an island on the coast of Africa, about fifteen miles distant from Cape Blanco, situated in W. Long. 16. 50. 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 garrison, 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 an heap of rubbish by an English squadron; but as the fortifications were totally destroyed, and only a small garrison 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 maintained themselves in spite of the utmost endeavours of the French company to dispossess them. Numberless were the memorials, protests, recriminations, &c., which were published on this occasion, till a new war in 1701 put an end to them. In 1717, however, the Arguim 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 Portendie, 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 surprized, 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 Caffe, and has never since been re-built by any European nation.