Dr Rita Pemberton

THE CONTESTED history of Tobago has largely focused on the outcomes of battles between the contending forces of different nations.

The battle for ownership of Tobago which raged among Europeans during the 17th century involved several countries in a complicated web of contests played out on several fronts.

Where the British were concerned, the Governor of Barbados was at the forefront of their assaults on other rivals and claimants who attempted to settle on the island, but the reason for this is not clear. While the manoeuvres of the fighting forces have been made visible, the role of behind-the-scenes political and diplomatic action is less visible; and the impact of European conflicts on the enslaved African population has not received adequate focus.

In the existing literature, March 1677 was a significant year for settlement in Tobago. The island was occupied by the Dutch, but the French were determined to oust them. When a French man-of-war appeared, the Dutch defence strategy was to put women, children and the enslaved population in two boats which were anchored at the rear of the Dutch fleet, which was in the harbour.

The French ship, which caught afire, ended up between the Dutch fleet and the two boats, and all three were consumed by fire. This was a dismal start to the battle, which ended with the defeat of the Dutch, and was a dramatic end to a rivalry which had been building over the century, but was neither the beginning nor the end of European competition for Tobago.

It was certainly a tragic end of a tragic journey for the enslaved population.

Sir Tobias Bridge, having written to the Dutch governor of Tobago on December 19, 1672, asking him to give up the island, Bridge

received a reply from the governor that he would respond only to the orders of his lordship the Prince of Orange, and vowed not to give up the island without a fight.

Despite this response, on December 22, a British expedition led by Bridge went to Tobago, took possession of the fort and reported to the Governor of Barbados that there was no one on the island to resist their occupation. Bridge gave the Dutch Governor, Peter Constant, an ultimatum, and on realising the forces at his command could not match those of the British, Constant asked for a peaceful settlement.

Feeling a sense of victory, Bridge responded with a one-day cessation before his forces would attack. Constant asked to be allowed to depart Tobago in peace with his family, and appointed two delegates to continue discussions with the British on the surrender of the island.

In Barbados, Governor Willoughby was adamant that Tobago should be made a British possession, for he was convinced that if the Dutch were not completely expelled, Barbados and the Leeward Islands would be ruined. His thoughts revolved around the economic implications of British against other European possession of the island. In addition, ownership of Tobago was closely related to the economic concerns of the colony of Barbados.

The matter was hand