DESPARD, Edward.

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[Account sheet, with manuscript docket title:] Account of contingent expences incurred by the Superintendent of His Majesty's affairs in Honduras, Account sheet for six months' expenses in Honduras by Edward Marcus Despard (1751-1803), Superintendent of Honduras, later executed for treason, despite the appeals of Nelson, with whom he had worked closely during the San Juan Expedition. On Honduras Despard sought to give the same rights to freed slaves as to white settlers, claiming that British laws saw no such distinction. Despard's account sheet comprises double entries recording both the Jamaican currency and the Sterling conversion, the list most notably including "the maintenance of five negro men attending the superintendent when visiting the different rivers and settlements, and keeping up a communication with the inhabitants", an expense that came to £204 7s 6d. The other entries are mostly for salaries, subsistence expenses for men on jobs, and boat hire. Despard has signed the document at the end, with the total expenses coming to £763 18s 1d. The situation on the island was precarious, with 200,000 slaves to 12,000 whites. The slave owners were frequently dissatisfied with the British administration, although there were no questions of independence due to their reliance on the British army and navy, and their fear of insurrection. The planters were infuriated by his conduct, even more so when he married a young black woman. Despard faced great hostility from the whit

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