Many other regulations were gone into, tending to the welfare of Antigua; and it was also resolved that if any members of the council and assembly were absent, and could not give a satisfactory cause, such absentees were to forfeit 5l., and were sometimes even expelled. During the government of this nobleman, a bill passed the two houses of parliament, which had been long pending, granting encouragement to the sugar colonies, of which Antigua had become one of the most flourishing. Lord Londonderry did not live more than a year and a half after his appointment; and, upon his demise, the Right Honourable Lord Forbes was nominated to the vacant government. The country voted a sum of money for his reception, and a house was engaged for him; but, after waiting for about six months, and no governor making his appearance, it was given up, and the government devolved to William Mathew the lieut.-governor. The same year, however, Brigadier-general William Crosbie was appointed captain-general; but it appears he did not accept the office, or the appointment was cancelled by the home government; for in the following year he removed to New York, where he became governor. ------ [44] See further as to the Mackinnons, Appendix, No. 13. [45] Son to Mr. Pitt; famous for the diamond he brought from the East Indies, and which he afterwards sold to the King of France. CHAPTER IX. Governor William Mathew—Insurrection of the Negroes—A Legend of the Ravine—Punishment of the Conspirators.