Early History of Barbados. 333 
THOMAS BASTON saith, that the £20 per poll, to my 
Lord was reported to be paid for the good of the Island 
for fortifications, that about sixteene months, sithence 
the Island was not fortefyed. 
ST. CHRISTOFERS. 
Captaine John Brookhaven saith, that about 23 or 
24 yeers agoe there were ffortificacions at St. Christofers 
which he supposed to have bin at the Chardge of the 
Countrey, by reason there was a tax set for the labour 
of every tenth man for that purpose, and knowes that 
there have bin other taxes of Tobacco for fortifications. 
William Roper, Planter in St. Christofers, saith, 
he went to St. Christofers, 17 or 18 years agoe, and 
hath lived there almost ever since, and that he came 
home on 12th day last, and saith that there are foure or 
five fforts there, which the Planters have built at their 
owne Chardge, and that it was at the Countryes Chardge, 
for that their servants threw up the earth; but as for the 
Gunns that are mounted some 6 or 8 peeces, lie knowes 
not at whose Chardge they were, but that, some of them 
have bin given, and he beleeves the Generall bought some. 
Leiuetenant Coll. Weldinge saith that my lord 
CARLlLE did send some parte of the Ordinance, and that 
the Governour got some by shippwracke. But as to the 
ffortificacions thinkes a 5t. (?) man was daily sent in 
to that purpose. 
Arbitrary Power. 
TAXES AND IMPOSICIONS PER POLL. 
Captaine Peter Stronge saith, that he went to 
the Barbadoes in Anno. 1634 and that in (35) ye Impo- 
sitions were first begunn by Captaine HAWLEY, wch. he 
TT 
