BOOK II. CHAP. IX. Z2S 



granting toleration in thefe diflant parts of his dominion ; for I do 

 not fufpect that he meant fo much to favour men of the Roman C.\- 

 thohc perfuafion, as to flock tliefe infant-fettlemcnts wirli ufefiil 

 people. In his inflru6tions to the governors, he diretfis, '' for the 

 *' encouragement of perfons, of different judgements and opinions 

 *' in matters of religion, to tranfport thcmfclves, witii their 

 *' effeds, to Jamaica; and that they may not be obftrufled and 

 *' hindered under pretence of fcruples in confcience," to difpcnfe 

 with the taking the oaths of allegiance and fupremacy to thofe that 

 fhould bear any part in the government (the members and officefs 

 of the privy council only excepted), and to find out lome other 

 way of fecuring their allegiance ; and in no cafe to let any man be 

 molefled or dilquieted in the exercife of his religion, provided he 

 (liould be content with a quiet, peaceable enjoyment of it ; not 

 giving therein any offence or ibandal to the government. But tlie 

 governors themfelves were flriftly enjoined, in their own houfe and 

 family, to the profefiion of the Protefhmt religion, as preached 

 in England ; and to recommend it to others as far as miglit be 

 confiflent with the peace of the ifland. This toleration was after- 

 wards much narrowed by the acls of parliament affecfing papifts ; 

 which are fo far admitted in force here, as to preclude them from 

 exercifing any office, or place of truft, the oaths of abjuration and 

 fupremacy being indifpenfably required to be taken before admiflioa 

 into any fuch office or place, or a feat in the legiflature. But mea 

 of all perfualions are ftill received here as inhabitants; the natura- 

 lization-a6l, pafTed in Jamaica, only obliging aliens to take the 

 oath of allegiance : nor is any man ever queflioned here about his 

 religious principles [^], The bilhop of London claims this as a 

 part of his diocefe ; but his jurifdiition is renounced, and barred 

 by the laws of the ifland, in every cafe, except fo far as relates or 

 appertains to eccleliaftical regimen of the clergy ; which imports 

 no higher power than that of granting orders^ and giving palloral 



[g\ In 17^9, an aiH: was pafltd " for preventing dangers that may arife from difguifed, as well 

 *' as declared, Papirts." But, this not being found to anfvver the purpofes for which it was intended, 

 {ind, on the contrary, having onlv ferved to difcouragc weU-aftected Proteftants from coming over 

 to iettle in the ifland, it was repealed in the j-ear t"oIlo\ving. It ii fuid to have been leveled agaim^ 

 «ne particular gentleman, a member of the legillatiire, and a papift ; who hrtd made himfdt ottcu' 

 five to a party which at that time exifted in the houfe of allt;mbly, 



H h 2 admonitions; 



