CHAPTER XII.

Ashmun--Necessity of Defence--Fortifications--Assaults--Arrival of Major Laing--Condition of the Colonies--Sloops-of-War “Cyane” and “John Adams”--King Boatswain as a Slaver--Misconduct of the Emigrants--Disinterestedness of Ashmun--U. S. Schooner “Porpoise”--Captain Skinner--Rev. R. R. Gurley--Purchase of Territory on the St. Paul’s River--Attack on Tradetown--Piracies--U. S. Schooner “Shark”--Sloop-of-War “Ontario”--Death of Ashmun--His Character by Rev. Dr. Bacon. 123