The commodore of the French squadron was named Cassard, and Baron Mouars commanded the troops. The contribution levied was 300,000 florins. They ascended the river beyond the town, and set fire to several estates: a great many Negroes deserted in consequence of the confusion occasioned by the invasion. Upon the 28th of August, the island of Jamaica was dreadfully shaken by an earthquake. Savanna la Mar, a small sea-port in the parish of Westmoreland, was overwhelmed by the sea, which in a few moments swept both man and beast from the face of the earth. Not an individual survived to relate the calamity not a single habitation escaped the deluge! The town, with its inhabitants and wealth, was, in the most literal sense of the word, washed away. Montserrat was invaded by a French force, and suffered dreadfully from the depredations of the troops. The militia at Jamaica comprehended all the males from sixteen to sixty, and amounted to 2722. The population of Barbadoes was officially returned at 12,528 Whites, and 41,970 Negroes. M. le Compte d'Arquian succeeded to the government of St. Domingo upon the death of M. de Gabaret, and was himself superseded, the same year, by the Count de Blenac, who was named governor of St. Domingo, and lieutenant-general of the islands. Upon Friday the 6th of June, Queen Anne went in state to the House of Peers; and the following was part of her speech relative to the West Indies: - "The division of the island of St. Christopher's between us and the French having been the cause of great inconvenience and damage to my subjects, I have demanded to have an absolute cession made to me of that whole island, and France agrees to this demand. "But the part which we have borne in the prosecution of this war entitling us to some distinction in the terms of peace, I have insisted and obtained, that the Assiento, or Company for furnishing the Spanish West Indies with Negroes, shall be made with us for the term of thirty years, in the same manner as it has been enjoyed by the French for these ten years back.” The French King issued an ordinance, 30th of December, directing" slaves to be fed and clothed, agreeably to the regulations laid down on that subject; and expressly forbidding all Bolinbroke's Demerary, pp. 165. 343. Edwards, vol. i. pp. 232, 497. Coke's West Indies, vol. i. p. 305. persons, under penalty of 500 livres, from inflicting torture on slaves of their own authority." Also an "arret," "concerning the freedom of slaves." 1713. The French King issued an "arret," which "derogates from art. 35. of Code Noir, and renders the approval of a governor necessary to make affranchisements legal." And the French general and intendant of St. Lucia issued an ordinance, on poisoning the rivers. The treaty of peace between France and England was signed at Utrecht the 11th of April. The 11th, 12th, and 14th articles relate to the West Indies: the 11th stipulates, that "all damages to the Hudson's Bay Company, by depredations of the French in time of peace, shall be satisfied according to the estimates of commissaries, to be named at the requisition of each party. The same concerning the damages last year in the island of Montserrat, and concerning the things complained of by the French, relating to Nevis and Castle of Gambia. "12. The island of St. Christopher's, all Nova Scotia or Acadia, Port Royal or Annapolis, shall be delivered to the English, and the French excluded from all kind of fishing in the seas, bays, or other places on the coasts of Nova Scotia, that is, on those lying towards the East within thirty leagues, beginning from Sable Island, and thence stretching along towards the south west. “14. A year shall be allowed to the French to remove and carry off their effects from the places to be yielded up by this treaty, and the free exercise of their religion to those that are willing to remain there.” Upon the 13th of July, the treaty of peace between Spain and England was signed at Utrecht. The 8th, 9th, and 12th articles relate to the West Indies. "8. That there be a free use of navigation and commerce, as it was in the reign of Charles the Second of Spain, and also according to the treaties of commerce which are now, or will forthwith be, made at Madrid. And whereas it is by common consent established as a fundamental rule, that the exercise of navigation and commerce to the Spanish West Indies shall be as in the time of the said Charles the Second; that therefore this rule may be observed inviolably, it is especially agreed, that no licence shall at any time be given to the French, or any other nation, to introduce Negroes, goods, merchandizes, or any things whatsoever into the Spanish American dominions, except what may be agreed by the treaty of commerce aforesaid, and the privileges granted in the Assiento de Negroes, mentioned in the 12th article, except also what the Catholic King or his successors shall promise by any contract after the Assiento de Negroes is determined. It is further agreed, that none of the Spanish dominions in America shall ever be alienated from the crown of Spain to the French or other nation. On the contrary, the Queen of Great Britain will endeavour and assist the Spaniards, that the ancient limits of their American dominions be settled as in the time of Charles the Second. "12. The Catholic King grants to the South Sea Company, with exclusion of all others, the contract for introducing Negroes into his American dominions, commonly called El Pacto del Assiento de Negroes, for the space of thirty years, beginning from the 1st of May, 1713, with the same conditions enjoyed by the French, together with tracts of land on the River of Plata, sufficient for the subsistence of those who are in the service of the Company, and of their Negroes. The ships of the Company may also come close to land, but a Spanish officer shall be appointed to take care that nothing be done contrary to his master's interests; and all belonging to the Company shall be subject to the inspection of the officer, as to matters relating to the tracts of land: and disputes to be referred to the governor of Buenos Ayres. The contract of the Assiento, concluded at Madrid the 26th of March, 1713, with all its conditions, not contrary to this article, is deemed as part of this treaty." By the 40th article of the Assiento Treaty, it was stipulated, "that in case of a declaration of war between the two crowns, the South Sea Company shall have a year and a half to withdraw their effects from India and Spain." By article the 42d, his Catholic Majesty allows the Assiento Company to send a ship of 500 tons yearly to trade to the West Indies during the continuation of the contract, in consideration of the loss which former Assientists sustained; and that they shall not, directly or indirectly, attempt any unlawful trade, under any pretence whatsoever. The lords commissioners of trade and plantations reported, in the year 1717, that in this year 2189 tons of logwood were imported. Boyer's Political State of Great Britain, 1727, vol. xxxiv. pp. 80. 367. 1 "The French got the sugar-trade from us, after the Treaty of Utrecht, by being allowed to transport their people from St. Christopher's to the rich and fresh lands of St. Domingo.”—Du Pratz, vol. i. p. 353. Translator's Notes. 1714. The Count de Blenac, governor of St. Domingo, had his title changed to that of Governor-General of the Leeward Islands, and three governors were appointed in that island under him one at St. Louis for the south coast, one at Leogane for the west, and the governor of Santa Cruz had the north side. M. de Choiseul had formed the design of re-establishing the buccaneers, and a great number of them were collected in St. Domingo; but the frequent change of governors prevented its execution. Almost all the freebooters turned planters: and thus finished this famous association, which only wanted discipline, leaders with extensive plans, and abilities to pursue them, to have conquered both the Americas. The Van Hoorn, or Berbice Company, applied to the Dutch East India Company for leave to import slaves from Asia. This was not conceded; but an agreement took place to furnish annually, from the 10th of September, 1714, 240 Negroes from Angola or Ardra (one third of them to be females), at 165 florins a-head; if more Negroes were wanted, these were to be paid for by the Van Hoorn Company, at the rate of 250 florins a-head. About this year, the Count de Cerillac, finding he could no longer expect a revenue equal to his wishes from the ruined colony of Grenada, made over all his right and property in it to the French West India Company. The trading vessels of Martinico, laden with the rich manufactures of France, and the products of their own colony, destined for the Spanish coasts, were ordered to touch at Grenada. There they were to take in water, and at the same time supply the inhabitants, many of whom were new settlers from Martinico, with slaves, &c. An open mercantile account was established between the two islands, and Grenada began to flourish. The Lords of Trade and Plantations reported, in 1717, that in this year Great Britain imported 4848 tons of logwood. The House of Lords presented an address to Queen Anne, to put the island of Providence in a state of defence: they said, it would be of fatal consequence if the Bahama islands should fall into the hands of an enemy. Nothing was done in consequence of this address. Charlevoix, tom. iv. p. 215. Coke's West Indies, vol. ii. p. 53. Bolinbroke's Voyage to Demerary, p. 165. Harris's Voyages, vol. ii. pp. 269. 285. 1715. In November, the Bedford, of 600 tons, sailed for Carthagena, upon account of the South Sea Company. There the Spanish officers measured her cargo and made it 2117 tons, exclusive of 65 tons of iron, which were not landed. The over-measurement of 1517 tons more than the tonnage granted, of the most valuable part of the cargo, was confiscated, and condemned to be sold, and the remaining 600 tons reserved for his Catholic Majesty's decision. The Company's factors, by paying a large sum, prevented the goods being sold; and, by the interposition of the court of Great Britain, obtained an order from the court of Spain for the vessel to be re-measured; and then they made out but 525 tons, including the 65 tons of iron. The Lords of Trade and Plantations reported, in 1717, that Great Britain imported this year 5863 tons of logwood. The number of men enrolled for the militia in Jamaica was 2679, being forty-five less than in 1712. All the plantations of cacao-trees in St. Domingo were suddenly destroyed: they had been first planted in that island by M. Ögeron, at Port Margot, in 1666, and their produce was now a very considerable article of exportation. There were several conjectures as to the cause of their sudden destruction, but the majority of persons suspected that the inhabitants of Martinico had employed persons to effect it, because, as their island produced little else than cacao, the quantity produced at St. Domingo injured their sale. Coffee was first introduced into St. Domingo this year. 1716. The Spaniards took Campeachy, and sixty-two sail of English vessels which were there for logwood: the loss was estimated at £170,000 sterling. The Lords of Trade and Plantations reported, in 1717, that Great Britain imported 2032 tons of logwood this year. M. de Blenac was succeeded by the Marquis de Chateau Morand, as governor-general of the Leeward Islands. Boyer's Political State of Great Britain, vol. xxxvi. p. 238. Charlevoix, tom. iv. pp. 217, 218. Report of the Lords of the Committee, 1789, Supplement, No. 15. |