The state herald., 1920-12-31
THE BERMUDAS

The Bermuda islands suggest the
adventures OF Robinson Crusoe In their
colonization and present in their later
chronology curious parallel to United
States history. with the events pre-
dated by a number of years.
The Robinson Crusoe comparison
cbtrudes because the island was dis
covered and later settled us the direct
result Of shipwrecks, and the settlers
had to build themselves bark to set
sail again.
AS for the anticipation OF American
history ON n miniature scale. IL may
he noted that the colonization took
place seven years before the Pilgrims
landed at Plymouth, Mass. that witch
es were burned, ouakers were perse-
cuted, and mlscreants We're ducked
before similar occurrences are recorded
In New England, and that slavery was
abolished In 1884. The Bcrmudnns
protested long before i776 against the
mother country's rule, until the island
prisons were oycrfull; but relief
came In their ease not through n dee
larntlon OF freedom. but by the ac-
cesslon OF Cromwell.
But the essential point OF contact OF
the American with the Bermudlan
arises from the all-but-forgotten fact
that while the immortal Lafayette gal
lanuy helped the colonies conclude
their war OF Independence. the Bcrinu-
dams supplied the ammunition 10 be-
gin 1t.
So acute was the need for powder In
lIT5 that George Washington wrote to
the governor OF Rhode Island TINT mo
quantity, however small Is beneath
notice" Learning that there was II
store In Bermudn. and that the island
ers were anxious 20 have the embargo
lifted upon shipment OF food supplies
from the colonies. Washington address.
ed letter 10 the people of the island,
who hnd shown themselves sympa-
theac with the American revolution
ISIS, promising them ample supply OF
provisions and "eyery other mark Of
affection and friendship which the
grateful citizens Of n free country cnn
bcstow on It's brethren and beneiac.
tors II they would make this ummu.
nition available FOR the Continental
army.
1t ~ happened that the powder had
been procured before the letter was
delivered. and with It the Continental
army compelled III. British to cvacu.
ate Boston.
Not only the sale OF the powder, but
the fact that Bermuda allowed the
colonies 10 have salt. so incensed Its
governor TINT he upbrnidcd the citizens
for treason. and feeling ran M high
thnt he was removed. His successor
was n native Of Salem. Mass. whose
loyalty TO the mother country wns such
that he gnvc up large estates IN the
colonies rather than Join the rcyolu'
tlonlsts. lie wns connected, both by
blood md by marriage. with the Win.
ihrop family. Under his rule the is
. lands full allegiance 10 England wns
restored.
Browne wns succeeded by Henry
Hamilton. during whose administration
the town OF Hamilton was founded and
named for him. This town today II
the sent OF the Island government. II
has population OF less ihnn 5000
II did not become the capital OF II,
islands until the time of Sir Jnmel
cochburn. lord chief justice Of Eng
lnnd. md before TINT time one Of III
most famous lawyers. cockhurn. ncnr
iy three quarters OF n century nrc
mndc the plcn OF insanity. which snvc'
I the life OF Dnnlcl McSnnghten. Wit
shot Sir itobert Pesls secretary.
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