By the Slave Emancipation Returns, the number was, in 1832, 14,384; average value of each, from 1822 to 1830, 437.8s.; relative value of all, 624,7157.; proportion of 20,000,000l., 275,9231. COMMERCE. The trade of the settlement has undergone great changes. During the year ending 5th of January, 1788, its exports were-Sugar, 1302 cwt.; Rum, 63,392 gal.; Molasses, 16,803 gal.; Cocoa, 1194 cwt.; Coffee, 18,149 cwt.; Indigo, 11,250 lbs.; Cotton, 970,816 lbs. ; Cotton, 161 cwt.; Hides, Dye woods, &c., 11,9127. 10s. 9d. The principal articles of export from 1826 to 1830 In 1832 there was exported from DominicaSugar, 6,256,992 lbs. -value, 84,7921.; Coffee, 1,365,932 lbs.—value, 45,1467.; Molasses, 87,700 gal. — value, 47651.; Rum, 51,100 gal. value, 46071. In 1832 the total value of the exports was 141,3067. sterling, and of the imports 35,570l. FINANCE. The revenue is raised generally as in the other West India colonies. Its amount for 1831 was but 63007., while the expenditure was 28,7651. 1, the difference being made up by Parliamentary grant. The island is quite adequate to every proper civil expence; any extra military strength should, in part, be defrayed by the mother country for the benefit of all the possessions. Dominica gross Revenue and Expenditure in pounds sterling 2 : 1 of this sum 20,8391. was for garrisons. 2 It will be observed that this island has its revenue assisted from the British Treasury as a military station of importance GOVERNMENT, &c.-There is a Lieutenant-Governor, a Council of Twelve, and a Representative Legislative Assembly of nineteen members to administer the affairs of the colonists; and there are Courts of Grand Session, of Common Pleas, of Complaint, and of Petty Sessions. The militia is an excellent body of men, little inferior to regular troops, and under the same regulations as in the other islands. There are two public free-schools, with 162 male and fifty-eight female scholars, at an annual expence of 1307., and education is making considerable progress. Fourteen places of worship exist in the colony, at an expence of 3407.; and if we take the small number of prisoners for 1831 (ten males and one female) as a criterion, the morals of the population are favourable. The Wesleyans have three missionaries in the island. Their numbers in 1835 were 981; marriages, 26; baptisms, 38. On the whole, Dominica, from its admirable situation, strong fortifications, fine climate, and fertile soil, is a very valuable colony. A part of the crown lands admirably adapted for cultivation consists of a large run of woodland, known by the name of the Lazon Flats, extending across the island to Paguon or Commissioners' Bay, and comprising a surface of 20,000 acres, covered with the most valuable and durable timber, nearly on the same level, and watered by a great number of small streams, forming the Mahout and Lazon rivers on the west side, and the Quanary and Pagoua rivers on the east of the island. This land is stated by the intelligent Surveyor-General of the island, Mr. Finlay, to be admirably adapted to the cultivation of cocoa, coffee, and all kinds of provisions; large pastures might easily be formed for cattle. Its elevation above the level of the sea is from 800 to 1000 feet; the general temperature 68° to 75° Fahrenheit; and there are no local impediments but a want of funds, or it may be said of population, to demonstrate the advantages which would arise from Europeans colonizing this delightful West India island. BOOK VI. MONTSERRAT. LOCALITY-HISTORY-PHYSICAL ASPECT-GEOLOGY-PRO DUCTIONS-POPULATION-COMMERCE-GOVERNMENT, &c. LOCALITY. This romantic isle, in 16° 47' north latitude, 92° 13′ 25′′ west longitude 22° south-west of Antigua, the same distance north-west of Guadaloupe, and south-east of Nevis, about twelve miles long, seven and a half broad, and thirty-four in circumference, and containing forty-seven square miles, or about 30,000 acres, was discovered and named by the sailors of Columbus Montserrat, a name expressive in the Spanish language of its broken and mountainous appearance. In 1632 it was first settled on by Sir Thomas Warner, under the protection of the British Government; about 1664, in the beginning of the reign of Charles II. it was taken by the French, but restored to the English at the peace of Breda, and has continued ever since under our flag. PHYSICAL ASPECT.-Like many other islands in its vicinity, Montserrat most probably owes its origin WEST INDIES. VOL. II. U |