HISTORICAL SKETCH. 443 



unwarrantable experiment, as proved by the results. Three 

 commissioners were named, Colonel Fullarton, Governor Picton, 

 and Commodore Samuel Hood. Why was Fullarton, a man in 

 every respect inferior to Picton, appointed first commissioner ? 

 This is a mystery. The government of the colony was trans- 

 ferred to the commission in January, 1803, the first commis- 

 sioner having* arrived at that time. General Picton had 

 governed the colony for a period of nearly six years, from April, 

 1797, to January, 1803, under trying and most difficult circum- 

 stances. The condition of the colony, when it was placed under 

 commission, may be fairly judged by the following figures : — 



From the pamphlet, " Political Account of the Island of 

 J Trinidad," I take the following figures : — 



1799— Sugar 



lium ... 



Melases 



Cacao 



Coffee 



Cotton 



1800— Sugar 



Rum 



Melases 



Cacao 



Coffee 



Cotton 



