The history, civil and commercial of the British colonies in the West Indies.

London, J. Stockdale, 1793-18013 volumes + atlas. 4to. Contemporary uniform calf, gilt fillets round sides, spines gilt with red and green morocco title-labels (spines sl. rubbed and top of spines sl. dam.; atlas volume rebacked with the original spine laid down). With engraved portrait, 2 engraved maps (1 folding) and 3 engraved plates; atlas volume: engraved frontispiece (Sable Venus), large folding map of the West Indies in 2 sheets, 6 engraved plates and 8 engraved maps (1 folding). XXXVI,494; 500; XX,443 pp.Volume I - II first edition, volume III third enlarged edition, with the atlas volume issued with the second edition (the fine maps and plates were not issued with the first edition). - The author was a West India merchant who spent much of his youth in Jamaica and later travelled extensively throughout the West Indies. 'Standard for over a century, and still in many respects the best book on the subject up to the close of the 18th century ... Of immeasurable value for contemporary conditions, showing the state of affairs after the American war and before the abolition of the traffic in blacks' (Ragatz III, p.165). Volume III contains: An historical survey of the French colony in the island of St. Domingo: comprehending an account of the revolt of the negroes in the year 1791. - A classic of Caribbean literature and the best description of the erea in the eighteenth century with ''n account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery'. - (Some marginal wormholes at the end of vol. II not effecting the text). - A fine set.Sabin 21901; Cox II, p.228; Howgego p.345 'containing a wealth of information'.