516 WEST INDIES. 



lumbus, who discovered it for the Spaniards. That nation, however, 

 abandoned it, as unworthy of their attention t and in 1626 it was set- 

 tled by the French and English conjointly, but entirely ceded to the 

 latter by the peace of Utrecht. Great quantities of indigo were for- 

 merly raised here. In 1770 the exports amounted to above 419,000/. 

 sterling in sugar, molasses, and rum, and near 8000/. for cotton. 

 Besides cotton, ginger, and the tropical fruits, it produced in 1787, 

 231,397 cwt. of sugar, but in 1790 only 113,000 cwt. It is computed 

 that this island contains 6000 whites, and 36,000 negroes. In Febru- 

 ary, 1782, it was taken by the French, but was restored again to 

 Great Britain by the treaty of 1783. The capital is Basseterre. 



ANTIGUA. ..Situate in 61 degrees west longitude, and ^de- 

 grees north latitude, is of a circular form, near 20 miles over every 

 way. This island, which was formerly thought useless, is now pre- 

 ferred to any of the rest of the English harbours, being the best and 

 safest as a dock yard and an establishment lor the royal navy. St. 

 John's is the port of greatest trade; and this capital, which, before 

 the fire in 1769, was large and wealthy, is the ordinary seat of the 

 governor of the Leeward Islands. In 1774, the white inhabitants of 

 Antigua, of all ages and sexes, were 2500, and the enslaved negroes 

 37.808. 



NEVIS AND MONTSERRAT....Two small islands lying be- 

 tween St. Christopher's and Antigua, neither of them exceeding 18 

 miles in circumference. In the former of these islands the present 

 number of whites is stated not to exceed 600, while the negroes 

 amount to about 10,000; a disproportion which necessarily converts 

 all such white men as are not exempted by age and decripitude into a 

 well-regulated militia, among which there is a troop consisting of 

 fifty horse, well mounted and accoutred. English forces on the Bri- 

 tish establishment, they have none. The inhabitants of Montserrat 

 amount to 1300 whites and about 10,000 negroes. The soil in these 

 islands is pretty much alike, light and sandy, but, notwithstanding, 

 fertile in a high decree; and their principal exports are derived from 

 the sugar cane. Both were taken by the French in the year 1782, 

 but restored at the ensuing peace. 



BARBUDA... Situate in 18 degrees north latitude, and 62 degrees 

 west longitude, 35 miles north of Antigua, is 20 miles in length, 

 and 12 in breadth. It is fertile, and has an indifferent road for ship- 

 ping ; but no direct trade with England. The inhabitants are chiefly 

 employed in husbandry, and raising fresh provisions for the use of 

 the neighbouring isles. It belongs to the Codrington family, and the 

 inhabitants amount to about 1500. 



ANGUILLA... .Situate in 19 degrees north latitude, 60 miles 

 north-west o{ St. Christopher's, is about 30 miles long and 10 broad. 

 This island is perfectly level, and the climate nearly the same with 

 ♦hat of Jamaica. The inhabitants, who are not numerous, apply 

 themselves to husbandry, and feeding of cattle. 



DOMINICA.. ..Situate in 16 degrees north latitude, and in 62 west 

 longitude, lies about half way between Guadaloupe and Martinico. 

 It is near 28 miles in length, and 16 in breadth : it received its name 

 from being discovered by Columbus on a Sunday. The soil of this 

 island is thin, and better adapted to the rearing of coffee than su- 

 gar ; but the sides of the hills bear the finest trees in the West Indies, 

 and the island is well supplied with rivulets of fine water. On account 

 9( its situation between the principal French islands, and Prince 



