64 
HISTORY OF THE [book in. 
On the other hand, it was alleged, that the test 
act was never meant to extend to the British plan¬ 
tations; that it was confined, both in its letter and 
spirit, to the kingdom of England and the town of 
Berwick; and though it were true, that it is the 
practice of the courts of Grenada to adopt both the 
common and statute law of England, it was con¬ 
tended, nevertheless, that the adoption could ex¬ 
tend only to such of the English statutes as were 
applicable to the peculiar situation of the colony. 
It was urged, that the act in question originated in 
an age of religious frenzy and fanatic violence. The 
authority of history was adduced to prove, that it 
was particularly promoted by a worthless individu¬ 
al, from animosity to the Duke of \ ork, who was 
obliged, in consequence of it, to resign the great 
office of lord high admiral. A law thus founded 
and supported, instead of being considered as suit¬ 
ed to the circumstances of a new and infant colony, 
ought, it was said, to be expunged from the Eng¬ 
lish statute book. 
What influence these, or other considerations, 
had on the British ministry, I presume not to say. 
It is certain that the king refused to revoke his in¬ 
structions; in consequence whereof, the most zea¬ 
lous of the protestant members of the assembly de¬ 
clining to attend, it wgs seldom that a house could 
be formed. Public affairs soon fell into the utmost 
confusion, and in this state of faction and perplexi¬ 
ty, the island continued, until its re-capture by the 
French in 1779. 
