Ixii INTRODUCiORV CHAPTER. 



" good account ; for the island is really capable of considerable 

 " improvement. We have set them a good example, and hear- 

 " tily wish they had discretion enough to follow it."* 



Notwithstanding this complaint of a want of diligence, industry, 

 and discretion amongst the inhabitants, I observe by theRecords,f 

 that Mr. Byfield's unremitting exertions had brought the island 

 into a higher state of improvement than at any period of its history. 

 During his administration, the inhabitants were so abundantly 

 supplied with island productions, that there was no demand what- 

 ever for salted beef and pork from the public stores. The small 

 quantities that remained in store, Mr. Byfield requested permis- 

 sion to have sent to Bencoolen : in order " that it should sell for 

 " a little, rather than be all lost, which must be the case if it 

 " remain here ; for we have not any demand or occasion for it."{ 

 This retrospect to the Records clearly shews, tliat if St. Helena 

 were properly managed, and agriculture carried on to the extent of 

 which the island is capable, the demand for imported provisions 

 might be reduced to a mere trifle. 



It is well known that St. Helena, since the period of its dis- 

 covery, has been successively, and exclusively appropriated by the 

 Portuguese, Dutch, and English, as a place of rendezvous and 

 refreshment for ships returning from India. No expense has 

 been spared to render it suitable to this important purpose. Many 

 judicious orders and regulations have been from time to time sent 

 from England ; and it was particularly enjoined " to render every 

 " acre of ground capable of cultivation, as productive as the 

 " nature of the soil would admit." So early as 1675, the govern- 

 ment was told by the Directors of the East India Company, 

 that " We find there is wanting industry and pains-taking in 



• Extract from official letter, dated the 24th June, 1730. 



t Letter, 26th May, 17S0. | Governor Byfield's Letter, 26th May 1730» 



