TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



71 



that flooded Trinidad after the scheme inaugurated 

 by St. Laurent is beyond dispute ; that the drastic 

 measures he adopted to restore the land, which had 

 been fraudulently obtained by the old Spanish in- 

 habitants, to the possession of the crown so that it 

 might be equitably divided amongst the new comers 

 — to whom this inducement was held out for them to 

 settle in Trinidad — also met with a good deal of oppo- 

 sition by those who claimed to be the owners. This 

 opposition being based on no better foundation than 

 that they had received it conditional on their efforts 

 to protect and instruct the aborigines — which they 

 in a great measure, failed to do — was the means of 

 causing Don Chacon to publish in the proclamation 

 referring to the land such words as these : — 



" As the ambition of many Spaniards is carried 

 to such excess, that they are unable to put a single 

 quarree* of land in cultivation, they pretend to be 

 proprietors of considerable portions in different 

 quarters, and quitting these, pass over to the crown 

 lands and thereon employ the little labour they are 

 capable of, these persons must likewise make selec- 

 tions within three months of the situation most suit- 

 able for their establishment, whether on their pre- 

 tended property or on crown lands. The surplus 

 land remaining in benefit of his Majesty, as is 

 provided for in the preceding article." 



It was further reserved that : — ' c Whenever this 

 government shall grant crown lands, and anyone 

 shall have cultivated a part thereof, he shall be dis- 



* About 3 i acres. 



