208 



NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 



This augmentation between the years 1800 and 1808, had been 

 gradually progressive from .£51,030. to ^114,961. per annum.* 



* The sums 2/51,030. and XI 14,961. are the " net charges." Freight and contingent 

 losses upon provisions, and stores, received annually from England, India, and China, 

 being settled at the India-house, are not included in the island accounts. 



Rating freight from India at Z<30. per ton (which is less than the average in time of 

 war) and adding this rate, and the contingent expences, to Zrll4,961. in 1808, I find the 

 actual charges of that year amounted to Z'157,356. ; and if the same proportion of freight, 

 &c. be added to 1.51,030. in 1800, the total is X69,000.; consequently the charges of 

 this small island had risen from L6y,000. in 1800, to Zl57,356. in 1808. 



This augmentation of Z,88,356. in the annual charges, originated chiefly, in a new 

 and very extraordinary system, which had gradually crept in, of feeding the population 

 from the Company's stores. The cause of those additional expences being ascertained, 

 it was easy to apply proper remedies ; but in doing so, I certainly could not expect to gain 

 the good will of the St. Helenians : this will explain the " general dissatisfaction" 

 alluded to. 



It may be proper in this place to observe, that the effect of the measures introduced 

 since 1808, has been to reduce the expences from Z'157j356. per annum, to Ll04,880. 

 in 1812 — thus, producing a saving to the Honourable East India Company of £-52,476. 

 per annum. This observation will be illustrated by the following Statement which was 

 laid before the Honourable East India Directors, in April, 1814. 



' :i Comparative View of St. Helena Charges, 1808 — 1812- 



This saving of L52,4'J6. in the annual charges, was the effect of regulations and re- 

 strictions upon the issues and sale of provisions from the Company's stores ; and of intro- 

 ducing the plough, and giving examples of English husbandry, which have led to a larger 

 scale of cultivation. 



