The Development of the British West Indies, 1700-1763. By F.
W. Pitman. (H. Milford. 10s. 6d. net.)—This valuable book, based on original research, is specially interesting in regard to the trade between the West Indies and the American Colonies. The Molasses Aot of 1733, which the House of Commons passed three years running before the House of Lords would accept it, proved to be a main factor in the revolt of the Colonies, as soon as Pitt began to enforce it a quarter of a century later. The Act was passed at the demand of the sugar-planters, who wanted a monopoly of the trade with North America, and resented the competition of the French, Dutch, and Spanish islands. The Americans strongly objected to losing these foreign markets for their grain, timber, and livestock, and for years practised a systematic evasion of the Act. It is significant that the duties collected on molasses imported into America seldom exceeded £200 a year until 1760, and only begaa to yield a regular and substantial revenue from 1760. But the discontent thus occasioned cost us dear.
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