This unexpected discharge, so seasonably made, put the assailants into great confusion; from which however recovering, they returned the fire for some time, but so uncertain and irregular, that it did no execution. This was, however, not the case from the fire of Mr. Tombs and his party, as was evident from the cries and groans heard among the runaways, who were at last obliged to betake themselves to flight; yet they took their killed and wounded into the woods with them.

It is remarkable, that on this occasion neither Mr. Tombs, nor any of his people were hurt by the fire from the runaways, although this conflict with them lasted near half an hour. Whilst, on the other side, there could be no doubt but that they suffered considerably, both in killed and wounded, from the great quantity of blood seen on the spot, and traced to the woods, the next morning; but the number of either was never afterwards known, the runaways having adopted the policy of the French in that respect.

This action was greatly to the credit of Mr. Tombs, and was of eminent service at that time to the English planters of the island; as the runaways finding how much it was in the power of a single white man of resolution to oppose them, afterwards kept themselves pretty peaceable, till the French quitted possession of the country. But shortly after that happened they re-commenced their depredations, notwithstanding several proclamations were issued by the Legislature of the island, offering a pardon to all that would surrender themselves, except such as had been guilty of murder.

To these proclamations the runaways paid no manner of attention; but on the contrary, they bid defiance to every measure, and had the audacity to threaten, they would repel any attempts to be made to reduce them. In consequence of this obstinacy of theirs, and their still continued acts of mischief on the plantations, an act of the colony was passed for raising a fund, to be applied to the purpose of forcing them into subjection. This act was made to be in force for three years, commencing in 1785, and was made by way of tax in the following manner, that is to say,

£.s.d.
1000Per cent. on the assessed value of rent on all houses in the towns.
500Per cent. on the assessed value of rent on all vacant lots.
16100Per annum to be paid by all practitioners of physic in the island.
16100Per annum to be paid by all practitioners of the law.
1340Per annum to be paid by each merchant.
1340Per annum to be paid by each vendue master, tavern-keeper, &c.
1340Per annum to be paid by each merchant or shop-keeper (aliens.)
360Per annum to be paid by each manager and overseer of plantations in the island, whose salary was 200l. per annum.
1130Per annum to be paid by each manager and overseer, whose salary was 100l. per annum.
1130Per annum to be paid by every other white man in the island.
1130Per annum to be paid by each male person of colour.
2100Per cent. on all merchandize.
2100Per cent. on all goods sold at vendue.
100Per annum for every negro slave, tradesman, or porter.
0100Per annum for every house negro and slave on the plantations.
0100Per annum for every hogshead of sugar made in the island.
060Per annum for every tierce of sugar.
030Per annum for every barrel of sugar.
083Per annum for every hogshead of coffee.
050Per annum for every tierce of coffee.
030Per annum for every barrel of coffee.
010Per annum for every 100lb. of coffee in bags.
060Per annum for every hogshead of rum.
046Per annum for every tierce of rum.
030Per annum for every barrel of rum.

The next step taken by the Legislature for reducing the runaways to obedience was, to raise a body of colony legions, composed of white men, free people of colour, and able negro men belonging to the different plantations, for the purpose of sending them after the runaways into the woods. Three separate encampments, formed by these legions, were established near the haunts of the runaways, against whom operations were immediately commenced; but it was a long time before any material service could be effected against them; they, in the mean while, committing the most shocking ravages, almost within sight of their opponents.

The number of the legions was about five hundred men, under the command of able officers of the regiment then stationed there; and who, with a number of privates of the same regiment, became volunteers in the service, the most daring outrages on the plantations.—The number of persons, of which the legion was composed, was about five hundred, under the command of officers of the 30th regiment of foot, at that time stationed in the island; these officers, with several soldiers of the same regiment, became volunteers in that service, and had extra pay from the colony; the pay of each person employed on the occasion being as follows:

£.s.d.
Captain1130
Lieutenant149
Serjeant0120
Corporal090per day.
Private083
Surgeon0166
Carriers030

The runaways fully acquainted with the measures taken against them, yet confiding in the strength of their numbers, and the difficult access to their camps in the woods, made no offer to surrender themselves; but rather seemed determined to abide by the consequences, and deriding the attempt of reducing them by force, threatened to do still greater mischiefs. They accordingly did as they had threatened, beginning their attack on the plantation of Thomas Osborn, Esq. coming there in the night, and doing considerable damage; in drawing off some rum by the light of their torches, it caught fire, which being communicated to the buildings on the estate, burnt them down to the ground.