44.2 TllINIUAD. 



words and deeds,, his determination to crush disorder and uphold 

 peace. They proved his firmest supporters. Having succeeded 

 in obtaining- the confidence of the most respectable inhabitants 

 of the colony, he did not hesitate to venture in forming a 

 militia, which proved very useful in enforcing order in the rural 

 districts, whilst it permitted the disposal of the troops for more 

 important duties. 



On the 29th of June, 1801, General Picton was appointed 

 by the home Government " Civil and Military Governor " of 

 Trinidad. He was at the same time notified that the Courts of 

 Judicature which existed before the capitulation should be con- 

 tinued in the exercise of all the judicial powers belonging to them 

 in criminal and civil cases, and that he was vested with all such 

 judicial powers as belonged to his predecessors, and should 

 exercise them in like manner as they were exercised previous to 

 the surrender of the island. 



The Governor called a meeting of the principal inhabitants, 

 communicated the royal will, and then appointed a council ol 

 advice, consisting of five members, comprising a Spaniard, 

 Frenchman, and three Englishmen. 



On the proclamation of the Treaty of Amiens, which finalb 

 ceded Trinidad to Great Britain, a number of Scotch and British 

 adventurers actually poured into Trinidad from the neighbouring 

 colonies, especially those which had been temporarily occupied hj 

 the British forces — men of doubtful character, who, however, 

 considered themselves entitled to all sorts of consideration, as 

 British-born subjects. They formed, as they thought, the Eng- 

 lish party. They at once declared themselves opponents of 

 Picton, who, on the other hand, found staunch supporters in the 

 old colonists, who had given unmistakable proof of their loyalty. 

 The Governor was not the man to be cowed by such opposition, 

 and he deprived two of their leaders of their commission in the 

 Trinidad militia. They tried by all means to detract the govern- 

 ment of Sir Thomas Picton and to injure his character, and it 

 must be conceded that their efforts were not unsuccessful. 

 Colonel Fullarton found in them ready auxiliaries in his war 

 against Picton. 



Mr. Pitt having been compelled to resign, Lord Sidmouth 

 became Premier. It was then decided, by way of experiment, I 

 suppose, to place the government of Trinidad in commission ; an 



