Page:The History of the Island of Dominica.djvu/158

there could not have been a more proper perſon for carrying the intentions of the Marquis into execution, by leſſening the value of Dominica, in order to have it ceded to the French at the concluſion of the war. In this, however, happily for the Britiſh nation, he was diſappointed; and although the greateſt part of the Engliſh inhabitants, from the harſh and cruel treatment they underwent, not only from the Marquis Duchilleau, but alſo from every French perſon in office under his government, was driven to the neceſſity of quitting the iſland; yet the few that remained, patiently enduring all their ſufferings from the French, waited only the commencement of peace, to determine whether the country would be reſtored to the Engliſh, or be continued under the dominion of France. The former happening to be the caſe, was a matter of great concern to the French, who, well knowing its importance, quitted their poſſeſſions with the greateſt reluctancy, from a convic-

tion