386 HTSTORY OF 



which by far too many of them had been expel- 

 led existence. 



Doubts arising as to the light the natives 

 were to be held, the court applied to the Governor 

 for information, when he sent the court the 

 orders from time to time given respecting them, 

 and a copy of an article in his " Majesty's in- 

 structions to the Governor," which in very 

 strong terms places them under the protection 

 of the British government, and directs, that " if 

 any of his subjects should wantonly destroy 

 them, or give them unnecessary interruption in 

 the exercise of their several occupations, they 

 are to be brought to punishment according to 

 the degree and nature of their offence. " 



But as in this instance, the court were divided 

 in their sentiments, the whole business, with' 

 their doubts, was agreed to be submitted to his 

 Majesty's Minister. Notwithstanding it was 

 impossible to explain to the natives, or make 

 them comprehend the nature of these doubts, 

 it was naturally to be expected they would ill 

 brook the return of the prisoners to their farms 

 without receiving some punishment: an event 

 wholly opposite to their ideas and customs; in 

 fact they threatened most violently to burn the 

 crops the first opportunity. In the hands of a 

 body of justly irritated and hostile natives, fire 

 might, with little trouble to them, ruin every 

 prospect of the most abundant harvest; and by 

 this threat, it appeared evident they were not 

 ignorant of the power they possessed, thus it was 

 essential to the comfort, security, and indeed 



