31 i^ ISLES OF SUMMER. 



Avho commanded a sliip witli 42 guns. When the latter was 

 away, the outraged people put the Governor iu prison, and chose 

 Ashley, one of their number, President. The pirates returned 

 and set Jones at liberty, who in turn imprisoned all -whom he 

 suspected of hostility to himself, and desired the pirates to carry 

 them off the island and make way with them. 



In 1G94, Jones was superceded by one Trott, whom the pro- 

 prietors appointed in his place. He liberated the imprisoned in- 

 habitants, but allowed Jones to depart without a trial. Cowed 

 by his fears, he also permitted the pirates to land with their 

 plunder upon the island. The inhabitants fraternized with the 

 freebooters, who remained unmolested. To protect themselves 

 from the Spaniards, the inhabitants Imilt a small fort upon which 

 they mounted twenty-two cannon. "They also built a town of 

 IGO houses which they called Nassau." 



In 1697 Webb was appointed Governor. After holding that 

 office two years, the discretion of his excellency got the better of 

 bis valor, and he left for Pennsylvania. 



In 1099, while away, he, without the knowledge of the pro- 

 prietors, installed in his place a mulatto by the name of Eldridge, 

 a man of most infamous character, who secured the pirates for 

 his protectors and patrons, and thus was en!il)led to retain his 

 title and his power for two years. 



In ITOl the proprietary " lords " conferred the office of Gov- 

 ernor upon one Haskel, who put his immediate predecessor into 

 prison, and also some of the inhabitants, whom he caused to be 

 prosecuted for abetting the pirates. His zeal proved to be greater 

 than his power, for in five weeks after his arrival upon the island, 

 his turbulent subjects seized and ironed him, and after keeping 

 him a close prisoner for six weeks, shipped him back to England. 



These practical believers in self-government appointed one of 

 their associates named Lichtwood, (or Lightfoot,) president and 



