Emigrant Labor. 47 



limited tract, and, while they were willing to remain there for 

 a year or two, they had come over to establish their families and 

 secure lands for their descendants, and they did not propose to 

 spend all their days on this spot making tar for the English 

 navy.^ Those in charge of the other settlements found a similar 

 reluctance on the part of their laborers to " listen to tar-mak- 

 ing."^ The system of enforced labor under constant oversight 

 was irritating, and Mr. Cast was particularly obnoxious to 

 the people. They began to complain, probably with reason, 

 that they were badly fed, and that they were not making any 

 money, as their contract had led them to believe they would be 

 able to do.^ 



The general discontent was fomented by one or two ring- 

 leaders, who at length carried matters so far that Colonel 

 Hunter was hastily summoned to quell a mutiny. Finding that 

 argument was a waste of breath, he had the contract which they 

 had all signed re-read, and he asked them to say decisively 

 whether or not they intended to abide by it, that he might act 

 accordingly. After some deliberation, they returned answer 

 that they were willing to keep their contract, " and so," wrote 

 Colonel Hunter, " we all parted good friends."* The peace was 

 not of long duration, and a fresh outbreak, three weeks later, 

 brought Colonel Hunter to the spot with a force of soldiers. 

 He disarmed the Palatines, but listened to their complaints. 

 They now insisted that they had been cheated in the contract, 

 which was not the one that had been read to them in England 

 and which would force them to remain on these lands forever. 

 They further complained that they had not received the prom- 

 ised food, clothes and tools, and that their people were dying 

 for want of care and remedies.^ Colonel Hunter attributed 

 their discontent to their having been misled and frightened, 

 and he quoted facts to prove that their pretended injuries were 



iDoct. Hist, of New York, Vol. Ill, p. 65S. 



^Ibid. 



3Doct. Hist, of New York, Vol. Ill, p. 661. 



*Doct. Hist, of New York, Vol. Ill, p. 662. 



^Doct. Hist, of New York, Vol. Ill, pp. 662-66. 



