WILLIAM THE THIRD.

271

God for having vouchsafed thus far to protect and bless theinfant colony. At some places a day was set apart forreligious exercises on this account. In every borough bellswere rung; bonfires were lighted; and candles were placedin the windows at night. During some months all the re-ports which arrived from the other side of the Atlantic weresuch as to excite hope and joy in the north of the island,and alarm and envy in the south. The colonists, it wasasserted, had found rich gold mines, mines in which theprecious metal was far more abundant and in a far purerstate than on the coast of Guinea. Provisions were plenti-ful. The rainy season had not proved unhealthy. Thesettlement was well fortified. Sixty guns were mountedon the ramparts. An immense crop of Indian corn was ex-pected. The aboriginal tribes were friendly. Emigrantsfrom various quarters were coming in. The populationof Caledonia had already increased from twelve hundred toten thousand. The riches of the country, — these are thewords of a newspaper of that time, —were great beyondimagination. The mania in Scotland rose to the highestpoint. Munitions of war and implements of agriculturewere provided in large quantities. Multitudes were im-patient to emigrate to the land of promise.

In August 1G99 four ships, with thirteen hundred menon board, were despatched by the Company to Caledonia.The spiritual care of these emigrants -was entrusted todivines of the Church of Scotland. One of these was thatAlexander Shields whose Hind Let Loose proves that in his

CHAP.

xxiv.

16 !!!).