The island is one of the most fertile in the West Indies in terms of production. Its coffee is particularly excellent, second only to that of Moka. In a common year, it supplies the trade with 6000000 pounds of coffee, 1200000 pounds of cotton, 1800 bricks of raw sugar, a small quantity of cocoa, an inordinate amount of indigo, and abundant cassava flour, which it supplies to a large part of its neighboring islands. This is the product of 14 sugar mills, 347 coffee and cotton dwellings, on which are 789 horses, 1253 horned cattle, 170 mules, 1500 pigs and 2000 sheep and goats.

Its terrain is partly flat on the edges, dull inland, and the climate is healthy. It has two dormant rivers to water livestock in the driest weather. For special needs, nature allows holes to be opened everywhere, where water can be stored all year round. Its inhabitants are polite, honest and hospitable, numbering 421 men bearing arms, 303 boys under 14, 14 gentlemen, 244 women, 56 widows, 150 girls to be married and 273 girls under 12.

Five villages have been established on the island, 2 of them within the last year. Four have their own defensive battery, and the 5th is in the planning stage. The island is not likely to be further fortified, considering that most of its circumference is accessible, and the only opposition is that of its defense. A detachment of 50 men from the Guadeloupe Regiment, and 11 cannoneers from the army's National Corps, currently form its Garrison.