lar night patrol, and a well-devised system of
espionage, were kept up for several weeks. The governor of Grenada
and the Grenadines, at this period, was Major General Riall, who had
distinguished himself while commanding the British army on the Canada
frontiers, and was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Niagara.
Acting with judgment, firmness, and discretion, he succeeded in
pacifying those bodies of slaves who sought him, and explained the
true character of the act. They slowly returned to the plantations and
resumed their labors; but were evidently dissatisfied, and more than
half convinced that even the governor was deceiving them.

To add to the excitement, a rumor was spread abroad, and obtained
belief, that a number of aliens had arrived in the island, with the
intention of stirring up another insurrection; and a sort of panic
prevailed among the whites. The governor issued a proclamation,
declaring that every free person who was not a native citizen of Great
Britain, or who had not taken the oath of allegiance, must appear
forthwith before the executive authorities of St. George, and report
himself and state his object in being on the island.

I felt myself included in the list of aliens, and in spite of the
remonstrances of friends, who insisted that the proclamation did
not apply to me, I determined to comply with its directions, and go
immediately to St. George. Accompanied by a gentleman who was connected
with the government, and to whom I had a letter of introduction, I
called upon his excellency. The governor was a thick-set, ruddy-faced
man, with a decidedly military air, of simple habits and courteous
manners. He received me with great politeness. On being informed that
I was an American, he waived all desire for an explanation in regard
to the cause of my residence in the island; and further remarked, that
should it at any time be in his power to render me service, it would
give him pleasure to do it.

When peace was established between the two countries it was expected the
ports in the English islands would be thrown open for trade, as before
the war. In this expectation the planters were disappointed. In order to
protect the trade in the British American provinces, the importation of
produce in American bottoms was prohibited. Consequently there was no
direct communication between English ports in the West Indies and ports
in the United States. Our vessels landed and sold their cargoes in