Basseterre was
founded in 1627 by the French, under SieurPierre
Belain d'Esnambuc. It served as capital of the French colony of
Saint-Christophe, which consisted of the northern and southern extremities of
the island of St. Kitts (the centre was yielded to Britain). WhenPhillipe de Longviliers de Poincywas made the French governor of St.
Kitts in 1639, the town
