the time of the ſurrender of the iſland; and which lands were thus leaſed to thoſe inhabitants, who were deſirous of keeping them in poſſeſſion, on conſideration of their taking the oaths of allegiance to his Britannic Majeſty.
Theſe leaſes were executed for a term, not leſs than ſeven, ſome fourteen, and others for forty years abſolute; renewable at the time limited for the expiration of the ſame. With conditions in every leaſe, "That the poſſeſſor, his heirs or aſſigns, ſhould pay to his Majeſty, his heirs or ſucceſſors, the ſum of two ſhillings ſterling per annum, for every acre of land, of which the leaſe ſhould conſiſt." "And, that they ſhould not ſell or diſpoſe of their lands, without the conſent and approbation of the Governor, or Commander in chief of that iſland, for the time being."
