An account of the present state of the island of Puerto Rico

Front matter

AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT STATE OF THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO. COMPRISING NUMEROUS ORIGINAL FACTS AND DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE STATE OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE, AND OF THE CONDITION, MORAL AND PHY- SICAL, OF THE VARIOUS CLASSES OF THE POPULATION IN THAT ISLAND, AS COMPARED WITH THE COLONIES OF OTHER EUROPEAN POWERS; DEMON- STRATING THE SUPERIORITY OF THE SPANISH SLAVE CODE, — THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF FREE OVER SLAVE LABOUR, &C. BY COLONEL FLINTER, OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMY OF HER MOST CATHOLIC MAJESTY, AND KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL ORDER OF ISABEL THE CATHOLIC- LONDON : LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, and LONGMAN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1834. LONDON : SAMUEL BAGSTER, JUN., PRINTER, 14, Bartholomew Close. THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE DEDICATED TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS DE ZAMBRANO KNIGHT GRAND CROSS OF THE ROYAL AND DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF CHARLES THE THIRD, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMIES OF HER MOST CATHOLIC MAJESTY, &C, &C, &C, AS A PROOF OF THE RESPECT, REGARD, AND AFFECTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY'S FRIEND, AND VERY HUMBLE SERVANT, GEORGE D. FLINTER Madrid, 1833.

Preface

. In this brief preface I can only cursorily advert to the main objects proposed in the publication ofthe present volume. To make known the great and growing importance of the colonies that remain to Spain in the western hemisphere, and especially of the valuable and fertile island of Puerto Rico ; to suggest further improvements in the management of those colonies ; and to recommend to the go vernment of Her Most Catholic Majesty the speedy recognition of the independence of the South American republics — these are among the chief objects of the book. Besides these, to exhibit the paternal character of the colonial government of Spain, — to point out the beneficent operation of the Spanish slave code, not only in protecting the bondman from oppression, but in preparing and fitting him for final emancipation, — and to demonstrate, by unanswerable facts, the mighty advantages of free over slave labour, in security, in economy, in productiveness, are objects which I have specially had in view.

To the last-mentioned point I earnestly and particularly solicit the reader's attention, at the present critical conjuncture in the history of the West India colonies. Uninfluenced by the spirit of party, unbiassed by national prejudices, unfettered by sectarian principles, I feel it a duty I owe to humanity, to lay before the public my observations on the condition of the free VI

PREFACE.

. coloured and slave population in the West India colonies of Spain, the result of twenty-one years' experience in that quarter of the world. I appeal not to the passions. I scorn to stoop to the meanness of adulation, or to employ the baseness of deceit. I submit without presumption, with the candour of a soldier, to the re flecting men of all nations, of every religious sect, and of every political creed, the facts I have gathered, and the sources from whence I have derived my information. It is now twenty-one years since I first landed in the West Indies, a commissioned officer in the regular forces of His Britannic Majesty. At different periods I have been either stationed in the garrisons of the several British islands, and those of other powers conquered by the British arms, or have visited them in a private capacity.

I have moreover personally visited the colonies and establishments of all the European nations on the American continent and in the West Indies, as well as the republic of the United States. Both on the continent of America and in the islands, I have myself possessed landed property and slaves. I have been for several years doing duty on the staff of the Spanish army which garrisons the colonies of Her Most Catholic Majesty. My leisure hours have been dedicated to the acquisition of every information that could throw light on the colonial policy of Spain. I have attentively observed the condition, moral and physical, of the white, the free coloured, and the slave population in her West India islands ; and from my situation and connexions, I have had access to every source from which correct information could be obtained.

I therefore indulge a hope, that the facts which I offer with respect to the colonial administration of Spain, may not be considered unworthy of the notice of those en-

PREFACE.

. VII lightened men who require practical truths to direct their judgment. If I have taken a retrospective view of the laws and regulations which have long existed in the Spanish transatlantic dominions in favour of the captive African, and compared them with the laws and regulations which till very lately have been in force in the colonies both of France and England, let it not be supposed that I have made this comparison for the purpose of vilifying the latter : my only object is to convey some idea of the wise preparatory measures which have been gradually fitting the slaves for emancipation under the dominion of Spain, at a period when no legislative provisions were enacted, either for their physical comforts, or for their moral improvement, in the colonies of any other Euro pean nation.

It must be peculiarly gratifying to those who advocate the emancipation of the slaves on sound and salutary principles, to discover by the facts which I present for their consideration, that free labour on a large scale, and attended by the most beneficial con sequences, has been for some years in practical operation in the island of Puerto Rico, and that the free black and the slave work together in the same field with the white man. It will also be ascertained by a reference to my observations, that every species of tropical pro ductions may be cultivated by free labour. It is my delight to indulge in "prospective views of liberty and happiness for the unfortunate slaves ; and I fondly anti cipate that much good may ultimately be effected by their progressive emancipation. Were I permitted to offer my opinion with respect to the policy necessary to be adopted in the Spanish colonies

PREFACE.

. at this critical moment, I would unhesitatingly declare that their safety will depend on the energy, the prudence, and the impartial justice of the colonial administration, as well as on the discipline of the troops, and the honourable zeal and fidelity of the officers. One of the first steps of the government should be to drive from the ports of Cuba back to the coast of Africa, every slave ship with its cargo that might be captured by the cruisers of France or England; for the accumulating numbers of these uneducated negroes, let loose on the island among the free blacks and slaves, already too numerous, is introducing a mass of contagion which may produce most calamitous consequences. I am also decidedly convinced that the Spanish government should take the most prompt and energetic measures to prevent the further importation of African slaves into Cuba.

Apart from all considerations of morality or humanity, the advantages (if any) arising from this nefarious traffic, can only be temporary, while the evils are enormous, perilous, and permanent. The security of the lives and properties of the white inhabitants depends on the total cessation of the slave trade ; for every black or coloured man who lands on their shore is, and must necessarily be, their irreconcilable enemy, as long as that trade continues to exist. The white population of Cuba and Puerto Rico at this moment have every thing at stake. It is of paramount importance that they make common cause with the mother country — that they cling to her as their sheet-anchor in every vicissitude of fortune, and in every political change still look up to her for support ; for on this union depends the salvation of every thing that is dear to them on earth. t 18 03 CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Introductory

An Examination of the Causes that have contributed to the recent Prosperity of Puerto Rico ......

Chapter II

Situation and general Appearance of Puerto Rico— Interior Ridge of Mountains — Principal Valleys and fertile Plains — Rivers, Lakes, and Lagoons — Facilities for Water Carriage — Roads and Bridges — Ports and Harbours — Towns and Villages — Description of the Capital, San Juan — Comparative Population of the Towns and the Country — Climate — Wet and dry Seasons — Hurricanes — Comparative Salubrity — Absence of noxious Reptiles — Paucity of indigenous Animals — Effects of the Climate on Europeans — Official Statement of Mortality in the Spanish Regiment of Grenada — Diseases — Suggestions for preserving the Health ofthe Troops ........

Chapter III

State of Society — National Prejudices — The Island formerly a Military Post — Aristocracy of Puerto Rico— The Mercantile classes — Tradesmen and Mechanics — Immigrant Adventurers — Respectable Foreign Settlers — Pettifogging Attorneys — Convict Population — Paucity of Robberies and other Crimes of Violence — Mistaken Notions of Foreigners — Peaceful Character of the Inhabitants — Mode of Travelling — Festival of St. John — Society of the better Classes — Passion for Cock-fighting — Manners of the Xivaros — Habitations of the Wealthy — Cabins of the Xivaros — General Hospitality — Indolence and Courage of the Inhabitants — Appearance and Manners of the Ladies of Puerto Rico — Peculiar Customs — Prejudices respecting Education ..... X CONTENTS. 80 105 156

Chapter IV

Government— Office of Captain-General— Court of Royal Audience— The Intendancy — The Cavildo — Provincial Functionaries — Ecclesiastical Tribunal— Naval Tribunal— The Consulado— Annual Tour of the Captain-General—Municipal Committees — Excellence and Impartiality of the Spanish Colonial Laws — State of Military Defence — Fortifications — Attempt of the English on the Island in 1797 — Military Division of the Island — Amount of Military Force — Security from Conquest

Chapter V

Commerce of Puerto Rico — Merchants and Shopkeepers — Contraband Traffic — Liberal Regulations of the Government — Comparative View of Imports and Exports in 1803, 1810, 1830, and 1831 — Duties levied on Spanish and Foreign Goods — Paralyzing Effects of the Subsidy in Specie formerly remitted from Mexico — Commerce of the island with different Nations — with the English, French, and Danish Islands — Remarks on the Piratical System fostered by the Inhabitants of St. Thomas — Trade with the United States — with France — with England — with Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Sardinia — German Trade — Coasting Trade — Commerce with Spain — Remarks on Protecting Duties — Free Trade — Revenue of the Island — Direct Taxes — Taxes on Cockpits, Billiard Rooms, &c. — Land Tax — Various other Taxes — Custom-house Duties — Revenue of the Navy — Municipal Duties — Remarks on the evil Effects of sanctioning Lotteries — Comparison of Taxes in the Spanish and other West India Colonies j .....

Chapter VI

Advantages of the Soil and Climate for Agriculture — Want of Capital — Comparative View ofthe Value of Agricultural Produce in 1770, 1803, 1828, 1830, and 1832 — Rearing of horned Cattle— Calculation of the Number of Cattle slaughtered and exported — Sheep, Goats, Swine, Horses, Poultry — Estimate of the Number and Value of the whole live Stock in the Island — Calculation of the Profits of a Cattle Farm of 200 Acres — Cultivation of Sugar — Its precarious Profits by Slave Labour — Cultivation of Coffee — Indigo — Tobacco — Cotton — Provisions — Rice — Maize — Calculation of the Profits of a Plantain Grove — Hints on rearing Bees, on Experimental Farms, on Planting Fruit Trees, Preservation of Timber Forests, and the Encouragement of Horticulture . . .

Chapter VII

Present Condition of the White, Free Coloured, and Slave Population in the Islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, as compared with the same Classes in other European Colonies — Aboriginal Population of Puerto Rico partially amalgamated with the Conquerors — Census of Cuba and Puerto CONTENTS. XI 202 229 Rico — Relative Proportions of the different Classes — Great Numerical Superiority of tlie Whites, and Comparative Safety of the Spanish Colo nies — Distribution of the Population in Puerto Rico — Proportion between the Sexes — Tables of Births, Marriages, and Deaths— Rapid Increase in the Population of Puerto Rico and Cuba, contrasted with the continual Decrease in other West India Colonies — Encouragement of Marriage in the Spanish Colonies, and Moral Advantages ofthe Free Coloured and Slave Population — Neglect of Marriage, and deplorable Profligacy exhibited in the French, British, and Danish Islands — Degra dation of the Free Mulattoes, and Decrease of their numbers in the French Islands — Amount of the White Population in the British, French, and Danish Islands, compared with the same Class in Cuba and Puerto Rico ........

Chapter VIII

Comparative View of the Condition of the Slaves in the Colonies of Spain and in those of other European Powers — Absurd and untenable Principles on which Negro Slavery has been defended by its Advocates — Capacity and good Qualities of the Negro Race — Early Attention of Spanish Legislation to the good Treatment and Improvement of the Slaves — Facility of acquiring Property, of enjoying the legal Privileges of Marriage, and of obtaining Enfranchisement in the Spanish Colonies, contrasted with the State of Things in the French, English, Dutch, and Danish Colonies — Comparison ofthe old Slave Laws ofthe French and British Colonies with those of Spain — Barbarity of the existing French Colonial Laws — Attachment of the Spanish Mulattoes to the Whites — No Instance of Slave Insurrection in the Spanish Colonies — Good Conduct and Fidelity of the Spanish Slaves in the Revolutions of South America and Hayti — View of the beneficent Provisions of the Spanish Slave Code — Dwellings and Provision Grounds of the Slaves in Puerto Rico — Theii daily Labours — Medical Attendance — Their Condition compared with that of the Peasantry of Europe — Increase ofthe Slave Population in Puerto Rico — Violent Prejudices of Colour, and Treatment of the Free Mulattoes, in the United States ....

Chapter IX

The Substitution of Free for Coercive Labour the best Preparation for the Extinction of Slavery — No Free Field Labourers to be found in the English and French Colonies — Description of the Class of Free Cultivators in Puerto Rico — Contrast between the Aspect of Rural Labour in the Colonies of Spain and in other Parts of the West Indies — Large Proportion of the Produce of Puerto Rico raised by Free Labour- Misapprehensions respecting the British Plan of Emancipation — Proofs that Sugar and Coffee may be profitably raised by Free Labour— Cultivation of Sugar in Margarita by Free Labourers— Economy of Free CONTENTS. 257 282 347 383 Labour— Productiveness of Free Labour in Puerto Rico, as compared with Slave Labour in Jamaica, Guadaloupe, and other West India Colonies— Calculation of the Expenses and Profits of a Sugar Estate cultivated by Slaves — Advantages that would result to the Planters from converting the Slaves into Free Labourers

Chapter X

Prison Discipline in the Spanish Colonies — The Presidios or Galleys of Spain and Puerto Rico — Moral and Physical Degradation of their Inmates — The Criminal Presidio — Its Inadequacy as a Place of Punishment — Remarks on the Impolicy and Injustice of punishing Soldiers for Offences purely Military by Confinement in Presidios — Degrading Punishments destructive of Military Spirit and Virtue — The Correctional Presidio of Puerto Rico — Its evil Effects on the Morals of those confined in it — Description of the Jail at Port Mahon in Minorca, and of the Prisons of Majorca — Affecting Cases illustrative of the Operation of the System — View of the improved System of Prison Discipline adopted in the United States — Effects of Solitary Confinement — Classification of Prisoners — Enforcement of Labour in Silence — Description of a Prison near Philadelphia — Prison of Baltimore — Prison of Connecticut — Attainment of the Objects of Punishment by these Establishments — Great Decrease in the Number of Re-committals — Saving of Expense to the Public — Proposal for adapting the American System to the Spanish Colonies — Plan detailed and recommended ....

Appendix

No. I. A View of Spain and her Colonies No. II. A Comparative View of the Commerce of some parts of South America under the Royal and Republican Governments THE PRESENT STATE OF PUERTO RICO.

Chapter I. Introductory

An Examination of the Causes that have contributed to the recent Prosperity of Puerto Rico. Spain, the discoverer and mistress of the richest and most fertile regions of the new world, attached very little importance to the Archipelago of the Antilles. The largest and finest only of those islands were selected and colonized by the Spaniards ; the small and sterile they abandoned to the industry of more northern nations. The wealthy mines of the Peruvian and Mexican empires occupied the undivided attention of the Spanish government, — exciting in foreign nations a feeling of envy, which, during a period of three ages, remained undiminished. Notwithstanding all the advantages of soil and situation, which nature has so lavishly bestowed on the island of Puerto Rico, it was considered, for the space of three centuries, only as a place of banishment for the male- B FORMER STATE OF THE COLONY. factors of the mother country.

Agriculture had scarcely emerged from its primitive state of simplicity. The inhabitants led a pastoral life, sowing only provisions barely necessary for their support. They had no stimulus to exertion. They were passive spectators of the vast riches which centred in their soil, rocking them selves to and fro in their hammocks, without making any efforts, bodily or mental. If they had a sufficiency for the present hour, they never looked forward beyond the day in which they lived. It can scarcely be said that, till within these last twenty years, the fertile fields of Puerto Rico had felt the vivifying hand of cultivation. A large sum of money was annually sent from Mexico to sup port the governor, the military and civil officers, and the troops; and this remittance did not cease till the year 1810, when the revolution of that country commenced.

The com merce carried on scarcely deserved that name. The few wants of the inhabitants were supplied by a contraband trade with the neighbouring foreign islands of St. Thomas and Santa Cruz. Until the year 1813, the office of intendant was annexed to the person of the governor and captain-general ; while the custom house was under the immediate control and inspection of the revenue officers. At this period a separation of these offices was com manded by a royal decree, and henceforward the intendancy and custom-house were placed under the jurisdiction of their appropriate functionaries. Such was the confused and irregular manner in which the accounts were kept, that it would be a fruitless labour to attempt to ascertain the exact amount of imports and exports previous to that period, nor can any calculation be made which could afford any result beyond vague and uncertain conjecture.

Although the intendancy was made independent of the captain-general, and the custom-house no longer ROYAL DECREE OF 1815. 3 subject to the officers of the treasury, and a numerous train of custom-house officers appointed, the finances still remained languid and unproductive. A system of fraud and peculation prevailed, without shame or disguise. Those who were paid by the king for pre venting illicit traffic, were the very persons who sanctioned it by their example, and shielded it by their authority. The amount of the public revenue was so inadequate to meet the expenses of maintaining the troops in garrison, that they were reduced to one-fourth of their pay, and very often received only a miserable ration. The consequence was that an enormous debt, amounting to nearly a million of dollars, was due by the government to the officers and garrison ; whilst a few avaricious individuals, forgetting their duty to their king and country, enriched themselves at the public expense.

The government, perplexed and. embarrassed by the want of specie, had recourse to the ruinous measure of issuing paper money. This desperate step, arising from circumstances equally desperate, not only augmented the debt, already heavy and oppressive, but materially injured the credit of the government, both in and out of the island. Such was the depressed state of the public revenue in this island, when the royal decree of August, 1815, gave the first great impulse to agriculture and commerce. This decree, fraught with the most beneficent and en lightened views, was entitled, " Regulations for pro moting the Population, Commerce, Industry, and Agri culture of the Island of Puerto Rice." It embraced every object, and provided for all the various incidents which could instil life and vigour into an infant colony.

It held out to industrious and enterprising foreigners the most flattering prospects, founded on the most solid basis. It conferred on them and their children the rights and b ROYAL DECREE OF 1815. 4 privileges of Spaniards in their full extent. Lands were granted to them gratis, and no expenses were exacted for the titles and legal rights of property. The quantity of land allotted was in proportion to the number of slaves which each colonist introduced for the cultivation of the land. The colonists were not subject to any taxes what ever, nor had they to pay any duty on the exportation of their produce, nor on the importation of implements of husbandry. If war should be declared between Spain and their native country, their persons and properties were to be respected ; and if they wished to leave the colony, they were permitted to realise their property and carry its value along with them, paying only ten per cent. on the surplus of the capital they had brought with them.

They were exempted from the capitation tax or personal tribute. Each slave was to pay a tax of one dollar yearly, after having been ten years on thet island, which could not be augmented. During the first five years, the colonists, Spaniards and foreigners, had liberty to return to their respective countries or former residences, and in this case they were allowed to carry with them all the property and goods they had brought with them, without being obliged to pay any duties of exportation. The colonists who should die in the island without heirs, might leave their property to their relatives or friends in other countries ; and if the heirs wished to reside in the island, they enjoyed all the rights and privileges of their predecessors. If they pre ferred carrying away their inheritance, they might do so on paying a duty of fifteen per cent.

Should the colo nist die intestate, his friends and relatives, in whatever country they might then reside, could inherit his property, by adhering to the foregoing rules. The colonists were likewise declared to be free, for ITS EFFECTS. 5 fifteen years, from the payment of tithes ; and after the expiration of that period, they were only to pay two and a half per cent. They were equally free, for the same period, from the payment of the duty of Alcabala, on the sale of the produce of their lands and commercial effects, and after the expiration of the specified term, they were only to pay two and a half per cent ; but if they shipped their produce to Spain, they had to pay no duty whatever. The introduction of negroes into the island was to be perpetually free from duties and taxes, for the colonists and for those that traded with them.

The direct com merce with Spain, and with the other Spanish islands, was to be free from all duties for fifteen years, and after that period it was to be placed on the footing of the other Spanish colonies. The whole of the concessions and exemptions by his Majesty to this island are contained in 33 articles, in all of which a spirit of the most decisive protection is evinced towards this island, and efforts made to promote its prosperity which have never been exceeded by the zeal of s.uy other government or country. To this signal mark of royal favour we must at tribute the rising prosperity of this colony, and not to the operation of time, or to fortuitous circumstances, which could have only a partial or temporary influence. This liberal policy produced the best and most salutary effects.

It was sensibly felt in every part of the island. Foreigners possessing capital and agricultural knowledge settled in the country. Their habits of industry soon began to be imitated, and their skill in cultivation acquired by the natives. A spirit of honest emulation was thus excited, which produced the happiest effects. At the same time that I would strongly recommend foreigners who had capital to settle in this island, in preference to any other part of the globe, I reprobate the FOREIGN ADVENTURERS. immigration of ad venturers, who, having become bankrupts in the foreign islands, and flying from their creditors, or trying to elude the punishment due to crime, seek an asylum here. This class of people have done more injury to the colony, and thrown more discredit on its agriculture, than is generally supposed ; and the reports of their failures, and the calumnies they have circulated, have prevented many useful individuals from forming establish ments in this colony.

Their stories have been heard and believed ; no inquiries have been made into the causes of their failure ; their assertions have not met with refuta tion, and they are commiserated as the innocent victims of an oppressive system of laws, and a despotic govern ment. These false reports once in circulation, if they remain uncontradicted, gain ground, and occasion evils which it is difficult to remedy. Happy am I to be able to explain the origin and motives of these gratuitous calumnies, and to expose their authors to the contempt they merit. These individuals, with the confidence and effrontery which too often characterise men of desperate fortunes and relaxed morals, purchase estates on credit, counting, no doubt, on the occurrence of some casual circumstance for the payment. In a few months their hopes disappear ; their want of capital becomes evident ; they are called on to pay the debts that they had contracted in dependence solely on the crop ; the day arrives for the payment of the instalment due to the proprietor ; they have neither money nor credit, and they are obliged to deliver up the estate.

But it is a circumstance of too frequent recur rence that some of them refuse to surrender the property, and enter into a tedious litigation, in which the real owner, in recompense for his good faith, is often ruined ; and, if he succeeds in getting possession of the property EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION OF 1820. 7 at last, he finds it an uncultivated waste. These people, who are a disgrace to any country, disappointed in their chimerical views, vent their rage on the government and laws of the island, attributing to injustice and a want of protection what is wholly owing to their own folly and presumption. It would be well worth the attention of those planters in the foreign islands who are employing their capital on worn-out land, which scarcely pays the expense of manure, to turn their views seriously to Puerto Rico, where they will enjoy security and protection, with extra ordinary privileges.

It is only requisite for them to bestow a moment's reflection on the wise and liberal regulations by which foreigners are encouraged — regulations which are religiously observed. Let them recollect that although many of those who have deceived the government and outraged the laws may have escaped with impunity, it is not either from a want of energy in the government, nor want of vigilance in the authorities, nor of exact execu tion of the laws, that this has occurred, but from a lenient and humane principle on the part of the government, rather to let a criminal escape than give room for it to be thought that any undue severity had been exercised towards strangers, who came to the island confiding in its justice and protection. The recompense it has received has been the vilest calumnies, which, I understand, have prevented many capitalists from establishing themselves in this colony.

The dreadful political oscillation which shook the Spanish monarchy to its foundation in the year 1820, was felt in its extremities with equal violence. The con centration of command in one individual, so essentially necessary to preserve order in distant colonies, ceased to exist. The principles of firm attachment to the mother RESTORATION OF ORDER IN 1823. 8 country which have so eminently distinguished the inha bitants of Puerto Rico, could alone have saved them in a moment so critical. They were proof against the seduc tions of those who in vain attempted to induce them to follow the example of the Spanish colonies on the conti nent. They foresaw that the continuance of the revolutionary system would be ere long the destruction of their prosperity. In the four years during which it lasted, their agriculture and commerce had considerably diminished,—party spirit began to show its malignant influence, — the press became the vehicle of abuse and personalities, — the mechanic and the artisan, in place of working for the daily support of their families, mounted the tribune, and harangued the public on the nature of governments and laws— their families starving, while they contented themselves with the noisy applause of a multitude as ignorant as themselves.

The epithet of citizen levelled all distinctions of rank and merit. The warrior who had his brows covered with the laurels of a hundred battles — who had exposed his life a thousand times in the public service — and who was covered with honourable wounds and scars in the defence of his country, — was often prevented even from giving his vote by a wretch who had only a few days before escaped from the galleys, where he had been consigned to drag a chain in expiation of his crimes ! This state of things could not long exist, — nature had been forced out of her natural course ; all good men, all the industrious, the great mass of the population (with few, very few exceptions) anxiously desired a change. The year 1823 saved this island from inevitable ship wreck. Order was restored — confidence re-established — the loyal flocked round the government — the bad, who were few and impotent, held down their heads in silence.