23o HISTORICAL ACCOUNT [BOOK H. 







On the 1st of December 1671, he issued writs for 

 calling an assembly, to consist of two persons for each 

 parish; which met on the 8th of January, and sat till 

 June following, when the governor dissolved them, 

 after having passed a body of laws, which were trans- 

 mitted to England, but were not confirmed. 



In May, 1673, Sir Thomas Lynch called another 

 assembly; but upon their refusing to grant money for 

 the fortifications, he dissolved it after sitting only a 

 few days; and, in January following, upon conside- 

 ration that two years were almost expired since ma- 

 king the body of laws, and that his majesty had not 

 been pleased to signify his royal consent to them, a 

 new assembly was called, which met the 18th of Fe- 

 bruary, and, on the 14th of March, a new body of 

 laws was passed, which were transmitted to England; 

 but, not being confirmed by the crown, expired at the 

 end of two years. 



On the 3d of December, 1674, lord Vaughan was 

 appointed governor of Jamaica. A council consisting 

 of twelve persons, was named in the commission, 

 with power to him to expel or suspend any of them, 

 and, in case of vacancies, to fill up the council to nine. 

 He was also empowered to call assemblies, according 

 to the usage of the island; and, with the council and 

 assembly, to pass laws, which laws were to be in 

 force for two years, unless the crown's pleasure was 

 in the mean time signified to the contrary, and no 

 longer, except they were approved and confirmed 

 within that time. In the passing of these laws, the 



