Details
ST HELENA
Manuscript copy book of East India Company dispatches from St Helena between 1673 and 1748, [mid-19th century], 368 pages, folio, (the first two leaves missing), contemporary reverse calf, blind stamped with arms of the East India Company (hinges weak, loss to head of spine, extremities rubbed, small gash to upper cover).
A comprehensive source, emenating from the legendary East India Company bureaucracy, for the early history of the island, covering the initial occupation, and all aspects of administration and trade. St Helena was discovered, uninhabited, in 1502 by Joo de Nova, and named by him. It was initially occupied under Portuguese auspices, but control had passed to the Dutch by 1645. On the departure of the Dutch in 1651 the island was promptly expropriated by the East India Company, and their possession was confirmed by charter in 1661. During the period described in the present manuscript the island's economy was dominated by slave plantations and by provisions for the refitting of ships passing down the coast of Africa to the Cape. Governor Stephen Poirier (1697-1707) was sadly unsuccessful in his attempts to introduce viticulture to St Helena.
Manuscript copy book of East India Company dispatches from St Helena between 1673 and 1748, [mid-19th century], 368 pages, folio, (the first two leaves missing), contemporary reverse calf, blind stamped with arms of the East India Company (hinges weak, loss to head of spine, extremities rubbed, small gash to upper cover).
A comprehensive source, emenating from the legendary East India Company bureaucracy, for the early history of the island, covering the initial occupation, and all aspects of administration and trade. St Helena was discovered, uninhabited, in 1502 by Joo de Nova, and named by him. It was initially occupied under Portuguese auspices, but control had passed to the Dutch by 1645. On the departure of the Dutch in 1651 the island was promptly expropriated by the East India Company, and their possession was confirmed by charter in 1661. During the period described in the present manuscript the island's economy was dominated by slave plantations and by provisions for the refitting of ships passing down the coast of Africa to the Cape. Governor Stephen Poirier (1697-1707) was sadly unsuccessful in his attempts to introduce viticulture to St Helena.