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The Letter Book of Charles Winstone of Dominica, 1767-1784

A West Indian Planter during the American Revolution

The Letter Book of Charles Winstone of Dominica, 1767-1784 cover

The Letter Book of Charles Winstone of Dominica, 1767-1784

A West Indian Planter during the American Revolution

Description

Charles Winstone's letter book offers a rich first-hand account of Caribbean history during the American Revolution, the French invasion, and the occupation of Dominica.

The American Revolution and French presence disrupted the island's economic life. As Dominica's former solicitor and attorney general, Winstone became a central figure to absentee planters and British firms protecting estates and investments. His letters reveal efforts to forge new trading networks through the Dutch West Indies as he worked for British absentees based elsewhere in the Caribbean and Europe. The correspondence also reflects his struggle to establish a West Indian fortune on the backs of enslaved people cultivating coffee and sugar. His letters provide a rare look at the world of a plantation attorney and manager as he oversaw several estates near the colonial capital of Roseau during the most tumultuous years in Dominica's history and reflects on the ineffective and unprepared British response upon the outbreak of the American conflict, particularly noting French military preparations on the nearby islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Table of Contents

Part One: The French Occupation of Dominica during the American Revolution
Introduction
Part Two: The Letter Book of Charles Winstone
1. 1777-1779
2. 1780-1782
3. 1784-1786
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published Dec 11 2025
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 216
ISBN 9798216267799
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Mark Quintanilla

Mark S. Quintanilla is a historian of the Atlantic…

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