Ixvi INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



had ever been sanctioned by the Court of Directors, a reform 

 was adopted, wliich, by its jiiadual operation, produced a reduc- 

 tion in the charges of the island, from <£I57,356. in 1808, to 

 £104,880. in 1812.* 



Another cause of the increase of the island charges, was a total 

 neglect of the orders of the Company to extend cultivation. This 

 would have undoubtedly been the best means of lessening the 

 demands on the public stores, and of augmenting the stock of 

 cattle : but, instead of obeying those orders, the farmers gradually 

 became graziers. Their cattle and sheep were left to themselves 

 on the pastures; and no provision of fodder of any kind was ever 

 thought of, to meet a season of (Irougl)t. Lands formerly in 

 cultivation were abandoned and overgrown with weeds ; and few 

 traces of industry were to be seen. Under such circumstances, 

 the increase of population, that is, of planters and their slaves, 

 had been of no advantage to the island ; for in the year 1717, 

 when the total of those inhabitants was only 833, there were 

 1765 cattle on the island ; and in 1812, when the same class of 

 inhabitants had increased to 1732, their stock of cattle was no 

 more than 1494. 



Such were the real causes of all the existing evils. Had the 

 same energies which are so conspicuous during the governments 

 of Messrs. Roberts, Pyke, Bytield, and Dunbar,t (between the 



* See Note, page 208. 



■j- " Governor Roberts's administration ( 1 708-1 J ) may justly be said to form a new asra 

 in the history of St. Helena. The general disorder into which the island had fallen, and 

 tne accumulated defects which had arisen and multiplied under his predecessors, were at 

 once corrected by his able conduct. Attention to business, regularity, and economy, 

 were established in every department; whilst strict justice, and a conscientious regai-d to 

 the Company's interests, distinguished the measures of this excellent Governor." 



" By a vigorous execution of laws, which had long been disregai'ded. Captain Roberts 

 rendered liimself obnoxious to those who were desu-ous of accommodating their private 



