chap, i.] WEST INDIES. 169 
land allows to the sovereign himself. It is however 
a melancholy truth, that party merit and connec¬ 
tions, are commonly the most forcible recommenda¬ 
tions with which a candidate for a distant govern¬ 
ment can present himself; and that persons equal¬ 
ly devoid of character, ability, and fortune, have 
sometimes been sent to preside in our most im¬ 
portant settlements, as if justice and public virtue 
were best administered and promoted by men most 
distinguished for ignorance and profligacy, and that 
they would prove the best protectors of other peo¬ 
ples fortunes, who by yice and profusion had dissi¬ 
pated their own! 
In nominating to an office which is a constituent 
part of the legislature, which has power to con¬ 
trol the administration of executive justice, and, 
in most cases, has the sole exercise of the vast and 
extensive jurisdiction appertaining to a court of 
equity, it might be supposed that a prudent mini¬ 
ster, among other qualifications in the person se¬ 
lected, would consider, that some little knowledge 
of the laws and constitution of England is indispen¬ 
sably requisite. It is remarkable, however, that 
the military professions (which certainly are not 
eminent for such kind of knowledge) are found to 
supply most of the gentlemen who are elevated to 
this high station. It were unjust, at the same 
time, not to allow, that some of these have acquit¬ 
ted themselves in the civil department with extra¬ 
ordinary reputation and honour. Both the late Sir 
William Trelawney and Sir Basil Keith, who sue- 
Vol. III. 
Y 
