Governor William Mathew--Sir George Thomas, Bart.--James
Verchild--Honourable William Woodley--Sir Ralph Payne--Hon.
Craister Greathead--General Burt--The circumstances of his
death--Sir Thomas Shirley, Bart.
After the suppression of the insurrection related in the last
chapter, it was resolved in future to keep a better watch over
the negroes, and be more strict in the government of them. Slaves
were not to be allowed to congregate about the streets of St.
John's; and if they refused to disperse, when ordered to do so,
it was justifiable to fire upon them: the country paying for
those who were shot. If any of the negroes were suspected of
treasonable practices, conspiracies, or insurrections, they were
to suffer torture, not extending to death; but in case any of
them died under the pain of having a limb cut off, &c., the owner
of such slaves received the value of them from the public
treasury.
The inhabitants appear to have been quite alarmed at the state of
affairs, particularly as there were but few white people still
upon the island compared with the negroes. In 1740-1, it was
again taken into consideration how to increase the number; and
after some deliberation, it was determined to give further
encouragement for the importation of white servants, by adding a
bounty of 40s. to that already given. It was also ordained, that
every owner or renter of slaves should, for every thirty negroes,
have a white man in his employ, under a penalty of 20l. for each,
according to the number of slaves. This gave rise to the custom
of building "free tenancies," which were houses given to white
persons to reside in, without receiving rent for the same; and by
this means, the proprietor escaped the obligation which the law
enforced of employing so many white servants or overseers.
In 1741, Rat Island, as it is called, although in reality a
promontory, was purchased by the country, and barracks and
fortifications erected thereon. War having broken out between
England and France, the Antiguans suffered very much in their
commerce. Commodore Lee had been sent out to protect the trade,
but, it appears, he did not act like a British officer; for when
stationed off Antigua, he allowed a French fleet of merchantmen
and their convoy to pass his vessels without molestation, and
actually captured some of the Antigua coasters. In 1747,
complaints against him were sent home, and Commodore Legge was
despatched to Antigua, with full power to try the case. The
Antiguans were obliged this year to purchase and maintain a
vessel to protect their small crafts, so harassed were they by
the French privateers.
The lieutenant-governor of Antigua, Colonel George Lucas, died
this year, (1747,) at Brest, where he was detained prisoner,
having been taken by a French vessel of war, on his way to
England the year before. The following year, (1748,) a petition
was sent home, praying his majesty for satisfaction for the
injury suffered by the incursions of the French. About this
period, the court-house was commenced to be built, on the spot
where the market used to be held. Hitherto a house was rented for
that purpose, which was found to be very inconvenient, for many
reasons; and as there was no particular place appointed for the
offices of the secretary or provost-marshal, it was found
expedient to erect such building as soon as possible, and
appropriate a part of it for those offices.
In 1752, George Thomas, Esq., succeeded his excellency William
Mathew, Esq., in the government of Antigua, and the rest of the
Leeward Islands, as captain-general. The following year (1753) a
fund was raised to purchase land, for the purpose of building
additional barracks for the accommodation of the regiment of foot
stationed in Antigua, and also building a guard-house in the town
of St. John's. In the same year, an additional support for his
excellency, George Thomas, was appointed to be paid to him during
his government. The erection of a new church at Parham was
commenced in 1755; a yearly tax having been imposed upon the
inhabitants, for the expense of the erection, and for keeping it
afterwards repaired. This year, too, it was found, that the white
inhabitants had so materially decreased in number,
notwithstanding strenuous measures had been taken since 1716 to
encourage the importation of them, that it was thought necessary
to offer further inducements to white persons to emigrate from
England to this colony. In order that this object should be more
fully carried out, heavier penalties were also this year enforced
upon proprietors and renters of negroes, if they neglected to
have in their employ a white Protestant person for every thirty
slaves; for many owners had evaded the law, by paying the
penalty, rather than be obliged to maintain a white servant. The
number of white inhabitants at this period was but little more
than 3000, while the negroes amounted to about 32,000. In 1757, a
portion of land was appropriated for building a house for the
accommodation of the train of artillery in the town of St.
John's.
In 1758, the French threatened an invasion of Antigua. War had
broken out between England, and France; and, as was always the
case in such times, the French began to plague their English
neighbours in the West Indies. The Antiguans, hearing of their
intentions, hastily equipped several privateers to cruise about
the island, which were fortunate enough to take some prizes, and
intimidate the French. It was found by experience, that these
privateers injured the French more in their commerce than even
the men-of-war; and for this reason, the country gave great
encouragement to the fitters-out of such vessels.
The following year, (1759,) Commodore Moore commanded the Leeward
Island station, and the brave Captain Tyrrel was ordered to
protect the island of Antigua. This gentleman, whose courage and
activity were equal to his conduct and circumspection, had, early
in the month of March previous, demolished a fort at Martinique,
and destroyed four privateers riding under its protection. On his
return to Antigua, he discovered a large fleet of the enemy's;
and giving immediate chase, attended by the "Weazle" man-of-war,
he quickly came up with them, and after a desperate fight,
scattered and dispersed them. Capt. Tyrrel was wounded in the
face, and lost three of the fingers of his right hand. This year,
too, the island of Guadaloupe was taken by the English; and the
Antiguans (on the faith of a proclamation issued by the governor,
pledging the country to pay the value of such slaves as might be
killed or desert) sent a large complement of negroes to act as
pioneers, and assist in drawing the artillery. During the next
year, several prizes were taken by the Antigua privateers; and
Captain O'Brien, of H. M. S. "Griffen," assisted by Captain
Taylor of the "Temple," took three large vessels off Antigua, and
brought them into English Harbour.
The year 1760 is celebrated for the introduction of methodism
into Antigua, by a Mr. Gilbert, which, from a very small
beginning, has overspread the whole island, and proved of
infinite value to the inhabitants. In 1761, assurance was
prohibited on all French vessels and merchandise; and also all
vessels trading to France, or the French colonies, during the
war. During this year regulations were made respecting the
manumission of slaves. Antigua certainly set a bright example to
the other islands, in days of slavery, of never withholding from
its negroes _that_ privilege. The following year, 1762, the
necessity of having the laws of the island printed was again
brought before the council and assembly, which was unanimously
agreed to. The same year Antigua again supplied a complement of
strong negroes, to serve as pioneers, &c., under the command of
the Right Honourable the Earl of Albemarle, in an intended
expedition against Martinique. The year 1765 was the last that
Sir George Thomas continued in the government of the Leeward
Caribbee Islands.[50]
James Verchild, Esq., was appointed to succeed Sir George Thomas
in the government in 1766; and during that year harbour-masters
were appointed. Antigua still appearing deficient in white
inhabitants, in 1767 further regulations were made, which would,
it was hoped, tend to increase the number, and retain in the
island many families who were upon the point of leaving it. The
cause of these persons emigrating, it appears, was on account of
their not being allowed to reckon the female members of their
family, in the place of a white servant to so many slaves, as the
law required, as was the case in Jamaica and St. Vincent's; it
was therefore deemed expedient this year to give way in this
respect, and permit two women to count as one man.
In 1768, William Woodley, Esq., was appointed commander-in-chief
of Antigua, and the other Leeward Caribbee Islands. During his
administration, a dreadful fire broke out in the town of St.
John's, which did great damage, but of which a further account
will be given in another part of this work. Large sums of money
were granted, and a collection made for the sufferers at
Liverpool. Precautions were afterwards taken, by regulating
certain buildings about the capital; but unfortunately those wise
regulations have long since fallen into disuse. In 1769, the snow
"Rodney" put into Antigua, in distress. She had been despatched
from England with convicts, who were to be employed in the State
of Maryland, but meeting first with bad weather, and afterwards
long calms, all their provisions were consumed; and when they
fortunately made Antigua, eleven of the convicts had died from
starvation, and the survivors had eaten their very shoes.
In 1771, Sir Ralph Payne, K.G., succeeded to the government. His
excellency was a native of St. Kitts, and was esteemed for many
qualities. The Antiguans were quite pleased with his nomination,
supposing he would have the interests of these colonies greatly
at heart. The first year of his administration the common gaol
was rebuilt, which had been burnt down in the late fire; and a
portion of land, contiguous to it, purchased for the purpose of
enlarging that part appropriated for the use of the debtors. The
year 1771 is celebrated as that in which the "Sugar Ants" first
made their appearance in Antigua. They were supposed to have made
their way from Dominica to this island; and, minute as they are,
they proved a most formidable enemy, by destroying an immense
quantity of sugar-canes. This year also marks the appointment of
Sir George Pownall to the situation of provostmaster-general of
the Leeward Islands, under letters patent, dated 7th June, in the
eleventh year of the reign of his majesty George III. This grant
had been made to the father of Sir George, after the death of the
former patentee, Mr. Richard Phelps--"to be held with all fees,
rights, profits, privileges, and advantages," for the lives of
Mr. Pownall, and his two sons, Sir George Pownall, and Mr. John
Lillington Pownall.
In 1772, Antigua suffered very much from the effects of a
hurricane; great damage was done to the shipping both in St.
John's Harbour, and also in English Harbour. The "Chatham,"
commanded by Admiral Parry, the "Seahorse," and some other
vessels of his majesty's service, were driven on shore, and
several merchantmen were sunk. In 1774, Sir Ralph Payne was
ordered home, much against the wish of the Antiguans; and a
petition was forwarded to England praying his majesty to
re-appoint him.
Craister Greathead, Esq., another West Indian, succeeded Sir
Ralph Payne as commander-in-chief in 1775, but he appears to have
given St. Kitts the preference, principally residing in that
island. Nothing of importance occurred during his administration;
happily for the Antiguans, war was principally confined to
another quarter, which gave them a little time to look about
them, and redress their domestic grievances.
In 1777, General William Mathew Burt was appointed to the
government, and a suitable residence prepared for his reception.
The following year, war, blood-stained war, unfurled his red
banner in these "gems of the sea"--these beautiful West Indian
islands. On all sides of Antigua did the battle rage; island
after island surrendered either to French or English prowess; and
the fears of the Antiguans were raised for the safety of their
little domicile. Nor was war alone the only impending evil she
had to dread; the heavens withheld their bounty, and the country
fainted beneath a burning sun; famine, it was supposed, would be
the result, and had it not been for the interposition of his
gracious majesty George III., by advancing 20,000l. sterling to
procure subsistence for the negroes, their fears would have
proved too true. Yet although this kind loan to the country
averted much evil, the series of calamities they had already
suffered caused so much sickness, that in the course of the next
year, 1780, it was the opinion of Dr. Samuel Athill that upwards
of eight thousand negroes died.
In 1778, fresh regulations were made for the better government of
slaves, and for establishing certain days, viz.--the whole time
from sunset on Christmas-eve, to sunrise of the 28th of December,
as their holidays. No other days were to be allowed the slaves by
their owners in place of those specified; and no slave-holder
could refuse to allow them such holidays, under a penalty of
100l.: one-half of the fine to go to the informer, the other half
to the public treasury--during these holidays martial law was to
be in force.
About this period Lord Rodney took command of the fleet which was
stationed in these seas, and was fortunate enough to beat off the
French, and thus spare the Antiguans the horrors of an invasion,
which was but too successful at St. Kitts. The name of this
gallant officer is still remembered with gratitude and affection
by West Indians; and not many years ago, the stranger who visited
Barbados was highly entertained with an old black woman, who
passed by the title of "Lady Rodney," and who wore upon her dark
fat arm a picture of the Admiral, which he gave her at parting.
But alas! like the noble lord, she has passed to another world,
and no longer do the young _midds_ of her majesty's service, who
visit Barbados, recognise her shrill cry of "hab best guaba fine
pine, and hot ginger drink for noung buckru me lob."
The fortifications of Goat Hill, and Great George Fort, at
Barnacle Point, were completed during the administration of
General Burt, as well as several other forts, which were very
necessary in this season of warfare. About this period slaves
were forbidden to vend sugar, rum, molasses, or sugar canes,
besides many other articles.
The circumstances attending the death of Governor Burt were very
extraordinary. Upon a certain day his excellency honoured a
gentleman of the island with his company to dinner, and during
the repast he was as gay as any at that festive board. Soon after
the cloth was withdrawn, when the laughing wine sparkled in the
crystal chalice, and, surrounded by all the good things of this
world, the convivial party threw off all cares, they were
surprised to hear the governor call to his servant to bring his
sword, which he always carried abroad with him. Wondering at this
command, yet too well bred to make inquiries, the company waited
in silence until the order was performed. The sword was brought
and handed to the governor; when, unsheathing it in an instant,
he exclaimed, in a loud voice--"Tell that fellow to quit the back
of my chair, or I will run him through!" The company were more
amazed than ever. What could the governor mean? no one was behind
his chair; no one was in the room but themselves and the
domestics. Uncertain what to do or say, they still remained
silent; when the governor repeated, in a still louder tone, "Send
away that man, or I will run him through!" It was represented to
his excellency that he laboured under a mistake, that no one was
behind his chair; but it was of no avail, all that could be got
from him was, "Send away that man, or I will run him through!" In
this state he was carried home, and every art tried to restore
him to his proper senses; but all was of no avail, he never
recovered the shock; and in a short time after he fell a prey to
that insatiable monster, Death, who so justly says--
"I visit the halls of the great and gay,
And snatch them from all their delight away;
I rest at the villager's humble door,
For welcome alike are the rich and the poor."
It has been said that the governor was poisoned, and that the
mixture, or whatever other form it was administered in, was so
prepared as to have the effects of unsettling his reason; but
possibly it was a case of _delirium tremens_, without the
assistance of any deleterious drug or herb.
This circumstance is related in a different manner; and as I am
not aware which is the most correct, will lay them both before my
readers, that they may judge for themselves. General Burt, it is
said, was dining at a party at "Pensive Hall," (the name of the
great house upon Martin Byam's estate, now belonging to Messrs.
Shands, of Liverpool, England,) when he saw an apparition, which
informed him, that ere twelve moons had waxed and waned, this
mandate should be issued to him--"Thou shalt die and not live!"
He related the circumstance to the party, and expressed his firm
belief in it. His friends removed him to the Great House upon
Weir's estate, (the present seat of Francis Byam Ottly, Esq.,)
and by convivial parties, strove to overcome his melancholy
forebodings; but all was of no effect. He finally sailed for
England, and died upon his passage, the _very day twelve months_
he saw the apparition.
After the death of General Burt, in 1781, Major-General Sir
Thomas Shirley, Bart., was appointed to the office of
commander-in-chief. No events of importance marked the first year
of his government, except that the gallant Admiral Vernon
obtained a complete victory over the French fleet, between this
island and Guadaloupe, and followed up his success by many other
naval conquests. General Prescott, commander of the 69th
regiment, and the Antiguan troops, landed at St. Kitt's, and
drove the enemy before them with great slaughter.
In 1782, St. John's again suffered severely from a destructive
fire, which broke out in one of the most densely-populated parts
of the town. It was this disaster which gave rise to the
establishment of the "Friendly Fire Company," every member of
which pledged himself to keep in good order a certain number of
buckets; as also to practise themselves in the use of their
engines. Soon after the formation of this society, the "Phoenix
Fire Office," in Lombard-street, London, sent out proposals for
insurance--the first which were ever made in Antigua, and for
many years, that office was the only one which would grant
security upon West Indian property.
In 1784, it was resolved to make some alterations in the oaths
required of white servants. Prior to this year, they were obliged
to swear to their being Protestants, as well as take the oaths of
allegiance; from which cause many quiet and useful persons were
debarred from receiving the rewards held out to other white
emigrants, on account of their not being nurtured in the
Protestant religion. It was therefore enacted that no other oaths
should be required but those of allegiance to the reigning
monarch and his successors. A nightly watch was also established
in the town of St. John's, and a tax levied upon the inhabitants
to defray the expenses of it. It was in this year, also, that it
was contemplated to allow slaves a trial by jury; but it does not
appear to have been carried into effect until 1798. The former
method of trying these sable defaulters was to bring them before
a justice of the peace, and if his worship considered the offence
worthy of the highest punishment, he called to his aid a
fellow-justice, and between them they condemned the culprit to
death, causing such sentence to be immediately executed.
Regulations were again very judiciously made for the better
erection of kitchens, blacksmiths' shops, bakeries, &c., in order
to prevent, as far as possible, the repetition of those fatal
fires which had so lately devastated great part of the capital.
Such buildings erected within the precincts of St. John's were,
in future, to be constructed of stone or brick, and the roofs to
be cased with tiles or slates. Like many other wise purposes,
these regulations have long ago fallen into disuse; and at the
present day, in an old wooden shed, in the midst of a populous
neighbourhood, a blacksmith drives his trade; and as you pass the
open door, his huge fire may be seen vomiting forth its tongues
of flame, while showers of bright sparks, struck from the glowing
iron, often find a resting-place amid the surrounding heaps of
combustibles. Surely such practices ought to be noticed by "the
powers that be," particularly when we have lately had such
distressing proofs of the havoc made by that destructive element.
In 1784 the churchwardens were empowered to sell certain portions
of public lands, and to purchase other lots, for the more
convenient erection of a parish hospital. Amendments were also
made in the act passed in 1766, for the prevention of damage to
the harbour of St. John's, and for appointing a harbour-master,
who was to be "a person bred to the sea, and otherwise
sufficiently skilled and qualified to take charge of the port and
harbour of St. John's, including the cove."
In 1786, a tax was raised upon the inhabitants of St. John's, to
defray the expenses of cleaning and repairing the streets of the
capital. This must have been very requisite, if they were really
in the state described in the following passage, (extracted from
a letter written from Antigua August 1, 1786.) "The streets are
spacious, but unpaved, _nor is there the least care taken to keep
them clean_. The prickly pear bush, and other shrubs, are
suffered to grow therein, to the annoyance of the passengers, the
secreting of every species of nastiness, and to the great
increase of vermin, insects, and reptiles, with which this place
abounds." Public billiard and other gaming-tables were
prohibited, under pain of forfeiture; much to the good order and
welfare of the island.
In 1787, our late beloved and lamented sovereign William IV.
(then Prince William Henry) honoured Antigua with a visit. During
the period of his stay there, he endeared himself to every heart,
by that kind condescension and sympathy of manner which marked
his every stage through life. As no doubt it will be interesting
to my readers to have some account of the manner in which his
highness passed his time, I will insert the following letter,
written by John Luffman, the author of the map of Antigua, and
published, among other of his epistolary productions, in 1789.
"St. John's, Antigua, Jan. 16, 1787.
"Dear Sir,--Prince William Henry arrived here the latter end of
last month in the Pegasus frigate. His appearance has put this
little community into a ferment. Addresses were immediately
presented to him from the legislative body, and likewise from the
merchants, expressive of loyalty to his royal father, and of the
happiness and honour his highness had conferred on them by his
gracious visit. The address of the legislature was read and
presented by a Mr. John Burke, solicitor-general of the Leeward
Islands, and speaker of the assembly of this island; but,
notwithstanding this gentleman has been for years hackneyed at
the bar, and is a bold orator; yet, on this occasion, to the
astonishment of every bystander, he was nearly bereft of the
power of utterance. The merchants' address was read and presented
by a Mr. John Scotland. His highness received these effusions of
loyalty to his illustrious parent, and of respect to himself,
with great satisfaction, and returned gracious answers. Each of
these bodies gave a public dinner and ball for his highness's
entertainment. The prince opened both balls with Miss A------
(Athill), a beautiful young lady of respectable family; and his
affability, politeness, and condescension, to every person who
had the honour of his conversation, was as conspicuous as it was
pleasing. The ladies put their best smiles upon their faces, and
their best adornments upon their persons; indeed, every
individual seemed emulous of shewing respect to the royal
visitor. Many offers of particular attention and civility have
been made to his highness, which he in general declined, wishing
rather to appear in the humble character of a private gentleman,
than in the dignified situation of a prince. How long he means to
honour this isle with his presence, I cannot with certainty
learn,--it will probably be several months; the people here, I
believe, hope and _wish it may be for years_. The negroes look at
the _Grande Bocrah_ (so they call the prince) with astonishment,
and sometimes incommode him as he walks the streets; but his
highness possesses all _that admired frankness and noble
liberality_ so characteristic in a British seaman, and will
frequently condescend to talk with them. Capt. Nelson, of the
"Boreas," Capt. Holloway, of the "Solebar," and the other
principal naval officers on this station, are his highness's
chief attendants on all occasions.
"I remain, &c. &c."
In 1788, two Jews were tried at the court of grand sessions, for
a robbery committed upon one of their tribe. "Marcus" (the name
of the one most culpable) was condemned to suffer death by
hanging, but was afterwards pardoned; while "Vanban" (the name of
the other culprit) was sentenced to stand in the pillory for a
certain number of hours. This punishment, however, did not appear
to make due impression upon the guilty Israelite, for a spectator
of the exhibition (in a letter written to a friend) describes him
as standing there with the utmost assurance, "holding, with one
hand, his hat before his face, and with the other, supporting an
umbrella to prevent the sun warming his head."
In the latter end of June, 1788, Sir Thomas Shirley quitted the
government, and sailed for England in the "Roehampton," commanded
by Captain Ross. His excellency, it appears, felt aggrieved at
some treatment he received from the legislature, and accordingly,
upon his departure, he refused the vote of civility from that
body, and proceeded on board the vessel, attended only by his
private secretary. Mr. Nugent assumed the command as
lieutenant-governor, and soon after his arrival, a new road,
leading to Five Islands Division, was made, and great care taken
to drive piles in that part of the town known as the "Big
Market," in order to prevent, if possible, any further
encroachment of sea, which had, within the last few months,
almost destroyed the old highway.
In 1790, Sir Thomas Shirley again resumed the government of the
Leeward Islands, and soon after his arrival, it was enacted by
the legislature, that it should be lawful for the vestry of St.
John's to levy a tax (not exceeding 2l. per cent. on value of
goods sold) upon every transient or non-resident trader who shall
visit the island, which tax was to be applied to the maintenance
of ministers, the poor of the parish, or any similar purposes.
The following year the fortifications at Dow's Hill were
commenced, the appearance of which, at this day, proves the
erector's knowledge of rampart and bastion. Amendments were also
made (1791) as regarded the keeping of rum-shops, or selling any
spirituous liquors. Prior to this period, no free negro or
mulatto could keep such an establishment, or sell any strong
drink or wine under a heavy penalty; or if even they were
concerned in such a business with a white person, it was
punishable in both; but under this government the case was
altered, for upon applying to the court of king's bench, persons
of their caste and colour could obtain a licence by giving
security. An act was passed (containing 227 clauses) for the
better regulating the island courts, and due methods effected for
an improved administration of justice. It had been formerly the
practice in Antigua to burn such felons as were within the
benefit of clergy, in the hand, but this year the punishment was
commuted to public or private whippings, inflicted once or
oftener, but not more than at three different periods. This was
the last decree signed by his excellency: he appears to have been
an able and just governor, and well calculated for a
representative of royalty. After the departure of his excellency,
John Nugent, Esq., resumed the command as lieutenant-governor
until the following year, when the Honourable William Woodley was
re-appointed.
------
[50] For genealogy of this gentleman, and when created a Baronet,
see Appendix, No. 15.