CHAPTER XVI. 



The Tnfliience of the British Court and Aristocracy upon the People of 

 Nassau. The Landing of Prince Alfred upon the Island of New Providence. 

 Nassau and the British Govsrnmsnt During the Late War of the Bebellion. 

 Blockads Running. Nassau Practically a Confederate Port. International 

 Laws Construed and Enforced so as to Greatly Damage the United States. 

 Fortunes Rapidly Mads, Squandered and Lost. Wild Excitement and Great 

 Dissipation. Great Increase of Disease and Crime in Nassau. 



''No voice of friendlj^ salutation cheered us, 

 None wish'd our arms might thrive, or bade God speed us." — Rowe. 



As the child apes the man, so the practices and sentiments of 

 the court and aristocratic circles of Great Britain give tone and 

 character to society in the dependencies of the British crown in 

 all the ends and corners of the earth. In Nassau, English in- 

 fluences dominate, although from the geographical position of 

 the Bahamas, and the natural course of trade, they are commer- 

 cially more closely allied to the United States. As the home 

 government retains and exercises the power of filling the high 

 executive and judicial offices, and has the ultimate and deciding 

 voice in all important legislative and. judicial matters, a great 

 check exists against the growth of a natural sentiment in favor, 

 of political independence, and free institutions. Much is done 

 in the Bahamas to foster, keep alive and deepen the feeling of 

 reverence for and true allegiance to the Queen, her family and 

 her government. The landing of Prince Alfred upon the island 

 of New Providence, upon the 3d day of December, A. D. 1861, 



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