The diſcovery of this Iſland was claimed by the three kingdoms, of England, France, and Spain; but the right of poſſeſſion remained undecided, and Dominica was conſidered as a neutral iſland, by three Crowns; till the year 1759, when, by conqueſt, it fell under the dominion of Great Britain; and was afterwards ceded to England, by the treaty of peace concluded at Paris, in February 1763.
On the ceſſion of the iſland to the Engliſh, Commiſſioners were appointed under the Great Seal, and ſent out there with authority, to ſell and diſpoſe of the lands by public ſale, to Englilh ſubjects, in allotments. "Of not more than one hundred acres of ſuch land as was cleared; and not exceeding three hundred acres in woods, to any one perſon, who ſhould be the beſt bidder for the ſame." Theſe allotments were diſpoſed of for the benefit of the Crown, and were confirmed to the purchaſer, by grants, under the Great Seal of
England;
