The History of Jamaica
Or, General Survey of the Antient and Modern State of that Island, with Reflections on its Situation, Settlements, Inhabitants, Climate, Products, Commerce, Laws, and Government

An influential three-volume survey of Jamaica's early colonial history and economy, from a pro-slavery viewpoint, published in 1774.

Edward Long (Author)

9781108016452, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2010

638 pages, 9 b/w illus. 2 maps
24.4 x 3.3 x 17 cm, 1 kg

Edward Long's three-volume work marks a major turning point in the historiography of Jamaica, as the first attempt at a comprehensive description of the colony, its history, government, people, economy and geography. The son of a prominent Jamaican plantation owner, Long (1734–1813) spent twelve years running his father's property, an experience which permeates his vision of the island's past, present and future. Throughout his book, Long defends slavery as 'inevitably necessary' in Jamaica, suggesting the institution to be implicit in the 'possession of British freedom'. Volume 2 presents a survey of the counties of Jamaica, information on religion, education and health, descriptions and racial classifications of the population, a history of the slave rebellions and details of the legal code governing slavery. This important 1774 book provides fascinating insights into eighteenth-century colonial Jamaica and the ideology of its commercial and administrative elite.

Introduction
Book 2: 7. Topographical description of the island, Middlesex
8. Surry
9. Cornwall
10. State of the clergy
11. Mines
12. Schools
13. Of the inhabitants
Book 3: 1. Negroes
2. Guiney slaves
3. Of the Creole slaves and African negroes in Jamaica
4. Francis Williams
5. Laws affecting slaves
6. Regulations for preserving health in Jamaica
Appendix
Corrigenda.

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