DESCRIPTION OF THE WHITE INHABITANTS, FREE PEOPLE OF COLOUR,
AND NATIVE INDIANS OF THE ISLAND; THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS,
TOGETHER WITH OBSERVATIONS THEREON.
The white inhabitants of Dominica are composed of English, French,
Spaniards, Italians, and Genoese, who are natives of those
countries in Europe, or their issue, born in the West Indies; which
latter are called Creoles, to distinguish them from Europeans.
There are also some few Americans, white people, who are called
American refugees, and who retired thither after the establishment
of the last peace, and independence of North America.
The British inhabitants consist of English, Scotch, Irish, and the
said American refugees, who altogether, including men, women, and
children, do not exceed the number of six hundred, exclusive of the
regular troops stationed there. This is indeed a very small number
of English subjects for so very large and fine an island, the value
of its possession by Great Britain being thereby considerably
lessened; for so few inhabitants are totally insufficient to
render it of that importance, which it is capable of being, to the
mother-country.
The customs and manners of the English are much the same, as
distinguish the different descriptions of the same people in the
several parts of Great Britain, from whence they came; and their
religious persuasions are also the same.
It is much to be lamented, that in the English West India islands
in general, there prevails a great aversion to forming matrimonial
connections, as colonization is thereby much impeded, and many
evils, to the disadvantage of the British empire in that part of
the world, are thereby greatly promoted. This aversion is, in a
great measure, to be attributed to the views of the generality
of Europeans, who having submitted to a voluntary exile, which
they suppose is to be only for a few years, flatter themselves
they shall soon return wealthy to their own countries. Buoyed up
with these notions, they look upon matrimony as a bar to their
expectations; and in the mean time, content themselves with the
company of a mulatto or negro mistress, who brings them a spurious
race of children, the maintenance of whom, together with the
extravagance of their sable mothers, soon dissipates the first
savings of their keeper’s hard-earned wealth. When, as often is the
case, worn out by the climate, or other disasters, they at last see
their folly, but generally too late to prevent its consequences.
But were such adventurers only to consider, how few who go to the
West Indies live to acquire affluence, or ever return to their
own countries; together with the superior advantage to be derived
from the society of a wife and children of their own colour, it is
probable, that so many would not decline an eligible situation for
prospects that are so uncertain.
That which renders this aversion to matrimony the more remarkable
is, that the generality of the English white women in the West
Indies are as lovely as in any part of the world besides, make
as goods wives, tender mothers, and as agreeable companions. It
is true, they are not so remarkable for that pleasing florid
complexion, which is peculiar to the sex in England; but they have
in common as clear white skins, are as delicately and well featured
women as in any part of the creation; and they are remarkable for
domestic qualifications, especially for being fine, neat workers
at the needle, and making the best nurses, as well as œconomists.
In proof of their conjugal fidelity, such a thing is hardly to be
heard of as a Creole woman undergoing that ignominious trial for
crim. con. so frequent in the more polite countries of Europe,
where also it is too common for the women to form connections with
negro men. This last is a thing so very odious in the opinion of
Creole white women in general, that the most profligate of them
would shudder at the bare idea of submitting to it; and there is
hardly to be produced an instance of the kind in the West Indies.
Withal, so very remarkable are the English Creole women for
sobriety and chastity, that in the first instance very few of
them drink any thing but water, or beverage of lime juice, water,
and syrup; and in the latter, that there are few of them to be
seen among the loose wantons of the sex in the West Indies; the
generality of the white women of that description being actually
composed of adventurers from Europe, or of such as have followed
the army and navy to the islands.
This last circumstance is, in my opinion, a clear refutation of
that too generally received notion, that women in particular, in
warm climates, are given to inordinate desires; and proves to a
demonstration, that such passions are not owing to the climate,
but rather to a too warm constitution, which, aided by luxury, too
often gives itself up to satisfying its own depraved appetites,
against every sense of decency, and consideration of duty.
These observations lead me to the discussion of another subject, of
equal importance; namely, that of education peculiar to the English
West India islands. This, although it is a task which I am by no
means competent to, yet I shall be happy, if the few observations
here offered are of the least use to the rising generation in that
part of the British dominions.
It must be confessed, that in the English West Indies education is,
in general, too little attended to, owing, in a great measure, to
the prejudices of the generality of parents, who, coming themselves
from Europe, fancy there is no possibility of getting a good
education in any other part of the world.
Prepossessed with this notion, their whole endeavours are to
accomplish it for the benefit of their children; who, in the mean
time, are usually put under the care of some old woman, or person
of the other sex, equally as unqualified to teach them, merely for
the purpose of keeping the children out of the way. But it is often
the case, that after several years have been spent by a child under
such tutors, some unexpected misfortune happens to the parent, who
is rendered as unable to afford the expence of sending his children
to Europe, and paying the necessary contingencies of schooling
there, as he was when they first came into the world; or too much
time is required to enable him to accomplish his purpose.
The consequences are obvious, for the child having outgrown the
proper season for receiving any material benefit from education,
it answers very little purpose, if at that time the parent is able
to accomplish his desire. And it is a general remark in the West
Indies, that of such as have been sent to Europe for education
after a certain period, few have returned thither as accomplished
as many, who have had only a moderate schooling in the islands; and
scarcely any, without having his morals corrupted.
To this so prevalent practice in parents, of sending their children
to Europe for education, it is owing, that there are so very few
good school-masters, or other proper persons, to form the minds of
youth in the English islands; as the encouragement for such is so
very trifling, that it is seldom worth a man’s while to attempt it.
Whereas, was the contrary practice more in use, there is no doubt
but that education would be as attainable in the West Indies, as in
any part of Europe, and at a much less expence.
The French inhabitants of Dominica are more numerous than the
English; and as before observed, have the most valuable coffee
plantations in that island. Their manners and customs differ but
little from the people in the other French islands; and their
religion is the same, for they are all Roman Catholics.
They have several chapels in the island, but the principal one
is in the town of Roseau. This is built of wood, and is neatly
ornamented in the inside with an altar-piece, hangings, paintings,
and images of the Virgin Mary and other saints, baptismal font,
and pews. Here their bells are continually tinkling for prayers,
especially on Sundays and holidays, which last are so very
numerous, that they generally occur three or four times every week;
when great numbers of the French, both white and coloured people,
regularly attend their priests.
The revenues of this chapel, and of the ministers thereof,
principally arise from the rents of a large lot of land on which
it is built; and which was granted by the English Commissioners,
in 1763, to the French inhabitants for that purpose, on lease for
ninety-nine years. Great part of this land is let out for the
remainder of the term yet to expire; and thereon are built several
good houses, the owners of which pay a yearly assessed part of the
rent of the same, exclusive of the first cost of the lease of each
lot on which the houses are built.
The French priests in Dominica are appointed by superiors in the
island of Martinique; to the government of which island, and to
the laws of their own nation, they consider themselves to be
responsible.
The Spanish inhabitants of this island are not very numerous,
being only composed of renegados from their own settlements, and
are no great credit to this; but are suffered to remain there, by
frequently taking the oaths of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty,
on their paying a certain sum each time. This they sadly complain
of; but they do not mind the oath, as was evident on the day of
attack by the French; for on that day several of them joined their
countrymen arrived from Martinique, and with large knives and
pistols stuck in their belts, were ready to assist to plunder and
murder the English inhabitants, had the invasion been made in the
night.
The Italians and Genoese are also but few, and are chiefly employed
in cutting down the trees on the plantations that are in woods:
some of them carry about the country articles of grocery, tobacco,
and other matters, which they dispose of principally to negros on
estates; by which means they make a good livelihood.
The other free inhabitants of this island are free mestiffs, free
mulattos, free negros, and native Indians.
The free people of colour are chiefly of French extraction, and
most of them came from the islands of that nation; from whence they
have retired on account of the severity of the French laws, which
prohibit them from wearing shoes, stockings, ornaments, or any
dress after the fashion of white people.
They are, in general, very idle and insolent; the females usually
follow the occupations of pastry-cooks and hucksters, to the
great detriment of more industrious poor white people, and will
often get credit for articles in their way of business when the
latter cannot; but being in general young persons of the sex, they
contrive to pay their debts very satisfactorily to some merchants.
There are, however, some few of them who are natives of the island,
who have good coffee plantations, and are very civil and courteous.
The free people of colour are remarkably fond of dress and dancing;
for the enjoyment of both which they will sacrifice every thing
that is valuable in their possession. Dancing is the chief part
of their amusements, their preparations for which are commonly
very expensive; their ladies being usually dressed in silks, silk
stockings and shoes; buckles, bracelets, and rings of gold and
silver, to a considerable value. Their entertainments, on these
occasions, are also very expensive, their guests being treated with
every thing of the best. These meetings sometimes last for two or
three days together, during which they dance the whole time almost;
but it seldom happens that their balls conclude without broken
heads, bloody noses, or some piece of perfect gallantry.
The Indians, natives of Dominica, are descended from the ancient
inhabitants, who were found there when this island was first
discovered by Europeans, and are the people properly called
“Caribbes.” Of these there are not more than twenty or thirty
families, who have their dwellings on the east part of the island,
at a great distance from Roseau, where they are seldom seen.
They are of a clear copper colour, have long, sleek, black hair on
their heads, their persons are short, stout, and well made; but
they disfigure their faces by pressing flat their noses, which is
done in their infancy. They are a very quiet, inoffensive people,
speak a language of their own, and French, but none of them speak
English.
They live chiefly by fishing in the rivers and the sea, or by
fowling in the woods, at both of which they are very expert with
their bows and arrows. They will kill the smallest bird with an
arrow, or transfix a fish at a great depth in the sea; and are
very serviceable to the planters near their settlement, whom they
chiefly supply with fish and game. They are also very ingenious,
making curious wrought panniers, or baskets of silk grass, or the
bark of trees.
It is much to be regretted, that since this island has been in
the possession of the English, so little pains have been taken to
cultivate an union with these people, as they might be capable of
essential service to its internal security, especially against the
accumulation of runaway negros in the time of peace; and in war
they might be induced to join in its defence, should it be invaded.
Yet they are permitted to roam wherever their fancies lead them, as
much unnoticed as if no such people were in existence. They are men
as well as we, are born with the same degree of sensibility; and
by proper encouragement, might be of material benefit to a country
which was originally their own.