The importance of this iſland to the Engliſh was ſo well known, and dreaded by the French at that time, that the taking it out of our poſſeſſion was the firſt object in their attack on the Britiſh ſettlements: and the Marquis de Bouillé actually ſecured Dominica for his nation, before hoſtilities between the two Crowns were known in the Engliſh Weſt Indies.
The forces under the command of the Marquis, on this expedition, conſiſted of near three thouſand regular troops, and near half that number of volunteers, compoſed of white men, mulattos, and negros. The naval armament conſiſted of three frigates, one a forty-gun ſhip, and upwards of thirty ſail of armed ſloops and ſchooners.
For ſeveral days after the ſurrender, the inhabitants from all parts of the iſland came to the Government-houſe, in order to ſign the
