HISTORICAL. 
5 
Dutch, that in the year 1665 they successfully attacked and again 
ook possession of it. The English, however, speedily retook it, and 
Within twelve months were in full possession ; but these proceedings 
impressed them with the importance of strengthening their fortifica- 
tions, and accordingly they pulled down the original fort, built in 
1659, of which a stone record yet remains, and erected another, 
which doubtless forms the basement story of the present castle in 
Jamestown. This they called Fort James, in compliment to the I 
then Duke of York (afterwards King James the Second), and ' 
this accounts doubtless for the change of name, about this period, 
fiom Chapel A alley to James Valley, and more recently to James- 
town. 
P hefchei, duiing the first seven years of their renewed possession, 
n o ls i were too much occupied with building fortifications and 
improving the place to spare time for recording their transactions or 
not is uncertain, but it is a fact that no written accounts of that 
period are forthcoming, and from tradition only is it gathered that 
ie place was governed successively by men whose names were 
Dutton, Stringer, Swallow, Coney, and Bennett. They were sue- 
ee ed by Captain Anthony Beale, during whose government, in 
ie yeai 1673, the Dutch again took it, but not without considerable 
resistance on the part of the English, who were somewhat prepared 
or the attack. The Dutch, on this occasion, made their first 
a empt to land at Lemon Valley, on the leeward coast, but were 
observed by the English, who repulsed and drove them back with 
s owers of rocks and stones hurled down the steep hill sides, until 
they were compelled to seek shelter on board of their ships. Even 
m modern warfare of the present day such a fusilade would be most 
iormidable, but it only increased the determination of the Dutch for 
repossession; accordingly they waited until the darkness of niolit came 
on, when fortunately for them an Island planter, who with his 
slave had been fishing on the coast, lighted a fire to cook his 
supper The Dutch, espying the light from their ships, directed their 
course towards it, and landed at a part called Bennett’s Point. Pro- 
ably by threats, they influenced the slave to guide them up the 
intricate paths of Swanly Valley to the mountain land near High 
V ^ ie English also were on the alert, and were there pre- 
mi • . ° meet them with a iorce of 500 men from the Island garrison, 
t e of High Peak, which then took place, resulted in favour 
