26S PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



prevail in some seasons, and of the fog and rain that wrap that land 

 in frequent gloom. 



Some of these facts were no doubt known to the Duke of Portland, 

 the Crown Minister, whose wisdom had directed them, against Colonel 

 Quarrell's advice, to Halifax with its winter snow and fog. His 

 Grace decided to i-emove them to equatorial heat and fog, and hoped 

 that their military spirit and training in Nova Scotia would be in- 

 strumental in keeping the surrounding savages in order, and useful 

 even as an example to the " Loyal Negroes," so called, who lacked 

 discipline and character. Governor Wentworth, now that his mis- 

 sionary zeal had cooled, and Admiral Richery with the French fleet 

 was no longer off the coast, seemed to be possessed of but one desire ^ 

 to see them depart from Nova Scotia without exception. On the 

 sixth day of August, 1800, Sir John Wentworth informed the Duke 

 that five hundred and fifty -one Maroons had embarked on the Asia 

 and set sail from Halifc\x. Four had deserted to avoid going. 

 Many, Sir John stated, regretted to leave, and all expressed gratitude 

 to Nova Scotia. They arrived in Sierra Leone, in October, 1800. 

 As caged animals let loose, seek again their native wilds, so did these 

 brave people return to the land of their ancestors, holding fast to their 

 old inbred customs and superstitions. 



The spii'it of Saxon civilization passed lightly over them, but did 

 not penetrate their breasts. But a kindly feeling prevailed, and the 

 Maroon has not since raised his hand against the white man. The 

 children and gi-and children of the Maroons of Trelawney, may now 

 be found on the West Coast of Africa. 



They are reported to have aided the Government in repressing 

 revolts of savage tribes, and in opening to the advance of freedon> 

 and civilization the Dark Continent., from which their ancestors were 

 torn by the cruel Saxon. Doubtless the brave deeds of their fore- 

 fathers, who defied the redcoats and held their own so long in the 

 defiles and cockpits of Jamaica, and the terrors of ice cold Nova 

 Scotia are still the theme of song and story in the cottages of Freetown 

 by the Sierra Leone rivers and Isles de Loss. Doubtless there 

 tired mothers still crying babes to rest with tales inherited from their 

 parents of the terrible Chasseurs and their savage dogs of war. 



