149 
chap, iv.] WEST INDIES. 
lets for the support of the inhabitants, their planta¬ 
tions suffer much in dry weather, as the substratum 
does not long retain moisture.* 
This island is divided into nine parishes, and con¬ 
tains four towns and hamlets, viz. Basseterre (the 
present capital, as it was formerly that of the 
French, containing about 800 houses), Sandy Point, 
Old Road, and Deep Bay. Of these, the two first 
are ports of entry, established by law. The fortifi¬ 
cations consist of Charles Fort and Brimstone Hill, 
both near Sandy Point; three batteries at Basse¬ 
terre, one at Fig-tree Bay, another at Palmeto 
Point, and some smaller ones of no great import¬ 
ance. 
The proportion which St. Christopher’s contri¬ 
butes, with the other islands, towards an honoura¬ 
ble provision for the governor general, is «£*. 1,000 
currency per annum; which is settled on him by 
the assembly immediately on his arrival. He has 
besides some perquisites; and in time of war they 
are considerable. 
Each island within this government has a sepa¬ 
rate council, and each of them an assembly, or 
house of representatives. In St. Christopher’s, the 
council should consist of ten members, but it is 
* The woods on the mountainous part of this island harbour abun¬ 
dance of a small species of monkey, troops of which frequently come 
down to devour the canes, and do inconceivable mischief. 
