The importance of the north side, page 28
These passages give a real sense of Tobago's place in the Caribbean, as well as focusing on the individual merits of the island itself. The twin themes of an island fit for settlement, but also one of strategic importance, are foregrounded for the reader to appreciate and ponder.[page 28]
at Courland, in attempting the passage during the night,
lost his course and reckoning in the currents, and was first
heard of, from the Carenage in Grenada.
From circumstances which I have stated, and supported
by this and other cases in Point, I may be warranted in
the assuming, that no Squadron, can for any length of Time
lay off and on, within sight of Tobago;- and, when, e’er I
close this essay, I shall come to the Political division of
my Subject, and have to represent Manowar Bay, as a
fit station for Troops and ships of war,- I may be allowd
the assertion,- “That no force there can be Blockaded.”
-First,-in a Commercial view;- Taking into consideration
Winds, Currents, Harbours, and Bearings of Coast,- The Reasons
are obvious, why Vessels from other Islands of the west Indies,
-or from North America, or from Europe,- should in preference
communicate with Tabago at Courland:- in this Bay or
the Northern Coast, Generally ships of war, -and Often the
Packets come to anchor;- altho’ the Seat of Government and
the Post office, are on the opposite side at Scarboro;- and business
and the delivery of Letters require a further journey by Land.
In this exhibition
- Background information
- Gallery and transcription
- Introducing the Essay
- Natural resources of the island
- Tobago's relative position
- The Commercial & political importance of the island of Tobago
- The Commercial & political importance of the island, continued
- Port of enterprize and command, page 29
- Orinoco River, page 30
- Appeal to British merchants, page 31
- Historical political instability of the island, page 32
- The reach of the Orinoco River, page 33
- Potential trade agreements with Spain, page 34
- Further trade routes with South America, page 35
- Establishing the port of Courland, page 36
- Prospects of national advantage, page 37
- Conclusions
- Military significance of Man o' war Bay, page 38
- Further significances, page 39
- Military consensus, page 40
- French intentions for the island, page 41
- Suitability as a port for ships of war, page 42
- Relative safety of the island, page 43
- The necessity to prepare for conflict, page 44
- Revelations of an inside source, page 45
- Fas est, et ab hoste doceri, page 46
- Select bibliography