The Present State of the Sugar Plantations Consider'd; but More Especially That of the Island of Barbadoes. by W.Cleland

The Present State Of The Sugar Plantations Consider'D; But More Especially That Of The Island Of Barbadoes. By William Cleland. This 1714 treatise surveys the governance and economy of Barbados and the Sugar Plantations under British rule. It begins with a call for a stable church establishment as the foundation of colonial society, detailing ecclesiastical governance, the authority of bishops, and the ministrations of curates, then critiques the existing mix of church and civil power, parish finances, and ministerial subsistence. The work then treats Civil Government, outlining the governor’s discretionary power, the council and assembly, and the court system (Chancery, Common Pleas, Exchequer, and magistrates), arguing for reform to prevent corruption, ensure fair taxation, and secure legal due process. The Military section describes the militia, fortifications, and the lack of a suitable harbour or public prison, urging improvements to defense and infrastructure. In Agriculture and Trade, Cleland emphasizes sugar and related products, the potential for new crops, and the regulatory framework governing import, export, and duties. A central argument is that prudent governance, refined by commerce and an improved African slave trade system, is essential to the prosperity and security of Barbados and the British Empire.