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
Lord William Willoughby arrived at Antigua about 1668, and
appointed Samuel Winthorpe his deputy-governor. During the first
year of his lordship’s administration, a registrar’s office was
established, and fees appointed for the same. The registrar and
recorder was to be “a person of good discretion and honesty,” and
his salary paid in sugar and tobacco.[20] Acts were also passed
for the “settling the inhabitants in their lands” and “for the
encouragement and promoting the settling of the island”—very
necessary measures, as all was in confusion, from the late cruel
dealing of the French, in so dismantling their promising colony.
This year also (1668) commenced the four and a half per cent.
duty; which was an impost upon all native productions shipped
from the island, to be paid to the reigning monarch, his heirs,
and successors, in consideration of new grants of lands being
given to the inhabitants after the restoration of Antigua to the
English crown; all old titles to lands having become void by
reason of the late conquest, by the French.
Lord William Willoughby removing to Barbados about this time,
nominated his son, Henry Willoughby, as acting-governor, the same
gentleman who was left by Lord F. Willoughby deputy-governor of
Barbados during his absence upon the disastrous expedition
already spoken of. Nothing of much importance occurred during the
short period Mr. H. Willoughby held the government. War had not
broken out in the West Indies, although it threatened the mother
country, so that the Antiguans had a little quiet to settle their
domestic affairs. One of the first points to which they turned
their attention was to endeavour to suppress the strong habit of
profane cursing and swearing which had crept in among their
community, and also to put a stop to the prevalence of inebriety.
To bring this desirable reformation about, the legislature
enacted, that a fine of ten pounds of sugar, or tobacco, was to
be imposed upon every one who uttered an oath, or opened his lips
to curse; and if any one was discovered in a state of
intoxication, he could be made to pay fifty pounds of sugar, or
not being able to procure that quantity, and being possessed of
no other property which could be levied upon, he was condemned to
be placed in the public stocks for the space of four hours. It
would be well if something of the kind was in force now; our ears
would not then, perhaps, be so frequently shocked as they are
liable to be at every hour of the day by the passers-by.
Regulations were also made for establishing a public treasury in
the island, and regard paid to the martial bearing of the
inhabitants, by exercising them in the science of arms.
Among the settlers who came to Antigua with Francis Lord
Willoughby, of Parham, was William Byam, a distinguished
royalist, at that time major, but who afterwards acquired the
rank of lieutenant-general.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account