300 JAMAICA. 



might adminifter to the pra£lical performance of thofe rapturous- 

 carefles, ravifliing extafies, thrilling tranfports, with all the kiffings, 

 pantings, fighings, dyings, which fill up the lufcious meafure of 

 their pialmody, might doubtlefs be apt to ftrike the imaginations 

 of the prophane, and incline them to fufpeft, that the faints behind 

 the curtain voluptuoufly mingle a little of the fenfual with their 

 fjiiritual feelings. 



Thefe which I have mentioned are all the fchifmatics publickly 

 avowed in Jamaica : not but there are many Roman catholics, 

 and diflenters, who enjoy their refpedive opinions in private, with- 

 out feeking to form themfelves into diftind congregations, or to put 

 themfelves to the expcnce of maintaining preachers or paftors. 



The laws of the ifland are favourable to the admiflion of fo- 

 reigners. They empower the governor, by inftrument under the 

 broad feal, to naturalize any alien who may come to fettle in the 

 ifland, having firft: taken the oath of allegiance : but they are re- 

 quired, within thirty days after their arrival, to give in their 

 names, trades, vocations, &c. to any ciijlos^ or chief magiftrate, and 

 apply for their letter of naturalization. 



They are then declared entitled to the fame immunities, rights,, 

 laws, and privileges, of the ifland, and in as full and ample man- 

 ner, as any of the king's natural-born fubjeds, or as if they them- 

 felves had been born within any of his maje;T:y's realms or domi- 

 nions. And, in order that fuch patents may be obtained at littfe 

 charge, the governor is to receive five pounds currency, and his 

 fecretary ten fliillings, each, and no more, for paffing them. 



This matter is further regulated by adl of parliament, pafled 

 13 George II.; the objed whereof feems to be, that aliens, tranf- 

 porting themfelves into any of the Britifli colonies, fhould becorrie 

 entitled to the rights of natural-born fubjeds, on condition that 

 they remain and refide therein for a certain term of years: for 

 a multitude of tranfient peifons, transferring their effeds, per- 

 haps for the fiike of traffic, and having no fixed abode, nor making 

 any fettlement, would add nothing to the fecurity of a colony ; 

 but, on the contrary, might do it hurt, by carrying off the profits, 

 gained on their trade, to be fpent in a foreign dominion, and by 

 excluding many real Britifti merchanti and traders, who would 



otherwife 



