extracts and copies of letters from sir john went worth, lieutenant governor of nova scotia, to his...

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ExtraSs and Copies of LETTERS from

Sir John Wentworth, Lieutenant Go-

vernor of I^ova Scotia^ to his Grace the

Duke of Portland ; refpe£king the

Settlement of the MAROONS in that

Province*

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Ordered to be printed lOth April 1797.

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Extraft of a LETTER from Sir John Wentworth

Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Duke of

Portland j dated Halifax, Nova Scotia, 23d July

1796..i>:'h>J-T:\',

X7 ESTERDAY Mr. Quarrell arrived in the Dover Tranfport j the other

* Tranfport arrived the 2ift Inftant, with all the Maroons in good

Health, and as I am informed very quiet and orderly. It is agreed that

thefe People remain on Board the Tranfports in this Harbour, until

His Majefty's Pleafure is communicated rcfpefting them.

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i"* Copy of a LETTER from Sir John Wentworth to

\[ the Duke of Portland j dated Halifax, Nova Scotia,

rastJ^ July 1796.

^

"'**', Halifax, Nova Scotia, ;•

y, w I 25th July 1796.''*

My Lord Duke,?•*:';' -^^0^

1BE0 Leave, with great Deference, to reprefent that this Afternoon an

Arrangement has been concerted with His Royal Highnefs Prince

Edward, to relieve the Maroons from their Confinement on Board Ship,

by employing them voluntarily, as Labourers on the Fortifications

eredting here, at Nine Pence per Diem; Provifions, Lodging, and

Cloathing being found them. The propofed Pay is adequate, and the

Whole will be comfortable to them, while a Saving will be made in

Tranfport Hire and Laboiir.—Probably about One hundred and Fifty

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Mrn will engage, and thereby releafc fomc of the Inhabitants to aflift in

the Harvells and other Civil Occupations, which are now much dif-

treircd for Want of Hands.

The grcatcft Care will be ttkcn to prelenre Peace and good Order

-among thcfe People ; who feem perfectly well difpofed, infonnuch that

there is not any Caufe to apprehend the Icaft Inconvenience, but on the

contrary, that very falutary Effefts will be derived from this Meafurc, which.

His Royal Highnefs being now much engaged, defircs me to reprefentj

and that he will particularly rrport to your Grace by the HufTar Frigate,

. expelled to fail from hence -with a Convoy in Icfs than Three Weeks.

? f.:

His Grace

-the Duke of Portland.

I am, &c."^

(Signed) WENTWORTH.,-:;>'

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}N- 3.

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Extraft of a LETTER from Sir John Wentwortm to

the Duke of Portland ; dated HaliAub Nova Scotia,

13th Auguft 1796.

'HE Maroons arc now lodged about Two Miles from this Town,

with tolerable CoBvcRicnce to themfclves—fcparate from the Inha-

bitants, and well fupplied with Provifions and fuch Cloathing as is moftimmediately neceflary, and to be procured here.—This is done by myAdvice, and under my daily Infpe^ion, by William Dawes Quarrell,

and Alexander Ochterlony,Erquires, who came with them as Principal

and Deputy Commiflary appointed by Lord Balcarres, and fupplied with

a Credit of Twenty-iive Thoufand Pounds, Jamaica :Currency, by that

Government, for the Ufes of thefe Maroons; which is applied accord-

ingly as Occafion demands. Thefe Gentlemen are exaeedingly

interefted in Behalf of the Maroons; judicious, difcreet, prudent,

and attentive to every Thing that may promote their Welfare. By myAdvice and Information they purdiafed feveral Eftaf^s within Five

Milts of this Town, whereon there are Houfes and "Lands cleared for

Cultivation; which, with Eight or Ten tnofe which we can ercift imme-

diately, will commodioufly and wariTily lodge^em~for the enfoingWin-

ter, and before any cold Weather can trouble them.—Thefe Trafts are

contiguous, and will comprize upward of Three Thoufand Acres, and

with the Buildings and Rfpaifs jiccciTary, >vili coft aboot Three Thou*

•fand



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fand Pounds Sterling. As it abounds with Wood, botii for Fuel and

Timber, a Saving will occur in thofe, and in Houfe Rent, of more than

Two Thoufand Pounds Sterling, before May next ; and an exorbitant

Advance in the Price of Fuel prevented in the Town, fhould their

Reftdence here require a Supply. To-morrow I have recommended to

begin removing feme Families on to their rcfpeftive Habitations, and

intend to have the Whole of them fettled by Michaelmas ; by which

Means they will be prepared to cultivate their Lands to effe^ the next

Year. This Edate bounds on One End upon a pleafanc fifhing Harbour,

where Fifti may be eafily caught every Day in the Year, of the bcft

Kinds, and of Seventeen different Sorts.

Thefe People exprefs great Delight in the Country, and the profpeft

of being fettled in it. They are perfc6tly quiet, orderly, and peaceable,

and I have not a Doubt but that they will be more happy than ever they

were in Jamaica { they declare to me daily, that they are fure all their

Sorrows and Misfortunes are at an End.

From longExperience in New England, where theWinter is morefevere

than in Nova Scotia, I am fatisfied there need not be any Apprehenlions

entertained of this Climate injuring them. If they are well fed, warmly

cloathed, and comfortably lodged, I have always found Negroes dire6lly

from the hotted Coalls of Africa, have grown (Irong and \u(ty in the

Winter, and that they did not fuffer by it. I have had many Inftances

of this Faft, enough to eftablifh it, and to leave me not a Fear of Suc-

cefs in this Cafe, ifthe Articles I have recommended to be imported from

England for their Ufe^ can be had here in November next'' '

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Copy of a LETTER from Sir Johm Wewtworth,

to the Duke of Portland} dated Halifax, Nova

Scotia, 20th September 1796.

Halifax, Nova Scotia« 20th September 1796.

My Lord Duke,

WITH the utmoft Deference I beg Leave to acknowledge the Honour

of Your Grace's Letter N* 18, dated Whitehall, 15th July 1796*

fignifying to me His Majefty's moft gracious and beneficent Com-

mands, for the comfortable Settlement and Support of the Maroons

alfo inclofing Lord Balcarres's Correfpondence for my Information.

His Majefty's Pleafure for the Prefervation of thefe People, having

been aifb communicated in Your Grace's preceding Difpatches, and the

Seafon admitting of no Delay, we diligently purfued neceflfary Means,

which I had the Honour to repprt to Your Grace N" 28, (Duplicate

herewith) which I am happy to find exa6Uy fulfil your Grace's InflruC'

tions* I have therefore now to add, that thele People are all fettled

in comfortable good Houfes. On the i8th Inftant I perfonally in-

fpefted them, examined every Family with particular Attention, in-

quired into all their Wants, explained to them His Majefty's Commands

in their Favour, and the Obligations which refulted on their Part to be

faithful, loyal, peaceable, fober, and induftrious Subjedls: Whichthey perfedlly underftand, and I am perfuaded they will honeftly

perfi>rm, with quite as few Deviations as we Ihould find in an equal

Number of more enlightened White People, from iny Part of Europe

or America, and far more eafily reformed. They are remarkably clean

in their Perfons, Houfes, Cloathing, and Utenfils, and very healthy.

Some few have died of Diforders and Debility contradled on Board

Ship i more have recovered, and ftill more been born.

Provifions are ferved to them weekly, of the beft Quality and ample

Quantity, with which they are unexceptionably fatisfied. Being expert

in cutting Wood, they are providing Winter's Fuel from their own

Lands; many Families have a fufficient Quantity brought to their Doors,

the reft will foon be equally prepared, which alfo facilitates their nextYear's Planting. Proper Cloathing is daily making and iffuing in fuch

Manner as to meet the Climate, until this Article can be fully completed

by the Arrival of thofe Neceflaries which the Commiflloner wrote for, on

my Recommendation, by the HuiTar Frigate.

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At the Meeting on the i8ih Indant fome Arrangements were dircd^cd

for their internal good Order and peaceable Dcraeanour—the dcclarcdf

well-undcrdooJ, and entirely acceptable Bafts of which is, Gratitude to

the King for Benefits and Proteftion extended to them, and Obedienceto the Lawst—modifying thefe Regulations fo as to lead them pradualljr

into the general Operation of the Laws of the Province. The Principles

of thefe Rules are, that all fmall Offences are to be openly cried before

Mr. Quarrell and Mr. Ochlerlony, in Prefence of at leaft Three Maroon

Captains) and if fully proved, the Offender to be delivered over to

them, informing them what would be the Sentence of the Ltw if the

Cafe arofe between White Men, explaining the Good that they might

expert from adopting the fame.-^As their former Habits led to fevere

Punifhmencs, I have directed that thofe of any cruel Proportion (hould

be fufpended, until the Cafe was reported to me by the Comniiflioners

and the Captains who were at the Trial. In my Intercourfe with them

on this Subjeft, they earneftly expreffed their Wifhes to be inftrufted

in our Religion, and to have their Children taught to read and write

from whence the happieft Coilfeqiicmies may be expefled. Mr. Quar-

rell and Mr. Ochterlony fully coincide with me j and I have appointed

the Reverend Benjamin Gcrrifh Gray, who is to be ordained next'Sunday

for a Country Parifh, which, at my Rcqueft to the Bifhop of Nova

Scotia, I prevail on him to exehange*. This Gentleman had a good

Education in England, is amiable ind conciliating in his Manners, dif-

creet, patient, and ingenious, and peculiarly accomplifhed for this very

laborious and difHculr Duty. The Shell of a large Houfe nearly cen-

tral in the Settlement, is ordered to be made convenient for a Chapel

and the Second Sunday in OAober I (hall open the Church by attending

Divine Service therein.,

. ,< •* v i- l > i }

In the Corrcfpondence irtclofed to me, I find fome few Marboris re-

marked for lefs favourable Confideration.—This might have been expe-

dient had they remained in Jamaica, but Would not be advifeable here.

I have converfed with thefe, and others the beft informed and mofl fenfiblc

among them, and cannot difcern any Malice or Revenge in their Senti-

ments ithat they in Faft regretted the War, and thought themfelves pur-

fuing Sclf-prefcrvation only. In thefe Communications, they mention

the Spanilh Dogs as Objefts of Terror, from the wonderful Reprcfenta-

tions of them ; but that they had never fufFered by or even fcen them.

Indeed,, I rather think they are now afhamed at having been frightened by

them, and that they would now be efleemed a ridiculous Scarecrow,

The Government of Jamaica having granted a liberal Sum for the

Removal, and to commence the Settlement of the Maroons, and ap-

pointed Mr. Quarrell, Commiffary, and Mr. Ochlerlony AfTiftant Com-

iiulTarVj to fupcrintend th«fe benevolent Intentions, it appeared to me

expedient



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expedient chat the Expenditure (bould be cranfa^ed by them, and the

Monici rcquifitc alfo drawn for by them on the Agent of the Ifland,

whereto thty were authorized, and a proper Credit, as I underftand,

lodged with Meflrs. Millegan and Mitchell in London.—This Mode

appears to embrace the Objects of your Grace's IndrudUon on that

Point ^ and therefore will be continued until your Grace may be pleated

to direct vnc otherwife, or thefe Funds are expended. In fuch Nccenity,

due Care (hall be had in drawing conformable to thofe Direflions. Pro-

bably thi« may not foon happen, as I believe the Government of Ja-

maica are fully and gcneroufly difpofed to render the Maroons happy

in any other Country. Among other Reafons for this Opinion, is the

judicious Choice of Mr. Quarrell and Mr. Ochterlony, to accompany

and fuperintend ih« Intereds of thefe poor People. I cannot do ade-

quate Judice to the aflfedlionate Zeal, unwearied Afliduity, great Judg-

ment, and perfe6l Difintercftednefs, which thefe Gentlemen invariably

cxcn, under my immediate and hourly Obfervation« to cfSeA the excellent

Intentions of their Conftituents } inibmuch that I have not a Doubt the

truly humane Wifhes of His Majeftj^'s Government herein will be

fully accumplifhed ; and that whatever Caufes may have removed them

into thi.s Province, their increafed Happinefs will furely be the Effedk.

They daily become more fenfible of it, and exprefs to me no other Anxiety

than their Fears to be removed. Nothing would create fuch Diftrefs as to

carry them to Sierra Leone } nor could they be prevailed on, by any

Perfuafions, to return to Jamaica.

I humbly confide in your Grace's great Goodnefs to excufe fo long a

Detail, which arifes from a dutiful Solicitude to fulfil the Royal Com-

mands, in a Cafe entirely new, and comprehending all the Interefts of

fuch a numerous Body of People { which will be beft promoted by in-

forming your Grace of their precife and a£tual Situation. ;

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. I have the Honour to be, &c.'"

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Extraft of a LETTER from Lieutenant Governor

.^ Sir John Wentworth, Baronet, to his Grace the

" Duke of Portland i dated Halifax, Nova Scotia, a4th

September 1796.

TH E Maroons are much attached—are imprefled with Hatred to the

French.—Although they may hence be fafcly trufted, yet their

"Wives and Children, to whom ihey are extremely attached, bein^

Pledges for their Fidelity, they will be advantageoufly employed more

immediately under my own Infpe£tion, and with a Company of Rifle-

men, who arc equal to either Maroons or Indians in the Woods and

difficult rocky Country. . . ....,'

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Extraft of a LETTER from Lieutenant Governor

Sir John Wentworth, Baronet, to his Grace the

' .., Duke of Portland; dated Halifax, Nova Scotia,

*

8th 06kober 1796. .^ f,

TH E Maroons arc daily progreffing in Preparations for the Winter.

Their Conduft ftill continues to be much better than could be cx-

pefted; with very little Exception, it is quite meritorious. They will

be decidedly good Menagainft any Enemy. I am perfuaded they are

attached to mej and that they are fully convinced, not only their Com-

fort, but alfo their future Views and Military Credit, depend on their

-Obedience and Affcftion to His Majefty's Government..

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•N* 7.

Copy of a LETTER (N" 33) from Sir John

Wentworth to the Duke of Portland; dated

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 29th Oftober 1796.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 29th Oftober 1796.

My Lord Duke,

*T BiG Leave moft refpeiflfully to acknowledge the Honour of your

-*Grace's Letter, N" 1 9, which will be partly obeyed in my Letters

N" 28, 29, 30, and 31. .

It is incumbent on me to obferve, that I am ftill fully perfuaded that

the Climate of this Country will be found healthy and comfortable to

the Maroons, if they are well fed, comfortably lodged and cloathed, and

proper Attention exercifed toward their gradual Inftruftion in the Ha-

bits of I nduftry, and prudent Ufe of their Benefits} of all which they

are perfedly capable.

The Cafe of the Negroes removed to Nova Scotia in the Year 1783

was entirely different from that of the Maroons : Neverthelefs, upon

Examination it will be found, that the Refult incontrovertibly juftifles

my Expedations with refpeft to the Climate upon the Maroons.

The Negroes brought toward Autumn into this Province from New

York, and other more Southern Climates, were Slaves fuddenly emanci-

pated from Mafters, whofe effential Intereft it was to fupprefs and extin-

guilh every Idea of providing for themfeives, or having any Property.

With thefe Habits they joined the Army in it's feveral Departments,

where Obedience and provided Subfiftence were ftill united—here they

gathered more Diffoiutenefs than oeconomical Difcretion. At the general

Removal of Britifti Subjedls in 1783 to Nova Scotia, the Juftice of the

Britifh Government refufing-to leave thefe poor People to the refentful

and probable fevere Treatment of thofeinto whofe unlimited Power they

would revert if they remained in the United States, they were conveyed

hither. At the fame Time an Influx of many Thoufands of His Ma-

jerty's loyal Subjedls alfo arrived ; all were to be located, and Provifion

made for their Settlement. The approaching Winter excited Appre-

henfions, and univerfal Competition to provide Places and Lodgments.

The Government h e not having had much Experience in fettling In-

habitants in a new Country, which requires that Sort of local Knowledge

deriveable from Experience only, were embarraflcd in the Midft of their

Endeavours



[ " ]

Endeavours and Exertions to accommodate the People ; Gfcourfethc

Black People, unequal to folicit and manage as the White People did,

and habitually lefs confidered, they had not as much Attention as othcr-

•wifc they might have had, and which was more ncccdary for them for

the Caufes before liiggelled ; it therefore refulted, that they were late

located, and without proper Method. The ample Provifions, and fonie

Cloathingand NecirlTiries which were afforded to them by the Juftice

and Benevolence of Great Britain, became the Inftrumenrs of their Idle-

nels and Diflipation, inftead of the Bafis and Means of their Indullry

and Comfort. Thus circumftanced, they progreflTed flowly in focial

.(Economy ;yet during the Effervcfccnce and Circulation of Money

caufed by fo great an AccefHon of People, all poflefling fome, and many

confiderable Property, the Negroes found Employment and Support.

;But this State of Things fubfiding fooner than was forefeen, and no

Arrangement taken to lead into Employment, both White and Black

People felt the Incoii/enience ; many of the former quitted the Province,

which the Black People could not do, and they became much im-poverifhed.

In this Situation the fublimcft Charity difcovcred their Diftrefs, fym-

pathized in their Sorrows, and, from undoubted and excellent Motives

of Humanity, extended a generous and liberal Relief to their Suf-

ferings.

Unfortunately, however, their Diftrefles were imputed to the only

.>Caufe which had really been friendly to them, viz. the Climate ; in

which they were ftill healthy, although poor, and almoft naked. The

Zeal and AfFe6tion which their calamitous Cafe had excited, overlooked

this pofitive Feature, and they were moft of them removed, with every

poffible Care and Comfort, to Sierra Leone, where, I believe, the greateft

Kindnefs has been continued to them. Yet many more of thofe havedied, in Proportion to their Numbers, than of thofe who remained here.

Thefe have almoft ftruggled through their Difficulties, Employments

having been encouraged for all Orders of People: The Black People

have partaken of its Ufes, and daily growing into Habits of managing

and providing for themlelves, they are now }uft as happy and com-

fortable as any other People of the fame Occupations in the Province

they are as robuft and healthy, and have as many and as fine Children as

the other Inhabitants ; and, with the Exhibition of fome moderate occa-

fional Aid, where Circumftances may arife to require Relief (poflibly to

the Amount of Five or Six Hundred Pounds per Annum for Three

Years to come) I verily believe more real Benefits would be derived to

die Caufc of Humanity, than from all the Expence that has been in-

curred for the Settlement of thofe fcnt to Sierra Leone.

Since

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Since my Appointment to this Government, I have taken Care that

they are equally protcfted and encouraged as other His Majefty's Sub-

jects ; and Slavery being almoft exterminated here, Diftinfiions naturally

painful to thef: People are gradually dying away. In the Royal Nova

Scotia Regiment under my Command, there arc many who adt as Pio-

neers, and are good Men. A Company of thofe refident in and near

the Town are attached to the Firft Battalion of Halifax Militia, an able,

daring, and faithful Body of Men. » 'la-'

^ At Digby, on the Bafon of Annapolis, in my official Progrcfs laft

Autumn to examine the local Circumftances of the Inhabitants and

Country, 1 was received by the Regiment of Militia, and on my De-

.parture attended by a Company of Black Men, well armed, of decent

and orderly Deportment, and of as good able Stature and Countenance

-as any other Men. Some few of them were badly cloathed, owing to

tjnavoidable Misfortunes, which might have been relieved at Eighty

-Guineas Expence, and every Family made quite happy. In every Part

t)f the Province where they are fcattered, I have feen them, and never

fail to enquire minutely into their Circumftances. They often lament

the Want of Cloathing, or the Want of a Cow, or fome other particular

Comfort i but I never, in any One Inftance^ have heard them complain of

the Ciiraate,'

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The Care of the Maroons is far different, and more dellreable than

thofe People have experienced. Thefe are liberally provided with every

Neceflary to render the Climate particularly falutary to them. They

have zealous and kindly difpofed CommifTaries refiding with them,

wholly devoted to fupply their Wants, to remedy and relieve all the

Difficulties that muft be expeded to occur in removing to a new

Country; in changing the Manners of War and Huntingfor thofe of

Peace and patient Induftry j and in fubmitting to be confidered without

Terror, or the Self-importance derived from it. Means of Inftrudlion

and moral and religious Improvement are provided and perfeveringly

applied to thefe, while thofe were long negledted in this ireiportant Ad-

miiiiftration, which is.moilof all others to be relied upon for their Civi-

lization, and focial as ^eil as religious Interefts. I cannot but forefee

that fome Difficulties and Inconveniencies may frequently arife; and

-that Pat;ence, Vigilance, Perfeverance, and Difcretion, muft be exer-

cifed in the Progrefs of their Settlement, and that it will continue to be

a Source of increafed Care and Attention to me j but as it is anObjeft

highly intcrcfting to fo important a Part of His Majefty's Dominions as

the liland of Jamaica, and more efpecially and above all other Confi-

derations, it; being His Majefty's moft gracioiis Commands to pay every

Care and Attention to the Comfort and Prefervation of thefe People,

J. Ihall continue .moft dutifully to exert every poflibk Diligence and

Ability



.[ .'3 ]

Ability to cLcct the Royal Commands, which your Grace has been

plcafed to fignify to mej and I have not a Doubt butwith as

muchSucccfs and Happincfs to the People as thofe moft interefted for their

Welfare will reafonably expeft can ever be communicated to that

Number and Defcription.

All which is moft humbly fubmittcd, with the utmoft Deference,

hoping for your Grace's favourable Confidcration, and Reprcfcntation

for HisMajcfty'scondefccnding gracious Approbation.

I have, &c.

,

"I I'^'lX!^''^ :-l'.^ (Signed) " ''::''-

J.Wentworth.

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Tixtraft of a LETTER from Lieutenant Governor Sir

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'"' John Wbntworth, Baronet, to His Grace the Duke

of Portland; dated Halifax, Nova Scptia, aift

December 1796.

nrMB Maroon* continue to be in good Health, only One old Man,

* upwards of Eighty Years old, is fick. Their Apprehenfions of the

"Winter's Severity is entirely done away, by Experience, good Health, and

comfortable Cloathing and Subfiftencc, which is amply furnifhcd by the

Arrival of the Stores from London. Every poffible Attention is exer-

cifed towards their Comfort, which will be greatly increafed hy removing

them in Families into feparate Houfes and Farms annexed, as foon as

the enfuing Scafon admits. At prclent there are more in each Houfe

than would be expedient, owing to the Want of Materials and Artificers

to build more before the Winter commenced. Every Sunday public

Worfliip is performed in the Church by the Reverend Mr. Gray, which

is attended with great Decency and Defire of Inftruftion—fever^l are

baptized, and fome married under Engagements to avoid Polygamy.

The School is alfo daily attended by the Children, under Inftrudion of

Mr. Chamberlain, a Man of Education and excellent Principles, pecu-

liarly qualified, having formerly been a Teacher to the Indians in the

Wildernefs of America, but being a Loyaliil, removed to this Place.

Thefe Gentlemen, with their Families, have, at my Requeft, removed

into the Maroon Settlement, that, by their daily Advice to ihe Families.,

they may be comforted j all Cafuakies explained, and Modes applicable

learned to them, which they are made to comprehend without Difficulty,

as all of them underftand the Englilh Language, and many of them fpeak

it fluently. From a faithful and judicious Perfeverance in thefe impor-

tant Inftitutions, I anticipate the greateft Benefits to thefe People j and

I am fully jufcified in fuch Escpedlarions from the Progrefs already

made.



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extracts and copies of letters from sir john went worth, lieutenant governor of nova scotia, to his...

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