HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. n. 



ever in times of actual danger, whether from the re- 

 volt of slaves, or the probability of invasion, no troops 

 in the world could have shewn greater promptitude 

 or alacrity in service, than has been displayed by the 

 militia of Jamaica. In such emergencies, the com- 

 mander in chief, with the advice and consent of a <re- 



o 



neral council of war (in which the members of the as- 

 sembly have voices) may proclaim martial law. His 

 power is then dictatorial 3 and all persons are subject 

 to the articles of war. 



From the given number of men able to bear arms 

 in any country, it is usual with political writers to 

 estimate the inhabitants at large; but their rule of cal- 

 culation does not apply to Jamaica, where the bulk of 

 the people consists of men without families. Euro- 

 peans who come to this island have seldom an idea of 

 settling here for life. Their aim is generally to acquire 

 fortunes to enable them to sit down comfortably in 

 their native country; and, in the meanwhile, they 

 consider a family as an incumbrance. Marriage, 

 therefore, being: held in but little estimation the white 



' o 



women and children do not bear the same proportion 

 to the males, as in European climates. From these 

 and other causes, I have found it difficult to ascertain 

 with precision the number of the white inhabitants. I 

 have been informed, that a late intelligent chief go- 

 vernor (general Campbell) computed them, after di- 

 ligent research, at 25,000; and I am induced to be- 



Free negroes and men of colour included ; thefr number was 1,889. 

 Maroons were not comprehended. 



