Antigua and the Antiguans Volume I Part 10

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 quant.i.ty 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 s.h.i.+pping 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 sh.o.r.e, and several merchantmen were sunk. In 1774, Sir Ralph Payne was ordered home, much against the wish of the Antiguans; and a pet.i.tion 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, princ.i.p.ally residing in that island. Nothing of importance occurred during his administration; happily for the Antiguans, war was princ.i.p.ally 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 establis.h.i.+ng 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 grat.i.tude and affection by West Indians; and not many years ago, the stranger who visited Barbados was highly entertained with an old black woman, who pa.s.sed by the t.i.tle 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 n.o.ble lord, she has pa.s.sed 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, mola.s.ses, or sugar canes, besides many other articles.

The circ.u.mstances 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 s.n.a.t.c.h 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 a.s.sistance of any deleterious drug or herb.

This circ.u.mstance 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 circ.u.mstance 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 pa.s.sage, the _very day twelve months_ he saw the apparition.

After the death of General Burt, in 1781, Major-General Sir Thomas s.h.i.+rley, 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 "Phnix 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 wors.h.i.+p 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 repet.i.tion 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 pa.s.s 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sage, (extracted from a letter written from Antigua August 1, 1786.) "The streets are s.p.a.cious, but unpaved, _nor is there the least care taken to keep them clean_. The p.r.i.c.kly pear bush, and other shrubs, are suffered to grow therein, to the annoyance of the pa.s.sengers, 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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.sembly 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 b.a.l.l.s 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, wis.h.i.+ng 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 n.o.ble 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 princ.i.p.al 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 a.s.surance, "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 s.h.i.+rley 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 a.s.sumed 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 s.h.i.+rley 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 pa.s.sed (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.

CHAPTER XI.

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 circ.u.mstances, 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 a.s.sembly to increase the fine to 53l. 6s. 8d. 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 ash.o.r.e 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 a.s.sist in the reduction of Martinique and Guadaloupe; and upon the taking of those islands, the governor, council, and a.s.sembly, 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 cla.s.ses of white persons who might be wounded (while serving in the militia) so severely as to affect their after-life, 70l. annually; if killed, their widows to receive 40l. annually, during their widowhood; and their children, 20l.

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.

At the departure of Major-General Leigh, there happened to be none of the lieutenant-governors of the Leeward Caribbee Islands in the West Indies; and accordingly, Archibald Esdail, Esq., a counsellor of St. Christopher's[51] claimed the administration of the government, and acted as such until his death, which happened about three months after; but he did not visit Antigua to take upon him the administration of the government, as he ought to have done by direction of the reigning monarch. Upon his decease, the lieutenant-governors being still absent, John S. Thomas, Esq., another resident of St. Christopher's, represented himself as first counsellor, and exercised the office of governor until April, the following year, (1797.) Nothing of any consequence occurred during his short administration, and very little can be said about him in this place, for, like his predecessor, he never honoured Antigua with his presence. The Kittefonians appeared to have had it all their own way at that period, for no sooner had Mr. Thomas breathed his last sigh, than another member of that community, Robert Thomson, Esq., followed the example set before him, represented himself as the oldest counsellor, and, consequently, ent.i.tled to the vacant government; in which office he continued until the arrival of the Right Honourable Lord Lavington, (who was formerly governor under the t.i.tle of Sir Ralph Payne,) in 1801. During the three years Mr. Thomson was governor, he visited Antigua for about three days, in March, 1800, so that the Antiguans had not much of their commander-in-chief's society; but the council and a.s.sembly appear to have gone on very well without him, and framed some very good laws.

The first year of Mr. Thomson's government, Antigua had a visitor in the person of that indefatigable, but unfortunate traveller, Mungo Park. Mr. Park had embarked on board the "Charlestown," an American slaver, commanded by a Captain Harris, who was bound to Antigua with his live cargo. Upon nearing the island, the vessel struck upon a rock and narrowly escaped s.h.i.+pwreck; it was, however, at length got off, and brought into St. John's harbour, where part of the cargo was sold. Mr. Park remained in Antigua until the arrival of the "Chesterfield" packet, in which he took pa.s.sage to England. He speaks of Antigua as the loveliest of all lovely isles.

Whilst Mr. Thomson was residing at St. Kitts as commander-in-chief, the Antiguans were busy in again raising funds to defray the expenses of the war, which had been, and still were, very great. It was also enacted, that if any free coloured, or white person, killed or wounded a slave belonging to themselves or any one else, such offenders were to be considered as murderers, and, consequently, as worthy of punishment as if their victim possessed the fairest skin. That the life of a negro was no longer to be considered "in law" as the "life of a dog,"

but that he was at length to be looked upon as human.

Antigua has always been liable to droughts, and, in such season, serious losses have occurred from the slaves dying for want of good water; to remedy this evil, as far as laid in their power, a tax was imposed upon all sugar plantations and houses in the island, which did not possess one or more cisterns.

This year (1798) appears to have been the first time that slaves were really tried by jury, which was then made to consist of six reputable white inhabitants. If upon trial they were found worthy of death, the justices of the peace were to acquaint the governor, or whoever might at such time be in command of the island, with the sentence, in thirty-six hours after it was p.r.o.nounced, under a penalty of 20l. The provost-marshal was also obliged to attend such trial, under a fine of 20l.; and for his trouble he was to receive 3s. for summoning each juror, and 33s.

for his attendance.

In the middle of this year, a general council and a.s.sembly was held at St. Kitts; and amongst other affairs discussed, it was determined to pa.s.s certain regulations which would tend to ameliorate the condition of slaves.[52] All owners of slaves were to furnish a certain quant.i.ty of provisions for each slave, under a penalty of 10s. per head weekly, which was to be distributed among the negroes at the discretion of the master, and old and infirm slaves were to receive their full allowance. Perhaps it may not be uninteresting to some of my readers to know what was the weekly allowance the law allowed for slaves, and consequently, will insert it:-"Nine pints of corn or beans, or eight pints of peas, or wheat or rye flour, or Indian corn flour, or nine pints of oatmeal, or eight pints of Ca.s.sava flour or Farine, or eight pounds of biscuit, or twenty pounds of yams or potatoes, or sixteen pounds of eddoes or tanias, or thirty pounds of plaintains or bananas; and also one pound and a quarter of herrings, shads, mackarel, or other salted provision, or double the quant.i.ty of fresh fish or other fresh provisions," all of which were to be of good quality. Owners of slaves were not allowed to pay them in money, unless there was absolute necessity for so doing, under a fine of 20l.; but when circ.u.mstances obliged them to recompense their slaves by cash, each negro was to receive the sum of 4s.[53] weekly, and have two half days allowed them to come to market for the purpose of laying it out.

The clothes allowed slaves for a year were, two jackets of woollen cloth, and two pair of trousers, made of Osnaburghs, for the men; and two woollen wrappers, and two Osnaburgh petticoats, for the women. If preferred by the slave, and agreed to by the master, a blanket and a cap were given in place of one suit of these clothes. When employed in agricultural work, half an hour was allowed for breakfast, and two hours for dinner, and they were not to be called to work before five in the morning, nor after seven in the evening, unless in crop time, or from evident necessity! If any owner of slaves cruelly whipped or imprisoned a slave without sufficient support, they were liable to imprisonment, or to be fined at the discretion of the justices before whom the case was tried; and if they deemed it necessary for the further protection of the slave, they could cause such slave to be sold at public auction. If any owner of slaves used unnecessary severities towards them, or put upon them iron collars, chains, or weights, such owner was liable to a fine not exceeding 100l. When any slave was attacked by illness, medical a.s.sistance was to be procured without loss of time; and whatever nourishment the doctor ordered, such as wine, &c., was to be given, under penalty of 50l. In cases of sudden death among the slaves, (when they had not been visited by a medical man forty-eight hours before,) notice was to be sent to the coroner or justice, when an inquest, of not less than three persons, was to be held on the body; should the owner neglect to do this, another fine of 100l. was imposed. With regard to the "marriage rites" of slaves, if their union can be called so, which was only nominal, owners were to encourage them to have only one husband or wife; and if faithful to each other, the woman was to receive four dollars for her first child, (provided it was alive six weeks after its birth,) and five dollars for each succeeding child under the same circ.u.mstances, and the slave and his wife to receive one dollar each at the end of the year. Should their master fail to do this, it was punished by a fine of 50l.; while the female who, in this state of conjugal fidelity, had borne six children, was exempt from any but light work upon her youngest child having obtained its seventh year.

Religion appears also to have been encouraged among them; for no owner or manager of negroes was to restrain them from attending a place of wors.h.i.+p on a Sunday, under a penalty of 5l.; and if any clergyman refused to baptize a slave which was supposed to be sufficiently informed, such clergyman was to forfeit 30s. To insure further their comforts, it was ordered that no estate was to be without a commodious sick-house, furnished with proper conveniences for the use of the sick, and a sufficient number of attendants, under direction of a white person, to minister to their wants. In omitting to do this, the owner of such estate was liable to a penalty of 100l. for the first offence; and 20s. for the latter. They were also obliged to return an annual account of the births and deaths of their slaves, and how the sick were treated, under fine of 100l.