Antigua and the Antiguans Volume I Part 12

In 1816, the general government of the Leeward Caribbee Islands was discontinued, and the Prince Regent, during the unfortunate indisposition of his father, appointed Major-General George W.

Ramsay, governor-in-chief of Antigua, Monserrat, and Barbuda, who arrived in Antigua in the middle of the year. Soon after General Ramsay's arrival, it was agreed by the council and a.s.sembly to allow his excellency 5000l. currency per annum, which was to be paid quarterly, from taxes and fines for the deficiency of white servants, or duties on retailers of rum; and should these be insufficient, from other moneys in the public treasury. It was also enacted, that in the event of the death or absence of the commander-in-chief, the treasurer should pay to such person, to whom the government devolved, the sum of 3000l. currency per annum, as long as he remained in command, the better for him to support his dignity.

About this period, it was currently reported in the mother country, that the West Indian proprietors were in the habit of holding _free_ black and coloured persons in slavery; and that, from the facilities afforded them by a state of peace, they also evaded the slave trade abolition laws, by smuggling negroes into these islands. To confute these reports, the Antiguans thought it best to introduce a registry of slaves, to be filled up at certain periods, with the name, s.e.x, colour, and age of every slave, and how they were become possessed of. This registry was to be sworn to before a justice of the peace, by the proprietor or his representative; and if any person omitted making such return of their slaves, they were liable to a penalty of 200l.

for every slave.

During the temporary absence of his excellency Major-General Ramsay, T. Norbury Kerby, Esq., the treasurer of the island, held the government. It was thought proper, about this period, (1817,) to restrict the existing privilege of exporting slaves, and make it punishable to sell or send a slave off the island. If any slaves were thus exported, they became forfeited to the king, as well as the vessel which was to convey them away, and any officers of H.M. Customs could seize such ship and slaves. This did not, however, prevent any owner from carrying their domestic slaves off the island with them, or from hiring or employing their slaves as mariners; but they were to have their name and description indorsed on the clearance of the vessel which carried them away, under penalty of 100l., to both owner of slave and the master of the vessel.

In concluding this chapter, I must be allowed to remark, that, let Antigua be what she may, since she has seen her error, she has never withheld manumission from her slaves; and, as we have just noticed, was the first among the West Indian Islands which endeavoured to spare that cla.s.s the further pang of transportation.

[54] This estate belonged to his excellency Lord Lavington, and until within this last few years went by his name.

[55] For further particulars respecting Obeah, see Chapter x.x.xII.

[56] In 1676, a similar law had been brought into force, but from some cause had fallen into disuse. The penalty for practising without a licence was, at that period, confined to a forfeit of 5000lbs. of sugar.

CHAPTER XIII.

Governors: Sir Benjamin D'Urban-Sir Patrick Ross-Sir Evan Murray McGregor-Mr. Light-Sir W. G. MacBean Colebrooke-Major McPhail-Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy.

After the death of Major General Ramsay in 1819, his gracious majesty George III. appointed Sir Benjamin D'Urban to the vacant government, who arrived at Antigua in the following year, 1820.

During the administration of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, the census was taken, when the population was found to consist of 37,031 souls- viz., 4066 coloured, 1980 whites, and 30,985 negroes.

A very efficient militia was also raised, consisting of 15 staff-officers, 87 commissioned-officers, and 843 noncommissioned-officers and privates; making in all, 945.

The year 1825 is celebrated for the arrival of the first English bishop in the West Indies. During the preceding year, George the Fourth appointed, by letters patent, (bearing date 24th July, 1824,) two bishops for the cure of souls in the British West Indies; the one to be styled the Bishop of Jamaica, &c., the other, the Bishop of Barbados and the Leeward Islands, having in his diocese the islands of Barbados, St. Vincent's, St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Monserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher's, and the Virgin Isles-Trinidad and Tobago, with their respective dependances.

Upon the arrival of Bishop Coleridge in the West Indies, he remained for a short time at Barbados (as head-quarters), and then proceeded upon a tour to the respective islands which const.i.tuted his see. Prior to the appointment of a bishop in these colonies, the clergy officiating there were considered under the superintendence of the bishop of London; and that prelate, as well as the archbishops of Canterbury and York, could ordain "any person who should, on examination, be deemed qualified for the cure of souls, or officiating in any spiritual capacity in his majesty's colonies, or foreign possessions, although such persons might not have possessed the t.i.tle required by the canons of the church of England, of such as are to be made ministers.

Alas! how many were ordained, and deemed qualified for the "cure of souls," in the West Indies, who, by precept and practice, led their unhappy parishioners further into the power of the _enemy of souls_! who, whatever they might preach, _lived_ in open violation of the laws of G.o.d and man; and who, after indulging in the grossest sensuality throughout the six days of the week, presumed to enter into the pulpit on a Sunday, and, _pro tempore_, descant most learnedly and profoundly upon the _beauties of morality_! But enough of such disgracers of the sacred office-they have pa.s.sed away to render an account of their stewardship before a holy and a righteous bar; nor should I have alluded to them, did I not wish to impress upon the minds of the Antiguans the blessing they enjoy in possessing a more enlightened and evangelical race of clergymen.

To return to the bishop: a sum of 4200l. sterling per annum is placed at his disposal, to be distributed among the several ministers, catechists, and schoolmasters, as salaries, &c., with the proviso, that no minister shall receive more than 300l.

sterling per annum, from such fund.

By his patent the bishop ordains, confirms, and performs all those several functions peculiar to his office, as one of the successors of the apostles. The bishop is made a body corporate; has a common seal granted him, and is considered subordinate to the archbishop of Canterbury. An ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the clergy is also conferred upon him, and on the commissaries by him appointed; but such jurisdiction does not interfere with the provision of any local law which has received the royal confirmation. "In case of the absence of the bishop and his commissaries, the governor of Barbados is authorized to appoint any two clergymen to inst.i.tute benefices, and to license curates."

Sir Benj. D'Urban being recalled, Sir Patrick Ross was appointed governor and commander-in-chief. His excellency arrived at Antigua in the year 1826, and during his stay there, ingratiated himself with the _heads of the island_, by his courteous manners, and his humane desire to spare their feelings upon the all-engrossing topic of approaching emanc.i.p.ation.

The year 1828 will be remembered by many Antiguans, as that in which the "Dandy Fever" prevailed. This most distressing and painful illness took its name from the strange gestures into which its excruciating agonies threw the unfortunate sufferers, and who, in their awkward attempts at walking, were likened by some facetious spirit to that nondescript race of men-the dandies!

The year 1831 was the scene of an insurrection among the negroes.

The cause of this disaffection among the black population was, the suppression of the Sunday markets, and the omission, on the part of the authorities of the island, to provide a day instead of the Sabbath, in which the negroes might bring the produce of their gardens and poultry yards into the capital to sell.

The Sunday markets were indeed a nuisance most properly got rid of, for they engendered all kinds of dissipation among the lower cla.s.ses on the Lord's day; yet is it to be wondered at that the negroes felt aggrieved in having the only day they could call their own taken from them, as it were, and no other portion of the week allotted to them?

From muttered threats, and sullen looks of discontent, the negroes proceeded to acts of open violence. Incendiarism raged to a great extent; no sooner was one fire extinguished, than another was discovered in an opposite quarter. Martial law was in force; and the officers of the militia had then ample opportunities of shewing forth their valour, and winning laurels in the field of Mars.

Great were the marchings and counter-marchings upon this occasion; mysterious the signs and counter-signs! Then there was such buckling on of spurs, and bracing on of swords-such displays of epaulets and aiguillettes, as would have surprised any one not accustomed to West Indian militia "turn outs." Generals galloped here, and colonels there; at one moment a party of gallant dragoons, armed to the teeth, and mounted-some on gaunt steeds of sixteen hands high, and others on diminutive ponies, dashed along the streets; at another, the governor and his brilliant staff might be seen hurrying forward as fresh intelligence arrived of other fires breaking out.

At length something like order was restored. Many of the negroes were apprehended; and the supposed ringleader, after being brought to trial, was condemned and executed. He met his fate with resignation, but protested to the very last that he died innocent of the offence (arson) imputed to him; the other culprits were punished by public floggings and imprisonments.

Thus was the insurrection of 1831 quelled, and peace once more established. Sat.u.r.day was appointed for the princ.i.p.al market day; and the planters agreed to allow their people to visit the capital every, or every other week, to vend their little wares.

In 1832, Sir Evan Murray McGregor was appointed to the government of the Leeward Islands, including Dominica. Sir Evan was a member of the McGregor family, so celebrated in Scottish history, and of which the redoubted Rob Roy was a chieftain. His excellency was a man of the strictest political principles, and of a most enlightened mind. He saw and felt the degradations laid upon the coloured people; and as far as lay in his power he mitigated their sufferings. It was not until his administration that coloured persons served as jurors.

His kind feelings towards this portion of his majesty's subjects were not altogether agreeable to many of the self-const.i.tuted "exclusives;" and various were the schemes and projects to turn him from his purpose of rewarding the merits of the coloured cla.s.s. But Sir Evan possessed an inflexible spirit, and neither frowns nor caresses could prevent him from dispensing justice to all, be their colour what it might.

Acting upon these principles, his excellency, in 1834, appointed Mr. Loving, a gentleman of colour, chief of police, with a salary of 600l. per annum. This dreadful innovation of the governor's met with the strongest resistance from those persons who were led to look upon a man's merit as inseparably connected with his white descent; and no efforts were spared upon their part to endeavour to persuade Sir Evan to rescind the appointment. This, however, was not to be effected, and many a breast burned with secret indignation against the man who had dared to throw down the part.i.tion wall between the _immaculate_ whites, and a descendant of Afric's despised children!

But it was not colour alone that formed the grand objection to this gentleman's appointment. Mr. Loving had been for some time the editor of a paper, and in such capacity had raised his voice against the system of slavery, and advocated in a firm, but mild spirit, the cause of emanc.i.p.ation, in a country where nearly all its princ.i.p.al inhabitants were slave-holders. Upon the strength of the old adage, "What can't be _cured_ must be _endured_," Mr.

Loving was allowed to remain quietly in his situation, until time brought about mighty changes, and made the Antiguan slave-holders, like himself, friends to freedom.

The following year, 1833, was noted for the severe shocks of earthquake felt at Antigua, as well as at most of the other islands throughout the chain. These earthquakes were followed by a season of dry weather, which crushed the hopes of the planters, and rendered in great measure the fertile little island a barren waste.

1834 is celebrated throughout the British West Indies as the year of the abolition of slavery, and more particularly by the Antiguans, who, laying aside all claims to apprenticeship, gave their negroes _immediate freedom_. For this consummation had many worthy men toiled and sighed-for this had Sharpe, Clayton, Wilberforce, Buxton, Lushington, and many others, written and spoken, until wearied nature had often sunk, almost exhausted-and now the bright day of liberty had arrived, and the great and glorious triumph, which for so many years had been as a beacon before the minds of philanthropic men, had been achieved; but alas! of those who would have sung jubilee on the fulfilment of their wishes, many had yielded up their n.o.ble spirits, and pa.s.sed to the silent tomb.

The year following emanc.i.p.ation (1835) was the scene of a violent hurricane, which raging with extreme fury throughout the greater part of the night, caused great loss to many of the inhabitants.

Soon after the hurricane, the yellow fever broke out with great malignancy, and hurried many a young and gifted one from the family circle.

During the period Sir Evan McGregor administered the government, he endeavoured to restore the custom of holding a general council and a.s.sembly, to convene at certain times, at one of the several islands within his jurisdiction; and also to make the island of Dominica head-quarters. His excellency's view and wishes upon this subject were, however, overruled by the home government; although it was permitted him to make Dominica his place of residence should such be his desire. Soon after his removal to the latter colony, he received the higher appointment of Governor of Barbados, to which seat of government he repaired, leaving Antigua to a kind of interregnum, which was filled up by the president of the island.

During his excellency's administration, he also recommended the legislature to enact a law to govern elections-a deficiency in the laws of Antigua complained of by a large portion of the inhabitants; the qualifications of voters being entirely governed by resolutions of the house, as best suited the purposes of its members. In contested elections, freeholders, it is said, were frequently left to unconst.i.tutional resolutions of the a.s.sembly, who, paying no attention to former precedents, adopted such measures as would best secure the interests of their own party.[57] There are, however, laws for the protective privileges of freeholders for other distinctive purposes, such as exemptions from arrest, &c.

In 1836, Henry Light, Esq., arrived at Antigua to play his part upon the stage of colonial life as lieutenant-governor. His lofty pretensions to liberal principles, and his condescending greatness to the _mixed blood_ in admitting a few members of that cla.s.s to "his table," evinces much insincerity, for in his private despatches to Lord Glenelg, he reprobates, with but one or two exceptions, that body of persons, in terms as ill-founded as they are illiberal. Nothing of importance occurred during Mr.

Light's sojourn at Antigua; he has subsequently been appointed to the government of British Guiana, where he has had an opportunity of shewing forth his philanthropy, as well as of acquiring fame.

The year 1837 marked the appointment of Sir William MacBean George Colebrooke to the office of governor-in-chief of the Leeward Islands. Of the same liberal principles as Sir Evan McGregor-firm, dignified, and polished-of courteous demeanour and pleasing address, Sir William was formed to command respect, and conciliate the affections of all cla.s.ses. In his official proceedings, he was ever actuated by prudence; and with the welfare of the colonies, over which he presided, at heart, he pursued his way in that open, straightforward manner, which, to an honourable mind, is of such inestimable value.

In the first year of Sir William Colebrooke's administration, a bank was established in Antigua by royal charter; thus rendering obsolete an act which had been pa.s.sed in the early part of the reign of George III., for preventing the circulation of paper bills of credit in the colonies. Prior to this period, no governor could a.s.sent to such circulation, under forfeiture of 1000l., the being dismissed his government, and declared incapable of holding any other public office or place of trust.

In the following year, his excellency deemed it proper to abolish the militia; a measure which saved the treasury of the island a considerable sum annually; and accordingly, on the 1st of July, 1838, that body ceased to exist, and an end was put to all martial glory and deeds of arms among the store-keeper captains and planter colonels of Antigua. It was not until some time after the revocation of the militia, that the legislature remembered to call in the arms from the privates; and accordingly, when such orders were issued, great defalcation was discovered; the few, however, collected, were consigned to a far different purpose from what they were originally intended-being formed into a fence before the a.r.s.enal, where they remain, with their bayonets pointing to the skies, as mementos of the warlike acts of the island.

Sir William Colebrooke entertained similar opinions as Sir Evan McGregor, upon the expediency of there being one general council and a.s.sembly among the islands under his jurisdiction; and consequently, strenuous exertions were made by him, to carry his plans into effect. The acquiescence of the home government to this measure was so relied upon by his excellency, that before accounts could be received from England, despatches were forwarded to the other Leeward Islands, calling upon the members of their respective legislatures to visit Antigua, in order to hold the first general council and a.s.sembly. The legislators of St. Christopher's were the first to obey the summons, and some of that body were actually in the boat about to convey them on board the vessel in which they had taken pa.s.sage for Antigua, when the packet with the European mails was observed in the offing.

Anxious to receive their letters before their departure for another colony, they determined to wait until the post-master distributed them-a resolution which saved them a fruitless voyage; for, from despatches from Sir William Colebrooke, they learned that the English parliament had refused to acknowledge any general a.s.sembly.

In 1840, Sir W. Colebrooke returned to England; and Major McPhail, the lieutenant-governor of Dominica, was called to administer the government for the time being. His excellency was also a man of liberal principles-one who was inflexible in performing his official duties without partiality, and earnestly desirous of promoting the public good, and effecting a kind feeling among all cla.s.ses. As a private character, his courteous and pleasing demeanour endeared him to all who held communion with him; and when he quitted the government, he carried with him the best regards and earnest wishes of every member of the Antiguan community. Nothing of particular moment occurred during his administration, with the exception of the dreadful fire in 1841, (further noticed in these pages,) and the strictness with which the police laws (respecting the capture of animals found strolling in the public streets) has been carried into force.

Great has been "the hue and cry" among the swinish mult.i.tude; and day after day has the intelligence arrived that another unfortunate pig has been imprisoned within the walls of the pound, without any regard to the feelings of the said quadruped, or its family. Even Sunday-that day of rest-was no rest to them, or the parties whose duty it was to capture them; and so far was the disturbance carried, which such exploits caused, that some good people took the trouble to write and disseminate papers, calling upon policemen, magistrates, &c., to observe to keep holy the Sabbath, and not allow pigs to be hunted before the very doors of the churches and chapels, even when service was being performed.

Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, who has succeeded as governor-general of the Leeward Islands, is a branch of a high and n.o.ble English family. The accounts which have preceded him of his many virtues, bids fair for Antigua enjoying, in the person of her majesty's representative, a good and liberal governor-one who will dispense justice without regard to caste or complexional prejudice-rewarding merit wherever it may be found-measures which, it is said, have been overlooked by many of his predecessors until within these last few years.

Sir C. A. Fitzroy is lineally descended, in the female line, from Brigadier-General Crosby, (who had been appointed to the command of the Leeward Island government, in 1730,) as will be seen on a reference to his genealogy, in the Appendix.