A New History of Jamaica
From the Earliest Accounts to the Taking of Porto Bello by Vice-Admiral Vernon

This 1740 second edition covers Jamaica's early colonial history, its laws, the lives of governors, and the exploits of pirates.

Charles Leslie (Author)

9781108083430, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 May 2015

354 pages, 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.47 kg

Little is known about the anonymous author of this book, later identified as one Charles Leslie, whose family had strong Caribbean interests. In thirteen 'letters', Leslie covers Jamaica's early colonial history, its laws, the lives of its governors and the exploits of famous Caribbean pirates. He provides important evidence for the conditions in which slaves were traded and kept, and describes the slaves' beliefs and customs. Leslie's book was highly topical: it first appeared as 'A new and exact account of Jamaica' in Edinburgh in 1739, following years of growing hostility between Spain and Britain over trade in the Caribbean. That summer, Vice-Admiral Vernon was sent there to destroy as many Spanish ships and settlements as possible, and in November he captured Portobello. This book reproduces Leslie's suitably retitled second edition (London, 1740), which contained an additional chapter. A Dublin edition followed in 1741, and a French translation in 1751.

1. The author's voyage to that island
2. A description of Jamaica, its natural advantages, manners of the people etc.
3. Spanish cruelty on first settling there, its conquest by the English
4. The enterprizes of the famous buccaneers Bartholomew, Brasiliano, Lewis Scot and John Davis
5. The life and gallant actions of the ever-memorable Sir Henry Morgan, and his almost incredible enterprizes and successes against the Spaniards
6. Institution of the General Assembly, and other curious particulars
7. Abstract of all the laws and statutes in force in Jamaica
8. The first Assiento contract, enterprizes of the rebel Negroes, dreadful earthquake, French invasion
9. Port-Royal burnt to the ground, a dreadful hurricane, Blackbeard, a famous pyrate
10. The rebels submit to terms
11. Of the government, ecclesiastical, civil and military, of Jamaica, customs of the inhabitants
12. Of the products of Jamaica, of its trees, plants, birds, beasts, fish, insects etc.
13. Its trade and commerce, its importance to Great Britain.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]