WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. I.] 
1CJ 
judgment, and cloud the faculties of the wisest and 
worthiest of men, than the justification he has of¬ 
fered. He even claims great merit in not having 
advised the king to possess himself of the whole 
island of Barbadoes, without any regard to the 
planters or creditors concerned in the issue. 
rest most assured thereof for the future. And forasmuch as nothing 
conduceth more to the peace and prosperity of any place, and the pro¬ 
tection of every single person therein, than that the public revenue 
thereof maybe in some measure propoitioned to the public charges 
and expenses; and also well weighing the great charges that there 
must be of necessity in maintaining the honour and dignity of his ma¬ 
jesty’s authority here; the public meeting of the sessions, the often 
attendance of the council, the reparation of the forts, the building a 
sssiions-kou.se and a prison, and all other public charges incumbent on the 
government) do, in consideration thereof, give and grant unto his 
majesty, his heirs and successors for ever, and do most humbly desire 
your excellency to accept these our grants ; and we humbly pray your 
excellency that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by his excelleticy 
Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, captain-general and chief go¬ 
vernor of this island of Barbadoes, and all other the Carribbee islands, 
and by and with the consent of the council and the gentlemen of 
the assembly, representatives of this island, and by authority of 
the same, That an impost or custom be, from and after publication 
hereof, raised upon the native commodities of this island, after the 
proportions, and in manner and form as is hereafter set down and ap¬ 
pointed ; that is to say, upon all dead commodities of the growth 
or produce of this island, that shall be shipped off the same, shall be 
paid to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and successors for 
ever, four and a half in specie for every five score. 
And be it further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid. 
That if any goods before mentioned, on which the said custom is im¬ 
posed, and due, by this act, shall at any time hereafter be shipped or 
put into any boat or other vessel, to the intent to be carried into any 
