James Verchild, Esq., was appointed to succeed Sir George Thomas in the government in 1766; and during that year harbour-masters were appointed. Antigua still appearing deficient in white inhabitants, in 1767 further regulations were made, which would, it was hoped, tend to increase the number, and retain in the island many families who were upon the point of leaving it. The cause of these persons emigrating, it appears, was on account of their not being allowed to reckon the female members of their family, in the place of a white servant to so many slaves, as the law required, as was the case in Jamaica and St. Vincent’s; it was therefore deemed expedient this year to give way in this respect, and permit two women to count as one man. In 1768, William Woodley, Esq., was appointed commander-in-chief of Antigua, and the other Leeward Caribbee Islands. During his administration, a dreadful fire broke out in the town of St. John’s, which did great damage, but of which a further account will be given in another part of this work. Large sums of money were granted, and a collection made for the sufferers at Liverpool. Precautions were afterwards taken, by regulating certain buildings about the capital; but unfortunately those wise regulations have long since fallen into disuse. In 1769, the snow “Rodney” put into Antigua, in distress. She had been despatched from England with convicts, who were to be employed in the State of Maryland, but meeting first with bad weather, and afterwards long calms, all their provisions were consumed; and when they fortunately made Antigua, eleven of the convicts had died from starvation, and the survivors had eaten their very shoes. 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 quantity 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.