The History of Jamaica

An influential three-volume survey of Jamaica's early colonial history and economy, from a pro-slavery viewpoint, published in 1774.

Edward Long's three-volume History of Jamaica (1774) was the first attempt at a comprehensive description of the colony, constructed as a vigorous defence of its slave economy. Volume 3 covers the climate and natural history of Jamaica, including an extensive catalogue of native flora for potential export to Britain.Edward Long's three-volume work marks a major turning point in the historiography of Jamaica, as the first attempt at a comprehensive description of the colony, its history, government, people, economy and geography. The son of a prominent Jamaican plantation owner, Long (1734–1813) spent twelve years running his father's property, an experience which permeates his vision of the island's past, present and future. Long defends slavery as 'inevitably necessary' in Jamaica, suggesting the institution to be implicit in the 'possession of British freedom'. Volume 3 covers the natural history of Jamaica, including descriptions of weather phenomena and a catalogue of native flora of potential interest to British importers. It also includes a translation of the French 'code noir' governing slavery, proposed as a model for future British legislation. This important 1774 book provides fascinating insights into eighteenth-century colonial Jamaica and the ideology of its commercial and administrative elite.