BOOK JJ. CHAP. VIJI. J 75 



fcmbly, in 1769, that a road from Titchtield through Nanny- 

 Town, and over Break-heart Hill, would be (horter by twenty- 

 three miles; that the lands through which it muft pafs were very 

 fit for the culture of provilions ; and that it might not only be- 

 come the means of fupplying the Bath plentifully with all manner 

 of provifions and poultry, but of fettling a large tra£l: at that time 

 ufelefs, and of fubfifting many poor families in Portland, then in 

 very indigent circumftances ; three hundred pounds were granted 

 towards making it. No fum was ever voted to a better defign ; 

 but it required ftill further alhllance, to render it paflable for loaded- 

 mules, or carriages ; and therefore has not yet produced all thole 

 advantages that the petitioners expected from it, the expence of 

 the undertaking being rated at icoo/. The aflembly therefore have 

 fince added 300/. more, the pariOiioners engaging to raife the re- 

 maining 400/. by a fubfcription. I am not fond of paffing cen- 

 furesj yet I muft take leave to fay, that even in the fecurity of 

 Port Antonio, fo ufeful a retreat for the Ihipping in war-time, 

 there has appeared a very finguhu inattention. The fort, which 

 was built here to command the channels of entrance, and whicb 

 is extremely well-defigned for that intention, is a baftion of twenty- 

 two embrazures, inclofed to the Southward from flank to flank by 

 barracks to receive feveiity men, and an apartment for the com- 

 manding officer. It was once mounted with about twelve guns, 

 twenty-four pounders. This fortrefs, at which a company of fol- 

 diers is generally garrifoned, we (hould fuppofe to deferve full as 

 much cf the public care as the Rock Fort at Kingflon Harbour; 

 but the condition of defence in which it was left during the late 

 war may be judged of from the following fl:ate, as given in the 

 year 1768 ; viz. 



The guns all unfit for fervice, and without carriages* 



No wadhooks, fpunges, ladles, or rammei's. 



The platforms fw the guns entirely decayed^ 



No flag ; the beat unfit for fervice ; the roof of the magazine 

 very leaky, and no door; the furgeon's room untenantable; the 

 roof of the commanding officer's houfe, and barracks, wholly out 

 of repair; the foldier's barracks without platforms ; nohofpital; the 

 guard-houfe tumbled down ; and no place of confinement, &c. &c. 



To 



