126
MUNGO PARK.
tunate traveller, Mungo Park. Mr. Park had embarked on board the " Charlestovvn," an American slaver, commanded by a Captain Harris, who was bound to Antigua with his live cargo. Upon nearing the island, the vessel struck upon a rock and narrowly escaped shipwreck ; it was, however, at length got off, and brought into St. John's harbour, where part of the cargo was sold. Mr. Park remained in Antigua until the arrival of the " Chesterfield " packet, in which he took passage to England. He speaks of Antigua as the loveliest of all lovely isles. Whilst Mr. Thomson was residing at St. Kitts as commander-in-chief, the Antiguans were busy in again raising funds to defray the expenses of the war, which had been, and still were, very great. It was also enacted, that if any free coloured, or white person, killed or wounded a slave belonging to themselves or any one else, such offenders were to be considered as murderers, and, consequently, as worthy of punishment as if their victim possessed the fairest skin. That the life of a negro was no longer to be considered " in law" as the " life of a dog," but that he was at length to be looked upon as human. Antigua has always been liable to droughts, and, in such season, serious losses have occurred from the slaves dying for want of good water ; to remedy this evil, as far as laid in their power, a tax was imposed upon all sugar plantations and houses in the island, which did not possess one or more cisterns. This year (1798) appears to have been the first time that slaves were really tried by jury, which was then made to consist of six reputable white inhabitants. If upon trial they were found worthy of death, the justices of the peace were to acquaint the governor, or whoever might at such time be in command of the island, with the sentence, in thirty-six hours after it was pronounced, under a penalty of 20/. The provost-marshal was also obliged to attend such trial, under a fine of 20/. ; and for his trouble he was to receive Ss. for summoning each juror, and 33s. for his attendance. In the middle of this year, a general council and assembly