BOOK If. CHAP. XIII. 295 



this ifland during the government of Sir William Bccfton, they 

 oppofed the enemy with great courage. Their knowledge ot fo- 

 reign languages, and intercourfe with their brethren, difpcrfed over 

 the Spaniih and other Weft-India colonies, have contributed 

 greatly to extend the trade, and incrcafe the wealth, of the ifland ; 

 for they have always been tlie chief importers of bullion : and the 

 riches they acquire to themfelves are expanded in effect to .the 

 public welfare j for they are not mere brokers and money-holders 

 that may remove ad libit urn; they are allowed to purchafe lands and 

 tenements, and ailually poffefs a large fliare of both. This gives 

 them a folid attachment to the interefl: and fecurity of Jamaica ; 

 which they coafider as their home. Their affe£lion is flill further 

 flrengthened by the ali'urance, that, under other governments, they 

 would not be Indulged with the enjoyment of the fame rights, 

 privileges, and immunities, which they now hold undifturbed. 

 The provincial law?, it is true, lay them under fome few rcflrici 

 tions (if they can be properly called fuch, for they rather leem ex- 

 emption:? from burthen, than privations of any benefit). 



They may not officiate, nor write, in any of the public offices. 

 They muft lupply their deficiencies out of their own nation, and 

 not by indented Chriftian fervants; but they are allowed to hire 

 Chriftians tor this purpofe. 



Tlieir religion necefiarily excludes them from exercHing any poft 

 under the government above the rank of conflable ; but the policy 

 of the Ifland requires ail of them, without dlftindion, to bear arms 

 in the militia. If they cannot, on accouiit of their religion, hold 

 pofls of profit, they are neveithelei's excufed, for the fame reafon,. 

 from troublefome offices, that have no profit anijexed to them, 

 which are here exceedingly numerous: fo that the balance, upon 

 the v;iiole, feems much in their tavour. The lenity of the laws, 

 which tolerate them in^ the free exercife of their relioion and cu- 

 ftoiTis, permit them to hold landed property, protedt them equally 

 with other fubjeds in the pofledion and enjoyment of it, and load^ 

 them with no partial or oppreffive taxations, altogether forms a 

 vfery ample compenfation for t!ie want of a voice in tlie legiflature, 

 er courts of jufticc. They are confequently contented and har^py 

 under this government ; and would be more fo, if it was not 'or 



their 



