An Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo

This important 1797 work outlines the history of the slave rebellion in the French West Indian colony of St Domingo.

Bryan Edwards (Author)

9781108023221, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

284 pages, 1 map
24.4 x 17 x 1.5 cm, 0.46 kg

Bryan Edwards (1743–1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. An Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo was published in 1797. St Domingo (now Haiti) had been one of the most prosperous West Indian economies, producing more sugar and coffee than all the British West Indies combined. The harsh treatment of the slaves under the French code noir led to a widespread revolt in 1791, in part inspired by the French Revolution. An alliance between white planters and the British to take over the island was unsuccessful. Edwards feared that the revolt would spread to other islands, destroying their trade. The rebellion in St Domingo was of major significance, as it led to the colony becoming the first independent black-ruled republic in 1804.

1. Political state of Saint Domingo, previous to the year 1789
2. From the Revolution of 1789, to the meeting of the first General Colonial Assembly
3. Proceedings of the General Colonial Assembly until its final dissolution, and embarkation of the members for France, August 1790
4. Rebellion and defeat of Ogé, a free man of colour
5. Proceedings in France
6. Consequences in St. Domingo of the Decree of the 15th of May
7. Of the motives which induced the people of colour to join the revolted negroes
8. Reception and proceedings of the Civil Commissioners, and their return to France
9. Situation, extent, and general description of St. Domingo
10. Emigrations
11. Sickness among the troops, and the causes thereof
12. Ancient state of the Spanish colony
Tableau du commerce et de finances de la partie Françoise de St. Domingue
Additional tables
Additional notes and illustrations.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH]