HISTORICAL SKETCH. 439 



together the black Caribs of St. Vincent, who had emigrated to 

 the island, at Salibia, on the eastern coast. 



It was Governor Chacon who diverted the course of the 

 Ariapita river (to-day, St. Ann) from its former bed to the foot 

 of the Laventille Hills, where it bears the name of Dry river. 

 This was done at the cost of 3,600 dollars, of which the Governor 

 generously contributed 1,000 dollars. This took place in 1787. 



The greatest accord prevailed ; and the new colonists, among 

 whom were men of talent, and most honourable, grateful for the 

 benefits conferred, gave their ready support to the Governor. 

 Many were appointed commandantes. It was Mr. de Laforest 

 who prepared the slave code, and who suggested the building of 

 a wharf. Mr. de Deshayes had proposed to bring to town the 

 St. Ann's water. 



Governor Chacon had to organise the whole administration 

 of the colony, and, aided by the concourse of the immigrants, 

 succeeded beyond expectation. Several royal decrees were issued, 

 diminishing the duties on goods a and extending the privileges 

 which had been granted for only a short time. 



As a consequence of the French Revolution war had been 

 proclaimed, and the archipelago had become the theatre of bloody 

 warfare, viz., at Martinique, Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, 

 and Grenada. 



Governor Chacon, naturally enough, began to feel anxious 

 about the safety of the colony entrusted to his care ; he parti- 

 cularly distrusted some French refugees nourishing republican 

 predilections, and was in perpetual fear of some disturbance. 



A British expedition had left England and sailed for Bar- 

 badoes, with the object of attacking the French colonies ; St. 

 Vincent, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Martinique had been com- 

 pelled to submit. But Victor Hughes, delegate of the Conven- 

 tion and Governor of Guadaloupe, had resisted the attack of the 

 English, and organised a fleet of privateers, who attacked the 

 enemy's merchant vessels wherever opportunity offered. Hardly 

 pressed by the British navy, some of them had taken refuge in 

 the Gulf. Captain Vaughan, of the Alarm, and Captain Skinner, 

 of the Zebra, received orders to chase them. Some of their 

 vessels were destroyed by the Zebra, but the crews escaped and 

 retired to Port-of-Spain, where, soon after, they had a row with 

 some men of the Alarm, on which occasion Captain Vaughan 



