1921 IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 377 doubt meetings were sometimes held here, to consult on the busi- ness of the island. But there is no indication that there was any regular organization for the transaction of affaire. In the case of Jamaica, at any rate, there were serious diffi- culties in the way of a permanent organization. In the first place, the absentee planters and the merchants were far from being in agreement. There were occasions when, though they both took action on a matter, their influence was exerted in opposite directions. In 1709, when, as has already been men- tioned, the merchants drew up proposals for settling certain people on the island, a counter-proposal was submitted by two persons * on behalf of themselves and other planters * But we get the most authoritative statement on this point in 1725 from James Knight, an agent of Jamaica. 2 He writes from London to a correspondent in Jamaica an account of ' the method that the Virginians take, in managing their affairs, which are under the best regulation of any of the colonies '. . The colony of Virginia had two paid agents who constantly meet the planters and merchants twice a month, and con- sult with them what is proper to be done for the Service of the Country : they very Justly Consider their Interest the Same and dependant on each other, therefore go hand in hand, without any clashing or Jealousie : a Treasurer is Appointed to pay the Charges, and receive the Contribution of a C[harge] per hogshead on every hogshead imported. The agent says that he does not think such a plan possible for Jamaica, owing to the ' Suspicions and Animosities, when the Gentlemen of our Island in England and the Merchants meet together '. He suggests that his correspondent may be able to think of some means for overcoming these difficulties, ' especi- ally if the assembly have a greater regard to the trading Interest, which is most capable of serving the Island here '. Apparently it was some years before the expectation of James Knight was fulfilled. In 1745 we still find traces of antagonism between merchants and planters : this time the evidence comes from a merchant trading to Barbados, 3 and he is speaking of the islands generally, so perhaps we may conclude that Jamaica was in no way peculiar in this respect. He complains that the planters in England, although they ' have certainly no authority from the People residing in the plantations to act as their representatives here . . . seem to assume it to themselves as 1 Colonial Office Papers 138 (12, 2 and 3 August 1709). 2 Brit. Mus., Add. MS. 22677, fos. 1-2. The letter is unsigned, but is the same hand as the following letter which is endorsed as being written by Mr. Knight. It is also referred to in the catalogue of Add. MSS. and more definitely in the index to the oatalogue (1854-75) as by Mr. Knight. 8 Letter-book of Messrs. Lascelles and Maxwell, 1743-5.
