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

“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 2 l. 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.

50For genealogy of this gentleman, and when created a Baronet, see Appendix, No. 15.

Table of Contents

Governors: William Woodley​—​John Stanley​—​Major-General Charles Leigh​—​Archibald Esdail​—​John S. Thomas​—​Robert Thomson.

In 1792, William Woodley, Esq., was again appointed commander-in-chief; and, soon after his arrival, the increase of the importation of white servants was again taken into consideration.

Antigua had never reckoned a large population of whites; indeed, from various causes, they were continually decreasing. This could not be attributed to the want of encouragement given to settlers, but from the situation of the island itself. Although Antigua is naturally fortified by rocks and breakers, which defends it from the attacks of large vessels; yet there are so many creeks and harbours (which, with a small population, it was almost impossible to protect) that the French and Caribs found it an easy matter to land in their canoes, and destroy and plunder the country, and ill-treat the inhabitants. From these circumstances, emigrants were unwilling to settle here, but preferred going to some of the other islands, which were less liable to these incursions. To counteract these evils, and increase the number of white inhabitants, various plans, as already shewn, had been adopted by former governors—​fines were imposed upon proprietors if they did not employ one able-bodied white man to every thirty slaves, supposing that would tend to augment the population. But as it was found that the law was still eluded, by owners paying the penalty rather than maintain so many white servants, it was agreed, this year, by the governor, council, and assembly to increase the fine to 53 l. 6 s. 8 d. for every deficient white servant to forty slaves annually. Possibly this might have had, in some degree, the desired effect; for, in 1800, we find there were about 3000 white inhabitants to 36,000 negroes, which had not been the case for the last forty years.

In 1793, the militia was regulated, and formed into “one squadron of light dragoons, who were to serve on foot and horseback; two regiments and one independent company of foot; and one battalion of artillery.” The dragoons were to be named by the governor and council; and although not to be appointed without their own consent, when once entered, they were not at liberty to remove to another corps, unless promoted by the governor to a commission. Only one person from an estate could serve in the dragoons, which squadron was to consist of never more than one hundred and eight men​—​non-commissioned officers and privates included​—​or less than sixty. This was the first year any free negro or coloured person was allowed to serve in the militia, when they were appointed to the under services of artillery, and to act as pioneers, and made subject to the same fines as privates of foot. It appears this was also the year uniforms were appointed for the militia, which being well arranged, made a good show upon their monthly field-days. Antigua was visited this year by a malignant fever, which caused a great many deaths. It was supposed to have been brought from Grenada in H. M. S. Experiment, and conveyed ashore in some of the sailors’ bedding.

John Stanley, Esq., succeeded Mr. Woodley in the government, and arrived the latter end of the same year, (1793,) but he did not reside often in Antigua, giving St. Kitts the preference. In 1794, Antigua sent a complement of men, and some negro slaves, to assist in the reduction of Martinique and Guadaloupe; and upon the taking of those islands, the governor, council, and assembly, issued a proclamation, forbidding any free persons of colour, or negro slaves belonging to those places, from coming to, or remaining in, this island. During the next year an annuity was granted to the Honourable Edward Byam, the president of Antigua, for his many services to the island, which has been alluded to in a former chapter. A sum of money was also raised for defraying the expenses of the war, which had been very heavy for the last three years.

Major-General Charles Leigh was appointed commander-in-chief in 1795, but did not continue in the government more than twelve months. During this period, it was agreed to allow such of the poorer classes of white persons who might be wounded (while serving in the militia) so severely as to affect their after-life, 70 l. annually; if killed, their widows to receive 40 l. annually, during their widowhood; and their children, 20 l. annually, until they attained the age of fourteen. Additional pay was also provided for the gunner and matrosses employed in the several forts, and new regulations for the better ordering of the militia, which in these seasons of danger was very necessary, for the West Indies were still in an unsettled state, and their old enemies the French were always on the look-out for opportunities of increasing their possessions in these seas. Major-General Leigh becoming disgusted with the West Indies, he determined to return to England, and accordingly embarked on board a vessel bound for that place, on the 3rd July, 1796, without permission from his majesty.