HISTORICAL. 
15 
son, who, amongst other improvements, introduced Scotch firs, oak, 
a nd cypress trees, and reformed the mode of conducting trials. After 
ei ghteen years of a useful public career, he retired on an annuity of 
300/. a year, which the Court of Directors were pleased to award 
him in consideration of his valuable services. It was during his 
government that, in the year 1761, the Island was selected as a spot 
the observance of a transit of Venus on the 6tli June, and Dr. 
^faskelyne and Mr. Waddington visited it for that purpose. It is 
sa id that their observations were unsuccessful. They took up their 
position on the high land, at or near to Halley’s Mount, and during 
occurrence the mountain, as it frequently is now, was enveloped 
m c l°uds. The lower land is at all times much better suited for 
astronomical observations, because the atmosphere of the higher 
legion is constantly more or less charged with moisture. Governor 
v °ttoe, who followed next in order, turned his attention to the pre- 
se ivation of the native woods, and, amongst other works, caused the 
iiatei from Chubb’s Spring to be conveyed to the town by means of 
a eaden pipe instead of open drains ; and also the erection of St. 
an ies s Church and the infantry barracks. After eighteen years he 
16Sl gned the government to Mr. Daniel Corneille, who, in con- 
sequence of new regulations being put in force, which deprived the 
tiers of their meeting-houses and free use of spirits, had, in the 
year 1783, very soon after his assuming the government, to suppress 
mutiny which occurred in the garrison, and which his leniency 
lansed to assume larger proportions than it would have done had he 
^ e more decidedly at the commencement. On Christmas Eve the 
k insubordination commenced to show itself ; three days after- 
sf s men, in a drunken state, became riotous, and, under a 
r geant Tooley, assembled with their arms in a body of 200, with 
j'^ nteiltio n of taking possession of Ladder Hill Fort. It happened, 
never, that while they were on their way, the Governor, with the 
from^ i^° Vern0r , Ma -' |0r ^ r8erne » was iGurning by Ladder Hill road 
theT 10 C ° lmtry ’ an( i’ looking down into the valley below, observed 
arms rn ° vemcn f s ’ h® accordingly directed Major Graeme to procure 
on th W i le proceeded to meet and reason with them. This act 
but f] 6 ^ le i-f overnor had for a time its effect on the men, 
a°-ai ^ ^ ame< i fkeir desire, and the punch or drinking-liouses were 
soon 1 opened to them. The evil effects of this success were very 
ei apparent, and the Governor became aware of the mistake 
