'Despite the early promises, the period of profitability of the sugar industry was short-lived since continuing conflicts between Britain and France resulted in economic havoc on the island'

DR RITA PEMBERTON

THE BRITISH possession of Tobago in 1763 was heralded by a wave of optimism about the island’s economic prospects, which was fanned by reports of its fertility and the possibilities for bountiful trade.

The British administration quickly divided the island into lots of a maximum of 500 acres which were advertised for sale by public auction on the London market with the intention to create plantations and establish a resident British population as a buffer against any further French attempts on the island.

Because of the growing demand for tropical products, there was no shortage of buyers, the first batch of which came from the land commissioners, the group of surveyors who mapped the island and demarcated the lots. Investors from across the United Kingdom – parliamentarians, government officials, members of the wealthiest families, a significant number of Scotsmen – and plantation owners from Barbados purchased land in Tobago.

As was required by the British government, the land was to be brought into cultivation within a year of purchase and owners were expected to bring in the required labour. After a short period of experimentation with cotton and other crops, sugar cane became the crop of choice.

The decision to develop sugar plantations stimulated four developments which were to have a long-term impact on the island.

Firstly, the trade in captive Africans resulted in Africans forming the numerically dominant element of the island’s population, their numbers totalling 3,090 by 1790.

Secondly, most of the plantation owners were absentees, causing the white population to remain small and male dominated, numbering 239 in 1790, of which 209 were males.

Thirdly, the trade was lucrative to the merchants who provided essential estate supplies and African labourers.

And fourthly, the sugar industry stimulated indebtedness because it required large capital inputs to purchase labour and establish the required factory buildings.

This was provided by financiers on whom the plantation owners became dependent. Indebtedness remained a feature of the Tobago sugar industry from its beginning to its end.

Very early in involvement in commercial sugar production, the island was faced with various challenges which impacted on plantation operations. This new sugar-producing colony faced severe shortages and heavy cost increases, which resulted from continued warfare.

The American War of Independence, which began in 1776, caused shortages of food and essential goods. The trade system of the British possessions was based on the importation of cheap food from the North American colonies to feed the enslaved population.

It was assumed that the returns from the sale of sugar would cover the cost of its production, but they did not. However, the American revolution resulted in dramatic shortages and sign