of it; and returned home the same day. Governor Picton, however, put his threat into execution, and had the inoffensive Goliah flogged under the gallows till he was nearly dead. Mr. Dawson's servants being in town on Thursday with a flat, or vessel, which carried articles to and from the plantation, they found the poor fellow in a dreadful situation, lying in the jail-yard: they conveyed him on board, and carried him home. When he was brought to Mr. Dawson, he was dreadfully mangled from his hips up to his shoulders, having been unmercifully flogged with a driver's whip, which cut large lumps of flesh from his body. The poor fellow made one effort to speak,-which was to tell Mr. Dawson that he was flogged under the gallows,-that he was killed, and should die. Notwithstanding Mr. Dawson took all possible care of him, he lingered for a few days and died. Consequently Mr. Dawson lost a valuable and faithful slave; and can have no hesitation in saying, that he died in consequence of the wounds inflicted on him!

It appears that Mr. Sergent, a Frenchman, was president of this illegal commission formed by Governor Picton, for torturing and destroying the negroes. Neither the president, nor the rest of the members who, I now understand, are all of them French, of the Robespierrian school, hold any judicial situation in the colony, being private individuals, equally unacquainted with the forms of Spanish or of English law. There were no assessor, no defender for the accused, and no public escrivano attendant on this diabolical tribunal. Their sentences are verified by the signatures of the president and secretary of the commission, and include the orders of Governor Picton on which the sentences were carried into effect.

The torture of a criminal during the course of his trial, is a cruelty consecrated by custom in many nations.

This instrument of barbarity is called the rack, and is composed of a thick strong plank, having a contrivance at one end to secure the hands, and at the other, a sort of double wooden vice. The vice is formed of three stout uprights, two of which are moveable, but steadied by a block that is fastened on each side. The ancles of the culprit being placed in the machine, a cord is passed round the uprights, and held fast by two men. The chief tormentor then gradually introduces a wedge into the intervals, alternately changing sides. The method of forcing an expansion at the upper part, causes the lower end to draw towards the central upright, which is fixed into the plank, and thereby compresses the ancles of the wretched sufferer, who, provided he be fortified by innocence or resolution, endures the advances of the wedge, until his bones are completely reduced into a jelly.

The memorable events performed by this instrument will long remain an indelible stigma on those who tolerated its use in this island,—an island under the protection of the mild government of Great Britain. But, Sir, it is an instrument worthy only of a cannibal, whose savage disposition in this instance has, we are told, been much admired by the "profligates and pirates," who are the partners of his infamy. I say, Sir, how will this sanguinary tyrant be able to excuse himself from the charge of the preceding cruelties, inflicted on the unoffending subjects of his Majesty? What name should we bestow on this Governor, whose whole endeavours were employed, and whose whole pleasure consisted in terrifying, ensnaring, tormenting, and destroying mankind? Whose power has been employed, since he has been governor, in assisting the rapacious, deceiving the simple, and oppressing the innocent; and who, without provocation, should

continue from day to day, void of all pity and remorse, thus to torment mankind for diversion. The people of England will scarcely think it possible that negro-hunting is fashionable in many of the West India islands, as well as in this. I shall make the utmost inquiry into the barbarities attending these sports*.

Vale.

Soon after this letter was written, the author was illegally banished by Brigadier General Picton and Commodore Hood, which of course prevented this useful inquiry; but the reader will see in the Appendix, No. 2, a specimen of the barbarities, wantonly committed on the unfortunate negroes.

Cc

LETTER XIV.

Remarks on the Situation of the Inhabitants when the First Commissioner arrived in Trinidad His Reception and Address to the public Functionaries-The Address misrepresented in Picton's Gazette-The Intention of it thwarted-A Proclamation to decoy the First Commissioner, and sanction the Acts of the former Goverпор- -The Conduct of the public Secretary in this transaction-The measures of the Party defeated—Brigadier General Picton alarmed-Orders of the First Commissioner respecting Commitments-The Alcaldes remonstrate-Proceedings in the Cabildo respecting a new Jail-The First Commissioner's Visit to the old One, and the Situation in which he found it-The Executioner's Complaint, &c.—A second Visit to the Jail increases Brigadier General Picton's Jealousy-An Explanation-Reflections thereon-Brigadier General Picton's Attempt to deprive Mr. Hargrave, Printer, of his Licence-Proceedings of the 12th of February respecting Madame Duval-Outrageous Conduct of the Brigadier in the House of the First CommissionerHis Apology to Mrs. Fullarton-4 Parallel of the Conduct of both Commissioners-Further Proceedings in the Case of Madame Duval, and the public Secretary suspended.

DEAR SIR,

Head-Quarters, PUERTO DE ESPANA, March 1803.

No body of people ever more ardently prayed to be relieved from their insulted and oppressed state, than did the inhabitants of Trinidad. They were

greater objects of commiseration than the Dutch, even though degraded, ruined, enslaved, and cloyed with the redundant fraternizing embraces of the ruling tyrant of France. When it was known that commissioners were appointed, and that Colonel Fullarton was the senior one, the inhabitants became almost delirious with, joy at the bare idea of being soon relieved from oppression. Hence they also became strongly prejudiced in his favour long before he arrived, conceiving he would bring with him, what was much wanted in the colony; i. e. justice, humanity, protection, and happiness.

Colonel Fullarton at length arrived in the Gulf of Paria, on the 3d of January last, on board his Majesty's ship Ulysses, commanded by Captain Columbine, and the next day landed. He was received by General Picton with seeming politeness. After being congratulated by all descriptions of civil and military persons, he took the oaths and his seat in council, in the cabildo, and in the municipal tribunal. In his address to these public bodies, he expressed his earnest desire to co-operate with his colleagues, and with all classes of the community; to carry into effect the liberal and enlightened instructions he had received from his Majesty respecting the future prosperity of the colony. Next day Picton's gazette made its appearance, which gave an account of Colonel Fullarton's reception and address; in which he is represented to have, in his own name, as well as in the name of his Majesty's ministers, bestowed the most unqualified praise on the late governor, and his proceedings, during six years arduous government.

This gross and infamous mis-statement surprised those independent Englishmen who were present at the time the Colonel addressed the public bodies. They clearly understood the manoeuvres of Picton's friends, who, by