PREFACE.
VIII
vhich, in the present advanced state of society, no civilized state would visit with the punishment of death. What such
wonder,
that at such a period, and under alarming circumstances, the Antiguans should have then,
shewn themselves cruel and barbarous ? Before I conclude, I must not omit to tender my acknowledgments to the numerous friends who have kindly afforded me assistance in the course of my work, among whom let me make grateful mention of Edward
S. Byam, Esq., the Rev. and Hon. Burgh Byam, Col. Byam, Dr. Furgusson, Nathaniel Humphreys, Esq., Deputy Colonial Secretary in Antigua, (to which latter gentleman 1 was indebted for access to the Records of the island,) to John Furlong, Esq., (who obliged me with the will of Governor Parke,) Registrar of Antigua, to — Edmead, Esq., to Captain George B. Mathew, of the
Guards, the Rev. I). F. Warner, and others. In conclusion, may the Great Giver of all good pour down His choicest blessings upon this beautiful and favoured little island ; may her legislators be ably endowed in all true principles of jurisprudence ; may her plânters be blest with kindly showers, so that their golden canes may raise their " tall plumes" in luxuriance; may her merchants, the prop of every civilized state, be prosperous—her peasantry happy and good, as they are free; and, finally, may her ministers (of every denomination) be long spared to watch over and pray for her teeming inhabitants, that one choral song of praise may resound from every quarter and from every tongue. THE AUTHOR.