Note 523 — Chapter XVI
Reading edition
Mr. Anderson, in his History of the Church of England in the Colonies, ii. 36, speaks of the paucity of his materials respecting the Bermudas. The particulars given above are picked out of the State Papers, Colonial Series (see Calendar), 1652, Jan. 1st; 1653, June 25th; 1656, Oct. 7th, Nov. 18th; 1658, March 25th, Sept. 7th. It is stated in the Report, 1656, Oct. 7th, that the islands for the most part were naturally fortified or otherwise secured by four forts with sixty guns and five companies; 1,500 men were able to bear aims. About 3,000 inhabitants were without a minister. The charges of Government were £500 a year, and the tobacco duties amounted to £800.