By the best accounts which I have been able to collect, the Black Caribbs originally sprung from the cargo of a Guinea ship, which was wreched on one of the Grenadilloes. They were brought over to this island by the Yellow Caribbs, who were the Aboregines or native inhabitants, with many of whom they were soon connected, forming a motley mixture, such as we now see; but in which the negro-colour and features chiefly prevail. They continued in this interchange of good offices, till such time as the Black Caribbs perceived their superiority to the others in number and strength, who then drove the Yellow Caribbs to the leeward part of the island, where a few of them only now remain. The greater part of the latter went to the islands of Tobago and Trinidade, in both of which islands their posterity are to be seen at present.

It is unnecessary to follow them through the detail of their wars, and of their treaties with the French, who at length formed a settlement in the island. At the treaty of peace in 1763, the Caribbs possest the most valuable part of this island. By the treaty which was made with them in 1773, they gave up an extent of country, comprehending about fourteen miles in length, and from three to four in breadth; only part of which was settled in 1779, when the French invaded the island.