"19. Entire liberty of fishing, as well on the coast of "St. Vincent's, as at the neighbouring keys, is to be allow"ed them. "20. In all cases, when the Charaibes conceive them"selves injured by his majesty's other subjects, or other per"sons, and are desirous of having reference to the laws, or to the civil magistrates, an agent, being one of his majesty's natural born subjects, may be employed by them"selves, or if more agreeable at his majesty's cost. "21. No strangers, or white persons, are to be allowed "to settle among the Charaibes without permission first "obtained in writing from the governor. "22. These articles subscribed to and observed, the "Charaibes are to be pardoned, secured, and fixed in their property accordingly to his majesty's directions given, "and all past offences forgot. "23. After the signing of this treaty, should any of the "Charaibes refuse to observe the condition of it, they are "to be considered and treated as enemies by both parties, "and the most effectual means used to reduce them. 24. The Charaibes shall take the following oath; viz. "We, A. B. do swear in the name of the immortal God, and Christ Jesus, that we will bear true allegiance "to his Majesty George the Third, of Great Britain, "France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, "&c. and that we will pay due obedience to the "laws of Great Britain, and the island of St. Vincent; " and will well and truly observe every article of the "treaty concluded between his said Majesty and the "Charaibes; and we do acknowledge that his said. "Majesty is rightful Lord and Sovereign of all the "island of St. Vincent, and that the lands held by us "the Charaibes, are granted though his Majesty's ❝clemency. CHAPTER IV. Leeward Charaibean Island Government, comprehending St. Christopher's, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, and the Virgin Islands.-Civil History and Geographical Description of each.-Table of Exports from each island for 1787; and an account of the money arising from the duty of four and a half per cent.-Observations concerning their decline; and a short account of the islands of Bermudas and the Bahamas. HE British Leeward Islands, since the year' TH 1672, have constituted one distinct government; the governor being stiled Captain General of the leeward Charaibean islands. He visits each occasionally, but his chief seat of residence is Antigua; the government of each in the absence of the governor-general, being usually administered by a lieutenant-governor, whose authority is limited to that particular island, and where no lieutenant-governor is appointed, the president of the council takes the command. I shall treat of them separately, and afterwards combine, in a concise summaVol. II. 18 |