62
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
A
MARKET.
appointed Christopher to succeed his late father as CaptainGeneral and Commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands, in which capacity he arrived at Antigua, in the year 1700. In the same year, regulations were framed by the legislature, to further increase the number of white inhabitants, and encourage the soldiers who had been lately disbanded, to settle in the island, by giving them grants of ten acres of land, and authorizing the treasurer to advance to each of them, as a loan, the sum of 3/., a barrel of beef, and a cask of flour. Such soldiers as were unprovided with grants were to be allowed 6d. per day, until the time they were put into possession ; and those who chose to emigrate from the islands to leeward of Antigua, were allowed 12s. for their passagemoney. All tavern-keepers, owners of sloops, &c, were also obliged to employ white men, under a penalty of 30s. for each offence. In 1702, the first market-place was established, cross streets laid out, and the town of St. John's otherwise improved. A clerk of the market was appointed, who was also to be the public whipper and crier ; town-wardens were elected, whose duty was to assess houses and lands ; and a cage, pillory, stocks, whipping-post, and ducking-stool,* put up at the public expense. Night-watches were also appointed, to have the same power as watchmen in London, and a watch-house built in a convenient spot. Many of the wharfs were also constructed, and other improvements made. William III. having died the 8th of the preceding March, Queen Anne, his successor, was proclaimed at Antigua, in June, 1702, with some pomp ; as also at Nevis, where the captaingeneral was holding a general council and assembly. Punishments were also enacted this year for the offences of slaves, and for the better government of free negroes. If a slave_ struck a white person, and in any way hurt or disfigured him, such slave was to have his nose slit, or any member cut off, * " A
stool, in which scolds are tied, and ducked under water."—DR.
JOHNSON.