EvtKTrfviS-;-''- ' (;-' Jltl}aca, New ^atk BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library The original of tliis bool< is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021109446 [Reprinted, from "Timehri," the Journal of the Royal Agricultural & Commercial Society.] The Records of British Guiana. By N. Darnell Davis. lUR Records! Where are they?" This was the sceptical enquiry made by one whose interests are bound up in the welfare of British Guiana, when a fellow-colonist spoke to him about some of the Records of the Magnificent Province. The' obje6l of this paper is to show, so far as the limits of space in Timehri will allow, not only where those Records are, but, also, what they contain. Records of the settlements of iDemerara, Essequibo, and Berbice, belore the xviiith century, must be sought for in the archives of the Netherlands: chiefly at The Hague, in Holland, and at Middelburgh in Zeeland. Of the XViilth century itself, and of the present century, abundant Records exist in the Public Offices of British Guiana. Those of "the most ancient colony of Berbice," are preserved from " decay's effacing fingers," at the Colony House in New Amster- dam. The Records of Demerara and Essequibo are to be found for the most part in the Govern- ment Secretary's office, at the Public Buildings, and in the Registrar's Office at the Victoria Law Courts, both offices being in the City of Georgetown.* Some "old rubbish "' is 'afslo' stored in one of the two — ' nitnn'~r^"rT7 * Mr. Dalton, Registrar of the Supreme Court, has been good enough to ascertain that, in GeorgetowtiJ tMereatre Wills, from 1767 ; Trans- its, from 1770 ; Contrafts of Ondertrouw, from 1760 ; Miscellaneous Deeds, from 1764. Ir 340 TiMEHRI. small out-buildings adjacent to the Government Offices, Georgetown, whilst the top story of the building now occupied as an office by the Chief Commissary, has long been used as a place to shoot such " rubbish." What the old Records can tell us, will best be learned by giving notes of their contents, as these may be gathered from Indices in English, made not many years ago by two colonists knowing in the Dutch language. These experts were employed in the work of indexing the old Dutch papers, only so long as a vote of the Combined Court for the purpose lasted. When that was spent the work was discontinued. The Volumes thus indexed are preseryed in the Government Secre- tary's Office, Georgetown, The Notes following do not pretend to give more than a mere idea of what can be learned about some of the subje6ls upon which informa- tion is desirable. Documents relating to the question of cutting a Canal between the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers abound, and would, of themselves, make a book, if printed. There is also a copy of the famous Plan of Redress. These, and numberless other matters are, however, not even mentioned in the following Notes. The Supreme Authority in Holland. — On January the 7th 1792, the King of Holland assumed the dire6t control over Demerara and Essequibo, on the expiration of the Charter of the West India Company, and proclamation was made that all officers were to be continued in their appointments until further orders. Up to that date, the Directors of the Company, the States General of the Netherlands,' and tne Stadtholders, had from time to time exercised authority over the colonis^. The last named issued InstruClions for Governors and Records of British Guiana. 341 Councillors, on the 13th of April 1773. On the 23rd March 1772, the Sovereign issued an Ordinance with respeft to persons using improper language and behaving disrespeftfully towards the Courts. This was republished in the colony on the 24th of March 1788. On the 4th of Oaober 1 784, the Council of Ten ordered the Direftor General to send to Holland every year a certain quantity of preserves made of fruits growing in the colony. The Colonial Government. — The colonies were governed by a Direfteur General, at Head-Quarters, with a subordinate officer called Commandeur, in direfl charge of the sister colony. There was a Colonial Receiver of Taxes, a Secretary and Book- keeper, and a Fiscal.* The homely title of Bookkeeper, appears to have originated from the keeping of the books of the West India Company's Estates in the two colonies. On the 2nd of Oftober 1773,. th^ Court of Policy of Essequibo prescribed the mode of keeping the colony's books (p. 325). In 1779, the Court of Direc- tors of the Company, ordered that a yearly account of Poll, and Colonial, Taxes, signed by the Colonial Receiver and two members of the Court, was to be sent to the Direftors. On the 17th May 1778, the Direfilors wrote out instruClions about the rank of the Fiscal (p. 293). * Matthias Tinne was appointed Receiver of the colony of Demerara on the 14th of July 1794, by the Council for the colonies. On the 6th of July 179S1 he was appointed Secretary of the colony by Governor Beaujon. When the office of Secretary was conferred by Patent upon John Sullivan, that gentleman appointed P. F. Tinne to be his Deputy, on the 28th of April 1804. This latter as the Secretary to the Court of FUlicy, countersigned the Articles of Capitulation, of the i8th Sep- tember, 1804. 342 TiMEHRI. On the i6lh of January 1779, 50 guilders were voted to the Marshal, BoiN, for distributing Publications in Essequibo (p. 137.) The Administration of the colonies was reformed by Deputies of the States General, 26th May 1789, (Lo. F. No.) The Colonial Legislature. — On the 5th of Oftober, 1766, the Court of Policy of Essequibo passed a Reso- lution as to absent Members (p. 25). On the 14th of April, 1772, the Members of that Court protested against serving unless they were paid for doing so (p. 206).* On the 2nd of January, 1773, Albertus BACKER requested permission to resign his seat. This was granted, and thanks were voted to Mr. BACKER for his services (p. 26i)t On the 5th of February, 1778, there is a record of the arrest of the Members of both Rivers (p. 85). This a£tion seems hardly in consbnance with a Publica- tion of the 6th August, 1776, with regard to respeft for authorities (pp. 204, 213, 229). On the 2nd of March, 1779, A. Thierens applied to be excused from serving as a Member, and was so excused (pp. 158, 159). The Court of Policy resolved, on the 31st of July, 1797, that any person who should be elefled a Councillor of Policy, was to be obliged to accept the ofifice, under a penalty of 3,000 guilders. Then, as now, Colonists stood upon the order of their * In 1773, Demerara was given a Court of Policy of its own. ■* f Albertus Backer was a(>pointed Commandeur, ad interim, of- Essequibo, on the i8th of April 1787. On the iSth of,August 1789, he was appointed Governor, in the room of Jan I'^pinasse, and was re-appointed Commandeur of Essequibo on the 31st March 1793. Leave of absence was granted to him, for one year, on the 31st March 1794, and, on the 2nd of August 1796, he was re-appointed CommandeCf of Essequibo on his returnito the colony. Records of British Guiana. 343 going, and even in those times tlie Home authorities were called upon to settle questions of precedence. A resolution of the Council of Ten, of the loth 06lober, 1774, prescribed the Rank of Members at the Meetings (p. 170)5 and another Resolution of the 13th April, 1773, provided for precedence in the Combined Court of Policy for the two colonies (pp. 147 to 164). On the 14th of May, 1778, the Council of Ten expressed their astonish- ment that their instru6lions with regard to holding the Combined Court of Pplicy twice a year, had not been observed (p. 281.) The College of Keizers. — On the 13th of April, 1744, J. C. Van Bercheyck was allowed to resign his rank as Captain and Eleftor of the Burghers, ,on condition of his becoming Major of the Militia (p. 5). As hereinafter npted, Jan DudonjoN applied, in 1746, for a Certificate of Honesty, and was refused it. "He was a Member of the College of Keizers. His colleagues of that College thereupon protested against sitting with him, ' as he is a dishonest man ' (p. 20). There was much ado in consequence, but, as the outcome of the charafter given him, or taken away from him, DUDONjON was, on the 28th 0£lober, 1746, dismissed from the Militia and from the College of Keizers (p. 22). The Council of Ten defined the Powers of the College on the 15th of-May, 1776 (pp. 195, et seqs :). On the 12th of January, 1779, the College sent up two names to the Court of Policy for the eleClion of one Member of the latter body. After one of the names had been chosen, the Eleftion was annulled, and the College was asked to rgike a fresh nomination (p. 62). On the 15th of April, 1790, an eleflion became necessary to fill the vacancy 344 TiMEHRJ. caused by the departure of CHARLES DesBARATZ (p. 13-) On the 8th of June 1796, the Court of Policy repri- manded the College of Keizers, and enjoined upon them not to refuse to serve as members of the Court of Policy when thereto elefted. Grants of Land. — A Resolution as to the granting of landls was adopted by the Court of Policy on the 29th September 1770 (p. 123). Information was asked for by the Court of Direftors, on the 24th of November 1772, as to the rights and conditions of granting lands in Essequibo and Demerara. A Resolution of the Council of Ten at Amsterdamj dated 14th April 1773, conveyed authority to make grants of land, under conditions. Instru6lions from the Court of Zeeland, dated 27th De- cember 1773, regulated the same matter. The proceed- ings of the Court of Policy on the 2nd October 1773, included the question of the jurisdi6lion of the Court as to grants of land (p. 323). The conditions of grants of land were dealt with in Resolutions of the States General, between the 14th April 1773 and the 21st September 1774 (pp. 13, 49, 57). The Court of Direc- tors at Amsterdam had something to say upon the > subje6l on the 12th October 1794 (pp. i to 3). By a Resolution of the Council of Ten, of the ist of May 1776 it was ordered that charts should be attached to applica- tions for lands (p. 142). In the minutes of the Courts of Policy and of Civil and Criminal Justice of Essequibo and Demerara, there are notes of Publications of Titles to land, on the 7th May and 3rd June, 1790, and on the 1 8th May 1792. A Resolution of the States General, ' of the 9th August, 1792, laid down Rules forthe granting d& lands (pp. 76 to 84). As to Depths, in 1752, 750 Roods Records of British Guiana. 345 was fixed. Before that year, a Depth was 500 Roods. A Resolution of the Court of Policy on the nth August, 1765, dealt with the Depths allowed behind the planta- tions, for cutting wood (p. 5) The Minutes of the Com- bined Court of Policy of the 20th of June, 1775, include the question of Measurements of lands in both Rivers ; and a Resolution of the Council of Ten, at Amsterdam, of the 17th May, 1766, relates to grants of lands and double depths (pp. 187 to 189). On the i6th of August 1787 the Governor and Court of Policy ordained that all persons who had obtained grants of uncultivated lands, should build upon the same within six months,' and have such lands properly measured, under penalty of having them restored to Government. A Proclama- tion with respeft to uncultivated lands in Canal No. 3, was issued on the 17th of May 1799- With so many transaftions in land, there was of course need of Land Surveyors, among whom the brothers De Saffon are frequently named. On the 5th of 06tober 1771, the Court of Policy interrogated the Land Surveyors with regard to the difference in the length of their chains, and upon other points. A Resolution was adopted with regard to the iron rod to be used for measuring lands, and as to the mode of using it (p. .184J. On the 14th of January 1772, Reports of Measurements were laid over, and it was ordered that Publication be made of them, (p. 201). A Resolution of the Court of Policy, on the 3rd July 1773 (p. 297), provided for the prevention of disputes arising through difference in the Land Measurers' chains. On the 5ch of May 1790, the Governor and Court of Policy required all persons who had obtained grants of land to exhibit the same within 346 TiMEHRI. six months from date. On the 30th April 1792, Governor Backer required all grantees to call for their " cards of measurement" within three months, or to forfeit the same to the West India Company on the expiration of that period.* Acre Money. — In the minutes of the Court of Policy of Essequibo, at a Meeting held at Fort Zeelandia on the 4th May, 1766, will be found a Letter of the 2nd December 1765, from their High Mightinesses with regard to Acre Money, and a Resolution of the Court thereupon. In the minutes of the Combined Court of Policy, held at the same place, on the 19th of June 1775, the introduc- tion of Acre Money into both rivers formed a subje6l of deliberation. The postponement of the discussion upon the question of the introduction of Acre Money is noted in the minutes of the Court of Policy on the 12th and 'i8th of January 1778, (pp. 2, 16). In the Court of Policy, on the i6th January 1779, there was a proposal " to publish" the introdu6lion of Acre Money. Whites.— By a Resolution of the Council of Ten, dated 30th of September 1784, it was proposed that Dutch peasants should be induced to settle in the Colonies, there to breed cattle, &c. The Immigration of * The following is an Extraft from a Report made to Governor Sir Henry Light, on the i8th of January 1839, ^y William Hadfield, Crown Surveyor : — " The Dutch Government, on the first settlement of the Colony, gave grants of 2000 acres, and some even greater, but it was afterwards deemed advisable to limit them to looo acres — subse- quently to soo; and lastly to 250, with a provision by which the grantee was entitled to an additional 250 acres, on shewing that he had in cultivation frds the extent of his former grant. Since that they have been by the instruftions of her Majesty's Government, of date"h March 1831, limited to lOQ acres." Records of British Guiana. 347 European farmers is contemplated in a Resolution of the 15th Oftober following. The Combined Court of Policy at Fort Zeelandia, ordered on the loth of January 1774, that there should be one white man over every 30 slaves on an estate, in both Rivers. By a Publication of the nth Feb- ruary 1784, all plantations were required to have one white man for every 50 slaves. On the 19th 06lober 1778, a Proclamation was issued in relation to white servants and slaves. There is mention of a list of inhabitants in Essequibo, in the Minutes of the Court of Policy of the 6th March 1779 (p. 168). Slaves. — The catching of escaped slaves is mentioned in the Minutes of the Court of Justice of Essequibo, on the 3rd of July 1747, and owners of slaves were for- bidden to make them work on Sundays, at a meeting of the same Court on the 8th of January 1748. The Minutes of that body on the 6th of January 1766 contain a request that the sinews of a runaway slave might be cut, which application is noted as postponed to next Court. The Combined Court of Policy, on the 24th of June, 1775, decided that slaves were liable to pay taxes, as being " private persons." In the Minutes of the Court of Policy of Essequibo, held at Fort Zeelandia on the i8th of March 1779, there is recorded an account rendered for plantains delivered for the use of Galley Slaves. So early as the 9th of Oflober 1769 do the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses and the Court of Direftors, tell of correspondence with the Court of Madrid, with regard to the desertion of slaves to the Orinoco, which, after many years resulted in the Extradition Treaty mffie at Aranjuez, between Spain and the Netherlands on the 23rd of June 1791. It is somewhere stated 348 TiMehri. in these Piecords that the runaway slaves did not gain by their escape, as, after promptly baptising them, the Spaniards made them work harder than their Dutch masters had done. A decree of the States General of the 23rd of May 1776, provided that, in the case of slaves going to Europe and returning to the colony, security should be given for any such slave leaving the colony. The Court of Policy enafted on the 24th May, 1784, that all slaves were to pay the colony 100 guilders for their manumission. On the same day in 1785, it was further ordered that property left by slaves at their death should belong to their masters, and that no person should sell any slave, unless such person proved the slave to be his property. On the 6th of August, 1794, Governor Grovenstin, -prohibited slaves to carry and fire any guns, under heavy punishment, and from the 13th June, 1795, slaves were not allowed to walk abroad, either by day or night, without a special permission from their masters. On the 4th of April, 1796, Governor BeaujoN allowed the importation ot slaves in Neutral vessels, and on the following 27th of July, it was forbidden to import slaves without a special licence, under penalty of 1,000 guilders. On the 24th of July, 1784, it was oWered that three acres of plantains should be grown on each Estate, for every slave. Indians. — Among the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses and the Court of DireClors is one dated 19th November, 171 7, allowing the inhabitants to purchase Indian slaves in the Orinoco. Another Resolution of the i6th November, 1752, treats of the Trade in Indian Slaves. On the 3rd of July, 1753, l^e Trade in Red Slaves formed a subjeft for the considera- Records of British Guiana. 349 tion of the Court of Policy of Essequibo. It was not until the ist of May, 1793, that, by a Proclamation of GROVENSTIN'S, it was forbidden to purchase or take Free Indians as slaves. The Council of Ten at Amsterdam, on the loth of 06lober, 1774, enjoined upon the Colonial authorities that the friendship of the Indians was to be cultivated,. The treatment of the Indians was considered by the Combined Court of Policy on the 24th of February, 1776. The kidnapping of Indians was before the Court of Justice of Essequibo on the 6th and 19th of January, 1750, and that body enjoined non-interference with the Indians, at its sitting on the 7th OClober, 1755. The same Court decided upon the appointment of an Indian Interpreter on the 21st March, 1768. Grants of land to the Indians are dealt with in a Resolution of the Court of Direfilors of the 30th of September, 1784. Religion. — In the Minutes of the Court of Justice of Essequibo, on the 5th July, 1745, there is record of an application to the Court for the i^ per cent, charged on Vendues, to be given in aid' of the repairs to the Church. The Court granted favourable letters to the Consistory, to their High Mightinesses (p. 12). A Resolution of the Council of Ten at Amsterdam, of the 15th of April, 1773, treated of the building of a Church (p. 241). In the Minutes of the Court of Policy of Essequibo, of the 2nd 06lober [773, there is an application from the Sexton and Precentor for payment by a fixed salary for burial of the dead. The good man also askfed that money due to him for binding books in the Secretary's Office, be paid to him, (p. 325). In the 'Minutes of the same Court, of the 4th of Feibrurary 1779, 350 TiMEHRI. there is mention of panes of glass for a Cliurch, (p. 157)." The Court of Policy of Essequibo, on the 5th of March, 1 779, resolved that land was to be granted at Fort Island, for a Church (pp. 164, 165). On the 8th of January, 1780, the Court of Policy received a remonstrance from the Reverend Mr. LiNGUlS against the smallness of the amount allowed for ringing the Church Bell (p. 391). The Council of Ten, on the 30th September, 1784, ordered that a Church was to be erefted in Demerara for the extension of Religion, (p. 47). So far back as on the 8th April, 1748, a day for General Thanksgiving was fixed by the Court of Justice of Essequibo (p. 34.) On the 3rd of February, 1778, the Court of Policy orddned that a general Thanksgiving should be held on the first Wednesday in May, in each year (p. 48). It speaks well for the Coloaists that, so long ago as the 5th of January, 1771, the Court of Policy should have adopted a Resolution imposing penalties upon parties dete6led in the illtreatment of dumb animals (p. 138). Courts of Justice. — On the 12th of August 1765, it was decided by the Court of Justice of Essequibo, to have prayers before the opening of the business of the Court (p. i). On the 27th of November 1769, an appli- cation from the Baron Van Grovenstin, to pra6lise before that Court, was rejefted (p. 249). The Baron survived this repulse, and afterwards became Governor of the united colony.* A Resolution of the Council of * To carry out the Plan of Redress, whichhad been sanftioned by the States General, the Prince of Orange appointed Baron Van Grovenstin and Mynheer Boey, Comnjissioners, to proceed to the colony and there inaugurate the new state of things. They arrived in the colony in May 1789. On the 31st of March 1793, publication was made that#he Prince of Orange had appointed the Baton to be Governor General and Records of British Guiana. 351 Ten at Amsterdam, of the 15th April 1773, treats of the hearing of cases, of the nomination, eleflion, and resig- nation of members of the Court, and of their salaries, (pp. 237 to 239). A Resolution of the Council of Ten, of the 7th 06lober 1784, laid down what Laws, &c., were to be in force in Demerara and Essequibo, and dealt with Preferent Claims, and many other important matters (pp. 26 to 28). There are Resolutions of the States General of the 7th and loth Oftober 1774, re- lating to the Administration of Justice (pp. 165, 169). The States General, on the loth 06lober 1774, ordered that certain Law Books were to be kept in use in the Courts of Justice, for reference (pp. 195, 196). By a Resolution of the Council of Ten at Amsterdam, of the loth 06lober 1774, Law Books were to be sent to Demerara. On the same date it was decided to give an increase of Table Money for the Demerara and Esse- quibo Courts, and the quantity of Rum to be allowed to the Dire6lor General and other Officials, was regulated, (pp. 91 to 107). Of the Punishments infli6led by the Courts, the following are instances. On. the ist of April 1754, a mulatto slave named LoN, for desertion, was sentenced to have his ears cut off. On the same day. Cess, a free creole, for impertinence to C. F. CONNING, was ordered to be severely flogged (p 86, 87). Some- Major General of Demerara and Essequibo. In May 1795, Van Groven- stin, apparently siding with the Revolutionary Party in Holland, threw up the Government, and sailed for Martinique in the frigate Zebra. Upon this, the Members of the Court of Policy formed them- selves into a Provisional Government, on the 9th of May 1795. This ^te of things lasted until Governor Beaujon assumed the Govern- ment.'by appointment, dated 29th June, from the States General. 352 " TlMEHRI. where between 1765 and 1769, one RoSEN was sen- tenced to be exposed under the gallows for an hour on ' a public day,' with a cord round his neck, and to be banished ft'om the colony, whiht his pirbperty was to bfe cbttfiscat'ed to deflrdy the expenses of the suit. On the 3rd ot July 1769, PiETER, Jan, Louis, and Quakhoe, negro slaves, charged with riot, were sentenced to be whipped, their ears and noses- to be cut off, after which they, were to be banished from the colony (p. 219.) UpOn the question of punishing by banishment, the opinion of Dutch lawyers, was enclosed with a Resolu- tion of the States General of the 2nd of 06lober r772 (p. 223). In the Court of Justice of Essequibo, on the 3rd October 1769, a proposal respefiling the purchase of another negro to be employed as Executioner, was referred to the Court of Policy (p. 249). Compensation was given to ov^ners by the colony for slaves executed for crimes, until the ist September 1795, when indemnifica- tion in such cases was abolished. In Civil Matters, the working of the Courts may be illustrated by the following notes. On application to the Court of Justice of Essequibo, a certificate of good chara6ler was, on the 3rd January 1746, issued to D. DOELEMS. At the same time, the Court refused a similar ceirtificate to Jan Dudonjo.'J. On the 7th of July 1768, the Court granted a certificate of good charafter to the Baron VAN Grovenstin ^p, 162). Letters of Protec- tion were granted to one MoORE, in the year 1767, for ten years, for the re-establishment of his affairs, (pp. 80, 95). In the Combined Court of Policy, held at Fort Zeelandia, on the loth January 1774, it was resolvedfcto have the names of persons desirous of leaving either Records of British Guiana. 353. river, published and re-published, (p. 4). In the Resolu- tions oi the States General, on the 28th August 1775, there is an opinion of Dutch lawyers respecting an Appeal, Pro Deo, against a sentence of the Court of Demerara (p. 147). The publication of claims against Boedels was provided for by the Combined Court on the 29th of June 1775 (pp. 92 to 96). The Court of Justice of Essequibo, on the 5th of May 1766, allowed 5 per cent, for the administration of Boedels (p. 41). As to Intestates, there is an opinion of the Orphan Chamber, on the loth April 1752, as to persons dying without wills, (189). On the 9th July 1791, it was ordered that notice be given in cases of deaths of intestates, (p. 200). The charges and commissions of the Orphan Chamber were dealt with by the Council of Ten at Amsterdam, on the loth 06lober 1774, (p. 170). Publication as to Insol- vents' Boedels in Demerara and Essequibo was provided for by a Resolution of the States General of the 30th of May 1777 (pp. 336 to 361). It was ordered by the Council of Ten, on the 4th June 177B, that no member of the Court should be a sequestrator (p. 318). Marriage. — The Advocate Trotz seems to have had some trouble in getting married to Mrs. Spoors. One MlLBOURNE stopped the marriage, as appears by the proceedmgs of the Court of Justice of Essequibo, on the loth of December 1765 (p. 25). Trotz thereupon brought a suit against MlLBOURNE, and gained it. MilboUrne appealed, and the publication of Banns was postponed in consequence [See Minutes of Court of Justice, loth December 1765, and 7th July 176,6, pp. 19 to 2^ and 49]. In the same Court on the 5th of May 1766, an application was made for leave to marry the wife of a 354 TiMEHRl. man who had left the colony some years before (p. 41). On the 3rd of 0£lober 1768, Invariable Disunion was held to be good cause for a separation between man and wife Cp. 180). In 1776, a case arose where it was desirable to publish the Banns of Marriage three times in one day. The Colonial Court granted the application on the 20th May, and the parties were married (pp. 188 to 200) . The matter was reported to the Council of Ten at Amsterdam, who approved of what had been done, and they sent out a Resolution as to publishing three Banns in one day in special cases. On the 3rd and 5th df June 1790, the Governor and Court of Policy resolved that no persons should be allowed to marry out of Church unless they paid the colony 100 guilders. (L. G. No. 7). Transports. — On the 5th of January 1771, S. C. Van Bercheych made an application to the Court of Policy of Essequibo that an error made in passing a certain Transport should be rectified. The application was granted. On the 4th of July 1772, a Resolution of the Court of Policy was passed with regard to Fees for Transports. On the loth of 06lober 1774, the Council of Ten at Amsterdam made rules for the Passing of Transports, and, in May 1776, the same body fixed provisionally the charges for Transports and Mortgages. In the Combined Court, on the 23rd February 1776, there was a discussion as to the Passing of Transports (p. 171). In the Court of Policy on the 19th of 06tober 1778, there was a discussion upon Transports and Mort- gages (pp. loi, 1063. It was not until the British Occupation, that it became requisite to advertise Trans- ports and Mortgages intended to be passed. This w^ done by an order of the Court of Justice, dated 7th May, Records of BRixisH Guiana. 355 and published on the i6th May, 1807, which required three advertisements in the Gazette. Mortgages. — In the Court of Justice of Essequibo and Demerara on the 6th January, 1766, a decision was given that Mortgages are Preferent Claims (p. 35). On the 4th of April, 1769, there was an order of the Court of Justice respefting the Passing of Mortgages (p. 48.) The same Court ruled on the 28th of November following that non-produclion of Certificates of the Vendue Master invalidated Mortgages, Cp. 254J On the 8th of July 1774, the States General forwarded an opinion of Dutch Lawyers upon a question relating to Mortgages, (p. 28), and on the i8th of August 1777, the same body dealt with the question of Mortgage as a Preferent Claim (pp. 368 to 380.) Separation of Demerara from the Government OF Essequibo. — From its constitution as a Colony in 1745, Demerara was ruled by the Courts of Policy and Justice of Essequibo. In 1773, the settlement of Demerara had become so considerable that the latter was given a Court of Policy and a Court of Justice of its own. On the 25th of January 1773, the States General granted the Courts power to exercise certain rights/over the Colonies of Essequibo and Demerara. Respe6ting the Laws and Regulations in force before the Separation, . there were Resolutions of the States General, dated 6th Oaober, 1774, (pp. 54, 56), and 30th May 1777, (p. 350.) The Combined Court of Policy held at Fort Zeelandia on the loth of January 1774 (p. 2), and the 23rd June 1775 (p. 55), laid down that the Jurisdiflion of Essequibo commenced at the Boerasirie Creek. In i8c6, Governoi ^ENTINCK proclaimed, on the 22nd November, that 356 TiMEHRI. from the ist January 1807, the Boundary of Deroerara should extend beyond the Boerasirie Creek to the Bonasique Creek. The confusion in the Secretary's Office of Essequibo, at the time of the Separation, is mentioned in the Minutes ot the Combined Court, of the 30th June 1775 (pp. 125 to 136). Transfer of the Seat of Government from Essequibo to DemerAra.— By a Resolution of the Council of Ten, of the 30th of September 1784, at was ordered that the Headquarters of both Colonies were to be in Demerara, and that the Dire6lor General was to reside there (p. 106). A Resolution of the same body, on the 14th of the same month, had ordered that " the 'City of Demerara" should be called Stabroek, and that the Dire6lor General and Members of the Court of Essequibo and Demerara were to be informed of the same (p. 10 1). It seems reasonable to conclude that the name of Stabroek was given by the Council, out of compliment to one of their own number, as, on the 14th August 1 780, the Court of Policy had received notifica- tion from the Council of the death of one of this body, and of the appointment in his stead of Mynheer Geel- VINCK, Lord of Stabroek (p. 7). The publication of the name thus given appears to have not been made until the nth of February, 1785,* (L. B., No. 7). On the 2nd of February 1785, the Direflors of the West India Company appointed jAN L'EspiNASSE to be Governor of * On the 29th of January 1799, Werk-en-Rust was incorporated with Stabroek. The union of Stabroek and the adjoining distrifls under the name of Georgetown, was resolved by Governor Carmichael and the Court of Policy on the 29th of April i8r2. See the Notice in thegi Essequibo and Demerary Royal Gazette of the 5th of May 1812. Records of British Guiana. 357 Essequibo and Demerara (L. B. No. i), and on the 8th of June following, the Governor and Court of Policy enafled the Union of the Courts of Policy of Demerara and Essequibo, publication of the fa6l being made on the same day. The Union of the Courts of Justice of the two Colonies did not, however, take place until the ist of April 181 2, during the British Occupation. But for the Indices, in English, the contents of the volumes of old Dutch Records would be, to most colonists, mysteries as hidden as are the meanings of the Pifture Writings on the rocks of Guiana, from which Timehri takes its name. With the help of the Indices, however, enquirers gifted with a knowledge of Dutch may yet do something to let iis learn more of the Colony's past than has hitherto been within our ken. '\!}i^:^A-mrfr'r^:^>V':o\44' : • ;: