**Barbadoes**, one of the Caribbees, is the most easterly of the West India islands, and the oldest colony of the British empire. It was probably discovered by Columbus or some of his companions, but they seem to have deserted it in pursuit of more splendid acquisitions; as, on the landing of the English in 1605, it was covered with thick forests, and destitute both of inhabitants and cultivation; they found a breed of swine, however, a proof of its having been previously visited. The favourable reports which these navigators gave of it on their return induced some enterprising Englishmen to plant a colony in it; and the island becoming a sanctuary for the royalists during the civil wars, it was rapidly peopled, and soon rose to great opulence. The earl of Marlborough obtained a grant of the island from James I.; and in 1627 it was made over by patent to the earl of Carlisle, from whom it was taken and given to the earl of Pembroke, but afterwards restored. When at the height of its prosperity, which was about the time of the restoration of Charles II., upon the planters appealing to the king, the earl of Carlisle was deprived of the hereditary proprietorship, and the legislation vested in the crown; the planters being confirmed in their possessions by submitting to a duty of four and a half per cent. on all the exported produce of the island; which tax is still continued, and is considered by the proprietors and merchants as an oppressive and vexatious impost.