The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies
With a Continuation to the Present Time

This groundbreaking history of the West Indies, originally published in 1793, remained a standard work, being repeatedly expanded and updated.

Bryan Edwards (Author)

9781108024761, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

638 pages, 3 b/w illus.
29.7 x 3.3 x 21 cm, 1.51 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. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes . . . an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 2 includes a description of the present inhabitants of the islands, the practice of slavery, government and commercial activity.

Book IV. Present Inhabitants: 1. Summary account of the inhabitants of the several islands
2. Of Negroes in a state of slavery
3. Mandingoes, or natives of the Windward Coast
4. Means of obtaining slaves in Africa
5. Arrival and sale in the West Indies
Appendixes
Book V. Agriculture: 1. Sugar cane
2. Crop-time the season of health and festivity
3. Capital necessary in the settlement or purchase of a sugar plantation of a given extent
4. Of the minor staple commodities
Appendix
Book VI. Government and Commerce: 1. Colonial establishments
2. House of Assembly
3. Principles on which the nations of Europe settled colonies in America
4. Trade between the British West Indies and North America previous to the late civil war
5. Charges brought against the planters introductory of opinions and doctrines the design of which is to prove, that the settlement of the British plantations was improvident and unwise
Appendix containing tables of West Indian exports and imports to and from Great Britain and Ireland.

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