Samuel Barrington, the new-comer, leaving home before war had been declared, had orders not to quit Barbados till further instructions should arrive.

These had not reached him when he learned of the loss of Dominica.

The French had received their orders on the 17th of August.
The blow was intrinsically somewhat serious, so far as the mere capture of a position can be, because the fortifications were strong, though they had been inadequately garrisoned.

It is a mistake to build works and not man them, for their fall transfers to the enemy strength which he otherwise would need time to create.

To the French the conquest was useful beyond its commercial value, because it closed a gap in their possessions.