and entreating them not to permit themselves to be superseded until the expiration of that period. This unwarrantable proceeding was strongly opposed by Lewis Hughes, one of the clergymen, who saw the impropriety and impolicy of the step. As the petition appears to have been an intrigue of the persons to whom it was addressed, his opposition gave great offence to Mansfield and his colleagues, and produced a warm dispute among the people generally, as many supported Hughes. The governor caused him to be tried and imprisoned, but shortly after he released him. Keith sided with Mansfield, and as Hughes continued to denounce the memorial, notwithstanding his incarceration, both parties repaired to the church, where it was resolved by the governor to arrest the refractory clergyman; but a sudden storm of wind and rain which arose was considered to be a miracle by the majority of persons present, and the dispute was adjourned. Hughes was, however, again confined and discharged.

The two following months, under the rule of Carter and Miles Kendall, passed quietly, and Mansfield again assumed the command. Previous to leaving, Governor Moore had directed the council to call twelve men to their aid to assist them in the execution of their duties. From an unwillingness to divide their power by admitting others to participate with them in the executive office, they had neglected to do this, and the malcontents, headed by Hughes, demanded that the instructions

left them, should be strictly adhered to. The The governor refused to comply with this request, and for a time the colony was torn by contention. The news of these dissensions having reached the Company, they appointed Captain Daniel Tucker, governor of the plantation. He had been a planter in Virginia, and they considered him, in consequence, best calculated to develop the resources of the islands. Having been strictly enjoined to carry their plans into execution, he left England in 1616, in the George, accompanied by the Edwin, both of which carried out passengers.

On his arrival, his ships were at first mistaken for the expedition under Caldicot, but when it was ascertained that one of them had on board a governor appointed by the Proprietors, Mansfield determined to resist his authority and dispute his landing ; but he was disappointed in the people, many of whom were, no doubt, glad to see an officer with sufficient authority to suppress all dissensions. Finding that no reliance was to be placed on his men, Mr. Mansfield surrendered to Governor Tucker, who landed, and having read his commission* was received, and his authority acknowledged.

Captain Tucker arrived in May, 1616, and not only found the affairs of the settlement in great confusion, but the inhabitants indisposed to cultivate the soil. A long period of unpunished turbulence had rendered them unwilling to be commanded,

* Appendix C.

and his orders were disregarded or obedience refused. Vigorous measures were adopted by the governor to compel the people to perform the various works directed by the Company, and superintendents were appointed, who received their orders from Tucker in person. The provisions and stores he issued in certain quantities, and paid each labourer a stated sum in brass coin, struck by the Proprietors for the purpose, having on one side the figure of a hog, in commemoration of the abundance of those animals found by the first settlers, and on the reverse a ship.*

Mr. Richard Norwood, who had been sent out during the administration of Governor Moore, wast employed to survey the islands, and divide them into tribes and shares. † This being completed, Tucker sent parties of the inhabitants to occupy the waste lands, and appointed select persons as bailiffs. The effect of these judicious measures were soon felt throughout the settlement, which now began to show symptoms of improvement and prosperity. In the second month of his administration, Governor Tucker directed warrants to the bailiffs for the purpose of holding a general court of assize at St. George. The most important trial was that of John Wood, a Frenchman, who was found guilty of speaking " many distasteful and mutinous speeches against the governor," for which

* A piece of this curious money is in the Bermuda Museum, at Hamilton. It is singular that the Company themselves called it base coin. + Appendix D.

he was condemned to be hanged-the sentence was approved and the offender executed.* This severe judgment is recorded by Smith without comment, and it would appear that Governor Tucker considered it necessary to make an example of the first culprit in order to convince the colonists that his authority over them was of the most ample

nature.

The discipline to which they were subjected and the hard labour required of the people whose condition, as we have stated, was little better than that of slaves, caused many to make desperate efforts to escape from the islands. Five persons † having voluntarily tendered their services to the governor, to build him a decked fishing-boat of three tons, he was so much pleased at what he supposed to be the good effects of Wood's sentence, that he readily gave his consent, and furnished them with the necessary materials to complete and fit her. Choosing a retired place, they accomplished the work, and one of the party (Barker) having borrowed a compass of Hughes, for whom he left a facetious note, recommending patience under the loss, ‡ they put to sea, and directed their course homeward. Three weeks after they sailed, they encountered a heavy storm, but their boat weathered it bravely. Some days after they met a French picaroon, of

Smith's History of Virginia, &c., vol. ii, p. 137.

†Their names were Richard Saunders, William Godwin, Thomas Harrison, James Barker and Henry Puet, not one of whom was a sailor. Mr. Hughes had preached several sermons on patience about this

time.

whom they asked assistance, but he plundered them and left them to their fate. Though reduced to great extremity for want of provisions, they pushed on, and were even obliged to hew away half of the knees of the vessel for firewood. To their great joy they at length reached the coast of Ireland, where their exploit was considered so wonderful, that the Earl of Thomond caused them to be received and entertained, and hung up their boat as a monument of this extraordinary voyage.* The governor was greatly exasperated at their escape, and threatened to hang the whole if they returned. Another party of three, one of whom was a lady, attempted in the same manner to reach Virginia, but were never afterwards heard of. Six others were discovered before they effected their departure, and one was executed.

Shortly after his arrival, Governor Tucker had dispatched the Edwin to the West Indies for plants and fruit trees, and about this period she returned, with the fig, pine-apple, sugar-cane, plantain and papaw, which were all immediately planted, and rapidly multiplied. This vessel also brought an

Indian and a negro.†

The Company dispatched a small bark called the Hopewell, with supplies for the colony, under the command of Captain Powell, who was a good seaman, and well acquainted with the West Indies,

* Smith's History of Virginia, &c., vol. ii, p. 137-138. Murray's British America, vol. ii, p. 155.

†These were the first slaves brought to the islands, and they became very general as early as 1632.