Some writers maintain that only the common people were concerned in the last act of this tragedy; that those of the higher rank proceeded to the house of John Yeamans, the lieutenant-governor, and quietly laid down their arms. Mr. French, the historian of Colonel Parke, writes, however, very differently upon this part of the subject; but it ought to be taken into consideration, that he was a particular friend of Colonel Parke, and consequently might give a higher colouring to the melancholy picture. He says, that when Colonel Parke lay in the street suffering the pangs of a dismembered body, the members of the house of assembly stood round reviling and insulting him in his last agonies; that among the number were Andrew Murray, Francis Carlisle, Mr. Tomlinson, and Captain Painter. I cannot believe this assertion. Although Parke was their common foe, still they must have been possessed of those feelings of honour, if not humanity, which would forbid them to triumph over a dying enemy. Mr. French goes on to state, that it was Colonel Byam who was most active in convening the inhabitants, and appointing a certain day for them to come into town well armed. This, too, has been contradicted. There were not many clergymen then upon the island; but among their number, Mr. James Field, rector of St. John’s, took the part of the people; and Mr. Baxter, rector of Parham, that of Colonel Parke.
All writers upon the West Indies mention the crimes and fate of Parke; and consequently I am obliged to follow in the wake, or else I should have buried his errors—or, more properly speaking, his vices—in oblivion.[[43]]
[[38]] Barbuda is a small island, about twenty miles broad, and lies twenty-six miles to the north of Antigua. It has belonged to the Codrington family from about the year 1691, when William III. granted it to General Codrington, then governor-general of the Leeward Islands. It raises a great number of horned cattle, ponies, donkeys, &c., and its shores are very prolific in turtle and various kinds of fish; while its beach is strewed with many beautiful shells. Deer, also, range amid its sylvan glades; and their flesh occasionally affords another dish at a West Indian dinner. The chief emoluments arising from this island, however, are the number of wrecks; three or four sometimes occurring in a year. The reason of these frequent maritime disasters is, that the island lies so low, and is generally encompassed with fogs, that vessels are upon the reefs (by which it is almost entirely surrounded) before they are aware. It was upon one of this chain of reefs, that H. M. S. Woolwich was wrecked.
Barbuda contains about 1500 inhabitants, of which the greater part are employed as huntsmen and fishermen: the former make use of the lazo to catch the wild horses, &c.
[[39]] This spot is now appropriated for the Wesleyan burial-ground.
[[40]] The following is an authentic copy of Mr. Hinton’s commission and warrant, as drawn out in Colonel Parke’s own handwriting:—
“By his Excellency Daniel Parke, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over all her Majesty’s Leeward Caribbee Islands in Antigua.
“I do hereby authorize and appoint you, Gabriel Hinton, of the said island aforesaid, to be clerk to the assembly of this island, and which is this day appointed to meet; and to receive all fees, proffitts, and perquisites thereto belonging, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant and commission.