ST. HELENA 33 



cement. On former occasions chalk had been imported 

 from England, and had been burnt into lime in St. Helena ; 

 but this was expensive as well as inconvenient, and a reward 

 of one hundred dollars was offered for the discovery of lime. 

 Aaron Johnson, a soldier, was successful, but the quantity 

 found was not considered sufficient to entitle him to the 

 reward. Part of the reward was however given to him to 

 stimulate others to further exertions. But excitement was 

 at a great height when signs of gold and copper ore were dis- 

 covered by Captain Nashbourne, a member of Council, who 

 was searching for limestone. Later on we find the engineer 

 did not give satisfaction, for we read that the Governor re- 

 ported to the Council that 



" He observes the Engineer to be useless running headlong about 

 business without his directions," which being fully considered in 

 Council give their opinion of him — " That Christian Frederick 

 Vogell is rather pioneer than engineer, and no Gentleman by his 

 actions and behaviour, and is altogether useless to serve the Honour- 

 able Company in any capacity, as being idle, ignorant and lazy, 

 not knowing how to obey orders, or give directions, by which means 

 our Honourable Masters have suffered. Resolved that the said 

 C. F. Vogell be dismissed the Honourable Company's service from 

 this day." 



Governor Roberts laid out plantations for yams near 

 Friar's Valley, and conveyed water there, but this land was 

 allowed afterwards to go unfilled. He planted sugar-canes 

 in Sandy Bay, manufactured sugar, rum, wine and brandy. 

 He also made " bricks and tyles." On August 15, 1710, he 

 exhibited to the Council samples of St. Helena sugar, where- 

 upon the following resolution was passed : — 



That a pound or two be sent to our Honourable Masters by the 

 next shipping, and that they may be acquainted that we have found 

 the following articles since Governor Roberts came here, viz. lime, 

 tyles, brick, cutstone for building, sugar, rum, minerals of several 

 sortes, upon which we are now resolved to fire nine guns ; to drink 

 our Honourable Masters' good health and success to the island ; 

 for we are well satisfied this island will turn to account, and not 

 be a dead charge, as it ever has been, if our Honourable Masters 

 will be pleased to encourage it, and supply these people with neces- 

 saries ; and then there will be no aversion against improvements, 

 but showers of blessings of these people will come to them. 



The East India Company were continually sending out 

 orders, but so little attention had been paid to them that it 



c 



