3S&- 



STIPEND TO THE PRIEST. 



;I was often reminded by many of my new 

 acquaintances, that every plantation ought to 

 have a chaplain ; and I was told, that without 

 a doubt all those persons who attended to hear 



offending person. He was, however, in the habit of sending 

 many presents to the chief persons in office, that no notice 

 might be taken of his proceedings ; for although the govern- 

 ment might not be able to destroy his feudal independence, 

 still it might have shaken his power. The priest was once 

 sent for by a late governor of the province ; he obeyed, and 

 brought with him a considerable number of his determined 

 followers ; he dismounted, and ascended the steps of the 

 palace, leaving directions to his people, who remained below, 

 that no person should be permitted to enter after him. The 

 Governor complained to him of his avowed practice of har- 

 bouring deserters ; to which the priest replied, that he 

 thought His Excellency was aware of the inutility of speaking 

 to him upon that subject ; and having said this he immediately 

 left the room, mounted his horse, and proceeded homewards 

 without molestation. 



Another anecdote of this strange man was communicated 

 to me by a person who had witnessed the transaction. Two 

 officers of justice or bailiffs, arrived at Agua Azul, and 

 served a writ for debt upon him ; the priest received them 

 with great calmness, but shortly afterwards he ordered some 

 of his people to take these two men and harness them in the 

 mill (which was then at work) in the places of two of the 

 horses (eight of these are employed at the same time). He 

 then ordered that the works should go on, and that a negro 

 boy should sit above and make these unfortunate fellows assist 

 in its movement; there they remained for some minutes, 

 until half dead with fatigue and fear, he turned them loose, 

 and told them to relate to their employer the manner in 

 which they had been treated, threatening to do the same to 

 him, if he could obtain possession of his person. The priest 



