The History of the Island of Dominica

This volume offers a thorough portrait of a Caribbean island that once sat at the crossroads of empire. It sketches Dominica’s rugged mountains, rain‑soaked valleys and winding rivers, while detailing the climate that nurtures abundant crops and timber. The author explains how the island’s position between Martinique and Guadeloupe made it a strategic foothold for any power seeking control of the western seas, and why its natural harbours were prized by both navy and merchant alike.

Beyond geography, the narrative turns to the early British administration, describing the legal framework, customs and daily life of the diverse inhabitants. It records the first attempts to parcel and settle the land—requirements for buyers, obligations to bring laborers, and the hopes placed on cultivated estates. Intended as a guide for potential settlers and a record for policymakers, the work paints a vivid picture of an island on the brink of change, inviting listeners to explore its early days of conquest, colonisation and community.