12 BERMUDA. 



a Frenchman was hanged for speaking "many 

 distasteful and mutinous speeches against the Go- 

 vernor."* The discouraging and afflicting circum- 

 stances of the state of society at this period naturally 

 required a remedy, and it was thought necessary hy 

 Tucker to make an example of the first culprit for 

 the suppression of the mutiny. 



Tucker appears to have heen a most persevering 

 and painstaking Governor, and although thoroughly 

 initiated into the mysteries of his duties, yet in 

 attempting to establish order among the boisterous 

 colohists, and to correct the mutinous spirit which 

 then existed among them, he appears to have adopted 

 high-handed measures. 



The island, however, underwent many convulsions, 

 and society was in a wretched condition, owing to 

 the constant animosity between the Governor and the 

 settlers ; the latter being still held more in check 

 by the absurd policy of the Governor : the cruel dis- 

 cipline and severe labour which he exacted of them 

 created great disgust, and excited many to attempt 

 desperate means to escape from the island. Five per- 

 sons succeeded in building a boat of three tons, under, 

 the pretence of its being for the use of the Governor ; 

 and previous to their departure for England, one of 

 * Smith's History of Virginia, &c., vol. ii. p. 137. 



