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February 6. 



Mr.Lutford, the proprietor of a considerable estate 

 in the parish of Clarendon, had frequently accused 

 a particular negro of purloining coffee. About six 

 months ago the slave was sent for, and charged 

 with a fresh offence of the same nature, when he 

 confessed the having taken a small quantity ; upon 

 which his master ordered him to fix his eyes on a 

 particular cotton tree, and then, without any further 

 ceremony, shot him through the head. His mistress 

 was the coroner's natural daughter, and the coroner 

 himself was similarly connected with the custos of 

 Clarendon. In consequence of this family com- 

 pact, no inquest was held, no enquiry was made ; 

 the whole business was allowed to be slurred over, 

 and the murder would have remained unpunished 

 if accident had not brought some rumours respect- 

 ing it to the governor's ear. An investigation was 

 ordered to take place without delay ; but Mr. Lut- 

 ford received sufficient warning to get on ship- 

 board, and escape to America ; and the displacing 

 of the custos of Clarendon, for neglecting his 



official duty, was the only means by which the 

 governor could express his abhorrence of the act. 



February 8. (Sunday.) 



My estate is greatly plagued by a negress named 

 Catalina ; she is either mad, or has long pretended 

 to be so, never works, and always steals. About a 



