St Eustatia, or Eustatius, one of the Caribbee islands, belonging to the Dutch, and situated in W. Long. 62° 36'. N. Lat. 17° 29'. It is little else than a huge mountain, which formerly has, in all probability, been a volcano. Its situation is so strong, that it has but one landing place; and that is fortified in such a manner as to be almost impregnable. Tobacco is the chief product of the island; and it is cultivated to the very top of the pyramid which terminates in a large plain surrounded with woods, but having a hollow in the middle, which serves as a large den for wild beasts. No fewer than 3000 white people and 15,000 negroes subsist on this spot, where they rear hogs, kids, rabbits, and all kinds of poultry, in such abundance, that they can supply their neighbours, after having served themselves.

The first Dutch colony sent to this island consisted of about 1600 people. They were dispossessed by the English from Jamaica in 1665. Soon after, the Dutch and French becoming confederates, the English were expelled in their turn. The French continuing to hold a garrison in the island till the treaty of Breda, when it was restored to the Dutch. Soon after the revolution, the French drove out the Dutch, and were in their turn driven out by the English under Sir Timothy Thornhill, with the loss of no more than eight men killed and wounded, though the fort they took mounted 16 guns, and was in every other respect very strong. Sir Timothy found it necessary for the protection of the Dutch, to leave a small English garrison in the fort; but he granted the French no terms of capitulation, except for their lives and baggage. By the peace of Ryswick, the entire property of this island was restored to the Dutch.

This island was reduced by the British in the year 1781. Though not 20 miles in circumference, it abounded at that time with riches, by reason of the vast conflux of trade from every other island in these seas. Being a free port, it was open to all the subjects of the belligerent powers; and thus a communication was established among them, through which they were enabled to carry on a commercial correspondence, which greatly mitigated the inconveniences of war. The greatest benefit, however, was reaped by the Dutch; who, by transacting all trading business for other nations, were thus intrusted with numberless commissions, and likewise enjoyed vast profits from the sale of the merchandises to which they were entitled. At the time the attack was made upon them, they were so little under the apprehensions of such an event, that their warehouses were not sufficient to contain the quantity of commercial articles imported for sale, and the beach and streets were covered with hogsheads of tobacco and sugar. In this situation, Admiral Rodney having received orders to commence hostilities against the Dutch, suddenly appeared before the island with such an armament of sea and land forces, as in its defenceless situation was not only useless but ridiculous. The governor could scarcely credit the officer who summoned him to surrender; but being convinced how matters stood, the only possible step was taken, namely, to surrender the whole island and every thing in it, at discretion. Along with the island there fell into the hands of the captors a ship of 60 guns, with 250 sail of merchantmen, while the value of property on the island was estimated at no less than four millions sterling. This capture became afterwards a subject of discussion in parliament, where the conduct of the British commanders was severely scrutinized by Mr Burke. The admiral and general made their defence in person; but the minority at that time were far from being satisfied; and it was supposed that on the change of ministry a rigid inquiry would have been set on foot, had not the splendour of Admiral Rodney's victory over de Grasse put an end to all thoughts of that nature.

The island of St Eustatius is naturally of such difficult access, as already observed, that it is almost impossible for an enemy to effect a landing if proper care is taken by those who are in possession of it. This very circumstance proved the ruin of the new possessors. The British, secure in their inaccessible situation, conducted themselves in such a manner as induced the Marquis de Bouillé to make an attempt to regain it. Having sailed from Martinico at the head of 2000 men, he arrived on the 26th of November 1781, off one of the landing places