But, from some cause or other, they died out, and that before far inferior numbers of invaders.

In 1783, when the numbers of the whites were only 126, of the free coloured 295, and of the slaves 310, the Indians numbered only 2032.

In 1798, after the great immigration from the French West Indies, there were but 1082 Indians in the island.

It is true that the white population had increased meanwhile to 2151, the free coloured to 4476, and the slaves to 10,000.

But there was still room in plenty for 2000 Indians.