'The Capture of Tobago in the West-Indies by the English April 15. 1793'

Coloured line engraving by John Godefroy after J Pass, published by Alex Hogg, 1793 (c).

Under British control from 1763, Tobago was captured by the French during the American War of Independence (1775-1783). The British recaptured the island in 1793, during the Wars of the French Revolution (1793-1797). Major General Cornelius Cuyler (1740-1819) and Vice Admiral Sir John Laforey led a force from Jamaica which assaulted the island, and captured Fort Republique (formerly Fort Catries, and later Fort King George), overlooking the town of Scarborough and Rockly Bay. Tobago briefly returned to French rule in 1802 but was again recaptured by the British in 1803. The French formerly surrendered the island to British rule under the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1814.