ARGUIM, an iſland on the coaſt of Africa, about ſixteen miles diſtant from Cape Blanco, ſituated in W. Long. 16. 30. N. Lat. 20. 20. It is ſcarce two miles in length; notwithstanding which, it was a bone of contention for 87 years between the Portugueſe, Dutch, Engliſh, and French; and, after a variety of fortune, has at laſt been totally abandoned.
This iſland was firſt discovered by the Portugueſe in 1444, when a fleet bound to the eaſt touched at Arguim, and from ſome little trade carried on with the natives, it was imagined that a ſettlement there might be of ſome advantage to Portugal. In conſequence of this opinion, a fort was erected on the iſland, and the Portugueſe enjoyed the peaceable poſſeſſion of it till 1638. At this time, the Dutch having received a minute account of the condition of the iſland, reſolved to attack it; and accordingly landed without moleſtation from the garrifon, which was too weak to oppoſe them. The Portugueſe, however, defended themſelves with great intrepidity, and at laſt ſurrendered upon honourable terms. The Dutch immediately ſet about repairing the fortifications, and ſecuring it in the beſt manner they could: however, in 1665, the fort was reduced almoſt to a heap of ruſh by an Engliſh ſquadron; but as the fortifications were totally deſtroyed, and only a ſmall garrifon left there, it was eaſily retaken by the Dutch the next year. They now redoubled their diligence in ſtrengthening the iſland, entering into alliance with Moorish chiefs, procuring a number of families to ſettle under protection of the fort, and giving extravagant prices for gums, in order to monopolize the gum-trade. By this means the gum-trade of the French Senegal company was almoſt entirely deſtroyed; upon which they fitted out a ſquadron, diſpoſſeſſed the Dutch, and had the iſland finally ceded to them by the treaty of Nimeguen.
Though the Dutch now ſeemed to be finally expelled, they reſolved not to part ſo eaſily with ſuch a valuable ſettlement. Under pretence of being ſubjects of the elector of Brandenburg, therefore, they erected one of the forts which had been demolished, and there
there maintained themselves in spite of the utmost endeavours of the French company to dispose of them. Numberless were the memorials, protests, rescripts, &c. which were published on this occasion, till a new war in 1701 put an end to them. In 1717, however, the French company having found all their remonstrances ineffectual, fitted out a new squadron; but this armament did not arrive at Arguim before Feb. 26th, 1721. The Dutch defended themselves with such intrepidity and conduct as had almost baffled the utmost efforts of the French; but the latter having found means to draw off a Moorish chief from his allegiance, the Dutch were obliged to evacuate Arguim, and retire to Portendic, where they fortified themselves, determining to watch a favourable opportunity for recovering their settlement at Arguim. This was not long wanting, by means of the weakness of the garrison and the imprudence of Duval the French director; who having quarrelled with the Moors, was surprised, defeated, and killed by them; in consequence of which, the settlement fell again into the hands of the Dutch on the 11th of Jan. 1722. In 1723, the Dutch were attacked by another French squadron under the command of the Sieur Rigaudiere. This gentleman boasted that the fort could not hold out one day; but though he prevailed so far as to get possession of the cisterns which contained the water of the besieged, he was at last shamefully repulsed, and forced to raise the siege with precipitation. The Dutch however, did not long enjoy the possession which they had so bravely defended; for, in 1725, their fort was entirely demolished by the French under Du Caille, and has never since been rebuilt by any European nation.