Dominica Colonial Records

French Colonization (1632-1783)
France established their first permanent settlements in Dominica in 1690. In 1727, Dominica formally became a colony of France when the first French commander instituted a French government. During the Seven Years' War in 1761, Britain conquered the island and France ceded the island to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris. In 1778, with the help of France, the population of the island tried to recapture Dominica. However, the Treaty of Parish 1783 returned the island to British control.