On this occasion, as on many others, I am thankful for that fortitude and energy of mind which has enabled me so often to baffle what the world may term affliction. I will confess to you still more. While I was in this instance, as it were, singled out like a deer from the herd, I ever felt the glow of conscious innocence, and contemplated with ardour that happy period when some fortuitous combination of circumstances, would enable me to develope to the world the crimes of tyrants, who, availing themselves of an appointment originally given for the best of purposes, perverted it to the worst, and, who so far disgraced their authority by acting like a · Bashaw of Tripoli, a representative of the Grand Seignior, not like colonial Governors, emanating from the bounty of a merciful and beneficent Sovereign. I shall not tresspass further on your patience, except to remark, that these facts being handed to you, will tend to disclose to my fellow-subjects in Great Britain, that however happy they may be, however much they may pride themselves in being the first subjects in the world, in being situated under the influence of an impartial goyernment, that is ever ready to punish those who dare oppress them, I say, Sir, it will make them acquainted how far tyranny may be exercised by one fellow-subject over another, at this remote distance from the fountainhead of redress.

Vale.

LETTER XVIII,

The Author arrives in New York, and re-assumes an historical Detail of the Affairs of Trinidad-Proclamation of the 27th of April-Indignant Conduct of Brigadier-General Picton-Commodore Hood's Departure -Orders issued to seize and detain Colonel FullartonEmbargo-Colonel Fullarton's Proceedings at Barbadoes-An extraordinary Advertisement-Dispatches from Lord Hobart, defining the Powers vested in the First Commissioner-The Colonel returns to TrinidadThe Brigadier's Conduct on that Occasion-Colonel Fullarton's Proclamation Brigadier-General. Picton superseded, and takes a French leave of the Colony, and is addressed by his Panders, together with his Answer-The Joy of the Inhabitants-Proceedings of the Colonel till his final Departure for England, and the affectionate Testimonials of the British Inhabitants.

NEW YORK, August, 1803.

DEAR SIR,

ON

On the 18th of April last, I was banished

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from the island of Trinidad, by order of Commissioners Picton and Hood, and arrived here on board the schooner Almira, Capt. Kingsland, on the 19th of May, in an ill state of health; but I am now, thank God, so

far recovered as to be able to continue the historical transactions of that Island, according to the information I have received. On the passage, Capt. Kingsland informed me, that he at first refused to take me, but after a short time spent in negociation, and a compliment of seven hundred dollars, reluctance vanished. The reason why, in all probability, they were so anxious for my going in this vessel was, because part of her crew were sick of the yellow fever; and one gentleman, who was returning to New York, actually died on board. By the active measures which the commissioners adopted, it seems reasonable to suppose that they calculated either on my death or the total ruin of my health. However, they have been disappointed; and I hope some time or other to appear in judgment against them.

After I was banished, the reign of terror continued, together with illegal imprisonments and mutilations; and many who were thought capable of giving evidence against the Brigadier, were illegally sent off the Island. On the 27th of April, the following proclamation came before the public:

"TRINIDAD.

"A PROCLAMATION.

"By their Excellencies Brigadier-General THOMAS PICTON and Commodore SAMUEL HOOD, his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Governor of Trinidad, S.

"WHEREAS it now appears that Colonel William Fullarton, his Majesty's First Commissioner for this, Government, hath withdrawn himself therefrom, and from the duties thereof, without his Majesty's leave, and without permission from us, or any consultation with his Majesty's Council of this Island: We do, therefore, by and with

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the advice of his Majesty's said Council, hereby proclaim and declare, that we consider and deem the said William Fullarton no longer officiating as one of his Majesty's Commissioners in the government of this Island; and we require all persons, civil and military, to govern themselves accordingly.

"Given under our hands and seals, at the Council-Chamber, at Port d'Espana, this twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three, and in the forty-third year of his Majesty's reign.

"By Command of their Excellencies,

"THOMAS PICTON. "SAMUEL HOOD.

"JOSEPH WOODYEAR, Secretary."

On the 28th, the Brigadier ordered the sentinel to be withdrawn from Colonel Fullarton's house, and threatened the people employed to fill up with earth some ravines made round the house to carry off the stagnated waters, at the same time commanding them to desist on the pain of being sent to prison; and actually made a couple of carts, that were employed filling up the ravines with earth, to be unloaded in sight of the front gallery where Mrs. Fullarton and Miss M'Kay were standing, who were attracted there by his loud vociferations.

After issuing the above proclamation, and vesting all powers of government solely in the hands of the Brigadier, Commodore Hood sailed from Trinidad; but, before he sailed, he gave orders to the officer commanding one of his Majesty's armed brigs in the Gulf of Paria, to obey such instructions as he might receive from the Brigadier, who, accordingly, gave orders to seize the schooner Start, whenever she arrived, and detain Colonel Fullarton prisoner. An embargo was laid on all vessels in the port, garrison and militia orders, together with one for martial law, were even issued and to be in force on

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the firing of three guns. At this time it was expected, that, after the Colonel had surveyed the Island he would return to Port of Spain, and therefore it was understood, that all these orders were contrived for the purpose arresting and detaining him, but in this the Brigadier's views were frustrated; for the Colonel, instead of anchoring at Port of Spain, and proceeding by violent measures to re-assume the government, sailed from Point Icaque, across the Gulf of Paria, directly for Barbadoes, where he received dispatches from Lord Hobart, dated the 23d of April, expressing, that the King had been graciously pleased to accept of the Brigadier's resignation, approving of the first commissioner's arrangements, for the establishment and benefit of white settlers, and defining the powers and authorities vested in the first commissioner. The Colonel also received notice of the following extraordinary advertisement respecting the criminal records.

"ADVERTISEMENT.

"WHEREAS it appears that Thirty-Six Criminal Processes, in original, have been illegally removed from the office of Record of the Public Scrivener Don Francisco de Castro, (who had been in consequence confined and suspended,) and notwithstanding every endea vour to discover the same, no satisfactory information has been obtained And it being of the utmost importance to the community to recover those papers, Public Notice is hereby given, that a reward of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS will be paid to the person or persons, who will deliver us, or either of us, the said Thirty-six original Criminal Processes, or give such information as will lead to a discovery thereof; and if any person or persons are hereafter convicted of having concealed the same, after this notice, he or they will be prosecuted according to law.

"Port Espana, 7 "16th of April, 1803.

"JOHN BLACK.

"NICHOLAS SAINT FE."