The History of Barbados; Comprising a Geographical and Statistical Description of the Island; a Sketch of the Historical Events Since the Settlement;

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 edition. Excerpt: ...estimation of the merits of his administration. His Lordship took his departure from Barbados on the 25th of July 1806. CHAPTER X. PERIOD FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT SPOONER IN 1806 TO THE INSTALMENT OF SIR JAMES LEITH AS GOVERNOR. Mr. John Ince as President of the Council was to succeed as Commander ad interim. On the very day which had been appointed for swearing him into office, he closed his earthly career. His death was occasioned by an accident, a negro's driving a horse furiously against him (about a fortnight previous to his death) just as he had mounted his own, from which he was thrown and received a contusion which ultimately proved fatal. The senior member in succession to the President's chair, Mr. John Spooner, was sworn in as President and Commander-inchief on the 31st of July, and took up his residence at Pilgrim. At the first meeting the House voted three thousand pounds currency per annum for the better support of the dignity of his government. President Spooner alluded in his address to the total want of a police in Bridgetown, --a theme which had been frequently dwelt upon, though hitherto without effect. As early as April 1805 the Council transmitted a bill to the House of Assembly, which had passed it unanimously, entitled an "Act for the better protection of the Slaves of this island/' which repealed a disgraceful clause in one of the old statutes, punishing merely with a fine of fifteen pounds currency the murder of a slave. At the Court of Grand Sessions on the 9th of December, at which Mr. John A. Beckles presided as Chief-Justice, John Welch was indicted for the murder of his slave. In the excellent charge which the Chief-Justice delivered to the Grand Jury, he drew their attention to the repeal of...