ABSTRACT
Upon the restoration of King Charles die Second, Lord Willoughby, who had several years of his private contract with the Earl of Carlisle unexpired, was re-appointed governor of Barbadoes. When he arrived at that island, the inhabitants saw, with astonishment and regret, that they were still viewed as under the dominion of a patent, which they considered void in law! They therefore implored the royal interference and protection ; fully convinced, that without this they could produce no title to their plantations. The King instituted an inquiry into 1 1 p 1 * ending parties, reserving to himself
Colonel d'Oyley, who had the chief command in Jamaica, under a commission from the lord protector, was confirmed in that command by a commission from King Charles, dated the 13th of February, 1661: this may be considered as the first establishment of a regular civil government in that island. The instructions consisted of fifteen articles: the third, regulates the manner of electing the council, eleven of which were to be chosen indifferently, by as many of the officers of the army, planters, and inhabitants, as could be conveniently admitted to such election, either at one or more places; which said persons, with the secretary of the island, who was thereby appointed always to be one, were established a council, to advise and assist the governor in the execution of his trust, and five were to be a quorum. The sixth directs the governor to encourage ministers, that Christianity and the Protestant religion, according to the Church of England, might have due reverence and exercise amongst them. The other articles are of minor importance.
