In 1752, George Thomas, Esq., succeeded his excellency William Mathew, Esq., in the government of Antigua, and the rest of the Leeward Islands, as captain-general. The following year (1753) a fund was raised to purchase land, for the purpose of building additional barracks for the accommodation of the regiment of foot stationed in Antigua, and also building a guard-house in the town of St. John’s. In the same year, an additional support for his excellency, George Thomas, was appointed to be paid to him during his government. The erection of a new church at Parham was commenced in 1755; a yearly tax having been imposed upon the inhabitants, for the expense of the erection, and for keeping it afterwards repaired. This year, too, it was found, that the white inhabitants had so materially decreased in number, notwithstanding strenuous measures had been taken since 1716 to encourage the importation of them, that it was thought necessary to offer further inducements to white persons to emigrate from England to this colony. In order that this object should be more fully carried out, heavier penalties were also this year enforced upon proprietors and renters of negroes, if they neglected to have in their employ a white Protestant person for every thirty slaves; for many owners had evaded the law, by paying the penalty, rather than be obliged to maintain a white servant. The number of white inhabitants at this period was but little more than 3000, while the negroes amounted to about 32,000. In 1757, a portion of land was appropriated for building a house for the accommodation of the train of artillery in the town of St. John’s. In 1758, the French threatened an invasion of Antigua. War had broken out between England, and France; and, as was always the case in such times, the French began to plague their English neighbours in the West Indies. The Antiguans, hearing of their intentions, hastily equipped several privateers to cruise about the island, which were fortunate enough to take some prizes, and intimidate the French. It was found by experience, that these privateers injured the French more in their commerce than even the men-of-war; and for this reason, the country gave great encouragement to the fitters-out of such vessels.