Mrs. Lanaghan - Antigua and the Antiguans (Vol. 1&2)

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 3 l. , a barrel of beef, and a cask of flour. Such soldiers as were unprovided with grants were to be allowed 6 d. 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 12 s. for their passage-money. All tavern-keepers, owners of sloops, &c., were also obliged to employ white men, under a penalty of 30 s. 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, 34put 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 18 l. 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 6 l. 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:—