318 ISLES OF SUMMER. 
who commanded a ship with 42 guns. When the latter was 
away, the outraged people put the Governor in prison, and chose 
Ashley, one of their number, President. The pirates returned 
and set Jones at liberty, who in turn imprisoned all whom he 
suspected of hostility to himself, and desired the pirates to carry 
them off the island and make way. with them. 
In 1694, Jones was superceded by one Trott, whom the pro- 
prietors appointed in his place. He liberated the imprisoned in- 
habitants, but allowed Jones to depart without a trial. Cowed 
by his fears, he also permitted the pirates to land with their 
plunder upon the island. The inhabitants fraternized with the 
freebooters, who remained unmolested. To protect themselves 
from the Spaniards, the inhabitants built a small fort upon which 
they mounted twenty-two cannon. ‘They also built a town of 
160 houses which they called Nassau.” ' 
' In 1697 Webb was appointed Governor. After holding that 
office two years, the discretion of his excellency got the better of 
his valor, and he left for Pennsylvania. 
In 1699, while away, he, without the knowledge of the pro- 
prietors, installed in his place a mulatto by the name of Eldridge, 
aman of most infamous character, who secured the pirates for 
his protectors and patrons, and thus was enabled to retain his 
title and his power for two years. : 
_ In 1701 the proprietary “lords ” conferred the office of Gov- 
ernor upon one Haskel, who put his immediate predecessor into 
prison, and also some of the inhabitants, whom he caused to be 
prosecuted for abetting the pirates. His zeal proved to be greater 
than his power, for in five weeks after his arrival upon the island, 
his turbulent subjects seized and ironed him, and after keeping 
him a close prisoner for six weeks, shipped him back to England. 
These practical believers in self-government appointed one of 
their associates named Lichtwood, (or Lightfoot,) president and 
