ship Arethusa, and Captain Wood, of the Favourite sloop, for their assistance; as also Lord Craven and Lieutenant-Colonel Soter. The number of Methodists in society in Barbadoes amounted to only twenty-one. "This gloomy aspect (they say) begat within us some serious thoughts of quitting the island altogether." Annual Register, 1797, p. 54. General Abercrombie's Official Letter. Official letter from Rear-Admiral Henry Harvey, Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels at Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands. Dated off Port d'Espagne, in the Gulf of Paria, Feb. 21, 1797, to Mr. Nepean. "SIR, "I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of their lordships, that it having been determined an attack should be made on the island of Trinidad, both with a view to that colony, and to the Spanish squadron, which had been there for some time past, the troops intended for this expedition from Martinico were accordingly embarked in the ships of war and transports, and I sailed from Fort Royal Bay the 12th instant, with the ships and vessels of his Majesty's squadron under my command. Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercrombie embarked with me in the Prince of Wales. the "The Invincible had previously sailed for Barbadoes, with two transports, to embark a part of the 14th regiment; and the Thorn and Zebra were ordered to receive the detachments from Tobago; Favourite was sent to St. Vincent, to collect some troops from that island; and the whole were ordered to rendezvous at the island of Cariacou, one of the Grenadines, on or before the 13th; and on my arrival at that island, on the 14th, I found all the ships and transports were assembled. "On the 15th, in the morning, I sailed with the squadron and transports, passing between Cariacou and Grenada; and on the 16th arrived off Trinidad, and stood towards the Gulf of Paria; when having passed through the great Bocas Channel, at halfpast three in the afternoon, the Spanish squadron were discovered at anchor in Shagaramus Bay, consisting of four sail of the line, under the flag of a rear admiral, and one frigate. As the day was well advanced before I approached the bay, and the enemy appeared in strength on Gasparaux Island, which commanded the anchorage, by batteries erected for that purpose, I ordered ceed a little farther up the gulf, and anchor, with all the transports. The Alarm, Favourite, and Victorieuse were ordered to keep under sail above the transports during the night, and prevent any vessels sailing from Port d'Espagne. "In the evening, just before dark, I anchored with the ships of the line, in order of battle, opposite to the enemy's squadron, within random shot of their ships and batteries, and in constant readiness to prevent their escape during the night, which I suspected they might attempt, as all their sails were bent, and they appeared perfectly ready for sailing. "At two o'clock in the morning of the seventeenth, we discovered one of their ships on fire, and soon after three others, all of which burnt with great fury until near daylight, when they were entirely consumed. One of them having escaped the conflagration, the boats were sent from the squadron, and she was brought out without having received any damage. "I have great satisfaction in acquainting their lordships, that this squadron of the enemy, commanded by Rear-Admiral Don Sebastian Ruiz de Apodaca, were destroyed or captured, according to the list I herewith inclose; and although this service was effected without any other act of his Majesty's squadron under my command, than being placed in such a situation as to prevent their escape, I am fully convinced, that had they remained at their anchorage until the next day, the officers and men whom I have the honour to command, would have completed, by their exertion and zeal, the capture of the whole, notwithstanding the advantage of their situation, under the cover of about twenty pieces of cannon and three mortars, which were mounted on Gasparaux Island, and had been placed there for the sole purpose of defending the ships in the bay. That island, which, like the ships, had been abandoned during the night, was taken possession of soon after daylight by a party of the Queen's regiment. "General Abercrombie, early in the morning, joined the Arethusa, and the troops In May, the missionary at Nevis reported that he had added about 100 new members since that time last year, but that their numbers did not exceed 400. The legislature of Grenada passed an act, imposing a tax of £100 on manumissions, and allowing an annuity of £10 for life to the freedman. The following is the preamble of the act: "And whereas the manumitting and setting free slaves, diseased, blind, aged, or otherwise disabled from working, without making provision for their sustenance and comfort, ought to be prevented, as it obliges them to ramble about and beg for subsistence, which frequently compels them to the necessity of robbing and stealing, and leads them to other bad practices to support themselves: - and whereas it is also necessary to discourage the two frequent and indiscriminate manumission of slaves, without a sufficient provision being made for their support." The first Methodist chapel ever built in St. Bartholomew's was erected this year. The following letter from Mr. Turton, the first missionary, traces the origin and progress of Methodism in that island. "For the space of four years I resided at Antigua, where I exhorted occasionally in the societies. In 1785 I went to America, and travelled on the Long Island circuit for some time. Upon returning to Antigua, I preached in several parts of the island, when, at the request of Mr. Baxter, I visited Tobago. Soon after my arrival there, the place was invaded by the French, who made dreadful devastations, through the whole island. For several days and nights I was exposed to the open air, having no other shelter but a bush to skreen me from the sun by day and the cold by night, and with scarcely any food to sustain nature. This brought on a fit of sickness, from which I did not get free for some months. Coke's West Indies, vol. iii. pp. 22. 81. Reasons for establishing a Registry of Slaves. London, 1817, p. 45. under the direction of Captain Woolley, covered by the Favourite sloop, about three miles from the town, without opposition. The general took possession of the town the same evening; and the 18th the governor desired to capitulate for the whole island, and the articles were agreed to, and signed the same day, a copy of which I herewith transmit. "Captain Harvey, of his Majesty's ship Prince of Wales, will have the honour to deliver this dispatch, from whom I have always experienced the greatest zeal and attention to his Majesty's service. "I have the honour to be, "Sir, "Your most obedient humble servant, "HENRY HARVEY." List of Ships burnt and captured in the Shagaramus Bay, February 17th, 1797, by the SHIPS. squadron under Rear-Admiral Harvey. GUNS. San Vincente ........ 84 COMMANDERS. Rear Admiral Don Sebastian Ruiz de Apodaca. Don Gabriel Sorondo. 74 Don Raphael Benasa. Don Teref Jordan. (Taken.) San Damaso (Burnt.) "After the French evacuated the island, I resided with one or two kind families; but every thing being destroyed by fire, we were in a dreadful situation; and finding it, on these accounts, exceedingly difficult to collect a congregation, I removed to the island of St. Bartholomew in the month of December, very ill of a fever. But the kind hand of Providence having restored me to health, I made application to the governor for the use of the church, which he readily granted. At first, when I began to preach, there were many prejudiced against me, and I had a variety of difficulties to encounter. House-rent was so very high, that I was obliged to give two joes per month for a small place to reside in; nor was it in my power to obtain lodgings with a family, to save that expence. However, after a little time, things changed for the better, and a prospect of doing good made its appearance. "Prior, however, to this favourable change, I found myself so badly situated, that, receiving no encouragement from my brethren in the neighbouring islands, I was ready to sink into despondency, and resolved at times to leave the work in whicn I was engaged, but was providentially prevented, for which I desire this day to be unfeignedly thankful. Thus having obtained help from God, I resolved to persevere, and to do the best in my power. I therefore opened a school, intending to take in only twelve scholars, but by the advice of my friends I enlarged it. "In the latter end of 1797, David Nisbest, Esq., an English gentleman residing in this island, advised me to build a small chapel, as it was inconvenient to preach in the church at night, and as that was the best time for meeting the Negroes. Being thus encouraged, and having obtained the patronage of the governor, I applied to all with whom I had any acquaintance for assistance in this undertaking, and met with such success, that in a little time we built a little chapel, forty-seven feet in length and twenty-six in breadth, and likewise a dwelling-house adjoining to it. Several very respectable gentlemen contributed handsomely to the work. My good friend Mr. Owens visited me from another island, as I was proceeding in the building, and seeing there was a prospect of much good being done, encouraged me to proceed, hinting, that though a little debt might be incurred, he hoped the British conference would send us some assistance. This was a cordial to my mind: I set out with fresh life and energy. The Lord revived his work, and it has increased ever since. When we first began to build the chapel, our society consisted only of thirty members, but it is now increased to 110. About a month ago Mr. Owens favoured me with another visit. He met some of the classes, and was greatly satisfied with them. Our meetings are lively: many are under deep convictions; and the divine presence is felt in our assemblies. I think a preacher who could speak French would be very acceptable in this island, as the French inhabitants have shewn me much kindness. It is a common saying among the poor people, particularly the Negroes, that, since the preacher has come to our island, the Lord has given us water to drink,' meaning, that they had been blessed with rain, which, for many years, they had not in such abundance. I have many things which I could wish to say, but the vessel sails directly, and I must conclude, begging to hear from you by the first opportunity. 31st Aug. 1798. "I remain, Rev. Sir, "Your Servant in Jesus Christ, Captain Ricketts to Sir Hyde Parker. "La Magicienne, off the island Zacheo, "28th December, 1797. "SIR, "Having received information that several brigs and schooners belonging to the enemy were in Guadilla Bay, in the island of Porto Rico, I proceeded there with his Majesty's ships La Magicienne, Regulus, and Diligence. On the 27th, at noon, we anchored close abreast of the forts, and, after an hour and half cannonading, captured every vessel under their protection. To Captain Carthew I am indebted for the very gallant and able support that I, on this occasion, met with, (as well as many others since the Regulus has been under my orders.) Captain Meads, who commanded the boats that took possession of the vessels, executed that service much to his own honour and highly to my approbation; indeed every officer and man belonging to the squadron is fully entitled to my best thanks and praises. "I am, &c. 66 "W. H. RICKETTS." ! Upon the 17th September, his Majesty's sloop Pelican, Captain Thomas White, attacked the Trompeuse, French privateer brig, of twelve six pounders and seventy-eight men. At forty-five minutes past eight the Pelican opened her fire in crossing, then wore under Coke's West Indies, vol. iii. p. 81, Naval Chronicle, vol. xx. p. 7. Annual Register, 1797, p. 168. Official Letter. 'French ships taken or destroyed in the West Indies. L'Harmonie, 44, was run on shore at St. Domingo, and destroyed by Captain W. Ogilvy, in the Thunderer, 74, and Captain E. Crawley, in the Valiant, 74, upon the 17th of April. La Republique Triomphante, 14, was taken by Captain T. Boys, in the Severn, 44, and Captain J. Gascoyne, in the Pelican, 18, in December. British ships lost. His Majesty's ship Tartar, 28, Captain the Honourable C. Elphinstone, was lost on St. Domingo in April; the crew were saved. Lacedemonian, 12, W. Wrench, was taken in May. Maria Antoinette schooner, 10 guns, Lieutenant J. M'Inerheny, was run away the Trompeuse' stern, and continued firing until twenty minutes past nine, when the Trompeuse made all sail away. The Pelican was disabled in her rigging; but as soon as it was repaired, Captain White made every exertion to get alongside the French vessel again. At forty-five minutes after twelve he succeeded, and began to fire into her; in ten minutes afterwards the Trompeuse blew up abaft and struck her colours, and at fifteen minutes past one she went down by the head and was totally lost. The Pelican sent her boats immediately, and saved the lives of sixty of the crew. Sixty-seven French, one Dutch, and five Spanish privateers were taken in the West Indies this year. Upon the 22d of September, Captain Pigot, of the Hermione frigate, and all his officers, except the surgeon and one master's mate, were murdered, as well as most of the marines, in all forty persons, by the crew, who mutinied and carried the ship into La Guira. The mutiny was headed by Captain Pigot's own coxswain, who had been four years with him. He cut off the captain's head while he was asleep. February the 14th, John Forbes, Esq. was appointed captaingeneral and governor-in-chief of the Bahama islands, vice the Earl of Dunmore. March the 8th, the Honourable Andrew Cochrane Johnstone was appointed captain-general and governor-in-chief of the island of Dominica. April the 14th, William Bentinck, Esq., was appointed captaingeneral and governor-in-chief of St. Vincent, Bequia, and such other of the islands commonly called the Grenadines as lie to the northward of the island of Cariacou. George Beckwith, Esq. was appointed governor and commanderin-chief of the Bermuda islands. April the 18th, Stephen de Lancey, Esq. was appointed captaingeneral and governor-in-chief of Tobago. Captain-Lieutenant Spicer, of the royal artillery, was appointed lieutenant-governor of Fort Royal in St. Domingo, September 30th. November 20th, William Dowdeswell, Esq. was appointed captain-general and governor-in-chief of the Bahama islands. The island of Jamaica exported 7,931,621 pounds of coffee this year. The population of Trinidad consisted of 2151 Whites, 4476 free people of colour, 10,009 slaves, 1082 Indians; total 17,718. 1798. His Majesty's ships Acasta and Ceres, under the command of Captains Lane and Otway, off Puerto Rico, heard that a French Steele's Naval Chronologist. Annual Register, 1797, pp. 174, 186. 188. |