162 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. n. 



nificant state in the world would not have tamely sub- 

 mitted to, from the most powerful; yet did Crom- 

 well, in seeking redress, display his regard to justice 

 by his moderation and temper. He demanded, it is 

 true, reparation for past injuries, and security against 

 future; but he did not order reprisals to be made, un- 

 til his demand was rejected, and until he was plainly 

 told, that the same hostile line of conduct which the 

 Spaniards had hitherto pursued towards the English 

 in America should be persisted in. Now, as Blome 

 well observes, on this occasion, " wen* must needs be 

 " justifiable., wlien pe&ce is not allmvable" 



The course of my work would now bring me to a 

 detail of the protector's measures in consequence of 

 his appeal to force ; the equipment of a powerful ar- 

 mament, its miscarriage at Hispaniola, and success 

 at Jamaica; but of all these transactions, a very accu- 

 rate and circumstantial narrative has already been 

 given in the history of Jamaica by Air. Long; to 

 whose account I cannot hope to add perspicuity or 

 force. Referring the reader, therefore, to that valu- 

 able work, for satisfactory information in these parti- 

 culars, I shall conclude this chapter with ah account 

 of the state of Jamaica, its inhabitants and produc- 

 tions, as it was found by the English forces on its cap- 

 ture, in May 1655; observing only, and I mention 

 the circumstance with a regret in which I am sure 

 the reader will participate, that Gage, who planned 

 and embarked in the expedition, perished in it! 



The whole number of white inhabitants on the 

 island, including women and children, did not exceed 



