La vie à Gorée de 1677 à 1789

During the period 1677-1789, the population of the island of Groree increased considerably ; consequently, the occupation extended and improved. Europeans, who first lived in the forts, left them on the XVIIIe century and neglected their maintenance ; they built their homes and différent edifices on the lower part of the island, mingling with the natives. In 1786, the town occupied almost the whole plain ; there were 85 hard constructions, but most of the Negroes lived in straw houses. At the same time, the population passed from 257 inhabitants in 1749 to 1840 in 1785. This expansion is due mostly to the increase of free Negroes and Mulattoes possessing more and more captives. While the mulatto women were frequently wealthy and played an important role, the Negroes, some of them employed by the French, were poor. The white population was composed of the garnison, members of the administration, employées and servants. A director was in charge of ail that population by the time companies were appointed by the King ; after 1763, there was a governor, and, after 1778, a commander ; an administrator was sometimes appointed at the same time. Besides this permanent population, there were the slaves bought on the continent and awaiting their departure towards the New World. The island being barren, supplying it was a real problem. Provisions coming from France were unsufficient ; white people depended upon the Negroes of the continent for supplies of water, food, wood and materials. Some treaties were concluded to resolve the difficulties but they had no results. Hence the idea of abandonning Goree for Dakar pointed out at the end of the xvme century.