514 HISTORY 



those who were peaceably disposed, in seconding the measures of the govern- 

 ment. The effect of it in all parts was salutary." 2 



REFORM IN THE GENERAL COURT. 



At the same time that the reform was taking place in the special magis- 

 tracy, there was seen to be a need of reform in the General Court. The slave 

 court of the old regime had passed out of existence. The business of the 

 whole Colony of freemen now fell upon the General Court. Its business was 

 increased to such an extent that in its then present condition it was unable to 

 meet the needs of the Colony. 413 The Assembly authorized it to hold four 

 sessions in the year but that had not sufficed to care for all the business that 

 came to it." 4 Complaints also came up from Turks Islands, a disaffected 

 community 500 miles away from the capital, of the inconvenience - to their 

 people of the service rendered by the General Court. These people had to bring 

 all cases that were not tried in the Justice's court to Nassau for trial. Com- 

 munication with the capital was always infrequent, always attended with diffi- 

 culties and beset with dangers from ocean currents and jutting rocks. The 

 expense of carrying a case to Nassau was too great for the people to bear. 

 For ordinary cases of robbery or larceny it was unreasonable. 415 A journey from 

 New York to Liverpool and back was attended with no less hardship and 

 inconvenience than one from Turks Islands to Nassau and return. 



As in the case of the special magistracy, Lieutenant-Governor Colebrooke 

 conceived the idea of establishing circuits for the justices of this court. As- 

 sizes would thus be held in all the larger Out-islands. With the concurrence 

 of the Secretary of State he recommended it to the legislature. His plan 

 carried," 6 and a little later the Assembly made provision for the traveling 

 expenses of the justices." 7 According to the arrangement, instituted circuits 

 were made twice annually to all the more important islands. These circuits 

 were as follows: 1, the western, including the Berry Islands, the Biminis, 

 Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Harbor Island; 2, the middle, including 



412 Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 94. 



413 Colebrooke to Aberdeen, Nos. 32 and 35. 



414 Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 112 (1885). 



415 See Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 17 (1836). 

 410 See 5 William IV, 7. 



417 Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 45. 



