Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 1 (of 2): A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present dayLanaghan, Mrs.
History
Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 1 (of 2): A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day
Lanaghan, Mrs.
Antigua -- Description and travel; Antigua -- History
[15] “Sir,—We have received your summons to come on board to
deliver our arms and ammunition; which thing, such is the change
in our affairs since your departure, as not to permit of our
doing. The lieut.-general of our king having sent Colonel Daniel
Fitche as his governor, has given him power over all the militia
of this island. Thus, Sir, we are become entirely unable to give
you any satisfactory answer; and, upon examination of the
transactions which have taken place, we have found that they were
so much to our prejudice, and in particular, sending the Caribs
twice upon us, against the obligation of your articles and the
laws of nations; persons who are cruel, entirely barbarous, and
ignorant of God and of all civilities. However, Sir, we pray you,
as we have already done, to address your demands to our governor,
who alone is experienced in matters of war. In the meantime, we
remain, yours, &c. &c.,
“Bastien Baijer. Gilbert Gregory.
Philip Warner. Henry Reynall.
Richard Boraston. Jeremiah Watkins.
Samuel Winthorpe.”
[16] “Sir,—We have received your letter, to which we cannot at
present give any other answer, but that it is not in our power to
yield to your summons, nor to agree to anything done before;
because, since your departure from here, Colonel Daniel Fitche is
arrived, with commission from the lieutenant-general as governor,
in obedience to an order from the king, which has been published.
It is to the said governor that your summons and demands must be
addressed, for he is the sole commander of the militia. We think
that we have suffered great injury at the rupture of the articles
concerning the Caribs, who attacked us twice in their wonted
manner, which is cruel and barbarous. We would be glad to see
you, _if you wish_, for we expect here, fifteen ships from
Barbados, five of which are of fifteen guns each, and two of
sixty; and eight merchantmen, of twenty to thirty guns; with a
thousand of the king’s soldiers, _dressed in their red jackets_,
and a quantity of arms. By coming, you will render service. We
remain, &c.,
“Bastien Baijer, &c. &c.”
[17] “Sir,—We have sent this morning the only answer we could
give, being under the command and authority of the governor, to
whose power we could not resist; but as we have shewn him the
reason of our first treaty, and our refusal to break it, we have
done so much that he has agreed with us, provided he be included
in it, with the rest of the inhabitants: the said treaty and
agreement will be punctually ratified and executed in all its
parts.
“Bastien Baijer, &c. &c.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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