Notes on the West Indies
Written during the Expedition under the Command of the Late General Sir Ralph Abercromby

An army surgeon's detailed account of the West Indies in 1796–1797, first published in 1806.

George Pinckard (Author)

9781108024259, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

478 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.7 cm, 0.6 kg

George Pinckard (1768–1835) was an army surgeon who arrived in the West Indies in 1796. His letters to a friend were published as Notes on the West Indies in 1806; a second edition came out in 1816. He describes at length all that he saw, from the very beginning of his journey, with vivid portrayals of characters and experiences: for example, before departure he saw a sailor being flogged around the fleet for desertion. Arriving first in Barbados, he describes the island, its people and its wildlife. He visited a slave trader's ship, and he gives a very good report of the condition of the slaves (most of whom were teenagers), in sharp contrast to horrific accounts also in circulation. His derogatory opinions about many of the Africans and half-castes that he met, particularly the women, perhaps typify the responses of a westerner of his age and class.

Preface
1. Concerning the correspondence of distant friends
2. Scenery, promenades, amusements, &c. of Southampton
3. The author returns to London with Doctor Master
4. Author returns to Southampton
5. Author and his comrades detained in suspense at Portsmouth
6. Author receives instructions to proceed to Cork in the Bridgewater transport
7. Author goes to Spithead and St. Helen's with Dr. Henderson, in search of the Bridgewater transport
8. Author and his colleagues joined by Dr. Cleghorn
9. Author and his comrades embark on board the Ulysses at Spithead
10. Leeward Island division of the expedition puts to sea
11. A dreadful storm overtakes the fleet
12. Military incertitude not inferior to the glorious uncertainty of the law
13. Author and his comrades again on shore
14. Perilous expedition of the author and others to the Motherbank
15. Excursion to the Commerce de Marseilles at St. Helen's
16. Convoy sails on the 9th of December
17. The new year mild and of good promise
18. Lord Sheffield arrives at Barbadoes
19. Ceremony of cleaning and painting West India ships
20. Author continues to address his friend, although he cannot send away his letters
21. Author and his comrades live on board ship at Barbadoes
22. Meat sold alive in the market at Barbadoes
23. Sunday a day of festivity among the slaves
24. Author and his comrades receive kind attentions from Mr. B. Hinde
25. Author and his comrades make an excursion to Col. Williams's
26. Convoys and packet still delayed
27. Marooning excursion to the windward coast of Barbadoes
28. Still no tidings of the Commander in Chief, or the Convoy
29. Author claims the freedom of 'noting' upon all subjects
30. Author sends his friends a list of the ships of the convoy which had reached Barbadoes
31. Senate house, and general assembly of Barbadoes
32. A packet arrives at Barbadoes.

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