INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Ixvii 



years 1708 to 1740) been followed up, St. Helena, at tlie present 

 time, would have been in tiie most flourishing condition. Its 



views at tlie expense of tlie Company''s interest ; and, as trutli anil justice could form no 

 basis for open remonstrance, secret misrepresentation and detraction were the only wea- 

 pons that could be employed against him. These, together with a ])lausible statement 

 dehvered to the Court of Directors by George Hoskinson, a wealthy planter, of infamous 

 character, at length succeeded in effecting tiie removal of Captain Roberts. The ground- 

 less charges which had been preferred against him, were soon detected ; and the unjust 

 treatment of the man whose merits had been so conspicuous, justly excited the strongest 

 indignation." • • ■ 



" Governor Pyke was twice in charge of the Government ; first, in 1 7 1 '1- 1 J), and after- 

 wards in 1 732-38. His attention was principally directed to agricultural improvement. 

 Although he had many obstacles to encounter, yet, in five years, he restored the island 

 from a most ruinous condition, to as flourishing a state as could be expected, considering 

 the difficulties he had to overcome. He has vei-y justly been accused of arbitrary con- 

 duct ; but upon the whole, the Court of Directors were satisfied with his first adminis- 

 tration, and re-appointed him Governor in 1732.'" 



" During five years that Mr. Byfield filled the Chair, from 17^7 to 1732, his savings 

 for the Company were calculated at X25,565. Their sense of his merits was manifested 

 by an addition to his salary, and other marks of favour. The inhabitants also, about 

 five months after theii- liberation from the galling yoke of Captain Smyth's tyranny, 

 testified their acknowledgments in an address to Mr. Byfield, for his equitable adminis- 

 tration ; and, in the foOowing year, again took occasion to express their high sense of his 

 just and indulgent disposition. But, when the recollection of former sufferings and 

 oppression had worn off, present blessings were undervalued, and chscontents fomented 

 against the man, who, by general confession, had every claim to esteem and affection. A 

 powerful party was formed against him, and a deputation of two of its members was sent 

 home to lay their pretended grievances before the Court of Directors." 



" Byfield, indignant at this imgrateful treatment, retired from his situation in disgust ; 

 but whilst his enemies succeeded in tlriving him from the island, they were little awai'e of 

 the punishment they had been preparing for themselves. Captain Pyke was appointed 

 to succeed, and anived in March 1732. During his second administration, he fully 

 justified the charge of arbitrary conduct, of which he was accused. The white inhabi- 

 tants were ignominiously whipped and imprisoned for trivial offences ; the military officers 

 /ined and suspended \vithout courts-martial," &c. &c.* The day on which Mr. Byfield 



* Mr. Brooke's History of St. Helena. 



