366 HISTORY OF [BOOK., re. 



custos and chief magistrate of Trelawney), Messrs. 

 Stewart and Hodges, the members in the assembly, 

 and Jarvis Gallimore, Esq. colonel of the militia. 



As this message seemed to manifest a disinclina- 

 tion on the part of the chief body of the Maroons, to 

 proceed to hostilities, the gentlemen above named 

 very readily accepted the invitation, and proceeded to 

 the town the next day (the 20th). They were ac- 

 companied by col. Thomas Reed, of the St. James's 

 militia., a very distinguished and gallant officer, and a 

 man of the highest honour and character; by other 

 persons of consideration; and also by major James, 

 whose son had formerly acted as superintendant of 

 the town, who was himself superintendant general 

 of all the Maroon towns in the island, and was sup- 

 posed to have more weight, and to possess greater 

 influence, with the Maroons, than any other man in 

 the country. 



,j 



The Maroons received them under arms. There 

 appeared about three hundred able men, all of whom 

 had painted their faces for battle, and seemed ready 

 for action; and they behaved with so much insolence, 

 that the gentlemen were at first exceedingly alarmed 

 for their own safety. A conference however ensued; 

 In which it was observable, that the Maroons com- 

 plained not of the injustice or severity of the pu- 

 nishment which had been inflicted on two of their com- 

 panions; but cf the disgrace which they insisted the 

 magistrates of Montego bay had put on their whole 

 body, by ordering the punishment to be inflicted in 

 the workhouse by the black overseer or driver, and 



