THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 425 



It was not, however, without regret that some of the Loyalists left the 

 continent. Fears were expressed that the Islands were not as productive as 

 they were represented to be. It was a choice between the evils and dangers of 

 living under Spanish rule and going to a colony whose resources were doubtful. 

 Many, however, chose the latter, and came over, bringing with them their 

 slaves. The white population of the Bahamas was doubled by these immi- 

 grants, and the negro population was nearly trebled. Many of the new- 

 comers were cotton planters. These set to work at once with their slaves 

 clearing lands and planting crops, and soon brought the Colony to some im- 

 portance as a producer of cotton. 



On the part of the older native inhabitants of the Colony there was a 

 prejudice against the unfortunate exiles. Governor Maxwell was not above 

 sharing in these feelings, and yielding to them in his official conduct. He 

 was therefore disliked by the refugees. Upon his departure from Nassau an 

 address of regret at his leaving was presented to him. It was alleged that the 

 Loyalists acquiesced in the sentiments expressed in it. The spokesman of the 

 latter, however, disavowed any connection with the address, and this denial 

 was approved by a meeting of the Loyalists. They found abuses existing both 

 in the laws themselves and in the administration of them. Some of the stat- 

 utes, they said, were repugnant to the laws of the mother country. They 

 accused the Governor of attempting to deny to them the right of trial by jury, 

 a right which they considered as belonging to every Englishman in any British 

 territory. They also accused the Governor of further oppressive and tyran- 

 nical conduct towards them. They demanded reforms, and claimed to have 

 effected a reform in the administration of justice. The legislature was under 

 the control of the native inhabitants. The election of 1785 had occurred 

 before the Loyalists had begun to assert their power and they were in the 

 minority in the House of Assembly. The Lieutenant-Governor, being un- 

 favorable to the cause of the Loyalists, would not dismiss the Assembly and 

 call another. Therefore the desired reforms could not be brought about. 

 Several members of the House who were favorable to the refugees withdrew 

 from the House rather than acquiesce in such conduct as that in which it in- 

 dulged. The House required the attendance of some of them, and when they 

 still persisted in their refusal to sit in it they were declared incapacitated for 

 holding seats in that body. 



When John, Earl of Dunmore, became Governor in the latter part of the 

 year 1786, he too came under the influence of the same party that had sup- 



