EUSTATIA, ST. is the name of one of the leeward Caribhee Isles, belonging to the Dutch. It is about 29 miles in circumference, and consists of two mountains forming a huge pyramidal rock rising out of the sea. The pyramid terminates in a plain encircled with woods, and has a hollow in the middle, which serves as a den for wild beasts. There is only one landing place in the island, which is of itself difficult of access, and is besides fortified with great skill. Although there are neither springs nor rivers in the island, yet the sides of the mountains are laid out in neat cultivated settlements. The pyramid is cultivated even to the top, and sugar and tobacco are produced in considerable quantities. Hogs, kids, rabbits, and all kinds of poultry, are reared in such abundance, that the inhabitants even supply some of the neighbouring islands.
The property of the island of St Eustatia was first granted by the States-general to some merchants of Flushing. It was settled in 1600, and was taken by an Eng lish armament from Jamaica in 1665. It was afterwards
taken in the time of Louis XIV. by the combined Dutch and French ; and the French king at the treaty of Bre da, retained possession of it in spite of the remonstran ces of his Dutch allies. As soon as the treaty, however, was signed, he restored the island of his own accord to the Dutch. The French drove the Dutch from the Island soon after the revolution in 1688 ; but they were expelled from it in their turn by the English under Sir Timothy Thornhill, who left a small garrison for its de fence. The Dutch obtained entire possession of it at the treaty of Ryswick. Admiral Rodney got posses sion of the island in 1781. The French under the Mar quis de Bouillee retook it before the close of the year, and it was finally restored to the Dutch at the peace of 1783. Population 5000 whites, and 15,000 Negroes. The position of the road according to astronomical ob servations, is in West Long. 63° 4' 45", and in North Lat. 17° 29'. ( j)