French intentions for the island, page 41
Colonial rivalry with France is a point of continuity and reference throughout the Essay; and Young’s praise of the ‘Great Military Genius’ (Napoleon) and his and France’s designs on Tobago, demonstrate the island’s strategic importance is at least one issue that these rival powers agree on.[page 41]
In this view of Its importance during periods of war,- the
Island of Tobago, was reported by the late Marquis de Bouillie,
and the Report attended to, by the minister of Louis the 16th
in 1782:- myself was officially employd at Paris in the nego=
=ciations, then pending;- and I am convincd, that it was under
impressions of the political uses to made of the Island, suggest’d
by that able Officer,- The Sovereignty of Tabago was by France
then Insisted on, and made an article of the Definitive Treaty
in the year 1783;--- and to my own knowledge, (as I shall briefly
shew)- this view of the Importance of Tobago, for the holding
and extending, Dominion in the west India Seas, has not
been lost sight of, by the Great Military Genius which rules
the Empire of France, in the year 1810.
Surely the projected uses of the possession intended by
France, should make great Britain cautious of ye Surrender!-
Whether in the consideration of commercial or of Political
purposes;- of relative locality of circumstances favorable to,
friendly intercourse;- or to Hostile expedition;-- whether
regarding Tobago, as a Depôt of Trade;- or as a Post of Command
and Enterprize;- the Island has, in the descriptive introduction
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