Indeed, it was believed for several days that a desperate action between English and French squadrons had been fought within the distance of a few miles.

By this eruption the vegetation on the north part of the island, comprising one third of the whole territory, was destroyed, and the soil rendered sterile, being covered to a great depth with cinders and ashes.
All the lands in the immediate vicinity were also rendered unfit for cultivation.

What is remarkable, but few lives were lost.

The unfortunate Caribs, however, who comprised about one hundred families, dwelt in this ungenial and unproductive district, and were driven from their homes to find elsewhere and nearer to the habitations of the whites, some desolate spot, shunned by all others, where they could again set up their household gods.
Proceeding past St.Vincent we came to the Grenadines, a cluster of small islands and rocks lying between St.Vincent and Grenada; two of which only, Bequia and Curriacou, are of any importance.

These two islands are fertile, and produce a considerable quantity of cotton.
Others, although small, are cultivated; and the isle of Rhoude, which lies within a few miles of Grenada, is in itself a large cotton plantation.