RepR.es E NiT^TIONS 
 
 of the Bdardiif^rade re- J 
 hating to th6 State of the^ 
 BrH'tJh lifands in. Jffie- 
 ' r'ica^ with regard-tp their 
 Strength^ theit TradEj 
 and Fortifications, '• 
 and to what inayhe fur¬ 
 ther necefliiry for the 
 Fncouragement and Se¬ 
 curity of thofe [hands. 
 
Die Martis, i8 Febr. 1734.. 
 
 O Rdered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in 
 Parliament affembled, That the Reprefoitation of 
 the Coiimiiljiojjers Jor Trade and Plantations, laid be¬ 
 fore this Hoiife the 13th Lay of this Lijlant February, 
 in Obedience to His Majejiys Commands, purfuant to 
 their Lor dpips Addrejfes to His Majejiy of the ift 
 and 5 th Lays of April laf, relating to the State of 
 the Britilh Ifla 7 ids in America, with regard to their 
 Trade, their Strength, and Fortifications, and to what 
 may be further necefary for the Fncouragenwit of 
 their Trade, and Security of thofe ljla?tds; As lihe- 
 wife to fitah Encouragements as may be ne^jfary to en¬ 
 gage the Inhabitants of the Britifh ColonieW, '^^be-Con-^l 
 thient in America, to apply their Tndufiry to We Cultiva¬ 
 tion of Naval Stores of all hinds, and of fuch other Pro- 
 duBs as may be proper for the Soil of the faid Colonies, 
 and do not interfere with the Trade or Produce of Great 
 Britain, be forthwith Printed. 
 
 W” Cowper, 
 
 Clef Farliamentof 
 
REPRESENTATION 
 
 FROM T H E 
 
 Commissioners for Trade and 
 Plantations, 
 
 To the Right Honourable the 
 
 Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 
 In Parliament Aflembled, 
 
 In piirfuance of their Lordiliips AddrelTes to His Ma- 
 jefty of the jjt and ')t/j of Jpril, 1734. relating to the 
 State of the Britijh Hands in America^ with re¬ 
 gard %o their Trade, their Strengt h, and 
 Fortific ATIONS, and to what may be further ne- 
 ceffary for the Encouragement of their Trade, and Se¬ 
 curity of thofe Klands: As likewife to fuch En¬ 
 couragements as may be neceifary to engage the In¬ 
 habitants of the Brkrjh Colonies on the Continent in 
 Ajiierka, to apply their Induftry to the Cultivation 
 of Naval Stores of all kinds, and of fuch other Pro- 
 duds as may be proper for the Soil of the faid Colo¬ 
 nies, and do not interfere with the Trade or Pro¬ 
 duce of Great Britain. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed by John Baskett, Printer to the King’s 
 moll: Excellent Majefty. 1734. 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual 
 and Temporal in Parliament affembled. 
 
 May k pleafe Tour Lordjhlps, 
 
 11 S Majefty hath been pleafed by His Orders of 
 the Fifth and Sixth of 1734, upon Your 
 ^ Lordlhips Addrefles of the Firft and Fifth of 
 
 1 the lame Month, to diredl the Commiffioners 
 
 2 for Trade and Plantations to prepare, durino- 
 * the Recefs of Parliament, and lay before you^r 
 > Lordfliips at your next Meeting, a State of the 
 ^ Bniijh IJIands in America^ with Regard to 
 I their Trade, their Strength, and Fortifications, 
 , together with their Opinion what may be fur- 
 
 iieceflary for the Encouragement of their 
 - i Security of thofe Iflands; and alfo to revife and confider the 
 
 leveral Propofals that may at any time have been laid before them re- 
 ating to fuch Encouragements as may be necefl^ry to engage the In¬ 
 habitants of the Britip, Colonies on the Continent in America to 
 apply their Induftry to the Cultivation of Naval Stores of all kinds ’ and 
 hkewife of fuch otlier Produds as may be proper for the Soil of the 
 faid Colonies, and do not interfere with the Trade or Produce of Great 
 Britain, 
 
 In treating thefe Subjeds, we fliaU follow the Order obfert'ed by your 
 Lordlliips in your Addreffes to His Majefty, which leads us to bevin with 
 what relates to the Trade, the Strength, and Fortifications of our Ifiand 
 Colonies in Amertca, namely, Jamaica, Barbadoes, the Leeward Bands 
 ihz Bahama s and the Bermuda or Summer Bands, of which the Three 
 firft mentioned are called Sugar Colonies, and are of great Importance to 
 the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom. 
 
 i ‘^jnaka confifts in an Exchange of its Produdions and 
 Merchandize, for the Manufactures and Merchandize of Great Britain 
 Ireland, ^Jjea, ths Bnfijls Colonies on the Continent of America, Ma¬ 
 dera, and the Bay of Honduras. 
 
 c. thither, are Woollen Cloths and 
 
 Stuffs of all Sorts, wrought Silks, plain and brocaded. Hats of various 
 ® kinds. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 kinds, Leather both tanned and wrought, German and Dutch Linens, 
 Cordage, Bees-wax, feveral forts of Drugs and Grocery, Paper, Wine, 
 Soap, Tea, Coffee, Arrack, Eajl India Silks, Stuffs and Calicoes, and 
 feveral other Particulars of lefs Conlideration. 
 
 In Exchange for thefe Goods, the People of ’Jamaica furnifli us with 
 the natural Produftions and Merchandize of that llland. Sugar, Rum, 
 and Moloffes, Cotton, Piemento (commonly called ’Jamaica Pepper) 
 Ginger, Fuftick, Ebony, Lignum Vita, Mahogony, with many other 
 kinds of valuable Timber and Wood proper for Dying, and for the Ule 
 of our Cabinet-makers, and Carpenters j we likewife import Indigo from 
 Jamaica, which was formerly a Produftion of that Ifland, but is now 
 brought thither from the French Colonies. 
 
 The annual Amount of our Exports to Jamaica, at a Medium of Four 
 Years from Chrifimas, 1728, to Chrijimas, 1732, as it Hands comput¬ 
 ed in the Cuftom Houfe Accounts, appears to have been L. 147,675 2 34 
 
 The Medium of our Imports from Jamaica in the lame Year, 
 is---;-1-539.499 18 34 
 
 So that the annual Excefs of our Imports in that Period is no lels 
 than-----£,.391,824 15 114 
 
 But it muff not be imagined, that this Excefs is a Debt upon Great 
 Britain to the Ifland of Jamaica ; a Part of it muft be placed to the Ac¬ 
 count of Negroes fent to the Spanifi Wefi Indies by our Sottth Sea Com¬ 
 pany, the Produce of which is returned to England by way of Jamaica ; 
 another Part of the Debt due to our African Traders, from the People of 
 Jamaica, for'the Negroes, which are purchafed and remain there for the 
 Service of the Ifland; a Third Proportion mull: be placed to the Account 
 of our Northern Colonies on the Continent of Atnerica, who difcharge 
 part of their Balance with Great Britain, by Confignments from Ja¬ 
 maica, arifing from the Provifions and Lumber with which they fupply 
 that llland, all which will appear more fully in the following Articles: 
 The remaining Part of the Excefs, in our Importations from this Colony, 
 is Profit made upon our Trade, whether immediately from Great Britain, 
 or by way of Africa ; and laftly, it is a Confideration of great Importance 
 in the General Trade of Great Britain, that part of the Sugar and other 
 Merchandize which we bring from Jamaica, is re-exported from hence, 
 and helps to make good our Balance in Trade with other Countries in 
 Europe. 
 
 The Particulars with which Jamaica is fupplied from the Britip 
 Colonies of North America, are. Flour, Bifcuit, Corn, Beef, Pork, 
 Butter, Salt, Filh, Rice, Staves, Hoops, Timber in feveral Shapes, and 
 Horfes; great Part of which is paid for in Rum, Sugar, Moloffes, Gin¬ 
 ger, with other Produdions and Merchandize of the Ifland, and the 
 Balance difcharged with Money, fome Part of which, as hath been al¬ 
 ready obferved, is remitted to Great Britain. 
 
 From 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 From the Coafl: of Africa large Numbers of Negroes are carried to 
 yumaica, of which many are re-exported from thence by the South Sea 
 Company, to make good their Ajjiento Contradt with the Spaniards ; 
 another Part of them are re-exported by Private Traders, both to the 
 Spaiiijh and French Settlements in their Neighbourhood ; fome are fent 
 to the Britili} Colonies in North America, and the reft are purchafed by 
 the People of the Ifland, to carry on their Sugar Works and Plantations. 
 
 We cannot enumerate the Particulars which Ireland exchanges with 
 Jatnaica, our Office not being fupplied with Cuftom Ploufe Accounts 
 from that Kingdom ; but in general it appears, from Accounts tranfmit- 
 ted to us by the Naval Officers in Jamaica, that Ireland has always fup¬ 
 plied that Ifland with large Quantities of Beef, Pork, Butter, and other 
 Provifions; for which it is to be prefumed, the Returns are generally 
 made to this Kingdom, becaufe the People of Ireland have not, till very 
 lately, been allowed to bring Home any Part of the Produdl of the Plan¬ 
 tations diredtly to Ireland, and even, at this time, are reftrained to fuch 
 Commodities, as are not enumerated in our Ads of Navigation. 
 
 From the Ifland of Madera the People of Jamaica import large 
 Quantities of Wine ; and from the Bay of Honduras they are fupplied 
 with great Quantities of Logwood, in Exchange for Provifions and other 
 Nece&ries which they furniflr to the Logwood Cutters. 
 
 With Regard to the Strength and Fortifications of Jamaica, the Mi¬ 
 litary Eflabfifhment there confills of Nine Regiments of Militia, with 
 their fuperior and fibaltern Officers, all of them commiffioned by the 
 Governor, agreeable to an Ad of Affembly, for regulating the Militia 
 in this Ifland. 
 
 By our laft; Returns from the Governor of Jamaica upon this Subjed, 
 it appears that in 1730, the Number of Wmte Inhabitants did not ex¬ 
 ceed 7,644 Perfons, and the Militia, including Horfe and Foot, was 
 then computed at 3,000 Men, difperfed over all the inhabited Part of 
 the Ifland. 
 
 For fome Years paft there have been Two Independent Companies of 
 His Majefty’s Forces quartered in Jamaica ; and His Majefty hath lately 
 been pleafed to order Six other Independent Companies, of One hun¬ 
 dred Men each, to be tranfported thither for the Defence and Protec¬ 
 tion of this Colony. 
 
 There are Six Forts in Jamaica, the principal of which is Fort 
 Charles at Port Royal, lately rebuilt, and in a good State of Defence : 
 The Second is called the Rock Fort upon the Harbour of Kingfion : 
 There is a Third lately built at Port Antonio ; and the other Three whicli 
 sect CiW&A Fort Williufn. Fort Morasit, clsA. sFs. Fort ox Casdife Bay, are 
 in very bad Repair. 
 
 Fort Charles has a Captain and a Lieutenant, with other fubaltern 
 Officers, and Twelve Gunners: There is a Captain of the Train of 
 
 Artillery 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Artillery in SpaniJJi Tow/i ; and vve are in conftant Expedlation of hear¬ 
 ing, that proper Officers are appointed for the new Fortification at Pori 
 Antonio ; which is all that we have to offer to your Lordfhips, in Anfwer 
 to that Part of your Addrefs, which relates to the prefent State of the 
 Trade, the Strength, and Fortifications of Jamaica. 
 
 We come now to ghe your Lordjbips an Account 
 of the like Particulars, with Regard to the 
 IJland of Barbadoes, which was fettled more 
 early, and hath leen improved with more In- 
 dufiry and Vigour, than any other of His Ma- 
 jejlfs Territories in America. 
 
 T H E Iflands comprized in His Majefly’s Commiffion to the Gover¬ 
 nor of this Colony, are, Barbadoes, S'" Lucia, Dominico, St. Vin¬ 
 cent's, Tobago, and the reft of His Majefty’s Iflands, Colonies, and 
 Plantations in America, commonly called by the Name of the Charibbee 
 IJlands, lying to the Windward of Guardaloupe j but of thefe only the Ifland 
 of Barbadoes is regularly fettled, whofe natural Produdtions are. Rum, and 
 Molofles, Ginger, Cotton, Aloes, and feveral kinds of Fruits. 
 
 Sugar is the principal Commodity in the Trade of this Ifland, which 
 confifts in an Exchange of that, and its other Produftions, for the 
 Manufadtures and Merchandize of Great Britain, Ireland, and the 
 Britifi Colonies on the Continent of America, and Slaves from Africa. 
 
 The general Exports from Great Britain to Barbadoes, between 
 Chriflmas, 1728, and Chriftmas, 1732, according to their Valuation 
 in the Cuftom Houfe Books, amounted, at a Medium of thofe Years, 
 to - -- — -- L. 85,780 15 -j per Ann. 
 
 Our Imports from Barbadoes, at a like Medium of the fame Years, 
 amounted to ----1,.246,599 13 104 
 
 Therefore the annual Excefs of our Imports from this Colony, during 
 that Period, was - ---i. 160,818 18 34 
 
 There is little or no Variation between the Commodities which Bar¬ 
 badoes receives fi'om Great Britain, Ireland, or our Northern Colonies 
 in America, and thofe which we have already enumerated to your Lord- 
 Ihips under the Title of Jamaica 5 and the Excefs of our Imports fi'om 
 Barbadoes muft be accounted for in the fame manner, by Money due 
 to Great Britain from our American Colonies, and for Slaves brought 
 to Barbadoes by o\xx African Traders. 
 
 With 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 With Regard to the Strength and Fortifications of this Kland, which 
 being the moft Windward of all His Majefty’s Colonies in America^ is 
 therefore of very great Importance, on Account of its Situation : It ap¬ 
 pears from the Anfwers we received to our general QiKries, from the 
 Governor of this Colony, in tire Year 1724, that there were in Ear- 
 badoes no lefs than 22 Caftles and Forts, and 26 Batteries mounted 
 with 463 Pieces of Ordnance; but it was computed at that time, that 
 about 100 Pieces of Cannon were wanting to compleat the Fortifica¬ 
 tions ; that moft of the Cannon in the Ifland were honey-combed ; all 
 the Fortifications in a ruinous Condition; and all the Military Stores 
 and Arms in the Magazines gone to decay; all which having been 
 lately reprefented to the King, by the prefent Governor and Council 
 of Barbadoes, it is not to be doubted, but that His Majefty will be pleat¬ 
 ed to give proper Diredtions thereupon. 
 
 The Militia of this Colony confifts of one Troop, two Regiments of 
 Horfe, and feven Regiments of Foot, of which, two bear the Title of 
 Guards. The Number of Men contained in thefe Corps is always 
 relative to that of the White Inhabitants; for by the Aft of Militia, all 
 Freemen are obliged to enter themfelves in the Regiment of their own 
 Diftridl. In 1724, there were 18,295 White Peifons in a- 
 
 mongft whom they reckoned 4,812 Men able to bear Arms, which was 
 therefore the Number of the Militia ; and thefe, with a few Matrofles 
 and Gunners, for the Management of their Batteries, is all tire Mili¬ 
 tary Force of this Ifland. 
 
 We now come to give your Lordjhips an Account 
 of the Leeward Iflands. 
 
 T H E Territories which compofe His Maiefty’s Government of 
 the Lenuard Iflands, are, Antigua, St. Chriftopher's, Nevis, and 
 Mountferrat, with their Dependencies; Barbouda, and Anguilla, 
 Spanijh Town, Tortola, and the reft of the Virgin IJlands. 
 
 The Commerce of thefe Colonies is almoft entirely the fame with 
 that of Barbadoes ; They have Trade with Great Britain, and Irelasid, 
 the Britijh Colonies of North America, Madera, and Africa j and 
 the Goods they import from thefe Countries, and exchange with them, 
 are of the fame kinds with thofe enumerated under the Titles of Jamaica 
 and Barbadoes. 
 
 The annual Value of our Exports to the Leeward Islands, between 
 Chrijlmas, 1728. zniChriJlmas, 1732. amounted, at a Medium of thofe 
 
 Years, to----- L. 69,410 15 94 
 
 C The 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 The Medium of our Imports from thofe Colonies, during the lame 
 Period, was-Z«.642,269 9 64 
 
 So that the annual Excefs of the latter, was-i. 572,858 13 9 
 
 which mult be accounted for in the lame manner with the Excels of 
 dur Imports from Barbados. 
 
 Ireland fupplies the Leeward Blands with Beef, Pork, Butter, Her¬ 
 rings, and Salmon, as likewife with Linen Manufadured in that King¬ 
 dom, to the Amount, as it has been computed, of 40,000 L per Annum^ 
 the Value of which is balanced by the Sugar and other Produdions of 
 thole Countries, returned to Great Britain, 
 
 On the Coaft of Africa, the People of the Leeward Islands have fome- 
 times purchafed Negroes with their own Rum, which is a valuable 
 Commodity in Guinea, and with the Goods which they import from 
 Great Britain for that Purpofe. 
 
 At the Maderas, they buy large Quantities of Wine, which they 
 pay for with Negroes and Provilions, or by Bills of Exchange drawn 
 Spon London, 
 
 To the Britip Colonies in North America, they fend Rum and Mo- 
 lolTes, in Exchange for the Produdls of thofe Countries, which we have 
 already delcribed, 
 
 Amongll the Virgin Islands, which are very numerous, and extend a- 
 bout 60 Leagues from Ball: to Weft,, only three, Anguilla, Spanijh Town, 
 and Tortola, are as yet fully inhabited by His Majelty’s Subjeds. 
 
 Thefe have no immediate Intercourfe with Great Britain, or any 
 Part of Europe, and their Commerce hath hitherto been fo inconliderable, 
 as not to'deferve the Eftablilhment-ofCuftom Houfe Officers to fuper- 
 intend it. 
 
 As to the Strength and Fortifications of thefe Colonies, in the Year 
 1724, there were 12,420 Whites in all the Illands, who are now re¬ 
 duced to 10,262 Perfons, of which Number there are 3,284 Men, and 
 confequently the Militia cannot exceed that|Number, whereas in 1724, 
 it conlifted of 3,513 Men, divided in the foUowing manner j 
 
 X .Antigua ■ • 1,400 
 
 - J St. Chrijlopher's — 1,200 
 
 1 Nevis ■ — 300 
 
 L Montjerrat . • « 350 
 
 .3.250 
 
 C Anguilla — — ■ 85 
 
 .'In < Spanip-Town-^—- 78 
 
 C ’tortda — 100 
 
 Total 3,513 
 The 
 
( II > 
 
 The Fortification of greatefl Importance in the IflanJ of Antigua, Is 
 Monks Hill Fort, which is at prefent mounted with 30 Pieces of Ordnance 
 pf different Sizes, and has a Magazine with about 400 Muikets, and 
 700 Bayonets, in good order : There is alfo another Fort in this Ifland, 
 ereded at the Mouth of St. Johih River, mounted with 14 Pieces of 
 Cannon; and Seven other Batteries raifed for the Defence of fo many land¬ 
 ing Places, which together are mounted with 46 Pieces of Ordnance, 
 
 The principal Fortification in the Bland of St. Chrijiopher’s, is a Fort 
 erefted on Erirnjlone Hill, which is furnilhed with 49 Pieces of Cannon 
 of different Dimenfions, and contains a Magazine, which is at prefent 
 fupplied with 16,000 Pounds of Powder, 700 Firelocks, 500 Bayonets, 
 and fome other Military Stores. 
 
 Charles Fort is another Fortification of this Ifland, which is furnifhed 
 with 46 Pieces of Ordnance, of different Dimenfions, and a fuffici'ent 
 Quantity of Military Stores. ■ Mr. Mathew, the prefent Governor of tlie 
 Leeward Islands, informs us, that they are now imployed in repairing 
 and compleating the Fortifications of Londonderry Fort, fituated to the 
 Eaftward of the Town of Bajjeterre, which will proted that Side of the 
 Bland, and there are Six other Batteries in St. Cbrijlopher's, ereded at fo 
 many landing Places, wliich togetlier are mounted with 43 Pieces of Ord¬ 
 nance. 
 
 There is only One old Fort in the Bland of Nevis, mounted with 19 
 Guns; and One Fort or rather a Battery of Seven Guns in the Bland 
 .of Montferrat, exclufive of a fmall Number of old difmounted Cannon, 
 formerly planted for the Defence of different landing Places : And thefe 
 Two laft mentioned Iflands feem at prefent to be incapable of putting 
 .themfelves into a better Pofture of Defence, having fuffered very much 
 from the Enemy in the late War, to whofe Depredations tliey would be 
 very much expofed in cafe of another. 
 
 We com now to /peak of the Bahama Iflands, 
 which are of Importance to Great Britain, on 
 Account of their Situation^ and when they 
 fhall once he fully peopled and cultivated, may 
 alfo come to he confiderahle for their Produce 
 tions and Commerce. 
 
 T hese, Produdlons are Salt, which Is made in the Bland of 
 Exuma, and other of the Bahama's, in fo large a Quantity, as 
 would be fufficient to fupply all th&.EngliJh Colonies in Ame¬ 
 rica ; Large Sugar Canes, Mahogony, Cedar and Pine fit for 
 huilding Veffels, Palmetto Trees, whicli afford a Produdlion sailed Plat, 
 
 of 
 
of which they make Hats equal to thofe of Bermuda, Mancliineel Prince 
 Wood, Lignum Vita, Brown Ebony of a ftrong Aromatick. Scent, witli 
 great ^antities of Braziletto, Fuftick, and other Dying Woods; Senna, 
 Gum Elemi, Guiacum, Maftick, with feveral other Gums and Medi¬ 
 cinal Dmgs; Citrons, Oranges, Limes, and other kinds of fine Fruit, 
 are all faid to be produced in the Bahama’s-, their Pine-apple is thought to 
 be the beft in America, and their Soil is capable of bearing moft Sorts of 
 Provifions, as well as Cotton, Ginger, Sugar, Tobacco, and in general 
 every Thing that is produced in any Part of the Weji Indies. 
 
 They have great Plenty of Turtle. They find large Quantities of Amber- 
 grccce upon their Coafts, and make Train Oil of the Whales and other 
 Filhes which they take there. 
 
 From the Year 1723, to the Year 1728, it was computed that all their 
 Imports from this Kingdom did not exceed the Value of L. 2,000 fer 
 Ann. divided upon Woollen and Silk Manufadlures, Eajl India Goods, 
 Linen, Shoes, Haberdafliery, and Small Wares, afmalK^ntity ofSpice 
 and Grocery, Stationers Goods, Arms, Ammunition, Cordage, Anchors, 
 and fome otlier fmall Articles. 
 
 They likewife take a fmall Quantity of Provifions from Ireland, as well 
 as from South Carolina and other Parts of America, which lall are paid 
 for with Turtle and Fruit, and in exchange for their Salt, they import the 
 Sugar and other Produftions of Jamaica. 
 
 In the Year 1728, they computed Five hundred White Perfons on the 
 Ifland of Providence, which is the only one of the Bahama’s that is peo¬ 
 pled in any Degree, out of whom they have formed Six Companies of 
 Militia, which with one Independent Company in His Majefly’s Pay, is 
 all the Military Force in thefe Iflands. 
 
 For many Years paft there hath been one Fort in the Ifland of Provi¬ 
 dence, and in 1728, they began to build another, to command the Eaft 
 Entrance of the Harbour, which are all the regular Fortifications in the 
 
 It now remains^ that we give your Lordjhips 
 an Account of the like Particulars in the 
 Bermuda or Summer Iflands ,• 
 
 W Hofe Produdtions are Cedar, Palmetto Trees, and Train Oil drawn 
 from the Ihiall Whales that are taken on their Coafts, with finall 
 Quantities of Tobacco, Pine-apples, Oranges, Onions, Potatoes, 
 and Cabbages. 
 
 Of 
 
Of tl;e Tr.p' of Palmetto Trees they make the abovementioned Straw 
 called P/;//, which is worked up in Hats for the Ufe of Womens which 
 bear the Name of thefe Iflands; But the moft material Article in their pre- 
 fent Trade, is that of Sloops built of their own Cedar, which are diftin- 
 guillied like wife by the Name of the Iflands, and are equally remarkable 
 for their Form and the Excellency of their failing. 
 
 The People of Bermudas build annually between Twenty and Thirty 
 Sloops, which generally fail out in Ballaft to the Salt Iflands, from whence 
 they carry Salt to fome Part of the Etiglip Continent of America, where 
 they trafiick for Lumber and Provifions; and when they are not able to 
 purchafe a Cargoe, they take one in upon Freight, and fo fail to the Bri- 
 tifi Iflands in America, or from one Part of the Continent to another, 
 and having at lafl; difpofed of their Sloop, they return to Bermuda’s in order 
 to build a new VelTel for an Adventure of the like nature. 
 
 This is the ordinary Round of Trade purfued by Four Parts in Five of 
 all the Veflels that are fent out of the Summer Islands ; and by the Sale of 
 thefe Sloops, the Bermudians are fupplied with Pieces of Eight, and with 
 Sugar, Rum, Rice, Cocoa, Pitch and Tar, Logwood, and other dying 
 Stuffs, Deer Skins, and other Produftions of America, which being ad¬ 
 ded to their Plat, and fent to England, they are thereby enabled to take 
 off large Quantities of our Woollen Manufactures, Eajl India Goods, 
 Linen, Houfliold Furniture, Haberdafliery, and in general all thofe Com¬ 
 modities which are comprehended by Merchants under the Denomination 
 of Dry Goods. 
 
 In the Year 1729, there were upwards of 5,000 V/hite Perfons in the 
 Sunmier IJlands, who are divided into Eight Tribes; and the Militia con- 
 fifts of one Company of Foot drawn from each Tribe, which togedier 
 form a Regiment of about 1,000 Men j and thefe with one Independent 
 Company in His Majefty’s Pay, and one Troop of Horfe of about 100 
 Men, exclufiveof Officers, isalltheMilitary Force in thefe Iflands. 
 
 The Fortifications in the Bermuda's are the Khig’s Fort, mounted with 
 29 Pieces of Ordnance, and Six other open Batteries, mounted with 41 
 Guns, but for feveral Years paft they have all been in a very ruinous Con¬ 
 dition. 
 
 H a v I \ G thus deferibed the prefent State of our Ifland Colonies in the 
 Wijl Indies, with refpeft to their Trade, their Strength, and Forti¬ 
 fications ; we come now to that Part of your Lordfliips Addrefs, which re¬ 
 quires us to give our Opinion of what may be further necelfary for the En¬ 
 couragement of the Trade, and Security of thefe Iflands; whereupon we 
 beg leave to obferve to your Lordfliips, that as Sugar is the ProdudVion of 
 greatefl Confequence in Barbadoes, the Leeward IJlands, and Jamaica, 
 the Profperity of thofe Colonies will therefore depend in great Meafure 
 upon the Confumption of that Commodity in His Majefly’s Dominions, 
 and the Price it will fell for in the other Markets of Euroh'. 
 
 D ' Tile 
 
The life of Sugar in tills Kingdom has augmented very much in the 
 laft 30 Years, which is undoubtedly owing to the increaled Confumption 
 of Tea and Coffee within that Period ; but on the other Hand, our Ex¬ 
 portations of this Commodity have of late Years diminiflied very confide- 
 rably, which mull be attributed to the great Encreafe of the French Plan¬ 
 tations, and the large Quantities of Sugar brought into Europe from thole 
 Settlements, as well as by the Dutch and Portugueze, which may be af¬ 
 forded, and are adlually fold much cheaper than Sugars imported from the 
 Englijh Colonies. 
 
 The principal Caufes that concur in creating this Difference in the Price 
 between EngliJIi and Foreign Sugar, are the great Charges attending our 
 Navigation, the high Duties impofed upon our Sugars at Importation, the 
 Importation of French Sugars into Ireland, .tSiA. above all, the great Ex- 
 pence our Planters are at in cultivating this Commodity; fome of our Su¬ 
 gar Illands being almoll worn out, dptciiSIg Barbadoes, where many more 
 Hands, and much more Manure are requifite than in the frelh Lands lately 
 planted by the French in Hijpaniola, and other Parts of xktWeJi Indies. 
 
 With refpedl to the Charges of our Navigation, it would be impolfi- 
 ble to give our Traders any Relief in this Particular, without break¬ 
 ing through fome eftablilhed Cultoms, and making great Alterations in 
 feveral Laws, by which many general Charges have been impofed upon 
 Shipping, for the Repair of Peers and Light-houfes; but they have long 
 been defirous of the Liberty of carrying their Sugars diredlly to all the Eu¬ 
 ropean Markets, to the Southward of Cape Fhiijierre ; and we would hum¬ 
 bly liibmit it to your Lordlhips, whether fuch a Liberty might not be 
 granted under proper Reftridtions. 
 
 They likewife propofe, that the Redudtion Ihould be made upon the 
 Duties payable upon Rum imported into Great Britain, apprehending 
 that fuch a Redudtion would not interfere with the Sale of our Britip Spi¬ 
 rits, but rather with French Brandies and other Foreign Spirits, which carry 
 great Sums of Money out of the Kingdom, whereas Rum is paid for in our 
 own Manufadbires. 
 
 With refpecl to the Advantage which the French derive from the Frelh- 
 nefs of their Sugar Plantations, it is impoffible to preferibe any Remedy 
 which might put our Planters in Barbadoes, and the greateft Part of the 
 Leeward IJlands, upon a Par with them in this Particular, becaufe, as we 
 have already obferved, the Soil of thofe Countries, efpeciaUy Barbadoes, is 
 much exhaiifted. 
 
 But in the Ifland of ’Jamaica there are very large Tradls of Lands pro¬ 
 per for bearing Sugar Canes, and capable of moll other American Produc¬ 
 tions, which have not yet been cultivated; and we are forry to oblerve to 
 your Lordlhips, that the moll fertile and bell lituated Lands in this Colony 
 have been formerly granted to private Perfons in fuch exorbitant Quanti¬ 
 ties, that at prefent there remains very little or no Land for the Reception 
 of new Comers, unlefs they purchafe it at.a very high Price, except in 
 fuch Parts of the llland as are very much expofed, and lie under fuch Dif- 
 advantages as may jullly deter Men from fettling upon them. 
 
 We 
 
We cor.ceivc tlie beft Means of promoting the Profperity of "'Jamaica, 
 and of fccuring the Poflcffion of it to Great Britain, would be to take 
 all poflible Melliods to people it with White Inhabitants, and to encou¬ 
 rage every kind of Agriculture proper for the Soil, and capable of be¬ 
 ing carried on by People of fmall SubPance; but though we have long 
 underftood this to be the principal Intereft of Jamaica, we conceive it 
 impoflible to invent Methods of attrafting new Inhabitants thither, whilft 
 the Lands of the Country remain confined, as they are at prefent, in the 
 PolTeffion of a few wealthy Planters. 
 
 The People of Jamaica have appeared fo lenfible of thefc Truths, 
 and of the ill Confequences that might arife from them, that in the 
 Year 1722. they made a Law for verting all fuch Lands in the Crown, 
 for which the Proprietors had paid no Qmt Rents, within a certain 
 time, upon Condition that the Lands, fo forfeited, fliould be regranted 
 in fmall Parcels to new Inhabitants, under certain Conditions mentioned 
 in the Adi. 
 
 Four other Adis tv'ere afterwards parted j for purchafing more Land 
 to the Publick ; for the Ufe and Encouragement of New-comers; for 
 building a Town to be called by the Name of Portland ■, and for form¬ 
 ing a Settlement at Port Antonio, which is a Port of Conlequcnce in 
 the North Eaft Part of Jamaica. 
 
 But either thefe Adis were infufficient to efiedluate the Purpofes for 
 which they were JefignoU, or tkc, EAceuuun of them hath been evad¬ 
 ed, or tie Intention of them weakened by fubfequent Laws j becaufe 
 thofe Lands have not been purchafed by new Inhabitants, but for tire 
 moft part lie rtill uncultivated, and the Ifland is more deftitute than 
 ever of White Inhabitants. 
 
 We are humbly of Opinion therefore, that if the People of Jamai¬ 
 ca will not be induced to frame an Adi, which may divert: particular 
 Perfons of thofe extenfive Tradts wlrich now lie uncultivated, this may 
 be a proper Subjedl for the Confideration of the Britip Parliament, by 
 whofe Authority an effedtual Method may be taken, to reaflume thofe 
 ancient Grants that have hitherto been ufelefs, even to their Owners, as 
 well as the Publick ; or otherwife, to put the Proprietors under a Necef- 
 fity of cultivating them. 
 
 This Reform in the State of Jamaica will be the more necellky, 
 as it is, in reality, the only Means that can effedhially provide for the 
 Domertick Happinefs of that Ifland, or fecure the Porteflion of it to 
 Great Britain ; and on the other hand, were that once done to the 
 Extent the Country is capable of, it would not only be in a Condition 
 to defend it felf againft any Force that could be raifed by the future. 
 Enemies of Great Britain in America ■, but might alfo prove a Bul¬ 
 wark to the rert of His Majerty’s Sugar Plantations, and be able to give 
 diem Aflirtance, in cafe of a Rupmre with the French Colonies in their 
 Neighbourhood, which from the Freflinefs and Fertility of their Soil, 
 joyned with other Advantages in Commerce, are become very flourifhing' 
 and profpercus. ’ It 
 
( >6 ) 
 
 It remains that we mention two other Points to yoiir Lordfnir-s, 
 which are effential to the Profperity of all Plis Maiefty’s Planta¬ 
 tions, and efpecially to the Illaiid Colonies; namcU, That the Care 
 which hath hitherto been had to guard the Coaft of /Ifrica, by Sitips 
 of War, from Pirates, be duly continued, that fo the Rate of Inlurance, 
 which is an heavy Clog upon Commerce, may be kept low, and our 
 Colonies receive a conftant Supply of Slaves, without which they cannot 
 poffibly fubfift ; Secondly, That in Time of War, fuch a Squadron of 
 BritiJJ} Ships may be Rationed in the We_ft Indies, as may be able to 
 give the Law to our Enemies at Sea ; without which all other Difpo- 
 fitions that can be made in our Dominions there, will be fruitlels 5 and 
 the French, in cafe of a Rupture with that Crown, will be able both 
 to invade our Plantations, and prey upon our Navigation, in fuch a 
 manner, as might in a fliort time prove fatal both to one and tire other. 
 
 From the Defeription we have given your Lordfliips of the Bahama 
 IJIands in the foregoing part of this Reprefentation, it might be highly 
 reafonable to expedt great Advantages in Trade from Countries that 
 abound with Produdlions of fo rich a Nature, if thofe Iflands were fully 
 peopled j but hitherto the Number of their Inhabitants hath been too 
 fmall to admit of a confiderable Trade, and until they fliall be en- 
 creafed, we cannot propofe any new Improvements with refpeft to their 
 Commerce. 
 
 We beg leave however to obferve to youi LurdtWps, that thefe 
 Iflands, which lie in the Gulph of Florida, and near the Windward 
 Paflage, may, from their Situation, prove of great Confequence to this 
 Kingdom, in cafe of a Rupture with Spain, by receiving fuch light Fri¬ 
 gates, as may be Rationed there for the Protedion of our own Trade, 
 betwixt the Iflands and Continent of America ; or for intercepting 
 Spanifi or Freiich Ships in their Voyages between Europe and the Spa- 
 nifi Weft Indies. 
 
 The Bermuda or Summer IJIands, having for many Years been well 
 
 3 led and cultivated, their Commerce hath been extended as far as can 
 be expedted from fuch fmall Colonies j nor can we add any thing 
 to the Account we have already given of it to your Lordfliips in this 
 Report, unlels they fliould be induced to turn Ibme prt of their Land 
 into Vineyards, which might probably produce as good Wine as the 
 Madera’s, 
 
 Thefe Iflands lie in the midR of a very tempeRuous Ocean, and are 
 furrounded by a Chain of Rocks, moR of which lie under Water, 
 when the Tide is at the higheR, fo that their Security from the Inva- 
 fions of foreign Enemies feems to be provided for by their natural Si¬ 
 tuation ; and indeed it is affirmed by Voyage Writers of the beR Au¬ 
 thority, That the Spaniards never thought of planting a Colony in 
 thefe Iflands, and nmde no other Ufe of their Difeovery, than to avoid 
 them in their Navigation between Europe and the Indies. 
 
 With 
 
With Regard to your Lordfliips Addrefs of the 5th of April, 1734, 
 that we flrould revife and confider tire feveral Propofals, that may at 
 any time have been laid before us, relating to fuch Encouragements as 
 may be neceflary to engage the Inhabitants of the Britijh Colonies on 
 the Continent in America, to apply their Induftry to the Cultivation of 
 Naval Stores of all kinds, and likewife of fuch other Produdls as may 
 be proper for the Soil of the faid Colonies, and do not interfere with 
 the Trade or Produce of Great Britain j we beg leave to acquaint your 
 Lordlhips, That we have frequently reprefented the great Advantage that 
 would arife to this Kingdom, from receiving fuch Supplies of Naval 
 Stores from our American Colonies, as might render us independent of 
 our Northern Neighbours, in an Article fo highly important to the 
 Defence, the Trade, and Navigation, of Great Britain: We have 
 never failed to urge the Neceffity of this Propofition, upon all fit Oc- 
 cafions, and the Legiflature have often made it the fubjedt of their Con- 
 fideration. Hence the feveral Adts have taken rife, which heretofore 
 gave Prcemiums upon the Importation of Naval Stores from the Britifi 
 Colonies in America, which were attended with fo good Succefs, as to 
 reduce the Price of fbme of thofe Stores very confiderably, particularly 
 of Pitch and Tar. 
 
 But as all thefe Adts expired In I724.. except thofe that related to 
 Hemp, we therefore thought it our Duty to reprefent in the Year 
 1727. that it might be neceflary to fettle new Prammns upon Naval 
 Stores, imported from our Plantations, though not in the fame Degree 
 as they had been given by the former Adb; and a Law did pafs in the 
 fuGceeding Seflipn of Parlianient. intituled. AnABfor better Preferva- 
 tion of His Majejty's tl^oods in America, and fir the Encouragement of the 
 Importation of Naval Stores frotn thence, and to encourage the Importa¬ 
 tion of Majls, Yards, and Bowfprits, from that Part of Great Britain 
 called Scotland 5 by which, Provifion was made againfl: the Deflrudtion 
 of His Majefty’s Woods in America, and Premiums fettled upon the 
 Importation of Mails, Yards, and Bowfprits, Tar, Pitch, and Turpen¬ 
 tine ; fo that Iron is the only Article of Naval Stores which remains de- 
 Ilitute of any Encouragement upon Importation into this Kingdom from! 
 our American Colonies. 
 
 The Deputy Governor of Maryland hath informed uS, by his Letter 
 dated the i6th of OBober laft, that if Iron was eafed from die prefent 
 Duty of Importation, a large Supply of that Commodity might be im¬ 
 ported into this Kingdom from Maryland, and the Neighbouring Pro¬ 
 vinces. 
 
 He is alfo of Opinion that very good Wine might be made there, if 
 the Inhabitants had proper Encouragement to attempt fo new a Thing. 
 
 The Deputy Governor of Pennfylvania acquaints us, in his Letter 
 dated the 31ft: of laft, that this Province produces Hemp and 
 
 Iron, which laft is generally allowed to be as good as any whatfoever, 
 and, that upon proper Encouragement, Pennfylvania, and the Neighbour¬ 
 ing Colonies, might be able to fupply Great Britain with confiderable 
 Qrantities of this neceflary Commodity. 
 
 He 
 
He adds, that Flax is found to agree fo well with their Soil, that it 
 is not to be doubted, but a confiderable Progrefs will foon be made in 
 raifing this Commodity : That the Mulberry Tree grows fo naturally, 
 and the Silk-worm thrives fo well there, as to give them a diftant Pro- 
 fpeft of a Silk Manufafture ; and that fome Elfays have been made 
 towards the manufafturlng of Pot-aflies, which he believes would, with 
 fuitable Encouragement, be brought to Perfedtion, 
 
 The Governor of South Carolina, in his Letter of the 9th of November 
 laft, acquaints us, that hitherto Rice, Tar, and Pitch have been the Staple 
 Commodities of that Province; but that they have lately made fome Pro¬ 
 grefs towards the raifing Hemp, and that Perfons of Judgment believe that 
 good Flax might alfo be produced there, if neceffary Encouragement was 
 given for the Propagation of it : They have made fome Diljiolitions both 
 here and in Georgia, for manufaduring Pot and Pearl Alhes, and they have 
 lately propagated a large Number of White Mulberry-trees for the Subfift- 
 ence of Silk-worms, in hopes of accomplilhing a Silk Manufadlure : Their 
 Soil' is alfo drought capable of producing good Vines j and they have hopes, 
 that feveral valuable Drugs might be produced in Georgia, which they de- 
 fign to bring from Natolia, Syria, and other Places in the Streights, that 
 lie in the fame Latitude with this Province ; But the Governor adds, that 
 Praemiums are neceffary to bring thefe Undertakings to perfection, which 
 South Carolina is not at prefent able to give 5 to which he adds, this Pro¬ 
 vince likewife abounds with live Oak, Cyprus Trees, and other kinds of 
 Timber, which would be proper for the Ufe of the Navy, if fuch Boun¬ 
 ties were fettled upon them as might anfwer the great Expence of Freight 
 t9?this Kingdom, and by that means make it pradlicable to import them. 
 
 It may be proper for us to acquaint your Lordlhips under this Head, 
 that the Liberty given by an Ad paffed in the Third Year of His prefent 
 Majefty, for Exporting Rice direSlly from South Carolina to any European 
 Ports SoiitpMrd of has had a very good Effedl, and it be¬ 
 
 ing now near expiring, we would beg leave to fubmit to your Lordlhips, 
 whether it may not deferve to be continued. 
 
 A Bill did formerly pafs the Houfe of Commons, wherein the Encourage¬ 
 ment propofed for importing Iron in Pigs and Sows from America, was, the 
 taking off the Duty payable upon it at Importation, which amounts to 
 Three Ihillings and nine pence half-peny per Ton; and this Encouragement 
 would, in our Opinion, engage the Planters to fumilh us with fuch Quan¬ 
 tities of Iron in Pigs and Sows as might be fufficient for the Ufe of our 
 Manufadhires. 
 
 We import annually into this Kingdom about 20,000 Tons of this 
 Commodity, the greateft Part of which is brought from Svieden, and paid 
 for with ready Money ; fo that in our humble Opinion nothing could be 
 more prudent, or indeed more neceffary for the Welfare of Great Britain, 
 than to give fuch Encouragement to the Importation of Iron from our Plan¬ 
 tations, which abound both with Oar and Wood for the Ufe of the Fur¬ 
 naces, as might render us independent of our Northern Neighbours, for a 
 Supply of a Commodity fo effential to the Support of our Fleet, and of our 
 Navigation in general. 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 We annually import from iSWot only about 14,300 Tons, which, com¬ 
 puted at no more than 10 /. fe?- Ton, would amount to upwards of 
 143,000 L the which we pay to that Kingdom in ready Money; and there¬ 
 fore an Encouragement upon the Importation of this Commodity may be 
 the more neceffary at this time, becaufe the People of America having dif- 
 covered feveral Iron Mines, and fetup Forges, it is to be feared, that they 
 will work up their Iron in Manufactures, which may be prejudicial to thofe 
 of this Kingdom, if fome effcaual Means be not found out to induce them 
 to import it in Pigs and Sows into G/'eat Britain. 
 
 Thus we have laid before your Lordfliips what hath occurred to us, con¬ 
 cerning the Cultivation of Naval Stores, and fuch other Produdts as may be 
 proper for the Soil of our American Colonies j and as fome of them, par¬ 
 ticularly the Northern Provinces, do very much referable Engla 7 td in their 
 Climate, Soil, and Produdtions, we conceive that the moft natural and the 
 only effedlual Method of keeping the People there from raifing Sheep, and 
 eftablifliing fuch Manufactures as might in time be detrimental to the 
 Trade and Manufadtures of Great Britain, will be to continue theprefent 
 Bounties upon Naval Stores, and give Encouragement to the Importation 
 of Iron, and fuch other Particulars as the Wifdom of the Legiflature fliall 
 think advantageous for Great Britain to have from thofe Countries, as 
 may induce them to apply their utmoft Induftry in the Improvement of 
 fuch neceflary Commodities, of which there will always be a conftant and 
 large Confumption in His Majefty’s Kingdoms. 
 
 All •which is mojl humbly fubmitted. 
 
 Whitehall, January 14, WESTMORELAND. 
 
 1734-5- 
 
 P. DOCMINIQ.UE. 
 T. Pelham. 
 
 Edw. Ashe, 
 
 Orl° Bridgeman. 
 M. Bladen. 
 
 Ar. Croft.