PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TILTIC.O. 882
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO |
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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BERMUDA.
inlets, which render the interior anchorage secure as to shelter and almost inaccessible to an enemy. Hence the great value of these islands as a naval station, more especially in the event of transatlantic warfare.
Island.
The islands mentioned in the margin form an St. George's almost continuous chain (extending for a distance from fifteen to twenty miles in a straight line from N.E. to S.W., the breadth of the widest isle is
two miles) being only separated from each other by natural channels or ferries, and in some cases are connected by bridges.
St. George's Island commands the entrance from the eastward, and contains the military departments and ordnance stores.
The seat of Government is situated in the town of Hamilton on Main or Bermuda Island.
Ireland Island, having been alloted exclusively to naval purposes, contains a dock and victualling yard proportionate to the wants of a fleet of twenty sail of the line. An extensive breakwater has been formed here by convict labour.
A separate paper will embrace all the topics con- nected with transportation and the employment of convicts abroad; it is therefere only necessary to state in this memorandum, that the increasing de- mand for convict labour in the prosecution of naval and military works in the Bermudas has led to a corresponding increase in the convict establishment thero, and, with a view to the safe custody, health, and discipline of the convicts, prisons are in course of completion on Roas Island for their reception.
The climate of the Bermudas is mild, but the atmosphere is considered to be more damp than in other places in the same parallel of latitude with different longitude.
Main or Bermuda
Island.
In the years 1819, 1837, 1843, and 1853, the yellow fever, termed 'endemic homigastric fever,” committed fearful ravages among the population of these islands.
The total number of deaths from the epidemic in 1853 was 663, viz. :-
Somerset Island. Boaz Island. Ireland Island.
BERMUDA,
Of troops (chiefly 56th Regiment)
345
Officers
19
Convicta
152
Officers of Convict Establishment Inhabitante
9
138
863
Total
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The Government of these islands is administered
by a Governor, Executive and Legislative Councils, and an Assembly.
The present Governor is also commander-in-chief of the troops.
The Executive Council is composed of eleven members, and the same persons constitute the. Legislative Council.
These islands are divided into nine parishes (formerly called tribes). Each parish returns four members to the Assembly. The last election took place in November, 1849.*
The colonial revenue not being sufficient to meet the expenditure, a grant from Parliament is an- nually voted in aid of the civil list.
Statistics taken from the blue books are annexed exhibiting the revenue, expenditure, and population for the years 1844 and 1854.
POPULATION.
W. G. C.
Year. Whites.
Free Blacks or Coloured.
Slaves.
Total.
1608
2015
2,247
5,282
1721
4,850
3,514
8,344
1756
6,402
4,900
11,802
1774 5,682
5,023
10,655
1788
5,462
4,019
10,881
1803
4,500
3,800
10,800
1810
4,755
451
4,794
10,000
1884
3,900
740
4,903
8,848
1848
4,428
5,502
9,980
+1851
4,669
6,428
11,092
• The first insus of write for the election of a General Assembly of four persons for each parish, took place in 1887. The first newspaper, entitled "Bermuda Gazette," was printed in Bermuda on 17th January, 1784.
+ No legislative provision has been made for the procure- ment of population statistics sinos 1851.
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EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEARS 1844 AND 1854.