Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... PEBIOD IV. From the commencement of the Anti-Slavery Struggle to Emancipation. CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL EVENTS. The exultation of the colonists at the victory of Lord Rodney was somewhat abated when the heavy taxation, rendered necessary by martial law, was announced: some consolation was, however, found in the high prices obtained for sugar and rum. Considerable accessions were also made to the material strength of the colony by the introduction of emigrants from Honduras and the United States of America. In January, 1783, a large convoy arrived from Charleston with sixteen hundred troops, four hundred white families, and four thousand five hundred slaves.* A considerable number of these persons settled in Kingston, and succeeded so well in business as to call forth loud complaints at their exemption from taxation for a term of years. Others, however, were poor, and some thousands of pounds were contributed, by private subscription and parochial funds, for their support. Others again became planters, and were exposed to the same misfortunes as attended large bodies of white emigrants in former days. A list is still in existence of 183 heads of families to whom grants of land were made in St. Elizabeths. This land was little better than morass, and a claim for the payment of 4696, by the gentleman who surveyed the spot and apportioned it, led to an inquiry on the part of the house of assembly, when it was stated in evidence that none but amphibious creatures, such as fishes, * Southey's " History," vol. ii. p. 540. frogs, and "Dutchmen," could live there. One poor gentleman, named Frogge, said he had tried the experiment, and buried most of his family, and that his case was only one of many.* Next year General Campbell relinquished..."
