The early English Caribbean, 1570-1700
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The early English Caribbean, 1570-1700
Pickering & Chatto
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This four-volume collection brings together rare pamphlets from the formative years of the English involvement in the Caribbean. Texts presented in the volumes cover the first impressions of the region, imperial rivalries between European traders and settlers and the experience of day-to-day life in the colonies.
Table of Contents
- Volume 1: Conceptualizing the West Indies The texts in this volume chart the growth of English interest in the West Indies, as seen through the publications of the time. Beginning with the Spanish discovery and colonization there followed reports of Spanish cruelty. Gradually the English started to make incursions into the area and this new era of colonization is reflected in the sources. Later publications document the landscape of the islands, the native inhabitants and the other settlers who began to arrive. General Introduction Bibliography [Martin Fernandez de Enciso], Briefe Description of the Portes, Creekes, Bayes, and Havens, of the Weast India (1578)
- Antonio Galvao, The Discoveries of the World (1601)
- John Nicholl, An Houre Glasse of Indian Newes (1607)
- George Abbot, A Briefe Description of the Whole World (1617)
- Robert Hunt, The Island of Assada ([1650])
- Vincent Leblanc, The World Surveyed: or, The Famous Voyages & Travailes of Vincent le Blanc (1660)
- [Charles de Rochefort], The History of Barbados, St Christophers, Mevis, St Vincents, Antego, Martinico, Monserrat, and the Rest of the Caribby-Islands (1666)
- Arnoldus Montanus and John Ogilby, America: Being an Accurate Description of the New World ([1670])
- John Gadbury, The West India or Jamaica Almanack ([1674]) Editorial Notes List of Sources Volume 2: Fitting into the Empire This volume documents the political situation in the Caribbean within the context of imperial rivalries. The Spanish tried to repulse all other newcomers, and by the 1660s territorial disputes between the English, the French and the Dutch were commonplace. Eventually, English, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish territories were established, ushering in a new era of small colonial outposts. Trading networks were built up, with sugar becoming the main export and the source of both wealth and controversy. Documents attest to the strong feelings provoked by the high duty on sugar as well as giving an insight into the day-to-day problems of managing plantations. New territories required new systems of governance. Issues surrounding these were reported and discussed in various publications aimed at an English readership. Printed compilations of colonial laws also gave readers back in England the chance to gain insights into the whole legal framework needed to meet the needs of Caribbean settlements. Proclamations by both Charles II and Oliver Cromwell encouraging people to settle in the Caribbean are included alongside writings by Aphra Behn, (author of Oroonoko (1688) which she wrote after visiting Surinam), and Sir Thomas Lynch, Governor of Jamaica. Imperial Rivalries Henry Saville, A Libell of Spanish Lies (1596)
- Thomas Scott, An Experimentall Discoverie of Spanish Practises (1623)
- Anon., Two Famous Sea-Fights (1639)
- Alonso de Cardenas, A Speech, or Complaint, Lately Made by the Spanish Embassadour to His Majestie at Oxford (1643) Great Fights between the English and the French: Anon., A Great and Wonderful Victory Obtained by the English Forces (1655)
- Anon.,Three Great and Bloody Fights between the English and the French (1655). 'I. S.', A Brief and Perfect Journal of the Late Proceedings and Successe of the English Army in the West-Indies (1655)
- Anon., A Dialogue, Containing a Compendious Discourse Concerning the Present Designe in the West-Indies (1655)
- Oliver Cromwell , A Declaration of His Highnes ... Setting Forth ... the Justice of their Cause Against Spain (1655)
- D. K., 'Dedication', in Thomas Scott, The Spaniards Cruelty and Treachery to the English in the Time of Peace and War (1656)
- 'The Substance of Divers Letter's From the Generalls and Commissioners in the West-Indies to His Highnes', in Anon., A Book of the Continuation of Forreign Passages (1657) Edward Dowley's Victories in Jamaica: [Edward Doyley], A Narrative of the Great Success ... Against the King of Spains Forces (1658)
- Edward Doyley, A Brief Relation of a Victory ... in the Island of Jamaica. Against the Forces of the King of Spain (1659)
- Charles II, Articles of Peace & Alliance Between ... Charles the Second ... and ... Lewis XIV (1667)
- Charles II, A Treaty, for the Composing of Differences (1670)
- Peter Constant, Tobias Bridge and [E. B.], A Letter Sent from Barbado's to a Friend in London (1673)
- John Tosier, A Letter from Captain John Tosier (1679)
- Anon., Sad and Dreadful News from New-England (1684)
- Anon., A True and Faithful Account of an Intire and Absolute Victory over the French Fleet in the West-Indies (1690)
- Thomas Spencer, A True and Faithful Relation of the Proceedings of the Forces of Their Majesties K. William and Q. Mary (1691) Trade Controversy over the Sugar Tax: Anon., By the Merchants Owners of Ships and Mariners, Trading to His Majesties Sugar-Plantations ([c.1660])
- Anon.,The Case of the Refiners of Sugar in England (1670)
- Anon.,The Case of the Refiners of Sugar in England, Stated (1670) Edward Littleton, The Groans of the Plantations (1689)
- Anon., A Discourse of the Duties on Merchandize, More Particularly of that on Sugars (1695)
- Anon., The Interest of the Nation, as it Respects All the Sugar-Plantations Abroad, and Refining of Sugars at Home (1691)
- Anon., A Brief Account of the Present Declining State of the West-Indies (1695)
- Anon., The Present Case of a Barbados Planter, and Reasons Against Laying a Further Duty on Sugar ([1695]) Debating the Sugar Trade: Anon., The Irregular and Disorderly State of the Plantation Trade ([1695])
- Anon., Reasons Humbly Offered Against Laying a Farther Imposition upon Sugar ([c.1695])
- Anon., Reasons Humbly Offered (in Behalf of the Island of Barbados) to the Honorable House of Commons Against Laying a Further Duty on Sugar ([1695])
- Anon., The State of the Case of the Sugar Plantations in America ([c.1698]) Anon., A State of the Present Condition of the Island of Barbadoes ([c.1698]) Imperial Governance Anon., Certaine Inducements to Well Minded People ([c.1645]) Encouraging Migration to Jamaica: Oliver Cromwell, By the Protector: A Proclamation Giving Encouragement to such as Shall Transplant Themselves to Jamaica (1655)
- Daniel Gookin, To All Persons Whom These May Concern (1656)
- Charles II, By the King. A Proclamation for the Encouraging of Planters in His Majesties Island of Jamaica in the West-Indies (1661) Barbados, A Declaration Set Forth by the Lord Lieutenant Generall (1651)
- 'A. B.', A Brief Relation of the Beginning and Ending of the Troubles of the Barbados (1653) Bloodshed in Barbados: Anon., Bloudy Newes from the Barbadaes (1652)
- 'T. H.', A True and Exact Narrative of the Proceedings of the Parliaments Fleet, Against the Island of Barbadoes (1652) Sir Thomas Lynch, A Narrative of Aff airs Lately Received from His Majesties Island of Jamaica (1683)
- [Samuel Hanson], The Case of Samuel Hanson, Merchant and Planter in Barbados ([1684])
- Aphra Behn, To the Most Illustrious Prince Christopher Duke of Albemarle, on his Voyage to his Government of Jamaica (1687)
- Anon., A Full and True Account of the Beseiging and Taking of Carrickfergus by the Duke of Schomberg (1689)
- Anon., A Letter to S[ir] C. M. a Member of Parliament, from an Inhabitant of the Island of Barbadoes ([c.1700]) Editorial Notes List of Sources Volume 3: Living in the Caribbean Once settlements were firmly established articles began to appear promoting the way of life to those back at home. Numerous texts advertised the climate, the crops and the social life, and the recruitment of settlers generated a literature offering land, liberty and other benefits to those who migrated. Recruiting labour on the islands presented a particular problem. A transatlantic trade in servants was developed initially and some groups, including Quakers, and those convicted after the Monmouth Rebellion, were coerced into settling, but in the end the colonists came to rely on slavery. Sources document the growing involvement of English traders in the sale of enslaved Africans as well as the development of laws and the administration of justice on the islands. Settling Anon., A True Description of Jamaica, with the Fertility, Commodities, and Healthfulness of the Place (1657)
- E[dmund] H[ickeringill], Jamaica Viewed (1661)
- Thomas Trapham, A Discourse of the State of Health in the Island of Jamaica (1679)
- F[rancis] H[anson], A Short Account of the Island and Government Thereof (1683)
- Anon., The Present State of Jamaica (1683)
- John Poyntz, The Present Prospect of the Famous and Fertile Island of Tobago (1683) Labour James Hay, Second Earl of Carlisle, A Declaration by James, Earl of Carlile, Lord of the Caribee Islands (1647)
- Marcellus Rivers and Oxenbridge Foyle, Englands Slavery, or Barbados Merchandize (1659)
- Anon., A True and Impartial Naration of the Remarkable Providences of the Living God of Heaven and Earth (1664)
- Anon., One Cry More of the Innocent and Oppressed for Justice (1665)
- [Mary Carleton], News from Jamaica in a Letter from Port Royal (1671)
- T. M., A Letter from Jamaica to a Friend in London ([1682])
- Henry Pitman, A Relation of the Great Sufferings and Strange Adventures of Henry Pitman (1689)
- John Coad, 'A Memorandum of the Wonderful Providences of God... in and after the Revolution between the Duke of Monmouth and King James' (c.1691) Slave Uprisings G. W., 'Letter from Barbados, dated 30 November 1675' (1676)
- Anon., A Brief, But Most True Relation of the Late Barbarous and Bloody Plot of the Negro's in the Island of Barbados (1693) Local Governance Barbados Assembly, Acts and Statutes of the Island of Barbados ([c.1654])
- Anon., A Brief and True Remonstrance of the Illegall Proceedings of Roger Osburn ([c.1654])
- Robert Sanford [and William Byam ], Surinam Justice (1662)
- [William Byam], An Exact Relation of the Most Execrable Attempts of John Allin, Committed on ... Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, Captain General of Guiana and of all the Caribby-Islands (1665)
- Anon., The State of Jamaica, Printed with The Laws of Jamaica (1684) Editorial Notes List of Sources Volume 4: Making Meaning The flora and fauna of the islands and their economic potential was documented in a number of tracts which also helped to promote the colony as an attractive and bountiful place to settle. Running counter to the promotional literature was a whole sub-genre on natural disasters. Hurricanes and earthquakes were relatively common, and the commentators who wrote about them did so from a variety of motives: to entertain, to shock, to warn or simply to record them. Often portrayed as irreligious, settlers engaged energetically in the religious debates of the time. Dissenters were encouraged or coerced into leaving for the colonies and a number of Quaker publications condemned the transportation of their coreligionists. Though most settlers were members of the Church of England, its textual footprint was quite small and many more dissenting tracts have survived. Natural History George Warren, An Impartial Description of Surinam upon the Continent of Guiana in America (1667)
- Richard Blome, A Description of the Island of Jamaica (1672)
- W[illiam] Hughes, The American Physitian (1672)
- John Gadbury, Diarium Astronomicum (1675)
- [John Charmberlayne?], The Natural History of Coffee, Thee, Chocolate, Tobacco (1682) Natural Disasters [John Taylor], Newes and Strange Newes from St. Christophers of a Tempestuous Spirit, which is called by the Indians a Hurry-Cano or Whirlewind (1638)
- John Bushell and Francis Bond, A True and Pefect Narrative of the Late Dreadful Fire which happened at Bridge-Town in the Barbadoes ([1668])
- Anon., An Account of the Late Dreadful Earth-quake in the Island of Mevis, St. Christophers, &c (1690)
- [Captain Crocket], A True and Perfect Relation of that Most Sad and Terrible Earthquake, at Port-Royal in Jamaica ([1692])
- E[mmanuel] Heath, A Full Account of the Late Dreadful Earthquake at Port Royalin Jamaica (1692)
- Anon., The Truest and Largest Account of the Late Earthquake in Jamaica (1693)
- Thomas Doolittle, Earthquakes Explained and Practically Improved (1693) Religion John Featley, A Sermon Preached to the Nobely-Deserving Gentleman, Sir Thomas Warner (1629)
- J. L., A Sermon Preached on January the 1st. 1680[/]1. In the New Church at Port-Royal in Jamaica (1681)
- Henry Adis and Francis, Lord Willoughby of Parham, A Letter Sent from Syrranam, to His Excellency (1664)
- For the King and Both Houses of Parliament. Being a Short Relation of the Sad Estate and Suff erings of the Innocent People of God, Called Quakers (1661)
- Jonas Langford, A Brief Account of the Sufferings of the Servants of the Lord called Quakers (1706)
- John Rous, A Warning to the Inhabitants of Barbadoes ([1656])
- Richard Pinder, A Loving Invitation (to Repentance and Amendment of Life) unto All the Inhabitants of the Island Barbados (1660)
- Thomas Clark, The Voice of Truth (1661)
- Robert Maylins, A Letter which was Delivered to the King (1661)
- [William Fortescue et al.], A Short Relation concerning the Life and Death of that Man of God, and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, William Simpson (1671) Quakers, Slaves and Slavery: George Fox [et al.], To the Ministers, Teachers, and Priests (1672)
- G[eorge] F[ox], Gospel Family-Order, being a Short Discourse concerning the Ordering of Families, Both of Whites, Blacks and Indians (1676) William Edmundson, A Journal of the Life, Travels, Sufferings, and Labour of Love in the Work of the Ministry, of that Worthy Elder, and Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, William Edmundson ([1715])
- Lydia Fell, A Testimony and Warning ([1676])
- John Taylor [et al.], A Loving & Friendly Invitation to All Sinners to Repent (1683)
- Joan Vokins, God's Mighty Power Magnified (1691)
- Anon., A Short Account of the Manifest Hand of God that Hath Fallen upon Several Marshals and their Deputies (1696) Editorial Notes List of Sources Index
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