Rupture between France and England--War in the West Indies--
Loss of Lord Francis Willoughby--Colonel Carden--Capture of
Antigua by the French forces under M. de la Barre--Colonel
Fitche--Restoration of Antigua by the Treaty of Breda--Death of
Colonel Carden--Biographical notices.
In 1665-6, England was engaged in a contest with Holland,
Denmark, and France; and during that period, her colonies in the
West Indies suffered greatly, particularly St. Christopher's and
Antigua.
St. Christopher's being reduced by the French, Lord Francis
Willoughby headed an expedition of 2000 troops, and sailed from
Barbados (where he was then residing in preference to Antigua)
with the hope of recapturing that island. On his passage to St.
Christopher's, he visited Martinique, with the design of
surprising the place, and, after taking the French prisoners, to
transport them to Antigua, Montserrat, and Nevis. The French,
however, having received tidings of his movements, were
accordingly prepared; and Lord Willoughby, finding himself
baffled in his intentions, sailed for Guadaloupe, where he
arrived on the 2nd of August. Before any success was effected
against this island, a dreadful hurricane arose, which, raging
with extreme violence for the space of twenty-four hours,
entirely destroyed the fleet of Lord Willoughby, strewing the
coast with its fragments, and every soul perished, with the
exception of two seamen.[8]
Before embarking upon this expedition, this ill-fated nobleman
appointed his nephew, Mr. Henry Willoughby, lieutenant-general
and governor of these islands, who in his turn constituted
Colonel Carden governor of Antigua.
Before the declaration of war between France and England was
published, several Frenchmen had left the French colonies, from
different motives, and settled in Antigua, where they lived
sociably with the English, and prosecuted their respective
professions. After the rupture between those nations was known in
the West Indies, and the report of the intended attack upon St.
Christopher's by the French, reached the ears of Lord F.
Willoughby, he dispatched his nephew, Mr. Henry Willoughby, to
the relief of that place. Arriving, however, too late for the
action, he was obliged to proceed with his ship to Antigua; and
being (according to Du Tertre, the French historian) in "_a
burning rage_" at the failure of his plans, he vented it upon the
French settlers whom he found there--confiscating their property,
forbidding them to quit their houses, or hold communications
between themselves, under pain of death, and obliging them to
swear allegiance to the English monarch.
"Many of them submitted, in a very cowardly manner," remarks the
above-named quaint author; "but others, _whose heart was in a
better place, refused to do so_."
Among these French settlers was a young surgeon, of the name of
Grand-Maison, who had been formerly _valet-de-chambre_ to M. de
la Barre, lieutenant-general by sea and land of the French
forces, and who was fully alive to the tyrannical manner in which
himself and his countrymen had been treated. Having a little more
liberty than the others, from the nature of his profession,
Grand-Maison had an opportunity of entering into conversation
with another young Frenchman, of the name of Baston, who, says Du
Tertre, "was skilful by sea and land, courageous and brave, and
an admirer of firmness and constancy." Finding Grand-Maison
entertained the same sentiments as himself, he proposed that they
should steal a small shallop, which was attached by an iron chain
to a post firmly planted in the beach, and taking advantage of
the darkness of the night, effect their escape from the island.
As, however, the oars had been carried away by the owner of the
boat, they bribed a French carpenter, who was engaged working in
some of the back woods of Antigua, to join them in their
enterprise, and make them a pair in that retired place.
Grand-Maison, who served a very rich master,[9] took the charge
of bringing a sufficient quantity of provisions from his home;
and between them they procured five muskets, a few pairs of
pistols, some cutlasses, twenty or thirty pounds of powder, and
lead in proportion. But thinking themselves not strong enough to
man the shallop, Grand-Maison, who was very much beloved by the
negroes, engaged two of them, who were esteemed excellent rowers,
to accompany him.
All things being duly prepared, they stole away from their
masters by night, hurried to the beach, and the carpenter having
sawn in two the post to which the boat was fastened, they
departed, and made for Guadaloupe. After struggling manfully
against the current and contrary winds for some time, running
many risks of their lives, and putting back into Antigua once or
twice, they changed their resolution, and made for St.
Christopher's--arriving in Cabsterre, a district of that island,
at the very time M. de Chambre was on the point of sailing for
Martinique, to rejoin M. de la Barre, with all the French ships
of war.
M. Sannois, captain of that district, welcomed the adventurers,
and treated them very kindly; and upon hearing their story, sent
them to M. de St. Laurent, who, after examining them, and finding
them well informed of the strength and natural barriers of
Antigua--and more particularly, as Baston gave him a plan of the
coast, shewing the best landing-places, and offered himself as a
guide to the troops, to lead them to the place "wherever
resistance might be expected," and to be _everywhere_ "at their
head,"--he determined to send them with M. de Chambre to M. de la
Barre, at Martinique.
Upon their arrival at that island, at counsel was held, and
Grand-Maison and Baston introduced, when the latter repeated his
offers. The assembly was well pleased with his information and
solid reflections; but M. de Chambre represented, that the
officers of the French forces were so contented with the conquest
of St. Kitts, that he thought they would be unwilling to engage
in any new adventure, unless there was an augmentation of the
troops. To this objection M. Clodoré, the Governor of Martinique,
replied, in such a splendid speech, abounding with so much true
martial ardour, that every objection was borne down before him;
and M. de Chambre was led to observe, that if M. St. Laurent had
heard the powerful arguments brought forward by M. de Clodoré, he
would change his opinion, and join in attacking Antigua; and he
did not believe M. St. Leon, (the commanding officer,) with his
brother officers, would even stand firm in their resolution after
hearing him. M. de Chambre then asked M. Clodoré if he would
accompany him to St. Christopher's, to consult with the other
officers. M. Clodoré immediately replied he should be most happy
to do so, if M. de la Barre would give him such instructions in
writing; which being directly complied with, they made sail 25th
October, 1666, with seven vessels of war, carrying 166 pieces of
cannon, and commanded by M. de la Barre, admiral of the whole
fleet; M. de Clodoré, Governor of Martinique; M. du Lion,
Governor of Guadaloupe; M. de Chambre, Intendant of the French
West Indian Company's affairs; and attended by 130 men of the
regiment of Poictiers, commanded by Sieur d'Orvillier, and two
companies of infantry, besides the seamen.
Calling in at Guadaloupe, they held another council of war, in
which it was determined to sail for St. Kitt's; but at the same
time to come so near to Antigua as to be able to reconnoitre the
island, and ascertain if it would be prudent to attack it before
they proceeded to St. Christopher's.
Leaving Guadaloupe on the 2nd November, they made sail for
Antigua, bearing the English flag as a subterfuge, and thinking
by that means to deceive the English. Upon reaching Antigua, they
endeavoured to get into the harbour of St. John's; but meeting
with contrary winds, they put back and made for Five Islands'
Bay, which at that period was defended by two forts--the smaller
one (which appears to have been only an artificial mound, without
any parapets or any kind of fortifications) mounted with six
guns; the larger one (with good stone buildings, and standing in
that part now occupied by the batteries of "Goat's Hill") mounted
with eight guns. The men stationed at the smaller fort had their
suspicions first awakened by observing how carefully the French
came in, sounding with the lead every moment; and consequently
they determined to fire upon them.
To this _warm_ welcome the French replied in such a manner,
bringing all their guns to bear upon the place, that the English
abandoned the fort, and fled. Arriving abreast of the larger
fort, the French anchored at pistol-shot; and the firing was
carried on with such vigour, that it was also abandoned, and that
with such precipitancy, that the royal flag was left behind.
The signal was now made for a party to land and take possession
of the forts, with directions to capture all they could, but not
to burn or destroy any part of the country, wisely remarking,
according to their own narrator, that "they could do that another
time." These orders for forbearance, if they were ever given,
were not attended to; for everything that fell in their way was
devastated; and it has been remarked by an old author, that the
French robbed the very shoes from off the feet of the
inhabitants.[10]
But to return to the particulars of the attack. The next morning,
about four o'clock, M. de Clodoré, &c., attended by 200 men,
landed upon the beach, and, guided by Baston, proceeded to the
house where the governor, Colonel Carden, then resided, which was
situated about a mile and a half from the shore. The English
fought with their usual bravery, but were at length overpowered;
and Colonel Carden, Colonel Monk, and about thirty other
officers, were taken prisoners, and the house burnt to the
ground.
The governor, being thus captured, was conveyed on board the
admiral's ship; and the French were so elated with their success,
that they determined to push on their good fortune, and endeavour
to subdue the whole island. The next day, they again landed at
daybreak, attended by 240 men, divided into two companies, and
guided by Baston. Reaching a large house situated upon a hill,
they dispatched a trumpeter to summon the inhabitants to
surrender, among whom was Mrs. Carden, the wife of the governor.
This trumpeter carried a letter, written by Colonel Carden,
describing how well he was treated(?), and advising them not to
wait to the last extremity to surrender, but to do so without
delay. To this letter they returned a verbal answer, thanking the
French for their polite treatment to their governor, but at the
same time intimating, that they were resolved to do their duty,
and resist to the last.
Upon receiving this reply, the French commanders prepared for
battle, and resolved to storm the house. At first they were
repulsed by the English; and the greater part of the regiment of
Poictiers, commanded by the Sieur d'Orvillier, being seized with
a panic, retreated and concealed themselves in a neighbouring
wood; but Mons. de Clodoré, seeing the state of affairs, hurried
to the spot, and, being joined by the officers of the regiment
and about thirty of the common soldiers, whom they had prevailed
upon to leave their concealment, made a second attack upon the
house, and succeeded in forcing an entrance.
A battalion of the English making their appearance upon the hill
behind the house, M. de Clodoré drew off his men to engage with
them, while D'Orvillier and the rest of the party were left in
charge of the edifice. Upon entering, they found Colonel Quest
(who had taken the command of the island after the seizure of
Colonel Carden) seated "in an arm-chair, with a pair of pistols
cocked in his hand," and surrounded by a few brave English.
Colonel Quest demanded quarter, to which a Frenchman replied by
sending a ball through his body; and the rest of the English who
were with him, were slaughtered without mercy.
In justice to M. de Clodoré, it must be remarked, that as soon as
he knew of these proceedings, he endeavoured to put a stop to
them, and finally saved the lives of about fifty English, who had
concealed themselves in another part of the house.
After burning down the edifice, and many others in the vicinity--
which were described as being very handsome ones--killing fifty
of the English, and getting all the plunder they could, the
French proceeded to the beach, carrying their prisoners, about
fifty in number, along with them. Upon arriving there, it was
agreed to ship them immediately, and despatch them to St. Kitts,
with the wounded Frenchmen, among whom was Baston, the instigator
of the attack, and who afterwards died of his wound at that
island.[11] When Colonel Quest was to be carried down to the
beach along with the other prisoners, he was found to be so
seriously wounded, that he was unable to walk; and consequently,
one of the French officers proposed to despatch him, offering to
do the deed himself. At this barbarous scheme, M. de Clodoré was
justly incensed; and, ordering a few of his soldiers to form a
kind of bier, had him carefully conducted on board the ship that
was to carry him to St. Kitts, in which island he also died.
After getting rid of their prisoners, the French held another
council of war, when it was resolved to send a trumpeter,
summoning all the inhabitants to surrender, threatening to set
fire to all their property should they demur. A compliance with
this demand appears to have been wholly unexpected by the French,
and their threat of burning only a species of _bravado_; for at
this council it was resolved, that if the English held out, they
would immediately sail for St. Christopher's with the whole
fleet. Fate, however, willed it otherwise, and the trumpeter
brought answer back, that the English were willing to accede to
their demand, and desired a place to be appointed in which to
treat about the terms of capitulation. Overjoyed at their
unexpected success, the French named the harbour of St. John's as
the place of treaty; and accordingly despatched one of their
frigates--the "Armes d'Angleterre," on board of which the
conference was to be held. On the tenth of November, 1666, M. de
Clodoré, M. de Chambre, &c. &c., accompanied by four shallops,
containing eighty armed men, proceeded on board that vessel, and
were quickly joined by Lieut.-Colonel Bastien Baijer, Colonel
Buckley, Joseph Lee, Captain Samuel Winthorp,[12] Captain Philip
Warner, and James Halliday, who were appointed by the English to
sign the capitulation.
All arms, ammunition, forts, batteries, &c., were to be given up
to the French; but the English were to be allowed to retain their
property, have free exercise of their religion; (except in that
immediate district which the French governor might choose as his
quarters;) and Colonel Carden, who had been detained prisoner of
war on board one of the enemy's vessels, was to be restored to
liberty.
After signing the capitulation, on the 12th of November, the
English deputies despatched Colonel Buckley on board the "Armes
d'Angleterre," with the information that there were three hundred
soldiers arrived from Barbados, which would prevent them from
fulfilling their part of the treaty; _but that if the French
thought proper to hazard an attack, they (the deputies) would not
interfere_.
Upon receiving this message, the greater part of the French
officers were for detaining Colonel Buckley as an hostage, as
well as refusing to liberate Colonel Carden; but to this M. de
Clodoré would not assent, remarking that as he had given his word
to restore Colonel Carden to liberty, and Colonel Buckley had
come on board under protection of a flag of truce, they should
both be conveyed safely to land. This was accordingly done the
same day; but Monsieur Giraud, the head commander of St. Kitts,
seeing Colonel Buckley on shore, and not being aware of M. de la
Barre's intentions towards him, had him seized and conveyed on
board the admiral's ship; who, being of different opinion to M.
de Clodoré, detained him as a hostage; and the whole of the
French forces having embarked, the fleet sailed for St. Kitts,
where they arrived on the 15th of November.
After remaining there a few days, M. de Clodoré sailed for
Martinique to transact some necessary business, and then,
accompanied by a fleet of six frigates, returned to Antigua, to
oblige the inhabitants to fulfil the treaty they had signed. He
arrived on the 30th of November, but found the state of affairs
entirely changed, Mr. Willoughby having appointed Colonel Daniel
Fitche, (who upon the former visit of the French was staying at
Nevis,) governor of Antigua, in place of Colonel Carden, and the
island being reinforced by the arrival of some troops from
Barbados.
Surprised but not intimidated, M. de Clodoré, with the
concurrence of his principal officers, sent a trumpeter to
Colonel Carden, calling upon him to fulfil the treaty, and oblige
the inhabitants to surrender. This message was received by
Colonel Carden in the presence of some of the English officers;
but the same night, by the order of Colonel Fitche, (who was
displeased at his expressing his opinion, that it was but
equitable to stand by their written contract,) he was arrested
and sent to prison. Upon this occasion, Mrs. Carden despatched
the following letter to M. de Clodoré:--
"Mons.,
"Mon mary cette nuit a esté enlevé d'auprés de moy par deux
officers et deux soldats, et ce qu'ils pretendent faire de moy et
des miens, jusqu'à present ie n'en sçay encore rien; mais en
crains qu'il ne nous en arrive mal. Je vous supplie
tres-humblement, Monsieur, voyant que moy, les mien, et ma
famille est delaissée et abandonée de nostre nation; qu'il vous
plaise nous prendre sous votre protection, nous qui n'avons levé
la main ni le coeur contre vous; et moy et les miens, et beaucoup
d'autres, prieront pour vostre prosperité et ie prend la
hardiesse de me qualifier,
"Monsieur, vostres, &c.
"Marie Carden."[13]
[N.B.--These letters are literally transcribed.]
Upon the same day, Colonel Carden despatched the following letter
to M. de Clodoré:--
"Monsieur,
"J'aurois eu l'honneur de vous aller trouver, mais i'ay este
intercepté par ordre de Mons. le Gouverneur Fitche, et il ne m'a
pas esté permis de sortir. J'espere, Monsieur, que ne croirez, ni
ne iugerez autre chose de celuy qui prend la liberté de se
souscrire,--Mons., votres, &c.
"Robert Carden."[14]
Soon after sending this letter, Colonel Carden was liberated, and
immediately proceeding on board the French ship, delivered
himself up to M. de Clodoré, and informed him that Colonel Fitche
and his troops were encamped at Pope's Head. Upon hearing this,
M. de Clodoré immediately weighed anchor, and sailing round the
coast, arrived off Pope's Head the same night. The next morning,
the following letters were despatched to him from the English
camp:--
"Monsieur,
"Nous avons receu vos semonces de venir à bord delivrant en
vostre possession nos armes et munitions de guerre; laquelle
chose, le changement de nos affaires est tel depuis vostre
depart, qu'il ne vous la peut pas permettre. Monsieur le
Lieut.-General de nostre roy ayant envoyé icy le Col. Daniel
Fitche pour son gouverneur, luy a donné pouvoir sur toute la
milice de cette isle: si-bien, Mons., que nous sommes devenus
tout-à-fait incapables de vous donner aucune reponse
satisfactoire; et sur l'examination des affaires passées, a
trouvé qu'elles estoient beaucoup à notres preiudice; et en
particulier envoyant les Careibes deux fois sur nous contre
l'obligation de vos articles, et les loix des nations, des
personnes qui sont cruels, tout-à-fait barbares et ignorans de
Dieu et de toutes civilitez. Neanmoins, Monsieur, nous vous
supplions suivant ce que nous avons déiafait, d'en faire vos
demandes à nostre dit gouverneur, qui est uniquement experimenté
en matiere de guerre. En attendant nous demeurons,
"Monsieur, vos tres-humble serviteurs,
"Bastien Baijer, &c. &c."[15]
"Mons.,
"Nous avons receu la vostre, à laquelle nous ne pouvons à present
faire aucune reponse, si non qu'il n'est pas en nostre pouvoir de
convenir à vos semonces, ni à aucunes choses cy-devant faites;
parce que depuis vostre depart d'icy, est arrivé le Col. Daniel
Fitche, avec commission de Monsieur le Lieut.-Gen. pour
gouverneur, auquel vos semonces et demandes doivent estre faites,
comme estant seul commandant de la milice. Nous trouvons que nous
avons receu grand preiudice à la rupture des articles concernans
les Careibes, qui ont deux fois attenté sur nous à leur maniere
accoustumée, qui est cruelle et barbarienne. Nous serions reioüis
de vous voir si le souhaittez; car on attend icy quinze navires
de la Barbade, dont il y en a cinq de trente pieces de canon
chacun, et deux de soixante, et huit navires marchands de vingt à
trente pieces de canon, avec mil soldats du roy vestus de
casaques rouges, avec quantité d'armes: vous presentant vous
rendrez service. Nous demeurons,
"Monsieur, vos asseurez amis et serviteurs,
"Bastien Baijer, &c. &c."[16]
Upon receiving these letters, M. de Clodoré held a council with
his officers, the results of which were as follow:--
"As the enemy have made no answer to our summons, sent three days
ago, to fulfil the conditions of the treaty made with them; but,
on the contrary, they have sent these letters this morning, in
which, after having sought vain pretences of rupture, they
declare they are not willing to fulfil it, and at the same time
they have disposed guard-houses along the coast, and caused
several armed persons to oppose our landing; it has been found
proper to accept the rupture they have made of the treaty, and
after having fired a cannon-ball at them, to land, in order to
make them return to their duty, without paying regard to the
letters they have sent. Besides the absence of Monsieur de la
Barre, and the necessity we are in to send back immediately the
island troops to Martinique and Guadaloupe, to oppose the enemy,
who, according to advices received, will soon arrive there, it is
impossible now to keep the island of Antigua for the king. It has
therefore been thought proper to land, attack the enemy, and, in
case of success, place the island in such a state, that the enemy
can draw no sort of profit from it.
"Done unanimously between us, the undersigned, in the harbour of
Antigua, the 3rd December, 1666.
"De Clodore,
Blondel,
Hinsselin."
During the period the council was being held, several armed
soldiers, (of the English troops,) impatient to know what answer
would be returned to their letters, appeared upon the beach; upon
which, according to the resolutions already passed, a cannon-ball
was fired at them, when they dispersed, and appeared no more,
without a white flag in their hand. Before the French council
broke up, an English officer came on board, bringing the
following letter for M. de Clodoré:--
"Monsieur,
"Nous vous avons envoyé ce matin telle reponse que nous pouvions,
estant sous le commandement et autorité de Mons. le Gouverneur,
au pouvoir duquel n'estions pas capables de resister; mais depuis
que nous luy avons fait voir amplement la raison de nostre
premier traité et nostre refus de rompre, avons tant fait qu'il
en est demeuré d'accord, moyennant qu'il y soit, compris comme le
reste des habitans; le dit traité et accord sera ponctuellement
ratifié et effectué en toutes ses particularitez.
"Monsieur, vos, &c.,
"Bastien Baijer, &c. &c."[17]
But paying no regard to this letter, M. de Clodoré wrote them as
follows:--
"Messieurs,
"J'ay esté fort surpris, lorsque j'ay veû que vous n'avez pas
repondu à la sommation que ie vous ay fait faire, et encore
davantage lorsque i'ay leû la lettre que vous m'avez envoyée ce
matin, où vous nous accusez de vous avoir traité avec rigueur,
pour chercher pretexte de rompre comme vous avez fait, en
manquant à vostre foy et à vostre parolle. Je descends à terre et
vous vais trouver, pour vous mettre à vostre devoir par la voye
des armes: ceux qui les poseront, auront de moy bon quartier, et
les autres seront traitez selon la rigueur de la guerre.
"Vostre serviteur,
"De Clodore."[18]
Immediately after sending this letter, M. de Clodoré and
Hinscelin landed with the French forces; but, upon gaining the
beach, they were met by a party of the English, bearing a flag of
truce, and offering, in the name of the inhabitants, to give up
all pretensions to this island, provided they would include
Governor Fitche in the treaty.
To this proposition M. de Clodoré would not assent, but forming
his troops into battle array, marched to attack the English. The
result of this encounter appears to me so remarkable, that it
obliges me again and again to assure my readers I give the true
translation: "marching to attack the new Governor and his eight
or nine hundred men, only two shots were fired by the English,
one of which wounded _their own sentinel_, and this was the only
blood spilt in this engagement; and Governor Fitche hearing that
M. de Clodoré was coming up with all his troops, and four pieces
of artillery, ran away in a boat with Colonel Warner and some
others, saying to his soldiers only these words--"God be with me,
and with you."
Thus have I narrated the reduction of Antigua by the French,
following the steps of their own historian, "Du Tertre," who of
course speaks in favour of his own countrymen. Antigua remained a
French colony, although of no use to the nation, except from the
plunder obtained from it, until the following year, when by the
treaty of Breda, Louis XIV. restored it to the English crown.[19]
The French appear to have ever doubted their success; and their
attack upon Antigua, in the first instance, seemed only intended
as a feint; but by one of those extraordinary accidents, which we
often meet with in the annals of nations, the island was reduced,
and in the second attack, if we may believe Du Tertre, _only two
shots_ were fired in its defence.
At the period of this conquest of Antigua, there were about 800
negroes upon the island, but of these the French could only find
about 500, which they carried away with them, along with their
plunder. The after fate of Colonel Carden was truly shocking.
Soon after the French had abandoned Antigua, a party of Caribs
landed, and cruelly treated the defenceless inhabitants. At
length they proceeded to the house of the ex-governor, Colonel
Carden, who treated them very kindly, and administered to their
want. Upon their leaving, they requested their entertainer to
accompany them to the beach, who instantly complied; but the
Caribs, more treacherous than the wild beasts that haunt the
desert, had no sooner reached the place where their canoes were
stationed, than they fell upon their kind host, cruelly murdered
him, and broiled his head, which they afterwards carried with
them to Dominica. Nor were they satisfied with this horrible
piece of barbarity; for, to make the tragedy complete, they
returned to Colonel Carden's house, seized his wife and children,
and after telling them of the fate of their kind relative,
hurried them away into a captivity worse than death.
The Bastian Baijer--whose name appears conspicuous in signing the
capitulation, and in the after letters which passed between the
English and the French--was of Dutch extraction, and one who
emigrated to this island at an early period of its colonization.
He died in London, in the year 1704, and in his will directed
that his remains should be interred in the vaults of the Dutch
church in Austin Friars, which was accordingly done. Many of the
descendants (or rather representatives, for Bastian Baijer died
without issue, and left his property to the person who assumed
his name) of Bastian Baijer have resided in the island until
within a year or two. The remains of one member of that family,
Otto Baijer, Esq., moulders beneath the beautiful tomb, a
description of which will be found in Chapter XV.; and the
remaining scion of the house, a female, was shortly since united
to the Hon. Owen Pell, of Antigua, and of Suwell, county of
Northampton.
------
[8] It is said, that some part of Lord Willoughby's fleet escaped
the hurricane, and reached Jamaica in safety.
[9] It must be remembered, that at the time we are now speaking
of, surgeons did not hold that respectable rank in society as
they now--that is, most of them--deservedly fill. Not so very
many years ago, naval surgeons in particular were very little
thought of; and even in the British navy, they were required to
perform the office of barber, as well as attend to the bodily
ailments of the crew.
[10] To shew the state to which the French reduced the island,
the following extract from a letter written by Count D'Estrade,
ambassador from the French king to Charles II. of England, dated
26th May, 1667, and addressed to Louis XIV., is inserted:--"Il
nous dit de plus que le Sieur de la Barre avat ruiné celle
d'Antigoa, et en avait fait transporter tout ce qu'il avait pu
afin d'être mieux en etat de conserver de St. Christophe."
_Translation_.--"He"--that is, the deputy from Zealand, with whom
Count D'Estrade had had a conference at Breda, on 21st May, 1667
--"informed us, in addition, that the said M. de la Barre had
ruined the colony of Antigua, and had taken and transported from
it all that he could, to the end that he might be in a better
condition to retain possession of St. Christopher's."
[11] His tombstone may be still seen in one of the churchyards of
St. Christopher's.
[12] For account of this gentleman, see Appendix, No. 3.
[13] "Sir,--My husband has been arrested by two officers and two
soldiers this night, and what they intend doing with me and my
family, I know not even now; but I fear that some ill
consequences will attend it. I beseech you humbly, Sir, seeing
that myself and family are abandoned by our countrymen, that it
may please you to protect us who have never assailed you; and
myself, and family, and many others, shall pray for your
prosperity; and I take the boldness to qualify myself,
"Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,
"Mary Carden."
[14] "Sir,--I should have had the honour of waiting upon you, but
I have been intercepted by the order of Governor Fitche, and I
have been in custody since. I hope, Sir, you will not believe or
think otherwise of him who takes the liberty of subscribing
himself, Sir, yours, &c.,
"Robert Carden."
[15] "Sir,--We have received your summons to come on board to
deliver our arms and ammunition; which thing, such is the change
in our affairs since your departure, as not to permit of our
doing. The lieut.-general of our king having sent Colonel Daniel
Fitche as his governor, has given him power over all the militia
of this island. Thus, Sir, we are become entirely unable to give
you any satisfactory answer; and, upon examination of the
transactions which have taken place, we have found that they were
so much to our prejudice, and in particular, sending the Caribs
twice upon us, against the obligation of your articles and the
laws of nations; persons who are cruel, entirely barbarous, and
ignorant of God and of all civilities. However, Sir, we pray you,
as we have already done, to address your demands to our governor,
who alone is experienced in matters of war. In the meantime, we
remain, yours, &c. &c.,
"Bastien Baijer. Gilbert Gregory.
Philip Warner. Henry Reynall.
Richard Boraston. Jeremiah Watkins.
Samuel Winthorpe."
[16] "Sir,--We have received your letter, to which we cannot at
present give any other answer, but that it is not in our power to
yield to your summons, nor to agree to anything done before;
because, since your departure from here, Colonel Daniel Fitche is
arrived, with commission from the lieutenant-general as governor,
in obedience to an order from the king, which has been published.
It is to the said governor that your summons and demands must be
addressed, for he is the sole commander of the militia. We think
that we have suffered great injury at the rupture of the articles
concerning the Caribs, who attacked us twice in their wonted
manner, which is cruel and barbarous. We would be glad to see
you, _if you wish_, for we expect here, fifteen ships from
Barbados, five of which are of fifteen guns each, and two of
sixty; and eight merchantmen, of twenty to thirty guns; with a
thousand of the king's soldiers, _dressed in their red jackets_,
and a quantity of arms. By coming, you will render service. We
remain, &c.,
"Bastien Baijer, &c. &c."
[17] "Sir,--We have sent this morning the only answer we could
give, being under the command and authority of the governor, to
whose power we could not resist; but as we have shewn him the
reason of our first treaty, and our refusal to break it, we have
done so much that he has agreed with us, provided he be included
in it, with the rest of the inhabitants: the said treaty and
agreement will be punctually ratified and executed in all its
parts.
"Bastien Baijer, &c. &c."
[18] "Gentlemen,--I have been much surprised when I saw that you
made no answer to the summons given you, and much more yet when I
read the letters you sent me this morning, in which you charge us
with having treated you with rigour, which is seeking for a
pretence of rupture, as you have done by not keeping your faith
and word. I am landing and coming to you, to teach you your duty
by force of arms: those who will lay down their arms will have
good quarter from me, and the others shall be treated according
to the rigour of war. Your servant,
"De Clodore."
[19] It was for some time pending in the mind of Louis XIV.
whether he should, or should not, restore Antigua to its rightful
sovereign; and several letters passed between the King of the
French and his ambassador, Count D'Estrade, (the deputy from
Zealand assuring the count that he would use his influence to
retain Antigua for his majesty, should such be his wish,) upon
the subject. At length, however, Louis XIV., after much
hesitation, authorized its rendition by a letter to Count
D'Estrade, dated 6th May, 1667, of which the following is a
translation:--
"I have always forgotten to inform you, and even to put it in
your instructions, that it is my intention to surrender the
island of Antigua to the English, which belonged to them before
the war. Thus you will make no difficulty by promising, by the
treaty (of Breda), that all things shall be established in the
island of St. Christopher, and that of Antigua, as they were
previously to the rupture," &c.