LETTER XXVII.
We made a visit this morning to the senate-house, and were present at a sitting of the general assembly of the island. The proceedings were conducted according to the routine of our House of Commons, which the assembly regards as its model. The representatives, like ours, are returned from the provinces, two, not from each county, but from each parish: and, there being eleven parishes in the island, the assembly, consequently, consists of twenty-two members.
As in our house, so in theirs, the person who presides is denominated “the speaker.”
Among the members we recognised several of the gentlemen whom we had seen upon our marooning excursion into the country. It did not happen to be a sitting of great interest to strangers, there being but little before the house for discussion, and, consequently, few debates. Reading and passing a militia act, and some other bills, constituted nearly the whole business of the meeting. One part of the proceedings, however, we thought to be strictly in the —— order of the day. It was excessively warm, and we were parching with thirst, when two persons suddenly appeared with a large bowl, and a two-quart glass filled with punch and sangaree. These were presented to “Mr. Speaker,” who, after dipping deeply into the bowl, passed it among the members: nor was the audience forgotten, for we were most gratefully taught that the hospitality, so universal in the island, prevails in the senate. The glass was handed up to us, and we found that it was relevant for strangers to join in this part of the debate. It came at a moment peculiarly opportune, and we drank cordially to our friends, and the house of assembly.
We have, lately, had a very interesting party to dine with us on board the Lord Sheffield; among whom were three gentlemen who had recently returned from imprisonment; one from France, the others from Guadaloupe.
One of the gentlemen, who had been taken to Guadaloupe, was confined on board a prison-ship, with several others of our countrymen, where, being treated with great rigour, and fed with a very scanty allowance of bad food, he entered into a confidential agreement, with one of his fellow-prisoners, to concert some means of escape; and, one day, seeing a boat, convenient for their purpose, come to the ship, they stepped over the side of the vessel, and descending suddenly into it, as it lay alongside, immediately threw overboard three of the five negroes, who were in it, and compelled the other two to take up their oars, and assist in rowing them away.
The success of this perilous enterprise was equal to the boldness with which it was undertaken. The sentinels fired at them in vain: being once clear of the ship they pulled the oars with vigour, and, encouraging the blacks to their aid, were soon out of reach. Neither boats, nor bullets were able to overtake them: they were quickly at sea, in their open skiff, and, gladly, entrusted themselves to the mercy of the elements. The weather favored them, and they soon made a port of safety in a British island.
The manner in which the other gentleman, who had been confined in Guadaloupe, obtained his release was also attended with peculiar circumstances. Having an opportunity of speaking with the secretary of Victor Hugues, he represented to him, in strong colours, the very serious personal injury which his confinement might bring upon him, and urged the absolute impossibility of his release being injurious to any individual of the French nation, supporting his appeal with the offer of a sum nearly equal to 1200l. sterling, to be paid to the citizen secretary, provided he would contribute his aid in obtaining him and two of his friends permission to leave the island. The secretary rejected the offer with disdain, expressing both anger and astonishment that he should dare to imagine that he was capable of being seduced by a bribe; adding, that “formerly Frenchmen were venal and might be bought; but now, citoyen, we are republicans! and a good republican requires not a bribe to encourage him to the execution of his duty, nor can he be thereby impelled to commit a breach of it.” He, nevertheless, listened with attention to the peculiar severity of the case, and having heard the particulars, appeared to feel a degree of interest regarding the hardships which were represented. Upon leaving the gentleman he said that he would try to intercede in his behalf; and intimated a hope that he might be able in the course of a week to communicate some report to him. A few days only had elapsed when he returned, bringing with him the prisoner’s release, which he presented to him, with felicitations, expressing himself happy in being the means of his regaining his liberty, and, peremptorily, refusing to accept, even the slightest compliment for the service which he had rendered him.
Would all men act thus, my friend, of how little consequence might it be whether they were denominated republicans, aristocrats, or royalists! What the form of government, or who should rule the land, could be of little importance, were honor and virtue made the directors of men’s actions. Speaking from the warm feelings of the heart, a very elegant writer has said, “I cannot be more convinced of the truth of any demonstration in Euclid than I am that that system of politics must be best by which those I love are made happy:” but, perhaps, it might be said, with still greater correctness, that that system of government must be best, virtue, among the people, most prevails.
It is idle to declaim against a government, while individuals—while even those who complain have not virtue enough to withstand the seducing lures of corruption! Let the people be virtuous, and the government will never be corrupt. Were men to resist bribery, and to expose their seducers to public reproach, few attempts would be made against their independence.