before the sickly season—but she was driven back by a storm, and did not reach them till after great delays. The Nova Scotians also, refugees from slavery; exiles from home; late tenants of the camp and the navy; deceived in the promises formerly made them, and disheartened by change and uncertainty, did not exert themselves as they might have done, and the sickly season came upon them unprepared. The rains began about the third week in May. A high degree of health had previously inspired a rash and ignorant confidence. The sickness which ensued was most severe. All the medical persons except one, were laid up. The storekeepers were amongst the first victims. Disorder arose in every department, and despondency almost universally prevailed. Nearly one half of the Europeans residing on shore, were carried off, and about one-tenth of the Nova Scotians.
About the 9th October, the rains had ceased, and by the end of that month, two meeting houses and a school house, were completed. The frames for these, were sent from England. The government, before this, had been modified to suit the new authorities placed over them, Granville Sharp being one of the new Directors. A garden of experiment was established, under Dr. Afzelius, an eminent botanist, and two plantations were begun by the company, as an example to others; both worked by free laborers—one of these was soon relinquished. The settlement continued generally to flourish, until towards the close of 1794, when it was almost entirely destroyed by a predatory French squadron, piloted by an American slave captain. The French landed on 28th Sept., and kept possession until 13th Oct., plundering and destroying without pity.
Several years before this, a Danish slaver having anchored in the bay, the slaves rose, mastered the crew, landed and resorting to the neighboring mountains, built a village, which was called "Deserter's Town." In this they dwelt in peace, but exercising the utmost vigilance to avoid all intercourse with strangers. During the distress above mentioned, they cast off, however, their caution, and most affectionately received and entertained several of the
