Maitland was appointed quartermaster general in the West Indies in 1800, with the rank of Colonel. He commanded a brigade at the capture of St Bartholemew, St Thomas, St Martin, and Santa Cruz in 1801. He was also second in command at the taking of Surinam in 1804. In 1805 Maitland was appointed Governor of Grenada at the express command of George III. In 1807 he saw further action during the recapture of St Thomas and Santa Cruz which had been returned after the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. Coincidentally, Maitland received the surrender of St Thomas from Van Schogen, the same Dutch Governor he had captured the island from in 1801. In 1809 he commanded a brigade during the Invasion of Martinique. In recognition of his services, Maitland was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Dominica.