An American steamer passing in December, 1822, gave some temporary relief.  On March 31, 1823, the Cyane, with Capt.  R.T.  Spence in charge, arrived from America with supplies.  As many members of his crew became ill after only a few days, Spence soon deemed it advisable to leave.  His chief clerk, however, Richard Seaton, heroically volunteered to help with the work, remained behind, and died after only three months.  On May 24 came the Oswego with sixty-one new colonists and Dr. Ayres, who, already the Society’s agent, now returned with the additional authority of Government agent and surgeon.  He made a survey and attempted a new allotment of land, only to find that the colony was soon in ferment, because some of those who possessed the best holdings or who had already made the beginnings of homes, were now required to give these up.  There was so much rebellion that in December Ayres again deemed it advisable to leave.  The year 1823 was in fact chiefly noteworthy for the misunderstandings that arose between the colonists and Ashmun.  This man had been placed in a most embarrassing situation by the arrival of Dr. Ayres.[1] He not only found himself superseded in the government, but had the additional misfortune to learn that his drafts had been dishonored and that no provision had been made to remunerate him for his past services or provide for his present needs.  Finding his services undervalued, and even the confidence of the Society withheld, he was naturally indignant, though his attachment to the cause remained steadfast.  Seeing the authorized agent leaving the colony, and the settlers themselves in a state of insubordination, with no formal authority behind him he yet resolved to forget his own wrongs and to do what he could to save from destruction that for which he had already suffered so much.  He was young and perhaps not always as tactful as he might have been.  On the other hand, the colonists had not yet learned fully to appreciate the real greatness of the man with whom they were dealing.  As for the Society at home, not even so much can be said.  The real reason for the withholding of confidence from Ashmun was that many of the members objected to his persistent attacks on the slave-trade.

[Footnote 1:  Stockwell, 73.]

By the regulations that governed the colony at the time, each man who received rations was required to contribute to the general welfare two days of labor a week.  Early in December twelve men cast off all restraint, and on the 13th Ashmun published a notice in which he said:  “There are in the colony more than a dozen healthy persons who will receive no more provisions out of the public store until they earn them.”  On the 19th, in accordance with this notice, the provisions of the recalcitrants were stopped.  The next morning, however, the men went to the storehouse, and while provisions were being issued, each seized a portion and went to his home.  Ashmun now issued a circular,