This four-volume collection brings together rare pamphlets from the formative years of the English involvement in the Caribbean. Texts presented in the volumes cover the first impressions of the region, imperial rivalries between European traders and settlers and the experience of day-to-day life in the colonies. Volume 2: Fitting into the Empire This volume documents the political situation in the Caribbean within the context of imperial rivalries. The Spanish tried to repulse all other newcomers, and by the 1660s territorial disputes between the English, the French and the Dutch were commonplace. Eventually, English, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish territories were established, ushering in a new era of small colonial outposts. Trading networks were built up, with sugar becoming the main export and the source of both wealth and controversy. Documents attest to the strong feelings provoked by the high duty on sugar as well as giving an insight into the day-to-day problems of managing plantations. New territories required new systems of governance. Issues surrounding these were reported and discussed in various publications aimed at an English readership. Printed compilations of colonial laws also gave readers back in England the chance to gain insights into the whole legal framework needed to meet the needs of Caribbean settlements.

Proclamations by both Charles II and Oliver Cromwell encouraging people to settle in the Caribbean are included alongside writings by Aphra Behn, (author of Oroonoko (1688) which she wrote after visiting Surinam), and Sir Thomas Lynch, Governor of Jamaica. Imperial Rivalries Henry Saville, A Libell of Spanish Lies (1596); Thomas Scott, An Experimentall Discoverie of Spanish Practises (1623); Anon., Two Famous Sea-Fights (1639); Alonso de Cardenas, A Speech, or Complaint, Lately Made by the Spanish Embassadour to His Majestie at Oxford (1643) Great Fights between the English and the French: Anon., A Great and Wonderful Victory Obtained by the English Forces (1655); Anon.,Three Great and Bloody Fights between the English and the French (1655). 'I. S.', A Brief and Perfect Journal of the Late Proceedings and Successe of the English Army in the West-Indies (1655); Anon., A Dialogue, Containing a Compendious Discourse Concerning the Present Designe in the West-Indies (1655); Oliver Cromwell , A Declaration of His Highnes ... Setting Forth ... the Justice of their Cause Against Spain (1655); D. K., 'Dedication', in Thomas Scott, The Spaniards Cruelty and Treachery to the English in the Time of Peace and War (1656); 'The Substance of Divers Letter's From the Generalls and Commissioners in the West-Indies to His Highnes', in Anon., A Book of the Continuation of Forreign Passages (1657) Edward Dowley's Victories in Jamaica: [Edward Doyley], A Narrative of the Great Success ... Against the King of Spains Forces (1658); Edward Doyley, A Brief Relation of a Victory ... in the Island of Jamaica. Against the Forces of the King of Spain (1659); Charles II, Articles of Peace & Alliance Between ... Charles the Second ... and ... Lewis XIV (1667); Charles II, A Treaty, for the Composing of Differences (1670); Peter Constant, Tobias Bridge and [E. B.], A Letter Sent from Barbado's to a Friend in London (1673); John Tosier, A Letter from Captain John Tosier (1679); Anon., Sad and Dreadful News from New-England (1684); Anon., A True and Faithful Account of an Intire and Absolute Victory over the French Fleet in the West-Indies (1690); Thomas Spencer, A True and Faithful Relation of the Proceedings of the Forces of Their Majesties K. William and Q. Mary (1691) Trade Controversy over the Sugar Tax: Anon., By the Merchants Owners of Ships and Mariners, Trading to His Majesties Sugar-Plantations ([c.1660]); Anon.,The Case of the Refiners of Sugar in England (1670); Anon.,The Case of the Refiners of Sugar in England, Stated (1670) Edward Littleton, The Groans of the Plantations (1689); Anon., A Discourse of the Duties on Merchandize, More Particularly of that on Sugars (1695); Anon., The Interest of the Nation, as it Respects All the Sugar-Plantations Abroad, and Refining of Sugars at Home (1691); Anon., A Brief Account of the Present Declining State of the West-Indies (1695); Anon., The Present Case of a Barbados Planter, and Reasons Against Laying a Further Duty on Sugar ([1695]) Debating the Sugar Trade: Anon., The Irregular and Disorderly State of the Plantation Trade ([1695]); Anon., Reasons Humbly Offered Against Laying a Farther Imposition upon Sugar ([c.1695]); Anon., Reasons Humbly Offered (in Behalf of the Island of Barbados) to the Honorable House of Commons Against Laying a Further Duty on Sugar ([1695]); Anon., The State of the Case of the Sugar Plantations in America ([c.1698]) Anon., A State of the Present Condition of the Island of Barbadoes ([c.1698]) Imperial Governance Anon., Certaine Inducements to Well Minded People ([c.1645]) Encouraging Migration to Jamaica: Oliver Cromwell, By the Protector: A Proclamation Giving Encouragement to such as Shall Transplant Themselves to Jamaica (1655); Daniel Gookin, To All Persons Whom These May Concern (1656); Charles II, By the King. A Proclamation for the Encouraging of Planters in His Majesties Island of Jamaica in the West-Indies (1661) Barbados, A Declaration Set Forth by the Lord Lieutenant Generall (1651); 'A. B.', A Brief Relation of the Beginning and Ending of the Troubles of the Barbados (1653) Bloodshed in Barbados: Anon., Bloudy Newes from the Barbadaes (1652); 'T. H.', A True and Exact Narrative of the Proceedings of the Parliaments Fleet, Against the Island of Barbadoes (1652) Sir Thomas Lynch, A Narrative of Aff airs Lately Received from His Majesties Island of Jamaica (1683); [Samuel Hanson], The Case of Samuel Hanson, Merchant and Planter in Barbados ([1684]); Aphra Behn, To the Most Illustrious Prince Christopher Duke of Albemarle, on his Voyage to his Government of Jamaica (1687); Anon., A Full and True Account of the Beseiging and Taking of Carrickfergus by the Duke of Schomberg (1689); Anon., A Letter to S[ir] C. M. a Member of Parliament, from an Inhabitant of the Island of Barbadoes ([c.1700]) Editorial Notes List of Sources