Caulker appears to be the legitimate sovereign; Cleveland's forefathers
having been established by Caulker's as _trade men_, on their account; and
by intermarriage with that family their claims are founded. James
Cleveland, who married king Caulker's sister, first began the war by his
Grummettas, on the Bannanas, attacking Caulker's people on the Plantains,
The result of this violence was, that Charles Caulker was killed in battle;
and his body mangled and cut into pieces, in the most savage and cruel
manner. In 1798, Stephen Caulker, the present chief, commenced war again,
to revenge his brother's death; and the barbarous contest has continued
ever since, marked with ferocious cruelty, and with various success to the
respective claimants. Soon after its renewal, James Cleveland died, and was
succeeded by his nephew, William, who has received his education in
England, and is a chief of no inconsiderable acquirements and talent.
Stephen Caulker has succeeded in obtaining from him the possession of the
Bannanas and Plantains, and at present sways authority over them; still,
however, exposed to the enterprising genius and intrigues of Cleveland.



[Illustration: THE COLONY of SIERRA LEONE A bearing S.W. by E. distant 3
MILES, and the BANANAS bearing S.W. by W distant 3 leagues. Published Aug 1
1807 by G & W Nicol]



Were it practicable to reconcile these contentions, and procure these
valuable islands, they would form most eligible auxiliaries and depots to
any establishment which Government might form upon this part of the coast,
and be of the utmost importance; or in the event of their being
unattainable, factories might be established at Kittim and Boom, both under