CHAP, v.] WEST INDIES! 



It is the residence of the governor or commander in 

 chief, who is accommodated with a superb palace; 

 and it is here that the legislature is convened, arid 

 the court of chancery, and the supreme court of ju- 

 dicature, are held. 



The county of Surry contains seven parishes, two 

 towns, and eight villages. The towns are those of 

 Kingston and Port Royal; the former of which is si- 

 tuated on the north side of a beautiful harbour, and 

 was founded in 1693, when repeated desolations by 

 earthquake and fire had driven the inhabitants from 

 Port Royal. It contained in 1788, one thousand six 

 hundred and sixty-five houses, besides negro huts and 

 warehouses. The number of white inhabitants, in 

 the same year, was six thousand five hundred and 

 thirty-nine; of free people of colour three thousand 

 two hundred and eighty; of slaves sixteen thousand 

 six hundred and fifty-nine; total number of inhabi- 

 tants, of all complexions and conditions, twenty-six 

 thousand four hundred and seventy-eight. It is* a 

 place of great trade and opulence. Many of the 

 houses in the upper part of the town are extremely 

 magnificent; and the markets for butcher's meat, tur- 

 tle, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, &c. are infe- 

 rior to none. I can add, too, from the information of 

 a learned and ingenious friend, who kept comparative 

 registers of mortality, that since the surrounding 

 country is become cleared of wood, this town is found 

 to be as healthful as any in Europe.! 



I The number of the white inhabitants in Kingston, Ind inn-care I in 

 1791 to about 7000. In that year the burials were 151 white men (in- 



