Series:

Cambridge Library Collection - Slavery and Abolition

5 primary works • 7 total works

Volume 1

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies: Volume 1
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes . . . an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 1 covers the physical geography of the area, its early inhabitants, and the discovery and settlement by Europeans.

Volume 2

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies: Volume 2
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes . . . an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 2 includes a description of the present inhabitants of the islands, the practice of slavery, government and commercial activity.

Volume 3

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies: Volume 3
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes ... an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 3 examines the French colony of St Domingo and the rebellion there, and also discusses Jamaica, Barbados and St Lucia.

Volume 4

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies: Volume 4
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes ... an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 4 describes the campaigns of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars in the West Indies, and provides updated sections on the issue of abolition.

Volume 5

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies: Volume 5
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes ... an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'. Volume 5 includes legislative papers dealing with the West Indies, and a supplement to the history of St Domingo.

Cover of An Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. An Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo was published in 1797. St Domingo (now Haiti) had been one of the most prosperous West Indian economies, producing more sugar and coffee than all the British West Indies combined. The harsh treatment of the slaves under the French code noir led to a widespread revolt in 1791, in part inspired by the French Revolution. An alliance between white planters and the British to take over the island was unsuccessful. Edwards feared that the revolt would spread to other islands, destroying their trade. The rebellion in St Domingo was of major significance, as it led to the colony becoming the first independent black-ruled republic in 1804.

Cover of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the West Indies 5 Volume Paperback Set
Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a wealthy West Indian planter, politician and historian. He vigorously opposed the abolition of the slave trade, since the sugar industry relied heavily on it. His most important work was The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, originally published in two volumes in 1793, and subsequently expanded (this fifth edition of 1819 reaching five volumes) with many plates and maps. It rapidly became the standard work on the subject, and Edwards was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of its importance. In this wide-ranging work, he described his aim as 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes . . . an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies'.