563 HISTORY 



funds derived from the sale of the leases be expended -upon public works for 

 the improvement of the ponds, and further that these regulations should 

 apply to all ponds in the Colony."* A new act of the legislature was passed 

 adopting the first recommendations as to the long leases, but it continued 

 for a limited period the gratuitous distribution of one-third of the shares. 

 It provided for a temporary appropriation of the proceeds of the leases to the 

 improvement of the ponds."° In making the grants, however, no minimum 

 price was fixed and a systematic distribution was not attempted."' Great 

 abuses resulted. Shares that had great value were disposed of at low prices. 

 The fault in this lay with the Governor and the magistrate who arranged for 

 the granting. But the people of the Turks Islands objected to the long lease 

 system. They began to clamor for a change, even before the new system had 

 been introduced. They feared a ruin of their interests, and the agitation was 

 begun which led to the separation of this small group of islands from the 

 Colony."' But they were unable to secure a favorable hearing from, the 

 authorities who were responsible for the new system. At the expiration of 

 the short term leases in January, 1848, the ponds held under them were again 

 disposed of, but on leases for twenty-one years. They received an enhanced 

 value when put up for sale, the people being very anxious to secure them on 

 the terms now offered."' This seemed to vindicate the policy of the long 

 leases even with this short experience. 



Adverse commercial conditions added to the difficulties of the salt pro- 

 ducers. They were dependent on the American market for the disposal of 

 their crop, and the regulations imposed by the mother country on colonial 

 commerce were often injurious to the interests of these exporters of salt. The 

 Free Ports Act of the preceding century"" had allowed American vessels to 

 come in ballast and take away salt from the Turks Islands. The ponds of 

 the other islands were not put on the same footing.™ The American em- 

 bargo had wrought disaster to their interests. After its removal they had 

 been able to dispose of their product regularly. But the people of the 

 Bahamas were unable to furnish the bulky vessels that were necessary for 



°"Loc. cit., Session Papers. 



■"" Ds., S. St., 1844, No. 35, enclosed memorandum. 



""Mathew to Stanley, No. 25. 



'" See next chapter. 



""• Sess. P., 1847-8, pp. 26 and 69. 



"" Imp. Stats., 28 Geo. Ill, 6. 



™ H. v., 1802, 86, fe. 



