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Notes from the Past

When reading historical and other writings about Saba during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, one is led to believe that Saba was a place void of law and order.
Most documentation pertaining to those centuries was either maliciously destroyed or lost through fire or other causes during the early part of the twentieth century. Our young people of the future will have no access to documents which prove that, contrary to the now popular belief, indeed there existed a large degree of law and order on Saba. By chance a book of records from those times has survived, and studying it we were able to learn of some of the important proclamations between the years 1835 and 1863.
These proclamations to the public of Saba show that the leader of that period were concerned with public health, provisions for the poor, collecting duties, and protecting private property, etc.
The men who administered the affairs of Saba in those days were natives of the island. Very little contact was maintained with the colony's headquarters in Curacao. So, even though internally the island was completely independent, the decisions which can be read here go to prove that even then Sabans were capable of leadership roles, and of maintaining law and order for the benefit of all.
The notices pertaining to slaves were in keeping with the concepts of that period, for slavery at that time was considered normal and legal, and slavery was a matter of little concern to the authorities as can be seen from some of the notices of that period. The following may serve as an example:

Whereas on account of the heavy rains the Ladder and Fort Bay roads are much out of order and require great attention to repair them, it is therefore directed that all slaves on duty from Mr. P. Johnson's, Hell Gate to Mr. P.S. Johnson's at the Gap shall appear on Wednesday the 18th instant at 9 o'clock in the morning with their hoes and cutlasses for the purpose of cleaning the Fort Road, Saba, November 13th, 1835. By Command: The Provisional Secretary, H. Hassell.

All masters of vessels are hereby cautioned against landing the free colored man Jimmy on this island or any part attached to it, under a penalty of 150 pieces of eight. Saba November 13th, 1835. By Command: The Provisional Secretary, H. Hassell.

Thomas Simmons Esq. is appointed as Junior member of the Court of this Island. William Simmons Esq. having resigned. All persons therefore must respect him as such. Done in Court, 4th February 1835. H. Hassell

Her former Majesty Queen Juliana shaking hands with Miss Esther Peterson

We, Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, make known: That whereas official information having been received from St. Thomas that the negro man named Bumber, belonging to Mrs. Susanna Leverock is considered by the Government of St. Thomas as concerned in robbery of certain goods belonging to Messrs. Bergeest & Co. of that island:

1st. Do hereby forbid in the most strictest manner any Master or Masters of vessels, taking from this island the aforementioned slave Bumber under pain of being punished as the law directs.
2nd. That any person of persons found harbouring or concealing the said man Bumber shall also be dealt with as the law directs.
3rd. That the owner or owners of boats are hereby ordered to adopt any such measures so as to prevent him or any other slave or slaves absconding in a boat or boats - in default thereof they will be punished as the law directs.
Saba, 14th July 1836.
Signed E. Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim.
By Command: H. Hassell, Provisional Secretary.

We, Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, do hereby order: That all the common roads throughout the Island shall be cleaned and put in complete order by the 5th august. Those who do not comply with said order shall be liable to a fine of 6 guilders. Saba 16th July 1836.

Josephus Lambert Hassell and "The Road that could not be built" Riding horses down Saba's steproads in former times

We, Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, do hereby strictly forbid any person or persons injuring or destroying sheep on their lands cultivated or uncultivated, under penalty of the sheep injured or destroyed. Whatever damage is sustained by the sheep, the same must be paid immediately for by a certificate being produced of the value from two persons thus appointed-one on the part of the owner or owners of the sheep, the other on the part of the owner or owners of the provisions. Saba 22nd July 1836.

We, Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, do hereby order: That all persons shall render in account a list of their families and slaves by the 15th instant. Those who do not comply with said order shall be dealt with as the law directs. Saba 10th January 1837.

We, Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, make known: That any person or persons arriving from any Island or Colony having Wares, Goods, or Merchandise for Saba, shall not be allowed to do so unless they have previously obtained a license from the Commander for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. The cost of which will be six guilders per quarter,--as also Import Duty on said goods, wares or merchandise. All fixed residents receiving goods, wares or merchandise for accounts of foreigners come under the same act and must observe the same formalities. Should any person or persons be detected acting contrary to this publication, the goods, wares or merchandise will be confiscated. Saba, 30th November 1836.

The Honorable Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim of the Island Saba, has appointed Wednesday the 14th instant to be kept Holy, and that on said day there will be divine service in the church. Saba, 11th December 1836.

The Honorable Edward Beaks, Commander-ad-Interim: Do from this day strictly forbid the exportation of the following articles under pain or seizure for the benefit of the poor. Viz: Bananas, Potatoes, Taniers, Corn and Cassava. All Masters of Vessels are enjoined to attend particularly to this order. Saba, 27th April 1837.

Donkey Caravan bringing cargo from Fort Bay

All persons are hereby cautioned against pulling grass, cutting timber, firewood etc. on the lands, the property of Mr. Thomas Johnson, situated in The Mountain. Persons not in slavery acting contrary to this notice shall pay a fine of F.25,--. Saba, 7th March 1839.
By Command: The Provisional Secretary, H. Hassell.

By order of His Excellency the Lieut. Governor of St. Eustatius and Saba: That all vessels arriving here from St. Thomas shall lay in quarantine for the period of fourteen days or quit the road; and shall be no communications whatever with persons from the shore with the said vessels until the time of quarantine shall have expired. That any person or persons who may act contrary to the aforesaid orders shall be dealt with according as the quarantine law may direct. Saba, 26th October 1843.

Any person or persons having demands against the estate of John George Hassell, deceased, are hereby directed to render them to Jacob G. Hassell, Esq., as also those who may be indebted to said estate shall come forward and pay their respective amount to him by the 20th March, in order that said estate may be brought to a final close. Saba, 9th March 1850.

By permission of His Excellency Edward Beaks Esq. Lieut. Governor of the island Saba, and by request of the proprietors to the Spring Bay property: That all persons both free as well as slaves are hereby forbidden to trespass on the lands attached to the Spring Bay property in any manner whatever from Ophelia's house downwards, either cultivated or uncultivated, under penalty of being dealt with as the law directs in such cases. Should any person or persons who cultivate such lands detect any person, complaint thereof shall be made to Jacob E. Hassell esq. Saba, 12th November 1850.

Miss Lena Vanterpool at Fort Bay on schooner named after her

Whereas George C. Groebe Esq. of St. Eustatius intends to dispose of a certain tract of land situated in this island, on or about Paris Hill (formerly the property of the Heirs of Richard and Mary Beale, deceased), it is hereby made known: and any person or persons who may be inclined to purchase said land are hereby directed to apply to Capt. Engle Heyligger for further information relative thereto. Saba, 17th March 1852.

Whereas it has pleased God in his all wise providence to take from hence our late lieutenant Governor His Excellency E. Beaks, in accordance with His Majesty's decree of January 1848, Edward J. Beaks, Esq., a member of this advising council, will administer the Government of this island with the title of Lieutenant Governor-ad-Interim of Saba, until further orders from His Excellency the Governor of Curacao and dependencies. Saba, 10th May 1863. The Provisional Secretary H. Hassell.

In later years, Sabans continued to administer the affairs of their island, and some of them proved to have had remarkable foresight for their time. Mr Edward Simmons of The Bottom, who was a member of the Advisory Council to the Administrator in the 1920's, advised the council when building roads to build them wide enough so as to accommodate motor vehicles. He argued that the day would come when motor vehicles would be used on the island.
The Jeep was only introduced in 1947, but with nearly 400 vehicles on the island today one can only look back with admiration to the foresight of Mr. Simmons. If the Administrator had followed his advice then, who knows, perhaps our entry into the twentieth century would have taken place much earlier than it did.

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Content © Will Johnson 1979, 1983 and 1989 - Third Edition - Copyright © CaribSeek 2003 - All Rights Reserved.