The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-24
52pual Rukftte 31n,uher.

profit. Great fortunes were made in
q ebay and changed owners almost as
quickly. Confederate officers and sailors
crowded the Royal Victoria Hotel and
spent their money with reckless and Law
ish hand, while, as a consequence, drunk
enness, lewdness, and all sorts OF crime
ran riot. In May. 1865, Nassau awoke to
lind the war ended, its commerce almost
destroyed, and many of its citizens I'M
poverished and ruined. The rebeillon
was curse to the Bahamas as 1t was to
the Bermudas.
The Bahamas are ruled by Governor
appointed by the Crown, who is assisted
i'll the administration by an executive
council Of nine, a legislative council OF
nine, and a house Of assembly OF thirty
nine members, elected from fourteen dis
trlcts. oterS are required TO possess
small amount of property. The Bahia
mans, though they have so long been
British subjects, are 10y no means patrl-
otlc citizens, and would warmly welcome
annexation to the United States, OF which
the islands have been for many years
dependencies. Nearly all OF their Lrade
IS with the States. while the Government,
though it gave Nassau limited freedom OF
trade in 1857, still eNacts upon all inpof-
tatlOnS from American ports duties or
from 10 to 50 per cent. These duties are
especially heavy upon the neccs>alleS or
life. Annexation would remove these
| burdens, but as the Bahamas would be OF
incalcQlable value to the British Govern
ment should trouble arise with the STATES,
ii Will not give them up until compelled
TO do so.
Old For:s Montague, Charlotte and Fin
castle, now mosS-groWn, ruinous ana
useless as a means of defense, are interest
ing and melancholy reminders Of the
days when Spanish, French and English
fOnoht the western
seas, and warfare and bloodShed were
frequent occurrence in all the West India
islands. Charlotte is at the western end
of Nassau Hill, and tincastle near its
eastern end. Montague is near the shore
and overlooked by rincastIe. Within Il
SIoGe'S throw OF forC tincaSt!e Is the
Queens Staircase, a long, deep passage
way, with a stone staircase at one END.
IN formerstaHs whom hostile men-of-N az
were novering about it furnished safe
ana easy communication between The lori
and the shore, and was probably con-
strUcted for that purpose. NOW It's onIy
use IL To furnish diversion for curious
strangers. Fort liucast.e. in these peace
ful days. is employed only as a station
for signaling the arrival and departure
Of vessels, while Sort Montague is dis
mantled and deserted. Fort Charlotte is
also no longer employed as means of
defense. j meat crossed Ivy draw
Z
| largest Of the three forts, and even in
ruin is quite imposing III appearance
Underneath the fort are great number
of stone chambers, entrance 10 " ich is
gained by descending steep spiral stair
case. To the imaginative stranger these
cells underground suggest dreadful Sto-
ries, like that o. BTrou's prisoner of
Chillon," and, as the fort was once in the
possession OF the Spaniards, they may
have done dark and cruel service.
THE SUBURBS OF NASSAU.
Toward the east, beyond Fort Mon
tague, runs a splendid road which closely
follows the shore, and carries one past a
number of fine old mansions the homes
of the American Tories who came to the
island after the Revolution, and lived in
princely state until bankruptcy overlook
all but the most fortunate. Another road
running westward, past Charlotte, and
over a long stretch Of lowlands, leads
to several caves, Economically situated and
romantic in appealan which are well
worth visit. On the beach just beyond
Fort Charlotte stands the Tea House,"
a commodiOus stone structure. No one
lives in it now, but it was once a popular
resort for the choice spirits of Nassau So
ciety, and had the walls of the old build
ing the power of speech. they could
doubtless tell wonderful stories of the
splendid banquets and the merry balls
gone.
The lowlands lying between the "Tea
House, and the caves are sparsely set
tied; save in a few places where clearings
have been made for cocoanut and pineap-
pie fields, they are covered by thick
growth of timber, and in appearance
are unspeakably desolate. However, on
Sunday afternoons, with the hard, smooth
roads, and fresh invigorating breezes
blowing from the ocean, which breaks on
The beach close at hand, the drive is de-
lighttul one
At the end of an eight-mile ride the
driver pulls up before a tiny thatch-
rooted cabin, from which presently
energies venerable looking negro and
leads the way along path in the woods
to the caves. Fern and creeping vines
partially hide the entrance to the several
caves, which extend a long way under
ground. They are difficult to explore,
and the water in them is said to rise and
fall with the tide. Legend has 1t that the
caves in the times Of the buccaneers were
favorite hiding place for those lawless
rovers of the sea. At present more peace
full people turn them to account by mar
keting the small deposits of guano which
they contain. Chill Chilton in the Boston
Glphn