%34 JAMAICA. 



cates; we may fuppole the revenue gains a confiderable annual fum 

 from thefe articles; perhaps, the clear emolument, to fpeak within 

 compafs, is not lefs than 6000/. Aerling, or upwards. The office 

 was firfl erefted in Jamaica in the year 1687, and one Mr. James 

 Wade appointed poft-mafter. This has been produced as one ex- 

 ample, among others, of parliamentary fupremacy in the levying 

 uf internal taxes within the colonies ; but, as the conveniency 

 arifmg from it to trade and commerce was undoubtedly the original 

 ground of its inftitution, io the fenfe of this conveniency gave it an 

 eafy admiffion into the colonies, flill indulges its exiftence, and 

 muft continue to do fo, unlefs the rates fhould be increafed to a de- 

 gree of oppreffion ; in this event it muft deftroy itfelf, of whicli 

 the revenue-officers are probably well fatisfied. 



C H A P. X. 



Siaie of the Clergy. 



TH E Clergy of the eftabliffied church have had a footing in 

 this ifland only fi nee the Reftoration of Charles II. Crom- 

 well took care to furnifli the army with fpiritual as well as carnal 

 weapons. 1 think there were no lefs than feveii allotted to this fer- 

 vice; but they wer€ fanatical preachers; a fort of irregulars, who 

 foon made way for more orthodox divines. It has always been a 

 rule, inour Weft-India iflands, to affimilate their religion, as well 

 ^as laws, to thofe of the mother-country. It is no wonder, there- 

 fore, that popery became the favourite fyftem in Jamaica during 

 the reign of James II. And the charader of this religion was per- 

 fectly well fupported by the fpirit of perfecution which was let 

 loofe againft all non-conformills. The Revolution under king 

 William happily expelled or fubdued thefe fuperftitions, and gave 

 the inhabitants, at one and the fame time, the enjoyment of re- 

 ligious and civil liberty. Recantations became frequent; induftry 

 Tevived ; and the ftubborn rage of bigotry was melted into peace 

 and concord. Charles II, although fecretly profeffing the Roman 

 faith, cannot be accufed of having exercifed feverity againft: its ad- 

 veriaries. Good fenfe taught him to difcern the expediency of 



granting 



