The History, Civil and Commercial, of The British Colonies in the West Indies

2 vols.,[2], V-XXXVI, 471, [4], 476-494; [2], 478, [1], 494, [1]pp., 2 folding maps, small repair to folding map, contemporary polished calf, board ruled in gilt, spine gilt, black morocco labels on spines, matching circular number pieces, hinges repaired, marbled endpapers, 4to, London, printed for John Stockdale, 1793

The History describes the indigenous people of the Caribbean, as well as the ancient geography, climate and ecology of the islands. Edwards also provides the early colonial history of the Caribbean, detailing in particular Anglo-Spanish relations and a history of the transatlantic slave trade. He provides details of the recent history of political and economic relations between Britain and the newly independent United States, and he uses his description of modern slavery to advance his argument against abolition.

Bryan Edwards (1743-1800) was a British born politician, who lived much of his life in Jamaica, where he owned a number of plantations. It is estimated that his labour force consisted of around 1,500 slaves. His reflections on the system of slavery make this an important text for the study of colonialism and the evils of the Slave Trade.