Antigua and the Antiguans (Vol. 1&2). Mrs. Lanaghan

The merchants of Antigua, who were then a numerous body, equipped several privateers to serve under the admiral’s flag; and the captain-general, Colonel Codrington, raised a regiment of soldiers, which were placed under the command of Colonel Edward Byam. On the 7th March, the land and sea forces were abreast the island of Guadaloupe, from whence the French fired at them, killing one man, and wounding a boy on board the commodore’s ship. The fleet laid off and on until the 10th of the same, waiting for the “Maidstone” man-of-war, with some other of his Majesty’s vessels, from Maria Galante, when, upon their arrival, Admiral Benbow came to an anchor on the north-west side of the island. After burning some plantations along the coast, on the 12th, Colonel Byam, with his regiment, and a detachment of 200 men of Colonel Whetham’s regiment, landed at “Les Petits Habitans,” where Colonel Byam distinguished himself by his great bravery; and, with the united assistance of the regulars, obliged the French to retire. The English next attacked a town called “Bogliffe,” which, after some resistance, they took, as also the Jacobin’s church, on which the French had planted ten pieces of cannon. After many other successes, among which was taking the breast-work along the Jacobin river, the strongest fortifications the French possessed, the English proceeded to Basseterre, the capital; and this town they, no doubt, would have also taken, had it not been for the unhappy differences arising between the commanders, and which, combined with the illness of the troops, occasioned the English to withdraw from the island at a time when victory was almost sure.

      After quitting the island of Guadaloupe, the fleet proceeded for Antigua; but Admiral Benbow, hearing of the arrival of the French admiral with ten ships of the line in these latitudes, went in search of them. As it does not appear any of the Antiguan forces joined him, we will only briefly remark that, falling in with the squadron, a fight commenced, which lasted three days. The last twenty-four hours the admiral fought with his single ship, his other vessels having deserted him; when, although his leg was shattered by a chain-shot, and he had received several other wounds, he would not be carried from the deck of his ship, but continued fighting until the French were obliged to sheer off.

      Benbow was so displeased with the conduct of the captains of his different ships, that he determined to steer for Jamaica, and upon his arrival to call a court-martial. The most culpable of them suffered death, the others were punished in different ways, and the admiral himself took their conduct so much to heart, that vexation, co-operating with the pain of his wounds, caused his death in November of the same year.

      About this period (1703), the first sailing packet for the conveyance of letters arrived at Antigua. Queen Anne had been graciously pleased to establish this packet service for the furtherance of trade, as well as to keep up a more regular intercourse with the colonies, as may be seen from the annexed notification:—

      “London, 11th February, 1702–3.

      “Whereas her Majesty, for the encouragement of trade and commerce, hath thought fit to appoint boats to convey letters and packets between Barbados, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher’s, and Jamaica in America—​this is to give notice that a mail will go from the general post-office, in London, on Thursday of this instant (February) for the above-mentioned islands, and henceforward on Thursday in every month; and her Majesty, pursuant to the statute made in the twelfth year of the reign K. Charles II., for establishing a post-office, hath directed and empowered the postmaster-general of England to take for the post of all such letters and packets that shall be conveyed by the said boats between London and any of the before-mentioned islands, the rates as follows:—

				s.	d.
For every letter	not exceeding	one sheet	of paper,	0	9
do.	do.	two sheets	do.	1	6
For every packet weighing an ounce . .				2	8”

      This year (1703), his Excellency, Christopher Codrington, again entered the lists of battle. Sir George Rooke had despatched from England at the end of the former year Captain Hovenden Walker with six ships of the line and transports, having on board four regiments of soldiers for the Leeward Islands, which were to be landed at Antigua, and then distributed among the other colonies. Upon their arrival at Antigua, Colonel Codrington gave Captain Walker such information as determined him to alter his plans, and make an attack upon Guadaloupe; so, taking on board the governor and a “martial little band” under his command, they proceeded for that island. After having razed the fort, burnt the town, and ravaged the surrounding country, they re-embarked with precipitation, in consequence of a report that a body of 900 French soldiers had arrived to the succour of the inhabitants. Colonel Codrington and his party returned to Antigua; and Captain Walker retired to Nevis with his squadron, where, it is said, they must have perished by famine had not Admiral Graydon fortunately put in there, on his way to Jamaica, and relieved them.

      Colonel Codrington was recalled from his government in the early part of 1704​—​for what reason I know not, unless it be his loyalty and attachment to his deceased sovereign, William III. He resided upon his “Betty’s Hope” estate, in Antigua, for some years afterwards, as a private gentleman, but at length removed to Barbados, where he died in 1710; and, in 1716, his remains were exhumed, and conveyed to England, and buried in the chapel of All Souls’, Oxford. Colonel Codrington added to his other accomplishments that of a poet​—​four of his poems being published in the Musæ Anglicanæ. He founded a college, by bequest, at Barbados, which still bears the name of “Codrington College;” and where, since the appointment of a bishop to this diocese, in 1825, the clergymen who officiate in the West Indian churches, are, with the exception of two or three from the English universities, ordained.³⁵

      In 1704, Queen Anne appointed Sir William Mathew, a native of St. Kitt’s, (who had distinguished himself at the siege of Namur,) captain-general, who arrived at Antigua 14th July, the same year. His Excellency did not live much more than five months after his appointment, dying 4th December; but during that short time, he endeared himself to all classes by a kind and courteous behaviour, and his strict integrity and honourable actions.³⁶ Upon the decease of Sir William Mathew, the Hon. John Johnson was made commander-in-chief for a short time.³⁷ During his administration, measures were taken to provide for the safety of the wives and children of those persons who at any time might be engaged in fighting for this island, and also for the infirm and superannuated, by building small houses within the fortifications of Monk’s Hill, where they could retire in times of actual warfare. This was a very necessary precaution, when the frequent landing of the French, attended by the Caribs, and the dreadful barbarities which they practised upon the unfortunate creatures who fell into their hands, is called to mind. And it was very naturally supposed that the men would fight better in the ranks, when they knew those who were near and dear to them were in comparative safety, than if obliged to leave them unprotected. These fortifications had been begun, at considerable expense, in the year 1687–8, and although a constant tax upon the country, had never been finished; but it was resolved this year to make no more delay, but carry on the works with vigour.

      This year (1705) a general council and assembly was held at Nevis, when an act was passed to regulate such meeting, and retain for each island its several laws. In future, the general assembly was to consist of five freeholders, elected from each respective island within the government. No member was to be sued or arrested for debt ten days before or after the sessions; and, while serving in general council and assembly, each member was to be paid 20s. per day, and their expenses allowed them for going from island to island.

      ³⁴ “A stool, in which scolds are tied, and ducked under water.”​—​Dr. Johnson.

      ³⁵ For a genealogy of the Codrington family, see Appendix, No. 9.

      ³⁶