APPENDIX.] OF JAMAICA. 277 



Nothing, however, which appears to be material, 

 as to the form of the constitution, occurred during 

 his administration, which continued about twenty 

 months; when he was superseded by the arrival of 

 Sir Thomas Modyford, who was appointed governor 

 in chief by a commission under the great seal, which 

 empowered him either to constitute by his own au- 

 thority, a privy council of twelve persons, or to con- 

 tinue the old one, and to alter, change, or augment 

 it as he thought proper; to create judicatories; and 

 make laws, orders and constitutions, provided they 

 did not extend to take away any right or freehold, or 

 the interest of any person in their rights or freeholds, 

 goods or chattels, and that they were transmitted to 

 his majesty for allowance or disapprobation. 



Pie was further empowered to command and disci- 

 pline all military forces, to use martial law upon per- 

 sons in military service, and establish articles of war; 

 to create courts of admiralty, according to such autho- 

 rity as he should receive from the lord high admiral; 

 to erect forts and fortifications ; to establish ports, ci- 

 ties, towns, boroughs, and villages; to create manors 

 and lordships; to grant charters to hold fairs; to take 

 surveys, and keep records of all grants of lands, un- 

 der such moderate quit-rents, services, and acknow- 

 ledgments, as he should think fit; and to prescribe 

 terms of cultivation; and grants so made under the 

 seal, and enrolled, were to be good and valid against 

 the crown; to grant commissions for finding out new 

 trades; to pardon all offences, except murder and 



