THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 529 



the House made it almost inevitable that each House of Assembly would have 

 in its number some persons who had sat in former Assemblies. Thus in 1838 

 there were members of much influence who had sat through all the stormy 

 sessions of the House since 1830. Some of these had been leaders of the oppo- 

 sition faction. This party had acquired the habit of unqualified opposition in 

 all its contests with the government. Some of its members had voted for the 

 release of the apprentices. It now formed a majority in the House, and had 

 no disposition to consider favorably any measure that the government might 

 propose. Its members made harsh accusations against the government *°° 

 during the session that occurred in the autumn of 1838. The Lieutenant-Govr 

 ernor had long been convinced that a reference to the people would be expedient. 

 He acted very deliberately, however, preferring that it should be known that 

 the anticipated dissolution had been authorized from London instead of from 

 the Government House at Nassau. 



The House of Assembly sat and stormed. The land question came up. 

 The government proposed a measure to prevent the unauthorized occupation 

 of the Crown lands of the Colony.'" The bill was modeled after an Order-in- 

 council that had been issued for the Crown colonies. After a heated discus- 

 sion of its merits and demerits it was rejected. Some members of the oppo- 

 sition took occasion to express want of confidence in any measures the govern- 

 ment might propose for passage. It became evident that the carrying out of 

 the views of the government must depend on the issue of a new election. The 

 majority were expressly hostile to the government program. Eelations be- 

 tween the government and the House were at their worst, and the time was 

 ripe for an improvement of them.'" Any longer delay would have given weight 

 to the accusations made by the opposition, as it would have appeared to be over- 

 looking past misconduct. The dissolution occurred early in 1839. This step 

 was taken with anything but haste. Francis Cockburn had been urged to pur- 

 sue this course six months earlier. He preferred to consider well the results 

 that might be expected to flow from it. TKe House on its part grew more 

 violent with every step, so violent that it was no longer doubtful that it ought 

 to be dissolved. 



The business of the Colony demanded the attention of the legislature. 



"" Cockburn to Glenelg, Ds. of Dec. 22, 1838, Misc. Letter Book of Governors, 

 1838-50. 



"'Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 5 (1839). 

 ""Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 5 (1839). 

 34 



