65
ACCESSION OF QUEEN ANNE.
wounds, he would not be carried from the deck of his ship, but continued fighting until the French were obliged to sheer off. Benbow was so displeased with the conduct of the captains of his different ships, that he determined to steer for Jamaica, and upon his arrival to call a court-martial. The most culpable of them suffered death, the others were punished in different ways, and the admiral himself took their conduct so much to heart, that vexation, co-operating with the pain of his wounds, caused his death in November of the same year. About this period (1703), the first sailing packet for the conveyance of letters arrived at Antigua. Queen Anne had been graciously pleased to establish this packet service for the furtherance of trade, as well as to keep up a more regular intercourse with the colonies, as may be seen from the annexed notification :— "London, 11th February, 1702-3.
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" Whereas her Majesty, for the encouragement of trade ' and commerce, hath thought fit to appoint boats to convey letters and packets between Barbados, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher's, and Jamaica in America,—this is to give notice that a mail will go from the general postoffice, in London, on Thursday of this instant (February) for the above-mentioned islands, and henceforward on Thursday in every month ; and her Majesty, pursuant to the statute made in the twelfth year of the reign K. Charles II., for establishing a post-office, hath directed and empowered the postmaster-general of England to take for the post of all sue': letters and packets that shall be conveyed by the said boats between London and any of the beforementioned islands, the rates as follows :— s. d. For every letter not exceeding one sheet of paper, 0 do. do. two sheets do. 1 For every packet weighing an ounce . .2
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