chap, ii.] WEST INDIES. 75 
1779, they were stated at 35,000, of which 5,000 
were in Cariacou, and the smaller islands. In 1785 
they amounted to no more than 23,926 in the 
whole. The decrease was owing, partly, to the 
want of any regular supply during the French go¬ 
vernment, and partly, to the numbers carried from 
the island by the French inhabitants, both before 
and after the peace. It is also to be observed, 
that of the African cargoes sold at Grenada, some 
part (perhaps a fourth or fifth) are exported to the 
neighbouring French and Spanish colonies. 
The free people of colour amounted in 1787, 
to 1,115. To prevent the too great increase of this 
mixed race, every manumission is, by an act of this 
island, charged with ,a fine of one hundred pounds 
currency, payable into the public treasury. But 
this law has neither operated as a productive fund, 
nor as a prohibition; for it is usually evaded by exe¬ 
cuting and recording acts of manumission in some 
other island or government where there is no such 
law. The evidence of all coloured people of free 
condition, is received in the courts of this island, 
on their producing sufficient proof of their freedom; 
and such free people are tried on criminal charges 
in the same manner as the whites. They are also 
.allowed to possess and enjoy lands and tenements 
to any amount, provided they are native-born sub¬ 
jects or capituiants, and not aliens. 
The governor, by virtue of his office, is chan¬ 
cellor, ordinary and vice-admiral, and presides sole- 
