THE HISTORY, 
CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL, 
OF THE 
BRITISH COLONIES 
In the 
WEST INDIES. 
BOOK III. 
English charaibean islands. 
CHAPTER I. 
BARBA DOES, 
First' arrival of the English at this islaad.—-Origin, pro¬ 
gress, and termination of the proprietary government. 
Revenue granted to the crown of four and a half per 
centum on all produce exported—how obtained.—Origin 
of the act of navigation.—Situation and extent of the 
island.—Soil and produce. — Population. — Decline, and 
causes thereof.—Exports and imports. 
T HE island of Barbadoes* of which I now pro¬ 
pose to treat, was probably first discovered by 
the Portuguese in their voyages from Brasil; and 
from them it received the name which it still retains.* 
* It is said not to have been noticed in any sea-chart before the 
year 1600. 
Vol. IL 
B 
