This is an extract from the introduction to the seventh chapter of the historical novel ‘Bahama Saga’ by Peter Barratt published by Authorhouse in 2002.

Chapter 7 - Pirates and Commerce  (1670 - 1733)

Expulsis piratis, restituta commercia
 - Former motto of the Bahamas

In 1670, Eight 'Lords Proprietors' obtained letters patent from the English Crown to add more territory to their already considerable possessions in the new world. The additional grants of land included the Bahama Islands that became the private property of a few absentee English noblemen. Sovereignty of the islands however remained firmly vested in the Crown. Thus the original grant to William Sayle, and twenty five other Adventurers, thought the term of their grant would be in perpetuity: ‘...the Said persons theire hiers and Assignes should have hold possesse and enjoye the Islandes forever...' (emphasis added). The ‘forever’ actually turned out to be a mere 20 years!

Shortly thereafter the Lords Proprietors took physical possession of the Colony. The centre of government and commerce officially moved from Eleuthera to Sayles Island (now officially re-named New Providence) where it has been ever since.

The first census in the country taken in 1671 recorded a total of 913 inhabitants in New Providence of whom 413, or nearly half, were slaves. For a brief time there was honest commerce in salt, agricultural products, lumber and ambergris. But the lure of wrecking and piracy was too strong.