Imatges de pàgina
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EIGHTH DAY OF MY CAPTIVITY.

About eleven o'clock, a. m., four alguazils entered my cell, and informed me they had orders to conduct me to the Mole. When we got there, we met the harbourmaster, to whom I was given in custody.

He went with me to my former lodgings to get my trunks, and about one o'clock I was taken on board an American schooner, bound to New York. At my lodg ings I met a gentleman, who informed me that Commissioners Picton and Hood, and their panders, were industriously circulating a report that I had been banished before from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I told the gentleman I was not surprised at hearing any thing, however false and scandalous, which came from the commissioners, at the same time I assured him, that the report was an invention of their own, and therefore totally false.

I have now, my dear Sir, brought this unexampled recital to a conclusion, and anticipate the anxiety you will feel at such unheard of oppressions being directed against me. I know that you will, as it were, accompany me through the different gradations of my sufferings, and, by sympathy, feel the various perturbations that many would feel under the like circumstances; but to obviate these unpleasant sensations which your partiality may excite, I will candidly acknowledge, that all the vindictive malice, all the tyrannic conduct, all the hauteur of self-elected consequence, (I mean so far as directed towards me), never operated on my feelings, so as to "deprive me of that internal quiet which oppressed innocence men, by the aid of reflection, always experience.

On this occasion, as on many others, I am thankful for that fortitude and energy of mind which has enabled me so often to baffle what the world may term affliction. I will confess to you still more. While I was in this instance, as it were, singled out like a deer from the herd, I ever felt the glow of conscious innocence, and contemplated with ardour that happy period when some fortuitous combination of circumstances, would enable me to develope to the world the crimes of tyrants, who, availing themselves of an appointment originally given for the best of purposes, perverted it to the worst, and, who so far disgraced their authority by acting like a Bashaw of Tripoli, a representative of the Grand Seignior, not like colonial Governors, emanating from the bounty of a merciful and beneficent Sovereign. 1 shall not tresspass further on your patience, except to remark, that these facts being handed to you, will tend to disclose to my fellow-subjects in Great Britain, that however happy they may be, however much they may pride themselves in being the first subjects in the world, in being situated under the influence of an impartial government, that is ever ready to punish those who dare oppress them, I say, Sir, it will make them acquainted how far tyranny may be exercised by one fellow-subject over another, at this remote distance from the fountainhead of redress.

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The Author arrives in New York, and re-assumes an historical Detail of the Affairs of Trinidad-Proclamation of the 27th of April-Indignant Conduct of Brigadier-General Picton-Commodore Hood's Departure -Qrders issued to seize and detain Colonel FullartonEmbargo Colonel Fullarton's Proceedings at Barbadoes-An extraordinary Advertisement--Dispatches from Lord Hobart, defining the Powers vested in the First Commissioner-The Colonel returns to TrinidadThe Brigadier's Conduct on that Occasion-Colonel Fullarton's Proclamation-Brigadier-General Picton superseded, and takes a French leave, of the Colony, and is addressed by his Panders, together with his Answer-The Joy of the Inhabitants-Proceedings of the Colonel till his final Departure för England, and the affectionate Testimonials of the British Inhabitants.

DEAR SIR,

NEW YORK, August, 1803.

On the 18th of April last, I was banished from the island of Trinidad, by order of Commissioners Picton and Hood, and arrived here on board the schooner Almira, Capt. Kingsland, on the 19th of May, in an ill state of health; but I am now, thank God, so

far recovered as to be able to continue the historical transactions of that Island, according to the information I have received. On the passage, Capt. Kingsland informed me, that he at first refused to take me, but after a short time spent in negociation, and a compliment of seven hundred dollars, reluctance vanished. The reason why, in all probability, they were so anxious for my going in this vessel was, because part of her crew were sick of the yellow fever; and one gentleman, who was returning to New York, actually died on board. By the active measures which the commissioners adopted, it seems reasonable to suppose that they calculated either on my death or the total ruin of my health. However, they have been disappointed; and I hope some time or other to appear in judgment against them.

After I was banished, the reign of terror continued, together with illegal imprisonments and mutilations; and many who were thought capable of giving evidence against the Brigadier, were illegally sent off the Island. On the 27th of April, the following proclamation came before the public:

"TRINIDAD.

"A PROCLAMATION.

"By their Excellencies Brigadier-General THOMAS PICTON and Commodore SAMUEL HOOD, his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Governor of Trinidad, &c.

"WHEREAS it now appears that Colonel William Fullarton, his Majesty's First Commissioner for this Government, hath withdrawn himself therefrom, and from the duties thereof, without his Majesty's leave, and without permission from us, or any consultation with his Majesty's Council of this Island: We do, therefore, by and with

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the advice of his Majesty's said Council, hereby proclaim and declare, that we consider and deem the said William Fullarton no longer officiating as one of his Majesty's Commissioners in the government of this Island; and we require all persons, civil and military, to govern themselves accordingly.

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Given under our hands and seals, at the Council-Chamber, at Port d'Espana, this twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three, and in the forty-third year of his Majesty's reign.

"By Command of their Excellencies,

"THOMAS PICTON. "SAMUEL HOOD.

"JOSEPH WOODYEAR, Secretary."

On the 28th, the Brigadier ordered the sentinel to be withdrawn from Colonel Fullarton's house, and threatened the people employed to fill up with earth some ravines made round the house to carry off the stagnated waters, at the same time commanding them to desist on the pain of being sent to prison; and actually made a couple of carts, that were employed filling up the ravines with earth, to be unloaded in sight of the front gallery where Mrs. Fullarton and Miss M'Kay were standing, who were attracted there by his loud vociferations.

After issuing the above proclamation, and vesting all powers of government solely in the hands of the Brigadier, Commodore Hood sailed from Trinidad; but, before he sailed, he gave orders to the officer commanding one of his Majesty's armed brigs in the Gulf of Paria, to obey such instructions as he might receive from the Brigadier, who, accordingly, gave orders to seize the schooner Start, whenever she arrived, and detain Colonel Fullarton prisoner. An embargo was laid on all vessels in the port, garrison and militia orders, together with ene for martial law, were even issued and to be in force on

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