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

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. 36Upon the decease of Sir William Mathew, the Hon. John Johnson was made commander-in-chief for a short time. 37During 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 20 s. 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.

35For a genealogy of the Codrington family, see Appendix, No. 9.

36Vide Mathew pedigree, Appendix, No. 10.

37This 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.

Table of Contents

Governor Colonel Daniel Parke​—​His birth-place and parentage​—​His actions at the battle of Holchet and Blenheim​—​His arrival at Antigua​—​Dissensions with the Antiguans​—​Complaints against him sent to England​—​Results of the applications at the court of Queen Anne​—​Tyrannical behaviour of Colonel Parke​—​Events of the 7th December, 1710​—​Death of Colonel Parke.

The year 1706 is celebrated in the annals of Antigua as that in which that abominable and atrocious governor, Daniel Parke, arrived to blast for a time with his unhallowed breath this beautiful little island. Parke was an American of rather low birth, a tobacco-planter in the state of Virginia, but who succeeded in marrying a lady of good fortune, and of a respectable family in that province. As money was the only thing he cared for in this alliance, he contrived to secure that, and then left his wife a prey to sorrow and regret, for having sacrificed her peace for a handsome but unworthy man. After acting in this inhuman manner to a woman whose only fault was her love for him, Parke proceeded to one of the northern states, where he committed a crime at a gaming-table, which obliged him to fly to England to escape the punishment so justly due. Here he purchased an estate, situated near Whitchurch, county of Hants, of about 500 l. a year, and got himself returned member for that borough. He was, however, expelled the House for bribery, and ordered to be prosecuted, but through the interference of the Earl of Pembroke, he eluded his trial. His next action was to form a liaison with a lady, the wife of a captain in the Guards; and, to escape the vengeance of the incensed husband, he left England, and fled into Holland, where he entered into the army as a volunteer, under the celebrated John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough.

The Duke of Marlborough appears to have been caught with Mr. Parke’s insinuating manners and agreeable person, and made him one of his aides-de-camp at the battle of Hochet; but having had a quarrel with an officer in the Queen’s Guards, Parke quitted the service a few days previous to the memorable battle of Blenheim. He still, however, remained within the precincts of the camp until the very day when that decisive action was fought; and when victory was about to be declared for the allied army, he presented himself before Marlborough, and requested that he might be the bearer of a line or two to acquaint the Queen of the glorious conquest likely to be achieved. The brave General reined up his panting war-horse, and with a heart bounding with exultation, and a face flushed with expected success, wrote, with a lead pencil, the following brief and soldier-like billet to his duchess:—