Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ... selves with such secrecy, that they had removed one of the casks, and pushed forward into the redoubt, before they were perceived. I had this information from one of the officers who commanded at the post, but I am rather inclined to believe it was done in the afternoon, by our own guard, in order to haul in the six-pounder, and had not been again replaced. The easy conquest of Guyave was an acquisition of the first importance to our enemies. The attempt made to throw in succours, convinced them that they were not abandoned by their friends, dispelled the gloom of despair, and revived their desponding spirits. The possession of this safe and commodious harbour, surrounded with hills, could easily be maintained by cannon against any attack by sea, and laid open to their view the almost certain prospect of being regularly supplied with provisions from Guadaloupe and St. Lucia, in defiance of our cruisers. After Mr. Webster and myself took up our residence in Guyave, many negroes came in from the woods, and several from the enemy's camp, on assurance of protection and the near approach of a conquering army; which would soon put an end to the existing troubles, by restoring peace and tranquillity to the island. Many who were before wavering, uncertain what side to take, seeing the country totally desolated, without the means of subsisting the numbers who still adhered to the delusive but flattering promises of liberty and equality, so long held out to them, eagerly embraced the offer; and had a sufficient force been landed, I think there was the strongest reason to believe that most of the negroes would have surrendered. But during all this time, although several of the white inhabitants had come in from the camp before the passing of the...
