PRICES OF LAND, &c. 349

pendent of any jurisdiction in America. The govern- ment and legislature are vested in a lieutenant-gover- nor, who represents the king , a council, which acts

in an executive as well as legislative capacity , and a House of Assembly,0f eighteen representatives elected by the people, and who conduct their proceedings according to the forms of the British House of Com- mons. The governor is chancellor of the Court of Chancery ; the chief-justice and attorney-general are appointed by the king; and the high-sheriff is appoint- ed annually by the local government. The practice of the Court of Chancery is the same as in England; but the power given it has been most wantonly ex- ercised. The present governor, however, has too much sense to admit of any overbearing or oppressive proceedings in this court. The Supreme Court of Judicature, is that in which all criminal and civil matters of consequence are tried, by a jury of twelve men; and the practice of which iSMY'Egulated by that of the Court of King’s Bench. Matters of small debt are decided by special magistrates ; and justices of the peace take cognizance, as in England, of all breaches of the peace.

As to the prospects which this colony may present to persons in the United Kingdom who are desirous to emigrate, they will, I hope, appear pointed out free from bias in the foregoing pages, to which I will only add, that the lands, as already stated, having origin- ally been granted away in large tracts, not more than 20,000 acres, if so much, are at present held by the ’ crown. Woodlands, in convenient situations, may,