Aug. 2.

regiment of Tyson, which had been formerly commanded by Barrington; and, instigated by Raymond, the men unanimously declared that they would no longer live under military restraint. The two colonels made a pretence of the good reception which D'Oyley gave to the Cavaliers, to persuade the veterans attached to them by long service under Cromwell, that he encouraged so many of the Royal party with a view to the expulsion of the Parliament men; and this conviction determined them to set up Raymond in D'Oyley's place. They raised the standard of revolt, and proclaimed their purpose of settling the island under a civil government, electing constables, and apportioning the country to certain detachments of their adherents. The conspiracy was discovered, and the enterprise failed; not, however, before the mutineers had entered Saint Jago, and were joined by many who were panting for the extermination of the Royalists. D'Oyley saw that the danger was imminent, and was compelled to suppress it by such an act as might strike terror into the breasts of the minor actors in the plot. He immediately put himself at the head of the Royalists, drove the conspirators from the town, and captured both Raymond and Tyson. Major Hope of the Liguany regiment assisted in the suppression of this rebellion, by prevailing on the greater part of the men to abandon these disaffected officers to their fate; yet so much was D'Oyley alarmed at the threatening consequences of his pre

VOL. I.

R

sent unpopularity, that he had ordered a transport to be in readiness at Passage Fort, to receive him in case of failure. The fortunate issue of the affair rendered other measures necessary. He summoned a court-martial, and, although unauthorised by any express commission to punish such offences capitally, the two colonels were condemned to be shot upon the ground on which they stood; while their adherents were pardoned or punished according to the magnitude of their offences, or the measure of their power. The valiant Raymond (he deserves that praise) met his fate with a magnanimity worthy of a better cause; but his fellow-sufferer, who so recently after his gallant exploit in freeing the island from the last remaining Spaniards, had unwarily pledged himself to a participation in a crime from which he could not retreat, appeared overwhelmed by the magnitude of his offence, and the ignominy of his end. The trial and execution of these officers took place under a tamarind tree, described as growing near the river below the old Hall of Audience; and tradition still points out the spot.

Aug. 14th.

To disappoint the last hopes of the Parliament party, only twelve days after this violent attack upon the Royalists, a man-of-war arrived with the union jack at the mast-head; and communicated intelligence of the Restoration, which had taken place on the 29th of the preceding May. The news was received with every demonstration of joy; a day was appointed for the solemn proclamation of

King Charles II.; and while the inhabitants of St. Jago were thus employed, another of his Majesty's ship's appeared in the offing, and seeing the rejoicings on shore, fired a royal salute as she entered the harbour. These ships came away, however, without orders, and brought only vague intelligence of what was passing in England. No instructions reaching the Governor, the people conceived that they should all be called off immediately, and that the island would be restored to the Spaniards, with whom Charles had long been leagued. This very natural suspicion put an immediate stop to the business of the colony; the sugar-works were thrown up; the plantations dismantled; and every white inhabitant prepared to quit the island. The mischievous growth of vegetation, and the frequent inundations of rain or rivers, were no longer checked by the vigilance of labour; and it is incredible to those who know not the soil and the climate, how soon this cessation operated on the face of the country, and proclaimed the need of constant husbandry.

May 29.

In this state of suspense the colonists remained until the 29th of May in the following 1661. year; and it is a curious coincidence that the first communication between the King and his subjects in Jamaica, arrived on the first anniversary of the day which had restored him to his throne. On that day the Diamond frigate arrived, and four days afterwards, the Rosebush. These ships had

sailed in company, and brought a commission from his Majesty to D'Oyley, confirming him in the command of the island, with orders that the army should be immediately disbanded, and settled throughout the country. The despatches contained also instructions for the constitution of judicial courts; with patents for the several departments of secretary, provost-marshal, and surveyor-general.

The inhabitants of Jamaica, whose loyalty was yet warm, caught the reviving flame, and sincerely participated in the great, though tardy triumph, which restored their rightful monarch to his throne.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HISTORY OF THE COLONY CONTINUED TO THE PERIOD OF THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN THE YEAR 1692.

A.D.

CHARLES I. was beheaded on the 30th January 1648, charged with an offence which had been 1661. judged in the field of Naseby before it was tried in Westminster Hall; and on 29th May, 1660, Charles II. was conducted to the throne by the ac-clamations of that nation which had as joyfully led his father to the block. It then became necessary to confer the sanction of Royalty upon the few satisfactory acts of usurpation which marked the intermediate era of disorder and dismay. The conquest of Jamaica was one of the most happy events that had occurred, or could be confirmed; and the colony was thus formally enrolled amongst the honourable titles and splendid possessions attached to the British

crown.

Colonel, now General D'Oyley, deserved the confidence of Cromwell, without forfeiting the esteem of the King; and he was confirmed in the command of an island in whose conquest he had acted so promi nent a part. To conciliate the affections of his subjects, Charles prudently forbore awaking the slumbering feuds, by making any inquiry after those ob

*See Note LVIII.