Antigua and the Antiguans. Volume 1

Page 159

LORD LAVINGTON.

131

negro slaves in Antigua ; and the total number of births and deaths upon an average, for the last three years; when,upon taking the census, the number of negroes was found to be 37,000. About this year the legislature thought proper to increase the salary of the colonial agent to 200L. sterling, considering that the sum appointed for his recompence in 1698, namely 100/. sterling, was an insufficient compensation for the trouble. The agent at this period was the late Anthony Brown, Esq. Several serious accidents having occurred during the last few years from the custom of throwing about squibs, or other fireworks, it was determined that should any one in future, let their sex or quality be what it might, offend in this respect, such offender should be fined 40s. If any slave made or sold fireworks, they were to suffer such correction as the magistrate before whom the complaint was brought should deem proper. Thus ended Mr. Thomson's public career,. after having held the government for nearly four years. As before remarked of Mr. Thomas, very little can be said about him ; for he made St. Kitts head-quarters, in opposition to the orders which had been sent out by his majesty, to constitute Antigua the residence of the commander-in-chief; and did not repair to this island to take upon him the administration of the government.

CHAPTER

XII.

Governors : The Right Honourable Ralph Lord Lavington — William Woodley—James Tyson—John Julius—Hugh Elliot—Sir James Leith—Henry Rawlins—S.Rawlins—Major-General Ramsay.

the Right Honourable Ralph Lord Lavington was re-appointed to the office of commander-in-chief, to the gratification of the Antiguans, who, as before remarked, were so pleased with his government in 1771, when he was Sir Ralph IN 1801,


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