Nouvelle relation de la France équinoxiale, contenant la description des côtes de la Guiane ; de l’isle de Cayenne ; le commerce de cette colonie ; les divers changemens arrivés dans ce pays; et les moeurs et coûtumes des différens peuples sauvages qui l’habitent

Name: Nouvelle relation de la France équinoxiale, contenant la description des côtes de la Guiane ; de l'isle de Cayenne ; le commerce de cette colonie ; les divers changemens arrivés dans ce pays; et les moeurs et coûtumes des différens peuples sauvages qui l'habitent
SKU: 18355
Author: Pierre Barrere

Paris, Chez Piget, 1743.

1 vol. (100 x 165 mm) of 1 leaf [blank], 2 leaves, iv, 250 and [1] p., 2 leaves [blank]. Marbled calf, spine with raised bands, gilt fleurons and fillets, lace border on edges (contemporary binding).

First edition. The edition is illustrated with 2 folding maps depicting Amazonia as far as the Marony river and the island of Cayenne, and with 17 double-page plates engraved by Mathey and Le Parmentier. One of the finest works on Guiana, highly sought after for its accuracy.

Pierre Barrère (1690–1755) was sent to Cayenne in 1722 as a correspondent of the Académie des sciences and royal physician-botanist.

His account is extremely thorough: it begins by examining how the first French settlements in Guiana were established, then describes the coasts of this vast province from the Amazon River to the Suriname River. It goes on to give a fairly ample description of the island of Cayenne, recalling the principal events that took place there and depicting the present state of the colony. It discusses trade, and proposes means of making it flourish there. The natural order of the work then leads to a description of the customs and manners of the natives of Guiana, and the account concludes with an enumeration of the various Indian nations spread across the Guiana mainland. It is in the chapter on trade that considerations on sugar cane, annatto, coffee and cacao appear.

#18355

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