TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



89 



with the intermediate towns of Barcelona and 

 Cariaco. The town itself is capable of no defence, 

 being open on all sides, and will probably be evacu- 

 ated on the first appearance of a force ; at least, such 

 was the determination some months ago. 



M If about three thousand troops could be col- 

 lected with a sixty-four gun ship, a frigate, and some 

 forty-fours or India transports to make an appear- 

 ance or impression — for a squadron would be not 

 otherwise useful — I would propose immediately 

 taking possession of Cumana. The public mind has 

 long since been prepared, and the people in general 

 look forward to it as the most favourable event which 

 can befall them." 



No attention was paid to this, but, of itself, it 

 should be sufficient to show the residents of the pre- 

 sent day the wisdom and far-sightedness of Picton. 

 Had his advice been taken, Trinidad would not 

 now have to suffer from the 30% surtax levied by 

 Venezuela on all imports into that country from 

 Trinidad. 



That Picton ruled Trinidad with a firm hand 

 there can be no gainsaying, and that he had no easy 

 task is also beyond dispute, for he was surrounded 

 by a host of spies, among which were some of his own 

 soldiers, who were ready not only to betray him but 

 to deliver his head to either of the governors at 

 Caracas or Guayana, each of whom had offered a 

 reward of twenty thousand dollars for it. 



