[[20]] The French having entirely ruined Antigua, it was necessary to form all new regulations, as at the first settlement of the colony.
[[21]] For a further account of this gentleman’s family, see Appendix, No. 4.
[[22]] For copy of the Grant of Land to Colonel P. Warner, see Appendix, No. 5.
[[23]] Oldmixon, in his “British America,” says:—“At this time (1676) there was a wicked practice in the West Indies, of which the English are accused; and that was, their stealing and enslaving Indians, which they took on the continent or the islands. And one Colonel Warner being charged with this unlawful traffic—if it deserves that name—was made a prisoner in England, and sent, aboard the Phoenix frigate, to Barbados, to take his trial there; but he found so many friends, that he came off.”
[[24]] Oldmixon, in his History of St Christopher’s, speaking of this circumstance, says—“They (the Caribs) were willing enough to live peaceably with the Europeans who first landed there, and were upon the place when D’Esnambuc came thither; but, upon his landing, their boyez, or conjurers, telling them, in a general assembly met on purpose, that the foreigners were come to take away their country from them, and destroy them root and branch, it was resolved to massacre the English.” He goes on to state, that the English and French, having gained intelligence of the Caribs’ design to cut their throats, “fell upon the most factious of the natives by night, killed them, and drove the rest out of the island.”
[[25]] Labat mentions seeing this woman at Dominica, and gives the following account of her:—“This old savage woman is, I think, the oldest creature in the world, being more than a hundred years old. They say she had been very handsome, and on account of her beauty the English governor at St. Kitts kept her for a considerable time. She had a number of children, among which was one called Ouverard. [Warner, it ought to be; but Pierre du Tertre is not very particular in his orthography of English names.] Pierre du Tertre speaks of him in his history; but this demi-savage was dead before I came to the West Indies. They always continue to call her Madam Ouverard. After the English sent her to Dominica upon the death of the governor, she was more respected for her old age than from being his mistress. Her property was rather extensive, and was entirely peopled by her children’s children. This old woman was entirely naked, and had not two dozen hairs upon her head; her skin resembled old parchment completely dried up, as if baked. She was so crooked that I could not see her features except when she went to drink water. She had a good many teeth in her head, and her eyes were perfectly clear.”
[[26]] Some writers make it sixteen.
[[27]] Dampier says St Lucia.
CHAPTER V.
Governor Col. R. Williams—Biographical remarks—Towns of trade appointed—Antigua divided into parishes—Sir Nathaniel Johnson appointed captain-general and governor-in-chief—Colonel Codrington—Remarks upon this family—Invasion of Antigua by a French privateer—Attack upon Guadeloupe by the English—Expedition to St. Christopher’s—Gallant conduct of Colonel Williams and Colonel Willoughby Byam—Sir Francis Wheeler’s expedition—Wilmot and Lillingston’s expedition—Death of the captain-general, General Codrington—Colonel John Yeamans, lieutenant-governor—Arrival of Admiral Benbow.