  he  exercifed  his  authority  over  the  people  in  the  moft  ar- 
bitrary and  unwarrantable  manner.  This  at  laft  grew  fo  intolerable, 
that  the  incenfed  fufferers  came  to  an  almoft  general  refolution  not 
to  pay  the  tax.  Hereupon  he  applied  for  orders  from  home  for 
putting  the  law  in  execution.  The  aflembly  petitioned  againft  him, 
but  in  varn.  The  inhabitants  paid,  at  that  time,  10,000/.  a  year  to 
the  unappropriated  revenue ;  and  50,000/.  a  year  in  cuftoms.  They 
complained,  **  the  ifland  had  been  fo  far  from  reaping  any  advantage 
"  from  their  indifcreet  generofity,  that,  on  the  contrary,  the  public 
good  was  entirely  neglefted,  and  no  meafures  taken  to  redrefs  their 
grievances ;  but  his  excellency  and  his  creatures  had  thereby 
•*  been  better  enabled,  and  more  at  leifure,  to  opprefs  the  inhabi- 
**  tants;  the  militia  had  been  totally  negleifled  ;  their  fortifications 
«*  fuffered  to  go  to  decay ;  the  public  ftores  were  embezzled ;  and 
**  all  perfons  in  office  under  his  excellency  bufied  in  nothing  but 
"  how  to  raifc  fortunes  from  the  ruins  of  the  people :  that,  by  this 
"  tax,  all  the  current  cafli  of  the  ifland  was  brought  into  his  ex- 
**  cellcncy's  coffers ;  trade  ftagnated ;  the  value  of  the  ifland  pro* 
"  duce  was  lowered,  to  the  vaft  damage  of  the  dillrefl'ed  inhabitants, 
«*  who  were  forced  to  part  with  their  goods  at  any  price,  to  raife 
«*  their  quota  of  a  tax,  not  only  heavy  in  itfelf,  but  doubly  grievous 
'*  in  regard  to  the  ill  efFefls  it  iiad  upon  trade,  and  the  markets  ia 
"  the  colony."  Such  is  the  picture  exhibited,  by  the  reprefentatives, 
of  the  wretched  ftate  to  which  their  country  was  reduced  by  an  ex* 
ccfs  of  confidence  and  bounty,  laviflied  on  their  bafe  and  worthlefs 

F  %  governor. 


36  JAMAICA- 

governor.     Such  was  the  vice-roy,  felcdlccl  from  a  great  kingdom, 
and  fent  to  fleece  and  play  the  tyrant  over  the  induftrious  planters  of 
an  abufed  colony^     Such  was  their  fupreme  legiilator,  and  com- 
mander in   chiefi     The  bafhaw,  who  fliould  be   found  guilty  of 
having  perpetrated  fuch  iniquities  in  a  Turkifh  province,  would  in* 
fallibly  forfeit  his   head,    or  pcrirfx  by   the  bow-ftring.     But  bur 
Engliih  defpot  was  permitted  to  fit  down  quietly  in  the  enjoymient 
of  his  plunder,  to  laugh  at  the  eafy  credulity,  and  mock  the  impo- 
tent rage,  of   an   injured  people.      At  the  time  when    this  hero 
thought  proper  to  quit  the   ifland,   and   repair  to  England,   near 
20,000/.  of  this  money  was  in  arrear.     This  he  profecuted,  and 
recovered  to  the  uttermoft  farthing.     The  bad  efFcds  of  this  enor- 
mous and  fatal  grant  were  the  principal  caufe  of  the  fteddinefs  of 
the  New-England  aflfembly,  in  oppofing  the  ftated  fettlemcnt  of  an 
annualfalary  on  their  governor,    although   he  was  a  native,   and 
therefore  not  likely  to  mifufe  the  treafures  that  might  be  given  him. 
They  have  inflexibly  perfifted  in  this  wife  refolution  ever  fince  ;   and 
experience  has  not  only  confirmed  them^  in  the  propriety  of  their 
condu<5t,  but  has  alfo  taught  them  this  pofition,  that  their  deter-* 
mined  inflexibility  has  forced  their  governors  thankfully  to  accept  a 
falary  according  to  the  meafure.  and  mode  prefcribed  by  their  af- 
iembly,  and  notwithftanding  any  inJlruSions  to  the  contrary. 


SEC  T.    III. 

Militia  CommiJJions^ 

.  THE  governor  grants  all  commiffions  in  the  militia  indepen- 
dently of  the  council  and  aflTembly,  and  takes  them  away  at  discre- 
tion. It  is,  in  part,  by  an  improper  exertion  of  this  power,  that  the 
militia  of  our  ifland  is  much  degenerated  from  what  it  antiently  was. 
The  policy  of  it  requires  every  man  to  enlift,  who  is  capable  of 
ferving ;  and  our  militia  laws  have  enforced  this  maxim.  How  in- 
jurious, therefore,  mufl:  it  prove  to  the  welfare  of  the  ifland,  and  its 
fccurity,  that  men  of  fortune  and  ability  have  fo  often  been  caprici- 
oufly  fuperfededy  and  caufelefsly  deprived  of  their  commiflions,  to 

regale 


B  O  O  K    I.       C  H  A  P.    ir.  37 

regale  the  paffions  and  humours  of  fuch  governors !  Few  fuch 
men  are  now  ambitious  of  ferving,  Inftead  of  this,  they  haften  to 
be  fuperfeded  by  the  governor,  that  they  may  retire  as  reformed  of- 
ficersi  not  being  corarpellable  to  accept  a  commiflion  inferior  in 
rank  to  what  they  have  before  held.  Governors,  having  no  in- 
tereft  in  the  fate  of  the  country,  nor  caring  what  became  of  it 
after  their  prefent  turn  was  ferved,  have  too  frequently  been  ad- 
dicted to  thefe  abufcs ;  promoting  mean  and  unworthy  perfons  to 
commiflions  of  rank,  and  arbitrarily  removing  gentlemen  of  the 
moft  refpe£lable  qualifications,  to  make  way  for  them.  There  is 
nothing  of  more  confequence  to  the  fafety  of  the  ifland,  than  to 
keep  up  a  well-difciplined  and  properly-ofBcered  militia,  and  to 
make  this  fervice  (which  is  without  pay)  fo  honourable,  as  to  be 
coveted  by  the  moft  opulent  men  in  the  ifland.  The  way  to  efFedt 
this  is,  to  obtain  the  royal  fanftion  to  a  law  which  (hall  deprive  the 
governor  of  this  pernicious  power,  and  leave  him  the  right  of  ap- 
pointing with  advice  and  confent  of  his  council ;  but  in  no  cafe  to  ' 
vcft  him  with  authority  to  break,  or  fuperfede,  an  officer,  except  ' 
after  a  regular,  fair  trial,  convidlion,  and  judgement,  by  a  ccurt^ 
martiali  If  this  regulation  took  place,  no  officer  could  be  ftripped 
of  his  commiflion  without  having  been  guilty  of  fome  mifdemea- 
iior  to  deferve  fuch  difgrace  ;  and  governors  would  not  be  left  at 
wanton  liberty  td  facrifice,  to  their  private  fpleen  and  petulance,  the 
general  good  of  the  ifland.  It  is  greatly  to  be  wiflied,  that  his  mii- 
jefty  would  fo  far  relax  his  prerogative  in  this  neceflary  point,  fince  ' 
the  very  being  of  his  colony  feems  to  require  it.  The  terms  of 
every  man's  patent  here  provide,  that  he  fliall  bear  arms,  and  defend 
the  ifland  againft  all  infurreftions  againft  his  majefty's  government, 
and  hoftile  invafions  of  foreign  enemies.  But  what  defence  is  to 
be  expedled,  on  the  one  hand,  from  a  parcel  of  hired  fervants,  who 
have  no  intereft  worth  contending  for ;  and,  on  the  other,  from 
men  of  real  property,  who,  by  becoming  reformed  or  fuperfeded 
oflicers,  are  in  a  manner  excluded  from  all  adlive  fervice,  and  to* 
tally  unpradifed  in  the  ufe  of  arms,  and  knowledge  of  military  dif- 
cipline  ?  A  new  regulation  of  our  militia  feems  to  be  much  wanted; 
but  the  ftrifteft  rules  of  war  will  be  ineffectual,  while  this  exor- 
bitant authority  is  fufFered  to  remain  in  the  hands  of  a   commander 

in  chief. 

SECT. 


38  JAMAICA. 


SECT.        IV. 

InJlruSlions. 

PRIVATE  inftrudlons  from  the  crown  to  the  governor  arc 
held  to  be  reftriftive,  as  laws^  upon  him  and  his  privy  council : 
they  cannot  be  fuch  on  the  people.  They  may  be  confidered  as  the 
grand  fburces  that  feed  the  ferments  and  divifions  between  gover- 
nors and  colonifts,  which  have  fb  often  plunged  a  whole  country 
into  the  utmoft  confufion,  and  drawn  the  induftrious,  labouring  in- 
habitant from  his  hufbandry,  or  trade,  to  idle  contefts  in  the  poli- 
tical field,  with  no  lefs  detriment  to  the  colony,  than  to  the  mother 
ftate.  Governors  have  a  difcretionary  power,  in  moft  cafes,  whether 
to  difpenfe  with  thefe  inftruftions,  or  enforce.  Many  of  them  are 
repugnant  to  each  other ;  and,  by  lapfe  of  time,  and  change  of 
manners,  are  now  grown  inconfiftent  with  the  conftitution  :  yet 
the  fame  form  is  literally  adhered  to,  and,  like  a  (hadow,  regularly 
accompanies  every  new  commiflion.  Ought  they  not  to  be  revifed  ? 
or,  rather,  why  do  they  exift  at  all  ?  if  they  are  not  efFeftual,  why 
are  they  fufFered  to  remain  tnjiatu  quo  ?  The  people  will  not  re- 
ceive them,  and  are  not  compellable  to  receive  them,  as  laws.  Why 
then  are  they  not,  at  Icaft,  pruned  of  excrefcences,  and  reduced  to  a 
Imall  number,  relative  to  fuch  articles  alone  as  materially  afFedt  the 
juft  prerogative  of  the  crown,  and  difcipline  of  the  privy-council  ? 
A  wicked  and  artful  governor,  (heltering  himfelf  under  the  ambi- 
guity of  their  expreflion,  is  able  to  pervert  them  to  the  worft  pur* 
pofes,  and  to  expound  fbme  claufe  for  his  juftification  in  the 
moft  violent  and  daring  attacks  he  can  make  on  the  liberties 
of  the  people.  They,  who  are  perfeftly  feniible  of  this,  from 
fad  and  long  experience,  receive  every  propofition  that  comes 
from  their  governor  with  jealoufy  and  fufpicion.  Hence  a  total 
want  of  confidence;  which  is  followed  by  mutual  difcontent  and 
'hoftile  behaviour.  Hence  the  public  bufinefs  is  interrupted,  the  af- 
fairs of  adminiftration  neglected,  the  people  diflatisfied,  and  anxious 
/or  a  change,  Thefe  inftruclions  are  never  communicated  to  the 
6  •  people 


B  O  O  K    L      C  H  A  P.    IL  39 

people  by  fome  governors ;  and,   by  others,  they   are  retailed   in 
piecc-meal,  only  to  (hew,  that  their  hands  are  tied  up  from  doing 
what,  perhaps,    the  colony  exigences,    and  univerfal   voice  of  the 
people,  require.     A  man,  armed  mthfecret  orders  and  inftitutions, 
comes,  like  an  aflaffin,  with  a  dagger  concealed  beneath  his  cloak; 
and  his  fmiling  countenance   is  juftly  regarded   as  a  cover  to  fome 
villainous  defign.     Is  it  becoming  the  dignity  and  candour  of  Britifti 
government,  to  tolerate,   now-a-days,  this  appeanince  of  perfidy  and' 
under-hand  dealing  ?     Inform  the  people  at  once  what  is  expe(!^ed 
from   them ;    and,  if   it  is    legal,   not  a  man  would  lift  his  hand 
againfl  it.     Eftablilh  mutual  confidence.     This  is  the  only  way  to 
make  Britilh  fubjedts  in  love  with  government,  and  ever  ready  with 
their  hearts  and.  purfes.     You  may  gain  both  by  opennefs  of  con- 
du6l;,  but.  you  muft  ever  depend  on  finding  them  fliut  faft  againft 
duplicity.     Diffidence  direds  the   way   to  caution  ;.  caution  to  re-- 
fiftance..    In  the  pjimitive   unfettled  times  of  colonization,   inftruc- 
tions  might  be  properdin  this  age,  they  feem  in  great  meafure  un-- 
neceffary  and  infignificant, .  the  fprings   of  much  animofity,    and  of 
no  one  apparent  advantage  to  government.     If  they  ferve  for  (belter 
to  a  bad  governor,,  that  he  may  fcreen  himfcif  from  the  refentment 
of  an  injured .  community,  they   will  as  afluredly    be    turned  into 
ftumbling-blocks  in  the  way  of  an  upright  one.     They  are  difliked . 
hy  fqch  governors  ;   and  execrated  by  the  people. . 


SECT.     V-- 

Of  FaSlions  in  Jamaica. . 

IT  has  been  a  commonly-rreceived  opinion,  that  the  people  ofj 
this  ifland  arc  fond  of  oppofition  to  their  governors ;  that  they  are 
ever  difcontentcd,  and  fadtious.  -  This.notionj  .artfully  diffeminated 
1^  bad  governors  and  their  adherents,  is  extremely  unjuft.  The  na-  • 
tive  fpirit  of  freedom,  which  diftinguifhes  Britilh  fubjecSs  beyond 
moft  others,  is  not  confined  to  the  mother  country  ;  but  difcovcrs  it- 
felf  in  thcremoteft  parts  of  her  empire,  and  chiefly  in  a  refinance 

too 


40  JAMAICA. 

to  ads  of  oppreflion,    and  fuch    unwarrantable  meafuresij    as  they 
know,  or  at  leaft  believe,  have   a  certain  tendency  to  abridge  them 
of  thofe  rights  to  which  they  lay  claim  in  virtue  of  our  excellent 
conftitution.     It  has  been  obferved  by  a  writer,  and  very  juftly,  that, 
whenever  any  innovations  are,  by  adniiniftration  at  home,  intended 
to  be  made  upon  the  eftabliflied  conftitution  of  our  colonies,  they 
naturally  will  begin  with  fome  infignificant  colony,   and,   from  pre* 
cedents  of  impotent  colonies,  proceed  to  impofe  on  the  more  rich 
and  valuable  ones.     A  recolledion  of  attempts  of  this  nature,    and 
the  apprehcnfion  of  lofing  any  part  of  their  eftabliflied  rights,  render 
the  colonies  ever  vigilant,  jealous,   and  ready  in  oppofition  to  their 
governors,  upon  the  firft  glimmering  of  fuch  an  intention  to  impofe 
upon  them.     It  muft  be  confefled,  that  adminift ration  firft  allured 
people  to  fettle  in  the  colonics  by  every  offer  of  favour  and  indul- 
gence ;  yet  has  it  afterwards  been,  at  all  times,  too  prone  to  repent, 
as  it  were,  of  its  generofity,  and  to  endeavour  to  draw  back  again 
fome  part  of  its  firft  conceflions.     The  attempt,  during  the  reign  of 
Charles  IL  to  impofe  the  Irifti  mode  of  legiflation  upon  this  ifland, 
is  ftill  frefti  in  their  memory :  not  lefs  fo  are  the  many  fubiequent 
endeavours  to  abridge  their  legiflative  freedom;   to  fubftitute  the 
kind's  inftructions  for  laws  of  the  ifland  ;  to  hold  their  adts  of  af- 
fembly  in  fufpenfe,  until  the  pleafure  of  the  crown  fliould  be  known; 
to  raife  money  by  governor  and  council,   without  the  concurrence  of 
the  people's  reprefentatives ;  and  other  enormities  of  the  like  nature* 
Befides,  not  a  few  needy  minifterial  dependents  have  been  IhufBed 
into  this  government,    merely  to   enable  them   to  replenifti    their 
empty  bags  by  meannefs  and  oppreflion  ;  fome  of  whom,  being  far 
inferior  in  fortune,  education,  and  ability,  to  many  gentlemen  in  the 
ifland,  have  juftly  become  the  objcfts  of  their  contempt,  if  not  ab- 
horrence.    The  gentlemen  of  this  ifland  regard  a  governor  in  no 
other  light  than   as  th^iv  feUow-ful^eS.     If  he  acquits  himfelf  with 
honour,  good  fenfe,  and  propriety,  in  his  office,  they  refpedl  and 
cfteem  him  accordingly:  but,  as  they  are  for  their  own  parts  honeft, 
iindefigning,  frank,   and  munificent  in  their  difpofitions ;   it  is  very 
riiatural  for  them  to  defpife  a  perfon  invefted  with  this  high  office, 
who  fullies   it  with  the  haughtinefs,  bafenefs,  penury,   and  rapacity, 
fii  his  temper  and  aftions^     If  a  governor^  fancying  himfelf  on  board 

z  mao 


A  BPOK'.  li^  CHAP.    I.  41 

41  ip^  i>f  vtracji^wijl  tfil^:M'^cm  him^iia^a  6t  of  wratb,  to  lay  men 
ip  irons  in  a  (ominon  gaol,  to  laqgh  at  the  habeas  corpus^  and  at- 
tempt innovatipasin  government <<>£ :the moft  dangerous  tendency ; 
:eught)hfiii¥X  rtOi.^e  refifled?  If  another,  qualified  by  preejfninent 
abilrtiesfpr  goy/^r^^ng  y{^h  hoiiQur,fi|xks  unhappily  beneath  the 
ioPuence  jOf  ^  ;^yarice  .\v;hjcbi  neither  a  fegfe  of  duty  to  the  nation, 
:^|xor  i;egard  to^hi^p^f^c^nd  charaA^r^;qa^>  retrain;  proftitutes  all 
for  money;  and  not  only  pradifes  hicofelf,  but  encourages  in  fub- 
ordinate  departments,  tl^e  mpft  pitiful  e^adions ;  if,  fuilying  every 
virtueof  his  laieart  wj^fi.  dilingenuity  .in  his  prpfeflions,  rapacity 
and  de^otifm  in  hi^  adipns^,  he,  ftabs.jthe  itrade  of  -  the  colo^iy, 
fets  the  inhabitants  ait  variance  with  e^chother,;  impaiirs  the  public 
credit, .  degrades  ther  dignity,  and  abipfefijthe  duty  andipower  of  his 
truft ;  can  it  excite  wonder,  if  fuch  a  ruler  (hould  be  oppofed  by 
all,^  except  that  .nioft  fervlle  and  abandoned  herd  which  is  endued 
wit^  ,t^q  li)cp,  fqrdid.p^fllons,  and  g^uated  by.the  fai^e  views,  as 
h^mfelf?  P^r.tpis^pr(ul|f  is,>  tl:^at: the  people  at  borne  are  informed 
of  the  exiftono?^  o^  th^fc !  difpt^tes  ,5jnd  di^ufts,.  without  knowing 
the  true  and  gpnjfliqe  fprings  of  thcun* ;  Whert  they  hear  the  ,inba^ 
bitants  blanaedrt^e.govej^xiojr  extolled,,  they  fhou)d  referv^  their  de* 
tei;mp;((^op  ^ntU  -^(i^y  can  learn  the  whole  merit  of  the.c^fe  oii 
bpt^.  (ides ;  for  th^y  woc^d  theii  find,  th^tf  nine  times  in  t^,  the 
peoji^e  are  11^  the  right,  their  , governor  greatly  culpable.  A<^$  pf 
aijb^rary  poiev^,'  pvi  other  mifdenoe^nors  in  pt]k^,  which  fre(|pstHly 
involve  a-whole  cplpny  iii  difcprd,  muft  Qver  be  attended  ultimately 
with  confequences  dif^greeable  to  ^11  .perfons  in  Great-Britain  who 
arf;.9Dnne^£ted  with  it.it>  con^mercial  tranfa€tions.  Such  perfons 
rarely  Iqok  further^  *  th^n/ tp  ik/^  \\^  the. .  cpnfignmenta  arrive/,  ip 
their  hands,  r^gularjy  a^d  j)\in£tually. ;  They  chuie  np^  to  h^vj;  the 
ipbeiT;  wflk  .of  trade  ipterropte4  with  the  cabal^  and  |>oliti^s  .^  a 
colony:  they  ju(^  tl^fo  to  be  incompatible  (f^  indeed  th^y jfeem) 
with  the.  ^plritf  ud  fuccefs  of  mercantile  bufinefs  \  they  are,  th^r^r 
%e,  cvcrjorward  ia  cj?pfu ring  thp  .planners  .fpy  ^^avingthg  >wftr 
9^^f  :tft..^ontenrf:^aiqft,  tl)p  y>plp^  qobfr 

dcriug  that  ^.cqlo^ix  \V^^^  <:<?afe'to  J&wrL0if  tbojp^^ 
duftrious,   tjieir  %^;)fif^^\t%\o  thriy<b -fiffife  ttfelf^^  Bfofper,..Qr 
their  remittances  to  flow  plentifully  towards  Great-Britain,  when- 
VoL.  L  G  ever 


ever  the  iuhibitants-  are  deprived  dftfeofewcciRiry^bcnfefits^^  pr6- 
tedlionand  encouragements,  which  chiefly  render  their  fettlerr^hts 
eligible,  the  colony  vigorous :  for  fuch  were  the  true  and  original 
'  foundations  upon  which  the  colonics  were^ fef ft  induced *to  exhatift 
their  purfes,  and  almoft  their  lives,  in  thcfc  diftaht  dorhers  of  the 
world*  They  may  think  k  immaterial :  but  I  will  venture  to  fay, 
that  ho  governor  will  ever  be  acceptable  to  tlie  colttnfy,  whofe  dit. 
pofition  and  behaviour  do  not  qualify  him  to  be  beloved  jat  home. 
On  the  other  hand,  a  governor,  who  poflefles  a  generous  ^leart,  a 
liberal  and  comprehenfiyef  mihd^  a  fuavity  of  manners,'  and  Virtuous 
principles,  will  ever  be  admired,  refpefted,  and  almoft  adored,  among 
the  inhabitants.  Such  gentlemen  as  Lord  Howe,  at  Barbadoes ; 
Sir  William  Beefton,  and  the  hte  governor  Trelawney,  at  Jamaica; 
will  always  command  the  affeflions  and  purfes  of  a  colony.  *  But, 
as  for  the  whole  tribe  of  hirelings,  tools,  and  iycophants,  men  of 
narrow  fouls  and  mean  prejudices,  they  mud:  never  expe£i:  to 
meet  with  that  friendly  reception  amongft  plain,  honeft  men,  to 
which  neither  their  chafa^er,  principles,  nor  condudl:,  entitle 
them.  Their  conceit  and  vanity,  pn  being  elevated  to  a  vice- 
royalty,  will  pervert  what  little  underftanding  they  poflefs;  and, 
when  joined  to  a  corrupt  heart,  and  a  felfifh,  fervile  turn  of  mind^ 
they  muft  neceffarily  be  prompted  to  exercife  every  ipecies  of  wanton 
caprice,  and  oppreffive  atid  arbitrary  meafures;  defcending,  at  the 
lame  time,  to  the  k>weft  pra^lices  of  venality  and  diflionour.  The 
whole  bddy  of  our  Jamaica  merchants  and  traders  is  deeply  in* 
tereftedinthe  appointment  of  a  governor  of  that  ifland.  While 
the  internal  tranquillity  and  harmony  of  the  planters  remain  unin* 
terrupted  by  wanton  infults  and  mif-rule  of  their  governors;  and 
while  the  traders  of  the  ifland  •  receive  tU  due  encouragement  and 
prbteftion  in  every  ufeful  branch  of  their  commerce;  the  whole 
and  united  force  of  induftry  throughout  the  ifland,  every  por- 
tion of  time,  will  be  applied,  in  one  general  exertion,,  to  the  in- 
^reafe  of  produce,  and  fuccefsful  prc^refs  of  trade.  The  efftSts  of 
this,  ih  pubdual  and  fatisfa6tory  remittances  to  the  mother  country, 
muft  (we  may  fuppofe)  bb  n!k>re  pleafing  and  defiratSe  to  the  Britifli 
merchant,  than  to  iuffef  under  thbfe  frequent  difappointments, 
4  alarmst 


B  O  O  K    I.       t  H  A  P.    11.  43 

alarms,  delays,  and  ftiort  confignments,  which  are  ufually  the  con- 
fequence  of  political  diftracflion  in  a  colony :  by  thefe,  the  hours, 
days,  and  weeks,  that  fhould  be  devoted  to  bufinefs,  are  confumed 
in  the  vehemence  of  party  wrangle  and  eledion  contefts;  the 
mills  fland  ftill  ;  fhops  are  (hut  up ;  and  the  whole  country  be- 
comes a  fcene  of  tumult  and  litigation.  Seeing,  therefore,  the  im- 
portance of  their  interpofition,  I  fincerely  wifli,  that  they  may,  at 
all  times  hereafter,  exert  themfelves  in  preventing  the  appointment 
of  any  man,  whofe  character,  difpofitidn,  orcircumftances,  may 
have  a  tendency  to  produce  a  fcene  of  difcord  and  confufion,  fo  very 
obnoxious  to  the  intereft  and  welfare  of  every  perfon  connedted 
with  the  ifland.  It  is,  indeed,  their  particular  duty  to  be  thus  at- 
tentive; for  the  gentlemen  of  Jamaica  have  it  not  in  their  power 
to  conteft  any  appointment,  though  ever  fb  unpleafing  to  them  ; 
fcarcely  learning  who  is  to  be  their  governor  till  he  fets  foot  among 
them.  Befides,  the  charaders  of  public  men  are  much  better • 
known  \ti  England  than  they  can  be  abroad :  and,  when  perforis 
are  honoured  with  this  coiftmiffion,  whofe  reputation  and  principles 
are  irreproachable,  and  even  highly  approved  in  England ;  the 
people  of  Jamaica  will,  with  greater  propriety,  merit  the  epithets  of 
fiidious  and  turbulent,  if  they  fhould  wantonly  oppofe  the  admi- 
ryiflration  of  fuch  men.  Faftions  need  not  be  apprehended,  if*  the 
perfon,  appointed  to  this  government,  joins  integrity  of  heart  to  a 
competent  (hare  of  ability.  Nor  will  the  duties  of  admlniflratioii 
be  fb  arduous,  in  the  hands  of  fiich  a  man,  as  might  at  firft  be  fup- 
pofed  ;  for,  in  the  conducing  of  ordinary  bufinefs,  after  acquiring 
a  knowledge  of  the  forms,  what  remains  will  be  found  to  glide  on 
eafily,  by  means  of  order  and  method.  In  fa(3,  the  routine  of  bu- 
finefs is  a  point  of  the  leafl  concern.  Abilities  will  add  luflre  to  the 
flation,  and  may  give  difpatch  to  bufinefs  when  rightly  applied. 
But  the  efTential  qualification  is  goodnefs  of  heart ;  without  which, 
the  greater  the  abilities  are,  the  more  reafon  will  the  people  have 
for  dreading  their  proflitution  to  bad  purpofes.  In  few  words,  the 
fir  ft  great  principle  is,  to  mean  well ;  the  next,  to  do  well. 


G2  CHAP, 


44  JAMAICA. 


CHAP.       III. 

SECT.     !• 

Lieutenant  Governor  and  PrefJenf. 

THE  lieutenant-governor  and  prcfident  of  the  council  are 
allowed,  by  the  king's  inftrudtion,  to  take  only  one  half  of 
the  revenue  falary  of  2500/,  if  they  (liould  fucceed  to  the  fupreme 
command  ;  notwithilandirig  that  the  expences,  during  their  go- 
vernment^ are  as  large  as  thofe  of  a  governor  in  chief.  If  the  go- 
vernor and  lieutenant-governor  happen  to  die,  or  are  obliged  to  be 
abfent  from  the  ifland  for  a  twelvemonth,  on  account  of  health,  one 
half  of  their  revenue  falary,  or  1250/.  devolves,,  upon  their  demife,. 
or  during  their  abfence,  to  the  prefident  of  the  council;,  who  then 
becomes  commander  in  chief  pro  tempore.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
country  allowance  of  2500/.  is  fufJDended,,  as  it  is  made  payable  only 
during  adlual  refidence  on  the  ifland.  Some  minifters  have  con- 
ceived an  opinion,  that  the  furplus  of  the  governor's  revenue  falary,. 
viz.  iz^ol.  per  annuniy  accruing  during  the  adminiftration  of  a  lieu- 
tenant-governor, or  prefident,  is  a  lapfe  to  the  crown,  and  lies  in 
his  maj:efty'&  difpofal,  at  pleafure.  But  in  tliis  they  have  been 
miftaken,  for  want  of  knowing,,  that,  by  our  revenue-law,  the  crown 
has  fully  granted,,  and  conveyed  away,  all  right  and  pretenfion  to  any 
fuch  furplufage  unto  the  public  of  Jamaica,  for  the  ufes  of  go- 
vernment there  [A].  The  crown,  therefore,  being  precluded  for 
ever  by  this  grant,  cannot  alter  the  difpofition  of  it :  and,  in  pur- 
fuance  of  that  law,  it   is  appropriated,  by  the  legiflature   of    the 

[/i]  By  claiife  28,  it  »  ena^ed^  "  that  the  (aid  whole  revenue  (hall  be  appropriated  to  the  fupport 
*»  of  the  government  of  this  ifland,  and  the  contingent  charges  thereof,  and  the  other  ufes  in  this  a<fl 
**  mentioned  ;  and  to  no  other  ufe,  intent,  or  purpofe,  whatfocver." — And,  by  claufe  27,  "  all  fur- 
♦♦  plufages  of  the  revenue,  or  excefs,  over  and  above  the  ftipulatcd  annual  eitiroatc  of  8ooo/. 
"  are  10  be  applied,  to  fuch  ufes  as  the  governor,  council,  andaiicmWy,  by  any  law,  may.  think  pro- 
**  per." — The  meaning  of  which  feems  to  be,  that  they  fhould  not  becpplied,  except  under  the  di- 
re^.'lions  of  a  pofuive  law  of  the  illand;  nor  to  any  ufes  other  than  the  ufes  of  the  ifland  go- 
▼ernmcix:. 

ifland. 


B  O  O  K     I.      CHAP.     III.  45 

ifland,  in  aid  of  the  other  provifions  for  defraying  the  conthigent 
charges  of  government.  Previous  to  the  exiftence  of  this  law,  the 
crown  difpolcd  of  fines,  forfeitures,  quit-rents,  and  efcheats,  at 
pleafure.  With  rcfpcdt  to  the  revenue  allowance  itfelf,  of  2500/. 
the  crown  may  ftill  grant  it  in  fuch  meafure,  to  the  commander  in 
chief  for  the  time  being,  as  feems  good  :  and,  on  the  fucceflion  of 
a  lieutenant-governor,  who  is  ordered  to  take  only  one  moiety  of  that 
fum,  the  other  moiety  commonly  ferves  as  z  finking  J und^  to  make 
good  deficiences  in  any  other  branch. 

It  is  fuppofed,  that  a  prefident  of  the  council,  taking  upon  him 
the  government  on  the  dcmife,  abfencc,  or  non-appointment,  of  a 
governor^  or  lieutenant-governor,  cannot  legally  dijolve  the  houfe  of 
aflembly,  nor  iflue  writs  for  calling  a  new  one ;  becaufe  he  has  na 
exprefs  com'miffion  from  the  fovereign,  under  the  great  feal  of  Great- 
Britain,  giving  him  authority  for  this  purpole.  By  the  laws  of  Eng- 
land, the  king  ought  to  be  prefent  in  his  parliament,,  either  in  per- 
fon,  or  by  reprefentative.  The  manner  in  which  he  is  rcprefented* 
is  by  a  commiflion  under  the  great  feal,^  diredled  to  certain  eminent 
pcrfons,  empowering  them  to  begin  the  parliament,  to  prorogue,  or 
to  diflblve  it.  His  majefty's  commiflion,  under  the  great  feal^  to  his' 
locum  ienentes^  the  governor,  or  lieutenant-governor,  authorizes  them,, 
by  the  fame  conftitutional  rule,  to  do  and  execute  certain  things 
which  they  could  not  otherwife  legally  or  conftitutionally  do^  I 
have  never  heard,  that  fuch  an  authority  to  diflblve  aflctablies  was 
ever  given  to  a  prefident  of  the  council ;  and,  if  a  prefident  has  at 
any  time  exercifed  fuch  a  power  wiihout  the  authority  of  Aich  a 
commiflion,  I  prefume  it  was  wholly  illegal  and  unwarrantable.  I 
haveanentioned  this,  becaufe  it  feems  neceflary  that  the  extent  and 
limits  of  their  feveral  provinces  fliould  be  precifely  marked,  and 
publicly  known.  Againft  the  oppreliive  acls  and  mif-rule  of  go- 
vernors, the  people  of  the  colonies  have  three  modes  of  redrefs. 
The  firft  is,  by  petition  to  his  majefly  in  council,  praying  the  re- 
moval of  the  off^ender.  Tlie  fecorid,  by  fuit  in  the  court  of  king's- 
bench  at  Weflminfter-hall  [i\.  The  third,,  by  complaint  preferred 
at  the  bar  of  the  houfc  of  common?.  The  firft  mode  is  what  has 
generally  been  purfued.     It  is  true,  his  majtfty  in  council  may  not 

[/]    Per  liar.  11  is;  iz  Gul.  III.   c;ip.  12. 

have 


46  JAMAICA. 

have  power  to  inflifl:  any  other  degree  of  punifhmcnt  on  the  go- 
vernor, than  removal  front  his  poft  :  but  the  colonifts  have  been  fa- 
tisfied  with  bringing  his  tyrannies  to  this  period,  without  defiring  to 
profecute  any  further  revenge.  This  mode,  it  muft  be  allowed,  is 
extremely  imperfedl,  and  the  redrefs  dilatory.  The  people  muft  be 
greatly  incenfed,  by  a  continual  repetition  of  injuries,  before  they 
will  make  this  requeft  to  the  throne :  and,  conlidering  the  remote- 
nefs  of  their  fituation,  the  governor  has  full  leifure  to  take  ven- 
geance on  his  accufers,  previous  to  his  recall :  he  may  alfo  throw 
luch  obftacles  in  the  way,  by  diflblving  their  aflembly,  and  refufing 
to  call  another,  as  may  prevent  them  from  uniting,  and  framing 
fuch  a  petition  in  the  regular  way.  Their  laft  refource  in  this  event 
is  by  remonftrance  of  a  grand  jury;  and  of  this  the  hiftory  of  Ja- 
maica furniflies  one  -example.  The  fecond  means  of  redrefs  is 
fuitable  only  to  private  wrongs  done  to  individuals :  for  the  col- 
ledtive  body  of  the  people  cannot  fue  in  the  king's-bench  court ; 
or,  if  they  could,  a  law-court  feems  infufficicnt  for  the  purpofe, 
becaufe  offences  in  government,  though  very  grievous,  can  hardly 
«ver  be  fo  accurately  defined,  as  to  be  the  proper  objeds  of  fuch  a 
court,  tied  up  by  forms,  and  the  rigid  letter  of  the  law.  The  third 
TOode  is  undoubtedly  equal  to  the  fubje^fl  of  complaint :  but,  as 
the  bad  coiidudb  of  any  governor  muft  refleft  fome  fcandal  on  his 
patrons,  and  thus  involve  them  in  his  disgrace ;  and  as  fuch  a  perfon 
is  generally  powerful  in  his  family  or  party  connexions  at  home ; 
we  do  not  find  any  example  of  efFeftual  redrefs  obtained  through 
this  chamieL  The  colonies  muft,  therefore,  appear  to  be  left  too 
much  expofed  ;  and  not  adequately  provided  with  a  means  of  bring- 
ing a  bad  governor  to  condign  punifhment.  Such  a  man  can  never 
be  deterred  by  the  fear  of  a  recall,  after  he  has  enriched  himfelf  by 
his  iniquities :  fearlefs  of  any  other  confequence,  he  regards  it  not 
as  a  puniftiment,  but  as  a  means  given  him  of  retiring  quietly  to 
enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  mal-adminiftration.  It  may  not  be  improper 
-to  clofe  this  fubjeA  with  a  ftcetch  of  the  conftitution  which  prevails 
in  the  French  iflands  :  but  I  ftiall  leave  it  to  the  reader,  to  draw  his 
own  conclufions  from  an  impartial  comparifon. 

The  government  of  the  feveral  divifions  of  the  French  iflands  is 
in  a  governor,  w  general,  an  intendant,  and  a  royal  council     The 

governor 


BOOK     I.       CHAP.     III.  47 

governor  is  invcfted  with  a  great  deal  of  power ;  which,  however, 
on  the  (ide  of  the  crown,  is  checked  by  the  intendant,  who  has  the 
care  of  the  king's  rights,  and  whatever  relates  to  the  revenue;  and, 
on  the  fide  of  the  people,  it  is  checked  by  the  royal  council,  whole 
office  it  is  to  fee,  that  the  people  are  not  opprefled  by  the  one,  nor 
defrauded  by  the  other ;  and  they  are  all  checked  by  the  conftant 
and  jealous  eye  of  the  government  at  home  ;  for  the  officers  at  all 
the  ports  in  France  are  charged,  under  the  fevereft:  penalties,  to  in- 
terrogate all  captains  of  fliips,  coming  from  the  colonies,  concern- 
ing  the  reception  they  met  at  the  ports  they  were  bound  to;  how 
juftice  was  adminiftered  to  them  ;  what  charges  they  were  made 
liable  to,  and  of  what  kinds :  the  paflengers,  and  even  the  failors, 
are  examined  upon  thefe  heads ;  and  a  verbal  procefs  of  the  whole 
is  formed,  and  tranfmitted  with  all  fpeed  to  the  admiralty.  Com- 
plaints are  encouraged;  but  a  difference  is  made  between  hearing 
an  accufation  and  condemning  upon  rt.  That  the  colonies  may 
have  as  little  load  as  poffible,  and-  that  the  governor  may  have  lefs^ 
temptation  to  ftir  up  troublefome  intrigues^  or  favour  fadlions  in  his« 
government,  his  falary  is  paid  by  the  crown.  His  perquifites  are 
none ;  and  he  is  {kri^ily  forbidden  to  carry  on  any  trade,  or  to  have 
any  plantations  on  the  iflands  or  on  the  continent,  or  any  intereft 
whatever  in  goods  or  lands  witliin  his  government,  except  the  houfe 
he  lives  in,  and  a  garden  for  his  convenience  and  recreation.  All 
the  other  officers  are  paid  by  tlie  crown^  and  out  of  the  revenues  of 
Old  France.  The  fortifications  are  built  and  repaired^,  and  the  fol- 
dLers  paid,  out  of  the  fame  funds. 


SECT-      IT. 


Seals. 


THE  governor's  privy-feal,  or  fcal  of  office,  is  his  coat  of  arms 
cut  on  a  die  about  the  fize  of  a  half-crown  piece.  This  is  ufed  for 
fealing  orders  of  council,  orders  for  furvey ing  land,  civil  and  mili- 
tary commiffions,  warrants,  prefentations,  and  Jthe  like;  The  great 
ibaLof  the  ifland  is,  I  believe,  equal  in  fize  to  the  great  feal  of 
2  •  Great-Britaia. 


48  JAMAICA. 

Great -Britain,  It  is  affixed  to  all  patents,  commiflions  de  lunatico 
hquirendo^  grand  commiflions  of  the  peace,  and  of  oyer  and  ter- 
miner, writs  for  electing  members  of  the  aflcmbly,  and  generally 
to  all  fuch  inftruments  as  are  fealcd  in  the  like  manner  in  Great- 
Britain. 

On  one  (ide  of  the  great  feal  are  the  royal  arms  and  titles.  On 
the  reverfe,  in  the  time  of  Charles  II.  that  monarch  was  repre- 
fented  enthroned  in  his  royal  robes,  holding  the  globe  and  fceptrC': 
at  the  foot  of  the  throne,  two  ^Q.^xot%  a  genoiix  before  him,  fupport* 
ing  a  balket  filled  with  American  fruits.     On  the  exergue,  carol vs 

£ECVNDVS,  DEI  GRATIA,  MAGNAE  BRITANNIAE,  FRANCIAE,  ET 
HIBERNIAE,  REX  ;     DOMINVS  JAMAICAE;    FIDEI   DEFENSOR. 

The  addition  of  dominm^  or  lord  of  Jamaica,  was  afi'umed  by 
that  king  in  compliment  to  the  ifland,  meaning  to  take  it  under 
his  efpecial  patronage.     Below  is  this  motto:   dvro  de  cortice, 

FRVCTVS  QVAM   DVLCIS  ! 

On  the  prefent  feal  his  majefty  is  reprefented  in  his  regalia, 
{landing  a  little  inclined  forward,  holding  the  fceptre  in  his  right 
hand,  and  extending  his  left  towards  a  bafket  of  fruit,  which  a 
Negroe,  in  a  favage  drefs^  prefents  a  genoux^  or  in  a  kneeling  poftuie. 
In  another  compartment  are  the  arms  of  the  ifland.  The  infcrip- 
tion  is,  mutatis  mutandis^  the  fame  as  that  above-mentioned.  If  the 
group  was  intended  as  emblematical,  there  leems  a  very  ftriking 
propriety  in  it.  The  attitude  in  which  his  majefty  is  placed  may 
denote  his  gracious  condefceniion  towards  his  fubjeils  of  this  co- 
lony ;  and  the  fubftitution  of  one  Negroe,  with  a  vtry  large  colla- 
tion of  fruits,  in  the  room  of  t%vOj  with  a  much  fmaller  bafket, 
may  ferve  to  indicate,  that  the  crown  receives  far  greater  benefits, 
in  its  prefent  flourifliing  ftate,  from  the  labours  of  one  fubjeft,  than 
Charles  gained  from  double  the  number. 


CHAP. 


BOOK   I.      chap;  IV,  ^ 


/  r 


C     HAP.       IV. 

Of  the  Council. 

THIS  body  is  appointed  by  his  majefty's  writ  of  [jrivy-feal, 
which  conilitutes  the  individuals  of  it  members  of  hi^  ma- 
jefty's  privy-council  for  this  ifland.  Their  legiflativc  authority  is 
fuppofed  to  be  held  by  virtue  of  a  claufe  of  his  majefty's  com- 
miiiion.  to  his  governor  under  the  great  feal,  empowering  him  to 
concur  with  the  council  and  affembly  in  paffing  laws,  ftatutes,  and 
ordinances.  What  further  concerns  their  authority  and  proceed- 
ings is  regulated  by  their  own  votes,  or  by  the  royal  inftruftions, 
of  which  every  governor  receives  a  code  at  the  time  of  his  ap- 
pointment. Upon  being  honoured  with  a  feal,  they  take  an  o.^th 
di  fecrecy  2iViA  fidelity.  The  full  complement  of  the  board  is  twel*  e. 
The  governor  is  empowered  to  fill  it  up  to  feven,  but  not  beyond  ; 
and  this  is  neceffary,  becaufe  it  has  fometimes  happened,  that  go- 
vernors have  thought  themfelves  obliged  to  fufpend  every  one  of 
the  members,  and  replace  them  with  a  new  fet ;  whofe  appointment 
in  this  mode,  being  grounded  on  an  inftruftion,  is  not  valid  with- 
out his  majefty's  confirmation.  Five,  1  think,  according  to  their 
^fage,  make  a  quorum.  Their  officers  are  a  chaplain,  clerk,  ufher 
of  the  black  rod,  meflenger,  and  printer.  The  governor  may  luf- 
pend  any,  or  all  of  them,  without  affigning  his  reafons  either  to  the 
member  fufpended,  or  to  the  reft,  or  taking  the  fenfe  or  confent  of 
the  majotrity  thereupon..  He  i?,  by  the  crown,  commanded  to  fig- 
nify  the  caufe  of  fufpenfion  to  the  lords  commiffioners  for  trade  and 
plantations  (perhaps  alfo  to  the  fecretary  for  the  colonies),  to  be  laid 
before  his  majefty  in  council,  that  he  may  judge  of  its  fitnefs.  He 
is  to  allow  them  freedom  of  debate  on  all  matters  which  may  be 
debated  at  their  board;  to  communicate  fuch  of  his  majefty's  in- 
ftru£lions  as  he  thinks  proper  for  his  majefty's  fervice;  and,  lefcie 
the  fufpenfion  of  any  members  for  non-attendance,  he  is  to  admo- 
nifti  them;  but,  if  they  perfift  in  their  error,  he  may  tb en  apply 
the  rod  of  fufpenfion.  He  is  likewife  direded  to  tranlmit  Lfls  of 
.    Vol.  I.  H  luch 


^o  JAMAICA. 

fuch  perfbns  in  the  colony  as  he  thinks  moft  proper  to  fupply 
vacancies  at  the  board,  who  are  fpecially  required  to  be  men  **  of 
«'  good  ability,  fortune,  and  not  much  in  A^btT  an  injunftion  which 
has  not  always  been  rigidly  obeyed.  In  the  fufpenfion  of  members, 
a  governor  may  be  influenced  by  unworthy  motives ;  but,  as  a  re- 
medy for  this,  his  majefty  is  judge  of  appeal.  It  is  very  common, 
tfaerefone^  to  fee  counfellors,  who  have  been  fu^cnded  by  one  go- 
vernor, reAored  to  their  feats  agtia  at  the  commencement  of  the 
fucceeding  governor's  adminifliration :  and  the  miniftry  feem  cautious 
of  much  encouraging  theie  fufpenfions,  as  the  gentlemen  ferve  with- 
out any  other  pay  than  the  honour  of  their  privy^-feaL  la  the  pro- 
vince of  Maflachufet,  in  New-England,  the  council  confifts  of 
twentyrcight  members,  who  are  to  be  adviiing  and  afllfting  to  the 
governor,  and  conftitute  om  negatvve  in  the  legiflature,  analogous  to 
the  hou&  of  lords  in  Great-Britain.  They  are  annually  chofen  by 
joint  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  laft  year's  council,  and  of  the  new 
faoufe  of  repreiientatives.  But,  although  their  election  is  annual,  the 
former  coiinfellors  are  generally  returned.  Seven  make  a  quorum ; 
and  the  governor  appoints,  with  their  advice  and  confent,  all  civil 
officers,  except  thofe  of  the  finance  :  and  fuch  appgintments  are  not 
made  without  a  fummons,  iflued  out  feven  days  before  the  nomi- 
nation, to  fuch  of  the  counfellors  as  are  at  that  time  rc£ding  in 
the  province.  The  inconveniences  fuppofed  to  be  incident  to  this 
conilitution  arc,  that  the  council  may  be  intimidated  by  the  go- 
vernor, who  has  a  power  of  negativing  any  counfelIor*s  eleftion^ 
without  alledging  reafons ;  and  may  alfo  ftand  in  awe  of  the  houfe 
of  reprefentatives  as  to  their  eledtion  :  and,  when  this  is  really  the 
cafe,  they  muft  appear  not  to  be  free  agents.  I  agree  with  the  h'lAo^ 
xian  (Douglas),  that  the  counfellors^  fo  elcdted,  are  in  thefe  circum* 
ftances  not  abfolutely  free  agents*  But  they  fecm  to  me  as  much 
fo  as  men  can  be  who  are  not  hereditary  members  of  the  great  Ic- 
giflative  body  like  the  houfe  of  peers :  for,  if  they  are  in  awe  of 
the  governor's  negative  on  the  one  fide,  they  may  be  equally  fo  of 
the  reprefentatives  negative  on  the  other ;  and  therefore  are  obliged^ 
if  they  wifh  a  continuance  in  their  feats,  to  hold  fuch  a  moderation 
of  conduct  between  the  two  oppofitc  powers,  as  muft  render  them 
perfedly  impartial  to  either  in  their  proceedings ;  and  not  liable  to 

be 


B  O  O  K    L      C  H  A  P.    IV.  51 

Be  hurried  away  by  fhofe  gufts  of  paffibn  and  prejudice,  which  are 
fo  apt  to  overfet  the  minds  of  a  council  dependent  folely  upon  one 
branch.  Nor  can  I  think  any  juft  objeftion  would  be  offered  againft 
this  mode  of  appointment :  for,  if  they  lean  too  much  towards  tlic 
popular  fcale  in  one  yeat>  they  may  ftand  excluded  afterwards  by  the 
governor's  right  of  rejeftion :  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  (hould  incline 
more  than  becomes  them  to  the  meafures  of  a  governor  in  the  ex- 
tendoaof  illegal  prerogative,  and  turn  arrant  courtiers,  there  can 
Be  little  cxpc<3ation  that  the  houfe  of  repreferitatives  will  make 
choice  of  them  a  fecond  time.  I  own,  that  the  difcovery  of  this 
happy  medium  of  conduft  may  be  difficult  to  fome,  and  the  idea 
hateful  to  otliers,  who  are  more  ambitious  of  lording  it  ovtr  their' 
fellow-fubjedSy  than  of  purfuing  the  common  objects  of  puBlic* 
welfare.  But  men  of  fenfe  and  integrity  may,  in  moft  emergencies, 
treat  on  public  affairs  coolly  and  difpaflionately,  as  mediators  between 
the  two  contending  parties  ;  which  if  they  were  themfelVes  of  ei- 
ther party,  they  might  be  apt  to  cfpoufe  with  too  mUch  heat  and 
acrimony.  However  imperfedt,  then,  this-  fecond  branch  of  the' 
New-England  legillature  may  be,  I  perfuade  myfelf,  that  it  wiH  ap-" 
pear  far  better  conflituted  than  our  Jamaica  council.  I  flialt  here- 
after endeavour  fully  to  point  out  the  impropriety  of  confounding- 
a  privy  and  legiflative  council  together  ;  fuggefling,  at  the  fame 
time,  what  I  humbly  conceive  would  be  a  more  rational  and  confti- 
tutional  plan.  Impeachments  cannot  be  put  in  ufe  here  in  the  fame 
mode  as  pradlifed  in  England,  becaufe  we  have  no  houfe  of  peers ; 
yet  fomething  in  the  nature  of  impeachment  has  obtained  here,  I 
need  not  enumerate  every  inftance  :  one  of  the  mofl  recent  will  fuf- 

fice,  viz.  the  cafe  of  Mr.  P ,  anno  lysSj  at  that  time  chief-juftice 

of  the  ifland,  and  a  member  of  the  council ;  whofe  conduft  in  both 
capacities  was  arraigned  by  the  houfe  of  alTembly ;  and  evidence 
folemnly  taken  at  their  bar,  to  prove  the  charges  againft  him. 
Thcfe  charges  were  reduced  into  feveral  refolutions :  and  concluded 
with  an  addrefs  to  the  then  lieutenant-governor,  dfefiring,  that  he 
would  be  pleafed  to  fufpend  the  faid  Mr.  P'  from  his  feat  in  the 

privy-council,  until  his  majcfty's  pleafure   (hould  be  known  ;    and, 

further,'  that  he  would  remove  the  faid  Mr.  P from  the  place* 

and  office  of  chief-juftice,  and  from  all  other  pofts  and  employments 

Hz  of 


Si  JAMAICA. 

of  public  truft  which  he  then  held.  This  addrefs,  with-thc-ft- 
vcral  examinations  taken  before  the  houfe  in  fupport  of  their  alle- 
gations,  was  fent  to   the  lieutenant-governor,  who,  in  confequence 

thereof,   after  hearing  what  Mr.  P and  the  reft  of  the  privy- 

counfellors  had  to  fay  in  his  defence,  was   pleafed  to  fufpend  an  J 
remove  him,  according  to  the  prayer  of  the  houfe.     I  have  citetf 
thefe  particulars,   to  (hew  the  courfe  and  order  of  proceeding,  and 
how  exceedingly  they  differ   from  impeachments  by  the  houfe  of 
commons  in  Great-Britain.     With  us,  the  commander  in  chief  is  the. 
judge  to  decide ;    to  him  the  charge  and  evidence  are  tranfmitted  oa 
the  one  fide ;   and  he  alfo  receives  the  evidence  and  anfwer  from  the. 
other:  but  no  opportunity  is  given  the  aflembly  to  rejoin  upon  the. 
reply  of  the  accufed  perfon,  nor  to  argue  upon  the  errors,  fallacies,, 
or  infufficiency  of  it,  or  to  enlarge  on  the  points  of  their  accufation 
and  teftimony,  and  pray  judgement  upon  a  full  difcuflion  on  both 
fides :  fo  that  their  proceeding  has  not  the  efTentials  of  a   regular 
iiTue  and  trial.     It  may  be  obferved  here,  as  ia  Britain^  that  accufa- 
tions   have  frequently  fprung  from  violent  party-heats  and-  animo- 
fities  J.   by  which  means,  prefumptive  evidence  has  been  received  for 
proof  pofitive,  circumflanccs  exaggerated,  and  the  gratification  of 
private  rancour  more  often  found  to  be  the  leading  motive,  than  ho- 
nefl  zeal  for  public  juflice.     The  few  members  who  compofe  the 
council,  and  the  fmallnefs  of  their  quorum,  form  an  objection  to  their 
fitting  as  judges  upon  an  impeached  brother  counfellor;  for,  in  mofl- 
cafes,,  they  may  be  fo  connefted  with,  him  in  the  quarrel,  as  to  ba 
parties  as  well  as  judges,,  and  therefore  partial  and  prejudiced  in  their 
judgement.     But,  impcrfedt  as  this  form  of  proceeding  is,  it  is  cer- 
tainly better  than  none  at  all.     Governors,  may  fometimes  carry  an- 
undue  affeftion  towards  a  counfellor  ;  but,  in  general,  the  people  can. 
reafonably  hope  for  a  more  impartial  decifion   and  effedlual  redrefs 
from  a  governor^  than  from  the  more  immediate  friends,  partifans, 
and  confederates,   of   the  delinq^uent.     In  the  Britifli  conflitution^ 
there  is  faid  to  be  no  mal-pradtice  without  a  fuitable  remedy.     So,. 
in  the  colony,  neither  a  chief-juftice,.  nor  privy-counfellor,  are  to  op^ 
prefs  the  fubjedt,  or  adt  in  either  capacity  with  flagrant  injuftice  or 
illegality,  without  being  amenable  to  a  power  of  controul.     The 
grand  inc^uefl^,  or  power  of  bringing  fuch  offenders  to  juflice,  is  con- 

flitutionally 


BOO  K    L       CHAP.    IV.  53 

fiitutionally  and  neceflarily  lodged  with  the  houfe  of  reprefenta- 
tives.    The  power  of  giving  judgement  refts  with  the  crown,  or  its 
delegate.     The  houfe  of  affembly  has  always  been  ufed  to  inquire 
into  the  abufes  and  corruptions  of  office,  the  obftrudions  to  public 
juftice,  and  the  complaints  of  fubje£ls  opprefled  by  the  hand  of 
power;  and  to  bring  the  delinquents  in  fuch  cafe  to  juftice.     •*  If 
«  an  offender  be  in  any  ftation  below  the  governor,  the  cuftom  has 
"  been>  to  lay  the  evidence  of  his  guilt  before  his  excellency,  and  by 
««  addrefs  defire  he  may  be  profecuted,.  and  difmified  from  the  office 
*«  he  has  abufed.     If  the  oppreffion  comes  from  any  of  the   courts^ 
*'  or  offices  which  the  governor  himfelf  holds,  they  feek  for  redrefs 
*•  by  an  application  in  the  fame  manner  to  his   majefty :  infomuch 
**  that  public  officers  and  magiftrates,  of  all  ranks,  from  the  juftice 
"  of  the  peace  up  to  the  chief-juftice^  the  members  of  the  council, 
**  and  the  governor,  have  at  times  been  made  to  feel  the  weight  of 
"  this  authority,  and  to  fufFer  for  their  exceffes.     So  that,  although 
**  the  afl'embly  do  not  impeach^  in  the  ftrift  and  ufaal  acceptation  of 
*«  the  term;  yet  they  exercife  powers  as  conftitutional,  though  not 
**  in  every  refpeft  fo  efFeftual,  to  prote<5l  the  fubjed,  and  bring  the 
*'  guilty  to  punilhment  [A]." 


CHAR       V. 

Of  the  4lfmbly.- 

r'T^IHE  aflembly  is  chofen  in  confequence  of  a  writ  iflucd  by  the 
1  governor,  in  his  majefty 's  name,  to  the  provoft-marfhal  ge- 
neral, who  ftands  here  in  place  of  high-(herifF,  and  executes  thet 
like  office,.  The  writ  recites  the  royal  proclamation  iflued,.  de- 
claring his  majefty*s  will  and  pleafure  for  calling  an  aflembly,  tCK 
meet  at  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega,  on  a  certain  day  mentioned,  to  make„ 
conftitute,  and  ordain,  laws,  ftatutes,  and  ordinances,  for  the  public 
welfare,  and  good  government  of  the  i(land,.&c.  He  is  required,  at 
X  certain  time  and  place  mentioned,  in  each  f)arifti  or  town  refpec- 

{k\  Privileges  of  Jamaica  vindicated ;  a  pamphlet.. 

tively^ 


54  JAMAICA. 

lively,  to  fummon  the  freeholders  to  meet ;    and  then  and  there 
proceed  to  eleft  the  fitteft  and  difcreet«ft  of  their  body  (mentioii/- 
ing  their  number),  to  be  chofen  by  the  major  part  of  them  then 
prefent.     He  is  further  direfted,  to  fee  that  the  election  is  freely 
and  indifferently  carried  on,  without    faftion   or  intereft,  and  ta 
make  a  due  return  thereof  to  the  governor  in  council,  with  a  cer- 
tificate of  the  member  or  members  ele6l,  under  the  hands  and  feals 
of  the  principal  and  moft  fufficient  freeholders  of  the  town  or  pa- 
ri(h.     The  return  on  this  writ  is  in  the  form  of  an  indenture  be- 
tween the  provoft-marflial-general  and  the  fubfcribing  freeholders ; 
which  fets  forth  the  names  of  the  perfbns  whom  the  majority  has 
reprefentatively  chofen  as  moft  fit  and  difcreet,  <^  giving  and  grant- 
**  ing  to  the  faid  reprefentatives  full  and  fufficient  power,  for  them- 
**  felves  and  the  commonalty  of  the  town  or  parifli,   to  do  and  con* 
"  fent  to  thofe  things  which  at  the   aflembly  (in  the  writ  men- 
*'  tioned)  fliall  be  agreed  upon  concerning  the  affairs  in  the  faid 
**  writ  ipecified.'*      In  teftimony  of   which,  the  certifying  free- 
holders fet  their  hands  and  feals  to  bne  part,  to  remain  with  the 
governor  until  the  meeting ;    and  the  provoft-marfhal  atteft's  the 
counterpart.      This  writ  and  return  being  left  in  the  governor's 
office  till  the  houfe  is  aflembled,  they  are  then  fent  down  to  the 
houfe,  and  afterwards  lodged  in  the  chancery  office.     The  houfe, 
when  met,  fend  a  meflage  to  acquaint  the  governor,  who  thereupon 
direds  two  of  the  council,  with  the  clerk  of  that  board,  to  attend 
them,  and  adminifter  the  ufual   oaths,  and  among  others  the  oath 
of  qualification.      After  this    ceremony,    the    counfellors  inform 
them,  that  the  governor  commands  the  houfe  to  proceed  to  the 
choice  of  a  fpeaker.     The  fpeaker  being  chofen,  and  conduced  to 
the  chair,   another  meflage  is  fent  to  the  governor ;    after  which, 
the  whole  houfe  attend  to  prefent  him.     The  governor  receives 
them  in  council ;    and,  having   approved  the  choice,  the  Ipeaker 
demands,  in  the  name  of  the  houfe,  their  ancient  rights  and  privi- 
leges, freedom    of  debate,  liberty  of   accefs    to  his  excellency's 
perfon,    and  exemption    from  arrefts  during    the  fitting;    which 
being  recognized  by  the  governor,  they  receive  his  fpeech  :  and,  on 
returning  to  the  houfe,  eleft  their  clerk,  meflenger  (or  ferjeant  at 
arms),  and  chaplain;  the  two  former  are  then  fent  with  a  member, 
5  and 


BOOK    I.     CHAP.    V.  55 

and  fVrotn  in  before  the  governor.  Some  other  preliminafy  bufi- 
nefs  being  done,  they  proceed  to  eftablifh  their  rules,  of  which 
there  are  about  thirty-feven,  all  fairly  engroffed,  and  hung  up  in 
their  houfe^  for  the  information  of  the  members.  Thefe  rules  are 
frequently  altered,  or  new  ones  refolved,  according  to  exigences, 
by  every  new  afiembly.  Among  others,  not  very  material  to  men- 
tion,  are  the  following^  which  may  be  called  (landing  rules,  viz. 

That  feven  be  a  quorum,  to  meet  and  adjourn,  and  fend  for  ab- 
fent  members :  That  the  aflembly  always,  at  rifing,  do  adjourn 
from  time  to  time,  as  they  (hall  fee  it  convenient  for  the  fpeedy  dif- 
patch  of  affairs ;  and  that  none  depart  the  houfe  without  the  fpea- 
ker's  leave,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever. 

That  no  member  of  the  honourable  the  council  of  this  ifland 
hath  any  right  to  interfere  with,  or  to  give  his  vote  in,  the  elec- 
tion of  any  member  to  ferve  in  this  aflembly. 

That  twenty-one  make  a  quorum,  to  a£t  as  if  all  the  members 
were  prefent,  and  to  proceed  to  all  bufmefs. 

That  no  member  of  this  houfe  hath  any  privilege  in  regard  td 
his  goods  or  chattels,  except  fuch  as  are  neceflary  for  his  accom- 
modation during  his  attendance  on  the  houfe. 

That  every  member  of  the  houfe  enjoy  the  privilege  of  his  per- 
fon,  againft  all  arrefts  and  imprifonments,  in  fuch  manner  as  hath 
been  heretofore  ufed  and  accuftomed,  except  in  cafes  of  treafon,  fe- 
lony, breach  of  the  peace,  forcible  entries,  forcible  detainers,  pay- 
ment of  any  aids,  fupplics,  or  taxes,  granted  for  the  fupport  of  his 
roajefty's  government  of  the  ifland,  or  of  any  parifli  duties.  The 
aflembly  exercifes  a  right  of  adjournment  de  die  in  diem  ;  but,  for  a 
longer  fpace,  the  fpcaker  obtains  the  governor's  leave.  For  better 
fupporting  the  dignity  of  the  houfe,  and  more  effe^Elual  difpatch  of 
the  public  bufinefs,  they  exercife  alfo  the  powers  of  fending  for 
perfbns,  papers,  and  records  ;  of  commanding  attendances  at  their 
bar,  or  on  their  committees ;  of  ordei  ing  into  cu'ftody  of  their 
meflenger  all  perfons  wilfully  and  contumacioufly  difobedient  to 
their  authority,  by  refufing  attendance,  or  otherwife,  in  matters  of 
the  public  concern  \  privileges,  which  are  in  general  cautioufly  and 
fparingly  exerted.  Their  bills  undergo  three  readings.  On  the 
fccond,  they  are  confidered  and  amended  in  a  committee  of  the 

whole 


Paflbd  the  council, 
CD.  CrkCoiic. 


Date 


Paffed  the  affcmbly, 
A.  B.  fpeakcr. 


56  JAMAICA. 

whole  houfe,  and  afterwards,  if  approved  by  a  majority,  they  are 
ordered  to  be  engroffed ;  then  read  a  third  time  j  and,  upon  the 
queftion,  either  rejeded  or  paffed.  If  paffed,  they  are  figncd  by  the 
ii)eaker,  and  fent  to  the  council ;  where  they  go  through  much  the 
fame  procefs.  When  paffed  by  all  the  three  branches,  the  tefte  is 
fobfcribed  in  this  order : 

I  confent, 
E.F. 

Date  of  the  1 

governor's 

fignature 

3- 
After  being  thus  paffed,  they  take  immediate  effect,  if  not  otherwife 

provided  by  fome  claufe  contained  in  them ;  the  political  circum- 
flances  of  the  colony  not  admitting  of  their  continuing  in  fufpence 
until  his  majefty's  pleafure  be  known  thereupon,  as  is  the  cafe  with 
Ireland,  and,  I  believe,  fome  other  branches  of  the  empire,  where 
the  like  neceffity  does  not  operate  fo  ftrongly.  The  affembly  con- 
Cder  their  privileges  as  derived  to  them  from  their  conftituents  ; 
and  that  they  are  not  conceflions  from  the  crown,  but  the  right  and 
inheritance  of  the  people ;  and  that  the  privileges  which  they  claim 
are  abfolutely  neceffary  to  fupport  their  own  proper  authority,  and 
to  give  the  people  of  the  colony  that  protedion  againft  arbitrary 
power,  which  nothing  but  a  free  and  independent  aflembly  can  give. 
Their  right  they  found  on  this  prefumption,  that  the  affembly  of 
this  ifland  holds  the  fame  rank  in  the  fyftem  of  their  conftitution, 
as  a  Britiih  houfe  of  commons  docs  in  that  of  the  mother  country  [/]. 
And,  furely,  thefe  are  principles  fettled  on  fo  juft  and  rational  a 
foundation,  that  no  true  Briton  will  attempt  to  controvert  them. 
They  confider  inftrudions  from  the  crown  to  the  governor  as  re- 
commendatory only,  but  not  obligatory  upon  them;  that  ads. of 
parliament  only  are  obligatory  ;   that  they  are  at  liberty  to  vary  at 

f/]  It  is  a  well-known  anecdote,  that  Mr.  Ycomans,  agent  for  Antigua,  and  another  gentleman, 
attending  on  Lord  Wilnnington,  as  prcfident  of  the  council,  on  affairs  of  that  ifland  ;  the  gentleman 
propofed  to  his  lordftiip,  that  he  (liould  oU'^c  the  afiembly  of  Antigua  to  do  what  he  fuj^pofed 
ought  to  be  done.  His  lordlhip,  turning  to  Mr.  Ycomans,  faid,  '♦  What  do  you  think  of  this 
**  dodrine  r"  Vv  ho  anfwering,  "  that  he  mull  leave  it  to  his  lordfhip ;"  he  replied,  *•  Then  I  mull  iscf^ 
**  that,  in  my  opinion,  uv  have  no  more  right  to  coiitd\^^  uflcmbly  of  Aati^u:i,  than  we  have  to 
*'  compel  the    arUamnt  of  Great-Britain," 

plcafure 


B  O  O  K    L       C  H  A  ?•    V.  57 

pkafure  from  any  former  grants  of  falary  to  their  governors  ;  that 
the  council  may  only  concur  or  not  concur  in  a  tax,  or  any  other 
money-bill;  but  may  make  no  amendments^  the  bufmefs  of  fup- 
plying  the  treafury  always  originating  in  their  houfe.  The  times 
of  their  meeting,  and  their  duration,  are  at  the  governor's  pleafure. 
An  attempt  was  once  made  to  appoint  their  term  tritnnial ;  but  the 
bill  mifcarried.  A  governor  has  been  known  to  diflolve  feveral 
times  in  the  fame  year,  endeavouring  to  garble  ^,n  houfe  to  his 
liking :  but  few  attempts  of  this  nature  have  fucceeded ;  becaufe 
it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  governor  to  leduce  the  majority,  by 
any  modes  of  bribery  and  corruption  that  he  can  exercife.  The 
votes  of  very  few  eledtors  are  to  be  bought.  The  freeholders  in 
general  are  pofl'effed  of  fo  independent  a  fpirit,  that  they  preferve 
in  moft  of  the  pariflies  an  abfolute  freedom  in  their  clioice,  founded 
on  the  opinion  they  have  conceived  of  their  candidate,  his  prin- 
ciples, charafter,  and  ability  to  do  his  country  fervice.  The  quali- 
fication of  a  freeholder  for  voting  at  elections  is  10/.  per  annum j 
arifing  from  lands,  tenements,  or  hereditaments.  A  perfon  eledted 
member  muft  fwear,  before  he  can  be  admitted  to  fit,  that  he  is 
pofl'efl'ed  of  300  /.  per  annum^  or  3000  /.  in  grofs,  over  and  above 
what  is  fufficient  to  pay  all  his  debts :  and  fometimes  this  quali- 
fication has  been  minutely  inquired  into.  The  twenty  parifhes  re- 
turn forty-three  members  to  ferve  in  aflembly  ;  the  pariflies  of  St. 
Katharine,  Kingfton,  and  Port  Royal,  having  each  of  theni  three 
reprefentatives.  But  there  are  as  yet  no  county  members,  anfwer- 
able  to  knights  of  the  fliires  in  England  ;  nor  feems  there  at 
prefent  any  neceflity,  in  refpeft  to  matters  of  bu/inefs^  for  a  further 
augmentation  of  their  number.  Forty-three  are  perhaps  fufficient 
for  tranfafting  all  the  public  affairs  which  properly  fall  under  cog- 
nizance of  the  houfe.  If  there  be  any  other  realbn  to  increafe  the 
number,  it  mufl:  be  founded  on  the  inequality  of  reprefentation. 
In  the  year  1768,  the  proportions  of  the  poll-tax,  paid  by  the 
refpe£Vive  counties,  were  as  follow :  ^      s.      d. 

Middlefex,       — .  ^^'535   ^^   ^^l 

Surry,       ■    ■    1  — - —       8,000   11     8| 

Cornwall,  ■  ^yJS^  ^2     6 

— — ■— 

Total,  27,293     3     I 
Vol.  I.  I  So 


58  JAMAICA. 

So  that  the  counties  of  Middlefex  and  Cornwall  paid  more  than 
twice  as  much  as  the  county  of  Surry.  The  town  of  Kingfton,  in 
Surry,  pays  about  two  thirds  more  than  the  other  two  counties,  in. 
the  articles  of  houfe,  wheel,  and  rum  tax,  country  houfes  not  being 
rated.  But,  in  regard  to  real  property,  the  laft- mentioned  two 
counties  poffefs,  in  the  ratio  of  three  to  one,  more  than  the  county 
of  Surry.  For  example: 
Middlefex  and  Cornwall  contained, 

Negroes.  Cattle.  Sugar-eftates. 

127,362     and    114,288        and       505 

Surry,  39'542  21,465  146 

And  the  property  is  thus  reprefented;  viz. 

Middlefex  returns  Members  —     17! 

Cornwall,  ■  10  J     ^ 

Surry,  1  ■  16 

The  two  former  counties,  therefore,  to  be  on  equal  footing  of  repre^ 
fentation  in  the  legiflature,  ought  to  fend  forty-eight  members,  in- 
Head  of  twenty-feven  :  and  the  whole  number  of  alTembly  would 
then  be  (ixty-four.  For  the  caufe  of  this  inequality,  we  muft  go 
back  to  thofe  early  times  when  the  ifland  was  not  fo  extenfively 
fettled  as  it  is  prefent.  In  the  year  1693,  ^^^^^  were  only  (ixteeix 
pariflies  formed.  In  that  year  a  tax  of  450/.  was  laid  upon  the 
whole  ifland,  to  defray  the  charge  of  public  agents  in  England. 
This  was  levied  upon  a  fair  valuation :  and,  claffing  the  feveral 
pariilies  under  their  refpe£tive  counties  as  now  fettled,  the  quotas^ 
would  fland  thus : 

Middlefex,  

Cornwall,        

Surry,     —         


£ 

s,    d. 

234 

i6  00 

54 

3     4 

'73 

5     3 

Here  Surry  raifed  three  times  more  than  Cornwaljf ;  and  Middlefex 
more  than  both  of  them  added  together.  At  that  time  there  were, 
in  the  parifhes  which  now  form  the  county  of  Surry  833  fa- 
milies, and  6602  inhabitants.  In  Middlefex,  884  families,  and 
8696.  inhabitants.  And,  in  all  tlie  other  parts  of  the  ifland,  not 
more  than  about  220  famihes,  or  2000  perfbns.     The  major  part 

of  the  ^yhite  inhabitants  then  founds  amounting  to  about  8000, 

were 


B  O  O  K    I.      C  H  A  P.    V.  59 

were  either  feated  in  the  towns  of  Port  Royal  and  St.  Jago  de  la 
Vega,  or  fcattered  neaf  the  fea-coafts  ;  few,  if  any,  attempts 
being  as  yet  made  to  form  inland  plantations.  The  aflembly  ap- 
pears to  have  been  very  remifs,  in  not  attending  to  feveral  parti- 
culars, whereby  the  number  of  inhabitants,  progrefs  or  decline 
of  fettlements  and  trade,  might  from  year  to  year  be  competently 
afcertained.  Nothing  is  more  neceflary  to  this  end,  than  to  form 
two  {landing  committees  ;  one  to  be  called  the  committee  for  trade, 
the  other  for  fettlements  and  flate  of  the  ifland.  Under  the  former 
of  thefe  heads  would  be  inquired  and  reported,  in  the  annual  feflion 
of  the  houfe,  the  number  of  topfail  and  other  veflels  cleared  and 
entered  in  the  preceding  year ;  their  tonrvage ;  ports  of  deftination ; 
amount  and  quality,  as  far  as  can  be  obtained,  of  their  cargoes,  im- 
ports, and  exports.  Under  the  other  head  might  be  reported,  a 
lift  of  abfentees ;  number  of  \yhite  inhabitants,  men,  women,  and 
children ;  of  foldiers,  free  Blacks,  Maroons,  and  Mulattoes ;  Ne- 
groe  and  other  flaves  7  cattle,  and  other  ftock ;  returns  of  the  mi- 
litia, horfe  and  foot ;  number  of  fettlements  of  all  forts  ;  quantity 
of  fugar,  rum,  indigo,  and  all  other  produdl,  exported,  or  confumed 
within  the  ifland,  during  the  preceding  twelvemonth.  It  is  eaiy  to 
conceive,  how  neceflary  and  ufeful  a  plan  of  this  nature,  annually 
digeffed,  and  preferved  •  in  the  minutes  of  the  houfe,  muft  be,  to 
give  the  members  and  their  conftkuents  a  ju ft  idea  of  the  planting 
and  commercial  ftate  of  the  ifland.  Without  this  knowledge,  they 
are  but  groping  in  the  dark,  whenever  any  queftion  is  ftarted  and 
confidered,  afFeding thefe  important  points.  They  cannot  well  un- 
derftand  the  value  and  fecurity  of  their  lives  and  properties,  the 
flourifliing  condition  or  declenfion  of  any  material  branch  of  pro- 
duft,  nor  know  when  nor  how  to  apply  timely  remedies,  without 
having  a  collection,  drawn  from  a  regular  feries  of  years,  whereon 
to  ground  their  judgement  and  conchifions.  I  fliall  defift  from  en- 
tering further  into  political  difcuflion  on  the  conftitution  of  our  le- 
giflative  branches,  referving  this  for  a  feparate  part  of  my  work'; 
as^what  Ihave  to  mention  would  be  too  multifarious  for  this  place. 
But  I  cannot  any  where  fo  properly  as  under  the  prefent  head  in- 
troduce an  eftimate  of  one  year's  fupply  raifed  by  aflembly;  which, 
being  recent,  and  difiering  but  little  frofn  that  of  any  other  year, 

I  2  except 


6o  JAMAICA. 

except  upon  extraordinary  emergencies,  may  ferve  to  convey  a  pretty 
corred:  idea  of  our  public  dilburfements.  The  8000/.  ftanding 
annual  revenue  is  not  included  in  the  eftimatc ;  but  added  to  the 
fum  totaL  Thus  will  be  fhewn  the  whole  amount  annually  raifed 
and  expended  within  the  ifland  in  fupport  of  our  government,  and 
for  public  ferviccs. 

Heads  of  the  Eftimate  of  Supplies  for  the  Year  1768. 

Governor's  additional  falary,  — — 

Clerk  af  the  crown, and  clerk  of  the  court,  100/.  each 

The  regiments,  forts,  and  fortifications,    —     

Maroon-negroe  towns,       —  ■         ■ 

Annuities  to  26  Negroes,  freed  for  public  fervices. 

Certificates  af  freedoms,         »      .  ■■■ 

Gaol-fees  of  kingV  Negroes^  >  — 

Waiters,  and  port-officers,  ■  

Repairing  public  buildings,         — — 

Officers  of  the  afifembly,       — —  — — .  —  ■ 
Agent  for  the  ifland  and  committee  of  correfpondence. 

Chancery  records, ■  —   ■■ 

Tranfcribing  and  printing  laws,         c-    ■           ■ 
Printing  the  votes,    ——       ■       ■■             '        — 
Tranfient  fick  and  poor  in  Kingfton  and  Spanish  town, 
Officers  of  the  Bath,  ■  ■  ■ 


£ 

s. 

J. 

2,500 

0 

0 

200 

0 

0 

21,480 

6 

H 

1,300 

0 

0 

290 

0 

0. 

13 

5 

0 

100 

0 

a 

1,740 

0 

0. 

1,000 

0 

a 

1,680 

0 

0 

470 

0 

0 

499 

0 

4i 

59^ 

8 

9^ 

50 

0 

0 

400 

0 

Oi 

240 

0 

0. 

100 

0 

0 

118 

I? 

0 

Free  fchool  in  Spani(h  town. 

Annual  king s  plat^,  or  horfe«-race,      — —       ■■ 

To  redeem  a  mortgage  on  Stewart's  new-invented  1 

cane-mill,  —  — —  •— •  — —  J 

Public  roads  opening  and  repaidogy  '      ■  2,040     o     o 


480     4    o 


35,381    19  10 


Of  this  the  538^:  /.  may  be  ftruck  ofF  for  extra 
charges,  not  occurring  every  year.     This  being 
dedudled,    the  average  fupply  may  be  rated,  |    ^  * 
communihus  annts^  about — 

To  which  add  the  revenue,  cflimated  by  the  law,,  at    8,000     o     o 

38,000     o     o 

The 


B  O  O  K     I.       C  H  A  P.     V.  6i 

The  fources  of  the  revenue  fund  are  import  duties,  laid  by  an  adt 
of  the  ifland,  paflcd  in  1728,  on  all  foreign  wines,  fpirituous  liquors, 
beer,  ale,  cyder,  mum,  refined  and  other  fugar,  indigo,  cotton,  to- 
bacco, ginger,  cocoa,  wine-licences,  the  crown's  (liare  of  all  fines^ 
forfeitures,  efcheats,  and  produce  of  quit-rents;  befides  a  duty 
(called  the  tonnage)  of  one  pound  weight  of  gunpowder  ^(?r  ton  on  all 
veffels  arriving  from  parts  beyond  the  Tropic  of  Cancer,  or  an  equi- 
valent in  money,  valued  at  is.  6 J.  per  pound  weight.  The  produft 
of  thefc  feveral  heads,  in  the  year  when  this  law  pafled,  was  fup- 
pofed  to  amount  as  follows : 

Impoft  taken  at  a  medium  of  nine  years, 2966  2  i 

Quit.rents, 1460  1 4  3 

Fines,  forfeitures,  and  efcheats,  437  ^3  3 

Wine-licences, 


200     o     o 


Gunpowder,    . *57     ^   ^^ 

New  impoft,  including  indigo  and  fugar,  at  mo-|     ^^^^     ^     ^ 

derate  computation,.  - -        -' 


o     o 
o 


o 
8z    2    6 


Upon  this  were  founded  the  charges  r  viz. 

The  captain -general's  falary, 25°° 

Forts  and  fortifications, 1 250     o 

Chief-juftice's  falary,  ;"     120     o     o 

Officers  and  gunners  of  fortCharles;  viz. 

The  captain,  6f .  per  diem, 109   » o 

The  lieutenant,  4.J.  td. 02     2 

Twelve  raatrofles  in  aStualJervke,  at  \ 

zs.  6d.  per  diem,  to  be  inhabitants/ 

of  Port  Roy al,  and  continually  re- V      547   ^"^     ° 

fident  there,  and  not  to  be  enlifted  V 

in  the  independent  companies,  —  ^ 

Armourer,     •    40     o     o 

Water  for  the  garrifon,  ■ >   —       24     o     o 

Captain  of  the  train  in  Spanifti  town,       45  ^  2     6 


8371   12 


Auditor- 


(>t 


J    A    M     A    I 


Auditor-general,    150/.    fterling,    at 

^oper  cent,  exchange,  

Waiter's  falary. 


} 


c 

210 
120 


A. 


5. 


d. 

o 


Several  ordinary  charges ;  viz.  public 
buildings,  attorney-generars  fees, 
clerk  of  the  council,  provoft^mar- 
ilial,  clerk  of  the  crown,  clerk  of 
-the  chancery  for  iflliing  writs  of 
eledtion,  deputy-mar(hals  for  pri- 
foners,  executing  writs  of  elec- 
tion, receiver-general's  commif- 
fion,  king's  evidence,  and  other 
fmall  expences,  computed  at  a  me- 
dium, for  nine  years  paft. 

Contingent  charges  per  annum. 


>  2390     o     o 


568 15 


o  I  8007   '^ 


o 


According  to  this  computation,  there  is  a  furplus,  —     364     2     6 


But  the  furplus  is,  in  fad,  .much  more,  and  dill  on  the  increafe. 
The  quit-rents  alone,  if  faithfully  paid  and  collected,  ought  to  pro- 
duce at  leaft  3000/.  per  annum  ;  and  the  tonnage  duty  2000/,  if  re- 
ceived in  money,  inftead  of  powder,  over  and  above  fupplying  the 
forts  and  magazines  with  what  is  fufficient  and  neceflary  to  be  con- 
ftantly  kept  for  the  public  defence.  No  oeconomy  feems  to  attend 
the  management  of  this  duty;  but,  on  the  contrary,  a  very  enor- 
mous wafte  has  been  ufually  made  of  the  powder,  in  falutes,  watch- 
guns,  minute-guns,  fcalings,  fiftings,  and  many  et  aeteras.  Much 
of  it  is  annually  damaged ;  and  this  has  fometimes  been  re-fhipped 
for  fale  to  Great-Britain ;  where  it  cannot  produce  much,  when 
the  charges  of  freight  and  commiffion  are  dedudlcd.  It  would,  per- 
haps, be  more  beneficial  to  the  revenue,  if  this  duty  was  always  to 
be  coUedled  in  money  alone ;  and  the  receiver-general  diredled,  by 
law,  to  import  every  year  a  certain  quantity  of  powder  ^r(?  re  natd^ 
fuch  as  (hall  be  confidered  abfolutely  neceflary  to  keep  up  a  fufficient 
magazine  for  fecurity  of  the  ifland,  to  be  a  charge  upon  the  revenue 
fund,  and  to  be  honeftly  accounted  for   under  fuitable  regulations  ; 


7. 


or 


B  O  O  K    L       C  H  A  P.     V.  6  j 

or  a  payment  of  the  duty  might  be  admitted  and  fettled,  of  one  pro- 
portion in  powder,  the  remainder  in  money.  Some  of  the  articles 
of  revenue  have  been  fluduatingj  as  indigo,  which,  in  fome  years, 
has  produced  little  or  nothing,  in  others  confiderably,  and  in  parti- 
cular during  the  laft  war.  But,  as  other  increafed  articles  make  up 
for  this  deficiency,  the  average  income  is  probably  not  fo  little  as 
10,000/.  yearly.  The  furplus  (fuppofing  it  to  be  2000/.)  ought, 
purfuant  to  the  diredions  of  the  law,  to  form  a  kind  of  aggregate 
fund,  to  be  applied  in  fitting  out  parties  againfl  rebellious  Negroes,. 
or  fuch  other  ufe  as  the  governor,  council,  and  alTembly,  fhould,  by 
any  law  to  be  pafled  for  the  purpofe,  think  fit  to  dircft.  It  is  fur- 
ther provided,  that  the  1250/.  per  annum^  for  repair  of  the  forts. 
and  fortifications,  (hall  be  flriftly  applied  to  that  ufe,  and  no  other  ; 
and,  for  better  obfervance  of  this  claufe,  that  fum  is  ordered  to  be 
carried  by  the  receiver-general  into  a  diflindt  account.  The  gover- 
nor and  council  are  the  adminiflrators  upon,  and  truflees  for,  the 
annual  8000 /• ;  and  it  is  their  duty  to  draw  on  the  iiland  treafury 
for  payment  of  the  real,,  legitimate  charges  of  government,  and  none 
other.  Let  us  now  examine,  with  what  fidelity  they  appear  to  have 
executed  this  trufl.  In  the- year  1763,  they  reprefented  to  the  af- 
fcmbly,  that  the  revenue  aft  did  not  fufficiently  provide  for  the  con- 
tingences  of  government.  To  demonftrate  this,  they  added  a  flate 
of  what  had  been  paid  to  their  orders,  for  feven  years  back,  on  dif- 
ferent heads,  far  exceedirig  the  legal  provifion.  From  this  exhibit 
it  appearedju  that>  inftead  of  Jees  paid  the  attorney-general,  which 
arc  what  the  law  direds,  alluding  plainly  to  occafional  crown  ac- 
tions, in  which  that  officer  might  happen  to  be  retained  and  con- 
fulted,.  they  allowed  him 

£     i.   ^. 

An  annual  falary  of 400     o     o 

To  a  folicitor  for   the  crown,  an  officer  not  men-1 

tioned  iiv  the  law,  upwards  of  ■    — — J 

To  the  carrier  of  public  difpatches,  another  officer 
unnoticed  in  the  law,  fOoA  This  office  is  ufually 
given   to  the  governor's   fecretary,   and  attended 

with  about  120/..  expence..  ■    ■    ■ 

To 


00 


500 


64  JAMAICA. 


£    ^. 


To  the  chaplain,  uflier,  and  clerk,  of  the  council,  (the 
two  former  not  mentioned  in  the  law,)  1240/.  out  of 
which,  if  we  dedudl  500/.   allowance  to  the  clerk,  \      ' 
there  remains  a  fuperfluous  expence  of  ■ 


per  ann.  2140  o  o 


h   appeared  further,  that  they  had  brought  the  revenue  in  debt,  to 
the  annual  fortification  fund,  6013/.   ^^^-  ^^-^  ^^^^^  is  to  fay,  they 
had  drawn  the  money  out  of  that  fund,  which  by  law  is  flridlly  re- 
quired to  be  kept  facred,  and  applied  foleiy  to  repairing  the  forts, 
&c.   and  diffipated  it  in  expences  which  the  law  does  not  warrant. 
They  had  alfo  iflucd  orders  to  the  amount  of  6586/.  loj.  9^.  for 
payment  of  which  the  receiver-general   had  no  revenue  money  in 
his  hands  :   and  they  acknowledged  feveral  accounts  to  be  ftill  open 
againft  them,  which  were  not  yet  fettled  and  adjufled.     By  mere 
inattention  (for  it  could  proceed  from  nothing  elfe)   to  the  annual 
colledlion  of  the  revenue,  they  found  no  lefs  than  7720 /•  4/.  jd. 
outftanding  debts,  duie  to  the   crown  ;  many  of  which,   through 
lapfe  of  time,  were  become  bad  :    and  they  alledged,  that  the  good 
debts  would  amount  to  no  more  than  would  difcharge  the  fum  they 
were  in  arrear  to  the  annual  fund.     Setting  one  of  thefe,  therefore, 
againft  the  other,   their  excefs  of  expenditures  in  (even  years   will 
appear   to  be   6586/.    loj.   ()d.  which   is    about  941/.  per   annum. 
Now,  if  we  cut  off  the  exorbitant  falaries,  or  douceurs,  granted  by 
the  pleafure  of  the  board,  and  which  are  neither  comprehended  in, 
nor  warranted  by,  the  intention  of  the  law  ;  it  is  plain,  that  no  ex- 
cefs of  this  kind  could  have  happened,  even  admitting  that,    in  all 
their  other  dilburfements,  they  adhered  rigidly  to  the  letter  of  the 
law,  and  their  duty  to  the  public,  and  (hewed  no  favours  nor  par- 
tialities in  the  fettlement  of  charges  and  accounts,  rendered  in  by 
the  different  creditors  of  government.     But,   not  to  be  ftridl  with 
them,  let  us  admit  a  moderate  falary  to  the  attorney-general,  and 
others  upon  their  peniion-lifl,  and  (late  the  account  in  the  moft  rea- 
fonable  manner  ;  we  (hall    then  find,  that  the  following   favings 
might  and  ought  to  be  made : 

On 


I                                     B  O  O  K    !•      C  H  A  p. 

V. 

£ 

J. 

d. 

On  the  attorncy-gencrars  pcnfion,  w— - 

•    200 

0 

0 

On  folicitor-generars  bill,    «           -^ 

-    lOO 

0 

0 

f                  Carrier  of  public  difpatches,  — —  — 

-    200 

0 

0 

j                   Chaplain  and  u(her,     ■     ■     

-    500 

0 

0 

Clerk  of  the  board,     ■       ■  

-    100 

0 

0 

Printer  (wholly,  as  an  unncceflkry  of-  ^ 

ficer),  rated  one  year  with  another, 

'       50 

0 

0 

i^-a^^^^^^^ 

«f 


Total,  .1150  o  oper  ann.  (sLvingi 
which  in  feven  years  amounts  to  8050/.  which  exceeds  their  pre- 
tended debt  by  1464/.  Hence^  therefore,  it  muft  evidently  and 
fairly  appear,  that  due  moderation,  even  on  thefe  few  heads,  would 
have  prevented  them  from  leaping  over  the  bounds  of  the  law,  and 
infringing  upon  the  fortification  depoflt,  and  annual  furplufage  fund« 
Yet  the  board  made  no  fcruple  to  afSrm,  on  this  occafion,  that  the 
expences  of  government  could  not  be  fupported  with  lefs  than 
10,000 /•  per  annum!  This  is  true,  while  managed  by  fuch  notable 
oeconomifts,  who,  to  ape  the  houfe  of  peers,  muft  have  their  u^her 
of  the  black  rod,  their  chaplain,  and  printer ;  who  have  made  it  a 
rule,  to  allow  their  clerk  and  officers  the  very  fame  fums  which 
they  found  granted  by  the  afTembly  to  theirs ;  nay,  fometimes  to  ex* 
ceed  them,  by  way  of  fixing  themfelves  a  ftep  higher  in  mock  pa- 
geantry. If  the  revenue  was  augmented  to  10,000/.  per  annutn^ 
there  is  no  doubt  but,  by  fuch  means,  and  perhaps  fome  additional 
caprices,  the  people  might  be  called  upon  every  feven  years,  or 
oftener,  to  add  two  or  three  thoufand  pounds  more  to  their  civil  li{^% 
The  afTembly  had  too  much  regard  for  their  conflituents,  to  clap 
another  pannier  on  their  fhoulders ;  and  wifely  refolved,  that  many 
of  the  articles  in  the  councirs  catalogue  were  not  comprized  within, 
nor  warranted  by,  the  law  ;  that  it  did  not  appear,  the  revenue  fund 
had  fallen  (hort ;  that  the  houfe  ought  not  to  make  good  the  fum 
of  6586/.  iOi«  ^d.  the  faid  money  not  having  accrued  due  upon 
any  deficiency  in  the  funds,  duties,  and  impoft ;  but  from  the  coun- 
cil's having  added  feveral  new  heads  of  expence  to  the  eftimatc,  and 
ifTued  orders  on  the  receiver-general  for  larger  annual  fums  than  the^ 
Vol.  I.  K  hw 


66  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

law  prefcribed ;  that  making  good  the  fame  by  the  houfe  would  not 
only  be  repugnaht  to  the  revenue  kw,  but  ttiight  become  a  precedent 
of  a  very  dangerous  nature  to  future  affemblies -,  as  the  like  applica- 
tion might  be  renewed^  to  induce  the  affembly  to  fupply  every  defi- 
ciency which  the  council  might  think  fit  to  create.  Such  were  their 
j[uft  and  unanfwerable  grounds  for  rejeding  this  attempt.  But  it 
feems^  to  cafi:  fome  blame  upon  them»  that,  inflead  of  infifling  on 
the  ftrid:  annual  application  of  the  fortification  and  furplufage  funds^ 
they  had  fuffered  the  council  to  invade  and  difiipate  them  for  fo> 
many  years ;  burthening,  at  the  fame  time,  their  conftituents  with 
heavy  taxes,  to  defray  the  very  contingences  to  which  thefc  funds 
were  fpecially  appropriated.  They  now  take  upon  them  the  whole 
charge  of  fupplying  die  forts  with  wal6r  ;  a  falary  to  the  clerk  of  thp  - 
crown  r  provide  annually  for  repair  of  the  fortifications,  and  equip* 
ment  of  parties  ;  all  of  which,  not  forty  years  ago#  were  comprizrd 
under  the  revenue  law.  I  have  detailed  this  proceeding,  in  order  to 
fliew  how  much  it  behoves  them  to  guard  againft  thofe  encroach*- 
ments,  which,,  when  once  admitted,  become  fixed  and  permanent, , 
and  are  never  after  to  be  eifedlually  refcipded.  The  afleaibly  (hewed . 
itfelf  worthy  the  confidence  of  the  people,  by  refufing  to  comply 
with  a  requifition  fo  unreafonable..  And  the  gentlemen  of  the 
council,. finding  that  they  could  not  carry  their  point  after  fucceffive. 
attempts,  were  obliged  to  fall  on  that  method  at  lafl  which  they 
ought  to  have  embraced  at  firfi,  and  which  was,  indeed,  the  only 
prudent  one  remaining,  to  get  them  out  of  debt;,  e.g.  by  re- 
trenching many  fuperfluous  expences.  Had  this  meafure  been  taken 
fome  years  fooner,  it  would  have  preferved  their  credit,  and  have 
entitled  them  to  the  honourable  appellation  of  faithful  depofitaries 
for  the,  crown  and  people.  Whenever  their  credit  (hall  be  rc-efta- 
bli(hed,  and  the  board  confine  themfelves  within  the  juft  litnits 
of  the  law,  their  annual  orders  willbe  of  very  great  benefit  to  the 
iilsind,  by  (landing  in  place  of  fo  much  real  money;  for  they  will 
have  all  the  operation  and  currency  of  bankrnqtes  \rn\.    But,. at  pre- 

fent, 

[m]  For  this  purpofe,  I  fubmit  the  following  fcheme.  Let  all  the  orders  ifllied  ht  not  exceeding 
fo/.  each.  Suppofing  the  annual  expenditure  to  be,  at  an  average,  9500/.  the  number  of  orders 
Ifllied  for  this  will  be  9^0.  The  governor's  feal-fees  now  fall  on  the  party  receiving  the  order,  u  e. 
the  public  creditor;  which  I  cannot  think  ec^uitable ;  for,  if  the  debt  is  jufl  and  jigbt. (which  is 

prefumedy 


0 

BOOK     I.       CHAP.    V.  4^7 

{ent»  and  Co  loftg  as^ey  are  behind-hand,  their  orders  are  notpaf* 
Able  at  a  difcount  of  le&«  in  general^  than  uol.  per  cent,  or  up^ 
wards.  Hence  feveral  honeft  men  hive  be^  great  lofers  by  this  fort 
of  payment.  Others  have  faved  thenoielves  by  the  extravagance  of 
their  charges,  which  afforded  this  dedudion,  and  left  them  ample 
profits  beiides.  But  this  infolvency  was  attended  with  a  further  in- 
convenience, in  furnifhing  fome  of  the  rcceiver-generars  clerks  with 
a  pretence  for  refufing  payment  of  all  orders  of  council  |>fefented  at 
the  office,  unlefs  a  very  large  difcount  was  allowed  them  for  prompt 
payment ;  which  being  generally  complied  with,  rather  than  wait 
many  months,  or  years,  for  the  Whole  fum,  thefe  honeft  brokers 
found  means  to  enrich  themfelves  very  hand fomely  by  thisTpecies  of 
trade. 

The  ordinary  funds  for  the  other  fupplles  are,  the  deficiency,  a  tax 
impofed  on  all  owners  of  flaves  who  ticgleft  or  refufe  to  maintain  a 
certain  rated  proportion  of  white  fcrvants  ;  a  poll-tax  upon  flaves 
and  cattle  ;  a  duty  on  new  Negroes  imported  and  fold  in  the  iflaAd^ 
a  duty  on  rum  retailed  ;  and  taxes  on  wine  and^rum  Itt^ces,  tranf- 
ient  traders,  public  oiSders,  houfe*rents  in  the  t<ywns,  wherries,  ^nfd 
wheels.  The  parodiial'  taxes  vary  much  in  the  diftcrent  parifhes,  aii^ 
alfo  in  the  fame,  bitAg  heightened  or  lowered  according  to  exigency:: 
they  are  commonly  raifed  by  a  pollj  and  in  fbtne  the  traiifiaftt 
traders,  houfe-rents,  and  wheels,  furni(b  a  fmall  part.  Tbeproduee 
of  thefe  taxes  is  applied  to  church  and  poor  rates,  repair  of  <bar« 
racks  and  bridges.  The  highways  are  repaired  by  an  allotment  4>f 
'  each  perfon's  flakes.  All  thefe  are  raifed  after  an  eafy  nu)de,  at  fie 
greater  dedu<ftion  than  5  /.  per  eent.  paid  to  the  re€eiver-»geiieral '  fcr 
the  public  monies;  and  a|/,  per  rM/.>  to  the  c^Uefting  conftables 
fbr  parifh  taxes.  By  which  means,  the  whole  of  our  internal  taxea, 
both  pubMc  arid' parochial,  which  together  -may  be  averaged,  one 

piefumed,  as  it  muft  pafs  the  audit  and  examinafion  of  the  council,  who  dte '  bound  to  diMow 
every  exorbitsjnt  charge),  the  creditor  is  farely  entitled  to  fibll  payment  of  his  balance  witbontiaAy 
deduction.  Bcfides,  this  fee,  which  I  think  is  i  /.  3^.  9^.  is  extremely  unequal ;  fince  the  nuqif 
who  receives  only  a  fo/.  order,  pays  the  fame  as  he  who  receives  one  for  500/. ;  and  upon  the 
50  il  it  is  a  defalcation  of  more  than  two  and  a  half  percent.  An  agkeeiHent  mrght,  therefore,  be 
^nlered  inta  with  the  governor,  to.  fix  liis  fee  at  one-  OiiRing  per  ieal ;  W^ich»  upon  9^0  MdcTH 
iriiouhtB  to  47/1  10  X.  and  is  equal  to  one  half /^r  <*f«/.  Thi9  might  Repaid,  by  ^he  council » 
out  of  the  revenue  fund  j  by  which  means,  the  creditor,  as  is  juft,  would  receive  the  full  value  t)f 
^Is  hoheft  demand.  * 

K  2  year 


68  J    A    M    A    r    C    A. 

* 

jmr  with  another,  at  about  60,000/.  do  not  coft  the  ifland  2500/.  in 
the  collefting;  a  ciroumftanee  very  fevourable  to  the  planters,  on 
whom  the  burthen  prinGipally  refls.  The  following  is  only  given 
as'  a  general  eftimate.o£  the  produce  of  the  ordinary  taxes,  viz.. 


Rum  bill,,     ■■  ■ 
Additional  duty,. 
Deficiency,        - 
Foil-tax  fingle. 
Ditto  double. 


iC 

i. 

d. 

about     8,00a 

0. 

0. 

ditto     10,000 

0. 

a 

ditto     1 2,000 

0 

0 

ditto,    14^000 

0 

0 

ditto     28,000 

0. 

a 

occaiion  requii 

es>; 

and 

The  rates  of  thefe  imports  are  varied  as  occafion  requires  >; 
the.  laft,,  or  poll-tax^    is   never   laid,     except   when,  the  public 
exigences  make  it  unavoidable.     When  emergency  required,,  fbme 
years  ago,  new  way^   and  means  to.  be  contrived,  a  lottery   and- 
ftamp*bill  were. introduced;  but,,  as  the*  one  tended  to  excite  a  per- 
nicious ipirit  of  gamblings  and  the'  other  proved  extremely,  incoa- 
venient  and   oppreffive,  they  were  loon.  laid,afide.     The  former 
produced  5479/.;  the  latter,  7000/..    The  furplufages  of"  the  funds 
are  fometimes  confiderable.     Not  many  years  ago,    I  have,  beeii. 
credibly  informed,,  that  there  was- at  one  time   100,000/.   in  bank: 
in  the  treafury,.  which  was  afterwards  alLdrawn  out,  and  waflod 
in  conflrufling  fortifications  ;,  and.fo>much  more  neceflarily  thrown, 
after  it  every  year,  as  to  keep  th&  public  coffers  rather  low  and  im- 
poverifhed  ever  fince^^.    The  treafury  accounts  are  kept  by  the  re- 
ceiver general;  and  annually  infpeded,  chequed,  and  fettled,    by. 
a  committee,  of  the  aflembly  at.  their  meeting.     That  body  are  alio 
the  inquirers  into  public  abufes,    breach    and  negligence   of  duty 
committed   in  the  feveral  gouBts  of  ju  ft  ice  and-  offices  of  record;; 
an  exercifeof  controul  of  the  utmoft  confequence,  not  only  to  the 
itihabitants,  but   to  ev^ry   Britilh  merchant  who .  has  monie§  out 
here  upon  loan,,  which  is   the  cafe  with  many,  of  them:  and  this, 
circumftance  argues  very  ftrongly ,  fot  the  aflembly*s  annually  meet- 
ing, and  proceeding  to  bufinefe ;  fince  the  various  great  abufes  they 
have  from  time,  to  time  detefted  and  reftified,   and  which  happened; 
in  occafional  long  iiitervals  of  their  meeting  during  contefts  with  a 
governor,  manifeftly  Ihew  what  the  coafequence  would  be^  if  the : 
perfons  conducting  thofe  offices  were  to  be  kft  entirely  to  thcm- 

felves : . 


BO  OK    I.     G  H  AP.    V.  69 

fclves :  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  but  that  the  terror  of  this  yearly 
vifitation  may  reftrain  fome  of  them  from  many  exorbitancies,  and 
violations  of  law  and  duty.     The  public  taxes  have  in  (bme  years, 
as   in  confequence   of  quelling  infurredtion,  building  barracks,  or 
fortifications,  amounted  to   100,000 A     It  is  well  this  occurs   but 
very  feldom,   or  it  might  go  near  to  ruin  the  ifland.     Nor  can  a 
more  cogent  reafon  be  urged,  to  prove  how  expedient   it   is,  either 
diat  the  regular  forces  (houldby  the  mother  country  be  compleated 
to   2000  efFefikive  men,   or  that  the  affembly  (hould  of  themfelv^s, 
and  with  permiffion,.  fupport  a  body  of  troops  equivalent ;  in  order, 
whh  a  moderate  annual  addition  to  their  prefent  taxes,  to  fave   the; 
ifland  effectually  from  thefe  incidental  loads  of  grievcous  taxation  ;. 
which,   falling  all  ill  one   or  two   years^  fucceffively,.  are.  far  more 
burthenibme  and  oppreflive,   than  if  the  fame  fum  was  to  be  paid 
by    little  and  little,  in  the  courfe  of  feveral  years ;  for  the  pooreft 
planter  can  eafily  afford   to  pay  a  thoufand  pounds,  in  the  ieries  of 
ten  years,  by  inftalments  of  1 00 L  per  annum  :  when,  if  the.  whole 
fell  payable  in  one  year,,  it  would  probably  crufh  him  [«].     Indeed: 
it  muft  be  granted,,  that  the  maintenance  of  a  landing  army  in,  a 
commercial  colony  is  not  the   mod  eligible   nor  oeconomic  plan». 
and  ought  only  to  be  admitted   in  a  colony  of  that  clafs,  when 
there  is  but  little  hope  o£  fettling  and  peopling  it  extenfively.     Its 
own  permanent    inhabitants    are  unqueftionably  its  moft    natural, 
faithful,    and  active  defenders;,  and,  when  they  are  become  fuffi- 
ciently  numerous  to  execute  this  important  truil,  the  maintenance 
of  Ibldiers  muft  be  an  nnneceflary  burthen,  and  conducive  to  no* 
honeft  defign,     Bjat.I.  fliall  confiderthis  fubjeftmore  largely  here- 
after [al. 

G  H  A  P. 

[n]  In  general;  the  Fi^nch  Wefl-India  colonies  raile  no  taxes ;  bXit,  when,  upon  an  esttraordi- 
nary  emergency,  taxes  are  raifed,  they  are  very  moderate.     During  the  late  war,  when  the  French . 
finances  were  extremely  diftrefled,  by  capture  of  their  merchant- veflels,  and  ifiterruption  of  trade 
wifh  their,  fugar  iflands ;  tHe  duties,  ordinary  and  extraordinary,  upon-  their  Mufcovado  fugan  ex- 
forted  from  Hifpaniela,  amounted  to  no  more  than  lixpence  ilerling/^  hundred  weight,  aboat  a, 
iixtieth  part  of  the- value.    And,  that  even  their  taxes  may  operate  for  advancement  of  the  colo- 
nies, they  who  begin  new  plantations    are  exempted  from  them.    The  duties  upon  the  export  oC 
their  produce  at  the  iflstnds^  and  at  its  import  into  France^  are  next  to  nothing,  hardly  making  to« 
gedier  vaoper  cent*  What  commodttiet  go  to  them,  pay  no  duties  at  alL-^The  cafe  in  our  iflandf  is 
'veiy  different.    The  duties  on  our  fugarsare  about  one  third ;  and  on  rum,  about  two  thirds. 

[o]l  hope  it  will  not  be  thought  in^pertinent,  here  to  obfervc,  that  the  code,  or  volume,  of.«A-< 
^'{Ihnb^j  publiihcd  in  the  year  1 756,  ami  which  i&  the  only  printed  code  extant,  ,wa&  tiot  pubiiihed 

by 


J    A    M    A    I   C    A; 


CHAP.       VI. 

Chief-Juftice. 

HIS  poft  is  of  great  truft,  and  the  utmoft  confequence  to  the 
well-being  of  this  colony.  We  are  under  infinite  obliga- 
tions  to  the  miniflry,  for  having  abftained  hitherto  fi-om  inter- 
fering with  this  appointment.  Were  they  to  (upply  it  with  nccef- 
iitous  retainers  to  the  law  frotn  home,  I  fhould  from  that  moment 
date  the  ruih  of  this  colotiy.  The  court  of  this  officer  has  com- 
prehended in  it,  matters  of  common  plea,  king's-bench,  and  ex- 
chequer; but  the  far  greater  part  of  the  bufinefs  is  grounded  on 
the  cufloms,  the  policy,  and  equitable  laws  of  Jamaica ;  the  un- 
derftanding  of  all  which  judicially  and  pcrfcdlly  requires  a  Idng 
xefidence  in  the  ifland,  conftant  habitudes   of  public  bufinefs,  and 

by  authority,  nor  undor  fan(5tion  of  the  hou(e  bfaflembly.     This  book  contains  the  public  a6l8  then 
in  force  and  unexpired,  beginning  in  the  year.  1 68 1,  and  ending  at  17^5 ;  and  the  number  of  thefe 
are  199.    No  book  of  the  laws  has  been  publifhed  fince;  though'  the  number  is  now  prodigioufly 
increafed.    It  mufl  needs  happen,  that  fome  dV  other  of  thefe  laws  are  frequently  pleaded ;  and, 
•therefore,  to  be  exhibited,  or  read,  in  the  difierent  courts  of  law,  in  a  variety  of  caufes  inftitutetl. 
But,  as  thefe  laws  were  not  printed  by  authority,  and  contain  many  errors  of  the  prd8,and  other  mi- 
•flakes ;  the  courts  in  Jamaica  will  not  fuffer  them  to  be  given  in  evidence,  but  compel  the  parties  to 
.take  copies  from  the  roanufcript  laws,  on  record  in  the  fecretary's  office :  which  practice  is  attended 
•with  a  very  heavy,  though  a  neceflar}',  'expence  to  the  fuitors,  and  delervei  the  attention  of  the  af- 
fembly ;  who  ought  to  apply  the  remedy.    They  m^ght  (for  exalhple)  fend  td  England  a  copy  of 
.all  the  laws  in  force  (taken  from  the  records  in  the  fecretary's  office,  and  carefully  examined  and 
*€orre6led  by  a  fpecial  committee,  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpofe),  to  be  there  printed  accurately : 
.and,  upon  return  of  them  in  print,  they  might  be  re-examined,  the  errors  (if  any)  corre<5ted,  and 
publiihed  by  authority  of  the  houfe  in  a  table,  which  might  be  inferted  in  a  bill  t6.be  then  pa/fed 
.the  legiilature  of  the  ifland,  empowering  and  ordering  all  judges,  juftices,  &c.  to  admit  tnat  printed 
vcode  as  authentic,  and  to  be  pleaded  and  given  in  evidence  before  them.    So  neceflary  a  work  ought 
not  to  be  overlooked :  for  the  laws  of  any  country  cannot  be  made  too  public;  in  Jamaica  particu- 
larly, where  every  planter  and  man  of  bufme(s  has  frequent  occaiion  to  confult  them,  they  ought  to 
be  in  every  one's  hands.    But,  when  the  courts  of  jullice  refufe  thofe  already  printed,  becaufe  of 
their  incorredneis,  they  become  ufelefs  to  the  fubjedt  i  for,  not  knowing  wherein  they  are  erro- 
neous, he  may  be  liable  to  fufFer  greatly,  if  he  depends  on  their  authenticity;  and  therefore  qlie- 
itions  whether  ht  (hould  pay  any  regard  to^hem  at^lL    But  even  this  piipted  code  might  be  ren- 
dered afeful,  by  comparing  it  under  authority  of  the  houfe,  and  correcting  it  carefully  by  the  qri- 
•ginal  manuferipts,  publijfhing  tYMttrrata^  or  correlations,  in  a  (hort  bill  palTcd  for  that  end,  whjch 
veveiy  pecfon  might  bind  into  his  volume ;  and,  by  the  fame  bill,  thefe  printed  laws,  with  the  proper 
icorre^ons  being  made,  might  be  duly  authorized. — The  laws  of  the  Windward  iflands  are  pjrinted 
ttndcr  authority  of  their  legiilature. — Jamaica,  I  believe,  is  ahnod  the  only  exception  to  this  rule. 

no 


BOOK    L       CHAP.    VI.  71 

no  mean  abftitie^.      His  {alary,  9harged  on  the  revenue,  is  only 
1 20/.  per  annum ;   but  his  fees  and  perquifites  of  office  are    con- 
fiderabley   though  by  no  means  too  much  for  fupporting  the  dignity 
and  independency  of  it.     He  ihould  be  entirely  free   in   his  mind, . 
apd   independent  in  his  circumftances,    that  he  may   adminifter 
juftlce  without  fear  or  favour.     He   ought,  therefore,  to  hold  his 
ofBce  quamdiu  fe  bene  gejferit  \  as  the  judges  in  Great-Britain   hold 
theirs.     An  a^   >yas  pafled  in  the  ifland  for  this   purpofe  in  the: 
yoar  1751,  but  difallowed  by  the  crown;  fo  that  the  tenure  of  it 
ilill  continues   durante  bene  placito.    He  ought  not  to  be  a  member, 
of  the  council ;  for,  as  he  \%  ex  officio  called  up  to  advife  the  go- 
vernor and  council  in  the  appeal  court  of  errors,  he  fhould  not  vote 
there  on  matters  which  he. has  alrea4y  prejudged  in  the  court  below. 
Berbaps,   it  wpuld  be  better,  if  he  was  excluded  from  the  aflembly 
alfo ;  that  he   might  apply  his  whole  time  to  the  arduous  duties 
af  his  place^  and  not  be  liable  to  have  his  judgement  warped   by 
inflluence,   or  bis  pafiipns  heated  by  the  cabals   and  wranglings  of 
party.     I  can  call   to  mind  niore.  than  one  chief-judice   difplaced,. 
by  an  imperious  governor,   for  no  other  caufe  than  the  having  voted 
in  aiTembly   according  to  their  confcience.     Ought  the   chief  dif- 
penier  of*  law  and  juftice  to  be  fubjefted  to   fuch  a  tyranny  ?  or  be 
left  to  Aagg»  between  the  infecurity  of  a  lucrative  poft  on  the  one- 
hand^'andthe  diiS^tes  of  his  confcience  and  honefty  on. the   other? 
It  is  difgraqeful  to  government, .  and  baneful   to  private  as  well  as  • 
public  virtue^  and    honour.     Whether  a  gentleman  of  rank  andi 
£utune  in  the.  ifland,  or  a  barrifler,  is  the  more  proper  man  tcu 
fill  this  place,  is  a.  queClion  that  feems  to  have  been  refolved,  by  a^ 
courie  of  near  onQ  hundred  years  experience,  in  favour  of  the  for- 
mer.    I  do  not  JecoUeft  more  than  one  or  two  inftances  of  a  lawyer 
appointed  .toJt. .    As  the  bulk  of  our  ifland  laws  were  for  the  moft' 
part  framed  by  perfons  not  educated  to  the  pra£lice.of  the  law,  but; 
by  plain  well-meaning  planters,  who  confulted  more  the  general  m^ 
tercfts  of  the   country,    than  finely-turned  periods^  and  accurate. 
phrafeologyi;  To  we  find  them,  or  at  leafl:  many  of  them,  fo  loofely^ 
warded»  as  .not  to  b^^r  the  nice  andfubtle  diflindions  attended.  to> 
by  the  gentlemen  of  the  long  robe;  confequently,  if  a  mere  hack- 
neyed lawyer  becomes  the  expofitor  of  them  and  definer  of  their.^ 

intention  9, 


72  JAMAICA. 

intention,  he  witl  be  apt  to  treat  them  according  to  the  oourfe  of  hts 
uFual  praftice,  or  what  happens  to  be  the  modifli  praftice  of  Well:* 
minfter-hall;  and  thus  impair  their  vigour,  explain  away  their  te- 
nour,  and  fritter  them  into  abfolute  nullities,  to  make  room  for  his 
own  pragmatical  fancies  and  inftitutes.  Nothing  is  more  true». 
than  that  all  men  are  fallible ;  and  that  grave  judges  are  as  liable 
to  trip  as  other  men :  the  many  inconfiftent  opinions,  which  are 
to  be  found  in  our  huge  folios  of  Law  Reports,  are  an  unanfwerable 
argument  for  this.  Judges,  who  have  not  the  folid  principles  of 
the  conftitution,  of  right  and  wrong,  of  truth  and  reafon,  for  ever 
before  their  eyes,  may  lean  more  to  the  falfe  refinements  of  fo* 
phiftry,  and  the  hair-breadth  lines  penciled  by  the  courts  of  Weft- 
minfter-hall,  t'han  to  the  equity  and  merits  of  the  caufe  in  iflue 
before  them ;  and  by  this  means  fubftitute  form,  cant,  and  finelle, 
in  the  room  of  Truth  and  its  unerring  maxims.  This  is  a  confe- 
quence  which  may  often  happen  in  our  ifland  ;  the  municipal  laws 
of  which  differ,  in  many  reipeft^,  from  thofe  of  the  mother 
country.  They  (hould  then  be  judged  according  to  the  exigences, 
policy,  and  welfare,  of  the  colony ;  and  not  by  Weftminftei;-hall 
authorities,  which  have  relation  to  other  laws,  other  fa£ls,  and  to  a 
people  diflbrently  circumftanced^  It  is  therefore,  I  think,  for  the 
general  advantage  of  the  colony,  that  the  prefidial  officers  in  our 
fupreme  court  of  law  fliould  be  gentlemen  of  the  beft  underftand- 
ing  and  rank  in  the  colony  ;  tlieir  education,  and  experience  in  the 
public  affairs  of  the  ifland,  qualifying  them  to  be  excellent  judges 

•  there,  although  they  would  be  very  ignorant  ones  in  Weftminfter- 
hall.  I  cannot  but  believe,  that  the  admiffion  of  ibme  little,  por- 
tion of  equity  and  common  fenfe,  to  qualify  that  obftinate  rigour 
and  abracadabra  of  downright  law  jargon,  would  beft  adapt  the 
pradice  of  our  courts  to  the  conftitution,  and  general  benefit  of  our 
colony.  On  the  other  hand,  it  may  be  faid,  that  men,  not  bred 
lawyers,  muft  have  very  unfettled,  and  frequently  varying,  opinions 
concerning  the  order  and  forms  of  practice  eflential  to  a  court ;  and 
that  the  courfe  of  pradtice  muft  be  regulated  with  due  precifion  and 
uniformity,  upon  fettled  grounds  and  principles ;  that  the  pleaders 
and  pradifers  may  underftand  plainly  what  it  is,  and  in  what  man« 

jaer  they  are  to  conduft  themfelves.     I  grant,   that  the  pradJice 
4  ought 


BOOK     I.     C  HA  P.     VI.  ,7^ 

>ought  to  be  uniform  and  confident,  as  far  as  it  is  flridtly  juft,  and 
conibnant  to  reafbn  :  nothing  more  than  common  fenie,  and  a  fixed 
refolution  to  commit  no  injuftice,  and   tolerate  no   hardftiip  under 
pretence  of  law,  are  fuffietent  to  make  it  fuch.     But  this  Augean 
ftable  requires  a  virtuous,  patriotic  heart,  and  a  clear  head^  to.  purge 
it  of  allies   impurities;  to  throw  out  all  that  ufelefs  and  confufed 
fubbifh  of  niigatory  forms  and  terms  ;   to  fufFer  no  fuitor  to  be.  in- 
jured. thcQugh  a  dcfcdt.  of  technical  gibberifli,   or  the  miftake  of 
great  ^for  little  a  ;   in  all  caies,  to  labour  at  diftinguifliing  where  f, 
remedy  is  due^  and  not:  to  make  that  a  primary  confideration  which 
ought  ooJy  to.  be  a  fecondary  and  fubfidiary  one ;   I  mean,  that  h© 
fiiitor  {hould  be  aggrieved,  or  fent  away  unredrefled,  for  the  fake  of 
an  inflexible  adherence  to  what  is  ftyled  pradtice,   and  to  capricious 
rules,  which  every  judge  is  left  at  difcretion  to  alter,  and   fcems 
bound  by  his  oath  to  difpenfe  v/ith,  or  wholly  expunge,  rather  than 
any  wrong   be  done  by  an  overweening  bigotry    to  tfeiera.     I  have 
fome-reafotis  which  juflify  me   in  the  foregoing  opinionl     I  think; 
I/jhayc:cibferved  Weftminfler-hall  praftice   too  fondly  extolled*  and 
careded  in  oir  court,  from  a  vain  parade  and  oftentation  oi. regular 
lawyerjh}p.     I  wifh  the  praftice  to  be  rational,  and  beft-adapted  to 
the  fratrje.  and 'Welfare  of  the  colony;   and  that  we  afllmilated  our- 
felvcs  in  this  point,  as  in  our  laws,  to  the  mother  ftaie ;  rejeding 
what  is  ufelefs  to  us,  and  adopting  nothing  heterogeneous  to  the 
true  infcerefts  of  a   fociety   corapofed     of    induftrious  planters  and 
merchants,  having  a  due  rerpe(5l   to  their  feparate  conditions.     The 
judicial  fundiion,   as  to  confcience   and  the  exercife  of  unprejudiced 
reafon,  is  alike  in  both  countries.     But,   if  the  chief  court  of  law 
of  a   vaft  kingdom  is  clogged  and  befet  on  zW  fides   with  form^,- 
modes,  and  myfteries  of  pra&ice,  which,   if  peculiar  or  Cruftomary 
to  it, .are  frequently  changing    their  camelion  hue,   and  are  many  of 
them  confefled  to  be  fuperfluous  and  dilatory,  others  to  be  founded 
on   no  other  law  than  fome  judge's  ipfe  dixit.',   why  is  the  admini* 
ftration  of  juftice,  in  a  little  colony,   to  be  manacled  alio  v/ith  thefe 
arbitrary  fetters,   and  interrupted  in  its  free  courfe?     Currat  k^^fial 
jnjiitia.  Law,  the  law  of  reafon  and  juftice,  ihould  be  ever  fprcadin^ 
on  the  wing,  to  attain  its  true  ends  ;   it  ought   not  to  halt  on  leaden 
heels,  and.  loiter  by  the.v/ay^     Gentlemen  of  property  in   the  ifland 
Vol.  I.  L  will 


74  JAMAICA. 

will  always  acccMiunodate  their  judgement  juxta  aquum,  b$num^  et 
fa&um^  and  be  more  ftudioua  for  difcovering  the  truth,  and  doing 
what  reafon  and  humanity  adjudge  to  be  right,  than  in  making  a 
jdifplay  of  prodigious  learning  and  immenfe  reading,  by  fplitting 
the  <}iftiaftion  between  a  black  and  white  horfe  and  a  pied  horfe,  or 
hfitween  a  plea  and  a  plea  pleaded. 

I  fliall  readily  admits  that,  when  a  gentleman  of  the  ifland  duly 
ijualificd  cannot  be  found,  no  perfon  will  nu>re  properly  fill  this 
poft  than  fome  honeft  barriftcr,  who,  by  a  courfe  of  feveral  years 
experience,  is  become  thoroughly  verfod  in  the  laws  and  cuftoms 
«f  the  coloo^y.  Aod,  indeed,  the  inconvenience,  that  would 
be  Ukcly  to  follow  the  appointment  of  a  rigid  lawyer,  hitght  be  m 
a  great  mcafure  obviated^  by  joining  able  affiftants  with  him  ;  who, 
as  tbey  ougiit  to  be  principally  feledted  from  among  the  moft  fenfible 
acid  worthy  planters^  fo  they  fliQuld  have  at  all  times  the  power  of 
cvei:*ruliag  the  chic^fs  opinion,  if  it  (Iiould  be  of  a  texture  too 
exotic  for  this  climate.  Mr.  Wood,  who  printed  the  laws  in  1716, 
inlbrms.  us,  that,  int  his  time,  ^<  the  chief  juftice  had  four  or  fix 
<<  judges  his  affiftants,  who  ktvt^  for  honouir.''  But,  whether  it 
be  on  accou&t  of  greater  bufmefe  in  the  qourt,  or  from  a,  dcfire  of 
governors  to  extend  their  iafln^ence  by  conferring  honorary  commtf- 
fiona  upop  one  folicitous  to  wear  them,  the  mvniber  of  thejudgai 
of  afiize  is  now  iucreafed  to  about  thirty,  and  of  the  judges  of  com- 
mon*pleas  to  about  feventy-five  ;  isKiking,  in-  all,  a  refpcftable  (or 
eatber  formidable)  corps  of  one  hundred  and  five ! 

When  judicial  commi^ns  are  rendered  fo  cheap  and  common, 
they  iboA  begin  to  loie  mucb  of  their  dignity  and  vakte  in  the  eyes 
of  QMny,  evea  among  the  wiier  planters ;  and  by  this  means  very 
vnworthy  aiKl  illlicrate  perfonis  may  prefume  to  afpire  to  them,  and 
thus  make  the  office  of  an  afibciate  difgracefiil  ai>d  ufelefs:  all 
W.hicb  tends  to  emancipate  the  chief  from  any  further  con<* 
troul,  or  conuadi^bion.  His  opinion  is  received  as  law  by  his  parafi* 
tical.  brethren  ;  he  delivers  it  with  the  confident  air  of  a  didtator; 
9lo4  is  ralfedf  in  Ihort,  to  the  unconflitutional  authority  of  a  fole 
judge  in  the  fupreme  court  of  judicature.  This  juridical  defpotifm 
may  ^e  accompanied  with.  efFe<^s  very  pernicious  to  the  welfare  of 
thfi  inhitbitaot^^    Every  thing  may  be  dreaded  from  the  vengeance, 

the 


BOOK!.      C  H  AP.    VI.  # 

the  caprice,  the  partiality,  or  iniquity,  of  fuch  an  ufurper  on  the 
bench  :  the  more  (b^  as  he  may  become  in  his  turn  not  lefs  pliant 
to  a  governor's  will  in  many  great  cafes  afTefling  the  fubje^as  lift, 
liberty,  and  property,  than  his  alTociates,  who  are  tonfclous  that 
they  hold  their  puny  honours  entirely  at  the  governor's  pleafdre} 
and  not  uninformed,  that  their  want  of  ability  to  deferve  the 
poft  conferred  upon  them  rauft  befupplied  by  the  fuperior  IklU  aiid 
knowledge  of  the  chief,  and  compenfated  by  their  ready  concur- 
rence in,  and  fupport  of,  every  arbitrary  aft  of  injuftice,  or  vio- 
lence, which  may  come  recommended  from  their  gracious  mader. 
It  feems,  therefore,  for  the  advantage  of  the  ifland,  that  the  niictt*- 
ber  of  the  judges  (hould  bereftrifted  by  a  law.  The  office  of  an 
afibciate  might  then  become  more  acceptable  to  gentlemen  of  rank 
and  integrity.  Such  men  are  not  eager  to  covet  places  of  truft,  in 
the  exercife  of  which,  their  delicacy  of  charafter  and  fentiment 
may  be  liable  to  fuffer  any  blemifh  or  taint  by  the  depravity  and  ig- 
norance of  vulgar  aflbciates. 

Hanfbn  fays,  *«  the  chief-juflice  is  ufually  a  man  of  the  beft  qua- 
**  lity,  who  is  well  read  in  the  laws  of  England."  Hence  may  be 
inferred,  that  the  more  opulent  planters  of  his  time  took  fome 
pains,  by  ftudying  the  laws  of  England,  to  qualify  themfelves  the 
better  for  fo  arduous  an  office.  And  when  we  confider  the  impor- 
tance of  it,  not  only  as  it  refpefts  the  well-being  of  the  inhabitants 
in  general,  but  as  it  more  particularl}^  concerns  the  fortunes  and 
peaceable  enjoyments  of  the  rich,  we  cannot  too  much  commend 
the  attention  and  diligence  of  thofe  gentlemen.  To  be  the  difpenfer 
of  juftice  and  happinefs  to  a  whole  community,  has  always  been 
efteemed  among  the  higheft  honours  at  which  a  fubjeft  can  arrive : 
there  is  none,  I  am  fure,  that  (hould  more  excite  a  worthy  and 
fenfible  planter's  ambition  and  purfuit.  A  competent  knowledge 
iu  the  laws  of  his  country,  and  in  books  of  authority,  joined  to  an 
expertnefs  in  the  jufl:  forms  of  procefs,  which  are  foUnd  not  unattain- 
able even  by  meaner  capacities,  will  enable  him  to  abolifli  quirk 
and  chicanery  ;  to  make  the  practice  in  his  court,  what  it  ought* 
to  be,  confident,  methodical,  and  equitable  ;  to  difcountenance  de- '' 
lays;  give  clear  cxpofition  of  our  provincial  laws ;  and  hold  the 
fubordinate  officers  and  minifters  of  juftice  to  the  ftrift  obfervanc^ 

L  2  of 


0  JAMAICA, 

of  their  feveral  duties.  But,  without  a  previous  application  to  th« 
theory  of  his  office,  and  a  fteddy  attention  afterwards  to  tlie 
praftice,  a  gentleman  planter,  although  with  the  beft  intentions 
and  moft  upright  heart,  may  not  be  compleatly  qualified  to  execute 
it  with  honour  to  himfelf  and  fatisfadtion  to  the  people. 

There  is,  however,  an  objedbion  which  niay  be  made  againft  the 
appointment  of  a  planter  to  this  office.  It.  may  be  faid,  that  fiimily 
connexions  fubfift  among  gentlemen  of  thisclafs ;  and  thofe  foexten- 
five,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  fix  on  a  man  entirely  free  and  unex.- 
ceptionable  in  regard  to  this  point :  that  the  mind  of  man  is  fubjed:,. 
from  the  infirmities  of  human  nature,  to  receive  an  impreffion  of 
partiality  in  many  cafes,  where  friendfhip,  confanguiuity,  family  in- 
tereft)  or  fcnfe  of  honour,  feverally  adt  upon  the  paffions ;  that,  for 
this  reafon,  a  perfon,  prefumed  to  be  under  the  impulle  of  fucli 
motives,  is  deemed  an  incompetent  witnefs  in  matters  wliereia 
that  impulfe  may  pervert  his'confcience;  and  it  is  as  prol)able,  that 
a  falfe  judgement,  as  a  falfe  tellimony,  may  be  given  where  the. 
mind  is  prejudiced. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  urged,  that  a  ger^tlemon,  liberally  edu- 
cated  in  England,  and  bred   to  the  bar,  if  he  comes  hither  to   earn, 
a  fubftftence  by  his  profeflion,    and  by  merit  is  advanced  in  time  to 
the  office  of  chief-juftice,    cannot  be  fufpeded  of  this    undue  parti- 
ality arifing  from  family  comiexious  ;  nor  be  fo  little  (killed  in  the 
authorities   and  practice  of  a  law  court,,  as  a  gentleman    born   and 
educated  in  the  ifland  •,,  that  the  making  this  port  an  objccfl  of  emu- 
lation   and  purfuit  to  able,   honeft,  and  experienced  lawyers,     may 
prove  an  encouragement  for  fuch  to  come  over,   and  praclife  here ;. 
by  which  means,  the  fupreme  court  of  jufticc  will  be  always  fup- 
plied  with  men  learned  in  the  /cieuce,    whofe  knowledge   will  be 
an    acquifition  to  the  public  ftock,  and  redound,  greatly  to  the  credit 
and  advantage  of  the  illand.     The  obje£lion,   as  well  as  the  reafons^ 
of  a  contrary  tendency,  I  confefs,  have  fome  weight;  nor  (liall  I 
undertake  to  dere  mine  in  favour  of  either  fide.     Although  I   mull 
declare  this  much,   that  a  truly  honelT-,  diligent,    andfenfible  geji-- 
tleman  of' the  country  may,  by   his  application  tobufincfs,  1  ecome 
fufficiently  qualified  to  execute  this  office,   and  with  (Irict   impar- 
tiality, which  is  implied    in  the  character  of  a. truly  honcft  man; 
2  and 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.    VII.  7JI 

nnd  that  an  upright,  judicious  and  experienced  barriHer  may  fb 
regulate  the  pra<Slice,   as  to  be  equally  eligible  [/>]. 


CHAP.       VII. 

Court  of  Vice-adtnirahy. 

THIS  was  the  firft  civil  court  of  juftice  eftablifhed  in  the 
ifland.  It  was  conftkuted  in  Cromweirs  life -time,  for  ad- 
judication  of  Spanifli  prizes  and  plunder  taken  by  his  fleet  on  thi6 
{{atlon.  The  court  was,  for  n^any  years,  held  by  two  or  more- 
commiffioners.  In  1721,  is  rhe-firft  commiffion  on  record  hero, 
to  one  perfon,  or  a  fole  judge  ;  which  conftitutlon  has  ever  llnce 
been  adhered  te.  Its  jurildiftion  comprehends  civil  and  maritime 
caufes ;  and  all  other  matters  incidental  to  the  high  court  of  ad- 
miralty in  England.  The  officers  of  the  court  are,  adjudge,  advo*- 
cate-general,  regifter,  and  marihal  r  who  are  appointed,  either 
by  the  lords  xommiffioners  executing  the  office  of  lord  high  ad- 

\f\  In  the  year  1681,  the  mantier  of  holding  the  fuprcme  court  was  reformed  by  an  ac>  of  af- 
fcuibly  ;  and  it  was  con  lilt  utedi  with  power  to  take  cognizance  of  all  picas,  civil,  efiniinnl,  and 
mixed,  as  fully  and  amply  as  the  covMts  of  king's? l^nch,  comioon-pkaa,  and  exchequer,  in  Eng- 
land, The  court  was  dirccleii  to  be  duly  holdca  at  St.  Jugo  de  la  Vega,  and  not  cU'ew  here,  once 
in  every  three  months,  and  not  oftencr. 

Five  other  judges  alTociatc  were  appointed  to  the  (anw  court ;  three  of  whom  were  to  be  of  the 
quorum*  The  fevei'al  inferior  courts  of  common-j^leas,  in  the  different  country  j^arilhes  and  pre- 
cincts, were  allowed  a  junrdi<^Vion  in  all  caufes  where  frcehald  is  not  concerned,  and  \\\ii  chcjcin 
oBloH  amounts  in  vaRie  to  20A  with  colls,  and  no  more.  And,  in  confequence  of  this  jurlfdicllon 
iriven  to  the  inferior- com ts,  the  iupieire  coitrt  was  prohirttcd  from  receiving  any  fuir,  or  ifiliing 
any  proccfs,  for  any  iBattcr  or  caufeof  aciion  under  the  value  of  20A 

When  the  ilknd,  about  twelve- or  thirteen  years  ago,  was  divided  into  three  diilin^ft'  counties; 
circuit  or  aflizc  courts  were  appointed  for  two  of  thcfe  coiuiiie&;  and  the  fuprcme  court  continued  as 
before,  but  with  jx)wcr  (like  the  court  of  king's-b^^nch  at  vVelhninller)  of  jodging  catifej  rcmjved 
by  crrtiorart  from  the  interior  jurifdiclions*  Thcfe-  courts  are  held  four  times  a  year  in  each 
county  ;  fo  that  a  court  (its  in  one  or  other  of  the  counties  eicry  month  in  the  year  ;  and  all  of 
them  have  a  gicat  deal  of  bufinefs:  this  happens  not  fo  much  from  a  litigious  fpirit,  as  the  opu- 
Imce  of  the  llland,  and  the  necellity  every  creditor  almoft  tr.'inkshimfcU"  under,  ta  put  his  demniw^s 
00  judgement;  The  men>bere  of  the  Luv  of  conr/c  meet  with  great  encouragement  here;  and  an^oiig 
thcni  arc  many,  no  doitbr,  who  find  their  account  in  foitlng  honcll  planters  togetlicr  by  the  eari, 
dnd  in  pra:'.iring  all  the  dctdlablc  arts  and  inyllcics  of  chicaueiy,  I;:iavciy,  a  d  pettifog'^! ng^ 
Jamaica  has  its  Old-btiley  folicitors,  as  wcH  as  Lor. Jon. 

mirarl, 


7B  JAMAICA. 

miral,  in  virtue  of  the  ftat.  8  Eliz,  cap.  5,  which  empowers  the 
perfon  executing  that  office  to  appoint  fubflitutes^  vice-admiralty 
judges,  raarftials,  &c.  or  by  the  king's  patent  under  the  great 
feaL 

They  hold  their  places  during  pleafure,  and  have  no  falaries : 
fo  that,  in  time  of  peace,  it  is  a  court  of  no  profit,  and  of  very 
little  if  any  bufinefs.  In  England,  the  judge  and  advocate-ge« 
tieral  have  confiderable  falaries. 

During  a  war,  their  emoluments  depend  wholly  on  the  number 
of  prizes  brought  into  the  ifland  for  adjudication ;  and  the  jadge^s 
fees  on  captures  from  the  enemy  have  ufually  been  regulated  by 
the  prize-laws ;  which  allowed^ 

For  condemning   every  veflel  under  ioq  tons,  and^ 

not  claimed, ■  — —  J 

For  every  unclaimed  veflel  above  tliat  burthen,  •——       15     o    o 

Some  years  agd  this  buiinefs  mud  have  been  exceedingly  lucra* 
tive*  la  1697,  Sir  William  Beedon,  then  principal  judge  or 
<!ommiflioner^  eftabli(hed  the  following  table  of  fees: 

^     s.    d. 
On  the  condemnation  or  acquittal  of   every  1 

veflel,  _  J     3 

On  the  firft   100/.  value  of  veflel  and  goods -^ 

•condemned,   whether  captured   from  thel 

-enemy,   or  feized  for  breach  of  the  afts  j 

of  trade,  ■  ■  ■     ■       J 

And  for  every  other  100/.  value, 100    percent. 

According  to  this  rule,  tlie  judges  fees  on  a  rich  St.  Domingo  (hip, 
worth  50,000/.  would  amount  to  near  300/.  The  number  of 
commiflionersy  who  were  all  to  come  in  for  a  (hare  of  the  fpoil, 
neceflarily  gave  birth  to  this  liberal  allowance.  This  court  wouM 
be  much  better  conftituted  for  the  ends  of  impartial  juflice,  if  its 
officers  were  provided  with  certain  adequate  falaries  from  govern- 
ment, indead  of  being  left,  as  they  are,  to  a  cafual  emolument, 
which  may  prompt  them  to  make  every  advantage  poflible  of  their 
feveral  departments.  The  fble  judge,  accountable  to  none  for 
^errors  of  judgement,   is  €xpofeJ  to  great  temptations ;  and  muft  be 

a  man 


10 


J^OOK    L        CHAP.     VIL  79 

a  man  of  much  virtue  and  inr^rity»  if  he  maintains  his  confcience 
and  honour  unfuUied  by  corruption,  in  a  fear^  to  which  bribes  may 
approach  with  fecrecy,  and  be  received  with  impunity,  at  leaft  in 
this  world. 

If  fuch  falaries  were  eftabliflied,  there  would  remain  lefs  proba^ 
bility  of  this  traffic;  and  government  might  be  eafily  reimburfed^ 
by  a  very  finall  tax  on  the  value  of  the  captures.  This  would  not 
only  be  far  more  beneficial  for  the  captors  than  the  prefent  mode, 
but  conduce  fo  much  to  the  purity  and  independency  of  the  court, 
as  to  make  us  wifh  that  fome  regulation  of  this  kind  may  hereaiter 
be  enabled  by  parliament.  In  refpe£t  to  the  judge,  if  an  honelfc 
'  man,  he  muft  prefer  a  certain  and  honourable  provifion  to  a  precarious^ 
iubfiftence,  earned  in  fuch  a  way  as  renders  him  obnoxious  ta  fuf-^ 
pictOQ  and  calumny ;  or,  if  he  fliould  happen  to  be  not  overfcrupu* 
lous  in  his  confcience,  he  will  have  the  lefs  temptation:  or  induce^ 
ment  to  be  di(boneft» 


CHAP. 

SECT.      L 
Public  Clivers. 

•«  TTTITHOUT  doubt,**  fays  Davenant,/*  it  muff  be  very  pre- 
*•    VV    judicial,  both  to  the  Southern  and  Northerir  colonics^  that 
**  many  ofGces  and  pfaces  of  trud  there  fisould  be  granted  by  patent 
**  to  pcrfons  in  England,  with  liberty  to  execute  fuch  employments 
'*  by  deputies.     By  which  means,  they  are  generally  farmed  out  to 
"  indigent  perfons,  who  grind  and  fleece  the  people:  (6  that,,  al- 
«*  though  many  of  the  infiabitants  are  rich,,  fober,.  and  judicious- 
•►«  men  ;  yet    they  arc  excluded  from  offices  of  trufV,  except  fuch  as 
*•  are  chargeable  in  the  execution;,  which  is  inconfiftcnt  with  all  the 
•*  rules  of  well-governing  a  country/*    There  is,,  I  am  forry  to  ©wn^ 
too  much  of  prophetic  truth  in  this  remarks    The  natives  in  out 
colonics,  as  if  profcribed  for  fome  dcfcdt  of  ability  or  good-morals» 
cannot,  without  the  utmoft  difficulty^  creep  into  any  lucrative  em* 
ptoymente.     Having  little,  if  any,  intercft  among  the  diftributors  of 

office^ 


8q  JAMAICA.*    : 

office,  they  are  driven  to  aft  humble  diftance;  whence  they  have  the 
mortification  of  obferving  the  progreisto  wealth  of  thoie  more  fa- 
voured Ibbjedls,  who  are  ferit  acrofs  the  ocean  to  pafnper  themfelvcs 
on  the  fatnefs  of  their  land.  The  moft  lucrative  offices  in  this  ifland 
(the* governor's  excepted)  are  granted  by  the  crown  to  perfons  re- 
fiding  in  England,  and  by  thefe  patentees  are  farmed  or  rented  to 
deputies  and  fub-deputies  afling  in  Jamaica,  who  remit  annually  fe- 
veral  then  fend  pounds  to  their  principals.  The  rent  of  thefe  de- 
putations being  fcrewed  up  to  the  very  higheft  pitch,  fome  of  the 
officers  have  made  no  fcruple  formerly  to  exert  their  utmoft  induftry 
towards  enlarging  their  fees  and  perquifites  at  the  expence  of  the 
aggrieved  inhabitants.  Before  thefe  places  became  fo  profitable  as  to 
be  objcds  of  fuffici-nt  value  to  the  miniftry  for  gratifying  their  de- 
pendents, the  afiembty  made  fome  attempts  to  retrain  the  pa« 
tentees. 

In  1699,  they  paffed,  '*  An  aft  to  oblige  patentees  of  offices  to  re- 
^*  fide  in  the  ifland." 

171 1,  **  An  aft  to  prevent  any  perfon  from  holding  two  or  more 
^*  offices  of  profit  in  the  ifland.'' 

17 1 5,  An  aft  with  the  fame  title. 

The  advantage  of  having  fo  many  good  places  at  difpofal  was  not 
to  be  yielded  up  fo  eafily.  Of  courfe,  the  afts  were  difallowed  at 
home ;  and  thefe  engroflers  were  fufFered  to  roam  at  large  without 
QOQtroul :  for  fuch  has  been  the  combination  of  their  power  and  in- 
terefl:,  that  they  feemed  to  monopolize  the  ear  of  adminiftration, 
and,  like  a  wcll-compafted  phalanx,  defied  every  attack  that  could  be 
made  upon  them  by  the  people  in  our  colony. 

A  committee  of  theaflcmbly,  appointed  in  1765  to  inquire  into 
.the  flate  of  fees  demanded  and  taken  in  the  different  public  offices, 
reported,  **  that  the  fcts  exafted  by  the  officers,  under  pretence  of 
•^*  ufage  and  cuftom,  were  in  many  inftances  four  times  greater  than 
f*  allowed  by  law  ;  and,  in  general,  all  or  moft  of  them  were 
*<  charged  much  more  than  the  law  warranted:  that,  by  fuch  illegal 
^  and  unjuftifiable  means,  the  public  had  been  impofed  upon  and 
**  greatly  injured;  and  large  fums  had  been  raifcd  upon  them  con- 
^f  trary  to  law  :  that  thefe  impofitions  were  chiefly  in  confcquence 
^  of  the  large  annual  rents  paid  by  the  deputies  to  their  principals 

**  refiding 


BOOK     I.        CHAP.    Vllr.  8t 

^  refiding  in  Englaud,  who,  upon  every  new  deputation  or  ap- 
^  pointmcnt,  wfually  raifed  the  rent  of  their  offices :  that  the  pa- 
**  tentees  in  England  fet  up  their  deputations  at  auiftion  or  puiblic 
^^  vendue;  and  the  perfbn  who  bids  moft,  and  offers  the  beft  fe* 
•«  curity  in  England  for  due  payment  of  rent,  conftantly  obtains 
*'  the  preference :  that  thefe  exorbitant  rents  neceflarily  compelled 
**  the  deputies  to  feek  an  indemnification  for  themfelves^  by  extort- 
"  ing  increafed  fees  from  the  peopip  of  the  ifland ;  in  order  thaf 
•*  they  might  not  lofe  by  undertaking  the  deputations,  or  at  leafl: 
**  not  be  unable  to  pay  their  xent.'*  To  thefe  charges  the  deputies 
replied,  that  the  fees  wece  eAablifhed  by  a  law  pafTcd  in  th^  year 
ly  11  i  iji^cG  which  period,  the  necefikrie^  of  life,  a$  well  as  th^ 
wages  of  their  clerks^  had  confiderably  rifen  in  tjbeir  price ;  for 
which  reafon,  their  additional  fees  taken  by  cufton^  >vjBr.c  not 
exorbitant.  The  afleinbly,  on  theother  hand„  affiriped,  that,  fine? 
the  paffing  of  that  law,  jtlje  bufinefs  in  all  the  offices  was  fo  confir 
derably  increafed,  that,  if  the  deputies  did  not  bind  themfelves  to 
pay  fuch  enormous  rents>  or  if  the  patente.es  themfelves  were  to 
refide  and  execute  their  refpcflive  offices,  the  fees  eftabliflied  by 
law  would  afford  a  very  adequate  and  liberal  prpvifion* 

This  rejoinder  on  the  part  of  the  aflembly,  it  was  jnfifted,  is 
fo  ftriflly  true  and  conclufive,  that  not  one  of  the  officers  could  re- 
fute it.  It  was  further  alledgcd,  that  this  ifland  were  fliamefully 
abufed  by  the  patentees,  who  fat  down  with  the  utmoft  comfort 
to  the  enjoyment  of  tlieir  finecures,  equally  regardlefs  of  the  fuf-* 
ferings  and  complaints  of  the  country,  or  of  their  own  difhpnour 
in  the  extortions  which  they  pradtifed  themfelves,  or  countenanced 
in  others,  and  which  are  faid  -to  be  now  grown  to  fuch  .an  excefs, 
as  to  demand  fome  fpeedy  and  effedtual  remedy.  The  people  com- 
plain, that  the  rent  of  one  office  has,  in  a  few  years,  been  wound 
up  from  700/.  to  i^ooL  {[tvVmg^er  annum ^  exclufive  of  a  gratuity 
of  760/.  by  way  of  fine,  upon  every  renewal  of  the  term.  The  de* 
puty,  who  was  the  befl:  bidder,  and  became  the  purchafer  of  this 
bargain,  knew  extremely  well,  that  he  could  not,  coufiftently  with 
his  legal  profits,  afford  to  give  fo  high  a  rent;  but  he  was  in  fuqh 
circumftances,  that,  if  2000/.  had  been  afked,  he  would  have  con-^ 
fented  to  give  it^  rather  than  foregp  the  profpe£t  of  a  genteel  Jive* 
Vol.  L  M  lihood. 


82  JAMAICA. 

Jihood.  The  patentee  perhaps  imagined;  that,  Iiaving  raifed  it  fa- 
high,  it  would  not  fall  lower;  and  that  he  might  hope  to  mount  it 
ftill  higher  by  degrees,  adding  50/.  or  100/.  upon  every  new  leafe. . 

In  the  pamphlet  written  and  publiflied  hy  the  patriotic  Mr.  V u, 

a  Jamaica-man  reads,  with  many  a  figh,  of  the  infamous  traffic 
carried  on  by  bargain  and  fale  of  thefe  patents  and  deputations ; 
which,  like  the  arms  belonging  to  the  family  of  fome  antient  Bri- 
ton, are  fplit  and  branched  out  into  a  multitude  of  patch- work 
quarterings.  And,  as  if  the  rent  and  fine  exafted  from  the  deputies 
were  not  fufficiently  mireafonable,  fome  of  their  Egyptian  talk-- 
mafters  have  infifted  i^ex  abunJanti)  on  an  annual  fupply  of  turtle, 
madeira  wine,  rum,  and  fweetmeats !  That  the  public  may  form 
a  clearer  judgement  on  thefe  fafts,  I  (hall  ftate  the  profits  yearly 
arifing  from  fome  of  the  principal  offices.  And,  firft,  the  fecre* 
tary's,  which,  about  the  year  1720,  was  farmed  by  the  patentee  at: 
700/.  per  annum  J  although  raifed  fince  to  more  than  double  that 
ium.  This  officer  is  a  great  pluralift:  he  executes  no  lefs  than 
nine  different  employments ;  which,  having  been  (as  well  as  fome  - 
other  offices)  originally  combined  in  one  perfon,  during  the  in-? 
fancy  of  our  civil  conftitutioh,  when  the  inhabitants  were  few  in 
number,  arid  the  public  bufinefs  very  trifling,  have  never  fince  been/ 
fevered  frjom  his  patent;  although  the  feparate  profits  are  now^ 
from  the  increafe  of  people  and  property,  fufficient  to  give  a  com- 
petency to  almoft  as  many  different  individuals  as  there  are  em- 
ployments. He  is  fecretary  of  the  ifland,  clerk  of  the  enroll- > 
ments  and*  records,  clerk  of  the  council,  clerk  of  the  court  of 
errors,  clerk  of  the  court  of  ordinary,  clerk  of  the  committee  of 
torrefpondence,  affociate-judge  on  trials  per  commiflion  for  piracy,, 
commiflary-general  of  the  ifland,  and  notary-public,  befides  fome 
other  duties  relative  to  trader  perfons  leaving  the  ifland,  &c^ 
which  are  comprehended  under  the  general  office  of  fecretary. 

Jamaica  currency. 

The  grofs  profits  of  thefe  offices  was,  communibus  annis,  6  ^00     q     o 

Contingent  charges,  according  to  the  higheft  eftimate,   1 400     o     o 

'■    III     III    — ^■^f 

Which,  deduced,  leave  the  clear  profit  of        »  51Q0    o    o 

I  The 


BOOK    li       CHAP.    Vni.  8j 

The  firft  deputy's  moiety  of  the  grofs  profit  was  — .  3250  00 
Out  of  which  was  to  be  paid  to  the  patentee  his^ 

annuity  cif   1500/,  ftcrling,    which  is,  Jamaica  >►  2100  o     o 


currency. 


mtm-mmmam'ammmimmmmmt 


II5O 

This  deputy,  finding  his  quota  fo  much  reduced, 
infifted  on  the  additional  fum  of  300/.  fterling^^r 
annum  from  the  fecond  deputy  :     Jamaica  cur-  ' 


rency,  is 


«    wmmmmmmmm    mmmmtmmmmi    mmmmmmmKmm 


Total  of  the  firft  deputy's  (hare,   — —    — —  1 570 


» 
The  ading  or  fecond  deputy's  grofs  moiety  was  3250    o     o 

Out  of  which  he  was  to  pay  the  firft  deputy/as  be- 1 

^  ^  *     "^   •  >     420     Q.   o 


fore-mentioned. 


i«    wmmm 


*  •  • 


2830    o     o 
And  all  the  charges  of  clerks,  paper,  &c.  incidentr 

to  the  execution  of  the  ofiice,  fuppofed  to  amount  \   1 400     o     o 
to  about  •—  ■■     ■  .         '-  J 


mmmt,' 


Total  of  the  fecond  deputy's  fliare,    ■■        ■    ■  .  1430     00 

The  feveral  proportions  of  the  net  proceeds  were,  therefore,  di* 

vided  as  follows : 

£     s.  J.  JT       Si      d.^ 

To  the  patentee,  refiding  in  1    ^ .  __  •    n    1  • 

^     /    ,                    ^      >  2100  o  o     xs  fterhng     i  coo     0.0, 
England,!     ,  J  ^       ^  ^ 

Firft  deputy,  dito, 1570  o  o         ditto         1121     8'   6| 

Second  deputy,  refiding  in  ^    ,.«^  ^  ^  j  ^  o     /l. 

-       .  ^    ^  >   ^430  o  o  ditto         1021     8     6{ 

Jamaica,  ■       »   ■  ■      *    '  J 


^■iMw 


5100  o  o  3642   17     \\^ 

On  a  fiippofition,  that  the  fees  of  this  office  (as  at  preient  taken) 
are  only  douhle  what  the  law  allows  (although  m^ny-  of  them^  arc 
affirmed  to  be  much  morc^,  I  (hall  imaginq  the  patentee  to  be  re  • 

^1  2  fide 


X- 


d.. 


f4  JAMAICA-. 

fident  in  the  ifland^  and  fatisfied  with  only  the  legal  fees  as  a  com*^ 
penfation  for  his  trouWe  in  the  etecutioQ^  Tho  account  would  then 
ftand  thus : 

Grofs  profits  of  the  office,  3250  o^  o 
By  the  charges  of  cxecu-' 

tioa  (which^  in  a  great 

meafure^  would  depend 

upon  himfelf),  as  he 

might  fave  thie  wages 

and  perquifites  of  aA 

beacUderk,  by  his  own 

attoodaoce  at  the  of-^ 

£ce      (which     would 

kflosi  the  annual  ex- 
pence  at  leaflr  400/4)9 

I  allow  — ^ —  ■  m  III 


.  1400  o  o 


\   1850  00         or  fterling  132 1.    8     6| 


Recna^s^  f^r  the  paten- 
tee's fupport,  — -~  — 
Suiielyd,  heirC'  i^  a  vecy  fufiicieMjt  annual  provifionj,  not  Qnly  to  main* 
tain  the  officer  as.  a.  gcntlnman^  but  (with,  moderate  .oecpnomy)  to 
^flfnrd  a^fuiplujL  for  being  laid  up  and  improved  into  a  capital  for- 
tune.    AdfPit^ng^  that  fome.  particuMr  f^es  Qiay  be  rated,  by  tho* 
law,  nather  too  inadequate   to  the  duty  performed ;  yet^  upon  the* 
whole  annual  bufinefs  taken  colledively,   the  profits,  of  the  crffice 
feem  a4equate,  and  even  fuch  as  may  fupport  the  patentee  in  a  ilyle 
of  living  fuperior  to  a  planter  of  the  iijand  poi3e0ipg  an  eftaCe  of- 
one  hundred  hog^(heads  of  fugar  j5^r  annum*  A  governor  may  alledge^ 
that  the  emoluments  of  his  poft  ai;e:iAfuJ£L£ieiit  for  the  fupport  of 
his  dignity,  becaufe  his  chancery  fees  amount  only  to  50/.   a.  year* 
In  both  cafes,  the  aggregate  fees,  ar-ifing  from,  every  branch  of  the 
bufinefs,.  are  to  be  confidered  a^i  formiiag  all  together  a  very  ample 
reooii^penee  and  provifion. 

imufl.hpg  leave  im  thispla^fitoieffiRra  hiatj  that,  if  oNfer  a  now 
fee  \xw  fhould  be  framed^  thde  folloviting!  poinl;^  ough*  pot  to 
efcape  notice^    AH  fees^  whifih  iimlght  t^oax.  hgrd:Upon  new  iSbctlerSr 

and 


FOOK    L        CHAP-    VIIL  S5 

and  tIie|X)orer  inhabitants^  ought  to  be  made  extremely  moderate. 
Such  are,  the  fees  on   patents^    plats,  and   dockets  of  land>  on 
marriage  licences,  naturalizations,  wills,    inventories,   and  the  like. 
The  *reftri£tions  on  mafters  of  certain   foreign  veHels,  "  to  give 
*^  bond,'*'  "enter and  clear,"  *♦  to  parchafe  let-paffes  and  permits," 
OBght  to  be  utterly  aboKfhed,.  and  amends  made  to  the  refpcflive 
public  officers,   by  enlarging  the  fees  on  other  articles  that  might 
bed  admit  of  it«  .  To  return:  1  have  ftated  the  afting  deputy's  in-  - 
come    (according  to  the  fees  now  taken)   at    1430/.  per  annum  \  ; 
and  I  ana  perfuaded  that,  it  is  rioted  too  low,  becaufe  the  contin- 
gencies of  the  office  do  not  (I  have  good  reafon  to  believe)  exceed  ^ 
1000/. ;  and,  if  this  is  the  fa£ty.  hie  income,  to  be  nearer  the  truth, 
fhould   be  eftimated  at   i%.y:iL  Jamaica  currency •  .  It  is  evident,  ^ 
that  when  a  future  patentee  fliall  raifehis  rent  to  2000/.  fterling,,  ^ 
or   5QoA  more  than  it  now  is,  this  will  cau(e  a  reduction  in  the  • 
deputy's  gains  from:  ^^30/*  to  i  ly^h     Unable,  therefore,  to  main-  ~ 
tain  himfelf  in  the  fame  ftyle  as  before,.- the  deputy  will  neceffarily  - 
be  driven  to  expedients  for  bringing  his  income  to  the  former  ftaiid^ 
ard,  and  naturally  fall  upon  the  very  fatae  meaii^  purfued   fo  fuc-  - 
ceisfully  by  his  predeceflbrs  in  office,  viz.  new  exactions,  and  in-^ 
cxeafed  charges,-  kvied  on  the  puries  of  the  people  v  in  which  pro-  * 
ceedure,  he  may  not  only  be  fupported  by  his  principals^  at  home,  - 
who  will  be  fo  much  interefted  in  his  behalf  for  their  own  fakes,   • 
but  will  think  it  worth  while  to  contribute  largely  towards  defend- 
ing himfelf  againA  all  the  force  of  colony  laws  and  public  clamour 
in  the  proper  place.     A  late  deputy  in  one  of  thefe  offices  paid -a  ^ 
yearly  rent  charge- of  100/.  fterling,   for  his  proportion  only  of  ex- 
pwca  in  defending- the  common  caufe  of  the  patcnteesr  againft  the  ^ 
public   complaints.      VVelli  therefore,   might  the  afiembly-'with   - 
concern  obferve,'  *«  that  the  money,  wrefled  from  the  people  by    ' 
**  thefe  officers,  had  been  moft  fatally  and  fuccefsfully  employ eddii   ^ 
**  defence  of  their  exactions;  and  that,  combined  together  by  afenfe 
•*  of  their  common  danger  in  flich  cafes,  enridhed  with  public  fpoi I,   • 
**  and  thoroughly   flieltered  by  the  irrefiftible  intervention  of  noli 
**  profgqui^   they  will  in  the  end  fubdue  all  oppofition,  and  continue 
«  to  give  the  law  to  their  fellow  fubjcd:).*'. 

Oii   > 


M  J    A    M    A    I    C    7^^ 

On  an  cjfamination  mto  the  clerk  of  the  Courtis  office,  »ww  17*63, 
«Mrv  Bontein^  the  late  clerk,  honcftly  declared,  that 

Jamaica  currency. 
/.     s.     d. 
The rgrof?  profits  of  the  office,  according  to  the ^ 

fees  eftablilhed   by  a  fpecial  a€t  of    alTembly  I     9500     o     o 

paiied  \\\  his  favour,  wcrtpernnnum  about     "J 
That  the  whole  expences  of  the  office  (patentee  1 

and  every  thing  elfe  excluded)  were  about  — ■ — j 

The  deputy's  -clear  income   was,   therefore,    8000     o     o 

He  further  declai-ed,  that  the  fees,  exceeding  thofe^ 
.^allowed  by  the  law  of  1711,  amounted  to  about  >     3000     o     o 

300a/.  Thig  film  being  therefore  deduded,  — -  J    ^ 

We  find  what  the  clear  .profit  would  have  been  to] 

.the  deputy,  according-to  the  fees  eftabliflied  by  ^     5000     o     o 

cthis  Jaft  mentioned  law,  viz.  ■  ■  J  _ 

And   we  may   infer  [y],    the   affemblywere  perfuaded,    in  com- 

ipliment  to  Mr,  Bontein,   to  pafs  an  aft  in  his  favour ;  fince  his  pro- 

yifion,  under  the  law  of  171 1,  was  already  fo  exceeding  ample;  it 

being  equaLto   3571/-   8a  6(L   flerling.    Mr.    Gordon,   who  had 

officiated  .as  a  clerk  in   this  office  fince  Mr.  Bontein's   deputation 

-expired,  .faid. 

That  tlie  grofs  profits  of  \t  per  court  were  about  ^ 

1800/. ;  and,  astlaere  are  four  general  courts  in  >     7200     o     o 
the  year,  this  amounts  to  ■   J 

To  which  may  be  added  for  theaffize  courts,  1000     o     o 


820Q 


The  contingent  charges  he  reckoned  thus;  viz. 

^.  s.  d. 

To  wages  of  clerks,  tic.  -— —     612  o  o 

To  the  patentee,  for  rent, 420  o  o 

Tothefame,  in  prefents, rum,  turtle,  1      ^.^  ^  1  .^^^     ^     ^ 

^  J^  >     160  o  Pi  1200     o     o 

fweetmeats,  esc.  — — . J 


M«** 


i*«^ 


Remains  clear  for  the  deputy,  ■         7000 

[^]  See  this  explained  i&the  note  \J\t  pt  90* 


According 


BOOK    L       CHA>P.    VIIT.  tj 

A"ccording  to  a  ftate  of  the  profits  under  the  law  of  171 1,  as 
drawn  by  Mr.  Evans  when  he  was  clerk,  of  the  court,  and  there- 
fore, very  likely  not  exaggerated, 

Jamaica  currency. 

The  grofs  profits  ^^r  annum  v/ere  rated  at  about    —    5^S9     ^     ^ 
Out  of  which  deducing  the  contingent  charges  of^ 

clerks,  .&c.  and    patentee,     agreeable   to   Mr. 

Gordon's  cftimate, .  viz. 


?*         1 200       O  '     05 


Remains  for  the  deputy^    »  — —     ^  4050     o     o 

This  latter  account  falls  fomewhat  (hort  of  Mr.  Bontein's  eftimate. 
But,  as  Mr^  Evans  drew  his  fketch  at  the  time  when  he  was  in  the 
exercifeof  the  office,  and  to  ferve  a  particular  purpofe,  his  account 
ia  not  fo  much  to  be  relied  on  as  that  of  Mr.  Bontein;  who  was  en- 
tirely difinterefted  on  the  queftion,.  and  feemed  defirous  to  conceal 
nothing/rom  the  public  inquiry.  But,  even  admitting  the  income 
according  to  Mr.  Evans's  computation,  furely  it  will  be  thoughtV 
that  4050/."  (near  3^000/.  fterling)  is  a  very  adequate  provrfion  for 
the  deputy,  and  for  tranfading  the  bufihefs  of  this  office.  It  is  itt 
fadt  too  much  ;  and  for  this  reafon  it  has  happened,  that  four  or 
five  different  penfioners  are  quartered  upon  the  patent. 

I  have  thus  proved,  I  think,  that  the  fair  and  legal  income  of 
thefe  offices,  was  it  not  tliflipa ted  among  fuch  a  number  of  claim^ 
ants,  would  be  ample,  liberal,  ,and  fully  fuffibicnt  for  the  fubfiftence 
of  officers  aftually  executing  thenu  And  this  mud  llrongly  militate 
againft  the  plea  of  "  increafcd .  price  of  ncceflarics.**  What  the 
parties  themfelves  may  have  thought  fuffi'cient  is  not  the  queftion  : 
biit  it  muft  be  left  to  difpaflionatc  and  difinterefted  perfons  to  ad- 
judge, whether  the  officers  could  have  any  juft  caufe  for  complaint,  that 
they  were  not,  according  to  the  fee  law  of  171  r,  remunerated  to  the 
fiill  value  of  their  labour.  I  know  there  were  various  opinions 
upon  this  fubjeft  ;  and,  I  muft  own,  I  thought  with  the  officers,  till 
I  had  re^coniidered  it  with  more,  attention.  > . 


SECT.; 


M  J    A    M    A  J    C    A. 


SECT,   a 

"TEE  public  welfare  of  this  ifland  has,  in  general,  been  maft In* 
famoufly  neglefted  by  fome  of  thofe  who  formerly  executed  thcfe 
offices.     Few,  if  any,  of  them,  except  the  provoft-marfhal,  fecre- 
tary,  and   receiver-general,  give    any  iecurity  to  the  public  upon 
their  entering  into  office ;   nor  is  the  fecurity  given  by  the  former 
of.  the  three     above-mentioned   in  any  degree  proportionate  to  the 
importance  of  his  truft.     Thus,  in  fome  of  them,  judgements,   de- 
crees,  and  proceedings,  for  duly  recording  of  which  the  relpedtivc 
deputies  had  been  fully  paid  all  their   fees   and  demands,   legal  or 
'  illegal,  were  fufFered  to  remain  unrecorded,  promifcuoully  tumbled 
.  in  loofe  heaps,  in  the  utmoft  confufion,  and   many  in  this  ftate  ut- 
vterly  deftroyed  by  vermin.     In  four  years  (from  1749  to  1753)  the 
.  aflembly  granted  ^no  lefs  than  2S50/.   i6s^   gd.  to  deputy-regifters 
.of. the  court  of  chancery,  for  recording  loofe  papers  :   and,  notwith- 
iHanding  this,  it  appeared,  {from  an  account  taken  in  1759  (only  fix 
^  years  afterwards),   that    the  recording  of  the  proceedings,   at  that 
ttime  lying  loofe  in  the  office,  would  coft  i6oc/.     Here  then  is  a 
clear  proof,  that,   by  the  iniquity  of  former  regifters,   the  fqitors  of 
.that  court  had  been  defrauded  of  4450/.  i6s.  gd.  which  they  had 
^  adtually  paid  in  fees  for  recording  their  papers,  and  which  thcfe  of- 
,ficers  had  perverted  to  their  own  ufe.     Sotue  of  the  alarming  confe- 
quences,  likely  to  enfue  from  fuch  breaches  of  truft,   are    well  fet 
forth  by  almoft  the  only  honeft  deputy  that  ever  was  employed  in 
this  office [r].  His  petition  to  theafTembly  in  1763  ftates,  «*that,  upon 
*'  taking  polTeirion  of  the  office  of  regifter,  and  examining  into  the 
'*  condition  thereof,    he  found  all  the  proceedings  of  the  faid  court, 
**  for  many  years  paft,  had  been^promifcuoufly  heaped  together,  and 
**  continued  unrecorded :   that  the  members  of  the  houfe  were  the 
**  heft  judges  of  what  confequence  it  might  be  to  the  fecurity  of 
*^  poffeffions,  and  of  many  eftates  in  this  illand,  to  have  the  proceed^ 
**  ings  and  decrees  of  the  court  preferved  ;    for,   if  left  to  remain 

[r]  This  gentleman,   I  have  fmce  heard,  tcpk  the  pains  to  get  an  a«5l  pafled  fcr  regulating  the 
office,  and  recjuiring  a  fecurity  from  the  ailing  officer  ;  a  circunalliuice  highly  to  his  honour. 

^^in 


BOOK    L       C  H  A  P.     VIIL  85^ 

«*  in-  the  oonfufioa  in  which  they  then  were,  they  muft  of  neceffity 
*'  be  in  a  very  (hort  time  deftroyed  by  vermin :  that  the   petitioner 
^^  laboured  under  a  great  grievance,  in  as  much  as,  from  the  con- 
^«  fufed  ftate  of  thofe  unrecorded  papers,   fometimes   himfelf  and  a 
*'  clerk  have  been  employed  four  hours^  or  more,  in  a  fearch  which 
^*  he  was  obliged  to  make  on  the  requeft  of  any  one,  and  for  which 
*^  he  was  allowed  by  law  only  ff teen-pence  \   which  he  fliouJd   have 
"  thought  a  very  adequate  reward,  had  the  papers  been   regularly 
*'  recorded ;  but  their  prefent  condition  was  not  only  attended  with 
*«  much  hardfliip  in   this  refpeft  to  him,  but   with   great  impedi- 
"  meiit  very  often  to  the  public  bufinefs  of  his  office:  that,  he 
«  apprehended,  it  would  require  the  labour  of  many   clerks  under 
**  his  direction,  for  the  fpace  of  two  years,  to  record  the  iaid  papers 
**  and  proceedings,  and  perform  the  other  bulinefs  before  ftatcd,C5fr/' 
What  a  fcene  of  iniquity  is  here  laid  open  to  view!  A  load  of 
papers,  the   whole  of  which  affe£ted  property,  and  under  many  of 
which  a  number  of  eftates    derived  their   titles  to  the  occupiers, 
were,  by    the  wilful  negligence  of  the  preceding  officers  of   this 
courts  {o  enormoufly  accumulated,  as  to  require  two  years  conftant 
and  diligent  attendance  of  the  regifter,  and  the  labour  of  feveral 
clerks,  to  properly  record  them.     Their  breach  of  duty  appears  the 
more  criminal,  as  it  was  accompanied  with  downright  robbery ; 
for  they  had  been  paid  their  full  recording  fees  by  the  parties  inter- 
efted  in  thefe  papers,  and  yet  left  the  bufinefs  unperformed  for  which 
the  money  was  paid.     By  thefe  means  were  the   parties  (hamefully 
defrauded;  and  many  of  them  driven  to  very  great  difficulty  in  dii- 
covering  their  titles*     Some  of  the  decrees  were  wholly  loft,  and  all 
the  reft  in  hourly  danger  of  becoming  an  heap  of  rubbifti ;  whilft 
the  fucceflbr  to  thefe  delinquents  was  put  to  very  great  hardflbip 
and  expence  of  time  in  fearches,  and  the  difcharge  of  his  duty  a-. 
grceable  to  law.     I  can  find  no  terms  fufficiently  expreflive  of  fuch 
complicated     treachery  and  wickednefs.     Much,  indeed,    of    the 
odium  of  thefe  tranfgreflions  fliould  properly  fall  to  the  fliare  of  fuch 
governors,  whofe  perfonal  example  of  rapacity,  and  inattention  to 
the  public  welfare  of  the  iftand,  invited  every  inferior  officer  to 
thefe  mercenary  practices ;  whilft   it  fecured  the  regifter  from  all 
apprehenfion   of  difcovery  and  difgraceful  removal,  which  the  in- 
VoL.  I.  N  tegrity 


oo  J    A    M    A    I-  C    A. 

fegrity  of  an  upright  and  aftive  chancellor  would  certainly  have 
cffe6ked.  The  frequent  arbitrary  diffolutions  and  hiterruptions, 
purpofely  thrown  in  the  way  to  perplex  aflemblies,  hindered  thefe 
inquifitors  from  making  timely  and  ftrift  fearch  into  fuch  abufes  at 
their  firft  progrefs;  and  thus  left  the  offenders  at  free  liberty  to- 
perfevere  in  their  crimes  without  any  efFeftual  reftraint.  When  a 
governor,  like  the  main  fpring  of  a  watch,  is  faulty,  every  fubor- 
dinatc  movement  in  the  political  machine  becomes  ^rOportionably 
difordered  and  irregular.  An  honeft  and  difcerning  governor,  by 
the  energy  of  his  example,  and  the  ftern  terror  of  his  virtues  and 
penetration,  may  render  many  a  penal  kw  ufelefs,  by  pre  venting  the 
commiffion  of  offences ;  but  an  iniquitous  and  rapacious  one  labours 
all  he  canto  make  them  ufelefs,  by  defeating  their  ends,  and  ob- 
ftru<fting  their  execution.  \ 

In  the  clejk  of  the  court^s  office  the  like  grievance  has  been  often 
a  fubje<9:*mattet  of  the  public  complaint.  It  was  found,  upon 
an  inquiry  made  not  many  years  ago,  that  upwards  of  eighteen 
thoufand  judgements  temained  unrecorded  in  that  office  [x],  exclu- 
five  of  a  very  great  number  which  had  at  different  times  been  loft 
or  miflaid  by  negligence  of  the  officers.  In  the  fecrctary*s  office 
there  fcems  to  have  been  lefs  fraud,  and  more  attention,  than  in  any 
other.  The  books  and  papers  havt  in  geiieril  hceri  kept  with  dtie 
care,  and  the  deeds,  &c.  regularly  recorded.  The  caufe  of  which 
perhaps  has  been,  that,  feeing  this  office  was  juftly  regarded  as  of 
the  utmoft  inriportance  to  public  and  to  private  property ;  fb  the 
laws  of  ^flembly  have  fubjefted  the  officer  to  a  multitude  of  heavy 
penalties,  and  to  large  fecurities,  in  order  to  force  him  to  be  fedu- 
lous  and  faithful  in  the  difcharge  of  his  numerous  duties.  The 
provoft  marftiars  office  is  the  capital  or  imperial  grievance.  The 
aflembly,  upon  enquiry  in  the  year  i  y6^  into  the  manner  of  exe- 
cuting this  office,  found  the  books  kept  in  fo  obfcure  and  unintelli- 
gible a  method,  that  it  was  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impoffible, 
for  the  faitJors  to  trace  out  what  furais  of  money  had  been  levied  and 
received,  upon  their,  writs.  •  According  to  tlie  fyftem  iipon  which 

[i]  It  was  on  this  account,  as  I  am  lately  informed,  that  the  aflembly  pafled  the  a<S  before- 
mentioned  in  Mr.  Bontein's  fevour :  which  raifed  tie  ificome  of  the  office  in  his  time  lo  5000^ 
per  annum  extraordinarj-.  Thia  was  meant  as  a  {;plificatioii  to  him  for  recosdiiig  ,thefe  looTe 
judgements. 

it 


B  O  0  JC    I.  :   CHAR     Vill.  91 

iclikd  heoii  for  ifetti)ie..tirne  xjondyfted,  if  was   adually  become   a 
pubdic  noifaofitixi  tl^e  debtdr  gi^in^^  redudjpn  of  debt   by   the 

levies  made  on  his  jp^apterty;  and  the  crediror  gained  no  payment 
by  i^Tuiog  his  writs ;  the  whole  was,  by  the  hocus  pocus  of  office, 
kigidphed  Jjito  Jtbe  pockets  ,of  the  marfh^l  and  his  deputies ;  every 
art,  f  very  fubterfugie,-.  waj  pr^ifcd,  tjp  j)uz:?le  the  creditor  in  his 
fearch^  and  couceial  thefe  ^mp  frQm  JiX?  difcoivpry,  that  they  might 
the  dbagdrx^ofiajdu^  iii  the  h?n<J?  of  the  oncers,  and  be  ^employed 
for  their  proSt.  Th*  affeffiljly  foun^i  jthat,  by  thefe  dexterities, 
the  .prineipai  deputy  h^d  dbtained,  r  ajad  not  accounted  for  to  the 
iuitors,  near  ^o,oc>o.A  ia  .the.fpace  of  three  years  only !  It  was 
jdafiiryed,  that,  "wnl^l^ .  fonje  e^qpf^i^nt  qould .  be  /al^en  upon  by 
iegiflature, to  reftraitoi Jtf  Qgt.r^fnpye,  |^e  njotorious  al^yfes  com- 
nutted  ill  tjhid.olice,  .th^  Uff^  >v<ptuld  in  ^  very  (hort  time  .become 
apvbficxalamky.tQ.the  ifl^nd,;  and  that^  as  well  froi^  the  hard« 
Aip  throMi^n  upon  roany  ;unhappy  dej?4:ors,  pnd  the  mifapplication 
t)i't;heir  ipayjoaeuts,  df  jth^^  ^i?jbarrafrment  aijid  difficulty  every  day 
in(:f!0alij)g  Vpdn-  the  Kjrc^torf  ijQ  .the  ,pfofecvition  and  recpvery  of 
iheif  rights  iayr&its  would  bepome  roqxe  .jlil^tqry,  tcxpejofive,  an^ 
j6^&xatiou$;  :and;t|;ife«ebtyf  hftth  the  plaguing  ^ndcpn^me  interefts 
neodlkriJsf  {uiS^r  .an^.  dfiftlipe.  T;t>ey  pafl^^.  a  bill,  to  remedy  in 
tibflw :  imoafore  the.^ils:$:ompl^uedpf,  and  regulate  thp  method  qf 
J&eejliog  the.  puhlic.badk*  io'fh^tolpije.  .3ut  this  provifipn  was 
|uiibftuaately  .defeated,  by  the  ptevailitig.  influence  pf  the  then  de- 
qmcy/^ver  the'imiodsbf  fome ,geo|bjemi9n  ;  ^and  the  bill  >va^  j;eje£tefi 
d)y^jtb&Gounc]il.  Another  bill  V^cas  ibme  time  .s^ft^rtvards  fr4n)ed  by 
-thcLiaflibmhly  fprthe  Itkeigpod.purpoie,  and.{^A/red.iutp  a.lawi.bi^t 
J&iis.tnetsvith  no  better  fate :  it  >yas  diGtUow^d  at  home  upon  fopnie 
lriiv}ali;gretenGe,  aio^l ^(as. report. f;itfl). through  the  ^(^duities  of  the 
jpatenljce,  nAyy  in  adulter  J(.^>^^>^Mt§  fliewn  about)  appeared  tp 
diaveitaken  gceatiixKrtt:to;hiif|ifidlf  fpr  hi,s  fuccefsfui  oppofition* 

iPhc  jdeputyvioarihal  gives  .4000/.  fecurity  ^to  the  public,  for  .the 
ifaithfijlxiifchirge  of  bis. office :  ^b\at  he  employs  feveral  deputies 
cAinder.him.;  £rom  each  of  wbo^n  he  requires  a  feeurity  of  8000/. 
It  wasibond;  that  he^ditidcd  .the  ordinary  fees, with  thofe deputies, 
'fet (led  accounts  with  ;them  ev^y  t:hx;ee.pion(tts,  and  charged  the^i 
.with  compound  ijDtereA:  on  all  OlQh/i^s  of  j)ublic  mpuey  as  th^ 

N  2  ^  had 


92  JAMAICA. 

had  received  ty  fale  of  levies,  and  had  not  paid  into  his  bilicc. 
Many  of  thefe  deputies  had,  at  times,  been  3  or  4000/.  in  arrear ; 
fo  that  his  profit,  arifing  from  the  intereft  alone  of  the  foiiors 
money,  muft  have  been  very  confiderable*  They  bought  up.. great 
part  of  the  levies  they  made  for  one  half  their  real  value,  by  means 
of  coUufivc  fales,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  debtor.  The  goods 
they  feized,  or  the  bribes  they  accepted,  if  they  confifled  pf  bx-» 
portable  commodities,  were  generally  fliipped  to  Great- Britain  for 
fale  ;  a  cargo  was  imported  in  return :  upon  which,  they  continued 
to  trade;  and,  in  the  courfe  of  two  or  three  years,  if  they  met  with 
no  lofles,  found  means  to  treble  their  capital,  which  was  ftill  ad* 
vancing  fo  long  as  they  could  maintain  their  footing  in  the  office: 
and,  in  all  this  time-,  the  creditor  was  excluded  from  his  money, 'by 
fiftitJous  returns,  and  pretfended  transfers  to  prior  judgemems. 
The  chief  deputy,  having,  by  his  quarterly  iettlements,  fo  large  9 
revenue  of  compound  intereft  flowing  in  from  their  feveral  ar- 
rearages, was  contented  to  wink  at  their  corruption  and  traffic,  by 
which  he  became  a  reciprocal  gainer.  They  acquired,  befidce,  a 
very  large  profit  in  gratuities,  given  by  angry  creditors  to  perfecute 
their  debtors ;  and  by  debtors,  on  the  other  hand,  to  make  a  frivo« 
lous  levy,  or  a  tardi  return  to  the  writ,  and  fo  to  delay  from  court 
to  court.  In  this  ambidexterous  dealing  the  chief  deputy  .Shewed 
an  aftivity  perfcdly  equal  to  that  of  his  fubalterns.  The  chief  ^e* 
^puty,  as  high  flierifF  of  the  ifland,  is  neceflarily  inverted  with  very 
great  power,  either  to  do  much  good,  or  much  mifchief..  It  would 
not  be  inconfiftent  with  the  duty  of  his  office,  (hould  he  intetpoiib 
that  power,  on  particular  emergencies,  to  (hield  a  poor  and  iodu^ 
flrious  fettler  from  the  unfeeling  tyranny  of  a  ravenous  creditor.  It 
would  be  even  laudable  in  him,  to  fufpend,  or  at  leaft  mitigate,  the 
rigour  of  his  authority,  in  all  cafes  where  the  fevere  execution  of  it 
might  facrifice  the  entire  liberty  and  property  of  an  faonefl  man,  to 
gratify  fome  inhuman  Shylock  with  the  diabolical  pieafure  of  feaft- 
ing  over  the  diftrefs  and  mifery  of  his  fellow  creature.  But^  when 
the  officer  cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to  do  this  gratuitoufly,  he  lofes 
all  the  merit  which  ought  to  accompany  the  adtion.  *  It  is  certainly 
beneficent  and  humane,  if  not  absolutely  incumbent  on  him,  to 
oblige  his  feveral  deputies  to  execute  their  writs  in  the  manner  leaft 

7  diftrcffing 


B  O  O  K     I.     CHAP.     VIII.  c)s 

diftneffing  to  the  planter,  inftead  of  leaving  them  at  full  liberty  to 
ravagte  and  plunder  all  around  them,  like  the  favage  Coffacks  of  a 
Ruffian  army. .   The  welfare  of  the  colony  requires  his  utmoft  at- 
tention to  this  point  i  that,  whilft  he  is  endeavouring  to  procure  fa- 
'li$fadion  for  the  creditor  agreeably  to  ju  ft  ice,   he  may  not  harrafs 
(0nd  impoveriih  induftrious  men  beyond  the  limits  of  juftice  /«  mercy.. 
-Ourlav^^s,  which  give  the  creditor  a  remedy  for  recovering  his  juft 
demands,  arc  all  mild  and  favourable  to  the  debtor,  from  the  vcpy 
firft  inftitution  of  the   fuit  againft  him.     He  is  to  have  due  notice 
of  the  action   by  fummons,   that  he  may  not  fufFer  by  judgements 
furreptitioufly  obtained,  and  that  he  may  have  time  to  prepare  for 
hia  defence.     All  thofe  chattels,   which  from  their  nature  are  mcft 
efiential  to  the  fupport  of  his  eftate,  are  diredted  not  to  be  taken  in 
execution^  when  other  effedls  of  inferior  kind  and  lefs  importance 
are  offered.     The  goods,  when  attacVied  in  execution,  are  fuftered  to 
remaifo  ih  the  defendant's  pofibilion  for  a  ipace  of  near  thr^e  months, 
-that  be  may  make  his  conCra6isy  and  fell  them  ta  the  beft  advantage. 
If  the  marfbal  makes  a  levy  upon  writ  of  venditiom  exponas  (whidi 
fuGceeds  the  writ  of  execution),,  he  is  to  fell  it  publicly  ;.  and  the 
plaintiff  is  entitled  to  pdynient  on  bis   levy  within   ten  days  next 
after  "the  fale.     One   would  conclude,  that  every  provifion    which 
humanity   or  juftice  can   require   is   implied   in  thefe    laws  ;    they 
would  furely  be  anfwerable  to  thc'utmoft  defire  of  either  party^  if 
they  were  duly  enforced,  according  to  their  fpirit  and  intention. 
But  the  writ  of  execution  (for  fome  time  efteemed  a  mere  writ  of 
grace):  has  iffucd  only  for  form's  fake:  the  mar.(hal  has  made  a  fic- 
titious return  to.  it;  and,    when  the 'z;^^///^^?/ iftued,  he  has  levied 
arbitrarily  on-  whatever  he  could  find.     Negroes,,  which?  ought  to  be 
the  Jaft,.  have  ufually  been  his  firft  objeft.    There  is,  unfortunately 
for  this  colony,  another  law,  the  fource  of  moft  of  the  evil  prac- 
tices committed  in   this  office;  which,  having  gained  ftrength  by 
lime,   is  now  fo  firmly  rooted,   that  a  repeal  of  it,  although  clearly 
for  the  public  advantage,  would  be  attended  with  great  inconveni- 
encies«     This  law  cftablifties  a  preference  of  payment  upon  levies 
in  favour  of  the  creditor  who  obtains  the  earlieft  judgement  againft: 
his 'debtor.     All  levies  being  fubjed,  in  the  firft  place,  to  difcharge 
of  ptior  judgements,,  the  money,  arifiug  by  fale  of  the  debtor's  pro- 


^94  .-     .   J     A    M  .  A  ;  I   :C    A::    : 

perty,  fills  of  courfe  into  the  msLtjihtT.s^hsgtdis^^^nd  is  rrtycocd  itubo 
his  office,  xtx  order  that  he  may  apply  k  (upon  exafnintn^  ins  books) 
towards  fatisfafiion  of  the  prior  judgeoicnt  creditbr.  The.  later  .or 
junior  creditor  gains  nothings  therefore,  by  ifiaing  his  writs  imn 
coart  to  courts  until  the  levies  made  thereon  amount  to  more  jCbte 
fatisfies  all  the  judgoments  preceding  hisown*  Some  murfbffik, 
taking  the  advantage  held  oat  to  them  hj^h is  fateful  law^  h^vr  de- 
tained all  fucli  levied  paycnents  io  their  hands,  under  vamous  fare- 
tences  of  applying  them  according  to  priority  in  their  bpok9; 
which  books  being  fcarcely  intelligibie  to  any  one  except  ibe  lofficer 
iind  his  clerkf.,  toot  one  of  the  -creditors  could  probably  oeap  any  :bd- 
neiit  from  the  debtor*s  diflrcfs  for  jmanyrnQnth^t  and  evfeo  ynrs. 
Mucli  explanation  is  not  required  to  &cw  how  pernicious  this.iaw 
has  been,  and  mud:  flill  be,  as  well  witli  regard  to  debtx»r  jand 
creditor,  as  to  the  general  credit  of  the  iftand.-  Every  .oneditor  is 
.obliged  (in  deference.to  his  owuintereft  and  fecuxity)  to.fue:hss 
debtor,  and  obtain  judgement,  as.  fbon  as  he  poiiibly  can:;  :M^ 
aftfer  judgement  is  obtained^  he  maft  likewiie  proceed  Do  if&e  his 
-ivrit  of  diftrefs^  without  ceafiiig^  that  he  may  force  paymeilt  ufiadl 
the  prior  judgements,  raife  himielf  higher  ou  the  lift,  and  have:  a 
chance  of  being  paid  in  his  turn  within  a  reafonable.courfe  of  years. 
Thefe  aftions  are,  without  doubts  very  chargeable  and  harrailuig  io 
theidebtor.  In  order  to  gainitinle,  and  damp  the  ardour  of  his 
opponent,  he  muft  throw  every  advantage  he  can  in  the  way  of  the 
HvA  judgement-creditor,    with  a   view   to   keep  him    quiet;    and 

•procure  his  orders. to  the  marihal  to  accept  a  compofition  for  levies 
pretended  to  be  made,  and  apply  it  to  the  prior  writ^  that  the  ju- 
nior Creditor -may  be  tired  x)uty  and  induced  to  wait  with  ^patience. 
He  muft  alfo  purchafe  the  good  graces  of  the  officer,  that  he  too 
may  be  perfuaded  to  favour  the  plan.  A  creditor,  involved  in 
fuch  difficulties^  generally  pays  from  15  to  20  ^^r  c<?«/.  on  -  all  bis 
judgement  debts,  annually,  in  fees  and  douceurs.  With  fuch  an  in- 
tereft,  the  fum  is  continually  increafing  its  bulk;  and  in  five  years 
time   doubles  the  original  debt.     Many  a   planter,  who  -has  played 

t  the  game,  andendeavourcdtogaindelay  by  afyftemof  expedients, 
has  fi^Uiid'himfelf  deceived  in  the  end  by   vain  illufions;  and  his 

'debt  fo  fwollen  by  imperceptible  degrees,  as  to  compeL  him  to. give 


B  p  6  K    i;     C  H  A  I*.    YIII.  $5 

op  ill  his  property  in  difchargeof  it.  Too  late  he  has  perceivecf^ 
that  it  would  hav.e  been  better  for  him  to  have  refigned  it  under  the 
eriginal  ihcnmbrance,  than  have  toiled  through  a  feries  of  uneafy 
hours,  and  difingeiiuQus  pretences ;  fince  every  contrivance  to  baffle 
his  creditors  has  but  aggravated  the  load,  and  never  could  lefien.  it. 
A  nrjerchantin  England  is  placed  by  this  law  in  a  very  unequal  and 
unfair  iituation ;  for,  in  genera^  he  cannot  obtain  his  judgement,. 
until  all  or  moft  of  the  creditors  on  the  fpot  have  gained  the  ftart 
of  him ;  nor  qan  he  be  fo  early  acquainted  with  his  debtor's-  cir- 
cvimftances.  Creditors  are,  under  this  law,,  very  much  in  the  eoii- 
ditioa  of  certain  tradefmeii,  who,  astheftory  goes,  had  for  a  long 
rime  fupplied  the  wants  of  a  young  fpendthrift.  Wearied  at  length- 
with  their  importunity,  he  appointed  a  particular  day  and  hour,  far 
each  of  them  to  call  upon  him  ;  and,  in  the  mean  while,  he.  pre- 
pared an  alphabetical  mufter-roll  of  their  names*  A^  they  came- 
0ne  by  one,  he  exhibited  his  lift,  and  aflbred  them  of  payment 
in  their  feveral  turns,  according  to  the  order  of  their  name^i. 
Among  the  reft  was  his  taylor,  whofe  name  began  with  a  Y.. 
In  vain  did  the  poor  taylor  expoftulate  with  him,,  and  reprefefit  the 
injuftice  of  putting  hinxofFto  the  very  laft,  who  was  not  only  one. 
ef  the  earlieft,  but  the  moft  confiderable of  the  creditors.  Indeed, 
my  good  friend  Y,  (replied  the  other)  I  am  truly  cQuceriied  for 
the  hardfhip  of  your  cafe  ;  but  you  may  thank  the  initial  of  your 
name  for  it  I  could  wifh,  with  all  my  heart,  that  it  ha.1  fallen  to 
your  lot  to  be  a  Mr.  A,  or  Mr.  B,  or  even  Mr.  P.  ;  but,  as  the  iVi aii  ./i 
ftands,  you  muftbe  fenfible^  there  is  no  remedy  for  you  but  Chniliaii 
patience; 

1  remarked,  that  a  repeal  of  this  law  might  be  produdive  of  marr; 
public  ioconveniencies  :  this  I  meant  in  a  retrofpedive  view.  But, 
if  it  (hould  be  repealed  in  fuch  a  way  as  to  have  no  retrofpcd  to 
preceding  contrads,  and  to  be  reftridtcd  to  future  ones  alone  ;  no 
inconvenience  would,  I  think,  arife,  more  efpecially  if  the?  re- 
pealing a6l  {hould  not  take  efFeft  until  a  reafonable  time  .;fccr  \-  . 
date.  The  creditor  under  fubfifting  contradts  might,  witii  this  p.b- 
vilb,  be  able  to  put  his  demands  on  judjiement;  and,  in  rel]v(t  \o 
Ac  debtor,  no  greater  hardfhips  than  what  occur  at  prcliiu  v. r-ul.'  • 
enfue/   With   regard  to  future  creditors,   and. future  dcbtbv,,.  only, 


96  JAMAICA. 

the  cafe  would  bs  altered,  and  greatly  for  the  better  in  every  cincunti- 
ilance.  The  means  of  delay  and  fubterfuge  being  once  removed, 
men  would  bee  mc  more  cautious  of  coutrafting  debts;  creditors 
would  have  a  fure  and  fpeedy  modeof  recovery,  agreeable  to  juftice  ; 
they^  would,  therefore,  be  able  to  vend  their  merchandize  cheaper, 
and  the  planter  become  a  gainer  in  every  view  ;  but  in  no  particular 
more/than  retrieving  a  fair  charadler  and  folid  credit,  with  an  in- 
crealing  ability  to  preferve  his  fortune,  without  having  recourfe  tq 
mean  evafions  and  expcnfivc  bribes.  The  whole  fyftem  of  iniquity 
muft  then  very  foon  depart  from  the  provo{l*mar(hars  office,  becauie 
no  pretext  wojuld  remain  for  his  detaining  the  creditor's  money  an 
inftant  longer  in  his  hands  than  the  time  prefcribed  by  law;  the 
.depi;ty  mufl  reA  contented  with  the  honed,  legal  emoluments  of  his 
<^ffice4  the  patentee  with  a  dimini(hed  rent,  and  no  room  b^  left  for 
a  ihicd  penfioncr  [/J.     So  important  are  the  advantages  which  fuch  a 

repeal 

•{/]  The  French  government  confiders  a  planter,  in  their  lilands,  as  a  Frenchman  venturing  his 
lite,  enduring  a  fpecies  of.  bauifhmenty  and  undergoing  great  hardlhips,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
jcountry.  For  which  itrafon,  he  has  great  indulgences  (hewn  him.  Whenever,  by  hurricanes, 
caithquakes,  or  b.;d  feafons,  the  planters  fuifer,  a  Hop  is  put  to  the  rigour  of  exa<5ting  creditors; 
the  few  taxes  which  are  levied  are  remitted  ;  and  even  money  is  advanced,  to  repair  their  loiles, 
and  fet  them  forward.  To  thofe  who  are  poor,  but  (hciv  a  difpofition  to  induilry,  neceifaries  and 
fmall  fums  are  lent,  to  make  a  beginning;  and  this  money  is  taken  in  gradually,  and  by  very, 
fmall  payments.  On  the  other  hand,  as  it  can  be  of  no  advantage  to  the  planter  to  run  fiaudu- 
lently  in  debt,  but  is  of  the  grcatefb  prejudice  to  the  French  merchants  ;  all  debts,  though  con* 
vtrafVed  by  the  planters  in  France,  arc  levied  with  great  eafe.  The  procefs,  properly  authenticnted, 
is  iranfmittcd  to  Ameiica^  and  admitted  as  proved  there;  and  levied  on  the  planter's  eflate,  of 
uhatfoever  kind  it  may  be.  Horwever,  *'  care  is  taken,  ihat,  whilll  compulfory  methods  are  ufed 
•*'  ^o  make  the  planters  do  juilice,  the  Hate  (hall  not  loie  the  indullry  of  an  ufcful  member  of  the 
•*'  community."  The  debt  is  always  levied  according  to  the  fubftance  of  the  debtor,  and  by  in- 
Iblments ;  fo  that  (what  ought,  indeed,  to  be  the  cafe  in  every  well- regulated  government)  •*  one 
"  of  the  parties  is  not  facrificcd  to  the  other,**  Both  fubfift:  the  creditor  is  fatisfied  ;  the  debtor 
is  not  ruined  :  and  the  credit  of  the  colonies  is  kq>t  in  health  and  vigour  at  home,  by  the  Aire  me- 
thods which  are  in  ufe  tur  recovering  all  demands  in  the  plantations. 

In  the  French  itlands,  the  rapidity  of  their  fettlement,  their  aftonifhing  increafe,  and  the  good 
4)rder  by  which  they  are  fullained  and  conducted  ;  the  uhole  is  the  work  of  a  wife  policy,  and  a 
light  turn  their  government  .has  taken. 

In  the  Eni];r!fh  colonies,  where  no  fyllematic  order  prevails,  where  almoft  eveiy  thing,  in  rcipeiSl 
to  their  policy,  their  taxation,  the  adminidration  of  government  and  judice,  their  population,  and 
their  trade,  is  wrong,  or  left  to  chance ;  for  whom  the  mother  ilate  contrives  no  plans,  executes  no 
rogulationSi  .except  to  draw  a  ptefent  tribute  from  them ;  we  do  not  obferve  the  like  flouriihing' 
progrelBon :  and  they  would  very  foon  decline  into  their  original  wildernef?,  if  it  were  not  for  that 
perfevering  fpirit  of  induftry,  fo  jjeculiar  to  the  Englilh,  and  which  is  the  refult  of  their  liberty. 
i  {kiQvld  not  have  drawn  comparifons  between  oar  colony  government  and  that  of  the  French, 

bus 


BOOK  I.     c  H  A  P.   vni  ^^ 

repeal,  may  procure  to  the  rflaud^  that  every  true  patriot  in  it  ought 
to  concur  in  applying,  witlwut  <ielay,  the  proper  remedy  to  thofe 
{lupendous  evils,  introduced,  continued,  and  fuJ)ported,  by  the  pri- 
ority aft.  I  have  been  led  into  this  digreffion  by  a  defire  of  point- 
ing out  the  various  obftacles  which  feem  to  have  prevented  this  co- 
lony from  attaining  to  that  eftabliftied  credit  and  flouriihing  con- 
dition to  which  it  might  fpoedily  arrjve  by  a  few  fpirited  regulations. 
I  fliall  hereafter  take  the  liberty  df  noticing  other  grievances  inci- 
dentally ;  fori  feek  rather  to  merit  the  character  of  a  faithful,  zea- 
lous advocate  fof  the  injured,  thanthaf  of  an  entertaining  Hiftorian. 
In  regard  to  the  prefent  fubjcdt,  I  have  chiiefly  leveled  at  the  pa- 
tentees; fori  do  not  think  the  deputies  nearly  (b  culpable. 
They  acc^t  a  leafe  upon  terms,  which  they  hope  will  leave  them 
fonje  little  profit  for  their  fupport.  When  a  man  has  engaged  in 
one  of  thefe,5  it  becomes  what  is  commonly  called  his  bread ;  and 
he  knows  that  he  muft  toil  through  foine  years  before  he  can  ex- 
pert to  iave  ^d.lay  up  fufficient  for  an  independency.  Upon  the 
death  of  his  patentee  (which'  may  happen  poflibly  in  the  firft  year, 
or  even  month,  of  his  leafe),  and  oh-  the  appointment  of  another, 
and  fo  upon, the  expiration  of  every  term,  he  is  glad  to  renew  his 
]ea(e,  even  at  an  increafcd  rent  and  fine,  rather  than  lofe  the  office^ 
and  with  it  all  his  fettled  plans  and  profpeds  of  life.  It  is  natural 
for  him,  then,  to  embrace  the  only  method  left  of  indemnifying 
himielf,  by  making  fmall  additions,  from-  time  to  time,  to  the  fees 
onfuch  articles  as  will  leaft  give  birth  to*  popular  clamour.  But 
where  is  the  line  to  be  dra\Vn  with  the  patentees  ?  They  hve  at  their 
eafe  in  England,,  go  on  augmenting  their  tierms" every  two  or  three 
years,  as  if  the  offices  were  nothing  more  than -their  copyholds  of  in- 
heritance I  endeavouring  to  make  the  moft  of  their  time,  and  to  im- 
prove their  annuity,  regardlefs  of  the  means,  or  the  confequences. 
Are  they  never  to  be  ftopped  in  their  career  ?  The  afiembly  of  Ja- 
maica may  be  aflured,  they  never  will  flop,  until  compelled. 
Whenever  the  next  reverfion  takes  place,  the  fecretary^s  office  wilt 

b«it  Mrith  a  dedgn  to  flicw  the  propriety  of  this   conclufion ;  **  if,  under  all  the  difadvantages  of 
**  arlncrary  rule,  the  French,  by  the  pure  force  of  a  (bund  policj.-,  ha^e  condn6ted  their  plania- 
**  tioDS  fo  fuccefefolly ;  what  degree  of  vigour  and  opulence  might  not  our  Eliglt(h  colonics  arrive 
**  jit,  by  uniting  the  fittcrt  maxims  of  that  policy  to  our  charafteiillic  genius  for  induftry,  fupporicd 
••^  Wy  thr.  fpifit  of  national  freedom  I** 

Vql.  I.  O  probably 


98  JAMAICA. 

probably  be  farmed  at  no  le6.  than  aooo/.  fterling  per  emnum  \  arid 
the  fees. will  be  redoubliBd  upon  the  people  of  the  ifland.  Every 
thing  confidered,'!  .cannot  propofe  a  better  means  to  prevent  the 
.increafe  of  this  evil,  thanbypaffiog  a  new  aft,  eftablrfhing  the 
Jees  of  all  the  offices  at  a  rea£)nable,  yet  liberal  rate,  above  tbofe 
of  the  Jaw  of  171 1-;  taking  efpecial  care  in  the  framing,  that  the 
tranlgreflbrs  of  it  (hall  not  efeapo  with  impunity  by  the  privy  dooc  of 
noliprofequi.  But,  if  this  be  not  approved  of,  perhaps  the  yearfy 
.application, of  1000/.  to  indeoeinify  the  injured  fubjefts  in  prole- 
cutiog  qui  tarn  anions  oa  the  law  of  171 1,  againft  the  violators  of 
that  law,  might,  in  the  eourfe  of  feven  years,  tire  out  thefe  anta- 
gonifts,  aQd.bringtheQaktoa:i«a/bnable  compofition.  It  would  be 
no  bad  bargain  for  the  public,  if  th<^  could  gain  it  at  the  expence 
of  feven,  fourteen,  pr  cvett  zi,ooo/.  This  will  appear  in  a 
itronger  light,  on  confidtcing,.  that,  if  the  cuftom  o(  doublino- 
.the  legal  fees  began  only  thirty  years  back,  the  pubRc  of  Jamaica 
has  in  tlxis  time  paid  90^00/.  more  to  one  officer  alone  than  was 
aaually  lawful  for  that  officer  to  demand  or  receive.  Let  this 
awaken  them  to  a  feofe  of  their  condition,  and  be  an  inftruaion  to 
make  them  provide  againft  this  growing  calamity.  If  they  hav^ 
paid  fo  much  in  their  own  vrrong  to  one  office,  how  would  the  ba- 
lance fwell,  if  the  reft  (hould  be  taken  into  account!  It  wiU  be  un- 
derftood,  that  I. mean  not  the  perfons  executing  thefe  offices  (K0UI4 
be  abridged  of  any  j«ft  or  wafonable  emolument.  I  mean  only  to 
inculcate.,  that  the  evU  o»«iplained  of  has  originated  from  the  pa- 
tentees; who,  not  knowipgwhcn  to  flop,  or  perhaps  imagining 
^hehoueft  pro6ts  of  the  f^veral  offices  to  be  m«k;M  greater 'than 
what  they  really  ate,  My^conduded  themfelves, -lipon  the  grant  of 
*very  ^ew  lea%  juft  in  the  f^me  manner  as  if  the  oflfces^  were  fd 
many  ccqannon  EngliO»  farms,  to  be  held  under  an  irtipri^gT^enri 
Agreeable  to  this  fallacious  notion,  tliey  have  refufed  to  mafce-  any 
other  than  very  Ihort  leafcs,  and  upon  every  renewal  referved  a?  coir-= 
fiderable  fine  J  oi- elfe  put  up  the  premifesat  vendue,  and -knocked 
them  offto  the  higheft  bidder;  in  this  refpeft^  indeed,  they  have 
done  what  tliey  would  naturally  have  thought  highly  improper  in 
the  cafe  of  an  Englifh  farm.  If  a  perfon  in  England  had  applied 
jtoone  of  thefe  gentlemen,  and  offered  to  take  a  farm  of  him  at  a 


rent 


BOOK    I.        CHAP.    VIII.  §9 

rent  whrch  it  was  Well  known  exceeded  the  whole  profits,  and  al- 
fnred  him,  that.  In  order  to  pay  this  exceffive  rent,  and  at  tht  faitte 
tiine  be  aWe  to  iubdft  his  family,  he  muft  be  forced  to  rob  all  his 
neighbours  hen-roofts,  and  fteal  thieir  flieep;  would  the  gentleman 
(knowing;  this  as  the  neccffary  confequence)  be  apt  to  ftrik^  the 
biirgam  with  ftjcha  tenant?  if  he  poflefied  a  fpark  of  hohefty, 
Ijthink  he  would  not ;  bccaufe  he  couW  not  but  know,  that,  by 
clofing  with  the  offer,  he  muft  be  ftigmatited  as  an  accomplice,  if 
not  a  principal,  in  the  fubfequent  thefts  to  be  committed  by  his 
tanant^ . 

Sdmeoftlie  pttentees  (tiSo  not  fay  the  prefent)  have  been  con- 
feioos,  that  the  cafe -of  the  JiEtmalca  officers  is  exceedingly  patallel 
to  this  tMinple;  but  fo  littlbidihamed  were  they  of  giving  encou-  • 
rageaient  wheris  money  was  the  objcft,  that  they  only  thought 
how  they  might  beft  (bcure  tbomfelves  againft  their  tenant's  infoU 
veocy;  and  accepted  4:he  dilhonoarable  propoial  made  to  them,  . 
upon  condition  that  good  iecurity  (hould  be  given  \tk  England  for 
regular  payment  of  the/ reiftt. 

It  id  amatter  of  aftcnL(hmefTt  to  me^  th^t  any  man  (hou-ld  po({&{s  ^ 
fech  ar.pliaot  kind  of  honefty,  ^s.  Without  fcrtiple,  to  abet  a  fyftem  ^ 
of  knavery  <:0mmitted  in  Jamaica,,  which  he  ^would  be  thoroughly 
afliacoed  of  countenancing   if  it  was  to  bdooommitted  iiear  his  ^ 
country  feat  in  England ;  or  that  it.ihould  be- thought  lefs -Criminal,  . 
tQpurloiia  from  ten  tho»fand  peribnBia  Jamaica,   than  to  purloin 
from  one  in  England.*    Surely,  to  demand' and  take  ffom  anyone* 
double  tbedum  that  I  have  a  right  to  demaod  ai^  take,  is  not  con* 
fiftent  with  the.  principles  Of  honefty^    as  thejr  are  commoiily  un* 
derftood ;.  nor  is  it  .mora  ib,  to  ihare  in  the  fruics  of  iiich  exa6tion ;  ; 
but  ftill  left^   to  iniift  on  fiich   utireafonaibie  terms  with  a  deputy,  ^ 
as  compel  him^  whether  he  will  or  not^  :to  ad  the  part  of  a  (harper 
in  the  execution  of  his.duty,  or  othepwife  be  unable  either.  <to  pay 
his  rent,  orfubfifthis  family.     It- would  be  impoffible  for  the  de-^ 
puties  to  carry  on  bufinefs  under  a  load  of  popular  odium,  if  the  ' 
inhabitants,  did  not  chariUbly  difcritdinate  in  their   favour ;  know*  ^ 
ing  the  hard  bargain  impofed  upon  them.  ■  The  edge  of  public  re- 
ieatmj^ntis  tur^ec)  dgainft  thbfe  who  are  confidered  the  chief  infti- 
gatocs  to  exa£tion>    au4  who  are  removed^  beyond  tJMir  reach*.    I 

O  2  would  i 


loo  JAMAICA, 

would  fain  perfuade  myfelfto  believe,  that  the  patentees  have  never 
examined  this  fubjeft  with  the  ferioufnefs  it  dcferves;  or  that  they 
have  been  never  well  informed  of  the  true  ftate  of  their  offices ; 
for,  otherwife,  they  would  have  traced  the  clamour  of  the  iflapd  to 
its  genuine  fource,  and,  by  fetting  an  example  of  moderation  in 
their  own  pra6lice,  have  enabled  their  deputies  to.  keep  within 
bounds,  or  have  left  them  without  excufc.. 

Their  reputations  are  really  flaked  upon  the  iffue  of  this  matter; 
and,  unlefs  they  mean  to  exafperate  the  inhabitants  beyond  all  for* 
bearance,  it  is  high  time  they  fhould  enter  into  fbme  meafure  of 
accomodation^  As  the  friend  of  both  parties,  I  venture  to  propofe 
the  following.  Let  the  law  of  1 7 1 1  be  revifed.  A  great  autJho- 
rity  has  told  us,  it  is  grown  obiblete,  becaufe  it  was  pafled  about 
fixty  years  ago.  The  bill  of  rights,  I  think,  is  fbmewhat  older ; 
the  habeas  corpus^  and  magna  charta^  older  ftill :  are  tbeie  alfo 
grown  obfolete  ?  But  I  (hall  admit  (for  argument  fake),  that  nece£- 
faries  of  all  kinds  are  doubled  in  this  feries  of  time  ;  that  paper, 
pens,  and  ink,  are  twice  as  dear  as  they  were  in  171 1  ;  and  that, 
if  th€  officers  (hould  be  reftrifted  to. the  fees  of  that  law,  the  fecre- 
tary  could  not  exift  on  2000  /.  per  annum :  which  would  then  be 
about  the  clear  income  of  his  office.  Let  this*  be  granted,  and 
their  fees  be  eflabliflied  at  the  rates  now  taken,  unlefs  too  glaringly 
exorbitant.  Let  exorbitancies  of  this  nature  be  retrenched,  and 
the  matter  fettled  upon  the  mofl  ^ir  and  generous  allowances. 
But  then  let  them,  in  future,  becircumfcribed  by  claufes  fb  ftrid, 
that  the  patentee  may  be  efFeftually  precluded  from  further  exac- 
tions, by  the  utter  inability  of  his  deputy  to  comply  with  them, 
without  breach  of  the  law,  and  becoming  lameuable  to  the  very 
rigorous  penalties  and  punifhment,  which  it  fhould  not  only  de« 
nounce,  but  be  fully  armed  to  execute. 


SECT.      IIL^ 

HAVINO  occafionally  mentioned  the  ad  of  1711,  I  iball  beg 
leave  to  introduce  here  fome  account  of  that  z€t ;  which  will  lead 

me 


BOQK    J.:     CHAP.     VIIL  torr 

HOC  to  further  remarks  upon  the  conduft  of  thcfe  offices,^jn\d  to  lay 
fuch  other  fadbs  before  the  reader  as  will  ferve  Jo  corroborate  Uie 
preceding  detail. 

To  gratify  private  rancour  by  cenfuring  others,  is-a  quoft  ignoble 
and  wicked  ^ift^  ,  I  profefs  to ,  b»ve  po  oth<i^vi^Wi  in  the  rfecital  g£ 
public  or  priyate.ifaifdc»>capqr«,'  ibut  th^t,very  laudable, pnet of  reft 
cuing  feme  iboufands  of  my  feJllow-fubje<5s  fyfqm  the  fevereftjimpo- 
fitioos:  wfaichi  as  they  feem  to  g^thi?r  ftrength  from  thg  .great 
power  and  th^mifr^preCqntatioqs  of  tl)pu.adverfarie$;  fotl^pyjud] fy 
the  ze^l  of.  every  honef};%i>d;viel|^meaning  colonift,  v/ho  epdeavothrs 
to  expofe*  them  in  their  tru?  cplptfrs,  and  to  undeceive  thofe  who 
may  have  been  hithertOf fediy;; 4  jQr  miOed  by  their  fallacies.  ^   .   * 

On  the  i^h  of  April,   »:7f  Jj  a  meflage  was  fent  from  the  houfe 
of  aflembly.to  the  then  gdvernor,  to  inquire,  whe.th^y  he. bad  re- 
ceived any  accounta  relative  to  an  a£t  lately  pa0ed  <<  for  regulating 
^^fees/'    On  t&e}ii«ct  dl^y,  th$  governor  Uid  before  the  hw(9  ^ 
letter  from  the  lords  of;  ti»cle  t9  htm,  and  ano^er  from  Mr;.$Qlirv 
citor-general*  Cyre  to  the;  lOrd^ic^.  trade, .  in  paxt  approving,  and  jor 
part  finding  fwlt  with,  t&e'a€t.  Their  lordihips  letter  recommended 
the  pafling  a  new  aft,  not  liable  to  Mr.  Solicitor's  objections.    Uppn 
which,  the  houfe  proceeded  to  .frame  a  new  bill ;   which,  in  May 
17 II,  was  pa0ed  intq  a  law,  by  the  governor, council,  and  aflembly ;» 
andy  on  the  3othrcf  Apcily  1715*   was  confirmed  by  his  njiycsfty  in 
council.  .  On  the  21ft  of  June,  1765,  (fifty  years  after  the  adt  was^ 
confirmed  as  juft  mentioned)   a  reprefentation  to  the  king  in  council 
having /.hieen  made,  by  feveral  of  the  patentees  holding  offices  in 
Jaqi^ica,  on  behalf  of  themfetlves  and  their  deputies ;  an  order  was 
pafied  at  the  council-board,  feeing  forth,  «'  that  the  houfe  of  repre- 
**  ientatives  of  Jamaica  having  thought  proper  to  arraign  the  con- 
^*  du<2  and  juftice  of  the  petitie^i^rs,  to  condemn  the  pradice  of 
^'  taking'fees,  eftabli(hed  by  cuftom  and  long  ufage,  and  to  declare, 
••  that,  if  the  public  officers  (hould  continue  to  take  the  fame,  they 
<*  ought  to  be  difplaced  and  profecuted  with  the  utmoft  fevcrity  of 
**  the  lawr  which  declaration,  the  petitioners  alledged,  had  excited 
<•  feveral  veiratious  luits  againft  fome  of  therr  deputies,  grouhded 
<«  upon  a:  proclamation  lately  i^ued  in  thei  {jgaid  ifiaod,  which  has  no 

**  reference 


108  J  A  M  A  r  c  a:: 

«•  reference  to  the  matter  in  qticftion,  and  upon  an  chfoUtt  aft  [«], 
^  paffed  in  that  iflalhd  in  the  year  17115  at>d  that  the  petitioners^ 
<^' prayed  his  majefty  to  eftablifli,  by  his  order  in  council,  fiicK 
•^  cuftomary  fees  as  have  been  of  long  ufage  taken  in  their  wipec- 
^  tive offices;  or  to  dir«A  the  governor  of  Jamaica,  with  the  advice 
«*  of  his  council,  to  e(labli(h  ft  table  of  fuch  additional  fees^tothoic 
•*  regulated  in  the  ad  of  1 7 1 1 ,  as  (hould  appear  adequate  atui  com* 
'^  peteAC  to  the  faid  offices  in  their  prefent  ftate  ;  and^  in  the  mean 
^  time,  tofupport  the  petitiooers  in  their  joft  rights  iod  accuftomed 
<<  fees,  and  ftay  a1}  proceedings  ami-  iuits  gtounded  on  the  faid  law 
•^  of  171 1."  Hie  majefty,  by  advice  of  his  privy  •council  and  I^dS'- 
of  trade,  orders  the  governor  to  exftt  the  powers  legally  itivefted  in: 
him,  JFor  protediiig  the  petitioners,  or  their  deputies,  againft  any  ftAts 
or  adions  that  may  be  brought  againft  them  upon  lcc<^unt  of  their 
having  taken  fiibh  fees  as  have,  by  long  ufage,  been  taken  by  them, 
or  tbtir  predeceflbrs  in  office,  although  the  feme  ihouU  have  ex- 
ceeded the  rates  fettled  by  the  ia£tof  1711  ;  and  declares,  that  he 
wilt  concur  with  the  legiilature  of  the  iflandin  any  prdpofition  foir^ 
a  revifal  of^  that  law,  and  eftabliihing  and  £xing  Aidi<  fisba  £»:  public 
officers  as  (hall  be  adequate  fo  the  preient  ilate  of  their  biiiine&,  atid 
the  circumilances  of  the  times..  There  are  fevcral  particulars  ia  the 
foregoing  reprefentatioa  fo  ei^traordinary^  as  to  deferve  a  critical 
attention.  The  ad  of  1 7 1 1 ,  confirmed  by  the  crowii  in  1 7*1 5^  muft 
have  regulated  the  fets  on  a.  nWft  equitable  rate  for  the  patentees?  , 
otherwife,  it  is  fcarcely  probable  that  it  would  have  been  connrmed. . 
The  aft,  as  originally  framed,  had  mtt  with  ohjcdlions  frora-Mr.  So^ 
licitor-general. .  Thefe  the  aflembly  removed, '  by  modeling  their 
hft  adl,  agreeable,  to  his  6wn  corrcfltions  ;  on  which,  we  may  fafelj^v 

[»]   What  is  uruall)!:^  and  perhaps  improperly,  called  an  obiblete  adt,  is  tbat  which  iofes  its  ef- 
fcfts  confequenrially,  by  theannihilitioti  of  the  iubjcct  iitfdf  on  which  alcmc  m  power  could  :- 
opemte.    Of  .this  ktD<Uire  allxhe  a^  conoqrning  feudal  tonures*  they  bong  rendtnx!  t>bfbkt0  by 
X  X  Charles.!!*  yihkh  aboUfbes  the  tenures  themfelves*    Where  the  fubjefk  is  deflroyed^  the  adjun^ ' 
drops  of  courfe.    No  law  in  gur  conftitution^can  be  proj^rly^tewned  obfolete,p— Preface  |a  RufF- 
heatl's  Statutes  at  Jargc. 

It  is  proper  to  ohfetve^  that  our Jamnra  a£)r  of  1 7  U  vm  n^l  ^Aen  direftfy  t^r  firf  oattj^  te^ 
peakd  Qr.fuperfeded  by  axi]Ffttbirq\^nt,a<ft^  j^uitho^pre  continued  h>|>e'as.mu4^  in. force  aa^- 
when  it  firft  todjf.  efiedl..    The  evil  complained  pf  was  tiQt  the  fixi^ig  aod  demanding  gratuities  for 
articles  of  bufinefs  unpnmded  for  by  thii  W,  biA  tic?  irfiakJng  exccfliTC  additions  to  iixft-expigefleJ 
ij%  and  apppintied  byi  th^lanc* . . 

venture 


BOOK  I    c  Kr  A  l>.   yiii.  i?>3 

niiture  ft  eooje£lure»  that  the-  patentee  had  not  been  UMcmfalted. 
Tire  dcputiea  conformed  to  this  aft  for  foam  time.  Upon  the  aiB- 
^vits  (^  tfacfe  ofBcers  it  appears,  that  tbej  could  not  fix  the  cuftom 
and  tifage  of  taking,  additional  fees  fiir^ier  back  than  i743.  In 
1764  we  fnid  the  aiTembly  njvaking  hcairy  cornplaints  of  their  ex* 
aftions  upon  the  pubtk.  Frtwn  1743  to  1764  is  a  fpace  of  no  nK)re 
than  twenty*one  years ;  and  this  is  called  cuftom  and  long  ufage. 
An  «»iage»  or  cuftom,  in  the  Icnfe  by  which  the  law  of  England  has 
explained  it,  mnft  have  a  continuancer '  without'  interruption,  ultra 
memoriam  homifm:  and  a  long  ufage  is  ftill  fwtfaetf  esttended  beyond 
this  line.  It  was  therefbrt  d«teitnined,  that  aA  ufage  of  twenty*one 
yearft^  in  Jamaica  was  exadtty  the  fame  as  a  time  immemorial  in 
England,  and  juftified  the  officers  in  eftablifliing  fees  of  their  own 
creation  ;  that  an  ad,  paiTed  oiily^  filty  years  before,  wtts  fuperannu- 
attd,  and  therefore  fit  to  be  bupiedr  in  oMLvion.  His  majefty  an^ 
cooncit  are^  defired,  not  merely  to  difpenie  withja  law^  but  to  declare 
it  void ;  and  to  enafii  fees  by  the  fole  apd  arbitrary  aothority  of  the 
crown:  which  implies,  that  hie  majefty  ici  coiiiidl  had  as  well^ 
right  of  frximing  laws  t^  bind  the  oo]i;>ny,  us  of  refctnang  or  Hlf-* 
pending  a  known  law,  which  had  httn  folemnly  eonfirmed,  and 
Bc^er  repealed'  by  any  fubfequent  afft.  of  teglflatote.  Hia  majefty  is 
catltd  tipoDr  it^  the  ^dlMnat ive^^  to  dekgave*  thifS  right,  and  to  order 
his  governor  of  jfaekaica,  and  the  council  there,  to  ena£t  fuch  addi*^ 
taonal  fee9.  A  kigi&iMvt  auihorityiof  this  nature  muft  be  fuppofed 
ta  refide  in  his  majefty  and  coundt  j  or  a  petidoa  for  the  exercife 
of  it  mi)0^  appear  ahfiird  and  unoieaning:  ^or^  if  the  king's  power 
in  thi&  re^e£i;  w«u  not  fuppe^ed  equal  to  the  authority  of  the  law  ici 
qocftion,  Asyr  t(an|cendentfy  &i{>erior  to  it;  the  requefting  his  nM« 
jeAy  td  exert  a-ppwer^  or  rights  which  he  hadnot  in  him,  would  be 
noti  dn^  impevdkiqnt.  But .  totally  linavalling.  Many  difficcdtieS' 
\roald:  have  occurred,,  either  m  necorer ing  fees  appointed  under  fuch 
%  tmdaoa  as  wasri  sequiredr  or  in  defiending  aAions  brought  againft 
the  deputies,  \n  any  court  of  law,  for  prefumiag  to  demand  and  »-« 
ctive  fuch  fees.  Hts  isajefty^d  order  iacomicilv  laftcad  of  ena£tiiig 
(as  w^8  petitioned)  a^  table  of  fees,^  offers  to  concur  with  the  Jamaica 
Iqjvflacur^  iitany  new  law^  to  be  framed  upon  equhable  principles. 
Uowevert  mud)^  ithei«fore^  the  order  may  feem  too  indulgent  to  the 
•  .  h6'  ,  patentees. 


I04  '.^    A;  NT   A    r   C    A. 

patentees,  ip,  directing  the  governor  to  exert  the  prerogative  in  tl)$ir 

Ibpport,  againft  a  pofiti^e  ^hw  of  the  coipny,  and  againft  the  fenfe 

ot  the  hpufe  of  reprefeixtatives,.  and  to  ftpp,  by  noli  profequi^  ajj 

fuits.inftituted  under  thdt  law  agamft  delinquent  officers;   it  cei;r 

tainly  held   the  prerogativ«i(ftridty.fpfaking)  within  legal  bounds. 

1  have  heard,  that,  when  this  petition,  and  order  came  before  the 

houfe  of  aflembly,  thjs  ixiajority  .were  well  inclined  to  have  ;emy 

braced  this  propolition  frorti  the  crown,  and  fo  have  terminated,  the 

di(pyte,   if  m^ny.  amo/)g  th.em,  and  even  thofe  who  at  firft  were 

well  inclined  to  fevloujr.the  officers,  jhad  not  conceived  a  4ifguft  at 

the  ienoiir  of  this  petition  t9l,  the  crown  ;  which  they  thouglijt^gb 

dictatorial,   and   indicant  of  a  difpoiition  to- place  the  fupr^me  { le- 

giflative  power  in  the  hatvds  qf^he  governor  and  cbuncil  alone; 

and  either  to.  force  the  houfe  into  compliance,  or  make  an  o»:der 

pf  council,  for  impofing  additional  fees,  of  fuperior  validity,  td  an: 

a<^  of  the.wh9le.  legiflature.    .  If.was  confidered  as  a  dlredt. attack 

Vpon„th«;i(ight%  of  thd .  aflembly^  ahd  treated  !•  accord ifnglyi ;.  Thta 

Vgtniaent  of  thQjj^ffiqcrs,.  ^< 'that  all  the  neceffaries  of  Ijyfc ^  and  con-^ 

"  tingent  flbftrge?*  had  grefttly  rifen  ift  theif  price  fiiice  171 1,  which; 

'*  rendered  it  ipipoffible  for  them  to  fubfift  by  the  fefs  as  efta,- 

V  blifhed  in;  that  year,*'   was  pjaufible;  and  probably  induced  his. 

ipajefty  rii)  council  to  affure  his  ready  cpncur|l3nce  in:  any  new  hw. 

for  regulating  and  appointing  fuch  fees  as  ihtiuld  be  ^<  adequate  to 

**  the  prefent  Qmq  of  their  bufinefs,  and  the  cir^umftances  of  the- 

"times."     I  have  already,  in  part,  demonftrafted,  that' this  argu* 

ment  was  fallacious  iji  its  grounds  ;  and,. to  jcny. former  Ifhall  add 

fqme  further  reafotii*     Although  the  neceffacies  of  life,  bad,  itis 

true,  increafed  in  their  price  from  1715  to  1764,  ,yet  this  advance 

of  price  was  a  riioft  ihcdntcftable  proof,  that  the  quantum  of  their 

bufinefs  had  increafed  at  lead  pari  paj/u.     The.  price  of  nepeflaries. 

mufl  ever  rife  :witl}:ja  multiplication  o£  coofumers*     That  this  was 

the  cafe  it>  Jamaica,  L  fhall  prefently  make  appear ;  and^  from  the: 

evidence  1  fliall  bring,  1  truft  that  the  advanced  price,  of  necefTa*. 

j4ea  will  not!  he  foupd  tojiave-been  the  .original  oiotive  for  raifiqg 

their   fees  to  fuch  aiiDenormmw. pitch  j  but  :oJ:her  caufes,  namely, 

*«  ail  increafing  -pent,  .ixnpofed  by  the  patentees,"  "  a.  difincliaation ! 

^  of  their  deputies  to  remaia  fetisficd  with  moderate  gains,  and  atf 


«*^  eager 


BOOK    I.       CHAP.     VIIL  1Q5 

*'  eager  ambition  of  acquirinjg  eafy  fortunes  In  a  (hort  time,"  Ac- 
cording to  a  law  of  the  ifland,  paflfed  \n  1693,  ^^  pfice^s  of  fundfy 
kinds  of  meat  were  fixed  and  regulated,  h  the  year  i  764,  when 
the  officers  adopted  this  argument,  meats  were  increafed  ip  price, 
fince  1693,  ^^  follows  : 

Mutton  and  lamb,     abput  one  hglf  mprp; 

Beef,      ■■   i     — —   ~— *     about  one  third  ; 

Veal,. — . —  ^ abput  one  fifth:  whil/l  all  other  but- 
chers meat^  turtle,  and  filh,  continued  nearly  ^t  the  f^rpe  pricp. 
Houfe-rent,  and  all  the  necefl'aries  of  life,  exciept  thefe  in^pprtc^d 
from  Great*- Britain,  were  advaiicod  fomewhat  niore  thai)  one  fku^. 
But  the  progrefiive  fettlemeqi  and  opulence  of  t^fi  iiland  h^d  ^fpt 
even  pace  at  leaft ;  and,  therefore,  muft  be  deemed  to  have  influ- 
enced the  price  pf  i^ceiTari^s,  as  I  h^v^  b^ore  fuppp^d.  I)»  1670 
were  in  this  ifland  ooly  feveixty  fygflr-4Voric,s.  In  i  j^^j  vijc,  fijcty- 
nine  years,  they  were  incxeafe;d  to  fow  hjijpdf4;4  .^^d  twenty-nine,  or 
fix  times  the  nufiiber*  In  1768,  viz.  ftw^ty^niiie  y^ftr?>  they  vere 
increafed  to  fix  hundred  and  fifty-oae ;  of  ^pyc  ope  iialf  more  t]|)gn 
in  1739,  and  above  nine  (lines  more  than  in  167a:  and  the  f);ock  of 
Negroes,  about  one  jtbird  lathe  twenty- nine  years;  gnd  to  above 
fixteen  tknes  the  number  computed  in  1.670.  T.h^s  great  p/ogref-^ 
five  augmentation  of  property  and  wealth  h$td,  dpiubdefs,  a  cor- 
refpondent  effe<Sk  upon  the  trade  and  copxmerce  ^f  the  ^fland^  in- 
ternal and  external ;  and  conlequently  enlarge^,  to  9,  prpjdiig^Qiv  .(^* 
gree,  all  the  bufineis  of  every  public  ^ce^  whether  {c/l  piatteiss  of 
teansfer,  fale,  debtj  law,  recoxdsu  or  tr^de  apd  navigation,  fjrom 
1728  to  1764  (thirty-fix  years),  thp  export  9/ fygar  was  ipcro^ifed 
three-fourths ;  ^nd  .the  (hipping  proportionably.  Thus  we  m^y 
Qeafonabiy,  and  ujpon  the  ,moft  moderate  ^vfyr^ge,  fay,  ^at  pro* 
per^in  the  ifland  has  augmented,  ,fin<:^  171  ij  jn  ,^he  r/itio  of  at 
leaft  thrQC  to  one;  and  that  provifions  of  the  4flaQd  gcow&  have 
not,  on  an  average,  advanced  fo  much  as  piie  half  their  price  fince 
1693.  In  other  words,  the  bufinefs  of  the  pviblic  offices  has  in* 
creafed,  with  our  augmentation  of  trade  and  propc^rty,  to  three 
times  more,  and  th.e  Receflaries  .of  life  have  qot  I'ifen  to  more  thaa 
one h8^1f,  whatthey  were  when  the  fee-law p^flfed.  The  plea, t^cio- 
Xoie,  of  the  ofificers  VMft^  from  this  f%ir  ftate  of  ctbe  matter,  appear 
V0L.L  p  to 


,o6  JAMAICA. 

to  have  been  frivolous  and  untenable.  It  will  feem  not  lefs  fo,  if 
we  apply  thefe  calculations  to  the  year  1743  :  at  which  period,  the 
deputies,  according  to  their  own  teftimony,  began  firfl  to  deviate 
fronoi  the  law  confirmed  by  the  crown  only  twenty-eight  years  be- 
fore. But,  granting  their  plea  to  be  in  part  admiflibJe,  that  the: 
rates  of  all  neceflaries  had  greatly  increafed,  and  their  bufinefs  not 
grown  more  enlarged,  and  for  this  reafon  become  lefs  profitable,, 
(which,  I  think,  would  be  a  folecifm  in  political  arithmetic);  ftill 
this  diminution  of  profit  could  give  them  ajuft  pretence  for  only 
exalting  their  fees  in  a  proportionable  meafure,  or  about  one  third 
more.  We  (hall  now  examine,  how  fcrupuloufly  they  have  adhered 
even  to  this  proportion.     By  the  aft  of  17 11, 

The  collector's  fee,  for  entering  and  clearing  veffelsi^ 
.  trading  beyond  the  tropic  of  Cancer,  is  fixed  at  J  ^ 

The  coUeftor  therefore,  in  1764,  (hould  not  havei 

exceeded  three  times  that  fum,  or  — — J  ^ 

But,   by  the  examinations  taken  in  1764  by  thel 

houfe  of  aflembly,  it  appeared,  that,  in  the  laft-  j 

mentioned  year,  the  collcftor  had  demanded  and  | 

taken,    for  entry    and  clearance  of  a  North-  ^ 

American  veffel   (very   near   twenty  times    a?  i 

much  as  the  legal  fee),  no  lefs  than  — —  — — -y 
Thati  in  1737,  and  ^^^  fcveral  years  preceding,  and  \ 

to  the  year  1743,  the  naval  officer  demanded  i  ^ 

and  received  for  his  fee,  on  entering  and  clearing  j 

a  veffel  from  Great-Britaiti,  ■  ^ 

This  was  an  excefs  beyond  the  legal  fee;  but,  inV 

1 764,  it  was  found  to  have  been  increafed  to — J  ^  ^* 

The  rent  of  this  office  about  17371  and  for  feveral  fubfequent  years, 
paid  to  the  patentee,  was  200/.  flerling  per  annum.  The  fee,  there- 
fore, having  been  raifed,  from  1743  to  1764  (twenty-one  years),  to 
near  thrice  the  firft  rate,  induces  a  prefumption,  that  the  patentee 
had  gradually  raifed  his  rent  in  the  like  proportion  ;  and  that  his  cx- 
aftfon  on  his  deputies  from  time  to  time,  and  additions  made  upon 
every  new  appointment,  urged  the  deputy  (for  the  time  being)  to  en- 
large his  f(fcs«  III  1737  no  fee  was  paid  at  the  comptroller's  office. 
:      '  •  This 


3"^ 


BOOK     I     CHAP.     VIII.  107 

This  officer,  having  none  allowed  by  law,  received  an  annual  h* 
lary  of  200/.  in  lieu  thereof.  The  firft  fum  taken  at  this  office 
was  five  (hillings,  demanded  by  one  of  the  clerks,  by  way  of  a 
perquifite  to  himfelf :  this  was  afterwards  raifed  to  6s.  ^A  then  to 
1 1  J.  ioii/. ;  and  laftly  converted  into  an  eftabliftied  fee  of 
iL^s.()d.  All  or  moft  of  the  other  officers  had  committed  the 
like  excefles  as  I  have  already  related.  Their  general  plan  of  ope- 
ration was  uniform ;  and  the  origin  of  their  exadions  nearly  fimilar. 
His  majefty's  proclamation,  which  was  iflued  in  Jamaica  on  the 
29th  of  September,    1764,  is  in  thefe  words: 

«  Forafmuch  as  we  have  received  frequent  complaints,  that  feve- 
*<  ral  public  officers,  in  our  colonies  and  plantations  in  America, 
"  have  taken  and  received,  by  colour  of  their  feveral  offices,  fun- 
"  dry  exorbitant  fees  for  bufinefs  tranfaftcd  therein ;  and  whereas, 
*^  from  reprefentations  lately  made  to  us,  there  is  realbn  to  appre- 
«^  Hend,  that  fuch  unwarrantable  demands  and  exactions  (till  con- 
*'  tinue  in  fome  of  our  colonies^  particularly  on  the  furvey  and 
"  paffing  of  patents  for  land ;  we  have  the  jufteft  indignation  at 
"  fuch  ihameful  and  illegal  practices,  which  do  not  only  diflionour 
"  our  fervice,  but  alfo  operate  to  the  prejudice  of  the  public  intereft, 
"  by  obftrudling  the  fpeedy  fettlement  of  our  colonies :  in  order, 
"therefore,  to  teftify  our  utmoft  difpleafure  towards  fuch  unwar- 
"  rantable  and  diffionourable  praftices,  and,  as  far  as  in  us  lies^  to 
*<  prevent  the  continuance  thereof,  and  the  evil  confequences  arifing 
"  therefrom ;  we  have  thought  fit  to  iiTue  this  our  royal  proclama- 
"  tion,  utterly  prohibiting  and  forbidding  all  fuch  pradices  for  the 
**  future.  And  we  do  hereby  order,  command,  and  ftriftly  enjoin 
"  and  require,  all  public  officers  whatfoever,  in  this  our  ifland  of 
**  Jamaica,  that  they,  nor  any  of  them,  do  not  prefume  to  demand, 
**  or  receive,  from  any  of  our  loving  fubjefts,  or  any  other  perfbn 
'^  whatfoever,  ady  other  fees  for  public  bufinefs  tranfa£ted  in  their 
"  refpeftive  offices,  than  what  have  been  eilabliffied  by  proper  au- 
***thority,  on  pain  of  our  higheft  difpleafure.  And  it  is  our  royal 
*  will  and  pleafure,  that  every  officer,  who  (hall  demand,  or  re- 
"  ceive,  any  other  than  the  fees  hereby  allowed,  fhall  be  forthwith 
«*  removed  from  his  faid  office,  and  ihall  be  profecuted  by  our  at 

P  2  ^^  torney 


io8  JAMAICA. 

<<  torney  general  of  this  our  ifland,  for  fuch  his^aftion,  with  the  ut- 
«*  moft  feverity  of  the  law." 

We  have  feen,  that  the  patentees,  in  their  petition  to  the  kingi. 
affirmed  to  his  majefty,  **  that  this  proclamation  had  no  reference 
"  to  tlie  matter  in  queftion,"  i.e.  their  fees;  though  it  appears,  in 
the  plaineft  and  moft  exprefs  terms,  to  be  pointed  at  them ;  and„ 
with  refpeft  to  Jamaica,  could  have  no  probable  reference  to  an)r 
other.  It  is  true,  the  proclamation  notices  particularly  the  ex- 
aftions  on  «  furveys  and  patents  for  lands;''  but  it  clearly  applies, 
alfo  to  every  other  exaftion,  for  it  includes  "  all  public  officers. 
«•  whatfoever,"  and  "  all  public  bufinefs  tranfailed  at  their  re- 
«  fpeftive  offices.' *  It  upbraids  their  pradtices  in  the  ftrongeft  terms. 
of  cenfure,  calling  them  *«  unwarrantable^  (hameful,  illegal^ 
"  diflionourable  ;*•  and  threatens  them  with  his  majefty's  "high* 
«  eft  difpleafure,'*  «  removal  from  office,"  and  "  profccution  with 
"  the  utmoft  rigor  of  the  law,*'  if  they  (hould  prefume  to  demand 
or  receive  "  any  other  fees"  than  what  have  been  eftabliiheJ 
by  «  proper  authority."  Surely,  we  ought  to  fuppofe,  that  the 
I>roclamation  extends  its  meaning,  not  only  to  one  fet  of  public 
officers^  but  to  all  in  general,  without  exception.  To  draw  a  dif- 
fetent  conclufion,  is  to  charge  his  majefty  with  being  partial ;  as  fe- 
verely  punilhing  fome  few  officers,  and  conniving  at  all  the  reft, 
alfhodgh  guilty  of  the  fame  offences,  in  equal,  or/  may  be,  in  a 
greater  excefs  ?  which  would  be  an  aft  of  injuftice  highly  dilgrace- 
ftiltt)  majefty,  and,  indeed,  repugnant  to  every  principle  of  com- 
iftoft  equity,  h  cannot  be  wondered,  if  the  parties  in  Jamaica,, 
who  had  been  recently  aggrieved  by  fuch  oppreftions,  and  fought 
redrefe  by  law»  underftood  the  pNxlanwtion  to  be  of  a  general  .aa-^ 
wre,  and  to  allude  to  evfery  tranfgreffing  officer.  It  was  fizfc  con- 
ftfUed  by  the  governor,  by  tihe  houfe  of  reprefentativcs,  the  attorney 

gciieral,  and  the  judges  [w],  until  the  patenteeshad,by  thepowerof 

their 

[««;]  ^hepFOclartialicm  wfts  iffued  by  the  governor  the  29th  of  September,  i^f*^.  In  0%ber,, 
or  November,  tlte  ftCtorney<«gefieral  recoiveii  orders  from  fats  excellency  to  cominence  profecutioiw^ 
agunit  the  collector,  naval  officer,  and  depiuy-fecretary,  "  for  exactions  contrary  to  laiv/*  and  filedi 
informations  againfl  them  in  court  accordingly  on  the  30th  of  November.  On  the  28th  of  No- 
vember,  the  ailembly  had  fi«fflei  an  addrefs  of  thanks  to  hts  exceHencyy  **  for  the  ile|>s  he  ha4- 
^  vixtaAy  ts^n  towards  carrying  into  execution  his  majedy's  gracious  proclamation  ;"'  and  ex«- 
prelTed  their  confidence,  ^*  that  the  fame  would  eife£tuaily  be  put  in  execution^  by  forthwith  re*- 

**•  moving. 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.    Vm.  109 

thcdrinterdfty  fucceeded  fo  well,  as  to  obtain  the  order  of  his  ma- 
jeftj in  council  before-mentioned;  in  confequence  of  which,  fevc- 
ral  a£kton$,  that  had  been  inftituted,  were  flopped  by  noli  profequi ;. 
and  the  complainants  obliged  ta  fit  down  unredrefled;  but  with 
diis  further  agravation  of  hardflbip,  that  the/  had  been  entrapped,, 
by  the  terms  of  the  proclamation,  to  expend  from  two  to^  three  hun- 
dred pounds  each,  in  the  vain  hope  of  bringing  the  offenders  to^ 
juftice.  The  proclamation  had  reftridted  the  delinquents  to  fuch 
fees  alone,  ^*  aa  had  been  eftabliflied  on  proper  authority.'*  But 
they  had  no  authority  whatever,  except  their  own  will  and  plea- 
fure,  for  eftablifliing  their  exorbitancies ;  thefe  were  even  founded 
neither  on  ufage  nor  prefcription ;  for  I  have  (hewn,  that  they- 
had  not  exifted  above  twenty-one  years.  They  had  originally  arifen 
by  trifling  deviations  from  the  aft  of  1711;  fo  fmall  at  firrt,  per- 
haps, as  not  to  deferve  oppofition;  or  fo  modeftly  demanded,  a& 
not  to  provoke  it :  at  letngth,  they  grew  to  furpafs*  all  limits,  and 
were  neither  required,  nor  paid,  without  frequent  altercation  and 
dil{>ute.  Had  this  then  any  colour  in  it  of  legal  ufage?.  The  only 
pi?oper  authority,  ou  which  their  juH:  fees  could  be  eftahliihed,  vtras- 
foooe  known  law  ;  the  law  of  171 1»  which  regulated  and  declared 
their  fees,  was  this  proper  authority ;  there  exifted  no  other  I^w 
for  the  purpofe*  With  refpeft  then  to  Jamaica,  it  fellows,  that, 
by  the  very  terms  of  the  proclamation,  they  were  tied  down  to  de/^ 
mand  aad  take  ix>  other  fte^  than  what  that  law  allowed  them^  Is- 
h  Qol:  ibran^e^  the^efore^  that,  in  lefs  than  a  twelvemonth  following, 
this  p(^tive  injunction,  the  opinion  and  judgement  of  things  j[hould^ 
upon  an  interefled  mifreprefentation,  be  lb  totally  changed  and  per- 
verted, as  to  iuipend  the  effects  of  the  proclamation  s  to  concur 
with  the  parties  in  deeming  the  law  obfolete ;  and,  further^  even  to 
ratify  fuch  exadJiions^  intemperate  as  they  were  beyond  all  bounds* 

^  moving  fhim  their  offices,  and  dirediing  the  attomey^gBoeral  to  profettutt,  all  fuch  officers,  or' 
*^  their. deputies*  as  ihould  take  or  receive  other  than  their  legal  fe^!'    In- July,.  1765,  his  ex*- 
ceOeacy  infonned  the  attorney-general,  <*  that  he  mud  not  prooeed.  to  trial  of  the  informations- 
**  againft  the  public  officers,  as  a  copy  of  the  report  of  the  lords  of  trade  and  plantations^  to  the: 
**  lords  committee  of  the  privy-council;  was  come  to  his  hands-;  and^that  he  daily  expe6ied,.in  con- 
*^  iequence  theneof,  an  order  from  the  king  in  coimdl  tO'himii^l^  to  put  a  flop  to  the  profecutions." 
Not  long  after  this,  the  attorney-general  received  an  of&ial  letter  from  his  excellency,  com- 
manding him  ^Mo  enter  W//^-^/i(^««  on  all  the  informations ;   his  maje{ly*s  order  in  council  for 
*»  that  parpole  bang  then-  arriYed.** 

o5 


no  JAMAICA*         ; 

of  moderation,  and  grown  iiltolerably  grievous  and  detrimental 
both  to  the  planting  and  trading  intereft?  Itjs.no  lefs  afloniihing 
than  true,  that  they  found  means  to  bring  all  this  to  pafs;  and  we. 
cannot  but  lament,  that  fome  among  them  iecm  to  have  extended 
the  mifchief  ftill  further,  and  to  hav\e  beguiled  even  the  parliament 
hito  their  alliance. 

In  1765,  the  fame  year  in  which  the  kiog^s  order  in  council  was 
obtained,  we  find  an  a<^  of  parliament  pafled,  declaring,  *^  the  col- 
"  leftors,  and  other  officers  of  his  majefty's  9olonies  or  plantations 
"  in  America,  entitled  to  demand  and  receive  fuch  fees  as  they  and 
^*  their  predeceffors  were  entitled  to  demand  and  receive  on  or  before 
"  the  29th  of  September-,  1 764 :  provided  the  fees  fo  taken  arc  not 
^'  contrary  to  the  exprefs  direftion  of  any  adt  of  parliament  made 
♦*  in  Great* Britain.  And,  if  no  fees  have  been  received  by  any 
•*  comptroller  of  his  majefty's  cuftoms ;  or  if  the  comptroller's  fees, 
^*  received  before  the  faid  29th  of  September,  have  not  been  equal 
**  to  one  third  part  of  the  fees  received  by  the  coUedlor ;  it  fliall  be 
<«  lawful  for  the  comptroller  to  demand  and  receive,  for  his  fees,  a 
**  fum  equal  to  one  third  part  of  the  fees  received  as  aforefaid,  by 
^<  fuch  colledor,  for  the  like  bufinefs.  And  every  fuch  officer  ihall 
*•  be  entitled  to  the  fame  remedy,  for  recovery  of  fuch  fees  as  hcrc- 
^'  tofore  allowed  to  any  coUcdor,  comptroller,  or  other  officer  ;  any 
^*  law,  bye- law,  or  other  adl  of  aflcmbly,  made  in  the  faid  planta- 
^*  tions,  to  the  contrary  notwithftanding/*  The  penalty  inflided 
**  for  exa<aing  greater  fees**  is,  for  the  firft  offence,  '•  fifty  pounds,'* 
and,  for  the  feoond  offence,  "  removal  from  office.**  Here  are  the 
ftrongeft  marks  poffible  to  convince  us,  that  this  claufe  was  con- 
ceived and  nouriffied,  in  its  embryo  ftate,  by  fome  of  the  Jamaica 
patentees,  and  at  length  ufliered  forth  into  light  and  life  by  their 
fenatorial  accoucheurs.  1  before  obferved,  that  no  fees  bad  been  pro- 
vided by  law  for  the  comptroller ;  and  I  gave  a  ihort  narrative  of 
the  means  from  which  his  perquifites  originated.  I  likewife  in- 
formed the  reader,  that  his  majefty's  proclamation  iffued  on  the 
29th  of  September,  1764.  Is  it  not  evident,  then,  that  this  claufe 
was  meant  to  give  a  provifion  to  the  coniptroller,  which  he  had  not 
before  by  any  fecure  title  ?  and  to  confirm  that  officer,  and  his  bre- 
thren of  the  cuflom-houfe,   in  fafe  and  perfei^  future  enjoyment  of 

their 


BOOKL      CHAR     Vin.  in 

t&cir  rcfpcdive  fees,   at  the  very  rates   to  which  they  had   raifed^ 
them  by  exaction  before  the  29th  of  September,   when  the  procla- 
mation ifllied?  and  that  this  proclamatiou  was  to  be  under iiood  as 
the  line  of  boundary,  or  a  notice  to  them,  not  to  exadt  any  further 
for  thcprcfent,  but  remain  fatisfied  (as  they  might  well  be),  for  fome 
time,  with  the  then  enormous  advance  of  them  ;  and  this  too  with  a 
fion  o^ante  to  any  colony  law,  or  adl  of  affcmbly;    which- falvo 
feemed  purpofely  intended  as  a  home  thruH:  to  the  Jamaica  ad  of 
F71 1  ?     Our  plantation  merchants  may  well  inveigh  againft,  and  de- 
plore, the  exorbitancy  of  that  influence, »  which  has  obtained  a  con- 
firmation (I  fear  in  perpetuity)  of  thefe  exafilions,  and  thus  faftened 
a  mod  ponderous^  and    oppreflive  clog    upon   trade   and  (hipping,, 
which,  in  all  probability,,  may  never  be  taken  off  again. 

The.  fame  prevailing  fadion  found  means,  in    1770,  to  get  the 
foregoing  ftrengthfened  with  another  claufe.     The  naval  officer,   it : 
ieems,    had   not  been  exprefsly  included  in .  the .  former.     It  Was 
hik^Xy  fitting,  that?  this  gentleman  too  (hould  be  gratified.     It  is, . 
tlierefore,   enadlfecl,  (by  cL  ii.  cap.  37.  10  Geo.  IILJ  that  "  where- 
^^  as   diiputes  had  arifen,   in  fome  of  the  ports   of  America,  whe- 
*  *  ther  the  naval  officers  were  entitled  to  demand   and  receive  fuch 
^  •  fees  as  were  ufually  taken  by  them  andtiieir  predecefl'ors  before  the 
^<-29th  of  September,     1764^   every    coUevStor,   comptroller,   and 
other  officer  of  his   majefty's    cuftoms,  and  every  naval  officer 
in  the  faid  Britifli  colonies,  after  the   ift  day  of  Auguft,  1770, 
(hall  be  deemed  to  be  entitled  to,  and  (hall  and    may  lawfully 
demand  and  receive,  fuch  fees  as  they  and  their  predeceflbrs  refpec- 
tively  were  and  had  been  generally  and  ufually  accuftomed  to  de- 
mand, take,  and  receive  ^  before  the  faid  29th  of  September j  1764; . 
any  law,  bye-law,  or  other  aft  of  aflembly,  made  in  the  faid  plan- 
tations,  to  the  contrary  nottvithftanding.**     Thefe  claufes  make 
^  fpecious  offer  of  jufttce,  by  denouncing  a  penalty. of  50/.  on  of- 
fers exceeding  their  ufual  ftt^.     But  it  is,  indeed^  a  mere  offer,  and 
nothing  more  ;  (ince  neither  they  declare,  nor  does  any  perfon  ex- 
cept the  officers  tHemfelves  know,  what   fums  have  been  ufually 
^aketi ;  it'  having,  been  ufual  for  every  new  deputy  to  eiiablifh  new 
'ftcsj  which,  confequently,  muft  be  often  fluftuating,  by  means  of. 
^e'quick  and  numerous  fucceffion  of  officers. . 

From : 


112  J    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

From  the  year  1725  to  1765,  the  office  of  comptroUer  in*  Ja- 
maica was  executed  fucceffively  by  no   Jefs  than  ten  different  de- 
puties.    How,  then,  will  any  injured  man  be  encouraged  to  profc- 
cute  a  deputy  for  exaction,  fince  he  muil  bring  pofitive  evidence  (or 
be  nonfuit),  that  the  fee,  alledged  to  betaken,  is  greater  than  was 
ufually  taken  before  the   29th  of  September,  1764?     Or  how  i^ja 
court  of  juftice  to  decide  the  certain  ufagc^  in  a  matter  which  has 
been  fo  variable,  unfettled,  and  uncertain  ?     The  remedy,  I  confef^, 
appears  to  me  very  fimilar,  in  its  operatiou^  to  thoTe  quack  iiae- 
dicines,  which  prove  more  iio^uous  to  the  patient  than  the  diieafe 
itfelf.     Of  all  the  different  exa£lions  I  have  pointed  put,  th^re  are 
not  any  which  admit  of  lefs  palliation  than  tbofe  pradtifed  by  fhp 
officers  of  die  cuftoms ;  for  they  very  materially  affeft  the  trade 
and  navigat^n  of  Great- Britain*      It  is  remarked  by  fome  political 
writers,  and  upon  the  mafl  rational  groutids,  that  the  adviaot#gas 
gained  ofer  us  by  the  French  in  point  of  trade,  ^nd   by  which 
they  have  been  principally  enabled  tx>  wcHim  us  out  of  fbmc  very 
capital  branches,  are  chiefly  to  be  afcribed  to  tiieir  compiaratively 
low  port  charges :  and  it  is^  a  cotapkii^,  and  a  very  ferious  one, 
amor^g  the  Britifh  merchants  trading  to  Jamaica,  that,  by  reafom  of. 
•the  iiigh  port  charges  of  that  ifland,  they  ire  every  year  great  ioiers 
in  their  concern  with  ihipping ;  infomuch  that,    if  it  was  not  for 
the  neceffity    they    are  under    of  enxployiug    bottoms   to  bring 
home  that  produce,  which  is  to  pay  their  loans  and  balances,  they 
would  be  difcouraged  from  fending  any  veiielto  the  idand,  on  xnac 
ipeculation^  for  freight.     It  is  with  concern,  therefore^  we  £nd  the 
parliament,  without  purfuing  any  inquiry  or  examination  (as  far  as 
appears)  by   which  they  might  come  to  the  knowledge  of  fa^s, 
thus  precipitately  confenting  to  grant  a  loofe  and  general  xatifica^ 
lion  of  thoie  extortions  in  particular,  which  are  diiliug^iifhed  from 
the  reft  by  the  fuperior  mifchief  of  their  effects.     Perhaps,  nay  I 
am   well  ail'ured  that,  if  they  had  taken  pains  to  be  duly  informed 
of  the  truth,  they  would  have  oppofed  this  maneeuvre  with  the  ut*- 
moft  indignation*     How  far  our  public  officers  in  general  may  bav^ 
outftretched  their  fraternity  in  theothei:  colonies,  I  know  not.; /but 
I  have  reafbn  to  believe,  that,  in  the  offices  of  the  cuftom&9  th^esD- 
ceed  the  others  beyond  all  compariibn.    That  I  may  not  ie^m  to 
3  alledge 


6     i8     I 


B  O  O  K:    £      CHAP.     Vni.  frj 

alledge  this  from .  prejudice,   or  finifter  motives,  I  fhall  put  it  more 
tejoud  doubt  By  tbe  following  authentic  examples, 

Jamaica  currency. 
*     iCi     i.     </.      • 
Lkc,  1762,-T-Port  charges,  at  PhiUddphia>  on  the^  ' 

Polly,     Chriftppher     iWiiin   mailer,    inward  i 

from  LpadpHy.  with  b|[le.  goods. ;  outward,  for  | 

Jamaica,  with  provifions,  &:c.         —  J 

Jan*  1763,    Port   charges   at  Kingfton,  in     Ja-^ 

maica,  on  the  abov*  yeflel,   inward  from  Phi*  >  2J     13  ^i 

ladelphia,  outward  for  Europe,     J 

{765,   Port  charges  at  Kingfion,  in  Jamaica,  on^ 

the  brig  Favourite,  William  Shaftoe  maftar,  in-  I  3 1      4     9 
.  ward  from  Dublin,   outward  for  Penfacola,  — J 
1766,  Port  charges  at  Barbadoes^on  the  fuqw  Hap-^ 

py,  Jonathan   Harrifon    mafter,  inward   from  I  16       08 

Africa,  outward  for  Great  Britain,  J 

I  would  aik  any  difpaflionate  man,  if  it   be  poflible  for  trade  to 
flourUh  ujpdef.  fuch  unconicionabie  burthens.     Thb  ^tAzZingi  dif-^ 
ference  betwaen  the  port  charges  of  this  and  of  the  neighbouring 
colonies  muil  appear  unjuftifiablC;,  notwithdanding  any.  pr^teniion 
of  ufage ;   for  qo  other  caufe  can,  I  believe,  be.  aifigbed,  why  the 
charges  at  Jamaica. ought  to  beib  immoderately .  higher,  than  thofe- 
of  other  plantations .  in  the  Weft-Indies,  , or  North-America;  as 
little  reafon  can  be  given,  why  the  n^erchant  owners  and  traders, 
conneAed  with  that  ifland,   (hould   be  grievoufly  burthened  and. 
taxed,  to  raife  a  tribute  for  the  p^fentees  and  4ieir  jdeputids.     We 
remain  uninformed^  of  any  partipular  mtfriti  or  any  eminent  fcr- » 
vices  effefted  to  the^  nation,  fpr  which  thefe  gentlemen'  have  been  - 
honoured  with  fuch  djftingiiiChing  tokens  of  parliamentary   favour^ 
It  is  much  to  be  df  fired,  that  .parliament  would  re-confider  this  int-  f 
portant  nutter,  and  proceed,  not  upon  tl^  fuggeiftions  of  a  few  in-' 
tereftcd  men^  ^^^  ^^  th?  grieat   and  patriotic  xnaxitas  of  the  <:6tA^ ' 
nMrcial  in^ereft  of  the  kingdom  and  colonics;,  and,  after  a  due  ai>d  * 
fair  enquiry,  eftabliftife/fs.  for  the  port  officers  upon  an  eqiiaU  rea- • 
ibnableplan,  throitghoutjiU  theie  reniote  parts  of  the  Britifh  em-  ' 
pire.    It  myy.  wit^  truth  bO  affirmed, •  that  nothing  cnn' tend  ntore  to 

VqjuL  *  Q  hxmg 


ii^  ,  J    A    M    A.    I   C    A. 

bring  the  fppreme  wiixlpm  of  parliament^  into  contempt  among  thm- 
people  of  our  colonies^  aiid  to  cr^te  a  fpirit  of  difafiedioB,    and - 
even  hatred,  than  an  appearance  of  negleiSl  and  inattention  on  the: 
part  of  government  to  their  eflential  interefts ;   whilfl:>  at  the  faqie 
time^  there  is  m^mfefted  a  degree  of  zcat  in  rewarding  all  thofe 
who  petition  for  k^  with  a^ppwerof  committing  tyranny,  ravage,  and^ 
infuit,,  over  theii*,  pcrfqns  and  properti^^*' Their  pexWioners  and  pp» 
preilors  have  never  wanted  able  advocates  and  representatives.   A  go«^ 
Yernment,.blind  tp  their  rufferings,.  and  deaf  to  their  compkints,  may 
excite  them  to  de^fc^ '  refisnt,  or  oppoiie  it^  injufttee  i  hot  never  can^ 
conciliate  their  reverence  and-efteem^ 


G     tt     A.    '  K        I  Jt*- 

^^HE  keeping  a  perfon  in  Great  Britatn  lindfcr  the  title  of 
r  «^s^gcnt  for  the  ifland,'^  is- an  indication  of  the  little  knovyr- 
ledge  which  either  miniilers  or  parliament  former!]^  had  of  the  co- 
lony affairs  and .  interefts ;.  otherwife  there  could  have  been^  no  noz- 
ccffxty  that  the  qblonies  (houtd  maffttain  an  agents  at  a  yearly  ex« 
pence,  for.  the-purpofe  'Of  foliciting  the  parage  of  bi)^is«  eKplaining 
their  expei&ncys,  obviating  tb4  impofition' of  ruinous  diities  bn  their 
aettdes  of:  produce,  pomtipg  out  the  means  of  extending  and  im-^, 
p80\nng.  tfaofe.  acticlis^'  and  Tm  p#a^tig-remov^  of  grievances^  The 
colonics,  iband,^  by  experience,  tk'atv  in  order  to  be  fticcefsfaT  on 
thde^  occaiions,  it  tna^propeMo  make  friends  at  court ;  or  at  leaft 
appoiot  a  nefideot,  or  plenipo,  in  l^ondoo^  to  negociate  for  them ; 
tbcar  diilance  from  tha  mother  country  being  fo  remote,  that  their 
voice  became  unjooticed,  for  want,  of  fome  inftirumental  medium, 
wJ^iiChiy  Hkea  fpeaking  trumpet,  ;n»ightr€nd^  it  articu'latcto  btniife- 
rial  .ears.  The  Nortb-Ameti«aiie  and  Wfeft-Irrdtans  niajr  weft 
l^uigh  ^tMr*  Qfenville*8.ihidicroCiSi  idea  of  a  virtuaF  reprefcrvt^'tion 
in^t^  houie  o£  comnu>n&;  wbiie  they  fee  themfelves  tibmpelted, 
U|m  tbe  cQDKiPCrcd, provincials  ofc  ancient*  Rome,  -to  employ  depu- 
ties. 


BOOK    I,        CHAP.    k.  iVc 

tiei,  and  YAtt  of atbrs,  for  explaining  their  grievances,  foTfcitlng  an'il 
pleading  their  caufe  with  Caefar  arid  the  fenate.  The  Bntilh  c6n- 
fiitution  has  admitted  one  clafs  only  of  reprefentatives  j  wlib  are  per-  - 
fonally  deputed  and  appointed  by  their  conftituents,  Ly  a  formal  m- 
ftrament  ih  Vvriting^  to  a(fl  ^nd  vote  f6r  them  :  the  ingrediefits,  iit- 
cfeffary  to  niake  the  app6intrh,ent  legal,  arfe  fimiTar  to  thofe  wKich 
veft  a*  du6  ihd  general  power  of  attorney.  O'Qr  Colony  agents  arc  a 
ioH  of  repi'eferitarives,  but  (in  foriie  refp'^ds)  of  a  Idfs  pcrfc^  ap- 
pdititment.  Irt  Jamaica  they  are  coriftituted  by  ah  ad,  the  titfe  of 
^hich  ufuifly  has  been,  **  for  folidfing  the  paffing  of  laWs  and 
*'  othef  the  publit  affairs  of  the  ifland ;  and  impov^ering  certain  mena«  ' 
«  hers  of  flie  council  abd  ^ffembly, .  during  the  intervals  of  atfenibly, 
**  from  time  to  time,  as  occatibfTfliall  bcj  to  give  inftruiSjtidns  for  his 
«<  mariagfcf^'tnt.**  But  thi*  delegation,  to  a  perfon  vvho  is  n6  mem- 
ber of  the  Britifh  leglflafui'e;  does  by  no  means  corr6(jp>ond  ift  life 
or  efficacy  to  a  reprefehtativc  duly  chbfcn,  and  empowered  to  fit  and 
vote  in  the  hbufe  of  Commons:  he  <iaA  approach  nb  nearer  thaa 
totheirbsir,  atid  there  hiimbry  prefer  the"  fiiiV  of  hiS'  conftiluehts^ 
like  any  otfier  fupplicant :  hie  enjoys  not  the  right  or  power  of  de*^ 
liberating,'  or  debadhg'<!  In  Crdm\^eirs  parliament,  the  colonies  had 
fomewhat  ot  z  vfrfiial  repfelcritative ;  a  felefl  and  ftandirig  com- 
mittee bting  appbihted  for  the  fpteiial  piurpofes  of  reporting  their 
coriditiottv  iHdpropbbftding  means  for  their  better  improviement  arid 
fc^ufity.  Acrimmittec  of  this*  fort,  permaneriny  eftafcliftied  in  the 
hbiife  of  ,cbn(ifhbns,  wbiild  doiibtlefs  prove  of  very'  gi:cat  public 
utility,  borti  to'  Great  Britain  and  to  her  colonies;  more  particu- 
lairly  as  it  would  in  courfe  bring  that  houfe  acquainted  with  a  va- 
riety of  plkhtation  affairs,  of  which,  upon  every  queftion  relative 
to  th<fe' diftant  partis  of  the  empire,  they  feem  to  have  been  but 
little  infdrmed.  T  may  be  pertnitted  to. fay,  that,  as  we  have 
adopted  th(?  navigation  aft,  fo  we  might,  on  the  fame  principle 
^f  national  good,  embrace  any  other  branch  of  that  ufurper*s 
iyftem  \vhich  is  recommended  by  the  goodnefs  and  fitnefs  of^its  po"* 
VKj^  Before  a  regular  agent  wias  appointed  for  tlie  people  of  Ja-« 
maica,  fome  gentlemen  of  r^nk  and  fortune  in  England  voluntarily 
became  their  patrons  and  adv^ocates  on  one  or  two  occafions  of 
importance,  ^  and  rendered  them  emkient  ferv  ices ;  for  which  they 

Q  2  received 


lit  JAMAICA^ 

received  moft  grateful  acknowledgements   from   the  ifland.     The. 
inhabitants  afterwards  obtained  leave,  from  the  crown,  to   appoint 
one  or  more  agents,  for  foliciting  their  public  affairs   with  his  ma- 
jefty's  minifters  at  the  proper  boards.     The  crown,  by  an  inftnic- 
tion  to  the  governor,  fignificd  its  affent;  but  limited  the.   agent's 
falary,..or   allowance,  in  the  whole,  to  300/.  fterling  per, annum  i,^ 
which  limitation  ftill  fubfifts.     Several  inconveuiciices  have,  aufen. 
from  this  mode  of  appointment,  which  beii^  by  an  adl  of  aflembly, 
the  council  (as  a  branch  of  the  colony  legiflatttre).,coiifiderjed  them^ 
fclv^  to  be-parties  concerned ;  fince,  having  the. power  of  rejedlion,. 
they  might  put  their  negative  on  a  bill  of  th«.  aflembly  appointing 
any  perfon  difegreeable  to  them.     The  fuppofed  right  of  exercifing 
this  ^vf^r.  ad  libitum  naturally  led  themto  claim  the  further  right  of, 
a  joint  nomination  with  the  houfe  of  reprefentatives ;  and.  it  has. 
been  arrogated  oa  one  fide,  and  depied  on.  the  other,   with  equal, 
obftinacy..    It  has  happened  more,  than  once.,  that  the   houfe  have, 
propofedv  ^^<J  contended  for,,  onaperfc^i;  the  council,  for  anoither;. 
and,  unable  to-compromife  the.difpute^  at  length  apponited  no  one.^ 
to  the  agency.     At  other  times,  the  council    have  appointed  on^- 
agent ;  the  houfe^  another :  and,  not  unfrequently,   an.  agent,  has  - 
received  two  fets  of  inftru£tions  frpm  thefe  bodies,  of  contradiftory  * 
purport  and  tendency ;,  fo  that,   in  complying  with,  the   one,    he. 
muft  neceffarily  have  a£ted  inconfiftent  with  the  other,,  or  elfc  have 
maintained    an   inadive  neutrality   (difobliging  to  both  parties),, 
and  attended  to  the  orders  of  neither.     Thus,   in  the  CQuteft.  about  , 
removing  the  feat   of  government  from  St  Jago^de    la,  Vega  ta 
Kingfton,   the  agent  was  required  by  one  party  to   folicit  the  re- 
moval, and  by  the  other  to  oppofe  it.     In  another  difpute,  relative  . 
to.  the  grefenting  a  petition  to  his  majefty,   which  was  figned   only 
^y  the  commiflioners  of  the  houfcu  and  by  none  of  the   council ; 
the  agent  declined,tafolicit  it,   alledging  very  truly  that  it  was  in- 
competent, and  had  not  come  to  him  from  that   authority  w.hich 
by  the  agency  law  he  was  directed  .to  obey..     Upon  thefe  occafiou% 
the  council  laboured  under  the.  difficulty  of  not  being  able  to  furniflu 
a  falary  for  a  feparate  agent,,  without-  an  illegal  mifapplicatJon  of 
the  revenue  mo;icy :   but,  on  the.  other  hand^  they  polTefledfome. 
controul  over  the  haufib,   by  the  power  of  rejedioa,  wliich  enabled 

theia 


BO  O  K    L       C  H  A  ?•     IX.  117 

tliem  to<  fraftratc  an  appointment  of  the  houfe  by  law ;  and  the 
king*s  iuftrudion  gives  authority  to  appoint  a  public  agent  in  that 
way,   and  no  other.     The  houfe  have,  ncverthelefs,  the  right  of 
granting,  by  a  vote  of  credit,  a  falary  to  an  agent,  or  chargi  des 
affaires  \  and  therefore  retain,,  in  thofe  cafes  where  the  concurrence 
of  the  board  cannot  be  obtaii>ed  upon  eligible- terms,   a   means   of 
ftill  adhering  to  their  own  choice  of  a  perfon  tofolicit   for  them; 
but,   if  the  choice  fhould   be    very  exceptionable,   fuch  an  agent 
(it  is  probable)  would  not  eafily  find  accefs  to  theminifterial  offi-^ 
cers  at  home^  although  in  every  other  refpeft  he  might  be  fiee   to 
negotiate.    In-  extremity,  the:  houfe.  poflefs  a-  more  powerful   re-* 
fovcce,  in   their  right  of  tacking  their  appointment  of  an  agent  to 
a^principal  money>-bill ;  ^a  meaiure,   which  in  truth  is  irregular,   and 
&r  this  reafon  ought  not  to  be  applied,  except  in  great  emergencies,' 
and  when  every  other  juft  and  proper  methodHiaU  have  failed  of 
fuccefs,.and  of  anfwering-  the  good 'ends  propofed, .  The  council- 
and  afiembly  .(as   I  already  remarked^  have  had  various  dilientions^ 
upon  this  fufcjeft. .    Thcfe  were  aggravated  by  a  claufe   in  the- 
agency   la^v,  which  ntiade  it  abfolutely  necellary  for  one  of  the- 
Qouncil  to  be  prefent,  and  join  with  the  reft  of  the  commiflloners  of 
correfpondence  in  framing  orders  and  in(f  ructions  for  the  agent,  from^i 
time  to  time,'  during  the  intervals. of  aflembly.^.  It  was  unforefeen,^ , 
that,  inmatters  upon  which  the  ttro^  bodies  might  not  beunani-^' 
mous,    thew  cotnmi^ioners  ^^ppointed  -by  the  council-  would    al* 
ways  have  it  in  their  power  to  abfenrthemfelves  on  the-  day  fixed, 
for  a  meeting,   and  by^ this   ieceflion.preivent  the*  commiflioners  of 
thelioufe   (rom  framing;  or. tcaufmitting  any  effeftual  letter  of  in- 
ftruftions;;  and  that,   if  they  (houid  frame  and  fend  any,  theagenr: 
mult  find  himfelf  fo   embaprafled  as.  not  to  know  how  to  aft ;  ioxy^ 
appointed:  as  he  was  by  a   pofitive  Jaw,  requiring' hin>  to  obey   the*; 
inftrudions' of  certain  perfons   byname,  -or  a  quorum  of  any  five  of. 
them,  whereof  a  membeF' of  the  council  was  always  to  be  one,'  he 
colild  not  confiftently  foUow  i'uftruftions  tranfmitted  to  him    by  a  ^ 
q<lorum  conftituted  -  or  comp€)fed  in -a  manner  dltterent  from-  that* 
which- the  law  prefcribed.     In  order- to  provide   a  remedy  for-thefe 
ii%Go»veniences,     they  j^grced,    in    1767^  that «  tlve   commiflioners^ 
iwmadby  the  council  fliould -be Xev.en  in  number  ;  and  tluj  quorum*  < 
1  •  o£  4 


lai'S  ;j    A    M    A   1    C    A, 

.  of  all  ^be  coimnifliQtiers^  deputed  frmn  afiembly  and  council,  fhDKti 
he  five;  t3ttt  that,  in.cafcof  a  difFcrence of  opinion  between  the  two 
bodies^  wherein  each  of  them  fhould  happen  to  adhere  unaniniouily 
to  their   refpeftive  opinions,    the  xonamtflioners  from   each   body 
.fliould  be  empowered  to  z&  £:parately«     This  accommodation  rec- 
tified the  matter  in  forac  degree:;   but  ftilUit  k  evident^  tbat^   when- 
ever fbch  a  dfverfity  of  fentiment  {hall  ariie  as  cannot   be  fettled 
or  reconciled  by  the  parties  themfclves^  it  is  not  to  beexpcic^ed  that 
the  agent  will  perform  an  impoffibilityi  that  is,  obey  tWo  contrary 
iets  of  inftrafbions  at  the  fame  time.;  unlefs  we  fuppofe  him  to 
<copy  the  eocample  of  a  bamfter,  in  one  a£  onr  infant  colonies,  who^ 
cia  the  fcarcity  of  long^  cobes,  was  obliged  to  argue  on  both  (ides  of 
the  qutftioa:  f ^  Now^  gentlemen  of  irhe'^jwryi  I  am  counsel  for  the 
^«  plaintiff r*  ".Nom?^  geotlemeny  lam  coonfelfor  defendant/'     la 
liich  acriiifc  an  hon^d  agem  would,  do  welf  to  esibn  aU  that  might 
JieinhiS  power  towards  healing,  the  rupture ;  or,  finding  th^t  im'^ 
pra&tcable,  be  (hould  ftate  the  queftion  on  either  fide  before  the 
iuperior.trihunal  with  the  utmofi: candor  and  impartiality,  catefiiUy 
avoiding  to cthrow  his  ow<i;  opinion  iiilto  the  fcale;  or,,  if  he  ihould" 
.not   be  able  to  obferve  aft ri£l  neutrality,  he  ought  topurfii^  thofe 
vDieafures,  and  adopt  that  judgement  on  the  fubje6t,  wfaicb  appear 
.inoft  agreeable  to  the  gchend^ienfe,  and|iromifeto  be  moft  condu* 
^cive  to.  thcJntereft  and  peace  of  the  whole  ifland;     By  a  cooduft  of 
this  nature^  he  would  defervt  the  thanks  of  the  major  pai^t  of  the 
inhabitants*     A  diilindion  dioQid  be  taken,  in.  the  diiputes  hap* 
pening  between  the  two  bodies,  as  to  thoie  which  have  no  relation' 
to  the  freft  of  the  inhabitants,  which  may  properly  be  called  idle- 
wranglingi .  and  thofe  importaDt  queflions  which  materially  concern 
J:he  public  liberty^. property,  and  hap{une&«    A^faathful  agent  (hould 
never  lofe  fight' of  thisdiilinftion';  nor  forgict,  that   the  reprefenta«» 
tives  of  the  people  can  rarely  purfue  a  conteft  with  the  council  £» 
far  as  to  bring  it  before  his  majeAy»  or  the  parliament,  for  a  finai 
uiifcuilion,  except  it    comprehends  matters  of  the  utmoft  cdrffe- 
^quence  to  the  country ;  whereas  the  council^  wb^e  po^liticdi  ex« 
4ftence  is  differently  founds,  and  whofe  imagjinations    have    too 
often  been  inflated  with  a  fond  defire  of  alienating  themfelves,    both 
in  honours  and  intereft,  from  ihe  r^ft  of  4heir  countrymen^  may  he 

more 


ff4 


book:   l     citap.  ix:  a^ 

More  fiiat^lc  to  perfet^re  in  error.     For  fome  men  ther^  arvi   of  fo 
tbje^t:,  fa  puerile   a  ipirit,  that^  to  gain  a  painted  feather^   they 
would  readily  hazard  the  depf ivation  of  all  thofe  things  which  the 
wife  and  virtuous  value  higher  than  life  itfelfw     In  the  choice   of 
ag^nts>  the  pec^Ie  of  Jamaica  have  not  always  Been  the  moft  for**- 
tunate*     The  observations  I  have  read^  refpetfting  another  colony^ 
are  in  part  applicable  to  them*     ^  No  prudent  man  can  thin^k,   that 
^^  a  perfon  who  isnot  br^d  up  in  the   bufinefs,  and  has  no  intereft- 
*♦  in  rile  ifland^.  can  be  fit  for  the  office  of  agent;  nor  even  is  a- 
^^  merchant,   who  has  many  conimi^ions,  to 'be^  entrufted  with  ir^'. 

Forth^e  is  no  kind  of  affairs^  that  makes  a  man  fo   bufy^  and. 

keeps  him  in  fuch  continual  hurry ^  as  fadlor^e.     It  is,   doubt-' 
*^lefs, .  proper  the  agent  (hould  have  full  leifure  to  carry   on  his^ 
**  agency,-  be  a  man  of  fenfe  and  honour^  and  one  who  needs  not 
^*'-a  borrowed  pen  to  &t  forth  grievances,  and  petition  for  redrefs.- 
'^How  is  it  poffibleany  man  (hould  be  able  to  ferve  the  ifland  as  be. 
•^eughtito  do,,  who is^not  fully  apprised  of  her  concerns,  v^o  does  * 
^^'AOt  perfeiSlly  underfiand  her  trae  intereft,  and  has  othe»>  avocations 
•^of  raoreim^^tanee  (to  him  at  leaft)  thatt  his  agency?"    ThiS'- 
opmten,  however,  muib  be  under Aood  with  fome  rcfervc:  for  al*- 
though'there*  may- be  ieverat  perfons  in  trade,-  whofe  attention  i&  fo  * 
eotirdy^'  and  neeeflkrily  devoted  to  their  ^  mo-can  tile  bufinefs,  that< 
they   can  fpare  no  tifne  for  otc^ations  of  a  different   nature;  y«t 
there  are  othersv  who  iland  at^  the  head,  of  capital  t  boufes,    and 
havo  fuffidbnf  leifiire.     Ii^  £^f  a  merchant  of  good  \  experieitlce  iS'  * 
the  better  qualified  by  his  rtiercanti^le  knowkdge.for  the  bufinefs  of 
agemry.:  *  no  o^  €a»^uickerdiftern  the  bad  efte£ts  wiiich  any  bill 
dape^idiftg  befdPQ  paciiament  (11^7  have  upon  tlieinte^efts  of  the  co^ 
kciyhe  rcfvefonts  $  oi^-eaiji^  wrth  more  propriety  and  w^ht  appc^ar-* 
to  OKpltaji^  thoie   e^d$'»  and'  poiM  oisc   an}9  other  oppreition)  to  ' 
wkidv  the  produce  or  commerce*  of  the  colony  may  become  fub^^ 
jeft«d  by  a«  ittiwufiderate  meafureof  the  legiflature^  or^of  the  nri*^- 
nilhen.     T%«   adtoiflion  of  twelve^^  pri«cipal  merchants  ioto     tUie 
Fiftn€li<;ou«c4^of  coi»ffleris;e  has^aUva^ys^be^^^  as  a  maftec- 

ilrafc^ o$  poKcy>;/.  and^the'fiirpriwjig  iiicTeafe  of  Frepch  trade,  i  (hip-- 
pinjgi^.  and  celoiHes>,  has-veryjuftly  been  dated  from  the firftere<5^ioh* 
of-ttMt^  oottiioilv .  The  kmn:^^  of  a- colony^  dep€i>ds  ie-  materklly/ 


iw  rj    A    M    A    I/C    A. 

i>n  its  produ&s  ind  commerce,  riiat  no  mati  who  is  ignorafit  Of  tl^qft 
ean  be  a  :  proper  agent.      He  who  teft  underftgnds  them    will  ba 
ftioft  Ccipable  of  ferving  his  confl-it^cnts;  and  fthey  are  mod  likely 
to  be  well  acquainted  with  thefe  pqints,  whofe  profeffion  naturally 
leads  to  the  knowl^ge  of  them. .   The  qualifications  in  general, 
which  feem  neceffary  to  make  an  accQrrtpliihed  agent,  ^r-c  fuch  as 
do  not  fall  to  every  man's  ihare,    -  He  ^ught  to  beu  man  of   re- 
i€pe£lable  ehara^er,  of  polite  and  engaging -addrefs;   tlie   duties  of 
lUs  office  freiquently  obliging  him  to  attend  th^*  levees  of  the   greats 
and  at  the  council  board:  he  ought  to.poffefs  a  fiacility  of  fpeaking, 
as  well  as  writing  in^  corre^  and  nervous  ftyle:  he  £hould  enjoy 
a. retentive  memory,  in  order  to  recollect  and  methodize  the  com- 
.pjicated  mattersentrufied  to  his-negociation ;  and,  joined  to  thefe, 
fuch  prefence  of  mind,  and  ^confidenGc  of  deportment^  as  might 
enable  him  to   be  reddy   in  reply  to  fudden  obje6lions  or  interro- 
gatiousy  and   not  -liable  tQ  be  difbompofed,.  confounded,  or    awed 
into  a  fiaflardly   filence.     With   all  thefe  requifites,    he   ihoiild, 
moreover,  poflefs  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  ftate  of  thp  co^ny  • 
he  reprefents;  of  the  laws  and  cufton^  by    which  it  is  governed; 
its  judicatures  civil  and   military;  its  revenue  and  taxes;  produce 
and  manufadures ;   articles  of.  import  and  export:  its  population, 
and  quantity  of  waile  and  cultivated  lands;   the  uature  of  its. trade  . 
and  navigation  ;  their  relation  to  the  emoluments  of  the  mother  * 
country,  and  the  means  by  which  they  may  he  extended  ai^d.  ini-_ 
proved;  the  general  fy{le.m  of  its  policy  internal  and  eHternaj[.s  (he 
\llate  of  its  circulating  coin,  and  credit;   and  any   other  <:ircum7 
ilances  which  may  lead  to  difcover  wherein  it  is  <^prefle<l  and 
aggrieved,  or  that  have  a  tendency  to  fupport  its  dependence  upon 
Great  Britain,  to  relieve  or  encourage  its  planting  and  commercial 
interefls,  to  render  it  opulent  and  fliourifhing,  and  the  ^people  iu- 
duftrious  and  happy.     Few,   perhaps,  will  take  pains   to  acqtiir^ 
this  comprehepfiye  flock  of  knowledge ;  but  it  is  depionftrably  true, 
that  an  agent  will   be   vigilant,   adive,   and  really  ferviceable,  in  : 
proportion  only  to  the  degree  he  has  attained  of  fuch  knowledge.  It 
-is  certainly  in  the  power  of  a  man,  blefl;  with  tolerable  genius,  to  pro-  : 
curematerial  information  in  mofl  of  thefe  particulars,  by  reading,  in*j 
<iuiry,  and  obfervation*     As  the  agent  may  correfpond  with  the  com- 
mander 


BOOK    L      C  H  A  P.    IX.  i>i 

mander  in  chiefs  and  the  moft  intelligent  gentlemen  Kdfident  in  the 
colony,  he  can  obtain  from  them,  as  well  as  from  others  whp  may 
from  time  to  time  come  to  refide  in  Great  Britain,  a  very  exten- 
five  and  fatisfa£tory  account  of  mod  things  relative  to  it.  In 
matters  of  home  trade,  as  well  as  the  ifland  imports,  he  has  to 
confult  the  whole  body  of  merchants  concerned  therein,  and  the 
cuftom-houie  books.  Information  on  feveral  political  points  may 
be  drawn  from  the  journals  of  council,  the  minutes  of  aflembly, 
and  their  printed  and  manufcript  laws.  It  is,  doubtlefs,  of  con- 
fiderable  advantage  to  an  agent,  if  he  has  been  upon  the  fpot,  holds 
a  property  there,  and  has  drawn  a  feries  of  knowledge  from  fa<Sls 
and  matters  within  his  own  obfervation  and  perfonal  experience^ 
In  the  choice,  therefore,  of  an  agent,  fome  have  thought  it  would 
be  moft  advifeable  to  confide  the  folicitation  of  public  affairs  to  a 
gentleman  of  the  colony,  of  independent  fortune,  and  goodability^ 
who,  holding  a  ftake  in  the  country  jointly  with  themfelvcs,  is 
not  likely  to  betray,  negled,  or  overlook,  their  true  interoft* 
But  men  in  this  clafs  are,  for  the  moft  part,  either  too  indolent,  or 
too  much  abforbed  in  other  purfuitd  and  avocations,  to  undertake 
a  duty  which  would  demand  {o  conftaot  and  laborious  a  facri6ce 
of  their  time.  Some  of  the  northern  colonies  adopted  this  rule ;  and 
have  the  comfort  to  find  their  affairs  beft  managed  ia  the  bands 
of  their  countrymen,  whp  are  more  numerous,  and  lefs  opurlent^ 
than  the  Weft-India  planters.  Not  only  the  re^fon  I  befd^re  gartt 
of  their  holding  a  common  intereft  together  is  one  ^principal  ground 
of  argument  in  favour  of  a  countryman  (mankind  in  general  beit\§ 
fuppofed  to. have  a  partiality  towards  the  place  where  their  intereft 
is  (baked) ;  but.it  is  further  to  be  coniidaredt  that  ^ch  a  perfon,  hav^ 
ing  the  intimate  friendihip  and  confidence  of  many  in  the  colony  * 
with  whom  he  correfponds,  and  who  freely  communicate  their  fe« 
cret  thoughts  on  public  affairs,  may  be  more  juftiy  and  extenftvely 
apprized  on  all  material  occaiions;  his  chara£):er  too  ft:ands  pledged^ 
to  his  friends  and  country ;  a  circumftance  of  fo  much  power  over 
the  minds  of  men  of  integrity  and  honour,  as  to  ftimulate  them 
perpetually  to  merit,  by  an  affiduous  and  prudent  condud,  the  pub- 
lic efleem  and  applaufe.  Next  to  fuch  a  peribn,  is  a  merchant  of 
thara£ter  and  ability,  who,  by  a  long  intercourfe  with  the  people  of 
Vol.  i.  R  the 


laa  JAMAICA. 

the  colony,  has  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  their  afFairs. 
In  examining  the  behaviour  of  our  former  agents,  we  ihall  perceive, 
that  fome  have  been  fcandaloufly  fupple  and  quality •ftruck ;  others, 
mean  and  rapacious,  and  fond  of  foliciting  by  the  mouths  of  hired 
advocates ;  others,over-cautious  of  giving  "his  Lordfliip*'  the  fmalleft 
offence ;  of  fuch  timid  fouls,  as  to  be  afraid  to  utter  truth,  think- 
ing it  poffibly  more  difguftful  to  minifters  than  treafon  or  blaf- 
phemy :  by  confequence,  averle  to  fupport  petitions  or  remon* 
ftrances  agaiuft  evil  government ;  eafily  awed  by  a  frown,  or  duped 
by  a  fmile;  bunglingly  performing  the  lefs  (ignificant  parts  of 
their  d\ity,  leaving  thofe  of  weight  and  importance  unaccomplifhed ; 
and  never  flriking  out  any  thing  new,  from  a  well-timed  refult  of 
their  own  devotion  to  the  good  of  theirconftituents.  It  is  true,  thepre- 
fent  agent  is  a  gentleman  very  refpedtable  for  his  good  fenfe,  and 
affedtion  for  the  ifland.  In  the  latter  (proved  by  many  important 
fcrvices),  he  far  tranfcends  his  predeceflbrs  in  office;  for  none  of 
thein  have  ever  ihewn  fo  difinterefted  a  condu^):,  fuch  vigilance  to 
the  welfare  of  the  colony  reprefented,  or  fo  intelligent  and  perfect  a 
compreheniion  of  its  elTential  interefts:  no  one,  infhort,  can  have 
a  jufter  claim  to  the  thanks  and  confidence  of  the  people  in  Jamaica, 
or  has  laboured  more  to  deferve  them.  But  the  people  of  this  ifland 
are  not  fore  of  having  always  fo  indefatigable  and  ufefiil  a  reprefenta- 
tive;  and  it  is  therefore  to  be  wiflied  that,  in  the  election  of  his^ 
focceflbrs,  they  may  throw  a(ide  all  partial  and  private  confidera- 
tions,  and  fufier  their  judgement  to  move  under  that  firft  and  grear 
principle,  the  public  good. 

This  fhould  be  no  lefs  the  motive  for  beftowing,  than  accepting^ 
the  office ;  for  whenever  it  ihall  be  granted  as  a  iinecure  or  penlion, 
xemiflhefs,  negligence,  and  utter  inattention  to  their  concerns,  wil)^ 
moft  certainly  follow ;  and  the  ill  execution  of  the  office  muflf 
correfpond  with  fo  improvident  a  choice. 


CHAP. 


B  O  O  K     I.     C  HA  p.    K.  123 


CHAP.       X. 

Militia. 

SECT.     L 

I  CO  ME  next  in  order,  conformably  to  the  plan  T have  laid 
down,  to  fpeak  of  our  militia.  This  body  is  compofed  of  hdrie 
and  foot,  and  comprehends  all  perfons  from  fifteen  to  fixty  years  of 
age.  A  penalty  of  forty  (hillings  for  each  offence  is  impoled  on 
thofe  who  continue  fix  weeks  in  the  ifland  unenlifted ;  none  are 
exempted  from  lerving  as  privates,  except  the  members  of  the 
council  and  chief-juflice  for  the  time  being,  or  fuch  as  have  at  any 
time  afted  in  thofe  ftations,  or  fuch  as  bear  or  have  borne  military 
command.  The  militia  of  this  ifland  were  formerly  not  inferior 
to  regular  troops.  The  repulfe  they  gave  to  the  French  invaders 
under  Moniieur  du  CafTe,  in  1694,  was  a  fufficient  proof  of  their 
bravery.  The  feverity  of  the  militia  law  of  1681,  and  the  ar- 
ticles of  war  which  were  frequently  put  in  ufe,  contributed  much 
to  their  training  and  good  difcipline.  It  has  been  obferved,  that 
our  modern  militia  are  very  dififimilar  from  their  predeceflbrs. 
This,  if  truly  the  cafe,  may  be  afcribed,  firft,  to  the  introduftion 
of  regular  troops  upon  our  eftablifhment ;  which  may  be  fuppofed 
to  have  relaxed  the  militia  difcipline,  in  confequence  of  our  depend- 
ing almoflfblelyupon  the  proteftion  of  thefe  regiments:  fecondly, 
to  the  abfence  of  many  gentlemen  of  fortune,  who  choofe  to  re- 
fide  in  Great  Britain,  and  whofe  perfonal  influence  might  tend 
much  to  revive  and  fupport  a  martial  fpirit  among  the  inhabitants  : 
thirdly,  to  the  want  of  better  inflitutions,  and  a  more  general  ha^' 
bitudein  arms:  and  laftly,  to  the  indifcreet  commiffioning  of  un- 
qualified and  mean  perfons  to  be  officers;  which  I  have  before  re- 
marked as  a  very  detrimental  abufe  of  the  prerogative.  The  fmaller 
iflands  are  in  general  moft:  open  to  attack,  and  mod  eafily  redu- 
cible by  a  foreign  power  which  has  becon^e  mafter  of  the  fea  coaft. 

R  2  Yet 


rz4i  J    A    M    A    I    C    A.  : 

Yet  there  are  fome  examples  of  iflands,  which  have  contained  fuch 
a  multitude  of  inlets,  and  whofe  internal  diftrids  were  fo  well   co- 
vered with  mountainous  faftnefles,  and  other  unaffailable  bulwarks 
of  nature,  that  the  inhabitants,  after  being  driven  from  the  borders, 
have    found  opportunities  of  fupplyingthemfelves  with   plenty  of 
ammunition,   and    of  maintaining  the  heart  of  the  country  for  a 
long  time,  even  perhaps  until  the  invaders,  wearied  out    with   am- 
bufcades  and  furprifes,  have  been  glad  to  retreat  from  a  place  which 
they  failed  of  bringing  under  total  fubje£lion.     The  ifland  of  Cor- 
fica  furnHhes  an  inftance  of  this  kind  ;   where  the  amazing  efforts 
of  an  handfull  of  brave  men,  cooped  up  within   a  rocky,   moun- 
tainous  diftrid,  have  (hewn  how  much  is  in  the  power  of  a  bold 
and  hardy  militia  to  cSq&j  in  fuch  advantageous  pods,  agaiufl  the 
}3iblefl  officers  and  beft-difciplined  fbldiers.     The  ancient   Caledonia- 
ns, and  the  Welfh,    fecured    their  liberty  by   the  like  means.. 
Our  ifland  of  Jamaica  poiTeiles  iimilar  advantages  of  iituation  in  an 
eminent  degree.     It  would  be   impracticable  perhaps  for  a  fleet  of 
ihips  fo  to  blockade  it,   as  to  prevent  fupplies  of  arms  and  ammu«^ 
nition  from  being  fecretly  conveyed   into  it,  in  fmall  veflels,  by 
feme  one  or  other  of  its  numerous  inlets.     The  midland  parts  are. 
wonderfully  fertile,  and  capable  of  fupplying  immenfe  quantities 
of  provifion;    and,  at  the  fame   time,  fo  defenfiblc,  by  acclivities^, 
woods,  and  difficult  pafles,  that  an  army  of  the  beft  regular  troops. 
would  not  find  it  an  eafy  talk  to  diflodge  a  very  fmall  band  of  well-, 
provided  and  intrepid  opponents.     We  have   fome  proof  of  this,, 
from  the  tedious  and  expenfive   war,   carried  on  for  many  years, 
with  a  contemptible  gang  of  Negroes,  called  '*  the  wild  Negroes;'* 
who  kept  pofleffion  of  the fe  recelTes,  and  held  out  againfl  forty  times  their 
number,  though  unfupported  duringthetimewithanyfreflifupply  o£ 
^rms  orammunition,  except  what  were  foldtothem  bythe  Jews^  and. 
at  length  were  able  to  put  an  end  to  the  ftruggle  by  a  treaty  of  peace,- 
the  more  honourable  to  them,  as  it  confirmed  the  full   enjoyment. 
of  that  freedom   for  which. they  had  fo  long  and  obflinately  con- 
tended.    Our   ifland  being  thus  flrongly  fortified  by  the  hands  of 
nature,  we  fliould  refled,  how  important  it  is  to.  us. to  avail  our* 
felves  of  this  advantageous  fituation,  and  exert  fuch   precautions,, 
in  the  difcipliadtion  a»d  good  order  of  the  militia,  that  if,  at   any: 

.     .  future. 


B  a  OK    I.   .C  H  AP.    X,  r25r 

future  time,  the  regular  troops  (hpuld  be  withdrawn  froin  Os  upon 
other  indifpenfable  fervice,  or  oar  coafl:  be  unprotefted  by  a  fuffi- 
dent  fquadron,  the  inhabitants  alight,  uotwithftandiug  a  foreign 
invafion,  find  means  to  keep  their  ground  in  the  central  dillri^ 
of  the  iiland  for  a  loi>g  time,  until  either  the  enemy  (hould  retire 
through  a  defpair  of  conq,ueft,  or  a  fuperior  armament  be  difpatched 
from  Great  Britain  to  their  relief..  Neither  property  can  be  eli* 
gible,  nor  credit  permanently  fixed,  in  a  country,,  whicli,  by  its 
©pen  and  defencelefs  ftate,  may  fall  an  eafy  prey  to  every  petty  in- 
vader. Bat  they  will  always  be  refpeftable  in  an  ifland,  whoie 
natural  muniments  are  almofl  impregirable;  whofe  prodM<^lons  for 
fubfiflence  may  with  moderate  care  become  inexhauftible,  and 
whofe  defenders  are  pradlifed  in  arms,  brave,  and  aftive..  So  vari* 
ous  are  our  refources  in  Jamaica,  that  I  perfuade  rayfelf  eafily  to 
thinky  that,  with  proper  management  in  the  application  of  them, 
not  all  the  united  force  of  France  and  Spain  in  thefafeas  can  ever 
seduce  this  ifland  to  their  dominion^ 

But,   towards  preparing  ourfelves  for  an  effciftive  oppofition;  the^ 
firft   ftep   ncccflary   is^  to   put  our  militia  under  very  different   re- 
gulations from  what  now  prevail.     It  is  difficult  to  afcertain  the 
number  of  fighting  men  in  our  ifland  ;  becaufe  many  procure  thchi- 
fclves  to  be  fupcrfcded,  and,  being  afterwards  not  obliged  to  accept 
a  rank  inferior  to  what  they  before  held,  they  become  exempted 
from  fervice,  and  arc  what  are  called  refhrmadoes'.     They  are  a  nu- 
merous tribe ;:  and  mayjuftly  be  reputed  the  drones  of  our  hive*. 
Others  there  are,  who  obtain  fome  merely  nominal  office,  as  a  pre*» 
text  for  evading  military  duty.     I  may  join  to  thefe  the  gunners  and: 
matrofles  of  Port  Royal,  who  refign  their  pay  to  the  commander  of 
the  fort,  that  they  may  remain  excufed  from  fervice..    It  muft  be 
faid,  to  the  honour  of  Kingfton,  that  the  merchants  of  that  town 
have  always  fet  an  example  of  alacrity  and  difcipline  to  the  reft  of 
ouriflands:   in  the  uniformity  of  drefs,, goodnefs  of  accoutrements,, 
expertnefs  of  manoeuvres  and  evolutions,  they  excel  all  the  other  of^ 
our  provincial  troops  that  I  have  fcen.     At  the  breaking  out  of  the- 
war  before  laft,   upwards  of  twelve  hundred  able  men  appeared  on 
the  parade  in  that  town,  under  armsand  well  accoutred,  in  Icfs  than 
an  hour's  time,  only  from  the  accidental  firing  of  a  beacon>  which 
2  ^  was  • 


ia6  JAMAICA. 

ms  defigned  m  a  fignal  upon  the  approach  of  an  enemy :  and,  du« 
ring  the  laft  war,  they  were  able  to  muftcr  feveral  hundreds  more. 
In  general,  throughout  the  ifland,  the  horfe  or  troopers  make  the 
beft  appearance ;  and  might  be  of  great  ufe  in  harrading  an  enemy 
St  landing,  or  in  making  forced  marches  when  difpatch  is  necelTary, 
and  an  attack  made  at  any  confiderable  diftance  from  the  head-quar* 
ters  :  but  fo  little  regard  is  paid  to  the  training  of  their  horfes,  that 
very  few  are  broke  to  fland  fire ;  fo  that,  when  a  public  review  is 
exhibited,  it  is  not  unufual  to  fee  a  whole  fquadron,  at  the  very  firft 
volley,  thrown  into  difordcr,  the  ranks  broken,  fome  galloping  off 
the  field,  others  laid.proftrate;  and  hats,  perriwigs,  and  arms,  (battered 
through  the  air.  fiut  even  this  fped:acle  is  not  fo  laughable  as  the 
appearance  of  the  foot  in  fome  parts  of  the  ifland.  They  are  feen 
accoutred  with  fire-arms  of  unequal  fize,  fome  being  of  four  and 
others  two  feet  length  in  the  barrel ;  mufquets,  mufquetoons,  and 
fowling-pieces,  many  of  which  are  half  eaten  with  ruft ;  the  men 
junequally  matched  and  ranged,  men  of  four  feet  height  and  of  fix 
being  jumbled  together,  clad  in  different-coloured  cloaths,  fome  in 
jackets  and  trowfcrs,  fome  in  night-caps,  others  with  tye-wigs ;  and 
altogether  forming  fo  truly  ridiculous  a  grodp,  as  to  excite  the 
tnirth  of  ^ven  Negroe  fpedlators.  For  this  rcafon,  it  feems  rather 
impolitic  to  draw  them  into  view  on  the  king's  birth-day,  or  other 
rejoicing-day,  at  which  time  a  clofe  compadl  volley,  or  feu  de  jcye^ 
is  to  be  made.  Their  firing  upon  thefe  occafions  refcmbles  much 
more  the  bouncing  and  popping  of  fquibs  and  crackers,  than  the 
regular  and  full  difcharge  of  trained  bands.  Of  fifty  pieces,  not 
more  perhaps  than  twenty  are  found  to  go  off.  This  may  ferve  to 
raife  a  laugh  in  the  field ;  but,  when  it  is  confidered  that,  in  a  time 
of  real  danger,  fuch  men  are  not  to  be  relied  on,  that  their  efforts 
could  produce  no  folid  refinance,  and  a  want  of  good  difcipline  has 
rendered  them  diffident  of  their  powers,  and  liable  to  panics,  and 
therefore  that  little,  if  any,  dependence  can  be  placed  on  them  in  the 
Jay  of  battle  5  it  fcems  defcrving  a  fcrious  attention,  that  they 
Should  be  brought  into  better  order,  and  put  on  a  refpedable  foot- 
ing. To  this  end,  I  (hall  humbly  beg  leave  to  recommend  fome 
few  hints,  leaving  their  propriety  to  the  unprejudiced  judgement  of 
many  gentlemen  in  the  ifland,  who  may  pofiibly  underftand  mili- 
tary 


BOOK!       C  H  A  P.    X.  izj 

ttiry  affairs  much  better  than  my  little  experience  has  enabled  me 
to  do« 

Our  elder  brothers  of  the  Whidward  iflands  have  ever  been  fa* 
mous  for  the  excellence  of  their  militia,     I  will  venture  my  opinion, 
that  this  is  more  to  be  afcribed  to  good  laws  implicitly  obeyed,  than 
to  any  other  caufe.    The  militia  law  of  Antigua  has  this  preamble ; 
♦*  Since  we  are  obliged,  by  all  the  reafons  of  honour  and  intereft,  to 
**  put  ourfelves  in  the  beft  pofture  of  defence  of  which  we  are  ca- 
*^  pable  ;  and  fince  nothing  (next  under  the  good  providence  of  God) 
**  can.  foe&dtually  contribute  to  our  prefer  vat  ion,  as- a  fevere,  re- 
^gular,  and  conftant  difcipline,   from  which  no  perfon,    of  any 
••  rank  or  eftate  foever,  ought  to  be  exempted ;  it  being  contrary  to 
^  the  principles  of  natural  equity,  and  therefore  as  unreafbn able  ta 
*<  exad,  as  abfurd  to  hope,  that  men  of  low  fortunes  (ball  chear- 
^  fully  fubmit  to  fatigues  and  hazards,  while  thofe    who  are  more 
^  deeply  interefted  in  the  public   welfare    refufe  to    undergo  the 
^  fame,''  &c,.    A  law,     founded    upon  principles  fb  j^ft  and  ho- 
nourable, needs  no  encomium.     What  can  be  more  unreafbnable^ 
than   to  exped  fortitude  and.  acflLvity  from  men»  who  are  but  little 
interefted  in  the  event    of  affairs!   or  where  is  our  prudence^  ia. 
rcfting  the  protedion  of  our  lives  and  properties  with  thofe  who 
Bave  no  property  of  their  own  to  defend^  but  have  a.  life  to  lofe  L 
Where  they  can  gain  nothing,  but  where  their  all>  their  life,  may, 
beloft>.we  are  not  to  expedt  they  will  freely  hazard  the  lofs  of  it,, 
if  by.  any  means  the  rifque  can  be  avoided.    Nor  (hould  we    hopp: 
that  thefe  men   will  fight  our  battles>  whilft  we,,  like  Homer's, 
deities,  are  lolling  at  our  eafe,  the  liftlefs  fpedtators  of  their  confUA*. 
Self-prefervation  operates  as  powerfully  upon  them  as  upon  us,  ex-»- 
cept  fome  other  principle  is:  touched,  which,  by  its  fuperior  ai^i-t- 
vity,  may  fufpend,  or  by  its  nature  or  eiFeds  be  convertible  into  a> 
motive  fb  fimilar  in  appearance  as  to  be  miflaken  for  it.    The  love, 
of  gain  will  often  outweigh  the  love  of  life  ;   and  nothing  is  more 
common  than  to  fee  men  voluntarily  fettiog  a  p^-iceupon  their  lives^. 
and  expofing  their  perfons  to  utmofl  danger,  for  a  very  trifling  pit-^ 
tance.     I  am  induced,  therefore,,  to  confider  it  as,  a  great  defe<S  in 
our  politics,  that  we  have  never  put  our  militia :forces, ,  actually  em«»- 
ployed  on  fervice  during  martial  law,  on  the  fame  pay  as  is  givea 

to 


128  JAMAICA. 

to  the  regular  troops.     I  fpeak  only  with  regard  to  the  private  men 
in  each  company  or    regiment ;  for  I  can   by  no  means  think  it 
fitting   that  our  officers,  who  are,  or  ought  to  be,  men  of  property, 
(hould  fcrve  like  mercenary  Swifs.     We  are  certainly  not  entitled  to 
hope  for  an  anxious  defence  of  our  perfons  and  goods,  from  the 
loweft  orders  of  white  inhabitants,  through  the  impulfe  of  public 
fpirit,  or  of  gratitude  to  the  country  :    thefe  are  not  often  very  con- 
fpicuous  in  more  exalted  ftations.     The  more  probable  inducement 
lo  lead  thefe  men  into  the  field,  and  engage  them  to  hazard  their 
bodies  chearfully,  is  an  adtual  and   valuable  recompence  attending 
their   fervice.     We  all  know,    that  moft  of  our  inferior  clafs  of 
people   are  citizens  of  the  world,  men  of  defperate  fortunes,  and 
not  of  very  moral   principles.     They  are  invited  by  the  hopes  of 
profit :   the  fame  hopes  engage  them  to  remain  with  us ;  and  the 
fame  motive  alone  will  probably  ever  attach  them  fo  ftrongly  to  our 
interefts,  as  to  make  them  rifque  their  lives  freely  in  defence  of  the 
illand.     If  pay  was  allowed  to  them',  they  would  become  really  and 
truly  foldiers.     This  would  bind  them  in  »the  firmeft  manner,   by 
changing  what  is  now  a  matter  of  favour  into  an  a<ftual  duty ;    and 
the  punifhmcnt  following  the  breach   of  it  would  be  equitably  and 
legally  inflifted.     The  acceptance  of  pay  renders  them  fubjcft  to  all 
the  juft  rules  of  difcipline ;    and  eftabliihes  a  rational  compad  of 
fervice  on  the  one  hand,  and  reward  on  the  other.     The  Britifh  Ic- 
^iflature,  perhaps,  for  this  reafon  (among  others),  enabled,  in  their 
late  militia  law,  that  the  troops,  when  embodied  and  during  actual 
fervice,  (hall  receive  pay  as  the  regulars.   I  have  argued  for  the  utility 
of  this  meafure ;     I  (hall  next  confider  the  equity  of  it.      The 
annual   wages  of  our  meaner  white  fervants  are  in  general  mo- 
derate ;  and  the  payment  of  them  not  (Iridtly  punctual  even  in  a 
time  of  tranquillity,  much   lefs    fo  during  intefline  commotions ; 
one  certain  efFeft  of  which  muft  ever  be,  that  more  or  lefs  confu- 
fion  will  prevail  in  every  plantation.     The  troopers  and  foot  arc  then 
fifually  quartered  for  guard  at  taverns,  where  even  common  fub- 
fiftence  is  retailed  at  a  very  extravagant  price.     In  times  particu- 
larly turbulent  (fuch  as  we  experienced  during  the  infurrcftion  in 
1761),  advantage  is  taken  of  the  public  calamity;  and  the  haiyies 
^t  thefe  places  fcruple  not  to  aggravate  diftrefs,  by  exadling,  without 

mercy, 


BO  OJC  si.       C  H  A  B.    X.  i^q 

«  «  «  *  »        -^^ 

mcrcyv  fr<Mn  their   cuftomers.     The  private  men  at  prefent  bear  the 
cxpences  of  thefe  tavern  campaigns,  unlefs  their  officer  is  a  perfgn 
of  ib  much  generodty  and  fortune,  as  to  treat  his  company :    but 
this  happens  not  often  to  be .  the  cafe ;  nor  is  it  juft,   that,  hecau^e 
a  few  officers  have  been  %yilling  and  able  tq  defray  fuch  charges, 
we  ihould  therefore  exped  the  officers  in  general  to  take  upon 
themfelves  fo  heavy  a  burthen*  .  I  am  fufpicious,  that,  when  geu* 
tlemen  of  fpirit  indulge  agenerofity  of  this  fort,  it  is  much  abufed 
by  the  men  who  feafl  at  their  expence,  as  well  as  by  the  tavern- 
keeper  whp  profits  by  it ;  and  that  they  contribute  jointly  to  fwell 
a  moil  exorbitant  bill  of  fare :   whereas,   if  a  certain  fum  was  ^fta- 
bliihed  by  the  legiflature  as  fufficient  for  their  fubfiftence,  and  that 
fum  regularly  ifl'ued,  agreeable  to  the  ufage  of  the  army,    during 
martial  law,   the  men  would  make,  the  xno0:  of  their  allowance, 
and  the  tavern-keeper  be  careful  not  to  truft  for    more    than  he 
knew  their  pay  would  admit.     I  have  heard  frequent  complaints 
from  the  private  men  of  horfe  and  foot,  that  their  necellary  e^- 
pences  out  of  pocket,  dtiring  the  time  they  were  on  duty,  exceeded 
in  one  week  the  amount  of  two  months  wages.    And  I  have  known 
fome  few  planters  fb  atrocioufly  bafe,  that,  on  the  commencement 
of  law  martial,  they  hav«  difcharged  moft  of  their  white  fcrvants, 
to  avoid  the  burthen  of  paying  wages  during  their  abfence  on  the 
public  fervice :   by  which  means,  thefe  poor  men  have  been  com- 
pelled by  law  to  appear  and  ierve  in  arms,  but  without  any  other 
fubfiftcnce  than  what  they  could  procure,   either   by  exhauftiqg 
their  own  little  flock  of  money,  or  by  the  charitable  difpofition  of 
their  officer.     If  pay  was   allowed,  they  would  have  fomethiqg 
to  earn,  fomething  whereon  to  fubfift ;  and  an  encour^get^ent  to 
behave  themfelves  courageoufly*     If  apy  thing  more  remains  to  ia- 
duce  the  lower  order  to  undergo  fatigue  and  danger  with  chearfuj- 
nefs,  it  mufl  be  the  example  of  their  leaders,  who  it  is  to  be  wished 
were  all  men  of  real  property  in  our  ifland ;  wljofe  fortunes  being 
at  ftake,   there  is  no  doubt  but  this  confideration  would  of  itfelf 
be  weighty  enough  to  infpire  them  with  an  heroic  ardour  for  their 
defence*     They  are  not  to  believe    that,  whilftthcy  devote  them- 
felves to  repbfe  and   inaftivity,  their  diftillers  and  overfeers  will 
fight  the  public  battles,  or  behave  with  ^he  fame  gallantry  as  when 
Voi^  L  S  animated 


130  JAMAICA. 

animated    by  the   prcfence,  counfel,  and  applaufe,   of  their  em- 
ployers. Men  of  fubftance,   efpecially  fuch  as  poflcfs  landed  eftates, 
are  by  moft  writers  fuppofed  to  be  the  beft  fbldiers,  becaufe  with  a 
love  of  their  fortunes  is  joined  a  love  of  their  country ;  which  will 
readily  prevail  on  them  to  diftinguifh  themfelves  by  a   better  than 
ordinary  behaviour.      But,  to  him   who  has  nothing  to  lofe,  all 
parts  of  the'  broad  world  arealike;  fo  that,  upon  being  driven  from 
one  place,   it  is  no  trouble  to  him  to  take  up  his  abode  in  another ; 
and  whether  the  public  intereft  ftand  or  fall  is  to  him  a  matter  of 
perfect  indifference.     In  moft  countries  there  are  fome   men  who 
are  indulged  with  immunity  from  fcrvice ;  but  it  muft  be   under- 
ftood,     that  fuch  immunity  continues  no  longer    in   force    than 
whilft  there  are  a  fufficient  number  of  other  fubjefts,  or  of  hired 
•  forces,  in  readinefs  to  guard  the  commonweal :  in  all  cafes  of  ex- 
tremity,  they  who  have  enjoyed  this  inununity  muft  arm   as  well 
as  others  in  the  common   defence.     And,  therefore,  at  Rome  all 
exceptions  from  military   fervice,    allowed  to   the  aged,  and  to 
priefts,  ceafed  immediately  on  the  expectation  of  a  Gauliih  invafion. 
There  is  no  doubt  but  the  clergy  ought,  in  cafes  of  extreme  nccef^ 
fity,   for  the  proteAion  of  liberty  and  life,  to  take  up  arms,  and  by 
their  example  ftimulate  others  to  hazard  all  that  is  dear  to  them 
for  the  public  good:  in  fuch  circumftances,  they   do   not  go  out 
to  fight   as   foldiers,  but  as  men   bound   by  the   law  of  nature  to 
repel  force  by  force,  and  by  the  law  of  reafon  to  defend  their  own 
and  their  wives  and  childrens  lives.      By  the  Roman  law,  their 
flaves  were  debarred  from  carrying  arms,  and  chiefly  through   an 
apprehenfion  of  their  becoming  falfe  to  the  truft  repofed   in  them: 
but  even  this  only  took  place  while  no  urgent  neceffity  fuWifted  to 
difpenfe  with  it ;  for  it  would  clearly  be  the  very  height  of  mad- 
nefs,  when  there  is  fuch   a   fcarcity    of  freeborn  fubjefls  that  the 
enemy  is  likely  to  prevail,  for  a  people  to  choofe  rather  to  become 
ilaves  themfelves,  than  arm  in  their  defence   fuch   pcrfons  as  are 
already  fo.      But,    in  this  emergency,  before  flaves   are  entrufted 
with   arms,  they  fliould  either   receive  their  freedom,  or  a  con- 
ditional promife  of  it,  as  the  reward  of  their  good   behaviour;  that 
fo  the  memory   of  that  valuable  prize,  liberty,  united  with  love 
to  the  country  which  now  they  can  call  theirs,  may  in(pire  them 

with 


B  O  O  K    L     CHAP.    X.  131 

with  courage  and  fidelity.  I  do  qptknow  by  what  means  Immu- 
nities from  martial  fervice  have  been  allowed  by.  our  Jamaica. law, 
or  countenanced  by  the  public;  but  1  fufpeft  them  to  be  the  ofF- 
fpring  of  an  unmanly  pride,  lazihefs,  or  cowardice.  By  the  An- 
tigua a£t,  the  ordinary  meeting  to  exercife  is  once  in  every  month ; 
arid  whoever  appears  not  on  the  parade  by  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  is  deemed  abfent.  The. law  exprefsly  declares,  "  To  the 
<<  end  that  fuch  meetings  may  not  be  ufelefs,  through  the  lazinefs, 
^*  ignorance,  or  indulgence  of  any  officer  whatever,  the.  foUowijig 
<«  method  (hall  always  be  punctually  bbferved:  the  conunanding 
<^  officer  in  the  field  is  firft  to  exercife  all  the  inferior  officers  pre- 
<<  fent  at  the  head  of  the  men;  and  then  to  name  two  of  them, 
**  of  whom  (once  over  in  his  turn)  each  is  to  exercife  the  com- 
<^  panies  on  the  parade,  through  the  manual,  facing,  and  evolutions. 
*^  The  other  officers  are  not  to  (land  in  the  rear ;  bcrt  mufl  go 
*<  through  the  ranks,  to  direct  fuch  as  are  ignorant  or  awkward, 
•*  and  to  fee  that  every  motion  be  performed  with  grace  and  ex- 
^<  adn^fs ;  by  which  means,  every  officer  will  be  obliged  to  qua* 
<«  lify  himfelf  for  his  employ ;  and  the  foldiers  pay  a  moife  reidyr 
^<  obedience  to  fuch  as  they  are  iatisEed  know  how  to  commancl 
*^  them.  The  companies  are  theii  to  be  divided  into  platoons,  and 
*<  praflife  the  feveral  forts  of  firings;  after  which,  every  officer 
*^  and  foldier  is  to  fire  with  hall  at  a  target ;  and,  to  conclude  the 
^<  whole,  the  commanding  is  officer  to  wheel  the  companies  by  di- 
^  vifions :  and,  having  formed  and  reduced  them  fo  often  as  he  ihall 
"  find  neceflary,  he  is  to  difmifs  them  by  twelve  o'clock  at  far-* 
«  theft."  Once  in  every  year,  there  is  a  general  rendezvous  of 
all  their  forces  at  a  place  appointed  for  that  purpofe,  that  the 
officers  and  foldiers  may  be  infirudted  in  fuch  parts  of  military  duty 
as  cannot  well  be  performed  by  a  few  companies.  Six  filver-hilte4 
fwords,  with  belts  of  6/.  value,  are  annually  provided,  at  the  pub- 
lic charge,  for  fuch  as  (hall  make  the  befl  fix  fhots  at  a  target  at 
the  general  rendezvous ;  and  the  fines  for  abfence,  and  all  other 
defaults,  are  then  doubled.  The  fines  for  abfence,  or  appearing 
without  a  firelock,  are  thus  rated  by  the  law : 

S  2  Cclonel^ 


/ 


13^  JAMAICA. 

Colonel,  —    —     30      o   I   Enfign,  _  ._    o  15    o 


Lieutenant-colonel,  2  10      o 

Major, 20      o 

Captain,   —        ■  i   10      o 

JLieu  tenant,      — —  100 


Serjeant,  — —  -— r-  076' 

Drummer,  — o  10     o 

Private,  ^  o     6    o» 

Eaph  C^-bineer,  —  012     6 


Thefe  fines  are  difpoied  in  ihares,  for  the  encouragement  of  fuch> 
fbbaltems  and  privates  as  the  major  thinks  moft  deferving.  A  cer* 
tiiicate  is  {igned„  by  ^e  commanding  officer  in  the  field,  of  the  ie« 
veral  defaults ;  by  rrrtue  of  which,  the  adjutant  is  to  demand  the: 
fine  of  the  delinquent;,  and,  if  he  refufes  to  pay  the  fame  on  fight 
of  lueh  certificate,  a  warrant  is  figned  by  the  colonel  of  the  regir 
mcnc^  or  commazKling  officer  of  the  horfe  where  tjie  default  was. 
committed,  dire£bed  to  the  adjutant;  for  double  the  fine ;.  which* 
tlbz  a<^atant  is  by  tlus  law  authorized  to  levy  on  the  goods  andl 
chattels  of  the  ofiender.  A  ooloners  fine  is  levied  by  warrant, 
fixun  tile  governor  of  the  llhnd^  If  private  foldiers  are  unable  ta 
pcy  the  fine,  they  aitt  to  ride  the  wooden  horfb,  be  picquetted,  or 
tied  neck  and  heels,  for  one  hour»  And,  becauie  in  volunteer  ier- 
vice  men  are  generally  unwilling  to  be  ferjeants,  corporals,  or 
^uinmers,  ^ty  are  «o^  be  namftd  by  any  field-officer,  and  tl>e  eap-^ 
tarn  of  the  company  for  which  they  aie  i^equir ed  ;  and  are  obliged* 
to  ferve  two  y^rs  in  ebeir  turn.  Their  forces  confift  jcndrely  .06 
carbineers,  who  ferve  both  on  foot  and  horfeback^*  andof  infantry  r 
and,  that  none  may  fn've  artiong  the  carbineers  but  fucfa  as  are  en* 
tirdy  to  be  depended  on,  they  are  ordered  to  be  named  by  the  com-^ 
mender  in  chief,  by  advice  and  confent  of  his  counclL  The 
cloathing  and  accoutrements  of  the  officers  and  privates  are  ap* 
pointed,  'onc6  m  two  years,  by  the  commander  in  chief,,  with  adi» 
vice  of  X  cotmril  of  war,  confifting  of  the  field-officers ;  and  the 
uniform  is  exprcfsly'  dirc^d,  by  the  law,,  to  he  plain  and  ikmice-^ 
able.  Every  officer  of  the  carbineers  muft  be  attended  ^'ith  two^ 
able  and  trtifty  Negroe  men,  armed  withr  a  good  firelock  and  m 
fliarp  bill ;  every  private  gentleman  of  the  fame  corps,  one  N^roe 
man,  equally  armed ;  and  accoutred  with  red  jackets  and  black 
leathern  caps*  The  articles  of  war,  which  form  an  appendix  to- 
the  aft,  are  concife  and  compreheufive,.  and  may  ferve  as  a  model 

to^ 


60QK     I.        CHAP.    X.  133 

to  every  other  .Britifii  colony  in*  the  Wed-indies.  Other  a£l:d  make 
provHion  for  all  iuah  ibldiers  and  Negroes  a&  fmy  happen  to  be 
maimed  in  fights  The  owners  of  all  (laves  who  are  flain  are  reim- 
borfedy  at  a  fair  valuation,  out  of  the  public  treafury.  If  a  foldier 
is  wonndedy  the  whole  charge  of  his  maintenance  and  cure  is  de- 
feiyeai  by  the  public ;  wd  an  aupuity  for  life  is  granted  to  fuch  as 
have  fxan  difabled  in .  the  fervice;  The  widows  and  children  of 
fuch  as  ace  flalnl  are  j)rovided  for  wd  m^otaioeid  at  the  public  ex«* 
pence;  For  the  encoUragemeAC  of  white  indented  iervantSj  all  fuch 
as  ihaU  be  fignally  ceurageous  in  defence  of  the  iflaod,  upon  certi- 
ficate iiiid«r  the  hjuids  of  two  of  their  officer8>  or  other  good  proof 
•f  ihA  befaaviourif  ai'e  to  be  freed  from  &rvi4:ude ;.  and  the  mailer 
or  miArefe  jof  £ach  fer^aots  ia  to  receive,  for  the  remaining  term  of 
tbeic  &rvice»  ^^anUifn  thepmt^  ta  be  afijudgned  by  the  council,  and 
aSbmbly.  Thu^  has  the  legiilifture  of  a  fmaU  ifland  provided 
fitilahk  remedies  agaioft  pride,  ignorance^  iloth^  and  cowardice*. 
The  ioftdem  being  ijomp^U^  to  learn  the  pradiic  parts  of  military 
dmy,  <aiid  ikug^  ffitigue  in  com^ion  with  the  private  men^.  the  latt^f 
kttome  akrt  avd  anifnaled  in  difeipline,  and  readily  confide  ii|! 
leiiiacs^  of  wh^fe  ikill  th4y  h^Fe  received  frequent  teftimony*.  The 
wttmuiut  of  ickc£5,  f^tade,  and  accoutrements^  are  fufficiently  ot^ 
tended  toj^  the  punSfhment  of  defapltefs  is  ec^ual  and  reaibnahlef 
ahe  rei/vard^  and  ciofiouriiigefoen^,  politic,.  juft»^  an4*  benevolent.-  It 
18  not  jfiHtpriadogr  tibtafy/MR^  fiich  regulationsy^their  ifland l^sbpe^^ 
ntdl  gpu«Aed>  not  only  agaioft  invafion^,  but  infurrefiions  y  ^Mh 
winch  wiil  alwiq^  be  enfeerpriied  with  the  beft  hopes>iof  fuccefa* 
ogainft  peopis'  who  are  unprepared^  i^refolute^.  and  unprafiiied  in? 
^  arts  of  fldaking  a  vigorous  refiftance^ 

The  pdlicy  of -the  Romans  inarming  their  fiaves,  and.wh^qh  ws(9* 
likewtfe  uTed  b^r  lihe  Sparhina  and  foine  other  ftates^  is,,  we  may  ,obr 
frrfe^  in  a^4iifiited  degseet  adopted  by  the  Antigua  law }:  am^  it  fugr 
gefts  to^  'US  a  meanS'  of  preventing  the  French  or  Spaniards  frpq^ 
making  iMnqueft  of  oar  ifland.^  Whenever  an  expedi^tion.  of  this^ 
fiatare  is  to  b;^  attempted  agatnft  us^  we  may  be  aflured^  the  ^neo^ 
wM  foofi^begin  to  tamper  with  our  flwes,  and  e»deav9ur,  by  pri^ 
fVate < amxffi»qe6iy>;  cbr  public:  declaration*  to  feduce  them  from  us  tp 

jthatr^lhtoreav^y  the  m6ft  piaiiiible.an4  ^luring  promifes  of  freedom. 
.  ;  and 


13+  JAMA    L  C  -A.    ^    ' 

and  other  douceurs.  The  French  pra£tifedthi3»:ftfatagetii  in  the 
year  1705,  when  they  invaded  Nevi^.  The  inhabitants,  over- 
powered by  numbers,  betook  themfclves  to  the  mountain.  The 
enemy,  fearing  they  (hould  never  be  able  to  mafter  the  ifland  un* 
his  they  could  reduce  the  blacks,  tetyipted  them  by  fair  promii^ 
to  lay  down  their  arms;  aifuring  them,  they  fbould  live  as' well  as 
their  mafters ;  and  not  a  little  flattering  them  with  the  hopes  of 
liberty,  or  at  leaft  a  very  plOafanl,  eafy  fervitudc  Upon  this^  great 
part  of  the  (laves  fubmitted ;  and,  the  French  marching  to  attack 
the  Engliih  in  the  mountain,  the  latter  beat  a  parley,  and  a  capi- 
tulation was  concluded ;  by  which  they  were  ta  be  prisoners  of  war,* 
but  to  remain  in  the  ifland,'  on  procuring  a  like  number  of  French 
prifbners  to  be  releafed,  by  Way  of  cartel,  either  in  Europe  or  Ame- 
rica :  in  the  mean  time,  thty  were  to  be  civilly  ufed,  and  their 
houfes  and  fugar-works  preferved.  But  the  enemy  violated  feverai 
articles  of  the  capitulation,  contrary  to  the  law  of  nations,  and 
ufage  of  arms;  treating  the  people  moft  barbaroutly,  tnd burning 
their  houfes  and  fugar- works.  By  threats  and  barbarity,  they 
forced  feverai  of  them  to  fign  a  feeond  agreement,  p^omifing  the 
enemy,  in  fix  months  time,  to  fend  to  Martinico  a  certain  number 
of  Negroes,  or  money  in  lieu  of  them.  Aftef  which,  they  left 
the  ifland,  carrying  away  about  four  thoufand  Negroes,  wfaiom  they 
made  believe  were  to  pafs  to  the  Frencii  fettleraents,  to  live  at 
eafe.  But,  when  they  had  got  them  fafe  on  board,  they  ibut  them 
down  in  the  hold,  and  talked  of  carrying  theCn  to  the  Spaniih 
Weft-Indies,  and  felling  them  to  the  mines';  which  they  intoided, 
and  really  did.  One,  however,  of  thefe  Negroes  found  means  to 
efcape  back  to  the  fhore ;  and,  having  informed  the  remaining 
blacks  how  perfidioufly  the  French  had  treated  their  brethren,  they 
took  arms,  mafTacred  all  the  French  in  the  ifland,  aAd  thus  in  part 
revenged  their  mafters*  fufierings.  To  obviate  any  mathination  of 
this  fort,  which,  if  it  was  to  take  effed,  would  not  only  ftrengthen 
the  enemy's  forces,  but  exceedingly  weaken  our  defence,  by  the 
iervices  and  intelligence  to  be  gained  from  fuch  a  body  of  deierters, 
well  acquainted  with  the  country  and  the  condition.of  their  mailers  ^ 
a  certain  number  of  them  might  be  fet  free,  and  properly  ajrmed ; 
and  an  affurance  given,  under  &niSlion  of  the  public  faitb,  (h^tj  in 
7  the 


BOOK    I.        CHAP.    X.  j^5 

the  erent  of  thdr  gaUant  and  honeft  behaviour,  they  fhould  receive 
a  further  reward.  The  prcffing  ncceffity  of  the  occafion  juftifies 
the  meadire ;  which,  it  is  morally  probable,  would  be  the  means  of 
preventing  a  dangerous  revolt,  as  well  as  of  preferving  the  prpperty 
of  the  ifland  to  its  natural  owners.  The  whole  number  of  fencible 
Negfoe^men  flaves  in  our  ifland  may  be  computed  at  about  fifty*five 
thoufand.  Of  thefe,  ten  thoufand  might  be  fele£led,  of  the  more 
feniible,  able,  and  trufty ;  confiftiqg  principally  of  tradefmen,  dri* 
vers,  and  other  head,  men,  who  would  otherwife  be  moft  likely  to 
liften  to  the  iniidious  terms  thrown  out  for  bait  by  an  enemy,  and 
to  inveigle  other  partifans  into  their  ibbeme  of  defe£tion.  The^ 
being  properly  armed,  might  be  intermixed  with  the  militia  in  de* 
tachments,  and  rendered  extremely  ierviceable,  more  particularly  in 
nodurnal  furprizes,  harrafling  fkirmifhes,  and  ambufcading.  Many 
of  the  other  flavcs,  by  way  of  prevention,  might  be  kept  employed^ 
either  in  cultivating  provifion,  ^C»  under  a  guard,  for  the  fub&ftence 
of  the  army,  or  as  pioneers  in  breaking  up  roads,  or  in  felling  trees^ 
making  barricadoes,  and  other  neceflary  works*  The  former 
owners  of  thefe  new  freemen  might  be  entitled  to  receive  fron% 
the  public,  on  the  re-eftabli(hment  of  peace  and  civil  governmenr, 
a  certain  value  per  head,  for  example,  50/. ;  thewliple  lum  would 
then  amount  to  50,000./.  currency,  or  35,714/.  $s.  $d.  fterling; 
which,  I  perfuade  myfelf  to  believe^  would  moft  chearfuUy  be  paid 
by  Great- Britain,  if  the  inhabitants,  after  the  defolation  of  war, 
(hould  fitid  themfelves  difenabled  to  ratfe  it  by  taxes. 

It  appears  to  me,  that  the  clafs  of  Negroes  I  have  propoled 
could,  with  lefe  danger  arid  fubfequent  inconveiiicnce,  be  freed 
^ud  armed  than  any  other;  becaufe,  at  the  conclufion  of  the  waify 
they  would  eafily  return  to  their  former  trades  and  occupations, 
and  fupport  themfelves  by  theijlkill  and  induftry,  inftead  of  grow* 
ing  burthenfome  to  the  public;  which  latter  is  a  coniequence 
might  very  probably  happen,  fromenfranchifing  and  aiming  an  fqual 
number  of  field  Negrojes;  for  thefe  would  require  lwtd&,  devote 
themielves  to  a  life  oE  eafe,  and  foon  i  fall  into  a  courfe  of  favage 
disorder.  •  Our  militia^  including  other  free-men  and  the  maroons^ 
might,  I  think,  at  a  moderate  computation,  be  reckoned  about 
twelve  rlK>ufand  cfFedlive.    If  then  I  do  not  err  in  thia  opinion,  we 

may 


ijS  J    A    M'  A    1    C    A^   •' 

may  form,  upon  any  emergency  fuch  as  I  have  mentioned,  an  ^rmy 
of  twenty  •two  tboufand  effeftive  men;  who,  properly  ftaboned, 
would  be  enough  to  hold  this  ifland  in  delight  of  any  arm^fn^tit 
likely  to  be  fent  againft  it  by  the  French  and  Spaniards«  The  very 
avenue,  which  leads  &om  Spaniflitown  to  Sixteen  mtlclvalk  and  the 
North  fide,  is  lb  fortified  by  nature  with  Aeep  precipices,  and  naf- 
TOW  rocky  paflages,  that  a  very  few  diipofittons  would  make  it  ei- 
ther impaflable  to  regular  troops,  or  fo  capable  of  flanking  and  ambuf*- 
cading  any  troops  attempting  a  march  that  way,  that  not  One  of  ten 
thouiand  could  hope  to  reach  the  end  of  it  adive%  Alteoft  fivery 
other  paflage  into  the  mouhtaias  is  likewife  capable,  of  .being;  ob- 
ftruAed,  and  fortified^  with  little  trouble  or  lots  to  the  attackQ(t 
but  with  imminent  peril  to  their  al&ilautSi. 


•  SEC  T.     IL 

'  PROM  general  obfenrations  in  regard  to  the  imperfei9:ion  of 
our  prefent  militia,  the  fuperior  propriety  of  regulations  in  other 
colonies,  the  expediency  of  a  reform  in  our  ifland,  and  the 
facility  with  which  we  can  ftrengthen  and  fecure  ourfelves  againft 
all  attacks  foreign  and  domeftic  $  I  proceed  now  to  fpeak  more  pre«- 
cifely  of  the  means  which  occur  to  me  as  moft  proper  for  rendering 
our  militia  more  perfe£t  in  difcipline,  and  confoquently  better 
adapted  to  anfwer  the  important  benefits  for  which  they  were  ori<* 
ginally  embodied^ 

It  is  not  a  red  coat  that  imparts  valour  to  regular  foldiers ;  they 
have  not  principles  nor  pafllons  difierent  from  the  reft  of  mankinds 
Courage  is,  in  general,  acquired  by  habit ;  it  is  hardly  to  be  callecl 
natural,  or  born  with  us ;  for  the  impulfe  of  felf^prefervationt 
which  is  peculiar  to  our  nature,  and  reafon  which  {econds  that  im- 
pulfe^ both  tend  to  infpire  us  with  timidity,  and  urge  us  rather  to 
ilee  from  danger,  than  ftand  ftill  to  oppoie,  or  advance  to  meet  it. 
Hobbes  arguea  according  to  this  opiniou^  <*- that  no  nmn  ia#  by  any 
^<  covenant  that  he  fliall  make,  obliged  to  refift  another,, oSering 
*<  mortal  violence,  or  any  bodily  mifchief ;  for  that  natural  neceffity^ 
^  from  apprehenfion  of  a  threatened  evil>  will  make  him  certainly 

r  •*  flee 


BOOK!.      C  H  AP.    X.  13; 

^  flee  from   and  avoid   it.*'     But   this  confideration  is  not  to  be 
drawn  fo  far,  as   to  prejudice   the  force  of  military  difcipline ;   as, 
if  a  foldier,  under  immiaent  danger,   (hould  defert  his  pojft,  oa 
pretence   **  that  a  man  cannot  be  obliged  by  any  compad  to  un- 
"  dergo  death  ;'•    for  to   fufFer  death    without  reludance  is  by  no 
means  a    thing    beyond  human   ftrength  and  fortitude.      By   the 
ufage  andpradice  of  all   nations,  he  that  enlifts  himfelf  in  th6 
number  of  armed  men  does  by  that  a6t  lay  afide  all  claim   to  the 
excufe  of  natural    fearfulnefs,  and   becomes  bound,  not  only   to 
enter  the  field,  but  alfo  not  to  leave  it  without  the  order  of  his 
leader.     It  is  therefore  reputed  ignominious  to  fuffer  by  the  hands 
of  the  executioner ;  but  highly  honourable  to  fall  by  the  hand  of 
the  enemy.     By  the  fame  cuilom,  every  member  of  fociety  is   ta- 
citly bound  to  fight  in   its  defence ;  and  (it  is  expe<9:ed)  with  more 
ardour  and  contempt  of  death,  than  hired  and .  mercenary  bands, 
as  the  fervice  of  the  former  is  very  juftly  efteemed  more  honoura- 
ble.    To  render  a  militia  equal    hi  power  to  hired  or    regular 
troops,  we  muft  ftrive  to   imprefs   them  with   equal    confidence. 
This  muft  take  its  rife  and  being  from  an  habitual  ufe  of  thofe  in« 
ftruments  of  war  which  are  unferviceable  in  the  hands  of  the   un- 
tutored ;  but  the    expert  nxanagement  of  which  conftitutes   the 
chief  merit  of  a  foldier.     What  is  it  enables  men  to  exccU  in  any 
handicraft,    but  frequent  praftice,  and   much  experience,  in  their 
peculiar  work  or  art  ?  The  carpenter  is  brought  by  habit  and  ufe  to 
theikiUful  application  of  the  faw  and  plane.So  in  all  other  profefiions, 
even  where  nature  has  been  liberal  in  the  gift  of  genius,  a  degree 
of  application  and  practice  is  requifite,  to  conduct  them  with  eafe 
and  fuccefs.     It  is  the  fame  in  the  military  trade  as  in  all  others* 
Can  there  be  a  more  ftriking  difference  than  appears  between  the 
raw,  aukward  ploughman  but  juftenlifted,  and  the  fame  man  after 
a  few  months  of  training  and  inftrudion  from  the  drill  corporal? 
Where  this  neceffary  praftice  and  experience  is  wanting,  there  muft 
ever  be  a  large  portion  of  diffidence;  and   this  will  excite  fean 
The  idea  of  fuperior  ikill  in  arms  pofiefied  by  an  opponent  muft 
intimidate    men   from    exerting  their  full  ability.     When,  by  a 
ieries  of  tuition,  our  militia  have  acquired  a  competent  knowledge 
of  the  ufe  of  fire-arms,  are  adroit  in  quick  loading,  and  in  all  other 
Vol.  I.  T  manoeuvres 


136  JAMAICA. 

manoeuvres  arc  tolerably  fkillful,  they  will  begin  to  entertain  a 
better  opinion  of  their  own  ftrength  and  power ;  a  confidence  will 
take  place  in  their  bofoms,  and  never  forfake  them  fo  long  as  care 
is  taken  to  prevent  them  from  relapfing  by  diiufe  into  their  former 
unfkillfulnefs.  Men  of  bold  fpirit  may,  for  want  of  this  expert- 
nefs,  give  themfelvcs  up  in  time  of  adion  to  the  impetuous  career  of 
their  temper,  and  make  their  life  (though  highly  valuable)  a  too 
.caly  facrifice  to  an  enemy  of  inferior  ftrength  and  prowefs,  but  pof- 
ieiled  of  fuperior  (kill  in  arms.  Our  militia,'  in  general,  hav'e  be- 
trayed no  want  of  refolution.  In  time  of  fervicc  they  have  marched 
with  alacjity,  and  cndurcdfatigue  with  patience.  If  they  arc  dc- 
fedive  in  difcipline,  I  mud  be  of  opinion,-  that  the  blame  ihould 
fall  on  their  officers,  or  rather  on  the  imperfedion  of  our  law^ 
which  does  not,  like  the  Antigua  a£t,  oblige  the  officers  to  under- 
ftand  military  duty  before  they  are  fufFcred  to  exaft  it  from  others : 
if  they  are  ignorant  of  difcipline  and  exercife,  they  can  neither  in- 
ftrufk  their  men,  nor  correft  their  raiftakes.  This  unhappy  de- 
feat was  too  glaring  in  the' rebellion  of  fome  of  our  flaves  in  1761. 
A  party  of  militia,  haftily  collcSed  to  check  thelc  infurgents> 
found,  when  they  were  drawn  up,  only  one  round  of  powder  and 
ball  among  the  whole  company.  When  another  party  went,  with 
a  detachment  of  regularSj  to  attack  the  breaftwork  that  was  formed 
by  the  Weftmoreland  rebels,  the  militia  were  in  fo  much  confu* 
fion,  that,  before  they  got  fight  of  the  enemy,  they  began  to  dif- 
charge  their  pieces  at  random,  and  in  fuch  diforder,  that  their 
leader  was  inccflantly  forced  to  cry  out,  "  For  God's  fake,  gen- 
^  tlemen,  do  not  (hoot  one  another."  Thefe  examples  I  ihould 
be  forry  to  produce,  if  I  did  not  think  they  would  cooperate  with 
other  arguments  to  prove  the  neceffity  of  fome  new  and  beneficial 
regulations,  which  may  put  our  forces  above  the  rank  of  FalftaPs 
tatterdemallions.  Men,  who  arc  led  to  battle  with  arms  in  their 
hands,  which  they  were  never  taught  how  to  ufe,  are  literally  and 
truly  <*  mere  food  for  powder/* 

The  expediency  of  a  well-regulated  militia  in  our   ifland  is,   in 
(hort,   too  obvious  to  men  of  fenfc  and  reflcaion,  to  require  more 
arguments  in  recommendation  of  it.     To  fuch  men  only   I  addrefs 
myfelf  on  this  occafion  s  thofc  whom  Providence  has  bleft  with  ca- 
pacity 


B  OO  K    I.  .  C  H  A.P-    X.  139 

pacity  and  opulence ;  who  are  the  proper  guardians  of  our  coomm* 
nity,  and  <>ught  to  lead  the  reft  of  the  people  into  meafures  which 
tend  to  their  happinefs  and^prefervation.  There  is  a  certain  portion 
of  every  man's  time,  labour,  and  property,  which  is  due  to  the 
public,  and  ought  to  be  m>  leis  honeflly  and  regularly  paid  than 
any  other  juft  afid  lawful  debt.  As  no  man  is  (impartially  fpeak«» 
ing)  exempted  from  this  obligation  ;  fo  it  i^  conibnant  to  equity 
and  JQftice,'  that  each  ihould  fulfil  it.  The  hardlhip  of  /complying 
with  it  can  only  fubfift,  when  any  particular  fet  of  men  are  excufed 
from  this  duty^  the  burthen  of  which  ought  to  prefs  equally  upon 
vldy  without  diftindianL  Men  become  more  or  lefs  intereded  in 
j>Qbltc  meafurest  comparatively,  with  their  extent  of  property,  or 
degree  of  affluence ;  and,  indeed,  th^  obligation  for  thi$  duty  to 
their  country  feems  naturally  to  fall  more  upon  them  than  on  the 
lower  claft  of  people :  they  have  more  power  to  become  the  inftru-> 
ments  of  good ;  eonfequently,  more  is  expefted  from  them.  A^  well- 
regulated  militia  is  founded  upon  the  public  fpirit  pf  men  of  pro- 
perty and  intereft,  whofe  right  it  is  to  fill  the  firft  pods,  and  under 
whom  only  the  inferior  orders  of  people  will  fubmit  to  that  fub- 
ordinatipn  and  difcipline  neceflary  in  the  inftitution.  As  foon  as 
rank  and  preferment  are  proftituted  to  unworthy  and  mean  objefls ; 
chagrin,  infolence,  inattention,  diibrder,  and  every  fpecies  of  irre« 
gularity  thdt  tends  to  ifubvert  the  inftitution^  will  take  place.  Men, 
e/pecially  fucfa  who,  living  in  a  frtc  country,  imbibe  a  fpirit  of  li- 
berty, and  regard  ibr  juftice,  grow  Uneaiy  and  impatient  pnder 
itich  officers.  Nothing  therefore  is  more  material  towards  eda- 
blifhing  a  well-ordered  militia  in  Jamaica,  than  that  outfield  officers 
and  captains  (hould  be  men  of  fome  account,  either  for  merit,  pro- 
perty, or  extenfive  commerce.  I  divide  the  militia  of  this  ifland 
into  two  clafles.  The  firfl  confifts  of  fucL  men  as  voluntarily 
enroll  themfelves,  or  (which  is  the  fame)  are  enrolled  in  confe- 
quence  of  a  law  confented  to  by  their  reprefentatives ;  who  either 
receive  pay  in  time  of  public  calamity,  or,  being  rich  enough  to 
fupport  themfelves  without  having  recourfe  to  the  public  flock,  turn 
out,  on  fuch  occafion,  from  that  motive  of  univerfal  prevalency, 
fclf-love;  their  taking  up  arms  at  thofe  times,  in  conjunction  with 
their  neighbours,  being  the  only  means  of  preferving  their  own 

T  2  lives 


140  JAMAICA. 

lives  and  properties.  The  fecond  clafs  confifts  of  free  blacks  and 
Mulattos ;  from  which  body  are  to  be  chofen,  by  lot,  every  three, 
years,  a  certain  number  of  ibldiers,  who  are  to  be  cloathed,  a^medy. 
and  paid,  by  the  public,  and  who,  during  their  term  of  fervice,. 
are  to  be  upon  conftant  duty :  theie  are  to  be  Rationed  by  com- 
panies, or  divifions,  within  certain  boundaries  in  the  midland  or 
inland  parts  of  the  country;  their  conilant  duty  will  be,  to  traverfe 
the  mod  remote  and  unfrequented  parts  of  the*  ifland  in  iearch  of 
fugitive  (laves ;  to  fupprefs  all  cabals  or  ailemblies  of  Negroes,  and 
by  this  means  qua(h  in  embryo  the  feeds  of  fedition  and  rebellion, 
which  in  all  probability  firftfprout  in  thofe  xemote  and  almo£t  in^. 
acceffible  lurking  places  of  the  ifland,  where  alfo  may  be  fecreted 
arms  and  ammunition.  Befides,  as  the  captains  commanding  thofe 
rangers  are  to  fend  weekly  reports  to  the  adjutant  gieneral  at  Spanilh 
town  of  every  occurrence,  a  communication  of  intelligence  will 
be  opened  with  the  wildeft,  and  hitherto  almoft  unknown,  re- 
ceiles.  All  which  regulations  promife  to  eflablifh  tranquillity,, 
and  fecurity  to  the  inhabitants. 

Obfervations  in  regard  to  the  eftablifhment  of  the  firfl:  clafs. 

1.  That  every  man,  between  the  age  of  fifteen  and  fixty-five 
years,  be  enrolled  in  the  militia,  purfuant  to  a  law ;  and  noi;ie  to 
be  exempted  from  ferving,  upon  any  account  whatfoever,  except 
actual  difability:  no  other  plea  can  excufea  man  fcom  the  obliga- 
tion of  that  duty  which  he  owes  to  his  country. 

2.  That  the  legiflature  fhould  order  certain  regulations  to  take 
place,  refpe£tlng  the  eflablifhment  of  the  companies,  their  cloathr 
ing,  arms,  aocoutrements,  exercife,  and  duty ;  to  the  end  that 
uniformity  may  be  preferved  throughout  the  whole  body  of  mi- 
litia, which  will  be  produftive  of  the  befl  efFeds :  and  that  there 
be  one  uniform  drefs  and  facing  for  all  the  foot;  and  the  like  order 
in  regard  to  all  the  horfe ;  for,  as  many  hired  fervants  are  conflantly 
fhifting  their  place  of  abode,  and  removing  from  one  parifh  to 
another,  they  will  by  this  means  properly  fall  into  the  ranks  in 
any  company  or  divifion  throughout  the  ifland. 

3.  The  regulations  fhould  be  comprized  in  a  fmall  portable  vo- 
lume, and  fold  at  fuch  aprice  as  that  every  militia- man  may  be  able 
to  purchafe  it. 

4.  That 


BOOK     L     CHAP.    X.  141 

4.  That  an  intelligent  military  officer  be  appointed  to  the  poft 
of  adjutant-general ;  whofe  bufinefs  it  (hould  be  to  fuperintenj  the 
ezercife  and  duty  of  the  whole,  and  to  fee  that  the  regulations  are 
obferved  and  followed  agreeable  to  the  intent  of  the  legiflature. 
The  exerciie  propofed  for  for  the  militia  is  to  be  £b  ihort  and  eafy^ 
that  not  more  than  two  or  three  days  may  be  requifite  to  inflruft  an 
officer  in  the  whole^  fb  as  to  enable  him.  to  train  his  company 
without  farther  aiiiftance» 

5.  A  man  may  be  fent  from  each  company  to  Spanifh  town,  to 
be  drilled  under  the  eye  of  the  adjutant-general ;  or  a  drill  cor- 
poral from  the  regulars,  being  inltrufted  in  the  exercife,  may  be 
lent  to  each  company  of  the  militia,  due  provifion  being  made  by 
legiflature  for  hia  fubfiftance  while  on  this  duty, 

6.  The  duty  of  the  adjutant-f^eneral  is  to  tranfmit  all  orders  re- 
kting  to  the  militia,  and  receive  monthly  returns  from  each  corps^ 
fetdng  fortrh. 

Their  prefent,  fit  for  duty. 
Sick,     V     ■■     — —  ■ 


On  command,    

Strength  of  their  company. 

Left  the  ifland,  

Died,  ■  J^fince  the  lafl  returns 

Enrolled^  — —  J 

A  return  of  much  the  fame  form  will  be  tranfmitted^  weekly, 
from  the  captains  who  command  the  embodied  militias  on  duty, 
with  all  cafualties  and  occurrences;  by  which  the  governor  will 
not  only  be  conflantly  informed  of  the  number  of  efFeftive  men 
ready  to  turn  out  upon  any  emergency ;  but  be  acquainted  with  all 
material  affairs  that  happen,  relative  to  the  fervice,  in  every  cor- 
ner of  the  ifland. 

7.  That  the  companies  be  drawn  out,  once  a  week,  betimes  in 
the  morning,  and  exercifed  by  their  refpe6tive  officers  agreeable  to 
the  regulations  propofed. 

8*.  That  the  legiflature  (hould  make  the  whole  militia  fubjedt 
to  martial  law  on  thofe  days  when  they  are  embodied  for  exercife, 
ill  confequence  of  the  regulations  contained  in  the  a£t;  I  mean, 
rather,  £or  the  time  that  they  are  under  arms,  until    they  are  dif* 

mifled 


I4Z  JAMAICA 

mifled  by  their  officers :  this  will  tend  to  eftabli(h  order  and  dif- 
cipline  among  them.  The  legiflature  &re  the  beft  judges  how  far 
thefe  military  proviiions  and  articles  fhould  extend.  Sunday  mora* 
iiigs,  previous  to  the  hour  of  divine  icrvice^  appear  the  nK>ft  con* 
venient  times  for  the  exerciie  propofed;  for  it  will  not  then  in- 
terfere with  the  bu(inef&  and  commerce  of  the  iflaud ;  nor  need  it 
intrude  upon  the  duty  of  religious  worlhip.  The  early  part  of  the 
morning  will  be  fufficient  for  the  duty  of  the  field.  Sunday  is  a 
day  of  liberty  and  pleafure  for  the  Negroes ;  and»  on  this  account 
alio,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  have  our  militia  under  arms^  to 
llipprefs  riots  and  difbrders. 

9.  That  all  militia  men»  not  having  fbme  lawful  impediment 
to  alledge  for  having  abfented  themfelves  on  days  of  exercife,  be 
fined  agreeable  to  the  regulations  in  the  aSt ;  the  money  thus  ari- 
fing  to  be  paid  monthly  into  the  hands  of  the  receiver  g6neralt  ^nd 
be  applied  towards  defraying  the  expences  of  cloathing,  arms,  &c« 

10.  That  the  legiflature  fhould  ena£t,  that  no  officer  above  the 
rank  of  lieutenant  be  difmifled  from  his  pofl^  or  commifliou,  ex« 
cept  by  fentence  of  a  general  court-martial.  This  will  preferve 
amongft^  the  men  of  property  thefirft  pofls;  upon  which  depends 
very  much  the  perpetuating  of  a  well»regulated  militia. 

.  ii«  There  (hould  be  a  general  difpofition  formed  of 'the  whole 
militia,  that^  upon  alarms,  they  might  readily  aflemble  at  fucfa  pofls 
and  pafTes  as  (hould  be  judged  moft  expedient ;  and  that  the  officers 
and  men  of  every  company  might  know  their  refpcdlive  places  of 
rendezvous,  and  join  without  confufion.  At  thefe  ftations  they 
would  wait  for  further  intelligence,  or  orders.  The  utility  of 
this  regulation  is  obvious.  The  commander  in  chief,  knowing  the 
diipofition  of  every  detachment,  will  be  able  to  direct  their  further 
operations  with  cafe,  difpatch,  and  the  happiefl  effeft.  The  officers 
and  men,  knowing  where  they  are  to  meet  each  other,  will  fbon 
join,  and  form  in  readinefs  to  march  on  their  particular  defbina* 
tion.  Or  a  large  body,  compofed  of  many  companies,  might  be 
quickly  aflembled  by  this  means  together,  to  aft  where  their  com- 
bined ftrength  might  be  necefliary. 

1 2.  As,  in  fbme  extenfive  pariflies,  the  affembling  of  the  mi- 
litia is  a  day's  work,  on  account  of  the  great  diflance  they  have  to 

7  travel; 


B  O  O  K    L       C  H  A  P.    X.  143 

travel ;  I  would  propofe,  in  this  cale,  that  they  (bould^  on  the  days 
appointed  for  weekly  exercife,  aiTemble  at  four  difFerent  parades,  or 
places  of  rendezvous^  which  fhould  h6  ordered  as  convenient  and 
central  as  poffible  in  each  beat  or  division  ;  by  which  arrangement 
the  difficulty  would  in  a  great  meafure  be  removed. 

1 3.  That  every  company  fhould  conflft  of  no  more  than  twen- 
ty-five privates,  welJ-officered.  This  will  be  found  an  ufeful  regu- 
lation in  a  country  where  fmall  detachments  have  always  been  em- 
ployed on  aftual  fervice,  and  found  to  be  mod  proper,  on  account 
of  the  lefs  baggage,  provifion,  and  other  incumbrances,  required ; 
and  the  greater  facility  of^  relieving  them  frequently;  together 
with  the  expediency,  ill  the  time  of  infurredlions,  to  have  detach- 
ments ready,  in  every  quarter,  to  reprefs  the  flame,  on  its  earlieft 
breaking  out  in  different  parts,  and  before  it  gets  to  a  head.  Such 
difbrders  are  to  be  attended  to  like  the  plague  or  other  contagion ; 
which,  by  carefully  checking  its  progrefs  at  firfl,  may  be  hindered 
from  extending  the  venom  of  infection  over  the  whole  mafs. 

14.  The  officers  ihould  give  public  teflimony  of  their  knowledge 
of  the  exercife,  by  drawing  up  in  a  line,  at  the  head  of  their  regi- 
ment or  company,  on  review  or  field  days»  and  going  through  the 
manoeuvres  in  fight  of  their  men,  who  fhould  not  be  exercifed  till 
afterwards.  Frequent  public  exercife  will  not  only  rub  off  the  ruft 
from  the  weapons,  but  from  the  perfons  alfo  of  both  officers  and 
men.  Our  militia,  by  this  means,  will  always  have  their  arms 
clean  and  in  good  order,  aiid  infenfibly  acquire  a  fpirit  and  hardi- 
nefs  conducive  to  their  health  and  utility. 

15.  Once  in  the  year  might  be  a  general  mufler  in  the  three 
counties  or  divifions  of  the  ifland.  A  fufce,  fword,  horfc,  faddle, 
or  the  like,  (hould  be  bought  at  the  public  expence,  and  given  as  a 
prize  to  the  beft  (hot.  The  butt  fhould  be  placed  at  difFerent  ele- 
vations, that  the  (hooters  might  become  expert  at  hitting  the  mark, 
high  or  low. 

16.  Every  officer  and  ferjeant  fhould  be  armed  in  the  fame 
manner  as  the  privates.  The  fpontoon  and  halbert  may  be  very 
properly  difufed  in  our  ifland,  as  very  ill  calculated  for  the  fcrvicc. 
Rank  may  be  diflinguifhed  by  fome  variety  in  their  dttfsy  much 

better 


144  JAMAICA, 

better  than  lu  their  weapons.     A  conliderable  addition  would  thus 
be  made  to  the  (hot  of  each  company. 

ij.  The  arms  and  drefs  (hould  be  adapted^  by  their  lightne(s»  to 
iervice  in  this  climate.  Short-barreled  fire-arms  are  beft-fuited  to 
engagement  in  the  woods,  and  will  therefore  be  found  moil  proper 
and  ferviceable  here. 

1 8.  The  adjutant*general  (hould,  twice  in  every  year^  vifit  the 
militia  in  their  feveral  diftridts,  to  examine  in  what  manner  they 
carry  on  the  exercife  and  duty^  and  to  make  a  true  and  faithful  re- 
port thereof  to  the  governor* 

Thefe  obfervations  are  what  occur  to  me  as  neceflary  towards 
the  e(labli(hment  of  the  firA  clafs  of  the  militia.  PerfeA  models 
have  often  fprung  from  rude  {ketches.  I  fiibmit  my  outlines  to  the 
fuperior  judgement  of  the  legiflature^  in  hope  that  they  may  raife  a 
more  poliihed  ftrufture  from  thefe  mif-(hapen  materials.  In  die  fame 
li^ht,  I  mean  to  introduce  the  following  plan>  or  analyfis,  of  di(ci- 
pline  and  drefs.  Firfl;  for  the  infantry.  They  might  be  rendered 
tolerably  expert  at, 

iOn  full  march. 
In  various  pofitions ;  (landing,  kneeling, 
1^4  i^uauiii^  cAjt^uxvtw*^/,  X     and  recumbent 

/  Advancing, 
t  Retreating^ 
In  platoon. 
Advancing. 
2d,  Firing  '^Retreating. 

Oblique. 

Single  ball  at  a  target. 
3d>  Charging  with  bayonet. 

S  Quick. 
Slow. 
4U1,  iTAttiwiiAijg  iln  ranks. 


/By  divifions. 


En  difilL 
5  th,  Wheeling. 

6th,  Exercife  of  the  fword,  1  w^  ^'^  !^^* 

iDefenfive. 

To 


1 

i                                  BOOK    1. 

CHAP.    X. 

To  thefe  may  be  added  the  manner  of 

Difperiing, 
Rallying,  ^ 
Ambufcading, 

• 

-Breaft-work, 

Attack,   audi   f^ 
Defence,        j 

Hedge, 
1  Narrow  oafs,  and 

»45 


^Houfc. 
Mbonting  guard,  and  relieving. 
The  exercife  of  the  cavalry  fhould  corriprehend  the  particulars 
mentioned,  as  welt  as  fome  others  peculiar  to  their  fcrvicc  on 
horfeback.  It  will  chiefly  confift  in  breaking  their  horfes  to  ftand 
fire,  keep  rank,  rein  back,  and  wheel.  The  men  (hould  learn  to 
load  their  pieces  on  horfeback,  and  fire  to  the  right  and  left 
when  in  motion^  or  even  on  full  ^ee'd,  refting  their  carSines  on 
the  arm  oh  proper  elevation. 

Drefs  propofed  for  the  Infantry^  , 

«      .    •  •  • 

Short,  light  coats ;  Ruffia  drab,  or  other  fit  linen  waiftcoats. 
and  breeches ;  white  Thanet,  or  fmall  hats,  with  a  black  plume, 
or  cockade;  half-boots« 

For  the  Cavalry. 

Thefafltte;  with  fome  variation,  if  thought  proper,  in  the  0iap^ 
of  ^e  fleece,  pocket,  or  epaulet  $  and  leather  caps  inftead  of  hats^ 
with  an  o»:rianiented  front. 

Arms  of  the  Infantry^ 

A  fufee,  four  feet  eight  inches  in  length,  from  thei&uzzle  to  the 
^litremity  of  the  butt;  a  Mterlock  bayonet,  cut  andthruft,  often 
inches  length  in  the  blade,  to  fcrew  on  the  muzzle;  which  will 
keep  ic  firmer  than  the  common  method*  The  ball,  twenty «-two 
to  the  pound  weight. 

A  couteau,  or  fabre-fword,  with  half-baiket  handle,  two  feet 
and  half  long ;  a  lling  belt;  thirty  round  of  cartridge  to  each  man. 

Arms  of  the  Cavalry* 

A  light  carbine  t)f  four  feet  fix  inches  from  muzzle  to  the  end  of 

the  butt.— Piftols  of  the  fame  bore.   Ball  twenty-two  to  the  pound 

Vol*  L  U  weight*-^ 


146  J    A    M    A    I    C 

weight. — A  fttbre  fword,   baiket  hilt,  thr^e  feet  lengtfi    m  tha 
blade;  (ling belt. 

Remarks  in  regard  to  the  fecoud  clafs. . 

I.  A  return  may  be  madCf  by  the  cuftos  of  each  parlfli,  of  the: 
number  of  free  blacks  and  Mulattos  between  the  age  of  fifteen  and^ 
forty-five,  found  and  fit  for  fervice.. 

2.. It  is  propofed^  that  thefe  ihould  be  divided  into  hundreds;; 
and  a  book  kept  in  each  parifh  re(pe£tively ;   and  one  general  book 
by  the  governor's  fecrctaiy ;  in  which  (hould  be  inferted,  in  proper 
columns,  an  exa£t.  detail,  or  regider,.  of  their  names,  ages,  per-- 
fons,  occupations,   and  plaices  ofrefidence.. 

3..  That  a  levy  of  five  hundred  men  fliouldbe.  made  from  this 
body,  by  lot,,  or  rotation,  every  three  years,  taking  one  from,  every, 
hjindred:  fucccfllvely  till  the  whole  iscompleated.. 

4..That  thefe  five  hundred  nien  be  divided  into  ten  companies^ 
called  rangers,  appointed  with  white  oflicers ;  and  their  non-com- 
miflioned  oflScers  be  taken  from  amon^ft  their  own  body.  Could 
aftive  and  well-behaved  ferjeants  be  obtained  from  the  regular 
tridopfe,  toferve  as  lieutenants,  they  would-prove  a  great  means  of- 
eftablifhing  this  body  on  the  moft  efFeftual  footiirg; 

5,.That  they  fliould  be  cloatthed,  armed,. and  accoutred,  uniformly,, 
fomewhat  accordmg  to  the  regulations  propofed  for  the  militia. 

6.  That  each  company  coufift  of  fifty  men,,  exclufivq  of  their. 
commiffioned  officers;  and  thefe  fifty  be  divided  into  four  platoons 
or  diyifions;  ten  or  twelve  men,  with  an  officer,  being  a.  fuflScient: 
party  on  the  duty  in  which  they  wiH  be  employed. 

7.  That  each  company  be.  commanded  by.a?  captain,  two  lieu- 
teiiants,  two  ferjeants,  two  corporals,  and  a  drummer  and  fifer;- 
with  a  French  horn,  trumpet,  or  (heM;  for  each  divifion,  or  platooiu 
The  ufe  of  the  drum  is.  only  for- the  duty  in  their- little  garrifons. 
When  a  party  is  detached  into  the  woods,  they  muft  carry  with^ 
them  a. trumpet,  French-horn,x>r  (hell;  asnoother»inftrume©t  could 
be  fo  conveniently  taken  through  fuch  a  routes 

8.  That  the  ten  companies  be  ftationed  in  ten  diftrifts  judicioufly 
chofen,  and  appointed  by  the  legiflatuj*e  (prby  the  governor,  with 
the  advice  of  a  council  of  war),  fb  as  that  they  may  have  a.  com- 
munication one  with  tlioother. 

9-  That 


B  O  O  K    I.       C  H  A  P.     X.  147 

9.  That  they  fhould  have  good  habitations,  provifion  ground, 
and  a  certain  pay  allotted  them  by  the  public. 

10.  That  their  habitations,  or  barracks,  (hould  be  built  compaft, 
in  order  to  admit  of  their  being  enclofed  within  a  ftockade  fort,  in 
form  of  a  fquare,  with  baflions,  or  other  proper  figure.  This,  with 
a  little  inftruftion,  they  will  be  able  to  compleat  themfelves;  and 
it  will  fecure  them  at  night  from  furprizes.  Befides,  it  is  neceflary 
fhat  their  commanding  officer  fhould  have  it  in  his  power  to  lock 
diem  up  at  nights,  to  prevent  diforders  and  irregularity. 

11.  That  they  fhould  be  exercifed  according  to  the  regulations 
propofed  for  the  militia,  and  chiefly  fhould  be  perfefted  2(s  markf- 
oneB,  bjr  being  taught  to  fire  at  various  elevations,  as  well  as  at 
point  blank  diftance  from  heights  and  up  hill.  They  fhould  alfo 
:4>e  inftrufted  in  the  nature  of  bufh-fightiiig,  and  in  the  proper 
jnanner  of  cleaning  and  talcing  care  of  their  arms. 

1 2.  That  certain  regulations  and  ordexs  for  their  condu£t  and 
#4]\]ty  (hould  be  fettled  and  printed;  copies  whereof  fhould  be  fur- 
iiiifhed  to  the  adjutant  general  and  officers.  Thefe  regulations 
TOufl  be  adapted  entirely  to  the  fervice  on  which  they  are  to  be  ^m^ 
jployed. 

13.  That  weekly  returns  (hould  be  fent  to  the  adjutant  genera!^ 
irom  the  feveral  captains  commanding  pofls ;  fetting  forth  all  ca« 
fualtiesthat  have  happened  in  the  company  or  divifion;  and  giving 
an  exad  account  of  all  occurrences  relating  to  the  fcrvice,  fuch  as 
the  names  of  flavcs  whom  they  have  taken  up,  and  the  names  of 
their  proprietors.  If  they  have  obferved  any  number  of  runaways 
•colleded  in  a  body,  and  if  any  extraordinary  intelligence  has  been 
received,  they  mufl  report  it,  together  with  any  other,  occurrence 
of  moment  which  may  happen* 

14.  That,  the  more  to  engage  their  attention  to  the  fervice, 
they  fhould  be  allowed  a<:ertain  premium  for  €very  runaway  Ne- 
^roc  they  may  take  up. 

I  am  perfuaded,  that  fuch  regulations  might  take  place,  in  tlie 
two  dafles  of  militia,  as  would  make  regular  troops  in  great  mea- 
fure  unneceflary  in  this  ifland;  by  which  a  coafiderable  faving 
would  be  gained  to  the  public,  and  their  militia  put  on  abetter  foot- 
ing than  any  in  the  Wfefl  Indies.     The  inhabitants  rely  too  much 

\J  2^  upon 


148  JAMAICA- 

upon  the  protedion  of  the  king*s  troops ;  ib  much,  as  to  negle^! 
the  means  they  have  of  defending  themfelves  independent  of  thofet 
regiments,  of  which,  accident,  caprice^  or  the  exigencies  of  war,, 
may  deprive  them.  It  would  be  wife  therefore  to  provide  againft 
fuch  an  event. 
Ipropofe  the  following eftablifliment  for  the  rangers:. 


Subfiftance  (Jamaica  currency),]  per  week. 

I  Captain, 
I.  Lieutenant, 
I  more  ditto 


n 


I:  Serjeant,  7 

I,  more  ditto,  j 

1.  Corporal,  1 

I-  more  ditto,  / 
1  Drummer, 
I  Fifer, 

I  Private,.  1 

43  more  dtifo,  J 


^m 


44 


3   12  6 


^    12   6 


JO    lO 

o 
o 


lO    G 
IQ    O 


I  Company, 

lo  Companies, 
Add  5  furgeons,  one  to  every  2 
companies,  at  1 36/,  i  js.fid. 
each  per  annum^  to  provide  ^ 
their  own    medicines  and 
inftruments,  »    •-^ — 

Adjutant,       .        I.  .1-   - 

Totals.. 
Captains,        10 

Lieutenants,  20 
Surgeons,  5 

Sergeants,  20 
Corporals,  20 
Drummers,^,  jo 
Fifers,  i  o 

Privates,      440J 


p. 
o 
6 
o. 

o 
16 


7 
7 
7 

7 

7 

2 


6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 


/^r  moAth, 

ZI       GO] 
10    10.  O 

la  10  Q 


I 


42 

2. 

2 

I 

I. 

I 

I 

I 


O    Q 
O   Q 

a  Q 
10  o 
lb  G 

IQ  O 

10   G 

10  O 


64    XG    G 


29    10   G 


.^«  ■<  I  HI  I 


J595    9  0 


»3.    2  6 


2  12  6 


* 


r 


53^5 


3.19  15  o 


118    00 


^«< 


l\%0      G   O 


p(r  annum.. 

273.  9  ot. 
136  17  6. 
136  17  6 

19 
838 


o 

G 


G 
O 
G, 


'^9* 


^*» 


i»534 


•^■•^^^•^^ 


»3»347 


o  o 
o  o 


o 
0 


o 

G 


0  G 

O  O 

5  o 

Q  O 


I 


52    IG    G 


IG    IG    G 


1243  ^  Q 


6S4    7^  6. 


136  17  6 


l«VM««p«BMI^ 


14^168,15.  Q  , 


»  . 


GI.OATHINO; 


BOOK.    L     GH  A'P.    X.  149 

€kie  half-coatyof  fcarletferge,  lined  with^  brown  holland,  gre6n  cape 

and  c\i&. . 
One  pair  of  Ruflia^drab  breechesi  coarle(liabric» 
One^Rufiiardrab  waiftcoatt  ditto.. 
One  ihiFt.v 

One  pair  of  hal£^boot5.. 
One  pair  of  Arong  {hots. 
One  pair  of  Ofnaburg^trowiers^* 
One  black  ftock.^  \ 
One  Thanet.hat>.  green  dyed;  yellovir  or~ white  worfted'buKling;: 

and  a  black  ftatfaer,  or  cockade. 
Sixtecnvpair  of  thread  .ftockings  fojr  corporals  and  ieijeants^  at  two 

pair  to  each. 
Four  half-faiflicsy  to  be-wooii  by  the  ierjeants. 

ThewboiAc^^pence  of  the  firft  nine  articles^  com-'t 
puted  at. (ft^rling)         ■'        ..  !>■■,.       .i  ...  J  , 


Xhe  expence  of  fifty  (uch,    - 
Addf  for  the  two  Jlaft  articles^. 


100     0 

• 

I  10 

0 

101.  10 

0 

ipi/.iox.  .fterling;  at  j^o  per  cent,  exchange,  is, 

T       •  ^  >        142.   7,    o 

Jamaica  currency,    —        ■  ■        ■       —    •  ^ 


} 


X 

lb 


>ii  I  I II       ii     I       III    I  h 


For  ten  companies,  -     ■  ■  1         ^j421     o     o  / 

Charges  of  package,  entry,  fees,  fhipping,  freight, 
iufnrancCj  commiffion,   and  carriage   to  quar- 
ters ;   eftimated  all  together  at  i^L  per  cent,  on  |  ^ 
the  prime- coft ;  ^  — — ,     — ^    —      

'  * 

Total  of  one  year's  cloathing,     ■  ■  i>634*  2  '  6 

Total  of  one. year's. fubfiftancc, 14,168   15     o 


m  - 


Exclufivejaf  arms  and  accoutrements  unfpecified,-— -  1 5>8o2 .  17    6 

To 


^^o  .     J   /A'    M    A   1   X:    'A. 

To  the  foregoing  fcheme  I  forefix  may  be  reafonably  objected, 
the  hardfliip  of  forcing  free-meniiitb  this  fervice.  Many  of  the 
free  blacks  and  Mulattos  are  proprietors  of  land;  and  -others  fol- 
low fome  trade  or  calling,  :4y  which  they  are  able  to  gjain  mucli 
rmore  for  the.  maintenance  of  their  families  than  is  here  allowed  for 
their  pay.  I  confefs,  it  is^  meafure  to  be  now  taken  up  with  de- 
liberation,  anda  due  regard  to  the  principles.«f  liberty  and  equity, 
as  well  as  the  policy  and  convenience  of  the  country.  Jt  may  feem, 
therefore,  a  mone  equitable  mode,  to  ^raife  this  corps  by  fair  •enlift- 
ing  of  volunteers,  rather  than  compulfion.  There  are  fuppofed, 
of  ftee'blacks,  Muda^fos,  and  Indians,  not  lefs  thanfifteen  hundred 
fencibles.  It  is  probable,  that  of  this  number  it  might  not  be  difficult 
tp  r^ii^  five  hundred  volunte^s  trienniaUy,  who  .have  neither  a  vo^ 
cation  nor  family  to  difluade  them' from  entering ;  and  who  might 
,be  further  teinpted  by  the  encouragements  hereafter-mentioned ; 
and,  bping  once  engaged,  it  is  more  likely  they  would  (if  humane* 
ly  ufed)  incline  to<:ontinue  on,  than  quit  away  of  life  which  will 
give  them  a  provifion  unattended  with  much  labour.  If,  upon  con* 
lideration,  this  mode  fhould  be  preferred,  theyfhiay  be  enlifled  (as 
in?England)  in  prefence  of  a  magifbrate,  who  may  grant  a  certi- 
ficate of  the  contrail:  to  the  enlifting  or  recruiting  officer,  to  be 
regiflered  in -the  fecretary's  office.  A  variety  of  regulations  may  be 
found  expedient;  but  I  (hall  only  hint  a  few;,  which  Qcciir  to  me 
,as  indifpenfably  ncceffary. 

Pay. 

The  commanding  officer  of  each  company  refpedively  to  receive 
vthe.pay  of  his  refpeftive  company  once  a  month,  on  his  giving  in 
a  moi^thly  return  of  effeftives  and  non  efFe6tives ;  aad  making  path 
to  the  truth  of  the  return  before  the  governor,  ;or  maglftrate  by  him 
appointed  for  that  purpofe,  who  ^fhould  certify  the  lame,  and  give 
order  ontbe  receiver  general  for  payment  conformable  thereto;  the 
.^receiver  general  pre^rving  fudh  return  and  -order  fried,  as  his  vqu- 
^l^er,  to  be  laid  before  the  houfe  of  afiembly  at  their  meeting. 

The  return  may  be  fomewhat  in  the  fpllo wing  form  j 

f  Captain 


h 


f! 


B    O 


K 


CH  A  P.      X. 


tSi 


Captain  A*s  Company. 
State  of    it  fince   the  laft  return ;   viz. 


Time 
wheo. 


Deferted^ 
Names, 


Time 
when. 


A-ffiaavlK 


Dlfcharged.  I  Time  I  Prefcnt  Strength  of  the  Company, 
Names.     I  when.  Names.  |  Quality, 


N' 


}; 


Signed  by  the  OflGicer,  \ 


crnor^s  Ordet  oa  the  Receiver* 
general* 


Total  effeftives; 


Pay  Lift. 
Quality. 


1^— 


Captain, 
Lieutenants,  - 
Surgeon  (half), 
Serjeantfiy  • — 
Corporals,  — 

Drum,    ■ 
Fifer, 
Privates, . 


c 


d:'. 


«!■ 


Total  pay  due" 

fimce  the  laft 
return,    ^— 


It  might. be;moft  advifeablc,   that  the  cloathing-money  (hould  be 
paid  once  ^  year  to  the.  refpcdivc.  captains ;  but    it  is  not  certain  * 
whether,  they  would  like  thia  method  fo  well  as  the  military  cuftbra  : 
of  JDaking  ftoppages  out  of  thcv,  men's  pay   for  this  purpofe.     As, 
however,  it  may  be. better  for  the  public,  oa  many  accounts,  that 
the  annual  fum  for  doathing  (hould  be  liquidated,  and  no  ftoppages^ 
allowed ;  it  may  be  neceflajy  to- ftate  the  mbode  propofed  more  ex- 
plicitly,  io  order  to  (hew  it  not  lefs  advantageous  to  the  officer,  and  ' 
ta  convince  him.  that  he^  can.  fufFer  no  probable  lof&  by  undertaking  . 
it  in  this  manner.     The  ufual  ftoppages  in  the  army  for  cloathing  , 
Amount  to  about  3/.*  41.  3  ^  </.  currency,  average  ^^r^mau^^r^a - 
niwn     If  we  fuppofe  the  one  half  of  this  to  be  aftually  expende'd  for- 
the  purpofe,  I  believe  there  are  many  who  will  thiiik  it  lufficieut ; . 
for  it  is  generally  faid,  that  thexloathing  ia  a  very  great  pcrquifite  ^ 
ta  the  colon eK     Taking  then  one  half  for  the  expenditure,  this  is, 
cirrrency,  ,80/..  7;.  3  i^*   for  one  company  of  the  Rangers ;  whereas  » 


iSZ  J    A    Mv   A  :I    i3    A- 

the  allowance  before  ftated  makes  it  142/,  2s.  without  talcing 
into  account  the  isLpcr  centj  allowed  for  charges.  Xlie  difference 
then  upon  the  ten  companies  would  be  this  j 

jr.     s.    d. 

Army  cloathing  (currency),      — ' —  >       ■•     803     12     11 

Rangers,  ^  .■    .  '  ■      . '—  J421       o     ,0 


Higher  charge  of  the  ratigers  cloatbitig  frrTi?.  7^.  t  d.  per  xmnum^ 
which  is  all  in  their  officer's  favour,  befides  213/.  2j.  td.  allowed 
fCK'  charges  thereon  ;  or,  in  the  whole,  830/.  pj.  7^.  advantage  [;c]. 

The  intention,  however,  is  not  more  to  prevent  any  lofs  to 
'the  officer,  ihan  to  provide  amply  for  the  men's  fufEcient  regular 
cloathing,  and  guard  againft  any  defalcations  of  their  pay,  Which 
ought  not  to --be  left,  to  the  officer's  plcafure. 

The  pay  ibouXd  commence  from  the  time  on  which  the  icompanies 
ar^e  formed  or  en;ibodied,.  and  by  a^mioiitbly  advance 

Stoppages- 
No  ftoppage  to  be  allowed  for  cloathing.     All  ^ther  ftoppages^ 
fines,  or  flhort  payments,  to  be  duly  accounted  for  on  oath,  by  the 
commanding  officer  of  each  company,  to  the  governor,   to  be  by 
him  laid  before  the  houfe  of  aflembly  at  their  annual  meeting.  < 

[a*]  For  die  better.fcmmDg  a  judgement  on  the  alldwanee  proper  to-be  made  foreny  fodi  levies, 
I  here  fub^oin  a  /cheme  of  the  army  pay,;  and  iloppageV  on  ^^  preftnt.eftafaUbmoptf  and,  .for 
greater  perfplcuity,  have  reduced  all  the  funis  into  the  currency  of  thisifland. 

'  Private. 

StoppageSf  or  deductions,  made  fer  anmm " 
out  of  the  full  fubfiilence,  for  the  fol- 
lowing ;  viz. 

Poundage,—?-!— 
iloipital^— — 
Agency 


PflfrX^pnings  for  cloathing. 


I^et  fubfiftence,    clear  of   the  ftoppages 
above-mentioned^ 

,<Grofs fubfiilence,   ■  ■■        »—  — r-^ljS    6    6 

According  to  the  beft  informatian.1  can  get,  the  ,men*B  doathing,  at  an  average,  does  not  coft^ 
above  i/.  flerling/rr  he^d,  indii^ing  lerge^mt^,  corporals,  and  drums;  andi  if  ^  regiment  is  ac 
^illant  quarters,  fuch  as  Minorca,  America,  or  the  Wefl-Indies,  the  colonel  nevenbdeis  bears  the 
nixole  cxpence.pf  jrei|;ht,  infuraACe|  syad  all  och^  charges  of  fending  out  tbe.clQathingl 

t  Ewcou^ 


B  O  O  K    1.      C  H  A  P.    X, 


'55 


Encouragements     for   the  non-commiflioned    Officei-s     and 

Privates. 

The  wivfes  and  childreti  of  non-comnaiflioned  officers  and  pri-- 
vates  to  be  entitled  to  the  fame  additional  country  fubfiftence-mo- 
ney  as  is  now  given  to  his  majefty*s  troops  in  the  ifland;  provided 
fuch  wives  and  children  are  free  perfons. 

Every  owner  pr  overfeer  of  flaves  to  deliver  in,  at  the  quarterly 
meetings  of  the  juftices  and  veftry  in  each  parilh  or  precind,  a  lift 
of  all  fuch  belonging  to  him,  or  to  the  cftate  under  his  charge,  as 
are  run  away;  with  a  defcription  of  fex,  age,  and  marks,  and  time 
of  elopeinent;  and  fuch  other  particulars  as  may  lead  to  a  difco- 
veryofthem.  A  detail  may  be  regularly  tranfmittcd  by  the  fe- 
veral  clerks  of  the  veftry  to  the  officer  of  rangers  commanding  in 
or  neareft  to  the  refpeiStive  diftridk,  or  to  the  adjutant. 

For  every  runaway  flave  taken  up  by  the  rangers,  and  conduced 
to  their  owner  or  overfeer,  or  to  the  county  or  parochial  gaol ; 
the  party  or  detachment,  fo  taking  and  conducing,  to  receive 
from  the  owner,  overfeer,  or  gaol-keeper,  at  the  rate  of  3/.  per 
head,  if  not  exceeding  two;  and  for  each  above  that  number  10/. 
/^r  head  for  every  fuch  runaway,  befides  fix-pence  per  mile  for 
mile  money,  by  computation,  reckoning  from  the  place  where  fuch 
runaways  have  been  apprehended. 

Such  money  to  be  received  by  the  commiffioned  or  non-com- 
miffioned  officer  commanding  the  party  or  detachment,  and  be  by 
him  paid  over  to  the  captain  or  commanding  officer  of  the  com- 
pany ;  who  flioultl  caufe  the  fame  to  be  equally  diftributed  among 
the   non-conimiffioned  and  privates,  who  compofed  the  party  or 

detachment. 

No  fuch  runaways  to  be  detained  above  twenty-four  hours  in 
cuftody  of  the  rangers  or  their  officers;  ficknefs,  incapacity  to 
travel,  or  reafonable  delay  fpent  in  conducing  them,  only  ex- 
cepted. 

The  non- commiffioned  officers  and  privates  to  be  exempted  from 
payment  of  all  public  or  parochial  taxes  during  their  term  of  fer- 
vicc,  quit  rent  excepted. 

Vol.  I.  X  Vpon 


154.  JAMAICA 

Upon  bcmg  difbatidcd  at  the  expiration  of  their  trienniumj  to? 
jreceive  a  bounty  of  i/.  ^s.  9^.  each  private;  and  have  leave  to» 
carry  with  them  their  cloathing,  but  not  accoutrements  nor  arms. 

Trial  andPtJNisHMEKT.. 

To  be  tried  for  finall  offences  by  a  regimental  court  martial^ 
compofed  of  three  commiffioned  officers  at  theleaft,  and  punifhcd  ac- 
cording to  rules  and  articles  of  war,  but  not  extending  to  life  or 
iiinbv  or  exwbitant  corporal  infli<E^onSi. 

A  general  court  martial  to  be  held  quarterly,  or  dccafidnally,  at 
the  head  quarters,  the  captain  commmidant  being  president,  for 
trying  all  ftich  other  offences  of  a  higher  nature,  committed  hy  non- 
eommiffioned  and  privates,  as  are  properly  cognizable  before  a  general 
court-martial ;  whofe  feiitence  (hail  not  be  put  in  executioa  without 
warrant  from  the  governor  or  commander  in  chief  of  the  ifland;-. 
nor  /puniihmcnt  by  death  inili6)red  in  amy  cafe,  except  for  cavv-^ 
ai^dice,  or  adual  defertion  to^  or  talking  part  widi^  an  enemy.. 

For  diftin6ti6n  fake,  and  maintaining  better  order,  the  fenior 
captain  tb  be  captaui  commandant,  and  take  precedency  before  the 
other  captains ;  who^  when  the  whole  regiment  is  aflembled  in  the 
field,  or  at  generU  courts  martial,  (hould  take  rank  alio  according 
to  feniority. 

Yhe  captain  conamandant  mijght  like  wife  be  .entitled  to  hold  and: 
eXercife  the  oflSce  of  adjutant-general  tb  the  couri  wTiicTi  appoint- 
ment, added  to  his  other,  will  increafehis  annual  pay  to  413/.  15^*. 
and  make  a  provifion  Very  fuitable  to  his  rank.. 

The  heacl  quarter's  to  be  eftablilhed  by  the  governor;,  and  the. 
captain  commandant  to  refide  there. 

The  officers  not  to  employ  their  men  in  forming,  or  working 
upon,  any  cattle-pen^  or  paftupe  grounds,  fugar,  indigo,,  ginger, 
cacoa,  cotton  pime'ttto,  or  coffee  plantation,  on  penally  of  being 
difmifled  the  fervice,  upon  conviftion. 

To  be  "tried  by  a  general  court  martial,  for  thefe  and  other 
breaches  of  military  duty,  embezzlement  of  their  men's  p'Sy,  or 
reward-naoney ;  and  all  fuch  offences  as  do  not  appertain  'tt>.  *tht 
juni^iiaion  of  the  civil  powers..    Buch  court  to  be  coftipofed  of 

officers 


B  O  O  K    I.       C  H  A  P.    X.  155 

officers  of  equal  rank  in  the  militia  of  the  ifland,  commiflionated 
by  the  governor  for  fuch  purpofe,  and  be  puniflied  by  difmiflion 
from  the  fervice,  or  accprc^ing  tQ  ^he  rulps  ^nd  articles  of  war  to  be 
eftablifhed  for  them  by  law ;  the  proceedings  and  fentence  being 
duly  laid  before  the  gevernor,  for  his  affirmance  or  di(*ffirmance. 

The  married  officers  to  be  allowed  the  fame  additional  fubfiftence 
for  their  wives  and  children  (being  adtually  refident  in  the  i(land)> 
as  is  now  given  to  his  majefty's  regular  troops  flationed  there. 

No  officer's  pay  or  fubfiftence  to  continue  on  longer  than  whilfl: 
he  is  actually  refident  in  the  Ifland. 

Nq  ©on-ofF^Sives,  to  be  allowed,  upon  auy  pretext,  exceeding  the 
rate  of  one  to  ^very  fifty  men. 

By  a  wife  difpofition  of  our  taxes^  Ipfferiin^  all  fuch  as  tend  to, 
Jifcourage  trade   and  fettlements,  augmenting  others  which  may 
have  a  contrary  tepcjency ;  we  might  fooi>  be  poflJbfled  of  a  fur* 
plufage  in  our  fiinds,  fufficient  tq  carry  iiitp  execution  this  ^nd  fe- 
vend  other  plans,  adapted  (o  the  fecurity  and  popqlation  of  thp  i{|and» 
Jamaica  poflefles  ni^ny  advantage?,  which  give  i(  fuperiority  over 
fmalier  colonics ;  yet  thefe  advantages  will  pe  in  a  great   meafure 
couQterpoiied,  whenever  if  (hall  be  unprovided  with  a  defence  pro* 
portioned  to  its  extent,     We  have,  I  thinks  about  twenty-fix  bar- 
racks in  different  p^its  of  the  country,  exclqfive  of  fev^ral  others 
ere£ted  during  Cudjoe^s   rebellion,  and  loi^  fince  deferted.    The 
barracks  now  In  repair  are  capable  of  reiceiving  upwards  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  men»  ^xclijfive  of  officers ;  ^nd  to  girrifon  them  we 
have,  at  rnoft^  not  enore  than  nine  hundred  regulars*     The  b,ar- 
racks,  fituate  far  inland,   rea4ily  offer  thes)/^ves  as  very  proper  to 
contain  detachments  of  th,e  rangers ;  as  their  fervice  will  chiefly 
en^ge  them  in  thofe  parts.    I  fhall  hereafter  take  occafion  to  ^dd 
Ibme  further  r«mark$  and  propofitions  upon  this  head,  in  treatinjg^ 
mk  fubjeds  which  £sem  to  have  connexion  wijth  it*    Perhaps,  what 
i  have  already  difcoMiiedY  in  regard  to  the  militi^y  oiay  be  deemed 
too  much ;  though,  for  my  own  part,  I  do  not  wi(h  to  have  faid 
l^s,  if  any  diing  I  have  mentioned  may  but  gain  the  atteiition  of 
thofe  gentlemfen  whofe  intereft  and  duty  fhaul4  incline  them  to 
enforce  a  plan  which  has  their  welfare  fecurity^  and  bopour,  for 
its  immediate  objeds. 

Xa  APPEN- 


.\  t. 


iSt^  JAMAICA.. 


APPENDIX. 

On  the  legijlative  Conftitutlon  of  Jamaica. 

S  E  C  T.    L 

WHEN   r  had  confidered  two  branches  of  the  legiflatupe  as^ 
they  are  here   eftablilhed,    I  found   them    in    general   zs    pcrfcft: 
as  the  nature  of  things  could   at  prefent  well  allow ;  though  ca- 
£able  of  being  rendered,  yet  more  fo,  if  public  virtue  /hould  be  even 
fe  cultivated  and  improved  in  the  mother  ftate  and.  in  her  colony, 
as  to  produce  a  mutual  confidence; 

In  refpeft  to  the  third  branch,  or  council,  V  have  been  ltd  more- 
particularly  to  an  inveftigation  of  their  office,  authority,  and  ufe,  in 
this  little  fyflem  of  ours,  upon  reading  a  certain  governor's  letters 
to  the  board  of  trade  ;    wherein  he  acquaints  their  lordfhips,  "  that 
*^  he  could  fihd.no  fbundktion  for  confidering  their  legiflative  capa-^ 
**  city  as  diftindt  from  the  flate  they  are  in  as  privy-counfellors,  on 
*'  a  council  fworn  to  perform  their  duty  to  him  as  good  and  faithful 
**  counfellors ; .  that  the  admitting  fuch  a  diftindion- of  different  ca-. 
*^  pacities  in  the  council  might  be  thought  even  to  free  them'  fron^ 
*«  all  obligations  of  the  oath  they  take  as  counfejlors  ;  becauie  theiri 
«♦  duty  to  the  people  as  hgiflators  might  feem-  to  oblige  them  very? 
"  frequently  to  fupport  opinions  repugnant  to  a  governor's  fchemca 
**  and  inftruftibns,  and  very  different  from  what  might,  be  expedcd' 
^^  from  a  fworn  privy- counfdlor,  or  governor's  man ;   and  that,  as 
*«  far  as  he  could  judge  from  his  commiffion  and  inflruAions,  they; 
'«  were  only  a  council  to  advife,  &c."     Thefc  arc  part  of  his  general 
obfervations  concerning  them  ;  and  they  ought  to  be  relied  on,  bc^ 
caufe  he  is  known  to  be  a  gentleman  of  very  great  ability,   and  to 
have  looked  very  narrowly  through  the  journals,  of  the   council, 
from  beginning  to  ead:  and  this  was  his  private  opinion,  commu- 
nicated officially  to  the  "  minifters,  without  any  expcdatioo  th*t  it 
would  be  made  public;  •   Upon  meeting  with  this  account^  fo.  dero-. 
gatory  from  the  fuppofed  privileges,    rights,  and  duties,    of   the 

council , 


\ 


^^^^^ 


BOOK    L      CHAR    xi        APPEND.  157 

eouncil  board,  concerning  which  I  had  h^ard  many  high-flown  re* 
fblutlons;  it  appeared  to  me  furprifing-,  that  a  governor(of  all  per- 
fons)  (hould  have  taken  fo  much  pains  to  «*  deny  the  validity  of 
*^  their  pretenfions,**  and  flrrip^  them  of  all  the  trappings  which 
they  had  long  worn  with  fo  much  confidence-  At  firft  I  doubted; 
But,  on  a  nearer  fcrutiny,  I  became  convinced,  that  he  had  fettled, 
his  judgement  upon  fure  grounds,  and  drawn  his  conclufions  from 
pi'oofs  contained  in  their  own  books  of  written  minutes;,  tracing, 
fadls  down  from  the  very  firft,  and  thus  as.  it  were*  condemning 
them  out  of  their  own  mouths. 

Il  feemed  a  little  fihgular,  that  a  governor  (hould*  thus  feek  to- 
Teflcn  the  powers  of  that  body  which  (whether  ufurped  or  notj 
might  feem  to  lay  fo  much  at  his  difpofal ;  for,  let  the*  ufurpation 
be  carried  to  ever  fo  great  lengths  in  their  ordinary  proceedings, 
there  ftill  remained  in  his  hands  that  irrefiftiblfe  curb,  **  the  power 
**  of  fufpending  them  at  his  pleafure  ;'**  which  he  could  at  any  time 
apply  to  check  them  eflTeftually,  if  their  principles  (hould  incline 
them  to  be  troublefome,  and  to  thwart  h\s  adminiftration.  But  his 
letters  in  fome  degree  explain  thi?..  He  appears  to  have  thought  it 
the  particular  duty,  and  only  proper  ufe,  of  the  council,  that  they 
fhould  ever  be  the  fworn  creatures  of  the  crown,  and  firm  auxi- 
liaries to  the  governor;;  fo  as  that,  by  adding  their  weight  to  his; 
thefe  two  branches  might  always  prove  an  over-match  for  the  third';. 
or  houfe  of  alTembly.  This  houfe  had  come  to  fome  undutiful  re- 
folutions  (as  he  was  pleafed  to  term  them)  refpefting  a  report  of  the  : 
hoard  of  trade  to  the  king  on  fome  of  their  bills  fent*  home ;  in 
which  report  the  houfe  concejved  themfelve?  illiberally  treated: 
The  council;  fogettrng  their  dependence,  concurred  with  the  houfe 
in  the  fame  undutiful  fentiments;  and  thus,  by  joining  with  the  af-  - 
fembly,  formed  a  kind  of  league  againft  that  miniftry,  the  redtrtude 
of  whofe  cenfures  the  governor  probably  thoughthimfelf  bound  to 
affert.  Hence,-  in  his  epiftle  to  their  lordihip^,  helaments,  "that 
*♦  he  had  not  even  the  council  with  him  upon  that  occafion/* ''  He  . 
feemed  to  regard  them-  merely  as  his  fervant?,  bound  by  oath,  as 
well  as  duty,  to  afTociate  with  him  on  every  point  of  conteft  which 
iTc  might  have  with  the  aflembly.  So  glaring  a  revolt  as  they  had 
jaft  made  alarmed  him  ;-and  it  is  not  to  be  wondered,^  that,  after  • 

(?tiing:; 


158  JAMAICA. 

fifting  their  conditution,  and  finding  that,  from  the  earlieft  tlmcs^ 
they  had  been  fubordinate  and  devoted  to  ^he  command  of  gover-^ 
norst  he  thought  it  neceflary^  that  <^  he  (hould  bring  them  l>ack"  to 
ajuft  fciife  of  their  dependent  ftate*  Mod  probai)ly^  bis  intention 
in  thefe  letters,  fo  far  as  relates  to  the  council,  was  to  obtain  a  fet 
of  inftruftions  from  the  fuperior  powers,  for  laying  thefe  truant 
gentlemen  imdcr  ftrider  regulations,  and  intimidating  them  from 
fuch  oppofition  in  time  to  come.  However  that  might  be,  the  idea 
he  had  given  of  their  conftitution  and  Aife  excited  many  others  to 
inquire  more  minutely  into  them. 

In  regard  to  the  following  remarks,  I  am  not  confcious  of  mi{^ 
^eprefentation^  I  hope  I  fhall  make  appear,  to  every  difpailionat^ 
wcU-wiflier  of  the  independence  of  our  affemblies,  how  necefl'ary 
it  is,  that  this  body,  freely  elefted  by  the  people,  (hould  confide^ 
themfelves,  and  be  coniidered,  as  the  true  guarantees  of  the  confli- 
tutionad  rights  »of  thepeople*  Should  they  fuffer  the  ^council  to  ex- 
crcife  certain  powers,  which  arc  utterly  incon^patible  with  a  de* 
pendent  condition^  under  all  the  implicit  Obedience  and  devotion 
-exaded  from  that  board,  and  for  which  alone  fome  governors  have 
feemed  4o  think  them  firft  conflituted:;  they  cannot  but  be  fenfible, 
on  reflexion,  that  the  execcife^of  fuch  powers,  by  men  adting  under 
filch  reftraint,  iSf  andmuft  be^  extremely  injurious  to  thofe  rights* 
It  is  abfurd  for  men  te  talk  ^^  of  their  holding  large  ftakes  in  this 
^  community^  and  therefore  that  they  never  can  be  fo  much  their 
<^  own  enemies  as  to  impair  the  public  freedom.**  That  fbme 
ihould  argue  in  this  Arain^  who  have  already  made  a  reiignatioii  of 
their  will  ^to  a  governor's  power  and  pleafure,  and  have  voluntarily 
jproftrated  themfelves  at  his  feet,  from  vanity,  ambition,  or  other 
^motives,  is  truly  ridiculous.  As  weU  might  a  Britifli  fubjeft,  who 
hsLS  turned  Mahometan  at  Conftantinople,  fworn  on  the  Alcoran,  and 
^cepted  a  poft  from  the  Ailtan,  pretend,  that  he  has  neither  apofta- 
•tized  from  his  former  religion,  nor  made  a  facrifice  of  his  former 
freedom*  That 'men  ihould,  in  many  thin^,  adl  repugnantly  t3 
their  own  intcreft,  or  that  of  their  family  and  friends,  is  not  in  the 
Icaft  extraordinary ::  every  day  affords  examples  of  it.  That  pride, 
vanity,  and  headftrong  paffions,  fliould  urge  men  to  the  commiffioa 
4)f  iervile  and  difhonourable  a&ions,  is  equally  common  and  noto* 

rious« 


BOOK     I.     CHAP.     X.        APPEND.  159 

etous.     What  creature,  in  fliort,  is  more  variable  and  inconfiftcnt 
ihan  man  J    His  prefent  refolutions,  taken  up  in  one  minute,  are 
broken  in  the  very  next;  and  he  is  never  lefs  to  be  trufted,.  than 
when  lie  appears  mofl  determined  :  fo  liale  controul,.  in  general^ 
has  reafon   over  the  vidfent  and  confliding  affe(flions  of  the  mind,. 
the  force  of  prejudice,  and  the  fedudions  of  pomp,,  grandeur,  and 
honours..    We  have  but  too  much  ground  for  fufpeding  the  {)crni- 
cious  efFc(fh    of   that   over-ruling   influence,    beneath    which    the 
council  have    repofed  themfelves  heretofore  with   fo  much   paflive 
compliance.     The  paft  experience  of  many  years  (hould  inftruft 
us  to  what  a  cloie  connexion  it  may  draw  them  with  the  fuprcme 
executive  power  j  and  how  futile  the  expedtationj  that   they  can 
over  be  brougjit  into  a  firicere:  and  feithful  conjunction  with  the. 
houfe  of  reprefentatives,  in  fupporting  any  meafures  difagreeablo: 
to  a  governor^  however  juft  and  neceflTary,  while  the  terror  of  fuf* 
penfion  hangs,  like  a  drawn  fcymetar,  inceflantly  over  their  heads.. 
For  thefe  reafons^  and  as  Pong  as  they  remain  in  this  ftate  of  vaf- 
felage,  it  may  be  prudent  for  the  aflembly  to  regard  them,  and  the 
commander  in  chiefs  as  making  one  incorporate- in  the  ft  rift  bonds 
©f  union.     Before  1  examine  into  their  origin,  I  (hall  defcribe  the 
conftitution  of  the  privy-council -in  Great- Britain  ;,  as.  the  differ- 
ence,    between  them  and  the  mutilated  refemblance  we  have  of 
them  in  our  colony^  will  be  rendered  more  ftriking  b^  the  com:* 
parifon,, 

'They  are  ftyled  the   privatum,  conollium^.  or  privy  council,  for. 
noatters  of  ftate.     Sometimes,  for  diftin6ion*s  fake,  they  are  called,. 
•^  The  Council."  They  are  an  aflembly  of  the  king,,  and  fuch  perfons 
as  he  wills  to  be  of  his  privy-council,  in  the  king's  court  or  palace.. 
The  king's  ^(rW<>  is  the  fole  conftituent  of  a  privy-counfellor,  and 
regulates  the  nuihber  of  the  board..    They  are  made  by  the  king*s> 
nomination,  without  patent  or  grant;  and,  on  taking  the  oaths, 
they  become  priy:y  counfellors^  during  the   life  of  the   king,  who- 
choofes  them,  unlefs  they  are  intermediately  removed ;.  for  they; 
are  fubjeift  to  removal  at  the  king*&  pleafure ;  and  he  may,  when- 
ever he  thinks  proper,  difmifs  any  particular  members;   or  the  whole: 
board,   and  appoint  another.     Any  nattiral-born  fobjeftof  England, 
is  capable  of  being  a.  member  of  this  council.    In  commitments 

they 


i6o  JAMAICA. 

they  are  faid  to  have  the  fame  povyer  as  a  common  juftice  of  the 
peace.  Their  names  wer/s  generally  inferted  in  fome  or  other  of 
the  grand  commiffions  of  peace  for  counties  or  (hires;  and  it  is  pro- 
bable, that  it  was  upon  this  authority  alone  they  have  ever  legally 
exercifed  the  power  of  committing  pjerfons  tp  gaol  for  prefumed 
crimes  againft  the  (late :  but  this  power  is  now  reftrained  within 
due  bouuda.  By  what  means  the  council  of  Jamaica  acquired  their 
threefold  capacity  of  privy,  juridical,  and  legiflative^  is  now  to  be 
the  fubjeft  of  .inveftigation. 


SECT.     11 

THE  ifland  of  Jamaica  being  originally  conquered  from  the 
Spaniards,  fettled  by  natural-born  fubje6bs  of  England,  and  at  the 
national  expence  [jy],  there  can  be  no  pretence  to  queftion  their 
title  to  the  benefit  of  all  the  laws  of  England  then  exifting,  and 
the  rights  of  Englifhmen.  Thefe  were  their  true,  legitimate,  and 
undoubted  inheritance,  at  the  time  of  the  conqueft.  I  Jcnow  that 
fome  antient  reporters  of  law-cafes  have  laid  it  down  for  found  doc- 
trine, "  that  the  Weft-Indian  iflands,  bejng  originally  gotten  by 
''  conqueft,  ,or  by  fome  planting  themfplves  there,  the  king 
'*'  may  govern  them  as  he  will/^  Nothing  can  more  expofe  the 
ablurdity  of  fuch  an  opinion,  literally  underftood,  than  the  pofi- 
tion  into  which  it  is  refolvable,  and  which  amounts  in  effedt  to 
this,  viz.  if  any  Englifh  forces  fhall  conquer,  or  any  Englifh  ad- 
venturers pofTefs  themfelvps,  of  an  ifland  in  the  Weft-Indies,  and 
thereby  extend  the  empire,  and  add  to  the  trade  and  opulence  of 
England  ;  the  Englifhmen,  fp  poflefling  and  planting  fuch  terri- 
tory, ought,  in  confideration  of  the  great  fervice  thereby  efFefted  to 
their  nation,  immediately  to  be  treated  .as  aliens,  forfeit  all  the 
rights  of  Englifh  fubjefts,  ^nd  be  ]eft  to  the  mercy  of  an  abfolute 

\J\  The  chi^ge  to  the  commonwealth  of  £oglaDd  for  the  forces  maintained  ^ 


>\^.  ^cre,  according  to  91  account  rendered  before  the  houfe  of  commons,   a  6 

March,  1659,  amounted  to  ■ 


110^228  II  5f 


The  annual  iiTues  afterwards,  till  the  Reiloration  of  Charles  !!•  about  — ^  54iOo<>    o  o 


BOOK    I,       tJftAU    X.       APPEND.        i6i 

fi^qded '  aii4  49peii4?Bt  ¥f  oft  tb<^ ^ym^Q9^\  W^r  This  is  119  ..uur 
fair  coaftrufti^n  qf  ,^ft  tf^l^m^  l  lifaije.  ^t^^  j  yej?  it  haa  ^  recdyed 
counteiiaiice  from  fpme  ^  Qthep  It^av^  It^oi^ts,  tvhich  afiect^  thtf 
«<  Tbfil(:ing,  having  cppq^^e^i  a  country,  paileiTqd  ^y  fqreignpir^y 
<^  g^ns»  hj  favipg  tdbcif  %f  s^**  (i^  e*  Ipif  not  mi^rdering  them  in; 090! 
blood),  ^^  *  rigjit  ^id  pffope*^  in  f^i^h  0eogJ(9,  and^  pwy  imppfc 
<^  on  them  what  Uw  he^plQafe^[ssy|  Tl^^ho^l^^  i9^m  tis^  that 
this  favage  do£^ine  W9&  f0iufi|4ed  ou  a  ^^fierj^iaation  of  the  locd^ 
of  the  privy-couocily  at  a  polony  appeal ;  ai^  they  moft  probably 
deduced  it  from  the  civil  codeSr.whQfe  inf^itute;  ^yefei  framed  for, 
and  received  by,,  eufla^ed  oatioos.  Wherever  thfsif  lpi«dihi{>6  fpuixd 
it,  their  deterii^Q^tipn:  0^  th;f  pr  any  othec  co^itvftio&al  point  is 
not  law  (I  mean  the  l^w  pf  th«r,land),  auid  ought,  not  therefore  lo 
have  adout^uce  a^^ongft  t^ioie  collections  of  f;^e  av):|i9i:itie$  whjich 
are  to  form  the  rule  of  judgement  isi  our  Englifli  courts  of  l^Wi^ 
But  fuppofing  the  ma^^im  applies  to  the  conquered,  not  to  the^co^r 
querors;  yet,  even  in  this  fenie,  it  will  Qot  involve  Jamaica^ 
The  EngUlh,;  who  made  the  feizisfe  qr  iDpnqxieft  of  it,  were  not 
loofe  adventurers ;  but  the  forces  of  the  fjtate,  employed  and  de«- 
tached  by  it;  on  purpjoie  (o  conquer.  The  Spaniih  inhabitants  did 
npt  fubmit  to  the  difcretion  of  the  £ngli(h  army ;  but  refufed  the 
terms  ofieped  to  them,  and  were  by  dint  of  arms  driven  forcibly 
away  frpm  the  ifland.  Y  et,  if  thpy^  had  accepted  the  conditions 
propofedi  they  would  not  have  fopndthemfelves  reduced  to  flavery  ; 
for,  hy  the  ^ft&  article  of  the  capitulation,  it  was  declared,  by  this 
Englifli  generals,  "  That  all  artificers  and  meaner  fort  of  inhabitants^ 
^<  who  fhall  deGre  to  remain  on  the  iilatid,  (hall  ei^'oy  thei^r  freedom 
**  and  goods,  (excepting  flaves)  j  they  fubmittiog  and  conforming 
^  ta  the  laws  asi^d  government  9f  the  Englifli  natioti^"  The  con^ 
xjue^ors  could  not  l^v^  ma4ethi^  affurance,  had  they  not  been  at 
thactimein  the.  ahfointe  pofieffipn  themfelves  of  tho£e  laws  and 
xhstf:  gpvernment.  There  are  fome  Law  Beports,  indeed,  which 
adm^  this  inherent  right  in  the  Englifli  fubjeft.  <^  If  there  be  a 
><  new  and  ui^i^habited  country  found  out  by  EngUdx  fubjedts;  as 
^^  the  law  is  the  Inrlib^right  of  every  fuch  fubjei^i  fo,  wherever 

.  -'    l%1  D9&Y  &^4*        Vaughui,  2%u 

Vol.  L  Y  .  ^  Aey 


i6z  JAMAICA. 

*•  they  go,  they  carry  their  Jaws  with  them ;  and;  thereforei  fuch 
"  new-found  country  is  to  be  governed  by  the  laws  of  ^ngfandi 
*'  But  afts  of  parliament,  made  in  England  after  fuchcolmtry  is  in* 
<*  habited  by  Englifh,  and  which  name  not  the  foreign  plantations; 
**  will  not  bind  them  [a'].^  This  opitiion  has  rational  principles 
for  its  defence.  But  for  a  nation  like  England,  Tupported  by  com- 
merce and  J)lantations,  to  invite  her  ftibjefts  to  conquer  And  phni, 
-at  the  hazard  of  life,  indiftant  climates,  ,under'  a  folemn  afllirancc 
of'  disfranchifemrent  ftiidflavery  for  their  reward,  is-  furely  a-  mod 
prepofterous  kind  of  encouragement ;  it  is  a  prohibition,  not  an 
invitation,  to  colonize.  More  modern  civilians  would  have  io^- 
ftrufted  their  lord(hips  of  the  privy-council,  that,  •*  wheii  a  nation 
^*  takes  pofleffion  of  a  diftant  country,  and  fettfcs  a  co?6ny  there, 
'  *«  that  country,  though  feparated  from  the  principal'  eftabliftimenti 
♦*  or  mother  country,  naturally  becomes  a  part  of  the  ftate  equally 
•«  with  its  original  pofleffion s{i];"  It  is  the  fame  in  efFeft  whether 
a  body  of  Engliflimen  feize  and  acquire  a  diftanf  country  at  their 
owttfree  adventure,  or  arc  edbfdoyed  by  the-  nation  to  do  fo;  as 
a  part  of  the  larger  fociety,  they  make  the  acquifition,  bot  for 
'themfclves  alone,  but  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  fociety  to  which 
they  belong.  If  the  conqueft  of  territory  is  made  at  the  national 
expence,  the  nation  in  general  becomes  ftill  more  ftrongly  in- 
terefted  in  it ;  for  the  expence  of  the  conqueft  has  been  defrayed^  by 
taxes  or  pecuniary  aids  contributed  by  the  people,  Itis,  therefore,, 
'annexed'  to  the  fovereignty,  andbecomes  an  additional  menjber  to 
the  ancient  dominion  of  the  realm.  If  the  £nglilh  conquerors 
eftablifti  themfelves  as  planters  of  the  foil,  their  rights  are  unalic* 
nable,  whilft  they  continue  in  obedience  to  the  national  laws  ;•  they 
cannot  be  fubje£led  to  laws  repugnant  to  thofe  of  England,  and  are 
iio  tnbre  liable  to  be  governed  fry' the  meer  will  of  the  king  -  than  ilF 
they  had  remained  in  England:  -They  may  not  enatftlaws  or  ordi- 
nances injurious  to  the  national  weHare;  and  the  parliament  of  Eng- 
land is  reciprocally  bound  to  impfofe  nothing  on  thecolonifts  in  vicH- 
Jation  of  thofe  rights,  libertres,  privileges,  abd  immurtities,  which 
they  inherit  in  common  with  their  fcUow-fubjefts  refidiog  in  the 
mother  country.  Thefe  Ttlitiik  are 'polition^  AA/^hich  our  cohftitutioii 
implies,  and  which  no  Englifliman.willcoutfoyert. 

[a-]  2  P.  Will.  75.    2.  Salk,  41  k.  [*]  Vsttcl, ; 

SECT. 


BdOK    I.      CHAP.      X.        APPEND.       ij^j 


J5.E  C  T.    III. 


}  i 


AFTER  this  ifland  had  been  fubdu^d  by/ the  army  and  napy 
employed  by  the  commoriwealth  of  England^  and  the  Spaniards  ut- 
terly driven  out;  CromwdU  the  fupreme  magiftratCt  had'  it  feri- 
oufly  in  his  thoughts,  to  cekafe  tb^/et^tlets  from  law-martial,  and 
give  them  poflefifionof  that  civil  fQrw  of  government  [c]  to  whi^Ii- 
they  'vrere  entitled. .  Bat,::ftei  jhe  Spaniards .  made  fome .  aueinpts  to 
re^^poflbfs  the  iflaixd,.  by  which  moans, great,  part  of  the  fettlers  were 
kept  almoft.donftantly  ifftder.artns,  •and  a  fadtipo  alfo  prevailed,  oc- 
cafioned  by  feveral  of  the  leading  men^  who,  either  f^om  a  fpirit  of 
difaffe^on  towards  Cf'omivdU  or  a  pa^pQ^te  dei|rf  of  jreturpipg  to 
Europe^  pbftrufted  a$  ypi^ch  as  in  them  Jf^y  the  de^gn  of  planting  ;• 
little  qr  no  progrefs  was- made  during  Olivef'^^ljfe  to\yards  a  civil 
eftabli(hment»  It. was  referved  for  Charles  IL  to  cfTedtuate  this« 
In  fettling  their  civil  government,  the  parliament  of  England  ne- 
ver interfered  ;.  but  left  to  the  king,  as  the  fountain  of  judice,  by 
his  executive  authority,  to  bring  the  £ngli(h  laws  into  exercife 
among  their  felIow-fubje<9ts  here,  by  eredling  judicatories,  ap- 
pointing competent  officers  for  the  difpenfation  of  public  juftice, 
and  fummoning  a  legiflature  agreeable  to  the  laws  and  cuftoms  of 
England.  -  As  the  circumftances  of  the  infant  colony  required  that 
peculiar  laws,  adapted  to  them,  fl|[iould  be  framed,  for  the  benefit 
and  fecurity  of  the  fettleis^  and  that  fome  proviiioa  (hould.alfo  be 
made,  by  diofe  feitlers,  from,  time  to  time,  towards. defraying  the 
public  expenccs,  and  better  fupporting  the  government  of  the' 
iQand,  in  order  to  relieve  the  mother  ftate  in  that  cliarge  ;  they  were 
fummoned  by  the  king's  writs  to  aflemble  reprcfentatively,  and  exe- 
cute their  inherent  rights  of  legiflation  ;  in  the  exercife  whereof 
they  could  npt  conditutionally  be  ^  denied,  (and.  were  therefore 
allowed)  the  fuH '  adoption  of  aH  the  jurifdiclions,  powers,  autho- 
rities, and  privileges,  which  the  cpmrhons  of  England  were,  by  the^ 
Englifli  l»Wfr  and. CGflftitution*  enfeoffed  in  ;  or  (at  lead)  of  fo  mucin 
and  iuch  portion  of  them^  as  they  found  neceffary  and  convenient 

i[c]  C.  Ap|)endix« 

Y  2  to 


r6j^  J    A    RT    A    t   C    A/ 

to  be  exercifbd,  in  their  fhare  of  legiflation^  within  this  part  of  the> 
£ngli(h  dominions^  as  yet  m  its  minority.     But,  in  the  great  point 
of  legiflation^    it  wa»  extremely  (ilfficutt  to  follow  the   EngliHi 
model  with  the  like  degree  of  exa&nefs  which  had  been  found  fo ' 
edy  an^  prai^cabSe  wSth  reijped  to  the  coia^rta  of  juttke^  and  ibinc 
other  mil  departments :  fof»  altboi»gii  the  ?eprefM«ative  body  of  ^ 
the  people  was  a  fuffieieDtly  p^tf^  copy,  on  their  part^.of  the 
comiiwh^ reprefeiktatives  in  England  ^  yet  there  was  wanting  an  hi-* 
termediace  branch,  compofed  of  men  enn^D^ied  by  diek  tidn^  ;d%<; 
n%ed  hy  the  <x>nftitii^ion,  ^li6^  .hf  beMdittoy  raiik  foperior  to  tto' 
cbmmob  people,  and  cdnfAMibg  «  Mgular  gradatiott^fimn  thiei^  up^ 
to  the  (bvereign.    In  a  c^MMiy  ^h«i«  alt^  the  inhflbitivMSi  Mwre^ 
comtnons^  it  was  impoffibte  t6liAd  ^Ife  ordtr  of  Ivipdrior  Mmgi  ;a 
ahd  of  <:oorfe  our  legifkture  im  ^f^  4i(tdi^€  in  ite  tefemUaiKe 
to  the  parliament  of  £nglatidyWhkhk:oAfift^  of  thrM  ifttfte^.  In  t^tty 
B^Oyley,  who,  by  the  deceafe  of  genettil  Brayne,  bifetoAie  general  of 
thci^aiid,  atid  fo  coBlinued  till  vkdt  Grdteweffs-tleath,  was,  by 
Charles IL appointed gOTCtnor  ahd  commander  ihchief  of  the  ifland. 
With  hisnewcommiflion,  herecdive^  rnftr<s£tions»to  tli&andthearmy, 
ahdfummonby  writ  a  council  of  tWeltbmen,  of  whon^  the  fecretaryof  ^ 
the  ifland  for  the  time  being  was  to  be  one;  and  the  reilCo  be  indiffe- 
rently eleiSed  by  the  inhabitants  in  ^he  nature  of  reprcifentatJves[^. 
With  their  advice  and  confent,.  he  was  etopowered  to  regulate  die 
forms  of  civil  government  ;.and  totnaA  laws  according  to  Asch  cu-^ 
iloms  and  ufages  as  were  exercifed  in  the  other  Engliih  colpnies,  and  t 
not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England^  We  obferve  herci  .then,  a  le- 
giflature,  <as  perfe£fc  as  the  circumftahcer  t^  a  colony  admitted  or  re-< 
quired,  called  together  by  a  lawful  writ,  and  founding  the  fobor«- 

[d]  The  ifland  was,  about -thk  tisne^  or foMafte«>;diykkd inter tw^vedifiriflig,  imfirembfetti  t 
At  iffl-appoimied  number  of  x^qu^efiaitatlveB^  vie.  . 

Port  Royal, .  §«,  John*  •-.  Sr.  Ma>y,  . 

St,  Cotiiartiie, .  St.  Dav^i  ,  8u  An»K,  \ 

Sti  Andsewr, .  8c<  Tlipipa#, .  .  Su  Jaihes» 

Oarendoii,  ,  St,  Gtorge,  ,  St.  Elizabeth  ^ 

hdog  at  thstt .  time  the  onl^  inhabited  parts.    It  was  afterwards  furteyed  and  diWdedtiAder  S^  v 
1bQfaaaMaddifbrdVgoviriiaicnt|4n.i664i  b«i^tt«'ii4w»faiilMiki^dsllA^«UUcdfcc|r'ji^   . 

dinatfrv. 


BOOK     h        CHAP.    X.        APPEND.      16^ 

Jinite  partb  of  the  civil  ftrudure  by  their  free  am)  i»iindaence4 
^dgement,    agreeable  to   the  fpirit  of  the  EftgUdi    conftitution. 
D*Oy  ley,  with  this  Iktfe  fen  ate,  formed  a  fort  of  commune  concilium, 
9f  g6vernor  and  commbns ;  a^id  they  ena6lvd  feveral  Uwf,  whole 
duratfOD  was  only  for  two  ye^irs.     Whether  the  fecretary  a^ed,  ^n 
this  oociifiany  only  as  clerk,  to  regtfter  their  proceedings,  or  Ivvd 
a- voiicey  does  not  now  appear^    1*  is  certt^in  he  was  no  rcprcfent^uive, 
iw  he- fat  among  them  ^^r  mandatum  regh^  and  not  by  free  ele^flioh.  - 
r.«m^  therefore)  inclined  to  think  he  was  only  rhe  cierk;  as,  in  ^ 
fbme.of  th^  colonies  the  crown  at  this  day  claims  and  exerdfes 
ai  pferogativfr  to  nominate  land  appoint  fuch  an  officer  to  theit  aC* 
femblies.     Thus  was  the- Icgiflative  conftitution  of  Jamaica  framed/. 
without  including  in  it  any  thing  like  a  third  branch;   nor  was  it 
debmed  at  all  expedient,  becaufe  the  governor  and  the  body  of  re- 
prefentatives  were  not  only  a  legitlature  formed  confiftently  with  * 
the  principles  of  the  Englifti  conftitution,  but  they  were  folly   able  - 
to  frame  -and  enaft  laws,  and  other  fit  pjrovifionfi,  without  the  inter* 
veotioh'of  any  third  body ;- nor  was ^ the  utility  of  foch  a  third* 
branch,  or  femblance  of  the  houfe  of  lords,  at  this  time,  or  for 
niTiny  years  after,   ever  thought  on.     And,-  as  governor  D*Oyley 
had  been  in  the  ifland  from  the  very  time  of  its  Conquefti  and  was  • 
therefore,  and  from  his  ability,  as  well  informed  of  every  matter- 
relative  to  it  a»  any  other  of  its  inhabitants,  there  was  no  neccfffity  • 
toaflignhim  a  privy-council,  to  advifo  him  in  his  proceedings;; 
and  confequently  none  was  appointed.    But,  in  the  year  1662,  upon  « 
his  earneft  defire  to  return  home,  lord  Windfor,  an  utter  flranger 
to  thc' colony  and  its  affairs,  .was  appointed  to  fuccecd  him  in  'the 
government. .    By  his  lordfhip's  commiflion  and   inftrud^ions,  he  - 
was  empowered  to  choofe  his;  own  privy-council ;  and  to  fummon,  - 
by  writ,   affemblies,  to  be  ele6bed  by  the  people.     With  advice  of  ^ 
his  privy-council,  he  was  further  empowered  to  give  the  royal  aC* 
fent to  fuch  laws  as  (hould  be  palled  by  thofe  afifemblies,  and 'not- 
repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England  [e]. 

{el  Id  the  4tli  article  of  iuftru^ioQ  to  Sir  Thomas  Lynch,  ft6  Feb.   i670-;z/we  find  thefe  ' 
wwdf :  M  You  fliall  have  power,  wufe^hc  advice  of  the  council,  to  call  aiTeitiblies^  to  make  lavs* 


i56  J    AM    A    1    C    A.  , 

The  fucceeding  governors  an4  lieutenant-governors  were  directed 
to  choofe  their  own  privy. council,  until  the  appointment  of  lord 
Vaughau,  1675,  in  whole  commiffion  the  4iicmbers  of  the  privy- 
council  ^were  exprefsly  named  by  the  king.  It  js  evident,  then^ 
that,  after  the  abolition  of  a  council  of  war,. which  Was  alio  a 
council  of  flate  during  01iver*s  life-time,  and  which,  with  a  major- 
general  and  a  quorum  of  comraiffioners  conftituted  for  this  purpafo 
by  the  proteftor  and  his  council  of  ftate  (according  to  the  mode 
then  prevailing  in  England),  had  governed  Jaixxaica  by  no  othpr 
than  law  martial ;  the  firft  civil  eftablifliment  took  place  under 
D*Oyley's  adminiftration.  The  kii>g  rejcded  at  firft  the  ule'  of 
i  council  of  ftate;  and  introduced  in  its  ftead  a  iegal  proper  legif- 
lature,  confifting,  as  before  mentioned,  of  his  delegate,  and  a 
fufficient  number  of  freeholders  of  the  ifland,  .ele&ed  in  England, 
by  the  free  votes  of  the  people,  for  their  jeprefentatives.  But, 
when  it  was  found  neceflary  to  aid  the  governor  in  many  points  of 
adminiftration,  lord  Windfor  was  direfted.to  appoint  a  privy -.coun- 
cil for  this  intention,  the  choice  being  left  to  his  own  difcr'etioii ; 
and  their  principal  bufinefs  and  ufe  fecm  to  have  been,  to  give  him 
advice  on  all  occafions  wherein  he  had  either  no  inftruftions,  or 
thought  fit  to  apply  to  them;  fuch  as  the  guarding  of  the  ifland 
againft  hoftile  iavafions,  or  internal  rebellions ;  the  iftuing  payments 
out  of  the  revenue  granted  biennially  by  aflembly ;  the  appoint* 
nuent,  or  r,emoval,  ^f  officers  civil  .and  military.;  the  confervation 
of  the  rights  of  prerogative  ;  and  the  granting  or  refufing  his  af- 
fent  to  fuch  bills  as  the  aflembly  pafled.  The  crown  was  fenfible, 
that  the  goveriwrs  lent  from  England  to  this  ifland  muft  need  be 
ignorant  of  many  particulars  necefjary  to  be  known  for  their  con- 
duit inthegovjernment'Of iti  Th-e  introdudion  of  flaves  for  car- 
rying on  the  plantations,  and  the  very  nature  of  th^  climate  and 
commercial  pfoduflions,  opened  a  fcene  entirely  new  to  them: 
gnd,    as  the  laws  and  provilions  ufeful   and  expedient  for  the  in- 

"  and  to  levy  monies  for  our  fervice,  *  &c.'^ — Here  is  expTefsly  no  other  power  given  to.  the  go* 
vernor,  than  that  of  con^-ening  the  reprefentatives ;  and  this  under  provifo,  tliat  he  flinuld  iirft 
tefe^ihe  advice  of  his  council,  as  to  the  feafon  and  expediency  of  their  meeting?.  No  power  is 
herein  alfigned  to  the  council,  except  that  of  limply  giving  their  advice  to  the  governor.  No  other 
,po^vcr,  indeed,  cOuId  legally  have  been  gken  by  the  crown  in.refped  to  matters  of  legiflation. 

ternal 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.      X.        APPEND.         i6^ 

fcrnai  police  and  furtherance  of  ftttlemcnts  in  the  ifland,  were  to- 
be  underftood  only  by  a  long  refidence.in  the  Weft-Indies,  or  from' 
the  accounts  of  men  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  colony  matters  ;i 
k  would  have  been  impoffible  for  fuch  governors,  without  the  ad- 
vice and  afliftance  of  fome  gentlemen  of  good  abilities,  and  know- 
ledge of  the  country,  to  explain  the  propriety  of  the  affembly's* 
l^ills,  or  form.a  competent  judgement. on  various  matters  incident. 
peculiarly  to  their  admi^iftration.  For  this  reafon,  among  others, 
every  governor  is  exprefsly  iuftruQred  to  tranfmrt  to  his  majefty* 
the  names  of  fuch  of  thepraicipal  inhabitants  of  good  ability  as  leem.i 
bcift  qualified  to  fupply  vacancies  from  time  to  time,  in  the  privy-' 
cauncih  Thiswa^a  neceflary,  and  therefore  prudent,,  regulation  ;- 
as,  for  want-of  it,  the  crown  could  not  but  forefee,  that  its-  gover- 
nors would  be  liable  to  conftant  embarraffinent  in^difcharge  of  thef^ 
duties  of  their  office.  Such  was  probably  the  original  motive  for 
appointing  a  governor  s  council,  not  only  in  this  but  in  the  other 
Briti(h' color^ies  [y  V '  At  their  firft  conftitution  in  Jamaica,  and  for 
many  years  afterwards^  the  governor  fat  with  them,*^as;well  during 
thefeflioiii,  as  during,  the?  intervals^faflTembly,  They  had*  no  de^ 
Hberative,  and  not  the  leaft  independent,  power  in  refpeft  to  thd 
bills  framed  and  fent  up  by  the  houfe  of  affembly.  The  governors 
himfelf  ufed  to  receive  from,  and  fend  all.  meilageB  to  the  houfe, 
concerning*  legiflative  bufinefft:  when  conferences  were  neceflary^ 
he  appointed  fuch  members  of  his  privy-council  as  he  thought  pro*' 
per  to  be  his  meilengers  or  agents  fonmanaging ,  on .  his.  jiart^  and ' 
reporting  to  him. 

The  governor's  conftant  prefence  and  interpofition- deprived  them* 
eflre(ftual]y  of  all  that   uncontrouled  freedom  of  debate  and  delibe- 
ration wl>tch  iseffential  to  a  legiflative  body. .   They  were  merely  his 
paflive  co-adjutors  ;   and,  although  he  was  direded  to  pafs  laws  with 

[f]  This  opinion  is  warranted  by  the  tenor- of  the  king's  inftru<5tron5,  formerly   (and  I  believe  * 
ftill)  given  to  the  governors  of    this  ifland.     So,    art^  3 5^  of  the  inilrudlions  to ^r  Thomas* 
Lynch,    1670-71,  *' And,  forafmuch   as- there,  are  .many  things  incident  10  -  that '  gpvernmenr^  . 
**  for  which  it  is  not  eafy  tor  us  to  prefcribe  fuch  rules  and  directions  for  yOu  as  our  fervicc  and 
•♦the  benefit  of  thai  ifiund  may  require;    inllead  of  them,  you  are,  with  the  advice  of  the  court* 
**  cil,  to  take  care  therein  as  fully  and  efFettually  as  if  you  were  inftrucled  by  us  j   of  whioh  ex- 
**-tniordinaiy  cafes  giving  uft  due  information,  you  (hall  jreceivc  furiher  ratifications  fvom  us,  as 
•^t>Qr  fervice  fliall  .require,".  , 

i: 


/ 


■    » 


ji6B  J    A    M    A    1    C    A. 

1  their  conTeblt^  which  implies  that  he  war)  feci  pa/s  none  withotit  it^ 

yet  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  the  Afirretkxl^rx  pQWe^,    with  which 

he  was  armed,  of  fofpending  all  or  any  of  tbctn  at  pleafure^  tog^^her"" 

with  the  awe  and  rcftraint  tmpofed  by  his  prefence  ^nd  authority, 

:  muft  have  had  fuitabic  effeifl$  upQO  the  miadfi  of  his  ailbciates ;  Tq 

that  he  could  without  much  diflBculty  le«d  or  drive  them  to  fay  afnd 

do  whatever  he  judged  fitting*     That  luft  of  acquiring  much  power, 

which  generally  aduates  all  public  bodies  of  men»    who  iu   tiieir 

i  original  indituti on  pof&fs  very,  little,  feems  to  have  worked  \^ry 

iurprizing  effe^s  oa  the  privy  ^council.     Impatient  of  the  iniignifi- 

icance  to  which  they  faw  themfclve*  reduced  by  the  gpvernor*s  per* 

petual  controul,  and  the  impoirtance  of  the  a^iembly;  it  becanskQ 

their  favourite  obje£k  to  frame  themielyes  into  t  iepanate  or  thir4 

ikgiflative  eftate,  iuthe  nature  of^aa  houfe  of  lords. 

The  idea  of  aifimilatiog  themfdves,  however  faintly,  to  thefe 

:  noble  per fonages,  pleaied  their  vanity ;  whil^  the  pjco^ed  of  being 

icloathed  with  the  jurifdiftion  and  privileges  appurtenafiit  tOt  peerage,. 

and  in  the  utmoft  extent  practicable,  gratified  their  ambition.    U 

was  fbme  time  befi^re  they  efiedted  this  fo  fully,  as  to  fit  a  l^giflativc 

*  council  board  without  the  governor's  being  prefent.     I  am  not  in-* 

formed  of  the  particular  time  when  the  governor  and  council  6rii: 

Separated.;  but  I  have  heard  it  was  many  years  ago,  aad  happetied 

^upon  the  adminiflration  devolving  to.  a  prefident  of  the  council^ 

who,^  being  one  of  their  body,  might  pofilbly  ihink  it  moft  iliieable 

vto   his  newfyt-aoquired  dignity    and   elevatipn,   to  mix  no  longer 

among  his  brethren  below  flairs:  and  thus  a  conditution .of  fome* 

rthing  like  three  eflates  was  brought  about; 

The  privy  ^council,  from  this  period,  undertook  to  exercifi:  the 
;twa. incompatible  functions  of  a  privy  board,  dependent  on  the  go-* 
«yemor,  and  a  legiflative  board,  dependent  alfo  on  the  jgovernor, 
fthough  adling  as  it  were  diftinftly  without  him.  The  governors 
«here9  it  is  true,  have  for  feveral  years  forborn  to  break  in  upon  them 
jin  their icgiflativc. proceedings^  and^  perhaps,  the  board  might  call 
it  **  breach  of  privilege,**  if  any  governor  ftiould  hereafter  (as  a  late 
gowmor  feemed  to  intend)  revive  the  old  cuflom  of  being  conti* 
jiually  prefent  with  them,  influencing,  modeling,  and  controuling, 
ill^eir. legiflative  operations:  but,  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  Judge;,  there 

is 


BOOK     1.    X:HAP.    X.       APPEND.         169 

is  no  right  infaerwit,  or  otherwife  legally  rcfident,  in  that  body^ 
to  pre^^Qt  a  governor  from  ufing  his  pleafure  111  this  point,  if  -he 
fliould  choofe  to  exert  it.  If  we  endeavour  to  make  their  infli- 
tation^  for  any  purpofes  affeding  legiQature  here,  appear  coniiftent 
with  legality  and  reaibn ;  we  cannot  fuppofe  them  ordained  to  any 
other  rank  in  this  iyftem  originallyy  than  ivhat  is  enjoyed  by  that 
committee  of  the  BritiOi  privy*coiincil,  which  is  called  ^^  the  board 
^^  of  trade  and  plantations,'*  whole  bufinefs,  fo  far  as  regards  legifla* 
tive  matters,  con^fts  in  reviiiag  fuch  laws  as  are  ena&ed  in  the 
plantations,  and  fubmitting  their  opinion  and  advice  to  his  majefty, 
as  to  the  expediency  of  giving  or  refufmg  his  royal  aiient  to  them ; 
fo  it  feems  probable,  that  the  office  of  our  privy-council  here,  as 
£ur  as  it  interfered  with  the  great  concern  of  legiflation,  was  with 
the  like  view  intended  to  be  wholly  confined  to  the  revifion  of 
bills  paiied  by  the  aflembly,  and  to  their  advifing  his  majefty*s  go^- 
vernor  here  on  the  tendency  of  thofe  bills,  and  the  expediency  of 
bis  aflent  or  negative  to  them.  I  have  flrong  grounds  for  believing 
this  to  have  been  the  chief  end  of  their  being  permitted,  by  royal 
authority,  to  interpofe  at  all  in  refped  to  the  a£ts  of  afTc^iably ;  and 
I  have  already  given  fome  reafbns  which  feem  to  fupport  this 
opinion*  ;  ' 


S  E  C  T.    IV- 

HAVING  no  aft  of  parliament,  nor  of  aflembly,  to  juftify 
their  claim  to  legiflation,  whatever  powers  the  privy-council  have 
exercifed  of  that  kind  muft  principally  have  (prung  from  their  own 
ambition  to  become  a  houfe  of  lords,  and  from  their  appropriating 
the  uiages  and  praftice  of  the  lords  from  time  to  time  as  a  diftiuft 
legiflative,  after  the  governors  ceafed  to  advife  with  them  con- 
cerning the  purport  and  tendency  of  bills  pafTed  by  the  aflembly. 
In  this  proceeding,  they  were  further  encouraged  by  the  conni- 
vance of  thofe  governors  who  ftrove  to  promote  faftions,  the  better 
to  ferve  their  own  purpofes;  and  by  the  aflembly' s  inability,  or 
negleft,  in  contefting  with  them  the  rights  they  had  aflumed. 
Thus,  by  an  ufage  tolerated  for  fevcral  years,  they  have  gained 
Vol.  L  Z  (as 


I7Q  JAMAICA. 

(as  fome  iqiagiae)  a  fort  of  pr^fcriptiye  titlp  to  jtheircUIniS}  and 
ihould  the  houfe  qf  aifembly  at  any  tiix^.tbitvk  fit  t^  difpute  s^oy 
point  of  leglflative  authority  with  iHetn,  the  privy* couxiCil  'v^ould 
not  i6nci  it  difficult;  to  turn  Ho  fome  precedi^nt  in  tho  muaiites  of  tbe 
houfe^  to  ihew  that  former  afl^roblb^  hp^d  indirci^:^;  ^  acknbw^ 
ledged>  and  conceded  the  poiot 'toi  thdr  board, :  <^  fay  giving  bo 
«'  exprefs  denial  to  it."*  t  ihall  not  difpiito  that:  aUrthje  laws  of  Ja> 
maica^  at  this  time  in  force,  are  enacted  by  *^  GoKrernor,  council, 
«>  and  aflembly."  But  there  were  a  multitude  of  a£ls  pafEed  b^bce 
Jthe  printed  code,  viz.  between  the  year  1660.  and  168.1 ;;  and.  grekt 
part  of  thefe  were  enaiSsed  by  the  Jdng:or  his^vernor,  and  tfieaT^* 
lembly  only.  The  change  of  ftyle  Cook  place  in  confequeoce  of 
an  in Arudion  from  the  crown.  Whether  the  afiembly  did  or  not 
oppofe  this  alteration  is  very  little  to  the  purpofe  to  inquire:  for 
all  oppoiition  on  their  part  mufl  have  b^en  attended  with  fatal  coo-» 
fequences  to  themfelves ;  they  were  bit  utmoft  want  of  a  good  body 
of  permanent  laws,,  adapted  ik>  their  fituation,  zr\4  the  iafety  of 
their  lives^  and  properties*  The  king,  whoieiit  this  iuftrudion  to 
his  governor,  and  required  obedience  to  it,  had  vflialiy  in  hH  power 
to  enforce  it,  by  reftraining  his  governor  from  giving  afi^t  te  any 
bill  of  aflembly  that  did  not  run  in  this  manner.  Thus  all  oppo^ 
fition  to  the  meafure  could  be  fpeedily  defeated,  fince  the  neceflities 
of  the  people  were  too  urgent  not  to  compel  them  to  pafs  their  bills 
with  this  addition  of  ftyle  in  the  enacting  part,  however  much  it 
might  be  againft  their  will,  or  repugnant  to  their  conftitution.  It 
is  not  certain  at  what  period  the  privy-council  firft  began  to  fign  the 
bills  that  were  revifed  at  their  board  with  the  wbr^^  '^  pafied  the 
^<  council;'*  which  pradice  does  pertainly  declare  them  exerci(kig  a 
legiflative  power  as  a  third  eiiate,  cli{lin<9:  from  governor  and  af- 
fembly.  There  is  no  doubt  fomething  in  the  manner  of  their  in- 
veftiture  with  this  power,  limilar  to  that  by  which  a  man  l^lds 
what  is  called  tortious  poiieflion  of  an  eftate,  and  whofe  title  is  juf«- 
tified  only'  by  the  law-maxim  of  me/ior  conditio  fqffidctftis.  I  call  it 
power  in  co^uradiftinftioft  to  right ;  for  a-  right  in  this  cafe-  could 
only  be  derived  from  theconftitution  of  the.  laws^  bur  the  oonfti* 
tution  and  laws  have  imparted  none  td  thenrr :  they  are  therefgre*  desi 
fective  in   that  which  is  the  fundamentarl  principle  of  a  true  and 

perfeft 


BOOK    L-  6HAPi    ^4      -'Af,PENa  171 

perFcft' legiffati^  bc/dy;  A  legiOative,  foBiicied  on  power  aloiie, 
is  mcer  tyranny  4n^  bfurpiftioh  ;  it  has  neither  the  rights,  dignity, 
nor  efficacy/  of  a  kgiflative  arifing  frbm,  and  fupponcd  by,  a  eon*^ ' 
ftitutiohal  and  leg^  eftaWifliment.  Such  a  deifea,  combined  with 
other  parte  of  a  lyftem  whicb  are  fcfficiently  perfeft  and  legal  in 
theilifelres,  ihuft  evidently  be  introdudJiveof  confufionand  diicojcd; 
it  becomes  a  diad  weight,  ivhich,  added  to  either  fcale,  muft  ren- 
der  too  heavy ,' and  deftmytbe  equilibrium  neceflary  to  be  main- 
tatned  in  fo  nice  a  conjuncture. 

The  privy-council  Having  thus,  as  they  thought,  eftabJilhed  them- 
felves  (though  imperftdly^  as  a  diftinft  branch  of  legiflaturtf,  it  was 
their  next  buffnefs  to  eflfeft  a  nearer  i<?imilation  of  their  powers  to 
thofeof  the  Hrltifii  houfe  of  lords.     With  tbi^  view,  they  entered. 
diileats  aiii  prdtefts  with  all  the  pomp  of  loi'dly  language;   aflbmed 
a  negative  voice  on  bills  diftin€t  from  the  governor ;  framed  bills 
thcmfclves,  and  fent  them  down  to  the  lower  houfe ;  made  amend- 
ments to  bilfe  paflfed  by  that  houfe ;  rejedled  other  bills  ;   appointed! 
their  own  eommittees  i  demanded  cohfcrences ;  examined  perfons 
upon  oath;  received  petitions  of '  gritf^ahce :  in  ftiort,  tftcy  irttir*- 
fered  in  every  bulincfs  xvhereirt' thfe' Itodft  of  alTimhly  weri  ccfn^. 
cerned,   not    even   excepting  money- bills ;   in  the   amendmehf  df 
which  thtyafferted  equal  right  with  tJie  houfe.     In  difptrtes  bc- 
tWecn  governor  and  aflttnblyj'  thtey  generally  fided'  Hvitt?  tMe  fdrmeri 
or  ftdod  neuter-     As  to  exeiftption  from   arrefts,  the^  |)Iead'ed  un- 
doubted right  to  it  dnring  thefeffioh,  as  legifli^orsr  and,  out  of  {cC^ 
iion,  or  during-  the  intermiffion^  of  affembly,  as  privy-courifellors ; 
and  by  this  kind  of  logic  contrived  to  make  it  perpetual;   which 
was  a  moft  admirable  fineffe  for  maintaining  their  dignity,  undi- 
rturbed  by  the  vex*atious  procefs  of'  troublefome  creditors.     To  give' 
luftrc   and    pre-cmirtence    to  their  body,     they  ftyled  themfelveS' 
<<  Honeurabie.''     And  thisrecalk  to  my  memory,  that;  when  Sir 
Francis  Watfon,  prefident  of  the  privy-council,  took  the  adminiftra-* 
tion  upon  him,  on  the  deceafe  of  the  duke  of  Albemarle  ;  he  very 
feriouilyipropofed  to  his  council,i  whether  he  had  not. aright  to  af-" 
fiime  upon  tbatoceafion   the  addition  of  '*  Right  Honourable/^  His 
council  \cry  cooiplaifantly  anfwercd,  riem.  con.  that  he  had  ttiott  un* 
dottbtfid  right ;  and  advifed  him  to  wear  it«     With  this  advice  he 

Z  2  readily 


I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 


172  JAMAICA. 

readily  complied.  But  the  borrowed  plutne  was  ibon  afterwards 
fliripped  away  by  the  king's  order.  So  ftrange  hai  the  infatuation 
been,  that  one  of  the  board,  not  long  fince,  moved  a  governor,  9s 
chancellor^  on  his  right  to  a  letter  miffive^  and  an  office  copy  gratis 
of  a  bill  filed  in  the  chancery  here^  agreeable  to  the  practice  in 
Snglandj  when  a  peer  of  the  realm  is  fued  in '  the  high  court  of 
chancery  there.  However,  the  chancellor,  who  then  prefided, 
though  (Iroogly  ixiclincid  to  render  this  would*be-»lord  all  reaibnable 
ifervice  in  his  power,  did  not  relifh  thi^  extraordinary  motion ;  and  fa 
it  was  over-ruled^  In  the  early,  unfettled  times  of  government 
hpre,  the  privy-council  exalted  their  power  fq  very  hjighly,  that  a. 
iponey-bill,.  which  had  pafled  the  ailembly  for  a  duration,  of  two. 
years,  being  expired  during  the  intermjflion  of  their. UKeting;  a  go- 
vernor iifued  his  order  in  council  for  continuing  it  in  ibrce  two  years 
longer.  The  affembly  was  called  before  it  expired  again ;  wba 
(though  very  much  refenting  the  behaviour  of  the  privy-council  in 
lending  their  countenanae  to  this,  proceeding,^  yejt)^  in  coniideration 
tjiat  the  bill  had  taken  its;  rife  and  being  in  their  houfe  4^  origiwy 
apd  therefore  virtually  their  own  bill,  they,  let  the  matter  pais.  But; 
fprely  thi&  tamenefs  on  the  part  of  the  afTembly  was  blameable. 
When  necelTary  fliatutes  have  been  for  fome  tinoe  difc^ntiruied,  the. 
Mt)g  WKj^  by  proclamation  give  notice,  that  fuch  ftatutes  (hall  be, 
put  in  doc  exeQution.  in  time  to  come^  But  the.  king  cannot  by 
procUmatioo  ispow  an  expired  law  i  for  that  would  be  tantamount, 
to  making  new  laws  by  his  fple  authority,  which  he  cannot  do  [g J*. 
A  law  ceafcs  to  be  a  Ijtw  the  inftant  it  expires  \^  and  cannot  be. 
hrought  tp  lif^  again,  except. by.  confent  of  all  the  legjjQative  bodiea. 
united..  What  then  did  the  gocvernot  and  his  council  in  this  cafe,, 
but  aflijme  an  illegal  power  of  legilUtion,  and  fubjugate  tbeafland. 
tp  a  tgjc.oftwp  year?  duratic>n,>y.  no -other  authority  than  their  own, 

\g\  Ixan  iin4  no^r^edent  fimilar  to  tkis  in  ouf  Ei^Iift'hif^ory,^ except  that  ^  tht^yi^  of 
I|eni7  Vni.  when  his  pai:li^e|it  wrreip  inraiiK>ufl/.conQi:^aifant,  as  t»  fui^render  aU  the  eccleiiv 
apical  and  civil  liberties  of  tlj^e kingdogi  into  his  hands;,  and  poiled ap  a£l,  ordaii^ing,  *Mhat  pro- 
•^  xlamattonB,  made  by  the  king's  highnefs,  by  the  advice  of  his  honourable  council;  (hould  be  of, 
H.  equaJt  force,  wirlk  any.  ftatute  enaaedby  parliamenn" '  They  likomfe-eiyoincd  obqliencc,  unda? 
iHi;}tateTer  pains  and  penalties*  hQ  (hould  tl^pk  proper.  And  fhe^  pn>clain«uk)as  were  to  h^e  th^ 
<^W«pf,jicrpct^alUws..  ,'/'.'.        \. 

'     Hume,  vol.  Ill,  p.  2J3.        31  Henrx  yitl.  ch.  yiii.    Repealed,  i  Ed,  Vlvi  ifii: . 


BOOK    I      CHAP.    X-        APPEND-         173 

order  ?  This  inftance  may  charafterize  the  tyranny  fo  licentioufly 
pradifed  here  in  thefe  early  times.  It  would  be  tedious,  indeed^  to 
enumerate  all  the  abufes  committed  by  the  governors  of  thofe  days» 
in  conjunction  with  their  faithful  adherents  the  privy-counciL  On^ 
Bfiight  well  wonder,  that  fo  much  egregious  defpotifm  ihould  ever 
have  been  fuffered,  by  the  inhabitants  of  any  civilized  part  of  the 
Britifli  dominions,  to  be  fo  wantonly  exercifed  over  their  perfonS' 
and  eflates  by  fuch  a  handful  of  defpicable  inftruments«  Nor  is  it 
kfs  aftoni(hing,  by  what  means  the  colony^  opprefTed  by  fuch  mif-^^ 
government^  efcaped  a.  total  ruin  ;.  unlefs  we  fuppofe,  that,  like.  fome. 
religious  fe£ts»  the  people  throve  under  perfecution» 

Antecedent  to  the  Revolution,  the  privy-council,,  with  air  the  fu- 
tioua  and  implacable  zeal  of  bigotry,  harrafied  inceHkntly  Protedants^. 
Jews,  and  every,  one  who  did  not  openly  avow  the  dodrines  of 
Popery.  They  ufed  to  i(rue  their  warrants  for  apprehending  and. 
bringing  before  them  the  mod  refpedlable  men  in  the  country  uppn. 
every  frivolous  occafion..  They  interrogated  them  upoa  oath^  ta^ 
extort  evidence  from  their  reply  ;.  and,  whea.ic  happened  that. they, 
were  charged  with  having  uttered  or  done  any  thing  whatever  that 
could  be  conflrued  to  cenfure,  Jo  the  leaft  degree,  either  the  mem* 
bers  of.  the  board,/or  their  meafures  ;,  fuch  high  contempt  wasspu- 
niflied  by  existing  a  fccurity  for  their  future  good:behav*ioux,  in  the. 
moA  exorbitant  penalties,,  amounting,  often  -  to  ten ,  times  more  than 
the  value  of  their  eftates..  Upon  their  refufal  or.  inability,  to  com*- 
ply,  they  were  imprifoned,  by  order  of  the  boards  in  the  common 
gaoI»  during  pleafure  ;  and  the.  benefit  of  habeas  corpus  was  po&- 
lively  rcfufod  them*.  A  member  of  the  aflembly  was  fined  and  im* 
jj^rifoned,  only,  for  faying,  in  a  debate,  Voxpopulivox  DeL 

Such  were  thefe  ftar^chamber  privy-couofellors^  who,  afilfted  with 
a  Popiih  attorneys-genera],  were  ambitious  to  keep  even  pace. with  the 
tyrant  who  «at  that  time  dlfgraced  the  Britifli  throne. .  But.  their  lir 
centipufnefs  was  happily  retrained  io  the  fucceeding. reign;  which 
£9rced  the  torrent  of  defpotifm  to  fubfide  both  here  and .  at .  home, 
and.  cpn/iupd.  it  within  .a.  iwrrpwer  channel. , 


S  E  C  T. 


'  I., 


174  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 


S  *E  C  T.    V. 

A  T  prcfent,  the  |)ower  of  the  privy^couiicil  here,  as  diftin^t 
from  their  cxercile  of  a  legiflative  power,  is  fo  limited  as  fcarcel/ 
to  be  definable.  Commitments  of  the  fubjeft  for  arbitrary^  caufes, 
and  pretended  contempts  of  their  board,  which  they  were  foffered 
to  order  till  very  lately,  are  now  entirely  at  an  end.  The  privy- 
council  of  Great-Britain  is  found  to  poflefs  no  greater  latitude  of 
authority  in  this  cafe,  than  what  is  vefted  in  an  ordinary  jufticc 
of  the* peace;  with  this  further  limitation,  that  the  perfons  they 
commit  cannot  properly  be  apprehended  in  the  firft  inftance  by 
their  warrant,  except  for  treafonable  praftices,  or  defigns  'againft 
the  ftatc,  either  violently  prefumed,  or  actually  charged  upon  oath : 
but  arbitrary  commitments  are  beyond  their  fphere ;  for  the  ex- 
plication of  this,  we  are  indebted  to  lord  Camden  in  the  cafe 
df  Mr.  Wilkes.  Yet,  notwithftanding  his  lordfliip's  definitive 
judgement  on  the  point,  our  Jamaica  privy-council  were  very  un- 
willing to  yield  up  the  delightful  occupation  they  had  affuraed, 
of  (hewing  their  importance  by  the  exercife  of  illegal  power  over 
their  fellow-fubjefts.  But,  in  the  late  cafe  of  Mr.  Douglas  (1768), 
who  was  imprifoned  by  their  warrant  for  a  fuppofed  contempt,  and 
releaied  by  the  chief  juftice  on  his  writ  of  habeas  corpus^  they  were 
adjudged  by  the  fupreme  court  to  have  no  right  of  reftraining  pub- 
lie  liberty  vefted  in  them  by  the  laws  and  conftitution  of  their 
coimtry.  Their  powers,  therefore,  as  a  privy- council,  are  confined 
chiefly  to  their  advifing  tlie  governor's  meafures,  whenever  he  is 
pleafed  to  demand  tlieir  couiifel ;  and  to  the  examining  and  pafling 
the  revenue  accounts;  it  being  thought  neceflary,  that  no  order 
for  public  money  fhould  be  figned  and  and  iffued  by  a  governor, 
except  by  their  advice,  and  in  their  prefence.  Thefe  and  other 
their  fun£tk>ns  as  a  privy-council  are  regulated,  either  by  the  laws 
of  the  colony,  orby  the  king's  inftruftions  to  the  governor;  which 
latter  are  undoubtedly  laws  to  the  privy-council,  however  otherwiie 
they  may  be  received  or  treated  by  the  reft  of  his  majefty's  iub- 
jefts.    It  is  by  virtue  of  the  king's  inftruftions,  that  they   exercife, 

iu 


BOOK    L      CHAP.    X.        APPEND.         lys 

mconjundion  with  the  governor,  the  judicial  power  of  hearing. 
and  determining  appeals  on  cafes  of  error  in  civil  caufes  from  the 
edurts-of  record,  and  in  cafes  of  fines  impofed  by  the  law  courts  for 
mifdemeanors.  Under  this  order,  the  crown  has  given  them^ 
jointly  with  the  goverpor,  .a  form  of  judicature^  in  part  relemblii^ 
whatis  CHercifed  by  the  houie  of  peers  in  Britain.  But  appeals 
from  chancery  <lecrees  lie  not  before  thfem  as  before  the  houfe  of 
peers :  for  the  governor  himielf,  being  chancellor,  and  the  privy- 
council  not  holding  equal  or  (imilar  rank  here,  cannot  controul  the 
chancellor,  nor  animadvert  on  his  decrees.  Such  appeals,  there^ 
fore,  are,  by  the  king's  order,  avoked  before  his  majefty  himfelf 
in  council,  as  the  fupreme  difpenfer  of  juftice  and  dernier  refort  in 
thefe  cafes. 

•  The  British  privy-council  are  exprefsly  debarred  from  holding 
Aich  pleas  before  them,  on  the  properties  of  Engliih  fubjeds,  by  the 
ilatute  of  1 6  Charles  I.  e.  x.  §  5,  1 640,  in  thefe  words :  "  Be  it  like- 
**  wife  declared  and  cnafted^  that  neither  his  majefty,  nor  his  privy* 
**  council,  have,  or  ought  to  have,  any  jurifdiftion,  power,  or  autbo- 
«*  rity,  by  Engli(h  bill,  petition,  articles^  libel,  or  any  other  arbi- 
**  trary  way  whatfoeyer,  to  examine,  or  draw  into  queflion,  detcr- 
*<  mine,  or  dij(pofe  of,  the  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments,  goods,  or 
'*  chattels,  of  any  the  fubje(fl:s  of  this  kingdom ;  but  that  the  fame 
**  ought  to  be  tried' and  detern?>incd  in  the  ordinary  courts  of  juftice, 
**  arid  by  the  ordinary  courts  of  the  law.*'  This  ftatute  having  been 
made  long  before  the  fettlenient  of  Jamaica,  the  colony  fecnis  well 
entitled  to  the  benefit  of  it,  unlefs  the  inhabitants  can  be  proved  not 
to  be  fubjc(fls  of  the  kingdom  of  England.  What  the  reafon  was 
which  moved  the  crown  to  eftablifti  fuch  a  judicature  in  the  colony, 
1  aE{>  not  informed^  nor  can  fcarcely  form  a  guefs.  It  was  thought 
»eocfiury,  perhaps,  a  jurifdidlion  (hould  rcfide  fomewhere,  which 
might  reform  the  erroneous  judgements  of  the  inferior  courts  of 
law  :  but  this  court  of  appeal  is  not  competent  te  fuch  an  end,  be- 
caufe  a  further  appeal  lies  from  its  determinations  to  the  king  in 
Council :  if,  therefore,  it  did  not  exift,  there  would  be  no  failure  of 
juftke,  as  writs  of  error  might  travel,  without  halting  by  the  way, 
ilfni^ediatcly  from  the  court  of  law  to  his-  majefty  in  council  j  which 
has  fometimes  happened,  when,  by  reafon  of  too  fmall  a  quorum  of 
7  the 


r76  JAMAICA. 

the  council  (cxdufive  of  the  judges,  members  of  the  boards  wha 
firft  tried  the  caufe,  and  therefore  could  not  fit  upon  it  again  in  the 
appeal  court),  a  court  of  error  could  not  be  formed.     If  the  pre- 
vention of   delays,   and  giving  a  quicker  difpatch  to  the  courts  of 
judice  in  the  colonies,   was  the  motive,  experience  convinces  us, 
that  the  iffue  has  taken  <iuite  the  contrary  turn  i  for  (in  Jamaica  at 
leaft)  few  caufes  are  brought  into  this  court,  except  for  the  mere, 
fake  of  delay*     And,  in  fome  cafes,  where  members  of  the  privy- 
council  (that  is  to  fay,   the  judges  of  this  court  themfelves)  were 
parties  to  fome  of  the viuits  depending  in  it^  governors  have  been 
more  than  fufpcdted  of  carrying  their  private  attachments  fo  far, 
as  to  evade  holding  a  court  from  year  to  year ;  during  which  thc^ 
caufes  flept,  and  the  adverfe  fuitors  were  precluded  from  regular 
Juftice.     If  this  tribunal  (hould  not  be  aboli(hed,   as  unneceflary, 
and  not  anfwerable  to  the  ends  of  its  injditution  ;  it  might  at  lead 
be  proper  to  lay  fome  reftriftions  upon  it ;  namely,  that  no  privy- 
counfelior,  for  the  time  being,  fhould  fue  or  be  fueable  in  it ;  but 
that  all  appeals,  brought  by  or  againfl:  them,   from  a  judgement « 
given  in  the  inferior  courts,  fhould  proceed  immediately  before  the 
king  in  council ;  Ht  and  certain  times  in  the  year  ihould  likewife 
be  afligned  for  the  feffion  of  the  court.     Thefe  reformations  would 
take  away  the  principal  fourccs  of  the  general  complaint,  **  that 
«  it  ferves  only  the  purpofe  of  a  dungeon  for  the  incarceration  of 
«  juftice.'* 


SECT.    VL 

IN  England  moft  of  the  king's  privy-council,  who  are  not  peers 
of  the  realm,  are  members  of  the  houfe  of  commons.  Herein  is 
another  very  elTential  difference  between  his  majefty's  privy-council 
141  the  mother  country  and  the  privy-council  of  Jamaica.  A  mem« 
ber  of  the  privy-council  here  cannot  be  a  member  of  the  houfe  of 
aliembly,  without  refigning  all  pretenfions  to  legiflature  at  his  own 
board ;  for  this  would  give  him  a  double  negative  upon  every  bill. 
Upon  the  like  principle,  it  has  been  ruled  by  the  houfe,  that  a 
member  of  the  privy -council  ought  not  to  vote  at  elections  of 

members 


BOOK    L       CHAP.    X.        APPEND.        177. 

members  to  ferve  in  aflembly ;  for,  if  this  was  permitted,  €0  long 
as  the  privy-council  are  allowed  to  exercife  legiflaturc,  it   muft  fre- 
quently happen,  that  the  member  they  voted  for  would  be  (b  much 
under  their  influence,  as  to  carry  an  unfree  voice  into  the  houfe ; 
and  thus,  by  an  improper  bias,  the  member^s  voice  there  would 
be  the  lame  in  cffeft,  as  if  the  privy-counfellors  themfeives,  who 
controuled  him,  were  to  be  perfonally  prefent,  and  give  it.     Be« 
fides,  whilft  they  exercife  the  power  of  putting  a  negative  on  the 
aflembly's  proceedings,  they  enjoy  a  fliare  in  the  legiflation  of  the 
colony  far  fuperior  to  that  of  the  people.     A  writer,  alluding  to  a* 
late  difpute  in  the  ifland  of  St.  Kitt*s*  makes  the  following  remarks. 
**  The  Icgiflature  of  Great  Britain,  fays  he,  is  compofed  of  three 
**  parts,  diftin<^  from,  and  independent  of,  each  other.     That  of* 
<<^  the  colony  confifts  of  four ;   for  the  king  (not  being  bound  by 
his  reprefentative,    whofe  aflent  is  abfolutely  neceflary  in  pafling 
all  ads)  forms  a  diftinfl:,  feparatc  branch,  and  can,  by  diffenting 
^*  from  it,  totally  difannull  every  a£t  paffed  by  the  governor,  coun- 
<•  cil,  and  afl'embly.     The  governor  and  council  are  appointed  by. 
**  the  king,  but  can  be  removed  at  pleafure.     The  lords  enjoy  ceN 
^«  tain  honours  and  privileges,  which  defcend  to  their  pofterity,  an<! 
*«  can  but  in  a  very  few  inftances  be   forfeited.     They  form   the 
^  higheft  court  of  judicature  known  to  the  law ;   from  whofe  deter- 
<«  mination  no  appeal  lies.     In  all  civil  procefs,    their  pcrfons  are 
•*facred;    and  in  criminal  they  are  tried   by  the  houfe  of  peers. 
**  The  council  of  St.  Kitt's  hold  their  feats  during  the  king's  plei- 
'•'fure;  nay,  may  be  deprived  of  them  by  the  governor,  who  him* 
**  felf  holds  hiscommiffion  only  by  the  royal  favour.     They  form 
^*  a  court  of  error ;    but  from  them  an  appeal  lies  before  the  king 
^*  in  cobncil :   their  perfons  are  not  protefted,  but  may  be  taken 
«  in  execution  in  civil  procefs ;  and  in  criminal  they  would  be  tried 
-^^  by  a  jury  of  twelve  men,  not  by  the  council.     Nor  is  the  analogy 
**  between  the  commons  and  aflcmbly  ftronger  ;  only  they  are  both 
^  elective,  and  the  reprefentatives  of  a  certain  clafs  of  people  in  both 
^  places.     For  the  aflembly  cannot   proteft  the  perfons  of  their 
<«  members,  but  during  their  aftual  fitting  in  the  houfe.     They  can- 
*<  not  adjourn  themfeives  even  de  die  in  diem.     They  cannot  appoint 
*<  their  ow^n   clerk,  nor  any  one  fervant  attending  the  houfe;  who 
Vol.  L  a  a  «<  all 


178  JAMAICA. 

*«  all  hold  their  places,  and  are  appointed  by  commiffion  from  the* 
•^  coinix^nder  in  chief.*' 

In  regard  to  the  political  difability,  which  a  member  of  the  coun« 
cil  there  is  fuppofed  to  be  under,  to  vote  at  ele£tions  of  perfons  to- 
ferve  in  aflcmbly,  the  author  fays,  "  Suppofe  a  freeholder,  meerly 
*^  for  being  a  member  of  the  council,  is  rendered  incapable  of  vot- 
"  ing  for  reprefentatives,  and  that  he  fhould  be  deprived  of  his  feat 
*'  at  that  board  on  the  day  after  the  aflembly  are  elefted  ;  by  whom, 
**  or  in  what  manner,  would  fuch  a  freeholder  be  reprefented  du- 
**  ring  the  continuance  of  that  aflembly  ?•' 

The  Writer's  defcription  of  the  limited  powers  of  the  council  is 
undoubtedly  jufl:.  If  we  (hould  conceive,  that,  in  the  original 
fi-ame  of  colony  government,  the  idea  of  conftituting  three  diftinft 
branches,  upon  the  principles  and  form  of  government  in  the  mo- 
ther country,  ever  occurred  to  the  founders  of  it;  yet  we  find  it  has- 
fallen  far  (hort  of  this  model  in  effefl:.  Had  the  council  been  ap«* 
pointed  for  life,  die  fimilitude  would  have  been  much  ilronger,  and- 
their  powers  more  agreeable  to  the  principles  of  the  Britiih  con* 
ilitution :  but,  as  they  fit  only  durante  bene  placilOy,  they  can  never, 
exercife  a  free  and  independent  voice,  nor  pafs  a  negative  in  con- 
tradidlion  to  the  crown,  without  rifque  of  forfeiting  their  feats  and 
office^  So  that,  as  the  writer  I  have  quoted  very  properly  flates- 
the  fubje£l:,  here  is  only  one  affirmative  voice  of  the  people  in. 
their  aflembly  of  reprefentatives,  borne  down  by  three  negatives;, 
the  firfl  in  the  crown ;  the  fecond  in  the  governor  ;  the  third  in. 
the  king.  It  feems,  therefore,  an  abfurdity  to  have  originally 
formed  any  council  for  legiflative  purpofes,  fincethc  fingle  negative 
of  the  governor  would  be  fufficient,  without  theirs,- to  put  an  end  to 
any  offenfive  bill  prefented  by  the  aflembly  ;  unlefs  we  are  to  fup-- 
pofe  the  privy-council  were  only  defigned  to  aft  occafionally  as* 
packhorfes  between  governor  and  people,  to  take  the  odium  of  re- 
jeftion  from  the  governor's  fhoulders  by  anticipation,  before  it  came 
to  his  cafling  voice.  But  as  governors  have  feldom  been  nice  or 
timid  upon  thefe  occafions,  and  have  generally  endeavoured  to  de- 
i^xwt  a  full  fharc  of  reproach,  by  joining  with  their  privy-council 
heartily  and  avowedly  in  unpopular  afts ;  fo  we  may  infer,  that  a 
legiflative  power  was  not  originally  intended  for  the  privy-council; 

that,,. 


BOOK     I.        CHAP.    X.        APPEND.      179 

that,  in  a  legiflativc  capacity,  they  are  unneceflary  to  the  crown, 
hecaufe  the  governor*s  negative  is  equivalent  without  them ;  and 
that  they  are  unnecefl'ary  to  the  people,  as  at  prefent  conftituted, 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  becaufe  they  are  neither  free  nor  independent. 

The  analogy  between  the  colony  aflembly  and  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons is  certainly  much  ftrongcr :  for  although  it  is  granted,  that 
the  aflembly  of  St.  Kitt's  differ  widely  from  that  houfe,  in  their  not 
adjourning  themfelves  from  day  to  day,  and  not  being  able  to  ap- 
point their  own  officers ;  yet  they  agree  perfedly  well  in  the  more 
efTential  points;  which  are,  freedom  of  eleftion  and  debate;  the 
fights  of  framing,  amending,  and  repealing  of  bills  ;  the  judging  of 
ckftions;  cohtroul  of  their  own  body;  &c. 

The  Jamaica  aflembly  vary  but  little  from  the  pattern  in  the 
mother  country.  They  adjourn  themfelves  ie  die  in  diem ;  appoint 
all  their  own  officers,  and  remove  them  at  pleafure;  expel,  or  take 
in  cuftody,  all  contumacious  members;  and  enforce  the  bufincfs  of 
the  houfe^  by  taking  in  cuftody,  or  ordering  before  their  bar,  other 
perfons  who  are  not  members.  That  a  privy-counfellor  is  under  a 
difability,  while  he  is  fuch,  to  vote  at  elcftions,  is  perfeftly.  clear  to 
my  apprehenfion,  notwithftanding  the  cafe  fuppofed  by  the  writer. 
My  opinion  is  founded  011  fimilar  rcafons  which  operate  in  the  cafe 
of  a  peer  of  the  realm.  Whilft  the  privy-council  are  indulged  with 
the  cxcrcife  of  a  legiflative  power,  the  reaibns,  which  produce  a 
difai>ility  in  the  peer  as  to  this  right  of  voting,  are  equally  applicable 
to  a  member  of  the  privy-council  5  for  he  would  then  have  two 
voices  in  the  legiflature^  one  by  his  deputy,  or  reprefentative,  in 
affembly^  the  other  perfonally  in  council ;  a  plurality  of  voice,  in - 
confiftent  with  the  equal  rights  of  the  body  of  freeholders,  irre- 
concileahle  with  the  conftitution  and  public  good.  His  right  of 
voting  »t  elections  is  in  abeyance  only,  whilft  he  continues  member 
of  the  board  ;  and  juftly  fo,  becaufe  there  he  exercifcs  a  much  more 
tranfcendent  power  or  pretenfion,  that  of  controuling,  by  his  (ingle 
voice,  the  united  voices  of  the  whole  reprefentative  body.  When 
he  quits  his  feat  at  the  board,  or  is  fufpended,  he  becomes  reinftated 
ill  his  right  of  voting  in  common  with  other  freeholders,  to  be  ex- 
ercifed  when  an  eledion  again  happens:  the  nature  of  the  cafe 
makes  it  impoffible  to  be  otherwife*     A  peer  may  be  a  freeholder, 

A  a  2-  but 


i8o  JAMAICA. 

but  cannot  vpte  at  eleaionis,  though  his  freehold  (fimply  confidered)^ 
confers  the  qualification  of  votings     The  accepting  an  office  of  pro- 
fit or   hofiour  under  the  crown  may,  in   many  cafes,  debar  a  maa 
from  the  opportunity  of  voting  ;  an  officer  in  the  navy  or  army,  or 
cuftoms,  an  cmbaflador,  conful,  governor,  and'  a  hundred  others. 
Suppofe  an  officer  to  be  ordered  on  fervice  juft  on  the  eve  of  a  ge* 
neral  cleftion^  and  fo  precluded  the  opportunity  of  giving  his  vote  -y 
and  that,  ibon  after  the  new  hoqfe  of  commons  is  aflembled,    he 
Ihould  happen   to  be  cafhiered  or  difcharged  :   we  may  juft  as  pro* 
perly  ait  the  fame  queftion  as  the  writer  ;   «*  In  vvhat  manner  would 
•'  fuch   a  freeholder  be  rcprefented  during  the  continuance  of  that 
«*  houfe  of  commons?'*     The  honour  of  fcrving  the  crown  is  of 
kfclf  efleemcd   no  mean  diftindlion  and   benefits    The  fubjedt^  in 
thefe  cafes,  is  obliged  to  fupcrfede  for  a  while  his  right  of  votings 
that  he  may  enjoy  the  honour  and  felicity  of  ferving  the  crown : 
kx  other  words,  he  exchanges  one  benefit  for  another.     What^  then^ 
does  the  fufpended  counfeilor  mean  ?     Does  he  defire,  becaufe  ha 
did  not  vote  for  the  members  returned   for  the  precind:  where  his^ 
property  lies,  that,  notwithftanding  thofe  members  were  chofen^ 
have  fitten  and  voted  as  legal  reprefcntatives  for  that  precindi:,^  they 
ihalU  upon  hi§   fufpenfion  or  quitting  his  feat,^  be  fufpended  alfo 
from  their  feats  In  aiicmbly,  and  fent  back. to  the  preqin(^  and  ta 
a  new  ele(3:ion,  for  no  other  reafon  but  that  he  may  have  opportu-^ 
jaity  to  give  his  fingle  fuffirage  for  or  againft  them  ?     The  notion  is 
abfurd  in  every  view.     A  peer,,  though   he  docs  not  vote,    finda 
means  to  influence  thofe  who  do  vote  ;.  and  it  is  well  known,  that 
too  many  of  them  put  in  members  for  borough-towns.     A  gentle*^ 
man  of  a  colony  council  is  generally  a  perfon  of  large  fortune  and 
intereft ;  and  he  is,  chiefly,  for  thefe  very  confidcratioas  appointed^ 
becaufe  they  enable  him  more  effcdtually  to  fupport  the  governor*s 
adminiflration^     None  of  them  wiJi  be  hardy  enough  to  aflert,  that 
they  do  never  interfere  with  eleftions,  or  that  their  influence  has 
BO  weight  in  returning,  particular  candidates,    whofe  caufe  they 
efpoufe :  the  contrary  is  notorious.     It  is  true,  this  pradice  is  not 
incidental  to  their  charadler  of  privy-counfellors ;  but,  if  the  fa6ta 
arc  fo  (which  cannot  be  denied),  they  prove  the  gift  of  my  argu- 
ment i  aAd  Ch^Wj  that  the  fufpenfion  of  their  elcdive  vote  is  more: 

than 


BOOK    I.      CHAR      X.        APPEND.         i8i 

tbaQ  counter-balanced  by  their  negative  voice  at  the  board,  and  by 
their  power  and  influence  in  the  abfolute  difpofal  of  other  metis 
voices  at  eledions^  and  in  alTembly.  Inflead  therefore  of  lofing^ 
they  very  unjuftifiabLy  gain  much  nK)re  than  ought  in  found  policy 
to  be  allowed* 


SECT.    VIL 

THE  difparity  between  the  privy-council  in  Britain,  and  ours  in 
Jamaica^  is  inconfifient  with  the  dodrine  of  adimilationy  for  the 
reafon»  already  given,  and  as  they  deviate  entirely  in  the  point  of 
legiflation.  If  the  king  had  conftituted  the  privy^ouncil.  of  Ja- 
maica as  a  board  of  reference,  to  revife  all  bills  paflbd  by  the  houfe 
of  ailfembly,  and  give  their  advice  concerning  them  to  the  governor  ; 
the  analogy  between  them  would  have  been  plain  and  obvious^ 
But,  as  they  are  invefted  by  their  privy  feals  with  no  other  office 
or  function  than  that  of  fimple  privy-couiifellors,  it  is  difficult 
to  trace  a  proper  ground  for  the  fuperaddition  of  a  legiflative  con- 
trouling  power,  which  the  like  body  in  the  mother  country  are 
incapable  of  exercifing  in  refpe^t  to  a£ls  of  parliament,  and  da 
only  exercife  ia  refpeft  to  plantation  laws,  as  a  board  of  reference 
from  his  majefty,  to  advife  him  of  the  tenor  and  tendency  of  thofc 
laws.  For,  to  prevent  any  law  being  in  force  prejudicial  to  the 
rights  of  Jthe  crown,  the  king  has  referved  his  cafting  voice,  tc 
fave  his  prerogative  entirCr  It  is  not  fit  that  the  crown  ihould  be 
bound  conclufively  by  the  confent  af  a  governor  in  a  matter  of 
fuch  moment,  where  (without  this  refervation)  it  might  poflibly 
become  an  irreparable  lofer,  through  the  negligence,  ignorance,  or 
venality,  of  its  minifter.  This,  is  the  true  reafon  why  the  king; 
maintains  a  double  negative  on  laws  enabled  in  the  plantations,  and 
caufes  them  to  be  reviied  by  his  privy. council  in  Great  Britain,  not 
choofing  to  be  irremediably  bound  by  the  adt  of  his^  delegate  in  mat- 
ters of  legiflation.  The  crown  may  inhibit  its  minifter,  or  go- 
vernor, to  rejeft  or  not  reje£t  a  bill  of  aflembly,^  unlefs  he  has  pre-- 
vioufly  taken  the  opinion  and  iadvice  of  the  peribns  appointed  to- 
advife  hinu     The  crown  may  alfo  think  proper   to  regulate  the^ 

conduct 


/ 


i8ii  JAMAICA. 

conduft  and  proceedings  of  thefe  advifers  by  inftruclions.  But  no 
power,  which  thefe  advifers  may  claim  or  exercife  by  virtue  of 
any  fuch  inftruftions,  is  or  can  be  legal,  except  fo  far  as  they  are 
exprefsly  grounded  upon,  and  in  unifon  with,  the  known  eflablOied 
laws  of  the. kingdom  and  colony.  All  beyond  this  line  is  ufurpa- 
tion  and  tyranny. 

In  regard  to  any  privileges  of  our  privy-council,  I  may  fay,  in 
the  words  of  a  lieutenant  governor,  "  I  know  of  none  they  have 
««  diftinfl  from  the  reft  cf  his  majefty's  fubjedls.'*  **  To  unlaw- 
**  fully  ftrike,  ivound,  or  to  endeavour  or  compafs  the  death  of 
**  a  privy-counfellor  of  Great  Britain,  whilft  in  the  execution  of 
"  his  office,*'  was,  it  is  true,  made  felony  by  a  ftatute  of  queen 
Anne,  in  confequence  of  Guifcard's  attempt  on  Mr.  Harley.  But 
this  ftatute  relates  folely  to  the  privy-council  of  Great  Britain  ;  and 
his  majefty  is  debarred  by  law  from  havuigany  more  than  one  ftich 
privy-council.  Some  have  pretended,  that,  "  as  privy-counfellors 
**  of  the  colony,  their  perfons  and  effefls  are  1^ cured  from  all  civil 
**  procefs.**  1  queftion  if  there  is  any  member  of  his  majefty *s 
privy-council  in  Great  Britain,  who  is  not  protedted,  either  by  his 
being  a  peer,  or  a  member  of  the  houfe  of  commons ;  but,  if  there 
is  any  one  among  them  who  has  not  fuch  protection,  I  prefum^ 
that  his  office  of  privy-counfellor  (except  while  in  the  aftual  exe- 
cution of  it)  will  not  fecure  his  perfon  from  arreft,  nor  his  goc^ds 
from  attachment,  for  fatisfaftion  ofhis  juft  debts.  Others  alle<^ge, 
**  that  the  privy-council  of  Jamaica  are  entitled  to  perfonal  pro- 
"  teftion  at  leaft,  as  being  fervants  ofhis  majefty;"  -for  that 
*'  his  majefty's  fervants  in  Great-Britain  are,  by  being  fuch,  under 
**  this  degree  of  privilege."  True  it  is  that  his  majefty^s  domcftic 
menial  fervants,  refiding  within  the  verge  of  the  royal  palace,  have 
this  proteftion ;  but  it  extends  not  to  any  fervant  of  the  crown, 
that  I  know  of,  nor  to  any  further  limit  than  the  verge.  The  per- 
fonal  dignity  and  immunity  of  the  fovereign  emanate  in  this  cafe 
to  his  fervants  of  the  houftiold;  for  thefe  are  proper  and  neceflary 
for  his  perfonal  accommodation.  The  extenfion  of  this  privilege 
to  others  refiding  within  the  verge,  who  are  not  of  the  houftiold, 
is  an  abufe  which  grew  out  of  this  ancieioi  prerogative.  If  the 
members  of  our  privy-council  refided  within  the  king's  houfe  at 
5  St, 


BOOK    L      CHAP.      X.        APPEND.        183 

St.  lago  dc  la  Vega,  or  were  fcrvants  in  the  governor'is  family,  they 
doubtlefs  might  lay  claim  to  corre{ponc!ent  privilege,  upon  the; 
ground  of  aflimilation,  within  the  boundaries  or  verge  of  the  king's 
houfe ;  but  this  pretext  muft  appear  as  frivolous  as  the  former  one. 

It  has  likewife  been  contended  for,  «  that  they  are  entitled  to 
•*  privilege  of  perfon  and  goods,  as  a  branch  of  legiflature/*  This 
would  be  readily  allowed,  if  their  legiflative  rights  could  be  m^ide 
out  clear  and  unexceptionable ;  for  then  the  privilege  would  ftand 
iirconteftably  founded  on  the  le^  et  confuetudo  parliam^ntl^  a  part  of 
the  Engliih  law,  and  the  birth-right  of  Englifti  fubjedls;  without 
which,  neither  the  commons  in  Great-Britain  nor  in  the  colonics 
would  have  lawful  authority  to  legiflate  by  their  reprefentatives. 
Tb?  origin  of  this  privilege  (hews  it  never  was  intended  for  a  privy- 
coonViU  It  was  a  provilion,  that  the  deputies,  cledled  by  the  com- 
mons^i  might  not  be  diverted  from  the  public  bufinefs  by  private  li* 
tigationsy  nor  be  oppreflcd  by  the  power  of  the  crown.  But  this 
their  privilege  has  been  indulged  by  the  laws  only  to  a  certain  lati- 
tude. Therefore,  on  the  diflblution  of  the  aflembly,  the  privy- 
council  (even  if  fuppofed  a  competent  legiflative)  could  enjoy  the 
privilege  againft  arreft  of  body  no  longer  than  for  a  reafonable 
time  reieundo  ;  nor  a  revival  of  it  until  the  next  meeting  of  af- 
fembly*  Hence  then  it  appears  that,  even  as  legiflators,  they  could 
not  hold  a  claim  to  uninterrupted  or  perpetual  privilege.  This  in- 
violability of  perfon  is  peculiar  alone  to  the  peers  of  Great-Britain. 
Yet  the  privy- council  of  Jamaica  have  not  only  claimed  thefe  pri- 
vileges in  the  fame  extent  as  the  houfe  of  lords  enjoy  them ;  but 
infifted  on  other  matters  as  their  undoubted  right,'  without  de- 
claring by  what  means  they  became  juftly  entitled  to  them.  Mere 
affertion  cannot  demonftrate  a  right.  The  exiflence  of  it  fhould 
be  proved,  and  made  indubitably  clear,  by  a  true  dedu(5lioa  from- 
the  fountain  head ;  and  its  legality  fairly  and  fully  afcertained.  If 
this  cannot  be  done,  all  pretended  claim  of  fuch  riglu  is,  vox^  et 
praterea  nihiL  Among  other  aflertions  of  theirs  are  the  fol- 
lowing: 

«*  That  their  board  has  a  right,  not  only  to  reje£t,  but  amend,. 
"  money  bills ;  and  to  apply  public  money  [A].'* 

[^3:  In  1728,  during  Mr.  Hunter's  government. 

«  That 


iS4  JAMAICA. 

"  That,  in  their  legiflative  capacity,  they  are  equally  entitled, 
"  with  the  reprefeatatives  of  the  people,  to  the  exercife  of  freedom 
**  and  independence  in  all  their  deliberations  [/j/* 

*^  That  no  perfon    whatfoevcr*'  (in   this    word  both  king  and 
governor  are  included)  "  hath,  or  ought  to  have,  any  right  to  ad- 
*'  monifli  them  for  their  proceedings  in  fuch  their  legiflative  ca-  . 
"  pacity  [/]/• 

«<  That  their  body  have  at  leift  an  equal  power  and  right  of 
**  legiflation  with  the  houfe  of  reprcfentatives,  which  they  will 
"  never  fufFer  to  be  abridged  or  infringed  [/].*' 

"  That  the  riglit  of  legiflation  in  the  council  appears,  from  the 
"  principles  of  the  conftitution  of  this  iflaud,  to  be  as  antient  and 
"  undoubted  as  that  of  the  reprcfentatives  of  the  people  (">&]." 

*«  That  his  majefty,  by  an  article  of  his  royal  inftruftions, 
**  hath  exprefsly  direfted,  that  his  council  fliall  have  a  right  to 
*'»  frame,  alter,  or  amend,  money  bills ;  and  that  the  governor,  or 
*'  commander  in  chief,  do  fupport  them  in  this  particular  [)&]." 

Thefe  pofitions  appear  very  extraordinary,  becaufe  they  are  inca- 
pable of  proof:  for  this  rcafbn,  they  are  of  a  milchievous  ten- 
dency, and  the  fource  of  eternal  wrangling;  fince  a  fubjeft,  which 
admits  not  of  proof,  may  yet  admit  of  endlefs  controveriy.  They 
arc  diredlly  repugnant  to  the  ufage  of  parliament.  In  refpeft,  for 
example,  to  bills  which  contain  any  claufes  levying  money  on  the 
fubje£f,  either  by  way  of  tax  or  penalty,  the  commons  will  not 
fuffer  the  lords  to  amend  fuch  claufes.  In  fair  argument,  the  ground 
or  reafon  of  any  poiition  is  the  firft  thing  demanded ;  but,  if  the 
propounder,  either  not  knowing,  or  being  unwilling  to  produce, 
the  ground  or  reafon,  fl:ill  continues  to  infifl:  with  vehemence  on  the 
truth  of  his  problem ;  it  is  plain  the  difpute  can  never  be  termi- 
nated, at  lead  any  other  way  than  by  his  opponent's  demonftrating 
it  to  be  falfe,  and  forcing  him  to  yield  it  up.  This  cannot  readily 
be  done  when  the  controverfy  happens  between  either  religious  or 
political  aflbciations  of  men ;  becaufe,  the  lull  of  power  being 
oftentimes  the  only  fundamental  principle  on  which  the  claim  or 
ufurpation  refts,  every  conceflion  in  argument  muft  tend  to  weaken 
or  deftroy  that  power.     The  party  therefore  in  poiTeflion  of  it  en-  , ' 

£/]  31  Dec.  1767.  t^],3i*  Feb.  1770. 

deavour 


BOOK   I.   CHAP.  X  •  Append.       iSr 

•         •       •  <  ^ 

deavour,  by.  every  means  they  can,  )to  involve  the  origin  of  their 
pretenfions  in  darknefs  and  myftery ;  and  thus,  .  like  the  fcuttlefiih, 
elude  their  enemy's  grafp.  With  all  proper  deference,  however, 
to  the  privy  •council,  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  examining  more 
miautely  the  foundation  of  their  ftrufture.  If,  by  pointing  out 
itsdefe^,  1  (hould  happen  to  overthrow  their  prelent  tottering 
houfe,  it  will  be  ibme  recompence  afterwards  to  lay  before  them  a 
plan  for  building  up  another  more  convenient  and  durable.      | 


•  • 


SECT.    Vffl. 

« 

IN  a  legiflature  compounded  of  feveral  orders  in  the  ftate,  it  is  ef- 
fcntially  neceflary  to  their  office,  charafter,  and  ufe,  as  leglftators,  that 
they  (hould  be  wholly  independent  of  each  other  [/].  Such  is  the  le- 
giflature of  Great-Britain,  confifting  of  king,  lords,  and  comftions'; 
wbofe  diftinft  rights  and  operations  in  legiflature  are  fulficiently 
known  and  marked  out,  to  prevent  them  from  encroaching  upon  and 
overwhelming  each  other.  *<  The  two  houfcs  naturally  drawing  in 
«<  two  directions,  and  the  prerogative  in  another  flill  oppofite  to  them 
**  both,  they  mutually  keep  each  other  from  exceeding  their  pro- 
<•  per  limits ;  while  the  whole  is  prevented  from  reparation,  and 
<*  artificially  connefted  together  by  the  mixed  nature  of  the  crown, 
*«  which  is  a  part  of  the  legiflative,  and  the  fole  executive  ma- 
♦*  gifl:rate/'— **  If  the  king  had  avowedly  a  right  to  animadvert 
**  on  cither  of  the  two  houfes  of  parliament,  that  branch  of  the  Ic- 
••  giflature,  fo  fubje6t  to  animadverfion,  would  inftantly  ceafe  to 
^  be  part  of  the  fupreme  power ;  the  balance  of  the  conftitution 
♦*  would  be  overturned ;  and  that  branch  in  which  this  jurifdiftion 
**  redded  would  be  completely  fovereign  [wj."     Our  conftitution, 

[/]  A  man,  independent  of  every  one  elfe,  has  no  other  rule  to  purftie  but  the  couofela  of  hia 
own  reafon  ;  and,  in  confeqnence  of  this  mdependence,  he  !$  fited  from  all  fubjedion  to  anotherVi 
mSL  In  ibort,  he  is  abfolute  mafler  of  kimfidf  tad  his  aftioas.  But  the  cafe  is  ooC  the  iame  with 
amanwho  is  fuppofed  to  be  dependent  oaanodter,  as  on  his  ikperior  and  mafter.  Thefenfejof 
this  dependence  ought  naturally  to  en^^age  the  inferior  to  take  die  will  of  him  on  whom  he  de- 
pends for  die  nite  of  his  condudt  This  has  moie  orlefi  extent  and  effed,  in  proportion  as  the 
ftyciimuyiof  dirooCy  asd  the  depeodenoe  of  die  other^  is  gseaier or  kfa^-^BuriamaijuL 

{m\  Biackilone* 

.  1?^u  I.  B  b  therefore. 


tU         JAM    Ale    A. 

tb^refofCf   I'l  tlhis  colony  is  far  from  being  agreeable  to  the  fpirit 

•\Df  the  iEnglifti  coiiftitution  ;  it  is  not  fo  perfeft  as  our  firft  legifla- 

turc,  conflfting  only  of  a  governor  and  a  council  of  reprefentatives 

of  the  people,  which  were  each  independent  of  the  other  in  their 

kgiflative  functions.      When  the  privy-couticll  (whieh  feem  to 

have  been  aflbciated  with  the  governor t)rigin ally,  as  I  have  before 

Vemarke^,  as  advifers  to  hini  m  the  exercife  of  his  exfecutive  and 

legiflative  ptmers)    became   afterwards,  by  their  own  authority^ 

converted  into  a  third  branch ;    there  was  neceflarily  an  end  put 

to  theexiftence  of  a  true  and  conftitutional  legiflature.     The  privy* 

council,    an  unftable,   defifeiideot  body,    put  in  or  turned  out  of 

their  of&ce  at  pleafure  of  the  fupreme   executive  powers,  prefumed 

to  be  under  the  conftant  influfoce  of  that  power,  by^  hopes,  fears,. 

fewardr  or  coercions,  cannot  be  deeiotd  to  for^m  a  coi^ftitutional 

check  on  the  afpiring  diipofition  |M  a^lual  incroachfnents  of  a  go- 

^yeruor,    or  other  minifter^   on  t|ie  right^  and .  immuiifties  of  the 

^people;  and,  when  attached  by /riendfliip^   fear^  feFvility,  a  ietiie 

;of  their  dependent  Aate,  or  other  motive,  t^  a  governor's  m^9^ 

fures,  they  deflroy  that  due  eqv^ipoi^^  which  ought  to  be  maiutaio^* 

.between  the  crown  and  tlie  fubje^i ;  they  likewife  dimnii(h  in  no 

ihaaU  degree  the  legiflative  indepeiiclency  of  the  peopl^^s  repFe(e»- 

ta^jves.     I  have  before  (hewii,  that  the  .king's  will  is  th«  £^e  coiv 

ilituent  of  ^  srivy-counfdler.^    But^  although   the  kii)ig*a  Xf^i^  is 

Sufficient  for  this  particular  end,  it  fodlow^  tiot^  that,  by   willing^^ 

them  tO'be^rlvy-coimfellors,  h^  aft  the^ame  time  wills' thcra  to  he 

a  Icjgiflative  body..    It  is  true,  that,  on   becoming  counfdlors  by 

the  king's  will,  they  exerciiea   Ijggiil^tive  power;   bur  they  mu^ 

either  fpund  thisppwer  on  th€f'khig*^.*will,  orthodr  own*.    la  eilshdr 

cafe  it  is  demonftrable,.  that  iuch  'ap9wei;  cannQt  be  cooAitutionally 

.ijjaintainqd  nor  exeroifcd^uponfuch  a  foundation^  .  -• 

As  the  fovereign  holds  his  legiflutivc  power  originally  of  the  will? 
*pr'each  mcnjter  of,focicty ;  it  is  evwent  no  man  can  confer  VpPP' 
asMher  a  i^^ht  which  he  ha^  :not  in  himfMi  and  Gon&q^ently 4be 
•  iegiflatiye  poihrcr  of  the  cfown;;^*  litot'  to  be  extended  beyotid  thfe^ 
limits.  Ho  derived  power,  (as> tW  .^i^nijbly  o^ferv^d^  in<  ti^cit  addrej^^ 
to  the  king,  in  ki^  <i^i(WVtiiheV)  Js^^JBfrealber  lliaii '  thie  ^mttifie. 
To  the  fame  cffca:  fays  the  iudicioua  Locke:  "  the  wiH  of  the: 

^•'people 


BOOK    t     CHAF.    t.       APPEND,        »S^. 

^  peoplsalotie  can  appoint  t[h«  form  of  ih^  coaunonwealtl^  i  vbich 
<^  is,  by  confittatiD^  the  legiflfttive^  snad  appointing  in  vrbofe  hands 
«^  that  llhan  be.  Andp  when  the  ^ppl?  have  iaidt  '  We  will  Aibmit 
^  to '  n|les^  and  bc:  governod  by  hyrh  tf^^^c  by  fuch  txjusn,  and  in. 
^  ftidi  forms  }*  no  bodj  eife  can  i&yt  ^  Other  tA^  KhzU  ft^aJce  law9 
<^  for  tbem  f  nor  can  tbi^  pccfkl^  he  bpuiid  by.  ^ny  law^  but  fuch  as 
^are  cnsufied  by  tbofe  •  wh0qi  they  have  cho&a  and  authorized  to 
H  mdkelaivin  fiof  thfiln..  The;  power  of  the  legidative^  being  de-r 
V  fived  from  the  people  by  a  poiitiv^  voluntary  £r^nt  and  inftiii)-^ 
Mtion^  can  bc  tio  other  ^han  what  that  p^tive  grant  cpnveyed^ 
^  tK^tch  bieiiigionly  to:  make  Jaws»  and  npt  >to  make  Hrgiflators,  ;th4 
f ^.  legiflaRiYe  can  have  no  right  to  tra^^%;  their  au^prhy  pf  making 
f  flaiirsi.  and  places  it  in;  (Qthffr  h^pds ;  fhe  legifl^tive  ^either  n)u(t  noi; 
H  can  tranafer  thc!fK)werof  onakipg  laws  tp  fipyhody  eliisj  npr  place 
^  it  any  wher^  hut  where  the  people  hftve/'  It  is  not  qonilitu^ 
tiaafiVfyr  then*  io  the  po^er  of  the  crown  tp  ele^^JegfflatHr^^pf 
te^ovm,  to  "give  Iftws  to.  the  people:  nor  does  this  impeach  .tl)4 
kirtg*a  right  of  delegating  hi^  negative  voice  Xo  the^of^r^or  her^^oui 
biila  poiiS^d.by  the  aSkmbly ;  for  it  is  well  known,  that  the  king  c}oe$ 
delegate  a  like  authority  (as  it  were  by  proxy)  to  ex^epute^ '  by  com* 
nii(Iioo^  the  royal  will  and  powier»  in  the  proroguiog*  adjourning^  or 
tlifiblviagY  the  (ttifiameot,  as.  well  a$  in  declaring  the  royal  .afleot  or 
oegatiyC'lo  padianentajry  bills,  which,  have  paifed  the;  two  houie^ 
'iiis^kdegation^thereforet  ia  <lf  a  like  authority^  by  OMfWEHiHoii  uoder 
ibe  fPeat  feai,  to  his  governor  here>  and  isI^^U  and  conAftent  with  thp 
foregoing  principles^  BQt»  as  fibe  feeond.tegiflatiye  branchy  or  he«((: 
.tif  locdsy*  could  not  fofafiil:  here^as  in  £njg;leod^  becaiife  wp'baye  not 
tlMt  daft  of.  fabje^  ainonguv  there  .wa$  no  room  left  for  ^y  bt|t 
'riie  two*  other  <^ftatiitioQa]  bcaddbcsy  coniiiisrig  ofktng  and  cof%- 
BitMs  ;"1!lie  parliament  iofOreatrBriteiiw  and;  popple  of  the.c9l()ny» 
hairiiig  not  interpoied,  nor  empowored.the  crpwn  by  any  p^fitiv?  a^ 
>  to  oofifer  legiAative  aotboiity  on  a  third  hrancfu 

Theafiemfaiiea  of  this-  ifiand  haiie.  always  been  fupiQion^l  ^y  wftt 
^ireded  to  ihe  proroftrmarflid^^ecalj  iwho  ftands.fiy  hig^ 
Sheriff  in  this  iyfted :  but  the  pnv|M:oaQci|  am^Jtlled  to^hff'^y 
«6  writ,  nor  aii^4>thw  iway^than  by  jidtice  orletter  ff6(9  their; ^crk, 

49lse ' the  prify^c^un^pil  ia  Great^Britain  j. .  feci  as :  ih^y. HitM  ^^y 

Bb  z  a»crc 


i«8      •'    ■'■"")  A  la  A  rc  a:  •  .    ' 

mtK  didliim  of  the  crown  be  made  a  legillative  body,  and  wfcrc  npt  , 
originally  and  legally  endued  with  the  rights  and  powers  incidental 
to  a  Briti(h  legiflature,  they  cannot  legally  make  themfelves  what 
the  fovercign  bimfelf  is  unable  to  make  theoK  Parliamentary  writs 
of  fummons  are  iffued  to  both  houfefi  ex  debitoj§^itiai  and  this  is  the 
conftitutional  mode  of  their  aflembling  for  legiiktiye  purpofes^  and 
to  which  they  are  entitled  as  of  right,  in  the  fame  manner,  as  they 
dre  to  any  other  conftitutional  right:  fot  if  they  were  voluntarily 
to  aflemble  without  theie  writs,  th$ir  meeting  would  not  be  called 
a  parliament,  but  a  convention ;  which  was  the  cafe  when  James  IL 
abdicated.  The  parliament  was  afterwards  necefiitated  to  ena£b  a 
law  for  making  the  ads  of  that  conveiition  legaL  But  to  thefe 
writs,  or  any  fummons  refembling  them,  our  privy*counci],  boing 
ho  conftitutional  part  of  the  legiflature,  are  not  entitled,  and  cannot 
be  called  together  in  this  manner  for  legillative  purpoies.  Their 
meeting  ii  in  the  nature  of  a  convention ;  and  their  a£ls  of  legiflai* 
tion  would  have  no  ftamp  of  legdity,  ]£  the  laws,  pafied  in  ths 
courfe  of  every  feflion,  did  hot  in  fome  degree  confer  it  pro  tempore 
in  the  enafiing  part,  by  the  words,  **  Be  it  enaded  by  the  governor^ 
^«  council,  and  affembly.**  In  thcfe  ads,  the  aflembly  pray  or  pe* 
tition;  which  indicates  their  fole  right  of  framing:  and  the  gif* 
vernor,  council,  and  aflcmbly,  ena6k  or  ratify.  But,  whajtever  tcie^ 
ration  in  this  refped  the  people  of  the  ifland  may  appear^^tp  have 
exprefled  by  their  reprefentativos,  it  did  not  arife  from  tteir  pofitive 
-voluntary  grant,  and  has  not  therefore  been  obtained  in  £>  efibfbial 
a  manner,  as  to  teftify  a  full  and  abfolutely  perfed  confent  on  their 
part;  which,  indeed,  could  only  be  manifeftedby  their  inftruding 
their  reprefentatives  to  pafs  a  bill  for  eftabliihing  the  privy-couocil 
for  the  time  being  into  a  diftind  branch  of  the  leg^flature.  I  ihall 
add  further,  on  the  preceding  head,  that  the ;  proclamation,  iilued 
in  his  majefty*s  name  for  calling  the  aflcmbly  to  meet  after  a  pro* 
rogation,  extends  to  the  aflembly,  or  houfe  of  reprefentatives  only. 
This,  in  fome  colonies,  is  called  the  «  general  aflemWy;*'  and, 
in  others,  ^  the  commons  honfe  of  aflcmbly/'  But,  ii)  Great- 
Britain,  his  majefty*s  proclamation  in  the  like  cafe  ri|ns  to  tjie 
•«  parliament**  generally ;/ which  word  comprehends  the  :upper  and 
Ipwer  houies*  The  journals  (as  they  ar6  called)  of  the  privy-coun- 
cil^ 


BOOK    t     QUA?.    X*     .APPEND-        i8^ 

cil^'  reipeding  their  leg^(ive  bu(iQei&«  are  at  Ihis  day  entered  up 
ia  the  fame  manner  as  the  minutes  of  the  prlvy-councii,  the  go<* 
vernor's  name  excepted/  They  begin  with  the  names  of  the  mem- 
bers prelenty  the  prefideixt  or  fenior  counfellor  being  the  firft-named. 
In  the  like  manner  were  their  journals  or  minutes  k«pt  in  former 
time,  when  the  governors  iat  with  them ;  only  with  this  difierencet 
that  the  governor's  name  was  alio  inierted  as  prefent  among  them ; 
in  which  they  followed  the  method  of  the  privy-council  in  Great- 
Britain^  whofe  minutes  begin  thus,  ^<  prefent  the  king^s  mod  ex- 
•*  ccillent  majefty/'  Then  follows  the  lord  prefident*s  name;  and 
after  him  the  other  memibers,  according  to  feniority.  The  go- 
ver^ior  6  name  was  not  omitted,  till  our  privy-council  took  occa(k>n 
to  vote  themfelves  into^  a  diftind  legiflative  body ;  when  they  like-' 
wife  made  a  diflln^ion  between  their  minutes  and  journals,  ailign-^ 
iog  the  former  to  their  proceedings  as  a  privy-council,  *  and  the 
latter  (in  itQitati^n  of  the  houie  bf  lords),  ^  a  receptacle  for  their 
l^iflatiye  bu^oe^.  Thif  expedient  (hews  clearly  the  embarraifment 
ihcy  were  under,  and  the  utter  ioipoilibility  they  found,  in  at- 
tempting  thp  unnatural  incopporation  of  a  privy  and  a  legiflative 
council  In  ihort,  coula  we  fuppoie  a  while  the  houfe  of  lords  to 
be  wholly  extin£t  by  the  natural  death  of  all  the  peers  of  Great- 
Britaia  and  their  male  line^  and  that,  the  king  thought  fit .  to.  create^ 
jiQ  x^ew  onesj  bat^.  ia  order  to  have  a  third  eflate  in  the  realm, 
ihould  take  upon  him  to  let  the  members  of  his  privy-council  ex- 
ercise, the  fame  powers*  and  rights,  and  fili  this  gap  in  the  Britiflfi 
le^dtfkte  with.that  body  of  fubjef^s ;  who  is  there  would  not  fay 
this^odeof  ci'eating  fuch  a  branch  is  illegal,  and  incoodnent  with 
the  Briti(h  irame  and  conflitution  of  government,  from  whence 
alone  the  legiflative  orders  of  .the  kingdom  are  to  derive  their  for- 
mattoa  and  effence*  aiip  whipn  ftave  given  the  fovereigti  no  power 
-to  fubfticute  aay.  other  for/n,  okR)  fupply  luch  a  defe<a,  if  fuch 
ihould  evier  happent  by  apy  other  means  than  whnt  that  con.ftitutrou 
.has;preicribe(i»  namely^  by  bis  majefty's  eaoQb.lkig  bis  privyrcounci], 
Qca^i^oiphfejrof  ai^.other  of  thfeconimo|ii  .poop)e,.afi4  fo  creating 
a  pffvf  hahy.  qf.Jf^ri  \^-  t^^  foom  .of  the,*>  fonrjer  one  \  This  big& 
.^prerogative  .was .doubtiefsaljowtd  \kip  fovereign,  that,  he  might  from 
time  t»  time  repleniflx  thc-houfeof  peer*  with  new  members;  and» 


J  A  1^  ^*T  c.a; 


100 

/H.I 


thus  iafufing  (as  it  were)  freffi  bipod  and  vigor  iiito  that  body,  pre* 
ferve  it  from  falling  to  utter''  decay;'  axid  fupport  in  perpetuity  fb 
ufeful  a  counter- balance  in'the  fcalc  of  legrfl ature.  '  But  iaTthbugli 
the  fovereign,  in  virtue  of  this  prerogative,  feennls  to  Be  the.creitor 
of  this  legiflative  branch;  yet  let  not  an  argument  be'.' drawn '  from 
iience,  to  fliew  the  legality  pr  right  of*  his  conftitutihg  a  difthift 
legiftative  branch  in  the  colonies*  ^  The  barons  and  commons  of  the 
realm  were  the  original  creators  of  the  houle  of  peers,  and  the 
founders  of  this  prerogative,  toenlbreto  their  pofterity  an  effec- 
tual check  on  de^tifixi  in  the  fbvercigu,  on  oppreffion  and  ambitioii 
in  the  barons  or  powerful  landholders,  and  ph  tHe  levelittg  f^iric 
of  the  common  people*: "  The  fov^fdgh  is  Oblig^^^  to  exerciife'  this 
prerogative  at  the.  I'equcft  of  thi  nation ;  a^tiShttugh,  by  the  exerl 
cife  of  It,  peers  are  created,  and  jn  virtue  of  the  rbyal  patent  enjoy 
the.  powers  and Vights  hef^dltarily  appuriel^aht*  to  Mobility,  and^ 
anion^  the:  reft/  thofe  of  ifegm^tidlA  aWd JUi^itet?fi6fi  rn^ 

fcrior coUVis;  ycYiUyWM  of thiiit^^erfeitor,  ifce 

fdveiieigri,  Admrcfing,"'ther^fo'Me,  ^thk  the'  k?ng4s  bound  to  give 
his'JBritilh  fubjeils  nVtfc^  cbio^Us  a  »nt5A  tottfeuflon  ;of  ^vem: 
xnent  in  all  praftlcable  forflis^  and  that  hfe  ifaay 'create  a  third  le- 
giflative body  there,'  iiV'as  ftritacddformity  as*  poffifeic  tothe  houfe<)f 
peers ;  it  is  undeniable,  that^  thiJ'  conftiHiirty'  aiM  doe  fin^ilrtude 
is  not,  cannot  be,  maintained,  tinlcfs  thehbdy'^tt  ^rffeafed*  be  left 
entirely  independent  of  thecrowtl.  '  *    .^:     '•.'...  ,    » 

'This  reafoning, '  applied  to*  the  eohftitUlibiti  oiF  o\ir  ^c<^bnya5  ak 
preftnt  modeled,  fcems  to  prove  it  eictremely  incdngruous  *w?th  the 
*ipirit  and  frame  of  that"  of  Great-Britiiiri  :  and;'  if' it  may  not^  re- 
ceive amcndmcrit  in  this  tcCp^Qj  ^Vttiouid  cfteemit  tlic/iilteWflE'  of 
piir  privy-council,  compofed  of  gentlemen  who  hold  aMargeffiarte 
of  property  in  the  iflaniil,  and  ^ho'  maft  'tfand  or  fall  With  it,  to 
handle  the  bufinefsof  iheirlegifl'aii^eNvittf  the 'utmolf  delicacy  and 
moderation  I  in  fuch  a  way  as  is  becoming  and  ncteffary  insffll  cafes 
where  the  right  of  ufing'cTercain  povfrers,  whfch  afle<St  the  Wetf^ 
being  of  a  whole  Yociety,^  Is  in  irhfelead  qiieftionablc  j  for,  wKc*  &^- 
>rcifed  othcrwife^  it  muft'tend  to  dittur'b'the  j^ublJc  peace  w5tR' the 
"tqmult  of  ifaaioni  and  6l)ftrdA,  by  vain  tontroverfy,  the  ]public 
Juftice,  bufinefs,  and  happinels%    It  is  frtaitlefs  to  exji^edl,  ^hatthe 

5  people 


BOOK    If     CRAP,    X.        A'PPEND.         |oi 

people  if  Jamaica  will  evtr  W .  brpqglic  to .  acknowledge^  that  the 
members  of  their  pidvy-cxruncil  arc,:  epc  cfficioi  dukes  and  parls. 


S  E.C  X*    IX« 

•  *  * 

'  !  £^0  not  know  bow  out  ODQftitutioi^  could  be  amended  in  thU 
lefpefti  nnlefi  b3^  ad;  of  a:Semthly  protnoted  by  ipftrvi^iQn  from  tljc 
eld^ive  body  of  people  in  the  iilfuidr  and  confirmed  by  the 
crown^or  by  an  a^  of  parlianient.  For  ciscafnple's  fakeoDly^  I  (hall 
here  delineate  %  plan  which .  perl^aps  aught  effed;ually  anfwer  thcr 
purpofe.  ,  ... 

Let  us  fcippofe,  then^  the  privj-council  to  be  divefted  of  tvttf 
iun^tion,  eascept  what  is  peculiar  and  proper  to  them  z%  a  privy*^ 
council ;  and  to  confiA^  jas  qow»  of  twelve  members  appointed  by 
Ihs  tnaj^y*j»  pdvy^al,.  who^  by  59^ay  of  diftinfkion  above  the  cr<^ 
flmary^^ai^  of  £ib^db^inttgfatl9C.k)n^ 

In^rdei^  to  ^rm  a  thindi  diftin£l»  and  independent  XcgifTatiy^ 
tXkiMi  twdve  xiiei»  of  good. ability  t  »»A  ^ar  fortune  in  the  ifland 
so  a  fpeciik  amonnt^  anight  be  returx>ed  by  thcailembly  out  of  their 
own^bddy*  Theft  twelve  gentkmea,  afllfted  by  the  chief-juftice^ 
and  «tVorliey(^geoeral.  (aa  Adyife>  bu>t  iiot  %o  :vote}j  would  form  a  third 
cftate«.  They  fhould  be  fummoned  regularly,  at  evexy  meeting  of 
alftmbly ^b)^  wiott  ^nfl  iibhl  itlMir  Ic^iilative  and  lodicial.o^eS' 
i^uamiki  Je'iem  gefirmt.  Their  judic^fcore  (hould  lie  in  matters  of 
error  and  fine..  For  offences  againfl  the  duties  of  their  office,  thp 
«ieo^bats'  individuaUy  fhquld  be  fiib}e^  to  impeachmenta  fro^i  the 
Iiooie  c|f  iifcprefeottt^es.t  aqdr  if  fo^ind  guilty  upc^  a  fair  trials  at 
wi^rieh.ithe  ohief^it{Hce:n»ighspFe  c^s  high  fibi^d^  they  03ould 
;be . excluded .))r^.|f}|^<ir<^  their  kgiflative  .andjudida^  fun£tiona 
^yctfae  ^onrfernor  ^  and»  in  cftfe  tji^le^tence  (hould  be  afterwards  coa* 
<fimDi^  by  the  crown>  the  <jklin%iifntft  /hpi^  be  difquali  Bed  from 
•ewr.tdilig  agaivi.  in.ih^r  jammer  cap^itjr^ .  and  ;|(i  ec^ual  number 

«ilfcdoiipjtoicewjio  *fiir>fiy:<?r..  , ,  ,.-; .  ^  ■ 

.litp^h:  aa  cq|t^  4b^ii29f()¥9tes?of}  f^ifli/fvcca&^os^  (he  ^oal  de^or- 
inifMtiOAjsnighrt'rel^ ;Wkh  hi^^QAJgj^yj,  oh  (;onjMWji^ioa  of  the  whplo 
drideMfl  .in^^'bcith  f^^  /(l^  d^\^. 

All 


191  ^   y   A    M    A    I    C    A     Vi    '.^ 

All  vactnicics,  haj^pcning' from  time  R>vtinte  by.  cteath^r  ^^alu 
tication',  (hbuid  be  fupplied  with- fit  pcffons,  cboicn  by.the.croWp  or. 
governor,  out  of  the  principal  freeholders,  having  the  legal  qualifi- 
cation of  landed  income  ;  and  fummoned  to  ferve  by  a  writ,  or 
patent,  under  the  great  ieal  of  GrreatiBtitain,  or  the  ifland. 

Members,  abfent  from  the  ifland  for  the  time  of  more  than  a 
twelvemonth  and  a  day,  fliould  not,  aftcrtli«ir  return.'tp  thf  iiAaod, 
be  again  admitted  to  their  feat  and  fiindion  till  a  vaciniCty  h§ppenjed; 
when  they  might  claim,  and  be  reinftatcd  in  both. 

The  chief-jufticc  and  attorney -gfcneral  might  be  privy*counfellor(i^ 
and  vote  at  eledions  for  r€f>fefentatives  in  afiembly  i  but  not  be  clit 
gible  into  the  houfe  of  afl'embly  during  the  tenure  of  their  law-v 
6inces«  '  ,  /t 

•The  privy-council,  beiog  thus  confined  within  their  juft  and 
proper  department^  would  not  be.  difabled  from  hold idg  afhareia 
legiflation ;  for  •  they-might  (the  llwK)fiicers  excepted)  be  eligible 
into  the  aflembly ,  if  the  people  (hootd  think,  fit  to  eled  them*  To 
prevent  an  uddue  weight  being  thrown  into  the  icale  by  this  means 
againft  the  popular  intereft,  and  to  remove  any  jealoufy  they  mig^c 
conceive  againfl  the  privy-counfellors  ;  (ix  additional  reprefentatives^ 
viz.  two  for  each  county,  might  he  given  to  the  houfe  jof  repre- 
ientatives;  which  wouM  make  tke  whole  luunber  .  of  that  body 

:  amount  to  forty-nine. 

The  two  legiilative  branches  might  be  dKlinguiflied  under  the 

i  title  of /<*  The  upper  houfe,"  and  "the  lower,*'  im: -<<  GomnMQS 

*^'  houfe.** 

QbjeAions  may  be  made  to  this  plan,  in  refpefl  to  the  great 

.number  of  abfentees,  and  a  fcarcity  of ' pdrfonsi  here  fitly  qualified. 
The  whole  number  that  would  compofe  the  privy»cfouncil,( upper 
and  lower  houfes,  amounts  only  to  fixty-eigbt  perfbns,  fuppofing 
the  privy-council  to  obtain  (eats  in  the  aflembly,  which  would 
probably  happen ;  and  furdy  the  ifland  is  populous  enough  to 
fupply  much  more  than  that  number  of  well-qualified  perfbns. 
The  chief-juftice  and  judges  of  the  fupreme  court,  together  with 
the  attorney- general,  might,  if  the  efotra  thought' fit,  be  all  of  the 
privy-council :  in  this  cafe,  there  would  be  i^s  aaconveniencit^  in 

^finding  proper  men  to  fill  the  fev^al  departments,    rl  wouldnnot  bo 

.underflopd 


BOOK    I.       dHAP.    5C        APPEND.        193 

oinderfiood  to    mean  this  as  a  compleat  defcription  of  what  an 
upper  legiflative  houfe  might  or  ought  to  be ;    but  only  as  a  Iketch 
or  hint  on  which  others,  endued  with  better  capacity,   may   imn 
prove,  and  reduce  into  more  perfeft  form.     Something  of  this  kind 
feems  required,  to  make  our  conftitutibn   more  truly  Britifh  than 
at  prefent  it  is.    If  the  limits  of  this  third  branch  were  clearly  and 
conftittftionally  planned  and   afcertained,  I  am  perfuaded  the  go- 
vernment of  this  iiland  would  not  afterwards  be  fo  often  embarrafled 
With  the  ftrifes  and  animofities  of  council  and  aflembly,   affemhly 
and  governor;   for  the  relpe6tive  branches  muft  then  know  and 
acknowledge  each  other's  rights,  and  jurifiJi^ions,  as  plain  and  un- 
doubted :  they  would  theVefore  cooperate,  without  jealoufy  or  ap- 
prehenfioh,   in  giving  enei^gy  and  trahquillitiy  to  adminiftratioh ; 
whilft  they,  who  held  properties  in  this  ifland,  or  were  delirous  of 
becoming  iettlers  in  it,   would  be  much  better  fatisfied,   when  they  ^ 
found  that  they  could,  even  in  this  remote  part  df  the  empire,  enter 
into  full  erijoyment  and  inheritance  of  a  cbmpleatly  Britifh'  form 
•of  govcrtiment.    The  ptefeht  form'  of  gbvernitierit  may  be  regarded 
as  ambngf  the  fordm'oft  of  pr6vindal  grievances ;'  it  is  a  nidnfter 
that   owed  its'  birth  to  corrupt  and  unfettled  tinies  at   home;  but 
the  iticonv6riiences  that  have  refulted   from  it,  both  to   the   ifland 
afi'd  the  miniftry,  have  becii  lb  notorious,  that  vve  can  hardJy   find 
a'reafon  for  its  bein'g'ftill  fuffereii  to  exiff.     The  dread  of  beginning 
to  make  a* reform  has  probably  affe£ted  bbth-pafties,  arid  filled  them 
with  more' jealbufies  than  there  was  occafioii  for,      A  nieafure  {o  . 
<apable  df  litxiitation  as  this  cannot  b^  iiitrodudlive  of  hurt  to  the  . 
juft  rights'  of  prerogative  on  the  one  fide,   or  of  popular  liberty  on 
the  Other  ;  'nor  is  it  fo  be  confidered  in  the  light  of  ari  innovation,  .. 
lince  it  only  tends  to  affiniilate  the  governrnent  of  a  Britifh  colony 
nearer  to  that  of  tlie  mother  fiate;  the!  value  an3  merit  of  which  . 
rbnrtft  in  the  balance  it  preferves,  between  the  ruling  powers   and 
the  fubordinate  Tnembci;s  of  the  fociety.     And  no  fdlid  reafori  can 
he  alledged,  why  thofe  fubjefts,  who,  for  the  benefit  of  the  na- 
tion,- have  detached  themfclves  into  the  fmall,  diftant,  provincial 
conimunities,  ought  to  be'precluded  from  fuch  a  clofe  aiid*  neceflary 
affimilation,  {0  far  as  is  praQicable. 

VdL-  L  C  c  (B.) 


15)4  JAMAICA. 

F, 

Proceedings  during  the  Goverkmjent  q(  the  Earx  of  Carlisle.  . 

IN  the  firft  chapter  I  gave  a  (hort  aiid  general  account  of  the, 
ftruggle  wherein  the  people  of  the  colony  were  engaged  with  their , 
governor  lord  Carlifle  in  the  years  1678  and  16.79.   But,  as  this  is  a, 
matter  of  greater  importance  thaxi  any  occurring  in  the  annals  of  our.. 
Jamaica  government,  I  thought  it  would  not  be  unentertaining  to  ^ 
give  the  reader,  jn.  this  place*  a  more  minute  detail  of  it ;  firft  reciting,^ 
briefly  fome  particulars  which,  happened  during  the  antecedent  ad- 
miniflrations^    and  have  ixot  before,  been  mentioned..    In   1663^. 
lord  Wmdfor  ajrrived  as  governor  to/ucceed  colonel .  D*Oy ley.     He  i 
was  accompanied  by  Sir  Charles  Lyttelton,.  who.  was. appointed* 
chancellor  and  lieutenant-governor.     They  brought  the  king's,  pro- 
clamation  for  encour^ing  the   fettlement  of  the  ifland,  a.  great, 
feal,,  and  mace.     His  lorddiip  performed  every. thing  that. could., 
be  e^peded  from  him  towards  fulfilling  the  intent  of  his  majefty's  . 
proclamation.    But  fome  rumours  arofe  among  the  inhabitants,  that . 
he  defigned  to.  exa£l:  many  exorbitant  fees .  and  t^sces  on  the  great, 
feal  and  lane),  op  fugars,^and  othei:  commodities.  .  This  fqfpicion^  ^ 
which  was  induflrioufly  fpresd  through  the  ifland,  and  too  readily . 
credited,  ^cit^d  fb  much  difgufl  in.  the. minds  of  the> old  ibldiecs, , 
that  they  were  almoft  driven  to  mutiny.    Th<i. governors,  in  order, 
to  preyent.g  general  revolt,   capfed  fome.of  the  leading.mea.  among  ^ 
them  to  be  feized,  and  imprifoned  under  a  flroQg  guard*  .  But,,  as  . 
the  refl:  dill  continued  to  murmur,  and  threatened  to  relinquifh  « 
their  plantations,  hi^lordfliip,  to  remove  their  jealoufie^  publiflied  '; 
21  .declaration ;    wherein,   after  .  exprefling  his  great  regard  for  the 
interefl  and  happine(s  of  the  people,  he  a0ured  themt  that,  the  re- 
ports of  intended  feal  fees  and  taxes  were  raifed  by  incendiaxies  and  . 
difturbers   of  the  public  pegce;   that  they  wcre^.  utterly  falfe  and 
groundlefs ;  that  no  fuch  impofitions  had  been  either,  appointed  or 
intended";  and,  finally,  that  he  had  aduereipeft  to  the -poverty  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  would  never  concur  in  blirthcnitig  them  more 

than 


BOOK    L      chap:      X.        APPEND.         19} 

than    was  convenient  to  them,     Thefe  aflurances  diflipated  their 
fears,   and  gave   general  fatisfadion.      His   lordfliip   departed   for 
England  in  1 663,  leaving  Sir  Charles  Ly ttclton  lieutenant  governor ; 
who  about  the  beginning  of  December  ifl'ued  writs  for  electing  a  ge- 
neral aflembly  of  reprefentatives*     This  was  the  firft  aflembly  fum- 
moned  under  that  defcription  in  the  ifland  ;   for  the  body  of  repre- 
fentatives,  eledled  and  convened  by  D'Oylcy,  was  called  a  council. 
This  aflembly,  or'  houfe  of  reprefentatives,  met  at  St,  Jago  de  la 
Vega,  on  the  20th  of  January^  1664;  chofe  Mr.  Robert  Freeman 
for  their. Ipeaker ;  continued  fitting  till  the  12th  of  February;    and 
then  adjourned  till  the  1 7th  of  May,  to  meet  at  Port  Royal.    It  is  faid 
of  them,  that  the  members  were  very  unanimous,  feafled  well,  and 
compoied  a  good  body  of  laws. .  It  appears,  from  this  account,  that 
this  firft  aflcmbly  exercifed  the  right  of  choofi ng  their  own  (peakeir, 
and  alfo  of  adjourning  themfelves  for  the  fpacc  of  more  than  three 
months ;  and  that  they  fat  alternately  at  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega  and 
Port  Royal,  the  former  the  feat  of  government,  the  latter  of  trade. 
Nothing  further  material  occurred  during  Sir  Charles  Lyttelton's 
adminiftration  ;    at  leaft  nothing  further  has  fallen  within  the  com- 
pafs  of  my  information.  But  the  opinion  of  this  gentleman  refpedling 
Jamaica  muft  not  be  omitted.     He  was  ordered    (as  all  other  colony 
governors  were)  to  lay  his  obfervations  before  his  majefty  in  coun- 
cil.    Among  his  other  remarks,  written  in  1665,  are  the  following: 
The  government,  fays   he,  is  plain  and  eaiy,  and  was  not  truly 
(if  I  may  have  the  liberty  to  fay  fo)  difagreeable  ;  (o  are  the  laws, 
"  and  their  execution ;  neither  merchant  nor  planter,  that  I  know 
'*  of,    the  leaft  diffatisfied ;  every   caufe   being   determined  in   fix 
*«  weeks,  with  36 j.  or  40  j.  charges.     Thea£ls  of  affembly  are  here 
•*  fcnt,  and  moft  humbly  defired  to  be  confirmed  by  his  majefty, 
**  The  people  are  in  general  eaiy  to  be  governed;  yet  apter  to   be 
"  led,  than  driven.*'    From  this   pifture  we  may  judge,  that  the 
people  were  extremely  well  pleafed  with  their  form  of  government  j 
that  their  laws  were  wifely  adapt^d^  and  well  executed;  adid  jqftice. 
adminiftered  with  all  pofiible  difpatch,  and  at  a  trifling  expence. 
The  colony,  fo  long  as  it  was  fuffered  to  remain  in  this  happy  ftate, 
could  not  fail  of  thriving.     But  wrong  mcafures,  conceived  by  thc^ 
board  of  trade  and  plantations,  compofed  of  men  who  were  not 

C  c  2  xhoiibii 


^96  JAM    A    I    C    A. 

chofen  or  appointed  for  their  knowledge  in  trade  or  plantations,  but 
for  their  pliant  difpofition  taafiift  the  king^s  dcfign  of  eftablifling  ar- 
bitrary government  in  the  colonies,  entirety  difturbed  this  good 
order ;  and  the  laft  pbfervatxon  of  Sir  Charles  waS'  fuHy  verified  in 

the  fequeL  ^ 

In  1664,  Sir  Thomas  Modiford.fucGcffpr  to  Lytteltoiiy  convened^ 
the  affembly  ;  who,  for  fome  reafons  which  do  not  appear^  came 
together  with  a  temper  very  different  fronn^  their  prcdeceflbrSi  Th© 
houfe  was  divided  into  fadlons,-  and  proceeded  wi^h  all  the  heat  and 
turbulence  ufually  attendant  upon  party  feuds.  They  were  pro- 
rogued from  time  to  time  j.  and-  at  length  diffclved  :.  after  which, 
the  governor  thought  proper  to  call  no  more  aflcmblies  during  the 
femaiader  of  his  adminiftration.  In  the  courfe  of  their  fefiion  we 
learn,  that  the  clerk  of  the  boufe^  having  perfiiaded  them  to  leave 
the  king's  name  out  of  the  revenye-biU  in  the  enafling  part^  and  to- 
infert  the  governor's,  as  peribnating  the  king  in  the  office  of  puffing  . 
the  aft,  was  taken  out  of  the  houfe  by  the  governor'^  wajcrant,. 
comnutted  to  gaol^  and  there  4c(;ained  for  fame  time  after  the  dif- 
folution  pf  that  ailembly.  This  anecdote  probably  fuxni/ties  the 
cauf^  of  the  animoiities  prevailing  in^  the  houfe.  The  form  of 
enacf^ing  had  been  prefcribed  in  the  king^s  inftpudtions  to  the  go«* 
vernor.  Their  objection  lay  to  the  infertion  of  the  king^s  name  ix» 
a  money-bill,  confidering  it  as  very  different  from  other  bills^.  which 
were  not  to  take  a  permanent  effe(3;  until  revifed  at  home ;  whereas 
the  provifions  in  their  money-b)ll  were  immediately  to  take  place^ 
and  would  expire  before  the  crown  could  have  notice  of  them: 
therefore,  the  governor's  confent  was  aU-fuflScicnt,  The  true  in- 
tention of  this  effort  on  the  revenue-bill,  perhaps,  was,  to  cj^Iude 
the  crown  in  future  from  a  double,  negative.  If  they  had  carried; 
their  point  in  this  inftance  in  a  money-bill,  they  might  have  intro- 
duced the  fame  form  into  all  their  other  bills^  and  fo  eftabliflied 
their  principle,  ^  ihat^  the  governor  being  here  the  reprefentative 
^*  of  the  crown,  his  ad  fliould  bind  the  crown  ;^  and  the  operatioa 
"  of  their  laws,  thus  paffed,  not  be  impeded  or  fufpendcd  by  waiting 
*•  for  the  king's  determination  upon  them/'  Whatever  might  be 
their  true  reafons,  it  is  certain  this  early  fpirit  of  oppofition  only 
iierved  to  <juicken  the  plan,  then  under  confrderatioa  of  his  ma- 


BOOK     L        CHAP.    X.        APPEND^     197 

jefty,  for  introducing  into  this  colony,  a  new  frame  of  legiflation,  fo 
contrived^  as  to  take  from  their  aiSembly  all  power  of  defending 
themfelves  againft  any  future  aft  of  tyranny  exercifed  upon  them 
tidier  by  the  crown  or  its  governor. 

The  earl  of  Carlifle  was  feleded  for  carrying  it  into  execution. 
His  commiffion^  dated  the  jftof  March»  1678,  empowered  him^. 
among  other  thiqgs^  «<  to  fummon  general  aflemblies  of  the  free-* 
^  holders  and  planters  within  the  ifland,  and  other  the  territories- 
**  thereon  depending^  in  fuch  manner  and  form  as  had  been  for-- 
^  merly  pradifed  and  ufed  in  the  ifland ;  and  to  agree  and  coiifent 
<<  to  all  laws,  ftatutesj  and  ordinances^  for  the  public  peace,  welfare,. 
^  and  good  government,  of  the  ifland,  and  territories  thereunto  be<» 
**  longing,  and  of  the  people  and  inhabitants  r  which  faid  laws,  Scc^ 
**  being  framed  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  council,  (hould^ 
^  be  tranfmitted  to*  his  majefty,  to  be  by  him  approved,,  and  re- 
^  mitted  back  under  the  great  feal  of  England  ;  the  faid  laws,  &c. 
'^  to  be « framed  as^  near  as  conveniently  might  be  to  the  laws  and 
•*  ftattttes  of  England.*^    A  power  was  likcwife  given^  him,  "  upon 
**  invafion,  rebellion,  or  any  fudden  and  neceffary  emergency,  to 
^  pais  laws,,  with  confent  of  the  afibmbly  only,  for  raifing  money, 
^  and  without  tranfmitting  fuch  money-bills  to  his  majefty/' 

The  earl  arrived  here  the  19th  of  Joly ;  and  brought  with  him- 
feveral  lews,  modeled  by  the  lords  commi^oners  for  trade  according 
to  the  Iriitk  eonftitution,  with  the  great  ieal  of  England  affixed  ta 
diem.      Among  others,,  was,  **  An  z&  for    fettling  a  perpetual 
•^  revenue*** 

It  was  provided,  by*  the  commiffion  and  inftru6Hons,  that  the  af- 
fembly  flioukl  give  their  con(ent  to  this  bundle  of  laws  wiThout  the 
power  of  examining,  or  objedling  toj  any  part  of  them  ;  that  no  af- 
fembly  fliould  be  called,  except  by  fpeciaL  order  from^  England,  or 
upon  any  extraordinary  emergency^    This  was  the  intention  of  the 
words,,  inferted  in   the  commiffion,  "  neccffary  emergency  ;V    for, 
binder  the  latitude  of  their  conftrudion^  it  was  left  in  the  governor's- 
difcretion  to  judge  of,  and  to  create,  that  neceflity  in  what  manner,, 
and  as  often  or  as  feldom  as,  he  pleafed;     The  aflcmbly  were  never 
to  deliberate  on  new  laws,  nor  on  amendments  to  old  ones.     AH 

their  laws-  in  future  were  to  be  framed  by  tile  governor  and  hh 

privy- 


:i^  J    A     M    A    1    C    A. 

pTivy-councU,  and  remitted  from  their  board  to  his  majefty:;  ^li'd, 
after  receiving  his  approbation,  they* were  to  be  returned  und«r*the 
great  iea],   and,  palled   by  tlie  general  afl'embly^    after  the  ufagcof 

ilre^and.  This  was  the  new  fyftem  of  legiflation  intended  to  be  fiit 
x}p  in  Jamaica*  tin  hopes  to-eftabliih  it,  his  lordfhip  imn>ediate]y 
iflued   out  writs  for  calling  an  aflembly.     On  their  meetings  •  tbey 

^chale  colonel  Beefton  for  their  .^eaket.  .During  the  fefiion,  his 
Iprdihipmade  fcequant  offers  to  corrispt  the  member's,  andipreffed  and 
importuned  them,  without  ceafing,  to  pafs  the  body  of  laws  feut 
Qvet.  But  they  (iill  modeftly  nefifted  his  attempts  and  infinuations; 
declaring,  '<  that  the  mode  -propofed  was  repugnant  to  the  con- 
'*  ftitution  of  England,  of  which  country  they  were  the  natural 
**  fubje£t^;  and   that  they  were  not  defirous  of  living  under  any 

^v  other  than  the  la ws-of  England/*  His  lordfhip,  finding  he  could 
not  then  prevail,  and  that.no  revenue  was  fettled,  gave  them  leave 
to  pafs  ^  revenue  bill  for  one  year's  duration.     This  he  figned ;  and* 

rthen  .diilbived  them.  Previous,  however,  to  their  diiiblution,* 
they  reje£ted  one  by  ^ne  all  this  laws  which  his  lordfliip  had  im-* 
pprted  with. him  ;  .and  pafled  an  addrefs,  requefting,  that  he  would.' 
intercede  with  his  majefty  for  a  change  of  orders. 

His  lordihip  accordin^y  rcprefented  tlieir  abhorrence  to  the  new 
l^ftem-;  ^nd  the  confideration  of  the  bufinefs  was  thereupon  referred 
to  the  lords  of  trade,  who,  with  more  obftinacy  than  wtfdom^  ad- 
hered to  their  former  plan  ;  and,  upon  their  report  to  the  king  in 

xouncil,  the  very  fame  body  of  laws  was  again   fcnt  to  the.  go-, 
vernor,  accompanied  with  his  majefty*s  order  in  council,  that  thefe 
law^  ihould  once  more  be  tendered  to  the  aflembly ;  and,  m  cafe  of 

'their  refufal  to  pafs  them,  that  he  (hould  inflantly.  diflblve  the 
houfe,  and  continue  to  govern  without  an  aflembly.  Such  was  the 
pernicious  advice  offered  by  the  minifters  of  the  board  of  trade  to 
his  majefty.  The  illegality  of  it  was  afterwards  proved  by  the 
opinion  of  the  twelve  judges ;  the  tyranny  it  was  calculated  to  en- 
force is  almoft  without   example.     In  a  more  virtuous  age«   fuch  ^ 

^oupfel  would  have  been  thought  a  fufiicient  ground  for  impeaching 

,and  bringing  them  to  condign  puniihment. 

In  1679,  the  governor  was  no  fboner  poflcfled,af  this  anathemat 

jtljan  he/unajpaoncd  fui  aflembly;  of  yvhvAi  .colonel  Beefton  was 

again 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.      X.        A-PPEND.        159 

again  chofeiv  fpeaker.     The  laws,  which  had  been  ena(5lcd  in  lord 
Vaughan's  adminiftration,    were  continued  by  proclamation  .during 
Kb  majefty's  pleafure.     Flis  lordfliip  then  communicated    his  orders^ 
to. the  affembly;.  who  received  them  fubmiflively^ .but  with  a  fixed 
and  unanimous  detcrmiiTation  hot  to  comply  with  them!     However, 
as   they,  perceived  themfelves  ftrongly  urged  by  the  governor,    both 
with   perluafion  and  remonftrance;  and  that  they  were  reduced   to 
the  dilemma  of  either  admitting,  or  rejefting  the  form  of  confti- 
totion  propofed ;  they  privately  agreed  to  take  advantage  of'  a  po--* 
pular  rumour,   at  thattiihe  current^  that  the  French  had 'meditated 
a  defcent  npoff  the  ifland.     They  hinted  therefore  to  his   Idrdfhip  ' 
how  ncceflary  it  was,   at  this  alarming  jundure,   that  the  officer^ 
thfen  attending  in  the  aflembly  and  council  (hould,  for  the  general' 
fafety,  be  difperfed  to  their  refpe6live  commands!,  in  order  to  guard ' 
the  coafts.     Their  reardefigni   couched  under  this  plaufible  reprc- 
fentation  of  their  danger,  was  merely  to  gain  tinae;    which  they 
hoped  nvght  produce  fome  alterations  in  their  favour,   or  at   leaft- 
enable   them^  to  confult   together   with   more^  privacy,  calmnefe, 
and  attentioni  m  regard  to  the  fteps  thfey  ought  to  purfue  on  thig  ^ 
trying  occaiion.     Having  paffed  a  bill   for  continuing  the  impoflr 
fix  months  longer,  they  prefentcd  it  to   his  lordfliip;  with  a  rer- 
queft,  by  their  fpeaker^  that  he  would   prorogue   them  for  feme 
time,  that.they  might  ttrkc  proper  meafures  for  fecnring  the   ifland-' 
againft  the  cxpcfted  attack.     His  lordfliip,  iirfftienced  by  the  dread* 
of -a  foreign  enemy,   readily  aflented  to  their  defifev  ftgiied  the  bill^  . 
and  prorogued  the  houfe  to  the-2oth  of  0£lober»     Thby  employed  / 
this  precious  intervaLin  advifing  with  theirconftituents,  and  framing^ 
an-  addrefs  to  his  majcfty-againft  the  new    model  j  \  which .  was^ 
brought  in,   and  refolved  in  their  next  feflion.* 

On  their  meeting  again- according  to  the  prorogation;  his  lordfliip^ 
renewed  hiS'Carefles  and  «K)ft'prcflingintreatfes ;  labouring  to  con- 
vince them,  that  it  mufl:  tend  inconceivably  to  promote  their  intercft 
and  welfare^  if  they  wouW  fubmit  to  wear  the  badge  of  flavery  ma* 
nufadlurcd  for  them  by  the  lords  of  trade.. .  But  the  aflembly  prac^  - 
tifed  every  art  to  fpin  out  thetime^with  a  v^triety  of  delays  rand  by  " 
this  means  avoided  coming  to  the  point  with  him  until  thtf  14th  of  ' 

JsLavcmbctt  when  theyprcfented  him  with  their  addrefs  to  the  king, 

iiva 


:;^: 


^00  JAMAICA. 

in  aufwer  to  the  report  of  the  lords  of  trade  j  and  after  feveral 
meetings  of  committees,  and  attendances  upon  his  excellency^ 
tthey  by  degrees  voted  againft  every  one  of  the  laws  tranfmitted 
from  England.  The  governor,  equally  furprized  and  enraged  at 
:their  firmnefs  and  unanimity,  perceiving  that  all  his  gentle  arts  of 
perfuafion  were  difregarded,  began  to  try  the  effefts  of  intimida- 
tion. He  threatened,  that,  if  they  perfiftefl  in  their  refufal,  he 
would  find  a  way  to  punifli  fuch  ftubboru  difobedience,  by  fending 
»thc  leaders  of  theto  prifoners  to  England,  to  be  dealt  with  there  by 
•his  majefty  as  difaffedled  and  rebellious  to  government. 

On  the  1  ft  of  December^  he  commanded  the  fpeaker,  with  the 
whole  houfe,  to  attend  him  ;  and  then  produced  before  them  the 
form  of  an  oath  drawn  up  by  himfelf,   which  he  informed  thera 
was  a  ttft  of  their  principles  and  loyalty;  and  that,  ifanyperfoa 
.among  them  refufed  to  take  it,  he  ihould  confider  the  recufant  as 
difaffeded  to  his  majefty's  government.    He  infifted  they  fhould  all 
take  the  oath  in  his  prefence^   and  began  firft  with  their  fpeaker, 
•colonel  Beefton,   who,  on  its  being  tendered  to  him,  defired  to  be 
«xcufed,  adding,  "that  he  had  often  taken  the  oaths  of  allegiance 
**  and  fupremacy,  and  was  ready  ou  all  occafions  to  take  them 
"  again ;  that  he  knew  of  no  other  oaths  impofed  on  his  majefty's 
*«  fubjcfl^s  by  law,  and  therefore  would  not  take  this,  for  which 
**  there  was  no  authority."     Upon  this  ipeech,  feveral  members, 
both  of  council  and  aflembly,  refufed  the  teft.     This  refolute  con- 
duct drove  his  lordftiip  beyond  all  the  limits  of  moderation  and 
decency.     He  broke  out  into  the  moft  paffionate  gefticulatious ;  up. 
/braiding  them  in  a  ftrain  of  bitter  inveftive,  and  even  fcurrility; 
diftinguiflimg  a  few  among  the  recofants  more  particularly  with 
.*abuie  and  infult*     This  furious  demeanor  fo  terrified  (bme  of  the 
members  of -each  body,  that  about  .four  or  Eve  of  them  were. pu- 
sillanimous enough  to  fw^allowthe  oath. 

But  letit  be  recorded,  to  the  etenwil  honour  of  the  major  part, 
«that  they  rejected  his  illegal  propofition  with'  the  difdain  it  dc- 
ierved ;  and  held  fuch  command  ;Over  their  paliions  at  this  trying, 
'Crifis,  that,  conlidering 'the  governor  a  meer  tool  of  oppreffion, 
.employed  by  his  fuperior«  to  carry  this  odious  meafure  into  e;cccun 
;tio»,  tliey  deemed  him  unworthy  their  rc!entmcnt,  and  .returned 

.his 


BOOK    I.     CHAP.    X.        APPEND.  zoi 

bis  iniblent  language  with  nothing  but  a  iilent  contempt.     This 
was  an  example  of  cool   forbearance,  lingular  in  thefe  times,  and 
clearly   indicated  the  good  fenfe  and   manly  fortitude   which  cha* 
ra£lerized  thefe  patriots.     Among  the  council  was  colonel  Longt 
who  was  likewife  chief  juflice  of  the  ifland.     He  had  warmly  op* 
pofed  the  introduction  of  this  Iriih  model,  and  declared   his    ap- 
probation of  the  fpeaker's  reafbns  for  refufing  the  oath.    The  go- 
vernor was  exafperated  with  a  peculiar  rancour  againft  both  thefe 
gemiemenj  but  more  efpechiX^  the  former,  whom  therefore   he 
immediately  fufpended  from  his  feat  in  council,  and  difmifled  him 
from  all  his  other  pofls  and  employments.     His  excellency  dillblved 
the  aliembly,  and  determined  to  call  nornore ;  but,  finding  himfelf 
^nerally  abhorred  for  his  violences^  and  dreading,  perhaps,    tho 
refentment  of  an  enraged  people^   he  took  a  refolution  about  the 
middle   of  April,    1680,  of  departing  for  England  with  all  con- 
venient fpeed.      That  he  might  prefent  himfelf  before  majefly  in 
a  more  acceptable  manner,  and  make  fome  amends  for  his  inability 
to  carry  fo  favourite  a  point  which  the  miniflry  had  efpoufed  and 
recommended  to  his  management,  he  determined  to  take  with  hixxi, 
as  ftate  prifoners,  feveral  of  the  leading  men  among  his  opponents* 
But,  rec6lleding  afterwards  the  inconveniency  of  being  burthened 
during  the  voyage  with  fb  great  a  number,  he  (ingled  out  two  of 
the  principal.  Long  and  Beeflon ;  commanding  the  former  to  re« 
pair  on  board  the  fame  fhip  which  was  to  convey  his  excellency. 
Beeflon  had  jufl  before  engaged  for  pafiage  in  another  veflel,   in<- 
tending  a  voyage  to  England  on  his  private  aSairs :  but  the  gq<» 
venor,  being  informed  that  he  was  not  ferioufly  bent  on  the  voyage, 
.  lent  for  the  attorney-general  to  acquaint  him  with  what  he  had 
r  heard ;  and  defired  him  to  let  colonel  Beefton  know,  that  his  ex- 
cellency expe^ed,  and  infifted  on,  his  immediate  embarking.    That 
he  might  make  Aire  of  colqnel  Long,  he  committed  him  to  prifoiiy 
and  there  kept  him  until  the  fhip  was  ready  for  fea ;  at  which  time, 
iiis  excellency  caufed  him  to  be  cotiveyed  on  board,  and  carried  him 
a  priibner  to  England.     This  gentleman,  after  being  landed  in  Eng- 
land, exhibited  feveral  articles  before  his  majefly  in  council  agaiofl 
the  earl ;  accufing  him  of  fundry  mifdemeanours  in  government ; 
charging  him  particularly  with  having  given  private  encouragement 
Vol.  I.  D  d  to 


> 

4 


5L0Z  J    A    RT    A    I    C    A.. 

to  many  noted' pirates,  ,and  ihared  in  their  booty.     The   earl   madii; 
but  a  very  iiiip.erfeft  defence ;  confiifting,  chiefly,  of  rfecriniinations . 
on  his  accu(cr,  as  the  chief  adViferand  abettor  of  the  party ^  who^ 
had  manifefted  fo  much  difobedience  to  his   majefty's   orders ;  the 
which  was  the  more'cenfurabl^,    as  he  had  been  one  of  the-  privy- 
council.     Ill  what  manner  thfcir  diQ)ute  terminated  is  not  at  prefent 
material  to  fet  forth.     The  public  conteft  with  the  ifland  was,  upon 
a  reference  to  aH  the  judges,  decided  entirely  in  their  favour,  as  I 
have  before  related;  and  their  old  frame  of  government   reflored  to 
them,  with  many  gracious  affuranccs  from  the  throne.     The*  dif- 
creet   condu<3:,  and  undaunted   fpirit;    of  thofe   virtuous  patriotsj . 
who  had  flood  forth  sfnd  TuccefsfuHy  oppbfed  this  execrable  *  machi- 
nation,  under  fo  many  difad vantages,  anci  with  fo  much  lofstoi 
their  private  fortunes,    are  highly  to  be  refpefted.     Their  memory 
deferves  the  moft  grateful  tribute  of  encomium  from  the  prefent  in- 
habitants, and  to  be  tranfmitted  with  honour  through  every  fuc- 
ceeding  generation ;  for  it  is  to  them  we  owe,  in  a  great  meafurc, , 
the  prefent  flourifhirig  ftate  of  the  iftand,  which  could  not  have '  rr- 
fulted^from  a  defpotic  frame  of  government. 

ABSTRACT    of  a  Fragment   containing  MiNu-T^s  of  the- two* 

Assemblies  held^by  his  Excellency  the  Earl  .of  Carlisle.  : 

1678,  Sept.  7th. 

Upon  thr  qucftion-  on   the- bill- of  revenue^    fent  with   othets 

tinder  the'great  feal  of  England  to  be  paffed  here,  the  houfe  affign, 

'  as*  their  firft  reafon  agaihft  cohfeiitiflg  to  it ; 

Becaufe  no  money  was  everraifed  in  Jamaica  by  order  of  the 

goveraor  and  council,^  unlefs  in  colonel  D*pyley's  time ;  when,  pur- 

feant  tahis  commiffion,  the  counfellers^wferechbfenby  the*  king*s 

writ,  and  confequently  were  the  representatives  6f  the  people.  . 

Oii  the4)ill  for  confirming  all  orders  of  council : 

Reafon  agairfft  paffing  it ;    '         '  .     , 

Becaufe  no  orders  were  ever  made  by  the  council   alone,    unleis 

when  the  government  devolved  iipoa  them,  and  they  chole  a  pre- 
fident.  '  -  .  .  ^  .  .:  '    J  '  * 


.   .  .  i 


BOOK    R      CHAP.    X.   •    APPEND.        203 

Oftj. 

On  paffing  the  bill  for  a  public  imppft : 
Queftion.  Whether  the  enafting .  part   of  that  bill   fliould  pafe 
under   the-.ftyle  of  ^^Gbverxibr,  council,  and  aflembly/*  or   "  By 
"  the  king's  moft  excellent  majefty, :  hy  and  with  the  advice   and 
<*'confent  of  the  council  and  general  aflenablyi?'* 
Refolved  for  the  latter. 

oa.  Sth^ 

.  The  impoft-billt  with  the  council's  amendnaents,  were  brought 
kito  the  houfe  from  his  excellency  by.  the  fpcaken 

Oa,9th.:     :    .  /  / 

■  The  committee  of  the  aflembly,  at  a  ccmference  hereon  with  a 
committee  of  the  council,  fay,  that,  upon  the  ob^'eftions  made  to 
the  bill  of  impoft,  the  title  is,  "  By  a  committee  of  the  couhcili'* 
and  in  the  fecond  amendment  the  council  is  left  out.  The  aflembly^ 
clelire  to  know.  Whether  the  council  confider  themfelves  ds  a. 
diftinftbody,  or  not,  in  the  making  of  laws?  If  they  are,  they 
diight  not  to  leave  themfelves  .'out.  If  they  are  not,  then 
they  are  included  in  the  general  aflembly,  and  their  confcnt  already 
in  the  bill,  and  conlequently  cannot  make  obje£tions  to  it* 

■  The  council  promife  an  anfweri  in  writing,  after  firft  confulting 
With  his  excellency. 

His  excellency  fent  for  one  of  the  committee  of  the  houfe,  and 
iifked  him,  what  the  meaning  of  the  queftion  was;  that  it 
feemed  captious,  and,  he  thought,  had  a  double  meaning;  that 
he  knew  no  reafon  why  the  council  ihovdd  define  themfelves ;  and 
riiat  the  king's  command  w-as  pbiitive  as  to  the^yle  of  the  laws.. 

The  houfe  prayed  the  council  would  giwe  fome  anfwer  in  writing, 
as  they  had  promifed ;  but,  not  being  willing  (or  able)  to  comply, 
the  governor  delivercd  the  following  anfwer  in  writing  for  them  to 
*he  committee  of  the  houfe : 

The  king  hath  empowered  his  governor,  with  his  council  here, 
ft> frame  alljawsthat  are  to  be  enabled  by  his  iiiajefty  and  the  ge- 
neral aflembly ;  fo  his  majefl:y's  council,  when  required  by  his  go- 
vernor, ought  to  frame  all  fit  laws ;  and,  if  to  frame  a  new,  then 
to  alter  a  form  propofed.  This  conraiittee  of  the  Co^^il  was  ap- 
pointed by  his, excellency  to  cdnfcr.with  a- committee. of ^tt)P^ general 
w      .    •  D  d  2  i  .  'aflembly 


It 

4     b 


104  JAMAICA. 

af'fembly  about  the  framing  of  the  bill  of  impoft.  The  ftyle  c^ 
pjiffing  laws  here  by  the  general  aflbmbly  is  now  made  po&ive,  and 
aught  not  to  be  difputed  by  any. 

Reiblved  by  the  houfe  not  tp  proceed  on  the  amendmenti. 

Reply  to  his  excellency. 

The  general  affembly  do  conceive  that^  "  by  your  excellency^^i^ 
««  commiffion  and  inftruflions/'  the  council  are  only  to  frame  fuch 
bills  as  are  to  befcnt  home  to  his  majefty;  but,  for  fuch  .laws  as 
his  majefty  doth  upon  very  great  neceilities  permit  to  be  pafied  here» 
the  bills  are  to  arife,  a&  this  bill  did^  with  the  affembly  i  and  it  is 
not  a  form  propofed,  but  a  bill  complcatly  and  folemnly  pafled. 

The  council  therefore  cannot  make  any  amendments,,  unlefs  they 
do  fb  as  a  diftin£fc  eftate ;  and,  if  to^  they  muft  either  be  named  in 
the  bill,  or  define  themfelves  what  they  are  :  for  none  can  be  fup« 
pofed  to  have  any  (hare  in  the  legiilative  power,  uQle&  their  names, 
are  ufed  in  the  public  a£ls,  which  are  the  only  true  and  eilential 
marks  of  their  authority. 

This  committee  of  the  council  was  not  appointed  to  join  with, 
the  general  aflembly  in  framing  the  bill  of  impoft ;  but  the  bill 
was  framed  and  took  its  rife  in  the  ailembly;  and^  having  been 
three  times  read,  and  pafied^  wa&  fentup  to  the  governor  and  council ; 
and  the  amendments,  which  are  read  by  the  council,  were  propofed 
by  them  as  a  difiind  eftate :  othetwife  a  conference  would  not  have 
enfued. 

The  affembly  do  not  difpute  the  ftyle  of  the  lawsv  but  are  very 
defirous  to  know  whether  the  council  are  not  included  in  the  ge- 
neral affembly ;  for,  otherwife^  until  the  council  do  declare  them- 
felves  to  be  a  diftin£t  body  in  the  making  of  laws,  they  cannot  re* 
ceive  aoy  amendments  from  them,  nor  confer  with  them ;  and  the 
governor,  who  is  here  in  hco  rtgis^  is  only  to  give  his  affirmative  or 
negative ;  fo  thgt  the  bill  muft  ftand  or  fall  in  the  fame  manner  as  it 
was  fent  up. 

The  fpeaker  and  the  houfe  attended  his  excellency  with  the 
bill  of  impoft,  and  amendmeats  made  thereto  by  the  council. 

His  excellency  took  notice  of  their  reply  to  his  anfwer  on  part  of 
the  council ;  and  faid,  that  *<  for  the  council  to  define  themfelves 
«'  was  more  than  they  could  do,  fince  their  authoriry  was  derived 

7    '  ^  «♦  from 


BOOK     I.     CHAP.    X.       APPEND,         205 

♦<  from  the  king ;  and  his  majVfty  onlj  ought  iherefote  to  afcertaiti 
*•  it;'*  That,  upon  reading  hia  iuftrudions^  he  was  very  clear, 
that  the  council  had  a  virtual  power  ia  the  framing  of  laws,  but 
not  a  nominal;,  that,  by  the  new  conftitution  of  government, 
they  were  not  to  frame  and  prepare  the  laws :  and  that  he  had 
never  given,  permif&on*  to  the  houfeto  pafs  «his  bill,  but  had  fuf* 
iered  them  to  go  oo  iis^  that  bufmefe  without  interruption,  fince  his 
majefty  had  not  declared  to  the  contrary :  that  they  a6ted  ill  in 
raifing  fcruples  ;  and  If  the  queftion  was  captious,  it  muft  not  be. 
aaiweredr 

He  defired  to  know,,  whether  they  would  Mceire  a  bill  from 
him  andi  council,  and  bad  diem  confider  of  it.. 

The  houfefentthis  meflage  : 

The  aflembly  have  already  pafled  a  bill  for  the  impoft ;:  and^ 
mtil  they  know  what  is^  become  of  that,  they  do  humbly  conceive, 
they  are  not  obliged,  to  take  into  confideration  another  bill  of  the 
£une  quality  ;   nor  are  they  obHged  to  make  any  previous  anfwer; 

His  excellency  ordered  the  whole  houie  to  attend  him,. 

He  defired  to  know.  Whether  or  not  the  houfe  were  wilMng  to 
ht  a  committee  of  the  houfe  confer  with  a  committee  of  his  coun* 
cil  about  the  bill  of  impoft^  upon  amendments  made  by  himfelf^ 
and  to  bring  their  reports  to  him  ? 

Reiblved  by  the  houfe,  to  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  a 
committee  of  the  governor's  council; 

0£t.  loth.. 

The  committee  of  the  houfe  reported,  that  they  had  met  the 
committee  of  the  governor's  council;  and  acquainted  them,  that  they 
had  not  confidered  the  amendments,  and  therefore  were  not  pro- 
vided for  a  conference;  but,  if  the  council's  committee  would 
give  them  a  copy  of  the  amendments,  they  would  meet  and  confer 
with  them,  the  next  morning. 

A  copy  was  accordingly  given. 

The  firft  amendment  to  the  bill  was  by  flrlking  out  the  words 
•<  advice  and.'*    To  this  the  houfe  difagreed.. 

The  fecond  was,  by  flriking  otit  the  words  "  council  and  the  ;*• 
to  which  the  houfe  agreed.    Theftylc  of  the  bill  would  then  have 

ftood 


2o6  :    J     A     M     A     I    C    A 

flood' thus:     *^By  andwith  theadvacc  aaid  confent  of  the  general 
*'  aflembly,"   leavingout  the  council. 

There  were  feveral  other  amendments.;  .to  moft  of  which  -the 

houfe  difagreed,.  ....  •.        - 

nfhc.houfe  then  fent  a  meffage  to  his  excellency,  that   they   had 

confidered  of  the  'amendments,    and   found  feveral  of  them   very. 

reafonable.       Wherefore   they  defired  his     excellency'^    opinion, 

Whether  he  would  put  an  end  to  this  bill,   that  they  might  go    on 

to  the  raifxng  of  another,  or  elfe  to  advife  them  how   they  (hould 

.otherwife  proceed? 

rH is  excellency  defircd.the  bill  and  amendments- might  be  brought 
to  him  in  the  morning ;  and,  if  .he  faw  further  occafion,  he  would 
Lhave  another  conference. 

.Ocl:..iith. 
The  bill  for  a  public  impoft  was  engroffed,  figned  by  the  fpeaker, 
and  fent  aip  to  his  excellency. 

His  excellency  ordered  the  Speaker,  and  the  whole  houfe  to  attend 

:him. 
.  ;Here  is.no  further  entry,;  fo  it  is  prefumed  he  diflblved  thencu 

.'Second  Assembly, 

» 

Convened  the  19th  x)fAuguft,    x'679. 

The  fpeaker  made  the  ufual  petition  for  freedom  from  arrefts, 
freedom  of  debate,  andaccefsto  his  excellency's  perfon;  which  he 
freely  and  iminediately  allowed. 

A  committee  of  the  houfe  having  been  appointed  to  examine  Mr. 
Martin,  tlie  receiver-general,  *  his  accompts  of  the  revenue ;  they 
reported,  that  Mr.  Martin  told  them,  he  had  been  with  his  excel- 
lency, who  had  ordered  him  to  come  and  acquaint  them,  both 
from  the  king  and  his  excellency,  that  the  receiver-general  was 
not  obliged  to  Ihew  his  accompts  to  the  aflembly  ;  but  that  he  had 
delivered  them  to  his  excellency ;  and,  if  any  of  the  committer 
were  defirous  of  feeing  them,   they  might  fee  them  in  his  hands. 

Whereupon  the  houfe  refolved,  nem.  con.  ' 

That  it  was  their  undoubted  and  inherent  right,  that,  as  aH 
.bills   for  money   ought  to,  and  do,  arife  in  their  houfe,  fo   they 

ouglit 


BaOK    L      CHAP.     X.        APPEND.         207 

ought  toappornt  theldifpofal  of  it,  and  to  receive  and  examine  all 
the  accompts  concerning  the  fame* 

The  houfe  fent  up  to  his  excellency  a  revenue- bill  which  ther 
had  paded. 

The  whole  houfe  were  ordered  to  attend  him. 
.   His  excellency  defired  that  the  claufe,  or  tack,    "  for  continu- 
**  ation  of  the  aa  for  regulating  fees/*-  might.be  left  out ;  and   he* 
would  take' care  to  put  ibin  force  by  his  proclamation. 

On  the  queftion,  the  houle  refolved,   that  the  claufe,  or  tack^, 
(hould  ftand,  and  that  they  fhould  adhere  to  their  bilK  . 

Auguft  28th. 

TKe  hoiife  defired  .a  recefs  for  two  months  ;  which  was  grantedw  • 

The  houfe  met -according  to  prorogation^ 

Nov.  ijjh,. 
His  excellency  acquainted  a  committee  of  the  houfe  of  the  debts  • 
on   the  revenue,  amounting  to '3Qoo/*' which,  if  paid/  would  not : 
leave  a  competent  fum  to  defray  the  charge  of  repairing    the  for- 
tifications;   thiat^^  if  the  houfe  would  not  themfelves  fall  upon   the 
framing  a  bill  to  eftablifli.  a  fund  for  payment  of  that  fum,  he  would  • 
leave  them  without  excufe^  by  fending  a  bill  down  tathem.  . 
The:whole  houfe  ordered  to  attend. 

The  fpeaker  brought  into  the  lioufp  a  revenuerbill,  delivered  him.  i 
by  his  excellency*  .  - 

Nov.  14th-.. 
On  the  queflion;     Ordered  to  be  read. 

On  the  queilion,  Whether  it  ought  to  pafs  or  not,  if  not  arifing  , 
in  the  houfe? . 
:    Refolved,  nem.  (an.     Not  to  pafs. . 

The.fpeaker  and  whole  houfe  waited  on  his  excellency  with  their 
humble  addrefs  to.the  king. 

Nov..  1 8th. 
The  houfe  pafi'ed  a  revenue  bill  of  their  own  ftamiiig; 

Nov.  19th.- 
The  fpeaker  informed  the  houfe,  that  his  excellency  had  feiit  to  > 
dcfireiaconaouctee  of  the  .houfe  .fhould  meet  a  conxmittee.of  the  ^^ 

council  * 


ao8  JAMAICA. 

couacil  that  morning  at  fcven  o'clock,  to  cotiTider  upon  amendments 
of  the  bill  of  revenue. 

A  committee  was  accordingly  appointed. 

His  excellency  fent  back  the  bill  of  revenue  with  his  own  amend- 
ments ;  which  were  read.  g 

A  meiTage  was  fent  to  acquaint  his  excdlency,  that  the  houle  is 
inclined  to  adhere  to  their  bill ;  for  that  it  admits  of  no  amend- 
ments, "  the  king  only  conienting  to,  or  difapproving  of,  bills, 
^  when  prefented  to  him.*' 

Nov.  2oth. 

The  houfe  refolved,  to  adhere  to  their  bill,  and  fend  it  up  again 
to  his  excellency. 

The  whole  houfe  commanded  to  attend  dire£lly. 

The  fpeaker  reported  his  excellency's  fjpeech,  <<  that  ieeing  the 
<<  houfe  will  not  confent  to  the  amendments,  he,  in  the  king's 
^<  name,  rejeded  the  bill'* 

Cat  era  defunt. 

Reasons  ofiered  by  the  Assembly  to  juftify  their  Rejection  of 

the  new  Mode  of  Legislation. 
I*  That,  being  Engliih  fubjeds,   they  have  a  right  to  be  go* 
verned  as  fuch ;  and  to  have  their  liberty  and  property  fecured  by 
the  laws  of  England^  or  by  others  of  their  own  making. 

2.  That,  in  the  proclamation  brought  over  by  lord  Windfbr, 
the  king  was  gracioufly  pleafed  to  grant  freedom  and  denization,  a^ 
an  encouragement  for  families  to  transport  themfelves. 

3.  That  his  majefty  had  been  pleafed  by  hi^  Several  commifiions 
to  his  governors  to  declare  it ;  which  commiflibns  ^e  recorded  for 
the  people's  iatisfaftion  and  encouragement;  a(nd  that  they  had  for 
fixteen  or  eighteen  years  been  governed  by  the  laws  of  England. 

N.  B.  This  refers  to  the  firfl  eftabliihment  under  cc^onel  D'Oyley, 
anno  1660;  or,  perhaps,  rather  to  lord  Windibr's  government 
in  1662. 

4.  That  all  the  other  Britifli  colonies  have,  and  ever  had,  af« 
femblies ;  and  their  laws  take  origin  from  them. 

5«  That  they  conceive  the  Irifh  mode  of  paffing  laws  will  be  top 
tedious,  becaufeof  the  vaft  diftance,  and  of  the  firequent  change^ 
of  the  planters  intereft. 

6.  That 


BOOK    L      CHAP.      X.        APPEND.       209 

6.  That  this  Irifh  mode  was  defircd  by  the  Englijfh  to  fupport 
them  againft  the  Irifli;  but  that  they  of  Jamaica  were  all  Engli£b> 
and  the  conquerors  as  well  as  planters  of  that,  fertile  ifland;-  and 
that   they  had  paid  there  above  a  fixth  part  of  what  the  Irifli  pro-  ' 
duce  in  Ireland.  .  :.  i 

7.  That  they  much  feared  a  noife  of  any  fuch  change  of  govern- 
ment might  induce  many  to  defert  the  ifland,  and  their  merchants 
to  forbear  trading. 

8.  That  if  the  king's  commiffions  have  appointed  them  there^ 
and  if  they  have  been  conftituted  in  all  the  colonies  from  their  firft 
fettlement  fixty  years  ago,  as  a  government  moft  juft,  and  like  that 
of  England ;  then  they  hope,  that  they  alone,  of  all  the  colonies^ 
fliall  not  be  retrenched  of  the  privileges  natural  to  fuch  affemblies  ; 
but  that,  if  particular  perfons  have  offended,  they  may  fuifer  the 
change,  and  not  the  colony. 

9.  That  they  hoped  his  ihajefty  would  be  pleafed  to  confider 
that  his  intereft,  and  that  of  trade,  were  involved  in  theirs ;  "  for 
^<  it  is  the  [planter  who  muft  defeiid  and  improve  the  colony ;  and 
«<  agreeable  laws  will  beft  perfuade  him  to  do  it.'* 

Abstract  of  the  Address  of  the  Assembly  to  the   King  in 
CO0NCIL,' 'in  Reply  to  the  Report  of  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

.1679. 
■  ■■J  I  'ij  WE  therefore  humbly  beg  ^ your  majefty  will  with 
patience  be,  pleafed  to  hear  the  account  of  our  proceedings;  which 
truly  to  manifeft,  we  muft  be  forced  to  look  back  fo  far  as  Sir 
Charles  Lyttelton,  and  Sir  Thomas  Modiford,  their  entrance  upon 
their  governments;  at  which  time,  we  humbly  conceive,  the 
ifland  really  began  to  take  up  the  form  of -civil  government,  jftiJ 
wholly.  to»lay  by  that  of  the  army,  which  until  that  time  was  fup- 
ported  by  fupreme  authority  ;  when  after  their*  feveral  arrivals,  by 
order  of  his  majefty,  and  according  to  the  method  of  his  majeft y*s 
moft. ancient , plantations,  they  called  an! afiembly,  and  fettled  the 
government  of  the  ifland  in  fuch  good  form,  that,  until  his  excel- 
lency the  earlof  Carlifle's  firft  arrival,  you  thought  fit  not  to  alter 
it;  though  feveral  governors  in  that  time  were  changed 5  which 
muft  neceffarily  infer  the  goodnefs  and  reafon  of  it,  as  well  as  the 
.  Vol.  L  E  e  fatisfadiou 


»j9  JAMAICA., 

fitisfaSiion  of  the  p«)pJe;  fuice,  from  that  time/  diey  betook  them- 
felves  to  fettle  and  plant,  efpecially  the  nwrchants ;  hy  which  means 
the  eftates  here  are  wond^rfulJy  iQcreajfed,  as  is .  evident  by  the 
number  qf  ihip^  loading  here,  by  the,i»dtiftry  of  the' pJanters,  axad 
the  fatisfaftion  they  receive  by  thofe  wholefome  laws  then  hegtmt 
and  froHi  that  time  continued ;  fo  that  dhe  change  af  them  need,  not 
have  been  made  with  fuch  matjire  deliberation  from  home. 

We  cannot  imagine  that  the  Irifli  model  of  government  was,   m 
prmeipioj   ever  intended  for  Engliflimen:    befides,  that  model  .was 
introdycedr  among  them  by  a  law  made  by   tiicmfelycs   iu  Jreland'; 
»nd  confeq\>entIyj,  as  it  bound  thcmhy  being  generally  knowii  to 
all  thofe  who  remo*^ed  thither^  they  have  no  rea&n  tc?:  repine,  it 
being  their  own  choice  to  live  under  it,  ;or  to  flay   away  'from  it^ 
and  was  made  for  the  prefervation  of  the  Englifli  from  the  Iiifli 
fadion.     As  there  is  not  the  fame  caufe,  fo  there  i$  not  ;thc  fame 
jfeafon  for  inipofing  it  upon  us;  unkfsiv^e:  (ri^jlfliey  did)   confent 
to  it  ourfelves,  wiho.  dfn^W  your  jxi^jefty's*DituraH)orn  fubje^Sts  of 
yowr  kingdom  of  Enghnd ;  -vvjikhis  tfe/j  reafoa  the:  p»rUamci* 
gave,  in  all  their  adis  \n\  that  concern  the  plantations^  fof  obliging  u«* 
by  them  to  what  places,  and  with  whom,  and  in  what  manner,  we 
may  trade ;  -wd  which  i«^p<tfe  a  tex  oivu?  i^ere^  in^ckfe.of  firaierfranil 
one  colony  tp  an^H^er : .  and  it  i$.  but  equitable,.*  thfen^  ^tljat  the  iame 
law   fliould  have  the  power  of  .lopfing,  as  well  as  binding..    They 
never  delijped.auy  power  but  what  your'  m^efty'^.  goyemer-  aflbfed^ 
them  was^  their  birth-right,  and  what  they  fuppofed  your   naajeflyV 
gracious   proclamation  affured  them,  iilfo..    Your   majefty  was  gra.«» 
cioufly  plegfed  to  write-  a  letter  to    your   goverpor.   Sir  Thomas- 
Lynch,  after  the  double  trial  of  one  Peter  Janfpn^  a  pirate,  **^fig- 
"  nifying  your  diflike  th«t  any  thing  fhould  be  done  that  ihould 
<«  caufe  any  doubt  in  your  fubjefts  here  of  not  enjoying  all  the  pfi-f 
«  vileges  of  your  fubjeiSs  of  your  kingdom  of  .England,"  or  to  thar 
efFedl.     But,  as  to  obftxudiog  of  j  aft  ice  again  ft  Brown  the  pirate^- 
what  they  did,  though  notrjuftifiableinthe  raanner,  was  out  of  an 
afliarance,  that  there  was  fto.  law  hi  force  here   to   deblare  the  loi:^ 
chancellor's  power  in  England,  and  our  chancellor's'  here,   equai^ 
in  granting  commiffions  in  purfuance  of  the  ftatute  af  -Henry  VlHi 

[n\  Navigation  aft,  &c» 

-    •   wJiich. 


BOOK    I.      CHAP.      X.        APPEND.         211 

which  alfo  your  majefty  and  council  perceiving,  have,  in  this  new 
Body  of  laws,  fent  one  to  fiipply  the  want  [aj.  As  to  the  impri- 
fonment  of  Mr.  Thomas  Martin,  one  of  their  members,  for  taking 
out  procefs  in  chancery,  in  his  own  private  concern,  againft  feveral 
other  members  and  one  of  the  council  (the  affembly  then  fitting), 
and  for  other  mifdemeanours  and  breaches  of  the  rules  of  the  houfe, 
they  hope  it  is  juftifiable ;  your  majefty's  governor  having  affurecf 
them,  •«  that  they  had  the  fame  powers  over  their  members,  which 
«'  the  houfe  of  coifamons  have  over  theirs  j  and  all  fpeakers  here 
"  praying,  and  the  governors  granting,  all  ufual  petitions  of 
"  Ipeakers  in  England.'* 

It  is  beyond  all  coptroverfy,  that  the  old  form  of  government, 
which  was  ordered  fo  much  like  your  majefty's  kingdom  of  Eng- 
land, muf!  of  coiifecjuenCe  be  of  great  encouragement  to  all  your 
majefty's  fubjedls,  as  well  as  ftrangers,  to  femove  themfelves  hither, 
upon  your  majefty*s  gracious  proclamation  in  Lord  Wrndfor's  time; 
and  by  thofe  gracious  inftrudtions  given  to  Sir  .Thomas  Modiford. 
All  or  moft  part  of  the  fiigar  plantations  have  likewife  been  fett  ed 
upon  the  model  at  firft  conftituted,  and  in  belief  that  the  fettleic^ 
loft  none  of  their  privileges,  as  your  majefty's  llibjeftsof  your  king- 
dom of  England,  by  their  removal  hither. 

Having  therefore  by  no  aft,  as  we  believe,  provoked  your  ma- 
jefty, or  forfeited  our  rights,  by  even  defiring  or  attempting  to 
leffen  or  queftion  your  majefty's  prerogative,  the*  inviolatiou 
\Vhereof  we  have  ever  efteemed  the  beft  means  of  preferving  our 
privileges  and  eftates;  we  fliall  hope  for  the  continuance  of  your 
majefty's  favours.  And,  whereas  their  [p]  lordfhips  are  pleafed  to 
offer  their  advice  to  your  majefty,  to  furnifli  your  governors  with 
fuch  powers  as  were  formerly  given  to  colonel  D'Oyley  and  otheis, 
iii  whofe  time  the  then  accounted  army  was  not  difl)anded,   but  ib 

[^]  Id  1677,  during  lord  Vaughan's  adminiflration,  this  governor  liTued  a  commiffion,  ac- 
cording to  the  ftatute  of  Henry  VIII,  for  the  trial  of  Brown  for  piracy :  upon  which  he  u  as 
coudtnined  to  die ;  and  the  governor  figned  a  warrant  for  his  execution.  But,  it  being  on- 
ccived  that  the  governor^  as  chancellor  of  the  ifland,  was  not  legally  veiled  with  a  power  ot  or- 
dering fuch  a  commiffion-court,  colonel  Long,  at  that  time  chief-juftice,  granted  a  hakas  cc-pu 
to  Brown  after  his  condemnation ;  and  the  afTembly  voted  a  reprieve,  and  commanded  obcdieiK ' 
to  it,  alledging,  that  all  the  proceedings  of  the  court  were  illegal  and  extrajudicial. 

\p\  The  lords  of  trade, 

E  e  2  continue  ^ 


aia  JAMAICA. 

continued  to  the  lord  Windfor's  arrival,  who  brought  over  your 
majefty's  royal  donation  [y],  and  orders^ to  fettle  the  civil  govern- 
ment; we  hope  their  lordftiips  intend  not,  that  we  are  to  be  go- 
verned as  an  army,  or  the  governor  empowered  to  lay  any  taxes  by 
himfelf  and  council ;  fince,  your  majefty  having  difcharged  your- 
felf  and  council,  by  a£t  of  parliament  [r],  of  any  fuch  powers  over, 
any  of  your  fubjeds  of  the  kingdom  of  England  (as  we  un- 
doubtedly are),  it  will  be  very  hard  to  have  any  impofition  laid  on. 
us  but  by  our  own  confents ;  for,  their  lordfhips  well  know,  no  de- 
rived power  is  greater  than  the  primitive. 

However,  if  your  majefty  (hall  not  think  fit  to  alter  thfs  model,, 
but  that  we  are  to  be  governed  by  tlie  governor  and  cpuncil,  ac- 
cording to  their  lordfliips  advice ;  yet  we  humbly  befeech  your 
majefty  will  do  us  the  grace  to  believe,,:  that  we  are  fo  fcniible  of 
our  duty  and  allegiance,  that  our  fubmifllon  aiid  comportment 
under  your  majefty's  authority  fhall  be  fuch,  as  we  hope  that, 
you,  in  your  due  time,  will  be  gracioufly  pleafed  to  reftore  to  us 
our  antient  form  of  government,,  under  which  it  hitherto  hath 
pleafed. God  to  profper  us,  &c.. 

Sir  Thomas  Lynch,,  in  1679,  concludes  his  ftate  of  the  aflem- 
biy's  objedions  with  thefe  remarks:  *'  It  is  probable,,  the  aflembly 
"  will  rej.eft  the  laws  thus  offered  them.     It  is  certain,,  there  is  an. 
*^  abfolute  neceflity  of  a  revenue  ;.  for  the  public  charges  are  great,, 
**  and'the  debts  many.    It  is  pofllble,  the  council  will  join  with  my  ' 
"  lord,  to  order  the  laws  for  the  government  to  be  continued  ;    but,, 
*^  1  verily  believe,  they  will  not  continue  the  revenue-bill,  for  that 
'*  they  think  belongs  particularly  to  the  aflembly;  and,  if  they 
*'  fliould  attempt  to  continue  it,  it  would  not  be  without  procefs;-. 
*'  and  I  doubt  not  but  the  judges,  &c.  would  quit,  and  juries  con- 
*'  ftantly  give  it  againft  the  officers.     It  would.be  the  fame,,  or  per-- 
"  haps  worfe,   if  any  order  went  from  home,  for  the  purpofe  of 
*•  enforcing  it ;   and  woul'd  give  umbrage  to  the  reft  of  the  colb^ 
"  nies,  which  are  under  too  many  difcouragements  already,    by 
**  the  cheapnefs  of    their    commodities,    and  the  French-  power,. 
"  growth,  and  trade ;  and  the  plantations  feem  more  neceffitous; 
"  now  than  formerly.     All  which  I  humbly  fubmit." 

[^]  To.fo.ir  regiments  of  the  old  foldicw  who  were. fee. led.  [r]  Staf.  Car.  !•  cap.  10.  J  y. 

a  The 


BOOK    L       GHAP.    X.        APPEND.        213: 

The  fame  gentleman^  in  a  fubfequent  account  of  the  happy  ter- 
mination of  thk  conteft,  fays,  **  His  majefty,  upon  the  aflerably's 
**  humble  addrefs,  was  pleafed  to  reflore  us  to  our  beloved  form  of 
•*  making  laws  ;  wherein  we  enjoy,  beyond  difpute,  all  the  deli- 
*^  berative  powers,  in  our  aflembly,  that  the  houfe-  of  commons 
«*  enjoy  in  their*  houfe^'* 


(C.) 

Pkoclamation   by  Oliver  Cromwell  relative  to  Jamaica, 

^:D.  1655. 

•  WHEREAS,  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  our  fleet,  in 
their  late  expedition  into  America,  have  poflefled  themfelves  of  a 
certain  ifland  caHcd  Jamaica,',  fpacioiis'in  its  extent,  commodious  in 
^ts  harbours  and  rivers  within  itfelf,  healthful  by  its  fituation,  fer- 
tile in  the  nature  of  "the  foil,  and  well  ftbredwitli  horfes  and' other 
cattie,  and  generally  fit  and  worthy  to  be  planted  and  improved,  to 
the  advantage,  honour,  and  intereft  of  this  nation  : 

And  whereas  divers  perfons,  merchants,  and  others,  heretofore 
converfant  in  plantations  and  trade  of  the  like  nature,  are  deiirous 
to  undertake  and  proceed  upon  plantations  and'  iettlements  upon 
that  Hland;  we,  therefore,  for  the  better*  encouragement  of  all 
fuch  perfons  fo  inclined;  have,  by  the  advice  of  our  council,  taken 
care,  not  only  for  the  ftrengthening  and  fecuring  of  that  ifland 
from  all  enemies,  but.  for  the.conftituting  and  fettling  a  civil  go- 
vernment, by  fuch  good  laws  and  curtoms  as  are  and  liave  been 
excrcifed  in  colbniesand  places  of  the  like  nature;,  and  have  ap- 
pointed  furveyors,  and  other  public  of^cers,  for  the  more  equal' 
diftribution  of  public  right  and  jufttce  in  the  faid  ifland. 

And,  for  the  further  encouragement  to  the  induftry.  and  good 
affeftion  of  fuch  perfons,  we  have  provided  and  given  orders  to  the 
commiflibners  of  our  cuftoms,  tiiat  every  planter,  or  adventurer  to 
that  ifland,.  fhall  be  exempt  and  free  from  paying  any  excife  or* 
cufix)m  for  any  manufactures,  provifions,  or  any  other  goods  or  iie* 
eeflaries,  which  he  or  they  fliall  tranfport  to  the  faid  ifland  of  Ja^ 

maica 


214  JAMAICA. 

maica  within  the  fpacc  of  fevenycara  to  come  from  Michaelmas 
next ;  and  alfo,  that  fufficient  caution  and  ftcprity  be  giy^n,  by  the 
faid  commiflioners,  that  fuch  goods  Ihall  be  delivered  at  Jiamaica 
only.  And  we  have  alfo,  out  of  our  fpccial  confideration  of  .  the 
welfare  and  profperity  of  that  iflandj  provided,  that  no  cuftoms, 
or  other  tax  or  impoft,  be  laid  or  charged  \ipon  any  cotniBOditys 
which  fliall  be  the  prgduce  and  native  growth  of  that  ifland,  and 
{hall  be  imported  into  any  of  the  dominions  belonging  to  the 
commonwealth ;  which  favour  and  exemption  fhall  continue  for 
the  fpace  of  ten  years,  to  begin  and  be  accounted  from  Michaelmas 
next.  We  have  alfo  given  our  fpecial  orders  and  direftions,  that 
no  embargo,  or  other  hindrance,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  be 
laid  upon  any  ihips,  feamen,  or  other  j>afl'engers,  or  adventurers, 
.which  (hall  appear  to  be  engaged  and  bomid  for  the  faid  ifland. 
And  we  do  hereby  further  declare,  for  ourfelves  and  fucceflbrs, 
that  whatfoever  other  favour,  or  immunity,  or  protedlion,  ihall  or 
may  conduce  to  the  welfare,  ftrength,  and  improvement,  of  the 
faid  iiland,  fhall  from  time  to  time  be  continued  and  applied 
thereunto. 

Given  under  our  hand^  &c. 

OLIVER^  Protedor. 

« 

Extract  from  Cromwell^s  Instructions  to  the  Commis- 
sioners, M^or-general  Fortescue,  Vice-admiral  Goojdson, 
Major  Robert  Sedge  wick,  and  Daniel  Serle,  1656. 

WHEREAS  we  have  publiflied  and  made  known,  unto  the  go- 
vernors and  people  of  the  EngliHi  iflands  and  plantations  in  Ame- 
rica, fuch  terms  and  conditions  as  fhall  be  granted  to  thofe  who 
fhall  remove  from  thence  to  the  ifland  of  Jamaica ;  and  have  alfo, 
by  patent  under  the  great  feal,  granted  to  Martin  Noell,  merchant, 
of  London,  twenty  thoufand  acres  of  land,  parcel  of  the  faid  ifland, 
with  ieveral  privileges  to  be  enjoyed  by  him,  his  heirs,  and  affigns, 
copies  of  which  are  herewith  fcnt  you:  you  are  hereby  authorized 
and  required^  to  caufe  the  fame  to  be  executed  and  obferved  on  our 

part 


BOOK     h        CHAP.    X.        APPEND.      215 

part  in  oU  things,  ^ccowJiag  to  the  tnic  meaning  and  purport  of 
them  rcfpe^tvely  5  end>  to  fee  what  is  to  be  done  on  their  part  be 
lik^wife  perforiiied. 

You  f  re  hereby  aulhori^cd  to  admit  any  other  of  the  people  of 
^hi$  x:ortiq»Ortwcaith^  SOT  the  domimons  thereof,  who  are  Proteftants, 
%Q  wk^bh  and  flapt  upon  any  part  of  the  iaid  ifland,  where  you 
fliall  think  convenient  to  allot  them,  upon  the  terms  and  conditions 
granted  to  the  faid  Mr.  Noel ;  and  accordingly  to  aflign  and  fct  forth 
land,  and  allow  them  the  likj5  advantages  iivall  things;  and  what 
you  fhall  do  herein,  purfuant  to  fixff^  inftrucSions,  we  (liall  ratifv 
andconficm. 

You  (hall  caufe  the  terms  and  conditions  to  be  publiflied  and  pro- 
daipied>  in  the  iClands  and  plantations  of  the  Eoglilh  in  America^.and 
ufc  /uch  other  means  as  you  (hall  find  neceflary  for  inciting  people 
to  come  and. plant  upon  this  place,,&c. 

Thp  patent,  mentioned  in  the  preceding  inftruftions  to  have 
baen  granted  to  ]^Ir..Noejl,  is  not  to  be  found. among  the  records 
preferved  in  the  ifland,  the  oldeft  of  them  not  reaching. fo  far  back 
by  maBy:years^  We  cannot  therefore  judge  with  precifion  of  the 
j^articql^t:  jtefms  on.  which  the  lands  were,  under  the  proclamation 
of  165  c,  granted  out  to  the  fettlers:  indeed,  for  the  moft  part, 
teh^'werfsrh^d  under  orders  of  furvey  iffued  by  the  commander  in 
chici4- 0*  plsts  furv^ey^ed:.  and  thefe  orders  and  plats- were  aflignable 
£itosidBQ  perfQU  to  another,,  in  the  fame  manner  as  notes  of  hand. 
So  little  attention,  v^as  paid,  to  the  law  fornuUties  ufual  in  conveying 
and  transferring  landed  property ;  and  manytra£b  in  the  ifland  are 
at  this  day  held  undej:!  00  ocl^er  original  title  .than  fuch  indocfed  or 
a£^gitfd. orders;  a. form  of  which  orders  I  have  fubjoined  for  the 
fatisfadim  of  the  i^ad^r^. 
Jamaica^  ff. 

Whereas  Mr.  J.  S.  hath  t^anfported  himfelf  and  family  unto  this 
ifland,  wiithcan  intent  to  fettjie  and. abide  here,  and  to  that  end  hath^ 
tequefled;nvB.tQ:gcant  himmo^de^  ibr.  his   proportion  of  land  at 
Port  Morant,.  hy.  tji^  fea  Ode*.-  ngxt.a^ljoining  to  the  plantation  of 
J.  D.  being  SoiU'^-Weftbyagreatpond  there,  clofe  to  the  fea-lide; 
Ldo  therefone  hereby  aifiga  .and  appoint  hijpa  two  hundred  acres 

ot 


2i6  JAMAICA. 

of  ground  (according  to  a  proclamation  heretofore  made)  in  the 
place  afore-mentioned,  to  run  it  out  as  he  (hall  think  fit;  and  I  do 
hereby  require,  that  no  perfon  or  perfons  belonging  to  the  army, 
or  [s]  kingdom  of  England,  moleft  or  trouble  him  in  the  profe- 
cution  of  his  fettlement,  but  rather  to  aid  and  aflift  him  herein; 
provided  this  be  not  prejudicial  to  any  former  order  by  me  made. 
Dated  this  12th  January,  i6*^» 

Edw.  D'Ovley, 
Recorded,  the  day  and  year  above-written,  in  the  fccretary's 
ofGce,  at  the  general's  houfe. 

Per  Arthur  Town,  fccretary  to  the  generaU 

Letter  from  Richard  t^ovEY,  Elq;  Secretary  of  Jamaica,  to 
a  Gentleman  in-  England,  by  his  Majefly's  Ship  Beare, 
^ated  Point  Cagway,  27th  06t,  1662. 

TJiough  I  know  the  accompliflimen.ts  of  his  [/]  excellency 
our  noble  governor  arc  not  unknown  to  you,  being  your  report 
gave  me  the  firft  joys  both  of  his  worth  and  adventures  hither ; 
yet  I  cannot  be  filcnt,  or  forbear  to  tell  you,  hoW  he  encountered 
with  the  nature  of  this  climate  as  to  his  own  conflittition:  for,  as 
foon  as  he  had  left  his  genuine  air,  he  found  a  flatnefs  of  his  ipirits, 
and  an  indifpoiition  to  his  wonted  adion  ;  but  he  mod  nobly  with- 
flood  any  pofleffion  of  a  difeafe,  until  he  had  fairly  difmifliid  the 
old  governor  ftt],  fatisfied  the  late  army  with  his  majefty's  royal 
gift  [w],  chofe  a  new  militia,  found  employ  for  our  fleet  abroad, 
and  had  well  fettled  the  prcfent  government  of  this  his  nrajefty's 
ifland.  Then  (as  I  have  juft  reafon  to  lament  in  behalf  of  the 
public)  be  declined  fo  much  from  his  priftine  health,  that  he  could 
fcarce  hold  up  his  head  to  debate  with  his  council,  how  he  might 
appoint  fuch  wholfome  rules  and  laws  foF  the  quiet  fettlement  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  the  improvement  of  this  his  majefty's  ifland, 
and  yet  miglit  he  very  fatisfaitory  to  ifivite  rtiarty  of  his  majefty's 
good  fubjedls.  And,  this  being  effeftcd,  he  might  poffibly  grieve, 
that  he  found  nothing  more  to  do,  but  to  haftenhome,  and  there 
fpeak  and  declare  the  hopes  of  a^  new  kingdom  ;'  which  we  rather 

[j]  This  was.after  the  Reftoration  of  Charles  IT.  inflead  of  the  word  Commonwealth. 

[/]  Lord  Windfor.        [u]  CoLD'Oyley,        [w]  A  don^ttOD  in  looiiey  to  the  four  regiments. 

perfuade 


BOOK     L     CHAP.    X       APPEND.         217 

perfuade  him  to  do«  than  to  wafte  and  ipeiid  hii  days,  here  by  a 
lingeriogy  uncertain  lifc^  without  any  probability  of  recovering 
health. 

.  This  isr»  Sir,  the  brief  hiftory  of  our  condition  and  afiairs  fince 
the  arrival  of  the  lord  Windfor  among  us ;  and  we  hope  the  pru« 
dent  grounds  he  hath  laid  and  left  us  will  tend  very  much  to  our 
^ture  improvementi  and  the  fervkre  and  fatisfaftion  of  his  majefty^ 
as  well  as  the  encouragement  of  all  fuch  as  have  relatioa  or  inch* 
nation  to  Jamaica..  . 


I^ROCLAMATiON  carried  over  by  Lord  Winbsoi,  dated  13  Car.  IL 

W  £,  being  fully  iatisfied  that  our  ifland  of  Jamaica^  being  a! 
pieafamt  and  moft  fertile  foil,  and  fituate  commodiouily  for  tradef 
and  commerce,  is  likely,  through  Cod's  bleiling,  to  be  a  great  be« 
nefit  and  advantage  to  this  and  other  our  kingdoms  atid  dominions ; 
have  thought  fit,  for  the  encouraging  of  our  fubjefb,  as  well  fuch 
as  are  already  upon  the  faid  ifland,  as  all  others>  that  ihall  transport 
themfelves  thither,  and  refide  and  plant  there,  to  declare  ai!id  pub« 
li(h,  and  we  do  hereby  declare  and  publifh,  that  thirty  acres  of 
improveable  lands  ihall  be  granted  and  allotted  to  every  fuch  perfi»^ 
male  or  female^  being  twelve  years  old  or  upwards,  who  now  re^ 
fides,  or  within  two  years  next  enfiiing  fhall  reiide,  upon  the  fai4 
tfland ;  and  that  the  fame  (hall  be  aiiigned  and  fet  out,  by  the  go^ 
vemor  and  council,  within  fix  weeks  next  after  notice  ihall  be 
given  in  writing,  fubfcribed  by  fuch  planter  or  planters.  Or  fbme 
of  them  ib  behalf  of  the  reft,'  to  the  governor,  orfudi  officer  as  he 
ihall  appoint  in  that  behalf,  fignifying  their  lefolutions  to  plant 
there,  and  when  they  intend  to  be  on  the  place  5  and,  in  cafe  they 
dp  not  go  thither  within  fix  months  then  next  enfiiing,  the  faid 
allotment  fhall  be  void,  and  free  to  be  aiiigned  to  any  other  planter  ; 
and  that  every  perfon  and.  pefifbqs,  to  whom,  fuch  affigmAent  fhall 
•be  made,  ihall  hold  and  enjoy  the  faid  lands  fo  to  be  aiiigned,  and*  all 
Vol.  L  Ff  houfes. 


2i8  JAMAICA. 

houfest  edifices,  buildings,  and  enclofures  thereupon  to  be  built  or 
made,  to  them  and  their  heirs  for  ever,  by  and  under  fuch  tenures  [x] 
as  is  ufual  in  other  plantations  fubjeffc  to  us.  Neverthelefs,  they  are 
to  be  obliged  to  ferve  in  arms  upon  any  infurredion,  mutiny,  or  fo- 
reign invafion.  And  that  the  faid  aiSgnments  and  allotments  (hall 
be  made  and  confirmed  under  the  public  feal  of  the  iiland,  with 
power  to  create  any  manor  or  manors,  and  with  fuch  convenient 
and  fuitable  privileges  and  immunities  as  the  grantee  (hall  rea- 
fbnably  defire  and  require ;  and  a  draught  of  fuch-  alignment  (ball 
be  prepared  by  our  council  learned  in  the  law,  and  delivered  to  the 
governor  to  that  purpofe ;  and  that  all  fiihings  and  pifcharies,  and 
all  copper,  lead,  tin,  iron,  coats^  and  all  other  mines  (except  gold 
and  filver),  within  fuch  relpe^tive  allotments,  fhall  be  enjoyed  by 
the  grantees  thereof,  reserving  only  a  twentieth  part  of  the  produ^ 
of  the  faid  mines  to  our  ufe.  And  we  do  further  publlfli  and  de- 
clare, that  all  children  of  our  natural-born  fubje<£ls  of  England,  to 
be  born  in  Jamaica,  (haJl,  from  their  refpeftive  births^  be  reputed 
to  be,  and  ihall  be,  free  denizens  of  England,  and  (hall  have  the 
fame  privileges  to  all  intents  and  purpofes  as  our  free-born  fiibjeds. 
of  England ;  and  that  all  free  perfons  (hall  have  liberty,,  without 
interruption,  to  traniport  themfelves  and  their  families^  and  any 
their  goods  (except  only  coiaand  bullion),  from  any  our  dominions, 
and  territories  to  the  (aid  ifland  of  Jamaica,  Amd  we  do  (Indtly 
charge  and  command  all  planters,  foldiers,  and  others  upon  the 
faid  ifland,  to  yield  obedience  to  the  lawful  commands  of  our  right 
trufty  and  well- beloved  Thomas,  lord  Wind(br,  now  our  governor 
6f  our  faid  ifland ;  and  to  every  other  governor  thereof  for  the  time* 
being :  under  pain:  of.  our  difpleafure,  and  fuch  penalties  as.  nday  be 
inflifted  thereupon^ 

Given  at  our  court  at  Whitehall,  the  fourteenth  dixy  o^ 
December. 

Per  tpfum  Regemi 

\m\  Free  am^commoa  focage.  Faring  a  trifling  qinl-vcftt  foneverp  hundred  wae^  yeariy'  to  tho 

CMMTII. 

Although! 


BOOK    t     CHAP.    X.        APPEND.  ai* 

Although  the  firft  planters  of  Jamaica  had  a  clear,  indifputable 
right  lo  the  benefit  of  any  Englifh  ftatute  in  force  at  the  time  of 
their  conqueft  ;   yet  they  conceived   an  extremely  vague  idea  of 
this  right.     They  excluded  a  ftatute  of  Henry  VII 1,  for  regulating 
the  trial  of  pirates,  as  inadmrffible :  but?  they  received  into.ufe  the 
flatutes  of  frauds,  and  habeas  corpus  aft;  though  thefe  were  pafled 
long  after  their  conqueft,  and  did   not  bind  the  ifland.     They  had 
found  the  habeas  corpus  by  common  law  not  quite  fo  effcftual  a  pro- 
tection to  liberty  ;  which  caufed  them  to  prefer  the  other.     But 
their  claim  to  thefe  laft-mentioned  ftatutes  was  oppofed  both  in  the 
ifland  and  at  home :  and  although  their  courts  of  juftice  and  juries 
had  grounded  fundry  determinations  and  verdifts  upon  them;  yet, 
whenever  the  queftion  came  by  appeal  befoFC  the  king  in  council, 
this  tribunal  declared,  that  neither  thefe  nor  other  Englifh  ftatutes, 
palled  fubfequeht  to  the  reduftion  of  Jamaica,  unlefs  (pecially  men- 
tioning it,  did  extend  to  or  bind  that  ifland.     The  people  were  not 
well  pleafed  with  an  opinion  which  tended  to  impeach  a  multitude 
of  judgements  affefting  large   properties  (which  judgements  had 
refted  upon  thefe  ftatutes),  and  threatened  to  preclude  them  entirely 
from  thofe  advantages  derived  under  them  to  their  fellow-fubjeftsf 
in  England.     Befides,  they  found,  that  they  could  not  get  a  con- 
firmation of  any  afts  of  aflcmbly  containing  fimilar  provifions ;  the 
reafbn  of  which  was,  that  they  never  would  confent  to  pafs  a  law 
for  eftablifhing  a  perpetual  revenue.     They  were  determined  not  to 
burthen  their  pofterity  with  an  oppreflive  taxation,  which  they  ap- 
prehended might,  as  in  the  other  iflands,  be  mifapplied  to  other 
purpofes,  and   become  inadequate  to  the  fupport  of  government 
and   fortifications,   for  which  ufes  alone  it  was  demanded;  they 
ieared  it  would  only  form  the  groundwork  to  new  charges  and  im- 
pdfitions :  they  paifed  therefore  their  fupply-bills  for  a  duration 
only  of  one  or  two  years.    The  crown,  no  lefs  inflexible,  refufed 
not  only  to  make  perpetual  the  bills  they  framed  adopting  thefe 
beneficial  ftatutes,  but  even  the  whole  body  of  their  laws.     This 
^^^gglc  continued  till  the  year  1728  ;   when,  under  a  more  mild 
and  confiderate  adminiftration,  this  matter  was  brought  to  a  com« 
promife.     The  affembly  in  that  year  fettled  a  permanent  revenue, 
ffot  burthenlbme  to  themfelves,  becaufe  chiefly  arifing  on  articles 

Ff »  of 


a^io  J    A    M    A    I    vl    A»    " 

of  foreign  growth  and  manufa^ure  imported,  and  on  quit -rents, 
fines,  and  forfeitures,  which  were  furrendered  up  by  the  crown,  and 
forma  capital  part  of  the  fund  of  Sooo  I.  per  annum.  In  return  for  this> 
they  obtained  the  royal  confirmation  of  their  moft  favourite  an^ 
necefiary  a£ts  of  aflembly, ,  and  the  following  declaration,  exprelled 
in  the  31ft  claufe  of  tiiis  revenue  z6t^ 

^^  And  alfo  all  fuch  laws  and  flatutes  of  England,  as  have  been 
^  at  any  time  efleemed,  introduced,  ufed,  accepted,  or  received,  as 
<«  laws  in  this  iiland,  ihall  and  are  hereby  declared  to  be,  and  con* 
«  tinu^  laws  of  this  his  majefty's  iiland  of  Jamaica  for  ever.'* 

This  claufe  is  juftly  regarded  by  the  inhabitants  as  the  grand: 
charter  of  their  liberties  ;  fince  it  not  only  confirmed  to  them  the 
ufe  of  aU  thofe  good  laws  which  originally  planted  and  fupported 
freedon>  in  England,  but  likewife  of  all  the  other  provifions  made 
for  fecuring  the  liberty  and  property  of  the  fubje^  in  more  modern 
times ;  when,  upon  the  feveral  overthrows  of  tyrannic  pow^r  in. 
that  kingdorp,  the  fubjeds  rights  were  more  folidly  fixod  op  thi^ 
faitipnal  ba5s  of  three  folemn  compa£t$  between  the  fovefpign  andl 
]9eQple;  at  the  Reftoration  of  Charles  II;  the  coronation  of  the 
prince  of  Qvange ;  and,^  lailly,  the  acceflion  of  the  Houie  o£ 
Hanover. 

The  lial^ claufe  before  recited  has  coil:  the  iflariid,i  in.filby .years,^ 
^Mt;  50)909!/*^  ti^.  i^et  income  of  the  rf  v;enue  being  abou^  ix:>^qooL 
ff(r  annftm^  Y^t,  GQnfiderjng  the  \inip^ak.able  benefits  derived  to^ 
them  ini  virtue  of  lliia  qonjpa^  they  (}a»ot  thjAk  it  too  dear  a; 
p^rchaie. 

Hflvir^  now,  I'prcfume,  dwefe  /fiiffifiip^tly  upon  the  principles- 
whereon  the  Gon ft itutiipn  of .  (h»ft  colony  was  originally  founded,,, 
iib^wo  wh^reio  it  differs  fi:<jm  a.  Vidy  Engiifti  naodel,  fiointedoufc 
feveral  abuffes,  a!>d  propoftd  their  *e«ciedies ;  I  flball  em^ge  fron*. 
the  gloomy  daicket  of  pc4itics,  a>i4  takc.au  excurfiouc  ifOlto  the  k;-^ 
gions  of  h^ftory,. 


GHAPi 


i«54l  B  a  O  t    I.      CHAP.    XI.  22 j 


CHAP.       XL 

m 

^e  Expedition  tOj  wd  Conque/t  of,  Jamatca. 

S  E  C  T.    L 

IN  various  .publications  relative  to  this  ifland,   the  proceedin|;3 
.  of  the  army  under  Penn  and  Venables  are  fa  flightly  touched 
upon^  that  I  flatter  myfelf  it  may  not  be  uixacceptable  to  give  a^ 
more  ample  detail  of  them.    A  kaowledg^  of  the  difikuMes  under 
which  the  founders  of  this  colony  flniggted  may  inculcate  a.  lefiboi 
of  iuduftry,  unanimity^  perieverance*  and  good  order ;  for  it  was. 
tlie  want  of  tbefe  occafioned  moft  of  the  difafkrs  which  befell  the* 
firft  race  of  fettiers  here.     However  much  it  may  ihock  our  hu^- 
manity  to*  reflect  on  the  numbers  who  miferably  perifhed ;  it  is  pros- 
per to  coniider,  that  they  weae  the  wretchad  vidims  to  their  own^^ 
debauchery,    indolence,    and  perverfenefs.     The  climate  of  the 
iiland  has  un^uiUy  been  accufed  by  many  writers  on.  the  fubjed^ 
tiae  poe  copying  from  the  other,,  aad  reprefented   as  almoft  pefti-- 
leatial,.  without  an  examination  into  the*  real   iburces  of  this  mor«*- 
tality  ;.  which  being  fairly  ftated^  A  will  appear  that  the  &me  meo^. 
carrying  the  fifee  thoughtlefs  condu6t  and  vices  into  any  other  un-^ 
inhabited  quarter  of  the  globe,  mud  infallibly  have  involved  them-* 
felves  in  the  like  calamitous  £tuation.     It  is  difficult  to   remove  a: 
ftubborn  prejudice,,  which  has   gained  ftrengtfh   by  the  oonfent  of" 
popular  opinion;  but  it  is  at  leafl:  equitable  to  attempt  feme  proof 
of  its  being  erroneoufly  fou4K)ed..    With  this  view,.  I  (hall  lay  be* 
fore  my  reader  the  moft  material  facts  in  my  poW'er-tO'  obtain,-  and' 
firom  which  he  may  form  acandidJMdgtmeut*. 

Thomas  Gage,   a  Reman  Catholic    prieft,,  who  had  for  fome- 
ytarfi  rfifided  in-New  Spain,  and  was  perfectly  well  aicquainted  with 
ir,  is  faid  to  have  laid  the  firft  r^ular  plan  before  Cromwell  for  in-- 
vading^aiid  mafiertag  the  Spanifti  territories  in  America.     He  par- 
ticulady   advifed  the  reduftion   of  St.. Domingo  and  Cul a  ;  wiach 

A  r^  <  •  ..r  ■  I  f  •• 


221  JAMAICA.  [A.  0.1654. 

might  cafily  pave  the  way  for  extending  his  conquefts  to  the  con- 
tinent, and  at  the  fame  time  very  much  diftrefs  the  king  of  Spain, 
hy  the  means  it  would  afford  of  intercepting  the  annual  treafures 
remitted  in  the  galleons,  upon  which  that  monarch  chiefly  depended 
for  fupport,  and  without  which  he  would  be  incapable  of  enter- 
prizing  any  thing  in  Europe.  He  particularly  recpmmended  to 
Cromwell,  not  to  undertake  any  hoftiKty  of  this  nature  in  America, 
\intil  he  had  prepared  fo  ftrong  a  naval  armament  as  might  proteft 
the  EngUfti  coafts  during  the  expedition,  and  prevent  the  Spaniards 
from  attempting  an  invaiion  againft  them,  in  cafe  the  force  to  be 
tfhployed  in  Amfeiica  fliouWfail  of  fuccefs,  or  be  deftroyed*  Co* 
lonel  Modiford,  a  confiderable  planter  of  Barbadoes,  thoroughly 
informed  of  the  Spanifli  American  dominions,  was  probably  con- 
futed on  this  occafion;  for  he  urged  to  Cromwell  the  prafticability 
of  forcing  a  fettlement  on  the  continent  fomewherc  in  Guiana,  and 
preferred  it  fo  an  attack  upon  any  of  the  iflands.  His  reafbn  for 
this  opinion  probably  was,  that,  if  an  ifland  ^vas  made  the  objeft 
of  invafion,  and  conquered,  it  would  excite  a  jealoufy  among  all 
the  fugar  iflands,  by  being  planted  and  becoming  a  rival  in  their 
chief  article  of  produce:  whereas,  on  the  continent,  the  fettlers 
might  be  employed  in  making  profitable  returns  to  the  mother 
country  in  various  other  products  befides  fugar.  However,  he  re- 
commended warmly,  that,  if  a  defign  againfl  any  of  the  iflands 
fliould  be  thought  more  advifeable,  Cuba  prefented  itfelf  as  the 
xnoft  advantageous,  becaufe  of  the  noble  port  and  town  of  Havan* 
nah,  which  might  be  called  the  back-door  of  the  Wefl:-Indies,  as 
the  Spaniards  were  obliged  to  navigate  their  treafures  homeward 
through  the  gulph  of  Florida;  and  thefc  might  therefore  eaflly  be 
intercepted  by  keeping  a  fufiicient  iquadron  at  the  Havannah* 
When  this  affair  came  to  be  deliberated  upon  in  council,  it  was 
determined  to  begin  with  attacking  Puerto  Rico,  or  St.  Domingo, 
and  from  thence  proceed  to  the  acquifition  of  Cuba ;  it  being  fup- 
pofed,  that  the  Spaniards  were  too  weak  in  thoie  iflands  to  withfland 
the  fbroe  preparing  to  be  ient  againft  them ;  and  that  the  pofleflion 
of  them  would  be  attended  with  fuperior  advantages  in  point  of 
annoying  the  Spanifli  trade,  and  be  retained  with  infinitely  more 
iecurity,  as  infukr  pofleflions  are  defenfible  by  ihips^  and  therefore 

preferable 


i6540  BOOK    I      CHAR    XL  3^23: 

preferable  to  continental ;  which  latter  require  a  numerous  body  of 
troop&  and  inliabitants  to  guard  againft  the  irruption  of  their  neigh- 
bours. It  is  certain,  more  wifdom  was  fhewn  in  conceiving  tht* 
plan  of  this  expedition 9  than  in  executing  it. 

In  1654  a. powerful  fleet  was  equipped,  and  put  under  the  conoy 
mand  of  admiral  Blake,  for  carrying  oa  the  war  in  Europe,  and 
protecting  the  coafts  of  England^  Another  fleet,  coniiiling  of 
about  thirty  (hips  and  veflels  of  war,  was  got  ready^,  and  on  the 
26th  €^f  December,  1 6^4,.  difpatched  for  the  WeQ-Indies,,  under 
command  of  admirs^l  Peiain,  vice^-admiral  Goodfon,.  and:  rear«ad- 
miralBlagge;  to  whom,  wjth  Venables,  general  of  the  land  forces, 
was  afligned  a  council  of  Commiflioners,  confifling  of  Edward 
Winflow,  Daniel  Serle,  and  Gregory  Butler  [y].  Thefe  com-, 
miflioners  were  invefted  with  a  power  of  controuling,  as  well  as  of 
advifing,  all  military  operations.  Nothing  could  be  more  abfurd 
than  fuch  an  appointment ;  and  it  proved,  in  the  event,  as  might 
well  be  expefted,  the  bane  of  the  expedition.  The  chief  motive 
£ot  the  appointment  feems  to  have  been  no  other  than  a  low  policy 
ef  keeping  fo  many  fpies  over  the  condu6t  of  the  principal  oiiicers 
in  the  fleet  and  army.  On  board  the. fleet  were  embarked  about  four 
thoufand  fbldiers^  compofed,  it  is  iaid,  of  two  regiments  of  Grom- 
well's  [z]  veterans ;  of  perfons  forced  into  the  fervice ;  and,  it  is 
faid,  of  about  one  hundred  of  the  royal  party ;  who,  dilgufted  at 
the  treatment  their  prince  had  received  from  the  court  of  Madrid, 
were  willing  tajoin  in  any  enterprize  againft  the  Spaniards  [^].     On 

their 

^3'  Their  fecretaiy  was  Samuel' Long)  a  lieutenant  in  colonel  I^Oy ley's  tegimeut;  didin- 
guifhedi  fome  years  afterwards,  by  his  oppofition  to  the  earl  of  Carliile,  while  govtraorof  Ja?- 
maica.. 

[4B].This  feems  not  to  agree  with  feme-accounts,  though  conformable  to  othen.. 

[<i}  Mn  Hume^^in  his  account  of  this  expedition,  fays,  that  '^feveral  fea>ofiicers»  having  en*< 
^  tertatned.fcruples  of  confcionce  mth  regard  to  the  juflice  of  the  Spaniih  war,  threw  up  their - 
**-  coromiffions ;  that  no  cotnmand-of  their  fuporiors^  they  thought,  would  juftify  a. war  which  was: 
*^  contraiy  to.  the  principles^  of  natur^  equity."  This  he  calls  ^*  an  eSoSt  of  the  mod  innocent 
**  and  honourable  kind  of  that  fplrit,  partly  fanatical,  partly  republican,  which.  predomin:ited  in. 
"  England.^  For  this  anecdote,  he  quotes  the  authority  of  Thurloe,  vol.  VI.  p.  570.  589.  But, 
if  the  learned  hiAorian  hod  givea  himfelf  the  pains  to  examine. thefe  authorities,  he  wouldnot 
have  committed  fo  capital  a  roiftake. 

According  to  his  account,  the  intention  of  attaekiug  the  Spaniards  in  the  Weil-Indies  was  note- 
fious  to  the  fubordinate  officers  of  Penn's  fleer.  But  the  fad  was  dtrcftly  the  rcverfe.  The  deiH- 
aatioo  of  the  fleet  was  kegt  fo  profound  a  fecret|  that  none  of  thlcfbreign  miniftersi  then  refidefct 


lai 


284  J    A    M    A    I    C    A»  [A.  D.  1654. 

their  arrival  at  Barbadoes,  they  beat  up  for  volunteers  ;  and,  having 

raifed  there  four  thoufand  foot,  and  two  fmall  troops  of  fixty  horfe, 

failed 

in  England,  could  penetrate  into  it :  they  liad  Tarioaa -conjeftaics  ^tit  no  certain  intcUigietKe  *• 
Ptiua  and  Blake  had  no  knowledge  of  it ;  neither  of  them  knew  what  the  other  was  ta  attempt ; 
fo  far  from  it,  they  were  not  infomoed  perfe6lly  what  thcmfclvcs  were  to  perform ;  their  orders 
were  to  be  opened  at  fea ;  and  they  had  no  further  Hght»  given  them  than  were  flbfotutdy  re- 
^ui£te  Sot  making  the  neccffary  prepancions  f ..  About  the  time  of  the  fleet'*  failings  fame  of  the 
officers  underllkood  they  were  to  go  to  Barbadoes,  and  for  this  reafon  carried  private  adventures  ; 
but  they  were  not  told  whether  they  were  to  engage  French,  Spanifti,  or  Dutch  fubjcds.  The 
truth  waSy  that,  fome  time  after  die  war  broke  out  with  Spain,  the  marquis  of  Ormond  laboured 
to  prevail  with  the  Spanifli  monarch  to  aSft  Charles  in  bis  Reftoranon ;  and  endeavoured  to  per- 
suade him,  that  the  kbg  of  England  could  do  more  towards  defeating  Cromwell's  attempts  in  the 
Weil- Indies,  and  affifting  his  Catholic  majclly  againft  his  other  enemies,  than  any  other  prince 
in  Chriftendom.  He  urged,  that,  let  the  fuccefs  of  the  Engltih  fleet  be  what  it  wouki  in  the 
Weil-Indies,  if  Croipwell  was  prevented  fiwB  fending  ooaftant  and  fiiU  fupplies  thither,  the  de- 
sign muil  come  to  nothing ;  and,  finally,  that,  if  he  would  lend  Charles  fnch  aHiilanc^  and  conn- 
<enance  as  might  facilitate  the  carrying  on  of  his  own  affairs,  the  royal  exile  would  be  in  condi- 
tion to  cut  out  fo  much  work  for  Cromwdl  in  the  three  kingdoms*  as  would  leave  him  no  time 
for  attending  to  thePs  remote  expeditions  tt 

The  Spaniih  miniflry  liflened  to  thefe  propoials ;  and  one  colonel  Sexby,  a  piincipal  man 
among  the  levellers,  was  employed  to  bring  about  a  revolt  in  the  fleet.  For  this  purpofe,  he  re-* 
ceived  nooney  from  the  court  of  Spain  ;  and  an  agent  was  employed  in  Engbnd  to  ditlribiite  it 
iimong  the  inferior  oflkers.  Chacles  himfelf  fent  over  thirteen  blank  commifions ;  and  tnykytd 
bis  emiilaries  in  founding  the  boatfwains  and  other  petty  officers ;  and  bribing  the  common  fea- 
men  to  a  mutiny^  by  a  promife  of  two  month's  pay  in  hand  ||. 

All  thefb  defigns  and  intrigues  were  formed  long  after  the  departure  of  Pehn's  fleet ;  juid  4i  the 
lime  when  its  deftination  ceafed  to  be  a  fecret. 

Af(er  Penn's  return  from  the  conquefl  of  Jamaica,  he  was  difgraced ;  his  command  in  the  fleet 
taken  from  him,  and  given  to  general  Montague  **,  who  with  Blake  was  appointed  joint-admiral 
of  the  fecond  fleet,  fitted  out  in  March,  in  the  year  i6;6  ff,  which  was  deiigned  to  intercept  the 
Spaniih  plate  fleet ;  in  efiecling  which,  it  was  ezpedled  they  might  be  obliged  to  croft  the  line, 
if  not  extend  their  operations  into  the  American  feas* 

Among  the  (hips  of  this  fleet  were  fome  refra£loiy  ofikrers,  whofe  names  are  mentioned  by 
Montague,  viz.  the  captains,  Lyons*  Hill,  and  Abldbn,  and  a  lieutenant  of  the  Refolutioh  tt* 
He  ailerts,  that  Lawfon^  the  vice^idmiral,  was  concerned  with  them ;  which  is  extretnely  probable ; 
for  Lawfon  and  Lyons  were  violent  fifth- monarchy  men,  and  deep  in  the  plot  of  an  infuneflion 
formed  in  the  fame  year  agsunfl:  the  Protedor.  Lawfon  was  alfo  in  flriiSl  intimacy  with  colonel 
Sexby  before-mentioned,  the  diflxibuter  of  the  Spanifh  money,  who  hod  hired  Syndercomb  to  ai^ 
faffinate  Cromwell  ||||.  Thurloe  got  intelligence,  firom  intercepted  letters,  of  the  money  fent  over 
from  Brullels,  where  Charles  redded,  to  corrupt  the  fleet ;  and  that  thofe  oflicersy  who  had  fhewn 
themfelves  diiTatisfied,  aded  thus  in  concert  with,  others  who  received  letters  wedcly  fi:om 
Bruile]s%**  By  has  acHvity  he  defeated  their  fchemes,  and  feized  800/.  of  their  remittances. 

He 

^  Thnrl.  vol.  III.  p.  7»S.  %7>  5^.  69.  77.  voLIf.  pi  155.  x6S,  169,  539.  BuoMt's  Hift.  of  the  RefDrmadofl, 
vol.  I.  p.  119. 

f  ClaiendoD*!  Efift.  673*    WKitlock,  Rapia,  Eotick,  46a.    Thurloe,  vol.  II.  p.  339. 

X  OroMod  to  D. of  Kewbcrg,  Jooe 1 5,  265^    Carte,  vol.  II. 

fThwL  vol.  VL  199*  *^^  Jan.  165^.    Thurl.  vol.  lY.  p.  388.  f  f  Tbui>).  vol.  VI.  p.  589! 

il  Match  1656.     Thurl.  vol.  IV.  PV570,  571.  590.         (I  Thurl.  voL  VI.  p.  299.        .  **♦  Cartt^  vol.  IT. 


i^55-]  BOOjK    I.       CHAP.    XL  225 

foiled  from  thence  the  3ifl  of  March,  1655,.  for  St.  Kitt's;  where 
they  found  one  thoufand  recruits,  colleded  partly  from  thence  and 
from  Nevis,  and  the  other  adjacent  iflancjs:  fo  that  on  their  depar-. 
ture  they  were  able  to  mufter' ^|)out  ten  thoufand  effedive.  men; 
including  one  thoufand  fea-mett  formed  into  a  regiment  of  marines^ 
under  command  of  vice-admiral  Goodfoti. 

On  the  13th  of  April  the  fleet  arrived  off  St.  Pomingo;  ^d  pre- 
parations were  immediately  made  for  a  defcent:  but,^  unfortu* 
nately,  the  commiffioners,  theadifiiral,  and  the  general,  difagreed 
in  opinion ;  various  difficulties  were  darted.  The  general  propo-^ 
fed  the  debarkation  (hould  be  made,  aia  near  as  pofUble  to  the  fort 
St.  Jerome,  lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  harbour, .  and  covering  the 
town,  before  the  Spaniards  ihould  have  notice  of  their  deiign,  or 
time  to  prepare  for  oppofition  ;  and  by  coming  thus  foddenly  upon 
them,  they  might  reafonably  hope  to  carry  the  place  by  aflault. 
Others,  particularly  commiffioner  Window  and  the  admiral,  in-»^ 
iided,  that  the  deet  could  not  get  near  enough  to  eded  this  purpole, 
and  that  the  troops  mud  therefore  be  landed  at  the  mputh  of  Rio 
Hayna,  or  Hine  River,  where  Sir  Francis  Drake  had  formerly 
landed,  :and  march  from  thence  to  attack  the  fort.  This  opinion 
prevailed,  and  gave  great  difgud  to   the  ieamen  in  general,   who 

He  writes  thus  to  Monts^e :  **  They  have>got  a  great  fuxn  of  money  to  raife  £xcts  here,  a  gEXMl 
*'  part  of  which  is  faUen  into  our  hands.  Their  treafurer  is  a  feaman,  and- a  great  confidant  of 
*^  Lawfon's»  and  of  thofe  who  deferted  theii  commands  ;  and  it  is  certain,  that  this  money  was 
*'  given  by  the  Spaniard,  upon  this  undertaking  of  Sexby»  that  the  fleet  (hould  revolt  before  they 
^  went  from  Pordmouth.  This  being  joined  to  what  you  knew  before  your  departure  bence»  it 
**  is  not  hard  to  judge  of  the  fpirit  of  thefe  pretenders  to  honefty  *J*  From  thefe  authorities  it  is 
evident,  that  the  diiratisfa6tions,  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Hume,  did  not  occur  in  Penn's  fleet,  but  in  the 
fleet  fitted  out  near  a  twelvemonth  after  the  taking  of  Jamaica.  When  the  recufknt  officers  wett 
hardpuihed,  by  admiral  Montague,  to  aflign  thdr  reafbns  for  deferting  the  fervice ;  one  alledg^ 
**  that  they  had  not  received  due  payment  of  their  arrears ;"  another,  "  that  his  wife  did  notxrhoofe 
**  he  fliould  be  fent  to  a  diftance  from  her,  and  that  his  conCtitution  was  not  adapted  to  a  hot  cli* 
**  mate ;"  a  third  declared  (Capt.  Ablefon),  *^  that  he  was  averfe  to  engaging  with  the  Spaniards 
^  in  America,  but  had  no  objedtion  to  fight  them  in  Europe  f  .**  Such  were  their  evafions,  to  con- 
ceal the  bafenefs  of  their  minds,  which  made  them  floop  to  receive  the  wages  of  corruption  from 
the  Jcing's  private  emiflaries  ;  in  doing  which  it  is  plain,  they  were  traitors  to  the  commonwealth 
of  England,  and  vety  mercenary  friends  to  Charles.  This  afiair  of  the  Spanifh  money  does  not  at 
all  correipond  with  Mr»*Hume's  encomium  on  their  innocence,  honour,  and.confciendous  fcruples ; 
but  it  well  juftifies  Thurloe*s  opinion  of  them.  In  segard  to  the  juAice  of  the  war,  which  Mr. 
Hume.pronounces  to  have  been  '^  contrary  to  the  principles  of  natural  equity,"  I  (hall  take  thelt« 
bcity  of  enGOuntering  that  opinion  hereafter. 

•  Cscte»  ^.  !!•  t  Thath  vol.  VL  p«  $%$. 

Vol,  L  G  g 


ii6  J    A    ^1    A    1    C    A-  [A.D/1^55. 

ArStrtd  Ia  fcntiaYents  from  their  admiral ;  decJariiig,  that  th6  iBilpg 
touid  approach  near  enough  to  the  fort  by  tacking-iii  5  but  the'  ad« 
mmU  in  his  journal  of  proceedings  (iabmitted  aftwwtfrds  to  the 
council  of  ftate,  aflferted,  that,  after  fome  attenlpte  to  furn  up 
into  the  harbour,  he  was  obliged  to  deliffi  the  wkid  being  directly 
Ml  their  teeth.  Wliat  contributed  to  increafe  this  diiguft  amongft 
the  fcHtea  was  an  order,  ilfued  by  the  commiffioneps  immediately 
bdbfe  the  difenj^barkation,  jprohibitkig  the  army  ftofUk  plunder, 
tipdti  path  of  d^ath.  Such  a  prohibitioti  was  particularly  offensive 
t6  the  iHtW  fetraits  collected  among  the  iflancfe ;  who  had  been 
chiefly  itidtic^d  to  engage  on  this  expedition  by  the  hope  oF  phinder^ 
On  bearing  tke  ord6r  proClatmed,  they  threw  dowh  their  arms 
with  ttidignatton,  and  'Mitft  ^fflcVilty  were  prevailed  tfpefti  to  refuttia 
them  by  ^  folemn  afTumnce  of  their  general,  ^A  they  thould  te^ 
ceiTie  iii  Wieeks  pay,  ki  lieu  of  plunder.  The  prohibiticfti  waft 
gMunded  on  a  pitif^  faving  i^tTended  by  The  comicil  of  ftate^  who 
had  gh^n  the  c6h^miffid6et*i  exprefs  order  to  KU^dfe  of  all  prizes 
ichtl  bobty,  and  Applf  the  ^r^fifi  to w«f<ls  defraying  xhc  coiiitingenr 
charges  bf  army  ahd  havy.  This  was  but  an  'Wifavourabto  autfeC  ; 
Sttd  it  taiay  he  readily  Ifbppofed,  the  army  procee<kd  on  tiieir  fer^ 
Vice  with  fro  ve^y  great  arlertnefb,  iince  the  chief  fpur  t>6  their  dftt 
<deftyottn  wtfi  ib  ut^^Eeafonably  taken  away.  On  the  i^4tb,  after 
calH^glOt*  tt>  deMfmitie  which  fegitaents  fliouM  firft.gooh  fliore, 
fe¥en  thoufandmcn  were  lahdedat  thediftauce  of  near  forty  ftifles. 
from  the  place  they  were  to  attack^  without  a  ii»gle  implement 
tieceffary  either  fot  a  fieg-c  or  fefcaladife,  withcMit  any  knowledge  ei- 
ther of  the  country  through  which  they  were  to  pafs,  or  the  n'Sture 
bad  coodiriofn  of  the  fbrtiificfttions  they  were  to  inveft,  and  with 
only  bne  or  two  days  fhort  ^lowdftcfe  of  bad  provifiod.  They 
marched  the  whole  day  without  any  gxiide  in  a  deep  fcorching  fand, 
through  tell  woods,  whofe  -elefefiefs  obil raided  the  free  pa^lage  o£ 
the  fea  bree±e,  and  rendered  thfc  air  intoler&biy  fultry,.  The  fol* 
diers,  parched  with  droughty  and  finding  no  fupply  of  watet  by  the 
way  to  flake  their  extreme  thifft,  gathered  oranges  and  other  fruits ;: 
tof  ^hich  th*y  were  tempted  to  eat  fuch  immoderate  quantities^, 
that  great  part  of  them  were  feized  wkh  a  fevere  flux ;  fome  hun- 
dreds dropped  dow4ioa  the  march  ^  many  of  whom  were  too  muck 

.  weakened 


1655]  B  OO  K  '  I.*     €  HAP.      XI-  ^%7 

weakened  to  proceed,  and  otherndSed^Tlwcdlonelis  Bader  imd  Ebldip^ 
wftb  their  regiments,  we^e  ord^nsd  ta  land  to  tbe  EaAward  of  the 
city,  and  there  wait ;  but  they  were  unabfe  to  cffddl  a  landing  ia 
that  part,  and  therefore  went  afliere  at  the  nftcuth  of  the  Hkie  river; 
from  whence  they  imprudently  began  their  majEch^  and  irambfed 
feveral  miles  through  the  woods,  havjng  loft  tiieir  way ;  and  tt 
lengthy  with  the  utmoftdHSi^l'&y,  found  means  tojoiQ  the  niaiin 
body.  On  the  fame  day,  t^e^  feil  into  an  ambofcadet  but  feott 
routed  their  aflailants,  and  were  then  £b  near  to  the  city,  that  ibey 
might  eafiiy  have  entered  k  at  night,  if  they  had  not  the  more  for*- 
midable  enemies,  hunger,  thh'ft,  and  weafrinefe,.  to  contend  wiiJk 
They  had  the  additional  misfortune  to  lofe  one  Cox^  their  only 
guidcfg  who  was  •  fcilFed  near  gi^eifal  Venabies^  whiift  the  la|ter 
was  reconnoitring  the  forf •  T^he  generar^  fcc«tary  likewife*  was 
(lain  by  another  fhot,  ciofe  at  his  fide ;  and  he  himieif  very  mx^ 
rowly  efcaped.  The  want  of  forae  refreshments  was  attended  witb 
the  moft  excruciating  pain.  The  whole  army  now  impatiently 
cried  put  for  water;  and  fo  aggravated  was  their  diftrefs,  that  M 
ten  p'clodc  at  night,  the  very  time  when  they  had  a(ffiired  tbem^ 
felves  of  poifefling  the  city,  a  retreat  was  unanimoufly  agreed  ii^chk 
They  accordingly  marched  back  to  Hine  tlver,  but  did  not  ceacb 
the  watering  placd  till  the  19th.  Here  they  refiieihed  ihca^blvea 
for  five  day^ ;  and,  during  this  interval,  various  wem  the  confui* 
tat)ons  between  the  general,  the  admiral,  and  the  cdmm^oners ; 
who  (Jifagre^ing  about  the  plan  of  future  operations,  the  fotdiera 
grew  diOie^rtened  by  delay ;  vi^ilft  the  Spaniards  gained  time  ta 
colle£t  all  their  forces,  and  procure  intelligence  of  their  IkuatioiH 
which  indeed,  through  the  mpft  infamous  negle^l,  ac^  even  inha« 
manity,  the  private  animofities  of  the  chiefs  in  comojand,  and  op- 
poiition  to  each  other,  was  now  become  truly  lamentable.  De{bo« 
row,  a  favourite  of  the  Proteftor,  had  a  private  Ibare  in  the  con-- 
trafit  for  victualing  this  ^irpy*  A  large  quantity  of  ftores  had  been 
fent  to  Portfmouth  for  this  purpofe ;  and  Veoables  was  afiUred  he 
fhould  carry  out  with  bini  ten  months  proviiion  for  ten  thoufand 
men:  but  the  mod  part  of  the  ftores  was  fent  back  to  London, 
under  pretence  that  there  Was  not  fufficient  room  for  it  in  the 
(]bip&^  that  port,  where  the  troops  were  ta  embark  j  althongb  the 

Gg  2  officers 


2i*  JAMAICA.  [A.  D.  1655. 

officers  of  the  fleet  found  room  in  them  for  no  inconfiderable  quan- 
tity, of  commodities,  with  which  they  defigned  to  traffic  when  they 
fhould  touch  at  the  iflands. 

The   army  on   leaving   England   were   miferably  deftitute,  not 
only   of  provifion,  but  of  armS|  and  other   neceflaries  proper     foe 
conducing    the    expedition  [^],     The  general    made    very  heavy^ 
but  ftoitlefs  complaints  upon  this  fubje6t,  in  his  letter  from  Barba- 
does  to  the  Proteftor.     They  were  obliged  therefore  to.  depend 
afmoft  wholly  on  the  fleet  for  fubfiftence.    But  the  admiral  carried 
his  averiion  towards  Venables  to  fuch  axi  unjuftifiable  extremity^ 
that  he  did  not  even  allow  the  men  viduals  enough  to  keep  them 
from  ftarving.     Their  only  food  was,  the  worft  beef,  candied  with, 
fait,  and  unwatered,  and  afmall  portion  of  brown  mouldy  bifcuit^ 
filled  with  dirt  and   maggots.     No  brandy,  nor  any  comfortable  li- 
quor, was  allowed  them,  although  particularly  neceflhry  for  theic 
health  at  this  time,  as  they  were  much  afflidtcd  with  diarrhoeas,, 
and  bad  no  other  drink  than  brackifti  water,  which  fcrved  only  to 
increafe  thirft,  and  exafperate  their  diieafe.     The  water  of  the  river^ 
which  flowed  in  its.cpurfe  from-  the  mountains,  over  a  large  bed  of 
copper  ore,  was  fb  impregnated  with  that  mineral,  as  tocbe  rendered 
extremely  unfit  for  human,  ufe^     They  had,  moreover,  no  (belter- 
to  fcreen  them&lves  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  thpugk 
this,  was  about  the  feafon  of  the  periodical  rains ;.  they  w^ere  ex- 
pofed  daiy.  and,  night  to  very  heavy  fhowers,  fucceeded  by  noxioua 
fogs:  all . thefeeyjl^ ^combined  to  produce  an  epidemic  flux,. which: 
fcarcely  any  of  the  troops  efcaped;     In  the  mean  while,  the  ad- 
miral, .  with  his  vyhole  fleet,  lay  in  tlie  harbour  entirely  inadlive,, 
only  a  .  few  raiido;Ti  (hot  being  fired  from,  the  (hips  either  againff 
the  fort  or  city,     k  is  evident,,  that  the  very  appearance  of  fo  great 

»  • 

\}]  Inftead  of  fifteen  hundred  arms,  ^  which  Mr*  Nocl»  the  Pinteftor's  age»^  iva«  <jiiie^e4  to  ihi^ 
they  received  but  one  hundred  ai^ninetyf;  attd  thefafor  the  molt  part  unferviccable:  fo  that,  oa. 
leaving  Barbadoesy  only  fixteen  hundred  of  their  European  forces,  were  well  armed*     AtBafbadoes 
they  lofl  much  time  in  malting  half-pike8>  to  fupply  this  deft(5t;     At  the  attack  of  St«.  Domingo, 
no^onebalf  of  the  army  was  equipped  with  fire-arms* 

Their  powder  wafr  of  bad.quality  ;  and  ammunition  ib  fcarcc,  that,  on  leaving  Barbadoes,  they 
had  not  more  than  fifteen  charges  fer  man.  The  foldiers,  during  the  lall  fortnight  at  fea,  had 
very  little  bread  or  other  vi»5tuals ;  raoft  of  them  ^t  iSmding  were  ^extremely  weakened  by  this^Kue 
diet$  and  were  obliged  neverthelefs,  durit^  their,  five  days  march  on:ihbrc,  to  fubfift  oa  three  days 
allowance  of  piOTifion.~Venable8'a  tetter  to  Mountague ;  Carte,  vo^IL 

a  navai 


t6ss^1  BOOK     I.        CHAP.    X  229 

a  naval  force,  brought  ftlofc  to  the  city,  muft  have  ftruck  terror 
Jnto  the  inhabitants,  and  probably  might  have  frightened  them 
into  a  capitulation :  but  the  admiral,  v^hild  he  made  not  one  mo^ 
tion  with  his  fleet  towards  annoying,  or  even  terrifying,  the  enemy^ 
feemed  to  enjoy  a  malicious  pleafure  from  the  diftrefles  of  the 
army,  and  threw  the  whole  burthen  of  the  attack  upon  them,  at 
the  fame  time  labouring,  by  every  means  in  his  power,  to  weaken, 
and  difappoint  them  of  fuccefs.  At  length,  another  march  was  re- 
folved  upon ;  and,  in  order  that  the  attack  of  the  fort  might  be 
earried  on  in  regular  form,  fome  artillery  and  a  heavy  mortar-piece 
were  landed.  Thefe  the  poor  ibldiers  were  compelled  to  drag 
along ;  others  were  loaded  with  fpades,  mattocks,  and  various  other 
Implements  for  a  iiege ;  which,  being  added  to  the  weight  of  their 
knapfacks,  arms,  water,  and  cloaths,  proved  a  moft  intolerable  bur- 
then even  to  the  flouted  among  them,  and  opprefled  the  weak  (b» 
much  as  to  render  them  unferviceable.  On  the  25th,  they  began 
their  march,  and  paflcd  the  night  under  arms  in  the  raidft  of  the 
woods.  The  following  day,  their  forlorn,  confifting  of  four  hundred 
men.under  command  of  adjutant- general  Jackfon,  was  detached' to- 
wards^ the  fort.  He*  was  ordered  to  advance  two  wings  of  his  party 
on  each  fide  through  the  woodi  for  difcovering  ambufcades.  Buc 
this  mifcreant,  prompted  either  by  cowardice  or  treachery,  paid*na» 
obedience  to  his^  inftruftions :  he  prevailed  on  captain  Butler  to  head 
the  detachment,  anxi  retired  to  the  rear.  Butler  was  a  brave,  but 
inexperienced  foldier ;  and,  continuing-  his  route  along  the  avenue^ 
which  was  lined  on  each  fide  with  trees,  and  fearlcfs  of  danger^ 
was  fuddenly  beguiled  into  an  ambulcader  however,  he  behaved  fo- 
gallantly,  that  he,  kept  liis  men  in  good  order  till  he  was  flaih. 
Captain  Powlet,  of  the  firelocks,  di^layed  equal  courage,  ancf 
fought  it  out  to  the  laft;  but  he  was  no  fooner  killed,  than  Jack- 
fon faced  about,  and  bafely  ran  away.  The  fbldiers,  now  left  with- 
out an  officer,  unanimoufly  followed  his  example,  and  fled  with 
fiich  impetuofity  as  to-  throw  the  van  of  the  army,  compofed  of 
the  general's  regiment,  into  immediate  diforder.  The  front  lines 
ef  that  regiment  in  vain  endeavoured  with  their  pikes  to  ftop  the 
feigitives;.  and  the  confufionwas  greatly  augmented  by  the  nar- 
Eawnefs  of  the  avenue,,  which,  admitted,  no  more  than  fix  men. 

abreafV^ 


JAMAICA.  [A.D.  i^, 

abreaft,  and  by  the  aiuwyaiice  of  the  fort  gups,  wluch  were  lQf4^i 
with  grapc^hot^  bitsofiro»,  and  broken  piftol  b?rr«Js^  ?iid  r^fcejd 
thcffi  bcei&ntly.  The  army,  thus  wedged  in, .  wer?  inqap^bl?  of 
retrying ;  fp  that  the  Spaniards  continued  to  feoot  nt  th^v^  vmW 
they  were  tired  with  loading  their  arms.  Major.generjJ  Kf*iyo« 
at  lafl;  foupd  means  tp  draw  off  the  rear  of  his  regiiwpt  i4jto  f  h* 
wood,  cQunterflanked  the  enemy,  drove  tliem  to  the  very  w^lls  of 
the  fort ;  and  thus  the  groued  they  had  loft  was  vccoy^^i  yjxd 
maintained. 

General  Vcnables,.  though  reduced  extremely  low  by  a  fisvere 
19uJ{,  ^raufed  himfelf  during  the  a^ion  to  be  led  about  frquA  mnlc  to 
rank,  eiKouraging  the  men;  but,  faintiqg  at  ki^^,  he  w?$  oblige4 
to  quit  the  command  to  m^Jor-general  Fortefcuef  wh^  fyo^  fi)UB4 
every  perfuafion  unavailing:  the  troops  were  fo  weak  and  difbcac^nedt 
that  not  axxy  of  them  could  be  brought  to  ferve  the  raprt^r,  141  ordisi 
tolilence  the  fort.  In  the  engagement  the  brave  major*general 
Haynes,  his  lieutenant  Colonel  Clark^  major  Fergufbn  of  the  gc* 
neral's  regimeot,  the  Captains  Hinde  and  HancQclp,  jCbireral  lieut?*- 
nants  and  enfigns,  the  whole  reformade^  feveixteen  ouly  ^^xcept^di 
and  fome  huadred  privates,  were  killed;  many  woufided}  an4 
nine  pair  of  colours  loft.  We  have  the  following  anecdote  tranf^ 
mitted  of  major  general  Haynes,  which  ought  to  be  re<H>rded  tp  hi^ 
Immortal  honour.  During  the  aiStion,  he  was  at  one  time  engaged 
with  no  lefs  than^ight  of  the  enemy;  one  of  whorn  he  flew,  and 
defperately  wounded  the  reft :  a  little  before  his  death  he  cried  out^ 
"  that,  if  only  fix  brave  fellows  would  ftand  by  him,  he  would  fooa 
^<force  the  enemy  to  retreat.'*  But  not  a  man  came  to  his  aiffiftancei 
and,  having  received  a  mortal  thru  ft  from  a  lance,  he  fell  like  aa 
old  Roman,  covered  with  wounds  and  glory. 

The  panic  which  had  benumbed  the  army  will  aot  appear  ex^ 
traordinary,  if  we  confider  the  condition  of  the  men,  wafted  as 
they  were  with  a  xaoft  deleterious  ficknefs,  fpent  with  lieat  and 
fatigue,  debilitated  by  want  of  food  a»d  reft,  and  confined  iu  a  de^ 
file  where  no  more  than  the  front  rank  could  engage.  La  fuch  cir«» 
cumftances,  it  is  not  at  all  wonderful,  that  a  very  fmall  body  fliould 
find  it  in  their  power  to  difconcert,  and  even  drive  before  them,  a 
oumerous  hoft^    Bffides,  they  could  not  fuddejily  recover  from  the 

3  diforder 


i<j:50  BOOK    L      CHAP.      XL  23^ 

di^rdei'  ioto  which  they  bad  been  thrown  by  the  forldrn,  akhougb 
the  officcrb  did  every  thiixg  iix  their  power  to  rally  that  corps,  and 
even  kilted  fcveral  of  them  on  the  fpot  as  an  example  to  the  reft.. 
The  party  of  the  enemy,  who  put  them  into  this  terror  and  con - 
iuiion^  aohfified  of  no  more  thaii  three  hnndred^  moft  of  whom, 
were  NegrOea  and  Mulattoes.  Captain  Haynes,  fon  to  the  major- 
general,  at  th«  head  of  twenty  horfe>,  totally  difperfed  them,  witbo«* 
lofs  of  a  oiEn,  and  refcued  hts  father's  dead  body».  This  is  fufficieac: 
tofiiew  with  what  eaie  fuch  a  defpicable  crew  might  hav«  beeti  r^ 
pelled,  and  the  place  fubdued^  had  the  forlorn  been  c<»nimftnded  by 
an  abk  officer,  or  the  troops  fupplied  with  provifions  and  conveni*- 
encies  neceflary  to  preferve  their  vigour  and  j^irit- 

The  gener&tl  imputed  thi^  umhappy  defeat  to  the  ill  behaviour  of 
^e  Mcriiits  coll^^ed  from  Batbadoes.  and  the  other  idandsi  wha 
Wt&fe  injwdicidufly  ftnt  00  the  forlorn.  But  it  fcems  evident,  that 
he  oiTght  to  have  fded^d  (bme  of  his  beft  and  moft  expetieiiced 
men  for  that  ietvice^  hedded  by  an  officer  of  approved  ability ;  or 
fhoutd  hbve  provided  againd;  thole  coniequences  which  might  be 
rea'ftrfiabiy  ^ipprehended  from  ihrir  repulfe. 

On  the  17th,  theofficersy  taking  into  cdnfideration^  the  extrenoe^ 
debility  of  their  men,  with  their  total  want  of  viftaals  and  water 
(for  the  enemy  had  ftopped  up  all  their  wells),  privately  agreed  ta 
retreat*  Haring  firft  buried  their  tiidrfar-piece  in  the.  fandi  they^ 
fenittied  once  more,  with  their  fti?ms  and  baggage,  to  their  old 
quarters  at  Hirie  river.  Conferences'  were  renewed  between  the 
general,  Ifhe  idmiriil,  and  cof«ini<5oners ;  and  their  debates,  as 
ufual,  were  acrimonious,  dilatory,  and  inconclufive.  In  the  meaiv 
while,  the  rains,  pouring  inceflmitly,.  harraffed  th«  dr&onfoliite 
troops  on  (hore ;  tlit  ftuic  taged  with  aggravated  violence  among, 
fhem  ;  ftrtd,  in  addition  to-  tlieir  miferies,  they  were  fo  inhumanly 
flegteAed  fey  *he  fteety  tli;ar,  for  want  of  other  fubfiftence,  thiey 
wtre  driven  to  the  ejrpedient  ^f  devouring  all  ^eir  ti?oop-h or fc&  and 
dogs :  their  fick  and  wcnrnded-  were  fuffered  to  lie  on  the/cpen> 
dtiel«3  of  the  thipd  in  ]Bhe  l^i<bour,  for  forty^^eight  hours,,  without 
either  aUitieKl  or  df  e^g  %  tv^'femucii  rh^t  Auggots  were  bred  in  their 
fbr<^«  The  gcfnerld  avelfrod,  that  Penn  had  given  rear-adnnrai 
filigge  pofi^Ve  orders  not  to  £urni&  the  army  with  any  more  pro^ 

viiions> 


332  JAMAICA,  [A.D,  i«55. 

vifions  of  what  kind  foever.  Such  favage  barbarity  merited  the 
moft  capital  punifliment :  yet  has  that  admiral  been  extolled,  by  all 
his  partizans,  as  a  mirrour  of  worth  and  bravery.  In  fa£t,  the  blind 
partiality  of  hiftorians,  more  efpccially  of  thefc  times,  has  led  them 
to  afcribe  the  beft  charaders  to  the  worft  of  men ;  and  the  con- 
trary. This  has  always  been  the  foible  of  writers,  who  were  as 
much  under  the  dominion  .of  inveterate  party  rage,  as  thofc  very 
perfons  whofe  adlions  or  manners  they  profefs  to  defcribe.  The 
army  had  loft,  by  ficknefs  and  their  different  Ikirmiflies,  upwards  of 
five  hundred  men  in  the  fpace  of  ten  days.  Their  calamities  ftill 
augmenting,  the  officers  refolved  (after  feeking  God)  to  enter  upon  a 
general  purgation  of  manners.  Jackfon,  the  firft  objeft  of  their 
wrath,  was  found  guilty  of  cowardice  by  a  court-martial,  cafihiered 
ignominioudy^  and  condemned  to  ferve  as  a  fwabber  on  board  the 
hofpital  (hip.  Some  loofe  women,  deteded  in  men*s  cloaths,  were 
ieverelj  chaftized ;  and  a  flridt  inquiry  made  after  all  flifpedled 
proflitutes.  One  of  the  late  major-general's  foldiers,  having  beea 
convicted  of  running  away,  was  hanged ;  and  a  rigid  dlfcipline  en- 
joined to  every  regiment.  After  thefe  neceffary  feverities,  the  com- 
manders, perceiving  that  the  ficknefs  did  not  in  the  lead  abate,  de- 
termined to  abandon  St.  Domingo,  and  proceed  next  to  the  attack 
of  Jamaica ;  where  they  either  expeded  to  meet  with  lefs  refiftance 
than  at  Cuba ;  or  thought  it  prudent  not  to  return  to  Europe,  with- 
out recommending  themfelves  to  the  Protedor  by  fome  fuccefsful 
exploit,  which,  however  inconfiderable,  might  ferve  to  check  a  too 
ievere  inquiry  into  the  real  caufes  of  their  late  difgracefiil  mifcar- 
riage. 

The  army  was  re-embarked ;  and  the  whole  fleet  arrived  on  the 
9th  of  May  off  Port  Cagua,  or,  as  it  is  now  called.  Port  Royal,  in 
Jamaica.  In  their  pafiage  from  St.  Domingo  died  the  commifiioner 
Winflow,  very  little  regretted.  He  is  reprefented  to  have  been  a 
haughty^  opinionated  man,  tenacious  of  his  own  conceits,  petulant^ 
weak,  and  plunged  into  fanaticifm.  But,  in  truth,  fo  confliding 
were  the  tempers  of  the  chief  perfons  employed  to  conduit  this  ex- 
pedition, that,  the  portraits  given  of  one  another  are  not  to  be  re- 
ceived without  a  very  large  allowance  for  partiality  and  private  ran- 
cour.   In  this  light  we  arc  alfo  to  confider  the  afl'ertion,  that  the 

admiral 


f655.]  BOOK     I.     CHAP.    XI.  233 

admiral  was  fo  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  generars  cowardice,  or 
incapacity,  as  to  declare  openly  that  he  would  not  truft  Venables 
with  the  attack  of  Jamaica,  if  he  could  poffibly  attempt  it  with  his 
fleet.  The  following  circumftance  feems  indeed  to  fupport  this 
declaration.  .The  admiral,  on  entering  the  harbour,  failed  a-head 
in  his  (hip  called  the  Martin  Galley,  and  continued  bearing  down 
towards  the  Spanifh  breaft-work  at  Paffage  Fort,  under  crowded 
fails^  until  (he  ran  aground ;  and  in  this  pofition  he  covered  the 
troops  at  their  defcent.  From  the  tenor  of  his  condud,  therefore, 
it  feems  as  if  he  thought  himfelf  bound  to  attend  the.  operations 
of  the  army  no  further  than  merely  to  fecure  their  lauding  upoa 
the  enemy's  coaft,  and  there  leave  them  to  their  fate. 


SECT.    IL 

ON  the  loth  of  May,  in  the  evening,  the  troops  were  landed 
at  Pafiage  Fort,  which  was  fortified  by  nine  pieces  of.  cannon,  and 
a  guard  of  five  hundred  men.  A  proclamation  was  inftantly  made 
by  the  general's  order,  that,  if  any  man  attempted  to  run  away, 
the  perfbn  next  to  him  (hould  ihoot  him  dead,  or  forfeit  his  own  life. 
But  there  was  little  occafion  for  this  order ;  the  Spaniards  fled  with- 
out offering  the  lead  refinance,  and  left  theEngliih  in  peaceable  pof- 
feflion  of  their  fortrefs.  The  army  formed  with  all  expedition ;  and 
it  was  refolved  in  a  council  of  war,  that  they  fhould  march  without 
delay  to  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega,  which  lay  only  at  the  diftance  of  fix 
miles.  Had  they  proceeded  according  to  this  refolution,  they  had 
probably  fecured  a  large  booty ;  but,  before  their  rear  was  in  mo-* 
tioD,  the  general,  to  their  great  aftonifiiment,  commanded  the 
army  to  halt,  and  then  (according  to  his  ufual  cuflom)  repaired 
on  board  (hip  to  take  his  repofe.  The  foldier?  remained  under  arms 
the  whole  night,  and  were  not  fufFered  to  march  until  late  the  next 
morning.  -  This  (hameful  delay  gave  the  Spaniards  fufficient  time 
for  removing  bag  and  baggage  from  the  town ;  and  greatly  injured 
thetroops^  by  expofing  them  unneceflarily  to  the  damps  of  night, 
and  heat  of  the  day,  without  either  rod  or  refreihment. 

Vol.  I.  H  h       .  On 


234  JAMAICA,  [A. a  i,65f. 

Oik  the  lUh  they  entered  the  town.    The  Spaniards,  previous 
to  their  approach,  had  ipent  tfhe  whole  night  in  reilioving  alit  their 
valuable  goods^^  t<^ether  with  their  women,   children,   and  Negro 
lervants,  to  fbme  little  diftance  in  the  country.     A  treaty  was  iec 
en  foot  with  tkeia;  which  was  {jp^u  ont  for  a  week.     In  this  in^ 
terval,   Yenables,  fuffering  himfelf  to  be  amufed  with  prefent^  of 
fruit,,  and  other  civilities,,  from  tbeSpani(h  governor,  afforded  the 
inhabitants  full  leifure  for  fecuring  their  moveables    beyond  the 
reach  of  the  Englifh,  and  determining  the  place  of  their  future  re«- 
Sdence,  at  leaft  during  the  ftay  of  their  invaders,  which  they  fup^ 
|)oied  would  not  be  of  very  long  continuance.     During  the  progreis 
of  the  treaty^  the  general  waeftrongly  importuned  by  his  officers^ 
that  a  detachment  might  be  ordered  out,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
ftealing,  away  with  their  efFefts  (as  they  were  then  pofted  within, 
thre^  milee  only  of  the  town),  in  the  event  of  their  not  coming  to. 
any  accommodation ;  but  he  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  this  feafbnable  re- 
tnonftrance;    and  at   laft  the   capitulation    was  ratified,   on  the 
jttirt   of  the  Englifli,    by  major-general  Fortefcue^  vice^-admirai 
^dodfon,    colonels    Holdip    and    D*Oyley,    commifGoners     ap*>- 
fXHnted  by  the  general  and  admiral  for  that  purpo& ;  and,  cm  tfaorpart 
^F  the  Spaniards,  by  two  commifiioners,  one  of  whom^was  their 
governor,  Don  Chrtftopher  Arnoldo  Safi^      Among  other  terms, 
they  were  promiied  their  lives^   and' the  benefit  and  pnotedion  of  ~ 
the  laws  of  England  to  all  fucha^chofe  to  become  fiibjefb  of  the 
commonwealth ;  provided  that  none,  tinder  the  rank  of  conrmi£^  < 
(ion  officers,  (hould  be  allowed  to  wear  rapiers- or  poignards.     But, 
in  regard  to  thofe  who  did  not  indite  to  remain  in  the  ifland. under 
Engliih  government,  they  were  required  to  come  in^  lay- down 
their  arms,  and  furrender  all  their  flaves  and  effects  to  the  difcretion 
of  the  general  and  admiral ;  in  coniideration  of  which,   they  fkould" 
be  allowed  free  tranfport  in  the  fliips  of  the  fleefr-  to  Europe,  or/ 
New  Spain.     When  thefe  conditions"  were  (hewn  to- the  reft ^  oF 
the  Spaniards,  they  rejefted  them  with  indignation :  they  urge^ 
in  reply,  that  they  chofe  not  to  decline  from  the  allegiance-  they 
owed  their  natural   fbvereign  the  king  of  Spain;   that  rfiey   were 
npt  defirous  of  being  removed  frooi  the  iihnd^  for,  being  all  na« 
lives  of  Jamaica^  they  had  neither  relations  nor  friends^  in  Old  or 

New 


i«55l  BOOK    I.     CHAR    XI.  3^5^ 

New  Spain  to  give  them  relief;  and,  in  (hort,  that  they  were:  re*' 
iblvecl  rather  to  ftay  and  periih  in  that,  ifland,  than  beg  their  bread 
in  a  foreign  country.     Having  given  this  as  their  final  anfwer,  and 
perceiving   no  likelihood  of  more  acceptable  terms,  they  retired 
Into  the  North-fide  mountains,  leaving  their  two  deputies  in    the 
hands  of  the  Englifli.     The  general  was  taxed   with  avarice  «pon 
this  occafion,  though  upon  what  grounds  it  does  not  appear.     It   is 
certain,  he  did  not  feize  the  opportunity  given  him  of  plundering 
the  Spaniards   befi^re  their  retreat ;  but,  as   their  efFefts    were   re- 
moved previous  to  the  treaty,  it  feems    not  credible  that   he  re- 
ceived  any  pecuniary  douceur  for  fparing  them:  had  fuch  an  oc- • 
currence  pafied,    there  were  too  many  eyes  upon  his  condu£l  not 
to  have  obferved  it ;  and  too  few  perfons  fo  much  attached  to  him  - 
as  not  to  have  divulged  it.     1  rather  impute  this  fcandal  to  fome  of' 
his  eneiriies  in  the  fleet,  by  way  of  recrimination  for  a  cenfure  of 
the  like  kind  which  he  had  fome  time  before  pafied  on  the  admiral^ 
and  which  probably  was  the  real  fource  of  difagreement   between 
them.     Antecedent  to  Cromweirs  proteftorate,  the  Englifli   fugair 
iflands  were  of  very  little  value   to  their  mother  country.     Their 
trade  was  wholly  managed  {by  the  Dutch ;  thefe  brought  the  planters 
a  regular  fupply  of  European  goods  and  manufactures ;  and  were 
the  carriers  of  their  produce,  which  for  the  moft  part  centered  in 
the  hands  of  merchants  living  in  Holland,   or  other  foreign  parts, 
without   any,  or  very  little,  advantage  to  England;  for  the  Dutch 
took  no  manufaiStures  from  that  kingdom,  except  of  fuch  fort  atf 
could  not  eMewhere  be  procured,  and  fold  therft   fugars,  and  c*her 
commodities,  produced  in   the  Englifli  Weft-India  iflands^  at  an 
enhanced  price.     Cromvrell,   determined  on  puttirtg  a  flop  to  this 
unnatural  intercourfe,  had  given  admiral  Penn  ftrift  orders  to  feize  : 
every  Dutch   veflel   he  (Kould  meet  with  trading  at  any  of  thefe 
iflands.      When  the  ^et  arrived  at  Barbadoes,  the  admiral  found  * 
ten  or  fourteen  of  thefe  veflels  in  port ;  every  one  of  w^hich   be  ? 
ieized  as  prize;  and  having  afligned -their  cargoes  to  the  fole  cuftody  ' 
aj)d  difpc^l  of  his  nephew,  geuaral  Ycnables  thought  fit  to  inter- 
pofe,  and  reprefented,  that  he  thought  fome  other  perfons  fliould  : 
be  joined  with  the  young  man  as  a  cheq^ue  upon   his  conduct",  and 
to  prevent  all  fufpicion  of  embezzleinent.     The  haughty  fpirit  of , 

H  h  2  •  '         •  '-     .      thu 


Z36  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  1655. 

the  admiral  refented  the  iniinuation  contained  in  this  propofal; 
and  their  difpute  was  further  heightened  by  the  general's  infifting 
with  fome  warmth  on  the  expediency  of  it.  This  was  probably 
the  origin  of  a  fecret  grudge,  which  inftigated  the  admiral  to  thwart 
and  diilrefsthe  general,  when  at  St.  Domingo,  by  every  means  in* 
his  power ;  at  leaft,  it  is  not  eafy  to  reconcile  his  behaviour  at  that 
attack  with  any  other  caufe  of  equal  influence. 

The  Englifh  found  the  climate  more  temperate  than  that  of  St.. 
Domingo,  as  being  more  open  to  the  fea  breeze.     Here  were  fe* 
veral  fmail  fugar-works,  and  plantations  of  mace,  rice,  caflava,  and 
tobacco.     But  what  gave  them  more  pieafure  was,  to  learn,  from, 
one  of  the  oldeft  inhabitants,  that  a  filver  mine  was  opened ;  that 
ajiother  of  copper  had  lately  been  difcovered  ;  and  that  the  grains  . 
of  gold,,  which  the  Spaniards  had  cafually  picked  up,  afforded  rea- 
feaable  expedtation    of   difcovering    fome  veins  of  that  precious 
metal.     From  this  intelligence,  the  army  began  to  be  extremely, 
well  fatisfied  with  their  conqueft,  hoping,  no  doubt,  that,  after  a^ 
little  better  acquaintance  with  the  country,  they  might  find  means 
to  amafs  a  conliderable  flock  of  wealth,  without  much  labour. 

The  ifland  at  this  time  belonged,  as  fome  fay,  to  the  duke  deVera^ 
gaa,  who  was  lineally  defcended  from^Chriftopher  Columbus;  fothat 
it  was  the  private  eftate  of  aSpaniih  fubjefit,.and  not  a  member  of  the: 
royal  demefne  [c].  Its  chief  ports  were,  Caguaya  [^]  ;.  next  to  this,^ 
Efquivel  [^],.  which  was  thought  of  great  importance,,  as  it  af- 
forded convenience  for  fliip-building  on  an  arm  of  the  fea,  which 
forms  a  bafbn  on  the  Eaftern  fide.  This  arm,  called  Guavagera, 
admits  a  fmall  frefh- water  river,  named  El  Rio  de.  la  Puente  [fy 
The  land  between  the  town  of  St.  Jago  and  Efquivel  was  then,  for 
the  moft  part,  open  favannah,  or  plain,  wdl  flocked  with  cattle 
and  horfes  ;  but>  fince  theie  days,  it  has  been  much  over-run  with^ . 
the  opopinax  and  calbaw  trees.- A  Portuguezc  informed  the  Englifli^. 
that,  near  this  port,  in  a  mountain  called  Mefcher  Cornoufwe  [g\ 

was  a  very  rich  filver  mine,  which  the  Spaniards  had  juft  opened* 

» 

[^  It  was  rather,  perhaps,  held  a»  a  fitf  of  the-cro^«^« ; .  for  it  is^carcely  probable,  thaC-it  was 
granted  to  the  duke  ia  full  foyereignty. 

1^^]  Now  Port  Royal. 

[e]  Old  Harbour.  It  took  its  name  from  Juan  de  J^fqQivello,  lieutenant  to  Diego  Cbliimbus 
an  X  J09. 

m  Bridge  Riyer.  [g]  Suppofed  to  be  Tone  part  of  the  Healthihire  hilli • 

*  The 


tSsS^l  BOOK    !•      CHAR    XI.  a^jr 

The  favaiinahs  were  by  the  Spaniards  formed  into  what  they 
called  hatos  [A]    The  Indians  are  faid  to  have  employed  thefe  leveF 
grounds  in  the  cultivation  of  their  maize;  and  their  foil  was  then- 
extremely  fertjile.     The  Spaniards  converted  them  to  the  fame  ufe^ 
and  into  paftures  for  their  herds  arid  flocks..    But  thefelpots,  for- 
merly fo  prolifici  are  now  become  the- moft  fterile  ia  the  whole 
ifland;.  which,  may  be  owing  to  feverafcaufes  ;  as,  the  impoverifhjng 
the  earth  by  iucellant  culture.;  the.foilure  offeafonable  rains  in  thofe 
parts,  which  were  anciently  watered'  with  plentifulihowers  ;   and' 
the  utter  inattention  to  reftbcing  fertility  by  a  proper  manure.  What 
now  forms  the  diftri£t  of  Vera  and'  Witliy  wood  was  called  the  h'atO' 
of  Yama  and  Guatibocpa.    In  the  hato  of  Yama  wasi  the  moun- 
taih  called  [/]  Panda  Botellio ;.  fix, miles  to  the  Weffward  of  which 
was  the  [i]  Manati  mountaihi  over  which  ran  a  ftony  narrow  path, 
ofaboiit  eight  feet  In  breadth..    This  was  the  only  road  by  which. 
the  Spaniards  paffed  to  the  Weftern  parts  of  the  ifland.     Near  Greats 
Pedra  point,,  ia.  St.  Elizabeth* j^,*  was    the    hato  of   Pereda  [/],.. 
efteemed  one  of  the.  befl:  and  largeft   pieces  of  favannah   in.  the 
ifland,  being  twelve  miles  or  more  in  length  :  this  how  goes  \inder. 
the  name  of  Pedro  Plains,  and  Gfeat  Savannah  :  near  this  hato  was  * 
a/mall  village,  called  Parattee. .   About  fix  miles  .Weft  of  the  great 
river  Caobana  [/w]f  lay  the  hato  of  El  Eado  [^];  next  to  this  the' 
hato  Caboiiico  \o] ;  and,  adjoining  to  the  latter,  the  (kvannah  of  the.' 
iea,  or.  as' it  is  ftill  called,  Savannah  la  Mar-   To  the  Eaftward  qF 
Puerto   de  Caguaya,.was  the  hato.  de  Liguany,  which  was  then, 
ftocked  with  large  quantities  of  fine  fedar,  and  other  timbers  proper  * 
for  fliiprbuilding  [j^],    and  conveniently  bordering  upon  th^at  fine* 
bafon  which  now  forms  the  harbour  of  Kingffbii.     The  part  lying: 
between  the  long  naountain  and  Liguaiiy  mouiitaih  was  called  Le- 
zama,  comlprehendiiig  a  long,  narrow. tlip^ of  plantable  land..*/  Far- 
ther Eaftward  was  the  hato  Ayala,  fiill  of  tame  cattlc,/and  efteemedt 
very  proper  for  fugar  plantations,  and  "ercdthig  ^  mills  on  twp  con- - 


[|]  Now  Carpcotfar's  ii|9ui|tii|zw9  nw  the.coaft.    J'hc  rp^d  i^n  frqm  Swlf(  riyey  ovtr  Lioo^  Say . 
and  the  Devirs  Race.     ,  *    .       .  .'      ,  ' 

p) -Or  prolwbly,  fmizy  a  fender     '    ' .  [m] '  Caobana  Cgiiifies^  tnalii»gin}i^,  now  Black  Rwcrw^  <  • 
[«]  White  Sayannah.  C^]  Now  £)ape  JSouito. 

[fl-Thcy  found licre  Tome  (hips  on  tKc flocks  in  btiilding*: 

venie&tT 


^38  J  .A-  M    A    I    C    A*         [A.D.  1655. 

vcnient  mcrs  [y],  but  d*^ngcl;o^fly  open  to  the  incurfions  of  pirates, 
who  ufed  to  land  at  two  cbves^LiOS  Ana  [r],  and  La  Cruzde  Padre  [/], 
Next  to  this  was  the  hato  of  Morante,  twelve  mile§  in  length,  Ipa-, 
cious,  and  plentiful ;  confifting  of  many  finall  favannahs,  au4 
abounding  with  hogs  and  cattle:  this  hato  terminated  at  what  was 
called  the  Mine,  at 'the  cape  or  point  of  Morante,  to  the  North- 
ward of  which  lay  port  St*  Antonio, 

'From  this  account  it  feems,  that,  although  the  Spaniards  had 
been  fb  long  in  pofleffion  of  the  ifland, , they  occupied  but  a  very, 
Imall  portion  of  it,  chiefly  in  the  Southern  divilion.  They  had  but 
little  intercpurfe  with  the  Midland  rand  Northern  diftrifts,  except 
:  the  parts  adjacent  to  their  old  town  of  Sevilla,  in  St.  Anne's.  Their 
hatos  were  the  cftates  of  the  rjcheft  among  thpm  ;  they  were  in  all 
about  ten,  or  at  nipft.  twelve;  and  upon  each  of  them  was  a  houfe 
of  refidence,  or  country  houfe,  for  the  owner's  reception,  whenever 
he  chofe  to  retire  from  the  town. 

Their  traffic  was  but  fmall.  It  chiefly  confifted  in  fupplying  the 
Spanifh  homeward-bound  merchant  ihips  with  frcfh  provifions,  of 
.which  the  ifland  produced  (b  great  an  abundance,  that  it  was  con- 
fidered  as  the  granary  and  viftualing  place  for  allthefe  fliips. 

BefideSi  they  killed  eighty  thoufand  hogs  every  jear  for  the  fake 
of  their. greafe,  which  was  callpd  hog's  butter,  and  found  a  confl:ant 
vent  at  Carthagena.'  This  greafe,  or  lard,  ii  ftiir  uf^d  throughout 
all  the  Spanifli  Wef^-Indies,  ^s\an  ingredient  in  their  ollios,  and 
other^difhes,  inftead  of  butter,  and  feems  preferable  tp.  it;  as  the 
latter,  imported  froin  Europe,  is  generally  rancid  before  it  reaches 
;the  iflands,  and,  bemg*ufedby  the  Eriglifli  in  this  (late,  may  be 
•regarded  as  one  cauft!  of  pqtrid  f^vcts  and  dyfenterics,  both  of, 
.which  it  has  been  obferved  to  produce.  ,  * 

Their  maihogany,  fuftiq,  ^iSbony,  and  lignum  Vfia\  were  other 
conamodities  for,  trade;  Of  the  firft  they  had  feveral,  when,  the 
Englifli  landed',  of  thirty-fix  feet  in  girth,  or  about  twelve  feet  di- 
ameter; fufl:ic,  of  about  two  ;  ^nd  lignum  vit^ej  of  three  feet  dm-' 
meter  ;  the  bark  of  the  latter,  dftee'med  at  that  time  ^  great  ipecific 
agaiBitthe  lues  venerea  givdn  in  a  decoftioft,  fold  at  Carthaj^en^,  at 
,2i..  Jfteplii^.  the.  pQvndr  weight.     T4xey  had  grr^at;  pjei^y  o£  caqaoi 

[f  ]  The  Hope  and  Cane.       '    [r]  Bull  fiay,  [i]  Yallalis. 

which 


ifi55.}        J       B  GfOK    I.      CHitP.    XL  239 

which  foldatp.perhViUkd.  'f hey  Hkfetwfe  coIeivateB  fogar,  pi- 
inenta,  mdigo,  and  tobacco,  but  iii  ftnall  (juafititiee,  and  chiefly  for 
thcrr  own  cotlfatoption.  Of  fruits  they  had  a  g>eat  variety ;  ;the 
pine-apple,  §4«o6ftr<»-p6ac^  nafeberry,  mammd*fap&te,  lime,^  lemoii». 
orange,  gtraVa,  honana,  pkntain^  pap^w,  meldn,  cucumber,  :&c,. 
Their  potatoes  were  of  fuch  prodigious  fize,  as  to  aftonifti  the: 
Englifti  officers :  they  were  probably  either  tht  fweet  potatoe,  or 
the  yam,  which  latter,  by  k^  affinity  to'  the  potatoes  might  ealily 
be  miftaken  for  it  by  Europeans*  The  fruits  moft  in  efteem  aooong: 
the  Spaniards  were,  ,the  pine^  which  fold  at  fixpence  each^  and  the 
avocslto^pbar,  which  fbtdM:  threepence:  thefe  prdbably  had  not  iong 
been  introduced  here ;  and,  being  more  icarce,  wer^e  irhought  mxMU 
eftimable  than  the  reft. . 

Cokinel  Modtford,  fpeaking  of  this  expedition,  obfer^s;  that^ 
fince  the  Engltfh  would  have  an  ifland«  Jamaica  was  far  preferable 
to  any  of  ^the.j3thers,  becaufe  it  had  exceUent  harbours,  andwai.ac^ 
counted;theiiioft  plentiful  and  *healthful  of  them  all.  ^  «  If  thifc  ^ 
*«•  place,**  fays  he,  "  b^  fully  planted,  his  hi^hefs  may  do  what  be 
•*'wUl  in  the  Wcft^Indies/'/'  But,  n&twithflanding  this  recom^ 
mendation  fix)m  (b  good  a  judgej  neither  thcApcople  of  his  ifland 
(Barbadces),  jior  of  .the  other  Caribbees,  were  deiirous  to  promote 
the  fettlement  of  Jamaica:  they  feared  it. would caufe  a  drain  of 
men  from' their  iflahds,  and  reduce  the  price  of  their  flaple  oommo- 
dity,  fugan  For  this  reafon,  and  others,  they  obftrufted  the 
planting  of  it  .to  the  utmoft  of  their  power,  and  intimidated  their 
inhabitants^  from  pafling  over  to  fettle  there,  by  reprefeiiting  it  as  a 
certain  grave  to  all  fuch  adventurers.  Indeed,  the  calamities^  which  . 
afterwards  befell  the  army,  occafioned  by  their  own  obftinacy  and 
laxinefe,  and  the  treachery  of  their  officers^  in  a  great  meafure 
helped  to  confirm  this  bad "  account  given  of  it.  But  to  return  to 
my  narrative. 

The  EngJifh  forces  were  now  in  full  pofleffion  of  the  town, 
wfeerc  they  conftituted  their  head*quarters.  The  oiEcers  chofe  the 
bandfbmeft  houfes  for  their  own  ufe ;  and,  after  feleding  as  many 
more  as  were  thought  convenient  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
private  foldiers,  they  devoted  the  remaiiider  to  ruin.  The  firft  ob- 
jeds  of  military  rage  were  the  religious  edifices.  .  The  a  bbey  was 

leveled  . 


340  •'  :  J."-A.  iMj  A  :i  -c   A.         [A.D^.1655, 

Jevelcd  ^vifh  tKc  .grou.ud ;  [and  t.hfe  churches,  of  whichf  there  w«c 
-63VO,  Tiameid  the.lRcd.Crqfs  spd  Wh^te  Grpfs,  entirely  demoliflicd. 
1  Parties-  verc  thea  tJetachcd  in  queft  of  the  Spaniards^  of  whom 
Xwenty-four  were  -taken  prifoncrs,  and  fifty  came  in  and  voluntarily 
furrendered.  The  feft-  of  them  Ikulked;  about  in  fmall  bodies  j  and^ 
^having  driven  ^ll-:theif  cattle  into  the  mountains,  and  ruined  their 
■provifion  grounds,  the  Englifli  troops  found  themfelves  on  a  fudden 
^extrcmely  deftitute  of  food  in  this  land  of  plenty,  for  ihcy  could 
;procure  no  frefti  meat  except  at  the  point  of  their  fwords.  Two 
rvidtualers  from  England  bifogight  them  no  oiof-e  than  twenty-two 
tlays  £boa:t-allb\|rance  of  bread;  and  the  whole  fteet^  ^i^n  in? 
quiry»  waj  foiJnd  to  have  no  more  than  three  months  fubfiftanca 
But  the  circumftances  of  the  army  were  more  deplorable.  Ex* 
cluiive  of.  their  bread,  they  had  hut  a  very  fmall  ftock  of  caflava; 
and  of  that  little  the  Spaniards  ftole  a  (hare.  Whenever  thej 
were  lucky  enough  to  procure  a  few  roots,  or  a  Jittle  frefli  meat, 
*hey  devou/ed  them  without  thread;  their  allowance  being  tiq,more 
<han  half  a  bifcuit  fer  day  to  each  man.  The  admiral  in  this  di- 
ilrefs  fent  three  (hips  to  the  Caymand  ifles,  to  take  in*  a  loading  of 
jtiirtle;  but  they  returned  with  too  few  to  fupply  the  fleet  alone;. 
The  (lores  for  the  army  having  been  landed  at  Paflage  Fort,  the 
ibldiers  were  continually  harraffed  by  carrying  them  from  that«di- 
-ftance  on  their  backs  to  .the  town,  as  thej  had  neither  hor(q^,  nor 
wheel- carriages,  or  other  kind  of  vehicle,  for  that  laborious  fer^ 
-vice.  Their  diet  confided  of  much  the  fame  .kind  of  materials  as 
jhad  been  given  them  at  St.  DomingOj  the  refu(e  of  the  naval  pro- 
ivifions,  ^putrid  fait  beef,  and  rotten  bilcuit,  at  a  ihort  allowance^ 
.with  no  other  liquor  for  dilution  than  the  turhid  water  of  the  Rip 
-Cobre..  Their  fevere  and  conftant  drud^ry^  fuch  unwholefbmp 
;foQd,  together  with  a  badJiabit  of  body,  contraded  during  theunj- 
fortunate  campaign  of  St.  Domingo  [/],  united  to  engender  a  rnofl: 
dreadful  dyfentery,  which,  for  want  of  any  medicines  or  means  to 
<:heck  it,   became  epidemic,  fparing  neither  officers  nor  men ;  >and 

[t]  The  ofiicera  died  fo  fiifi,  that  die  {enend  had  enough  to  do  to  find  proper  men  for  fupplyiiig 
^e|r  placet.  Near-three  thotdand  m^n  were  at  this  time  (about  the  25th  of  May,  and  withia  a 
fortnight  after  their  landing)  iick,  occafioned  by  their  expofure  to  the  rains  and  ill  air  of  St.  Do- 
Aiingo.  The  diflempers  caught  there  many  of  them  carried  to  their  graves,— 'Venables's  tetter  to 
^neral  Montagu^.   'Cartei  vol*  IL 

fo 


i655-]  BOOK    L      CHAP.      XL  241 

fb  debilitated  thofe  who  were  not  immediately  deflroyed  by  it,  that 
they  looked  like  dead  men,  juft  crept  abroad  from  their  graves. 
So  univerfal  was  now  the  ficknefs^  that,  on  thei4thof  June(lefs  than 
a  month  after  their  landing)  they  had  not  more  than  five  field- 
officers  in  health ;  a  great  many  officers  and  men  had  been  fwept 
off;  two  thoufand  privates  were  fick ;  and  the  reft  grew  very  un- 
ruly and  mutinous.  In  this  fad  conjuncture  it  was  refolved  to  keep 
only  the  befl^failing  frigates  as  cruizers  to  attend  the  flation,  and 
fend  home  the  remainder  of  the  fleet  under  admiral  Penn,  with  an 
account  of  the  army's  neceffities.  General  Venables,  who  had 
not  recovered  from  the  ficknefs  with  which  he  had  been  afilided  at 
St.  Domingo,  ^nd  began  to  be  apprehenfive  for  his  life,  willingly 
embraced  this  opportunity  of  returning  home.  The  admiral  fet 
fail  on  the  25th  of  June,  with  three  fourths  of  the  fleet,  leaving 
twelve  frigates  under  command  of  the  vice-admiral  Goodfbn.  In 
his  paifage  through  the  gulph  of  Florida,  the  Paragon  took  fire^ 
about  ten  leagues  from  the  Havannah,  and  blew  up ;  by  which  un« 
happy  accident  one  hundred  perfbns  perifhed.  To  make  fbme 
little  amends  for  this  difafler,  the  admiral,  having  fallen  in  with  a 
French  Greenlander  near  the  Land's  End,  made  prize  of  her.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  St.  Helen's,  Venables,  dreading  the  Pro- 
testor's relentment  for  his  having  quitted  the  army  without  leave, 
difpatched  a  letter  to  fecretary  Thurloe ;  wherein  he  made  many 
pufillanimous  excuies,  pleaded  deplorable  ill  health,  and  dwelt  on 
the  defcription  of  his  bodily  infirmities  in  the  querulous  ftrain  of 
an  oW  woman  complaining  to  her  apothecary.  He  was  ordered  to 
attend  the  council,  feverely  reprimanded,  fent  prifoner  to  the  Tower, 
and  afterwards  difmilTed  from  all  his  employments.  Penn  likewife 
came  in  for  a  (hare  of  rebuke,  and  was  committed  to  the  fame 
place.  Nor  were  they  releafed  from  thence,  until  they  had  pur- 
chafed  the  Protedor's  forgivenefs  by  making  fome  fubmiffions, 
which  on  the  part  of  Venables  are  faid  to  have  been  very  humili- 
ating. In  regard  to  the  principles  of  thefe  two  commanders,  it 
feems  agreed  on  all  hands,  that  they  were  fecretly  difaffeded  to 
Cromwell,  and  warmly  attached  to  the  royal  exile.  This  is  further 
confirmed  by  a  palTage  in  the  marquis  of  Ormond's  letter  to  the 
duke  of  Newberg,  June  15,  1655,  viz. 

Vol.  I.  li  «*Befide$ 


2^1  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  1655. 

^  Bcfidfes  the  power  the  king  hath  in  the  navy  and  amongft  the 
"  feamen  in  this  particular  fleet  under  admiral  Penn ;  where  (be- 
^  fides  the  common  foldiers  and  mariners)  there  are  many  principal 
**  officers  who  have  ferved  his  majefty,  and  whofe  afFcAions  will 
**  difpofe  tiiem  to  receive  any  orders  from  the  king." 

Venables  was  deeply  concerned  in  the  unfuccefsful  infurreftion  at 
Chefter  in  favour  of  the  Stuarts  ;  and  Penn  having  privately  corre- 
fponded  with  Charles,  and  afterwards  appeared  among  the  moft 
diftinguifhed  favourites  of  that  prince,  I  think  there  needs  little  fur- 
ther demonftration  of  their  averfion  to  the  Proteftor :  we  may  there- 
fore be  warranted  in  conje£luring,  that  they  were  both  equally  care- 
lefs  about  the  fuccefs  of  that  enterprize,  which  th$  Protestor  had 
fo  much  at  heart,  and  on  which  he  is  faid  to  have  depended  not  a 
little  for  the  future  fupport  of  his  power ;  and,  as  far  as  they  durft^ 
endeavoured  to  render  it  ineffeftuaJ.  The  ends  of  this  mu- 
tual inclination  were  further  promoted  by  the  variance  between 
them  in  other  refpedls ;  it  is  certain  the  admiral  took  every  otcafion 
to  diftrefs  the  general,  and  in  many  inftances  behaved  towards  the 
army  in  a  manner  that  cannot  be  juftified  ;  and  they  had  their  re- 
ipedive  partizans.  To  thefe  caufes  we  may  impute  the  mifcarriage 
at  St.  Domingo,  the  miferable  fituation  of  the  affairs  of  the  army, 
ind  the  repugnant  accounts  which  the  officers  of  either  fide  have 
given  in  their  public  and  private  letters  upon  this  fubjeft.  Their 
contradi£t:ions  have  rendered  this  part  of  their  hiflory  fo  perplexed, 
that  it  feems  difficult  to  difcover  which  of  the  two  commanders  me- 
rited the  greatefl  blame.  Nor  is  the  Prote6tor*s  fagacity  confpicuous 
on  this  occafion  ;  who  fent  out  this  army  to  conquer  and  fettle  in 
the  Wefl-lndies,  omitting  to  furnifh  them  with  medicines,  tools, 
and  other  necefl'aries  proper  for  their  fupport  and  convenience,  and 
fuitable  to  that  undertaking.  With  the  general  went  feveral  com- 
mifTion  officers;  and  the  chief  command  devolved  on  major  general 
Fortefcue.  This  gentleman,  in  his  letter  foon  after  to  the  Pro- 
teftor,  fays,  "  it  is  a  fruitful  and  pleafant  iflandand  a  fit  receptacle 
**  forhonefl  men,  our  greatcfl  want  here.'* 

**  Many  there  are,'*  continues  he,  **  who  came  out  with  us, 
**  vaunting  as  if  they  would  have  flormed  the  Indies  j  big  with 
^*  expeftation  .of  gold  and  filver  ready  told  up  in  bags ;  but,  not 
*<  finding  fuch  treafure,  and  meeting  with  fomc  difficulties  and 

**  hardlhips. 


1655.]  BOOK    I.       CHAP.    Xr.  24^ 

**  hardftips,  they  fret,  fiime,  grow  impatient,  atid  wifli  th«r  were 
**  at  their  onions  again.  Several  of  luch,  according  to  their  defires 
**  arid  difcontents,  we  have  difinifled  ;  and  they  may  return  with 
"  (hame  enough.  We  expeft,  in  their  own  defence,  they  will  dif^ 
♦*  parage  the  place  and  fervice ;  but  I  hope  wife  and  fober  men  will 
**  not  give  much  credk>to  them.  Think  not  that  I  write  to  entice 
**  and  inveigle  men  hither  groundlefsly.  I  fpeak  my  own,  and  the 
*<  judgement  of  wifer  than  I,  that  it  is  the  beft  land  they  and  I  have 
**  fet  foot  on.  Here  is  only  a  want  of  bread  for  the  prefent,  and 
*«  godly  fociety.  Here  is  fufficient,  with  God's  bleffing,  to  render 
«<  mens  conditions  very  comfortable;  and  they  who  are  able  to' 
**  furnifli  themfelves  with  fervants  may  foon  enrich  themfelves.'^ 
This  letter  may  give  us  fome  idea  of  the  humours  with  which-  th$ 
army  was  compounded;  and  it  is  a  teftimony  of  the  high  eftima^. 
tion  in  which  this  iftand  was  held  by  the  more  fenfiblc  men  among 
the  officers.  The  army,  after  the  general's  departure,  was  governed 
by  a  fort  of  military  council,  compofed  of  fifteen  field-^offiters ;  viz* 

Major-general  Richard  Fortelcue,  prefident  j 
Samuel  Barry,  Edward  D''Oy ley ^^  John  Read, 

Philip  Ward,  Henry  Bartlet,  Michael  Bland, 

HenryArchbould,      William  Smithy  William  Jordan, 

Andrew  Carter,  Vincent  Corbet,  Robert  Smith. 

Richard  Holdip,         Francis  Harrington, 
The  difcipline  of  it  fell  more  immediately  under    their  provincci; 
"but  the  general  affairs  of  the  ifland  were   regulated  by  Fortcfcudt 
in  concert  with  the  commiffioners  Goodfon  and  Serle. 

The  major-general  made  inflant  application  to  Cromwell  for 
cloathing,  fmiths  and  carpenters,  tools,  bread,  oatmeal,  brandy, 
zftQS  and  ammunition,  medicines,  and  other  neceflaries.  The  lifl 
is  an  indication  of  their  many  urgent  wants.  He  defired,  that  fer- 
vants might  be  fent  from  Scotland,  to  aflift  them  in  planting  ;  that 
certain  proportions  of  land  might  be  affigned  to  the  officei  s  and  men 
refpeftively ;  and  inflruftions  given  in  regard  to  eilablifhing  the 
form  of  civil  government.  He  reprefented  the  generality  of  llae 
private  foldiers  to  be  men  of  low  fpirits,  apt  to  receive  impceffioiis 
of  fear;  and  requefled  a  reinforcement  of  well-difcipldned*  ve- 
terans from  Ireland,  to  be  incorporated  with  them,  andhy^thrtr 

I  i  2  example 


J246  /J    A    M    A    I    C    A.  [A.  D.   1655. 

would  grow  weary  of  the  expence ;  and,  finding  his  defign  of  co- 
lonization fruftrated,  might  be  forced  to  relinquifh  '  the   ifland,  and 
withdraw  his  forces  to  England.     This  machination,  in  which  fe- 
veral  of  the  principal  officers  were  combined,  was  the  real  caufe  of 
their   atrocious,  mifcondud  in  regard    to  the  ftorcs  fo  amply,  fur- 
•nifhcd ;   for  very  large  quantities  had  been  (hipped   upon  the  firfl: 
intelligence  brought  by  Pepu   and  Venables.of  the  army's   wants. 
What  rendered  the  bafenefs   of  their   proceedings    more    criminal 
was,  that  thele  officers,  in  purfuit  of  their  fcheme,  fufFercd  hun- 
dreds of  their  men  to  peri(h  miferably  by  famine  and  difcafe  ;  whofe 
lives  and  vigour  might,   it  is  leafonable  to. think,  have,  been  pre» 
•  ferved  by  a  common  care  of  the   provifions  feet  from  time  to  time, 
and  a  very  moderate  application  of  their  labour  to  cultivate  the 
fame  kinds  of  country    vegetables,  pulfe  and  grain,  as :  they  found 
growing  at  the  time  of  their  arrival*     But   there  was  neither  thrift 
in  the  diftribution  and  preferyation  of  the  food  fupplied  from  Eng- 
land, nor  the  leaft  advance  of  hufbandry  tp^vards  providing  a  fub*- 
fiftencefrom  the  fertile  foil  of  the  ifland,  as  »  fecurity  againft  fa- 
.niine.      They  were  permitted,  nay  privately  ordered,   to  root  up 
.  and  deilroy  the  country  produds,  with  no  other  purpofe  than  that 
they  might  be  confined   to  %  precarious  dependence  on   Engliih 
victualers  from  Europe,  and  forced  by  the  prefliire  of  their  necet- 
fities  into  that  fpirit  of  difaffe£tion  and  reluftance  to  the  fervice, 
.  which  might  prompt  them  to  be  clamorous,   feditiovs,  ^nd  bur»> 
.  thenfome  to  the  ftatc. 

Sedgewicke  perceived  their  aim.  He  was  not  fparing  of  repre- 
henfion  to  thefe  officers  ;  and  he  refolved  to  counteraft  their  pur- 
pofes  to  the  utmofl:  of  his  power,  and  exert  htmfelf  to  prevent  fuck 
abufes  in  future.  His  firft  care  was  applied  to  the  ftores.  at  Pafikge 
Fort.  He  had  brought  with  hioxone  thoufand  tons  of  provifioftr; 
and,  as  he  reafonably  concluded  that  the  army,  fenfible  of  the  mir 
ieries  fuftained  by  their  former  negleft,  would  heartily  join  in  the 
proper  means  for  fecuring  this  new  fupply,  he  defired  they  would 
-conftruft  fome  fort  of  building  for  preferving  it  from  the  weather* 
But  he  was  diiappoiated  in  thi$  expedlation.  The  officers,  under 
^^arious  pretences,  alledged,  that  not  a  man  could  be  fpared.  The 
-men  themfelves  confirmed  what  their  officers  liad  declared.     Awi 

Sedgewicke^ 


1655.]  BOOK    L      CHAR      XI.  2^.7 

Sedgewicke,  perceiving  this  fettled  and  general  averfion  in  the  army 
tb  do  any  thing,  however  neceffary,  for  their  own  benefit,  applied 
to  the  vice-admiral ;  under  whofe  dire<5tion,  the  failors,  in  about 
fix  or  eight  days,  built  a  complete  ftore-houfe  at  Paflage  Fort,  of 
one  hundred  feet  in  length,  and  twenty-five  in  breadth ;  in  which 
all  the  goods  were  properly  ranged.  His  next  bufinefs  was  to  ex- 
amine the  quantity  of  undamaged  beef  and  bread ;  and  he  found, 
that,  at  a  fmall  allowance,  the  men  would  have  fufficient  to  fup- 
port  them  for  about  fix  months.  Whilft  he  was  occupied  in  thus 
endeavouring  to  eftablifli  good  order,  Fortefcue  died  after  a  few 
days  illnefs.  A  military  council  was  then  formed  for  the  affairs  of 
the  army.  It  confided  of  the  fuperior  commanders  in  each  rcgi-. 
ment,  being  feven  in  all.  Colonel  D*Oyley,  as  fenior  field-officer,  . 
was  appointed  prefident,  in  virtue  of  a  power  which  Sedgewicke 
bad  brought  with  him,  and  which  continued  that  authority  for  : 
three  months,  or  until  the  Proteftor's  further  order. 

The  condition  of  the  army  in  refpe£t  to  health  was  flill  mofl  de- 
plorable.   An  epidemical  fickoefs  raged  amongfl  them,  which  fwept 
off  one  hundred  and  forty  men  every  week.     A  regiment,  com-  - 
mandcd  by  colonel  Humphry,  had  arrived  in  Odober.  .  It  confided 
of  eight  hundred  and  thirty-one  young,  healthy,  and  able-bodied  . 
men.     By  the  5th  of  November  fifty  of  them  had  been  buried, 
amongfl  whom  were  two  captains,  one  lieutenant,  and  two  enfigns.  . 
The  colonel,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  all  the  furviving  captains,  were 
fick ;  together  with  moft  of  the.  private  men.     Of  all  the  commifr 
iion  officers  in  that  regiment,  not  more  than  four  were  able  to 
marchr    The   diflempers,   which  at  this   time  prevailed  with  fo 
much  inveteracy,  were  fevers,  fluxes,  and  dropfies.     It  is  probable, 
the  original  diforder  was  an  ague  and  fever,  the  confeque^ice  of 
heavy  autumnal  rains.     At  thia  time,  the  Jefuits  Bark,  the  fpecific 
remedy  in  that  difeafe,  was  unknown  to  them.     Bleeding  was  ge-  - 
nerally  adminiflered ;  which  feldom  failed  of  rendering  the  com- 
plaint more  obflinate,  if  not  mortal.     In  the  latter  cafe,  the  diforder  . 
probably  terminated  in  a  diarrhoea ;   and,  in  the  former,  a  dropfy.  . 
The  fymptoms  were,  doubtlefs,  alfo  much  exafperated  by  the  bad- 
fiefs  of  their  diet,  the  quality  of  the  water,   and  the  want  of  ne- 
x^efTaries  proper  for  fickperibus;  ft>r  they  had  no  hoipital,  nor  other 

ronvenicnt 


248  JAMAICA.  [A,  0.1655. 

convenient  accommodation,  nor  women  to  attend  them  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  nurfes.  I  think  we  are  not  to  charge  this  mortality  upon 
the  climate,  but  the  many  other  proximate  caufcs,  which  were 
lurely  equal  to  the  efFeft.  Sedgewicke,  who  was  very  capable  of 
forming  a  right  judgement  on  this  point,  feems  to  favour  this  opi- 
nion ;  for,  in  communicating  his  fentiments  about  this  time  to  the 
Proteftor,  he  lays,  "The  ifland  is  adapted  to  produce  any  kind  of 
"merchandizes  that  other  iflands  do.  It  is  full  of  feveral  forts  of 
«  cattle.  The  Englifli,  fmce  they  came  hither,  have  killed  twenty 
**  thoufand  head;  and  the  reft  are  now  grown  fo  wild,  that  it  is  not 
•*^  an  eafy  matter  to  kill  any  of  them;  though  formerly,  in  the 
<«  time  of  the  Spaniards,  they  were  all,  both  cows  and  horfeS)  ke^pt 
**  under  command  by  proper  herdfmen.  Our  foldiers  have  dellroyed 
"  all  forts  of  fruit,  provifion,  and  cattle;  nothing  but  ruin  attends 
-<*  them  wherefoever  they  go.  If  fome  good  encouragement  was 
"given  to  increafe  planters  here,  it  might  be  well;  but,  as  the 
"  cafe  ftands  at  prefent,  there  can  be  nothing  of  that  kind.  The 
*^  army  claim  all  the  land  about  the  town;  fo  that  there  is  very 
*«  great  difficulty  to  accommodate  five  or  fix  .poor  planters  with  a 
**  little  ground.  The  foldiers  defire,  either  to  be  employed  in 
"arms,  or  fent  for  home  again:  dig  or  plant  they  will  not;  but 
«'  would  rather  ftarve  than  work.  They  might  hav?  cultivated  as 
**  much  provifion  as  would  have  kept  them  alive :  little  is  yet  done 
**  in  this  way ;  fo  that,  unlefs  there  be  a  further  fupply  of  viduals 
"  fent  hither,  they  will  perifli  for  want  of  food/'  Surely,  he  would 
not  have  ufed  thefe  arguments,  recommending  the  effeftual  colo- 
nization of  a  place,  the  natural  depravity  of  whofe  air  muft  have 
rendered  every  fach  attempt  fatal  and  abortive.  His  charafter  of  the 
'foldiers  implies  a  very  fufficient  reafon  for  their  diieafes ;  and  thefe, 
when  aggravated  to  a  degree  of  malignancy,  became,  no  doubt, 
contagious  to  the  new  recruits  of  Europeans  intermixed  with  them. 
"Weak  as  the  expeftation  was,  of  perfuading  fuch  men  to  betake 
"themfelves  to  agriculture  and  a  courfe  of  induftry,  Sedgewicke 
omitted  nothing  in  his  power  conducive  to  this  defign ;  but  his 
principal  effort  only  ferved  to  difclofe  more  openly  and  avowedly 
the  real  ground  of  their  obflinate  inactivity.  He  had  cultivated 
the  beft  underftanding  with  the  vice-admiral,  who  was  equally  dif- 

4  pofed 


t«560  BQOK    L       CRAP.    XL  249^ 

pofed  to  eftablifli  the  colony,  purfuant  to  the  Proteftor's  well*- 
known  mtention. .  On  the  4th  of  January,  1656,  they  publiihed 
^ij  exhortation  to  the  army;  wherein  it  was  urged,  **  that  they 
"  could  not  but  confider  it  a  very  great  mercy  from  God,  that,  in 
*'  many  of  their  quarters,  the  foldiers  had  begun,  in  fomemeafure, 
««  to  recover  ftrength^  and  were  grown  more  willing  to  hold  pof- 
**  feffion  of  the  country;  that  there  was  no  more  provifioa  in  ftore 
**  than  would,  in  a  comfortable  way,  fupply  them  for  four  months  ; 
*^*  that  it  would  be  therefore  convenient,  if  not  abfolutely  neceflary^ 
**  to  put  fomeprovifion  in  the  ground,  thereby  to  prevent  and  avoid' 
"  inevitable  ruin;  that,  in  order  to  animate  the  foldiers,  who  were 
**  many  of  them  planters,  they  propofed  to  allot  to  every  man  his 
<^  particular  land  formerly  ailigned  him,  and  fecure  him  as  far  as 
"  they  were  able  in  the  propriety  of  it ;  that  they  would  iffuc  out 
^«  feed,  fuch  as  peafe,  Indian  corn,  and  the  like>  and  bind  them- 
*♦  felves  to  the  obfervance  of  this  compad):  as  an  abfoliite  law  ^ 
<<  that,  in  cafe  the  foldiers  fhould  be  recalled  from  the  iiland,  in 
**  profecution  of  the  w^  with  Spain,  they  fhould  receive  full  fa- 
*'  tisfadion  in  money  for  all  their  provifion  left  in  the  ground/* 
They  further  propofed,  '*  that  the  army  fliould  be  reduced  to  thrce^ 
"  or  at  mofl  four  regiments,  which  would  leflen  the  charges  of  the 
^<  commonwealth ;  and  that  each  regiment  ihould  be  fettled  in  a 
*<  towmhip.*'  Thefe  were  judicious  regulations^  and  equitable 
aiTurances ;  fuch  as  no  man,  in  the  leaft  inclined  to  fettle,  could 
re^fbnably  withftand.  The  redudion  of  the  army  was  particularly- 
requifite ;  for  at  this  time  (heir  whole  number  officers  and  foldiers^ 
exclufiv^  of  women  and  children,  confided  only  of  two  thouiaud 
fix  hundred.  But,  as  a  compliance  with  thefe  terms  would  tend 
to  defeat  the  plots  and  intrigues  of  the  fa£lious  officers,  who  feared 
the  propoials  might  operate  powerfully  on  the  minds  of  the  Qom^ 
mon  foldiers,  hitherto  the  greateft  fufFerers ;  they,  on  the  very 
fame  day,  having  gained  intelligence  of  what  was  intended,  drew 
up  and  prefented  a  petition  to  their  prefident  D*Oyley,  reprefenting 
*«  the  fadnefs  of  their  condition,"  and  defiring,  **  that,  as  they  were 
«•  continually  importuned  by  the  foldiers,  difcouragcd  by  mortality 
^«  and  conflant  ficknefs  from  planting  here  for  their  fubiiftence^  he 
^«  would  exert  bis  befl  offices  with  the  vice  admiral  and  com** 
Voi^I,  Kk  «miffioDcr 


tso  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  1656. 

^  mifiioner  Sedgewicke  for  their  fpeedy  refnoval  from  the  ifland, 
<^  that  fo  the  handful  of  people  yet  rentiaining  might  be  ferviceable 
^  to  the  Lord  Protedkor  and  commoawealth  of  England."  Thia^ 
was  iigued  by 

Samuel  Barry,        John  Filkings^        Robert  Smith, 
William  Smith,^      Henry  Jones,  J.  Humphry. 

Gn  the  8th  of  January,  D^Oyley  delivered  this  petition  to  the^ 
vice- adimral  and  major  general,  virho  onperuial  of  it  were  fuffici- 
ently  convinced  of  the  difficulties  they  mufl  exped   in  profecuting; 
their  intended  work  of  reformation ;    but  they  were  not  prevailed 
upon  wholly  to  deiift  from  it*     The  failors  of  the  fleet  had  in .  all : 
Ais  time  enjoyed  very  good  health ;  cruizers  were  fosquently  fent 
out,    which  annoyed  the    Spaniards^,  took  many  valuable  prizes, 
plundered  fome  of  their  fettlements  on  Urra  jirma^  and  in  an  ex* 
peditionxto.the  North   coaft  of  Jjimaica  diflodged  all  the  Spaniards 
they  could  find  there,,  and  burnt  ££ty  of  their  houfes. .   The  crews 
of  fuch  fhips  as  flaid  in  harbour,  were  eix^loyed  in  planting  a  fmall 
ipot  of  ground  near  the  fea-iide;  the  arai^  alone  remained  ina<9:ive;.. 
Dor  did  the  vice- admiral    give  them  a  better  character  than  the 
major-geiieraJ.     *^  They  did  once,"  fays  he,  "apply  themfelves   to 
•^  plant  fbme  food,  but  of,  that-  vtty  little.     What  was  not  burnt 
<^up  with  the  fun  was,  for  the  moft  partj  fpcnled  for  want    of: 
«  weeding  ;•  and  they  will- not;  now  beperfuaded  to  do  any  thing 
*♦  towards  their  bellies,  or  feeUrity,  except  to  fetch  provender  from . 
•♦the  magazine;  fo  that^  if  thee  magazine  fail,  they  muft   inevi-* 
f^tably  perifti*    For  the  ca  trie,  fuchof  them  as  were  in  any  de* 
**  gree  tame^.have  all  been  killed  ;c  few  or  none,  are  left ;   and  fome 
^*  regiment?  have   tafted  no  fteftv  fervar  long  tinw,  except   that  of/ 
^  horfea,  dogs,  cat$,  and  the  like  \u\.     At  their  firft  arrival   here, . 
**  horfes.  were  in  fuch  abundaiKe,  as  to  be  called  the- vermin  of  the 
H  country  ;  but  fo   fcarce  ace  they  now  grown^  that  among  all  the- 
*<  regiments  they  caiwot  mount,  one  hundred ;  men/*^    The- vice- - 
admiral  had  pointed  out  to  them  the^  con^fequence  of  killing  thdr 
horfes  and  dogs  for  food  ; :  fojc  with  the  aiSftance  of  thefe  animals  . 
tbcy  might  have  procured  hogs  and  cattle  enough  for.  the  conftanti 

M  In  this  fcarcity  of  better  food,  rats  and  lizards  were  reckoned  a  delicate  repaft* .  Lizard9\ 
wttfc  regulariy  fav«l  up  at  the  officrra  taWtt ;  and  coUmd  EWylejr  affirmed,  that  they  were  ex- 
ucpMJy:  palauUc  . 

fubfiftence.. 


1656.]  B  ($0'tt    I.      C«AP..   XL  451 

fubfiftence  of  the  whole  army»  But  they  thought  it  too  laborious 
a  tafk  to  hunt  for  tliem  atnong  the  forefts  of  the  mountaiivs  to 
which  they  had  been  driven,  and  where  they  multiplied  very  fall. 

Whilft  they  were  thus  deftroying  themfelves  by  their  own  in* 
dolence,  the  Spaniards  and  Blacks  were  continually  on  the  watch,  to 
murder  their  ftragglers,  and  add  to  the  havoc.  Not  more  than  one 
planter  family  was  at  this  time  fettled  intthe  ifland.  Several  perfons 
had  come  from  the  neighbouring  colonies,  with  intention  to  fettle ; 
but  on  their  arrival  eitlier  fell  fick  and  died,  or  were  fo  terrified, 
that  they  would  not  be  perfuaded  to  ftay,  thougla  they  fuftained 
very  great  lofs  by  the  removal.  Many  women,  who  had  arrived  to 
live  with  their  hufbands,  upon  finding  them  dead,  fold  themfelves 
in  the  other  iflands  for  fervants,  rather,  than  ftay  with  the  army, 
and  notwithftanding  every  encouragement  offered  diat  might  in- 
duce them  to  remain.  Some  fmall  trading  veilels^  which  b^d 
touched  here,  and  failed  afterwards  to  the  other  Engliih  colonies  in 
America,  carried  iuch  difmal  reports  of  the  army's  condition*,  bs 
to  deter  numbers  from  venturing  thither  who  were  preparing  for  it» 
Thus,  as  if  by  a  kind  of  fatality,  every  thing  feemed  confpinng 
to  obftru^  the  fettlement  of  this  ifland.  But  the  Englifli  foldiets 
were  not  the  only  fufierers  under  calamity.  A  great  mortality  had 
alio  invaded  thofe  Spaniards  who  were  retreated  to  the  North  fide 
of  the  ]fland»  It  happened  partly  from  a  like  coufe,  the  dearth  of 
provifions.  No  left  than  iSve  hundred  of  them  had  perifhed  bj^ 
famine  and  the  difeafes  incident  to  it.  Thofe  who  were  called  tbit 
gentry,  confifting  of  eight  families,  had  found  means  of  efcapiog 
to  Cuba.  The  major  part  of  the  refl  ufed  every  poffible  endeavour 
to  follow  them,  in  fpight  of  their  governor,  or  MaeJirQ  del  Camp^^ 
who  waited  in  expeSation  of  a  reinforcement  from  Spain.  The 
whole  body  of  the  Spaniards,  at  this  time  remaining  in  the  ifland^ 
amounted  to  no  more  than  three  hundred,  men,  women^  and  chil- 
dren ;  moft  of  whom  had  feated  themfelves  at  Rio  Hoja^  in  St» 
Aiine*s,  where  they  lived  in  huts.  As  to  their  Blacks^  they  were 
Scattered  in  different  parts  of  the  mountains  in  frnall  companies^ 
and  lubfifted  by  hunting  the  wild  hogs  and  cattle.  On  the  4th  of 
February,  one  hundred  foldiers  wete  fent  to  Great  Pedro  Poitit^  in 
St.  Elissabeth's.    They  vifited  thnec  houfes  in  their  way  to  Paretty 

K  k  4  Baj^, 


2S2    .  J    A    M    A    I    C    A.  [A,D.  1656. 

Bay,  and  found  the  dead  bodies  of  tvyo  men,  fuppoied  to  be  of  the 
party  laft  fent  to  this  diftrift.     There  had  been  a  Spaniflt  village  at 
Paretty,  which  the  Englifh  on  a  former  excurfion  burnt  to  the 
ground.     They  perceived  thefe  ruins  in  the  fame  ftate   in  which 
they  had  been  left.      From    one   or  two  Negroes^  whom   they 
chanced  to  meet  with  here,  they  learned^  that  the  Blacks  had  en-^ 
tirely  detached  themfelves  from  the  Spaniards,  and  were  refolved  to 
maintain  their  footing  in  the  ifland  fb  long  as  any  cattle  remained 
for  them  to  kill.    Whilft  the  Englifli  were  cautioufly  reconnoitring 
on  every  fide,  they  difcovered  twenty  Spaniards  in  ambufli,  who* 
immediately  prepared  to  retreat  from  their  place  of  concealment* 
B»t  the  Englifli  ruflied  in  upon  them,,  and  took  {gvch  prifoners,  the 
reft  efcaping.     From  thefe  captives  they  heard;  that  forty  of  the 
party  to  which  they  belonged  v^rere  fled  to  the  North  fide ;.  that 
one  thoufand  Spaniards- were  expeflted  from. Carthpgena,.  who  were 
to  land  at  Pedro  Point,,  and,  an  army  from:  Spain,  to  make  a  defcent 
at  Paflage  Fort;  that  they  (the  prifoners)  had  been  fent  to  Paretty 
by  their  Maefiro  del  Campo^  who  was  collefting  all  the  forces  he 
Could;  at  this  fpot,  to  joinjwith.the  reinforcement  expeded  from.Csr-^ 
thagena.     Upon  thefe  advices,  Sedgewicke  thought  it  neceflary  to 
ftrengthen  the .  priiicipal  harbour  with  fome  kind  of  fortification.; 
and  accordingly  began  to  e red  a  fort  at  what  was  called  Careening 
Point,  fituated  at  the  eiitrance  of  Port  Caguay.     This  fort,  flightly 
feuilt  with  ftockades. and  rubbifh,.  was  foon  noiade  defenfible,   and  by 
•he 'a  2th  of  March  had  twenty *one  pieces  of  ordnance,  mounted 
;Bpon  it.     Even,  this  military  operation  was  entirely  performed  by 
thefailors;  for,  although  colonel  Humphry's  regiment  had  been 
ient  to  aflift  in. carrying  on  the-worjc,  they  proved  of  not  the  leaft 
fcrvice.      Another  fortrefs  was.  likewife.  in  contemplation,    to  be 
conftrudied:  at  Paflage  Fort,    as.  a  fafeguard  to  their  magazine,   or 
Aore-houfe.     D'Oyley  reduced.  twO:  companies  in  each  regiment, 
\and  put  the  army  into  a  good  pofturc  for  aftion.     Such  of  the  fea- 
men  as  could  be  fpared  were  employed. in  making  a  common  plan-- 
tation  for  this  ufe  of  the. fleet,  to- procure  an  augmentation  to  their 
fubfiftence.     Whilft  thefe  affairS:  were  in. agitation,  the.FaJraouth 
mail  of  war  came  in  from  a  cruize  pn  the  North  fide  of.  the  iflandi 

* 

^nd  brought  fev^nteen  S^anjlh  jprifouers;.    Thp  armj  was    now 

growa; 


Us^.'l  BOOK    I.      CHAR.    XI.  25:3, 

grown  far  more  healthy,  and  confifted  of  two  thoufand  five  hun- 
i::^d  cfFcdlive  men,   but  very  little  better  inclined  to  till  the  foil. 
Their  confederate  band  of  officers  would  let  them  do  nothing  more 
than  what  they  were  compelled*  to  by  the  moft  urgent   neceflity; 
and,   upon  the  departure  of  any  (hip  for  England,  exprefled  in  paf^ 
fionate  exclamations  their  anxious  defire  of  returning  home.     Yet^^ 
to  db  them  juftice,    both  the  army  and  fleet  were  extremely  im- 
portunate to  be  carried* upon*  fomc  enterprize^  agaiuft   the  enemy*. 
The  fleet  confifted  now  of  twenty-three  frigates,  fliips,.  and  vi<Sta- 
alers,    all  in  excellent  condition;   and  it  was  with  rclu£tance  the 
vice-admiraV  found-himfelf  obliged  to  keep  them  idle  in  harbour^ 
inftead  of  feconding  the  ardour  of  his  men  by  aflaulting  the  Spa- 
niards on  the   continent.     But  the  apprehenfibns,  excited   by  the 
intelligence  of  an  armament  expelled  from  Spain  and  Carthagena^. 
made  it  prudent  to  wait  for  fbme  time ;  as  the   array   alone  was 
not  judged  equal  to  the  defence  of  the  ifland  againft  any  very  pow- 
erful attack.      The  common  fenfe  of  danger  feemed  now  to  unite 
the  fea  and  land  forces  more  cldfely   than  hitherto.     A  council  of 
twelve  oflicers,   fcle6bed  from  each  cour^  aflembled  to  take    their 
general  affaiirs   under  confi'deration.      They   refolved,  that    thirtjc 
acres  of  land  (hould  be  aflignedto  each  private  foldier;  and  madd 
a  declaration  of  their  fentiments  to  this  efFetJl;   •*  Thatj   if  the 
••  foldiers   would  exert  themfelves  towards  the  fettlement   of  thd 
•'ifland;  and' attend  theiflTue  with  patience,  it  might  in  a  little 
«♦  timcanfwer  all  their  hopes,  and  the  public  charge;  fory  if  it  could 
•*  be  once   well-peopled,  it  would  afford  great  plenty  of  the  bed" 
•*■  commodities;      Befides,  the  fituation  of  k,  with  fo  fine  a  har- 
•**  hour,  was  fo  advantageons,  being  in  the  very  midA  of  the  Spa- 
**  nifll   territories,    that,,  with  a  fuflicient  force  here  of  troops  to 
••  make  inroads  upon  the  enemy,   and  a  fleet-  to  lecure  the  feas,  if 
•'might   become    the  magazine  of  all  the  wealth  in  the  Weft- 
«•  Ibdies."      This  exhortation  was  well  timed^  as   the   men  were 
all  healthy,   although  they  had  no  other  drink  than  water.     It  had 
been  remarked  by  D'Oyley,  that  the  continual  ufe  of  this  beverage,' 
Tvithout  the  intermixture  or  corre<5lion  of  fpirits,had,  efpecially  near 
the  coaft,  been  produftive  of  dropfical  habits,  and  other  diftempera- 
tarcs.  The  Engliflv,  at  their -firft^  arrival,  drank  it-  carelefslyj  wlienMn . 

itS' 


254  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  i6s6. 

its  fouleft  ftate,  and  without  any  depuration,  or  fettlement ;  by  whicli. 
means  it  became  noxious,  elpeciallywhe^  fwaHowed  in  iuch  copiqus 
draughts  as  were  neceflary  to  quench  a  thirft  excited  by  I'alt-tnett 
diet.  The  more  cautious  Spaniards  had  always  taken  care  to  filter 
the  water  of  RioCobre,  and  efteemed  it  with  this  prOcefs  not  only 
inofFenfive,  but  the  moft  wholefome  diluent  for  this  climatd. 
Some  of  them,  ftill  more  nice  in  their  choiq^,  ufcd  to  fetch  water 
from  the  Rio  el  Pujf  irte,  or  Bridge  ftiver,  at  fix  miles  diftancc^ 
juftly  thought  not  inferior  tp  any  in  the  world.  But  to  proceed. 
Notwithdanding  this  allotment  of  land,  and  the  reafons  urged  to 
incite  the  foldiers  to  induftry,  they  appeared  uniooved  by  the  coun« 
cirs  rdlblution  ;  for,  in  truth,  the  ^i^^ting  officers,  who  conftii* 
tuted  the  majority  in  the  army,  although  they  concurred  in  voting 
the  re6titude  of  the  meafure  propofcd,  yet  would  not  (uff^  it  by 
any  means  to  be  enforced.  If  therefore  they  publicly  (cemed 
to  favour  the  defign  of  planting,  yet  they  privately  oppoled,  and 
laboured  to  defeat  it.  It  is  no  wonder  then,  that  the  foldiers,  per- 
ceiving tbemfelves  excluded  from  fharing  a  real  property  in  the 
foil,  (hould  let  about  their  planting  bufinefs  as  if  it  Wfts  the  moft 
grievous  talk  that  could  be  impofed  upon  them ;  and  ihewed  ib 
much  reludance  in  attending  to  it,  as  to  make  the  few  officers, 
who  wilhed  to  promote  the  fcheme,  merely  to  keep  them  from 
ilarving,  almofl  defpair  of  fubduing  their  averfion. 

Sedgewicke,  though  a  man  of  calm  temper^  began  now  to  Ibic 
all  patience,  and  gave  fome  vent  to  his  indignation  in  a  letter  to 
Thurloe  ;  in  which  he  wrote  to  this  effect :  *'  There  are  two  things 
"  principally  enjoined  by  his  highnefs  to  the  army,  fortification  and 
^<  planting.  Should  I  give.you  a  charafler  of  the  difpofitions  and 
^*  qualifications  of  our  army  in  general  (fbme  few  particulars  ex* 
^*  cepted),  I  profefs,  my  heart  would  grieve  to  write,  as  it  doth  to 
"  think  of  them.  I  believe  they  are  not  to  be  paralleled  in  the 
•*  world  ;  a  people  fo  lazy  and  idle,  as  it  cannot  enter  into  the  heart 
<<  of  any  Englifliman,  that  fuch  blood  fhould  run  in  the  veins  of 
^«  any  born  in  England ;  fo  unworthy,  flothful,  and  bafely  fccure  t 
^<  and  have,  out  of  a  ftrange  kind  of  i^irit,  defired  rather  to  die 
*<  than  livre.  A  round  tower  of  ftone  was  intended  to  be  built  with^ 
<<  Ixk  the  fortification  at  Fort  Royal;  but  it  was  difficult  to  get  either. 
3  ^  mafons 


i&S^.l  BOOK    I.      CHAP.    XL  ' tss 

«*  mafons  or  materials,  except  (lone;  the  army  protefting,  they  could 
«  notlpare  thirty  men  to  make  a  little  lime;  the  work  therefore, 
««  fuch    as  it  is,  was  wholly  performed  by  the  feamen.      As  for 
«^  planting,  there  is  but  little  done;  and  the  truth  is,  I  believe  no«< 
«  thing  more  will  be  done  in  it,  though  they  have  had  all  the  in* 
•*  treaties    and  encouragements  that  were  poffibly  in  our  power.. 
<•  The  commanders  and  officers  alledge  that  the  foldiers  will  not 
««  plant ;.  when,,  it  is  moft  certain,  they  are  not  willing  the  foldiers- 
^<  (hould  plant,  but  flill  (land  gaping  to  go  off  the  ifland,.  as  after 
««  a  gaoUdelivery ;  and,  you  may  be  confident,  there  will  be  little^ 
<•  dona  in.  that  way  by  this  fort  of  people.     Such  kind  of  fpirit. 
*«  breathing  in.Eugli(h-men  I  yet  till  now  never  met  with  T     But,, 
notwithftanding  this  fevere  animadverfionon  their  ftupidand  heedlefs^ 
behaviour,  it  is  plain  the  major-general  had  not  yet  refigned  all  hope 
of  reclaiming  them..;  for,  with   the  vice-admiral's  confent,   here- 
fcJved  ta^employ  as  many  feamen  as  could  be  fpared  from  the  fleet: 
inplanting  about<  twenty  or  thirty  acres  of  provifion;  which,  if 
it  fucdeeded, .  he  flattered  himfelf,    would    either  convert  or  con-*^ 
found  the.  ibidiers. 

A  party  of  men  having,  about  this  time,  been  fent  to  the  leewardi 
diftri£tiof  the  ifland,  in  qufcft  of  horfes,  they  traveled  thirty  miles 
inland,,  had  the  good  fortune  to  catch  forty  horfes v  and  in  their 
progreis. encountered  a  body  of  Spaniards^  who  efcaped  by  flight 
intO'the  woods..    But  three  or  four  women,  not  fo  nimble. as  their 
huibands,,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  EngliOi,  and  were  brought  tO' 
tiie  town.     In  nK>ft  of  thefe  ikirmlihes  the  Spaniards  feemed  in«»* 
capableiof  making  aoy  refiftance,  but  only  fought  to  fave  them- 
fclves  by  flight :  fo  different  were  they  from  their  brethren  at  St. - 
Dbmiugo*.    This  daflardly  behaviour  rendered  the  Englifli  more 
iecure,  ^nd  encouraged  them  to  wifli  for  an  opportunity  of  en*~ 
gaging  with  the  whole  body,  that  they  might  exterminate  them 
£rom^the  ifland* 

Whatever  difosders  in  the  army  had  retarded  the  planting  of  the  ■ 
ifland,,  it  is  certain  the  Prote£tar  was  not  (paring  of  expo(l:ulation 
and  good  advice  for  reforming  their  morals  and  conduct.    He  wrote 
e3lprefs^  inftru6lions  to  the  conmiander  in  chief;  in  which,. among., 
ocber  dsing[s^  hpe  fliaugly  recommended  to  form  a  good  body  of. 

horle, , 


^£r  J     A     M     A     r    C    A.     /       [A.D. 'i65&.. 

horfe,  to  hinder  the  Spaniards  from  landing.  He  reprefcntcd,  that, 
if  it  was  known  they  l>ad  five  hundred  horfe  well  appointed,  ready 
to  march  upon  all  occafions  in  the  iflarki,  even  that  alone  might 
deter  the  enemy  from  making  -any  attempt  upon  it.  He  -rebuked 
their  vices  with  the  folemn  air  of  a  rigid  divine.  *<  As  we  have 
*<  caufe,*^  faid  he,  '*  to  be  humbled  ft>r  the  reproof  God  gave  us 
•^*  at  St.  Domingo,  upon  the  account  of  our  fins,  as  well  as  others  • 
*<  fo  truly,  upon  the  reports  brought  hither  to  us  of  the  extreme 
**  avarice,  pride  and  confidence,  diforders  and  ^ebauchednefsj 
**  prophanenefs  and  wickednefs,  commonly  |)raftifed  aniong  the 
<«^  army,  \ve  cannot  only  bevvail  the  fame,  but  dcfire  that  all  with 
"you  may  do  fo,  and  that  Jivery  fpccial  regard  may  be  had  fo  to 
*«  govern  in  time  to  come,  as  that  all  mamier  of  vice  may  be 
"thoroughly  difcountenanced,  and  feverely  punilhed;  and  that 
«  fuch  a  frame  of  government  may  be  exerciledy  that  virtue  and 
"  godlinefs  may  receive  due  encouragenient.  And  whrreas  it  is 
"  too  apparent,  that  a  want  of  due  difciplinc  in  -  the  army,  and 
«•  timely  and  orderly  taking  care  ifi  providing  food  and  refrcihment 
<«  for  it  of  fuch  flelh  and  other  things  as  arc  upon  the  ifland  itfelf, 
*«  hath  been  a-  great  occafion  of  the  ficknefs  and  other  diflempcrs 
"  which  have  fallen  anrong  them;  we  diredl  you  to  put  the. fame 
"•in  an  orderly  way,  as  well  for  the  taking,  killing;  preferving^ 
^  and  dreffing  of  flefti,  as  for  the  fowing  and  planting  of  fuch 
-*'  feeds  and  other  things  as  will  produce  bread  and  other  food ; 
*«  which  will  be  a  means  of  rcftoring  and  prefer ving  the  health  of 
•*  the  foldiers,  and  lay  a  good  foundation  for  eaiing  the  extraor- 
«*  dinary  charge  which  the  commonwealth  is  at  of  fending  pro- 
"  vifions  from  home  to  a  place  which  abounds  with  all  things." 

At  the  fame  time  he  declared  his  intention  of  fending  two  regi* 
ments  of  foot,  confiding  of  at  leaft  twelve  hundred  men,  with  a 
further  fupply  of  neceflary  (lores  ;  and  informed  them,  that  he  had 
already  ordered  four  months  provifion  for  fix  thoufand  men  to  be 
Slipped.  It  is  evident,  then,  that  he  was  not  inattentive  to  the 
welfare  either  of  their  fouls  or  their  bodies;  but  rightly  judged,  that 
immorality  was  a  principal  caufe  of  their  utter  neglcft  of  both. 
Seven  clergymen  had,  at  different  times,  refided  among  them  ;  but 
fix  of  them  either  fell  in  the  common  mortality,  or  bad  returned 

to 


in;catlMrtiqg.th'eirtiieittb  VTO^k^of  piety.;  fincc  they  took  np  pains 
to*  make  them  .praftife  .thofe;  other  duties  which  were  become  ab- 
jfolutcly!  nfcceflary  for. the  prefer vation  .. of  thpic  lives*  Ju  April 
their  iittllo  L  rpmiuot  j^of  .proyifipn  was  begmniag  to  fpoil,  and  the 
quantity.. ^b/ rMuced.*.  that. they  wjerc  apprehenfiy^,  of  total  want^ 
yet  even  this  difraal  profpe<ft  could  not  bring  the  ofgcers  to  a  fenfe 
of  their  condition,  nor  influence  them  to  cultivate  even  fo  much 
provifion  as  might  ferve  for  themfelves  alone.  The  foldiers  looked 
to  the  magazine  for  fubfiftence ;  '^nd,  when  that  began  to  fail, 
they  broke  into  mutiny.  A  party  of  colonel  Buller^s  regiment, 
difconfcentied  with  their bufiriefs^. of  plluitif\g;^^d  th^:  ^odadion^in 
their. al^oOTance.  t)£  bread,  todialf  ^al^ttund  a  day,  which  was  una*- 
voidable,  donfpired  to  revolt  i:  upwards,  of  twenty  .  marched  awj^y 
from  the  quarters;  but  they  were  purfagd,  and  taken  prifoners* 
Thjrefe  of.  the  moft  notorious  leaders  vter^  executed  ; .  and  th«  reft 
pardoned*  ;/Tbis  .example  was.  of  igreat  fcrvice,  as  it  prevented  a 
genersd^defe^ion^^/and  kept;  the  Jdijbn^r^i^^  ^nore  obedient 

t6  difciplirie.' ^';  :  .         :;  •  ' 

The  fortification  at  Cagqayi  or  Pof.t;  Royal  Point,  was  now  al- 
moft  compleated  ;  .  when  the  major-general,  ^yho  was  fick  of  his 
charge,  wearied  out  with,  the irefrftftpry  tem-pei:  of  the  army  and 
UDprofperons  conditioaof'thecplpny,  i^d  impat^entto  be  recalled 
purfuant;.tQ  .hts  Tepeatcd:,  applications,  ireceived  the.  Protedor's 
ordecto  take  upoa  Junl  i^hS'.M^  ^d  .f^pre^^r  command.  So  un«- 
ddirable  a:  preferment  W^js.  not^npiojre,  jvdcome  to  him  tl^an  a  death 
warranto  In  fladrfiv  wfeygn.hc  T'eflejuled  oii  the  impoffibilitysof ,  hia 
fulfilling  the  Protedof*s  inti^nitiftns  yfjth  Ajch  miferable.  ?inftrumejots<j 
of  whofe  jajifitnefs  for  fuch  a^work  he  was  fully  fenfible,^  after,  ^ 
tedious  and  irkfbme  ^  dxpfxi&npe ;  and  perqeived .  bow  -much  the. 
Proteftw  relied  uppn  his-fivgle^^bility;  he  could  not  conquer  bis^ 
diffideacb;  the  chagrin  fo  deeply  preyed  /Upon  his  fpirits,  as  ta 
overwhelm  him) with  mekncholy .; ;  and. he  died  on  the  24th  of 
June,,  within  a  very  f?w  days  aft?er. receiving  the  orders.  The,^?^ 
oerai  i;egcet,  which  appeared  rq  the^fleet  and  ai^y  in  cqi^^equeQCp 
•f  <hif .event,  .was g  cl.ear  i^xjlicationwof  Ijis  worth.  ,  X^e  jhone^y, 
^f  his  hearCj  the  miklnefs  of  his  diipofitlpnt^  ^gqpt^neis  of  iniaii^^ 
Ygl.  I.  L 1  and 


%^  y  A    U    A    1    C    k.  [A.D- >d56. 

atid  conip^nce  of  tmderftanding^  qvi^ificd  him  to  hav«  bem  a 
Aioft  amiable  governor  over  any  welKiettled  and  eftabliil^d  colony. 
But  he  wanted  that  feverkj,  firainefs,  and  ^Mi  ^hich  wer^  re* 
quifite  to  fiibdoe  and  awe  the  ftubbqrn,  reftive,  .  and  i^Ibleiit 
fpirit»^  that  had  long  diftra^ed  the  army  in  Jamaica^  aod  which 
grew  more  intradable^  the  lefi  they  were  x:ontroukd  with  a  vi^ 
gorous  difcipline. 


SECT.    IV. 

A'FTSR  Sef^;ewicke*8  deceafe,  the  military  command  de^ 
volved  again  to  colonel  D^Oyley.  In  all  this  time  na  planters 
^m  the  other  colonies  had  fettled  among  them.  The  Prote€kor*& 
agent  m  New  England  laboured  hard  to  effeft  the  rempval  of  fe-- 
▼eral  families  y  bot  they  at  length  peremptorily  refofed,  aliedging 
iki  excufe  *^  the  prophanenefs  of  the  (bldiety ;  the  great  moctaliQr 
^  in  the  illand ;  ai¥l  the  continual  hazard  to  the  liv<e€  of  any  :peace«^ 
^  able  fcttlers  there,  from  the  fkulking  Negroes  and  Spaoiards.**' 
The  foremoft  di  thefe  reaibns  might  be  thought  to  militate  ibmigly 
againft  the  New-Englanders ;  as  the  reprobates  of  Jamaica  were 
tcrj  proper  iubje^s  to  be  converted  into  the  paths  of  ibbciety  and 
idghteoufnefi  by  the  fptritual  precept  and  example  of  fach  inmm^*- 
£uYate  faints:  but>  it  feems^  they  were  &£isfied  with  toiling  ia> 
fheir  own  vineyard/  and  had  no  ambition  to  becoine  apoftles  tothe- 
ungodly.  Their  other  arguments  were  periiaps  mK>re  fincere^  andi^ 
better  founded.  Thus,  deipifed  and  renounced  by  their  virtuous* 
fieighbour?,thk  finful  generation  found  no comfert  but  in  mutually^ 
iewaiiing  their  own  wretchednei^  ^Vii^  had  planted  litde  or 
nothing,  -but  employed  themfelves  chiefly  in  itari^mg  about  for 
eatables  rf  any  fort,  and  in  brxx>ding  over  their  :wants.  **  There 
^*  are  feme/'  faid  the  vice-admiral,  **  cordi^Iy  and  Avell*afie£ked 
^  meti  in  the  army,  whohave^  noother  ends  but  to ierve  God  aod^ 
**1iis  hrghnefsin  their  employs :  but  there  is  aftother  ibrt,  whodc*^ 
<*-figninWt!hing^but  their  return  to' England;  to  ^whtelveti^  tknof 
•^  have  not  encouraged  huntirig'fbr- even  the- heoeJflai^p^^ 
••the  fBJdi^ry.    Coldhci-  HumrfiVy V reghnent *has^^^ 

•  M'others^ 


i6i(5.J  B6oK    I.       CHAP.    Xr.  SJ9 

<<  Others^  but  little ;  aiid  colonel  Holdip,  who  was  the  BeA*  aiid 
«  moft:  forward  planter,  was,  upon  articles  preferred  by  his  liea- 
^  tenant  colonel  for  detaining  the  dues  of  his  regiment,  cafliiemd 
<^  by  i  Court  martial.  Till  within  thefe  few  days^  die  otfieors 
^<  would  never  confent  that  a  declaration  (hould  bepublifiied  to  alTurc 
«  a  property  in  lands  to  the  privatfe  (bldiers  $  but,  in  (hort,  relblvedt 
"  if  they  muft  plant,  they  ihould  plant  only  sis  thett  fervranlis. 
"  There  are,"  adds  he,  **  ill-favoured  doings  among  dijem,  which 
**  have  concealed  ends.  To  remedy  thefe  diibrders^  tfonic  ing/^^ 
<^  nuous  and  public-fpirited  men  Hiould  be  fent  among  ufi."  . 

Holdip's  activity  having  rendered  htm  very  obaoxioua  to  the  it- 
fentment  of  his  difafiefted  brethren,  it  is  probable  the  cfaac^  pre- 
ferred againft  him,  of  oppreiSon,  was  only  a  fiibterfbge  to  get  r^d 
tif  him.  Aftiet  this  diflniffion,  he  took  his  departure  for  England ; 
where  he  was  well  received  by  the  Protedor*  ASout  the  fame 
-titne,  major  Throckmorton,  for  endeavouring  to  rdife  ibme  diftur- 
bances  in  the  army,  was  brought  to  a  cottct-martiaU  found  guili;y^ 
and  executed  the  very  next  day.  D'Oyley,  who  was  well  ap- 
quainted  with  the  dangerous  intrigues  carrying  on  among  fbtne  in 
the  army,  endeavoured  by  this  execution  to  convince  theoli  that  lie 
wanted  neither  refblutiod  nor  power  to  deal  with  thie  boideft  of 
their  leader^.  The  officers,  who  had  applied  tfaemfelves  with  inoft^ 
dil^ence  to  planting,  were  the  cblondLs,  Harrington,  Holdip,  aal 
Archbould.  The  firft,  whoie  brother  was  one  of  the  lords  of  the 
bed-chamber  to  the  Protestor,  and  his  near  relation,  had  good  in- 
tereft  at  court.  Him  the  faction  were  afraid  to  mark  for  their 
vengeance :  but  they  procured  Holdip  to  be  fbnt  out  of  the  way^ 
as  already  mentioned;  and  they  exhibited  articles  againft  Arch- 
bould,  charging  him  with  a  de(ign  of  revolting  from  the  Prote^tor^ 
and  endeavouring  to  gain  over  the  fleet  to  the  intereft  of  Charles 
Stuart.  Upon  this  ridiculous  accufation,  he  was  brought  before  a 
court-martial :  but,  although  the  cabal  laboured  hard  for  his  con- 
viction, they  were  unable  to  fupport  the  charge  upon  any  plaufible 
evidence ;  and  he  was  honourably  acquitted.  In  fafl:,  the  fdldiers, 
finding  themfelves  reduced  to  the  condition  df  plantation  fervants, 
conceived  a  thorough  diflike  againft  tho&  officers  \^o  forced 
them  to  dig  the  earth  ^s  their  (laves*    The  fadbn  kept  vcp  diis 

L  1  2  ipirit. 


-J 


ito  ■••' J.  :A  .M:  A/I    CcA^  [A.r>i  i65f>- 

'  fpirit,  by  retidcring  their  toil  as  grievt>us  as  p  jflible^'aod  »by  oppofiog 
every  meafbre  that  tended  to  mitigate  the  lervility  of  their  occa* 
patioiiv     With  this  vifew,  they  had  prevented^  as  long  as  they  wci;e 

•  able,  the  adiial  affigning:  of  lands  *  id  propi  iety  to,  t[ieix  men,  \\  hich 
tvould  have  reconciled  them  to  the  bufineUt  2^  h^viixg  fomething  m 
pofiedion  which  they  might  call  their  own;  aiid  hoped,  that  tlic 
ifoldiers  woilld  be  driven,  by. the  extreme  hardship  of  their  cafe,, 
either  to  perform  their  work  with  fo  much  negligence  and  ill-will, 
as4)iight  make  it  uuprodoiSUve  of  any^ood  efipft  ;  or  to  break  out 
into  open  mutiny,  and  compel  their  ger^eral  ta  abandon  the  place. 
D'C^Iey  in  Ibme  meafiire  weakjancd  the  force  of:  this  confederacy 
by  th)e  puniflimeni:  inflidl^d  on  Throckmorton,;  and  by^portioniug 
out  lots  of  land  to  all  the  priyat^e  foldiers,  with  an  aflurance  that 

•  they  fhouid  cultivate  and  eiyoy  thorn  lupmolefted  by  their  officers. 
The  faftion,'  difcoticertcd' .by  this  intrepid  behaviour,,  beoame  vio* 
lently  eni^aged  againfti.D'Oylfi^  ;    byt  were  [teftr^nejd  from  a^y 

•  open  oppofition,'  by  dread  of^.hi*  a<5liv,ity.  and  determined  fpirit:: 
and  they-were.iobligcd'to  vbe  c^jeiij,,  for  the. grefcgt,,  wkh- pri- 
vately, giving. all  the  obftjruftion  in: their  pbwer^to  the  induftry  o£ 
iheir'men,  and  fowing  among  thcna.  thf  leeds-of  difcontent^ 

It  was   fortunate,  xonfidering-  tli*,  tdifi<a6J:ejl  ^ate  of, affairs,  on 

•  flibre,'  th«  the  Spin  lards  wercfhot*in,a;c«^tiqqto  make,  any  at- 

•  fem^t  upolnt'ipheitt;  i'Hi  rdbeafland.  D£.-«Gab^T  hadf  ^^g^  ;the  nio/l 
'  'dreadful  andimd«ali<fiekftefe\knoiv4J.tJiefe.foif'rap:nfy  years.;  which 

fwept  ofF  gr-eat  part  of-the  people, driven  thither-:  from  Jamaica. 
The  inhabitants  there,  fb.  far  from  venturij^  to  d jfpoffefs .  the 
£ngli(h,  were  alttrmed  forr: tWeiii  own  fafety,  :?i>d  bufied  iu. pro- 
viding for  the  defence  of  then:  (nvn  Gbaft.. 'JFor  thif  purpofe,  they 
were  wliolly  taken. :op> /in  C3)id^fi4«9:ieg;  farts,  and;  cafting  brafs 
cannon,  that  ifland^affardiog  feyeraLtniocs,  and  eyery  cotitveniency 
of  wood  and  water  for  canying  on  founderies.. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  Proteftor  was  intent  oii  fending  over  an 
augmentation  of  force,  ^  fed  it  be  fecurity  of  Jamaica.  ,  On  the  ij^th 
of  Odlober^  a- 'regimdnr,  oommidnd^d  by  colonel  William,  Moore, 
•  was  embarked  at  Canrickfergus,  iiiijf  eland:  but^  fopp. after, putting 
to  fea,  they  met  with  fb  violent/ a: ftorjn,  that  |ieutenant-colonel 
Brumpfton,  with  two.  hundred  foliliers,  paf t  of  the  regiment,,  vas 

L  '  .\  unfortunately 


r656.]r    .;^       BOOK    I.      CHAP.      XL  261 

T»nfbrtuttately -caft .  away  on  the  coaft  of  Irelancl.  Colonel  Moore 
was  forced  back  into  Cork  ;  which  port  he  with  difficulty  reached ;. 
the  otheir.trardlpdrts^  luckily  ^fcaped  ^i\4  arrived  fafe,  having  five 
hundred  men  on  board.  About  the  fame  time  lieutenant-gener<it 
Bray ne^i governor  of  Lochabqr,.  in  Scotland^  who  was  appointed 

,'to  fuccced  major-general,  Sedgevvicke,  fet  fail  with  one  thoufand 
snenrfronn  Port  Patrick*  Whiift  this  reinforcement  was  on  its  way 
from  Europe, •  about  fixteen  hundred,  men,  women,,  children,^  and 
fervants,  embarked  at.  Nevis,  under  the  direction  of  Stoke,  gp- 
vernor  of  thatiflaud,  and  proceeded  with  him  in  the  Marnaaduke,^ 
Adanx-aad-Eve,  aiitd  Mary  fly -boat,  which  had  been  difpatched 
irom ,  the  Japiaica  fquadroi>  for.  this-  fervice^  Their  purpole.  was 
.to  fettle  inthatiftwid;.  to  which  end  they  had  ftipulated  ior  ceitain 
preliminary  articles,  which  were  agreed  to  by  the.  commiffioners 
at  Jamrrtca.      Among  other  conditions  granted  them    was    this ; 

•«-  that  mafters.Ibwld^have  the  famd  pK)pprtion  of  land  afligned  for 
M  their: flaves^  a.Si}vriQS:allowed.fi>r  their  hired  or  indented  fervants.'^' 

; .  Fcord '  hidnce  we  may  ionjedlure,  that,  at  tliis  time,  little  or  no 
difference  fubfil^ed.  between  the  condition  of  white  fervants  and. 
Ncgroe  ffaves.  The  example  of  thefe  Nevis  planters  gave  a  fur- 
prizing  turn-  to-  the  fentimeiits-  of  •  the  New-Englanders..  They 
now  began  to^think,  that  -th^-report^  in.  prejudice  of  Jamaica  had. 
beeu'-gf^atly  exaggerated;  and  that  it  muft  be  a  deluable  place- 
which  .:CQuld  attra^Sl  fo  many  perfons,  and  induce  them  to  forfake 
their  eftabliflied  fettlemente.  ,  .   ^ 

In  confequence  of  this,  new  light*  .Gpokipj  tliaPrOtcSar's  agent,, 
began  to  recruit  with  extraordinary  fuecefs,  and  engaged,  three 
huiidnsd  flibflantial  inhabitanls.  of  that  cQl(Qi;iy  to*remov£;  and,..as 

•the  provilioRS  hiirhenbo.;fent  from  England  were  fouisbfl  to  h^v^  .been 

•  ftd<^e«ly  peCMd^d^  in.  their  pafl'age,.  or  daiTiaged,<4:>y  t|icirl9iigth,of 
**  the  voyage,*"  and  that  fimilar  viftuals- could,  with  facuaore  conve- 

•  mence  and>dirpatGh4.be  remitted  hem  thefe. NortlpefnjfQttlempnts  ; 
the*  agentj  iii^purfi>ance.of  orders  .from:  thciProtefipr,.  (hipped  off 
for  Jamaica  nine  hundred  thoufand  pounds  weight  of  biicuit,  apd 
tv^ro- tli(>ufand  five  hundred 'buftiels  of  peafe^t-  wh^ch  were  intended 
chiefly  for  fuppgrtiof  the  new  fcttlers,  imfriediatQly  on  their  ar- 

•  HvaK     This  may  be  confidered  as  the  commencement,  or  rather 

3^  earneft. 


Mz  J    A    W    A    I    C    A.  [A.  D.  1^56. 

earneft,  of*  that  lucrative  trade  which  the  Northern  cbhmxes  have, 
.  in  after-times,  with  lb  much  advantage  to  thefmfelres,  carried  en 
with  Jamaica ;  though  as  yet  but  a  few  vcffels  (and  thofe  were  all 
•from  New-England)  had  entered  there.  Their  cargoes  cdnfifted  of 
ifiour,  peafe,  bread,  brandy,  and  oil;  for  which  they  were  paid  By 
the  vice-admiral  in  prize-goods,  taken  from  the  Spaniards,  Thffi, 
indeed,  can  hardly  defer ve  the  name  of  a  trade;  filice  it  was  con- 
fined entirely  to  fuf plying  the  fleet  with  fbme  necefiaries,  and 
taking  in  return  fuch  articles  as  were  ftot  the  growth  or  produce  of 
the  ifland.  The  furnifliing  of  the  latter  depended  on  the  army; 
and  hithefrto  we  do  not  find  that  they  bent  their  thoughts  diis 
way,  though  the  benefits  arifing  from  it  were  fo  plainly  pointed 
cut  to  them  by  the  comparfctively  better  and  more  abundant  ibb- 
fiftence  which  the  feamen  enjoyed  by  means  of  their  traflic  with 
the  North- Americans.  ^ 

We  |have  a  proof  of  the  flourifliing  ftate  of  Barbadoes  at  this 
time  from  the  account  of  governor  Searle ;  who  tranfnlitted  the 
following  return  to  (ecretary  Thurloe  of  the  military  eftabli&ment 
of  that  colony,  taken  on  the  6th  of  November,  1656 : 

Mm. 
Four  regiinents  of  foot,  confifting  of  -—  ■  4500 
£^ht  troq|>s  of  horie,      ■      i-  ■  ■■     —    —      800 


Total,  5300 
according  ta  which,  it  may  be  fuppoied  their  virhole  number  of 
•white  inhabitants  amounted  to  about  twenty-one  thoufand,  not* 
withftanding  .about  £»ur  thoufand  had  gone  from  thence  on  the 
expedition  to  St.  Domingo,  and  afterwards  to  fettle  in  Jamaica.  It 
is  to  be  obfer^ed^  that  the  mode  of  calculation,  ufually  pra£liied  in 
regard  to  European  provinces,  will  not  anfwer  for  the  Weft-Indian 
iflands,  e^ecially  in  thefe  early  times,  when  their  militia  confiiled 
chiefly  of  ihdented  men  fervants,  moft  of  whbm  were  unmarried  ; 
rfo  that  the  nuinber^f  whi«e  women  bore  no  proportion  to  that  .of 
*the  men. 

This  account  of  Searle* s  is  by  no  means  confiftent  with  Ligan^s^ 
who  fays,  that,  in  the  3rear  1650,  there  were  in  it^ 

4  £flfe£^iv# 


t^S^l  BOOK    L      CHAP.      XL  X63 

E^edivc  foot,    —     lOQOo 
Horfe,    -r-      ;  ■   >       1 00a 


1 1 000 
andiifty  thoufand  white  inhabitaiits  in  all,  men,  women^  and  chil^ 
dren.     But  it  correfponds  better  with  a  Freqch  author,  who  reckons>* 
about  twenty  thouland  in  the  year  1646;  e{pecially  if  it  is  confi^- 
dered^  that^  for  want  of  laud  there,   moft  of  the  indented,,  after 
ferving  out  their  time,   removed  to  St.  Kittys,  aiKl  other  iflands^ 
where  they  could  fettle  more  to  their  fatisfa6tion»     But  even  that: 
total  muft  appear  ama?ipgly  great : .  nor  is  it  eafy  to  conceive  by 
what  means-  i;hat'  |flan49  which  is  not  fb  large  as  fome  of  the  pa^ 
riihes  in  Jamaica,  became  fa .  well  i^ocked  lyith  white  inhabitants « 
ipfoihorl  a  time.    Some,. indeed;  hacve  ^fcribed  it  to  the  eneou^- 
ragement  given  their  iervants ;;  to  each  of  whom,  when  they  had 
ierved  their  indentures^  lots  of  ten^cres  were  adigned,  on  whiclv 
they  were  enabled  to.  fubfiil  cqmfoitahly  ;<.  and  carried  on  aiinanu^ 
faj9:ure  of  cotton  hammocks,  which  ierved  ag  an  ^iticle  of  export^ 
to  the  neighbouring  iftands^    But  to  return.     General  Brayne  in^ 
his  paflage  touched  at  Barbadoes;;  where  he  txx>k«  care  to  publifh^ 
the  Protedlor*s  ardent  zeal  for  the  efiedlual  peopling. of  Jamaica;, 
difplayed  thp  many  advantages  of  that  fine  iflind  in  the  moft  al- 
Ipripg  light ;.  hinted  at*  the  immunities^  intended  to  be  conferred  otp 
all  thofe  who-lhould  removes  thither <  to  fettle  ;*  and  perfuaded  fbme 
of  the  moft  confiderable  planters  topromife  that  they  would^  follow, 
him  fo  iboa  as  they  could  fettle  their  aflfairs^.   Satisfied"  with  this- 
siflurance,  he  let  them  know  how  agreeable  their Tefpktion  would! 
be  to  the  Prote£lor ;  and  how.  (ince rely  he  himfelf  was  difpofed  ta« 
Knder  them  every  fervice  and  protedion  in  his  power;     And,'., 
ha^ng  fo  far  executed  his  commi(Iipn,.he  groceedled  on  his  voy;!^». 


SECT.     V.\ 

BRAYNE  arrived  at  Jamaica  on  the  14th  of  December  ;•  and' 
about  the  fame  time  came  feveral  tranfports  with  the  Scotch  landl 
troops*    The  late  governor  of  Nevis  and .  his  pa rt^  had,  by/ 

advice^' 


264  'JAMAICA*.--      [A,D.  i6f;j 

advice  of  vice-admiral  Goodfon,  dfeter6iiiied  to  feat  themfelves  at 
Port  Moraiite.  Goodfon  probatly  made  choicd  of  this  place,  for 
the  richnefs  of  the  foil  thereabouts,  and  the  excellence  of  the  har- 
bour, being  capable  of  receiving  forty  or  fifty  fail  of  (hips :  but  the 
Spaniards  had  always  declared  it  to  be  a  very  unwholefome  part  of 
the  country;  and  fuch  it  proved  to  the  Nevis  planters.-  Oh  their 
fijft  landing  there,  a  very  heavy  rain  fell ;  which  gave  rife  to  imme- 
diate fKknefs  among  them.  Unhappily  too,  they  were  obliged  to 
live  in  tents;  which  not  fufficiently  fcreening  them  from  the 
weather,  they  were  afflidted  with  fevere  colds  and  fevers.  Thefe 
•diforders  gathered  flrength,  for  want  of  proper  con^^eniences  and  re- 
medies for  the  fick ;  infomuch  that  three  hundred  Of  them  dierf- 
between  the  day  of  their  landing  and  the  .9th  of  January  fo!- ' 
lowing.  .However,  the  furvivors  went  on  chearfully  with  their 
fettlement.  A  party  of  the  Scotch  and  Irifli  troops  were  ftationed 
there  Jor  their  prote(9:ion;  and  the  ground- work  of  a  fort  was  be- 
gun at  the  mouth  of  the  harbour.  ,  Brayrie  found  the  army  at  his 
arrival  in  good  bealtb,  ,  but  extremely  difinclined  .  to  planting. 
He  learned  from  D\Oyley,  that  the  caufe  of  this  originated  from 
the  dilcouragement  continually  thrown  ^n  the  way  by  their  offi- 
cers ;  and  therefore  very  wifely  gave  leave  to  the  moil  turbulent^ 
difcontented.,  ai>d  worthlefs  among  them,  to  return  to  England ; 
a|i  offer  which  they  ,mofl:  willingly  embraced.  The  general  had 
gpod  reafon  to  be  pleafed  with  this  meafure ; .  for,  after  their  depar- 
ture, the  foWiers,  .now  no  longer  perverted  from  hufbandry,  ap- 
plied themfelves  readily  to  work.  The  condition,  however,  of  the 
colony,  though  fo  far  reformed,  was  ftill  in  no  very  promifing  way  : 
tbcy  were  in  want  of  an  able  engineer,  of  money,  and  medicines. 
The  flores  of  the  latter  ipecies  were  entirely  fpent ;  and,  what  waa 
worte,  tlieir  provifions  in  the  magazine  almoft  confumed.  The 
foldiers  had  managed  their  plantations  with  fo  little  (kill  or  atten- 
tion, that  they  were  deferted  almoft  as  foon  as  formed.  Having 
failed  in  their  firft  crop,  the  general  was  obliged  to  fend  for  a  fupply 
of  feeds  and  plants  from  the  Windward  iflands.  The  foldiers^ 
according  to  cuftom,  when  their  fubfiftence  was  reduced,  began  to 
grow  mutinous:  their  officers,  reproached  them  as  the  caufers  of 
their  own  mdfery,  by  their  wilful  remilTnefs   and  obftiuate  floth  j 

the 


1 657-]  BOOK     I.        CHAP.    XL  265 

the  foldiers  complained  of  feverities  and  oppreflion  impofed  upon 
them  ;  and  thus  nothing  but  mutual  animofities  prevailed.  The 
general  difcovered  flagrant  negleSs  of  duty  on  both  fides;  and 
wiihed  for  perfons  better  affeded  to  the  undertaking.  He  now 
Mkewife  perceived,  that  the  planters  of  Barbadoes  had  deluded  him 
with  empty  promifes  of  quitting  that  ifland  for  Jamaica.  The 
principal  men  in  the  Windward  colonies  were,  in  fad,  entirely 
averfe  to  emigration  ;  believing,  that  the  departure  of  fettlers  from 
among  tliem  muft  infallibly  diminiih  the  profits  of  their  annual 
excife  on  produce,  which  were  wholly  applied  to  public  ufes,  fuch 
as  building  and  repairing  their  fortifications,  and  the  like;  for 
which  they  had  no  other  fund.  Befides,  their  governors  had  rea- 
fons  equally  cogent ;  for,  as  their  falary  arofe  from  a  poll-tax  le* 
vied  on  all  the  inhabitants,  fo  it  was  rightly  apprehended,  that  the 
depopulation  of  their  refpeflive  colonies  muft  neceflarily  lelTen  their 
income.  They  joined  therefore  cordially  with  the  planters  in  every 
effort  and  argument  that  might  influence  the  people  againft  re* 
forting  to  Jamaica,  which  they  defcribed  as  no  other  than  a  certain 
grave  to  all  who  Ihould  fet  foot  upon  it.  By  thefe  arts,  the  inha- 
bitants were  fo  efFeilually  deterred,  that  even  fervants,  who  had 
worked  out  the  term  of  their  indentures,  and  could  not  procure 
land  in  Barbadoes,  chofe  to  remove  into  any  of  the  adjacent  fmall 
iflands,  and  purchafe  fettlements,  or  hire  themfelves  to  hard  la- 
bour, rather  than  go  to  Jamaica,  where  land  was  to  be  had  without 
cxpence. 

The  vice-admiral  had  failed  for  England  with  about  nine  Ihips 
of  the  fleet ;  and  Brayne,  not  liking  his  fituation,  importuned  the 
Protector,  that  he  might  be  recalled  at  the  expiration  of  one  year's 
fervice  in  his  government ;  adding,  that  **  neither  his  body  nor  his 
"  purjfe  could,  pofiibly  hold  out  there  beyond  the  twelvemonth.*' 
Several  difheartening  circumftances  occurred  befides  what  have 
already  been  noticed,  and  contributed  to  make  him  difgufted  with 
the  command.  He  had  conceived  great  hopes  from  the  induftry  of 
the  Nevis  planters  fettled  at  Morante  ;  and  imagined,  that  the  ex- 
ample of  their  liiccels  would  not  only  prove  an  incentive  to  the 
drones  of  the  army,  but  induce  many  perlbns  to  remove  from  the 
other  iflands,  anddiiTipate  their  ill-grounded  fears*  But,  about  the 
Vol.  L  Mm  latter 


266  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  i6s7. 

latter  end  of  February,  governor  Stokes  and  his  wife  died,  leaving* 
three  fons,  the  eldeft  of  whom  was  not  more  than  fifteen  years  old. 
The  governor  was  advanced  in  age  when  he  left  Nevis ;  and  had 
been  at  fo  much  expence  in  the  removal^  that  his  fortune  was 
greatly  impaired  by  it.  In  his  laft  moments  he  earneftly  recom- 
mended his  family  to  Brayne  and  the  Protestor,  who  afterwards 
beftowed  a  commiffion  in  the  army  on  his  eldeft  fon.  Either  this 
gentleman,  or  one  of  his  brothers,  formed  a  very  good  plantation, 
which  ftill  continues  with  their  defcendants.  Near  two  thirds  of 
thefe  unfortunate  planters  at  Morante  were  buried  before  the  month' 
of  March ;  the  reft  were  reduced  to  a  fickly  condition  and  the 
danger  of  ftarving,  for  want  of  ftrength,  either  to  gather  in  their 
crops  of  provifions  already  come  to  maturity >  or  to  plant  anew.. 
About  a  third  alfo  of  the  reinforcement,  which  came  with  the  ge- 
neral,  was  dead  ;  and  many  of  the  remainder  fick  ;  the  laft  month's- 
provlfion  for  the  army  and  fleet  was  delivered  from  the  magazine  ;. 
and  famine  began  to  ftare  them  in  the  face.  The  old  foldiers, 
however,  were  in  good  health  r  they  had  planted  confiderablyi 
during  the  laft  two  months  ;  and  fome  were  employed  in  making 
fait,  to  load' back  the  New-England  vidlualers,  whofe  arrival  wii& 
daily  expeded.  But  they  went  on  not  many  wieeks  longer  iiy 
thefe  occupations ;  when  their  provifion  became  totally  expended^ 
Their  allowance,  indeed^  when  laft  apportioned,  was  fbfcanty,  tliat 
the  greater  part  of  them  had  devoured,  in  one  week,  their  vvhola 
month's  fubfiftence.  They  now  learnt,  that  no  further  fuppHcs^ 
were  likely  to  come  from  North-America  ;  for  the  New-England 
merchants,  difliking  a  paynaent  by  army  and  navy  bills,  hcfitated 
to  fend  any  more  vi6lualers  till  they  could  be  affured  of.  a  more  - 
fubftantial  return.  Their  condition  grew  rather  worfe  than  ever  it- 
had  been ;  for  the  feamen  were  equally  diftreffed  for  food,,  a  cir*- 
cumftance  which  had  not  happened  before..  The  foldiers^  in  this 
extremity,  relapfcd  into  ficknefs,  and  were  reduced  almoft  to 
defpair :  they  were  not  only  deftittite  of  aliment  to  fupport  na- 
ture, but  of  cloathing  to  proteft  them  from  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather;  feveral  periflicd  with  hunger;  numbers  rambled  about 
bare- footed  ;  and  fome  had  fcarcely  rags  enough  to  cover  their 
nakednefs.     The.  general  did  everything,  in  his  power  for  them^ 

He 


t657-]  B  O  O  K    I.      C  H  A  P.    XL  167 

He  employed  a  German,  very  expert  in  the  bufinefs,  to  catch  wild 
cattle ;  the  ableft  of  the  foldlers  were  drawn  from  their  planta- 
tions, and  fent  a  hunting ;  and  both  the  officers  and  feamcn  of  the 
fleet  were  equally  compelled  to  hunt  and  fifh,  that  they  might 
fave  themfelves  from  ftarvhig.  The  fait  manufafture  was  fuf- 
pended,  not  only  becaufe  they  could  not  attend  to  it  as  ufual,  but 
the  year  had  proved  fb  rainy,  that  very  little  could  be  made  of  that 
article.  The  weather,  lb  unfavourable  to  their  fait- work,  was  at- 
tended with  the  beft  cfFefts  on  their  plantations ;  where  the  provi- 
(ion  came  up  in  fuch  abundance,  as  to  promife  a  vaft  crop.  This, 
in  fome  meafure,  revived  their  fplrits,  though  it  did  not  relieve 
their  prefent  neccffity.  In  the  mean  time,  the  remnant  of  the 
lettlers  at  Morante,»having  recovered  their  healths,  and  got  in  their 
harveft,  were  exempted  from  the  calamities  which  opprefled  the 
other  inhabitants,  and  proceeded  in  their  labours  with  great  ardour 
and  fuccefs.  In  the  month  of  March,  fome  of  the  hunting  parties 
intercepted  two  Spaniards,  and  conduced  them  to  the  head- 
quarters. From  the  depofition  of  thefe  prifoners,  intelligence  was 
obtained,  that  the  greateft  part  of  the  Spaniards  had  been  carried 
off  to  Cuba,  in  boats  dilpatched  by  the  governor  there  for  that 
purpofe  ;  that  twelve  Spanifli  families,  confiding  of  about  two 
hundred,  men,  women,  and  children,  remained  in  Jamaica,  and 
two  hundred  Negroes  difperfed  in  the  woods ;  and  that  the  Spa- 
niards habitation  was  at  Oriflan. 

Although  they  were  glad  to  find  that  the  number  of  the  enemy 
remaining  in  the  ifland  was  fo  contemptible,  yet  they  were  not 
without  fome  dread  of  attack  from  a  much  larger  body,  which 
they  heard  was  preparing  to  make  a  defcent.  Their  wretched  fi- 
tuation  at  this  time  left  no  hope  of  being  able  to  oppofe  an  army 
of  invaders  well  provided.  But,  feeble  as  they  were,  a  party 
marched  to  diflodge  the  Spaniards  at  Oriftan ;  which  exploit  was 
very  foon  performed ;  for  the  Spaniards,  chaced  from  place  to  place, 
thought  of  nothing  more  than  faving  their  lives,  by  retreat  and 
concealment,  until  they  fhould  find  an  opportunity  of  conveying 
themfelves  away  to  Cuba.  The  general  thought  proper  to  fend 
home  the  Bear  and  Succefs  frigates  exprefs,  with  a  detail  of  mif- 
fortunes,  and  to  folicit  immediate  afllftance.     On  board  thefe  (hips 

M  m  2  fome 


268  JAMAICA,  [A.D.  1657. 

ibm€  of  the  officers  were  allowed  to  remit  feveral  tons  of  fuftic  and 
other  woods  and  cocnmoditiest  for  fale,  on  their  own  accounts,  at 
the  Englifli   market.     This  was  the  firft  fample  of  produce  ex- 
ported from  their  eftates.     As  the  year  advanced,  their  crops  of 
corn  and  other  provifion  grew  to  maturity  ;  and  thefe,  with  the 
wild  cattle  and  hogs  brought  in  by  different  parties,  afforded  a  very 
comfortable  relief.      The  foil  yielded  fo  aflonifhing  an   increafe, 
that  the  whole  army  now  faw,  in  the  flrongefl  light,  the  necefiity 
and  advantage  of  attending  to  their  plantations ;   and,   concluding 
that  no  further  fupplies  of  bread  would  be  fent  from  England, 
they  applied  themfelves  very  earneflly  to  agriculture!     They  ex* 
tended  their  fettlements  fo  rapidly,   that  the  general  hoped  in  a 
Ihort  time  the  fleet  would  be  tlie  only  charge,  to  the  ftate,  except 
the  maintenance  of  five  hundred  men,  who  were  judged  neceflary 
to  be  kept  on  conflant  duty,  for  the  fafeguard  of  the  ifland.     The 
aftiyity  of  the  officers  now  feemed  to  form   a  perfect  contraft  to 
their  pafl  indolence  :  they  were  all  become,  in  the  phrafe  of  the 
Wefl-Indies,  red-hot  planters.     Among  the  foremoft  was  colonel 
Francis  Barrington,  already  fpoken  of.     This  gentleman,   and  his 
whole  regiment,  were  exceedingly  induftrious.,    He  had  formed  a 
very  fine  plantation  of  provifions  and  tobacco.     He  had  alfo  a  large 
nurfery  of  fugar-canes  in  a  thriving  condition;  and  intended,  when 
they  were  fit  for  tranfplanting,  to  ercdl  a  fugar-mill.      He  was 
mafler  of  a  good  drove  of  cattle,  and  above  thirty  (heep.     In  (hort, 
he  was  fo  well  pleafed  with  his  fettlement,  that  he  determined  to 
profecute  it  vigoroufly  ;  and  declared  to   his  friends  at  home,  that 
there  was  no  ifland  in  America  where  a  fettler  could  enjoy  equal 
advantages,   mentioning,  among  others,  that  he  could  buy  a  horfe 
in  Jamaica  for  forty  fhillings,  which  in  Barbadocs  would  coft  forty 
pounds.     Thiscircumftance  fliews  the  great  plenty  of  thefe  animals 
then  in  the  ifland,  notwithftanding  the  numbers  which  the  army 
had  deftroycd  or  eaten.     It  likewife  produces  a  refledion,  that  the 
colony  migljt,  even  at  this  time,  have  been  brought  forward  into  a 
very  flourifhing   ftate,  if  the  other  officers  had  exerted  the  fame 
fpirit  and  good  fenle  as    were  manifefted   by  colonel  Barrington. 
Profperity,  the  common   attendant  upon  induftry,  now  began  to 
dawn  upon  them ;  and  the  arrival  of  a  fleet,  with  fome  vi£lualers 

from 


i6s7^]  BOOK!      C  H  A  P.     XI.  i6g 

from  England,  about  the  beginning  of  July,  proved  a  large  addi- 
tion to  their  comforts.  Yet  the  planter  foldiers,  it  mud  be  owned, 
were  reduced  to  a  life  of  too  much  labour;  for  their  officers,  dif- 
cerning  the  emoluments  to  be  gained  by  the  produce  of  fo  ex- 
cellent a  foil,  were  apt  to  impofe  the  fame  kind  of  work  upon 
them  as  what  the  Negroe  labourers  were  afterwards  employed  in. 
This  was  found  much  too  fevere  for  their  broken  conftitutions, 
and  moved  the  general  to  propofe,  that  the  Proteftor  Ihould  fend 
over  a  number  of  indented  fervants,  or  a  fupply  of  Africans,  giving 
as  a  reafon,  **  that  their  mafters,  having  by  this  means  an  intereft 
•'  in  their  fervants,  would  be  more  careful  of  them,  and  work 
*'  them  more  moderately  ;  by  which  many  lives  would  be  faved, 
«  and  the  plantations  more  forwarded."  This  clearly  iniinuates^ 
that  he  thought  the  foldiers  had  been  urged  to  labour  beyond  their 
ftrength  ;  and  that  many  had  periflied  from  this  caufe,  whofe  deaths 
were  regarded  by  their  officers  with  indifference,  as  the  lofs  fell  on 
the  ftate  or  public,  and  not  on  them. 

The  officers  went  on  for  fome  time  in  a  very  peaceable  mood*, 
until   an  affair  occurred   which  adminiftered  matter  for  frefh  dif- 
content.     The  colonels  Duller  and  Humphry,  captains   Vavafibr, 
Fleetwood,   and  others,  who  had  gone  to  England,  were  immedi- 
ately on  arrival  paid  their  whole  arrears.     When  the  news  of  this 
reached  the  ears    of  their   brethren  in   Jamaica,    the   latter   wer« 
highly  offended,     and   reproached  the    Protedlor   with   unjuft  par- 
tiality ;    obferving,  that  fuch  officers  as  had  left  the  ifland,  and  me- 
rited difgrace  and  punifhment,  for  tlreir  mifbehaviour  and  oppofition 
to  public  tneafures,    were  well    received  and  rewarded  at  home  ; 
whilft  they  who  remained  behind,  ftruggling  with  difeafe,  famine, 
and  every  Ipecies  of  hardfhip,  were  neither  fupplied  with  fitting 
neccflaries  at  the  flate's  expence,   nor  paid  their  juft  arrears,  which 
were  very  confiderable.     It  is  certain,  there  was  but  too  much  truth 
in  thofe  allegations ;  nor,  I  think,  can  any  other  reafons  be  affigned 
for  this  proceeding,  than*  ti)at  the  Protector,  in  the  low  ftate  of  his 
treafury,  thought,  of  the  two,  it  would  be  more  prudent  to  fatisfy 
the  demands  of  the  returned  officers,  whofe  clamours,  and  intereft 
with  the  reft  of  the  army  at  home,   might   be  troublefome  to  his 
repofe  ;  and  to  delay  payment  of  tliofc  left  in  Jamaica,  whofe  re- ^ 

motenefs 


,270  JAMAICA.  [A.  D;  1657. 

motenefs  prevented  their  complaints  frpm  becoming  fo '  immediate 
marks  of  public  notice,  and  who  were  not  fo  capable  of  giving 
difturbance  to  his  government  at  home.     The  officers  in  Jamaica^ 
.provoked  by  this  ill  treatment,  were  all  extremely  urgent  to  cmbart 
.diredtly  for  England,  that  they  too  might  receive  their  pay,  and 
engage  in  the  military  operations  carrying  on  in  Flanders.     In  this 
emergency,  the  general,  in  hopes  of  dividing  their  retblutions,  em- 
ployed what  little   money  he  could   command  in  buying  off  the 
.married  men ;  to  whom,   in  confideration  of  their  families,   and 
greater  expenccs  of  living,   he  paid  the  fourth  part  of  their  dues. 
This  preference,  though  it  rendered  the  married  officers  more  tran- 
quil, and  wore  to  them  an  appearance  of  equitable  dealing,  afforded 
additional   fubjeft-matler   to   the   reft    for  diflatisfaftion ;    for  the  . 
^batchelors  argued,  that,  if  any  predileftion  was  due  to  either  party, 
.themfelves  were  better  entitled  to  it,  becaufe  their  pay  would  re- 
turn home  again  in  remittances  of  caffi  or  goods,  or  in  the  purchafe 
of  Negroe  fervants ;   whereas  the  married  men  gave  all  their  pay 
to  their  wives,  who  ipent  it  in  cloaths  and  viftuals,  without  any 
adequate  benefit  to  the  commonwealth.     Thus  the  general,  having 
difunited  thefe  parties,  and  difcharged  himfelf  from  being  the  fole 
obje£t  of  clamour,  found  means,  but  not  without  difficulty,  to  pa* 
xify  the  moft  turbulent,  by  reprefenting  his  own  indigence,  which 
.prevented  him  from  inftantly  gratifying  all  their  wants,  and  by  af- 
furances  of  laying  before  the  Proteftor  the  hardfliip  of  their  cafe, 
in  order  to   their  obtaining   the  moft    ample   redrefs ;   to  enfure 
which,   he  advifed  them  to  a  fiibmiffive  and  peaceable  demeanour* 
After  this  ftorm  was  blown  over,   he  proceeded  vigoroufly  towards 
carrying  on  a  new  town,  which  he  had  projected  at  Port  Royal 
Point.     Here  he  eredted  all  the  ftore-houfes  for  the  army  and  fleet, 
.and  dcfigned  it  as  the  chief  place  of  future  trade.     He  eftablifhed 
a  governor  at  Tortudas,  in  order  to  hinder  the  French  from  occu- 
pying that  ifland,  who  had  in  contemplation  to  form  extenfive  falt- 
works  there.      Obfcrving  many  of  the  private  foldiers   lazy  and 
unfettled,    in   expeftation  of  being  conftantly  maintained  at  the 
public  charge,  he  difmiffed  them  the  fervice.     In  fliort,  he  omitted 
nothing  in  his  power  that  could  render  the  colony  more,  populous 
and  thriving.     The  inceflant  application  of  his  mind  and  bodj  to 

thefc 


i657l  BOOK    I.      CHAP.    XL  o^r 

thele  objefls  harrafled  him  fo  feverely,  that  he  had  not  time  to  ufe 
proper  remedies  for  recovery  of  his  health,  which  had  fuffered  by 
violent  fevers.     His  ufual  fpccific  on  thefe  occaiions  was   copious- 
blood-letting ;.  which  in  this  chmate   only  ferved  to  weaken  his 
conftitution,  and  accelerate  his  end.     He  died  on  the  2d  of  Sep- 
tember, after  ten  months  refidence  ;,  during  whichj  he  had  enjoyed 
but  very  few  intervals  from  ficknefs  and  uneafinefs;.  and  was  bu^ 
ricd,  with  all  the  pomp  and  folemnity  the  circumftances  of  the  cof 
loay  could  admit  of,  in  the  church  of  St.  JagOide  la  Vega.     Brayne 
was  a  native  of  Scotland,   and  feems  to  have  been  tindtured  with 
Ibme  fmall  portion  of  national  prejudice.     Not  long  before  his  de^- 
ceafe,   colonel  Moore  arrived   from. Ireland,,  with,  the  remainder  of 
his  regiment.    Moore  did  not  much  like  his  new  place  of  refidence.. 
The  chief  caufe  of  his  impatience  was,  that  he  had  been  obliged, 
to  leave  a  plantation  in  the  province  of  Ulfter,  in  Ireland,  which  he 
feared  would  go  to  ruin  during  his  abfence.     He  therefore  prcfled- 
very  earneftly  for  leave  to  return  ;   but,  Brayne  refufing  him  with, 
fome  degree  of  petulance,  he    grew  indecently  outrageons,.  nor 
could  fupprefs  his  paflion,  till  the  general  threatened  to  put  him, 
under  arrcft,  and  briyg  him  to  a  court-martial,  for  mutiny.     In  re- 
prefenting.  this  affair  to  the  Protedor,  the  general  infinuated,  *«  that 
**  the  officers  from  Ireland  put  the  ftate  to  great  charge,  and  do. 
^*  little  fer vice  ;'*  a  cenfurc,  which  certainly  was.  too  indefinite  to 
be  juft.     Abftrafbcd  from  this,  which,  in  a  favourable  conftrudion,. 
we  may  impute  to  a  haflinefs  of  temper,  and  the  flill  glowing  fire, 
of  rcfentment  kindled  by  the  late  affront,  I  do  not  perceive  any. 
blemifh  in  his  charafter.     He,  was  unqueftionably  a  good  foldier,, 
an^  honed  man,   and  moft  indefatigable  in  the  execution  of  that 
duty  to   which   he   was  appointed.     By  his  judicious  ftep  at   firft 
letting  outi  in   removing  thofe  faftious  officers  who  had  occafioned. 
fo  much  trouble  to  Sedgewicke,  and  by  his  fpirited  behaviour  and: 
prudent*  meafurcs  after^vards^    he  won  the  affeftions  of  the  army,, 
brought  them  to  arelilh  for  induftry,  and  advanced  further  than 
all  his  predeceflbrs  towards  eftablifhing  the  colony  upon  the  two  ^ 
effenlial  fupporters,  planting  and  commerce,     f'or  thefe  reafons,  he. 
was-  moft.  defcrvediy  rcfpedted  while   living,   and  lamented  when; 
dead. . 

S  E  C  T.. 


2^2  JAMAICA..        [A.D.  1657. 


SECT,    VI. 

THE  fupreme  command,  upon  Brayne's  deceafc,  again  fell  to 
colonel  D'Oyley ;  who,  diflatisfied  with  leveral  fruitlcfs  applications 
to  be  appointed  a  permanent  governor,  and  not  well  pleafed  that  he 
had  been  fo  repeatedly  lupurfeded,  very  ferioufly  addreffed  the  Pro- 
tector for  leave  to  return  home  ;  and  prayed  him  to  confer  the  poft 
on  colonel  Barrington,  whom  he  recommended  as  a  man  of  known 
integrity,  competent  abilities,  fufficient  experience  of  the  place, 
defirous  of  continuing  on  it,  and  of  a  genius  ftrongly  inclined  to 
planting.  Though  it  feems  probable  from  hence,  that  he  now  en- 
tered with  fome  reluctance  into  the  vacant  office  of  governour.; 
yet  his  conduct  in  the  fequel  proves,  that  he  was  every  way  equal 
to,  and  worthy  of  it.  The  change  had  fcarcely  taken  place,  be- 
fore they  gained  certain  intelligence,  that  the  Spaniards,  in  purfu* 
ance  of  a  plan  formed  by  the  viceroy  of  Mexico,  were  making 
preparations  to  attack  them.  There  was  now  an  abfolute  neceffity 
for  keeping  all  the  officers  and  men  to  a  ftri<Sl  military  duty  ;  none 
could  iiifely  bje  fpared.  Their  vigilance  was  redoubled;  and,  by 
D*Oylcy's  good  difpofitions,  a  letter  of  inftrudlion  from  Don  Peter 
Bayona,  governor  of  Cuba,  to  ferjeant-major  John  de  Jos  Reyes,  a 
Spanifti  officer,  was  intercepted,  together  with  other  material  pa- 
pers, relative  to  their  intended  enterprize.  The  ferjeant-major, 
among  other  particulars,  was  ordered  to  choofe  out  a  convenient 
fpot  for  his  head-quarters,  adjoining  to  fome  watering  place,  and 
•fituated  high,  for  the  enjoyment  of  frefti  air,  and  prefervation  of 
health ;  to  begin  his  aflault  upon  that  quarter  which  had  the 
fmalleft  force  to  defend  it,  viz.  Port  Morante,  where  he  underftood 
the  Nevis  planters  refided  with  a  very  inconfiderable  guard  of 
foldiers,  and  thofe  much  difcontented  ;  that,  as  to  the  manner  of 
fighting,  it  ihould  be  in  parties,  having  the  main  body  near  at  hand, 
to  fuftaiu  them  ;  that,  in  thefirft  engagement,  and  during  the  heat 
►of  it,  they  ought  to  be  very  bloody,  but  afterwards  ihould  offer 
quarter,  and  free  paffagc  to  Cuba,  and  thence  to  Spain;  that  all 

2  fuch 


-r^.l  • . '  J         »0  OK  :  L;     OH  A  p.  ^  XL  ^73 

-ftohafe'ddfiisecl  itiltbiiW  bfritMifots^  with,  civility ,  and  for  8his  jmr- 
jpoft  tickets  might  .bexliipdifcNl'tai^toi:^;!^  by  £)me  >t^ii%  iriQf* 
yfcirtrer.    "  •  "         i.:     .  .   .  ■' 

.  •  As  to  the  nianncT'of  thechiatcb^  he  W^s  dire^Sted  to  forih;  tbe 

vanwrth'eight^mufi^iieteotfSy  ilieaded  by  an  able  feijeant>  anid  place 

•Yhefaiiie  number 'befoVe^ebbh'.ilaiik,  at  a  good:diftanee)fi;om  the 

.raain-body;  wh&fe  iMofin^i&irlt  ihoirldrbe   oaxcfuUy'  to  explore  ^1 

^anibufcades,' arid  upon  idifc^vdring  any  to  fire  upon  Ithem^  jatKi  ere-^ 

-treat  fighting 'to  the  main  body*    -And  becaufe  he  had  notice  that 

the  Eilglifh  poiiefied  abbve^urteen  hundred  fiaves,  and  rthat  thoft 

.of  the  Spanith  Negroes  wctb  fHlI-fEiehful  adherents  to  the  intoreft 

of  their  tltimafbfs^   Uie  .fej^atk-fnajor  was  enjoinekl  j?o  et^^ 

'to  introduce  ibmie  of  thefe  Negtdes  ^among  the  fEnglifh  ilaves^  that, 

^faycpromifes  of  gpod  cbnditiphs,  tbeylmight  be  ^^ridaded^rto  sdefwt 

;  their:  owners,  or  .at  kafb  b^ci-s^y  the  £ngli{h  quarters :   but  he  ad- 

vifcd  to  proceed  herein  wich  great  circumfpeSrion,  becaufe  of  the 

-  little  .cotifidence  idiat  cotild  fafdy  be  repofedtin  ipch  kin^ofjsAlm. 

The-  tefx>r  of  (hefe  in(lrui£)jbns:waf  an'  evidence  of  that  caution 

and  iagacity  for   which  the  Spaniards  are  fo  rematkablew     The 

choice  of  ^ficaation^^iiitdi)  out  for  the  hea<i-qtihh:efs,  is  cdnfer*- 

mable  to  the  difpofition  thefe  prudent  p60f)le  ha^ein  general  (hewn 

•ill   building  their'  Wfeft-India   towns,    except  where  thtey  found 

themfelves  obliged  for  the(bke  of  t^ade,  or  fome  other  very  co- 

-gent  r^afoii^'  .to  deviate  from  it.      Indeed  every  part  of  the(e  in- 

.fbu^tions  iafibids  '^  aifefiil  lefibn  to  the  inhatiitaiit8)df  our  Et^lifli 

'  WefV^lhdia  colouies ;  :and  it  is  on  this  account  chiefly^  that  I  hdveiu- 

^terwGvien  them  with  my  narrative,   in  which  I  (hall  now  proceed* 

The  aximy  had  no  fooner  taken  iall  proper  meafures  which  this  in-- 

.teU^mpe  naturally  fuggeftbd,  than  they  were  informed  that  Don 

/Amoldo  Saiiyd^  x)ld  governor  of  Jamaica,   was  landed,  and  pre* 

jparing  toaflift  In  the  *  meditated  conqueft.    'He  had  brought  with 

.him  ail  the  furviving  natives  that  had  formefly  retired  ' to  Cuba, 

-and  were  able  to  bear  arms*     Me  was   Ukewife  ^ndeavouiriag  to 

coIIe£t  the  other  fcattered  parties  from  their  comical ments  in  the 

"ifiafad,  in 'order  to  difoipline  them :  but  tHey  Were^fo'pufilfanimoufy 

and' had  fa  little  of  martial  .^irit,  that  they  fodb  begjian  to  miufifate 

^tUb  ferviee,  and  to  dq&rt^^i^ 'him  as  faft  ias^tlM^  -^otfld,    Inoenfed 

Vol.  L  N  n  at 


\ 


274  J    AM    A    I    C    A;         [A.  D;  1657. 

at  their  cowardice,  he  iffutd  a  proclamation,  that  none  fliouid  leave 
the  ifland  on  pain  of  death ;  and,   for  their  encouragement  to  ftand 
their  ground,  he  affured  them,  he  was  in  daily  expedation  of  fix 
hundred  foidiers  from  Carthagena;     The  governor  of  Cuba  was 
not  behind-hand^  in  feveritj.    He  threatened  to-  hang  up,  without 
mercy,  every  man  of  them  that  Ihould  pafs  over  to  his  territory*  - 
But  their  timid  behaviour  convinced  him,  that  the  ifland  was  ^  onlfr 
to  be  regained  by  regular  troops,  and  that  none  of  theie  pokrooas  * 
were  to  be  depended  on  in  time  of  aAion ;  and  he   thought-  ne>*  - 
ceflary  to  apprize  Safi   of  this,  opinion', .  that  he  might  not  ri(que 
the  failure  of  their  plan   by  relying  too  much   upon-fuch^  men.. 
Excltifive  of  the-  reinforcement  from  Carthagena,  ^eight  hundred 
regulars.  Were. expected  from  Old  Spain;-   So  that^^Don  Arnoldo  be- 
gan to  plume  himself  on  the  fure  profpe£l  of ^  a  glorious,  fviftory  ;  • 
and;  in  the  :fullnefs  o£  his  heroifm,  he .  difpatched  a  letter  to  the 
king' his  mailers  in  which,  after  commending  his  royal  wifdom  • 
iafeeking  to  re-poffe&  aniflaad  of  TUch  vaft  importance^to  his 
commerce  x>f  the  Indies^  he  promifed  confidently^  that  he  would 

-  diflodgfi  the  Engliflv  very  fpeedily-  from  .all- their  quarters,  and  ex- 
pel thenetojit  of  iiie  iflanid 40' this  year  d£'i657,.or)  at  4eaft  -reduoe  . 
them  td  their  fortrefe  at  the  fea^fide^ 

lyOyley,  not  in  the  leaft  difmaycd  with"*  all- *hefe  h^iltf  ap- 

-pearances,  reitflved  to  attack  thoai  b&fi)Fe  their  forced  could  ejGfe^t  : 
a  junction*  He  picked  out  a  body  of  five  hundred  men^  weli- 
offidered*;  and  embarking  .with  them-^iled  in  ^queft  of  •^ the  enemy.  . 
On  his  arrival  at  the  North  iidet  of  thetflandi,  he^  landed:  near 
Ocho  Rios  (or  Cheireras  Bay),  where  the  Spaniards,  equal  in  num* 
ber,  had  taken  poft,  and  fortified  themfelves .  with  ^an  ents'ench*- 
ment  and  bread-work.     He  aflaulted  them^  with  iiich  impetuoHty, 

-that  they  were  foon  driven  from  their  works,  ..and  tx>ta}ly/ routed^ 
great  part  of :  them  bein^  (lain  in  the  afl:ion^  and  the  reft  either 
forced  into  the  woods,  or  taken  prilbners.  In  the  enfuihg  year, 
D'Oyley  received  intelligence,  that  their  long^expe^fbed  corps  of  re- 

'  gular  infantry  had  been  lor  fome  time  arrived  from  Spain. .  They 

.eonfifted  of  thirty  finall  companies,  making  in  the  whole  about 
•one  thousand  men;  and,  Jbeing  well  furni^ed  witb  provifion^ 
^rd&aace,  and  anm^unitioflj  they  had  taken  up  their  quarters. at  Rio 

Nuevo» 


f658.]  BOOK    I.       CHAP.    XI.  tyg 

Nuevo,  in  St.  Mary\  where  thejr  ereSed  a  fort  c^  fame  ftrength 
on  a  rocky  eminence,  near  the  (ea,  and  not  far  from  that  river. 
lyOyley  called  a  council  of  war,  in  which  it  was  unanimoufly  re- 
folved  to  fall  on  the  enehiy  'without  dcJay.  •  Perc^ving  a  general  ar- 
dour among  the  troops  for  entering  into  a6llon,  he  commanded ,  out 
feven  hundred  and  fifty  officers  and  foldiers,  and  on  the  nth  of 
June  embarked  and  failed  for  the  North  fide. 

On  the  22d  in  the  morning,  he  attempted  to  land  at  Rio  Nuevo 
Bay,  which  was  defended   by  two  companies,  within  half-fliot  of 
the  cannon  •belbngiiig  totheSpanifli  fort.    -The  Forlorn  advanced 
through  the  water,  and  affaulted  that  party  with  ib  much  gallantry, 
that  they  were  foon  routed,  and  one  captain  and  twenty -three  men 
flain.    lyOyley,  purfiiing  this  advantage,  made  hafte  to  land  the  reft 
df  his  men ;   which  he  eflfefted  without  much  lofs,  notwithftanding 
a  continual  difcharge  from  the  fort.     The  Englifli  fpent  that  day 
in  6aAering  the  fort  from  their  (hips ;  but  the  elevation  on  which 
it*  irood  prevented  the  guns  from  bearing  ib  as  to  make  any  effec-^ 
tnal  impreflion.     In  the  mean  time,  ETOyley,  having  recontioitered 
the  place,  was  at  a  lofs  how  to  proceed.     He  had  learnt^  that^  the 
enemy  greatly  exceeded  his  little  army  in  numbers;  that  they  were* 
fortified  with  fi^x  jpieces  of  cannon ;   the  fituation  of  their  fortrefs 
was  naturally  tfrong;  and  his  accefs  to  it  was  obftrufted  by  the 
fiver,  which  he  miift  neceflarily  pafs,  arid  who(e  depth  he  wai  un*^ 
acquainted  with.     Having  therefore  duly  weighed  thefe  circum^' 
fiances,  he  ordered  a  fufiicient  number  of  ladders  and  other  itxx^* 
plements,  neceffary  for  a  coup  de  mam^  to  be  got  ready ;  and  on  the 
23d  he  difpatched  a  drummer,  with  a  fummons  to  Safi,  governor 
of  the  fort,  requiring  him  to  furrender;  and  ordered  the  drummer 
to  found  the  depth  of  the  water  very  carefully.     This  mefienger, 
having  paifcd  the  river  without  much  difficulty,  was  admitted  to 
the  governor;  who  treated  him  with  uncommon  civility,  giving 
him  twenty-five  pieces  of  eight  as    a  prefent   for  himfelf,    and 
fending  a  jar  of  fweetmeats  to  the  Engliih  general,  accompanied 
i?vith  a  refufal  to  capitulate.     Upon  this,  D'Oyley  refolved  to  march 
the  next  morning ;   and  ordered  two  (hips  to  fall  to  leeward,  and 
draw  the  enemy's  attention  to  that  quarter  by  a  vigorous  fire^  the* 
other  (hips  to  warp  as  near  as  they  could,  and  batter   in  front, 

N  n  2  while 


T  *>-v 


^  i    Af   U  A    V  O   A.  :r       [A-a^if^f^ 

wtbU^.l*  prpftcij^  t;h*  atus^cfeby  Itfid  on  t;hc  other- fi^.^.;  t^y^jj 
inacjejth^fe  ^ifpQfitiffns,  h?  fQrdei  the  rhrer  on.the  :Z4tJi^^Aa^ 
it  was  ligMi  aa4  C2iv^p  tQ  a  fle^  hill  at  the  diftaooe  of'^,.qiip|rt«^ 
of-  A  mile  from  t^e  fort.     A  l^^y  pf  Vh^  -^nemy  lw.4r!talgepr'pf)i^^ 
h^rf ,  aijd  \v«re  yery  bufy  m  erefting  ib^^  new  works*  The.Eu^yQt^ 
advanced  with,  the  utpfioft  intrepidity;   and,   clamjbering  .i^p.tbe^ 
rocks,  an  excrcife  they  had  often  praftifcd  in  their  hog-* hunting 
excur(i6a£i»  Toon  g&ined  the  fummit,  drove  the  Sp^niaods  from  their' 
works^  ai:id»  aft^  baiting  a  little  to  refrefh  themfelves,  proceeded* 
tDwards  th^  fOrt.     The  general,  as  Coon  as  he  came  within,  fight, 
of  it,  obierved  with  mtwh  fatisfadion^  that  the  walls  were  not  car- 
ried up  to  clie  fame  height  on  that  fide  as  on  the  other«  and  ordered^ 
the  Forlorn  to  advance  with  their  ladders  and  haiid^grenades$   Thi^ 
Spaniard^ft  difconcerted  with  the  boldnefs .  of  their  aj^proach^  fired 
tpward^  theca  at  random,  with  but  little  execution.    In  the  mean 
titone,  tW^Ej3giiOi»  haying  attained  on  fall  fpeed  to  the  foojt  of  ^c 
Vf9^f  receiived  theen^my;*s  fire  ;  and,  clapping  t^Cj  muzzles  Qf  tbeip- 
guns  into  tl^  loop-holes  of  the  flankers,  poured  a  ypUey  of  fhot^ 
^^^  in  upon  them5  which,  as  they  were  cooped  up  within  anarrow^ 
compass,  killed  aad  wpupded  feveraJ^.    In  the  midfl  of  the  confii- 
fV?ft  pccjafipned  |?y  this  .^fffiult,  tl^e^  general  gained  poffeffion  of  the; 
fi;^f)k^  ;r  wbidji  the  garrifpn  no  fo^ner  perceived,  than;  ^they  jgaade. 
a%,mp/ch  h4fle  as  they  could  to  get  out  of  the  fort,  and  tooktoi 
tlieij  hpels.wi^h  the  utmoft  precipitation.     Many  of  them  fought, 
a  refuge  aj9K>Hg  the  rocks  ou  the  fea-jfhore.;  where  they  were  Ihot 
byTthj?,  feilors,   who  put  off  immediately  from  the  (hips:  the  reft, 
wer^  pu^rfue^th^fQ  ^r  fou^y  miles ; ,  and  great  part  of  them  fl^iugh^^ 
tfred^  Of  takeji  gprifiwifirs.  .      »       ^ 

The,great  di^arity  of  the  lof$  oi>  each  fide  in  this  engagement* 
j^oves  the  viftory  to  h^ye  bee^  yeify  compleat. 

On  the  part  of  the  Sp^i^irds^  three  hundred  privates,  feveral  cap- 
tains, two  priefls,  and  one  ferjeant-majpr,  were  killed  i  one  hundred 
pfiva^,  aa4  6^  captains^r  ipadp  pi:ili>ners  of  war;  the  royal 
f^ndard  ^^d  ttflk  cokiui  t^lj en;  \  . ,.      ; 

In  the  f9rt  \y$re  fbvu?4  ^^^  double  bafi;9la  of  pojyder,  g^eat  ftoxe . 
of  Ihot,  fix  pieces  of  capmon  nao;gutecl,  and  a  JLqirg^.  quantity  of  wine^^ 

braixd/^. 


r   .  -• 


iiXi.Mti^'mli^:^9i'Oih^^^  ^hich  were  amo(laccqi4 

^.'Onf^^dedf  tiie  ^rigtiih,  dse*  dtptams  Wifcmati^  Mbars>  cap« 
tailMiifiatdaadt  Rc^a^i  eofiga .  Faffbr^  ;^dtftventy<*  three  privates^ 
iidere;  killed;  and  tlhicty^four  woand&l*  D*Oyley  demoliihed  the^ 
4biti&adbi» ;  md  fa^r  this  gallant  adioa  repairoi  the  honour  of  the 
trfny*  which  had.fuilained  fosne  itijiaty  at  St.  Domingo.  He  af< 
ter wards  idiflodged  the  fugitive  remnant  of  the  Spanifh  forces  who 
had  flidtered  themielves  in  the  woods^  took  two  more  of  their  co<« 
lours 9  and  feveral  prifbners. 

After  theic  fucceflive  difafl:er3>  and  other  defeats  in  fmall  ikir« 
miihes,  the  Spaniards  defparred  of  regaining  the  ifland»  Mod  of 
them,  who  could  find  opportunity,  quitted  it,  retiring  to  Cuba,  or 
ibmfi  other  of  their  fettlements,  and  never  ventured  to  makat 
another  attempt  of  any  confequaice  againft  this  colony. 
.  A  Spanifh  flee(,  copfiiling  of  fifteen  fhips  of  war  (which  had  beeix 
i}isftined  to  take  in  foldiers  at  Carthagena,  to  fupport  the  invafioa 
^  th/s  ifknd),.  upon  the  news  of  Don  Sa(i*s  ill  fuccefs,  made  the 
befl.of  their  way  to  the  Havannah^  and  left  thecoafl  open  to  the. 
£ogli(h  fleet ;  on  board  of  which  D*Oy)ey  embarked  three  huQ-> 
dred  foldiers,  burnt  two  galleons  bound  from  Carthagena  to  Porta 
Bello,  and  dedroyed  the  town  of  Tolu,  fitoated  oi>  the  coafl:  of 
the  Spanifh  Main.  Their  fettlements  at  Sandta  Martha  and  other 
pacts  had  gpsatly  fuffered,  fome  time  before^  by  the  fpirited  attacks. 
of  Goodjbn.  So  that  now  the' terror  of  the  Eiaglifh  arms  reduced 
the  enemy  to  think  of  nothing  but  the  means  of  befl:  proteQiiig; 
tHemfelves  from  invafion,  by  flrengthening  their  maritime  forts. ;; 
while  D*Oyley,  equally  provident  for  the  fecurity  of  his  charge^ 
completed  two  forts,  and  fet  about  ere£tLng  a  thii'd,  as  a  further 
fafeguard  to  the  harbour.  He  likewife  recommended*  this  to  Crom- 
well as  a  fit  place  for  taming  thofe  fiery  and  turbulent  fpirits  that 
were  troublefome  at  home ;  and  intimated,  that  the  officers  were 
billing  to  naake  a  reafonable  allowance  out  of  their  pay  to  all  fucb 
^(  the  meaner  foi;t  as  might  be  fent  over^  and  be  bound  to  ferve 
them  for  a  term  by  indentures. 

,  The  4rmy,  being  now  become  mafters  of  Jamaica  by  right  of 
coacjuoft,  attached  themfelves  more  clofely  than  ever  to  their  plaiirj 

tations* 


278  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  165S. 

rations*  Two  hundred  and  fifty  fettlers  came  aniong  them  from 
Bermudas  ;  and  feveral  Quakers,  who  had  been  driven  out  of  Bar- 
badoes.  Thefe  inoffenfive  and  well-meaning  Ichifmatics  diiperfed 
godly  books  among  the  foldiers,  with  a  view  to  their  converiioil* 
The  Quakers  in  England  had,  for  fome  tirxie,  been  under  perfeco- 
tion,  being  fuppofed  to  have  embraced  the  tenets  of  the  Levelers; 
and  many  of  the  principal  men  among  them  were  accufed  of 
preaching  doctrines,  and  plotting  confpiracies,  dangerous  to  go- 
vernment D*Oyley,  regarding  them  as  a  devout  and  peaceable  fet 
of  people,  gave  them  a  friendly  reception ;  but,  as  he  knew  the 
eppofition  they  had  met  with  at  home,  he  thought  it  ncceflary  to 
apply  to  Cromwell  for  inftoidions  in  what  manner  th^  were  to 
be  treated.  It  does  not  appear  whether  or  not  they  were  fuccefsful 
ki  making  profelytes ;  but,  as  they  profefled .  to  handle  no  other 
*  than  fpiritual  weapons,  it  is  probable  they  fbon  found  the  military  go* 
vemment  of  Jamaica  ill  adapted  to  their  principles;  for  the  greater 
part  of  them  at  length  removed  to  their  brotherhood  in  Pennfylvania. 
By  the  progrefs  of  the  fettlements,  fome  produce  began  now  to 
find  its  way  to  market.  Port-Royal  was  the  place  for  negociating 
ail  mercantile  tranfa£l:ions*  Hides,  fait,  woods,  tobacco,  and 
tortoiie-ihell,  were  the  chief  productions  vended  by  the  inhabitants 
inland  or  Aipon  the  coaft.  To  thefe  were  added  a  variety  of  va« 
luable  prize  goods  taken  by  the  fleet,  which  ovade  firequent  cap- 
tures from  the  Spaniards.  What' trade  as  yet  had  fpruog  up  was 
almofl:  entirely  managed  with  the  North  Americans.  Mahogany 
at  this  time  muft  have  been  exceedingly  plentiful,  and  very  near 
the  South  coaft  of  the  ifland;  for  mod;  of  the  firft-built  houfes 
were  of  this  wood.  Whilft  the  foundation  of  future  fplendour  was 
thus  gradually  laying  at  Port-Royal,  the  frigates  on  this  ft^tion 
gave  the  enemy  fuch  continual  annoyance,  by  plying  near  the  Ha- 
vannah,  and  obflruding  their  intercourfe  with  that^place,  that  the 
Spaniards  were  obliged  to  bring  home  much  of  their  treafiire  by 
the  way  of  Buenos  Ayres,  in  Rio  de  la  Plata ;  a  tvaA  difijfed 
ever  fince  the  reign  of  queen  Elizabeth,  during  which  they  had 
dD.een  greatly  infefled  with  Engliih  adventurers. 

After  the  deqifive  victory  gained  over  the   Spaniards  in  Jamaica, 
4:heir  Kegroes  had  ftiU  continued  very  troublefbme.     When  they 

perceived 


i66o.]  BOOK    L      CHAP.      XI.  279 

perceived  tlieir  old  frietids  and  mafters  were  no  longer  able  to  keep 
footing  on  the  iflatid,   they  murdered  the  governor  placed  over 
thenif   and  cbofe  a  leader  from  their  own  gang.     Such   was  the 
hard  neceiEty  of  the  Spaniards,   that,  unable  to  command,  they 
were  conftrained  to  implore  and  court  protedion  of  thefe  blacks. 
The  captain  eledl  was  the  famous  Juande  Solas,  whofe  place  of  re- 
treat in  St.  John^s  parifli,   a  pretty  Aeep  mountain,  ftlll  retains  hrs 
name.     The  Englifli   procured  ibme  blood-hounds,    and    hunted 
thefe  blacks  like  wild  .beafis;  till,  grown  weary  at  length  of  this  - 
un^aiy  life,  jand being  in. danger  of  perifhing  for  want  of  provilions,. , 
they  feiit  a  deputation  to  D*Oyley,  who  promiied  to   receive  them  * 
into  &vour  on. Surrendering  their  arms.     The  major  part  of  them  • 
accepted  th& terms;  but  fome  others  refufed  to  fubmit;  and  with*  - 
drew  to  feciet  recefles  in  the  midland  parts,  with  which .  they  were  - 
pcrfeAly  well  acquainted.      Here  they  nelUed  for  feveral  year$,  . 
until  they  grew  numerous  enough  by  breeding,,  and  the  acceffion  of  ^ 
runaway  (laves,  to  repeat  their  antient  hofiilities,  of  which  I  (hill  '* 
give   fome  account^  hereafter.      The  fubmitting  Negroes,   as    an  > 
earneft«of  their  fidelity,,  became  extremely  fedulous.  in  difcovering  ; 
the  hiding-places,  of  the  Spaniards,. and  readily  aiiifled  the  Englifli  ' 
iapurfuing  them  and  the.  other  Negroes. who  had  refufed  to  come  ' - 
in  on  terras.  . 

In  the  beginning  6f  the  year  1660,  colonel  D'Oyley,  being  ip-  - 
formed  by  thefe  alhes:  that  his  old  opponent,.  Don  Chridopher,  un- 
willing to  refign  his  pretenfions  to  the  government  fo  long  as  he  ■" 
could  maintain  the  leaft  party,  or  •  fhew  of.  authority,   was  lying  , 
perdue  ovi  the  North  fide  of  the  ifland,  ordered  out  a  detachment 
under   the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel  TyioWy    confiding  jdf  : 
eighty  officers  andibldters,  and  twenty-one  of  the  revolted  Spanifh 
blacks;  which,  after  a  tedious  march  acrofs  the . mountains,  came 
up  at  lengtl>  with  Don  Chrifiopher,  who  had  pofted  himfelf  in  a  i 
fwampy  place  with  one.  hundred  and.  thirty fthree  men^     His  fc- 
cond  in  command  was  an  experienced  fbldier ,  who  had  feryed  in   > 
Spain,  and  had  engaged  in  this  new  fervice  in  confideration  of 
double  pay,  and  a  promife  of  fucceeding  to  the  chief  command 
after  the  governor's  death. 

.   '   The 


2«o  '    J    -A'  M  'A    t    e    A.  '        [A.D{:*W». 

The  Englifh  advanced  upon  them  ^Wlth  iMrepidiCf ;  miid  at  thp 
firft  onfet  the  Spanifh -Hcutenanti^dnerai  received  a  woon^  bjr  a 
lance,  in  his  belly,  of  which  he  died  in  twd  hours.     The  lofs  elf 
this  able  leader,  upon  whom  all  their  hopes  had  been  fixed,  iname^ 
diately  ftruck  the  whole  of  their  little  army  with  a  panic.    Their 
general,  Don  Chriftopher,  was  one  of  the  firft  to  retreat;  and  ran 
lb  nimbly  as  to  fave  himYelf  -from  being  taken.     Several,  howtoretf, 
were  made  prifoners,  and  about  fixty  officers  and  foldiers  flaki,  Oh 
the  part  of  the  Spaniards,  without  any  lofs  to  the  victorious  fide. 
'The  blacks  were  extremely  adtiye  upon  this  dccafion,   and  gained 
great  applaufe  by  their  dexterity  in  catching  the  fugitives.     The 
unfortunate  old  governor,   being   now  reduced  to  the  laft  esttre* 
mity,   and  ftudious  only  for  the  prefervation  of  life,  fent  commif- 
iioners  to  treat  on  his  behalf;  and  was  permitted  to  retire  (ti  GubA. 
After  this  exploit,  the  Englifh  proceeded  tt>  Ghereiras  Bay,  whfece 
a  vetTel  lay  at  anchor,  which  the  Spaniards  had  formerly  taken, 
and  eriiployed  to  bring  them  monthly  fuppltes  of  pYoVifion  from 
Cuba,  fuch  as  caffada-bread,  fweetraeats,  chocolate, '^fad  other  tx)n- 
veniencest     The  better  to  fecurb  'her  from  bdng  furpriied,  they 
kept  feveral  fcouts  at  fome  diftance  from  the  fhore,  to  reconnoitre 
the  country,  and  give  the  alarm  upon  the  approach  of  an  enemy* 
Colonel  Tyfon  had  intelligence  of  their  caution  ;   and,  -difpofing  his 
"men  in  different  ambufcades,  found  means  to  fecure  all  the  fcouts 
one  after  another ;  after  which,  he  concerted  his  meafures  ft>  well, 
as  to  make  himfelf  maftcr  of  the  veflcl,  on  board  of  whidh  he  found 
twenty  officers  and  foldiers,  who  were  all  taken  prifoners. 

The  few  remaining  Spaniards,  who  had  eluded  the  fearch  of  the 
Englifh  forces,  embraced  the  firft  convenient  opportunity  of 
making  their  efcape  from  the  ifland,  'leaving  about  'thirty  of  their 
Negroe  (laves  behind,  who  fecreted  themfelves  in  the  mountains, 
and  afterwards  entered  into  alliance  with -the  other  fitffiibdued  bart- 
ditti.  The  fflahd  now  began  to  wear  the  Appearance  of  health  and 
plenty ;  the  jilanting  bufinefs  went  on  filccefsfuUy ;  commerce  in- 
creafed  ;  and  the  fenfe  of  former  miferies  was  almoft  obliterated  : 
v^hen,  in  theinidft  of  tbefe  pleafing  circumflahces,  a'fa3k)us  of- 
ficer of  the  army,  colonel  Raymund,  who  had  made  hitnftif  vei^y 
popular  among  the  private  men,  confpired  to  engage  them  in  a  ge- 

3  neral 


i66o.]  BOOK     I-     CHAP..    XI.  zZt 

neral  revolt,  and  perfiiaded  his  friend,  lieutenant-colQnel  Tyfbn, 
who  bad  behaved  fo  gallantly  in  the  laO:  encounter  with  the  Spa- 
niards^  to  aiTociate  with  him  in  the  plot*  Raymund's  objeft,  it 
has  been  fuppofed,  was  to  ieize  the  government  himielf ;  but  the 
real  defign  is  not  certainly  known.  Whatever  it  was,  he  was  pro- 
bably encouraged  to  the  attempt,  by  knowing  that  •  D*Oy ley  was 
not  armed  with  any  exprefs  commiflliMi,  or  power,  to  punifh  fuch 
offences  capitally.  Befides,  he  had  won  the  affeftions  of  the  fol- 
diery,  or  at  lead  the  major  part  of  them;  and  was  not  unac« 
quaioted,  that  D'Oyley  was  by  no  means  a  perfon  agreeable  to  the 
Proteftor ;  that  he  was  rather  auftere  in  his  manners,  and  a  fteady  , 
advocate  for  purfuing  the  cultivation  of  the  ifland,  to  which  moil 
of  the  private  men  were  difinclined.  It  is  certain,  this  confpiracy 
was  alarming,  if  not  extenfive.  The  mutineers  began  by  breakiug 
open  and  plundering  fome  houfes  in  St*  Jago  de  la  Vega ;  and,  their 
number  of  partizans  increafing,  it  was  imagined  they  meant  no  - 
lefs  than  the  demolition  of  the  town.  D'Qyley  faw  the  danger  lb 
urgent,  that  he  found  himfelf  compelled  to  fqpprefs  it  by  an  a£t 
of  boldnefs  which  might  ftrike  the  reft  of  the  .troops  with  awe. 
He  immediately  put  himfelf  at  the  head  of  a  choien  party,  defeated 
the  confpirators  after  a  ftout  reHftance,  feized  the  two  officers, 
and  brought  them  inftantly  to  a  court  martial.  They  were  adjudged 
guilty,  andihot  purfuant  to  their  fentence.  Colonel  Raymond  met 
his  fate  with  a  magnanimity  and  refolution  that  would  have  done 
him  honour  in  abetter  caufe;  but  his  companion,  who  had  been 
unwarily  drawn  in  to  a  participation  of  the  crime,  but  had  pledged 
himfelf  too  far  to  retraft,  appeared  overwhelmed  with  contrition 
for  having  fullied  his  chara&er  with  the  infamy  of  rebellion,  and 
effaced  the  glory  of  his  paft  fervices  by  an  ignominious  end. 
This  fevere  example  re^^eftabliihed  good  order  and  dlfcipline,  and 
every  thing  feemed  to  prolper  under  D'Oyley's  wife  and  aftivc 
government. 

Trade,  no  fboner  began  to  raife  its  head  at  Port-Royal,  than  a 
more  ;igreeable  employment  offered  to  «^li  thofe  foldiers  and  other 
enterprizing  fpiri^s  who  preferred  a  roying  and'm^rti^l  life  to  the  . 
fo!?er  and  laborious  occupation  of  planting.     Privateers  began  to 
fwaptn.    The  example  of  the  fquadron,  which  had   made  feveral  . 
Vol.  L  Go  rich 


i»*  J    AM    A    1    G    A,  [A.D.  Mo. 

xkb  captttresr'^^s  ar|)o«7i0rfuli«»^         vi^tli  li^ftfiy,  and  pointed  dot 
to  them  ah  eafy  road  to^  afiteetide-:  though  the  firft   defign  of 
equipping  theitt  t»as  «o  dth*r  than  *o  fectire  the  iflaiid  ag^nft  the 
Spaniards,  by  giving  GfefAftattt  ^arms  upon  their  coaits ;   and  to  iave 
the  Com<to6«woalth  the  heavy  charge  of  alwiiys  maintaining  a  fleet 
here  fW- thaft  purpofe  ;  and^  finafly^  to  compel  the  Spaniards  into  a 
folid  and  durable  peaco,  hy  annoying  them   in  evfcry  qtiarter,    and 
interrupting  their  navigation     This  t^as  general  Brayne's  object; 
and  in  protd's  of  time^  encouraged  by  D*Oy?ey  and  fevcffkl  ftic- 
eeeding    goyernors,  who  thought  it  the  moft  judicious  way    of 
dealing  tvith  the  Spaniards^  and  of  prevailing  Oli  them  to   recede 
from  their  maxim  of  waging  a  perpetual  enmity  with  all  intrtiders 
in  America.   The  propriety  of  it  was  fully  jtiftified  in  the  event,  by 
ti^  comfluence  of  traders  and  others^  who  reforted  to  this  ifland  in^ 
thecoiwrfe  of  a  few  years,  in  order  to  participate  of  the  booty  with 
which  Port-Royal  became  fo  abund^atly  flocked  by  the  privateers, 
who,   ftf^m  very  fmalt  beginnings^  muttered  at  1^  three  thoufand 
fighting  tten,.  and  thirty  fail  ^  ftout  vefiefe,   Well  fumifhed  with 
everjr  nccefl'ary^     The  great  confhience  of  inhabitants  to   Port- 
Royal,  and  the  longtran^iiiity  ensured  by  fb  potcrerfiiila  naval  ar- 
mament, which  the  Spaniards  were  unable  to.  withftand,  neceffarily 
tetnded  to  increafetbe  number  of  fettlements  on  fhore;  for  the 
gneat  coaiumptioA  of  prdvifions  of  all  forts  in  that  town,  and   for 
the  oiatfit  of  lb  many  privateers,  created  a  very  large  deittaml  for 
cattle,    iheep,    hogs^  poultry,  corn,  and  evtry  other  fimilar  fup- 
ply  fumiftied  by  the  planters   and   fettlers.      Hence  it  happened, 
that  thofe  who  were  poflefled  of  the  fmalkft  lots,  not  exceeding 
thfirty  "acres  of  land,  were  aWe  to  maintain  themfelves  in  a  very 
comfortable  manner,  by  attending  to  fome  one  or  other  of  thofe 
fmall  articles  which  gained   ready  money  at  the   maricet.     Atid  ^  it 
is  owing  to  this  Caufe,  tliat  we  find  fuch  a  prodigious  number  of 
thefe  little  fettlements  grouped  together  in  all  the  environs  of  St. 
Jago  de  la  Vega,   and  in  the  maritime  parts  not  far  from  Port- 
Royal  harbour,  which  were  thfen  foil  of  people,  all  fubfifting  well 
by  their  traffic  with  that  town.     The  revenue  erf  the  landlhold^rs 
was  confiderably  increa&d  likewile  by  the  rifing'  rents  of  hou&s 
there,  which  in  its  flourilhing  »ra  were  Ibtt  on  as  high  ternls  as  the 

beft 


i66a}  B  O  O  K    I.  .    CHAP/    XI.  ^ftj 

boft  boufe^  in  the  city  of  London.  When  the  fpirk  of^privateering 
was  bix>ke,  this  event  was  followed  by  the  dcclenfion  of  Port-Roy al, 
and  the  diHipation  of  the  petty  fettlers^  who  from  that  period  began 
tofpreadthemfelvesmore  into  the  inland  parts ;  and,  when  &igar 
became  the  ftaple  of  the  ilbtnd,  the  nature  of  the  commodity, 
which  required  large  tra£)ts  for  it&  cuhivation^  nece^rily  gave 
birth  to  land  monopolies.  A  large  nunckber  of  the  thirty-acre  lots 
were  bought  up  on  eafy  terms  by  the  more  opulent  planters  oc  ^ner- 
chants,  and  confolidated  into  one  property. 

To  fuftain  thefe  fugar  eftates,  large  breeding  farms  were  requL- 
iite ;  and  thefe  tended  to  promote  the  fpirit  of  monc^lizing:  fa 
that  thofe  places,  which  originally  were  beft  ftocked  with  inhabi- 
tants, are  now  either  deiert,  or  turned  into  paftures  for  cattle  and 
fheep.  The  general  avidity  for  fettling  fugar  works  lias  been  pro-< 
dudlive  <rf  conlequences  in  Jamaica  fimilar  to  what  have  lately  been 
experienced  in  England  upon  the  demolition  of  fmall  farms.  It 
has  thinned  the  country  of  people^  and  occafioned  many  necefl^ry 
articles  of  food  to  be  extremely  dear  and  fcarce,  by  abolifliing  that 
clafs  of  poor,  but  u&fult  fubje£ts^  who  had  found  their  account  in 
the  produ£kion  and  vending  of  thoie  articles. 

As  we  have  no  memorials  of  the  further  proceedings  of  the 
army  from  thi^  year  1660  to  the  year  i66zj  when  lord  Windfer 
was  appointed  in  the  room  of  colonel  D'Oyley  [w];   I  moft  here 

conclude 

[w]  The  laft  capital  operation  by  land,  performed  by  thefe  veterans,  U'as  in  the  latter  end  of 
the  year  1662,  foon  after  lord  Windfor  afllimed  the  government.  His  excellency,  taking 
into  confideration  the  many  infuhs  and  abufes  committed  by  the  iflanders  of  Cuba  upon  Englifh 
fiibjefe,  and  their  frequent  attempts  to  obllruft  the  trade  of  Jamaica,  determined  to  retaliate 
upon  them,  and  prevent  them  from  giving  any  dill urbancc  for  fome  time  to  come.  With  this  view, 
he  caufed  one  tboufand  picked  men,  drawn  from  the  regiments,  to  be  embarked  upon 'twelve  fail 
of  the  beft  veflels  belonging  to  the  ifland,  and  to  Pail  diredly  for  Cuba.  On  the  ill  of  0(5tober 
they  made  the  land,  and  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  were  got  well  in  with  the  caflle  and 
block-houfesy  upon  the  South  fide  of  the  harbour  of  St.  Jago.  This  harbour  is  one  of  the  beft 
in  America.  It  runs  about  ieven  miles  North  into  the  land  ;  the  entrance,  for  about  a  mile,  is 
{o  narrow,  that  only  one  (hip  can  enter  at  a  time ;  then  it  widens  for  about  two  miles ;  and  then 
contra£b  itfelf  again ;  after  which,  it  is  fbmewhat  divided  by  a  fmall  ifland,  called  Ifia  Verde ; 
beyond  which,  it  opens  at  once  into  a  spacious  triangular  bafon,  extremely  deep,  and  perfedly  fe- 
curc  from  tempcftuous^  winds.  The  entrance  may  be  defended  againfl  a  numerous  fleer,  npt  only 
by  the  fbrt  and  batten^  urhichr  guard  the  Eaflem  point,  b\it  becaufe  there  is  no  anchoring  near  the 
mouth,  where  the  depth  of  water  is  fit>hi  eighty  to  one  hundred  fathom;  with  a  prodigious  fwell ; 
an4  dy;  height  of  the  land  btercepting  ^e  breeze,  ihips  are  i^eneraUy  fubjeft  to  be  becalmed 

Co  a  "^tery 


^«4  JAMAICA.  [A.D.  1660. 

conclude  my  narrative  with  fome  encomium  on  the  laft-mentioued 
gentleman,  under  whofe  aufpices  this  colony  was  preferved  from 
foreign  as  well  as  inteitine  enemies,  and  advanced  very  far  in  civi* 

lization. 

By  his  perfonal  bravery  and  wife  condu£b  in  defeating  every  at- 
tempt of  the  Spaniards  to  retake  the  ifland,  as  well  as  by  the  fpirit 
of  induftry  he  excited  among  the  troops  and  other  inhabitants^, 
without  relaxing  their   military  difcipline  too  much ;    he  gained 

very  near  it,  and  in  danger  of  driving  upon  the  rocks  which  environ  the  leeward  or  Weftcrn 
point.  The  town  ftands  near  the  North-eaft  angle  of  the  harbour,  about  the  diftance  of  three 
iniles  and  a  quarter  horn  the  principal  fort,  called,  like  that  of  the  Havannah,  the  Morro,  or 
Kock.  The  Englifh  fleet  had  no  fooner  approached  the  oiHng  of  the  harbour,  than  a  land  wind 
fprung  up,  and  baffled  their  attempt.  Upon  this,  they  altered  their  firfl  plan  of  attack^  and^ 
coaiting  along  the  (hore,  effeiStcd  a  landing,  about  two  miles  from  the  point,  upon  fuch  inconve* 
Dient  ground,  that  the  night  came  on  before  the  whole  army  could  be  difembarked.  The  ^t 
where  they  had  landed  was  rocky  and  full  of  trees ;  which,  together  with  the  darknefi  that  in* 
volved  them,  contributed  to  retard  their  march,  and  to  render  it  exceedingly  difficult.  Their  guides, 
however,  having  at  length  provided  fome  torches,  they  purfued  their  route,  and  about  the  dawn 
of  day  came  up  with  a  plantation  about  fix  miles  from  the  landing  place,  and  three  from  the 
town,  to  which  they  advanced  with  all  the  celerity  in  their  power,  after  taking  fufficient  refiieih* 
ment.  Upon  their  approaching  the  town,  they  found  the  commandant  Don  Pedro  Moralin,  and 
their  old  acquaintance  Don  Chriftopher,  the  late  governor  of  Jamaica,  polled  at  the  head  of 
eight  hundred  men.  The  Spaniards,  having  barricaded  all  the  avenues,  and  drawn  down  a  ttaia> 
of  artillery,  made  (hew  of  an  obdinate  refifiance.  The  £ng}ilh  forces,  not  in  the  leail  inti- 
midated at  this  appearance,  came  on  in  good  order,  with  a  general  (hout ;  and,  having  received  a 
difcharge  of  their  great  and  fmall  (hot,  ru(hed  forward,  todc  poileffionr  of  the  artillery  before  the 
Spaniards  had  time  to  bad  again,  and  charged  them  (b  Airioufly,  that  they  (bon  put  them  to 
rout,  killed  numbers  of  their  men,  and,  having  gained  the  town,  made  themfelves  mailers  affix 
fail  of  (hips  which  lay  at  anchor  before  it.  Flufhcd  with  this  fuccefs,  they  fpent  but  little  time 
in  refling  from  the  fatigues  they  had  undergone.  The  necelTary  difpofitions  were  made  for  fe- 
curing  their  re-entry  into  the  town ;  and  they  immediately  marched  to  attack  the  caille  and  blocks 
houfes.  By  this  time  the  fleet  had  pulhed  into  the  harbour,  and  ranged  in  a  convenient  line,  to 
co-operate  with  the  troops,  who  no  fooner  drew  near  the  fort,  and  began  to  alTault,  than  the 
enemy,  difmayed  at  their  huzzas,  aad  the  impetuofity  of  their  manoeuvres,  deferted  the  ramparts, 
and  betook  themfelves  to  the  inner  works ;  from  which  alfo  they  retreated  with  precipitation,  after 
firing  a  few  irregular  (hots,  and  were  purfued  as  far  as  the  Englifh  general  thought  advifeable.. 
The  victorious  army  proceeded  next  to  demoUih  all  the  forrifications,  and  the:  town  itfclf,  con- 
filling  of  two  thoufand  dwelling-houfes,  Wihich  they  razed  to  the  ground,  and  laid  the  country 
wafle  for  fome  miles  round.  They  took  one  thoufand  barrels  of  powder  in  the  fort,  and  thiny- 
four  pieces  of  cannon,  chiefly  brafs,  four  of  which  were  afterwards  fcnt  to  the  Tower  of  London. 
The  fort  had  been  by  the  inhabitanta  reputed  impregnable.  The  wall  on  the  land-fide  waa 
fixty  feet  in  hdght,  and  proportionahly  thick  ;  and  the  whole  building  had  coll  the  king  of  Spain, 
but  a  few  years  before,  the  fmn  of  one  hundred  thoufand  pounds  fierling.  So  that  the  lofs 
fuflained  by  the  enemy,,  in  ruined  buildings  and  pUuiurions,  the  capture  of  (hips  and  other  effinSts,. 
was  probably  not  fhort  of  half  a  million  fterUng,  or  upwards. 

5  more 


i«6o.l  BOOK    I.      CHAP.    XL  285 

more  honour  than  cither  Penn  or  Venables  by  their  invafion  of  it. 
If  to  this  we  add,  that  he  appears  not  to  have  fought  advantage  to 
himfelf  by  the  monopoly  of  land,  which  undoubtedly  was  within 
his  power,  or  by  pradtifing  any  extortion  or  oppreffion  on  the  fub- 
jefts  abandoned  to  his  entire  command ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  ma- 
nifefted  a  firm  and  pcrfevering  zeal  in  maintaining  good  order 
among  men  difheartened  and  avcrfe  to  fettlement ;  in  improving  and 
eftablithmg  it  by  humane,  vigorous,  and  prudent  meafures,  while 
in  its  infancy  ;  and,  finally,  delivering  it  out  of  his  hands  to  the . 
nation  a  well- peopled  and  thriving  colony ;  we  (hall  fee  caufe  to 
applaud  him  as  an  excellent  officer,  a  difinterefled  patriot,  a  wife 
governor,  a  brave  and  upright  man ;  and  muft  lament,  that, 
although  it  is  to  his  good  condudt  alone  we  owe  the  poflbffion  of 
Jamaica,  he  received  no  other  reward  for  his  many  eminent  fer- 
vices  than  the  approbation  of  his  own  heart,.  He  was  of  a  good 
family,  educated  to  the  law,  and  held  fome  civil  employments  in 
Ireland :  but,  conformable  to  the  ufage  of  the  times  during  the  Civil 
War,  he  quitted  his  profeflion  for  the  camp,  and  firft  ferved  among 
the  royalifts.  He  was,  early  in  the  war,  taken  prifouer  by  the 
forces  of  the  parliament ;  and  afterwards  entered  into  the  fervice  of 
the  viftorious  party.  He  engaged  in  the  expedition  againft  the 
Spanifh  Weft-Indies  for  one  year  only  ;  but,  by  various  occurrences,. 
continued  in  the  fervice  till  after  the  Reftoration.  He  had  ftrongjy 
folicited  Cromwell  to  confirm  him  in  the  government  of  Jamaica  ; 
and  was  conftantly  refuled,  from  a  diftruft  perhaps  of  his  political 
principles.  So  that,  although  he  enjoyed  the  fuprerae  command 
here  for  a  longer  fpace  than  any  of  his  predeceflbrs,  it  was  only  by 
the  accident  of  furvivorfhip  upon  the  deaths  of  Sedge wi eke  ancf 
Brayne.  It  is  a  memorable  circumftance  attending  his  life,  that 
the  very  man  to  whom  the  Proteftor  had  manifefted  fo  inflexible  aa 
averfion  or  jealoufy,  feemed  the  moft  capable  of  any  commander 
employed;  that  he  held  the  government,  which  had  been  denied 
to  his  folicitations,  much  longer,  and  fuccceded  ia  tlxe  adrni^ 
niftration  of  it  much  better,  than  any  other. 

If  we  take  a  retrofpeftive  view  of  Cromwell's  policy  and  ma* 
nagement  throughout  the  whole  of  this  bufinefs,  we  fliall  find  no 
great  reafon  to  admire  them..     The  ill  fuccefs  of  the  eiiterprize 

againit" 


286  J    A    M    A    I    C    A.  [A.D-i66q. 

againft    St.   Domingo  may  juftly  be    afcribed  as.  much    to    the 

treacherous  behaviour   of  the  perfons  commifliooed  by  Oliver  in 

the  equipment,  as  to  the  injudicious  clwice,  and  bad  execution,    o^ 

.  the  officers  and  men  by  whom  it  was  conduced.     Tlie  foldiers  wercr 

for  the  moft  part  the  refufe  of  the  whole  army  ;   the  forces,  inlifted 

in  the    Weft-Indies,  were   the  tnoft  profligate  of  mankind ;   Pcnn 

..and  Venables  were  of  very  incompatible  tempers  ;  the  troops  were 

.not  furnifhed  with  arms  fit  for  fuch  an  expedition;  their  provifions 

were  very   defeftive  both  in  quantity   and  quality;  all  hopes  of 

.  pillage,   the  beft  incentive  to  valour  among  fuch  men,  were  refufe4 

.the  foldiers  and  feamen  ;    no  direftions  nor  intelligence  were  given 

F  to  conduct  the  officers  in  their  enterprize ;  and  at  the   fame  time 

{ they   were  tied  down  to  follow   the   advice  of  commiflioners  whp 

.  extremely  difconcerted  them  in  all  their  projeds  [;f]. 

For  the  pofieffion .  of  Jamaica,  the  generals  were  more  indebte4 
to  the  cowardice  of  the  Spaniards,  than  the  bravery  of  their  own 
troops.  In  the  reinforcing  of  that  army,  who  were  to.  plant  as 
well  as  defend  the  ifland,  it  was  furely  unwife  to  fend  fturdy  beg* 
gars,  thieves,  and  vagabonds,  gleaned  from  Scotland  and  othec 
parts,  with  a  defign  to  their  altering  their  nature  in  Jamaica,  and 
becoming  converts  to  fobriety,  induftry,  and  good- manners.  The 
^quality  of  thefe  recruits  may  be  judged  from  major-general  Boteler'S) 
return  of  perfons  committed,  to  gaol  within  his  aflbciation.  It  be- 
gins in  this  manner. 

In  the  gaol  at  Northampton, 

•Thomas  TaCkfon,   f^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^"7  calling,, 
Matthew  Gauge  '  \      ^^^  very  drunken  fellows,  and  quarrelfome; 

•Marke  Crookes. '     |      ^'^  ^"  ^'"S^^  "^^"'  ^^^  ^^  ^^'  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^-^- 

^     yond  feas. 

'This  fame  purveyor  for  the  colonies,  in  his  letter  to  Thurloe  in  th$ 

year  16.56,    *'  makes  humble  motion,  that  he  would  pleafe  to  help 

**  him  to  a  vent  for  thofe  idle  vile  rogues,  that  he  had  fecured    fpr 

♦*  the  prefent,  fome  in   one  country,  fome  in  another ;  being  not 

"able  to  provide  fecurity  for  their  peaceable  demeanour;  not  fit 

"  to  live  on  this  fide  fome  or  other  of  our  plantations."     He  adds, 

»<*  that  he  could  help  Thurloe  to  two  or  three   hundred  3t  twenty- 

[x]  Hume. 

^^  four 


i66o.]  BOOK     L        CHAP.    XL  2B7 

*^  four  hours  warning ;  and  the  countries  would  think  themfelves 
«*  well  rid  of  them  [j'].**     What  happened  upon  the  introduftion  of 
fuch  levies  into  Jamaica  might  eafily  have  been  forefeen.     They 
peiTifted  in  their  diffolute  courfes,  contaminated  others  who  were 
well  diipofed,  and  rendered    the  place  for  fome  time  ofFenfive    to 
flrrangei's,  who  might  otherwife  have  chofen  to  fettle  in  it.    Another 
great  defeft  in  the  colonization  of  the  ifland  was  the  neglefl  of  pro- 
viding  aad  eftablifhing^  by  the  fupreme  authority   of  the    ftate,  ^ 
fome   certain  frame  of  civil  government*     The  Puritans  of  New- - 
England,  who  had  profpered  fo  amazingly,   were  reftrained  to  an  ^ 
orderly,   temperate,  and  induftrious  way  of  life,  by  the  aufterity/ 
of  their  religious  principles,    which  anfwered  all  the  ends  of  muni- 
cipal laws,  and  compulfbry  penalties.     The  men,  colle<fted  at  Bar*  - 
badoes  and  the  other  fmall  iflands,   were  chiefly  fervants,   who  had 
worked  out  the  term   of  their  indentures,  and  derived  very  little 
morality  or  decency  from  their  education,  fphere  of  life,  or  habitual 
praftices ; .  for  they  had  been  ufed  to  herd  with  Negroe  flaves,  and  * 
refembfed  them  in  the  brutality  of  their  manners. 

In  regard  to  the  reprobates  expellied  from  England,    where  they 
were  nuifances ;  although  it  may  be  true,  that  men  of  reftlefs  tem* 
p4rs,  and  many   of  indifferent  morals,  which  mjght  render  them^ 
ndxiousiii  the  mother-ftate,  may  often  become  very  ufeful  citizens, 
when  tranfplanted  into  the   remoter  parts  of  the  empire ;  yet  it 
fefems   rcafonable  to  thinkj  that,  in  order -to  become  ufeful,    they 
muft  undergo  their  probation  in  colonies  already  well-fettled,   and 
fubjefted  to  a  regular  form  of  governmenty  where  wholefome  law& 
ccJnneft  and  ftrengthen  all  the  obligations  of  fociety,  and  where  a 
cdtopetent  power  refides  to  put  thofe  laws  in  full  execution.:   Men - 
of  a  capricious  or  diflblute  turn  of  mind  have  not  that  fuificient  de- 
gree of  patience,  fteddinefs,  and  decorum,   fo  effential  to  the  ef-; 
tablilhment  of  new  plantations  in  parts  remote  from  the  immediate 
fuperintendence  of  the   mother-ftate.     Confidering,  therefore,  the* 
fcveral  events  attending  the  firft  fettlement  of  Jamaica,*  it  may  be  ' 
reckoned  a.  fortunate  circumftance,  that^  when,  by   the  licentious 
and  refraftory  proceedings  of  many  in  the  army,  the  affairs  of  the 
colony  wore  no  very  promifing  alpe£t,  and  that  the  bufinefs   of. 

ly]  Thurlvol.  IV.  p,  632,   695.. 

4  planting 


a8«  JAMAICA..     [A-D.  1660. 

planting  did  not  proceed  with  that  rapidity  fb  confpicuous  in  other 
iflands,  the  privateering  trade  at  length  opened  a  channel,  by 
which  thefe  diforderly  fpirits  were  driven  into  an  occupation  per- 
feftly  well-fuited  to  them.  In  the  acquifition  of  wealth  to  them- 
felves,  which  they  diffipated  in  riot  and  debauchery,  they  contri- 
buted more  largely  than  they  were  aware  to  the  profperity  of  that 
ifland,  and  the  emolument  of  the  mother-country. 

When  Richard  Cromwell  treated  with  Bourdeaux,  the  French 
embaflador,  in  refpeft  to  the  conditions  of  a  peace  with  Spain ;  he 
was  told,  that  the  king  of  Spain  would  never  confent  to  leave  Ja- 
maica in  Enghfli  hands,  in  regard  it  "  would  in  time  overthrow 
**  all  the  maxims  by  which  he  governed  his  American  dominions;** 
but  would  give  a  confiderable  fum  of  money  to  England  for  it. 
Richard  was  too  honeft,  perhaps,  to  encourage  this  propofal ;  but 
it  may  ferve  to  (h#w  the  very  great  importance  of  this  ifland  in  the 
eftimation  of  the  Spaniards,  as  threatening,  while  in  Englifli  hands, 
to  fubvert  their  projeft  of  an  exclufive  monarchy  in  the  Weft- 
Indies.  Yet  the  Spaniards  could  lay  claim  to  this  ifland  on  no 
other  pretence  than  that  of  ufurpation.  They  expelled,  or  put  to 
death,  (ixty  thoufand  Indian  inhabitants,  to  make  room  for  about 
fifteen  hundred  Spaniards.  Their  whole  number  of  inhabitants, 
including  Negroe  flaves,  were,  at  the  time  of  the  Englifli  invafion, 
computed  only  at  three  thoufand,  of  whom  the  flaves  were  fup- 
pofed  to  form  the  major  part.  As  the  maritime  powers  in  Europe 
were  not  difpofed  to  acknowledge  this  pretended  right  of  univerfal 
fovereignty  in  America,  which  the  crown  of  Spain  had  arrogated ; 
fo  this  oppofition  gave  rife  to  a  fort  of  predatory  Tropical  war, 
which  for  many  years  fubfifted  previous  to  the  conqueft  of  Jamaica. 
It  was  chiefly  conduced  by  private  adventurers,  French,  Englifh, 
and  other  fubjeds ;  and  gave  no  interruption  to  the  peace  in  Eu- 
rope between  the  refpeftive  nations  and  Spain.  But  many  of  thefe 
adventurers,  if  not  moft  of  them,  were  countenanced  in  thefe  ex- 
peditions by  their  refpedtive  fovercigns,  proved  by  their  obtaining 
regular  commiflions ;  and  the  reft  were  not  queftioned  for  what 
they  had  done.  So  that  the  Spanifti  claim  could  not  even  fupport 
itfelf  on  a  p.refcriptive  right;  fince  it  was  fo  continually  denied  by 
thefe  interruptions.     In  fliort,  agreeable  to  the  law  of  nations,  a 

general 


B  9  O  K    I.      C  H  A  P.    Xr.  289 

general  and  firm  aflent  to  their  claim  could  only  have  been  teftified 
•by  a  treaty  admitting  it  in  full  efFe£t,  and  enfuring  permanently  a 
quiet,  peaceable  pofleffion.  No  fuch  compaft  having  been  ratified 
with  Spain,  the  Englifti  and  other  dates,  contefting  the  Spanifli 
ufurpation  in  thefe  feas,  thought  themfelves  at  liberty  to  acquire 
ibme  (hare  of  thofe  lands  which  the  Spaniards  were  unable  either 
to  people  or  to  defend.  Even  according  to  the  utmoft  refinements 
of  the  civilians,  if  we  grant  that  the  firft  difcoverers  of  any  country 
have  the  beft  right  to  poflefs  it ;  yet  we  muft  contend  for  this  di* 
ilinftion,  that  fuch  a  right  is  only  legitimately  conftituted  in 
refpefk  to  countries  found  defert,  or  without  inhabitants.  But, 
as  all  thefe  American  lands,  when  difcovered  by  Columbus,  were 
well-peopled  with  the  Indian  Aborigines,  the  Spaniards  could  not 
tlcrive  a  legitimate  right  from  this  fourcc.  The  crown  of  Spain^ 
aware  of  this  diftindion,  never  alledged  it  as  material  in  their  fa- 
vour, but  chole  rather  to  found  their  claim  on  the  Pope's  donation ; 
who,  as  God*s  vicar  on  earth,  aflerteda  right  to  difpofe  at  pleafure 
of  every  acre  of  land  on  the  globe  [2;].  It  is  certain,  that  the 
Spaniards,  by  admitting  the  papal  omnipoteucy  in  this  cafe,  havo 
implied  a  right  in  the  Pope  to  refume  his  grant  at  any  time,  and 
beftow  thefe  very  territories  upon  the  French,  or  others  of  his  ca- 
tholic vaflals;  and  that  the  claim  of  fuch  new  grantees  would  de- 
rive additional  ftrength  from  the  very  title  fet  up  by  the  Spaniards 
themfelves ;  for  the  Roman  pontiff  conftantly  afferted  an  equal 
right  to  take  away,  pull  down,  and  deftroy,  as  to  confer,  build  up, 
and  fupport.  And  there  is  no  doubt  but  that,  if  this  donation 
were  of  any  validity,  the  king  of  Spain  would  be  equally  well  en- 
titled to  poflefs  the  kingdom  of  England ;  for  that  alfo  was  granted 
by  the  Pope,  firft  to  Philip  of  ,  France,  and  afterwards  to  Philip  of 
Spain  ;  who,  to  obtain  it,  equipped  the  formidable  Armada.  In 
this  age,  when  the  thunders  of  the  Vatican  are  no  longer  capable 
of  ftriking  terror  into  Papifts  or  Proteftants,  a  claim  of  this  nature 

[2]  Noah,  who  had  a  better  (itlc  in  law,  is  faid  by  fome  hiftorians  to  have  crecuted  a  deed  of 
bargain  and  fale  foon  after  he  came  afhore  from  the  ark,  and  conveyed  the  whole  world  to  hi» 
three  fons,  (hare  and  (hare  alike.  But  this  deed  no  where  appearing  at  preftnt,  unlc  3  it  is  pre- 
ferved  in  the  Vatican  librar}-,  we  are  not  informed  to  whofe  lot  America  fell.  The  Pope,  it  is 
thought  (no  title-deed  being  extant),  conceived  this  Weflem  eftaie  t©  be  efcheatable,  and  fo 
claimed  it  as  vicarius  Del;  but,  if  the  opinion  of  the  learned  may  be  relied  on,  it  properly  and 
legally  belongs  to  the  right  heirs  of  Noah. 

Vol.  I.  P  p  Ul 


a^o  JAMAICA. 

is  defervedly  laughed  at  by  both  parties.     The  Englifli   therefore, ... 
unable  to  find  any  lawful  foundation  for  the  claim  of  exclufive  fo-  - 
vereignty  in  America,  and  intending  a  war  with  Spain,  or  rather 
jeprifkls  for   various   a6ts  of  hoftility  and  rapine,    determined  to  -- 
ftrike  fbme  blow  in  America,  where   the  offences  had  been  com-* 
mitted.     The  capture  of  Jamaica  was  really  no  other  than  a  de-  . 
nunciation  of  vv  ar.     In  this  fcnfe  it  was  underftood  by  the  court  of, 
Spain,  which  immediately  fought  revenge  by  confifcating.  all  the   - 
Englifli  (hips  and  efFefts  in  the  Spanifh  ports  and  fadories.     I  hare- 
been  furprized,  therefore,  to  find  fome  authors  arraigning  the  law- 
fulnefs  and  juftice  of  this  aft  of  Cromwell,   fince  it  fcems  to  have 
every  requifite  ingredient  appertaining  to  a  lawful  acquifition  ia 
war.    Some,  indeed,  have  infifted  wholly  on  the  unlawfulnefs  of 
committing  hoftilities   in  America  pending  the  peace  in  Europe  j  .-. 
but  thefe  writers  did  not  refleft,  that  no  peace  had  ever  in  exprefs   . 
words  refpefted  America  by  name ;  or,  if  a   peace  had  been   efta- 
blifhed  there  by   implication  of  treaty  in  the  like  manner-  as  in   . 
Europe,  there  is  no  doubl  but  the  Englifli  nation,  meditating  a,., 
dcfenfive  war  againft  Spain  for  her  infraftion  of  fuch  a  treaty,  might, 
without  any  breach  of  the  law  of  nations,  declare  it  by  hoftilities  in   * 
Atnerica.     Even  if  no  general  war  had  been  intencjed  againfl;  Spain, 
the  feizure  of  Jamaica  would  have  been  juftified  by  the  pquciples    . 
andpraftice  of  the  Spaniards  the'mfelves,  who  had  laid  it  .down   as,,, 
a  maxim,  never  to  contraft   fincere  peace  with   the   EngKfli   in    , 
America.    In  the  reign  of  Charles  I,  and  whilft'a  profound  .peace  ^ 
was  obferved   in  Europe,  they  attacked   St.   Chriftopher,   Nevis,  :, 
Providence,    Santa  Cruz,  and  fome  other  infular   fettleoaents    on   < 
which  the  Englifli  had  planted  themfelvcsi     They  murdered,^  or 
carried  into  flavery,   moft  of  the  fettlers;   nor  did  the  Englifli  ever   5 
receive  from  the  crown  of  Spain  the  leaft  reparation  for  thefe  out- 
rages.    It  was  not  confiftent  with  the  fundamental  policy  of  that    : 
court,    that  the  Englifli  fliould    ever  be  admitted   to   a    partici- 
pation either  of  territory  or  trade   in   the  Weft-Indies.     There  is 
110  doubt   but  the  Spaniards    are  ftillrcquajly  tenacious   of.  thefe 
pretenfions,  and  want  not  the  will,  but  the  power,  to-recover  all 
they  have  loft. 

This 


BOOK    L      CHAP.  ^  XL  apt 

This  reafoning  wilt  j-eceive  a  confiderable  elucidation  from  the 
following  account,  which  Thurloe  has  given  us,  of  the  rife  of  this 
Weft-India  expedition. 

Speaking  of  the  negotiations  between  Oliver  Cromwell,  fbon 
after  he  was  raifed  to  the  protedorate,  and  the  foreign  minifters>  h& 
fays,  in  reference  to  the  Spanifli  ambafiador,  Don  Alonzo  de  Car« 
denas,  •'  that,  touching  the  Weft-Indies,  the  debate  thereof  was 
*♦  occafioned  upon  the  firft  article  of  the  treaty  of  1630  between 
••  England  and  Spain,  whereby  it  is  agreed,  that  there  fhould  be  a 
**  peace,  amity,  and  friendftiip,  between  the  two  kings  and  their 
**  refpeftive  fubjc6ls,  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  as  well  in  Europe 
*<  as  elfewhere.  Upon  this  it  was  (hewed,  that,  in  contravention 
**  of  this  article,  the  EngliQi  were  treated  by  the  Spaniards  as  ene* 
**  mies  wherever*  they  were  met  in  America,  though  failing  to  and 
<^  froni  their  own  plantations  ;  and  infifted,  that  fatisfa£lion  was 
^^  to  be  given  in  this,,  and  a  good  foundation  of  friendihip  laid  in 
•*  thofe  parts  for  the  future  between  their  refpeftive  fubje£ts,  the 
«<  Bnglifh  there  being  very  confiderable,  and  whofe  fafety  and  in- 
*^  tercft  the  goverriment  here  ought  to  provide  for;  or  elfe  therd 
<<  could  be  no  iblid  and  lafting  peace  between  thefe  two  ftatei  in 
•«  Europe*  .      . 

"The  fccond  difference  was  touching  the  ihquiiitionj  to  tbd 
<<  danger  of  which  all  our  Engliih  merchants  trading  in  Spain 
*«  were  expofed,  &c*  .         ^ 

•«  To  thefe  Don  Alonzo  replied,  that  to  alk  a  liberty  from  the  in** 
«*  quifition,  and  free  failing  in  the  Weft-Indies,  was  to  alk  his 
**  mafter*3  two  eyes ;  and  that  nothing  could  be  done  in  thefe 
•*  points  but  according  to  the  pra&ice  of  former  times- 
'  "  The  debates  upon  thefe  articles  gave  no  great  fatisfa<5ion  to 
«*  cither  fide,  nor  increafed  the  confidence ;  but  rather  fhewed,  that 
**  the  principles  of  England  and  Spain  at  that  time  were  very  difr 
<<  ferent,    and  that  it  would  be   hard    to    make    their  interefti 


**  agree. 


"  Then  it  came  into  debate,  before  Oliver  and  his  council,  with 
*«  which  of  the  crowns  (France  or  Spain)  an  alliance  was  to  ba 
**  chofen.  Oliver  himfelf  was  for  a  war  with  Spain,  At  leaft  in  thd 
"  Weft-Indies,  if  fatisfadkion  were  not  given  for  paft  damages,  and 

P  p  2  *'  things 


agt  JAMAICA^ 

"  things  well  fettled  for  the  future.     And  moft  of  the  counciF 
*<  went  the  fame  way." 

As  this  happened  in  1653,  and  the  fleet  wad  not  equipped  until  the 
latter  end  of  1654,  we  may  rcafonably  prefume^  that  conferences 
were  in  the  mean  time  renewed  with  Cardenas,  in  hopes  of 
working  fome  change  in  the  Spanifh  determinations ;  but  without 
any  effect. 

^  So  it  was  refolved  to  fend  a  fleet  and  land-forces  into  the  Weft^ 

*«  Indies,  where,  it  was  taken  for  granted,  the  peace  was  already 

*'  broken  by  the  Spaniard,  contrary    to  the  former  treaties  ;   and 

'  *•  not  to  meddle  with  any  thing  in  Europe  till  the  Spaniard  fhould 

^  begin^  unlefs  the  American  fleet  (hould  be  met  with,  which  was 

**  looked  upon  as  a  lawful  prize. 

"  The  fleet  was  fent  away  to  the  Wefl:-Indies  ;  and  a.  war  foK 
♦*  lowed  thereupon  between  England  and  Spain  [a].'* 

Such  is  the  circumflantial  detail  whieh  Thurloe  (the  bed  au^ 
thority)  has  given  of  this  bufinefs..  Does  it  not  appear  from  hence, 
that  the  Spaniards  had  broken  the  treaty  of  163O9  as  it  was  then 
underfliood ;  had  treated  the  Englifli  fubje£ts  in  America  as.  enemies^ 
and  interrupted  their,  freedom  of  navigation  ?  that  a .  reparation 
for  thefe  injuries  was  demanded,  inform,  of  the  Spanifh  ambafl&dor; 
and  that,  fb  far  from  making  any,  he  wouldr^not  even  admit  the 
light  of  free  failing,  but  avowed  the  maxims  of  his  court  which 
had  produced  thefe  injuries?  Could  any  reafous  be  morejuftifica* 
live  than  thefe  for  entering^  into  a  war^.for  (Staining  redrefs,  which  > 
could  be  procured  in  no  other  way  ?:  And  would  any  previous  for* 
siality^  be  ceafbnably  expe^ed  in  this. cafe?  Civilians  all  hold, 
that  he  who  is  already  attacked  (which  was-  the  cafe  with  the 
iEnglilK.  fettled  in  America)  need  not  declare  war.  .  The  ftate.  of 
war  was  fiifliciently  determined  by  the  open  hoftilitiea  of  the  Spa* 
niards  in  thofe  parts  [/^^,  and  by  the  declarations  of  their  amba& 
^dor,  who  anfwered  intthe  name  of  his  mafler. . 

It  appears  further,  that  Cromwell  voted  for  a  war,  as  expedient 
iJfiiy  in  cafe  fatisfaftion  were  not  given  for  paft  damages,  and  fecu- 
rity  for  a  folid  amity  in  future,.  This  was  furely  a  juft  and  ho-» 
Ikourable  principle,  and  highly  becoming  the  nation. 

£i»}  Tkurl  vol  iSjji.  t6o>  jSp^  Ih}  Vide  Burnett  HiiU  toLJ^  p,  119. 

The 


BOOK    1.       CHAP.    XI.  2^$ 

The  Injuries  fuftained  from  the  Spaniards,  the  cruelties  they  exer- 
dfed,  and  the  Englifh  blood  they  (hed  in  America,  in  contravene- 
tion  of  the  treaty  of  1630,  were  then  recent  in  the  minds  of  every 
one  :  but  now  they  are  obliterated  by  the  diftance  of  time.     Yet 
it  cannot  be  doubted,  that  thefe  outrages  were  as  juftly  and  as  ge- 
nerally refented  at  that  period,  as  their  later  hoftilities  were  imme- 
diately before  the  war  of  1739.     The   queftions  of  "  free  failing  . 
«♦  and  colonizing   in  the  Weft- Indie3'*  were  the  grounds  of  both- 
thcfe  wars.     The  reafonings  apply  equally  to  both  thefe  events ;  i 
and  Gromwell*s  war  with  Spain  appears  as  juft  and  honourable  (in  • 
a  national  view)* as  the  war  of  George  II.     Nothing  therefore,  I 
think,  but  thfe  blindnefs   of  party-zeal,   could    have  mifled  foma 
anthors  to  call  this  expedition  piratical  and  lawlefs  ;  and  others  to  • 
ftigmatize  it  as  an  unwarrantable  violation  of  treaty.     So  far  from  ' 
being  repugnant  to  the  principles  of  natural  equity  (as  Mr.  Hume  ' 
aflerts),  it  feera^  manifeftiy  confiilent  with  the  W ws  of  nature  and  • 
nations,  and  the  rules  of  found  policy  :   btit  of  this  let  the'  reader 
difpaflionately  form  his  own  judgement ;   recollefting,  that,  from 
the  treaty  of  Utrecht  in  1-713  to  the  year  17^6;  in  the  time  of  ^ 
peace,  the  Spaniards  captured  or  plundered  no  lefs  than  forty-feven 
of  our  (hips  in  the  Weft-Indies,  valued   at  141,000/. ;  that,  after 
figning  the- preliminaries  of  peace  in  1727,  and  notwithftanding  the 
apparently  pacific  difpofition  of  the  Spanish  court  in  Europe,  and « 
their  folemn*  engagements,  their  governors  in  the  Weft-Indies  were  ' 
inftruiSedto*  continue  their  depredatory  war;  io  thit  our  men  of 
war  were  no  fooner  withdrawn  from  thofe  feas,  than  our  merchants  ♦ 
began  to  feel  feverely  the  efFe£ls  of  the  Spanifti  perfidy ;   and  every 
(hip  from  our  colonies  brought   a  fre(h  fubjed  of  complaint  of 
their  robberies    on    our  trade,    and  cruelties  towards  our  failors;  - 
Thfe  houfe  of  commons,  moved  by  thefe  accounts,   addrefled  the 
king  in  1728,    deliring  he  would  be  pleafed  to  endeavour,   ift,  td  ^ 
prevent  fuch  depredations ;  2dlyj  to  procure  juft  and  reafbnable  fa- 
tisfadiion  for  the  loffes  fuftained;  and,  3dly,  to  fetureto  his  fubjefls  * 
the  free  exercife  of  commerce  and  navigation  to  and  from  the  Britifti 
colonies  in  America.      Thefe  are  exprefsly    the  very  fame  three 
points'    for    which   Oliver    contended    upwards  of  feventy  years  ^ 

Aftet  r 


2P4.  ^J    A    MA     I    C    A. 

'  After  the  unj aft ifi able  fa le  of  Dunkirk  to  France  in  1662,  m&fiy 
-perfons  were  filled  with  apprehenfions,  left  the  neceflities  'of 
Charles  (hould  prompt  him  to  fell  Jamaica  to  the  Spaniards,  ft 
is  probable,  that,  asr  the  court  of  Spain  had  offered  a  fum  of  rao- 
ney  to  Richard  Cromwell  ifbr  it,  rihc  king  would  gladly  have  ac- 
cepted the. like  terms,,  if  he  had  not  been  reftrained,  on  the  one 
hand,  by  his  clofe  alliance  with  France  againft  the  Spanifh  intereft; 
•and,  on  the  other,  by  his  dread  of  the  parliament ;  who  bad  prepared 
a  bill  for  annexing  Dunkirk  to  the  crown  of  England,  at  the  wcty 
time  when  Charles  negociated the  fale  of  it;  and  highly  refented 
the  tranfadlion,alledging,- that,  not  having  been  acquired   by  the 

^king's,  arms,  he  could  Jiave  no  right  to  fell  it,  whatever  right  he 

vinight  have  to  reftoreit  by  treaty,  with  the  confent  of  parliament. 

iCharles.  rightly  judged,  that,  if  he  (hould  proceed  to  thefafe  of 
Jamaica,  the  parliament  would  take  care  that  the  purcliafe- money 
ihould  not,  as  in  the  former  cafe,  defcpnd  into  his  private  coffers, 

t  but  be  apprppriated  to  national  Aife.  The  inhabitants  of  Jamaica 
were  iiot  without  dread  of  a  change;  ^nd  feveral  reafons  were 
offered  to  hismajefty's  confideration,  chiefly  by  Sir  Thomas 
Lynch,   why  he  fliould  keep,   preferve/ and  fupport,  that  ifland; 

:^mong  which  the  following  were  the  moft  material. 

X.  That.it  is  very  extenfive,  and  capable  of  receiving  great  num- 

tbers  of  people. 

:2.  it  is  featedin  the  heart  of  the  Spanifli  American   territories; 

'fothat  the  Spanilh  ft^ips  coming  into  the  Weft-Indies^  and  failing 
from  port  to  port,  either  make  fome  part  of  this  ifland,  or  may 
be  immediately  met  by  the  men  of  war  plying  on  this  coaft ;  which 
proves  it  of  great  importance  to  us,  inafmuch  as  it  lies  to  convenient 
for  annoying  and  diftrefling  the  Spaniards  in  time  of  war. 

3.  Jamaica  is  found  to  precede  all  the  Englifli  plantations  in 
-America  in  the^very  commodities  that  are  proper  to  their  feveral 
colonies;  and  is  alfo  diftinguifhed  from  them  by  its  producing 
cacao,  hides,  tortoife-ftielF,  mahogany,  dying- woods,  gums,  fpices, 
drugs,  &c.  fruits,  fowl,  and  fifh,  an  infinite  ftore;  many  of 
which  are  unknown  to  the  others;  likewifc  fuch  an  abundance  of 
hogs,   fheep,    horfes,    and  horned   cattle,  that  none  other  of  the 

3i:ngiiai  WeftJndia   iflatids  can  ecjual^  it.      And  as  this  ifland  is 

^  thua 


BOOK'  I.       CHAP.    XL  295- 

tlids  -advantageous  in  furnifhing  fuch  various  commodities ;  fo  it 
is^polefs  profitable  in  taking  off  and  confuming  the  manufadures. 
o£  England*  . 

4.  Its   extent  and  fertility  make  it  capable  of  receiving  all  thofd 
planters   who,   by  the  wearing  out  of  lands  and   wafte  of  woods;.  » 
are  forced  todefertthe  Carribee  ifles. 

5.  By  itsftrength  of  inhabitants  and  Shipping  [c],  it  might  'of  r^ 
itfelf  carry  on  a  war  againft-.  the  Spaniards  in  the(e  feas,  and  force  * 
them  to  admit  of  a  trade  into  their  ports;  and,  a  trade  being  thus  •- 
forced,  .a  very  bene6cial  intercourfe  and  acquaintance  might  be  \: 
made  an<l  promoted  with  the  native  Spaniards. 

6. '  It  h  not  fo  fubj66fc  to  hurricanes^  as  the  Carribee  ifles.; 

7.  Thecoaifl;  of  Virginia  and  thofe  ifles  being  very  liable  to  vi-  • 
olcnt  gufts  of  wind^  their  Ihips. have  often  been  driven  out  to  feaj 
andfo  much  dilkbled,.  as  to  be  conft rained  to  put  into  fome  of  the  • 
Spanifti  ports,  where  they  were  made  prizes;  but, : after  Jamaica  : 
fell  into  Englifh  hands^  it  afforded  convenient  harboura  for  all. 
veflels  thusdiftrefled,  aiid  has  faved  many  which  were  forced  by  / 
ftorips  from  the  other  coloriiea.  , 

Thefe  arguments  require  no  comment,  -iince  the  experience  of  -  a  ^ 
century  has  fully  denaonftrated  their  truth  and  importance  in .  moft  ^ 
points.  :  In  refpedt  to  opening  a  trade  with  the  Spaniards,  the  ad«» 
vantages  of  it  would  no  doubt  have  been:  fully  proved,  had  the  ex- 
periment ever  been  made  in  the  manner  propofed  ;  confidering  the  • 
immenfe  profits,  that  have  been:gained  to  the  nation  by  a  limited  and'  'I 
clandeftjne  intercourfe,  carried  on  under  every  poffible  obftacle  ~: 
which, the  Spanifh  government. could  contrive^  to  fupprcfs  it,  .  and  < 
which,  it  never  has  been,  nor  ever  will  be,  able  wholly  to  fupprefs,  . 
without  the  concurrent  endeavours  of  the  Brififh  miiiiftry^   . 

Having  (hewn  the  means  by  which  Jamaica  was  firft  acquired 
and  maintained,  and  its  fettlement  advanced.;   it  remains  juft  to  ^ 
mention  one  or  two  occurrences  which  in  later  times,  prpved  of  - 
eminent  fervi^e  iji  the  further  population  of  it, .  , 

'About,  the  year  1674,  a  treaty  was  entered  into^  between  t 
Charles  IT.  and  the  ftates  ■  of  HoUahd ;  whereby  it  was  agreed,  .% 
th»t  England  fliould  cede  to  the  latter  the  colorty  of  Surinam,  in    * 

[r]  At  tbU  time  there  were  thirty  fail  of  privateers  beloAging  fo  the  ifland. 

exchange -*;-: 


^  5    A    M    A    I    C    A/' 

.  excliange  for  the  Dutch  province  of  New  York.  Three  Eiigfint 
Qojnmiffioaers,  Meff.  Cranfield,  Duckenfield,  and  Brent,  were  fent 
over  to  execute  th,s  treaty,  and  remove  the  Engllfli  fubjeds,  witli 
their -effects.  Tlte  evacuation  was  accordingly  performed  in  the 
following  year;  and  the  Englifli  planters,  in  number  about  twelv6 
hundred,-  including  Negroes,  conduced  to  Jamaica,  where  they 
were  gracioufly  received  by  lord  Vaughan,  the  then  governor, 
agreeably  to  the  inftrudions  given  him ;  and  fettled  on  a  trad  of 
'land. in  the  parifli  of  St.  Elizabeth,  fince  called  Surmam  Quarters. 
The  addition  of  fo  many  induftrious  men  was  unqueftionably  of 
-very  great  fervice  to  the  ifland ;  but  the  foil  allotted  for  them  was 
by  no  means  equivalent  to  that  which  they  had  been  obliged  to  re- 
2gn  at  Surinam.  Another  body  of  ufeful  planters  was  gained  in 
.1699.  The  jealoufy,  excited  in  England  by  the  trading  part  of 
the  nation,  and  particularly  the  Eaft-India  company,  againll  the 
Scotch  proje£t  of  colonizing  on  the  ifthmus  of  Darien,  had  fo  in- 
fluenced the  miniftry  of  William  III,  that  methods,  neither  hu- 
mane nor  very  honourable,  were  pra£lifed,  in  order  to  obftruft  it. 
The  Scotch  tranfplanted  thither  had  been  reduced  to  great  tliftrefs, 
ibr  want  of  provifion  and  other  neceffaries,  and  drew  their  fup- 
plies  chiefly  from  Jamaica  and  New  York.  But  a  flop  was  put  to 
this  fupport  by  the  following  proclamation,  which  the  governor^ 
fir  William  Beefton,  was  direfted  to  iflue : 

**  Whereas  I  have  received  orders  from  his  majefty,  by  the  right 
^  honourable  James  Vernon,  one  of  the  principal  fecretaries  of 
<*  flat?,  importing,  that  his  majefty  was  not  informed  of  the  inten- 
^  tions  and  defigns  of  the  Scotch  in  peopling  Darien,  which  is 
"contrary  to  the  peace  between  his  majefty  and  his  allies;  and 
"  commanding^ me  not  to  aftbrd  them  any  affiftance :  in  compli« 
^*  ,auce  therewith,  in  his  majefty's  name,  and  by  his  order,  I  do 
*'  ftridtly  charge  and  require  all  and  every  his  majefty's  fubjeds, 
^*  that,  upon  no  pretence  whatfoever,  they  hold  any  correfpondence 
««  with  the  Scots  aforefaid ;  nor  give  them  any  affiftance  with  arms, 
^*  ammunition,  provifion,  or  any  thing  whatfoever,  either  by  them- 
"  felvea,  or  any  other  for  them  ;  nor  affift  them  with  any  of  their 
*^  ihipping^  or  of  the  Englifti  nation's  ;  upon  pain  of  his  majefty's 

"  diipleafure. 


BOOK    T.      CHAP.      XL  2^7^ 

**  difpleafure^  .»nd  of  fufFcring  the  fevereft  puniflimeiit. .  Given,  &c.: 

m 

"  9th  April,  i69[p.\\; 

SureJr,  this  vvaa  little'  fhort  of  a  declaration  of  war;  it*  differsi 
only  in  that  it  dcies. not  enjoin  adts  of  hoftility,  for  in  other  refpedts 
it  prohibits  every  degree  of  amity  and  intercourfeinas.  xigorQus.a- 
manner  as  if  we  luid  been  engaged  in  open  war  with  them  ;   nayv 
it  even  iiatcrdiiSs  fome  things  which  are  not  difallowed  to  an  enemy 
in  open  war  j   for  it  is  an  eternal  principle,  in  every  juft  war  be- 
tween civilized  ftates,.  that  they  (hould  never  forget  their  enemies 
are  men^  nor  deftroy  that  charity  which  conneftfe  them  with  the- 
reft  of  mankind.    Tafave;an  enemy  from  perilhiug,  is  furely  more; 
glofious  than  to  deftroy.     But. the  Scotch. Were  then  our  friendsii: 
and  the  meafures  therefore  purfued    for  ftarving   thfcm    to  death* 
were  tlifgraceful  to  the  government,    barbarous,  and  unjuftifiable.- 
The  like  proclamation,  was  iflbed  in  the  oth^r  neighbouring.  Emglifli 
colociies;  the  news  of  whidi,   and  of  the  temper  of  the  Engiifli: 
parlii ment,'. thunder ftrucl^  the  Scotch,  who,  having  foiled  of  r^.*; 
ceiviag  regukrifuppoirtfronor'their.  own  nation j  had   till   now   de-^- 
pended  on  the  EngHfli  colonies  for  a  continuation  of  amicable  helj>i 
and  intercourfe ;  and,  on  being  denied  any  further  affiftance  from 
Jamaica  and  New  York,  to  which  they  had  fent  for  fre(h  fupplies, 
they  were  driven  to  the  utpxoft  ^itfemity  of  want,  and   compelled 
to  abandon  their  fettlement  on  the  20th  of  June,   1699.     Scarcely 
one  hundred  of  thim  got  tecl<f  to/Scofland  i;  a  ;feWt  periflied  by  the 
hands  of  the  Spaniards ;   the  reft   of  the  furvivors,  embarking  in 
^o  fliips,;  betook  themfelves  for  refuge  to   Jamaica ;   even   here, 
aithpugh    their    diftrefles    by    ifamipQ  .  aAd    fickn.cfs  .were    well- 
koQwn,  yet  the  termg  of   theprOclaaiJKioixyverc  fo  rigorous,  that, 
they    were    obliged    to    gain,  a    Iqdgenlent    on    fliore    fword-iii-. 
hand  f  bu.t   they    were  foon  difp^ried  int-o  various   oni.ployments, 
and     by  their   induftry  acqui4-ed'in  procefs   of   time   very   confi- 
derable    eftates,    which  are    now    enjoyed    by  their   worthy   de- 
fcendents.     The  Afliento   and  private    contracts  with   the   Spa- 
niards  were  other  fources  of   population;    for,   when  the   town:^ 
of  Kingfton,    by  m^ans  of  thx§  commerce,  became  the  great  ma-- 
g^izine  for  fupplying  Bririfh  manu failures  to  the  Spaniards,  number* 
l^fs  metrhants^  fadlors,  and  traders,  were  attrafted  by  the  gainful , 
..  YoL.  I.  Q  q  plau 


:59ft^  JAMAICA. 

plan  of  bufinefs  which  then  opened  to  viexv.;  and^mafiy  of  tHetn^ 
laid  out  the  profits  of  commerce  in  fettling  or  ^purchaiing  fugat 
eflates  in  this^  Ifiand.  The  two  remarkable  epochs  of  171 5  and 
1 745  were  attended  with  fome  fmaflr  emigrations  hither-  of  a  fcwv- 
who^  either  from  principle  or  indifcretion,  had'  engag)ed  in  thofe 
vnfortooate  enterprize*.  This  iiland  afforded  them  a:  fauftuary,. 
wherein  they  found  leiiure  to  make  atonemfcnt  for  their  paft:  mif^-' 
conduft,  by  becoming  laborious,  peaceable,  and  ufcfoL  fubje<5ls^ 
of  the  eftablilhed  government.  I  have  omitted  to  remark,,  that^ 
when  die  colony  began  toflourift,  many  families  of  note  isemov^d; 
hither  frora^Barbadoesv  They  prolxibly  began:  to  eiinigrate  during: 
Sir  Thomas  Modyford^s  gGverinnent.  -  VVefind  fcveifeL  dcfccndents- 
from  thefe  old  ftocks  ftill  remaining  in  tile  illand,  and:  fome  pLin- 
tatTons^  which>  although  in-  the  courfe  of  tim-e^they  have  palled-' 
into  other  hands,  continue  to  retain  the  nafmes  of  their  original:' 
founders,  who  were  for  the  mdft  part^-natives  of  Barbadbtsi  iiivitedi 
hither  perhaps  by  the  frefhneis  of  thefoili  and.  ibma  other  advatv- 
tages  which  made  it  more  eligible  thcaiv  tlieir .  former^  place:  06 
habitation* 


^  S  E  G  T.     VFv 

B    D    C    A    N    I    E    R.   S; 

I  D  O  not  mean  to  recite  the  exploits  of  thofe  who  pafs  under? 
this  name,  and  who  made  fo  remarkable  a-  figure  in  the  early  pare- 
of  our  hiftbry ;  but  only  to  vindicate  them  in  general  agaia^-  thi&^ 
mifreprefentatfon  that  has  been  made  of  their  conduflf. 

I  have  already  mentioned  how  much  the  Ifland' flood  indfebted' 
to  their  valour ;  and  the  remarks  which  follow  will  ferve  as  a  fup- 
plement  to  what  has  been  faid  in  the  preceding  narration. 

During  the  adminiftration  of  Cromwell^  the  colony,  having  very 
few  pfofitabk  fettlomentSy  and  a  confiderable  fleet  and- army  fta* 
tioned  for  its  -  d6<fence,  became  af  dead  weight  or  charge  on  the 
Common^¥ealth  of  England,  in  the  amount  of  about  53,000/.  per 
0nnum.     When  a  form  of  civil  government  was- eftabliflied^  fbon 

after 


BOOK    t.       CHAP.,  xr,  29^ 

aft'er  the  RelloraVtori  of  Ghafks  If,  it  ffrew  the  i-efort  of  a  tnulti- 
tude  of-  adventutersj  <rompofed*  of  diftbrent*  ranks  afld  degrees  of 
men.  Some  were  men  of  fortune  and  enterprize,  allured  by  an 
cxpe6l:atioh  of'ftrtdrfig  gold '  and  filver  mines;  others,  gentlemen  of 
decayed  eftates,  loyaliftSf  and  parliamentarians,  who,  having  wafted 
or  forfeited  the?r  patrimonies  during  the  iate  Civil  'War,  had  k 
profpe£t  of  retrieving  ^themin  an  ifland,  6f  who(6  valuable  pro- 
doclions  they  htitd  the^hloft  exaggerated  actounts.  To  theft 
jarring  principles,  of  the  royalift  and  the  republican,  we  arc  to  at- 
tribute a  large  (hare  of  thofe  inteftine  feuds  and  continiial  duels  for 
which  it  was  fo  rcmarkal3ly  diftingiiiflied  many  years  fiffcer  it  fell 
into  Englifh  hand^. *       ..>...    ^ 

Mercantile  m^n  likewife  flocked  hither,  ill  queft  <}f  new  reiburcb* 
of  trade  hi  the-  neighbtnirfiirod  of-  the  rich*  Spa-mfli  fcttleirients: 
The  other  Engliftl  'colonies  afforded  alfo  a  fopply  of  pooc^  but  rn- 
^uftrious,  planters ;  who  had  frefh  and  fertile  lands  given  them 
without  expence.-  /fiittWie  principal  fupporters  of  the  colony,  by 
the  torrents  of  money  which  they  poured  •  in,  to-  the  tfntlchirtg  of 
merchants  and  planters,  'and  the  invitatioti  xj^"  new  fettlers,  tverc 
*he  Bucaniers,  an  hardy  race  of  feamen,  and  other  bold  fpiiits^ 
united  in  firm  league ;  who  affaulted  the  Spaniards  in  all  quarters^ 
demoliflied  their  fortifications,  facked  their  town^i  plundered  their 
treafufes,  arid  reduced  thcrar  tdfo  neceffitous  a  condition,  fhat^  hsA 
it  not  been  for  the  too  great  influence  whieli  Spain  found  means^  to 
cultivate  in  the  Britifh  adrtifeiftration,  it  would  pft>feably,  after*  d 
few  years  longer  confiift,  Have?  been  no  dtfB6lilt  rAatter  to  have  an- 
nexed Cuba,  or  fome  other  valuable  parts  of  their  pretended  terri- 
tory hi  thefe  ftas,  to  the  Britifh  crown ;  or,  at  leaft,  to  have  forced' 
their  admitting  ns  to  a  participation  of  th^r  tt^e,  in  preference  trf 
other  nations,  whilft  we  hkd  retaiiied  the  Havannah,  of  St.  €)b* 
tnihgo^  as  cautionary  to  guard  the  treaty,  and  a  lafVing  peace.  B/ 
thefe  means,  they  would  have  been  effedtually  prevented  froirf 
driving  us  out  of  the  logwood  creeTcs,  from  capturing  our  defence^ 
Jefs  merchant-ihips,  and  enflaving  their  crews,  under  pretence  of 
holding  exclufive  right  of  domir/ion  over  the  Ameirican  feas'J^ 
events,  at  which  the  impolitic  or  daftardly  conceflions  of  our  cotirt,* 
many  years  afterwards,  tamely  comiived-.    But  the  Spaniards  had,* 

Q  q  2  *  hy 


^30o  J    A     Nf    A     I     C    A;. 

by  this  time,  recovered  from  their  former  lpfles^«  They  hadgrowtv 
by  a  ceflation  of  what  they  called  our  piratical  hoftilities,  into  a 
ftate  of  vigour  and  opuleuce. 

By  the  very  pacific  difpofition  of  the  BritiHi  court,  they  were 
animated  vs^ith  a  degree  of  fpirit  which  jthey  had  never  felt  before; 
fior  was  it  long  .  ere  they  exhibited  fome  proofs  of  it  in  a*  feries  of 
infolence,  mixed  with  rancoro^s-and  wanton  afl:s  of  barbarity,  ex- 
ercifed  upon  our  countrymen,,  and  which. th^ey  have  in  a  greater  or 
lefs  degree,,  upon  every  fuitabia  occafion,  perfevered  in  manifefting 
to  the  prefent  time. 

;  It  is  to  the  Bucaijiers  that  wepxye;  tl^c^  pofl[effion  of  Jamaica  at 
this  hour.     The  Spaniards  had  never  ceafed  fronxtheir   inclinations 
}:o  regain  it.;,  and  the  fettle rjQfUt  weu.t  oj^  fo  flowly  at  (irfl:,.  that  they., 
had  the^tfateft  reafon  for  hoping«  to  become:  matters,  of.  it,,  anc^ 
drive  out  their  conquerors*    But  they.  were,  chcpked  all  at  once,  by' 
the  attacks  which-they  received  from  whole  (quajdronSj  of  privateerSi^^, 
invading  them  ii)  different  places  with,  ftjch.  irrefiftiblefuqr^  that 
they  began  to  find  yery.fufficient  employment  at  home^  in  defending 
theic  own;  coafts.  a^nd  effefts.     At^tlxe 't;ime.whet>.pi{iva.teering  \yas 
in  its  moft  flourifli^iqg  ftate,  during  the  governipent  of  Sir  Thomas  - 
Modyfordi  and  Sic  Thomas  Lynch, .  as  many  men  were  engaged 
on   board. thcfe  veflels.as  there  were  on  flxore  in  .  the  ifland*     1  do  • 
Bot  undert^k?.  .to  axpufj^-the,  crucltie^^w^ch-*  are  faid  to  have  been 
^ometimfs^pradlifed^c;^    the.  Spaniarc^^      The    aftkilaiits  bad   no. 
thoughts -of:  court^urg.thefrieudlhip  of ,  theih  opponents,  or  of  con- 
quering for   the  iak«,of  amity  and  traflfc.     Both  parties  were  em- 
bittered againft.  each  other  by  reciprocal  iiyuries,    in    which   tha 
Spaniards,  had  undoubtedly. been  the  firft  aggreffors;.  and  the  war. 
was  therefore  carried  on  witih  ,re,iiengj?.and  .defolation. .   It  is.  but 
juftice  toSir  Henry   Morgan,    the:  moft:  celebrated    of    all.  the 
J^nglifti  leaders,   taafurm^Jt  does,  not  appear  that  he    ever    en% 
qouraged  or  approved  of  any  .fuch  inhumanities ;   which, .  although, 
they  might  be  ajuft  retribution  upoa  thofe.  who.Jiad  murdered,, 
to/tured,  or  doomed  to  perpetual  imprifonment, :  many  hundreds- . 
of  Engjiihmen,.  and  thonfanda  of  poor  Indians^  ought  not,  I  .cot^-v- 
fefs,  to  h^ve  ftaincd  the.,han4s'of.  bravemen.     The  general  name. 
oi  plraUf^  given  to  thefe.  pcribns,  Joada  the.  memory  of  fi)m^ 

1  among*  ^ 


B  Cro  K    h   '  C  H  A  P.*  XL  301 

amen'g  'th^m with  ^n    uhdcferved    opprobrium;'  confidering    the 
many  wonderful  and -gallant  adions  they  performed,   the   eminent 
fcrvices  they   effeeled  for  the:  nationy  the  riches  they  acquired  to- 
their  coHntry,  and  the  folid  eftabliftiment  they  gave  to  fo  valuable  a 
©olony.       Sir   Henry-   Morgan,    whofe   atchievements    are    well 
knowii^  was  equa-l  to  a«y  the^mofl:  renowned  warriors  of  hiftoricaL 
feme,  in-valour,  conrdu(3:,  and  fuecefs :  but  this  gentleman  has  been 
unhappily  cwfounded  with  the-  piratical-  herd  ;  although  itis certain; 
that  he  co  nil  an  tly  failed  (mcjer.a  regular  comitiilfion,  was  equipped- 
for  hi«  eXpedit^Gfti-  againft  Maracaibo  by  the  governor  of  Jamaica^, 
and  was  a^aiaded^ind  re^war-ded  for  his  conqueftiby  the   ruling, 
powets.fc^h  in  that  ifland  and  in  England.     When  the  Spaniards- 
inthcfe  feas  wcr^  fo  diftrefled  in  their  f6ttlements  and  navigation^ 
that'they^werealmefl:  humbled 'into  defpair,  and,  their  ambaflador 
at  our  court  having  prefented  feveraf  memorials,  it  was  thought- 
advifeable  l>y  government  to  put  a- flop  to  thts^  Weft-Indian   war 
hy  a  treatyiof^  peace,  and  rigorous  orders ;  Sir  Hcniy  immediately 
defifted ;  .suidi-  after,  the  redu6l:ion  of  Panama  in  February  i6yT 
(the  treaty  not  having  then  reached  America),*  he  utidertook  -no « 
ftirther  enterprise.  -  ^ 

This  gallant  manf  having  (hcathed  -  his  -  vidtdrious   fword,'  re* 
tired  into  the  peaceable  walk  of  civil  life ;    in   which  he  was  equally 
eminent  for  his  good  fenfe  and  noble  deportment.     But,  after  being 
raifed,   oii  the  fblC'  recommendation-  of  •  his  many  great   qualities, 
to  the  honour  df  knighthood,   and  ta  the  higheft  ftation  in  the  • 
ifl!a:id,  he  fell  a  facrifice  at  length  to  the  vengeful  int^gues  of  the 
SpaniOi  court,  and  the  pufillanimity   of  Engl i{h  government;  as » 
Sir.  Walter  Raleigh- had  done  before  him.-   He  was,   upon  a  letter 
froin  the  fecretary  of  ftate,   fentinto  England  as  a  prifoner;  and,^ 
without    being   charged  with  any  crime,    or  ever    brought  to   a 
hearing,   forcibly  kept  there  three  years  at  his  own  great  expence,.. 
to  the  ruin  of  his  fortune  and  his  health,  which  was  wafted  under 
the  oppreflion  of  a  court  faftion,   and   a   lingering  confumption, 
caufed  by  the  troubles  inflided  on  hina,.  and  the  cold nefs   of  the.* 
climate^' 

That  thefe  commiflTons,  before  the  American  treatv,  were  con- 
ftautly  authorized  by  government,  is  well  known.;  and  alrhpugliyf 
r  in  i 


5ot  JAMAICA- 

in  purfuance  of  Spaniih  remonftrances,  aikam  re -call  was  ietit  to 
Sir  Thomas  Lynch,  who  was  ordered  home  prifoner,  to  anfwer  for 
tlie  commiffions  he  had  ifllicd ;  yet,  fb  far  from  being  puniihed 
for  what  he  had  done,  he  was  appointed  afterwards,  a  fecqa^ 
tiaie,  governor  of  the  ifland,  -£uid  in  the  very  fame  king's,  reign  ; 
fo  variable  is  the  ftate  weather^eock  1  It  appears,  moreover,  that 
Sir  Henry  was  no  fooner  vefted  with  the  government  after  lorij 
Carlifle's  departure,  than  he  promoted,  and  in  |6Si  gave  aflent  to, 
au  aft  of  aflembly,  ^^  for  reftraining  privateers/'  The  a£t  ftatej, 
in  tliiic  preambliC,  **  that  all  articles  concluded,  and  all  treaties  of 
^* -peace  agreed  upon,  with  foreign  Aates,  fliould.  be  inviolably 
-♦*  kept."  This  alludes  to  the  treaty  juft  concluded  with  Spain; 
Ikiid  (urely  is  the  fentrment  of  a  man  of  honour  and  a  good  citizen, 
not  of  a  pirate,  k  iets  forth,  that  ''  feveral  Englifti  fubjefts  bad  • 
**  deferred  into  the  fervice  of  Ibreign  powers,  and  failed  under  their 
•<  commiflion/*  And  it  enads,  that  **  any  fubjedt  belonging  to 
**  the  ifland,  who  fhould  ferve  in  an  hoftile  manner  m  America, 
>^<  .under  auy  foreign  prince,  ftate,  or  potentate,  ihould  be  deemed 
♦*  a  h\wt  and  upon  convi6lion  fuffcr  death.'*  Thi9  aft  is  flill  un* 
jepealed,  and  remains  a  monument  to  vindicate  this  gentlemau 
froni  the  charge  of  piracy^  He  was,  on  the  contrary,  extremely 
jidlive  in  fuppreiiing  all  thofe  unlicenfed  rovers  who  were  ihe  rjcal 
pirates,  and  ftill  followed  the  trade  of  plu:ndering  friend  and  fcci 
untilf  by  bis  vigorous  meafpres,  many  were  feized  and  hanged, 
-and  the  reft  entirely  unl>arboured  from  Jamaic»,  and  driven  for 
ilidter  to  Hifpauiola [^]  apd  Providence; 

I  have 

f</]   They  fettled  in   1688  on  theNorrh-weft  part  of  th<tf(lMid,  and  oenq>ied  the  port  an<! 

towo  of  Petit-Guava.     After  fotne  years  continuance  there,  they  itij}  retained  (o  much  attachnicat 

'Jpr  their  roother-country,  that  they  foUcited  William  III.  for  his  protei*^onf  tendering  their  faithful 

allq^iiince  and  dutiful  fubniidion  to  the  crown  of  England.     But  that  monarch,  being  then  iq 

alliance  with  Spain  againtl  France,  moft  unfortunately  difregarded  then*  application,     WTicre* 

.upon  they  thotight  themfelvcs  at  liberty  to  make  their  addrefs  to  the  French  court ;   which  rea^- 

f\\j  look  them  under  proieclion,  and  furniihcd  them  with  every  proper  affilhmce.     From  this 

^obfcure  and  (ingvilar  beginning  has  gradually  arifen  the  prefent  powerful  French  colony,  extending 

over  the  beil  part  of  that  fine  ifland,  the  pofleffion  of  which  has  been  ctnfirmed  to  them  by  thd 

Spaniards,  firom  whom  they  are  fupplied  with  bullion  and  other  articles  of  commerce.     So  that, 

by  thefc  means,  added  to  the  many  wife  regulations  prefcribed  for  them,  low  duties,  a  free  trade  to 

♦he  Mediterranean  ports,  and  exienCve  vent  if  their  produce  among  foreigners,  they  arc  become 

veiy  focmidable  rivals  to  Jamaica  in  every  branch  of  Welt*India  trade  and  merchandize.     It 


BOOK     I.     CHAP.    XI.  303 

Ihave  enlarged  upon  this  head,  for  the  fake  of  doing  fomc  juftice 
to  a  worthy  charadler,  and  retrieving  it  from  the  prejudice  it  has 
Feceived  by  being  grouped  with  Teache,  alias  Black -beard,  and 
6ther  lawleis  banditti^  by  the  learned  compilers  of  their  heroic 
deeds.  Tlie  Spaniards,  for  many  years,  would  not  contradt  a  peace 
with  the  Eiiglifti  in  America,  after  the  latter  firft  began  to  make 
tettlemeiits  there.  The  Englifli  therefore,  when  they  had  pofleffed 
riiemfelves  of  Jamaica,  betook  themfclves  to  privateering,  with  na 
dther  dtfugn  at  fii-ft,  than,  by  a  continual  annoyance  of  their  coafhy 
and'  the  capture  of  their  trading  veflels,  to  force  them  intoapeacc,- 
Which  was-  not  likely  to  be  obtained  by  any  other  means.  This 
bufiuefs  proved  fuc^efsful  to  them  beyond  their  utmofl  cxpefiation  ; 
and  brought  t4i is  ifland*inro  fo  much  efteem  at  home,  that  copious 
(bpplics  of  provifion,  arms,  and  dther  necefl-irics,  were  inltantly 
fent' ;  which,  contributed  greatly  to  promote  thofe  expeditions.  Be^-- 
fbre  the  filver  flteams  were  fet  a-going,  from  Port  Royal,  the  army 
laboured  here  under  the  fevereft  difcouragements  poflible;,  fuch  as,r 
wmitof  pay,  of  provifions,  vcloathing,  and  recruits.  Yet,  under 
tliefe  hanlflrips,  and'  the  imphcable  malice  of  their  Spanifh  ene- 
mies-,* tfiey  patiently  ai^d  bravely  fupported  themfelves,  till  at  length^ 
they  found  out  a  method  of  gaining  with  the  point  of  their 
fword^  thofe  aids  and.  refources  which  England  refufed  them,  ins 

* 

wa?  owing,  (leubtkf^;  to  the'peculihr  juiK!:1Ure  of  thetiffiilrs  and  politicB  in  Europe,  and  au  atten*^ 
lion  to  preferve  the  balance  ot"  power  there  ag:iinll  Louis  XIV,  that  the  Briftifli  mliiiflry  let  flip* 
the  favourable  moment  for  getting  pofleirion  of  that  noble  iJlaiui :  and  it  was  not  forefeen  at  the- 
time,  that  tli9  French  would  profit  ib  much  by  our  error,  and  turn  their  aflive  fptriT  from  war  to> 
eoloaization.  Britain  grew  powerful  and  gpeai,  without  feeding  to  know  by  what  means.  The 
French  perceived  the  true  fource  of  our  grcHtnefs,  and  from  that  moment  bent  their  thoughts  to 
colonize' in  the  Weft- Indies  ;  which  nieafure,  prudently  conduced,  has  laid  the  foundation  ofi 
ttaeii'  fiib^nent  competitions  with  us,  in  trade,  manufactures,  and  maritime  prowefs. 

From  the  friendly  intercourfe  which  has  fublillcd  between  the  French  and  Spaniards  ever  fincc 
the  ratification  of  the  Bourbon  compact,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  by  degrees  they  will  ex- 
change their  antient  animofities  for  a  mutual  courlc  of  amity,  and  become  incorf:orafed  as  one* 
people^  lb  as  to  fiall  eafily  under  fubjes^lion  to  the  French  monarchy.  How  fatal  the  neighbour- 
hood of  fo  potent  an  alliance  may  grow,  in  time,  to  the  intereil  cf  our  fettlement?,  which  do  not 
thrive  in  a  proportionate  degree,  mayjulllybe  apprehended.  Yet  this  danger  may  be  fet  very 
rwtjotc,  if' theBritifh  parhament  and  govern metit  would  apply  thofe  timely  pra«5iicablc  remedies 
wfiitb  of  themfelves  will  rife  into  view,  whenever  the  (late  of  our  infular  colonies,  their  laivs, 
policei  and  manner  of  adminiflration,  {h:ill  be  fully  and  tkirly  examined  and  difcuded.  Some* 
thing  morc'fhould  be  ksrn.vn  of  thcra,  than  that  they  manufadure  fugar,  aiid  furniili  a  yearly 
qtrotain  aid  of >  land-tsvr  towarcb  the  Britlih  revenues* 

their 


X-. 


;304  J    A    M  . A  .11    C.  K.  \ 

nhcir  adv^cr'fity.  It  was  the  Spanirh-treAfure  that  ptocuted  them  rite 
friendly  protedion  of  government  at  home.  Hence  is  evident, 
tnot  only  the  fa£t  that  .England. encouraged  their  privateering,  but 
the  reafon  of  giving  that  encouragement.  How  ill  then  does  it. 
become  our  writers  to  ftyle  thefe  people  .pirates,  (ince,  not  only  in 
this  refpcft,  but  in  others,  they  differed  eflentiaiiy  from  the  diftin- 
guifhing  charader  of  pirates,  who  are  rightly  defined,  bp/ies  humani 
generisy  rovers,  who  levy  war  upon  mankind,  and  plunder  all  na- 
tions indifcriminately  !  Whereas  the  Bucaniers  (I  fpeak  of  thofe 
preceding  the  treaty  with  Spain}  attacked  only  their  declared  ene* 
mies,  the  Spaniards,  who  had  done  their  utmofl  to  extirpate  the 
Englifh  from  this  and  all  the  other  iflands  in  the  Weft-Indies. 

The  proceedings  of  government  agaiuft  them  were  highly  infa- 
mous and  mean.  When  fir  Thomas  Lynch  was  appointed  go- 
vernor in  167 1,  he  was  directed  to  publifti  the  treaty  then  con- 
eluded  with  Spain  within  eight  months,  to  be  computed  from  the 
loth  of  Odober,  1670,  viz.  between  that  time  and  the  loth  of 
June,  1671  ;  and,  at  the  time  of  fuch  publication,  to  revoke  all 
-€ommiffions,  and  letters  of  reprizal  or  marque,  that  had  been 
granted  to  privateers.  He  was  further  inftruded  to  endeavour,  by. 
every  naeans,  to  prevail  on  the  captains,  officers,  and  feamen,  be* 
longing  to  thefe  veflels,  to  apply  themfclves  to  planting,  or  .to  mer- 
chandize ;  and,  by  way  of  greater  inducement,  thirty-five  acres  of 
land  were  to  be  affigned  to  all  thofe  who  might  be  willing  to  plant; 
and,  for  the  reft,  they  were  allowed  to  trade  freely  in  their  veflels, 
as  if  they  were  Engliih- built,  or  admitted  to  ferve  on  board  any  of 
his  majefty's  (hips  of  war.  Laftly,  he  was  ordered  "  to  proclaim 
*^  a  general  pardon  and  indemnity  for  all  crimes  and  offences  com- 
<*  mitted  by  them  fince  the  month  of  June,  1660,  and  previous  to  . 
«'  the  notification  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 

This  was  intended  as*  a  lure  to  engage  them  all  to  come  into 
port  with  their  effe<3:s  ;  where  the  fame  governor  was  dire<9:ed  to 
take  from  them  the  tenths  and  fifteenths  of  their  booty,  which  the 
crown  had  referved  for  its  own  ftiare,  as  the  condition  of  granting 
them  commifllons.  Thus  it  appears,  beyond  doubt,  that  govern* 
ment  derived  an  emolument  from  the  privateers,  and  that  the  latter 
had  failed  ^hder  regular  authority.     But  the  conduct  of  our  court  , 

feenw 


I 
I 

j 
i 


BOOK    t.     €HAP.    XL  365 

ieetos  iacottfiAent,  in  thus  proclaimiiig  a  pardon  for  the  crime  of 
rifling  the  Spaniards,  and  at  the  fame  time  becoming  itfelf  a  j&^r- 
ticeps  criminlsj  by  exa[£^ing  a  (hafe  of  the  plunder.  If  there  was 
aojr  guilt,  cither  ip  aftiog  under  fuch  commiffions,  or  in  the  de- 
predation carried  on  by  the  privateers  againft  the  Sp^nifti  fettle-  . 
ments,  the  government,  which  empowered  them  and  -  partook  of 
the  ipoil,  was.  certainly  thp  more  culpable  of  the  two. 

The  current  of  wealth  which  had  diffufed  itfelf  throughout  this 
ifland  enabled  the  inhabitants  to  fubfift  without  the  eleemofynary 
grants  of  the  mother-country,  Thqy  foon  became  able  to  fettle 
a  revenue  by  an  impoft  on  fpirituoUs  rIi(][Uors;  and  this,  together 
with  a  general  cefs  or  poll-tax  levied  occ^fionally,  was  a  fund  to 
fuppdrt  their  government ;  {o  that,  from  the  time  that  it  was 
firft  edablilhed  in  a  regular  form,,  no  colony  within  the  Britifli 
dominion  has  coft  the  nation  lefs  for  maintenance  and  protediou, 
on  a  fair  balance  of  account. 

Having  frequently  made  mention  of  the  famous  American  treaty 
ratified  with  Spain  in  the  year  1670,  it  may  not  be  unacceptable, 
to  flate  the  principal  covenants  in  it,  with  fome  few  remarks. 

By  articles  i .  and  2.  it  is  agreed,  that  there  fhall  be  an  univerfal 
peace,  and  a  true  and  fincere  friendship  in  America,  between  the 
two  nations, 

j.  and  4.  That  all  enmities  and  hoftilities,  &c.  fhall  henceforth 
ceafe  between  the  two  kings  and  their  fubjeds;  and  for  this- end 
both  fides  are  to  forbear  all  adts  of  violence,  and  to  call  in  all  com- 
miflions,  letters  of  marque,  &c.  and  declare  them  null  and  ^void. 

6.  Prifbners  on  both  fides,  detained  by  reafon  of  ads  of  hoftiiity 
hitherto  committed  in  America,  tobefet  at  liberty.  ,  ,. 

7.  Offences,  injuries,  and  iofles^  fuffered  by  either  party  in 
America,  fhall  be  wholly  buried  in  oblivion.  .    .     ,    > 

8.  The  king  of  Great-Britain,    his   heirs  and  fucceflprs^  fhall 
always  poffefs,  in   full-right  of  fbvereignty  and  propriety,  all  the^ 
countries,  iflands,   colonies,  &c   lying  and  fituated  in  theWeft*. 
Indies,  or  in  any  part. oC  America,  which  he  and  liis  fubjedl^  now 
hold  and  poffefs;  infomuch,  'that  they  neither  can  nor  caught  .here- . 
after  to  be  contefled,  under  any  pretence  i^vhatfoevcr^  —      , 

Vol,  I.  R.r  9.  The 


^e6  J    A    M    A    I    C    Av 

9*  The  fubjeftsj  merchants,  captsiti*,  nhafters^  and  mariners,, 
of  each  ally  rcfpeftively,  (hall  forbear  and  abftaiu  from  faiiing  to, 
and  trafficking  in,  the  ports  and  havens  thj^tha^e  fortifications  or 
magazii>es,  and  in  all  other  places  poflefled  by  either  party  in  the 
Weft-Indies. 

15.  And  it  is  always  to  be  ujiderftood,  that  the  freedom  of  na- 
vigation ought  by  no  manner  of  means  to  be  interrupted,  when 
there  is  nothing  committed  contrary  to  the  true  fenfe  and  meaning 
of  theie  articles. 

By  the  3d  and  4th  articles  of  this  treaty  it  ajppears^  in  confirma*- 
tion  of  what  has  before  been  repeatedly  urged,  that  both  the  Spa* 
niard&  and  Englifli  were  engaged  in  an-  open  American  war  before^ 
the  treaty  took  place^  in  virtue  and  undei  authority  of  commiflionjs, 
letters  of  marque,  &c.  graivted  by  the  rcJpeSive  governments; 
and  that  the  Jamaica  privateer*  are  here  confidered  by  both  go- 
vernments as  having  aded  under  legitimate  authority. 

Hence,  in  the  6th  article,  the  treaty  provides  for  the  rendition 

•  •  • 

of  pr iienera  of  war,  taken  by  either  party  in  their  confiids. 

That  the  injuries,  lol&s>  and  hoftilities,  had  been  reciproeali 
16  implied  in  the  7th  article. 

By  the  fttb  article,  the  poflcffion  of  the  following  places,  viz.- 
Jamaica ;  the  Caymana  ifles ;  the  dry  and  fait  Tortugas ;  the- 
Logwood  Creeks,  in  the  bay  of  Campeachy  r  the  ifland  of  Sanfta 
Catalina^  wear  the  Mufquito  Ihore ;  Ifle  Vachc,  ofFthe  Weft  coaft 
of  Hifpaniola ;  and  Providence,  among  the  Bahamas  (all  of  which 
were  held  by  the  Englifli  at  the  time  this  treaty  was  figned) ;  is  vir- 
tually conceded,  although  our  claim  to  all  of  them  has  not  been< 
maintained  by  aconftant  occupancy. 

Inxefpeffc  to  the  9th  article  it  muft  be  allowed,  that  the  Spanifli 
government  hath  a  right  to  exclude  Englifli  fubjefts  from  trading 
to.»  foch  of  their  ports  and  places  as  are  inhabited  and  fettled  by 
S^aniards^;>  but  no  pretence  is  implied  under  this  article  to  in- 
terrupt the  freedom  of  our  trade  with  other  places  not  fb  inhabited,^ 
and  that  are  occupied  by  native  Indians,  who  own  no  fubjedion 
whatever,-  either  by  force  of  conqueft,\  or  any  other  colourable 
claiin^  to  the  Spaniflk  crown. 

But; 


BOOK    I.      chap;    XL  -307 

But,'  iti  thetiltureof  things,*  t?h&t  government  can  fio  tnpre  ptit 
an  abfdlute  ^op  b  ail  iciterldping^  traffic  wHk  fbreign  ftibj!b6h9  thafn 
England  cStt  utterly  reftrain  fmoggling  with  Francd 

If  wc  (for  argument's  fake)  grant,  that,  by  the  ipirit  of  this 
treaty,  at>d  takeep  good-faith;  webnghtnot 'to  encourage,  by 
-public  autllwityV  any "  Englifh  fubjefts  in  cirryhig  on  trade  at  iSy 
coaitor  pibicd  ciahned  krftfae  Spamards;  fiiil  ^e  j&H^- admits  that 
foch  £c)gI}{H  folyeiftsi  as'may  incline  to  run  the:  hazard' of  fuch 
a  trader  ought  not  to'  be  retrained  by  penal  laws  and  coercions  of 
oar  framing ;  becatife  they  roluntarily  re%n  tlhcmfelves  td  the 
peril!  of  lofitig  not  only  their  veflkl  and  caqgo,  but  their  perfbnal 
liberty, '  if  taagbt  by  the  .Spaniards,  and  are  out  of  protcftion  of 
tlie  treaty;)  aH  which  futcfy  were penaltjr fuffidient; 

They  ofhisi  only  the  politix^I  oi'diharices  of  Spain,  ref^e^ing  her 
own  ©orarbcrce'  anxl'  prodii£)rs.  -  Accordingly ^^  wc  fintf  it- provided 
by  the  tieaty  (Arti  1^,14),;^  that  particular  offentfes  ihaU  no  way 
*<  prejodkb  it^  tnnit  everyone  fhall  refpeflrively  anfwfer  for  Ivhaf  he 
"  has  dotief  anid  be  profecittdd  'for  contia'tfeikiii^  it."  Jt  is  our  bUfr- 
ne&,  n^tHi^  eb^  cbfiiin^tianCfe,  nbr  abTolbtisly  prohibit,  a  .trade,  with 
the  Spatiifli  inhabitants,  by  public  aiuthbrily :  I  fa^  Spanifli*  inhe- 
bitants ;  for  vhe  fre6  Indi^ans  are  out  of  the  qpdflion,  tod  have  no 
concern^  witifi  the 'ttisaty;      :';...» 

To  pi^evdhtlthei  t?adB>-i4  iHi  p^dpet  care  of  tbeSpaniards,  not  of 
thfe  ErigUfhi  Btft^aSi  if  wd  fervileif  mfeatit  to  aid'  the  Spanifh  gtf- 
vcmment  in  the  execution  of  their- feMft'  rhaxims)>  we^"  at  the  clofe 
df  thcf  Ifete  W&r,  drove  away^feMfery  Spsiniitlv  fmuggler,  or  betrayed 
tliem  to  the  {fevete  pu'mfliirfent'  6t  th€i?  6wn  laws.  If  we  h^d 
been  alcadfcs  arid  guarda-coftAfe  lii-  bis  Catholic  majefty's  pay,  y^ 
could  not  have  done  niore.'  K  EngKfii  in'^erlopefs:  went  to  the 
^^aniflt.  cdaffts,  they  were  feiawj  ^y  the  Spaniards  ;  if  Spanifli  iff- 
teriopet-s  came  to  oui- tettitorieS,  they  were  foiled  by  the  Engliftt. 
Such  has  been  our  wretched  policy ;  and  the  efFedls  of  it  are  too  ^ 

well  known.  But  eveiy  Britifh  market 'is' a  {hop,  at  which  all  the 
reft  of  the  world/  or  fo  much  of  it  as  is  within  reach,  fhould  be 
invited  to  buy  freely.  The  private  and  partial  inhibitions  of  fomte 
other  ftates  to  their  own  fubjeds  are  intended  to  .operate  againft 
our  vital  interefts.     It  is  beneath  our  dignity,  as  a  great  and  potent 

R  r  2  nation^ 


jo«  '     fj    A    M    A    I    C    A- 

Vkztiovky  to  throw  outfelvcs  under  the  circumicriptions' of  theirpo* - 
licy ;.  and  it  is  clearly  the  very  quintefllbnce  of  folly  in  us,  to  affift 
them  in  obftrufbing  the  free  current  of  any  beneficial  commerce  we 
enjoy; 

It  was  a  fhrewd  remark  of  the  Spaniffi  governor  of- St^  Donalngo, 
Don  Manuel  Azlor,  during  the  laft  war  with  France.     At  that 
.  timer  the  Spanifti  veffels  were  not  allowod  to  trade  with  the  French  ;  : 
but  a  flbop)  having,  contrary  to  hep  tegifter,  deviated 'to  a  French  . 
port,  and  there  received  a  loading  of  French*  produce,  wa»  after-  , 
wards  intercepted  by  one  ef  our  cruizers^  and  carried  into  Jamaica  - 
for  condemnation, ,  The  Spaniih  governor  immediately  ient:  to  re- 
claim her ; .  infiftingi  tihat^.  the  Spanifli  commerce  in  the  Weft-In- 
dies being  reftrained  byi their  hw  to  the  fubjedis  €^  the  king: of 
Spain,  all  theif  iveflels^  which  4iad  regtfiier^  to  ihew  that  they  were 
difpatched  from  a- Spaniih  port,. ought  to  navigate  freely,  and  not  * 
be  flopped  under  pretence. of]  fearch*;  but  their: lading^ikouihd  be  ^ 
fuffered  to  pafa^. untouched,  j»ren>though  belonging  fo.  thc^Frencb* 
^  If  our  veffels  (added  he)    carried.  French*  efieftsr* to -^th^.  British  . 
**  ports, .  or  -to  their  f|iips,  J  ihould  ?  n9t  oppofetheii;  beibgif^ized,  , 
-•^and  the  efFefts  cimfifcated, ;  if ^  the  ere  ws^  and  veffels  were  «turaed 
**  to  us,  as:  being  Spanish,  that  we  cciight  chaiiize  our  own:  fubjefis  . 
•*-  for  tranfgreffion  of  our  laws.     But  the .  ihips  of  .his  / Bcitannk: 
*♦  majefty  rare-  not  guarda-^coftasr ef  the  Idng  oft  Spain  j-  ,nor  ought,  s* 
**  they  to  watch  his  tvcflelsy-  if  they  eirter.  into*anf  illicit  trade:  k  : 
«^  belongs. taroe^  and  others  th6  refp^ve  governor^  ^7!thj»'king  ; 
•*  my*  mafter,  to  prohibit  it,  to  guard  agajnfl  and  to  «puniflvi  i|,  as  - 
^-we»  do  upon  all  occaiions.     Andthe  bad  uie  which  any  rSp^nktd  < 
**^may  make  of  his  licencos  and.paflports  cannot,  giyea  rigbtjnjQCB: 
**  legal  autliority,  to  fobjqfts  of  your  nation,*  to  feize,  ^n4  carry;  them    . 
^  into  your  poets,  and  commiende  |>rocefIe3  againft  f  hem ;  hy  which  < 
•*  they  are  ruined,  even  when*  the  caufe  is  ^decided  in  their:  favour/'   * 
This  lecture  would  havo  been  pertinent  to  the  ever- memorable 
ftatelmen  who  converted. the  Briti/h* navy,  after  a  feries,Qf  cohqueft 
and  renown    unequaled  by  any    forcer  period,   into  a  parcel,  of. 
fcauggliog  cutters^  for  the  fervicc  of  bis  Catholic  maje^y*   r 


CHAP, 


FiCyOK    L      CHAP.    XII.  305 


c  H  A   P.     xn.:- 


Dependences  nf  J amatca.  - 

S^ME  of  my  readers,  I  fear,  will  think 'me '  rather  too  digref^ 
f  live ;  but,  as  things  and  places,   nearly  conneftcd  with  the  in- 
ter^fts  of  Jamaica,  ought  not  to  be  lefr  unnoticed,  I  rfiuft  beg  leavc> 
'before  I  enter  particularly  into  an  account  of  that  ifland,  to  fay 
fomething  of  its  feveral  dependencies.     And  firft  of,.  , 


\    ^ 


The    C  A  Y  MA-'-N  A  Sr. 

THESE  are-^hree  fmall  iflands,fituated  in  about  latitude  19*^ 
ao'^'N.  The  largeft  is  called  Grand  Cay  man  j  the' next  in  fize^  . 
Cayman  Braque;  and  the  third,  'Little  Cayman*  --They  lie  at  3*0  - 
:  t03  40  leagues  diftance,  N.  N.  W»^  from  Point  Ndgril  j  'on  the  Weft-  * 
end  of  Jamaica,  the  Grand  Cayman  being  the  moft  remote/  The  ■ 
firft  account  we  have  of  them  is,  that  Columbus  fell  in  with  thefe^ 
iflands  on  hk>  return  from  Porto-^BeHef  to^Hifpaniob**  He  obfcrved^  \ 
that  they  were  covered  with  turtle,  which  fwarmed  alfb  on  their  '♦ 
.  coaft  in  fuch  multittide^  as  ta  lobfc  like'  ridges  of  rocks ;  for  which^  * 
iea£bn  be  called  them.  Las  Tortugas,  or  the  turtles;^ . 

They  were  «ever  occupied  -b/  the  Spaniards ;  but, '^ftef  oth6ir  »" 
European .  adventurers  found  the  way.  into  America^  thejr  became  -^ 
much  frequented^  by  'rovers  of  diflfercnt  nations,  and  chiefly  by  thfe  - 
French, '  for  the  fake  of  their  turtle/  -Thefe  animals,  coming^  from^ 
the  gulph  of  Honduras^  bay  of  Mexico^  and  the  adjacent  coaAs 
of-  terra  firma^  rendevou^ed  here  at  a  certain  time  of  the  year,  . 
iniofdertolay  their  eggs  in  the  fand.  At  fuphfeafons  (^]  thefifliipB-    - 

[ip]  June,  July,  Auguft,  an4  September*    . 

mea  ' 


AM 


3IO  JAMAICA. 

men  came  hijhcr  to  catch  them,  and  were  fure  of  returning  with 
full-loaded  veffels. 

In  1655,  when  Jamaica  wasfubdued  by  the  Englifh,  they  were 
ftill  uninhabited.  Admiral  Pcnn,  wbofe  fleet  was  in  great  want 
of  provifions,  having  intelligence  that  fomc  Frenchmen  were  em- 
ployed there  in  the  fifliery,  difpatched  three  of  his  (hips,  with 
orders  to  feize  them  aiad  their  cargoes;  but,  before  thefe  (hips 
arrived  at  the  Caymanas,  the  French  were  gone;  fo  that  they 
caught  only  a  very  fcw  turtle,  which  they  falted,  and  carried  to  the 
admii^al.  After  this,  it  was  the  confiant  uiage  for  Goodfoo, 
Spdgewicky  and  other  commanders  on  the  Jamaica^  ilation,  to  iecKl 
vi£tualers  to  thefe  ifles,  for  the  like  fupply.  We  are  not  informed 
at  what  time  precifely  the  Great  Cayman  began  to  be  inhabited ; 
but  it  is  allowed,  on  all  hands  to  have  been  firfl  inhabited  by  the 
£ngli(h.  Brayne  mentions,  that  he  fixed  a  governor  in  an  ifland 
which  he  calls  Tort u  da ;  but  it  is  not  clear,  whether  he  means 
one  of  thefe  iflands,  or  one  of  that  name  fituated  about  ten 
leagues  N.  E*  ftom  Cape  Nicoia,  in  Hiipapiola,  or  the  Dry 
Tortugas,  in  the  gulph  of  Mexico,  ceded  to  Great-Britain  by  the 
tfp^y  of  Utrecht;  [f].^  Thi^,  however,  is  not  very  imiterial ; 
for  the  x;edu,£U(»i  of  J;)wiaica  neceffarily  extended,  (he  Englifli  do- 
minion, oyer  thefe  little  fjpofs,  at  fo  fmall  a  dift^i^pe  from  it*  The 
ppfleQjpn.  ^nd  enjoyment  of  the  f}fhery  fqUowed  that  conquoft ; 
and,  having  continued  to. us  ever  fmce,  without  the  participation 
of  any  fordgncrs  in  thefp  fcas, .  they  anc  rightly  deenoed  original 
dependencies  of  Jamaica^,  from  whence  the  Giiand  Cayman  was 
peopled^ 

The  inftin<9;  whjch  di^e^te  the  turtle  to  find  thefe  iflands,  and 
to  make  this  annual  vifitiit^on  with  fo  muqh  regularity,  is  traly 
TCOnderfuL    The  greater  part  of  thejn  envgrate  from,  the  gulph 

{/]  It  prpb«bfy  was  theTprtuga,  or  Toitua  (the  recoa4*roenrioned),  whkh  lies  off  Port  Fux, 
oa  thp  North  part  of  Hiffoniola,  and  waa  much,  re&irted  to  by  the  Bucaniers  after  tfaej  wtrc 
driTOi  fiom  Jamaica.  It  is  jnany  mites  in  circunnference^  and  has  a  iafe  haibour  on  the  Weflem 
£de,  called  Le  Port,  which  is  difficult  of  accefs.  What  ftrengthens  this  conjef^ure  is»  the  petition 
whichj  in  the  year  i66o>  was  pcelonted  ta  the  council  of  fbie  by  captain  Gregory  Butler  (one  of 
che  commiffioners  lent  with  Fenn  md  Venables  in  1 655) ;  who,  after  pleading  his  lofles  and  dif- 
burfen^nts  in  that  feryice,  requefts  ^^  a  commiflion  for  the  government  of  Tortuga,  on  the 
-'^'North-wefi^  part  of  Hifpanbto,  with  authority  to  depute  and  grant  commlflions  to  men  of  war 
<(  s^gunft  the  enemies  of  th^&BiJai^ 

•f 


BOOK    L      CHAR      XL  3,11 

of  Honduras,  at  the  diftance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  leagues ; 
and,  without  the  aid  of  chart  or  compafs,  perform  this  tedious 
navigatton  with  an  accuracy  fuperior  to  the  heft  efforts  of  human 
Ikill;  infomuch  that  it  is  affirmed,  that  vefTels,  which  have  loft 
their  latitude  in  hazy  weather,  have  fleered  entirely  by  the  noife 
which  thefe  creatures  make  in  fwimming,  to  attain  the  Cay m ana 
ifles*  The  females  are  faid  to  lay  nalefs  than  nine  huudred  eggs; 
which  circumflance,  if  true,  may  account  for  the  conftant  amazing^ 
multiplication  of  their  fpecies  in  thefe  feas^  When  the  fedfbii^ 
for  hatching  b  paft,  they  withdraw  to  the  fhores  of  Cuba,  and 
other  large  iflands  m  the  neighbdurhxiod ;  whece  they  recruit^  and 
ill'  about  the  fpace  of  a  month  acquire  that  delicious  fat  for  whicb 
they  arefo  much  in  efbem.  In  thefe  annual  peregrinations  acmfs^ 
the  ocean»  they  refemble  the  herring  ihoals ;  which,  by  an  eq^ually 
providential  agency,  zrt  guided  every  year  to  the  European  feas„ 
and  become  the  exhaufllefs  iaurce  of  profit  to  the  Britifh  empire^. 
The  fborer  of  the  Caymauas,.  being  very  low  and  fandy,  is  perfectly 
well  adapted  to  receive  and  hatch  their  eggs;  and  the  rich  £ub-> 
oarihe  pafiures  around  the  larger  iflands  afford  a  fufikient  plenty  of 
nourllbing  herbage^  to  repair  the  wafle  which  they  neceflkrily  have 
undergone^  Thus  the  inhabitants  of  all  thefe  iflands  are»  by  the^ 
gracious  difpcnfatiou  of '  the  Almighty^  benefited  in  their  turn; 
fo  that^  when  the  fruits  of  the  earth  are  ddicienti  an  ample  iu£- 
tenance  may  flill  be  drawn  from  this  never^failing  refbifrce  of 
turtle,  or  their  eggs^  conduced  annually  as  it  were  into- their  very- 
hands. 

Cayman  Braque,  and  Little  Cayman,  He  within  about  four  or 
five  miles  of  each  other,  and  about  fourteen  leagues  diftantN.  fromcf 
Graid  Cayman,  They  are  generally  feen  by  navigators^  who* 
make  their  voyage  honjewards  from  Jamaica  through  the  gulpb 
of  Florida,  pafJing  cither  to  the  N,  or  S.  of  them ;  and  fometimes^ 
coming  to  an  anchor  at  Cayman  Braque,  from  which  they  take  a  de- 
parture for  the  ifle  of  Pines,  or  Cape  Cricntes^ 

Of  thefe  iflands,  the  Grand  Cayman  is  the  only  one  conflantljr 
inhabited.  The  land  is  fo  low,  that,  four  or  five  leagues  ©ff^  ir 
cannot  be  feen  from  a  (hip's  quarter-deck;  but  is  generally  knowni 
by  the  trees  upon  it,  which  are  lofty,  and  appear  at>  that  diflance  ' 

5  ^*^- 


: ;  like  a  grove  of  tnafts  ^naerg'mgout  of  the  ocean.   ;This  IflariH  is 
,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  in^length,  attd  about' ooe  ^mile  in  breadth. 
;  It  hasno  harbour  for  veflelsof-burthen  r^ut  the  i^nchoragc  on  its 
.  S.  W.  coaft  is  m6derat-ely  gc«)d.  -*Oo  the  other,  or  N;E.  fide,  it  is 
fortified  with  reefs » of  rocks,- between  which  and  the  fhore^   in 
.  fmooth  water,   the   iflhabitauts  have  itheircraals  [^]  for  keeping 
turtle.    'The  prefonr  race  of  inhabitants  are  faid  to  be  defcendents 
^  from  the  Engliih  Bucaniers;  and  in  all  anM>unt  to  about  one  hua- 
.  dred  and"  lixty,  white  jnen,  women,  and  children.     Although  the 
i  ifland  is  ^^  an -appanage  of  Jamaica,  and  {q  underftood  by  the  law 
.of  171 1 /-which  enafts,*  "  that  no  perfon  (hall  deftroy  any  turtle- 
'  *^egg6  upon  any  ifland  or  quays  belonging  to  Jamaica  ;**  the  people 
.  xipon  it 'have  never  been  an  objedt  of  the  legiflature  of  that  colony: 
>  they  have  a  chief,  or  governor,  of  their  own  choofing,  and  regula- 
r  tions  of  th^r  own  framing  ;  they  have  fome  juftices  of  the  peace 
;  among 'tliem,  appointed  by  commiflion  from  the  governor  of  Jti- 
T  maica ;  and  live  very  happily,  without  fcarcely  any  form  of  civil 
government.     Their  poverty  and  fmallnefs  of  number  fecure  them 
.>efFe£tual1y  from  thofe  animoiities  that  difturb  the  peace  of  larger 
ibcieties  j  yet  they  are  not  without  t  fenfe  of  decorum  in  their 
*jftt:  aner  of  living.     Their  tranquillity  depends  much  on  a  due  pre- 
.  fervation  of  good  order.     Their  governor  and  magiftrates  decide 
.  any  majCter  of  controverfy  arifing  among  them,    without  appeal. 
Their  lingle  men  and  women,  who  intend  cohabiting  together,  for  • 
Y  the  moft  part,  take  a  voyage  to  Jamaica,  which  is  only  a  (hort  and 
.  agreeable  tour  on  the  water,  get  themfelves  married  with  proper 
Solemnity,  difpofe  of  their  turtle,  and  then  return  home  to  their 
friends.     No  part  of  the  world,  perhaps,  is  more  healthful  than 
this  fpot :  the  air,  coming  ?to  them  over  a  large  trad  of  fea,  is  ex- 
tremely-pure;  the  long  lives  and  vigour  of  the  inhabitants  are 
certaiiiv^proofs  of  its  falubrity.     The  element  that  furrounds  them 
.affords  the  greateft  abundance  of  fifli  and  turtle,  the  latter  efteemed 
^the  moft  wholfome  of  all  Weft-India  foods,  and  beft  agreeing  with 
?the  climate.     The  foil  towards  the   middle  range  of  the  ifland  is 
very  fertile,  producing  corn  and  vegetables  in  plenty  ^  fo  that  the 

[^J  Craab  arc  inclofures  commonly  either  fquarc  or  circular,  and  made  b^  drinng  a  number  of 
tbkes  dftfe  together  in  (hallow  water.  They  anfwcr  the  purpofe  of  the  well-boats,  ufcd  for 
Xccpipg  liTe  lidv, 

Jt  inhabitants 


BOOK    li      CHAP.    XII.  513 

InhabitaDts  are  able  to  breed  hogs  and  poultry  more  than  fufficicnt 
for  their  own  ufe.  The  fugar-canes  planted  here  are  remarkably 
fine;  which  (hews  the  land  well  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  that 
plant ;  but  as  yet  no  fugar-work  has  been  ere^fled  ;  the  canes  are 
cither  ufed  in  fattening  their  hogs,  or  diftilling  a  fpirit  of  the  in- 
ferior fort.  As  the  whole  ifland  does  not  contain  one  thoufand 
acres,  it  feems  not  capable  of  affording  more  than  two  or  three 
fmall  fettlements  of  this  kind  at  moft.  Formerly  it  yielded  large 
quantities  of  mahogany ;  but  moft  of  it  has  been  cut  down.  They 
have  neve rthelefs  feveral  forts  of  timber  and  ptbcr  trees  common 
to  Jacnaica,  and  fbme  fp rings  of  tolerable  water.  .  Their  principar 
occupation  is  the  turtle*fi(hery ;  in  which  article  they  c^rry  on  a 
^traffic  with  Port  Royal,  and  fupply  fome  to  fuch  of  the  home- 
ward-bound merchant- (hips  as  touch  here  in  their  way  to  the 
Gulpb.  The  Bermuda  {loops,  have  a  pretty  regular  intercourfe 
.with  them ;  ^their  crews  are  attentive  to  two  points^  turtling  and 
plundering  of  wrecks^  The  people  of  Cayman  have^now  and  then 
jbeneiited  likewife  by  fuch  unhappy  accidents ;  for  in  dark,  hazy 
weather,  not  only  their  own  territories^  but  the  ifle  of  Peifes,  and 
that  clufter  of  little  quays  called  the  Jardines^  lying  off  the  South 
Cpaft  of.  Cuba,  have  been  fatal  to  homewkrd*  bound  merchant- fhips» 
Yet,  to  do  them  juftice,  they  have  generally  (hewn  equal  adl  it/ 
and  humanity  upon  thefe  occaflons,  in  faving  the  lives  of  mariners 
and  pafiengers,  and  prcierving  the  cargoes,  making  free  with  a 
moderate  ihare  only  of  booty,  by  way  of  falvage.  The  chief  ad- 
vantages drawn  from  the  inhabitants  of  Cayman  are,  that  they 
are  of  great  ufe  ia  fuch  cafes  of  diftrefs;  that  they  furnifli  a  very 
wholefome  article  of  food,  chiefly  for  the  Jamaica  markets ;  and 
the  ihells  of  the  Hawklbill.  fpecies  form  a  commodity  for  export 
to  G^reat-Britain^  Tlxey.  alfo  confume  fome  (hare  of  Britifli  wares 
and  manufadures  for  their  cloathing,  tools,  netts,  and  other  ne- 
ceflaries.  Their  men,  being  inured  tt>  the  fea  and  well  acquainted 
with  all  the  neighbouring  coafts,  are  excellent  pilots.  And  thus 
a  fpot  fb  fmall  and;  infignificant  is,  neverthelefs,  produftive  of  not 
a  few  benefits  to  J^maipa  and  the  mother  country.  Perhaps,  it 
might  become  ftill^rpore  fo,  if  th«  legiflature  of  Jamaica,  after 
a  ftria  examination  of  the  place,  (hould  take  it  under  their  notice; 
Vol-.  L  Sf  and, 


314  J    A    M    A    f  C    a;  ' 

and,  by  exciting  a  fpirit  of  induftry  in  the  cultivation  of  new  ma- 
terials, encourage  the  population  of  it,  and  promote  a  further  con* 
fumption  of  Britifti  goods. 


SECT.    11. 

Mofquito  Shore. 

THAT  part  of  the  South -American  continent,  included  m 
what  is  called  by  the  Spaniards  Cofta  Rica,  and  occupied  by  the 
Mofquito  and  other  In(Jlans  in  alliance  with,  or  fubjed  to,  the 
crown  of  Great-Britain,  extendi  from  Cape  Gracios  a  Dios  South- 
erly to  Punta  Gorda,  and  St.  Juan's  river ;  N.  W.  and  Wefterly^, 
to  Komain  river;  and  South-Eafterly  beyond 'Boco  del  Toro  to 
Coclce,^  or  Cocoti,  near  the  river  Chagre  and  Porto- beffo*  Be- 
tween Cape  Gracias  a  Dios  and  the  Golfo  Dolce,  the  Spaniards 
liave  one  fortrefs  at  Omoa ;  where  there  is  a  good  harbour,  in 
which  a  guarda  cofta  within  thefe  few  years^^  has  been  generally 
ftationed.  The  territory  belonging  to  the  Mofquito  Indians  (pro- 
perly fo  called)  extends  from  St.  Juan's  river,  a  little  to  the 
Southward  of  Punta  Gorda^  to  Cape  Honduras,  or,  as  the  Spa- 
niards call  it,  Punta  Caftillo,  running  about  five  hundred  miles 
cr  upwards  uninterrupted  by  any  Spanifh  fettlement. 

The  Nicaragua  fake,  which  is  faid  to  be  more  than  two  hundred 
miles  in  length,  and  fixty  in  breadth,  fappltes  the  river  ^t.  Juaii 
to  the  Eaft,  and  the  river  Bealeajeo  and  Leon  to  the  South-weft. 
The  river  St,.  Juan  Ts  near  ninety  miles  in  length,  and  has  feveral 
falls  or  catarafts,  and  fhoal^,  which  render  the  paflage  through 
it  to  or  from  the  lake  extremely  difficult :  it  is,  however,  effefted 
by  the  Indians,,  who  are  expert  in  this  kind'' of  navigation.  The 
ufual  method  with  traders  is  to  tranfport  their  goods  upon  mules 
by  land  above  the  ftlls ;  and  the  Indians  either  draw  their  canoes 
to  them„  or  hire  others,  till  they*  have  pafled  all  the  falls  ami 
reached  the  lake,  which  is  navigable  for  large  veflels,  contains 
feveral  finall  iflands,  and  has  many  opulent  Spanifti  cities  and 
towns  in  its  environs..    The  rivers  Realejeo  and  Leon,,  flowing 

firom 


BOOK    I.     CHAR   XII.  3x5 

from  the  lake  to  cities  of  thofe  names,  are  only  navigable  by  fmall 
craft.  But  the  water-carriage  from  it  to  the  Southern  or  Pacific  ocean 
is  no  more  than  tweh^^e  miles.  On  the  oppoiite  fide  it  difembogues  by 
three  mouths  into  tie  North  or  Carribean  iea.  At  the  entrance  kito 
it,  and  on  the  South«weft  point,  where  it  is  about  two  miles  acrofs 
from  bank  to  bank,  the  Spaniards  have  their  caftle  of  St.  Juan,  for 
commanding  the  channel  up  the  river,  and  preventing  accefs  into  th« 
lake.  It  is  built  upon  a  rock  of  eafy  afcent,  furrounded  with  a  dry 
ditch,  near  fix  feet  deep,  and  the  height  from  the  bottom  of  the  ditch 
to  the  top  of  the  wall  is  about  fixtecn.  It  is  mounted  with  eigbteer^ 
brafs  and  feven  ironcannon,  from  eight  to  eighteen  pounders;  and  the 
garrifon  generally  confifts  of  one  hundred  men.  The  North  fid?  of 
the  lake  forms  the  boundary  to  the  Mofquito  (hore,  the  Spaniards  not 
daring  tocrofs  over  to  the  free  Indians  inhabiting  on  that  fide,  who 
are  ftill  able  to  aflert  their  liberty  againft  thofe  pretended  conquerors 
of  the  other  parts  of  this  extenfive  continent.  In  the  year  1671,  a 
body  of  the  buccaniers^  having  taken  Panama  on  the  South  Sea, 
marched  from  thence  to  the  lake,  plundering  the  cities  of  Grei\ada, 
Leon,  Realejeo,  and  others,  in  their  way;  but,  being  hard  prefled 
by  the  Spaniards,  they  retreated  down  by  the  river  Wanks  or  Wallis 
to  Cape  Gracias  a  Dios,  where  they  met  with  a  moft  hofpitable  re- 
ception from  the  Mofquito  Indians,  among  whom  many  of  thefe  ro- 
vers remained,  and  taught  them  the  ufe  of  fire7arms,  at  which  they 
are  now  become  remarkably  expert. 

The  Nicaragua  has  a  flux  and  reflux  like  the  fea,  and  abounds  with 
a  great  variety  of  excellent  fifli.  The  Spaniards  have  been  cautious  of 
remedying  the  natural  impediments  which  obftruft  the  navigation 
from  it  to  the  North  Sea,  lefl:  their  enemies  might  be  invited  to  pene- 
trate by  this  way  into  their  rich  provinces  of  Nicaragua.  For  this  rea* 
fon,  the  governor  of  fort  St.  Juan  has  ftrift  orders  not  to  permit  any 
Britifli  fubjeft  to  pafs  either  to  or  from  it ;  for  the  Spaniards  fay,  that, 
if  once  the  Englifti  come  to  gain  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  great 
value  and  importance  of  it,  they  will  foon  make  themfelves  matters  pf 
the  interior  parts  of  the  country.  The  Spanifli  government,  therefore, 
have  been  extremely  attentive  to  guard  every  communication  with  it, 
knowing  the  facility  of  carrying  on  a  very  large  and  profitable  trafl[ic 
with  the  Indians,  and  others  under  their  jurifdifHon,  or  inhabiting  in 

Vol.  I.  S  f  z  the 


3i6  JAMAICA. 

the  neighbourhood.     Neverthelefs,  both  the  Sparafli  and  Indian  inha- 
bitants fpare  no  pains  to  encounter  every  rifque,  and  travel  a  prodi- 
gious dirtance,  to  meet  the  traders;  by  whom  they  are  fupplied  v^ith 
fuch  neceflaries  and  manufaftures,  as  they  could  not  olherwife  procure, 
txcept  at  the  moft  exorbitant  rates.     This  fully  points  out  the  vaft  ad- 
vantages of  extending  our  intercourfe,  by  means  af  thefe  friendly  In- 
dians, to  the  confines  of  the  Nicaragua  lake,  which  opens  to  us  a  moft 
lucrative  trade^  in  which  we  can  have  no  rival,  and  from  which  all  the 
power  of  Spain  cannot  exclude  us,  fccured  as  it  would  be  by  the  na- 
tural barriers  of  the  country,  and  the  fupport  of  fo  numerous  a  body 
of  the  native  Indians,  who  are  implacable  enemies  to  the  Spaniards, 
and  faft  allies  to  the  Englifli,     The  Mofquito  territory  is  defended 
every  way  on  the  land-fide  by  mountains  and  morafles.     The  Indians 
here  are  faid  to  have  from  fix  to  ftvcn  thoufand  fighting  men ;  (b  that 
the  whole  number  poffibly  amounts  to  between  twenty  and  thirty 
thoufand,  including  a  variety  of  tribes  who  pafs  under  the  general 
Iname  of  Mofquitos  la].     There  are  other  diftindt  tribes  alfo  bordering 
on  their  country ;  who,  we  are  told,  are  no  lefs  difpofed  to  cultivate 
the  friendfliip  of  the  EngliQi.     The  Mofquitos,  a  great  many  years 
ago  (fome  fay  a  hundred),  put  themfelves  voluntarily  under  proteftion 
of  the  crown  of  Great  Britain.     When  the  duke  of  Albemarle  was  go- 
vernor of  Jamaica,  in  1687,  their  king  received  a  commiifion  from 
him,  under  the  broad  feal  of  the  ifland.     On  the  death  of  their  mo- 
narch, the  next  heir  repairs  to  Jamaica,  with  a  few  principal  men,  to 
certify  his  claim ;  and  he  is  then  invefted  with  a  commlffion  to  be  king 
of  the  Mofquitos :  until  this  is  obtained,  he  is  not  acknowledged  by  his 
fubjefts ;  fo  dependent  do  they  hold  themfelves  on  the  Britifii  govern- 
ment.    When  thefe  inaugurations  happen,  it  is  ufual  for  the  governor 
to  beftow  fome  prefent  on  the  new  fovereign,  and  a  few  trifles  on  his 
attendants;  to  which  his  majefty  always  makes  fome  return.     Thijs 
cudom  is  extremely  politic  on  our  fide,  and  ferves  to  promote  a  mutual 
exchange  of  civility  and  good  offices ;  which  may  ftrengthen  their  par- 
tial attachment  towards  the  Englifh, 

[a]  AmODg  them*  is  a  mixed  race^  called  Samboes^  fuppofed  to  derive  their  origin  from  a  Guiney 
Ihip ;  which,  tradition  fays,  was  WFCcked  on  the  coaft  above  a  century  ago ;  certain  it  is,  that  their 
kair,  complexioB,  features,  and  make,  clearly  denote  an  African  anceftrj- ;  from  whom  they  hate 
alfo  inherited  fome  of  the  true  charafterifticsof  the  African  mind ;  for  they  are  generally  fialfe,  de- 
figninga^treacherousj^  knaviihx  impudent^  and  revengeful*. 

Thefe 


BOOK    r.  -  CMAR    XL  ^tj 

Thcfe  Indians  were  nev^r  in  any  manner  6ibje£k  to  the  Spa^ 
iiiards;  but  have  bravely -maintained  their  independence,  and  keep 
alive  an  inveterate  abhorrence  of  them,  by  reciting,  at  their  public 
councils  and  meetings,  examples  of  the  horrid  cruelty  pra£tifed 
upon  their  brethren  of  the  continent.  The  Englifti  freebooters 
and  privateers,  who  in  the  year  i6jp  found  it  convenient  to  har«- 
bour  in  the  rivers  and  among  the  iflands  on  this  coafl,  were  rea^ 
dily  aflifted  by  th^fe  Indians  in  their  expeditious  both  by  fea  and 
land ;  and  from  this  early  league  againA  the  Spaniards  grew  up  the 
iFcry  ftrong  prepoflTeflion  which  thefe  people  entertain  for  the 
Engliih.  But  foch  is  their  deteftation  of  the  Spaniards,  that  in 
their  wars  they  will  neither  give  nor  receive  any  quarter.  This. 
ipxvit  of  barbarity  has  of  late  years  been  greatly  foftened  by  the 
•humane  renionftrances  of  Mr.  Pitt,  who  has  refided  in  their  country 
above  forty  years,  with  the  higheft  reputation  for  his  fingularly 
good  qualities^  This-  worthy  gentleman  has  laudably  exerted  him- 
fclf  in  refcuing  numbers  of  -the  Spaniards  from  execution,  and 
often  prevailed  on- the  Indians  to  accept  a  ranibm  for  apart  of  tl^ir 
pri£bners,  when  he  was^  unable  to  procure  the  liberty  of  the  whole 
number :  fome  few,  even  his  warmeft  interceflions  could  not  in- 
duce them  to  fpare;  thefe  they  killed  by  way  of  exercifing  theit 
young  men,  who  oblige  the  vi£kim  to  run  before  them,  and  ftrike 
at  him  with  their  lances  till  he  dies.  Thefe  adions  are  not  the 
efFcft  of  an  innate  cruelty  (for  their  difpofition  is  nattfrally  genew 
rous  aiwl  humane)^  but  of  their  policy ;  and  are  intended  to  perpe- 
tuate the  national  odium  againft  the  common  enemy,  and  to  fecure 
poflcffion  of  that  freedom;,  which  will  probably  never  be  deftroyed 
by  any  other  means  than  their  total  extirpation  :  the  Spaniards  have 
always  had  this  i«  v4ew  ;  but  their  efforts  were  attended  only  with 
lofs  and  defeat.  Theie  Indians  -gratify  the  Englifli  moft  willingly 
with  tracts  of  land  for  eftabliOiing  fettlements,  and  make  them- 
felves  extremely  fervictable  by  the  commodities  -they  procure  for 
barter,  and  by  their  adroitnefs  in  fiihing  and  huntiag.  Their  ter- 
ritory is  full  of  large  rivers,  that  run  fome  hundred  mifes  up  into* 
a  fine  and  fertile  country,  the  foil  capable  of  producing  the  moft  va- 
luable plants  and  other  things  that  are  cultivated  in  the  Weft-Indies^. 
and-  fpontaneoufly  yielding,  fuch  as  are  pec^iliar  to  the'' South- A  me- 

sicam 


r 


giB  ]    :A    U    A.  J    C  ^A. 

rican  continent.     Cattle  and  hprfts  are  clieap*     The   beef  of  the 
(avannahs,  near  Cape  Gracias  a  Dios,   is  Tuperior  to  the  North* 
American,    and  takes  fait   welL     On  the  coaft  are  fome  good  aijd 
iecure  harbours,   which  might  be  fortified  with  very  little  expencc ; 
and  there  are  feveral  iflands  lying. off  tlje  coaft,  which  afford   ex- 
<:ellent  anchorage  for  fmall  vcflels-     This  is  one  of  the  fineft  and 
healthieft  trafts    in   the  world,  and   free  from    thofe   diftempers 
which  in  fome  other  parts  of  the  Weft-Indies  are  fb'  fatal  to  Eu- 
ropeans on  the  change  of  climate*     Whetlier  this  may  be  attributed 
to  the  turtle  and  fiih,   which  are  here  the  moft   favourite  articles 
of  food,  or  to  the  happy  temperature  of  the  air;  certain  it  is,   that 
the  European  as  well  as  Indian  inhabitants  ufoally  attain  to  greater 
ages  than  are  common  in  Europe.     There  are,  I  am  inibrmed, 
about  thirty    Englifli   families   refiding  here,    who  poflefs    lands 
granted  to  them  by  the  Indians,  and  have  begun  to  fettle  fugar 
plantations ;  but  the  quantity  of  that  produce  they   have  hitherto 
jnanufaflured   has  not  been  confiderable  enough  for  exportation. 
Of  other  commodities  fufiicient  is  colledted  to  load  a  large  annual 
Ihip  for  Great-Britain ;  befides   feveral  fmall  veflels   belonging  to 
Jamaica.      The   planters   have  about ;  one  hundred  Negroes,    and 
-will  probably  foon  increafe  their  number,  the  fettleirents  b^ing  in 
a  very  promifing  train   of  improvement.     The  lands   which  they 
poflefs  are  faid  to  be  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  cane.     There   is   no 
ioubt  that  indigo  might  likewife  be   cultivated  to  great   perfedlion 
in  the  marlhy  tradts.     But,  however  extenfively  thefe  articles  may 
be  attended  to  by  the  European  fettlers,  I  think  that  more   capital 
^advantages  might  be  obtained  by  ftriking  out   fuch  employments 
for  the  native  Indians  as  they  would  willingly  enter  into,  and  pur- 
-fue  to  the  mutual  gain  of  themfelves   and  Great-Britain.     Prepa- 
ratory to  this,  fome   degree   of  civilization  is  neceflary;  without 
-which,  their  confumption  of  Britifli  manufaGures  cannot  reach  to 
,any  great  extent*     They  are   rather   of  an  indolent  temper ;    and 
will  not  labour,  unlefs  when  indigent  and  compelled  to  it  by  want. 
Yet  this  indolence  by  no  means  attends  them  in  every  circumftance 
-of  life ;    for  war,  fiftiing,   and  hunting,    which  require  much  vi- 
*gour,  a<Stivity,   and  patience,  have  always  been  their  favourite  oc- 
x.upations*     Npthing  thpn  feeijas  .more  expedient  than  to  give  thiefe 

qualities 


BOOK     L     CHAP.     XIL  31^ 

qualities  a  direftion  into  walks  of  induftry.  All  labours  of  agri- 
tulture  and  planting  are  not  equally  fevere;  and  they,  who  might 
fhrink  from  the  talk  of  cultivating  indigo  or  the  canes,  would 
probably  deem  it  no  hardfliip  to  apply.to  the  culture  of  rice,  cacao, 
ferfaparilla,  tobacco,  filk  grafs,  corn,  and  the  like.  The  better  to 
attrad:  thefe  Indians  to  fuda  objeds>  it  is  necefiary  to  open  a  mar- 
ket, wheretheir  crops  might  find  a  ready  price,  and  yield  a  quick 
return.  None  lies  more  convenient  for  them  in  this  refpedt  than 
Jamaica.  If  a  few  of  the  better  fort  could  be  prevailed  on  to  make 
the  experiment,  the  returns  acquired  ia  articles  of  drefs  and  other 
neceilaries  would  encourage  thefe  beginners,  and  naturally  engagp 
ethers  in  limilar  undertakings.  It  is  probable,  there  would  be  little 
difficulty  in  effefting  this;  for  already  they  afpire  to  liv«  and  to 
cloaththemfelves  inthe  Engliih  manner  •..  and,  in  order  to  obtain 
many  things  which  are  neccffary  to  their  convenience  and  comfort, 
they  work  at  different  occupations;  fome  in  cutting  wood  for  exi* 
portation  ;  others. in  the  turtle,  fifliery,  or  hunting;  and  mai^y  in 
the  inland  traffic.  The  plain,  rcfult  of  this  is^  that  they  .perfedly 
well  underftand  fome.  pains  muil  be  taken  before,  they  can  be  ixxpr 
plied  with  fuch  neceffaries  as  they  covet  or  want.. 

Their  wants  will  undoubtedly  incrcafe  in  proportion  as  they 
grow  more 'civilized;  and,  in  order  to  gai«  tiie  coftlier  articles  of 
drefs  and  .convenience,  they  may  foon  be  taughty  thaf  nothing, 
more  is  requiflte  on  their  parr,  than  an  advancement  of  Ikill,  aiid 
redoubled  diligence  in  fele£tLng  and  procuring  commodities  of  fu- 
perior  value^  or  larger  colledliona  of  the  fame  kind,  for  carrying 
on  their  barter/  and  due-  payment  of  their  annuat  ba<ance..  At 
prefenr,  our  trada  hither  is  limited  chiefly  to  a.  number  of  fmall 
merchant* veflels^  which  fupply  the  Molquitos  with  various  articles 
of  Briti(h'  manufa^lurei  cloatliing  and  tools,  and  fome  North-Ame- 
rican produce.  They  load  in  fceturn  with  hides,  tiger  and.  deer 
ikins,  •  mahogany,  cedar,  nicaragua,.  fuftic  and  logwood,,  cacao, 
eoffcc,  cotton,  farfaparilla,  filk.  grafs,  indigo^  china  root,  gums, 
balfams,  coehine'al,  tortoife^ftiell,  a  littJc;  bullion,  and  fome  few 
other  comrriodities;  frotn  the  number  and  value  of  all  which  wc 
are  warranted  to  infer,  that  here  is  a  noble  field  for  carrying  on.  a 
i£.yy  extenfive  and  moil  profitable  commerce-    It  is  difficult,  to  fay 

witlii 


320  J    AM    A  •  I    C    A*: 

with  exdfWers  what  proportien  of  *thfe  traffic  b  properly  EisgjyiiH 
or  Indian.     The  Engliih  fcttlers  xm  the  ihore,  1  believe,  are  the 
chief  manors  of  it ;  and  the  Indialifi  are  principally  employ edTiu 
coUefting  the  fcveral  articles;  4ind,  if  this  is  the  cafe,  vn  may  ea- 
illy  guefs  in  whbfe  hands  the  chief  ihar^  o£  profit  refts.     It  muft 
not  be  imagined,  that,  if  it  be  found  impra6ticable  to  tura  the  at* 
tcntion  of  thefe  Indians  towards  agricolture  and  planting,  they  caa 
ht  of  little  other  uie  to  U6  ;  for,  iu  fa£b,  it  is  to  them  alone  that  we 
owe  the  having  any  fettlement  on  this  part  of  the  continent.  They 
have  always  been,  and  fliJl  are,  in  the  plate,  of  a  flanding  army  ; 
which,  without  receiving  pay^  or  being  in  any  fliape  burthenfonae 
to  Great-Britain,  maintains  the  Englifti  in  firm  and  fecUre  pof* 
feflion,  protefts   their  trade,    and  forms  an   impenetrable  Ijarri^r 
againft  the  Spaniards,  whtom  they  keep  under  conftant  awe.     Con^- 
^fidered  therefore  as  a  BritiQi  colony,  it  is  fuperior  to  cy^ry  other ; 
"as  having  within  itfelf  fufficient  means  of  defence,  without  re- 
<iuiring  troops  or  fleets  from  the  mother- ft  ate,   and  poflefling  a 
greater  f^ind  and  variety  of  materials  for  an  advantageous  com- 
*merce.     Under  the  friend(hip  of  thefe  Indians  (to ,  fupport  which 
jio  proper  meaiures  ought  to  be  negledted),  we  might  with  facility 
^ilablifh  many  profitable  fettlements  on  their  coaft,  and  condiK^ 
a  beneficial  trade  among  all  the  neighbouring  Indian  tribesr  of  the 
interior  country^  who  are  not  fubjed  to  the  Spanifh  yoke ;   for^ 
'befides  the  Mofquitos  who  inhabit  near  the  fea,  there  are  many 
little  communities  difperfed  over  the  mountains,  vales,  and  plains, 
of   the  adjacent  diftri<Sts,    namely,    the   Pawyers,   Panamakaws, 
Twakas,  Muffues,  Woolvas,  Ramas,  Cuckeras,  &c.     Thefe  people, 
having  very  little  connection  ivith  the  Spaniards,  mightt  with  right 
management,  be  allured  ftrongly  to  our  intereft,  and  rendered  ex- 
tremely ufefuK      The  Englifli  fettlers  are  not  infenfible  of  this, 
from  the  experienced  fidelity  and  attachment  of  the  Panamakaws 
rup  Wanks  river^  the  Ramas  at  Punta  Gorda,  and  others,  who  have 
behaved  in  the  moft  amicable  n^anner  towards  them,  and   gla41y 
would  hold  a  friendly  correfpondenoe  with  them«     it.  is  a  matter 
of  aftoniihxnent,    that,  notwithftanding  the  Moiquitos   have    for 
Upwards  of  a  century  paft  addreffed  theopifelveSjto  our  friendfhip, 
iind  owned  a  willing  fubjeftion  to  the  Bririih  crown,  our  govern- 
1  ment 


BOX)K>    L        CHAP/  XII.  321 

tnent  has  been  fupitiely  inattentive  both  tathem  and  to  tTiie  Eng^ 
iifli  iettIeixuBnt$  founded  withiot  and  near  tQ>  their  territory.  It  is 
true,  the  parliament,  from  a  regard  to  commefcial  principles,  •  and 
prefcriptive  claims  of  the  nation,  have  taken  care  to  (ecure  by  the 
laft'  treaty  with  SpatD  our  right  of  logwoodncutting.  Our  mi<^ 
nliiry  have  all  along  ihewn  a  difpoiition  to. militate  for  that  right : 
biitr  no  thought  has  been  beftowed  upon  tUe  logwood<*cutters,  or 
other  fettlers ;  nor  regulations  provided  for  their  better  conduct  and 
profperity*  All  that  is  neccffary  might  perhaps  have  been  accon>- 
pliflied  by  appointing  a  regular  governor,  with  a  moderate  ialary^ 
armed  with  all  fitting  powers  and  authorities ;  and"  to  reiide  con-- 
a^ntlj:  at.  the  Mofquito  (hore,  with  a  fmall  guard  of  foldters,  td 
be  paid  by  the' white  linhabttants.  His  province  might  be,  to  keep 
a  (bridt  eye  over  all  the£lngli(b  iettlers,airdtb  prevent  their  ili<*treat- 
ing  any  of  .the  Indians  within  his  junidi£tioa;  which  ihould  com- 
prehend all  die  &ttkments  of  Engltlfamen  in  thofe  parts.  He 
ihould  conciliate  4lhe  friend  (hip  of  the  fasad  men  among  the  Indian 
tribes  by  every 'aitf  ceiuioucage  them  to  a  civilized  :n^anner  of  living, 
caiif0  their  chH<;lrQn  to  be  brought  tQ  fchool,  and  wftruded  in  the 
£ngli(h  langoage  and  rej^ipn;  and  he  fhould  correfpond  regu« 
larJy  with  the  governor  >of  Jamaica,  who,  in  the  judgement  of 
many  coniiderate  perfoos,.  ought  to  have  iuftru^ons  from  the  mi- 
niftry  relative  to  thefe  affairs^  Had  the  Indians  thrown  themfelv^s  ia 
the  fattoe  manner  into'  tlie  arttts  of  the  Dutch  or  French,  thefe  a£iive, 
enterprifiog  people  would  moil  certainly  have  omitted  no  means  of 
acquiring  their  confidence,  and  forming  the  beft  correfpondence 
with  them ;  fecuring  theii^  aSedtons  by  little  yearly  prefents  of  no 
great  coft,  and  fixing  a  civil  government  over  their  own  fettlers  and 
logwood-cutters,  to  prevent  all  abufcs  tending  to  an  alienation  of 
the  native  inhabitants^  It  furely  deferves  the. attention  even  of  the 
Jamaica  legiflature,  to  confider  this  matter  attentivply,  and  alJfert 
their  jurifdidion  over  our  fcllow-fiibjefts  in  «hcfe  fettlements;  fc- 
commending  (Irongly  at  the  fame  time  this  obje£t  to  the  fupervifion 
of  the  governor. .  A  well-regulated  and  extenfive  inland  trade,  car- 
ried on  by  the  aid  and  under  the  guardian£hip  of!  the  Moiquitps  and 
their  allies,  would  highly  benefit  the  commercial  .^towns  of  this 
ifland,  and  of  courfe  augment  its  population  and.  wealth ;  for  nonis 
YoL.  I.  Tt       '  .'      other 


322  J    A    M    A    I    C  .A. 

^ther  orouT  prefent  colonies  is  fo  well  calculated  to  ferve.  as  a  fiifkory 
•for  intermediately  fupplying  the  Indian  demand^  and  '.making  re«» 
gular  rerurnsto  Great-Britain  for  various  aiibrtments  of  goods  ne^ 
ceflary  to  the  purpofe.  The  legiflature  of  Jamaica  (hould  reflefbt 
that  every  merchant  refident  among  them,  fbpported  by  his  trade 
with  the  Mofquito  (hore,  necefiarily  muft  add  £bmewhat  to.  the 
general  Urcngth,  wealth,  and  revenues,  of  theifland.  Thefe:  wiU 
ail  be  more  or  ieis  confiderably  promoted,  in  proportion  as  die  trade 
is  either  condu£ted  on  by  prudent  meafures  ta  a  flouri(hing  ftate, 
or  fufFered  by  mifmanagcment,  or  utter  negled,  to  continue  un- 
progrelfive.  .  What  is  particularly  important  to  us  (becaufe  it  pre* 
vents  all  the  ill  confequenxres  attending  difputed  titles),  we  have  here 
a  vaft  tra<Jl  of  country  freely  devoted  to  our  ufe  by  the  Abongioes;, 
the  real  and  undoubted  owners  of  it;  a  title  which  is  foperior  to 
all  others,  as  it  excludes  every  other  Europeati  claimant ;  which 
juftifies,  and  indeed  calls  upon  us  to  avow  it  openly^  junlefs  our 
dread  of  Spanilh  jealouiy  has  fb  beibtted  our  minds  a;s  to  depcive  t»s 
entirely  of  the  fpirit  of  Bngliihmeiu  To  acknowledge  the  Indians 
publickty  for  Britifh  iubje^s,  is  but  giving  them  a  warranty  for  the 
confidence  they  have  repoiedinus:  and,  (hould  we  be  tempted  t^ 
difclaim  them,  through  the  bafe  motive  of  fear,  they  would  not 
fiiil  to  defpife  us,  even  more  than  they  do  theSpaniarife,  and  transfer 
their  dependence  to  fome  other  European  power  better  di/pofed  to 
fet  a  juft  value  on  their  fricud(hip^  Many  6f  the  Britiih  fufbjefts^ 
iettled  in  the  i^ighbourhoodof  the  Mofquito^  tvei-e  men  of  looie^ 
debauched  principles ;  and  having  no  certain  laivs  nor  other  com« 
petent  authority  to  reftrain  their  condukSt,  fome  among  them  have 
greatly  hurt  the  British  interefl  with  the  ItKiian  tribes.  The  inhu* 
man  wretches  insinuated  to  the  Moiquitos,  that  the  Pinamakaws 
and  Ramas  deflgned  to  make  war  upon  them.  Indigated  hy^  their 
remonftrances,  the  Mofquitos  too  readily  joined  ia  taking  every 
opportunity  to  trepan  ^d  fell  them  for  flaves  to  the  Dutch,  the 
North-Americans,  and  even  to  our  own  Weft-India  ifianders.  The 
profits  acquired  from  this  traffic  induced  both  parties  to-  purfue  it, 
notwithftanding  all  that  the  fuperintendant  could  do  to  put  a  ftop 
to  it»  Several  of  the  perfecuted  Indians,  rather  than  be  eiiflaved  bj 
this  treacherous  proceeding,  even  betook  themfdves  for  irefuge 
a  among 


BOOK!'    r,      CHAP.    XIL  pi 

among  the  Spaniards,  their  natural  foes ;  and  mittycwhcrs  wiir 
doubtleis  follow  their  example^  fo  longas  fuch  atrocious  rogues  are 
uiireftrained  from  thefe  unjuftifiable  praftices,  Thefe  poor  IhdiaT>s> 
having  ever  (hewn  a  mod  faithful,  fteddy  attachment  to  the 
Engltlh,  and  relied  upon  them  as  their  beft  friends,  had  no  reafon  to 
look  for  fo  baie  a  return,  and  were  therefore -unprepared  to  oppofe 
or  to  elude  it^  * 

Although  the  Mofquitos  inhcibit  from  Cape  Honduras  to  the 
Nicaragua  lake  ;  yet  they  are  moft  numerous  near  Cape  Gracias  a 
Dios,  efpecially  up  Wanks  river,  and  about  Sandy  bay,  where  their 
king  refides.  The  Panamakaw  Indians  live  about  one  hundred  and 
(ixty  miles  up  Wanks  river,  are  very' friendly  to  the  Engli(h,  and 
might  be  extremely  fcrviceable  to  them  in  carrying  on  the  inland 
trade.  Terms  of  agreement  were  aftually  entered  into  by  the 
Mofquitos  in  the  year  176 1,  on  condition  that  the  inland  traders 
ihould  not  come  below  the  falls  (about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
frdra  Cape  Gracias  a  Dios),  and  that  they  (hould  pay  a  tribute  of 
twenty  head  of  cattle  annually,  for  permifSon  to  negotiate  with 
the  Eiiglifli- through  their  country;  The  principal  harbour  be- 
longing  to  the  Mofquitos  is  Bluefields  river,  whofe  mouth  is  at  the 
bottom  of  Hone  found.  •  The  entrance  into  the  (bund  is  over  a 
bar; 'having  not  more  than  two  fathom  at  JoW- water,  and  fronv 
fourteen  to  fifteen  feet  water  at  high  tides  ;ib  that  It  leems  not 
capable  of  admitting  very  large  ihips.  •  But ^  there  are  feme  com- 
modious anchoring  grounds  on  the  neighbouring  co:ift,  proper  for 
Ihips  of  great  burthen.  On  the  Weftern  fide  of  the  found  the 
land  gradually  rifes  into  a  fine,  healthy  country,  an  excellent  foil, 
and  entirely  free  from  thofe  troublefome  flies  arid  infe(5ls,  fo  com- 
mon  10  fwampy  places  itf  the  Weft-Indies.  -The  river  Bluefields, 
which  fails  into  it  at  the  N.  W.  angle,  is  navigable  for  a  confi* 
derable  diftance    thrdugh  the  interior  country  [/&];    and 'near  its 

moutli 


rf  1 


[If]  Bluefieldft  is  formed  by  a  high  bluff  of  about  fifteen  hundred  a^esy*^  at  top,,9nd  inac- 
ccffibk*  except  at  two  places,  which  might  be  eallly  guarded.  This  bludf  is  joined  to  the  conti- 
nent Northwaixis  by  an  iflhmus  of  Tandy  beach  on  the  outQde,.  and  moraHy  ground  overgrowiv 
with  maagroves.  The  channel  into  the  harbour  runs  in  about  N,  N.  W*  On  the  left  lide  is  m 
high  quay,  on  the  Weil  of  which  is  another  ihallow  ctiannel.  The  main  channel  has  from 
fifteen  to  fixteen  feet  at  blgh^water,  and  twelve  to  thirteen  at  low  ',  confcquentlyy  the  tide  rifes 

T  t  a  heie 


p^  JAMAICA. 

mouth  h  an  excflli^nt  fitnaiioo  for  founding  a  town  and  colony^ 
to  manage  a  trade  with  the  IiKlians  inhabiting  the  back  oountrjr^ 
Upon  its  banks  there  is  great  abundance  of  large  mahogany,  cedar^ 
aiid  other  timbers,  Ht  for  buildil^  or  for  rperchaodiz^.  On  the 
adjacent  fea-coad  are  caught  vaft  numbers  of  tortle^  and  in  the 
ibund  great  plenty  of  fifh.  and  oyfters.  So  that  here  is  no  want 
of  any  materials  requiiite,  either  for  the  ftruAure  of  houieSt  the 
fiiflenance  and  accommodation  of  inhabitants,  or  the  convenient 
difpatch  of  mercantile  affairs ;  and  it  ieems  as  it  were  de(lined,  by 
fo  many  natural  advamages,  to  be  the  moft  eligible  feat  for  an 
Englifh  colony,  to  extend  eur  commerce  through  every  diflri^  of 
the  free  hidian  territory,  in  this  diviiion  of  the  continent.  A  few 
miles  up  the  main  river  live  the  Woolvas  and  Cuckeras  Indians. 
Mr^  Henry  Conin,  of  Jamaica,  fettled  here  in  1752,  and  acquired 
a  large  fortune  from  the  luxuriant  productions  of  this  difh:i£t.  He 
exported  great  quantities  of  mahogany,  tortoife-fhell,  &c.  to  Jamaica^ 
and  the  Northern  colc»)ies.  He  likewife  took  fome  .pains  to  civi* 
Ike  the  neighbouring  Indians ;  for,  on  his  firft  coming  to  refide 
here,  they  liv^ed  in  a  farage  flate,  and  had  very  little  commerce 
either  with  the  Spaniards  or  Englifh.  This  example  of  fuccefs^ 
from  the  endeavours  of  a  private  perfon,  may  lead  us  to  concl^ide 
on  the  proportionately  greater  advantages,  to  be  gained  by  efla* 
blifhing  a  regular  colony  in  thefe  parts,  who  might  labour  to  gaio 
the  good -will  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  by  fair  dealing  aqd  ageae- 
rous  communiication  wean  them  from  a  flate  of  barbarffmto  civility 
and  induAry.  It  ftcxm^  I  think,  probable,  that  they  might  foon 
become  reconciled  to  much  of  the  Englifh  manners  in  their  drefs 
and  habitations,  and  gradually  induced  to  take  large  imports 
of  ck)athing>  furniture,  implements,  and  food,^  from  us*  la 
order  to  purchaie  thefe,  they  would  neceiarily  apply  them* 
felves  to  procure  fuch  commodities  of  valuer  for  the  exchange^ 
aS'  they  might  find  to  be  moft  in  requeft.  Thus^  by  a  difcreet 
management,,  it  is  reafonable  to  believe,  that  our  Britifli  wares 
and    manufactures    might    be    di^erfed   to    mai^  thoufaiids   of 

Here  about  three  fcet.  t^Hthin  th«  harbour  is  four- fathom  wat«r  clofe  to  the  bluffl  Several  ri- 
vers cBfcharge  thcinfclves  Into  it,  the  b^nks  of  which  are  high.  From  the  top  of  the  bluff  there 
it  the  mcfi  ex:eaiive  proipoci  imaginable  of  the  ocean  and  country  to  the  Southward. 

people 


BOOK    r,      CHAP.      XII.  2^5 

Ijeople  on  this  continent,  and  to  many  fblid  emoluments  reaped 
from  the  intercourfe,  as  would  amply  overpay  our  utnooft  aiOi* 
duities  in  the  profecution  pf  k  [/].. 


SECT.    riL 

BLACK     -RIVER. 

THIS  flace  is  fituated  within  the  Mofquito  territories,  in  la- 
titude i6  N.  and  has  been  the  rendezvous  of  feveral  logwood-* 
cutters  for  near  fifty  years  paft,  When»  driven  by  the  %)aniards 
from  the  bay  of  Honduras,  many  of  them  chofe  this  afylum,.  where 
they  might  lead  a  lawlefs>  abandoned  life  with  impunity,  till  they 
got  information  from  their  fcouts,  employed  for  this  purpofe^.  that 
the  Spaniards  had  retired  from  their  old  quarters  at  the  bay ;  andt 
then  they  returned.  As  thefe  tempocary  ej^ulfions  often  happened; 
numbers  of  fhips  bound  for  thebayufually  flopped  here  iu  their 
way,  for  intelligence..  If  tlie  maflers  found  there  was  any  proba*- 
hility  of  getting  a  lading,  they  proceeded;  if  not,  thofe  pofTefled 
of  any  degree  of  honcfty  altered  their  voyage ;  but  others  ran.  the 
hazard  of  linking,,  or  defignedly  cafl  away  their  veffels  in  ibme 
convenient  place^  and  appropriated  the  cargoes  to  the  ufe  of  them- 
felves  and  their  afibciates ;.  which  enabled  them  to  fet  up  for  bay« 
men.  This  piratical  buiinefs  for  a  time  fucceedliig,  others  of  the^ 
fame  fiamp  were  encouraged  to  fend  for  confiderable  cargoes^  -oa 
credit,  under  the  fair  pretence  of  felling  them  by  commiflioB  fat 
(he  owner's  beneEt;  whereby  ibme  merchant^  of  Jamaica  and 
Norrh*  America  have  been  capital  fufferers*.  By  thefe  meany^greatex^ 
quantities  of  European  ^  goods  w  ere  brought  hither  than  the  iti; 
habitants  had  occafion  f(ft ;  which  induced  them  to  open.  an.  inland' 
trade  This  trade  has  been  carried  on  to  alarge  amount,  and  proved 
highly  advantageous  to  the  undertakersi-  -elgccially  thofe  who  arc 
of  difiereat  principles  from  the  ilcil  fettlers,,  and  who  live  with  fbme; 

[ij  A  vety  large  and,  as  I  atn  toldi  ^kie  v^<Qvf^  duut*  oP  ihe  ]^IblqHito  Aore  was'publi/li^^ 
in  1771  by. captam  Speers,  who  refided  many  years  in  itefe  pans.     It  is  fold  by  S,  Hooper,  print* 

iellcr,  on  Liidgate-hill,  London. -tmuft  hCfc  acTcnoxvledge,  that  I'll avc  been  greatly  indebted 

10  the  puhlidtLoBS  of  the  ^cui^teaii  firfUmeDtiauedfor 3n«ay  p^cUkirs fclature  tathii  liit$e£t.   . 

decei^y  :: 


32«  J     A    M    A     I    C    A. 

fdtcency :  time,  haw'ever,  and  •  an  encreafe  of  inhabitants,  P'^ 
eradicate  their  pernicious  ciifloms.  The  foil  for  half  a  mile  froixJl 
the  fea  is  for  the  moil  part  Tandy,  though  in  (bme  places  low  and 
fwampy,  with  mangroves.  Up  the  rivers  and  lagoons  it  is  more 
fertile,  and  produces  plenty  of  Indian  corn,  plantanes,  yams, 
cocoas,  potatoes,  and  othef  vegetables;  likewife  fugar-canes,  of 
which  the  inhabitants  propofe  making  rum.  The  rivers  and  la- 
goons are  well  flocked  with  fi{h.  In  the  woods  are  deer,  fwine, 
and  wild  fowL  On  the  fca-coaft,  in  the  months  of  March,  April, 
May,  June,  and  again  in  Auguft  and  September,  are  found  abun- 
dance of  the  fined  turtle.  The  dry  feafon  fets  in  generally  in 
September,  and  continues  till  June,  and  is  then  fucceeded  by  wet 
fqually  weather  tfll  the  middle  of  July,  at  which  time  the  fettled 
rains  continue  till  the  latter  end  of  Auguft  or  beginning  of  Sep- 
tember. The  North  winds  begin  early  in  November,  and  blow 
at  intervals  till  February :  they  arc  generally  moft  violent  about 
the  full  and  change  of  the  moon,  and  in  the  months  of  December 
and  January ;  during  which  time,  no  perfon  chufes  to  go  to  Black 
river  with  veflels  that  draw  above  five  feet  water,  it  being  difficult  to 
pafs  over  the  bar.  On  the  outfide  it  is  an  of  en  and  dangerous  road, 
a  lee  fhore  ;  and  with  a  North  wind  there  runs  a  very  high  fea. 
There  is  no  harbour  or  (belter  for  a  veiiel  to  the  Eaftward  nearer 
tlian  Cape  Gracias  a  Dios ;  nor  to  the  Weftward,  than  Rattan  or 
Bonacca.  The  country  from  Black  river  to  Cape  Gratias  a  Dios, 
and  from  thence  to  tiie  Southward  as  far  as  Bluefields,  is  chiefly 
inhabited  by  the  Mofquito  Indians,  not  above  twenty  white  men 
refiding  on  that  long  trad  of  land ;  though  much  better  places 
are  to  be  found,  either  for  fettlements  or  trade,  than  Black  river. 
About  the  favannahs  np  Black  river  live  the  Pawyer  Indians,  who 
once  were  numerous,  but  are  now  greatly  decreafed,  occafioned 
by  the  ill  treatment  they  for  many  years  received  from  the  Mof- 
^uitos,  who  conquered  them  in  a  pitched  battle  about  fifty  years 
ago,  and  ever  fince  (till  lately)  cxafted  fuch  large  contributions 
of  cattle  and  other  things,  that  they  were  obliged,  at  the  rifque  of 
their  lives,  to  enter  the  Spanifh  territories,  and  there  by  flealth 
|)rovide  the  number  demanded,  in  otder  to  fave  their  families  from 
i>eing  carried  away  and  fold  into  flavery.    During  thefe  excurfions, 

the 


BOOK    t      CHAP,     XIL  527 

the  Mofquitos  kept  pofTeffion  of  the  houfes,  wives,  and  children 
of  the  Pawyers,  till  their  unreafbnable  demands  were  complied 
with.  This  pradice,  being  continued  for  many  years,  caufed 
numbers  of  them  to  fly  to  the  Spaniards  for  proteflion.  Thole 
that  now  recni^in  are  fo  indudrious  and  ufeful  to  the  Englifh,  that 
witliout  their  aififtance  a  great  part  of  the  inland  trade  would  be  at 
an  end.  In  1742  a  merchant  projected  the  cutting  of  a  road  from  this 
river  into  the  province  of  Camyagua,  which  would  aflbrd  a  ready 
paflage  to  and  from  the  South  iea,  and  be  a  means  of  the  merchants 
going  and  coming  with  iafety ;  thereby  preventing  the  Dutch  from 
carrying  on  their  valuable,  trade  at  Truxillo  bay,  which  they  had 
fo  long  monopolized.  ^^  The  Popya  Indians  accordingly  cut  the 
road^  and  drew  the  trade  as  was  intended  to  Black  river; 
which  has  increafed  the  profits  of  our  commerce  there  to  a  pro- 
digious degree. 


SECT-    IV.. 


HONDURAS. 


THE  bay  of  Honduras  lies  Weft  ward  of  the  MoCjuito  ihorei. 
The  country  about  the  river  Balife  (latitude  17  to  17  30'^  N.),  where 
the  beft .  logwood  grcws,  is  low,  marihy,  and  inteFfeftcd  with  la- 
goons; kndr  iu  fome  places  it  is  annually,  on  at  lead  every  other 
year,  ovei flowed  wkh  four  or  five  feet  depth  of  water.  Iiv  the  dry 
ieafons,  the  baymen  (or  logwood-cutters),  on  finding  a  number  of 
trees  conveniently  litwated,  ereft  h»ts  near  them;  and,  after  cutting 
them  dowji,  they  ftrip  the  bark,  chop  the  trees  into  logs,  and  pile 
them  on  the  ground^  where  they  remain  mitil  tlie  land-floods  fa- 
vour their  removal ;  thence  they  are  tranfported  iiv  canoes  to  the 
neareft  ftream,  or  river,  and  fo  conveyed  ta  their  principal  ftore* 
boufe  at  tl;e  Barjquadier*  The  huts  ia  which,  the  baymen  refide  at 
other  times^  are  built  upoa  high  banks ^  ta  fecwre  themfelves  from 
the  flopdls,  till  the  traders  arrive  to  purchafc  their  wood,  which  19 
generally  fold  at  5/.  Jamaica  currency  (equal  to  3/.  iij.  6^..  fter* 
ling)  per  ton..    The  traders  ufe  flat- bottomed  boats  to  convey  the: 

logwood 


328  JAMAICA.' 

logwood  to  their  veflels^  which  lie  at  the  diftanc?  of  forty  or  fiftjr 
miles  down  the  river.  Here  are  fome  tradts  of  fine  land,  which 
afford  good  pafturage  for  cattle;  and,  as  thefc  trads  are  never 
drowned  with  water,  they  would,  if  properly  cultivated,  yield 
plenty  of  American  fruits,  plants,  and  vegetables*  In  the  rivers 
and  creeks  are  found  great  numbers  of  alligators,  guanoes,  and  lifh. 
Here  are  alfo  guams,  confos  [)(],  feveral  forts  of  ducks,  cockatoos, 
mackaws,  parrots,  curlews,  &c.  likewife  deer,  but  fmall  and  Jean, 
tigers,  and  monkies ;  and,  in  the  bay,  abundance  of  turtle,  fome 
4nanatti,  and  that  delicious  fiHi  called  the  jew-fi(h. 

The  remarks,  offered  refpedting  our  inattention  to  the  Mdfquito 
fiiore,  are  equally  applicable  to  the  bay  of  Honduras.  Our  fottle« 
sment  at  this  place  would  have  become  infinitely  more  advantageous 
^to  Great-Britain,  if  it  had  been  regarded  as  an  Englifh  colony,  and 
eftabliihed  by  government  under  fuch  regulations  as  were  to  be  put 
in  ufe,  with  but  very  little  trouble  or  expence.  Some  meafures  of 
this  nature  are  abfolutely  proper  to  be  taken,  if  we  hope  to  reap 
.much  benefit  from  it.  The  Dutch,  who  love  to  monopolize,  and 
'endeavour  to  iilch  away  the  trade  of  all  around  tbem,  have  been 
•hitherto  the  principal  gainers  by  our  fettlement  here,  and  carried 
on  the  chief  part  of  the  trade,  to  the  very  great  injury  of  Great- 
Britain.  There  is  nothing  wonderful  in  this;  for,  with  reipe£t  to 
thefo  pofieflions,  our  mother-ftate  has  for  the  xAoft  part  been  afleep, 
'The  Dutch,  ever  vigilant  to  feize  what  they  could,  embraced  thofo 
^occafions  which  we  either  deipifed  or  overlooked ;  and,  without  the 
-^xpences  of  making  either  conquefl  or  treaty,  drain  away  very 
<much  •f  the  profits .  which  could  be  expected  from  both.  Their 
ihips  and  veflels^  freighted  from  Holland  to  the  little  ifland  of 
duracoa,  deliver  part  of  their  cargoes  there,  and  then  run  down  to 
vthe  bay  with  various  affortnaents  of  goods,  fuch  as  hoUands,  ftripes, 
checks,  callicoes,  cambrics,  muflins,  ofnaburghs,  iail-cloth,  cordage, 
powder,  (hot,  fmall-arms,  cutlaiTes,  and  other  hard-ware,  brandy^ 
geneva,  arrack,  wine,  refined  fugars,  earthen  aud  china  ware,  &c. 
in  ihort,  fuch  wares  and  manufa£kures  as  Great-  Britain  ufually  fup- 
pjies  herotber  colonies  with,  and  ought  to  fupply  to  this.  Nothing, 

[I]  Thty  art  not  known  to  naturaliih  by  thefe  names,  but  are  probably  aquatic  birds,  and  their 
true  appenationi  guanot  and  ganfos. 

therefore. 


BOOK    L      CHAP.      XIL  319 

therefore,  can  be  more  prejudicial  than  fuch  an  interfopement,  ef* 
pccially  as  they  can  overftock  the  market  fo  copioufly,  and  afford 
to  fell  at  fuch  low  prices,  that  our  manufadlures,  tranfmitted  by  the 
way  of  Jamaica,  can  find  but  little  vent  in  oppofition  to  them ;  nay, 
I  believe,  our  export  from  thence  to  the  baymen  is,  by  this  means,, 
reduced  almoft  wholly  to  fuch  articles  as  the  Dutch  cannot  conve- 
niently fend ;  fuch  as,  fome  fpecics  of  hard-ware,  Iri(h  beef  and 
butter.  North- American  bread,  flour,  tar,  and  the  like.  The  pre- 
ference which  they  have  gained  is  obvious,  from  their  veffels  being 
always  the  firft-loaded,  and  with  the  choiceft  wood ;  of  which  large 
quantities  have  been  fent  every  year  to  Holland  upon  freight,  on  ad- 
vantageous terms  to  the  Dutch,  one  half  of  the  cargo  being  allowed 
for  the  freight  alone;  whereby  the  property  of  the  chief  baymen  is 
lodged  in  Holland,  and  the  Dutch  enabled  to  fupply  the  foreign  Eu- 
ropean markets  with  logwood  far  cheaper  than  the  Briti(h  merchant 
is  able  to  do,  great  part  of  the  remittances  being  made  in  Dutch 
goods ;  fo  that  they  have  the  market  in  their  own  hands.  That  fome 
idea  may'  be  formed  of  the  lofs  fuftained  by  the  nation  in  this  way,  I 
Ihall  flate  the  yearly  export  from  the  bay  at  20,000  tons  of  wood, 
which  I  am  informed  by  a  very  intelligent  perfon  is  the  amount 
now  fhipped.  If  we  fuppofc  three  fourths  of  this  quantity  to  be 
ihipped  on  Dutch  bottoms,  the  prime-cod  of  15^000  tons  is 
53*625/. 

They  gain  by  freight  one  half  of  that  fum,  or  2681 2  10     o 

By  profits  on  the  Dutch  merchant's  fale  of  that -1 

half,  at  5/.  per  ton,  which  is  moderate,  con*  >  37500     o     o 
fideringit  is  all  picTccd  and  choice  wood,         ■    J 
By  dittoes  comraiflion  and  charges  on  the   bay-% 

man's  half,    on  fale  thereof  to  foreigners,   at>     3750     o     o 


Icaft  10  L  per  cent  on  37500/. 


General  gain,        *  -  ■  fterling    ^     68062   10     o 

To  this  we  may  add,  that,  as  the  bayman  lays  out  again  the  moft 
part  of  his  clear  profit  in  Dutch  goods,  which  he  buys  at  an  en- 
hanced price  of  near  cent  per  cenU  the  total  general  gain  to  the 
Dutch  i?  perhaps  not  much  ftiort  of  100,000/.  per  annum^  which 
Vol..  I.  U  u  might. 


330  JAMAICA. 

might,  and  undoubtedly  ought  to  be  gained  by  Great- Britain.  To 
put  a  ftop  to  this  detrimental  traffic  of  the  Dutch  to  our  fettlemciits^ 
the  aft  of  navigation  (hould  be  ftri£Hy  enforced  here ;  fome  proper 
form  of  civil  government  (hould  be  maintained  with  competent 
authorities,  a  fuperintendant  or  governor,  and  an  office  of  cuftoms  ; 
laftly,  one  or  more  frigates  might  be  ftationed,  with  other  fmaller 
armed  veifels,  to  oppofe  any  attempts  which  might  be  made  by  thefe 
intruders  to  force  or  re-poffefs  this  trade  :  by  fuch  means,  I  con- 
ceive, they  would  be  effeftually  excluded  from  fo  valuable  a  branch.. 
If  the  cxpences  attending  fuch  an  arrangement  are  objeded  to,  it 
fhould  be  confidered,  on  the  other  hand,  how  much  will  be  gained 
by  it ;  for,  whenever  fuch  regulations  are  effeded,  our  own  mer- 
chants will  employ  (hips  with  fuitable  cargoes  to  purcha(e  part,  or 
carry  the  whole  on  freight  in  the  manner  pradlifed  by  the  Dutch^ 
We  (hould 'find,  moreover,  that  logwood  would  not  be  the  only 
article  to  be  depended  on  for  a  homeward  lading.  The  fettlers  cut 
likewife  large  quantities  of  mahogany,  fuftic,  and  other  dying 
woods;  and  a  briflc  trade  would  neceflkrily  encourage  tliem  to 
fearch  for  many  other  commodities  of  light  freight,  with  which 
the  adjacent  country  fo  much  abounds.  The  logwood,  received  by 
the  North- American  traders  for  their  provifions  and  hard-ware 
(which  form  no  inconliderable  part  of  their  commerce),  is  fent 
moftly  either  to  Holland  or  Hamburgh,  very  little  of  it  being 
either  confumed  by  themfelves,  or  remitted  to  Great-Britain. 
Thus  the  North-Americans  become  likewife  our  rivals,  in  the  fale 
of  their  hardware,  which  is  chiefly  their  own  manufacture,  and 
eafily  fmuggled  into  a  place  that  has  not  a  (ingle  port  officer ; 
and,  fo  far  as  they  trade  with  the  baymen,  they  are  wholly  un- 
interefted  with  this  nation,  though  connefted  at  the  fame  time 
in  an  unnatural  intercourfe  with  foreign  ftates,  to  whom  it  is  m 
no  fmall  degree  benefi*cial :  but  whatever  may  be  their  gain,  is 
clearly  Britain's  lofs.  It  is  faid,  the  number  of  Briti(h  fubjedts 
fettled  here,  including  Negroes,  amounts  to  about  three  thoufand 
Their  emoluments  may  be  conjeftured,  from  the  gains  on  logwood 
alone }  by  which,  fuppofing  every  man  to  gain  equally,  each  per- 
fon  has  an  annual  dividend  of  about  27/.  ftcrling..  But,  as  they 
deal  in  other  commodities  be(ides  logwood,   and  the  one   half  of 

5  -    their 


BOOK    I.      CHAR    XIL  ^31 

their  number  may  be  deducted  for  fervants,  the  general  profit  of 
the  other  half  may  be  rated  without  any  exaggeration  at  50/,  per 
head  per  annum.  The  importance  of  this  trade  was  clearly  feen 
by  the  miniftry  in  the  year  171 7:  at  which  time,  the  lords  of 
trade  and  plantations  traced  out  a  deduction  of  our  right  to  cut  log- 
wood in  South  America,  and  demondrated  the  many  national  be- 
nefits arifmg  from  it.     They  (hewed,  that  Great-Britain  imported, 

Tons         Cwt. 
In  the  year  —  1713  —  2189  15 

1714  —  4878     14 

1715  —  5863     12 

1716  —  2032     17 

This,  communibus  annis^  makes 374 1»  which  they  com- 
puted at  60,000/.  per  annum  value,  although  the  price  was  then 
fallen  from  40/.  to  16 L per  ton;  whereas,  before  theEnglifli  fettled 
in  thefe  parts,  it  was  bought  from  foreigners  at  100/.  per  ton. 
They  remarked,  that  this  trade  was  not  lefs  neceflary  than  lucrative 
and  beneficial  to  the  Britifli  dominions,  by  reafon  of  the  great  en- 
couragement it  gives  to  our  feamen  and  (hipping.  All  this  we  owe 
tQ  the  BucanierSj  who  firfl  eflablifhed  a  iettlement  here,  and  main* 
tained  their  ground  againft  a  continual  annoyance  of  the  Spaniards, 
though  unfupported  all  the  time  by  any  affiftance  from  Great-Bri- 
tain. It  muft  be  owned,  that  (he  is  greatly  wanting  to  herfelf,  it 
(he  is  not  at  prefent  the  ultimate  gainer  by  their  bravery  and 
labour. 

The  modern  fettlers,  as  well  as  their  predeceffors,  have  lived 
hitherto  in  a  kind  of  republican  (late,  having  no  governor  ap- 
pointed over  them ;  but,  being  left  to  themfelves,  they  have  en- 
abled certain  bye-laws  by  general  confent,  and  pay  obedience  to 
them.  But,  as  fome .  further  police  was  neceflary,  magiftratica 
commiffions  have  been  tranfraitted  occafionally  from  Jamaica ;  and, 
by  virtue  of  thefe,  they  are  enabled  to  maintain  (bme  forms  of 
juftice.  The  like  commi(fions  have  been  fent  alfb  to  the  white  in- 
habitants on  the  Mofquito  (hore.  Still  there  needs  the  addition  of 
a  fupreme  executive  authority,  to  enforce  thefe  or  other  fit  laws 
againft  delinquents,  and  more  efpecially  to  confine  their  trade 
within  its  proper,    natural  channel.     For   want  of   a  civil   efta* 

U  u  2  blifliment. 


2^i  JAMAICA. 

bliihmenty  they  are  fubjeft  to  a  multitude  of  inconveniences  and 
abufcs  that  ought  to  be  reftified ;  fome  of  thfem  I  have  already 
noticed^     Laft  wills  are  fent  from  hence  to  be  proved  in  the  court 
of  ordinary  at  Jamaica  ;  after  which,  they  are  returned  to  the  fet- 
tlements,  to  confirm  the  rights  of  an  heir,  or  the  powers  of  an  ex* 
ccutor ;  and  then  again  remitted  to  Jamaica,  to  be  recorded  in  the 
fecrctary's  office ;    thus  undergoing  the   rifque  of  three  voyages^ 
and  an  injurious  delay.    This  hardfliip  might  eafily  be  relieved,  if 
the  governor  would  (as  ordinary)  appoint  a  furrogate,  and  the  fecre- 
tary  a  deputy,    to  refide  couftantly   at    the    principal  fettlenient. 
Thefe  officers,  I  believe,  have  already  a  power  to  make  fuch  ap- 
pointments: if  not,  it  ought  to  be  granted  to  them  by  an  a<St  of 
aflembly.     If  they  already  poficfs  it,  no  reafon  can  be  given  for 
the  non- exertion  of  it,  except,  that  their  fees  on  fuch  wills  are 
collected  with  more  certainty  by  the  neceffity  which  the  parties 
are  under  of  bringing  them  to  Jamaica ;  but  this  obje£lion  is  re- 
moveable,  by  their  taking  adequate  fccurity  from  the  peribns  they 
may  fubftitute.     Thefe  valuable  dependences  ought  furely  to  be- 
come objeds  of  fome  concern  to  the  Jamaica  legiflature,  if  not  to 
parliament.     It  may  be  foreieen,  that  various  advantages  would  be 
gained  by  drawing  them  into  a  clofer  conneftion  with  Jamaica ;  by 
entitling  them  to  fend  annually,  or  triennialiy,  one  or  more  repre- 
lentatives,  to  fit    in  the  houfe  of  aflembly ;  by  which  means,  a 
more  perfcft  knowledge  of  their  condition  and  trade  might  be  ob- 
tained, and  all  abufes  the  fooner  and  more  effeftually  correded. 
Should  a  governor  be  appointed  to  refide  among  them,  I  apprcr 
hend  that   his  eftablifhment  might  be   fo  ordered  as  to-  become 
neither  a  load  upon  the  crown,  nor  the  inhabitants.     His  falary 
might  be  raifed  by  a  trifling  impoft  of  fixpence  per  ton  on  all  their 
logwood  exported;  which,   with  fines,  forfeitures,  and  amercia- 
ments, could  not  fall  much  (hort,  probably,  of  500/.  fterling  a 
year,  which  feems  no  mean  provifion  for  the  office,   and  muft  in 
courfe  increafe  in  proportion  as  the  governor,  by  his  care  and  ability, 
might  efleft  fuch  improvements,  and   kindle  fuch  a  fpirit  of  in- 
duftry  among  the  fcttlers,  as  would  be  productive  of  an  augmenting 
expoit. 

SECT 


BOOK    L      CHAR    XII.  333 


SECT.    V- 

RUATTAN,   or   RATTAN. 

THIS  ifland  is  in  latitude  16**  21'  N,  fituatcd  within  the  bay 
of  Honduras^  about  one  hundred  and  forty -eight  leagues  W.  S.  W* 
diflant  from  the  Weil  end  of  Jamaica ;   thirteen  from  Cape  Hoa« 
duras,  the  N.  W*  boundary  of  the  Mofquito  (hore ;  and  eleven  from 
Truxillo  bay,  on  tlie  continent.     It  is  about  thirty  miles  long, 
and  thirteen  broad,   containing  in  loofe  meafurement  two  hundred 
and    forty-nine  thoufand  fix  hundred  acres,    the  range  trending 
about  N.  £•  and  S.  W. ;   towards    the  fea,    on  both  fides,  it  h 
woody   and  mountainous.      The  Northern  fide  is  defended  by  a 
reef  of  rocks,  continuing  the  whole  length,  except  a  few  narrow; 
paflages,  which  are  navigable  only  by  canoes,  and  frequented  by 
the  turtlers.    The  Southern  fide  is  very  convenient  for  ihipping^ 
as  it  is  full  of  harbours,  none  of  which  (unlefs  in  excefiively   dry 
feaibns)  are  unfupplied  with  ftreams  of  frefh  water.    The  prin^ 
cipal  is  called  New  Port-Royal ;   a  noble,   capacious,  and  iecurc 
porti  guarded  by  rocks  and  fhoals,  and  the  narrownefs  of  its  entrance,, 
which  is  covered  by  two  little  ifles,  named  Cufack*s  and  George's: 
Thefe,  if  properly  fortified,  might  be  made  capable  of  hindering 
almofi:  any  naval  "armament  from  pafiing  the  inlet..     As  the  fea 
breeze  meets  with  no  great  obflru£tion,  the  ifland  is  fb*  well  ven** 
tilated,   that  every  quarter  of  it  is  healthy,   and  its  air  efteemed 
more  cool  and  temperate  than  moft  parts  of  the  Weft*Indies»    The 
foil  is  extremely  fertile,  and  with  induftry  capable  of  yielding  any 
of  the  ufual  articles^  of  the  tfopical  produce.     It  abounds  with 
wild  1k^,  deer,  Indian  conies,  and   wild  fowl ;  its  coafl  is  en* 
riched  with  plenty  of  fine  turtle  and  the  choiceft  fifh.    Towards 
the  Weft  end,  the  land  is  reputed  the  beft,   beii)g  not  fo  hilly  as  the 
other  diftrifts,  and  containing  extenfive  favannahs  of  many  hundred 
acres.     It  is  here  that  two  Jamaica  traders  have  patents  for  grazing 
their  mules,   which  they  purchafe  at  a  very  eafy  rate  at  Truxilloi 
to  difpofe  of  at  the  Jamaica  market.      It  poflefles  all  the  varieties 

of 


jffi 


334  J    A    M    A    I    G'  A. 

of  Weft-India  ^oods  in  common  with  Jamaica ;  and,  in  addition 
to  them,  is  adorned  likewife  with  white  oaks  and  pine  trees,  of 
fufficient  fuUnefs  and  diameter  to  make  tnafts  and  yards  for  mer- 
chantmen ;  a  clrcumftancc  not  a  little  extraordinary,  if  we  confider 
its  latitude  fo  far  South  of  Jamaica,  where  that  genus  of  trees  \^ 
not  to  be  found :  and  hence  it  fcems  adapted  to  the  culture  of  a 
greater  diverfity  of  plants  than  any  other  of  the  Weft-Indian 
iflands.  Thefe  advantages,  and  its  excellent  fituation  for  profitable 
commerce  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  inhabitants  Icattered  along 
the  coaft  of  Honduras,  efpccially  about  Truxillo,  recommend  it 
as  a  very  eligible  acquifition  to  Great-Britain,  in  cafe  of  any  future 
rupture  with  Spain.  The  pofleffion  of  it  would  be  a  moft  effeftual 
proteftion  to  our  logwood^cutters,  as  well  as  the  fure  foundation 
of  a  firm  and  permanent  friendfliip  with  the  Mofquitos,  to  whom 
it  might  be  rendered  a  convenient  mark  for  every  fpecies  of  Britifh 
taanufkdlure  vendible  among  them.  It  might  be  fubfidiary  to  Ja- 
inaica  for  this  end,  and  for  gaining  in  return ,  innumerable  articles 
proper  for  European  confumption,  particularly  gold,  filver,  indigo; 
wax,  cacao,  and  Vigonia  wool.  The  province  of  Giiatimala,  fb 
near  to  it,  produced  in  1742  no  lefs  than  four  hundred  thoufand 
pounds  weight  of  fine  indigo.  The  coinage  of  tliat  province  was 
then  eftimated  at  two  hundred  thoufand  pieces  of  eight  per  annum. 
It  yielded,  befides,  very  large  quantities  of  uncoined  gold  and 
filver,   and  various  kinds  of  the  beft  dying  woods. 

No  argument  can  be  required  to  prove  the  advantages  which  are 
attainable  by  Great-Britain  from  a  well-managed  alliance  with  the 
Indians  living  in  a  country  blefled  with  fuch  abundant  refources  of 
an  invaluable  traffic.  Nor  need  I  labour  to  fliew  the  importance  of 
forming  a  chain  of  fettlements  from  Jamaica  to  the  continent,  each 
ftipporting  and  ftrengthening  the  other,  fo  contiguoufly  linked,  as 
to  be  with  the  greateft  eafe  fuperintended  by  the  chief  eftablifliment, 
and  duly  vifited  and  watched  by  the  fquadron  ufually  ftationed 
there,  the  fliips  of  which,  by  a  proper  rotation,  might  be  always 
near  at  hand  to  aid  and  guard  our  commerce  in  its  paffage  from  the 
difl^crent  fmaller  rivulets  into  the  main  ftream,  whofe  current  fliould 
uninterruptedly  flow  from  Jamaica  to  the  mother-ftate.  As  the 
fituation  of  Rattan  accommodates  it  to  thefe  views,  and  renders  it 

a  proper 


I 


BOOK    I.      CHAR    XIL  33s 

a  proper  guarantee  to  our  logwood-cutters  on  the  one  fide,  and 
our  Mofquito  brethren  on  the  other;  fo  its  natural  ftrength  feems 
to  render  artificial  bulwarks  almoft  unneceflary.  The  principal 
harbour  might  be  fortified  with  very  little  expence ;  and  there  is 
no  doubt,  but  in  Britifli  hands  fo  defireable  an  ifland  would  foon 
be  ftocked  with  inhabitants  capable  of  defending  it  againft  the  at- 
tempts of  any  enemy  to  be  expected  in  thefe  feas.  I  do  not  ftriflly 
rank  it  among  the  prefent  dependences  of  Jamaica ;  but,  confi*- 
dering  it  as  having  once  been  in  our  pofleflion,  and  as  it  incidentally 
falls  in  our  way  in  treating  of  Honduras,  I  (hould  have  held  my- 
felf  inexcufable  to  have  pafled  it  by  unnoticed. 

In  the  year  1742,  lieutenant  Hodgfon  was  fent  by  admiral  Vernoa 
and  general  Wentworth  to  confult  with  the  Mofquito  Indians  and 
baymen  about  the  fettlement  of  this  ifland  ;  a  meafure  which  pro- 
mifed  great  benefits  to  the  people  of  Jamaica.     Two  hundred  fol- 
diers  of  the  American  regiment,  joined  by  fifty  marines,  were  de* 
tached,  under  convoy  of  the  Litchfield  man  of  war  and  Bonetfa 
floop,  to  Rattan,  with  an  engineer,  arms,  ammunition,  cannon  fo<? 
a  fortification,  fix  months  provifion,  and  all  other  necefliaries.     The 
Mofquitos  readily  came  into  the  fchcme,  and  lent  all  their  afliftanc^ 
in  the  profecution  of  it.     The  fettlement  was  begun  with  great 
rapidity,   a  fmall  town  built  between  two  ftreams  of  frefli  water,  a 
fortrefs  ere(5led  at  the  mouth  of  New  Port-Royal  harbour,  and  the 
government  of  the  whole  conferred  on  Mr.  Pitt  before-mentioned  ; 
a  gentleman  every  way  worthy  of  the  truft,   znA  whofe  long  refi- 
dence  with  the  Indians  had  given  him  a  very  confidcrable  influence 
over  them.     In  1744,   the  Britifli   government  was  fo  apparently 
convinced  of  its  importance,  as  to  ftem  very  ferioufly  intent  upon 
keeping  it ;    for  the  parliament,  in  this  year,  prepared  an  efl:imate 
of  charges  for  the  garrifon,  fortifications,  ftores,  and  other  articles 
requifite  to  a  compleat  eftabtifliment.     But,  at  the  conclufion  of  the 
war,  the  Spatiifli  miniftry,  who  forefaw  what  a  thorn  it  might  prove 
in  their  fide,  contended  fo  fl:rongly  for  its  evacuation,  that,  in  coi>- 
fequence  of  the  peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  this   promifing  fettle- 
ment was  broken  up,  the  fortrefs  demoliflied,  and  the  inhabitants 
removed.     The  Spanifli  court  immediately  iflued  feveral  placarts, 
inviting  their  fubjefts  to  go  and  fettle  thetc ;  but  the  Spaniards  on 

the 


o,6  JAMAICA. 

the  neighbouring  continent  were  truly  fenfible,  that,  if  thej  were 
to  remove  thither,  they  could  not  expe£t  any  effeftual  affiftance  or 
protedion  from  their  unwieldy  government,  and  therefore  muft  be 
left  defencelefs,  and  expofed  to  the  infult  and  plunder  of  every  free- 
booter. It  was  their  general  opinion,  that,  fo  long  as  they  could 
enjoy  more  fecure  fettlemeots  upon  the  terra  firma^  it  would  never 
be  worth  their  while  to  go  and  take  up  a  precarious  re(idence  in 
any  of  the  little  iflands  which  fwarra  on  their  coaft,  however  fpe- 
cious  the  offers  of  their  court  might  be,  that  were  thrown  out  to 
allure  them.  For  thefe  reafons,.  the  iiland  remained  uninhabited, 
and  probably  may  continue  in  this  ftate  until  it  is  poi^fefled  by  fome 
other  foreign  power,  who,  knawing  its  value,  will  not  part  with 
it  again  fo  ealily  as  we  have  done.  It  is  apparent  on  the  firft  glance, 
that  it  is  capable  of  maintaining  great  numbers  of  people ;  fifty 
thoufand  might  live  on  it  with  the  utmofl;  comfort,  and  flill  have 
a  vaft  deal  of  uncultivated  knd.  The  falubrity  of  the  air  makes 
it  reafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  a  fmall  number  planted  here  might, 
in  the  ordinary  courfc  of  increafe,  become  in  a  few  generations  a 
populous  colony.  Aftonifliing  it  is,  that  Great-Britain,  whofe  navy 
rides  triumphant  in  the  ocean,  whofe  fubjefts  are  bold  and  enter- 
prizing,  and  exceed  moft  other  people  in  the  fpirit  and  fuccefs  of 
their  colonizations,  (hould  fuffer  fb  many  excellent  iflands,  diftin- 
guifhed  by  the  redundancy  of  their  natural  riches,  to  remain  unex- 
plored, unpolTefied,  uninhabited.  Surely,  it  betrays  a  miferable 
lervility  of  complaifance,  a  difgraceful  imbecillity  in  our  politics, 
that  we  do  not  occupy  thofe  jewels  which  their  pretended  owners 
are  neither  able  nor  willing  to  make  any  ufe  of.  What  is  a  greater 
reproach  to  us,  we  feem  not  to  dare  even  to  cherifh  the  acquifitions 
which  we  have  already  formed^  The  growing  and  united  power 
-of  France  and  Spain  in  thefe  ieas  (hould  perfuade  us  into  the  expe- 
diency of  flrengthening  ourfelves  againd  them :  this  is  beft  to  be 
effefted  by  colonizing  and  trade  j  they,  in  truth,  are  the  only  Iblid 
foundations  on  which  we  can  build  a  fuccefsful  oppofition  in  thU 
part  of  the  world.  The  governments,  whom  no  treaty  binds, 
whom  no  ftrains  of  politenefs  on  our  part  diiibade  from  a  conftant 
repetition  of  hoftility  and  ill  ufage,  are  to  be  awed  into  more  ami- 
cable demeanor  only  by  the  rife  of  our  power  up  to  a  fuperiority 

over 


B  OO^K  :i.      CHAP.    XII.  3^7 

over  tfieir  owar  A  fiml^r  berie€t,  we  might  hope  to  feap  from 
well-edablhfhdd  cotomies  and  a  r^ulated  cotnpad  trade  in  thefb 
parts,  is  the  putting  a  flop  to  much  of  that  naval  fmuggling  traffic 
which  has  been  the  caufe .  of  manj  bickeriDgs  between  the  Britifh. 
and  Spanifl^  ccmrts,  '-  aad  af&rde  the  Spanifh  government  a  pretence 
for  aiaintaiiiing  in  time  of  peaccr  a  fquadron  of  guarda-coftas  ta 
fupprefs  it.  The  commanders,  I  am  c^OAfident,  do  frequently  ex-* 
ceei  their  orders ;  and,  beiiig  prompted  by  the  fame  favage  priii- 
ciple^  which  influence  all  freebooters,  they  make  prize  of  itaany 
fair  traders  when  they  cannot  meet  with  others.  The  loofe  manner 
in  whidi  ^the  Spanifh  American  officers  cbnduffc  themfeivesi  ^^ 
the  want  of  due  energy  in  their  fyflem  of  adminiflration,  are.  per* 
hap&  the  reaibnS'  why  f heie  piccarbctfis  are  not  better  regulated^  or 
the  dftnders  a«nong  them  rigidly  chaflifdd.  I  have  heard  it  aiferted 
ool  good  authority,  that  in-  the.  ieveral  Spani(h  gaols  in  America 
are^  feldom  fewer  than  one  rhoirfand  Britifh  fubjedts.  Who,*  under 
thepretend^charge^of  iUicit  tr^dev  have  been  made  iprifonersby^ 
tbefe  goarda-cofias,  aiid  >kept  in  bard  confinemenc.  Many  of! 
them  are  compelled  to  fevere  labour  on  their  fortificati<»s  and  other 
public  work$,  together  -with  the  fugitive  and  kidnapped  Negroes' 
colkdied  frcmoor  fugar  iflatids;  by  which  a  great  faving  is  ittaicto- 
to  their  government.  It  ifr'  a^  djieip  method  of  procuring  labourers^ 
without  imp^^ga  burthen  up<Mi  their  own  fubje£ls;  but,  were; 
we  to  pra£life  tihe  like  injuflice  towards  them,  no  peac^^  could  fiib- 
fift  between  the  Wo  nation^s  m  America ;  a  perpetual  war  would' 
enfiie,  as  heretofore  was  the  cafe  ;  or,  at  leafl:,  it  would  continue » 
until  one  or  the  other  gained  the  afdehleticy  by  a  fiiperior  maritime^ 
force.  Between  our  Ibgwood^ut^^s  at  Honduras  and' the  Mof* 
quito  country >  fhe  Spaniards  have  a  very  good  ^rt,  called  Omoa% 
l^y  built  a  town  het«  in  175 1,  erected  a  fortification,  and  fla»^ 
tion^  a  guarda-cofta  brig  of  16  gune  for  the  folo  purpofe  of  in- 
terrupting our  trade..  This  brig  feized  and  plundered  every  Britifh 
vefiel  that  fell  in  her  way,  though  in  the  time  of  peace.  In  fhort; 
thefc  Capers  are  now>  with  refpcft  to  us,  what  the  Jamaica  pri- 
vateers anciently  were  to  the  Spaniards;  differing  only  in  this  point/ 
that  we  had  then  no  peace  with  them.  •  They  are  equipped  fbr 
fighting,  and^.  under  cloak  t)f  being  necefTary  for  prevention  of 
V0L.L  Xx  illicit 


338  JAMAICA. 

illicit  commerce,  they  contintially  harrafs  our  trade»  and  plunder 
our  efl'efts ;  for,  by  rcafon  of  the  Ihoal  water  rtcar  the  Mofquito 
coafty  pur  trade  is  confined  almoft  entirely  to  fmall  floops  and 
fchooners  incapable  of  making  refiftance.  The  Dutch  trading  to 
thefe parts  ufualiy employ  little  fleets  well*accoutred,  .whole  number 
and  flrength  prote(A  them  from  any  interruption.  Our  trade  might 
certainly  be  fecured  from  capture  and  robbery,  if  government  would 
licenfe  a  certain  number  of  armed  veflcls  to  be  employed  in  guard- 
ing the  coafts  of  our  fettlcments,  **  and  for  preventing  illicit  com- 
**  merce  :'*  the  Spaniards  are  an  example  to  us  for  the  meafure. 
But  at  prefent,  if  our  traders  ihould  arm  themfelves  in  time  of 
peace,  and  rcfifl  the  Spanifti  freebooters,  their  crews  would  be 
liable  to  fuffer  as  pirates,,  for  fighting  without  a  lawful  commiilion. 
The  Spanifh  armed  veflels  failing  under  a  commiflion  have  herein 
greatly  the  advantage  of  us,  and  ravage  with  impunity.  Our  coun- 
trymen will  much  rather  turn  their  adventures  to  an  eftabliihed  co- 
lony well  fituated  at  the  Mofquito  (hore  or  other  depeadances,  than 
run  the  hazard  of  capture  by  trading  to  Cuba  or  Carthagena^  fie*^ 
fides,  an  eflabliflied  colony  will  not  only  employ  larger  veiiels,. 
but  be  in  better  condition  to  proted  them  frofn  all  unlawful  ai>- 
noyaiice.  To  hope  that  the  Spaniards  will  fuffer  us  to  enlarge  our 
territory  in  thefe  feas,  if  poilibly  they  can.  hinder  us,  is  a  vain  e&. 
pe£tation:  fofarfromit,  they  will  not  lefuis  rtijoy  peaceably  what 
we  already  poflefs.  Yet  this  conftderation,  inftead  of  deterring^ 
ihould  excite  us  to  (hew  at  leaft  a6.  much  .vigor,  and  alacrity  in  the 
defence  and  promotion  of  our  colonies  ahd  trade^  as  they  manifeft 
in  feeking  to  circumfcribe  and  to  deftroy  them* 
.  The  fcntiments  of  qv»eei>  Elizabeth  QMghc  nev^r.to  be.fprgottep.. 
After  Sir  Francis  Drake's  return  in  1578  froQi:  his  Soutl^fea  expe-^ 
ditien,  that  glorious  princefs  replied  ta  th«  Spaoiih  aqibafla^it^i^^s 
complaint  in  tlie  following;  animated  ftyle:  "  That  the  Spaniaf d&>  bjf- 
•<  their  hard  dealing  with  the  Englilh,  whom  they  had  prohibited^ 
'*  commerce,,  contrary  to  tJife  law  of  nations,  had  drawn  thefe  naif- 
f*  chiefs  upon  themfelv-es ;  mc^ee^ver^  th^t  (be  underftood  not,  why 
"  her,  or  any  prince's,  fubjefts  Ihould  be  debarred  from  the  trade  p£ 
"the  Indies,,  which  fhe  could  not  perfuadp  herfclf  the  Spaniard 
*«  had  any  juft  title  to  by  the  donation  of  the  bifhop  of  Rome  (iu. 

**  whom 


.-i 


BOOK     L     CHAR    XIL  339 

^  whom  flie  acknowledged  no  prerogative,  much  lefs  any  authority 
**  in  fuch  cafes) ;  nor  yet  by  any  other  claim,  than  as  they  had 
^  touched  here  and  there  upon  the  coafts,  built  cottages,  and  given 
**  name  to  a  river  or  a  cape ;  which  things  could  not  entitle  them  to 
«*  a  propriety :  fo  that  this  donation  of  what  is  another  man's 
**  (which  is  of  no  vialidity  in  law),  and  this  imaginary  propriety, 
«*  cannot  hinder  other  princes  from  trading  into  thofe  countries, 
**  and  (without  breach  of  the  law  of  nations)  from  tranfporting. 
««  colonies  into  thofe  parts  tliereof  where  the  Spaniards  do  not  in- 
<*  habit ;  neither  from  freely  navigating."  In  fine,  however  much 
we  may  refent'  the  cowardly  outrages  committed  under  fanftion  of 
their  government,  we  ought  ever  to  dillinguiih  the  guilty  from  the 
innocent ;  we  ihould  cultivate,  by  all  means,  the  frieudftiip  and 
efteem  of  the  more  induftrious  Spanifh  fubje£):s  in  theie  parts,  and, 
by  a  friendly,  honourable  behaviour,  beget  a  mutual  interchange 
of  good  offices.  In  time  of  open  rupture  in  America,  it  will  be 
our  wiieft;  policy  to  wage  war  only  againft  the  felfilh  maxims  of 
the  SpaniOi  court,  and  againft  thofe  who  are  employed  to  fupport 
and  enforce  them.  But,  ^s  for  all  thofe  peaceable,  induftrious  in-* 
habitants,  who  are  not  the  immediate  agents  of  the  ftate,  we  fhould 
efteem  them  as  our  real  friends,  who  are  as  much  difpofed  to  live 
on  good  terms  with  us,  as  we  are  in  refpeA  to  them.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Spain  in  1739^  admiral  Vernon  was 
ordered,  **  to  diftrefs  and  annoy  the  Spaniards  in  the  moft  efie£tual 
<<  manner,  by  taking  their  fhips,  and  poffi^fling  himfelf  of  fuch  of 
<*  their  places  and  fettlements  as  he  fhould  think  it  practicable  to 
«<  attempt ;  and  in  convoying  and  protecting  the  Britilh  fubjeds  in 
<<  carrying  on  an  open  and  advantageous  trade  with  the  Spaniards 
«« in  America/^  This  inftrudion  fhewed  much  wifdom,  and  a 
perfect  knowledge  of  what  will  always  be  our  beft  intereft  upoa 
thefe  occafions. 

SECT.    VI. 

CAMPEACHE. 

ALTHOUGH  the  Englifh  have,  for  the  prefent,  deferted  their 
fettlement  at  this  bay,  it  will  not  be  improper  to  give  an  account  of 

X  X  a  it, 


J40  JAMAICA. 

k,  at  Icaft  fo  for  as  may  ferve  to  v^indicate  our  right  of  cutting 
logwood  upon  it.     The  hay  lies  withiu  the  province  of  Yucatan^ 
fi>  much  celebrated  by  Spaniffi  writers  for  its  wbolefomc  air  and 
foecundity  of  fbiL    The  centre  of  this  provitKe  is  under  the  fame* 
parallel  of  North -latitude  as  Jamaica ;  and  the  bay,  about  three* 
hundred  leagues  diftant  from  the  latter  ifland,   almoft  due  Weft. 
This  diftance  in  the  voyage  is  occafioned  by  Cape  Catoche^  which 
proje£Hng  to  North-latitude  20=*   17'    far  into  the  bay  of  Mexico, 
and  having  feveral  fmall  capes  bearing  Northwards  from  the  coaft, 
the  navigation  to  it  is  thereby  rendered'  very  indiccft.     The  country 
affords  plenty  of  corn,  and  cattle  of  jaU  ibrts;  hut  its  chief  oomw 
modity  is  logvirpod.  At  the  bottotn  of  the  bau^.are  two  little  iflaiids^* 
caikd  Triefte  and  Port  Royal,   which  are  divided  from  each  other 
by  a  fmall  fait  creek,  named  Boca  Incifa,  navigable  only  by  boats 
aiid  canoes.     From  the  adjacent  main  land  thefe  iflands  are  fepa- 
rated  to  theEaftward  by  Fort  Royal,  or  Eaft  moath-;  to  the  Weft- 
ward,  by  Boca  de  Sal,  or  Weft  mouth  ;  and,  to  the  Soutbvrard,  by 
a  large  bafbn,  called  Port  Royal  Laguna,  or  Laguna  de  Termitios, 
whidti  is  ten  leagues  in  length,  and  al)Out.  four  in  breadth*     The 
bar  at  the  Boca  de  Sal  makes  this  hafon  v£ry  ^lifficult  of  ingnsis  or 
egreTs,  as  it  faa«  only  twelv^e  feec  iv^iter  tt  liigheft  ;   aod,  when  the 
lea  is  not  extremely  fmooth,  it  is  dangeroui  for  vcffdt  of  burthen 
to  attempt  the  pa^^e.     This  bafon  u&d. formerly  to  be  called  the 
Logwood-cr^^ek*.    At  the  South  ^wefl  smgle  of  it  arc  tivo  psartaw 
ioiets,  v^hVch  open  into  two  fmaller  Lagunas,  caUed  theEaAand- 
Weft^  and  communicating  with  one  aoothen     The  Spamyrds  not 
having  been  able  to  form  fettlements  in  this  diviiioh  of  Yucataa, 
the  only  inhabitants  are  Indiana,  wbe^  acoording.  ta  aH  accovuts, 
would  be  very  glad  to  enter  into  a  heaity  allianoei.  widi  the  Eugliifa^ 
i£  they,  were  properly  armed  and  fupported*     In  tbe/year  i66z^  ti)e 
Englifh  firft  began  to  cut  down  the  logwood-trees  gcowiiig  in  in- 
finite qu»itities  on  this  coaft,  inhabited  by  none  but  Indians,  who 
freely  gave  them  permiilion ;  and  they  made  a  fettfement  at  Cam-^ 
peache,  which  at  firft  was  i\ear  Cape^  Catofrhc^  but  afterwards  (for 
greater  convenieney  in  carrying  on  their  bufinefs)  removed  to  the 
Laguna  de  Teraxinos,     Here  fopao  of  the  Ricaniers  fecreted  them- 
fclves,  whea  tlw  treaty  of  1667  put  a  flop  tQ  their  privateeriog^ 
:.^     3  By 


BOOK    I.      -CHAP.    Xir.  341 

fijr  the  year  i66g^this  fettlement  was  confiderably  incfeafed,  aod 
much  logwood  exported  both  to  Jamaica  and  North*America.    In 
the  year   1670  was  concluded   with  Spain  the  American  treaty^ 
whlcn. confirmed  the  then  pofleffions  of  both  nations  in  America.. 
This  gave  encouragement:  to  many  more  of  the  Engliffi  to  ^iflbciate 
in  the  fame  place.     It  was  not  until  the  year  1672  that  the  Spa* 
fiiards  firft  began  to  interrupt  the  cutters :  but,  ibon  after,  they 
grew  fo  uneafy  at  the  progrefs  of  our  fcitlement,  akhottgh  m  this 
deiblate  and  unplanted  region,  that  they    a£tually  made  prize  of 
every   £ngli(h  veflel  they  met  with  in  the  American  feas    laden 
with  logwood^      This  piratical  violation  of  the  treaty  occafioned 
many  fharp  remonftrances  from  our  court ;  but,  nevejrthelefs,   m 
the /ear   1680,  the  Spaniards^  having  collected  a  body  of  forces, 
fuddenly  invaded  the  ftttlement,  and  diflodged  the  Engli^,  who 
in  the  ipace  of  two  or  three  months  returned  ^g^in,   and  feU  to 
their  bufinefs  fo  vigoroufly,  that  in  1682  our  trade  was  greater  than 
ever  it  had  beeo  before.    I  do  not  find  that  the  Spaniards  made 
any  afttesopt  upon  them  again  with  equal  fucceifs^  but  we^  coimttM 
ta  CM  them  off  by  piece-n^eal  in  ikirmi{hes  and  .^mbufcadoess 
whidii  being  incefianily  repeated,   the  fettlers,    receiving  in  tbi> 
mean  while  no  prote^ioo  or  afliftanoe  froasi  their  own  government 
againft  tiicfe  tneacherous  breacJbes  of  faith »  thoiig)ht  it  moEre  fo? 
^ir  advantage  and  fecurity  to  withdraw  themfeives  into    thg^ 
ne^lhhourbood  of  the  Mofquito  Indiana.    By  the  treaty  of  Ver« 
failles  (1763)  it  was  ftipulated,  that   all  fortifications,  jateQpd  h/k 
his  Britannic  majefty^s  fubjeds  at  the  bay  of  Honduras  and   other 
places  within  the   territory  of  Spain  in   America,   ihould  be   de- 
flrc^ed ;  and,  in  return  for  this,  that  his  catholic  majefty  (hould 
not  for  the  future  fuffer  ^  firitiih  M>}^^9  or  other  workmen, 
to  be  difturbed  or  molefied,  under   any  pretence  whatfoever,  in 
their  occupation  of  cutting,  loading,  and  carrying  away  logwood  ; 
but  that  they  might  build  without  hindrance,   and  occupy   without 
interruption,  the  houfes  and  magazines  neceflary  for  themt,  their 
families,  and  efFeAs :  and  his  catholic  majefty  aflures  them  by  this 
treaty  the  entire  enjoyment  of  thefe  ftipulations.    Thefe  articles, 
Ji  ta  true,  confirmed  the  American  treaty,     and  edabllfhed   the 
firitifli  right  of  logwood^cutting  both  at  Honduras^   and  Cam- 

pcache. 


34Z  JAMA    I^  C    A. 

peache,  where  we  had  fo  long  followed  that  occupation :  but,  at 
the  fame  time,  we  were  infidioufly  drawn  in,  by  the  terms  of 
defcription,  to  acknowledge  thefe  places  to  be  within  the  territory 
of  the  crown  of  Spain ;  a  conceffion  which  ought  to  have  been 
,  rooft  cautioufly  avoided,  as  it  weakens  our  title,  •and  implies  that 
we  hold  fettlements  in  thefe  parts  as  mere  tenants  at  fufferance 
and  will  of  that  crown.  So  that  the  SpaniOi.  minidry  feem  clearly 
to  have  over- reached  us  in  this  material  point;  and,  no  doubt; 
fo  conftrue  their  words,  as  to  believe  that  they  have  gained  from 
us  much  more  than  they  gave  up.  In  refpc£t  to  ourfelves,  we 
greatly  ovcr-ailcd  our  parts  by  recalling  the  troops  we  had  pofted 
at  the  Mofquito  fliore,  and  razing  out  fortifications  there,  although 
that  diftrid  was  undeniably  not  comprehended  within  the  Spanish 
American  territory,  but  ftill  continues  the  property  of  its  Indian 
Aborigines,  or  rather  a  part  of  the  Britifli  empire,  as  tbey  have  fo 
long  been  under  a  voluntary  fubjedion  to  the  Britilh  crown.  The 
Indians  looked  on  this  proceeding  with  the  utmoft  aftonifliment ; 
nor  are  even  yet  able  to  reconcile  it  with  their  ideas  of  found  policy 
and  prudence.  In  coniequence  of  this  punctuality  in  difarming 
our  fettlers  on  the  coaft,  they  have,  ever  fince  the  ratification  of 
the  treaty,  been  idfulted,  plundered,  murdered,  and  enflaved,  by 
the  Spaniards  in  their  neighbourhood.  All  which  is  no  more  than 
confident  with  their  ancient  uniform  pradices,  and  the  unvaried 
maxims  of  their  government ;  upon  which  I  have  already  enlarged 
Efficiently^ 


END    OF    BOOK        I. 


THE 


[  343  ] 


T  H  E        SECOND        BOOK. 

C    H     A     P.       L 

Of  the  Spanijh  Settlements  in  Jamaica. 

TH  E  name  Jamaica,  given  to  this  ifland,  has  been  fuppofed 
an  Englifh  corruption  from  the  word  James ;  the  original 
name  given  to  it  by  its  difcoverer  being,  as  fbme  fay,  St.  Jago  :  but 
the  aka  final  has  not  been  accounted  for.  It  is  not  improbable, 
that  Jamaica  is  a  name  of  Indian  extraAion^  perhaps  derived  fi-om 
JamacarUy  the  Brafilian  name  for  the  prickly^pear^  which  over- 
fpreads  the  maritime  parts  of  the  South  fide,  where  the  Aboriginal 
Indian  difcoverers  of  this  ifland  might  have  firft  landed; 

So  the  name  Cagua,  given  by  the  Indians  to  the  difl:ri£t:  adjacent 
to  Fort  Royal  harbour,  was  probably  from  Caragua,  the  Brafilian 
name  of  the  Coratoe,  or  great  American  Aloe^  which  is  found  ia 
fuch  abundance  throughout  that  di(lri£fe. 

The  aica  does  not  appear  to  be  of  Englifli  extraftion  ;  for  the 
^niards,  long  befoii^  the  Englifli  became  poiifefied  of  this  ifland ^ 
called  and  wrote  it  X^mayca. 

ODlumbusi  is  iaid  to  have  ficfl:  di&overed  it  on  the  51^  of  May,* 
1494,  and  to  hav«  anchored  in  Puerto-^bueno  on  the  North  (ide.  We 
are  told,  that  he  was  captivated  with  the  face  of  the  country,  and> 
pronounced  it  to.  be  the  mod  beautiful  of  any  he  had  then  feen  inr. 
the  new  world.. 

.  The  compliment  was  by  na  means  trivial,  as  he  had  before 
t5ttcHed  at;  the  two  6ne  iflands  of  Cuba  and  Hifpaniola.  Nor  was 
it,  ijperhajpsy  impcopjeriy  beflowed ;  for  the  romantic  fcenery  of 
mauntainSf  the  mukitude  of  riv^ers  and  harbours,  the  varied  ver* 
dure  of  the  woods  and  favannahs,  afford  a  fucceflion  of  elegant  ob«- 
JQ^lsV  eqpialled  by  fevV  parts  of  the  WeftJndies. 

jlilis  ftay^upott  this  opcalion  was  but  fliprt,  as  he  was  bent  on  cir- 
CK6^«R^igatiqg:CHba%  arid  tjiking  a  view  jof  the  South- weft  conti^, 
neplt*     He  did;  not  ue-v^fit  Jan^aica  till  May,  1503  ;   when,  after  a- 

feries  of  ftoumjr  weather,-,  and  a  narrow  cfcape  from  (hip-wrec)&: 

•  ^. '  among 


344  JAMAICA. 

among  the  Jardin  reefs,  which  lie  off  the  South  coaft  of  Cuba,  he 
condudted  his  two  fliattered  veffels  hito  Dry-harbour.     His^crews 
were  ready  to  perifli,  for  want  of  water,  of  which  this  place  did 
not  afford  any  fupply;. for  which  reafon^  he  ftood  further  to  the 
Eaftward,  keeping  the  (hips  above  water  with  the  utmoft  difficulty, 
till  at  length  he  found  a  convenient  harbour  itKtofed  by  rocks. 
Here  he  ran  them  aground,  clofe   along-fide  each  other,  and  gave 
it  the  name  of  SaMa  GAria.     He  remained  here  till  the  mooilt^ 
June,  1504,  before  he  could  meet  with  art  opportunity  of  re^umiflg 
to  Eufope.     The  difficulties  aixi  diftreflbs  which  he  CQCoUatefcd' 
from  tlie  treachery  of  his  crew^  and  the  malice  of  the'  comtaaadiag 
o^er  at  St.  Domingo,  the  means  by  which  he  ptocuired  ho(pitafale 
treatmetlt  from  the  Indian  nativesi,  his  wonderful  patience  and  pre- 
fence  of  mind,  have  been  mentioned  in  fo  many  {Asblications^  that 
I  need  not  fpln  out  my  narrative  with  the  particulars^^     It  wouM  be 
a.  gratification  to  curiofity,  if  we  could  afcertain  the  id«sitical  fpot 
which  that  great  man  (b  long  honoured,  with  hid  .re6db%ee:»  di^mp: 
guiihed  no  Ie&  as  the  theatre  of  his  adverfities^  tbm  by  the^  forti- 
tude and  addrefs  which  he  diiplayed  in  the  endurance  mA  termiiia«* . 
tion  of  them. 

There  is  at  prefent  no  harbour  on  the  coaft  v^hich  bears  the 
fame  name  ;  but  it  is  fuppofed,  I  know,  not  upon  what  grounds,  to 
have  l)een  what  ia  now  called  Port  Sanda  Maria:  Three  years 
elapled^  from  the  time  ol'  his  death,,  before  a  ^)anifli.  colbay  was 
ietded.  In  the  iiland.  Ab.>ut  the  year  1509,  Juaci  de.  fifqotvello 
took  poiii^on  and  the  command  of  it,  as  iacum  tenens  under  Dic^ 
Columbus,  the  admiral's  ion.  From  that  governor,  what  is  now: 
called  Old  Harbour  received  its  andent  name.' of  EfquiveL  Aifter 
this  comunandery  was  eflabliihed,  gieat  numbers  art. &id^ to  Ha^Re 
emigrated  hither  from  Old  Spain,  or  to  have  been  lent  intor  baf^ 
nifbment,  who  butk  three  cities,  or  rather,  I  ftoold  iilppofe,  tbe 
rudiments  of  intended  cities.  Thefe  were  Sevilla^NoeV^i;  and 
Mellila,  on  the  North  coaft,  and  Oriftan  on  the  South.  St.  Jdga 
de  la  Vega  was  founded,  it  is  faid,  by  the  fame  Diego,  bu^  not 
till  ieveral  years  afterwards ;  when,  the  fituacion  'being  though -^ 
more  healthy  and  eligible  in  other  refpeSts^  io  many  perfftns  -  re«  * 
Baoved  to  it  from  the  other  towns,  that  the  latter  were  almoft 

deiblated. 


BOOK.    11.        CHAP,    L  345 

deiblated.  Mellila^  which  had  its  name  from  a  town  on  the 
coaft  of  Barbary,  taken  by  the  Spaniards  in  1497,  ^"^^^  built,  as 
fuppoiedy  at  Port  Maria  before  mentioned.  It  is  faid  the  inha- 
bitants deferted  it  chiefly  oa  account  of  prodigious  fwarms  of  black 
flinging  ants,  which  infefted  their  houfcs  night  and  day,  and  oc- 
cafioned  the  death  of  feveral  infants,  by  eating  holes  in  their  flefh. 
This  is  not  improbable ;  for  they  are  known  to  reduce  the  car- 
cafes  of  lizards,  fnakes,  and  even  very  large  birds^  very  fpeedily 
to  fkeletons.  Upon  quitting  Mellila,  they  built  Sevilla-Nueva, 
at  St.  Ann*s  bay,  and  after  this  Oriflan ;  which  latter  was  fo 
called  after  another  town  in  Barbary.  Oriftan  is  fuppofed  to  have 
flood  at  Bluefields  bay,  in  Weftmoreland  parifh.  Blome  fays,  it 
was  on  the  South- Wefl  part  of  the  ifland,  having  the  little  ifles 
of  Servayilla,  Quitofvena,  and  Serrana,  due  South.  Some  Spa- 
nifh  prifoners  in  1657  reported,  that  it  was  diflant  a  day's  journey 
from  Guatibocoa,  near  the  river  Alcovan  [/],  about  fixty-three 
miles  from  Hibanal  river,  and  eighteen  from  the  (North)  fea. 
The  fituation  of  Bluefields  feems  to  correfpond  with  thefe  de- 
fcriptions ;  but,  although  the  town  was  well  known  to  the  Englifii 
foldiers,  who  in  that  year  diflodged  a  party  of  Spaniards  from  it, 
the  name  of  rivers  and  diflrifts  have  undergone  fuch  changes  in 
procefs  of  time,  that  we  can  only  ufe  conje<^ure ;  but  it  feems 
mofl  probable  that  this  location  is  the  true  one.  Thefe  Spaniards 
reprefented  Hibanal  river  to  be  about  ten  leagues  diflant  from  Pore 
Antonio,  having  at  its  mouth  a  fmall  creek,  not  eafily  difcovered 
at  fea,  nor  capable  of  receiving  any  vefTel  of  burthen.  The  inlet 
befl  anfwcringthis  account  is  Down's  Cove,  at  the  mouth  of  Spa- 
nifh-Craal  river,  in  St.  Mary*s.  A  party  of  Negroes  lived  in  a 
provifion  plantation,  near  the  Hibanal;  who  gave  the  Spaniards 
at  Oriflan  notice  upon  the  arrival  of  any  piragua,  or  fmall  craft, 
from  Cuba,  with  fupplies  or  intelligence.  From  this  circumflance, 
it  is  not  improbable,  that  the  river  afterwards  took  its  name  of 
the  Spanifli-Craal,  the  word  Craal  being  commonly  ufed  in.  the 
Wefl-Indies  to  fignify  a  place  where  provifions  are  planted,  and 
hogs  bred. 

(/]  Black-Rivcr  (m  St.  Elizabeth's)  was  culled  by  the  Spaniards  El  Caovana,  or  tke  Ma» 
hsfffitiy  river. 

Vol.  I.  Y  y  The 


34^  JAMAICA. 

The  Spaniards  had  five  principal  roads  of  communication; 
which,  however,,  were  no  better  thin  bridle-paths,  and  almoft 
impaffable,  except  on  foot,  or  with  a  mule. 

The  roads  from  Eaft  to  Weft  ran  along  the  Southern  coaft  from 
Old  Harbour  to  Bluefields ;  and,  on  the  Northern,  from  St^ 
George's,  or  perhaps  Port  Antonio,  to  St.  Ann*s  bay,  and  Point- 
Pedro  at  the  Weft  end.  Three  other  roads  lead  acrofs  from  South 
to  North ;  one  from  Bluefields  bay  to  Marthabrac,  by  the  head 
of  Great  river ;  another  from  Old  Harbour  through  Old  Woman*s 
Savannah  and  Pedro's  Cock-pits  to  Port  St.  Anne  and  Sevilla;  and 
the  third,  from  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega  over  Monte  Diablo  and  Mo^ 
neque  Savannah  to  the  fame  port. 

The  variety,  extent,  and  greater  importance,  of  the  other  Spanifli 
fettlements  in  this  part  of  the  world  neceflarily  engaged  moft  of 
the  adventurers  from  Old  Spain,  and  left  but  very  few  recruits  for 
peopling  Jamaica,     Hence,  perhaps,  for  want  of  frefti  fupplies,  as 
well  as  its  becoming  a  proprietary  government  vefted  in  the  dukes 
de  J  a  Vega,  who  gave  but  little  attention  to  the  improvtmcnt  of  it, 
their  towns  were  abandoned  one  after  another,  ses  the^firft  race  of 
fcttlers  dtminiihed,  until  the  remnant  of  the  people  was  not  toa* 
Numerous  to  be  contained  in  St.  Jago  alone ;  or,  otherwise,  what 
idea  fufficiently  infignificant  muft  we  form  of   their  cities  faid  to^ 
have  been  founded  here,  when  it  appears,  that  at  the  time  of  our 
conqueft  there  were  no  more  than  fifteen  l^undred  Spaniards,  or 
whites,  in  the  whole  ifland,  the  greater  part  of  whom  refided  in 
J5t.  Jago. 

The  Spaniards  who  firft  colonized  herefccm  to  have  difpofed 
their  towns  fo  a^  to  enjoy  the  readieft  communication  with  their- 
countrymen  and  neighbours  on  every  fide,,  without  fcattering  them- 
fclves  at  too  great  a  diftance  from  the  diflfcrcnt  ftations  in  the  ifland.. 
Thus  their  port  of  Cagua,  afterwards  called  by  the  Englifli  Ca- 
guay  (or  Port-Royal),  was  conveniently  enough  fituated  for  the 
veffels  bound  from  St.  Domingo  to  the  Weftward.;  Oriftan,'  for  an 
intercourfe  with  Carthagena  ;  Mellila  and- Sevilla-Nueva,.  for  the 
Southern^artj.of'^Guba.  They  had,  befides,  fome  other  fettlements 
ojiigrtiHJiy  at  Spaaifli  river  (in  St.  George's);  Paratce,  or  Pavatee, 

St. 


«a*H*i 


BOOK    ir.      CHAR    I.  347 

(St.  Elizabeth's) ;  Rio-Nuevo,  and  Ocho  Bios  (Ghirelras),  in  St* 
Anne's;  but  thefe  were  inconfiderable. 

Among  their  fir  ft  fettlers  were  feveral  Portuguefe :  whenc^  we 
find ,a  variety  in  the  names  given  to  mountains,  rivers,  and  head- 
lands ;  fome  being  of  Spanilh,  and  others  of  Portuguefe  and  Mooriffi 
origin  ;  which  makes  it  difficult  to  explain,  the  meaning  of  feveral 
However,  that  I  may  not  leave  them  wholly  uivexplained,  I  fubjoiii 
a  Glofiary,  for  the  fatisfadlion  of  thofe  readers  who  may  be  defirous 
of  tracing  them ;  for  although  many  of  the  old  names  of  places 
are  now  worn  out,  yet  many  others  have  been  retained,  and  will 
probably  continue  as  a  memorial  that  this  ifland  was  once  in  the 

poflcflion  of  Spaniards. 

Suppofed  Derivation,  and  Import 

{Aura,  air  or  breeze ;  Cabeza,  head 
or  high  land. 
rDeep  Gap  (Alta  Mela  Savannah^ 
l     St,  James). 

r  Deep-water  Bay,  corruptly  Wag* 
'\     water. 
-^  The  Angels. 
*  The  Pretty  River. 
The  Pretty  Cape. 
Kid,  or  Goat  Points 
Perhaps   from  Gambaro,  a  crab> 
from    the  abundance  of    black 
crabs  hereabouts. 
rCopper    River,    or    Cobra    Port, 
I     Snake  River. 

{^^Ji  Cabo  Arido,  the  dry  or  wi- 
thered Cape  (part  of  Healthihire 
highlands). 
rCaravela    fignifies  a  light,   round 
J      kind  of  (hip,  formerly  ufed  by 
t     the  Spaniards, 
Devil's  Mount. 
The  Hidden  Harbour. 
Flower  River, 
y  y  2  Spanifli 


Spanilh  Names  of  Places. 


Auracabeza, 
Alta  Mela,   

Agua  Alta  Bahia, 

Los  AngeloSft 
Rio  Bonito,  — — . 
Cabo  Bonito,      — 
Cabarita  Puuta,    - 

Rio  de  Camarones, 


Cobre  Rio, 


Caborido, 


Carvil,  or  Caravel  Bahia, 

Diablo  Monte,     ^ 

Efcondido  Puerto,     — 
Flora  Rio, 


34«  . 

Spanifh  Names  of 
Fortaleza  Punta, 
Gallina  Punta^ 


Guada  Bocoa^ 


Hoja  Rio^ 


Jarifle  Punta, 


Javarecn, 


Lacovia, 


Liguanea, 


Moneque,  or  Monefca 
Mari-bona,  — . 
Multi-bezon  Rio, 


Macari 


Mantica  Bahia, 


JAMAICA. 

Places.  Suppofed  Derivation,  and  Import. 

Fort  Point. 

Hen  Point, 
r  Guada,    brook   of    water,    Boca* 
1^     mouth. 

r  River  of  Leaves,    now  corruptly 
\     Riho  Hoa. 

{Crofs-bow,  or  arrow,  probably  re- 
fers to  fome  aftion  with  the  In- 
dians. 
rRuftic  expreffion,  (ignifying  a  wild 
\     boar. 
^aji  Lago-via,  or  the  way  by  the 

lake. 
Lia- withe-guana,  name  of  an  ani- 
mal, probably  once  frequent  in 
that  part  of  the  ifland. 
Savannah,   Savannah  of  mohkies. 

Maria-buena,  Mary  the  good. 
Multi,  many,  buzon,  eonduit. 
fMacari  [m],  a  tile,  fuch  as  is  made 
for  floors,  which  the  Spaniards 
univerfally  ufed  here,  and  proba« 
bly  manufadured  them  near  this 
bay,  the  foil  being  proper  for 
that  purpoie. . 
^Butter  (now  Montego  bay).    This 
part  abounding   formerly  with 
wild  hogs,  the  Spaniards  proba- 
bly made  here  what  they  called 
hog's  butter  (lard)  for  exporta- 
tion. 


[i9»3  Or  perhaps  it  may  derive  more  properly  from  the  Indian  word  Macsui)  (which  fignilTes 
Mtter),  and  allude  to  the  tree  commonly  called  the  Majoe,  or  Macary-bitter,  wl^icfa  ^ws  19 
great  abundance  along  this  part  of  the  coaft ;  and  with  whofe  leaves,  bark,  and  root^  which  are 
aU  of  them  extremely  bitter,  fome  very  notable  cures^  in  cafes  of  inveterate  ulcers,  the  yaws,  and 
venereal  diftempers,  were  fi>m«  ytun  ago  performed  by  an  old  Negrefsi.  turned  Majoe,  in  comr 
nutOLQXfMu  of  whom  it  took  iu  namea  ^ 

\  Spani/K 


BOOK   ir. 

■ 

Spaniih  Names  of  Places. 

Ocho  Rios,    — 

Perexil  Infula,     — — 
Sombrio  Rio,  —  — — 


Yalos, 


Luidas, 


Martha  Brea, 


CHAP.      I.  549 

Suppofed  Derivation,  and  Import. 
Eight  rivers. 
Samphire  ifland. 
Shady  river. 

{Frofts  (whence,  perhaps  corruptly, 
Yallows),  the  high  white  cliffs 
having  the  appearance  of  a  frofty 
covering. 
Perhaps  from  Luzida ;  gay,  fine. 
f  Martha^  a  woman's  name  ;  Brea, 
tar ;  perhaps,  a  nick-name  of 
fome  Spaniih  Tailor's  Dulcmea, 
like  the  Engliih  vulgar  appella* 
tion,  Jack  Tar. 

There  are  fome  others,  probably,  of  Moori(h  cxtraftion,  whofc 
etymology  I  am  unable  to  difcover. 


CHAR       IL 


S  E  C  T.    I. 

General  Defer iptton  (f  Jamaica. 

» 

JAMAICA  is  fituated  about  thirty-five  leagues  W.  S.  W.  from 
Cape  Tiberon,  the  Weft  end  of  Hifpaniola,  and  about  thirty 
leagues  from  the  ifland  of  Cuba,  meafa ring  from  St.  Lucia  har- 
bour on  the  North  fide  of  Jamaica  to  Cape  Cruz  on  the  South  fide 
of  Cuba;  from  Carthagena  one  hundred  and  forty- five  leagues; 
one  hundred  and  fixty  from  Rio  del  Hache  ;  and  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  from  the  Mofquito  (hore. 

Long.  W.  from  Lonci 

The  Eafternmoft  part  of  the  ifland  1      ^  o 
lies  in  about     — »—     ■         J      ^ 


The  Wefternmoft,     - 

The  South  Cape  of  Portland, 

The  Northernmoft  part, 

Centre  of  the  ifland,         ■  — 


78 


S3 

22f 


Lat.  Norths 


*Mta 


77 


8 


17 

18 

17 
18 

18 


56' 
16 

33 

I9i 


According 


5^59  -JAM    A.I    C    A.  • 

AcccJi'diiig  to  Sir  Henry  Moore's  map,   which  Is  the  moft-correft 

.of  any  hitherto  publiflied,  it  meafutes  in  extrexxieft  length  aboOt 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  in  breadth  about  49!  or  50. 
But  even  this  is  not  to  be  entirely  depended  upon  for  grounding  with 
exaftnefs  a  calculation  of  the  number  of  fquare  acres  comprized  in 
it ;  lince  the  prodigious  quantity  of  mountainous  trad,  and  the  vail 
multitude  of  harbours,  bays,  and  creeks,  occafioning  many  irre- 
gularities in  the  outline  of  the  coaft,  make  an  accurate  reduftion 
impra^icable,  Belides,  the  mountaitis  here  in  feme  parts  rife  an 
aftobifhing  height,  to  which  the  diameter  of  their  bafe  bears  but 
a  fmall  proportion.  According  to  the  beft  calculation  lean  make, 
it  contains  about  three  million  and  a  half  of  acres,  or  near  four  times 
as   much  land  a«  all  the  other  British  fugar  iflands  put  together. 

:Some  authors  have  affirmed,  that  not  more  than  three  hundred 
•and  fifty-thoufand  acres  are  open  and  in  cultivation  ;  and,  if  this  is 
meant  of  land  cultivated  every  year,  it  is  far  above  the  truth;  but, 
if  it  means  land  opened,  cleared  of  its  wood,  and  applied  either  to 
*  ;;pafturage  or  cultivation  of  fome  fort,  the  whole  may  be  rated  at 
fix  hundred  thoufand  acres,    without   including    the    favannahs, 

-which  may  be  reckoned  to  add  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  thou* 
land,   and  the  rocky,   unplantable  parts,  roads,    river-courfes,  and 

gullies,  about  three  hundred  thoufand.  Bringing  therefore  the 
whole  into  one  view,  I  fuppofe. 

For     opened    land,      unplantable    andly-  r  ^ 

Tvaftc  altogether,  about  __}%'-^e  acres.  i.xscoooM 

JReijiains  therefore  for  cultivation  about  2,350,000 


3,500,000 
l£  this  .<:omputation  is  near  the  truths  there  is  room  fufficicnt  in  it 
for  more  than  double  the  number  of  fettlements  it  now  contains. 
£ut,  perhaps,  the  <alIowance  for  unpiantable  land  may  be  thought 
too  fmall,  confidering  the  cragginefs  and  natural  inconveniencies 
.of  a  great  part  of  the  mountainous  tra£ts,  and  the  very  large  ex- 
:tent  of  foil  on  the  South  fide,  which,  by  the  failure  of  their  rains 

[n]  In  1 752,  it  appeared,  by  an  earad  account  taken  of  the  quit «ttnt8  paid,  that  the  quantity 
of  land  then  patented  was  one  million  five  btmdred  thoiifimd  acrei.  wiut  merits  jenquiry  it, 
iv'hat  number  of  thefe  acres  are  as  yet  deaxeds  ^  culuvatcd?. . . 

for 


BOOR    II.      CWAR    I.  ^si 

&r  many  years  paft,  caiinot  be  brought  to  aiifwer  tlic  pains  and 
expence  of  cultivation   for   the  articles  ufually  attended  to  here, 
though  capable  perhaps  of  producing  others  that  are  better  adapted 
to  bear  the  dry  weather.     Yet,   after  the  ]argeft  allowance  poffible, 
there  mirft  ftill  appear  a  vaft  trad  of  country,    whofe  foil  is  highly 
fruitful,    and  convertible  to  almoft   every   fpecies  of  Weft-India- 
produce,  and   which  at  prefent  lies  in    a  ftate  of  nature,    entirely 
ufelefs,..for^  want   of  people,  to  occupy   it.      The  fituation  of  this 
ifland  is  foch,    as  expofes  it  to  the  attacks  and  iufults  of  very  pow- 
erfur  neighbours ;  but  at  the  fame   time  it  is  enabled,  by  means 
of  that  iituatioH,   and  with  the   aid  of  a  Britifti  fquadron,  to   give 
them   infinite  annoyance. ^    In  other  refpedls,  it-  feems  fo  happily 
placed,  as.  to  be  thoroughly  Ikreened  by  the-  larger  iflands  of  Cuba  •^ 
and  Hifpaniola  from  thofe  tempeftuous  winds  that  harrafsfthe  At- 
lantic ocean  ;  and,  by  the  number. and  difpofition   of  its  excellent 
ports,  it  is  peculiarly  calculated  for  an^  extenfive  and  advantageous  - 
commerce  with  the  adjacent  iflands  and  continent. .  The  face  of 
the  country   is  diverfified  with   vaft  plains,  high  mountains,  and  ^ 
fmallbillsi   vales,-  and  rivers.     But  we- rarely  meet-  here  with  thofe- 
gentle  inequalities,  eafy  fwells,  and  gradual  fweeps  of  defcent,   fo  • 
remarkable  in  England,  and  which  add  much  to  the  beauty  and  * 
coaveniencc   of  any    country;     In  the   largc^vale- of  Sixteen-mile- 
walk'there  is  more  of  thisappearancc- than  in  any  other  part  of  the 
iilaad  that  I   have  feen;   but,  in  general,  the  hills  are  of  fuch  a  : 
fharp  afcent,   as  to  make  the  view,  when^  among  them,  extremely 
confined ;  and  this  continues  till  fbme  over^topping  ridge  is  gained, 
frona   which  the  eye  admits  all   at  once  an  unbounded   prolpe£t. 
The   paffage  into  the  mountainous  region  is  not  by  an  eafy  flope : : 
thefe  huge  mafles  meet  the  lowlands  by  an  almoft  perpendicular  fall 
in  many  places ;  this  facilitates  the  difcharge  of  rain-water  from 
tkem,  but  at  the*  fame  time  produces  much  inconvenience  to  tra- 
vell^rsi  and  to  the  inland  carriage  of  goods.     It  is  owing  to  this 
acclivity,  ihat  the  rivers  here,  for  the  raoft  part,  are  hurried  in  their  - 
defcent  with  fo  rapid  a  current  .as  to  be  unnavigable  to  any  very 
great  diftance  from  their  mouths,  more  efpecially  as  feveral  of  them  ' 
are  interrupted  in  their  courfe  by  vaft  rocks,  occafioning  falls  and  ' 
catarads. .  The  ifland  is.  interfeaed  with  thefe  mountains  in  every 
I .  dircftion  j  . 


352  JAMAICA. 

direftion;  though  there  is  evidently  a  fuperior  principal  range  of 
them,  which  extends  from  Eaft  to  Weft,  and  is  crofled  by  others  of 
Icfs  magnitude  and  height,  diverging  North  and  South.  Thefc 
maffive  piles,  diftributed  through  the  country,  muft  neceflarily  pro- 
duce very  extraordinary  effcvfts  upon  the  atmofphere.  Accordingly, 
we  find  they  occafion  a  great  variety  of  climate  in  the  different 
parts,  whether  in  refpedl  of  rain  or  dry  weather,  heat  or  coolnefs ; 
and  tower  up  as  (6  many  bulwarks,  to  break  the  force  of  violent 
winds :  but,  at  the  fame  time,  they  are  conduftors  of  refrefliing  air 
and  fertilizing  (howers.  Lofty  church-ftceples  are  known  to  col- 
Icdi  and  tranfmit  air.  Perhaps  this  fluid,  when  its  horizontal  cur* 
rent  is  impeded,  defcends  fpirally  down  their  fides,  till  it  reaches 
the  bafe,  and  fo  forms  thofe  eddies  which  are  frequently  remarked 
in  the  near  neighbourhood  of  fuch  ftruftures.  Our  higher  moun- 
tains, efpecially  fuch  as  grow  contracted  and  acute  towards  their 
fummits,  probably  convey  wind  in  a  fimilar  manner  to  the  vales 
and  lowlands  lying  near  their  bafcs :  fo  the  parts  below  the  foot  of 
the  blue  mountains  arc  not  precluded  from  their  fliare  of  wind,  even 
when  it  bears  againft  the  oppofite  flope  of  thofe  mountains,  but  are 
fufficiently  ventilated  night  and  day.  The  foil  of  the  ifland  is  va- 
rious. The  favannah  lands  are  for  the  moft  part  clayey,  or  inter- 
mixed with  fandy  fpaces,  fome  of  which  are  of  great  extent  and 
depth.  Thefe  are  called  fand -galls,  and  are  wholly  unproduilive 
of  trees,  or  any  other  vegetable  than  a  fmall  wirc-grafs,  unfit  for 
pafturage,  but  applicable  to  many  other  ufes ;  for,  when  dried,  it 
is  ufed  inftead  of  hair  to  mix  with  plaifler  for  cielings,  ftufling  for 
faddles,  chairs,  &c.  and  for  thatching  the  Negroe  cottagei^.  Much 
of  the  hills,  efpecially  thofe  fituated  near  the  South  coaft,  are  co- 
vered with  rocks  of  a  fort  of  (hell-marble,  which  makes  an  ex- 
cellent lime,  and  is  likewife  much  ufed  for  building.  The  inter- 
ftices  of  thefe  rocks  are  filled  with  a  fine  black  mould,  accumu- 
lated perhaps  from  rotten  vegetable  fubftances :  this  is  extremely 
fertile,  and  proper  for  maize  and  ground  provifions,  fuch  as  yams, 
potatoes,  andcocos.  The  rocks  having  alio  many  little  refcrvoirs, 
wherein  the  rain-water,  percolating  through  various  crevices,  is 
lodged  from  time  to  time  beyond  reach  of  the  fun's  aftion,  the 
roots  of  innumerable  trees  and  plants,  which  cover  the  furfacc,  are 

thereby 


BOOK  :ir.      CHAP.      IL  353 

thereby  conftantJy  fupplied.  By  this  means,  the  difagreeabl? 
aiped  of  naked  rocks  is  fecluded  from  view ;  rfnd  thofe  parts,  which, 
when  cleared  and  laid  open,  exhibit  all  the  appearance  of  rugged- 
nefs  and  fterilily,  are  in  th?ir  natural  ftate  overfpread  with  per- 
ennial verdure.  Many  of  the  trees,  which  (hoot  the  fibres  of 
their  root  through  thefe  almoft  imperceptible  crevices,  feem  to  grow 
out  of  the  very  rocks  themfelves,  and  furnilh  a  curious  fcene,  ef- 
pecially  to  an  European  eye.  In  the  interior  parts  of  the  iflaud  the 
hills,  and  even  mountains,  are  covered  to  their  fummit  with  a  va(l 
depth  of  foil,  and  of  various  forts ;  among  the  principal  are, 

A  red  clay,  on  a  white  marie ; 

A  ditto,  on  a  grit; 

A  reddiih  brown  ditto,  on  marie ; 

A  yellowiflb  clay,  mixed  with  common  mould ; 

A  red  grit ; 

A  loofe  conchaceous  mould ; 

A  black  mould,  on  a  clay  or  other  fabftrate ; 

A  loofe  black  vegetable  mouldy  on  rock; 

A  line  fand ; 

And  their  varieties. 
The  black  mould  is  thought  much  the  bed  for  culture  of  anf 
of  tho  hilly  land,  and  produces  the  finefl  canes.  The  mountam 
land  in  general,  when  firft  cleared  of  its  wood,  poilefles  more  or 
le($  a  furface  of  black  mould,  for  the  moi^  part  mixed  with  Oiells; 
and  in  iRttoe  places  it  is  of  a  confiderable  depth.  Tlie  foil  of  the 
vallies  is  more  various,  as  it  is  compounded  partly  from  the 
waihings  of  furrounding  eminences,  or  of  the  iediment  depofited 
by  rivers  and  floods*  The  rivers  have,  in  many  places,  deftroyed 
the*  fertility  of  the  land  adjacent  to  them,  by  fuperinducing.  vaft 
quantities  of  rubble  and  fand ;  but,  in  general,  they  have  left  a 
«€onapound  of  very  fine  particles  of  clay,  land,  and  black  mould, 
in  many  places  to  an  anuzing  depth ;  and  thus  formed  what  is 
called  here  inxproperly  the  brick  mould,  by  far  the  befl  foil  in 
J^ii^ica  for  cultivatiou,  as  it  is  always  eafily  laboured.;  fo  in* 
exhauftible,  as  to  require  no  nianure  ;  in  very  dry  foafons  it  retains 
a  meifture  fufficient  to  preforve  the  cane-^^root  from  perifhing ;  and 
in  very  wet  it  fu^rs  the  foperfluous  water  to  percolate,  fo  as  th^t 
Vol/  L  Z  £  the 


354  JAMAICA. 

the  roots  are  ncTcr  in  danger  of  being  drowned.  Next  to  this  is 
the  (helly  black  mould,  which  owes  its  foecundity  in  no  fmall  de- 
gree  to  the  animal  fairs  and  exuvia  intermingled  with  it.  The  ftifF 
cbyey  land,  which  abounds  in  fomc  of  the  Northfide  pariflies, 
and  is  alfo  found  in  fome  diftridts  of  the  Southern  lowlands,  has 
many  difadvantages :  the  chief  are,  that  it  is  laboured  with  infinite 
difficulty ;  requires  continual  (bowers,  to  keep  the  furface  foluble, 
and  pervious  to  the  cane-plants ;  it  is  apt  to  retain  puddles  of  water 
about  the  ftools  of  the  canes  {o  long,  as  frequently  todeftroy  them? 
in  very  dry  feafons  the  hardnefs  of  the  furface  comprefles  and 
choaks  the  ftems ;  it  is  alfo  of  fo  chilly  a  nature,  as  to  check  their 
growth,  or  fill  them  with  crude,  poor  juices.  Much  of  this  kind 
of  land  might  poflibly  be  improved  by  conftantly  manuring  with 
fand,  efpecially  the  fea-fand,  mixed  with  fragments  of  (hells  and 
weed:  the  coaft  furnifties  this  in  abundance;  and  it  might  be 
cheaply  laid  on  places  contiguous.  I  do  not  know  if  the  experi* 
ment  has  ever  been  tried  in  Jamaica ;  but  in  many  parts  of  Eng- 
land, particularly  the  Weftern,  it  is  attended  with  wonderful  fuc- 
cefs.  Lime,  afhes,  and  hog*s  dung,  are  probably  well-adapted 
manures,  and  within  reach  of  the  interior  fettlers,  who  cannot 
fo  eafily  procure  fea-fand.  The  former  has  been  found  to  anfwer 
well  on  the  ftifF  clays  in  England,  and  may  be  procured  in*  Jamaica 
in  any  quantity  with  very  little  labour,  and  at  a  moderate  expence. 
The  noble  woods  which  decorate  moft  parts  of  the  ifland  are  filled 
with  trees  whofe  bulk  and  tallnefs  exceed  any  in  England,  many 
of  them  being  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  in 
height,  and  for  a  confiderable  part  of  their  height  entirely  difen- 
cumbered  of  branches;  which  gives  them  a  moft  flately  and  ma- 
jeftic  appearance.  Cotton  and  cedar,  trees  have  been  cut  here 
which  meafured  ninety  feet  from  the  bafe  to  the  limbs  j  and  feveral 
mahoganies,  little  inferior.  It  is  difficult  to  conjecture  the  age  of 
fome  of  thefe  trees;  but  it  is  probable  they  do  not  attain  to  their 
full  growth  and  dimenfions  in  lefs  than  a  century.  The  largefl:  I 
have  feen  are  found*  iii  the  middle  region  of  the  ifland,  at  the 
greateft  diftance  from  the  fea'-coaift;  and,  from  their  apparent  an- 
tiquity, it  is  not  probable  that  they  have  ever  been  affeCked  by  the 
moft  violent  hurricanes  known  here.     Thefe  ftorras  are  moft  de- 

•  ftru€iive 


BOOK    11.       CHAP.    IL  3^^ 

ftru^tive  on  the  cpaft ;  and  even  here  the  thickncfs  of  the  woods 
is  a  prote£liou  to  the  trees,  and  faves  them  from  being  torn  up  by 
the  root.  As  thefe  ftorms  arc  always  preceded  by  a  feries  of  dry 
weather,  ^luring  which  the  leaves  are  (hriveled  up  and  parched, 
it  is  not  furprizing  that  the  force  of  the  wind  (hould  difrobe  the 
woods  of  their  foliage :  this  has  been  almoft  uniformly  the  con- 
lequence;  and,  when  the  leaves  were  fwept  off,  the  gale  could 
make  but  little  impreffion  upon  the  naked  boughs.  In  fome  parts 
near  the  coaft  I  have  obferved  detached  trees  bent  almoft  to  tlie 
earth ;  others  entirely  blown  down,  which  have  afterwards  fent 
up  frefli  (hoots  perpendicular  to  the  old  trunk,  and  thus  enjoyed 
a  refurreftion  from  their  overthrow.  There  is  a  remarkable  dif. 
ference  between  the  woods  of  the  North  and  South  fides.  On  the 
South,  and  near  the  fea,  the  trees  are  fhort,  of  fmall  diameter; 
and  the  forefts  full  of  underwood  and  fmall  withes,  infomuch  that  it 
is  very  difficult  to  penetrate  them  by  any  other  paths  than  what  are 
formed  by  the  -wild  cattle  and  hogs.  In  proceeding  towards  the 
North  fide,  the  trees  are  found  to  increafe  in  bulk  and  height ;  about 
the  centre  of  the  ifland,  and  on  the  North  fide  hills  and  mountains, 
they  {land  wider  afunder,  grow  beautifully  tall,  ftrait,  large,  and 
free  from  underwood ;  fo  that  it  would  be  very  eafy  to  ride  among 
them  on  horieback,  if  it  were  not  for  the  numerous  withes  or 
vines,  fome  of  which  are  as  large  as  a  fhip's  cable,  hanging  per- 
pendicularly like  bell-ropes,  or  tranfverfely  from  tree  to  tree, 
which  might  chance  to  hoift  a  rider,  not  very  circumfpedl,  out  of 
his  faddle. 

.  It  is  a  general  rule  here,  that  a  rocky  and  indifferent  foil  is  always 
to  be  known  by  ftunted,  crooked  trees  ;  as,  on  the  contrary,  a  deep, 
good  mould  is  diftinguiftied  by  their  being  of  large  diameter,  ftrait, 
and  tall.  Greater  heat  on  the  South  fide  is,  doubtlefs,  the  caufe  of 
more  luxuriant  vegetation  obferved  there ;  and  this  indeed  is  fo  ex- 
traordinary, that  lands  in  pafture,  as  well  as  in  culture,  require  an 
unremitted  attention  to  free  them  from  weeds  and  young  trees, 
which  would  otherwife  infallibly  fpring  up,  and  multiply  in  all 
p^rts  like  the  hydra's  heads.  A  large  cotton  tree,  having  been 
filled  on  the  South  fide  of  the  ifland,  and  left  to  rot  on  the  ground, 
was  a  long  time  in  mouldering.    The  limbs  had  been  all  cut  away  ;.  ^ 

Z  z  2  but 


/ 


^^6  J    A    M    A    I    C    A, 

but  there  remained  a  very  fmall  twig,  of  two  or  three  inches  lengthy 
growing  on  the  middle  of  the  trunk ;   this,  as  the  under  part  of 
the  trunk  next  the  earth  decayed  more  and  more^  feemed  to  be  re- 
cruited with  a  copious  fupply  of  nutriment,  and  in  three  years  time 
grew  up  into  a  fine  young  tree,  feveral  feet  in  height ;  rifing  like  a 
phoenix  from  the  parent-duft,  it  became  an  nhfolute  re-produftion. 
On  the  North  fide,   the  coolnefs  of  the  atmofphere  and  frequent 
rains  check  the  vegetation,  like  a  froft ;  and,  when  combined  with 
the  North-eaft  winds,  are  fometimes  known  to  dcftroy  the  grafe, 
and  even  the  fugar-cane,  though  it  is  one  of  the  hardieft  plants  in 
America.    The  parts  on  this  fide,  which  have  been  well  cleared  of 
wood,  and  the  ftumps  burnt  to  the  root,  prelerve  a  fine  (bd  of  na- 
tural grafs,  which  is  longer  or  fhorter,  according  to  the  goodnefs  or 
poverty  of  the  foil.     Timber-trees  do  not  often  re-generate  in  theie 
places ;  but,  when  ncgleftcd  for  any  confiderable  time,  they  become 
over-run  with  guava-biiflics^  propagated   by  the  birds  and  other 
animals  who  feed  on  the  fruit,  and  dilperfe  the  feeds  in  their  dung: 
thefe,  however,  arc  much  eafier  eradicated  than  the  opopinax,  ca?* 
(haw,  and  logwood,  which  encumber  the  South  fide  ;  yet  the  fu- 
perior  yielding  of  the  South  fide  land  makes  fome  -amends  for  the^ 
inceflant  care  and  labour  requifite  to  maintain  it  in  proper  order. 
This  ifland  contains  about  two  hundred  rivers,  with  their  branches 
and  fmaller  ftreams.     During  the  rainy  feafons,  trayeling  is  ex- 
tremely dangerous  r  every  gulley  is  then  fwoln  into  a  river ;  and 
the  water  ruihes  down  fo  violently,  as  to  carry  all  before  it :  fothat 
many  perfons>  who  have  ventured  in  a  wheel-carriage  upon  per- 
ceiving no  rife  of  water,  and  imagining  no  danger,  have  been  fur^ 
prized  all  at  oiKre,  before  they  have  got  half-over,  with  a  fuddens 
ffood  coming  upon  them,  with,  fuch  impctuofity,  that  they  have 
been  obliged  to  put  on  their  horfes  at  fuU-gallop,.  aiul  narrowly 
efcaped  drowning  before  they  could  reach  the  oppofite  bank..    The 
rivers  at  thefe  times  are  loaded  with  mud  and  fand,  which  add  to 
their  weight ;  and,  the  bottom*  being  enti»ely  concealed  from  view, 
they  are  croffcd  with  great  uncertainty  j  for,  in  the  fpace  of  a  ffevr 
hours,  large  holes  are  often*  worked  in  the  ufual  fording-place,  or 
quick-fands  formed,  into  which  a  horfe  may  plunge  all  on  a  fudden^ 
up  to  his  belly,     in  this  cafe,  if  the  flood  has  rifea  to  any  confi- 
derable 


BOOK    IL       CHAP.    II.  357 

deniable  hcighu  the  rider  has  very  little  chance  of  fafcty ;  as  the 
depth  is  evciy  moment  increafing,  and  the  torrent  impoffible  to  be 
ftemmed.. . 

The  qutek-fands  are  mod  conunonly  mefe  wirh  otr  eroding  the 
mouths  of  rivers  and  gullies  at  the  coaft  where  the  jundion  hap- 
pens of  the  fea  with  the  freihes  t  and  a  hollow,  being  caufed  by  the 
whirling  of  an  eddy-^ftrcam,  is  filled  with  loofe  fand,  kept  fuf- 
pended  as  it  were  in  a  ftate  of  fluidity,  and  prevented,  by  the  con- 
ftant  agitation  of  water,  from  fubfiding  and  fettling  firmly^ 

Tlie  precipitate  current  of  moft  of  the  rivers,  although  it  may^ 
be  thought  to  detract  from  their  beauty,  is  neverthelefs  attended 
with  very  happy  effefts;  for,,  not  to  mention  the  eonveniency 
which  the  height  of  their  fall  admits  for  the  better  taking  up  and 
conducing  rfieir  water  to  mechanical  ufes,  the  agitation  they  re- 
ceive frofflr  rocks  and  other  obftacles  is  one  great  means  of  pre- 
ferving  their  zeft  and  fprightlinefs,  fo  eifential  to  their  being  in  a 
whoieibme  il'ate  for  human  drink.  Betides,  the  celerity  of  their 
motion,  and  contiiiual  change  of  place,  expofe  them  to  be  lefs  ex- 
haled by  the  folar  rays :  they  confequently  wafte  lefs  by  the  evapo- 
ration which  the  heat  of  the  atmofphere  would  otherwife  caufe,  and' 
emit  fewer  mifts,  which,  if  too  copious,  would  make  a.  relidence 
ill  their  neighlx)urliood  conftantly  damp  and  unhealthy. 

We  may  reckon  about  feventy  capital  rivers,  of  which  feveral 
are  navigable  by  fmiall  craft  to  a  confiderable  diflance  from  their 
mouths.  Others  are  capable,  by  ait  and  labour,  of  being  rendered 
fo,  by  means  of  locks:  but  the  advantages  to  be  gained  by  fuch 
works  would  not  compenfate  for  the  expencCj^  in  a  country  where 
the  plantations  for  the  ftaple  commodity  are  not  in  general  remote 
from  fome  fhippiog* place,  and^  where  cattle  are  ealily  bred,  or 
may  be  had  cheap,  and  in  fufficient  abuiwlance  to  fupport  an  inland: 
carriage.  Of  harbours  we  count  Ikteen  principal,  befides  thirty 
bays,  roads,  or  fhippingr places,  which,  have  good  anchorage.  The. 
climate  of  the  ifland  isin  many,  if  not  in  moft,  parts  of  it  undoubt- 
edly nuich  altered  from  what  it  was  at  the  firft  fettlcment  by  the 
Englifli.  That  the  feafons  are  fo  is  mamfeft,  from  the  number  of 
old  indigo  vats,  moft  of  which  are  faid^  tso  have  been  conftrufted 
by  the  Spaniards ;  and  theruias  of  Englifh  fugar- works,,  wiiich  are 

foiind; 


35S    -  JAMAICA.^ 

found  ill  iriany  parts  of  the  lowlands,  where  it  is  liow  impoflible  to 
cultivate  thofe  plants, for  want  of  raui.  The  clearing  of  tlie  moun- 
tainous trafts  has  much  contributed  to  this  alteration;  and  it  is  rca-? 
fonable  to  imagine,  that  the  ifland  owes  its  prefent  healthfulnefs 
in  a  great  meafure  to  this  caufe.  From  the  like  reafbn  it  may  here- 
after happen,  that  the  parts  adjacent  to  the  South  coail,  which  were 
the  firft  in  cultivation,  but  are  now  deftitute  of  regular  feafons,  iand 
therefore  uncultivated  and  deferted,  will,  by  the  new  growth  of 
thick  woods,  become  the  fources  of  unwholefomenefs.  In  a  country 
of  this  extent,  and  whofe  interior  diftri£l  is  fo  elevated,  heat  and 
cold  are. relative  quaHties,  tliere  being  perhaps  not  two  places,  two 
miles  diftant  from  each  other,  where  the  ftnlations  of  heat  and 
Goolnefs  are  precifely  alike.  In  ^vancing  from  the  fea-coaft  to-.- 
wards  the  mountains,  every  mile  produces  a  fenfible  change  towards 
a  cooler  temperature ;  and,  after  arriving  among  the  mountains, 
there  is  feldom  any  caufe  to  complain  of  too  great  heat.  In  the 
jtionth  of  Auguft,  and  in  the  evening  of  a  day  that  was  thought 
exceflively  fultry  in  the  lowlands,  1  have  found  a  fire  very  com- 
fortable in  Pedro's  Cockpits,  in  St.  Ann's.  On  the  fummit  of  Guy's 
Hill,  Monte  Diablo^  Carpenter's  Mountains,  and  others,  I  never  ex- 
perienced a  troublefome  heat  even  at  noon  under  a  vertical  fun. 
The  fea-coafl:  is  likewife  marked  with  this  irregularity ;  and  is  more 
or  lefs  hot,  according  as  it  is  more  or  lefs  open  to  the  free  perflation 
of  the  fea-breeze.  The  greateft  degree  of  heat  on  the  higher  moun- 
tains rarely,  1  believe,  exceeds  feventy-five  on  Fahrenheit's  fcale; 
but  tbe  general  ftationof  the  thermometer  there  is  from  fixty  to 
fixty-nine  or  feventy.  The  North-Iide  of  the  ifland  is  in  general 
cool,  pleafant,  and  very  healthy,  except  on  the  flat,  low  parts 
bordering  upon  the  coaft*  The  difference  of  atmofphere  here  from 
the  South  fide  is  very  evident  from  the  lefs  power  of  the  fun  in  for- 
wardingi  maturity.  The  canes  on  the  South  fide  are  ripe  and  fit 
to  cut  in  the  beginning  of  January  ;  but  the  North  fide  crops  do 
not  commence  till  about  the  latter  end  of  March,  or  Ibmetimes 
later.  The  greater  frequency  of  rain,  and  cToudinefs  of  the  at- 
mofphere, with  other  correfponding  caufcs,  obftrud  the  folar  in- 
fluence, retard  vcgetatrori,  and*  prevent  the  canes  from  coming 
earlier  to  maturity.  It  is  likewife  to  be  confidered,  that,  when  the 
7  fun 


B  O  O  K    II.      C  HAP.     II.  259 

fun  is  moving^  in  the  Southern  tropic,  the   mountains  call:  a  fhad^ 
over  a  very  large  tradt  of  this  fide  of  the  country,  till  he  has  attained 
toibme  height  above  the  horizon  ;  and  this  is  repeated  before  he  fets  : 
fothatthefe  parts  have  not  near  fo  much  of  his  genial  warmth   as 
their  oppofites  in  the  Southern  diftrift.     So  the  altitude  of  the  Blu6 
Mountains  caufes,  every  morning  during  the  liotter  montlis,  a  very 
agreeable  (hade  to  a  large  part  of  I^iguanea,  ftretching   Wefhvard 
from  their  foot.     At  fuch  times   of  the  year,    tlie  fun*s  difk  con- 
tinues,  unperceived  by  the  inhabitants,  on  that  part  for  a  confiderable 
time;  the  view  of  it  being  intercepted  by  that   immenfe  wall  of 
high  land.     From  this  variety  of  climate  it  muft  appear,  that   heat 
and  cold  are  liere  entirely  local  and  relative ;  depending  on  fituation, 
whether  low  and  level  ground,   or  elevated   and  mountainotis ;    on 
the  propinquity  or  diftance  of  hills,    open  to  a  free  current  of  air,, 
or  barricadoed  round ;  deep  vales  encircled  by  hills,  being  liable  to 
collcft  the  heat  as  it  were  into  a  focus,  and  in  fome  degree  fcreened 
from  a  fteddy  wind  ;  on  the  nature  of  the  foil,  whether  clay,  iand^ 
marlhy,  chalky  or  marie,  rocky  or  other  mixtures.     This  Ihewa 
the  abfiirdity  of  conveying  an  ideaof  the  climate  of  any  country  in 
general,  by  a  defcription  which  is  only  applicable  to  certain  parts  of 
it.     The  breadth  of  the  ifland,  and  great  elevation  of  the  moun- 
tainous ridges  towards  its  centre,  give  it  advantages  that  none  of 
the  fmaller  iflcs  poffcfs.     The  atmofphere,  being  much  heated  and 
rarified  near  the  fea-coaft  during  the  day-time,  is,  according  to  the 
obvious  laws  of  nature,   fucceeded  by  the  denfer  air  of  the  moun- 
tains,  which  ruflies  in  eonftant  ftreams  from  fun-(et  till  an  hour  or 
two  after  fun-rife  ;    whence  it  happens,  that  every  part  of  the  coaft 
is  ventilated  by  this  land-wind,   as  it  is  called,   flowing  towards  all 
the  points  of  the  compafs;  and  that,    in  the  middle  of  the  moun- 
tainous region,  there  is  often  nofenfible  motion  of  the  air^  though 
at  the  very  fame  time   a  frefh  land-breeze,  proceeding   from  that 
quarter,  is  felt  by  the  inhabitants  on-  the  lowlands,   near  the  coaft, 
and  on  both  fides  the  ifland. 

"  This  wind  fs  not  only  agreeable  from  its  coolnefs,  but  highly  fa- 
hitary,  by  preventing  the  ftagnation  which  muft  otherwife  happen 
over  the  heated  parts,  after  the  departure  and  previous^to  the  return 
of  the  fea-breeze*;  and  it  is  allb  extremely  fubfervient  to.navigition, 

by 


^6o  JAMAICA, 

By  carrying  fhips  and  veffels  out  of  every  harbwr  rqpnd  the  iflaiKli 
from  moft  of  which  they  cannot  ftir  whilft  the  fea-brecze  is  l>low- 
ing.  It  continues  till  tlie  approach  of  the  fea-brcezie,  which,  as  it 
gathers  ftrength,  overcomes  the  land-current:  the  interval  between 
the  dying-away  of  the  one,  and  the  fenfible  iq[)pMl&  of  the  othefj^ 
is  commonly  a  few  minutes  duration  ;  but  thq  feii^breeze  is  felr 
much  fooncr  in  the  highlands  than  below.  In  fa<5V;  the  natural 
caufe  of  the  fea- breeze  is,  perhaps,  alfo  the  natural  caufe  of  the 
land  ;  the  ^vc  feems  always  ftruggling  to  maintain  an  equilibrium* 
When  therefore  the  fea -breeze  ceafcs,  we  find  a  land-breeze  nece^ 
fhrily  in  its  ftead,  which  blows  gently  or  with  vielepce,  according 
as  the  lower  parts  of  the  ifland  adjacent  to  the  fea  are  noore  or  lefs 
Ilea  ted  :  fo  aptly  is  every  thing,  in  all  climates  and  coumrie^  regu- 
lated by  the  ftated  laws  of  that  unerring  and  eternal  Wifdoox  which 
we  improperly  call  Nature. 

For  the  moft  part,  the  fea-breeze  fets  in  upon  the  £aj(leramoft 
point  of  the  i(}and»  between  fev^n  and  eight  oWock  in  the  morn- 
ing, reaching  Kingfton  about  eight:  but  there  are  many  and  fre* 
quent  variations  in  this  refpeft ;  for,  when  the  North-eafters  are 
gaining  ground,  it  arrives  fometimes  an  hour  or  two  later ;  and 
the  like  near  the  approach  of  the  rainy  feafons  in  May  and  October, 
at  which  times  are  frequent  calois  and  light  airs,  occafioned  by  the 
'ihitting  of  the  wind  ;  and  the  heat  is  then;  more  ien(ibly  felt  and 
oppreliive,  becaufe  there  i«  then  a  moifture  in  the  atmofphere,  that 
occalions  a  relaxation  and  languor,  not  felt  at  other  times.  The 
general  ftate  of  heat  in  the  lowlands  is  very  tolerable ;  enlivening, 
not  fmothering,  the  fptrits,  like  fome  of  the  fuffocating  days  in  the 
Northern  fummers.  In  the  month  of  June,  the  fea-breeze  blows 
violently  for  fome  time  night  and  day,  with  little  or  no  intermii^ 
■fion.  The  hotteft  hours  of  the  day  are  from  one  to  four  o^clock 
in  the  afternoon;  but  many  circumftances  happen  to  alleviate  it. 
The  fun  not  continuing  the  longeft  days  more  than  thirteen  hours 
above  the  horizon,  and  night  following  a  very  ihort  crepufculum^ 
the  night  is  nearly  equal  to  the  day  at  fuch  feafons,  and  affords  the 
earth  a  fufficient  refpite  for  growing  cool  before  the  next  returning 
day.  This  length  of  the  nights  gives,  during  the  greater  part  of 
the  year,  a  certain  elafticity  to  the  aii;,  which  enlivens  and  invigo- 

3  jates. 


B  b  CHC  ^  II;'    G  k  A>. '  II.  j6 1 . 

Abdttf  rfieldawtt  of  day'the  air  is  moft  agreeable  :  this  is 
t?rae  fat  i^leafurable  lexercile,  and-  it  is  generally  takeh  here  ei- 
dier  in  wReel-carriages'.or  on  horfe-back ;  but  the  latter  is  preferred 
m  the  morning ;  for  which  the  inhabitants  have  excellent  pacers; 
ivhbfe  cafy  motion  is^  well  fliited  to  the  climate.     I  fpeak  chiefly  of- 
tjbe  tOT^i  inhabitants,  who  are  invited  to  this  whoicfome  rccreation^ 
bythe  deKgHtful  fe^chity  of  the  mornings  and  evenings.     They 
who  refide  in  the  donntry  feem  equally  indifferent  to  all  hours  of 
the  day,  and  travel  from  place  to  place,   or  ride  about  their  plan- 
ifations,  without  any  dread  of  fun-(hine.     In  the  hotter  months,  it 
is^ufoal  to  fee  the  clouds '  affemble  over  the   mountains  about   nooiK* 
#hich'/orb  a  very  comfortable  flcrcen  to  all  the  places  within  the 
Biw  of  tbeirfliade ;  at  other  times,  after  a  rain  of  one  or  two  hours, 
^bej  are  driven  over  the  lowlands^   and  render  the  afternoons  there 
cstrfcmely  ferene  and  pleafant.     When  any  coniiderable  thunder  ' 
happens  in  the  moutitaihs,  the  found  has  fuch  cffkA  on  the  atmo«^ 
i^^re;  d§  by  degrees  tofubdue  the  fea>4>refeie  :*  the  Vtfpoutis  thctt'. 
take  tjldr Ktturio  acrofs  the  lowlands  toi^ardsthe  fea  without  in** 
tettuptirin;  Ibmeti'mes' bringing  Showers,  more  frequently- not,  bat- 
always  caftitig  a  veil  over  them.     This'almoft  uniformly  happens 
dUrtft^'^hd-iriontrii^of  July  ahd'Au^fty  except' when  the  fea-' 
brbdte  tiljor^s  With  (6  mucb'ftrength,'  as  to  cdnfine  the  clouds  and' 
rtkin  to'tfeft  'merrAitedou^  "^dii^i^^  ;  'but  at  ^  fucR  tinies  the  freffinefs- 
of  the  wind  ifiaftes'  a  ikreen  the  -lefs  lifcceflary-t  -the  *  in terpofition  • 
€jf  ^  dooded  atmofphere  occJifionsata^almoft  immedi^tf  and   very 
ienfible  change  in  the  temperature  of  the  air,  {6  as  evfen  to  fink  the 
themibmeter  feveral  degrees;     After  thunder  fhowers,  ^^hcther  in 
the"  mountains  or  lowlands;  there   is  frequently  6bfeiVdS   a  mift 
ipread  through  the  higher  region,^  6f  fufficient  denfity  to  hide  the 
fun*$  dilk;  which  produces  the   Ifke  consequence  [<?].      From  the 
beginning  of  November  till  MatcJh,  the  fea-breeze  ts  very  irregular, 
fometimes  ceafing  entirely  for  a  fortiiight  or  three  weeks,  but  is 
fucceeded   by   Northerly  winds,    veering  from  N.  E.  to  N.  N.  W. 
always  coWcft  the  more  they   recede  towards  the.  Weft.     Thefe 
winds  generally  come  on  with  fome  fury,  and  often   attended  with 

rain,  efpecially  on  the  North -fide;-  but,  unlefs   the   rains  are  un- 

•       .  •   *•  • 

[•]  I  have  known  the  like  change  to  happen  during  a  total  eelipfe  of  die  fun. 

Vol.  I.  A  a  a  commonly 


36^  -^JAMAICA. 

commonly  heavy,  and  yrifid  violent,  they  rarely  pfifij  ^  mpuquios^ 
or  produce  any  other  than  tranfieat  drizzling,  ^ow^s  qq  th«l 
South  (ide.  The  air  a^  this  feafpn  of  the  year,  being  thus  temr 
pcred,  is  f  x;cc?dingly  agrepajble ;  the  elements  fccm  buflbcd  iatj^^. 
s^  ftate  of,  tranquillity ;  ev^ry  daj  6^o».  Us  rpUda^  K^^W%  tbft 
vernal  fe^fon  of  England,  only  improved  with  a  more  enliyeniiag 
waraith ;  perhaps,  it  is  then  more  like  the  climate  of  Brafil^  fa^dj 
tp  be  the  moA  delightful  in  the  world.  Aged  perfo^s  op  comiqg 
hither  find  tb^naf^lves.  renewed  as  it  were  in  youth ;  theix  ^ibat)i|ed 
veiTels  fill  again ;  the  wrinkles  become  lefs  conipicuoifs ;  apd  the^ 
enoaciated  form  of  their  bodies  is  changed  to  plumpi^is,  I  ihpi^l^; 
thifik  it  fjar  more  advifeable  here  to  hold  an  annuity  oa  fiz|y  ^a$v 
{\Ktttn.  Q\d  age  contracts  the  fibres ;  this  climate,  relaxf 9^  thci 
£^s  pecMliar  tp  itnourifli  much,  and  are  of  eafy.  digeitiooj  ;u^ 
the  weather  not  fubje£t  to  fudden  and  violent  changes.  Tbeie^  ^.i(*, 
cumftance^  prove  more  or  lefs  favourable  to  peribns  advanced  ip 
3fe9r9,  and  QV&y  ferve  to  account  for  the  metamorphpQs  they^  U9« 
dergQ  from decrepitMde  to  vigour,  as  well, as  for  tjie  long^vittj;  ob- 
servable here  of  thpfe  who  have  palled  about  the  age  of  Afty>  aad^ 
€^  not  labour  undc^  any  inveterate  chronic  4i^^4^r.  A  fr^  apd 
conftant  perfpiraboo,    and  the  dilatation   of  all  the  bodily  tubc^S} 

enabling  ^he  circulat}pn  tp  bg  cjirricd  on  vyith  cjafp.  a»4;  ?«g;til*"tjt. 
a^fc  effeds  naturally  p^uced  by  the  tempqratujc^ pf^ j^  atrnpiph^rsp 
a^id  contribute  chiefly  to  caufe  that  liveljr  fl^w^  .of  ipirtfs ;  fa  r^, 
inarkable  here  even  in  thofe  perfons,  natives  of  E^ppe,  wbo  be*, 
fore  their  arrival  never  (hewed  aay  ^mptom  of  extraordinary 
iprightlinefs*  To  this  vivacity  we  cgiay  attribute^  thofe  fingular 
turns  ofTOind  ai^d  ecceptric  flights  remarked  of  many  WeA^In<» 
dianSf  which  provoke  the  wonder  or  the  mirth  of  fedater  perfons 
in  Britain.  The  gay  fcenes  of  nature. too,,  almofl;.  inceffantly  pTe<»^ 
fcntedhereto  view,  may  probably  conduce. to  a  livelinefs of  ima- 
gination and  temper.  The  cane-pieces  too,  which  fpread  through 
the  vales,  and  climb  the  hills  till  they  blend  with  the  deep-green 
fprefts,  enliven  every  where  the  view  witli  tints  unipcakably  beau- 
tiful. When  firft  planted,  the  fiice  of  the  ground  wears  the  ap* 
pearance  of  the  ploughed  lai)d .  in  £ngl4nd ;  afterwards^  as  the^ 
young  plants  fpringup,^  it  dTumes  a  delicately  light  verdure;  in 

their 


30^iS:    U.      CHAP-    II.  363 

their  iaft  ftagd,  they  appeal  of  a  ftrbnger  green ;  an3,  as  they  ap- 
proach towards  matority  «  their  complexion  changes  t»  a  fweet 
mixture  of  white  and  yellow,  relembling  the  European  corn  in 
time  of  harveft.  Sometimes  they  are  feen  at  once  in  all  thefe  dif- 
ferent  flages.  Laft  of  all  appear  the  bufy  flaves,  like  reapers, 
armed  with  bills  inftead  of  fickles ,  to  cut  the  ripened  flems ;  and 
reams  of  oxen  in  the  field,  to  bring  the  treafure  home;  whilft  the 
labourers  chear  their  toil  with  rude  fbngs,  or  whiftle  in  wild  chorus 
their  unpolilhed  melody.  Before  the  difcovery  of  America,  the 
romantic  genius  of  a  poet  alone  could  expatiate  on  fbme  Utopian 
ifland,  blefled  with  perennial  verdure  and  unfading  ipring.  In 
Jamaica  we  find  the  idea  reali2ed ;  although  the  face  of  nature  un« 
dergoes  a  very  vifible  alteration  here  once  a  year,  in  the  autumnal 
ffeafon  [/] ;  at  which  time  the  deciduous  trees  (hed  their  foliage ; 
yet  this  change  of  drefs  is  fo  expeditioufly  performed,  that,  whilft 
the  old  garments  are  dropping  off,  the  new  and  moris  elegant  attire 
is  exhibited  to  view,  the  buds  (hoot  out,  the  bloflbms  unfold,  the 
fruits  grow  turgid,  the  feed-veflels  Unlock  their  cells,  and  pour 
forth  their  inexhauflible  treafure.  Every  month  in  the  year  pre« 
fents  a  frefh  collation  of  various  fruits;  and  (bme  ipecies  are  to  be 
had  in  perfeOion  throughout  the  year. 


S  E  c  T.    ir. 

I N  the  countries  (ituated.  near  the  equator,  there  feems  little  or 
no  diverfity  of  feafons  fimilar  to  what  prevails  in  the  higher  lati* 
tudes.  The  fummer,  as  they  call  it,  is  diftinguiflied  from  the  reft 
of  the  year  only  by  drier  weather  and  greater  heat ;  and  the  winter, 
by  copious  aftd  violent  rains.  On  receding  from  hence,,  either  to« 
wards  the  North  or  South  poles,  there  are  obierved  to  be  gradual 
ckviations  ffom  this  ftate  of  weather,  until  we  arrive  at  thofe  lati- 
tudes where  the  year  is  naturally  divided  Into  fpring,  fummer,  au« 
tumn,  and  winter.  In  Jamaica  fbme  (light  rtidiments  may  be  per- 
ceived of  this  quadrature.  In  the  beginning  of  January  are  gene- 
rally  expected  about  five  or  fix  days  of  moderate  (bowery  weather ; 

[^]  So  diftinguiflied  b  Englanil. 

Aaa2  *  from 


3«4  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

from  this  timtr>  till  towards  tjieclatt^r^  end.  of. April,  it  continue* 
dry  and  extremely  pleafant  on  the  South  fide ;  this  weathe/  fofne- 
times  ends  with  heavy  rain  for  feven  or  «ght  days,;  which  is  called 
the  May  feafon  ;  from  this  perjpd  the  weather  gr^ws  dry  again,.  thjB 
fea-breeze  more. regular  andftrong,  and  the  jieat;  ipcreafes  until^the 
middle  of  Auguft,  about  which  time  thunder- fliQwcrs  aref  frequent, 
which  help  to  cool  the  aif,  and  are  very- fervicepblc  to  theyoungf. 
cane-plants.    September  has  generally  fomp  heavy  thunder- (howers. 
In  Odlober,  the  fea,- breeze  beginijing  to  decline  as  the  wind  veers 
towards  the  Northern  points,  the  air  is  fometimes  very  clofe^  Hioift^^^ 
and'difagreeable,  till  about  the  latter  end  ;  at*  which  tiipe  ttie\hea-* 
vieft  rain  in  the  year  is  .cxp^6ted,  .and.  comnionly  If fts,  withMittla 
intervals,  during  eight  pr  ten  days,  pccafioning  great  floods,  and  *ac-' 
cqmpanied  fometimes,  on  its  firft  fettipg  in,  with*  pdwerfiirguffs, 
cither  from  the*  North- eaft,  the  South,' or  Soii'th-wefl:';  teoft  often' 
from  the  latter  :  the  feafbns  alfo,  var^  ;  attd,  in  general,  the  heavieft- 
rains  have  fallen  of  late  years  in  Sept^tnl^t..   It  is  at  this  time  of. 
the  year  thofe  deftrudive  ftorms*  callad  hurricanes,''  arVmofl:  appre-^ 
headed.     Indeed,  from  the  month  pf  July,  to  the  liaitter  end  of  Oc-, 
tober,  is  ufually  reckoned  by  navigators  the  hurricah'e-feafon.  Be--' 
caufe  thefe  tempefts  have  fallen  within  that  period  on  fome  or 
other  of  the  iflands,    or  in   the  track  of  homeward-bound  (hips 
croffing  the  Atlantic.     The  laft  violent  one  known  in  Jamaica  hap- 
^  pcned  in  the  year  1744,  for  the  gale  in  .1751  was  too  infignificant 

to  deferve  the  name.     And  if  we  confider,  that,  during  thefe  one 
hundred  and  Seventeen  years  paft,  i,n^\yhich  this  ifland  has  been -in 
our  poffeffion,  pply  five  of  thefe  ftprms  [y]  arc  on  record,  and  only, 
tvvo  earthquakes  [r]  attended  with  damage^  this  ifland  cannot  be 
faid  to  have  been  oftep  vifited  .with  thefe' calamities.    The  Englifh, 
from  their  fi^rft  fettiement  in  1655  to  16^9,  ^fpaceof  thirty-four 
years,  nevet-  were  aiBi£lcd  with  any x)f  thefe  terrible  winds;  nor. 
had  .any  veffel  been  loft  or  caft-away  upon  the  coaft :  yet  there 
were  three  very  furious  hurricanes  during  that  time  at;  the  Wind- 
ward Giribbee- iflands.     From  Oaober  to  January,  x\y^  Notth-eaft. 
wind  chiefly  prevailing*  the  weather,  is  ferefie  ai>d  pleafant*  and  fo, 
continues  till  April  or  May.     On  the  North  fide  of  the  ifland  the. 

t^]  1685.  «7«2-  i7a2,  1726.  1744^      [r]  1687.  »69i« 

*  ch'mate 


BaOiK  51.      CHAP.T  II.  3*5 

dimaie  antdK^lc^  ati  ^dy  SScwnt ;  k  being  dry  weatb«r  "rin  ge«f 
tteralnoo  tlddii  fide^  niiaf  lii€re  is^  taib  on  the  South  fkie;^  and  vice- 
V9>3/S*^  iAlthei^  tlbiramffin  this  diftridi  do  not  fall  ib  heavily,  and' 
ki i fucik^ ttfitcms^  as^  the.  South  fide;  yet  itihas  a  larger  fupply  of. 
wetf  biit  \di:flvibuted:  ifufiiiaUttb'  and  oione  frequeni  ihbwers  during 
great 'ibrtn^f^the^eavi)  ll^aye  already  fpoken  of  its  greater  com-^ 
pfuativei  c€(oinefsy;oandi> the  . baddvardne&ijof :  Vegetatioit^    obferveci 
here)  whic^iTeRrains  the'planterdtfrbni.begimiing  tlieir  cropuiiti^' 
thb  South-ijdft;:j[)lQfitieTs  have  imlf-fimfhedMhdrs.     On  the  other 
handjihowtTS  aKEid..evenveiy  Heavy  Jr9ins>x)fteii  fall  ontke.moun-i 
tains, '\vhilll  the(  luvirlandsiairepajtihqdf,' and  have  not  a  drop ;  the 
vapours  ansMrawih  toward^  tht  High bauids,  and  there  accumulated 

iad  confined 'byttherpbmc^. of: 'the  fba^d^peezev  fetting  .in  upoti  dier 
North  and* South! coafts  at  me  &nd  the  fame  tin>e;  every  bay;  ihlet^^ 
and  promootqiy,   ferve.  ai;  fo  mlany  in-draughts    and  (X)ndu£tor». 
When  \  this'  vfind:  is^^rbng^  it  eflfeftuaily  preveAts^  the  rain  from  ex- 
pandhig,  o]rfr;.the:  chaiopaign  .coui^ry  iadjacen^rtoi/the^lQCKdR:;  th^. 
eongeriiiioi  clouds  paiies/  f{oai  £aft^ to  Weft  irith!  theiri irMa*  aioagt 
the.  h^'  ri^es  .the  ^holecJedgth  ^  jtB^jiflgft^^caodliia/  the  wet' 
months  I  have  vknoTm:  them  p(»br  awajr  their  ropn^jQate;  with  fuch 
viplonce^  aa  to  tiiMsrWe  the  .wdter  of  a-^targ^  toountain  dver;lhirty 
perpendicular .  feet' .  ifa  ?Cfe«nly,-fettr . hour^; •  }i}  the. ^ taoMh  rof ;  No* 
vember^  during  y^chi1iM',N»'ti)Sihl<xw  with  fome  imp^tuofity,  the 
caihou  .and  otboTi  decidkioud  Xrm^  (hed  itiheiit).o]4  4$ave$»  like '  our 
Bnglifly  treda  in-QOdbco?!  iJib^notheihtr^^^'  \\^khrtiUyi  he  rariked 
among  the  ever^grtfena, '  retatfi  their  foliage ;  or^  if  aay  fell,  the  fuc- 
ceifion  of  new  ones  is  ib  qui^^  that '  th^ .  freih  leive^  are  only  to  he 
diftinguiihcd>byra  f^i^^ti  fdl^ti^gvp^n^  wbichi,  combined  with^  the 
deeper  tint  of  the  4;Klflfg  QH^^^.  q^fafion&a  moH:  pleating  tfk&f  txiqre 
especially  if,  ^  the.ianae  time,  tt^e  tfce  i$  djrdoiii^g  fotne  remains  qjE 

fruk  ftill.undficayed^,;.f>y■ap  l/.^Ai^idcJj^ty^^^^^  into 

parts  for  the  Soutli  fide  of  thi&jifland,  I  (hould' dedicate  tl>e  moiiths 
of  Novenabar,  December,  January,  Februai^y,;  Maceb,  aad'  April, 
to  th|e  fpring  ;  tojtlv^fummer  I  fliopW  i^l4w>MiV,!j«iJpe,^  J»ly,  and 
Augttft ;  5l^nd:a%H  to  wifller  J^ei^nxw^lof  ;%|(5rpb«rand  0<aol*r^ 

Icpuld  $Q4.nftTQon^;fpr,  a#toiBi),e.few  fluring  the: 

whfllc  year^i  tU,raw^gf£^:0^,y^riftujn%^^I^ 


3^  .r  J.  :A  fftt  a;:!I  jCoAir 

qtiadrjare  ipore  with  tbe  Northernxlmutest  ibr  here  liinuft  adndfi 
urtntgr  to  escfircifc  his  roigu  from  Odx^befiCo^Maroh*; .  in.wfaich  fp^ce, 
inilead  of  froft  and  ibow,  he  deals  out  from  his  {lonw^tHvitttk.rcri 
gidn,  cold  Northerly    windfi^    clouded  fktes,  dad  vrttety  delug;e&>' 
The  appnoach  of  the  Norths  i&. known oo  the  §Quth  fide  Ipr.  the 
cblle£l:ion  of  vapours  brooding  on  the  ixiouiitain  tops  evity  mom'mg 
and  evening ;  when  the  wind  blows   fufficiently  (bong  to  detach 
them  from  tlieir  ieat,  they  ane  then  perceived  to  hurry  from  tfaer 
mountains  to  the  Southwards;  the. clouds  they  form  are  fmalU  re-- 
markably  opaque  for  the  moft  part,  aiid;ia  fcattered  .bodies;  whilit 
others  arc  tinged  with  a .  faint  red^  or   lively  white*     In  February 
and  March  thefe  winds   are  fometimes  produdive   of  fevers,  aod 
belly -ake.     Europeans  newly  arrived   are  generally  food'  of  tlieic 
%vind$  for  their  coolnefs,   and  embrace  them  with  open  arms  and 
open  bofbms.    But  they  frequently  operate  like  the  North* Eaftera 
in  Eogland»  (hutting  up  the  pores,  and  obftmfling  perfpiration, 
that  (buhtain  of  health  in  hot  countries.;  whilft  the  fun  fliU  darts 
hi&  rays  with  itKn^dng  a£tivity  and  fentour^  as  he .  tends  towards 
the  Northern  tropic ;  and  thus  both  together  may  unite  ta  generate 
a  dry  febrile  heat,  and  noxious  fermentations  in  the  huotaa  body* 
It  is  for  this  bad  quality,  that  the  natives  who  have  never  been  out 
of  the  ifland  are  not  very  fond  of  the  Norths  when  violettt,  and' 
take  neced'ary  precautious  to  keep  up  a  due  peffpiration  by  warmer 
cloathing,  atid  by  not  expofing  themfelves  to  them  in  the  eveiibg*^ 
But  any  evil  eife^Sts  from  thefe  winds  muft  be  chiefly  refiri^ed  to 
the  South  fide,  which  receives  them  after  pafling  acrofs  the  country 
over  a  large  extent  of  n>ountains  and  woods^  fi'om  which  they  are 
thought  to  bring  down  a  large  portion  of  iinwh^lefome  vapours. 
At  the  North  fide,  upon  which  they  (et  immediately  from  the  (ea, 
they  feel  more  open,  and  of  a  healthy  keennefs,  which  occaiions 
no  inconvenience  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  fide,  but  is  rather  held 
io  be  falubrious.     They  produce  on  the  South  fide  (bmewhat   like 
the  effe<^s  of  an  European  winter,  not  only  on  the  leaves  of  trees 
and  plants  before  noticed,  but  on  the  earth,  on  animals,  and  other 
fubjeAs.    1  have  known  the  roads  on  the  South  fide,  though  ex- 
tremely wet  afid  muddy  from  a  heavy  fea(bh  of  rain  immediately 
7  before. 


bp(w«,gr/iiwidfy  .ffidj^W-pji..tV  fiirface  noi «any liour?  after  the' 
firft  ippfffffifii:*?!  jtbe.l^hp,  ^ftd,ivery  ibqn  duft/.  The  like  drying . 
e.fitt^  i»ay  ;bq  obiecved  io^ regard: (9  the  unufvud  ihrinking  of  doors,, 
iriiQdoWf^MMfi'fi.l>t>tu^l<«  af>4  other  'wood-work  about  4weliiDg>  - 

i  Tho  iMkEles  tp^eted  frpfn^^qrtl^ America  acquire,  on  the  iettir^*  , 
i«r<>f  th*^ Norths,  ai.very  K^ai^k  ro^ghcoat  of  long  hair;  aaid,  if 
i9nph  exereUed  at  i^cbt  tHp^  I9N^  fuhj^  tQicqld^  and  gretu  iaflfm-. 
i&atiAncDf  their  bioo«l«  pinodui^iye  of  ^veB.s«:    Bleediog  is  the;  moil 
fvKe4iaful.refln«dy  oq  flhefe  oppa0oQSi  and  the  bu%  cooaplexiou  of; 
tjjM^iiif  b]0od  i&  acectia^  indi<S8^i«i|  0^  $d>ftfu^e>d  pciires,.  a^p^  ^vbiglr 
f^rilti  bf>tf»    On  the .  retttfu  qf :  t^,  p^-j^«ef&«, .  or  trade- wind,  and . 
i^rai^r  ^KM»tber,  ^J  exch^gethe^if  h^/ covering  £9r  one.  more 
fiijjAiifi^iilcdky  atidwith;  it  gpt  r<d  .c£'  fhe^^m{>toi&s  beforo>ineiV; 
lloDf^    The.  hair  of  flieep,  goats, .  cattle*  and  other  animals, .  ex>- 
pnfedrfu^taiid.daf.  to  the  air,  I  bav<3  likewife  obferved  tpbe  longer. 
itfl4.(ihi«lMr-;ret,.at  xh*i  ^me.'p^'th^  )!e«r^han  ifl.the  hotixKmtbs., 
AAltiv^idbafie  eyid^tt;  pvQol&  of  a  .vi4r^.  great  differenqe  in  fhe  ftate. 
0^.  tborftirihet^eon  one  ^art;<»iC.tbei}rea|:  and  an^^her.. .  Reafonipg. 
h&Bf^iMti-^oQs,  and  g{>ptying.oui;:C€rn«luiy>ns  to  the^  human  body,; 
it.i^«los  fcob^ble,  thai,  ditriiig^.tbcr  hcit  9konths,.  ^  b^d  i»de- 
pniiedii  .by:  a  comtitouAl;  reek  ofc  pftripirattQij,  ofvipuch  of  its  ferqus,.: 
WAtriifi^Mtsi  aadiiNW^(qAt«i»iAyo)MCf^  aixl  vifcid  ir 

tm-.^fWiifAifiififiM^  ^^cioii  it  %hh  feaibtit  perhaps^  '^f>p}^  the- 
Vfi&^.-.awbfitgit^by  Xlmiixa^ipt  eUii5>n^ti9ft  ^  the  thlim^r  fluids . 
b^.  thd  paces- and  othof  oCitit^s^  Jutbe  cfxtlei;  months^  the  pore^r 
being .  clolfldc.  bj|[.th«  .Norths,,  the  petfpiratioq  i»  greatly  dimiftifheid>{ 
ai»d  the.  blood,  ifi  » .mor«  diluted :ilace.-    N<^v^,.<  at  ble«diQ]g  drains. 
JMaaf.thiB  lerouB  ptot  .of '  the  bldod,  rib  isrreafooable  t(^oo«tclude,' that 
th^JaoiWtr  may:  b»  tt£b4  witlt  gQbdi^€4triii:  fbvers  occafiooed  by  the- 
Noftbs»-bi|t  very  coiitioufly  haiidle4..duniig  tbehot  months..    Ex* 
{!f ri€na«  juAifod  tbt»  priiftice.     'nw^blabdi  in  tfec'  h6t  feafon  of  the- 
y«ar^  fltows  a  tendency  to  putrefii<{iioiu  The  fevers  then^  prevailkig 
3f^  gif^nefjally  rendered-mortaliiatfals  cJimAte  by  copious  vciicfedion.. 
Tp^ift  n^flft  exjjerifajced;  aad  modft  i«ceefefiil  phy&cian*^  in.  the  couhtry 
e;)d<^aur  to  cool,,dill|t^raadiaiiton«atQrth«  Moody  and  then  admU 
j^i^  ,t\i^hf»}f. :,  hyjl^.vx^iMmf^  ttcwljf  ti4md.>fr0mi  Bmain,^nd 

who 


» •  •*  • 


have  gfehWaUy' mad^  ;too **filfee  •widi'  the  'l««fct'^« »%hift"«aiW46f i  the  * 
y«ar  when  to  bleed  i?'almbft  as  kKn£ltnal*as-  to  ■ttal•<fc^^\6"fat^ent. 
The  heavy  rains,  which  (if  the  fetfonsare  i^Ur)-iffi»Ute-%li  tn 
May  and  October,  feem  to  owe  their  origin  entirely  to  the  fhiftiM^* 
of  the"  Wind  'from  N.  E.  to  S.' or  S.  E.- itt'the  foiftfitr^dntb,  -^d 
from  S.E.  to  N.  orN.IE.  iA  thelatttfif;  v©iir?ftg  this  cdbttiitiott- 
for  the  maferyi- the  light  airs,  -^bioh  i^thin  ^ntly-agicat«,>  tfi«t 
variable  and  unfteddy;  by  which'  means,  tbervapours  ate  <exha]edi 
in  great  abundant^ '^om  ^He  fea^  «ilid  i^ifth«%it6d  from  afi  points,' 

till  the  ifofte  WHit  Vi€kon0u%»  t««>reiiVii-6lWa^6'^vioienecQtkifi#as> 
<towdebf<is,  andiml^els'thfefe 'ctoWiji ih'dfele^efe. a- iThyirregerkritif -of- 
the  ieafotts,-brTittlurd  dfthetii  ih  l^ay,  I  apprebend,ri94d-^'at%(<6^ 
tD^tt  linufaal  f^teblenets  >and'-fliort  dur^tibn^bf ''<thb($foi3fi»ni^^(94ul 
cular  yearsj  as  well  as  to  the  uncomn8)B;vig;but<>aKitj[)ea-inkinen^iOf) 
the  {^tt-brette  in  thofeyeiifs ;  by  which tneans; the  vapours  'atitioti 
fvffi«red  to  ft^cdm'ulMei  -but  ^re*,.  continually  drh^eA  d6,4t^oneidk«Q^ 
track, -without  oppofition,  apd  therefore  do  ti^t  fell' i}p<Mi»c&iijQftiiAf. 
For  fbme  time  preceditlg'^hb  tsUnyfeaCohr^s^pprOdoh-is^fltibQ^ieil^ 
by  feveria  prdgnofHcs;  0>i'ttresftibns  fi^JightAt^gtafe-'dsfcA'to^iMi- 
fiighfr-in  all  parti»  of  the- horiz6nf  though  -not- a  doiul-fbcft  pCdefifH' 
ttble :  at  other  timbs^  thUnder^clou^s  are  <}bferved  to  -  ttfni^ud  -hd^' 
vering  near  the  coafte,*  or  b^er  the-dfllo^canis ;  aad^tltt  feimtflKiftliii^ 
of  a  faint  li^^taiiig  playing  round  their  «dgc^  Wirj^^beajutii^lfy,  ^^ 
thouiand  di^ent  figures  and  dir&£tion$,  dttriftg:^lmoft  chtfowliottf' 
night.  •' As  the  feafbu- draws -nearer,  a  black  batik  of  vapdUMi  i»  4>er  < 
held,  forieveral  days,  -rifing  a  few  degrees  above  che.SoMthem.ho-' 
rlton*^  Tht  fea-breesc  at  this  time  is  light  and ifiutt^ring.  Iq  a- 
fevrddys  time  the  tidin  comes  oti,  iiflieriH]  in  )vaiih|  ftroft^  g^flftof* 
wind;  and  hioUowthuuder  at  intervals.  Noihiogc^  be  moi*^  awfbl- 
and  majeftic  than  the  {lpw%and  folemn  advaiu:^^  of  fhftfe'gtooftrf  ^ 
^apourdi  which  darken  the  air,  and  obfcure  the  fan  for  ftveral  dai)^§.f 
The  thunder  is  foon  filenced ; . and  then  the  rain,  after  fpendihg^* its' 
fury  in  catarad:s  (for  I  cannot  caU  them  fliowers),' drops  ibftlj  down 
in  a  kind  of  drizzle  xluriqg  thii^remainder  of  the  fedibb,  ihheT*  rain 
goes  off  generally  as  it  came  on  with  fome  thunder;  aftdr which/ 
the  regular  wind^  whedier  breeze  or  Noith^  fets  in  with  a  ft^ddy 

current. 


book;'    II.      CHAP.      II.  569 

current.  The  w^  thus  purified 'and  reftored  to  its  eiafticity,  is 
then  iiiexpreflibly  agreeable  ;  the  fua  refumes  his^accuflomed  fplen* 
dor ;  and  all  aature  fecms  enlivened^  Lightning  and  thunder, 
though  frequent  here,  are  not  very  mifchievous :  from  the 
beginning  of  November  to  th^  naiddle  of  A{>ril  .there  is  rarely 
any  on  the  South  fide;  but,  for  two  or  three  weeks  pre- 
ceding the  May  rains,  and  occafionaliy  during  the  iive  fuc« 
ceeding  months,  they  happen  often,  particularly  in  the  moun« 
tains.  At  Kingfton  they  are  uucomjnon ;  more  frequent  at  Spanifh 
Town ;  and  feldom  violent  in  the  Jow  lands.  In  the  leeward  part 
of  the  illand  they  are  mofl  frequent  and  moft  violent ;  for  the  whole 
mafs  of  vapours,  driven  along  the  -range  of  moimtains  from  Eaft 
to  Wefl  by  the  lea-breese,  is  here  celk6ked  into  an  heap ;  and,  if 
the  clouds  are  obftrufted  by  the  dying-away  of  the  breeze  towards 
evening,  and  a  contrary  current  fpringing  up  from  the  •  Weftward, 
which  often4Hippens,  they  are  precipitated  here  in  copious  (howers. 
I  have  often  remarked  that  clouds,  which,  if  not  impeded  in  their 
progrefs,  would  probably  have  pailed  filently  away,  have,  on  the 
rcpulfion  of  isL  contrary  ^ftrfeam  of  wind,  ftagnated  for  fome  time, 
grown  denfer,  and  then  broke  with  thefe  explofions  and  heavy 
fhowers.  'Ever^  examjile  I  hare  either  feen  or  heard  of,  in  this 
part  of  the  world,  of  the  effcfts  produced  by  lightning,  has  juftified 
and  corroborated  the  ingenious  Dr.  Franklin's  theory  and  experi- 
ments. It  every  year  deftroys-many  trees  in  the  Woods,  and  par- 
ticularly the  cocoa-and  cabbage^trees,  multitudes  of  which  rife  -frbn^ 
eighty  to  one  hundred  feet  in  height ;  and  from  their  tpp  fprings 
ttpwardsthe  fpatha,  or  fiteath,  tapering  to  a  fine  point,  and  adapted 
to  attradion.  Thefe  trees  may  therefore  be  regarded  as  fo  many 
natural  conduAors  of  the  eleftric  fluid ;  and  for  this  reafon  ought 
not  to  be  jJlanted  too  contiguous  to  buildings.  By  a  meafuremcnt 
taken  6f  the  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  in  the^  pari(h  of  Weft- 
moreiand  in  176 1,  the  whole  amounted  to  63  inches  and  about  |  of 
an  inch,  in  the  following  proportions : 


Vol.!  Bbb  Inches. 


370 


June, 
February, 
January, 
March, 


December, 
November, 
July,     — 


and 


A. 

looth'ftrts. 
18 
19 

75 
99 


.6  ii 


October,    - 

May, 

September, 
Auguft, 
April, 


2 

3 

4 

7 


84 

50 
64 


18 


30 


8 


—  8 

—  10 
■—  II 


62. 
48 

24 

77 


■■<  w 


'39 


I  I 


Total  Inches, ,     63  4-^ 
The    fmalleft  quantity  therefore   fell    in   January,    February, 
March,  and  June ;  and  the  largeft,   in   April,   May,  Auguft,  and 
Septeoiber.     It  mud  be  remarked,  that  this  is   to  be  taken  as  a 
Aandard-table  of  the  greateft  quantity  of  rain  that  fell  in  the  ifland, 
Weftmoreland  being  fuppofed  one  of  the  wetteft  pariflies.    I  have 
no  table  for  the  drier  pariihes,  from  whence  to  form  a  medium; 
but  I  think  the   error  cannot  be  great,  if  we  take  two  thirds  as 
a  medium  for  the  whole  iiland.     Mr.  .Mufchenbrock  found,  by  ex« 
periments  during  ten  years,  that  the  height  of  rain  at  Utrecht  in 
that  time  was  at  a  medium  twenty-^four  mches.     The  medium  of 
rain  therefore  in  one  year  at  Jamaica  is  three  fourths  more  than  the 
rain  during  the  famefpace  at  Ufrecht.     At  Surinam,  the  gjieatefl: 
quantity  was  obferved  to  fall  in  April,  May,  June,  and  July ;,  at 
B<^ngal,  from  June  to   Odober;   at  Carthagena  and  Pouto  Bello« 
from  April  to  the  middle  of  December;  during  which  there  is  at 
thofe  places  a  fucceflion  of  rain  and  tempefts.     The  climate  of  Ja- 
maica feems,  from    thefe  obfervations,   to  differ    materially  with, 
fchofe  parts  of  the  world.     On  the^  longeft  day  the  fun  jjifes  about 
tliirty  minutes  after  five,  and  fets  about  thirty  minutes  after  fix ;; 
©A  the  (hortefl,  it  riies  about  thirty  minutes  after  fix^  and  fets 

about 


BOOK     II.  \     CHAP.    II.  371 

about  thirty  minutes  after  five.  The  longed  day  is  therefore  about 
thirteen  hours,  the  fhorteft  about  eleven;  the  twilight  may  be 
eftimated  thus:  thirty  minirtes  after  fun-fet  to  the  appearance  of 
flars  of  the  firfl:  magnitude ;  and  hear  as  much  from  this  point  of 
time  to  the  general  mufter  of  ftars,  of  the.  night's  ufual  obfcurity. 
The  firft  appearance  or  dawn  of  the  day  is  an  arched  belt,  which 
gradually  widens;  and  the  morning  ciepufcle  i^  about  one  hour 
and  an  Jialf.  from  the  firft  glimmerinjg  to  fun-rife.  From  the  firft 
dawn  of  the  morning  to  about  eight  o'clock,  and^  from  half  an  hour 
before:  fun- fet  to  the  end  of  evening  t^vilight,  is  the  moft  agreeable 
time  of  exercife  for  the  town  inhabitants :  this  allows  full  five  hours 
to  exercife  abroad  for  health  or  pleafure^  on  the  longeft  and  hottc^ft 
days.  The  mornings  are  ferene,  cool,  and  very  pleafant.  In  tl>c 
afternoons,  the  fun  is  no  fooner  dipped,^  than  a  fenfible  change  in 
the  air  to  coolnefsis  immediately  felt;  which  is  increafed  with  the 
evening  by  the  gentle  fanning  of  the  land-wind.  This  coolnefS| 
however,  is  not  fb  diipropbrttobate  as  to  be  onwholefome.  The 
nights  are  never  cloudy  on  the  Sojuth  fiide,  except  during  the  rainy 
ieaibns ;  and  rarely  on  the  North.  When  the  fun  is  retired,  the 
clouds  fbon  move  away,  and  (hortly  difappear  below  the  horizon, 
or  wafte  into  the  atmoiphere.  The  beautiful  azure  canopy  then 
opens  to  view,  ftudded  with  innumerable  twinkling  orbs:  the 
moonlight  nights  are  particularly  fine,  .  the  clearnefs  of  the  aether 
afiifting  her  luftre,  and  conftituting  her  the  parent  of  a  fecond 
day;  which,  though  lefs  dazzling  to  the  eye,  is,  from  its  greater 
coolness  and  placidity,  more  grateful  to  the  mind,  and  foothing  to 
the  fpirits,  thaathe  fplendid  irradiations  of  the  fovereign  luminary. 
In  the  moon's  aUence,  her  function  is  noc  ill  fupplied  by  the 
brightoefs  of  the  milky  way  (which  in  this  part  of  the  world  is 
tranfcendently  beautiful),  and  by  that  glorious  planet  Venus, 
which  appears  here  like  a  little  moon,  and  glitters  with  fo 
refulgent  a  beam,  as  to  caft  a  (hade  from  trees,  buildings,  and 
other  objects :  fo  that  the  nights  are  very  feldom  fo  obfcure  as 
to  puzzle  a  traveler. 

No  objeft  of  nature,  I  think,  can  be  more  pleafing  and  pidu- 
refque,  than  the  appearance  of  the  heavens  about  fun-fet,  at  the 
dole  of  almoft  every  dny ;  when  that  majeftic  orb  feems  perched 

B  b  b  2  for 


37*  JAMAICA.; 

for  awhile  on  the  fummit  of  a  mountain :   its  circumference  is  di- 
lated by  the  interpofing  vapours ;  and  here,  detained  in  view  by  the 
refraflion  of  rays,  it  looks  as  if  reeling  fome  moments  from  its  ca- 
reer, and  in  fufpence  before  its  departure :    on  a  fiidden  it  vanifhes^ 
leaving  a  trail  of  fplendor  aloft,  which  ftreaks  the  clouds,  accord- 
ing to  their  different  poiitions  and  diftances,  with  the  moft  lovely 
and  variegated  tints  that  the  happieft  fancy  can  imagine.     I  have 
often  wiflied,  upon  thefe  occafions,  for  fome  capital  paints*,  with 
his  pencil  and  apparatus  at  hand,  to  copy  from  fo  pcrfeft  and  ele- 
gant an  original-     Scenes  of  this  kind  are  ib  frequently  exhtbiced 
here,  that  they  ceafe  to  altra^  the  admiration  of  the  inhabitants 
in  general ;  for  novelties  are  apt  to drike  the  eye  mncb  more  than; 
the  mofl  beautiful  objeds  cottfta»itly  fccn.     Yet  Mr*  James  Dsw^ 
kins,  well-known  for  his  tafle  and  endowments,  after  having  vi- 
fited  the  moft  celebrated  countries  of  the  Eaft,  ufed  to  declare^ 
that  he  thought  (his  idand  one  of  the  lovelief):  fpots:  he  had  ever 
beheld.     Nof  do  I  think  him  pafrtiai  to  hi9  natalefolum  in  this  tefti<- 
mony  of  approbation ;  for  the  genelemen  of  this  ifland  are  not  ac«- 
cufed  of  entertaining  fuch  prejudices ;    aftd   other    traveled  con- 
noilTeurs  have  concurred  in  the  like  opinion. 

It  has  been  a  fenfible  remark,  that  the  alternate  fucedfllion  of  the 
morning  and  evening  breezes,  and  the  greater  force  with  which  the 
air  is  agitated  in  the  Weft-Indiei  than  in  Europe,  feem  to  be  gra- 
cious difpenfations  of  the  Ruler  of  the  univerfe,  indilpenfably  ne- 
ceflary  for  maintaining  a  fitted  and  frequent  return  of  that  coot 
temperature,  whole  effects  are'  fb  falutary,  that  the  plague,  the  rooft 
dreadful  of  all  vifitations,  nevier  has  been  known  ih  thofe  climates^ 
The  heat  in  this  ifhnd  is  (b  mitigated  with  almoH?  unremitted 
breezes  from  fea  or  land,  ind  interpofing  cloudo,  as  to  be  feldom 
very  inconvenient ;  nor  does  the  thertnonutter  ever  rife  here  to  that 
height  at  any  time  of  the  year,  that  it  is  found  to  do  in  countries 
much  further  removed  towards  the  North.  In  the  South  fide  low- 
lands it  is  very  rarely  fb  high  as  ninety  degi-ee^j  but  among  the  South 
fide  mountains  there  is  a  difference  of  fix  to  eight  degrees  in  general 
coolnefs ;  and  on  the  higher  mountains  and  North  lide  flill  much 
more.  The  air  in  all  parts  is  remarkably  light  and  enlivening  to 
the  fen&,  and  fo  equal  in  its  preffure,  that  I  rarely  knew  it  vary 

more 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.      11.  373 

more  than  one  inch  at  a  time  in  the  year^  except  at  the  approach 
of  a  heavy  guft  of  wind  during  the  rainy  feaibn,  when  it  funk  about 
two  inches  in  the  lowlands^  The  heat  is  certainly  far  more  tole- 
rable in  the  hotteft  months  than  in  Northern  climates.  In  Soxtth-* 
Carolina,  which  lies  near  fourteen  degrees  further  Northwards,  a. 
thermometer  (of  Fahrenheit's  fcale)  was  obferved  to  rife  every  yeao 
in  the  hot  months  t<}  ninety-fix,  and  fometimes  to  one  hundred^ 
though  kept  in  the  (hade,  where  the  air  had  free  accefs*  What  is 
more  infupportable,  the  nights  are  then  very  little  cooler  than  the 
days ;  and  there  is  often  a  difference  of  twenty  degrees  in  the 
^ce  of  a  few  hours*  In  the  month  of  J^ly»  ^75^9  the  ther-> 
mometer  was  obferved  for  ieveral  days  iucceiSively  to  reach  nmety-* 
lune  and  one  hundred  degrees  at  Charles  town,  in  that  province. 
So  at  New  York^  which  lies  ftill  further  North,  the  thermometer 
i$^  frequently  at  this  time  of  the  year  fo  high  as  ninety -fix  and  even  one  ^ 
hu{idred.  AtSurat,  in  the  Ea(^4ndies,  latitude  zi""  30^^  N.  it  has 
beea  known  for  two  days  tc^tber  within  doors  at  one  hundred  and 
fivfr,  or  nine  degrees  above  human  hear.  At  Senegal,  the  mod ' 
Northern  extremity  ofGuincy,  latitude  between  16'' and  17*  N. 
the  beat,  by  an  obienration  in^  December,  1763,  was  at  ninety- 
three;  and  at  Sierra  Leon  (N.  latitude  7"^,  at  ninety-eight. 
Compared  therefore  with  thefe  obfervations,  the  heat  of  the  cli- 
mate in  Jamaica,  during  the  hotteft  month,  and  in  the  hotteft 
parts  of  it,  will  appear  more  tolerable  than  many  have  fuppofed. 
The  length  of  the  nights,  which  arc  generally  mild  and  cool, 
furniihes  another  reafon  why  the  heat  is  at  no  time  fo  violent  and 
melting  as  in  thofc  more  Northern  countries,  where,  from  the 
little  defcent  of  the  fun  beneath  the  horizon^  about  Midfummer, 
there  is  fcarcely  any  night  at  all,  and  confequently  but  little  refpite 
from  the  fun's  aftion.  A&lto  this  the  want  of  refre(hing  winds 
at  that  feafon  of  the  year  and  dii ring  the  dog-days;  by  which 
means,  the  atmofphere  is  rendered  fo  ftagnant,  as  to  make  the 
heat  very  diftreffing  to  the  human  body. 

Nor  is  the  climate  of  Jamaica  fubjeft  to  thofe  fudden  tranfitions 
from  fevere  heat  to  extreme  cold)  as  in  fome  places;  South-Garo* 
lina,  for  example;  which,  it  is  reafonaUe  ta thinks  cannot fwl^  of 
producing  cfFefts  very  noxious  to  health.    Even  in  the  Nortbera 

provinces 


374  J     A    M     A     I    C     A. 

provinces  of  North- America,  Mr.  Kalm  remarks,  that  it  is  almoft 
;m  unheard-of  thing,  that  a  pcrfon  born  there  (hould  live  to  be 
eighty  or  ninety  years  of  age;  and  he  attributes  it  to  thefe  abrupt 
and  violent  changes.  But  in  Jamaica  this  is  far  from  being  un- 
common. Sir  Hans  Sloane  fays,  that,  urhen  he  was  there  in  j688, 
he  knew  Blacks  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  years  old ;  and  that 
one  hundred  years  was  very  common  among  fuch  of  them  as  were 
temperate  livers.  In  a  fmall  tra£t,  giving  an  account  of  this  ifland 
in  the  year  1747,  mention  is  made  of  a  Greek  inhabitant,  who  was 
then  one  hundred  and  thirteen  years  old,  and  had  lived  in  the 
ifland  great  part  of  that  time.  1  can  remember  three  white  inha- 
bitants, each  of  whom  exceeded  one  hundred  years.  I  know  others, 
now  living,  beyond  ninety  ;  and,  about  five  years  ago^  I  converfed 
mth  a  Negroe  man,  who  remembered  perfcftly  well  the  great 
earthquake  at  Port  Royal  in  1692;  and,  by  his  account,  he  could 
not  have  been  much  under  eighteen  or  twenty  when  that  event 
happened.  Thefe  perfons  were  not,  as  in  Northern  countries,  de- 
crepid,  ot  bed*ridden  ;  but  lively,  and  able  to  flit  about,  their  appe- 
tite good,  and  their  faculties  moderately  found.  The  more  ufual 
periods  of  life  here  are  from  fifty  to  feventy-five  or  eighty.  Good 
conflitutions,  with  an  eaiy  mind,  and  a  reaibnable  care  of  health, 
will  holdout  for  a  furprifing  term:  nay,  many  who,  after  being 
very  debauched  in  their  youth,  have  grown  prudent  and  abfte- 
mious  as  they  advanced  in  age,  have  retained  their  vigour  and 
health  to  feventy  and  eighty.  The  general  equality  of  the  climate, 
and  the  purity  of  the  air,  together  with  the  great  preflure  of  the  at- 
mofphere,  which  ibmetimes  raifes  the  barometer  to  near  thirty>-two 
inches ;  all  concur,  one  would  fuppo&,  in  adapting  it  to  health, 
thearfulnefs,  and  longevity.  One  reafou,  I  am  perfuaded,  mud  be 
given  as  the  primary  caufe  why  thefe  are  not  more  frequently  the 
lot  of  the  white  inhabitants.  In  regard  to  the  Europeans,  it  is  not 
ib  much  to  be  attributed  to  the  change  from  a  cold  to  a  hot  climate, 
as  to  their  unthinkingly  perfifling  in  thofe  habits  of  life  to  which 
they  were  long  ufed  in  Europe,  and  chufe  not  to  leave  off,  although 
by  no  means  proper  in  the  Weft-Indies.  And,  in  refpefl  to  the 
Datives,  their  fond  ambition  of  imitating  the  manners  of  thefe  Eu- 
ropeans in  every  point,  indifcriminately,  betrays  them  into  exceftes 
7  .  and 


BOOK    IL      CHAR    IL  ^y^ 

and  hurtful  cuftoms.  The  European  keeps  late  hours  at  night; 
lounges  a-bcd  in  the  morning ;  gormandizes  at  dinner  and  fupper 
on  loads  of  flefli,  fifh,  and  fruits ;  loves  poignant  fauces ;  dilutes 
ij^ithale,  porter,  punch,  claret,  and  madeira,  frequently  jumbling 
all  together ;  and  continues  this  mode  of  living  till,  by  conftantly 
manuring  his  ftomach  with  fuch  an  heterogeneous  comport,  he 
has  laid  the  foundation  for  a  plentiful  crop  of  ailments.  Not  that 
this  portrait  ferves  for  all  of  them:  there  are  many  who  a<fl  on  a 
more  rational  plan ;  though  almod  all  tranfgrefs  in  fbme  point 
or  other.  They  who  have  attained  to  the  greateft  age  here  were 
always  early  rifers,  temperate  livers  in  general,  inured  to  moderate, 
cxercife,  and  avoiders  of  excefs  in  eating.  Thus  much  may 
fuffice  to  convey  fome  tranfient  idea  of  the  climate.  I  propofe  hi, 
the  fequel  to  enlarge  on  this  fubjeft ;  as  I  conlider  it  particularly  in- 
terefting  to  all  thole  who  have  any  intention  of  fettling  in  the 
iflaad*  • 


^     >S  E  C  T.    la 

ALTHOUGH  it  is  not  an  eafy  matter  to  rate  the  number  of 
white  inhabitants  in  this  ifland  wirh  exaftnefs,  for  want  of  the  ne- 
cefl'ary  lights  and  helps  which  only  a  "commander  in  chief  can 
well  obtain,  and  which  none  that  I  know  of  have  given  thcmfelves. 
the  trouble  to  obtain  ;  it  may  be  at  Icaft  curious  to  trace  this  fub* 
je(5l  from  the  infancy  of  the  fettlements  to  the  prefent  time,  by: 
the  affiilance  of  fuch  details  as  I  have  been  able  to  procure*  con«* 
laefting  with  it  the  progreffive  increafe  of  fettlements  io>  the^  dif* 
ferent  parts  of  the  ifland;  I  begin  with  the  ftate  of  population^ 
during  the  government  of  Sir  Thomas  Modiford,  \iz.  from  1664; 
to  1671,  the  ifland  then  comprehending  only  twelve-pariftias. 

In  1658  there  were  about  four  thoufand*  five  hundred  whites  and' 
one  thoufand  four  hundred  Negroes;  but.little  or  no  progrefs  waft 
inade  in  planting,  or  furnifhihg  articles  for  an  exportation. to.  tha. 
Clothes  country,   until  about,  the  year  166^-. 

Fort 


3/6 


PanOu 


Port  Royal,      

St-  Andrew,      ■ 

St.  Thomas  ill  the  Eaft, 

St.  David,        

St.  George,       ■ 
St.  Catharine,   ■ 
Clarendon,       — — 
St.  John,      ■    ' 

*  St.  Mary,      

*  St.  Anne,      

*  St.  James,     

*  St.  Elizabeth,  — 


J    AM    At 

.'Patmlieit  ladmliiig 
Negroe  Servaats. 

—     500 
194 

59 
80 

44 

6s« 
143 

»3 

44 

44 
44 
44 


G  A. 

InkabitauMi  of  idl 
Complexions. 

—  3500' 

590^ 

960 

400J 

62701 

1430 
996 

400 

400J 

400 

400 


Tbtahfiniucb 
DivUloo. 


9496 


} 


800 


I7I7 


I729S 


17298 


*  N.  B.  Thcfc  four  pariihes  were  computed  to  have  about  one  hundred  and  ferenty-fiz  ik^ 
milies,  and  fixteen  hundred  inhabitants ;  the  greater  number  was  probably  fettled  in  St.  Eliza- 
beth's :  but,  not  being  able  to  difcovcr  their  refpedtive  proportions,  I  hare  in  the  tabic  affiened 
them  equal  (hates.  ^ 


Parifh. 


State  of  Population  in  1673. 

White 


Port  Royal^ 
St.  Andrew, 


IVfen, 


St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft,  475 


St.  David, 
St.  George, 
St.  Catharine, 
Clarendon, 
St.  John, 
St.  Mary, 
St.  Anne, 
St.  James, 
St.  Elizabeth, 


wfc 


173 
60 

834 

460 
246 

78 

86 
«9 

270 


Women, 

525 

274 
166 

84 

569 

169 

•82 

H 
20 

57 


Children, 
426 

430 
171 

105 

21 

1 10 

100 

25 

»5 
61 


N^rcec, 

Tonb, 

3£a 

1977] 

1406 

2677 

1570 

2382 

725 

10*7 

20 

118 

2679 

4192I 

"33 

^997 

745 

"73  h 

79 

185 

27 

162 

22 

146' 
1172  J 

784 

Onnd  To- 
tals in  each 
Btvifion. 


'8241 


.7709 


13 » 8 


Seamen  belongings 
to  privateers,     j 
Total  inhabitants, 


4050 
800 


2002    J 71 2      9504 


17268 
800 


Of  whom  there  were  9504  Blacks^ 


18068 
8564  Whites. 


U 


TMLT.  -2&  fictTq^jj&.  Tl.^ 


TXStehirt  Sadfi 


*     I     * 


r 


B  O  O  K    U.      C  H  A  P.    IL  X71 

• 

It  may  be  obferved  on  this  table,  that,  of  the  white  perfbns 
fettkd  and  reiident  upon  the  ifland,  the  men  wpre  more  than  one 
half  of  the  whole  number ;  and  that,  allowing  at  the  rate  of  one 
child  to  each  woman,  there  were  two  hundred  and  ninety  women 
who  had  no  child.  This  over-proportion  of  men  to  women,  I  am 
apt  to  think,  has  all  along  fubfifted  in  the  ifland;  and,  together 
with  the  feveral  caufes  which  tend  to  encourage  celibacy,  may  be 
a  principal  reafon  ailigned  why  this  colony  has  not  increafed  much 
in  its  population  by  inter-marriages  of  the  whites. 

Whit^.        Negroes, 

iervants. 
In    i734f  according  to  a  reprefentation  of^ 

the  lords  of  trade, .  in  which  fome  think  it  L  ^^644  S6546 

probable  they  were  miiinformed,  n    J 

'739*   White  fervants  3360;   and,   takingi 

thefe  as  one  third  of  the  whole,  the  num-  >  looto  99^39 

iy^6.      —       — —        —        —     loooo  .112428 

1 761.      ■  —       ■     ■        ^^— ^  146000 

1768.  White  fervants  5983;  and,  accord- *\ 

ing  to  the  above  rate  of  calculation,    the  V 17949  1669 14 

whole  number  of  white  inhabitants  was  J 
It  is  to  be  wiihed,  that  we  could  obtain  a  more  exad  account^ 
formed  upon  a  general  cenfus  of  the  people ;  efpecially  as  nothing 
is  more  pradlicable  to  a  man  in  the  higheft  office :  but,  for  want 
of  fuch  a  fcheme,  I  have  been  obliged  to  try  various  modes  of  cal- 
culation, and  could  not  find  upon  the  refult  that  they  reached  to 
eighteen  thoufand,  men,  women,  and  children.  Taking  it  then 
for  granted  that  this  is  near  the  truth,  we  may  proceed  to  a  general 

eftimate;  viz. 

Given  number  of  fettled  and  refident  white  inhabitants,! 
at  mediun^  ■  — —         ■  )       ^ 

Tranfients,  or  mifettled  whites,     — —        —       5^^ 

Soldiers  and  feamen  reiident,  at  an  average,  about      — —      3000 

20500 

Vol.  I.-  C  c  c  Annuitant* 


^yl  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

Brought  over,  aojoa 

Annuitants  and  proprietor^  non'-refidcnt        -—               ■■  2000 

*  22500 

Maroon  Negroes  in  the  free  towns,  about      — — 500 

Free  Blacks  and  Mulattoes,        ~ — - 3700* 

Mulattoe  Ilaves  about —        —  — ^  1700 


•  ^8400 
DedUatingthe  lybo'  Mulattoe-fervants,  there  remain  1 65214  black, 
fervants;  which  number  confifts  of  able  men^  able  women,,  in^ 
vaiids,  boys,  and  girls..  It  is  found  that  the  women,  boys,  girls,, 
and  invalids,  ctirmpofc  about  two-thirds  of  the  complement  upon 
moft  eftates :  adopting  therefore  this-  for  a^  general  ground,,  the^ 
whole  number  of  able  black  'men-fervants  is  about  55^500.  In 
order  therefore  to  form  a  probable  conjedure  of  the  internal  ha- 
lanceof  power  between  the  free' and  unfree  in  this  ifland,  we  may 
fbppofe  about  one  half  of  the-  refident  whites,  including  fbldiers^ 
feamen,  and  tranfients,  to  Be  able  or  Tencible  men ;  and  one- third 
of  the  Maroons,  free  Blacks,  and  Mulattoes:  thefewill  amount  to 
about  twelve  thoufand;  which,  being  oppofed  to  fifty. five  thou- 
iand,  the  fencible  unfree  Blacks,  the  proportion  will  turn  out'  as 
near  five  of  the  latter  to  one  of  the  former;  But  the  efiential  dif»- 
ference  between  a  fmall  body  of  men,  difcipHned  and  armed,  and 
a  much  larger  body  kept  in  fubjedion*  and  unarmed,  feems  greatly 
to  overpoife  the  natural  fuperiority^  of  the  latter,  and  throws  the 
weight  of  power  into  the  hands  of  thofe  who  are  enabled  to  main- 
tain it  by  force  of  arms ;  whilft,  the  others  being  habituatfcd  from 
infancy  to  an  uniform' lyfteto  'bflervitude  and  allegiance,  cuftom 
renders  it  a  fecond  .  nature,  and  adds  much  to  the  fecurity  of  the 
kfler  number  which  holds  them  in  fubordination.  The  progreflive 
population  having  been  examined'by  fuch  lights  as  I  have  been  able 
to  procure,  I  come  next  in  order  to  trace  the  progrefs  of  fettlements. 
On  this  head,  as  on  the  other,  I  muft  confefs  myfelf  not  fufHci- 
ently  informed  to  give  a  fatisfadory  detail ;  and  I  may  lament,  but 
in  vain,  that  want  of  curiofity,  both  in  our  governors  apd  aflem- 
blies,  which  has  left  us  deftitvf te  of  materials  whereby  *  we  might 

inveftigate 


BOOK    IL      GHAP.    II.  ^fH 

invcftigateand  purfue  afubjc^  fo  very  eflential  as  this  is;  for,  to 
judge  truly  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  improvement  in  any  C0lociy>  vrc 
ought  to  know  its  condition  fuc<!efiively  from  its  earlieft  eihtblifh^ 
ment.  Having  no  better  criteria  to  oifFer,  the  reader  muA*  be  fatisfiecf 
with  this  apology,  and  frame  the  befli  idea  he  can  from  what  Allows. 
In  1670,  the  iHand  contained  feveftty  fiigar-plantations;  which  prck 

duced  one  thoufand  three  hondred  and  thirty-three  hogfheads,  of 

fifteen  Cwt.  each. 
1 73 1.     It  employed    this  year  twelve  thoufand  fens  of  Engliftt- 

ihippmg.  •   ' 

jT    •' '  i".  .  «• 
1  732.  The  imports  from  thence  into  Great-Bri-'j 

tain  fier  annunty  at  a  medium  of  four  years, 

from  Chriftmas    1728,    to   Chtiftmas  ^lyyiy 

in  fterling  value,         -——         ■-  — 

1752.  •  •* — ^  —     762,200    o  0^ 

1764.  Ditto,  for  one  year,  viz*  from  1 763  101764,-1,076,155     i  9 

Sugar-plantations*       Hhds.  of  Sugar*      Puncb^ns  of  Rum^^ 
1739,  429  33^0^  13206 

J 746,  about    455  35000  14006 

1768,  651  68^160  27200 

But  thefe  articles  (hall  h^ve  a  fuller  difcuflion  hereafter  xxmlMi  thii ' 
head  of  Trade. 


\ 


i3.9?499  i«  3i 


A  Scale  of  t^roperty  In  the  refpeftive  Pariflies,  appearing  on  an  AA 
feflment  made  in  the  Year  1693,  for  levyidg  the  Sum  of  450 A 
to  fupport  Agents  in  Great-Britain,  the  ifland  then  containing 
fixteen  Pariflies. 

'      i 


f. 


d. 


Port  Royal,  — — 

St.  Andrew,  — —  — — 
St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft, 
St.  David, 
St.  George, 
Kiogdon, 


.9 
1 


^ 


-  ^ 


88 


I 


49  10  10 

27  10 
II 

5 


16 

3 
1^9 


o 

6 

o 


169 


9 


C  cc  3 


» • 


Sb  CtthH- 


St.  Cathariae, 
St.  Dorothy, 
Vcre, 
Clarendon^ 


•^ 


J    A    M    A    I 

*5    3 


St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale, 
St.  John,     ■■  ■   ■     ■ 
St.  Mary,    — 
St.  Anne,     — 
St.  Elizabeth, 
St*  James, 


I 


S    1 


} 

;} 


.9  i 


47  ' 

42  I 

29  9 

15  8 

II  13 

'•  7  a 

fji  6 

I  2  16 


C 

^. 

3 
I 

8 

8 

o 

3 

7 
6 

8 

8 


A, 


234  16     O 
54     3    4 


A  Scale  of  Property  in  the  dtfierent  CSounties>  ccmtaining  nineteen 
Pariflies^  in  the  three  Diirifions  as  above  defc^ibed^  taken  in  the 
Year  1768, 

Homed 
Sugar         H(^-         Pun*  N^of  Qittfo,  P(A-taz  failed. 

Eflatfef.       flieads.      cheons*      Negroei.     Mukssy^c  j^         s.      J, 

146  1 50 10  6000  39542  21465   8000  O  O 
^39  2405<^  9600  66746  59512  10535  18  lof 
266  29100  ii|5oo  60616  54776   8756  12  6 


CoottCjrof 

Surry, 

MiddleieXy 

Cornwall, 


Totals,  — -  651  68160  27200  166904  135753  27292  II  4^ 
It  is  evident,  I  think,  that  the  ifland  is  rather  getting  forward 
than  declining  in  its  moft  valuable  fettlements.  Some  have  imagined, 
that  the  fugar-eftates  have  increaied  at  the  expence  of  facrificing 
xnany  of  the  farms  or  penns :  but  that  this  has  not  been  the  cafe 
is  manifeft  from  the  great  increafe  in  the  nuniber  of  Negroes; 
which  would  not  have  happened,  if  the  fettlers  had  done  no  more 
than  remove  their  Negroes  from  penns  to  form  fugar*eftates.  It  is 
more  probable^  that  the  augmentation  of  fugar*eftates  has  been  the 
means  of  increafing  the  number  of  penns,  by  enlarging  the  de* 
mand  for  pafturage  and  flock.  The  number  of  white  inhabitants 
has  not  increaied  in  ony  fit  degree  of  proportion.  The  legiflatur^ 
of  the  ifland,  fenfible  of  this  failure,  endeavoured  to  remedy  it  by 
two  noethods ;  the  one  was,  by  pacing  what  is  called,  The  Defici- 
ency-law ;  the  other,  by  feveral  a£ts,  giving  encouragement  to  Eu- 
fopoans,  and  planters  of  the  other  iflands,  to  come  and  fettle  here. 

The 


FOOK     U.    CHAP,    a  s8i 

The  deficiency- lav^  required  a  certain  number  of  hired'  or  in* 
dented  white  fervauts  to  be  kept,  in  proportion  to  a  certain  number 
of  Negroes;  and  mofl  ufuallj  it  has  been' regulated  after  the foli* 
lowing  manner : 

One  to  every  thirty  (Taves; 

One  to  every  hundred  and  fifty  head' of  cattle; 

One  to  every  tavern:  or  retail'  (hop. 
A  like  proportion  fbr  every  boat,  wherry,  and'  canoe;  and  three-- 
fourths  of  the  crews  on  board'  of  droguers  or  coading- veflels  are 
diieded  to  be  white  men:  and',  in  failure  of  complying  with  thi^ 
ordinance,  certain  penaFtiesr  are  impofed'  on  the  delinquents,  ac^ 
cording  to  their  refpefEive  dais  r  which  penalties  are  flb£tuating, 
as  this  is  an  annual  faw ;  fo  that  they  are  greater  or  lefs^  according' 
to  the  pleafure  of  the  aflembly  for  the  time  being.    Thus,  fof  esc-^ 
amplie,  the  penalty  on  not  keeping  one  fuch  white  (ervant  to  every^ 
thirty  flaves  has  been,  in  one  jear,.  13/:^  for  each  deficiency ;  in  the 
next  year,  6/.  10  s.  in  the  next,  26  A  andfo  on  r  which  uncertainty 
has  been  one  means  of  defeating  the  original  defign  of  the  Ikw. 
By  an  a£t  pafled  in  1 703,  the  proportion  of  white  fervants  was  rated' 
ib  largely,  that  the  owner  of  three  hundred  Negroes  was  obliged  to^ 
maintain  fourteen,  befides  one  ta  every  fixty  head  of  cattle,  Sec: 
According  to  this  proportion,  if  if  now  fubfiflfed*,  we  (hould'  have' 
upwards  of  ten  thoufand,  to  counter- bafance  the  Negroes.    When' 
the  deficiency- Ikw  was  in  force  as  an  zd:  of  policy  and  population,^ 
and  not,  as  it  Ts  now,  a  mere  annual  money-bill,  every  plantation 
was  well-ftockcd'  with  white  fervants,  confifting  chiefly  of  arti- 
ficers; fothat,  in  the  year  1720,  no  Ifefs  than  twenty  were  cm-- 
ployed'  upon  an  eftate,  which  how  Has  only  four;  and]  as  the  pre-^ 
vailing  fafhion  feems  at  prefent,  F  doubt  there  may  be  ftveral  found' 
in  the  ifland  that  do;  nor  maintain  more  than  two.     The  planters 
urge,  that  the  contingencies  of  a  fug^r«work  were,  fome  years' 
ago,  much  fmaller  than  they  now  are;  that  the  wages  and  main^^ 
tainance  of  a  white  fervanr  were  very  inconfidfcrabli ;  bur  that,' 
by  taxes,  duties,   and  other  means,  every   contingent'  fupply  and' 
neceflary  required   for  their  eftatesi  and  imported  from*  Britaini 
North -America,  and  Ireland,  have    riien  to  an   amazing  excefs;' 
that  the  price  of   Negroes  has  extravagantly  got  up ;    for  thar 

twentjr 


^$2  JAMAICA. 

tvy^nty  years  ago  a  Negroe  might  have  been  bought  for  z^  L  w1k> 
would  now  fell  for  60/.  at  leaft,  which  is  equal  to  140/.  per  cent 
advance;  that  the  article  of  rum,  not  being  able  to  withflaud  the 
French  brandies,  and  Britilh  diftilled  fpirits  fo  largely  confumed,. 
and  being  charged  with  very  exorbitant  duties,  has  now  become 
a  drug  at  the  Brltifli  market,  and  frequently  brings  the  planter  in 
debt ;  laftly,  that  the  extenfive  cultivation  of  the  fugar-caue,  as 
.well  in  the  Brltifh  as  in  Foreign  colonies,  and  which  is  ftill  in* 
creafingj  cannot  fail  of  making  fugar  itfelf  every  year  lefs  profitable 
to  the  growers.  To  this  remonflrancc  it  is  replied,  that  fugar 
ihas  proportionably  rifen  in  its  price  and  profits ;  the  fame  fugar^ 
which, in  the  year  1693  would  have  been  fold  for  fix  (hillings  the 
hundred  weight,  would  in  1768  have  produced  thirty  at  the  Ja- 
maica market.  So  the  befl  cotton,  which  then  fold  at  ten-pence 
fer  poujid,  now  fells  for  one  (hilling  and  three-pence ;  the  like  ad- 
,vance  will  appear  to  have  grown  upon  moft  other  articles,  except 
rum,  which  is -depreciated  folely  to  favour  the  home-diftillery. 
Sugar  beii^g  therefore  as  five  to  one  of  its  former  price,  this  iji 
iioqual  to  four  hundred /^r  cent  advance,  which  exceeds  the  advanced 
price  of  many  contingencies ;  and  even  the  advance  on  cotton  is 
forty  per  cent.  But,  admitting  the  ju(hiefs  of  the  plea  in  general, 
what  is  there  more  obvioufly  fuggefted  on  fuch  an  gccafion,  thaa 
the  neceflity  of  pradlifing  a  right  meafure  of  oeconomy^  in  pro- 
portion as  the  incomes  of  their  plantations,  by  one  means  or  other^ 
may  happen  to  grow  lefs  than  they  have  been  in  times  paft  ;  con- 
lidering,  at  the  fame  time,  that,  whatever  difadvantages  they  may 
lahour  under  from  high  duties,  dearnefs  of  Negroes,  and  European 
f>x  North- American  fupplies,  .are  equally,  if  not  more  oppreflivc 
on  their  competitors  in  the  fmaller  iflands,  who  arc  in  want  of  num- 
jberlefs  refources  which  the  more  extenfivp  ifland  -  pf  Jamaica  fur- 
m(hes?  When  the  deficiency  law  impofes  only  a  penalty  of  i^L 
rOr  at  mod  26/.  for  every  default  of  not  keeping  up  the  allotment 
flf  white  fervants  required,  the  major  part  of  the  planters  judge  it 
a  great  favingto  pay  the  penalty,  rather  thandifburfe  40/.  or  50/., 
for  the  wages  and  maintainance  of  every  fervant ;  and  therefore 
hire  only  an  overfeer  and  diftiller^  and  fometimes  only  an  over(eer9 
Applying  all  th?  other  departments  on  their  eftatp  withN^roes. 

But, 


BOOK    ir.     CHAP.    II.  3«j 

But,  if  they  eonfulted  their  trae  intereft,  they  would  learn,  that 
there  is  as  Iktle  of  genuine  frugality  as  ofdifcretion  in  this  pradice; 
and  this  they  may  one  day  fatally  experience,  when  the  r^imenta. 
ftatidned  here  (hall  happen  to  be  withdrawn.  The  fupport  of  theiie 
troops  cofts  them  a  very  heavy  annual  fum;  and  they  perfuade 
themfelves  into  opinion,  that  government  will  never  leave  theaf  '• 
uoprote^ed  by  a  lefs  regtilar  force  than  they  have  at  prefent:.  buti^ 
events  maypoffibly  occur^  to  draw  away  this' defence  for  other  fb**  * 
reign  operations;  as  happened,  during  the  lad  war,  atthe  fiege  o§ 
the  Havannah,  Another  fuch  draught  of  the  troops  on  any  future 
occaiion  may  encourage  fuch  of  thetr  fl^ives  as  are  difcontetKed  to^ 
A.,  revolt.  Without  enquiring  into  what  would  probably  be  tbt^ 
extent  of  fuch  an  infurreftion,  where  ir  would  end,  or  what  force 
of  militia,  might  in  fuch  an  event  be  employed  to  reduce  them ; 
lean  eaiily  forefee,  recollefting  pad  occurrences  of  the  like  nature, 
that  the  ufualinconveniencies  will  follow,  of  martial  law  and*  em*" 
bargoes,  /a  ftagnation  given  to  the  courfe  of  juftice,  induftry,  and  * 
trade;  -  that  the; Inhabitants  will  be  harrafied  with  military  duties, 
the  more  grievoas  in  proportion  to  the  fmall  number  of  people  oh 
whom  they  fall;  that  the  credit  of- the  ifland  will  be  impaired, 
and  the  people  fubjefted  to  heavy  taxes  for  fbme  time  after,  to  de- 
fray the  expence  attending  this  inteftine  war^  The  produft  of  the 
deficiency- tax,  as  well  as  of  two  other  annual  funds,  and  not  tsU  - 
dom  part  of  a  fourth  or  extraordinary  one,  is  applied  to  fupport  the 
eftabliihment  of  regular  troops,  which,  all  together,  do  not  amount 
to  one.thoufand  men,  including  officers.  Upon  thefe  confidera'* 
tions,  therefore,  wczihould  not  applaud  that  oeconomy,  which,  to 
fave  five  fhillings,  fpends  fifteen  or  tv^euty.  However,  fincethey 
muft  have  troops,  and  as  one  thoufand  men  are  fcarcely  fufficient 
to  garrifoii  the  ifland,  we  (hould  fuppofe  the  planters  might  well 
afford  to  keep  one  able  white  man  for  every  fifty  Negroes  ;  which 
would  add  fomewhat  to  their  fecurity,  fUnd  in  place  of  more  regir. 
ments,  and  be  maintained  with  greater  eafe. 

If  the  tax  for 'every  default,  inftead  of  13/.  was  raifed  to  40A 
or  50  A  [j],  the  planters,  I  believe,  in  general  would  find  mea:ns  to 
keep  up  their  quota,  as  well  as  fubfift  them  on  better  terms ;   for 

[/]  I  am  iftformcd  the  penalty  is  40/.  in  the  Windnrard  iflaudt* 

in 


3^4  JAMAICA, 

in  a  few  years,  by  fomc  prudent  aSs  of  the  Icgiflature,  and  a  fnuH 
advance  of  money,  they  might  fo  greatly  multiply  the  number  of 
finall  inland  f^ttlements,  as  to  make  provifions  cheap,  wages  rca- 
fenable,  and  be  never  in  want  of  fcalbned  men  for  their  planta- 
tions. At  the  fame  time,  they  fliould  not  difcourage  the  natives, 
as  they  long  have  done,  atid  ftill  do,  by  requiring  Europeans,  or 
imported  fervants,  to  favc  their  deficiency,  excluding  thofe  born  and 
bred  ¥p  in  the  eountry^  who  arc  inured  to  the  .climate.  They 
might,  by  an  zGt  of  aflembly,  encourage  the  binding  out  young 
Creole  lads  apprentices  to  the  eftates,  where  they  would  grow  up 
in  habits  of  induftry,  inftead  of  turning  hog-hunters  and  idle  vaga- 
bonds, for  want  of  other  employment.  The  planters  have  it  en« 
tirely  in  their  pov(^r  to  reverfe  their  preient  fyftem  of  frugality, 
and  by  a  prudent  application  of  five  (hillings  gain  twenty.  Gentle* 
men  of  the  largeft  property  are  the  moft  violent  opponents  of  the 
defieiency-tax  ;  atid«  as  it  is  now  levied,  they  in  fad  pay  more  than 
a  jufl  fhare;  which  ftirniflies  us  with  a  very  fubftantial  reafon  for 
their  oppofition.  The  owner  of  two  hundred  Negroes  (for  ex- 
ample)  mufl:  provide  fix  white  fervants,  or  pay  for  as  many  as  are 
deficient ;  whereas  the  proprietor  of  five  times  the  number,  or  one 
thbufand,  who  in  juft  proportion  fhould  keep  only  thirty  white  fer- 
vants, is  obliged  to  provide  thirty -three,  or  pay  the  deficiency: 
adid  this  happens  from  the  rate,  fixed  by  the  ad,  of  one  to  thirty, 
inftead  of  twenty,  or  other  aliquot  part  of  one  hundred.  The  ab- 
fentees  living  in  Britain,  whofe  incomes  are  abridged  by  the  com- 
miffion  of  61.  percent,  paid  to  their  agents  in  Jamaica,  for  managing 
their  affairs,  are  for  this  reafon  fblicitous  to  compeufate  for  the  lofs, 
by  reducing  every  contingent  charge  on  their  plantations  as  low  as 
poffible ;  and  maintain  no  more  white  fervanrs  than  are  abfolutely 
indifpenfable :  tfaefe  gentlemen,  therefore,  readily  unite  their  in- 
fluence  to  keep  the  deficiency-tax  from  being  raifed.  But,  methinks, 
on  a  candid  confideration  of  this  fubjed,  they  might  bring  them- 
felves  to  be  of  opinion,  that  a  fomewhatfmaller  income,  arifing 
from  a  property  well- guarded,  would  be,  upon  the  whole,  far  pre- 
ferable to  one  oflenfibly  larger,  but  liable  continually  to  a  diminu- 
tion  by  internal  difaflers  and  heavier  taxes.  The  more  fecure  their 
property  is  rendered  in  the  ifland,  the  more  wiU  the  value  of  that 

property*. 


BOOK  :iL  .    CHAP.    IL  385 

property  ihc'reafe ;  the  credit  of  the  ifland  will  xedfl  on  a  £rmer 
bafis ;  and  the  ftronger  will  be  the  inducement  for  adventurers  to 
fotlc  there,  as  well  as  for  moneyed  ^men  to  lend  out  at  tnteueft,  or 
fdalize  their  capitals  in  purchafe.  If  public  property  (vas  iirell 
£Q«tified  by  a  more  extenfive  population  of  the  inland  parts^  and 
fome  other  politic  regulations,  tepding  to  ilrengthen  it  againft  do- 
ueftic  and  foreign  efnemies ;  is  it  to  be  foppofed,  that,  in  this 
flate  of  fecurity ,  there  would  not  be  a  much  greater  ooo&dence  and 
alacrity  among  the  merchants  and  money^-holders  of  Great-Britain, 
than  at  prefent  appears  in  making  asivancemcnts  to  the  planters  I 
T'be^oW'-floiArifhing- condition  of  the  mof):  iconfiderabie  eiibates  an 
the  ifland  had  its  origin  in  the  credit .  and  iupport  of  the  British 
mcxdbsLTSts.  As  many  of  the  greateft  fortimes  among  the  itercisktiLe 
gootlesneii  derive  their  fplendor  from  this  conne£):ion»  the  titfereft, 
dbe  attachment,  and  benefit,  have  been  reciprocal  The  like 
maion,  properly  harmonized^  may  ftill  be  prodndive  of  equally 
giDod  fuccefs  to  both  parties :  it  feems,  therefore,  incumbent  on 
the  plantcrg  to  coQciliate  a  folid  ciiedit  with  the  ooerchants  of  the 
mother^oountry,  and  endeavour  to  tender  it  perpetual  by  amend-r 
MBttts  to  their  ccedit*law,  and  their  laws  for  recovery  of  debts .? 
by  Aguiations  in  the  provoft  marihai's  office;  hy  fair  and  jnil  pro*^ 
vicfions;  by  maintainixig  inviolable  faoiidttr;and  good  jEaith;  by 
ilreqgthening  the  colbay;  and,  laftly,  by  oonyiQcing  the  .mer* 
chants,  in  coniequence  of  this  general  reformation,  that  their 
saAtBBj  and  credit  can  he  employed  no  where  ahroad  with  greiter 
fa£^  and  advantage  than  in  their  ifland. 


SEC  T.    IV. 

In  the  year  1720  tiiere  were  computed  to  Jbe  about  ifixty  thoufand 
whiter  in  the  ifland.  Twenty  years  afterwards  their  number  was 
ftippofed  to  be  about  the  fame;  and  that  one  fbsirth of  the  whole, 
or  fifteen  thoufand,  were  fendble  men.  Theie  accounts  werd 
certainly  exaggerated  beyond  meafiare;  yet,  as  the  deficiency tlatv. 
was  tiien  very  religioufly  compl^ied  with,  as -a  law  of  popiihcion, 
and  coufidering  the  low  wa^s  of  fcrvants^  ^aiBd  the  faoitty  of 
Vol.  L  D  d  d  procuring 


^86  ,  J    A    M    A  J    G    A. 

procuring  them  at  that  time,  the  planters  rather  exceeded  than  fell 
fliort  of  their  refpeftive  allotments.  The  deficiency-law  brought 
in  nothing  to  the  treafury ;  but,  after  the  pacification  with  the  wild 
Negroes  in  1739^  the  planters,  beginning  to  think  themfelves 
perfciStly  fecurc  from  any  further  difturbanees  of  the  like  nature, 
and  defirous  of  being  relieved  from  the  burthen  of  fupporting  fo 
many  fervants,  difcharged  numbers;  and,  this  practice  growing 
more  and  more  confirmed,  the  policy  of  this  law  fell  gradually  into 
negledt,  till  at  length  the  multitude  of  defaults  every  year  made 
the  penalties,  all  together^  amount  to  fo  confiderable  a  fum,  as  to 
eftablifh  it  into  a  regular  fupply  or  money-bill •  From  that  period 
we  may  trace  a  diminution  of  white  inhabitants  in  this  ifland ; 
which,  although  by  no  means  fo  enormous  as  fome  have  imagined, 
has  neverthelefs  been  very  confiderable.  The  planters  at  this  mo- 
ment employ  between  three  and  four  thoufand  white  iervaots 
fewer  than  they  ought  to  employ,  if  the  law  was  ftridly  enforced 
agreeably  to  its  fpirit  and  original  intention.  There  can  be  bo 
doubt,  but  the  want  of  that  conftant  number,  moft  of  whom  after 
ierving  their  indentures  would  have  entered  upon  fmall  &tdements, 
has  been  attended  with  a  diminution  of  inhabitants ;  and,  with 
this,  other  events  have  unfortunately  concurred.  The  number 
of  fugar-p  lantations  and  pennshas,  it  is  true,  very  much  in- 
creafed ;  yet,  as  feveral  of  them,  and  particularly  the  more  capital 
enes,  have  grown  progrefiively  from  fmall  beginnings  to  their  pre- 
sent magnitude^  anid  fwallowed  up  by  degrees  all  the  little  fettle- 
ments  around;  which,  from  their  contiguity,  and  being  ready 
cleared  for  canes  or  pailurage,  the  lordly  planter  has  found  con- 
venient to  be  purchafed,  and  added  to  his  territory ;  it  is  evident, 
that  this  extrufion  of  poocer  fettlers  from  their  fmall  poffeflions  of 
thirty  to  one  hundred  acres  has  operated  like  the  demolition  of  many 
fmall  farms  in  Britaui^  to  build  up  one  capital  farm,  and  may 
juftly  be  confidered  as  another  caufe  of  depopulating  this  ifland^. 

The  emigration  of  many  owners  of  property,  who  of  late  years 
have  flocked  to- Britain  and  North- America*  beyond,  the  example 
of  former  times,  and  drained  thofe  incomes  from  the  iflandlwhich 
formerly  ufed  to  be  fpent  there  in  fubfifting  various  artificers,  fhop-*^ 
keepers,  and  other  inhabitants,  forms  the  further  caufe  of  a  very 

great 


BOOK     U.        CHAP.    IL  387 

grieat  dimiuution.  A  planter's  femily,  rcfident  on  the  ifland^  ne- 
ccflarily  gives  maintenance  to  feveral  white  inhabitants  on  one  ac- 
count or  other.  Formerly  the  cuftom  was  with  many  to  fend  for 
private  tutors^  and  female  teachers,  to  inftrud  their  children  at  their 
own  houfes,  inftead  of  hazarding  their  lives  in  voyaging  to  and 
from  Great- Britain.  This  produced  likewife  other  good  confe* 
quences.  It  is  certain,  that  Great-Britain  gains  much  more  from 
the  planter  who  lives  in  Jamaica,  and  difperfes  his  incotne  therc^ 
than  (he  can  pofUbly  gain  if  he  fpends  it  in  Great-Britain^  The 
reafon  is  obvious ;  for,  while  it  circulates  in  Jamaica,  it  becomes 
the  inftrument  of  retaining  thofe  fettlers,  who  incrcafe  in  every 
way  the  trade,  navigation,  and  confumption  of  manu&dures; 
which  they  would  not  have  done,  in  any  degree  ib  largely,  in  tije 
mother«flate.  Thus  1000/.  fpcnt  by  a  planter's  family  in  Jamaica, 
will  produce  in  the  end  infinitely  better  effe^s,  and  greater  advan* 
tage,  to  the  mother- date,  than  twice  that  fum  expended  by  the 
fame  family  in  I^ondon  or  Bath.  The  refidence  of  the  planter 
neceiTarily  occafioned  a  better  attention  to  the  management  of  his 
eftate,  the  cultivation  of  more  land,  the  increaie  of  produce,  and 
greater  fecurity  of  property  in  general ;  the  mode  of  education  in- 
fured  the  attachment  of  the  children  to  their  native  ipot,  and  led 
them  into  an  early  knowledge  of  the  planting  buiinefs,  and  of  the 
meatis  by  which  their  eftates,  when  they  (hould  come  to  the  en- 
joyment of  them,  might  be  prcfervcd  and  improved.  Men  of  for- 
tune, while  relident  on  the  ifland,  are  generally  prompted  to  em- 
ploy more  white  fervants  than  they  chufe  to  afford  when  removed 
to  another  country,  where  their  cxpenfive  manner  of  living  not  un- 
frequently  obliges  them  to  condu<9:  their  plantation-afFairs  on  a  too 
parfimonious  fcale.  It  is  certain  that^  from  foipe  or  other  of  thefe 
preceding  caufes,  or  from  all  combined,  the  number  of  fervants  for 
plantations  only  falls  fhort  of  the  due  allotment  between  three  or 
four  thoufand.  The  legiflature  of  the  ifland,  conceiving  that  a  de- 
population was  chiefly  to  be  afcribed  to  the  vafl  number  of  abfentees, 
not  only  by  their  withdrawing  their  own  pcrfons,  but  at  the  fame 
time  the  fund  of  fubfiftence  for  many' hundreds^  if  not  thoufands^ 
of  other  inhabitants;  that  their  eflates  were  kept  ilK.provided  with 
white  fervants,  and  the  management  refigned  to  one  man,  who  in 

D  d  d  2  many 


^8»  JAMAICA.: 

matiy  cafes  a£);ed  in  (bveral  attorney fhips,  and  fb  bscame  die  only 
reprcfei>tative  on  the  fpot  of  fix  or  eight  diSttcnt  pFoprietocs  re*- 
fiding  in  Great-Britain  ;  thought  ta  ttiafke  (bme  anModS',  by  im-^ 
pofing  a  heavier  tax  upon  all  abfentees^  and  paired  a  d^Ciency^^a&^ 
modeled  for  that  purpoie  :  but  the  abientees  made  a  vehement  op^ 
position  to  it  at  the  board  of  trade,  where  this  ad  came  to  be  con* 
fidered ;  and  grounded  their  defence  entirely  upon  the  general  in« 
ilruftion  given  to  the  governor  by  the  crown,  directing  him  not  to 
aflent  to  any  aO:^  impofing  a  tax  upon  abfentees  in  greater  proper- 
tion  than  upon  refidents,  without  a  fufpendiag  ckiafe«  The  k>r^ 
of  trade  therefore,  without  entering  into  the  queftton,  whether  afi 
additional  tax  upoa  abfentees  was  in  itfelf  a  right  meafure,  or  whe« 
thcr  the  increaie  of  white  inhabitants  ought  not  to  be  encouraged 
by  every  legal  and.  jufUiiable  method,  advifed  hh  majefly  to  difaf- 
firm  the  adt,  as  beii^  repugnant  to  a  royal  in{lru6):fon.  The  a(^ 
&mbly  thought  their  lordflups  had  in  this  caie  judged  only  one  fide 
of  the  qufiftioTh  and  that  they  ought,  in  firid  impartiality,  to  have 
examined  the  merits  of  it  tlioi^oughly ;  in  confequence  of  which^ 
theyiuight  haive  feeathe  matter  in  a  different  light,  and  determined  it 
not  repugnant  to  the  fpirit  of  the  inftrufttoa;  becauie,  when  fairly 
and  candidly  weighed,  it  would  have  appeared  very  far  from  being 
an  unequal  tax,  and  upon  the  following  principles : 

Firft,  That,  by  the  laws  and  compadls  of  Ibciety,  every  member 
of  it  is  equally  bound  to  contribute  to  its  common  fafety,  delence^ 
and.  fupport,  eitlier  by  perfbnalor  pecuniary  fervice;  that  no  man 
ought  to.dbum  a  feparate  exemption,  or  immunity,  from  civil  or 
military  duties;  that  no  man  owes  more  than  his  proportionate 
quota  of  public  fervice;  and  that  it  is  highly  juft,  they,  who  do 
not  £erve  in  perfoo,  fhouLd  pay  their  defenders. 

Secondly,  That  when  fevcral  members  of  a  fmalj  fociety  defer* 
it  by  temporary  or  continued  abfence,  the  fervice  becomes  diipro* 
portioned  and  injurious  to  thofc  who  are  left  behind,  by  the  greater 
burthen  of  civU  and  military  duties  thereby  thrown  upon  them 
(which  is  the  cafe  in  Jamaica);  for  a  burthen,  which  to  the  whole 
body  of^  the  fociety  would  be  eafy  and  tokrable,  muft,  if  any  con- 
fiderable  number  of  the  individuals  can  excufe  or  exempt  them- 

fclves 
5 


BOOK.    H-      CHAP.    II.  385, 

ieives  fsom  taking  a  f^^to  of  it,  become   oppreffive  and  infupr 
portable  to  the  reft. 

Thirdly,  that  it  has  of  late  years  been  fo  much  the  ciiftom  for 
proprietors  of  eftates  in  the  iftaud  to  ej?iigrafie  frQ?i%  theinge  to  Eu- 
rope, that  it  is  left  alnaoft  deftitute  of  proper  perfons  to  fupply  the 
exigence  of  the  various  duties,  civil  and  military,  which  are 
merely  hoiwrary,  and  ought  to  be  excjcuted  by  ipen  of  liberal  edu- 
catiotiji  fortune,  and  experience :  ^t)4  it  is  greatly  to  be  feared,  that^ 
if  thia  pradice  of  difpeopling  the  fettlemeats  (bould  continue 
much  longer,  it  may  proceed  ib  f^M*  at  length,  as  to  tffe£t  the  total 
ex.tiFpatk)n  of  the  remaining  white  inhabitants,  together  with  th& 
lofs  of  the  colony  itfelf  j  a  lofs,  for  which  the  vaft  funjs  of  money* 
annually  drained  from  thence  by  the  abfentees^.  diilipated  £br  the: 
moft  part  in  voluptuous  expences,  will  by  no  paeans  compea^ite  tor 
the  mother  country. 

Fourthly,  That  the  infurredions  and  rebellion  of  fldves^   wbichi 
Iiappened  lately  in  the  iiland,  were  pofiibly,  among  other  caufes^ 
owitig  to  the  abfence  of  the  proprietors  from  thofe  eft^tes  wbere^ 
the  fliames  of  difcontent  broke  out ;  and  it  is  highly  probably  tliat^ 
if  the  proprietors  had  b^en  reiident  here;  thefe  difturb^nces^  and^ 
the  evils  which  enfued,  might  have  been  feafonahly  checjced  and» 
prevented  by  their  influence  and  authority  over  their  9wa  flaiVes^. 
apd  particularly  by  their  attention  to  hear  and  redrefs  all  j^il  aad 
reaipnahle  complaints  among  them*    Further,  if  is  notoriaus,  that 
many  of  the^  eft^es   are  left  without  a  due  fuperintendency,  by 
the  practice  of  employing  one  attorney  to  take  the  management 
of  ievcral  different  and  diftant  properties  j   and  that,  in  fuch  a^  mul^i- 
tipiiqity  of  concerns,   it  is  impofiible  that  one  perfon  fp  circum# 
ftanced  can  be  a  proper  and  competent  reprefentative  lo  fupport 
the  influence  and  power  of  fo  many  different  owners,;  whence  it 
muft  happen,  that  the  Negroes  belonging  to  fuch  eftates  are  the 
more  expofed  to  hard  ufage,  and   at  liberty  to  fornj  cabals,  wiitlv 
lefs  profpedV  of  9  fpeedy,  efle£i:ual   redrefs,  or  lefs  ^aoger  of  de- 
teftion. 

Fifthly,  That,  upon  thefe  calamitous  occafiops,  the  abffentees* 
have  borpe  only  a  commoii  ihare  in  the  general  expemce;  but  all: 
the  other  incidental  charges,  inconveniencies,  and  hardfliips,  have 

entirely 


396  JAMAICA.  * 

entirely  fallen  upon  the  fixed   inhabitatits,  who   fupport  the  whole 
weight  of  perfonal  fcrvice. 

Sixthly,  That,  as  an  unequal  duty,  both   in  civil  and  military 
capacities,  is  thrown  upon  relideuts  here,   by  the  dcfertion  and  ex- 
emption of  fo  many  members  of  the  ibcicty ;  it  is  but  reafonable, 
in  order  to  bring   the  fervices  of  both     to  a  more  equal  balance, 
that  the  abfentees  fhould  make  amends  for  their  default  of  perfonal 
fervice,  by  a  pecuniary  aid ;  whence  it  follows,  that  an  additional 
tax  upon  abfentees,    produftive  of  this  equality,  is  in  effe£l  a  fair 
and  juft  tax ;    and  that,  if  the  abfentees   arc  rated  no  higher  than 
the  refidents,  the  tax  is    clearly  unequal  and   unjuft  in  rcfpeft  to 
the  refidents.     There  fecms  to  have  been  great  propriety   in    this 
mode  of  reafoning.     The  abfentees,  on  the  other  hand,    alledged, 
that   the  commifiion  of  6/.  per  cent  on  their  produce,   annually  re- 
tained by  their  attornies  or  managers,  ought  to  be  deemed  a  heavy 
tax  upon  them,  and  coniidered  as  a  compenfation  to  the  ifland  for 
thelofs  of  the  remaining  part  of  their  incomes  fpent  in  other  coun- 
tries.    But,    abftradled  from  the  nature  of  this  commiflion  (which 
is  nothing  more  than  a  falary  paid  to  a  man  for  tranfafting  their 
mercantile  and  plantation  affairs),  it  certainly  cannot  appear  in  the 
light  of  an  aid  to  the  ifland,  where  it  may  be  fpent,  or  not,  at  the 
pleafure  of  the  perfon  to  whom  it  is  paid.     The  cafe  would  be  very 
differerit,.if  6/. ^^r  (r^«/ on   their  produce  was  to  be  paid  into   the 
pbblick  treafury  of  the   ifland,  and  there  become  a   fund   for  re- 
lieving the  common  expence  of  defending  it.     When  the   fafety 
of  Ireland  was  formerly  endangered  by  the  conflux  of  inhabitants 
to  England,  the  parliament  thought  it  equally  politic  and  equitable 
to   lay  fome    reftraint  upon   emigration;   and  accordingly  pafled 
a  law,  which  enaded,  that   all  perfons,   having  any  lands,  tene- 
ments, offices,   or  other  living,  eccle{iafl:ical  or  temporal,  within 
that  kingdom,   fliould  refide  or  dwell  upon  the  fame  ;  and  that   all 
fuch  as  had  any  caftles,  or  other  forts,   fliould  fortify  and  furnifti 
them  with  men  able  for  defence,  and   thereupon  alfo  dwell;  aiid 
that,  if  at  any  time  they  fhould  depart,  then  they  fliould  appoint 
fome  able  perfons  to  fupply  their  room  during  abfence ;  otherwife, 
that  the  governor  of  Ireland  fliould  difpofe  of  one  half  of  their 
living,  to  pay  for  fuch  defence  [/]. 

[/]  3  Richard  II.    See  Coke's  InHitutea,  Tit.  Ireland,  Part  III.  and  IV. 

I  do 


BOOK    ir.      CHAP.      II.  391 

I  do  not  know  in  what  manner  the  Jamaica  abfentees  might  rclilh 
the  heavy  penalty  impofed  by  this  Irifti  law  :  I  have  only  cited  it, 
to  (hew  that,  if  a  precedent  was  required,  the  Jamaica  legiflature 
had  this  to  urge  in  point,  if  they  had  even  carried  themfelves  with 
far  more  fe verity  than  they  did*  Ireland  was  then  no  more  than  a 
colony  ;  but  the  handful  of  Engliih  fettled  in.it  were,  perhaps,  not 
fo  much  out-numbered  by  the  favage  natives,  as  the  whites  in  Ja- 
maica are  by  the  Negroes :  confequently,  there  appears  at  leaft 
equal  reafon  for  exerting  coercive  meafures  to  keep  Jamaica  in  a 
proper  ftate  of  internal  defence.^ 

But  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  the  Jamaica  legiflature  will  not  attend 
to  this  important  point  with  fufficient  fteddinefs  and  energy  [u]. 
Other  iburces  of  depopulation  ^ring  from  unprofperous  events  oj? 
cafualties,  bad  crops,  bad  management,  heavy  debts,  or  a  compli*^ 
cation  of  all  thefe  evils.  It  is  certain,  that  as  few  men  (at  leaft  in 
this  iiland}  have  embarked  in  the  planting-bufinef^  with  capitak 
fufficient  and  eqoal  to  the  deiign ;  fo  the  eftates  in  general  have 
been  formed  and  brought  to  naaturity  by  an  advance  of  money,,  la- 
bourers, and  uteniils,  from  the  merchants,  and  by  a  credit  of  much 
greater  latitude  than  is  ufuaBy  given  in-  Englarkl ;  for  thefe  under*^ 
takings  come  to  perfection  by  flow  and  gradual  progref&r 

A  fugar-eftate,  fetded  immediately  from  wood-land,  can  hardly 
be  expe£ked  to  arrive  at  any  tolerable  flate  of  perfe&iomin  lefs  than 

[u]  It  mult  be  confefled,  that  tbe  laur,  wRicH  aflows  a  commHIion  of  611  per  cenK  to  attomres, 
guardians,-  and  other  managers,  (lands  inr  need  of  fbme  expUmation  and  amendment.  It  has  beew 
ufoal  for  them  to  charge  this  commiilion  upon  the  grofs  product  of  the  eftaies  under  their  direc- 
tion, valued  in  general  according  to  their  own  fancy.  The  common  way  is,  to  value  at  the. 
higheft  rate  at  which  any  (imilar  produce  has  been  (bid'  at  KinglTon.  Tt  feem?  more  equitable; 
that  the  commiffions  ought  to  be  ftruck  on  the  nett  proceeds,  whether  the  goods  *are  fold  in  Ja^ 
m^ica  or  Great-Britain ;  and  that  whatever  are  otherwiie  difpofed  of  (hould  be  fairly  appraifed 
by  perfons  who  are  not  agents  for  any  one,  and  confequently  not  interefled  parties^  In  the 
fmaller  iflands,  the  abfent  planters  do  not  pay  this  tax  for  the  management  of  their  properties; 
their  ellates  lying  fo  comiguous,  as  to  be  very  eafily  fuperintended  by  the  few  gentlemen  who  re-- 
m^.  It  is  lucky  for  then>  their  affairs  are  thus  circumflanced ;  for  the  addition  of  fix  pounds* 
few  cent,  made  to  the  four  and  a  half  they  already  pay  to  government,  would  be  an  enormous 
drawback  upon  their  annual  proli'ts.  On  the  other  hand,  the  unconne(ffed  and  difperfed  (ituation* 
of  plantations  in  Janwica,  as  it  occafions  a  great  deal  of  fatigue  and  trouble  to  the  fuperintendant,. 
fo-^t  renders  aiCommiiCon,  or  recompence,  unavoidable;  and  fumi(hes  a  juH  reaibn  (among others) » 
why  this  iiland  ought  never  to  be  fubje«fted  to  the  four  and  half  per  cent,  tax,  as  the  Windward, 
idands  are :  there  is,  indeed^  no  ground  to  fear  that  it  ever  will  bc,^  whilft  the  people  of  the  ifland 
fstain  the  liberty  o£  reje£^ing  it.. 

fevciv 


392  J    A    M    A    I    C    K. 

feven  years,  unlefs  pu(hed  on  by  tlic  <Mnnipotence  of  a  full  purfe ; 
fer,  the  firft  years,  the  produce  will  do  little  more  than  fubfift  the 
owner,  his  labourers,  and  ftock,  and  pay  the  taxes  and  contingent 
charges  of  the  year;  while  the  merchant's  advancement  for  pur- 
chafing  labo%wers,  flock,  and  utcnfils^  and  eredting  works,  muft  re- 
main a  debt  until  the  gradual  increafe  of  produce  may  enable  the 
planter  to  pay  for  thefe  articles,     in  nearly  the  condition  of  fuch 
an  infant-fettlement  is  an  old  plantation,  which,  by  ill  luck,  mif- 
management,  or  want  of  timely  fopport,  has  been  thrown  back, 
and  reduced  to  a  ruin.   It  is  from  tliefe  principles,  grounded  upon 
experience,  that  the  Jamaica  laws  have  in  general  been  io  favourable 
to  the  planters.     The  perfon  of  a  freeholder,  who  has  aflets,  can- 
not be  arrefted  for  debt.     When  fued,  he  muft  be  duly  fummoned, 
and  liave  a  copy  of  the  declaration.     After  a  verdift  and  judge* 
ment  eftablifhing  the  debt  againft  him,  the  writ  of  execution^  re^ 
turnable  three  months  after,  ifTues  merely  as  a  writ  of  form ;   and 
no  levy  is  made  until  the  writ  of  veuditUm  iifues,  returnable  ia 
three  months  further  tiraae.     This  dday* gives  opportunity  for  the 
planter's  crop  to  come  round  again,  and  afford  hiizn  the  means  of 
making  fome  payment ;  by  which  the  fincwe  of  his  eftate  may  be 
redeemed  from  a  levy.    And,  to  induce  the  cnerchants  in  Gfeat* 
Britain  to  lend  their  money,  and  allow  ti  diuralaon  of  credit,  tbeie 
laws  grdtit  fthem  5  /.  per  cent,  cm  their  loa©,  and  the  like  on  their, 
agency :.  but  of  late  years  this  credit  has  much  abated;  the  Britifli 
merchants  found  means  of  employing  their  money  at  home  with 
lefs  trouble  to  themfelves,  if  not  with  equal  advantage.     This  door 
being  fhut  againft  the  new  beginners  of  fettlements,  they  turned 
their  application  to  the  people  in  trade  at  Jamaica ;  who,  being  . 
greatly  narrowed  in  point  of  credit  with  their  principals  at  '4iompe^ 
have  neither  been  able  nor  willing  to  let  their  money  lye  out  for 
any  length  of  time:  fome,  indeed,  underftanding  the  arts  of  turOi^ 
ing  and  twifting  their  demands  in  this  ifland  to  the  utmoft  profit, 
fought  to  ereft  the  fabric  of  large  fortunes  on  the  ruin  of  diftre'fled 
planters.     That  pernicious  law,   called  the  priority-a£t,  greatly  £%«  ^ 
cilitated  their  defigns.     This  aft  lays  a  direft  obligation  oii^evciy 
money-lender  to  bring  anions,  and  obtain  judgement,  as  foon  as  he 
poftibly  can ;  and,  when  thus  obtained,  it  throws  the  ^ debtor  iauFd 

his 


BOOK   11.    CHAK    II.  3^3 

bis  property  very  much  under  the  other's  power.  A  more  prepofte- 
rous  law  could  not  have  been  contrived  than  this,  which  forces 
creditors  to  perfecute  their  debtors,  diftrefs  and  ruin  them^  without 
giving  an  eafy  mode  of  pofleffing  their  debt,  when  recovered,  and 
without  properly  difeharging  the  debtor  for  fo  much  as  he  has  a6lually 
paid  by  levy  upon  his  efiefts.  On  the  one  hand^  is  the  creditor  preliing 
upon  his  debtor  with  all  the  feverity,  diftrefs,  and  rigour,  in  hb 
power  to  exercife ;  on  the  other,  is  the  indignant  debtor  pra£ti(ing 
every  wile,  every  art  of  corruption,  and  fineile,  to  elude  the  attack  ; 
whilft  a  third  perfon,  the  marflial,  comes  like  a  cuttle-fifh,  involving 
every  thing  m  confufion  and  obfcurity,  and  fnatches  the  prey  from 
both  I  nothing  in  ihort  is  more  clear  than  that  the  priority  Law^  if 
not  purpoiely  contrived  for  enriching  that  officer,  has  contributed  more 
towards  it,  and  to  the  detriment  of  the  planting  intereft  in  this  ifland, 
than  any  other  inftrument  could  poffibly  have  efle£):ed.  Tiie  fyftem 
of  perpetual  warfare,  ftratagem,  and  artifice,  introduced  by  this  law, 
can  never  be  fuppofed  advantageous  to  the  credit  of  any  community; 
it  deftroys  the  mutual  confidence  which  ought  to  conned:  the  planter 
and  merchant.  It  impairs  the  merchant's  fortune,  interrupts  his  bufi- 
neis,  and  confumes  his  time,  by  drawing  him  away  too  frequently 
from  his  books  and  warehoufe,  to  confult  lawyers,  and  make  fearches 
in  the  marihars  office.  It  wounds  the  planter  eflentially,  firft  in  his 
xrredit  and  charaAer,  by  the  arts  of  evafion  and  litigation  into  which 
he  is  naturally  feduced;  fecondly,  in  his  fortune,  by  the  exceffive 
charge  of  keeping  a  fet  of  profligate  wretches,  the  under  officers,  in 
conftant  fee,  to  avoid  levies  ;  by  the  redoubled  cofts  and  damages  ac* 
cruing  upon  every  fi?efli  iffue  of  the  writs  againft  him ;  by  his  incef-* 
fant  avocations  fix>m  induftry  to  mean  tricks  and  fubterfuges,  and  by 
the  interruption  ^ven  to  his  labours,  by  feizure  of  his  Negroes,  cattle, 
or  carriages  of  burthen;  and  I  think  it  cannot  be  doubted,  but  that 
\mdcr  fuch  accumulated  diftrefs^  he  muft  likewife  fuffer  very  feverely, 
in  his  peace  of  mind.  This  law  encourages,  and  tends  to  multiply 
the  hoft  of  pettyfoggers,  that  generation  of  vermin,  who  are  bred  in 
knavery,  and  nouriflied  by  corruption ;  who  fatten  on  the  diftrefles  of 
mankind,  and,  like  ftalking  horfes,  delude  the  unwary  into  (hipwreck, 
that  they  may  ftrip  and  rifle  them.  The  law  for  extending  real 
eftates  having  been  determined  in  the  courts  here  to  be  inefl^e^al, 
.    Vol.  I.  Eee  the 


394  JAMAICA. 

th«  merchants  were  ncceffarily  driven  to  fecure  themfelvTCs  by  takbg 
bonds  for  their  demands,  which,  being  once  fixed  upon  judgement,  are 
efteemed  rather  more  eligible  than  a  mortgage  fccurity,  becaufe  they 
execute  equally  well  ufx>n  the  debtor's  perfonal  efiate,  and  are  not 
clogged  with  the  real.  Their  obje£ls  therefore  are  the  planter's 
flaves,  cattle,  implements,  furniture,  and  other  goods;  which  being 
once  fwept  away  by  thefc  judgements,  the  land  or  real  eftate  is  of 
very  little  value.  But  if  the  land  and  buildings  were  made  equally 
extendible  with  the  perfonalty,  the  planter's  fortune  would  reach  much 
further  in  payment  of  all  his  juft  debts ;  and  fo  many  otice  thriving 
properties  would  not  be  fuddenly  cruflied  and  ruined,  as  we  too  o&ea 
behold  them.  It  is  a  prevailing  notion  (I  confefs  among  mercantile 
perfons  only)  that  it  matters  not  if  the  planter  A.  is  ruined  by  the 
creditor  B.  and  dilpofleffed  of  his  property  ;  nor  tlvrougfa  bow  many 
hands,  nor  how  rapidly  the  property  is  ihifted,  for  that  the  great  mafs 
of  aggregate  wealth  in  the  ifland  remains  unafFeded  by  theie  changes^ 
But  this  poiition  is'  extremely  fallacious.  It  would  probably  not 
be  fo»  if  the  real  and  perfonal  efiate  both  pafied  together  from  one 
hand  to  another;  it  might,  in  that  cafe,  not  much  fignify,  whether 
A.  or  B.  was  the  owner ;  the  only  di0erence  would  confift  in  the 
greater  or  leis  ability  of  the  one  or  the  other  to  manage,  and  improve ;. 
to  render  the  annual  produd  more  or  lefs  valuable.  The  h&  is,  that 
the  Negroes  are  unfettled,  and  together  with  the  other  personalty 
dilperfed,  and  fcrambled  for,  by  as  many  of  the  bond  creditors  as  caa 
cotne  in  for  a  ihare  of  the  fpoil ;  whilfl:  the  buildings  and  land  are  the 
l^ft  to  return  into  the  primitive  ftate  of  wildemefs.  In  this  mterval 
land  has  fomecimes  been  contefted  for,  by  fome  of  the  remaining  cre« 
ditors,  who,  having  no  inclination  to  turn  planters,  only  fought  to  dif- 
pofe  of  it ;  in  which  view  they  have  rarely  fucccedcd,  until,  by  the 
luxuriant  vegetation  in  this  climate,  it  was  overgrown  with  thickets^ 
and  faleable  only  at  the.  low  price  of  woodland,  fo  low  frequently,  » 
not  to  make  a  dividend  of  zs.  6^.  in  the  pound.  Another  bad 
tffcEty  which  muft  be  chiefly  afcribed  to  the  mtfi:hievous  operation  of 
this  law,  is  the  cudom  which  many  defperate  debtors  have  fidlea 
upon,  oijianding  marjbal\  as  it  is  called.  After  a  feries  of  perfecutioA 
on  the  part  of  the  creditor,  iniquity  m  the  ofBcer,  fubterfuge  and 
cva£on  iu  the  debtor,  the  latter  is  driven  at  length  to  his.  intrench* 

ments. 


ROOK   II.    CHAP.    II.  395 

tnents.     He  converts  his  houfc  (literally  fpeaking)  into  a  caftle,  pre-* 
pares  to  withftand  a  regular  fiege,  and  forms  a  garrifon  of  armed 
(laves.     Many  have  held  out  in  this  manner  till  their  plantation  has 
been  entirely  ruined  for  want  of  culture,  and  themfelves  reduced  ta 
a  ftarving  condition.     It  (hews  a  great  defeft  in  the  fyftem  of  eJcecuH: 
tive  juftice,  that  fuch  feverities  (hould  be  exercifed  as  to  drive  men 
into  a  ftate  of  favage  hoftility  ;  or  that  the  debtor  fliould  be  prompted 
by  a  diflioneft  principle  encouraged  by  the  law,  and  the  corruption  of 
its  minifters,  thus  to  fly  to  illegal  and  violent  meafures  for  prote6tion, 
and   refift    the  civil  powers    with  the  moft    daring    and  criminal 
outrages,   until     his  bands  are   imbrued   in  murder,  and  his  (laves 
impelled  into  rebellion;  yet  this  has  often  happened,  and  nciany  have 
declared  that  they  preferred  death  to  a  lingering  iteprifonmeia;  in 
gad.   Their  Negroes  have  readily  enlifted  under  their  banners  upon 
thefe  occaiions,  regarding  the  officer  who  comes  to  difpoflcfs  and 
carry  them  to  market,  as  their  natural  enemy,  and  adhering  to  their 
mafter's  caufe  as  their  own,  they  have  (l)iewn  a  willingnefs.to  run  every 
rifque,  rather  than  be  dragged  from  their  fettlements.     It  feems,  I 
think,  to  betray  a  very  culpable  inattention  of  the  planters  to  their 
cbarafter,  and  the  profperity  of  their  families,  that  they  (hould  clofc 
their  eyes  againft  this  train  of  abufes,  and  not  ftrive  to  redeem  the 
friendfbip  and  fupporf  of  honeft  wealthy  merchants  in  Great  Britain 
by  the  wifdom  and  efficacy  of  new  credit  laws.     In  all  cafes  (deteris 
paribus)  they  ought  to  give  a  preference  to  the  merchants  of  the 
mother  country  ;  they  are  the  true  fountain-head  of  credit,  and  withr 
out  whofe  afiiftance,  moft  of  the  merchants  and  petty  ftorekcepers  at 
Jamaica  would  be  in  little  better  than  a  ftate  of  beggary.  The  plant* 
ers  of  Antigua  retrieved  their  credit  and  fortunes  by  a  fpirited  appli*-. 
cation  to  this  objeft.     They  pafled  an  aft,  allowing  intereft  afnd  all- 
charges  arifxng  on  debts  contracted  with  merchants  in  Great  Britain,, 
fued  and  recovered  in  the  Antigua  court.     This  was  in  faft  no  othen 
than  obliging  themfelves  to  re-pay  the  merchant  his  juft  debt  to  the 
uttermoft  farthing,  upon  the  Royal  Exchange  in  London.  The  mer- 
chant being  thus  fecured  and   indemnified  imder  the  public  faith  of 
the  ifland  from  every  expence  attending  the  profecution  and  recovery 
of  his  demand,  was  encouraged  by  this  means  to  advance  his  money 
freely  upon  fuch  fecure  grounds.     In  Jamaica^  a  debt  which  has  beea 

£  e  e  i^  contrafted 


396  JAMAICA, 

contraAed  in  Great  Britain,  and  is  tranfmitted  over  to  be  fued  and 
recovered,  is,  in  many  cafes,  unjuftly  fubjeded  to  various  expences, 
and  fuiFered  to  fall  on  the  creditor  to  his  great  damage.     He  is  al- 
lowed by  one  law  of  the  iiland  5  /•  per  cent,  intereft  on   his    de- 
mand ;  and  by  another  law  he  muft  pay  6  /.  per  cent,  coramiffion 
to  a  pcrfon  in  the  ifland  for  receiving  and  remitting  it,  beiides  feveral 
charges  out  of  purfe,  and  a  total  ceHation  of  intereft  from  the  time  the 
payment  comes  into  the  agent's  hands,  until  it  reaches  his  own,  which 
cannot  fall  much  fliort  of  i  \  per  cent,  further  lofs.     Thefe  are   de- 
falcations, from  which  (if  I  am  rightly  informed)  the  Antigua  law  has 
exonerated  the  merchant,  who  is  in  all  cafes  enabled  to  recover  his 
whole  debt,  and  the  lawful  intereft  upon  it,  free  of  all  expence,  and 
probably  with  lefs  inconvenience  than  if  it  had  been  an  EngliCh  debt, 
recovered  in  any  court  within  the  kingdom  \a\.     Could  a  meafure  of 

this 

[a\  The  Jamaica  law  (N*  iS^,  pafled  anno  1751)  is  extremely  juft  in  ibmerefpe^s,  an3  witK 
very  little  alteration  might  be  adapted  to  the  end  propofed.  It  ena^,  that  in  all  fiiits  in  law  aad 
equity  for  the  recovery  of  monies  lent  upon  morcgase  or  (pecialty,  vobere  tht  defimJaiu  €ppcfes  or 
fits  up  any  ikfence  to  the  famr,  and  the  plaintiff  obtains  judgement^  the  defendant  (hall  be  liable  to 
the  ufual  taxed  coftt  of  fuit:  to  the  fees  the  plaintiff  has  been  obliged  to  pay  his  oonnfel  in  the 
profixution:  to  the  traveling  expences  of  witnefles  fubpoeoa'd  by  the  plaintiff  to  give  evidence^ 
and  to  all  fuch  further  and  other  charges  as  the  plaintiff  can  make  appear  that  he  has  expended  in 
the  caufe ;  all  which  are  to  be  taxed  by  the  proper  officer. 

The  ohjeflions  to  this^  as  it  ftands^  are ; 

Firily  That  in  the  conftrudtion  of  the  a£t  the  defendant  is  not  liable  to  any  of  theie  cofts  and 
damages,  except  he  (hoald  make  an  oppoiition  or  defence  to  the  plaintiff's  adion  j  by  admitting 
judgement  therefore  by  a  ^/ <£r//,  he  efcapes  thefe,  which  fbcm  meant  only  as  a  penalty  upoa 
wanton  oppofition. 

Secondly,  The  law  does  not  imply  a  continuation  of  intereft  to  the  plaintiff,  after  judgement 
obtained. 

By  another  daufe  in  the  fame  ad,  in  caies  where  the  money  lent  hai  heen  agreed  to  be  paid  in 
Great  BritaUt  the  defendant,  upon  judgement,  (hall  be  liable  to  pay  all  the  colls  before  men- 
tioned, as  well  as  all  fuch  farther  coAs  and  charges,  as  well  of  Commifim^  as  other  charges,  as  the 
plaintiff,  or  his  agent,  &e»  (hall  make  appear  by  a(fidavit  to  the  taxing  officer  of  the  court,  that 
he  has  fuflained,  or  may  fuflain,  by^ remitting  the  money  ta  Great  Britain^  and  fuch  cofts  as  are 
to  be  taxed  as  cofils  of  increafe. 

Objef^ion.  Though*  according  to  the  confirudion  of  this  claufe,  the  plaintiff  is  not  eatidtd 
lo  the  remed)^,  except  where  the  contrad  exprelsly  binds  the  payment  to  be  made  in  Ch-eat  Britain  ; 
which  therefore  happens  only  in  the  cafe  of  mortgages,  or  bonds,  executed  to  a  firitiih  merchant 
under  fuch  a  linutation ;  and  does  not  extend  to  a  Balance  ef  Account  current^  which  more  ofteti 
^omes  the  fubjed  of  a  BritKh  merchant's  fuit.  It  is  clear  therefore,  that  unlefs  the  contraft 
\>e^>^een  the  parties,  at  the  time  when  the  loan  of  money  is  advanced,  flipulates  the  payment  to  be 
w^fitifi  in  Great  Britain^  the  plaintiff  does  not  become  entitled  to  recover  for  the  commiflian  or 
expence  of  remitting  the  money* 

Secondly^ 


BOOK   11.    CHAP.    II.  ^97 

diis  kind  meet  with  its  fautors  in  Jamaica^  the  like  good  eSs&s  would 
certainly  happen ;  the  gentlemen  of  the  ifland  would  acquire  a  de- 
gree of  credit  m  the  mother  country,  perhaps  even  fuperior  to  the 
fmaller  iflands ;  the  planters  would  become  conne^ed  with  merchants 
of  integrity,  and  find  a  fteady  fapport  in  time  of  need,  and  an  hu- 
mane indulgence  in  bad  years ;  which  advantages  I  need  not  fay  are 
not  commonly  met  with  in  that  colony,  where  public  calamities  are 
too  eagerly  catched  at,  and  turned  to  felti(h  and  malevolent  ends.     It 
might  alio  wonderfully  afiift  the  credit  of  this  ifland,  and  fecure  many 
properties  from  falUng  to  decay,  if  the  plantations  of  men  much  em- 
barra£fed  with  debt  (but  having  a  capital  in  real  and  perfonal  anfwer- 
able  for  what  they   owe)  were  committed  to  the  management  of 
boheft  truftees  appointed  jointly  by  the  parties  interefled,  and  under 
ianfkion   of  the  court  c$f  chancery^  after  a  fair  account  being  taken 
of  all  the  debts,  which  account  might  be  filed  in  ,the  regifter's  office  ; 
a  decent  and  fuitable  annual  provifion  being  referved  and  fettled  by 
the  opinion  of  the  court,  aa  a  juft  ccxifideration  of  circumflances, 
and  by  way  of  alimony  for  the  proprietor,  the  truftees  fliould  apply 
the  refidue  of  the  annual  produce  by  an  equitable  dividend  under  di« 
re&ionof  the  court,  towards  fatisfadlion  of  the  refpedire  claimants  : 
the  truftees  might  be  made  accountable  for  their  receipts   and  pay* 
ments  once  a  year,  or  oftener  if  requifite,  to  the  court,  and  be  entitled 
to  a  reafonable  conmiiftion  for  their  agency ;   the  debtor  might  be 
punilhable,  if  he  fliould  difturb  or  interrupt  the  management,  though 
left  at  entire  liberty  to  inform  the  court  of  mifmanagement ;  which 
being  made  appear,  the  offenders  ihould  be  liable  to  punifhment  by 
fine  or  otherwife,  and  the  eftate  be  committed  to  new  truftees.    The 

Secondly,  The  fame  objcftion  lies  here  as  in  the  cafe  above  mentioned,  in  regard  to  a  Cejation  ^ 
Intereft  from  the  time  of  obtaining  judgement. 

In  order  therefoi^  to  msike  this  a^  perfect,  the  folbmng  amendments  feem  neceflary. 

Fir&y  That  in  all  cafes,  where  the  debt  is  proved,  and  judgement  given,  the  defendant  ought 
to  pay  the  reafonable  cofts. 

Secondly,  That  intereft  (hould  continue  from  the  time  judgement  is  given,  till  the  debt  is  fi- 
nally paid. 

Thirdly,  That  in  all  cafes  of  debt,  or  money  lent,  where  the  debt  or  loan  has  oi^nared  in  Grtmt 
Britain^  the  defendant,  upon  judgement,  ihould  be  liable  to  pay,  not  only  the  reafonable  cods 
attending  the  fuit,  but  the  fubfequent  charges  of  commiffion,  and  exchange,  upon  remitting  tlie 
fura  i«covered  to  Great  Brltatn :  the  very  nature  of  the  tranfa^ion  implying  the  BritiOi  mer- 
chant's right  to  receive  back  his  jnoney  on  the  fame  fpot  where  he  %dranced  it. 

•     2  creditors 


-W 


3cj«  JAMAICA. 

creditors  hting  tho^  made  eafy  by  the  fan^dns  and  equity  of  fucb 
proceedtngt  which  pots  it  out  of  the  debtor's  power  to  delay  or  im- 
pede the  regular  courfe  of  payment,  I  have  no  doubl  but  many  plan* 
tations  mighty  be  preserved,  by  thb  eafy  and  pn&kahic  method  .to  latefb 
pofterity*     The  wifdom  and  policy  of  any  legiflatiire  is  teftified  by 
the  reditude  and  dficacy  of  its  pravifions  ;  its  debility  and  inattention 
.  are  clearly  mani&fted  by  the  contrary :  but  a  [^iodc  legiflatmpe  wttt 
negk£t  no  means  offered,  by  which  they  may  encoprage  population^ 
by  faving  mens  private  ^operties  from  being  dilapidated,  and  eftabltihr 
ing  public  credit  upon  the  moft  refpedtahle  foundations.     1  kive  fcen 
ia  the  coucfe  of  a  few  years  no  lefs  than  four  fugar  eflates  in  oae  of 
the  beft-fettled  parishes,  all  lying  within  a  fmall  diftanoe  from  each 
other,  utterly  difjnantled,  and  fallen  to  ruin,  thixMigh  fome  or  other 
of  the  cauies  I  have  touched  upon.     One  of  them  cemains  a  wilder*- 
pels,  becaufb,  tlie  Negroes  and  other  perfonalty  having  been  torn  awagi! 
hy  a  multitude  of  implacable  creditors,  the  land  ocmld  aot  be  (oU^ 
there  being  a  claim  of  legacy  upon  it,  prior  in  date  to  the  cemain'mg 
>debts«     The  fecond,  after  having  been  ftripped  in  like  manner  of  ita 
perfonalty,  was  fold,  and  the  cane*{M6ces  c?on verted  into  pafture  bad. 
The  third  and  fourth  were  deprived  likewiie  of  their  Negroes,  cattle^ 
and  implements  of  hulbandry,  by  the  rapacity  of  their  creditors ;  the 
buildings  were  left  to  rot  at  leifure,  and  the  land  foon  became  us** 
produdive  of  any  thing  but  weeds  and  thickets.     Examples  of  a 
Similar  nature  are  to  be  found  in  almoft  every  other  pariib  of  tbe 
tiland.     Futile  there&re  is  the  fpeculative  opinion  of  property  fliift* 
tng  hands,  aaid  flill  remaining  intire ;  the  contrary  is  too  well  proved 
by  fa^  incapable  of  refutation*    I  (ball  not  fcruple  to  aver,  that  tiie 
feizure  of  Negroes  for  bond  debts  is  a  meafure  that  has  brought  ruin 
upon  a  great  many  once-flourifiiing  plantations,  and  that  it  muft,  in 
the  nature  of  things,  occafion  infinite  mifchief.     If  an  eftate  has  no 
gieater  number  of  laboiirmg  hands  than  are  neceflary  to  fuftain  it, 
the  lofs  of  twenty  or  thirty,  nay  even  of  five  or  ten   able  flaves, 
muft  neceflarily  make  the  remaining  number  infufiicicnt,  and  be  at-^ 
tended  with  a  f^al  reduftion  in  the  produce  and  value  of  it ;  by  this 
means  the  other  creditors  have  the  fccurity  for  their  demands  verjr 
much  impaired ;  and  the  planter,  in  the  lofs  of  thefe  (laves,  lofer 
eventually  more  than  double  their  value,  not  merely  as  to  what  the]^ 

might 


BOOK  11.    CHAP,   IL  3^9 

tntgbt  have  earned  fbr  htm^  but  the  feverer  burthen  thus  entailed  on 
the  remaimng  labourers,  and  the  diminution  which  muft  follow  their 
being  over-worked.     Moreover,  the  firfl:  attack  ferves  as  a  fignal  or 
watch-VM>rd  for  the  refli  of  the  creditors  to  fall  on ;  who>  fearing  thetr 
iecurtty  may  grow  lefs  an4  l^f^t  the.  longer  tbejr  keep  aloof,  nifli  in 
a  body  on  the  planter,  aflault  hioi  on*  all  fides,  and  every  one  gets  a 
bite  at  him^  till  he  is  torn  in  pieces,  or  (as  the  common  faying  has  it) 
irretoverably  gone  to  the  Jogs.     I  do  not  know  any  thing  in  the  oo- 
lony  fyftcm  of  lift  very  fo*  oppreffive  and  detrimental  to  the  Negroes,. 
a&  this  fMradice  of  levying  upon  them,  and  {elling  them  at  vendue*, 
it  is  by  far  the  higbeft  degree  of  cruelty  annexed  to  their  condition  ;^ 
It  <rannot  be  imagined,  bat  that  they  have  a  powerful  attachment  to 
the  fpot  where  they  were  bori^ ;  to  the  place  whicb  holds  the  •'re- 
main^ of  their  deceafed  friends  and  kindred  ;  to  the  little  grounds  they 
have  cultivated,  and  the  trees  they  have  reared  with  their  own  hands  ;. 
tO'the  peaceful  cottage  of  their  own  buildup,  where  they  were  wont 
to' enjoy  many  little  dom^sftic  comforts,  and  participate  refrefliments^ 
with  their  friends  and  fartulies,  after  the  toils  of  the  day.  Now  what 
feverer  hard(klps  can  befal  thefe  poor  creatuws,  than  to  be  iuddenly 
tHfpo&iTed  of  all  thefe  comforts  and  enjoyments,  divided  from  eAc^. 
odier,  fold  inta  the  power  of  new  mailers,  and  carried  into  diftant 
parts  of  the  country,   to  fettle  themfelvei  anew  in  a  fituation  Ie6 
^igreeabie^  artd  lefs  prbpitious  to  their  health  ?    Numbers  doubtlefe 
have  perilled  by  thfefe  arbitrary  removals  5  for  a  N^egfoe,  whio-has  been 
Hfed  to  a  dry  warm  air  in  one  part  of  the  ifland,  will  foon  grow 
fickly,  when  removed  to  the  damp  and  chiMy  atmofphere  of  another 
part :  this^evil,  among  others,  will  be  prevented  by  the  fcheme  I  hav^e 
propofed  for  putting  debtors  eftates  in  truft ;  and  itfeems  therefore  to 
have  humanity  as*  welt  as  policy  for  its  recommendation.     I  muft  not 
here  omit  taking  fefme  dotice  of  an'  expedient  efpoufed,  with  ^eat 
alacrity,   by  feveral   planters  fbr   fupplying  theipfelves  with  thofe 
recruits  of  labouriers  or  Oaves,,  which  they  were  unable  or  unwilling 
•to  purchafe  at  the  advanced  price  and  (hort  credit  at  which  they  have 
been  fold  &iee  the  conclufion  of  die  kte  war.     As  a  leading  motive- 
to  this  advance  in  the  price,  we  may  confider  the  almoft  total  txr 
tinftion  of  bur  trade  with  the  Spaniards  for  an  annual  fupply  of  Ne-^ 
groes ;.  the  transfer  of  this*  branch  to-  the  French  and  other  iflands,. 

z.  and 


40O  JAMAICA. 

m 

and  the  fmall  number  confequently  brought  to  Jamaica.  If  there 
were  in  the  iCiand  only  651  fugar  eftates,  which  is  fuppo&d  about 
the  number  in  1768,  the  yearly  recruit  neceflary  for  them  may  be 
'  computed  at  an  average  of  feven  to  each,  which  amounts  to  4f 557 ; 
and  allowing  one  third  as  many,  or  J  95 199  for  tlie  other  fettlements, 
the  whole  number  will  be  6,076.  We  may  therefete  fix  about  6«oq 
as  the  number  required  for  importation,  the  expeace  to  the  purcha&rs 
of  6000  at  the  late  price  will  be  about  360,000  L  The  planters  who 
bad  been  largely  truAed  during  the  war,  and  upon  a  long  term  of  credit^ 
found  the  cafe  fuddenly  altered,  after  peace  had  given  a  check  to  the 
career  of  our  trade.  The  merchants  called  in  their  money,  fewer  N^ 
groes  were  imported,  and  thefe  were  fold  at  higher  prices,  and  cauch, 
ihorter  credit ;  the  planters,  draining  every  nerve  to  pay  off  their  old 
debts,  were  unable  to  contract  new  ones ;  the  monted  men  theref<xe 
and  others  who  had  got  good  credit,  firfl  thought  of  making  an  ad* 
vantage  by  thefe  neceflities  of  the  planters.  They  bought  up  the 
major  part  of  the  Negroes,  and  leafed  them  for  a  term  of  years,  at  the 
rate  of  from  8  A  to  izL  per  header  annum^  conditioned  that  all  fuch  as 
might  happen  to  die,  or  be  deficient,  during  the  leafed  (hould  be  paid 
for  according^  to  their  original  value  at  the  time  of  deli very«  By  this 
contrad  the  renter  was  able  to  make  a  moft  exorbitant  intereft  on  bis 
money,  with  great  lafety ;  his  Negroes  were  maintained,  feafoned,  and 
trained  to  labour,  without  any  expence  to  him ;  if  delivered  up  to  hinip 
he  could  leafe  or  fell  them  at  an  advanced  price  ;  and  if  dead  or  ab- 
fent,  he  received  back  the  money  they  coft  him,  A  renter,  for  ex- 
ample, gave  for  lanew  Negroes  (at  about  54/.  3^.  4^.  per  head 
jround)  650  /. ;  the  intereft  on  this  fum,  at  the  legal  rate  of  6  /.  per 
cent,  is  only  39  /.  But  he  leafed  them  at  8  /.  per  head>  infured,  and 
gained  an  annual  return  of  9  /. ;  which  is  very  near  15  /.  percent,  per 
annum.  It  cannot  be  fuppofed  the  planter  gained  any  thing  by  fuch 
a  bargain  ;  the  utmoft  he  could  do  was  barely  to  fave  himfelf ;  and 
even  this  could  not  be  ^Seded,  without  having  them  on  a  feven  years 
leafe,  during  which  the  value  of  feafoned  Negroes  fo  much  increided, 
that,  after  lofing  one  thu-d  of  them,*  the  furvivors  were  rated  ajl  to- 
gether at  a  fum  equal  to  the  prime  coft  of  the  whole.  Many  are  £0 
iilind  to  their  own  intereftit  as  Aill  to  perfevere  in  thefe  ruinous  con* 

trads; 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.   n.  401 

trrffts ;  the  nature  of  which  will  appear  ftill  more  obvious  by  the  fol- 
lowing examplei  founded  on  faft. 

A.  pUrchafed  zo  Negroes  for  1,080/.  (at  54./.  per  head)  which  he 
rented  to  B.  on  a  fevcn  years  leafe,  at  8/.  per  head  ;  at  the  expiration 
of  the  leafe  the  account  ftood  as  follows  j 

B.  paid  for  rent,  at  160/.  per  annum,  in  feven  years,  —  fiizo 

Ditto  for  phyfic,  cloalhing,  taxes,  maintenance,  &c.  at    126/. 

per  annum  J  ■■  ■  881 

Ditto  for  deficiency  on  the  re- valuation  of  1 4  Negroes  (the  other 

fix  having  died)  when  they  were  furrendered  back  to  A,  at 

the  expiration  of  the  leafe  (at  58/.  per  bead  re- valuation   —       268 


As  thefe  Negroes  did  but  very  little  work  during  the  two  firft 
years  of  the  leale,  and  the  fix  who  died  of  the  yaws  did 
none  at  all,  the  utmoft  he  could  rate  to  have  gained  by  them 
was,  at  an  average,  15/,  per  head  per  annum  on  the  14. 
furvivors,  which  in  fevcn  years  amounted  to        ^^      —  JT  i^yo 

B.  loft  clearly  therefore  the  fum  of  —  —        — «     800 

which  is  more  than  two  thirds  of  the  prime  coft  of  the  whole  twenty. 
I  am  very  much  miftaken,  if  moft  of  the  contracts  of  this  ibrt,  upon 
being  fairly  .enquired  into,  would  not  be  found  equally  difadvan* 
tageous  to  the  planters;  and  indeed  the  leaf):  reafoning  upon  the  fub« 
jedl  is  fufficient  to  prove  it ;  they  would  be  more  fenfible  of  it,  if 
they  were  to  borrow  money  at  1 5A  per  cent,  intereft,  for  purchafing 
Negroes ;  yet  under  fuch  leafes  they  do  what  is  equivalent,  although 
to  another  mode.     There  is  no  method  more  efiedual  to  annihilate 
this  ufury,  than  by  laying  a  duty  equal  to  a  prohibition  on  all  Ne-« 
groes  imported  for  the  fpace  of  four  or  five  years,  except  for  re-ex- 
pprtation.     Such  a  law  would,  be  attended  with  the  following  good 
Gon{equences«     It  would  put  an  immediate  ftop  to  thefe  extortions ; 
it  would  enable  the  planter  to  retrieve  bis  affairs,  by  preventing  him 
from  running  in  debt,  either  by  renting  or  purchafing  of  Negroes  4. 
it  would  render  fuch  recruits  iefs  necefifary,  by  the  redoubled  care  he 
would  be  obliged  to  take  of  his  prefent  flock,  in  the  prefer vation  of 
VoL.L  Fff  their 


4ct  J    A    M    A    r   C    A; 

di(nr  lives,  and  health ;  anti  laftly^  it  would  raife  the  value  oT  Ne^ 
groes  in  the  ifland ;  a  circnmflance  greatly  in  favour  of  all  thofie  who. 
might  happen  to  have  b^en  unwarily  drawja .  into  leafes  of  this  kind ; : 
and  a  juft  reti'ibution  and  puniHiment  on  the  uCut^rs,  wbo^would  by. 
this  meansf  be  caught  in  their  owp  trap^    A  North  American  pro- 
yince,  by.  this  prohibition,  alone  foe  a  few, years,  from,  being  deeply^ 
plunged  in  debt,  ha&becpmg  independept, richyandilourifliing.  From.. 
the  preceding  combination  of  caufes  with  effeds  it  is  eafy.to  ponceiye, . 
how  a  colony,  not  well  regulated  hy  wife  laws,  may,  fo  ht  from  en-^ 
creafing  in  real  wealth  of  inhabitants  and  fettlsm<;nts^^  become  gradii-^ 
ally>  deferted  and  depopulated. . 


»:  E    C    Tv.       Y^\ 

^  I^,  can  hardly  be.  the  iqtereft  of  a  countjry  to  fuffer  itis  people 
*^  to  make  fettlements  of  feveral  plantatton;  that .  yield  one  and  the  : 
•>-fame  commodity.     For.  iphabitants  thus,  difperfed  are  neither, fo  . 
f '  ufefiil  to  each  o'ther  in  time  of  peace,  nor  ftrpng  enough  to  defend  ^ 
u^themfclves  injime  of.wpr;  fo  tliat  their  ^  niotbei* .  kingdom  is.  ufiiT 
**  ally  at  great  charge  for  their  defence ;  whereas,  if  they  lye  in  a  . 
•*more  compact  and  Icfy  extended  territory j  they -coul4  be:  more 
•*  ready  to  give  each  other  mutual  help,  and  could  not  be.  expofed^ 
«*  as  they  are,  to  every  little  flrength-and  iflfult  of  an4nvader*/'    I(r 
U  not .  by  having  a  multitude  of  fugar  iflands  that  Great  Britain  will 
be  either  fully  fupplied. with  the  Weft  India  produce,  or  derive  fuit- 
a^le  advantages  to  her  commerce^  and  navigatton.     Every  new  fettled  . 
jfland.  in  America  muft  labour  under  a  variety  of  difficulties,  and  is- 
fubjeft  to  numberjefj  inconveniencie^,  to  which  thofc  that  have  been  : 
long  fettled,  and  are  furnilhed  with  towns,  magiaziites  of  <provifionf 
large  flocks  of  cattle,  rich  plantations,  and  convenient  (hipping  places,, 
arc  not  liable.     In  a  fdciety  already  formed,  and  well  eftabliflied,  are- 
innumerable  helps  and  refburces,  which  are  wanting  to  new  colonies. 
Of  the  eleven  fugar  iflands,  which  Great  Britain  poffeffes,  the  fingle 
ifland  ^  oC  Jamaica  exports  nearly  as  much  fugar  and  rum  as  all  the  . 

*  Dorenant. . 

ot}ier 


BOOK   n.    CHAP.   II.  40^ 

t)tli6r  ten,  befides  a  variety  of  articles,  which  the  others  do  not 
produce  ;  and  it  is  very  capable  of  yielding  as  much  more.  If  Ja^ 
"Maica  can  furnilh  a  fiifficiency  of  Weft  India  produce  for  the  con* 
fumption  and  trade  of  the  mother  country,  it  would  undoubtedly 
to£t  far  lefs  to  defend  and  fupport  it,  than  a  number  of  fmall  iflands^ 
detached  from  each  other,  and  Icattered  over  the  bofom  of  the  ocean. 
The  faving  in  (hort  would  be  fo  aftonifhingly  gr^at  to  the  nation, 
that  no  other  argument  could  be  left  to  (hew  the  propriety  of  re* 
taining  them  in  our  hands,  except  the  probability  of  their  being 
occupied  and  cultivated  by  other  ftates  in  Europe  5  which,  for  want 
of  a  territory  in  America,  are  now  obliged  to  buy  from  us  the  articles 
they  want  of  Weft  India  growths  Yet,  notwithftanding  all  our 
endeavours,  it  muft  be  owned,  that  the  French  are  fuch  formidable 
competitors,  and  our  own  colonies  fo  ill  regulated  in  many  refpeAs, 
that  we  draw  very  little,  if  any,  emoluments  at  prefent  from  exporting 
any  of  thofe  articles  to  foreigners.  If  Jamaica  was  once  cultivated  to 
the  full,  it  is  reafonable  to  believe,  that  the  fcale  would  preponderate 
in  our  favour.  We  require  fuch  a  quantum  of  fuperfluity  over  and 
above  fupplying  our  own  confumption,  as  may  enable  us  to  underfell 
at  the  foreign  markets*  It  was  this  which  put  it  in  our  power  to 
crufh  the  Portugueze  fugar  trade,  who  once  monopolized  it ;  and  by 
the  very  iame  means  the  French  have  fince  gained  the  advantage  from 
us.  The  French  have  puQied  their  interefts  in  the  Weft  Indies,  not 
by  fewer  taxes,  the  lower  price  of  Negroes,  •or  the  greater  cheapnefi 
of  provifions,  and  implements  of  huft)andry;  but  by  their  ability  to 
furnifh  double  the  number  of  European  hands,  and  by  wifer  internal 
regulations.  It  is  in  our  power  to  provide  againft  this  difparity«.  In 
re^ft  to  population,  we  may  always  obtain  fupplies  from  the  Pro- 
teftant  ftates  in  Europe,  when  our  own  country  is  infufficient ;  in 
regard  to  the  other  point,  the  lyftem  of  colony  government,  and  the 
imperfe^ions  in  their  feveral  laws,  are  objeds  which  never  were,  but 
which  ought  to  be,  ftridly  canvafted^  examined,  and  amended  by  the 
Britifti  Parliament :  but  as  this  is  an  event  much  more  to  be  wifiied 
than  expe^ed,I  ihall  endeavour  to  point  out  other  means,  by  which  the 
people  of  Jamaica,  if  left  to  themselves,  as  moft  probably  will  con-^ 
tinue  to  be  the  cafe,  may  gradually  render  it  more  poj)ulous  and 

F  f  f  8  thriving* 


40+  JAMAICA- 

thriving.     There  is  in  this  ifland  no  want  of  fpacious  and  fccure  Kars^ 
hours,  nor  of  conveniencies  for  the  (hipping  that  refort  to  it ;  there  i^ 
not  finer  land  in  America  than  is  to  be  found  in  thofe  interior  parts  o£ 
the  ifland,  which  as  yet  are  uncultivated ;.  the  cUnsiate  there  is  ex- 
ceedingly healthful,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  good  appearance  and 
longevity  of  thofe  perfons.  Whites  or  Negroes,  who  are  feated  neareft 
to  them;  their  rains  are  certain,  and  they  abound  in  moft  places  with 
fine  water ;  bleft  with  every  advantage  that  nature  could  well  beftow 
upon  them,  it  has  been  often  a  matter  of  aftonifliment,  that  it  never 
occurred  to  the  legiflature  of  the  ifland  to  form  a  central  towfty  welK 
garrifoned,  which  would  not  only  fcrve  for  a  fecure  retreat  in  times 
of  danger,  but  become  the  feat  of  retirement  to  the  richer  femilies 
during  the  hot  months  j  and  where  the  health  and  long  lives  of  the 
inhabitants  might  compenfate  in  fome  degree  for  the  mortal  or  debili- 
tating effefts  of  thofe  putrid  dileafcs,  which  hold  their  empire  near 
the  Lagoons,  and  unwholefome  fpots  on  the  fea  coaft ;  the  places^ 
moft  adapted  to  commerce  arc  generally   (in  the  Weft  Indies)  the 
moft  unfuitable  to  health ;  in  fettling  all   riiefe  ifl^nds^  the  conve-- 
niency  of  (hipping,  and  other  neccflities,  obliged  the  colonifts  to  begin 
at  the  outlines,  and  fo  gradually  proceed  towards  the  center ;  it  had. 
been  better,  in  point  of  healdi  and  population,  if  the  firft  care  had 
been  to  traverfe  the  country  acrofs  with  two  or  three  principal  roads,, 
and  then  to  have  gradually  worked  from  the  center  to  the  extremi-- 
ties;  for  Europeans  migRt  be  brought  direftly  to  the  midland  parts,, 
and  continue  to  enjoy  uninterrupted  health  fo  long  as  they  remained.  * 
there;  the  air  and  difeafes  of  the  coaft  are  moft  to  be  dreaded  by  an. 
European   conftitution  :.  thefe  are  opinions  well  eftrablifhed,  by  ob« 
ferving,.  that  almoft  all  fuch  perfons  who  labour  under  difeafes  of  the- 
putrid  clafs,  contrafted  near  the  coaft,  immediately  recover  on  being 
carried  into  the  mountains ;  and  that  the  iettlers  who  live  neareft  the 
central  region  of  the  ifland,  and  their  Negroes,,  are  as  healthy  as  a 
like  number  in  any  given  part  of  Great  Britain.     The  inhabitants  are 
clofely  attached  to  the  interefts  of  their  mother  country,  nor  could 
they  ever  fall  a  prey  to  foreign  invaders,  if  the  ifland  was  more  cx- 
tenfively  cultivated  and  peopled.     Their  defence  would  then  confift 
not  fo  much  in.  courage,.,  as  in  the.  mountainous  faftncflcs  and  impene-  - 

trable 


BOOK  il.    CHAP.  II.  405 

Arable  barriers  raifed  by  the  hand  of  nature.    Thefe  were  the  muni* 
ments  which  enabled  a  defpicable  handful  of  Negroes  to  withftand 
every  afiault,  and  weary  out  theu:  opponents  in  a  war  of  near  fifty 
years ;,  and  although  reduced  at  length  to  terms,  they  were  fubdued 
not  by  force  of  arms,  but  by  treaty.     The  extenfion  of  fettlements 
here  is  a  meafure  c^  that  kind,  which  is  not  only  expedient,  but  very 
pra&icable :    among  the  obftacles  which  prefent  themfelves  agaiqil 
it,  we  may  confider  the  monopoly  of  lands,^  and  ill -regulated  date  of 
die  quit-rent  kws«     Douglas,  in  his  Hiftory  of  New  England,  re-* 
marks,  that^by  the  charter  of  that  province,  all.  vacant  or  unclaimed 
liands  were  to  be  veded  in  the  colledive  body  of  the  people,  or  in- 
habitants,, and  their  reprefentatives  in  general;  court  aiTembled,  who,^ 
with  conient  of  governor  and  council,    Ihould  make  grants  of  fiich 
lands  to  a  number  of  private  perfons  Co  be  incorporated  on  certain^ 
conditions  into  townfhips.     *^  If,  fays  he,  in  granting  thefe  lands, 
**  they  had  been  fubjefi  to  any  eafy  quit-rent,  thefe  lands  would 
"  have  been  fettled  compadly,.  and  improved  fooner ;  whereas  at  pre- 
^  fent  fbme  proprietors  of  large  trafts  do  not  fettle  or  fell,  bccaufe, 
^  being  at  no  charge  of  quit-rent,  and  not  in  the  valuation  of  rates  or 
"  taxes  for  the  provincial  charge  of  government^    they  choofe  to 
•*  let  tbem  lie  unimproved  many  y^ars  for  a  market.'*     This  rea- 
foning  is  applicable  to  Jamaica  ;  where,,  although  there  is^  a  quit-rent 
impofed  by  different  laws,  neverthelefs,  from  the  infufficiency  and  little 
obfervance  of  them,  they  have  been  a  meer  dead  letter,  and  null  in  the 
execution.    I  Ipeak  with' reference  to  the  laws  pafled  antecedent  to  the 
year  17685  for,  in  this  year,  a-newqjiiit-rcnt  aft  was  paffed  by  the 
aflembly,  which^  if  It  could  have  been  rendered  permanent,  afforded 
hope  of  proving  an  adequate  remedy.     Under  the  old  laws,  the  re- 
ceiver general  of  the  ifland,  if  the  quit-rents  were  not  regularly  paid, 
had  no  other  remedy  but  to  ifliie  writs  of  Djfiringas  againft  the  lands 
of  the  defaulter  for  which  the  quit-rents  were  in  arrear;  but,  as  it 
commonly  happened,  that  the  lands  fo  in  arrear  were  totally  un- 
cleared, and  unfettled,  no  levy  could  be  made  except  upon  the  trees 
and  weeds  growing  wild  upon  them ;  by  the  lame  laws  all  arrears  of 
quit-rent  were  made  to  carry   12/.  per  cent,  intereft,  if  not  paid  once 
in  every  three  years,  and  at  the  end  of  every  three  years  that  intereft 
was  made  principal.     But  the  parties  feldom  or  never  being  called^ 

upon; 


^(36  JAMAICA, 

upon,  and  the  laws  never  being  enforced  with  ftriftnefs,  through  fear 
perhaps  of  dlfobliging  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  ifland ;  and  ia 
faft  the  arrears  being  treated  by  all  parties  with  that  negligence  which 
ufually  attends  crown  debts,  they  were  fufFered  to  grow  up  inta 

enormous  fums,  and  then  either  compounded  for,  or  regarded  as  ob- 
folete.  The  law  pafl'ed  in  1768  encouraged  all  owners  to  give  in  an 
inventory  or  lid  of  their  lands,  upon  oath,  and  contained  penal  claufes 
for  that  purpofe,  and  reduced  the  intereft  upon  all  arrears  to  6/.  per 
cent,  provided  the  debtors  gave  bond  for  the  payment  in  twelve  months 
time.  It  enabled  moreover,  that  in  future  the  patented  lands  fhould 
be  regularly  given  in  or  accounted  f<M:  once  a  year  before  the  jufiices 
and  veftry  in  every  refpeftive  parifli  or  precindt,  and  the  quit-rents 
regularly  collefted  by  an  eafy  mode,  together  with  the  other  annual 
public  taxes.  This  meafure  was  much  wanted,  and  it  refieded  great 
honour  upon  the  legiflature  that  paiTed  the  a£t ;  becaufe  it  has  gene- 
rally, and  with  good  reafon,  been  conjeftured,  that  the  members  of 
the  legiOature,  being  men  of  large  landed  property  in  the  ifland,  and 
ibme  of  them  unconfcionable  monopolies,  coniidered  the  quit-rent 
26  a  fpecies  of  land  tax,  and  combined  together  to  excufe  themfelves 
from  paying  it,  or  to  obftruft  the  making  a  public  difcovery  of  the 
large  uncultivated  tracts  in  their  pofleflion  lying  ufelefs  to  themfelves, 
and  unbeneficial  to  the  colony  or  the  nation  [^].  The  bringing  all 
fach  hoarded  territories  to  light  therefore,  and  obliging  the  owners, 
hy  a  regular  payment  of  quit-rent,  to  part  with  their  fuperfluities,  or 
pay  for  what  could  make  them  no  return,  if  they  perfifted  to  keep 
them  in  their  own  hands,  bids  fair  to  become  a  firil  ilep  towards  a 
more  efifedual  improvement  of  the  ifland ;  for  which  reafons  it  is  to 
be  wiflied  that  the  aft  may  be  rendered  perpetual.  Not  many  years 
ago  it  was  aflerted^  that  in  the  fingle  parifli  of  St.  James  there  were 
106,352  acres  patented,  the  property  of  only  about  132  perfons,  of 
which  10  were  only  nominal  proprietors,  poflcffing  only  from  35 
io  40  acres  each  at  an  average.  This  quantity  is,  L  believe,  rather  more 

{^]  From  the  year  1739  ^'^  1760,  «o  tefs  than  ^'J.QS?  ^crcs  of  hnd  were  forfated,  hy  default 
of  the  proprietors,  in  not  opening  iive  oaesfer  anmtm^  as  the  law  direds ;  and  for  non-payineot 
of  qult-tisnts ;  and  about  ^0,000  acres  were  in  that  time  patented,  the  greater  part  after  the 
year  1752,  But  fo  ill  have  the  quit-rents  been  collected,  that  from  1756  to  1760  (four  years) 
.only  1)102/.  4/.  ^d.  came  into  the  receiver  general's  ofBce,  notwithfianding  it  is  certain  that^ 
if  iluly  colledtedy  they  would  amount  to  4,000/.  per  atmtim* 

than 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  11.  407, 

t^afl  the  whole  iiland  of  Barbadoes  contains,  in  which  are  reckoned^ 
not  quite  100,000  acres;  yet  this  little  ifland  is  faid  to  have  main-* 
tained,  in  the  year  1676,  feventy.tboufand  Whites,  and  eighty  thou* 
fand  Blacks,  in  all  1 50,000  fouls. .   Let  this  contraft  fpeak  for  itfelf, 
and  convince  every  thinking  man^of  how  little  value  his  acres  are,  if 
kept  in  a  wildernefs. .  Itmuft  however  be  faid  of  this  parifli,  tbac^ . 
confidering  its  prefent  improved  ftate,  it.promifes  to  eclipfe  every  other: 
XQ  the.  ifland; .  The  land  is  excellently  well  adapted  to  the  cane,  makea 
an  immediate .  good  return,  though .  frefli  .broke  up, .  and  it  is  well  re- 
firjeflijcd  with- fea&>nable. rains.     The : fettlements  have  encreafed. there,: 
with  prodigious  rapidity  within  thele  fe w.  years  :paft»  infbmuch  that 
1(  yields  at  this  time  more  hogfheads  of  fugar  than  .any  of  the  other ' 
p^ifhes. .   It  may  be  flill  further  improved,  by  encouraging  and  fet* 
ting  on  foot  fmalt  fettlements  in  thofe  parts  where  land,  by  reaibn  of 
the.diftance  from  the  fea,.  is  ta^be  got.at  a.  moderate  rate..  Thefe. 
interior  fettlsrs  would  open  the  woods,  and,  in  procefs  of  time,  their. 
fqEiall  polTeffions  be  confolidated. into. larger edates ;  as  thefe  continued. 
tO;  advance,  .the  new  beginners  would  retire  ftill. further  inland,  to; 
break  up  fre(b.  grounds,  and  raiie  commodities,  ..which,  by  the  light-. 
ne(s  of  ;bulk9  and.  value  .of  quality,  might  compenfate  for.  the  length. 
of  carriage^   It  is  aiTertedi  that-  25  acres  of  hnd,  cultivated  in  indigo,  . 
which  requires  310  Negroe  labourers,  will  produce  above  800 /♦  Her- 
lipg  per  anntm^.   To  begin  fuch  a  fettlement,.^  capital, would  be  ne- 
cefiary  of  about  i  ooo /».  fterling^  Two  perfon3  joining  ftock,  might  be . 
ahle  to  fumifli  thi*.  capitaLwithout  borrowing.;  and  as  the  wages  now 
given  to  ovcrfcers  arefrom,ioo/.  to  3eoAiierling,/^^r  annuwylht  greater 
piSM^t  of  .which  they,  may  lay  up, , if  .they  are  gpod  oeconomifts,  it  is 
prpbable^thatf  if  land  was  to.  be  gpt  at  an  eaiy  rate,  andfuitable  en-,- 
GQuragement  given  ,by  the  iegifl^ture,  in  remitting  their,  taxes,  for  a. 
tcym  of  yearsi;^,making  fubJftantial  carriage  .  roads  to  the  fiiipping . 
plape  ;  or  other  helps,  as  they  might  judg^  moft  proper,  many  fuck 
'  P5rfbns  would  lay  out, their  .acquifitions  in  this  way,  to  .the  great 
benefit  of.  the  public.     It  has  been  computed,  that  one  hundred  acres 
of ,  coffee^  which  require  not  more  than  the  fame  number  of  Negroes,, 
wpuld  yiejd  equal  profit  annually.     Other  articles,  might  likewife  be. 
Pp.inted  out,  but  thefe  will  more  properly  appear  in  .the.  fubfequent, 
parX  of  this  work }  and  among  fuch  a  v.ariety  ofprodu6Uons  as  might 

3:  b^-^ 


40?  JAMAICA. 

be  cultivated  on  thcfe  fmaller  fcales,  there  can  be  little  difficulty  lit 
feiefting  fuch  as  may  be  the  beft  adapted  to  the  inclination,  ability, 
or  capacity,  of  any  induftrious  planter.  The  neighbouring  cplonietf 
have  not  been  backward  in  promoting  a  more  extenfive  population^ 
regarding  it  as  the  true  fource  of  wealth  and  fecurity.  Nor  has  the 
legiflature  of  Jamaica  been  entirely  fupine  in  its  endeavours  to  attain  the 
like  good  end ;  but  it  has  been  unfortunate  in  the  choice  of  means^ 
and,  after  la^^ifliiiig  vaft  fums  on  an  ill-regulated  plan,  which  of  courfe 
mifcarried,  it  feems  to  have  given  up  as  imprafiicable,  what  needed 
only  a  fteadinefs  of  purfuit  joined  with  more  difcretion  in  the  con* 
dtift  of  it,  to  tnfwer  the  purpofes  intended. 

The  aflembly  of  South  Carolina,  about  two  years  fince,  pafitd  an 
aft  for  augmenting  the  bounty  to  be  given  to  poor  Protcftant  fettlers^ 
which  it  fixed  at  the  following  rates :   to  every  perfon  above  the  age 
of  twelve  years,  4  /.  fterling ;  between  two  years  and  twelve,    2  /. ; 
and  under  two  years,  i  /- :  added  to  this  is  the  King's  bounty  of  100 
^cres  of  land,  where-ever  the  party  dcfires  to  have  it  located,  provided 
it  has  not  been  granted  before,  to  the  head  of  every  family  male,  and 
female ;  and  fifty  acres  for  every  child,  indented  fervant  or  (lave,  of 
which  the  family  confifts.     The  provifion  therefore  here  made  for  a 
a  man,  his  wife,  three  children,  and  two  Negroes  (for  example)  is 
every  way  adequate  to  their  firft  eftabliflunent.     Such  ai  family  fct$ 
out  with  a  certain  advance  in  money  of  about  15/.  fterling  per  arm. 
and  upwards  of  400  acres  of  land ;  this  allowance  of  land  is  perhaps 
not  too  much  in  a  North  American  province,  where  the  foil  is  much 
inferior  in  fertility  to  that  of  the  Weft  Indian  iftands ;  and  the  boun« 
ty  granted  for  fubfiftence  may  poffibly  go  further  in  purchaling  the 
tieceftaries  of  life  ;  but  it  will  be  underftood  that  I  have  not  proj>oied 
this  ad  of  the  Carolina  aflembly  as  a  model  of  what  ought  to  lie 
praftifed  in  Jamaica,  but  only  to  (hew  with  what  ardour  the  d&er 
colonies,  and  this  among  the  reft,  which  is  far  bettd*  peopled  than 
Jamaica,  have  purfued  the  great  objeft  of  encreafing  their  ftock  of 
inhabitants,  and  by  means  the  beft  adapted  to  their  refpeftive  drctun-^^ 
ftances.     The  colony  of  Antigua  for  a  long  time  lay  under  very* 
great  inconveniences  from  the  unequal  diftribution  of  its  lands ;  but 
the  legiflature  of  the  ifland,  having  obferved  how  much  the  keeping  cl" 
uncultivated  lands  contributed  to  prevent  induftry  and  the  growth 

of 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.   II.       .  409 

of  tfadr  fettlements,  laid  a  tax  oi  jive  Jhillings  per  acre  on  all  manura« 
1>le  lands,  that  ihould  not  forthwith  be  opened  and  cultivated.  The 
cfFeft  anfwered  their  expedation  fo  well,  that  moft  of  the  richer  lands  in 
the  ifland  were  fbon  after  in  cotton  or  canes ;  for  every  perfon  exerted 
his  whole  fttength  and  induftry  upon  this  occaiion,  and  gave  up 
fuch  lands  as  he  could  have  no  profpeft  of  pofieiling  free  from  the 
tax;  thefe  were  diftributed  again  among  the  new  comers,  as  well  as 
fuch  of  the  inhabitants  who  had  no  poiTeilions  before. 

I  have  been  informed  by  a  gentleman  of  Barbadoes,  that  the  extraor- 
dinary populoufhefs  of  that  ifland  fome  years  ago  was  efi&6led  chiefly 
by  granting  out  lots  of  ten  acres  each  to  poor  fettlers,  and  white  fer* 
vants,  who  had  fulfilled  the  term  of  their  indentures.  Thefe  perfons 
found  ten  acres  fufBcient  to  provide  them  with  the  neceflaries  of  life ; 
many  of  them  fupported  themfelves  by  the  manufa£lure  of  cotton  ham- 
mocks, of  which  fbme  were  confumed  in  the  ifland,  and  the  refl: 
exported  to  the  adjacent  French  and  Englifli  colonies.  Moft  of  thefe 
lots  were  afterwards  bought  up  by  richer  men,  and  turned  into  fugar 
works ;  by  which  means,  ten  lots,  which  had  ufed  to  fupport  as  many 
diflerent  families,  became  vefled  in  one  man,  and  the  late  occupiers^ 
with  the  purchafe-money  in  their  hands,  left  the  ifland  to  eftabliih 
themfelves  in  other  places,  where  land  was  to  be  had  in  greater  plenty 
and  at  a  cheaper  rate.  This  fcheme  therefore,  though  it  fervcd  very 
well  at  firfl:  the  purpofe  of  crowding  the  ifland  with  inhabitants,  yet 
was  ytty  ill  accommodated  to  fo  fmall  a  territory  after  it  was 
once  fulEciently  flocked :  that  they  gained  a  fupcrfluity  of  people, 
is  clear  by  their  going  into  a  cotton  manufadure ;  and  a  manu&dure 
of  that  fpecies,  which  was  neither  very  profitable  or  neceflary  to 
themfelves,  nor  at  all  ierviceable  to  the  mother  country  :  here  then 
the  combination  of  feveral  of  thefe  little  parcels  into  one  fugar  eftate^ 
was  eflentially  advantageous  to  both ;  the  inhabitants  that  were  drivea 
off  could  well  be  fpared,  and  they  withdrew  to  the  cultivation  of 
new  fpots  in  other  iflands,  which  wanted  people,  and  where  their  la- 
bours produced  a  happier  effeft.  It  is  difficult,  as  I  conceive,  wholly 
to  prevent,  by  any  law,  this  kind  of  land  monopoly,  without  admit- 
ting a  much  greater  mifchief  in  the  room  of  it.  For  if  fettlers  have 
not  ultimately  a  fee-limple  right  in  the  lands  affigned  them,  fo  as 
that  they  may^  at  a  certain  period,  fell  or  diipofe  of  them  at  plea* 

Vol.  I.  G  g  g  fure; 


4ia  JAMAICA. 

furc ;  or  if  they  arc  too  much  cramped  in  their  views  of  extendmg 
their  territory  by  purchafing  around  them,  none  will  be  induced  to 
fettle.  The  great  objeft  (hould  be,  to  compel  the  opening  and  plant- 
ing of  a  certain  quantity  yearly,  on  pain  of  forfeiture.  In  Jamaica 
no  bad  confequences  are  likely  to  enfue  from  the  apportioning  of 
fmall  lots,  and  their  confolidation  afterwards  into  fugar  works ;  be- 
caiife  the  diftodged  fettlers  would  not  go  off  the  iOand,  but  fpread 
themfelves  in  a  country  where  there  is  room  enough  ;  and  employ 
their  money  in  purchafe  of  a  larger  property  in  fome  other  diflriA 
of  it ;  being  fenfible  that  they  could  not  hope  to  acquire  more  land 
in  quantity,  much  fuperior  in  quality,  or  at  a  cheaper  rate,  in  any 
of  the  other  Weft  India  colonies.  Of  thefe  different  fchemes,  that 
of  the  Antigua  legiflature  fcems  moft  applicable  ^  to  the  prefent  flate 
of  Jamaica.  An  heavy  tax  laid  upon  all  manurable  land,  not  em^ 
ployed  in  culture,  muft  inevitably  occafion  the  furrender  of  many 
thoufand  acres  of  land  back  to  the  crown,  to  be  re*granted  either  to 
perfons  invited  over  to  fettle,  or  thoTe  already  in  the  ifland  unpof* 
ieifed  of  any  land.  After  the  redu<ftion  of  the  wild  N^roes,  the 
aflembly  caufed  large  tra^s,  which  had  been  patented  but  never  opened^ 
tp  be  re-afTumed  and  granted  out  to  new  fettlers  ;  fome  of  the  pro« 
prietors  received  a  compofition  for  their  property,  and  others  nothing ; 
but  it  was  more  equitable  that  a  few  individuals  (hould  fufler  a  lo(s 
which  they  were  very  able  to  bear,  than  that  the  whole  community  (hould 
be  deprived  of  thofe  advantages,  which  it  was  rightly  forefeen  would 
accrue  to  them  from  the  fettlcment  of  thefe  lands.  The  confequencc 
has  juftified  the  meafure ;  for  there  are  now  many  valuable  fugar 
eftates,  where,  it  is  probable,  there  would  have  been  nothing  but  a 
wildernefs,  fuch  as  exifted  before  this  wife  and  fpirited  proceeding 
took  effect.  The  complaint  here  is,  not  the  want  of  good  land,  but 
the  not  employing  it  to  ufeful  purpofes :  leaving  it,  therefore,  to  the 
affembly  to  re-claim  thefe  unfettled  tratts  by  the  mode  already  prac* 
tifed,  or  fuch  other  as  may  appear  moft  fuitable  to  times  and  cir* 
cumftances,  I  (hall  proceed  to  offer  fome  considerations  on  the  means 
of  peopling  fuch  trafts,  moft  likely  to  fncceed  ;  prefuming  that  the 
plans,  hitherto  direfted  to  this  objeft,  have  mifcarried  more  through 
defedl  in  their  regulation,  than  a  want  of  money  to  fupport  them ; 
for  it  muft  be  allowed  that  the  aflembly  (hewed  no  difpofition  to  fpare 

any 


BOOK   n-    CHAP.   n.  411 

:»ny  cxpence ;  and  what  they  granted  from  time  to  time  was  more 
than  fufiicient,  to  have  compafled  the  end  propofed. 


SECT.        VI. 

THE  want  of  people  is  in  nothing   more  confpicuoiis>  in  an 
ifland  capable  of  producing  any  quantity  of  certain  ricceffaries,  than 
the  inability  of  its  inhabitants  to  produce  of  themfelves  a  fufEciency 
for  their  own    confumption ;  yet  I  do  not  know  whether  we  are 
not  to  afcribe  fomething  to  a  want  of  due  induftry  and  attention.    It 
muft  be  thought  very  extraordinary,  that,  when  a  handful  of  Spaniards 
were  in  poflefSon  of  Jamaica,  they  were  able  to  flaughter  S 0,000 
hogs  every  year  for  their  lard,  which  was  an  article  of  their  export ; 
and  that  the  Englifb,  who  neither  carry  on  that  branch  of  traffick, 
nor  diet  fo  much  on  pork,  fliould  be  neceffitated  to  import  hogs : 
there  is  a  better  reaibn  to  be  given  for  their   importation  of  mules, 
hoHes,  and  cattle;  particularly   in  times  preceding  that  great  im- 
provement made  in  the  manufaftory  of  fugar,  by  fubftituting  vdnd 
and  water  mills,  in  the  place  of  cattle  mills ;  the  confumption  of  thefe 
animals  muft  in  thofe  times  have  been  exceedingly  great,  what  with 
the  fcverity  of  their  labour,  and  badnefs  of  the  roads.     It  is  evident, 
whatever  might  be  the  caufe  of  this  demand,  that  two  things  only 
were  principally  wanting,  to  enable  the  ifland  to  fupply  it  without 
having  recourfe  to  importation  from  foreign  parts.     The  firft  was, 
a  uifEcient  ftock  of  indijftrious  inhabitants  to  have  been  employed  in 
breeding  the  number  of  thefe   animals  proportioned  to  the  annual 
confumption ;  the  fecond,  the  patriotic   endeavours  and  fubfidies  of 
the  aflembly,  as  well  for  encouraging  fuch  breeding  farms,  as  for 
making  good  roads  in  every  diftri£t^  at  the'  public  charge,  whereby 
the  internal  parts  of  the  country  muft  have  been  fettled  and  improved 
with  greater  facility,  and  the  wafte  of  cattle  in  great  meafure  pre- 
vented.    If  10,000  /.  per  annum  had  been  annually  voted  for  thefe 
purpofes,  and  honeftly  appropriated,  the  ifland  would  have  annually 
gained  that  fum,  by  rendering  the  importation  from  foreigners  inex* 
pedient.     This  may  appear   as  convincingly  to  others  as  it  does  to 
me,  from  the  following  ftate  of  thefe  imports  for  20  years. 

G  g  g  2  The 


J^IZ 


JAMAICA. 


Bornei 

Cattle. 


H9t<€$. 


Mnlct.  lAflo* 


Imported  from  1729  to  1759    —    —    —  '    ih|    »5®^ 

Ditto  from  1739  to  1749    — •    ^-.    —    —  iipl    2536 


*43l    403^>o,477 


4285 
6192 


*43 
148 


391 


825 
2560 


338s 


1291 
2901 


419: 


The  average  coft  of  thefe  to  the  ifland  was,  during  the  firft  ten 

years,  about  io,oeo/.  per  annum j  and  during  the  laft  about  1 1,000 /» 

The  increafed  number  of  iheep  and  hogs,  during  the  laft  ten  jear^^ 

was  probably  owing  to  the  war,  and  the  large  armament  coUefted  at 

Jamaica,  which  increafed  the  confumption  of  thofe  animals ;  bu^  the 

former  feries,  being  a  time  of  peace,   1 0,000 /•  may  be  taken  as  tl)C 

average  lofs  to  the  ifland  upon  thefe  imports  ;  but,  if  the  like  imports 

were  now  to  be  made,  the  lofs  would  be  annually  greater  by  at  leaft 

5000  /.  on  account  of  their  enhanced  prices  to  the  importer,  parti;- 

cularly  the    article  of  mules;    By  a  calculation,  made  in  the  year 

1751,  it  was  fuppofed  that  the    planters  required  a  yearly  recruit 

of  2700  mules,  which,  at  18  /.  per  head  to  the  importer,  cofi:  48,600/1. 

But  fuppofing  only  one  thoufand  to  be  imported,  and  the  prime  coft 

at  an  average  15  /.  per  head„  making  in  the  whole  1 5,000/.  here  is 

furniihed  a  proof,  either  of  a  want  of  inhabitants,  a  great  defeft  of 

induftry,  or  a  want  of  due  attention  on  the  part  of  the  allembly  to 

the  ftate  of  the  ifland,  in  their  not  having  promoted  fufficiently  the 

breedmg  of  mules,  confidering  the  ample  room  and  conveniency  of 

pafiurage  for  this  purpofe.     There  were  at  that  time  450    fugae 

eftates  in  the  ifland ;  that  number  has  increafed  to  upwards  of  650,^ 

and  confequently  a  ftock  of  3900  mules  at  leaft  is  required,  which 

coft  the  planters,  from  the  breeder  or  importer,  at  a  medium  of  zS  L 

^^r  head,  the  fum  of  109,200 /•  annually.     I  cannot  take  upon  me 

to  affirm  what  the  prefent  importation   amounts  to ;,  but  it  is  prpr 

bably  not  lels   than  heretofore.     If  we  compute  about  200  farms 

where  mules  are  now  bred,  and  that  they  fupply  twelve  each  every 

year  at  an  average,  in  all  2400,  there  remain   15.00  to  be  brought 

in  by  importation.     There  is  likewife  a  confiderable  importation  of 

horned  cattle  from  the  Spanifii  coaft,.  for  the  markets,  as  well  as  for 

labour  and  breeding :  does  it  not  then  appear  manifeft  that  the  ifland 

produces  as  yet  not  fufficient  for  its  own  confumption  ?  and  what 

xeafou 


BOOK   IL    CHAP.   IL  ^rj 

reafon  can  be  alBgned  for  this,  other  than  that  there  are  not  breeding 
farms  or  penns  in  fufficient  number  hitherto  eftablifhed. 
•    Many  perfons  have  been  deterred  from  engaging  their  time  and 
capitals  in  this  way ;  imagtmng,  that  a  glut  would  be  the  confequence^ 
and  the  price  of  cattle  and  mules  be  lowered,  becaufe  the  Spanifh 
l)reed  are  imported,  and  fold  at  a  cheaper  rate  than  they  can  afford', 
and  make  a  fuitable  profit.     But  this  is  not  always  the  cafe;  for  I 
have  known  by  experience,  that  the  importers  themfelves,  and  the 
capital  dealetSj  who  purchafe  whole  cargoes  from  the  importers  to  fell 
out  again^  demafid  and  get  the  £ime  price  for  them  that  is  ufually 
given  for  thole  bred  in  the  ifland,  notwkhHanding  that  one  of  the 
latter  breed  is  worth  intrkifically  more,  and  will  go  through  more 
j^al  fervice  and  labour,  than  two  of  the  Spanifli.     But  the  fecret  iSy. 
that  mofl  men  have  a  prejudice  in  favour  of  foreign  articles,,  defpiiing 
their  own,   though  far  fuperior  in   value;  and  befides,   the  ifland 
breeders  require  immediate  pay  in  ca(H  upon  delivery  of  the  beails 
they  fell ;  whereas  the  others  give  credit  for  a  twelvemonth  or  more 
to  the  buyers,  their  profits  being  i[>  enormous,  as  in  fbme  cafes  t<» 
double  the  whole  purehafe-money  of  their  cargo,  and  therefore  they 
can  well  afford  to  wait  fb  long  for  payment,  fecuring  interefl  at  6  /« 
per  cent*  in  the  mean  time  for  their  money  ;  and  this  is  a  temptatioa 
which  rarely  fails  of  fucoeeding  with  the  m^ority  of  the  planters^ 
who  have  not  the  command  of  ready  money  for  the  market.     But 
unlefs  it  can  be  clearly  proved^  that,  upder  ^colour  of  this  mule  tr^de^ 
any  bullion  or  other  commodities  of  value  are  brought  into  the  ifland, 
it  would  be  a  falutary  and  very  excellent  provifion  of  the  aflembly,  if 
they  were  to  lay  a  certain  tax  or  duty,  to  be  annually  augmented, 
upon  every  beail  fo  imported ;   and  if,  at  the  fame  time,  the  ifland 
breeders  would  all  ailbciate,  and  agree  to  give  a  credit  of  fix  or  nine 
months,  fo  as  to  enable  the  poorer  planter  to  defray  the  cofl  of  bis 
purchafe  out  of  his  next  or  fucceeding  crop.     Such  a  tax  (eems  fat 
more  politic  than  the  forty  (hillings  ^r  head  on  Negroes  imported,  whiclx 
raiies  the  price  of  them  to  every  induflrious  fettler,  for  it  comes  out 
of  his  pocket ;  and  it  mufl  be  acknowledged  he  is  very  ill  able  to  beat 
it ;  neither  is  the  advantage  gained  from  it,  as  an  article  of  revenue^ 
equivalent  to  the  injury  fuflained ;  for  the  dearer  the  implements  of 
iaboiu:  are  rendered  to  the  planter,  the  leis  will  be  the  inducement  for 

c  mem 


414  JAMAICA, 

men  to  begin  upon  new  fettlements ;  but  thcfe,  when  once  efiablifh- 
cd,  are  able  to  contribute  to  the  fupport  of  government  far  more 
largely  in  other  different  ways.  It  never  occurred  to  the  afiemblj, 
although  it  is  an  obvious  faft,  that  every  buyer  of  thofe  Negroes  is 
burthened  with  three  dtflerent  taxes ;  the  firft  on  their  importation, 
the  fecond  the  public  or  current  impoft  of  the  year,  either  for  dcfi* 
ciency  or  poll ;  the  third  the  parochial,  all  of  which  together  make 
in  the  firft  year  an  addition  of  no  lefs  than  a  /•  5  i.  per  head,  on  the 
price  of  every  Ncgroe  he  purchafes,  which  operates  as  a  very  great 
'difcouragement  to  poor  fettlers.  It  does  not  appear  to  me,  that  the 
mule  trade  can  be  proved  to  be  introdu^tive  of  any  other  more  lu* 
crative  branch ;  on  the  contrary,  I  know,  upon  the  moft  authentic 
information,  that  vaft  abundance  of  our  fmall  hammered  iilver, 
royals  and  piftorins,  has  been  conftantly  exported,  together  with 
dollars,  for  purchafiug  mules  and  cattle ;  fometimes  rum  has  been 
carried  out  in  barricoes,  or  finall  calks ;  but  this  rum  was  fold  on  the 
coaft  to  buy  dollars,  which  were  diredly  laid  out  in  mules  and  cat« 
tie ;  in  every  refpeft  it  feems  to  be  a  traffick  extremely  pernicious  to 
the  ifland,  and  it  is  from  this  confideration  probably  that  it  has  been 
more  connived  at  by  the  Spaniards  than  any  other.  £xclufive  of 
the  more  expeniive  undertakings,  there  are  many  other  means  that 
offer  to  whife  families,  poiTefled  of  very  little,  by  which  they  may 
thrive,  and  become,  if  not  opulent,  at  lead  independent  and  happy. 
Thefe  are,  the  cultivation  of  corn,  and  other  provifions  ;  the  breed- 
ing of  flieep,  goats,  hogs,  turkies,  geefc,  and  other  poultry,  rabbits, 
pigeons,  &c« ;  for  moil  of  which  there  is  a  confiant  demand ;  nor 
Vould  the  rich  planters  turn  their  attention  to  the  providing  of 
thefe  minute  articles  and  neceifaries  on  their  own  eftates,  if  they 
could  be  regularly  fupplied,  and  at  a  moderate  rate,  by  others ;  for 
they  could  beflow  their  time,  and  the  labour  of  their  Negroes,  to 
more  important  purpofes.  I  doubt  not  but  the  fingle  manufadure  of 
oil  from  tl>e  ricinus,  or  oil-nut  (which  plant  may  be  cultivated, 
and  the  oil  drawn,  with  very  little  trouble  and  expencc)  for  the  fup- 
ply  of  the  fugar  eftates,  would  maintain  a  whole  family  through  the 
year  very  comfortably  with  all  the  neceflaries  of  life,  and  leave  fome 
faving  beiides.  For  example,  1000  gallons  of  it  fold  at  3^.  \\d. 
per  gallon,  which  is  near  6  d.  per  gallon  lefs  than  the  price  of  the 
2  imported 


BOOK   II.    CHAR   IL  415 

imported  oil,  would  produce  156A  5^.  One  acre  of  ground  planted 
with  thefe  trees  would  fupply  nuts  for  a  much  larger  quantity ;  and 
one  advantage  belonging  to  them  is,  that  they  may  be  planted  on  the 
fides  of  gullies,  and  other  wafte  fpots,  where  neither  canes  nor  provi* 
fions  are  ufually  cultivated.  Suppofing  40,000  gallons  to  be  the 
yearly  confumption  of  the  ifland,  here  is  at  once  a  provifion  for 
forty  poor  fcttlers ;  indeed  it  might  only  furnifh  one  proportion  of 
their  gains^  becaufe  it  would  occupy  ib  little  of  their  time,  as  to  give 
them  leifure  fufficient  for  other  articles  of  profit. 

Thefe  particulars  I  briefly  touch  upon,  as  hints,  leading  to  a  more 
cxtenfive  enquiry  after  a  multitude  of  ufeful  produftions,  vvhich  might 
fuppert  numbers  of  fmall  fettlers,  fixed  on  ready >  cleared  fpots,  prcv^ 
perly  encouraged,  and  maintained  at  the  public  charge  for  a  re^on- 
able  time,  until  they  could  fubfift  by  the  fruits  of  their  own  induibry^ 
The  art  of  making  indigo  has  been  in  great  meafure  lod  to  the  ifland 
for  feveral  years.  There  were  formerly  upwards  of  feventy  gentle* 
mens  carriages  kept  in  the  little  parifli  of  Vere,  the  vaft  profits  of 
their  indigo-works  enabled  them  ta  live  in  fiich  fplendor ;.  and  that 
part  of  the  country,  for  its  number  of  houfes  and  inhabitants,  on  both 
fides  the  Rio  Minho,^  refembled  a  populous  town.  But  an  injudicious 
duty,  impofed  and  too  long  continued  by  parliament,  ruined  and  cx^ 
tirpated  the  manufadure ;  and  the  defblation  of  that  fatal  a  A  is  to  he- 
traced  at  this  very  day  in  the  ruins  of  once  crowded  houfes,.  and  the 
few  and  fcattered  inhabitants  now  to  be  found  there.  When  the 
parliament  found  their  error,  it  was  not  too  late  to  have  revived  the 
manu&dure  in  this  ifland ;.  it  was  in  truth  nothing  more  than  juftice,. 
that,  after  ruining  fo  capital  a  branch  of  produce,  and  fo  many  in^ 
duftrious  families,  the  miilake  (hould  have  been  repaired,,  with  cir- 
cumflances  particularly  favourable  to  that  i{land»  by  granting  a  bounty 
for  a  certain  term  of  years  upon  all  indigo  growaupon,  and  imported^ 
from,  Jamaica.  Inftead  of  this,  the  parliament  wese  hurried  into  a. 
worfe  error,  by  encouraging  the  importation  of  this  article  from  any 
place  whatfoevcr  indifcriminately,  and  in  foreign  bottoms,  as  well  as 
Britifli.  ThuS)  after  they  had  abolifhed  the  mamifadure  in  Jamaica,, 
they  followed  the  blow,  by  inviting  foreigners  to  go  upon  this  artk- 
cle,  and  even  relaxed  the  aft  of  navigation  in  their  favour ;  the  con- 
iequence  of  which  was,  that  the  French  at  Hifyaniola  immediately^ 

took 


4i6  JAMAICA. 

took  it  up,  and  have  fince  gone  on  with  it  fo  cxtcnfively  and  fuc- 
•cefsfully,  as  to  prevent  its  being  effeftually  refumed  in  Jamaica ;  nor 
has  the  premium  fome  years  fince  granted  upon  indigo  of  Britifli 
growth  hitherto  availed  to  retrieve  it ;  yet  it  might  not  be  impradi* 
cable  to  fet  it  on  foot  to  advantage  once  more  in  Jamaica.  It  has 
lately  been  introduced  with  very  great  fiicceis,  and  carried  to  great 
perfeflion,  by  two  or  three  gentlemen  in  the  parifti  of  St.  Thomas  in 
the  EaiVy  and  their  indigo  has  been  thought  equal  to  the  beft  French; 
what  remains  is,  a  dill  higher  encouragement  from  the  parliament^ 
or  at  leafi  the  legiflature  of  Jamaica,  by  a  premium  on  every  loo  Ib^ 
weight,  under  proper  reftridtions,  and  proofs,  in  regard  to  its  growth 
and  manufadure  within  the  ifland,  to  prevent  any  fraudulent  mix- 
ture of  Hifpaniola  indigo^  and  alfo  rating  the  premium  according  to 
the  market  value  of  the  dye,  by  the  efiimation  of  refpedabie  judges 
on  their  oaths.  I  may  repeat  what  I  have  before  obferved,  that  there 
can  be  no  want  of  good  land  for  thefe  experiments,  fo  long  as  there 
remain  fiich  large  tra£ts  in  wafte.  A  re^aflumption  of  lands  for- 
feited, or  furrendered  on  non-payment  of  quit-rents,  and  a  fevere 
tax  upon  all  unlettled  lands,  would  foon  inform  the  legiflature,  on  the 
expediency  of  a  ftfrther  population,  while  they  pointed  oiit  the  di- 
ilrids  mod  in  need  of  it  The  re*aiIumption  at  Bagnall's  thickets  in 
6t.  Mary*s  parifli,  once  a  harbour  for  Negroe  thieves  and  murder- 
ers, whilft  the  lands  continued  in  the  poiTeflion  of  their  firft  owners, 
who  were  unable  to  fettle  them,  occafioned  that  diftrid  to  become 
a  well-fetded  and  profitable  part  of  the  ifland*  Experience  is  a  good 
projedor,  and  has  pointed  out  the  utility  of  carrying  the  like  vigo- 
rous meafure  into  effed  in  other  parts,  without  refped  to  perfons. 

The  whole  number  of  inhabitants  adually  living  in  the  ilbnd  at 
this  time  is  probably  not  much  lefs  than  200,0^0,  iucluding  all  com- 
plexions. If  then  the  remainder  of  the  land  that  is  proper  for  culti- 
vation was  equally  well  fettled,  k  would  add  a  flock  of  near  thrice  as 
many  more  of  inhabitants,  or  600,000  ;  in  all  800,000.  But  admitting 
^nly  as  many  more,  or  in  all  400,000,  let  us  refle6t  a  little  on  the 
amazing  increafe  fuch  an  addition  miifl  caufe  to  the  confumptioa  of 
Britifh  manufa£lure  and  product ;  to  the  national  revenues,  naviga- 
tion, and  trade ;  the  multitude  of  perfons  in  the  mother  country 
who  would  get  their  bread  and  maintenance  by  this  accefllon  of  in- 

dufirious 


BOOK   11.    CHAP.  II.  417 

xluftrious  labourers  : — The  clear  profit  drawn  from  this  ifland  yearly 
ty  Great  Britain  is  not  eaiy  to  afcertain  ;  fince,  exclufive  of  the  con- 
fumption  of  its  inhabitants,  the  fupply  of  their  particular  dcnmnds, 
the  African  trade,  education  of  youth,  intereft  of  money,  remittances 
to  abfentees,  and  all  other  emoluments  gained  upon  the  ifland  itfelf 
•in  every  way,  there  is  a  large  fum  which  arifes  from  its  connexion 
with  the  Britifh  and  foreign  fettlements  in  America ;  the  clear  gain, 
allowing  the  duties  and  cuftoms  on  the  ifland-produce  to  be  paid  by 
the  European  confumer,  and  therefore  not  to  be  credited  to  the  ifland, 
has  by  fome  been  eftimated  at  about  700,000/.   fl:erling  per  annum  i 
but  it  is  certainly  more  :  yet,  taking  it  at  this  fum,  is  it  not  a  noble 
tribute  to  Great  Britain  for  her  care  and  protedion  ?  and  ought  not 
every  proper  meafure  to  be  confidered  at  home,  as  well  as  in]the  ifland, 
for  encreafing  its  population  and  produfts  ?  For  fince  this  is  very  fea- 
fible,  what  advantages  may  not  Great  Britain  hereafter  draw  from  it, 
as  it  is  capable,  with  a  moderate  further  improvement,  and  extenfion 
of  fettlements,  to  prefent  her  parent  ftate  with  much  more  than  a 
clear  million  every  year,  befides  finding  employment  for  artificers  and 
manufacturers  of  almoft  every  denomination,  and  for  numberlcfs  in- 
digent or  idle  perfons,  who  would  otherwife  prove  a  nuifance  to  their 
country  ? 

As  I  have  ftated  the  prafticability  of  eftablifliing  breeding  farms 
or  penns  in  the  ifland,  fuflficient  to  anfcver  its  confumption,  and  fave 
i)y  that  means  a  large  balance  yearly  carried  out,  to  the  prejudice  of 
the  colony  flock,  and  in  favour  of  foreigners,  I  fliall  corroborate  the 
argument  by  mentioning  what  has  b^en  done  in  that  midland  part  of 
the  ifland,  called  Pedro's  Cockpit,  which  Hes  between  Clarendon  and 
St.  Ann's  pariflies.     This  difl:ria,  not  many  years  ago,  was  without 
a  fingle  fettlement.     The  face  of  the  country  here  is  Angular  enough 
to  defcrvc  a   fmall   digreflion.    It  ie  fpread  for  an   extent  of  many 
miles  with  an  infinite  number  of  little  round  hills,  whofc  furface  is  co- 
vered with  a  loofe  lime  ftone,  or  honeycomb  rock,  cloathed  with  fine 
cedar^  and  other  trees  of  enormous  bulk ;  the  dales,  or  cockpits,  as 
they  are  called,  which  meander  between  thefe  hummocks,  contain  a 
very  good  foil,  of  great  depths  which  is  fo  well  appropriated  to  the 
culture  of  Guiney  grafs  (Holcus  major  ajfurgens)  that  the  plant  forms 
here  a  perfeft  fod,  a  circumftance  I  have  obferved  in  no  other  part 
Vox.  I.  H  h  h  of 


4i«  JAMAICA. 

of  the  iQand.  So  luxuriant  docs  it  grow  here,  that  the  blade  in  ge- 
neral is  from  three  to  four  feet  in  length;  and  when  in  feed,  the  main 
fteai  or  arrow  (hoots  up  to  the  heigh th  of  ten  or  twelve  feet,  fo  as  to 
overtop  a  man  on  horleback>  by  which  means  it  is  difficult,  at  fuch 
times,  to  dtfcover  any  cattle  that  are  grazing  on  it,  unlefs  from  fome 
adjacent  eminence.  ,  Among  the  natural  grafs  peculiar  to  this  foil, 
there  is  a  great  abundance  of  a  fpecies  of  broom  weed,  of  a  bitterilh 
aftringcnt  tafte,  which  ferves  as  a  very  proper  correftor  of  the  Guiney 
grafs,  and  makes  it  more  wholefome  and  nourifliing.  This  kind  of 
pafture  is  excellent  for  flieep,  and  they  grow  fo  fat  upon  it  as  almoft 
•to  exceed  credibility.  The  cattle  and  mules  bred  here  are  larger  and 
finer  than  in-moft  other  parts  of  the  ifland  [a].  The  graziers  carry 
on  a  very  profitable  trade,  by  pvnrchafing  lean,  old,  or  worn-out  fteers> 
and  other  horned  cattle,  in  the  lowlands,  after  the  crop,  and  at  a  low 
price;  and  bringing  them  into  thefe  pafturcs,  where  they  foon  recover 
their  fkfli,  and  grow  fat,  difpofe  of  them  afterwards,  at  an  advance 
of  from  8/.  to  lo/.  fer  head  profit,  to  the  butchers  in  the  towns, 
and  cbntraAors  for  the  king*s  (hips.  Although  it  often  rains,  or  ra- 
ther drizzles  here,  this  part  of  the  country  has  vtry  few  fprings  of 
water ;  to  remedy  this,  the  inhabitants  are  fully  fupplied  by  means 
of  cifterns  or  ponds.  But  the  cattle  and  flieep  are  in  no  want  of 
ponds,  the  dews  and  rains  affording  fuch  continual  moiflure  to  the 
grafs,  as  to  keep  it  at  all  times  fiKculent ;  and  this  perhaps  may  be 
one  caufc  of  their  extraordinary  fatnefs.  The  climate  here  is  delight- 
fully pure  and  cool ;  the  inhabitants  in  general  enjoy  good  health  ; 
the  Negroes  in  particular,  being  more  conftantly  refident,  are  rarely 
afflided  with  any  ficknefs.  The  butter  made  here  is  fo  excellent  hk 
flavour  aiid  firmnefs,  that  I  never  met  with  any  in  England  fuperior 
to  it,  and' the  cows  have  their  udders  plentifully  flocked  j  whereas, 
in  the  lowland  paftures,  they  feldom  yield  more  than  a  quart  each 

[a]  The  breed  of  mules  might  be  ftill  more  improved,  and  their  fize  confiderably  enlarged^ 
by  a  caiieful  management  of  the  affc«,  which  ought  to  be  llablcd,  com-fcd^  curried  regukrlv,. 
and  taken  the  fame  care  of  in  ^ery  refpe^  as  a  favourite  horfc :  and  (inflcad  of  being  turned 
loofe  among  the  mares,  as  is  now  pradifed,  by  which  they  eahautt  their  ftrengtk  too  much, 
and  are  very  liable  to  get  hurts)  they  (hould  be  brought  to  cover  in  hand.  It  is  nccdlefs  to  add,  that 
the  mares  intended  for  this  purpofe  (hould  be  of  the  largeft  fiaee  that  can  be  procured ;  iLmight  be 
worth  while  to  make  trial  ot'  kwne  from  New  lilngland. 

^  *day^ 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  11.  419 

^ay,  and  their  milk  is  thin  and  waterifh*  An  enterpnfing  man,  who 
was  the  firft  fettler  here,  patented  300  acres  of  land,  built  a  defcn* 
fible  houfe  upon  a  rifing  ground,  and  formed  paftures ;  his  fuccels 
attra£led  others,  fo  that  there  are  now  thirty -four  fettlers  there,  who, 
at  their  own  expence  chiefly,  have  made  a  very  good  road^  ahnoft  due 
North  and  South,  for  feveral  miles,  and,  their  buildings  bring  difperfed 
on  each  fide  of  the  road,  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  long  Araggling 
ftreet.  The  profits  of  the  induftrious  among  them  are,  we  might 
fuppofe,  fo  conGderable,  as  to  engage  many  others  to  affociate  with 
them :  but  the  fame  misfortune,  which  has  given  a  check  to  the  fpirit 
of  fettling  in  other  parts,  as  foon  as  the  lands  gfew  to  be  valuable 
2nd  much  in  requeft,  has  produced  the  like  obArudion  here ;  I  mean^ 
the  avidity  of  engroffing  lands  into  ppfleffion  of  a  few,  to  be  hoarded 
up,  and  fold  at  an  high  price.  At  the  time  when  the  firft  fettlement 
was  formed  here,  any  perfon  might  have  got  lands  at  no  other  ex- 
pence  than  paying  the  patent  fees ;  but  the  price  has  fince  rifen  con- 
iiderably,  fo  that  an  induftrious  man,  who  is  pofleffed  of  fome  Ne- 
groes, and  a  fufficiency  to  begin  a  fettlement,  is  deterred  from  it,  by 
the  enlarged  value  he  muft  pay  for  land,  which  might  of  itfelf  ah* 
forb  nearly  his  whole  capital,  and  leave  him  without  means  of  em- 
barking on  any  probable  hope  of  fuccefs.  I  have  before  remarked^ 
that  it  depends  on  the  legiflature  to  fupprefs  thefe  monopolies,  by 
obliging  all  landholders  to  pay  their  quit-rents  punftnally,  and  by 
laying  fome  additional  tax  upon  thofe  runs  of  which  a  certain  num- 
ber of  acres  in  every  hundred  is  not  yearly  cleared  of  their  wood^ 
fenced,  and  planted,  fo  that  the  proprietors  (hould  be  forced  either  to 
fettle,  or  fell  at  a  confcionable  rate  to  others,  who  might  be  inclined 
to  become  fettlers.  A  proprietor  of  one  of  thefe  "farms  affured  me, 
that  he  cleared  2000/.  per  annum.  The  charge  and  contingencies,  af^er 
a  farm  is  once  eftabliflied,  are  very  trifling.  Dois  not  this  example 
indicate  very  forcibly  what  may  be  done  in  the  midland  parts  of  this 
ifland,  towards  an  extenfion  of  fettlements  ?  Suppofing  the  thirty- 
four  families  fettled  in  Pedro's  to  earn  only  500/.  currency  per  an-^ 
num^  at  an  average,  one  with  another,  which  I  believe  is  a  moderate 
computadon,  here  is  an  annual  gaiu  of  17,000/.  all  or  moft  of  which 
is  fpent  in  the  ifland,  or  in  purchafc  of  Britiih  goods  ;  and,  if  fuch 
are  their  profits,  in  what  may  be  called  their  infant  ftate,  it  is  reafoii- 

H  h  h  2  able 


420  JAMAICA. 

able  to  expeft,  they  will  every  year  become  more  confidcrable,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  increafe  of  improvements.     What  has  been  done  here^ 
I  (hould  apprehend,  might,  upon  experiment,  be  found  equally  prafti** 
cable  i )  other  parts.     In  North  America,  their  townfliips  are  gene« 
rally  granted  fix  miles  fquare,  which  fpace  contains  about  23,000 
acres.     Thefe  are  divided  into  fixty-thrce  lots,  v/z.  one  lot  to  the  mi- 
nifter  or  reftor,  as>an  inheritance ;  one  lot  by  way  of.  glebe  for  fupport 
of  the  reftor ;  c^e  for  a  fchool ;  the  other  fixty  to  as^  many  families 
who  (hall,  within  five  years  from  the  grant,  eredt  a  dwclling-houfe, 
with  feven  acres  cleared  and  improved,  fit  for  mowing  or  ploughing. 
They  are  alfo  required  to  ereA,  in  the  fame  fpace  of  time,  a  houfe  for 
public  worfliip,  to  maintain  an  orthodox  minifter,  and  provide  fchool- 
mafters,  under  certain  penalties.     In  each  townftiip  certain  town  offi- 
cers are  conftituted  by  aft  of  affembly,  who  are  annually  clefted  at 
a  town-meeting  held  in  the  month  of  March  -,  thefe  are^  a  tpwn  cJerk, 
(even  feleft  men  (a  fort  of  magiftrates  for  keeping  the  peace  and  gene- 
ral fuperlnten dance  over  the  government  of  the  town),  a  town  trealurer, 
twelve  overfeers  of  the  poor,  feven  afleflbrs  for  taxation,  ten  fire  wards, 
fix  fence- viewers,  ten  viewers  of  boards,  (hingles,  &c.  twelve  clerks  of 
the  market,  fix  coUeftors  of  taxes,   twelve  conftables,  and  fome  few 
other  officers.     I  mean,  by  this  allufion  to  the  North  American  ufage, 
only  to  hint  a  mode  of  fettlement,  which  might  be  adopted  in  Jar 
maica,  though  on  a  much  fmaller  fcale.  I  would  propofe  the  eftabliih- 
ing  three  townfhips,  one  in  each  of  the  three  counties.     In  the  county 
of  Middle  fex,  from  Pedro's  Cockpits  for  a  number  of  miles  weft  ward, 
quite  into   the  heart  of  St.  James's  pari(h,  is  fcarcely  a  fettlement 
or  inhabitant  j  in  this  fpace  arc  upwards  of  twelve  miles  fquare,  or  about 
46,000  fquare  acres  lying  wafte  and  ufelefs.     A  town(hip  might,  I 
think,  be  fixed  fomewhere  to  the  eaftward  of  the  barrack  at  the  head 
of  Rio  Bucno,  or  elfe  near  the  road  leading  from  Cave  River  barrack,  in 
Clarendon,  to  Runaway  Bay  in  St.  Ann's  ;  in  either  cafe,  the  diftance 
would  not  be  great  from  fome  (hipplng-place  on  the  North  fide.     The 
Eaftern  or  Surry  town(hip  might  be  fituated  fomewhere  near  the  head 
of  Rio  Grande,  in  Portland  ;  the  Weftern  or  Cornwall  town(hip,  near 
the  head  of  Marthabrae  River,  or  in  any  other  more  convenient 
parts,  which  might  be  afcertained  by  aftual  furveys,  and  fo  di(pofed 
as  not  to  interfere  with  the  territories  of  the  Maroon  Negroes.     For 

carrying 


BOOK    11.     CHAP.   11.  421 

carr)^ing  this  into  execution,  furveys  (hould  be  made,  for  dlfcovering 
the  places  moft  commodious  for  fuch  undertakings ;  thefe  iQiould  be 
made,  and  the  lots  laid  out,  at  the  public  expence  ;  the  lands,  if  al- 
ready patented,  and  imfettled,   according  to  the  exigency  of  their 
patents,  which  require  them  to  be  opened  and  planted  within  a  li- 
mited time,  fhould  be  declared  forfeited,  be  refumed  by  law,  and 
vefted  in  the  crown,  to  be  re-granted  to  the  new  fettlers.     No  indi- 
vidual perfon  fhould  be  allowed  to  take  or  poflefs   a  grant   of  more 
than  one  lot.     The  houfes  (hould  be  built  after  one  certain  model,  to 
be  approved  of  by  the  legiflature,  and  at  a  certain  expence.    Aj^lan- 
tain  walk,  and  provifion  ground,  of  four  acres,  might  be  provided 
for  each  fettler,  and  one  Negroe,  with  fome  other  helps,  and  20/.- 
towards  the  firft  year's  maintenance.     After  the  firft  year,  the  whole 
might  be  affigned  to  each  fettler  refpedively  on  a  Icafe  of  feven  years, 
conditioned,  that  on  payment  into  the  public  trcafury,.  at  tha  expi^ 
ration  of  the  kafe,  or  within  fix  months  after,  the  firft  coft  of  build- 
ing, the  houfe,  and  purchafe  of  the  Negroe,  the  fame  fhould.  then  be 
confirmed'  to  the  party  and  his.  heirs  for  ever,  in  fee  fimple  ;  but 
otherwifc,  the  fame  to  re-invcft  in  the  public,  to  be  fold  to  the  beft 
bidder,  and  the  money  applied  to  the  public  ufe.     As  a  further  en- 
couragement, all  fuch  fettlers  might  be  exempted  from  all  taxes  and 
impofts  whatfbevcr  for  the  firfl  four  or  five  year?,  and  from  alh  fer- 
vices,  except  in  the  militia.  A  firm  and  convenient  road  (hould  likewife 
be  made  for  them  to  the  neareft  market  town,  or  (hipping  place,  at 
the  public  expenca.      1  have  feen.  feveral  plans  for  North  American 
town(hips,  but  they  are  much  too  extenfive  to  be  received  in  Jamaica. 
The  difference  of  foil,  climate,  and  culture,  of  the  produfts  and  na-f 
ture  of  its  fociety,  require  a  diflferent  frame  of  fettlement.     The  fi^i- 
perior  richnefs  of  foil  (for  inftance)  in  this  ifland  makes  it  unneceflary 
to  portion  out  fo  great  a  number  of  acres  to  each  family,  which  they 
might  never  be  able  wholly  to  cultivate,,  and  would  therefore  con-? 
tinue  to  lie  w^afte  and  unprofitable  to  the  public,  the  very  evil  we 
lament ;  nor  would  the  colleftion  of  thefe  families  all  together  into 
a  town  or  village,  in  the  center  of  a  large  traft  of  land,  be  fuitable  to 
this  climate,  its  hufbandry  and  produfts ;.  it  being  more  proper  that 
each  habitation  (hould  be  fixed  on  its  refpeftivc  lot,  though  in  fucli 
manner  as  to  prefcrvc  an  eafy  communication  among  all  the  fettlers,. 

for 


•^ 


42:^  JAMAICA. 

for  their  mutual  advantage,  jand  the"  general  fecurity.  I  (hall,  in 
kumble  imitation  of  the  North  American  plan,  fo  far  as  it  can  be 
accommodated  to  the  nature  of  our  climate  and  ifland,  propofe  the 
following  iketch,  the  better  to  illuftrate  what  I  have  before  men* 
tioncd.  I  fuppofe,  a  traft  laid  out  of  one  mile  fquare,  which  will 
contain  640  acres :  this  allows  to  twenty-eight  planters  families  20 
acres  each,  and  to  fixteen  tradefmen,  artificers,  or  (hop-keepers,  five 
acres  each :  but  in  the  furvey  a  due  allowance  muft  be  made  of  a 
certain  quantity  befides,  for  the  interfering  roajs,  which  crofs  the 
whq|^  diagram  at  right  angles. 

Explanation  of  the  Plan,  Plate  II.  Fig.  i. 

M*  The  planters  lotss  of  20  acres  each. 
b*  The  artificers  lots,  of  5  acres  each. 
c.   The  houfes,  ail  raifcd  on  a  foundation  of  at  leafl:  two  feet  above 

the  furface,  and  guarded  with  loop  holes. 
i.  A  room  or  hall  for  public  bufinefs,  built  with  loop  holes,  and 
flankers  for  defence^ 
E  and  F.  Two  main  roads,  each  132  feet  in  width. 

Calculation  of  expence  attending  thepublick  on  one^ownihip. 

Clearing  and  planting   in  provifion   84    acres  of  woodlmid,! 

being  three  acres  to  each  planter's  lot,  at  6  /.  fer  acre,  J 

Ditto,  16  acres,  being  one  acre  to  each  artificer's  or  trade- 1       ^ 

man's  lot,  at  ditto  per  acre,  ■  ■  J      ^ 

Building  forty- four  convenient  houfes,  3150/.  each,  ,  2200 
Ditto  one  defenfible  public  room  in  the  center  of  the  town(hip,  300 
Purchafe  of  twenty-eight  young  able  Negroes,  being  one  toi    ,« 

each  planter's  family,  at  60  /•  per  head,         — —         J 

Subfiftance  money  to  forty-four  families,  for  the  firft  year^i 

at  30/.  each,  ■  :  J 

Implements  of  hufbandry  for  twenty-eight  planters  families,! 

3t  5  /.  to  each,  •  «  j 

Twenty- eight  breeding  fows,  at  40  X.  —  —  56 

Breeding  poultry,  ■  ■  14 

Salary 


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'    -.^ 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.   11.  423 

Salary  to  a  rcfidcnt  furgeon,  —  ■     ■  1 00 

IXtto  a  fuperintendant  reiident,  1 00 

Expence  of  furveying,  fixing  lots  making  roads,  and  car- 1 
riagc  of  goodsi  may  be  efiimated  at  about  — —  J 


Total,  8000 

In  order  to  provide  for  this  expence,  I  would  propole  that  the 
deficiency  tax  (hould  be  appropriated  as  a  fianding  fund,  and  be 
raifed  to  30  /.  at  leaft  for  every  defeulter ;  next  to  this,  the  legis- 
lature might  attend  to  the  following  ways  and  means. 

A  duty  of  40  s.  per  head  upon  all  homed  or  live  cattle  (except 
heifers  under  three  years)  imported  into  the  ifland. 

The  like  fum  on  all  mules  and  hor&s  imported  from  any  part  of 
the  world,  except  Great  Britain. 

A  tax  of  I  s.  per  acre,  on  all  patented,  and  uncleared,  or  un- 
fettled  woodlands,  or  ruinate.  The  whole  expence  of  the  three 
townfhips  being  24,000/.  there  can  be  no  doubt,  I  think,  but  thefe 
funds  would  be  very  fufficient ;  they  would  bring  m  probably  not 
lefs  than  15,000/.  per  annum  y  and  one  advantage  to  be  reaped 
from  the  plan  is,  that,  in  proportion  as  they  fell  fhort  or  dlminifhed 
every  year,  fo  much  would  the  tfiand  be  advai^ced  in  population,. 
and  the  means  of  fupplying  cattle  and  (lock  for  its  own  confump- 
tion*  The  deficiency  tax  could  fall  (hort  only  by  keeping  up 
the  full  complement  of  white  fervantsi  the  cattle  and  mule  tax, 
by  the  increafed  Jamaica  breed,  and  reduced  importation ;  the  land 
tax,  by  the  more  extenfive  opetitng  and  cultivation  of  thofe  lands 
which  were  the  objcds  of  it.  The  furplus  of  the  fund  (hould  reft 
in  the  treafury,  either  for  contingent  fuppFies  and  reliefs  to  thefe 
tovvn(htps;  improving  their  roads,  bounties  or  premiums  on  their 
raifing  certain  commodities  bcft  adapted  to  their  fituatbn,  and  the 
advantage  of  the  ifland  commerce  ;.  or  for  eftabJiiliing  new  town(hips 
on  the  lame  plan ;  for  they  are  fo  contrived,,  that,  whenever  any 
one  of  them  is  fully  peopled,  another  fquare  may  be  added  to  it 
on  any  fide,  and  fo  on,  until  the  whole  diftridl  is  well  rnh^bit-ed.. 
It  may  pofl5bly  be  objefted,  that  new  Negroes  would  not  be  fo 
ufeful  to  the  lettkrs  as  feafoncd  labourers^     To  obviate  this,  I  would 

propofe,. 


434  JAMAICA, 

pfopofc,  that,  after  obtaining  a  true  lift  of  every  male  Molatte  flavc 
in  the  ifland,  a  levy  (hould  be  made  in  each  county,  after  the  moft 
equitable  mode,  of  28  for  each  refpediive  townflrip,  .preferring  thofe 
who  are  from  14  years  of  age  to  30.     For  thefe,  tlie  owners  ihould 
receive  \oL  per  annum^  rent  for  five  years  certain.     At  the  expira* 
tion  of  -five  years  fervice  in  their  townfliip,  and  on  a  certificate  from 
the  fuperintendant  of  their  faithful  and  good  behaviour,  they  ihould 
be  entitled  to  their  freedom ;  be  baptized,  and  have  each  a  lot,  not 
exceeding  five  acres,  of  land  aifigned  them  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  townfliip  j  their  value  (hould  he  adjudged  by  a  jury  of  twelve 
men  on  their  oaths  in  the  prefence  x>i  a   magifirate ;  and,  after  de- 
•dufting  the  50  /.  rent  for  five  years,  fatlsfadion  (hould  be  ^ade  out 
of  the  treafury  to  then:  proper  owners,  for  fo  much  as  their  Value 
^ould  be  found  to  exceed  tbatfum.     At  the  end  ^of  the  fourth  year, 
the  publick  might  purchaie  28  new  Negroes^  and  diftribute  them 
among  the  planter  families,  To  that  when  the  time  of  the  Mulattoes 
emancipation  arrived,  thefe  Negroes,  having  been  a  twelvemonth  in 
the  ifland,  would  be  tolerably  well  feafoned  to  the  climate,  .and  capable 
of  doing  fervice  to  their  employers*     If  the  expencc  of  purchafing 
new  Negroes  (hould  be  thought  too  great,  this  mode  of  fupplying 
Mulattoes  might  be  continued^  and  a  newlevy.made  for  every  fixthyear; 
i>y  this  mean€,  we  might  gain  fay  degrees  a  hardy  .race  of  thefe  people, 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  inured  to  labovc,  and  ftimulated  by  grati- 
tude to  exert  themfelves  in  defence  of  the  country.     In  laying,  out 
the  furveys  of  thefe  town(hips,  every  convenience  ought  to  be  at- 
tended to,    in  tefpeft   of  water,  or  fprings,   goodnefs  of  Ibil,  and 
healthinefs  of  fituation;  the  latter  requires,  that  the  houfes  (hould 
be   placed   on  fufficiently-dry  and  elevated  fpots,  far  from  fwamps 
or  morafs,  and  where  there  is  a  free  circulation  of  air*   This  we  find 
was  a  principal  confideration  with  the  cautious  general  of  Cuba,  when 
he  gave  inftruftions  for  the  expedition  concerted  againft  Jamaica  in 
the  year  1657,  direfting  the  officer,  who  conduced  it,  ♦*  to  fix  on 
**  foine  convenient  place  for  head  quarters,  fituated  high,  and  adjoin- 
<*  ing  to  ibme  watering-place,  for  the  enjoyment  of  fre(h  air,  and 
"  prefervation  of  health  ;*'*  having  been  taught  by  experience,  that 
all  low,  un ventilated  fituations  in  this  part  of  the  world  are  moft 
imwholefome.     The  flreets  ihould  be  of  good  breath,  and  the  houfes 

not 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.   II.  425 

iiot  crowded  together.  Towns  (as  they  are  generally  conftfuAed  in 
the  Weft  Indies)  are  not  well  adapted  to  health.  The  contiguity 
of  buildings,  the  frowzy  atmofphere  of  many  inhabitants  ailembled 
within  a  fmall  compaf?,  the  lownefs  of  their  fituation,  the  eafy  com- 
munication of  infedious  diftcmpers,  and  the  lazy  or  debauched  lives 
of  the  people,  are  great  obje£tions  to  them.  In  the  mountainous 
parts,  there  can  be  little  difficulty^  in  finding  the  heft  pofitions  near 
Ibme  fpring  of  water,  or  river  head  ;  the  Pedroe  fettlers,  who  make 
ufe  of  rain  water,  which  is  here  coUefted  in  a  ftate  of  great  purity, 
find  it  perfeftly  light  and  wholefomc.  Cifterns  therefore  may  be 
made  for  this  purpofe,  where  no  fpring  or  river  water  may  conve- 
niently be  had ;  experiments  might  alfo  be  tried,  by  digging  for  wells  ; 
there  is  at  prefent  a  great  want  throughout  the  ifland  of  perfons  in- 
telligent in  this  bufinefs ;  but  the  Spaniards^  when  they  were  in  pof^ 
feffion  of  it,  were  not  only  very  expert  at  this  work,  but  in  the  art 
of  tile-making  :  fuch  artificers  cannot  be  too  much  encouraged  in 
this  colony. 

The  next  point  to  be  confidered  is,  the  cheapeft  and  moft  praAi- 
cable  means  of  flocking  thefe  townfhips  with  induflrious  people. 
The  means  that  firft  offer  are,  by  application  to  his  Majcfty  for  his 
gracious  permiffion,  that,  when  the  reigments  are  relieved,  the  legif* 
lature  might  be  at  liberty  to  feleft  a  certain  number  of  families 
from  them,  provided  fo  many  fhould  be  found  willing  to  quit  the 
fervice,  and  become  fettlers,  the  affembly  coufenting  to  pay  his  Ma- 
jefty,  or  the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  10/.  fterling/^r  head  for  each 
foldier  fo  engaged  ;  the  whole  amount  of  which  would  be  no  more 
than  280/.  fterling  for  each  townfliip.  In  this  cafe,  inftead  of  the 
allowance  of  30/.  per  family  as  fpecified  in  the  preceding  efti- 
mate,  it  might  be  more'adviieable  perhaps  to  continue  them  on  the 
footing  of  their  prefent  military  fiibfiftence  ;  that  is, 

To  every  man  at  the  rate  of  13  /.  1     .     .. 

His  wife  9  /•  iss.  \p€r  ann.  Jamaica  currency. 

His  chiljlreu  each,  6/.  \os.i 

To  be  paid  to  them  regularly  per  week  or  month  as  n^ay  be  thought 

beft  for  them;  the  fuperintendant,  giving  fufficient  bond  fccurity  for 

Vol.  I.  I  i  i  his 


4^6  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

hk  horteft  difcharge  of  this  truft,  might  be  properly  veftcd  wkh  it,  tm^ 
iet  the  receiver  gencrars  controul,  and  fubjeft  to  the  enquiries  oT 
the  al!embly ;  by  regulating  the  allowance  in  this  equitable  manner^ 
thofe  families  who  are  burthened  with  the  greateft  number  of  child'* 
ren,  would  be  entitled  to  receive  the  l»gefl  proportion  of  fubfiftence;. 
and  the  amount  Upon  an  average  would  probably  not  much  exceed  the 
calculation  in  the  eftimate.  The  advantage  of  fettling:  thefe  military 
families  is  very  apparent ;  they  are  fealbncd  to  the  climate,  acctxftomedi 
to  the  modes  of  living  in  it,  and  the  men  ready  trained  in  arms  for 
the  defence  of  the  country ;  in  theft  refpeds,  they  are  much  prefer*- 
ble  to  Europeans  newly  introduced  fixxn  climates^  and  habits  df  liviag. 
very  different.  The  propriety^  and  indeed  neccffity^  of  mtkmg  thefe 
temporary  proviiions  for  poor  families  jufl  fettled  is  e^uaUy  obvious;; 
it  was  through  want  of  fuch  fu{q[>orts  at  the  firfl  outfet,  that  the  many 
expenfive  encouragements  annually  granted  for  feveral  years^  by  the 
aflembly^  to  invite  fettkrs  over,  have  been  heretofore  fo  inefieftuaL 
Several  poor  adventurers  came  at  different  times  from  £urope,r  and  a- 
itiong  the  reft,  a  colony  of  Palatines;  thefe  people  bad  the  charge  o€ 
their  pa(&ge  defi^yed,  and  were  fubfifted  umil  they  arrived  on  &e 
kinds  aifigned  to  them,  which  they  found  in  wildemefs,  the  trees  for 
the  mod  part  of  ftupendous  bulk»  and  not  one  acre  cleared-  Defii- 
tute  of  habitations,,  as  well  as  inland  prepared  for  culture,  their  time 
was  neceifarily  firfi  taken  up  with  building  boufes^  and  feHin^  trees  ^ 
the  labour  and  hardfhipS;,  they  had  to  ftruggle  with^  were  much  too- 
fevere  for  perfons  jufk  come  from  Europe ;  moft  of  them  died,  the  refe 
difperfedt  and  not  one  of  thefe  familicb  (as  I  am  told)  fucceeded.  As 
an  example  what  induftry  may  do  here^  when  properly  fupperted  at 
the  firfl  fettling,  1  fhall  relate  the  following  faA«  A  man  with  hls^ 
family,  coafifting  ef  a  wife,  fome  children,  and  a  few  Negroes  (twelve: 
I  think,  or  fourteen)  came  from  Barbadoes,  and  obtained  fome  wood- 
land in  the  eaftern  diviiioa  of  the  ifland,.  not  many  years  ago^  Upon, 
this  fmall  foundation,  and  by  indefatigable  kboitr  «nd  occonomy,  her 
formed  two  exceedingly  valuable  fugaif  plantations,  one  of  which  he  be- 
flowed  upon  his  fon,  and  became  able  to  give  a  vecy  bandfome  provi- 
sion to  each  of  his  other  children :  I  believe  he  is  flilF  living,  and  nofr 
enly  enjoys  the  hs^iaefs  of  an  cafy  fortune  of  hia  own  acquiring,  but 


BOOK   II.    CHAP!   IL 

tho  forther  comfortaUc  refledionp  of  having  wa&d  liis  ntiinetx>us  fa- 
mily from  a  ftate  of  indigence  to  affluent  cinrumftances.     It  is  to  a 
French  gentleman,  who  lately  took  refuge  in  the  fame  difbid  with  his 
&mily  and  a  few  Negroes,  that  we  are  indebted  for  a  revival  of  the 
indigo  manufaftutie,  whkb  promiies  to  become  one  day  very  flouriih- 
ingt  and  beneficial  to  the  iiland.    Can  it  be  too  dear  a  purchafe,  to  ob- 
tain induftrtous  iettlers,  like  thefe  men,  on  the  terms  I  have  propofed  ? 
I  perfuade  myielf  to  believe,  the  gentlemen  of  the  ifland  would  ac- 
knowledge, in  a  few  years,  the  money  applied  to  this  end,  to  have 
been  well  beftowed.     What  advantages  of  internal  ftrength  and  folid 
&CQrity,  what  an  enlargement  to  their  exports,  what  aids  in  taxation, 
migfat  they  have  pofiefled  at  this  hour,  if  100,000/,  of  the  money  an- 
nually laviihed  away  upon  a  ftiU  unfini&ed  battery,  fiuck  into  a  qUag^ 
mire,  9t  the  entrance  of  Kingfton  harbour,  had  been  judicioufly  ex- 
pendedy  in  forming  a  more  necefiary  and  durable  bulwark,  by  the  in- 
trodudion  and  fupport  of  honeft,  induftrious  families,  in  thofe  path- 
l^Q  diflrids  of  the  ifland,  which  as  yet  have  no  other  inhabitants  ex- 
cept trees,  runaway  flaves,  and  wild  hogs!  There  is  not  a  man  of  fenfe 
in  the  ifland  who  believes  either  that  this  battery  is  capable  of  defend- 
ing the  ifland  from  invafion,  or  of  holding  any  confiderable  reiiftance 
againft  a  regular  attack  of  ihips;  there  is;  not  one  who  is  not  con- 
vinced, that  it  is  ufclefs  with  refpeft  to  internal  infurre^lions ;  that  it 
.cannot  repel  the  invafion  o£  foreign  enemies  s  that  the  chief  dependance 
muft  reft,  infuch  an  emergency,  on  the  ftrength  of  dur  own  fleets^  arid 
confequently  that  this  pile  of  ftone  and  mortar  ferves  no  other  pur- 
pofe,  than  as  a  finking  fund,  into  which  Ibme  thoufand  pounds  are 
every  year  thrown  away,  and  that  with  as  much  regularity,  and  as 
little  reludance,  as  if  the  very,  being  and  exiftence  of  the  ifland   de- 
pended upon  it.     Every  real  and  difinterefted  well-wifher  to  this 
colony  muft  anxioufly  defiire  to  fee  the  time,  when  the  aflemhly  Ihall 
awake  to  a  fenfe  of  their  tr»e  intereft,  and  expend  the  public  money 
upon  fuch  other  fchemes  of  defence,  as  promife  to  yield  an  adequate 
return,  by  the  increafe  of  people,  of  fettlements,  of  prodnds,  and 
commerce;  of  wealth,  and  genuine  fecurity.     Of  eleven  afts  pafled  by 
the  legiflature  for  the  encouragement  of  fettlers,  one  only  feems  t6 
have  been  at  all  calculated  to  anfwer  the  purpofe'j  this  was  .the  zkt 

I i  i  2  No  157, 


4^8  JAMAICA. 

W  157,  pai&din  1749  [^].  It  empowered  coiriraiffioners  to  appoint 
dgents  in  Great  Britain  or  elfe where,  and  to  contract  with  white 
families  to  come  over,  and  with  mailers  o£  £hips  for  thdr  paiTage ;. 
and  to  draw  from  the  ifiand  treafury  a  fum  not  exceeding  6000  7. 
currency '^r  annum  for  this  ufe.  It  enaAed^  thatfuch  families,. on  their 
■arrival,  (hould  be  lodged  and  fubfifted  until  they  could  be  provided 
with  lands  or  emrployment.  That  owners  of  lands^  on  receiving 
fuch  perlbns^  and  conveykig,  in  fee  iimple,  to  the  head  of  every  fa- 
mily, twenty  acres*  of  good  land,  within  a  mile  of  fome  inhabited  fet« 
tlement,  with  four  acres  of  the  twenty  planted  with  proviiions,.  a 
fufiicieat :  dwelling  bbufe  of  50  A  value,  one  good  Negroc  oi  ^L 
yalue,  and  20  A  ia*money ;  or  any  owner  entering  into  bond  of  500  A 
penalty  to  perform  all  this  withm  fix  months  after  the  date  ;  and  in 
the  mean  timt  ^irniihing  fuch  new-comers  with  meat,  drinks  wsuQv- 
ing  and  lodgings  every  fuch  owner  fhould  be  entitled  to  145/.  for 
each  f^ly,  with  inteteft  at  8/.  per  cent,  per  annum  from  the  date  of 
fuch  bond ;  but  not  to  be  paid,  unlels  it  (hould  appear,  that  thefe  con^ 
ditions  were  juftly  fulfilled* 

That  any  periba  introducing  and  fettling  a  family  in  this  manner, 
at  his  own  expence,  (hould  be  entitled  to  145  /.and  10/.  further  for 
each  perfon  of  fuch  family ;  and  that  fuch  family  fhould  fave  deficiency 
for  four  years  to  the  perfon  fo  introducing  it. 

That  the  commifiioners  fliould  purchafe  lands,  fufaOil,  and  fettle  fami^ 
!bes  unprovided  for.  That  perfons  importing  themfelves  (hould  be  lodg^ 
ed,  fubfiiled,  and  provided  for  in  the  like  manner.  That  fiich  families 
and  perfons  fhould  be  exempted  from  all  tsoces  (except  quit  rents)  for 
feven  years,  and  from  all  public  fervice  and  duty  (except  in  the  militia) 
for  the  fame  term;  but  might  not  alienate  their  land  in  that  term,. 

[*]  Under  the  encouragements  granted  by  the  feveral  adts  pafled  in  1736,  1745,  i749»  ^^ 
continued  to  175^2,  in  alt  a  fpacc  of  about  iixteen  years,  one  hundred  and  eight  families  and 
fifteen  artificers  were  introduced^  at  the  expeooe  of  1)^%^%!.  19  $.  i  d^  This  would  have  ptovcd 
a  good  bargain  for-  the  countiy,  if  the  families  fo  introduced  could  have  fettled  themlehes 
without  the  help  of  Ncgroe-labourers ;  but  many  of  them  faited  for  want  of  this  hclpj  and  the 
affairs  o£  others- became  (binvolTed,  by  purchaling  of  Negroes,  &at  th^  were  obliged  (bine  time 
afterwards  to.  apply  to  the  aiTembly  for  relief,  which  was  readily  granted.  Theie  a&s  therefbie» 
although  they  operated  effedlually  in  bringing  over  fettlers  to  the  colony,  were  defe^live  in  the 
main  operation,  the  proper  means  of  fixing  and  eftablilhing  them  advantngeoufly  after  they 
woe  brought^ 

except 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.   IL  429 

cxcq)t  by  will.  Laftlj,  that  a  bounty  extraordinary  of  10/.  eacb, 
(hould  be  given  ta  every  artificer  that  (hould  arrive.  This  adl  con- 
tinued in  force  nine  years,  and  was  then  repealed.  If  the  commiilioners^ 
during  this  fpace»  drew  out  of  the  treafury  the  full  annual  fum  al- 
lowed by  the  aft^  it  amounts  in  nine  years  to  54000  /.  expended  for 
this  purpofe ;  but  I  never  could  learn  what  number  of  fettlers  were 
thus  (MTOcured,  though  I  believe  it  to  have  been  confiderable  1  for, 
after  the  entire  accommodation  with,  the  Maroon  Negroes  in  1 740, 
fettlements  began  to  be  formed  in  thofe  parts  of  the  country,  where 
none  chofeto  venture  before.  It  was-  from  this  period,  that, .under 
the  encouragement  of  different  a£ts»  but  particularly  the  laft  men- 
tioned, the  pariflies  of  St»  Mary,  St.  George,  St.  James,  Portland, 
the  interior  parts  of  St.  Thomas  in  the  Eafl,  St.  Anne,  Clarendon,. 
Hanover,  Weftmoreland,  and  St.  John,  began  to  be  cleared  for  plan- 
tations ^  and,  that  a  greater  progrefs  might  have  been  made,  it  is  to 
be  regretted  that  the  good  provifions  ena<fled  by  this  law  were  not 
continued  for  a  longer  term. 

The  caufe  of  its  difcontinuance  was  probably  the  low  ftate  of  tlije 
ifland  treafury,  about  the  year  1757;  for  it  had  been  drained,  not 
only  by  fadions  in  the  country^  and  the  immenfe  charge  of  founding 
the  battery  at  Mofquito  Point,  but,  as  it  was  then  a  time  of  war,  and 
invaiions  were  apprehended  from  the  French,  very  large  fums  were 
thought  neccffary  to  be  voted  towards  compleating  that  battery,  and 
putting  the  fortifications  in  general  into  a  proper  ftate  of  defence^ 
which,  together  with  the  expences  of  removing  the  courts  and.records^ 
to  Kingilon,  the  difCpation  caufed  by  frequent  eledions,  and  the  con- 
tinuan.cc  of  martial  law  (ever  hurtful  to  the  planting  aiid  trading 
interef^s)  plunged  the  people  and  treafury  fo  deeply  in  debt,  that  the 
latter  has  fcarcely  yet. recovered  itfelf..  The  aft  I  have  recited,  al- 
though better  framed  than  the  preceding  ones^  vvas  neverthelefs  ex- 
.ceptionable  in  many  particulars ;  and  I  flatter  myfelf  the  plan  I  have 
recommended,  with  fuch  other  matters  of  attention  which  I  fhall 
hereafter  propofe^will  appear  calculated  for  bringing  over  or  fettling  fa- 
milies at  much  lefs  charge,  and  far  more  advantage  to  the  ifland.  The 
purchafing  of  lands  is  an  expence  which  confumes  too  much  of  the 
money  devoted  to  the  purpofe  of  £bttling,  and  might  well  be  fpared 
in  a  country  where  are  fp  many  thoufond  acres  of  unemployed  land, 

that 


43^  JAMAICA* 

that  may  be  come  at  upon  eaiier  terms*  The  fedglng  of  perfisns 
tiewly  arrived,  in  an  expenfive  town^  to  be  idle,  and  contrad  fick«* 
nefs,  during  fix  months  previous  to  their  being  eftabiifiied  on  Ibme 
fettlement,  cannot  &il  to  debilitate  them,  and  thin  their  numbers. 
When  a  ilranger  obtaias  his  grant  of  land  in  North  America,  the 
very  iirft  buiinefs  he  takes  in  hand  is  the  planting  bis  orchard  and 
garden,  and  ibwing  fome  com.  This  is  invariably  done  before  he 
begins  to  build  his  habitadon ;  becaufe  this  provifion  requires  feveral 
months  to  bring  it  to  maturity ;  whilft  it  is  growing  up,  he  builds 
his  houfe  at  ieifure,  and  by  the  time  it  is  fit  to  receive  him,  he  has  a 
good  fl^ore  of  food  ready  for  his  family *s  fubfiftence.  In  Jamaica  it 
is  doubtful  which  of  the  two  fhould  be  the  firft  work,  both  of  them 
being  fo  immediately  necefiary.  But  here  it  (hould  perhaps  be  the 
rule,  to  plant  a  fpacc  of  ground  in  readinefs  with  a  variety  d[  what  is 
called  bread-kind,  cocos,  yams,  potatoes,  &c-  and  com  great  and 
fmall ;  and  to  build  weather-tight  houfes,  that  the  new  fettlei^,  inftead 
of  being  lodged  in  the  towns,  or  fed  by  commifiSoners  on  felt  beef 
and  bifcuit,  might  enter  at  once  into  a  whoiefome  air,  and  enjoy 
plenty  of  fi'efli  meat  and  vegetabks.  The  additional  expencc  would 
bt  trifling,  if  to  each  family  (hould  be  given  a  few  hogs,  iheep,  or 
goats,  and  breeding  poultry,  to  begin  widi.  As  the  firft  twelve- 
month is  moft  likely  to  difagree  with  new  comers,  the  laborious 
work  of  building  their  own  habitation  in  parts  of  the  coimtry  where 
the  timber  is  large  and  heavy,  and  the  atmofphere  frequently  drip- 
ping, ought  certainly  to  be  taken  ofF  their  hands ;  and  tfec  like  in- 
dulgence muft  be  allowed  in  regard  to  the  firft  clearing  oVthe  wood, 
if  tliey  are  fettled  on  woodland,  that  has  never  been  difturbed. 

In  (hort,  in  order  to  do  well,  they  muft  be  permitted,  during  the 
firft  year,  to  live  as  much  at  their  eafe  as  poflibla;  after  this^  their 
induftry  will  naturally  be  excited  to  open  a  little  more  woodland, 
and  enter  upon  cultivation  of  fome  fuitaWe  produds  of  the  country. 
It  will  require  this  time,  to  enable  them  to  uhderftand  their  foil,  to 
•ftudy  the  articles  moft  fit  for  their  hufl>andry,  and  accommodate 
themiclves  to  their  new  fituation  in  every  refped. 

Indulgence  is  certainly  due  to  thofe  who  pafs  fuddcniy  fi-om  a  cold 

into  a  warm  climate,   where  they  find  the  whole  face  of  nature 

changed^  and  different  fiom  what  they  have  been  nied  to  fee ;  found 

^  policy^ 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.   If.  43# 

policy^  as  well  as  humanity,  concur  in  pointing  out  to  us  that  we 
ought  to  lead  our  new  gucfts,  who  are  to  be  our  brethren  and  aux- 
xUarieSi  ftep  by  ftep  through  fo  great  a  tranfition.     If  it  fliould  be 
thought  advifcable  to  bring  over  European  families,    the  agent  for 
the  ifland,  or  pcrfons  employed  by  him,  might  feek  for  them  cither 
la  Great  Britain  or  Ireland,  or  cren  in  other  countries ;  which  mode 
would  fiive  muph  trouble  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  illand,  becaufe  the 
committee  of  correfpondence  m%ht  with  propriety  take  the  charge  of 
directing  him  from  time  to  time,  purfuant  to  fuch  Orders  and  limi- 
tations as  the  aiiembly  ihould  judge  nece/Tary ;  and  this  regulation. 
WiHild  make  the  appointment  of  fpecial  commiffioiiers  inexpedient.. 
A  fuitable  proportion  of  certain  artificers  fliould  be  Rationed  among 
the  families ;   becauie,  their  fettlement  being  diflant  from  any  large 
town,  they  may  by  this  means  be  relieved  from  the  charges,  aad  lo6 
of  time,  incurred  by  traveling  frequently  for  trifling  necefiaries.     A 
&rgeoii  ought  alio  to  be  placed  with  them-  on  a  falary,  to  be  paid 
by  the  public.     In  two  or  three  years  the  expence  might  ceafc,  bc- 
eaufe  it  is^  to  be  fuppofed,  that  by  that  time  they  would  be  able  either 
to  do  widioutone,  or  to  mountain  him  themfelves.     A  fuperintendant 
would  be  necefiary  to  refide  among  them,  whofe  buiiaefs  it  fhould  be 
to  attend  the  aiiembly  at  every  annual  meetisg,  and  report  to  thenar 
the  ftate  and  condition  of  the  ^milies,  and  their  plantations ;    the 
:prin€ipal  road  leading  to  and  from  their  fettkments  fliould  be  made  at 
the  public  expence  :  this  indeed  is  the  ground^work  of  all;  for,  tin- 
k&  this-  be  done,  the  forming  a  remote  in^land  fettlement  could  ten4- 
very  little,  if  any  thing,  to  the  public  advantage ;  for  what  could  be 
hoped  for  from  families  fo  circumdanced,  that,  fo  far  from   being 
able  to  convey  their  good»  to  market,  they  might  be  incapable  of 
even  conveying  their  own  perfons,  without  imminent  peril  to  Uix?^ 
or  at  kail  extreme  fatigue  and  difficulty  ?  To  exped  that  they  them*^ 
ielves  (hould  open  and  form  a  road,  would  be  unreafonable  and  ua» 
jaft  ;  it  would  be  impofing  upon  them  the  arduous  tafk  of  felUng. 
die  woods,  aikl  ckaring  eight  fquare  acres*  for  every  mile*s  length  ;. 
an  operation  fo  laborious^  and  dilatory,,   as  to  occupy  their  whok 
lime,  and  kave  them  not  a  moiuentV  reipite  fcir  attending  to  their 
little  plantations,  and  domeftic  improvements.     The  vQry  making 
Aich  a  road  (an  inconfideraUle  charge  upon  the  public),  would  become 

a  princif- 


\^2  JAMAICA. 

a  principal  means  of  enfuring  fiiccefs  to  the  fettlement ;  for  the  pat- 
fage  being  thus  rendered  fafc  and  commodious^  the  fettlers  would  re- 
ceive their  neceffary  fupplies  with  fecurity,  chcapnefs,  and  difpatch  ; 
and  apply  themfelves  to  cultivate  even  the  moft  bulky  commodities, 
with  a  certain  profpeA  of  getting  them  early  to  the  market ;  in  ihort, 
one  chief  impediment  that  has  obftruded  the  fettlements,  hitherto  at- 
tempted, would  be  removed.  The  heads  of  families,  felcfted  for  thefe 
fettlements,  ought  not  to  be  men  of  bad  charafter,  and  dillblute  lives, 
the  offals  of  their  country ;  but  iuch^  whofe  poverty  is  their  great  eft 
crime.  To  thefe  (hould  be  delivered  by  the  agent  and  his  cmiflaries 
a  printed  detail  of  the  encouragements  granted ;  fome  of  them,  trans- 
lated into  French,  might  likewife  be  difperfed  in  proper  places,  as  an 
invitation  to  Proteftant  families  of  that  nation,  moft  of  whom  are  good 
oeconomifls,  hardy,  and  induftrious. 

By  forming  one  townfliip  in  each  year,  the  cxpence  would  not  be  felt 
by  the  treafury ;  and  in  time,  the  fund  might  admit  of  building  a 
chapel  in  each  for  the  performance  of  divine  fervice.  The  artifi- 
cers moft  neceflary  for  each  townfliip  are,  a  carpenter  and  joiner, 
a  mafon  and  bricklayer,  wheelwright,  fawyer,  blackfmith,  faddler, 
taylor,  and  a  flioe-maker  or  coWer ;  an  extra  bounty  might  be  given 
to  each  of  thefe  on  their  arrival.  Every  fuch  artificer  and  head 
of  a  family  fliould  be  fumiflied  out  of  the  arfenal,  and  maga- 
zines, with  fufficient  arms  and  ammunition ;  on  their  firft  arrival  at 
the  ifland,  they  flioukl  be  committed  to  the  care  of  the  receiver  genera?, 
or  of  his  proper  deputies  at  the  out-ports,  to  be  forwarded  by  them, 
in  floop3,  to  the  landing-place  moft  convervient,  from  whence  they 
Ihould  be  conveyed  with  their  goods  to  their  refpeftive  townfliip  by 
cafy  journeys,  and  with  all  fuitable  accommodation,  at  the  public 
charge.  The  fuperintendant,  upon  this  occafion,  might  attend  them 
to  the  place  deftined  for  their  future  abode.  Care,  no  doubt,  would 
he  taken  by  the  affcmWy,  that  every  thing,  refpefling  the  clearing  of 
the  ground,  planting  the  firft  ftock  of  provifions,  and  building  houfes, 
Should  be  fo  ordered,  and  conformed  to  the  advices  received  from  their 
agent,  as  that  the  families,  upon  their  arrival,  might  immediately  be 
fettled ;  if  military  families  could  be  obtained  for  this  purpofe,  agree- 
Ably  to  my  firft  propofition,  thefe,  by  being  on  the  Ipot,  might  be 
fettled  with  Icaft  charge  and  inconvenience ;  but,  if  it  ii  neceflary  to 

have 


BOOK   11.    CHAP.   H.  433 

hare  recourfe  to  Europe,  I  can  devifc  no  other  means  than  I  have  de- 
lineated, for  bringing  over  fuch  perfons  only  who  feem  qualified  to 
make  a  due  return  for  the  expences  beftowed  upon  their  emigration. 

The  French  are  not  lefs  to  be  admired  for  the  judicious  precautions 
taken  to  fecure  the  good  government  of  their  colonies,  than  for  the 
provifions  made,  to  have  thefe  countries  replenilhed  with  people.  For 
this  end,  they  oblige  every  captain  of  a  merchant  ihip,  which  departs 
from  France  for  their  Weft  India  fettlements,  to  carry  a  certain  num* 
ber  of  indented  fervants.    All  velTcls  of  fixty  tons,  or  under,  are  to 
carry  three ;  from  fixt)^  to  an  hundred  tons,  four  ;  and  from  an  hun- 
dred upwards,  fix  fucb  iervants;  who  are  direfted  to  be  of  found, 
ftrong  bodies,  between  the  age  of  eighteen  and  forty.     Before  they 
*  leave  France,  thcfe  fer v^sncs  2^re  examined  by  the  officers  of  the  admi- 
ralty, to  fee  whether  they  are  the  perfons  required  by  law.     An  ex- 
amination to  the  fame  purpofe  is  made  by  the  commiilary,  on  their 
landing  in  America ;    where  (if  approved)  they  are  to  ferve  three 
years.     The  planters  are  compelled  by  law  to  keep  a  certain  number 
of  v^hite  fervants,  in  proportion  to  their  Blacks ;  aiid  the  execution 
of  this  law  is  enforced  by  the  commiilary,  who  adjufts  the  price,  and 
forces  the  planters  to  take  the  number  of  fervants  required  to  keep 
up  their  refpe£iive  proportions.     In  Jamaica  the  planters  have  no 
affidance  of  this  kind  from  government ;  fo  that^   if  their  deficiency- 
law  indilpenfably  compelled  them  to  kdep  a  certain  number  of  white 
fervants,  they  have  only  two  ready  means  of  making  fuch  a  provifion, 
both  of  which  arc  extremely  improper ;.  the  one  is,  by  picking  up  any 
idlers,  or  vagabonds,  they  can  meet  with  ftraggling  about  the  coun* 
try ;    the  other,   by  obtaining  fervants  from  the  crimp's    office    in 
London,  and  other  fuch  purveyors  at  the  great  feaport  towns,  from 
whence  none  fcarcely  ever  ilTued,  that  were  not  contamifiated  with 
every  vice,  and  difeafe ;  bad  as  thefe  recruits  are,  they  have  coft  the 
planters  vaft  fums  of  money,  paid  for  their  pailage;  which  is  the  rather 
to  be  regretted,  as  the  greater  part  of  them  defervtd,  for  their  iniquities, 
to  have  beeri  tranfported  at  the  expence  of  the  Britifh  government. 
How  different  has  the  conduft  of  the  two  Rations  been  in  regard  to 
peopling  their  Weft  India  pofleffions! — France,  like  a  fkilful  gar- 
dener, has  been  careful  in  the  choice  of  plants,  and  treated  her  colo«* 
nies  as  a  favourite  nurfery,  in  which  nooe  (boyld  be  fixed  that  were 
Vol*  I.  Kkk  not 


434  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

not  vigorous^  hcdthy,  with  all  the  promifing  appearnnces  of  thriving 
hixuriantiy,  and  producing  good  fruit ;  Britain,  on  the  contrary^ 
treats  her  plantations  as  a  diftant  fpot,  upon  which  flie  may  moft  con* 
venientty  diicharge  all  her  nuifances,  weeds,  and  filth,  leaving  it  in* 
tirely  to  chance^  whcfther  any  valuable  produdion  fhall  ever  fpring 
up  from  it.  But  it  is  not  to  chance  that  France  is  indebted  for  the 
prefcnt  improved  ftate  of  her  Weft  India  fettlements,  in  which  they 
are  acknowledged  far  fuperior  to  thofe  belonging  to  Great  Britain  ;  fhe 
k  juftly  entitled  to  plume  hodfelf  upon  it,  as  the  refult  of  her  conftanC 
attention  to  promote  their  fuccefs,  by  every  way  that  prudence  could 
fiiggeft,  or  the  power  of  the  nation  could  contribute ;  {paring  neither 
vfeful  expedients,  nor  money;  ftocking  them  with  young,  athletic^ 
and  fbber,  inhabitants ;  and  attending  to  their  progrefs  and  welfare^ 
with  a  watchful  eye,  and  unremitted  diligence* 

Our  coloniftsy  abandoned  to  their  own  guidance,  have^  it  is  tme» 
performed  wonders  :  but  they  would  have  done  much  greater  things,^ 
onder  half  the  fupport  which  has  been  given  to  their  rivals.  It  is  a 
mortifying  circumftance^  that  the  French  excel  us  in  two  of  our  oldeft 
Weft  India  ftaples,  fugar  and  indigo ;  that  their  iflands  are  beyond 
€omparifon  better  peopled,  and  peopled  with  a  more  fober  and  induf- 
trioos  fort  of  men ;  that  they  are  better  fortified  on  their  coafts ;  bet* 
ter  garrifoned  with  troops ;  and  that  the  expcnce  of  this  protection  is 
paid  by  their  government ;  fo  that,  their  taxes  being  lefs  than  ours^ 
according  to  fome  calculations,  50  or  60,000  /.  fterling  per  annum, 
they  can  better  afford  to  penetrate  into  the  in  moft  receflfcs  of  their 
iQands  with  good  roads,  to  conftruft  bridges,  cut  canals  for  watering 
their  plantations,  make  rivers  navigable,  or  carry  on  other  public 
works  of  general  utility.  Bat,  to  defift  from  the  invidious  talk  of 
depreciating  our  own  fettlements,  though  I  mean  nothing  by  the 
comparifon,  but  to  enforce  the  reafonahlenefs,  and  even  neceffity,  of 
endeavouring  to  refcue  them  from  decline  i  1  Ihall  only  exprcfs  my 
ardent  wiflies,  that  we  may  not  too  long  difdain  to  mix  a  little  of 
the  French  policy  in  our  fyftem  of  colony  government,  I  have  ven-* 
tured  my  thoughts,  and  propofed  a  variety  of  rcfources>  for  accom- 
plifhing  a  plan,  wherein  every  perfon,  holding  a  property  in  this 
ifland,  is  particularly  intercfted,  not  to  fpeak  of  the  nation  in  generaL 
Clould  it  be  well  peopled,  the  good  ei!e£b  would  be  marked  and 

enjoyed^ 


BOOK   IL    CHAP.  11.  43S 

eojoyed,  by  the  rife  of  lands,  and  tfae  fall  of  taxcs^;  gteater  &amty 
woidd  occafion  the  one>  and  fuch  a  reinforcement  of  contributors  tho 
other ;  as  it  augmented  in  opulence  and  ftrength^  it  would  become 
more  and  more  a  prime  obje£i:  to  Great  Britain  i  its  ftaple  commodi^ 
ties  might  be  improved  and  increafed,  new  materials  for  export  ob- 
tained, its  commerce  and  importance  advancedi  until  it  fhould  precede 
in  yalae  all  tbe  other  dominions  of  his  majeftjr  in  the  Weft  Indies. 


O     H     A     P.     Ill, 
AGRICULTURE. 

TH  £  fugar  cane  was  early  cuUivated  here  by  the  Spaniards ; 
they  probably  obtained  their  plants  from  tbe  Braiils  |  their 
plantations  ferved  only  to  furnifli  tbem  with  fa^  for  their  own 
confumption ;  for  it  does  not  appear  that  tbey  exported  any.  The 
Nevis  planters,  who  came  hither  with  Geaerid  Brayne^  entered  more 
largely  upon  this  article ;  and,  after  their  ezam{^ef  Colonel  Barring* 
ton  and  other  officers  of  tbe  army  formed  fome  few  fugar  planta- 
tions ;  but  fo  nnlkilful  were  they  in  tbe.manufadure  of  it,  that  wlutt 
tbey  made  was  of  very  bad  quality,  hhik$  and  of  no  grain ;  upon 
Sir  Thomas  Modiford^s  appointment  to  the  government,  in  1 664,  be 
inftruAed  the  inhabitants  in  the  art  of  management,  as  then  pra£tifed 
at  Barbadoes ;  and  from  this  period  their  produce  grew  into  efteem  at 
the  Britifli  market.  The  prefent  fiate  of  agriculture  in  this  ifland  far 
franfcends  what  it  vnL$  fifty  years  ago,  but  it  fiiU  labours  imder  many 
imperfediotts.  A  fptrit  of  experiment  ba$  of  late  appeared,  which,  by 
quitting  the  old  beaten  track,  promiies  to  ftrike  out  continual  im- 
provements ;  larger  falaries  being  now  given  to  the  overfeers  or  ma- 
nagers, they  are  in  general  men  of  much  better  ability  than  formcrty 
were  employed.  The  inhabitants  for  a  long  time  thought  that  Bar* 
faadoes  was  the  only  nurfery  for  good  j^lanter^,  and  managers  vn^tC 
obtamed  from  thence  with  great  e^ernefs ;  but,  on  arritmg  In  Ja<* 
maica^  thefe  porfons  found  themielve^  greatlfy  at  a  lofs :  this  is  to  be 
aicribed  to  the  diverfity  of  foil  and  feafons  in  Jamaica ;   (b  that  one 

Kkk  2  uniform 


436  JAMAICA. 

Tinifbrm  fyftem  of  planting  will  not  fuit  every  part  of  it.  The  Bar- 
badians are  excellent  managers  for  dry,  worn-out  lands,  on  the  (buth* 
fide,  where  the  feafons  are  tolerably  regular ;  but,  to  find  a  manager 
who  can  undertake  any  foil,  in  any  parifli  of  the  ifland,  we  muft  not 
go  out  of  the  ifland ;  fince  none  are  fo  capable  of  it,  as  thoie  who 
have  been  a  long  time  in  fervice  here ;  and  who, ''by  having  charge  of 
a  number  of  eftates,  differently  fituated,  have  gained  that  knowledge 
from  habitual  obfervation  and  experience,  that  is  not  to  be  acquired 
by  any  other  means,  as  we  are  not  pofiefied  of  any  treatifes  upon 
this  fubjeft,  adapted  to  the  ifland*  In  the  year  1 767  a  plan  was 
formed  here,  for  eftablifhing  a  patriotic  fociety,  for  improving  the 
produdions  and  commerce  of  the  ifland,  and  extending  the  cultiva** 
tion  of  its  lands. 

This  was  far  from  being  a  chimerical  projed.     We  have  feen  the 
good  tSc&s  arifing  from  focieties  united  for  fimilar  purpofes,  in  Eng^ 
land,    Ireland,   Scotland,  and  North   America ;    to   fay  nothing  of 
France,  and  other  foreign  fiate$.      The  ingenious  treatife  on  agri- 
culture,  publiflied  by  Mr.  TuU,  ftruck  out  new  lights,  and  (hewed 
the  propriety  ©f  grounding  this  fcience  upon  adual  experiment.    But 
the  inftitution   of  focietie$  threw  open  at  once  an  cafy  channel  of 
communication,  to  the  gentleman  and  the  farmer ;  by  which  the  har- 
vefts  of  knowledge  they  had  feverally  gleaned,  might  be  colleded 
into  one  common  ftock,  and  diftributed  to  the  public.     The  gene^* 
rous  principles,  to  which  thefe  focieties  owed  their  birth,  very  foon 
excited  the  attention  of  men  of  erudition ;  and  to  them^  the  public 
became  indebted  for  many  diflertations  which  have  fince  appeared  in 
print,  by  which  means  the  art  has  been  greatly  extended,  and  brought 
to  a  degree  of  perfedion  in  England,  which  probably  it  never  would 
have  attained  without  fuch  alfidance.     Mr.  Home's  ufeful  little  traft 
upon  foils,  founded  chiefly  upon  chemical  experiments,  may  £erve 
to  flietv  the  neceflSty  of  refcuing  this  art  firom  the  barbarous  reveries 
of  ignorant  clowns,  and  the  fliackles  of  antiquated  prejudices  j  it  mzy 
alfo  prove  how  much  this  purfuit  flands  in  need  of  the  aid  of  natural 
philoibphy,  chemiftry,  and  fome  other  branches  of  polite  fcience,  to 
bring  it  ftill  nearer  towards  perfeftion.     It  is  true,  we  are  not  to  ex- 
ped  that  this  little  ifland  will  ever  become  the  ieat  of  philofophy  ^ 
ncverthelefs,  I  may  fairly  affirm,  there  are  many  gentlemen  in  it, 

fufficiently 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.  III.  437 

fufficiently  qualified  for  making  advances  in  the  fcience  of  planting. 
The  rapid  progrefs  which  the  French  are  making  in  the  neighbouring 
iflands  fliould  Simulate  us  on  to  pufh  our  enquiries  and  improvements 
fo  far  as  to  win  the  race  from  them  in  the  competition  ;  that,  by  dint 
of  fuperior  Ikill,  we  may  be  able  to  manufadlure  our  produce,  of  at 
leaft  equal  good  quality,  with  Icfs  expence,  and  to  vend  it  at  greater 
profit  than  they  are  able.  This  we  cannot  hope  to  bring  to  pafs  by 
greater  natural  fertility  of  foil,  fince  in  thi&  particular  they  are  faid 
to  excel  us ;  but,  if  we  can  find  out  the  way  to  make  better  ufe  of 
what  we  have  than  we  feem  to  do  at  prefent;  there  is  reafon  for  hoping 
they  may  not  long  have  caufe  to  boaft  of  their  advantages  over  us* 
The  eftablifhment  of  a  fociety  upon  this  plan  necellarily  calls  upon 
thofe  gentlemen  who  are  lovers  of  their  country  (or,  to  fay  the  truths 
rather  lovers  of  their  own  intereft),  to  impart  with  freedom  fucb 
remarks  as  they  have  already  formed,  as  well  as  to  apply  their  minds 
to  frefh  difquifitions:  it  is  in  the  power  of  moil  men  to  contribute 
fomewhat  towards  the  common  fund  of  ufeful  knowledge  ^  and  it  h 
certainly  a  duty  which  every  man  owes  to  the  country  in  which  he 
lives,  to  put  his  band  to  the  plough  for  the  general  good,  for  no 
man  lives  for  himfelf  alone ;  nor  fhould  any  one  fuflfer  partial  views^ 
vulgar  prejudice,  or  the  ridicule  that  may  fpring  from  weak  minds, 
to  divert  him  from  that  benevolent  attachment  to  the  public  welfare,, 
even  in  the  minuteft  applications,  which  charaderifes  the  true  patriot^ 
and  friend  to  mankind.  To  perfpvere  in  errors,  becaufe  our  forefathers 
did  fo,  is  the  fure  mark  of  a  narrow  or  indolent  foul ;  not  to  endea- 
vour to  correft  them,  is  equally  reprehenfibk.  The  opening  a  libe^ 
ral  communication  of  remarks  and  opinions,  and  felefting  fuch  as  are 
diftinguifhed  for  their  feeming  reftitude,  is  a  fure  method,  whereby- 
we  may  be  freed  from  thofe  reflraints  which  our  anceflors  impofed,  and 
to  which  we  may  have  yielded  implicitly  under  the  fan£tion  of  cuflom,. 
and  long  ufage.  From  fuch  we  might  hope  to  be  relieved  by  a  fociety 
duly  encouraged  and  fupported ;  for  one  of  its  principal  objects  beings 
as  I  conceive,  to  extraft  fuch  parts  of  the  feveral  trails  or  comrnuni- 
cations,  tranfmitted  to  the  fociety  from  perfons  living  in  different  dif- 
trifts  of  the  ifland,  as  might  be  thought  worthy  of  publication,  the 
particulars  might  be  digelled  under  proper  heads,  fo  as  to  form  by 
degrees  a  complete  fyflem  or  body  of  agriculture  adapted  to  this  cli-» 

4  mate 


438  J    A    M    A    r    C    A. 

mate  and  ifland.     This  coiild  not  fail  of  proving  in  the  end  of  in* 
finite  ufe  to  the  inhabitants,  and  of  contributing  greatly  to  the  im* 
provement  of  the  land,  already  under  cultivation^  as  well  zs  excite 
the  induftrious  to  engage  in  new  fcttlements.    By  reforming  erroneous 
notions,  founded  in  ignorance,  and  treafuring  up   that  experimental 
knowledge,  which  would  oiherwife  have  been  loft  to  the  communi* 
ty,  the   art   of  planting  would   no  longer   remain  a  myftery ;  but 
every  land-holder  in  the  ifland  would  be  more  certainly  informed 
r  of  the  true  value  of  his  pofleflions,  and  of  the  means  by  which  they 
might  be  ftill  more  highly  improved.  Such  of  the  planters  who  are  mar- 
ried, and  have  children,  have  generally  fent  their  fons  to  be  educa- 
ted in  Great  Britain ;  thefe  youths,  at  their  return  to  the  ifland,  per- 
,  cciving  themfelves  totally  ignorant  in  regard  to  the  management  of 
property  here,  and  finding  nothing  to  engage  and  fix  their  minds, 
^re  foon  difpo&d  to  quit  the  country  i  or  rely  wholly  on  the  ikill  of 
their  overfeer,   whofe  knowledge,  confined  and  narrow  as  it  may 
1  be,  they  feem  to  think  ht  beyond  what  they  themielves  could  ever 
hope  to  arrive  at,  without  firi>mitting  to  the  laborious  drudgery  of 
acquiring  it,  by  a  regular  apprentice(hip  in  the  field.     Whereas  if 
:  they  could  but  be  fuificiently  informed  by  the  experience  and  obfer- 
xvation  of  others,  compiled  and  publiflied,   their  curiofity  would  be 
;  awakened ;  intereft  and  ambition  would  equally  cott(pire  to  lead  them 
into  further  attempts  towards  improving  their  efiates ;  and,  as  firarcely 
;  any  ftudy  is  more  amufing  than  that  of  agriculture,  the  ruggednefs  of 
which  is  cooftaatly  (inootbed  by  the  allurements  of  profit,  what  progress 
.  might  we  not  expe£t  towards  a  more  perfed  fy ftem  of  hufbandry ,  if  they 
.whofe  minds  have  been  enlightened  by  a  liberal  education  (hould  em- 
ploy their  talents  in  reducing  theory  to  pradice,  and  amaffing  a  ftock 
of  experimental  knowledge,  which  is  fo  defireable  in  itfelf,  and  is 
<fo  obvioufly  conducive  to  enrich  its  followers  ?    I  make  no  doubts 
;but  that  if  all  the  ikill  in  planting,  which  has  been  unprc^tably  dif- 
perfed  for  fo  many  years  pail  in  different  hands   throughout  this 
ifland,  had  been  regularly  compiled,  and  digefled,  we  fliould  at  this 
.time  have  found  the  colony  in  a  far  more  fiourifliing  way  than  it  is. 
.But,  whatever  knowledge  of  this  fort  has  been  colleded  by  different 
jperfonS)  either  from  obfervation  or  experience,  their  own  or  other  mens 
good  or  ill  fuccefs  in  management,  it  has  died  with  the  proprietors; 

and 


BOOK  n.    CHAR  m.  439 

and  as  the  overfbers  are  mofily  Europeans,  and  not  very  many  of 
them  fully  qualified  to  judge  when  they  are  ading  right,  or  when 
wrong,  fo  they  feem  In  general  extremely  emharrafled  at  their  6rft 
fetting  out ;  copying  merely  from  their  neighbours,  who  may  hap- 
pen to  know  little  more  of  the  buiincfs  than  themfelves  ;  and  obl^ed 
to  follow  the  employment  feveral  years,  before  they  can  attain  a  fuf*- 
icient  degree  of  general  information.     A  further  difadvantage  th^ 
labour  under  is,  by  reafon  of  the  great  variety  of  foils,  and   diver* 
iity  of  climate,  obiervable  in  this  ifland,  which  make  one  certain  rule 
of  management,  that  has  been  fuccefsful  in  one  part,  utterly  im- 
proper, and  extremely  detrimental  in  another ;  add  to  this,  that  they 
feldom  ftay  long  in  in  one  place,  but  ihifi:  here  and  there  to  the  cul-  - 
ture  of  different  foils,  and  under  very  unequal  ieaibns  ;  fo  that  it 
requires  many  years  of  practice,  to  give  them   opportimity  of  per- 
feeing  their  ikill,    and  acquiring  any  thing  like  a  thorough-paced 
ktaowlbdge  of  their  bufinefs«  .  Hence  it  happens,  that  the  eftates  ia  * 
general  have  been  fo  indifl^ently  conduced ;  it  being  the  chief  em- 
ployment of  a  new  overfeer,  for  two  or  three  years  next  after  hi*  • 
af^o'mtment,  to  endeavour  at  reforming  the  miftakes  of  hispredeceflprs, 
by  introducing  his  own  crude,  notions  in  their  room  ;  often  without 
ability  to  perform  what  he  has  engaged,  he  is  dilcardcd  or  volun- 
tarily withdraws  himfelf  to  make  way  for    another,    and  another 
iliU,  who  can  do  no  more  than   fubftitute  new  and  undigefted  plans,  . 
without  underftanding  what  the  iflue  will  be,  and  without  much  ad- 
verting to  the  welfare  of  his  •  employer ;  for  whom  it  is  happy,  if, 
under  fo  many  repugnant  meafures,  and  conflifting  minifters,  he  does 
not  find  himfelf  at  length  reduced  to  the  very  brink  of  ruin,  by 
knavery,  ignorance,  or  obftinacy. 

If  we  take  a  view  of  many  eftates,  fome  of  which,  have  long  been 
fettled,  we  (hall  in  general  difcover  vaft  room  for  improvement  ; 
and  at  the  fame  time,  find,  that  few  among  them  have  made  much 
progrefs  for  twenty  years  paft,  except  in  expenfive  and  magnificent 
works,  which  ferve  to  exhibit  the  Ikill  of  carpenters  and  mafons,  . 
whilft  the  land  appears  to  owe  fo  little  to  fkilful  culture,  that  feveral 
acres  are  thrown  up,  for  want  of  being  properly  manured.  One  mode  : 
of  management  is  too  indifcriminately  applied  to  every  fpccies  of  foil, 
and  fifty  acres  arc  frequently  overfpread  with  canes  ill  planted,  or  land  - 

unmanuredy   . 


440  JAMAICA, 

nnmanuredy  wbich  do  not  produce  fo  much  fugar  as  might  be  gained 
from  a  third  part  of  the  fame  land,  judicioufly  hufbanded.  A  free 
communication  of  what  different  men  have  obferved  and  experienced, 
would  therefore  help  greatly  to  reftify  raiftaken  opinions  and  prac- 
tices, and  to  render  both  the  overfeers  and  their  employers  more  in- 
telligent, and  better  qualified  to  execute  with  propriety  and  fuccefs 
the  fchemes  they  might  undertake.  It  is  needlefs  indeed  to  infift 
upon  the  various  happy  confequences  likely  to  enfue  from  a  fociety 
inliituted  for  thefe  purpofes,  and  perfevering  ftcdfaftly  in  their  plan ; 
but  whether  we  c^n  expeft  to  meet  with  this  perfevering  fpirit  in 
Jamaica,  is  fomewhat  quefiionable  ;  fince  the  firfl:  attempt  of  the  kind 
here,  which,  forfome  little  time,  was  well  fupported,  and  founded  en 
exceeding  good  regulations,  came  to  nothing,  by  the  emigration  from 
the  ifland  of  feveral  gentlemen,  who  had  principally  concerned  them- 
fclves  in  fetting  it  on  foot ;  however,  it  would  not  be  unworthy  the 
oonfideration  of  the  affembly,  to  form  a  committee  purpofely  for  agri- 
culture ;  and  if  it  was  made  a  (landing  committee,  like  that  of  privi- 
leges and  elections,  of  griev^ances,  and  the  like,  the  main  intention 
might  be  prefcrved,  and  the  endeavours  of  private  men  be  animated  by 
the  premiums,  or  other  fit  encouragements,  whigh  the  houfe  might 
judge  proper  to  offer.  It  is  foreign  to  my  defign,  to  enter  minutely 
into  the  methods  of  planting  the  cane,  as  in  general  pradifed  in  this 
ifland ;  nor  am  I  fufficiently  informed  of  the  ftate  of  agriculture  in 
the  French,  and  other  iflands,  fo  as  to  point  out  in  what  particulars 
the  Jamaica  planters  differ  eflentially  from  them.  In  fome  of  the 
fmaller  iflands,  where  the  eftates  are  much  circumfcribed,  it  is  reafon- 
able  to  think,  that  their  land  is  vaftly  higher  manured,  and  every  part 
in  more  perfeft  cultivation,  than  in  our  ifland.  A  perfon,  who  has 
not  fo  much  land  as  he  is  able  to  cultivate,  will  neceffarily,  to  make 
the  moft  of  it,  exhibit  a  difplay  of  more  indufl^ry,  oeconomy,  and 
neatnefs,  than  another,  whofe  extenfive  traft  engages  him  in  fo  wide  a 
field  of  operation,  that,  whilfl  he  is  anxious  to  leave  no  part  unoccu- 
pied, he  has  neither  time  nor  labourers  fufficient  to  perfeft  any 
thing.  This  is  a  capital  error  among  almoft  all  the  overfeers  in 
Jamaica.  They  confider  the  number  of  acres  they  can  annually  over- 
fpread  with  pLmts,  as  the  fureft  tefl:  of  their  ability,  without  reflefting, 
that  extraordinary  pains,  beftowed  on  half  the  quantity,  would  yield 

an 


:    -BO.OK  n.    CHAP.  IlL  ut 

an  equal  cfop.  'Others  wearotit  their  land  by  inceflant  cultivation, 
and  a  negleft  of  recruiting  it  with  feafonable  fupplies  of  mould,  or 
Other  dreffing ;  and,  after  throwing  it  up,  pafs  on  to  a  new  piece, 
which  is  deftined  to  be  worked  to  the  bone  in  the  fame  manner  ;  and 
very  few  of  them  underftand  the  method  of  preparing  fuitable  com- 
pofts  for  their  land  [a].  The  oldeft  eftatcs  in  general  are  the  beft 
condufted-;  for  the  fterility  ci  the  foil  compels  their  manager  to  ap- 
ply his  thoughts  chiefly  to  the  remedying  this  defeft,  by  regular  ma- 
nuring ; '  for  this  purpofe,  the  cattle  and  mules  are  conftantly  broaght 
into  a  pcnn,  or  inclofure,  at  night,  where  their  dung  is  prefer ved; 
and  this,  together  with  what  can  be  collefted  from  the  hogftye^  (heep- 
fold,  and  ftable,  and  the  wood-afhes  drawn  out  of  the  boiling  and. 
ftill-hdufcs,  furnifti  the  moft  confiderable  (hare  of  his  annual  fupply. 
The  eftates  which  have  wind  or  water-mills  draw  a  further  refource, 
in  this  tefpeft,  by  feeding  their  cattle,  during  the  crop,  out  upon  the 
lands  whidh  are  in  moft 'need  of  recruit ;  they  are  conveniently  fhiftcd 
from  one  fpot  to  another,  by  the  help  of  moveable  penns ;  and  this 
appears  to  be  one  of  the  beft  expedients  inufe ;  large  quantities  of  good 
mould  are  thrown  from  time  to  time  into  the  penn  ;  which,  being  trod 
down  by  the  cattle,  and  mixed  with  trafli  and  litter,  abforbs  their 
urine,  and  preferves  the  finer  vegetative  particles  from  evaporation* 
In  many  places  on  the  North  fide  the  foil  is  fo  rich,  the  rains  fo  co- 
pious and  frequent,  as  to  require  rather  to  be  impoverifhed,  than 
•dunged;  and  1  am  perfuaded,  that  thefe  lands  would  yield  more  fu- 
gar,  and  better  in  quality,  if  they  could  be  drefled  with  fea  fand  [^] : 
the  (yrup  here  is  fo  vifcid,  that  it  often  will  not  boil  into  fugar ;  but 
thefe  eftates  produce  an  extraordinary  quantity  of  rum.     The  South 

•  [0]  Some  Jamaica  planten  ti^rfSs  great  aftonUhmenr,  when  they  bear  of  land  in  the  Windvrard 
liUoda  nirnmg  out  at  an  average  three  hogflieads/^  acre,  even  in  feme  of  thofe  which  have  been, 
longed  fettled,  ^nd  moil  Worked ;  nQt  confidering,  that  this  fertility  is  owing  chiefly  to  conilant 
high  manuring.  In  St.  Kilt's,  for  example,  where  no  rattoons  are  produ^tm,  the  erop  is  e very- 
year  made  fram  plants ;  and  I  have  been  alTured  by  a  gentleman  of  that  ifland^  that  they  lay  from 
60  to  70  on  80  lb.  of  dung  in  eYe];y  boJe^  their  land  coofequently  receives  more  manure  in  one 
year,  than  in  Jamaica  Is  commonly  given  in  three.. 

[i]  What  is^  meant  here  Is  the  (belK'  fand,  of  which  tliere  is  vaft  abundance  on  e^^ery  part  of 
the  ccitl.^^^Thc  farmers  in  the  Weft  of  England  throw  a  fiwiilar  kmd  of  fand  upon  then*  grounds 
at  a  coniderable  dtftance  frofii  the  Jea;     h  is  brought  thither  on  horfes,  for  want  of  coni^nient 
wheel  roads*    Each  horfe  carries  about  a buihel  and  half«  or  about  iz  gallons ;  and  from  two  to 
throe-hundreds  of  fuclf  loads  are  laid  on/rr  ugre,  according  to  the  (hortiiefs  or  dlftaace  of  carriage.. 

Vol.  I.  L 1 1  fide 


44af  J.   A    M    A    1    e    A. 

fide:  lands,  on  the  contrary,  produce  ale&  proportion  of.  rum,  td*  ^ 
larger  quantity  of  fugar ;  and  in  general  I  have  remarked,  that  the 
eflaCes  which  afK)rd  the  leaft  proportion  of  rum,  yield  a  fugar  of  the 
fined  quality  and  complexion.  On  the  North  fide,  for  the  moft  part^ 
their  hufbandry  is  irregular,  as  a  dry  or  a  wet  year  makes  a  very 
remarkable  difi^rence  in  the  yielding  of  their  canes ;  but,  in  general.r 
their  plants  (or  canes  of  the  firft  growtji);  do  not  yield  more  thao* 
from  one  hogfliead  to  one  and  a  half  per  acre  ;  but  tbeir  rat^ooa 
canes  yield  as  much  as  the  plants,  and  fometimes  more  v  and.  I  have^ 
known  them  ftand  fourteen  fucceflrve  annual  cuttings.  This  is  theughCi 
by  ibme  rather  a  favourable  ciraimftance ;  bufe  the  foil  i»  which  they 
grow  is  extremely  ftifF,  and  difficult  to  turn  up ;  and  in  fa£l  it  Hands- 
in  need  of  f];eqiient  tillage,  to-  break  the  cohefion^  and  render  it. 
lighter^ 

On  the  South  fi^de  the  canes  fall  ofTafter  the  firft  cutttng,  and  there- 
fere  they  are  obUged  to  plant  anew  every  year.  Some  perfons  divide 
their  cane  knd  into  two  parts,  one  of  which  they  plant  annually,  and 
fo  cut  none  other  but  plants  for  their  crop;  butunkfe  very  large 
quantities  of  manure  are  beftowed  at  the  iame  time,  this  method  i& 
thought  to  exhauil  the  land  too  faft>  the  more  unlverfal  pradice,  is  to- 
divide  the  land  into  thirds,  and  fometimes  fourths.  Of  thi^fe,  one  parts 
is  in  plants,  one  in  furft  rattoons,  one  in;  fecond  sattoons,  and  fome-^ 
times  a  fourth  divifion  in:  fallow,  and  the  yielding  is  in  general^  of 
plants  from  1 4.  hhd,  to  2  and  2  4.  per  acre.  Some  particular  fpots' 
produce  3  and  even  4,  but  I  do  not  remember  any  beyond  riiis.  Firft 
raltoons  i  to  1 4:  hhd,.  fecond  ditto  4  to  i  hhd.  The  prafticc  of  fal- 
lowing the  cane  land,  or  laying  it  into  temporary  pafture,  feldoio* 
turns  to  any  account  in  this  climate ;  for  it  foon  becomes  fo  foul  with* 
weeds  and  graft,  as  greatly  to  encreafe  the  labour  of  hoeing  it  after- 
wards: but  this  land  might  receive  great  benefit,  if,  after  being  laid  in- 
to fallow,  it  was  to  be  well  turned  up  thrice  at  leail  in  tlie  year,  to . 
imbibe  tiioreughly  the  nutritious  particles  of  the  dews  and  rains.  The 
common  eftimate of  rum.is'40  pinicheons  to  every  loobhds.of  fugarj. 
but  thofc  eftateS' produce  fugar  of  the  bcft  quality,,  whofe  proportion 
is  30  to  100:  oa  many  of  the  North-  fide  properties^  they  count  upon 
50  and  60  to  every  100,  and  fometimes  exceed  this  proportion.  If 
a  method  could  be  difcbvered,.  either  by  a  chemical  preparation,  or 

otherwife,. 


<>tbefwiicy  of  iBaking  the  cane  fyrup  quickly  granulate,  and  of^dUen^ 
igaging  die  falts  of  the  iugar  fpeedilj  from  the  fyrup  or  tnelaii^y  it 
ivould  be  a  mod  valuable  acquilition  to  the  hufbandry  of  th^  ifland^^ 
and  in  particular  of  the  North  fide;  the  means  in  common  ufc,  are 
lime  aynd  lime-water  $  but  thefe  do  not  fucceed  when  the  canes  are  ex* 
tremely  r^nk  and  fucculent :  it  is  to  be  ivlihed  that  fome  able  chemift 
may  apply  his  thoughts  to  difcover  a  cheap  ingredient,  orrlixlvhim, 
which,  by  fcparatitig  that  principle,  wbelJier  it  be  oil,  acid, .  or  fome- 
thing  elfe  that  by  it«  overcharge,  keeps  the  fyrup  in  a  fluid  fiate,  fhould 
en^le  the  falts  to  icryftallize.  The  ftalk  of  the  arum  or  dumb-coM^ 
flicedand  thrown  into  die  boiling  liquor,  has  Ibmetimes  been  ufed  for 
t^is  purpofe ;  but  not  with  any  good  efFed,  that  1  coujd  obier ve :  fx^-- 
fGriments  might  be  tried  with  pearl-afhes,  trumpet- tjree-afhe?,  orothqr 
v^et^le  alkalies. . 

lOithe  management  of  a  fugareftate,  a  cqnftant  attention  to  a.fe,w 
jgeneral  rules,  may  be  produ(iive  of  the  ^reateft  fuccefs* 

ift.  The  preparation  of  die, ground.-  Hoe-ploughlhg  it  three  or 
four  d^es,  croffing  or  changing  the  dire£)ion  of  the  furrows  iat  every 
fucceffive  ploughing,  whereby  the  furface  might  be  well  turned  up 
and  levigjited^  would  be  almofl  equal  to  manuring;  and  when  the 
land  is  prepared  in  this  manner,  a  much  fmaller  quantity  of  manure  is 
required  to  keep  it  in  heart 

ad.  This  jQiould  invariably  be  pra<^ied  on  Callows;  it  prevents  the 

Surface  from  cohering  too  firmly,  dellroys  weeds,  renders  the  foil 

.iight,  and  better  adapted  to  xeceive  the  roots  of  the  cane,  whofe  fibres 

,^re  imaU  and  -ddicate,  and  require  a  liberty  of  extending  themfelves 

on  all  iides  with  eafe,  to  imbibe  due  iK)uriniment;  and  it  enriches  the 

.<arth  by  the  common  advantages  of  dew«,  rain,  and  air* 

3d,  The  choice  of  manures.  The  richeft  this  ifland  affords  is  the 
ihell-marle ;  hut  this  is  fcarce,  and  feldom  met  with,  except  in  xht 
mountains,  or  near  the  (ea-coafL  This,  when  it  can  be  procured,  is 
an  admirable  manure  for  all  ftiflf  and  clayey  foils.  Pit,  or  very  fine 
Tiver,  fand,  firft  well  mixed  up  with  rotten  dung,  hog,  or  poultry 
•dung,  is  an  ^excellent  manure  for  cold  clays;  but  where  a  plentiful 
drelfing  is  required  for  them,  the  fllclly  fea-fand,  of  the  finefl  grain,  is 
preferable,,  and  flioi^ld  be  laid  on  at  the  rate  of  8  or  10  ton  to  the  acre, 
.  and  then. well  Intermixed  with  the  foil  by  hoe-ploughing.     Qay  (up- 

L 1 1  a  on 


444  JAM    A    r  C    A. 

oh  the  fame  principles)  is  an  excellent  manure  for  faikly,  barren  foUs; 
lime  is  alfo  recommended  ftrongly  for  the  fame  foils.  Dung  has  little 
or  no  effea  upon  fuch  poor  foils.  The  good  effefts  of  dung  are 
afcribed  to  its  fermentative  power,  by  which  it  expands,  lifts  up,  di- 
vides, and  loofens  the  earth,  and  at  the  fame  time  communicates  a  de- 
gree of  warmth  to  it;  for  this  reafon,  it  fiiould  feem,  that  the  proper 
time  for  laying  dung  upon  land,  is  before  it  has  loft  its  fermentative 
power  J  this  power  may  be  deftroyed  by  exficcation ;  and  this  is  a  cafe 
which  frequently  happens  in  this  country,  where  the  dung  is  fpread 
thin,  and  too  long  expofed  to  the  fun's  heat.  Horfe  dung  is  beft  a- 
dapted  to  cold  lands,  and  cattle  dung  to  hot.  The  mud  of  ponds, 
thofe  efpecially  which  receive  the  d under  and  foeculencics  difchaiged 
from  a  ftill-houfe,  are  rich  manures.  A  variety  of  thefe,  mingled  to- 
gether, would  make  a  compoft  proper  for  the  lands  in  general;  but 
their  virtue  would  be  very  greatly  encreafed  by  mixing  layers  of  good 
mould  alternately  with  them  j  and  when  cattle  are  penned  out  in  the 
field,  a  quantity  of  mould  fliould  always  be  laid  among  the  litter.  If 
the  land  intended  to  be  planted  is  twice  hoe-ploughed,  the  manure 
fhould  be  brought  upon  it  in  fmall  heaps  juft  before  the  firft  plough- 
ing, and-ploughed  in  as  foon  as  fpread,  that  the  foil  may  be  impreg- 
nated with  the  whole  of  its  virtue,  and  the  produce  will  then  be  af- 
tonifhing.     The  brick  and  black  moulds  require  no  manure. 

4th,  The  cutting  of  proper  furrows  or  drains,  for  carrying  away  fu- 
perfluous  water,  which,  if  retained  upon  the  land,  might  greatly  preju- 
dice young  plants.  In  making  them,  care  muft  be  taken  to  form  fuch 
traverfes,  as  that  they  may  not  ferve  to  condud  away  too  miich  of  the 
foil  together  with  the  water:  to  prevent  this,  they  Ihould  be  very  lit- 
tle inclined  from  a  level,  fo  that  there  may  be  no  rapidity  in  the 
current. 

5th,  The  choice  of  cuttings  for  planting;  which  fliouFd  be  chofen 
always  from  perfeflly  found,  fucculent,  and"  healthy  canes.  It  dt- 
ferves  experiment  whether  foaklng  the  junks  or  cuttings  48  hours  in 
a  liquor  coUefted  from  the  runnings,  or  bottom  of  dung-heaps,  with 
fome  lime  diflblved  in  it,  mijght  not  improve  their  vegetation,  and 
anfwer  in  fome  meafure  the  purpofe  of  manuring  the  land'. 

6th,.  The  canes  (hould  be  planted  not  lefs  than  6,  nor  more  in  ge- 
aeralthan  8  inches,. below  the  futface.;  as  the  finerm6uld,in  which  their 

fibres. 


BOOK  II.    CHAP,  m.'  445. 

fibtes  are  to  ihoot,  lies  at  the  furface;*  ibme  rcfyc€t  however  mud  be 
had  to  the  quality  of  the  land,  and  part  of  the  country.  In  wet,  ftiiF 
foils  they  fliould  be  planted  very  (hallow;  in  poorer  foils,  and  places 
fubjeft  to  dry  weather,  they  ought  never  to  be  laid  at  lefs  depth  than  I 
have  ] aft  mentioned*;  and  in  fuch  fituations  the  banks  on  hoed  land 
cannot  be  taken  dowmtoo  foon;  for  if  the  feafon  (hould  prove  una- 
fually  dry  and  fcorching,  they  will  be  fpund  very  detrimental  to  the 
young  plants. 

7th,  The  rows  (hould  be  at  fuch  a  difiance  from  one  another,  as  to 
allow  the  air  a  free  paflage  between  them^  and  admit  of  hoeing  around 
the  roots,  and  occafionally. moulding  them  up ;  about  two  feet  is- 
die'  fpace  commcHily  allowed,  ^nd  fometimes  morej  where  the  ground 
IS  moft  impovevi(hed.  .       ,  .  -  ^  , 

8th,  Stripping  the  canes  of  their  dead  leaves,  or  trafh,  is  u&ful  m 
wet  fituations,  or  where  they  ftand  too  thick;  but  injurious  in  hot  and 
dry.  expofures. 

Mj^h,  The  principal  pokit  in  the  manufaftiure,  is  cleanlhe/sy  a  cir- 
eumfiance  too  much .  neglected  .  in  Jamaica.  This  extends  to  the 
cane- liquor,  v^rhich  ihouldbe  brought  into  the  coppers  as  free.frotn^ 
dirt  and  trafh  aspoflible;  to  the  fyrup^  which  fhould  be  (kimmed 
and  pafled  through  coarf^  .woolknr  ilrainers  till  freed  entirely-  fromr 
little  particles'  of  dirt;,  to  the  boikrs,  which  ought  to  be  coot 
llaiiitly  well  fcDUced,  aiid /cleanied  from,  tiheir  ruil^. 

'  fot|i^  As  to  the  article  of  rum.  T}^t  firft  great  rule  is,  what  I 
hdve  jiaft  mentioned,,  viz.  ciednlinefsy  particularly  in -regard  to  the; 
ftills.      * 

nth.  The  next  is,  an  attentioa  to  keep  the  cifterns  in  -a- due  ftate 
of  fermentation ;  and  thist  might  be  effcftcd  to  a  degree  of  great  accu- 
racy,  by  regulating  the  warmth  of  the  houfe^  by  a  thermometco 
placed  in  it.        •  _       •  :      , 

12th,  The  laft  thittg  required  Is,  a  proper  regulation  of  the  fire  unr 
dfer  the  ftills,.  and  a  watchful  eye  to  the  runnings,,  that  none  may  be 
drawn  but  what  are  perfeftly  .clear,  Innpid,,  and  unclouded  with 
that  empyreumatic  oil,  which  imparts  a  moft  difagreeable  flavour  to 
the  fpirit,  and  which  is  generally  brought  over,  by  keeping  up  too 
fierce  a  fire,,  and  draining! too  low/  Tbefe  may  fctve  as.  general 
beads  only  of  what  feem^principally  to*  claim  the  planter's!  attention, 

towards^ 


44*     ,  j^K'^wx  i::c:a.  J 

tewar^B  periedting  ihe  ma»iufaduttof  tbde  two'tapitalftom 
not  but  there  is  a  Viik  variety,  of  oth^, particulars^  wbadi^&iCYC  htif 
care;  but  tliey  are  too  jmultifarious  for  the  cotnpafs  <if  my  work,  ia 
which  I  mean  not  to  introduce  ib  voluminous  a  bufinefs  ^s  tfa(  fyf-. 
tem  of  pkrttftig  and   manufafturing'  the   cane;  itiy»  prindpaii  view' 
being  merely  to  ofier  fuch  hints,   as: may  tend  to' put  my  brethren' 
on  a  cowfe  of  trnprovcment.     With  this  vieiv,  I  cannot  ootnctude 
the  fubjed  without  poiatkig  out  a   few  other  cxperimelrts  towards 
a  more  perfeft  husbandry*  '    c     ; 

The  natural  fituation  df  iaills  aad  deirlivities,  if  it  lioes.  not.  make. 
t!>em  incapable  of  prdducittg  any  thing,  fubjedksldic  earth.  uponMrfian' 
to  be  fwept-  aw&jin  wet  feafons,  and  k\  dry  ones jsxpofei  tbem  -too 
much  to  the  heat  and  draught.     To  prevent  thife»Mitcoiwxriiendcs^ 
the  Chlnefe  endeavour  to  reduce  their  hi^Is  into  pd^a,  m  att  leaft  to 
make  theito  iimilar'to  pl^ns^  by  ^e^races,  whoie"}ieight  suud  breadth 
arc  adapted  to  the  declivity.     Thefe  terraces  they  emplay  fb^./everal 
forts  of  plants;  and  to  each  «they  gh'e  fotsfa^^a  iituatiqn :»  beft  jcor'- 
reipoiids  with  its  nature.     Thofe  which  t^n' biar  ti\e  greateft  dry-* 
nefs  are  diipofed  at  the  top;  the  more  tdnder  ooes'  Btr  the rbottom^ 
When  the  rain  has  fofteo«d  iChe  foil  ia  tile  tipper,  terracfe,  the  water 
IB  conveyed  by  canals  into  the- 4ower  ones;  which  therefore^  beiidcs 
the  rain  which  falls   upon  them^  receive  likewlfe  the.fuperflu<>as 
water  of  the  upper  ones.    The  tttrracea^  which  iro  ioinelimiesy  foii^ 
jQr  five  feet  above  oae  anoither^  acquire  fuck  hsufdiolid  bank^,  by.  Jtain 
and  funihine,  that  .they  would  &and  for  .many  jrcaxisuirrlic^weveri 
they  plant  them   with  feveral  trees^  whofe  roots,  twifting  together 
keep  up  the  borders,  '^nd  the  trees,  t^emfelves .  (belter  the  ]4iint^  from 
wind  and  funlhine,  and  (erve  as  a  dec<»^ation.    The  Acclivity  of  foifif 
of  tbefe  mountaini  affiotmts  to  forty  degrees;  but  .tbey  ore  divided 
into  feveral  of  thefe  terraces,  on  which  are  planted  Spattfli   pota- 
\toeSf  yams,  cotton,  Tugar  canes,  and  many  other 'j^ants,  aecordayti^  to 
the  time  of  the  year  and  quality  of  the  foiL     When  it  rains^  the  rain 
water  is  preferyed^  and  conveyed  from  one  ftory  to  another:  if  it 
rains  too  much,  a  ditch  is  opened,  through  wbijcb  the  water  may  ma 
21  way  freely.    When  the  foii  of  the  terraces  is'djugup  with  a  little 
plough  ojr  (pade,  ajad  fmoothed  with  a  litde  ralbe,  tls^y  alt  die  fame 
time  put  fo  much  dung  as  the  plants  require;  yet  in  tbis  cafe  they 

c  '  arc 


B  O  O  K  II.    CHAP.  III^  ,447 

sn  very  ipapn^.  The  dung  is  generally  foaked  m  water^  iit  round 
^clfterns  fiink.  ni.  tfie  gtQund;  and  the  feeds  are  moiilened  with  this 
filthy  Water.  Sometimes,  when  they  ptant  or  fow,  they  lay  a  hand- 
full  qf  wood  afhesj  or  other  vegetable,  on  each  grain  ;  becaufbr  in  thenr 
opinion,  the  dung  whi^h  lies  between  ti^e  plants  does  no  good.  The 
beds  chat  are  made  on  the  terraces  fcarce  lie  ftiU'  one  month ;  but^ 
foon  after  the  ripening  of  one  plant,  arc  prepared  to  produce  an- 
other  J  artd  are  ann^ually  employed  three  times. 

They  fow  the  cottoii  feeds  ii*  AprilV  a  foot  afunder ;  in  Auguft  the* 
pods  open  and  fiiew  the  (otton,  they  are  then  broken  off^  the  feed 
leparated  iftom:  rfie  cotton,  aiid  preferred  for  the  next  year..  The 
cotton  crop  being  oVer,!thfey' plant  potatoe  flips  in  the  fame  beds,, 
about  afeot  and  a  half  aftoweif;' '  Sometimes  they  fupply  the  place  of 
teuton  with  lentils,  beans,  and  calavances;  but  in  all  th^fe  operations, 
they  never  fow  a  finglfe  feed,  thjrt  has  not  for  a  day  or  two-  beens 
foaked  in  the  water  of  a  diinghill^  or  in  lime  watser.  They  plant  their 
yam$  in  fwampy, 'wet  places^  which  are  unfit  for  other  ^ufe;  the 
longer  the  roots  remain,  in  the  grouody  the  larger  they  grow ;:  thefe 
'are  generally  taken  .'up  in  November.  They' biit  the  poots  of  the 
fugar  cane  uite  pieces,'  6ach  of  which  has  a  fhoot  or  two  v  and  plaAt 
them  more  than  half  ^  foot  deep  in  the  ground,,  leaving  two  ifek 
,^ace  between  every*  two  rows ;,  theft:  are  planted  indifferently  on  the 
*hiG;Iieft  .or  lowed  terraces,  for  they  obferv^  them  to  flourifti  there 
"equally  well  in  ihade  orfiinfliihe, ,  wet  'or  dxyi  heat  or  cold.  They 
cut  them  as  {bon  as  tl^eybegiiit  to. grow  yellow,  being  of  opinion^ 
that,  when  left  to  ftajiid^  ^opger^  *  they  become  mouldy  at  the  root. 
There  are  many  of  the  hilly  parts  in  Jamaica,  where  the  Chinefe 
|nethodx>f  forming  terraces  migh^  1  think,  be  introduced  with  con- 
fiderabl^  advantage  j  it  tannot  be  denied,  that  the  manner,  in  which 
thefe' decKv^ties  are.  now*  cultivated,  occafions  a  great  wafte  of  their  beft 
*inould*- whidi'Vwamed  away  .by  rains,  before  the  jCaoes  are  grown. 
fufficfently  to  cover  and'proteA  their  furfece  ;  befideV  tl^e  c^ne^  have 
'frequently  fo  lutle  hoJd>  that  they  are  very  apt  to  be  lodgtd  many 
33fionths'  before,  they  are  fit  tp  cut,  and  fuch  ilope^  are  not  only  ill- 
^ifpofed  to  retain  any  manijrft  lard^^xipori*  themy  butarefoqri  worta  bate- 
'and  ft'erile  ; .  the  Chinefe  method  tKerericrfei  l)y  .reducing  the  cgltiVafed 
part?  of  them  to  a  level,  brings  them  to  be  as  ferfire  ana^ronrmom- 

ous^ 


,,      ^  T'T       rr    f     *T'"S  ▼!      *  '^   ^,  .'>   T 

.44^     .  .  J.  A    M    A    J    C,  A., 

oqs  almoft  as  plalns,^  and  fecureis  thejn  ag^j^  qF  the' incon- 

veniences, and  ilifartiers  to  wbich  theymuft  othcrjvife  te  continually 
.  liable.    Their  prafticc  o(  watering  their  plantetions  in- dry  weather,  is 
equally  defer,ving  imitation;    a  great  mapy  jcftates  f jin  Jjamaica  arc 
happily  circumftanced  to  feizc  the  advantages,  a\  ^     them  by  nature, 
^of  conducing  channels. from. fprings  or  irivcfs,  which,  here  in-geper^l 
take  their  rife  at  a  proper  elevation  tor  he  cafily  cohyej^p^j^nd  witn 
.a  fufficient  current.     The  French  -liave  long  followed  this  prafticc 
.at  Hifpanipla,  and  their  fineft  eftates.  ^^we  their Jmyortapcje  to  it.r ,  It 
,  is  indeed  already  begujri^ia  Jamaica  ;;  and  it  is  to  be.  hipped,  thai  the 
jaftonifhmgly  great  effeas  with  which  jt,jpi,^,akeapj  b. :  ji^tended,.Jin- 

'  der  a  prudent  and  jvf dicious- d^rfe^ti^^^  l€5i^J.^?p?"»  ^^7 

tempt  others  to  <pibrac?/the  experiment  j  trom  y^hipti. .  t^p^y  i;n^^  ex- 
peft  a  large  augmentation  of  their  annual  produce,  efpecially  on  the 

.  South  fide,  .where,  there  are^  feveral  very  fi^e  rivers,  whic^hj  JCPkht  he 
t^ken.up,  and  thg.wjiiter  employed, to"  very  .capital  purpofes^ 

*  * 

:         *  *  '         ' .  t     I 'k  .•♦•■*  [    '  J ' *  *    .  *  •  *      •  »    'J f  l!f    f  I  •         .'"'.If  ' » L*  •  '  '■ 

•  The  high  prjc^^j^nd  value  of  Negroes,  withothe^  cq^iilde^^^ 
vfliouW  jn.ove  the  planners  to  try  eyefy  expedient  ^  toachines,  or 
.jptherwife,  for  performing  th^t  labour  vyhiQh,  is .  ufually.  performed  by 
Negroes.  Suppofing,  for  example,  that  a  plough  could  do  the  fame 
quantity  of  wpjrk  in  a  given. time, ^  that  one  hupdfred  Negroes  could 
do  in  the  fame  timei  here  is  the  lhx)ngeff  reafon  j^ffi^ 
ducingits  ufe,  upon  all  prafticable  land,  in . prefer  to  the  em- 
ployment of  Negroes  for  that  work ;  beqaiife  no  otter  work  on  a 
plantation  is  fo  fevere  and  fb  detrimental  fo  them  as  that  of  holing^ 
or  turning  up  the  ground  in  trepches  with  their  hoes.  A  plough  may 
very  well  be  followed  in  Jamaica  (fuppoJSnjj  the  weaj:her.fairi. which 
it  generally  is  mormng  and  evening)  from  'fix  fo  ten  o'clopk.  ii^  the 
morning,  and  from  four  to  fix  in  the  afternoon,  by '^"^whitepcrfon; 
this  allows  fix  hours  work^  which^;  if-  hot  equal  to  a  day  of  TTegroe 
labojir  (eight  or  nine  hours),  the  employing  two  glougjis  would  be 
greatly  beyond  it.  .  But,  as  the  plough  has  been  .tried  in  Jamaica^ 
and  found  to  ^nfwer,  there  is  ho'occ^fioh  to  make  ufe  of  fpeculative 
arguments  for  recommending  It,  fince  moire  i^ervjce  ih^y  1)e  done  by 
producing  thofeoremafks,'  vi^hich  were  the  refqltlof  its  tnal.y  .    "    ^ 

Soirie 


feOOK  II.    CHAP.   IIL.  449 

Some  pieces  were  ploughed  at  an  efiate  in  the  parifh  of  Clarendon, 
and  left  to  lie  in  this  manner  for  ibme  time,  before  they  were  holed 
by  the  Negroes;  by  which  means  they  found  it  uncommonly  eafy 
to  work:  before  the  ploughing,  it  was  fpread  over  with  manure,  and 
the  canes  planted  upon  it  turned  out  near  3  hogfiieads  per  acre  of  fine 
*  fugar,  which  was  one  hogfhead  more  than  it  had  been  ufed  to  yield 
from  the  common  method  of  culture.     A  plant  was  afterwards  made 
with  great  difpatch,  in  the  furrow  following  the  -plough ;  care  was 
taken  not  to  cut  the  land  too  deep^  and  to  leave  the  ridges  not  too 
wide;  by  which  precautions  there  was  no  danger  of  the  canes  rotting, 
as  the  water  could  not  lie  long  enough  to  do  them  any  hurt,  whilft 
the  trenches  or  drains  were  kept  open  and  well. cleared.     The  ridges 
were  cafl  about  twelve  feet  wide;  but  fome  ground  may  require  crofs    ' 
trenches,  efpecially  little  flants,  either  having  a  hollow  in  the  middle, 
or  terminating  in  one ;  many  pieces,  of  what  is  called  level  ground, 
have  thefe  depreffions ;  where,  for  want  of  crofs  cuts,  the  water  is 
forced  to  lodge,  being  furrounded  on  all  fides  with  higher  ground, 
ovep  which  it  can  have  no  natural  current  to  difcharge  itfelf.     It  was 
found  that  one  plough  turned  up  as  much  ground  in  one  day,  and  in 
a-  much  better  manner,  than  1 00  Negroes  could  perform  with  their 
hoes  in  the  fame  time.     Other  benefits,  arifing  from  the  ufe  of  it,,  are, 
that  it  makes  the  bottom  of  the  furrows  even,  fo  that  the  rain  water 
(fo  ferviceable  to  the  growth  of  plants  when  di(perfed  in  the  earth, 
and  fo  injurious  to  them  when  It  flagnates  about  their   roots)  never 
lodges,  but,  either  foaks  in,  or  runs  clear  and  gradually  off;  whereas 
the  ground  dug  with  hoes  retains  the  water  fome  time,  which  checks 
the  growth  of  the  canes,  makes  them  fhort  jointed,  and  in  confe- 
quence  lefs  yielding;  nor  do  they  bear  the  dry  weather  fo  welL    ^. 
The  plough  is  of  fignal  ufe  in  fliff  or  heavy  clay  land ;  this  kind  of 
foil  is  moft  frequent  in  the  midland  parts,  and  North  fide  of  the 
ifland,  the  turning  up  of  which  with  hoes  is  a  mofl  laborious  dilatory 
tafk,  and  has  injured  multitudes  of  Negroes;  for  they  can  fcarcely 
get  through  it,  except  in  very  favourable  open  weather,  whii;h  does 
not  always  happen  at  the  holing  feafon.     In  planting  in  the  furrow 
following  the  plough,  Negroe  children  will  fcrve  as  well  as  grown 
Negroes :  the  canes  ufed  for  this  purpofe  may  be  cut  fhort,  three  or 
four  eyes  in  each  junk,  and  one  row  laid  in  each  furrow^  thus,  with 
Vol.  I.  M  m  m  the 


N 


4^0  JAMAICA. 

the  greateft  expedition,  a  furrow  will  no  fooner  be  cut  than  plianted^, 
and  the  whole  covered  in  at  the  next  return  of  the  plough:  after  the 
planting  is  finiftied,  the  able  Negroes  may  be  employed  to  cover  tKc 
ridges  well,  raifing  them  highcft  towards  the  middle ;  to  take  the 
loofc  earth  out  of  the  trenches,  and  cut  crofs  drains,  wherever  necef- 
lary;  all  which  work  will  be  rather  an  amufement  than  a  tafk  ta^ 
them,  after  the  furface  has  been  fo  thoroughly  broke  and  opened. 
They  who  would  rather  incline  to  hole  their  land  for  planting,  will 
find  their  advantage  in  firft  turning  it  up  with  the  plough,  as  the 
Negroes  will  then  be  able  to  finifti  their  work  in  half  the  time.  In 
this  cafe,  the  land  need  nojt  be  cut  to  deep  as  when  it  is  intended  to 
^^ant  in  the  furrow ;  in  either  cafe,  one  or  two  ploughings  atmoft 
will  be  fufficient,  unlefs  the  land  is  extremely  fouL  When  the  pjant 
is  made  ia  the  furrow  following  the  plough,  I  think  it  is  demonflra- 
ble,  that  more  ground  can  be  turned  up  and  planted  in  this  way  ia 
one  day,  than  can  be  holed  and  planted  in  the  tifual  way  in  three,  and 
with  a  tenth  lefs  number  of  able  Negroes ;  for  as  the  young  boys  and 
girls,  or  what  are  commonly  called  the  grafs-gang,  may,  with  the 
llighteft  inilrudition,  cut  and  lay  the  junks  in  the  furrow,  and  with  a 
quick  difpatch,  a  very  few  of  the  abler  Negroes  will  ferve  to  cut  and 
iupply  them  with  the  cane  plants;  the  remainder  of  the  able  field 
hands  might  therefore  be  occupied  about  other  neceflary  work,  of 
which  there  is  always  fufficient  on  a  large  plantation.  Some  may 
obje6^,  that  the  plough  will  not  leave  a  due  fpace  between  the  canes; 
but  this  is  a  miftaken  opinion ;  for  a  iingle  line  of  plants  in  every 
furrow  will  not  fhoot  up  too  thick ;  the  ground  will  be  all  over 
fmooth  and  even,  and  the  wind  have  a  free  courfe  from  whatever 
quarter  it  may  blow ;  befides  that,  the  many  trenches  will  contribute 
to  an  open  ventilation;  whereas,  in  the  ordinary  method  of  planting 
with  the  hoe,  and  leaving  too  high  banks,  the  canes,  efpecially  when 
young,  are  deprived  of  a  very  neceffary  refrefliment.  In  hot  dry  wea- 
ther they  are  fcorched  and  blighted,  by  the  refleAion  of  the  fun- 
beams,  which  is  very  great  from  the  high  mounds  on  each  fide  of 
them  ;  and  in  time  of  heavy  rains,  they  are  buried  in  a  kind  of  wet 
ditch,  which  cannot  fail  of  retarding  their  vegetation,  by  chilling  the 
llool,  or  root.  With  the  plough  rightly  managed,  that  difagreeable 
operation  of  fupplying  canes,  is  in  a  great  meafure  prevented;  for  if 

th^ 


HOOK  lU    CHAP.   III.  451 

the  feaibn  prove  wet,  the  canes  are  life  from  being  chilled  by  water; 
atrd  if  dry^  their  ftools,  having  been  well  covered  in,  are  at  a  fufficient 
ilepth  beneath  the  ftirface  to  retain  their  moifture  for  a  long  time. 
In  ploughed  ground^  it  was  obferved  that  the  plants  came  up  much 
ilrcMiger  than  in  the  hoed  land  ;  this  may  be  accounted  for,  not 
only  by  the  more  effedual  loofening,  and  (baking  off  the  foil,  but 
the  giving  a  free  vent  to  all  noxious  water ;  for  although  canes,  as 
well  as  other  vegetables,  cannot  be  nouriflied  without  water,  yet 
too  much  of  it,  and  efpecially  when  it  lodges  in  puddles  about  their 
roots,  is  greatly  prejudicial,  and  every  year  deftroys  a  great  maiiy 
acres  of  canes  in  Jamaica. 

It  is  not  eafy  to  calculate  the  work  of  a  plough  in  Jamaica^  on  accoQnt 
of  the  great  variety  c^foil ;  but,  fuppofing  the  land  moderate,  or  at  a  me« 
dium  between  the  very  (liff  and  very  light,  a  plough  will  work,  at  an 
average  of  fix  hours  a  day,  at  the  depth  of  6  mches,  24  acre?  per  week, 
which  in  fix  weeks*  amounts  to  144  acres;  thefe,  if  the  land  is  not  Very 
bad,  will  tiirn  out,  at  a  very  moderate  reckoning,  2  hhds;  an  acre,  in 
all  288  hhds. ;  and  fuppofing  the  rattoons  of  the  preceding  yeaV^ 
on  an  equal  quantity  of  land,  to  give,  at  i  hhd«  per  acre,  1 44.  hhas. 
the  whole  crop  will  be  332  hhds;  it  is  pretty  evident,  then,  that 
a  very  ihort  time  wilt  be  fufficient  to  put  in  plant's  for  100  hhds. ; 
and,  from  what  has  been  mentioned,  it  is  morally  certain,  that  the 
plough  in  one  week,  at  fix  hours  in  the  day,  is  capable  of  perform- 
ing what  would  require  the  labour  of  fix  hundred  Negroes,  em- 
ployed during  the  fame  fpace,  eight  hours  in  the  day.  This  machine 
therefore  not  only  faves  the  labour  of  a  great  many  Negroes,  byt 
enables  the  planter  to  cuMvatc  more  ground  every  year,  by  many 
acres,  than  he  could  otherwife  compafs ;  and  the  canes,  io  jplax\t- 
ed,  yield  more  fugar,  and  of  fuperior  quality.  Stronger  mduce^nts, 
I  think,  there' cannot  be,  for  them  to  break  tbtough  the  force  of  pre- 
judice and'cuftbm,  and  brin^  this  method  of  culture  into  u&, 
wherever  their  land  Is  not  fo  Aeep  as  to  render  it  imp'radicable  3  and, 
where  the  plough  canned  be  ufed,  I  would  earnefily  recommend  the 
Chlnefe  praftice  of  forming  terraces,  in  which,  I  am  well  perfuaded, 
they  would  find  their  account.  The  planter,  who  is  difpofed  to  trv 
the  experiment,  (hould  fend  to  Great  Britain  for  a  middle-aged 
hu(bandman,,and  a  boy  to  follow  the  plough,  and  give  direAions  to 

M  m  m  2  have 


452  JAMAICA* 

have  it  made  light,  and  adapted  to  be  drawn  by  oxen;  the  Negroes^ 
no  doubt,  would  very  chearfully  apply  themfelves  to  learn  the  art  of 
handling  and  guiding  it,  upon  being  informed  of  its  principal  ufc, 
^*  the  faving  them  a  great  deal  of  hard  labour,"  and  by  continued 
praftice  they  might  become  thoroughly  expert  in  the  management,  of 
It  [c].  The  utility  of  the  plough,  in  refpedl  to  cane  land  in  general, 
1  am  well  convinced  of  by  experience;  but  there  is  likewife  very 
good  reafon  to  believe,  that  it  may  be  applied  with  great  advantage 
upon  our  pafture  grounds,  particularly  the  favannahs.  Thcfh,  hav- 
ing been  much  impoverifl\ed  by  antient  cultivation,  require  breaking 
up  afrefh.  It  is  worth  the  trials  to  plough  up  a  piece  of  this  land, 
and  fpread  it  well  over  with  unflaked  lime,  which  may  be  left  to 

^  diflblve  gradually ;  this  drefling  might  be  laid  on  a  little  before  the 
fetting-in  of  the  May  or  OAober  rains.  The  firft  thing  to  be  attend- 
ed to,  in  uiing  the  plough  upon  fuch  lands,  is,  the  depth  of  good  foil 
-at  top ;  which  enquiry  will  direft  the  manner  of  furrowing,  whether 
deep,  or  (hallow.     Much  of  the  favannah  land  has  only  a  few  inches 

'  of  good  mould,  lying  on  a  firatiim  of  fine  fand,  or  coarfe  grit ;  tjbis 
fhould  be  cut  only  fuperftcially,  or  otherwife  a  much  worfe  foil  may 
be  introduced  upon  the  furface,  than  what  is  turned  in.     But  the 

'  foil  of  many  large  trads  of  this  land  is  a  ftrong  clay^  which  will 
grow  prolific  the  more  it  is  well  turned  up,  and  trendied.  We  may 
be  afTured,  that  the  plough  cannot  fail  of  being  highly  ierviceable 
herei  if  we  refleft,  how  well  the  Guiney  grafs  flouriflies  in  fuch  foils, 
which  is  owing  to  their  being  holed  very  deep,  and  the  ground  about 
them  kept  afterwards  conilantly  clean*  Under  this  mode,  of  culture, 
there  are  very  fine  crops^  of  grafs,  without  the  leail  mamire  beftowed 
updn  them. 

in'  the  neighbourhood  of  Spanifli  Town  there  is  a  vaft  quantity  of 
this  kind  of  foil,  and  much  of  it  yet  unappropriated  to  my  cultiva- 
tion.    Great  plenty  of  excellent  manure  might  be  had,  by  removing 

[c]  Two  or  three  gentlemeid  of  the  ifland,  I  am  informed ,  have  lately  made  ufe  of  the  plough* 
and  with  great  fuccefs.  One  of  thefe  gentlemeu  fallows  his  poaod  with  tumj{|e»  agreeably  to  the 
^modern  Britifh  huibandiy.  The  good  effects  of  thi3  experiment^  it  is  faid,  are  confirmed  by  the 
produce  of  his  land  under  this  mode  of  tillage,  which  is  nearly  double  what  it  was  before.  It  is 
f o  be  hoped>  that  fuch  laudable  ezamplesp  attended  with  fuch  happy  fruits>.  may  excite  othera  to 
the  triaU 

the 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.   III.  453 

the  dung*heaps,  which  obftnift  the  Weft  entrance  of  that  town ;  but 
I  have  not  heard  that  the  neighbouring  grafiers,  or  penn- keepers,  ap- 
ply it  to  their  lands  ;  or  if  they  do,  it  is  in  a  way  unlikely  to  pro- 
duce any  benefit ;  for  it  ought  not  to  be  ftrewed  here,  and  left  on  the 
furface,  as  in  England;  the  iun  fpeedily  exhales  its  beft  qualities,  and 
leaves  only  a  dry  calx^  of  no  vegetative  virtue,  behind ;  it  ought  to  be 
no  fooner  laid  over  the  furface,  than  ploughed  in,  and  buried;  by 
which  method  it  would  gradually  blend  with  the  natural  foil,  and 
give  it  a  certain  durable  improvement.  The  richnefs  of  fome  of  the 
ikvannah  lands,  which  have  been  many  years  inclofed,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Spanifli  Town,  and  commonly  diftinguiflied  by  the  name 
of  the  Saltpan  lands,  is  really  aftoniihing.  Their  natural  grafs,  un- 
der moderate  f^afbns  of  rain,  is  conft^ntly  luxuriant,  with  the  aid  of 
manure.  Thofe  which  are  akematcly  in  pafture  and  meadow  yield 
a  large  quantity  of  excellent  hay,  commonly  about  two  tons  ^^ 
acre;  and,  as  there  are  two  crops  in*  the  year,  the  annual  produce  is 
four  tons.  I  doubt  not  but  they  might' be  rendered  ftill  more  prolific  - 
under  regular  dreffing ;  care  however  is  taken  either  to  band-weed  or 
hoe  them  clean  n  which  is  a  confiderable  advantage.  Since  the  fevere 
drought  in  1769  and.  17 70,  many  perfbns,  who  had  fufFered  heavy 
lofles  in  the  lowlandd^  for  want  of  fodder  to  keep  their  ftock  alive,, 
make  annual  bay- ricks  with  the  Guiney  graft;  and  it  is  found,  that- 
by  fprinkltng  fait,  or  fait- water,  on  the  ftrata  of  this  bay,  whiHlthc- 
rick  is  in  making,  it  becomes  an  exceeding  hearty  food. 

The  mountam  running  grafs,  or  four  grafs,  which  is  very  common  * 
in  the  midland  mountains,  and  the  lowlands,  is  rejeded  by  alt  forts 
of  cattle,-  while,  green;  but  when  it  is  cut,  dried,  and  cured  after 
the  manner  before -mentioned,  it  makes  a  good  hay,  and  agrees  per- 
feftly  well   with*  labouring  cattle;  I  have  even  obferved  them  to* 
be  fond  of  the  common;  favannah,  or^  wire  gra&j  when  thoroughly 
dried  in  the  fun.     The  tops  and  blSdesof  the  maize  and  Guiney  corn,  > 
which  are  very  nutritive,  may  like  wife  be  preferved  a  long  time  in* 
ftacks  or  ricks  for  ufe.    The  fettlers  therefore  in  thefe  parts  muft  be  : 
wanting  in  induftry,  if,  among  fach  a  choice  of  gralfe,  and  other 
vegetable  food,  they  do  not  every  year  provide  ricks  fufficient  to  keep » 
their  cattle  from  ftarving  in  the  event  of  extreme  dry  weather.-    A  \ 
drowth  fo  long  continued,  as '  to  deprive  them  entirely  of  every  fpe-  - 

cies:* 


454  JAMAICA. 

cies  of  green  fodder  is  unufual :  and  for  this  reafbn  perhaps  it  is,  that 
they  are  too  negligent  of  thefe  precautions  }  which,  however,  confti-> 
tute  no  mean  branch  of  the  oeconomy  of  hufbandry ;  and  when  a  fe- 
rics  of  dry  weather  happens,  they  vainly  condemn  themfelves  for 
having  been  improvident.  But  even  in  the  moft  plentiful  years  their 
labour  would  certainly  not  be  thrown  away ;  for  there  is  no  douht 
but  their  working,  or  road  cattle,  if  kept  during  the  crop  upon  this 
hay,  or  dry  fodder,  or  at  leaft  a  mixture  of  it,  would  go  through 
.their  toils  in  much  better  condition  and  ftrength  to  the  end,  thasi 
^witha  green  crude  aliment,  which,  by  caufing  a  fevere  flux,  very 
.often  weakens  and  difkbles  them,  before  the  crop  is  half  finifhed.  The 
fine  lands  bordering  on  the  Bridge  River  are  all  wdl  fituated  for  canes» 
.as  advantage  might  be  taken  from  this  Aream  to  water  them  in  the 
.dryeft  vveather ;  and  here  the  plough  might  be  ufed  with  the  gceateft 
jfacjlity,  xhc  ground  being  almoft  level ;  the  circumfiance  of  their  pro* 
pinquity  to  a  harbour  b  an  additional  reafon  for  throwing  them  into 
culture,  which  would  doubtle^  turn  to  better  account  than  pafturage^ 
The  fuperjprity  of  the  French  in  the  extenfioo  of  their  fettlements^ 
.is  reported  to  have  arifen  from  the  greater  fertility  of  their  land,  par- 
iticularly  at  Hifpaniola,  where,  the  rivers  taking  their  (burce  £u:  inland, 
and  pafiing  through  very  fau:  plains,  the  French  have  been  able  to 
.water  their  cane  pieces  in  the  dryeft  feafons ;  and  thus  had,  as  it  wece, 
the  command  of  ieafons  in  their  own  hands.  There  are  many  tnids 
,of  what  is  c^Il^d  igvannah  land  in  Jamaica,  which  require  only  mcuf- 
fture  to  make  them  become  cqud  in  produce  to  the  moft  fertile  lands 
in  any  part  of  the  Weft  Indies;  fuch  are  the  famous  indigo  lands  in 
y  ere  and  Withy  wood,  which  even  now,  witj^  very  uncertain  rains« 
are  fo  produ6iive^  and  yield  fugar  of  fo  excellent  a  quality,  that  the 
planters  .there  are  very  well  fatisfied  with  their  profits,  if  they  lo£e  one 
,crop  in  i^ree  years.  A  numb^  of  thefe  proprietors  joining  in  the 
^xpence,  might  derive  fame  aftifbmce  from  the  Rio  Mtfiho ;  but  tibqr 
are  intimidated  by  the  finking  of  this  river  very  far  up  in  its  C6m&. 
it  is  Qeyerthelefs  a  matter  worth  their  examination,  whether  die  cqft- 
ftruding  a  folid  dam  of  hard  timber  or  mafonry,  or  both,  Co  the  deptk 
pf  fifteen  or  twenty  feet,  to  flretch  acrofs  the  courfe  where  the  bim^ 
p  not  too  greats  might  not  intercept  the  fubterraneous  ftitam  which 
percolates  away^  and  £>rm  a  head  of  w^r^  froni  whcfnce  de* 

tacbed 


BOOK  IL    CHAP^   IIL  455 

tached  channels  might  be  drawn  off^  to  be  diftributed  among  the  dif- 
ferent eftates  bordering  lower  down  upon  its  banks.     The  experi- 
ment might  firfi  be  tried,  by  digging  in  the  bed  till  the  water  appeared, 
which  would  be  a  direction  for  the  depth  to  which  the  dam  (hould  be 
carried*     One  fuccefsful  attempt  of  this  nature  would  have  more 
force  of  perfuafion  to  recommend  it,  than  all  the  arguments  a  writer 
can  make  ufe  of;  operations  of  this  fort   appear  unfortunately  en- 
veloped with  horrid  difficulties  to  all  thofe  (and  they  are  the  greater 
part  of  mankind)  who  chufe  to  take  nature  as  they  find  her,  and  are  > 
(o  accuflomed  to  follow  a  beaten  track,  that  they  tremble  to  leave  it^  > 
for  almoft/any  confidcration ;  the  rifque  feems  great,  the  advantage  • 
uncertain  ;  it  requires  perhaps  a  mind  particularly  framed,  to  weigh  ■ 
impartially  the  whole  bufinefs  of  any  projected  improvement,  andpe* 
nctrata  at  once  into  the  practicability  of  effeding  it;  to  compare,  the  - 
expence  of  accomplifliing  it,  with  the  benefit  it  is  defigned  to  procure^;  ^ 
and  laftly,  A^enrefolved^  to  perfevere  with  unsdiated  fleadinefs.  Such  ^ 
i93liid&  fy:  out  with  a  difpofition  to  ^conquer  difHculties,  not  to  create 
thepis  ai^  prepared  to  encounter  any  that  may  happen  to  fiart  up^'« 
and  are  therefore  generally  fuccefsfuL  ^  Experiments  in  agriculture  are^ 
to^be  made  with  lefs  hazard^  as  the  planter  may  iet  apqrt  a  fmall  piece  -' 
of  land  fb^r  the  purpofe  of  trying  them,  whether  as  to  the  manuring  ■, 
of  the  foil,*  the  method* of  planting  by  the  plougb,  or  the  fuperior  ad** 
vantage  of  clofe  or  wider  rows  ;^  by  fuch  trials  he  might  pradically  be 
able  to  decide   in  favour  of  or  againfl^  any  projeded  improvement,  * 
without  fuftaining.  any  material  lofs.  . 

The  value  of  cane  land,  in  Jamaica^  is  extremely  unequal ;  I  have- 
known  the  price  fluduating  from  zA  to   100/.  per  acre;  and  it  is  ' 
difficult  to  fix- a  medium,  becaufe  of  the  variety  of  foils,  and  fitua-  - 
tion ;  the  neceffities  of  the  buyer,  and  the   intcrefted  views  of  the  ^ 
feller.    In  general,  no  difFerence  is  made  in  the  price  of  cane  land  on  » 
the  fame  eflate  ;  although,  the  feveral  parts  of  it  being  diftinftly  ex-- 
amined,  fome  pieces  mult  undoubtedly    appear  far  more  yielding,  > 
and  valuable,  than  others,  they  are  generally  confidered  in  the  lump, 
and  rated  equally  :  nor  is  any  confidcration  had  to  the  neighboiu:- 
hood  of  the  fea  coa^,  or  remotenefs  from  it ;  for  the  greater  cer«  - 
tainty  of  regular  feafons  in  the  inland  parts,  is  fuppofed  to  com-  - 
peniate  for  the  fuperior  advantages  of  fituatibn  enjoyed  by  a  mari- 
time 


456  JAMAICA. 

time  ejdate  ;  yet,  where  the  feafons  are  tolerably  regular,  the  eftates 
near  the  coaft  have  feveral  conveniences ;  by  the  evennefs  in  gene- 
ral of  their  land,  which  faithfully  retains  and  preferves  the  manure 
depofited  upon  it ;  the  difpatch,  and  fmall  expence  of  getting  their 
produce  to  market ;  the  cheap  carriage  of  the  fupplies  they  receive, 
and  the  fmall  number  of  cattle  they  have  occafion  to  purchafe  and 
maintain  :  on  the  other  hand,  from  the  uncertainty  of  rains,  they  la- 
bour under  many  difficulties ;  no  pofitive  dependance  can  be  had  on 
their,  crops ;  their  Negroes  and  ftock  are  frequently  pinched  with  a 
fcarcity  of  provifions,  which  is  but  ill  remedied  by  the  expenfive 
cuftom  of  feeding  the  former  with  rice ;  the  foil  of  fuch  eftates 
is,  la  the  very  near  neighbourhood  of  the  fea,  impregnated  with 
marine  fait,  and  fo  largely,  that,  although  it  does  not  zfft&,  the  com- 
plexion of  the  fiigar,  it  occafions  its  wafting  in  moift  weather,  and 
particularly  in  a  voyage.  1  think,  upon  the  whole,  that  the  inland  fitu* 
ations  are  far  preferable;  from  their  greater  fecurity  againft  tem- 
pejftuous  winds ;  their  more  frequent  (howers ;  greater  abundance 
of  good  padure,  and  provifions;  the  ftability  of  their  foil,  and 
greater  convenience  for  water  works :  and  in  regard  to  the  quality 
of  their  fugars;  the  grain  is  far  ftronger,  and  the  complexion  of  thofe 
made  twenty  miles  inland,  equal  to  the  bcft  produced  in  any  part  of 
tlie  ifland.  One  meafure  alone,  well-attended  to,  would  turn  the  icale 
beyond  all  comparifon  in  their  favour ;  I  mean  the  improvement  of 
their  roads ;  by  which  means,  the  carri.ige  of  their  goods  (hould 
meet  with  as  little  delay  and  impediment  as  pof&ble ;  fewer  cattle 
be  requifite,  of  courfe  lefs  pafturage  necefJary,  and  more  cane  land  be 
taken  in^  and  their  annual  contingencies  greatly  leflened  ;  but  this  is  a 
fubjeft  I  fhall  fpeak  of  more  largely  hereafter.  There  is  no  certain  ge- 
neral rule  for  eftimating  the  value  ©f  thefe  eflates ;  but,  that  the  reader 
who  is  unacquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  Wefl  India  properties, 
may  be  able  to  form  fome  Idea  about  it,  I  fhall  give  two  ef^imates 
the  one  for  a  plantation  yielding  one  hundred  hogfheads  of  fugar,  the 
other  for  one  yielding  three  hundred ;  and  at  the  fame  time  he  will 
be  able  to  comprehend  the  reafon  of  what  he  may  frequently  have 
heard,  "  the  very  great  expence  of  forming  one  of  thefe  cftates/*  The 
plainefl  method,  and  perhaps  the  mod  fatisfadory,  may  be,  to  trace  the 
(xpences  from  the  rude  flate  of  the  land,  covered  with  wood,  and 

bought 


BOOK  II.    CHAR  IIi:  457 

bought  into  clearance,  in  order  to. be  formed  into  a  fugar  work; 
and  I  will  fuppofe,  that  the  fettler  rather  chufes  to  hire  labourers,  for. 
cutting  down  the  wood^  and  clearing  tins  land,  than  to  coiploy  bis 
own  Negroes. 

Jamaica  cturency. 

Prime  coft  of  300  aqres  of  woodland,  at  3/.  per  acre,    —     £.    900 

Falling  and  clearing  2oj  acres,  at  5/.  anacre,      r  1005 

Holing  and  planting  33  ditto  in  canes,  at  5  A  i6^\ 

Planting  25  ditto  in  plantain  walk  and  group d, pro vifions,  ^t^h .     1 25, 

They  who  have  gradually  raifed  eftates  froni  very  fmall  beginnings,, 
have  put  up  temporary  works,  to  ferve  only  for  three  or  four '  years,, 
making  at  firft  nothing  but  rum ;  I  (hall  therefore  purfue  my  efti- 
mate.on  this  plan,  and  rate  the  whole  expence  the  fettler  may  be  fup* 
pofed  to  have  incurred  at  the  end  of  the  firft  year. 

A  temporary  mill  faoufe,  boiling  houfey  an^.i^Ul  houfe^    —  ^.  60a 

Twelve  mules,  at  30/,  each            ....  ■  ■   .          n  .,  ■       ■  >    .■  360, 

Twelve  fteers,  at  14/.             ■■    1  ■         .  168 

Thirty  Negroes,  at  50/.  round,  old  and  young,  .           ; 1500 

Sundry  plantation  inftruments>  as  hoes,  bills,  axes,  &c;       ■'     ■■  50 

A  dwelling  boufe,  common  frame^  and  thatched, 50 

Charges  to  be  added  for  the  land,  as  before  fpeclHed,         ■  i       2195 


Total,  ^.4923 

In  this  and  other  calculations  the  reader  is  defired  to  obferx^e,  that 
Jamaica  currency  is  meant,  unlefs  where  the  contrary  is  cxprefled. 

The  capital  may  then  be  rated  at  3000/.  and  if  the  fettler  is  in- 
duftrious  and  fuccefsful,  the  produce  in  rum  alone  will  yield  him, 
by  the  beft  calculation  I  can  make,  6/.  per  cent,  intereft,  and  100/. 
faving  annually  fpr  his  cloathing  and  ncceflarie?.  If  he  has  begun 
cntirely.on  his  own  ftock,  the  intereft  will  enable  him  to  make  every 
year  an  addition  to  his  Negroes  ;  five  at  leaft  foj  the  firft. three  years, 
and  eight  the  fucceeding  four;  yet,  even  with  this  addition,  be  muft 
make  either  very  flow  advances,  or  obtain  further  aids  upon  credit* 
In  order  therefore  to  make  it  an  eftate  of  loo  iihds,  fumifhed  with 

Vol.  I.  N  n  n  got>d 


458  JMA/  M-  A    I\C    A.    : 

good  works  (t>f  mafonry,  toid  odicc  cooTvnient  offices^  I  (halt  fuppofe 
diat  for  Negroes,  mules,  cattle^  clearing  land^  and  building  compleat 
and  dnrafaie  vrorksi  hcoontrads  a  debt  of  5000./.  he  muft  then  live  with 
ftrift  oeconomy,  and  in  fix  years  time   he  may  difchargc  the  whole 
principal   and   intereft.     I  (hall  now   confider   the  eftatc  as   a  clear 
property,  yielding  comrnumius  annis  100  hhds.  50  punch. ;  and  pro- 
pofc  the  folio  wing  as  its  valuation,  according  to  an  equitable  mode 
of  calculation,  in  which  I  fuppofe  the  land  to  be  only  of  middling 
quality,  or,  taking  the  whole  together,  capable  of  turning  out  two 
hogfheads  and  one  puncheon  fer  acre,  from  the  plant  canes. 
'  The  produce  of  fuch  land,  after  dedufting  all  reafonable  charges  of 
holing,  planting,  cleaning,  cutting,  carrying  to  the   mill,  grinding^ 
BoiTmg,  potting,  diftilling,  fewel,  caiks,  wear  and  tear,  white  feryants 
wages,    factorage,   and  other  charges  incident    to  it    (exclufive  of 
taxes,  repairs,  lofles  and  fiipplies),  is  worth  about  40  /.  fer  acre ;  and 
that  of  the  rattoon  canes,  or  canes  of  the  fecond,  third,  or  more  cut- 
tings, not  more  than  a  fourth  at  an  average ;  I  (peak  of  South  fide 
eftates  chiefly,  for  the  rattoon'  canes  of  the   North  fide  are  in  Ibme 
parKheS;  as  in  St*  Mary's  and  on '  new-fettled  plantations,  equal  to 
the  plants;  and  due  refpeift  (hould  tiberefore  be  had  to  thofe  varia- 
tions :  'frofll  which  it  is  apparent,  that  every  valuation,  taken  in  this 
}fland,  ought  to  be  local,  and  not  grounded  on  any  general    rule  or 
^le*,'fince  a  difference  of  many  hundred,  perhaps  thou(and,  pounds 
may  happen,  front  the  quality  of  foil,  apd  other  particulars,  ob(erv- 
^le  in  eftates  differently  circumilanced ;  a  due  allowance  is  there- 
fore   to   be  granted     on    the    following  eftimates^  which    are  far 
from  being  defigned  to  fuit  every  different  property  in  this  idand ; 
but  I  (hall  better  explain   myfelf  by  a  table  of  values,  which  la 
framed  as  near  the  real  f^ate  as  I  have  been  able  to  make  it. 

Cane  land,  cat er is  paribus y  which  1         { per  ^ort^ per  annum^l  ^ 

yields,  one  year  with  another,  J  *  1     is  worth  J 

Ditto,        —  ^  j^  2t  <Ji"o,     —        —70/. 

Ditto,         —  —  —  3  ditto,     —         —  60/. 

Ditto,  —  —  —  2|.  ditto,       —  —  50/. 

Ditto,  —  —         —  2  ditto,       —  —  40 /• 

Ditto,         —  —        —  14.  ditto,       —  —  30/. 

Ditto,         — -  —  —  1  ditto,       —  —  20/. 

Ditto,  —  ^  —  ^  ditto,      — *  —  10/. 

It 


book;  II.    pHAPvIIJ,    T  4S% 

It  is  a  oommoa  ryAc  horei  to  value  all  th$*  lapd  i^^f^aM^  if  thqr  are 
ill  tolerable  orjder,  at  a8/.  ptr  acre -^o^  30  A  ro^nd,  which  is  certainly 
erroneous   (takeiv  as  a  geperal  fcheme  ^f  appraifemen^^  may 

often  delude  the  planters  to  £>rfn  a  wroqg  eilimate .  of  the  intrinlic 
worth  of  their  poiXeffioa$ ;  at^dy  after  inq>oiftng  upon  tbemfelves,  to 
inspoie  upon  a  purchafer.     The  juft  meafure  of  calculation  is  cer« 
tainly  to  find  the  clear  value  which  comes  to  the  planter^  after  de« 
dueling  all  charges  of  planting,  manufaduring,  and  fale,  till  when 
he  (hould  not  begin  to  xount  his  gains ;  and  even  after  this,  if  ,be 
keeps  a  fair  account  with  him  (elf,  be  muft  make  a  fiill  further  deduc-> 
tion  for  taxes,  impofts,  and  cpntingencies  of  all  forts ^  tbefe,  it  is' 
true,  are  matters  very  fubjeft  tp  iloduation,  but  not  in  fuch  a  degrech 
as  to  caufe  any  very  material  di^ence,  at  an  averajge  of  years,  either' 
in  favour  or  againft  him ;  he  will  not,  however,  err  much  to  his  own 
dilappointment,  if,  in  the  prefent  fituaftion  of  things,  he  (hould  allow 
no  more  than  about  11/.  per  hhd,  and  6/.  per  puncheon,  for  his 
clear,  and  aftual  gain,  in  pocket.     Tjie  above  reflcftions  being  pre- 
mifed,  I  fliall  proceed  to  the  eftimate  of  an  eftate  of  100  hfads  and  50'^ 
puncheem.  >- 

Acres.  £. 

33  of  grown  plants,  at  40/.  1330 

66  1  ft  and  ad  rattoons,  at  10/.  660 

33  young  plants,  at  30/.  990 

35  in  plantain  walk,  at  15/.  375 

25  in  Negroe  provifion  grounds,  at  loA  25^ 

30  in  pafture,  at  10  /.  300 

88  in  woodland,  intervals,  guUtes,  roads,  &c.  at  3  /•  264 

4159 

300 

"  1 00  Negroes,                               .at  50/.  round,  5000 

30  mules,                                            at  30/.  .  900 

30  fleers,                                              at  14  A  420 

1  eattle-mill  compleat,  300 

I  boiling^houfe  of  brick  or  Acme,  with  &  boilers,  700 

1  cnring-houfe,  withciftem  andmngcs  compleat|  6co 

I  diftiUing  ditto*  with  2  ftills,  ci|lefns,  &c.  dittq^  700 

Dwelling  and  h^tt-houies,  corn^liQufe)  and  all  othcp 

buildings  and  ofiiccsl,   '  860 

Nnn  2  Plantation 


*    •  * 


^oi  J    A    MA    I    C    A, 

Pldhtatibh  implements  anJi  utehfiis',  fuch  as  fiigar 
'         ■  pots,  wains,  waggons,  cattle  cnams,  butts, 
rum  breakers,,  coolers,    ikimtner^    ladles, 
ftrainers,   hoes,  bills,  axes,  &c. 
■    Sheep,  hogs,  fiiiall  ftock»  and  their  appurtenances. 


iot> 


. 9^7^ 

,  Total,     14029/. 

The  annual  produce  of  fuch  an  eftate,.   I  (hould  rate  in  thfs 

manner:  £' 

33  acres  of  plants,  at  40/.  1320!  Hhds-  Punch. 

66  ditto  of  I  ft  and  2d  cattoons,.  i  o/.    660  Uqual  to  1  qo  50 

Q     I  nctt  value  u  Lfer  hhd:    6Lfer  puocbi^ 

Dedud  for  the  annual  contin- 
gencies, videlicet,  taxes,  white . 


f^rvants  wages,  repairs,  ftock, 
f^pplies,  &;c*  about 


iioa 


390 


580  [^J 


• 

■ 

* 

1400/.      = 

1400/. 

£/)  FideUctt, 

Taxes,           *—      '  — 
White  ftrvant;^  wages». 
Supplies,' including  tools, 
Negroes  doathlng  and  phyfic. 
Repairs,.           —         — - 

4 

140/. 

100/.. 
20 /• 

• 

• 

< 

* 

•                • 

Three  mules,  at  30/.' 
Twofteers,     atia/.  / 

466/.. 

• 

580  /.. 

« 

Perhaps  600 /«  may  not  be  thought  too  much :  and  if  we  fuppofe  fuch  an  eftate  requiries  fi)ur 
new  Negroes  fer  annum^  thefe  at  60  iL  each  =  240  U  will  make  the  whole  amount  to  840  /•  This 
may  ferve  as  a  general  average^  takii^  all  the  eflate^  oolle^vely ;  as  ibme  reqaire  more  lecruits 
than  others,  and  ibme  want  none  at  all.  A.fmall.e{late,  like  tU&  above  deicribed^  which  is  not 
intended  to  be,  nor  probably  can  be  pu(hed  on.  by  the  proprietor,  will  ieldom  (bind-  in  need  of 
recruits,  ez<!ept  any  unofually  malignant  diftemper  fliouM  happen  to  invade  it ;  therefore  the 
allowance  of  four  new  Negroes  to  fuch  a  property,  as  a  certmu.  eamial  charge,  is  much*  tO0  great, 
and  mufi  be  confidercd  merely  as  an  average  npon  the  whole. 

.    .  This 


BOOK  II.    CH^P;  III.  461 

This  is  farther  proved  by  taking  the  common  eftimate  of  1 5  /•  per 
hhd.  and  i  o /« /^r  punch,  gro^^  viz.  hhds.     100  dXi^l.         1500 

punch.    50  at  10/.  500 


Dedud  the  annual  contingencies,  (bppofed  about 


2000 
580 

1420/. 
which  caufes  no  more   than  the  inconfiderable  difference  of  20/.  and 
implies  the  contingent  charges  per  hundred  weight  to  be  about  5  s.  4^. 
smdon  rum  about  ^^d^  per  gallon.     Suppofing  therefore  a  perfbn  to^ 
pay  for  this  eftate  1 4,000  /.  he  buys  it  exadly  at  i  o  years  purchafe ; 
and  the  clear  income  of  1 400  /.  is  precifely  1  o  A  per  cent,  per^  annum 
for  his  money  \  a  circumftance  which  (hews,  that  if  the  fettlement  of 
thefe  efiates  is  attended  with  a  very  heavy  expence,  the  profits  arifing 
fjx>m  them,  when  they  are  fuccefsfuUy  conduced,  are  large  enough^ 
to  make  an  adequate  return ;,  at  the  fame  time,  it  proves  the  ability 
of  a  planter  to  bear  up  under  a  great  debt  for  a  confiderable  time ; : 
fince,  even  paying  6  /.  per  cent,  per  annum  on  the  whole  capital,  he  has 
fiill  a  reierve  of  4  /.  per  cent,  for  his  own  ufe,  and  caflial  expenditures. 
I  (hall  now  carry  on  my  calculations  on  a  larger  fcale,  and  to  a  more 
valuable  property,  in  order  to  (hew  that  the  rules  I  have  taken  for 
my  dire&ion  will  be  found  to  anfwer  for  the  greater  as  well  as  the 
fmaller  eftates.    I  (hall  apply  them  to  one  yielding  300  Hhds.  and^ 
1 50  puncheons. 

Acres  Jamaica  currency. 

100  grown  plants,      at  40/.  4000  A 

2000  /. 
^ooo  /: 

900/.- 

800/.-  . 

tool. 

tool. 

750/. 


200  rattoons, 

10// 

1 00  young  plants, 

30/. 

60  plantain  walks. 

15A 

80  Negroe  grounds. 

lol. 

60  paflure. 

loh 

50  Guiney  grafs. 

izL 

250  woodland,  &c. 

3/. 

900 

-30Q  Negroes, 

^150/; 

50  mules. 

30A 

•   80  fteers. 

14/. 

1*5,000/. 
J  500*/. 
1 120/. 


iiS^ol: 


17620/. 
2  cattL* 


4^2  JAMAICA- 

^  cattle  mills  compleat^  ivioL 

I  boiling  houfc  of  brick  or  flone^  with  i  z  cop*      v 
pers,  compleat,  1500/. 

I  diflilling  houfe,  4  large  ftills,  and  fufficient 
vats  or  tanks,  and  cifterns,  compleat,  1500/. 

I  curing  houle,  90  by  32,  with  platforms,  mc- 

lafles,  ciftem,  and  ranges^  compleat,  i2oo/« 

iRum  ftore,  dry  good  ditto,  dwelling-houfc,  over- 

ieer's  houfe,  and  proper  offices,  a  corn*houfe, 

hot-houfe,    mule  and  horfe  ftables,  (mith^s, 

cooper's,    and    carpenter*s    fliops,    hogfties, 

pldgeon-houfe,  fiieep-hovel,  &c.  all  together  2600^ 

:Siigar  pots,  rum  butts  and  breakers,  ikimmers^ 

ladles,  hoes,    bills,    and   axes,    tradesmen's 

tools,  copper  lamps,  iron   bars,  nails,  cattle 

•chains  and  yoaks,   mule   pads  and  crooks, 

wains,  waggons,  and  all  other  implements 

and  uteniils,  ^50/. 

:Sheep,  bogs.  Sec.  150  A 

9000/. 

39,170^ 


^VMN 


The  income  of  the  eftate  may  be  thus  compQtedt 
a  00  acres  of  plants,  at  40  /•  4000/.  ^ 

200  ditto  rattoons,  at  1 0  A  2000/*  f  Hhds.        Punch. 

—    I  equal  to  30Q        150 
6000Z  ^ 
Deduft  for  the  annual  contingent 
charges,  which  for  fuch  a  pro- 
perty will  not  be  found  to  fall 
ihort  of  2000  /• 

4000/. 

The  market-yielding,  at  i5/./^rhhd.  and  loL  per  plinch.  is  6000/. 

From  which  deduft  the  annual  contingencies,  ,  2000  A 

The  nett  yielding  of  the  fame,  computed  at  ill.  per  hhd.  and 

6  A /^r  puncheon,       — .        ■■    .  f.  4200/* 

4000 /• 
Which 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.   III.  463 

Which  diffirence,  like  the  former  example^  is  too  inconiiderable  to 
caiife  any  deviation  from  the  method  prefcribed. 

Such  an  eftate  would  probably  fell  for, .  and  (as  fbme  articles  arfc 
under-rated)  appears  to  be  worth,  40^000/.;  for  which  the  purchafer 
gains  an  interclt  of  exaSly  loLper  cent,  per  annum^  aa  in  the  fbrm^ 
fafe,     This,  although  a  krge  intcreft,  yet  will  not  be  thought  too 
exorbitant  by  thofe  who  candidly  consider,  that  the  proprietor  is  fub- 
jcft  to  a  variety  of  great  rifques,  and  accidental  lofles,  by  dry  years, 
hurricanes,  inundations,,  fire,  mortality  of  Negroes  and  cattle>  thp 
fudden  rife  of  thofe  neceifary  articles  which  he  is  obliged  to  buy  every 
year,  or  the  fudden  fall  at  market  in  the  price  of.  fugars  and  rum  ; . 
ifor  all  thefe  cafualties  and  viciffitudes^  he  ftands  his  own  infurer,  ua- 
dergoes.  infinite  fatigues  of  body  and  mind,  and  when,  after  fut^ 
knounting  all  difficulties,  he  fits  down  to  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of' 
the  fortune  he  has  raifed  under  fuch  a  crowd  of  difadvantages,  he 
Ihoull  be  efieemed  as  one  well  entitled  to  reap,  without  envy,  the-, 
hard-earned  fruits  of  his  indudiy. . 

The  computation  of  the  value  of  a  Wefi:  India  eftate,  by  the  number 
of  hhds.  it  annually  produces,  is  unquefiionably  vague,  and  even  ab- 
furd ;  more  efpecially  in  regard  to  Jamaica  properties ;  among  which ' 
are  to  be  found  all  the  degrees  between  extremely  fine,  and  very  bad  . 
mufcovado,  fo  as  to  occafion  a  difference  of  los.  per  hundred  weight, . 
which  on  a  hundred  hhds,  at  theiF  ufual  weight,  is  equal  to  750/, ;  a 
circumflance  which,  one  would  judge,  ought  to  make  fome  difference 
in  rating  the  value  of  the  land ;  yet,  if  the  bad  complexion  and  qua- 
lity  of  the  fugar  is  occafioned  only  by  the  extreme  ranknefs  of  the 
foil,  there  is  a  certainty  that  it  is  of  good  flaple ;  that  the  quality 
will  mend,  the  longer  and  oftener  the  foil  is  worked ;  that  it  will  re- 
quire no  rich  manure;  that  its  fertility  will  be  permanent;  and  that 
the  proportion  of  rum  to  fugar  will  be  greater  than  common :  fuch 
a  property  is,  in  faA,  more  intrinfically  valuable,  than  what  is  vu!-^ 
garly  called  ready ^money  land ;  which  gives  a  prefent  return  in  good  - 
fugar  almofl  as  foon  as  it  is  opened,  but  will  foon  fall  off,  without  a 
very  exa6fc  hufbandry,  and  copious  manuring:   if  a  man  therefore 
buys  for  poflerity,  the  former  kind  feems  the  more  eligible  of  th6 
two.     The  planters  in  general  prefer  the  ready-money  land,  as  they 
care  not  to  fpeculate  too  far  into  fiiturity ;  befides  that,  the  freight, 

tbe 


464  JAMAICA. 

<the  cuflonis,  and  fome  other  xrontmgent  charges,  not  being  rated  ad 
valorem^  but  being  equally  as  much  on  bad  fugars  as  on  the  vttj 
befl,  they  think  (and  not  unwifely)  that  this  kind  of  foil  is  more  pro- 
fitable to  them,  or,  in  other  words,  a  (hilling  in  poiieffion  is  worth 
twenty  in  expedancy.    I  may  he  thought,  perhaps,  to  have  treated 
this  Allied  rather  fuperficially ;  a  full  difcuffion  of  every  thing  re^^ 
iating  to  thefe  ftaple  commodities,  at  the  fame  time  that  it  would  have 
•been  interefting  only  to  a  few,  would  have  led  me  to  a  work  too  vo- 
luminous ;  befides  that,  in  planting,  as  in  many  other  things,  there  is 
a  kind  of  fafhion,  which  one  while  predominates,  and  afterwards  gives 
•the  way  to  fome  new  fyftcm ;  even  fo  far  as  I  have  prefumed  to  ad- 
vance opinions,  1  may  probably  difagree  with  many  others,  who  pre- 
tend a  more  thorough-paced  knowledge  of  the  fubjed :  unable  to  reft 
inyfelf  any  where,  but  on  my  own  fin^c  experience  or  remarks,  I 
confefs  myfelf  willing  to  retraft  any  miftake  which  may  have  pro- 
-ceeded  ^om  a  faulty  obfervation,  at  the  fame  time  infifting  tUR  it  is 
neither  my  defire  nor  defign  to  miflead  any  one,  nor  mifreprefent  any 
thing.     The  ooniideration  of  the  roads,  as  it  has  a  clofe  connexion 
with  the  preceding  fubjedt  matter^  fo  I  can  find  no  place  more  proper 
for  introducing  4t* 

ROADS. 

« 

C    H     A    P.       IV. 

SECT.     I. 

GOOD  roads  add  a luftre  to  any  country,  and  enrich  it.  What- 
ever cheapens  and  quickens  the  tfanfportation  of  goods,  and 
makes  their  migration  more  eafy  from  place  to  place,  muft  of  courfe 
render  a  country  more  opulent.  By  good  roads,  difpatch,  which  is 
the  foul  of  buiinefs,  becomes  more  attainable ;  merchandizes  and  ma- 

* 

nufa^ures  find  a  ready  conveyance  to  market,  and  the  natural  blef- 
fings  of  a  country  are  fiiarcd  by  the  inhabitants  with  a  more  equal 
hand.  The  demand  for  the  produce  of  land  encreafes,  the  lands  them- 
felves  advance  proportionably  in  their  annual  value,  and  in  the  num- 
ber of  years  purchafe  for  which  they  are  fold,  according  to  fuch  value. 

4  For 


BOOX  IIL^  CHAR  IV.  465 

Fortkde  rcafonsy  doc  pceCerviitiQii  and  iusprovetnentof  thcpijjaveal* 
ways  been  the  objeAs  x)f  internal  police  in  every  ci  viUzedllate  ;•  dUid 
it  has  been  well  obferved^  that  fchemes  of  this  kind  have  been  more 
or  left  attended  to^  in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  public  fpirit>  which 
has  prevailed  in  every  age  and  country;  for>  in  regard  to  the  com- 
mon herd  of  inankind)  they  have  not  the  lead  idea  of  the  artof  picnd*- 
4ilg  roads :  ihdk  men,  equally  incorrigible,  obftinate,  and  ignordatp 
&em  to  know  nothing  of  the  benefits  xefulting  from  air  and  fun- 
ihine ;  and  as  to  the  compoGdon  of  a  road  with  firm  materials,  raifing 
.9nd  rounding  it»  and  carrying  off  fuperfluous  water  by  proper  drains ; 
they  are  either  blind  to  the  expediency  of  thefe  improvements,    er 
taSc&  to  hold  them  in  contempt,  that  they  may  not  feem  to  be  wifer 
than  their  forefathers.    It  was  in  a  great  meafure  owing  to  this  un- 
l&afpy  jpirejudice,  that  the  trade  of  England  laboured  for  a  long  time 
«under  the  grievance  of  extremely  bad  toads  s  few  perlbns  cared  to  en- 
counter the  difficulties  that  attended  the  conveyance  of  goods  from  the 
places  where  they  were  manufa£lured  to  the  markets  where  they  were 
to  he  difpoled  of;  the  {ame  caufe,  fo  injurious  to  trade,  laid  wafte  a 
confiiderable  part  of  the  lands.. 

But  by  the  vaft  improvements  of  the  roads  within  thefe  few  years^ 
.particularly  in  the  mode  of  cbnftruSiiig  them,  the  carriage  of  goodg 
and  merchandize  in  general  is  managed  with  half  the  number  of  horfes 
•formerly  required  ^  journies  arc  performed  with  more  than  double  ex- 
pedition ;  improvements  in  agriculture  have  kept  pace  with  tbofe  of 
trade,  and  every  article  of  produce  has  grown  more  valuable.     Know- 
ledge and  arts  have  made  their  way  through  thefe  channels  to  the 
remoteft  and  moft  uncivilized  parts  of  the  kingdom  ;  we  are  aftonifh- 
cd  to  perceive  the  refinements  whach  now  adorn  the  corners  of  it,  where, 
not  many  j^ears  ago,  the  moft  Clocking  barbarifm  prevailed  j  we  ad* 
tnire  the  eife  and  difpatch  with  which  a  correfpondence  is  carried  on 
'through  every  part,  and  the  facility  which  attends  the  conftant  inter- 
change and  circulation  of  all  its  various  produfts,  manufadures,  and 
merchandize  5  it  feems  as  if  the  whole  ifland  had  been  fuddenly  ani- 
mated, while  the  flux  and  reflux  is  carried  on  without  impediment  by 
innumerable  currents  from  the  heart  to  tbe  extremities,  and  from  thefe 
again  to  the  center  of  motion.     The  many  excellent  roads,  already 
^formed,  are  the  vital  principle  which  ha§  infufed  all  thefc  fymptoms  of 

Vol  I.  O  o  o  vigour, 


t 

f 


jfis  r  A'  M  A  I  c  a; 

vigour,  agility,,  atrd  health,  into  the  whole  mafs,  and  rouzed  it  into  ' 
aftive  life.     The  fame  arguments,  and  the  fame  creative  efiefts,  appljr 
to  every  other  *  inhabited  and  civilized  country.     It  has  been  princi-  - 
pally  from  the  want  of  good  roads  that  the  planting  intereft  in  Ja- 
maica has  not  advanced  more  rapidly.      Th6  fettlers'  in  this  ifland  ^ 
have  always  been  forced  to  contend  againft  this  arduous  obfiacle.  - 
They  ufed  at  firft  to  tread  in  the  old  Spanifii  tracks,  which  were  mere  ^ 
mule  paths,  carried  without  art  through  thick  woods,  and  bver  the 
hlgheft,  rudeft  fummits  of  the  mountains  in  a  direfl  line;    It  was  of  *^ 
late  only  that  furveyors  were  employed  with  inftruments  to  affift  in  \ 
laying  out  roads  as  nearly  on- a  level  as  the  natural  inequalities  of  the 
country  over  which  they  were  to  pafs  could  admit :  much  of  the  fined  x 
land  in  this  ifland  lies  wafte,  for  want'of  good  comrmunications  leading 
through  it ;  thefe  recedes,  .if  they  were  even  inhabited,  would  remain  ^ 
unprofitable,  until  the  difficulties  and  delays  attending  the  carriage  of  i 
produce  to  market  could  be  removed;:  One  great  objeft  therefore  of  a  * 
patriotic  Jegiflature  will  be  to  conquer  thefe  tobftades,  and  improve  the  • 
roads  for  carriage  as  mUch'as  poffible,'^  bringing,  as  it  were,*  the  interior  ;* 
p»ts  many-miles  nearer  to  the  fea.coaft:*  all  ^hitfhlnay  be'effededby - 
a  judicious  and  wellr^regulated  expenditiire  of  ah  annual  grants  feconded  1 
with  new  highway  laws  ;  and  this  bbjedt  fte^dily  purfued,  until  the  : 
whole  face  ofihe  iflahdfhall  be  interf^ded4\Vith  firm  and  eafy Toads;  ; 
all  encouragement  pofiible  fiiould  be  given  to  the  opening  of  roads  in  : 
the  midland  and  remote  diftridsV  there  is  perhaps  no  part  of  them  t 
which  might  notbe.made/ptoduSlive*  ,The  fine  timbers  of  the  deep  > 
and  untrodden  recefies  of  tlie  moimtains,  wheh  brought' to  .market,  . 
would  yield  a  certain  profit :  there  is  a  great  variety  of  woods  equally  . 
ufeful  and  beautiful.     Every  new.  road^of  communication  brings  the  z 
traft,-  through  whiclv  it  paffes,.  fo  much  nearer  to  the  harquadief^   , 
raifes  the  A^alue  of  the  foil,  and  is  of  advantage  to  the' wholr 'region   i 
confining  OH  it ;  by.the  fettlements  it  introduces,  and  ihe^new  fupply  ^^ 
It  gives  of^thofe  materials  and  merchandizes,  whi<!fi  before  were  dear  r 
or  unattainable..    Befides,  free  openings  of*this  fort  are  like  the'ftreets  :  ^ 
of  a  great  city,  which  not  only  render  it  more  healthy,  but,  by  having   , 
thefe  paff^es  kept  open  from x)ne  end  to  the  other,  order  and  good    i 
pplice  arc  better  maintained ; .  feditions  are  foon  quelled,  by  the  difpatch   % 
which  caa.l>e^ufed  in  encounteriug  them  rand  infurredions  are  pre** 

vented  ^ 


BOOK  H.    6hAP.   IV.  4^7 

Vented  by  the  facilitv  that  appears  of  marching  to  i(uppre/s  them/  as 
WeU  as  by  the  impodibiiity  that  attends  the  malecontents  of  forming  in-« 
trenchments  or  barricadocs,  without  dlfcovery  and  interruption.  The 
old  laws  of  this  ifland  ordered  the  dimeniions  of  the  highways  accord- 
ing to  the  following  manner  : 

Width  in  ftanding  wood>     —  6©  feet* 
Ditto^    wood  on  one  fide  only,  40  ditto. 
Ditto,    open  ground,  —  24  ditto. 

The  ancient  roads  in  England,  without  attention  to  any  thing  except 
the  fecurity  of  paffengers  from  thieves  and  murderers  lying  in  wait, 
were  direded  by  Aatute  to  be  cleared  of  wood  and  buflies  200  feet 
on  each  fide;  (o  great  a  width  mufi:  have  admitted  the  funihine  and 
air  very  freely,  and  therefore  tended  to  preferve  thefe  ways  in  a  more 
pailable  condition  than  even  the  legifiature  of  that  time  perhaps  had 
in  contemplation :  the  like  motive,  one  would  think,  mufi:  fo  naturally 
occur  to  road-m^ers  in  a  very  woody  country,  infefied  with  banditti, 
that  it  is  furprifing  the  earlier  fettlers  in  Jamaica  did  not  confider  the 
utility  of  cutting  wider  avenues,  in  regard  to  the  greater  fafety  of 
travelling  through  the  worfi-peopled  parts  of  the  ifland.  But,  however 
necefiary  a  great  width  may  be  where  the  country  is  overfpread  with 
foreft,  it  is  very  improper  to  retain  it  in  an  open  or  well-  fettled  coun- 
try ;  fuppofing,  for  example,  the  width  to  be  fixty  feet  at  an  average, 
an  immenfe  tra£);  of  land  may  thereby  be  laid  wafie ;  for  here  are  no 
lefs  than  eight  acres  of  ground  facrificed  to  the  highway  in  the  fpace 
of  one  mile ;  the  lofs  therefore  muft  be  very  great,  if  fuch  a  road 
(hould  be  continued  in  this  manner  for  an  extent  of  feveral  miles. 

In  unfettled  countries,  this  wafte  isjufily  difregarded,  becau(e  the 
road  occupies  no  land  that  is  wanted  for  any  other  purpofe ;  but  in  places 
where  a  road  is  no  fooner  formed  than  the  contiguous  lands  aire 
greedily  fought  after,  and  thrown  into  icultivation,  it  mufi  b:  pro- 
^udive  of  a  great  lofs  to  the  publickj  here,  therefore,  a  road  of 
very  moderate  breadth,  if  it  is  firmly  and  well  confirudled,  will  fa ve 
n  vaft  tra£i  of  ufcful  land  for  agriculture.  The  ufual  way  of  making 
roads  in  Jamaica,  till  very  lately^  was  by  cutting  down  the  wood 
as  clofe  as  pofiSble  to  the  furfac^  and  afterwards  burning  the  flumps ; 
more  often,  the  Humps  were  kft  to  be  bruifed,  and  flattened  ^by 
the   wheels  of  loaded  carriages ;  in  which  conflif):^  wheels  without 

O-oo  2  luimber 


46^  JAMAICA. 

Bomber  have  doubt lefs  been  battered  to  pieces.     Thefc  roa^  were 
afterwards  repaired,  by  throwing .  loofe  mould  into  the  hollows  and 
ruts ;  which  praftice  being  repeated  once  a  year,  they  were  rendered, 
ahnoft  impaflablc  in  wet  weather.     It  is  curious  to  obfcrve  the  quick 
traniition  of  fome  improvements  from  the  mother  country,  to  the 
diftant  parts  of  her  empn^;   the  example  of  the  mother  country 
excited  for  fomc  time  a  fpirit  of  road-making  in  Jamaica ;  which,, 
though  not  univerally  diffufed,  has  produced  very  capital    alterations^ 
for  the  better.     Turnpikes  could  not  be  introduced  here  to  anfwer 
the  fame  intentions  as  in  Great  Britain,  becaufe  of  the  fmall  number ' 
of  perfons  who  would  pay  the  toll,  and  the  facility  of  eluding  it  by 
travelers  on  horfeback,  who  would  probably  ftrike  into  bye  paths  to* 
avoid  paying  it ;  fo  that  the  weight  of  the  charge  would  fall  princi- 
pally on  carts,^  waggons,.,  and  mules  ufed  for  carriage  of  produce  U>* 
market,,  which  might  prove  a  difcouragement  to  the  fettlers ;  but  fe»- 
¥cral  very  good  roads  have  been,  made  here,  as  well  by  fuWcription, 
as  by  regulating  the  Negroe  allotments  in  fome  parifhes  on  a  muclr 
better  plan  than  the  law  has  provided.     The  road  lately  finiihed,. 
which  croffes  o\'er  Guy's  Hill>  is  inferior  to  none  in  Great  Britain,, 
if  we  confider  the*  difficulty  of  the  afcent  which  was  to  be  gained,  z 
great  part  being  cut  through  a  perpendicubr  rock  ;:  the  judgment  with: 
which  it  is  traverfed ;  and  the  fafety  and  eafe  with  which  fo  high  a. 
mountain  Is  rendered  paffable  to  wheel   carriages.     The  road  leading 
from  Savannah  la  Mar  to  Montego  Bay,  another  which  leads  from* 
St.  Ann's  to  St.  James  pariflij  the  May  Day  Hill,,  and  the  road  now 
carrying  on  over  Monte  Diablo,  have  all  of  them  great  merit.     But. 
thefe  fubfcription  roads,  for  want  of  a  fund  to  fuppoft   them   con* 
ftantly;  as  well  as  of  fiifficient  Ikill  and  affiduity  (or  father  perhaps. 
unanimity)  in  thofe  whofe  bufinefs  it  is  to  keep  them  in  repair,  are 
liable  to  fail  into  decay,  and  to  become  almoft  as  bad  as  the  refl*... 
Such  is  the  road  from  Kingfton  to  Bath,  which  is  far  from  being  fo 
well  fupported  as  it  deferves.     In  general  the  planters  are  extremely 
reprehenlible  on  this  account,  more  efpecially  as  very  excellent  ma- 
terials are  alirioft  every  where  to  to  be  found,  very  near  to  the  worft 
roads.     They  have  erred  in  two  principal  points,  the  one,  in  the  ap- 
plication of  the  labour  allotted  by  law;  the  other,  in  a  wrong  method 
of  coftru£iihg  their  roads;  I  mean  chiefly  thofe  which  lead  from  their 

plantations 


BOOK   IL    CHAP.   IV.  4^9 

jfi'antations  to  market.     The  law  requires  the  veftries  in  each  parifli 
and  precinft,  annually  to  choofe  four  furveyors  for  the  highways,, 
who  ivt  entrufted  with  the  power  of  ifluing  warrants,  to  warn   la- 
bourers, or  to  levy  money  for  repairing  them :  the  ordinary  mode  is,. 
lo  draw  from   every  eftate  a  certain  proportion  of  Negroes,  one  in 
five,  t)r  fewer,  who  are  to  repair  the  road  for  a  certain  limited  ex* 
tent;  fo  that  the  different  gangs  employed  take  in  the  whole  road. 
They  generally  work  under  the  infpeftion  of  their  different  overfeers,, 
who,  being  in  hafte  to  get  to  the  end  of  the  fpace  refpeftively  affigned 
them,  difpatch  it  with  fo  little  care,  and  in  fo  flovenly  a  manner,  as  for 
the  moft  part  to  leave  the  way^  rather  worfe  if  poffible  than  they 
found  it.     The  feafon  chofen  for  this  purpofe  is  ufually  the  begin- 
ning of  December  (on  the  South  Side),  as  leaft  interfering  with  the 
plantation  work;  fo  that  in  all  the  fucceeding  twelve  months^  while 
the  road  ismoft  ufed  by  the  planters  carriages,   no  folid  repair  is  given 
to  it,  or  at  leaft  very  feldom,.  however  neceffary  it  may  be,  efpecially 
after  the  May  rains^     Nothitig  is  more  aftonifhing  than  that,,  after  fc>> 
Ibngan  experience  of  theabfurdity  of  this  cuftom,  and  of  the  utility 
ef  a  different  method  followed  in  one  or  two  of  the  pariflies,  the  old 
ufage  (hould  ftill  be  any  where  retained..    Surely,   a  good  road  for 
facilitating  the  carriage  of  produce  and  neceflaries  to  and  from  his  ef- 
tate, is  as  material  and  intereftmg  to  the  planter,  as  the  manufafturing 
of  his  produce;  too  many  of  them  appear  as  if  they  were  fatisfied  to* 
make  a  great  quantity  of  fugar  and  rum,  without  any  concern  bow  to 
convey  it  to  the  markets  inattentive  to  this  principle,  and  moft  im- 
portant objeft,  they  jog  on  in  the  ufual  way,  and  having  been  ac- 
Guflomed  all  their  life  to  bad  roads,  and  a  difficult  carriage,  think  but 
little  how  to  make  them  lefs  inconvenient,  nor  confider  the  vaft  fav- 
ing  to  their  fortune  in  the  articles  of  wheels,  mules,  and  fleers,  which 
a  good  road  would  certainly  give  them.     Moreover,  in  refpeft  to  the 
great  lofsoftime,  they  do  not  perceive  that  the  /ame  cattle,  which 
could  even  trot  with  eafe  with  a  carriage,  on  a  hard,  firm  road,  will 
with  much  difficulty  drag  it  a  foot-pace  through  fand,  deep  mud,  or 
clay;  nor  that  theftrength  required  to  move  a  loaded  carriage  depends 
much  more  upon  the  nature  of  the  road,  than  the  weight  of  the 
carriage.. 

I  know 


47^  J   xA    M   .A  ;l    C    A. 

Xktiow,  fevcral  plantersi  Ln  Jamaica  who  oblige  thci&lelves  -  to  the 

expejticcof  keeping  H  great,  number  of  TO uks  for  carrying  their  pro- 

.  4n.ce  on  a  road,  which,  with  proper  .management,  and  no  additional 

,  charge  of  labour,^.  might  foonie  adapted  to  wheeLcarriagCii. by  which 

.  a  prodigious  laving  would  be. made  to*  their  incomes.;  for  mules  ^re 

*  the  moft  unprofitable  flock  the  planter  can  have ;  whereas  ihr«ee  oxen 

.  are  often  .bought  for  the  price  of  one  mule,  and,  twhen  grown  foper- 

.  annuated,  .are  not  unfrequcntly  fold-*o  the  grazier  for  half  their,  prime 

cpft.    On  a  good  road,  eigbt.flieerswllLdrawas  much  fugar  and  rum 

.  as  would  require. feventeen  or  etg-hleen  mules  to  carry  on  their  l>acks, 

.  But  fjjppofing. they,  draw,  asi  roads  in  general  may  be  thought  to  ad- 

i  mit,:  no  more *tban. would  rpquire- fifteen  mules,  let  us^iConfider  the 

^  difference,  of  charge  to  the  planter : 

4  Coft  s>iS  fleers  at  i  zJ.    — ,  96  /.     Coft  of  1 6  mules  at  30  /.  480/, 
Thefe  ftce»;g,  when  fuperannu- 

;  ated,  will  probably  be  fold  for 
;  at  Jeaft^  5  /.  fer  head      .  46  /. 

iLpfs  on. fleers       -  ■■  ■  ^  56/.  lofs  on  mules  480/* 

\The  difference  here  is  very  glaring  with  refpeft  to  the  plantcr^s  for- 
1  tUQe;  ,and  in  regard  to  the  public  good  of  the  ifland,  it  is  certainly 
preferable  to  encourage  the  ufe  and  breed  of  an  animal,  which  is  ib 
;ierviceable  ibr  food,  and  other  purpofes  even  after  its  death,  than  of 
,. another  which. ceafes  to  be  of  any  ule  the  moment  it  ceales  to  live*  I 
'<  have .  known  other  planters,  who  employ   1 2  or  1 4  fleers  to  draw, 

5  through  a  horrid  fwamp  at  the  peril  of  their  lives,  what  would  re- 
*  quire  only  4,  if.  the  road  was  rendered  firm.  In  general  they  buy 
.  every  year  almoft  double  the  number  of  cattle,  that  would  be  necef- 

fary  for  a  well-made  road ;  and  not  a  few  expend  in  this  manner  at 
Jeaft  500/.  every  year  in  recruiting  their  loffes  of  flock,  who  refufe  to 
contribute  ico/.  towards  putting  their  road  into  a  durable  condition 
of  repair;  and  in  truth,  fome  are  fo  deteftably  felfifli  and  peryerfe, 
that  under  all  pofTible  conviftion  of  the  heavy  loflcs  they  fuffer  every 
year  on  the  roads,  they  dare  not  incur  a  liberality,  frqm  whicjh  they 
imagine  the  future  generation  may  gather  more  advantage  than  them** 
felves.  For  the  fake  of  thofe  who  are  aduated  by  a  more  generous 
policy,  and  are  willing  to  be  inftru(3;ed  in  what  may  tend  to  their 

prelent 


J 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.   IV.  471 

pfjefent  as  well  as  future  benefit,  I  propofe  a  ihort  detail  of  what  has 
chiefly  been  recommended  intbe  forming  and  repairing  of  roads,  with  - 
a  reference  to  the  circumftances  erf*  Jamaica;  fo  that  they  who  are  hi-  - 
tberto  uninformed>«  may  collect  what  brequiiite  to  be^done  from  the 
refult  of  thofe-  experiments  that  have  been  moi^  fuccefsfully  pradifed 
in^  England,  wliofe  roads  are  allowed  by  foreigners  inferior  to  none  in 
thewjrld.     The  more  a  road  refembks  water  as  to  the  facility  of 
tranfportation,  the  nearer  is  its  approach  towards  perfeftion.     This  re- 
femblanceconliils  in  fmootfanefsy  f^acioufnefs,  and  the  advantage  of 
celerity  in  the  paflage  over  it.     But  narrow  ways,  rocky,  and  fteep  ' 
roads,  or  deep  mire,  £and,  and  bog,  are  the  furtheft  pofiible  £rom  fuch  ^ 
a  parallel.     The  planning  or  laying  out  a  road  is,  no  doubt,  a  work  ^ 
which  requires  fome  judgement,  efpecially  if  it  leads  through  fwamps  - 
and  low  grounds,  where  fione  is  icarce;  or  over  mountains,  where   ' 
rocks  ^re  tO' be  ^ifplaced,  acclivities  leveled, -and  the*  rain  •  water,  le-  - 
curdy  drawn  off.     The  terror  of  thefe  undertakings,  and  the  plea-  r 
fure  experienced  from  the  pra^icability  of  effefting  them,  are  equally  -' 
great;  yetsthe  former  too  often- prevails^  when,  by  the  want  of  expe- 
rience, or  of  found  judgement,  every  circumftance  is  thrown  into  the   • 
moftdifcouraging  point  of  view>-   So  little  adapted  to  thefe  works  is   ^ 
either  the  genius  or  inclination  of  the  common  people  in  general,  that 
we  may  Temack  the  fineft  and  beft  conftru£ied  roads  have  been  laid   ^ 
outby  military  en^fteers;  this  fliews,  that  fomewhat  of  fcicnce  muft  - 
be  called  in  to  ^fTift; in  undertakings  of  this  kind,  where  unufual  ob- 
ftacles  prcfent  themfelves;  but  when  the  rules,  by  which^  they  have    * 
proceeded,  come  to  be  generally  well  under  flood,  the  moft  unlettered   * 
direAors  maygo  on  with  a  confidence  of*  fuecefs.*  •  The-  chief  pointe  - » 
neceflary  to  be  known,  =  are,  - 

1%  The  right  laying  out  of  a  road,  and  in  a  form  or^figtire  moft  ^ 
fuKtableto  its  prefer vation.^ 

2d,  The  materials  moft  proper  to  com pofe  'and  repair  it,  and  the  - 
order  in  ^which  the  fevei^l  layers  fliould  ^be  ranged,  for  rendering  the  - 
whole  work  moft  folid  and  compa6l;   - 

When  circumftances  admit,  it  is  alwiays  defireable  to  bring  roads  ' 
into  ftraight  lines,  or  as  nearly  fo  as  poffible;  becaufe  in  this  form  they  ' 
wear  better,  ftiorten  the  diftanccy  and  are  more  pleafaritas  well  as  ^ 
commodious;  and*whenever  bends  are  nece(rary,^they  gre-more  eafily 

fiipppyted 


472  J    A    M    A    I    C    Ar 

fupportcd  In  right-lined  obtufe  angles  than  in  curves.    For  the  lame 
reafons,  regular  forms  are  preferable  to  uneven  {urhcce;  aitd  therefore 
rifings  and  hollows  fliould  be  reduced  into  ]ewl,  «r  rather^  if  it  can 
be  fb  cootrivedy  into  inclioied  planes.     Steep  afcents  are  always  (if 
poffible)  to  be  conquered ;  becaufe  the  locking  of  wheels  hi  the  de- 
icent,  and  difficidty  of  jdranght  in  the  afcent^  restder  the  fupport  of 
fuch  roads  very  expenfive;  attd  the  uie  of  them  very  injconvenient* 
Attempts  df  this  kind  are  generally  arduous^  y^  they  may  be  accom-* 
plifhed  in  atlmoft  any  inftance^  by  finking  the  road  at  the  fnrnmit  of  a 
hill,  and  railing  it  at  the  bafe.    In  the  (haping  a  xoad,  care  (hoald  he 
taken  to  make  it  the  fcgmentof  a  circle,  raifing  itfpom  i  foot  to  2  in 
the  centre,  and  gradually  paring  round,  and  floping  it  towards  ^either 
iide,  in  order  to  give  the  rain  water  a  free  discharge  from  iu     In  ge- 
Aeral,  where  the  cotrnti^  over  which  a  road  is  carriod,  approaches 
4Kareft  to  a  true  level,  the  greateft  convexity,  and  ^t  deepeft  £de 
•trenches  are  required.     The  reafbns  which  make  this  difpofition  in  the 
&rm  of  roads  neceflary,  .are  founded  chiefly  aa  the  effects  of  water 
^ipon  them.     This  element,  under  proper  oliredion,  is  an  excellent 
means  of  prefer vation  to  them,  as  it  ^macy  4>e  made  to  carry  off  die 
lighter  particles  of  eacth  and  iirad^  and  will  leave  the  {and  and^raMl, 
which  are  ipeciiically  heavier,  in  the  wearing  tracks,  where  they  krvt 
as  a  guard  to  Che  /u6/iratum  of  materials ;  but  a  ftagnation  of  it  is  al- 
moft  always  prejudicial,  and  particularly  fo  in  loamy  or  clay  ibxls. 
The  flant,  or  pr(^refliv.e  inclination  of  a  road^  where  that  inclination 
IS  gentle,  is  particularly  adapted  Xo  ;prooure.tlie  advantages,  and  guard 
againft  the  incon vemences  of  water;  but  where  this  cannot  be  obtain* 
ed,  the  defcent  down  the  iloping£desamift  iervefor  its  difcbarge;  in 
all  inftances,  the  <conve2;ity  ^f  xoads  encreafing  their  fiufaces  in  pro- 
portion to  their  bafes,  muft  give  a  larger  icope  for  the  operation  both 
of  the  fun  and  windy  and  caufe  a  quicker  .drain  of  the  water  that  hUs 
upon  them:  this  convex  ibrm  of  raadei:^,  therefore^  upon  jthe  jufteft 
principlea»  and  certain  experience  found  .to  he  the  btCt.    Where  the 
natural  texture  .of  a  road  requires  no  amendment;^  the  materials  may 
he  laid  upon  the  furface<of  tha  groundt  and  the  earth  drawn  /upwards 
towards  their  center  from  each  £de;  this  wHl  bring  them  lof  courie  to 
a  regular  arch  or  convexity,  by  whicli  their  center  will  be  elevated  in 
proportion  to  the  greater  or  lefs  quantity  of  materiak  u&d  in  the  re- 
*  pair 


BODICIL    CHAP.  I V^  47.^ 

paiip  of  them;'  or  in  fuch  roads  where  the  center  wants  but  little  rair 
lifig,  the  fame  thing  is  ^SkA^d  by.  digging  a  bed  for  the  materials* 
and  dirpofrng  of  the  foil,  fo  as  to  make  the  flope  regular  on  each  fidc« 

Al  the  fii-ft  rtevlval  of  the  care  of  roads  in  England,  it  appeaned  a 
chlrrierical  undertakrng  to  the  furveyors,  to  attempt  exednting  any 
plan  for  reducing  ground  to  a  regular  defcent,  where  it  wa&.to  be  ef* 
fecled  by  raifing  vallic5^  and  finking  hills;  but  cuftom  familiarizedl 
them  to  a  conviftion  both  of  the  prafticability  and  utility  of  fucli 
fchemcs.  T^^e  breadth  of  the  roads  in  England  is  feldom  extendi d 
beyond  ia  feet,  ^d  bf  many  only  to  I2,  whfre  there  is  not  fuch  frc* 
xjtient  octafion  for  carriages  to  turn  out,  as  to  render  a  greater 
breadth  neceflary. '  In  order  to  make  them  firm  ami  lafting,  there 
are  two  metliods,  which  ha\'c  been  praftifed;  the  one,  by  regular  con- 
ftruftions,  as  pavements  and  caufcways;  the  other,  by  a  more  promif- 
cuous  affortment  of  rock-ftones,  pebbles,  gravel,  and  the  like;  the 
foiftiier  ofthefe  feems  at  prefent  to  be  (eldom  iifed,  except -wher^ 
Ibmewhat  of  a  regular  muniment  is  required  againft  the  breach  of  the 
f?a,  the  current  of  land  floods,  and  the  like.  It  may*l>old  fer-a  gene- 
ral ruTe,  that  the  finer  the  materials  are  which  are  ufed  for  the  com^ 
position  of  roads,  according  to  the  fecond  method  mentioned  (which 
is  UQW  the  moft  approved),  the  more  convenient  they  are  fd^  psiflagei 
if  no  other  bbjcftions  attend  them;  but  as  it  does  iiot- always  happen 
that  the  furveyors.  of  highways  have  a  choice  of  materials,*  and«as  a 
long  carriage  bf  tbem  might  be  an  infuppertablc  burthcin,  the  beft 
Ihould  be  t^ken  that  the  ileighbourhood  affords.  Whatever  the  ma- 
terials  are,  the  ground  (hould  be  well  formed  under,  and  about  them^ 
to  prevent  their  giving  way  on  the  fides  j*  or,  bfciteath  the  whfeel  tracks,' 
where  the  greateft  prelTure  always  lies. .  Durabienefs  and  tonyenicnctf 
are  beft  confulted  by  making  the  foundation' of iarge  ftones,  and  the 
fuperftr^dlure  of  graveL  In  clays^  or  foils  which  retain  iWiftiire,  it 
has  a  very  good  effeft,  to  lay  a  gourfe  of  fand  or  gravel  ^before  the 
^r^tfiff^  of  ilones  is  placed;  which  prevents  thpu  from  working <lown- 
waydsi  fo  faft  as  thpy  are  other  wife  apt  to  dp,  and  yeteiiables  thera 
for  a  while  to  fupport  the  5)reflure  of  very  heavy  weigh:?.'  Rock- 
iictnes,  from  tbcir,  angular  form,  arid  rough  furface,  pr  frpul  their 
ilatnels  an4,],3rgeiurj[ace,  being  lefs  liable  to  dcfcQiid,  are  prefcrabicf  to' 
fmpoth  pebblesi  the  latter  are  beft  applied  in  ^Jlratum  upon  the  foun-' 

Vol.  L  P  P  P  datioa 


4n  J^    A    M    A    I    C    A.    . 

dation  fiones,  or  to  fupply  the  wheel  tracks  when  Wornv    Whatever 
jnaterials  are  mado  xtCt  of  for  the  purpofe  of  fecuiidg  roads  from  de^ 
CBy,  it  generally  turns  out  an  trretrieveahle  error  to  be  too  fparing  in 
the  breads  of  the  mended  path,  and  very  bad  oecptiomy  fiot  to  a^ow 
a  Aifiicient  thicknefs  of  materials  in  the  fifft  conftrudion  of' it;  the 
former  fhould  never  be  lefs  than  12  feet;  and  as  ta  the  latter^  it  muft 
be  regulated  by  the  nature  of  the  foil.     In  Jamaica,  there  is  fcarcely 
anyplace  unprovided  with  materials^  yet  none  of  them  equal  to  the 
£ngli(h  pit-gravel;  tkey  are,,  however,  many  of  them  excellent  in 
their  kind,  and  very  capable  of  anfwering  the  end^propofed*^  thus^^in 
the  parifli  of  Sixteen* mile- walk  (or  SC  Thomas  m  the  Vale)^ .  the 
planters  covered  their  principal  road  with  a  coarfe  white  marie,  found 
there  in  great  plenty,,  which  hardens  in  the  air^  and  acquires  a  very 
compact  and  well-conneded  furface ;.   the  great  fault  in  this*  road 
(wliicli  is  nevertheleCs  one  of  the  heft  in  the  ifland).  is,  that  they  did 
not  fifil  lay  a  very  fubfiantial  foundation  of  large  fiones-  in  the  oioft 
miry  .and  clayey  parts;  and  that  they  negleded  tO'glve  it  ^convrxln^ 
fiead  of  a^  fiat  form;  fo  that  it  is  continually  fubfiding  in  various- 
places,  and  does  not  fufiiciently  dilcharge  the  rain  wateB  that  falls 
upon  it*     This  defeft  may  infome  degree,  be  redified  in  ttm?,.  by  a* 
continued  accumulation  of  freih  materials,  laid  thickeft  on  the  center^ 
>irhere  this  marie  cannot  be  had,,  there  ace  Tn  general  a  coarfe  ^  reddiflv 
grit,  honeycomb  rock,  pebbles,,  coarle  gravel  or  fand  from  the  river^ 
courfeSf  andgujiiesj  ealy  to.  be  procured,     fn.  making  roads  to  tra-;- 
terfc  the  falinas,  or  level  grounds  adjacent  to  the  fea,  and  in  Cwampy 
places,  a  Jiratxttn  (hould>  firft.  bo  laid  in  dry  weather  of  ebony  bruffi; 
and  boughs,,  logwood,,  or  any  other  (excfpt,the  opapinax)  that  can=: 
conveniently  be  had;,  tbefe  will  remain  found  a  very  long  time  under 
the  earth,  i£  covered  to  a  Jufficient  thicknefs.     Upon  y\v(%  jiraium  6is 
boughs,,  ft akes,  or  fafcines,  may  be  throwa  ftones,  coarfe*  fea  griaveli, 
rubbifh,.  or  any  other  hard  materials,  and  thefe  overfpread^tKinly  with' 
the  foil  taken  out  of  the  trenches^or  drains  cut  on  each  fide;;  the  whole 
being  properly  raifed  in  the  center,  and  rounded  off  tp  the  fides :  a  fi* 
milar  means  may  be  purfued  in  fbrmmg  roads. over  the  favannah  I^nds,.. 
fome  of  which  are  exceedingly  deep  and  heavy  in  wet  weatfi&ri  it  is' 
to  be  obfervcd,  that  the  ground  work,  or 'firft  layer  of  boughs  or 
-flakes,  »uft  be  piled  to  the  greateft  thicknefs,  in'  the  moft'fwampy* 

foils.- 


BOOK  jll.-  CHAP.  IV.  475 

(oils.  In  the  inouQtdins,  the  di$cvli^i^s  are  very  xz)tic:h  encreafed  by. 
their  fteepnefs  in  feme  parts^  and  the  obflrudtion  of  hard,  rocks,  which 
frequently  will  yield  to  nothing  but  gunpowder ;  wherever  therefore 
thefc  deep  afcents  can  be  avoided,  it  will  always  be  preferable  to  con- 
duft  the  road  on  a  level,  even  if  the  length  of  carriage  (hould  be  aug- 
mented by  taking  a  circuit;  for  the  level  ground  chiefly  winding  near 
fome  ri\^er  courfe,  ft  fufficiency  of  gravel,  or  other  bard  materials,  may 
be  always  at  hand,  to  be  laid  on  with  difpatch,  and  little  expence;  and, 
when  laid  on,  will  be  fecurely  retained  ^  befides,  if  the  vippcr  Jiratum 
or  covering  is  tolerably  fmooth,  the  friclion  will  be  fo  fmall,  the 
draught  fo  eafy,  that  three  miles  of  fuch  a  road  will  not  be  nearly  fo 
fatiguing  to  cattle,  as  a  few  hundred  feet  of  afcent  up  the  fade  of  a  Atep 
mountain.  But  when  .necei(Iity  obliges  to  climb,  and  that  it  can  no 
way  be  fhunned,  the  draught  may  be  relieved,  either  by  digging  down 
the  fummit  to  a  confiderable  depth,  or,  where  that  is  impradlicable, 
rendering  the  afcent  as  gradual  as  poffible  from  the  lower  grounds, 
and  carrying  traverfe?  along  the  (lope  of  the  mountain  or  hill  until  the 
pitch  is  gained.  When  a  road  is  condufted  in  this,  manner  by  tra- 
verfes^  or,  as  it  Is  commonly  called,  zig-zag,  a  large  fweep  of  ^6  to. 
40  feet  (hould  be  given  at  every  angle  or  turning,  that  the  whole 
team  may  have  more  room  to  exert  their  united  ftfength ;  a  fuificient 
wall  (hould  be  con(lru£ked  againft  every  precipice,  and  a  trench  of  at 
leaft  8  inches  depth,  and  1 5  inches  width,  dug  on  the  fide  next  the 
hill  J  this  drain  at  every  20  feet,  or  more  or  lefs,  according  tothe  ob- 
fiquity  of  the  (lant,  (hould  crofs  the  road  over  a  paved  gutter  of  3  or  4 
feet  breadth,  to  difcharge  the  water ;  by  which  means,  the  heavieft 
falls  of  rain  upon  it,  being  thus  divided  into  many  fmall  channels^ 
may  pafs  away  without  caufing  any  damage. 

The  ufc  of  broad  wheels  has  been  for  fome  years  received  in  many 
parts  of  this  ifland,  on  a  fuppo(ition,  that  the  roads  were  chiefly  da- 
maged by  narrow  wheels ;  but  it  is  evident,  that  the  dedirudion  of 
foads  happens  from  the  greatnefs  of  the  prefTure  or  weight  upon  them. 
Narrow  wheels  (ink,  no  doubt,  in  proportion  to  the  weight  laid  on* 
their  axles ;  but  the  friflion  of  broad  wheels  is  greater,  in  as  much  as 
their  folid  contents  are  much  greater;  and  the  ftrufture  both  of  roads 
and  carriages  is  fuch,  that  broad  wheels  feldom  or  never  prefs  equally: 
befides,  thefc  whe^s  are  very  fubjeft  to  be  clogged  with  dirt  in  fuch  a 

P  p  p  2  degree. 


AfB  JAMAICA. 

^egre€>  as  gtcady  to  augment  the  draught ;  a  better  rcmcd j  might 
have  probably  been,  to  have  introduced  a  lighter  kind  of  carriage, 
adapted  to  carry  only  two  hogfheads,  or  three  puncheons,  at  a  time, 
and  have  made  the  fellies  of  a  mean  breadth  of  4  or  5  inches.     A  pro- 
per conftrtiftion  of  the  carriages  is  certainly  the  hioft  eaiy,  and  of  all 
others,  perhaps,  the  moft  effeftual  means  of  fecurlty  to  the  roads;  but' 
then  it  (hculd  not  be  fuch  a  conftruftion  as  flioiild;  enable  them  to 
carry  heavy,  but  fuch  an  one  as  may  obhge  them  to  carry  light  loads  ^ 
a  middling  breadth  of  felly,  neither  fo  fmall  as  to  cut  deep,  nor  yet 
fo  great  as  to  prevent  a  little  gradual  impreffion,  which  fcrves  as  a 
guide  to  keep  carriages  in  regular  tracks,  is  the  true  method  of  con- 
fining the  wearing  to  a  narrow  compafs,  which  with  judicious  ma* 
Aagement  will  certainly  leffen  it;  and  the  more  eafily  the  draught  15 
performed,  the  lefs  effeft  will  be  produced  both  from  the  preflTure  of 
carriages,  and  the  treadings  of  cattle.     The  coft  of  laying  on  mate* 
rials  in  forming  an  Englifli  turnpike,  at  the  rate  of  three  tons  for  every 
yard  forward,  and.  for  placing  and  banking  up,  has  been  eftimated  at 
about  550/.  fieri,  per  mile;  and  the  annual  repairs   103/,  per  mile; 
this  is  reckoned  dear,  but  it  is  not  the  rate  of  every  county;  for  ia 
fbme  it  is  mpre,  in  others  lefs,  according  to  the  difficulty  or  facility 
of  getting  materials,  and  the  price  of  labour :  in  Jamaica,  when  a 
road  has  been  undertaken  by  the  job,  I  have  known  upwards  erf"  700/. 
fterl.  per  mile  paid  for  one  very  indifferently  executed;  in  general, 
they  naay  be  opened,  and  made  tolerably  good,  exclufive  of  laying  oi^ 
materials,  for  xzoL  per  mile.     The  means  hitherto  praftifed  of  re- 
pairing the  roads  once  in  the  year  by  allotments  of  labourers  from 
each  eftate,  fomewhat  after  the  manner  of  the  flatute  work  in  Eng- 
land, has  never  yet  been  found  to  anfwer  in  any  of  the  parifhes;  the 
whole  ha«  been  a  fort  of  annual  feflival  or  merry-makir^g,  for  the 
Negroes,  as  well  as  their  fuperintendants,  whiljft  npthipg  like  labour 
was  beftowed  upoa  the  parts  mofl  In  want  of  amendment.     As  this., 
cuflom  is  attended  with  none,  or  at  mofl  with  a  very  fmall  benefit  to 
the  public  roads,  fo  it  is  produftive  of  inconvenience  to  th.e  planters  j. 
for  their  Negroes  are  drawn  to  a  dillance  of  feveral  miles  from  home,^ 
and  lie  out  at  night,,  by  which   their  health  often  fuffers;  •  befides, 
what  little  repair  is  done,  is  performed  fo  haftily,  negligently,  andu 
unfldlfuljiy,  as  tp  be  of  no  more  fervice  in  two  or.  three,  months  time^. 

than. 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  IV.  477 

than  if  it  had  never  been  done.  The  planters  of  St.  Thomas  in 
the  Vale  ft  ruck  out  a  much  better  mode»  when  they  procured  an 
a^ft  to  be  pafTed,  obliging  each  proprietor  to  furnifh  a  number  of 
abk  hands,  in  proportion  to  their  eftate,  who  were  to  be  continually 
employed  upon  their  road,  under  the  diredfcion  of  a  furveyor,  to 
whom  they  paid  a  competent  falary.  Their  road,  in  confequence 
of  this  meafure,  has  been  daily  improving;  for  as  foon  as  any  part 
of  it  becomes  defective,  by  means  of  fudden  heavy  rains,  or  other 
cafualties,  it  is  reflored  without  lofs  of  time.  The  gentlemen  in 
this  part  of  the  country  could  with  more  eafe  conform  to  aa  engage^ 
ment  of  this  nature,  becaufe  the  different  tracks  leading  from  their 
plantations  all  center  at  laft  in  one  principal  road,  to  which  they 
are  reftrifted  by  the  fteep  hills  on  each  fide  the  Rio  Cobre.  I» 
other  parts  of  the  country,  inftead  of  attending  to  one  principal 
and  central  road,  they  form  a  multitude  of  branches,  and  contrive 
fo  many  to  keep  in  repair,,  that  fomc .  muft  ncceflarily  be  neglefted.^ 
The  abovementioned  plan  of  repair  would  doubtlefs  be  found  ta 
anfwer  in  eVery  other  diflridt  of  the  iflands  but  in  a  more  eminent 
degree,  whenever  it  is  pradicable,  to  keep  up  one  or  two  grand 
carriage  roads  for  a  whole  pariih,  and  diminiih  the  ramifications 
leading  into  them  firom  the  feveral  fettlements,  to  a  moderate 
number. 

The  road$  in  this  ifland  might  be  properly  arranged  under  tbre& 

heads  or  clalTes.     The  firft,  are  tho&  of  public  communication ;  or, 

t^  grand  palEcs,,  which  traverfe  the  ifiand  from  Eaft.  to  Weil,  or 

crdfs  it  fiHun  North  to  South,  and. arc  more  efpecially  needful  to 

thofe  who.  arje  obliged  to  travel  to  and  from  the  different  towns ; 

thpitntnbcxsof  dfSemlAy^  and. council  1  jurymen,,  witaeflesy  judges 

of  the  ;cifcuit  courts,  the  troops  of  the  ifland,  &c.     Thefe  great 

roads  of  cdmmunication,  which  are  chiefly  fubfervient  to  the  public 

affairs  and  bufinefs,.  ought  to  be  fuflained  at  the  public  charge.     In  , 

the  iiecond  clafs,  which  likewife  falls  under  the  public  or  geqeral 

cart,  are  thofe  roads  which  are  opened  ip  newly -fettled  parts  of  the 

country,  for  the  benefit  ^nd  .encourageaient  of  the  fettlersi   who 

are  unable  to  make  them  in  a  proper  manner  ^t  their  own  charge; 

and  as  the  whole  community  i^.iatereAed  in  their  welfare,    and 

fiiccefs,  the  burthen  (hould  in  good  policy  become  a  public  one*. 

The: 


478  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

Thctfeird  clafs  comprehends  all  thofc  roads»  which :mofe  peculiarly 
require  the  care  of  the  planters,  for  their  own  ufei  the  conveyance 
of  their  produce  to  market,  by  the  moil  dircdl  track;  thcfc  ought 
to  be  formed  and  upheld  by  private  individuals,  or  thofe  who 
chiefly  ufe  and  wear  them;  the  legiflatare  here  fhould  no  further 
interpofe,  than  to  ^ke  care  that  the  burthen  is  equaUy  laid ;  the 
road  properly  laid  out,  and  regularly  kept  up ;  and  that  no  one  man 
fhould  have  in  his  power,  to  withhold  his  juft  ihare  of  contribution 
towards  it;  or  bafely  to  avail  himfelf  of  other  men's  generous  induflry^ 
to  gratify  his  own  obftinate  or  felfi(h  purpofes.  Inilcad  of  aii 
allotment  in  the  ufual  abfurd  way,  the  meafure  might  be  generally 
put  tn  pra£tice^  which  has  been  fo  fucce&ful  in  St.  Thomas  in  the 
Yale.  Every  ibch  planter's  road^  and  the  feveral  great  branches 
falling  into  it,  fhould  be  repaired,  by  a  certain  number  of  labourers 
found  by  each  planter  ufing  them  refpedively,  to  be  conftantly 
employed  under  dire£tion  of  furveyors,  having  capacity  as  well  as* 
leifure  for  executing  their  truft,  and  encouraged  by  good  falaries  to 
be  affiduous  in  it  If»  for  example,  it  has  been  the  cuftom  in  any 
pariih  to  allot  one  Negroe  in  every  four,  to  work  twelve  days  in  the 
year  (which  is  the  tifual  time)s  inftead  of  this,  an  affignment  might 
be  made  of  two  Negroes  in  every  hundred,  to  be  kept  on  the  road 
the  whole  year  round ;  a  fit  Ipot  might  be  provided  in  the  moft 
convenient  or  central  part  of  it  for  their  habitations,  and  a  certain 
weekly  allowance,  either  in  viduals  or  money,  given  by  their  own- 
ers for  their  fupport,  or,  in  default  of  their  providing  it,  aflefled  by 
the  juftices.  One  Negroe  in  four,  is  equal  to  twenty-five  in  the 
hundred.  If  then  the  labour  of  ^nc  Negroe  is  rated  at  is*  lo  f  ^. 
per  diem^  the  labour  of  twenty- five,  for  twelve  days,  as  worth 
28/.  is.  6^/.,  which  is  exadly  equal  to  the  labour  of  ^ne  Negroe 
employed  the  year  through,  deducing  Sundays  and  holidays.  But 
as  the  time  fpent  in  traveling  to  and  from  the  road  to  be  mended, 
together  with  the  odd  days,  employed  at  other  times  of  the  year, 
for  making  repairs  after  hidden  floods  and  other  accidents,  which 
rarely  fail  to  happen,  bring  the  whole  time  fpent  in  this  work  to 
twenty-four  days  in  the  year,  or  thereabouts;  we  may  therefore 
allow  the  whole  labour  now  employed  to  be  equal  to  that  of  two 
J^egrocs  employed  the  year  through,  which,  according  to  the  before- 
mentioned 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.  TV.  479 

mentioned  >aCe,  is  foand  equal  to  56/.  5J.  And  hence  this,  which 
16  the  rule  in  St.  Thoma»  in  the  Vale,  appears  to  be  the  fitted 
meafure  of  allotment;,  if  a  regulation  could  take  place  generally ^ 
to  fix  the  dllotments  agreeably  to  this  proportion,  it  promifes  to 
anfwer  every  good  purpofe  that  can  be  expeded  from  a  road  taxy 
•except  that,  inftead  of  allotting  the  labourers  to  work  a  certain 
number  of  days,  it  would  be  better  to  require  two  in  the  hundred, 
to  continue  upon  the  road  all  the  year  rounds  or  elfe  to  pay  a 
compofition  in  money,  according  to  the  preceding  calculation  ;. 
for  example. 

The  propidetor  of  500  fends  10  to  work  the  year,  or  pays  281. 


450  - 

-  9 

400  — 

-  8 

550  - 

'  7 

300  — 

.  6 

250  — 

'  5" 

200  — 

-   4 

150  - 

•   3* 

100  — 

7r 

.50  - 

I 

C' 

X. 

d. 

281. 

5 

0 

2-53 

2 

6 

225 

0 

0 

v^6 

17 

6 

x68 

15 

0 

140 

IX 

6 

112 

10 

0 

^4 

7 

6 

56 

5- 

0 

28 

2 

6 

The  lefs  opulent  planters,  who  pofTefs  a  number  above  Hve,  and 
mnder  fifty,  might  pay  a  compofition  at  the  rate  of  i  /.  for  every 
fourth  Negroe  they  pc^f^r  which  ia^  nearly  equal  to  the  valoe  of 
one  Negroe's  work  for  twelve  days  ^  an*  indulgence  is  due  to  the 
poorefl  fettlers ;  all  therefore  who  poflefs^  a  number  not  exceeding 
five,  might  be  wholly  exempt  from  the  tax..  The  appointment  of 
a  furveyor  for  each  road,  or  for  certain  limits,,  ought  to  be  made  by 
cleQion  of  the  majority  of  the  planters,  to  whofe  fhare  the  repairs 
of  the  road,  ot  thofe  limits,  fhould  fall.  Thefe  planters  fhould 
have  all  the  powers  ufually  granted  to  commifTioners  of  turnpikesjh 
in  regard  to  cutting,  down  overhanging  trees,  removing  nuifances 
and  ob(lru<^ions,  making  drains^  and  taking  up  materials  in  the 
adjacent  grounds.. 

•  A  c^rt,  wain>  or  waggon  and  fix  fleers,  with  a  wainman 
employed  twelve  days  in  the  year,  oiight  be  rated  equal  to 
one  Negroe  employed  the  whole  year;,  but  in  order  to  hare  a 

conflant 


4«o  JAMA    I    C     A. 

con  (Ian  t  ready  fupply  of  all  neceflary  fnattriialB»  to  h^  laid  on  Mrhere* 
ever$  and  whenever,  the  furveyor  (houid  judge  mod  advantageoaa^ 
to  the  road,  it  might  be  more  advifeable,:  that  the  gentlemen  con- 
cerned (hould  furnifh  an  annual  provifion  of  all  tiie  proper  imple- 
ments required,  and  at  firf):  fetting  out  provide  two  three-wheel 
carts  (like  thofe  ufed  on  the  turnpikes  in  England)  and  twelve  fleers 
for  each  road,  or  limits  at  their  jc»nt  expence ;  the  whole  to  be 
under  the  dlreflion  of  the  commifEoners,  to  whom  the  furveyors 
ihouid  be  duly  accountable^  It  is  obvious,  that  a  fund  is  required 
for  thefe  cxpences^  but  after  the  firft  year's  provifion,  they  would 
be  very  frnall.  The  faireft  mode  of  rating,  in  order  to  raife  a  con- 
tribution, perhaps  would  be,  by  payment  of  a  certain  fum  for  every 
hogihead  and  puncheoA  made  upon  each  e&ate.  Suppofing,  for 
example,  eight  eftates  a&^iated  for  atfy  of»  road ;  that  they  poflefs 
J  500  Ncgrbes,  and  produce  1400  bogfl*«ads  of  fugar,  and  600 
puncheons  of  rum  per  anmim.  Their  quota^f  Negroes  is,  thirty. 
The  expences  may  be  rated  as  follows : 

Coft  of  two  carts,  ■   ■  60 

Ditto  of  twelve  fteers,-  — ~*  150 


Surveyor's  fklary  one  year,  «•*«*•  140 

Tools,  implen^en ts,  &r»  — ^im.  60 

Pafturage  for  the  fleers  one  year  -**-^  1  z 


210 


218 


iC^4« 


In  order  to  defray  this  charge,  we  may  rate  five  ftifllings  paid  per 
ho^fhead,  a«d  u.  6d.  per  puncheon,  which  imouBt«  to  4^5/^ 
In  the  fecoiKl  year,  the  two  firft  articles,  making  210/,,  would  not 
occur,  and  the  expences  would  then  ftand  at  2 1 2  /.  -  The  rate,  then 
lobe  formed,  will  bcof  ^x.  bd.  per  hog(head;  and  is.  T^d. per  pun- 
cheon, which  will  produce  212/,  10/.,  and  is  fo  trifltng  a  ium, 
when  divided  among  the  proprietors,  as  not  to  be  fdt.  Itannot 
devifc  a  rate  more  equitable  than  this,  porfuaiit-to-wTiich,  tiie  woft 
opulent  proprietor^  and  hc^wha  moft  wears-  the  road  wiH  contribute 

5  mo/l. 


BOOK   n.    CHAP.  IV.  481 

itioft>  dod  all  the  others  only  in  proportion  io  what  they  make» 
and  the  ufe.  they  have  of  the  road.  According  to  thi^  fcheme,  the 
whole  expence  paid  by  the  proprietor  of  100  Negroes,  including 
the  value  of  labour  of  his  two  Negroes  conftantly  employed,  and 
the  other  charges  expreffed  for  fteers,  &c.  would  the  firft  year  come 
to  84/.,  and  in  the  fubfequcnt  year  to  70/. ;  which  latter  does  very 
little  exceed  what  the  planters  are  put  to  at  prefent,  upon  a  fair 
valuation  of  the  time  their  Negroes  are,  in  the  courfe  of  the  year, 
drawn  from  their  eflates,  to  attend  the  roads,  the  coft,  wear  and 
tear  of  tools,  &r.,  and  from  which  they  derive  no  adequate  benefit. 
But  they  would  be  aftoniflied  to  fee  the  alterations  produced  by 
thirty  able  labourers  employed  all  the  year  on  their  road,  ttnder  a 
ikilful  director;  they  would  enjoy  the  comfort  of  finding  it  kept  in 
good  repair  at  all  feafons  5  they  would  travel  with  eafe,  fafety,  and 
difpatch;  make  every  advantige  of  the  market,  by  getting  their 
produce,  by  fbme  weeks,  earlier  on  ihipboard ;  and  they  would  per-> 
ceive  a  very  fpeedy  reduction  in  their  ufual  heavy  expence  of  buying 
and  maintaining  a  f^ock  of  mules,  and  draught  cattle ;  the  value  of 
their  lands  would  rife  in  proportion,  and  the  diftance  of  carriage 
cea(e  to  be  any  objection  to  a  purchafer,  as  it  would  be  rendered 
fo  cheap  and  fpeedy*  Another  confideration  is,  that  in  a  few  years,* 
or  es  foon  as  the  whole  extent  of  road  could  be  well  formed,  and 
perfeded,  the  expence  attending  it  would  infallibly  decreafe> 
and  half  the  number  of  N^roes  would,  probably,  be  fufficient  to 
perform  all  the  repair  it  might  then  be  in  want  of.  More,  need 
not  be  faid,  to  dcfcribe  the  important  advantages  which  a  planter 
muft  derive  from  a  good  carriage  road,  more  particularly  in  Jamaica, 
where  a  diftant  carriage,  through  roads  difficult  to  pafs,  is  a  {landing 
objedion  to  fugar  plantations  remote  from  the  fca;  for  what  avails 
it,  to  make  goods  of  the  beft  quality,  and  in  large  quantity,  if  the  . 
expence  oftftock  and  carriages  to  tranfport  it  to  the  fea  fide, 
together  With  the4ofles,  damages,  and  delays,  attending  the  con- 
veyance of  it,  abforb  one  third,  and  more  often  one  half,  the  valu^ 
of  thofe  goods  ?  The  proprietor,  in  fuch  a  cafe,  has  only  the  repu- 
tation of  polTefling  a  fine  eflate,  but  fo  locked  up,  that,  like  the 
mifer's  hoard,  he  can  only  feaft  his  eyes  with  it,  and  is  really  poorer 
at  the  year's  end,  than  another  proprietor  of  an  cftate  two  thirds 
Vol.  !•  Q  4  ^  fmaller, 


48a  JAMAICA. 

fmaller,  but  more  commodioufly  fitaated  in  refped  of  carriage.  I 
hcve  known  a  planter  lofc  a  mule,  which  coft  hina  30  /.,  in  a  boggy 
road>  in  carrying  a  puncheon  of  rum  to  the  market,  which  yielded 
him  no  more  than  13  /.  This  then  was  making  rum  at  17/.  lofs  per 
puncheon.  Nothing  in  fliort  is  more  clear,  than  the  advantage  of  a 
good  road,  and  the  difadvantage  of  a  bad  one,  to  the  planter.  And 
nothing,  I  am  perfuaded,  will  conduce  fo  much  to  the  thorough 
Settlement  and  population  of  Jamaica,  the  improvement  of  the  fine 
eftates  already  formed  in  the  heart  of  the  country,  and  the  forming 
of  new  ones,  as  a  fteady,  vigorous,  and  perfevering  attention,  to  have 
good  carriage  roads  in  every  diftrid:  of  it;  the  firft  happy  confequence 
of  which  muil  be  a  redudionof  fupernumerary  flock,  whereby  many 
large  trafts  of  good  land,  at  prefent  neceflarily  kept  in  paflure,  will 
be  thrown  into  immediate  cultivation,  and  make  a  vafl  addition  to 
the  annual  produd.  In  refpeft  to  the  public  highways,  the  afTcmblies 
bave,  at  various  times,  been  liberal.  In  the  year  1768,  they  voted 
2040  /.,  to  be  expended  on  feven  different  roads.  This  difpofition  to 
improve  the  highways,  is  greatly  to  the  honour  of  that  body ;  but  it 
would  certainly  tend  more  effedtually  to  the  public  benefit,  if  a  proper 
inquiry  was  to  be  made,  every  annual  fef&on,  into  the  faithful  appli-* 
cation  of  the  fums  fo  granted,  and  into  the  progreflive  ilate  of  the 
roads;  which  fhould  be  duly  reported  to  the  houfe,  to  the  end  that 
fuch  benefadions  might  not  be  mifapplied,  and  that  further  helps 
might  be  added  on  thofe  particular  roads,  fo  much  in  want  of  repair^ 
as  ta  be  but  little  imprpved  by  the  firfl  donation.  The  aflembly  will 
sever  find  thefe  fums  ill  beflowed,  which,  when  grante/i  wit^iout  ai^j; 
view  to  finifler  purpofes^  are  honeflly  and  difcreetly.laid  out,  in  ren^ 
dering  thofe  communications  paflable  with  fafety,  and  difpatch :  but 
it  defervcs  their  particular  care,  to  enforce  any  meafure,  which  may 
bring  the  roads  ufed  for  carriage  of  produce  to  market,  into  as  perfe^ 
a  condition  as  pofTible ;  for  thefe  are  the  main  fprings,  which  give 
motion,,  and  due  regularity,  to  every  other  part  qf  their  commercial 
machine. 


SECT. 


BOOK  n.    CHAP.  IV.  483 

.   S  E  C  T.     II. 

I  infert  the  following  remarks  (chiefly  taken  from  an  ingenious 
treatife  on  wheel  carriages  lately  publiflied[^],)  as  a  proper  fupple- 
ment  to  the  foregoing  difcourfe  upon  roads.    ^ 

LINE    OF    TRACTION. 

A  principal  objed  of  confideration  is^  to  place  the  animal  drawing; 
in  fuch  an  advantageous  iituation,  as  to  exert  his  greateil  mufcular 
force. 

Oxen  are  univerfally  ufed  in  Jamaica  for  draught,  and  thefe  ani* 
mals  then  feem  to  exert  their  ftrength  to  the  greateft  advantage,  when 
they  can  lift  as  well  as  dranv ;  the  thick  neck  and  broad  ihoulders  of 
the  ox  (hew  how  fit  he  is  to  draw  and  bear  the  yoke ;  accordingly 
this  is  the  manner  in  which  he  draws  to  the  greateft  advantage ;  for 
thb  reafon  it  feems  ftrange  that  fome  people  (the  Portuguefe  for  ex- 
ample) oblige  their  oxen  to  draw  by  the  horns,  faftening  the  yoke 
upon  their  points,  or  elfe  fo  as  to  bear  between  their  bafes ;  by  which 
method,  it  is  alledged,  they  are  more  eafily  guided ;  the  ftrength  of 
his  head  indeed  enables  him  to  fupport  his  labour  tolerably  well  in 
this  manner,  but  to  far  lefs  advantage  than  when  he  draws  by  his 
fhoulders.  His  ihort  legs,  heavy  body,  firm  hoof,  and  divided  toes, 
which  expand  in  preffing  down,  but  clofe  again  in  coming  up,  all 
concur  in  adapting  him  to  furmount  the  conftant  refinance  of  the 
earth,  and  particularly  in  drawing  carriages  through  heavy,  or  along 
rugged  roads,  far  beyohd  the  ability  of  a  horfe;  and  he  is  therefore 
defer vedly  preferred  in  Jamaica,  not  only  on  thefe  accounts,  but  be- 
caufe  horfts  are  dearer  in  the  purchafe,  more  chargeable  in  their 
maintenance,  lefs  equal  to  fevere  conftant  labour,  and  when  they  die, 
their  worth  dies  with  them.  The  manner  in  which  the  ox  applies 
his  ftrength  being  confidered,  it  feems,  that  by  giving  the  line  of  his 
traflion  an  obliquity ^  he  may  be  kept  in  the  fituation  of  lifting  as  well 
as  drawing ;  befides,  the  oblique  line  has  confiderable  advantages  in 
the  paflage  over  rough,  uneven  furfaces,  efpecially  if  the  wheels  be 
fmall.  As  therefore  the  horfe  applies  his  powers  with  moft  energy 
vrfaen  he  draws  in  4  horizontal  line,  or  at  leaft,  with  fo  fmall  an  ob- 

[f]    Jacob'i. 

Q  q  q  2  liquity, 


4«4  JAMAICA. 

liquity,  as  to  decline  but  little  below  the  horizontal ;  fb  the  ox,  who 
exerts  his  force  from  the  (houlder  and  neck,  will  be  found  to  over- 
come  his  labour  with  moft  facility,  when  the  line  in  which  he  draws 
a  load,  is  almoft  as  oWique  as  if  the  upper  point  of  that  line  was  in 
contad  with  the  curve  of  his  flioulder,  and  the  lower  point  bearing 
on  the  furface  of  the  earth  •  This  may  ferve  to  indicate  the  proper 
ftrufture  of  the  carriages  which  he  is  employed  to  draw,  whofe  fore 
wheels  ought  to  be  made  as  low  as  can  be  confiftent  with  the  nature 
of  the  road  over  which  they  are  to  be  drawn ;  that  is  to  fay,  the  iir* 
mer  and  Icfs  miry  the  road  is,  the  fmaller  (hould  be  the  diameter  of 
the  fore  wheels;  and  when,  by  realbn  of  very  boggy  or  miry  parts, 
there  appears  a  neceffity  for  enlarging  the  wheels  diameter,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  carriage  from  kicking,  the  draught  of  the  team  will  be 
greatly  relieved,  by  contriving  to  fix  the  tongue  of  the  waggon  or 
wain  as  low  as  conveniently  may  be  beneath  the  fore  axle. 

In  thefe  cafes,  or  in  rugged  highways,  the  advantage  of  an  oblique 
traftion  will  be  vifible  in  the  eafe  with  which  the  cattle  will  move  a 
loaded  carriage  over,  or  through,  fuch  obftacles^  In  proportioning 
the  number  of  cattle  to  any  given  draught,  it  is  always  to  be  confider* 
ed,  that  the  mufcular  force  of  the  animal  drawing  is  divided  be* 
twecn  it,  and  the  carriage  to  be  drawn.  Suppofing,  therefore,  a  team 
able  to  go  forward  at  any  certain  rate  without  a  carriage,  let  then  a 
carriage  of  equal  weight  be  fattened  to  them,  and  they  would  be  able 
to  move  with  the  carriage  but  one  half  as  faft  as  they  could  before 
without  it,  or,  perhaps,  rather  lefs  than  half,  if  the  carriage  has  any 
confiderable  fridion  to  overcome.  If  then,  the  weight  of  an  ox  in 
Jamaica  ihould,  for  example,  be  called  400  lb.,  and  that  a  planter  has. 
a  wain  whofe  weight  when  empty  is  looolb.,  and  that  a  load  being 
put  into  it  of  twa4iog(heads  of  fugar,  equal  to  30001b.  weight,  in 
all  4000  lb.  weight,  it  is  required  to  be  drawn  over  a  road  of  mode«» 
rate  goodnefs ;.  fuch  a  carriage  muft  have  at  leaft  ten  oxen  to  draw 
with  half  tl)e  expedition^  with  which  they  could  have  moved  along, 
fuch  road>  unincumbered  with  any  draught  or  load.. 

PLACING    THE    LOAD. 

The  height  of  the  load  is,,  in  waggons,  of  very  great  moment  in  af^ 
cending  Aeep  hills ;  particularly,  if  the  diftance  between  the  hind  and 

fbre 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.  IV.  455. 

fore  wheels  be  fhort>  and  the  greater  part  of  the  load  be  laid  on  th« 
hinder  part  of  the  waggon.  This  method  of  loading  is  neverthelefs 
advifed,  becaufe,  the  hinder  wheels  being  made  higheft,  the  load  is  by 
this  means  drawn  along  eafieil  on  plain  ground. 

But  as  relative  gravity  takes  place  in  afcending  bills  which  are  the 
moft  arduous,  and  in  Jamaica  the  more  frequent  kind  of  draught,  it 
would  perhaps  be  better  (unlefs  on  very  flat  roads)  to  do  what  h 
done  by  the  common  waggoners,  who  beil  know  when  their  carriage 
goes  moft  eafy,  and  put  the  greatet  (hare  of  the  weight  forward*^ 
Therefore,  if  a  waggon  in  Jamaica  is  to  receive  two  heavy  caiks,  and 
one  light  cafk,  the  light  calk  fhould  be  flowed  the  hindmoft«  But 
on  fiat  ground,  it  is  paft  a  doubt,  that  the  load  is  eafiefi  drawn  when 
the  greater  part  of  it  is  laid  to  bear  upon  the  higheft  wheels,  whether 
thofe  wheels  are  placed  before  or  behind*  In  waggons,  as  well  as 
two- wheel  carriages,  the  load  (hould  be  ever  placed  as  low  as.  poflible 
confidently  with  its  fafety,  the  nature  of  the  roads,  and  the  convenience 
of  the  team  and  driver.  For  the  fame  reafon,  all  four-wheeled  car-* 
riages  have  an  advantage  in  their  length,  efpecially  if  they  are  of  any 
confiderable  height. 

WEIGHT    OP     CARRIAGES. 

The  weight  of  every  carriage  ihould  be  as  little  as  poffible^  fo  that 
it  is  confiftent  with  a  requiiite  firength. 

STRUCTURE  of  CARRIAGES. 

There  15  nothing  more  abfurd  than  the  common  praftice  of  ufing 
the  fame  kind  of  carriages  for  very  different  purpofes;  to  each  of 
which,  feverally,  the  ftru^ture  of  the  carriage  (hould  be  properly 
adapted.  It  fhould  be  adapted  to  the  nature  of  their  ufual  loading,, 
that  it  may  be  put  in  or  taken  out^  without  difficulty  or  danger. 

Carriages  therefore^  employed  chiefly  for  conveying  hogfheads  of 
iugar  and  puncheons  of  rum,,  ought  not  to  be  too  high  from  the 
ground  tt  their  taiL 

STRUCTURE    of    WHEELS. 
In  the  ufual  method  of  conftrudmg  wheels,  tbeu:  peripheries  are 
compofed  of  a  number  of  pieces^  or  fellies  joined  together;  which 

renders 


4^  JAMAICA. 

renders  them  extremely  weak,  and  fubjeft  to  many  inconveniencies. 
In  the  firft  place,  the  joints  being  the  weakeft  parts  of  the  wheel,  they 
are  moft  liable  to  yield  inward;  for  which  reafon,  the  wheelwrights 
leave  them  higher  than  the  other  parts  of  the  rim ;  in  confequence  of 
which,  the  wheel  is  not  at  firft  exaftly  round,  nor  its  motion  of 
courfe  uniform.  Another  very  material  objedion  to  this  method  of 
conftrufting  wheels  is,  that  the  fellies  being  fegments  of  a  circle, 
fawed  or  hewn  out  of  ftraight  wood,  they  are  thence  rendered  fo 
brittle,  from  the  crofs  di  reft  ion  of  the  grain  near  the  joints,  that  they 
«re  with  difficulty  kept  together,  even  though  near  twice  the  quanti- 
ty of  timber  be  employed,  that  would  other  wife  be  neceflary. 

In  the  improved  mode  of  conftruftion,  the  cafe  is  different.  By 
tending  the  timber  perfeftly  circular  (which  may  be  done  by  fire,  or 
by  boiling  for  fome  time  in  water,  after  the  manner  pradifed  in  the 
dock-yards),  and  ufing  only  a  fingle  periphery,  or  at  moft  two  fel- 
lies only,  the  grain  of  the  wood  is  preferved  in  every  part  of  the  riro, 
las  1  have  endeavoured  to  reprefent  in  the  figure  below : 


In  this  mode  of  conftruftion  the  periphery  of  the  wheel  is  pretty 
equally  ftrong  throughout;  and,  though  not  near  fo  much  as  the  ufual 
quantity  of  timber  is  made  ufe  of,  is  of  itfelf  almoft  ftrong  enough  to 
fuftain  the  common  burthen  laid  on  fuch  wheels,  without  the  ailift- 
ance  of  iron  tiers ;  which  are  only  applied  to  them  as  a  fafeguard,  to 
preferve  the  wood  from  the  injuries  to  which  it  would  -  otherwife  be 
neceflarily  expofed  from  the  roads ;  hence  a  Icfs  quantity  of  iron  is 
fufficient,  and  even  that  will  be  fairly  worn  out  before  it  becomes 
ufelefs.  The  durability  of  wheels  of  this  conftrudion  is,  no  doubt, 
an  objeft  in  point  of  oeconomy ;  but  their  lightnefs,  in  compariibn  of 
others,  will  appear  equally  an  objeft  of  importance  in  the  facility  and 
velocity  of  draught. 

HIGH 


BOOK   II.    CHAP.   IV.  487 

HIGH      WHEELS. 

• 

Wheels  facilitate  the  motion  of  a  carriage,  and  being  drawn  along 
roads  covered  with  loofe  ftones,  and  indented  with  cavities,  they  are 
further  ufeful  in  ferving  to  deprefs  or  raife  the  carriage  over  the  one, 
and  in  extricating  it  out  of  the  other.^ 

It  is  in  this  re^eft,  as  well  as  in  overcoming  friftion,  that  high 
wheels  have  advantage  over  low  ones,  though  not  perhaps  in  that  de?- 
gree  for  which  fome  perfons  have  contended. 

If  it  requires  a  certain  power  to  draw  a  carriage  of  a  certain  weight 
over  a  given  ohftaclc,.  with  wheels  of  any  determinate  diameter,  it 
will  require  wheels  of  four  times  the  diameter,  to  draw  the  fame  car- 
riage over  the  fame  obftacle  with  half  that  power.  But  notwith- 
iianding  this  pofition,.  which  tends  only  to  prove  that  fewer  cattle 
are  required  to  draw  a  high- wheel  than  a  low-wheel  carriage,,  it  is 
clear,  that,  by  increafing  the  diameter  of  wheels,  their  ftrength  is  dl- 
minifiied;  or,  they  may  be  made  fo  large,  and  confequently  fo 
heavy,  that  the  carriage  will  be  lefs  eafiJy  and  fpecdily  drawn  than  if 
the  wheels  were  fmaller.  High  wheels  are  particularly  difadvantage* 
ous  in  drawing  up  hill,  this  difficulty  is  aggravated  in  two-wheel 
carriages,  in  which  the  center  of  gravity  of  the  load  is  placed  cond- 
derably  above  the  center  of  the  wheels.  For  when  fuch  a' carriage 
afcends  up  hill,  this  center  is  thrown  back,  and  adds  to  the  relative 
gravity  of  the  carriage,  much  more  than  it  would  if  the  center  ofi  the 
load  lay  below  the  axle* 

Increafing  the  weight  of  wheels,  by  increafing  their  height,  is  ^ 
d^dvantage,  as  already  hinted ;  for,  though  fomewhat  be  gained  in< 
point  of  fridion,  and  in  overcoming,  obftacles,  this  advantage  is  not 
compenfated  by  what  is  loft  with  the  weight,  or  *y/>  'inertia^  of  the: 
wheels;  fo  that  an  empty  carriage  of  this  ftrufturc  is  drawn  witlk 
much  greater  difficulty  than  an  empty  one  on  wheels  differently" 
conftrudled.  But^  to  remedy  their  inconvenience  in  fbme  refpefts,. 
and  make  them  more  afiiftant  to  the  cattle,  1  would  recommend  the. 
following  form  of  an  axle-tree,  by  which  the  load  will  have  its  cen- 
tre of  gravity  below  the  centre  of  the  wheels,,  and  therefore  will  en- 
able them  to  move  up  hill  with  infinitely  more  difpatch,  and  kfs  fa«^ 
tigue.  The  axle-trees  now  ufed  in  Jamaica  being  in  general  of  iron,. 
5  there: 


4&8  JAMAICA. 

there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  having  them  made  in  England  agreeably 
to  this  form. 


The  bottom  of  the  carriage  refting  upon  A,  it  is  evident,  that  the 
carriage  will  be  drawn  with  a  facility  in  proportion  as  the  centre  of 
the  wheel  C  is  above  the  centre  of  the  gravity  of  the  load  at  B ;  and 
that  fpace  will  be  the  increafed  diameter  of  the  wheel. 

And  fuppofing  the  fpace  from  B  to  C  to  be  one  foot,  and  the  fpace 
from  B  to  the  ground  to  be  one  foot  and  a  half,  the  wheel  will  be  of  five 
feet  diameter.  Such  a  ftruAure  would  be  extremely  commodious  in  load* 
ing  and  unloading ;  for,  if  the  hind  wheels  (hould  be  made  even  of  fix 
feet  diameter,  the  diftance  from  the  tail  of  the  waggon  to  the  ground 
would  be  only  two  feet.  A  further  recommendation  of  forming  the 
axle  tree  fome^vhat  in  this  manner  is,  that,  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the 
load  being  thus  funk  fo  near  to  the  earth,  the  oxen  will  draw  in  that 
oblique  line,  in  which  I  have  before  endeavoured  to  prove  they  can 
apply  their  full  ftrength,  with  lefs  fatigue  to  themfelves  than  in  any 
other  way. 

LOW    WHEELS. 

The  higher  the  axis  is  removed  from  the  plane,  the  farther  is  the 
centre  of  gravity  removed  out  of  the  perpendicular  line  of  fupport; 
fo  that  the  lower  the  wheel,  the  lefs  is  the  relative  gravity  of  the  car- 
riage. Suppofing  the  fri^ion  ot  two  carriages  of  equal  weight,  but  of 
differently -fized  wheels,  to  be  equal,  the  low-wheel«>one  would  be 
drawn  up  hill,  on  fmooth  ground,  much  more  eafily  than  the  high* 
wheel  one ;  notwithftanding  it  is  certain,  that  on  fmooth  level  ground 
the  latter  would  be  drawn  more  eafily  than  the  former.  In  going 
downhill  indeed,  a  high -wheel  carriage  will  be  urged  forward,  by  its 
relative  gravity,  more  than  a  low- wheel  one;  but  this  will  hardly  be 
thought  any  advantage,  rf  we  pay  due  attention  to  the  inconveni- 
ence and  danger  of  accelerating  carriages,    efpecially  loaded  ones, 

down  a  hilL 

ROAD 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.  IV,  499 

BROAD    WHEELS. 

Broad  wheds,  whofe  foal  is  flat,  bear  very  unequally  en  the  grcuncl-i 
)uid  from  this  caufe  pinch  the  boxes  violently  at  top  and  bottom,  by 
fhe  unequal  prefTure  of  their  load,  and  their  own  irregular .  bearing 
upon  any  furface  which  is  not  exa£l]y  flat,  and  fo  fitted  to  be  in  con*- 
ta£b  at  once  with  every  point  of  the  foal,  as  it  rolls  over  the  road. 

And  although  a  broad  wheel  bears  on  more  points  than  a  narrow 
one,  ib  that  the  weight  or  prefTure  is  proportionably  le{s^  yet  the 
jquantity  of  the  whole  friffcion  is  the  fame  to  both.  In  pafling  along 
roads  abounding  with  loofe  rough  flones,  and  other  obHacles,  a  broad 
wheel  carriage  will  undoubtedly  be  drawn  with  lefs  eafe  and  difpatcb 
^haii;aiiffirow  wheel  otifi;  becaufe  the  narrow  wheel  may  avoid  or 
turn  afide  what  the  broad  one  muft  furmount  or  deprefs.  But  the 
prevention  of  ruts  is  the  circumftance  on  which  the  utility  of  broa3 
wheels  is  chiefly  founded,  and  in  this  refpeft  they  are  certainly  anfwer- 
able  to  the  intention. 

Broad  wheel  carriages,  however,  are  not  only  fubje^  to  more  wear 
and  tear,  than  the  narrow  wheel,  on  account  of  their  greater  fric- 
tion; but  are  drawn  more  flowly,  and  with  more  difficulty,  on  ac- 
count of  the  more  numerous  obftacles  they  are  obliged  to  encounter 
withf  from  their  greater  breadth  of  furface. 

But  as  the  prefervation  of  the  roads  from  f  uts  feems  tourge  the 
neceifity  of  having  the  wheels  of  heavy  carriages  as  broad  asx:an  .pof^ 
iibly  be  made  convenient^  and  the  breadth  coomionly  aifigned  them 
appears  to  be  too  great ;  it  were  better,  perhaps,  to  diminifii  the 
breadth  of  them  in  waggons  to  fix  inches,  and  by  making  the  fore  and 
hind  axles  of  difierent  lengths,  to  caufe  both  wheels  together  to  roll 
the  furface  of  nine  inches,  which  they  might  well  do,  without  adr 
mitting  of  any  ridge  or  vacuity  between  them.  At  the  iame^tim^ 
the  fore  axle  being  proportionably  longer  than  the  hind  «one,  no 
ridge  can  be  thrown  up  between  the  tracks  of  the  wheels.;  which,  be- 
ing only  fix  inches  broad,  will,  by  leaving  a  little  room  in  die  box, 
ftand  nearly  flat  in  all  fituations  arifing  from  ^  xoavexity  or  con- 
cavity  of  the  roads« 

VqlA.  Rrx  FRIC^ 


^^o  JAMAICA. 

F    R    1    C    T    I    O    N. 

Frrftion  being  proportional  to  the  weight  or  prefRirc  of  Ifte  in^ 
eumbent  body,  it  will  remain  cxaftly  the  fame  ii;  all  cafes ;  fb  that 
as  to  the  fri Aion  of  a  loaded  carriagt,  it  will  be  proportional  to  Afe: 
weight  of  the  carriage;  attd  all  the  ufe  of  whefeh,  in  refpeft  of  ffld- 
tion,  is  to  transfer  the  rubbltfg  from  itrider  the  fur&ce  of  the  eairriage^ 
and  the  plane  fupporting  it;  or  rather  to  divide  itbeifween  the  fiif face 
of  the  ajde  and  nave ;  the  nav^e  rolling  tinder  the  aide,  fodi^hat  in. 
fne  fame  manner  as  the  wheel  rolls  over  the  ftipp6rting  ptehe.  It 
is  indeed  notorious,  that  the  greitt  fridion  of  the  wheels  of  cirirkg^ 
lies  between  the  axle  and  nave. 

The  friiftion  of  cai'riages  is  not  difhiklifiied,  tiat  more  tdfify  (ftf«t>- 
come^  by  wheels ; 

The  rubbing  of  the  wheels  is  either  at  tiie  ajtis  or  the  cifciimfefVnee.: 

The  more  friftion  tWre  is  tlpdn  tlife  tSwe,*  the  lefs  tlieitJ  xf lU  bft  tft 
the  other ;  the  rubbing  at  the  axle  increafing  as  its  diathetdif  is*'^dliin<» 
niihed ;  and  the  rubbih^  at  the  circumference  increslikig  as  llie^di- 
ameter  of  the  axle  is  intreafed. 

Inventions  to  overcame  friftibli  artf  cafculated  tiittefy'ttf  VHiMittht 
delay  occafioned  by  2b  carriage*s  paflSlig  6Vfri*  ati.  itt^^kt  6i  HiUgh 
furface,.  not  by  any  means  tt>  urjgjr  the  carriage  AloilgrffeiB  pOWit 
that  does  this  hiuft:  be  proportioned  tb  the  wciglit,  or  tiihtr  \6  the. 
Wj  inirttit  of  thfe  Iftad;  in  cbrtiparifon  of  which,  the  rubbing  between. 
the  axle  and  box  ih  wheet  carriages  is  a  very  incohfiderable- dbjig^  s 
£>  much  fo,  that  the  diminution  of  this  feifttony  bejrond  sr  dei't&in  de^ 
gree,  would  be  of  little  or  no  confequettce  ih  theh:  dr^cught. 

fexpedition  being  the  principal  oBje^  of  iihprbvcmertt  t6^bt«l  cajf* 
riages,  this  end.  is.  to  be  attained,  not  by  dimiiiutlori  of  fi4€tidftj  bUt-by  - 
the  diriiihutipn  of  weight.     Rtit  ffiftioti  canti6t  be  difjieh^  ^itti  ift. 
carriages  of  burthen ;  whfch,.  for  that  reafon,  are  ubder  a'  ftidcteanlcar^ 
neceffity  of  being  drawn  by  propbrtionabiy  ftrong  and  heaV^pr  teams^ 
arid  of  moving  proportibnahly  flow;  as  friftion  therefoite  fblkiws  thft 
ratio  of  the  Weight,  not  of  the  furface,  it  is^tiot  to  be  ^iHliftitihed  hf- 
whecb  of  any  ftrufture,   high,  or  broad  ;   but  is  rathter  -iM:ii^&ftd  fe^t- 
lM>ikd!t>r  high  wheels,  in  proportioa'^s  ttky  weigh  heavier  thai  othe^.. 

T  R.A  D  E^ 


BO<>K,II.    9HyVP.  V.  ^i 


T    R    A    D    E, 

C    HA.  P.    V. 


1  • 


r 

*     « 


»      » 


•  :•    S  'E    G    )T.-  .    I,    . 

THAT  we. may  take.a  cooipmhieniive  view  of  the  trade  of  t^u 
ifland,  it  is  p^per  ko  b^in ,  with  the  Negroe  trade,  whlcfo  1$ 
the  ground-work  of  9H»     The  Negroe  ilay^s  are  purcbafcid  in  Afric^t> 
by  the  Britifli  merchants,  wttb  a  great  variety  of  ^ooU^p  .g9Q4| ;  H 
chcaf  fojft  of  .fiffo-vms  ftoittiSifiniinghtvi,  $bef}iel(l>  and  other  places; 
powder,  bullets^  iron:  hape,  coppfr^ar^a  bfafs  paQ v  <na)t.  fpirits,  taU 
low»  tobaccorpipds,  Maflchcfttft  gofodl^  .glafs  beads ;  fozue  particulor, 
kind  of  linens^  irpnnjongcry  and  cutlery  ware ;  certain  toys,  fome 
Eaft  India  gdods ;  but^,  rn  the  main,  with  very  little  that  is  not  of 
Britiih  growth,   or  qianufa&ure.     Beiides   thejl^  flaves  (which  make 
up  the  greateft  part  of  their  cafgo),  our  African  traders  alfo  purchafe 
gold  duft»  elephants  ^teeth».juid  dyisg  woods/ wjth  fome  valuable 
drugs;  and  in  the  Weft  Indies  alfo,  when  they  have  any  furplus  of 
(laves,  they  difpofe  of  th?m  at  a  good  price  to  foreign  nations.     All 
the  incidental  prpi^9  exclufive  of  ]0^hat  is  prpduced  t^y  the  (ale  of 
Haves,  wl^etber  obtained  by  the  purchafe  of  other  articles  upon  the 
African  coafts,  or  from  the  fale  of  their  commodities  to  fordgners  in 
the  Weft  Indies,  find  their  way  into  Great  Britain  ;  on  the  winding- 
up  of  the  account  therefore,  as  the  fale  of  the  Negroes  centers  in  the 
Weft  Indies,  fo  the  profit  arifing  upon  them,  and  every  other  acccffioa 
of  gain,  from  whatever  article  of  ouv.  African  commprce  it  is  produc^^d,. 
centers  ultimately  with^^  ^nd  becomes  the  property  of,  the  inhabitants  of 
BrlUuif  :  Wijpn  thei^  Negroes  arc  fold  to  the  Britiflx  planters,  they 
cannot  be  em^oyed  in,  or  fumiihed  with,  inftrumeats  proper  for  their 
daily  labour,  but  with  frefli  advantage  to  the  Britiih  nation.     For,  in 
his  field  work,  the  plaqt^rinyf^  fuppjy  his  Negroes  with  bills,  hoes,  and 
axes;  his  Negroe  tradeimen  require inftruments  and  tools  of  various! 
forts,  which,  in  confequi^nce  of  thdr  being  ufed  continually,  makes 
it  necefikyto^have  yearly  fuppUfs,  for  tjbe  njaking  good  wear  ^nd  ttar^ 
which,  in  Xo  moift and  warm  ar climate^  muft  rifeto a  very: confiderfble. 

R  f  f  1  amount. 


4gx  T  A    M    A    I    C    a; 

amount.  To  this  we  may  add,  that  thefe  people,  felling  no  (mall  part^ 
of  the  proviiions  they  raife,  lay-out  the  produA  which  thus  arifes  from  « 
dieir  private  tnduftry,  chiefly  for  Birmingham,  Sheffield,  and  Man- 
chefier^wares ;  fo  that  all  this,  which,  their  numbers  considered,  amounts  ^ 
to  no  defpicable  fum^  is  likewife  returned  to  Great  Britain  [^.     But 
the  field  expences  are  trifling,  in  companion  of  the  utenfils  -  neceflary* 
infugar  works;  fuch  as  coppers,  ilills,  mill-cafes,  and  other  mill* work 
of  iron ;  ladles,  ikknmers,  l^ps,  and  almoft  innumerable  other  articles  > 
to  which  may  be  added  nails,  locks,  ftaples,  hinges,  bolts^  bars,  andlead,.  , 
employed  by  the  planter  io  his  other  buildings,  and  the  numberlefk  ^ 
kinds  of  iron-work  that  are  ufed  in  waggons,  carts,  and  other  things^  « 
not  only  exceedingly  expenfive  at  the  firft  fetting  out,  .but  wfatclv 
from  their  being  in  conftant  uie^  require  fr^^uentfuf^liesw    All  theie:  * 
(at  whatibe ver  price)  muft  be  ^  bad  from  Britain*  .  Even  the  value  of  i 

[<f]  Stateof  the  Afriam  Trade,.  «b  lately  given  to  th^publicV  for  the  year  1771^  • 
Senegambia,  —    .        — ;.  -  45  Ships. 

Geld  Coafty '  •— ...  ■  •■  a^t 

Windward  CoAft,        — *-  —         56 . 

Bite, . 63 

Angola,  .      '  ■  I-  «i         4  ' 


Total..  19^ 


^.* 


Of'thde  195  fiiips,  167  went  from  Liverpool,  "for  *     19,^501  ^     '*' 

58  went  fromLoodon^  for  .  ^i^i^t    4^ 

2S  went  from  Briftol,  .fbr  Mio  J   ^^P*^'" 

S  went  from  LaQcafler».:  for  <  95^ J    * 

Befidet  thefe  (Kips,  thefe  go  annual^/ from  North  America  and  the  Wefl  Indies/  at  teai^66  or  70^  ^« 
and  they  are  yearly  increaiing")  therefore  the  whole  nvmber  of  (hips  and  veflels  employed  in  this    * 
trade  are  about  260, ^and  the. number  of  Negroes  they^  cany,,  about. 57,000.  .  The  gojd  imported    ^ 
fr9tn  the  Gold  Coafl  has*  been  in  fome  yqacs  i  jo^ooo  oz.  Andirom  Senegambia  generally  about    >~ 
4QO  tons  of  gum*    By  a  calculation  of  thi6  traded  it  appearr,  that  at  lead  onennlli6n  and  a  half  ^  ^1 
money-  is  annually  remitted' ^o  XSreat  Britain  liar  Negroes  and.du4  the  /vyue  of  other  attJcleg    ^ 
iiv^portedy . befides  what,  are  befoce-mentioned,  y'vu  wax,  jgroryi  makgpettai,. pepper,  rice,  ebony,  -. 
redwood,  ^nd  other  dying  woods,  amounts  at  leafl  to  half  a  million  more^  fo  riiat  twomillions  of    - 
money  are  brought  home  by  this  trade  in  its  prefent'fbtte;-and  it  is  fuppofed^  that  it  might  be    - 
iiicreaied  ^hiuch  inore,  by  proper  regulations* ^  Jtaow  tn^%s  above  50|000.,tons  6f  ihipfnng^ 
apd- is  carried  on. chiefly  by  our,owamai)u6)AuKe8,.and  furnifhes.  the  colonies. with  40,000  la« 
bourers  yearly.     The.  advantage  to  (he  revenue  is  equj^  to  that  of  the"merchants ;  slnd'whatfbever 
If  the   annual  value  of  the  labour  of  our^  plantation  Nbg^oes,  fit  in  pr<^»erti*n,  ia  die  benefit 
gdiBg  .ttt^gofemmem  framJhcLdatl^  levie4  on  .c)|e[epmi9o4iti(9f  produdBd.by  the\iabour^» 

Treatife  upoi^thf^  Trade  from  Great  Britain  to  Africa,  1772.  . 

thCi 


BooKir;  chap;  v;  49i^ 

tUe  lumber,  provifions,  and  other  commodities,  which  are  imported 
fibm  the  Northern  colonies,  and  paid  for  by  the  fugar  planters,  goes 
indifcharge  of  the  balances  refpedlively  due  from  thofe  colonies  to  the 
mother  country  ;  or,  at  leaft;  a  very  great  part  of  them  arc  this  way 
difcharged.     To  this  catalogue  we  mufV^dd  many  of  the  materials 
n^ceffary  for  building  their  houfes;  by  far  the  gr^ateft  part  of  their 
fdrniture:  and  it  Is  not  only  by  their  induftry,  and  the  fuccefs  at- 
tending it,  that  Great  Britain  is  enriched,  but  alfb  by  their  luxuries, 
whenever  they  are  in  a  condition  to  have  more  than  the  convenien- 
cies  of  life,  fuch*as  chaifes,  coaches,  chariots,  and  the  like,  together 
with  ail  forts  of  wearing  apparel,  but  chiefly  of  'the  firieft  and  coft- 
lieft   fabricks;    no  fmairp3rt  like\yife  of -their  proVifions*  fUch  as 
cheefe,  hams,  bacon,  tongues,  falmon,  onions,  refined  fugars,  con« 
feftionary,  and  grocery  wares,  fpices,  pickles,  beer,  porter,  ^\t]  and  * 
cyder«  in  vaft  quantities;  and  flour,  and  bifcuit, ' when  they  arecheap^  • 
Their  Negroes  alfo  are  in  this  refpe^  very  beneficial,  for  they  annually 
confume  a  large  abundance  of  cheque  linens,  ^ftriped  hollands,^  fuftian, 
bknketting,  long  ells,  <and  baize,  Kendal  cottons,  ^  Oznabitrg^,  can-  - 
vas,  coarfe  hat«»  woollen  caps,  cotton  and  filk  handkerchiefs^  knives^  . 
fciflars,  razors,  buckks,  buttons^  tobacco-pipes,  fifhing .  tackle^  fniall  ' 
g^fles,  ribbons^  beads,  thread,  needles,  pins,  and  various  other  articles, 
all  or  mod  of  them  of  BritJ&  growth  or  manufadure*     Further,  as  • 
fugar,  rum,  and  melafles  ;  fo  likewife  cotton,  indigo,  pimento,  maho-» 
g^ny,  fuitic;  and,  ina  word,.every  thing  that  comes. from  thefe plan- 
tations are  bulky  commodities;  they  require  and  employ  an  immenfe 
quantity  of  ihlppingi  the  freights  of  which,  outward  and  homeward,  . 
infurance^  commiflions,  and  petit  charges,  are  all  paid  by  the  inhabi*  - 
tants  of  thefe  iflands,  and  are  all  received  by.Britifli  merchants  and  • 
fadors.     We  muft  alfo  take  into  this  acfount  the  very  large  revenue 
which .  annually  .arifes  from  this  commerce  to  the  crown.     If,  upon 
the  whole,  we  revolve  in  our  minds,  what  an  .amazing  variety  of 
trades,  receive  their  daily\fupport,  as  many  of  them  did  originally 
their  being,  from  the  calls  of  the  African  and  Weft  India  mdrkets ;  if 
we  refleft  oA  ther  numerous  families 'of  thofe  mechanics  and  artifgnS  ^ 
which  arc  thus  maintained,  and  contemplate  that  eafe  and*  plenty^  . 
which  is  th«  conftant  as.  well  as  juft  reward  of  their,  inceflant  labours ;  , 
i£%&  combine  with  thefe .  the  feveral  tribes  of  aft Ive  and  bu fy  people,  . 

who^ » 


494.  JAMAICA. 

who  are  coutintially  employed  in  the  building,  repairing,  rigging, 
vi(3:uaUing,  and  equipping,  the  mnltitude>  of  Icamen  who  earn  their 
•%vage^  by  navigating,  and  the  prodigious  crowds  who  like  wife  obtain 
*heir  bread  by  loading,  unloading,  and  other  ncoeflary  attendances  upon 
(hips ;  if  we  remember,  that  the  fubfittance  of  all  thefe  ranks  and  de- 
crees of  men,  thus  ufefully  employed,  -conftitutes  a  new  fundoffup- 
port  to  the  landed  and  trading  interefts  of  this  country ;  that  their 
various  confumptk>ns  contribute  to  raife  the  value  of  land,  to  caufe  a 
regular  and  conftant  demand  for  immenfe  quantities  of  our  native 
commodities,  as  well  as  to  procure  a  vent  for  our  nuraljerlefs  manu- 
fi^urQs ;  qnd  that  all  this  is  equally  regular,  permanent,  and  certain  ; 
\yc  may  from  thence  form  a  competent  idea  of  the  prodigious  value 
of  our  fugar  colonies,  and  a  juft  conception  of  their  immenfe  import- 
jince  to  the  grandeur  and  profperity  of  their  mother  country,  to  whom^ 
from  the  circumftance  of  this  relation,  they  jfay  without  n  pining  fuch 
vaft  and  multifarious  tributes  *.  Applicable  as  thcfe  remarks  are  to 
the  fjagar  iflaods  in  general,  they  lead  us  neceflarlly  to  contemplate  the 
large  proportion  of  all  thefe  advantages  derived  to  Great  Britain  front 
her  poflcijion  of  Jamaica ;  fb  as  that,  upon  a  fair  calculation,  nearly 
one  half  of  the  whole  muft  be  afcribed  to  this  ifland.  But^  as  this  will 
better  be  underftood  by  defending  into  particulars,  I  (hatt  now  pro- 
ceed to  as  accurate  an  invefttgation  as  the  nature  of  the  fubje^,  and 
the  difficulty  pf  obtaining  precife  informations,  will  admit.  To  begin 
therefore  with  the  two  principal  ftaples,  fugar  and  rum.  I  f^ated  the 
number  of  fugar  works  in  this  ifland  at  651,  in  the  year  1768,  but 
they  have  fince  increafed  thirty  or  forty  j  fo  that  the  prefent  number 
may  be  prefumed  at  leaft  680.  The  produce  of  thefe  eftates  is  fome- 
what  near  80,000  hogflieadsof  1 5  cwt.  per  annum ;  but,  as  this  may  be 
flippofed  fluduating,  I  (hall  rdte  it,  in  order  to  have  a  determinate 
jground  for  calculation,  at  75,000  hogsheads  of  fugar,  and  30,000 
puncheons  of  rum.  I  (iippofe  thefe  require  between  60  and  70,000 
acres  of  land,  ii&ually  in  canes,  confiding  of  plants  and  rattoons  j  to 
which  adding  what  is  requifite  for  the  pafturage,  provifion,  intervals, 
and  fire-wood^  we  may  eftimate  the  whole  land  occupied  in  fugar  plan- 
tations at  about  300,000  acres,  exclufive  of  wafle  wood- land. 

*  Campbdfi  Confideratiom  on  the  Sugar  Tnde. 

For 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.   r..  ^s 

For  the  cultivation  of  this  land,  manufacture  and  carrikge  of  its' 
produce^  we  mayeflunate  105,000  Negroes,  . 

40,000  Road  and  mill  cattle^ 
25,000  Mules  ^nd  horfes« 

The  other  articles,,  which  fumifli  the  export  trade  of  this  ifland^ 
are  coffee,  cotton^  pimento,  gmger,  indigo,  mahogany,  brafiletto,  fuf- 
tick,  logwood^  lignum  vitae,  and  fome  other  curious  woods ;  as  the 
Manchineel',  ebony,  cedar,  pigeori  wood,  bread-nut,  &c.  chit  fly  for 
cabinet  and  turnery  ware ;  caneUa,  caflia,  tamarinds,  aloes,  hides,  tor-* 
toifelhell,  all  of  which  may  be  called  its  home  produce ;  and  in  ad-* 
dition  to«  thefe,  are  the  various  articles  brought  in*  by  its  commerce 
with  the  neighbouring  colonies,  and  dependancies,  many  whereo£ 
are  fynonymous  withi  the  produdions  above  mentioned,  and  the  reft 
exotic:  of  the  latter  claf^  are  to  be  reckoned,  cacao,  Peruvian  bark^, 
ibme  balfams,  and  bullion. 

In  1751  the.  following  computation  was  made  of  the  landsh  enSploy^ 
ed  or  occupied,  in  the  inferior  fiaples,  and  in  breeding  peniis^  otr 
farms,,  viz. 

Acres- 
Cotton  works^ 115,400- 

Pimento'  walks, '  ■ 6ob6# 

Ginger  plantations,         ■">    ''  4400 

Breeding  penns,  ■       »  108,000^ 

Polinks  and  provifion  plantations,  72^000  Acres 

205,800* 

Since  that  period  wc  may  venture  to  believe,  that  they  have 

been  increafed  one  third  more,  to  the  prefent  year  1773,      68,600 
To  which  we  may  add  for  coffee  walks,  not  included  in  the 
^preceding  lift,  but  which  artick  is  novir  cultivated  very  ex»- 

tehfively,.. ■     ■  ■  25,600^ 

'  Total,.     300,000' 

iHi'e  "prefent  number  of  thcfe  fettltmehts  ari,-as  nearly 

'  as  I  can  make  them, 
Cotton  works,,  110 


;j    A    .M    A  !l  :C  .\A. 


■  !■     * 


49^ 

Oinget  plantations^ 

Breeding  penns, 
fPolinks  and  proviiion  places, 

Coffee  plantation^!        .  ■  ^- ' 
;  Indigo  works,  — — » 

.  On  thefe  plantations  w&jnayjr^ckon^ 

(Negroes, 


500 
.600 
150 


40,000 
4000 


tCattle,  and  tm]le$9       — 
JDijtto  on  the  breeding  farms 

or  penns,         6j,ooo 


fSettlements 

^Sugar  cftatcs.|  ^g^ 
» luppoled  about  J 
'X)ther  fettle-  1        p 
fnents,  J      ^ 

Tradefmen^  failors^ 
fifhermen^  &c.  in  do-  i 
sneftic  employments,  J 
Totals,     2178 


'Cblleftivc  view  of  the  whole,  containing. 


Acres  Negroes 


300,000    105,000 


300,000 


40,000 


Cattle,  mules, 
and  horfes. 

65,000 


71,000 


25,000 


606,000         170,000  136,000 


An.eftimate  of  one  year*^  produce,  viz. 

Prime  CofL 

Jamaica  cttiieiicyw 
if- 

[/]  75,000  bhds.  of  fugar  at  20/.  per  hundred  average,     1,500,000 
30,000  punch,  of  rum,  3,000,000  gall,  at  2x.  6  d.  average,   375,000 

300,000  gallons  of  melafles  at  I  J.  •  ■■■         J5»ooo 

12,000 

9000 

61,462 

1250 

1 150 


800  caiks  of  coffee,  3001b.  weight  each,  at  5/.  per  cwt 
1000  bags  of  cotton,  i8olb»  weight,  180^000 lb.  at  is. 
3,058,0001b.  pimento  at  6d.  .  — — 

500  bags  of  ginger,  5001b.  weight,  at  50  J.      

510,000  feet  mahogany  at  $os.fer  bund. 
230  tons  fuHick,  at  5  A  — ^ 


[/]  Some  ai€  of  opinion  that  the  produi^  .is  now  increafed  to  near  loo^oco  hhds.  j   I  h^^n 
fixed  75»ooo  as  the  mefne  quandcy,  from  1768  to  1771 ;  that  it  has  augmented  rery  confideraUy 
,£nce,  is  well  known ;  and  there  feems  good^-^on  to  believe  -Aat  -by  the  jegr  177$  it  wiU  sB&tx 
jBxcecd  tl)^  bll  fliort  of  loo^o. 

^  75ditt» 


^    .woo  diJJoJpgwood^at  6/.         .    j_     ■         i.,-^ .  '  7,200 

|odigb[^'j»  canella^.  aloes,  bi^jetto,  nicaragua,  cocoa,  tor; 

toife-(hell»  p^  9ther  ar^c^s*-  sivja^gcd  at  al^yt    • ,  — — .  1 5 ,000 

ITawIych  add^EToduce  of  itsjfpr'eignXr^de.in  J^Ho^tka,  which  ; 

.JbJausjilQially  been  rated  from  60  to  70,000/.,  v(rhich  I  put  at  52,500 

•.  ^1^  as^nnt^of  its  diminution  fince  laft  war.  ■ 
■                                                                 ^.2,063,287 


The  prftdikfc.ofieslrjr  fort  Jiqpg  thus  JiquiSafed  to  a  jrfeSprminate 


EXTORTS  TO  GREXT-BRftAIN.         ^ 

""^156,000  hhds.  of  fugarTTafed  as  aBove,       -^    "      ^,  is 3 20, 066 

,    ;20,ooo-puncheons  of  rum,            — —           — —  250,000 

xoap'bags  of  cotton                       '                — —  9,000 

400  calks  of  coffee,              .■          .           ,  — — • .  6,000 

3,043,000  lb.  pimento,  .   .  .t    ,.  :rrrT--n)    :,  1 ,    *— —  .     61,087; 

'       •'  500  bags^df  ginger^- •^>;-\'^ua-j»^   .b- v  .    — ;_.»  .,         1,250. 

. '  coo.ooo  fpet  of  miahoganyF^;  "'*''  .£11L  '  '^  \.i  -'■  1 2,500  * 

230  tons  fuftickf  .f  .  ')     r-»TrT5'|M  fi  adrrr-r-.  .    -  «: ^f  ?50  . 


1 


'  '  •  ••  .  .  ?i  .;)■.»  •iij.^.j ...  .  >:  f- 1) -^jV;:.  ,  .•  -  .  :;.^    :.  :  .    •  ^  75  lignum 

£^^2  The  quantity  of  French  indigo  imported  into  j. Jamaica  for' fix  years  from  ij^S,  wai 
640,0001b.  weight.  In  this' general  eftimate,  minute  exaf^nefs  is  not  to  be  expeded,  in  the  ftve* 
raiasticlei  fpedfied^  It  may  be  (u^f^nt  to  )iave  it  ^^ot  yejry  wide  of  tjie  trutli.  The  fubfequcnt 
cakulationaare  niade  to  depend  upon  It;,  i^idit  Is  pToi)ii)\c  thei;e  may  jbe  fome  few  errors^  which. 
of  courfe  miilE  affect  ^.jd^tcj;^  ^  ftveral  ba^nisesj  but,  I  ^pprehenfly  not  to  any  yery  ma^erial^ 
amount  upon  the  whole  of  j^  tr^d^a  the  feveral  prices  ft^jted,  are  te  be,  underftood  in  thefame 
Tjew,  latber  fv»jhc^e^ical|^jOrt  fiqtr^esi^ple-iake^  to  illuflrate.better^the  other  fubjed-matters. 

{A]  Thto  Arciete  is^MMPi  become^  ie&.be9eficial  to  tUe  iflfaild'tlan  fotmerly  it  wai.  Moft  of 
the  trees  that  grew  ntMr-ine'CoeSk  l^ing  been  cut  down;  the  cutters  are  now  obliged  to  feek  them 
iereral  miles  within  thecountty ;  and  they  are  chiefly  found  in  the  deep  receiies  of  St.  Anne,  CIa- 
rendooy  Su  James,  St.  (fizabetb,  *and/We(hnordand.  The  length  and  difficulty  of  carriage  oc- 
ci^ohs  ^n  expeiice»  at  an  ftven^e^  of  not  kfs  .than  6/.  Aerling  a  .toA;  fo  that  the  nctt  produce  of 
the  bitt  qYOHitf,  bfoqghlf  to  Great  fiiitaia, .  a^er  ^payment  of  all  the  Contingent  ch^rgies,  does  rarely » 
exceed  ten  (hillings  fer  ton.  The  greater  part  of  what  is  ihip^  from  this  iibnd  iias  been  ini*j 
^    Yfj^lf'  '    •  Sff  ported 


4^  J  A  M   A   r  e   A. 

250  ebony,            i              ^^             ''^^'^  A"    y'F 

1200  Ib^wood^         ■     ■ .  'i            ■  ■■  ■                   ■  7>2oo 

Sundries,               ■  ■'                t            ■'    -  iuooo 
Fropoirtion  of  tjie  prpdijce.  of  fbrcigq  American  trade^ 

remitted  chiefly  iu  bullion,        — -^          ■■  i7>5Po 

j^.  1,700,662 

EXPORTS  TO  NOKTIf  iS^liiBRI€A. 

2?75«  !*d^^  fwg^'r 

2,000  punchebns  ofrum] 
ioo>ooo  gallons  melafles,^^ 
200  cafks  of  cocwey, 
15^000 11^.  pkncDt^*. 
lo^ooQ  feot  mahogany. 


•- 


Hori^  (roip  the  Spauurdit  widi  wkott  it  growt  in  great  abiiikfamoe  nearlilb  ccM&9..fliiAitcut  nd^^ 
wlriedlat  a.yery  tnfliiig  a^fjEkica^/o  tkattli€jrcaiilrfKird  to  fell  it  txtrecndy  chaap,-  but  His  iapfif»^ 
vtk  ^trf  inferior  to  the  Jauuuca  wood.-  TheuuihOeo.  Iff^ta  7«-  ^IW9^^ft4eiV^t7.  atoo. 
o^  ni^hpgjany  of  fordgn  yowth.  imBprtcd  into  Bntaifi;  this  Autyw  ^a^tl^y  m^i,.fyr  it  is-* 
broug^it  free  into  Jamaica,  and  goei  from  thcncC'^iD  brifsuntaa-Jamaic^  vfoo^;  whae,.^ it  it  foUA 
eveil  ^  die  loweft^pfic^  it  deafTldnfte  (hippcriieBly  the  iaia#aa  tht  Jamaica  eqttert  dear  forv 
tfacaiftof  the  |^  qaalitj:  theloiles  this occafioned  tafeveral  cutten  obliged  them  to  defifi,  £0  thet^' 
few  at  prefent  are  concerne^,  and  thev  ai^ persona  who.  hav^  la^  capita^  and.  make-a  fimng^ 
^n,  by  the  g^ieatned  of  their  exports.  Hie  le^^ihiture  of  iheilBamt  p?^ed  an  ad^  about  the  ywt/ 
17641  to  put  a  fiop  to  the  imfprcatioh  of  Sjpanifli  maho]g^ny»,i2iilefi  elbgged  with  ihe^iutyy  whidi^ 
if  demanded,  and  paid  to  the cuftomrhoyfe  at  J4maica»  wbaljiiblHi  gi^  aehedt^tD  it:  but  I  have: 
J^rd^  this  ad  was  not  approved  at  home»  It  is  cerfialnty  Ait  jdft>  1  that  the  m^ogany  of'  Jamauca  i 
ffQVfih  ihoald  have  9)1  thd  benefit  intend^'  tcxh  by  the  a6lai>f  par liameat  whidi  oermit  itr  im<»< 
jgortation  into  Bri^^p  duty  firee;  but  of  this  it  is  deprived^  fo  kieg  aaib  S^uilfli  mauiogany  comer  * 
to  market  on  the  &me  terrts^  in  adto^  breach  of  ihe^ftatuto-'wkkh  tendi^to  preUbft  fbieign  woods; 
befides,  the  inferiority  o£  this  wood  Iby  dua  indiied  ppaftiBi  briagt  »:.ditedit^  uf|^^«Jaiiiaiea  ^ 
growth*    Theieis  aliittibxiogerfealbfrwby  iiott^.iob9t<i4p|MU  walw^yny  0i||m  ^i' 

Jamaica,  in.  the  canying.o^  their  buiinefs,  m^obiigfcd  to  cut  VMfb  ikMi^  thftjawltr  ini^ 
country,  which b^foie  were* inacceffible;  hy  which  means,  fcttlenHtatsafQ proQiqiiad in  t)igfe pa|^ . 
where  otherwifft  there  vight  iiave  been  nonel  ike  public  {Jacmtyi^^iaAll'imMf^g^t^  Jb.. 

gi#Rt)y  augmented)  by  tlieiieodBuy  ^fift84i£thfircmplD]i;au»t9  thatitiftbig^li)^  Wliaiilicio)|^iv0i 
theAi  under  ftich 41. difiioitnigemeD^,'  ^: 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  V.  ^ 

EXPORTS  fo  SOUTH  AM£RIOA^  and  ot&eh  Paets, 
f  100  putidieonf  of  nmi,  in  payment  foif  mules  and  ^orlied 

cald«  inpoftedy       — *•        — *-         »— —         £,  x$«OQ<f 

'CONSUMED    IK  JAMAICA. 

Bf  wade  ffi6d  pilfef^ge,  valued  0lt  s  ptr  cent^  3759  hkds^ 

fugar,  -^ —        j^v  7S,ooa 

By  ^tto,  dittOp  1500  punch,  ram        18,750 

Ufcrf,  ^    >>■  — —  ijfoo  hogflvea^V  30,009 


^  5300  ^utK*«>*s^         7M75 

Ditto,  *■■"  ■  i-— '  209  cafkt  cofiee,  2>oo^ 


ma 


I  tfaiak  that  this  account  will  not,  up6il  the  whofe,  be  found  ex- 
aggerated; fincCf  if  ibme  articles  may  be  thought  to  exceed,  there  are 
Cthov  whkh  will  appear. to  &H  (hcrt^  cmmuniSus  annis*  In  regardf 
to  the  pindpal  articles,  fugar  and  rum,  we  know  that  the  port  <x 
LMidon  alone  takes  one  year  with  another  aboilt  44,000  hhds.  an  J 
fooo  to  10,000  puncheons,  the  remamder,  therefore,  will  not  appear 
too  large  an  allowance  for  the  other  ports  of  England,  of  Scotland^ 
and  of  Ireland  [1]}  nor  will  the  exports,  upon  die  whole,  feem  over- 
ftrained,  when  it  is  coniidered  that  at  a  medium  of  four  ycarSj  front 
X729   to    17339  they  were  rated   to  England  £^        «.  /. 

ak>ne,  m  fterling  money,  at  —  539>499  ^^  Sie 

In  1 75 1  they  wax  rated  at        — —         ■  ■  ^92,104  13  6- 

And  from  1 764  to  1765  at        — —        — —       15076,155     i  9 

The  exports  then,  as  I  have  ftated  them,  appear  thus : 

To Gtcat Britain*  j^.i,70o,662(reducedtofterUng)is  1214,758  116 

To  North  America,     iTjMs           <**««»                ^5.446  8  7 

To  Sotitfa  America,       15,000           ^tto^                 i<^*7i4  5^ 


>«iriMH*ii« 


£,  1^835,287  ^.  1,310,919     5  9 


*mmmm 


I  fhall  next  confider  ikit  import  trade  i  and  here,  as  in  the  former 
oitculations,  I  (hall  endeavour  to  approach  as  fiear  to  the  probable 
truth  as  I  am  aUe;  though  it  cannot  be  expefted  thsft,  on  a  fub* 
jeft  (b  oompHcatod  m  its  nature,  and  indeed  fo  abftrufe,  by  reafon  of  the 

£f]  The  impofts  ime  X«ondon  are  caknilated  by  many  at  nearly  abcmt  two  tUrds  of  tlie  whole. 

Sffa  many 


5ad  JAM    -A    I    C    AI '.;  ') : 

xnatf/  fbtncate  cbannds  by  whith  trade  is  coildtrf^,  iarid  .the  i&cr 
impoffibility  there  is  of  obtaining  <:lear  inforinaitbn  on /ieveral  point&jt 
I  fay,  it  c^not  be  cxpefted,  that  -any  thing  more  can  he  formed  t^ian 

a  notional  eflimate. 

The  imports  Into  this  ifland  from  Eh^Ia6d  »Twve  bWft  varioufly  re^ 
prefented  i  \>xA,  tippn  good  aotfaority,  .'thejr  ar?  rated  at  tj^  d^^refiir 
periods  following/i;^..  "'  /:       . 

^"75^  45^*924  8  9:  reduced  to iierling»  .,261,728  5/  ^o; 
1757,  4&8,2o8     6.^^     L.  ..^ .•5a8,72o     4^,.  5^ 

X764,  ((3(^f739^    6^8:.^     ...:- ~4i.6»528    ^i..il 

According  to  the  beft  enquiries  I  have  been  able  to  make,  the  im- 
ports anfe  n«v  increaied  to  between  7  and  800,000/.  or  near  as  mucb 
as  the  whole  import  of  1757  into  all  the  Weft- India  iflands.  If  they 
have  augmented  theiaftfevenVears^ii^  pfo^  tothefortntt'feven, 
l^ey  would  be  found  about  7 ff^jOocr//  *But,  to  ^Toi*  cicagger atfon,  I 
fliall  fuppofe  them  much  bel6\r  tills  luriiV'md  lam ^^i^^^^ 
that  the  extraordinary  ri'fe'  whith  the  *  importation  has  bken*,  flnM^'the 
laft' war,'  ha$. been  rather  bwing'to  the incireaftd  price'of -sffmoft eVerjr 
article  of  manufacture  in.  dtmand  ff  6m  t!he  colony,'^  <han  to  ^fty  verjif 
linufiial  q^uantity  brought  irf  for  the  ifland  confiimptr6h[f];  not  but 
that. the  confiimption  has  increafed  within  thefe  'i2  bte  14  years  paft^; 
and  confiderably ;  for  a  great  many  new  fugar  "pia^t^tibns  have  beeii^ 
formed  within  the  time ;.  But  the  confumption  by*  fimreigh  trade  has 
exceedingly  diminiflied,  ever  lihce  the  forcigti'ers,  I  allude  tx),  wecc- 
driven  from  our  ports. 

IMPORT    si 

Cunencfi. 

Fcom  Great  Britain,  in  wares, merchandizes^  and  manu-  •       JT. 

fi^ures^ and  various  commodities^  .      ■■ » »  ■         .   ^     730,000     . 
From  dittp>  by  way  of  Africa,  6000  flaves  at  60/.  [/]  360,000. 

From  ditto,  and  by^  way  of  Barbary  and  Leghorn,  mules,. 

and  horfes,  ■  ■  •,  ■■   '  ■  1,400. 

[i]  lirgncfioti)  the  dearer  rate  of  every,  purchafed  article  of  confumption  in  the  mother  coun-^ 
try;  many  new  taxes,  and- augmentation  of  oM  ones;  rife  of  workmen^s  wages;,  increafed  rait  of 
lands;  all  which  tpg«dier  have  been  rated  at  thirty  j^er  cent*  within  .thefe .laft  twcaty  years ;  which  is 
about  equal  to  tenfer  cent,  advance  in  feveh  years;  but  there  is  good  reafon  to  ben^rc  the  propor- 
aon  of  the  l^feven  has  greatly  exceeded  that  of  the  preceding  years.  ?•♦♦•' 

[0  The  price  at  Jamaica  is  now  (1773)  gotupta;©/,  =  to  50?.  fterling/er'head/ 

<•    '  '-  From: 


I..  /I' 


BQOR  a    €HilP*'V.-  501 

From  Ireland,  viz,  ,  .    ^  ,  C        «•  Currency. 

19,921  barrels  of  beef,  s<^^-   49»74i?  10  fteriiag...  £,       u. 

4308  ditto       jpork,  50J.    10,770 
»5,876  firkins  butter,   30 j.    23,814.    -. 
21,300  herrings,  25^. .  8#>625 

Mill-greafc,  wine^,  potatoes,'! 
onions,  and  all  e^er iaiall  \     3000 
'  artiiles,  J 

'   j^.  113,951   10  is  (m  currency)  159,$$%  a 
IroHr Britain,  by*way  of  Madeira,  1000  pipes  of  wine,. 
.at3o4W      .1      -rrrr-"'.    <>:   :  r--^       --. '..    .      4*>00«>  ' 

-•'.  ;  Tptal,    £.  i,292>932  ^ 

From  differeiit;ports,of|iNfjrth  America.  .,,/„,,,-(' 

2^,009  harr^s  of  flour, ,  9t.^os.        £' 37»S°° 

'.'    6j<:;oo .4^o:Jbeef .Wd,.pork,      ,5PJ"-       .    ,iS>°9^'. 
4,000  Khds.ialt-fif^,  loox-       r      20,ooo' 

6,000  barrels- of  fi(h„  \  .%S.s*  7*SP"^' 

2  c.oQo  buffiels  of  corn,.  .   2^.  6  J.         .4^375    .  .    ^ 

2,000  calks  of  rice,.  80  x.  8,000 

1,000  boxes  of  fbapand  candles,, 50J.  .*»S<^<^ 

r      ,5,00  bar npls  of. lamp  oil,     .      6of.-  1,500. 

2,000"  ditto  of  pitch,  tar,,  and-l  ^  1,500/t  ■ 

turpentine,  I  . . . 

i5ohorfes,  15/.,.  2V250      ..       ., 

4,000,000  feet  of  board?)  plank,  "I       ...  28,000       '        r> 

jbtft,  &c.  -  J 

2,600,000.  hogflieads  and  punchcoo  ftayes    l       ^  ^  ^  ^^^^ 

at  j^..  1 2  ^^r  f»*  ~ -^'- — •-       J 
300,000  pieces  heading,         at  16/;  4,800  / 

Ditto,  finallcalksi  aoo 

Hoops,  : .  .   ^»ooo.  '  . 

5,600,000  fhingles,..  at  30  J.     ' 4>5o<> 

[i«]  By  an  aa  of  affembly,  they  arc  to  containt  in  wine  mcafurc,       GaUons.        Qfiam. 
Each  pipe.  —  .  —     .  ^     •       ~  "^' 

Hogfhead,  ~  —  —  '  ~\  ^ 

Quarter  calk,  —   *  —  — .   ^      —    . 

(under  penalty  of  forfaturc, )  ' ' 


It 


1  . ."  •' 


SLO0  toa 


io6  ton  of  provifion,  lu  haids^  (al*l  J(t. 

mon^  hteotif  ditefef  bilbuit^ 
apples^  onions,  hog*64ai^  [a}^ 
&c.  &c.  BtJ[.  6o. 
Live  ftock,  as  hogs,  ihcep^  gtefe^l 
.turkic§,  &c  —  if       *^^ 


I2|O00^ 


^a»«aAM«Maate 


^3»»75 


Total,    jf.  1,476,007 


*«M««i 


S^qKNts,  iC  •'•'^35'^*7> rrfticcd  to  fterling,    19310,91^    5  9 

Imports,  £.  1^4760,07, ditto,        — .         1*054,290  15  8 

1%e  Exports  exceed  the  Imports,  by 
£•  359^1280  currency,         ss        fteding,    £.  256,628  to  i 

It  would  appear  therefore,  at  fii^  tdew,  that  Jaittaidk  gained  a  dot 
Ixdance  of  3591280/.  currency  ^bovei  but  againft  diiy  &ki,  ^e  may 
place  the  following,  iet-offi. 
By  money  ipent  iii  Great  Britain  and 

Irelandt  by  abfthtees,  annuitants, 

and  for  edudatitm  of  youth,  and  by 

lodgements,   all  which  cannot  he  Anting, 

computed  3X.  \t&  than    £  280,000  curi«ney,:=ifterfilig,^«i(»,ooo 
"By  annual  payoK^nt  or  gain 

of  intereft,  at  5 1,  per  cents. 

on  money  lent,  the  princa* 

pal  fuppofeilabottt^oo^oooX  49,000^  3  5)^>00 

^   _  »■- 


^9-4« 


Allowing  ibis^  detail  to  be  tolerably  juft,  z9^  1  Venture  to  imagine 

It  is,  the  balance  account  will  fiand  dius: 

To  clear  balance  gained  by.  \ 

trade  with  ^OKat  Britain.  L  ^«  cum  J[^        $.  d 

andjreland^       — -~       J  30,280      =    fierlin^   ai^iaS  10  I 

[k]  Thtslfl  nmodertitnicleofifiyoi^  tnd<(/laiemttdiuied]a.coQkeiy^  iK^^an  onptrdui* 
^ble  exiunjde  of  fttpiiMiftft  imd  ha— fi  tmongihe  inhabitaots  J  who.imgkt  fuppty  ttdnnieEnes  whh 
any  quantity  of  it,  and^of  a  fiur.Witer  qoaliqi,  as  the  Spaniaidt  af  this  ifland  fiumcriy  ufed»  who 
^expmted  every  year  a  great  abondance  of  ity  over  and  above  fiuisfyiBg  idttir  oim  ^onfiufipdoQ, 
|i^Mch-iMia;not  iinaO,  as  they  had  no  other  fucoedaneun  Ar  Jiunob 

I  To 


KOOKU.  CHAP.  v..                          1^3 

"Vb  ditto  pUmi  by  igrtign  £,        Si  4 
-  tndt,  chiefly  witli  South' 

America,.            curretugr,  35*0^    =?  ftMlPffi   *5i00o    o  q 


fWW^ 


$5i28o  40»628  fo  1 

9^  aiitj^al  |^2^ce  of  trade  with^ 
Nordi  America,  psdd  in  monej^^ 
or  bills  of  exchange  on  Great 

Britaio>  b«t  (biefly  (be  ^rmer,    Ciirn 

63,450  rrfterKng,.  45,321  %  f, 

Nett  balance  gained  by  Jamaica  Vr  ^    ^  ^  ^ 

on.^I,ewi,4,;     -—       IW^'^sp^  i,,o7  x  ^ 

£.  65i2&a  J^.  469628  10  I 

It  mu(^  norBe  iuppofed  tfiat  tbis  ^rearly  balance;  paid  to  tlK  Northen^ 
colonics,  is^whoUj  loft  to  Great  Bntsnn ; .  for,' on  the  otbcr  hand^tha 
inhabitants-  of  thdc  ^olonie^  drawing  large  and  confta^t  ibpplies  of^ 
commodities  and'  n^anu&fhires  from' Britain,  which  bring  a  large 
balance  agamft^  them,-  tbe  balance,  paid  by*' Jamaica j  is  tbongbt  ta 
ooniiltute  a  part  o0the  ^nnv^*  r^nuttanoe  they  make  to  Britain  in 
payment  of  thdr  own  debtr^^and  if  this  bertbccafe,.  it  is  evident,.-  the 
wholeaecumuktedv^prafit^  onl^eietran(ad:ionsvii^^  centers  vntl^ 

xhp  inhabitants  of  the  Q;iotber  country .  The  fubjeft'of  track  is  to  i\f^ 
fttfei.^dioclodes  fiich  an  intricate  p^oltiplicity  of  obje£l$,  that' it  is  na 
eafy  taik^to  fiate  its  yarious  avenues  iio  gain.  What  arifes  from  the 
emplbymcnt  offhips  and  (eamen,  is  not  thc^  kaft^confiderable.  An* 
enun^rationi  of  what  are  probably  epiployedm the  commerce  of  Ja« 
maica,,  muff  fi^ce  to  convey^  fome  ide^  of  the  val^ie  of  this  branch*. 
A  very  intelligent' officer  of  the  cuftoms  there,  upon  tbe  experience 
of  twenty  yaais,  found  the  number  of  veflels,  great  and  fmaH,  .which  • 
cnteied  and  cleared  at  the  port  of  Kingdon  yeairlyrto  be,  ;at' an  average^, 
four  hqudred.  This  port  has  fomewhat  declined,  fince  the  opening^^ 
of  Montego^'Bay  as  a  free  pprt;  but  what  the  <>ne  has  loft,>the  other 

[f]  N«  B.  .In  I J {2  Britaio  was  computed  to  gain  7629Q00  /.  fteding  hf  her  exports'  to  J^m^ica  ;  - 
aa(\  braaica  lyas  fuppoied  to  gain  clear  40,000  il ;  but  againll  this  fum  the  balance  with  North  • 
Amencaw^  not  fet^  though  i^  wa»at  that  liine  but  iigiialt,  iacom^fon  withwhft^U  i|  atprefenr*- 

Jtus 


504                        J    A    M-A  I   /C-.iA/.  '^ 

lias  gained  J  fo  that  the  prefent  ftate  of  fliippbgi  taking  bthp  oiit-p«;9C 

with  Kingfton,  is,  according  to  the  lowcft  poffiWe  alk)Waiice,:tQ:be 
thus  computed  at  a  yearly  average.  •, 

'  '                                                                          Totr.  Torn.     White  Setmen. 

From  Europe  (chiefly  I     g^^>^^^  ,^6^    ^^  r  5  men  to  loc 

-ihipa),—  .J  .1    ,1pns. 

North  American  (hips>  •»                 ^  "             -.'          ^  'j:l*i  «.  j-vj.; 

,  .      a              '^    I  jAo  at    60  14400     720    at  ditto  to  dittdi 

brigs,  &c.                 J     '^  ^^        .'•.■.  •.  f/;  :.>: 


N^ghbouringcolonies  ^ 

and    dependancies;  I       ^^.^^    ^^     ,g^^     ^^^    at  4  each, 
h-igsv    floops,    asn  i 
,  ichooners,  J 

Cbafiing^  fldops,    and  }      ^^  ^^    ^        ^^^^  ^^  ^  ^^^.1,^ 


"fchooncrs. 


VefleU  in  all,  [p]  S<^^        [?]  57600     297a 

I       I   ■  .«  '  ■ 

The  follo*viag  table  is  intended  <o  fhjew,  more  particularly,  tie  nature, 
of,  the  J9maica  trade,  with  different  parts  of  the  wprl^. . .     .   . 
London*      *t  *  Britiihwarwandflaanufaaur^sofalnw^ft 

fp(Bcies,with  porter  and  other  malt  liquors, 

.    refined  fugars,  (hip  chandlery,  brandy,  ar- 

\  .  .  .  ;racfc,  wines,,. India  goods,  milj- work  of  all 

forts,  &c.  &c.  ' 

BriftoU  Like  commodities,  with  Taunton  ale.  Weft 

country  cyder,  cheefe,  leather,  flate,  grind- 
ftones,  lead,  lime  for  temper,  Briftol  wa* 
ter,  &c, 
Liverpool.  Cabinet- ware,  cottons,  ale,  ready-made  cloath- 

ing,  Manchefter,  Eirmingham,  and  Shef« 
field  wares,  &c. 
Lancafter,    .  Cottons,  cparfe  dry  goods,  and  the  fame  as 

Liverpool. 
Hull,  Plymouth,  andl   Cutlery  and   other  hard- ware,   ale,   cyder, 
other  out- ports,       r       wines,    (hip-chandlery,    hams,    herrings, 

J        pilchards,'  (hads,  &c. 

r^]  Some  make  the  number  amount  to  600  or  upwards. 

[f  ]  Some  arc  of  opinion,  that  the  tonnage,  including  the  North  American  fliips,  is  upwards  of 
70>ooo.    In  1752,  the  Britiih  fcamcn  employed  were  computed  at  4000, 

Scotland) 


Scotland, 


BOOK  11.    CHAR  IV.  505 

Wrought    iron,     linens,   ofnabrigs,    checks, 
bonnets,    tobacco-pipes   herrings,     ftock- 
ings,  flioes,  boots,  &c. 
Linens,  cottons,  beef,  herrings,  butter,  mill- 

greafe,  wines,  potatoes,  &c. 
Wines,  fuccades,  onions. 
Wines. 

CapedeVerd,fometimes  Mules,  affes,  Spanifh  wines. 
Mogadore,  Mules, 

Leghorn  and  Gibraltar,  Ditto. 


Ireland, 

Madeira, 
TenerifFe, 


New  York, 


Philadelphia, 
Bofton, 
Rhode  Ifland, 
New  London, 
Pifcataque, 
Salem, 
Cafco  Bay, 
Virginia, 
Maryland, 
South  Carolina, 
North  Carolina, 
Georgia, 
Cape  Fear, 
New  Haven, 
Bermudas, 
Turk's  Ifland, 
Providence, 
Spanifh  Main, 


Flour,  beef,  pork,  hams,  fait  fifh,  gammons, 
pickled  oyfters,  onions,  apples,  corn,  peafe, 
rice,  foap,  cheefe,  butter,  lard,  oil,  pitch, tar,, 
turpentine,  horfes,  fheep,  hogs,  poultry, 
plank,  boards,  ftaves,  joifb,  houfe-frames, 
hoops,  heading,  (hingles,  horfes,  and  various 
other  articles* 


The  like  articles  as  from  New  York. 


Vol.  I. 


!  Brafiletto,  turtle,  fait,  poultry,  building-ftoncs, 
j      mahogany. 

Mules,  horfes,  horned  cattle,  cacao,  nicaragua, 
mahogany,  lignum  vitae,  farfaparilla,  hides, 
tortoifefliell,  and  fome  few  other  articles. 
T  1 1  Hifpaniola, 


5o6  JAMAICA, 

Hifpaniola,  Indigo,  wines,  and  fundry  fmuggled  wares. 

Curacoa,  Mules,  chiefly  in  return  for  delinquent  ilaves 

tranfported. 

Honduras,  Logwood,  and  fome  other  woods. 

Mofquito  Shore,  Canoes,  and  fundy  articles  fimilar  to  thofe  im- 

ported from  Spanifli  Main. 

Caymanas,  Turtle. 

In  re{peft  to  her  foreign  commerce  with  the  colonies  and  fettlements 
in  the  neighbourhood,  it  is  certain,  this  ifland  is  merely  a  middle 
agent,  or  factor,  for  Great  Britain  ;  for  (lie  exports  to  them  none  of 
the  produce  abfolutely  her  own,  except  a  fmall  proportion  of  rum, 
to  bring  in  any  of  the  exportable  articles  with  which  thofe  places 
furnifh  hen  Thefe  articles  are  purchafed,  either  with  Britifh  wares 
and  manufaftures,  or  North  American  provifions,  but  chiefly  with 
the  former ;  and  hence  is  obvious  the  vafl:  advantage  to  the  nation  of 
having  an  ifland  fo  fituate  and  circumfl:anccd,  as  to  be  able  to  extend 
the  confumption  of  its  manufaftures,  by  a  variety  of  fecret  and  diffi- 
cult channels,  into  thofe  remote  parts,  to  which  no  means  might 
otherwife  probably  have  been  found  of  fo  conveniently  dii^rfiog 
them. 

Negroes  formed  a  very  capital  part  of  the  exports  to  thefe  places  for 
many  years.  In  fome  they  amounted  to  near  fix  thoufand;  but,  one 
year  with  another,  to  about  two  thoufand  five  hundred;  and  it  was 
thought,  that,  over  and  above  the  profits  of  their  fale,  near  as  much 
more  was  gained  by  the  other  merchandizes  which  this  traflick  ad- 
miniftered  the  opportunity  of  vending.  But  thefe  contrails  have  ceafed 
for  fome  time,  which  juftly  has  been  thought  a  great  injury  to  the 
ifland  ;  if  it  were  only  for  this  reafon,  that  the  very  formation  of  fuch 
an  export  brought  a  conftant  fupply  of  Negroes  to  the  Jamaica  mar* 
ket,  fufficient  to  anfwer  as  well  the  planter's  demand,  as  the  mer- 
chant's export ;  and  fince  this  trade  has  been  difcontinued,  the  market 
has  every  year  grown  worfe  fupplied  ;  fo  that,  at  prefent,  the  planters 
are  unable  to  procure,  at  any  terms,  the  number  they  require  ;  befides^ 
advantage  being  taken  of  the  few  that  are  brought  in,  thefe  are  fold 
in  courfe  at  moft  extravagant  prices.  The  whole  number  imported  from 
1702  to  the  peace  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  in  175®,  a  fpace  of  48  years, 
was  408,101  J  of  which  only  108,795  were  exported;  and  the  refl:. 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.  V.  5o;r 

I90»5i  1^  remained  in  the  iCIand  j  which  drcumftance  proves^  diat  the 
planters  were  the  firft  ferved.  Thefe  Negroes  employed  twenty-five 
fail  of  (hips,  communibus  annis ;  and,  confidering  the  various  emolu- 
ments to  which  the  trade  became  a  certain  inlet,  there  is  no  doubt 
but  the  ifland  as  well  as  Great  Britain  (but  particidarly  the  former) 
has  been  much  hurt  by  the  lofs  of  it.  It  was  computed,  that  the  na- 
tion gained,  in  fome  years,  no  lefs  thtn  390,000  /•  flerling  by  it.  A 
third  part  of  this  fum,  at  leaft,  may  be  reckoned  for  the  average  profit 
per  annum^  which  pafied  by  the  way  of  Jamaica.  We  may  infer 
then  from  hence,  the  vaft  benefit  this  ifland  acquired,  by  having  the 
management  of  (b  great  a  part  of  the  trade ;  by  the  refidence  of  fo 
many  opulent  merchants  occupied  in  carrying  it  on ;  the  fitting  out 
fome  vefltls,  and  the  victualing  and  repairing  of  others  employed  in 
it ;  the  conilant  ufe  of  a  great  part  of  this  money  in  circulation  ;  and 
the  application  of  the  other  part  of  it  in  forming  new  fugar  eflates.  I 
ihall  conclude  this  Sedion  with  a  iketch  of  the  annual  profits  which 
the  nation  may  be  fuppofed  to  gain  by  her  commerce  with  this  ifland. 

£•  X«        dm 

Half  freight  outwards,  at  6/.  per  ton,  fterling,  124,800 

Freight  of  fugar  homewards,         ■  •     184,800 

Ditto  of  rum,  — —        —        — —  *—       50,000 

Ditto  of  other  articles,  ■  —  —       f  25,000 

By  infurance  (probably  much  under-rated),  —        20,000 

By  commiffion,  brokerage,  and  other  charges,  .  —  260,000 
By  profit  on  6000  Negroes,  dedufling  prime  cofl,  —  125,142 
By  freight  of  ditto,  at  5/.  per  head,  —  30,000 

By  abfentees,  annuitants,  &c.  —         —  200,000 

By  intereft  money,  ■  -—         35>ooq 

By  tranfport  of  merchants,  planters,  and  fervants,  to 
and  from  the  ifland,  computed  at  300  per  annum, 
at  15/.  ^^r  head  average,  —  —         4,500 

By  one  fourth  of  5  z  i  ,4 28  /.  i  o/.  amount  of  merchandize 
and  manufadures  furniflied  from  Great  Britain,  al- 
lowed as  clear  gain,         —  _  —        ^3^>357     ^  6 
Add  the  aiuiual  balance,  fuppofed  to  be  paid  to  North 

America,  and  remitted  in  courfe  of  trade  to  Britain,     45,32 1     8  7 

f  Thb*  it  is  imagined^  is  greatly  under-rated,  the  Pimento  alone  being  about  20,000/. 

T  1 1  2  And 


^o8  JAMAICA. 

And  allowing  one  half  at  leaft  of  the  clear  gain  of  Ire-      £-       *•    * 

land  by  its  annual  fupply  to  be  ultimately  centered 
in  Britain;  this,  at  one  eighth  of  the  amount, 
113,951/.  los,  is        —       —         —    —       14*243  18     9 

^.    1,249,164  9   10 


rt^M 


Many  coniiderations  will  naturally  occur  to  every  thinking  per- 
fon,  who  turns  his  view  to  the  feversl  beneficial  objefts  which  this 
ifland  produces,  over  and  above  what  I  have  noticed ;  the  vaft  ad* 
vantages,  for  inftance,  of  having  fuch  a  nurfery  for  feamen,  and  fup- 
port  of  the  trades  concerned  in  fliip-building";  of  employing  fo  niany 
fliips  continually,  befides  thofe  detached  for  the  Guiney  trade,  the  pro- 
fits on  which,  and  of  their  cargoes  exported  for  purchafing  the  regular 
fupply  of  Negroes,  I  have  not  admitted  into  the  preceding  calculation ; 
nor  have  I  included  the  many  tranfient  traders  and  other  perfons,  who^ 
having  no  landed  property  there,  but  having  reaped  by  merchandise^ 
or  other  profeflion,  competent  fortunes,  return  full  laden  to  their  na- 
tive hive.  What  a  field  is  here  opened  to  difplay  the  comforts  and 
bleffings  of  life,  which  this  commerce  diftributes  among  fo  many 
thoufands  of  induftrious  fnbjcfts  in  the  mother  country  !  what  multi- 
tudes participate  the  fbftenance  and  conveniences  derived  firom  it,  who, 
without  it,  would  either  ceafe  from  exiftence,  or  not  exift  to  any  ufew 
ful  purpofe  !  If  we  fliould  carry  our  ideas  flill  further,  and  imagine 
double  the  number  of  acres  to  be  occupied  in  the  ifland,  and  equally 
cultivated,  it  would  then  yield  a  profit  of  full  twa millions  and  a  half 
yearly  to  dur  mother  country  ;  a  grand  pro^)eft  this  of  future  ma- 
turity, which  ofiers  a  large  fphere  fi3r  riie  exercife  of  patriotifm ! 
To  eftablifh  wholefome  laws ;  to  help  and  promote  indufiry,  com- 
merce, and  trade ;  to  adminifler  impartial  juftice ;  to  reclaim  uncul- 
tivated lands,  and  make  thenr  profitable  ;  is  to  ftrengthen  a  ftate, 
more  than  can  be  by  conquefts ;  it  is,  in  fiiort,^  to  acquire  new  coun^ 
tries,  and  a  new  community  of  ufeful  fubje£ts,  without  making  any 
one  perfon  miferable,  or  fliedding  one  drop  of  human  blood.  The 
prefent  fituation  and  circumftances  of  Jamaica  afford  opportunities  of 
ftrengthening  and  improving  it,  by  various  means  (fome  whereof  I 
have  prefumed  to  fuggeft)  and  that,  not  only  without  making  any  one 

miferable^ 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.   V.  505. 

but  bj  beftowing  real  happinefs ;  by  adopting  the  fenti- 
ments  of  a  mild  and  free  government ;  by  relieving  from  indigence  and 
oppreffion,  and  inviting  Grangers  to  a  comfortable  means  of  fubfift- 
ence  for  themfelves  and  their  pofierity ;  there  is  no  doubt,  but  if  this 
ifland  was  well  inhabited,  and  its  lands  fuiiiciently  cultivated,  it 
could  not  fail  to  reward  the  mofl  liberal  attention  beftowed  upon  it» 
by  becoming  infinitely  more  valuable  to  Great  Britain  than  it  is  at 
prefent. 

SECT.        IT. 

DAVENANT,  who  proves  clearly  the  encreafed  wealth  an  J 
flrength  of  Great  Britain  ever  fince  (he  entered  into  the  fpirit  of  co- 
lonization, obferves,  that  the  rental  of  the  kingdom  was,  in  the  year 
1600,  at  fix  millions;  and  he  fuppofes  it  to  have  advanced,  at  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  fourteen  millions ;  making  in  all  twenty  mil^ 
lions.  At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  the  price  of  land  had  rifen  from 
ten  to  eighteen  years  purchace.  It  is  generally  allowed,  that  the 
rental  has  doubled  fince  that  period.  Setting  it  therefore  now  at  forty 
millions,  and  the  average  price  of  land  at  thirty  years  purchace,  the 
landed  property  of  the  kingdom  is  now  to  be  eftimated  at  twelve  bun-* 
dred  millions  ;  that  is  to  fay,  twenty  times  the  value  it  bore  at  the 
beginning  of  the  lafl  century  i  and  the  general  flock  of  the  kingdom, 
in  money,  fhipping,  plate,  jewels,  horfes,  furniture,  and  all  other  rate- 
able things,  has  encreafed  from  feventeen  to  perhaps  eighty -five  mil* 
lions.  It  feems  indeed  allowed  on  all  hands,  that,  fince  our  plantar- 
tions  firfl  became  thriving  and  profitable,  tlie  national  opulence  has 
ev^cry  way  augmented.  In  the  number  of  its  inhabitants  it  was  com- 
puted to  have  gained  about  nine  hundred  thoufand,  from  the  year 
1660  to  1688,  notwithflanding  the  drain  which  had  been  recently 
made  by  all  the  colonies,  moft  of  them  then  in  their  infant  ftate,  as 
well  as  by  bloody  wars,  and  devafl:ation  of  the  plague.  At  the  Revo- 
lution the  imports  from  the  plantations  were  flated  at  about  750,000/. 
the  exports  at  350,000/. ;  and  the  difference,  or  600,000  /.,  was  thought 
to  be  the  national  gain»  If  the  flourifhing  condition  of  the  mother 
country  is  therefore  to  be  traced  by  the  cffefts  which  her  plantation 
trade  has  produced,  we  may  claim  no  fmall  fhare  of  the  merit  for  the 
^nd  of  Jamaica ;  the  exports  to,,  and.  imports  from  which,  are  now 

more 


5IO  J    A    M    A    I    C    A^ 

more  than  equal  to  what  the  whole  value  of  the  plantation  trade  was 
at  the  time  of  the  Revolution ;  and  which,  at  that  time,,  was  fuppofed 
by  the  ableft  judges,  to  have  principally  augmented  the  wealth  of  the 
kingdom,  kept  the  balance  of  trade  with  foreign  ftates  on  its  fide,  and 
enabled  it  to  fuftain  one  of  the  longeft  and  moft  expenfive  wars  in 
which  it  had  ever  been  engaged.     The  merchants,  at  that  period,  re« 
prefented,  that,  upon  a  juft  medium,  the  labour  of  one  hundred  Ne- 
groes in  our  American  (or  rather  Weft-Indian)  dominions  drew  1600/. 
per  annum  profit  to  the  nation ;  from  which  argument,  if  we  fliould 
apply  it  to  the  prefent  labouring  Negroes  in  Jamaica,  the  annual  pro- 
fit would  rife  to  a  larger  fum  than  I  dare  mention ;  for,  at  the  moft 
moderate  average,  the  gain  upon  that  ifland,  within  the  courfe  of  the 
pre&nt  century,  would  be  found  to  exceed  one  hundred  and  fifty 
toiillions.     But  if  we  reftrid  the  computation  merely  to  thofe  Negroes 
who  are  employed  on  the  fugar  eftates,  the  amount  is   1,680,000/. 
per  annum^  which  is  not  fo  wide  of  the  probable  truth.  The  remarks 
of  the  fame  period,  refpeding  the  Englifli  fubje£ls  refident  in  the  colo- 
nies, are  however  lefs  exceptionable*     Whatever  their  number  may  be, 
it  was  juftly  faid,  that  the  nation  need  not  complain  of  wanting  them, 
becaufe  the  fuperlucration  of  the  fame  number,  over  and  above  fumiih- 
ing  them  with  neceftaries  of  life,  food,  and  rayment,  could  not  in  any 
other  way  be  fo  beneficial ;  fince,  if  every  one  of  thefe,  fituated  as 
they  are,  in  a  fertile  foil,  productive  of  various  commodities,  finds  em- 
ployment for  fix  other  perfons ;  then  it  follows,  that  one  fuch  man 
tberjc  is  as  profitable  as  feven  would  be  in  'England.    It  has  been  fup- 
pofed a  reafonable  profit  for  the  fubjeds  of  a  trading  nation  to  bring 
in  to  the  public  (one  with  another)  feven  (hillings  gain  per  head,  over 
and  abov£  their  fubfiftance;  but  I  think  it  demon  Arable,  that  the  in- 
habitants of  Jamaica,  taken  coUeftively  (Whites  and  Negroes)  gain  an 
annual  clear  fum  to  this  kingdom  of  fix  pounds  per  head ;  fo  that  one 
fubjeft  in  this  colony  gains  to  the  nation  as  much  as  feventeen  fub- 
jeAs  refident  in  the  mother  country,   one  with  another,    have  been 
fuppofed  to  acquire  for  it. 

Formerly  it  was  computed  that  about  1 800  perfons  annually  went  to 
the  Weft  Indies  from  this  kingdom;  that  about  500  foreigners  annually 
came  to  fettle  in  England;  and  that  the  Weft  Indies  fent  back  annu- 
ally about  300  perfons  of  their  offspring;  with  this  difference,  that 

the 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  V.  jrt 

the  parents  went  out  poor,  the  children  came  home  rich ;  this  made  a 
balance  of  one  thoufand  yearly  againft  England ;  but,  however  the 
cafe  might  be  formerly,  I  am  apt  to  believe,  that  few  more  go  out 
annually,  than  come  home  at  this  time.  The  white  inhabitants 
at  Jamaica  are,  probably,  rather  on  the  decreafe,  from  various  caufes  > 
yet  the  increafe  by  marriages  there  bears  equal  proportion  to  the  clafs^ 
of  middling  families  in  England ;  and  if  marriages  were  in  proportion 
as  frequent  there  as  at  home,  their  ftock  of  native  inhabitants  might 
advance  without  foreign  fupplies;  provided  they  were  not  in  fuch 
affluent  circumftances  as  to  prefer  a  reiidence  in  Britain  to  their 
native  fpot.  But  of  the  children  born  there,  and  who  furvive  the  dan- 
gerous ftate  of  infancy,  three  in  four  are  fent  to  Bricain  for  educa- 
tion, and  probably  not  two  of  the  three,  at  an  average,  return  to  a 
permanent  reiidence  in  Jamaica.  One  chief  reafon  to  be  afligned  for 
this  is,  that  few  planters  chufe  to  parcel  out  their  plantation  among 
their  children,  as  is  done  in  the  Northern  colonies,  becaufe  thefe  pro-- 
perties  are  not  ealily  feverable ;  and  therefore  are  tranfmitted  whole 
and  undivided  to  one  child,  to  prefer ve  them  in  the  family  ;  but  they 
are  burthened  with  annuities,  or  fortunes,  payable  to  the  other  chil- 
dren, generally  fufficient  to  maintain  them  in  England  r  the  latter 
therefore,  taking  no  (hare  in  the  management  of  the  patrimony,  have 
the  lefs  inducement  to  a  colony  refidence.  Since  the  Northern  pro- 
vinces became  populous,  many  perfons  quit  them,  with  a  view  to  mend 
their  affairs  in  the  Weft  India  iflands ;  and  this  tends  to  leflen  the 
drain  from  Europe.  The  foreign  colonies  around  fupply  fome;  the 
demand  for  indented  Britifh  fervants  is  now  almoft  difcontinued ;  fo 
that,  all  thefe  circumftances  confidercd,  I  may  venture  to  think,  that 
the  export  of  people  from  the  kingdom  is  at  prefent  nearly  balanced  by 
the  import.  It  has  been  a  queftion  in  political  fpeculation,  whether 
Great  Britain  can  afford  to  maintain  more  than  a  certain  number  of 
inhabitants;  and  whether  (he  does  not  at  prefent  exceed  that  certain 
number?  In  proof  of  the  affirmative  opinion  is  alledged  the  great  mul- 
titude of  fupernumeraries,  who  are  fublifted  by  alms  and  the  poor's  rate, 
or  that  emigrate  into  foreign  fervice ;  foldiers,  feamen,  (hipwrights,  ar- 
tifts,  pedlars,  &c. ;  not  to  fpeak  of  many  hundreds,  whofe  neccffitics 
drive  them  to  commit  fome  violence,  for  which  they  are  either  put 
to  death,  or  baniflied  out  of  the  realm.  The  opinion  is  pkulibk; 
2  there 


512  JAMAICA. 

there  Is  even  much  rcafon  to  fiippofe  it  founded  on  truth;  and  that 
very  happy  effefts  might  refult,  could  the  honefter  part  bf  thcfe  fu* 
pernumeraries  be   lent  into   colony  employment.     One  caufe  why 
numbers  do  not  take  refuge  there,  who  may  be  well  inclined,  is  the 
expence  of  the  paffage.   How  many  would  gladly  traverfe  the  Atlan- 
tic for  bread,  if  they  might  do  fo  at  no  greater  expence  than  the  fare 
from  Dover  to  FrancS  or  Holland !  This  bar  to  the  emigration  of  fu- 
perfluous  people  towards  the  Weft  India  iflands,  the  government  of 
Prance  has  fet  afide,  by  the  regulation  already  noticed  in  the  courfe  of 
this  work ;   and  it  well  deferves  the  attention  of  our  Britifli  legiflature, 
whether  a  fimilar  regulation  be  not  admiflible  among  us,  confiftently 
with  the  freedom  of  our  conftitution;  nothing  can  be  more  recon- 
cilc^ble  to  found  policy,  than  that  whoever  leaves  the  kingdom  to  fix 
himfelf  in  fome  other  country,  (hould  be  engaged  to  fettle  where  he 
may  continue  to  benefit  it.     The  migrations  to  our  Northern  colonies 
increafe  the  numbers  of  a  people  who  are  rivaling  Britain ;  whereas, 
every  man  who   fettles  in  our  Weft  India  iflands  adds,    while  he 
lives,  much  more  to  the  wealth  and  advantage  of  the  mother  country, 
than  he  might  have  done  if  he  had  remained  in  it.     People,  who  are 
indigent  here,  will  go  in  queft  of  fubfiftencc  elfe where;  and  we  muft 
be  fenfible,  that  by  providing  proper  colonies  for  thefe  people  to  refort 
to,  and  facilitating  the  means  of  their  conveyance  into  them,  their  in* 
duftry  (though  not  their  perfons)  is  ftill  prefer ved  to  Britain.     By  the 
increafe  of  trade,  which  their  labours  abroad  produce  at  home,  the 
number  of  our  neceffitous  people  here  is  greatly  leffened ;  larger  quan- 
tities of  our  manufactures  and  commodities  are  wanted,  than  are  requi- 
lite  for  thofe  plantations:  to  fupply  thefe,  numbers  muft  be  fet  to 
work,  who  before  were  either  idle,  fubfifted  on  the  poor's  rate,  or  that 
took  methods  of  fubfifting  injurious  to  the  public  and  to  themfelves: 
inftead  of  looking  upon  fuch  people  as  loft,  we  ought  to  confider  them 
as  preferved  to  this  kingdom  ;    which,  but  for  our  colonies,  they 
would  not  have  been.     Further,  this  mode  of  vifiting  our  diftant 
territories  is  fo  far  from  thinning  the  mother  country  of  inhabitants, 
that  it  is  a  principal  means  of  making  it  populous,  by  generating  fuch 
a  variety  of  methods  for  the  commodious  fubfiftence  by  labour  and 
induftry,  as  (before  we  had  thefe  plantations)  were  utterly  unknown 
to  us ;  but  which  are  continually  multiplying,  in  proportion  as  our 

commerce 


BOOK  11.    CHAP.   y.  513 

commerce  with  thefe  colonies  grows  more  important  The  fupport 
given  by  the  commerce  of  thefe  colonies  keeps  more  people  in,  and 
attracts  more  people  to  Britain,  than  otherwife  we  fhould  have,  or  in- 
deed without  thefe  helps  could  be  able  to  maintain.  It  is  obvious^ 
that  if  Britain  (hould,  by  emigrations,  or  other  caufes,  come  to  fall 
ihort  of  its  due  complement  of  working  hands,  fuch  a  deficiency  mud: 
immediately  raife  the  price  of  work  and  wr^es  all  over  the  kingdom^ 
and  this  would,  by  natural  confequence,  draw  a  quick  fupply  of  fo* 
reign  recruits  from  the  neighbouring  continent,  who  would  continue 
their  influx  tmtil  the  full  complement  was  reftored.  Jamaica  is  in 
want  of  people ;  the  kingdom  would  be  confiderably  benefited  by  eh« 
couraging  the  population  of  it;  and  therefore  ought  to  promote  it  by 
every  favourable  and  prudent  meafure.  If  poor  and  induftrious.per<» 
fons  were  fufficiently  encouraged  to  fettle  in  the  interior  parts  of  it, 
neceffity  would  oblige  them  to  go  upon  the  cultivation  of  cacao,  gin- 
ger, aloes,  coffee,  pimento,  and  other  articles,  which  require  no  great 
kbour,  are  not  biuthenfbme  in  the  carriage,  and  which  have  all  a 
Hifficient  demand  at  home,  to  recompenfe  thofe  who  do  not  look  for 
vaft  and  fudden  fortunes.  By  degrees,  and  with  good  management, 
they  would  improve  in  the  culture  of  many  of  thofe  articles,  in  which 
we  are  at  prefent  rather  defe£fcive;  the  careful  woidd  grow  tolerably 
rich,  and  confiderable  works  of  many  valuable  commodities,  as  cacao, 
cochineal,  and  indigo,  might  be  attempted  with  fmall  capitals.  So 
that,  whilfl  the  great  f):ocks,  and  the  lands  mod  convenient  to  navi* 
gation,  are  employed  in  fugars,  the  finall  capitals,  and  more  inland 
parts,  might  be  dedicated  to  the  humbler,  though  not  leis  ufeful,  com^ 
modities.  There  is  little  doubt,  but  the  cochineal  might  be  fuccefs- 
fally  managed  in  this  iiland,  where  it  is  already  in  the  greateft  abund^ 
ance.  The  articles  of  cotton,  cofiee,  and  cacao,  require  a  more  vigo- 
sous  culture,  and,  to  extend  them,  nothing  is  wanted  but  proper  en- 
couragements from  legillature,  and  an  increafe  of  inhabitants.  Sugar 
and  rum  are  the  only  commodities  of  our  iflands  that  come  into  Great 
Britain,  fufficient  in  quantity  to  anfwer  her  ownconfumption;  of  the 
other  articles,  ihe  is  obliged  to  purchafe  largely  from  fordgners.  The 
article  of  cochineal  has  been*  eftimated  at  100,000/.  yearly.  As  for 
cotton,  ihe  depends  chiefly  upon  the  Levant  trade.  The  importation 
of  cofiee  from  the  Levant  and  Eaft  Indies  muft  be  very;/ confiderable. 
Vol.  I.  U  u  u  fince 


51+  J.A.M    A    I'CA. 

fince  one  of  the  company^s  (hips  only  has  been  Juiown  to  bring  home 
above'  lyoootooolb..   What  hinders  us  from  bring  as  induftrious  as 
the  French,  whofe  Hlands  are  faid  to  produce  above  ten  million  pounds 
weight  of  coffee  annually?  no  fmall  part  whereof  they  export  to  the, 
Levant,  from  whence  it  is  not  improbable^  but  we  import  mucl^;  of  it^ 
under  the  title  of  Turkey  coffeei  which,  being  far  fetched^  is  for  that, 
reaibn  efteemed  much  above  its  real  merit;  for  it  is  well  Juiown,  that 
our.  Jamaica  coffee,  when  well  cured,  and  of  due  age,  is  equally  good 
as  any  that  is  lHX>ught  from  the  French  idands.     Nothing,  in  ihprt, 
tendsf  mweto  bribg  any  commp^ity  of  this  kind  to  as  great  pcrf€<ak>iit 
as  it  is  ijapabie  df,  is.  tlie;  making  it  anrcftabrifhed  article  in  T-egular. 
demand  of  trade.   .  The  importation  of  fordgn  colB^  and  cotton  has, 
been  a  very  great:  difcouragement  to  ow  own  iflands^  by  makjipg-tbei 
d^and  io  irregular  and  uncertain,  as  to  cafi  a  damp  on  the  fettless 
adventuring  tipon  them«     Cof&e  was  never  cultivated  to  fuch  height 
as  it  is  at  preient  in  i  Jamaica;  this'i&  owing  to  the  remiifion  of  one 
(hilling /er  pound  inland  diity,  and  toitbewar  fubfifttng  between  the 
Turks  and  Ruflians,  which  for  a  long  time  gave  interruption  to  the 
I^evant  trade.     It  is  clear,  that  if  Great  Britain  was  wholly  fuppUed^ 
foom  her  own  iflands  whh  thefe  arddes,  fucL  an  excluficm  of  foreigilr 
^goods  would  conduce  very  highly  to  her  advantage,  and  to  their  jnEir 
provjement^  for  in  this  event,  (he  would  pay  for  them  entirely  with 
faermanu&dures;  fo  that,  inflead  of  cof&e  and  cotton,  her  F^ft  liidia^ 
and  Levant  trade  would  be  obliged  to  take  other  commodities^^  1^  de4t 
trimenial  in.  their  confequence;  and  probsMy  the  balance  of  the  Le«»» 
vant  trade  would  be  greatly  enhanced  in  our  favour,  and  paid-in > 
money;  and  if  it  be  true,  that  Martinico  coffee  is  brought  in  upon  us 
byway  of  the .  Levant,  this  prohibition  mufl  prove  a  check  to  th^ 
French  growth,  and  a  proportional  nourifhment  of  our  own.     Choco*. 
late  is  likewifei  another  wtty  great  article  of  Britifh  confomptioiv 
which- Jamaica*  might  be  brought  to  yield  in  Sufficient  quantity;  for 
while  the  Spaniards  weiie  in  poileffion  o(  that  ifland,  it  contained  their 
fineft  and  principal  cacao  walks.     It  is  {uppofed,  that  Britain  purcbafes 
in  thefe.  articles,  of  foreigners  to  the  amount  at  leaft  of  250,000  A  an*-* 
fuiially,  which,  added  ta  the  article  of  cochineal,  makes  350,000  A4  asd 
pays  mofi  part  of  this  fum,  if  not  the  whole,  in  fpecie,  for  thofe  very« 

.which. her  own  Weil  India  territory  might  eaiily  be 
6  made 


made  to  yield  her^  iive^^ch^gc^for  her»  manu&fturcs;  that  is  to  fay^ 

for  the  labour  of  her  at  prcf^nt  unemployed  poor.     Thefe  articles 

being  already  well  known  in  Jamaiciu  a  few  provifions  only  are  requi- 

fite  to  extend  their  culture.     The  firft  leading  point  is,  the  increafe  of 

petty  fettlers;^  th^  ne^ccis,  an  encouragement  pf  thefe  articles  in  the 

colony,  by  Suitable  fapunties.tb  l)e  gVanted  upon  their  importation  into 

Britain,. 9n(^  continued  for  a  certain  term  of  years^  that  is,  until  they 

ihall  have  taken  firm  root ;  laflly ,  ar  that  crifis  to  accumulate  duties 

upon.thcMe  of  foreign  growth  :  by  which  meafures,  fteajlily  purfued^. 

our  bwn  might  acquire  a  permanent  ei\abli(hment.     Our  importation 

of  thefe  articles  from  foreigners,  not  only  brings  the  balance  of  many 

trades  againil  us,  but  adds  a  considerable  increafe  to  fo^reign  nayiga* 

tion  and  maritinrie  power.  'What  a  wide  difference  then  is  there  ^be- 

,twecn  en^igratiohs  to  our  T^Iprtheirn' colonies^  Whiqh  ptoduce  nothing^ 

but  rivalry  ;  and  to  our  Southern  ones,  ^yhich  either  yield,  or  are  ca« 

pable  of  yielding,  the  fame  commodities  which  we  at  prefent  purchafe 

,at  fo  great  a  lofi?  from  foreigners!  What  immenfe  fqms  have  been 

faved  to  the  nation  by..our  entering  fo  largely  into  cultivation  of  the 

fugar  cane !  Before  our  Wefl  India  iflands  were  fettled,-  we  paid  to 

the  Portuguefe  from  4/.  to  5  A  per  hundred  weight  for  mufcovado 

fugars,  no  better  in  quality  than  what  are  now  fold  (or  30/.  to  2$s.% 

and  if  we  but  confider  the .  difference  in  the  value  of  money  now,  and 

at.tbe  opriod  Lalliide  to,  the  great  faving  tathis  kingdom  will  appear 

^inayety*ftriklng  light.     Ouf  dyers  wares  were  bought  of  the  Spa- 

^jiiards,  to  whom  we  paid  for  logwood  from.  1 00/.  to  130/.  per  ton, 

;which  Is  now  imported  from  our  own  fettlements  at  3  /.  15X.  to  4/.  4/* 

per  ton,  and  other  goods^  ufed  in  dying,  proportionably.     Cotton  \% 

particularly  wanted,  to  work  up  with  wool  in  many  of  our  manufac* 

tuxes,  efpecially  thofe  fabrics  which  have  vent  among  the  Spaniards 

and  Indians  in  South  America,  and  for  which  we  take  many  valuable 

commodities  in  return.     Our  pirnento  lefTens  the  demand  for  fplces, 

which  are  only  to  be  had  of  the  Dutch  at  their  own  rates.     Ginger  1$ 

chiefly  exported,  though  a  confiderahle  quantity  is  confumed  at  home.. 

Logwood,  fuflic,  and  indigo,  &c/  are  abfolutely  neceflary  in  dying 

.fcYcral  of  our  manufaftures;  and  before  we  drew  fome  part  pf  our 

fypply  of  thefe  commodities  from  our,  own  plantations,  we  paid  five 

-dmes  the^  price  for  fome  of  them  that  we  how  do,  and  for  others,  more« 

'  •  ^  U  u  u  z  So 


St6  JAMAICA. 

So  that,  by  having  theie  plantations,  we  not  only  lave  as  much  as  was 
formerly  paid  for  thofe  commodities  to  foreigners,  but  we  are  now  fb 
copioufly  fupplied  with  feme  of  them,  as  to  be  able  to  difpoie  of  our 
overplus  to  other  nations;  and  our  manufadurers,  by  procuring  them 
lb  much  cheaper  than  formerly,  are  enabled  to  vend  their  fabrics 
cheaper,  which  cannot  fail  of  aiding  the  &le  of  them  at  diftant  mar- 
kets, at  which  there  is  any  competition  between  us  and  other  manu* 
fafturing  ftates.  The  reafons  then  which  firft  prompted  us  to  go 
largely  upon  fugar,  and  which  have  been  fo  evidently  juftified  by  the 
happieft  fruits  in  our  trade  and  commerce,  the  fame  reafons  fliould  im- 
pel us  to  proceed  as  extenfively  as  poffible  with  the  culture  of  all  the 
other  Weft  India  commodities,  and  refufe  no  encouragement  or  provi- 
fion  whatever  conducive  to  this  great  end;  by  which  the  nation  can« 
not  fail^  in  the  nature  of  things,  to  fave  very  large  annual  fums^  now 
paid  to  foreigners ;  and  gain  a  thou(and  other  concomitant  advant^es. 
The  fubieqiient  part  of  this  work  will  open  a  wide  fcope  c^  materials, 
whereon  to  exercife  the  induftry  of  fettlers^  if  the  efieAive  population 
of  the  internal  diftriAs  of  Jamaica  (hould  ever  come  to  be  confidered 
with  that  ferioufnefs,  and  promoted  with  that  fpirit,  which  it  well 
deferves.  That  it  ought  to  be  attended  to,  as  a  matter  of  utmoft  im- 
portance, will,  I  hope,  appear  from  what  has  already  been  ofiered,  as 
well  as  by  a  comparative  examination  of  the  rapid  advances  beyond 
us,  which  the  French  Weft  India  iettlements  are  making*  By  a  cal«* 
culation  taken  in  the  year  1 749,  the  exported  produce  of  Hiipanlola 
alone  was  1,200,000/. ;  but  there  is  good  reafon  to  believe,  that  it 
'was  much  under-rated.  Hifpaniola  is  (aid  to  produce  more  than  all 
the  Britifli  iflands;  if  fo,  the  amoimt  is  to  be  reckoned  above  2,000,000 /• 
Guadaloupe,  we  know,  was,  in  a  year  fubjefl  to  the  lofles  of  war^  and 
exclufive  of  its  exports  to  North  America,  worth  to  Britain  600,000  A 
We  cannot  eftimate  the  whole  produce  therefore  of  that  colony  at  Ids 
than  700,000  A  If  we  fuf^fe  Martinico  equal,  and  the  (mailer  iflands 
and  Settlements  altogether  at  half  the  fum,  then  the  total  amount  of 
their  produce  will  be  founds  viz.  £• 

Hifpaniola,  about  -  ■  2,250,0*00 

Guadaloupe,  ■     ■  ■  1  —  700,000 

Martinico,  and  the  other  iflands  and  iettlements,  1,050,000 

£.  4,000,000 
Some 


BOOK  ir.    CHAP.  y.  517 

Some  writers  have  eftimated  the  whole  of  their  fogarahniially  pro- 
ducedy  at  1 20,000  hbds.  But  in  1 742  it  was  proved,  that  they  pro<^ 
duced  1 22,500  of  1 2 lb.  weight  each;  and  at  that  period  exceeded  the 
Britifh  by  459558  hhds,  Nowa^  our  iflands  have  more  than  doubled 
their  produce  iince  that  time,  we  cannot  fupppfe  that  the  French  iet/> 
tlements^  which  are  (b  much  better  peopled,  have  done  lefsi  and  there« 
fore  their  annual  produce  of  fugar  may  now  be  about:  208,000  hhds. 
of  1 5  lb.  vmght  per  hundred,  wMcb  probibly  exceeds  the  Britifli  fet* 
tlements  about  60,000  hhds«  To'thi$  wcl  inuft  add  the  amount  of 
thdr  other  products,  not  as  griet '  lai^^ly  cultivated  in  die  Britifh 
iilands,  fuch  as  cacao^  coiTee,  indigo,  &<&  Of  tbefe  I  have  feen  the 
following  eftimate:  >  j 

Coffee,     9,400,000  lb*  wt.  at  the  home  maifket  price,         JT. 

lod.  per  lb.  39^%^S9 

Cacao,        1 76,000  lb*  ditto,  6  d.  5000 

Indigo,    1,298,0001b.  ^.itto,  ;.    ;     5  s.  jHi^oo 

Anotto,    .  200,000 lb.  dittOj  %s.  ^d.  35>ooo 

Sugar,  208,000  hhds4  at .  1 4  /•  5  ^.^  iiterL  per  hhd«  [r]  2^964,000 
To  thefe  we  mufi  add,  their  melafiCbs^  cotton,  woods,  dyes, 
various  drugs  obtained  from  their  fettiement  at  Cay- 
enne on  the  continent,  beiides  bullion  and  coin  ac* 
.  quii:ed  from  the  Spaniards'  and  North  Americans,  with 
whom  they  drive  a  very  large  trade,  particularly  at 
Hifpanioia;  for  all  which,  it  <:annot  be  thought  an 
exaggeration,  if  we  allow  ■  ■■  ■  ■  282,341 

^.  4,000,000 

About  die  year  1720,  and  not  much  fooner,  the  French  began  to 
make  fbme  figure  at  foreign  markets  with  the  produce  of  Hifpanioia; 
this  was  (ixty«*five  years  after  Jamaica  came  into  our  pofleffion.  If 
we  mark  the  progrefs  they  have  fince  made,  and  draw  a  fair  compari- 
ibn,  it  will  appear,  that,  although  we  had  the  ftartof  them  for  fo  long 
a  fpace,  yet  they  have  gone  far  bejrond  us  in  the  cultivation  of  their 

[r]  The  Frencli  duties  paid  in  their  colonies  by  the  neutral  traden  in  1 762  w^e  as  followi : 

/•    </. 
Sugar  elayed,   fercwt.        •*—        1    6    flerling* 
Cojfee,  ditto,  .— —         o    5 

Indigo,  /frlb*  — —  03  * 

lands, 


5i8  rj    A;  M    A,  I  ,C:   A.: 

Ibq^Ss  and  the  qximtity  of  fi^ar'tfaey  jeftport*  In  prdof  of  tihisj  about 
the  year  1701  they  had  not  more  thaii-one  himdred  fail  of  merchant* 
iKips  employed  in  the  whole  trade  to  their  colonies  i  ^ut  in  the  year 
1744,  the  number  was  incteafed  to  600.  ^Thii  i?  not  owi^g  to 
greater  iktQ  iii  plahting^  ofr  more  ;induilry ;  bmtrto  the  happy  meafUrea 
of  their  goretnmenti  AH  .poor  fi^nilies  in  want  oi  lanBf  are  not,  only 
provided  with  it,  biit  likewiie  >ntbiut)eriab. for ;;(^eact^  and  cultir 
-vating  It;  and  even  with  money,  j^^'tixty ^ttwdd  in  ne6d  of  it ;  and^their 
taxes  arefemitted^  At  the  Aime'  timd,  the  gbvermndit  has  a  proper 
pledge  in  its  hands  for  the  iohfed'^  induAryq  whois^Hfade  debtor  to 
the  crown  for  the  value  of*  alL  the  necefiary  fupplies^  and  moaey^  he 
receives  at  his  firft  outfet«  After  a  certain  convenient  tim^  he-  ac» 
xrounts  with  the  intendant  of  the  colony;  andpays  every  yea;;  from  that 
time  a  certain  reafonable  proportion  of^  his  >  produce,  until  the  whole 
^ebt  is  difcharged:  lb  that  tho^^milies,  thus  i^ifed&oih  poverty  to 
^pulenc^9  cannot  fail  lot  poflefl^hgthe  fame  grtftitu^  andr4ttac^(teent 
for  the  governmei^t,- that  any  individual  muft  leel  ti9r*  his  befl[>%tee- 
hStor :  .what  an  excellent  metns  is .  tliis '  of  feciirirtg'  their  -  loyalty^- fcy 
founding  it*6n  the  principles  of  love  and  gratitude  1  Their  gbvernmeac 
is  a  merciful  crediter,  thar  will-  never  diflrefe  theid^  whidi  vrould  be 
repugnant  to  the  end  proofed;  they  are  therefore'  iWt  %drra^d  and 
ruined,  as  many  of  our  fettlers  have  been ^  by  the  fc^^wifty  tof ^aftions 
for  debt,  fh  fhort,the  prodigious  increafe  oftheit  WcfrlHdia  (raffic, 
within  a  few  years,  affords  the  moft  mconteftable  pfbdii  that  tie  en- 
couragements aflfflrtgulatiflfts  given  to  their  coten&s  arc  ^nArably 
well  contrived  to  render  them  populous  and  flouri(hing. 

The  Whole  produce  of  the  Britiih  iflands  has  been  rated,  as  I  have 
already  obferved^  by  foi^  ajathori^  at  a, 70x2,000 /►;  but  it  is  probably 
under  the  truth.  According  to  jJbem,;.theT!vhole  quantity  of  fugars 
made  in  the  fix  iflands  of  Jamaica, ;B^rbadoes,.  Antigup,  St.  Chrifto^ 
pher's,  Nevis,  and  Mpntferrat,  is  10^,78  i:hhds.;  whereas  the  mediuffj 
impoft  from  them  into  Great  Britain  is  1 20,000  hhds.  withoi;^  l^ing 
into  accQunt  what,  t^cy  confunae  within  themfel  yes,  and  fliip  to^orth 
America.  The  addition  of  the  new  ceded  iflands  makes  the  whole 
importation,  comrtiuniSus  annis,  little  fliort  of  1 50,000  hhds. 

« 

In  1764  the  import  was  about  -= — ^  161,006 

From 


BOOK  n-    CHAP-  V*  5ift 

From  which  dedudiing  ^xpndti  and  %9ptfisisJ>n%e  AigarSt  r 

fuppoied  about  r.     .  ;  5Q>ooQ 


•i* 


111,000  hhds. 


The  remainder  was  the  import  from  our  own  iflands. 

The  export  was  in  raw  fugars^  •    '  I4r,5oio:      '      .  *    '  - 

in  refined  ditto,      19*005       >"  30,505 


'AO^ 


c- 


80,495        i 

^Mdf  prize  fiigars  confomed  at  home,       ;    w  ■  **      -    50,000 

t     '  '   Total  ^ofhoine  confnmptioo,     '    1.30,495  hhds« 

'  ,  •  »  •    • . 

-  The  home  conCimiption  fi]  wasGflimatcd,:tn  1742,  atijK)  ot^prjcthvl 
569714  hog(head&  It  has  thei^fore  increafed  fince  thajt  pdvo^  (if  the 
preceding,  calculation  he  right)  about  fevcnty.  tbduf^nd  bogihe^ds^ 
Tbi^ris  a. prodigious  augmeotation,  aiid  i9,.pjQett3r  j^itityj  (hink^aj^riv 
l^ted  to  the  low  prices:  of 'teas^^iioiBe iyeats  paft.  . 
4. .  In :  1 730  the.  oohfijiQption  of  itea  was  pnly:  8otf,QiooJb4  lOnd  w>W  }t  is 
4^4PQ,oo6  lb.  or.perhaps  5iOOO,o$><)i:lb.  per  amiunky  as  it.'  is.  qotqriou^ 
that  very  lai^  .quantitiei  aiie  eVery/y ear  fmuggled  ihto  the  kingdqmV 
now  this,  at  \s.per  lb.  jDiediumy , amounts  to,  1,060,000 A  wbidb  mzj- 
be  fuppi^dto'confilme  ijcar  ninety  tbQulandhogfhead^, of  myfcoyadof 
Xhn proportion: his  been* calculated  at, about  30^.  tea  to  20i.  fitgju^ 
OwtiaR  it  i3  Jm^ffibk  tp  diftingufUh  the  tm&  proportion  of  refinqd  to 
ilajufcoyado  confnmed  in  thb  way,  aad  as  the  prices  of  tea  are.  iQVar 

rious,  ib  we  c^n only  treat  this  as  mattev  of  coitje&ure*-  .We  know 

•    •    • 

[i]  The'foUowiAgwasthe  ilafeof  theiio^niaiulcxpomlntbt  years'i;^^^^  1721^  and  1722: 

Imports.  Exports.  HoAie  Ccjik^dimption.  * 

172c,    ■"  46,88^    *^''*  •      •     8;ii8-  ''•''•i%7*7t 

i7"t  •53»i69  '-  .4t449  :  '      «8;7«olHhd8r 

,1712,     •         :  4^,126        ?  5,574  3J»«2i 

Taking  the  average  of  the  exports  in  thefe  yearsj  they  amount  to  about  onc-feventh  of  ihe  impdrts, . 
whereas  the  exports  of  1 764  amoanr  to  one4ift}i«  which  fi^ews  that  the-  exports  were  tlibn  increafed, 
dK^ugh  not  in;prfipprtion  to  what  a  ipeculative  writer  might  ezpoft;  but  the  reaibn  is  obvious :  the 
home  confucpption  wa$  an^ingly  increaied,, and  therefore  left  the  lefs  iot  export;  and  the  home 
confumpiion  acquired  this  increafe,  either  l>y  the  abilit)-  of  the  French  to  fupply  foreign  markets  at 
.IbWer  ^iHee^-  and  tn  general  with  fugars.of'a  fupenop<]uality ;  or,l>y  the  increafed  wealth  and  ei\^* 
JisadoQ  of  U^e|)ecipi^<)f  |iU^anjc«;at  home.  < 

likewlie,^ 


*.  ^  -^  I  -   '^» .  * 


520  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

likewife^  that  Urge  qaantities  arc  fpent  by  coffee,  chocolate,  confec- 
tionary, and  medical  compoiitions ;  and  what  will  not  ferve  for  tiiefe 
purpofes,  is  diftiUed  into  fpirit :  but  no  author  has  hitherto  attempted 
to  fliew  the  proportions  confumed  in  each  of  thefe  different  ways. 

The  tonnage,  and  feamen,  French  and  Britiflit  employed  in  the 
Weft  India  trade,  have  been  ftateA  thus ;  . 

Tons.  Seamen, 

French,        —         105,000        ^  9770 

Britifli,        —      56,117         ■  ■       5600 

Sifierence,        —    48,883  ■     >  4 170  in  favour  of  France; 

but  both  are  probably  under*rated« 

The  comparative  advantages^,  which  the  French  planters  enjoy^ 
confift  in  general  in  the  freflinefs,  and  greater  natural  fertility  of  their 
lands ;  the  ^^ater  cheapnefs  of  their  doathing,  and  fome  other  ne- 
ceflaries  $  the  lower  wages,  and  therefore  cheaper  maintenance,  of 
white  fervants ;  the  free  certain  vent  of  their  melaffes  to  the  North 
Americans;  and  the  lowfiefs  ^  their  taxes.  To  balance  theie,  the 
Britifh  planters  are -thought  fupcrior  to  them  in  the  conftaht  fupply^ 
and  lower  price,  of '  Negroes ;  and  a  lower  fireight;  but  I  much 
queftion,  if  we  can  juftly  ol^m  die  advantage  over  them  in  either. 
It  is  pretty  certain,  that  they  are  aUe  to  purchafe  (laves  upon  the 
Coaft  at  as  reafbnable  a  price  as  we  can,  and  probably  for  lefs ;  as  their 
brandies  and  trinkets  coft  them  much  4efs  than  the  Spirits  and  wares 
we  export  for  the  like  purpofe^  it  is  alfb  certain,  that,  by  great  mif-» 
management  among  our  African  traders,  the  price  of  Negroes  is  now 
railed  upon  our  planters  to  dovbie  what  it  was  aboot  fifteen  years 
ago.  They  are  now  fold  at  the  moft  enormous  rates  ;  and  the  price 
of  freight,  as  well  as  every  fort  of  plantation  fupplies,  have  coniider- 
ably  rifen  fince  the  late  war.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  fome  advantage 
to  us  to  diftill  our  melafles :  this,  it  is  true,  is  but  a  fmall  one ;  yet,  as 
far  as  I  can  judge,  it  feems  almoft  the  only  one  we  have,  and  that  in 
this  refpeft  the  French  are  fufTerers,  by  not  being  allowed  to  manu- 
fadure  their  melafles  into  fpirit :  in  regard  to  the  national  benefits 
gained  by  this  trade,  they  feem  at  the  firft  view  to  be  on  the  fide  of 
France ;  for,  if  there  be  any  truth  in  the  maxim,  tliat  whatever  a  na- 
tion exports  to  forcigners,.of  her  colony  produ^s,.  over  and  above  fa- 
tisfying  her  own  confumption,  is  clear  gain  to  that  nation,  France, 

upon 


BOOK  H.    CHAP.  V.  5*1 

upon  this  prindj^e,  woold  appear  to  profit  infinitely  more  in  propor- 
tion than  we  do.  But  Dodor  Campbell  has  urged  many  fenfible 
rerfons  to  prove  the  eo^trary.  We  formerly ,Tays  be,  (that  is,  in  the 
r^ign  of  Charles  the  Second)  confumed  about  a  dioufand  hogflieads  of 
iiiigar  a  year,  and  exported  above  twice  that  quantity «  At  the  clofe 
of  tbe  lafi  century  we  confumed  about  twenty  tiioufand  hogiheads, 
and  exported  about  as; much,  Wc  now  f/]  confume  about  fourfcore 
thoufand  hog(heads,  and,  except  in  time  of  war,  export  but  very  lit- 
tle. On  the  other  hand,  the  French  make  a  great  deal  of  fugar,  their 
confiim^ion  is  iinall,  and,  of  coturfe,  they  export  a  great  deal  in  time 
of  peace.  Bnt  does  it  follow,  becaufe  we  confume  eighty  thouiand 
hoglhe^  of  fugar,  and  confequently  import  ibmewhat  more,  we  gain 
fo  much  lefs  by  it  now  titan  when  we  imported  but  half  the  quantity  ? 
No  certainly ;  we  pay  for  the  fugar  now  as  we  did  then,  that  is,  we 
pay  fi}r  it  in  our  commodities,  manufadures,  &c.  therefore  it  is  twice 
as  beneficial  to. us  now^as  it  was  then,;  and  if  we  confume  it,  this  is 
owing  to  the  increafe  of  our  induftry,  that  is,  of  our  affluence.  .  If 
the  wealth  of  France  was  as  great,  or  as  generally  difiufed,  that  is,  if 
the  msis  of  their  people  w^e  as  thoroughly  employed,  and  thereby  as 
eafy  in  their  circumftances,  as  the  bvdk  of  the  Britiih  nation  adually 
are,  they  would  then  of  courfe  confume  much  more,  and  export  much 
lefs.  Upon  diefe  grounds  he  endeavours  to  prove,  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Great  Britain,  by  their  c;pafumption  of  eighty  thoufand  hog* 
ihea(k  of  fugar,  inikad  of  one  thouiand,  appear  to  have  grown  richer, 
and  confequently  our  commerce  much  enlarged ;  and,  confidering 
how  very  great  a  fliare  of  this  augmented  wealth  hath  ariien  from 
our  Weft  Indian  territories,  we  have  here  a  convincing  and  conclufive 
demonftration  of  the  benefits  we  have  derived  from  them,  as  alfo  the 
deareft  evidence  that  can  be  defired  of  our  holding  in  them  the  moft 
£xlid  refources  for  the  maintenance  and  extenfion  of  our  trade,  and,  of 
courfe,  the  prefervation  and  increment  of  all  thofe  benefits  that  appa- 
rently attend  it.  It  likewife  fliews,  that,  notwith (landing  France,  in 
time  of  peace,'  exports  fuch  great  quantities  of  fugar,  yet  as  this  vi- 
fibly  arifes  from  the  fmallnefs  of  her  home  confumption,  it  mufl  be 
deemed  as  an  inconteftable  evidence,  that  fhe  has  hot,  as  a  nation^ 
drawn  the  fame  advantages  from  her  commerce  as  we  have ;  but  is 

[p]  ii6%. 
Vol.  L  X  X  X  ^ow 


543t  >    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

BOW  iir  that  veryfbte  we  once  were,  when,  though  we  brought  finals 
kr  quantities  of  fugar  ftom  our  colonies  than  we  now  do,  we  never* 
thelels  exported  to  foreign  countries  much  greater  quantities  of  that 
commodity  than  at  prefent.  Hence  an  argument  is  drawn,  to  en&Mrce 
the  propriety  of  employing  more  fugar  lands,  in  order  that  by  fuch  an. 
flccefSoQ  Great  Britain  may,  in  procefs  of  time,  import  ib  great  a 
quantity  of  fugar  as  to  faturate  her  own  confumption,  and  carry  on 
Hkewife  an  extenfive  export  to  foreign  countries.  This  probably  can- 
not happen,  until  the  price  of  fugar,  by  the  vaft  quantity  poured  in 
upon  our  market,  becomes  fomewbat  cheaper  than  at  prdenL  What 
ieems  to  confirm  the  reafoiiing,  in  refpeft  to  the  French  exports^  is, 
that,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  there  is.  not  any  material  difierence  between 
the  price  of  this  article  in  France  and  in  Great  Britain  \jj];  which 
file ws,.  that  (cateris  paribus)  we  might  even  now  meet  them  at  fo- 
reign markets  on  nearly  equal  terms.  But  if  we  had  fuch  an  over- 
flock  as  that  we  could  afford  to  underfell  them,  there  is  no  queftion  * 
but  we  might  foon  find  means  of  beating  them  from  the  markets,  to 
which  they  have  fo  long  refbrted,  and  caufe  a  very  fignal  declenfion 
of  their  trade.  It  is  this  redu^pn  of  price  which  many  planters 
dread ;  but  in  truth  it  is  a  chimerical  fear,  fo  long  as  we  can  command' 
an  export,^  and  thus  force  the  regular  and  inceflant  cc»ifiimption  of  all 
that  is  brought  home,  fo  that  none  may  lie  upon  hand;  for  this^.tn 
fome  meafure^  will  make  amends  for  a  reduced  price;  beeaufe  fugar, 
from  the  quicknefs  and  certainty  of  its  vent,  wHl  then  have  the  ad- 
vantages incident  to  ready  money ;  and  indeed  it  ought  never  to  fin- 
ger, as.it  is  of  fo  perifhable  a  nature,,  and  as  the  planter'^  exigencies 
require  a  prompt  payment,  without  which  his  bufinefs  muft  fbon  Ml 
into  a  languifliing  ftate.  The  expediency  of  cultivating  more  fiigar 
land,  as  it  was  thought  the  heft  reafon  for  fetding  the  newljr  ceded 
iflands,  fo  it  is  equally  ftrong  in  favour  of  opening,  and  bringing  into 
culture„,the  hitherto  dormant  recefles  of  Jamaica.  In  the  profecutlon 
of  this  extenfive  plan,  the  only  thing  to  be  juftly  apprehended  is  the 
impofition  of  new  duties  upon  this  commodity.  The  confumption  muft 
become  lefs  in  Great  Britain,  and  other  parts  of  Eurbpe,  in  propor- 
tion as  the  duties  are  accumulated  upon  it ;  therefore  every  new  tax 

r^]  This  point  haa  been  variouily  reprcfentcd.-  Some  report  that  they  aie  cheaper  hy  20  s.  per 
cwi.  which  is  hardly  credible^ 

muit 


BOOKIL    CHAP-  y.  523 

muft  prove  a  diroouragement  to  die  |>taaters }  for  as  the  cmifumptioR 
of  fugar  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  has  always  been  greater  or  leis^ 
according  as  it  was  fold  cheap  or  dear,  it  follows,  that,  admitting  the 
popular  €q[>inion,  ^<  the  confumer  pays  the  duty/'  to  be  true,  the 
heavier  the  duties  are,  the  higher  muft  be  the  price,  and  confequently 
the  confumption  be  diminished,  by  its  being  reftri^ed  to  a  fmaller 
number  of  perfons ;  this  argument  then,  which  many  politicians  have 
ever  in  their  mouths,  to  juftify  new  taxations  upon  fugar,  and  to 
prove  them  inoffenfive  to  the  planter,  by  their  falUng  wholly  upon 
the  cosifumers,  prbves  the  very  reverfe  of  what  th^y  contend  for, 
and  remarkably  fo  in  this  inftance ;  becaufe  it  is  well  known,  that 
the  very  poorefi  fubjedls  in  this  kingdom  are  confomers  of  it,  as 
well  as  the  richeft;  which  they  could  not  be,  or  at  leaft  of  not  one 
half  the  ufual  quantity,  if,  by  the  accumulation  of  new  duties,  it 
Ihould  be  rendered  too  dear  for  them*  Befides,  the  higher  the  duties 
8od  other  charges  levied  on  it  in  Great  Brluin  are,  the  lefs  able  ts 
the  Britilh  merchant  to  export  a  redundancy,  becaufe  the  French 
and  other  foreigners  will  af&rd  to  ,fibil  it  at  a  cheaper  rate ;  and 
if,  to  help  it  out  of  the  kingdom,  a  drawback  be  granted  on  the  cx^ 
portation,  then,  as  the  quantity  to  be  difpofed  of  this  way  will  pro* 
baUy  be  large,  what  is  gathered  in  the  new  duty,  may  be  all  ex^ 
baufted  again  by  the  drawback ;  fo  that  governmient  would  become 
no  gainer  by  the  meafuie,  mid  many  of  the  poorer  families  in  the 
two  kingdoms  be  nevertfade^  diftrefled  unneceflarily  for  want  of  fo 
comfortable  an  article  ;  without  which  even  the  fruits  of  this  country 
become  unpalatable  to  the  meaneft  perfons ;  for  it  has  been  remarked, 
that  a  plentiful  crop  of  apples  greatly  increa(es  the  confumption  of 
fiigar  fr] ;  and  this  fruit,  particularly  in  the  Weftern  counties,  fur- 
oiflies  no  inconfiderable  part  both  of  the  aliment  and  drink  of  the 
common  people. 

It  may  be  fuppofed  poffible,  that  the  quantity,  at  feme  period  here« 
after,  in^rted,  may  be  fo  enormous,  as  that  it  can  neither  be  fpent 
at  home,  nor  gain  a  vent  by  exportation  abroad ;  and  that  a  glut 
muft  in  that  event  inevitably  enfue,  which  would  caufe  this  com* 
modity  to  fubfide  to  a  very  low  price.     Any  very  fignal  redu^ion 

[r]  Computed  by  fome  at  eight  thoftfiiudhogflieadft. 

XXX    2  of 


524  JAMAICA. 

of  pricci  from  fuch  a  caufe,  m^ht  be  attended  with  ruinous  c&Qs  to 
the  planters.     If,  for  example,  it  fliould  fall  to   21s.  per  cwt.  die 
planter  would  gain  barely  6  /•  per  cent,  on  his  capital^  which  b  equal 
to  what  he  pays  in  Jamaica  for  intereft  of  money  borrowed ;    he 
could  not,  therefore,  in  fuch  a  fituation,  afford  to  borrow  at  all,  becaufe 
he  would  hazard  much,  to  gain  nothing ;  and  he  would  be  unable  to 
pay  off  any  of  the  principal  of  his  debt,  fuppofing  it  to  be  large,  or 
to  lay  out  any  thing  in  improvements.     At  28  j.  he  would  gain  only 
8  /.  per  cent,  which  may  be  reckoned  a  laving  profit ;  but  ifaoold  it 
ever  fall,  and  continue  for  fome  time,  much  below  this  rate,  the 
planters  will  do  well  to  tui-n  their  hands  to  fome  other  occupation^ 
For,  if  we  confider  how  large  their  capitals  neceflarily  are ; .  how  very 
expenfive  and  precarious  their  bufinefs ;  and  their  nett  income,  on  an 
average  of  years,  how  proportionably  fmall ;  it  would  feem  that  they 
ought  even  now  to  pra6tife  ftri^i  (economy,  in  order  to  be  clear  an^ 
nual  gainers.  Something  ought  furely  to  be  allowed,  over  and  above 
dieir  matntenance,  to  repair  thofe  lofles  which  (6  frequently  occur,* 
and  to  profecute  improvements  5  afpirit  for  which  b  politically  and 
eflentially  requifite  to  be  encouraged,  and  fupported  in  all  our  fogar 
colonies.     Few  would  incline  to  perfift  in  a  trade  which  confiandy 
brought  them  in  debt.     I  have  known  fome  Jamaica  planters  in  this 
predicament,  with  refpeft  to  their  rum  (hipped  to  the  Britiih  market.^ 
The  cuftoms  and  excife  muft  be  paid  at  all  events;  but  if,  at  any 
certain  jun£lure,  foreign  brandies  are  do  attainable  by.iinv^;gimg,  and, 
together  with  malt  fpirits,  are  vended  fo  cheap,  as  to  hdd  the  pre* 
ference  in  general  coniumption,  their  rum  muft  be  fold  at  any  rate, 
to  reimburfe  the  charges ;  after  paying  of  which,  there  have  been 
feveral  inftances,  where  the  proceeds  of  thofaledid  not  entirely  ac- 
quit the  charges;  and  confequently  the  (hippers  would  have  faved 
fome  expence,  and  a  great  deal  of  labour,  if  they  had  givcen  their 
melafles  and  cane  liquor  to  their  hogs,^  infiead  of  diflilling  them.    A 
glut  of  fugars  at   the  BritiOi  market,  is  certainly  pqffible  at  leaft; 
for  fince  France  has  fo  vaftly  improved  her  colonies,  there  has  been 
more  fugar  made  in  fome  favourable  years,  than  all  Europe  could 
confume ;  which  was  particularly   the  reafon  of  the  low^  price  d[ 
fugars,  between  the  years  1728  and  1735,     It  is  true,  that  the  price 
lias  been  on  the  advance  fince  that  period^,  and  this  has  been  owing 

to 


BOOK  11/   CHAP-   V.  s^S'^ 

to*  nothing  elfe  than  the  prodigious  improvements  made  of  lafe  year» 
in  the  general  commerce  of  Europe,  particularly  inland  navigation, 
not  to  fpeak  of  the. great  ftrides  made  during  this*  fpace  in  North  ' 
America;  fo  that,  the  inhabitants  every  where  becoming  richer,  and 
more  communicative  with  one  another,  the  consumption  of  fugar 
has  been  extended  among  many  thoufands^   perhaps  millions,  who  * 
before  were  equally  unable  either  to  procure/  or  to  pay  for  it ;    and  ' 
it  is  well  known  that,  fince  the  ]ate  war,  the  confumption  of  it  in  ^ 
North  America  has*  been  double  what  it  ufed  to  be:  we  may  re- 
mark the  like  of  Great  Britain,  where  it  is  fb  generally  in  ufe,  and  ^ 
chiefly  by  the  affiftance  of  tea,  that  even  the  poor  wretches  lii^ing  > 
in  alms*houfes  will  not  be  without  it.    I  do  ^not  take  upon  me  to 
defend  this<clafs  of  people  from  the  charge,  which  fome  writers  have 
brought,  againft .  their  pailion  for  iippipg  tea ;  which  is  reprefented  « 
as  a  moft  enervating  liquor;  but  I  incline  to  believe,  that  the  abufe ^ 
of  it  only  is  noxious ;  and  >  that  the  fort  of  tea  in  which  the  com*  ^ 
mon  people  indulge,  is  the  leaft  unwholefome  of  any ;  and  further,  thaf  -- 
of  the  two,  this  liquor  is,  beyond  comparifion,  much  more  innocent  ^ 
to  their  healths  than  gin,  and  the  other  fiery  fpirits  retailed  to  the  - 
ynlgar-;  it  is  lefs  injurious  for  them  to  drink  tea  than  drams,  which  ^ 
is,  inefie^.no.mor^  than,  faying,  that  an  aqueous- beverage  is  whole*  ^ 
fbmer.thana  liquid  fire  ;  and  that  fugar  is  a  mofi:  falutary  ingredient,  > 
we.  can  entertain-.no  doubt,  after  the  Aamp  of  approbation    which  it 
has  received -.from  Dodor  M' Bride,  and  other,  learned  men  of  the  * 
faculty,- ?nd  in  particular  the  former,  who  proves  its  virtue  in  cor- 
recting the  ill  efieds:  which,  a  liberal  ufe  of  animal  food  is  apt.  to  - 
produce,  . 

But  to  return!  fo  lohg  ^s  the  trade  of  this  kingdom  continues  to^  • 
fiouriih,  we  need  not  fear  that  the  confumption  will  be  leflened;  yet  ^ 
there  may  be  a  point  imagined,  beyond  which  it  may  not  be  able  to 
advance.  If,  for  example,  by  the  vigorous  r  induftry  of  the  fettlers  in  « 
the  newly  ceded  iflahds^  together  with  the  unrelaxed  endeavours  of  ^ 
thofe  in  our  older  colonies,  the  whole  importation  in  the  courfe  of  ^ 
fome  few  years  (hould  be  raifed  to  200,000  hhds.  an  event  that  will  • 
probably  happen  before  the  expiration  of  the  next  ten  years,  this  will  ' 
caufe  a  glut  at  the  Britifii  market,  and  reduce  the  price  one  fourth, 
or  to  about  zts.  xd.per  cwt.      At  this  price,   there  is  reafon  t<s 

think 


5*6  J    A    M    A  1    C    A. 

think  that  a  great  part  of  it  would,  bdbre  the  next  atini:^!  importa^ 
tion  came  round,  find  confumers  at  home^  agreeably  to  the  rule  be* 
fore^mentionedy  viz.  *<  That  by  lowering  the  price  of  a  thing  univer^ 
ially  coveted,  there  muft  be  a  great  number  of  new  purchaltrs,  and 
the  old  ones  will  confume  a  much  larger  quantity  of  it/ '     But  how- 
ever increafed  die  confumption  might  be  by  this  means,  the  planters 
would  not  clear  14./.  per  cent,  on  their  capitals,  over  and  above  pay* 
ment  of  intereft :  this  might  prove  a  difcouragement,  more  efpecially 
to  the  ceded  iflands,  which  are  fettling  upon  borrowed  money ;  and 
in  fuch  an  event,  no  finall  quantity  might  remain  a  long  time  in  ware- 
houfes,  as  the  demand  or  (ale  through  the  year  would  be  gradual 
>  only ;  but  if,  on  the  other  hand,  wefuppofe  that,  by  the  natural  cur- 
:  rent  of  commerce,  the  price  would  no  fooner  fall  by  the  large  quaoti- 
'  ty  introduced  into  this  kingdom,  than  the  fluices  of  exportation  to 
foreign  countries  would  be  opened,  we  can  fet  no  other  limits  to  the 
fVee  vent  of  this  article,   and  the  fucce(sful  progress  of  our  fugaf 
Jilands,  than  what  will  be  conneded  with  the  flate  of  (he  foreign  de» 
inand,  and  the  inability  of  the  French  and  our  other  rivals  in  thti 
branch  to  fupply  it  fully,  or  upon  equally  cheap  terms.     The  refult 
:  therefore  mud  be  left  to  time ;  to  the  profperous  or  unpro^rous  fu- 
;ture  condition  of  this  kingdom,  as  well  as  of  France,  and  the  other 
.  ibtes  of  Europe ;  but  even  admitting  the  worft  to  happen,  and  that, 
ifor  want  of  an  exportation,  fugars  fliould  become  a  drug  at  the  British 
market,  and  as  unfaleable  for  a  continuance  as  rum  hath  ibmetimes 
.been,  Jamaica  will  not  fuffer  fo  immediately  or  feverely,  as  either  the 
.new  iflands,  or  the  other  old  ones ;  becaufe  it  is  better  eilablifl^ed,  and 
in  proportion  more  difencumbered.     It  has  fewer  inconveniencies, 
wants,  and  difafters,  to  ilruggle  with,  than  colonies  juft  hatched; 
wbofe  labourers  are  chiefly  native  Africans,  unfeafoned  to  the  climate, 
:  and  lefs  able  than  the  Creoles,  to  bear  the  toil  of  cutting  down  thick 
woods,  and  clearing  frefli  lands;    or  than  the  other  old  ones,  whofe 
worn-out  lands  cannot  bear  a  redudtion  of  price,  nor  be  fupported  un-» 
;  der  the  conflant  heavy  charges  to  which  they  are  neceflarily  liable. 
There  is  in  Jamaica  variety  of  other  commodities  befides  fugar,  adapted 
to  commerce ;  and  there  is  room  for  many  more,  which,  if  cultivated, 
prbmife  to  reward  thofe  who  may  make  the  experiment     If  ever  there- 
fore it  could  happen,  that  Great  Britain  fliould  become  the  fole  con« 

fumer 


ROOK  IL    CHAR   V.  527 

ftmer  of  fugar»  imported  from  our  Hlands^  by  her  iiiaUlity  to  find  a 
vent  for  the  fuperfluity  at  foreign  markets,  this  event  cannot  happen 
without  the  dcfolation  of  fomc  of  our  iilands;  and  it  is  evident,  thofc 
will  fuffer  mod  immediately,  whofe  only  dependance  for  fupport  is 
refted  on  this  ftaple.     Jamaica  will  fuffer  laft  of  all,,  for  the  reafons 
already  affigned,  and  becaufe  it  is  not  obliged  to  rely  wholly  on  fo- 
reign fupplies, ,  having  within  itfdf  a  very .  large  flock  of  materials, 
which  if  driven  by  neceffity  to  make  proper  ufe  of,  it  would  have  no 
occafion  to  buy  many. articles  it  now  imports,  and  more  efpecially  fe*» 
veral  of  North  American  produftion.     This  oeconomy,  joined  to  a  few 
fnmptuary  regulatrons  in  regard  to  certain  other  imports  of  luxuries, 
would  effeAually  preferve  it  from  (inking  with  the  reft. .  An  evil 
therefore  of  this  fpecies  muft^  in  refpeft  to  Jamaica,  work  its  own  re* 
medy;  for  as  it  would,  in  the  nature  of  things,  outlive  the  fmaller 
fettlements,  fo  it  might  in  the  end  be  able  to  double  its  produAs,  by 
attrading  the  decayed  planters  from  them* ,  Since  Barbadoes  becsm^ 
lets  fertile,  ,and  confequently  leis  gainful  than  formerly,  many  of  the 
inhabitants  reforted  to  Jamaica*     The  like  occurrence  would  happen, , 
(hould  the  other  ifle*  be  deferted,  either/ by -the  wearmg  out  of  tbeitf 
lands,  or  the  reduced  quantity  of  their  ilaple,  both*  which  caufes  ope- 
rate to  one  and  the  ^meefi^;  and  the  quantity  muft  there  fink  to  ^ 
nothing,'  whenever  the.  prick  (hall  by  any  means  fall  fo  low,  for  fi>mo 
years  focce(Iively>  as  to  make  it  unprofitable  to  the  planter.     Tbisr^ 
effedl  invanably  muft  happen  in  the  Weft  Indies,  if  what  has  happen^ 
ed  there  in  time  paft,  is^a  juft  rule  foridireAing  our  judgment  upon. ; 
future  occurrences..    This  f^rte  befel  indigo,  ginger,  and  coffee  fuccef- 
fively  in  Jamaica;  neither  of  which  have. yet  revived  there  to  their;- 
former -importance,  notwithf):anding  fome  favourable  cifcutnftance$»; 
The  planters  in  this  ifland,  when  driven  out  of  one  commodity,  whe-i 
ther  by  heavy  taxes,  or  low  prices,  have  always  (Iruck  into  fome - 
other,  -  which*  they  imagined  might  an  fwer  better..    But  the  ruin  of* 
fagar  works  is  not  fo  foon  repaired,  as  that  of  the*  fmaller  articles  ; 
might  be«    The  former  require  a  large  and  coftly  apparatus,  and  great  i 
capitals;  the  latter  articles  are  (et  on  foot  with  infinitely  Ie&  expence* 
To  render  fiigat  an  arti^  of  little  profit;  to  the.  ^nailer  i(lands,  is  in 
effe&  to  depopulate  them;  for  they  could  advert  to  no  odier  commo-  - 
dity  there,  d  value  enough  to  make  thdr.  abode  in  them  preferaUe  to  - 

±  their  / 


^ 


548  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

:  thdr  removal  into  a  larger  field.  In  fine,  I  may  comfort  the  people 
f  of  Jamaica  with  this  affurance,  that  if  they  are  not  criminally  wanting 

to  themfelves,  they  may  always  be  able  to  gain  by  virtue,  prudence^ 
:  and  right  oeconomy,  an  equivalent  for  whatever  thdr  ifluid  can  pro-^ 
'  bably  lofe,  under  a  difcouraged  branch  of  thehr  trade ;  and  that  they 

have  every  reafon  to  hope  that  any  fuch  difcouragement  would  be  to 
:  them  nothing  more  than  a  temporary  evil. 

;l    M    P    O    R    T    S 

t  of  fugar  and  rum  from  Jamaica  into  the  port  of  London,  from  the 
year  1756  to  1772  inclufive,  compared  with  the  whole  export  from 
Jamaica  for  an  equal  number  of  years  preceding,  according  to  thebeft 
accounts : 


Vcar. 

Hlids.  fugar. 

'PuQchi  mm. 

•You-. 

HMs.  fugar. 

P«iiid>.tum. 

1756 

2I,OJ9 

4^67 

iTj^h 

2Q,6a5 

1,442 

^7S7 

•24,494 

5.841 

1737 

18,072 

i,.ii8 

^7S^ 

.  33*439 

6.749 

.i73« 

23,yoS 

.I,2&I 

?759 

4i>3>3 

•  6,383 

1739 

19,236 

'»43i 

1760 

44,518 

s*s^^ 

.1740 

23,996 

'.39' 

1761 

^^*^ZS 

7*421 

1741 

35*7»8 

1,942 

1762 

34,126 

7*950 

1742 

.19,299 

i,8&i 

^1^1 

43»695 

-8,186 

1743 

3^>3h 

*»53^ 

11764 

41*813 

7,908 

:»744 

^3*543 

2,864 

.1765 

if^yS'^S 

^yiss 

1745 

^$^7^5 

.3,212 

,1766 

39*415 

«.9»3 

,1746 

33*341 

3***5 

J  767 

41,652 

8,360 

1747 

37?^^  . 

5,0611 

1768 

4**393 

8,989 

1748 

38,192 

5*0*4 

•1769 

43.091 

9-.76«- 

1749 

27,668 

3.98* 

:  1770 

39*760 

8,743 

»75o 

29*354 

4*561 

.1771 

39*»36 

^^>in 

^IS^ 

27,877 

4*671 

1772 

45.889 

12,483 

1752 

23,229 

3*994 

Nothing  can  better  ihew  the  improved  ftate  of  this  ifland  than  the 

:  above  comparative  table  ;  by  which  it  appears,  that  the  general  im* 

port  from  it  into  the  port  of  London  alone  exceeds  the  whole  of  the 

general  export  in  former  years.     The  year  1 744  was  marked  with  a 

•very  fevcre  hurricane;  yet  we  find  in  the  four  fucceeding  years  the 

produce  was  confiderably  increa&d.    From  1769  to  1772  ^e  ifland 

was 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.  V.  529 

was  affli6led  vrlth  a  terrible  and  long-continued  droughty  which  ac« 
counts  for  the  diminution  in  1770  and  1771.  This  obfervation  feems 
to  prove  the  common  opinion,  that  moderate  hurricanes  are  ufually 
followed  with  great  crops;  but  droughts  are  the  bane  of  Wefl;*India 
cflates.  The  augmentation  of  produce  appears  to  have  taken  a  flart 
ibon  after  the  commencement  of  the  lail  war ;  the  fuccefs  his  Maiefty's 
arms  were  bleit  with,  introduced  very  coniiderable  fums  into  the  ifland, 
and  enriched  the  merchants;  who,  by  this  means,  became  enabled  to 
advance  largely  to  the  planters,  and  to  afford  long  credit ;  whilft  the 
difcouragemeats  and  difficulties,  under  which  the  French  planters  lay, 
proved  an .  additional:  fpur  tQ  the  indiii^ry  of  the  Jamaica  planters. 
The  conlequf npef  pf  all  this  toGri^a^  Britain  are  extremely  vifible  in 
tiie  cheaper  prices  of  hcTjCabny  produce,  as  will  appear  by  the  follow- 
ing comparifon: 

Higheft  price'       Higheft  price        Lowed  price      Loweft  price 
in  i;6i.  in  1772.  101761.  in  1772. 

'  £•' ,  s.     d*       £^  '  *•     ^      £•     ^.    ^«     £»     s,     d, 

Mufcovado  fugars^      28  ^3  iio  110 

Rum,  r—  5    3  3  4  2  to^ 

9i  li  6|  6 


Coffee,        —        4  lo  45  4  3  '5 

Ginger  (white),  2  12  3     S  %  iz  2  10 

Cottoq,  .14  I   i|  6  pi 

Oinger  (black),  raiied  by  being  lefs  cultivated* 

Mahogany,        r—       /^     i  1  ^  5 

Fufticfc,        9     s  5    5  7  4  li 

Braziletto,      —      8  615  8  6 

logwood      8  447  3   15 

This  naturally  leads  us  to  the  remark,  that  in  propottion  as  the  arti* 
cles.  of  our  Weft-India  produce  become  more  plentiful  in  Great  Bri- 
tain, their  prices  muft  fall.  The  only  thing  to  be  feared  isi  their  fall- 
ing to9  low;  concerning  which,  I  have  already  ezprefled  my  ap- 
prehenfions. 

SEC    T,      III. 
INLAND      COMMERCE. 

What  I  have  to  fay  upon  this  head,  will  be  comprifed  in  a  very 
fmall  compafs,  on  account  of  the  connexion  it  has  with  money;  which 
fubjed  I  propofe  to  treat  at  large,  in  the  next  fedion.    As  the  planters 

Vol.  I.  Yyy  ..  are 


530  JAMAICA, 

kre  the  fi'rft  caufe  of  commeirce  in  die  ifland^  fo  taonty  is  the  medratfe 
agent  for  carrying  it  on.  Some  have  fnppofed  6oo.oob/*  xmrtency  to 
be  the  fum  required  for  enabling  the  planters  To  bay  their  donudl 
ifland  fupplies^  and  farnifh  the  general  circttfatSota  fitom  Aeni  to  the 
Merchants  and  other  confumers,  and  firom  tiiefe  ia  rev^hition  back 
again  to  the  planters.  But  as  cre£t  has  been  found  tteceflary  to,  and 
is  become  a  part  of  commerce,  and  as  it  may  be  allowed  in  genend 
that  nine  months  credit  is  given  in  this  ifkmd,  therefore  one^finirth  of 
the  above  fum,  or  150,000/.  is  fufficient  to  preferve  aduecircnlatioii 
of  money  in  the  bufinefs  of  planting.  The  recruit  cf  mules  and 
fieers  would  annually  employ  more  than  this  ftai,  but  that  the  ne» 
gociatbg  of  paper  from  hand  to  hand,  anfwers  modi  the  fame  por- 
pofe  as  money,  for  moft  part  of  the  planter^  tran&dions;  and  as  aU, 
or  moft  part  of  the  money  in  the  ifland  comes  ultimately  into  the 
hands  of  merchants  and  fhopkeepers,  and  by  them  is  lent  out  again,  or 
paid  for  taxes,  or  ptirchafe  of  neceflaries  from  the  planters,  that  fum 
might  pr6bably  be  fufficient  to  pay  the  planter^  infalftd  contraAs,  and 
enable  the  merchant  to  make  returns  lor  kis  dealing  inrtth  the  planter. 
It  is  true,  the  ftaple  article  fugar  does  not  pais  in^vayment,  as  ib  muck 
ready  ca(h;  and  the  reafon  why  it  does  not,  has  by  fbme  been  att^ 
buted  to  its  being  kept  up  at  too  high  pricesi  fe  as  that  it  will  not  an* 
fwer  the  merchant's  purpofe  as  well  as  cafh.  But  as  -the  mtttbafttt 
themfelves  are  the  common  valtiei-s,  it  is  indt  lb  befuppoied  that  they 
always  appreciate  this  article  it  a  lofing  rate.  The  cafe,  I  believe,  is^ 
that  6Ur  trade  having  greatly  fallen  off  with  the  Spaniards,  die  naer* 
chants  do  not  import  fuch  large  ^antities  of  goods  as  formerly  from 
Britain,  and  the  infkix  of  money  into  the  ifland  hastdmoftftopped. 
The  average  of  Negroes  they  exported  to  *  the  Spaniards,  till  withii^ 
thefe  few  years,  was  about  2,500,  which,  at  ^5/.  mund,  £. 
produced  ■  ■■■  —— .  112,500 

And  as  much  more,  at  Icaft,  might  be  allowed  for  money  in-      ♦ 

troduced  by  other  merchandizes  fold  with  them,  *f  1 2,500 

jr.  225,000 

Great  part  of  this  money  was  expended  in  the  purchafe  of  produce, 

to  load  back  the  Guiney  (hips,  and  make  returns  to  Great  Britain.    It 

is  natural  to  fuppofe,  that  after  fufficient  cafh  was  brought  in  by  this 

6  means. 


BOOR  IL    CHAP.  V.  S3i 

means,  to  aai^r  tke  £jim  ceqiure<l  ix  cijxrulatioo^  the  remainder^  or 
fiiperiuoiis  mooej  onlj,  was  exported  from  the  ifland ;  fioce  the  de- 
cline dierefore  of  tins  lxadr>  monej  may  have  grown  fcarce  from  theie 
very  obvious  can^  and  fi^ars  at  the  fkmc  time  ceafed  to  he  iQ  £uch 
demand  a$  fin-merly. 

For,  ifty  Not  half  the  quantity  of  ifiand  produce  U  now  called  for^ 
to  make  up  a  freight  for  the  homeward-bounid  Guiney  fhips, 

id,  A  proportionable  abatement  has  happened  in  the  d^^a^d  of' 
fugar's,  to  make  return  for  Britiih  merchandize  imported^  «3  little,  if 
any,  is  now  ordered  for  the  exprefs  deiign  of  vending  k  among  thpfe 
Spaniards,  with  whom  we  formerly  had  Negroe  contrads. 

3d,  The  efflux  caufed  by  thofe  North  American  traders,  who  bring 
their  commodities  hither,  and  carry  away  money  in  returia. 

4th,  Some  lodes  probably  fuflained  on  fugars  purchafed  here  at  too 
high  a  price,  at  the  time  when  the  Briti(h  market  was  fqddenly  ftocked 
by  the  acceflion  of  the  ceded  iflands,  beyond  what  had  been  formerly 
experienced. 

Thefe  lofing  bargains,  at  that  particular  criiis,  rendered  many  cau- 
tious afterwards,  ami  inclined  them  to  (hip  money  rather  than  produce. 

Add  to  thefe,  the  calamity  of  dry  weather,  which  the  ifland  la- 
boured under  fucceffivcly  for  three  years,  viz.  from  176^  to  1772, 
which  hot  only  diminiflied  the  quantity,  but  depreciated  the  quality 
of  the  produce  in  general,  deflroyed  many  cattle  and  mules,^  and, 
whilft  it  reduced  the  planter^s  fortune  and  profits  in  every  way,  made 
the  annual  contingencies  much  heavier  than  ufually  they  had  been,  by 
the  neceffity  there  was  of  importing  large  cargoes  of  provifion  from 
the  Northern  colonies,  to  prevent  a  famine*  The  calaniity  not  only 
increafed  the  imports  from  that  quarter,  but  with  them  increafed  the 
drain  of  fpecie  from  the  ifland:  fo  that,  by  thefe  means  combined,  the 
quantum  of  money  in  prefent  circulation  is  thought  to  be  far  difpro- 
portioned  to  the  internal  commerce  of  the  ifland.  It  is  evident,  that 
if  by  fucceflive  bad  crops,  the  ifland  happens  to  fall  fliort  (fay)  1 000 
hhds.  and  4000  ptmcheons,  equal  in  value  to  250^000/.,  the  deficiency 
will  not  be  made  up  by  an  increafed  price,  becaufe  the  other  iflands,  it^ 
is  probable,  will,  by  having  good  crops,  keep  the  price  fi*om  rifing,  at 
leaft  any  thing  confiderable.  No  iaving  can  be  made  in  the  mean 
time  on  the  head  of  imports ;  for,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  fure  to 

Y  y  y  2  augment 


532  J   'A    M    A    rC.  A. 

augment  both  in  quantity  and  charge^  The  balance  therefore  com- 
ing annually  againjl  the  iQand,  it  has  iio  other  means  left  of  paying  it,, 
than  by  exporting  part  of  its*  circulating  cafli,  and  this  chiefly  tcx 
North  America,  from  whence  it  receives  the  additional  imports  of 
provifion;  a  fcarcity  of  money  muft  then  inevitably  follow,  and  can- 
not, in  ordinary  courfe,  be  remedied^  until,  by  a  fucceflion  of  better 
harvefts,  the  annual  balances  in  favour  of  the  ifland,  and  great  abund- 
ance of  its  native  ftock  of  provifions,  leflen  the  demand  for  foreign 
fupplies,  and  replenifli  the  fund  of  circulation  to  its  former  (landard. 

I  (hall  conclude  this  head,  with  an  eftimate  of  the  profits  fup^ 
pofed  to  be  gaiped  by  the  planters,  or  landed  intereft,  over  the  mer- 
cantile or  moneyed  intereft  in  this  ifland. 

Firft,  in  rents,  thus  computed : 

No.  HouTcs.  Town.  Rent/vrcyiv.  j^,  u    d. 

1665     Kingfton,  at  ^.  50     83,25a 

1 00     Port  Royal,  25       2,500 

450     Spanifli  Town,  50     22,500 

400     Montego  Bay,  40     16,000 

500  .  Savannah  la  Mar,  St.  Ann'^Sjl  r. 

and  other  hamlets,  J  ao,ooo  14^,250 

Second,  in  ifland  products :  > 

[/]  15  Beeves  ufed  in  Kingfton,  each  weefc,^ 

at  14A  per  head,  \sper  ann.  J  10,92a 

40  Sheep,  at  20  /.  per  fcore^  2,080 

4  Veals,  at  4/.  \$s.  each,  988 

Allow  two  thirds  for  all  other  towns,  9^Z'^S  ^  ^ 

Garden  ftufl^  plantains,  and  ground  provi-T 

lions  for  400  families,  at  four  perfohs  to  ;  '  '  ' 

each  family,  tranfient  perfons  included,  at  1  ^^'     ^ 

7§  ^.  per  diem,  J  .    .  - 

Towards  maintenance  of  25000  Negroes, 

employed  as  domeftics,  tradefmen,  whar- 

fingers,porters,  wherrymen,  fliipwrights, 

&c.  in  plantains,   and  other  plantation  f 

produce,  not  including  fugar  and  rum,  1 

at  I  J.   io\  d.  per  week  each,  }  Grafs 

[/]  To  avoid  all  appearance  of  exaggeration,  the  eftimate  is  put  here  exceeding  low.     From 
the  bell  accounts  I  have  been  able  to  obtain »  the  number  of  beeves  confumed  daily  in  Kingftop. 
and  its  environs  is  4^  )  which  m«ikes  the  weekly  amount  about  31,  or  more  than  doable  of  what 
Js  here  dated. 


BOOK   H.    CHAP.    V-  S3T 

Gi!iaf$  for  3000  faorfes,  at  26/.  per  head  perann.  78,000  ^f,        j/^ 

4000  puncheons  of  rum  annually  confumedl 

in  all  the  the  towns ,  at  1 2  /.  i  o  x^         J    ^  '^^^ 
700 hhds*  of  fugar^  at  zoL.  14,000         323,438  6  8 

^..  467,688  6  8 


wm 


Allowuig  therefore  two  thirds  of  this  fum  to  be  dedufted,  as  the 
value  of  the  materials,  time,  and  labour,  employed  in  earning  it,  the 
remaining  third  may  be  ftated'  as  clear  gain  to  the  landholders,  which 
Fs    155,896/.  zs.  2id.  and  helps  to   pay   their   annual   balance   to 
the  merchants,  artificers,  and   Ihop-keepers :  fomething  more  might 
have  been  added,  for  the  articles  of  poultry,  fifh,  hogs,  pigs,  and 
other  things  of  the  like  kind,  the  profits  on  which   accrue  prin* 
cipally  to  the  Negroe  flaves,  and  enable  them  to  purchafe  fome  addi- 
tional cloathing,  and  other  conveniences;     The  confiderable  value  in 
fugar,  rum,  and  other  country  produ6h  confiimed,  and  the  great  fum 
.of  money  paid  for  rents,  prove  the  advantage  of  trade  to  this  ifland, 
and  how  deferving  it  is  of  the  encouragement  and  guardianfliip  of  the 
legiflature.     It  is  evident,  that  the  honeft  part  of  the  merchants  re- 
fidtnt  here  contribute  largely  to  the  fettlement  and  improvement  of 
theMfland,  and  give  a  very  comfortable  fupport  to  a  very  great  num- 
ber of  fettiers,  and  to  the  more  induftrious  part  of  the  Negroes ;  fo 
true  rt  is,  that  trade  brings  riches  to  a  country,  in  a  thoufand  dif-  , 
ferent  ways :  this  obfervation  naturally  leads  me  to  the   fubje6l  of 
money  I  which,  as  it  comes  into  the  ifland  merely  tlirough  the   inter- 
vention of  the  merchants*  and  traders,  fo,  to  the  latter  muft  be  af- 
cribed  that  fortunate  circumftance,  that  the  pknters  have  never  yet 
been  driven  into  the  fatal,  and  moft  ruinous,  expedient  of  ii  paper  cur^^ 
rency ;  which,  by  the  want   of  fufficient  filver   coin,    has  been   the 
fource  of  fo   much  diftrefs,    confufion,  and  lofs,    to   many  of  the 
North  American  provinces. 

M    O    N    E    Y- 

CHAP.      VI. 

SECT.        L 

MO'N.E  Y  is  particularly  neceflary  in.  this  ifland,.  to  purchaf^ 
labourers.    In  moft  other  coiuitries  the  labourer  is  hired.    But 
although  hire  is  paid  him,  yet  this  pafles  Only  from  one  Hand  to  ano- 
ther, 


534  JAMAICA. 

thtr,  and  the  motley  itill  remaurs  m  die  country.  But  here  (he  !a-' 
Jbourer  muft  be  purchafed,  and  the  purchace- money  goes  off  the  coxtn^ 
^try  ;  the  only  fatisfa6^ion  is,  that  it  paffes  to,  and  enriches,  our  mother 
country  [a].  In  this  fenfe  money  is  to  be  underftood  <MiIy  as  thfr 
iymbol  of  a  thing,  or  meafure  of  external  commerce ;  for,  in  regard  to 
this  fpecies  of  commerce,  in  faft,goldor  fiiver  coin  has  very  little  (hare  ; 
but,  in  place  of  it  is  credit;  which,  fo  long  as  the  planters  of  this  ifland 
can  eafily  procure,  and  fleadily  maintain  in  Great  Britain,  fo  long  will 
gold  and  fiiver  be  unneceflary  to  them  in  their  commercial  traniadiions 
With  the  modier  country.  The  planter,  for  example,  who  buys  Ne- 
groe  labourers^  either  fells  produce  in  Jamaica  to  pay  for  them,  or 
draws  bills  of  exchange  on  fome  merchant  in  Great  Britain  for  the 
like  pnrpofe ;  and,  in  either  cafe,  the  purchace  is  made  without  the 
ufe  of  gold  Or  (liver.  In  treating  therefore  on  the  fubje£t,  I  (hall  pur- 
:fue  this  diftinftion  of  external  and  internal  commerce^  the  latter  chiefly 
requiring  the  medium  inftrument  coin^  and  the  former  but  little  of  it, 
jexcept  in  dealings  with  the  North  Americans^  At  the  firft  fettlemeot 
-^if  the  Windward  Iflands,  and  for  fome  time  after,  all  payments,  even 
the  governor's  and  .clergymen's  (alaries,  the  public  and  parochial 
taxes,  were  paid  in  pounds  weight  of  fugar,  for  they  had  no  coin* 
2ut  in  Jamaica  the  fettlements  were  icarcely  formed,  before  the  pri- 
vateers fupplied  the  ifland  with  vaft  quantities  of  Spanifli  gold  and 
iiiver  coin ;  and^  after  the  American  war  ceafed,  the  importation  was 
Aill  kept  up  by  means  of  private  trade,  which  continued  till  very 
rlately.  Notwitbftanding  this  plentiful  refource,  the  produce  of  the 
ifland  was  made,  by  an  ad  of  the  Aflembly,  a  legal  tender  for  pay* 
jnent  of  the  planter^s  contrads  within  the  ifland,  and  to  continued  till 
J751 ;  when,  by  the  influence  of  the  merchants,  who  pretended  many 
Inconveniencks  from  this  pradice,  the  law  was  repealed,  and  it  was 
enaded,  that  no  other  payment  (hould  for  the  future  be  allowed  and 
deemed  a  good  payment  in  the  law,  except 'in  current  coin  of  gold 
and  fiiver ;  <<  unlefs  in  fuch  cafes  where  both  parties  might  agree  for 
-**  payment  in  fugars,  or  other  produce  of  the  ifland.**  Undoubtedly 
the  framers  of  this  la(lsmentione<l  ad  imagined  the  conftant  influx  o£ 
^in  in  the  courfe  of  trade  to  be  fo  fecurely  and  permanently  efiablKhed^ 
BS  that  nothing  could  po(fibly  happen  to  put  an  end  to  it ;  otherwife 

la]  Inquiry  cQnccraing  the  Trade,  &c,  of  Jamaica,  a  pamphlet. 

it 


BOOK  IL    CHAP-  VI.  S3S 

It  muft  appear  the  moii):  abfurd  in  its  tenor,  and  pernicious  in  its  ten*- 
dencj,  that  the  folly  or  iniquitj  of  man  could  have  contrived ;  fort 
as  there  is  no  fiandard  coin,  nor  coinage  in  the  ifland,  the  inhabitants 
tmift  depend  wholly  upon  their  cafual  importations  by  a  trade>  which 
has  proved  to  be  fucrounded  with  extreme  hazard,  difficulty 9  and  un* 
certainty ;  and  the  money,  when  brought  into  this  ifland  under  Tq 
many  difcouragiag  circumftances,  cannot  be  made  to  (lay  in  it*  but 
pafies  away  to  other  xroontries  in  common  with  other  commodities : 
And  k  is  plain,  that  if  the  ifland  (hould  export  this  commodity  (which 
is  not  produced  in  it)  fafler  than  the  emiffion  can  be  recruited  by  freih 
importations,  the  inhabitants  mufi  in  a  ihort  time  be  left  without  any 
of  it,  either  to  ufe  or  to  export.  The  manifeft  conference  therefore 
of  continuing  to  export  money  from  the  ifland  as  a  commodity,  whild 
^  channel  that  ought  to  replenifli  the  drain  is  either  obilrufled,  or 
wholly  flopped,  mufl  inevitably  be,  that  all  internal  commerce  mufl: 
be  at  a  fland ;  taxes  mety  be  impofed,  but  cannot  be  paid ;  and  the 
foundations  of  government  mufl:  give  way  to  confuiion,  if,  at  the  fame 
time^  an  a£l,  obliging  all  payments  to  be  made  in  a  commodity  no  longer 
to  be  found  in  the  ifland,  fliouid  be  fuflered  to  remain  unrepealed. 
However  beneficial  the  proviiion  of  this  ad  might  have  appeared  00 
the  firft  impreffion,  or  might  in  fa&  have  been  at  the  time  when  it 
pafled ;  yet  the  circumflances  of  the  ifland  have  undergone  fo  gr-^at  a 
change  by  the  decay,  not  to  fay  lofs,  of  its  foreign  trade  fince  that  pe- 
riod, that,  inftead  of  becoming  a  remedy  ior  tho&  evils  which  were 
apprehended,  itfeems  tending  to  produce  very  flgnal  mifchiefs  to  the 
planting  and  commercial  interefls ;  I  mean,  with  exception  to  the  mtr^ 
chants  refident  in  Great  Britain.  The  firft  complaint  of  a  fcarcity,  as 
1  well  remember,  was  about  the  year  1 760,  when  the  ifland  was 
dramed  extremely  low  by  the  fiidden  current  its  fllv^  took  to  Hif^ 
paniob,  <»  opening  their  ports  td»ere,  and  tlie  harbour  of  Monte  Chrifli, 
to  our  illicit  traders,  chiefly  North  American  veflels,  moft  of  which 
went  in  ballafl:  under  Jamaica  clearances;  and  cairied  off  jkch  great 
fums  in  gold  and  filver,  to  buy  up  French  prodi^ce,  that  our  ifland 
was  extremely  diflrefled ;  l^e  trade  of  it  languiflied,  and  the  Affembly 
cau&d  about  100,000  dollars  to  be  flamped,  and  iflued  at  two.  .pence 
each  advance  on  their  former  rate,  in  order  to  keep  a  fund  for  the  inlf^rnal 
circidation.    Not.  long  .after  tills,  the  veflels  which  ufed  to  bring  x^s 

,  money 


•53«  J    A    M    A    I    C    A^ 

money  for  Britifh  manufaftures,  were  Tome  of  them  feized  m  'the 
ports,  through  the  avarice  of  rapacious  officers,    and  others  driven 
away,  by  the  impolitic  meafure  of  placing  foldiers  on  board,  and  treats 
Ing  them  as  fo  many  fmugglers  and  aliens ;  to  crown  all,  free  poFts 
were  opened,  and  meant  perhaps  as  a  lure  to  draw  thefe  frightened  trad- 
ers back  to  us  again.      But,  as  this  ftep  alarmed  a  foreign  govern- 
ment, and  redoubled  its  diligence  to  preclude  us  from  the  advantages 
we  expedted  ;  fo,  (he  rifque  and  diffiailty  being  everyway  multiplied. 
It  is  almofl  an  impoffibility  now  to  acquire  fuch  an  annual  fupply,  as 
to  keep  lip  the  meafure  required  for  ordinary  circulation. 

The  ifland  produce  becoming  now  of  lefs  value  than  formerly, 
and  likdy  to  diminifli  ftill  more,  4)y  the  increafe  of  Britifh  territory 
In  the  Weft  Indies,  and  the  more  cxtenfive  cultivation  of  fugar, 
whilfl:  the  European  commodities,   and  neceflary  fupplies  imported, 
are    daily  growing  dearer;  I  cannot  but  confidcr  the  ifland  to  be 
'hy  thefe  means  brought  back  to  much  tiie  fame  fiate,  as  to  circulat- 
ing coin,  as  it  was  many  years  ago ;  when  it  was  found  expedient, 
from  fimilar  caufes,  to  encourage  loans  to  the  planter  by  granting  an 
Intereft  to  the  lender,  much  above  the  intereft  allowed  in  Great  Bri- 
tain.   It  is  clearly  for  the  advantage  of  the  planter  to  pay  what  he 
owes,  in  the  produce  of  his  lands ;  and  money  ceafes  to  be  a  natural 
inedium  of  commerce   with  him,   when  his  produce  comes   to  be 
refufed  in  payment  of  his  debts,  and  cannot  purchafe  money.    This 
Is  the  caffe,  whenever  it  ceafes  to  anfwer  as  an  article  of  export,  and 
cannot  be  convertible  in  payment  to  the  Jamaica  merchant,  except 
T)y  beating  down  the  price,  or,  in  other  words,  till  the  merchant  cau 
get  it  on  his  own  terms.     As  it  is  therefore  this  merchant's  intereft  to 
tuy  as  cheap  as  he  can ;  and  whilft  he  can  avail  himfelf  of  the  law  be- 
fcre-mentioned  fo  far  as  to  rejeft  produce,  when  tendered  in  payment, 
oinlefs  lie  can  get  it  upon  his  own  terms,  it  cannot  be  for  the  planter's 
intereft  to  deal^t  all  with  him^  fince  Jie  has  no  alternative,  but  ei- 
ther to  ftirrender  his  produce  for  lefs  than  its  value,  or  fuffer  all  the 
t:onfequential  diftrefs^  which  his  difappointed  and  irritated  creditorcan 
inflift.     On  the  other  hand,  the  contracts  being'  made  here,^  not  for 
fo  much  fugar  and  rum,  but  for  fo  much  (ilver  or  gold,  if  a  mer- 
chant cannot  receive  the  produce  at  fuch  a  rate  as  to  be  equal  to  that 
£lver  or  gold,  he  will  take  only  money  in  payment ;  where  men  tranf- 
a  adixig 


BOOK   11.    CHAP.   VI.  537 

afting  with  each  other  mean  fairly,  there  can  exift  no  difRculty ;  but  as 
on  either  fide,  as  the  world  goes,  the  parties  are  like  two  fencers  upon 
the  watch,  to  guard  their  own  perfons,  and  wound  their  antago- 
nift,  it  would  be  difficult,  if  this  law  was  repealed, .  to  contrive  fo 
equitable  a  ftandard,  as  that  the  planter  might  not  exa&  «too  much  in 
the  value  of  his  produce,  nor  the  merchant  depreciate  it  too  low; 
but  no  difficulty  of  this  fort  occurs  in  commerce  with  the  merchant 
in  Britain ;  in  his  hands,  fugar  is  flill  deemed  a  good  pledge  of  pay- 
ment, and  every  quality  of  it  finds  vent,  either  by  exportation  to 
foreigners,  or  by  the  grocer,  fugar  baker,  or  diftiller.  In  the  pre- 
fcnt  dilemma  therefore,  under  which  the  ifland  labours,  it  is  the  plan- 
ter's true  objcifl-,  to  conneft  more  firmly  than  ever  with  the  merchants 
in  Britain,  whofc  attachment  will  be  ftrengthened  in  proportion  as 
their  loans  to  the  ifland  are  increafed,  and  rooted  in  the  planter's 
land;  from  this  caufe  they  will  grow  more  vigilant  and  alert  for 
their  own  fakes,  in  procuring  at  all  times  a  fufficicnt  proteAion  from 
government,  to  guard  the  ifland  againft  any  hoftile  attempts.  In  or- 
der to  (hew  the  utility  of  this  connexion  in  a  ftronger  light,  and  to 
point  out  the  propriety  of  the  means  to  be  recommended,  I  (hall 
beg  leave  to  examine  fome  of  the  ill  confequences  which  a  fcarcity 
of  coin  has  produced  in  the  ifland. 

It  is  not  eafy  to  find,  to  any  degree  of  exaSnefs,  the  quantity  of 
coin  in  prefent  circulation  in  Jamaica.  The  quantity  abfolutely  ne- 
cefl&ry,  I  have  fuppofed  about  150,000  /.  According  to  the  beft  com- 
putation  I  can  make,  £^      s.   //. 

The  Negroe  flaves  poflefs,  chiefly  in  fmall  filver,  about    10,437  lo  o 

The  refl:  of  the  inhabitants,  about  39»562   10  o 

■  ■  ■  ^— — — — — — — ■ 

50,000     o  o 

And  there  refts inert  or  uncirculating,  in  the  chancery-* 

chcfl:,  treafury^  and  private  hoards,  about  j     ^S^^^^     0  o 

65,000     o  o 
This  then  is  B 5,000  /.  (hort  of  the  fum  required  to  be  in  the  ifland, 

to  anfwer  the  calls  of  ks  internal  commerce ;  and  this  deficiency,  I 

apprehend,  would  be  much  more  feverely  felt  than  it  is,  were  it  not 

for  the  annual  orders  iffued  by  the  council,  amounting  to  near  10,000  /. 

and  the  cuftom  of  palling  bonds  and  notes,  but  chiefly  the  former. 

Vol.  h  Zzz  Thefe 


53S  JAMAICA. 

Tbcfc  bonds,  it  muft  be  obfcrvcd,  are  as  well  a  caofe  as  an  eflFea 
of  the  fcarcity  of  coin.  From  being  ufed  at  firft  in  lieu  of  very 
confidcrablc  fums,  as  from  looo  to  10,000  A,  which  it  might  be 
difficult  for  individuals  to  procure  in  fpccie,  they  have,  fince  their 
more  general  application  to  the  purpofes  of  commerce,  and  to  loans 
©r  debts,  from  50!.  upwards,  gradually  fupplied  the  place  of  gold 
and  filver,  and  allowed  the  latter  a  freer  fcope  to  pafs  out  of  the 
country.  What  the  final  iffue  of  thi#  kind  of  paper  currency  will  be, 
is  cafy  to  forcfee.  It  is  evident,  the  fcarcity  of  gold  and  filvcr  de- 
preciates.the  value  of  it  confiderably ;  for  very  good  bonds,  even  on 
judgment,  cannot  purchafe  ca£h^  without  a  large  difcount.  8  /.  and 
10/.  percent,  bonds  have  maintained  their  credit  much  longer  than 
others;  but  thefe  bonds,  notwithftanding  the  redudion  of  intereft  to^ 
6/.  per  cent,  are  not  now  negotiable  without  a  difcount;  fome  job- 
bers indeed,  by  exchanging  thefe  bonds  for  6/.  percent,  bonds,  with: 
a  difcount  allowed  on  the  latter,  have  found  means  to  recover  full 
payment,  and  gained  confiderably  by  th&  bargain ;  but  when  I  fay 
they  are  not  negotiable  without  a  difcount,,  I  mean  they  cannot  be 
negotiated  as  a  cafli  payment  upon  any  other  terms.  It  is  hardly  in-^ 
deed  a  queftion^  whether  there  is  at  this  time  fufficient  money  for 
ordinary  circulation,  it  being  the  univerfal  complaint  of  the  inbabi* 
tants,  that  they  are  not  able  to  procure  cafh  for  paying  tfaetr  annual 
taxes;  and  others  cannot  fcrape  together  fufficient  for  purcha£ng  the 
common  neceilaries  of  life.  The  mod  exorbitant  premiums  have- 
been  giveaon  the  loan  of  fmall  fums  for  a  (hort  fpace  of  time,  and: 
the  bed  bonds  rejected,,  without  a  heavy  difcount. 

From  all  which  it  is  evident,  either  that  the  lending  of  money 
is  become  more  hazardous  than  formerly  it  was  ;  or  that  there 
is  lefs  of  it  in  the  iiland  :  the  firfl  cannot  be  the  cafe,,  becaufe  the: 
plantations  are  increafed,  and  the  landed  intereft:  improved,  far  be- 
yond what  it  ever  was  ^  and-  therefore  there  is  undobtcdly  a  want 
of  fpecie  in  the  ifland ;  the  principal  caufe  of  which,  among  thofdr 
that  1  have  enumerated,,  is  an  ill-managed  trade  with  the  North 
Americans..  It  is  in  vain  to  think  of  keeping  the  circulating  ca(h 
in  any  country,  whofe  balance  of  trade  is  againft  it.  If  tlie  general 
balance  is  in  it's  favour,  a  large  part  of  that  ca(h  will  remain  in  it; 
but  as  many  branches  of  it'&  trade  as  have  a  balance  againfl  that 

z  country. 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.   VI.  559 

country,  fo  many  channels  arc  there,  by  which  the  money  fteals 
away.  The  reafon  is  apparent,  from  the  very  nature  of  trade, 
which  is  nothing  nK>re  than  an  exchange  of  commodities. 

Jamaica  takes  lumber,  flour,  and  certain  other  articles  from 
North  America,  and  to  a  certain  annual  value ;  North  America 
takes  melafles,  fugar,  and  rum,  from  Jamaica,  but  in  an  inferior 
value.  If  each  country  took  an  equal  value  in  produds,  for  their 
mutual  confumption,  Jamaica  would  export  no  caih  to  North  Ame- 
rica ;  but  Jamaica  takes  three  to  one  more  in  value  ^  (lie  therefore 
pays  one  third  in  her  produ^fts,  and  two  thirds  in  caih  and  bills  of 
exchange.  I  have  fuppofed  the  annual  balance  with  North  America 
to  be  about  63,000/.  If  only  a  third  of  this  is  paid  in  money,  and 
the  reft  in  bills,  it  is  enough  to  ilrip  the  ifland  of  all  it's  circulating 
ca(h  in  about  three  years,  unlefs  a  fupply  can  be  brought  in  to 
replace  the  drain,  by  our  trade  with  the  South  American  colonies. 
The  misfortune  has  been,  that  the  improved  ftate  of  the  ifland,  in 
other  refpefis,  by  enlarging  the  demand  for  North  American  fup- 
plies,  has  yearly  increafed  the  balance  againft  it,  while  the  other 
trade,  which  fhould  have  replaced  this  draught,  has  been  gradually 
declining,  and  lefs  produdtive.  If  the  iflanders  could  furnifti  them- 
felves  from  Great-Britain,  even  if  the  articles  came  fomcwhat  en- 
hanced in  price,  it  would  be  more  for  their  advantage,  becaufe, 
Britain  takes  their  produce  in  payment,  whereas  the  North  Ame- 
rican fupercargocs  muft  be  wheedled  to  con  fen  t  to  receive  produce 
for  their  commodities ;  and  even  then,  will  take  only  fuch  fugars  as 
they  are  fufFered  to  pick  and  cull  out  for  their  iuperior  grain  and 
completion  j  the  reft  they  leave  on  the  planter's  hands,  to  be  fcnt 
to  the  Britiih  market;  a  circumftance  that  in  time  may  hurt  the 
credit  of  Jamaica  fugars  at  home.  Nor  is  the  inconvenience  and 
diftrefs  they  bring  on  the  ifland,  by  this  mode  of  exafting  their 
balance,  lefs  pernicious  to  it's  welfare,  than  the  ufes  to  which  they 
afterwards  apply  this  money ;  for  it  is  well  known  that  very  little 
of  it  is  carried  to  circulate  among  the  Northern  colonies,  or  re- 
mitted to  the  mother  country,  but  is  dropped  by  the  way  amongft 
the  French  and  Dutch,  to  purchafe  of  them  the  very  fame  com- 
modities which  Jamaica  produces.  It  is  notorious,  that  many  of 
thefe  traders  employ  their  time,  whilft  they  lie  at  Jamaica,  in  fitting 

Z  z  z  2  up 


540  JAMAICA. 

lap  cafks;  and>  as  they  are  provided  vj\i\i  cffidavii-meny  they  tafce? 
falfe  clearances,  out  of  the  cuftom-houfe  there,  for  large  quantities 
of  Jamaica  produce,  fugar,  mclaffes,  rum,  coffee,  indigo,  &c.  with* 
out  having,  in  fa£^,  a  grain  onboard,  and  repair  to  Cape  Nicola 
Mcle  at  Hifpaniola,  which  is  nov/  become  rficir  capital  rendezvous; 
here  they  buy  of  the  French  the  very  articles  they  refufed  at' 
Jamaica,  and  are  afterwards  fo  protcded  by  their  clearances,  either 
from  capture  by  the  king's  fhips  at  fea,  or  ieizure  by  the  land* 
officers  at  their  return  to  North  America,  that  they  find  it  a  very 
gainful  trade;  for  by  this  means  they  can  import  the  French  pro- 
duce without  payiiig  alien  duties,  and  depreciate  all  the  Britifti  Weft' 
India  goods  of  the  like  fort,  brought  to  the  fame  market. 

This  tradt  is  now  got*  to  fuch  an  'alarming  heiglit,  that  more^ 
North  American  veflels  are  feen,  in  the  courfe  of  the  year,  at  the 
Mole^  than  the  whole  number  of  (hipping  that  reforts  to  Kingfton; 
harbour  amounts  to.  T  have  heard  of  no  Tcfi  th^n  400  fail  within « 
the  year,  which  either  load  or  call  in  upon  fpeculation  [^].  And' 
fo  beneficial  has  this  illicit  traffic  proved  to  the  French,  that  the- 
Molfe,  which  is  furrounded*  by  a  rocky,  barren  country,  deftitute  of 
every  natural  advantage,  is  now  become  a  populous  and  thriving' 
place  of  trade  ;  contains  400  well-built  houfes;  and  the  harbour,^ 
which  is  extremely  capacious  and  fecure,  is  ftrcngthening.  by  fiiclv. 
fortifications,  carried  on  at  the  expence  of  the  French  government^, 
as  threaten  to  render  it  extremely  troublefome  to  the  Jamaica  fleets 
in  time  of  war. 

Some  of  the  North  American  commodities  are  allowed  to  be 
neceflary  to  the  ifland,  and  not  to  be  had  elfewhere ;  all  due  care 
(hould,  therefore,  be  taken  to  have  fach  fupplies  continued';  but 
when  the  main  fcope  of  their  trade  tends  to  impoverifli- Jamaica,, 
and  to  enrich  oiir  moft  formidable  rivals,  by  furnilhihg  them  witK. 
monfey  for  commodities  of  the  fame  kind  as  that  ifland  produces,, 
which  weakens  our  colony,  and  ftrengthens  theirS,  fo  as  to. make 
them  more  powerful  when  at  war  with  us  ;  furely  this  (hould 
roufe  the  attention  of  legiflature,  to  prevent,,  by  every  meaUvS   the. 

[h']  Two  hundred  North  American  tcAcIs,  at  Icail,  have  loaded  here  per  annum-,  and  almoft 
c^•cry  vellel  from  that  continent,  bound  to  Jamaica,  touches  at  the,  Mole,  in  order  ta  try  the 
market  there  for  their  return-cargo. 

ruinous 


BQOK  II.,   CHAP.  VL  541 

ruinous  eiTeifts,  which  fuch  a  drain  mull  certainly  lead  to,  if  too 
long  permitted. 

Arguing  in  thacharafter  of  a  planter,  let  me  fay,  that  in  fcveral. 
refpeSs,  it  is  in  our  power  to  leflcn  our  dependence  on  the  North 
Americans;,  namely,  by  importing  from  Great-Britain  and  Ireland, 
many  of  the  commodities  with  which  the  North  Americans  fupply 
us ;  and,  by  good  management,  providing  many  others  of  them  with- 
in our  own  ifland.     Might  we  not,  for  example,   be  fupplied  from. 
Britain  with  foap,  candles,  hams,  fi(h,  bacon,,  cheefe,  and  a  long  et 
catera^  as  cheap,  in.  general,  as  from  them  ?  as  alfo  with  beef,  pork, 
aiid  butter,  entirely  from  Ireland  ?    Corn,  in  abundance,  we  may^ 
have  of  our  own  growth,,  and  lamp  oil  of  our  own  manufa(^ure,. 
both  far  cheaper  than  we  can  buy  of  them.     How  ftrange,    and 
inexcufable  is  it,  that  we  ihould  pay  fo  much  money  every  year  for 
their  horfcs,.  when  thofe  of  our  own  breed  are  fo  incomparably  mora 
beautiful  and  ferviceable!    Great  quantities  of  hoops,  heading,  and. 
fhingles,  might  be  provided  in  the  ifland,   were  proper  methods, 
taken  to  encourage  our  own  fettlers ;  and  indeed  the  ufe  of  fo  dan- 
gerous, and. peri (hable  a  covering,  as  the  Northward  fhingles,  ought. 
to  be  wholly  ptrohibited,   in   prudence  and  wife,  oecononjy;    and^ 
either  the  (hingles  of  Jamaica  wood  fubftituted  in  their  flead,   as 
bj£ing  five  timea  more,  durable  and  fecure;  or  manufadories  of  tilea^ 
fet  on  foot  in  the  ifland,  which  abounds  with  excellent  clays,. adapted 
to  this  work !    But  if  we  muft  have  fliingle  coverings,  thofe  of  our 
own  woods  are  certainly  to  be  preferred  for  their  cheapnefs,  as  they, 
are    fo  much  more  lafling  than  deal  or  pitch  pine.     The  Indian 
corn  might  likewife  be  fpared,  except  in  times  of  unufual  drought,, 
if  due  encouragement,  by  bounty  or.  premium,  was  given,  to  excite 
the  poor  fettlers  to  cultivate  it  largely ;.  and  the  roads  and  coafting 
navigation  improved  and  reg.ulated,   by  fuitable  mea£iires, .  to  facili- 
tate the  carriage  of  it  from  places  in  the  ifland  where  it  is  abun- 
dant, to  thofe  where  it  might  be  fcarce.     Such  prudent  endeavours 
would  fave  many  thoufand  pounds   a  year  to  the  ifland  of  the  money 
expended  in  purchafing  thefe Northward. commodities.     But  it  has 
not  yet  been  properly. attended  to:   how  fmall  a  trad  of  land  em- 
ployed every  year  in  the  culture  of  corn,  is  fufficient  to  ftock  the 
whole  ifland  !     A  horfe  here^  for  example,  confumes  about  twenty 

bufliels 


.54^  JAMAICA. 

buflicls  per  annum :  fuppofing  the  number  of  thefe  animals,  fed  with 
corn,  to  be  about  20,000,  they  require  400,000  bufhels  per  annum. 
We  may  allow  about  25,000  given  to  mules  in  crop  time,  and  hogs, 
ahd  near  as  much  confumed  by  the  Negroes  and  white  inhabitants 
in  difFercnt  preparations,  or  ufed  in  fattening  (heep,  and  poultry ^ 
fo  that,  all  together,  the  expenditure  of  it  may  be  computed  at  about 
/^^ofioohviCtith  per  annum  i  of  which,  if  North  America  feirnifties 
25,000,  the  produce  of  the  ifland  will  appear  about  425,000  bufhe!?, 
;more  or  lefs,  according  as  the  fcafons  are  favourable,  orotherwifc; 
which  (allowing  only  twenty  bufhels  to  one  acre  for  the  double  crop) 
require  no  more  than  2.1,250  acres.  Admitting  this  computation 
^ny  thing  near  the  truth,  we  are  to  infer  from  it,  that  the  em- 
ploying of  only  2000  acres  more,  per  annum,  in  the  culture,  might 
render  an  importation  unneceflary  i  this  however  is  but  an  incon- 
iiderable  article  in  our  dealings  with  the  North  Americans;  and 
feme  perhaj)s  may  think  it  will  be  fufiicient,  if  fuch  a  quantity  be 
annually  cultivated,  as  to  fupply  the  confumption,  fo  far  only  as 
may  ferve  to  keep  down  the  price  of  what  is  imported,  and  prevent 
^any  unufual  exai^tion,  fuch  as  is  apt  to  be  raifed  when  a  fcarcity 
happens ;  however  I  muft  fay,  that,  trifling  as  this  article  of  impoft 
may  appear^  it  is  by  an  accumulation  of  fuch  trifles,  that  the  ifland 
may  be  brought  in  debt;  refembling  the  fituation  of  many  indivi* 
duals,  who,  in  order  to  gratify  unneceflary  or  artificial  wants,  expend 
So  much  of  their  fubflance  as  to  be  very  ill  able  to  pay  for  their 
real  ones. 

A  fcarcity  of  money  in  this  ifland,  among  other  evils,  is  attended 
with  one  which  aflPcds  the  planter  much  more  than  the  reft  of 
the  public,  and  that  is,  the  creating,  and  multiplying  of  law-fuits ; 
for,  as  it  has  been  before  obferved,  the  planter  fs  a  firfl:  fource  of 
it*s  commerce,  and  money  is  neceflary  to  carry  on  that  commerce, 
and  fupport  credit ;  but  if  the  quantum  of  moiley  is  not  proper^ 
tionate  to  the  commerce,  then  credit  muft  fail.  A  want  of  punc- 
tuality  in  payment  difappoints  the  merchant  who  is  his  creditor; 
that  merchant  is  obliged  to  difappoint  another ;  that  other  a  third  ; 
and  fo  on  in  continuance,  till  it  afFedls  every  individual  concerned 
in  the  trade  of  the  country.  Hence  every  creditor,  in  ftriving  to 
obtain  relief^  is  plunged  into  law-fuits.     The  planter^  under  this 

difficulty. 


book:  ii.  chap.  vr.  543 

ififficulty,  thinks  he  has  a  right  to  defend  himfclf  from  the  impa- 
tience and  importunity  of   his  creditor,    and  therefore  leads  him 
through  the  mazes  and  intricacies  of  law,   in  hopes  to  gain  time, 
and  put  off  the  evil  day.     The  confcquence  is,  that,  inftead  of  pay- 
ing his  jufl:  debt,  he  pays,  in  the  end,  almoft  double  what  would 
atfirft  have  been  fufficient  to  have  diicharged  it;,  and  the  creditor 
undergoes  no  little  charge,  and  uneafinefs,  in  purfuing  his  remedy 
through  fo  many  obftacles  and  fo  much  delay •    Difhoneft  men,, 
ttnder  pretence  that  the  fcarcity  afFedls  their  circumftances,.  when 
perhaps  it  does  not,,  take  the  opportunity  of  delaying  and  evading 
their  payments  ;^  and  a  difcovery  of  fuch  deceitful  behaviour  is  apt 
to  incenfe  creditors  againft  thofe  who  really  ftand  in  need  of  their 
indulgence,    but  are  unhappily    deprived    of  it   by  the  fufpicions 
which  the  conduct  of  others  has  occafioned.     This  alfo  may  be  a 
principal   caufe  of  bribery  and  partiality  among  the  officers  em- 
ployed in  executing  judicial  writs^    For* the  diftrefled  planter,  who 
would  fatisfy  his  creditor  if  in  his  power,   but  cannot,   by  reafon  of 
the  fcarcity  of  money,  rather  than  be  deprived  of  his  liberty,  and 
linger  in  a  gaol,  is  drove  to  ufe  every  means  of  avoiding  fo  great  a 
mifery.     It  is  well  known,  that  the  favours  of  fuch  officers,  eQje- 
eially  of  underlings,   are  feldom  obtained  upon  eafy  terms  ^    the 
greater  the  diflrefs,.  the  larger  is  the  exadlion ;  and  the  more  cun- 
ning is  ufed,  to  elude  the  penalties,  which  the  law  inflicts  upon  fuch 
mal-praflices  ;    befides,   the  great  wafte  and  havcek  it  caufes  to 
mens  properties,     who   labour  under  fuch  diftrefs,    is   only  con- 
ceivable by  thcfe  who  fufFer,  and  by  thofe  who  make  them. 

The  following  true  cafe  will  ferve  to  (hew  the  barbarous  tyranny 
which  is  exercifed,  by  thelc  inferior  officers,  over  the  perfons  and 
fortunes  of  poor  debtors.     It  appears  from  the  aflembly   minutes, 
1766,,  that  one  Mofes  Buzaglo  was  indebted  to  Rachael  Azavedo, 
upon  judgement,  in  the  fum  of  504  /.  6  s.  2id.  i    that  a  writ  of 
venditioni  had  been  iflued  againft  him  for  this  debt,  returnable  of 
Auguft  Court  1765  ;  and  that,,  being  unable  to  pay  the  money,  he 
obtained,  from  the  lenity  of  the  plaintiff,   a  further  time  for  pay- 
ment, and  likewife  a  written  order  to  the  officer  to  make  no  levy, 
but  to  return  z  nulla  bona  upon  the  writ..    This  order  the  officer 
complied  with,  as  is  ufual,.  but  demanded   15/.   15^.    being  the 
whole  fees  whicli  would  have  been  due  to  him,  if  the  plaintiff  had 

iniifttd. 


5*44  JAMAICA. 

infifted  upon  execution  of  the  writ ;  and  the  debtor  accordingly 
paid  him  that  fum,  through  fear  perhaps  of  the  confcquence,  if  he 
had  rcfufed.  Another  writ  was  iffued  upon  this  demand,  the  fol- 
lowing year,  and  apparently  for  form  fake  only,  a«  the  debtor  ob- 
tained a  like  order  from  his  merciful  creditor  to  the  deputy  marHia^. 
This  was  a  new  deputy  (for  they  are  frequently  changed),  and  he 
infifted  in  hrs  turn  upon  payment  of  1 6  /.  for  his  fees  j  and  al- 
though the  former  deputy's  receipt  was  produced  to  him,  he  tbreat- 
ned  to  carry  Buzaglo  to  gaol,  unlefs  he  was  likewife  gratified ; 
:and  the  body  of  the  debtor  would  have  been  aSaally  imprifoned  for 
this  iniquitous  demand,  if  he  had  not  redeemed  himfcif  by  deliver- 
ing a  Negroe  to  the  deputy,  to  be  lodged  in^gaol  in  his  ftead,  and 
fold  for  payment  of  thefe  pretended  feee.  The  hardfliip  of  this 
example  will  appear  in  a  ftronger  light,  if  it  is  confidered,  that  the 
•priority  law  of  the  ifland  makes  it  neceflary  for  a  judgement  cre- 
ditor to  fue  out  his  writ  once  a  year  at  leaft,  though  without  inten- 
tion to  diftrefs  his  debtor,  but  only  to  keep  up  his  right  of  priority. 
Thus  the  forbearing  difpofition  of  a  creditor  is  rendered  unbene- 
ficial  to  his  debtor,  fince  every  time  the  writ  is  fued  out  merely  for 
form's  fake,  and  without  impofing  any  a(flual  duty  upon  the  marfhal, 
a  poor  man  is  arbitrarily  forced  to  pay  him  a  fum  of  money  equal 
(as  in  this  cafe)  to  three  per  cent,  upon  the  whole  debt ;  or  in  the 
event  of  inability,  or  refufal,  is  thrown  into  prifon,  contrary  to  the 
creditor's  defire ;  or  compelled  to  furrender  a  confiderable  part  of 
.his  little  property,  to  the  abfolute  difpofal  of  an  unfeeling  officer. 
A  poor  honeft  debtor  therefore,  who  is  juftly  an  object  of  his  credi- 
tor's compafRon,  and  obtains  liis  indulgence  for  five  or  fix  years, 
may  thus  be  forced  to  pay  for  it  near  half  the  amount  of  the  debt  i 
and  to  x^ne  who  is  no  way  entitled  to  demand  or  receive  a  fingle 
ihilling  5  nay,  the  very  property,  which  the  creditor,  through 
motives  of  humanity  or  friendship,  fofbears  to  feizc,  is  unjuftly 
attached  and  difilpated  by  one,  who  is  iio  creditor,  nor  has  any  foun- 
dation for  his  claim,  except  that  of  fraud,  rapine,  and  the  infolence 
of  office.  Is  fuch  a  wretch  lefs  deferving  of  capital  puniftiment 
than  a  common  houfe-breaker  ?  He  is  a  robber  of  the  vileft  ipecies, 
who  degrades  humanity,  and  difhonours  the  dignity  and  equity  of 
executive  juftlce  in  a  free  government,  by  a  conduft  fo  lawlefs  and 

barbarous ; 


BOOK  II.    CHAR  VV  545 

barbarous ;  who  thus  (huts  up  the  avenues  of  lenity^  and  fteals  from  ] 
the  poor  fettler  in  the  colony,  the  hard-earned  fruits  of  induftry. 
It  has  been  computed  by  fome,  that  the  money  expended  in  the 
recovery  of  debts,  and  other  litigated  matters  in  the  courts  of  this  j 
ifland^  amounts  to  80,000  /•  currency  per  annum ;  and  that  the 
procefs  at  law  is  yearly  carried  to  the  utmoft,  for  fo  large  a  fum  as 
160,000/.,  book,  note,  and  bond  debts.  Hence,  the  truft  com* 
mitted  to  a  provofl:  marfhal  and  his  deputies,  appears  to  be  very 
great,  in  having  fo  coniiderable  a  (hare  of  public  property  at  their 
dj(pofal,  in  this  one  branch  of  his  office ;  and  what  ruin  muft  fall 
upon  the  country,  when  that  large  (hare  of  property  is  torn  from 
the  moft  induftrious  of  its  people,  and  difpo(ed  of  at  the  di(cretion 
of  under  officers !  It  is  painful  but  to  think  on  the  miferies  poffibly 
incident  to  fuch  a  (ituation ;  how  much  more  fb  to  behold  daily 
inftances ;  and  ftill  more  intolerably  miferable  to  experience  them ! 
Debtors  and  creditors  may  be  ruined,  with  their  families;  the  firfl:, 
by  their  efFeds  being  fold  for  a  trifle,  and  the  latter  by  lofing  the 
greater  part,  if  not  all  their  debt,  as  the  amount  of  that  trifling 
fale  may  be  fwallowed  up  in  fees  and  extortion.  With  a  cunning 
and  addrefs  capable  of  evading  the  penalties  of  the  law,  and  a  hardi- 
nefs  to  attempt  and  perpetrate  every  villainy  that  fuch  diftreflfes  give 
opportunity  to  ad,  what  vafl:  riches  may  not  an  under  officer 
amafs  to  himfelf,  and  in  how  (hort  a  time !  May  not  Negroes^ 
and  other  efFefts,  be  feized  and  fet  up  to  fale,  in  fuch  a  manner  as 
to  conform  to  the  letter,  though  not  the  intentions,  of  the  law,  and 
fold  for  one  half,  nay  a  quarter,  of  their  real  value ;  and  be  pur- 
chafed  at  that  rate  by  the  officer,  or  his  accomplices,  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  difpofed  of  again  before  night,  with  a  gain  of  four  times 
the  fum  he  paid  for  them ;  and  the  money  for  which  thefe  effeds 
were  firfl  fold,  not  paid  to  the  proper  creditor,  but  to  that  creditor 
who  gave  the  largeft  bribe,  perhaps  one  half,  to  get  the  other  half? 
In  this  way,  it  is  not  difficult  to  account  how  an  under  officer  may 
acquire  a  large  fortune  in  a  few  years,  who  on  his  entrance  into 
office  was  worth  lefs  than  nothing.  If  a  provoft  marfhal  fhould 
join  with,  and  abet  his  deputies  in  fuch  fcenes  of  malpradice,  and 
if  he  has  a  command  of  money,  he  may  in  one  year,  with  lo^oo^/^. 
Vol*  L  4  a  poflcis 


54$  Jamaica. 

poffefs  himfelf  of  20,000  /• ;  and  during  the  term  of  renting  his 
office,  which  is  ufually  from  three  to  five  years,  he  may  amafs 
from  50  to  80,.  or  even  90,000/.     Where  there  is  a  poffibility 
of  fuch  abufes  happening,  it  requires  great  precaution,  and  very  ftrifk 
and  wife  laws  tii  prevent  them.     If  it  be  rephed,  that  nothing  of 
this  fort  has  <)ften  happened  hitherto ;   I  anfwer,  we  muft  attribute 
it  to  the  integrity  of  the  officers,  who  have  been  employe^  that 
they  havie  continued  uncorrupt  amid  fo  many  temptations;   and 
fuch  integrity,  whenever  we  meet  with  it,  deferves  our  praife  and 
lefpeft.     B^t  as  there  is  no  certainty  of  always  having  fuch  honeft 
officers,  it  v^iU  be  prudent  to  endeavour,  by  effe&ml  laws,  to  dif« 
courage  fuch  exorbitancies,  rather  than  rely  on  the  cafual  founds 
nefs  of  any  officer*s  heart,  fubjed  as  they  are'  to  human  frailty, 
and  befet  with  tlie  allurements  of  profit,  opulence,  and  impunity* 
That  the  laws  hitherto  attempted  to  be  paiTed,  for  this  good  end, 
have  failed,  is  to  be  wholly  imputed  to  the  prevailing  influence  of 
the  patentees  and  tlieir  friends,  and  to  fome  unfori!imate  mtfappre* 
henfions  at'  the  board  of  trade,  where  perhaps  it  was  never  ferioufly 
and  fufficiently  enough  confidered,   how  much  the  proiperlty  of 
this  colony,  and  the  advantage  to  be  derived  from  it  to  the  mother 
country,  are  depending  on  a  proper  regulation  of  this  fingle  office  i 
nor  how  little  the  narrow  interefted  views  of  one  or  two  indivi*^ 
duals  ought  to  w^igh  in  competition  with  the  welfare  of  a  whole 
community.     The  inhabitants,  difheartened  by  the  repeatedly  fuc« 
cefsful  oppofition  made  againft  them,   have  almoft  given  up  the 
ilruggle ;  and  patiently  have  feen  abufes  ravaging  every  part  of  the 
ifland,  without  any  hope  of  fpeedy  redrefs,  except  by  the  miracu- 
lous interpofition  of  divine  Providence.     Were  eftates  to  be  fold 
here  as  they  are  in  Great*Britain,  and  the  lands  made  extendible 
for  payment  of  debts,  the  fortune  of  a  debtor  would  reach  n^uch 
further  in  fatisfa^ion  of  his  creditors.     It  is  true,  a  law  was  pafTed 
here,  in  1752,  fi^r  this  purpofe ;  and  an  ad  of  parliament  (5  Gea  II.) 
likewife  tends  to  make  lands  in  the  colonies  equally  liable  with 
]>erfonat  aiTets ;  but  neither  of  thefe  laws  have  carried  any  efie£tLve 
operation,  for  want  of  a  proper  form  of  an  extent  wriL     And  if 
(for  example)  a  debtor  has,  in  the  courfe  of  his  life,  i^nt  all  his 
perfonal  eftate,  and  that  after  his  death  his  heir  at  law  fhould  enter 

4  vpon^ 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.   VL  sif 

upon^  and  fell  his  lands,  the  creditors  upon  jodgemeot  have  undef 
thefe  laws  no  remedy;  they  cannot  lay  an  extent  upon  the  lands 
under  a.  new  purchafer^  and  muA  lofe  their  debt  i  ut  le4^  it  has 
been  Jo  dfiterminid  in  the  courts  at  "Jamaica^  Such  extents  as  have 
been  tried  here  have  ufually  miicarried  at  law,  through  their 
imperfe^tiotiSf  which  one  ihould  fuppofe  might  very  eafily  bq 
cured  in  a  new  ad  of  aflembly. 

To  anfwer  the  objedions  urged  againft  tnaking  lands  extendible 
for  bond  and  (imple  ccmtraf);  debts,  as  ftreogtheniug  the  h^nds 
of  opprefiiony  by  iuvefting  the  creditor  with  too  much  power,  t^ 
the  injury  of  the  debtor;  to  prevent  fuch  an  ill  confequence,  and 
fix  a  jufl  balance  of  relief  between  debtor  and  creditor^  it  jnay  be 
propoied,  that  the  creditor  (hall  not  be  at  liberty  to  extend  th^ 
eftat<  of  a  planter  debtor,  where  the  real  value  thereof  appears  to  a^ 
mount  to, one  half  more  than  t;he  amount  of  his  debts:  this  value. to 
be  enquired  (^  by  a  jury,  and  taken  upon  oatJii,  m  cafe  of  fuch  debtor'^ 
being  fuedy  and  of  a  ntdla  bona  being  returned  upon  the  writ  of  vindi^ 
tlfinl.  And  where  the  debt  amounts  to  more  than  one  half  the  v^lue 
of  the  laod»  that  then  his  efiate  fhall  be  ooqimdtted  in  trufl,  aftepthf 
meaner  (dropoled  in  the  former  part  of  this  work»  and  Aibje£):|  ;if 
tboi^t  advifeaUe^  to  the  further  limitation^  that  if  thctruft  ^flat^ 
0iould  not  clear  off  the  debts  within  a  certain  number  of  years  (acr 
corduig  to  circumftances),  it  fhould  then  be  fold  |br .  paymeitf  of  them, 
and  the  overplus  bepsud  to  the  proprietor;  Spme  law  to  th^s  effe^ 
would  preferve  many  planters  and  their  families  from  ruin ;  it  would 
make  them  more  cautious  oH  contradtng  debts,  and  more  tbought&i^ 
about  difcbarging  them ;  their  fortunes  would  go  much  further  than  ajt 
prefent  towards  paying  their  debts,  becaufe  they  would  not  be  ex- 
haufied  in  fees,  bribes,  law-charges,  and  fraudulent  fales;  and  the  fair 
creditors  would  be  univerfaOy  benefited^  by  having  a  better  and  more 
certain  fecurity  for  their  demands,  accompanied  with  far  lefis .  delay, 
and  with  none  of  that  fatigue,  anxiety,  and  expence,  which  are  beoopi^ 
fo  heavy  a  grievance  to  them  under  the  prefent  mode  of  recovery.       ^ 

It  i$»  I  bdleve,  too  true^  that,  numerous  as  the  diftrefles  are  which  at« 
tend  the  want  of  money,  and  particularly  in  the  cpprcifive  manner  i(i 
which,  by  reafon  of  a  fcarcity  of  it,  the  merchants  of  the  iflahd  may 
be  driven  to  piofecute  the  recovery  of  their  demands,  the  heavie^ 

4  A  2  weight 


548  JAMAICA. 

weight  of  the  calamity  falls  upon  thofe  who  are  leafl:  able  to  fupport  it. 
The  rich  planters  can,  in  fome  meafure,  fave  and  affift  them£blves,  by 
conciliating  the  friendlhip  of  fbme  merchant  in  Britain,  and  thus  ex* 
tricate  their  affairs  out  of  the  hands  of  their  Jamaica  creditors;  but  the 
poorer  planters  almoft  generally,  for  want  of  having  importance 
enough  to  treat  with  any  eftabliflied  houfe  of  note  in  Great  Britain^ 
are  obliged  to  deal  entirely  with  merchants  refiding  in  Jamaica; 
whence,  as  they  are  impofed  upon  with  higher  prices  for  every  article 
of  fupply  they  have  occaiion  for,  fo  tliey  often  are  liable  to  make  a 
wrong  choice  of  nien  1  and  what  by  the  knavifh  extortions  of  their 
creditors^  and  the  rapacity  of  the  officers  employed  to  feize  their  ef- 
feds  for  debt,  it  feems  almofl:  a  wonder,  tbat  any  of  them  (ho^ld  es- 
cape from  ruin;  more  Specially,  when  the  circumftances  of  the  coun* 
try  are  fuch,  as  that  the  utmoft  feverities  in  exacting  payment  daim 
fome  colour  of  juftification  from  the  neccffity  of  the  creditor,  whofe 
charity  moft  commonly  begins  at  home.  This  (hews,  therefore,  the 
expediency  of  reforming  the  credit  laws,  and  controuKng  the  means  of 
recovering  debts  in  this  colony,  fo  that  the  poorer  fettler  may  derive 
that  protedtion  from  their  falutary  provifions,  which  he  is  unable  to 
obtain  by  having  recourie,  as  the  rich  planter  may,  to  the  Britifll  mer* 
chant;  and,  as  I  would  omit  nothing  in  my  power  conducive  to  the 
growth  and  profperity  of  this  colony,  I  propofe,  in  the  fequel,  £o  give 
a  few  admonitions  to  thefe  friendlefs,  but  ufeful  body  of  men,  from 
which  I  may  hope  they  will  draw  advantage  in  their  future  dealings ; 
but  I  (hall  firft  fky  fomething  on  the  means  of  remedying  a  icarcity 
of  money  in  this  ifland,  which  is  an  evil  that  extends  its  mifchief  to  all 
ranks,  the  rich  as  weU  as  the  poor,  the  merchant,  the  planter,  and  the 
Negroe  labourer. 

SEC  T.      11. 

A  reftraint  laid  upon  the  importation  of  mules,  faorfes,  and  horned 
cattle  (except  heifers),  would  be  one  means  of  keeping  fcveral  thou- 
iand  pounds  of  the  money,  which,  for  want  of  fuch  a  check,  is  now 
carried  out  of  the  ifland  for  purchafing  thefe  articles.  Inftead  of  i/w- 
portingj  the  penn-keepers  and  fettlers  flrould  be  encouraged  by  every 
proper  method  to  breed  them.  The  merchants  here  do  great  fervicc 
to  dxe  country,  fo  long  as  they  export  the  manufaftures  and  produce 

of 


B  O  O  K  11.    C  H  A  P.  VI.  549 

of  it,  to  gain  thofe  things^  in  return,  which  are  neccflary  to  it,  and 
could  not  any  otherwife  be  obtained;  but  they  cannot  be  too  ftri£Hy 
withheld  from  lending  away  its  coin,  to  bring  in  thofe  very  imple- 
ments of  agriculture,  which  the  ifland  itfelf  is  capable  of  fumifhing. 
The  mifchief  indeed  lies  chiefly  with  the  men  of  landed  property;  for 
the  merchants  feem  rather  their  mediate  agents  employed  to  procure 
thofe  things  from  abroad,  which,  if  the  planters  were  wife,  they  might 
have  full  as  cheap,  and  much  Better,  at  home.  Mules  coft  at  the 
Spaniih  Main  from  lo/.  to  12/. /^r  head.  If  the  Dutch  at  Guracoa 
purchafe  and  fhip  them  to  Jamaica>  they  feldom  will  take  any  thing' 
except  cafli  in  payment,  and  fell  them  at  18/.  or  20 1,  per  head;  fo 
that  they  gain  nearly  cent,  per  cent,  on  the  confumers.  If  they  were 
all  imported  in  Britifh  bottoms,  the  evil,  upon  the  whole,  would  be 
fbmewhat  leflened;  yet,  after  all,  the  advantages  to  be  reaped  from  this'  • 
trade,  in  point  of  (hipping,  are  too  diminutive  to  merit  much  attention; 
for  the  burthen  of  the  veffels,  employed  in  it,  would  be  fo  fmall,  as  to 
add  but  very  little  to  the  Britifli  tonnage,  and  they  are  for  the  moft 
part  manned  with  Negroes  and  Mulattoes.  This  trade  drains  away 
much  of.  the  old  hammered  fUver,  and  the  milled  ryals;  and  indeed  - 
renders  them  fo  fcarce,  that  it  is  to  be  feared,  the  want  of  them  inuft 
fbmc  time  or  other  prove  very  diftrefsful  to  the  Negroes,  who  would 
fall  into  a  miferable  ftate,  if  ever  the  ifland  fliould  be  deprived  of  fmall 
filver.  In  refpeft  to  the  traffick  carried  on  with  the  Northern  colo- 
nies, a  prudent  and  vigorous  exertion  of  indiiftry,  to  fupply  within  the 
ifland  many  of  the  enumerated  articles  that  are  now  imported  from 
them^-  mu ft  naturally  tend  to  keeji  that  money  in  the  ifland  which  is 
now  fuffered  to  go  out  of  it  in  payment  of  a  balance  to  ttiofe  colonies. 
This  being  the  capitalmifchief,  no  means  fliould  be  neglefted  to  coun- 
tera£t  it,  whether  by  leflening  the  importation  of  fomc  articles  by  our 
native  produ6ts^  or  importing  odiers  from  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 
But  here  it  is'  neceflary^to  fay,  that  thefe  kingdoms  fliould  co-operate 
fo  far  as  not  tb  burthen  the  articles,  which'  the  planters  want,,  with 
duties,  fo  as  to  makr  them  come  at  an  exorbitant-price  to  the  planters,  • 
and  force  them  to  deal  with  the  North  Americans  in  preference.  This 
was  the  cafe  in  regard  to  Irifl\  beef  and  herrings,  which  in  1765  were 
raifed  confiderably,  occafioned  by  a  duty  laid  by  the  Irifli  parliament 
,upon  their  exportation.     The  duty  on  herrings  was  js.  per  barrel, 

which 


S50  JAMAICA. 

which  brought  them  to  the  price  of  32/.  In  1766,  this  duty  being 
taken  ofT,  their  herrings  immediately  fell  to  23^.  The  duty  on  beef 
exported  was^  and  ftill,  I  believe,  continues,  with  the  charges,  at  about 
IS.  ^d.  per  barrel;  and  if  this  was  taken  off,  the  price  would  probably 
£all  to  73<r«;  and,  with  the  additional  charges  of  (hipping  and  freight, 
would  even  then  come  to  the  planters  at  above  6 1/.  a  pound  currency, 
which  is  the  price  of  fre(h  beef  in  the  country  parts  of  Jamaica.  But, 
with  the  duty  and  charges,  it  cofts  them  9  d.  per  pound ;  which  is 
doubtlefs  no  encouragement  to  the  planter  to  buy  Irifli  beef,  when  he 
can  get  the  beil  North  American,  or  even  frefh  Jamaica  beef,  fo  much 
.cheaper  [c\.  Other  countries,  in  order  to  extend  and  efiaUifh  their 
fiaple  manufactures,  ufually  grant  bounties  upon  their  exportation, 
and  only  lay  duties  upon  what  they  import  from  other  ftates,  and  that 
are  not  neceflary  to  carry  on  thofe  inanufad^ires ;  but  Ireland  runs 
counter  to  this  well-known  principle  of  commerce,  and  in  this  inftance 
has  done  the  very  reverfe,  by  taxing  her  exported  flaple;  which  Is 
much  the  fame,  as  if  the  Britiih  parliament  fliould  irapofe  duties  upon 
iBritiih  fabrics  of  wool,  leather,  and  iron,  exported  from  Britain.  In* 
;deed  1  mud  iay,  that  the  late  impoiitions  upon  glafs  ware,  paints,  and 
paper,  on  exportation  to  our  colonies,  comes  very  home  to  the  exam- 
pie*  But  if  their  revenue  gained  fome  temporary  benefit  from  this 
'incomprehenfible  flroke  of  policy,  I  am  perfuaded  they  will  be  no 
great  gainers  by  it  in  the  end ;  fince  it  was  this  meafure  firft  put  the 
North  Americans  upon  entering  largely  into  the  exportation  of  falted 
beef.  Vaft  tra£ts  of  their  tobacco  land  have  been  converted  into  pa£^ 
tures;  and  although  they  have  not  yet  attained  to  equal  perfedion  with 
the  Irifh  in  the  art  of  curing  it,  there  is  no  doubt  but  they  will  daily 
improve.  The  demand  for  it  in  our  own,  as  well  as  the  French  Weft- 
India  iflands,  is  already  very  confiderable,  and  may  probably  increafe 
every  year,  till  this  article  of  their  export  becomes  of  fo  marketable  a 
quality,  and  fo  well  eftablifhed,  that  no  Irifh  beef  may  be  &nt  fon 
I  have  fcen  fome  North  American  mefs  beef  of  fo  fine  a  quality,  and 

[c]  Dudes  on  the  following  exports  bom  Irdand  to  the  cobniea  are  novr»  as  I  am  toformed,  as 
IqUows  :  i.    d* 

Beef,  per  barret,  t 

Pork,    ditsOf  1 


Butter,  per  cwt*  x 

Herrings,  far  banti,  i 


BOOK  H.    CHAP.  VL  551 

fo  well  prepared,  as  to  iliew,  tibat  tbe  art  of  managing  i^ig  very  «vcll 
under(lood  in  feme  parts  of  that  continent.  What  ho^^ever  comes 
from  tfaem.  in  general^  to  the  Weft-India  market,  is  coarfe,  Uack,  and 
jSrach  inferior  to  the  Iriih;  but  as  they  afford  to  export  it  at  18  a  to 
20  X.  fierlmg  a  barrel  prime  coft,  which  is  by  30  «r.  cheaper  than  the 
Irifli,  this  cheapnefs  is  thought  to  make  fome  amends  for  the  infe« 
riority  of  quality,  fince  five  barrels  of  it  may  be  had  for  the  price  of 
two  Iriih*,  Practice,  and  an  increaiing  demand,  may  in  time  bring 
^is  manufadure  to  maturity  among  them,  and  then  the  Irifli  will  find 
their  error  y  for  it  is  not  diffieult  to  fuppoie,  that  the  North  Ameri- 
cans (fo  conreniently  fituated  as  they  are  for  (applying  the  Weil- 
India  iflanik,  and  devoting  their  thoughts  ta  make  this  <one  of  their 
prindpal.  ihiples)  may  come  to  exclude  the  Irifh  wholly  from  thefb. 
siiari:ets..  The  favings,  which  I  fuppoie  it  poifible  to  make,  of . the. 
North  American  imports,  are; 

I  ft.  By  import  from  Britain  and  Ireland;  £. 

Beef  and  ]^rk,  one  half,  or  — ..  ifjOooj 

Fifh,  one  half,        —         ^ ^3^75^ 

Soap  and  candles,.  ■    ■-  ■  ■ »      -  ^#500^ 

Ponchepn  ftaves  and  heading, ,  ~—  1 5,000 

Hoops,  -.-P—  -M— ,  — —  x^ooo 

Articles  of  provifion  and  luxuries,  '■  ■  ■"-  9,000 


ad.  By  encouraging  the  fettlements  in  Jamaica, 
and  other.  intemaLregulations,  to  fave,  in  the 

articles  of  beef  and  pork,  by  firefti  beef  and  £. 

hog*s  flefli,  one  half,  or             •^—  1 5iOOO 

Corn,            -—            ~            -—  4>375 

XiampoiU        — —            "^  ""'■■••           — •  ijS^^ 

Horfes,            ~ --^  2.25^ 

Hogfhead.flaves  and  heading, ,            -.••^  10,000 

Hoops,            —           —           — t^  i,ooo 

Shingles, 4f5«> 

Liveftock,         — -           — ^          25^ 


56,250, 


38»«75 


The 


551  JAMAICA. 

The  prcfcnt  Imports  from  North  America  being '  jC* 

fuppcfed  about                —                    —  ^^2y^7S 

Deduft  the  above  fum  of        — —                     —  95^^^5 

Remains,  J[.     87,94a 

The  prcfent  exports  thither  being  fuppofed  about  1 19^625 

:Dedud  the  above  fum  of  ——  87,940 

Remains,      J[.     31 9685 

.     It  appears  then  from  this  fcheme»  that  we  (hould  pay  for  all  necef- 
fary  North  American  commodities  with  produce  of  theifland;  and» 
inftead  of  becoming  indebted  to  them  a  balance  to  be  paid  in  iilver, 
:there  would  be  a  balance  coming  to  us  of  31,685/*     But,  without 
xarrying  our  ideas  fo  far,  fuppofe  we  (hould  trade  with  them  only 
upon  even  terms,  or  nearly  fo;  this  is  all  we  can  defire,  and  it  b  all 
that  is  wanted  to  ftop  the  emigration  of  our  ^Iver.     The  ^additional 
imports  firom  Britain  and  Ireland,  being  |>aid  ibr  in  produce,  would 
take  no  mpney  from  us.    By  a  fteady  .perfe verance  in  the  plan  of  re- 
jecting (as  far  as  we  ace  able)  thofe  articles  which  the  Northward 
traders  bring  us,  and  which  the  ifland  itfelf  is  fo  capable  of  fumifluqg 
in  large  quantities,  we  fhould  keep  near  4  0,000 A  a  year  in  it,  which 
otherwife  would  be  fent  out^  of  it;  and  ithls  fum,  inftead  of  going  to 
-enrich  and  ftrengthen  the  French  colonies,  would  remain  to  circulate 
in  Jamaica,  to  the  vaft  improvement  of  its  fettlements,  and  the  un- 
fpeakable  advantage  both    of  its  external  and  internal  commerce; 
Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  we  might  reafonably  expeft  to  keep  up  a 
fufficient  fiock  of  circulating  coin,  unlefs,  by  any  fudden  difafter,  the 
North  AQierican  imports  (hould  at  any  time  happen  to  advance  be* 
yond  their  natural  limits,  fo  as  to  bring  a  balance  once  more  againft 
us;  but  as  far  as  human  wifdom,  the  protedion  of  Britain,  and  our 
own  unabated  attention  to  our  true  interefi,  could  prevent  or  retard 
it,  we  might  hope  to  throw  fuch  an  event  at  too  great  a  diftance  to 
excite  apprehenfions.     Nor  ought  the  North  AraLericans  to  condemn 
the  people  of  Jamaica,  if  they  fhould  fteadily  purfue  fuch  meafures  and 
.regulations  in  their  commerce,  which  appear  eilential  to  their  own  fe- 
curity  and  well-being;  for  I  am  certain,  that  no  North  American 
merchant,  if  he  is  a  good  fubjed,  will  take  upon  him  to  juftify  the 

fmuggling 


BOOK   U.    CHAP.  VI.  .  S53. 

fmuggllng^  traffic,  which  his  brethren  carry  on  with  Hifpaniolai  fo 
much  to  the  detriment  of  the  Britifh  iflands ;  or  blame  the  people  of 
Jamaica,  for  adopting  fuch  maxims  of  policy,  to  favc  themfelves  from 
diftrefs,  which  the  conflant  example  of  other  trading  communities  dic- 
tates; and  which  the  North  Americans  themfelves  would  be  very  wil- 
ling to  praftife,  (if  they  could)  in  their  intercourfe  with  G;^eat  Britain. 
All  wife  governments,  which  have  laid  reftrifUons  upon  the  export  of 
money,  have  done  fo,  that  the  fubjeft,  when  he  goes  to  foreign  mar- 
kets for  articles  of  importation,  might  not  run  to  the  coin,  inftead  of 
carrying  thither  the  produft  and  manufaftures  of  the  country. 

Since  the  export  of  coin  and  bullion,  for  purchafing  foreign  commo- 
dities, is  a  great  and  manifeft  hurt  to;  the  domeftic  induftry  of  any 
ftate ;  fuch  governments  therefore  prohibit  the  importation  of  foreign 
manufaftures,  and  import  nothing  but  what  Is  abfblutely  neceflary  for 
fubfiftence,  and  carrying  on  the  home  manufafture.     Thus,  Henry 
tht  Vllth,  of  England,  eftablifhed  very  fevere  laws  againft  the  expor- 
tation of  bullion;  and  obliged  the  merchants  who  imported  foreign 
commodities  into  his  dominions,  to  inveft  their  returns  in  the  natui^al 
produce  of  England,  which  confided  principally  of  wool  and  corn: 
had  not  the  king  taken  thefe  meafures,  the  whole  money  of  the  nation 
would  have  been  exported,  and  the  fuperfluous  natural  produce  of 
England  would  have  lain  upon  hand.    It  would  not  operate  to  the 
fame  end,  if  we  (hbuld  abfolutely  prohibit  the  exportation  of  coin  in 
exchange  for  North  American  produdtions.     Such  a  prohibition,    I 
think,  could  never  be  effeftual,  fo  long  as  the  balance  of  that  trade  is 
againft  us ;  for  this  muft  be  paid  in  coin,  bullion,  or  bills  of  exchange, 
at  the  option  of  the  North  American  creditors,  who  have  many  other 
markets  to  refort  to  for  fugar  and  rum;  confeqxiently,  are  not  obliged 
to  come  to  Jamaica  for  theftr  articles,  or  elfe  go  without  them ;  and 
who  would  certainly  take  lefs  of  them  after  fuch  a  prohibition:  the 
truth  is,  they  can  do  without  us,  whereas  we  cannot  wholly  do  with- 
out them.     So,  if  we  were  to  tax  their  commodities  upon  importa- 
tion, they  would  not  be  hurt  by  it:  the  planters  of  Jamaica  would 
pay  the  tax  ;  but  the  North  Americans  perhaps,  in  return,  might  lay 
exclufive  taxes  upon  Jamaica  produce,  imported  into  their  country; 
which  would  render  our  condition  fo  much  worfe,  as  it  muft  necbfi&- 
rily  depreciate  the  ftaples  of  the  ifland  at  their  market^  and  occafion 
Vol.  L  '  4  B  more 


5^4  JAMAICA. 

niore  money  and  Icis  produce  to  be  exported  from  Jamaica,  to  pay  for 
North  American  commodities. 

The  great  objeft,  therefore,  is  to  get  the  balance  on  the  right  fide  ; 
our  produce  will, then  pay  for  all  that  we  import,  and  our  coin  will 
flay  in  the  ifland.  Now,  although  we  are  very  able  to  fupply  (hin- 
gles,  hoops,,  hogfhead  ftaves,  and  heading,  from  our  own  woods  ;  but 
neverthelefs  pay.  to  the  North  Americans  all  the  emoluments  of  ma- 
nufafturing  theirs,  together  with  freight,  &c.i  yet,  perhaps  ourfcttlers 
in  general  would  not  willingly  enter  into  this  kind  of  manufadure^ 
without  r3ifing  the  price  fo  high  at  firft,  as  greatly  to  difcourage  the 
plantei:s  from  dealing  withthepi;  at  the  fame  time,  therefore,  that  ever}r 
juA  encouragement  is  given  to  induce  their  going  largely  upon  the  ma« 
iiiifa£ture,the  prices  ought  to  be  fixed  and  limited  by  law,  upon  an  equi- 
table rate,  according  to  the  different  fpecies  of  wood ;  and  all  other 
proper  regidations  fhould  be  enabled  in  regard  to  dimenfions  and 
thicknefs.  Until  fo  defireable  an  event  can  be  brought  about,  the 
jdanters  may  remedy  the  evil  in  fome  degree  for  the  prefent^  by  unit^ 
ing  together,  and  impc^ng  annually  thofe  needful  articles  of  fupply, 
which  are  neither  to  be  obtained  within  the  ifland,  nor  in  tbemother 
country,  in  fome  of  the  fhips  which  come  every  year  to  load.  In. 
confequence  of  the  decay  of  our  foreign  trade,  many  of  thefe  fhips^ 
arrive  in  ballafl:,  and  others  with  very  little  freight ;  a  certain  number 
ef  them  might  be  engaged  to  touch  at  North  America,  to  take  in  the 
fupplies  principally  wanted  ;  and  the  planters,  by  thus  procuring  thefe 
commodities  at  the  firfl  hand,  would  be  flocked  at  a  cheaper  rate^ 
better  in  quality^  and  in  a  regular  eflabliihed  mode ;  tfie  goods  would 
be  paid  for  by  bills  on  Great  Britain^  who  would  become  a  confider- 
able  gainer  in  the  article  of  freight,  and  Jamaica  would  of  courfe  ex- 
port  far  lefs  of  its  coin.  The  balance  of  the  North  American  trade 
being  in  favour  of  Britain,  bills  of  exchange  upon  the  Britifh  merchants 
would  be  the  fame  at  New  York,  Bofion,  Philadelphia,  and  other  of 
their  trading  towns,  as  fo  much  cafh  ;  becaufe  fuch  bills  will  buy 
equal  value  of  their  current  money,  and  fometimes  are  above  par : 
but  the  North  American  fupercargoes,  who  bring  gooda  to  the  Ja- 
maica market,  do  not  want  bills  of  exchange ;  coin  and  bullion  an- 
fwer  much  better  in  gaining  advantageous  bargains  at  Hifpaniola, 
where  ready  money  will  always  tempt  the  French  planters  to  fell 

their 


B  O  0  IC    IL    C  «  A  P.    VL 

their  produce  at  a  very  cheap  rate.  Befides^  as  bulHoii  is  ft^genenl 
dearer  in  Greaft  Britain  than  in  France,  it  muft  form  a  valuable  arti- 
cle of  export  from  Hifpaniola  to  France^  who  is  evidently  able  to 
make  prodigious  advantage  of  it  in  her  general  trade  with  Britain^  It 
is  no  wonder,  therefore,  that  the  French  merchants,  in  their  colony, 
(hould  collect  as  much  as  they  poffibly  can  for  exportation  to  Europe ; 
nor  that  they  (hould  draw  it  in  fuch  large  fums  from  the  North  Ame« 
ricans ;  fince  the  articles  of  Hifpaniola  produce  are  at  all  times  to  Ifo 
obtained  much  cheaper  in  that  ifland  than  iimilar  produce  can  be  got 
in  Jamaica*  In  the  former  iflknd  they  have  more  middling  and  pet^y 
fettlers,  who  never  export ;  and,  being  le&  loaded  with  taxes,  and 
high  prices  of  their  European  necefiaries,  than  our  pknters,  can  afford 
of  courfe  to  {ell  their  fugalrs  and  melafies  at  a  cheaper  rate.  .  I  am  well 
convinced,  and,  I  think,  the  gentlemen  of  the  ifland  will,  upon  reflex^ 
ion,  be  equally  fo,  that  no  means  tliey  can  ufe  will  keep  their  money 
within  the  ifland,  (6  long  as  tlie  balance  of  their  commerce  with  North 
America  is  on  the  wrong  fide.  While  the  aflientoes  with  the  Spaniards 
fubfifted,  money  and  bullion  poured  in  upon  the  ifland  in  fuch  plenty^ 
that  the  balance  was  eafily  pdtd,  withdut  any  (perceptible  diminution 
of  the  current  coin;  and  therefore  no  enquiry  wsfe^ver  made  into  the 
ftate  of  the  trade  carried  on  with  the  North  Americans  i  unfortunately^ 
as  I  have  before  remarked,  the  balance  has  fince  hcen  increafing  in 
proportion  as  the  ability  to  find  mcme^y  for  it  has  decreafed.  Does  not 
prudence  therefore  require,  that  the  Afiembly  (hould  now  examine 
into  the  circumftances  of  this  trade,  with  the  utmofl:  accuracy,  every 
year,  by  ordering  an  exaft  account  of  exfxnts  and  imports  to  be  r(^*« 
larly  laid  before  them,  and  eftimating  the  valu6  of  both,  according  to 
the  b^  informations  in  their  power  to  obtain  ?  If  then  they  flic^d 
perceive  the  balance  to  be,  as  is  fuppo/ed,  very  largely  again/l  the 
ifland,  they  will  have  diibovered  one  genuine  four(:e  of  the  evil;  and 
the  next  ftep  muft  be  to  leifen,  if  they  cannot  wholly  remove,  it. 

SECT        IIL 

IN  i68f ,  an  a£^  of  this  ifland  fixed  the  intereft  of  money  hei>S'at 
lo/.  per  cent.  In  1739,  it  veas  reduced  to  8/.;  artd,  in '1^5^, -to  6/* 
on  Jamaica  loans  ;  and  by  the  fame  authofrity  raHcd  to  5  /.  per  cenu 
00  BritUh  loans.    The  foundation  of  this  latter,  Wbkh  is  called  4he 

4B  2  Credit 


Ss6  '  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

*  Credit  ASij  vl'as  tipon  this  principle,  viz.  "  That  sLper  cent,  on  Briti(h 
«*  loans  is  the  natural  intereftof  money;*'  becaufe,  it  was  found,  at 
that  time,  "  that  the  planters  could  freely  borrow  money  of  the  Britt(h 
*'  merchants  at  that  rateJ^  But  the  late  war,  the  loans  to  government, 
the  great  annual  fums  paid  to  foreigners  for  their  (hare  of  the  national 
debt,  the  vaft  itrides  diflipation  and  expenfive  living  have  made  in 
the  mother  country,  the  great  advanced  value  of  lands,  and,  infliort,  of 
the  whole  ftock  of 'conventional  property  in  the  nation,  together  with 
the  encreafed  demand  for  iilver  in  the  Eaft  India  commerce,  and  to  pay 
balances  again  ft  the  nation  in  her  dealings  with  foreign  countiies,  have 
generated  fuch  an  extenfive  employment  for  the  mercantile  hoards,  as 
to  deftroy  the  bafis  of  that  principle  :  in  fliort,  it  no  longer  exifts  ; 
and  this  has  lately  been  made  more  publickly  apparent,  by  the  argu- 
ments brought  in  fupport  of  a  bill,  for  enabling  the  Wefi:  India 
proprietors  to  borrow  money  of  the  Dutch  at  5/.  per  cent,  which 
fhews,  that  there  is  not  a  fufficient  temptation  to  induce  the  Britilh 
merchants  to  fumifh  thefe  colonics  with  the  loans  they  require,  at  the 
accuftomed  rate  of  intereft ;  for  otherwife  it  would  be  needleis  to  have 
rccourfe  to  foreign  money- holders.  The  money-holders  of  Great  Bri- 
tain find  a  thoufand  ways  of  gaining  5  /.  per  cent,  within  the  kingdom. 

<  Even  the  commiffioners  of  many  turnpikes  have  giveii  this,  to  procure 
money  j  and  feldom  any  can  be  borrowed  here  from  a  merchant,  even 
upon  mortgages  aa  good  landed  fecurity,  for  lefs.  Whilft  money 
could  freely  be  come  at,  on  payment  of  4A  per  cent,  it  snfwered  a 
merchant's  purpofe  extremely  well  to  borrow,  in  order  to  fupply  his 

-  Weft  India  correfpondent,  by  which  he  fecured  the  benefit  of  a  con- 
fignment,  and  cleared  i  /•  per  cent,  on  the  article  of  intereft  ;  for  he 

'  borrowed  at  4/.  and  received  payment  from  his  correfpondent  at  5/. 
But  it  is  plain,  this  fpeculative  trading  on  borrowed  money  has  been 
overdone  ;  and  the  recent  examples  of  bankruptcy  among  fome  Weft 
India  merchants,  muft  neceftarily  render  the  monied  men  extremely 
cautious  how  they  truft  their  principal  on  fuch  infecure  bottoms.  In 
refped  to  the  opulent  and  well-eftabliflied  merchants,  it  is  evident^ 
that,  whilft  opportunities  offer  of  gaining  as  much  by  putting  out 
their  money  at  home,  as  they  could  gain  by  (ending  it  abroad^ 
they  will  rather  chufeto  employ  it  at  home*  It  may  defer ve  atten- 
tion therefore,  whether  raiiing  the  intereft  upon  Britifli  loans  to  6  /•  per 

4  cent. 


BOOK   11.    CHAR    VI.  sS7 

cent^  may  not  operate  to  draw  the  knot  tighter  with  the  Britifh  mer- 
chants, fave  the  planters  from  a  tribe  of  villainous  men  in  Jamaica, 
and  put  the  ifland  into  a  more  flourifliing  condition  ?  and  whether 
this  augmentation  may  not  acquire  them  a  preference  in  loans  beyond 
the  other  illands  ?  I  may  aflc  any  difpaffionate  planter,  who  has  dif- 
charged  debts  on  bond,  and  judgement  to  creditors  in  the  ifland,  how 
much  per  cent,  he  has  paid  over  and  above  the  legal  intereft  of  his  debt, 
taking  in  all  fees,  bribes,  charges,  and  expences  ?  or  what  premiums 
he  has  paid  upon  loans,  or  money,  or  even  paper,  upon  preflin^  oc- 
caiions,  when,  the  merchant  in  Britain  having  declined  advancing  for 
him,  he  has  been  driven  to  eftablifti  his  coniignments  to  a  faftor  in 
Kihgftbn  ;  or  to  take  up  loans  in  the  iiland  of  fomc  rich  Jew  ?  I  am 
very  fure,  if  he  anfwers  fairly  and  candidly,  he  will  appear  to  have 
paid  1 67.  or  20/.  per  cent,  inftead  of  6/.  Does  not  this  grievance, 
of  which  fo  many  feem  to  be  perfeftly  fenfible,  call  upon  them  to  fare 
themfelves  by  fo  eafy  a  remedy  ?•  The  found  of  paying  67.  per  cent. 
intereft  to  the  Britifli  merchant  terrifies  thofe  very  men  who  are  aftti^- 
ally,  though  perhaps  uncoiifcioufly,  through  an  inattention  to  their 
affairs,  paying  twice  or  thrice  that  fum  to  creditors  and  ufurers  in 
Jamaica.  Too  many  planters  there  are  who  keep  no  account  of  their: 
diiburfements ;  arid  others  think  no  longer  of  a  debt  than  while  they 
are  harrafled'  with  profccutions  for  the  recovery  of  it;  with  many  of/ 
thefe  a  Atht  fettled;  as  they  term  it  (i.  e.  by  giving  a  bond)  is  the  fame 
as  paid  ;  becaufe  tBey  are  relieved  from  the  prefent  urgent  anxiety 
which  it  occafioned,  and  leave  it  to  future  time  and  occurrences  to 
help  them  out  at  the  next  (hift.  But  fuppofing,  on  the  other  hand, . 
an  increafed  intereft  fecured  by  law ;  this  may  probably  induce  the 
Britifii  merchant  to  grant  a  reafonable  forbearance,  where  it  can  1^: 
ferviceable  to  his  correfpondent.  Another  advantage,  and  that  no 
fmall  one,  would  certainly  happen  ;  many  of  the  planters,- ever  fince 
the  Britifti  merchants  declined  advancing,  have  applied  themfelves  to 
get  largely  into  debt  with  money-lenders  in  Jamaica.  Upon  railing 
'  the  intereft  to  be  paid  on  Britifli  loans,  much  clamour  would  un- 
doubtedly follow,  and  every  endeavour  be  ufed  by  the  Jamaica  credit- - 
ors,  to  raife  the  intereft  on  all  contrafts  within  the  ifland  to  i  /.  per 
cent,  more ;  they. would  chiefly  attempt  this  by  callmg  in  their  money, 
and  diftreffing  the  planter,  in  hopes  of  forcing  him. to  comply  with  their 

meafure. . 


558  JAMAICA. 

meafure.    In  this  event,  as  the  planter,  by  borrowing  money  in  Great 
Britain,  would  be  enabled  to  take  up  thefe  debti,  (b  he  would  pre- 
fently  fecure  himfelf  againfl:  all  thofe  mlfchievous  litigations  which  he 
might   have  reafon  to  expe£l  from    his  Jamaica  creditors.       The 
landed  property  of  this   ifland  will  be  always  an  ample  fecurity 
for  ten  times  the  money  it  can  ever  have  occafion  to  borrow,  fo  long 
as  it  is  duly  prote&ed  by  the  power  on  which  it  depends  ;  and  it  is 
evident,  that  the  more  money  the  merchants  of  Great  Britain  inveft 
in  the  ifland,  the  better  afTured  it  will  be  of  that  protedion ;  as  they 
will  become  (b  much  the  more  deeply  interefted  in  the  fame  common 
bottom.     The  plan  propofed  would  put  an  end  to  thofe  deftruAive 
bargains  now  fo  frequently  made  in  Jamaica ;  where,  while  money  is 
not  to  be  procured  in  Britain  at  the  pirefent  fate  of  intereft,  and  the 
,  currency  is  grown  fo  fcarce,  many  diftrefled  perfons  are  driven  to 
negotiate  loans,  on  paying  a  premium  of  loA  and  in  ibme  cafes  of 
15  /«  and  20  /.  per  cent,  befides  the  legal  intereft.   Purfuant  to  a  con- 
traft  of  this  fort,  a  planter  borrows  logo  /•  of  a  Jew,  for  five  y eats, 
but  receives  dowano  more  than  900/.  the  premium  being  \oL  per 
cent,  or  100  A  upon  the  wholes  and  at  the  end  of  the  term,  he  pays 
the  Jew  the  full  fumof  loooA  and  has  paid  him  6/.  per  cent,  inte- 
reft during  the  time  of  forbearance,  in  all  1400/. ;  fo  that  the  Jew 
gains  upwards  of  1 1  /•  per  cent,  on  his  bargain.     Now,  I  will  fi^- 
j>ole  that,  by  raifing  the  intereft  upon  Britifli  loans,  this  planter,  having 
a  refponlible  eftate,  fliould  want  1000 /•  from  a  Britifli  merchant)  is 
there  a  doubt,  but  he  would  be  fupplied  upon  very  dif&rent  terms  ? 
But  further,  if  at  the  expiration  of  the  five  years,  this  planter  hap- 
pens to  be  unable  to  pay  the  Jew  principal,  or  intereft,  what  is  the 
yoonfequence  ?  His  bond  on  judgement  is  rigoroufly  fued,  the  expenoes 
of  profecution  make  an  addition  of  at  leaft  5  /•  per  cent,  to  the  debt, 
OQcreafing  in  proportion  to  the  planter*s  difliculties  in  making  pay- 
ment, and  the  neceffity  he  is  under  of  bribing  the  officer,  every  tliree 
jDonths^  to  prevent  his  Negroes  from  being  feized,  and  fold  for  half 
their  value ;  the  remedy  for  imn  is  pointed  out  by  the  Jew,  who, 
ironr  pretended  motives  of  lenity,  or  firiendfliip,  confents  to  make  up 
itbe  matter,  on  his  entering  into  a  frefli  bond ;  confolidabng  all  the  in- 
tereftj  and  law-cofts,  into  principal  ^  and  allowing  another  exorbitant 
pr«n4um. 

TfaUSy 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  VI.  559 

Thus,  ftcp  bjr  ftcp,  have  federal  been  led  on  to  Ac  ruin  of  their 
families.     Examples  of  this  nature,  if  they  do  not  prove  the  pre(en& 
rate  of  intereft  allowed  on  Britifii  loans  to  be  below  the  natural  val^c^ 
of  money,  confidered  as  relative  to  the  planter's  wants,  will  prove 
at  leaft,  that  the  law  ought  to  enaUe  him  to  deal  with  bomji  men^ 
who  might  readily  accommodate  him,  if  the  intereft  was  fo  regulated^ 
as  to  incline  the  Brittfh  money-holder  rather  to  lend  it  in  Jamaiea^ 
than  at  home.     It  may  be  argued,  that  there  are  unthinking  mea 
and  fpendthrifts  in  all  countries  where  money  is  to  be  found,  who  are* 
prompt  enough  to  take  up  fums  upon  ufurious  contracts  j  and  thab 
the  example  I  have  ftated  tends  to  demonftrate  no  more,  than  that 
fuch  bargains  may  often  be  made  in  Jamaica,  as  well  as  in  other 
countries;  but,  that  this  is  no  indication  of  a  poiitive  neceiCty  cx^ 
ifting  for  raifing  the  intereft  higher;  a  meafure  by  which  the  more  ' 
prudent  and  thrifty  may  be  very  much  *afife£led;     I  can  only  lay  in  \ 
reply,. that  I  have. known  of  fuch  engagements  entered  into  by  n^en  • 
of  very  refppdable  character  and  property  here,  merely,  to  tnabfe  - 
themielvesta  comply  with  payments,  which  could  not  be  deferred^ 
nor  be  otherwife  paid ;  and  that,*  without  fome  douceurs  of  this  kind  ' 
l^ven  by  the  borrower,,  it  is  fcarcely  pra£kitable,  in  the  p^fent  fiiua- 
tion  of  things^  for  a  planter  to  borrow  money  in  J^^maica.     If  this- 
difficulty  proceeds  either  from  a  fcarcity  of  coin  in  this  ifland,  which 
raifes  the  value  of  it  in  the  hands  of  monied  men,  or  from  the  Britifli  • 
merchants  ability  to  make  more  of  his^  money,  in  any  other  way 
than  by  lending  it  out  at  5  /.  per  cent*  intereft  to  the  Jamaica  planters, 
it  amounts  to  the  fame  ^Sc& ;  and  there  is  no  mode  of  coming  at  it,  ^ 
except  by  making  money  more  plentiful,  or  by  raifing  the  intereft. 
But  if  ^there  is^  in  fad,  a  fcdrcity  of  coin  in  the  iflahd,  and  that  there 
is,  every  one  feems  agreed  ;  ^hen,  <  raiftng  the  intereft  with  refpedl  to 
€ontra£ts  within  the  ifland,  can  anfwer  no  purpofe  as  a  remedy,  but 
will  only  ferve  to  multiply  the  planter's  diftreftes ;  bur^  raifing  the 
intereft  on  Britilh  loans  cannot  fail  of  operating  to  his  relief;  (ince  it  is 
acknowledged,  that. money  was  never  more  abundant  in  Britain,  thaa  ^ 
it  is  at  prefent ;  and  of  this  there^  needs  no  other  proof  than  the  high  * 
price  of  provifion,  and  almoft  all  the  neceftaries  of  life  ^  a  circumftance 
which  isjuftly  regarded  as  an  almoft  infallible  criterion  to  judge  of  the 
proportion  of  monejt  in  any  commercial  >  country  s  and  this  receives 

further  • 


5«o  JAMAICA, 

further  confirmation  from  the  ftate  of  things  in  Jamacia^  where  pro- 
^ifions  and  neceflaries  of  the  ifland  produce  are  every  day  growing 
cheaper,  without  any  increafe  of  population ;  a  fure  index  that  money 
is,  daily  growing  fcarcer  there. 

The  only  difference  to  the  planters  will  be,  that  they  will  owe  fo 
much  the  more  to  merchants  in  Britain,  which  they  now  owe  to 
traders  and  money  •jobbers  in  Jamaica  >  and  that  they  will  pay  their 
loans  in  produce,  which  might  not  be  accepted  upon  equally  good 
terms  by  Jamaica  creditors.     This  mode  promifes,  therefore,  to  be 
far  more  beneficial,  of  the  two,  to  the  planter ;  who,   I  believe,  are 
almoft  to  a  man  convinced,  that  money  is  not  eafily  to  be  come  at 
in  Britain  at  5  A  per  cent.    Had  it  been  eafily  attainable,  there  would 
have  been  no  neceffity  for  recurring  to  the  Dutch  mony-holders ;  but, 
confidering  the  vaft  fums  now  lying  out  in   Great  Britain  at  5/. 
per  cent,  it  feems  reafonable  fo  conclude,  that  the  additional  profit  of 
1  /.  per  cent,    may  be  a  temptation  to  multitudes  there  to  call  in 
their  loans,  and  accommodate  the  planters  with  all  they  have  real 
occafion  for  ;  and  it  is  obvious,  that  if  a  Britifli  merchant  is  himfelf 
itinpoflcflcd  of  a  fund,  it  may  anfwer  to  his  advantage  extremely  well 
to  borrow  at  5  /-  per  cent,  (the  higheft  rate  in  Britain)  or  even  from 
foreigners,  to  lend  the  planter ;  by  which  tranlaftion,  he  may  be  a 
dear  gainer  of  i  Lper  cent,  over  and  above  the  emoluments  accruing 
rto  him  from  fa^orage  of  the  produce  annually  configned,  in  return 
for  his  advance.     One  of  the  greateft  difficulties  refulting  to  a  plan- 
ter from  a  fcarcity  of  coin  in  this  ifland  is,  that,  although  he  may 
poffefs  an  eftate  worth  fifty  thoufand  pounds,  he  may  not  be  able 
to  praire  money  enough  to  pay  a  fudden  demand  to  a  Jamaica  cre- 
ditor of  five  hundred  pounds ;  and  that,  for  want  of  this  fum,  an 
ill-natured  creditor  there,  has  in  his  it  power  to  diftrefs  and  damage 
his  eftate,  to  five  times  the  value  of  the  debt,  by  levying  on  his 
Negroes.     The  produce  of  the  land  is,  in  other  countries,  a  legal 
tender,    or  elfe  fo   fpeedily  convertible,    as  to  become   equivalent; 
:but  here,  neither  fugar  nor  rum  will  be  accepted  as  money,  unlefs 
the  creditor  pleafes  to  take  them  s  and  he  may  infift  on  payment  in 
coin,  although  there  is  no  mint  in  the  ifland,  no  coin   peculiar  to  it, 
the  channel  by  which  it  ufed  to  be  fupplied  flopped  up,  a  perpetual 
efiiux  by  an  ill-managed  trade  with  North  Aq^erica^  and  fo  little 

remaining 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.  VI.  55i 

reimlntng  for  circulation^  that  the  inhabitants  can  with  difBcvlty  pre- 
vide  enough  to  pay  their  taxes,  or  purchafe  their  daily  fubfiftence» 
Thefe  unhappy  circumftances  will  juftify  the  planters  in  ceafing  to 
contract  debts  in  Jamaica,  and  in  remitting  their  produce  to  the  Bri- 
tiih  merchants,  in  whofe  hands  it  will  have  all  the  value  of  money ;. 
and  with  whom  they  have  it  in  their  power  to  eftabli(h  their  credit 
upon  fuch  a  certain  foundation,  as  may  relieve  them  from  many  of  the 
prefent  embarraffments  to  which  they  are  fubjedled  by  a  fcarcity  of 
money,  and  by  the  advantages  which  this  fcarcity  affords  maliciousr 
crafty,  and  knavifh  men  an  opportunity  of  making,  to  the  very  great 
detriment  of  the  planting  intereft. 

SECT.     IV^ 

A  reformation  of  the  currency  would  probably  be  another  means,, 
if  not  of  introducing  more  money,  at  leaft  of  keeping  more  in  the 
ifland.  A  regulation  of  this  fort  would  prevent  thofe  fecret  robberies- 
committed  on  the  public,  by  clipping  villains.  It  was  proved  by  ex« 
periment,  that  by  thele  execrable  pra£kices,  49  /•  15  s.  of  current  £il ver 
was  abridged  10 1,  i^s.  \d.  of  its  real  value^  and  found  to  weigh  na 
more  than  39/.  lu  %d.  which  was  a  debafement  of  above  zil.per 
cent.  The  allowing  fuch  bafe  coin  to  pafs  current  by  its  denomina« 
tion,  is  npt  only  an  injviryrto  naany  of  the  holders  of  it,  who  take  it 
in  payment,  not  knowing  it  to  be  counterfeit,  but  in  eifefl  is  an  en* 
couragement  to  thefe  clippers  to  become  coiners ;  and  as  clipping  is  a 
gainful  and  fecret  method  of  robbery,  penalties  cannot  retrain  it.  The 
only  fure  way  of  putting  a  flop  to  it,  is  to  make  it  unprofitable; 
which  can  no  otherwife  be  done,  than  by  making  all  light  money  pafs 
only  by  its  weight.  This  method  of  weighing  money  may  occafion 
feme  trouble  at  firft,  but  a  little  time  would  remedy  it ;  for  the  ham- 
mered money  only  may  be  required  to  pafs  by  weight ;  the  milled 
coin,  unlefs  carrying  fome  fufpicion  on  the  face  of  it,  or  wanting  a, 
certain  and  confiderable  part  of  its  full  weight,  might  be  allowed  flill 
to  pafs  by  tale ;  and  if  all  the  milled  money  was  permitted  to  pafs  for 
a  certain  fmall  proportion  more  than  its  weight,  equal  to  the  work- 
manfhip,  it  might  encourage  the  introdu£tion  of  milled  money  into 
the  ifland,  preferve  it  from  being  melted  down,  and  hinder  much  of 
it  from  paffing  off  as  bullion.     A  fuitable  reformation  being  effeded 

Vol.  I.  4  C  in 


5«2  JAMAICA. 

m  the  currency,  there  is  reafon  to  believe,  that  the  ^c^'erfe  of  what  is 
now  done,  would  be  praftifed ;  the  light  money  would  be  kept  up  for 
exportation,  becaufe  of  the  trouble  of  paffing  it  by  weight ;  and  heavy 
milled  money  would  drculate,  with  this  advantage^  that  a  larger  value 
'  would  come  in  place  of  a  lefs.     Various  have  been  the  plans  for  reme- 
dying a  fcarcity  of  money  here.     Among  others,  it  has  been  propofed, 
to  obtain  a  fmall  filvcr  milled  coin  from  Britain ,  appropriated  to  the 
circulation  within  the  ifland;  that  is  to  fay,  fuch  a  quantity  of  it  as 
might  enable  the  houfekeepers  and  Negroes  to  carry  on  their  market- 
ing for  butchers  naeati  poultry,  hogs,  fifli,  com,  eggs,  plantains,  and 
the  like.     In  the  French  iflands,  their  inland  commerce  was,  for  a 
long  time,,  fupported  by  a  fmall  filver  coin  remitted  from  France ;  and 
they  now  retain  the  moft  part  of  it,  having  been  under  no  neccffity  of 
fending  it  back  in  courfe  of  trade  ;  fo  that  they  have  undoubtedly  ex-'- 
perienced  very  great  convenience  from  it.     A  coin  of  this  kind  might' 
befo  alloyed,  as  to  make  the  nominal  but  a  fmaM  proportion  above 
the  intrinfic  value.     We  may  fu j^ofe,  for  example,  a  milled  filver  - 
coin  ftruck  at  the  mint  in  Great  Britain,  of  the  intrinfic  value  of  five-  - 
pence  fterlin^,  which  fhould  pafs  airrent  in  Jamaica  at  feven-pence 
halfpenny,  cxch.   i4o/*  per  cent,  equal  to  about  5 1  ^.  four-tenths  ^ 
fterling.    This  coin  would  be  remitted  from  Britain  at  about  1 1  d.  in  ^ 
the  pound  profit  upon  Jamaica,  or  4/.  1 1  s^  %d.  per  cent.^Vfhiskk  the^ 
mother  country  might  be  allowed  to  gain,  for  the  expence  of  <:<Hnage, . 
and  remittance  to  the  ifland.     And  fuppofihg,  twenty  thou  (and  pounds 
worth  of  this  money  to  be  remitted  over,  the  whole  profit  thereon  to  • 
Great  Britain  would  be  no  more  than  916/,  135.  4^.;  which  is  a  tri- 
fling lofs,  compared  with  the  many  advantages  deriveablc  to  the  iiland, « 
from  fo  ufeful  a  currency  ;  for  it  would  not  pafs  off  again,  but  would  i 
form  a  very  confiderable  aid  to  the  internal  traffic  of  the  inhabitants. . 
Such  a  coin  might  be  remitted  in  his  Majefly's  (hips  appointed  to  this 
itation,  be  lodged  in  the  receiver- general's  office,  and  iffucd  thence  to  ^ 
the  troops  for  their  additional  pay  j  who,  \n  the  fpace  of  one  or  two  * 
years,  would  bring  the  whole  of  that  fum  into  circulation.     A  fud- 
den  fcarcity  of  money  in  Jamaica  put  the  legiflature,  a  few  years  ago,  , 
upon  in  expedient  of  keeping  as  much  from  export  as  was  thought 
adequate  to  the  demands  of  circulation;  they  caufcd  the  foreign  gold 
and  filver  coin,  to  a  certain  amount,,  to  be  ImprefTed  with  a  G.  ^. ;  and  _ 

raifed.. 


BOOK  It    CHA  P.  Vr.  563. 

mCed  the  numerary  value  of  the  dollars  from- 6  j.  6  J.  to  6/.  8y/,;  and, 
of  the  milled  doubloons  from  4/.  i  $i.  to  5/.  Here  was  an  advance 
of  about  3  j/.  per  cent,  on  the  filver,  and  of  4  |  /•  on  the  gold  coin. 
A  great  temptation  therefore  offered  to  the  debafers  of  coin ;  this  was 
naturally  to  be  expelled,  and  accordingly  happened.  Mints  were  fet 
at  wotIc,  not  only  in  the  Northern,  but  in  the  Dutch,  and  other  colo- 
nic^-, to  lay  nothing.of  the  indudrious  coiners  in  Jamaica,  who,  to  gain  • 
thefe  per  cents,  and  as  much*  more  as  they  could,  poured  in  fo  great  aa  - 
a})undance  of  bafe  doubloons,  as  to  interrupt  the  commerce  of  the 
ifland.  Thefe  coiners  were  not  confcientious  enough  to  make  their 
doubloons  of  more  than  3  /•  value  each,  fb  that  they  drove  on  a  trade 
very  beneficial  to  themfelves,  and  ruinous  to  the  ifland;  for  all  that 
the  people  gained  by  the  event  was^  that  their  he^yy  money  was 
bought  up  with  this  bafe  coin^  and  exported i  and  thus,  with  all  the 
appearance  of  more  money  in  circulation^  they  in  h&  were  reduced  to 
le&  than  they  had  before  the  ad  pafTed  Yet  the  counterfeit  doub-, 
loons  vi^re  eafily  to  be  deteded,  and  no  great  number  of  them  would^ 
probably  have  crept  into  circulation^  if  what  generally  happens  in  a. 
dearth,  whether  of  money  oc  other  neceflaries^  had  not  occurred  at, 
that  time,  viz.  the  inhabitants  were  glad  to  take  for  their  preffiog  oc- 
cafions  almoft  any  trafh,  that  wore  the  leaft.femblance  or  colour  of 
mor^y,  rather  thsm  be  wholly  deftitute.  In  regard  to  the  hammered 
money,  the  making  it  pais  by  weight  mufl,  as  I  have  before  remark- 
ed, have  effeftually  put  a  iiop  to  a  counterfeit  coinage  of  it,  ;^nd 
throw?  it  at  once  out  of  circulation*.  We  may»  from  thi^s  apd  other 
examples,  conclude,  that  augmenting  the  current  valuationr  of  .money 
can  anfwer  no  purpofe  as  a  reflraint  upon  exportation,  but  wiU  gene-: 
rally  operate,  more  or  .lefs,  to  the  impediment  of  trade.  Thqs  it  was 
obferved,  that  the  advance  of  one-fourth  upon  the  real  value  of  the  fil- 
ver  coined  in  t'rance,  purpofely  for  the  circulation  of  Canada,'  did  not; 
keep  the  money  from  goings  out  of  that  colony.  Experience  proved^ 
that  nK>ney  could  not  have  a  regular  circulation,  nor  make  any.  day, 
there,  but  by  paying  in  commodUief  for  whatever  was  imported  from. 
France.  In  this  cafe,  the  colony  wpuld  have  retained  her  money  at; 
home;  but  having  not  merchandizes  of  fufficient  value  and  quantity; 
to  export  for  all  (he  received,  (he  was  obliged  to  pay  the  balance  in 
filver,  and  thus  all  her  money  was  drained  back  to  Fr^lce^  hy  the;i}e7^ 

4  C  2  ccfi&ry 


564  JAMAICA. 

ccffary  cfFeft  of  their  mutual  commerce :  to  this  it  is  attributed,  that 
their  trade  was  never  cftabliflied  advantageoufly  for  either  party,  but 
continued  declining  until  the  Englilh  acquired  the  whole.  Canada 
had  always  drawn  more  from  France  than  (he  had  been  able  to  pay  1 
doing  juft  as  a  private  perfon  would,  who  with  an  income  of  3000/., 
fliould  fpend  at  the  rate  of  4000/.  Now,  although  Jamaica  has  more 
in  value  of  native  commodities  to  export,  than  the  amount  of  all  her 
imports,  yet,  in  refpeft  of  her  North  American  commerce,  (he  is  much 
in  the  fame  predicament  as  the  Canadians  were ;  for,  if  the  North 
Americans  will  not  take  value  for  value  in  commodities  of  the  colony, 
it  is  the  fame  in  efTed,  as  if  no  fuch  commodities  exifled ;  and  the  ba* 
lance  is  paid  in  the  one  cafe,  as  it  muft  ever  be  in  the  other,  with^wr; 
which  remark  furnifhes  the  ftrongeft  argument  poilible,  to  (hew  the 
difparity  between  her  commerce  with  the  mother  country,  and  what 
flie  carries  on  with  the  North  Americans.  The  latter  are  to  her  as  fo 
many  foreigners,  who,  as  it  were,  prohibit  her  commodities  in  return 
lor  what  they  fupply  her  with,  and  drain  her  of  her  fpecie;  but  the 
mother  country  encourages  the  growth  of  the  one,  and  leaves  her  in . 
quiet  poflHfion  of  the  other,  or  at  Icaft  the  greater  part  of  it,  by  tak- 
ing  fufficient  of  her  commodities  to  anf^er  the  value  of  her  Britilh  and 
Iri(h  fupplies.  It  has  been  thought,  however,  that  the  Canadians  drew 
no  fmall  advantage  by  the  money  which  annually  came  from  France, 
to  fupport  their  eftablifhments*  This  was  computed  at  120,000 
crowns  a  year,  which  furni(hed  their  circulation  at  leaft  fo  well,  as  to 
prefer ve  them  from  the  dangerous  expedient  of  a  paper  currency-;  and^ 
as  the  fupply  came  regularly,  it  could  not  fail  of  giving  them  a  fenfiblc 
relief,  even  though  the  mosey  returned  home  almoft  as  foon  as  it  could 
poffibly  be  tran(ported  back  again.  Further,  all  augmentations  of  the 
numerary  value  of  the  current  coin,  mufl  inevitably  injure  creditors* 
tinder  permanent  contra£t$,  fuch  as  bonds  and  mortgages,  and  there- 
fore muft  prove  extremely  detrimental  to  many  in  Jamaica ;  where  fo 
vaft  an  amount  of  debts  is  continually  refolved  into  (ecurities  of  this 
nature.  A  planter,  for  iniVance,  when  dollars  are  current  at  6  i.  6  d. 
borrows  a6ooA  upon  bond  or  mortgage;  the  numerary  value  is  af- 
terwards raifed  by  an  a£l  of  the  legiflature  to  'js.i  and  the  planter  tak- 
11^  advantage  of  this  law,  repays  the  loan  with  this  advanced  denomi- 
nation.   In  this  cafe,  he  has  borrowed  8000  dollars,  which  be  rqpaya 

with 


BOOK  n,    CHAP.  VI.  56^5 

wkli  no  moredian  74  2B  |,  and  confcquently  profits  what  the  creditor 
is  forced  unjuftly  to  loie  upon  the  contract,  no  lefs  than  .185/.  1.4/.  ^d. 
which  comes  to' upwards  of  a  year's  intereft  upon  his  loan.     If  an  aug* 
mentation  of  this  kind  could  be  confined  folely  to  what  pa0es  in  the 
internal  commerce  from  hand  to  hand,  by  way  of  barter,  it  would- 
produce  no  ill  e£fe£t  whatever;,  but  it  is  impofiible,  in  a  trading  colony » ^ 
to  hinder  it  feom  intermixing'  with  contraAs,  or  accumulating  in -the 
merchant's  hands;,  and  in  regard  to  the  merchant,  whenever  the  in* 
trinfic  vahie  of  the  current  coin  is  not  in  exa£t  proportion  to  the  deno* 
minatiour  he  will  find  t^e  way  of  fbilcing  the  mtjht  prx^ortional \ . 
that  is  to  iay^.if  the  juft  vahie  olF  a  dollar  be  6  f,  6  d,  ami  no  more,  he 
will  not  give:  more  goods  for  a  thau&nd  of  them^  current  a^  the  in« 
crealed. denomination  of  t:^,,  than  he  would  have  given  for  the  fame 
number  at  the  jpft  rate  of  6  j.  6  d.     There  is  no  doubt, .  but*)  that  ad* 
vantages  in  trade  have,  been  takenof  the  plantei^:  under  thiscircum* 
fbinae;  fer,  however  they;  may  vary  the  denominations  of  their'  cur- 
rent ftlver,  no  alteration  is  produced  by  it,  for  the  better,  upon!  the^ 
ntttrket  vakie  of  their^pi^oduco;  fin^e,  theezchange  between  the  ifland« ' 
and  Grtfat  Britain  coatmuing  the  &me,. and  the*  value  of  their  "produce - 
being  meafured  by  the  rife,  and  fall  at  the  home  mari&t,  and  not^by  the 
fluctuations  of  thar  currency,  the  traders  in  Jamaica  will  fell  their 
goods,  and  buy  the  planter^s*  produce^  according  to  the  intrinfio  valuc^ ' 
and'  not  according  to  the  current  denomination  of^the  coin ;  or  rather/ 
lihould&yr  they  will  more  generally  take  advantage  of  the  denonn* 
nation  when  it  i^increafed^  and  ielL  their  goods' dgree^Iy  to  it>  though  • 
they  will  not  receive  produce  in  payment  at  the  fSstrnt  rate.     Thus,^ 
fuppofihg  the  dollar  raifed  to  7^;  they  will  ftUonly  a  nominal  2600  A  - 
worth  of  tbeir  goods,  the  real  worth  of  which  is  no  more  than 
24i47«  5/^1  ^d^y  and  receive  payment  in  produce,  efiimated,  accordingr . 
to  the  former  price  of  the.  dollar^*  at  the  intrinfic  value  2600//    An- 
angmeiltation  of  the  numerary- value  of  the  currency  is  thereforethe 
fade,  in  efled  asrmfing  the  price  of  the  trader's  goods  fo  much  per- 
cent, above  their  accuftomed  market  rate.    The  trader  will  make  a  • 
further  profit  by  importing,  dollars  from  foreigners  sitpar,  and  fending 
them  into  circulation  at  their  augmented  rate.     Firft^he^  wiU  g^m  by- 
exohangtng  them  at  their  *  advanced  value  for  <the,  planter's  produce; , 
neacti  he  will  gain^  when  tfaefe. dollars  return  to  him  again,  in  exdiange^. 

for 


seiS>,  J  .A    M.  A    I    C    A.     ^ 

fop  hh  goods  •/ fo  that,  after  rprofidng  oh' this  double  .tisofa£tioni  he 
may  either  iend  them  back  again  into,  circulation,  or  export  them  at 
the  fame  price  at  which  he  imported  them.    ^It  is  poflihle,  that  tbe 
coin,  tbu3  raifed  irintsiiumerary^valae^may  circulate  for  a  confiderable 
time;  that  is,  it  wifl*  continue  to  circuiate  fo  long  as.  the  traders  find 
it  more  oonVeaient  (so  -tbeir  rntcrcft^  to  draw  advantage  from  the  plan*- 
tefs  by  fufJerihg  itto^  rcmaia,  than  to  (hip  it  away  in  rennttance:  but 
whenever  Aigars  /or  vbills  cannot  be  had  at  fuch  a  price,  or  courfe  df 
draught,  as  to  form  a  good  remittance;'  or,  that  there  is:  an  ext»ordi* 
nary  demaikdvfor  filver . at  the  Britifh  market;  or  that,  by  failure  of 
crops,  or  oth^r.^aufes,  the  balance* of  tnade  lie?  egainjt.  tiieiflhnd;  .the 
traders  will  colki^  the  iilver  moneys  riottoo  miidi  impained  in  wetgi&t,  - 
and  remit  it  to  their  correfpondcnts.     As,,  by  a  debalemeat  on  ^d^'. 
vance  of  thfe  coin,  tbe  merchants  profit  by  iifiver  lofing  fight  of  the 
nominal  price,  compafod  with  the  dntrinfic,  ami  raifmg  their  goods 
proportionably^  in  vate;  fo,  if  the  coin  fhould  be:fiiade  currmt  at  a 
price  belpw  itsihtrinfic  vaTuev  it  cannot  poffibly  isinain.An  circulation; 
but  alL  tfaatefcapesi  the  mekmg-poty  or  clipper^  will  be  fent  awayaa 
,merchandiK«  '  It  is  of  im^drtance  daerefore,  to  ]  fix  its  current  value ^ 
by  a  true  and  invariable  fiiandard^  or  at  leaft,  as  near  to  it  as  pofiible. 
Thea£t  of  6th  Geo.  IIL  rexjuires  thefilver  received  for^daties  in  Ame* 
rica  to  be  of  ^s'.  (yd.  jdie .ounce  fteriing:  t^is  then  mtift  be  regarded  as 
the  flandard  by  .which"  the  current  value  ihould  be  afcert^ned,^  eiped*  . 
allyasitlis  themcfoepBicenowgcaierally  given. for  filver  at  theLoit- 
don  market.     Tbcdojlar,  ^^\S^-  6  i.  the  jounce*  i&iiworth.  4j^  ^\^\ 
fteriing,  which  i-s  ecjualto  6i,  8^*  eight- tenths  Jamaica  currency.-    If  • 
we  were,  therefore,  to  coiifider  .the  filver  coin  here  merely  relative  to 
the  circulation,  cr^  internal'  comnferce  dF  the  ifhin^*  and  not  as  an  arti«*  - 
cb  of  merchandize,  the  dbllar  ougfati  to  pafs  here  at  :6>.  8^.,  iii&ad 
of  6 /•  6V*  its:  ptefent  rate.     But  the  operations  of  trade  *<^ill  not  admit 
of  this  diflin£tion ;  and  the  rhisfortune  is,  thatdf  the  ilegiflaturerfbould 
make  them  current  at  6^.-  8^/.,  the  merchants  would  immedkbely,  by 
a  proportionable  rife  in  the  rate  of  their  goods,  find  means  to  collet 
them  as  ufuaU  and  remit  them  as  merchan^e.     The  merchant  :at  ^ 
prefeuft  buys  them  in  Jamaica  at  4^.  7I  ^.,  and  fells  theim  in  London  - 
at'  4/^9}  d.^  or  about  c  /.  4  ^r  %d.  per  cent,  profit ;  but  as  we  are  to  • 
oppofe  to  this  tbe  charges  of  remittance,  ii>  the  pcttfent  rate  of  6i«  6d^ 

1  will 


"BOOtli    tHA'P.'vi.  '3-67 

wilf,  not  be  found  to  v*ry  much  from  the  true /^r  of  exchange  be- 
tween the-  two'  cotmtrics.  The  advantages-  of  fuch  a  remittance  have 
bbeir  fuppofed  confiderable,  becaufe  it  is  obferred  that  the  Jews,  who 
chiefly  make  their  returns  from  the  neighboimng  continent  in  Ipecie, 

'  wiH'' never  "pay  any  money  that  comes  to  their  lumds,- and  is  of  due 

'  weight,  but  either  remit  it  upon  their  own  ^ccbitnts,  ordifpole  of  it  to 
the  merchants  and  feftprs  for  light  money  3  oir  which  tranfjtftibn  they 
receive  a  preniium  of  4,  5,  or  even  6  /.  per  emu  for  the  exchange ; 
which  premium  the  merchants  could  not  afford  to  pay,  if  they  were 
sot  reciprocal  gainers  in  the  ?vent.  But,  I  think,  it  is  not  fafe  to  af- 
fert,'that  a  remitter  of  iJollars,  putchafed 'here  at»6i.  6^.  the  prefent 
current  value,  may  be  alw^y$  a  gakiir  1  for  as  t^  ^h^i'g^s  attendant 
ujpen  the  remittance  are  large,  and  the  price  of  filiier  may  fluftupte  at 
the  London  market,  fo  it  ffaot^ld  rather  be  deemed  an  advemor^e  in 
tfade,  which  may,  or  may  not,  turn  to« account;  thpugh  in  general, 
perhaps,  the  certainty  o£  fuch  a  mode  of  payment^  which  is.  nojt  fub* 
jeftto  all  thrcaduahies  and  wafte.  of  fugar$  or  rum^  ;|io;i,  >l}ke  bills  of 
^£xchange,  to-d^lay and  proteft,  «(wyxompeii&tse for  thecb^rge:  of  re- - 
mittanee,  lit.  pacing  a  balance  of  account  between  merchant  and  mer* 

•  cfaairt;'  During  the  laft  war,  the  price  of  filver  was  extremely  varia- 
ble in  Londc«i  j  in  iMe  year  1761  it  waB-  ys^  S^d.  per  ounce,  or  2|  ^« 
better  per  ounce  than  at  pr^fefi*;  it  was  therefore,  at  that  time,  a  very 
eligible  remittance.  It  will  be  owned,  thstthe  value  of  dollars  (con-  * 
fidered  as  a  commodity  in  trade^^is  one  thing,  and  their  value  in  circu- 
lation anollier.  ^  They  are  certainly  diftinft,  if  the  circulation  in  any 
country  can^e-difengaged  wlioUy  from  the  purfuits  of  external  com- 
merce; but  ftriong  ;as-they  conneft  together,  or  aft  and  re-a€l  upon 
one  another,  it  feems  difficult,  if  not  imprafticable,  to  regulate  the 
value  by  any  other  way,  than  a  determii^te  ftandard,  which  may  ac- 
commodate toeach  objeft;  the  prefent  rate  therefore  of  6  s.  6d.^  though 
in  faft  too  low  for  the  circulation  (fimply  confidered),  is  juftly  hip- 
pofed  to  come  neareft  the  par  of  exchange  between  this  and  Britain, 
or  40/.  per  cent. ;  for,  fuppofing  the  average  value-*  of  the  dollai-  to  be  ^ 
4/.  9^.  ftcrling  in  London,  then,  6j.  6d.  being  at*  £^oL  per  cent,  ex- 
change equal  to  4J.  J i^d.  fterling,  the  difference  is  only  one  penny 

'  halfpenny,  or  a  little  more  than  2  4.  per  cent.^  which  was  the  price  of 
freight  in  laft  war. '  In  judging  therefore  on  the  advantage  or  difad- 

,    '  vautdge 


568  JAMAICA. 

vantage  of  dollars  as  a  remittance,  feveral  particulars  are  to  be  confi- 
dered;  as,  the  price  of  freight,  the  rate  of  infurance,  the  price  of  filver 
in  London,  and  the  quality  of  the  dollars  to  be  remitted,  /•  e.  whether 
.light  or  heavy ;  but,  fuppofing  the  dollars  of  good  weight,  the  price  of 
filver  in  London  ^s.6d.  the  ounce,  the  freight  and  other  charges  4  /• 
fer  cental  we  may  ftate  the  comparative  effefts  of  fuch  a  jremittance  in 
the. following  manner: 

A  Jew  is  to  remit  the  amount  of  2925/.  to  his  London  corre- 
.Ipondent;  he  fends  one  third  by  bills  of  exchange,  drawn  payable  at 
ipo  days  fight ;  one  third  at  60  days ;  and  the  remaining  third  in  dol- 
Jar^,  purchafed  in  Jamaica,  at  6  i.  6  d.  each. 

^o  bills  of  exchange  at  90  days  fight,  1 
for  value,        -         -         J^      ]  97$    o  o   currency. 

•By  lofs  of  five  months  mterefl:,  computing  thei 
voyage  home,  and  time  the  bills  have  to  run ,  /     t    7 

By  commifiion  torthe  merchant**! 
in'London^  who 'receives  the  ^  4  17  6        19     5  o 
payflwnt,  at  J  per  emu         J  — —  ■  £.    s.  d. 

Nett  money  received,  945  15  o 

To  bills  at  fixty  days,  for  value,  •       9TS     ^.^ 

By  lofs  of  four  months  intereft,  19  10  o 
By  merchant's  commifiion,  4  17  6 

24    7  6 


Nett  money  received,  950  12  6 
Tojooodollars,  purchafed  at  6 /•  6^  each,  1    975     00 

wt.  260002.  prime  coft,  is  J 

To  their  produce  in  London,  at  ^s.  6d.per  oz.  1 00 1     00 
Bylofsoftwo  months  interefii 

on  975/.         7*     .  ~        J 
By  charges  of  freight,  infurance, 
and  commillion,  computed,  in 

time  of  peace,  at  4  /.  per  cent.  48  1 7  7 

viz.  freight  and  infurance  on  ^ 
975/.  and  commifiion  |  on 
looi  I. 


Nett  money  received,  952     2  5 


The  remittance  in  dollars  then,  under  thefe  circumfiances,  appears] 
much  more  eligible  than  good  bills  at  ninety  days,  and  fomewhat  fu- 

perior 


feO.QK  11.7  QHI^^yU  S^^ 

perior  t<);gpQdbUis  «(  fix^y  days;;  Jp^c^i^ot  bUls  preferable,  tlu;y  ovght 
tp  te  9t  thirty  days ;  which  are  better  tbaii  filver,  even  when  it  is  at 
5^«  6  ly.  the  oz.  in  London,  though  not  equal  to  it  at  $s.  8^.. or 
fhe  pri^e  it  bo)-e  during  %  {Qtne  part  of  the  lalt  wan     The  uiaiice  of 
planters  bUls  has  generally)  been  at  (ixty  days :  to  this  inconvenience 
of  a  long.ufance  they  were  fubje)£i?d;by. the  nature  of  their  remittance, 
which  coul4  not  be  converted  into  nioney^n  lefs  time  than  two  months 
from  its  arrival  in  port ;  and  as  the  market  has  grown  more  plentifully 
ftocked  with  fugars  of  late,  years,  by  theincrcafe  and  improvement  of 
our  Weft  India  fettlements,  fo  it.confequently  happened,  that  the  fu- 
gars Jay  longeron  the  merchant's  hands  before  they  could  be  brought  to 
an  advantageous  fale;  and  longer  credit  was. given  to  the  fugar-bakers, 
and  other  dealers^  to  induce  their  becoming  buyers ;  by  which  means 
the  uiance^.is  now  protra£led  to  ninety  days,  or  about  three  months 
(reckoning '  the  days  of  grace),  and  ipay  ♦  probably  be  fpun  out  ftill 
longer,  if  ^e  market  at.Jiom,^^  by  an  increafing  annual  importation, 
(houldcaufe  fugars  to  become,  9   drug^  in  the  mercbanfsv  bands.     As 
a  continued  fcarcity  of  fugar  therefore  at  the  home  market  would 
give  what  came  to  it  a  quick  fale,  proportioned  to  the  exigency  of 
the  demand,  and  enable  the  planters  to  dr;^  their  bills  at  a  fiiort 
fight ;.  fo  a  tardy-  fale,;  and  flovsr.demandi  muftneceflarily  protraA 
the  uiance  of  their  bills  :  and  henqe,  confidering  the  prcfcnt  ftate  of 
the  fugar  trade,   and  the  rapid  improvements  likely  to  be  made  in 
our  Weft  India  fettlenaehts,  upon  the  affi.ftance  of  foreign  /oans,  it  is 
reafonable  to  conclude,-  jthat  fugar,  from  the  quantity  to  be  imported, 
will  every  year  grow  lefs. and  lefs  entitled  to  a  prompt  fale,  and 
the  planters  bills  in  proportion  be  drawn  at  a  longer  ufance,  and  there* 
fore  more  and  more .  depjireciated.  as  a  remittance,  in  compariibn  with 
filvcr  money ;  fo  that  every  thing  indeed  fecms  confpiring  to  promote 
the  drain  of  foreign  coin  from  thefe  colonies,  until  no  more  reipains, 
adapted  for  remittance  in  the  courfe  of  their  trade  with  Britain  and 
America ;  for  I  think  it  very  improbable^  that  the  planters  in  general 
ihould  ever  arrive  at  that  degree   of  independence  and  high  credit,  gs 
to  be  intirely  clear. of  debt,  and  able  to  draw  bills  on  their,  merchants 
payable  at  fo  jhort  a  fight  9s  to  become  equivalent  to  a  remittance  a^ 
^ie. 
Vol.  I.  4  D     .     ,  la 


In  this  embarrafled  fi^tlbn,  it  ^ill  cettalAly  be  pni(i)iiit  ^  ^ea| 
to  confider  and  execVite  iotnt'plSh  df  relief;  left  tliey /houli^  4n  a 
few  years  more,  come  foddferily.tb  expcrfence  more  dift^e(s»  fibili  tht 
total  lois  of  all  their  heavy^lilv^,  thin^they  have  Wtlierto  lamehttd^ 
under  only  a  partial  deprivation  of  itf:  tlie  firft  and  moft  obvious  re- 
medy \v31  be,  the  retrieving  their  credit '  by  fofae  efFeftive  liv^j  tfei 
next,  by  taking  all  propertheafuffe^'to  giet  btft*  of  debt,  and  karhitig 
to  think  a  moderate,  but  difencumbered,  fortune  much  eafier  kttain- 
able,  better  preftrved,  and  more  comfortable  in  the  enjoyment, 
thin  a  vaft  fpeculative  one,  tinder  the  conftant  oppreffiott  of  heavy 
intereft,  law-fuits,  a  fervite  dependence,  ari3  unceafing  anxiety  of 
mind.  Palliatives  here  will  only  procure  at  beft  a  temporary  rdief ; 
they  inuft  lay  the  axe  to  the  very  root  of  the  evil ;  and,  in  addition 
to  what  I  have  already  prefumed  to  fnggeft,  fome  enquiry  fbould  be 
taiade  into  the  real  circumftancels  of  thfeir  trade  with  North  America : 
is  well  as  fome  care  be  bad  of  their  hi6ney  wanted  for  commbn  droi- 
ktion;  6t  fome  means  tried  for  fupplying  this  want,  before  it  is 
ioo  l&te; 

S    E    C    T.     V. 

THERE  are  induftrlous  Jews  in  this  ifland,  who  carry'  6n  n 
profitable' bufincfs  by  purchafing  dollars  Vith  ryal^  of  the  old  plate. 
Which  are  of  bad  quality.  According  to  the  pttfeiit  denoiiiinatiohs  of 
the^cnrirency,  a  fingfe  dollar  of  6  s.  bd.  pafles  in  exchange  for  ten  ry- 
alsj  Which,  at  7f  /  each,  amount  to  no  more  than  ts.  ^d.  or  3^/,  per 
dollar  lofs  to  the  perfbn  who  changes  for  theft  ryals,  *  The  purchafer 
fberefote  of  one  thpufand  dollars,  for  which  ten  thouland  ryals  are 
paid,  dt  the  ufual  rate  of  ten  .to  a  dollar,  gains  inftah¥ly  Vit/ihs.  by 
thife'difea  in  the  eftablifliment  of  the  ifland  Currency  j  ahd  ^iL  itnore 
by  the  difference  in  the  value  /<?r'ourice.  *  This  idfs  ^as  chiefly  feUen 
upon  thefoldiers  and  indented  tradefmen.  Who  have  received  their  pay 
and  wrtges.  iii*  dollars,  and  were  obliged  to  l&y  thtm  <out  i'AiiWecjfatdy 
in  the  ptirchace  of  fmall  neceffaries,  chiefly  among  ^the  JeWlfh  ihop* 
keepers,,  who  h^e  made  very  conlideraWe  flittis*  by  the  exchange. 
This  remark,,  and  others  which  \  have  occafioriafly  touched  d|ion, 
may  fcrve  to  (hew  the  expediency  of  a  minor  coin  in  the  ifland,'  jpiro** 
portbned  to  the  greater^  that  the  jpooreft  clais  of  inhabitants  *i&ay  hot 

fuffep 


BOpS    p.  ^  «l  Ajip.  ^VI.  ^74 

hf  tm^rf4^i  ki^  W!»4i  »#  HRJM^If  contUipe  while  the  ftandard 
4^P^  9^  f^^KY  ^\\9f  }?  ^l^ce^pence  atpve  the  ftaudard  value  of  the 
mmf  §oia,  ..qrryis,  :jnd,.w?hilc  there  js  ^o  other  coin  iatroduced  a^r 
equate  tp  tj^^ijta^i^  qf  jt^ee^^pf  nee.  This  leads  me  to  obferve,  that* 
f^erHapSj^a^fi^all  ^oppprcoin  pigly  fe?'.^"4,  extremely  couvenient 
h^i    a*  .-f flftl^lffiS  l^l^wfr  fH^.  ^  inhabitants  not  only  to  ex- 
xhoQge  tlKif  iilver' without  a  dcawbadk,  but  lii^e wife  to  keep  down 
the  prices  of  the  fmall  neceflaries  of  life;  which  is  a  matter  that  hsis 
bejcn  .  tj]ogght ,  of   gccat   importance  to   eye^cy  trading  community  ; 
aniJ  is  efgecially  of  moment  to  this  ifland,  /^here  the  Negroes,  who 
fiipply  the  markets  with  fmjll  fto^k,  ;ar\d  other,  nf ceflarieSf  ?ts  .wrfl  a^ 
the  white  fatmilies  f^ippJ^d  from  thoicj markets ^  mufi  be  very  ^f^uch 
diftrefled,  if  they.fiiould  ever  be  wholly  deprived  of  a  minor  currency- 
accommodated  to  ^heir  dealings  y/itb  each  ot^er.     For  thefe  reaib;^s  it 
has  bie^n  ftbvays  fpund advifeable to prisferve fart^ingsand  halfpenpe qf 
jgoppet:  in  tbe  'Britj/h  circulation,  £:)r  tb^  jajce  of  the  poorer  inhabitants. 
-The  mtrinfic' value  ftf^n  ha^penny  curr^fu^y  being  equal  to  onfi  farth^ 
four  tenths  iierling«  a  coin  might  be  firi^k  i^  Qreat  Britain  of  this  pro*- 
portion,  which  would  fuit  in  change  for  the  filver  money  ijpw  pup- 
rent.     Two  hundred  thoufand  c^  them^  wh;ch  probably  might  bje 
fuificient,  would  coftonly  2,316/.   13^.  4^.  jfterling.     T^jieynvght 
be  imprefled  with  tbe  arms  of  the  ifland  on  their  reverfe,  and  be'^nt 
over  in  any  of  his  majefty's  (hips  ordered  to  the  ftation,  byiwhlpb 
their  freight  would  be  faved.      Thefe^  together  with  the  ry^U  of 
old  plate,  would  probably  continue  always  in  circulation,  ^nd  fupply, 
to  a. great  extent,  the  neceffities  of  the  internal  commerce  ;  whilft,  at 
Jthe  iame  time,  they  would  eftablifh  a  meafure  for  the  lowed ..  kinds  of 
barter,  or  traffic,  that  can  be  carried  on  by  the  Negroes,  and  poorer 
'  houfekeepers,  who  are  put  to  great  difficulty  and  lofe,  by  h*vi»g  no 
^other  than  a  filver  currency,  of  too  high  value  for  their  ordinary 
occafions.     The  inhabitants  would  grow  more  thrifty:  than  at  prefent 
they  are ;  for  they  being  accuftomed  to  handle  none  other  but  a  ifilver 
coin,  the  lowcft  denomination  ^whereof  is  equal  to  five-pence  fterJing, 
learn  to  fet  no  higher  value  upoa  five-pence,  than  an  Englifii.heggar 
does  on  a  farthing ;    laftly,  by  having  a  competent  ftock  of  finaU 

4  D  2  money 


W«  J    A    fti    A    I    C    A. 

money  for  the  tnnal  ncceflanes  of  life,  ^  itilnAilMifs  W0iM  Medme 
lefs  fenfible  of  any  ioconveniehce  by  the  lois  of  their  hesvyfilvttr, 
which  might  then  pafi  awdy  from  the  ifiahd  in  courfe  of  tradet  ^tfa- 
out  producing  any  material  effeft  upon  the  circulation^  - 1  may  here 
remark,  what  has  before  been  hinted,  that  the  do£l:rine  of  coin,  or 
'money,  as  generally  explained  with  rcfpeA  to  its  operation  in  atiy 
country  carrying  on  a  foreign  trade,  muft  be  confined  folely  tO 
the  eSefls  produced  by  or  upon  it,  by  the  fpirit  and  nature  of  tiiat 
trade ;  but,  when  it  is  fpoken  of  merely  as  relative  tty  internal  com* 
nierce,  or  meafure  of  value  among  the  inhabitants  for  their  marketing, 
and  other  trifling  dealings  with  each  other.  We  are  not  to  affix  the 
fame  ideas  to  its  operation.     The  inhabitants,  in  this  cafe,  have  only 
to   agree   among  themfelves  what  the   meafure   of  value  (hall  be, 
'and  one  fubftance  will  (erve  the  purpofe  almoft  as  well  as  another ; 
to,  among  a  people  thus  circumftanced,  a  money  of  brafs,  iron,  lead, 
or  even  leather,  might  fupport  a  due  circulation,  equal  to  their  ordi- 
nary wants.     To  make  this  idea  more  plain,  we  may  affimilate  this 
peopk  to  a  parcel  of  fchool-boys  living  together  in  a  kind  of  diftin€k 
community,  who  caft  leaden  dumps^  to  which  they  give  a  certain  de- 
't^rminfate  value,  and  which  pafs  current  among  them  from  hand  to 
hand,  in-  exchange  for  marbles,  tops,  apples,  and  the  other  commodi* 
ties  of  fimilar  nature,  which  they  ufually  po&fs*     If  they  ftcp  be- 
yond tb(iir  own  little  circle,  and  extend  their  dealings  with  the  paftry^ 
cook,  or  the  toy-man,  their  leaden  currency  here  iirft  alters  its  eflfedi  ; 
dnd,  if  it  be  admitted  at  all  as  a  meafure  in  this  forenfic  commerce, 
it  will  be  received  by  the  pafiry-cook  or  toy-man  only  for  its  intriniic 
wprtb.     A  leathern  money  was  formerly  introduced  in  France,  in  the 
reign  of  their  king  John,  who  was  taken  priioner  by  the  EngliOi. 

Among  many  of  the  African  ftates  they  have,  at  this  day,  no  other 
currency  thaa  cowries,  or  iheHs.  Formerly,  the  great  trading  towns 
in  England  had  their  refpedive  coinages,  and  even  the  tradefnien  of 
diflerent  clafles  were  jM^ivileged  to  coin  their  private  copper  farthings^ 
er  toktnss  for  the  cenveniency  of  paying  their  workmen. 

All  light  and  bad  money  has  the  fame  operation ;  the  merchants 
nfufe  to  meddle  with  it,,  and  it  is  thrown  back  to  circulate  chiefly  ia 
the  retail  bi^anch  of  internal  commerce  s  in  which  its  palTage  from  ene 
;^eribn;ta another  is  ib  rapid,  that  its  linperfedions  e£:ape  notice.   \2/e 

may 


BOOK  n.    CHAP.  VI, 

may  obferve  therefore,  that,  within  a  certain  limits  it  ]Sgnifies  but 
little  what  the  quality  may  be  of  the  cmn  in  circulation ;  and  as 
within  that  limit  the  greater  part  of  internal  commerce  is  compre- 
hended, fo  in  providing  for  the  exigencies  of  this  commerce,  the  prin* 
cipal  point  is  to  find  out  the  quantum  of  coins  of  different  fpecies  an*- 
fwerable  to  it;  but' this  is  attended  with  much  difficulty,  becaufe  there 
is  little  other  ground-work  to  go  upon  than  theoretical  calculations. 
The  Afncan  fiates  have  no  occafion  for  gold  or  filver  coins,  becaufe 
they  pay  their  balance  of  trade  with  gold  dufl,  ivory,  gum,  and 
flaves ;  but  in  Jamaica  the  Negroes  are  differently  circnmftanced ;  for 
they  have  their  dealings  chiefly  with  the  retail  fliopkeepers,  who  are 
a  fort  of  middle- men  between  them  and  the  merchant  importers ;  thele 
(hopkeepers,  who,  for  the  major  part,  are  Jews,  look  with  great  dr- 
cumfpeAion  on  the  coin  they  receive,  knowing,  that  if  it  is  too* 
much  depreciated,  it  will  not  pais  on  the  merchant ;  whenever  there^ 
fore  they  take  diminilhed  money  from  the  Negroes,  it  is  with  defign^ 
to  profit  upon  them  ;  and  this  has  ufually  been  managed^  by  giving, 
but  a  trifling  value  of  their  goods  for  it ;  and  then,  by  watching  op- 
portunities to  change  it  for  heavy  money  i  and,  as  the  light  money 
reverts  into  circulation,  and  can  have  no  outlet  by  trade,  fo  it  con- 
tinues to  run  current  fb  long  as  any  heavy  money  can  be  picked' 
up  ;  when  this  h  exhaufled,  the  (hopkeepers  begin  to  cry  down  the 
light  and  counterfeit  coins ;  the  Negroes  are  unable  to  carry  on  their 
traffic ;  and  a  general  confufion  enfues.  This  has  very  lately  been 
the  cafe,  and  proved  the  fburce  of  much  hardfhip  to  them.  When 
filvcr  was  abundant  in  die  ifland,.  they  found'  fome  I'emedy  for  the- 
want  of  a  minor  coin,  by  making  an  imaginary  divifion  of  the  ryal 
in  their  dealings  with  the  retail  (hops  :  they  were  able,  for  inflance,  to* 
fupply  themfelves  with  fmall  quantities  of  four  or  five  different  com- 
modities for  one  ryal ;  but,  as  foon  as  the  light  and  bad  money  was* 
cried  down,  their  diftrefles  muft  have  been  very  lamentable ;  for  a 
Negroe,  witli  the  whole  of  his  weekly  pay  or  acquifition,  could  then 
purchafe  fcarcely  half  as  much  as  before.  Thefe  remarks  may  ferve  to» 
fliew  the  utility  of  a  copper  coin,,  if  it  were  only  calculated  for  the  re* 
lief  of  thcfe  poor  people  ;  fuch  a  coin  would  refemble  the  light  money 
in  one  refpeft ;  it  would  not  pafs  off  the  country,  but  it  woulH  not 
partake  of  any  of  its  bad  effedts*. 

Whatever- 


^7i  .'J  A.Mr^.A  -^N-<h 

...  iWhatevisr  endeavows  V^J  he-  ,ufe^,  or  .prQyiliQOiS>.e  symlied,.  to 
retain  a  fufficicAt  quantity  of  foi^,  fox,  tfap  mteffj?!.  gQiiyemencc  of 
the  iiih^bitants  ;u  we  may  be  affiired*  that  io  th(f/prelj;iH  ft?t^  of  their 
external  trade,  it  is  irapoilible  to.  prevent  the  $^n\{h.gp\^  and  filyer 
curreacy  from  leaving  this  iflaod  ;  becaufe,  cp^ifbjraiably:  to  what  has 
.been  before  demonftrated,  the  people  of  Jamaica  c^n  no  napre  hinder 
this  coin  from  emigrating  by  the  North  American,  hands,  whilllthc 
balance  of  their  trade  with  North  America  is  figainft  them,  than^ 
the  North  Americans  can  flop  the  efflux  of  what  they .  receive,  whilft 
the  balance  with  Britain  is  againfl:  them.  In  proportion  as  produce 
rit  Jamaica  is  undervalued  by  tl^e  traders^  or  bills  of  exchange  are 
in  general  difcrecjit,  or  drawn  at  too  tong  fight,  fo  will  the  demand 
be  there^  among  the  mercantile  people  for  gpld  and  filver,  to  piake 
j^ip  their  re^iittances ;  and  in  proportion  a$  thi$  demand  inpreafes,  gpjd 
gnd  filver  foreign  coin  muft  become  fcarcer  in  the  i/laiid ;  fimilar  to 
what  has  happened  in  tbe  Northern  colonies,  where,  the  inhabitants 
not  having  a  fufficiency  in  value  of  exports,  to.  difcharge  the  whole 
d.emand,  in  return  for  their  Britifli  imports. ;  the  price  of  filver  ^mpng 
them  rofe  in  proportion  to  the  balance  of  debt  againft  tljem ;  the 
fate  of  their  currency  was  advanced  by  law,  year  af^er  year,  until 
they  were  obliged  to  fubftitute  paper  bills,  in  place  of  lyetals.;  and 
raifed  the  exchange  with  Great  Britain,  till  two  (hillings  fierliijg  be- 
came equal  in  fome  of  the  provinces  tp  i  /.  nominal  currency,*  cr 
one  pound  fterling  equal  to  ten  currency  ;  which  is  an  evil,  that  I 
hope  the  legiflature  of  Jamaica  will  guard  againfl:  by  every  pruf 
dent  meafure ;  and  happy  fliall  I  be,  if  nny  hint  I  have  prefumed  tp 
offer  may  dircft  them  to  an  effeftual  remedy ;  the  fubjeft  J  havp 
ventured  to  handle  is  intricate  in  its  nature ;  yet,  if  we  may  be  al- 
lowed to  judge  of  it  by  analogical  reasoning,  it  feems,  I  think,  prc> 
bable,  that  as  the  individuals,  who  are  thrifty  and  difencumbered  of 
debt,  have  generally  a  command  of  money,  fo  the  fame  rule  ofrpour 
duft,  when  attended  to  by  a  whole  community,  may  lead  .them  into 
poffeflion  of  the  fame  advantage;  in  this  view,  the  lyftem  .of  .ma,^ 
nagement  purfued  by  one  wife  man,  is  but  an  epitome  of  what  tjae 
multitude  (hould  follow ;  and  nations  may  feem  to  acquire  t^eij:  cre- 
dit, opulence,  and  independency,  in  the  fa,me  tr^ck  oif  oeconqroy^  hy 
which  private  fortunes  are  gradually  improved,  and  brought  to  ma.- 

turity. 


BOOK  II.    CHAR  VI^  S7S 

turft^.-*  It  may  be  a  prdper  fupplcmem  to  thefe  remarks,  if  I  ihouldi 
how  clofe  this  fedion  with  fome  cautions  to  the  planter,  in  forming 
his  mercantile  intercourfe.  Whilft  I  beftow  all  due  encomium  upon 
the  real  merchants  of  this  ifland,  who 'are  men  of  worth,  and  actu- 
ated by  the  moft  generous  principles,  I  cannot  withhold  my  ftriftures 
from  thofe  low  retailers,  and  huckfters  here,  ^o  arrogantly  ftyle 
tbemfelves  merchants^  although  they  are  the  mere  fcum  Jtnd  offal  dF 
trade,  refembling  thofe  fcrophulous  excrcfcencies  of  the  Jaw,  called 
pettifoggers,  who  likewife  take  the  liberty  of  entitling,  themfelves 
iawyfrs,  although  utterly  unworthy  of  being  claffed  amo>ng  that  ho- 
nourable fociety.  Thefe  pedlar- merchants  are  the  very  bane  of  Jar 
maica,  and  againft  diem  I  muft  advife  all  the  inexperienced  planters 
to  ftand  perpetually  on  their  guard.  No  race  of  mankind  are  more 
profligate,  more  griping  and  extortionate ;  more  replete  with  quirks> 
quibbles,  lies,  arts,  and  deceit  of  every  kind,  than  this  fpecies  of  ver* 
mm.  No  perfons  can  be  more  liberal  in  ofiers  of  credit,  or  inveigle^ 
nay  even  force,  tiieir  goods  upon  the  unwary  planter,  with  more 
fpecious  lures  of  flattering  and  friendly  language ;  but  :none  are  more 
inexorable  and  itlhuman  in  exafting  payment,  even  to  the  rain  of  the 
vnfidrtunate  man  who  confides  in  them.  Add  to  this,,  that  they  are 
continually  in  litigation,  which  as  it  brings  them  acquainted  with  all 
liie  fophiftry  ai>d  iniquity  of  lflwi-juggle,fo  they  are  the  better  enabled, 
in  coUufion  with  the  deputy  marfhals,  to  ravage  a  debtor^s  proper- 
ty, and  perfecute  him.  to^  the  aCmoft  with  the  more  unfeeling  rigour 
^nd  cruelty.  The  beft  apology  to  be  made  for  them  is,  •  that  they 
chiefly  fell  on  commiflion,  and  therefore  may  ieem  to  be  under  a 
necefiity  either  of  gatheringi^in  their  debts,  and  remitting  within  a 
certain  time,  or  hazarding  the  future  favour  of  their  conAituents  at 
home.  Having  no  capitals  of  their  own,  nor  any  ,extenfive  corre- 
spondence, their  dealings  are  proportionally  Ib^vifed ;  it  is  out  of  itheir 
power  to  advance  for  the  planter  the  means  of  improving  his  eii;ate,  bat 
they  are  armed  with- the  .means  of  defiroying  it*  An  e^er  .[third  for 
gain,  and  anxiety,  to  make  quick  faks  of  the  gtK>ds  eatrttiled  to  thiepi^ 
induce  them  to  feli  without  -much  difcrtminfatton  or-fCnqulry  ;  \yho- 
ever  chufes,  noayiran  in  their  debt ;  but  thofe  planters ^reimore  particju* 
larly  their  objcd^ ;  who,  heedlcfs  of  the  confeqaQik¥0|  ure  ^^eady  to  con- 

:-^  traa 


57<  -J    A,    MA  .1    C    A. 

iraft 'deists  with  any  one  that  will  truft  them;  who; buy  gopds  with* 
out  enquiring  die  price/  and  fettle  a  long  account,  without  cafting 
thetr  eye  upon  any  other  part  of  it  than  the  fum  total. 

They  think  it  impoffible,  that  a  man,  who  profeiies  fo  much  friend* 
fhip  and  efteem  for  them  ;  who   interefts  hinjfelf  fq  warmly  in  their 
affairs;    treats   them   with  fuch  a  profufion   of  ciYility  and    defe- 
rence; and  flatters  their  prrde  fo  agreeably,  in  the  nioft  fervile  and 
fawning  terms,  can  wifli  to  ferve  himfelf  at  the  expence  of  their  cre- 
dulity.    A  falfe  pride,  and  affeftation  of  confequen^e,  make  fome 
planters  put  the  heft  face  on  their  affairs,  and  lea4  thein  too  inconfi- 
derately  into  fchemes  for  aggrandizing  their  fortuoes ;  id  top  great 
hurry  to  be  rich,  they  are  always  poor ;  not  fatisfied  to  grpw  opulent 
by  degrees,  and  continue  independent  as  they  proceed,  they  too  foon 
plunge  themfelves  deeper  than  is  confiilent  with  tlieir  fafety.  Thefe  un- 
iiappy  men  fee-ihemfelv^s  cheated,  and  cannot  >help  thecof^jivcs ;  they 
We  -no  longei»^mafler3  of  their  time,  nor  the  preidvce  of  their  labours; 
their  effeds  are  wrefted  out  of  their  hands^  and  th«Jf  r,eccive  juft  what 
the  pedlar  chufes  to  allow.    They  muft  take  .tbcir;iconM|ipit  fupjdies 
at  the  mofl  uliconfcionable  price,  and  daw  not  complain:,  iior  con* 
trovert  any  article ;  they  buy  the  vilcft  goods  at  the  dearcft  rate  of 
the  market,  and  are  forced  to  fell  their  own  produCis  at  the  chcipcii 
The  account  fwells  every  y^ar,  no  reduction  h  made,  diftrefle)  iii- 
creafe ;  and,  at  length,  when  they  are  broken  down  with  htigue  and 
chagrin,  their  eftate  is  brought  to  a  falc,  and  will  fcarcely  pay  their.debts; 
the  pedlar  then  fteps  in,  and  makes  it  fecm  an  obligation  conferred^ 
if  he  condefcends  to  take  poffeffion  of  it,  in  full  of  all  demands.     No 
fortune  can  withftand  the  wiles   and    flratagems  incident  to  thefe 
knavifh    connexions;  yet,  the  circumftances  I  have   defcribed  have 
fallen  to  the  lot  of  numberlels  planters,  who  trufted  too  implicitly  the 
fair  fpeeches  of  their  pretended  mercantile  friends,  and  fiiffered  them« 
felves  to  be  conduced  ftep  by  ftep  into  bankruptcy,  and  the  grave.  ^ 
I  would  ferioufly  advife  the  ^oneft  planter,  not  to  fhift  his  bi^fineis 
from  one  correfpondent  to  another,  merely  that  by  fo  doing  he  may 
be  enabled  to  multiply  his  credit  for  a  time ;  when  this  pradice  comes 
to  be  detefted,  as  it  may  eafily  be,  he  muft  exped:  no  quarters  from 
any  6f  them ;  for- no  perfon  in  trade  will  repofe  any  confidence. in  a 
man  who  varies  his  dealings  fo  artfully,  and  contrives  to  run  in  debt 

with 


with  twenty  creditors  infteajd  of  one.     Let  him  above  all  things  en- 
deavour to  .fix  bis.  ijegociatioios  with  a  merchant  of  eftablifhed  cha- 
rafter,.  known. probity,  and  extenfive  trade,  either  in  Britain,  or  Ja- 
.maica  ;  let  him  cultivate  that  merchant's  efteem  and  confidence,  by 
'candour,  opennefs,  fincerity,  and  all  poflTible  punftuality ;  this  once 
"attained,  he  need  not  fear  to  have  all  the  fcope  of  credit  allowed  him, 
that  any  reafonable  man  can  expe^  ;  nor  need  he  fear  to  obtain  ex- 
"traordinary  affiftance,  if  any  unforefeen  calamity  (hould  befall  his  af- 
fairs.    As  for  thofe  unhappy  planters  who  have  unguardedly  in- 
volved themfelves  indiftrefs,  by  relying  too  creduloufly  on  fair  words, 
and  empty  proffers  of  fervice;  and  who  would  fain  pay  their  juft,  as 
well  as  ufquft  debts,  if  they  could ;  and  want  only  a  moderate  allow- 
ance of  lime,  which  their  infatiable  and  perfecuting  faftor  refufes  to 
grant ;  let  me  recommend  to  all  who  are  in  this  predicament,  to  mort- 
gage their  eftate,  without  delay,  to  a  merchant  of  known  integrity^ 
it  is  better  even  to  truft  a  man  of  reputed  integrity,  than  a  notorious 
pick-pocket :  it  is  better  to  bear  the  burthen  and  heat   of  the  day 
for  the  gentleman^  than  the  villain.     To  conclude,  let  them  (hudder 
at  the  thought  of  giving  up  their  labour  and  inheritance  to  fugitive 
tranfitory  ftrangers,  whofe  regard  for  them,  or  the  land  in  which  they 

•live,  extends  no  further  than  the  profpeA  of  exa&ing  a  fpeedy  and  com- 
petent fortune  out  of  both ;  on  which  they  have  in  view,  to  maintain 
themfelves  comfortably  in  fome  o^her  part  of  the  world.  In  the 
ifland,  the  merchant  of  fixed  reiidence,  large  capital,  and  liberal  fen- 
timents,  (hould  be  fought  after,  in  preference  to  thefe  birds  of  paflage: 
in  forming  a  connexion  with  a  merchant  in  Britain,  the  choice  may 
be  regulated  by  the  advice  of  fome  opulent  and  experienced  planter  ; 
and  although  mock-merchants  arc  to  be  found  even  here,  yet,  for  the 
generality,  the  Weft  India  merchants  in  Britain  are  men  tenacious  of 
their  charadler,  and  abhorrent  of  mean  pradices ;  thefe  are  the  men, 
who,  fatisfied  with  holding  a  reiponfible  fecurity  in  the  property  and 
toils  of  the  planter,  will  patiently  contribute  their  fupport  till  his 
mine  is  dug,  and  the  ore  brought  to  that  degree  of  perfe6tion  in  the 

.  furnace,  as  to  enrich  and  recompenfe  both  parties  [^]. 

SECT. 

[//]  Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  the  aH{i^th  Geo,  III,  cap,  14,)  paffed,  "  for  encoaraging 
*•  the  fubjedls  of  foreign  ftates  to  lend  money  upon  the  fecurity  of  freehold  and  leafehold  cilatcs  in 
**  any  of  his  Majelly's  colonies  in  tl^e  H^cft  Indies ^  Csfc.** 

'Vot.l  4E  Whilft 


57^  )    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

S  E  C  T^    VL 
The  coQffe  of  exchange  between  Jamaica  and  Britain,  was  for* 
tncrly  35  h  per  cent^  but  fince  rai(ed  to  40  A 1  at  which  it  has  re* 

mained 

Whilil  this  a£t  was  in  a^todon^  the  ailbnbly  of  Jamaioi^  being  apprized  of  its  tendency^  pafled  a 
bin  to  the  fame  effect,  only  allowing  ^h  ptr  cenf^  intcred,  inftead  of  5/.  fer  cent^  which  dearly 
diewedy  that  their  fentixncnts  were  in  faTour  of  the  projeift.  Some  little  oppolition  however  was 
made  to  the  ad  of  parliameAC  while  in  its  progicis;  becaufe,  feveral  evil  confequences  were  ap» 
piehended^  as  well  fronl  letting  alieju  into  the  poiTeffion  of  property  in  our  colonies^  as  admitting 
them  to  (hai«  in  the  profits  of  ccMiiignment;  and  fome  othef  objeflions  were  ahb  taken  upon  other 
accounts,  which  feemed  to  have  been  grounded  upon  the  tenor  of  the  a£t,  as  it  was  at-firft  fnunocL 
Thefe  objedions  were  over-ruled,  and  the  a^  a^r  feveral  material  alterations^  was  exhibited  in 
its  prefcnt  form,  which  is  le(s  exceptionable. 

It  took  its  ri(e  from  the  diftrefTed  condition  of  many  prindpal  landholders  and  fetden  in  the 
ink  J  ijlojuby  who  had  purchaftd  theb  lands  at  a  veiy  exorbitant  price,  and  borrowed  krg^y  to  ftt* 
tie  them :  the  returns  being  no  way  anfwerable  to  the  fanguine  expectations  they  had  fixpied,  they 
^came  in  eourie  very  deeply  involved  in  debt,  both  to  the  crown,  and  to  monied  men  in  England, 
who  faw  no  chance  of  being  paid,  except  by  fopporting  this  icheme;  at  feme  monied  men  in 
Holland,  who  had  cafli  to  lend  at  i:i'.p€r  ctnt.  {which  is  much  mone  than  they  coviU  make  of  it 
abroad)^  were  inclinable  to  put  it  out  upon  mortgage  in  out  iflands,  provided  they  could  be  fe- 
fupsd  by  a  law  in  a  due  mode  of  recovery*  '    ' 

It  wias  urged  (among  other  arguments)  in  &vour  of  the  af^^  "  That  the  hmds.  19  the  n^  coti^ 
iftands  were  purchafed  at  a  raft  price  f  that,  by  the  late  bankruptcies  tn  d^  kingdom,  money  v:as- 
g^wn  fo  fcarce  and  valuable,  ths^t  all  the  channels  iu  which  it  ufcd  to  flow  into  the  colonies  weie 
flopped  up^  and  the  poor  fettler  left  incapable  of  carrying  his  eftate  to  any  tolerable  perfeftion,  or 
•f  complying  with  his  engagements,  Ibr  want  of  beisgabk  to  procuxe  money  io\  die  neceflaiy  fop* 
plies,  dock,  and  advance* 

.  ^  That  not  above  a  tenth  pax  of  the  tends  in  thofe  iflands  was  ye&Bronght  onder  culttvadoii;  and* 
of  that  tenth,  one  third  bebnged  to  perfons  who  had  not  yet  eredXNl  works,  nor  wen?  able  to  do  ib, 
luilefs  affifled  by  loans.. 

'  **  That  there  being  not  tbi  kmfi  /nj^iSlof  Ictdingtherarby  means  of  any  funds  then  within  the. 
Briti/b  dominions,,  the  greateft  part  of  them  muft  revert  to  the  crown  without  being  paid  for,,  and- 
remain  uncultivated  and  ufelefs,.  unlefs  loans  were  procured* 

'  ^  That  the  increaled  quantity  :of  money  by  mesms  of  foreigi^  loans,  wpuld  produce  the  happieftl 
cffefts  upoQ.  the  ^ritifli  (hipping,  «omttieroe,  and  raanufadures,  by  finding  more  employment  for 
the  firft,  more  materials  for  the  iecond,  and  more  extenfive  confumption  for  the  ItlSL. 

<*  That  foreign  loana  would  not  tend  to  raife  the  price  of  N^oes  or  uteafils^  for,  that  the  plant* 
crs,  with  money  m  their  hands,  would  be  enabled  to  make  mpie  puii£kual  and  regular  payments,, 
be  fupplied  better,.and  at  a  cheaper  rate  than  they:  were -at  that  time,- 

*^  That  fuch  loans  would  not  lower  the  price  of  fugar.   For,  although  theproduee  of  our  colonieft- 
may  be  greatly  increafed  by  them;;  yet,  the  increaff  w*H  be  JT4u&tf/and.Aw^  befidos*  the  confump- 
tion of  fugar  is  thought  to  be  every  day  inpre^iing  in  Europe  and  America,  and  will  continue  to  do 
fo.     That  the  principal  part  of  the  increafed  quantity  of  fugar  has  come  from  Jamaica  and  Gra** 
nada;  both  of  which  are  now  in  thiir  prime  \  and  that  it  is  high  tinu  timr  yotatger  fjkrs  Jbduldhr 
njbf red  into  theivorld,  and  accompliihed  as  children  -  of  the  fame  parent..   That  fome  of  the  old 
iflands  are  daily  falling  oi^  and  Dcmini^a  is  more  adapted  to  the  culture  of  cofiee  and  cacao,.  thaa> 
fugar..  That  the  additional  quantity,  therefore,  to  be  expeded  from  St. Vincent  aod  Tobago,  cinnot 
be  thought  capable  of  influencing  the  market,,  when  we  confider  the  raj^id  incresifeof  |X)pulation  in 

out 


BOOJf  n.    CHAP.  VI  S7S 

tenuuoc4.  uovarkd  for  ipany  years :  this  has  be^  afcribed  tpitk 
numerous  and  vaUuible  produdions,  and'thc  moftey  importfc^  fi-oW 
the  neighbouring  fountain  heads.    The  coihs  formerly  ctff wnt  Kcni 

our  AiM^icatt^colooies;  and  iince  thb  artick  Is  deemed  by  the  very  loweCt  clafs  of  the  people,  in 
Che  remote  parts  ofOreat  Britain  and  Ireland,  as  a  real  necefTaiy  of  fife.  That  jt  is  likcwife  mak- 
ing its  way  into  the  extenfive  empire  ofRafU^  which  (k  is  fuppofed)  may;  in  a  few  yean,  ttUkt-dk 
from  us  an  immenft  quantity  of  that  produoe  r  ib  thilt~the  praprietors  of  efiates  in  ihe  M  iflanis 
need  not  fear  any  diminution  of  price  from  any  increafe  of  quantity  tn  the  odlv  tthndsf  wl^icir» 
there  is  ihe  greatefi  reaibn  to  believe,  mil  not  keep  pace,  with  the  increafe  of  confumption."** 

Theie  are  the  moft  nyuerial  illuftrations  I  have  feen'  upon  th6  fubjed;  from  whence  it  is  very 
evident,  that  the  mw  tyioMi/j  were  meant  to  be  ferved  at*the  exponoeof  the^^;  and,  uotwithftand- 
ing^the  irifereices  are  pUufibk;  yet  there  is  mt|ch  retnains  to  be  ptfdvedt  that  is  taken  f«r  granted, 
and  muft  be  left  to  the  teft  of  time  and  experience.  The  great  ftroke  was,  to  pay  off  a  very  large 
debt,  contra^ed  by  the  imv  ceded  yiands;  and  ^oney^ood  engaged  in  Holland  for  that  .purpofc^ 
but  it  is  not  (b  certain,  that  the  Dutch  will  advance  la^eiipitaltfafAs  t6  the  other  iilands  that  may 
be  defirous  of  borrowing;  or,  that  fuch  loans  will  redoQnd|f«  'the  mdt  Co  greatly  to  the  advantage 
of  the  kingdoiffy  as  has  been  ipeciocrfly  reprelknted. '  Tbe  heft  to  be  hoped  firom  the  icheme  is» 
that  if  there  is  really  that  want  of  money  in  the  kingdon^,  th^  Welt  India  merchants  or  middle*men 
may  borrow  from  fbieigners,  to  lend  out  in  the  cokuiies;  and  if  they  can  take  up  their  loans  at 
^iL  or  4A/«r  eentUi  dicit  will  be-aiaving  to  the  nation  annually  of  i  |A  or  il^per  cent,  on  the 
fbore  ^inUfrft.  But  taking  theumttcr  the  other  way,  it  is  acknowledged,  that  mod  of  the  prodiice 
fena  our  Well  India  iflands  is  fpent  or  confumed  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland ;  if  forelgnersr  therc^ 
fpie  advance  upon  the  credit  of  this  a£i  to  our  planters,  without  the  intervention  of  a  mMk-mart^ 
it  is  clear,  they  will  g^  or  draw  from  this  kingdom  annually  j/./^r  cent^  on  the  Turns  fo  advanced; 
which  will  be  in  a  proportionably  kirge  amount  to  the  principal  lent. 

If  we  rate  this  principal  at  /«w  miUl^ttsJlerUngt  I  believe  it  will  be  thought  not  too  tiiudi  for 
what  may  be  wanted  at  an  average  iii  all  our  ilknds;  for  we  niay  be  alTured,  that  the  c^ill  there  fot 
loans  will  increafe  in  proportion  to  the  facility  df  nietiing  with  money-lenders;  butefdmanQg  the 
whole  at  two  millions,  the  annual  fum  then  drawn  out  of  the  kingdom  by  foreigners  will  be 
lOOyOOo/.;  and  as  it  is  certain  this  bfs  muft  (all  upon  the  national  ilock,  fo  this  a6t  operates 
really  in  the  fame  manner,  as  if  the  nation  (not  her  ^^  India  (Men)  had  borrowed  the  money ; 
it  makes  no  dificrence  in  the  balance  of  political  arithmetic^  and  then  the  mattcfr  corttes  ttf  this 
queltion.  Whether  the  nation  might  not  have  borrowed  lb  much  moiiey  upon  a  loM^.  intercity  /a 
Upon  more  advantageous  conditions?  and  what  will  be  her  genuine  profit /rr  Minum  (d^ueting 
100,000/.)  upon  the  increaled  quantity  of  produce  to  be  made  in  confequence  of  this  loflti,  ibp- 
pofmg  (he  (kould  confume  all  that  increafed  quantity  herlelf,  and  re-export  none  to  tlujpaf  I  fliouM 
be  glad  to  fee  thefe  queftieus  fatisfa^torily  anfwered,  Moreover»  I  much  doubt  the  truth  of  the 
grounds  upon  which  fome  other  of  the  pofitions  are  built.  I  doubt  if  there  is  really  that  want  a£ 
money  in  the  kingdom;  or  whether,  if  the  colonies  had  ofered  (yhferdAUti  which  is  ti.  percent. 
better  than  the  rooney-lendera  in  Great  Britain  can  make  by  lending  at  home,  they  might  not  have 
b^en  fupplied  with  idl  that  was  abfilutefy  necejfwy  fat  them,  without  any  tofs  to  the  nation;  The 
contrary,  I  know,  is  dated  in  the  preamble  of  the  ac(,  in  order  to  juftify  the  meafure;  but,  although 
the  parliament  may  be  faid,  on  diis  account,  to  have  recognized  the  foiOty  yet,  I  bdieve,  there  are 
few  perlbns  who  ierioully  regard  it  in  this  light.  Upon  the  very  principles  of  the  argmnenta 
urged,  the  flower  and  more  gradual  the  increafe  of  produce  advances,  the  linger  will  the  loan  con- 
tinue unpaid,  and  the  more  money  will  go  out  of  the  kingdom  for  intereft.  If  it  be  faid,  that  the 
alien  will  take  his  remedy,  and  recover  his  principal  by  bringing  the  mortgaged  premifes  to  a  iale; 
this  is  not  likely  to  happen  fo  long  as  he  can  receive  punctual  payment  o(  5/.  />er  cent,  imerell; 

4  £  t  but 


5»o . .  ,       X  A  M  A  r  c  a;  " 

«e-^ificd  ift  the  following  table,,  with  th<5ir  rates,  ar'  the  fame 
were  xegulated  by  aft  of  affembly,  paffcd  in  1681; 


Gold  coin^                 Silver. 

•                             > 

StcrL  val^ 

VaUincum 

s.     d. 

Val,  ia  prefcnt  curf.  - 
propomoneil  to  the  fterL 

Spani(h  Doubloon  O      . 

or             ..C  ,  .^- 

Irenqh  Piftol^ .    S 

Piece  of 

Seville, 

Mexico 

* 

* 

1 5.;.. '44 
?   3      I^i 

1 
20^  0. 

,   5 :•=  O" 

5  ^4ii5-  . 

oj: 
French  Ecu 
Peru  piece 
of  <  eighty 

J  -  J 

1 

'■     4  .  31  ^  • 

And 

built  Will  be  hi^  bed  advantage  to  let  ^hcincumbralice  reft  at  the  option  oftheboitaBrer^'and  as 
fle'fld  gives,  an  eSe6hial  mode  of  proceeding  agaipfl  thei)orrower/fo  the  latter  will  think -hiitlfelf 
vnder  a  flronger  obligation  to  pay  his  intcrrefl  puntShially,  that  he  may  ciainr  the  longertittie  €ot 
payment  of.  the  principal;  yvhich.  he  mil  be  In  no  huriy  to  difcharg;e>  lb -long  as  any  part  of  his 
eifatte  remains  unimproved. 

Thatdua^ad  may^be  of  f^rvice  tP,nany..drfl^e{red  fetters*  who  kaVe  good'laJidB,  I  dd  tfotdoubtj 
bu^  in  a  general  national  yiew^.  I  can.oply  regard  it  as  an  opportunity  given  to'fbreignersy  of  lend* 
ing  upoathe  higheft.fecuaty.  of  th^.tuf/ipnal/aiti^  in  order  tp  gain  more  in  tliis  channel,  than  the}r 
aret^ble  to  gain  by  ji^i^hafingiiito.the  public  funds*  of  this;  ^or  any  other 'flate*  in  Eurbpe. 

It  may.be  acceptable^  after  what  has, been  faid»  to  give  tbe'heads  of  this  ^:  :"; 

CI.  I.  flates. the  difficulty  of  procuring  ^oatis  from  the  fubjofls.of. this  l^itigdoni,  and  enads  that 
aliens  may  lend  xnonq^  on  ffipuiity  of.ellateaia  bis  Majefly's  Weft  India  coloni:es».at  intereft  wk 
txcfiMi^x^h  per  ant,  per  ^rumm. .,  . 

2.  ThatyTiacafe  of  nonTpayinentyjAiitsin^y  bebrough{  and  profecuted  by Tuch  aliens,  ortheif 
attQmi«s»'  at  common  law,  jor  in  the  court  oC  chanpery  iii  the  refpefllve  colony,  praying  a  decreb 
for  ialcu  and  theplaiatiifor  complainant  beent^jied  to  the  fame  remedy  for  debt  and  cofls  due,  as 
any  Bridih  fiibjei^.exc^  pbtaioiog  dircQly»or  inditieflly  the  a<Stual.  poflefHoa  of  the  mortgaged 
premifes.  ., 

J.  ThQcourtofcbaiKery^niiyileciBe  the-falei>ffucb/4nintg^  where  the  mortgager 

luuLConfented.toa  fale.  .^ 

4.  Service  of  writ  of.  praceis  of  the  court  on  the^knowa. attorney  or  agent  oCfuch^alien  ne^ihg 

within  tho^urUdidtioQi  tp  be  deemed  good  fervice;  .and,  .in  cafe  the  defendant  ihall  not  appear  and 

anfwer,  ^be  oouct,iupoii  coming  in.  of.  the  .mailer's  rqxurt^  may  make.;^  final dosiee  for  payment  with 
sntereft.  . 

;.  The  aJiea  iBOftgagfe''ref«ifing^o  receive  payment -of- xhe  -fum  jsrhen^lawfully  tendered,  the 

Mortgager. is,  in  that.cafi^  to  pay^tbc.  fame  into. thei>ank, of  £ng|.and«  with  the  privity  of  the 

aGcountant?goDeral  of  the  high  court  of  chancery >of£ngla^,..p.ur&iant  to  the  method  diredled  by 

aA  12.  Geo.  I*,  and. according  to  the  general. ryle&of  court,  and.of  a6t  xi  Geo.  If.  for  the  benefit 

o£  the  mocfgngee,  his  executon,  &c.  and  to  he  Ye&ed  in  government  fecurity. 

6*A 


Gra. 

Sterl. 

val.      Value  at  140/. 
ftr  ctM,  exch. 

12 

4J. 

6//..      6x.  31^. 

O 

-  3 

7i>        '5.  •  of 

12 

•  4 

6  ,•, ,     6  -  3{ 

12^  • 

4 

'5  '     ,.<►-■??' 

12 

-  4 

6       .  .6:'.3fc 

BO,0K:ILt  QHAP.  VL  581 

<Aiid  all  their  ftaffcions^  or  mioor  aliquot  pieces>  were  proportion  ably 
rated;*'  The  aft  of  parliament  pafTed  6  Queen  Anne  (1707)  ch.  30^ 
in  order  to  remedy  the '  inconveniences  that  attended  the  different 
rates,  at  which  the  fame  fpecic$  of  foreign  filver  coin  were  current 
in^^the'  American  colonies^  ^deiivoured  to  reduce  them  all  to  the 
fdllowing  ftandard  rate,  accordiftg  to  which*' it  ena(^ed  they-fhould 
pafs  for  the  future,  viz. 

Seville  piece  of  eighti  old  plate,  of  17 
Ditto,  ■■  '         new.    —       14 

Mexico,  mm        — - —        1 7 

French  Ecu,     '    —  —    »      17 

Peru  piece  of  eight,  ■         17 

.The -'Mfs,  qttertei-s,  andnothw  parts,  in  ^proportion  to  th^ir  dtf"-  • 
•jioraination,  af^d  light  pieces  according  to  their-weight*  It  likewife 
ordained,  that  Seville,  Pillar  or  Mexico  pieces  of  eight;  of  full>  weight, 
iftalbjiafs  for  i>s.  a- piece  in  current  money?  and  that  Peru  pieces  of 
^ighl:,  and  dollars,;  (hall be  regulated  according  to  this-Aand^rdt^bJe.. 
Thisiaft  was  not  tended  Withtthe  fuccefs^expeftedfirom  if,  Ibr  fradfe 
wHl  break  through  every  reftraint  of  this  nature?  the  different  circum- 
ftanqes  of  thefe.  colonies/  in  refpeft  to  their  balance  of  trade,  and  the 
means  or  opportunity  of  fuppiying  themfelves  With  iilver  coin  j  thbiir 
having  none  other  \^mX,  foreign  coin  for  their  circulation  and  export}: and 
ofcourfe  the:flu£luafingValUe  of'the  ounce  of  filver  among  themj  have 
ca^fedthem  to  deviate  very  coiifiderably  from  this  ftaridard.  -  If  we 
fuppofe,  for  example/  the  following  to  be  the  rates  of  exchange  now" 
in  iufir  with  the  foveral  colonies  onentioned,  and-  take^  the  fiatute  rate 
of<5J.  6d.  flerling,  as  the  flandard  value  of  the  ounce  of  filvei? ;  a 
clearcn  judgement  will  be  foi'med  how  greatly  the 'Colonies  li^ve'be^ 
obliged,  by  the  neceffities  of  their  trade  and  fituafion,  to  vary  fromiit. 

6.  A  certificate  of  the  Accountant-general,  tnder  his  handy  for  the  payment,  to  he  a  -goodand  ef- 
££h)aldifch^ge  to  the  mortgagee.  -   c 

7.  And  imtil  the  mortgagee,  or  his  r^efentative,  fliall  petition  thehigbtQUrtof  diancery  for  an 
order  to  receive  the  fum  fo  paid  into  the 'bank,  the  accountant-general  is  to  place  the  ftme  in  go* 
vcrnment  fecurii)',  and  from  time  to  time  pay  .the  dividends,  intfa-eft,  &c,  a^ifilig  from  h;  to  the 
por^nxntitlcdto  tlie  fura^fopaidioi.    v       •  « 

8.  llie  faid  court  of  chancery,  upofi  a  peti^tdn  in  a  fummaiy  w^y  fipm  the  lAortgf^^c,  or  repre-. 
fenditive,!  to  order  payment  of  fuch  fum, 

9.'  This  to  be  deemed  and  adjudged  a  pub]ic.a6t*  •  '• 

Rate  ^ 


5^2 


JAM    A"  r  C    K 

th«d«Ua(^       cunentvyliieaf     ofthlaK.filycr 


» 

.  dz.  filTcr* 

uefL  chaiige^tn* 

* 

totWT.tcedrAng 

•tMh^nneofoK:^ 

«.     4. 

t.     d!» 

t.     i. 

BoJlon»         — •          433! 

6    o 

<S  11 

7    4 

New  York,             ^ 

•     • 

Eaft  Jcrfey,              1 

S    o 

t 

Nevis,                       1    ^75 

9      2| 

9    7i 

Montierrat, 

Pefinfylvania»          «^ 

W<jftjttfey,           1 
Amigm.                 1  '^S. 

7   <■ 

S    71 

9     X 

st,j(ate^         ^ 

*                  * 

Vk^ia;        M-          125 

5    7 

6    « 

6   X0{ 

Maryland,              -j 
Noitli  Carolina,      j  ^^ 

6    6 

7    6 

7  «»i 

S011&  Carolina,           706 

33    «- 

^    « 

38    6 

Jamaica^        — •           ^40 

6    6 

7    6 

7    81 

fiarbadoe«»        — ^        135 

6    o 

6  II 

7    5 

Quebec,                  "k 

MontceaJ,                 t 
HaHfax,                 f  "'^ 

5    o 

5    91 

6   oi 

Annapolis,              j 

The  foreign  coins  at  piieient 

ufed  h«re  lit 

drculation  are. 

Gold.                          surer. 

Wdght. 

Vahie  ftetling. 

Current  Taluo.' 

dwtSs  grs* 

£'    '.    A 

^.     J.     A 

Spanilh  doub.  doub«  1 
looo,  milled,        J 

17    8 

3    9    4 

5    0 

Ditto,  Ditto,  doub-1 
.  loon,  hammered,  i 

4  15 

Ditto  doubloon,  milled. 

^  16 

I  14    8 

2    10 

Ditto  ditto,  hammered^ 

276 

Ditto  piftole,  mHled, 

4    9 

'7    4 

«     5 

Ditto  ditto,  hammered. 

'   >3    9 

Ditto    half  piftole,! 
milled,           i 

2    4 

8    8 

It    6 

Ditto  ditto,  hammered. 

IT    lOf 

^ 

I 

Gold. 

BOOK  n,    CHAP.  Vr.  5^3 

e^  Silw,  Wei^  VaUieflerBngi    Coneutwlue. 

dwtt.  fpu  k     u     i.        4     *     <t 

Ditto  quarter  ditto,  T                      ^  ^,            ^    ^            ^3 
milled,           J 

Dkto  ditto  dittOjhamaaeredr  5  "♦ 

Mexican  JoBarr  17  *^            4    '          ^  ° 

Half  dfttD,            81^  *    +           3  3' 

Quarter  dittOi         4  ^'             x     a  '          »  7i 

Eighth  ditto,           a.  4-                    7  9* 

GoJ)s['*],orham-T  -,  jj^  • 
mered  pieces  of  8 ,  i^ 

if.  R.  Guineas  and    Pieces  of  4  ryals,^  .    %  6- 

Moaar«,  Tab.  m   pj^^^^     f  ^  ^^^0,1  ,       ^\ 

or  piftonns,         j^ 

Ryalorbitr  71' 

The  Spanifli  mHkd  dollars  are  generally  of  full  we%ht.    The 
:a^iuardi  are  fo  ttaSi  in  adjufting  this  money  to  i^  dwts.  8  grs.  that 
,a:  wiry  great  qibf^y  of  them,  upon  examination^  has  been  found  tt>* 
^I  yery^  lilitle  di^erent  from  this*  (landard,  at  an  average.     I  have 
,itQt  noticed  tb«  wejghi^  ef  the  hammered  gold  or  filver  pieces,  their 
.f^Wy  hefngdiflTerent'from  ^e  other  marketable  milled  pieces,,  and  {o^ 
JWJ^h  dipped,  fiM>  ^i>ja^<teF^cw^       as  to  be  gready  belovr  thie 
•tfJttte  at  whiob  th^,arafufiered  to  pafs  current.    The. milled  double 
dwUpon^t  haying  been  raifcd  by  an  aft  of  aflembly  fome  years  ago  $s. 
^eb  above  the  hammeredr  have  ccmtinued  ever  fince  at  this  advahcsd 
jratej.  by  general  confent  of  the  inhabitants^  although  that  a£l  was  dif- 
^kj^w^  by  his  Majel^     They  vvere  led  into,  and  ftill  remain  in^tlus^ 
^ror  from  .^  vain  t)otion».  that  advancing  the  price  i%  the  means  of 
kecpi^ig  tb?m  in  the  ifland :  1  have  already  endeavoured  to  fliew  the' 
jgilla^Ery  of  iucb  meafures ;  in  cqnCequence  of  which,  the  ifland  in  (a£t  is 
|fi)pOiVeri<hed  6  j^er  cent,  for  every  one^  hundred  piDunds  worth  of  this 
tet^n ; that>  is  brought  into  circulation .     The  paftorins  ^nd  half  pifiorins^ 
jf  pC  fwll  weight,  are  not  fit  for  a^  rem^ittance  to  Ewope,  as  they  are 
^ci^rfe  filver,. at  kaft  6i/. p^r  ounce  fterjingunder  ftandard  filver;  their 
bafeaefsi^ fufficiently  diftinguiibcd  by  their  black  complexion.     For 
$bls  jreafon«,they  have  e£caped  the  fate  of  the  better  eoins^  and  are  per- 

[# j  From  Cilia,  Sfanifh.  cfuit  word  btt^t)^ 

milled 


t's84  t.J.^A:M^\A  il^raCAj". 

\niittfed  to  ^^maln  ifi  the  iflaridi  where,  together  with  the  oM  hammered 
,  dollars,'  pieces  of  eigKtj  and  ryalsi  which  ,are  fo^  rough  diminifhed  by 
»  wear,  clipping,  afnd  fweating,  as  not  to  be  exportable,  they  form  the 
,  chief  part  of  the  filver  in  prefent  cireulatiop.     Ik  is  not  forprifing,  that 
/tjie  dollars  (hpnld  eagerly  hp  bought  lyp,  f^rith.Aeftj  piffdrrhs  aiTd  rVals, 
for  ejcportation;  but  rather;^' as  Sfe  prttn^is  ft)  large,  we  fhould  wonder 
jfliat  a  fingle  pilled  dollar,^ of  full  wei^hjt,  remains  in  the  ifland;  for 
,624  of  thefe^^ryals,  intrinficaliy  nofwofth  m.ore  than  17/.  14 j.  4^. 
\  tirill  buy.fixty  dollars  intrinficaliy  worth  here  19/.   loj.  currency. 
'  There  is  no  country,  perhaps,  where  the  coins  itt  circulation  are  more 
i  in  ncied  of  a  ftri(5l  examen  and  reformation  than  in  ^this  ifland.     When 
me  Spaniards  were  in  pofleffion  ,of  it,  it.  is  fupp<?fed  their  circulation 
»  was  plmoft  wholly  carried  on  with  copper  money.     JLarge  quantities 
(  of  it,  damped  fomewhat  like  the  pidorins,  have  been  dug  up  in  Spanifli 
Town,  the  hills  adjacent  to  it,  and  other  parts ;  but  no  gold  nor  filver 
coin  wiBt^'er  fouild,  that  I  have  he^rd  of;  nor  dbe^  it  appear,  that  the 
.  EngUfii  Forces,  who  conquered  the  ifland,  -acquiMd  ^ny  booty  of  tixk 
«fort;  it  is  probable  therefore,  that  either  the  Spaniards  pcfiefled  nonet 
jor  that  wh^t  they  had  was  carried  awfay  with  them  when  they  retired 
ito  Cuba.  ;  It-  is  certain,  that  when  they  firft  withdrew,  they  were  in 
expedation  of  being-  reinfiated  again,  which  perhaps  induced  them  to 
-bury  their  Copper  money ;  and  this*  feems  further  confirmed  by  the  re- 
.port  of  fom«  ^aniards^  who  have  fince  declared,  that  a  lift  of  thefe 
interments,  with  the  marks  by  which  they  might  be  difcovered,  is  ftill 
iprefcrved  in  a  rcgifter  at  Cuba,  by  way  of  afcertaining  and  perpetu- 
ating the  claim  of  the  defendants  under  the  original  proprietors^ 
.Thefe  copper  pieces  are  extremely  thin,  and  equal  in  weight  to  about 
x>ne  farthing  each  flerling ;   fome  of  them  are  divided  or  cut  fo  as  to 
be  current  at  f ,  f,  and  J  of  the  whole  ;  and  in  general,  they  are  fo 
much  worn,  (b  effaced  with  age  and  corrofion,  that  the  charafters  and 
letters  upon  them  are  almoft  undiftinguiftiable.     I  have  fubjoined  a 
delineation  of  one  of  the  more  perfed:,  and  the  reverfes  of  two  others. 
The  infcription  appears  to  be,  carolvs  et  joanna,  hispaniarvm 
REX  ET  REGiNA ;  Charles  and  Johanna,Kingand  Queen  of  thetwoSpains 
<the01d  andtheNew);  for  Mexico,  or  Nova  Hifpania,  was,  long  before  the 
.«ra  of  this  coin,  annexed  to  the  Spanifli  dominion.     Some  of  the  pieces 
leem  Jnfcribed  with  Joanna  only,  others  with  Ferdinand  and  Joanna^ 

and 


\ 


BaOK  IL   CHAP,  vn  585 

and  one  oT  them  I  have  feen  haying  three  ctowns  placed  fide  by  lide  oii 
a  jparallel  line,  but  the  latter  was  fo  imperfe£t»  that  the  infcnption  could 
^Otbe  traced:  the  caulesof  this  variety  I  (hall  endeavour  to  explain. 
*rhe  coins,  of  which  Iliave  given  a  reprcTentation,  were  probably  ftruck 
-feon  after  the  year  1 5 17 ;  for  it  was  in  that  year  the  emperor  Charles 
Vih  pafled  mto  Spain,  and  held  the  government  jointly  with  his  mother 
Joanna^  who  was  the  daughter  of  Ferdinand  and  Ifabella,  and  reli£t;  of 
Philip,  with  whom,  and  Ferdinand,  iflie  reigned  in  common  until  their 
relpeftive  deaths  [f]  ;  after  which,  (he  probably  held  the  fcepter  in  her 
own  hands,  during  the  minority  of  her  fon  Charles. 

The  Spaniards  firft  colonized  in  Jamaica  about  the  year  1509  ;  the 
eniigrants  are  (aid  to  have  been  for  the  moft  part  vagabonds,  or  wretches 
banlfhed  for  their  crimes,  who  probably  were  unpoflefTed  of  (ilver  coin ; 
what  little  trade  they  afterwards  carried  on  with  the  (hipping  that  ca-^ 
fuaUy  touched  here,  or  with  the  neighbouring  colonies,  could  not  be 
more  than  fufficient  to  ftock  themfclves  with  doathing,  and  a  few 
•other  neceHaries ;  they  bad  neither  fleet  nor  troops,  nor  other  expen- 
ii ve  eftabliihment ;  and  confequently  no  remittances  in  coia  from  £u-<. 
rope  to  pay  any  fuch  contingencies;  thefe  remarks  may  feem  to  con** 
firm  the  preceding  fuppofition,  that  the  Spaniards  of  this  iiland  were 
not  at  any  time  very  opulent.    It  mtift  not  however  be  forgot^  that 
colonel  Jack(bn  is  faidtohave  attacked  it  about  the  year  2638,  plun« 
4ered  the  town»  and  divided  the  fpoil  V^ith  his  (oldiers ;  and  that  he 
likewife  levied  a  confiderable  fum  upon  the  inhabitants,  to  iave  their 
houfes  from  being  burnt.     If  this  account  is  fnie,  he  w^  certainly 
more  fortunate  than  general  Venables  in  1655.'    But  to  return,  feve* 
ral  of  thefe  copper  pieces  are  ftamped  ^^tb  di^^rent  marks^  as  an  an- 
chor, a  key,  a  crofslet,  &c.  which  perhaps  vt'ere  intended,  at  difierent 
times,  to  vary  their  curreht  value  according  to  tfie  fcarcky  or  plenty  of 
money  in  the  idand ;  but  whatever  might  haye  been  their  intention,  it 
will  at  leaft  be  fome  gratification  to  the  curious,  to  be  acquainted  with 
thefe  minutiae ;  and  it  miay  pleafe  in  refledion  to  think,  that  fbme^f 
thelc  pieces  w^e  the .  firft  coin  ever  known  in  Jamaica.    Their  anti- 
^uityt  I  hope,  will  plead  my  excufe  for  dwelling  (b  long  upoH  them  [jg]. 

£^1  Thcjr  wore  probabty  picca  of  4  tecsV  ^^  *'      ! 

Vol.  L  4F  SECT. 


t  %.   ^  *    •      > 


k 


^^:  JT A':  m;  .  a?  r :  C'l  Ola,'"'  T 

•  »  •  .  ■    '  .  ... 

•     ^  ■  '  -l  •  '    *  •  •  .^      '*     '     ■  * 

'In  England,  the  carat  is  calkd- the  2>|.th  paft  of  the  weight  ofgcild 
coin  or  pl^te;  becaufe^  22  carats  of  fine  gold,  and  z  carats  of  copper/. 
qx  filver,  melted  together,  form  the  llaadard  of  fterling  gold ;,  the;  j)U* 
rityof  whigh  is  fixe4at,  24  carats,  inclndiag.  both  i^etals,, though  It  is., 
l^fualjljr  deflo^ninated  gold  of '22  carat^a 

*^he  ftandard  offtpding  filver  conllfts  of  1 1  ozu  '2  dwts.  of  fine  filver,  * 
and  18  d.wt?.  ofcopperv     Thf  laws  of  Jamaica  shave  adhered  to  this 
i^aodard>  an^  ena^ed,  that  119  goLdfmlth,  &c»  (haU  make,,  fell,  or  ex* 
change,  a^y  gQl4  or  filver  plate  of  l^f§  finenefs.     The^  goyernor^is  cm^. 
powered,  to  gppoint  an  aflay-piafter^  who  Is  to.flamp  all. the  ifland- 
made  wards  of  th^fe  metals,  with  the  initial  letters  of  his  name,  and  aa. 
alligatorXheai^;  and  he  isentltledj^bj- way^offee,  to  %n[]«^^  I2,s.  ^J^ 
for  a  gold,  and  ys.  6^,  for^^filver  aflaj,, 

I  ll^l^ccomplifli  whal:. remains.. foi  me  to,ofier  oa  the  feligeft  of? 
money,  by  irifcrting  feyer^  tablps,  which  will  he  found  oC  liie.in  com- 
j^utations,^  with'ircference  tp  tj^c 't^a^e,  and  (^rqulating  91:  current  coins^ 

o^'^iriiiani . .'.  " ..    '.      .      ;       .".       '.'    '    .      ,  . 

Junaij^  €umdc;y,]|cdnced  into  f^rliQg,  boui  i.&ttfaiii|;  tO;j^4 


«      « 


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..♦/  J 


m 

f 


?kX 


•>.'      • 


.' .    *  » 


•  '    • 


;.  ^ 


.  V 


• 

I'o- Viii 'J     .x%    .»   .1    .»>    ;.   .? 

tM 

if<'^          c     C     \;       0    v>    i 

iFa 

TABLfe 

i/ 


^*  A'M'^A-ii-^^ft»' 


TABLE    III. 

Dolkn  contabed  m  currency^ 
Tht  dollar  at  6i,  64L    . 


x. 


T  A  B  L  E    IV; 

Value  ^rf"  doHan  in   cunoky* 
The  dollar  at  61^  6iA 

ifiUrd 
Milled       Ouieucnr*  ■ 
DoUam     £4   u   JL  f 


t  » 


*i   - 


•  4 


•■».! 

6 

i 

li 

5 

X9 

4 

X  6 

1 

1  r9 

i 

a  la 

9 

»'2« 

10 

1  $ 
6  10 

io 

$0 

9  «5 

40 

16  J 

5P 

60 

19  10 

•70 

tt   If 

So 

ao  0 

90 

*9  S' 

100 

la  10 

Of  o- 

200 

300 

97  10^ 

400 

^30  0 

500 

i6a  10 

600 

195  <» 

s: 

aa;  10 
a6o  0 

900 

a9a  10 

1000. 

iH   0 

6> 
6 
6 
6 


lOthi*     $t    WL-  fk. 


I 

a 

i 

I 

7 

todit». 
I 

a 

3 

4 


7 

8 


L 


a 

« 

4 


9 

7 

3 

o 


4  »o 

5  « 


» 

3 
4 
5 


3 


o 
o 
a 
o 
o 

3 
3 
3 
1 


TABLE    v. 
Gfcnent  Pdn  of  Ezcfaange* 


Value  of  Value  of  the  Parof  Eaurlu.  Fvof  Iiclu  Far  ofEzdi..  Baroflxdl..  ParoflEadU 
tliedolkr   oz.offil«er     tlie  dollar  dollar  dollar  dollar  dotar 

cttnency.     cuneacy.     4/«.6iifteKL  4i*6SAflaU  41.7^  fieri  4i.7J^ileiL  j^.Zd.itA^ 


u    d^    f* 
4    «    Q 


/•    d^    f^    CuRencjTi 
760  Y44s 


Cunenc]^ 
«4i- 


Cunenqr, 


Curreocyi 


viinnciicjp* 
iJ9l 


^  » 


TABLE 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.  VI.  58V 

TABLE    VI: 

Shewing  the  vahieof  OM  fpan  of  gold,  and  every  ditte'  grainf  of  ihrttf  and  <^  one  -penny 
iveight  of  gold,  proponioned  tp  the  rate  of  txcAaiige  nr  Jamaica^  and  the  medium  pnoa  of  gold 
and  iilver  in  Great  Britaia* 

N.B.  The  Bank  of  En^and  frill  take  no  pieces  of  gold  colli  that  are  deficient  above  fix  graini 
of  their  ftandard  weighty  or  in  the  proportion  of  z  j«  in  at.       ^ 


Rate  of  Value  of  one  Value  of  three  Value  of  one  pennyweight 

Exchange.  grain  oS  gold.  grains  of  filver.  of  gold,    . 

J»        ioothi*  i/«        KOths.  i.  loooportSt 

*  7J  o  56  5  477S 


£.  140. 


TABLE    VIL 

For  more  readilj  cafting  up  funis  in  fundry  coins  current  at  Jamaica. 


Nop 

1 

t 

3 

4. 

i 

7 

S 

9 
to 

II 

>s 

»3 

»4 

18 


OU  KvvXi 

or 

Fiftole 

Double  Doubloon^ 

0 

Bk^tece. 

hammered. 

hammered. 

» 

*.    s.    d. 

f- 

£' 

«.    £ 

C*  s.  d. 

iC. 

7 

2 

3    9 

4  If 

I 

«    3 

0 

7    6 

9  zo 

a 

I  10 

a 

"    3 

»♦    5 

4 

*    6 

0 

IS  .  9 

19    0 

5 

S    « 

2 

«J  15 

7 

3    9 

0 

7 

X    6 

28  10 

8 

4    4 

2 

8 

*    3 

^    ^ 

xo 

5    0 

0 

9 

10 

3«    0 

IZ 

$    7 

a 

10 

17    0 

4a  1$ 

12 

6    3 

0 

11 

47  «o 

14 

6  to 

2 

»3 

»     3 

5»    $ 

H 

I    ' 

0 

14 

^1 

12    0 

01 15 

66  zo 

17 

8     I 

a  9 

a 
0 

11 

18 

20 

9  4 

a 

'7 

16-   3 

71    5 

21 

10  0 

0 

«9 

76    9 

aj 

•0  7 

a 

ao 

3    ? 

80  1^ 

«4 

i»   3 

0 

2t 

7    6 

8f  10 

^i 

11 10 

a 

«a 

11    3 

90    $ 

*7 

12    6 

0 

»3 

«i    , 

9S    0 

28 

««    9 

35 

la    6 

142.  16 

43 

5   • 

47 

10 

190-  0 

57 

11    s 

S9 

7    6 

237  «o 

7« 

■7    0 

7« 

5  ' 

285    0 

86 

3    9 

«3 

a    6 

332  10 

KX> 

10    0 

95 

0    0 

380 

I»5 

1  1 

106 

17    6 

427^10^ 

"9 

118 

«5 

475 

HS 

tinea. 

Moiilon 

e. 

Cbbyorham* 

mcred  pieces 

of  Eight. 

*. 

d. 

£,    s. 

iA 

£•  f'  ^ 

8 

»7 

I 

I  18 
3  >7 

2 

5 

to 

6 

i 

S  «6 

3 

tS 

»5 

0 

7  15 

0 

1    0 

3 

t 

9  >3 

g 

I     5 

IZ 

It  la 

6 

I  10 

I 

3 

rj  ti 

3 

»     "5 

10 

IS    I 

2      0 

iS 

9 

•r  8 

1 

^     f 

7 

6 

19  17 

2    ZO 

16 

3. 

at     6 

3 

*  ^5 

5 

*3     J> 

3^0 

•3 

9 

*S   3 

? 

3    f 

X 

e 

2J      2 

6 

3  10 

II 

3 

39      I 

3 

3  li 

4    0 

8 

? 

Sa  18 

9 

4    S 

17 

6 

34  »7 

6 

4  10 

6 

3 

36  16 

3 

4  15 

»5 

38  15 

S    0 

a 

6 

58    a 

6 

7  zo 

10 

77  «o 

lO     0 

«7 

6 

96  l^ 

6 

Z2    ZO 

S 

116    5 

15      0 

la 

6 

135  la 

6 

z?.  u> 

15$    0 

6 

20*  a 

7 

6 

»74    7 

6 

:»2  zo 

li 

'93  >S 

25    0 

30 
40  I 

tf»  I 

70  2 
80  2 
90   2 

too  J 

The  piAorins  or  pieces  of  two  ryalsi  the  half  and  double  pliloles  or  doubloons,  which  are  likev^fi 
cuRCBt  faerci  may  be  eafily  computed  with  the  help  of  this  tablcr,  and  are  therefoire  omitted^- 
When  fihrer  is  at  5  j.  6^^  the  ounce  (teding,  then  the  doUar  is  really  worth  in  cunency  6u  8^.;- 
conibquently  the  current  value  here  of  the  dollar,.or  6i»6tf^»  fuppofes  the  fteiling  value  jlvr  ounce 
of  fiber  about  5  s.  ^^d.  So  when  the  price  of  gold  is  80  j.  the  ounce.j9eriing,  the  real  value  o# 
tliepiftole  in  currency  is  zA4i.  3^^;  but  it  is  current  at  z/.  31.  gd.^  whichaniwers  to  thepske 
of  gold  at  j^s*  ^d^ftr  ounce  fierling.  The  kte  cmnage  flandard  in  Bngland  was  about  721.  t4i 
ferouBCti  atprcfimtitisrifentojT'J.  zol^/tyWhidioMdUstheTalueofthepiftQieaboutzAj^.  7J<4 

€URCDCy« 

TABLE 


45? 


M   A    I    C    Jtt^ 


4  A 

TABLE 


•     « 


VIU. 


o  Great  Britain  on  (he  Moivlng  coiui|o£deS| 
pTOfducc  of  Jamaica* 

Sterling. 


I' 


Sugar  Mufcbvadoy 

Succades,  wet  and  diy, 

«       ^    I         *        ti      f  Cuftom  OJ.  4i^  x6  -^ 


fercwu 
far  lb. 


6     r8f 


|6^ 


Ditto //<wi/-r,pr./fr  gallon,  I  £^^^^   g  f 


Pimento, 

Ginger, 

Ditto  Green  add. 

Cotton,    * 

'CofFcca 

Indigo, 

Sago, 

Mahogany, 

Fiiftick, 

Ebony, 

Braziletto, 

Kicaragua, 

Logwood,. 

Acada, 

Aloes  Hepatica, 

Aloes  Socotrina, 

Caffia.Fiilula, 

China  Root, 

Coral, 


per  cm* 

per  lb. 


9 

4 
Free. 


I 

to 

4 


Firecw 


Guaiacum  Bark, 
.  Lemon  or  Orang|e  Peel, 

Wmtcr^s  Bark, 
^  Cowitch, 

EfTence  of  Lemons, 

Guiricy  Pepper,. 

Long  Pepp:r, 

Gum  Guaiacum, 

Jalap,  ..^  'r.'  - 

Oleum  Pahn.Chrift. 

Pomegranate  Rinds, 
J.  Contrayerva  Root, 

Sarfapgrilla, 
.  Tamarinds, 

But  if  prefcrved,  they  arc  rated  as  Succades, 

Vanillas,  r*  — r^— 

^  Cacaol  if  for  Re-exportatiott, 
'\  Ditto,  ^  Home  Confumption^ 


XX 


/«^lb, 
ditto* 


F>:ec 


} 


9 

.4 

a 

3 
7 
7 
7 

X 

r 

3 
xo 

,  2 
% 

9 
9 
7 

7 

7 


7 

X. 

It 


2 

a 

IX 


x6A 

4 

13.. 


fercwt.    •4.  ij      "fi '    3 


.6 

12  t 
XO 

15 

xo 

'3l* 

XI 

7v9i 
7 

61 
6 
1^ 
t 

IS 
x8} 

S 

la 


*  The  caflc9  imported 
from  ^ocbo  in  the  E^- 
Indies  pays  no  hi^ierducy, 
althoug^h  it  if  foU  in  Lon- 
don (oc  at  lead  as  coffct 
undp:  that  d^ripcio^  for 
juft  double  die  price  of  Ja- 
maica ^xiffec 


i}.Jwtt«»to 
Forfcituxti.^By 

^,_^ imported  into  Oreat  Britain  in  any  calk'or  Tcflcl  that  does  not  coQtiiii 

fixty  g^Iona  at.the  leafi»  on  ^b  of^forieitare ;  fxcffting  only  for  the  iife  of.  die  ieamen  aftoii^ba 
ly>acd,  or  belonging  to  the  fbip  or  veficl  ifn|Mxting.the  fame,  ndl  exfeedin^  two'iftttoot  to*  ea^-As* 
mail  i  and,  excepting  it  is  brought  without  fraud  or  cooccaln^ent,  for  thiSfpfHf«fC:^fe,o£'thf^  iWchfHits 
6r  traders  importing  the  fame,  or  dciigned  as  prefents,  and  npt  by,way,of  merchaodi^i  in  wM/dly^iaies 
ft  may  be  admitted  to  an  entry,  and  payment  of  duties,  Inilcad^*  beuig  forfeited^ 

TAB'I/K 


BO^K^ii;  toAtp.^VC 


m\ 


TABLE     IX. 
RATES'oF      FH  "EIGHT 

From  LoN.DON  to  Jamaica  in  Time  of  Peace^  as  the  fame  were 


-.  ft«ika    iitA  SepU    I77U 


Sterling      £. 
Meafunrd  Goods,  tb^foQt  q 

Iron  ware  in  csifks,  the  cwr.  q 

Solid  aadjoofg  iron,  not  in  caiks,  ditto,  q 
lion  pots,  ■  ditto,  o 

Ifoji  teacher  s^nd  furnaces^         ditto, 

Choppers  and  teaches, r     OJtto, 

SriDs,  ^e  one  hundred  gallons, 
Wdfms,  ditto, 

ln^ad  and  pewt^^ 
Cor<lage,       "  •?* 
Qbeefe  incalksi^ 


ditto, 
ditco, 
ditto, 
'  eiicli, 
dirto, 


o 

o 

Q 


puncheons  of  fine  goods. 
Ditto,  (foaffc  ditto,  — 
Ho^eidsbf  fioc  goods,  ifieerykirgev 

ditto,,  o 
Ditto     ditto,    2Q  bu(hel  hhds.  ditto,  q. 
Ditto,  ooariis  ditlo^  oats,  beay,,brc^, 
and  earthen- ware,  it  very  large, 

ditto,  o 
Ditto,  ditto,    29  bulfa^  hhds* '  diffb, 
Ditio  of  coals  and  Uibc,  if  very  large, 

ditto,. 
^ito  dftta,  20.bufli^Mi^  ditto,' 
llaerces  of  fine  goocbb  *  ditto,  o 

Ditio  coarfc  ditto,  .'TTIT'.^  ditto, 
Btfrelt  of  gunpowder,  ditto, 

Diifto,of  oil,  containing  30  galL  ditto. 
Ditto,  beer,  the  toi>  being  fix  ditto, 
Burrel^  of  tar,  and  other  coarfe  goods, 

ditto, 
Krkins  and  jugs  of  gjrutts  andraifins, 

ditto, 

K«g«»        — -^       - —         ditto, 

Wonc  tufas  packed,  with  the  hoops 

lUibent,  the  one  hundred  gallons 

oftheilill,  ^.  ■ 

Butts  ajid  vatts  filled,  the  one  hundr^ed 
gallons,. 


J. 
I 
I 
L 

4 

3 

3 
o 

IS 

I 

a 

15 
12 


Q    15 

o.  lai* 


e  lai 


o 
o 
o 


o 
6 

<x 
6 
o 
6 
o 
6 
o 
6 
o 
o 
d 


a 


Q 
o 

o 

o 


6 
o 
12. 6 

I 

6 


o 
o 
o 


a    i 


o 

•  * 


2 


6 
P 


o    S    o 


O,  M 

o    9^ 


o 
o 

a 


1 
10 


Ditto  and  ditto»  em^y,.    dittos 
luncheon  paclu^  '  '\         each 

Hogfhead  ttayes,  packed,  ditto, 

Wood  Hoops,  th^  thoufand, 

Truit.  hoops    for   fugaj^  hqgiheads,. 

the  fet,  Q.  5 
Ditto  for  rum  puncheons,.  ditto,  o  4 
Sugar  pot  hoops  bent,  the  thoufand,  6  1  o 
Ditto  unbent,  — — •         ditto, '  a    7 

Ox  bowsy  -^  'j^        the  dozen,  o.    i 

Vhaxrs,  (inf  hogany,  walnut-tree,  ciict- 
'>y-tr^,  &c.)  the  bundle  contain-, 
i|}|;tw.o>.  ■»'    ■■  ">  o    7 


o 
6 
6, 
o 

o 
o 
o 
o 
6 
6 


6 


"* 


o 
o 
o 


7 

5 
1 


J. 
6' 

o 

o 
o 


o 
o 
1 


8 
6 

i 
ff 

I 

o 
o 
o 
1 

I 
o 
o 
p 
I 


o 

16 

4 

»9 
7 

7 
4 

3 
10 

o 

o 

10 

id 
io 

P. 
o 

IQ 

6 

3 

o 

iO 

o 
o 
o 


o 
6 


»Sterring  /. 
-Chairs  of  ditto,  with  w\ti,  each  b 
Chairs  of  othSr  ordinary  wood,  the 

bundle  containing  two. 
Chairs  of  ditto- with  arms,  (;ach 

Cabinet  \care  in  cafes,  the  foot. 

Ditto  bureaus,   drawers,   deiks,   2^c« 
•  -  uncafed,-         — —  cfitto. 

Tables  and  other  Urong  cabinecaware 

uncafed,.  .  -^ — r-.  ..  ditto, 
Couches  uncafed,.  —  each 
Sofas  uncaiedr  "  3itto, 

Qoaches'  with  'carriages  iStidi  wh^ls, 

-  '         (Hito,   9 

Chaiaots  witl)  cU^to  and  ditto, .  ditto,  7 
Four-wheel  .poftchaifev  with,  ditto 

and  ditto,  ,  .  ditto,   7 

Two  wheel  chaifes  with  tops,  ditto,  4. 
Pitto'dittb Vfithout'td^  GTkittenngl, 

ditto,  -5 
Sedan  chaffy  in  cafcs?^  -  — ^  ditto, .  M 
Wagg^ons  with  double  ihafts  and  b.^ad 

i^heek,     •>     — — rr 
Ditto  jiirith  i^rrok  wheels, 
Cart$.with  brqad wheels,.      ^ 
Ditto  with  i>arrdw  wRe^B,.    • 
FTougHs  with  wHeele,     — 
Ditto  without  \f7iQels,      •'^ 
Cart  wheels,  broad,     —     the  pair. 
Ditto,,  narrow,         — rr  ditto, 

Wheel- barrows,         ■»  ■  each 

Ditto  packed,.  ■■*  ■  ■  ditto, 

Bricks,.;        ——  the  thoufand, 

Ptotiles,  -^j  ditto, 

Plain  til^,  — — :  4iito, 

Po^  without,  drips,         —t^^^        each 
Drips,  *-v  ditto, 

Coals,  loole,        — ^      the  chaldron, 
J^;s  oloil,  containing  30  gallons,  each  9  1 5 
Other  jars  in  proportion. 
Hampers,      ^^      th^  dozen  bottle^,  o.    2. 
Crates' of  glafs,  th^  lar^e  fi%p,   each,   1.    5 
Other  crates  in  proportion. 
Round  crates  01  earthen -ware,    — r     <^    7     6 
Smiths  bellows,  from  zoi.  to  15/.  each. 
Fire  engines,  from  j  /•  to  j/.  each. 
Grindflon^,  from  2i.  td.  to  7  /•  each». 
Flag  ftones,  the  ton^  ■  i 

Fire  flones,  — —         the  ifopt^  .0. 

PaiTengers,  — -  the  (hip't  part,  6 
Horfes  for  coach  or  faddle,  each  1  j 
Mulcs^  ■■  ditto,  9 


o 

9. 

o 

•     s 

p 

o 

o 
p 
p 

o 
o 

< 

p. 

o. 
o 

p 

o 
o 
o 
6 

9 

o 

o 

o. 
o 


a 
o 
o 
o 
o 


o 

B 
o 

p 

o 


TABLE 


59* 


>!   A   M   A    I    C    A. 


TABLE     X. 


RATES    or    FREIGHT 
]|Wn    Jamaica    to    1/ONJ>oh. 


Runiy  •»< 

Coffe^ 

PimeniOi 

Indigo, 

Gioger^ 

C^cao,  .J  ..  ■  ..  ■     , .  ■  .m^m 

Cmdo^  -  -  «-^ 

^  BttlKoBy        ios^^cent.  and  jt^  fer  a;it.  ixu  of. war 
Tortotfe-ihell,  i,.  ,,. ,,  .,  ,  ,  ■ 

Mahogany, 

Zebra  wood, 
Cedar, 
Logwood, 
BrastlettOa 

Fijftic,  '\     ^rjtoo, 

•Nicaragua^ 


mm^ 


Sterling. 

ferKmXm  039 

/crgaHon^  006 

/crib,  o    o     t' 

'ditto,  o    o    x| 

.  ditto,  o    o    t| 

'ditto,  o    o    z 

ditto*  o    o    X 

dittos  001$ 

/rrlb.  o    o    X 

'fer  {00^  o  .0    li 


s  10    O 
to 

X  15    ^ 


(, 


APPBN  DIX 


t  593  3 


Appendix   to   Vol.  i. 


TH  E  feveral  papers  following  having  come  too  late  into  my 
bands,  to  be  inferted  in  their  proper  places,  I  fliall  make  no 
apology  for  fubjoining  them  here ;  not  only  as  they  ferve  to  correft 
or  corroborate  fails  related,  but  alfo  to  throw  a  light  on  the  affairs  of 
this  ifland,  in  the  earlier  ftate  of  its  government ;  and,  in  order  to 
render  them  more  conducive  to  tbefe  purpofes,  I  have  introduced  them 
by  way  of  annotation?,  with  proper  reference  to  the  page  or  pailage 
with  which  they  are  more  particularly  connefted. 

Antecedent  to  the  Revolution 9  &c.p.  1 73.]  The  Duke  of  Albemarle^ 
at  his  firft  arrivaU  in  1 68 /»  called  an  aflembly,  which  was  duly  eledled  ; 
but  one  of  his  privy  counfellors  (a  Roman  catholic)  having  charged 
oac  of  the  members  of  aifembly  with  fayingi  "  falus  populi  Juprema 
lexl^  in  the  courfe  of  a  debate  in  that  boufe,  and  the  aflembly  juftify- 
ii^  and  protecting  their  member,  they  were  diflblved  ;.the  piember  was 
taken  into  cuftody  by  order  of  governor  and  council,  by  the  lame 
order  compelled  to  enter  into  a  recqgoizahce  in  4000/.  and  afterwards 
indited  and  fined  600  A  for  thb  preteaded  offence*  ,    . 

After  the  diflblution  of  the  afiembly,  the  judges  and  moft  of  tb« 
principal  officers  in  the  ifland  were  difplaced,  without  any  cauic 
afligned ;  and  particularly  the  provoil  marlhal,  whofe  office  at  than 
time  it  was,  as  it  ftUl  is,  to  make  all  jceturns  of  the  members  chplen 
to  ferve  in  aflembly ;  and  one  Waite,  an  indigent  perfon,  put  in  his 
room.  One  Father  Thomas  Churchill,  a  Romiflx  pried,  who  called 
himfelf  fajlor  of  bis  fnajejifs  catholic  fubjeSs  in  this  ijland^  had  the 
chief  hand  in  effeding  thefe- regulations.  Colonel  Hender  Mokfr 
worth,  the  preceding  governor,  was  forced  to  enter  into  fecurity  in 
100,000/.  to  appear  and  render  himfelf  in  England  ;  feven  of  the  prin- 
cipal inhabitants  offered  voKintarlly  to  be  bound  in  that  fum.for  him, 
ftnd  by  this  means  they  became  obnoxious  to  the  duke,  and  his  ad* 
.*  viiers ;  however,  the  bond  was  taken*    A  n«w  aflembly  was  then 

Vol.  L  4  G  called  i 


594  APPENDIX  TO  Vol.  I. 

called ;  and^  upon  this  occafion,  the  freedom  ofeledion  was  fcandaloufly 
violated,  by  making  troopers,  indented  fervants,  failors,  and  other 
perfons,  nnpoffefled  of  any  property,  occafional  freeholders  ;  carrying 
them  from  parifh  to  parilh  to  vote ;  putting  iidittous  names  t^  the  lifts 
of  voters  ;  and  impriloning  many  coniiderable  gentlemen,  under  pre- 
tence of  a  riot  s  who  afterwards  had  fines  impofed  on  them,  to  the 
amount  of  2,240/. 

Two  other  gentlemen  were  imprifoned,  and  threatened  to  be  h^g- 
ed,  only  for  moving  a  habeas  corpus  for  their  friends,  at  the  time  of 
their  commitment.  Another  gentleman  (doftor  Rofe)  obliged  to  give 
hail  in  i  o,coo  /•  only  for  faying  ibniething  in  relation  to  tbefe  undue 
ele6^ions,  and  repeating  what  he  had  heard  the  new  judges  fay  in  open 
court,  viz.  **  That  the  people  fbould  be  ruled  with  rods  of  iron/* 

Many  of  the  heft  and  ableft  of  the  inhabitants,  being  terrified  at  tbefe 
oppreftions,  ftole  oflf  privately  from  the  ifland,  and  took  refuge  in 
'England.  The  new  pirovoft  marflial  made  fuch  returns  of  reprefen- 
tatives  as  he  was  dircftcd  by  the  governor  and  council ;  and,  by  the 
tnoft  indireft  means,  excluded  thofe  who  were  duly  elefted,  but  re* 
turned  others  who  were  leaft  worthy  to  fcrve  in  the  houfe.  This 
garbled  aftembly,  compofed  chiefly  of  Roman  catholics,  palled  feveral 
laws,  which  were  fent  to  England,  to  be  confirmed  by  king  James  II.  i 
and  father  Churchill  was  deputed  to  folicit  them  ;  but  that  king  having 
juft  before  withdrawn  himfelf,  the  good  father  was  afraid  to  nlake  his 
appearance.  Neverthelefs,  after  king  William' came  to  the  crown,  thiis 
tody  of  laws  was  prefented  to  him  by  another  perfon ;  but  their  evil 
Ibendbncy  being  known  to  the  merchants  and  others  in  England,  who 
liad  concerns  with  the  ifland,  they  petitioned  againft  i;^em  j  and  being 
heard  by  their  lawyers,  before  the  king  in  council,  his'majefty  re- 
mitted the  confidcration  of  thefe  laws,  and  the  ilicgitlmacy  of  the  af- 
fcmWy  that  pafled  them,  to  the  next  lav^ful  aflembly  which  nji^t  ht 
convened*  Upon  this  award,  feveral  of  the  wealthieft  of  the  inhabltantSf 
who  had  attended  on  this  bufinefs,  with  a  great  many  witnefles  from 
Jamaica,  returned  to  the  ifland.  And  his  tnajefty,  being  informed  of 
ihe  before-mentioned  irregularities  and  opprefSons,  caufed  all  tHe 
tonds,  fo  illegally  exafted,  to  be  vacated ;  the  judges  and  oth^  o6Scers, 

whoiiad  been  turned  out  by  the  duke  of  Albemarle,  to  be  relnftated  m 

.:....'       -i      ;..       -1  ;    their 


I  ■ 


APPENDIX  T&  Vol  L  S9S: 

tfaeir  Tefpe^tive  pofts  and  offices;  and  all  the  unreaibnable  fines  to  be 
knmediatelj  remitted. 

It  ba$  been  faid  by  fome  writers^  that  this  duke  was  fent  to  the 
government  of  Jamaica,  as  to  a  fort  of  baniJQiment,  for  his  zeal  againfii 
popery  i  but^  from  the  foregoing  detail  of  the  proceedings,  the  contrary, 
is  evident ;  and  confidering  the  knov^rn  principles  and  bigotry  of  bis 
mafter  James  11,  it  is  more  credible,  that  he  was  fent,  among  other 
views,  to  favour  the  Roman  catholics,  and  perfecute  the  proteftant  fub* 
je£ks  there  i  for  this  defign,  he  carried  with  him  a  gracious  declaration 
from  the  king  to  the  catholics,  confirming  to  them  the  free  toleration 
and  exercife  of  their  religio  n  ;  in  confequence  of  which,  they  prefented 
a  very  flattering  addrefs  to  the  duke,  upon  his  arrival,  who  received  it 
in  the  moll  favourable  manner,  and  condodted  his  meafnres  afterwards 
by  the  advice  of  their  leaders,  whom  he  had  taken  into  his  confidence. 

Addrefs   of  the  Grand  Jury  of  Jamaica   to  his  Majefty  King 

William  III,  1690. 

May  It  pleafe  yoikr  Majefty, 

W  E  the  firft.  grand  jury  (at  St*  Jagp  de  Ja  Vega,  this  laft  Tiiefday 
in  November,  1690,  for  the  body  of  this  your  majefty 's  ifland  of  Jar 
maica)  fince  your  majefiy*s  happy  acceiiion  to  the  tlirone,  cannot  for-* 
bear  rendering  our  humble  thanks  to  Almighty  God,  for  his  ineftima<» 
bk.  goodne&lDd  mercy,  in  that,  when,  aJording  t^  the  weakfeg  ^ 
our  hiiman  underftanding,  all  hopes  of  enjoying  any  Ipn^r  our  reli- 
gioOf  laws,  and  liberties,  were  taken  fieom  us,  he  was  pleafed,  in  our 
utmoft  diftrefs,  to  fliew  his  miraculous  power,  in  raifing  your  nutjefly 
to  be  the  glorious  inflxument  of  our  deliverance  from  that  Pbtfiftm 
hondage  th^  had  extended  itfelf  into  theie  the  remoteft  of  your  ma^ 
jefty's  dominions ;  fo  that  the  laws  of  your  majefty 's  kingdomi  ojf 
England,  and  this  iiland,  which  fhould  have  been  our  fwords  oiv} 
Ipears,  for  the  defence  of  our  natural  rights  and  privileges^  were.;not 
to  be  found  among  us ;  but  our  tajk^majien^  with  an  abfolute^  arbitrary 
power,  attended  with  a  tyrannical  oppreffion  of  all  that^durft  adven- 
ture to  be  boneft,  in  order  to  compJeat  our  ruin,  would  not  allow  ud 
our  freedom  of  eledipg  our  reprefentatives  to  make  lavrs,  but  were  re- 
Iblved  themielves  to  be  fmiths  to  forge  them* 

4G  2 


596  APPENDIX  to  Vol.  L 

Under  ^thefe  circutnftanoes  we  might  ilili  have  laio,  bad  not  your 
majefty,  in  your  great  wifdom,  fent  his  excellency,  the  eJtl  o(  Inchi«* 
quint  for  oiir  governor ;  who  hath  already,  by  his  great  experience, 
made  io  large  a  progrefs  in  fettling  our  af&irs,  that  we  doubt  not  but 
he  will,  in  a  (hort  time,  accomplifli  what  is  fo  happily  begun,  &c.  &c. 

.  Proceedings  during  the  government  of  the  earl  of  Carlijle^  p.  184.] 
The  following  is  an  extrafi  of  a  letter  addreiled  to  his  lordlhip,  written,, 
as  fuppofed,  about  the  year  1677,  by  Mr.  Nevil,  who  fcems  to  have 
been  an  intelligent  man,  though  prejudiced  againft  gentlemen  in  tho 
ifland,  whom  he  fpeaks  of  with  the  utmoft  malevolence  ;  at  the  fame 
time  ftudious  of  ingratiating  himfelf,  his  advice,  and  his  friends,  into, 
the  earl's  good  opinion ;  I  (hall  therefore  omit  thofe  paiiages,  which 
feem  to  have  been  merely  dilated  by  his  perfbnal  refentmentSj^  and 
interefled  or  malicious  views. 

My  Lord, 

I  (hall  not  prefume  to  trouble  your  lordfliip  with  any  defcription  of 
Jamaica,  in  thofe  particulars  which  only  can  prove  mere  repetitions,  of 
every  man's  relation  that  has  been  there,  further  than  what  is  ntccf- 
fary  to  explain  my  thoughts  of  the  improvement  and  advantage^  pub- 
lic or  private,  that  has  or  may  be  made  of  it,  with  the  obftruAions 
and  dangers,  whether  cafual  or  natural,  which  feem  to  threaten  it. 
The  largeneis  of  the  iflandi  the  many  and  good  harbours,  with  the 
abundance  of  wood  therein,  are  taking  praifes  with  thofe  who  only 
thihk  of  it  in  comparifon  with  populous  countries,  that  are  defedive 
m  the  like  ;  but  I  am  very  fure  they  wTfl  foon  fall  under  yotif  lord- 
(hip*s  coniideration,  as  fome,  if  not  the  greatefi^,  inconveniencies  that 
belong  to  it.  An  iiliand,  of  about  300  miles  compafs,  as  this  is^  with 
not  above  10,000  inhabitants,  befides  flaves,  in  it,  piuft  needs  bave 
thofe  few  difpofed  at  great  diftance  in  the  neighbourhood,  if,  as  here, 
they  plant  round  the  fea-c^ft  only  ;  this  makes  it  difficult,  and  of 
great  inconveniency,  to  the  inhabitants  in  their  domefiic  aflfairs;  as 
well  as  to  unite  for  common  fafety  againft  any  invader ;  whtlft  the 
harbours,  at  the  fame  time,  being  too  many  to  fortify,  or  be  defended, 
leave  fuch  invaders  a  free  paffage,  in  and  ouj,  to  deftrpy  their  di(perfed 
pUintations.  y/ 

The 


APPENDIX   TO   Vpi..   I.  597 

Tht  wood?  alfo,  in  the  abfcnce  of  the  mafters,  become  inviting 
receptacles  to  the  Haves,  wbp  will  never  be   unwilling   to   improve 
fuch  an  opportunity ;    thefe  are  not  mifchicfs  like  the  common  acci^ 
d^n^ts  to  European  nations  when]  invaded,  which,  after  fome  reccfs, 
foon   rctiurn   into  order  again  ;  but  happening  here,  muft  bring  if- 
.  fared  ruin  ;  becaufe,  its  nourI(hm:nt  and  fuppnt  in  people  and  trade, 
depending  upon  the  reputation  the  ifland  has  at  heme,  that  deftrovedV 
the  place  is  confequentially  foj  and  this,  I  remeniber,  upon  our  dif- 
courfe  of  it,  Sir  Henry 'Morgan  did  always, fay  to  colonel  Byndlofs, 
and  the  men  with  us ;  that  if  he  were  now  a  privateer  for  the  Spaniards, 
as  he  had  been  againfl  them,  he  would  not  doubt  to  ruin  the  whole 
cduntry,  by  burning  and  dcftroying  •  the  fea-poaft  plantations;  and 
though  that  cannot  be  the  Spaniards  inter^ft  in  thefe  parts,  (if  we  let 
them  be  quiet),  to  iUr  a  nefl  of  hornets,  and  -foxce  theni.into  priva* 
ttering  again  s  yet  the  French,  having  little  tolofe,  and  many  poor 
raicals  to  employ  in  Tortuga,  do  not  want  knowledge  of  our  liland» 
nor  virill  enough,  in  caiii:  of  war,  to  put  in  execution ;  iince  it  is  cer* 
ti^n,  the  planting  part  oncedjfcouraged, 'the  privateering irade  muft 
fubiift,  by  devouring  the  Spaniards,  as  formerly ;  which  produces  an-* 
other  benefit  to  the  French},  -by  difiurbing  their  hereditary  tneniy ;  To 
that,  fo  for  I  conceive  with  Sir  Thomas.  Lynch  in  faying,  tliat  plant- 
ing, and  not  privateering,  is  the  true  interefi  of  England  in  this  ifland ; 
yet,  I  cannot  but  think,  the  greatefl  miftake  that  could  have  happened 
in  doing  it  v^ras,  tht  forcing  the  planters,  for  want  of  conveniences,  to 
run  to  the  North  fide  of  the  ifland  [^],  where  ground  cofi  alt  le^ft 
^/.  an  acre  the  clearing  from  woqd.ji  though  I  allow  the  ground  to 
be  ks  good  for  canes  when,  \^ith  great  charge  and  labour,  cleared ; 
yet  the  vafl  expence  for  want  of  favannahs,  as  in  fencing  a  compe* 
tent  quantity  of  pafture  for  cattle,  is  a  burthen  fcarce  fupportable ;  be-  , 
iide^  the  open  condition  they  are  in  to  all  ipvafions^  and  revolts  of 
the  Negroes*    My  lord,    I  have  infifted  the  more- on  this  particular, 
becaufe  it  has  beea  occaiioned  by  the  manner  of  the  former  governors 
their  proceedings,  in  fetting  out  the  favannahs  and  other  Jands  on  the 
South  fide ;  which,  had  they  been  but  granted  in  moderate  and  im« 
proveable  portions,  would  have  proved  a  greater  quantity,  than  the  i»« 

*  * 

[«]  The  great  mifbke  wai»  in  thecpinion  of  moft  others,,  the  veiy  re«ericf  that  W  to  fa^i^ 
Wflodiog  to  the  South-fidc  coafii,  and  negkdiog  the  North^fidc,  whick  wat  much  healthier*    , 

*  crea&  - 


S^9  APPENDIX   TO  Vol.   I. 

creafe  of  people  for  many  ages  could  have  employed  by  planting ;  bwt, 
on  the  contrary,  feveral  particular  perfons  have  obtained  title  to  five, 
el^lit,  ten,  nay  20,000  acres  a  man,  and  left  no  room  fbr  neigh- 
bourhood on  that  fide ;  whereas  thefe  delicate  favannahs,  if  divided 
into  proportionable  parcels,  had  giveti  axomfbrtable  fupport  by  cattle, 
&t,,  to  the  planter's  family,  without  the  charge  of  clearing,  vrhilfb 
hrs  neighbouring  plantation  had  been  going  on  in  hi  improvements. 
This,    my  lord,  forefeen  and  praftlfed;  had  perhaps  given  a  fecurity 
in  the  beginning  to  the  '  rtioft  impro veable  and  beft-fituated  colony 
we  have  in  the  Indies,  both  for  the  cdmraodrties  it  produceth,  and  the 
annoyance  it  might  give  to  any  of  our  trying  enemies,  that  have 
dominfon  in  thefe  parts  j  nor  had  it  thtn  been  fubjeft  to  foreign  dlf** 
ttlfbahces,  the  people  livitag  uiiited  to  refift  them ;  and  the  enemy, 
larldfrtg  On*  tht  North  fidle,  would  have' found  Tiotfclng,  of  jvaltae*  tO' 
deftroy,  nor  wfeful  to  carry  away  except  frefh  witer ;  and  this,  I^alll- 
perfuaded,  inlght  yet  by  ycmr  Lordfliip's  wifdonl  be  remedied,  if  yd*' 
would  obtain  a  lawi  for  cfdfcating^  all  lands  that  have  paid  no  quit- 
rents,  aiid  &te  not  likely  to  be  improved  by  theownera  on  the  South' 
fide ;  whichy  at  fome  additional  rents  certain  to  the  prefent  ii6pxiovingi 
pfoperties;  fed-farms,  or  the  like  titles,  for  long  terms  of  ytarS,  might' 
by  law  be  granted  to  the  real  planters,  who '  fhould  require  if. 

PORBIGN     T«AX>t. 

Tfee  nejtt  tiling-  to  be  wiflied  for  is,  a  trade  with  the  Spaoiards  % 
but  fo  mdfjy  obftrn^Kons  will  arifc  from  their  jcaloufifes  and  mterefts 
in  the  beginning,  as  Will  require  a  more  than  oniidary  care  ift  con- 
ducing it,  and  fome  affiftance  here  and  at  home  to  make  it  pradica- 
ble.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  we,  inftead  of  the  Dutch  \h\  had  been  the 
convoys  and  fliares  in*  their  rich  flotas,  if  we  had  given  them  no 
more 'fre<jueAt  'cauft  of  enmity  to  us  in  thefe  parts  than  they  have 
d6ne.  But,  my  lord,  to  gain  a  trade  vtrith  them,  I  cannot  but  think 
tfee  likelift  Way  would  bei  firft  to  make  fomcfure  cohtraa  with  the 
undertakers  at  Madrid,  for  fupplying  the  Spaniih'Weft  Intfes  with 

r 

{*]  Im6fi9^  8p»ir,  fbrmot  of  ftipt  mi  iatlors  rf  her  own,  brgan  opcriy  to  bmDiitdft 
ihippmg  to  (ail  to  the  Indies,  though  formerly  fo  careful  to  exdude  aU  foreigncri'  from  theni«}' 
And  fa  great  wan  tlM  fif^)!/  of  Dtndi  imttuluaurei  ^  %am,  ^sc.  thit  all  tteaeRbandiie 
brought  from  the^ptaiiK  Weft  Isdietf : was  not- AiAcieorta  make  mum  fat  theai ;  fq.  that  ch# ' 
Dutch  nrried  boinc  the  bahuii^e  b  money. 

N^roes 


AP,p.^N.D:JX,;ToV<>L.  I.  ^99 

Negroes  [c]- ;  aM  ^^^  ^  ^^  confident  would  be  eaiily  e^eded,  if  your 
lordflvp  ^ypiiU.d  indpce  his^roy^l  highnefs  [^]t  and  the  African- 
comff^n^f  to  endeavour  it ;  fince  I,  ojice  tried  tke  matter,  and  found 
by.^ayices  from  Spain,  that  they  were  ready  to  treat  with,  us,  and 
to  break  with  the  Hollanders,  who  fypplied  them  from  Curacoa,  The 
method  then  thought  of  for  carrying  on  the  work,  if  your  Lordfliip 
pleafes,  Ihall  be  prefented  to  you.  Another  great  and  efFedual  ftep 
towards  trading  with  them,  would  be  for  us  heartily  Jto  endeavour 
to  make  the  navigation  m  (hffe  parts  iafe;  for  iiu^e  we  have  leftdif- 
turbing  the  Spaniards  ourfel ves,  and  getting  thecprofit  that  ocf uix^d 
thereby,  it  ihould,  be  pur  intereft,  methink^>  potato  fuffer  any  other 
to  do  it,  and  le^ft  of  all  the  French  f  whe^  iiqce  Sir  Henry  Moxgon 
(hewed  them  the  way  to  take  Panama^  are.  the  only  people  in  the 
world  in  tbofe  parts  we  (hguld  fear,  as  they  muft  live  by  rapine^ 
and  gatjher  firengtbt  wbilft  our  privateer^s  wear  away,  or  are  drawn 
off  to  plaintipg..  )i  omA  confefs^  I  think  there  is  no  .difieuence  at 
oqr  being  at  v^ar  ^.ere  with  Spain,  and  fuff^iiig  others  effectually 
[to  be  fo}  for/(h9jLild  P^Q^W^  ^U  intp  the  French  hands,  the  ma- 
nufa£tures  of  France  wqdld  fupply  the  South  Sea,  and  all  the 
world  would  b^  theirs:  npr  cpuld  all  the  ilrejigth  of  Europe  ever 
>fcoyef::that,  w^en  once  fortified  ,by  .^hein.  I  fear,  I  (h^U  trouble 
^yoiir  lordihi|>  top  (nucli  y^ith^^olitics  ;\  b^t  ye^  I  cannot  but  think, 
that  a  trade  with  the  Spaniarcis  wpuld  be  worth  all  the  coft  of  reduc- 
ing the  French  to  nothing  on.Hiipaniola;  and  the  Tortuga,  if  a  breach 
with  them  (hould  ever  happen  to  give  opportunity  for  it ;  and  I  am 
confident^ ' that  the  Governor  .of  Jamaica  for  the  time  being,  would 
'iind  the^Spanifh  ports  opqn  to  all  the^ips  commiflionated  to  that  end; 
To  that,'  private  rrade  would  more' than  recpmpenfe  the  charges  of  the 
war,  and  open  the  way  to  ^a  public  pne,  under  fome  regulation  of 
perpetual  guarding  thefeieas  againft  privateers,  who,  fo  long  as  they 
'have - proteftkm  from  France, -Will  continue  to  infeft  them.  This 
4yue  mairttainhig '  of  tfa&  peace,  would  leave  the  Spaniards  without 
excufe  for  their  tperpetualinjuiies- in  the  Gulph  of  Florida,  and  make 
*thekn  ^k^iki'^dfe  >^ri«rate^,-th^y  now  havejuft  caufe  t6  keep  at 
the  Havaiii^ ; .  Whkh  place  i^  'fitiiattf  at  the  entrance  oj^  the  cbamKl, 

\t\  It  wu  £rft  eSbded  about  the  year  i6^« 
' .iWT^,9*ll^.9fV<wk.: ,.        ^ 


6oo  APPENDIX  ro  Vol.  I. 

that  it  will  be  impofllble  to  avoid  their  ifearch,  by  all  the  forces- 
could  be  placed  in  ftation  there,   to  guard  the  paflage  through ; 
but  fome  do  pretend,  that  the  taking  of.  the  Havannah  is  pradl* 
cable,  which  I  will  not  deny  ;  but  that  it  is'  neceflary,  I  can  never 
admit;    for  when  we  iliould  attempt  it,  a  war  with  the  Spaniards 
in  thefe  parts  muil  again  break  out,  and  then  an  end  to  improve* 
nient  begun  and  dcfigned  at  Jamaica.     Then,  if  the  French  (hould 
-afterwards  take  it,  and  make  it  one  of  their  ftatioris,  what  would 
'  be  the  confequence  of  fuch  a  bridle  in  our  jaws,  and  the  reins  in 
the  French  hands  ^ 
^And  now,  my  lord,  I  will  prefame  humbly  to  offer  to  your  lord- 
*-iliip  my  opinion  on  the  foregoing  particulars,  and  it- is  briefly  this. 
*  Pirfif  that  peace  with  the  Spaniards  in  thefe  parts  is  to  be  preferred 
to  war.     Secondly^  in  order  for  us  td  have  fuch  peace,  it  is  neceffary 
to  prevent  (he  French  from  making  war  upon  them  here ;  for  other- 
wife,  whilft  we  grow  weak,  they  grow  ftrbrig, ;  to*  our  hazard  and 
loft,  as  much  (if  duly  confiderdcf  in  e Very  view)  as  to  that  of  the 
Spaniards.     Thirdly^  that  an  abfolute  quittinj^  of  thefe  feas  is  lidt 
only  very  neceflary,  but  very  fealible  and  eafy^  .  Fourthly^  that  the 
doing  of  it  would  produce  private  trade,  and  perhaps,  in  the  end, 
produce  public.    Fifthly^  that  before,  this. can  be  aone,"it  Ts  ab- 
'folutely  neceffary  to  end  the  cdnttwerjy  'about  cutting  fdgwood  ^ 
'  Campedciy^  t^c.  either  by  faying  plainly  it  is  ours;  or  .By  ditclaim'ing 
it,  to  the  peril  of  the  cutters.     Waiving  tniich  mpxc  ih^t  might  he 
faid  concerning  this  colony,  as  it  ftahds  in  oppofi'tiph,  or  conjunAion 
'to,  foreign  trade  and  tnterefl,  I  ihall  prefume  to  enlarge  Something 
'  further,   and  fpeak  of  it,   as  I  think  i^  bears  to  thiS;  oationj   or 
iuelf. 


HoM  E  Trade.      ,       ., 


y^s  for  the  thriving  and  lading  commodit|eSs  we  q^  expert  from 

;the  growth  of  it,   they  are  only  fugars^  ginger.  Gotten,  ladigc^ 

^anotto;  for  as  19  that  pleafan(^  fpice  caliie;^ . pimento,  .apf)  ^apao^  ,the 

'J^v^  qf  thtvck  aiu(l  neje.ds'bjs  ilbon  ^xl|;^au(|e4,  £nc<^  ithfQ;-tli$^  .frppi 

,iWtec«fic .  it  is  gathered  are,    wi thCsMl :  hopes  xftf  'r^pjanti»g,  slvi^4)|S 

cut  down  for  it  [e].     The  fecond,  I  fear,  is  as  unlikely  to  thrive. 


^ '' 


Xt^  TUt  was  formerly  the  praflice,  till  the  vilible  ifcaidty  6f  the'trees  t^iugbt  the  fetdena  bet- 
^ctiKonomyy  by  gathering  die  berries,  without  felliog  thmu 

fiotwith* 


.'A  R  F  E  N  D  I K  .to  Vox.:  I.  6ot 

witwitbftaa4|iig  the;  cteily  vbope$ .  »iid  stt/emptt  9|)Qut  i^;  m^Mj^M 

not  bfi  impiertiii^nt  l^r  m^i»  oSb^^thi^  reiiipn;  IJuye  for  my  opinion 
ID  this  pftjrticuhri  if  it.iiP*fe  pnjy  fq  pi«Y?nt  your  Lordftlip  ftow 
wafiio^  oionqy  and  tii»f  4bQiiifc  it,  fhpujd  you  be  ey^Qf  perfuadg4j 
likQ:othcr$9  to  make  tho  trid-  Tbff  Spaiiiih  NegrQ^^,  who  caroofin 
after  our  conquefl  of  the  ifland,  and  of  whom  fomq  yet  remain  ir^r, 
did  always  forebode,  that  no  cacao  which  the  GngU(h  pUoted 
would  thrive;  which  hitherto  has  proved  a  true  prophecy;  though 
their  reafons  for  it  be  only  fuperftitious ;  for,  upon  examination, 
they  impute  the  good  fuccefs  the  Spaniards  had  tn  that  plant,  .to 
the  religious  ceremonies  ufed  at  the  firft  putting  it  into  tfie  groxMd  { 
which  was  filways  done  wi^  groat  prQceffions  of  frijirs,  aqd  other 
religious  orders,  who  confecj:^ted  the  waik  to  that  purpofe ;  but, 
con^dering  the  Sp^niih  policy  io  confecrating^  their  way  of  njaking 
cochinQal,  vanillas,  and  managing  their  other,  profitable  produiSUons 
in  the  indies,  not  hitherto,  with  all  the  induftry  of  their  neighhouf, 
diicov^red ;  together  with  the  ill  fuccefs  the  Engli^  b&ve  at  this 
time  in  their  cacao  walks,  as  the  Negroes  foretold,  I  am  of  opinion, 
that,  under  the  ceremonies  of  religion,  the  Spaniards  hid  fron)  their 
flaves  fome  neceflary  fecr^t  in  its  plantings  and  I  am  itheu^ore 
confirmed  in  it,  becaufe  it  is  not  a  native  plant  of  this  iiland,  but 
firft  brought  hither  from  the  Caraccas,  a  remote  province  at '  the 
bottom  of  the  Gulph  of  Honduras,  from  whence  perhaps  -  thejr 
from  time  to  time  received  their  plants,  with  their  private  way  of 
fetting  and  cultivating  them  [e].  Befides  the  yfpr^faid  cqipmodir 
ties,  ]i^^hich  I  conclude  ^s  lafting  as  their  ufefulnefs,  the^-e  may  alfp 

[f  ]  J*^  pradlce  of  t}ijp  ^g^^ht  ^n  keeping  their  walks  conftaptiy  c^ar  of  grafs  an4  wee^ 
and  cutting  down  all  trees  in  the  ne^hbourhood,  which  were  neccflary  to  give  fhelter,  eatircly* 
contrary  to  the  culbm  of  the  Spaniards,  has  been  afligned  as  the  chief  caufe  of  their  failing,  evch 
after  &ey  began  to  bear.  I  find  the  foUowbg  remaikable  entiy,  in  the  ^unuil  kcjn'  bjr  Six 
Williain  BeelloQ. 

«'  1664,  Dec.  4/  About  this  day  appeared  firfl  the  comet,  which  was  the  forerunner  of  thfr 
«*  bkfling  of  the  cacao  trees ;   and  after  which  tirac,  they  generally  failed  in  Jamaica,  Cuba, 

**  and  HifpanioJa." 

Trapham  fays,  the  North  fide  is  moft  proper  for  this  tree,  the  rains  falling  there  moil  oppor- 
tunely for  it ;  but  that  the  rains  on  the  South  fide  being  deficient  about  the  period  of  its  bearing, 
it  pines  for  want  of  due  moiilure*  Many  or  moft  of  the  Spanifti  walks  were  on  the  South  fidej 
but  as  it  Lb  certain  that  the  feafons  have  altered  fince  their  time,  fo  this  nuiy  be  thought  a  further 
caufe  of  the  failure  of  fuch  wallts  in  thefe  drier  parts  of  the  ilbnd, 

Vpu  I.  4  H  arife 


•.* 


6o2  APPENDIX  ToVouL 

arife  ia  time  great  profit  by  the  bidii^  to  the  Engliflit  as  formcplj 
did  to  the  Spaniards  ;  and  I  ha?e  knoini  Sir  Thomas  Lynch 
reckon  his  favannah  lands  in  this  country  (of  which  he  poOTefles 
a  great  quantity)  a  furer  intereft  than  his  plantationSf  though  coa*^ 
fiderable^  by  reafon  of  the  great  namber  of  beafts  that  might  be 
bred  upon  them. 
The  next  things  my  lord,  I  (hall  uke  notice  oft  is 

The  Government; 

which  his  majefty  has  been  pleafed  to  manage  hidierto  by  a 
governor,  pofiefTed^  as  to  the  executive  part,  of  all  power,  eccle** 
fiaftical,  civil,  and  military,  affifted  by  counfellors  appointed  here 
for  his  advice,  but  in  ibme  cafes  reftrained ;  thefe,  in  time  of  the 
petty  parliament  (called  aficmhlies),  fupply  the  place  of  a  bmje  of 
hrds  as  to  the  legiflative  part,  but  are  no  court  of  judkrature,  nor  of 
appeal,  either  then,  or  at  any  other  time ;  and  akboi^h  tbnr  power 
Be  not  of  much  ufe^  yet  by  the  little  they  hold  their  places  by  (which 
is  an  immediate  nomination  from  his  majefty  either  in  the  gover* 
nor's  patents,  or  by  privy  feal)  tbty  bam  a  confiderabk  influence  wet 
the  people^  and  can  almoft  with  impunity, .  if  not  well  pleafed,  vex 
and  difturb  the  governor  in  moft  things. he  attempts,  or  does;  io 
that; before  your  lordfhip  takes  out  your  warrant  for  your  patent^ 
nothing  is  mpre  necel&ry  to  be  confidered,  than  the  men  appointed 
for  your  council)  for  being  not  qf  your  own  choice,  nor fuch  as  caa 
piece  in  one  intereft  for  the  king's  and  your  Iord(hip*s  fervice,  yovt 
will  find  yourfelf  always  made  uneafy  l^  them;  but^  being  fucb  as 
you  n/iay  for  principlej  confde  in^  you  will  find  every  thing  befides^. 
facile.  I  pray  pardon  me,,  my  lord,  if  I  prefume  to  go  further^ 
and  fay  that  it  is  ablblutely  neceftary,.  they  fliould,  as^  it  is  pradi* 
cable,  be  all  of  one  intereft ;  fo  it  is  truly  fo,  that  they  be  not  of 
fome  mens  intereft,.  that  have,  governed  here  already*. 
I  ftiall  noake  mention  next  of  the  loioer  boufe^  oc  houic  of 

AsStEMBLY;^ 

which  confifts  of  about  thirty-fix  members,  clcfted  by  the  free- 
holdersiof  the  feveral  towns  and.  precindis,  and  two  for  each  i  and 

tbejit 


APPENDIX   to  Vol.  I.  603 

ibefe^  as  much  as  tbiy  can^  firive  to  imitate  our  Englifh  boufe  of 
commons ;  and  when  they  are  not  in  good  humour^  can  be  as  trou^ 
hlejbme. 

For,  the  revenues  of  the  ifltnd  being  tobe  raifed  by  their  adt,  they 
ire  ib  jealous^  that  they  w/7/  toy  no  taxeSf  but  from  two  yean  to  two 
years ;  becaofe  an  inJiruStion  hath  been  hitherto  given  to  the  ^ver- 
ifiors  (and  indeed  is  made  a  kind  of  fundamental  p6licy  here)*,  to  keep 
a  JiriSl  hand  oFoer  ibem^  that  their  laws^  of  nvbat  nature  Jbever^,  JhaU 
loft  no  longer  than  that  time^  except  ratified  ufider  his  majefty^s  great 
feaU  and  fent  back.  This  point  is  worth  ypur  lord(hip's  ferious 
confideration,  and  may  admit  of  alteration  1  for^  in  (lead  of  keeping 
the  people  in  due  obedience,  it  is  the  main  (pur  to  difloyalty  ;  fbme 
laws,  in  my  opinion,  being  abfolutely  neceflary  in  all  communitieSt 
to  be  fundamental,  and  no  ways  fubjed  to  accidental  diiTolution  or 
change ;  as  to  inftance  only  in  a  few :  firft,  fuclh  aa  require  obe^ 
dience  to  the  fovereign  authority ;  next,  thofe  that  refped  pofleflioa^ 
{uccefiion,  or  inheritance  1  and  la(Uy,  fuch  as  have  r^ard  to  the 
ordinary  fupport  of  the  governihent,  and  the  defence  of  the  whole» 
againfl  foreign  or  domefUc  difturbance.  But  in  all  thefe^  is  Ja« 
maica  wholly  defedive,  and  confequently  very  fubjed  to  troubk 
and  mutation.  This  might  eafily  be  remedied,  if  fome  laws  wert 
firfl  confidered  of  here,  that  might  provide  for  all  thoie  feven^  headv 
and  be  afterwards  remitted  back  from  England  under  the  great 
ieal,  to  be  the  foundation  of  their  government,  and  guides  to  their 
proceedings  in  their  afTemblies :  without  fuch  way, .  this  place  may 
fbon  have  the  like  convulfions  as  Virginia  hath  lately  had ;  for  let 
us  confider  the  time  that  Sir  Thomas  Modiford  governed  here 
(being  about  five  years) ;  during  three  ofthofe^  this  place  had  no  lam  \ 

at  all^  he  having  held  but  one  aflembly,  and   that  at  his  Mk  \ 

comings  whofe  laws  for  two  years  he  founded,  pretending  to 
have  tranfmitted  them  for  ratification ;  but  fo  oox|trived,  that  n^ 
lord  Clarendon,  their  chanceltor,  fhoold  be  the  p?rfon  (kould  take 
care  of  doing  it;  which  being  negleded,  as  it  was  not  unlikely  it 
would  be,  amongft  his  greater  concerns.  Sir  Thomas  oiade  by  that 
means  hiswll  bis  law,  governing  by  tbftt  ia  hit  ownlMeiifti  and 

4  H  s  .     t^ 


!       \ 


r 


4o4  A  P  P  E  N  D  I X  to  Vol.  L 

to  this  da)f;  they  have  had  fao  proceedings  of  his,  during  that  tinie, 

either  rjiti^ed  here,  or  there. 

Another  thing  of  pernicious  confequence  to  this  place,  has  been 
a  lawi  he  at  fifft  introduced,  and  bith  ever  fince  continued  (by 
thofe  that  got  by  it)  from  two  years  to  two  years ;  which  is^  «  that 
«  all  the  laws  in  force  in  England,  are  fo  here.'*  A  thing  ridi-. 
cvlous  in  itfelf,  and  extremely  trpublcfome  in  its  confequence  j  for 
why  (hould  a  niighty  volume  of  ftatutes,  one  half  of  which  arc 
either  ufelefs  or  vexatious  to  ourfelves  in  England,  be  at  one  time 
introduced  in  Jamaica,  where,  in  a  hundred  year?,  the  people 
cannot  be  confiderable  enough  in  number  to  have  occafion  for  the 
hundredtli  part  of  \hem  ? 

But  this,  Sir^Homa's  invented,  that  he  might  encourage  a  parcet 

tif  ptHyfd^gkrs  't6  !fet  the  people  together  by  the  ears,  in  the  eildlefs 
labyrinth  of  14W )  and  thi^ourage  vexatious  and  troublefdme  pro- 
c^e3ing^ :  *&  that  'the  whole  wealth  of  the  ifland  came  ihto  the 
hKhds  of  attorhies  and  folicitors;  and  the  grievance  became  fo 
gr^at/that  the  aflethbiy,  in  Sir  Thomas  Lyhch's  time,  raiide  a  law^ 
"  niat  every  man  '(hould  plead  his  own  caufe."  This  did  rather 
Iftirt'thtth  gbdd;  for  the  lawyers  hfeing  fuppreflcd,  ahd  thfc  hlws 
cb1itthi6ih^  as  voIunkirtOus  as  befOfd,  the  cti'nrtihgefl  knave  carried 
lll'l^drdr'e  Hib-;  ^iid  'indeed  none  biit  fuch  as  intended  ib  toUliii 
^ety  tetfy  'tlbvft,  ttr  dM,  bacbbfe  adijiiuiAfators  to  the  Aftad,  or 
I^Miliiil!  t'otheir'-cliil^f&n;  'ifo'lhat,  ^fceivlhg'the«ir-6lf48  iiicreaie,. 
they  W:fe  forced  to  fet  go  thofe  'taincr  devonrcrs  the  lawyiears,  virho, 
Bft' deilbiU A  ThtVeiifea  a^ain. 

-'My  Wr*,  ihfe  is  wfefrthy  ^our  Ibrdffrip'S  confidenatioh,  that- 
ftatfAteis  '(^arpted  tb  the  place  might  be  culled  <out  tit  ho'ntre,  ^nd. 
litt^6d>  \i¥!^'h>^  \hc  fun'dafheflM  inftruaiions,.  as  to  *what  ar«  ne* 
€elferyTO%e  Ifettl,  bft^er  the  great  feftl,  for  the  pcrpctoal  goverrting 
«f  fbU'couAlSys  liy'^fchtneans^,  nfiatecrs  wiH  not  be  fo  intricate 
hf  they-noW  viifiy  «ofr  the  tolohy  difcouraged  by  the  Ijtigi6ii0)efe  of 
knaves  ^  ficBdh,  [my  lofAy  it  fcMiQ  laws  x^  che  feveral  kinds  afore- 
^id'W«rc*^c?rpettrtrtfed^  tl^ea  cCiight  a  ^vernor  afi:  fortbe  fervice  of 
m^TH^6ft^,  a«4'tWci  gdtfd  of  tfee  «o1orty,  \rtfh6ut  fiJin  whfeh  be 
kh  A^t^'iicfW^  ibtoe  r^t^^i^^  Ibf  the  %poft  «f  hirafelf  tie  itOib 
f^petuali    for,  to  be  at  the  ifteWy  Ibf  the  rabbit  every  two  years. 


APPENDti  T6  Vot.  L  do5 

for  what  (hall  defray  hW  eJ^jjciiceS,  is  a  trouble  not  to  be  fuppcrttd  i 
and  xvhich  fdft»  t«e  governor  upon  iiiile pt^ukrt ricks ^  to  infinuam 
himfdf,  and  ^/W  content  here. 

My  lord,  i  cartnot  chufc  but  thi-nk^  that  more  is  neceflary  to  be 
Aid  of  this  lAattct,  though  I  ISortfefs  what  is  here  difcourfed  of  by 
me,  may  fccm  impertinent;  finfee  it  i«  Kkely  your  lordfhip  has  had 
better  information  concerning  things,  from  other  hands,  than  I  am 
able  to  give ;  but  ntV^rthelefs,  fince  I  have  gone  fo  far,.  1  will  pro*- 
iseed  to  talce  further  tsotice  of  ' 

The  Government  within  the  Inland  ^ 

Which,  according  to  inftru^bns  from  the  king^  hath  a  great,  if 
mt  too  muchy  co^r/^/y  with  the  pr^ite  of  the  kingdom.  Hefo 
is  firft  »  •         ' 

GoUHT    OF   CHANCeitYs 

Which,  is  hdd  by  the  keeper  of  thb.great  fead  of  the  ifland,  who 
is  at  prefent  the  governor,  and  fii{)p4Kfe  vtrili  iftili  fae>ib.  The  pro-^ 
ceedings here ih equity,  are  iKvii^ 'in  ^hornahireof  thofe  in  England i 
hati  'befides  that  the  goternor  Ss^  kdepet  of  «he  rdall/£i>4]t  chancelloi-, 
bd^hath  thereby  the  granting  6f  all  lands,  with. a*fee  belonging  to 
k|  M  zXQy  thft  natui^litring  ali- Arangers^a^  well  Jews  as  others  I 
having  fw  tvztyjrm  upon  hte  naturaii^tion,  a^  I  remember,  iio/.i 
he  lik<e^tfe  thereby  gra'AW  care<df  fouis^  ^miniAfations,  guardian-^ 
£bips  of  children,  probate  of  wills,  marriage  licences,  and  <)ther 
matters  ecclefiaftical.  So  mufch,'^  m^^lord,  in  (hort,  for  the  feal. 
The  Waa^^dttt«:i4  "^Ofrl^At  th^vCall 


/4^t'^>.A«  '  .•-.  t  % 


1?HE  GSANO  .C9tt»T  ,y 

Wliiieh  Hath'a'^felrtcf  jtfftice,  aflifftd  -wHh  thffce  <yf  four  riiore  other 
jiidges,.  k  thkpUafitA  of  the  gawrnbr-i'  'Vut'-ctf  this  cdui4  rffire  all 
tJi%hi«-i«^ts,  knd  p^f9,  diritfett  tt/  ^JiefrfbvtiffttriiVftial  general, 
tk  his"  deputies/,  wha'fiipjily:  tfii  flwi'^f  fliieriffs,  all  ovcfttic  ifland. 
^ei'^iftd  c6uft  harfi  all''l*Vjttrifdia«Mi1n«dtti*'io  the  king's  bench, 
cotnnioA  i^^i  ati&  txcheqtitfr'cotfrts  of  Eir^fbhd,  anU'  is  IMd.  by  way 
toiF-'gfaria 'rttiktoft  GP'te!MhV,--« -the 'taW'n 'df' 'St;  Jagb  de  1*  V-e^. 
Vh^'Bttitt  e64Tt^ii'fi9fe^jftl<r,i8-lbat  ^F*t(frtintoa-fless,  held  at  the 
IjiMV^alkdMftii  PiHiki  ;0ttit»';%e/'J9(^(%>jU€go5^rtain,  Who  «an 

hold 


6o6  A  P  P  B  N  D  I'X  TO  yot.  I. 

^lold  the  plea  oiily  under  fiye  pounds,  by  writs,  of  jufiitias,  i0be4 
from  the  chief  juftice  of  the  ifland.  There  «are  three  other  courts,  of 
the  like  nature  with  this.  Befides  thefe^  there  are  quarter  ieflions 
held  in  every  precind,  of  the  fame  power  with  thofe  in  Englaodt 
having  cuftos  rotuloruoii  clerk  of  the  peace,  &€.  There  are  alfii^ 
betides  thefe  common  law  courts,  a 

• 

A  Court  of  Admiralty, 

held  by  one  or  more  judges, .  wher^ip  my  lord  Vaughao  placed  Sir 
Henry  Morgan,  coL  Byndlefs,  &c.  which  court  exercifes  all  power 
that  the  admiralty  can  do  in  England. 

*  Thefe  are  all  the  ordmary  courts  here,.. of  the  iflaud :  but^  apon 
occafions  .crimi&al,  courts  of  oyer  and  terminer  are  by  the  governors, 
ere6:ed ;  where  they  have  been  pleafed,  ibme  of  them,  upon  eKtraar.* 
denary  d^gn  to  bang  a  fmrn^  dojkas  juJ^s  themfelves.  As  for  the 
military  power,  it  has  .ufually  been  in  the  hands  of  the  governors 
aflifted  by  a  Itentenaot  general  (at  preient  Sir  Henry  Morgan,  who 
is  fuch  by  patent),  and  a  major  general  (at  prefent  yacaut  by  the  death 
of  major  general  Bannifter)^  The  latter,  befides  the  command  (hat 
the  title  implies,  has  been  in  fbme  ibrt  commiffary  general  of  tlM) 
n^ufters ;  which  is  a  place  abiblutely  neceflary,  and  of  great  ufe  foir 
the  ftrid  obferving  that  the  pcoportioiis  of  Whites  be  k^  up  ac^ 
cording  to  the  law,  in  which  confifts  a  greift  part  of  the  fecurity^ 
our  lives. 

Mi  l  I  t  I  a« 

The  number  of  men  in  arms  (all  Whites  above  fixteem  years  of  age 
sthat  have  been  one  month  refident  here  being  enrolled)  amounts  to 
.about  5000,  under  colonels,  tSc.    They  mufter  in  the  nature  of  a 

militia ;  but  upon  occafion,  a  little  more  fubjed  to  martjial  laws. 
Befides^  tboie  at  the  Point  do,  in  their  turns,  keep  guard  at  the  fort 
there,^and  alio  ierve  inftead  of  omilables,  and  watches,  to  kej(p  the 
ilreets  quiet  at  night.  The  officers  in  pay  are  only  the  governor 
<Qf  the  fort,  and  one  or  two  more.  Exeicife  is  all  the  duty  of  die 
Soldiers ;  jexcept  that  a  iquadron  of  the  Goveraor^s  own  troops  (com« 
inauded  at  prefent  by  capt.  Hender  Afolefworth,  one  of  t^e  council) 
onounts  every  Sunday,  to  wait  on  the  Governor's  coach  to  dmrcb,^  ^ 
.9t  St,  Jago,    The  coi^miindcrs  are  geDcnOlly  pf  thf  fl^Badl^  lni(,all 


APPfe^NDIX^To  Vol.  i.  <.6o> 

at  the  difpoist  dF  the  gorihMr ;  as  ind^  all  other  places  are>  both 
military^gd  civil,  except  the  two  general  officers  before  mentioned^, 
the  twelve  counfeliors,  and  the  patent  offices.  The  next  thing  I  (hall 
obferve  to  your  lordftiip  fs« 

The  RBftBNuCp  and  Oov£EKor*s  Perquisites: 
The  former  of  which  afifet  praictpally  bj  the  cuftoms,  or  impofition 
\ipon  wines,  braadjr,  Wcr^  ate,  and  all  oiher  imported  commoditicsi . 
impofed  by  aft  of  tffembty,  from,  two  years  to  two  ye^irs  y  for  longer 
they  mil  mt  trt^  the  gtmermr  H  mit  of  nectffitj  the  calling  tbem\ 
left  fucb  lams  as  are  fent  home  for  rat^ation^  wbicb  arefhr  their  in^ 
tereji  andfafety^  JhoM  become  votd^  for  i0ant  of  fucb  meetings  \  andffi 
for  the  fnture^  tbey  might  be  forced  ta  Uve  under  fucb  as  the  king*s 
royal  pleafure  Jbould  appoint  tbem* 

This  revenue  is  not*  much,  but  it  is  fufScientat  prefent,  to  pay  the 
governor  2006/.  per  annum  %  a  lieutenant  governor  600L  per  annum ^ 
out  of  it ;  with,  fbme  falaries  to  the  commander  and  other  afScers  ^ 
of  the  fort,  cuftoms,  &r;  beiides  a  little  ilirplufagefor  fortifications, . 
and  other  incidents;  (b  that  indeed  it  is;  or  ought  to  be  by  thd 
eftablifhment,  at  leaft-  5500/.  pr annum..    There  are  alio  his  txa^ 
je(ly*s  quit  rents  for  lands  granted;  which  if  alh were  paid  that  are 
due,  would  amount  to  near  aooo/.  per  annum i     But  becaufe  great 
quantities  are  fet  out,  but  not  improved;  I  belie vo  it  ibarcely  yields 
1 000  /.  per  annumi    This  might  however  be  remedied^  by  a  neceflary 
law,  and  efcheat.     This  quit  rent  has  been  hitherto  a  perquifiie  of 
the  governors,  by  reafon  that  his  majefly,  by  his  original  charter  of. 
fettlem^nt  of  the  ifland,  was  pleaded  to  free  it  from  anfwering  any 
profits  to  the  crown  for  a  certain  number  of  years,  (even  of  eight 
whereof  are  unexpired.     No  account  is  demanded  by  the  crown,  and 
the  governors  have  been  wife  enough  not  to  Ifct  tfie  country  call 
them  to  account  for  the  rents  of  the  lands,  which  tHey  asjlewards  to 
bis  majejiy  have  right  to  receive  f/].     Something  further  is  worth 
your  confidering  upon  this  fubjeil-;   of  which  likall;  at  your  lord- 

[/]  The  planters  uodoobtedly  thought  it  better  not  to  ,caU  them  to>ocoiittl^  tlMttbby^fii  doui^ 
entrap  themfelves,  by  bringing  on  an  enquiry  after  their  lands,  for  which  no  quit  rents  had  beea 
paid;  and  the  governors  connived  at  their  (hoit  payment;  and  de&uh  of  fettling  arrears,  rather 
thaoMe  their  own  perquifite,  by  dsfdofing  the  myfleries  of  their  itewardAiip  to  die  crown. . 

{hip> 


6o8  A  JP  P-E  N  D  rx   TO  Vqiy  ^. 

(hlp^s  p^afur^  communicate  my  tho4|^ts*  Tbi^  is  all 9  -  my  lord, 
that  I  can  properly  call  rcvpnue,  though  {h^c  are  ptl)fr  profits  that 
ftccrup  to  the  goverrtprs  by  divers  ways. 

Other  Profits  of  the  CoVernment  ; 

as  by  the  fcal  of  admiralty^  « forfeitures^  fifles^i  £l?c;  But,  not  to 
pake  my  s^ccount  logger  ii^fo^  \\hfi  ff^^^tfU  ^^iyHres^  I  (l)all  l^riefly 
declare  that  which,  I  bcUeye,-  the  govern niCD(ti§^/r/g/&/^  at  prefent 
at  worth;  not  mentJQt^qg  t^e^byie.  |g^ual,eiuo^i|p9nt^,  {4^  a  place 
may  bring  in  be^tpfepjn  5^  a^d  .6iSV>^^  f^r  afntft/l^  £totj[i  Efiglwd  i 
20Q0/.  from  .the  couixtry  e^bljfhifie^t  ^  -thi^  quit  re^s  1000/.  1 
And  the  profit  accruing  /nQm  the  feal  for  natur^K;cation  about  1200  A 
or  1 300 1. ;  this  is,  t;ruly,  n^ar  th^  fpaXter,  though  fpnie  will  under- 
value it,  and  reckon  it  much  lefs ;  others  again  are  as  extravagant 
jn  their  computations;  c^ling  it  19  or  12,909/.  p^f  ffmum.  I 
Pftf/i  cotifcfs^  I  kflffvfy  a  gqvernar  of  your  lord/hip's  ^ual^cations  ifnd 
qualities^  iJDQuld  foon  Jind  it  e^cnqf^  by  the  country^ s  fundnefs  j  nor 
woTuld  any  man^  I  bumb^  ^Ifceive^  in  the  nation  $  fi^itfo  eafy  as  your 
lorijjhip  would  do  >  whofe  jiame,  by  hpntft  Sir  Henry  Morgan's 
means,  is  as  generally  mentioned  with  honour  and  gof3d  wilhes  by 
the  people,  in  their  healths,  a^  if  t^ey  had  found  the  gQod  cf&d^ 
gf  your  lord(hip's  goverxunpnt  already^  and  ^next  to  his  m^eily'a 
and  his  royal  hjghneis,  no  healths  are  io  often  drank,  efpecially 
at  his  and  at  ^is  brother-in-law  col.  Byndlefs's  tables;  and  thefe 
are  the  two  men  ip.^eed,  who  have  the  true  and  moft  prevalent 
intereft  in  ,the  qgiintry  j  ;Sir  fj^nry,  from  his  eminent  and  famed 
exploits  in  thefe  parts,  together  with  his  generous  and  undeiigning 
>yay  of  converfatiprj ;  cpl.  Byndlefs,  by  the  fame  gcnerofity  and 
frankncfs  of  convqrfation,  Qiixed  with  one  of  the  moft  able  under- 
iianding;s  J  cvcr^a\y  9r  ro/^^  with;  and  were  my  judgement  con- 
fiderablc  to  your  Lord  (hip,  Ifliouldnot  ftick  to  own,  few  clearer 
thinkers  are  to  be  found  in  the  worl4,  &c.  CSc. 

Refle<atipg  hqw^fdious  I  have  been,  I  am  afliamed:  yet  I  hope 
your  Lordfliip  will  excufe  it,  fincc  it  proceeds  from  a  difinterefted 
zeal  to  your  fervice;  though  I  muft  confcfs,  there  is  no  man  in  the 
world,  except  the  king's  qpmmands  and  bufincfs,  /hall  be  fo  embraced 

by 


A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X  to  VO  L.  I.  6b^ 

by^  me ;  for,  like  every  body  elfe,  that  has  had  the  honour  of  your 
lord(hip*s  acquaintance,  I  am  one  of  your  true  admirers,  and  fiialli  upon 
all  occafions,  endeavour  to  exprefs  myfelf»  my  lord, 

Your  lord(hip*s  moft  humble,  &r.  tSc. 

Heads  of  Lord  Carlislb^s  Speech  at  the  Meeting  of  hisFirft 

Aflembly. 

That  he  would  not  iay,  the  body  of  the  laws,  which  he  had  now 
brought,  were  altpgether  the  fame  that  were  fent  home  laft.  The 
council  of  plantations  having  had  but  one  day  of  meeting  after  they 
came ;  neither  could  he  anfwer  for  the  exaftly  tranfcribing  of  them, 
becaufe  the  great  feal  was  affixed  to  them  two  days  before  he  came 
away ;  and  fo  had  no  time  to  compare  them  [g\.  Thofe,  he  iaid,  that 
were  prefent  when  his  commiffion  was  publiflied,  might  obierve  fome 
alteration  in  the  model  of  the  laws,  the  ftyle  and  title  being  changed 
to  ^^  the  king  and  the  qffembiy*  (inftead  of  governor,  council,  and  af» 
fembly) ;  which  the  aflembly  had  no  reafon  to  be  difpleafed  at,  it  being 
a  greater  honour  than  any  plantation  ever  yet  had* 

That  the  laws,  for  the  future,  were  to  be  made  like  as  they  are 
made  in  Inland. 

That  the  fembly  were  under  great  obligations  to  his  majeily,  for 
his  particular  care,  and  \h'\  extraordinary  charges^  ia  maintaining  this 
ifland;  and  therefore  he  hoped,  it  would  oblige  them  to  fuch  fuitable 
retiu-ns  as  his  Majefty  might  be  pleafed  with*  That  the  king  looked 
upon  this  ifland  as  his  darling  plantation^  and  had  taken  more  pains  to 
make  this  place  happy,  than  any  other  of  his  colonies.  That,,  among 
other  afts  he  fhould  fend  them  on  the  morrow,  the  firft  would  be,  the 
aS  of  the  revenue  i  and  that  there  was  a  neceflity  of  making  fome  dif- 
patch  of  it,  becaufe  of  arrears  due  to  the  forts,  and  officers,  CSc.  for 

[g\  This  vtras  artfully  infiauated ;  for  they  had  been  altered  very  materially  in  (ereral  dauies  i 
but  he  chofe  to  plead  ignorance,  that  he  might  not  be  called  upon  to  explain  the  reafbns  of 
fuch  alterations. 

Ihi]  Thefc  extraoriitnary  charges  zre  explained,  in  the  fpeech  of  Sir  Thomas  Lynch,  to  mean  ft 
Jrigate^  which*  his  majefty  fent  out  for  prote6ting  the  trade  of  the  ifland  from  piratical  orptuits  \ 
this  would  be  thought  flrange  dochine  now-a-days^  and  a  very  whimfical  argument  for  itidttdiijr 
a  people  to  fubmit  tkemielvesi  in  return  for  fuch  a  mark  of  favour^  to  au  arbitniy  form  of 
fpvemmeiit* 

Vol.  I.  4 1  which 


fiio  APPENDIX  *o: Vol.! 

which  people /were  ydc  unpaid,  and  for  the  building  whereof  they  ftood 
pbliged  to  Sar  Henry  Morgan,  for  bis  care  and  pains. 

That  his  majefty  was  difpleafcd  with  fhem/forpaffingfome  ads  in 
former  aflembUes,  without  ufing'  his  name ;  and  that  never  yet  any 
fuch  thing  was  done  in  any  of  his  plantations,  or  dominions.  That, 
in  the  aft  t>f  militia,  laft  mafde,'  there  was  a  claufe  left  out,  faving  t/je 
governor's  power ;  iut  he  hoped  none  would  be  willing  to  derogate  from 
the  power  his  mdjejiy  gave  bis  governors  inJsu  commifjions.  And  that, 
lifcruples  did  arife  amongft  them,  he  hoped  they  would  repair  to  him, 
before  they  pafled  any  a6t,  that  be  might  fatisjy  them.  That  he  much 
coveted  things  might  be  £b  managed,  as  that  the  king  might  be  fully 
fatisfied  with  them ;  that  the  reftraint,-  which  both  he  and  they  lay 
under  in  the  new  laws  be  brought  over,  could  not  be  altered ;  for 
that  he  had  no  power  to  do  It,  but  (hould  be  glad  if  he  had;  That  he 
always  had  been  accounted  a  man  of  property,  and  was  in  nothing 
more  affedied  than  to  do  good  to  thi^  place ;  and^ame  with  an  intent 
foitaldoi  and  therefore  would  not,  by  his. power y  lead^  thei6  iot<>  in- 
con  veniencies,  or  their  pofterity .        '  *  f  . 


r  • 


At  the  Court  at  Whitehall,  the  23d  Feb.  1682,  by  the  King's  Moft 
•i  Excellent  Majefty,  and  the  Lords  of  his  Majefty.*s  Privy  Caunesh 

Whereas,  by  *  the  powers  given  unto  Charles  earlofCiirti/le^'lztt 
governor  in  chieif  pf  ,the  ifland  of  Jamaica  i  and,  iri  his  abfence,  to 
the  commander  in  chief  for  the  time  then  being,  daked  the  3d, day  of 
November^  in  the  3  2d  year  of  his  majefty's  reign,  bis  majefty  hath 
been  gracioufly  pleafed  to  authorize  and  impower  the  governor  and 
council,  and  affembly  of  the  faid  ifland,  to  conftitute  and  ordain  Jaws, 
which  are  to  be  in  force  until  his  majefty *s  pleafure  be  fignified  to  the 
contrary ;  and  forafmuch  as,  in  purfuance  of  the  faid  powers',  an  aft  has^ 
been  pafled,  at  an  aflembly  held  in  the  faid  ifland,  on  the  28th  of 
Oftober,  1681,  intituled,  *•  An  ad  declaring  the  laws  of  England  in 
**  force,**  his  majefty  is  pleafed  to  fignify  his  dlflatisfaftion  with,  and 
3i^llowance  of,  the  fame  ;  and,  according  to  his  majejifs  pleafure  there^ 
iipMiexpreJfedj  the  faid  l^wis  hereby  repealed^  voidj  and  of  none  effe£l* 

John  Nicholas* 
•  Extrafis 


APPENDIX  TO  Vol  L  6ii 

Extrafts  from  the  Speech  of  Governor  Sir  Tbomas  hyncb^  to  the 
Affembly,  on  the  5th  of  September,  1683,  upon  iignifying  to 
them  the  above  Difallov/ance* 

From  your  laft  feffion,  gentlemen,  we  may  begin  to  date  the  pirof- 
perity  of  the  ifland ;  for  it  was  then  you  gave  his  majcfty  all  the  tefti- 
moniesof  duty  you  were  capable  of,  by  entirely  fubmitting  all  your 
concerns  to  hh  facred  wi//;  and  by  your  ready  and  chearful  taking 
every  offenfive  claufe  out  of  the  aft  of  his  revenue.  It  was  then  you 
framed  your  moft  feafonable  petition  and  drfcreet  addrefs,  wherein  you 
acknowledged  that  duty,  and  profefled  that  gratitude,  which  is  due  to 
Jo  great  a  benefaSlor^  fo  excellent  a  prince^  as  our  king.  It  was  then 
likewife  you  made  fuch  prudent  and  humble  application  to  our  lords 
at  home,  that  I  may,  without  hyperbole,  if  I  might  without  prefump- 
tion,  fay,  it  has  rendered  them  fo  favourable,  that  they  feem'  con- 
cerned for  us  as  hired  advocates^  as  guardian  angels  :  the  happy  con- 
fequences  thereof  are  fo  obvious,  I  need  fay  nothing ;  for  who  does 
not  know  how  gracious' the  king  is?  how  obliging  the  /br^/i  have 
been  ?  how  great  our  credit  abroad,  how  perfeft  our  union  here  }  dll 
mankind  agrees  in  it^  '  Arid  fee,  heaven  feehis  pleafcd,  as  well  as  the 
king  i  for,  if  the  laft  year  it  appeared  brafs,  this  it  feems  to  melt  in 
filver  fliowers,  to  rain  Wcffings  on  us ;  for  who  has  ever  fcen  Port- 
Royal  fo  full  of  fliips,  or  known  the  planters  to  have  fold  their  goods 
fo  dear?  If  v/e  have  met  with  fome  loffes  at  fea,  have  we  not  borne 
them  with  that  equanimity  and  filence  that  become  merchants  and 
reafonable  men?  Our  trade  is  neverthefefs  increafed,  fo  that  we  have 
more  feamen  and  veflels  than  ariy  of  the  king's  colonies  in  thcfe  Indies. 
And  are  not  you  all  my  witnefles,  that,  within  fifteen  months  paft, 
every  man's  freehold-  throughout  this  great  ifland  is  almoft  rifen  in 
value  from  50  to  200  per  cent,  [i]  ?  So  that  we  have  aftually  experi- 
rimented  what  is  commonly  faid,  **  concordid  res  parva^  &c/'  Peace 
and  agreement  make  little  and  young  colonies  thrive ;  whereas  difcord 

[/]  This  happy  change  of  aflairs  in  the  ifland,  was.  intirely  owing  to  ^t  ktag*8  revocation 
of  his  Irsjbwodtl;  fbr  had  he  HOC  retraced  firom  that  pointy  moil  of  the  planters  were  preparing 
to  ^thdcaw  from.thenoe,  into  ibme  other  country ;  but  their  conftitution  l>eing  reflored,  and| 
in  fuch  a  manner  as  gave  it  {lability,  this  not  Only  bccaiioned  niany  to  return,  yrho  had,  alriea^y 
left  it,  but  attradted.  many  others  to  come  and  fettle  in'it;  particularly  merchants^  who  before, 
had  thon^t  diem^vei  iofecure,  for  w^nt  'of  certain  permanent  laws  to  protect  thenf,  and  fettled 
modea  of^juftkc,^  •'•■'»  j 

i  4 1  ^  ^^ 


6i2  APPENDIX. TO  Vol.  L 

and  quarrels  ruin  thofe  that  are  great  and  profperous.  I  muft  therefore 
again  fay,  and  waive  my  part  in  it,  your  conduct  has  done  this ; 
what  is  more  valuable,  it  has  procured  us  a  moft  particular  mark  of 
the  king*s  grace  and  favour  ;  this,  gentlemen,  appears  beft  in  his  ma<- 
jefty'  own  letter  :  I  dare  not  prefume  to  tally  it  with  any  comment, 
for  //  h  all  the  kings\  every  fy liable  is  good  \  every  period  infinitely 
gracious.  The  gentlemen  of  the  councU  have  entered  it  in  their  book. 
Here  it  is  for  you  to  record,  not  only  in  yrur  journal,  but  in  your 
memories,  fo  that  you  may  difcourfe  it  to  your  children,  they  to  your 
pofterity,  fo  that  generations  to  come  may  know  it.  Blefs  God  for  itj 
and  recur  to  it  as  another  kind  of  magna  cbarta  /  And  you  have,  gen- 
tlemen, that  claufe  in  the  charter  of  the  governor,  that  continues  allem- 
blies,  and  declares  their  laws  mu/l  depend  on  the  king^s  pleafure.  You 
muft  needs  have  heard  thoie  of  Virginia,  Barbadoes,  and  others,  do 
fo  to  this  day  j  yet  they  are  ancient  colonies^  have  coft  the  king  nothing ; 
but  have  and  do  render  conliderable  benefit  both  to  him,  and  the  na- 
tion. Notwithftanding  this,  and  that  wife  and  juft  princes  manage 
their  prerogative ;  yet  our  prince  has  been  fo  Jingularly  gracious  to 
relax  his,  pafs  your  laws,  and  here  they  are  in  your  own  words ;  by 
which  aft  and  grace  his  majefiy  is  pleaied,  ioxfeven  years^  to  foreclofe 
himfelf  the  ufe  of  that  poncer^  which  all  divine  and  human  rights  vejl 
him  with. 

This,  gentlemen,  is  a  confideration^^  extraordinary^  a  grace  fo  oblig- 
ing, that  you  can  better  comprehend,  than  I  expreis  it.  Certain  it  is, 
another  kind  of  prince,  in  fuch  a  kind  of  juncture,  when  his  lawful 
authority  was  libeled,  would  have  made  no  fuch  conceffions,  when 
prcfled  for  money  ;  aiid  on  report  only  of  our  lofles  by  pirates,  been  at 
the  charge  to  fend  us  another  frigate.  Thefe  things  are  extraordinary^ 
fo  is  all  the  king  has  done  for  us ;  and  by  it,  you  fee,  that  princes  are 
the  perfect  reprefentatives  God  has  on  earth ;  you  can  no  (ooner  fliew 
your  fubmiffion  and  dependence,  but  you  fliall  receive  good,  and  have 
proteftion. 

Your  \lk'\  **  Declarative  haw^^  gentlemen,  is  fupprefled,  as  you 
may  fee  by  the  orders,  that  fpeak  the  thing,  but  not  the  reafon  of  it ; 
for  my  part,  I  cannot  comprehend  why  fome  have  fo  violently  af« 
"feded  It,  fince  we  are  all  £ngliih>  and  nobody  has  denied  us.  any  na« 

[ij  The  law  befoie-memioncd,  declaring  all  the  lawi  of  EngUuul  to  be  in  fime  is  Januooi. 

tivc 


APPENDIX   TO  Vol.   L  613 

cTve  right ;  and  that  the  king's  dominions  being  perfonal,  as  well  as 
local,  fo  we  may,  without  offending  bis  majefty^  claim  fuitable  laws  and 
proteAions,  which,  all  the  world  muft  confefs,  we  no  w  have.     Pray, 
if  you  were  to  take  all  the  laws  of  England  together,  would  they  not, 
like  the  Roman  fpoik,  deprefs  and  flifle  the  filly  mortal  that  coveted 
them  ?  What  if,  in  diforderly  times,  and  under  a  weak  miniftry,  any 
thing  has  been  wrejied  from  the  king^  that  impedes  the  exercife  of  his 
authority  ?  you  are  too  {^udent,  too  dutiful,  to  exped  he  fhould  tranf- 
ftr  the  margin  of  it  to  another  world ;  and  confider,  does  not  reafon 
tell  us  now,  what  Arj/lotle  long  (ince  told  the  world ;  and  Arijlptle 
was  bom  a  Greek,  and  bred  a  philofopher ;  that  is,  he  was  a  wife 
man,  in  a  country  of  liberty^  yet  faid,>*  bonus  rex  praferendus  optimis^ 
•*  le^bus\^\tbat  a  good  king  is  preferable  td  the  befi  laws  %  there  being 
much  more  in  the  execution,  than  in  the  precept;  The  Roman  hiftory 
feems  to  confirm  this ;    for  we  read  in  it,  that  the  world  was  eaf^ 
under  Auguftus,  Titus,  Trajan,  and  thofe  other  juft  and '  wife  princes ; ; 
yet  their  W//j  were  their  ediStsi  and  their  ediffs  were  laws  to  that  vaft 
empire.  I:do  not  fay  this  to  recommend  what  is  arbitrary ^  but  by  way 
€£  adi)i€e^  We  blefi  God  for  good  princes,  who,  like  wife  and  tender ' 
parents  (as  in  this,  matter ),.>  only  deny-  us  what  would  hart  us.     In  ^ 
Henry  Vllth'i  time,  Empibn  and  Dudley,  with  other  rapacious  of& 
cers,  by  putting  fupernumerary  penal  laws  in  execution,  fo  vexed the^ 
people,  that,  lord  Bacon  fays,  they  turned  laws  and  jufticeinto  worm*^ 
wood  and  rapine.  For  this  reafon,  a  difcreef  Frenchman  faid  of  his 
fovereign,  ^^  that  France  was  obliged  to*  the«  king  more  for  contracting : 
^  their  laws,  than  enlarging  his  dominions ;"  which  makes  me  fancy, , 
laws  to  young  tx>Ionies  are.  like  phytic  to  the  body ;  wherein,  not  only 
die  quantity,  but  the  nature,  and  due  preparation  of  the  medicine^  is  • 
confidered';  for  that  only  which  makes  it «fit,  makes  it  operate  well-: 
But  becaufe  the  be/i  of  kings  mufi  die^  .and  good  laws  do  remain*;  and  • 
that  fuch,  if  theyi  ate  .not  ftrong' barriers  to  bad  go verncH's,- yet  they  ane 
certain  rules  to  good  ones ;  you  iiave  therefore  great  reafon  to  deiire 
them,  and  1  do  comply  with  you  in  it ;  my  ienfe,  as  well  as  intereft, . 
being  bound  ^up  with  yours  in  this,  and  every  thing  that  may  be  for- 
your  fervice,  and  the  comqion  good/ 

Irmuftnotend,  gentlemen,  before  I  tell-you,  w^have  great  obli- 
l^tions  l^xnn:  friends  in  England ;  who  have  ingenioufly  a£ted  their 
-— —  parts, . 


6iit  APPENDIX  TO  Voi;^  I. 

partSy  and  particularly.  Sir  Charles  LyfteltoUj  and  QcAontlBe^fton.  By 
their  letters  and  accounts,  which  I  here  put  into  your  b^nds,  you,  will 
fee  how  kind,  and  felicitous  they  have  been..  X  muft  therefore,  fay, 
if  you  are  defirous  to  exprefs  your  gratitude  for  bis  majejiy^  g^^aa^ 
and  his  minijiers  favour  to  us,  you  muft  do  it  adually,  I  fliall  leave 
the  method  and  confideration  thereof  wholly  to  you  j  fori  would  not, 
by  my  advice  or  diredions,  leflen  your  merits,!  cm:  anticipate  any  aft 
of  your  duty;  but  would  have  all  arife  from  your  own  fcnfe,  that 
your  honour  may  be  the  greater,  and  my  fatisfaftion  will  not  be  lefs ; 
for  I  have  no  ambition,  nor  the  leaft  vanity ;  God  h^s  been  pleafed 
to  put  me  under  fuch  fatal  circumftances ;  .  pains  and-  dife^fcis  have 
taken  away  my  health  and  limbs.  His  providence,  and  the  unhappy 
voyage  of  my  fons  and  their  mother! — what  is  therfi  then  under 
heaven  that  Ihave  to  defire  ;  but  to  fee  you  happy,  the  laws  fettled* 
.and  the  ifland  profperous,  which  God  Almighty  grant !  Amen  / 

This  high-flown  fpeeeb,  wWch  (hows  the  political  creed  of  thefc 
tipies^  was.  worthy  oi\paSicf  Manwaring ;  but  it  got  for  Sir  Thomas 
the  reputation  of  being  a  very /^^/ fubjedl.  ^ 

Sati^d  the  late  *  4rmjl  with  kit « Au^efifs  royal  gifl^  •  jft.  2 1 6* '  i  42.] 
This. was  in  lieu  of  their  pay;  and  being  put  into  the  baiids  6f  proper 
p^riions  iu  England,  they  laid  it  out  in  an  ailbrfment  of  various  gciods, 
foiikanaging,  that  by  the  time  the  procqeds  caaae  to  be  divided  amongft 
thefpldiers,  the  value  was  confiderabie^-  •. 
The  di^ribution  was  made  ia  the  fqllowing  manner,  In.Oftober  1662  : 
Tq  theregim/ent  quartered  intLiguanfea,^  commanded  by    "  </.      $.  ^ 

:Co}^  Samuel  Barry,  -n-  • —  ^^  2,652    '5  7 

T*o  ditto  at  Port  Royal,   Morant,*  and  Yallahs,  late 

P'oy ley's,  AoiV  colonel  Thonaas  Lynqli's*  •^^  3,582  ,4  x 
To  dit|:o  at  Gis^naboa  andlPrednft,  late  Barrington^s,  : 

Qow  colonerCocQtlius Burrough'^^ .  -—  :  «^  .  '-  2,84a  la  6 
Tp  ditto, at  Spanifli  Town,  Angels,  Paflagi  Fort,.  OH:  :'^  * 

I^arly>pr,  and  parts  adjacent,   late   coloneb  Philip    ♦ 

Ward's,  now  colonel  Thomas  Ballard's,    .     —  t^^^v  ,36 

••••-»      ••!  ■  .      •  •       .    •' -  •  •.."io',746   -5  -a 

To  the  troop  of  horfe,   commanded' by  capt.- Robert*'  »'  •         '     '- 

On 


A  r P  E  N^  D  i  X^  Vo  Voxi  I.  ^6 is 

•1  have  itferificffcey  in  tlic  tiotei  th':dt  this  (eeiris  ilotto  'agi'ee' wltK 'fume 
accounts."  Veilibles' (In  his  narrative  of  the  expedition,  wrote  by 
way  of'^j^ofcgy  for  His  rorfdo^l,  which  had  been  blamed)  fays,  that 
^tlie'vvholt  nirmber^iif  fofiiiers;  embki-qtred  in  England,  was  onjy  z^^po; 
'^  we  kid  to  thcfc  the  riiarinei*,  or  regimenl  of  feamen  under  iCjoodfon, 
•confi{?iiig'cf**x2oo,  tHfer'wliole  is  376b,  whigK  is'nof  much  fhott  of 
the  above  account ;  bat  6f  the  nurtiber,  Daniel  aflerts,  there  were  not 
many  more  than  a  thoufand  veteran  (oldiers.^  '  "'  * 

Iffote  fd)^  page  i^'^y* relative  tq  fBe  Jecrecy  df.ibis  expedition^  i?^/;.] 
'Gei^etilVetiables  gives  US  this 'narra'tive  on  tb6  ^libjeft.  ^TheJtrifli 
•«w^^ being  eridcdi  the  t6fd  BrogbiirM  mvfclf  were"  at  p  general 
•^council  of  the  officers  voted  to  attend  hi$  .hlgVikfs,*  with  fome  ad- 
«  drefs  from  the, a^yj  in  .order  rtQ  ^  fettlirig  and  planting  Ireland ; 
^  whicli  bufinefs  being;  almpft  perfefted^  it Kvas  his'highnefs's  pleafure 
«*  to  acquaint  ititf,^4H« he  W^^td Tim^e^otHei^  empfo^  for  me;  I 
•*^  '^vki  'to  kiifeW^'it  h  afte^  foihe  time/  the  ke^tf  ^as  imparted  to 
**  me,  and  the  juftice  of  it,  which  I  defired  to  be  tleai^ed  td^ie  before 
"  Laj:cepted  qf  it;  in  vvbjch  particqlar^^ing^.fatSHcd,  by  therfo^ 
'^}ihg  mem/nay  'biz.  Thaf  either  thire  wa^  peace  with  tbe  Spaniards* 
'**  in  the  V^tli  Indies^  or^not ;  if  peace*  they  Bad  violated  tt.  -^  T9  feek 


*»  reaion  to  Kno^y  it  tnantms  man.     tJut.i  luppoie  ne  w^ouia,nave  aii, 
*•  proteftant  dengnsimade  piiblick ;  that  each  private  maiijtb^  ?".g^g?S* 

^^  •      ^%^     r      V*  •   '•'••it*.    i_    •       !•  I' •      ''    .    f-'iJ'Ti    Y'M'-'      ,  *      '  I'll  , 

"  m  the  leryice   — 
/*  popifli  enemy 
^  officers,  Ib.many  2iS  fcrupl^d' '' 


\* 


6i6  APPENDIX  TO  Vol.  I. 

■  # 

><  not  confulted  wHhf  that  he  might  be  like  a  ghoftly  hihet  to  the 
<«  foldiers,  to  counfel  them,  he  concludes,  that  all  men  that  went, 
^^  were.men  of  no  confciencet  and  pinned  their  faith  upon  other  men's 
^^(leeves;  but  all  rational  men  know,  that  to  Ji/caver  a  Je/lgM^  is 
^^  to  overthrow  it. ^^  And  again:  "  I  was  acquainted  fo  for  with 
<<  the  deiign,  as  to  know,  the  lawfulnefs  of  it;  and  as  to  the  reft, 
^*  though  I  defired  to  know,  the  fame  was  xkkcjlate^s  part^  not  mine, 
<*  they  being  accountable  for  it,  not  I ;  yet,  the  officers  that  /erupted 
"  any  thing,  bad  their  doubts  an/wered^ 

Seven  thoufand  men  were  landedy  p.  226.  /•  24.]  General  Venables 
dif&rs.firom  mod  other  accounts :  he  fays,  they  were  in  all  6551,  in- 
cluding the  marine  regiment  under  Goodfon ;  according  to  this  ao- 
.count,  they  flood  thus : 

zjoo    fol<li'«.U       htfromEnghna. 
1200    leanien,J         °  ^ 

1851     horfe  and  foot,  raiCed  at  Bar|)adoes«    . 

jiooo    foot,  raifed  at  St«  Kitt's,r  ^qntferrat,  and  Nevis. 

Total,  6551 

Dejborowj  a  favourite  of  the  proteElor^  &c\  p.  227,  /•  31.]  <*  There 
^^  were  fbme  di/contents,,  and  complaints  in  the  fleet  about  the  unfound^ 
***  ^C/J  of  the  provifions  5  about  which  I  being  fpoken  to  by  the  officers^ 
^^  I  defired  thofe  that  informed  jne,  to  acquaint  general  Defborow  with 
^^  it ;  and  he  was  fb  incehfed  agalnfl  me,  that  he  publickly  fell  out 
^^  with  me,  told  me  that  I  fought  to  hinder  the  defign,  and  raifed  an 
•**  untrue  report.— ^That  he  had  for  twelve  years  ktn  tranfadions  of 
<^<  affairs,  and  had  an  end.—l  replied,  the  end  he  aimed  at  I  knew  no^ 
^<  but  was  certain  his  language  would  produce  no  good  to  the  defign^ 
^^  but  hurt.-^I  afterwards  enquired  of  a  friend  the  reafon  of  his  paflioni 
^  and  was  told^  no  inforoiation  againfl  the  vidualers  of  the  navy 
^^  would  be  heard,  with  apy  other  ac9eptance ;  and  that  although  ge**- 
*•  ncral  Defboro^v  himfeli"  was  no  vidualer,  yet  it  was  believed  upon 
**  very  flrong  f)refumptions,  he  had  ajhare  in  the  profits  of  the  place, 
'*  and  therefore  would  receive,  no  complaints  againfl  the  vidualers  of 
**  the  navy,  but  with  reproach,  and  paffions  againfl  the  informer; 
^*  his  own  interefl,  the  private,  and  not  the  general  caufe,  en* 
<«  gaging  him  on  their  behalf^  it  being  bis  own  concern  as  much  as 
^*  theirs.*^      ITendbles'^  Narrative. 

4  ^bt 


^  ^ 


«« 


*    X    ^    *. 


•iC 


ic 


<c 


«c 


4i 


« 


44 


-    Ti&f  filJqmtig  4^  fhijr  Jorlp^nj.  &c.  p.  229,  L  18.]    •*  4<JjVtant 

<«  Jackfon  )yjas .  chargj/ed,  31^  thj?  charge  proved  on  oath,  that  firl^^ 

^*  contrary  to  orders,  and  ipydgily  praSice^  lie  marcned  widiout  any 

\^  to  fearch  the  woods,  to  prevent  ambu0ies.    Secondly,  he  toojk:  no 

'  pikes,  or  v^rjr  few,  and  placed  them  m  the  rear,  as  though  he  feared 

our  horfes  only.    Thirdly^  he  put  other  officers  in  the  van>  and 

hunfelf  brought  up  the  rear ;  near  enough  to  claim  honoiir.  If  it 

were  gotten,  and  in  a  fafe  place  to  run  ^if  there  were  occaiion* 

fourthly,  jhe  W3S  the  firft  man  that  was  feen  to  run,  of  the  whpje 

party,  and  wpuld  not  l^e  ftoppeal     Yea,  for  eagerhefs  to  be  gpnp^ 

^•'  at  the  flop  my  reginjient  gave  him,  which  caufed  ja  crou(J,  he  toftk 

^*  hold  of  them  that  were  bpfore,  and  thruft  them  afide,  that  he  mig^t 

*'  make  way  for  himfdf  to  be  foremoft  in  the  retreat.— My felf  cbg;- 

"  ing  up,  faw  him  upon  a  pillow,  with  a  woman  by  him  weeping, 

"  as  if  for  him.     I,  fuppofing  him  wounded,  aflced  him  how.he  did; 

*'  he  replied,  Sore  l^ruifcd. — rl  aflced  the  woman  what  her  concern  vyas 

/<  for  him;  (he  iaid,  that  l\ct  hufband  was  (lain,  and  that  her  nawe 

.**  w^  Jack/on. — I  told  her  (he  ought  rather  to  look  ^ter  her  huf- 

*'  Jband,  than  a  ftranger/'     yen.  N^rr. 

TJbe  general  imputed,  this  unhappy  defeats  ice*  p.  231, 1.  13.]  Our 
^^  planters  w^  fotrnd  moft .  f^arfuly  beiqg  qnly  bold  to  do  mifchief, 
^*  not  to.  b^  .(ompaiided  9s  foldigrs,  Qor  to  be  kept  in  any  civil  order  $ 
^*  bpiog  tbc  .njQft  proph^e,  d^bsJUpbed  pcrfons,  that  we  ever  few ; 

fcori)ers.of  religion,  apd  indeed  fd  |op£e  as  not  to  be  kept  under  di£- 

cipUne;  and  fo  cowardly  as  not  to  be  made  to  figl^t;  (b  that,  had 
«  we  kuQwnwJiat  they  would  have  prpved,  we  (h9uld  rather  have 

cboicn  to  have  gpne  piurC^lves,  3^  wejr^me  from  England,  |han  to 
ji  h^vefuchifof  puraffiftaflts,  who,  we  fear,  with  fomeotbers.put  upo 
'^f  us  ia  £4)gl^nd,  have  drawn  .heavy  afHi^ions  uppn  us,  di(h(niour 
/•  upon  our  nation,  and  fel\gion.V     ren.  Narr. 

So  the  commiffioners,  in  their  letter  to  the  governor  of.Barb^doed ; 

I *^  To  (ay  the  truth,  your  men,  and  the  men  of  St.  Chriftopher's,.led 

<<  all  the  diforders,  and  confufion :  and  having  conferred  with  the 

"pflJc({rs.tlHS.ij4^,  they  all  (igree,  that  thefe  people  wjai  never  be 

^*  bpqugbMP.  naarfh  to  t^  .place  again/*    Ven^flsfarr^  •         ; 


(( 


tfC 


«c 


4  K 


To 


6i8  APPENDIX   to  Vol.  I. 

Toferve  as  ajwabber  on  board  the  boj^ital  Jhip^  p.  232,  1.  14.] 
^^  Juftly,  for  the*benefit  of  the  fick  and  wounded^  who  owed  their 
«  fufferings  to  his  mifbehavioun  A  fentence  too  gentle  for  fo  noto- 
•^  rious.  an  offender,  againft  whom  fome  of  the  colonels  made  com- 
*«  plaint,  for  whoring  and  drunkennefs  at  Barbadoes ;  but,  not  being 
••  able  to  prove  the  faa,-he  efcaped  :  though,  confidering  his  former 
«*  courfe  of  life,  the  preemptions  were  ftrong,  he  and  a  woman  lodg<* 
•*  ing  in  one  chamber  together,  and  not  any  other  perfon  with  either, 
"  which  was  enough  to  induce  a  belief  of  his  offence^  he  having  two 
«  wives  In  England^  and  fianding  guilty  of  forgery  ;  all  which  I  de- 
^  fired  major  general  Worfley  in  joining  with  me  to  acquaint  his 
^  highnefs  with,  that  he  might  be  taken  off,  and  not  fuffered  to  go 
^  with  me,  left  he  fiiould  bring  a  curfe  upon  us,  as  I  feared.  But 
•*  his  highnefs  would  not  hear  us, — After  this,  both  perjury  and  for- 
'^  gcry  were  proved  againft  him,  in  the  cafe  of  a  colonel,  or  general^ 
*'  at  Barbadoes,  ruined  by  him  by  that  means.  Upon  the  complaint, 
'^  and  with  the  advice  of  the  (aid  general,  I  rebuked  him  privately ; 
^  which  he  took  fb  diftaftefully,  that,  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  he 
^  ftudied  and  endeavoured  nothing  but  mutiny ;  and  found  fit  matter 
^  to  work  upon,  as  with  an  army  that  has  neither  pay  nor  pillage, 
«^  arms  nor  ammunition,  nor  viduals,  is  not  difficult ;  but  this  I  came 
^  to  underftand  afterwards.— We  alfo  proceeded  againft  a  ferjeant, 
^  who  in  the  laft  fkirmifli  threw  down  his  arms,  crying,  <  Gentlemen, 
**  fhift  for  yourfelves,  we  arc  all  loft ;'  and  fo  ran  away.  He  was 
«  hanged,  with  his  fiiult  written  upon  his  breaft.'*     Fen.  Narr. 

Convinced  of  the  generaPs  cowardice^  P-  ^33>  !•  '•]  There  was  not  the 
leaft  foundation  ft)r  fuch  a  charge.  The  general  had  given  repeated 
and  moft  unqueftionable  proofs  of  his  perfonal  bravery,  both  in  £ng* 
land  and  Ireland,  as  well  as  in  the  campaign  at  St.  Domingo;  hi 
England  he  was  engaged  in  adion>  in  Lancafliire^  Chefhire,  York- 
fliire,  Salop,  fiege  of  Nantwich,  fight  at  Lea-bridge,  Ghriftleton,  and 
Montgomery,  and  in  North  Wales  ;,  at  the  fiege  of  Dublin^  and  in 

UlftCF. 

But  he  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  this  Jeajbnableremonfirance^  p.  234,  L  l6S\ 
Venables  fays,  there  was  nothing  to  be  got,  for  there  was  not  almoft 
any  thii^  when  Jackfon  took  the  ifland  formerly ;  and  as  to  their 

money 


APPENDIX  TO  Vol.   I.  619 

money  and  moveablest  if  they  had  any,  he  fuppofes,  they  were  car*- 
ried  away,  upon  the  firft  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  Englilh 
forces.      Ven.  Narr. 

TVben  the  fleet  arrived  at  Barbadoes^  &c.  ?•  235*  !•  31.]     "  The 
«*  firft  bufinefs  we  fell  upon  at  Barbadocs,  was  the  ieizing  of  all 
"  Dutch  veffels,  according  to  his  highnefs  inftrudions.    General  Penn 
«  pnt  his  own  nephew,  ome  Mr.  Poole^  to  take  the  invoices,  and  bills 
**  of  lading.     Mr.  Winflow  and  myfelf  urged,  that  he  fhquld  not  aft 
*•  but  by  commifnon  frona  us,  and  that  we  would  put  a  cheque  upon 
**  him ;  he  told  us,  he  had  power  of  himfelf  to  commiflion ;  and  re* 
^^  fiifed  durS)  and  would  not  admit  of  a  cheque,  nor  fuffer  us  to  fee 
"  original  invoices  i  only  one  I  faw,  which  was  conveyed  away  im- 
^'  mediately ;  and  the  number  of  elephants  tetth  in  it,  which  I  remem* 
**  beredexaftly,  were  191,  was  in  the  copy  of  it;  but  only  150  were 
«<  to  be  found.     I  urged  the  faUhood  of  the  copy,  and  defired  to  fee 
<^  the  original;  at  laft  they  brought  in  181,  and  faid  the  other  ten 
^<  were  my  miftake  ;  but  I  had  taken  the  number  into  my  memorial, 
*^  and  could  not  imftake  it.     However,  by  this  one  account,  I  had 
**  reafon  to  believe,  the  reft  of  the  invoices  were  curtailed  accordingly, 
**  Mr.  Winflow  and  myfelf  confidered  how  to  remedy  this,  but  find- 
*^  Ing  the  feamen  our  enemies,  and  at;  laft  to  fcorn  us,  and  adhere  to 
'*  their  general,  we  were  conftrained  to  be  patient  by  force,  and  com- 
"  mit  the  thing  to  private  remembrance,  till  time  (hould  ferve."^ — *'Ptnn 
^^  afterwards  pafied  all  thefe  accounts  himfelf,  and  gave  a  difcharge  for 
"  them  to  his  nephew."     Fen.  Nar. 

Two  tboufand privates  wereflck^  p.  241.  1.  6.]  According  to  Vena-- 
bles,  the  lofs  at  St.  Domingo  amounted  to  abo\it  700 ;  and  their  num*- 
ber,  at  their  firft  mufter,  after  their  defcent  at  Jamaica,  was  no  more 
than  5851,  including  the  fea  regiment,  but  exglufive  of  wives  and 
children.    Ven.  Nar. 

Embraced  this  opportunity  of  returning  borne  ^^.  241. 1.  13.]  He  loft 
his  fenfcs  in  a  diforder  he  calls  the  calenture ;  and  in  this  condition  was 
put  on  board  (hip  by  the  advice  of  his  phyfician,  and  confent  of  the 
ofiker^,  who  fent  by  him  a-memorial  to  the  proteftor,  which,  among 
other  articles,  contained  the  following : — July  i8th,  1655.     *<  That 

4  K  2  •♦for 


k  p>  fe  i^  b'i  X  -to  VbvA. 

w  for  the  better, ordering  4nd  rie^uUViWg;  th\i  comtnbnwealtii,  arid 
<*  encouragement  of -fuch  as  defire  'to  live  u^der  a  civfl  feit1*d 
^*  government,  his  highnefs  will  be  pleafed  to  fertd  itich  coriffi'tui- 
**  tiohs  and  laws,  as  his  highnefs  (hall  think  fit,  for  the  govern- 
**  ment  of  this  place ;  or  impowcr  fuch  in  the  place,  as  his  htgh- 
*«  nefs  (hall  approve  of,  to  make  arid  Qonftitutc  Irpm  time  to  time 
«  iuich  wliolefomc  and'neceiTary  laws,  as  (hall  be  moft  fit  for  the 
**  ordering  and  goverq'mcat  of  things  herej  and  to  cre<9:  a  court  op 
*'  courts  of  juftice  and  equity,  fdr  deciding  of  controverfies  between 
'^'^  party  and  party;  dnd  power  granted,  to  allow  fuch  officer  and 
'^^  officers  as^  fiia^U  b4  employed;  fuch  faJiry  9S.(3ball  be  thought 
^^  needful.'^  ^  '  .  :..  -« 

signed  by  the  fi^UL  dSkcin  oo  teh%}^  9f  theinrelvet 
aiid  the  reft  xif  the  army,  ^^ 

Richard  Fortefcue,  tehaftl '  Holdipp^   'Francis  Barriiigiotf, 
Samuel  Tfearry,  "^dWard  'D^yley,  ^  -John.  k«ad, 

Philip  'S^'ard,' .       .  IfeAry  fiartleit,       :Mlfefe«l  Btend,      • 

Henry  ArchBbuld,    Wim^tfa' femith,       Wim»A  :^daft»  " 
Andrew  Cirter,-      ^rih.Cor!)elt,  Robert  Smith.        * 

..•■:•-  •-•,•,.. 

'  (  '  '  ' 

A  fingular  declaration  was  trdnfmitted  by  thetn  to  England  the 
feme  vear.  ....'" 

**  Fordfmiicb  as  we  conteive  the  propagation  -of  the  go^ef, 
*«  was  the  thing  ^r/;?^^^^/^  aimed  at  and  intended  in  this  tsxpedi?* 
^<  tion,  it  is  humbly  defired  that  his  highnefs  will  plc^afe  to  take 
•^«  order,  that  fome  godly,  fbber,  and  learned  minifter,  may  be  fent 
^*  unto  us,  which  may  be  indrumental  in  planting  and  propagating 
*  «^  of  the  gofpel,  and  able  to  confute  and  (lop  the  mouth  of  every 
A»  caviling  ad verfary  and  gainfayer;  and  the  rather,  for  that  tya^ 
^«  of  the  minifters  of  the  army  are  already  dead,  and  a  third  lieth 
^  at  the  point  of  death/'     Tburl.  voL  iii,  p.  66 1  and  68 1. 

JVbicb  on  the  part  ofVenables  are  f aid  to  have  been  very  bumHtating^ 
j^.  241,  It  32.]  They  were  probably  not  lefs  fo  on  the  jiart  of 
Pcnn^  The  reafon  expreffed  in  the  warrant  for 'the  consfafiiihient 
.of  Venables,  was  in  thefe  words:  *<  Whereas  geheral' Rich«d 
'<*  Vcnables»  being  general  of  the  EhglKh  forces  i<^iit  toto''/Emern:a» 

"hath 


•  • 


.IAPTE--NDIX  T6Yot.I.  dii 

<<  htfth  trtlihoiit  lioemoe  dc&rtcd  the^wmy  committed  Jto -his/chiu^, 

'  *^  cofhttwy  <o  ikds  itruft^  ilhefc  aix  therefore;^  &c.'*  He  fays,  that 
wfaUft  he'l^  ID  )tbe  TowoTy  .though  he  was  much  importuned^  by 
many  of  his  frieods^  .to  own  htmfelfin  fault,  and  throw  hifuf^lf 
ijipon  the  protc£tor's  clemency,  yet  he  A.ill  refufed;  that,  awong 
others,  general  Peon  defired  him  "  not  to  yield  to  acknowled^ 
'^  any  faulty  nor  fubmit;  and  promifed  Jbe  never  would/'  that  |he 
(y enables),  .though  be  bad  no  rea/on  to  truji  Penn's  word^  told  him 
he  would  not;  for  that  he  knew  of  no  fault  he  had  been  guilty  qf, 
therefore  would  confefs  none,  nor  would  fo  much  prejudice  his  own 
innocency  as  unjuftly  to  charge  himfelf;  *'j?et'*  (adds. he)  ^^ Pej^n 
««  did^  and  fq  got  bis  liberty  a  week  before.mf.^'  At  lengths  hie  fipt 
the  following, petition  to.the  protedor,  wiiicb,  he/ays,*Wja5  extprtfd 

;  froip  him,  by  the  importunity  of  his  friends,  and  efpecially  of  Mr. 
Eaton,  '^  whom  he  iiad  ever  honoured  as  his  chiefeil  friend,  and 

.  ^^  who  over-intreated  him  to  do,  what  all  other  p9rfua.(aon€,  befides  '> 

.  *^*  meoacca,  xould  not  induce  Jiim."  ' 

To  his/Higbnefs  the  Lord  Protedor,   ^c.   &c.. 

The  hu^bl^  potion  of.KichaFd  Yeniab^s^ 
Shewtfth, 
That  your  petitioner  beitig  made  ^f(pnfible  .qf  his  higbnefs'  df^  * 
.^pleafiire,  xoiieeived  ag^nfl:  turn,  for^his  re^rn  home  without  his 
highneft'  licence  (his  difteaiper  depriving  him  of  ability  C^  X3^-  - 
t«rely  to  confider  the  thing,. «as  the  weight  of  the^^ matter  did  re* 
iquire)  i  ht  cannot  in  his  qoafcience  but  ende^our  tovreroove  :^he 
.igreatprejudiGe  your  highnefs  hath  contracted  againft  him,  for  that  ' 
inconfiderate  ^Gt ;  ,but  moil  humbly  implores,  that  your  highn^fs,  - 
'in  dtnnency,  (would  be  pleafed  to  comioifexate  hia  fad,  tweak,  con* 
and  iuffsriogs;  aad^  to  move, y our  Jbagbpefs'.  indignation  occa-  * 
.(by  diatlndtfcreet  vlG)  againil.him,  .and  grant, him. ^aUrge- 
/ment'from  his  iad  confinement ;  and  as  iajduty  faotnd^  :he  ib>U  l^Pt 
•  mly  endeavoar,  but  ever  pray,  &€. 

Ricbard  Vcnables. 

9 

7  In  coaiequence  of; this  fubmiffion,  |ie  was  rele^^bdpn. 4hc  ^plh 
of  pdpbcr  1^55,  after  being  imprffqnpd  fr^oi,  tb[e>r*pthi  pf  .$ep- 

tembe 


622  APPENDIX   TO  Vol.  L 

tember  preceding ;  and  upon  delivering  up  to  the  protador  bis 
American  commidion,  and  bis  conuniffions  of  colonel  of  a  regi- 
ment of  foot,  of  commander  in  chief  of  tbe  forces  in  Ulfter,  and 
of  tbe  town  and  caftle  of  Carrickfergus  in  Ireland. 

1f he  mutineers  began  by  breaking  open  and  plundering  fome  boufesj 
p,  281.  1.  14.]  The  account  which  Sir  William  Beefton  has  given, 
differs  in  fome  particulars  from  this,  but  not  materially.  He  fays, 
that  the  rump  parliament  about  this  time  being  up  again  in  England^ 
no  recruits  came  for  the  army,  and  they  had  no  pay,  which  made 
the  foldiers  deem  themfelves  negleded ;  and  there  was  a  general 
expedation  that  all  would  be  called  off,  and  the  ifland  deferred. 
This  gave  occafion  to  the  regiment  feated  at  Guanaboa  (formerly 
commanded  by  colonel  Bar rington 9  but  now  by  lieutenant  colonel 
Tyfon,  who  was  fet  on  by  a  difcontented  reformed  officer  called 
lieutenant  colonel  Raymund^  who  lived  near  him)  to  mutiny,  and 
fet  up  for  themfelves;  faying,  they  would  live  no  more  as  an  army; 
and  on  the  2d  of  Auguft  1660,  they  declared,  they  would  have  the 
illand  parceled  into  colonies,  and  make  conftables  and  civil  officers. 
General  D*oyley ,  not  being  able^to  appeafe  them  by  fair  words,  drew 
fome  forces  to  the  town ;  but  being  uncertain  whether  thefe  might 
not  fail  him,  if  they  (hould  come  to  the  pufh  againft  their  com- 
rades, he  provided  a  veiiel  to  lye  off  the  harbour  in  readinefs  for  his 
embarkation,  in  cafe  matters  ihould  grow  defperate;  'and  in  the 
mean  time  employed  major  Hope,  and  other  officers,  to  expo/lulate 
with  the  men,  and  convince  them  of  their  danger,  if  they  fiiould 
obftinately  perfift*;  on  'the  other  hand,  promifing  them  pardon,  if 
they  would  deliver  up  their  leaders,  the  two  officers  above  mentioned. 
With  much  difficulty  they  were  at  length  perfuaded  1  and  the  next 
morning  conducted  down  the  two  delinquent^  j  who  were  inftantly 
brought  to  their  trial,  convi&ed,  and  Oiot  j  but  the  mutineers  would 
not  return  to  their  quarters,  without  firfl  plundering  feveriil  houfes 
in  the  town.  Raymund  is  faid  to  have  been  a  man  of  extraordinary 
abilities  J  and  it  is  added,  that  his  want  of  other  employment  (hav- 
ing a  capacity  equal  to  the  greateil)  made  him  thus  overbufy,  and 
too  adive  in  moulding  the  unfortunate  Tyfbn  to  his  purpoie,  whoie 
heart  was  much  better  than  his  head ;  and  who  did  not  perceive  the 
danger  be  was  incurring,  before  he  had  involved  himfdf  too  far. 

Hickeringill 


APPENDIX  TO  Vol.  I.  623 

Hickeringtll  has  given  us  an  epitaph  wrote  for  him,  the  beft  part 
ef  which  I  (hall  infert,  pruned  of  a  little  of  it*€  fuilian^  jail  to  fatisfy 
the  curious  reader,  and  not  for  any  merit  in  the  compofition. 

At  thy  nativity,  the  heavens  have  worn 

Such  vifage,  as  when  CatiKne  was  born. 

His  vaftcr  foul  Rome^s  walls  could  not  confine; 

Thine  fcorn'd  an  cquaFe^en  in  C^j/////^^. 

His  ftyle,  mellifluous  Ti^/^i  did' furpafs ; 

And  thine- too  charming  and  perfuafive  wa^<< 

His  foul' engroffcd' monopoly  of  arts; 

And  thy  Orphean  fkill  could  ravifli  hearts. 

His  towering  genius  could  not  bend  the  knee; 

And  thine,  was  fitter  for  a  throne  than  thee. 

The  king  of  terrors  could  not  him  afitight;- 

And  tbou^  didft  fecm  to  court*  eternal  ni^ht^ 

I4ot  unbewaird  was  his  cataftrophe;^ 

And  ev'n  thine  enemies  lamented  thee; 

Tho*  tomblefs  he,  yet  blazon'd  are  his  fafts;- 

Thy  grave^fcarce  known;  but;  well  enough  thine  adts!' 

We  may  infer  from  this  parallel^  that  his  temper  was  bold,  his ' 
ipirit  enterprizihg  and  intrepid ;  that  his  genius  was  extenfive  and 
polifhed;  that,  he  ppfiefied  the  ihfinuating  talent  of  elocution  in  a 
very  eminent  degree,. and  was  accomplished  in  mufic;  but  with  all 
thefe.  endowments,  haughty,  ambitious,  and' defedive  in  his  reli- 
gious and  moral' chara(Sber :  in  regard  indeed  to  his  eloquence,  con'- 
fidering  the.  weak  heads  he  had  to  work  upon,  we  (hould,  I  believe, 
rather  retrad  a  few  grains  of  our  panegyric,  and  afcribe  fomewhat 
to  an  artful  and  plaufible  manner  of  drefling  out  his  plot;  fuch  per- 
haps as  Anthony  ufed,  in  his  harangue  to  the  Roman  mob ;  which 
fell  very vfhort  of  Ciceronian  oratory,  though  very  fui table- to  gain 
his  purpofe  with,  fuch  an  audience. 

Continued,  in  the  fervice,  till  after  the  Reftpration^  P*  285,  1.  23.3 ' 
He  received  his  maj^fty's  commiflion  on  the  zpth  of  May  1661, 
appointing :  him  governor..    Sir  W«  Beefton  accufeshim  of  being 
too  partial  to.  the  foldiers,  of  difcou raging  the  planters,  and  bending 
his  thoughts  too  much  to  carry  on  the  privateerings  .but  there  feems 

no>-> 


..'  ;^^;^^  ^^^  ^ 


,6*^4  APPENDIX  TO  V.OX.L 

ho  juftitfe  in  this  cHargc  j  for  he  ackitowkd^^^  that  tbc  iikn  itwas 

in  a  flonriifaing  ftat^e,  provifiods  in  pkaty^  the  people  induArkrus,  and 

ihips  began  to  frequent  it ;  and  that  he  had  no  fooner  erected.  cQiKts 

of  judicature,  purfuant  to  his  inftruAloM,  diaa  at  the  fir^  ^ffion, 

.  one  of  the  foldiers  wasjffie4  %  ibflae  enffiiiity,  «nd  hanged;  «*  to 

«*  let  them  fee,^(fays  he)th^t  the  Jaw  ^could  do  as  pauch  as  a  court* 

.  «<  martial.'*    This  is  ho.  ^o(^^  of  ffich  ^parti^ityt  but  the  confh*ary  ^ 

,  however,  if  he  had  (hewn  any  inftance  of  the  fcind^  it  was  natural ' 

that  he  fliould  mqre  incline  to  favour  his  fellow -(hfrew  In  ady^^rfity, 

hardfhip,  and  glory,  than  the  new  race  of  «aenj  who  f^^^Jfed  \iithcr 

only  to  fhare  in  the  fjHiits  of  ^hetr.l^u^  and  |V^^larie^  j  #nfi  in  i^gard 

.  to  privateering,  be  feems  much  more  e;s^c^f^le  for  f i^cofir^^ng  it 

at  that  time,  when  it  wa;  politically  jiecQiiary,  /th^n  o^oit  ^  his 

fucceflbrs  in  the  admintftratioo^  who  did  the  fame^  very  often^  when 

it  was  not  fo;  and  when  tj^eir  motive  coujd  ('/n^  be#  the  eiir/,chin£ 

J  their  own  purfes. 

He.  charges  him  likevBflfe^;  with  iaterciipting  ibq-induftfy  ^f  the 

.fettlers,  by  telling  them,.  "  they  woiald  all  be  called  pffj^'  butashe 

afterwards  relatee,  that  there  was  a  report  of  thisibrt^  ^d^t  k  was 

c  univerfally  believed  the  ifland  would  be  delivered  back  to  the  $pa^ 

rniard$)  or  fold  to  the  Frenchi  he  cannot  be  blamed  for  adopting  gn 

opinion  which,  .every  <pne  .elfe  befides  biniieir  entertained*    .  Lord 

Windfpr  arrived  the  nth  of  Au^ufl:>  1662.   Colonel  D'oyley  received 

him  with  every  mark  of  reipeft  and  cordrality;;but  his  lord/hip 

(whether  urged  \ii^  orders  from  the  court,  or  that  he  was  jealous  of 

the  great  afcend^ncy  which  D'oylqy  had  gained  over  the.  army;  or 

.had  a  mind  to  (hew  a  wantonnefs  of  hispower^  by  ihfiilting  a  man 

who  fo  long  had  borne  the  fupreme  authority  here) ;  made  a  very 

(Unfuitable  and  ungenteel  return.    He  bad  him  make  reiady  to  fet  out 

;for  England  in  a  very  few  days;  and  although  He  petitioned  fpr.a 

.cornpetent  time  to  fettle  his  affairs,  and  prepare  for  the  voyage; 

^even  this  fo  reafonable  a  de(ire  was  refufed  him :  his  lord(hip  feemed 

ilnwlUittg  to -enter  Upon  any  aft  ^^f  government  till  atfterhis  dc- 

;parture;  and  the  brive  old  governor,  perceiving  h is  ansdety,  uied  fb 

much  difpatch,  that  on  the  roth  of  September  he  failed  away  in.:  the 

'Weftergate  man  of  war,  leaving  him  in  peaceable  pdfleffioh  of  an 

office. 


APPENDIX  ^To  Vol;  I.  625 

cffice,  ividchj  but  for  D'oyley's  perfevering  courage  and' good  con^ 
du^V  his  lord(bip  coulU  never  hire  obtained^  What  beca^me  of  this 
gentleman  afterwards,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn,  nor  whether 
he  If  ft  any  defceodants ; "  but  if  he  did^  they  may  poflibly  have 
many  eurioua  sltiec^ptes,  relative  to  the  (kte  of  afiairs  in  thi»  ifland^ 
duriBg  U)e  fev^n  years  of  his.  residence  in  it.  His  coat  armorial  was, 
two  bends  dexter. asiure,  on  a  fliield  argent;  which  bearing  nuay 
fervc  "to  fhew  his  deicent  and  family.  r 

^be  evacuation  was  accordingfy  performed^  p.  2:96^  L  4.]  Tht 
1  ft:  of  September,  1765,  forty  families  came  in  one  (hip,  and  on  the 
8  th  the  American  aiid  Hercules  arrived  with  about  eleven  hundred 
peribnsy  under  the-cai^  ci  Mr.  Cranfield. 

Another  body,  of  ufeful  planters  ^as  gained  In  16^^,  p.  296, 1. 13,] 
Fifteen  yiisirs  antec(?dent  to  this,  viz.  in  1684,  feveral  perfoiis  were 
tnattffpented  hither,  whb  had  been  con vidted  of  participating  in  the 
^reibyteiiaa  plot^  a:$  it  #a9  called,  or  rye-hoUfe  plot  \  tfaefe  men  were 
^eprievtfd'from  hatigiug,  on  condition  that  they  (hould  ferve  ten 
years  in  the  Weft-Indies;  which  fentence  was  Executed  with  a 
ie^eri|Ey^9  ^  wlhiclr  mrguod  a  veiy  vindi£%iv<e  fpir it,  in  the  then  govtS'n* 
xntdt;  as  appears  from  the  following  pafTage  in  governor  Molef^ 
worth's  %eech  to  tbeaflemftiy  at  that  time. 
!.>^  And  ndw  gMSlemieni  beiAg  met  together,  I  have  one  thing 
i*  more  to  rfcemoieiad  to  ybu  by  ejpecial  directions  from  bis  ma^ 
«<  jeft/t  cammandj  which  ftilf  is  fot^  001"  adnmtage;  That  you  wilt 
^  prepdjnBT  an.  a&  fpr  afoertaining  die  Ibrvitude  of  the  rebels  lately 
^f  &nt  from  £nglattd^  for  ten  ytars\ '  abcordiilkg  ta  the  confideratioti 
<*  of  dKir  pardonB>>aMl  take  care  to  prevent  all  clandejline  rekafe^ 
**  mentt^  ex  htfiing  out  of  .fbeir  time;  tb  the  end,  that  theif^  punijb^ 
<«  mentsy  after  fo.  great  a  ntitigatics^  may  yet  ia  Ji?mt  Joeqfure  be 
•*  anfwerable  to  tieir  crimed    '  I . .  .  \  - 

Such  mercy  was  cruelty,  and  the  mitigation  worfo  than  the  worft 
puniftiment  which  the  laws  of  England  would  have  inflided  oa 
them  I  fince,  to  flavery,  was  fuperadded  feverity,  by  the  pofitive 
Injundions  of  the  oto^b.:^  ^j      re;     •)  V\    •; 

Began  to    emigrate    under  Sir  Thomas  Modiford^s  government^ 

f.  298.  L  I  a.]    Upon  his  appointment  to  this  government^  there 

VoLt  I.  4  L 


f 


;  * 


^ 
>    w^ 


626  APPENDIX  ToVoL.L 

came,  on  the  ift  of  June,  16649  in  the  Bleffing^  four  hundred  fettlers 
from  Barbadoes :  on  the  4th  he  arrived  and  brought  with  him  two 
hundred  more. 

And  enjlavtng  their  crews^  p.  299.  I.  34.]  Even  in  the  year  1689, 
eighteen  years  after  the  Spaniards  had  ratified  the  American  treaty 
of  peace,  and  notwith (bin ding  their  continual  complaints  to  our 
court  .of  pretended  injuries  done  to  them  by  the  Englifh,  we  find 
them  exercifing  the  moft  unwarrantable  cruelty  upon  every  British 
iiibje^  they  were  able  to  lay  hold  of.  In  the  firfl  mentioned  year 
the  following  inftrudion  was  given  by  king  William  to  the  governor 
of  Jamaica^  lord  Inchiquin. 

«*  Whereas  it  has  been  xeprefented  to  us,  that  feveral  of  our  fub- 
#«  ie<^8  .have,  becsn  kept  in  Jlavery^  and  bariaroufy  ufed  zt  Mexico, 
>*%a  Vera  Criiz,  and  other  parts,  of  the  Spanifh  Weft  Indi^,.  yoa 
^'.  are  upon  your  arrival  at  Jamaica,  to  fe;id  to,  the  govcjraors  of 
*^  thofe  placfes,,  and  to  demand  of  them,  ijbch  our  fubjedf,  a^  are 
<*  detained  th^re,  and  to  ufe  your  utmoft  eudcavours,  that  thev  bo 
"  fi;t  at  liberty."  .    .  .      .     , 

.  ^f^'  <^iti9fl  fif  granting  thm  commiffwis,  spi  3014.  1;  31.]  Sir 
WUK^  Bcefton  flUcntions,  that  in  i668,;during  Sir  Thomas  Modi- 
ford's  government,  who.t»y  hk  owft  iote-attthorky  iiad.  twice  pro« 
cO^lmed  war  agfiiaft^theSpaniardf,  the.kjug  (GhatHes  H.)  fcht  Out 
$*^..  OiiiQt^  frigate,  whiqK  arrived  'ia  Qaiobdr»  .aid  brought  iuftruc- 
^W..-^**'**-^**  nifvie0jc.^.  ee»ivi,t^nai»«j  thq  Wfwj  ^drcmpolrering 
^|n»,  f o  CQwmWion  whatever  ya^m  he  thpirght  good  t».  bepartnfn 
W'i^  ^^.mn^y  ^n  *^e  plttndcc, « tbeyfiaiingviSlmU^iaear  atuhttar.^'' 
5f>^^  1»"  «Hi?.^y  «'^*e''«54^5V- ^"9%  Mtp  the  privateering  buw 
69^«» ,  and  held,  this  reputable  .partncrij^p  for  ipme  ycara." 

v^  v..  ;,>.•„.  .  ..s  „  *«  Qtfidjoo  regaiia  pc^ora  togls,^  '     ,     ■    .     "    ' 
♦*  Auri  facra  fames  ?'*  ..-...>.-.        ...  *,  " 


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END    OF    V  O  L.    I, 


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L  .  .    .;i  i«    .  * 


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ADDENDA- 


Page 
58a 


The  Affembly  have  lately  (in  1773)  pai&d  a  bill  Ifbr  making  the  gold  coins,  in  circula* 
don  here,  go  by  wetghi  jfiflead  0^/4^1  aooordihg  to  the  Mowing  ftandard;  which 
▼alues  the  grain  of  gold  at  2  d^  \qn  •  -i^tbs^  Jamaica  currency  \  or  fomewhat  higher 
than  fierling  value^  which  is  =  s^.  }^.  •  'f^tht. 


SPANISH      GOLD. 


.} 


Four  Pifiolc  Picccj 
milled  or  hammered 
Two  Piftolc, 
Single  Piftok^ 
i  Piftole, 

Italian  DouUe  Piftole, 
Ditto  Single, 


Weight, 
dwt,  gr. 

8 

4 


2 
8 


16 
8 

4 
12, 

6 


Current  Rate 
in  England. 

Sterling. 
£•     i.     d. 


I 
o 
o 
1 
o 


»7 
8 

'3 
16 


4 

8 

4 
8 

2 
7 


Current  Rate 

in  Jamaica* 

Jamaica  Curr. 


2 
I 
o 
2 
1 


zo 

5 
12 

10 
5 


o 
o 
6 
o 

o 


Rate  in  Jamaica  ex- 
ceeds chat,  allowed 
in  England,  ^,Curr. 


/• 


I 
o 
o 

3 
I 


d. 


6 

9 

4i 

7 

9i 


PORTUGAL     GOLD. 


Johannes, 


X 

T 

I 


Moidnie, 


I. 
4 


18 

9 

4 

2 
1 
6 

3 
I 


12 
6 

IS 
7i 
3i 

2» 

II 

^7i 


3 
J 

o 

o. 

o 
1 

o 

o 


12 
16 
18 

9 

7 

13 
6 


o 
a 
o 

o 

o 
6 

9' 


5 

2 

I 

o 
.A. 

2 

L 
O 


10 

7 

13 

-^ 

o 

o 

10 


o 
o 
6 

9 

o 
o 
o 


9 

4 

2 

X 

o 

2 
I 

o 


2i 


The  reft  in  proportion. 

This  meafure  will  certainly  throw  the  bafe  and  light  gold  out  of  circulation ;  it  will  alio  be  the 
means  of  introducing  a  large  quantity  in  particular  of  the  Portugal  coin ;  the  profits  upon  the  im- 
portation of  it^  being  (according  to  my  calculation)  near  eight  and  a  half/fr  cent,  againfi  the  Ifland, 
and  about  3  Lfer  cent*,  on  the  Spani/b; — this  cannot  failof  working  a  confidciable  cfft^  on  its  com« 
merce,  after  the  circulation  is  fully  fupplied. 


Yob.  L 


41- 


CORRf 


i4^^ 


C  O  R  R  I  G  E  N  DA. 


-  - 1   '    i 


V  o  u    t 


Ttge. 

Line* 

Page. 

£4nc 

* 
• 

i« 

.5    read  i68j» 

319 

3 

r*  or  the  Cnv • 

6a 

6    r-  1769. 

jai 

30 

r*  tbatight  even  of* 

73  '. 

35     x.c^txj^u^ng. 

354 

3 

r.  fufficient  taUnefin 

74  • 

22    r.  upoao^f. 

Jd. 

If 

r.  convenient  marhtm 

82 

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34$ 

SI 

r.  Mner* 

• 

82 

32     r.  Prafiu 

.346 

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% 

86 

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Id* 

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r.  G^tu^*  ^ 

U5 

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»7 

r.  Cobra  (PiirAjfuj/f). 

164 

1     dt\t  iu  their  JbarecfLegiflatiofu 

348 

VS 

r.  Lta  (viithe)  Guana-  (nai 

nc 

166 

14    n  eleded  ^  in* 

of,  &c) 

171 

7     r.  render  //• 

350 

(Note  ult.)  r.  it  at  yeu 

^73 

28     ufalus^Pcptdififrima  lex.  ' 

39* 

10 

r.  reduced  to  ruin* 

• 

178 

25    r.  the  firft  in  the  CwnciL 

400 

29 

r.96/. 

182 

30    r.  any  other  Servants* 

414 

H 

x.iyaU. 

186 

12    r.  Power* 

419 

4 

r.  Settlers  vAo. 

194 

JO    r.  Goremor* 

4^3 

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r.  without  the  ajd« 

206. 

X    ^del.  advice  acid 

469 

*5 

r.  to  HbMfrindfaU 

JS23 

(Nole^)  r«  *'  their  Secretary  was  Mr. 

$3x 

Ji 

r.  iiyOOOi^M* 

**  Henry  Gary,  who  dying. 

S33 

19 

r*  a  great  number* 

"**  ing,  t<rfc8  fucceeded  by." 

536 

^^ 

r.  State  that  it  tiMi  ixr* 

232 

34    r*  portraits  ^  have  giren* 

547 

i 

r.  through  thit  iu^eifiHimu 

440 

19    r*  C^imnui  ifles* 

596 

9 

r*  9!ffXD&.fom% 

3" 

32    r.  Cape  CorieMtes. ' 

606 

6 

deLii. 

5?3 

19    r.ifleofP/jMT* 

625 

10 

• 

r*    167^. 

.3H 

21    r.  river  Atfi^^* 

' 

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