Dr Rita Pemberton

THE DISLOCATION caused by the French capture of Tobago in 1781, negatively affected plantation operations on the island. During the attack some estates were completely destroyed while others were partially destroyed and required financial support for the necessary repairs to make them fully operational. In addition, there were uncertainties about the operation of the French administration and the relationship with their creditors in England.

While many British planters sought to save their properties by swearing allegiance to the French king, those who refused to take the oath lost their properties to new French owners. There was no smooth transfer of plantation operations, and the island could not immediately provide France with the expected economic returns.

The impact of the French Revolution on Tobago also took its toll on the island's treasury, its defence system and plantation operations. Mutinous revolutionary activity, especially the fire which burnt Port Louis (Scarborough) and food stores and left only one barrel of flour, was costly. This left the French administration seeking donations to provide relief to those who were affected.

Military disturbances which spread from Martinique to Tobago led to a reduction of the French troops with 22 men deserting and going to Martinique. Another group of mutineers (four corporals and 69 soldiers) marched across the island to Courland Bay with beating drums and flying flags. They then boarded two ships in the harbour and sailed for Martinique.

Such a tense situation was created on the island that the Assembly, which was forced to shift its meetings from Port Louis to Lambeau, expressed concern that its weakened defences could stimulate resistance of the enslaved population. Under these conditions, the conduct of normal plantation operations was extremely difficult.

Eager to exploit Tobago's agricultural resources, the French administration took annual economic surveys of the island regarding population size and composition, number of operating estates and production levels. It was noted that the figures recorded a decline in production which the administration sought to arrest.

The French planned to stimulate an increase in the French population on the island and raise revenue at the same time by developing Plymouth into a large town by the sale house lots. In addition, in 1789, Roume de St Laurent, ordonnateur, complained that the island's commerce was 'shrinking in quantity' every year. He pressed the French authorities to implement his proposal to boost the island's commerce by establishing a free port in Tobago to open it up for trade with Trinidad. Neither of these plans materialised.

The French administration paid close attention to trade and finance, and taxation was a major problem during the course of French rule. Their taxes were higher than the British planters were accustomed to and in addition they had to pay their mortgages to the Brutish creditors. Because of the unsatisfactory condition of the island's agri