JAMAICA 203 



negro as well as the richest planter feels that they are for 

 his special benefit and protection, and respects them in a 

 spirit which is not found even in onr own country. In 

 fact, in the government of Jamaica we have an example of 

 that perfection of colonial administration in which Eng- 

 land excels. 



The name Jamaica is derived from a native word, 

 " Xayinaca," signifying the " island of fountains." Among 

 illiterate natives the name is still pronounced "Hanilky." 

 The island was originally settled by the Spaniards in 

 1509. In contrast with the Spanish mode of procedure in 

 the other Antilles, the first governor reduced the natives 

 without bloodshed; but his successors carried on a work 

 of extermination. During the century and a half of 

 Spanish occupation several small towns were settled, and 

 the Castilian nomenclature, though now sadly corrupted, 

 was given to many of the natural features. Among these 

 were the names of jUanteca, now corrupted into Montego ; 

 Mont Agua, now Moneague; Boca del Agua, now Bog 

 Walk ; and Agua Alta, now Wag Water. 



In 16G5 an English fleet sent by Cromwell to capture 

 Santo Domingo, having been repulsed from that island, 

 indemnified itself by seizing Jamaica. At that time the 

 population was only three thousand, one half of whom 

 were Spaniards. The latter migrated from the island to 

 Cuba, but their race imprint was left upon the other half 

 of the people who remained, as is still shown in certain 

 words of the language and habits of the island. England 

 immediately began colonization with settlers of all kinds 

 drawn from the West Indies, Scotland, and Ireland, and 

 since the conquest Jamaica has remained a loyal English 

 colony, devoted to the government, customs, and tra- 

 ditions of the mother-country. Owing to beneficent 

 privileges granted the colonists, the population rapidly 

 increased. Although the English official and landlord 

 always constituted the ruling class, there were among its 

 accessions a large number of African slaves and Jewish 



