WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. I.] 
165 
I believe, (Jamaica excepted*), hold their seats du¬ 
ring the governors’s good pleasure. He nominates, 
and supersedes at will, the custodes of the seve¬ 
ral parishes, justices of the peace, and other sub¬ 
ordinate civil officers; and although in respect to 
some of the above appointments and dismissions, 
he is directed to ask the advice of his council, this 
direction is of little avail, inasmuch as the members 
of this body are themselves liable to be suspended 
by the governor, on the most frivolous pretences, 
or even without any cause assigned; a circum¬ 
stance, by the way, which not unfrequently hap¬ 
pens; and having thus reduced the board under a 
number limited by his instructions, he can fill up 
the vacancies instanter , with such persons as will 
be properly obedient. He has authority, with the 
advice of his council, to summon general assem¬ 
blies ; he appoints the place of their meeting, and 
when met, he possesses a negative voice in the 
legislature, for without his consent, no bill passes 
into a law; and he may, from time to time, as he 
alone shall judge needful, adjourn, prorogue, and 
dissolve all such general assemblies. He has the 
* By an act passed in Jamaica in 1781, intituled “ An act to make 
the places of the judges, &c. more permanent and respectable,” it is 
declared, that no judges hail be removed but by the king’s pleasure, 
signified under his majesty’s sign manual. It is provided, however, 
that the governor, with the consent of five of his council, may sus¬ 
pend until the king’s pleasure be known, accounting to his majesty for, 
and delivering to the party suspended a copy of his reasons in writing, 
for such suspension. This proviso seems to rge to render this act in a 
great measure nugatory. 
