Jamaica, its past and present state [A facsimile of the edition of 1843.] With a new introduction by Philip Wright

Front matter

JAMAICA : ITS PAST A.ND PRESENT STATE. BY JAMES M. PHILLIPPO, OF SPANISH TOWN, JAMAICA, TWENTY YEARS A BAPTIST MISSIONARY IN THAT ISLAND. Jll)Uai>dt)f)ia:% JAMES M. CAMPBELL h CO., 98 CHESTNUT ST. SAXTON & MILES, 205 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. HEATHEN PRACTICES AT FUNERALS. JAMAICA: ITS PAST AND PRESENT STATE. BY JAMES 11. PHILLIPPO, OF SPANISH TOWN, JAMAICA, TWENTY YEARS A BAPTIST MISSIONARY IN THAT ISLAND. PHILADELPHIA: JAMES M. CAMPBELL & CO., 98 CHESTNUT STREET. SAXTON & MILES, 205 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 1843. C. SHERMAN, PRINTER 19 St. James Street.

Preface

The author of the following pages, having been incapacitated for more active labours by protracted personal affliction, formed the resolution of employing the leisure which was afforded him in writing a work on Jamaica, which he ventures to hope will in some measure supply a desideratum long felt and acknowledged by the conductors and supporters of our various missionary societies. None but the invalided missionary knows the bitterness of those feelings which fill the heart, when compelled by sickness to leave behind him his scene of arduous but happy toil, and to revisit his native shores under circumstances which preclude the possibility of engaging in active exertion for the promotion of that cause to which he has consecrated his life. In these feelings, which not all the sympathy and kindness of friends can wholly rqmove, the writer has largely shared.

But should it be found that the present effort of his pen has in some measure supplied that "lack of service" which he hoped to have otherwise rendered, not only will the severity of the trial be greatly alleviated, but throughout his future days it will prove a source of high and joyous satisfaction. Though the manner in which he has accomplished his object will of course be variously estimated, he can most conscientiously affirm, that in all his statements he has at least endeavoured to be scrupulously correct, and to give a faithful representa tion of Jamaica as it was, and Jamaica as it is. Having been a resident on the island since the year 1823, he has had extended opportunities of acquainting himself with it. And though, with regard to its past history, and present commercial condition, as well as some other particulars, he has been compelled to avail himself of the labours of the historian, yet the greater portion is the result of his own observation and experience.

He cannot but indulge the hope that the facts narrated, illustrative of the fervent piety, growing intelligence, and rapidly improving temporal circumstances of those who but a few years since not only tasted the " wormwood and the gall" of slavery, but who, with regard to their spiritual condition, were " sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death," will strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of those Christian philanthropists to whose benevolent and unceasing efforts the mighty change is, under God, to be attributed. Nor does he feel willing to repress the delightful anticipation, that by these pages feelings may be awakened which shall ultimately contribute to hasten the arrival of the period when not only shall the blight ing curse of slavery pass away from every land, but " when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea."

It may possibly be thought by some that too many anecdotes have been introduced, as well as too liberal a use made of the peculiarities of the negro dialect. If any apo logy is required, the author begs to state that he has been governed in this particular not so much by his own predilections and tastes as by the advice of valued friends, who judged that such a method of illustrating the various topics to which attention is directed would be more likely than any other to interest and benefit a large class of his readers — an object at which he considered himself bound to aim. It will not escape observation that prominence has been given to the r.ioral and religious condition of the black and coloured population, and to the encouraging results of missionary efforts among them. To preserve the fidelity of an historical record, the author has necessarily reverted to circumstances of a painful as well as a pleasing character; and if in so doing he has reflected upon what he regards as existing evils, it has been from a consciousness of

PREFACE.

. VI duty, as it is by such representations that manners and customs are reformed. Most truly can he affirm that he cherishes no improper feeling towards the higher classes of the "inhabitants of Jamaica ; on the contrary, it is the most sincere desire of his heart that her governors, senators, judges, and magistrates may be men eminent for piety and equity — that the higher classes of her population, as well as her peasantry, may be truly good, industrious, and happy — that she, as a country, may excel in all that is great, and noble, and distinguished — that she may ever remain connected with Britain, not only politically, but by ties of the warmest affection and holiest sympathies, cemented by the most sacred bonds that can hold society together. As a matter of necessity, the writer is more intimately acquainted with the progress of his own denomination than with that of any other, and consequently has given to it a more full and circumstantial account.

Had it been practicable, it would have afford ed him the sincerest pleasure to have embodied in his work a comprehensive statement ofthe successes and encouragements of those honoured brethren of other denominations whose labours have been signally owned and blessed. It is,a deficiency which he sin cerely regrets. But having left the island without any intention of becoming an author, and, perhaps, with a too confident expectation of being engaged in more active service during his sojourn in his native land, he did not avail himself of those sources of in formation which would have been open to him, had he formed the resolution of writing at an earlier period ; and since thus engaged he has been prevented by a variety of circumstances from obtaining that correct statistical information which was requisite to enable him to fulfil his first intention.

To these causes alone is the omission to be attributed. Far from him be that attachment to a party which would lead him to regard with feelings of jealousy or indifference the labours of those whom, though under another name, he regards as brethren, and honours as the servants of Christ. He can truly say, " Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity ;" and ardently does he long for the arrival of the day which is destined to witness that delight ful union of soul and effort which constituted the burden of his prayer who is "head over all things to the church." " That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us ; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."* Proposals for the establishment of a college on liberal and comprehensive principles, but designed especially for the education of the descendants of Africa in the higher branches of learning and science, will be found as an appendix, to which the particular attention ofthe reader is invited.

The volume being already increased far beyond its originally intended size, in addi tion to the impossibility of obtaining all the statistics necessary for the purpose, the author has not added the sketch of missionary stations announced in the prospectus. The omission, however, he flatters himself will not be regarded as important, inasmuch as it may easily be supplied by individual reference to the publications of each Society. As a Christian missionary, whose life has been spent, not in learned seclusion, but in the duties and incessant labours of his office, the author makes no pretensions to literary excellence. His aim has been to produce a work which might be interesting and useful, even without those embellishments of diction which, though ever pleasing, are not always necessary. As it is, he commends his volume to the attention of the churches and the blessing of Almighty God, as an humble contribution to the glory of Him in whose work he desires " to spend and be spent," and who, in the days of his flesh, graciously condescended to accept the services of her who " did what she could." London, September, 1843. * John, ivii. 21. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Christianity

Its nature — Adaptation to the wants and circumstances of the World— Its designs— Its effects — The future glory of the Church— Particular instrumentality to be employed — Former neglect of the Church — Subsequent activity — First Missionary Society — Difficulties and Discouragements — Future and increasing Success ----- 9

Chapter VII. Government

Council, House of Assembly, Courts of Law, Laws, Public Offices — Ecclesiastical Establishments — Naval and Military ditto— Tales, Revenue 43 CHAPTER VIH. COMMERCE. Shipping; Imports and Exports — Monetary System : Coins, Amount of Property, Aggregate Value of Property 47

Chapter IX. White Inhabitants

TheirOrigin, Settlement, Trades and Professions, Domestic Habits, Dress — Social Dispositions and Aslections — Manners and Customs — Education, Morals, Religion — General Improvement - 51

Chapter X. People Of Colour And Free Blacks

Former condition — Causes of difference of Complexion and Circumstances— Political State— Proscription from Society of White Inhabitants — Low State of Morals— Removal of Disabilities— Rapid Advancement in civilization and the Social Scale- Present Condition ..... 59

Chapter XI

Sect. I. Political Condition of the Black Population. — Origin of the Slave Trade — Its Atrocities — Slaves, when first brought to Jamaica, and by whom — Dreadful Nature and Consequences of Slavery as it existed in Jamaica 63 Sect. II. Abolition of the Slave Trade. — Origin of the African Institution — Efforts for ameliorating the Condition of the Slaves — Conduct of the Jamaica House of Assembly — Insurrection or Disturbance in 1832 and 1833 — Its real CauBes — Destruction of Mission Property — Wanton and awful Sacrifice of Negro Life by the Whites — Imprisonment aud Trial of Missionaries — Their triumphant Acquittal 66 Sect. in. The Apprenticeship System. — Its Impolicy, Injustice, and Cruelty — Inefficiency as a Preparative to Freedom — Special Magistrates — Excited and unsettled State of the Black Population as the Result of the Operation of this System — Representation of the State of Things by Missionaries — Messrs. Sturge, Harvey, and others 68 Sect.

IV. Total Emancipation. — Manner in which it was celebrated — Conduct of the Newly-Emancipated — Conduct of the Planters — Subsequent Differences — Establishment of New Villages — Restoration to Harmony and Peace — General Prosperity and Happiness 70

Chapter XII

intellectual character of the black people under slavery. Ignorance of Arts and Sciences — Of Reading, Arithmetic, Mechanical Arts, Civil Polity — Alleged Deficiency of Mental Capacity — Establishment and Operation of Schools — The Negro under Cultivation and Freedom — Notions of his iNatura] Inferi ority disproved — Proposal for the Establishment of a College — The great Importance and Advantages of such an Institution — Decline of Schools — Appeal for these objects to the British Public - CONTENTS. valence of a Spirit of Prayer— Piety and Fervour of Social Exercises - - - - - 122 Sect. III. — Sacrifices made by Members, of Time, Comfort, Property, and Freedom— Persecution- Martyrdom — Spirit exemplified under these circumstances - 129 Sect. IV. — Love of Converts towards each other — How displayed — Charity in the Treatment of Offences—Attention to Poor and Afflicted — Mutual esteem— Love for the Service of God's House — Attendance on the Means of Grace— Regard for the Interests of Zion generally — Attachment to their Ministers — Astonishing changes in Individual Characters 136 Sect.

V. — Zeal of Jamaica Christians — Their Libe" rality — Their great Personal and Individual Exertions — Class and Ticket System — Its Operation in Furtherance of the Gospel — Great Self-devotion of many of the Members of the Churches — Astonishing Effects produced by their Individual Labours Sect. VI. — Experience and Conduct of Members in general in seasons of calamity — On Beds of Sickness and Death — Their anxious Concern for the Welfare of the Churches to which they belong, and for the general Interests of Religion — Numerous Instances of Happy and Triumphant Deaths of Adults and Sunday-school Children - - 148

CHAPTER XVII.

principal instrumental causes to which these great results are to be attributed. Abolition of the Slave Trade — Effects of the African Institution — Of Anti-slavery and Agency Societies — Establishment and operation of Schools — Circulation of Bibles and Tracts — Moral Influence exerted by Missionaries — Their efforts for the Improvement of the temporal condition of the People — Insurrection or disturbances in 1832 and 1833 — Establishment and Operation of Schools — Peculiar System of Instrumentality employed by the larger Churches — Spirit of Prayer possessed by the People. Chiefly by the preaching of the Gospel, accompanied by Ike influence of the Holy Spirit - - 153

CHAPTER XVIII. INCREASED CLAIM OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, ES- PECIALLY ON THE

SYMPATHIES AND BENEVOLENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. Magnitude of the objects — Past Success — Condition of Africa, St. Domingo, and other neighbouring Islands, South America — Increased facilities which these fields of labour afford — Sympathies manifested by the Churches in Jamaica — Demand for these objects on the Christian Public — Sinsulness of neutrality in such a cause — Motives — Way in which this Cause is to be especially promoted 163 Appendix 174 LIST OF ENGRAVLNGS. Heathen Practice at Funerals, - Frontispiece- Cocoa, or Chocolate-tree, 26 Negro cutting Sugar-cane, 39 Agricultural Implements, .... 40 Planter and Negro-Driver, .... 51 Mulatto and Black Female of the Upper Classes, 62 Female Negro Peasant in her Sunday and Working Dress, 89 CHAFsER XIII. SOCIAL CONDITION. Negro Villages in Time of Slavery— Houses— Dress of Slaves — Personal and Domestic Habits — Licentiousness — Polygamy — Marriage — Treatment of Females — Indolence — Improvement in all these Respects — Opening of a New Township under Freedom — Number of new Settlements established — Growing Comfort and Prosperity of the Country — Evidences of these results - - - 84

Chapter XIV. Moral State And Aspects Of Society

Different Tribes of Africans— Peculiar Characteristics of each — Immoral Tendency of their Amusements — Funerals — Superstitions — Characteristic Vices — Contrast presented by the present Stale of Things— Description of a Funeral as now conducted — Causes of the Iste partial Revival of Obeism and Myalism — Decrease of Crime - 92

Chapter XV. Religious State

Sect. I. — Awful Destitution of Religion in the Island during the first Century of its Occupation by the British — Ignorance of the Black People— Idolatry — Superstition— Subsequent corrupted Christianity — Influence of Ignorant and Superstitious Teachers — Desecration of the Sabbath — Paucity of Places of Religious Worship; of Hearers — Clergy — Their unfavourable Opinion expressed to Parliament as to the Instruction and Conversion of the Slaves — Opinions of Infidel Philosophers - - 102 Sect. II. — Arrival of Missionaries — Opposition experienced — Subsequent Success — Abolition of Sunday Markets — Improved Observance of the Sabbath — Number of regular Places of Worship in 1813 — Number of Missionaries — Great Extension of Religion — Village Chapels — Attendance at Places of Worship— Average Size of the largest Congregations — Number of Missionaries of all denominations — Number of Native Assistants - - 106 Sect.

Ill — Number of Members in communion with each of the Churches and Denominations of Christians, and aggregate of Inquirers, &c, connected with each Denomination — Size of individual Churches — Manner of admitting Members — Wesleyans, Baptists — Number added to Baptist Churches at one time ; in one year — Total Number added to Baptist and Wesleyan Churches during tho last twenty years 1 10

Chapter XVI

religious state — continued. Sect. I. — Presumptive Evidences of the actual Piety of Jamaica Churches— Character of the Missionaries — Nature and Extent of Scriptural Knowledge possessed by Candidates for Church-fellowship — By Members in general — Manner of Admitting Members — Great Christian Principle and Feeling manifested by them .-.--. 1J5 Sect. II. — Description of Inquirers and Catechumens — Nature and Objects of Iheir Connexion with the different Denominations — Usual Term of Probation among Baptists for Church-fellowship — Average Number of Exclusions — Intimate Knowledge possessed by Ministers of the State of their Churches — Discipline, Faithfulness, and Impartiality of its .Administration — Christian Consistency of Members — Testimonies — Investigation of Cases of alleged Delinquency — Church Meetings — Members Knowledge of Scriptural Discipline — Distinguished Pre- JAMAICA: ITS PAST AND PRESENT STATE.

Chapter I

ven whereby men can be saved, but Jesus Christ, it is evident lhat the gospel must be universally diffused, and lhat "all nations" must be " subdued to the obedience of faith." And to this glorious event both promise and prophecy lead our expectations. " I saw," says Daniel, " in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of man came in the clouds of Heaven and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."* Thus there is to be a visible and territorial, if not an actual, subjugation of the whole world to the power and rule of the Redeemer.

Thrice happy and glorious period ! then the reign of darkness is to end and innocence and peace are to be enthroned. Innocence and peace, those blessed emblems of millennial happiness and glory. So will a new creation arise as from the ruins of the old, when the various ranks of being, no longer separated, shall form one beautiful chain of happy intercourse. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They CHRISTIANITY.

Its nature — Adaptation to the wants and circumstances of the World— Its designs— Its effects — The future glory of the Church — Particular instrumentality to be employed — Former neglect of the Church — Subsequent activity — First Missionary Society — Difficulties and Discouragements — Future and increasing Success. Christianity is a system of the most pure and exalted philanthropy. The field which it is designed to occupy " is the world," and its object the salvation of the whole human race, without any distinction of country, condition, or character. Revelation looks with the same benign aspect on the sun-burnt negro as on the inhabitant of a more temperate clime — to the bond as to the free — to the savage as to the philosopher; all are alike the offspring of the same common parent, involved in the consequences of the same apostacy, heirs of the same immortal destiny, and alike capable of being restored to the happiness and prerogatives of their exalted nature.

" God has made of one blood all the nations ofthe earth." " Darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people." And in that great day, when the purposes of God shall have received their full accomplishment, " a multitude which no man can number, out of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue," shall join in the eternal jubilee of the redeemed from amongst men. " They shall come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, and with Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God." But, as there is no other name given under hea- * Dan. vii. 13, 14. '2 JAMAICA; racier, so mysterious and powerful the dif ficulties against which it had to contend, and such she vaslness and grandeur of its aim, that an interest was associated with it unparalleled in any age since that of the Apostles.

The object contemplated, in deed, was regarded as a mighty and glorious, yet, in some respects, a dubious en terprise, requiring deep reflection in the plan, and no small degree of wisdom, courage, perseverance, self-denial, and simple yet firm dependence upon God in the execution. In this light it was viewed by the agents to whom it was at first entrusted. " Our undertaking to India," says Mr. Ful ler, " appeared to me, at its commencement, to resemble that of a sew men who stood deliberating about the importance and necessity of penetrating into a deep mine which had never before been explored. We had no one to guide us, and while we were thus deliberating, Carey said, as it were, ' Well, I will go down if you will hold the ropes ;' but before he went down he, as it seemed to me, took an oath from each of us, that while we lived we would never let go the ropes." shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full ofthe knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."* This representation of the future state of the world, it may be said, is exceedingly delightful ; but how is such a mighty revo lution to be effected ?

It is to be effected by the Gospel, accompanied by the Al mighty power of the Holy Spirit. " But how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without a preacher? and how can they preach except they be sent?" Human in strumentality is necessary in the order of means for the moral renovation of the world. The obligations under which all real Christians are laid should be felt, acknowledged, and, to the best of their abi lity, discharged ; for they come to ihem not simply as duties, but as commands enforc ed by the example, and enjoined by the authority, of Christ. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every crea ture."! Like the apostles, missionaries in every succeeding age were to be " sent unto the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, that they might receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sancti fied through faith which is in Christ.":): It is deeply to be regretted that it was not until a comparatively recent period that Christians in general seemed aware of their duty towards the heathen world ; and thus ages were suffered to pass away, during which it might be said by the eight hundred millions of our race who every thirty years pass into eternity as they cast their eye of distraction up to the frowning judge, " No man cared for my soul."

No sooner, however, did the Church awake from her slumbers than she clearly perceived her obligation : then she buckled on her armour, and was resolved, in the strength of the Lord, to take possession of the rich inheritance bequeathed to her. Hence, the formation of Missionary, Bible, Scriptural Education, and Sunday School Societies, and others of a similar nature, at once the ornament and glory ofour land. Thus began a new era in the history of the Church of Christ. Such, indeed, on the Nor were circumstances more favour able after the arrival of the first mission aries in Bengal. " Everywhere," says Mr. Ward, " we were advised to go back. Even one or two good men thought the at tempt utterly impracticable. India, in short, has been long considered an impregnable fortress defended by the gods.

Many a Christian soldier, it has been said, may be slain in the entrenchments, but the fort will never be taken." Under such circumstances did the first missionaries enter the field. They laboured long and hard, and, as they had anticipated, against obstacles calculated to appal the stoutest heart ; but, having thus counted the cost, and recognising the principle that no appearances however adverse alter ed their obligation, they still persevered, " trusting in God." The promised blessing was at length be stowed. Barrier after barrier began to give way and disappear. This success produced a reaction upon the churches at home, and the heralds of salvation were successively multiplied. And now let us ask, what are the results of an enterprise, the operations of which were so doubtfully and almost in auspiciously begun?

It may suffice to say that the results have exceeded the calculaformation ofthe first Missionary Society (in modern times) was the novelty of its cha- * Isaiah xi. 6 — 9. t Mark xvi. 15. J Acts xxvi. 18. tions of the most sanguine of the friends of missions. Whole nations have given up their gods. One island after another of the great southern archipelago has renounc ed its superstitions and assumed the Chris tian name, whilst, among the habitations of cruelty in the West, there is kindled a light which the united opposition of earth and hell will never be able to extinguish. The cloud of moral darkness which has for ages hovered over the continent of In dia has begun to retire — the spell of Brah ma is dissolving — the chains of caste are falling off — the wheels of Juggernaut are scarce ensanguined — the horrid custom of self-immolation has disappeared, and the " sacred tide of Jordan mingles with the Ganges."

From the borders of China extending along many of the shores of the eastern continent, and even to the interior of Afri ca, has the light of life extended. In al most every portion of the globe are church es and schools rising up, the landmarks of missionary progress, forming a beautiful contrast to the surrounding barrenness and desolation — churches " built upon the foun dation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." In almost every direction we are presented with increasingly bright ening prospects. In some parts of the field God is not only with his servants, but it may emphatically be said that he has gone before them. The ground appears to be already ploughed up to their hands. They have nothing to do but to cast in the seed, and it immediately vegetates and brings forth an abundant harvest.

All that seems wanted is increased liberality on the part ofthe Church to furnish more labour ers to gather it in. To change the allusion, no sooner is an attack made upon the powers of darkness than a retreat is sound ed, and all that seems required are rein forcements of men and increased pecuniary supplies to occupy the ceded ground. Allusion is here made more especially to the island of Jamaica, of which, as con nected with the work of God, the following pages, it is hoped, will furnish some inte resting particulars.

Chapter II. Sketch

op the island Civil History and Geographical Situation — Discovery — Settlement by the Spaniards — Conquest bv the British — Subsequent History. The island of Jamaica is one ofthe clus ter osislands called the West Indies, which extends from Florida, in North America, to the mouth ofthe great river Oronooko, in South America. They are divided into windward and leeward, or the greater and lesser Antilles. Jamaica (or Xaymaca) is one of the latter group, and signifies, in the language of the aboriginal inhabitants, " a land abounding in springs." It is situated between the parallels of 17° 39' and 78° 34' north latitude, and between 76° 3' and 78° 34' west longitude; 4000 miles southwest of England ; 90 miles west of St. Domingo ; and 435 miles north of Carthagena, on the South American con tinent.

It is nearly of an oval form, and is 180 miles long, and 60 in extreme breadth, containing about 4,080,000 acres of land, or 6400 square miles. Jamaica was discovered by Columbus on the 3rd of May, 1494, nn his second voyage to the New World. He had previously visited Hispaniola and Cuba. When first discovered by the Spaniards, the island is said to have been densely populated by Indians, a race of men (unlike the Charilis — cannibals who inhabited some of the windward islands) benevolent and mild in their dispositions ; of great simplicity of manners; and by no means unskilled in some of the arts of civilized life. They were assimilated, indeed, in these respects, as well as in appearance and language, to the aborigines ofthe contiguous continent. Sailing a southwest course from the east end of Cuba, Columbus approached the north side of the island, and being defeated in endeavouring to effect a landing at Santa Maria* (now Port Maria), by the hostile demonstrations ofthe natives, he proceeded to another harbour, a little to the north ward, which he called Ora Cabessa, and there, after encountering similar opposition, which he subdued by discharging several of his arbaletes, or pieces of cannon, among the assailants, he planted the royal standard of Spain. * So call' d after the name of h 'first ship.

JAMAICA : pecting the manner in which their generosity would be repaid. Meanwhile Columbus sought deliverance from his forlorn situation. With this view he despatched his secretary, Diego Mendez and Fieski, two of his most intrepid and faithful officers, in two boats, furnished with ten Indians and six Casti lians, to Ovando, the Governor of His paniola, 200 leagues distant, for assistance and supplies. Mendez at the same time was appointed by the admiral to proceed lo the Court of Spain, with a memorial to the King. Ovando, to gratify his revenge on Columbus, with whom he was at enmity, instead of affording him the required relief, basely took advantage of the admiral's calamities, by adding to them mockery and insult. A latent suspicion had long been lurking in the breasts of some of his com panions, that they had incurred Ihe dis pleasure of the Government at home, and ofthe Viceroy of Hispaniola, on account of their fidelity to Columbus, and the late oc currence tended to confirm that impression.