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Belize: Asset Protection in 1799!?

By Carlo A. Mason - Email Editor

Date : March 11, 2010

I will take this time to be on the lighter side of asset protection. Belize has had the benefit of being part of the "offshore world" for the past two decades, and has enjoyed success quietly, as a jurisdiction.

Many, however, do not know that from as far back as when Belize was not an official colony of the United Kingdom, but a mere settlement of ragtag Englishmen and Yankee deserters, along with Free Blacks and slaves, that asset protection was already being practised. As an aside, many also do not know that Belize was the only location in the English-speaking Caribbean whose laws stipulated that a black man was presumed free unless and until evidence to the contrary could be produced.

The long and short of it was that he never did repay her what she had expected under the arrangement, but had skipped out on her when the British settlers of the Mosquito Shore in Nicaragua had to escape the occupation by the Spanish Navy, and ran to Belize with a number of the stragglers from "the Shore". However, it was to come back to haunt him, and in 1799, the good Reverend, with the aid of another kind lady (hmmm, would this be a trend?) by the name of Ann Home, who was reportedly not homely at all in looks, secured what he now viewed as his assets in an asset protection arrangement. Madam Home purchased from the good Reverend, for the "princely" sum of five shillings, in 1799, his home and slaves, and other personal items, in Belize, thereby legally making them hers, but still allowing him to reside therein and benefit therefrom. Mrs. Ritchy was thus unable to recoup her losses, although she admittedly did ruin his ability to continue to minister to the congregation within the Belize Town settlement.

Asset protection at its most basic. Belize was involved from early, it seems.

The above was discovered after I read a most intriguing novel, part fiction, part fact, written by the late Emory King, a former Floridian who ship-wrecked in Belize in 1953 and never left, apparently. He wrote one of his novels entitled "1798 - The Road to Glory", embellishing on the facts leading up to and surrounding the Battle at St. George's Caye. I encourage you all to read it if you can, although it is now probably out of print; I had to borrow a copy from a friend.

Lastly, I wish to thank you all who had nothing but good wishes for me and my family as we celebrated the birth of our son, Kurt David Antonio Mason, on January 13, 2010. As it is a year of great promise for him and us, I hope it will equally be a year of great promise for you, and that you would consider Belize as being able to assist you in your endeavours.

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