To these proclamations the runaways paid no manner of attention; but on the contrary, they bid defiance to every measure, and had the audacity to threaten, they would repel any attempts to be made to reduce them. In consequence of this obstinacy of theirs, and their still continued acts of mischief on the plantations, an act of the colony was passed for raising a fund, to be applied to the purpose of forcing them into subjection. This act was made to be in force for three years, commencing in 1785, and was made by way of tax in the following manner, that is to say, £. _s._ _d._ 10 0 0 Per cent. on the assessed value of rent on all houses in the towns. 5 0 0 Per cent. on the assessed value of rent on all vacant lots. 16 10 0 Per annum to be paid by all practitioners of physic in the island. 16 10 0 Per annum to be paid by all practitioners of the law. 13 4 0 Per annum to be paid by each merchant. 13 4 0 Per annum to be paid by each vendue master, tavern-keeper, &c. 13 4 0 Per annum to be paid by each merchant or shop-keeper (aliens.) 3 6 0 Per annum to be paid by each manager and overseer of plantations in the island, whose salary was 200l. per annum. 1 13 0 Per annum to be paid by each manager and overseer, whose salary was 100l. per annum. 1 13 0 Per annum to be paid by every other white man in the island. 1 13 0 Per annum to be paid by each male person of colour. 2 10 0 Per cent. on all merchandize. 2 10 0 Per cent. on all goods sold at vendue. 1 0 0 Per annum for every negro slave, tradesman, or porter. 0 10 0 Per annum for every house negro and slave on the plantations. 0 10 0 Per annum for every hogshead of sugar made in the island. 0 6 0 Per annum for every tierce of sugar. 0 3 0 Per annum for every barrel of sugar. 0 8 3 Per annum for every hogshead of coffee. 0 5 0 Per annum for every tierce of coffee. 0 3 0 Per annum for every barrel of coffee. 0 1 0 Per annum for every 100lb. of coffee in bags. 0 6 0 Per annum for every hogshead of rum. 0 4 6 Per annum for every tierce of rum. 0 3 0 Per annum for every barrel of rum. The next step taken by the Legislature for reducing the runaways to obedience was, to raise a body of colony legions, composed of white men, free people of colour, and able negro men belonging to the different plantations, for the purpose of sending them after the runaways into the woods. Three separate encampments, formed by these legions, were established near the haunts of the runaways, against whom operations were immediately commenced; but it was a long time before any material service could be effected against them; they, in the mean while, committing the most shocking ravages, almost within sight of their opponents.