272 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 



His commission, which recites the king's desire to 

 give all protection and encouragement to the people 

 of Jamaica, and to provide for its security and good 

 government, impowers him to execute his trust ac- 

 cording to such powers and authorities as are contain- 

 ed in his commission and the instructions annexed to 

 it, and such as should from time to time be given to 

 him by his majesty, and according to such good, just, 

 and reasonable customs and constitutions as were ex- 

 ercised and settled in other colonies; or such other as 

 should, upon mature advice and consideration, be held 

 necessary and proper for the good government and 

 security of the island, provided they \vere not repug- 

 nant to the laws of England. 



It further impowers him to take unto him a coun- 

 cil of twelve persons, to be elected by the people ac- 

 cording to the manner prescribed in the instructions; 

 and by the advice of any five or more of them, to con- 

 stitute civil judicatories, with power to administer 

 oaths; to command all the military forces in the 

 island, and to put in force, and execute, martial law; 

 to grant commissions, with the advice of his council, 

 for the finding out new trades; and to do and perform 

 all other orders which might conduce to the good of 

 the island. The instructions consist of fifteen articles: 



The first directs the commission to be published, 

 and the king proclaimed. 



The third regulates the manner of electing the 

 council, eleven of which to be chosen indifferently, 



