404 A. D. 1764. 



mated at 15,000 white people, exclufive of the military and naval efta- 

 blifhments and the feafliring people ; 4000 free peojile of colour ; and, 

 according to the returns made in the year 1762, 146.464 flaves. 



As it was found inconfiftent with the interefts of the Britifh com- 

 merce, and moil particularly of that of Jamaica, to prohibit the refort 

 of SpaniOi veflcls, inflrudions were fent to the governor and the adnii- 

 ral on the Nation, fignifying, that Spanifli velTels, coming into Jamaica 

 by reafon of d'ljlrefs, or for refrefjjmeiits, as formerly, fliould receive the af- 

 fiftance they had formerly been allowed, provided they did not attempt 

 to bring in foreign merchandize. And fimilar iiiftructions were fent to 

 the governors of the other colonies, v^hich ufed to be vilited by Spanifli 

 veflels. 



But the public deliberations on the regulation of a trade, which had 

 formerly been allowed filently and quietly to regulate itfelf, could not 

 poflibly efcape the watchful attention of the Spanifh ambafTador. The 

 confequencc was, that the government of Spain, in order to counteracil 

 our policy, now for the firfl time laid open the trade to their iflands to 

 their own fubjeds in all the provinces of Spain, by permitting the free 

 exportation of goods, on payment of moderate duties, to Trinidad, Pu- 

 erto-rico, Hifpaniola, and Cuba. But it does not appear, that this mea- 

 fure, however promifing and apparently liberal, was producTtive of much 

 benefit to the Spaniards, few of whom pollefled fufficient fpirit, or 

 means, to avail themfelves of the indulgence to fuch an extent, as to 

 fupply their colonies with proper afTortments of goods, qualified to come 

 in competition with the Britilh manufliclures, which fi:ill preferved fuch 

 an afcendant in the demand among the Spanifli Weft-Indians, as tempt- 

 ed them to brave all the dangers and penalties they were liable to, if 

 detedled in Imuggling them. 



The culture of filk was unfuccefsful in Georgia this year, owing to 

 unfavourable weather in March and April. The quantity brought to 

 the public filature was 15,126 pounds of cocoons, being 360 lefs than 

 the produce of the preceding year. At this time the Georgia filk was 

 complained of in London, as being too round and fpungy, owing to its 

 being wound from too many cocoons at once. 



The continent of America, from the mouth of the Mifiifippi to the 

 frozen fea of Greenland, being now fubjedl to Great Britain, it was 

 thought expedient, that accurate furveys Ihould be made of all its coafts, 

 harbours, and rivers ; for which purpofes Mefirs. Samuel Holland and 

 William de Brahm were commiflloned as furveyors-general of America, 

 the river Potowmak with a line running weft from the head of its main 

 ftream being tlie boundary between their diftrids. The iflands in the 

 Gulf of St. Laurence were recommended to the earlieft attention of Mr. 

 Holland, as the peninfula of Eafl Florida was to that of Mr. De Brahm. 



This year the parliament of Ireland entered in good earneft upon the 



I 



