Governor Colonel Christopher Codrington--Establishment of the
first market--Accession of Queen Anne--Arrival of Admiral
Benbow--Attack upon the island of Guadaloupe, in conjunction
with the Antiguan troops--Bravery of Colonel Edward Byam--
Arrival of Captain Hovenden Walker--Second attack upon
Guadaloupe--Colonel Codrington quits the government--His death
--Sir William Mathew--Hon. John Johnson.
At the period of his father's death, Christopher Codrington,
Esq., the eldest son of the preceding governor, was in Holland,
with his sovereign and his army; but upon the news arriving of
General Codrington's demise, William III. immediately appointed
Christopher to succeed his late father as Captain-General and
Commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands, in which capacity he
arrived at Antigua, in the year 1700.
In the same year, regulations were framed by the legislature, to
further increase the number of white inhabitants, and encourage
the soldiers who had been lately disbanded, to settle in the
island, by giving them grants of ten acres of land, and
authorizing the treasurer to advance to each of them, as a loan,
the sum of 3l., a barrel of beef, and a cask of flour. Such
soldiers as were unprovided with grants were to be allowed 6d.
per day, until the time they were put into possession; and those
who chose to emigrate from the islands to leeward of Antigua,
were allowed 12s. for their passage-money. All tavern-keepers,
owners of sloops, &c., were also obliged to employ white men,
under a penalty of 30s. for each offence.
In 1702, the first market-place was established, cross streets
laid out, and the town of St. John's otherwise improved. A clerk
of the market was appointed, who was also to be the public
whipper and crier; town-wardens were elected, whose duty was to
assess houses and lands; and a cage, pillory, stocks,
whipping-post, and ducking-stool,[34] put up at the public
expense. Night-watches were also appointed, to have the same
power as watchmen in London, and a watch-house built in a
convenient spot. Many of the wharfs were also constructed, and
other improvements made.
William III. having died the 8th of the preceding March, Queen
Anne, his successor, was proclaimed at Antigua, in June, 1702,
with some pomp; as also at Nevis, where the captain-general was
holding a general council and assembly. Punishments were also
enacted this year for the offences of slaves, and for the better
government of free negroes. If a slave struck a white person, and
in any way hurt or disfigured him, such slave was to have _his
nose slit_, or _any member cut off_, or to suffer death, at the
discretion of a justice of peace. Any slaves running away from
their owners for the space of three months, were also to suffer
death, have a limb cut off, or be publicly whipped--the treasurer
paying to the owner 18l. in case of death. If, in pursuit of a
runaway slave, the parties killed him, they were not liable to
prosecution.
With regard to free negroes, and _mulattoes_, by which was meant
all persons of colour, they were obliged to choose a master or a
mistress to live with, unless they possessed land of their own;
and if they dared to strike a white servant, they were to be
severely whipped. No free negro could possess more than eight
acres of land; nor could any minister marry such person to a
slave, under a penalty of fifty pounds.
The military affairs were also regulated. The island militia were
to consist of infantry and carbineers, under one of which all the
male white inhabitants, from the age of fourteen to sixty-five,
were to be included. One day in every month was to be set apart
for the troops to be exercised; and once in a year a grand
rendezvous was to take place at Boyer's Pasture, in the division
of North Sound, when prizes were to be distributed to those who
made the best six shots at a target. The prizes consisted of six
silver-hilted swords, with belts, valued at 6l. currency. Martial
law was also ordained to be in full force at any period when
there were fears of insurrections or invasions. Fines were also
imposed for various offences, such as absence from parade, &c.
Privates who could not raise the money, were, in default of
paying such fines as they had incurred, to be picketed, or _tied
neck and heels for an hour_.
This year (1702) Admiral Benbow again visited Antigua, and war
having broken out with France, the captain-general, Colonel
Christopher Codrington, resolved, in conjunction with that brave
officer, to make an attack upon Guadaloupe. The merchants of
Antigua, who were then a numerous body, equipped several
privateers to serve under the admiral's flag; and the
captain-general, Colonel Codrington, raised a regiment of
soldiers, which were placed under the command of Colonel Edward
Byam. On the 7th March, the land and sea forces were abreast the
island of Guadaloupe, from whence the French fired at them,
killing one man, and wounding a boy on board the commodore's
ship. The fleet laid off and on until the 10th of the same,
waiting for the "Maidstone" man-of-war, with some other of his
Majesty's vessels, from Maria Galante, when, upon their arrival,
Admiral Benbow came to an anchor on the north-west side of the
island. After burning some plantations along the coast, on the
12th, Colonel Byam, with his regiment, and a detachment of 200
men of Colonel Whetham's regiment, landed at "Les Petits
Habitans," where Colonel Byam distinguished himself by his great
bravery; and, with the united assistance of the regulars, obliged
the French to retire. The English next attacked a town called
"Bogliffe," which, after some resistance, they took, as also the
Jacobin's church, on which the French had planted ten pieces of
cannon. After many other successes, among which was taking the
breast-work along the Jacobin river, the strongest fortifications
the French possessed, the English proceeded to Basseterre, the
capital; and this town they, no doubt, would have also taken, had
it not been for the unhappy differences arising between the
commanders, and which, combined with the illness of the troops,
occasioned the English to withdraw from the island at a time when
victory was almost sure.
After quitting the island of Guadaloupe, the fleet proceeded for
Antigua; but Admiral Benbow, hearing of the arrival of the French
admiral with ten ships of the line in these latitudes, went in
search of them. As it does not appear any of the Antiguan forces
joined him, we will only briefly remark that, falling in with the
squadron, a fight commenced, which lasted three days. The last
twenty-four hours the admiral fought with his single ship, his
other vessels having deserted him; when, although his leg was
shattered by a chain-shot, and he had received several other
wounds, he would not be carried from the deck of his ship, but
continued fighting until the French were obliged to sheer off.
Benbow was so displeased with the conduct of the captains of his
different ships, that he determined to steer for Jamaica, and
upon his arrival to call a court-martial. The most culpable of
them suffered death, the others were punished in different ways,
and the admiral himself took their conduct so much to heart, that
vexation, co-operating with the pain of his wounds, caused his
death in November of the same year.
About this period (1703), the first sailing packet for the
conveyance of letters arrived at Antigua. Queen Anne had been
graciously pleased to establish this packet service for the
furtherance of trade, as well as to keep up a more regular
intercourse with the colonies, as may be seen from the annexed
notification:--
"London, 11th February, 1702-3.
"Whereas her Majesty, for the encouragement of trade and
commerce, hath thought fit to appoint boats to convey letters and
packets between Barbados, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St.
Christopher's, and Jamaica in America,--this is to give notice
that a mail will go from the general post-office, in London, on
Thursday of this instant (February) for the above-mentioned
islands, and henceforward on Thursday in every month; and her
Majesty, pursuant to the statute made in the twelfth year of the
reign K. Charles II., for establishing a post-office, hath
directed and empowered the postmaster-general of England to take
for the post of all such letters and packets that shall be
conveyed by the said boats between London and any of the
before-mentioned islands, the rates as follows:--
s. d.
For every letter not exceeding one sheet of paper, 0 9
do. do. two sheets do. 1 6
For every packet weighing an ounce . . 2 8"
This year (1703), his Excellency, Christopher Codrington, again
entered the lists of battle. Sir George Rooke had despatched from
England at the end of the former year Captain Hovenden Walker
with six ships of the line and transports, having on board four
regiments of soldiers for the Leeward Islands, which were to be
landed at Antigua, and then distributed among the other colonies.
Upon their arrival at Antigua, Colonel Codrington gave Captain
Walker such information as determined him to alter his plans, and
make an attack upon Guadaloupe; so, taking on board the governor
and a "martial little band" under his command, they proceeded for
that island. After having razed the fort, burnt the town, and
ravaged the surrounding country, they re-embarked with
precipitation, in consequence of a report that a body of 900
French soldiers had arrived to the succour of the inhabitants.
Colonel Codrington and his party returned to Antigua; and Captain
Walker retired to Nevis with his squadron, where, it is said,
they must have perished by famine had not Admiral Graydon
fortunately put in there, on his way to Jamaica, and relieved
them.
Colonel Codrington was recalled from his government in the early
part of 1704--for what reason I know not, unless it be his
loyalty and attachment to his deceased sovereign, William III. He
resided upon his "Betty's Hope" estate, in Antigua, for some
years afterwards, as a private gentleman, but at length removed
to Barbados, where he died in 1710; and, in 1716, his remains
were exhumed, and conveyed to England, and buried in the chapel
of All Souls', Oxford. Colonel Codrington added to his other
accomplishments that of a poet--four of his poems being published
in the _Musæ Anglicanæ_. He founded a college, by bequest, at
Barbados, which still bears the name of "Codrington College;" and
where, since the appointment of a bishop to this diocese, in
1825, the clergymen who officiate in the West Indian churches,
are, with the exception of two or three from the English
universities, ordained.[35]
In 1704, Queen Anne appointed Sir William Mathew, a native of St.
Kitt's, (who had distinguished himself at the siege of Namur,)
captain-general, who arrived at Antigua 14th July, the same year.
His Excellency did not live much more than five months after his
appointment, dying 4th December; but during that short time, he
endeared himself to all classes by a kind and courteous
behaviour, and his strict integrity and honourable actions.[36]
Upon the decease of Sir William Mathew, the Hon. John Johnson was
made commander-in-chief for a short time.[37] During his
administration, measures were taken to provide for the safety of
the wives and children of those persons who at any time might be
engaged in fighting for this island, and also for the infirm and
superannuated, by building small houses within the fortifications
of Monk's Hill, where they could retire in times of actual
warfare. This was a very necessary precaution, when the frequent
landing of the French, attended by the Caribs, and the dreadful
barbarities which they practised upon the unfortunate creatures
who fell into their hands, is called to mind. And it was very
naturally supposed that the men would fight better in the ranks,
when they knew those who were near and dear to them were in
comparative safety, than if obliged to leave them unprotected.
These fortifications had been begun, at considerable expense, in
the year 1687-8, and although a constant tax upon the country,
had never been finished; but it was resolved this year to make no
more delay, but carry on the works with vigour.
This year (1705) a general council and assembly was held at
Nevis, when an act was passed to regulate such meeting, and
retain for each island its several laws. In future, the general
assembly was to consist of five freeholders, elected from each
respective island within the government. No member was to be sued
or arrested for debt ten days before or after the sessions; and,
while serving in general council and assembly, each member was to
be paid 20s. per day, and their expenses allowed them for going
from island to island.
------
[34] "A stool, in which scolds are tied, and _ducked_ under
water."--Dr. Johnson.
[35] For a genealogy of the Codrington family, see Appendix, No.
9.
[36] Vide Mathew pedigree, Appendix, No. 10.
[37] This Hon. John Johnson appears to have crept into the
government with nothing more than a _verbal_ commission from some
great courtier; and it is said that, in order to gain the
Antiguans over to his cause, he allowed them to frame and pass
what acts they pleased. He was an officer in Colonel Thomas
Whetham's regiment, (the Enniskillen, or 27th regiment of the
line,) where he held the rank of brevet-colonel. About the year
1706, after the government had devolved to the captain-general,
Colonel Parke, Colonel Johnson had a fracas with a Mr. Poxton, a
native of St Christopher's, which ended fatally to the
ex-governor, and for which Mr. Poxton was tried for murder, but
acquitted by a jury of his countrymen.