LETTER LV.

St. Domingo, 1797.

I have to regret that in consequence of the greater part of the territory being occupied by the enemy, or, according to the more common term, the brigands, whose out-posts approach very near to the stations garrisoned by our troops, I have not the same opportunity of witnessing the scenery and state of culture of this island, as I had of Barbadoes, and Martinique: you will not, therefore, expect similar details.

From the horrible events which have passed within the few last years, the general face of the country, as well as the towns, must have necessarily undergone a melancholy change:—destructive anarchy—the consuming flames of war and rebellion,—and a barbarous system of devastation have combined to lay waste this once rich and beautiful colony[17].

In the great chain of West Indian islands, St. Domingo lies between Porto Rico and Cuba, thirty leagues east of Jamaica, in 19° north latitude, and 69° west longitude. It is nearly four hundred miles in length, and, at the broadest part, almost one hundred and forty in width. Its distance from England is about 3500 miles. It has the honor of having been chosen, by the great Columbus, as the territory upon which he first established a settlement, when he made his splendid discovery of the new world. From the natives of Cuba the inquiring navigator ascertained that the island was called Hayti; but on making the land, and touching at Cape St. Nicholas, Dec. 6th, 1492, he denominated it Espagnola, in honor of the kingdom, by which he was employed.

Proceeding from St. Nicholas Mole, along the coast, Columbus there fixed upon a spot for erecting a fort, which he termed Navidad; but, this being destroyed, by the naked inhabitants of the country, he, on making his second visit in November 1493, commenced a settlement, at a more promising site, and erected a town, which he named Isabella, in compliment to the Queen of Castile, his patroness.

The city of St. Domingo, from which the modern appellation of the island is derived, was founded in 1498, six years after the first landing, by Bartholomew Columbus, the Adelantado or Lieutenant-governor, who thought it expedient, during his brother’s absence in Europe, to remove the colony to a more commodious situation on the southern coast, where he caused a handsome city to be erected, naming it after the favorite saint of that time, St. Dominick.

The French possessions are in the western division, the territory to the east being occupied by the Spaniards. The part held by the French was originally settled by a small detachment of those celebrated adventurers from the little island of Tortuga, who, for more than half a century, in daring and successful enterprise, committed such extensive depredations upon Spanish property and commerce, under the avenging denomination of Buccaneers.

The bigoted and indolent Spaniards, persisting in the error committed by the early followers of Columbus, have expected to obtain riches, suddenly, from the _bowels_ of the earth: but the French, with better policy, patiently, though actively, bestowed their labour upon its _surface_, which rewarded their industry, not only with greater certainty, but with a more generous return.

In an island, which, in point of size, almost vies with England, many varieties of soil and climate must, necessarily, be found; but the land, in general, is said to be fertile, and the French cultivators have known how to avail themselves of its fecundity.

Prior to the destructive revolution, this noble colony was the pride and boast of Frenchmen; and justly so, for never were the gorgeous vestments of nature and art combined with a more happy effect. While the great parent of the island presented her stupendous mountains; her picturesque valleys and acclivities; her lakes and rivers; her rude forests and wild savannas; and her fine landscapes adorned with luxuriant groves of perennial verdure—the hand of industry embellished the whole with unprecedented richness and variety: the plains were loaded with sugar, rows of limes and citrons forming the fences of the canes; the sides of the hills were clothed with coffee; canals, and other well-constructed aqueducts brought bounteous streams to the estates; excellent roads led to the towns and dwellings; plantations of provisions, of cotton, and of indigo; elegant houses, and substantial sugar-works; orange groves, and orchards of other delicious fruits; neatly enclosed gardens, ornamental hedges, and improved grounds appeared on every quarter to grace the magnificent scenery. Thus, gifted by nature and enriched by culture, St. Domingo, at the commencement of the French revolution, stood unrivalled among the islands of the Atlantic, and was considered as the garden of the western world.

At this high period of its prosperity every thing that could be required for the comfort or convenience of the inhabitants—every thing for use or health, for profit or pleasure, seemed to be here assembled: labour was rewarded with bounteous returns; the exports of produce were abundant; the elevated lands afforded a salubrious climate; handsome carriages, and elegantly furnished dwellings, with cooling verandas, and marble baths, were luxuries commanded by the planters; while their tables were supplied with choice viands, and the finest wines and fruits, and, surrounded with riches and tranquillity, they lived in the highest enjoyment of sumptuous gratification.

The accounts which we hear related by the people of the colony respecting the luxuriant crops, the delicious productions of the orchards and gardens, and the exquisite improvements which embellished the fine plains of Cape Français and the Cul de Sac, and the delightful borders of the river Artibonite, might lead to a belief that these spots were unrivalled on any part of the globe.

The superior state to which this interesting colony was advanced, proceeded, in a great measure, from the fertility of the soil, and the laudable industry bestowed upon its culture: but much was to be attributed, likewise, to the favorable circumstance of the planters and other inhabitants making it their settled residence—their chosen and only home. They did not, like the majority of the British colonists, devote their labour, exclusively with a view of obtaining a competency to enable them to return and live in an easy and independent condition among their friends in Europe; but they cultivated their estates, both for use and comfort, looking no less to the convenience and decoration of their place of abode, than to the profitable returns, which were to constitute the substantial reward of their toil.

The plain of the Cape is situated in the northern division, not distant from the city whence it derives its name. It is a level territory, nearly fifty miles in length, and twelve in width, possessing superior fertility of soil. Throughout its whole extent it was covered with rich plantations of sugar, divided by rows of fragrant limes and citrons—the fields and dwellings receiving all the advantages of ornamental and productive improvement consequent upon being in the vicinity of the largest town of the colony.

The plain of the Cul de Sac is in the western division, a little to the east of Port au Prince. It is nine miles wide, and extends between thirty and forty miles in length. This vast field was, likewise, spread with luxuriant crops of sugar, and adorned with the handsome dwellings, and other buildings of opulent planters; its bordering hills being richly clad with coffee, and its prolific estates having not only the benefit usually derived from being in the neighbourhood of a large and populous town; but also the peculiar advantage of being watered, in very dry weather, by means of aqueducts constructed, at great toil and expense, for that purpose. The produce obtained from these fertile and highly cultivated lands was immense, and the amount of profit, in proportion to the labour and expenditure bestowed, was unusually abundant.

The extensive trade, with the quantity of shipping, and number of sailors employed in it, rendered this colony of great importance to the parent-country;—and the attention given to its interests proved the government to be duly sensible of its value. Even the distribution of the streams was deemed a subject of sufficient magnitude to require the establishment of an express committee, which was appointed to regulate the concerns of the reservoirs and aqueducts formed in different parts of the territory for the purpose of supplying water to these generous and magnificent possessions.

The French part of the island was divided into three great districts—the northern, the western, and the southern. The western was the most populous, and contained the greatest number of sugar estates. Port au Prince is the principal town of this province. In time of peace it was the residence of the governor, and regarded as the capital of the colony. It contained nearly six hundred houses, and fifteen thousand inhabitants.

Cape François is in the northern division. This was the largest and handsomest town in the settlement; having more than eight hundred well-built houses, of brick or stone, and a population amounting to twenty thousand individuals, of whom about three-fifths were slaves—more than one-fifth free people of colour; and the rest whites. This place being situated more conveniently for an expeditious communication by sea, the governor was required to remove thither in time of war, when it consequently became the capital, not of the northern division only, but of the whole colony.

The southern division was not so populous as either of the others; nor did it equal them in its returns of produce. Les Cayes is the principal town of this district.

Cape St. Nicholas stands at the western point of the northern division. This town consists of about two hundred and fifty houses, built of wood, according to the common manner of the West Indies, and covered with shingles.

The total population of the three districts was calculated at more than half a million, of whom above thirty thousand were whites, nearly twenty-five thousand free people of colour, and the remainder slaves[18].

But, alas! after exhibiting so much of natural beauty, and improved scenery, and being brought into such an enviable state of culture—after rewarding the industry of its inhabitants with such a high degree of opulence and general convenience, and enriching the parent-country with its bounteous productions and extensive commerce—after giving birth to splendid cities, multiplying its population, and raising itself to the first rank among colonies, what a sudden and melancholy reverse has befallen this once magnificent, but now most wretched and disastrous settlement! All its distinguished advantages have been sacrificed to the hypothetical doctrines of the French school of modern philosophy; and, by one fatal error, this happy land has been exposed to the horrible ravages of a cruel and blood-stained revolution.

Not aware that, in order to be benefited by their wild theoretical improvements, mankind would require to be formed anew, the self-created lawgivers of France, despising all the advantages of experience, and disregarding the actual condition of the human race, overturned, at a word, the majestic fabric of society! Under the pretence of a high-sounding, but hollow humanity the indigent, the idle, and the vicious have been set loose to ravage and commit every species of injustice upon the opulent and industrious.

Unappalled by the mischievous effect which their frantic innovations had produced, among a civilized people at home, the disorganizing system has been extended to a barbarous population, accustomed only to savage life; and the result has been precisely such as every person possessing the least knowledge of the West Indies must have predicted. The fatal decree of May 15, 1791, produced one wide and dreadful scene of devastation. It was the signal for revolt and massacre. The whites, and the people of colour, were declared by the National Assembly to be equal, and, too soon, raging flames, and the destructive sword verified the levelling manifesto! Ruin instantly spread around, and all was anarchy and carnage. In a few dismal hours of the morning of August 23d, of the same year (1791), the rich plain of the Cape was drenched with the blood of its inhabitants, and all its fine buildings, and luxuriant plantations were reduced to ashes. Restraint being removed, jealousy, suspicion, revenge, and all the worst passions of uncivilized man were left to rage in lawless sway. The most horrible cruelties which savage nature could invent were practised upon the whites—men, women, and children—the aged, and the tender infant, all were slaughtered with one undistinguishing barbarity; and a scene of human woe was introduced such as no former age had witnessed. Even death became a boon, for, too frequently, lingering torture, mockery, and violation, were made to aggravate and prolong the departing moments! With the same inhuman spirit, likewise, were the most shocking enormities committed upon the dead bodies of those who fell.

The revolt began at one of the estates in the plain of Cape François, a few miles from the city; but it was soon discovered that the slaves of the other plantations were united in a concerted plot to massacre all the whites, and set fire to the buildings, and the standing crops of sugar.

The few persons who had the good fortune to save themselves fled to the Cape, and, by announcing what was passing in the plain, spread terror and consternation through the town. Great numbers of the inhabitants, particularly of the women and children, immediately thronged on board the vessels in the harbour for safety; while the major part of the citizens flew to arms, and joined the troops in defence of the place; which it was every moment expected would be attacked from without, or destroyed by the rising of the blacks within its walls. The city was thus saved for a time, but it has since, like the bounteous plain which graced its environs, fallen a victim to the flames of an all-devouring and merciless rebellion.

Your imagination will figure to you more correctly than it can be conveyed by the pen, the splendid but horrible spectacle, which must have presented itself to the inhabitants of the Cape, when the morning dawn opened to their view the extended plain, with its numerous mansions and sugar-works, and prolific fields of canes, all raging in a wide sea of conflagration.

War, pestilence, and the blazing torch spread their ravages to the other provinces, when the rich improvements, which bounteous industry had given to this favored colony were destroyed, and all was converted into one vast field of desolation and carnage.

The cruelties and atrocities which were committed cannot be stated in terms sufficiently strong to convey an adequate idea of their enormity; they form a picture of unexampled horror. It was calculated that within a few weeks, after the rising of the negroes in the plain of the Cape, two thousand white persons were massacred, more than one thousand plantations destroyed, and twelve hundred families reduced from opulence to absolute misery and want.

Civil war, waged with its utmost fury, and accompanied with the extremest violence of malignant factions, has since prevailed in the different parts of the settlement—the conflict being aggravated by the most rancorous feelings of hatred and revenge; and each party aiming at the total destruction of the other.

In addition to the multitudes of whites and of all the various shades of colour, who have been murdered or executed—who have fallen in battle, or been cut off by fatigue or the common disease of the country, a direful pestilence which broke out among the crowded bodies of negroes, who were assembled in revolt, carried off thousands and tens of thousands of their numbers.

By all these causes, together with an extensive emigration, the population is supposed to be diminished to less than half what it was before the revolution, while this princely settlement has been reduced to a wilderness, fit only to be inhabited by savages.

What benefit is likely to result from our invasion of a colony so circumstanced it is beyond my ability to conjecture. All the troops which England could spare, would not be sufficient to vanquish those who are in arms, and to subjugate the different hordes who have revolted. If it were possible to conquer the numerous bodies, against whom we have to contend, still the settlement would require to be new-peopled, before it could be again made subservient to the beneficial purposes of cultivation and commerce; for it is not to be expected that men, who have acquired a sufficient knowledge of their power to feel that they are the stronger party, and have lived, during several years, in the most licentious, and profligate freedom, can be brought to surrender their liberty, however acquired, patiently expose their backs to the lash, and again endure all the hardships and degradation of slavery.

It is probable that from the earliest period of the revolt, in the plain of Cape François, in the year 1791, proposals were made, by the emigrants, to the Lieutenant-governor at Jamaica, and, through him, to the ministers of the British government, to induce them to send forces to take possession of the colony in the name of the King of England. But the war with France had not then commenced, and their overtures could not be accepted, without violating the neutrality which it was desirable that England should maintain (if it should be possible) towards her turbulent and factious neighbour. After the horrible and exterminating massacre of the whites, at the Cape, in 1793, and the burning of that fine city, the circumstances were different: Louis XVI. having been dragged to the guillotine, and the French Republic having declared war against England.

The proceedings which were now adopted implied that ministers had been deluded into the persuasion that the French part of the island might be subjugated, and annexed as an useful possession to the British empire. Accordingly Monsieur de Charmilly, who possessed a property in the district of Grand Anse, was sent out from England, with instructions for Sir Adam Williamson to detach troops from Jamaica to take possession of such posts in St. Domingo, as the colonists might be willing to surrender to the English.

The first division, placed under the command of Lieut.-colonel Whitelocke, left Port-Royal in September 1793, and sailed for Jeremie, a small town on the south-western point of the island, which place surrendered upon terms previously arranged between the commissioners and Sir Adam Williamson.

Soon afterwards Cape St. Nicholas accepted the same conditions, and a small division of the troops from Jeremie was sent to that garrison; a second limited detachment proceeding thither likewise from Jamaica.

Before the expiration of the year 1793, Jean Rabel, Arcahaye, St. Marc, Leogane, and several other places yielded upon similar terms; and, in consequence of these posts being so willingly given up to British protection, an eager, but treacherous hope was imbibed that the whole colony would submit without opposition.

But the direful disease of the country had already commenced its ravages, and Sir Adam Williamson found himself in the distressful predicament of being compelled to reduce the garrison of Jamaica to a very small number, in order to detach a third division of troops for the purpose of aiding their sinking comrades, in holding possession of the places which had voluntarily submitted to be garrisoned by the English.

Discouraging circumstances soon began to cloud the prospect of a successful issue: an offensive operation was undertaken against Tiburon, a strong position near the S. W. point of the island, and failed in consequence of the colonists not being able to raise the force, which they had promised to bring in support of the attack. No troops had yet arrived from England—nor could any more be spared from Jamaica; and, the yellow fever, spreading with fearful malignity, was rapidly destroying those already in the colony.

The year 1793 had not closed before it became manifest that the British force was insufficient to give security even to the places which had surrendered; and, seeing the numbers so speedily diminish, the zeal and confidence of the inhabitants declined: those who had been neutral became hostile; and many who were friendly preserved only a lukewarm attachment.

The proceedings of 1794 were chequered with various marks of good and bad fortune. A powerful reinforcement was expected under General Whyte; and considerable bodies of colonial troops were forming under the active and zealous Baron Montalembert, which, from their knowledge of the country, and their power of resisting the destructive influence of the climate, it was hoped would be extensively useful. But, without waiting for these additional means, the season being favorable for military operations, the few troops which remained effective, were employed at the beginning of the year, in various enterprises; in all of which both the officers and men conducted themselves with their accustomed bravery. The post of Tiburon was again attacked, and taken; as was, likewise, the fortress of l’Acul, near Leogane; but against a post called Bompard, on the northern coast, the result was less fortunate. The soldiers acted with the most determined spirit and good conduct; but were obliged to retire from the attack, in consequence of being opposed by superior numbers.

Notwithstanding these energetic measures, a knowledge of the sickly state, and reduced numbers of the troops could not be concealed from the enemy, who was, accordingly, emboldened to assume an offensive attitude; and, in the month of April, Rigaud, the mulatto commander, proceeded from Les Cayes, with a body of two thousand brigands, to attack the post of Tiburon; but it was defended with the utmost gallantry, and the besiegers were repulsed with uncommon slaughter. Fort l’Acul was also defended with equal bravery, against a very determined and formidable attack; but a few more such victories would have led to entire defeat, since the weakened ranks of our little army must have been utterly exhausted. In addition to these offensive operations, on the part of the brigands, Jean Rabel, one of the posts, which, only a short time before, had voluntarily sought the protection of the British, was lost by the treachery of our supposed allies; who rose against their commanders, and gave up the place to the enemy.

Such was the unpromising state of our affairs in the settlement, after the lapse of only half a year from the first landing of the British troops at Jeremie; and the fatal experience, which has since been purchased at such a prodigious waste of treasure, and of the best blood of our country, proves that it would have been wise to have withdrawn the surviving troops at this period, and abandoned every attempt at conquest in this baneful and deep-stained colony. But the government was now pledged to the disastrous measure; many of the colonists were still sanguine; and it was, perhaps, consistent with the principle on which we had engaged in the contest, not to despair of ultimate success, without making a more powerful effort to obtain it; yet, it was manifest that whatever further advantage might be acquired, could only be gained by decided force of arms; for the confidence of the inhabitants in our power of giving them protection and defence was too much shaken ever to be restored.

In the month of May General Whyte arrived, with a considerable body of troops, to take the chief command: and the corps raised by the Baron de Montalembert being considerably augmented, as well as peculiarly effective, with regard to the climate, a brighter prospect seemed to open; whence, in the minds of those who were enthusiastic, the anticipations of success were, in some degree, confirmed.

After the least possible delay, in preparing for the attack, the army moved against Port au Prince. Every thing that valour and good discipline could effect was achieved; and the town surrendered on the 4th of June. This capture, highly honorable to the troops, was said to be abundantly profitable, likewise, to those who survived; in consequence of a crowd of shipping, deeply laden with colonial produce, being taken in the harbour.

But, alas! even this splendid conquest, rich and glorious as it was, bore, within it, fatal marks of discouragement. It was not gained without a severe struggle, consequently not without a heavy loss; and the enemy, although compelled to abandon the town, retired only to the hills, at a short distance from it, where he established a chain of posts, and, holding communication with Les Cayes the capital of the southern division, placed himself in a strong position; and caused the forces in Port au Prince to pursue a system of daily labour and nightly watching, which proved more destructive to them than the sword. The fever raged with such dreadful mortality, that, by the time the defensive lines were finished, which it was necessary to construct for the security of the garrison, scarcely a sufficient number of troops remained to mount the different guards: and it was sadly afflicting to find that the greater proportion of these brave men, instead of being led to fresh victories, shortly perished by disease.

General Whyte seeing no hope of effecting any new enterprise, or of making a further progress towards the general conquest of the colony, unless he could obtain the aid of great additional reinforcements, embarked for England, in September 1794, leaving the command to General Horneck, who was compelled to act upon the defensive, having the difficult task of maintaining with a feeble and inadequate force, the posts which had surrendered to the British.

The weakened state of the army now disclosed itself, in every quarter. Those of the colonists who were in declared opposition acquired confidence; those who were wavering and undecided became hostile; many, who had been friendly, grew timid and desponding—some proved treacherous and deceitful; and only a small number remained faithful to the cause of the English, whose assistance they had so earnestly invoked.

Such a situation was calculated to invite attacks from without, and to encourage plots and conspiracies among our doubtful friends, within the garrisons. Accordingly some of the places again fell into the possession of the enemy! Our allies at St. Marc revolted, and gave up the town to the republicans; and Rigaud the mulatto chief, advancing with augmented means, retook Tiburon and Leogane, and was even daring enough to conduct an enterprise against Fort Bizotton in the immediate vicinity of the capital.

The year 1795 commenced with very unfavorable auspices. Not only had the troops to struggle against the dreadful ravages of a malignant disease, and to resist superior numbers, improved in discipline, and encouraged to vigorous hostility; but their situation was rendered still more distressing and perilous, in consequence of a spirit of treachery and disaffection prevailing among those, with whom, and on whose behalf they were acting.

It was scarcely to be expected, indeed, that the motley and heterogeneous assemblage which had been brought together should long continue to concert their measures in harmony and faithful combination: co-operating with the British troops were bodies of French colonists, of mulattoes, and of negroes, besides volunteer inhabitants of the towns and parishes, and a corps of about three hundred reluctant Spaniards.

Opposed to these, in the north, was an army, commanded by Toussaint, amounting to 17,000, or 18,000; consisting of republican troops, French colonists, and revolted negroes: in the south was a division nearly as powerful, under the command of Rigaud, formed of mulattoes, white colonists and impressed slaves. These two bodies, although both contending against the British, were in decided and inveterate hostility, and only restrained by the presence of a common enemy from waging a war of extermination against each other.

A third, and still more numerous band of revolted and runaway slaves had retired to the woods, and the mountains, where, without engaging in the existing contest, they were lying in wait, equally disposed to involve either party in destruction.

Besides these there were various irregular hordes of brigands—ruffians and desperadoes of the worst description, wandering about as marauders, assassins, or mid-day murderers in different parts of the country; or employing themselves in piratical excursions, from several points of the sea-coast, in which they captured numerous small vessels, both English and American; when they usually massacred the men; and carried off the women, if any chanced to be on board, for purposes which might render enviable the fate, even of those who were killed.

In the early part of this year a dark conspiracy was discovered among the inhabitants of St. Marc’s, to confine the British commandant who had taken the town, and to give the place up, again, to the enemy; and, soon afterwards, a still deeper and more extensive plot was detected at Port au Prince, by which it was intended to seize the town and put all the English to death.

Viewing the actual state of the troops and garrisons at this period, it was evident that every fair prospect of ultimate success had vanished. There seemed, no longer, to be any object in carrying on hostilities in this ill-fated country—the only effect of which would be to produce the untimely death of multitudes of brave men, who must perish in a fruitless contest.

Sir Adam Williamson and the ministers had been deceived by the favorable and exaggerated accounts of interested individuals, respecting the dispositions of the French inhabitants remaining in the island. The greater number of the whites, who escaped at the time of the general massacre, had emigrated: of those who were still in the colony many were mere adventurers, some of whom had possessed themselves of the estates of their murdered, or emigrated countrymen: some were neutral, and were lying in wait to join the strongest party—and the few, who were of better principle, being over-zealous, deceived themselves and others. The majority had no view but that of regaining, or securing their own property and plantations.

Notwithstanding all these discouraging circumstances the government, probably from being further deceived, by the representations of sanguine or designing colonists, after the Success of General Whyte at Port au Prince, still sent out additional reinforcements, and even indicated an intention of retaining and consolidating the conquests which had been made, by appointing Sir Adam Williamson Governor-general of St. Domingo.

In this capacity His Excellency arrived at Port au Prince, and assumed the government in May 1795. In April a body of troops, about seventeen hundred in number, arrived from Ireland; and, in August, another reinforcement of nearly a thousand men came from Gibraltar; yet these were insufficient to make up the former losses. But, during this year, as if flattering expectations still prevailed, preparations were made at home for sending out two formidable expeditions, one to the Charibbee Islands, the other to St. Domingo; and, from the scale of these armaments being far more extensive, and the troops to be embarked, more numerous, than upon any former expedition to the West Indies, it was calculated, probably, that the force assembled might be competent to overpower all opposition, and to place not only St. Domingo but the whole of the French possessions to windward, under British dominion.

Possibly, if these unprecedented armaments could have been conducted, unbroken, to their destination, the French Charibbee Islands might have been subdued in the first campaign; and, from the known valour of the troops, many new stations might have been conquered in St. Domingo; but, from the wide destruction caused by the ravages of a malignant disease, it was plain that all the forces which England could have spared, would not have been sufficient to have maintained possession of the various towns and posts, in the French part of the island, even if the whole of them could, at this time, have been captured.

But the army, already in the colony, was not allowed to remain idle, in the anticipation of being joined by the powerful reinforcement preparing at home. Many brave enterprises were undertaken; the troops acted with a noble spirit; vigorous efforts were made to distress the enemy, and he was driven out of several strong posts, and a great extent of country; but the soldiers were not sufficient to garrison the places which were taken; and the white inhabitants, who were disaffected, plainly foresaw that the very efforts, which were made in the cause, must soon work its ruin: indeed, all that was effected served only to confirm the improbability of subduing the entire colony, or annexing it, in an useful condition, to the British possessions.

Toward the close of the year great preparations were made for attacking the blacks, under the command of Dudonait, who occupied the hills above Port au Prince, and had contrived to cut off the supply of water from the town; but, from the numerous difficulties which occurred, the assault was not made before the 28th of February 1796, when the brigands were speedily defeated and dispersed by a spirited little army, under the command of General Bowyer.

Owing to the repeated and fatal impediments occasioned by the tempestuous weather at the end of the year 1795, and beginning of 1796, the great body of troops, which had been assembled for service in the West Indies, did not reach the colonies as was expected.

In March 1796, Sir Adam Williamson embarked for England, leaving the chief command to General Forbes. In April, a reinforcement amounting to between three and four thousand men arrived from Gibraltar. In June, General Whyte, after returning from the expedition against the colonies of Guiana, landed at St. Domingo, with four regiments, of the Cork division of the great armament; and not long afterwards the fleet from Cove came into harbour, with a further addition of five or six thousand men: but instead of being in a state fit for active service in such a climate, numbers of them were already enfeebled by sickness, and in a short time the greater part became inmates of the hospitals, from whence it was their sad lot to be soon carried to the grave. Still the honor of the British flag was ably maintained: many vigorous efforts were made to establish their possession, and the troops on all occasions displayed the greatest bravery—but it was impossible to struggle against the fatal devastations of disease. The fever now raged in every quarter of the colony with accumulated and direful malignity. At Port au Prince, the Mole, St. Marc, Mirebalais, and all the principal stations the weekly returns exhibited frightful lists of casualties:—to very few remained the strength required for military duty. From two hundred to six, or even eight hundred men of each regiment were destroyed by this relentless malady; and, of one regiment (the 96th), not an individual escaped.

Notwithstanding the powerful reinforcements which arrived in the course of this year, it appeared that, by the month of September, scarcely three thousand effective men could be mustered, while the hospital register announced a mortality approaching to thrice that number.

It was now discovered that the extreme waste of blood, and all our fruitless efforts in this unhappy island, were attended, likewise, with an alarming waste of property; and it was supposed that General Simcoe, who was sent out with the appointment of chief governor, had received instructions to inquire minutely into the state of expenditure, as well as all other points concerning the British prospects and interests in the colony.

General Simcoe arrived in the month of March, of the present year (1797), and embarked again, for England, in July, when the command devolved on General Whyte, who, like his gallant predecessors, has the mortification of not being able to undertake any enterprise of magnitude against the enemy, in consequence of the defective number of troops. Viewing the many and great efforts which have been made, and the multitudes of brave men who have perished, it is grievous to contemplate the situation in which we now find ourselves—a situation not less singular, than it is vexatious and distressing: the army, by a dreadful mortality, is reduced to a skeleton, and we are left without the power of engaging in offensive operations, while the rebel negroes are seen at the very gates.

Adieu.

_Note_.—General Nesbit was appointed to succeed General Simcoe; but having died on the passage, and General Whyte having returned to England in April 1798, General Maitland was left in command.

The Government at length despairing of attaching the entire colony to the British crown, sent out instructions, after the return of General Simcoe, for drawing in the garrisons, and reducing the number of posts occupied by the English troops, thus putting a stop to the dreadful sacrifice of human life, and lessening the enormous expenditure, which had been incurred in this hopeless, and too long continued attempt.

By a well-devised arrangement with Toussaint, General Maitland withdrew the British forces on the 22d of April 1798, from Port au Prince and St. Marc, and their dependencies, and retired to the Mole; wishing, however, to possess the strong hold of the opposite point of the bay, as affording a more complete protection to our trade, and to the island of Jamaica, the General planned an expedition, and proceeded from the Mole, in the month of June following, with a view of retaking Tiburon; but, in consequence of adverse winds and raging elements, he was unable to land his troops, and compelled to abandon the enterprise.

Emboldened by this failure, and by the reduced state of our army, the enemy, soon afterwards, made an attack upon the Mole, but they were driven back, with very considerable loss. In a short time they returned with a more formidable force; and were again repulsed with great slaughter. Still, it was evident that the Mole was now insecure, and, as there was no longer any hope of conquest, the General prudently directed his thoughts to the preservation of the brave, but feeble remains of his army.

By a judicious negotiation with Toussaint it was agreed that the British should make an undisturbed evacuation of all the posts still in their possession; and, after a sad waste of blood and treasure, the island was wisely abandoned in October 1798; the troops being withdrawn, from Jeremie and the Mole, to Jamaica.

So ended this lamentable enterprise, undertaken upon the deceitful assurances of a few adventurers, who, by representing the colonists as ready and desirous to surrender the settlement to British possession, led the ministers and Sir Adam Williamson to engage in the conquest with means infinitely inadequate. After five years of bloody and afflicting warfare, and the sacrifice of perhaps twenty thousand brave Englishmen, not one thousand veterans remained to experience the humiliation of quitting the island.

APPENDIX.

The British parliament having enacted a law, to the immortal honor of this country, for the abolition of the importation of slaves into our settlements in the West Indies, it remains to be ascertained how this great work of humanity can be completed, by extending it to the _emancipation_ of the slaves already in the colonies.

As a step towards the emancipation, the _abolition_ is of the highest importance; but if the parliament, having passed a decree, shall content itself without proceeding to that great ultimate object—the emancipation, England will have only the unsatisfactory consolation of exhibiting to the world an honorable and ineffectual example; while she leaves other nations to make a profit of her humanity: for, so long as slavery shall be permitted to exist in our colonies, and the African trade be continued by other countries, it may be expected that slaves will not cease to be introduced into the English settlements. Nor can the importation be prevented by any prohibitory law or regulation of the British parliament, however wise in the enactment, or vigilant in the execution; since it will be the common interest of the colonists to encourage adventurers in this illicit traffic.

It is manifest, therefore, that unless England proceed further, the abolition will be nugatory, or even worse; for it will not only be inadequate to its purpose, but it will be the means of throwing the trade into the hands of the merchants of other nations; who, in conducting it, may not be governed by the same humane regulations, which the traders of this country were compelled to observe.

It cannot be supposed that any of the friends of the abolition will be adverse to the emancipation, although various opinions may be held, respecting the best mode of effecting it. Considering themselves as following the genuine dictates of humanity, some may contend for an immediate enlargement; while others, with sounder policy, will plead for a more cautious and gradual liberation.

An abrupt and unlimited enfranchisement might prove injurious to the slave, unjust to the master, and equally cruel to both. It would have the effect of depriving the one of his bread, without teaching the other to earn it. The dark ignorance which overclouds the minds of the slaves; the bitter remembrance of former toils and severities; their natural indolence; the debilitating languor produced by the climate; and the facility of obtaining provisions without labour, would all combine to prevent them from engaging in the settled habits of daily toil. Devoid of instruction, and without any knowledge of the benefits arising from commerce and the accumulation of property, they would not discreetly meet the change to freedom, and assume, at once, the tranquil character of sober and industrious peasantry. It is even doubtful, whether, if they were hastily liberated, they could ever be brought to employ themselves in a constant round of labour: to expect it, as the necessary result of merely granting them their freedom, would be idly romantic. In their present state of ignorance, both humanity and policy are opposed to a sudden emancipation; for, instead of their situation being thereby improved, it would be rendered lamentably worse.

Having been governed by the whip, and held subservient to the will of others, they do not contemplate any intermediate stage, between the master and the slave. Accustomed to the degrading habits of bondage only, their minds are unprepared for freedom, and incapable of comprehending its high advantages. If their bonds were hastily broken, they would be all kings, and no subjects—all planters, and no labourers! In the gloomy imbecility of their uncultivated faculties they would be jealous of the whites, and suspicious of future chains: hence, to give them unbridled liberty would be to let loose an irritated race of beings, with a two-edged sword in their hands, which, in consequence of the many vices and infirmities arising from a life of slavery, they would either turn upon themselves, or wield to the destruction of those about them. They would be thrown into inveterate confusion; the cultivation of the colonies would languish; commerce would die away; and the mother-country preserving no control, all would be violence, outrage, and subversion, and they would persecute or destroy those who had governed them, until every European were exterminated from the settlements. Or, if they should not be roused to energy, by revengeful feelings and a distrust of their former rulers, they would sink into the torpid state of the uncivilized Indians, or of their darker brethren of the African forests, and relapse into a state of rude and savage nature. Their wants being few, and their food easily procured, their exertions would be only commensurate to their cravings: disdaining labour, they would repose under the soft shade of the plantain, equally regardless of the riches of commerce and the honors of industry. The yam, the plantain, and the pepper-pot, the banjar, the merry dance, and their beloved Wowski, would gratify all their wishes, and crown their highest ambition.

However simple the question of emancipation may appear, to those who reason only from an abstract principle regarding humanity and the natural rights of man, it is a subject of no less intricacy than importance. Although urgent and imperative, still it needs much and serious consideration, and cannot be acted upon without the utmost caution. To judge of it properly, requires an extensive knowledge of the interests of the colonists, an intimate acquaintance with the character and disposition of the slaves, and much information with regard to the relative policy between this country and the settlements. By hasty or inconsiderate measures a serious wound might be given to the sacred principles of humanity and justice, and infinitely more mischief than advantage would be the result.

It is possible that, by proceeding with great care and discretion, the loud calls of humanity may be obeyed, and the emancipation effected to the great benefit of the slaves, and without serious injury to their masters: but to force upon the blacks and their descendants, at all hazards, a freedom, which they know not how to value or to use, would be cruel and fatal.

It should be held, always, in remembrance that, in a mental point of view, the slaves are but as children, having their untutored minds in a more abject state of imbecility, than the lowest of the poor in the meanest state of Europe. Much has been done, during many years past, to meliorate their condition; but, in order to make it consistent with the policy of the parent-country, the safety of the West India proprietors, or the benefit of the negro race themselves, to abolish slavery altogether, this beneficent and glorious achievement must be accomplished by a steady perseverance in the use of slow and gradual means.

A general system of education and moral improvement should be established among the slaves; a due sense of their religious duties should be inculcated; and they should be taught to estimate the high value of freedom, and social intercourse: private punishments should be prohibited; all invidious distinctions between the different colours done away; and every man, of whatever hue, should be made subject to the same laws, and the same rules of government.

The degrading ignorance, the sullen perverseness, and revengeful feelings of the slaves should be softened by liberal instruction; they should be gradually associated, and brought to a level with those who are better informed, and more conversant with the arts of industry; and they should be taught to understand the advantages which would arise from continuing the cultivation and commerce of the colonies. A general change in their minds and habits, must be either in progress, or effected, before it can be safe or useful to grant them so great a boon; or, rather, to restore to them so manifest a right.

Perhaps the best preparatory step would be, to bring a considerable proportion of the _people of colour_, between the whites and the negroes, to England to be educated, together with such of the blacks themselves, as might display any peculiar marks of intellect; allowing them to return as free subjects, possessing all the privileges of citizens; and, in addition to these, annually to enfranchise a certain number of the best-disposed slaves, until the whole should be free; taking care, always to preserve a due proportion between the number educated, and the number emancipated, and to make their liberation a reward to superior merit.

In this manner, the individuals of all shades, and all degrees, might be brought to mix together as people of the same state, subject to the same laws, following the same pursuits, and feeling the same interests and propensities. The coloured inhabitants would be made fellow-citizens with the whites, and they would aspire to be—Englishmen! Among them would be found merchants and planters, as well as tradesmen, mechanics, and labourers: all hurtful jealousies would be done away, and the Africans and their offspring having acquired a knowledge of the benefits to be derived from industry, and the accumulation of property, the cultivation of the colonies would be continued, and the commercial influence preserved to the mother-country.

To attempt to enumerate the manifold advantages which would result from such a system of enfranchisement, would be to enter too much into detail. Among the most important of them would be that of preventing the sad waste of human life, and of treasure, which is at present incurred, by the necessity of sending out unacclimated Europeans to garrison the colonies, and to execute the offices of managers, clerks, book-keepers, and the like. These would not, as at present, be indispensably required. The danger of revolt and insurrection would no longer exist; and the people of colour being capable of performing all the duties of the plantation and the counting-house, they would soon become possessed of stores and estates; and the garrisons might be safely intrusted to them, as the best defenders of their own property.

England having set a generous and splendid example, in being the first to forego the unhallowed profits of a cruel and impious traffic in human beings, might it not be an object worthy the magnanimity of the Prince Regent of this nation, to carry the august work of humanity to its consummation, by establishing an institution, for the emancipation of the slaves, and for their education and improvement after they became free?

If _a school_ were endowed, somewhat upon the plan of Christ’s Hospital, or the Royal Military Asylum[20], and appropriated to the education of the creole children of colour, it would immortalize the name, and prove a lasting monument of the wisdom and benevolence of the Prince, who should have the happiness of being its founder. Such an institution might stamp the Regent’s government, which has been already distinguished by such auspicious events, with unparalleled glory. It would mark the period as an _era of humanity_, and His Royal Highness could not fail to experience the grateful reward of feeling, that his name would be uttered with prayers and blessings, not only by hundreds of thousands of fellow-beings now existing, but by millions yet unborn!

INDEX.

A.

Abbensets, Mynheer, hospitality of, i. 465, 531.

Abercromby, Sir Ralph, arrival of, at Barbadoes, i. 235. His departure, i. 346.

Abolition, important, with a view to emancipation, ii. 525. Nugatory, unless followed by emancipation, ii. 526.

Abstemiousness, author’s, on the voyage, i. 78.

Alligators, numerous at Berbische, i. 445. Used as food by the negroes, i. 447.

Amsterdam, old town of, i. 473, 493. New town of, i. 424. A bush negro, execution of, i. 377.

Animal flower, description of the, i. 184.

Ants, construction of the nests of, ii. 149. Used as food for chickens, ii. 150.

Ant-eater, description of the, ii. 146.

“Arcadia,” plantation, i. 349.

“Arends,” plantation, i. 482.

Army, allied, in St. Domingo, how constituted, ii. 514. Of Toussaint, _ib._ Of Rigaud, _ib._

Assistant, medical, loss of, at Maiconny, ii. 94.

Atmosphere, its influence upon the human frame, i. 249, ii. 470.

Author, reflections of the, in Guiana, ii. 250. His farewell from Guiana, ii. 287. His case of yellow fever, ii. 96. And comrades, separation of, at Spithead, i. 46. Their detention at Barbadoes, i. 249. Their friendly contention respecting fever, i. 250. Their employment at Barbadoes, i. 251. Their detention at Martinique, ii. 353.

Azores, passing the, indications of, i. 73.

B.

Ball, birth-day, at Martinique, ii. 321.

Barbadoes, general aspect of, i. 80. Author’s landing at, i. 99. General observations regarding, i. 275. Its importance in the opinion of the natives, i. 277. The Montpelier of the West Indies, i. 280. The London of the West Indies, i. 346. Its seasons, i. 284. Its temperature, i. 209. Its soil, i. 282. Its plenteous supply of provisions, i. 258, 292. Bridge-Town, the capital of, i. 280. Its senate-house, i. 223. Civility of the inhabitants of, to strangers, i. 171. Clothing of the inhabitants of, i. 293. Their languid pronunciation, i. 294. Their mode of living, i. 287. Breakfast, i. 288. Dinner, i. 290. State of the slaves at, i. 295. Neglect of diseased and decrepit negroes at, _ib._ Endemic disease of, or Barbadoes leg, i. 303. Its origin, i. 306. Cottages of white inhabitants at, i. 309. Cottagers, resemble their European ancestors, i. 310. Author’s departure from, i. 320.

Barber and surgeon, Dutch association of, i. 475.

Bathing, use of, by the French, ii. 430.

Battle, effects of the preparation for, i. 331.

“Bay-house,” sumptuous entertainment at the, i. 181.

Berbische, capitulation of, to the British, i. 356. Government-house at, i. 439. Author’s voyage to, i. 395.

Bercheych, M. visit to, ii. 63, 146. Peculiarities of, ii. 74. Romantic dwelling of, ii. 67. Visit of, at Fort St. Andrew, ii. 151.

Bird-nests, peculiar construction of, ii. 148.

Birth-day, His Majesty’s, celebration of, at Berbische, i. 441.

Blackader, Mr. his case of fever, ii. 110.

Blair, Mr. visit to the plantation of, i. 453, ii. 30.

Boat excursion, hazardous, to Mole St. Nicholas, ii. 392.

Boats, passage, pleasant, at Martinique, ii. 301.

“Bob,” Doctor, remarks of, ii. 59.

Boode, M. the successful industry of, ii. 277.

Breakfast, at Port au Prince, ii. 432.

Breeze, land, at Barbadoes, i. 81.

Brigands, daring attacks of, at sea, ii. 408, 445, 515. Different bodies of, at St. Domingo, ii. 515. Defeat of, by General Bowyer, ii. 519.

Bush, the forest so termed, i. 433.

C.

Cabbage-tree, description of the, i. 154.

Calm, distress occasioned by, at sea, ii. 387.

Campaign, military, reflections on a, i. 237.

Cannon, firing of, on ship-board, i. 37. At Fort St. Andrew, i. 441.

Cap à Fou, view of, at sea, ii. 444.

Cape François, rich plain of, ii. 497. Destroyed, ii. 502. Town of, ii. 499.

—— St. Nicholas, town of, _ib._

Carlisle bay, enchanting view of, at sea, i. 81. Its environs, i. _ib._ The general rendezvous, i. 64. The Thames of the West Indies, i. 244.

Cassada, the use of, i. 383. By the Indians, i. 504.

Cayes, les, town of, in St. Domingo, ii. 499.

Ceremony, complimentary, of cooling the person, i. 526.

Changuion, Princess, anecdotes concerning, ii. 245.

Charmilly, Monsieur de, mission of, to Jamaica, ii. 507.

Chasse-pilote, visit to the town of, ii. 312.

Chigoes, mode of extracting, i. 270.

Children, mode of carrying, in the West Indies, i. 215. Deformed, seldom seen in the colonies, i. 216.

Christian, Admiral, arrival of, at Barbadoes, i. 346.

Christmas, a festive period in the West Indies, ii. 140. The season of oranges, ii. 141. Temperature, ii. 140.

Cleghorn, Doctor, arrival of, at Portsmouth, i. 27.

Climate, effect of, on European soldiers, ii. 177. On a Dutch sailor, i. 267. Brunonian explanation of the, i. 266.

Clouds, evening appearance of, at sea, i. 96.

Cockswain, singular address of a, ii. 216.

Codrington, or Barbadoes college, i. 191.

Coffee, a plantation of, i. 338.

Colleton estate, hospitality at the, i. 189.

Colonists, conduct of the, at St. Domingo, ii. 513.

Colony-paths, at Demarara, how formed, ii. 263.

Colour, importance of, in West Indian slavery, ii. 331. People of, suggestion for educating the, ii. 531. Women of, at Martinique, ii. 430. At St. Domingo, ii. 406. West Indian mode of providing for the, ii. 136.

“Commerce de Marseilles,” striking appearance of the, i. 54.

Complaisance, West Indian, specimen of, i. 537.

Contagion, the usual progress of, ii. 481.

Convalescents, inspection of, on board the Lion, ii. 402.

Convoy, Cork, arrival of the, i. 264. From Spithead, delays of the, i. 232. Return of the, i. 231. Crowded, dangers of sailing in a, i. 63. To Port au Prince, driven back by a storm, ii. 408.

Corn, scarcity of, in England, i. 233.

Cornwallis, Admiral, his noble retreat, i. 16.

Costume, Spanish, prevalence of, in Jamaica, ii. 337.

Cotton, mode of ginning, i. 477.

Council of government, Demarara, ii. 267.

Coup de soleil, a case of, at Berbische, i. 443.

Court of policy, how constituted, ii. 268. Of justice, _ib._ Commissary, _ib._

Creek, Kamonuy-Woratilla-Mabeira, ii. 182, 183.

Creoles, less efficient than Europeans, ii. 172. Why not subject to the yellow fever, ii. 475.

Croix des Bouquets, visit to the town of, ii. 437.

Cuba, view of, at sea, ii. 390.

Cul de Sac, description of the, ii. 498. Ruinous state of the, ii. 437.

Cupid, power of, in the wild woods, i. 502.

Custom, foreign, of purloining provisions, ii. 163.

D.

“Daargradt,” plantation, i. 528.

Dancing, fondness of the French for, ii. 323, 426. Excessive, of West Indian ladies, ii. 161. Of slaves, i. 126. At a wedding, ii. 325.

Dangers, slight regard of, by military men, ii. 144.

Davy, Lieutenant, hospitality and kindness of, i. 51.

Dead-lights, fixing the, at sea, i. 59.

Decree, French levelling, effects of the, ii. 437.

Delicacy, European female, injury of, i. 124, 344.

Demarara, capture of, from the Dutch, i. 328. Robust inhabitants of, i. 337. Coffee plantation, and orange grove at, i. 328. Negro sale at, i. 340. Hospitality at, i. 341. Situation of, i. 357. General observations relating to, ii. 258. Prejudice against the climate of, unfounded, ii. 259. Prolific soil of, ii. 260, 266. Importance of, to the British, ii. 276. Plantations of, how formed, ii. 262, 271. Roads of, how formed, and kept in repair, ii. 263, 269. Happy exemptions of, ii. 266. Its seasons, ii. 267. Its plan of government, _ib._ Wages of labour at, ii. 278. Price of provisions, ii. 280. Of colonial productions, _ib._ Of other articles of common use, ii. 281.

Destination, author’s probable change of, i. 8.

Diana frigate, author’s rescue on board the, i. 50.

Difficulties sometimes easily subdued, i. 459.

Dinner, at sea, description of a, i. 71. A farmer’s, at Barbadoes, i. 202. At Demarara, i. 381. At Port au Prince, i. 431.

Diseases, surgical, fatality of, in Guiana, ii. 91, 284.

Distance, Dutch mode of computing, ii. 180, 226. From Stabroek to “the falls,” _ib._

Doctors, colonial, consulted on yellow fever, ii. 57.

Dolphins, brilliant appearance of, i. 92.

Domingo, St. author ordered to, ii. 233. Contemplations on the removal to, ii. 234. Author’s voyage to, ii. 384. His disappointments on arriving at, ii. 394. General remarks relative to, ii. 492. Discovery of, by Columbus, ii. 493. Distance of, from England, _ib._ French division of, ii. 494. The garden of the West Indies, ii. 496. Sacrificed to an erroneous philosophy, ii. 501. Effects of the revolt at, ii. 504. Late population of, ii. 500. Late exports from, _ib._ Importance of the waters of, ii. 498. Hopeless invasion of, by the British, ii. 505, 516. British ministers deceived regarding, ii. 516. Disastrous state of the British army in, ii. 521. Evacuation of, by General Maitland, ii. 522. City of, when founded, ii. 493.

Dornford, Mr. perilous state of, ii. 318. Decease of, ii. 349.

Dougan, Mr. rich plantation of, i. 350. Kindness of, to his slaves, i. 351. Captain, hospitality of, i. 383.

“Draxhall,” plantation, i. 195.

Drunkenness, Dutch military punishment for, ii. 22.

Dutch troops, brave conduct of, at Essequibo, ii. 116.

E.

Echo, pleasing, at Fort St. Andrew, i. 441. Perilous, in the woods near Johanna, i. 481.

Economy, army, defects and abuses of, ii. 126.

Edmonstone, Mr. solitary abode of, ii. 185.

Edouard, Père, his treatment of fever, ii. 319. His remarks on English practitioners, ii. 320.

Elcock, Mr. house and garden of, i. 203.

Eel, electrical, description of the, ii. 24. Attempt of two sailors to remove it, ii. 25.

Emancipation of slaves, remarks concerning the, ii. 464. Suggestion for effecting the, ii. 525. Advantages of the, ii. 532. An era of humanity, ii. 534. Proposed institution for the, ii. 530, 533. Probable reward of its founder, ii. 534.

Embarkation, author’s, at Port au Prince, ii. 440.

Empiricism, impolicy of encouraging, i. 214.

England, author’s delight on receiving letters from, ii. 126. Returning to, pleasing anticipations of, ii. 117.

Englishmen, gloomy disposition of, i. 9.

“Essendam,” plantation, i. 463.

Essequibo, attack of, by the Spaniards, ii. 165.

Excursion, marooning, at Barbadoes, i. 172. Up the river Berbische, i. 460. General remarks upon, i. 534. Overland, to “Arends,” i. 480. Grotesque, from “Arends” to “Johanna,” i. 522. Marooning, up the river Demarara, ii. 178. General remarks concerning the, ii. 224, 231. Memento of, left by the party, ii. 210. Into the woods for plants, ii. 187. Pedestrian, through the forest, ii. 192. From the post-holder’s to “the falls,” ii. 208.

Exercise, in the West Indies, remarks upon, i. 122.

Expedition, West Indian, preparations for the, ii. 517. Secret, from Barbadoes, i. 320. Military, from Port au Prince, ii. 434.

Expeditions, by sea, uncertainty of, i. 208. Suggestions for the arrangement of, i. 209.

F.

“Falls,” at Demarara, description of the, ii. 209.

Familiarity, French, remarks upon, ii. 406.

Females, French, contrasted with the English, ii. 522.

Festivities, birth-day, at Demarara, ii. 159

Fête, negro, at Berbische, i. 448. De Dieu, ceremony of, at Martinique, ii. 338.

Fever, intermittent, a striking example of, ii. 143. Mr. Beete’s case of, ii. 158. Coincidence of, with the spring-tides, _ib._ Of Kent and Lincolnshire, remarks upon the, ii. 480.

——, yellow, dreadful malignity of the, ii. 60. Prophylactic means against, ii. 62. Supposed connexion of, with the tides, ii. 60. Persons most frequently seized with, ii. 80, 477. Predisposing causes of, ii. 81. Example of the insidious attack of, ii. 82. Assumes various types, ii. 90, 468, 481. Striking modification of, by season, ii. 132. Attacks repeatedly the same person, ii. 170. Negro attendants of the sick, not subject to, ii. 484. Exemption of the West Indian negroes from, explained, ii. 475. Animals not exempt from, ii. 138. Doctor E.’s remarks concerning the, ii. 254. General observations regarding the, ii. 467. Diminished malignity of, at St. Domingo, ii. 414. Opinions respecting the, at Jamaica, ii. 383. At St. Domingo, ii. 416. Fatality of, in St. Domingo, ii. 508. Effect of, on a party of foreign artillery, ii. 417. Striking example of, in the crew of the Bangalore, _ib._ Sequels of the, ii. 416. Pleasing assemblage of convalescents from, ii. 85. Not produced by contagion, ii. 483, 478. In what season, and situation most prevalent, ii. 485. Blacks in the United States not exempt from, ii. 480. Supposed pabulum of, ii. 486. Different degrees of, ii. 490. Marks of identity of, _ib._ Origin, and probable duration of, ii. 491. Case of, in a soldier’s wife, ii. 447. In an American sailor, ii. 448. Non-existence of, in England, ii. 498.

Fibre, animal, influence of climate upon the, ii. 471.

Fight, savage, between a negro, and a mulatto woman, ii. 125.

Fireflies in Guiana, i. 355.

Fiscal, duties of the, in Dutch Guiana, ii. 269. Le vieux, at Berbische, anecdotes of, i. 472.

Fleet, Leeward Island, sailing of the, i. 36. Splendid appearance of, at sea, i. 57. State of, in a storm, i. 58. Dispersion of, by a gale, i. 40, 61. Return of, to harbour, i. 40. Almost incredible delay of, i. 313. Cork, vexatious return of the, i. 251. Arrival of the, at Barbadoes, i. 264. Sickly state of the, i. 252. Merchant, arrival of a, at Barbadoes, i. 257.

Flying-fish, account of the, i. 92. Small race of, an indication of the shore, i. 94.

Forbes, General, commander in chief in St. Domingo, ii. 519.

Forces, in Guiana, interesting situation of the, ii. 115.

Forest in Guiana, peculiar stillness of the, ii. 185.

Fort Royal, at Martinique, description of, ii. 300.

Fracas, between a mulatto woman and her daughter, ii. 356.

Frame, human, accommodation of the, to different climates, ii. 469.

Frenchmen, contrasted with Englishmen, i. 10. Facility of, in yielding to events, _ib._ Passion of, for novelty and intrigue, _ib._ For gaming, ii. 424. For dress and dancing, ii. 426. Rude custom of, at the public table, ii. 431.

Friends, hope of rejoining, a support in danger, i. 66.

Frivolity, French, examples of, ii. 347.

Frogs, exposure of, for sale at Martinique, ii. 359.

Fruit, plenteous supply of, in Guiana, i. 339. Plentiful and delicious, at Jamaica, ii. 380.

Funeral, military, suspension of the ceremony of, ii. 156. Of a child of colour, at Martinique, ii. 312. Of a white Catholic, ii. 313.

G.

Gammell, Colonel, able command of, i. 427. Remarks of the soldiers respecting, _ib._ Lamented death of, ii. 119.

“Garden-Eden,” plantation, ii. 218.

General Cuyler, transport, imminent peril of the, i. 240. Arrival of the, at Barbadoes, i. 238. Tedious passage of the, i. 242.

George and Bridget, transport, arrival of, at Barbadoes, i. 259. The loss of the, ii. 263.

“Golden Tent,” plantation, ii. 181.

Government, wise, prevalence of virtue, the best proof of a, i. 226.

Grapes, sea, at Barbadoes, i. 142.

Grenada, island of, dangerous state of the, i. 234. Transport, author’s embarkation in the, i. 320. Method of preventing sickness in the, i. 328.

Grove, cocoa-nut, view of, by moonlight, i. 211.

Guadaloupe, the Circassia of the West Indies, ii. 311, 316.

Guiana, coast of, expedition to the, i. 326. Climate of, i. 337. Remarks relating to the natural history of, ii. 274. Domestic fowls, and animals of, _ib._ Annoyances common to, ii. 275.

Guinea-man, American, description of an, i. 101. Liverpool, description of a, i. 107. The Venus, success of, against a privateer, i. 245.

H.

Habit, influence of, ii. 469.

Hackleton’s-cliff, marooning party to, i. 172. Fine view from, i. 188.

Hammocks, great convenience of, i. 495.

Harpoons, use of, at sea, i. 90.

Harrison’s cave, description of, i. 173.

Hayes, Sir John, active service of, at Southampton, i. 4.

Health, opposite effects of industry and indolence upon, ii. 260.

“Helvetia,” plantation, i. 526.

Heritage, Captain, illness and decease of, ii. 56.

“Hermitage,” plantation, ii. 182.

“Het Pleytanker,” plantation, i. 463.

Heynemann, M. visit to, i. 484. Household of, _ib._ Indian collection of, i. 487. Adventures of, _ib._ Generous hospitality of, i. 510. Excellent qualities of, i. 513.

Hilloughby, Mount, view from, i. 156.

Hinde, Dr. visit to the plantation of, i. 135.

Hollander, grotesque appearance of one, on horseback, i. 523.

Horneck, General, distressing command of, at St. Domingo, ii. 513.

Horse, author’s, loss of the, ii. 232.

Horses and mules, use of, at Port au Prince, ii. 423.

Hospital, Haslar, establishment of, i. 18. Importance of, to the nation, i. 20. Military, at Barbadoes, i. 210, 252, 314. At Demarara, i. 367. At Berbische, i. 425. At Martinique, ii. 303. Temporary, arrival of, at Barbadoes, i. 209.

Hospitals, military, unlimited accommodation of, ii. 450.

Hospital return, Guiana, for one year, ii. 284. Department, St. Domingo, alterations in the, ii. 415. Objections against, _ib._

Hospital stores, arrival of, at Demarara, ii. 248.

House, Government, at Port au Prince, description of, ii. 429.

Hugues, Victor, noble conduct of the secretary of, i. 225.

Hurricane, violent, at Portsmouth, i. 24.

I.

Indians, South American, description of, i. 514. Termed Bucks and Buckeen, i. 487. Different tribes of, i. 513. Their mode of procuring subsistence, i. 503. Dwellings of, how situated, ii. 227. How constructed, i. 505. Parties of, seen by the author, i. 434, 435, 437, ii. 27, 151. Despotic towards their females, i. 520. Polygamy practised by, i. 435, 520. Indolence and apathy of, i. 519, 271, 273, ii. 152. Slight curiosity of, i. 434, 493, 499, ii. 128. Implements of, i. 535. Their mode of sleeping, i. 492. Superstition of, i. 505. Apparel of, i. 516. Parental affection of, i. 502. Account of the poison used by, i. 489. Their common bow and arrow, i. 487. The poisoned arrow, i. 488. Precaution of, during intoxication, i. 520. Contrasted with Africans, i. 516. Employed to cut wood, i. 436. A hut of, visited in the night, i. 492. Visit to a town of, i. 498, 524. A family of, disturbed by the author, ii. 190. Sagacity and expertness of, i. 374.

Indian women, visit to a dwelling of, i. 474.

Industry, example of the effect of, at St. Domingo, ii. 399.

Influenza, prevalence of, at St. Domingo, ii. 421.

Insects, in what situations most abundant, ii. 229.

Islands of the river Demarara, ii. 182.

J.

Jackson, Dr. directs the medical department in St. Domingo, ii. 396. Friendly attention of, to the author, ii. 411. His dwelling, and mode of life, ii. 412. Opinion of, relative to yellow fever, ii. 414.

Jamaica, view of, at sea, ii. 366. Author’s voyage to, ii. 363. Arrival at, ii. 367. Tavern accommodations at, ii. 382.

Jean Rabel, revolt at, ii. 510.

Jeremie, and other towns, surrender of, to the British, ii. 507.

“Joe’s River” estate, i. 179.

“Johanna,” plantation, i. 476. Prolific garden at, _ib._

John Bull, singular liberality of, ii. 444.

K.

“Kendall” estate, peculiarities of the manager of, i. 195.

Kingston, passage to, from Port-Royal, ii. 368. Description of, _ib._ People of colour of, ii. 370. Common, English aspect of, ii. 378. Ample supply of the market of, ii. 381.

Kittarines, unfrequent use of, at St. Domingo, ii. 423.

Kiwihi, an animal of Guiana, ii. 509.

Kway, an article of Indian apparel, ii. 517.

L.

Laba, the, a favorite food in South America, i. 499, ii. 213.

Labat, Père, his publication in 1701, ii. 134.

La Bourgade, quarters of the medical staff at, i. 368. Description of the building, i. 380. Author’s return to, ii. 89. Temperature at, i. 385.

Lady, English, ludicrous mistake of one, ii. 123.

Land, grants of, in Dutch Guiana, ii. 270. Upon the coast, recent cultivation of, ii. 271. Consequences of the neglect of, ii. 274. First view of, from the Lord Sheffield, i. 79. Appearance of, at sea, _ib._ Muddy water, an indication of, i. 326.

Landsmen, conduct of, during a storm, i. 68.

Lassitude, morning, exemption from, in hot climates, ii. 176.

Life, military, uncertainties of, i. 45. Civilized, estimation of, i. 66.

Lights, phenomenon of, around ships at sea, i. 94.

Lind, Dr., friendly attention of, at Spanish Town, ii. 375.

List, sick, happy reduction of the, at Demarara, ii. 164.

Lively, sloop, expedition of the, against the brigands, ii. 445.

Lodgings, extravagant hire of, at Jamaica, ii. 382.

“Loo” plantation, contrasted with the “Sand-hill,” ii. 196. Laborious journey to the, ii. 213. Reduced temperature at the, ii. 214.

Lord Sheffield, transport, i. 52. Separation of, from the convoy, i. 63. The steward of the, his sang-froid, i. 71. Process of cleaning the, at sea, i. 84. Arrival of the, in Carlisle bay, i. 75. Desertion of the crew of the, i. 167.

Lucie, St. coasting view of, ii. 291. Barren soil of, ii. 293.

“Lusignan,” plantation, prolific garden at, ii. 255.

M.

Mac ——, hospital-mate, anecdotes of, i. 259.

Mac-Rae, Captain, kindness of, to the author, ii. 108.

Maggots, breeding of, in a wounded Negro’s brain, ii. 135.

Mahaica, author’s removal to, ii. 37. His severe duties at, ii. 38. Situation of, ii. 41.

Manchineel tree, i. 142.

Marc, St., conspiracy at, ii. 515.

March, a healthy season, in Guiana, ii. 248.

Martinique, author’s voyage to, ii. 289. Coasting view of, ii. 294. Description of, ii. 308. Fine scenery of, ii. 309. Temperature of, ii. 317.

Master, Dr., embarkation of, for America, ii. 395. His farewell meeting with the author, _ib._

Meat, living, purchased, at market, i. 120, ii. 475.

Mechanics, extravagant hire of, in Guiana, ii. 175.

Medicine, practitioners in, at Barbadoes, i. 212. Mode of remunerating at Demarara, ii. 279. At Martinique, ii. 361.

Mermaids, existence of, asserted, ii. 3.

Mills, cotton, description of, i. 214.

Mole, St. Nicholas, view of, at sea, ii. 391. Account of, ii. 397. Voyage to, from Port au Prince, ii. 439. Sterile appearance of its environs, ii. 451. Insecurity of, ii. 452.

Moon, appearance of the, at sea, i. 96.

Motherbank, author’s perilous voyage to the, i. 48.

Mulatto, cruel treatment of a, at Essequibo, ii. 142. Description of one, singularly deformed, ii. 218.

Mulattoes, their proud ideas of distinction, ii. 29.

Mules, mode of feeding, at Martinique, ii. 357. Utility and sagacity of, in the Alps, i. 186.

Musquitoes, i. 355, 369, 384, 532. Absence of, in the deep forests, ii. 187, 189. Less annoying in Martinique, than in Guiana, ii. 336. Effect of the bitings of, ii. 337.

N.

Negroes, treatment of, on the passage from Africa, ii. 455. Expertness of, at sea, i. 169. ii. 455. Their food, _ib._ Their sleeping-birth, _ib._ Preparation of, for sale, ii. 456. Sale of, i. 358, 429. ii. 236, 314. Interesting family of, at a sale, ii. 238. Affecting conduct of one, at a sale, i. 431. Affection of, towards each other, i. 361, 431. ii. 238. Their music, i. 127. Their mode of dancing, i. 128, 448. Their ceremony of interment, i. 130. Their fondness for heat, i. 193, 299. For smoking, i. 299. For the water, i. 317. Severe labour supported by, i. 468. ii. 216. A French corps of, at Barbadoes, i. 208. A corps of, entitled South American Rangers, i. 357. ii. 427. Drilling of the “awkward squad,” ii. 128. Doubtful policy of training, to arms, ii. 130. How affected by change of climate, ii. 473. Account of one denominated a white negro, ii. 241. Account of one, a piebald negress, ii. 242. Descent from, an indelible stain, ii. 330.

——, “Bush,” or runaway slaves, i. 370. Expedition against the, i. 372. Encampments of the, i. 374. Ringleaders of the, punished, i. 376, 387.

Newland, Mr. decease and funeral of, ii. 154.

News, anxious desire for, i. 97, 129, 207. ii. 157. On arriving in Carlisle bay, i. 98.

Newspapers, high value of, to Englishmen, i. 230.

Nichol, Mr. arrival of, at Barbadoes, i. 239.

“Notes,” author’s promise to continue the, ii. 287.

Noyeau, Martinique, ii. 359.

O.

Oars, use of, as sails, i. 169.

Obesity, the causes of, i. 522.

Officers, Bacchanalian conduct of, at Berbische, i. 448. Assumed illness of one, at M. Heynemann’s, i. 491. Medical, arrival of, at Demarara, ii. 116. Fatality from fever, among the, ii. 37, 118, 305. New regulations for, ii. 249. Multiplied titles of the, ii. 250.

Ongre, Mynheer, plantation of, i. 440.

“Ooest Vriesland,” the residence of the Post-holder, ii. 203.

Operations, military, uncertainty of, i. 329.

Orchard, Colonel Williams’s, i. 159.

Out-posts, view of, near Port au Prince, ii. 409.

P.

Packet, arrival of the, at Barbadoes, i. 228.

Passengers, on board the Lion, ii. 402, 441. On board the Roebuck, ludicrous conduct of, ii. 365.

Patriot, conduct of a soi-disant, ii. 235.

Peace, supposed indications of, ii. 318.

Pear, avagata, described, ii. 433.

Pelican, sloop, action of the, with a privateer, ii. 449.

“Pens” and villas, at Jamaica, ii. 377.

Petit-maitre, example of a, in the forest, ii. 197.

Petroleum, mode of procuring, at Barbadoes, i. 153.

Pezano, an eccentric character, ii. 202. Arrival of, at the Post-holder’s, ii. 204.

Pierre, St. beautiful approach to, from the sea, ii. 295. Description of, ii. 296. Inhabitants of, _ib._ Accommodations at, ii. 297. Price of provisions at, ii. 298.

Pine, culture of the, at Barbadoes, i. 163. In England, i. 164.

Piworree, a liquor used by the Indians, i. 504.

Plants, medicinal, natural growth of, i. 441.

Plantains, an important article of food, ii. 142.

Plantations, between the rivers Demarara and Berbische, ii. 272. Average produce of, ii. 273. Their requisite proportion of stock, _ib._

Pleasures, alloyed by climate, i. 339.

Plunder, shameful, on board English ships, ii. 441.

Poison, and pabulum of animal life, ii. 229.

Porcupine, Peter, the writings of, ii. 404.

Porpoises, method of taking, i. 90. Singular habit of, i. 91.

Port au Prince, author’s voyage to, ii. 401. Observations on arriving at, ii. 409. Morning scene at, ii. 411. Situation and construction of, ii. 428. Contrasted with St. Pierre, ii. 430. Supply of provisions at, ii. 431. The capital of the western division, ii. 499. Capture of, by General Whyte, ii. 511. Conspiracy at, ii. 515.

Port-Royal, extreme heat of, ii. 367. Appearance of, in a storm, ii. 385.

Portsmouth, i. 13. Contrasted in war and peace, i. 12. Its dock-yard, i. 13. Its ramparts, i. 21. Its fortifications, _ib._ Embarkation scene at, i. 30.

Post-holder, duties of, in Guiana, i. 511. Accommodations at the dwelling of the, ii. 206. Re-visit to the, ii. 211.

Potatoe, altered by climate, ii. 470.

Press-gangs, in Carlisle bay, i. 220.

Prickly heat, i. 78. Dr. Cleghorn’s impatience respecting, _ib._ Attacks the author, i. 368, 428.

Priest, author officiates as, ii. 55.

Prize-money, author’s prospect of receiving, i. 344.

Processions, funeral, depressing effect of, ii. 9.

Provisions, fresh, hurtful to the sick, ii. 157. Scarcity of, i. 357, 382. Purchase of, from the Spaniards, i. 357. Supply of, at Berbische, i. 452.

Punishment, Dutch, aquatic mode of, i. 241.

Pyeis, Indian priests, i, 505.

R.

Race-course, Jamaica, ii. 376.

Rations, government, importance of, ii. 283.

Regiment, 93d, gentlemanly mess of the, i. 426.

Religion, neglect of, in the Dutch colonies, i. 337.

Roboloski, M. character and hospitality of, ii. 7.

Roebuck, packet, chased by a privateer, ii. 364.

“Runaway” estate, at Barbadoes, i. 158.

S.

Sailors, British, a race of heroes, i. 18. Indifference of, in danger, i. 68. Their degrees of comparison, i. 70. Dangerous situation of a party of, i. 45. Coarse witticisms of, i. 43.

“Sand-hill” estate, its situation—temperature—inhospitality, ii. 193, 194.

“Sans Souci,” plantation, i. 464.

St. Andrew, Fort, situation of, i. 422.

St. Vincent, island of, endangered by Charibs, i. 234.

“Savonette,” plantation, i. 492.

Scenery, change of, up the Demarara river, ii. 200.

Schacomynghy, or lion-monkey, ii. 27.

Scholten, M. chirurgien-major, at Berbische, i. 493.

Schneider, M. journey of, up the river Berbische, i. 467.

Scotland, a district in Barbadoes, i. 149.

Scotsman, eccentric life of a, at Demarara, ii. 190.

Scott, Dr. assistant inspector, at St. Domingo, ii. 396.

Season, the dry, salubrity of, ii. 111. Pleasant approach of, ii. 175. Happy effect of, at Mahaica, ii. 119. Occasional showers of, i. 209. The wet, description of, ii. 138. Indications of, ii. 295. At Demarara, remarks upon, ii. 253. At Martinique, ii. 336.

Sensibility, European female, destroyed, i. 343.

Sharks, stupidity of, i. 91. Mode of catching, _ib._

Ship, security of a, at open sea, i. 67. Every sailor’s, the “best in the world,” i. 85. Leaky, horrors of a, at sea, i. 241. In distress, awful appearance of a, i. 61.

Simcoe, General, chief governor, at St. Domingo, ii. 521.

Slaves, first specimen of, seen by the author, i. 296. Example of the labour of, at Barbadoes, i. 122. In Guiana, i. 533. ii. 199, 214, 216, 283, 347. At Jamaica, ii. 371. Their hard lot, i. 216, 274, 342, 363, 388. ii. 45, 52. Punishment of, i. 348, 389, 470. ii. 46, 174, 333. A gang of, commanded by a female driver, ii. 121. Character of, i. 119, 302. ii. 111, 210, 315, 354, 461, 529. And slavery, general observations upon, ii. 454, 465. Treatment of, by opulent planters, i. 298. ii. 459. By poorer owners, _ib._ By the French, ii. 329. French mode of punishing, _ib._ Their huts, i. 143 —food, i. 298 —clothing, i. 299. Their mode of spending the Sabbath, i. 126. ii. 131. Their ideas relative to freedom, ii. 167, 463. To crimes and punishments, ii. 169. Female, their views respecting liberty, ii. 168. Solicitation of one, to be purchased, i. 342. Their habit of thieving, i. 302. Employed as running footmen, i. 139, 162, 482. European feelings concerning, i. 139, 163. Happy gang of, at Mr. Dougan’s, i. 352. At Mr. Waith’s, i. 197. Cottages, and gardens of, i. 353. A shocking instance of barbarity towards, ii. 45. Cruel punishment of one, by a Dutchman, ii. 333. Funeral of one who was murdered, ii. 47. Protracted sufferings of, from flogging, ii. 52. Conduct of a captured party of, ii. 315. Gratitude of one, named Prince, ii. 173. Surprise of a party of, at “the Falls,” ii. 210. Purchased to let on hire, ii. 278. The price of, ii. 457. Number of, in Demarara and Essequibo, ii. 277. The sad effects of governing, ii. 462. Remarks concerning the emancipation of, ii. 464, 525. Probable importation of, notwithstanding the abolition, ii. 526.

Slave-trade, remarks concerning the, ii. 465.

Slavery, contrasted with military duty, ii. 130. Its effect, in debasing the mind, i. 469, ii. 461. On what ground condemned, ii. 460.

Slave-vendue, a fête at Berbische, i. 429.

Smoking, acquired habit of, i. 532.

Snake, an enormous one, at Berbische, ii. 2.

“Social rock,” at Colonel Williams’s, i. 160.

Soldiers, intrepid character of, i. 8.

Southampton, the camp at, i. 6.

Spanish town, author’s visit to, ii. 373. Description of, ii. 376. Its environs, _ib._ Remarks on the road, scenery, and traffic, ii. 374.

Specimens of Indian implements, &c. shipped for London, ii. 282.

“Spendlove” estate, i. 196.

Spithead, a severe gale at, i. 40.

Spring, boiling, description of a, i. 151.

Spy, a French one, at Barbadoes, i. 234.

Stabroek, town of, i. 332. Hospitality of an inhabitant of, i. 334.

Stadtholder, his birth-day festivities, ii. 235.

Stanley, transport, supposed loss of the, i. 41. Arrival of the, at Barbadoes, i. 99.

Stewart, Mr. his plantation of ginger, i. 188.

Stone, a rock of, novelty of viewing, ii. 208.

Sugar, mode of claying, i. 194.

Sun and moon, view of the, from the ocean, i. 95.

Supper, a Dutch lady’s, ii. 162. —scene, at Martinique, ii. 323.

Surgeons, regimental, new regulations for, ii. 249.

T.

Tamarind tree, description of the, i. 246. Its fruit disregarded, i. 247.

Temperature, at Barbadoes, i. 209, 256. At Demarara, i. 385. ii. 120, 190, 212, 214, 224. At Jamaica, ii. 380. In different colonies, remarks upon, ii. 419. Extreme, at mid-day, in a calm, ii. 388.

Tiburon, unsuccessful attack of, by the British, ii. 508. Successful, ii. 509. Unsuccessful attack of, by Rigaud, ii. 510. Successful, ii. 513.

Tides, supposed influence of, in fever, ii. 60, 109, 125.

Tigre, ship of war, state of, after a battle, i. 16.

Tonquin bean, enormous tree of the, i. 507.

Towns, site of, usually ill-chosen, ii. 422, 488.

Trade-wind, cordial welcome of the, i. 76.

Transmigration, belief of negroes in, i. 133.

Transports, for troops, observations on, i. 253. Contrasted with slave-ships, i. 254.

Travelling, West Indian mode of, i. 481.

Trees, enormous growth of, in South America, ii. 211.

Tropic, ceremony at crossing the, i, 86.

Turtle, abundant in St. Domingo, ii. 381. Given to the sick, ii. 450. —shells, use of, in Jamaica, _ib._

U.

Ulysses, author’s embarkation on board the, i. 29. Inconvenient accommodations of the, i. 33. Her altered destination, i. 45.

United States, author’s intended visit to the, ii. 453.

V.

Van Battenburg, Governor, author’s introduction to, i. 439. His accurate knowledge of the English language, i. 449. Hospitality of, i. 439, 452. Madame, i. 251.

Vandyke, deputy post-holder, i. 494.

Vegetables, rapid growth of, in St. Domingo, ii. 400.

“Vigilantie,” plantation, i. 469.

Voltigeur, sloop, execrable accommodations of the, i. 396. Author’s sufferings on board the, i. 397. Her repeated disasters and delays, i. 403.

W.

Waith, Mr. humane character of, i. 200.

War, vicissitudes of, i. 28.

Washing process, in Barbadoes, i. 146.

Water, Thames, depuration of, at sea, i. 39. Scarcity of, in Guiana, ii. 176. How obtained, in the dry season, ii. 266. How supplied, at Port au Prince, ii. 422. Lucid appearance of, in the river Berbische, i. 535. Drinking, prejudice against, in the West Indies, i. 250.

West Indies, picture of the, correctly anticipated, i. 80. Example of danger, from the climate of the, ii. 115. The grave of Europeans, i. 7.

West Indian, tavern, description of a, i. 110. Hostess, i. 114. Dinner, i. 112. Attendants, i. 114. Harbours, the drawing-rooms of merchantmen, i. 84.

Whyte, General, arrival of, at St. Domingo, ii. 511. Captures Port au Prince, _ib._ His return to England, ii. 513. To St. Domingo, ii. 519. Humanity of, to the sick, i. 366. Author joins, at Port au Prince, ii. 410.

Wife, a colonist’s, inhumanity of, i. 369. A soldier’s, remarks of, at a negro dance, i. 129.

Williams, Colonel, visit to, at Barbadoes, i. 147.

Williamson, Sir Adam, deceived by colonists of St. Domingo, ii. 516. Appointed governor-general of St. Domingo, ii. 517.

Wine, method of cooling, in the West Indies, i. 113.

Wool, influence of climate upon, ii. 470.

Y.

Yaw-house, description of a, i. 457.

Young, Mr. his account of fever in the ship Bangalore, ii. 417.

Yowahoos, evil spirits, of the Indians, i. 505.

Z.

“Zuidwyk,” plantation, ii. 5.

THE END.

S. Gosnell, Printer, Little Queen Street, London.

Footnote 1:

Dr. Monro.

Footnote 2:

Some medical men contend that fevers which are communicated by contagion, cannot attack the same person twice. If there be any foundation for the opinion, it may stand as an additional proof that the yellow fever is not a contagious disease.

Footnote 3:

Many of these worse than useless distinctions have lately been done away, and some general regulations established; but still the system is incomplete; and much yet remains to be done, before the medical department can take on that uniformity of character, or proceed with that uniformity of movement, which is requisite in so important a branch of the military body.——1805.

Footnote 4:

This regulation, which certainly had its advantages, has been found a source of cavil and vexation, and it has since been made an order of government that the fiscal should have his specific reward, and the whole of the fines be devoted to the ways and means of the colony. But it is to be feared, that this arrangement may make him less zealous in executing the duty, and that the roads and bridges may not, henceforth, be found in such excellent repair.

Footnote 5:

The Dutch weights and measures exceed by about ¹⁄₁₂th part those of England.

Footnote 6:

Since these notes were written the number of estates has much increased, and several that were only planted with cotton, now produce the most luxuriant crops of sugar.

Footnote 7:

A large species of wasp.

Footnote 8:

Already increased to upwards of 80,000.——1805.

Footnote 9:

Unhappily, with a view to make the sea voyage as short as possible, Dr. Master took his passage on board a vessel bound to South Carolina, where the climate was not less insalubrious than at St. Domingo, and where, soon after his arrival, he relapsed, and fell a victim to disease.

Footnote 10:

The pen and the politics of this author have since made him generally known to the British public.

Footnote 11:

In the “Select and posthumous Works” of the celebrated Monsieur de la Harpe, it is related, that at a French table in 1788, where the company was numerous and fashionable, “Chamfort had been reading some of his impious and libertine tales, and the fine ladies had heard them without once making use of their fans.”

Footnote 12:

Small carriages drawn by single horses.

Footnote 13:

Many excellent laws have been enacted in various colonies, for the protection of the negroes; but as the testimony of a slave is not admitted in evidence, these laws are of little avail.

Footnote 14:

These remarks were written in the year 1797; since which, the African slave-trade has been abolished, by an act of Parliament.

Footnote 15:

It is probable that our troops might be rendered nearly as effective for service in the West Indies, as in Europe, if it were possible, in all cases, to prepare them for the climate by slow and gradual approaches; as, for instance, by first letting them serve, for a time, at Gibraltar, and afterwards employing them, for a year or two, in the more windward islands, such as Barbadoes or Antigua, before they were sent upon duty to the other colonies.

Footnote 16:

In the year 1793, a body of emigrants from St. Domingo, amounting to upwards of 300 in number, who had made their escape from that colony, under all the circumstances of the most afflicting depression, arrived at Philadelphia, at the time when the yellow fever raged with its utmost malignity; yet, not one of them was attacked with the malady, which was then desolating the town. As if expressly to make this fact the more striking, it happened likewise that the emigrants who arrived at the same distressing period, from Ireland, the States of Germany, and other parts of Europe were attacked by the fever, even in greater proportion than the Americans themselves. It is not the property of any contagion to exhibit such marked partialities. The autumnal temperature of Philadelphia was congenial to the emigrants from St. Domingo: they were acclimated, and therefore not susceptible of the disease; while those from Europe, being the inhabitants of colder regions, were in a peculiar degree predisposed.

Footnote 17:

This letter has been altered since it was originally written, and the author has availed himself of the facts stated by Mr. Bryan Edwards, in his “History of the British Colonies in the West Indies.”

Footnote 18:

The following summary is given, by Mr. Bryan Edwards, of the state of agriculture, and of the average exports, in the French division of St. Domingo, at the beginning of the year 1790.

ESTATES. 431 Plantations of clayed sugar. 362 ——————— moscovado. ————— 793

3,117 Plantations of coffee. 789 ——————— cotton. 3,160 ——————— indigo. 54 ——————— cocoa. 623 Smaller settlements of grain, yams, and other vegetables. ————— 8,536 Establishments of all kinds throughout the colony.

EXPORTS. _lbs._ _Value in Livres._ Clayed sugar 58,642,214 41,049,549 Moscovado sugar 86,549,829 34,619,931 Coffee 71,663,187 71,663,187 Cotton 6,698,858 12,397,716 Indigo, hhds. 951,607 8,564,463 Melasses, hhds. 23,061 2,767,320 An inferior sort of rum called taffia, hhds. 2,600 312,000 Raw hides, No. 6,500 52,000 Tanned ditto, No. 7,900 118,500 ——————————— Total value at the ports of shipping, in livres of St. Domingo[19] 171,544,666 ———————————

Footnote 19:

Being equal to £4,956,780 sterling.

Footnote 20:

The principal establishment might be fixed in or near London, and this might be connected with collateral schools, as branches of the same institution, in the several colonies; the whole being subject to the management of a board or committee, appointed expressly for conducting the affairs of the emancipation; and so regulated as to receive the approbation and assistance of the West India proprietors. In doing justice to the slaves, due care should be taken _to provide a full compensation for their owners_; otherwise, no plan of enfranchisement can be equitable, or administered with a fair prospect of proving beneficial to the colonies. In the measure now suggested, this might form a constituent part of the arrangement: a moderate tax might be raised, both in this country and the settlements, for the combined purpose of aiding the emancipation, and supplying the compensation.

As the system would be progressive in its operation, a very large sum would not be immediately required: perhaps an adequate fund might be derived from the following sources:

1. An appropriation of the “King’s Tax,” now levied in some of the colonies, and an extension of it, to all the British settlements in the West Indies.

2. A Sunday toll, to be collected at every toll-gate throughout the United Kingdom.

3. Voluntary contributions, and collections after charity sermons, to be preached half-yearly on the subject of the emancipation, in every church, chapel, and licensed place of worship in Great Britain and Ireland.

If these means should appear to be insufficient, it may be presumed that, at this happy period of diminishing the national burthens, few Englishmen could refuse themselves the gratification of promoting such a benevolent cause, by contributing ten or fifteen shillings per cent. according to the rate of the tax on property.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=.