604 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 
be saved for their own benefit, and the benefit of them that shall 
spring up after them, as all good commonwealths men would do, and 
whereas many do pretend by their lopping off young cedars to pre- 
serve them, they by their negligence, or to save them the labor 
to carry away the bush, they fire it so near the trees, that they do 
burn up the cedars that might by the blessing of God be fit for any 
use, which the Inhabitants will in a short time stand in need of, even 
to the destruction of the land, if not timely prevented. These are 
therefore for to will and require every person and persons in the land 
to use their uttermost endeavors for the preservation of all young 
cedars, and to be every year a planting of young cedars for the fene- 
ing of their grounds, so by that means the fruits of the earth may be 
preserved from blasting; and as the old timber doth decay, the 
young trees may grow up for the use of the land, that the land may 
not be deserted, for without timber we cannot subsist. Therefore, 
whosoever for the future, shall be found guilty in any of the premises, 
they must expect no favour, but to receive condign punishment 
according to their several demerits. These are desiring all to take 
notice hereof whom it may concern, as they will answer the contrary 
at their uttermost perils.” 
The following are among the General Orders of the Company to 
Governor Fflorentia Seymer [Seymour], when he was appointed in 
October, 1662 :— 
“In the first place. To prevent the destruction of Timber in the 
Islands and the want that is like to ensue thereuppon, wee have 
ordered as followeth, 
(1) That no 'Tenent shall fell any Tree but for necessary repayres. 
(2) That no Timber be felled as aforesaid in any of the Tribes for 
necessary repayres but what shall be allowed by the Councellr of 
the same Tribe before it be fallen. 
(3) That the stealing of Timber be provided against by a severe 
punishment of the offender. 
(4) That at cleering of ground no tree shall be lopped but at seven 
foot height and in seasonable time and that no brush wood be burnt 
upon the place where any Treese do grow and are fallen, but be 
used as fewell by the respective Tenents in their houses, 
(5) That every owner and occupier of land do maintaine his fences 
according to the law in that behalf and that in the fences in an 
husbandlike maner, they plant Cedar, Olive, Lime, Pomegranate, 
Fig, Orange Trees, which will sufficiently supply the want of Timber 
and make the place fitter for growth and defensable against windes 
that otherwise proove soe destructive in the place.” 
