The French colonization of the Antilles began in 1626 and continued throughout the 17th century. Among the first settlers were missionaries of the Catholic Church. After many years spent in the West Indies, missionaries like R. Breton, J.-B. Du Tertre, M. Du Puys, J.-B. Labat, published extensive information, after their return to France, based on their observations and memories. Some of their books met a wild public at once and were repeatedly reprinted. The readers were fascinated not only by the exotic contents but also by their critical tinge. Some of them took over the official standpoint regarding the enslaved peoples. The ruling circles were interested in embellishing the colonial reality in order to attract new colonists, but some other missionaries, led by mercy and compassion, provided honest information about the difficulties met by the first settlers, bloody crimes perpetrated against the indigenous population, servitude of hired workers, sufferings of Negro slaves and enrichment of planters. Altogether they provide reliable information that can be used as a historical source.