im: BRITISH GUIANA BOUNDARY. AKBITMTION WITH THE UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA. APPENDIX TO THE CASE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY. VOLUME II. 1724-1763. LONDON : PRINTED ^AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE, BY HARRISON AND SONS, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY. 1898. PKEFATORY NOTE. THE sources from which the documents contained in this Appendix have been obtained are indicated, in the case of the Spanish documents and of a few English documents taken from the British Museum, by side-notes in each case. As in the majority of cases the originals of Dutch documents are in the hands of Her Majesty's Government, no side-notes have been added to them. They are mainly taken from the original series of Essequibo records now deposited in the Record Office on behalf of the Colonial Office in London ; a few are taken from the records in the Colony at Georgetown ; several from the Rijksarchief at the Hague. As far as possible only material extracts have been given. INDEX. Serial} No. From or to whom. Date. Subject. Page 167 Court of Policy, Essequibo Jan. 9, 1724 New coffee plantation in Cuyuni 1 168 Court of Policy to West India Company Mar. 23, „ State of the coffee plantations 1 169 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company „ 26 „ New clearing for a coffee plantation in the River Cuyuni 1 170 Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company June 15, „ State of the coffee plantations 1 171 Court of Policy, Essequibo Aug. 16, „ Hostilities between the Maganouts, Caribs, and Akawois 2 172 Ditto Sept. 3, ,, Rebellion of the Maganouts 2 173 Ditto Jan. 31, 1725 Ditto.. 3 174 Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company Aug. 4, 1726 Dispatch of Jan Baptiste to Orinoco to buy balsam. State of the coffee plantations 3 175 Ditto Sept. 5, „ Arrival of Jan Baptiste at Moruka from the Orinoco 5 176 Court of Policy Dec. 2, „ Proposed removal of the Post-house at Wac- quepo to another site 5 177 Court of Policy to West India Company Mar. 1, 1727 Arrival of Jan Baptiste from Orinoco. Stoppage by the Spaniards of trade in the Orinoco 6 178 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Sept. 26, „ Report on a journey up the Essequibo River.. 6 179 Court of Policy May 12, 1728 Seizure by the Spaniards of a Surinam fishing- vessel, and instructions to the Postholder of Wacquepo, in view of the probability of war, to resolutely defend that Post 7 180 Secretary Gelskerke, Essequibo, to West India Company Apr. 26, 1729 Forwards a letter to the Spanish Governor of Trinidad and Orinoco, asking for the return of fugitive slaves from Orinoco S 181 Commandeur, Essequibo July 4, „ Proclamation forbidding the coercion of free Indians 9 182 Ditto Apr. 2, 1730 Proclamation forbidding trade in the Massaruni and Cuyuni Rivers 10 183 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company May 30, „ Cultivation of coffee and cocoa. He has informed the Bishop of Orran that the con version of the Indians to Christianity is impossible. Forwards copy of a letter to the Governor of Martinique, informing him of the murder of the Bishop by Indians in Aguirre 10 184 Ditto . . Feb. 15, 1731 Cultivation of indigo 12 185 West India Company to Com mandeur, Essequibo Mar. 14, ., Horse trade with Orinoco preferable to that with the English. Approves Resolution forbidding private trade in Massaruni and Cuyuni 12 186 Court of Policy, Essequibo Apr. 1, „ Planting of coffee shrubs and cocoa plants 13 [696—2] IV INDEX. Serial No. From or to whom. 187 Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company 188 Ditto 189 Ditto IHO Ditto 191 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company 192 Ditto 193 Ditto 194 Court of Policy to West India Company 195 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company 19C West India Company to Com mandeur and Court of Policy, Essequibo 197 Court of Policy, Essequibo 198 Ditto 199 The West India Company (the Ten) to the Commandeur, Essequibo 200 Court of Policy, Essequibo 201 The Governor of Cumana, Don Carlos de Sucre :f.r: Royal Cedula 203 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company 204 The Governor of Cumana 205 Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company 206 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company 207 Resolution of the Court of Justice Date. July 4, 1731 14 Feb. 4, 1732 Apr. 5, „ Mar. 21, 1733 Dec. 5, „ June S, 1734 Jan. 20, 1735 Feb. 6, „ July 4, „ Oct. 29, „ Dec. 4, „ Nov. 12, „ Sept. 16, 1736 Jan. 12, 1737 Aug1. 13, 3! 3? •*» 1738 ,. 12, It „ 20, 'J Subject. Page Trade with the English cannot be dispensed with, English horses being better than SDanish. The Governor of Trinidad will enter into no negotiations regarding runaway slaves Reasons for prohibiting trade in the Massa- runi and Cuyuni Rivers Cultivation of indigo Cultivation of coffee, cocoa, and indigo Cultivation of indigo. Cultivation of trade with natives inland Journeys of Van der Burg up the Essequibo for the purpose of cultivating friendly re lations with the natives Asks for a supply of certain articles, to be bartered with the Spaniards for horses. A message from Van der Burg . . • . Cultivation of coffee, cocoa, and indigo. Trade with the Indians, and prospect of finding mines Action of the Spaniards in bringing further troops to the Orinoco, and the Governor's explanations of the reasons iherefor Directions as to his relations with the Spanish Governor of Orinoco Drowning of a runaway negro Audacious proceedings of Jan Caudera?, a settler Commercial relations with the Governor of Orinoco The wages of Jacobus van der Burg, em ployed in establishing a trading place for the Company up in the Essequibo, bexe been raised Precis of Report on excesses committed by the Caribs in the neighbourhood of Orinoco Approving the agreement amongst the various religious bodies on the Orinoco as to their respective fields of operation The trading post up in Essequibo, though as yet a disappointment, should be maintained. The Post of Wacquepo and Moroco should also be retained for the maintenance of the Company's frontiers towards the Orinoco . . Reporting excesses of the Caribs against the Missions and intention of the Swedes to settle in Barima Desertion and capture of three soldiers It is probable that metals will be discovered . . Sentence upon the three deserters mentioned in No. 205 13 14 14 15 1516 16 16 17 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 24 25 26 27 27 INDEX. Serial No. From or to whom. Dale. Subject. Page 208 ,. Went India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to the Court of Policy and Commandeur Feb. 26, 1739 Prospect of discovering minerals in the moun tains up in the Cuyuni 28 209 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company May 20, „ Notifies that a case of ores is being sent home, and specifies the districts in which they were found 28 210 Ditto Sept. 14, „ The projected Secret Commission of the Surgeon Hortsman promises to be of much advantage 30 211 Commandeur and Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company 55 15, ,, Discovering of minerals .. 30 212 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Nov. 28, „ Departure of Surgeon Hortsman on his mission above the falls of Essequibo 30 213 Thomas Hildebrandt, Mining Engineer, to West India Com pany Mar. 9, 1741 Report upon the three mines on the Massaruni, Cuyuni, and Essequibo Rivers 31 214 Secretary, Esuequibo Apr. 30, „ Intelligence received from Nicolas Hortsman of his progress 32 215 Thomas Hildebrandt.. March-June, 1741 Extracts from his journal . 32 216 Thomas Hildebrandt to West India Company June 3, 1741 Report of his investigations near the Blue Mountain 34 217 Court of- Policy, Essequibo 4 55 M 55 Horses are to be procured from Aguirre 35 218 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company >, 10, „ Surgeon Hortsman has planted the flag of the Company by the Lake of Parima and taken possession of the land 35 219 Ditto Nov. 10, „ The request of Hildebrandt, the mining engi neer, to be allowed to begin work in Cuyuni, has been denied for the present, for fear that his slaves would run away 35 220 Ditto Feb. 8, 1742 Disreputable conduct of Surgeon Hortsman, who has gone over to the Portuguese 36 221 Thomas Hildebrandt. . 1742 Extracts from his journal of the expedition to the Upper Cuyuni 36 222 Ditto 1743 Ditto 39 223 Thomas Hildebrandt to West India Company (Zoeland Chamber) July 28, 1743 Mining up the Cuyuni to be stopped by reason of the lack of bread in the wilderness 40 224 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Oct. 2, „ The two runaway mining Creoles have been made an end of by the Indians of Waini . . 40 225 Marquis de Torrenueva 1737 to 1743 " Memorias " on the Spanish and English Commission in Seville. The proceedings of the Dutch and the expansion of their settlements requires attention 41 226 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Apr. S, 1744 A short way with deserters. He has not ven tured without authority to station a Post- holder in Barima to prevent escapes 42 227 West India Company to Com mandeur, Essequibo Aug. 24, „ The Company acquiesces in duty established upon the export of sugar because it cannot help itself. He may try the experiment of stationing a Postholder in Barima 42 228 Court of Justice, Essequibo . . Nov. 23, „ Two Spaniarus from Orinoco, arrested at VVacquepo, are to be allowed to come into the Colony . . . . . . , , 43 [696—2] VI INDEX. Serial No. From or to whom. 229 230 231 232 233 234 235236 2c 7 2382392i-0 241 24 2 243 244 Council of the Indies to King of Spain Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company to Com mandeur, Essequibo Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto . . West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company WTest India Company (the Ten) West India Company (the Ten) to Commandeur, Esse quibo Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Sefior Iturriaga Court of Justice, Essequibo Ditto Date Commandeur, Essequibo, West India Company to Nov. 8, 1745 Mar. 19, 1746 July 8, „ „ 20, „ Nov. 9, „ Dec. 7, „ Mar. 23, 1 747 Aug. 7, „ „ 16, ,. Sept. 16, »> "> 55 Dec. 29, „ ? 1747 Jan. 8, 1748 Feb. 6, „ 5, ¦• * , n Subject. The Commissary-General of the Capuchin Missions of Gnayana has presented a letter from the Prefect of the Mission, setting forth its miserable condition in consequence of the English invasion in 1742 Permission has been granted to Ignatius Cour- thial to cut a road through the wood in the River Cuyuni. The present Post, in Deme- rary will be placed on this new road The action reported in No. 230 is approved. A specified account of the dues derived from the new road should be rendered annually . . Attack by a nation of Indians from above the Orinoco on the Caribs in the River Waini. Reported establishment by the Spanish of a Mission in Cuyuni The Indians who have come into the Wac- quepo and Moruka from above the Orinoco must be cleared out, by fair means if possible ; if not, by force Reported establishment of a Mission and fort in Cuyuni by the Spanish. Desertion of soldiers from Berbice, and capture by them of three fishing-canoes. Exploration of mountains in the Upper Essequibo Movements of the Spanish in the Orinoco Instructions will be sent as to the Spanish fort on the Cuyuni. The fishery right must be maintained Appointment of a new Postholder at Moruka. Importance of the Post.. Steps to be taken to ascertain the limits of the Colony of Essequibo. The Spaniards to be ousted from the Company's territory Instructions carrying out the above Minutes .. He has desired to close the Essequibo River from fear of a raid on the higher plantations by the Indians, but has met with opposition on account of the profit drawn from the clove trade Description of the territories of the Orinoco, the way to preserve them, &c, with an account of Caracas and two maps, with an explanation The Upper Essequibo to be closed for some time, the Postholders at Arinda being charged with the recovery of fugitive slaves . The burdensome and unprofitable indigo plan- tation has not found a purchaser, presumably by reason of the great distance and the in salubrity of the Cuyuni . . . , Attempt to obtain satisfaction from the Com mandant at Orinoco for tire seizure of three fishing-vessels Page 43 44 45 46 4648 49 50 51 51 52 52 55 t5 55 INDEX. Vll Serial No From or to whom. Date. Subject. iPage 245 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo May 30, 1748 Appointment of a new Postholder at Moruka approved. Trade with the Spaniards on the Essequibo should be encouraged . . 56 246 Court of Justice, Essequibo Aug. 1 and 2, 1748 Detention of one of Councillor Brusson's corrials at Moruka. Taking away by J. P. Maillard of the daughter of a free Indian 56 247 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Dec. 2, 1748 The French have captured the ship which was taking home a map of the Colony, but it is hoped the map will be recovered .. 57 248 Ditto 55 A ,5 Encroachments of the Spaniards in the Upper Cuyuni. Incloses a Petition from J. Cour- thial, making proposals for the establishment of a cattle-breeding station 57 249 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company (Council of Ten) Mar. 27, 1749 Relations with the Spaniards, and proposed mutual rendition of deserters . . . , 60 250 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company 55 •"> 55 Failure of vessels from Surinam to pay dues .. 61 251 Ditto . . . . . . Apr. 10, „ Incloses a Proclamation posted all over Tobago by the French Governor of Martinique, which was torn down by the Captain of a British inan-bf-war 61 252 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo May 14, „ The proposal of J. Courthial (see No. 248) is in some points attractive, in others imprac ticable. . It will be further considered 62 253 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Sept. 8, „ Forwards a map of the Colony. The Spaniards have promised that the Mission on the Cuyuni shall not be proceeded with 62 254 Ditto , . Nov. 20, „ Alleged discovery by the Spanish of the Sea of Parima, which appears to be in Dutch territory 63 255 Court of Justice, Essequibo Jan. 5 and 6, 1750 Complaint of Caribs from the Massaruni against Pieter Marchal and Pieterde Backer, who were admonished 61 256 Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company „ 10, 1750 Recommends the closing of traffic with the Indians on the Rivers Essequibo, Massaruni, and Cuyuni in consequence of outrages committed by settlers upon the Indians 64 257 Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company June 8, „ Capture by the Spanish of a canoe belonging to a Dutch settler 65 258 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) ,. 22, „ Report personally submitted by the Com mandeur on the present state of the Colony, and his plan for the correction and improve ment of matters . . . , 66 259 Committee of the West India Company- July 27, „ Report on the foregoing 68 260 Acting- Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Sept. 8, „ Spanish Governor explains that the last Mission founded was on the Imataca in Orinoco, far outside Dutch jurisdiction 69 261 Ditto Dec. 23, „ Call on the Caribs to recapture runaways from the Colony G9 262 Court of Justice, Essequibo Jan. 4, 1751 Action respecting certain runaways in the Waini 70 263 Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company Mar. 6, ., Raid of the Carib nation upon the Spanish Missions . . . . . . 70 1 Till INDEX. Serial No. From or to whom 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 27: 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 2bl 282 Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to States-General Court of Justice, Essequibo I¦ West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) Date. Subject. June 10, 1751 Nov. 30, Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto Ditto Ditto Spanish Document Count de Perelada, Spanish Am bassador at Lisbon, to Don Jose de Carvajal y Lancaster, Spanish Secretary of State Don Jose de Carvajal y Lan caster to Count de Perelada Ditto DittoCount de Perelada to Don Jose Carvajal y Lancaster Ditto Don Jose" de Carvajal v Lan caster to Count de Perelada Ditto To Sefior Ituiriaga . . Jan. 3 and 4, 1752 Apr. 10, 1752 19 5, li7> 55 Aug. -1, „ 55 «1, ,, Nov. 1, „ Apr. 14, 1753 1753 May 19,- 1753 5, 21, „ „ 28, June 2, 3, .. July 2, 55 2, Sept. 30, Selection of a fresh site for the Post-house of Arinda. The Maganout nation are attack ing and driving away other nations far up in the Essequibo Remarks upon a Memorial from the Presidial Chamber, Amsterdam, on the question of trade and the extent of the respective pos sessions of the two branches of the Com pany Christian Fousel reprimanded for taking away the children of Caribs in Barima.. Renewal of the Resolution of 1735 prohibiting the shipment of arms or material of war from the river to Orinoco, or any other place outside Dutch jurisdiction Refusal to allow overland trade in cattle with the Spaniards Recommends that trade in arms with the Caribs should be forbidden Rumoured appearance of negroes in Essequibo. Promise of the Akawois to capture them .. Intends to keep on friendly terms with the Commandant of Orinoco Steps taken to survey the Rivers Waini and Pomeroon in order to obtain more land for settlement. Rumoured intention of the Swedes to obtain a settlement on the Barima Plan for the squeezing out of the Dutch by pushing forward the Spanish and Portuguese possessions, the Dutch territory to be afterwards amicably divided between Spanish and Portuguese There are obstacles in the way of carrvino- out the friendly design set forth in No. 273, but Carvalho is of opinion that it can and should be done Circumstances combine to make the design feasible The Portuguese Minister is to be informed that he (the Spanish Secretary of State) is a man of truth and honour, and is gratified to find that the Commissioners of Spain and Portugal are to confer as to the best means of squeez ing out the Dutch Plan of squeezing out the French and Dutch . . The motive of the Portuguese Government in sending a large number of troops with the Boundary Commissioners was, amongst other things, to prevent the Dutch from pene trating into the interior . Further as to the secret place. dition of limits Ditto Projected expe- Ditto .. Secret instructions for carrying out the project. Page 71 7172 73 75 75 76 76 77 77 78 79 79 81 S2 83 84 84 INDEX. IX Serial No. From or to whom. Date. Subject. Page 283 To Sefior Iturriaga (Draft) Oct. 6, 1753 He is to report whether it is possible by means of a Spanish settlement to prevent the use by foreigners of those means of communica tion between the Maranon and Orinoco which doubtless exist 86 284 Ditto (Draft) 55 8, „ It will be desirable to excite the negroes in Guayana to rebel against the Dutch, and so compel the latter to abandon the territory. The device is only an adaptation of the wicked ways of the Dutch against the Spaniards . . 86 285 Ditto (Draft) ,. 8, „ Plan of squeezing out the French and Dutch . . 87 286 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company ., 20, „ Three settlers have been killed up the Esse quibo by the Mapissanoe, and he proposes to punish that tribe accordingly 88 287 To Sefior Iturriaga (Draft.) Nov. 6, „ An attempt should be made to buy over the Caribs in pursuit of the great object of shouldering out the Dutch 89 288 Don Jos6 de Iturriaga to Don Jose de Carvajal y Lancaster Dec. 5, ,, The Caribs will not abandon their territories at auy price, but it may be possible to effect a settlement among them 90 289 Court of Policy, Essequibo Jan. 6, 1754 J. S. S warts and Edward Ling are condition ally granted permission to have timber re moved on the River Waini 90 290 Court of Justice, Essequibo 3) ' 3 33 Petition of the Militia Captains that a Post should be established on the side of the Moruka to prevent the escape of slaves 90 291 Don Jose de Iturriaga to Don Jose de Carvajal y Lancaster Feb. 15, „ He is now well on his way to Cumana 91 292 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company 19 33 J-^J JJ Maintenance of trade and friendly relations with Orinoco . 91 293 Court of Justice, Essequibo Apr. 1, „ Decision not to erect a fresh Post at Moruka at present (see No. 290) 92 294 Court of Policy, Essequibo June 30, „ Permission to cut timber refused to certain colonists as regards the Pomeroon River, but accorded as regards the Waini River 92 295 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Sept. 2, ,, Aggressive movements of the Spaniards with a view to securing certain silver mines south of the Orinoco and in Dutch territory 92 296 Minutes of the Cqurt of Justice 5- 10, „ Measures to be taken to repel an intended attack by the Spaniards upon the Colony . . 94 297 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company „ H, , ,. Ditto .. 95 298 Ditto Oct. 12, „ Ditto . . . . . . . . 96 299 Ditto 5, 27, „ No particular news of Spanish movements 100 300 Ditto Nov. 26, „ Promise of the Indians to guard the Cuyuni against the Spaniards. The services of lgnace Courthial should be secured 100 301 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General , Essequibo Jan. 6, 1755 The reports of aggressive intentions of the Spaniards. It is difficult precisely to define the limits of the Colony, and circumspection is therefore necessary in dealing with Spanish claims. Nevertheless, more men, gunpowder, and victuals are being sent out in case the, Spaniards mean mischief 101 [696—2] INDEX. Serial No. From or to whom. Subject. Page 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General and Court of Policy Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Court of Justice, Essequibo Don Jose Iturriaga to Colonel Dor. Etigenio Alvarado Don Eugenio Alvarado, second in command of the Spanish Boundary Commission Ditto Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto Ditto Jan. 6, 1755 Feb. 13, Apr. 7 and J755 20, 1755 „ 20, „ Court, of Justice, Essequibo . . Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Court of Justice, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Mav 31, Aug. 27, '„ Sept. 9 „ Oct. 6 and 7, 1755 Nov. 24, 1755 Jan. 5, 1756 Mar. 12, „ West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- General, Essequibo May 31, „ The number of outliers and outrunners must be reduced at their discretion Fear of an attack by the Spaniards is almost over. The Spanish Boundary Commission under Don Jose de Iturriaga is in difficulties from lack of money and food Decision to close the trade in the Upper Esse quibo in consequence of the murder of Akawois by Maiilard and others Instructions and orders given to Don Alvarado with regard to' the secret mission to Guiana, with the replies thereto. . Report on the various means of communication between the Province of Guiana arid the Dutch Colony of Essequibo 103 103 104 105 112 Report on the course of the Essequibo and its tributaries, the forts, garrisons, and com merce of Essequibo and Demerara .. 116 Fear of any great aggression by the Spaniards has mostly passed away, but they will still endeavour to creep in safely, having an eye upon ceitain silver mines Aggressive movements of the Akawois. He has decided not to employ the Caribs against them unless absolutely necessary Demand made by a Spanish missionary upon the Postholder at Moruka for the surrender of certain Indians of the Chiama or Shiama- cotte nation, with a threat that he would otherwise fetch them by force. And draft of a reply declining to accede to this demand Project of the burger officer to prevent the escape of slaves to the Orinoco bv the removal of the Post at Moruka. " The question of expense to be discussed The Chief of the Caribs who murdered the Akawois in Massaruni has been invited to attend the Sessiou of the Council with a view to a peaceable settlement The Carib Chief or Owl accused of the murder of certain Akawois (see No. 304) alleges that he acted under the instigation of Pieter Marichal, who declines to be condemned upon the testimony of a Carib Owl P. Marichal has been acquitted of the charges made againat him by the Carib Owl, the testimony of the latter being of no value against a Christian. His plantation lias been made too hot to hold him, and the Director-General and others consider him really guilty His action with regard to the Akawois is approved. The extra stores sent or pro cured for the defence of the Qplony acainst. the threatened Spanish invasion are to be sold 119 120 121 123 123 123 125 127 INDEX. XI Serial No. From or to whom. Subject. Page 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328329 330 Court of Policy, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company July 4, 1756 7, Court of Justice, Essequibo West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- Genera), Essequibo West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Secretary, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Minutes on a Letter made in Madrid Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Don Jos§ de Iturriaga, Chief Commissioner of the Spanish Boundary Commission, to Don Ricardo Wall, Principal Spanish Secretary of State Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company Don Jose" Solano to Don Ri cardo Wall Don Jos6 de Iturriaga to Don Ricardo Wall Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto Jan. 3, 1757 Q 55 "5 55 55 "5 5* Feb. 15, „ June 19, „ » 27, „ Dec. 15, ., Jan. 6, 1758 Mar. 6, „ Apr. V6, „ ,. 1'J. ,5 June 15, „ Sept. 9, „ Isaac Knott has been permitted to cut wood in the Rivers Bouweron and Waini Isaac Knott and Co. have been permitted to cut timber in the Pomeroon and Waini for the English. The apparent attempt of the Spaniards to shut the Dutch in must be defeated, but it is difficult to find the right men. Report of Assistant at Arinda that there is a settlement of whites two or three days' journey above the plantation of D. Couvreur on the Massaruni The Court having beer, informed that the Caribs intend to ask for powder and shot to make a raid upon the Spanish Missions decided not to give such powder and shot, and that the Spanish Commandant at Guayana should be warned A report has been asked for from the Court of Policv on the Petition of Isaac Knott and others to cut timber in the Pomeroon Ditto . . . . Complaint made by the Commandant of Ori noco of the conduct of Dutch traders in Barima Boundary between Spain and Portugal in America. History of the movements of the Boundary Commission under Don Jose' Iturriaga Explains his reasons for differing from the decision of the Court of Policy to grant permission to cut timber in the Pomeroon . . Building of a fort by the Dutch in the River Moruka, and the titles of the Governors of the Dutch Colonies, &c. The canoe sent to the Orinoco on the 16th September, 1757, for mules, has only just returned on account of the great drought. Two of the fourteen mules sent off have died Attack by Spaniards upon J. Courthial as he came down the Orinoco. Discharge of the Postholder at Cuyuni Proposals for the defence of Orinoco The dominions of the States-General extend to the Grand Mouth of the Orinoco, and they even enter well inside that river for the fishing, and they sustain their right thereto . Reports what has been done in previous years in regard to the cutting of timber in the Pomeroon and Waini Rivers Raid by the Spaniards upon the Post in the Upper Cuyuni 128 129 130 131 131 131 132 135 136 138 139 139 141 142 143 Xll INDEX. Serial No. 331 332 From or to whom. Date. Subject. Page 33S 340 Prefect of the Missions to Don Felix Ferreras, Governor of Guiana Sefior Jos6 de Iturriaga to Don Ricardo Wall Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company- June 9, 1758 Dec. 28, Jan. 24, 1759 334 I Ditto Ditto No date May 29, 1759 336 | West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, | Essequibo 337 i West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) 338 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company 5' 31 , ,, July 2, ,. 20, ., 33y i West India Company (Zeeland oo Chamber) States-General 341 j Dutch Envoy at Madrid to States-General 312 ; Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company 343 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) „ 31, „ Aug. 27, ., Sept. ], „ Nov. 27. Secret expedition and apprehension of two Dutchmen in the River Cuyuni Recommends that the garrison of the Upper Orinoco should be withdrawn to Guiana, lest the Dutch should endeavour to recover the Posts on the Cuyuni taken from them by Don Felix Ferreras Reports receipt of a very unsatisfactory reply from the Governor of Cumana to bis re monstrance on the subject of No. 331. If the Spaniards retain possession of the Cuyuni they are in the heart of the Colony. He has sent a leply by the Comman dant Seizure of a Dutch Post on the Cuyuni by the Spaniards Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. The letter to the Commandant referred to in No. 333 has been returnpd unopened, together with two other letters which cannot be translated until Mr. Persik arrives Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. Repre sentations will be made to the States- General, but further particulars of the position of the Post, and of M. D'Anville's Map referred to would be useful Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. The Amster dam Chamber declining to take action, the Advocate is instructed to formulate a com plaint to the States-General Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. The Spanish Commandant writes that the matter will be settled by their respective Sovereigns Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. Remon strance to the States-General formulated . . Seizure of a Post on the Cuyuni. The Dutch Ambassador at Madrid to be instructed demand prompt reparation to Spanish raid on the Post at Cuyuni. He has presented a written Memorandum, and pressed for prompt reparation Spanish raid on the Post at Cuyuni. Reports the situation of the Post, and the importance of it. He had two copies of M. D'Anville's Map. but they have now been sent to Orinoco Spanish raid on the Post at Cuyuni. Des patches received from the Director-General on the subject 145 171 171 172 174 174 174 175 176 176 179 180 181 INDEX. Xlll Serial No. From or to whom. 344 345 346 347 348349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo Director-General to West India Company Court of Justice, Essequibo Don Jobe de Iturriaga to Don Ricardo Wall Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Don Juan de Dios Valdes Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto Dec. 3, 1759 ,. 12, „ Apr. 8, 1760 ,-. 18, „ May- 2 >) Sept. i, JJ )* 8, 3? i? 7, 3j Oct. 24, Mar. 16, 1761 5> IS, ,, May 28, „ Subject. Aug. 5, ,, ,. 12, „ 55 28, „ [696—2] Spanish raid on the Post at Cuyuni. .As no reply can be expected from the Spanish Government for some time, he should furnish as much information as possible, with a small map of the Cuyuni. It is not a bad thing to make a show of force, but no reprisals must be undertaken without au thority. Inquires his grounds for assuming that the boundary of the Colony extends as far as the Barima, and especially his in ference that, Cuyuni being situated on this side of the Waini, it necessarily belongs to the Colony The Cuyuni raid. M. Schutz has returned from his voyage to Orinoco, where he was well received, but the Governor declined to enter into any discussion of the affair Nicholas Stedwelt fined 250 guilders for im proper treatment of the free Caribs on the Upper Cuyuni Reports that his attempts to win over the Caribs have failed, and that he was com pelled to adopt punitive measures Spanish raid on the Cuyuni. Observations on the boundaries!, with a map M. D'Anville's Map was not among the inci sures to the foregoing, but should be for warded at the first opportunity Wholesale desertion of slaves from the Com pany's plantation at Aechtekerke Judicial Report upon the seizure of a schooner, two launches, and two canoes of Essequibo by Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores The Spaniards are beginning to put out their horns again. The Post in Cuyuni has not yet been established. The Essequibo is practically closed by French privateers Sworn declarations of the latest outrages of the Spaniards should be furnished, as well as his reasons for assuming that everything done on this side of the Barima is done in Dutch territory . . . . . . Reports that he has been induced, against his own judgment, to forbid the passage of Spaniards up the river to trade Importance of a satisfactory settlement of the Cuyuni affair, there being no doubt that the Post was on Dutch territory. Certain measures will be necessary for the protec tion of trade, the present system of dues being, for lack of men to enforce it, some what of a farce It is certain that the River Waini indisputably belongs to the Company Capture of cances by the Spaniards in Dutch territory near the Barima Aggressions of this Spaniards upon the Com pany's Indiums. Expresses his deep sense of the Spanish iniquities d 181 182 182 183 184 185 185 187 196 198 198 199 200 200 201 XIV INDEX. Serial .\o. 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 From or to whom. Court of Justice West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- General and Court of Policy Date. Don Joseph of Spain Solano to King Table of the Capuchin Missions in Guayana Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Oct. 5, 1761 Nov. 9, Dec. 15, 1761 Jan. 9, 1762 11, Feb. .9, „ Court of Policy, Essequibo, to i Mar. 18, ,, West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to Wsst India Company Apr. Ditto ¦• May 17, „ West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- General, Essequibo 370 West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commander, Demerara 371 Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company 372 Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company 373 Ditt 374 [ 375 Ditto Aug. 23, 55 23, ,, 55 25, ,, 28 55 ~0, „ 29 55 ^^9 55 Nov. 6, „ is -^5, „ Subjkct. C. Crewitz is to investigate the nature of the articles brought down the Cuyuni and 10 examine passes He should consider whether it is possible and profitable to carry on the trade from Orinoco to the Essequibo instead of, as now, from the Essequibo to Orinoco Report on Guiana with special reference to th'j correspondence of Don Jose Iturriaga . . 203 Notes relating to the map of the Viceroyalty of Santa F6 by Don Francisco Escandon .. Hindrance to trade with Orinoco caused by mutual jealousy of the Dutch settlers A further Memorial to the States-General re specting the Cuyuni affair will shortly be presented. He should report (see No. 352) his reasons for refraining from claiming from the Governor of Cumana the captured salters' vessels Accuracy of D'Anville's Map. The Spanish raid on the Cuyuni. Discourteous treat ment of a settler sent to Orinoco to recover some runaway slaves. Transmits a register of the. Colony Reports in reply to No. 360 that trade with Orinoco is not of much value, and not worth encouraging. The English will probably ruin the Orinoco for many years to come Hopes the States-General will receive justice for the raid on Cuyuni. His reasons for not claiming the captured salters' canoes The Spaniards continue to send out daily patrols towards the Cuyuni. Absence of news from the Post at Cuyuni No answer has been received from the Spanish Government relative to the Cuyuni affair, and a further Memorial will be addressed to the States-General. It is to be regretted that he did not claim the captured salters' vessels Asks for further information before deciding to assist him in producing a map of the River Essequibo Seizure of a canoe by the Spaniards near the Waini The seizure above referred to appears to have been made by Spanish pirates from Trinidad. Rumoured intention of the Spaniards to make a raid upon the Post at Moruka The Spaniards are building boats in the Cuyuni. He fears for the Colony Raids of pirates. Readiness of the Caribs to aid the Dutch against the Spaniards • The Spanish authorities of Trinidad hold the goods seized by pirates in readiness to be restored to the owners. They have resolved to declare the communications between Trinidad and the Dutch Colony free and open . . . . . , 202 202 210 210 211 211 213 213 214 214 215 215 216 217 217 218 INDEX. XV Serial No. 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 From or to whom. West India Company to Director- General, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Director-General to West India Company Commander, Demerara, to West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Ditto L. L. van Berchevck's Journal., West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- General, Essequibo Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company West India Company (Zee- land Chamber) to Director- General, Essequibo Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Commandeur, Demerary, to West India Company Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company Date. Nov. 20, 1762 Feb. 22, 1763 Mar. 9, „ 5, 10, „ May 2, „ June 20, „ „ 20, „ July 7, 15 12, ,5 ,j 18, „ „ 20, „ Sept. 27, „ Oct. 18, Subject. lPage Applauds his zeal in the matter of the Spanish pirate from Trinidad Recommends that the Post in Cuyuni should be reoccupied. Difficulty of communicating with the Spaniards owing to their refusal to receive letters. Result of a voyage of ex ploration up the Essequibo by Joseph la Chau. Desire of the Manoas or Mag- nouws to come down to make a Treaty. Opposition of the Caribs to such a move ment, and consequent probability of a bloody fight. Directory of the Colony for 1763 Mutiny on the principal plantation in Canje. He will endeavour to induce the Caribs to take up arms in tke matter . . Map of the Essequibo, He cannot improve upon M. D'Anville's Map, but he will put in the sea-coast up to Barima, and he will require three years to do it Steps taken in consequence of the slave rising in Berbice. Small prospect of securing justice in Trinidad in respect of the piracies . Joseph de Meijer has been sent to the Upper Essequibo to unite the Caribs, and to closely guard the upper portion of Berbice 220 Movements of Joseph Berbice rebels M eijer against the Twenty soldiers sent out to strengthen th<3 garrison of Demerara, and afterwards to man the Post in Cuyuni No boats have been sent salting to Orinoque because of the uncertainty of their recep tion Joseph Meijer has posted himself in the upper part of Demerary with a considerable body of Caribs Approves preposed explorations above the port at Arinda. The map of the Essequibo must be postponed on account of the expense Report on the position and purposes of the Company's Posts at Moruka, Mycouni, Arinda, and Cuyuni (the latter at present abandoned by leason of the Spanish raid). Attack by the Chief of the Akawois upon the revolted negroes at De Savonnette, Berbice 221 223 224 224 225 225 Attack by the Akawois revolted negroes and Caribs upon Re-establishment of the Post in Cuyuni not to be thought of till the slave trouble is over . . 225 226 226 226 227 228 BRITISH GUIANA BOUNDARY. ARBITRATION WITH THE UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA. APPENDIX TO THE CASE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY. VOLUME II. No. 167. Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, January 9, 1724. (Extract.) , VERVOLGENS proponeerd den Heer Comman deur om een nieuwe eoffijplaets (boove de brood plantagie in Caijoene reets leggende) voor d'Ed. Compe. aen te leggen, en dat ijder Comps. plantagie daar toe twee mans slaven souden dienen te contribueren, het welk volkome in Eaede werd geapprobeert. THE Commandeur subsequently proposed to lay out another coffee plantation for the Honour able Company (above the cassava plantation already laid out in Cuyuni), and to make each of the Company's plantations send two male slaves for that purpose, which was fully approved by the Court. A No. 168. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 23, 1724. (Extract.) OP de brood en coffij plantagie in Cajoene onder directie van Jan ver Eijke staan jegenwoordig over de seeve duijsent coffij boomen in de grond die met goet succes groeijen en op den Hoek van Barritique ontrent twee duijsent. Verders isser in Cajoene een half uur boven de plantagie van TJ. Ed. Agtb. weder een nieuwe coffij plaets gekapt die op sijn tijt gebrand. schoongemakt en met coffij boomtjes beplant sal werden. B THERE are at present on the cassava and coffee plantation in Cuyuni under the manage ment of Jan ver Eyke more than 7,000 coffee shrubs, which are all thriving well, and at the corner of Bartica there are about 2,000. A new coffee plantation has also been laid out in Cuyuni, half-an-hour above that of your Lord ships' ; it will be properly burnt out, cleared, and planted with coffee shrubs. No. 169. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 26, 1724. (Extract.) AG-HTBAARE Heeren, hebbe oock met toes- temming van den Raadt van dit sesoen een nieuwe hoopeninge voor een coffij plantagie laaten cappen sijnde inde revier van Cioene, ontrendt een alff uer boven de broodt plantagie, de welke bevinde zeer goede gronden te sijn. No. 170. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, June 15, 1724. (Extract.) DE plantagien van U. Ed. Agtb. sijn alle in een reedelijken staat en de coffij queekerije gaet God dank wel voort, Men reekent soo in Cajoene als op Barritique, &c, ontrent 15,000 coffij boomtjes [696—2] C WITH the consent of the Court, I have this season also had a new clearing made for a coffee plantation in the River Cuyuni, about half- an-hour above the cassava plantation, where the ground had been found to be very good. D THE plantations belonging to your Lordships are all in a very fair state, and the growth of the coffee is, thank God, flourishing well. It is computed that both in Cuyuni and at Bartica B A. in de grond verpland en die meest alle seer fraaij there are about 15,000 coffee shrubs, which are staan, en nog wel ruijm een diergelijke getal, die all in very fine condition, and that we have fully van tijt tot tijt als se bequaem sijn, verpland an equal number, which will be transplanted sullen werden. thither as soon as they are ready. No. 171. Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, August 16, 1724. B (Extract.) C DEN Raed door den Indiaen Jackannarie rap port bekomen hebbende dat de Maganautse natie de Caribise en Accaweije die sij konde bekomen dood slaegen, en die sij levendig kreegen, op andere plaetsen verkogten, synde hij Jackannarie selfs gequetst uijt haar handen met veel moeijte ontkomen ; verders rapporteerde hij dat die natie bij eerste gelegentheijtdeChristenen souden komen dood slaen en deese rivier ruineeren, denkende hij Jaccannarie dat de Maganauts haar in de brood tuijnen van de Caribisen soo lang op soude houden, tot haar een bequaeme occasie voorquam, om hun voorneemen te volbrengen ; en op dier gelijke rapporten geen vaste staat kunnende gemaekt werden, is naar ingenomen advijs van vier der principaelste ingesetenen, geresolveert de vol- gende manschap met bequaeme slaven en vaartuij- gen naar boven te senden om het selve te onder- soeken. THE Court received a Report from the Indian Jackannarie that the Maganouts nation had killed all the Caribs and Akawois they could get hold of, and that those whom they captured alive they sold at other places, he having him self been wounded, and having escaped with great difficulty out of their hands ; he further reported that that nation intended to come and kill the Christians and ruin this river at the first opportunity, he (Jackannarie) believing that the Maganouts would remain in the cassava plantations of the Caribs until a fit oppor tunity presented itself for carrying out then- undertaking. It being impossible to place any! reliance upon such reports, it was resolved, upon the advice of four of the principal colo-- nists, to send the following men, with proper slaves and boats, up the river to investigate the matter. D E Aen welken Fredrik Pool geordonnt. wercl om met de voorsz. Manschap en slaven te gaen tot aen de oude plaets van den Jndiaen Commare, in welke en andere brood Thuijnen de Maganauts sig volgens de rapporten ophouden en deselve aentref - fende alle over hoop te schieten en ter neer te maaken, en al het brood dat sij daarontrent vin- den, te ruineeren het welk geexecuteert weesencle sal hij Eredrik Pool, met sijn onderhebhende volk sig weder na deese rivier begeven, en overal goede sorge dragen, dat er geen disordres gedaen werden ; Vindende den Raed sig verpligt deese resolutie in forma voorsz. te doen agtervolgen, aengesien de dood geslagen Accaweijen en Caribisen, die onder de protectie van deese rivier gehooren van groot nut voor de selve sijn, als van d'Edle. Compe. als meede van d'ingesetenen na boven gesonden werd om te zouten ; sijnde het verders een groot affront en onverdraagelijk voor de Christenen van heijde- nen gedreijgt te worden dat sij haar souden komen dood slaen. The said Frederick Pool was commanded to proceed with the aforesaid men and slaves as far as the old place of the Indian Commare, of which, and other cassava plantations, the Maganouts have, according to report, taken possession, and, on finding the same, to shoot them all down, and to destroy all the cassava which might be there, which having been done, he (Frederick Pool) was to come back to this river with his. people, and take good care that no disorder was anywhere clone, the Court finding it necessary to draw up these instructions since the Akawois and Caribs who have been killed, and are under the protection of this river, are a source of great advantage to the same, being frequently. sent up above, salting, by the Honourable Company and by the colonists, it being, more over, a great and insufferable insult for Chris tians to be told by heathens that they were coming to kill them. No. 172. E Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, September 3, 1724. ^ NAAR aanroeping van Gods naam heeft den Commandr. Laurens d'Heere, in raade te kenne gegeven, dat de Magunautsche natie volgens dage- lijxe rapporten, boven in Essequebe alles dood slaan wat sij konnen crijgen, en in diervoegen alle andere natien, die onse vrinden zijn, verjaagen, en vlugtig maaken, sustineerende zijns dat het heel noodig is, tot bescherming van deese gantsche collonie, men die rebellige soo het moogelijk was, uijt te roeije en te niete te maaken het welck in overweeging genoome weesende, heeft men met AFTER invoking the name of God, the Commandeur Laurens d'Heere informed the Court that, according to reports received, the Maganout nation were killing all whom they could lay hands on up in Essequibo, and that they were driving away all other nations who were our friends. His Honour maintained that it was very necessary for the protection of the whole Colony to extirpate and annihilate thesei rebels if possible. This having been taken into, consideration, it was unanimously agreed to, eenpaarige stemmen goed gevonden den Post- houder van Comps. Handel Plaats "Wackapouw Jan Patist gent, t'ordonneeren dat hij teegens d'aanstaaude niaand decembr. zal hebben optekoo- men, met soo veel inagt van Indiaanen als hij welgewaapent met pijl en boog en noodig oorloogs geweer bij den anderen zal konnen versaamelen, met last en bevel van Heere Commandr. en raa- den, met deselve degen. Magunauts tegen te gaan, en des kunnende attrapeeren alle te ver- moorden ofte vangen, met bijvoeging dat voor ieder cop die zij crijgen sullen gemeten twee groote bijlen, en voor ieder slaaff, die gevangen en opgebragt werd, soo veel die bij publique vercoo- ping contant zal off sullen moogen gelden. Aldus geresolveerd en beslooten in onse vergaadering. order Jan Batiste, the Postholder at the Com- A pany's trading-place, VVacquepo, to come up the river about the beginning of next month (December") with as great a force of Indians, well armed with bcws and arrows and the necessary ammunition of war, as he shall be able to collect, and that he shall be ordered by the Commandeur and Court to proceed against the said Maga nouts, and to kill or capture all he can find, • on the condition that for each head which he and his men take they shall receive two large axes, and for every slave taken and brought here as much in cash as such slaves are worth in public sale. B Resolved and concluded in our Court. No. 173. Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, January 31, 1725. (Extract.) DEN Hr. Commandeur proponneert in raade dat hem daagelijx divficultaable en twijffelagtige rapporten van de Maguanautsche natie ter hooren koomen, en dat men diende sorg te dra.agen ; waarop geresolveerd is, Comps. weegen twee bequaame soldaaten naar de plantag. Nieuw Oortrijk te senden, omme nevens de andere twee militairen, goede post te houden en sorg te draa- gen, voor haare waapenen, die ten overvloede tot diffentie zijn meede gegeven, en in cas van onraad is haar bevoolen, cito kennis aan Monsr. van den Kaaij te geven ; alsoo het denaaste plantagi : is , Oosterbeeck is, die als dan ook verpligt zal zijn, den Heer Commandeur cito te doen waarschouden, gevende aan deese militairen meede een drie pon der stuk canon en zijn toebehooren, zijnde dit noodsaakelijk geagt alsoo de Magunauts daar eerst moeten passeeren indien zij te water deese rivier sehaade wilde thoebrengen. THE Commandeur declared that diverse and doubtful reports are daily received concerning the Maganout nation, and that attention should be paid to the ruatter, whereupon it was resolved to send two proper soldiers to the Plantation Nieuw Cortrijk on behalf of the Company, with orders to keep a good look-out, together with the other soldiers, and to be careful with their arms, which have been abundantly given them for defence ; and in case of treason they are ordered to give immediate information to Mr. van der Kaay, as well as to the nearest plantation, which is Oosterbeek, and which shall further be obliged to send immediate warning to the Com mandeur, and to give these soldiers a 3-pr. and ammunition, this being considered necessary, since the Maganouts must first pass there if they wish to come by water and injure this river. 0 D ' No. 174. Tlie Court of Policy, JUssequibo, to West India Company, August 4. 1726. (Extract.) E DEN 22 Septembr., 1725, hebben wij twee creoolen boven in de Rivier van Essequebe ge- sonden, tot het inhandelen van rnaraen, en den 25 Februarij deeses jaars een geringe quantiteijt affgebragt hebbende, en de meeste cargazoenen sijnde blijven uijtstaen vertroldk en sij den 18 Maart weder naar boven om de betaling daar voor te gaen invorderen, maer tot nogh toe niet weder hier ge- komen sijnde werden sij dagelijks verwagt. Den 46 Maart is Jan Baptist en Hendrik van der Win, ten eijnde voorsz : als meede om roode slaven te handelen naar Rio Oronocque gesonden met een brief aen den Gouverneur van die Rivier. gelijk U. Ed. Agtb. uijt de notulen en haar instructie van den gemn. datum, die hier nevens gaen, kunnen sien, maar wij hebben tot nogh toe geen tijdingh van haar bekomen. ON the 22nd September, 1725, we sent two ¦Creoles up the River Essequibo for the purpose of buying balsam, and they having brought down a small quantity on the 25th February of this year, and the greater part of the goods remaining outstanding, they again departed up the river on the 18th March to obtain payment for the same, but up to the present they have- not returned, and are daily expected. On the 14th March, Jan Batiste and Hendrik van der Win were sent to Orinoco for the afore said purpose, and also to buy red slaves, and were given a letter to the Governor of that river ; as your Lordships will see from the Minutes of that date and their instructions sent herewith ; up to the present, however, we have received no tidings from them. E 4 A .... en op de coffij plantagie in Cajoene heeden reeds 22,000 boonien te velde sijnde, kunnen U. Ed. Agtb. haar wel imagineeren wat voor een terrain soo een quantiteijt beslaed. ***** De gronden in Cajoene tot die culture beter sijnde, als er in de gansche collonie gevonden werden, sullen wij bij renfort van slaven genoot- ' saakt sijn al de coffij van den Hoek van Baritique (die daar niet groeijen wil en seer van de mieren geplaegt werd) meede in Cajoene te doen brengen. The coffee plantation in Cuyuni bearing at present 22,000 shrubs, your Lordships can well ; imagine of what dimensions the ground must be to hold such a quantity. * * * * The grounds in Cuyuni being better for this culture than any in the Colony, we shall, on the receipt of fresh slaves, be compelled to transplant thither all the coffee from the corner of Bartica (which will not grow there, and is much damaged by ants). B Inclosure 1 in No. 174. Extract from the Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, March 3, 1726. C D VERDERS in Rade overwogen sijnde dat Jan Baptist door manquement van brood tot nog toe niet na d'Oronocque heeft kunnen gesonden wer den, en het selve nu in gereetheijt sijnde, wert geresolveert hem op morgen van hier te senden, om te sien of hij van d'Heer Gouverneur van de genie, rivier permissie kon^le bekomen, om boven deselve op te mogen vaeren en alclaar negotie in Maraen Balsem en slaven te drijven, om welke permissie te faciliteeren den Heer Commandr. een brief aen den voorn: Heer Gouverneur van d'Oronocque sal schrijven, en voor present, onder bewaeringh van Jan Baptist, daarbijvoegen, een vaatje suijker van 200 lb. een kelder met 15 vles- schen kiltum, twee oude kaasen, tien dozijn messen en thien mast coralen, sullende hij Jan Baptist, nevens Hendrik van der Win, sigh exactelijk naar haare schriftelijke instructie moeten reguleeren. THE Court Having taken into consideration the fact that Jan Batiste had up to the present been prevented from going to Orinoco for want of bread, and that this was now ready, it was resolved to send him off to-morrow to see whether he could obtain permission from the Governor to proceed up the said river to buy maraen (balsam) and slaves?, to facilitate which permission the Commandeur was to write to the aforesaid Governor of Orinoco, and send as a present by Jan Batiste a barrel containing 20() lbs. 'of sugar, fifteen bottles of kiltum, two old cheeses, 10 dozen knives, and ten branches of coral ; and Jan Batiste, together with Hendrik van der Win, were ordered to follow their written instructions exactly. Inclosure 2 in No. 174. Copy of a Letter sent by the Commandeur to the Governor of Orinoco, March 4, 1726 Hoogh Ede. Manhaften Don en Heer, Gouverneur van d'Oronocque, &c, ONSE Heeren en Meesters de Edele Groot Agtb. Heeren Bewinthebberen der Ede. Generale Geoctroijeerde Westinde. Comp. ons geordonneert hebbende, eenige slaven en maraen balsem tot haar dienst alhier, in Rio Oronocque te laeten inhandelen, senden wij twee van haar bedienden genaamt Jan Baptist en Hendrik Van der Win, met eenige cargazoenen, om de voors slaven en maraen te gaen negotieeren, dogh met speciale ordre dat sij die negotie niet sullen hebben te onder- neemen sonder TJwel Eclhts. permissie. To the High and Mighty Governor of Orinoco, &c. OUR Lords and masters, the Directors of the Chartered West India Company, having ordered us to purchase in Orinoco some slaves and balsam for their service here, we send two of their servants, named Jan Batiste and Hendrik van der Win, with some merchandize to buy the aforesaid slaves and balsam oil, but with special orders that they shall not enter upon such business without your Lord ship's permission. V Inclosure 3 in No. 174. Instructions for Jav Batiste and Hendrik van drr Win. (Extract.) 2. GEMELTEN Gouverneur den brief seleesen . ,, , , . , . ,. ' ^ e^iGc^cn ^vj.awxj.u, -. xuusaiu vrovernor naving reau hebbende, en den mhourl Aan dien hem wel ver- the letter, and the contents of the same having ARTICLE 2. The said Governor having read tolkt sijnde, sal Jan Baptist aen sijn wel Ede. permissie versoeken om naar boven te mogen passeeren, tot het inhandelen van slaven en maraen voor d'Ede. Compe. 3. Deese negotie door den Gouverneur toeges- taen zijnde, sal den voorn. Jan Baptist, uijt de naam van den Heer Commandr. deeser collonie, aen den Gouverneur van Oronocque presenteeren een vaatje suijker, een kelder met 15 vlessen kiltum, twee oude kaasen, tien dozijn messen en thien masten corael. 4. Dogh Indien den Gouverneur de gemelte negotie komt te weijgeren, en na de voorsz ; pre- senten mogt vraegen, sal Jan Baptist sigh beleef- delijk excuseeren, en op de civielste wijse te kennen geven dat hij ordre heeft die presenten niet te mogen overhandigen voor en al eer hij permissie heeft naar boven te mogen passeeren tot het negotieeren van de gemelte slaven en maraen. 5. In dien den Gouverneur als nogh hetselve blijft weijgeren, sal Jan Baptist aen sijn Ed. seggen, ordre te hebben, om weder te rugge te keeren, en onderweege vaartuijgen voor d'Ede. Compe. te sullen handelen. 6. Waarnaer hij sigh in Ackierij sal begeven en vernemen of'er occasie is, om daar maraen en slaven interuijlen, en indien ja, sal hij Hendrik van der Win niet'de nodige cargazoenen tot dien handel daar laeteu, en ondertusschen sooveel paarden inhandelen als met fatsoen in sijn vartuijgh kunnen geladen werden, en deselve op sijn spoedigste in deese rivier brengen. 7. Voor sijn vertrek uijt Rio Oronocque sal hij Jan Baptist sorge dragen dat de dertigh stucken van aghten die d'Ede. Compe. daar nogh debet is in cargazoenen betaelt werden. been interpreted to him, Jan Batiste shall ask his Honour for permission to go up the river for the purpose of buying slaves and balsam for the Honourable Company. Article 3. Permission for this business having been granted by the Governor, Jan Batiste shall present the Governor of Orinoco with a barrel of sugar, fifteen bottles of kiltum, two old cheeses, 10 dozen knives, and ten branches of coral, in the name of the Commandeur of this Colony. Article 4. But in case the Governor shall refuse his permission for the business aforesaid, and shall ask for the presents, Jan Batiste shall make -a polite excuse, and inform him in the most civil manner that his orders are not to hand over the presents before he has obtained per mission to go up the river and buy the said slaves and balsam. Article 5. If the Governor persists in his refusal, Jan Batiste shall tell his Honour that he has orders to return, and to buy boats on the way back for the Honourable Company. Article. 6. After which he shall betake himself into Aguirre and inquire whether there is oppor tunity to get slaves and balsam by barter there, and, if so, then shall he leave Hendrick van der Win there with the necessary stores for the traffic, and meanwhile purchase as many horses as can with convenience be got into his vessel, and bring the same as quickly as possible to this river. Article 7. Before his departure from Orinoco. Jan Batiste shall take care that the thirty pieces of eight which are still owing there to the Honourable Company shall be paid in kind. B C D No. 175. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 5, 1726 (Extract.) I1EEDEN bekomen wij narigt dat Jan Baptist uijt d' Oronocque in Maroco gekomen is, en sigh verder naar herwaarts staat te begeeven, maar wij sijn tot nogh toe niet g' informeert hoe het met sijn reijs affgelopen is, en wenschen dat die voor- deligh voor TJ Ed. Agtb. magh sijn. WE have received news to-day that Jan Batiste has arrived in Moruka from the Orinoco, and that he is about to proceed hither, but we are not yet informed how his journey has turned out, and trust that it may have been to the advantage of iyour Lordships. E No. 176. Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, December 2, 1726. (Extract.) DEN Hr. Commandr. in de vergadering van October lastleden kennisse geven hebbende, dat sijn intentie was, om in 't laast van de voorsz : maend nevens den Raad en Secretaris de post van Wacquepouw leggende tusschen d' Oronocque en deese rivier te gaen besigtigen, en wetende dat de selve verre buijten de ords. passagie der vaar tuijgen die door de binnen wateren naar herwaarts komen, legt, een bequaeme plaats in de Rivier van Maroco te verkiesen, om het huijs en de post aldaar te verplaatsen, alsoo door die Rivier alle de vaartuijgen die binnen door komen absolut moeten [696—2] IN October last the Commandeur informed the Court of his intention to proceed to the Post of Wacquepo, lying between Orinoco and this river, at the end of the aforesaid month, and to inspect the same in company with the Councillor and Secretary; knowing that the said Post lies far out of the ordinary course of boats which come hither through the inland waters, it was his intention to choose a fit place in the River of Marocco to which he might transplant the house and Post, since all vessels which come through the inland waters must c F (3 A passeeren ; en alles door de genie. Heeren naauw- keurigh geexamineert sijnde, hebben sij de be- quaemste plaats geoordeelt te sullen weesen, aen de waterplaats daar de paarde haelders uijt d' Oronocque in de Rivier van Maroco komende ordinair pleijsteren, op sijn Indiaense genaemt Accoujere, kunnende het huijs daar soo naar bij de waterkant gebouwd werden dat men een hand grenaad in de vaartuijgen kan werpen en die Rivier aldaar op sijn naauwste is. En gecon- sidereert wesende de haggelijke situatie daar cle saken van Europa in sijn, Wert geresolvt. soo haest mogelijk het huijs en de post van Wacque- pouw op de voorn : pleijster plaats te doen stellen en alsoo occasie te hebben om behoorlijk geinfor- meert to weesen van de vijantlijke vaartuijgen die deese Rivier souden willt-.n molesteeren, en ons daar tegen in staat te stellen van deselve te keer te gaen. B pass that way. Everything having been closely examined by the said gentlemen, they decided that the fittest place was where the horser dealers from Orinoco generally moor their boats in the River of Moruka, called in the Indian language Accouiere, it being possible to build a house there so close to the river side that a hand grenade can be thrown into, the boats, the river being at its narrowest there. The unfortunate state of affairs in Europe having been taken into consideration, it was resolved to establish the house and Post of Wacquepo upon the aforementioned site as soon as possible, and thus have an opportunity of being kept welj informed of the hostile boats that had any in tention of coining to disturb this river, and sp enable us to place ourselves in a position to resist the same. No. 177. C D E The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 1, 1727. (Extract.) DEN 16e September laastleden arriveerde Jan Baptist uijt d' Oronocque alhier op Cartabe en bragt voor U Ed. Agtb. twee hondert stoop maraen, twee slavinnen en een kint, de reijse soude avan- tagieuser geweest sijn, in dien door het te lange uijtblijven de onkosten soo hoog niet waren gelopen. Het is ons leed TJ Ed. Agtb. te moeten berigten ondervonden te hebben dat de coffij in Cajoene op geen sestiende deel na soo veel vrugten sal geven als se voorleeden jaar gedaen heeft, en die op den Hoek van Barritique gtmsch geen vrugt gevende, vreesen wij dat deselve in verre niet sal voldoen aen de verwagtingh die men daar van gehad heeft. * * * * Int laast van Augustus van het verleeden jaar sijn van de plantagie van Pieter La Riviere inge- seeten deser collonie 23 stucks roode slaven naar d' Oronocque gelopen, en sijn soon gesonden heb bende om deselve te reclameeren, sonder het effect daar vante genieten, resolveerde hij in persoon derwaarts te gaen, dogh op d'ordinaris pleijster plaats van die Rivier gekomen sijnde is hij door een vaartuijgh een Spaensche Vlagge voerende geattacqueert en het ongeluk gehad hebbende van dood geschoten te werden, versogten de anderen quartier, waar naar de Spaenjaerden alle de goe- deren en cargazoenen plunderden en wegh naemen, en haar seijden dat sij ordre van den Gouverneur van Trinidates hadden om de ne gotie op die Rivier te beletten. ON the 16th September last Jan Batiste arrived here from Orinoco, and brought with him 200 stoops of balsam, two female slaves, and one child. The journey would have been more profitable if the expenses had not been so high, consequent upon the length of time it took. We are sorry to be obliged to inform your Lordships that we find the coffee in Cuyuni will not yield a sixteenth part of that which it did last year, and that the shrubs at the corner of Bartica- bearing no fruit at all, Ave fear that our expectations in this matter will not be fulfilled by a long way. At the end of August of last year twenty- three red slaves ran away from the plantation belonging to Pieter la Riviere to Orinoco, and he having sent his son there to claim them, but without any results, resolved to go there in person, but on arriving at the usual mooring place in that river he was attacked by a vessel flying the Spanish flag, and was unfortunate enough to be killed. Those with him begged" for quarter, whereupon the Spaniards took all their merchandize, and told them that they had orders from the Governor of Trinidad to stop the trade in that river. No. 178. E Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 26, 1727. (Extract.) ? AGHTBAARE Heeren nu eens overstaperide TURNING now, my Lords, to the matter of wegens de Kevier van Issequebe, het is nu omtrent the River Essequibo, it is now about two years twee jaar geleeden, dat m eijgen persoon met since I myself with Mr. van der Kaey proceeded a heer van de Kaeij zijn opgevaaren om te onder- up the river to find out whether it was not in zoeken, off het met eemgsms mogelijk soude any way possible to successfully set on foot weesen om met eemg succes boven in cle vallen te some enterprise up above the falls, but Ave found onderneemen, inaar bevond het vaarwater zeer gevaaiiijk, soo dat wij op sommige plaatsen ter nauwer noodt met een eorjaar door de vallen wierden opgetrokken, Soo dat het vaarwater volstreckt onmogelijk is te bevaaren met groote vaarthuijgen, te weeten canoos, Voor barken is het onmogelijk, want boven de plantagie Nieuw Cortrijk is het valle op \-alle, wat de gronden boven aangaat, de zelve quamen mij seer wel voor, maar ondersoght hebbende hoe hoogh het water aldaar wel zwelde, soo wierd mij op diverse plaatsen aangetoondt dat het selve tusschen de 25 a 30 voet in de reegentijclt daar swoll, soo dat het land meest alle onder waater staat, en men vindt aldaar ook zeer veel swaare bergen, de welk meest alle klippen sijn, en aan de waaterkant seer steijl. Aghtb. Heeren : hebbe ook met veel neerstigheid ondersoght wat negotie aldaar onder de Indiaanen moghte Arallen, en hebbe tot dato deses geen ander negotie konnen ontclecken, als alleen, een Aveinig meraan, die van daar gebraght werdt, en somtijds eenige roode slaven, tot Avelk eijnde nogh ver- leeden jaar 2 criolen na boven sijn geweest, dewelk wel 7 a 8 manden hadde uijtgeweest, en seer weinig hadde t'huijs gebraght, het eenighste dat dese colonie bij de Revier Issequebe profiteert, is dat deselve zeer A-issrijk is, cle welke jaarlijks soo voor de Comp. als vrij ingesetenen werdt besoght, om daar te souten, tot welken eijnde wederom voor haar Aghtb. twee vaarthuijgen claar gemaakt sijn, die in den mandt Arant Octob. cleses jaars staan te vertreoken, om aldaar te souten, om eenige manschap na boven te senden, Sien daar voor haar Aghtb. geen profijt, want niets can ontclecken van de wilde natie. the river A-ery dangerous, so that in some places A Ave were obliged to be drawn up in a corrial through the falls, with great danger to our lives. It is absolutely impossible to navigate the river with large, boats, such as canoes, and it is equally impossible with barques, because above the plantation Nieuw Cortrijk there is fall upon fall. With regard to the land out there, it seems to me very good, but having inquired Iioav high the water rose in those parts, it Avas pointed out to me in different places that it rose in the rainy season between 25 and 30 feet, so that nearly all the land is then under water, and there are also many great hills there B Avhich are nearly all rocky and very steep at the river side. I have also carefully inquired, my Lords, Avhat kind of trade might be done there with the Indians, and have up to the present not been able to discover any other trade but a little balsam which is brought thence, and sometimes a few red slaves. To this end two Creoles went up the river only last year, who, having been out for seven or eight months, brought very little home. The only profit that „ this Colony derives from the River Essequibo is ^ that the latter is very rich in fish, and is there fore visited annually both by the Company and by the private colonists for the purpose of salting, to which end two boats have again been prepared for your Lordships, which will be ready to depart in the month of October. I see no profit for your Lordships in sending any man up the river, because I can discover nothing of the savage nation. I) No. 179. Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, May 12, 1728. (Extract.) DOOR den Secretaris, H. Gelskerke, aen Ons gecommuniceert sijnde seekere missive geschreeven door Jan Baptist van de post van Wacquepow, en bij absentie van den Heer Commandr. door hem Secretaris geopent, waar bij te kennen gegeven wercl, dat de Spaenjaerts van d'Oronocque gewa- pender hand en met gewelt hadden genpmen, een Surinaems vaertuijgh ontrent de voorn. Rivier visschende, en verders meede uijt Barbados berigt bekomende dat er veel apparentie tot een oorlogh was, Wert geresolveert de Post van Wacquepouw voornt. met twee soldaten te versterken, en Jan Baptist te ordonneerep cle nodige brandwagten te doen houden ten eijnde wij ten spoedigsten ken- nisse mogen bekomen indien de Spaenjaerden eenige bemande vaartuijgen naar deese collonie soude mogen senden gelijk de gerugten lopen; En in cas de post van Wacquepouw geattacqueert mogte werden, sal den voorn. Jan Baptist sigh tot het uijtterste deffendeeren en den Hr. Commandr. aenstonts van die vijantlijkheijt onderrigten ; Authoriseerende bij deesen den Secretaris Gels kerke, om in absentie van geml. Hr. Commandr. tot het geene voorsz. is cle nodige ordres te THE Secretary, H. Gelskerke, having com municated to us a certain letter written by Jan Batiste from the Post in VVacquepo, and opened by him in the absence of the Com mandeur, in which information Avas giAren that the Spaniards of the Orinoco had with armed force taken possession of a Surinam vessel E fishing in the neighbourhood of the aforesaid river, and having also received information from Barbadoes that there was great probability of a war : It was resolved to reinforce the aforesaid Post of Wacquepo Avith two soldiers, and to direct Jan Batiste to have the necessary coast-guards posted, so that we may receive the earliest in formation in case the Spaniards should send any armed vessels to this Colony in accordance with the rumours afloat. And in case the Post of Wacquepo should be attacked, the aforesaid -p Jan Batiste shall defend it to the utmost and immediately inform the Commander of such hostilities, the Secretary Gelskerke being hereby authorized, in the absence of the Commandeur, to give all the necessary orders for the ac complishment of the aforesaid. Annex to No. 179. Secretary Gelskerke to Jan Batiste, Postholder at Wacquepo, May 13, 1728. B A UWE missive van den 7 deeser in absentie van den Heer Commandr. ontfangen hebbende, or- deelde ik het nodigh te weesen cle selve aen sijn Ede. en de verdere leden van den Raed te com- municeeren die te samen goed gevonden hebben uwe post met twee soldaten te verstercken de- welke ten dien eijnde hier nevens gesonden werden. Verders werd uwe uijt de naem van gemn. Hr. Commandr. geordonneert behoorlijke brandwagten daar het van noclen is uijt te leggen, om in tijts geinformeert te kunnen zijn van de A^aartuijgen die de Spanjaerden naar deese Collonie souden willen senden om deselve eenige molesten aen te willen doen, en 6ns daerA^an door expressens op het spoedigste kennisse te kunnen geven : ende indien de genie, natie uwe post tegens verwagting mogt komen te attacqueeren, sal uAve deselve tot het uijtterste defendeeren en ons daarvan door alle bequaeme middelen cito onderregten om uwe soo veel mogelijk het nodige secours te besorgen, uwe wel expresselijk verbiedende sigh met de saken van Maroze of andere diergelijke voorvallen in het minste niet te bemoeijen, en nog minder met eenige natien aen te spannen, om cle Span- r\ jaerden eenige oA^erlast aen te doen, maar geattac- queert werdencle, is het altijd verantwoordelijk gewelt met gewelt afftekeeren ; deese ordre stipte- lijk moetende geobserveert werden, kan UAve sigh daar naar reguleeren, en voornamentlijk sorge dragen dat wij van alle voorvallen ten spoedigste kennise krijgen HAVING received your letter of the 7th of this month, in the absence of the Commandeur, I considered it necessary to 'communicate the same to his Honour and the other members of the Court, avIio resolved to reinforce your Post with tAvo soldiers who are sent herewith. In the name of the aforesaid Commandeur you are ordered to have proper coast-guards posted, where such are necessary, so that we may be in formed betimes should the Spaniards wish to send any vessels to this Colony to molest the same ; and you are further ordered to give us im mediate information by express of such matter. And in case the aforesaid nation might come and attack your Post unexpectedly, you shall defend the same to the utmost, and immediately inform us thereof by every means at your disposal, so that we may send you as much necessary assistance as is possible. You are expressly forbidden to meddle in the least in the matters of* Maroze, or other similar occurrences, and still less are you to enter into any agreement with other nations to cause the Spaniards any annoy ance, but, being attacked, it is alAA'ays excusable to return bloAv for bloAv. These orders must be strictly observed, and you can regulate your conduct accordingly, and especially take care that Ave are informed of all occurrences as speedily as possible. No. 180. D Secretary Gelskerke, Esseauibo, to West India Com/xo'ty, April 26, 1729. (Extract.) ENDE ten opsigte Aran de docuinenten en papieren aen U Ed. Agtb. tot verantwoording harer effecten met deesen bodem gesonden, mij refereerende aen de missive van den Raede van Poiitie, sal ik overgaen met U Ed. Agtb. Kennisse te geven dat zedert eenige jaren herwaerts haare slaven soo wel als die der ingesetenen deeser Collonie, soo haest sij vermeijnden eenig misnoegen te hebben, naar Rio Oronocque deserteerdeen, daar der Spanjaerden ¦g haar aanhouden en als men se laat reclameeren niet willen ontslaen, en sij daar op stout sijnde, is men op middelen bedagt geweest om hier inne te voorsien, en onderregt weesende dat den Heer Gouverneur van Trinidates de France Tael magtigh was, heeft den overleden Heer Commandr. de nevensgaende brief aen sijn Ede. gesz., dogb tot heden toe geen antwoort bekomen hebbende, sal men tenteeren om door presenten, off een Tax op ijder slaef te stellen deselve te cloen resti- tueeren. REFERRING to the documents and papers sent your Lordships by this vessel, showing the state of your Lordships' property here, and referring also to the letter of the Court of Policy in this matter, I shall now proceed to inform your Lordships that for some years past your Lordships' slaves, as well as those belonging to the colonists, run away to Orinoco as soon as they think they have any grievance. There the Spaniards keep them," and will not give them up when we have claimed them. This makes them so insolent that measures have been devised to provide against this, and having been informed that the Governor of Trinidad was acquainted with the French language, the late Commandeur sent the accompanying letter to his Honour, but having up to the present received no reply, we shall see whether, by presents or by setting a price upon each slave, Ave shall not get them returned. E Inclosure in No/ 180. Commandeur, Essequibo, to the Governor of Trinidad and Orinoco, February 27, 1728. AY ANT apris que votre Excellence se trouve pre- sentement au Fort d'Oronocque, je n'aij pas voulu manquer de l'assurer de mes tres humble service, et de prendre la liberte de l'informer que plusieurs esclaves des habitans de cette Collonie ont oser deserter et rester sous votre protection dans la Riviere d'Oronocque, refusant de retourner a leur devoir, et comme parmij ces deserteurs il se trouve aussij des esclaves de La Noble Compagnie Occi dentals Messeigrs. et maitres, et que La Bonne Intelligence qui regne entre S. M. Catholique et Leurs Hautes Puissances nos Seigneurs les Etats Generaux demande a tenir reciproquement la main a tout ce qui put contribuer au bien du service et a l'interet de Leurs Sujets, Je Vous prie tres instamment, Monsieur, de vouloir bien nous ren- voyer par le porteur cle cette, tous les esclaves qui sont deserted de cette collonie, nous en aurons beaucoup d'obligation a votre Excellence, et nous tacherons par tous les moyens possible de Luy en temoigner notre reconnoissance. Si elle a cette bonte, elles nous evitera la peine cl'en faire nos plaintes a nos Seigneurs et Maitres, qui troiweront bien moyen cl'en informer Sa Majeste" Espagnolle par Leur Ambassadeur, qui reside a Madrit, laquelle selon sa bontd ordinaire nous fera bien rendre justice. S'il y a quelque chose pour le service cle votre Excellence dans cette collonie, elle put disposer cle celuy qui a l'honneur d'etre tres respectueuse- ment, &c. (Etoit signe) LAURENS D'HEERE. HAVING learnt that your Excellency is at A present at the Fort of Orinoco, I am ven desirous of assuring your Excellency of my most humble respects, and of taking the liberty to inform jou that several slaves belonging to the inhabitants of this Colony have dared to run away and to remain under your protection in-!, the River Orinoco, refusing to return to their duty ; and since amongst these deserters there are also some slaves belonging to my lords and masters the Honourable West India Company, and since the good understanding which reigns between His Catholic Majesty and _ their High Mightinesses the States-General -" requires to be kept reciprocally in the interests of their subjects, I beg most earnestly, Sir, that you may be pleased to return by the bearer of this all the slaves who deserted from this Colony. For this Ave shall be deeply obliged to your Excellency, and will seek by every possible means to assure you of our gratitude. If your Excellency is so kind as to do this you Avill save us the trouble of making our com plaints to our lords and masters, who will cer tainly find means of laying them, through the medium of their Ambassador in Madrid, before n His Spanish Majesty, who, with his usual good ness, will certainly have justice done us. If there be anything that can serve your Excellency in this Colony you may fully dispose of him Avho has the honour to be, very respect fully, &c. (Signed) LAURENS D'HEERE-. No. 181. Proclamation made by the Commandeur, Essequibo, July 4, 1729. D ALSOO aen den heer Commandeur diverse klagten gekoomen sijn van de vrije Indiaanen om laagh in deese collonie woonende weegens den grooten overlast die haar van sommige ingesetenen werden aan gedaan, waardoor te dugten is dat Indien die vexatien niet belet en teegen gegaan werden sij naar het exempel van anderen meede haare wooningen zullen abandoneeren en naar elders vertrecken waar door men hier in groote verleegentheijt soude geraaken derhalven hebben de heeren Commandeur en Raeden noodsakelijk geoordeelt daar inne ernstigh te moeten voorsien, met aen alle bedienden van d'Edl6 Comp: mits- gaaders de respective ingeseetenen deeser Collonie bij deesen wel expresselijk te verbieden de vrije Indiaanen in en ontrent deese revier en verder onder de Jurisdictie van d'Edl" Comp: woonende geen de minste overlast aen te doen ofte haar met gewelt tot werken te dwingen op de verbeurte van vijftigh Carolij guldens voor d'eerste reijse dat zij daar over sullen koomen klaagen, voor de tweede reijse hondert guldens ende zoo sulx ten derden male mogte koomen te gebeuren sal teegens soo daanigen overtreecler van onse ordre geprocedeert werden als naar regten. Aldus gedaan in Rio Essequebe den 4 Julij, 1729. H. GELSKERKE. WHEREAS the Commandeur has received clivers complaints from the free Indians dwelling in the lower portion of this Colony concerning the great tyranny to Avhich they are subjected by some inhabitants, from which it is to be feared that if those vexations are not prevented and put a stop to the Indians, following the example of others, will also leave their dwellings and proceed else where, thus occasioning great embarrassment here. The Commandeur and Councillors have, therefore, deemed it necessary to take serious measures in j; this matter, and to hereby expressly forbid all servants of the Honourable Company, as well as the respective inhabitants of this Colony, to exercise any or the least tyranny over the free Indians dwelling in or around this river or further, under the jurisdiction of the Honourable Com pany, or to employ force in compelling them to work, under a penalty of 50 Caroly guilders for the first time that they come and complain about it, and 100 guilders for the second time, and if it should occur for the third time, such offender against our orders shall be proceeded against according to law. E Thus done in the River Essequibo, the 4th July, 1729. (Signed) H. GELSKERKE. [696-2] D 10 No. 182. Proclamation made by the Commandeur, Essequibo, April 2, 1730. A DOOR den Heer Commandeur ondervonden zijnde dat diverse ingeseetenen deeser collonie onderneemen om door haare slaaven ofte ATrije Indiaanen die zy daar toe uyt zenden eenige handel te laaten drijven in cle reviren van Masseroene en Caioene, zoo met inruylen van roode slaaven als anders, en alsoo die twee riviren van over lange jaaren voor den prevativen handel van d'Ede. Comp. syn gehouden wert een ijgelijk by deesen wel expresselijk verboden daar inne eenige negotie te drijven op poene van confiscaatie der vaartuij gen slaaven en andere goederen en booven dien een boete van vyftigh Carolij guldens. -B H. GELSKERKE. Pio Essrquebo, Cartabo, April 2, 1730. IT having been found by the Commandeur'' that divers inhabitants of this Colony allow trade to be carried on in the rivers of _ Massa runi and Cuyuni through the medium of their slaves or free Indians whom they send out for that purpose, both for the exchange of red slaves and other things ; and whereas those two rivers had for years past been kept for the private trade of the Honourable Company, each ' and every one is hereby expressly forbidden to carry on any trade in them under the penalty of confiscation of the vessels, slaves, and other goods, and the imposition of an additional fine of 50 Caroly guilders. (Signed) H. GELSKERKE. Rio Essequibo, Cartabo, April 2, 1730. No. 183. c Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, May 30, 1730. (Extract.) DEN 29a en 30s dito besigtigde cle coffij- thuynen in Cajoene soo beneden als boven cle val, en bevond veele van d'oudste boomen vergaen, en de meeste in een slegte staet, Waaromme den Directeur Saigne' ordonneerde de omleggende gronden te gaen besigtigen, en soo haast het saisoen aenquam een nieuwe coffij en cacao thuijn te doen cappen om te probeeren of het niet mogelijk soude sijn die laatste vrugt in Caejoene (daar de beste grond daar toe is) ook aen to queeken. * * * * Den 18 April laestleden engageerde ik in j) U. Ed. Agtb. dienst Jan van der Meers, van Ostende, als Mr. Knegt op cle coffij plantagie in Cajoene, op een gagie van 12 f. per maand, hij heeft over al op de Franse en Spaense Eijlanden gesworven, ende in deese Collonie komende ontrent twee jaeren als Mr. Knegt gedient by den ' geweesen Raed Tierens en versekert mij sulke goede indigo te kunnen maeken als hier ergens op d'ijlanden gemaakt werd, ende aengenomen heb bende een preuve daar van te sullen toonen, is in Cajoene reeds een stukje grond schoon gemaakt en met indigo bezaeijt dat al mooij groeijt; men heeft hem belooft indien het succedeert soodanig E dat de preuve door U. Ed. Agtb. geapprobeert werd, als directeur van een indigo plantagie op een reedelijke gagie aen te sullen stellen. . . Den Directeur Saigne is actueel doende om een neuwe Coffij Thuyn te happen op het Eijland Batavia in Cajoene, naar gissinge voor vier a vijff duijsent coffij en twee duijsent cacao boomen voor welke laaste vrugt hem plantzoen besorgt hebbe van omtrent twee hondert bolsters, de grond schijnt heel goet te weesen en ik sal alle devoiren aenwenden om de cacao meede aen te queeken, al was het maar soo veel dat U. Ed. Agtb. wat pro- •* visie konde senden. Den 26 May cles voorleden jaars, ontfing ik een onverwagt besoek van een Frans Heer, ge- naement Nicolas Gervais Bisschop van Orran, komende uijt d'Oronocque, verseit van drie ON the 29th and 30th September [i.e., 1729] I inspected the coffee plantations in Cuyuni both above and beloAV the fall, and found many of the oldest trees withered, and most of them in a bad state, wherefore I ordered the Director Saigne • to go and inspect the surrounding lands, and to have a new coffee and cocoa plantation laid out toAvards the next season in order to see AA'hether it Avould not be possible to grow the last-men tioned product in Cuyuni (Avhere the ground is best fitted for it). * * * * On the 18th April last I engaged for your Lordships' service one Jan van der Meers, of Ostend, as foreman at the coffee plantation in Cuyuni, at a salary of 12 guilders per month. He has been in all the French and Spanish islands, and coming into this Colony about a few years ago he served as foreman with the ' ex-Councillor Tierens, and he assures me that he can make indigo as Avell as it is made any where on these islands, and 1 having expressed a desire to see a sample of this, a small piece of land in Cuyuni has already been cleared and sown \A^ith indigo, which is growing very prettily : he has been promised that if he succeeds to such an extent that the sample is approved by your Lordships, he shall be ap pointed Director of an indigo plantation at a fair salary. The Director Saigne is at present engaged in laying out a new coffee plantation upon the Island Batavia, in Cuyuni, Avhich, according to computation, will hold 4,000 or 5,000 coffee and 2,000 cocoa trees, about 200 bundles of plants of the latter having been furnished by me. The ground seems to be.very good, and I shall do everything in my power to cultivate the cocoa, even Avere it only sufficient to send your Lordships some for your own consumption. On the 26th May of last year I received an unexpected visit from a French gentleman named Nicolas Gervais, Bishop of Orran, coining from the Orinoco, accompanied by three servants. 11 domestiques, naardat sij Ede snagts uijtgerust hadde, gaf hij mij te verstaen van intentie te weesen, om sigh in of ontrent deese collonie optehouden en' te sien of er geen middel soude Weesen d'lndiaenen deeser landen tot het Christen dom over tebrengen, indien hem'daartoe permissie Avilde verleenen, en vooraf sijn Ed. over soo een heerlijk voorneemen verscheijcte lou'anges gevende, vertoonde hem d'onmogelijkheijt daarvan en ver- volgens, dat het in mijn magt niet was hem soodanige permissie te vergunnen, ende over niijne geallegueerde reedenen voldaen zijnde, versogt den 28en naar d'Hr. Buisson, en daar, na Rio Berbice te vertrekken ; Verders sullen u Ed. Agtb. uijt de nevensgaende missive door mij aen den H1' Gouverneur-General van Martinique geschreeven kunnen sien, hoe ongelukkig die prelaet A-an dTndiaenen in Acquirij vermoort is. After he had rested for the night, he expressed- to A me his intention of making a stay in or about this Colony and seeing Avhether there might not be some means of converting the Indians of these lands to Christianity, if I would grant him per mission to do so. Having first given him mani fold praise for such a noble project, I demonstrated to him the impossibility thereof, and, furthermore, that it was not in my power to grant him such permission ; and, being satisfied with the reasons I had alleged, he asked on the 28th to set out for Mr. Buisson's and thence for Berbice B Furthermore, you will see from the inclosed letter, written by me to the GoA^ernor-General of Martinique, Iioav that prelate has unhappily been murdered by the Indians in Aguirre. Inclosure in No. 18:: Comma nd cur, Essequibo, to the Governor -General of Martinique, March 2, 1730. A Son Exce Monsieur le Gouverneur General cle la Martinique. QUOY que je n'ay pas l'honneur d'etre connu de votre Exce, un tres facheux malheur arrive pres d'Oronocque a une personne distinguee par ses.merites et le rang qu'il tenoit, dans l'Eglise Romaine, me fait prendre la liberte d'informer votre Exce, qu'il y a environ neuf mois que j'eut l'honneur de recevoir dans cette Colonie, Mons1' Nicolas Gervais, Ev^que d'Orran. Apres avoir repose quelques jours icy, il me communiqua que son dessein etoit d'aller a Surmame ; pour faeiliter ce voyage je luy fit donner un de mes jagts, avec le monde et provisions necessaire pour pouvoir aller commodement a la Riviere de Berbice et pria Mons1' le Commandeur de cette Collonie par une lettre, de vouloir bien avoir la bonte" de faire transporter M1' l'Ev&que jusqu'au Corentin, ou est le premier poste de Suriname, et il a eu l'hon- netete d'y mettre ordre. Au commencement du mois de. Septembre cle l'ann^e passee j'apprit par un lettre de ce prelat son retour dans cette riviere, et qu'il etoit d'in- tention d'aller en Oronocque me priant de luy fournir un bon guide, et quatre ou cinq Indes, pour le conduire, et j'eut soin de les envoyer le me^me jour. Mais je fus bien mortifie' Monsieur, d'apprendre, que les Indes d'Acquiri (un ruisseau en Oronocque), avoient tiie" a la fin clu mois cle Novembre le susdit Mons1' 1'EvSque d'Orran, et deux personnes de sa suite ; un habitant cle cette Collonie nomine Jan Ravensbergh, qui alloit faire negoce dans ce ruisseau, trouA'a le corps mort du Prelat, et le fit enterrer le mieux qu'il pouvoit, mais selon le rapport des Indes ils avoient jette les autres corps dans la riviere. J'ay 6te sensiblement touchez de ce triste sort, et j'ay l'honneur d'envoyer a votre Ex0, par Mons1' de la Farge, dans une caisse quelques livres, et ornemens d'Eglise, que le dit habitant a trouve dans la maison, mais toute sa vaisselle et autres hardes, ont etez emportez par les Indes. Le Commandant du poste que j'ay entre l'Oronocque et cette Riviere, a fait une recherche To His Excellency the Governor-General of Martinique. 0 ALTHOUGH I have not the honour of being knoAvn to your Excellency, a very sad mishap which has near Orinoco befallen a person distin guished by his merits and by the rank Avhich he held in the Roman Church, makes me take the liberty, to inform your Excellency that about nine months ago I had the honour of receiving in this Colony M. Nicolas Gervais, Bishop of Orran. After having, rested here for a few days, he communicated to me that his inten- J_) tion was to go to Surinam ; in order to facilitate this voyage, I gave him one of my yachts, with the necessary folk and proAdsion, to enable him to go comfortably . to the River of Berbice, and I requested the Commandeur of that Colony by a letter to be pleased to have the kindness to have the Bishop transported as far as the Corentyn, where is the first post of Surinam ; and he had the kindness to see to it. At the beginning of the month of September of last year, I learned by a letter from that prelate of his return to this river, and that it was his intention to go to Orinoco, requesting me to E furnish him with a good guide and four or five Indians to conduct him, and I took care to send them the same day. But, Sir, I was greatly mortified when I learned that the Indians of Aguire (a creek in Orinoco) had at the end of the month of November killed the aforesaid Bishop of Orran and two persons of his retinue. An inhabitant of this Colony, named Jan Ravensbergh, who was going to carry on trade in that creek, found the dead body of the prelate, and had it buried as well as he could ; but, according to the report of the Indians, they had thrown the other -„ bodies into the river. I was greatly affected by this sad fate, and I have the honour to send to your Excellency, through M. de la Farge, in a box, certain books and church ornaments, which the aforesaid inhabitant found in the house ; but all his plate and other effects h&ve been carried off by the Indians. The Commandant of the Post which I have between the 'Orinoco and this river has made a 12 A exacte pour decouvrir les principaux effets, mais inutile. S'il y a dans cette Collonie quelque chose qui puisse etre agreable a votre Excellence, nous la supplions d'ordonner, celuy qui a l'honneur d'etre tres respectueusement Monsieur cle A'otre Excellence le tres humble et tres obeissant ser- viteur H. GELSKERKE. A Rio Essequebe an Fort Iiijk Over All, le 2e Mars, 1730. careful search to discover the most important effects, but without result. If in this Colony! there is anything Avhich may be pleasing to your"' Excellency, I beseech you to command him who has the honour to be very respectfully your Excel lency's very humble and obedient servant, River 1730. (Signed) Essequibo, at H. GELSKERKE. Fort Kijkoveral, March 2, B No. 184. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, February 15, 1731. (Extract.) VERDERS sende aen U. Ed. Agtb. onder bewariug van Schipper Daniel Bellein in een kleijn doosje met lijnwaet overnaeijt en gemerkt W een preuve van de indigo door Jan Aran der Meers gemaakt, Indien U. Ed. Agtb. deselve appro- beeren, en hem als directeur gelieven aen te C stellen, heeft hij een gagie van dertigh guldens per maend gevraegt, met bijvoeging A_an niet minder te sullen clienen, en alle provisie en Arerver- singen te moeten hebben die andere directeuren genieten. Ick wensche A-an herten dat het den Hemel behaegen magh deese vrugt (als het bequaemste micldel sijnde om deese Collonie verder te bevolkeiri to zeegenen. I SENT your Lordships by Captain Daniel Bellein in a small box covered with linen and marked W a sample of the indigo made by Jan van der Meers. If your Lordships approve of the same, and are pleased to appoint him a Director, he has asked for a salary of 30 guilders a-month, adding that he Avill not serve for less, and that he must then also have all the pro visions to Avhich the other Directors haATe a right. I Avish from the bottom of my heart that heaven might be pleased to bless this plant (as being the surest means of further populating this Colony). (Signed) H. GELSKERKE. No. 185. D West India Company {Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Esserjuibo, March 14, 1731. (Extract.) E E DAT cle verantwoordingh dewelcke UEd. bij deselve haere missive doen wegens den inkoop der victualie van de Engelse ons niet satisfactoir can voorkomen, connen UEd. ; veelligt affnemen uijt hetgeene wij bij onse missive van den 29 Decem ber, 1729, daerover hebben geschreeven, waertoe wij UEd. mitsdien renvojeren, en deselve ook blijven inhareren ende is onse becommernis seer geringh dat de Engelse geen paerden souwden willen aenbrengen, soo UEd. haer verder niet aff- kogten hetgeene sij voorgenomen hadden in de riviere te verkoopen, behalven dat UEd. wel bewust sijn, dat het ongelijck raadtsamer voor de Compe is de negotie op Oronocque met de Span jaerden te cultiveren als dit bedrijff met de Engelse te favoriseren. wij willen ook hter ontrent wel sijn geinfformeert waer vandaen dese Engelse de paarden haelen dewelcke UEd. seggen dat zij in cle riviere inbrengen om onse gedagten ook daerover nader te konnen laten gaen. * * * * Van wat uijtwerkinge is geweest UEd. dessein in de publicatie van pardon voor de deserteurs na Oronocque -eri daerbij geprojecteerde onderhande- linge met den Gouverneur van Trinidatis bij resolutie van de Vergaderinge van Policie gearres- teert den 4 July, 1729, sullen wij affwagten te verstaen. Dat UEd. by resolutie van den 2 April, 1730, aen particuliere hebben verboden den handel in de Rivieren Masseroene en Cajoene approbeeren wij volkomen, dienonverminclert egter willen wij THAT the explanation which you furnish by the same letter as regards the buying of provi sions from the English cannot appear satisfactory to us, you can probably deduce from what we wrote about the matter in our missive of the 29th December, 1729, to which we hereby refer you, and we continue to hold the same opinion. We have little fear that the English would bring no horses if you did not also buy from them what they had intended to sell in the river ; moreover, you are well aware that it is far more advisable for the Company to foster the trade to Orinoco with the Spaniards than to favour this dealing with the English. We also wish to have exact information where those English get the horses. which you say they bring to the river, so that we may be able to give this matter further considera tion. What has been the outcome of your plan of the Proclamation of a pardon for the deserters to Orinoco and of the negotiations with the Governor of Trinidad at the same time projected, as voted , by Resolution of the Coifrt of Policy on the 4th '¦ July, 1729, we shall hope to learn. That by Resolution of the 2nd April, 1730, you , have forbidden to private colonists the trade hi j the Rivers Massaruni and Cuyuni meets with our J full approA-al. NeArertheless, we wish to he 13 wel zijn geinfformeert van wat nuttigheijt desen handel A'oor de Comp. affsonderlijck is, boven en behalven die inhandeling van rode slaven, en off ook uijt dese rivieren geen meerder nuttigheijt voor de Comp. gehaelt soude konnen werden, als tot hiertoe is gepractiseert ; en voorts wat quanti- teijt roode slaven op een jaer alclaer ingehandelt werden. oft connen werden, en A-an wat valeur dese roode slaven bij comparatie van negerslaven gehouden mogen werden ; ende verder hoeveel deselve bij inkoop komen te kosten, informed of what profit to the Company in particular this trade is, above and beyond that buying up of red slaves, and, moreover, whether the Company might not derive some further profit from those rivers than has hitherto been the case ; and, further, what quantity of red slaves are, or can be, bought up there in one year, and at what value these red slaves may be rated in comparison with negro slaves ; and, furthermore, how much they come to cost by purchase. No. 186. B Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, April 1, 1731. (Extract.) VERDER door den directeur van de coffij plantagie een memorie over gegeven zijnde, bevint men dat hij zeedert de maant December 1730, tot de maand February deeses jaars. in de nieuwe thuijn geplant hadde 12,100 coffij boomen, en 200 kakouw boomen. ACCORDING to a report submitted by the Director of the coffee plantation, it Avas found that from December 1730 to February of this year he had planted 12,100 coffee shrubs and .200 cocoa trees in the new plantation. 0 No. 187. The Court .of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, July 4, 1731. (Extract.) WIJ konnen geen andere redenen van de Engelze vaart geven als in onze missive van den In Juny, 1730, gedaan, alzo de geringe ingese- tenen deser colonie buijten dien niet konnen bestaen, en ¦ sedert is er van de Engelze niet geno- men off gekogt, als paarden, blom, planken en andere noodwendigheden daar men reke van sal doen met het verzenden der boeken, en alzoo UEd. Agtb. gelieven geinformeert te wezen A'an wat plaetzen de Engelze haare paarden halen die zij in deze colonie aanbrengen, is uijt haar eijgen landt, werdende bij haar genaamt Rood Yland, Baston en Ambay welcke plaetzen gelegen zijn in Nieuw Engelancl off Nieuw Nederland, en de negotie met de Spanjaer[den] aantegaan in Rio Oronocque daar is geen staat op te maken wijl zij beletten geen handel boven haar fort met de Indianen magh werden gedreven als alleen met haar, omdat zij des te beter gelegentheijt souden hebben om den handelaar zijn goederen om een bagatel te contisqueren, gelijk onlangs nogh gebeurt is, aan twee ingesetenen deser colonie die zij haar goederen ontnomen hebbende met een kleijn vaartuijgh weggesonden en verongelukt zijn, ook zijn de Spaanse paarden soo goet niet, als die van de Engelze, alsoo men daar menig- vuldige exempelen in deze colonie van ziet voor- namentlijk willen zij niet aarden op plantagien die morassige gronden hebben, bovendien soud' men expres twee a 3 maal int jaar derwaars om paarden moeten zenden voor UEd. Agtb. plan tagien, waartoe de nodige cargasoenen souden vereijst werden en sulkx soude ook niet sonder gevaer konnen geschieden, en veel kostbaarder vallen dan men de paarden hier voor siroop en kiltum kopen. Van wat uijtwerking de gedaane Publicatie van Pardon ontrent de deserteurs geweest is, heeft niet veel effect gedaan alzoo maar twee van UEd. Agtb. slaven terugh zijn gecomen, den Commandant van [696—2] WE can give no other reasons about the English trade than was done in our letter of the 1st June, 1730, as the lesser inhabitants of this Colony cannot exist without it. Since then nothing has been taken or bought of the English but horses, flour, boards, and other necessaries, an account whereof we shall submit when the books are sent. Since your Honours desire to be informed from what places the English get the horses which they bring to this Colony, it is from their own land, called by them Rhode Island, Boston, and Amboy, places situated in New England or New Netherland. The trade to be done with the Spaniards in River Orinoco cannot be relied upon since they allow no trade above their fort with the Indians, but only with themselves, that they may have the better opportunity for confiscating the trader's goods on account of any trifle, as happened quite recently to two in habitants of this Colony, whose goods they took from them, and sent them off in a small boat, and who perished. Besides, the Spanish horses are not so good as those of the English, as is seen by many examples in this Colony ; especially they will not thrive on plantations which have a marshy soil ; moreover, we should have to send thither two or three times a-year expressly to get horses for your Honqurs' plantations, for which purpose the necessary wares would be required, and this could not be done without danger, and would prove much more expensive than buying the horses here for syrup and rum. With regard to the result of the Proclamation of pardon for the deserters, the effect has been very slight, as only two of your Honours' slaves have come back. The Commandant of the Orinoco E D E E 11 A de Oronocque heeft te keimen gegeven dat den Gouverneur van Trinidates in geen onderhandeling zoude komen over de weghgelopene slaven, ende indien hij sulkx deede soude het maar voor den tijd van drij jaaren konnen zijn, alzoo die Gou- verneurs alle drij jaren werden affgelost, en clan opnieuws met haar moetende contracteren veel te costbaar zoude vallen. has notified that the Governor of Trinidad would enter upon no negotiations regarding the runaAvay slaves, and if he did so it could only be for three years, as those Governors are relieAred eArery three years, and it would be far too costly to be obliged to contract anew with them every time. B C 1) No. 188. Ihe Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, July 14, 1731, (Extract.) AANGAANDE de Nuttigheijt van den hanclel in de reviren van Masseroene, en Caioene voor d' Ede. Comp. afsouderlijk, is maar alleen voor roode slaaven, en men heeft ook deese ordre ver- nieuwt om dat het van outs by voorige Comman- deurs een verbot is geweest, dogh de meeste Indiaanen daar van daan vertrocken zynde is dien handel van weynigh nut, als alleen voorde oriane verwe, de plantagie Poelwijk booven cle eerst genoemde revier geleegen zynde handelt somtyts een a twee roode slaaven in een geheel jaar, dat nogh kinderen zyn van ontrent aght a thien jaaren out, den inkoop van dien kompt te staan op 12 tot 13 stux beylen en kapmessen, beneffens wat klijn cargazoen, ook konnen de roode slaaven nevens een swaarte slaaf geen werk verrigten, en werden op de plantagien meest ge- bruijkt tot het jaagen en vissen, de vrouwen van dien om cassavie te bearbeijden tot daagelijkse consuptie van eene plant. Den overvloet van klippen die in deese twee reviren leggen, waar door de vallen veroorsaakt werden zijnde een stercke aff waateringh die over de rotzen heen stort, maakt dat de selve met groote vaartuijgen on- vaarbaar is, waar om onmoogelijk geen plantagien konnen gestigt werden, schoon de gronden daar genoegsaam bequaam toe zijn. CONCERNING the advantages of the trade in the rivers of Massaruni and Cuyuni for the Honourable Company alone, this consists only in red slaves, and the order has been renewed because the veto was one kept up by all former Commandeurs. But most of the Indians having left those parts that trade is now of less profit, except for the oriane dye. The plantation Poelwijk, lying up in the first-mentioned river, sometimes buys one or two red slaves in a whole year, but they are mostly children of about 8 or 10 years old, who are bought for about twelve or thirteen axes and choppers, together with a few provisions. The red slaA^es, too, cannot work together with a black slave, and are mostly used on the plantations for hunting and fishing, the women looking after the cassava for the daily consumption of the plantation. The great number of rocks which lie in these two riA'-ers, and which occasion the falls by reason of the strong stream rushiDg over them, makes these rivers unnavigable for large _ vessels, wherefore it is impossible to establish any plantations there, although the soil is very Avell fitted for it. Inclosure in No. 188. E E (Extract.) Leijste van het kanon heeden den 12 July 1731 bevonden op d'Eclle. Comp. Forten, etc., en geplaast als volgl : Op de post van Wackapo — 2 atuckea kanon (2-ponders). 2 „ ,, (1-ponders). List of the Cannon, to-day, July 12, 1731, existing at the Company's forts, &c, and placed as follows : At the post of Wacquepo — 2 pieces cannon (2-prs.). 2 -. ,, (I-prs.). No. 189. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, February 4, 1732. ZEEDERT vinden wij ons vereert met U Ed Agtb. missive van den 19e Julij des selven jaars per het schip Oosterbeek Schipper Henderik van Riet, waar uijt sien het gezondene monster indigo ter examinatie gegeeven bevonde is van gemeene caliber te sijn, en om een goede preuve daar van te nemen ten minste wel 18 a 20 pont noodigh hadden, het geene per naaste sullen tragten te zenden, alsoo heeden daar een aan vank van gemaakt en bereijts een openingh gecapt en met (Extract.) WE are honoured with your Lordship's letter of the 19th July of last year by the vessel " 0.osterbeek,'' skipper Henderik van Riet, from which we see that the sample of indigo sent tor examination was found to be of common quality, and that in order to value it thoroughly at least 18 or 20 lbs. were required. This quantity we Avill try to send on the next occasion. A commencement has already been made to day, and a clearing made and planted with 15 indigo beplant is, booven in de revier Caioene, en den Mr. Planter van der Meers aldaar geplaast met 22 slaaven om die culture met soo veel spoed voort te setteu als doenlijk weesen zal, in dien de saijsoenen van 't jaer sulx permiteeren ; Gem. van der Meers heeft ons verseekert dat den indigo waar van der monsters U Ed. Agtb. gezonden soo goed is als die op de eijlanden in Westindien gemaakt werden, de matriaalen en noodwendig- heeden dien aan gaande hebben wij volgens factura uijt het schip Oosterbeek wel ontfangen. indigo up in the River Cuyuni. The planter, A Van der Meers, has been placed there, with twenty-two slaves, to proceed with the culti vation as speedily as possible, if the season permits of it. The said Van der Meers has assured us that the indigo, of Avhich a sample was sent to your Lordships, is as good as that made in the West India Islands. We therefore hope that the cultivation may be attended with success. The materials and necessities required for this Avere received in good condition by the ship,," Oosterbeek" as per factura. B No. 190. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 5, 1732. (Extract.) HEBBEN d' eer U Ed. Gr. Agtb. weegens cle coffij te seggen dat het grootste gedeelte der boomen op 't' Eijlant Batavia tot nogh ' toe voor- deeligh staan maar de cacao een seer teere vrugt sijnde isser veel van dat plantzoen vergaan en gestorven, men went evenwel al devoiren aen om die twee vrugten met succes voort to setten, en wenschen dat den hemel sijnen milden zeegeh hier toe verleenen zal. U Ed. Agtb. sullen ook door Schipper van der Port overhandigt werden een klijn viercant cassie waar in ontrent elff pont indigo, Wy oordeelen daar genoegh zal weesen om een goed preuve te konnen neemen ondertusschen maakt men alle spoet om den aen queek van dien voort te setten, daar den indigo planter redelijke verAvagtingh van heeft. CONCERNING the coffee, Ave have the honour to inform your Lordships that the greater part of the trees on the Island of Batavia are still in a thriving state ; but the cocoa, being a very tender plant, much of this crop has withered and died. EArery thing possible is done to further the success of these two products, and we trust that heaven will favour us with its blessing hereupon. * * * * Captain van der Port will also hand your Lordships a small square box containing about 11 lb. of indigo. We think this will be sufficient to constitute a fair sample; meanAvhile every effort is being made to further the cultivation of this plant, of which the indigo planter enter tains fair expectations. D No. 191. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 5, 1732. (Extract.) DEN 12e Augs. der Voorleden Jaars Wierd in Cajoene door Neege Negers een begin gemaekt, om een opening te Cappen Voor den Indigo planter, tot het maken der huijsingen Negerie en alles wat verder tot die plantagie nodig is op een plaets die hij tot den aenqueek van den indigo het be- quaemste oordeelde, Welke opening in 't begin van Octob. gebrant sijnd, begon men den 8e. schoon te maken ' en de grond van al het hout te suijveren, Waar na men indigo en broot in die opening pi ante ; Den 26e Novemb. de nieuw geplante indigo hebbende weesen besigtigen, be vond dat deselve mooij opquam, maar kort daar aen is wel twee derde van dien door den swaeren reegen vergaen en weggespoelt, dat ten eersten wederom na geplant sijnde seer traeg opge- komen is ; den indigo planter heeft egter de ver- wagting dat die onderneming reedelijk wel suc- cederen sal, het welke van herten ben wensch- ende en U Ed. Gr. Agtb. gelieven verseekert te weesen dat er van mij niets versuijmt wert om hem daar toe verder te annimeeren. ON the 12th August of last year a beginning was made by nine negroes with cutting an opening for a new indigo plantation in Cuyuni, with making the houses for the negroes, and with all other matters required for the plantation at a place which the planter thought best fitted for the cultivation of the indigo. This opening being burnt at the beginning of October, was cleared of all the wood and rubbish on the 8th and following days, and indigo and cassava were then planted thereon. On going to inspect the newly-planted indigo on the 26th November I found it was coming up very. nicely, but shortly afterwards quite two-thirds of it was spoilt and carried away by the heavy rains. The fresh seed that was sown here has come up very slowly, but the indigo planter has hopes that the undertaking will turn out fairly well, which I cordially trust, and I assure your Lordships that nothing shall be loft undone on my part to encourage him further. E E Ende aen U Ed. Gr. Agtb. oogmerk om de negotie met de naturellen te landewaert in (soo 't mogelijk is) aen te queeken, meede tragtende te voldoen, dagt mij het gevoeglijkst een bediende van U Ed. Agtb. en twee creolen daartoe te moeten gebruijken, en Jacobus van der Burg die Tu order to attempt to carry out your Lord ships' wishes concerning the cultivation of the trade with the natives inland (if such be pos sible), I thought it best to use. one of your Lordships' servants and two Creoles for this purpose, and considering that Jacobus van der A voor de plant: Poelwijk verscheijde jaren m de vallen gesouten heeft, daertoe de bequaemste oordeelende, om dat hij die lugt gewoon is, sond ik hem den 15e Octok, 1731, boven de vallen in Essequebe, met ordre om soo verre als 't eenig- sints doenlijk was te gaen, in alle vriendelijkheijt met d' Indianen te handelen, en verder te sien of hij geen opperhoofden na herwaerts konde locken ten eijnde door tolken met haar selver te kunnen spreeken, maar nog niet weder gekomen sijnde, sal ik d' eer hebben U Ed. Gr. Agtb. bij occasie daar over nader te berigten. B Burg, Avho has salted for the plantation Poehvijk for many years in the falls, Avas best fitted for this purpose, because he was used to the climate, I sent him above the falls in Essequibo on the 15th October, 1731, Avith orders to go as far as he possibly could, to deal with the< : Indians in a most friendly manner, and further to see whether he could not induce any Chiefs to come here, so that I might talk to them myself by means of interpreters ; but as he has not yet returned I shall have the honour to report to your Lordships further on this matter $• at the proper time. r No. 192. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 21, 1733. (Extract.) IN het laest van April des voorleden jaers is Van der Burg van boAren wederom gekomen, en om cle swaere droogte die daar Avas geen water q genoeg in de kreeken gevonden hebbende, heeft hij soo Arerre niet kunnen gaen als hem belast was en maar wat vis kunnen zouten, hij is in October wederom vertrocken, en nogh boven in 't Lant, soo dat Aran sijne reijse niets kan melden. AT the end of April of last year Van der Burg returned from his journey up the river, and having found insufficient water in the creeks, on account of the long-continued drought, he was unable to go so far as he had been ordered, and was only able to salt some fish. In October he again departed, and is still up in the country, so that I can make no report con cerning bis journey. No. 193. D Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India Company, Deeeniber 5, 1733. (Extract.) . . , . DE verlegentheijt van paerden zoo op UEd. Agtb. plantagien als op die der ingesetenen dezer colonie bereijts al groot zijnde, sal ik door alle bequaame middelen tragten van de Spaiu- jaarts geholpen te werden, maar tot dezen handel mede diverse cargasoenen nodig zijnde als blanke bijlen, en capmessen, Osnabrugse linnen in soort, 5/n messen, coraalen etca. van alle hetwelke hier weijnig off niets is, omdat men de plantagien niet verlegen heeft connen laten, weshalven UEd. -p Agtb. permissie versoeke mij ne instantien te ver- dobbclen teneijnde het haar Wel Ed. behagen magh genoegsaame cargasoenen nae herwaers te doen zenden, om alle de voors. noodsakelijkheden te konnen doen inhandelen. Den uijtlooper van der Burgh meer als een jaar agter den anderen boven in Isequebe onder de natien zijnde om te negotieren heeft mij in Sep tember laestleden een criool met twee slavinnen en wat maraanbalzem afgesonden en geschreven dat hij in Novembr. mede zoude af komen maar ik heb hem tot nog toe niet \rernonien. . . . THE want of horses having already become great, on your Honours' plantations as well as on those of the inhabitants of this Colony, I shall by all available means try to obtain them from the Spaniards. For this trade, however, \-arious wares are needed, such as polished axes and cutlasses, assorted Osnabrtick linen, five nail knives, heads, &c, of all of which there is little or none here, as we could not leave the plantations without them. Therefore, I ask your Honours' permission to redouble my entreaties that your Honours may be pleased to send sufficient wares hither, and thereby enable us to buy the aforesaid necessaries. The outrunner, Van der Burg, who has been among the tribes up in Essequibo for more than a year altogether in order to trade, sent me in Sep tember last one Creole, with two slave Avomen and some copaiba balsam, writing that he would himself come doAvn in November ; but I have not yet seen him. E No. 194. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, December 5, 1733. (Extract.) GEVEN ons d'eer haar wel Ede. ten respecte IN reply to the orders given us by your van de ordres om naer bequame gronden zoo voor Lordships to look out for fit grounds both for 17 coffij, als cacao, uijt te zien te berigten, dat de coffij en cacao plantagie in Cajoene redelijke be quame gronden tot den aanqueek Aran de voorsz : twee vrugten hebbende, men met de slaven aldaer bescheijden alle middelen employeert clewelke tot voortzettinge, en verder uijtbreijdingh van de selve dienen kunnen, gelijk uijt den inventaris van die Plantagie met het retour A^an voors: scheepje aan de Ede. Groot Agtb. Heeren Bewin- thebb^ren ter Kamer Zeelant gezonden zal blij- ken Maer met de hier zijnde slaaven in geen staat wesende om op andere bequame gronden een nieuwe plantagie tot den verderen aanqueek van de voorsz: twee vrugten te kunnen beginnen, om dat de respective Directeuren haer werk na rato van het getal harer onder hebbende slaaven regu- leeren, sal men bij provisie cle voorsz: plantagie in Cajoene met behoorlijke attentie maer kunnen voortzetten, en zoo veel moogelijk is uijtbreijden. Hier over gezonden monster Incligo maer in een vat geweekt en geslagen zijnde, om dat de putten nogh niet gemaekt waaren, heeft volgens het zeggen van den Directeur niet beeter kunnen vallen. ***** Verder werden hier alle dienstige middelen geemploijeert om de negotie met cle Indianen aan te_ queeken, maer de verscheijdenthijt der natie en het gebrek aan goede tolken zijn groote hinder- palen om hier inne wel te kunnen reusseeren, ook isser geen apparentie van succes eenige gout of zilver mijnen te kunnen ontdecken, zoo lange U. Ede. Gr. Agtb. geen occasie voorkomen om bequame Bergwerkers na herwaerts te zenden. coffee and cocoa, we beg to reply that the A coffee and cocoa plantation in Cuyuni having a fairly good soil for the cultivation of the aforesaid two commodities, all possible means are being employed there that can serve to further and increase the same, as your Lord ships will see by the inventory of that plantation sent by the return of the aforesaid vessel to their Honours the Directors of the Zeeland Chamber But since Ave are not in a position to lay out new plantations for the further cultivation of the aforesaid two commodities with the number B of slaves at our disposal here, seeing that the respective Directors regulate their work ac cording to the slaves under them, we shall only be able to turn our attention for the present to the aforesaid plantation at Cuyuni, and further it as much as possible. The sample of indigo sent herewith — but only prepared in a barrel because the pits were not yet made — -could not, in the Director's opinion, have turned out better. Every possible means is being employed here to cultivate the trade with the Indians, but the many branches into which the nation is split up, and the absence of good interpreters, are great obstacles to success, and there is no probability that we shall discover any gold or silver mines so long as your Lordships find no opportunity of sending some able miners here. No. 195. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, June 8, 1734. (Extract.) D IN t laast van Janu[ary] dezes jaars arriveerde hier enen officier uijt d' Orcnoque met een brieff van der Heer Gouverneur Don Augustin de Arredondo aan mij geschreven waarbij ZEd. mij kennis gaff, dat hij een renf ort van militie bekomen had, welkers brood en andere provisie door d' onstuijmigheijd van de zee was bedorven en derhalven versogt- hem daarvan, alsmede van wat kiltum te willen voor zien. Het brood in gereet- heijt gebragt zijnde expedieerde den 19 Febr. gemelten officier en sond twee cannoos na d' Oronocque geladen met dertig oxhn. brood vier halve leggers kiltum, en vier met siroop, benevens een missive van den Heer Gouverneneur waarbij Zijn Ed versogt bij ruijling daarvoor paarden in de plaats te willen zenden. Ende om voor die goederen alsmede voor het retour der paarden goede sorge te dragen, sond ik Franscois van der Maale en Johan Jacob Reiter beijde in dienst van UEd. gr. Agtb. met de cauoos ; dogh de eerste als de bequaamste, om het opzigt over alles te hebben. Den 23 April arriveerde van der Male wederom alhier en berigte my agttien paer- den geruijlt te hebben, waarvan 'er vijff die hij in de cannoos niet hadde konnen voeren in d'Oro nocque waren gebleven en d' andere dertien had hij op een Indiaens dorp tusschen d'Oronocque en de post van Wacquepouw moeten laten dewijl er geen water genoeg in de savan was om 'er de canoos over te brengen ; hij overhandigde mij twee brieven van den nieuwen Heer Gouverneur [696-2] TOWARD the end of January of this year there arrived here an officer from the Orinoco with a letter to me from the Governor, Don Augustin de Arredondo, whereby he notified me that he had obtained a reinforcement of soldiers, whose bread and other provisions had been spoiled by the rough ness of the sea, wherefore he requested me to provide him therewith, as also with a small quantity of rum. The bread was made ready, E and on the 19th February I sent back the said officer and dispatched two canoes to the Orinoco, laden with thirty hogsheads of bread, four half- barrels of rum, and four of syrup, with a letter to the Governor requesting him to send horses in exchange therefor. And in order to take good care of those goods and the return of the horses, I sent Francois van der Maale and John Jacob Reiter, both in your Honours' service, with the canoes ; but the former, being the abler, to super intend everything. On the 23rd April van der Maale came back and reported to me that he had obtained eighteen horses by exchange, whereof -t five, which could not be got into the canoes, had remained in the Orinoco, and the other thirteen he had been compelled to leave at an Indian village between the Orinoco and the Post of Wacquepo, as there was not enough water in the savannah to bring the canoes across it. He handed me two letters from the new Governor, Don Carlos de Sucre, dated the 28 th and 29th March last, who in very polite terms communicated to me that he E 18 1 Don Carlos de Sucre in dato den 28 en 29 Maert laastleden, die mij in seer beleefde termen com- municatie geeft dat Zijn Ed. daar aangekomen om het Gouvernement over cle Spaense provincien te aaA'aerclen en versogt cle correspondentie die met zijn predesseseur begonnen was, met hem te willen continueren. Verder segt sijn Ede. mij meede te partici- peeren dat hij eenige trouppes in d'Oronocque gebragt heeft en nogh tien off twaelf Bercquen met militie verwagt, waar van sijn Ede. mij infor- meert, op dat men daar over geen inquietude off eenige de minste vreese voor sonde hebben, ge- B vencle voor redenen van het senden van soo veel trouppen na deese frontieren dat hij door advijsen gepersuadeert wert dat cle Sweedse natie in de Rivier van Barime, leggende tusschen d'Oronocque en U. Ed. Gr. Agtb. Post van Wacquepouw, een collonie soude willen stigten. en sig niet kunnencle persuadeeren dat de Hollantse natie soo een trotse en fi^re natie als cle Sweedsche is in haare nabuur- schap soude kunnen dulclen, verklaart hij ter goeder trouweenrondborstig dat dit d'oorsaek van sijne aenkomst met soo veel militie was, mij te gelijk ernstig versoekende indien daar van eenig p advijs mogen hebbe sijn Ede. het meede te willen deelen. ***** Ende oordeelencle inclispensabel verpligt te wee sen U. Ed. Gr. Agtb. deese particulariteijten te moeten melden, heb ik ook verder de Eer haar Ho. Ed. meede in consideratie te geven. Eerstelijk dewijl de Spanjaerden door het ver- samelen van een aensienlijk getal trouppen haar soo formidabel in d'Oronocque maken, en wij ter contrarie hier seer swak sijn, of het niet van cle grootste nootsakelijkheijt soude weesen een renfort van militie naar herwaerts te senden, om dat het j) Avaere dessein van de Spanjaerts ons onbekent is. Ten tweeden indien de Sweeden onclernamen om sigh tusschen d'Oronocque en dees collonie op U Ed. Gr. Agtb. territoir te willen etabliseeren soude ik verpligt sijn sulks te moeten beletten, het welke met de weijnig militie die men hier heeft, in verwagting van succes niet wel soude kunnen geschieclen. En tot U Ed. Gr. Agtb. in- formatie sal op dit subject dienen, dat na het vertrek van Capn. Laurens Brander (die in Maert Ao. 1732 met het scheepje cle Fortuijn van Gottenburgh in deese rivier aenqnam om sig van E water en branthout te voorsien) in deese collonie een gerugt verspreijt is dat gemelte Capn. Brander wederom sonde komen om possessie in de Rivier Barime te neemen van een stuk Lants dat de Coninck van Spanien aen den overleden Heer Keurvorst van Beyeren, die Gouverneur van cle Spaense Nederlanden is geweest, soude vereert, en deesen Keurvoorst het weder aen den Coninck van Sweeden soude geschoncken hebben ; maer daar omtrent tot nog toe niets ondernomen sijnde, schijnt het mij toe dat de Spanjaerts dit voor een pretext neemen om haar regte oogmerk te verber- gen ; sij verspreijden ook Avel gerugten dat er E nieuwe Forten sullen gebouwt, en dan haare meij- nen staan geopent te werden, maar dit is alles onseeker had arrived there to assume command of the Spanish provinces, and he requested that I might be pleased to continue witli him the pleasant relations entered on with his predecessor. His Honour further gives me to understand that he has brought some troops to the Orinoco, and that he expects ten or twelve barques more with militia, whereof his Honour informs me, in order that there may be no uneasiness, or any the least apprehension, giAang as reasons for this sending of so many troops to these frontiers, that he was persua.ded by advices [received] that Ihe Swedish nation was intending to found a Colony in the River of Barima, lying between the Orinoco and your Honours' "Post at Wacquepo, and he could not persuade himself that the Dutch nation would tolerate in their neighbourhood so proud and haughty a nation as the Swedes; he declared in good faith and open-heartedly that this was the cause of his arrival with so many troops. and he also earnestly requested me also to impart to his Honour any advices thereof I might have. * * * * :' Considering it my bounden duty to inform your Honours of these particulars, I have further the honour to submit to your Honours' consideration. First, since the Spaniards are making them selves so formidable by the collection of a considerable number of troops, and we, on the contrary, are very weak here, whether it would not be of the greatest necessity to send hither some reinforcements of militia, especially since the • real object of the Spaniards is unknown to us. Secondly, if the Swedes undertake to try to establish themselves between the Orinoco and this Colony, on your Honours' territory, I should be obliged to try to prevent it, Avhich, with the few soldiery that there are here, could hardly be attended with an expectation of success, and it will serve for your Honours' information on this subject that, after the departure of Captain Laurens Brander (who, in the year 1732, in the month of March, arrived in this river to provide himself with water and wood on the little ship the "Fortune of Gothenburg"), a rumour spread in this Colony that the said Captain Brander would again return in order to take possession in the River Barima of a tract of land which the King of Spain is said to have presented to the deceased Elector of Bavariaj who was Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, and which the Elector had again presented to the King of Sweden ; but concerning that, nothing until now having been undertaken, it appears to me that the Spaniards are using this as a pretext to conceal their real aim. They also are spreading rumours that new forts will be built for them, and then their mines are going to be opened, but all this is uncertain. 19 No. 196. West India Company to Commandeur and the Court of Policy, Essequibo, January 20, 1735. (Extract.) DE directie en conduites bij UEd: gehouden met den Spaanschen Gouverneur tot Oronocque approbeereu wij volkomen en recommancleren UEd: op gelijke voet met alle bedagtzame voor- sigtigheijt voort te gaan, en van de ondernome re clame niet af te zien, omdat zoo UEd: het teregt begrijpt, een saak is, die van veel quade gevolgen souden kunnen zijn, dog dese affaire bij UEd: op het schrijven van de voorn. missive nogh niet zijnde uijtgewerkt, en dit ook zijnde het eerste geval, soo heeft men hier niet konnen goedvinden daerover eenige aanspraak aan den Spaanschen Ambassadeur te doen, behalven dat UEd: sijn selven met schrijven en wederschrijven veel beter en korter suit verhelpen als door eenige ander wegh: het soude een goede saak zijn soo UEd: met den voorn. Gouverneur eenig cartel over weder- zijdze deserteurs zoo blanken als swarten conde aangaan, het soude ook moogelijk van goede dienst zijn dat het placaat tegens de desertie, zoo een is, eens wierde gerenoveert ende met eenige meerdere straffe geamplieert, want dat UEd: dusdamge de- serteurs hetzij blanken of swarten met de doot souwden straffen, konnen wij ons niet verbeelden, dat egter die desertie impune souwde geschieden gelooven wij meede niet. De consideratien dewelcke UEd: in het ver- volgh van sijne missive opgeeft hebben wij met genoegen geleesen, en geexamineert, maer nade- maal men hier te lande nog geene ongerustigheijcl heeft over eenige oorlogh zoo kan UE. wel be- grijpen dat de meeste swarigheeden afspringen onderentusschen blijven die consideratien van dien dienst dat wij geinformeert zijn om in cas van nood, UE. met manschap en amunitie van oorlogh tijdigh te hulp te komen, dat UE. egter alle precautien, sonderlingh tegens die van Oro nocque, gebruijkt, is van de uijtterste noodzaake- lijkheijd, waerom wij dan ook hebben goedgevon- den UE. bij dese expresselijk te gelasten dat (buij- ten tijdversuijm) alien en een ijgelijk wy hij zij bij publicatie en affixie, zoo als gebruijkelijk is in- terdicere en verbiede geenderhande geweer ofte eenige amunitie van oorlogh uijt de rivier nae Oronocque ofte eenige andere plaatsen. niet staande onder cle gehoorsaamheid van haar Hoog Mogende de Heeren Staten Generaal, op- pcene voor de eerste maal van confiscatie van hetselve geweer, ende daerenboven in een boete van de dobbele waerde van hetselve geweer, en die bevonden werd dat voor de tweede maal te doen, dat hij zal werden gebannen uijt de rivier alle de dagen sijnes levens, sendende sodanige gebannenen adroicture na dese landen, En om dese onse resolutie destebeter te execu- teren zoo ordonneren wij UEd. verder dat alle vaertuijgen die uijt de rivier vertrecken, waerop de minste suspicie vallen kan suit doen visiteren, met belofte en toesegging hetzij aan den vinder, of wel aan den aanbrenger de helft van de pecuniele boete. En geconsidereert veelligt occasie kon werden gevonden om het geweer uijt de colonie uijt te voeren sonder de rivier te gebruijken, zoo moet UE. ook daertegens zooveel mogelijck voorsien, en opdat de gelegentheid van alle uijtvoer destebeter werde benomen, zoo authoriseeren en gelasten wij WE "fully approve the course followed by you A with regard to the Spanish Governor of Orinoco, and recommend you to go on in the same way with all thoughtful prudence, and not to desist from the complaint you have put forward, for, as you are well aware, it is a matter which might be of very evil consequences. But, this affair not yet having been concluded by you at the writing of the aforesaid letter, and this being also the first- occurrence, we did not think it right to address the Spanish Ambassador about it ; moreover, you, by correspondence to and fro, will arrange it much better and sooner than in any other way. It would be well if you could make some contract with the B aforesaid Governor about deserters from either side, both whites and blacks. Perhaps it would also be useful if the Proclamation against deser tion, if one exists, were renewed and amplified with some further punishment, for we cannot imagine that you would punish such deserters, Avhites or blacks, Avith death, though we also cannot believe that desertion is allowed to take place without punishment. rt The considerations which you urge later in your letter were read by us with pleasure, and ex amined ; but as with us there is as yet no uneasi ness about any war, you can easily understand that most of the difficulties disappear. Still, those considerations continue to have this much of value, that we are informed, and can, in case of necessity, aid you betimes with men and material of war. It is, however, of the most extreme necessity that you use every precau tion, particularly against those of Orinoco. It is for this reason that we have decided hereby to give you express orders that, by Proclamation J) to be read and posted as is customary, you, with out delay, forbid each and every one, whoever he be, to take any hand -arms or material of war from the river to Orinoco, or to any other places not under the jurisdiction of the States-General, on penalty, for the first offence, of confiscation of such arms, and, in addition, of a fine to double the value of such arms ; and, if any one be found to do it a second time, that he be banished from the river all the clays of his life, persons thus banished being sent direct to this country. E And, the better to carry out this Resolution, we order that 3 ou henceforth cause to be examined all boats leaving the river which excite the least sus picion, with promise and offer to the finder, or to the informer of one-half of the pecuniary fine. And considering that, perhaps, a way might be found for exporting arms from the Colony without using the river, you must also provide against this ^ as much as possible; and in order the better to ^ take away all opportunity for exportation, we hereby authorize and order you to exercise strict 20 A UE. bij dese, dat nauwkeurigh toeversight doed nemen, op alle schepen die in cle rivier inkomen, ende dat bevindende dat aan eenige plantagie of ijmand particulier meerder geweer ofte eenige an dere amunitie van oorloge werd toegesonden als hij tot sijn eijgen gebruijck benodigt heeft, het selve sonder aansien van persoonen suit hebben te confisqueeren. En ingeval het mogte gebeuren dat ijmand wilde ondernemen eenige slaven uijt de rivier te vervoeren, zoo requiereren wij dat UEd. hetselve faitelijk suit beletteh en bij publicatie ook daer- tegen voorsien. Wij begrijpen wel dat de com- B mercie met die van Oronocque te verbieden niet van den dienst is, maer dat UE. haer veel souw- den seconderen, connen avij niet approberen, waerom wij dan ook niet konnen goetkeuren, dat UE. den Gouverneur van Oronocque met sulke groote quantiteijt brood hebt geprovideert, sulx dat wij UEd. alle bedagtsame voorsigtigheid re- commanderen en op die grond moeten wij ook ap- probeeren de overleggingen en directie bij UE. gehouden op den ontfangh van de missive van den Spaenschen Gouverneur door Abraham Buis- son overgebragt waervan in vervolgh van' zijne missive mentie maakt en terwijl UE. ons berigt dat die [van] Oronocque sonder die van Issequebe niet koenen bestaan, soo mosten wij ons A^erbeel- den dat langs dese weegen alle dit beclrijf best teregtgebragt sal werden, siende met verlangen tegemoet het schip Ooosterbeek om het verder vervolgh van dese zaakte verstaan. C supervision 0Arer all the ships which come into the river, and in case you find that to any plantations or to any individual more arms or material of war are sent than he needs for his own use, that you confiscate it, regardless of persons. And in case it should happen that anybody should undertake to export slaves from the river, we order you to forcibly prevent this, and also to provide against it by Proclamation. We are well aware that it is not expedient to prohibit inter- course with those of the Orinoco, but we cannot approve of your aiding them much : for this reason we cannot approve of your having pro vided the Governor of Orinoco with so large a quantity of bread, and we therefore recommend to you all thoughtful prudence. On the same grounds we also approve of the course pursued by you upon receiving the letter of the Spanish Governor, brought by Abraham Buison, of which you speak further on in your letter. And inasmuch as you inform us that those [of] Orinoco cannot subsist without those of Essequibo, we are bound to be lieve that along this line the whole matter will , best be worked out, and we expectantly await the ship ." Oosterbeek " to learn the further outcome of this affair. No. 197. D Proceedings of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, February 6, 1735. (Extract.) OP de indigoplaiit[agie] was een beq. neger ver- dronken, die weggeloopen was geweest en bij de Indiaanen teregt gecoomen zijnde heeft den directeur van voorsz. plant[agie] de criool Jantie belast, (die door den Hr. Commandeur na booven de "Revier Caioeny gezonden was) om indien hij de neeger vont bij de Indiaanen deselve in de boeyien te setten en op de plant[agie] te brengen, hetgeene gedaan zijnde is -de gem. criool de vallen aff gecoomen en onderweg, zijn coriaar xi op een klip raakende is deselve door de stroom omverre geworpen, en den claar- buyten geraakt sijnde is ongelukkig verdronken. ON the indigo plantation an able negro was drowned, who, having run away and fallen into the hands of the Indians, the director of the aforesaid plantation gave orders to the Creole Jantie (who had been sent by the Commandeur up in the River Cuyuni) that, if he should find the negro among the Indians, he should put him in chains and bring him to the plantation. This being done, the aforesaid Creole came down the falls, and on his way his canoe, getting on a rock, was capsized by the current, and the negro, having fallen out, was unfortunately drowned. No. 198. Proceedings of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, July 4, 1735. NAER aanroeping van de Goddelijke Naam heeft den Heer Commandeur cle saak van Jan Cauderas den 12 April voor den raad gedient en tot heden uijtgestelt was voorgedraagen, te kennen geevende dat den voorsz. Cauderas, als ino-e- seeten deeser collonie over een geruymen tijt geleeden zijn Ede. versogt hadde een permissie- briefie om de schulden van sijn cammeraat o-e- naamt Ieronimus Marseleijn, die hij onder de In diaanen in de revier Barime hadde uijtstaande gelaaten, te moogen invorderen tot voldoenino-e sijner crediteuren in deese revier. Eenige roode slaaven ingevordert hebbende die AFTER invocation of the divine name, the Com mandeur brought forward the matter of Jan Cauderas, laid before the Council on the 12th April, and put off till to-day, informing them that this aforesaid Cauderas, as settler of this Colony, had a considerable time ago »ought a permit from his Honour, to collect the debts of his comrade, named Jeronimus Marseleijn, which he had left outstanding among the Indians in the River Barime, to the satisfaction of his creditors in this river. Having collected some red slaves, which had 21 voor sijn cammeraats cargaseenen gekogt waaren benevens een canno, zig niet ontsien heeft met eenige Francen uijt Martinique1 die aldaar meede handel dreven derwaarts te deserteeren en sijn ver- leende permissie te misbruijken, alwaar hij sijn voorsz. cammeraats slaaven verdebiteert hebbende, een boot in compe. met andere gekogt heeft, en wederom na bovengem. revier Barieme gecoomen om te negotieeren geeveude hem de naam van coop- man op het voorsz. vaartuygh en niettegenstaande sijne begaane desertie de stontheijt heeft durven gebruijken, van sig wederom na deese collonie te begeeven in een canno Cariebesen met nog een sijner bootsgesellen onder voorwendsel dat hij eenige pretentien uijtstaande hadde en daarvoor soude incoopen soodaanige cargasoenen als tot haare negotie vereijst wiert, schoon alvoorens diverse beschuldigingen tot sijnen laste Arerspreyt waaren als dat hij Cauderas soude gesegt hebben te .sullen wegneemen de handelaars en Routers uijt deese revier op de Ornoque vaarende dat hij sijn cammeraat ook soude koomeu weghaalen en veel meer andere bedreygingen, waarop den Heer Commandeur zoodra berigt van sijn komst in deese revier ontfangen hadde een commando affsond na de beneedenste plaatsen alwaar hij aange- coomen Avas met ordre om hem te apprehenderen en op het fori Kijkoveral te brengen alwaar hij in den tronk geset is, en heeden voor den raad gebragt zijnde en in sijne deffentie gehoort, heeft hij alle de beschuldigingen die tot zijnen laste gespargeert waaren ontkent en alleen gecon- fesseert dat hij met de slaaven aan sijn cam- meraadt gehoorende in plaats van deselve aan hem te brengen daarmeede na de Martinicque gegaan was en tot zijn voordeel verkogt hadde. been bought for his comrade's goods besides a canoe, he did not hesitate to go off Avith some Frenchmen from Martinique, who likewise traded there, to their island, and to abuse the permit that had been granted him, where, having disposed of his aforesaid comrades slaves, he bought a boat, in company with others, and came again to the said River Barima to carry on business, giving himself the name of merchant on the aforesaid vessel, and, notwithstanding the desertion of which he had been guilty, he had the audacity to return to this Colony in a canoe full of Caribs, together with another of his shipmates, under pretext that he had come outstanding claims, and would take for them as much goods as were required to settle them, although before that time various accusations had been made against him, as that he (Cauderas) should have said that he would take away the traders and salters navigated from this riArer to the Orinoco, that he would also come to fetch away his comrade, and many other threats, whereupon the Commandeur, so soon as he had received news of his arrival in this river, sent off a Commando to the lowest places where he had arrived, with orders to apprehend him and bring him to the Fort Kijkoveral, Avhere he has been plac?d in the gaol, and to-day, being brought before the Council and heard in his defence, he has denied all the accusations which have been scattered broadcast to his charge, and only con fessed that instead of bringing ths slaves belong ing to his comrade to, him, he had gone with them to Martinique, and had sold them to his advantage A B C No. 199. I) The West India Company {the- Ten) to Commandeur, Essequibo, October 29, 1735. (Extract.) WIJ laudeeren, en approbeeren, alles hetgeenen, door den Commandeur, met den Gouverneur van de Oronocque is verrigt ; ende de conventie met hen aangegaan ; en recommandeeren UEd[ele] alle devoiren aan te wenden, omme die negotie meer en meer te doen accresseeren ; Waer meede ; Eersame etc. FERDINAND van COLLEN. PHILIP HACK. WILLEM BACKER. DIRK van der MEER. PHILIP ERASMIE. JOAN CONSTANTYN MATTHIASZ. WILLEM VETH. JOAN SCHAGEN. ABRAHAM TER BORCH. Amsterdam den 29 Octob., 1735. WE praise and approve all that has been done by the Commandeur with the Governor of Orinoco ; and the agreement entered into with him ; and recommend your Honour to use every endeavour to cause that commerce to increase more and more. With which we remain, &c. FERDINAND van COLLEN. PHILIP HACK. WILLEM BACKER. DIRK van der MEER. PHILIP ERASMIE. JOAN CONST ANTIJN MATTHIASZ. WILLEM VETH. JOAN SCHAGEN. ABRAHAM TER BORCH. Amsterdam, October 29, 1735. E No. 200. E Ordrs. Vetgadering Gehouden in Rio Essequebe, 4 Decemb., 1735. Ordinary Meeting [of the Court of Policy] held i% Rio Essequibo, December 4 1735. (Extract) JACOBUS van dbk BURG geamploijeert JACOBUS van der BURG, being employed werdende om tot dienst van d'Edl. Comp. een to make a trading place for the service of the Handel plaatz te maaken boven in de rivier Honourable Company up in the River Essequibo, [696^-2] G 22 Essequebe om de negotie onder cle Indiaanen voort te setten heeft versogt om eenige vermeerdering van gagie te moogen hebben en geconsidereert sijnde dat hij veel fatige onder cle Indiaanen moet uijt staan heeft men hem van f 12 op f 14 ter maand gestelt ingaande pmo. Jann. 1736. in order to promote commerce among the Indians, has applied for some increase in his wages, and it being taken into consideration that he is obliged to endure much fatigue among the Indians, he has been raised from 12 to 14 guilders per month, commencing with the ist of January, 1736. No. 201. Prieis of Despatch of the Governor of Cumand, Don Carlos cle Sucre, under date of 12th November, t> 1735, respecting the excesses committed by the Carib Indians in the neighbourhood of the Orinoco. " Archivo General de fndias." Seville. " Audiencia de Caracas." Documents sent to the Council, Chamber and Ministers, from Cumana, Guayana and Margarita and Trinidad, 1736 to 1807. (Press 130, case 40, Bundle 90.) c D E Araqua, Novicmbre 12 cle 1735. DON CARLOS SUCRE participa los excesos cometidos por los Indios Caribes circunvecinos al Rio Orinoco, con motivo de haberse ausentado de aquel paraje, habiendo pasado a cuchillo una poblacion de docientas person as que habia funclado con tres Misioneros, de los cuales mataron uno, y el otro que es el Padre Fray Joseph del Castillo que viene a la Corte pudo escaparse. Que con esta noticia pas6 a buscar los referidos Caribes ; pero que luego que lo supieron se ausentaron y metieron en su^ serranias, sin poderles dar alcance. Que el referido Padre Fray Joseph- del Castillo, informara individualmente de aquel Pais, falta de bastimentos y gente, que se experimente, y por consiguiente el abandono en que se halla consti- tuido de medios, y gente con que poder operar ; pues la que ha podido juntar con la repeticion de entradas y no tenia con que socorrerla le ha abandonado, de forma que se halla en estado de tomar el partido 6 arbitrio de intentar un golpe de mano para ganar 6 perder el todo, 6 bien estarse quieto sin hacer nada, expuesto como tambien las Misiones a perecer a, manos de los Caribes, en medio de que hara todo lo posible para ver si puede juntar hasta 150 hombres, para hacer en la Angostura del Rio Orinoco un reducto d.e buenas estacas, para cerrarles el paso cle una vez, y contenerlos. Y concluye con expresar su adelantada edad, sus buenos deseos en la Conquista, y seguridad de aquellos Dominios, pidlendo se le atienda y socorra con las providencias correspondientes al remedio del abandono y conflicto en que se halla. A informe del Consejo de Indias en 5 de Junio cle 1736. Aragua, November 12, 1735 DON CARLOS SUCRE reports the excesses committed by the Carib Indians in the neigh bourhood of the River Orinoco, by reason of his, absence from that part ; that they have cut to pieces a settlement of 200 persons, which he had founded with three missionaries, of whom they killed one ; and another, Father Joseph del Castillo, Avho is coming to the Court succeeded in escaping. That, upon hearing this, he Avent in search of the said Caribs, but directly they knew it they went off to the hills, and he Avas not able to reach them. That the said Father Joseph del Castillo will personally' report concerning that country, the want of vessels and men Avhich is felt, and conse quently the distress in which it is placed for means and troops Avith Avhich to act; for the troops Avhich he Avas able to collect by double contributions he has had no means of 'helping, and they have abandoned him, so that he finds himself under the necessity of resorting to the expedient or method of trying a coup de main to gain or lose everything, or else to remain quiet and do nothing. He shows likewise how the Missions are on the point of perishing by the hand of the Caribs, in view of which he will do his utmost to try if he can get together as many as 150 men, in order to try to form at the Angostura of the River Orinoco a redoubt Avith good stakes, in order once for all to block their Avay and restrain them. And he concludes Avith stating his advanced age, his great anxiety for the subjugation and security of those dominions, and asks that he may receive attention and help by measures fitted to remedy his present distress and struggles. , For the information of the Council of the Indies, June 5, 1736. No. 202. Real Cedula Aprobatoria de la Concordia hecha por los Misioneros del Orinoco en el alio 1734. E " Archivo de Indias," Seville, hundle 2. Report on the Com mission of Limits of Cumana and Orinoco, years 1757 to 1772. Royal " Cedula" ratifying and approving the Agreement made by the Missionaries of the Or IIIOCO. El Rey. (Extract.) The King. POR quanto Fr. Francisco del Castillo, del Orden de San Francisco, Predicador y Misionero Apostolico de las nuevas conversiones cle los Indios, Pirittus, Palenques, Guaribes, Cumana- gottos, Caribes y otros Gentiles cle la Provincia cle Cumana, me ha representado averse celebrado y ottorgado, en la ciudad cle Santo Thome de la WHEREAS Fray Ffancis del Castillo, of the Order of Saint Francis, preacher and Apostolic missionary of the new reductions of the Indians, Pirittus, Palenques, Guaribes, Cuma- nagotos, Caribs, and other Gentiles of the Province of Cumana, has represented to me that an Agreement was made and ratified, in Guayana, en 20 cle Marzo cle 1734, Concordia por los Religiosos Misioneros del referido Orden cle San Francisco, Jesuitas y Capuchinos, que residen en las misiones y conversiones cle las riveras del Rio Orinoco, con inter vencion cle Don Carlos Sucre, mi Gobernador cle la refericla Provincia cle Cumana Ar Guayana Concordaron y con- ¦"inieron los expresados Religiosos Misioneros con los Capuchinos y Jesuitas, pudiesen predicar y ex tender el sagrado Evangelio en la otra vanda del referido rio, senalanclose unos y otros el sifio donde havian cle exercer sin confusion su sagrado empleo ; y para que tenga perpetua estabilidad y fuerza lo acordado entre las menCionadas tres Religiones me suplican fuese servido confirmar en todo y por todo la citada Concordia, cuio thenor es como se sigue : — " En la ciiiclad cle Santo Thome" cle la Guayana, en 20 dias del mes de Marzo cle 1734 afios, el Sefior Coronel Don Carlos Sucre, Gobernador y Capitan-General de estas provincias y la del Dorado, y las demas descubiertas y por cleseubrir del Rio Orinoco, de la Nueva Andalucia, Nueva Barcelona, sus costas y presidios, por el Rey nuestro Sefior, se concordd y junto a estas casas realea, morada de Su Senoria, al Reverendisimo Padre Joseph Gumilla de la Venerable Compania de Jesus, Superior de la Mision cle Jesuitas del Orinoco : a los RR. PP. Fr. Thomas de Santa Eugenia, Fr. Antonio de Berga y Fr. Benito de Moya, cle dicha sagrada Religion de Capuchinos y Misioneros Apostolicos ; al Reverendisimo Padre Fr. Francisco de las Llagas, de la Regular Obser- vancia de N.P. San Francisco y Presidente de la Mision de los Misioneros de Pirittu ; y a los RR. PP. Fr. Francisco Rodriguez de Ledesma, Fr. Ma- thias Garcia, Fr. Lorenzo Algaba, y .Fr. Bernar dino Camacho, de dicha Regular Observancia y Misioneros Apostolicos de las conversiones de Pirittu. Y estando juntos y congregados sus PP. RR., su Senoria les propus6 y dijo, que estando para pasar a esta Provincia de la de Cumana, asi por la novedad del quebrantamiento de paz come- tido por la nacion Cariba con grave ruina espi- ritual de los Indios convertidos, y desacato cle los templos, como' de la execucion cle algunos reales ordenes. " Y desde luego senalaron ;'i los RR. PP. Obser- vantes presentes y futuros, para que establezcan y funden los pueblos que pudieren de esta parte de Guayana de Orinoco desde la Angostura para arriba hasta las orillas de esta vanda de abajo del Rio Cuchibero, tirando linea recta desde las mar- genes de dicho Orinoco hasta el Maranon 6 Ama- zonas, quedandose los RR. PP. Capuchinos para fomentar sus conversiones con el territorio y dis- trito que ay desde la Angostura para abajo hasta la boca grande de dicho Orinoco, donde repartiran los Misioneros que les viniereu ; a los RR, PP. Jesuitas desde las riveras de la parte arriba del mismo Rio Cuchibero, lo restante del Orinoco, tirando siempre para arriba, y siempre unos y otros linderos 6 demarcaciones linea recta de Orinoco al Maranon 6 Amazon es. the Citv of Santo Thome de la Guavana, on A the 20th day of March. 1734, by the mis sionaries of the said Order of Saint Francis, the Jesuits, and Capuchins, who reside in the Missions and reductions on the banks of the River Orinoco, through the intermediary of Don Carlos Sucre, my Governor of the said Province of Cumana. The said mis sionaries arranged and agreed with the Jesuits and Capuchins so that they might preach and extend the Holy Gospel on the other bank of the said river, the district of each body of religious, iu Avhich to exercise, without con fusion, their holy profession. And that the B Agreement may be perpetual and of force between the said three religious bodies, he entreated that I might be pleased to confirm the said Agreement in all its parts, and for all time. The tenour of which is as follows : — " In the City of Santo Thome de la Guayana, on the 20th day of the month of March, in the year 1734, Senor Colonel Don Carlos Sucre, Governor and Captain- General of these pro vinces and that of the Dorado, and the others discovered, and to be discovered of the River Orinoco, of New Andalusia, NeAV Barcelona, p their coasts and fortresses, for the King and Sovereign, there were convoked and assembled in the Government House, the residence of his Excellency the Very Rev. Father Joseph Gumilla,, of _the Society of Jesus, Superior of the Jesuit Missions of the Orinoco ; the Rev. Fathers Fray Thomas de Santa , Eugenia, Fray Antonio de Berga, and Fray Benito de Moya, of the said holy religions of Capuchins" and Apostolic mis sionaries ; the Very Rev. Father Fray Francisco de las Llagas of the Franciscans, and President of the Mission of the missionaries of Piritu ; and the Very Rev. Fathers Fray Francisco j) Rodriguez de Ledesma, Fray Mathias Garcia, Fray Lorenzo Algaba. and Fray Bernardino Camacho, of the said Regulars of Saint Francis and Apostolic missionaries of the Missions of Piritu. Their Reverences being together as sembled, his Excellency proposed to them, and said that he was about to pass from the Pro vince of Cumana to that of Guayana, as Avell on account of the news of peace being disturbed by the Carib nation, thereby causing the spiritual ruin of the converted Indians and the desecration of the temples, as for the carrying out of some Royal Orders. E * * * * '• And they there and then indicated to the Rev. Fathers Franciscans, present and future, for the purpose of establishing and founding whatever villages of Missions they might be able in this part of Guayana of the Orinoco, the [district] from Angostura up to the banks of this side below the River Cuchivero, in a straight line drawn from the borders of the said Orinoco to the Maranon or Amazons, there remaining to the Rev. Capuchin Fathers, for the purpose of developing their Missions, the territory and district from the same Angostura clowmvards ^ to the grand mouth of the said Orinoco, Avhere they will distribute Avhatever missionaries may come to them ; to the Rev. Jesuit Fathers from the banks of the upper part of the same River Cuchivero, the remaining part of the Orinoco, always advancing upwards, and both the one and the other boundaries or demarcations always in a straight line from the Orinoco to the Maranon or Amazons. 24 A "Lo que oydo y coinprendido por dichosRR. PP. Observances, 'unanimes y conformes dijeron que una vez, dos, tres, y las mas vezes que nece- sario que sean por si, y en nombre de su Prelado, el R.P. Comisario de Pirittu, Fr. Francisco Rodri guez, y clemas Misioneros cle la dicha conversion cle Pirittu presentes y por venir, aceptaban ^ y aceptaron el dicho territorio que les es sefialaclo." B "Y su Senoria dicho Senor Gobernador y^Capi- tan-General dixo que aprovava y aprovo este Compromiso, Convenio y Concordia ; y que enella interponia e interpuso su authoridad y judicial decreto para que valga y haga fe aora, y en todo tiempo. Y que en nombre del Rey nuestro Sefior les da las gracias, &c. " Y me manclo a mi. el escrivano, diese a sus RR. los testimonios que pidiesen, y que le de k su Senoria los que convienen para clar cuenta a Su Magestad. Y lo firmo con sus PP., de que dov te. c "DON CARLOS DE SUCRE, &c. (Here follow the names.) Ante mi : "Diego Antoxio de Aloala, "Escrivano Real." "On which haA-ing been heard and under stood by the said Rev. Franciscan Fathers, they unanimously said and declared that, once, tAvice, and three times, and as many more times as necessary, both in their own name and that of their Prelate, the Rev. Father Commissary of Piritu, Fray Francisco Rodriguez, and the other missionaries of the said Mission of Piritu, present and to come, they accepted, and do accept, the said territory Avhich is indicated to them. * * * * " And his Excellency the said Governor and Captain- General said that he approved, and does approve, this engagement, Convention, and Agreement; and that he interposed, and does interpose his authority and judicial Decree, so that the same may be valid and binding for iioav and all time. " And that in the name of the King, our Sovereign, he returns them thanks. " And he commanded me, the Notary, to give to their Reverences Avhatever testimonies they might require, and to give him those corre sponding to him, that he might render an account to His Majesty thereof. And he signed it with their Reverences, in my presence, as I testify. (Signed) "DOX CARLOS DE SUCRE. (Here folloAv the names.) " Before me : (Signed) " Diego Antonio de Alcala, " King's Notary" D E Y avienclose visto en mi Consejo cle las Indias, con lo expuesto por mi Fiscal, ha parecido concle- scender a esta instancia y confirmar y aprovar en todo y por todo (como por la presente le hago) la Concordia preinserta ; y por tanto manclo a los Presidentes, Oydores cle las Audiencias, Governa- dores y Officiales Ri-ales cle la jurisdiccion a que pertenecen los territorios senalados en la expre- sada Concordia . . . la guarden, cumplen, exe- cuten, y hagan guardar, cumplir y executar, &c. Fecha en San Udefonso, a diez y seis de Setiem- bre de mil settecientos treintta y seis. YO, EL REY. Por niandado del Rey nuestro Senor, Don Juan Ventura Matturana. And having been seen in my. Council of the Indies, Avith the report of my Fiscal thereon, it has appeared to me well to graciously con descend to this supplication and to confirm and approve in all and tor all (as I now do by thesu presents) the foregoing Agreement. And, therefore, I command the Presidents, Judges of the Audiences, Governors, and Royal officials, of the jurisdiction to which the territories indicated belong in the said Agreement .... to observe, fulfil, execute, and cause to be observed, ful filled, and executed, the same. &c. Given at San Udefonso, this 16th day of September, 1736. (Signed) I, THE KING. By command of His Majesty, our Sovereign, (Signed) Don Juan Ventura Matturana. No. 203. E Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, January 1 (Extract.) 2,17; ONDER d'overgaende carga zijn twee halve aemties fijne ver we, door van der Burgh boven Esequebo, daer de nodige huijsinge gemaekt ende een post is geformeert, om de negotie langs die landstreeke, waere het mogelijk tot aen d'Amazones te extenderen, ingereuijlt ; maer mij tot nogh toe in die hoope niet voldaen vindende, blijft dese post egter om den slavenhandel en het insio-ht van de fijne verwe, van zodanigen nut, dat men door AMONG the outgoing cargo are two half-kegs of fine dye, taken in exchange by Van der Burg up in Essequibo, where the necessary buildings have been made and a post established to extend trade through those regions, if possible, to the Amazon. But, although my expectations in this respect have not as yet been fulfilled, still, in view of the slave trade and the production of fine dye, this post remains of much importance, since, small 25 dit geringh beginsel onder de Indiaanen dieper te landwaert in, bekent raakt, en deese negotie van langhsamer hand considerabel soude konnen wer- den ; men betaelt aen de Indiaanen Aroor 4 bollen van dese verwe een groote bijl, voor drij bollen een middelbare, en , voor twee bollen een kleijne bijl en drij bollen Arerwe wegen A-ier pond, ook staet hier nogh ontrent een heele aem van deselve, dewelcke int laest van't jaer 1736 maer afgekomen is, indien U Wel Edele gr. agtb. mij nu bij occasie met haer berigt geliefden te vereeren wat dese verwe in 't Araderland waerdigh is souw men kon nen calculeren hoeveel t' lb. aen d'Edele Comp. komt te kosten, om bij grote avantagie alle mo- gelijke devoiren tot het vermeerderen \ran deesen handel te konnen aanwenden. De post Wacquepouw en Maroco voordeese de voornaemste handelplaets van d'orianeverwe voor d'Edele Comp. vermindert in dese negotie zedert eenige jaeren considerabel ; ik hebbe veel moeije- tens gedaen om de reden daervan te ontdecken en mij verhaelt dat den uijtlegger Jan Baptist in zijn devoir manqueerde maer naer een nauwkeurigh ondersoek be\Tonden, dat cle meeste Indiaanen daerom'trent woonaghtigh in de slavenegotie met de Surinamers meer voordeel hebbende haere vrouwen traegh werdende, den swaren arbeid der verwe niettegenstaende gedurigh vermaningen, te continueren; ende hier geen redres in siende te maken, most men dese post noghtans behouden omdat ze tot maintien 't van UWel Edele gr. Agtb. grensen na d'Oro[no]cque streckende is geformeert. Aen den heer Gouverneur van Oro[no]cque nopens de considerable pretensien dewelck d'inge- setenen deser colonie door de dood van Francois van der Maelen daer nogh te eijsschen hebben, gesehreven, en versogt hebbende deselve met zijn gunst en authoriteijt te vereeren, teneijnde de debiteuren van Van de Maelen tot betalinge mogten werden geconstringeert ; maer uijt zijn antvvoort is wel aftenemen dat er weijnigh vol- doeningh te wagten staat, egter zal ik door nader minnelijcke instantien Sijn Edele in voordeeliger dispositie tragten te brengen ; maer desen Gouver- 'neur selver de grootste clebiteur zijnde en bij mijne eerste -missive hem uijt beleeftheijt niet ontdekt hebbende dat mij sulks bekent was, heeft hij bij precautie sijn obligatie uijt van der Maelens papieren, die in Oro[no]cque waeren wederom genomen, waeromme seer weijnigh of geen hoope over schijnt te blijven om yets van dese gantsche pretensie te zullen erlangeh. as is this beginning, we become acquainted among A the Indians further inland, and this trade may by degrees become considerable. We pay to the Indians for 4 balls of this dye one large axe, for three balls, one medium axe, for two balls one small axe, three balls of dye weighing 4 lbs. We still have here a whole keg of it, which did not come down until the end of 1736. If your Honours would some time be pleased to let me know what this dye is worth at home, we might calculate how much it costs the Company per pound, and in case of great profit put forth every possible effort toward extending this trade. B The Post of Wacquepo and Moruka, formerly the most important trading place for the Com pany's annatto trade, has these last few years considerably fallen off in this business. I have taken much pains to ascertain the reason of this, and it was told me that the Postholder, Jean Baptist, was neglecting his duty ; but after careful investigation I have found that, as most of the Indians who bye in that neighbourhood derive more pront from the slave trade with the Surinamers, p their wives grow listless about keeping up the heaAw work on the dye, notwithstanding continual admonition ; and though I see no way of remedying this, we ought, nevertheless, to keep up this Post, because it was established for the maintenance of your Honours' frontiers stretching toward the Orinoco. I have written to the Governor of Orinoco regarding the considerable claims which the inhabitants of this Colony still have outstanding there through the death of Francois van der Maelen, requesting him to honour the same with his favour and authority, so that Van der Maelen's J) debtors might be constrained to pay ; but from his answer can easily be deduced that little satisfaction is to be expected. However, I shall, by further amicable remonstrances, try to dispose him more favourably. But this Governor himself being the most important debtor, with which fact I, out of politeness, did not disclose my acquaintance in my first letter, he, by way of precaution, withdrew his note of hand from van der Maelen's papers, which were in Orinoco, wherefore it seems there remains little, if any, hope of obtaining any part of the whole of this claim. E No. 204. Prdcis of Despatch from Governor Sucre, reporting excesses of the Carib Indians against the Missions, and intention of the Swedes to settle in Barima. Cumana, 13 cle Agosto de 1737. EL Gobernador Don Carlos Sucre : Expone a V. M. que luego que desde aquella ciudad paso al Rio del Orinoco a executar las opera- ciones a que fue destinado, dio cuenta a V. M. del estado de aquella fortificacion y conquistas, como tambien de la Guerra que haceh los Indios Caribes con otros aliados, causando muertes y martirios en los Misioneros, como en otros Espanoles, y que para remedio de seme- jantes dafios, se hallaba sin competentes fuerzas y medios, y que no habiendo tenido respuesta ni resolucion sobre las importancias de estas [696—2] Cumand, August 13, 1737. THE Governor, Don Carlos Sucre: Represents to your Majesty that as soon as he went from ^ this city to the River Orinoco to carry out the operations for which he was appointed he reported to your Majesty the condition of that fortress and dependency, and also of the war which the Carib Indians, with other allies, are making, causing death and torture among the missionaries, and other Spaniards ; and that he was Avithout adequate forces and means to remedy such losses, and that, not having had any reply or decision on the important matters * H 26 A noticias se ve precisado a hacer recurso cle nuevo a V. M. sobre el mismo asumpto manifestando las fuertes razones que urgen para el pronto .expediente, principahnente quando las naciones del norte se han introducido a poblar en la Boca del Rio, y se estan esperando diferentes familias de Suecos para poblar en el Cano cle Varima dentro del propio Rio, cle cuya contingencia, puede resultar la perdida de aquellas provincias, y la de Caracas, y que lleguen a embarazar el paso a Santa Fee de Bogota, sin que el expresado Gobernador pueda practicar los convenientes reparos, asi por la falta cle medios, que antes de ¦" ahora tiene expuesta, no habiendose remitido de Mexico, ni de la Habana los Caudaies librados y destinaclos a ese fin (sin que por la misma razon se haya podido continuar la fortification) como por la falta de competentes fuerzas, no siendolo las de los Indios de las Misiones cle los Capu chinos de Guayana, por ser nuevamente conver- tidos, nada hechos al fuego y Milicia, y ser tambien corto el . Presidio que alii existe ; sin. que por esta causa pueda atenderse mas que a la defensiva de los Caribes ; afiadiendose la gran falta de polvora que hay en aquellos Presidios de p Cumana y Araya, no teniendo para cargar dos veces la Artilleria, sin que sufrague la provi- dencia dada por el Virrey de Mexico, de que precisando mucho acudan a la Habana, siendo tal la escasez de aquellas cajas para tan crecidos costos que les imp.osibilita este recurso y que los 400 hombres de que consta el Presidio de Araya y Cumana, no tienen otra apariencia de soldados ' que tomar el sueldo de V. M. sin Prest ni Quarteles, y sin disciplina alguna militar, cuya ignorancia y falta ha suplido el Gobernador en el modo que le ha sido posible, respecto de que para ejecutarlo con el debido metodo, le falta la 13 orden conducente de V. M. y para que pueda informar mas por estenso de quanto deja expuesto, ha tenido por conveniente venga a Espana-el Marques de San Phelipe y Santiago, con quien ha comunicado las mejores adver- tencias sobre estps puntos, ademas de la practica y experiencia que tiene de aquellos parajes, como sargento mayor que es, y por haberle sustituido en el Gobierno las vezes que ha sido preciso al referido Governador ausentarse. E Esta carta se remitio al Consejo para que la tuviese presente con la consulta que se resolvid en 8 de Diciembre de 1738. , in these reports, he finds himself again com pelled to have recourse to your Majesty on the same matter, pointing out the weighty reasons which press for a speedy decision, especially as the northern nations have begun to settle at the mouth of the river, and sundry families of Swedes are expected to come and settle in the Canon of Barima, within the riArer of that name. This may result in the loss of those provinces and of that of Caracas, and in the ultimate blocking of the road to Santa Fe de Bogota. And the said Governor is unable to carry out suitable measures, both for want of means, as he has pointed out on a previous occasion the funds appointed and destined to that pur pose not having been forwarded either from Mexico or from Havana (and for the same reason it has been impossible to continue the fortification), and likewise for Avant of suitable forces, those of the Indians of the Capuchin Missions of Guayana. being useless, for they have only recently been converted, a.ad are quite uninured to fire and warfare; also the fort existing there is short of men. For this reason nothing further can be taken in hand except defensive measures against the Caribs; to which must be added the great want of poAvder in the Forts of Cumana and Araya, Avhere there is not enough for a second charge of the artillery. And no help can be obtained from the arrangement made by the Viceroy of Mexico that in case of dire necessity recourse should be had to Havana ; for the poverty of that treasury, owing to greatly increased ex penses, is such that it is unable to afford this assistance. Likewise, the 400 men forming the garrison of Araya and Cumana have no other attribute of soldiers save that of drawing your Majesty's pay. They are Avithout rations or quarters, and have no military discipline. The Governor has remedied their ignorance and deficiencies as far as he could, but to carry the matter out thoroughly he requires your Majesty's instructions ; and, in order to explain the circumstances more fully, he has thought jt advisable to send the Marquis of San Phelipe y Santiago to Spain, to whom he has communir cated his chief remarks upon these points, anoj who has likewise had practice and experience in those parts in his capacity of Major, and through having acted as Deputy whenever the Governor has been compelled to be absent. This letter Avas sent to the Council in order that it might be taken into consideration in conjunction with the Report made on the 8th December, 1738. E No. 205. Court of Policy, Essequibo, to West India Company, August 9, 1738. (Extract ) WIJ hebben de eer U. E. G. A. kennis te geven dat drie van U. E. G. A. alhier in dienst sijnde soldaaten sig niet onsien hebben s'nao-ts tusschen den 6 en 7 der voorlede maend van het nieuwe fort waer sij in besetting lagen te deser- teeren dog sijn door de goede ordres van d'eerste WE have the honour to inform your Honours that three of your soldiers here in service have not hesitated, in the night between the 6th and 7th of last month, to desert from the new fort, where they formed a part of the garrison; but, through the wise measures of the first Under- 27 No. 206. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, August 12, 1738. (Extract.) METALEN moeten hier sonder twijffel weesen en schrijf dongesontheijt die boven in de Rivier Cajoene regeert nevens het groene vlies dat daer altijd op t'water is anders nergens aen toe als aen d'overvloed van minerale stoffe die sig daer in de bergen laeteh vinden de smaek van de kleine daer af stroomende vlieten wijsen sulx klaer uijt maer men soude ten minste daer twee ervare berg- werkers toe nodig hebbe om die te ondekken ik sal doen al wat in mijn vermogen is om door middel der Indiaenen eenige nadere ondekkinge te doen. Hoope deselve van eenig nut en voor- deel voor U. E. G. A. sulle weesen als wanneer ik mijne moeijte en arbeijd wel betaelt sal achten. WITHOUT doubt metals must be here, and I ascribe the unhealthiness which prevails in the Upper Cuyuni, and the green film which is always on the waters there, to nothing else than the abundance of mineral matter in the moun tains there; the taste of the little brooks flowing therefrom demonstrate this clearly ; but we should require at least two expert miners to discover these. I shall do everything in my power by means of Indians to make some further discoveries. I hope this may prove of some use and profit for your Honours, and then I shall deem my trouble and work well requited. B No. 207. Copye van de Resolutie van den Raed van Jusficie in dato den 20 Augusti, 1738, present den vollen Raed. Copy of the' Resolution of the Court of Justice , deded August 20, 1738, present the full' Court. (Extract.) DOOR de Heer Commandeur den Raed voorgedragen sijnde hoe de persoonen van Jan Coman, Michel Martin, en Francois Cornelis le Fevre soldaeten in dienst van d'Ed. West Comp. bescheijden op het Nieuwe Fort 's nagts tusschen den 6 en 7 Julij laestleden van daer met een corjaer waeren gedeserteert Edog door sijn Ed. ordre promptelijk vervolgt en bij de Rivier Weijnie achterhaelt en alhier gevankelijk op- gebragt waeren. * * * * Ende den Raed rijpelijk overwoogen hebbende dat het ten uijterste nootsaekelijk was dat dier- gelijke delicten op het rigoureuste anderen ten exempel werden gestraft hebben met eenpaerig- heijt van stemmen geresolveert daer over het volgende vonnis te vellen: — THE Commander having submitted to the Court that the individuals Jan Coman, Michel Martin, and Francois Cornelis le Fevre, soldiers in the service of the Honourable West India Company, stationed at the New Fort, did on the night between the 6th and 7th July last desert from there in a corrial, but that by his Honour's orders they had been promptly pursued, overtaken near the River Wayni, and brought back prisoners here. * * # * And the Court having maturely considered that it was extremely necessary , that such crimes should be punished in the most rigorous manner as an example to others, did unanimously resolve to pass the following sentence in the matter : — 0 D Vonnis. Sentence. Alsoo Jan Coman gebportig van Landau, Michiel MarLin geboortig van Paris, en Francois Cornelis le Fevre geboortig van Gent, soldaeten iii dienst van d'Ed. West. Comp. bescheijden op het Nieuwe Fort sig niet en hebben ontsien 's nagts tusschen den 6 en 7 der yoorlede maend Julij met voorbedagten rade van het voors. fort met de corjaer van Jan Raim te deserteeren en de weg naer d'Oronoque in te slaen hebbende daer en boven Jan Coman de post waer op gestelt was verlaeten al het welke saken sijn volkomen strijdende tegens alle placaten wegens de Disci pline Militair geemaneert ende wel specialijk tegens den 16 en 28 Articul van den articulbrief over de voors. Discipline den 13 Augusti, 15.90, gearresteert en derhalven in een landt waer justitie rigeert niet en behooren getolereert te worden maer andere ten exempel op het rigoureuste moeten worden gestraft, Soo is't dat de Heeren Commandeur en Raeden gelet hebbende op de confessie der geapprehen- deerdens mitggaders op alles wat tot haer lieder lasten is strekkende doende regt uijt naem ende van wegens de Hoog Moogende Heeren Staeten- Whereas Jan Coman, a native of Landau, Michel Martin, a native of Paris, and Frainjois Cornelis le Fevre, a native of Ghent,- soldiers in the service of the Honourable West India Com pany, stationed at the New Fort, did, after pre meditation, take upon themselves to desert from the aforesaid fort on ,the night between the 6th and 7th of the past month of July, with the corrial of Jan Raim, and to proceed in the direc tion of the Orinoco, Jan Coman having, moreover, abandoned the post at which he was stationed, all of which matters are absolutely contrary to all Proclamations issued concerning military disci pline, and more especially to Articles 16 and 28 . of the Regulations concerning the aforesaid disci pline made on the 13th August, 1590, and there fore ought not to be tolerated in a country where justice reigns, but must be punished in the most. rigorous manner as an example. to others. The Commandeur and Councillors having taken note of the confession of the prisoners, as well as of everything that it is incumbent upon them to do whilst administering the law in the name and of their High Mightinesses the Lords E E on behalf 9« A General der Yereenigde Nederianden ende door expres bevel van d'Ed. Gr. Ach. Heeren Bewmd- hebberen der Ed. Gen. Geoct. Westindische Comp. ter vergaderinge der Tienen de voors. gedetmeer- dens gecondemneert hebben . . . . om gebragt te worden naert het huijs Nabij waer men gewoon is crimineele justitie te doen. * * * * Ende vervolgens alle clrie met d'eerste Engelsche barcq voor schelm uijt deese Colonie te worden versonden ende voor altoos daer uijt gebannen te blijven. # # * * B Statcs-Genetal of the United Netherlands, and by express orders of their Honours the Directors of the General Chartered West India Company in the Assembly of Ten, have condemned the afore said prisoners .... to be taken to the House Naby, where criminal justice is wont to be executed. * * * * And all three to be subsequently sent out of this Colony in an English barque as vagabonds, and to be banished therefrom for ever. No. 208. D E West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur and the Court of Policy, Essequibo, February 26, 1739. (Extract.) EN hetgeen onse aandagt niet minder heeft q opgeweckt is dat hij Secretaris schrijft, dat in die persuasie is dat in het geberghte boven aen de rivier Cajoene mineralen zouclen te vinclen zijn, wij weten ook geen redenen waerom niet, en zijn wij ook A'eele jaren in die persuasie geweest, maer cle eerste vrage daerop is of hij Secretaris zoude konnen ontclecken waer den arbeijd om dat op te sporen te beginnen, en hoedanigh hij dat geberghte bevindt of die yan aarde of geheel klippaghtigh zijn, teneijnde de berghwerckers zoo wij die quamen te zenden haar daarnae in het mede- nemen van haere werktuijgen te konnen regu- leeren. En ten tweeden moeten wij ook weten, of, zoo dit werk wierde ondernomen, U. E. in staat zoude zijn, zigh tegens den inlander zoo daer eenige zijn, of verwagt konnen werden te konnen mainctine- ren. Wij zullen geen difficulteijt maken U. E. twee bequame berghwerkers toe te zenden, zoo ons apparentien van succes kondt aen de handt geven, maer buijten dien kan de Compagnie op een losse voet geen noodloose onkosten doen, want de redenen die de Secretaris opgeeft van zijn geloof in dese konnen wel gegrondt zijn en egter niet uijtgevoert souden konnen werden ; onderen- tusschen recommanderen wij UEd. ernstelijk hem Secretaris te geven de behulpsame hand, in al hetgeene hij vermeijndt te konnen ondecken, ende daertoe nodigh te hebben, en seggen hem toe alsook UEd. dat van het succes haer sullen bedancken door een toelegh van een tantum van het profrjt ; konden wij met desen bodem eenige ertz bekomen, om hier te laten beproeven, zouwde bij een goede uijtkomste ons des te meeder ani- meren. AND our attention has in no less degree been aroused by the Secretary's writing that he is persuaded that minerals are to be found in the mountains up in the River Cuyuni. We know no reasons, moreover, why this should not be so, and have ourselves for many years been persuaded thereof ; but the first question is whether he, the Secretary, can find out where work should begin, in order to detect them, and what is his impression of those mountains, whether they are of earth or wholly of rock, in order that the miners, in case we send them, might be guided as to the tools they should take with them. And, in the second place, we must also know whether, in case this work should be undertaken, '• you would be in condition to maintain yourself against the natives, if any are there or are to be looked for. We shall not hesitate to send you two able miners, if you can offer us a prospect of success, but without that the Company cannot afford to lay out needless costs at great risk, for the reasons adduced by the Secretary for his belief in this matter may be well grounded, and still it might be impossible of execution. In the meantime, we earnestly recommend you to lend the Secretary a helping hand as to everything he thinks he can discover, and as to what he may heed to that end ; and we promise him and you also that we will show you our appreciation of your success by a grant of a percentage of the profits. If by this ship we could receive some ore, so as to have it assayed here, this, in case of a good result, would stimulate us the more. E No. 209. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company. Rio Essequebo, op t' Nieuwe Fort 20 May, 1739. Edele groot achbaere Heeren, WIJ hebben de Eer U. E. G. A. met deesen bodem te senden een kas gemerkt met het merk van U. E. G. A. No. 1 waer in U. E. G. A. sullen At the new Fort, River Essequibo, May 20, 1739. Honourable and very worthy Gentlemen, WE have the honour to dispatch to your Honours by this vessel a case marked with the mark of your Honours. No. 1, wherein you Avill 29 vinden eenigen ertzen in het nevensgaende lijsje gespecificeert. Wij hoopen dat deselve naer genoomene proeven de moeijte waerdig sullen gevonden worden om die mijnen tot nut Aran U. E. G. A. te oopenen en voort te setten. de grondige kennis manqueert ons om U. E. G. A. volkoome berigt van deselve te geven clog soo veel daer aen kunne sien soude die Ertz die boven de Plantagie Poelwijk genomen en in het vak No. 1 ' besloten is wel wat beloven, wijl de Aaders daer van seer breed en meenigvaldig sijn en seer veel terreijn beslaen. deselve sullen moogelijk in cle diepte rijker als in d'oppervlakte weesen. Het landt alhier is seer metaelrijk men vindt weijnig bergen of men siet op deserve Yser Steenen welke bij alle soorte van metaele gevon den worden en de menigvaldige blende en katte silver en Talk die hier gevonden wort doet het selve vast gelooven. Indien men twee a drie Hoogduijtsche mijnwerkers hadde die haer werk wel verstonden soude deselve de rivier Hooger op naer alle gedagte Aroordeelige ondekkinge konne doen. Wij wensten soo gelukkig te konnen weesen U. E. G. A. van dusdanige voordeelige ondekking met seekerheijt kennis te konnen geven wijl ons niets aengenaemer soude sijn als iets tot mer- kelijk voordeel van U. E. G. A. te konne contri- bueeren wijl wij altoos voor de grootste eer sullen agten ons- met de grootste eerbied en hoogachting te konnen noemen. Edele Groot Achbaere Heeren, U. E. G. A. alderonderdanigsteengehoor- saemste Dienaeren. H. GELSKERKE. L. STORM van "s GRAVESANDE. find some ores specified in the accompanying A list. We trust that they after being proved may be found to be worthy of the trouble of opening and setting forth the mines for your Honours' advantage. Thorough knoAvledge on our part is Avanting to give your Honours' perfect information there of, but so far as may be known, the one which was taken from above the plantation Poehvijk, and is inclosed in compartment No. 1, promises somewhat well, because the veins thereof are very broad and frequent and overlie much terri tory. The same may possibly prove richer in the deep ground than on the surface. " The land here is A^ery rich in metals — few mountains are found on which is not perceptible iron-stone, which is found near all sorts of metals; and the numerous blende and katte silver and talc should make one firmly believe this. If Ave had two or three German miners, well versed in their craft, profitable discoveries could, according to all opinion, be made higher up the same river. We desire to be so fortunate as to be able to give with certainty knowledge to your p Honours of such profitable discovery, shice nothing would be more agreeable to, us than to be able to contribute something for the notable advantage of your Honours, because we shall always esteem it the greatest honour to be taken with the greatest respect and esteem, honourable and worthy Sirs, for your Honours' most devoted and obedient submissive servants, H. GELSKERKE. (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. B Inclosure in No. 209. No. 1. DIT vak behelst eeuige steenen gegraven even een half quartier boven DEd. Comp. plantagie Poelwijk sijnde een rots van witte steen met goude stippels waer door heele breede aders loopen met menigte Westwaerts dwars door de Rivier Maseroene naer een klein Eijlant en Oostwaerts door een grooten berg waer op een suijker tuijn de Steene in No. 1 sijn van het bovenste van eenige dier aders in No. 5 sijn de steene van de Rots daer de aders door loopen dese heeft de meeste tekens van een silver mijn clog eenige steenen klaer geel metael in sig behelsende soude doen geloven daer mede gout in was. No. 2. Dit vak behelst steenen waer mede een Berg boven de Plantagie de Pelgrim (omtrent 2\ uur) mede op te diepte van drie a vier voete bevloert is. Dese soude naer gedagte Yser sijn en niet waerd over te sende maer de steenen in de papiertjes No. 6 en 7 daer tusschen gevonden doen klaerlijk ander waerdiger metael sien waerom tot proef de moer rots in No. 2 gesonde wort. Nos. 3, 4, en 12 behelsen steenen uijt eenige aders die door een rots (gelijk als boven Poelwijk) loopen sijn naer gedagte selve soort deese legge bij of omtrent DEd. Comp. Coffij plantagie. No. 5, Moerrots van No. 1, 2, 3, 4, en 12. [696—2] No. 1. THIS compartment contains some stones dug just one-half quarter above the Honourable Company's plantation Poelwijk, being one rock of white stone with gold speckles, through the whole breadth of Avhich veins run with frequency, westwards across the River Massaruni near a little island, and east wards through a great hill whereon is a sugar E garden. The stones in No. 1 are of the highest of any of these veins. In No. 5 are the stones of the rock which is traversed by the veins. These have the most indications of a silver mine, yet some stones clearly containing in themselves yellow metal argue the belief that gold is therein. No. 2. This compartment contains stones with which a hill above the plantation Pilgrim (about two and a-half hours) is found covered to the depth of 3 or 4 feet. These, according to (our) opinion, are iron, and are not Avorthy of trans- mission, but the stones in papers Nos. 6 and 7 ^ found there between give clear indications of another A'aluable metal, in proof whereof the matrix rock in No. 2 is sent. Nos. 3, 4, and 12 contains stones from some veins Avhich run through a rock (similar to that above Poelwijk). According to opinion they are of the same sort, and lie by or about the Company's coffee plantation. No. 5. Matrix of Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 12. I 30 No. 6; 7 reets in No. 2 vermelt. No. 8. Een stukje erts gevonde boven in het Gebergte van Cajoene niet wel soo hoog als_ de Coffij plantagie maer Landwaerts in Dit schijnt naer' duyterlijke tekene koper te wesen clog heeft ook auripigment in sijn aders twelk goud soude betekenen. No. 9. Mede van een ader van het voors. ge- oergte Lijkende naer Silver. No. 10 en 11 behelsen een Stuk Talk en een stuk Terra Lemnia ofte sigillata hier in overvloet te bekomen. Nos. 6 and 7. Already mentioned in No. 2. No. 8. A piece of ore found up in the chain of mountains of Cuyuni, not actually so high \| as the coffee plantation, but inland. It appears by external indications to be copper, but it con tains also auripigment in its veins which should betoken gold. No. 9. Also from a vein in the aforesaid chain of mountains resembling silver. Nos. 10 and 11 contain a piece of talc and a piece of terra lemnia or sigillata, here forth*"*; coming in abundance. B C No. 210. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 14, 1739. (Extract.) DE geprojecteerde secreete commissie Aran den Chirurgijn Hortsman (die regt bequaem tot soo een onderneeming scheijnd) gelukkig uijtvallende belooft veel avantagie. THE projected secret commission of the Surgeon Hortsman (avIio appears to be per fectly competent for such an undertaking), if it result successfully, promises much advantage. No. 211. Commandeur, Essequibo, and L. L. van 's Gravcsande, Secretary, to the September 15, 1739. West Lndia Company, 1) E D'AANHOUDENDE regentijd sedert het ver- trek van den Jongen Daniel de weg boven de vallen seer gevaarlijk makende heeft belet eenige nadere ontdekking te doen, vooronderstellende dat aldaar wel voornamentlijk iets te vinden sal wezen. De regentijd nu ten eijnde lopende maakt den 2 onderteekenaer sigh gereed even naer het vertrek A^an desen bodem een reijs met de hr. de Vries naar boven in de Rivier Cajoenen naar het groot gebergte alhier de Blauwen bergh genaemt te doen wijl de blauwe coleur en ongesontheijdt der wateren dier rivieren hem genoegsaam verge- wissen dat het gebergte daar dezelve door loopt seer metaeirijk moet wezen wat zoort sal hij tragten sooveel mogelijk te ondekken. De proeve met veneets glas genomen van de ertz UEd. Agtb. gesonden uijt de kreeke van Bon- nesieke hebben ons hetzelve doen zenden wijl anders voor ijzer soude aangezien hebbe maar het glas een hoog blauw coleur aangenomen hebbende heeft ons doen zien dat silver daaronder moest wezen dog hebben veel beter werwagting van d'ertz van de plantagie Poelwijk gesonden, en van de klcijne stukjes van boven de vallen gekomen. ... AS the continuous rainy season since the sailing of " Den jongen Daniel " makes the road above the falls very dangerous, it has prevented the making of any further discovery — assuming that anything at all is to be found there. Now that the rainy season is drawing to an end, the second of the Undersigned is getting ready to make a journey with Mr. de Vries, shortly after the de parture of this ship, to up in the River Cuyuni, to . the high mountains here called the Blue Moun tains; for the blue colour and the unwholesome-- ness of the waters of those rivers sufficiently assure him that the mountains through Avhich it runs must be very rich in metals — of what kind he will as far as possible try to find out. The test made with Venetian glass of the ore sent your Honours from the Creek of Bonnesieke induced us to send it, as otherwise we should have taken it for iron ; but the glass, having assumed a bright blue colour, showed us that there must be silver in it, but we have much better expectations of the ore sent from the plantation Poelwijk, and of the small pieces which came from above the falls. No. 212. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, November 23, 1739. DEN 3 : deeser maend is den Chirurgijn Horts man met twee van de bequaemste Militairen wel voorsien van geweer en alles wat verder tot sijne voorgestelde reijse boven de vallen van Essequebe nodig was vertrocken gemunieert met een behoor- lijke Instructie en pasporten in de Latijnse en Hollandse Taelen om des noods sijnde sig daar van ON the 3rd of this* month, the Surgeon Hortsman departed Avith two of the fittest ; soldiers, well provided Avith weapons and every thing else which Avas necessary for his pro jected journey above the falls of Essequibo, furnished with proper instructions and pass ports in the Dutch and Latin languages in case 31 te konnen bedienen ; Verder sijn hem ook toege- voegt Vier kundige en bequaeme Creolen om voor Tolken en Gidsen te clienen bij cle Indiaenen die sij op deese reijse sullen, passeeren, en welke door geringe presentjes gedisponeert moeten worden om deselve te helpen faciliteeren, Ende 't zedert advijs ontfangen hebbende dat Hortsman cle vallen ge- lukkig gepasseert was hoop ik in ses maenden de Eer te sullen konnen hebben van UWEGA een aengenaem rapport van den uijtslag deeser reijse te mogen doen it may be necessary for him to avail himself thereof. Moreover, there have been attached to him four able and clever Creoles to serve as guides and interpreters Avith the Indians whom they will pass on this journey, and who, by means of trifling presents, may be disposed to help to facilitate it, and some advices having since been received that Hortsman had successfully passed the falls, I hope in six months to have the honour to present to your Worships an agree able report of the issue of this journey. B No. 213. Report of the Mining Engineer, Thomas Hildebrandt, March 9, 1741. Raport . aen de groot Ecll. Agtb. gestrenge Heeren Betointhebberen der Ede. Genercde geoctroijeerde Westindiesche Compie. van mijn drie aenge- cangen werken. (Voor de kamer Amstelredam.) IK hebbe den aenvangh gemaekt om te fiesen- teren den 15 Desemb., 1740, boven int geberghte Maseroene. Ik bevinde aldaer van eener cante des reviers tot de andere rauw hart gesteente amdage met wilde onaerdige quarts trummeren doorlopen en soo bevindt sigh het geberghte een iter van boven de plan* Poelwijk aff tot aen de Revier Essequibo toe maer daer nae geeft het een ander geberghte den selvigen voert sijn strijken tot- naer den blauwen bergh heen. Ook heb het Revier Cajoene geviesenteert niet verder als een halff uer boven de koffij plan* maer het geberghte heel anders bevonden als in de Revier Maseroene. Het is wat foijnder en sup- tieler als het gebergte van Maseroene ook voert het selve veel katten silver 'off blint bij hem het . welk is juijst geen quaat teken. Op den boven genaemde gesteente dat na den blauwen bergh loop van de Revier Essequibo aff strek over de ander kant na den soo genaemden blauwen bergh en komt op de plan* Nieuw Walgeren uijt het selvige geberghte is root en geel saght geberghte voert veel moeijie spaet trummeten bij sigh alwaer ik een stollen No. 1 op begonnen om sulke moeijie spaet trammer door te snijden en te sien wat sij voor metalen bij sigh voert * * * * Ook heb in den boven rauw geberghte van Maseroene een stollen No. 2 een haff uer boven de plan* Poelwijk aengeleght. . , . . * * * * In den voorgemelden Revier Cajoene een halff uer boven de koffij plan* hebbe een stollen No. 3 aengeleght onder een hoogh geberghte. Report to the Directors of the Genercd Chartered West India Company regarding the three mines begun by me. 0 (For the Amsterdam Chamber.) I MADE a beginning of prospecting, the 15th December, 1740, up in the rocks of the Massaruni, I find there, from one side of the river to the other, rough, hard rock in sight, interspersed with wild, uninviting fragments of quartz ; and the rock is of this sort for an hour from above the planta tion Poelwijk all the way to the River Essequibo. But beyond this there is another [sort of] rock, which extends its strata as far as the Blue Mountain. I also prospected in the River Cuyuni — not further than a-half hour above the coffee planta tion — but found the rock wholly different from that in the River Massaruni. It is somewhat finer and more subtle than the rock of Massaruni, and has in it much " katte " silver, or " blende," which is by no means a bad sign. Upon the above-named rock, which runs towards the Blue Mountain from the River Essequibo straight across to the other side, to the so-called Blue Mountain, and comes out at the plantation New Walcheren, the rock is red and yellow, soft, and has in it many fine fragments of spar, where I began a shaft (No. 1), in order to cut through such fine spar fragments, and to see what sort of metals they carry with them. In the rough rock up in Massaruni, a-half hour above the plantation Poelwijk, I also opened a shaft (No. 2) $fr $£ ¦Sfc ¦& In the aforementioned River Cuyuni, a - half hour above the coffee plantation, I opened a shaft (No. 3) beneath a high hill. D E 32 No. 214. Storm van 's Graresande, Secretary in Essequibo, to the West India Company, April 30, 174.1. (Extract.) ALLEENIG hebbe ik cle eer in deze UEd. A Agtb. kennis te geven dat den darde dezer niaancl April is afgekomen Jacques Donacq, Posthouder, van UEd. Agbt. handelplaats boven Essequebo expres komende om te berigten dat een van d'lndianen van die post die met Nicolaes Horts man is opgegaan, af is gekomen door denseh/en Hortsman afgesonden met tijdingh dat een seer goede reys had gedaen, dat hij alle sijne medege- gevene goederen hadden vernegotieert ; dat zijn makker Christiaen Rijs op weg was om over zee hier naetoe te komen clogh dat hij nodigh hadde geoordeelt boven te blijven. Waar hij de Adagh -p, hadde geplant en broodtuijnen laten happen, en wijl zijne instructie luijdt geene goederen te mogen vernegotieeren als voor goud, silver, off gesteentens, heb ik groote hoop (indien men op het seggen van die Indiaan staat kan maken) dat die reys Aran een goedt succes sal weesen. THIS is only to inform your Honours that on the 3rd of this month, April, Jaques Donacq, Postholder of your Honours' trading-place above Essequibo, arrived here, coming express^ to report that one of the Indians of the Post who accompanied Nicolaes Hortsman had returned being sent by Hortsman himself with informa tion that a very good journey had been made and that he had traded away all the goods given to him ; that his mate Christiaen Rijs, was on his way to come here by sea, but that he had considered it necessary to remain above ; Avhere he had planted the flag and cleared a bread garden, and since his instructions per mitted the exchange of no goods except for gold, silver, or gems, I have good hope (if that Indian's statement can be lelied upon) that that journey Avill turn out a great success. No. 215. 0 Journal of the Mining Engineer, Thomas Hildebrandt, March-June 1741. (Extract.) D E E Sondagh den 23 [April]. — Hebbe mijne reijs aen gevangen de revier Cajoene op om boven de hooge bergen te ondersoeken Hebbe voor genomen, mijn reijs voor 6 weeken uijt te blijven en soo hoogh te varen als de teijt hadde, en te ondersoeken soo veel bij gesontheijt mogelijk is. Dese reijse mee genomen den bergh man Johannis Schols en den bergh man Falenteijn Ieske ook den profiesiejoneel bergh man Christoffel Cramer, 13 slaven een oude crejoel voor wegh weijser door de sware fallen ook een huijs meijt. De eijgenstee dagh met mijn volk het morgen broot op de indigo plant[agie] geheten, en daer na mijn reijs vervordert, tot onder d. groote val, op sijn Indiaens genaemt Ematobo. Aldaer savons, om 6 ueren gelukkigh gearriveert, ende aldaer overnaght. Ook hebbe al der weegh soo ueel mogelijk was, het gesteentens geAdesenteert maer niets sondellins bevonden, als dat ik sagh dat de gesteente veranderlijker was als onder de Revier. Ook hebbe hier en daer sant gewassen maer miets bevonden van eenige min- neralen. Maendagh den 24 do.— De wijl mijn volk het goet boven de groote val droegen, en de twee vaartuijgen: over lant sleepten met groote moeijten, onder dier tijt heb ik het sant gewassen en het gesteentens geviesenteert, maer niets van berglf aders bevonden ook cle sant gewassen niets bevonden. Het goet weder in de vaertuijg gela- den hebbende, ben weer aen een sware val geko men aldaer smiddaeghs geheten, en het goet weer uijt het vaertuijg moeten lossen, de vaertuijgen weder over sleepten: sulks gedaen sijnde ben gevaren aen een val genaempt Awaroutaru daer door sijnde hebbe over naght aen een Indaens wegh twee naghten, uijt dien hoofde cle weijl ik twee bneven het schrijven aen d. Edle. Comp een naer Amsterdam en na Middelburgh, des o-elijk ook aen d'Hr. Commandeur ook daer' wat gevie senteert maer niets bevonden als dat gesien hebbe een sclioone landawe om sigli leijt. Sunday, April 23. — Began my journey up the River Cuyuni in order to examine the high moun tains above. Planned my journey so as to stay out for six weeks, and to go as far up as I had time and investigate as much as health permits. Took with me on this journey the miner Johannis Schols and the miner Falenteijn Ieske, also the provisional miner Chris tof el Cramer, 13 slaves, and an old Creole for guide through the difficult falls, also a housemaid. The same day ate breakfast with my people on the indigo plantation, and then pushed on my journey to beneath the great fall, called by the Indians Ematobo. Reached there safely in the evening , at 6 o'clock, and stayed there over night. The whole way I also examined the rocks as much as possible* but found nothing in particular except that I saAv the rock to be more variable than in the lower river. I also here and there washed sand, but. found nothing of any mineral. Monday, April 24.— While my people carried the things to above the great fall and with great \ difficulty dragged the two boats overland, I mean while washed the sand and examined the rocks, but found nothing of lodes ; also found nothing [in] the sand washed. When the things were again loaded in the boat I again came to a difficult fall, where I ate my midday meal and had again to have the things taken out of the boat and the boats dragged over again ; this done, went on to a fall named Awaroutaru, and having passed it stayed over night at an Indian path two nights, for this reason, that I had to write two letters to the Company, one to Amsterdam and to Middel- burg, as likewise also one to the Commaiidem. Also prospected there somewhat, but found no thing, save that I saw that a fine savannah lies there. 33 Wiensdagh den 26 do. — Naer de brieven over- lant na de indigo plant[agie] gensonden heb ben weder opgebroken en min reijs voor geset en over all sware vallen, door Godes seegen gelukkigh gepaseert waren. Soo hem om 11 ueren boven het groot eijlant gekomen genaemt Pavombo, en aldaer uijt getrapt, en het gesteente met mijn beij hebbende bergh luijden geviesenteert. V(t $£ * Ob Naer dat geviesenteert hebbe boven het soo genaemde eijlant Pavombo ben gevaren den eijgen- stee dagh tot aen kreek genaemt Tiboko-eijkoeroe de welke van den voet Aran den Blauwenbergh affgelopen komt hebbe aldaer een tent van bladeren laten op slaen in sware regen, en ook cle halve naght door geregent. Donderdagh den 27 do. — S morgens om 6 ueren gin met twee bergh luijden de boAren genaemd kreek op door de bos kappende, om te sien off die kreek den bergh aff quaum soo hebbe de selve vervolght tot et sigh in twee verdeelt. Soo liet mijn 2 bergh luijden met 4 slaven de reghter kant op lopen om te fiesenteeren, ende ik . . . . gink de spruijt de linker hant op te fiesen teeren. Daer eenige weijl gegaen sijnde quam aen een hooghe ronde bergh. Liet voor mijn heen kappen tot boven op de top, om alles wel te ondersoeken maer niets bevonden, als dat den helen bergh met groote miesirabile eijsere klippen overdekt is. Boven op den bergh koomende mij om sagh off ik verder hoogh geberghte moghte sien. Soo sagh ik voor mijn uijt door de bos een hoger bergh als daer ik op was. Liet voor mijn neer om loegh kappen in een faley koomen de .... en sware regen kregende sijn naer ons losie gekeert. Het was omtrent 2 ueren naer de middagh, aldaer weder over naght hebbende. Vrydagh den 28 do. — .... den eygenstee agter middagh om 4 ueren ben ik naer boven de revier gevaren met een kleen vaertuijgh om na een kreek te sien, en hebbe bevonden omtrent een uer van ons slaeps plaets een kreek de welke uyt agter geberghte aff trok. Daer van daen ben over de ander kant van de revier gevaren om te sien hoe hoogh het geberghte sigh vertooncle. So sagh OArer all hoogh geberghte uijt keyken. Voer wider na ons resiedentie. Saterdagh den do. — Des smorgens vroegh gin ik in de eijgenstee spruijte Tiboko-eijkoeroe op. . . . So liet van desen avont myn goet in vaer tuijgh doen om morgen ochtent weer verder na boven te vertrekken om verder onder soek te doen. * * * * Sondagh den do. — Des morgens om 6 ueren vertrokken van de plaets alwaer wij vier naghten hadden OArer naght van de kreek Tiboko-Eijkoeroe en quamen aen een groten Aral genaemt Tokeijne alwaer wij grote moeijte hadden om op te coomen, als wij nogh ergens hadden gehadt; dese boven genoemde val sijn stortingh hoogh seijnde 4§ vaem. Als ik het geluk niet hadde gehadte van ses Indianen die mijn behulpsaemheijt betoonde om mijn vaertuijgh over te slepen, soo soude ik onmo gelijk sijn op gekoomen, en de selve Indianen verders nogh bij mijn gehouden naer dat sij mijn geholpen hadden, om ook verder de wegh door de veel eijlanden te weijsen en nogh twee beswaarlijke vallen, den eenen genaemt Simierie, en den anderen Motoesie daer over seijnde troff een eijlant aen alwaer 3 oude Tndiaens tenten stonden heb de selve iets laten repareren en nam [696— 2j Wednesday, April 26. — After sending the letters A OA'-erland to the indigo plantation, broke camp again and continued my journey, and through God's blessing safely passed all the difficult falls. So at 11 o'clock I came to aboAre the great island named Pavomba and there landed, and examined the rocks with the miners I had with me. * * # » After prospecting above the so-called Island of Pavombo I travelled the same day up to a creek named Tiboko-eykoeroe, which conies running from the foot of the Blue Mountains. There I had a tent of leaves put up in the heavy rain ; " and it rained also half the night through. Thursday, April 27. — In the morning at 6 o'clock I went with two miners up the above- named creek, clearing a way through the bush in order to see whether the creek came from the mountain. So 1 followed it till it divided itself into two. Then I let my two miners with four slaves push up toward the right in order to pro spect, and I . . . . went up the left-hand branch to prospect. Having gone for some time there, came to a high round mountain. Had it cleared n before me to up on the top, in order to investigate all thoroughly, but found nothing except that the whole mountain is covered with great wretched iron cliffs. Coming to the top of the mountain I looked about me whether I could see more high mountains. So I saw before me, out through the bush, a higher mountain than the one on which I was. Had it cleared before me down the slope, coming into a valley .... and, getting heavy rain, we returned to our hut. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Stayed there again over night. Friday, April 28. — T> * * * * .... The same afternoon about 4 o'clock went up the river with a small boat in order to look for a creek, and found, about an hour from our sleeping-place, a creek which came down out of the back mountains. From there I went over to the other side of the river in order to see how high the mountains appeared. I saw everywhere high mountains peeping out. Went back to our stopping-place. Saturday, April 29. — In the morning early I went up into the same stream Tiboko- eykoeroe .... So I had this evening my things E put in the boat in order to-morrow at daybreak to set out again for further up-stream, so as to make further investigation. , * * * * Sunday April 30. — In the morning at 6 o'clock left the place where we had stayed four nights, at the creek Tiboko-eykoeroe, and came to a great fall named Tokeyne, Avhere we had great[er] trouble to get up than we had yet had anywhere, the height of the above-named fall being 4J fathoms. If I had not had the luck of six Indians, who showed themselves helpful in drag- -™ ging over my boat, I should have found it impos sible to get up ; and I kept these Indians by me still after they had helped me, in order to show the way further through the many islands and two other difficult falls, one named Simierie and the other Motoesie. Having passed these, I came to an island where three old Indian tents stood. Had these somewhat repaired and took our night's rest there. This island was named Arwattu- pauoeroe, that is to say, Monkey's Island. The K 34 A ons naght rust. Dese eijlant hiet Arwatta pauoeroe, dat is te seggen Bafieaens Eijlant: De boven gemelde Indianen hebbe betaelt voor haer moeijtens 1 beyl 1 do. kapmes 2 muijl trompen. May, 1741. — Maendagh den 8 do. — Voer van eijlant gent Arwattapauoeroe naer cle vaste wal, uijt dien hoofde weijl een hoogh geberghte voor mijn sagh, om aldaer een kasie voort op te slaen, om het selve geberghte soo diep hit lant te fiesenteren als het mogelijk is. # * * * Diensclagh den 2 do. — S morgens vroegh vertrok van het Bafiaans Eijlant in cle nieuwe kasie aen B de vaste wal, dight aen een kreek genaent Moroko- Eijkoeroe. Gin aen den gemelden kreek fiesen teren. * * * * Vrydagh den 5 do. — . . . . dese dagh is een Indiaen bij mijn gekoomen, met sijn weijv en kinders en heeft mijn belooft, voor goede beta- lingh, broot te besorgen voor mijn volk twee maenden langh. * * * * Dicnsdagh den 9 do. — Na dat ik naar mijn krank vermogen niet meer konde uijthouden .... soo p vertrok des morgens ter 7 ueren van t nieuwe aengevangen koper werk met . . . . ses slaven, vuijf vrijie Indianen die ik gehuert hebbe om mijn vaertuijgh door die groote vallen helpen aff brengen, en liet twee bergh luij Falenteijn en Christoffel Cramer profisiejoneel bergh man met acht slaven, daer om het selfde werk vorders voor te setten .... Soo ben offgevaren naer haar alles bevoolen te hebben tot omtrent halff wegh boven de vallen, alwaer een wegh is na cle indigoos plant [agie] .... Sont mijn vaartuijg aff na de indigoos plant [agie], en ... . soo ben gaen marseeren tot op de indigo plant [agie] J) en naer een weijnigh gerust hebbende quam mijn vaertuijgh en ben soo direckt aff gevaren tot op Duijenburgh savons ten 8 ueren. THOMYS HILDEBRANDT. Op Cartabo den 4 Juny, 1741. above-mentioned Indians I paid for their trouble one axe, one cutlass, two mouth-trumpets. May, 1741 : Monday, May 1. — Went from the Island named Arwattepatioroe to the mainland) I for the reason that I saw before me a high moun tain, in order to put up a hut there at once, so as to examine this mountain as deep inland as possible. Tuesday. May 2. — In the morning early I left Monkey's Island for the new hut on the mainland; close by a creek named Moroko-eykoeroe. Wem> prospecting in the said creek. Friday, May 5. — . . . To-day an Indian came to me with his wife and children and has promised me for good pay to provide bread for my people two months long. Tuesday, May 9. — Since, sick as I was, I could no longer hold out. .... therefore at 7 o'clock in the morning I left the newly-begun copper mine with .... six slaves, five free Indians whom I have hired to help bring my boat down through the great falls, and left there two miners, Falenteyn and Christoffel Cramer, provisional miner, with eight slaves, in order to push on further with this work So, after com mending everything to them, I went down to about half-way above the falls, where there is a path to the indigo plantation Sent my boat down to the indigo plantation, and .... went on foot as far as the indigo planta tion, and, after resting a little, my boat came, and so I went straight to Duynenburgh, [arriving] in the evening at 8 o'clock. (Signed) THOMAS HILDEBRANDT. At Cartabo, June 4, 1741. No. 216. E Thomas Hildebrandt, Mining Engineer, to the West India Company, June 3, 1741. (Extract.) DOET ook mijn Edl. G. Agtb. heeren en patroonen als voor gemelt kennis dat ik den reyse naer den blauwen bergh hebbe begonnen den 22 April om het geberghte te ondersoeken. Soo hebbe den begin gemaekt boven de indigoos plan* aen cle eerstee valleetee maer niets bevonden als een onaerdigh gesteente. Gongh toen verder na boven tot aen een kreek genaemt Moroko- Eijkoeroe en hebbe tot aen dese hoeck wel onder soght, het geen mijn nimant souw konnen verbe- teren romsom den blauwen bergh. Hebbe wel p moeijie gangen gevonden maer moet sware moeijtens aengewent werden om het selve to bewerken, alsoo het geberghte bedekt leggen met groote eijsere gesteente, en tot aen dese kreek boven gemelt die nogh wel 4 ueren boven den blauwen bergh leght. Soo hebbe aen den selven plaets een schoone koper gank gevonden die de moeijte waerdig is daer op voort te varen. I ALSO inform my Lords and employers that on the 23rd April I began the journey to the Blue Mountain, in order to examine the mountains. Accordingly, I made a beginning above the indigo plantation at the first small fall, but found only unpromising rock. Then I went higher up to a creek called Moroko-eykoeroe, and up to this point I have explored as carefully as anybody could do, round about the Blue Mountain. I have, indeed, found beautiful lodes, but it will take severe labour to work it, since the mountain's covered with heavy iron rock as far as this afore said creek, which lies full four hours above the Blue Mountain. I have found at this place a beautiful copper vein which is worth going on with. 35 No. 217. Proceedings of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, June 4, 1741. (Extract.) DE schaersheijt en het gebrek van paerden, in overweging genoomen sijnde, is geresolveert dat de respective ¦plantagien, naer Acquiri soude senden, om paerden te - ruijlen en dat men daertoe cargasoenen, uijt d'Ed. Comp. winkel soude ver- ; strecken. THE scarcity and lack of horses being taken into consideration, it was resolved that the respective plantations should send to Aguirre in order to barter for horses, and that the trading wares therefore be advanced out of the Company's stores. No. 218. Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India Company, June 10, 1741. (Extract.) B P.S. het is ruijm twee maenden geleden Jaque Donacq (die in Essequebe in plaats van den over- leden Jacobus van der Burg de Post waarneemt) mij. quam rapporteeren hoe een Indiaen op de post gekomen was, en hem door ordre van den Chirurgijn Hortsman kennis gegeven had dat hij Hortsman bij het Lak van Parima cle vlagge van UWelEd. Gr. Agtb. geplant, en possessie van het Landt had genomen, daar een brood Tuijn liet kappen en Christiaen Reijs over zee afsoude komen om nader verslag van de Reijs te doen, die naar wensch gesuccedeert soude sijn. .... IT is fully two months ago since Jaques Donacq (who attended to the Post in Essequibo in place of the deceased Jacobus van der Burg) came to me to report how an Indian had ar rived at the Post, and had informed him, by order of the Surgeon Hortsman, that he had planted the flag of your Honours by the Lake of Parima, and had taken possession of the land, had cleared a cassava garden there, and p had dispatched Christiaen Reijs over sea to give a further account of the journey which hatnmc- ceeded according to his wish. No. 219. - Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India Company, November 10, 1741. (Extract.) B DEN Directeur der bergwerker Hildebrandt heeft in deesen tusschentijd diverse versoeken gedaen om boven in Cajoene te gaen werken, ter plaetse van waar hij de ertzen en proeven, welke aen U Wel Ed. Gr. Agtb. met het schip " Den Jongen Daniel " gesonden sijn, gebragt heeft ; maar sulks hem niet geaccordeert hebbende konnen worden, omdat met reeden te vreesen stondt, dat sijne slaven die bereijds van het berg- werk volkomen gedegouteert sijn, de andere weg- lopers souden volgen,. heeft men hem dit versoek bij provisie moeten weijgeren ; eedogh soo hast de weggelopene creolen en slaven sullen sijn gearri- veert, sal deesen Directeur met een gedeelte van sijn volk boven in Cajoene alles prepareeren om een begin van het voornoemde werk te konnen maeken. HILDEBRANDT, the Director of the miners, has in the meantime made several requests to go and work up in Cuyuni at the place from which he brought the ore specimens which were sent to you by the ship " Den Jongen Daniel ;" but it being impossible to grant him this because there were grounds to fear that his slaves, already thoroughly disgusted with the mining, would follow the other runaways, this request had provisionally to be denied him ; nevertheless, as soon as the runaway Creoles and slaves shall have arrived, this Director, with part of his people, shall get everything ready up in Cuyuni so as to make a beginning of the aforesaid work. E 36 No. 220. Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India Company, February 8, 1742. (Extract.) _^_ HET soude mij meede seer aangenaam sijn, in dien ik UWel. Ed. Gr. Agtbre nopens de onderno- mene reijse, van den Chirurgijn Nicolaes Hortz- nian en Christiaan Rijst, naer het lak van Parime, sulke aangename nouvelles konde melden maer ik moet tot mijn. Leedweesen cle Eer hebben van UWel. Ed. Gr Agtbr* te berigten dat de vier Criolen die met den voorn. Hortzman de reijs ge daen hebben, den 25 novemb1' alhier sijn gekomen, en mij rapporteerden, dat sij in het Lak van Parime gearriveerd sijnde ; den Chirurgijn Nico laes Hortzman naer de Portugueesen was gevaren ; niet tegenstaende, aan denselven een goed Compas 33 en een Landkaert was meede gegeven ; dat hij sig eenigen tijt, bij een pater, in een spruijt, naer de stad Para lopende, had opgehouden, dat den Gouverneur van Para daer van geinformeert sijncle, haer had cloen afhalen, en die stad komende, den meergenoem.de Nicolaes Hortzman, en Christiaen Rijst, in Portugeesen dienst waren getreden, wanneer de vier Criolen, in de tronk wierden geset, om haer te clwingen, van aldaer meede te blijven ; maer weeder ontslagen sijnde, hadden sij middel gevonden om des nagts met een kleijn vaer tuijg, over de revier d'Amazone te ge- raken, en ontrent A'ijff maenden onclerweg gesuk- kelt hebbende, waeren sij eijndelijk weeder hier aengekomen, en Hortzman had al cle Cargasoenen, daer weijnig van uijtgegeven was, seekerlijk aen de Portugeesen verkogt; dit onverwagt gedrag, van den meergenoemde Nicolaes Hortzman, dat een Protestant was, en een groot Liefhebber van diergelijke onclernemingen toonde, te sijn, en daer bij ook alle de uijterlijke teijkens van een eerlijk man hackle, heeft mij ten hoogsten verwondert, en ik sal aen de overweeging van UWel Ed. Gr. Agtbre laten, hoe nootsakelijk het soude weesen, om deese twee eerloose bedriegers magtig te wor- T) den, op dat deselve tot een exempel van andere, regoureus konclen werden gestraft, daertoe moo- gelijk Avel occagie, door middel van Haer Hoogh Moogende Ambassadeur aan het Hoff Portugael residerende, geAronde soude konnen werden. c IT would have been very agreeable to me if I could have given your Honours' such agreeable news concerning the journey undertaken by the Surgeon Nicholas Hoitzman and Christiaan Rijst to the Lake of Parima ; but I must, to my regret, have the honour to inform your Honours. that the four Creoles who had made the journey with the aforesaid Hortzman arrived here on the 25th November and reported to me that they had arrived at the Lake Parima, that the Surgeon Nicholas Hortzman had gone to the Portuguese ; notwithstanding that, a good compass and a map of the country Avas given in his charge; that he had dwelt for some time with a priest at a brook flowing to the town of Para ; that the Governor of Para being informed thereof, had caused them to be fetched, and when they came into the town, the aforesaid Nicholas Hortzman and Christiaan Rijst entered into the Portuguese service, when the four Creoles were placed in gaol to constrain them also to abide there ; but being again discharged thence, they found means in the night, with a small vessel, to get across the Amazon, and having suffered hardships for about five months on the way, fhey finally arrived here again, and Hortzman had probably sold to the Portuguese all the wares (little of which had been given aAvay). This unexpected conduct of the aforesaid Nicholas Hortzman (who was a Protestant), and showed himself to be a great lover of such undertakings, and, moreover, had all the out ward bearing of an honourable man, has greatly astonished me, and I shall leave to your Honours' consideration hoA\- necessary it will be that the se two dishonourable cheats should be got hold of in order that they may be punished rigorously as an example to others, whereof possibly a good opportunity may come to be found by means of their High Mightinesses" Ambassador to the Court of Portugal. No. 221. E y Journal of the Mining Engineer, Thomas Hildebrandt, 1742. De reijs na booven Cajoene om te visenteeren. Woons[dag] den 10 Jann. — Des agter middags ter 2 uuren heb de reijs aangenoomen naa den Blauwenberg, en gink niet verder als tot op de in digo plant[agie] en aldaer overnaght. Donclerdag den 11 dito. — Brak des morgen wee der op en kwam tot over den eersten groote val, aldaer overnaght en hadde groot ongemak dien dag. Vrijday den 12 dito. — Weeder op gebrooken, soo kwaamen mij om tien uuren eenige In- diannen teegen van booven, met schildpadden bij haar. The Prospecting Expedition to the Upper Cuyuni. Wednesday, January 10,— In the afternoon, at' 2 o'clock, commenced my journey to the Blue Mountain, and went no further than the indigo plantation, and there spent the night. Thursday, January 11. — Broke camp again hi the morning, and came to above the first great fall, and there spent theuiight, and had great dis comfort that day. Friday, January 12. — Broke camp again ; there met me at 10 o'clock some Indians from above,. bringing turtles with them. 37 Scderdag den 13 dito. — Des agtermiddags ten 3 uuren kwain onder de tweede groote val, en sag haast geen kans op te koomen, soe was het waater geswollen, dat ik in mijn vorige passagie niet konde door koomen, soo dat mij de naa gekoo- mene Indiaanen seer wel te pas kwaamen, en met den donker eerst mijn twee A'aartuijgen booven hadde. * * * * Sonderdag den 14 dito. — Des voorde middags ten 10 uuren kwam op het N[ieuw]-Kooperwerk en bevoudt, dat alles toe gevallen was, wat wij te vooren naa binnen gewerkt hadden, soo sondt aanstons 2 neegers met 6 Indiaanen, om Patou te halen, tot het maaken van een pleijster huijs, om des naghts in t droog te zijn Mondag den 15 dito. — Begon boven op den berg een ander pleijster huijs te laaten maaken voor mij en mijn volk. * * # * Donderdag den 1 Febr. — Quam weder op Car- tarbo smorgens ten 8 uren. Vrijdag den 2 dito. — Maakte klarigheijt om te vertrekken, weder na de revier Cajoene. Saterdag 3 dito. — Vertrok weder na Cajoene, en nam mede 7 shaven van werk Cornelia, en ik bleef op de indigo plantasie overnagt, en liet mijn volk voor uijt varen. Sondag 4 dito. — Des morgens ten 7 uren, ging ik over lant, en quam bij mijn volk, onder den eersten grooten val, snamiddags ten 2 uren, en als mijn volk gegeten had, liet ik het goet uijt de cor jaer na boven dragen, en de corjaer na boven trek- ken, als hij weer geladen was vertrok en quam tot onder de twede grooten val, des avonts ten 8 uren, en bleef daer over nagt. Moencl[ag] den 5 dito. — Liet des morgens met den dageraat t'goet over den val dragen en de cor jaer optrekken, en als se geladen was vertrok weder, en quam op het mijn werk ten 11 uren. * * * * Woensda[g] den 28 [^%6.]. — Nam ik in Godes naam weder de reijs aen na boven Cajoene en nam cle bergman Stephanus Iske mede, en een vrij man Gerret Gertz. ging ook mede om 4 a 5 In dianen te soeken, ik quam op de indigo plantasi, ter 10 uren en den bergman Iske, ik had permissi gegeven om na coffij plantasi te varen quam den selven dag niet verder als 2 uren van de indigo plantasi, en bleef daer over nagt, en regende de hele nagt. Meert den 1, Donderdag. — Brak des morgens weder op in Godes name, en bevordrede meijn reijs, en quam des avonts ten 6 uren op het grote eij lant een groot anderhalve ure onder de grooten val en overnagte aldaar. * # # * Vrijdag den 2 dito. — Nam s'morgens vroeg weder mijn reijs aen, en quam ten 9 uren onder den 2den groten val, en liet het goet over lant dragen, en den cargas optrekken en weder laden, en als t'volk s'morgens gegeten had maakte mij weder op de reijs, en quam 1 ure door Godes zegen op het werk Perker en Haak * # * * Sondag den 11 dito. — . . . t'is hier in de bosgasie Arol ongedierte, dien dag quamen er 14 bokken van boven de revier af uijt de savanen, die ik af kogte, 2 rode hangmatten voor de slaven, en anders 3 potten en 4 schild- padden. # * * * [696—2] Saturday, January 13. — In the afternoon, at A 3 o'clock, came under the second great fall, and saw almost no chance to get up, so was the water swollen, which in my former journey I could not get through, so that the additional Indians came in very handy, and it was dark by the time that we had the two boats up above. Sunday, January 14. — In the forenoon, at 10 o'clock, came to the new copper-mine, and found that everything had caved in which we had previously pierced, so I at once sent two negroes Avith six Indians to fetch thatch for the B making of a station, so as to keep dry at night Monday, January 15. — Began having another station made up on the mountain for me and my people. * * * * Tliursday, February 1. — Came again to Cartabo, at 8 o'clock in the morning. Friday, February 2. — Got all ready to set out again to the River Cuyuni. Saturday, February 3. — Set out again for Cu yuni, and took with me seven slaves from the p mine Cornelia, and I spent the night on the indigo plantation, and let my men go on ahead. Sunday, February 4. — In the morning, at 7 o'clock, I went overland, and came up with my men beneath the first great fall at 2 o'clock in the afternoon ; and when my men had eaten, I had the things from the boat carried up above, and the boat drawn up, and when it had been loaded again, set out and came to under the second great fall, at 8 o'clock in the evening, and stayed there over night Monday, February 5. — This morning, at day break, I had the things carried around the fall, J). and the boat dragged up, and when she was loaded again, set out, and came to my mine at 11 o'clock. * * * * Wednesday, February 28. — Set out again in God's name for the Upper Cuyuni, and took with me the miner, Stephanus Iske, and a freeman named Gerret Gertz also came with us, in order to seek four or five Indians. I came to the indigo plantation at half-past 9 o'clock, and I gave the miner Iske permission to go over to the coffee plantation Came that day no further than two hours from the indigo plantation, and stayed E there overnight, and it rained the whole night. Thursday, March 1. — Broke camp again in the morning in God's name, and continued my jour ney, and came in the evening, at 6 o'clock, to the great island, full an hour and a-half below the great fall, and spent the night there. * # * # Friday, March 2. — Set out again in the morning early, and came, at 9 o'clock, under the second great fall, and had the things carried overland and the boats dragged up and loaded again ; and when the people had eaten breakfast, set out again on ^ the journey, and came, at 1 o'clock, through God's -^ blessing; to the mine Perker and Haak * * * * Sunday, March 11. — .... Here, in the bush, it is full of vermin. There came this day fourteen Indians from up the river out of the savannahs, from whom I bought two red hammocks for the slaves, and also three pots and four turtles. * * * * 38 A Dingsdag den 13 dito. — Dien middag quamen de 2 slaven weer van boven, die ik den 9den deser had uijgesonden, om In dianen te halen, om br'oot tuijn te kappen, maar bragten er geen en mede, en seijden dat de Indianen alle na cle savanon waren, om ter oorlo- gen en verhaalden dat daar boven geen broot te krijgen was dat het cle Indianen alle maal liadden opgekogt, die na cle savanen in den oorlog sijn gegaen. * * * * Seder day 17 dito. — Liet al de slaven openinge kappen, aan cle bosgasie al waar het woon huijs B gal komen te staan, en ook de smisse. * * * * Sondag den 18 dito. — Niets voorge vallen,. als liet cle. slaven na de eijlanden varen, die hier en daar in cle rivier leggen om te kijken of se voor haar lieden be quame gront konden A'inden, om voor haar broot tuijenen to kappen, cle boven ge- melde slaven quamen ten 3 uren weer t'huijs, en seijden dat se goeden gront hadden gevon den. * * * * Scderdag den 24 dito.. — Liet de slaven alle gaan p weer bosgasie kappen, voor broot lant, s'morgens quamen de dri slaven, met de 4 Indianeii over lant door den bos, die den 15 deser hadde om lage, gesonden om broot te halen, en waren veron- gelukt met het vaartuijg. Macndag d' 26 dito. — Ik habbe de Indianen des morgens gewagt tot 9 uren maar daar quamen geen Indianen om broot to brengen, of met mij aftelopen, soo maakte ik mij op de weg met. 9 slaven maar het water was soo hoog als ik het nog niet gesien hadde, en voer in groot gevaar de yal- J_) leh af, maar haeste om bij de indigo plantasie de komen, maar stote met de curgar aen, dat er een leger uijt aen stukken spronge n een gat in cle cur gar. * * * * Mey den 1. — Des morgens ten 2 uren quam weder thuijs, op Cartabo cle Ervattinge, en dien selven nammidag stiercl een vaartuijg na boven Cajoene om de goederen daar weer van daen te halen, dewijl ik in de regentijt daar niet kan uijt- voeren of niet kan laten arbeijden. # # '# * Saterd[ag] den 5 dito. — Quamen de slaven met E het vaartuijg weder t'huijs van boven Cajoene, die den lsten deser hadde weggesonden. * * * # Maandag den 7 dito. — Stierde een vaartuijg met 8 slaven na boven Cajoene om van t'werk Perker en Haak, de goederen af te halen. Vrijdag den 11 dito. — Des middags ten 1 uer quam het vaartuijg, weder van boven, sonder schade, dat den 7dea deser hadde ha boven Ca joene gesonden, en bragten berg gereetschap .,, mede. Woensd[ag] den 16 dito. — Stierde weder een vaartuijg na boven Cajoene, om de rest van t' ge reetschap, van t'werek Perker en Haak te te halen, en de privisioneel-meester mede te brengen die soo lang heeft moeten boven blijven, tot dat alle goederen, en slaven, af sijn. * * * * Sondag den 20 dito. — Niets voorgevallen. als s'namiddags ten 3 uren quam het vaartuijg weder van boven uijt Cajoene, van t' werk Perker en Tuesday, March 13. — At noon to-iday the two slaves came back from- above whom I had sent out on the 9th of this month to fetch the Indians in order to clear the bread-ground, but they brought not one with them, and said that the Indians were all off to the savannahs to make war, and reported that there was no bread to be had above, that the Indians who were gone to the savannahs for the war had bought it all up. 7P *JC yfc Tjc Saturday, March 17. — Let all the slaves make a clearing in the bush where the dwelling-house is going to stand, and also the smithy. * * * * Sunday, March 18. — Nothing happened, save that I let the slaves go over to the islands which lie here and there in the river to se whether they could find suitable ground for their folk, in order to clear bread gardens for them. The above-men tioned slaves came home again at 3 o'clock, and said they had found good ground. Saturday, March 24. — Let all the slaves again clear the bush for bread-land. In the morning the three slaves, with the four Indians whom I had sent on the 15th of this month down the river to fetch bread, came overland through the bush. They had come to grief with the boat. * * * * . Monday, March 26. — I awaited the Indians in the morning till 9 o'clock, but there came no In dians, either to bring bread or go down stream with me, so I set out with nine slaves, but the water Avas higher than I had yet seen it, and I passed the falls with great danger, but just before reaching the indigo plantation I ran on a rock with the boat, so that a cask was thrown out and broken and a hole made in the boat. May 1. — In the morning, at 2 o'clock, " De Er vattinge" reached home again at Cartabo; the same afternoon sent off a boat to the Upper Cu yuni, in order to fetch back the things from there, since in the rainy season I cannot accomplish any thing, or let the work go on. * * * * Saturday, May 5.— The slaves whom I had sent off on the 1st of this month came home from the Upper Cuyuni with the boat. * * * * Monday, May 7.— Sent off a boat with eight slaves to the Upper Cuyuni, in order to bring down the things from the mine Perker and Haak. . * * * * Friday, May 11.— At 1 o'clock in the afternoon there came back safely from above the boat which on the 7th of this month, I had sent to the Upper Cuyuni, and brought the mining tools back. * * * * Wednesday, May 16.— Sent another boat to the Upper Cuyuni to fetch the rest of the tools from the mine Perker and Hamk,-and to bring back the provisional overseer, who had to stay up there until all the things and the slaves were down. * * * * f Sunday, May 20.— Nothing happened, save that*: at o o clock m the afternoon, the boat which I had sent up on the 16th of this month came back 39 Haak, dat den 16den deser had na boven gesonden, embragt t' laaste gereetschap, en andere goederen jmede. from above out of Cuyuni, from the mine Perker A and Haak, and brought back the last of the tools and other things. No. 222. Journal of the Mining Engineer, Thomas Hildebrandt, ,1743. (Extract.) Ao. 1743 Mey. Macndagh, den 20 dito. — Voer na Caijoene, en nam twee berghluijden mede om den wegh te maken, met agt slaven op cle indigo plantagie. _ Komende at te* middagh na het eeten Aveesde bergh luijden aan op wat plaats, en hoe breet den wegh wesen souw de breete is een en een halff faam. * * * * Saterdagh den 8 [Juny]. — Dat werk als vooren behalven den bergman Stephanus Isken quam uijt Caioene van t. padt maken rapport doen hoe verre hij geavanceert Avas, van dese \yeeke.tot over den eersten groote. kreek aan't hooge . ge bergte: , * * * * Seder dagh, den 15 ditto.— .... Het pad maken in Cajoene is van dese weeke | soo verre. geavan ceert dat het in vier dagen tot aan het stiRe water kan doorkomen met het boomkappen behatye met brugge maken over de kreken en de gebergte gelijk maken wat in de.padhinder- lijk is. * * * * Woensdagh, den 19 dito. — .... soo bevond het ' pat maken na vernoeghen geavanceert te sijn. Soo gingh met de bergman Stephanus Iske door het bos na het stille vaarbaar water toe, om te sien waar het an besten gelegen was om met de vaartuijg aanteleggen, en ook goeden plaats tot "vergaderen van ertsen, en andere behoef- tens. Donderdagh, den 18 July. — Liet d'Heer Bate voor mijn vertrek thuijs brengen komende op de indigo plantagie at te middagh, en gegeten heb bende gingh over lant tot aan het stille water, en overnagte ten eerste maal in het pleijster huijsje dat daar hebbe maken laten om alderhande goederen, en erts in te bergen het welke overland moet gaan. Vrijdage, den 19 dito. — Des morgens ten 8 uuren vertrok verder na boven was eerder vertrocken, maar door s waren regen moeten vertoeven, en quam ten 6 uuren des aA'onds onder den groote val, die een sterke uur van de mijne legt, en bleef oyernagten maar moeste den ge- heelen nagt met sterke regen voor lieff nemen (sonder eenigh dak en vuur, mits de regen des morgens vroegh, sogt een bequame plaats uijts alwaar ik aan beste koste klaar raken om van daar over land, een pleijster huijs voor erts, en andere Compagnies goederen te bergen, een ook met eens een pad te maken overland, wanneer men iets heeft waar aan gelegen is, dat in de kleijne vallen mogt verongelukken die nogh boven den grooten val is welker sijn twee, soo gingh met den bergman Reynholt, en twee slaven int bos aan de water kant langs, om aan de meijne te geraken, maar het was miserabel genoegh eer ik koste daar komen door klippen en moerassige lande, waar May 1743. Monday, May 20. — Went to Cuyuni and took two miners with me to make the road, -" with eight slaves from the indigo plantation. Arriving,.ate our midday meal, and afterwards showed the. miners at what place; and how broad the road should be. The breadth is 1| fathoms. Saturday, June .8.,— The work as usual, except that the miner, Stephanus Iske, ,came from Cuyuni to report that with the road-making he had this week got to above the first great creek at the high mountains. , p Saturday, June lo. — ... ... The road-making in Cuyuni is this week ,so far, .advanced that in four days it will. have been cleared as, far as the still water, ,but the, .bridge-making Q\rer the creeks, and the levelling of the mountain so far as it hinders the path has yet to be done. Wednesday, June 19. — .... found the road- making progressing satisfactorily. • So I went with the miner, Stephanus Iske, through.! the bush to the, quiet navigable- water, in order to see where it was most suitable to land with the boat, and also a good place- for the collecting of ore and other necessities; , ' Thursday, July 18. — Before my departure had Mr. Bate , brought) hpme ; arriving at the indigo plantation, ate our ^midday meal, and afterwards went overland as far as the still water, and spent the night for the first time in the station which I have had made there in order to store in it all sorts of goods and ores which must go overland. Friday. July 19. — In the morning at 8 o'clock set out again up-stream. Would have started earlier, but on account of the heavy rains had to loiter, and came at 6 o'clock in the evening under the great fall which lies a stiff hour from the mine, and stayed over-night, but had to, put up the whole night with heavy rain (without any roof and fire, because of the rain). Early in the morning I looked out a suitable place .where -I could best get to from there overland, in order to make a station for storing ore arid other com modities of the Company, and also at the same time to make a path overland in case we should have anything important that might come to grief in the little -falls -which lie above the great fall to the number of two. So I went with miner Reynholt and two slaves into the bush along by the waterside in order to get to the mine, but it was wretched enough before I could get through the rocks and the swampy land, where also great D E E 40 ook groote spruijten passeren moeste, en ik die bosschagie nogh noijt overland gepassert was, ik een swaare toer hadde om na boven bragte daar over toe van s morgens agten tot agter middagh ten twee Alsoo dat te komen ten halff uuren. creeks had to be passed, and I had never before gone through that bush overland, so that I had a difficult job to get through to above. Spent in doing so from half-past 7 o'clock in the morning till 2 o'clock in the afternoon. B No. 223. From Thomas Hildebrandt, Mining Engineer, to the West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), July 28, 1743. (Extract.) SOO ben den 26 deser maant bij d'Ed. Agtb. Heer Commandeur geweest op het nieuwe fort en den rapport bij zijn Ed. afgelegt dat in Caijoene ben geweest met vier berghluijden, en ik ben door bos overland gegaan om het werk Perker en Hak te besigtigen en met een bergman Reynholt en twee slaven, en bevond alles volgens journaal waar aan mij houde. Soo hebbe geordonneert nogh een kleijn padje te maken door het bos om door menschen begaan 0 te werden, mits de groote prijkel van vallen, en andere goederen nader hand vervoert werden soo alles aangewesen had vertrok en deed na mijn aankomst rapport aan d'Ed. Heer Commandeur van den boven genoemden datum, wat aan het pad maken geaA^anceert was behalven van het kleijne pat boven de gioote val, en de pleijster huijsje die daar gesteld sijn om nagt logijs en goederen te bergen voor dieven regen en ongemakken. . Maar op het fort komende mijn ordentelijke rapport voorn. datum rapporterende en gedaan hadde, soo begon van de planterden brood plan- 3) tagie mijn beklagten te doen dat soo menighmalen om brood gesonden hadde, maar een half pakije gekregen hadde, waar op sijn Ed. mij antwoorde ik soude maer stuuren dat sijn Ed. het geor- donnert hadde maar soude geven mits het maar een week off ses soude duren op welk antwoord versteld stond, vragende wat segt d'Heer Com mandeur zal dat maar een week off ses duuren, waar zal ik dan brood van dan nemen boven in Caijoene in de wildernis voor mijn volk kreegh ten antwoord de bergwerken soude gestaakt werden. SO on the 26th of this month I went to the Commandeur at the new fort and submitted to him the report that I had been in Cuyuni with four miners, and had gone through the bush over land in order to inspect the mine Perker and Haak along with a miner named Reynholt and two slaves, and found everything according to my journal, to which I refer. So I gave orders to make another small path through the bush, to be used by men, so as to escape the great clanger of the falls, and later to transport other things by. When I had given instructions about everything I set out, and after my arrival reported to the Commandeur on the above-named date what progress had been made in road-making, as well as in the small path above the great fall and the station, which is placed there for lodging at night, and for storing things from thieves, rain, and disasters. But having reached the fort, and made my regular report on the aforesaid date, I began to make my complaints about the planter of the bread plantation, and that I had so often sent for bread but got only a half packet, whereupon the Com mandeur answered me that I was to send again, „ that he had ordered it to be given me, since it would last only some six weeks. At this answer I was astounded, asking "What says the Com mandeur ? Will that last only some six weeks ? Where shall I then get bread up in Cuyuni in the wilderness for my people '! " I received for answer that the mining was to be stopped E No. 224. Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India Company, October 2, 1743. (Extract.) EERGISTEREN sijn mij de handen opgebragt van de twee weggeblevene crioolen Ariaen en Fortuijn, die van den bergmeester weggelopen op het pardon niet hadde willen wederom komen, deselve sijn door de Indiaenen van Weijne eijn- -p delijk om hals gebragt. THE day before yesterday there were brought me the hands of the two still absent Creoles Ariaen and Fortuyn, who, having run away from' the head miner, had been unwilling to come back on the pardon. They were finally made an end of ' by the Indians of Waini. 41 No. 225, ; Memorias " of Marquis de Torrenueva on the Spanish and English Commission in Seville, April 7, 1737, and August 7, 1743. Y MEDIANTE a hallarse los Hollandeses estab- leeidos dentre de esta demarcation, y limites al con- tinente de la Provincia de Guayana, ocupando sus pueblos y Ingenios el terreno que cae desde el Rio Orinoco hasta el nombrado Surinama, que dista uno de otro cinco grados desde los 318^ hasta los 324 de longitud, convendria especular si estos los tenian al tiempo que se firmo la Pax de Munster, 6 West phalia del ano de 1648 dando para ello las provi- deneias conducentes con atencion a lo que se estipulo, y se deduce del Arriculo 5 de dicho Tra- tado. El dictamen que di al Consejo, sobre las dis- putas removidas con Portugal en razon de Limites por el Brasil, y sobre usurpaciones hechas por esta nation en aquellos parages, medios de reponerse en el los lentamente y de embarazar las que nuevamente intentasen hacer ; en que tambien se trata de lo que pueda y del a practicarse para contener a los Franceses por el Missippi, y a les Holandeses por el Rio Orinoco el que iuternen por estas vias, en nuestros dominios. Deviendo merecer igual atencion la mira con que los Holandeses se establecieron a Bailovento del Rio Orinoco en los 5 grados de latitud N. y 325 escasos de longitud segun Delisle, al abrigo cle la Isla de la Cayenne, y en los 6 grados de latitud N. y 320 y 40 min. de longitud con los dos fuertes a nombre de Zelandeses, entre los dos Rios nombrados Surinam y Coupenam, que no pudiendo ser otra que la de acercarse a la boca, y margenes de dicho rio, y asegarar a sus orillas algunas plantaciones que les facilite su trafico con el nuebo Re\ no, y la iuternacion por aquella parte, hasta los sitios y parages que les dictare su Codicia, hasta hacerse Duenos de su boca, y naciones que le habitan en la basta exten sion de 260 leguas, que hay desde ella, hasta la villa de San Juan de los Llanos, de que ya se ha hecho mention, pnes a lo que demuestra Delisle se estima por navigable en tocla su distancia con em- barcaciones menores. Y siendo preciso el con- servar esta voca, para el resguardo de aquel Reyno, no lo es menos el de contener a los Holan deses de que no se acerquen a sus Orillas por agua, ni por tierra, teniendo- para el efecto a la vista los Articulos 5 y 6 de la Pax con esta nation del afto de 1648. Y ofreciendo commodidad a estos. fines la boca del Rio Esquive. que le da este autor a los 6 grados y 40 mins. de latitud, y 318 y 10 mins. de longitud, y su origen en un grado escaso de latitud N. y 316 de longitud cuya ¦situation en toda la extension forma un cuerpo de tierra capax de establecer en el una particular provincia con separado Govierno del cle Cumana por tener dentro de sus limites muchas naciones por reducir, que serviese de balla para que el Holandes no passase al occidente de este rio, por lo que parecia conbeniente el ocupar con un i'uerte la voca de este rio, Uevando la mira a que sirviese de capital el pueblo que se formase a su abrigo, y de que se encargase esta nuebe provincia para su poblacion, cultivo, y comercio, a la Compania de Caracas, y de no admitirla esta, poner la mira a |696—2] AND in view of the fact that the Dutch are established Avithin this demarcation and limits, on the continent of the Province of Guayana, and occupy with their cities and mills, the territory which stretches from the Orinoco to the before-mentioned Surinam, a distance of 5°, from 318i° to 324° of longitude, it would be well to consider Avhether they were in possession of those territories at the time the Treaty of Munster or Westphalia was signed in 1648, taking the necessary measures for the purpose, in connection with what was stipulated and is deduced from Article V of the said Treaty. The opinion which I gave at the Council of State in reference to the disputes with Portugal on the question of limits Avith Brazil and to usurpations of that nation in those territories, and the means of re-establishing ourselves slowly in them, and embarrassing them in any more they may again attempt to carry out; and in Avhich is also treated of Avhat may and ought to be done to check the French on the Mississipi and the Dutch on the River Orinoco, who are trying by these rivers to establish themselves in our dominions. " Archivo de Siman. cas," No. 7635, Vol. ii, April 7, 1737. B C And equal attention is due to the object with which the Dutch established themselves to the windward of the River Orinoco, in 5° north latitude, and 325° nearly of longitude, according to Delisle, to leeward of the Island of Cayenne, and in 6° north latitude, and 320° 40' longitude, with the two forts with the name " Zelandeses " between the rivers named Surinam and Snpe- nam. And this could be no other than to get nearer to' the mouth and banks of the said river, and to found thereon plantations, which might facilitate their traffic with the new king dom, and enable them to penetrate by that part L) to those places and districts which their avarice might dictate until they made themselves masters of the mouth of the Orinoco, and the nations that dwell there in a vast extent of 260 leagues from there to the "villa "of San Juan de los Llanos, of which mention has already been made, for, from what Delisle shows, it is considered navigable for small crait throughout its course. And it being necessary to preserve this mouth as a safeguard of that kingdom, it is no less necessary to restrain the Dutch from approaching its banks either by land -ri or Avater. keeping in view with this object the Vth and Vlth Articles of the Treaty of Peace with that nation of 1648. The mouth of the River Essequibo offers facilities for carrying out those designs, being situated, according to this geographer, in 6° 40' latitude, and 318° 10' longi tude, and its source in 1° nearly of north lati tude, and 316° of longitude, thus the whole course of the river forms a large extent of country, capable of having established in it a distinct province, with a separate Government from that of Cumana, for it contains within its limits tribes of Indians to be reduced, many who E would then serve as a barrier so that the Dutch might not pass to the west of this river. There fore, it would be coincident to occupy the mouth of this river with a fort, Avith the object M "Archivo de Siman^ cas," No. 7635, vol. iii. p. 282, para graph 13, August 7, 1743. 42 A establecer una con Cathalanes, pues aun que el clima se estime por ardiente, el haver superado los Holandeses este inconbeniente persuade a que las sercanias de sus contornos con las Brisas que son tan regulares, le hagan rnenos sensible, o a que el incentibo de las utilidades que desfrutan en estos parages los haga prevalecer contra esta incomodi- dad. B that the town that might be built there should serve as a capital for the new province, and the Caracas Company should be charged Avith the population, cultivation, and development of it and its resources. And if this be not feasible, then it may be carried out by the settling there in of Cath'alans. For although the climate is considered very hot, the fact of the Dutch having overcome that difficulty persuade sone that the regular breezes from its mountain chains make it less felt, or that the advantages they derive from those places are so great as to counteract this inconvenience. No. 226. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West Lndia Company. April 3, 1744. c D (Extr DAT U. E, G. A. de maetregulen aengaende de bewuste derserteurs genomen gelieven te appro- beeren is my seer aengenaem, niet alleen heeft die desertie U. E. G. A. veel gelt gekost maer in deselve was een klaerblykelyk gevaer voor deese colonie gelegen want waeren deselve te rug geble- ven soude haere verblyf plaets een vaste Schuyl plaetse voor alle de slaeven syn geweest die in sin mogte hebben om weg te loopen, het welke maer al te veel al hadde voorgenomen. - Dit is ook de reede waerom niet gerust hebbe nog geen belofte nog dreygemente gespaert hebbe om de drie achter gebleven het sy levendig of dood te bekomen, door al welke saeke ik de Indianen van Barime eyndelyk met veel moeyte hebbe bewoogen deselve aen te fasten ; dat haer de eerste reys is mislukt maer de tweede reys gereusseert en onder aenvoer van de Jood'Moses Isakse de vries deselve den hals hebbe gebrooken en de hande alhier gebragt, die ik aen een pael hebbe laeten spykeren tot exempel voor danderen. Het opperhoofd van de voors : In- diaenen heeft my geoffereert om voor alle de weg- loopers slaeven van deese colonie die haer weg naer Oronoque nemen te repondeeren indien ik in Barime een Posthouder wilde leggen ; het welke voor dinhandeling van vaertuygen en slaeven van veel nut sonde weesen maer. hebbe sulx sonder U. E. G. A. ordres niet durven ondernemen. E Ik hebbe de Posthonders van Arinda, Demerary, en Maykony verandert. act.) IT is very agreeable to me. that your Honours have been good enough to approve the measures taken with regard to the deserters. The desertion has not only cost your Honours much money, but in itself it constituted a clearly visible danger for this Colony, for had it remained .unnoticed, their place of abode would have become a permanent hiding-place for all the slaves who might have a desire to run away, for which only too many had made up their minds. This is also the reason for which I did not rest, and spared no promises or threats to obtain either alive or dead the three remaining [deserters], by all of which means I moved the Indians of Barima at last with much trouble to make an attack; the first time they failed, but the second time they were successful and under command of the Jew, Moses Isaakse de Vries, broke their necks and brought their hands here, which I caused to be nailed to a post, as a warning to others. The Chief of the Indians aforesaid has offered to become responsible to me for all the runaway slaves of the Colony who take the way to Orinoco if I will station a Postholder in Barima, which would be a matter of great utility for the purchase of A'essels and slaves ; but I have not dared to undertake this without your Honours' orders. * * * * I have changed the Postholders of Arinda, Demerary, and Mahaikony, No. 227. West India Company to Commandeur! Essequibo, August 24, 1744, (Extract.) DAT de Compagnie vijf percento quam te genieten van de uijtgaende sijroop en kiltum was seeker reedelijk ja het was te wenschen dat wij konden Verbieden dat geen eene stoop van die specien elders als na herwaerts uijtgevoerd wierde maer vermits wij bedugt sijn dat de Colonie de Engelsen, en die van Oronocque nog niet konnen misschen weegens de geringe vaart uijt deese landen op Rio Isequebo, zoo durven wij vooralsnog tot geen resolutie van verbod komen, weshalven zullen wij bij provisie in de gestelde belasting berusten, onderentusschen moeten wij seggen dat IT surely would be reasonable for the Company to enjoy 5 per cent, on the exports of syrup and rum ; it were even to be wished that we could prohibit one stoup of those articles to be exported anywhere but hither. But, because we fear that the Colony cannot yet do. without the English and those of Orinoco, on account of the slight traffic from this country to the River Essequibo, we as yet do not venture upon a prohibitory resolution We shall therefore provisionally acquiesce in the duty established ; at the same time we must say that w© think we know of a certainty that many 43 wij meijnen wel te weeten, dat in deese veele fraud es werden gepleegt, ende dat ook veele suijker onder de naam van sijroop uijtgevoert werden, waerom wij UE. recommandeeren dat hierteegen beter werde geinvigileeit, en sorge dragen dat niet zooveel suijkeren tot sijroop of kiltum werden verkocht. Het leggen van een posthouder in Barime ten fine bij UE. missive vermeld mogen wij wel lijden dat UE. een preuve neemt, met recommandatie eghter dat UE. goed toeversight neeme dat door deese wegh geen fraudes werden gepleegt. frauds are perpetrated in this matter, and that a deal of sugar also is exported under the name of syrup. We therefore recommend to you that better precautions be taken against this, and that you take care that not so much sugar be sold for making syrup or rum. As for establishing a Postholder in Barima for the purpose stated in your letter, we are not averse to your making a trial ; we, however, recommend that you take proper, precautions that by this channel no frauds be practised. B No. 228. Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of Essequibo, November 23, 1744. Den Heer Commandeur verthoond hebbende, dat sekere twee Spanjaerden van Oronoque her- waers komende op dEd. Comps. Post in Wacquepo waeren aengehoudeh & dat Sijn WelEd. in con- sideratie gaf of dezelve zoude in de Colonie moge komen of van daer terug gesonden worden is om ¦redenen geresolveert hun dit maal te permitteren hier te komen dog sonder eenige consequentie nog thans. THE Commandeur represented that two Spaniards on their way hither from Oronico had been arrested at the Company's Post in Wacquepo, and asked if they would be allowed to arrive in the Colony or be sent back. It was resolved to allow them to come here this time, but that this must not be taken as a precedent. C No. 229. The Council of the Indies informs the King that the Commissary-General of the Capuchin Missions of Guayana has presented a letter from- the Prefect of the said Mission, setting forth its miserable condition, &c. (1745). El Consejo de Indias. Madrid, 8 de Noviembre de 1745. DICE que fray Francisco Maria Arenzano Provincial de la Provincia de Andalucia, y Comisario-General de las Misiones de Capuchinos de la Guayana, ha presentado una carta de Fray Agustin de Olot, Prefecto de- dicha Mision, en que le participa el inf eliz estado de ella a causa de la imbasion que hicieron Ingleses en aquellos parajes en el ano de mil setecientos cuarenta y dos, quemando dos Pueblos de los reducidos y sa- queando con rigor los demas, de cuyo accidente, y el de la entrada de Indios Caribes en el mismo territorio que tambien- saquearon y estragaron, resulto un gran motin, y tanta inquietud entre los convertidos, que para no desampararlos hubieron de sacrificar algunos religiosos sus vidas ; solici- tando se le conceda ocho Misioneros de la Pro vincia de Catalufla para que no se atrase el cum- plimiento de su institute. El Consejo oido el Fiscal y hecho cargo de que ha quince afros que no han pasado religiosos a la Guayana en cuyo tiempo habran fallecido algunos, y que por lo mismo es suplible la falta de informes que para esta coneesion debieran preceder (segun la ley primera titulo catorce libro primero de la Recopilacion) del Virrey, Presidente 6 Arzobispo del Distrito, es de dictamen que Vuestra Magestad condescienda a su instancia y que se advierta al Comisario-General la disposition de esta Ley porque en adelante no hagan estas instancias sin los requisites que previene. Como parece. The Council of the Indies. Madrid, November 8, 1745. SAYS that Friar Francisco Maria Arenzano, Provincial of the' Province of Andalusia and Commissary-General of the Capuchin Missions of Guayana, has presented a letter from Friar Augustin de Olot, Prefect of the said Mission, in which he informs him of its miserable. condition in consequence of the invasion made by the English. in those parts in the year 1742, when they burnt two villages of converts and harried the rest ; from which occurrence, and from the incursion of Carib Indians into the same terri tory, who have likewise pillaged and ravaged it, a great tumult has arisen, and so much restlessness among the converts, that in order not to abandon them some of the religious have had. to sacrifice their lives. He begs that eight missionaries from the Province of Catalonia may be granted him in order that the accomplish' ment of his foundation may not be frustrated. The Council, having heard the report of the Fiscal, and taken into account that for fifteen years no religious have gone to Guayana, during which time some must have died, and that this must account for the deficiency of reports from the Viceroy, President or Archbishop of the district which should precede this Concession (according to Law I, Title 14, Book 1 of the Consolidated Laws), it is of opinion that your Majesty should be pleased to grant his request, and that the provision in this law should be .pointed out to the Commissary-Generaliii order that'in future fie may not present such requests without the necessary preliminaries. . As it, seems good. D " Archivo General de Indias." Seville. " Audiencia de Caracas."Consuitas and Royal Decisions of Cumana, Guayana, Margarita, and Trinidad, 1728 to 1798. 130, 3, 20. Cumana, L7-45 : Consuitas concerning secular matters. E E 44 A El Comisario-General de las Misiones de Ca puchinos de la Guayana ha expuesto al Consejo de Indias la necesidad de embiar Relixiosos a ellas pidiendo permiso para que pasen ocho de la Pro- Adncia de Catalufia. El Consejo es de dictamen de que vuestra Magestad le conceda y que se advierta al Comis ario-General que no haga en aclelante estas in- stancias sin los requisites dispuestos por Leyes de Indias. Como parece al Consejo. B The Commissary-General of the Capuchin Missions of Guayana represented to the Council of the Indies the necessity for sending some religious to those Missions, asking permission for eight to go from the Province of Catalonia. The Council is of opinion that your Majesty should permit it, and that the Commissary- General should be told not to make such requests in future without the formalities directed by the laws of the Indies. As it seems good to the Council. No. 230. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 19, 1746. (Extract.) DEN 7 deser is door Sekere Ignatius Courthial in den Raed versogt om een weg door het bos in de Rivier Cajoene te moge maken om daer door over lant Muijl Ezels en koebeesten in cle Rivier Q te brengen. Het welk als veel nut en voordeel aen de Colonie konnende toebrengen hem is geaccordeert onder conditie dat aen d'Ed. Com- pagnie sal worde betaelt drie guide voor ieder Muijl Ezel en 2 guide voor ieder Paerd of koebeest recognitie en om alle Fraudes dies aen- gaencle voor te komen ben ik voornemens.de Post die in Demerarij legt en aldaer door het oopene dier Rivier onnodig, op die weg te plaetsen Welke post buijte de negotie die Aroor d'Ed. Comp. Sal konne doen uijt de recognitie ten overvloede Sal konne worde betaelt. D Hebbe in Barime nog geen Post gelegt wijl tot nu toe geen bequaem persoon naer mijn sin hebbe konne vinden om die toe te vertrouwen, wijl ik denke die post van veel aengelegentheijt Soude konne worden. ON the 7th of this month one Ignatius Courthial made an application to the Court for permission to exit a road, through the wood in the RiArer Cuyuni, in order to bring mules and cows into the river overland by that road. It being possible that this may be of great profit and advantage, the permission was granted him on condition that there shall be j paid to the Company 3 guilders recognition money for every mule, and 2 guilders for eA-ery horse or cow, and in order to preA'ent any fraud in this matter, it is my intention to place the j Post which lies in Demerary (and now un necessary there on account of the opening of the i-iver) on this road instead, which Post, in ; addition to the trade which it ivill be able to carry on for the Honourable Company, will be amply provided for out of the recognition money. I haA'e not yet established any Post in Barima because I have not yet been able to find any competent person to my liking to Avhom to intrust the same, -for I think that Post might become of great importance. No. 231. E West India Company to Commandeur, Essequibo, July 8, 1746. (Extract.) N U nog ter beantwoordinge overig zijnde UE. laeste missive van den 19 Maart deses jaers seggen daerop ter rescriptie dat wel kunnen ap- probeeren de resolutie door UE. en den Raad van Policie, genomen op het versoek gedaen bij Igna tius Couthial en de verdere schickingen door UE. claerop gemaekt tot voorkoming van alle fraudes, door het niet behoorlijk aangeven van de beesten welcke uijt de rivier van Cajoene sullen werden E aangebragt. Dan gemerckt UE. vermeynd dat hierdoor nog al veel nut en voordeel zoo voor de colonie als de cassa van de Comp. sal komen te proflueeren, zoo requireerem wij dat U.E. een specificque rekening van cle recognitien welke voor het inbrengen van elke muijlezel of paard betaeld zullen werden, doet houden, en ons jaerlijks daervan een copie anthenticq zult laten toekomen. IT remains for us to answer your last letter of the 19th March of this year ; in answer thereto we say that we can approve the resolution taken' by you and the Court of Policy regarding the request made by Ignatius Couthial [Courthial], and the further measures taken by you in that regard, for the prevention of all fraud in not rightly declaring the animals to be brought from the River Cuyum However, in view of the fact that you think con siderable advantage and profit will herefrom accrue, both to the Colony and to the treasury of the Company, we request that you cause to be kept a duly specified account of the dues that will be paid for the bringing in of each mule or horse, and that you send us an authentic copy thereof annually. No. 232. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, July 20, 1746. (Extract.) HEBBENDE voorlede week d'eer gehad aen U. E. G. A. te Schrijven per t Schip het Vlissings Welvaeren Capt. David de Boire, Soude deese gelegentheijt hebbe laeten passeeren, als mij niet verplicht hadde gedagt U. E. G. A. kennisse te geven, dat den Posthouder van Wacquepo en Maroco Eergisteren is opgekome om mij kennisse te geven dat een Natie van Incliaenen boven uijt Oronoque is afgekomen en onse onderhoorige Caribes in de Rivier van Weijne hebben geat- taqueert verscheijde doodgeslaegen en gedreijgt haer alle te Sullen uijtroeijen, Het welk van seer slegte gevolgen voor deese Colonie Soude weesen. Waerom hem van kruijd en Loot, &c, hebbe voor- sien, met ordre Sijne onclerhebbencle Indiaenen bij een te trekken en voors. Caribes te helpen soo veel doenlijk met belofte hem te Sullen laeten ondersteunen van hier indien het cle noot quam te vereijschen. En alsoo om gewigtige redenen vermoeden moet dat die indiaenen door de Span jaerden van Comana Sijn afgesonden Heb ik hem gelast Sulx soo veel doenlijk te ondersoeken en wel expres verboden geen voet te setten op het Spaens territoir, Self niet benede cle Rivier Weijne. Den Ingesete C. Finet Boven uijt Cajoene afge komen heeft mij mede berigt dat het rapport van de Caribes voor eenige maende aen mij gedaen warachtig is namentlijk dat de Spanjaerde boven in gemelte rivier een Mission hebben geset en aldaer een klein fort hebben gebouwt, Sijnde hij Server claer geweest en den Geestelijke en Soldaete gesproken dat Sij besig waeren aldaer veel Steen •te bakken en van intentie aenstaende jaer nog een Mission en fort eenige uuren nader naer benede deese rivier aen te leggen komende al de Indiaene van die kant naer hier vlugte en om bescherming bidde. Mij in die Saek heel verlege vindencle neme cle Vrijheijt U. E. G. A. ootmoedig te Smeken het U. E. G. A. gelieven de goetheijt te hebben mij op het Spoedigste met haer ordres te vereeren, hoe mij daer in Sal gedraegen kunnende IT. E. G. A. versekert weesen dat deselve Naukeurig Sullen worden geexecuteert, Vincle mij in het geringste niet verlege om haer van daer te vernestelen en die forten te Arermeesteren, maer Sulks een saek van groote gevolge sijnde, Durve niets op mij neeme, voor al daer de regte grenscheijdinge mij niet bekent Sijn, De Rivier Cajoene daer voors. werken worden aengelegt is deselve daer U. E. G. A Indigo Plantagie in legt en daer de Coffij plantagie in gelegen heeft en Aralt in de Rivier Essequebo ter plaetse daer cle Oude Plantagie Duijnenburg aen deene Sijde heeft gestaen en DHr. Van der Cruijsse aen dandere Sijde woont een halve Canon Schoot benede het Fort Kijkoveral. Jan Stok van het Swerve boven Essequebo thuijs gekome heeft mij gerapporteert dat van verscheijde Indiane hadde gehoort dat Nicolas Horstman op weg was om weder naer hier te komen, dog kan qualijk geloven Sulx waer te weesen. HAVING had the honour the previous week J^ to write to your Honours by the A'essel the " Vlissing Welvaaren," Captain D. de Boire, I should have alloAved this opportunity to pass, had I not thought it my duty to give your Honours information that the Postholder of Wacquepo and Moruka came the day before yesterday to inform me that a nation of Indians have come doAvn from Orinoco and have attacked the Caribs subject to us in the River Wayni, have killed several, and have threatened that they Avould extirpate them all, Avhich would entail very bad consequences for this Colony. Wherefore I have provided him with powder B and shot, with an order to collect together all the Indians subject to him, and, as far as practicable, to assist the Caribs aforesaid, with a promise that I will give him support from here if it became necessary. And since I have strong reasons to suspect that the Indians have been sent by the Spaniards of Cumana, I have ordered him to investigate the matter as far as practicable; and I have expressly forbidden him to set foot upon the Spanish territory — not even to go below the River Wayni. The inhabitant C. Finet, Avho has arrived „ from up the Cuyuni, has informed me that the ® report of the Caribs made to me some months ago is true, namely, that the Spaniards have established a Mission up in the said river, and haA-e built a small fort there, he himself having been there and spoken Avith the priest and soldiery ; that they Avere busy in making many bricks, with the intention of founding yet another Mission and fort some hours further down this river. Next year, all the Indians from that direction -r\ are flying hither and praying for protection. I take the liberty humbly to entreat your Honours, finding myself very diffident in this matter, that your Honours will be pleased to have the good ness to honour me most speedily with your orders how I am to act herein, and your Honours may be assured that the same will be carefully executed. I feel not the least diffidence as to dislodging them from that place and capturing those forts, but such a step being one of great consequence, I dare not take anything upon myself, especially as the proper frontier-line there is unknown to E me. The River Cuyuni, where the aforesaid works have been constructed, is the same in Avhich your Honours' indigo plantation lies, and where the coffee plantations are situated, and falls into the River Essequibo at the place where the old plantation, Duynenburg, used to stand on the one side, and where M. van der Cruysse dwells on the other, half a cannon shot below Fort Kykoveral. Jan Stok, having returned home to Essequibo from his wanderings above in Cuyuni, has reported to me that he had heard from several Indians that Nicholas Horstman was on his way E to return hither, but I can hardly believe this to be true. [696—2] N 46 No. 233. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), to Commandeur, Essequibo, November 9, 1746. A Maxhafte, etc. : Op den ontfanghst van UE. __ missive van den 20 July deeses jaers, hebben wij sonder tijdtversuiim ons geinformeert op het vertrek .van het schip de " Jalousie," schipper Roelof Heysingh den brenger deeses, en verstaende dat nog niet was vertrocken hebben wij niet willen afsyn UE. deese te laten toekomen, ende daerby met weijnige te seggen, dat UE. wel sal doen dat de Indiaanse natie die ver van boven uijt de Oronocque is af gekomen uijt de Wacquepo en Maroco wederom verclrijft, en aldaer afbreeke het geene bevinden mogt bij haer gemaekt te zijn, en alsoo Comps. grond maintineeren; en wel in het B bijsonder, soo U.E. mogt vermeijne redenen. te hebben om te subsonneeren dat deese natie yets wilde onderneemen dat tot nadeel van cle Comp. of de colonie in Isequebo strecken souwele konnen maer nademael deese zaak bij UE. vooralsnog in een onseekerheijt is, zoo zijn Avij van oordeel dat in deese met alle voorsigtigheijt te werk behoorde te werden gegaan, en soude wij vermeijnen dat alvorens eenige faitelijkheeden te onderneemeen U.E. op een niinnelijkse wijse behoorde te on- derstaan wat het ware oogmerk van deese luijden in dit haer bedrijf weesen mogt, (immidclels p eghter gewelt met gewelt soo dat mogte voorko- men afkeerende) want veeligt soude konnen ge- beuren dat de Spanjaerds, die seer apparent onder de hante daeronder roejen, door deese luyden, met die van Isequebo negotie souden soeken, hetwelk meer te cultiveeren, als te verderven souwele sijn : voor het overige declareeren wij dat de overleggingen en ' schikkingen bij UE. in deese gemaekt ons volkomen aggreeeren. Onderen tusschen verwachten wij dat UE.geene geleegendheijt suit laaten voorbijgaan om ons van tijt tot tijt te berigten wat- UE. in deese saak voorkomen sal, opdat wij tereght geinfor- JJ meert weeten moogen wat ons te doen of te laten staat. Su?, — Upon receiving your letter of July 20 of this year we without delay inquired about the departure of the ship " de Jalousie," skipper . Roelof of Heysingh, the bearer of this missive, and, understanding that she had not yet sailed, we did not wish to fail to send you this missive, and thereby briefly to say that you will do well by driving away again out of the Wacquepo and Moruka the Indian nation which came down from' far up in the Orinoco, and tear down what you find they have made there, and thus maintain the Company's territory, especially if you think you haAre reason for suspecting that this nation meant to undertake something which might tend to the disadvantage of the Company or of the Colony in Essequibo. But, inasmuch as you are as yet in uncertainty about this matter, we are of opinion that you ought to proceed in this with all prudence, and we would suggest that before resorting to violence you try by amicable means to find out what might be the real purpose of those people in acting thus (in the meantime, however, repelling force by force, if it should come to that). For it might perhaps be that the Spaniards, who are very clearly acting secretly in the matter, are through those people seeking trade with those of Essequibo which it would be better to cultivate than to ruin. For the rest, we declare that we fully approve of the course pursued by you in this matter. In the meantime we expect that you will let no opportunity pass to inform us from time to time of what may come to your knowledge in this matter, in order that we, being well posted, may know what to do or to avoid. No. 234. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West. India Company, December 7, 1746. (Extract.) IK hebbe de eer gehad over Rio Berbices U. E. G. A. kennis te geven van een Missie nevens -p, een kleijn Fort door de Spanjaerts boven in Cajoenij opgerecht, naer mijn gedagte op U. E. G. A. territoir, en is mij van Sekere hand berigt sij van gedagte waeren aenstaende Jaer eene nog nader aen te leggen waer over sig d'ingesetene seer beswaeren en D'indianen Caribes, nog veel meer alsoo daer door de slave . negotie aen die kant volkome gesloten, waer af die natie haer bestaen alleen heeft, Deselve hebben ook al willen die missie overrompelen en slegten, het welk ik niet sonder moeijte hebbe belet Dewijl sij onder onse jurisdictie behoorende en al haer negotie in de Hollandsche Colonien bedrijvende. sulx door de p Spanjaerts sekerlijk aen ons soude worde geweten. Het is voor deese Colonie seer gevaerlijk Soo nabij . Sulke gebuuren te hebben die in tijd van oorlog ons over land Soude konne komen besoeken, en voor al op ons eijge land Fortificatien te maken is tegens alle gebruijk, Segge op ons eijge land, het I HAVE had the honour to inform your Honours, via Berbice River, of a Mission erected with a little fort by the Spaniards up in the Cuyuni, in my opinion on your Honours' terri tory, and that I had information from a certain source that they were thinking next year of founding yet another, lower down, whereat the inhabitants are very much aggrieved, and the Carib Indians a great deal more so, since it perfectly closes the Slave Traffic in that direc tion from which alone that nation derive their livelihood. They have also expressed a desire to surprise the Mission and level it to the ground^ which I, not without trouble, have prevented, because they belong ^p our jurisdiction, and all their trade being carried oh in the Dutch Colonies, such a step would certainly be revenged upon us by the Spaniards. It is very perilous for this Colony to have such neighbours so close by, who in time of war would be able to come and visit us overland, and especially to make 47 geene echter niet met voile sekerheijt kan stellen wijl mij de Limiten bewesten deser rivier onbekent . sijn. In de maend October laestleclen Sijn negen Soldaeten van Rio Berbices naer Oronoque gecle- serteert: en sijn alhier op de Plantagie van DHr. Persik geweest om brood te bekomen clog sonder eenig gewelt te gebruijken Ik ben daer van niet als drie dage daer naer geadverteert Soude haer anders het verder trekken wel hebben belet, Deselve in Oronoque gearriveert sijnde hebbe sig gevoegt bij een vaertuijg van Trinitades • dat aldaer cruijste om de negotie te beletten, en hebben drie Canoas van deese Colonie die op cle Visvangst waeren genomen als eene A*an U. E. G. A. onder den Souter H. Cleyman met 24 Oxhoofden gesoute vis eene van DHr. Persik en eene van A. Christiaense Dese colonie van haer begin af aen in het besit van. die yisserije sijnde geweest, en noijt de minste hinderpael, of tegespraek van de Spanjaerden hebbende geleden konit mij sulx voor als een Soort van zeeroverije - welke niet gedult kan worde voor al daer indien - die visserije wort belet, de keel aen al onse Slaeven wort toegebonde wordende alle soo -wel die van U. E. G. A. als Coloniers daer door onderhouden • en als dan Soude men van D'engelsche de vivres voor cle Slaeven moete koope tot wat prijs sij begeerden, want die menschen moeten eeten, en hoewel sij per hoof d maer drie , pond vis . in cle veertien dage krijgen, Sal Sulx niet naelaeten een -aenmerkelijke Somme te beloopen indien men het moet koopen komende alle koste gerekent de vis •die men in Oronoque gaet Souten en welke -onvergelijkelijk beter als dengelsche Cabeljauw is -qualijk op een oortje het pond. U. E. G. A. Sulle .sekerlijk wel begrijpen de groote aengelegentheijt van cleese saek, en Twijffele geensints of U. E. G. A. Sullen tot herstel van deselve soodaenige maetre- gulen nemen al-s U. E. G. A. nodig Sullen oord- eelen. De Nieuwe Gouverneur in February aenstaende in Oronoque Sullende komen sal ik daer naer toe Senden om' die vaertuijgen en lading te recla- meeren maer ben versekert Sulx vergeefs sal weesen door het Exempel van den Posthouder Jurge Gobel geleert.Avelke men mij bij missive beloofd had te Sullen overleveren, waer echter niets op volgt, woonende deselve in het Spaens dorp, in Oronoque. * * * * Soo aenstonds sijn de Berglieden afgekomen, en hebben mij rapport gedaen dat sij onder het lijden van veel gebrek en Siektens alle de Hemel hooge .gebergtens boven in Essequebo hebben ondersogt dat veele der Selve Sonder eeiiigte geboomte goede aenwijsinge van ertzen gaven onder andere eene cle Calikko berg anders Cristal berg welke boven op den top vol Swavel en vitriool van benede als bedekt met Christallen Schoone adere van Silver ertz hadde, Dog dat DTndiaensche daerom hene woonende natien haer niet als met veel moeijte den toegank tot deselve hadde toegelaeten Door de quade behandelinge der naerbuurige Portugeesen afgeschrikt, Dat dien berg daer en bove veel moeijte en koste soude veroorsaeken om te konne bewerken, wijl wel drie dag rejjsen landwaerts in was leggende, Dat haer grootste hinderpael was geweest het gebrek aen goede tolken, Wyl de Criolen die met haer waere geweest seer ontrouw in het vertolke waeren soo fortifications in our own land is in breach of all A custom. I say upon our own land — I cannot lay this cIoavii, however, Avith full certainty because the limits Avest of this river are unknoAvn to me. * * * * In the month of October last nine soldiers deserted from the Berbice River to Orinoco, and came to the plantation of Mr. Persik here, to get bread, but made no show of violence. I was not advised of this until three days later, otherwise I should have prevented them from going any farther. On their arrival in Orinoco they joined a vessel from Trinidad which was B cruising about there to prevent trade, and captured three canoes from this Colony that were out fishing, one of which, belonging to your Lordships, Avas in charge of salter H. Cley man, with twenty-four hogsheads of salt fish ; another belonged to Mr. Persik, and one to A. Christiaense. This Colony from its very beginning having been in the possession of that fishery, and never having suffered the least hindrance or opposition from the Spaniards, this appears to me to be a kind of piratical act which cannot be tolerated, especially since the p stopping of that fishery avouIc! deprive all our slaA^es of food, those belonging to your Lord ships, as well as those of the colonists, being supported by it, and we should, then be obliged to buy our provisions for the slaves from the English at any price they ask, because these people must eat, and although they only get 3 lbs. of fish each every fourteen days, this would soon amount to a considerable sum if Ave had to buy it, the fish that is salted in the Orinoco, and which is incomparably better than the English cod, scarcely costing us, after reckoning all the expenses, an " oortje " a lb. Jj Your Lordships will certainly understand the great importance of this matter, and I have no doubt that your Lordships will take such measures in setting it right as may be deemed necessary. The new Governor being due in Orinoco in February next, I shall send there to claim the boats and cargoes, but I am certain that such Avill be in vain, having profited by the example of the Postholder, Jurge Gobel, whom they had promised me by letter to deliver up, but nothing came of it, the man now living in the Spanish village in Orinoco. E The miners haAre just come down the river, and have reported to me that, notAvithstanding the sufferings caused by illness and want, they haA^e examined the heaven-high mountains up in Essequibo ; that many of them, being abso lutely treeless, presented a fair appearance of containing ore, among others, the Calikko or Crystal Mountain, the top of Avhich is full of brimstone and vitriol, and almost coA'ered below with crystals and beautiful veins of silver ore ; _^ but that the Indian nations living in that -** district had not permitted them to approach it Avithout a deal of difficulty, terrified by the ill-treatment they had suffered at the hands of the neighbouring Portuguese: that the working of those mines would, moreover, entail a deal of trouble and expense, they being situated full three days' journey inland ; that their greatest obstacle had been the want of good interpreters, since the Creoles who had been Avith them had- 4S A als sij hadden gemerkt, gestadig nog in vreese Sijnde dat sij wederom in cle miin werken soude worden geemployeert, En dat Dindiaensche natien alle met elkandere in oorlog sijnde en meest alle tegen de Portugeesen die haer gestadig quamen overrompelen en wegvoeren Sulx veel gevaer aen de daer komende Christene A'eroorsaekte. Sij hebben mij mede gesegt en is door onse andere Swervers bevestigt dat den A-oordeese gedeserteercle N. Horstman sich gestadig bij die Portugeesen dewelke Dindianen clus raishanclelen; B bevond, Waer van daen het gerugt is onstaen dat denselve wederom stent te komen. Siende clan clat bij dusdanige gesteltenis van saeken voor eerst nog niets te doen zoude weesen heb ik de Berglieden den laeste November uijt d Ed. Comp. dienst ontslaegen Sij hebben my gesegt hier in deese Colonie te wille blijven resi- deeren Het welk my seer aengenaem is geweest, konnende haer persoone en voor al die van Moshack dat een braef eerlijk kaerel is, bij tijd en wijle te pas komen. Het gebrek van een goede beeedigde Tolk van dindiaensche taelen soo als in Suriname een is c heeft mij al menigmaele in verlegentheyt gebragt een ook veel prejuditie veroorsaekt, ben veel geholpe geweest door den Jood Moses Isakse cle Vries, maer deselve nu OArer lede Sijnde is geen een die goed en trouw is te bekomen en moet mij al op negers of Criolen Arerlaeten die Seggen en Swijgen wat sij willen. been observed to interpret very faithlessly, being continually in fear that they Avould again be employed in the mines ; and that the Indian nations were all at war with each other, and were nearly all at war, too, with the Portu-,: guese, Avho were continually making raids upon them and carrying them off, and that this was a source of great danger to any Christians who came there. They also told me, and this Avas corroborated by one of our itinerant traders, that N. Horstman, who ran away some time ago, is continually Avith those Portuguese who ill-treat the Indians,. which has caused the report to spread that he was coming back. Seeing, therefore, that in the present state of things there Avas nothing to be done just yet, I discharged the miners from the Company's service on the last day of November. They- have told me that they wished to stay and reside in the Colony. I am veiy glad of this, as it is possible that they may at some time or other be of use to me — especially Moshack, who is a good honest fellow. I have frequently felt the want of a good. sworn interpreter of the Indian languages, such as there is in Surinam, and this want has often been to our loss. I have frequently been assisted by the Jew, Moses Isakse de Vries, but he being now dead, there is not a good faithful one to be got, and I am obliged to trust to the negroes or Creoles, avIio sayr or conceal what— eA'er they Avish. 3) No. 235. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 23, 1747. (Extract.) U. E. G. A. HOOG geEerdens van den 1 en 9 November des laestleden jaers per 't Schip cle Jalousie sijn mij wel geworden en hebbe de eer U. E. G. A. daer op te rescribeeren clat in Wacquepo en Maroco alles wederom stil is, sijnde de Natie die aldaer afgekomen was met intentie, E om de aldaer woonende Caraibes dood te Slaen door deselve redelijk wel ontfangen en daer op wederom naer boven Oronoque geretireert, maer cle onderneminge der Spanjaerden gaen soo verre dat indien daer inne niet behoorlijk wort voorsien sulx tot een totael verderf van deese Colonie in het vervolg van tijden soude konnen verstrekken, Ik hebbe in mijne voorige per t' Schip de Vriendschap (waer van Copije hier nevens) d'eer gehad TJ. E. G. A. omstandig te verwittigen van de Geweldenaryen gepleegt door het wegnemen van de Visschers Canoas, waervan wij de gevolgen reets gevoelen, geen een Souter die weg wederom E in dofvende Slaen, waer door DEngelsche BakeljauAV reets tusschen de 3 en 4 Stuijvers het lb is geresen, als mede van de Missien en Fort boven in Cajoeni, en Let voornemen om nog een Fort in deselve rivier eenige mijlen lager dit jaer te bouwen, Het welke sij nu werkstellig beginne te maken volgens het rapport der geene . die met muijl Ezels langs die rivier afkomen. Daer en boven is my gerapporteerd door den forger Capiteyn S. Persik uijt Oronoque komende YOUR Honours' favour of the 1st November last year by the ship " Jalousie " came duly to hand, and I have the honour to reply there to that in Wacquepo and Moruka all is again still, as the nation which arrived there Avith the intention of killing the Caribs dwelling there was received by them reasonably, and there upon they again retired back up the Orinoco. But the undertakings of the Spaniards go so far that, if proper measures be not taken against them, they may, in the course of time, lead to the total ruin of the Colony. I have, in rhy previous letter by the ship " Vrindschap '' (copy of which herewith), had the honour circumstantially to inform your Honours of the outrages perpetrated through the taking away of. the fishing canoes (the consequences whereof we already feel, not one salter daring to take that AA^ay again, whereby English cod have already risen between 3 and 4 stuyvers per lb.), as also of the Mission and fort above in Cuyuni, and of the intention to build this year yet another fort there, but some miles lower, for whiteh they now are begin ning to make ready, according to the report of all those who come along that river with mules. - Besides, it has been reported to me through the burgher Captain L. Persik, on his arrival 49 en door eenige Spanjaers geconfirmeert, Dat de Spanjaerden aldaer, een togt hadden gedaen in het Zuyd Westen regt achter ons, en aldaer clen oorspronk ondekt van cle Rivieren Cajoeni en Masseroeni (welke twee de regten oorspronk deeser Rivier Essequebo sijn) Adoeyende beyde uijt een groot Lac of meer welke lang is 60 mijlen breet in de 20 welke seer diep is het Water azuur blauw Sonder Visschen daer in ongevaer 75 a 80 uuren in een regte linie boven het Fort kykoveral, clat haer voorneme was bij den oor spronk van gemelte rivieren sig neder te setten en te Fortificeeren, soo clat wij clan in het ronde omzet sullen weesen, sij stellen A_ast clat dit het soo beruchte lac van Parima is, Avort ook dus Aran de daeromtrent woonende indiaenen genaemt, soo dat wij het selve veel nader als oijt gedagt was hebben, Synde veel Zuydelyker gesogt, Gemelte Persik heeft niet alleen de Paters en officieren die gemelte togt hebbe gedaen gesproken, maer de Caert daer van sien opmaken (waer Aan ik door alle middelen sal trachten een Copye te beko men) hij heeft ook eenige Indianen gesieii die sij van daer mede gebragt hebben, synde redelijk blank en gekleet met Catoene Stoffe die sij selver bereyden. Ik neine de vrijheyt nogmaelshet bovenstaende U. E. G. A. ernstige overweginge aen te beveelen wijl sulx van het uijterste gewigt A'oor deese Colonie in het vervolg sal worden welke door de zeegen des Alclerhoogsten nu in een bloeijende staet begint te komen. Ik soude het eerste Fort boAren in Cajoene reets van overlange weg genomen en gedemolieert hebben t welk mij door middel der Caraibes, tot nog toe gemakkelijk te doen is, was ik maer regt bewust hoeArerre sig de limiten A^an U. E. G. A. territoir uijtstrekken soo wel van ter zij clen Oostelijk en Noordelijk als achter uijt Zuijd en Westwaerts, waer van geen cle minste bescheyden alhier in het Comptoir worden gevonden, Waerom instandig versoeke U. E. G. A. de nodige berichten dies aengaende gelieven naer alhier te besorgen, wijl een mistasting in deese gevalle van al te quaede gevolgeii soude konne weesen. from Orinoco, and confirmed by some Spaniards, A that the Spaniards there had made a journey m the south-western direction right behind us, and had there discovered the origin of the Rivers Cuyuni and Massaruni (Avhich two are the proper origin of this River Essequibo), both flowing out of a great lake or sea Avhich is 60 miles long and 20 miles broad, and very deep ; the water azure blue, without fish therein ; from seventy-five to eighty hours in a straight line above Fort Kykoveral. That their intention Avas to establish a permanent settlement for themselves near the origin of the rivers mentioned, and to fortify it, so that we B then should be hemmed in by a cordon. They say that this is the so famous Lake of Parima ; it is also thus named by the Indians dwelling thereabout, so that Ave have this much nearer than Ave ever thought, it having been sought much more to the south. Mr. Persik, Avhom I have mentioned, has not only conversed with the Fathers and officers Avho made the journey, but has seen the map being made thereof (copy whereof 1 shall try to obtain by every possible means) ; he has also seen some Indians whom they have p brought thence Avith them, who are fairly white, and clothed with cotton stuff that they themselves had prepared. I take the liberty once again to direct your Honours' earnest consideration to the above- mentioned, because it will be of the utmost im portance in future to this Colony, which, by the blessing of the Most High, is beginning to attain a prosperous state. I should already long ago have removed and demolished the first fort up in Cuyuni (which even now is easy of accomplishment on my part through the Caribs), if I were but rightly J> conscious how far the limits of your Honours' territory extend, both on the eastern and north ern sides, as well as south and westwards, for the decision whereof not the least help is to be got in this office here. I therefore earnestly request your Honours to be pleased to send hither the necessary information concerning that matter, because an error in this might lead to quite too evil consequences. No. 236. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo, August 7, 1747. (Extract.) E NOPENS de forten voor [sic] de Spanjaerden in Cajoene reeds opgerigt en welcke aldaer in 't vervolgh nog verder zoude willen opregten, hebben wij gedagt het best te zullen zijn om af te moeten wagten, hetgeen door de vergaderinghe van Thienen daerop sal werden geresolveert en waerbij dan ook ten eersten doenlijk aan UE. kennis zullen geeven, inhsererende wij ondertussen bij deesen, hetgeene wij op deze materie, bij vorige missiven aan UE. hebben geschreeven, en recom- mandeeren UE. ook bij deesen, wel ernstelijk de visserie op allerhande wijse doenlijk, en met alle magt te helpen maintineeren, en het regt daervan te helpen bewaren. AS to the forts already established in Cuyuni for the Spaniards, and those they might wish to establish there hereafter, we have thought it best to await the action to be taken thereon by the Assembly of Ten, of which we shall then notify you at the earliest opportunity. In the mean time, we hereby repeat what in this connection we have written to you in preceding missives, and E also A'ery earnestly recommend you herewith to aid in every possible way, and with all your might, in the maintenance of the fishery, and to help preserve the right thereof. [696—2] O 50 No. 237. C 1) Commandeur, Essecpdbo to West India Company, August 1(5, 1747. (Extract.) IK hebbe clen Uijtlegger Pieter de Laet om syn slegt gedrag van de Post Maroco afgeset en alsoo die post van veel aengelegentheijt is, en cle Colonie veel aen desselfs behoud gelegen is aldaer gestelt eene Jan de Scharden een Berlyner van geboorte, Gereformeert, en een man van veel bequaemheyt, ik ben seer verheugt geweest, Soodanig een persoon te konne vinden. I HAVE discharged Pieter cle Laet, the Postholder of Moruka, on account of his had behaviour, and since that Post is of great im portance, and it is essential to the Colony to keep up the same, I have appointed one Jan der Scharden, a native of Berlin, a Protestant, and a very competent man. I was very pleased to be able to find such a person. B No. 238. Proceedings of the West Indict Company (the Ten), 174"/ (Extract.) September 1, 1747. DE heer President heeft ver vergadering voor- gebragt het 5e poinct van de beschrijvinge con- .cerneerende de schikkinge der saken in Rio Isiquebo, mits welke geleesen is een missive Aran clen Commandeur Laurens Storm van s'Grave- sande, aldaar geschreve den 10e Julij des jaars 1746 en geaddresseert aan de Kamer van Zeeland, houdende advis waarop gedelibereert sijnde is goed gevonden en verstaan de voorn. missive voor notificatie aantenemen. Zijn geleesen twee missiven van den Com mandeur Laurens Storm van s'Gravesande, ges chreve in Rio Isiquebo den 20 Julij en 7 Decem ber des jaars 1746 en geaddresseert aan de kamer van Zeeland, houdende diversse poincten van belang en consideratie rakeride den toestand van cle voorn. colonie en het voorgevallene aldaar. . . Waarop gedelibereert sijnde is goed gevonden en verstaan de heeren Backer van Loon, Luijck Massis, en ter Borch te versoeken en te com- mitteeren ten eijnde cle voorn. missive nader te examineeren van haar Ed. bevindinge ter ver gadering rapport te doen initsgaders deselve te dienen van haar Ed. consideratien en advis. . . THE President .brought before the meeting the fifth item on the Agenda concerning the condition of affairs in Rio Essequibo; whereupon there was read a letter from the Commandeur, Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, written there on the 10th July of the year 1746, and addressed to the Chamber of Zeeland, containing advices. This being de liberated upon, approved and agreed that the said letter be accepted for registration. There were read two letters from the Com mandeur, Laurens Storm A*an 's Gravesande, written in Rio Essequibo on the 20th July and 7th December of the year 1746, and addressed to the Chamber of Zeeland, containing sundry points of moment and concern touching the condition of the aforesaid Colony and occurrences there. . . This being deliberated upon, it was approved and agreed to request and depute Messrs. Backer, Van Loon, Luijcx Massis, and Ter Borch to examine more carefully the aforesaid letter, to report to the Assembly their findings, and to aid the same with their recommendations and ad vice. ... September 2, 1747. E E Is geleesen een mi .sive van den Commanueur Laurens Storm van s'O-ravesande geschreve in Rio Isiquebo den 23 Maart deses jaars en geaddres seert aan de Kamer van Zeeland, houdende om- standig advis van het voorgevallene in de voorn. colonie en den toestand der saken aldaar waarop gedelibereert sijnde is goed gevonden en verstaan de heeren Backer, van Loon, Luijcx Massis, en Ter Borch te versoeken en te committeeren ten eijnde de voorn. missive nader te examineeren, van haar Ed. bevindinge ter vergadering rapport te doen mitsgaders deselve te dienen van haar Ed. consideratien en advis. There was read a letter from the Commandeur, Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande. written in Rio Essequibo, on the 23rd March of this year, and addressed to the Chamber of Zeeland, containing circumstantial information of occurrences in the aforesaid Colony, and of the condition of affairs there. This being deliberated upon, it was ap proved and agreed to request and depute Messrs. Backer, Van Loon, Luijcx Massis, and Ter Borch to examine more carefully the aforesaid letter, to report to the meeting- their findings, and to aid the same with their recommendations and advice.' September 6, 1747. De Heer schepen Backer heeft ter vergadering gerapporteert dat de heeren commissarissen in- gevolge ende tot voldoeninge van cle resolutie commissariael van dese vergadering de datis den eersten en tweede van dese maand geexamineert hebben de missiven van Laurens Storm van s'Gravesande, Commandeur in Rio Isiquebo van de 20 Julij en 7 December van het voorledene en den 23 Maart deses jaars, houdende diverse Mr. Justice Backer reported to the Assembly that the Committee appointed by Resolution of this Body, dated the 1st and 2nd of this month, had examined the letters of Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, Commandeur in Rio Essequibo, of the 20th July and 7th December of last year and 23rd March of this year, containing various points of importance and interest touching . the condition of the aforesaid Colony and the occurrences there, 51 poincten van belang en consideratie, rakende clen toestand van cle voorn. colonie en het Aoorgeval- lene aldaar, onder de notule A-an de voorn. datums breder gemelt en clat haar Ed. \Tan acMse waaren geweest, clat aan clen voorn. Commandeur gefe- scribeert behoorclen te werden. . . . * * # * Dat sowanneer in Isiquebo gevonden mogte worden een bequaam landmeeter, hij van de voorn. colonie sal doen maken een accurate af tokening zo van cle aldaar sijnde plantagies en derselver groote, als van cle nog onbebouwde, en niet uijt- gegeven gronden.¦St % ^ ' ¦*¦ Dat alle de respt. Kamere ieder in den hare, sullen nagaan en inquireeren, off ook ontdekt kan werden tot hoeverre de.limite van dese Comp. in Rio Isequebo sig komen te extendeere dat niet- temin, so hij immiddels door indirect middelen, en sonder daarin selve te paroisseeren, sal kunnen uijtwerken, clat de Spanjaarde gedeposideert wer den, uijt cle forten en logien, die sij, volgens sijne sustinuen gemaakt hebben op cle gronden van de Compagnie, en belet sig aldaer verder te exten- deeren, hij sulkx sal vermogen in het werk te stellen. * * * * En laastelijk alle de resp't. Kamere gecom- mitteert, omme te inquireeren of ook ontdekt kan werden, tot hoeverre de limiten van de Compag. in Rio Isequebo sig komen te extendeeren en van hunne bevindinge en ondek [sic] ontdekkinge, aan de verdere respective Kamere kennisse te geven Waarop gedelibereert sijnde is goedgevonden en verstaan sig met het voorn. uijtgebragte advis te conformeeren, hetselve vervolgens in een positive resolutie te converteeren en de heeren Cominis- sarissen voor de genome moeijte, benevens den heer Backer voor het gedaan rapport te be- danken. more fully recorded in the Minutes of the afore- A said dates, and that the Committee Avere of opinion that to the aforesaid Commandeur should be written in answer. . . . * * * * That in case there could be found in Essequibo a competent surveyor, he shall cause to be made an accurate chart of the said Colony, not only of the plantations in existence there and of their size, but also of the lands still uncultivated and not yet granted. That all the respective Chambers, each by itself, shall investigate and inquire whether it can be discovered how far the limits of this Company in Rio Essequibo clo extend; that, nevertheless, if in the meantime he can by indirect means, and without himself appearing therein, bring it about that the Spaniards be dislodged from the forts and dwellings which they have, as he maintains, made on the territory of the Company, and be pre vented from further extending themselves there, he shall be permitted to carry this out. * * * * And, lastly, all the respective Chambers are instructed to investigate whether it can be dis covered hoAv far the limits of the Company in Rio Essequibo do extend, and to report to the other respective Chambers what they find and discover. This being deliberated upon, it was ap proved and agreed to adopt the aforesaid report, and furthermore to convert it into a positive Resolution, and to thank the Committee for the pains taken, and Mr. Backer for the Report made. No. 239. The West India Company (the Ten) to Commandeur, Essequibo, September 9, 1747. (Extract.) WANNEER in Isequebo gevonden mogte wer den, een bequaam landmeeter, recommandeeren wij UEd[ele] van de voorn. colonie te doen maken een accurate afteekening, zoo van de aldaar zijnde plantagien en derzelver groote, als van de nog onbebouwde en niet uijtgegeeven gronden, en die afteekening aan ons toetesenden. Wij approbeeren . de schikkinge omtrend het uijtgeeven der gronden in de resolutie van den Raad van Policie van de Colonie in Rio Isiquebo van den 3 April 1746 vermeld, en zult LTEd[ele] vervolgens met het uijtgeeven van gronden op die voet mogen continueeren en zult UEd[ele] van alle gronden die uijtgegeeven zullen. werden en van derzelver groote aan ons, kennisse geeven. Wij hebben alle de Kameren versogt, ieder in den haren nategaan en te inquireeren off ook ondekt kan werden tot hoeverre de limiten van de Compagnie in Rio Isiquebo zig. komen te extendeeren. niettemin zoo UEd[ele] inmiddels door indirecte middelen en sonder daarin zelve te paroisseeren, , zult kunnen uijtwerken dat de Spanjaarden gedepossideert werden, uijt de forten en logien die zij volgens UEd[ele] sustenuen, gemaakt hebben op de gronden van de Comp[agnie] en . belet zij aldaar verder te extendeeren, zult UEdfele] wel doen met zulkx in het werk te stellen B C D IF in Essequibo it be possible to find a good surveyor, we recommend that you cause to be made an accurate chart of that Colony, not only of the plantations there and their size, but also of the lands not yet cultivated or granted, and that you transmit that chart to us. t? We approve the Regulations about the granting of lands mentioned in the Resolution of the Court of Policy of the Colony in Rio Essequibo, dated the 3rd April, 1746, and you may continue to grant lands on that footing, and you will inform us of all lands that shall be granted and of their extent. We have requested all the Chambers to inquire, each on its own account, whether it is possible to find out how far the limits of the Company in Rio Essequibo do extend. Nevertheless, if in the mean- E time you can, by indirect means and without yourself appearing therein, bring it about that the Spaniards be dislodged from the forts and buildings which, according to your assertions, they have made upon the territory of the Company, and can prevent them from spreading further in that quarter, you will clo well to accomplish this 52 No. 240. Commandeur, Essequibo, to the West India. Company, December 29, 1747. (Extract.) B TWEE van onse sweiwers met name Hennanus Bannink en Gerrit Goritz, sijn bovren in Essequebo door dTndianen vermoort. Dat sulx geschiet is venvondert mij geensints, maer wel dat hetselve niet veel meer geschiet, wijl de brutaele behande- lingen van dat soort van menschen die sig niets ontsien, dTndianen tot wederwraek moet aensetten. Daer was aen het verlies A^an die menschen juijst niet veel gelegen, indien cle gevolgen niet van veel gewicht Avaeren wijl vreese die natien tusschen d'Amazones en deese rivier die redelijk machtig sijn, ten uijterste A-erbittert en in ATreese dat over deese moort Avraek genomen sal worden, onse hoogst gelegene plantagien, soniAvijie wel sonde konnen afloopen, en Avij dus met haer in een oorlog raken, die deese colonie gansch niet voorcleelig soude weesen. gansch Ik hebbe sulx al lange voorspelt en om die recle de rivier Aran Essequebo wille sluijten, maer hebbe Areel tegenstant ontmoet, om het A-oordeel clat sommige A_an daer door den slaeATenhandel trekken. Ik ben A'oornemens sulx nog eens den 8 January aenstaende in clen Raed Aroor te brengen. TWO of our rovers, named Hermanus Bannink and Gerrit Goritz, have been murdered in the Upper Essequibo by the Indians. That such a thing has happened by no means surprises me, but rather that this does not happen much oftener, because the brutal dealings of that sort of people, who hesitate at nothing, must stir the Indians to revenge. The loss of those people' would not be a matter of A'ery great concern were it not that the consequences are of great import ance, since I fear that those tribes between the Amazon and this riA-er, which are tolerably powerful, being extremely embittered, and, fearing that A-engeance will be taken for this murder, may perhajos raid our highest-lying plantations, and thus bring us into a war which might be by no means advantageous for this Colony. I have long- foretold sucb^a thing, and on that account haAe desired to close the River of Essequibo, but have met with much opposition on account of the profit which some draw from there through the SlaA-e Trade. I intend to bring this matter once more before the Council on the 8th Januaiy next. . . 0 No. 241. " Archivo General Central."" Alcala de Henares.' State bund'e 2499. (1747).[On the docket. Iturriaga. 1747.] E E Descripcion de los Terrenos del Orinoco, modo de conservarlo, &;c, con unarelaeion de Caracas y dos pianos con su esplieacion. Iturriaga 1747. Extract from the Description of the Territories of the Orinoco, the way to preserve them, ijc, with an A ccount of Caracas, and tivo Maps tcith their Explanation. Iturriaga (? 1747). (Extract.) LA ciudad cle Santo Thome cle la Guayana, unica poblacion de Espaholes sobre el Rio Orinoco, se compone cle 60 vecinos, Negros, Mulatos, y Zambos, y tal qual Blanco. Todos son araganes, y sus mugeres olgazanas, contentos con unas malas chozas por casas, con la pesca, y con el aguardiente que sacan de la cana clulce que sobro a su golosina. Esta situada en la orilla Austral del Rio bajo el tiro de fusil cle un pequeno fuerte con el nombre cle S. Francisco de Asis, eregido sobre una pefia banada del mismo Rio. Para la satisfacion de su guarnicion esta situado en Santa Fe cle Bogota el importe cle cien plazas a razon cle 10 excudos mensuales, que sube a 15,000 pesos. De las tien plazas se desquentan catorce, que contribuien para los sueldos del Castellano, Theniente, Alferez, y dos Sargentos cle la Com- pania doce, que se destacan a la Isla de la Trinidad y forman su guarnicion, cinco, ocho, 6 doce a las Misiones cle la misma provincia al cuidado cle los padres Capuchinos Cathalanes, y diez para escolta del Maestre cle plata, que pasa todos los anos a Santa Fe en busca del situado. Descontadas aclemas algunas plazas vacantes, algunos enfermos y otros que usan cle licencia, no se debe considerar aquella guarnicion mas que cle cinquenta hom- bres. Un numero tan corto de sol dados, y cle vecinos, THE town of Santo Thome de la Guayana, the only settlement of Spaniards on the River Orinoco, is composed of sixty inhabitants, negroes, mulattos, and half-breeds, and a few whites. All are idlers, and their wives indolent crea tures, content with bad cabins for houses, Avith the fishing, and spirits, which they make from the sugar-cane which is left oA^er from their gluttony. It is situated on the south bank of the river, a musket-shot from a small fort named S. Fran cisco de Assisi, erected on a rocky hill washed , by the same river. For the expense of its garrison there is assigned in Santa Fe de Bogota the charge of 100 effective soldiers at the rate of 10 escuados monthly, which amounts to 15,000 pesos. From the 100 soldiers fourteen places are deducted, which contribute towards the salaries of the "Castellano," Lieutenant, ensign, and two sergeants of the company, twelve that are detached for the Island of Trinidad, and form its garrison ; and five, eight, or twelve more for the Missions of the province for the protection of the Capuchin Fathers of Catalonia ; and ten for the escort of the Paytnaster, who goes yearly to Santa Fe for the amount assigned. Deduc ting besides some vacant places, some sick soldiers and others on leave of absence, the garrison must not be. considered to count more than fifty men. Such a small number of soldiers and of inhabi- 53 y la calidad de estos, que retirandose a las Misiones interiores no dejan en sus chozas, y campos cosa que perder, dio lugar al atrevimiento de un Irlandes, que al principio de la ultima guerra paso con 6.0 marineros en un Bergantin a la conquista de la Guayana, y en efecto la consi- guio, se hizo cluefio del Castillo, llebo unos canones clavo, y echo al Rio los otros, quemo la ciudad y dos pueblos de Mision irritado de no haver encon- trado que saquear. Tres leguas mas abajo de la ciudad se divide aquel gran rio en tres caudalosos brazos. Los dos, que se inclinan para el norte, y el nordeste, se dividen en tantas canales, que desaguan al mar por mas de quarenta vocas. El tercero, que inclina al naciente, va casi unido por cinquenta leguas hasta salir al mar con el nombre de Voca grande de Navios, porque solo por ella pueden subir navios. Por algunas de las otras vocas pueden subir einbarcaciones pequenas de 6 canones. Siguiendo el brazo grande en su curso para la mar se encuentran algunos rios, que desaguan por mano derecha, como el llamado Aquire, y un brazo del Rio Barema, el qual se divide en otros muchos brazos, y deja formado un laberyntho de islas y canales aquella gran punta de barlo- vento. Por estas canales sin salir a la mar se navega con piraguas hasta la casa fuerte, llamada la Posta, que mantienen los Olandeses cle Esquibo con tres hombres, y dos canoncitos, a 16 leguas de la Colonia acia voca erande de Navios, y es por donde hacen viage los Olandeses quando vuelben del Orinoco con einbarcaciones pequenas, por no exponerse a las grandes corrientes, y brizas, que retardan y hacen peligrosa la navegacion por fuera. De las Misiones de la Guaiana al cargo de los padres Capuchinos Cathalanes se ha avierto sin duda algun camino, 6 comunicacion con EsquibOj porque el Governador de Cumana Don Gregorio Espinosa cle Los Monteros recevio una carta del Governador cle Esquibo por manos del Prefecto de aquellas Misiones, y no repugno este Prelado encargarse de la direction de la respuesta. Los Caribes, que avitan dentro del Orinoco, ocupan como setenta leguas de la orilla Austral desde la A^oca del Rio Caroni, distante 6 leguas al poniente de la Guayana hasta la voca del Rio Caura. Su orgullo, y superioridad sobre otras naciones los tiene en continuo movimiento contra , ellas, aunque sean mui distantes, con la mira cle hacer esclavos para venderlos a los vecinos de las Colonias Olandesas Esquibo, Berbich, Corentin, y Surinam. Tienen para este viage demas de la navegacion del Orinoco, y de las canales del Barema un camino por tierra, que atrabesando el Caroni por mas arriva cle las Misiones de la Guayana cae al Rio Aquire, y bajan por el cerca de su voca quanclo estan de concierto con alguna embarcacion, que espera en este rio, y quando no entran en el Yuruari, y bajan por el Rio Esquibo f696-2] tants, and the circumstances of these latter, who, A on withdrawing to the interior Missions, leave nothing in their huts and fields to lose, gave an opportunity to the daring of an Irishman, who, at the beginning of the last war, came to con quer Guayana with sixty sailors in a brig, and, in fact, did so, made himself master of the castle, carried aAvay some cannons, spiked and threw into the river the others, and burned the city and two villages of Missions, being irritated at not having found anything to plunder. Three leagues lower down than the city the great river divides itself into three mighty -" branches, two of which turn towards the north and north-east, and divide themselves into so many channels, which flow into the sea through more than forty mouths. The third, which turns towards the east, flows almost unbroken for 50 leagues until it flows out in the sea under the name of the Great Ships' Mouth, because by it alone can ships ascend. By some of the other mouths small vessels of six guns can ascend. Following the great branch in its course to the sea some rivers are met Avith, which flow rj out on the right-hand side, such as that called Aquire, and a branch of the River Barima, which divides itself into many other branches, and that great windward point forms a laby rinth of islands and channels. By these channels, without entering the sea, one can navigate Avith small vessels to the blockhouse called the Post. Avhich the Dutch of Essequibo maintain with three men find two small cannon, 16 leagues from the Colony to wards the Great Ships' Mouth. And it is by this way that the Dutch make their voyages Avhen they are returning from the Orinoco in D small vessels, so as not to expose themselves to the strong currents and breezes Avhich im pede and render dangerous the navigation outside. From the Missions of Guayana, under the charge of the Capuchin Fathers of Catalonia, without doubt some Avay or communication with Essequibo has been opened up, because the Governor of Cumana, Don Gregorio Espinosa de los Monteros, received a letter from the Gover nor of Essequibo through the Prefect of those Missions, and this prelate did not make any difficulty in taking charge of and forwarding -^ the reply. The Caribs who dwell Avithin the Orinoco occupy about 70 leagues of the south bank from the mouth of the River Caroni, distant 6 leagues to the west from Guayana, to the .mouth of the RiA'er Caura. Their pride and superiority over the other nations keeps them in continual movement against them, although they may be very dis tant, Avith the vieAv of slave-raiding, in order to sell them to the inhabitants of the Dutch Colonies — Essequibo, Berbice, Corentine, and -™ Surinam. For this journey they have besides the navi gation of the Orinoco, and of the channels of the Barima, a road by land, which, crossing the Caroni higher up than the Missions of Guayana, goes to the River Aquire, and they descend by it to near its mouth, haA'ing arranged beforehand for some vessel to be waiting in this river, and they do not enter the Yuruari, but descend by the River Essequibo. 54 A Desde la voca del Caura se navegan de 20 a 25 leguas casi despobladas en una, y otra orilla, para Tlegar a la primera Mision de los Padres Jesuitas llamada S. Ignacio cle Cabruta, y como en las 90, y mas leguas contadas desde la voca del Caroni senorean los Caribes, se hace temible su. navegacion a los que no son sus Amigos, 6 no Ileban bastante fuerza para no recelar su em- barazo. Los muchos ataques contra las Misiones, su desolation y destruction son pruebas del enojo, con que las miran, y en este conocimiento se ven obligados los Padres a una continua guardia con al JJ fuerza de una escolta y cle algunos caiioncitos y fusiles ; pero se ve por experiencia, que no basta este medio para la quietud necesaria a su aumento. Las amenazas cle los Caribes, que temen unos Inclios, sus sugestiones, que mueben a otros, y la licenciosa vicla del monte, que llama a -todos los recie'n poblados, son tambien causas cle las re- pentinas despoblaciones, que han solido padecerse. Y con todo eso es tal la constante aplicacion de los Padres, que despues de la tercera vez, que p entraron en Orinoco han sabido fundar y mantener cinco Pueblos desde S. Ignacio cle Cabruta hasta el rauclal cle los Attires, distancia cle ocho dias de Despues que los agigantados, y vizarros Guipa novis clestruieron el ano 1747 la nueva Mision del mencionado raudal, le han vuelto a eomponer los Padres aunque a costa cle grandes fatigas juntando algunos Indios Maypures y Parecas ; y mantienen el puesto con tanto cuidado como Cabruta por ser los dos mas expuestos, Cabruta a los ataques de los Caribes, y el raudal de los Atures a los que se D recelan cle los Guipanovis, que avitaii el cano Atabapu, distante siete dias de navegacion del raudal. Suelen agregarse a los Guipanovis sus Amigos los Tiviteves de la parte superior cle Rio Negro, adonde se pasa por tierra desde Atabapu en media clia cle camino. Estas dos naciones manejan con mucha aficion las armas de fuego, desuerte que solo el Capitan Macapu con ochenta fusileros suios destruio la Mision del raudal, y haviendole seguido en esta ocasion la escolta con otros Espanoles y mas de E trescientos Indios, no se atrevio a atacarle en su pueblo sabiendo que le tiene bien fortificado. El piano original que acompana, lebantado sobre el terreno por el hermano Vera, de aquellas Misiones explica su fortification. Para que no vayan en aumento los males expli- cados, combiene aplicar desde luego su remedio. Y si se diere con alguno, que no solo corte su curso, sino que acarree otros bienes sera tanto mejor. E From the mouth of the Caura from 20 to 25 leagues are traversed, nearly uninhabited on both banks, to the first Mission of the Jesuit Fathers, called S. Ignacio de Cabruta, and, as in the 90 and more leagues from the mouth of the Caroni the Caribs hold sway, the navigation is dangerous for those Avlio are not their friends, or who are not accompanied by a force strong enough to repulse their attack. The A^ery many attacks on the Missions, their desolation and destruction, are proofs of the dislike Avith Avhich they, regard them, and, Avith this knowledge, the Fathers are obliged to maintain a constant guard, Avith the " help o'£. an escort, and some small cannon and muskets: But it is seen by experience that this is not sufficient, for the tranquillity necessary to their increase. The threats of the Caribs, which some Indians fear, their suggestions, which perturb others, ;; and the free life of the forest, which appeals to all those recently settled, are likewise causes of the sudden dispersement which they have been wont to suffer, and, notwithstanding all this, such is the constancy of the Fathers, that after their third entry into the Orinoco they have succeeded in founding and maintaining five village's, from S. Ignacio de Cabruta to the rapid of Atures, in a distance of eight days' navigation. Since the savage and valiant Guipanovis destroyed, in the year 1747,* the new Mission of the rapid above mentioned, the Fathers have again established it, although at the expense of great labours, by bringing together some Indians, Maypures, and Parecas; and they guard the place with as much care as Cabruta, on account of these being the two most ex posed — Cabruta to the attacks of the Caribs, that of the rapid of Atures to those of the Guipanovis, who inhabit the Creek Atabapu, seven clays distant by navigation from the rapid. The Civitenes are wont to unite with their friends, the Guipanovis. They belong to the upper part of the Rio Negro, which is a half-day's journey by land from Atabapu. These two nations manage fire-arms with much dexterity, so well, indeed, that the Chief Macapu alone, with eighty of his men, armed with guns, destroyed the Mission of the rapid, and on that occasion the escort and other ' Spaniards having followed him, with more than 300 Indians, they did not even dare to attack him in his village, knowing that it was well fortified. The original plan, inclosed, drawn on the spot by brother Vera, of these Mis sions, shows its fortifications. In order that the evils explained may not go on increasing, it is advisable to take steps at once ; and if some effective remedy can be supplied that hot only Avill put an end to their ; course, but also conduce to other good, it will be so much the better. * Sic in copy; the date of the docket therefore seems erroneous. 55 No. 242. Extract from th Minutes of .the Proceedings of an. Ordinary Session of the Court of Justice held at the Fort Zeelandia, in the Rio Essequibo. 8th January, 1748. DEN Edelen Gestr: Heer Commandeur ' verr thoont hebbende, van wat consequentie de qitade behandelinge der handelaers Boven Essequebo reets is, en nog meer soude konnen worden; als sijnde bereijds twee a drie Christenen door de natien, doodgeslaegen ; ende dat Sijn Ed: Gestr: oordeelde best ,te zijn. die Rivier voor eenigen tijd te sluiten, ende is dit naer overweginge goed- gevonden en geaprobeert, dog heeft Sijn Ed: Gestr: hierbij om de nog menigvuldige pretentien . der ingezetenen deser Colonie aldaer uijtstaande vordelijk te wesen op sig genomen den Post- houderen van 's Ed Comp: Handelplaets Arinda ordre te geven omde gedagte nog uijstaende slaeven in te vorderen mits dat aen gem: Posthouderen voor hun moeijte door de eijgenaren sal worden betaelt thien guldens per hooft, January 8, 1748.. THE Commandeur having, shown what the con sequences of the ill-behaviour of the traders in the Upper 'Essequibo already are. and what they might still become, two or three Christians having already been killed by the natives, and that, his Honour thought it best to close that ' river for some time, this was, after deliberation, agreed to and approved ; but his Honour, in order to further the various claims, which, the, inhabitants of this Colony still, have outstanding there, undertook to charge the Postholders of the Honourable Com-, pany's trading-place Arinda with the .recovery of - the said outstanding slaves, on condition that the- said Postholders shall be paid 10 guilders per head for their trouble by the owners. B No. 243. The Court of Policy, Essequibo, to the West India Company, February 6, 1748. DAT wij om te yoldoen aan U- E. G. A. salutaire intentie, tot den verkoop van de last en schadelyke indigoplantagie, alomme de biljetten hebben laeten affegeeren, tegens den. 8 January passato, dog moeten U. E. G. A. met leedweesen rapportegren, daarin, in geenen deele hebben konnen het gewenste oogmerk bereijken, alzoo geen.eenig mensch daerop een enkelde stuijver heeft willen bieden, schoon de 'condition seer favorabel gereguleert waren, naar alle apparentie om de verre afgeleeghendheijd en de ongezondheid van de riviere Cajoene, zoodat wij hetselve aan de Ed. Comp hebben moeten, houden aan dewelke het ook enkel voor broodgronden, ten minstens twee hondert rijxdaelders, en meer waerdig is. [WE have the. honour to report], that,, in order to comply with your salutary intention, we caused to be, posted everywhere the announce ments' of the sale on the 8th January last, of the burdensome and unprofitable indigo plantation. But, to our sorrow, we must, report that in this matter we could, in no way attain the desired end, inasmuch as, although the conditions were arranged very , favourably, not one person was; willing to bid a single stiver thereon, presumably on account of the great distance and the insalu brity of the: River Cuyuni. We had, therefore, to keep it for the Company, to whom, even for bread-grounds alone, it is worth at. least 200 rix- dollars and more. a D No. 244. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company , February 11, 1748. (Extract.) SAL ook soo dra mije de gelegentheijt eenig- sints favorabel voorkomt de ordres van HEGA ter vergaderinge der tienen nopens cle forten der .Spanjaerden executeeren aengaende de Visscherije heb het soo verre met den Commandant van Oro noque gebracht, dat niet gelove deselve meer gestoort Sal worden, maer kan geen voldoening erlangen voor de drie weg genome Canoas, dewijl hij voorgeeft Sulx geschiet te Sijn door een Caper van Trinitades en dus buijten sijn Jurisdictie, Den Capiteijn van voors. Caper is op d' aen- klachte van den Gouverneur van Comana op Trinitades in de boeijen maer het selve kan onse Schaede niet vergoeden, Is echter seer goet voor het toekomende. I SHALL also, as soon as a favourable oppor tunity occurs, execute your Honours' orders emanating from the .Committee of Ten, con cerning the forts of the Spaniards, and as regards the fishery. , I have brought the matter, so far with the Commandant of Orinoco, that I believe mys.elf that no further disturbances will occur, but I can obtain no satisfaction for the three canoes taken away because he pre tends that this took place through a privateer of Trinidad, and thus out of his jurisdiction. The captain of the privateer, aforesaid, is in chains in Trinidad, at the accusation of the Governor of Cumana, who himself cannot make good our loss. This is, however, very satisfac tory for the future. E E B 56 No. 245. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo, May 30, 1748. (Extract.) WIJ approbeeren insgelijks soowel de aan- stellinge bij UE. gedaen van een anderen uijtlegger op cle post van Marocco, in plaats van den afgezetten Pieter de Laat, als de soortgelijke sehikkinge bij UE. te doen omtrent den gezag- hebber van de brandwagt. Het heeft ons een bijzonder genoegen gegeeven, uijt een volgende missive van UE. Aran den 9 September te mogen verneemen, hoe door UE. geadhibeerde vigelantie, de negotie van de Span jaerden in de rivier van Essequebo meer en meer begint door te breeken, en waertoe wij verhoopen dat alle verdere middelen ook int werk sullen werden gestelt om deselve aldaer Arolkomen te doen floreeren. WE also give our approval, both to the appoint-' ment made by you of another Postholder at the- Post of Moroco in the place of Pieter de Laet, dismissed, and also to the similar step to be taken by you as to the commander of the coast-guard. „ It gave us especial pleasure to learn through a subsequent letter from you, dated the 9th Sep tember, how by the zeal you have shown the trade of the Spaniards in the river of Essequibo begins to develop more and more, and we hope that all further means will be put in operation to make it- flourish there to perfection. No. 246. Extracts from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of the Colony of Essequibo^}. held at Fort Zeelandia, August 1 and 2, 1748. ,4 c D E JP D'HEER Oud-Raed Abraham Buisson bij requeste geklaegt hebbende dat op S'Ed Comp Handel plaets in Maroca onregtmatig aangehouden was een sijner Corjaeren, met versoek die door den aenhouder goed, kost, en schadeloos mogt geresti- tueert worden. Is hier op gehoort den Posthouder Jan de Scharden welke andwoord dat in persoon op het aanhooren deser beswaernis bij d'Heer Buisson was geweest, om deselve te spreken dog dat sijn Ed. hem niet had willen aenhoren, en alleen gesegt, Ik sal U citteren, dat A'erklaerde die corjaer niet op de Post, maar door de vrienden van de Indianen, die deselve bragt, was mede genomen, alleen daer latende een snaphaen, sig wijders beroepende op het getuijgenis van sijn Bijlegger Hendrik Cleijman. De welke gehoort sijnde den Posthouder confir- meert. En is dese saek vermits de Indiaen selfs thans absent is tot naeste vergaderinge uijtgestelt. * * * * Den Edelen Gestr. Heer Commandeur ver- thoont hebbende dat seker vrij Indiaen met naeme Baraca gehorende onder 'SEd. Comp. Handel plaats in Maroca bij Sijn Ed. Gestr. was kome klaegen dat den persoon van Jean Pierre Maillard een geruimen tijd geleden met een briefje Aran Sijn Ed. Gestr. (soo voor gaff) Avas gekomen om sijn dogter te haelen tot sijn wijff, die hij Indiaen daarop had laete volgen, en welke hij nu weder versogt clat Sijn Ed. Gestr. wetende noijt -be- quaem te wesen soodanige ongehoorde orders te geven den voorz. Indiaen aen geme. Maillard had gesonden met schriftelijk bevel om de clogter opstond aen haer vader te laeten volgen, deselve zulx in geenen deele had gerespecteert, maer vol- strekt geweijgert, sijnde clen Indiaen vrugteloos bij Sijn Ed. Gestr. teruggekomen. Dit ongeper- mitteerd bestaen overwogen sijnde, is de Ed. Gestr. Heer Commandeur geauthoriseert de voorsz. Maillard en de Indiaenin te laeten afhaelen. COUNSELLOR. BUISSON having com plained that one of his corials had been un lawfully detained at the Company's trading- place at Moruka, and praying to have it returned in good condition, free of cost and charges. The Postholder, Jan de Scharden, is heard,. who states that he personally went to Mr. Buis son to speak to him on the matter, but that Buisson would not listen to him, and only said, " I shall summon you ; " and further declares that the corial was not at the Post, but was taken away by the friends of the Indian who had brought it there, and had. only left a musket behind. He further calls as witness Hendrick Cley- man, Avho, being heard, confirmed the state ment of the Postholder. The Indian being absent, the case is put oft' to next meeting. * '" * * * The Honourable the Commandeur represented that _ a certain free Indian named Baraca, be longing to the Company's trading-place in Moruka, had complained that a person named Jean Pierre Maillard some time ago arrived with a pretended letter from his Honour to- take his daughter away to his wife, and that he, the Indian, had allowed her to go, and now asks for her to be returned. That His Excellency, knowing he had never been capa ble of issuing such unheard of orders, had sent the Indian with written orders to Maillard to let the girl follow her father at once, but that he had not respected such order in any way, and refused to comply with it, and that the Indian had returned to his Excelleny without results. « This audacious conduct having been con sidered, his Excellency the Commandeur is authorized to send for the said Maillard and the Indian Avomau. 57 No. 247. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, December 2, 1748. (Extract.) DEESE alleen ten geleijde van de Copije mijner A'oorgaande, per het schip de Juffrouw Marga- reta Schipper I. Sibertse welke tot mijn leetweese verneme door de franschen genomen te weesen. Flatteere mij echter de selve nevens de daarbij gevoegde Caerte deeser Riviere nog in handen van UEGA sal weesen gekome dev/ijl men mij doet hoopen alle de boeken en papieren van dat schip aen d'Eijgenaars wederom gegeven sullen worden. THIS is only to accompany the copy of my previous despatch sent by the ship '; Juffrouw Margareta," Captain I. Sibertse, which I learn, to my regret, has been captured by the French. However, I flatter myself that the map of this river thereby transmitted may yet come into your Honours' hands, because I am given to hope that all the books and papers of the ship will be returned again to their owners. No. 248. » Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, December 2, 1748. (Extract.) VAERE mede alsoo met den nieuwen uijtlegger in Maroco, deese man sijn plicht naer de letter soekende te betragten en niet willende met een partij ingesetenen in het geheijm handel en soo als sijne voorsaeten hebben gedaen heeft bij nae ieder een tot vijand, waerdoor dagelijx klagten moet hooren, welke naeuwkeuring geexamineert sijnde in rook verdwijnen, echter niet naerlaetende mij veel moeijte en verdriet te veroorsaeken door dien eenige der voornaemste daar onder sijn speelende. De Spaensche negotie begint hoe langer hoe meerder te floreeren en soude vrij wat meerder gevordert hebben soo het gebrek van goederen door het lang achterblijven der Schepen geen groote hinderpael daer aen hadde geweest, heb bende eenige Spaensche kooplieden 9 jae 10 en 11 maende hier moete blijven wachten dat haer veel ongelegentheijt baert, Jammer is het, dat die negotie in soo weijnig hande hier is en soo een bittere jalousije verootsaekt, ' gunnende den een den andere niet het minste voordeel, dit is meede eene der redenen van verbittering tegens den uijt legger in Maroco, wijl die een orden telijk man is en de Spaensche taele magtig sij bevreest sijn hij haer af breuk sal doen, daer hij in het germgst e niet toe in staet is geweest tot nu toe, Ik sal tragten soo veel mij mogelijk is die negotie te favoriseeren en voort te setten, en algemeen te maeken soo veel doenlijk is. Hoope nu met goed fondament daer in te sullen reusseeren wijl denke de schepen nu wat regulierder en beter op haer tijcl sullen koomen. Hoope dat de brieven en papieren per de Juffrouw Margareta nog te regt gekomen sullen Aveesen, wijl met deselve een kaert van cleese rivier hebbe gesonden aen UEGA opgemaekt uijt verscheijde kleijne die van tijd tot tijd hebbe opgenomen en waer van geen copije hebbe ge- houden doordien onmogelijk tijd daartoe konde A'inden, en ik niet uijt woude stellen de beveelen van HEGA ter Vergaderinge der Tienen soo spoedig mogelijk naer te komen en nu bij gebrek Aran daer toe goet papier niet kan opmaken. Indien deselve niet te regt mogte sijn gekomen neme de vrijheijt UEGA te versoeken mij een boek van het grootste mediaen papier te laete toekomen, om die nog eens naer behooren te kon nen klaer maken. De Spanjaerde begonne hoe langs hoe meer boven Cajouny te naderen, maer sedert eenige [696— 2j SO I am in the same boat with the new Post- holder in Moruka. This man, trying to observe his duty to the letter, and being unwilling to carry on an underhand trade with a party of inhabitants as his predecessors have done, has almost every body for an enemy, wherefore I have to hear daily complaints which, upon careful examination, vanish in smoke, though not failing to cause me much trouble and worry, as some of the leading men have had a hand therein. A B C Business with the Spaniards begins to groAv better as time progresses, and it Avould have advanced somewhat better if the absence of goods through the long-deferred arrival of ships had not been a very, great obstacle thereto. Some Spanish merchants have been obliged to Avait here nine, ten, yea, eleven months, to their great inconvenience. Pity that the business here is in so few hands, and causes such bitter jealousy, each grudging the other the slightest profit. That is also one of the reasons for the exasperation against the Postholder at D Moruka; because he is an orderly man and conversant with the Spanish language they are afraid he will cause them prejudice, while he has never until now been in a position to cause the least. I shall try, as far as lies in my power, to encourage the trade and to advance it, and as far as possible to make it general. I hope now, with good reason, to succeed therein, because 1 think that now the ships will arrive somewhat more regulaily and punctually to their time. * * * # I hope that the letters and papers by the -^ " JuffrouAV Margareta " may yet come to hand, because I sent by her a map of this river made for your Honours out of different small ones which have been drawn from time to time, and whereof I kept no copy because it was im possible to find time therefor, and I would not defer complying as quickly as possible with the orders of their Honours in the Committee of Ten ; and now for want of good paper for the purpose, I cannot make one. If it has not yet come to hand, I take the liberty of re questing your Honours to cause to be trans- -p mitted to me a book of the largest medium paper that I may once more draw it up properly. The Spaniards were beginning to gradually approach the Upper Cuyuni ; but some weeks Q 58 A weeken een oorlog tusschen de Caraibische natie, en die der Warouwen onstaen sijnde welke seer hardnekkig gevoert wort, sal sulx de verdere progressen stuiiten, en mogelijk soo de Caraibes doverhandt krijgen wel wat verder weg gedreven worden, sonder dat wij ons in het geringste daer mede hoeven te meleeren. Wenschte egter wel indien mogelijk was de regte limiten te moge weten. Volgens het seggen der oude menschen en van d' indianen soude deese jurisdictie beginnen ten oosten aen de kreek Abary en strekken ten westen tot aen de Rivier Barime daer in oude tijde een post geweest B is dog dit seggen geeft geene de minste seker heijt. * * * * Een Swerver met naeme Pinet boven in de Rivier Cajoene sijnde gegaen om hangmatten te ruijlen onder de Indiaenen was door mij versogt om de gangen der Spanjaerden in die Landstreek nauwkeurig te verspieden waer toe hij seer be- quaem is wijl hij de Caraibische tael in de grond verstaet, en van geen verstant ontbloot is, Deselve den 13 November 4 maende naer sijn vertrek alhier gearriveert heeft mij rapport ge- p daen dat de ¦ Spanjaerden nog niet ondernomen hadden eenige sterktens of missions lager te bouwen, soo als haer voornemen was, maer dat sij de onder ons hoorende indiaenen gruwelijk niis- handelde deselve geduurig in haere wooninge overvielen en met vrouw en kinderen wegvoerden, om deselve alle naer Florida te versenden, Dat hij den Hoofdman der Spanjaerden gesproken hadde en deselve de onbillikheijt van die behandelinge voor oogen gestelt hadde,- nevens de gevolgen daer van, maer dat deselve hem geantwoord hadde, dat geheel America den Koning van Spanjen toequain en dat hij soude doen wat hem hehaagde sonder jy sig aen ons te stooren. Denselve Pinet rapporteerde my dat de In diaenen ten uyterste vorbittert waeren, dat 4 van haer hoofden stonden af te komen om nog eens by my te komen klaegen, en dat sy reets over al aen dindiaensche huysen geknoopte touwen gesonde hadde synde haer t seyn om op sekeren dag te vergaderen. Siende ;dan dat alle myne remonstrantien en schryven aen de Spanjaerde niets helpen kan en geen redres te bekomen is ben ik vnornemens als de hoofden der Indianen by my komen haer te E seggen dat haer geen redres kan besorgen, en dat sy voor haer eyge sekerheyt sorge moeten, als wanneer ik versekert ben men binue korten tyd geen Spanjaerd meer boven in Cajoenij sal sien, ,-r hebbende ik haer altoos met veel moeyte tegen ' ' gehouden en met goede beloften alle fey telyk- heden verhindert. Egter eer daer toe komen sal in d'aenstaende maende nog eens een ¦ brief senden aen den Gouverneur van- Comana die op die -tyd in Oronoque verwagt wort, en hem met alle beleef- theyt • dit werk serieus voordraegen nevens de. , gevolgen die niet als ongelukkig A-oor haer wesen -^ konne, en syn antwoord alsdan afwagten om my naer te reguleeren. Ignace Courthial, die de vveg boven Cajoeni heeft gemaekt en nu naer boven Oronoque is om eenige hondert koebeesten en muyl ezels in te handelen, heeft my voor syn vertrek een brief getoont die by geschreven heeft om- met dit schip aen U. E. G. A. te senden, waer in eenige proposi- tien syn die my vry wat wonderlyk en wat op syn Gascons ingerigt voorkqmen. Ik heb hem myne ago a war having broken out between the Carib nation and that of the Warows, which is carried on very obstinately, it will stop their further progress, and possibly, if the Caribs obtain the upper hand, they may even be driven somewhat further off, without our having in the least degree to meddle therewith. I Avish, how ever, that if it were possible, I might know the proper boundaries. According to the testimony of old men and of the Indians, this jurisdiction should begin on the east at the Creek Abary, and extend westwards as far as the River Barima, where in old times a Post existed ; but these sayings give not the slightest certainty. # * ¦ * * A wanderer of the name of Pinet having gone up the River Cuyuni to obtain hammocks by barter with the Indians, was requested by me carefully to spy out the doiugs of the. Spaniards in that region — a duty for winch he is very well fitted because he understands the Carib language thoroughly, and is by no means destitute of intelligence.. He returned here on the 13th November, four months after his depar ture, and has made report to me that the Spaniards had not yet undertaken the building of any forts or Missions as had been their inten tion lower down, but that they cruelly ill-treated the Indians subject to us, continually taking them by surprise in their dwellings and carrying them off, with their wives and children, to send them to Florida ; that he had spoken to the Chief of the Spaniards, and had placed before his eyes the unfairness of this treatment, a» well as the consequences of it, but that the latter had replied that the Avhole of America belonged to the King of Spain, and that he , should do what suited himself, without troubling about us. Pinet also reported to me that the Indians were in the highest state of indignation ; that four of their Chiefs were on the point of coming down in order once more to come and complain. . to me, and that they had already sent knotted cords to all the Indian houses, Avhich is then- sign to meet on a certain day. Seeing that all my remonstrances and letters to the Spaniards are of no avail, and no redress is obtainable, I intend to tell the Chiefs of the: Indians when they come to me, that I can pro vide no redress for them, and that they must take measures for their own security. Then I feel assured that in a short time no Spaniard Avill be Visible any more abbve in Cuyuni. I have always, but with great difficulty, restrained them, and prevented all hostilities by fair pro- : mises; however, before we come to that, 1 will,- next month send once more a letter to the Governor of Cumana, who is expected at that; time in Orinoco, and explain this matter to. him seriously, with all courtesy, as Avell as thev consequences, which cannot but be disastrous for them, and then await his reply, in order to- govern myself thereby. Ignace Courthial, who has constructed fh& road above in Cuyuni, and uoav has gone up the Orinoco^for some, hundred cattle and. mules to import fur trade, before his' departure- showed me a letter which he-had written to be sent by: this ship to your Honours, wherein are some: proposals which appear to me somewhat sfcvange, . and to proceed. from, his Gascon ideas. i- 59 gedagten daer over -gesegt en geraden eenige poincten daer uyt te laeten, dog gelove niet hy sulx sal gedaen hebben. Die man is seer ondernement en in staet om de nieuwe Colonie van Demerary veel dienst te doen met daer eenige honderde koebeesten op te voeden waer door den handel der huyden daer veel voordeel soude kunne brengen, en ook landwaerts in de Plantinge van Toebak Cacao, &c„ seer verre te brengen. den grondslag van syn A-oornemen is wel gefondeert en hy is ook volkome in staet om het selve ter uytvoer te brengen waerom de Arryheyt neme dit als een saek die van groot nut en voordeel soude konne worden, II. E. G. A serieuse overweging aen te beveelen, en dat U. E. G. A de goetheyt gelieven te hebben my U. E. G. A. intentie per eerste geleengentheyt bekent te maken wijl hem hinne 5 a 6 maende te rug verwagten.de ben. I have told him my opinion thereon, and A advised him to leave out some points, but I believe he has not done so. The man is Very entcrprisiug, and in a posi tion to do much service to the new Colony of Demerara, by breeding there some hundreds of cattle for food, the traffic in hides from which will produce much profit, and also inland to advance very much the planting of tobacco, cocoa, &c. The basis of his undertaking is Well founded. and he is also quite in a position to perform the same, Avherefore I take the liberty of requesting your Honours' serious consideration of this as B a matter which will prove of great use and profit, and that your Honours will be pleased to have the goodness to make your intentions known by the first opportunity, because I expect him back again within five or six months. Inclosure in No. 248. Petition of Ignace 67. Courthial, Colonist in, Essequibo, to the West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), " August 18, 1748. A Messieurs les Directeurs de la Compie. d'Oc- To the Directors of the West India Company, cident en la Chambre de Middelbourg : Middelburg Chamber : C Messieurs: Quoi qu'il y ait plusieurs annees qu'on m'ait fait l'honneur de me donner entree en cette Collonie, je. ne suis votre vassal que depuis environ deux ans, et je ne me determinay a le devenir que apres ¦ avoir eu plusieurs conversa tions avec Mr, de Gravesande, notre Comrnandeur, au sujet de la religion Romaine que je professe. Cette liberte je la fais concister a avoir a perT petuite une'chapelle et un pretre pour la deservir a, mes frais et depens dans les deserts de Mayka et Maykony ; c'est le nom qu'on doit donner aux terrains sableux qui sont situe's entre la riviere de • Demerary et celle de Barbice puisqu'ils ne sont propres qu'a etre habites par des sauvages comme, ils le sont en effet, et a ellever des bestiaux. Dans ces terrains neantmoins que cette Collonie m'a-accordes, il s'y trouve certain preries, que nous appellons Savanes, qui jointes, a celles de Berbice qu'on m'a fait l'honneur de m'offrir, on peut en faire un etablissement tel que je me propose. Cet etablissement consiste a introduire soit par mer ou par terre suffisemment des betes a cornes des deux especes, a pouvoir en quelques annees par la multiplication de leur espece faire un hatte de douze a quinse mille bestiaux. # # * ' * Cette enterprise ne vous paroitra guere moins hardie, que celle que j'ai faite d'ouvrir et faire a mes frais et depens (ouvrage d'une Collonie) un chemin a travers des bois jusqu'alors inconnus. de 130 a 140 lieues jusque au vieux fort, et du dit jugqu'a Beufeic^pour "le Inoyen du' quel oh -peut ' avec une tres modique depence le perfectioner a pouvoir aller a cheval et avec 'des charges du Fort , Nazau de Berbice jusqu'au Perou — j'en ai fait plus de la morbid ¦ ¦ ' * # # * Les Espagnols: qui habitant, les extremites des Provinces de Coumac, Carraques, Marecaybo, et meme de Panpellone, ete. ceux qui habitent* celle de Cassanary .et meme. le Royaume de Sta. Fee, qui ne peuyent par le , grand trajet, les risques et obstacles transporter leurs effets a bord des inter lopes ifraneois, anglois, et hollandois, apporteront Gentlemen, — Although it is many years since I had the honour of being granted admittance to this Colony, I have been your subject since only about two years ago, and did not decide to become so before I had had numerous talks with Mr. van s Gravesande, our Commandeur, on the subject of the Roman Catholic religion, which I profess. > This liberty I deem to consist in having per-? manently, at my cost and expense, a chapel, with a priest for its service, in the deserts of Mahaica ]j and Mahaicony ; that is the name one ought to give to the sandy lands lying between the River- Demerary and, that of Berbice, since they are fit only to be inhabited by savages, as they actually are, and for raising cattle. Nevertheless, in these lands which this Colony has granted me, one finds certain meadows which we call savannahs. These, joined to those of Ber bice, which 1 have been honoured by having offered to me,, could be made into an establishment such as I have in mind. This establishment consists in the introduction, either by sea or by land, of enough horned cattle E of the two sorts to be able in a few years, by the multiplication of their kind, to form a stock-ranch of from 12,000 to 15,000 animals. * * * , * This enterprise will seem to ydu hardly less " daring than the one I have executed in opening and making at my cost and expense (an under- . taking for a Colony) a road across the forests, "until then unexplored, of 130 or 140 leagues, to the old .fort; and '.thence/. to., Berbice, by means whereof one can, at a very moderate expense, per fect it so as to be able to go on horseback and ,f with loads from Fort Nassau, in Berbice, as far as Peru— I have made more than half of: it'.' ' The Spaniards who dwell in the outskirts of the Provinces of Coumac, Caracas, Maracaybo, and even of Pampelona, and .those who dwell in that of Cassanary and even in the Kingdom of Santa Fe, who, on account of the great distance, the risks and obstacles, cannot transport their goods to the. ships of the Trench, . English,, and Dutch 60 A en cette collonie des qu'ils seront assures d'y trouver des assortimens franqois, anglois, et hollandois, par le moyen d'une infinite de rivieres navigables qui sortent de ces differentes provinces apporteront (dis je) leurs cuir, leurs cacao, leurs tabac, leurs doublons, et leurs piastres gourdes puisqu'ils trouveront en cette route beaucoup moins de risque ayant diverses routes a pouvoir eAdter les gardes qui voudront s'apposer a leurs comerce. Ce pronostic je le fonde sur l'experience meme, il est notoire a toutte cette collonie, que j'ai ete le premier que 1736 montay cette riviere et ayant -" erre plusieurs mois de rivierre en riviere je cle- couvris les embouchures de ces differentes rivieres et les apris aux Espagnols qui jusqu'alors les ignoroient et depuis ce tems la l'isle de la Marti nique et meme cette collonie commence trouver quelques avantages de mes decouvertes. Le Roi d'Espagne accorde des titres honoraires au particulier qui avec quelque petit present attire des bois quelques families sauvages pour en former un village qui devient par le niinistere d'un pretre p qu'on y place, ce qu'on apelle mission. 11 accorde, dis-je, des titres de Marquis, de Comte, et des gouvernements a celui qui fonde un bourg, une ville avec 25 a 30 families, seulement en foumissant a chaque famille une maison a l'Ameriquaine, ou chaumiere, le malle et femelle de chaque animal domestique. Je ne pretends pas par ce recit de donner des loix, ni obtenir rien' qui soit contre vos interets et contre vos usages et coutumes, puisque chaque etat se conduit par ses maximes, et comme il lui plait, mais seulement faire voir, que si mes pre- j) tentions paroissent en Hollande (d'oii j'ignore les coutumes) comme visionaires et extravagantes, elles seroient examinees en France et en Espagne et indubitablemt accordees comme utiles et raison- nables. C'est a vous, Messieurs, comme Seigneur de cette Collonie situee en 1'Amerique, de examiner si l'enterprise que j'ai l'honneur de vous proposer a-ous paroit de l'importance que je pretends vous la faire voir. Si elle vous paroit telle, je vous prie d'y donner vos attentions et de vouloir m'honorer d'une reponse. J'ai l'honneur d'etre ' avec tout le respect pos- E sible, Messieurs, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, I. G. COURTHIAL Isequebo, le 18 Aout, 1748. smugglers, will, as soon as they are sure of finding here French, English, and Dutch goods, bring to this Colony, by an endless number of navigable rivers which issue from those provinces, their leather, cocoa, tobacco, their doubloons, and their gross piastres, for they will find on this road much smaller risk, having many routes whereby to evade the guards who will try to oppose their commerce. This prediction I found upon experience itself. It is notorious to all this Colony that I was the first who, in 1736, ascended this river, and, having wandered for several months from river to river, I discovered the mouths of these different rivers and taught them to the Spaniards, who until then were ignorant of them ; and since that time the Island of Martinique and even this Colony are beginning to derive some advantage from my discoveries. * * * * The King of Spain grants titles of honour to the private individual who, by some small gift, draws from the forests a few Indian families to form a village, which becomes, through the ministry of a priest whom he places there, what is called a Mission. He grants, I say, the titles of Marquis and Count, and governments, to him who founds a town, a city, with 25 or 30 families, merely by furnishing to each a dwelling a V Ame'ricaine, or hut, with a pair of each sort of domestic animals. I do not seek by citing this precedent to lay down laws, or to obtain anything which may he contrary to your interests or to your usages and customs, since each State governs itself by its own maxims and as seems to it good, but only to show that, if my requests should be looked on in Holland (of whose customs I am ignorant) as visionary and extravagant, they would in France and in Spain receive examination, and, without doubt, be granted as useful and reasonable. It is for you, Sirs, as SoA^ereign of this Colony situate in America, to examine whether the enter prise which I have the honour to propose to you, seems to you so important as I seek to make it appear to you. If it so seem to you, I beg1 you to give it your attention, and to honour me with a reply. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, with all possible respect, your very humble and very obedient servant, (Signed) I. G. COURTHIAL. Essequibo, August 18, 1748. i E No. 249. Commandeur, Essequibo, to Directors' Committee of Ten, March 27, 1749. (Extract.) DAER soude somwijle nog mede wel eenig voordeel met de Spanjaerde van konne worde be- haelt, hoewel men daer soo veel mogelijk soro-e voor sal trachte te dragen, want menig Spanjaert komt en gaet uijt cle rivier sonder onder mijn gesgit te komen dat tegens alleregulenengebruijk is strijdencle, maer sulx door eenige voomaeme veroorsaekt wordende, en mede om de Spanjaerts niet af te schrikken heb ik dit tot nu toe wat door SOME profit ought at times to be made out of the Spaniards, and we shall endeavour to pay as much attention thereto as possible, for many Spaniards come and go out of the river without coming under my obseiwation: that is in breach of all rules and custom, but this occurring at the instance of some of the principal [planters], and also in order not to frighten away the Spaniards, I have until now 61 de vingere gesien, en den Posthouder van Maroco alleen gelast, mij altoos te adviseeren als eenige quamen nevens haere namen en aen wien gead dresseert, soo dat altoos daer van verwittigt ben. # * * # Op eene missive door mij aen den jegenswoor- dige Gouverneur van Comana geschreven Don Diego Tabares genaemt waer in omstandig over alle onse beswaernisse hebbe geredeneert soo hebbe in de maend Januarij laestlede antwoord van hem ontfangen in seer beleefde termen, waer in hij alles seer omstandig en verstandig beantwoord, en be- tuijgt tot onderhouding van goede nabuurschap be- reijt te weesen al wat in sijn vermogen en niet strijdig met de beveelen van sijn Souvereijn is te willen contribueeren. Heeft ook- aen den Com mandant in Oronoque bevoolen de sommen ge- proveniee'rt van twee slaeven van d'Ed. Comp. Indigo Plantagie gedeserteert en die daer sijn verkogt over te geven aen die geene die ik tot afhaelinge soude afsenden, als mede van de Ed. Comp. Visschers Canoa, betuijgende het selve met d'andere Qanoas niet te konne doen wijl daer koopmanschappen in gevonden waeren, Sijn Ed. Heeft mij door den Contadoor of Secretaris in Oronoque laete voorslaeu een Cartel te sluijten tot wederlevering van Avedersijds deserteurs waer over als nu in onderhandeling ben, Wijl hij gaere wilde dat wij de wegloopers persoonlijk en sij de prijs alleen soude overleveren ; verwagte dagelijks ant woord op mijne proposition, en sal trachten die saek als seer voorcleelig voor deese Colonie spoedig tot een goed eijnde te brengen. Ik sal den Post houder van Maroco (die jegenswoordig heel siek is i soo drae herstelt is naer Oronoque afsenden. B connived somewhat at this, and have only A ordered the Postholder of Moruka always to advise me when any come, stating their names, and to whom addressed, so that I am always informed thereof. * * * # Upon a despatch written by me to the pre sent Governor of Cumana, named Don Diego Tabarez, wherein I have circumstantially gone into our grievances, I, in January last, received a reply from him in very courteous terms, wherein he replies to everything very circum stantially and sensibly, and declares himself to be ready for the observance of good neigh bourship, and to be willing to contribute thereto in everything Avhich is in his power, and not contrary to the commands of his Sovereign. He has also ordered the Commandant of Orinoco to pay over the capital proceeds (arising from) two slaves, deserters from the Honourable Company's indigo plantation, which were sold there, to whomsoever I should send to fetch the same, as also the Honourable Com pany's fishing-canoe, declaring that he cannot give up the other canoes because they were found to contain merchantable goods. His Honour has made a proposal to me — through the Contador, or Secretary, of Orinoco — to conclude a Cartel for the restitution of deserters from either side, concerning which I am at present in negotiation, since he is willing to grant tliat we should deliver up' deserters bodily, but that they should restore the price alone. I expect every day a reply to my proposition, and shall try to bring the matter quickly to a fa\Tourable conclusion, as being very profitable for this Colony. I shall send the Postholder of Moruka, Avho is at pre sent very ill, to Orinoco as soon as he has J) recovered. C No. 250. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 29, 1749. NOIJT heeft eenig vaertuijg van Suriname hier komende iets van inkomende of van uijtgaende regten betaelt, hoewell alle cle Swervers die van daer gaen om Slaeven te handelen hier aenleggen, gaende alle naer Barime onder deese jurisdietie gelegen, tot groot Nadeel van d'ingesetenen alhier Wijl sij veel meer voor de Slaeven geven als wij gewoon sijn en du3 meest met alle doorgaen, en men hier haest geen meer kan bekomen. NEVER hath any vessel of Surinam coming here paid anything for dues, either on entering or leaving, although all the itinerant traders which go from there in order to, deal in slaves stop J] here, as all go to Barima, Avhiuh is situated under this jurisdiction, to the great prejudice of the inhabitants, because they pay far more for the slaves than Ave usually do, and thus mostly run away Avith all, and we here can scarcely obtain any more. No. 251. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 10, 1749. (Extract.) E ALS voor eerst een copije van een publicatie van den Marquis de Cailus, Gouverneur van Mar tinique, welke op het Eijland Tabago over al is aengeplakt en waer van het origineel door den Capiteijn Saijer, Commandeerende Sijne Brit- tanische Majesteijts Oorlogschip de Richmond, fG96— 2] INCLOSED is the copy of a Proclamation which has been placarded by the Marquis of Cailus, the Governor of Martinique, all over the Island of Tobago, the original of which was torn down there by Captain Sayer, commanding His Britannic Majesty's war -ship the " Rich- It 62 A aldaer is afgescheurt en mij is toegesonden door d'Hr. Gidney Clarke den 6 deser ontfangen waer in UEGA duijdelijk Sullen Sien het vaste voor- nemen der Franschen oin sig aldaer te vestigen het geen sij ook al redelijk wel werkstellig hebben gemaekt. Den tijtel die dien Marquis sig geeft van Gouver neur van de Vaste wal van de Rivier der Amazoonen tot de Rivier Oronoque (in welk district Suriname Berbices en de colonie gelegen Sijn) komt mij ook al wat wonderlijk voor hoewel aen den tijtel weij- nig gelegen is als het dadelijke be&it daer niet bij komt, en Soude hem den tijtel van Gouverneur Jj van Tabago Seer Avel gunnen, op de selfde manier als over deese drie colonien daer hij den tijtel en wij het besit hebben. mond," and sent to me by Mr. Gidney Clarke on the bth of this month, from which jour Lordships will plainly see that it is the firm intention of the French to establish themselves there — an intention which they have already fairly carried out. The title of " Governor of the Continent from the River Amazon to the River Orinoco " (in which district Surinam, Berbice, and this Colony are situated), which that Marquis gives himself seems to me someAvhatstrange, although the title itself is of little importance when it is not accompanied by immediate possession, and I would by no means grudge him the title of Governor of Tobago, in the same manner as that of these Colonies, where he has the title and we the possession. No. 252. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Essequibo, May 14, 1749. c E WAT het plan betreft van seekere Ignace Courthail, door UE., ter onser examinatie toege- zonden (dog nu maer onlangs onder eenige papieren uijt het schip " de Jalousie ") toegekomen, hebben wij na lectuure van dien, hetselve van dien aard en natuure bevonden, dat daerop wel eenig nader ondersoeck zal dienen te werden gedaan, en wij ook onse gedagten desweegens wel eens nader willen laten gaan, alvoorens eenige resolutie daerop te neemen, zijnde ons daerin wel voorgekomen eenige pointen, die hetselve soude schijnen smake- lijk te maaken, dog ook gelijk in sig te bevatten, diverse zaaken, welke hetselve in t'geheel inprac- ticabel, komen te maaken, wij hebben hierom ook reets een copie daervan verzonden, aan de praesi- diale kamer Amsterdam, zullende hetzelve buijten twijffel een nader object van deliberatie zijn, in de eerstvolgende vergaderingh van Thienen. AS for the plan of a certain Ignace Courthail [Courthial] wliich was sent by you for our exami nation (but which did not come to hand until recently among some papers from the ship " de Jalousie,") we have, after reading it, found it of such a nature that it may, indeed, be expedient to make some further examination of the matter and we also wish to give it a little further thought before we come to a resolution thereupon. We have found in it some points which would tend to make it attractive, but it also contains various things which would make it entirely impracticable. For this reason we have already sent a copy of it to the Presidial Chamber of Amsterdam, and it will doubtless be an object of further discussion in the next Session of the Ten. No. 253. E Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 8, 1749. (Extract.) GELIJK mede d'Eer hebbe hier nevens te Sende de Caerte deeser colonie, deselve is niet soo opgemaekt als wel gewenscht hadde, maer sulx is mij ondoenlijk geweest doordien geen verf nog pinceelen hadde sijnde alle die hadde door de kakkerlakken volkome geruijneert, en hadde Capt. I. Creij mij niet twee Slegte pinqeele.n bij geset, Soude in het geheel UEGA begeeren niet hebbe konne voldoen. Het is of d'Oronoqsche negotie sedert eenigen tijd gestremt is, uijl daer sedert de vreede soo veel Fransche vaertuijgen sijn gekomen, dat alles soo met goederen is vervult dat seer weijnig voor onse ingeseten te doen is. De post in Maroco door het overlijde van J: De Scharde vacant sijnde geworden, heb ik daer gestelt den Posthouder van Maijkony Jan Stoete, die sijn dienst op laestgemelte Post wel heeft waergenomen, en in desselfs plaets in Maijkony Stephanus Iske geweese bergwerker en nu laest Bijlegger op de Brandwacht, daer nu geen Bijlegger AT the same time, I have the honour to send herewith the Map of the Colony. It is not so well made as I wished, but that was impossible, because I had no colours or pencils ; all that I had being entirely ruined by black-beetles. If { Captain Creij had not placed at my service two indifferent pencils, I should have been entirely unable to fulfil your Honours' instructions. It is as if the Orinoco trade had been at a standstill for some time past, for, ever since the peace, so many French ships ha\e come there that everything is so glutted with wares, that very little chance is left for our colonists. The Post in Moruka "having become vacant hy the death of J. de Scharde, I have placed there. the Postholder of Mahaicony, Jan Stoete, who has done good service at the latter Post, and in his place in Mahaicony Stephenus Iske, formerly a miner, and of late assistant at the lighthouse, where no assistant is longer needed, the man in 63 meer nodig is, konnende clen Gezaghebber het nu wel alleen af, Hoope dit UEGA. goetkeuring sal erlangen. Hebbende den Gouverneur vanComana aengesch- revendat indien voortgevaerenwier'dmethet dessein om een mission aen de Ri vier van Cajoenij aen te leg- gen,ikgenootsaektSoude weesen mij daerkragtdadig tegens te opponeeren, heeft mij geantwoord dat sulx buijte sijn kennis (niet het aenlegge van de Nieuwe maer de plaets), was en dat sulx geen voortgank soude hebben, gelijk ook werkelijk niets daer aen is gedaen op de Caert Sullen UEGA die plaets aengetekent vinden, als mede die van de reets aengelegde. Ik hebbe in geen ses maende In diaenen van die kant vernome soo dat niet regt wete hoe het daer toegaet. Gelijk UEGA mede op deselfde sullen aengete kent vinden boven in de Rivier Essequebo in de Kreek Sijperouni een Brandenden berg dit jaer door den jegenswoordige Posthouder aldaer Ondekt, Welke alsdoen met een groot ongemak aen sijn ooge gequelt Sijnde genootsaekt was Aveder af te komen, maer voornemens is op het eijnde deses jaers daer weder naer toe te gaen om alles nauw- 'keurig op te nemen dTndiaenen seggen dat deselve al sedert een Iaer of ses continueel heeft beginne te branden en steenen op te werpen, sijnde daer ten hoogste voor bevreest en meest alle van daer omtrent geritireert. Van de weggeloopene Slaeven van den nieuwen aenleg, waer van d'eer hebbe gehadt UEGA te verwittigen sijn vijf wederom gevangen en opge- bracht, maer de twee nog manqueerende welke de belhamels waeren sijn door de Caraibesche In diaenen dood geslaegen door welke den laest opgebragte mede gequetst is dog niet van belang, hebben sig naer alle apparentie te weer wille stellen, om niet gevangen te worden, Wete de omstandigheden nog niet, doordien voorschreve Indiaenen nog niet op sijn gekomen. command being now able to attend to it alone. I A hope this may be approved by your Honours. Haying, Avritten to- the Governor of Cumana that, if he persisted in the design of founding a Mission in the River Cuyuni, I should be obliged to oppose myself thereagainst effectually, he has replied to me that such was without his knoAv- ledge (not the founding of the new [Mission], but the site), and that it should not be pro gressed with, as in reality nothing has been done. On the map your Honours will find the place marked, as also the site of the one already established. For six months I have seen no B Indians from that side, so that I do not accu rately know how matters go on there. Your Honours will also find marked on it above in the Essequibo River in the Creek Siparuni an active volcano, which Avas dis covered there by the present Postholder of Arinda a year ago, which, as he was then afflicted with a great pain in his eye, he was compelled again to come aAvay from, but his intention is at the close of the present year to go there again, in order to observe eA^erything carefully. The Indians say that about six p years ago it began to burn continually, and to ^ cast out stones. They are excessively afraid of it, and almost all have retired from there about. Of the runaway slaves from the new plan tation, of which I had the honour to inform your Honours, five have been brought back again as prisoners, but two are still wanting who Avere the ringleaders, these having been slain by the Carib Indians, by Avhom also the hist one brought in was wounded, but not of any consequence. They have to all appearance AVished to resist, in nrder not to be taken pri- t\ soners. I don't yet know the circumstances, as the aforesaid Indians have not yet arrived. No. 254. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, November 20, 1749. (Extract.) DE ondekkingen door de Spanjaerden in onse nabuurschap in den jaare 1748 gedaan en waer van (niet tegenstaande op leeven s'traf verbode) een copije van de caerte hebbe weete te bekomen konnen mede van geen gering voordeel voor ons weesen sijnde nu eijndelijk dat beruchte Meijr van Parima daer soo veel voor en tegen geschreven van veele voor waerheijt van andere voor Fabulen, gehouden ondekt en gevonden, en self volgens de Caerte onder onse Jurisdictie gelegen. De infor- taatien die ik naderhand van de vrij Indianen ge nomen hebbe, hebben mij overtuijgt die caert regt en wel door Jesuiten opgenomen is die op die togt met een officier en 40 soldaten sijn geweest. E THE discoveries made in our neighbourhood by the Spaniards in the year 1748, a copy of the map whereof (notwithstanding its being prohibited on pain of death) I have been able to obtain cognizance of, is also of no small advantage for us — that notorious Sea of Parime, of which so much has been written for and against, by many believed to exist, by others held as a fable, having now at last been dis covered and found, and even, according to the map, situated within our jurisdiction. The information which I have obtained sur reptitiously from the free Indians convinces. E me that the map has been accurately and well drawn up by the Jesuits, who formed that expedition, with an officer and forty soldiers. 64 No. 255. Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of an Ordinary Session of the Court of Justice, held at the Fort Zeelandia, in the Rio Essequibo. A 5 en 6 Januarij, 1750. VERVOLGENS heeft zijn WelEd Gestr [den Heer Commandeur] te kenne gegeven, dat eenige Caribesen uijt de Rivier Masseroeny quaemen klagen over den ingezetenen Pieter Marchal dewelke daerop binnen gelaeten, en door den versogte tolk Bastiaan Christiaansen ondervraegt sijnde, hun beswaerden over gemelten Marchal zeggende dat deselve hen na vier maenden lang met hunne wijven had doen werken sonder eenige betalinge te geven, dat wanneer hen van hunne woningen haelde gezegt had daertoe ordre Aran den WelEd: Gestr: Heer Commandeur te hebben. De beschuldigde hierover gehoort zijnde, ontkent ,, alles en is hem scherpelijk aengezegt de Indiaenen aldaer ongemollesteert bij hunne vrijheden te laeten, en voor haer gedaende diensten behoorlijk te voldoen. De klagten over gelijke mishandelingen van Pieter de Bakker aen de Caribsen door dheer Pijpersbergh geconfirmeert wordende sal geme: Pieter de Bakker daerover worden gecorrigeert. January 5 and 6, 1750. HIS Honour [the Commandeur] further stated that some Caribs from the River Massaruni were come to complain of the colonist Pieter MarchaJ, they were thereupon admitted, and being examined by the interpreter, Bastiaan Christaansen, made their complaints concerning the said Marchal, saying that he had made them and their wives work for nearly four months without giving them any payment, and that when he had fetched them ' from their dwellings he had told them that it was by the orders of his Honour the Commandeur. The accused having been heard upon this denies everything, and is sharply admonished to leave the Indians there unmolested in their liberties, and to duly pay them for their services rendered. The complaints concerning similar iU-treatment of the Caribs by Pieter de Bakker being confirmed by Mr. Pypersbergh, the said Pieter de Bakker is to be reprimanded. D E No. 256. Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, January 10, 1750. (Extract.) E U. E. G. A. is bekent clat in eener mijner voor- gaende d'eer hebbe gehad U.- E. G. A. kennisse te; geven van de ongepermitteerde en onverant- Avoordelijke handelingen van eenige onser swer vers boven in de Rivier Essequibo welke deede vreesen de natien aldaer tot Avederwraek genoopt Souden worden, wat devoiren ook hebbe aenge- went hebbe noijt bewijs den regte genoeg sijnde konne bekomen, om eenige derselve naer ver- dienste te konne laete Straffen, Waerom over- tuijgt sijnde van deregtmatigheijtder Indiaensche klagten ik die rivier geslooten en den handel aen een ijgelijk aldaer verbode hebbe. Daer naer ben ik door den Raed van Justitie genootsaekt gewor- den dien handel weder onder sekere conditien open te Stellen hoewel ik genoegsaem geremon- streed hebbe het gevaer dat daer "uijt te wachteu was. Nu is het eijndelijk gekomen dat mijne vorseg- ginge bewaerhijt sijn geworden, hebbende eene van die Swervers met name Jan Stok (een Brutael, en Godloos Mensch) volgens eenparige rapporten op een gruwelijke wijs aldaer huijsgehouden Vergeselschapt met een party Oronoqsche Caribes de natien onse Vrienden digt bij de Post Arinda geattaqueert de mans' dood laete slaen de wijven en kindere weg genomen als Slaeven al de brood- tuijnen gernineert en meer andere ongehoorde saeken uijtgevoert, met een Avoord deselve tot' deiperatie gebragt voornemens sijnde wraek daer over te nemen, soo dat dandere swervers die noo- boven sijn in tuijterste levensgevaer sijn en de plantagien boven in Essequibo gevaer loopen om afgeloopen te worden, Waerom ook den Directeur van de plantagie Oosterbeek (nu St. Jan) af is YOUR Honours know that in one of my' previous despatch esl had the honour to give your Honours information of the intolerable and inex cusable dealings of some of our itinerant traders above in the River Essequibo, which caused me to fear that the nations there would be induced to revenge themselves. Whatever means I employed I have never been able to obtain proof which was sufficient for a Court so as to be able to punish any of them according to their deserts. Wherefore, being convinced of the justice ot the Indians' complaints, I closed the river, and forbade individuals trading there. Subsequently I was compelled by the Council of Justice again to throw the trade open under certain conditions, although I sufficiently demonstrated the danger that was to be expected therefrom. Now, finally, it has come to pass that my. prophecies have been confirmed, as one of those itinerant traders, by name Jan Stok, an insolent and godless man. according to unanimous report committed horrible enormities there. Accom panied by a party of Orinoco Caribs, he attacked the nations our friends close by the Post Arinda, caused all the men to be killed, and carried the Avomen and children aAvay as slaves, ruined all the provision gardens, 'and perpetrated many othSr unheard of- things. In a Avord, they have made the Indians des perate, who intend to take vengeance therefor, so that the other traders who are still up the river are in extreme peril of life, and the plantations up the Essequibo run the risk of being deserted. On this account the Director 65 gekomen om adsistentie in cas van noot te ver soeken. In mijne reijs die naer boven gedaen hebbe. hadde al een party Acuweijsche Indianen bij mij gehadt om Haere klagte doen, maer nog het vier- de part niet vernomen, hebbe als doen voors. Jan Stok self geordonneert voor de Courts vergadering den 5 deeser te compareeren welke ordre hij niet heeft geobedieert waer van rapport in de verga dering gedaen hebbende en den Posthouder van Arinda gehoort sijnde nevens andere, is Appre- hensie Corporeel tegens hem gedecerneert en de. Vaendrig is met een sergeant en vier man af gesonden om hem waer dat gevonden wert te vatten en gevankelijk hier te brengen, Sullende den 19 deser een extra ordinaire vergadering hier over worde gehouden. Ik hebbe aenstonds de natien hier van laete verwittigen en haer voldoeninge laete belooven, met versoek om haere hoofden af te senden, om self present te weesen, dat eenige reets hebben aengenomen, maer sommige sijn soo ver afgelege en soodanig door vreese verspreijt dat nog niet gewaerschouwt hebbe konne worden geloove echter dat soo drae sy het gevange nemen van dien man vernemen, sij wel tot bedaeren sullen komen. Om eehter alle verdere onheijlen voor te koomen (want een oorlog met die volkeren was de ruine van cle Colonie) soo denke het beste soude weesen (U. E. G. A. sulx goetvindende) dat U. E. G. A. geliefde den Indiaenschen handel in de Rivieren Essequibo, Masseroeny, en Cajoeny volstrekt tot nader ordre te verbieden hoope binnen eenige maende d'Eer te sullen hebben U. E. G. A. mondeling verslag te doen, waerom mij niet omstandig over deese saek sal uijt- breyden. of the plantation Oosterbeek (now St. Jan), has A come down in order to ask assistance in case of need. In my journey which I made up the river I was already visited by a party of Akawois Indians to make their complaints, but did not yet learn one-fourth part of them. I then summoned the aforesaid Jan Stok to appear before the Session of the Court on the 5th instant, which order he hath not obeyed, whereof report having been made to the Session, and the Postholder of Arinda having been heard with others, a warrant of arrest was ordered against him, and the ensign and a sergeant and -" four men were sent to arrest him, wherever he may be found, and bring him in custody here. An extraordinary Session for this matter will be holden on the 19th of this month. I have immediately caused the natives to be informed of this, and caused them to be promised satisfaction, with a request to send their Chiefs, so that they may be personally present. This some have already assented to, but some lie so far off, and are so scattered through panic, that I have not yet been able to warn them. I believe, however, that as soon as rt they learn of the arrest of this man they will quite return to calmness. However to obviate all further misfortunes (for a war Avith the natives Avould be the ruin of the Colony), I think it would be best (with your Honours' approval) that your Honours should be pleased to prohibit until further orders traffic with the Indians on the Rivers Essequibo, Massaruni, and Cuyuni. I hope within a feAv months to have the honour to make a verbal report, and therefore I will not enlarge further upon this matter. D No. 257. The Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, June 8, 1750. (Extract.) JACOB FRIDRICH MUSHACK, uijtlegger op U. E. G. A. Handelplaets, Arinda, boven Essequibo, is in het begin van April afgekomen, voor d'Ed. Compagnie mede brengende drie Indiaensche Ingehandelde slaeven, te weten een man, een wijff, eu een jongen, die ik bij provisie op de plantagie Duynenburg heb geplaetst en dewijl den bijlegger, Pieter Leenderse, van daer seer ziek is afgebragt en den voorn : Mushak mij heeft gevraegt, om als bijlegger in desselfs plaets te moge hebben den Constabel Jan Jacob Steijner, die daer om insgelijx versoekende, heb ik sulx geaccordeert, en vervolgens in zijn plaets, tot con stabel aengestelt den solclaet, Bartholomeus Can- tineaux. * * * * Jan Dudonjon een canno, onder 't opzigt van den persoon van Adriaan Christiaansen, mede naer de Varimas, gesonden hebbende, heeft het ongeluk gehad in 't afkomen door de Spanjaerden genomen, en in Orinocque aen 't Casteel van Guiana opgebragt te worden. JACOB FRIEDRICH MUSHACK, Post- holder at Arinda, up in Essequibo, came down in the beginning of April bringing for the Honourable Company three Indian slaves whom E he had bouglrt — namely, a man, a woman, and a boy, and whom I have provisionally placed on the plantation Duynenburg, and as the Assistant, Pieter Leenderse, has been brought from there very ill, and the aforesaid Mushack has asked me to let him have Jan Jacob Steyner, the constable, in the place of the latter as Assistant, I have granted him his request', and have appointed in the constable's place the soldier, Bartholomeus Cantineaux. Jan Dudonjon having also sent a canoe to the -^ Barinas, in charge of Adrian Christiansen, has had the misfortune to have it captured on the return journey by the Spaniards and taken to the Castle of Guayana in Orinoco. [696—2] S 66 No. 258.. Proceedings of the West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), 1750; including the Report on the Colony of Essequibo submitted in person by the Commandeur, June 22, 1750. (Extract.) B Maanclag den 12 Junij 1750. MET de hier voorengem. bodem de Goude Spoor alhier weezende g'arrivt. — de Commandeur Laurens Storm van 's Gravezende, en sig huijden morgen aen deze vergaderinge sig hebbende laten aeri- dienen, zoo heeft dezelve met goedvinden van de Leeden binnengestaan, dewelke op verzoek van den heer President zijn plaats genoomen hebbende heeft na gedane zegenwensingen over haar Ed Agtb. perzoonen en familien, ter tafel van de ver gaderinge overgelegt, desse[l]fs sehriftelijke me- niorie of raport inhoudende, deels, den tegens- woordige staadt van de Colonie van Essequebo, en deels, desselfs project tot redres, en verbeteringe van diversse zaaken aldaar .... Monday, June 12, 1750. "; THE Commander Laurens Storm van 's Grave: sande having arrived here by the aforesaid ship "de Goude Spoor," and having sent in his name this morning to this Chamber, he was, with the . ap proval of the members, admitted, and when he nad taken a seat, by invitation of the President, and had greeted the members, he laid before the Chamber his written Memorial or Report, setting forth both the present state of the Colony of Essequibo and his plans for the correction and improvement of various matters there Verslag van den Commandant [sic] Laurens Storm van 's Gravezande. Report of the Commandant Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande. I) De brandwagt is door den swaren slag van het water weggespoelt moetende op een andere plaets verlegt worden op d Ed. Comp. handelplaetsen is mede jegenswoordig wel, zijnde deselve met goede posthouders voorsien die op Arinda boven in Essequebo heb ik ordre gegeven om vier dagrey- C sens hoger te versetten aen de kreek Ripenouni sijnde de regte passagie voor de natien die van boven Orinocque en Corentijn door het komen, om hogerop te handelen of te oorlogen. Hierdoor soude de colonie in een florissante en met vervolg van tijden in een formidabelen staet geraken en de binnelanden (die onbekent zijn) ontcleckt en gecul ti veer t worden konnen de de lande- rijen, die langs de river leggen gegeven worden tot cultuure van de suijker eh rijsten de binnen- landen Aroor de andere gewassen waerdoor sonder twijffel vele ondeckinge gedaen soude konne worden die tot groot nut en voordeel soude konne streeken waertoe niet als aen bequame en neer- stige menschen ontbreekt sijnde het een schande (als het segge mag) voor de Nederlanders dat twee natien die in naerstigheijt bij haer niet te zijn vergelijken mene de Portugeesen en Spanjaarden ter regter en ter linker rijde van dese colonien gelegen en welke onder soo harde jae -slaefse regeeringe zijn sugtende besitters van soo veele schatten en soovoorspoedig in hare ontdekkingezijn. Tot dusdanige onderneminge zoude men voor- -p erst met gene te grote getal teffens moeten beginnen 20 a 25 familien zoude vooreerst genoeg weesen en deese een jaer of dri daer zijnde geweest en clus in 'staet om andere te onderregten en behulpsaem te weesen zoude met groter getal vervolgt konne worden. De reden dat zoo weijnig ontdeckt is omdat de oude ingesetene door een ingewortelcle gewoonte en d'inboorlingen door een aengeborene onver- schilligheijt : zoodanig by haer oude manier blijven dat niets jae selfs de overtuijgenste redeneringe haer daer niet af konne brengen en niets ter warelt haer tot enige nieuwe onderneming kan E brengen wordende geen ijverige en ondernemende menschen onder haer gevonden. The lighthouse has been washed away by the heavy swell of the water, and must be transferred to another place. At the Company's trading- places everything is at present well, they being provided with good Postholders. The one at Arinda up in Essequibo I have ordered to be transferred to four days' journey higher at the creek Rupununi, this being the direct route of the tribes who come from up in Orinoco and Corentyn and pass through the country to trade or make war higher up. * * * * Hereby* the Colony would attain a flourishing and, in course of time, a formidable state, and the interior (which is " unknown) could be explored and cultivated, the lands which lie along the river devoted to growing sugar and rice, and those in the interior to other crops, by which many discoveries could doubtless be made which would bring great utility and profit. For this nothing is lacking but able and industrious people, and it is a shame (if I may use the word) for the Dutch, that two nations not to be compared with them for industry, namely, the Portuguese and the Spaniards, who are situated at the right and the left of these colonies, and who are groaning under so hard, even slavish, a rule, are owners of so many treasures and so fortunate in their discoveries. For such an undertaking we ought to begin, at first, with not too large a number at one time : 20 to 25 families would be enough at first, and, when these had been there for some three years and thus were able to teach and help others, we „ might go on with larger numbers. M The reason why so little has been discovered is jj that the old settlers through rooted habit and ' those born in the colony through an inborn in difference, so strongly cling to their old way that nothing, not even the convincing reasoning, can tear them away from it, and nothing in the world can induce them to any new undertaking, there being among them no industrious and enterprising persons. ----- - * I.e., by the introduction of more settlers. 67 4e Articul. De limiten van het territoir van Ed. Comp. -diende nootsakelijk geweeten te worden om sig met succes te konne stellen tegens de continueele aennaderinge der naburige Spanjaerden welke indien _ niet gestuijt worden ons eijndelijk rom- tom [sic] sullen insluijten en die. onder pretext van hare missien of zendinge uijt te zetten zig op alle plaetsen versterken en welke men niet opentlijk tegen durft staen doordien cle limiten onbekent zijn hetwelk seer gemakkelijk te doen soude weesen door middel van de Caraibische natie hare geswoorrene vijanden gelieve UE. G. A. de hierbij gevoegde caerte door de Spanjaerden selfs op- gemaekt en van de hare gecopieert hierop na te zien. Article IV. It is necessary that the limits of the Company's A territory shoidd be known, in order successfully to oppose the continual approach of the neigh bouring Spaniards, who, if they are not checked, will at last shut us in on all sides,, and who, under pretext of establishing their Missions, are fortifying themselves everywhere. And, because the limits are unknown, we dare not openly oppose them as might very easily be clone, by means of the Carib nation, their sworn enemies. Please study in this connection the accompanying map, drawn up by the Spaniards themselves and copied from theirs. * * * * B 6de Articul. De menigvuldige en wel gegronde klagten die door de Spanjaerden worden gedaen wegens de afbreuck •die haer door cle Caraibische natie wort gedaen verdienen wel de oplettentheijd van UrE. G. A. niet om die reden alleen van de schade die de Spanjaerde kome cle lijden wijl sij door haer harde en onregtvaeraige handelingen daer reden toe geven maer om de nootschikkelijke gevolgen die in het vervolg van tijden over de colonie zoude konne. komen sijnde het de alderuijterste onvoorzigtigheijt van cle eoloniers alleen door een onbetamelijke winsigt [sic] aangedreven dat zij die oorlogsugtige natie die sonder tegenspraak de dapperste en talrijkste natie van dese kust is de wapenen selfs in de hanclen geven die in het ver volg tot haer eijgen verderf soude konnen strecken, ik wil seggen het schietgeweer kruijd en loodt dat haer in ruijling van slaven soo menigvuldig wordt gegeven de flauwe uijtvlugt die genome word dat het maer slegte carguasoenen geweeren sijn, is gantsch niet voldoende want behalven dat onder de carguasoen geweren al verscheijde goede worden gevonden soo heeft die behandeling reets zoo veel uijtgevoert dat cle grote schrik welke de natien bevorene voor dat geweer hadden meest verdweenen is, dat al heel slegt is, waerom het ten uijterste nootzakelijk soude weesen dat dien handel absoleut verboden wierd en dat onder :.sware poenen. Nogtans dient geeonsidereert dat indien dit verbod sig alleen over de colonien van Essequebo en Dimerarij uijtstreekte dit veel schade aen de •eoloniers soude veroorsaecken sonder enigsints aen het oogmerk te voldoen wijl. door de naburige ¦colonien in veel groter getal worden verhandelt. De swervers van Suriname die d'Ed. Comp. handelplaets in Wacquepo. en Maroco moeten pas seeren en die Indiaenschen handel al veel bedor- ven hebben zijn daer altijdt rijkelijk van voorsien. Den moetwil van de swervers of ^handelaers bo[ven] Essequebo dienden ook kragtdadig in- getoomt te worden alsoo de natien daer seer door worden verbitterd die moetwil gaet soo verre dat verschijde sig niet en ontsien met enige natien tegens andere ten oorlog te trecken ook haer seer mishandelen menigmael vrije met sig slepen en als slaven verkopen en d'lndiaense wijven mis- bruijken waardoor in den jure 1747 de swervers G. Gorits en J. Bannink door de Indianen sijn vermoort sommige vergeven worden, andere hebben moeten vlugten, welke moetwilligheden door den regter niet naar behoren konnen worden gestraft wijl altoos bewijsen den regten genoeg sijnde Article VI. The frequent and well-founded complaints which the Spaniards make of the damage done to them by the Carib nation well deserve your Honours' attention, not only on account of the damage which the Spaniards suffer, for by their harsh and unjust dealings they give cause for this, but on account of the inevitable consequences Q which in course of time might befall the Colony. For it is the height of imprudence in the colonists that, urged on solely by an unworthy thirst for gain, they themselves put into the hands of that warlike nation, Avho beyond dispute are the bravest and most numerous on this coast, the weapons which in future may bring about their own destruction — -I mean the fire-arms, powder, and ball so often given them in exchange for slaves. The meagre excuse to which they resort, namely, that these are only bad trade guns, is far from satisfactory, for not only are good ones some times found among the trade guns, but this D dealing has already brought about this result, that the great terror which the tribes formerly had of such weapons has almost disappeared, which is in itself a bad thing. Wherefore it should be deemed of the greatest importance that that trade be absolutely prohibited, and that under heavy penalties. It must further be considered that if this pro hibition extended only to the Colonies of Essequibo and Demerara, this would cause much damage to the colonists, without , in any way answering the E purpose, for a much greater number are sold by the neighbouring Colonies. The itinerant traders from Surinam, who have to pass the Company's trading place in Wacquepo and Moruka, and have already greatly damaged that Indian trade, always have an ample supply of them. The wantonness of the rovers, or traders, up in Essequibo should also be forcibly restrained, for by it the tribes are greatly embittered. The wantonness goes so far that certain of these do not hesitate even to go with some tribes to make war upon others, or greatly to maltreat them, -n, often carrying off free people and selling them as slaves, and abusing the Indian women. Hence it was that in the year 1747 the rovers G. Gorits and J. Bannink were murdered by the Indians, some others poisoned; and others forced to flee. These wanton deeds cannot be punished by the Judge as they deserve, for legal proof is always wanting ; moreover, the Indians are not believed, 68 ontbreken ook d'Indiaensen geen geloof wordende gegeven en de geleedeerde Indianen te veere afwoonende en d'Europeesche colonien nooijt gesien hebbende durve niet afkomen om te klagen, al wierd dien handel boven in Essequebo verboden soude geen nadeel aan de colonie toebrengen wijl die menschen sig dan tot een ander en nuttiger koswinning soude begeven en de Caraibische natie dog slaven genoeg soude brengen, bovendien konden sig na de kant van Orinoque begeven. L. STORM van s' GRAVESANDE. Middelburgh, den 19 Junij 1750. B and the Indians Avho have been maltreated dwelling too far away, and having never seen the European Colonies, dare not come down to com plain. Even if this trade up in Essequibo were prohibited, this would cause no damage to the Colony, for those people would then turn to some other and more useful means of livelihood, and the Carib nation would still bring slaves enough. Besides, they could betake themselves in the- direction of Orinoco. (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. Middelburg, June 19, 1750. No. 259. Report of the Committee on the Commandeur 's Report, M.onday, Jidy 27, 1750. (Extract.) DAT de verplaatsinge Aran de handelplaats Arinda door den Commandeur (om redenen bij zijne memorie gemeld) geschied, en als meer avantagieus voor de negotie ook zijnde, vermeijn- Q den, dat behoorde te werden g'approbeerdt en goedgekeurt, en voorts de verschikking of verleg- ging van de brand wagt en verdere handelplaats gelaten aan de directie van den Commandeur 's Gravezande. D De bepaalinge cler limiten een object zijnde van de attentie van Zijne Hoogheid aan wien deswee- gens zeeker caartje, bij des Commandeurs memorie gemelt, door denzelven was overhandigt geworden, vermeijnden heeren Commissarissen, dat desselfs hooggedagte advijs, daarop zoude behooren te werden afgewagt. * * * * Dat verder zij heeren Commissarissen oordelden, dat de winkel A'an de Compe aldaar wederom in train behoorde te werden gebragt, insonderheijd wanneer eenige nieuwe colonisten derwaarts zouden werden getranspoorteert, als niet alleen in dat cas, aldaar ten uijtersten necessair tot gerief van A'oorn. colonisten voor derselver behoeftig- heeclen, maer ook ten aenzien van de meerdere accresserende Spaanse negotie, niet buijten ap- parentie zijnde, van dat met dezelve een redelijk voordeel sal connen werden gedaan, vooral zoo wanneer g'effectueert con worden, dat de Span- E jaerden, niet sooals tot nu toe meest is geschied, bij de particuliere booven aan de river woonende, sig met hunne waaren en negotie goederen, quamen optehouden maar daarmede meerder na beneeden en tot aan het fort toe quamen ; om welk oogmerk te bereijken, bij eene resolutie zoude connen werden g'ordonn[eer]t clat niemant wie hij zij in de rivier zoude mogen coomen, veel min sig aldaer ophouden, tenzij hij sig zelf alvorens addresseere aen den Commandeur aldaer om van denselven, verlof te versoeken van zig, voor een zeekeren bepaalden tijt in de rivier te mogen ophouden en daarby tegelijk ook ver- booden, aan alle ingezeetenen, van geene vremde- lingen zonder het voorsz. verlof en concent van den Commandeur, langer dan een nagt te mogen logeren of eenige huijsvesting te verschaffen op zeekere daartoe te stellen paene soo bij d'een als andere contravenieerende te verbeuren. E THAT the removal of the trading-place Arinda,. which has taken place at the instance of the Commandeur (for the reasons set forth in his Memorial), it being also more advantageous for trade, should be approved, and, furthermore, that the transposition or transfer of the lighthouse and the other trading-places be left to the direction of the Commandeur 's Gravesande. The determining of the limits being an object of His Highness' attention, to whom in this connec tion a certain small map, mentioned in the Com- mandeur's Memorial, had been handed by him, the Committee was of opinion that his advice thereon should be awaited. That, furthermore, they, the members of the Committee, were of opinion that the Company's shop there should again be started especially if some new colonists, were to be sent thither, because not only would it in that case be extremely necessary for supplying the needs of those colonists, but also in view of the increasing Spanish trade, it was not unlikely that a reason able profit might be made by it, especially so if it could be brought about that the Spaniards no longer, as heretofore, has usually happened, tarried with their wares and articles of trade among the private settlers living up the river, but came with them farther down and as far as to the fort. To attain this end, a resolution might be passed that no one whatsoever should be allowed to come into the river, much less make a stay there, unless he beforehand addressed himself to the Commandeur there, and asked him for permission to stay in the Colony for a stipulated period, and that at the same time all inhabitants should also be forbidden, without the aforesaid permission or consent of the Commandeur, to lodge or afford any shelter to strangers for more than one night, on penalty of a certain fine to be imposed for violation of either rule. 69 No. 260. Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 8, 1750. (Extract.) DEN Heer Commandeur mij bij desselfe vertrek te kennen gegeven hebbende, dat berigt was, cle Spanjaerden hier seer naebij, een Nieuwe Mission, begonden aen te leggen, en dat het nodig was daer op te Letten; heb ik mij hier over nauwkeurig geinformeert door den Ingesetenen Fredrik Persik, die in persoon derwaerts is geAveest, en de meeste ommegang met de Spanjaers heeft, deselve heeft my versekert dat de Laeste Mission, die aengelegt wort, is, Seker Riviertie Imataca genaemt, nog verre in Orinocque gelegen, en 't welke (mijns bedunkens) direct verbuijten de bemoeijnis deser Colonie is. En Concernerende die dewelke, men Segt, boven in de Rivier Cajoene, aengelegt zijn, ben ik onderrigt, dat deselve vrij nader aen de zijde van Spaensche, als ons Territoir zijn, ik heb om opgemelte redenen, het van mijn pligt geoor- deelt, U. E. G. A. hier van rapport te moeten doen. De voorsz : Persik heeft mij ook kennis gegeven, dat cle Paters boven in Orinocque, seer genegen Waeren, op dese Colonie een Negotie met koe- beesten te beginnen, dewelke zij (daer toe permissie konnende bekomen) te Lande, Souden Transporteren soo dese permissie gevraegd wort, en clen Heer Commandeur nog afwesig is, Sal ik deselve Weijgeren, tot dat U. E. G. A. Sullen hebben gelieven, daer in de nodige ordres te stellen om dewelke versoeke bijdesen ; aen de eene kant zoude dit tot opbeuringe en aenquekinge der Negotie, seer Contribueren, maer aen de andere kant soude het een veijlige en open Weg, om niet te Spreken van de tyden van oorlog, Wesen, voor de Slaeven, die van dese Colonie, souden komen Weg te Loopen, ten zij daer op een goede Post wierde gestelt; hebbe dit om der Consequentie Wille, gedagt aen U. E. G. A. eenvoudig te moeten voorstellen, ten Eynde het deselve behaegen moge, daer over soo daenig te delibereren als U. E. G. A. naer derselver hoge Wijsheijcl, Convenabelst Sullen oordelen, vertrouwende, dat den Heer Comman deur in Persoon bij U. E. G. A. Synde, daer van mede Wel Sal gesnroken hebben. THE Commandeur at his departure gave me A to understand that there Avas information that the Spaniards had begun to construct a new Mission close by here, and that it was necessary to pay attention thereto. I have carefully informed myself about it through the colonist Frederik Persik, who in person has gone thither, and has the greatest intercourse with the Spaniards. He has assured me that the last Mission which is being constructed is in a certain little river called Imataca, situated far off in Orinoco, and which (in my opinion) is directly far outside the concern of this Colony. ^ And concerning that which are said to have been constructed up in the River Cuyuni, I am instructed that they are very much nearer to the side of the Spanish than to our territory. I have, for reasons aforesaid, judged it to be my duty, to make a report thereof to your Honours. Persik aforesaid has also informed me that the Fathers above in Orinoco Avere inclined to open a trade with this Colony in cattle, which they (if able to obtain permission therefor), would transport overland. If permission for this be asked, and the Commandeur be still rj absent, I shall refuse it, until your Honours shall be pleased to frame the necessary orders thereon which I hereby request. On the one hand, this Avould contribute very much to the raising and cultivation of trade, but on the other hand this Avould be a safe and open way (not to mention times of Avar) for the slaves who might come to run away from the Colony, unless a good Post Avere established thereon. On account of the consequences, I have thought it best simply to mention the proposal to your Honours in order that you may be D pleased to deliberate thereon as to your Honours' high wisdom may be judged most convenient, trusting that as the Commandeur in person is with your Honours he Avill have spoken thereof also. No. 261. Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, December 23, 1750. (Extract.) E DEN 29 der opgemelte maend, wiert mij gerap- porteert, dat voorsz : Wegloopers, op een Eijland (waer op zij door middel Van een Vlot gekomen waeren) boven Essequebo agt daegen Varens, van dit Fort bevonden dat er ses Mans, en twee vrouwen Waeren, wel versien van Schiet geweer zijnde dese tijdinge afgebragt, door den Ingese tenen Jacobus Maximiliaan met bij voeginge, dat zij maer naer een Vaertuijg tragteden, om sig aen de Vaste Wal, tebegeven. Ik merkte dit berigt aen, als een Saek van veel gevolg, voor het toekomende, voor de Weglopers deser Colonie, die aldaer een Veijlige Schuijlplaets, kondevinden, ik ontbood terstond den voorn: Jacobus Maximi liaan, Informeerde mij op alles, en bevond de f_696— 2] THE 29th of the said month [October] it was reported to me that the runaways aforesaid were on an island (to which they got by means of a raft) up in Essequibo, eight days navigation from this fort, and that they comprised sjjx men and two women, well provided with fire-arms. These tidings were brought by the colonist, Jacobus Maximilian, with the addition that they were trying to obtain a vessel to take them to the mainland. I paid attention to the news as -of a matter of great concern for the future for J1 the runaways of this Colony who might find a safe hiding-place there. I immediately summoned the aforesaid Maximilian, informed myself of every- T 70 A Confirmatie van 't opgemelte, sond alsoo des Volgen den daegs, die man als Wegwijzer, met clen Adjudant, en een Commando van vier Man, nevens ses negers, soo A^eel Creolen, en agt Indianen : clog moet U. E. G. A. kennis geven, clat deselve vijffthien clagen daer naer, vrugteloos retourneerden, mij rapporterende, dat voorsz : weglopers zeven clagen voor hun komst, sig van het Eijland hadden weten te begeven door midclel van het vaertuijg, waermede den Creool van den • Ingeseten Andries Pieterse daer lag, om vis te zouten hebbende drie van de Weglopers, terwijl cle Indiaenen op cle visserij uijtwaeren en cle B Creool alleen, sig in het vaertuijg weten te begeven, den Creool overweldigt, dehanden op cle rug gebonden, hun geselschap ingenomen, naer cle vaste Wal gevaren, al 't brood mede genomen, cle Creool Los gemaekt en Weder zijn Aveg late gaen, hebbende zij clen Weg genomen, naer cle Rivier Siperoenij ; ik heb aenstonds . de Caribische en Acawaijsche Natien, hier van kennis laeten geven, en twijffele geensints, of zij sullen Levend of Dood gekregen worden. thing, and found confirmation of what is men tioned above. Next day I sent the man as guide, with the Adjutant and a commando of four men with six negroes, and as many Creoles and eight Indians, but I must tell your Honours that fifteen clays thereafter they returned empty -handed, reporting that the aforesaid runaways, seven, days before their arrival, had been' able to get away from the island by means of the vessel AvhereAvith the Creole of the colonist, Andries Pieterse, lay there, to salt fish. Three of the runaways having (during the absence of the Indians at the fishery, while the creole was alone) managed to get into the vessel) over powered the Creole, tied his hands behind his back, took him in their company, navigated to the mainland, took all the food with them, released the creole and let him go again, they taking the Avay along the River Siparuni. I immediately caused information thereof to be given to the Carib and the Akawois nations, and entertain no doubt that they Avill be taken alive or dead. c No. 262. Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of the Colony of Essequibo, held at Fort Zeelandia, January 4, 1751. (Extract.) DOOR d'heer Raad van Doom ter Vergaderinge ingebragt sijnde dat in de Rivier Boven Boueron, in seker spruijt, Wayinie genaamt eenige weg- loopers soude onthouden, en dat seker Caribesch Jj met naeme Jan de Mesi en de Indiaanin Flora beijde in die Rivier woonagtig kennisse zoude hebben. Is dit aangemerkt als een saek zeer nadeelig en van quaede gevolgen voor dese Colonie, en derhalve geresolveert den voorsz : Caribesch Jan de Mesi en cle Indiaanin Flora door den Posthouder van Moroca te laete afhaelen en hier aan't Fort brengen, ten eijnde dese saek nader en naukeurig te ondersoeken en alsdan, dan daer in soodanige ordres stellen als tot den welstand cleser Colonie sal worden be- vonde te behoren. E IT having been represented by Councillor van Dorn that certain runaways are in the Upper Pomeroon in a branch called Waini, and that a Carib named Jan de Mesi, and an Indian woman named Flora, were both living in that river : This is noted as a prejudicial matter, and likely to be of bad consequences to the Colony, and it is further resolved to send the Post- holder of Moruka for the Carib, Jan de Mesi, and for the Indian woman, Flora, and to bring them to the fort in order to investigate the matter carefully, and then to make such orders as shall be found proper for the welfare of this Colony. No. 263. Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 6, 1751. (Extract.) E WIJDERS heeft voormelte persik mij berigt, dat in de maendt Van January, door de Carribesche Natie, drie Spaensche Missien Waeren afgelopen, Vier a Vijff Paters vermoord, dat veele en beweginge, en Verbitteringe, onder de Ingesetenen aldaer Veroorzaekte, THE aforesaid Persik further informed me that in the month of January the Carib nation made a raid upon three Spanish Missions, and murdered four or five priests, which caused much disorder and bitter feeling amongst the colonists there. 71 No. 264. Acting Commandeur, Essequibo, to West India Company, June 10, 1751. (Extract.) DEN Posthouder van Arinda, boven Essequebo, In gevolge cle Schikkingen van Den Heer Com mandeur, cle Post aen de Rivier Ripenoery Sul- lende -versetten, heeft door het menigvulclige Water, aen die plaets, cle Situatie onbequaem bevonden, maer digt ter zij clen, een andere plaets geoordeelt beter gelegen te wesen, waer van mij kennis gegeven hebbende Avort Sulx clan ook, als de Convenabelste plaets, derwaerds overgebragt, Sijnde bereijds een brood thuijn aldaer gekapt, en Schoon gemaekt. Den voorsz. Posthouder heeft mij ook gerap- porteert, clat die van cle Maganatisehe Natie de andere Natien gansch verre boven Essequebo, Sterk ontrusten en verdreven, en dat deselve vol gens het bericht van Indianen, sekeren handelaer, met naeme Pieter Lons, souden vermoord hebben waer van nogthans cle Nadere Confirmatie Eyscht wort. ver THE Postholder of Arinda up the Essequibo, pursuant to the order of the Commandeur, ha\-ing to remove the Post to the River Rupununi, has, from the abundance of water at that place, found the site unsuitable, but has judged another place close by at the side to be a better site, of which, having giA'eu me in formation, it is being transferred thither, as being the most suitable place, a provision garden being already cut and cleared there. The aforesaid Postholder has also reported to me that those of the Maganout nation are attacking and driving away the other nations far up in the Essequibo, and that, according to information furnished by Indians, they had killed a certain trader named Pieter Lons, further confirmation of Avhich is still required. No. 265. Memorial of the Shareholders of the Chartered West India Company (Chamber of Zeeland) to their High Mightinesses, under date November 30, 1751. (Extract.) NIET dan met de alleruiterste hoogagting en . schuldpligtige dankbaarheid nemen de Zeeuwsche Hoofdpartitipanten van cle Generale Geoctroijeerde Westindische Compagnie, op last van uw Hoog Moogende Resolutie van clen tweeden September laastleclen, de vrijheid andermaal zig aan de hooge Vergadering van Uw Hoog Mog. te addresseren ; -egter met een voornemen om de door Berigten, Contra-Berigten en prolixe Memorien, nopens de Resolutie der Thienen van den 11 Augustus, 1750, reeds te veel gevergde attentie van uw Hoog Mog. met geen groot detail van zaken, onnodige refuta- tien van geen reflexie meriteerende argumenten, of redites lang te importuneeren, en op te houden, zullende op de missive van de Heeren Represen tanten en verdere Bewindhebberen van de West Inclische Compagnie ter Prjesidiale Kamer Am-, sterdam van den 31 Augustus, 1751, als. in het voorbijgaan, wel eenige weinige, dog essentieele remarques aan het doorzigtig oog van uw Hoog Mog. openleggen, en vervolgens overgaan ter acceptie van de gedane presentatie. In dit alles zullen wij ons in mindere vive be- woordingen tragten te expresseren, dewijl dezelve geenzins decent bij Uw Hoog Mog. hoge Vergade ring konnen werden geconsidereerd, en ook niets daar uit kan resulteeren, dan wederzijdsche ai- greuren, die de ruine en het totaat verval van het •algemeene interest onbetwistbaar moeten na zig slepen. D'attentie dan van Uw. Hoog Mogende nog voor een korten tijd implorerende met alle submissie, zouden de Zeeuwsche Hoofdpartitipanten Uw. Hoog Mogende konnen voorstellen, wat van de geheele voorseide missive of berigt der Heeren representanten en verdere Bewindhebberen te praesumeeren zij .... en men beweert ter zelver tijd op het allerkragtigste dat de Vergadering der Thienen op den 17 October, 1685, en dus elf jaren na de erectie der nieuwe Compagnie, de Colonie van Essequibo zoude hebben opengestelt .... B NOT otherwise than Avith the most extreme G respect and dutiful gratitude do the Zeeland chief shareholders of the General Chartered West India Company, as charged by your High Mightinesses' Resolution of the 2nd September last, take the freedom to address themselves again to the High Assembly of your High Mightinesses, with an intention,. however, not long to trouble or detain with any great detail of circumstances, unnecessary refutations of arguments, or repetitions, the attention of your High Mightinesses, already too much encroached upon by reports and counter reports, and prolix Memorials, touching E» the Resolution of the Ten of the 11th August, 1750, but being about to lay, as it were in passing, before the penetrating eye of your. High Mightinesses some few, but yet essential remarks on the Memorial of the 31st August, 1751, of the Representatives and other Directors of the West India Company belonging to the Presidial Chamber, Amsterdam, and afterwards to pass on to the acceptance of the representa tion that has been made. In all this we will endeavour to express our selves in less animated language, seeing that such could not in auy Avay becomingly be con sidered by your High Mightinesses' High As sembly, and also nothing can result therefrom than heart - burnings on either side, which must incontestably draw after them the ruin and absolute destruction of the general in terest. Imploring, therefore, still for a short time, with all submissiveness, the attention of your High Mightinesses, the Zeeland chief share holders .... affirm at the same time in the very strongest fashion that the Assembly of the Ten on the 17th October, 1685, and thus J* eleven years after the erection of the neAV Company, would have throAvn open the Colony of Essequibo .... because if they at tempted to throw open that river and Pomeroon to all private planters, would they not at that E 72 A want wanneer men tenteerde die RiAder en Bou- merona voor alle particuliere planters open te zetten, zoude men als doe dat zelve argument van abolitie dier Conventie tegen cle regtmatige oppo- sitien der Heeren van Micldelburg niet hebben gemoveerd ? Maar in tegendeel men was in die tijd overtuigt, dat de conditien, mitsgaders alle andere resolutien en dispositien, die hun Hoog Mogende in 't 45° Artijkel van het nieuwe Octroij begeerden en ordonneerden van dezelve kragt en vigeur te zijn, als of dezelve alle te samen op nieuws waren geinsereerd, die thans alleen maar tot vreemde Mogendheden zouden moeten spec ie teren. Van geen het minste soutien kan zijn den zwakken rietstaf der uitvlugten, dat Essequibo en Boumerona onder de gemeene bezittingen der generale Compagnie zouden wezen gecomputeerd ; daar ter contrarie op die plaats van 't Octroij, daar van Essequibo word gemeld, hun Hoog Mo gende alleen cle limiten van de generale Compagnie fixeren, en geenszins derzelver bezittingen bepalen ; want was het anders, moet men concluderen, dat het Portugeesche St. Thome ook de generale Compagnie in vollen eigendom was toebeho- p rende. Wat meer is, zo bij aldien de meergemelde con ventie van den Jare 1670 alleen tot cle oude en geenzints tot cie nieuwe Comp. relatie mogt heb ben, resteert cle vraag, op wat manier de Colonie van Essequebo dan aan de Generale Compagnie is gekomen ? ***** Zijn er nu geen de minste traces, op wat manier, 't zij bij nadere Conventie, bij koop, overgifte, of anders te vinden, nog eenige jota bij het Octroij vermeld, hoe Essequebo van de Kamer Zeeland aan cle generale Comjiagnie zoude wezen overge- jj gaan, is het zeker, dat of de Conventie van anno 1670 heeft zijn relatie tot de nieuwe Compagnie, of cle Colonie met alle haare onderhorige Rivieren fluctueert tot op den huidigen dag zonder eige- naar. Om aan onze belofte te voldoen, Hoog Mog. Heeren, zullen de Zeeuwsche Hoofdpartitipanten . . . . de vrijheid nemen, om tot het tweede poinct over te gaan. Namentlijk, dat de Hoofdpartitipanten niet alleen geen zwarigheid maken, maar ook geresol veerd zijn, dunkt het cle Edele Mog. Heeren Staten E van Zeeland goed, Essequebo met alle haare onder- hoorige Rivieren van Rio Berbice af tot aan Rio d'Oronocque, volgens cle laatste presentatie der Heeren Representanten en verdere Bewindheb beren, bij hun Berigt van clen 31 August, 1751, gedaan, op cle volgende articulen te blijven be- houden, op clat deze zaak, die zoo veel eclat heeft gemaakt in de naauw geunieerde Provintien van Holland en Zeeland, eindelijk tot genoegen van beide integrerende partijen mogte worden afge- daan, waar toe wij op het allerootmoedigste cle grootvermogende intercessie van U. Hoog. Mog. imploreren. time have introduced that same argument or the abolition of this Convention against th& legitimate opposition of the gentlemen of Middelburg ? But, on the contrary, they were at the time convinced that the conditions, as Avell as all other resolutions and dispositions which their High Mightinesses, desired and ordained in Article 45 of the new Charter, were of the same strength and vigour as if the same altogether were inserted anew, which from henceforth must have regard to foreign Powers«r| only. J Of not the least support can be the Aveak reed of the pretexts that Essequibo and Pomeroon should be reckoned among the com mon possessions of the General Company, since, on the contrary, in the place of the Charter, where mention was made of Essequibo, their High Mightinesses only fix the limits of the i General Company, and in no way define posses sions of the same, because, were it otherwise, one must conclude that the Portuguese St. Thome also belonged in full possession to the General Company. What is more, since the afore-mentioned Con vention of the year 1670 must have relation only to the old and not at all to the new Company, " the question remains : In what manner the Colony of Essequibo passed to the General Company ? *. * * * And since there is not the least trace in what manner, either by later Convention, by purchase, by gift, or by other means, it is in any way mentioned in the Charter how Essequibo should have been handed over by the Chamber of Zeeland to the General Company, it is certain that either the Convention of 1670 has relation to the new Company, or the Colony, with all its dependent rivers, remains to this very day without an owner. * * * * In order to fulfil our promises, High Mighty Lords, the Zeeland chief shareholders .... take the liberty to pass on to the next point, namely, that the chief shareholders not only make no difficulty, but also are resolved, should the Noble Mighty Lords States of Zeeland deem, it good, to remain in possession of Esse quibo, with all her subject rivers from River Berbice down as far as' the River of Orinoco,. according to the latest representation of the ¦), Representatives and other Directors, made in their Report of the 31st August, 1751, in order that this matter, that has made so much stir hi the closely united Provinces of Holland and . Zeeland, at last might be settled to the satisfac- 1 tion of both contending parties, whereto we most submissively beg the all-poAverful inter cession of your High Mightinesses. T No, 266. Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of the Colony of Essequibo, held at Fort Zeelandia, January 3 and 4, 1752. (Extract.) EENIGE Caribesen uijt de Barima weder klagtig SOME Caribs from the Barima came and com- zijnde komen vallen dat den persoon van Chris- plained that one Christian Tonsel continually 73 t.tiaan Tonsel, hun bij continuatie alien overlast aendeed hun kinderen en vrienden onder pretext als panden, voor schult weg nam en vervoerde; ook door den ingesetenen Bastiaan Christiaansen verthoond sijnde, dat voorsz. Tonzel een slave jongen had genadert die voor sijn carguasoenen gekogt was, en hem also toequam, brengende hier tot bewijs het getuijgenisse der tegenwoordig sijnde Caribesen. Is dit alles overwogen, om den " meergemelten Tonzel gesonden, en gecompareert sijnde hier over gereprocheert en gecondemneert den Caribis sijne kinderen en Bastiaan Chris tiaansen de bewuste jongen over te geven. Zijnde onderen tusschen de gem. Caribesen scherpelijk aengezegt geen slaeven van Christenen op te houden ofte te verbergen, op poene van daer over swaerlijk gestraft te sullen Avorden. tyrannizes over them all, and that he took A away their children and friends as pledges for debts. Bastiaii Christiaansen also represents that the said Tonsel had taken away a boy slave whom he had bought for merchandize, and therefore belonged to him, and offers as proof the evidence of the Caribs present. This having been all considered, the said Tonsel is sent for, and, after appearing, he is reprimanded and ordered to deliver to the Carib his children, and to Bastian Christiaansen the boy in question. The Caribs being at the same time sharply admonished not to detain or con- B ceal any slaves belonging to Christians, under pain of being heavily punished therefor. No. 267. The West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director -General, Essequibo, April 10, 1752. Aan den Directeur-General Laurens Storm van s' Gravesande, mitsgaders de Raaden van Politie in Rio Essequibo, per het schip " De . Elizabeth en Johanna," schipper Dirk Robberts. ? Middelburg, 10 April 1752. MANHAFTE, &c. : Gelijk wij ons, aan d'eene zijde altoos, niets meer voorgesteld hebben gehad, dan om de commercie, welke niet alleen van hier, op de rivier, en colonie van Essecpiibo gedreegen [sic] word, maer die ook aldaar met den inlanders, Spanjaarden, en insonderheijcl met die van Oro- riocque gevoerd word, zooveel doenlijk allesints te faciliteeren, en te secondeeren, soo hebben wij egter ook daarbij, altoos tragten in 't oog te houden, dat al hetselve quame te geschieden, buijten eenige praejuditie niet alleen van s'Com- pagnies vrijheeden, en geregtigheeden, maar ook insonderheid altoos met dat vooruijtsigt, dat onder het drijven van dien handel, geen geleegendheijd gegeeven mogt werden, waaruijt in tijden en wijlen eenig nadeel of schadelijke gevolgen voor de colonie soude kunnen komen te resul- teeren. Het is dan ook hierom geweest, clat wij onder anderen in den jaare 1735 behoorlijke praecautien willende neemen, teegens het vernegotieeren, en verdebiteeren van eenigerhande ammunitie van o'orlog en insonderheijd aldaar, aen de Spanjaarden in den jaare 1735 aan wijlen den Commandeur Hermanus Gelskerken hebben aangesz : gehad, om bij publijcatie, en affexie aldaar aan alle, en een ijgelijk te verbieden, en te interdiceeren, geener- hande geweer, of eenige oorlogs 'ammunitie, uijt de rivier Oronocque, of eenige andere plaatsen, niet staande onder de gehoorsaamheijd van haar Ho : Mo : de Heeren Staaten Generaal, te ver- senden, op verbeurte niet alleen dier goederen, maar ook op sodanige verdere pcenaliteijten als daarbij staan uijtgedrukct. Wy hebben zeedert wel, weederom eenige modificatie in deese onse voorsz. resolutie ge- bragt gehad, en deselve dan ook in zooverre weederom gealtereert, dat wy by onse missive de dato 30 Octob. 1837, aan wylen den voorn. Commandeur Gelskerke, hebben gepermittert, om den vryen in en uytvoor van oorlogsammunitie te conniveeren; dog is sulx egter alsdoe door ons, niet anders geschied, dan onder al sulke limita- [696—2] To the Director-General Laurens Storm A^an 's Gravesande, together with the Members of the 0 Court of Policy in Rio Essequibo, by the ship " De Elizabeth en Johanna," skipper Dirk Robberts. Middelburg, April 10, 1752. SIR, &c, — While on the one hand we have always proposed to ourselves nothing more than to facilitate and aid in every way and as much as possible the commerce which is carried on, not only from here to the river and Colony of Essequibo, but also there with the natives [and] Spaniards, and especially with those of Orinoco ; we have, however, in addition to this, always tried J) to see that all this was done not only without any prejudice to the Company's privileges and rights, . but also especially with this always in view, that in the carrying on of that trade no opportunity be given from which, • in course of time, any dis advantage or harmful consequences might result to the Colony. This was the reason why, amongst other things, we, in the year 1735, desiring to take proper pre cautions against the trading away and selling of E " any materials of war, especially to the Spaniards there, did, in the year 1735, . instruct the - late Commandeur Hermanus Gelskerke that, by Pro clamation published and posted, he forbid and prohibit each and every one there to ship any arms or material of war whatsoever from the river to Orinoco or any other places not situate under the jurisdiction of the States-General, on penalty not only of confiscation of such, goods, but also of such further fines as are therein named. We did, indeed, later make some modification in this our aforesaid Resolution, and altered it in so far that, in our missive dated the 30th October, 1737, we permitted the late Commandeur Gels kerke aforesaid to connive at the free importation and exportation of material of war ; stiil, this was at' that time done by us only under all such limitations and conditions as we had enumerated in our aforesaid missive, and also for reasons TJ E 74 A tien en bepaalingen, als by de voorsz. onse missive hebben opgegeeven gehad, mitsgaders ook om reedenen welke ons het altereeren dier vorige resolutie, alsdoen scheenen noodsakelyk te maakeri, en wel int byzonder, op die grond, dat ons verseekert wierd, den aanvoer van buspolver, en verdere oorlogsammunitie, soo uijt Suriname Curacao, als andere plaatsen, na cle Ornocque, en ,de abitanten van de daar om leggende rivieren, in soo een menigte quam te geschieden, als de inwoonders dier plaatsen, maar, eenigsints begeerden. Maar behalven nu, dat van de voorsz. ge- B limiteerde concessie, na verloop van eenigen tijd, niet alleen grootelijks is afge[g]aan en geresilieert geworden, soo hebben wij ook bij experientie gesien, dat de toevoer van die voorsz. ammonitie uijt andere plaatsen dan uijt de colonie van Essequebo, ook zoo groot niet is, als men daar wel van heeft opgegeeven gehadt, gelijk wij ons dan ook met reeden verbeelclen, dat den handel A_an die voorsz. plaatsen op cle Oronocque, en annex rivieren, soo in aanmer- kinge van derselver meerdere geeloigneerdheijd, onkosten en gevaar insonderheijd met relatie tot p- cle dier voorengem. goederen, niet dan seer V difficiel vallende, en aan vele beleinmeringen onderworpen zijnde, voor het grootste gedeelte, uijt de colonie van Essequebo, als het commoodste, en het naast daarbij geleegen moet getrocken worden ; En aangesien wij nu (sonder eenig beletsel of empeschement nogtans aan cle Oronocquesche negotie in deese te willen toebrengen) niets meer tragteii in 't oog te houden, dan om cle colonie van Essequebo, en. deselver ingeseetenen, ten alien tijde soo veel doenlijk, in volkomene gerustheijd, en Aroor alien onverwagten aanval ook altoos jj gedekt te sien, en waartoe dan ook, onses oor- deels, niets bequamer, en meerder geschikt is, als om de middelen selfs, waardoor sodanige onheijlen souden kunnen werden A'eroorsaakt te beneemen, immers het gebruijk derselver, sooveel mogelijk difficiel te maaken, soo hebben wij bij geleegendheijd van het embarquement der goe deren, bij particuliere deeser daagen geschied in de thans alhier gereed liggende scheepen na Essequebo, en onder welke voorsz. goederen, clan ook een tamelijke aantal en quantiteijt soo van snaphaneri als pistoolen zijn bevonden, gemeijnt ons gedagten te moeten laaten gaan, of het niet E van dienst van de Compagnie soude weesen, on het verbod, bij onse hier voorengemelde resolutie van den jaare 1735, tegens den Aiijen in, en uijtvoer van allerhande ammunitie van oorlog, soo in als uijt de rivier, en colonie van Esse quebo, wederom te renouvelleeren, en vernieuwen, en hebben dienvolgende mitsdeesen goedgedagt UEE. hierover te moeten onderhouden, en daarbij tegelijk aan te schrijven, den inhoud van meer- gedagte resolutie, zoo als die bij onse missive van clen 20 Januarij, 1735, aan wijlen den Comman deur Gelskerke hebben toegesonden gehad, aldaar weederom te introduceeren, deselve stiptelijk te -k doen observeeren, en nakomen, teegens de contra- venteurs te procedeeren, en agtervolgens de poe- naliteijten daerbij gesteld, deselve proceduures te executeeren doende mitsdien bij de retroductie en renouvelleinent dier vorsz. resolutie, onse bovengem. gelimiteerde concessie, en vergunde vrijheijd van den jaare 1737 weederom intrecken, en buijten effect stellen ; en van al hetwelke dan UEE. bij publijcque advertentie, aan alle, en een egelijk cle noodige kennisse zullen moeten geeven ; which at that time seemed to us to render necessary the changing of that former Resolution, particularly on the ground that assurance was given us that gunpowder and other materials of war were brought from Surinam, Curasao, and- other places to the Orinoco and to the inhabi tants of the adjacent rivers, in as great quantities as the inhabitants of those places could possibly wish. But not only has the aforesaid limited conces sion, now that some time has passed, been greatly departed and deviated from, but we also have become aware by experience that the afflux of the aforesaid material of war from places other than the Colony of Essequibo is not as great as has at times been reported. Moreover, Ave have reason to suppose that, inasmuch as the trade of the aforesaid places to the Orinoco and adjacent rivers, especially as regards the aforesaid goods, '$i ; invoh'es much difficulty and is subject to many obstacles, on account of the greater distance, ex pense, and danger, [these articles] must for the greater part be drawn from the Colony of Esse quibo, as being the most convenient and situated ' nearest by. And since,, then, we (without, however, de siring in this connection to put any difficulty or obstruction in the way of the Orinoco trade) have nothing more at heart than to see the Colony of Essequibo and its inhabitants always as much as possible in perfect quiet and always guarded against all unexpected attacks, to which end nothing is in our opinion better and more effective than to take away the very means whereby such disasters might be brought about, or, in any case, to make their use as difficult as possible ; Ave, therefore, upon the recent occasion of the shipment of goods by private persons in the ships now lying ready here for Essequibo, and among which goods there was a pretty large number and quantity of blunderbusses and pistols, thought it well to consider whether it would not be in the interest of the Company to renew again the prohibition of our aforesaid Resolution of the year 1735 against the free importation and expor tation of all kinds of material of war, both to and from the river and Colony of Essequibo. In con sequence we have resolved hereby to call your attention to this matter, and at the same time to instruct you to introduce there once more the contents of the aforesaid Resolution, just as it was sent to the late Commandeur Gelskerke in our missive of the 20th January, 1735, to see.it strictly observed and obeyed; to bring to law those contravening it, and to proceed against them according to the penalties there imposed. There fore, by the reintroduction and renewing of the aforesaid Resolution, we rescind and annul our aforesaid limited concession and accorded liberty of the year 1737. Of all this you will by public proclamation give proper knowledge to each and every one; all this, however, upon the under standing that in the aforesaid prohibition are not included the necessary arms or gunpowder which ships may bring or carry away tor their own needs on board, nor what an individual needs for his own private use or for his plantations only. For, as we have said above, this prohibition. 75 dit alles nogtans met dien verstande, dat onder dit voorsz. verbod niet begreepen zij, het noodig geweer of buskruijt t geen cle scheepen, voor hun eijgen scheepsbehoeftens komen in en uijt te brengen, of. ook 't geen ijmand voor zijn prive en particuliergebruijk, of desselfs plantagies alleenig- lijk- noodig meeft ; als hebbende dit voorsz. verbod, zooals hiervooren gesegt bebben, alleniglijk zijn respect, tot hetgund voor negotie derwaarts ver- zonden mogt werden ; en ofschoon door het neemen deeser maatregulen en het stellen der gesegde praecautien, de noodige voorsieninge tee gens dien verbooden handel alleeniglijk voor sooveel de rivier en colonie van Essequebo betreft, zal geschied zijn, sonder dat egter hier- meede dien handel uijt, d' andere plaatsen, hier vooren gemeld, belet of gesteuijt word, zoo hebben wij nogtans voor ons selven als in aanmerkinge neemende clat de andere colonien en plaatsen, van waar meervorn. goederen na de Oronocque werden uijtgevoerd, insgelijks, onder het district van haar Ho: Mo: octroij geleegen zijn, reeden om te vertrouwen, dat dienaangaande sodanige middelen nader zullen werden uijtge- dagt, mitsgaders alle sulke salutaire resolutien genomen, als geoordeelt zoude moogen werden van den dienst van den Staat in t' gemeen, en die van de Compagnie, misgaders van de colonic van Essequebo in 't bijzonder, noodig te wee sen ; Immiddels UEE., eenige bijzondere considera tien, op deese onse voorsz. aanschrijvinge, en vernieuwinge van dit ons verbod en resolutie hebbende, zullen wij deselve bij eerstvolgende geleegendheijd, tegemoet sien. Manhafte, &a., &a. HENRICUS JOHAN GERLAG. . J. W. THIBAUT. applies oniy to what may be sent thither for the purpose of trade. And though by taking these measures and imposing the aforesaid penalties the necessary provisions against that forbidden trade will have been made only so far as the river and Colony of Essequibo are concerned, without there by preventing or checking that trade from the other above-mentioned places, yet we ourselves, in view of the fact that the other Colonies and places from which the aforesaid goods are ex ported to the Orinoco are also situated under the district of the States-General's Charter, have reason to trust, that in this regard such further measures will be devised, and all such salutary resolutions made as may be deemed for the advantage of the State in general, and for that of the Company and of the Colony of Essequibo in particular. HENRICUS JOHAN GERLAG. J. W. THIBAUT. B 0 In the meantime, if you have any special sug gestions as to these our foregoing instructions and to the renewing of this our prohibition and reso lution, we shall expect them at first opportunity. D No. 268. The Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 19, 1752J (Extract.) HET is mij seer aengenaem mijn concept be- treffende het niet toestaan aen de Spanjaerden, om over Land op dese Colonie met koebeesten te handelen, U. E. G. A. aprobatie heeft, ik neem met Eerbiede vrijheijd van te zeggen, dat Soodaenigen permissie, waer door een veijlige weg, geopend en .gebaend wort, noijt als tot de uijtterste prejuditie deser Colonie Strekken kan, soo wel met opzigt tot blanken die van Slegt Comportement sijn als wel voornamentlijk der Slaven, die genegen tot de Desertie, bij die Menschen met opene armen Souden ontfangen Avorden, behalven nog cle ge volgen bij een oorlog daer uijt te resulteren. IT is very agreeable to me that my idea re garding the not alloAving the Spaniards to trade overland in cattle Avith this Colony has your Honours' approbation. With esteem I take the liberty of saying that such permission whereby a safe way would be opened and converted into a road can never prove of anything but the most extreme prejudice to this Colony, both with re spect to white men who are of bad behaviour, as also especially with respect to slaves who are inclined to desertion ; by such men the con cession would be received with open arms, to say nothing of the consequences which might result therefrom in time of war. E No. 269. TJ Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, August 4, 1752. (Extract.) U. E. G. A. het Sesde articul van voors. IF your Honours will please refer to the project gelievende naer te sien, sullen bevinden 6th Article of the project aforesaid, you will ik aldaer duijdelijk Spreeke van het verhan- find that 1 there distinctly speak of the trade in -delen van geweer aen D'indiaenen en voor al arms with the Indians, and especially with the 76 J3 \ . i -r gedrae- aen cle Caraibische natie, bij welk gene wel Ernstig persisteere en als nu meer als oijt, wijl cle Spanjaerden de Caraibis beneden Orinoque aengetast en verdreve hebbende deselve alle naer onse sijde geretireert en dus haer getai werkelijk vergroot hebben en nu meer als oijt op voors. Spanjaerde verbittert Onlangs twee Missien afgelopen en op deselve alles vermoordt hebben, en eenen B. de Beaumond Sedert mijne te rug komste alhier met toebah geweest op sijne te rug reijse met ses sijner bijhebbende mannen cleerlijk vermoord twee sterk gewondt sijn door men onse ingesetenen J. Smit van Orinoque met paerde te rug komende nog gesalveert. Soo dat cle redenen om deese menschen geen toevoer van schietgeweer te verlenen hoe langer hoe gewigtiger worden. Carib nation, in Avhich proposal I earnestly per-' sist, and noAv more than ever, because the Spa niards have attacked and driven away the Caribs- below Orinoco, and these have all retreated to our side, and thus their number has con siderably increased. Now they are more than ever incensed against the Spaniards aforesaid ; they lately overran two- Missions, and have murdered everyone there,. and since my return here they pitifully murdered? ; a certain B. de Beaumont, as well as six of the he had with him when on their return journey with tobacco. The other two, although severely wounded, Avere rescued by our colonist, J. Smit, Avho was returning from Orinoco with horses, so that the reasons for not supply* '- ing these men AAdth fire-arms grow weightier as- time goes on. No. 270. c Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, August 31, 1752. (Extract.) DAER loopt een gerucht dat sig boven in Essequebo mede eenige negers hebben laeten sien alsoo den Posthouder A'an Arinda nog niet af is gekomen (door het hoog water verhindert), kan geen Sekerheijt hier A-an hebbe, clog hebbe d'in diaenen van d'Acuweijsche natie benede de post woonende, Sterk gerecommandeert daer op uijt te gaen onder belofte van goede betaeling, die mij sulx beloofd hebben, Presumeere het Aveglopers van Berbices sullen weesen. D Soo aenstonds komt eene der Crioolen van de Post Arinda vier slaeven voor d'Ed. Comp. af- brengende Den Posthouder schrijft mij, dat ge- nootsaekt is geweest uijt Sijn huijs te vlugten, dat het water twaelf Rijnlandsche voeten hoger is geweest als bij menschen geheugen oijt geweest is. hij zal in tlaest van October afkomen. THERE is a rumour here that some negroes- have made their appearance up in Essequibo^: but since the Postholder of Arinda has not yet come clown (being prevented by the high water), I am not yet certain about the matter, but have,. under a promise of good payment, strongly: persuaded the Indians of the Akawois nation living below the Post to go out and capture them, and they have promised me to do so. I presume they will turn out to be runaways from Berbices. * * * * One of the Creoles haAre just come down from Post Arinda, bringing with him four slaves for the Honourable Company. The Postholder Avrites me that he has been compelled to flee from his house, the water being 12 feet higher than it has ever been in the memory of man- He will come down at the end of October. E E No. 271. Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, November 1, 1752. (Extract.) IK hebbe voorlede week een brief ontfangen van den Commandant van Orinoque welke mij schrijft dat tegens nieuwe jaer, den Gouverneur- General Van Comana aldaer verwagtede, Waerom mij vriendelijk versogt ik hem soude Senden eene van onse Jachten soo als wij hier gebruijken' om de rivier op en af te vaeren, Ik Sal tegens half November hem een Senden nevens eenig ijserwerk waerom mede vraegt en sal Muijl Ezels in be taeling ontfangen; welke daer in gereetheijt sijn. Van gedagte sijnde die man te vriend te moeten houden voor al geen Schaede maer voordeel daer bij sijnde, en twijffele geensints of Sal daer in U. E. G. A. approbatie erlangen. I RECEIVED a letter last week from the Commandant of Orinoco, informing me that he expected the Governor-General of Cumana there about New Year, Avherefore he kindly requested me to send him one of our yachts, such as we use here to go up and down the river. I shall send him one about the middle of November, together with some hardware for which he also asks, and shall receive mules in payment, which are in readiness there ; it is my opinion that we must keep on friendly terms with this man, since that will always be more to our advantage than to our disadvantage, and I doubt not that in this I shall have your Lord ships' approbation. 77 No. 272. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 14, 1753. (Extract.) IK A-oorsie dat binne korten tyd alles begeven sal weesen en geen grond meer overig sal syn waerom den Loots I. Grotendorst afgesonden hebbe om de Rivieren van Powaron en Weyne te peylen Hy is wederom gekomen dog h*eft my met syn rapport gansch niet voldoen, soo dat sulx nog eens door clen andere loots sal moeten laeten her- vatten. Ik hebbe de posthouders gelast, den aenqueek der orianeverwe onder de Indianen zooveel doen lijk aan te moedigen. P.S.— Daer loopt hier een gerucht clat in Suri- name Emissarissen van Sweeden souden gearri- veert syn om ondersoek te doen wegens de Rivier Barima tusschen Orinoque en deese rivier gelegen, om. daer een volkplantinge over te brengen. ° Ik kan sulx niet wel gel oven, dog veele omstandig- heden brengen my in twyfel, waerom omstandig versoeke met U. E. G. A. ordres vereert te mogen worden. Hoe my in dusdanigen geval te gedrae- gen. I FORESEE that in a short time everything will have been granted, and there will be no more land remaining. Wherefore, I have sent aAvay Pilot J. Grotendorst to measure the Rivers Waini and Pomeroon; he has returned, but he has not entirely satisfied me with his report, so that I shall [order] it to be gone OArer again once more by the other pilot. I have given orders to the Postholders that they encourage as much as possible the raising of annatto dye among the Indians. P.S. — A rumour is current here that Emissaries of SAveden have arrived in Surinam in order to make inquiry respecting the River Barima lying between Oroinoco and this river, in order to bring over a Colony there. I cannot Avell credit this ; but many particulars cause me doubt, wherefore I urgently request that I may be honoured with your Honours' orders hoAv I am to conduct myself in this case. B No. 273. Copia de un Document o eque se encuentra entre papeles del ano 1753 que se encabeza asi: Sobre el estableci- miento de Holandeses en el continente que media entre el nuestro del Rio Orinoco y el Portugues del Para al Rio Maranon. LA idea es que fuese una la de las dos Coronas adelantando poblaciones cada una desde donde esta ; hacia lo que ocupan Holandeses. Que en acercandonos proporcionadamente las llevaremos un poco altas, haciendo un semicirculo, tierra dentro por cima de lo que ellos ocupan, con lo que los ceniriamos a que no se internen en aquel continente a las espaldas de ambas naciones. Que en teniendolos asi cenidos estamos clelante a las sublebaciones de negros esclavos cle los Holandeses para claries auxilio disimulado para sus empresas contra aquellas Colonias sin em- penarnos aviertamente y si los negros suyos los ponen emparaje de abandonar aquella situation, nos apocleremos del territorio, le dividamos ami- gablemente con limites que senalemos de con- formidad. Hagamos pueblos sobre la marina de los mismos negros lebantados que la defenderan bien y quedamos confinantes, sin otra nation inter media por aquella parte como lo somos por las dfemas. Lo que se lograria asi porque los Fran ceses que estan no muy lejos de alii son los de la Guayana que es isla. Esta importantisima idea es mas facil ahora, que llevan mas de dos anos de guerra con sus negros lebantados y estan apurados los Holandeses porque los han debastado terriblemente y habiendo Ilevado tropa de Europo, para sugetarlos, no ha hastado habiendo hecho un crecido dispendio. Copy of a document which is found amongst the papers of the year 1753, which has this endorse ment : " On the establishment of the Dutch on the C Continent which is situated between our [settle ment] of the River Orinoco and the Portuguese [settlement] of Para on the Marctnon." THE plan is that one of the two Cl'OAVllS " Archivo General de should go pushing forward settlements each Simancas." Secretary from where they may be situated towards °fState' Bundle7243- the territory which the Dutch occupy. That in proportion as we approach each other, we shall carry the settlements some what higher up, forming a semicircle in the interior above and beyond the territory they occupy. By this means we should surround D them, so that they can not go inland in that continent behind both nations. That in keeping them thus surrounded, we are in front of the territory where the revolted negro slaves of the Dutch dwell, and can easily give them help coA^ertly for their raids against those Colonies, without engaging our selves openly ; and if their negroes place them in such a position that they will be compelled to abandon that situation, we shall take posses sion of the territory and divide it in a friendly way between ourselves, with boundaries satis factorily arranged accordingly. Let us form E settlements on the sea-coast of the territory of the revolted negroes, who will well defend it, and thus we shall be conterminous without auy other nation between us in that part, as we are in all others. This should be an easy matter, for the French, not far. distant from there, are only in possession of the Island of Guayana. This most important project is more easy noAv, as the war with the revolted negroes has been going on for two years, and the Dutch are hard pressed, for the Colonies have been terribly devastated, and this notwithstanding -^ that a force was brought from Europe to quell the slaves ; but it Avas not sufficient, notwith standing the great cost. [696—2] X 78 No. 274. Copia de Capitulo de. Carta Particular de 19 de- Mayo cle 1753, escrita por el Excelentisimo Seilor Conde de Perelada, al Excelentisimo Senor Don Jose" de Carvajal y Lancaster. A AYER por la maflana liable con Carvallo y despues que empezamos el discurso diciendole yo cuanto cleseaba quevuestras Excelenciasunoyotropudiesen manifestarse la sinceridad de su trato y correspon- dencia que tanto importa entre los Ministros cle nuestras Coronas a poco rato de la conversation nos hallamos con un tropiezo notable, pues en la noticia cle la carta instructiva que me escribio vuestra Excelencia supone, que entre los Espanoles y Portugueses solo median los Holandeses y que los Franceses solo ocupan la Guayana que es isla, y nada cle la costa ; vi al instante sobre el mapa que era equivocation esta noticia como lo vera B vuestra Excelencia si se toma el trabajo de exami- narlo. A lo largo de la costa desde el Para que ocupan los Portugueses hasta el nuestro Orinoco y nuestras poblaciones no solamente median los Holandeses que estan establecidos en Surinam sino los Franceses que ocupan la Provincia cle la Cayene de modo que los Portugueses confinan con los Franceses por el Rio Yapoco y nosotros confinamos de nuestra parte con los Holandeses que estan establecidos en Surinam; y en esta inteligencia entre Portugueses y Espanoles median por nuestra parte Holandeses y Fran- „ ceses, y por la otra parte de Portugueses ^ median al largo de la costa firme Franceses y Holandeses. Al tiempo que se iba leyando la idea cle vuestra Excelencia iba diciendo a cada paso Carvallo "toppo" que es lo mismo como vuestra Excelencia no ignora que "ace to" y acabando el todo me dijo que la equivocation que se padece de la costa se origina de un mapa nial formado de un Frances que 6 por ignorancia 6 con cuidado no aclverti la Cayene ocupada por sus paisanos ; pero que con todo no obstante el establecimiento de los Franceses que el por si adoptaba el proyecto que le consideraba practicable y util mucho a entram- jj has naciones que el territorio de la Cayene de los Franceses es sumamente miserable que ni tabaco ha querido produeir, y que los Holandeses tampoco poclran subsistir no pudiendo internarse unos y otros por no tener con que sustentarse y que cerniendoles nosotros y dandonos la mano no le parece dificil poder conseguirse ; que dara quenta al Rey y respondera con exactitud a todo con el mayor sigilo y reserva. Copy of Summary of Private Letter of the 19th May, 1753, written by his Excellency the Count de Perelada to his Excellency Senor Don Josi de Careajal y Lancaster. YESTERDAY morning I spoke to Carvalho, and after having opened the con\rersation I told him Iioav much I wished that both your Ex cellencies might be able to show that sincerity in your intercourse and correspondence Avhich is of such deep importance to both our Courts. Shortly after beginning our conference we found ourselves face to face with a remarkable obstacle, for, in the neAvs you gave me in the letter containing the project, you suppose that betAveen the Spaniards and Portuguese the Dutch alone intervene, and that the French only occupy the Island of Guayana and nothing on the coast. I saw at once, on looking at the map, that it was an error, as you will see if you Avill take the trouble to examine it. Along the coast from Para, where the Portu guese are settled, to our Orinoco and our settlements, not only do the Dutch established in Surinam intervene, but the French who occupy the Province of Cayenne, so that the Portuguese are conterminous with the French on the River Oyapoco, and Ave, on our side, are bounded by the Dutch who are settled at Surinam ; and in this sense, between the Portu guese and Spaniards, intervene on our side Dutch and French, and on the other side of the Portuguese, along the coast of the continent, intervene French and Dutch. Whilst reading your Excellency's project Carvalho kept constantly saying " topo," which, as your Excellency knoAvs, means '* I accept." And on reading it through he told me the error respecting the coast arises from a map, badly drawn by a Frenchman, who, either through ignorance or on purpose did not ob serve that Cayenne was occupied by his own countrymen ; but notwithstanding the estabT lishment of the French, that he, for himself, ; adopted the project, and considered it feasible, and of great utility to both nations : that the territory of Cayenne in which the French are is so extremely miserable that not even tobacco ':. can be produced therefrom; and that the Dutch still less would be able to subsist in their settlements, neither being able to pene trate to the interior, as they had no means of maintaining themselves, and thus by our sur rounding them, and assisting each other, it does not appear difficult to be able to attain the end in vieAv; that he will inform the King, and carefully reply to all Avith the greatest secrecy and reserve. 79 No. 275. Copia de Carta de.Jose de Carvajal y Lancaster a el Sefior Concle de Perelada, fecha en Aranjuez, a 21 de Mayo de 1753. Excelentisimo Senor, LA especie de que hie vuestra Excelencia in- struido en orden a lo que poclian hacer los Cojnisarios cle las dos Coronas que Aran a demarcar la linea divisoria por la parte del Maranon, urge ya es tiempo de tocarla a esse Ministro, sino es que haya vuestra Excelencia conociclo que no es seguro, 6 no conviene hablar de ello, pero estando para salir su flota con los Comisarios y el principal Ministro aqui por las ultimas ordenes, si ha de ser, llega el caso de instruiiios. Yo no dejate de hacer lo con este largamente, remitiendo a la orden que le pasare a Cadiz, si ha cle tocarlo, 6 no, segun lo que vuestra Excelencia me avise de ay. Lo que puedo decir ;i vuestra Excelencia es que aunque lo desean ignorado Holandeses, yo se bien que sus negros lebantados estan vigorosos. Que rechazaron la tropa que la Repiiblica envio a sugetarlos. Que ha muerto el Comandante General, que fne" encargado de la empresa, y estan ahora sin Comandante de" Tropa, ni de las Colonias. y solo a las ordenes del mas antiguo cle los oficiales subalternos con que todas las ,circumstancias con- spiran a hacer mas factible mi idea. Nuestra Sefior guarde a vuestra Excelencia muchos aiios como deseo. JOSE DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER. Aranjuez, de 21 de Mayo, de 1753. Senor Conde cle Perelada. Don Josi cle Carvajcd y Lancaster, Spanish Secre tary of State, to Count de Perelada, Spanish Ambassador cd Lisbon, 21 May, 1753. Aranjuez, Most Excellent Sir, May 21, 1753. THE subject concerning which you were in structed, in regard to Avhat the Commissioners of the tAvo Crowns, appointed for the survey of the boundary towards the Maranon, might do, is urgent. It is now time to broach that matter to the Portuguese Minister, unless it be that you haA^e learned that it is not certain, or that it is not desirable to speak about it. But as the fleet is uoav about to leave with the Commis sioners, and the principal Minister being uoav here for his final instructions, if it has to be, the time_ has arrived to inform them. I shall not fail to do so fully Avith the Minister here, referring him to the order Avhich I shall send him at Cadiz, for instructions as to Avhether the matter is to be taken up or not, according to Avhat. you may advise from there. What I can tell you is that i Avell knoAv the revolted negroes are powerful, although the Dutch pretend to ignore it; that they repulsed the troops the Republic sent to subdue them; that the Commandant-General, charged with the expedition, has died ; and that they are now without either Commander of the Forces or of the Colonies, and exclusively under the orders of the senior subaltern officers, so that all the circumstances combine to make my idea feasible. God protect you, &c. rSigned) JOSE DE CARVAJAL Y LAN CASTER. The Count cle Perelada. A "Archivo General de Simancas." Secretary of State. Bundle 7243. B G No. 276. Copia de Carta oleDon Jose cle Carvajal y Lancaster a el Senor Conde de Perelada, fecha en A ranjuez, d 28 de Mayo de 1753. Excelentisimo Senor, NO puedo ponderar a vuestra Excelencia cuanto gusto me dan sus noticias del buen animo, y disposition de Don Sebastian Jose Carvallo acia toda buena medida, por mas que ayan querido confundir, y embrollar espiritus obscuros, y turbu- lentos, ignorantemente favorables a nuestros emulos y contrarios. Digale vuestra Excelencia que me crea hombre de verdad, y si quiere examinarlo inquieralo de los que han tratado conmigo grandes negocios. Que con ella le diga que deseo una firme y solida amistad de esta con esa Corona en bien reciproco de ambas yu quiere provarlo, vera si me halla pronto siempre. Que asi que me hablaron cle parte de alia del Tratado cle America, conteste con lisura, bien que fuy algo despacio por no dar celos a las Potencias que mantenian la guerra en Europa. Don Josi de Carvajcd y Lancaster to Count de Perelada, 28 May, 1753. Aranjuez, Most Excellent Sir, May 28, 1753. I CANN OT express to you the pleasure your news gave me, in regard to the good feeling and disposition of Don Sebastian Carvalho towards every good measure, however much obscure and turbulent spirits have wished to confound and embroil the matter, ignorantly favourable, as such are, to our rivals and antagonists. Please tell him [ am a man of honour and truth, and if he wishes to inform himself of the same, to inquire of those who have treated of great affairs with me. Moreover, tell him that I desire a firm and solid friendship of this Crown with that of Portugal, equally beneficial to both, and if he wishes to prove it, he will always find me ready. That from the moment they spoke to me, on the part of Portugal, of the American Treaty, I replied with sincerity, although somewhat sloAvly, so as to create no suspicion in the Powers avIio were carrying on the Avar in Europe. D E E so A Que propuse si querian Tratado cle alianza, que se haria, y sino le querian que me se hiciese. Lo mismo respecto de otro de comercio. Que cle alianza no se contesto, ni yo hize instan- cias; que cle comercio se contesto le fuinios tratando, le dejaron caer despues y yo no les insto. Que en el cle America he Ilevado los puntos a que quedo regla fija para determinar las Cortes en cada lance quienes tienen razon, 6 Aran contra ella, B supuesto que nunca pueden faltar en ambas Arasallos codiciosos, e inquietos que intenten contra lo justo y el remedio para que no tenga mayores consequencias es la claridad para conocer el trans- gresor y castigarle de buena fe. Que el segundo objeto, fue- que en la America, como en Europa sean (las dos) Monarchias con- finantes en todo su territorio con limites sabidos cle todos. Que en esto llevo dos grandes fines que ninguna nation tercera se meta entre las dos porque no p introduzca sedition entra las dps para turbarnos, y entre tanto estenderse alia en nuestras minas ; el segundo que estando asi uniclas las dos con- serA^en la ventaja que las ha dado el cielo, cle ser ellas solas duenos de las minas como lo son aora haciendo a las demas dejaendientes, que lo fueran menos, si alguna otra se nos metiere donde pudiera coger algunas. , Que sobre estos principios, y por este objeto forme el projeto que encargue' a A'uestra Excelencia le comunicase, como lo ha hecho de entendernos a j) estrechar los Holandeses de Surinam, a A-er si poniendonos cle aquerclo y siguienclo firmes la idea los podemos hacer saltar de alii, y unir nuestros confines en aquellas solas partes que quedan sepa- rados para que nos ayude en la ocasion la in'quietud, E 92 No. 293. Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of an Ordinary Session of the Court of Justice, held at the Fort Zeelandia, in the Rio Essequibo, April 1, 1754. (Extract.) A B Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of the Colony of Essequibo, held at Fort Zeelandia, April 1, 1754. DE Heer E. Pypersberg bij de laeste vergadering gecommittert sijnde om met en nevens de Borger Capiteijns de plaets bij Maroco, te gaen besigtigen welke voorgeslaege Avas om een Post te leggen welke voorgegeve wierd bequaem te weesen om de desertie der slaven van hier naar Orinoque te jjrevenieeren. Heeft in deese vergadering verslag van sijne commissie gedaen seggende op die voor geslaege plaets wel een Post gelegt konde worden en cle plaets redelijk bequaem hoewel aen eenige inconvenienten onderworpen dog dat deselve sijns' bedunkens aen het bedoelde oogmerk geensints konde voldoen om Arerscheijde door sijne bij ge- bragte redenen. Hetwelke rijpelijk overwogen sijnde en geconsi dereert cle lasten Aran de Colonie reets swaer genoeg Avaeren sonder deserve te vergrooten, is geresolveert voor als nog niets in deese saek te doen. MR. C. PYPERSBERG, who was commis sioned along with the Militia Captains at the last meeting to view the place in Moruka which was proposed for the erection of a Post to pre vent the desertion of slaves from here to. the Orinoco, has sent in at this meeting the Report of his Commission, stating that a Post could be erected at this place, and that the place was fairly good, though subject to some inconvenience, but that the place would not. in his opinion, answer for the proposed object' for several reasons. This having been maturely considered, and1 the expenses of the Colony being high enough, . it is resolved to do nothing at present. No. 294. c Extract from the Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, June 30, 1754. D E DE Heer Abraham A'an Doom, Justitie Raad deser Colonie op sijn versoek binnen gekomen sijnde, heeft uijt naem van eenige Ingesetenen versogt, te mogen weten, off de Rivier van Bou- Averon was opengesteld geworden, en hier op van neen geandwoord sijnde, heeft verder in " naeme voorsz. versogt, dat aen de gemelde Ingesetenen gelijke vrijheid en permissie, als aen Edward Ling, en Compagnie, mogte geaccordeert worden, ten eijnde in die Rivier ook houd te mogen vierkanten en maeken. Welke versoek (als buijten kennisse van H. E. G. Aclibre.) geconsidereert sijnde, is bevonden ook te strijden, tegens het consent bij deze Vergaede- ringe op den 6 January deses Jaers, aen Jan Simonsen Swartz en Edward Ling en Compagnie, op hun versoek toegestaen ; continerende vrijheijd om wel in de Rivier van Weijne, maer geensints in Bouweron, houd te mogen maeken, en is over- sulks goedgevonden het meergemelte versoek, volstrekt, te weijgeren, en d'heer van Doom voor sijne Committenten te permitteren, om in de RiAder van Weijne houde te mogen maken, onder dese voorwaerde nogthans, dat soodaenige ingesetenen, alhier alvorens sullen moeten aengeven te Plaetsen waer sij verkiesen het houd te maeken, en onder het betaelen der recognitie bij de bovengenoemde onse resolutie gereguleert. MR. ABRAM VAN DOORN. Councillor of Justice of this Colony, having been admitted, asked in his own name, and on behalf of several colonists, whether the River Pomeroon had been thrown open, and having been answered in the negative, he further requested, in the name of the aforesaid, that the same permission and liberty might be granted to them as to Edward Ling and Co. to go and cut timber in that river. This request, having been considered, was found to be contrary to the consent accorded by this Court on the 6th January last to J. S. Swartz. and Edward Ling and Co., liberty having been given them to cut down timber in the River Waini, but by no means in Pomeroon, and if was therefore agreed that the aforesaid request should certainly be refused, and that Mr. van Doom and those whom he represented should be permitted to cut down timber in the River Waini, on the condition, however, that such colonists should always be obliged to give notice here beforehand of the places they selected for cutting timber, and should pay the recognition money fixed by the above-mentioned resolution of ours. No. 295. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 2, 1754. (Extract.) -P AL sedert eenige weeken is hier het gerucht FOR some weeks past a rumour has been ¦* verspreijdt dat dagelijx in Orinoque yerwacht spread here that a Major-General with three or wierd een Generael Majoor met drie a vier Inge- four engineers and some troops were expected 93 nieurs en eenige troupes. Mij daer over geinfor meert hebbeude is mij gesegt en ork uijt Orinoque geschreven sulx waer was dog dat alleen d'intentie was om de mond van Orinoque te peijlen en nauw- keurig te besigtigen of het niet mogelijk was dat daer jaerlijx een register schip quam om de beta- ling van garrisoen, &c, te brengen op dat niet meer soo verre over landt gehaelt mogte worden. Dit quam mij seer Apocrief voor Wijl daer toe beter een zeman en Stierlieden, als een Generael Majoor en Ingenieurs geemploijeert konde worden en veronderstelde seker hier wat anders achter Schuijlde. Deese missive van DHr. Clarke ondekt het geheijm en sie nu dat niijne gissingen gansch niet ongegrond sijn geweest. Volgens de rapporte der Indiaenen sijn tusschen Orinoque en hier twee a drie seer rijke silver- mijnen. Gans niet aen of bij de Rivier Orinoque maer verre bezuijden aen onse kant en selver naer mijn gedachte besuyde Weyne en in het gebergte clen blauwen berg gemeenlijk ge naemt welke een geheele lange regel gebergte uitmaekt welke UEGA op het kleijne aen UEGA bij mijn aenweesen in Zeeland overhandigde Caertje uijtgedrukt sullen vinden. Dit soo sijnde (als vreese maer al te seker is) wat sal dit worden ? of Avat sal ik doen, met het geringe getal militie kan ik het geringste gewelt in die streeken niet keeren. Ik kan self ommogelijk (hoe nootsaeke- lijk in deese omstandigheijt) acht a tien man detacheere om de Post van Maroco te besetten en soo doenlijk te defendeeren welke vreese last Sal lijden. Al wat sal konne doen is met cle hulp der Carribische natie welkers vlugt uijt Barima dage- lijx te gemoet sie alle mogelijk hinder toe te brengen aen die onderneming maer dan had ik Carguasoenen en brood Nodig en hebbe geen van beijde. Ik hebbe d'Eer UEGA te versekeren dat hier niet op slaepen sal, maer doen al wat in mijn vermogen- is en ondertusschen UEGA beveelen ten spoedigste verwagten nevens de soo lang versogte limietscheijding om Seker te werk te konnen gaen (Is deselve bij het tractaet van Munster niet ge- reguleert ?). Daer sijn ook Sweedsche Emissarissen (Soo Ver- neme) in Suriname gearriveert om Barima te be sigtigen soo dat die Oude Saek dok weder begint te herleven, clog ben daer soo veel niet ongerust OArer als over het andere. Soo aenstonds ontfang ik bericht als dat de Spanjaerden (apparent om haer onderneming te faciliteeren boven in Cajoenij twee Missions heb ben gestabilieert en met manschap beset. UEGA Sal Seker voorstaen dat ik d'Eer hebbe gehadt UEGA eenige jaeren geleden te berichten dat sij een Mission in de Kreek Mejou in Oajonij uijt- waeterende hadde geset, waer op UEGA mij d'Eer hebben gedaen te beveelen, dat ik deselve moet toachten te verhinderen, dog sonder daer in te parrisseeren. Ik trede niet in de redenen die UEGA hebben gepermoveert, om dit geheijm te beveelen, daer die Mission soo volstrekt en indis- putabel op ons territoir was. Dog hadde eer met die ordre vereert was, reets aen den Gouverneur van Cumana geschreven en mijn beslag gedaen met versoek die Mission van daer te doen vertrek- ken met bijvoeging dat anders genootsaekt Soude weesen. Hoewel ongaern Middelen te gebruijken die hem seker onaengenaem soude wesen. Dit had een gewenseht effect wijl ik een seerbeleeft antwoord bequam en die missie ook effectief niet alleen te rug getrokke maer self eene derselve [696— 2] every day in Orinoco. Having inquired into this, A I Avas told and also written to from Orinoco, that it was true, and that the object was to measure and examine the mouth of the Orinoco to see if it Avere not possible for a register-ship to come there every year to bring the pay of the garrison, &c, so that it might no longer have to be fetched so far overland. To me that appeared very apocryphal, because for that one sailor and coxAvains would be more suitable than a General, and I surmised that there must be something more behind this. The inclosed letter from Mr. Clarke lays the secret bare, and my surmises turn out to be not un- B founded. According to the reports of the Indians, there are betAveen Orinoco and here two or three very rich silver mines, by no means at or near the River Orinoco, but far south of it on our side, and even, in my opinion, south of the Waini, and in the chain of mountains com monly called the Blaauwenberg, Avhich forms a Avhole long line of mountain chain, Avhich your Honours Avill find laid down on the little map handed oA-er by me Avben in Zeeland. This being so (and I fear it is only cjuite p too certain) how will this turn out ? or Avhat shall I do ? With the small number of soldiers I cannot turn the least aggression in this region. It is even impossible for me (however necessary at this conjuncture) to detach eighj; or ten men to garrison and defend as far as possible the Post of Moruka, which will, I fear, bear the brunt. All that I can clo is, with the aid of the Carib nation, whose flight from Barima is daily to be expected, to cause all possible hin drance to the undertaking ; but then 1 shall Avant ammunition and food, and have none cf either. D I have the honour to assure your Honours that I shall not slumber in this matter, but shall do everything in my pOAver, and meanwhile aAvait most speedily your Honours' orders respecting the so long sought definition of frontier so that I may go to Avork with certainty. (Has not this been regulated by the Treaty of Munster ?) There are also Swedish Emissaries (as I understand) arrived at Surinam to examine Barima, so that this old matter begins to revive again, but I am not so much disturbed about this as about the former matter. I have at this moment received information E that the Spaniards (apparently in order to facili tate their undertaking) have established two Missions up in Cuyuni, and garrisoned them with men. Your Honours Avill certainly recollect that I had the honour some years a'go to inform your Honours that they had located a Mission in the Creek Mejou, which flows into the Cuyuni, where upon your Honours did me the honour to com mand that I must try to hinder it, but without appearing therein. . I did not agree in the reasons which have actuated your Honours to command ™ this secretly, because this Mission was so abso- lutely and indisputably on our territory; yet when I was honoured with your command I had already done myself the honour of writing to the Governor of Cumana to make my com plaint, with a request that he would cause the Mission to be moved away from thence, adding also that I should otherwise be compelled, however, unwillingly, to use means which would certainly be disagreeable to them. This had the 2 B 94 A geestelijke hier gesonde wierd met betuijging dat Sulx onwetende geschied, was mijn oogmerke be- reijkt hebbende nam ik dit maer voor goede munt aen. Maer nu is het een geheel andere saek deese twee Missions sijn niet in de Kreek Mejou, maer eenige mijlen laeger aen cle Rivier Cajounij selver. dit bij d'andere rapporten gevoegt maekt de saek seer serieus en van veel gewicht en ik Sal UEGA beveelen met veel ongedult verwagten. Ik denke nog deese week naer boven te vaeren sijnde clen 8 deser Dinweijdiug van de nieuwe kerk op Ampa, en gaende clen 7 met D Hr. Spoors naer UEGA brood plantagie om den Directeur Feijtler af te setten en de Meesterknegt Cantingnon in cle plaets aen te stellen. Van Waer ik Sal naer Cajoenij Senden om oculaire Inspectie Aran Saeken te laete nemen. B desired effect, because I received a very polite reply, and the Mission was not only actually moved back, but eA^en one of their ecclesiastics was sent here with the assurance that this had been done unwittingly. Having attained my object, I accepted this as sterling coin. But the present is quite another affair. These two Missions are not in the Creek. Mejou, but some miles loAver on the River Cuyuni itself. This, taken in conjunction with the other reports, makes the matter very serious, and a very weighty one ; and I shall with much impa-^ tience await your Honours' orders. I am yet thinking of navigating this Aveek up [the river], the 8th of this month being the inauguration of the new church at Ampa, and I am going on the 7th Avith Mr. Spoors to your Honours' provision plantation to dismiss Feytler, the Director, and instal in his place the fore man Cantingnon; from thence I shall send to Cuyuni to cause ocular inspection to be made. D Inclosure in No. 295. Mr. Gidney Clarke, in Barbadoes, to the Director-General, Essequibo, August 8, 1754. August 8, 1754. ALTHOUGH I have not been favoured Avith a line from you for some time past, I have, notwithstanding, constantly inquired after your welfare. 1 cannot omit this opportunity to inform you that the master of a vessel who arrived this day from Trinitada assures me that a large number of small vessels, with 500 men, Avere arrived there from Cumana. They are bound up the river of Orinoco, the branch that trends away to the south-east, at the head of which there are mines, and which they are going to take possession of. I therefore think it is incumbent upon me to give you this notice, as they may, perhaps, enter upon land within your district. If I hear anything further I shall communicate the same to you at once. Your Excellency's most obedient Servant, (Signed) GIDNEY CLARKE. No. 296. Minutes, of the Proceedings of the Court of Justice of the Colony of Essequibo. E Extraordinary Meeting held at Fort Zeelandia, September 10, 1754. (Extract.) DEZE Vergaderinge door Sijn Excellentie den Heer Directeur-Generaal extra ordinair geconvo- ceert, en op dese wijse belegt sijnde, heeft deselve gecommuniceert de bedroevde tijdinge, die Sijn Wel-Edele Gestrenge ontfangen had, volgens welke den toeleg der Spanjaerden soude wesen om dese Colonien vijandelijk te komen invaderen en over- rompelen, met recommendatie om alle soodaenige maetregelen en schikkingen te beraemen en maken als bij dese haghelijke omstandigheden, onder den ¦* zeegen des Heeren, tot meeste nut en bescherminge deser landen tot verijdelinge van sulke snode voor- nemens konnen strekken. Alle hetwelke in overweginge genomen sijnde, is eenpariglijk geresolveert, de volgende schik kingen en orders te reguleeren : 1. Dat den persoon van Jan Pieter Thoman met een brief je door Sijn Excellentie te schrijven. als expresse na Guiana aen den Commandant aldaer ¦ten spoedigsten sal worden afgevaerdigt waerbij THIS extraordinary meeting having been summoned by his Excellency the Director- General, he has communicated the sad intelli gence _ Avhich he had received, that it was the intention of the Spaniards to invade and ravage the Colony, and he recommends to take all such measures as would serve, by the grace of God, and be of the greatest avail and protection to these countries under such critical circum stances, and to disappoint such Avicked inten-, tions. All of which having,, been considered, it is unanimously resolved to make the following arrangements and orders : — 1. That Jan Peter Thoman be sent to Guyana, as an express messenger, with a letter from his Excellency to the Commandant, and to inform that Chief that these rumours are known here, 95 •dat opperhoofd salt berigt worden, dat dese gerug- ten hier bekend sijn en gevraegd naer de oorzaak en redenen, Aran alle die toe bereijdselen en dat in een tijd van diepe vrede. 2. Dat aen cle kant van Maroca, een bemant vaertuijg sal worden gelegt, om wagt te houden, en op alle bewegingen te letten, met ordre, dat bij de eerste ontdekkinge, off gegrond vermoeden van't aennaderen der vijanden, aen clen Heer Directeur- Generaal ten spoedigsten sullen komen kennis geven. 3. Dat aen sekeren persoon .... Meyer genaamt in Suriname gewoond hebbende en sig thans in Barima onder de Incbannen onthouclende per cle voorsz: expresse een vrijgeleid brieff sal worden gesonden, ten eijnde veijlig naer herwaerts te komen, in hoop dat die man alhier van nut sal konnen wesen. 4. Het reglement voor de respective Borgerije te reguleren en nader te affigeren, met soodaenigen . alteratie, off ook wel ampliatie, als sal worden bevonden te behooren, volgens welke een clerde van de Borgerije, naer dat de allarm seijnen sullen geschiet sijn onder hunne offitieren op derselver heurten alhier naer 't Fort zullen komen. 5. Dat alle de Engelsche barken die in de Rivier leggen op het eerste allarm, onder het canon van het Fort sullen komen leggen welkers inattrosen (is'tnood) onder betaelinge geprest, en ten dienste van clen lancle sullen geemployeert Avorden. 6. De Heeren Capiteijns der Borgerije aen te zeggen liunne compagnien ten spoedigsten op te nemen, en de lijsten van hunne onderhebbende manschap op te geven ten eijnde daerna een nadere verdeelinge kan worde gemaekt. 7. Sal een ligte Canno, met Indiaenen, en twee off meer creolen bemand en met een draaybas versien, onder de directie van een, off twee men schen, die men daer toe sal tragten te huuren. Het zij Adriaan Christiaansen, Hendrik Schee, off andere, aen Capoey en Oene kruijssen om op de minste kondschap van der vijanden zijde, allarm -¦seijnen te geven, en vervolgens naer binnen komen om een rapport te doen. and to ask for the cause and reason for all A these preparations, and that in a time of peace. 2. That an armed boat be placed at Moruka to keep guard, and to notice all movements, with instructions, at the first signs or suspicion of the approach of the enemy, to come and inform the Director-General as soon as possible. 3. That by the same messenger a safe conduct be sent to one named Meyer, Avho has lived in Surinam, and is at present amongst the Indians B in Barima, for him to arrive safely here, in hopes that the man Avill be of service here. 4. To revise the different Militia Regulations, and to publish them, with such further altera tions and amplifications as will be found neces sary, by which a third of the militia, after the signals of distress are given, shall come to the fort under their officers. 5. That the English vessels which are in the p river shall come and lie under the guns of the fort at the first alarm, and their sailors (in case of need) be pressed, under payment, and be employed in the service of the Colony. 6. To order the Captains of the militia to take up their companies, and to make a list of their men, in order to be able to make a proper division. 7. A light canoe, manned with Indians and with tAvo or more Creoles, and provided with a swivel gun, under the command of one or two J) persons who are to be hired, say, either Adriaan Christiaansen, Hendrik Schee, or another, to cruise off Capoey, and to give signals of distress at the least sign of the enemy, and then to return and report. No. 297. Director-General in Essequibo to the West India Company, September 11, 1754. (Extract.) E DEN Raad bijeen sijnde en d'heer Persick ver- cheenen, heeft zijne berigten (onder belofte van secretesse, van de naam der schrijver) over- handigt, waeruijt gezien zijnde, wij naar alle menschelijke gedagten, met een invasie worden bedreijgd zoo zijne alle de ons mogelijke middelen beraamt tot tegenweer, de capiteijns gelast aen- stonts haar onderhebbende manschap en amunitie op te neemen, de Caribes en verdre Indianen ten eersten te waarschouwen, vaartuijgen tot uijt- leggers ten spoedigsten vaardig te maaken. En een expresse naar Oronocque te senden, met een brief van mij, aan den Commandant al daer— waervan copie hlerneevens schrijve heeden ook aan alle de posthouders om de noodige voorsorgen te gebruijken. THE Council having met and Mr. Persik having appeared, he handed over his letters (under promise of secrecy as to the writer's name). Having seen from these that according to all human reckoning we are threatened with an in vasion, we framed every measure of defence pos sible to us. We have ordered the Captains to make lists without • delay of their men and am munition, to warn the Caribs and other Indians at the earliest opportunity, to make ready as soon p as possible ships to serve as outlying posts, and to send a messenger to Orinoco with a letter from me to the Commandant there, of which a copy herewith. To-day I also write to all the Post- holders to use the necessary precautions. 96 No. 298. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, October 12, 1754. (Extract.) ICK hebbe d'Eer gehadt U. E. G. A. over Ber- A hices per Capt. 1. 1. Boon te schrijven, en U. E. G. A. kennis te geven van dadvijsen die ick Van Barba dos ontfangen hadde van DHr. G. Clarke aen- gaende de beAveegingen der Spanjaerden in deese naebuurschap. Ick hadde (hoewel haere voor- Avendselen weijnig vertroiuvde) echter in die tijd geene gedagten dat sij het oog direct op deese Volkplantingen soude hebben ; Dog kort daer naer d'advijsen A'an St. Eustatius en self direct uijt Orinoque ons meldende dat weesentlijk het voornemen soude sijn om een attaque op deese en naburige Colonien te risqueeren, heb ik hier van d'Eer gehadt U. E. G. A. (per Capt. Errauds veer- B tien daegennaer Capt. Boon uijt Berbices vertrok- ken) kennis te geven. Ick hebbe mede bevel naer Maroco gesonden om alle de binnelansche waeteren en passagien toe te laete kappen op clat sij met geen kleijne vaertuijgen (en volgens de berichten hebben sij als nog geen groote bequam om buijten om over zee te komen) soude konne passeeren. Alle de Caraibes sijn mede gewaerschouwt om sig gereet en geAvapent te houden. Dog bevinde dier waer- „ schouwing niet eens nodig was geweest alsoo door ^ een van haere hoofden die voorlede week bij mij is gekomen vernomen hebbe die natie als verwoed op de Spanjaerden is wijl deselve, een mission in Cajoeny tusschen haer en de Natie der Panacays hebben geset en hier door haer de communicatie met die natie en haere geheelen Slaeven handel aen die sij cle trachten te Stremmen en geheel te beletten, ook reets eenige Caraibes gelicht en ver- voert hebben. Waerom sij een verbond met voors. Panacaijs hebben gemaekt, die al soo misnoegd waeren als sij, en gesamenderhand die Mission oyervallen den ¦jy Pater en tien of twaelf Spanjaerden gemassacreert en de gebouwen geslegt hebben. Waer naer sij touwtjes met knopen naer alle die van haer Natie hebben gesonden, het welk haer manier is tot een Generael op ontbodt, om gesamenderhand toverleggen wat haer verder te doen staet- Den 23 deser heb ik dit bericht ontfangen van DHr. C. Boter welke mij daer bij seijde het algemeene gerucht was dat eene onser ingesetenen daer bij was geweest, en bij nader ondersoek werkelijk bevonden hebbende denselven omtrent die tijdt boven in Cajoeny Avas geAveest, heb ik D denselve laeten apprehencleeren en in het Fort brengen wijl sulk een saek van gevolge soude weesen en de Spanjaercle weesentlijke en gefun- deerde redenen van klachte soude geven, Daer ik altoos nauwkeurig Sorge voor hebbe ge- draegen. Echter heeft dit Aroor de Spanjaerden droevig geval, ons van die zijde gedekt soo dat Avij van die kant niets te vreesen hebben in tegendeel soude ' Indien het geval wilde dat Avij geattaqueert wier- den die natien de Spanjaerden spels genoeg aen die Kant maeken. ***** -P De Negers van U. E. G. A. Plantagie de Pelgrim wanneer haer Directeur haer aenseijde dat goede wacht moesten houden om op .deerste allarm naer boven de kreek te konne retireeren hebben geant- I HAD the honour to Avrite to your Honours via Berbice, per Captain I. I. Boon, and to give your Honours information of the advices which I had received from Barbacloes from Mr. G., Clarke, concerning the movements ' of the^ Spaniards in this neighbourhood. I had, hoAv- ever (although placing little confidence in their pretences), no thought at the time that they Avould have fixed their aim directly on these Colonies, but shortly thereafter the advices from- St. Eustace, and even from Orinoco direct, informing us that in reality the intention would be to venture an attack upon these and neighbouring Colonies, I had the honour to give information thereof to your Honours (per Captain Errauds, fourteen days after Captain Boon left Berbice). * * # * I have also sent order to Moruka to cause all inland waters and passages to be closed, so that they may not be able to pass with small vessels - (and, according to information they have, as yet, no great A-essels fit for outside, to come over the • sea). All the Caribs have also been warned to keep- themselves ready and armed, but I find this warning in no instance was necessary, since I have learned from one of their Headmen, who came to me last week, that the nation is furious with the Spaniards because they have located a Mission in Cuyuni between them and the nation of the Panacays, and hereby try to hinder their communication with that nation, and entirely to prevent their whole Slave Trade on that side ; already, too, they have impressed and taken away some. Wherefor they have made an alliance with the Panacays aforesaid, who were as malcontent as themselves, and both together surprised that Mission, massacred the priest and ten or twelve Spaniards, and have demolished' the buildings ; after which they have sent knotted cords to all persons of their nation (as is their custom), for a general summons to both together to deliberate on what further remains for them to do. On the 23rd of this month I received this information from Mr. C. Boter, who there upon told me the common rumour was that one of our colonists had been near by 'there, and upon further inquiry, ;having found that that person had been about the same time up the Cuyuni, I caused him to be apprehended and brought to the fort. Because such a matter Ayould be of consequence, and would afford the Spaniards real and well-founded reasons for: complaint, I have always taken punctilious care therefor. However, this sad accident for the Spaniards has covered us on that side, so that we have nothing to fear from that direction; on the, contrary, if luck will have it that we are to be attacked, these nations will make plenty of play on their side for the Spaniards. * * * * The negroes of your Honours' plantation Pilgrim, when the Director told them to keep*- good Avatch, so that at the first alarm they might retire above the creek, replied that in 97 woord dat in soo een geval sij versogten den Directeur met haer vrouwen kinderen geliefden te retireeren maer dat sij niet gesint waeren een voet te wijken dat sij sig aen weerzijde in het bos Avilde plaetsen en dan eens sien sonde of eeu Spanjaerd door de kreek en op de plantagie soude komen. De bequaeme mans van Duijnenburg en van hier sullen in het Fort retireeren om bij het ges- chut, &c, te dienen de Wijven en kindere naer boven in Bonasieke daer een bequaeme retraite klaer gemaekt wordt, en waer onse blanke vrou wen en kinderen mede naer toe sullen gaen. Aengaende die Van Aechtekerke welke ik gansch niet vertrouwe, heb ik ordre aen den Directeur gegeven om op het eerste allarm seijn met al sijn Slaeven naer boven ter plaetse waer Poelwijk gestaen heeft te retireeren. En de weijnige Crioolen van U. E. G. A. sullen in cas wij geattaqueert worden met eenige daertoe bestemde blanken en Mulatten naer boA^en in Cajoeny trekken om sig aen t Hoofd van de Caraibes te stellen en een inval in Guyana doen. Twee kleijne vaertuijgen (waer A-an eene klaer en het ander bijnae) worden vervaerdigt om de wachte te houden tusschen Maroco en Powaron en d'Aruwakken A-an die post sijn in Corjaers langs de ze'ekant verspreijdt, om in tijds te konne waer- schouwen. Ik twijffel niet of de Burgerije Sal een Barq waepenen (Indien maer kruijcl konne bekomen) om de wettelijken ihgank te bewaeren hebbende DHr. C. Leary reets toesegging van over de. 40 Engelsche Matroosen welke presenteeren daer op te dienen. Den Loots I. Grootendorst is reets over eenige daegen naer buijten gelopen om uijt te kijken komende in de voornagt telkens weder binne en in de niorgen Stond naer buijten. Dus alle mogelijke maetregulen genomen sijnde moeten wij met gedult afwachten wat hier van worden sal. Hoewel dese saek mij onbegrijpelyk voorkomt, en niet kan beseffen om wat reden en uijt wat hoofde, de Spanjaerden deese Colonien daer sij immers geene cle minste pretensien op hebben Soude willen invadeeren, voor al daer de tijdingen uijt Europa niets diergelijks voorspcllen, Soo Sijn echter cladvijsen Soo menigvuldig en Sommige komen van soo goeder hand, Dat niet weete wat denken sal, en mij verplicht bevinde om alle mensehelijke voorsorge te gebruijke, op clat het slegte excus, Ik hadde sulx niet gedagt niet Soude behoeA'en te gebruijken. Het eenigste coniraire bericht, komende van -eene van het volk Van Ignace Courthial welke eenige toebak by D Hr. Spoors heeft gebracht, en van een Mulat uijt Demerarij onlangs van boven Orinoque gekomen, Welk mij het waerschijnlijkste voorkomt, brengt mede dat de Porfcugeesen van Brasil voorlede jaer met de Magnauws Rio Negro syn af gekomen en daar dig.te by Orinoque besit van een Goudmijn hebbeu genomen en clat alle deese toebereijdselen worden gemaekt om de Portugeesen van daer te verdrijven. Ik denke het niet lang sal aenlopen of wij sullen uijt den droom weesen. Eesig Sijnde dit te Schrijven komt een vertrouwde Indiaen my een brief brengen van Orinoque met een omstandig bericht Avegens de Spanjaerden haer voornemen, deselve Confirmeert dat het voornemen is deese Colonie en Berbices tattaqueeren, Dat de Generael en chef den 20 Sept. in Orinoque Soude weesen, dat in r69(i— 2] such a case they request the Director to be A good enough to retire with their wives and children, but that they were not inclined to yield a foot, that they Avould station themselves on the other side in the forest, and then they would see if any Spaniards would come through the creek and to the plantation. The able-bodied men of Duynenburg and of this station, are to retire into the fort in order to serve near the artillery. The wives and children are to go above to Bonasieke, where a proper refuge has been made ready, and where our white wives and children are also to betake — themselves. ¦** With regard t6 those of Agterkerke, whom I do not entirely trust, I have given orders to the Director to retire, on the first signal of alarm, with all his slaves up to the place where Poel wijk used to be. And the few Creoles of your Honours will, in case we are attacked, go up the Cuyuni with some of the Avhites and mulattoes appointed for that purpose in order to place themselves at the head of the Caribs and make a raid into Guayana. Two small vessels are being made (Avhereof n one is, and the other is almost, ready) to keep watch between Moruka and Pomeroon, and the Arawaks of the Post are spread along the sea- coast in corrials so as to be able to give timely warning. I have no doubt that the Burghery will arm a barque (if only we can get powder) to guard the entrance, Mr. C. Leary having already pro mises of over forty English sailors who present themselves for service. Already some days ago I dispatched the pilot Grootendorst outside to look out. He comes back inside early every night, and goes out J) again early in the morning. Thus all possible precautions having been taken, we must with patience await Avhat may come of it, although to us this matter appears inconceivable, and Ave cannot comprehend for Avhat reason and on what account the Spaniards should wish to invade these colonies, to which they have not the slightest claim, especially Avhen the news from Europe predicts nothing of the kind. As, hoAvever. our adAdces are so numerous, and some come from such good sources. I know not what to think, and find it my duty to use all human precaution t.iat I may E not have to employ that bad excuse, '¦ I never thought of that.'' The single information to the contrary comes from one of Ignace Courthiai's people, who has brought some tobacco to Mi-. Spoors and from a mulatto of Demerara, who not long ago arrived from up the Orinoco, who brought word (which to me appears most probable) that the Portuguese of Brazil descended Rio Negro last year with the Maganouts, and these have taken possession of a gold mine close by Orinoco, and that all these preparations are being made ™ to drive the Portuguese away from thence. I think it will not be long before we shall be out of dreamland. While busy in writing this there comes to me a trusty Indian bringing me a letter from Orinoco with a circumstantial account con cerning the intention of the Spaniards. This informs me that thrir intention is to attack this Colony and Berbice; that the General-in-chief will be in Orinoco on the 20th September: 2 C 96 A Cumana twintig en in Orinoque aclit vaertuijgeti vervaerdigt wierd en welke tegens den la.este November in gereetheijt moeste weesen Sijnde het voorneme in tlaest van December of begin van January af te sakken, dat men besig was met alle magt volk te werveu en te pressen, en clat het Corps Soude bestaen uijt- drie a vier duijsend man. Deese Saek hoe langer hoe serieuser wordende hebben wij goedgeVonden hede den 30 Sept. een Vaertuijg te Senden naer Barbados en van daer een partije Cruijdt en patroontasschen te ontbieden' Avijl het Sonder dit onmogelijk is behoorlijke B resistentie te doen. De Borgerije alhier heeft een Cordaete resolutie genomen om goed en bloed op te setten tot defensie der Colonie en daer toe worden alle mogelijke dispositien gemaekt. Twee wel gewa- pende barquen worden met alle mogelijke Spoed uijtgerust en claer gemaekt om soo drae het kruijd gekomen is zee te kiesen en voor de mond en tot Rio Weijne te Cruijssen deene sal op hebben 30 Stukken Canon en 24 metaele draijbassen, dandere 6 Stukken en 12 Draijbassen met ander geweer en Manschap behoorlijk voorsien. Waer p toe De Heeren Leary en Persik haere Barquen ^ Edelmoedig Sonder iets daer voor te pretendeeren hebben geoffereert ; Een seer goed bequaem vaertuijg van DHr. Dudonjon Avord mede ge Equipeert om by den Hoek van Powaron te gaen leggen met een woord E. G. A. Heeren ik heb d'eer U, E. G. A. te versekeren dat onder af'smeeking van des alderhoogstens Genadige hulpe en Bijstandt, al gedaen sal worden wat in ons menschelijk Vermogen is om de Vijandlijke desseijnen te verijdelen. Gelieven U. E. G. A. niet qualijk te nemen dat j) ik in deese omstandigheden daer onophoudelijk besig ben van den vroegen morgen tot den laeten avond ik deer niet kan hebben U- E. G. A. om- standig over andere Saeken te Schrijven Sullende dit moeten uijtstellen tot nader Scheeps gelegen- theijt. Den Raed is den 7 deser wederom vergadert geweest over het tweede advijs van Orinoque enis juijst daegs te vooren onse afgesondene met brief aen den Commandant aldaer geretourneert. Deselve heeft ons bericht dat hij daer gevonden hadde de Heer Don Eugenio D'Alvarado Ridder van St. Jacob en Colonel over een regiment Infan- E terije en een Capt. van een Oorlogschip nevens drie Ingenieurs en eenige andere heeren, dog nog geen vreemde troupes dat dElf vaertuijgen die haer daer gebragt hadden dagelijx te rug wierden verwagt (sijnde naer Cumana geretourneert) met twee Barquen, om de nodige goederen af te haelen, &c. Dat de voors : Colonel thans in Orinoque Com- mandeerende hem hadde gesegt clat wel wenschte te weeten wie Sulke berichten hier hadde gegeven, dat denselve indien konde bekomen exeniplaer soude laete straiten dat hij dagt Sulx door een barq van Barbados was geschied welke hij aen E Triuitada hadde gesien dog als hij dat hadde konnen vermoeden deselve noijt Barbados weder gesien Soude hebben. Daer en bove hadde dafgesondene in Orinoque gesproken eenen Nicolaas Collaert, voor eenige jaeren van hier gevlucht, welke hem verhaelt hadde voors : Colonel hem hadde laeten naer Orinoque haelen en hem hadde doen maeken Soo hij best konde een aftekening van den loop van de Rivier Cajounij. that in Cumana twenty, and in Orinoco eight, ': ,; vessels Avere being made, Avhich must be in readiness by the last of November,_the inten tion being to come doAVn upon us in the end of December or beginning of January; that theV were busy A-vith all their energy to recruit and" press people, and the corps was to consist of 3,000 or 4,000 men, As the matter becomes more serious as time goes on, we have to-day resolved to send a vessel to Barbadoes on the 30th September, and to order thence a lot of ammunition and cartridge cases, because it is impossible without these to make proper resistance. The burghers here have undauntedly re solved to risk their lives and property in the de-' fence of the Colony, and have made- all possible arrangements therefor. Two well-armed barques are being fitted out with all possible speed, and made ready so that- when the ammunition has arrived they may go to sea and cruise before1 the mouth, of the river and as far as the River Waini. One will mount thirty pieces of cannon and twenty-four metal swivel guns, the other six pieces' and twelve swivel guns, properly - provided with other guns and forces, for which [service] Messrs. O'Leary and Persik have gene rously offered their barques without making any claim therefor. A very good and fit barque of Mr. Dudonjon has also been equipped to go and lie by the angle of the Pomeroon. Honourable Sirs, in one word, I have to assure your Honours that whilst imploring the merciful support and help ; of the Most High, everything shall be done that it is in our human power to do to frustrate! hostile designs. Your Honours will please not take it ill that I, in these circumstances, being incessantly busy } from early morning till late at night, cannot . have the honour to write circumstantially about other matters to your Honours, but must defer j this to a later ship's opportunity. The Council was again assembled on the 7th of this month for the second advice from Orinoco, and our Emissary, with a letter for \ the Commandant there, returned just one day ( previously. He has informed us that 'he had i found there Senor Don Eugenio D'Ah'arado, Knight of St. James, and Colonel of a regi ment of infantry, a Captain of af man-of-war, and three engineers, and some other gentlemen, but no foreign troops. That the eleven vessels which had brought them were daily expected back (being returned to Cumana) with two barques to fetch the necessary goods. That the aforesaid Colonel, tnen commanding in Orinoco, had told him that he should very ,| much like tc know who had given such infor- ," mation heref that if he could catch him he •'''!: Avould cause him to be punished, that he thought it had occurred through a Barbadoes' barque which he had seen at Trinidad, but that, if he could have supposed that, it should never again have seen Barbadoes. Moreover, the Emissary had in Orinoco con" versed with one Nicnolas Collaert, who fled from here some years ago, who had related to him that the Colonel aforesaid had caused him to be brought to Orinoco, and- had let him make to the best of his ability "a drawing of the course of the River Cuyuni, 99 Voor de rest waeren hem duijsend versekeringen gedaen dat men het op ons niet haclde gemeent, maer dat de preparatien waeren om Rio Negro op te vaeren en de limiet scheijdingen tusschen de Spanjaerde en Portugeesen te reguleeren. Het selfde behelst het antwoord van den Com mandant Valdez aen mij waer van d Eer hebbe copije aen U. E. G. A. te senden. Verscheijde in den Raed waeren van Opinie Avij nu niets te vreesen hebben en alle gevaer over is voor al wijl den Contador of Secretaris Don Felix aen Persik Sulx geschreven met veel verse keringen betuijgd dat niet op Ons gemunt was (echter met bijvoeging) ten sij andere beveelen van het hof van Spanje mogte home die hem onbekent waeren. Andere waeren met mij van Geyoelen dat wij geene de minste redenen van gerustheyt meer hadden dan te vooren wijl men vereekert moest weesen, dat wat haer dessein ook mogt weesen Sij niets anders Sonde Schrijven als gedaen hebben Soo dwacs niet Sullende weesen Soo een voornemen topenbaeren. Dat hoe onwaerschijnelijk Soodanige onder neming mogte weesen (soo als sij waerlijk is) en hoe plausibel en aennemelijk het voorwendsel Van de limietscheydingen voorkomt, verscheyde omstandigheden Seer verdaght voorkoomen, en daerom onse plicht was op ons hoede te weesen en alle mogelijke voorsorge te gebruijken Dog daer in Soo veel doenlijk cle menage moesten be- trachten twelk generalster is toe gestemt en de resolutie daer naer ingericht. For the'rest, a thousand assurances Avere given A. him that they had no aims on us, but that the preparations were for the navigation of the Rio Negro, and to regulate the delimitation of the frontiers between the Spaniards and Portu guese, The reply of the Commandant Valdez to myself contains the same thing, copy of which ¦ I have the honour to send your Honours. * * * * Different persons in the Countil were of opinion that We now have nothing to fear, and all danger is over, especially because the Contador, or Secretary, Don Felix, has written B to Persik, and declared with many assurances that nothing was aimed at us, Avith the addi tion, however, "unless, however, other orders might come from the Court of Spain, of which he was unaware." Others Avere of opinion with me that we now had not- the least reason for confidence more than we had previously, because Ave ought to be most assured that, Avhatevev might be their aims, they would write nothing else than they have done, and that they would not be so foolish as to reveal their intention. That however improbable such an under- taking might be (which it really is), and how- ^ ever plausible and acceptable the pretext of the delimitation appears, different circumstances appear vevy suspicious, and therefore our duty was to be on our guard, and to use all possible precaution although therein moderation must be observed as far as possible, which was generally acknowledged, and a resolution framed accor dingly. Annex to No. 298. Copy of a Letter from his Excellency Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, LL.D., Director- General in ^ and over the Colony of Rio Essequibo, to the Spanish Commandant at Santo Thome', September 12, 1754. Monsieur, Essequebo, le 12 Septembre, 1754. Par des avis reiterez de ITsle de Barbados averti de l'arrivee' d'un Corps des Troupes a Trini- dade & de leur destination et depart pour I'Orinoque, aussi des preparatifs qu'on fait, sous votre commandemenfe a Cumana et ailleurs & du dessein qu'on a defaire une invasion dans mon gouvernement, je me suis cru oblige' de vous en- voyer cet expres avecq la presente pour vous en temoigner ma supprise & vous demander la raison de tout ces preparatifs en pleine paix dans notre voisinage. J'ay tache' antant qu'il etait en mon pouvoir d'entretener, une bonne correspondence avec mes voisins a ne manquer en aucune maniere aux traites qui subsistant entre Sa Majeste Catho- lique, & mes Souverains les Etats Geneiraux des Provinces Unies et suis resolu fermement de n'y contrevenir en aucun article et de les observer reiigieusement comme j'ay toujours fait. Mais aussi j'ay l'honneur de Vous dire et je m'y crois oblige' indispensablement qu'en cas qu'on y contre vienne d'un autre o6te, je suis rdsolu de maintenir les droits de mes Souverains de tout mon pouvoir. J'ay fait avertir et armer tous les tndiens nos allies qui n'attendent que mes ordres pour marcher et enyoyer des expres chez nos Voisins & allies et en un mot fait tout ce qui est mon devoir de faire. Sir, Essequibo, September 12, 1754. Warned by repeated advices from the Isle of Barbadoes of the arrival of a body of troops at Trinidad, and of their destination and depar ture for the Orinoco, and also of the prepara tions that are being made under your command at Cumana and elsewhere, and of the design formed to make a raid into my Government, I have considered it to be my duty to send you this express with the present letter in order to E express to you my surprise, and to ask you for the reason of all these preparations in our neighbourhood in a time of peace. I have , endeavoured, as far as it Was in my power, to keep up good relations with my neighbours, and never to violate in any manner the Treaties which exist .between His Catholic Majesty and my Sovereigns the States-General of the United Provinces, and am firmly resolved not to infringe them in any particular, and to observe them religiously, as I have always done. * But I have also the honour to inform you, -^ and I consider myself indispensably obliged to do so, that in case they are violated by the other side, I am resolved to maintain the right's of my Sovereigns with all my might. I have' had all the Indians, our allies, warned and armed, and they only await my orders to march and send expresses to our neighbours and allies, and in a Avord, I have done all that it is my duty to do. 100 B Aussi Monsieur vous s'ecrivent celle-cy et de mandant votre reponse positive. Je n'auray nullement a me reprocher les malheurs que pourrait arriver et j'en auray la conscience nette route by land, and on this supposition, knowing 2 the immense importance it is to iris Majesty's service that I should fully inform myself of the pernicious avenues of the Province of Guayana to the Dutch Colony of Essequibo, I have sur veyed for myself the banks of the Cunuri, Miamo, and the other rivers which flow into the Yuruari, and with pleasure would I have penetrated as far as the Cuyuni, if political reasons had not prevented me doing so, but seeing that I have thoroughly investigated * it, and that the road, taken for granted in your Excellency's question, really exists and is prac ticable (according to the American fashion), you Avill see in the said Sheet No. 4 the various routes betAveen the Province and Essequibo whether by land, by fresh water, or by salt water. 13 Instruction. Tambien se informara VS. del Camino que hacian los Caribes de Orinoco, por unas I las del Rio Caroni, distante de Copapui un dia de Ca mino hacia el Ponieute, y si le trausitan oy con irecuencia. 13 Respuesta. • 13. Instruction. — Yqu will also enquire about the road made by the Caribs from the Orinoeo ¦..;, to certain islands of the River Caroni, distant from Capapui one day's journey westwards; ss and whether they use it frequently at the present day.. 13. Reply. — I likewise assume that in this 109 Tambien supongo que en este Articulo quiere VS. hablar del camino, por tierra, que hacen los Caribes de Orinoco al abrigo de las Islas que VS. me cita del Rio Caroni que estan hacia el Ponieute delaMision.de Copapui yen este senticlo he averi- guado, que navegan el Orinoco hasta la boca de Caroni, que entran en este, y pasan su salto 6 Baradero cle Noche, y siempre Aguas arriba siguen hasta las Islas de este Rio que VS. cita donde (digamoslo asi) hacen escala para internarse. , Las entradas las practical! cle dos maneras una saltando desde luego en tierra en las grandes Sabanas, y cejas de Monte que hay desde la Ribera del Caroni hasta la Mision cle Copapui por las quales ban igualmente a Cunuri Tupoquen, y demas pueblos destruidos el ano cle 51 y ami a Miamo hasta meterse en los Montes cle la Banda del sur habitados de Caribes, y otras Naciones barbaras donde hacen sus Poitos, 6 Esclavos que Uevan a vender a los Olandeses. Otra sin desembarcarse siguen las Aguas del Caroni, y entran en un brazo que despide este Rio el qual se extiende al sucleste, y acaba cerca del Yeruario que biene del sur, como el Caroni, arras- tran sus curiales, y entran en estas Aguas, y como el Rio Yeruario recibe cliferentes Rios, y entre otros el de Miamo, y Cunuri se comunican por todos con facilidad respectiba, a su nianexo, y uso de Navegar, y quando les parece tiempo por las diehas Aguas entran en el Cuyuni, y por consiguiente si quieren en el Rio de Esquibo. La primera entrada no es tan frecuente en ellos, como por lo regular son traidores, aunque vengan con apariencias de paz tienen miedo de las Misiones, : y temen ser descubiertos especialmente de la Nation Pariagota sus enemigos, y asi hacen la segunda con mas seguridad, y les biene mas comoda por la menos tierra que tienen que caminar para intro ducir en los Montes, y bolber a tomar las Aguas que naAregaron para retirar con seguridad sus presas. Esta noticia es general, a los Caribes de Orinoco, y relativa a los terminos con que VS. se explica en este Artieulo 13, pero tiene sus extension es - necesarias, a saberse para el util conocimiento de las Abenidas cle la Provincia cle Guayana, pues estas no solo favorecen la internacion de los Indios, sino la cle los extrangeros. Supuesto pues que la barbara Nation Caribe esta derramada en las vertientes de Orinoco lo mismo hacia Le- bante que hacia Poniente, como tanbien en los Montes de la banda del sur que son antemural de Esquibo, se sabe que continnamente andau trafi- cando por todas partes hostilizando las otras na ciones que habitan ambas riberas de Orinoco como tambien tierra adentro cle las Misiones de Padres Capuchinos y de los observantes, para hacer sus Poitos y destruir a sangre y fuego los que estan ya reducidos, en cuya inteligencia' las dos anotadas entradas no solo las hacen los Caribes de la parte del Poniente de las Islas de Caroni, sino los del Lebante, con esta diferencia, que los del Lebante salen de los canos de Aquire Macuro, Barima, y Garambo nabegan Aguas arriba Orinoco, y entran en Caroni, y los de Poniente hacen lo mismo Aguas abajo, y despues unos y otros como queda dicho. [696—2] Article your Excellency refers to the land A journey made by the Caribs from the Orinoco to their refuge in the islands of the River Caroni which you mention and Avhich lie to westAvard of the Mission of Capapui. And on this understanding, I have ascertained that they navigate the Orinoco up to the mouth of the Caroni, enter it and pass its fall by night, and continue their course up the stream until they reach the islands mentioned by your Ex cellency, Avhere, if Ave may so express it, they make a station for ingress into the interior. They make their entrances in two ways, one by leaping directly ashore in the great sa- B A-annahs and woods which run from the bank of the Caroni up to the Mission of Capapui, and by which they also go to Cunuri, Tupuquen, and other villages which were destroyed in 1751, and eA'en to Miamo, until they reach the woods of the southern slope which are inhabited by Caribs and other savage tribes, Avhere they capture their poitos or slaves, whom they carry off to sell to the Dutch. By the other way, without disembarking, they follow the course of the Caroni and enter an arm of this river which runs to the south-east and ends near the p Yuruario, Avhich comes from the south, like the Caroni. They drag over their canoes and launch them in that river, and as the Yuruario receiA'es Ararious rivers, and among others the Miamo and Cunuri, they communicate through out Avith ease, owing to their skill and practice in navigation, and when they think fit they enter through the said stream into the Cuyuni, and thus, if they choose, into the River Esse quibo. The first mode of ingress is not so general among them because they are usually traitors, and, although they come with the semblance of j) peace, they are afraid of the Missions, and dread being discovered, especially by the Pariagota ¦ tribe, their enemies. So they go more securely by the second, and it is more convenient for them, as they have less land to traverse either to reach the woods or to return to the stream they navigated and carry off their captives in safety. This statement is general as regards the Caribs of the Orinoco, and in respect to the limits stated by your Excellency in this Ar ticle 13. But it has extensions which are necessary for the useful understanding of the E avenues of the Province of Guayana, for these -not only favour the ingress of Indians, but also that of foreigners. Assuming then that the savage Carib tribe is spread along the tributaries of the Orinoco, equally towards the east and towards the west, and likewise in the woods of the southern .slope which form the defence of Essequibo, it is eAddent that they will be continually going to and fro through all parts, attacking the other tribes who inhabit both banks of the Orinoco, and' also in the interior, the Missions of the Capuchin Fathers and of the Observants, in E order to capture their poitos and destroy by fire and sword those who are already reduced. Hence it is evident that the two entrances mentioned are not only used by the Caribs of the western part of the islands of Caroni, but also by those from the east, with this difference, that those from the east come out of the Canons of Aquire, Amacura, Barima, and Garambo, navigate the Orinoco up stream and enter the 2 E 110 A Los de lebante tienen dos caminos mas cortos, y como dos para internarse eii las Misiones uno por Agua, y otro por tierra. El primero es el mismo que se reflere en el pliego No. 4, y el que hizo el aiio pasado de 1750 el Olandes Salomon Percico para bolberse a Esquibo ; pues como el Rio Ima taca, que biene de los Montes del sur, desagua en Orinoco a treinta leguas del Castillo de Guayana poco distante del Cano de Aquire y no lejos de ¦ los otros Macuro, Barima, Garambo, et cetera, B que estan inmediatos a la boca grande de Navios habitados todos de Caribes suben contra la cor- riente de Imataca, el qual ofrece camino para internarse en las Misiones del Palmar Miamo, y las demas, y si siguen hasta las cabezeras de dicho Rio, se encuentran en los Montes del sur, habitados de Caribes, y otros barbaros por donde ba el ca mino cle Esquibo que hizo el ano de 1742, el contrabandista Frances nombrado Ignacio, y por donde vino fugitivo el ano de 1749, el Olandes Nicolas Colart como uno, y otro relaciona el citado pliego No. 4. El segundo es todo por tierra, pues p como las cabeceras cle Aquire, y demas canos nombrados se extienden tanto hacia la tierra aden- tro, salen a dar a las sabanas de las Misiones cle Miamo, Tupoquen, Cunuri, et cetera, en las quales comerciaban, y si comercian en otras con Hachas Machetes Escopetas (que adquieren de los Olan deses), y Amacas que cambian por casabe Carapa y Currucay. 14 Instruction. Habitaba estas Islas con bastante [? fuerza] un J) capitan cle Caribes de mucbo nombre, abra V. S. con el ofreciendole buen tratamiento algunas platicas cle pacification, y tambien con el capitan principal de las cabeceras delano (?cano)de Aquire.clondereside gran numero de Caribes y con otros capitanes de la misma nation que ocupan las Cabezeras del Rio Caroni. Escuchelos V. S. sus proposiciones, y aunque no consiga V. S. traerlos a partidos razon- ables no los despida sin esperanza de otras platicas futuras. 14. . . . Respuesta. Para mejor resp'onder este Articulo es menester E desbanecer antes algunos equivocos imboluntarios que padece V. S. por falta cle verdaderas noticias, el primero que no es uno el capitan de nombre de las Islas de Caroni, sino varios. El segundo, que son muchos iguales en creditos, y f uerzas los de las Cabeceras del cano de Aquire cuyos nombres ban anotados al fin del pliego No. 4, y el tercero que las cabezeras del Rio Caroni, no estan cleter- minadas hasta ahora. En quanto a lo primero bino a mi presencia, y hable con buen interprete al Capitan Pattacon (que antes habitaba las Islas cle Caroni y oy esta -* poblado con la mayor parte de su gente en la Mision de Morucuri, fundada por el Padre Fr. Joseph de Guar dia) y procure regalarle bien para mas asegurarlo, y como estaba reducido a vida civil, no tube que tratarle de pacification ; pero, si por su medio ofreci buen tratamiento a su cunado el Capitan Thumucu y al Capitan Oraparene que se titula Rey cle la Parava : aqui es preciso hacer una digression para no equivocarnos quando hable de las cabeceras del Rio Caroni, en la comun Caroni, while those from the west do the same thing clown stream, and afterwards both pro ceed alike as already said. Those of the east have tAvo shorter routes, apparently for incursions into the Missions, one by water and the other bv land. The former is the one referred to in Sheet No. 4, and was made last year (1750) by the Dutchman Salomon Percico in order to return to Essequibo ; for, as the River Imataca, which cornea from the southern hills, falls into the Orinoco at 30 leagues from the Castle of Guayana, near the Creek of Aquire, and not far from those of Amacura, Barima, Garambo, &c, which are close to the great Boca cle NaArios, and Avhich are entirely peopled by Caribs, they come up against the stream of the Imataca, which offers a road for ingress into the Missions of Palmar, Miamo, and the rest, and if they proceed up to the sources of the said river, they come to the southern hills, Avhich are peopled by Caribs and other savages. This is the course of the road from Essequibo, made in 1742 by the French smuggler named Ignace, and by which in 1749 the Dutch fugitive Nicolas Colart made his escape. Both these circumstances are re ported in the said Sheet No. 4. The second is entirely by land, for since the sources of Aquire and the other canons already mentioned extend so far into the interior, they reach the plains of the Missions of Miamo, Tupuquen, Cunuri, &c, in AAdiich they used to trade, as they still do trade in others, with hatchets, cutlasses, guns (which they obtain from the Dutch), and hammocks, which they exchange for cassava. 14. Instruction. — You are to enter into parleys for pacification Avith a renoAvned Carib Chief living in these islands at the head of a consider able force, and to offer him good terms, and likewise Avith the head Chief of the sources of the Creek Aquire, Avhere a large number of Caribs are living, and with other Chiefs of the same nation occupying the sources of the River Caroni. You are to listen to their proposals, and, even if you do not succeed in bringing them to reasonable terms, you are not to dismiss them Avithout the hope of further parleys in the future. 14. Reply.— -In order to reply better to this Article, it is necessary first of all to remove some unintentional misconceptions Avhich your Excellency is under for Avant of accurate information. The first is, that there is not merely one celebrated Chief of the Islands of Caroni, but several ; the second is, that those of the sources of the Creek Aquire are many, and of equal reputation and strength — their names are given at the end of Sheet No. 4; and the third is, that the sources of the River, Caroni have not hitherto been ascertained. With respect to the first, there came into my presence, and, through an interpreter, I spoke Avith. the Chief Patacon (avIio formerly lived in the Islands of Caroni, and is now settled with the greater part of his people in the Mission of Morucuri, founded by Father Joseph de Guardia), and I took fare to treat, him well so as to make more sure of him ; and as he was already reduced to civilized life, it was not necessary to treat of pacification ; but through him I offered good treatment to his cousin, the Chief Thumucu, and to the Chief Oraparene, who styles himself King of the Parava. Ill opinion cle los Caribes, y para dar una pequeiia luz cle lo que es Oraparene y cle donde previenen los titulos cle capitanes que se adaptan. La parava en lengua Cariva dice Mar, y este sitio en que se llama Rey Oraparene es mas al poniente de las Islas Caroni en un gran cano que esta mas arriba cle las Islas de Patacon por doncle se desagua este rio recibiendo otros varios raudales .. que bienen tanto del sur como del Poniente antes I cle entrar en Orinoco ; por esto en el concurso de tantas Aguas le adaptan el nombre cle Mar. Es Oraparene Hombre cle adelantada razon que abiertamente ha respondiclo no quiere dejar cle ser "f Rey para pasar a una infeliciclad en la Mision, donde no puede tener manclo Guarichas (que son nmgeres) libertad para hacer poitos ni comerciar con sus amigos los Olandeses que le provehen de angaripolas para Guarucos, Hachas, Machetes, Achoti, y quanto necesita ; a estas razones anade otras muchas que favorecen la vida animal, y asi 8 se esta tereo en este modo de vivir. Capitanes entre ellos no es otra cosa que una union de personas de ambos sexos, compuesta de hijos hermanos cunados priuios, y sobrinos, que forman una parcialidad, y ocupan cierto terreno con sus rancherias, y aquel es tenido entre ellos por mas poderoso que puede juntar mayor numero cle gente; no guardan respeto ni subordination alguna al principal, ni tienen otras leyes que las de su antojo, son flojos los parives sobre los demas indios, y como el valor lo apoyan en estar con- tinuamente en movimiento hostilizando otras naciones, son muy bagamundos y trabajan sus labranzas con los poitos que hacen, cle los quales escogen los mas rollizos y las mugeres mas bien parecidas, y los demas los venden a los Olandeses por utiles para sus labores, y escopetas para sus defensas. Bolbiendo a Patacon, que, como todos ellos, es mil granclisimo embustero, biendose regalado con toda su "comitiva me ofrecio traher a Thumucu, y otros Capitanes, y desde luego reclutar muchos Indios para que se poblasen en la Mision de Aguacagua ; senalome luna para este servicio, pero me burlo por que no hizo nada y con pretestos futiles se escuso cle lo ofrecido, Thumucu su cunado que es otro tal tiene enganado con esperanzas de poblarse al Padre Fr. Joseph de Guardia berdadero operario del Seiior, en las orillas Orientales del Caroni, pero dificulto con- siga sus cleseos, y yo menos el berle pues a esta hora que respondo a V. S. no ha parecido. En quanto a lo segundo es moralmente im- posible traer a Platicas cle Paz a los innumerables capitanes cle las cabeceras cle Aquires, como vera V S. cle la lista cle ellos, que ba en el citado pliego No. 4, a motivo que estas descansan en los Montes de la banda del sur antemurales de la Colonia de Esquibo. Sin embargo he tornado mis medidas por parte de la Mision de Miamo, y echo que algunos Caribes de los Poblados se mezclen con ellos para ver si pueden traerme algunos para hablarles cle pacification, y si lo consigo no los Here it is necessary to make a digression in A order to avoid any mistake Avhen speaking of the sources of the River Caroni, according to the general opinion of the Caribs, and to throAV some light on Avhat is understood by Oraparene, and whence the title of "Chief" is derived. Parava, in the Carib language, means sea, and the place of Avhich Oraparene calls himself King is more to the Avest of the Islands of Caroni, 011 a great caiion, Avhich is higher up than the Island of Patacon, through Avhich this river discharges itself, receiving various other tribu taries, which come both from the south, and from the west before it fails into the Orinoco ; for B this reason, at the concourse of so many streams, they give it the name of sea. Oraparene is a man of advanced intelligence, and openly replied that he did not want to give up his Kingship and go into a state of misery in the Mission, Avhere he could not have authority, ¦' guarichas " (i.e., Avives), freedom to capture " poitos," or to trade with his friends the Dutch, who provide him with cotton goods, axes, cutlasses, dye-woods, and whatever he requires. To these reasons he added many others in favour of uncivilized life, and so he remains * obstinately attached to that sort of existence. With them, " Chiefs" are nothing more than a union of persons of both sexes, composed of sons, brothers, first cousins, and nephews, who form an association and occupy a certain district with their ranches, and he is considered the most powerful among them who can bring together the greatest number of people. They have no respect or subordination whatever to the Headman, and have no other laws than those of their own fancy. The Parives are more idle than the other Indians, and as they found their courage upon being continually in motion '£) and attacking other tribes, they are very roving, and Avork their farms with the " poitos " they capture, from among whom they select the most robust men and the best-looking Avomen, and sell the rest to the Dutch for implements for their farms and guns for their defences. Returning to Patacon — who, like all of them is a very great liar — when he saAv the presents made to him and to all his followers, he offered to bring to ine Thumucu and other Chiefs, and to gather a number of Indians forthwith for settlement in the Mission of Aguacagua. He fixed a month for this serA-ice, but he deceived E me, for he did nothing, and under futile pretexts excused himself from fulfilling his undertaking. Thumucu, his cousin, who is just such another, has deceived Father Joseph de Guardia, a true labourer for the Lord on the eastern banks of the Caroni. with hopes of coming into the settlement, but has raised constant difficulties as to Avhat he wants, and I have not even seen him, for up to this time when I am replying to your Excellency he has not appeared. With respect to the second, it is morally impossible to enter into negotiations of peace -^ Avith the innumerable Chiefs of the sources of Aquire, as you Avill see from the list of them in the said Sheet No. 4, seeing that these sources are in the woods of the southern slope that protect the Colony of Essequibo. Nevertheless, I have taken measures on behalf of the Mission of Miamo, and caused some Caribs from the settlements to mingle Avith them, in order to see if they can bring any of them to 112 A despedire sin esperanzas de futuras platicas como V. S. me previene. En cuanto a lo tercero para conclusion de este Articulo, es que en la comun opinion de los Caribes del Poniente estan las cabeceras del Rio Caroni en la Laguna de la Paraba, que dice Mar, y la suponen de mas de treinta leguas de exten sion habitada cle infinitas naciones Barbaras, a la banda del Sur, Otros al mismo rumbo las dan mas cerca pero lejos de la prueba : Ambos origenes son cludosos. Yo tengo el primero por mas probable, B y del uno y del otro mal se podrian traer a Platicas de Paz los diversos Capitanes de aquel parage, y menos conseguir la internacion a qual- quiera de los dos, como no se hiciese una expedition de Armas, a solo el fin, por lo qual he suspendido esta diligencia. Tengo noticias muy recientes clignas cle aprecio p en el particular que me aseguran, que el Caroni es un pequeno Rio y que muy cerca de sus cabeceras se le incorpora uno formidable llamado Carap, que nace en los Montes, cle la banda del Sur con cuyas Aguas se ha hecho famoso Caroni corriendo como se sabe. Esta noticia la tengo corroborada con diferentes Indios recien saliclos de los Montes ; la primera me dieron unos Guaicas Barinagotos, por medio cle su Misionero en el Yeruario, el Padre Thomas de S. Pedro y la segunda unos Caribes por medio de su Misionero en Aguacagua en las orillas Orien- tales de Caroni, el Padre Narciso cle Bisbal ambos JJ sugetos cle estimation, ;i lo que dicen pero estoy a ver lo que me resulta de posteriores especula- ciones. (Signature to Instrucciones) : DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. Cumana, 31 Julio, 1754. (Signature to Respuestasj : DON EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Provincia de Guayana, -p Mision del Hato de la Divine Pastora, * 20 de Abril de 1755. me, so that I may talk to them of pacification; and if I succeed I will not dismiss them with out hopes of future parleys, as your Excellency directs. With regard to the third and concluding section of this Article, it is the common opinion of the Western Caribs that the sources of the River Caroni are in the lake of the Paravar which they call the sea, and which they reckon to be more than 30 leagues in extent, and inhabited by countless savage tribes on the southern slope. Others in the same direction place these-* sources nearer, but too far off to be ascer tained. Both origins are doubtful, but I consider the former to be the more probable. But from either one or the other it would be very difficult to bring the various Chiefs of that district to negotiations for peace, and still more to reach any of them, for an armed expedition could not be made for that purpose only, and therefore I have suspended the matter. I have A^ery recent information, well worth' considering, upon this matter, assuring me that the Caroni is a small riArer, and that A'ery near its sources a considerable one, called the Carap,' falls into it ; the latter rises in the woods of the southern slope, and this stream has made the Caroni famous for its current. I have had corroboration of this account from various Indians who have recently come from the woods. The first was given to me by some Guaicas Barinagotos, through their missionaiy on the Yuruario, Father Thomas de San Pedro, and the second by some Caribs, through their missionary in Aguacagua, on the eastern banks of the Caroni, Father Narciso de Bisbal, both of them reliable persons according to report, but I must see what result I shall obtain from further investigations. * # * * (Signature to Instructions) : (Signed) DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. Cumand, July 31, 1754. (Signature to Reply) : (Signed) DON EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Province of Guayana, Mission of the Hato of La Divina Pastora, April 20, 1755. General Archives of Simanca. Office of the Secretary of State. Bundle 7390, folio 16. Copy of a document signed by Seiior Alvarado, dated from the Mission of the Hato de la Divina Pastora, in the Province of Guiana, April 20, 1755. Bundle No. 4. No. 306. Rcvo^l of .Don Eugenio Alvarado, Second in Command of the Commission of Limits, on the various Communications between the Province- of Guiana and the Dutch Colony of Essequibo. Comunicacion por Mar solo. DE dos maneras se hace la naAdgacioii por Mar a la Colonia Olandesa desde la Piwincia cle Guayana, ambas se toman desde la boca grande de NaAdos del Rio Orinoco una barlobenteando hasta tomar proporcionada altura, para embocar en el Rio cle Esquibo, y otra bajando siempre la costa. La primera es mas comun a las balandras y pequenas einbarcaciones cle cruz que entran en Orinoco al trato ilicito, si bien puede ser corta 6 larga segun los vientos que reynen de brisa 6 ben dabal. Communications by Sea alone. FROM the Province of Guiana to the Dutch Colony of Essequibo there are two ways of journeying by sea. In both the starting point is the Great Ships' Mouth of the River Orinoco. The first is accomplished by bearing to wind ward until the necessary point is reached for entering the mouth *of the Essequibo, and the second by descending the coast. The first is that commonly used by the bilanders and light craft entering the Orinoco for contraband trade, the length of the voyage depending on favourable or unlavourable Avinds. 113 La segunda es peligrosa asi por las A-iolentas resacas de las mareas como por los muchos arre- cifes, y puntas que han cle doblar a fuerzo de remo, estos incombenientes, quedan superados con la comqdidad que ofrecen los diferentes cafios de Orinoco, que corren tierra adentro, v por ellos huyen las lanchas de la costa como se explica en el siguiente capitulo : — Por Rio Canos y Mar. La navegacion mas coinoda es corriendo Aguas abajo de Orinoco hasta su boca grande cle Navios, ; y esquibando la costa se entra en el cano de i- Barima que biene a estar enfrente de la Isla de \ Oangrejos atraviesan el cano cle Garambo embo- can en el de Baune suben sus Aguas y asi por otras formando una especie de sich sach, caminan hasta iliencontrarse en el cano cle Monica, donde los Olan- ; deses tienen un Castillo que Hainan la posta : todos estos canos, se comunican a la mar en la longitud cle treinta y ocho leguas de costa ; sus Aguas son de Orinoco segun la comun opinion, que corren tierra adentro, con el impulso de las Mareas ; el dicho cano de Moroca que da a dis tancia de doce leguas de la boca del Rio de Esquibo ; de la boca grande de Orinoco, a la de Esquibo, quentan cineuenta leguas de costa, y por los consabidos canos se aorran (como se infiere) las treinta y ocho que son las peligrosas por la fuerte resaca que mueben les grandes Aguas de Orinoco con las de la mar, alterando al infinite las mareas y sus corrientes. En tiempo de rio lleno de Orinoco que atendida su plenitud tiempos en que empieza a bajar, y a subir se pueden contar ocho meses a fabor de esta navegacion en la qual se emplean para llegar a la Colonia de Esquibo clesde Guayana ocho 6 diez dias poco mas 6 menos en los cuatro meses que quedan del ano regulados por el riguroso Aerano dura el viage de doce a quince no ya por falta de agua para las lanchas sino por que reinan mas las brisas que son contrarias a la navegacion. Por Tierra y Rios. **"' Supuestos los dibersos pueblos que las Misiones de padres Capuchinos Cathalanes tienen en la provincia tanto N — S como L — 0 se puede tomar punto en cualquiera de las Misiones para dirigirse a la Colonia de Esquibo, pues la diferencia consistira en mas 6 menos dias de camino segun la situation cle cada una de ellas de la Mision del Hato de la Divina Pastora hasta entrar en los Montes ay de dos a tres dias de camino por sabanas, y la tavesia de estos montes eonsiste en ocho 6 diez hasta llegar a la libera del Rio Cuyuni el qual en tiempo de verano se atraviesa con el agua a la rodilla 6 saltando de piedra en piedra, el Imbierno en curiales de corteza de arbol, 6 piragua ; puestos en la ribera opuesta de Cuyuni siguen hasta una casa de campo, que esta en la punta de tierra (que se explica en el siguiente capitulo) en la cual hay comodidad para bolberse a embarcar, y navegar aguas abajo el Rio Esquibo. La precedente casa cle campo (que son las haciendas) esta en la propia punta que en figura de lengua de sierpe forma la tierra a motivo, que el Rio Cuyuni y el Mazaroni que ambos bienen [696—2] The second is dangerous, not only on account A. of the \-iolent swell of the tides, but also on account of the many sunken reefs and the numerous headlands, Avhich have to be doubled by force of rowing. These difficulties are sur mounted by profiting by the easy navigation afforded by the creeks of the Orinoco, which run inland. Down these the coasting-vessels run, as will be explained in the following chapter : — By River, Creeks, and Sea. * The most convenient naAdgation is to descend x> the Orinoco to its Great Ships' Mouth, then avoiding the coast to enter the Creek of Barima, facing the Island of Oangrejos, cross the Creek of Garambo, ascend that of -Baune [sic], and so on by others forming a species of zigzag until the Creek of Monica is reached. Here the Dutch haA-e a castle Avhich they call the Post. All these creeks communicate Avith the sea, in a space of 38 leagues of coast. The general opinion is that they are waters of the Orinoco, forced inland by the impetus of the tides. The aforesaid Creek of Monica is at a distance of 12 leagues from the mouth of the RiA^er Q Essequibo. From the great mouth of the Orinoco to that of the Essequibo 50 leagues of coast are counted. Thus, by the aforesaid creeks, are avoided (it is understood) the 38 leagues which are dangerous on account of the Ariolent swell of the sea, which agitates the waters of the Orinoco, greatly disturbing the tides and their cuiTents. Eight months can be counted in favour of this navigation during the time when the Orinoco is at its full height or when it com mences to rise or fall. The journey can then be accomplished, from Guiana to the Colony of D Essequibo, in about eight or ten days. During the four remaining months of the year, which is the time of the height of the summer, the voyage takes from twelve to fifteen days, uot on account of insufficiency of water for the boats, but on account of contrary Avinds. By Land and Rivers. The journey to Essequibo can be made from any of the villages of the Missions which the Catalonian Capuchin Fathers hold in this pro- A'ince, whether north and south, or east and E west, the difference in the length of the journey depending on the situation of the village started from. From the Mission of the Hato de la Divina Pastora to the forests is two or three days' journey through savannahs ; to pass through these forests, in order to reach the banks of the River Cuyuni, is a matter of eight to ten days ; in summer; the aforesaid river can be crossed on foot, the water not reaching aboA-e the knee, or by jumping from stone to stone. In Avinter it is crossed in canoes made of the bark of trees, or in pirogues. Once on the -^ further shore of the River Cuyuni the route is continued to a country house situated on a neck of land (as explained in the next chapter), whence it is easy to re-embark and continue the journey down the River Essequibo. The aforesaid country house (which is on an estate) is situated on a point of land shaped like a serpent's tongue, which is formed by the Rivers Cuvuni and Massaruny, running in 2 G 114 A del sur, corren formando clos lineas paralelas con que ban estrechando la tierra hasta perderse uno y otro en el Esquibo que igualmente biene'n del sur, aunque muy distantes entre si las cabezeras de los tres. Los individuos que han superado el camino de dos dias de sabana y ocho cle Montana se ben precisados a badear 6 atravesar en curialas a la ribera opuesta del Cuyuni, a motivo de ser muy fragosa la Montana, cle la orilla septentrional peligrosa por los muchos Indios Barbaros y de ningun sustento, a la bida, y asi por esto se buelben a embarcar como se ha dicho y llegan a otra casa de campo, que esta en la propia Ribera de Esquibo B a distancia cle ocho leguas del fuerte cle Zelandra. Este camino, que tanto por tierra como por agua consiste en once dias cle diligencias es comu- nicable, a todas las naciones cle Indios barbaros, que habitan las Montanas de la banda del Sur antemurales de la Colonia de Esquibo, y en especial de los caribes, y al abrigo, de estos los Olandeses, que para hacer el comercio de los Indios esclavos (que llaman Poytos) las penetran p continuamente hostilizando otras naciones por ^ toda la extension de los Montes, L. 0., por tanto no son caminos seguros para todos individuos sino para aquellos que tienen sus inteligencias con los Olandeses, y Caribes como testifican los ejemplares siguientes. El ano de setecientos quarenta y dos abrio for- nialmente este camino un frances llamado Ignacio famoso contrabandista en compania de un frayle Agustino Apostata de su religion, y por el condu- cieron doscientos mulas que habian sacado de las ProA'incias de Barinas, Caracas y Casanar las que pasaron Orinoco por la Angostura, y despues las j) aguas del Caroni, y asi puestas en esta parte de la tierra firme les" llebaron a Esquibo, y navegaron despues a Barbada, y Martinica. El ano de 1747, un Olandes llamado Salomon Percico que comerciaba en Orinoco, acosado de un corsario tomo tierra cerca del Castillo de San Francisco de Guayana, y siguiendo por las Misiones como si fuera por los estados generales se bolbio a su casa cle Esquibo por el propio camino que abria Ignacio salbando el dinero que desembarco con su persona. E El ano siguiente de 1749, vino fugitivo cle Esquibo a Guayana por una muerte que hizo en su propia hacienda un otro Olandes llamado Nicolas Colart que en diez dias se puso en la quemada Mision cle Cunury sienclo asi que vino con algunos Indios cargas. El ano de 1750, el referido Olandes Salomon Percico hizo el mismo camino si bien no se bolbio a su casa por tierra sino se embarco en el Rio de Imataca que sale treinta leguas mas abajo de Guayana, como dejo dicho en la respuesta dada al Capitulo 13, cle la Instruction. F Por estas aguas de Imataca entro en Orinoco, y siguio por los canos ya nombrados su navega cion a Esquibo donde oy vive, y es uno cle los individuos de credito en aquella colonia, y cle seguida correspondencia con el Commandante, y el contador del pueblo de Guayana y assi correla- tivamente con los Padres, y sugetos que hacen algun viso en esta Provincia. Aunque bastaban estos ejemplares para dejar probado el camino por tierra que esta abierto para parallel lines, Avhich gradually contract, until both rivers lose themselves in the Essequibo. Both these rivers come from the south, as also the Essequibo, but the three take their rise at a great distance from one another. The voyagers avIio have made the journey so far, for two clays through the savannahs and eight days through the forest, have to pass to- the opposite shore of the Cuyuni by means of canoes ; then they are obliged to re-embark to reach a country'house situated on the bank of the Essequibo itself at a distance of 8 leagues from the Fort of Zeelandia, on account of the forest on the northern bank being very rugged and dangerous from the numerous tribes of Indian savages to be met with there, and there being no means of getting provisions. This route, which by land and water occupies a space of eleven clays, is open to all the tribes of Avild Indians who' inhabit the forests of the southern bank, which serve as a defence to the Colony of Essequibo, especially to the Caribs, uuder whose protection the Dutch penetrate the forests constantly to trade for the slaves or poitos, fighting the other tribes of all the forest from east to Avest, for Avhich reason the passes are not safe to all, but only to those Avho have a good understanding Avith the Dutch and the Caribs, as the folloAving examples will show. In the year 1742' this route was regularly opened by a Frenchman named Ignacio, a famous smuggler, in company with an apostate'1 Augustinian monk ; and along it they conveyed two hundred mules, Avhich they brought from the Provinces of Barinas, Caracas, and Casanar. With these they passed the Orinoco by Angos tura, and then through the Caroni, and haAring reached this part of the continent, they brought them to Essequibo, and shipped them to Bar badoes and Martinique. In the year 1747 a Dutchman named Salomon Percico, trading in Orinoco, and pursued by a pirate, landed near the Castle of San Francisco of Guiana, and continued his journey through the Missions as though they were the States- -' General, and returned to his house in Essequibo by the same route which Ignacio had opened, saving the money Avhich he had taken with him on disembarking. The following year, 1749, a Dutchman, Nicholas Colart, came from Essequibo to Guiana, flying from justice on account of a murder he had committed on his estates. He anived in ten days at the ruined Mission of Cunuri, haAdng come with some Indians Avith loads [sic]. In the year 1750 the aforementioned Dutch man, Salomon Percico, came the same route, though he did not return to his house overland, but embarked on the River Imataca, which flows into the sea 30 leagues below Guiana, as I haA7e said in the ansAver to the 13th Article of the Instruction. By the Imataca he entered the Orinoco, and followed the creeks already mentioned, until he reached Essequibo, where he now lives, and is one of the persons of note in that Colony, in • continual intercourse Avith the Commandeur and the Accountant of the town of Guiana, as also with the Fathers and other persons of note in the Province. Although these examples suffice to shoAv the practicability of the. overland route which is 115 ir a Esquibo no obstante para que se conozca hasta donde se extiende la comodidad cle hacerlo en estos ultimos anos aiiado que el cle 1750, y el de 1753, bino de Esquibo, y bolbio por el propio camino una zamba que con espiritu baronil Uego a las Islas cle Caroni para comerciar con aquellos Caribes las Ropas y demas especies, que condujo las trajo unas a hombros cle Indios, y otras en Caballerias, y se bolbia con los Poitos 6 esclabos, que rescato de los Caribes cuyo comercio es muy util en Esquibo para trabajar las Haciendas, y por esto valen tanto como los negros, y cuestan infini- tamente menos. open to Essequibo, yet to nhoAv to Avhat extent A it has been practicable in these last years, I Avill add that in the years 1 750 and 1 753 a Zambo woman of masculine courage came by this route from Essequibo, and returned the same Avay; she came to the Islands of Caroni to trade with the Caribs, bringing stuffs and other goods, some carried by Indians, and others by beasts of burden, and returned to her house Avith the poitos or slaves which she had purchased from the Caribs. This trade is most useful in Esse quibo, as the slaves cultivate the lands, and are therefore as A^aluable as negroes, at the same time costing infinitely less. B Por Rios solamente. En la respuesta dada al A.rticulo 12 de la In struction quedaron explieados los diferentes pueblos que estaban en las immediaciones cle los rios que se comunican por medio cle Yeruario, con el de Esquibo, y en la correspondiente al Articulo 13, se dijo que el Rio Yeruario recibia varias aguas ; esto supuesto qualquiera individuo que quiera yr a Esquibo por los rios solo puede prac- ticarlo de dos maneras, una embarcandose en los Rios cle Miamo Cunuri, y otros que entran en el. Yeruario navegando el Caroni hasta einbocar en el cano, que despide este, y acaba cerca del Yeruario con la sola diferencia de ser preciso en tal caso arrastrar las curialas por aquel Hismo. Unos, y otros por las aguas del Yeruario entran en el Cuyuni, que descargan en el Esquibo. Esta navegacion es mas dilatada para unos que para otros, pues los que toman el punto en las Misiones de Cunuri y Miamo como el nuebo Pueblo del Yeruario salen mas' presto al rio de este nombre y los que montaron las Aguas del Caroni y su caiio, mas tarcle por la buelta que tienen que dar. >f Los primeros necesitan veinte dias y los se- gundos hasta treinta por lo que solo en un estremo caso hacen los nuestros semejante camino y solo les biene bien a los Yndios Caribes, Aruacas y otras naciones barbaras hechas a vivir con poco substento en el agua y en los montes a fin de hacer sus Poitos con que comercian con los Olandeses; Asi mismo es peligrosa por los saltos precipios, y raudales que tienen los rios especial- mente en verano y de ninguna manera pueden nabegar otras einbarcaciones, que curialas fal- cadas con una tabla pequena que puedan sufrir dentro de ocho diez hombres. De todo lo contenido de este pliego se deducen las comunicaciones que la Provincia de Guayana tiene con la Colonia Olandesa de Esquibo, y respecto de ser muchos los rios, y canos traficables por donde se hacej reciprocamente el comercio furtivo hubiera sido combeniente formar una carta geografica del pais asi para comprender me jor el contenido de las respuestas que doy a la Instruction como para que nuestra corte con mas facilidad se registrase este Angulo de la America escondido en quantas cartas han salido a publica luz. Yo tengo formado el Croquis 6 borrador de las principales comunicaciones formado cle lo que he visto y confrontado con lo oido a los Indios, que han salido a poblarse cle aquel laberinto, cle aguas y desde luego lo hubiera estendido con proprieclad si tubiese en mi compafiia algun cosmografo que me ayudase, y asi quedo con el disgusto, de no poder forma una obra que seria original. By Rivers only. In the answer given to the 12 th Article of the Instruction Avere described the different villages in the vicinity of the rivers Avhich com municate, by means of the Yuruary, with the Essequibo, and in the answer to Article 13 it was said that the River Yuruary has many tributaries. Anybody wishing to go to Esse quibo by rivers only could do so in two ways : one by embarking on the rivers of Miamo, p Cunuri, and others which flow into the Yuruary, navigating the Caroni, until one enters the stream Avhich it discharges, which ends near the Yuruary ; only in this case it is necessary to drag the canoes over the intervening isthmus. Others accomplish the journey by navigating the Yuruary, by which they enter the Cuyuni, which empties itself into the Essequibo. This journey is more lengthy for some than for others, because those who start from the Missions of Cunuri and Miamo, as also the new village of Yuruary, arrive at a point nearer to the. river of the same name, and those Avho J) journey by the Caroni and its stream take longer, the Avay being less direct. The first take twenty days and the second as much as thirty', for Avhich reason the route is not used by our countrymen, excepting in ex treme cases, but it is of great use to the Indian Caribs, Aruacas, and other savage tribes, able to live with little sustenance on the rivers and in the forests, to get poitos, or slaves, Avhich they sell to the Dutch. It is also dangerous on account of the rapids and falls Avith which the rivers abound, especially in summer, and can only be navigated by canoes E holding from eight to ten men. This letter shows the communications be tween Guiana and the Dutch Colony of Esse quibo and as the navigable rivers and streams, used for contraband commerce, are most numerous, it would have been of great use to draw up a map of the country, that my answers to the Instructions might be the better under stood, and that our Court might with greater facility get an idea of this portion of America, which is not shown in the maps which have been published up to the present. -^ I have made a rough sketch of the principal communications, drawn from what I have seen, and compared with what I have heard from the Indians who ha\Te gone to people this labyrinth of waters, and had I a cartographer in my com pany I should with his help have made a complete map, and thus 1 am disappointed in being unable to produce a work Avhich Avould be original. 116 A Nombres de algunos de los Capitanes que habitan las cabezeras del caiio de Aquire : — Avaruary, Ararica, Arincare, Sayricary, Juppo, Aumavary, Oraenua, Maravare. Cayupane. DON EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Provincia de Guayana, Mision del Hato de la Divina Pastora, 20 de Abril de 1755. Names of several of the Chiefs Avho inhabit the sources of the stream of -Aquire : Avaruary, Ararica, Arincare, Sayricary, Juppo, Aumavary, Oraenua, Maravare, Cayupane. (Signed) DON EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Provincia de Guiana, Mission del Hcdo de la Divina Pastora, April 20, 1755. B General Archives of Simancas. Office of the Secretary of State. Bundle 7390, folio 15. Copy of a document signed by Don Eugenio Alvarado, dated from the cattle farm de la Divina Pastora, in the Province of Guiana, April 30, 1755, on the cover of which is written as follows' : " Bundle No. 5, supplement to Bundle No. 4, corresponding with the 12th Chapter of the Instructions, ' The Course of the River Essequibo and its Tributaries.' " No. 307. Further Report by Don Eugenio A Ivaraclo on the Course of the River Essequibo and its Tributaries. D EL Rio cle Esquibo biene del sur, y desagua en la Mar al propio Norte, por trez bocas que se forman cle unas grandes Islas, que separan las Aguas siendo todas naAregables con einbarcaciones de 500 a 1,000 arrobas : Los NaA'ios y demas embarcaciones, de buque que bienen cle Europa entran en la boca principal que Hainan grande, sin embarazo alguno, y lo mismo sucecleria por las otras si hubiera praetico, que atinase con el estrecho canal que tienen. Este Rio esta Poblado en una y otra orilla, hasta la distancia de treinta leguas y Aguas arriba, es navegable con mucha comodidacl, y le han remontado, por espacio cle 45 dias, sin encontrar sus Cabezeras hasta las inmediaciones cle la gran Laguna de Barima reconociendo diA-ersos Rios, que desaguan en el como tambien un brazo del Rio Negro comunicable con Amazonas, que despide dicha Laguna, a la distancia cle ocho leguas del Fuerte cle Zelandra, se le incorporan los Rios Cuyuni, y Mazaroni, que igualmente bienen del Sur, como el de Esquibo, y son pequeiias Embarcaciones, cincuenta leguas tierra adentro. THE River Essequibo comes from the south. and empties itself into the sea due north by three mouths, formed by several large islands Avhich separate its Avaters. All three are navi gable for vessels of 500 to 1,0('0 arrobas. Ships coming from Europe enter by the principal' mouth, called the Great Mouth, without any difficulty. The other mouths would be equally' navigable for larger ships if a pilot, could be found familiar Avith their narrow channels. The river is populated on either side to the distance of 30 leagues. It is very easy to sail up it, and it has been explored to within the neighbourhood of the great Lake Barima, a voyage occupying fqrty-fiA7e days, but its source has not been discovered. DiVers rivers floAv into it, as also one branch of the Rio Negro, which forms the aforesaid lake, and com municates Avith the Amazon. At a distance of 8 leagues from the Fort of Zeelandia it is joined by the RiA-ers Cuyuni and Mazaruni, both coming, like the Essequibo, from the south, and is navigable for light craft for 50 leagues inland. Fortalezas. En la ultima Isla que forma la boca grande del de Esquibo esta construido a la parte de Sotabento el Fuerte cle Zelandra cuya fortification consiste en un terreplen poco elevado en figura de Sesagono, que tiene su parapeto de cal y ladrillo cuyo espesor, es de cinco, quartas : Sus Fuegos son Orizontales, y constan, de treinta, y cinco -p Canones del calibre de a quatro : El Diametro de esta Fortaleza tornado desde el Parapeto, es de quarenta varas Castellana en cuyo centro se lebanta un Quadrado de cal y Ladrillo, que tiene de alto doce varas, y veinticuatro de Diametro : Esta especie de Macho tiene una Advienda alta y baja cuyas paredes son del espesor del Parapeto y en las azoteas que corren por su circunferencia, estan colocado A-einte pedreros : A corta distancia de esta Fortaleza, esta construida una bateria rasa, con 24 canones, de Bronce cle los calibres, de a 18, y 24, defendida del impulso de las Aguas del Rio, y Mareas, con una gruesa palizada que J1 necesita de continuos reparos. Fortresses. The Fort of Zeelandia is built to leeward on the last island formed by the Great Mouth of the River Essequibo. Its fortifications consist of a low rampart in the form of a hexagon, having a parapet of brickwork, the thickness of which is about 14, yards. Its artillery delivers a horizontal fire, and consists of thirty-five cannon of the calibre of 4-pounders. The diameter of the fortress, taken from the parapet, is 40 Spanish yards. In the centre is raised a square of brickAvork 12 yards in height and 24 yards in diameter. This species of platform contains a two- storeyed dwelling, the walls of which are of the same thickness as the parapet; the terraces running round the circumference of the build ing are furnished Avith twenty swivel-guns. A level battery of twenty-four brass guns, the calibre of which ranges from 18 to 24, is raised at a short distance from the fort, and is pro tected from the impetus of the river and tides by a strong palisade, needing continual repairs. , G uarnicion. La Dotation de esta fortaleza son 100 plazas cle tropa arreglada payadas las 60 por los Estados Generales, y las 40 por los Diputados del Comercio de la Colonia : de esta Guarnicion sale un destaca- mento de 20 hombres, y un sargento para el Rio Garrison. The full garrison of this fortress is 100 Avell trained soldiers, 60 of whom are paid by the States-General, and the other 40 by the mer cantile community of the Colony. A sergeant A\ith a detachment of twenty men 117 de themeraria, como tambien los sobrestantes de las Haciendas de la Compania, que en esta Colonia tienen los Estados Generales De suerte, que con las salidas de la Guarnicion, las faltas de Plazas, y enfermos que nunca faltan se encuentran solo existencias de 50 hombres, Para los cabos de Armas 6 lebantamientos de Negros contribuyen los vecinos y comerciantes, de dicha Colonia con su persona, La compania tiene de su quenta para estos casos 150 hombres negros, que se mantienen por la Direction de los Estados Generales, y estan destinados al numero de 5 para el nianejo de cada Canon : Mientras : Mientras no hay motibo de Armas los tienen trabajando, cle continuo en Tajinas para la conserbacion de la Fortalesa, y sus contornos pues las crecientes del Rio y Mareas arruinan los trabajos. Colonia y su Comercio. En los Distritos de esta Colonia, no ay Villa, Lugar ni Poblacion, por que todos sus habitantes, y Mercaderes tienen sus casas en las Haciendas de Campo que llaman Plantages situados a la distancia, de treinta leguas de ambas orillas del Rio de Esquibo : En el recinto, de la Isla donde .'esta el Fuerte ;de Zelandra, ay el numero de 10 a 12 casas, que oCupa el Ministro de la ¦ Real Hacienda que llaman secretario y sirven para los Ofitiales de la Guarnicion, el Cirujano, Almacenes y Casas de Posada, y el Gobernador vive dentro de la Fortaleza. Para, el comercio de esta Capital no tiene la Olanda determinado numero de Navios, para la saca de sus fr.utos por que segun la abundancia de estos asi bienen, y ay anos de tres, y otros de-uno. Por lo regular es de quenta de la. Compania con las consignaciones, y remesas, para los Mercaderes particulares, si estos se embarcan por medios de sus correspondientes algunos efectos pagan a, la compania, los derechos correspondientes, a los fletes a menos que algun habitante rico haya henir de su quenta cargado un Navio como sucede alguna vez. ' La Compania tiene en esta Colonia tres haciendas que son las mas pingues cuyos frutos 'son Azucar, y Aguardiente que fabrican en gran Cantidad el primero para el Comercio de Europa, 'y el segundo para el de America puez mantienen . con ellos las Islas Barbada, Santa Estaseo costas de tierra firme, Islas de Barlobento de la Domina tion, de Espafia, y Provincia, de Guayana en el Comercio ilicito que los Espanoles hacen con los extrangeros. Estos efectos son los de consideration al Comercio, de la Colonia, pues aunque en ella se coje, algun cafe, y Cacao sirve al abasto de los vecinos, y para algun pequeno negocio que uno li otro particular haya. Las tres Haciendaz corren por' quenta de la Direction General, y se conserban, y mantienen por la Compania de los Estados, a quien pertenecen mas de 400 negros, que en ellas trabajan: El Ministro de la Real Hacienda, que con titulo de Secretario tiene en segundo el manclo, de la Colonia, cuida de estos Caudales, y todo la Colonia se'gobierna por su Gobernador, y Secretario, pues aunque tiene su cierto numero, de consegeros bienen a ser como Diputados de Comercio que solo se iuntan para tratar" sobre los intereses comunes. is provided by the ganison for the Demerara A River, as also the overseers of the plantations of the Company which the States-General have in this Colony. Allowing for the detachments supplied from the garrison, the want of the full complement, and the sick, of which there are always a certain number, only fifty men can be counted1 on. The merchants and inhabitants of the afore said Colony volunteer their services in times of hostility or of insurrection among the negroes. For ' these ' emergencies' the Company has 150 negroes, maintained by the direction of the States- General, five men' being told off to mar B each gun. During times of quiet these men are kept working continually in fatigue parties on the fortifications and their surroundings to repair the damages caused by the riA'er and tides. The Colony and its Commerce. In the districts of this Colony there are no toAvns or A-illages. All the merchants and other inhabitants have houses on their estates in the country, -which they call plantations, situated to p about the distance of 30 leagues on both banks of the Essequibo. In the neighbourhood of the island which holds the Fort of Zeelandia there are perhaps ten or twelve houses, including warehouses and inns. In these houses reside the officer of the Royal Exchequer, called the Secretary, the officers of the garrison, and the surgeon. The Governor lives in the fort. The Dutch have no fixed number of ships for the commerce of this capital. They send ships according to 'the quantity of produce to be ex ported. Some years three ships are required, pj other years one will suffice. As a rule, it is for account of the Company with consignments and remittances for private merchants, and if these merchants ship merchan dize through their own agents they pay duty to the Company corresponding to the freights, unless, as sometimes happens, a Avealthy in habitant charters a ship and trades on his oavu account. The Company has in this Colony three of the most fertile estates. From these they obtain large quantities of sugar and ru'm. The sugar is exported to Europe, the rum, of which large E quantities are made, is reserved to supply the ' Spanish foreign .contraband trade of the Islands of Barbadoes and San Eustacio, different towns on the coasts of the continent, the Windward Islands under the dominion of Spain, and the Province of Guiana. These "articles are the most important in the commerce of the Colony; for although it pro duces a certain quantity of coffee and cocoa, part is consumed by the inhabitants and part in retail trade. The three estates are managed at the cost of the General Administration, and are kept up -^ and worked by the Company for the States, to whom belong over 400 negroes employed on the lands. These estates are under the superintendence of the officer of the Royal Exchequer, who, with the title of Secretary, is the second in command in the Colony. The AVhole Colony is governed by the Governor and the Secretary ; for although 2 H 118 A Rio de Themeraria 6 sea Demorari. El Rio de este nombre sale al mar a poco mas de tres leguas por Barlovento de la boca de Esquibo, es cle mucho fondo y tan navegable que no se han podido hasta hoy descubrir sus cabezeras esta poblado en mas de cincuenta leguas de sus orillas en la misma forma que el de Esquibo sus •tj habitantes son Ingleses sugetos al dominio de Olanda, y como son de pocas combeniencias es poco el comercio que tienen en sus cortas Haciendas. Fortaleza y Guarnicion, En la boca de este Rio tienen los Estados generales un pequeno fuerte con 6, a 8 canones, cle los calibres de a quatro, y su guarnicion es de los 20 hombres y un Sargento que se destacan de Esquibo. Este Fuerte, y toda la Jurisdiction de themeraria esta al cargo de un Gobernador que pone el ^ Princippe de Oranges subordinado al de Esquibo : Este empleo lo tiene hoy un hijo de Monsieur Gravreson Gobernador de Esquibo. De 10 anos a esta parte empezo a poblarse con formalidad el Rio de Themeraria ; y aunque en el habitaban antes diversas Familias Ingleses, como eran fugitivas de sus Colonias y Probincias por delitos cometidos fue facil a los Olandese el sugetarlas a su advitrio. Comercio de Themeraria. D El principal articulo de Frutos, que da este Rio son azucares, y Aguardientes, y del primero componen un tereio de la carga para los Navios de la Compania, que sal en de Esquibo a dos tercios cle su carga, la que navegan a Europa : Asi mismo Comercian los habitantes de themeraria con las .demas Colonias de Verbis Surinan, y otras ejecutandolo en lanchas grandes, y Balandras cargadas de Aguardiente, que introducen en las dominaciones del Rey Catholico de donde sacan Mulas Cacao, y Plata doble que navegan a sus establecimientos, y despues a Europa. E Por punto general en las colonias Olandeses ban establecido una especie de Alianza con las muchas Naciones de Indios -Barbaros, que h'abitan los Montes que corren Norte a Sur, y separan la Provincia de Guyana de los establecimientos Olandeses : Con estos Indios tienen un Comercio activo y pasivo, dandoles en cambio de los Poitos que son Esclavos (que se hacen entre si estas Naciones barbaras) Hachas Cuchillos Machetes, Angaripolos, y Abalorios siendo de grande utilidad -pi a los Olandeses este comercio pues con dichos Poytos trabajan sus haciendas, y se venden al mismo precio que los negros. Estas notitias he procurado comprobarlas, con . dif erentes - sugetos, que han sido testigos de vista y encuentro a todos conformes. DON EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Provincia de Guayana, Mision del Hato de la Divina Pastora, 30 de Abril de 1755. there are a certain number of counsellors, they are looked upon as deputies of commerce, and only meet to discuss matters of common interest. The River Themeraria or Demerara. This river flows into the sea at a little more than, 3 leagues to windward of the mouth of the Essequibo ; it is of great depth, and so navigable [sic] that up to the present it has not been possible to discover its source. It is populated for more than 50 leagues on both/ banks, in the same manner as the Essequibo. The population is English, under the dominion of the Dutch. The inhabitants being poor, and their estates small, commerce is inconsiderable, Fortress and Garrison, The States-General have in the mouth of the river a email fort of six to eight cannon of the calibre of four ; the garrison consists of a sergeant and a detachment of twenty men from Essequibo. * This fort, as also all the jurisdiction of Demerara, is in the hands of a Governor, whom. the Prince of Orange has made subordinate to the Governor of Essequibo. The Post is at present held by the son of M. GraA'eson, the Governor of Essequibo. The regular settlement of Rio de Demerara began ten years ago, and although it was for merly inhabited by several English families, as these were fugitiAres from British possessions, the Dutch had no difficulty in subjecting them to their authority. Commerce of Demerara. The principal produce of this Colony is sugar and rum. The sugar forms a third part of the cargo of the Company's ships bound to Europe, which start from the Essequibo with only two* tiairds of their cargo, and stop here to take the rest on board. The inhabitants of Demerara, as also those of the Colonies of Berbice, Surinam, and others trade with the dominions of the Catholic King by means of long boats and small schooners, laden witn rum. With these they enter the said dominions, and exchange their cargo fof mules, cocoa, and silver, which they carry to their settlements, and then ship to Europe. As a rule, the Dutch Colonies have a kind of alliance with the many savage tribes of Indians living in the forests, which run from north to south, and separate the Province of Guiana from the Dutch settlements. They hold Avith these Indians a commerce of barter and ex change, giving hatchets, knives, choppers, gaudy ornaments, and glass beads in exchange for the poitos or slaves, which these tribes of savages make between themselves. This trade is of great utility to the Dutch, as the said slaves cultivate their lands, and fetch as high a price as negroes. These particulars 1 have had verified by different eye-witnessjs, and find them all agreed. (Signed) EUGENIO DE ALVARADO. Province of Guiana, Mission del Hato de la Divina Pastora April 30, 1755. 'lnTd-lirt—WTM 119 No, 308. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, May 31, 1755. (Extract.) •' TERWIJL dit nu schrijve hebbe de opper hoofden der Panacaijsche Natie boven in Cajoenij woonachtig aen mijn huijs, ik moet deselve absolut te vriend houden om veele gewichtige rede nen. . . . . De vreese voor enen invasie der Spanjaerden is soo als reeds d'Eer hebbe gehadt ¥. E. G. A. te adviseeren meest vervallen en is nu tamelyk Stil dies aengaende. Redene sijn aen de Spanjaerden in het aldergeringste niet gegeven om self de minste schijn van misnoege te konnen toonen daer heb ik altoos de nauwkeurigste sorge voor gedraegen en al gedaen wat in mijn vermoge was om goede vriendschap en nabuurschap te onder- houden, Maer daer en tegen ook Seer op lettend geweest om geen inbreuk tegens U. E. G. A. .territoir of jurisdictie te gedoogen wijl indien men in sulke gevallen de minste toegeventheijt gebruijkt, Sulx seer quaede en somwijle onher- stelbaere gevolgen kan naersleepen. Dat d'intentie geAveest is ons aen te fasten en t' overvallen is maer al te waer, Ed. Gr. Achbaere Heeren, en gelove daer alsnogvolkomen aen, maer het geval van dongenaede van den Spaenschen Minister de Marquis d'Ensenada, heeft de Hek- kens hier in America geheel verhangen. De Heer Gidney Olarke my het eerste bericht daer van gesonden hebbende raede mij mijn beste te doen om sulx in Oronoque ruchbaer te maeken welke -heijlsaeme raed volgende ik aenst'onds per expresse een brief hebbe gesonde aen den Commandeerende Generael aldaer onder pretext van hem als een vriend en goed habuur deese gewichtige tijcling •mede te deelen en voegde daer bij tot meerder ¦Sekerheijt d'Engelsche Couranten. Ik hebbe dalderbeleefste antwoord bekomen met betuijging van groote dankbaerheijt en ben in t sekere Yerwittigt aenBtonds een schip naer Spanjen is afgevaerdigt om nader beveelen af te haelen. Sedert die tijd hebben sij gecontinueert sterk te werven maer over al gebrek aen hebbende is het meeste volkverlopen den Commandeerende officier en hoofd Ingenieur die reys vaerdig Stond om naer, hier te komen onder pretext van noodwen- dighede te kopen, overleden, en de meeste andere seer siek. Dit alles niet tegenstaende soo sullen sij trachten om sachjes in te kruijpen en ons soo veel mogelijk naderen en insluijten en het is seker dat Tsij nu volkome besit hebben genomen van de Kreek Arawarij in Cajoenij uijtwaterende, het welk onbestwistbaer U. E. G. A. territoir is. De Post door ordre van den raed boven in Cajonij gelegt is niet meer als tien a twaelf uure van de Spaensche wooningen gelegen. De Hoofden der Panacaijs (een machtige natie welke noijt bevorens 'hier sijn geweest) Sijn expres afgekomen om haer hulpe des noods aen te bieden tegens de Span jaerden, en gaen sig rondom de Post met er woon nedersetten. Dat sij daer omtrent het oog op eenige rijke mijnen hebben stel.ik vast en Seker, hoewel. dit als hog 'seer bedekt wordt gehouden, Ik ben van oordeel dat het mijn onvermijdelijke plicht is soo lang U. E. G. A. toij deese Colonien gelieven aen te betrouwen voor het interest derselve te waeken en onvermoeijd te sorgen en dat Sal ik Onder dee AS I now write this I have staying at my v house the chiefs of the Panacay tribe up in the Cuyuni. I must absolutely keep them friendly, for many weighty reasons. . . . The fear of an invasion by the Spaniards is, as I have already had the honour to advise your Honours, mostly passed away, and there is now a peaceful lull on that account. Reasons to the very slightest extent are not afforded to the Spaniards to enable them to show the least appearance of discontentment; of that I have always taken the most scrupulous care, and haAre done everything that was in my J3 poAVer to maintain good friendship and neigh bourliness ; but then, on the other hand, I have always been very attentive to permit no en croachment on your Honours' territory or juris diction, because in such cases, if the least for bearance be shoAvn, it can sometimes result in very evil and irreparable consequences. Honourable Sirs, it is only too true that the intention has existed of attacking and surprising us, and I have still a perfect belief therein ; but the disgrace that has befallen the Spanish Minister, the Marquis de Ensenada, has entirely turned the tables here in America. Mr. Gidney C Clarke has given me the first information thereof, advising me to do my best to' make it public in Orinoco, following which wholesome advice I immediately sent a letter, per express, to the General commanding there, under pretence of imparting this important news as a friend and good neighbour;, and I inclosed therewith, for his greater assurance, the English- neAvspaper. I have obtained a most polite reply, Avith an expression of great thankfulness, and am in formed for certain that a ship was immediately dispatched to Spain with the object of fetching -p. further orders. Since that time they have continued dili gently to recruit, but everywhere experiencing Avant,the majority ot their people have dispersed. The Commanding Officer and head engineer, Avho stood ready to set out sO as to come here (under pretence of buying necessaries), are dead, and most of the rest are very ill. ¦ All this notwithstanding, they will try to creep in softly, and, as far as possible, to approach and surround us; and it is certain, that they have noAv taken complete possession of the Creek Iruwary, Avhich Aoavs into the Cuyuni, "g which indisputably is your Honours' territory. The Post.located by order of the Council above, in Cuyuni is situated not more than ten er tAvelve hours from the Spanish dwellings. The Chiefs of the Panacays (a mighty nation which has never before been here) have ex^ pressly come down to offer their help against the Spaniards if required, and they are going to settle down with their dwellings round the Post; I am sure and certain that they have their eye upon some rich mines thereabouts, although this as yet is kept very secret. I am of opinion that it is my unavoidable duty, so long as h1 your Honours may be pleased to intrust this Colony to my care; to watch over and hide- fatigably look after the interests of the same, 120 A Heeren Zeegen doen en wel Soodanig dat altoos bereijt en vaerdig ben Mijn gedrag Voor den Alwetende God, en voor de menschen te verant- Avoorden. U. E. G. A. Sijn vevre van de handt. U. E. G. A. konnen onmogelijk domstandigheden A'an Saeken soo nauwkeurig als noclig was Aveeten Hoe clat ik my bevlijtigd hebbe om een ijgelijk dienst te doen en de Coloniers soo veel mogelijk behulpsaem te weesen, dit is U. E. G. A. ten overvloede bekent,- Echter grie'lt het hier van Vijanden, men soekt mij op alle mogelijke wijse te chagrineeren en verdrietig te maken m6n tragt U. E. G. A. ten mijne regarde te misleyden en B quaede inductien te geven, dit word ik maer al te wel gewaer. P.S. — Deese vervaerdigt Sijnde on tfange bericht dat vier Geestelijke naer Spanjen vertrokken Sijn enkel en alleen om den koning te berichten van den Rijkdom der Mijn en boven tusschen Cajoenij en Masseroenij gelegen, waer een groot Binnelands p meijr ondekt is. and that under the Lord's blessing I shall do and in such a manner that I may be always prepared and ready to answer for my conduct before omniscient God and before man. Your Honours are far from the actual spot. It ig impossible for your Honours to be able to knoAv as minutely as was necessary the ins and outs of things. How I have exerted myself to perform every duty, and to be of assistance as far as possible to the colonists, is abundantly known tp your Honours ; but the place swarms Avith enemies, who try in -all possible ways to disgust and make me doAAmhearted ; they .even fry to mis lead your Honours, and to give evil impressions with regard to myself. Of this I am only too well aware. * * * * (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVE SANDE. P.S. — As this is being prepared I receive information that four ecclesiastics have departed to Spain simply in order to inform the King of the richness of the : mines situated above between Cuyuni and Massaruni, where a great inland sea has been discovered. No. 309. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, August 27, 1755. (Extract.) DE natie der Acuwaijen welke in de binne landen seer sterk is en waer van eenige dorpen soo in Essequebo als Masseroeny. - en Demerary naest by onse plantagien gesitueeit syn, heeft een begin- gemaekt met de woning van eenige vry Criolen jj van de plantagie Oosterbeek hcrkoinstig. aen le vallen en de aldaer synde de massacreeren, hebben sig vervolgens verspreydt. en de schrik overal gebragt. Synde cle meeste van de planters in Masseroeny wonagtig op een eyland gerilireet met haer slaeven en beste etfecten, en durvende geene van haer by nagt op haere plantagien te blyven. Eenige dagen daer naer hebben voors. Acuwayen s'morgens omtrent half ses de plantagie van sekere Pieter Marchal (welke volgens dalgemeene geruch- ten eene der aenleyders en oorsaekgevers van deesen opstand soude syn) aengevallen twee van syn volk doodgeslaegen vyf gequets hebben welke [E meerendeels mede syn gestorven. * * * * Veele der ingesetenen en daer onder eenige Raeden hebben by my aengehouden, om een generael opontbod der Caribische Indianen te laeten afgaen om deselve tegen d' Acuwayen te velt te Stuuren. Maer deese saek veel Swarigheden onderworpen syn heb ik daer toe nog niet konne resolveeren, en ben van oordeel sulx niet als in duyterste extremiteyt werkstellig gemaekt dient te wor den. Want voor eerst de Caribische op komende F (twelk sy seker op deerste aenmaning sullen doen) sullen eenige honderden Sterk komen, en ten eerste versoeken om brood en andere vivres, het welk wy niet hebben. * * * * Waer en boven nog te considereeren is, of men het in gemoede voor den Almoogende God wel soude konne verantwoordeu oorsaek tot soodanigen bloedbadt te geven als hier uyt sekerlyk soude ontspruyten, te meer wyl ik voor onderstelle en THE mation of the Acnways, which is Arery strong injihe interior, and some of whose villages both in^Essequibo and in Massaruni and Demerary ,are. situated next to our plantations, com- msnced by attacking the dwellings of some free Creoles belonging to the plantation Oosterbeek, and massacring those they found there. Thereupon they spread themselves and caused terror, everywhere. Most of the planters living in Massaruni retired to an island with their slaves and their most valuable goods, and none of them dared to stay at night on then- plantations. A few days after that the aforesaid AcuAvays attacked the plantation of a certain Pieter Marchal (who according to general report, is the chief cause of this revolt) at half-past five in the morning, killing two of his people and wounding five, most of whom have since died. Many of the colonists, and amongst them several Councillors, have requested me to send out an invitation to the Carib Indians to take the field against the Acuways, but as there are many difficulties connected with this, I have not yet decided to do so, and am of opinion that such measures should not be taken until absolutely necessary. Because, if the Caribs come (which they Avill certainly do at the fust invitation), they will come several hundred strong and begin by asking for bread and other proA'isions, of which we have none. We must also consider whether we can take the responsibility before Almighty God of causing so much bloodshed as Avould certainly be occasioned here, the more so since I presume and really believe that actual cause has been 121 ook werkelyk geloove dat aen d'Acuwayen wesentlyke redenen gegeven syn, waer in bevestigt worde doordien sy tot nu toe nog geen plantagie aengetast hebben alhier als van die geene die door het algemeen geroep beschuldigt worden die natie grovelyk beledigt te hebben, en doorsaek syn geweest dat verscheyde Acuwayen door de Caribs syn gefnassacreert. * * * * Want het geene my een groote achterdogt baert is dat ik al verscheyde beAreelen gesonden hebbe Om eenige Aruwakken nabuuren van d'Acuwaijen en die aen deselve vermaegt schapt syn ook alle bomstandigheden Avel bekend syn, by my te laten komen, om deselve t'exainineeren en naer de Hoofden der Acuwayen te senden om te trachten in vreede met haer te bewerken, die Indiaenen aenstonds ge eclipseert en nergens te Vinden syn, daer nogtans weynig dage te vooren gesien op haere huysen syn en met haer gesproken is. Het Avelk seker geschied door toedoen van menschen die bevreest syn die Indiaenen te veel verborgene ongerechtigheden aen het dagligt sullen brengen, synde het my beArorens voorsegt dat dus goude uytvallen. Ik hebbe naer Demerary, cle posten, en overal ordres gesonden om eenige Acuwayen te trachten het Sy goed het sy quaedwillig hier by my te brengen en hebbe goede hoop indien eenige te spreken kan komen ik de vrede met haer sal uyt werken en Sluyten. Dog sulx niet konnende reusseeren en sy (soo als men segt) in grooter getalle by een versame- lende en met haer hostiliteyteu verder gaende sal men genootsaekt weesen van twee quaede het beste te kiesen, en eynde.lyk moeten resolveeren de Carribische natie te werk te stellen waer toe ik uyt grond des harten wensche men niet sal be- hoeven te komen, en niet als in cialderuyterste ex- tremiteyt sal overgaen. * # * * (Was get.) L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. P.S. — Soo aenstonds arriveert U. E. G. A. canoa van Orinoque met tien muyl Ezels. Het volk dat daer mede geweest is, rapporteert my clat het aldaer Crielt van Soldaeten en vaertuijgen. given to the Acnways, in which belief I am A confirmed by the fact that up to the present no plantation has been attacked except those ' whose owners, according to common report, are accused of having grossly ill-treated that nation, and who were the cause of several Acuways being killed by the Caribs. What gives me further cause for suspicion is the fact that although I have already sent several orders for some of the Aruwaks, neigh bours of the Acuways, connected with the latter and Avell acquainted with all their affairs, to B come to me in order that I may examine them and send them to the Chiefs of the Acuways to try and establish peace, these Indians have immediately vanished, and "are nowhere to be found, but a feAv days before they had been seen in their houses and spoken to. At the bottom of this are no doubt the people who are afraid that those Indians will bring to light too many hidden acts of injustice, it having been foretold me that such would occur. I have sent orders to Demerary, to the Posts, and every- Avhere to bring me some Acuways here either p by persuasive or forcible measures, and 1 have hopes that when I get some to speak, to I shall be able to make peace Avith them. But if I am unable to succeed in so doing, and if, as I hear, they assemble in larger numbers and persist in their hostilities, I shall be compelled to choose the lesser of two evils and set the Carib nation at work, Avhich I cordially hope will not be necessary, and Avhich step I shall only take in the last extremity. # * * * (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVE SANDE. j) P.S. — Your Lordships' canoe has just arrived from Orinoqo Avith ten mules. The people on board report to me that the place SAvarms with soldiers and boats. No. 310. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company. September 9, 1755. (Extract.) E DEN Posthouder van Maroco is naer het ver- senden van mijne laesten opgekomen en heeft mij een missive gebracht van een Pater Missionaris uijt Orinoque aen hem geschreven, waer in hem versoekt eenige Indiaenen van de Natie Chaimas bij haer, bij ons Saimakotten genaemt, en welke reets over de tien jaeren onder de Post gewoond hebben over te leveren, en naer hem te senden, met bijvoeging dat in cas van onwilligheijt, hij Pater met volk genoeg soude komen om deselve met gewelt te haelen en geboeijt -mede te nemen. die missive is mij al Seer opsigtelijk voorgekomen, Ik heb aen den Posthouder een voorschrift gegeven, hbedanig die missive moet beantwoorden, vtaer van Copije hier nevens. Ik hebbe reets een gedeelte kruijd laete ver- kopen en Sal daer mede ingevolge U. E. G. A. beveelen continueeren Soo veel Mogelijk; Maer Ed. Gr. Achb. Heeren weete niet of Sulx wel seer voorsigtic Sal weesen gedaen, in deese omstandig heden van tijden daer het Oorlogsvuur ons soo naebij begint te komen. .. , AFTER the despatch of my last, the Post- holder of Maroco has come, and has brought me a letter from a missionary Father written to him from Orinoco, wherein he has requested him to deliver up and send to him some Indians of the Chiama nation, by us called Shiamacotte, and who have already (over ten years) been dwelling under the Post, adding that, in case of reluctance, he would come with sufficient force to fetch them, and take them away in chains. The letter has appeared to me a very surprising one. I have given the Postholder a written draft how the letter is to be answered, copy -^ whereof herewith. I have already caused a quantity of powder to be sold, and shall con tinue, as far as possible, to follow your Honours' commands therein ; but, Honourable Sirs, I knoAV not whether such action is very prudent in the present state of affairs, when the flames of war begin to approach us so closely. f696— 2] 2 I 122 Inclosure in No. 310. Postholder in Wacquepo and Maroco to the Missionary Father in Orinoco. Rever. Pater. A U. EERW. Missive van den 20e Julij Is mij door Dindianen overhandigt En daer uijt ver- nomen U. Eerw. Versoek Aengaende eenige Indianen Chaimas Hier Omtrent woonagtig om Dezelve aen U. Eerw. te senden, Waer op tot Antwoord Dient. Dat voorsz. Indianen hier al eenige Jaeren hebben gewoond, en vrije sijnde Ik haer Niet kan Constringeren om Van hier te vertrekken Veel min eenig Gewelt tegens haer Gebruijken, zijnde sulx Direct tegen mijn In- structie waer In mij uijtdrukkelijk word Geordon- neert Soo veel in mijn vermogen Is dervrije Indianen te protegeeren, Behulpzaem te Wezen B en voor alle Gewelt en verongelijkingen te bewaren. Edog als uijt haer selven vrijwillig Avelden vertrekken soude haer Niet verhinderen, en vrij Laeten gaen, so als vrij gekomen zijn Aengaende U. Eerw. Schreijven clat cle Zelve Niet vrijwillig Avilcle komen U. EerAv. met volk Soude komen om cle zelve Met Gewelt te haelen, Denke Niet sulx Serieus van U. Eerw. Gemeent word en Alleen gezegt om die Indianen bevreest te maeken. Want kan niet Geloven U. Eerw. Soucle Willen ondernemen om op Soodanige Wijse cle Jurisdictie p Van Haer Hoog Moogende niijne Souvereijnen geallierde & Bondgenoten Van Sijne Catholique Majesteijt te violeeren en een uijtstap ATan Soo veel gevolgen te doen. Mijne Instruction Behelsen om Nauwkeurig Sorge te clraegen dat Nog cloor mij Nog door D'ondermijwonende Indianen Niet het alcler- geringste werde gedaen clat eenige de Minste rede Van misnoegen Aen onse Nabuuren kan geven, Maer Integendeel Alles te doen Wat mogelijk is om Goede vriendschap te houden, Waertoe ook Altoos bereijdwillig ben, maer Sij Behelse mede dat In onverhoopt geval van eenige geweld jj Pleging Ik geweld met geweld moet keeren. Verscheijde Indianen Aran Darwaische Natie Welke op cle Plantagien in Essequebo Slavinnen tot haer Wijven hebben En claerbij Kinderen Verlaeten haer Menigmael, en Retireren Naer Orinocque, dezelve zijn Immers Noijt opgehijscht, en men Is ook Wel versekert dat dezelve ook geweijgert Soude worden, Hoe kan men clan Van ons doverlevering van vrije Indianen Eijschen, Hoewel dit is Een Saek die mij Niet Aengaet, en Indien Jets diesaengaende gevraeght word, moet minsig aen onsen Gouverneur Adresseren, Ik ben maer Een Dienaer En kan Niets Buijten Sijn E Excellenties Bevel doen. Ik Bedanke U. Eerw. Sier voor cle ties Maraen aen Mij gezonden En Waer Ik Instaet mogte Wezen U. Eerw. plaisier of Dienst te Doen, Sal mij Altoos bereijd vaerdig Toneh. Een Blijk van Mijne Hoogagtinge voor U. Eerw. is het Wederom Senclen van den Indiaen Brenger deser, Wijl Ik Indien mijn Schuldige Pligt hadde Wille betragten Ik denzelven gevangen hadden Moeten houden, Wijl hij beschuldigt is handadig aen de Moord Van Drie roomsche Catholique Christenen te wezen, Welke Boven In Essequebo is Geschied, dog hem Considererende als Gezonden 1* van U. EerAv. heb hem Laeten retourneren. Waermede U. Eerw. Inde Protextie van den alderhoogsten Bevelende met veel agtinge ver- blijve. Reverend Father, YOUR letter of the 20th July has been handed to me by the Indians, and I learn from the sarne yourrequest to have some Indian Chiamas living in these parts sent to you, to Avhich I beg to, .; reply — That the aforesaid Indians ha\re been living here already some years, and being free men I . cannot compel them to depart from here, still leps can I use any force with them, such being directly contrary to my instructions, in which I am expressly ordered to protect the free Indians ¦ as much as lies in my power, to be of service to them, and to Avard off from them all violence and injustice. Should they, however, be desirous of de parting of their own free will, I should not keep them back, but let them go as freely as they came. Concerning what you write, that if they *:| will not come of their own free will you would | come and fetch them with violent measures, I do not think that you meant this seriously, but that you only said so to frighten the Indians. Because 1 cannot believe that you would undertake to violate in such a manner the jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses, my Sovereigns, the allies of His Catholic Majesty, ¦ and take a step of such immense consequences., , ¦-, My instructions are also to take great care that nothing whatever is done either by me or by the Indians living under me that would give the least cause of displeasure to our neighbours ; but, on the contrary, to do every? *f thing that is possible to keep up friendly rela- | tions, which 1 am always ready to do. My instructions, however, further provide that in case of any violence I must return violence with violence. Many of the Indians of the Arwai nation who have slaves for their wives on the plantations in Essequibo, and children by them, frequently desert them and run away to Orinoco. Such have never been claimed, and we are quite certain that such claim would be refused. , How then can we be asked to give up free Indians, although this is a matter which does not concern me, and if anything relating to it be asked 1 must humbly refer to our-Governor; I am only a servant, and can do no thing without 4 his Excellency's orders. ' ;:: I thank you very much for the bottle of balsam sent to me, and whenever I am in a position to do you a favour or service shall always prove myself ready to do so. A proof of my respect for you is the return of the Indian who brings you this, because if I had clone my duty exactly I should have taken him prisoner, since he is accused of being an accomplice in the murder of three Roman ; Catholic Christians that vvas committed up in Essequibo, but considering him as an envoy from you I have let him return. With which, recommending you to the pro tection of the Almighty, I remain. 123 No. 311. Minutes of the Court of Justice, Rio Essequibo, October 6 and 7, 1755. (Extract.) DE respective Borger officieren bij requeste seker project overgeven hebbende, -volgens. welke rij vermeijnden, dat door het versetten van 's Compagnies Handelplaets uijt Moroco de deser- teurs uijt dese Colonie soude geprevenieert worden soo gemakkelijk uijt deeze Rivier na d'Orinocque te echaperen. Is het selve nauwkeurig geexami- neert, en vermits dat voor reekeninge van de Colonie, soude moeten bekostigt worden, geresol veert, alyorens met voorsz : Borger officieren te overleggen op wat voet zij oordeelen, de nodige slaeven tot dat eijnde, door de Colonie soude gefourneert konnen worden sullende ondertusschen van wegens de Compagnie de kosten der Post- houderen gedraegen, en tot cle huijsingen alle het redelijke en doenelijke gecontribueert worden. THE respective burgher officers having by Petition submitted a certain project, according to which they were of opinion that, by the remOAral elsewhere of the Company's trading- place in Moroco, the deserters from this Colony would be prevented from escaping so easily from this riArer to the Orinoco, the same was carefully examined ; and seeing that the cost would have to be borne by the Colony, it was resolved to deliberate in the first place with the aforesaid burgher officers upon what footing they considered that the slaves re quired for that purpose could be furnished by the Colony, the expenses of the Postholders being in the meantime borne, and all matters for the dwellings contributed in the most reasonable and expedient manner, by the Com pany. No. 312. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, November 24, 1755. DAER en boven heeft den Raed eenen Adriaen Christiaense naer Barima gesonden om het hoofd der Caraibes welke cle Acuwaijen in Masseroenij hebben vermoord, te versoeken hier te weesen tegens de vergadering van Januarij aenstaende om van deselve te vernemen wie alhier doorsaek en opstokers daer van geweest sijn. Soo dat denke -deesen oproer nu meest gestilt sal weesen. MOREOVER, the Council has sent to Barima Q a certain An. Christiaansen to invite hither the Chief of the Caribs Avho murdered the Acu ways in Mazaruni, to be present at the Session for January next, that Ave may learn from the same who have been the causers and inciters thereof, so that I think this tumult will - now be greatly allayed. No. 313. Minutes of the Court of Justice, Rio Essequibo, January 5, 1756. (Extract.) NAAR aenroepinge van des Heeren Naam : * * * * Den Caribischen uijl Aritanna, ingevolge de Tesolutie bij laetste [7th & 8th April, 1755] ver gaderinge genomen, op kosten der Colonie af- gehaelt herrewaerts gebragt en binnengeroepen sijnde, is door de hiertoe verzogte, en de tael vol- komen kundige tolken, Stephanus Gerardus van der Heijden en Bastiaan Christiaansen, omstandig ondervraagt hoe sig de bewuste zaeken mit de Acquewaijen hebben toegedraegen ? Op wat voet zulx was geschied ? En wie hem tot soo een onbetamelijk bedrijf hadde aanlejjdinge gegeven ? Te meer, daar hem wanneer naer boven de Rivier, ten dien tijde stond te vertrekken, dcor Sijn Excel lentie den Heer Directeur-Generaal, soo serieus was verboden, en gerecommandeert geworden geene natien met ons in vriendsehap wesende eenige molest of nadeel te doen, en alleen sijn brood (als waerom hij doenmaals voorgaff op te gaen) te laten gereed maken ? Antwoord, volgens die vertolkinge dat het waer was, hij dat bevel van Sijn Excellentie had ont- vangen, dat sijn voornemen ook was geweest, om hetselve stipt te agtervolgen en naer te komen; maar dat hij die moord, eeniglik op persuatie en aenradinge van den persoon van Pieter Marichal, -de bovenste in de Rivier van Masseroenij woonag- D AFTER calling upon the name of the Lord : "T1 "Sp 7& Mfc The Carib Owl (or Chief) Aritanna, brought hither in accordance with the Resolution passed at the last meeting [the 7th and 8th April, 1755], at the expense of the Colony, being called in, was circumstantially interrogated by the inter preters, Stephanus Gerardus van der Heyden and Bastiaan Christiaansen, perfectly acquainted with the language and invited for that purpose, how the matters in question with the Acu ways had come to pass ? Upon what grounds such had taken place ? And who had incited him to such outrageous conduct ? The more so that Avhen he was on the point of departing, up the river he had been so seriously enjoined and recommended by his Excellency, the Director-General, not to molest or harm in any manner any natives that Avere on terms of friendship with us, and only to have his bread prepared (which he at that time alleged to be the reason of his going). Answers, according to the interpretations, that it was true he had received that order from his Excellency, that it had also been his intention to strictly obey and follow out the same ; but that he had committed that murder solely upon the persuasion and advice of the person E 1'24 A tig, begaen had, welke hem gesegthad, dat ingevalle hij de Acquewaijen niet vermoorde, deselve hem, en sijn volk, uijt revenge hunner eertijds gedoode vrienden, souden vermoorden en wanneer hij geroepene daarop gerepliceent had, hem sulks volstrekt door het Opperhoofd deser Colonie ver- boden was, den voorsz. Marichai hem geen- courageert, en vervolgt had te seggen, sulks door het schrijven eenes briefs bij sijn Excel lentie (als welke ook niet konde oordeelen wie vrienden of vijanden waeren) verand worden soude, dat hij : Marichal Caribesen tot sijn hulp gesonden had, en om 't welke hij Uijl, na de -B begaene slagtinge uijt erkentenisse Aran die aen-radinge, denselven Marichal een van de ve- roverde slaeven present gedaen' had. Den als essentieelen geaccuseerclen oorsaak van alle deese comotie, Pieter Marichal, binnen geroepen, dit voorgehouden en in sijne defentie gehoort sijnde, omtrent het gantsche \Terhael ATan den Uijl vol strekt, sig excuseerencle van alleen op de beschul- diginge, A'an een enkelden Caribes gehoort te Avorden, en dat sig beriep op Christen getuigen, dewelke het tegendeel uijt den mond van voorsz. Uijl selve, gehoort hadden. Alle hetwelke rijpe- p lijk geconsidereert, en sonder wettig en valabel beAvijs, bevonden sijnde, is goedgevonden, clese saek te laeten in statu quo. Den Ingeseten Jan la Riviere, sig bij requeste geaddresseerd en beswaert hebbende, dat hem seker stukje land, in de Rivier A-an Bouweron gelegen, en waer op hij uijt hoofde der Institutie van wijlen Erasmus Veldermans, actie sustineerde te konnen maeken, ontnomen was, versoekende in de possessie daer van gestelt te worden. Is den supliant met dit A'ezoek (alsoo het geen geval is waar uijt tot nogtoe eenige questij, j) resulteert) aan den raed Aran Politie gerenvoijeert, als van welkers departem'ent het is, om over de vergunninge van gronden te disponneren. Ter genoegdoeninge der Resolutie van desen Hove in dato 7e October, 1755 op de vertogen der respective Borger officieren, spreekende van't versetten van's Comp Handel-Post uijt Moroca, en waerop Avas goedgevonden derselver gedagten alvorens nader intenemen, over de wijse volgens welke zij't gevoeglijkste oordeelen, de noodige slaeven tot dat werk, soude konnen gefourneert worden. Is heden door deselve voorgedraegen dat zij E vermeijnden dat werk genoegsaam met vrije te huurene Indiaenen te konnen verrigten. Waerover gedelibereert zijnde is goedgevonden met die voorsettinge onder het opzigt van den Heer Capiteijn Stephanus Gerardus van der Heyden, ten spoedigsten een begin te maken hebbende den Heer Directeur-Generaal aangeno- men den Posthoulder (soodra voorsz: van der Heyden, Sijn Excellentie de vereijschte kennisse sal komen te geven) te gelasten, derwaerts te gaan post nemen. Pieter Marichal, the one living highest up the River Masseroeny, Avho had told him that if he did not murder the Acuways, the latter would ^ murder him and his people in order to avenge their friends killed some time before, and when he, the summoned one, had thereupon replied that such had been strictly forbidden him by the Commandeur of this Colony, the aforesaid' Marichal had encouraged him, and continued to say that he Avould be answerable for it by writing a letter to his Excellency (who, more over, could not judge who were friends- or enemies), that he, Marichal, had sent Caribs. to his help, and for which he, the 0av1,: bad, after the slaughter had been committefl, presented Marichal Avith one of the captured slaves in recognition of that advice. Pieter Marichal, the really accused cause of all' this commotion, being called in, this testi mony Avas placed before him, and being heard in his defence concerning the whole account of the Owl, straightly refused to be . heard solely upon the accusations of a single 1 Carib, he appealing to Christian witnesses who % had heard the contrary out of the mouth of the aforesaid Owl himself. All of which being ripely considered, and found to be without lawful and valid proof, it was determined to let this matter remain in statu quo. Whereas Jan la Riviere has sent in a Peti tion in which he complained that a certain piece of land situated in the River Bouweron has been taken from .him in consequence of an action instituted against him by the late Eras mus Veldermans, praying that he may again be put in possession of this land : The petitioner, since there are no immediate"- results connected with his case, is referced -to-- the Court of Policy, this being the proper body to deal with such requests. In satisfaction of the Resolution of this Court, dated the 7th October, 1755, concerning the proposals of the respective burgher officers Avith regard to the removal of the Company's trading- place from Moruka, whereby it was agreed to hear their opinions in what manner they think it Avould be most-expedient to obtain slaves to perform this work of removal, it was this day proposed by them that this work could well be done by free and hired Indians. This being - deliberated upon, it was found good that this removal should be proceeded with without delay, and that Captain Stephanus Gerardus van der Heyden was to have the supervision; that after the Captain had given all the required information to his Excellency, the Director- General will order the Postholder to go and take charge of this Post. :25 No. 314. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 12, 1756. (Extract.) i- ALLEEN sal d'Eer hebben te melden dat de beschuldigingen tegens Pieter Marschal wegens, den oorlog met 8 Acuwaijen in de laeste Courts vergadering gedient hebbende daer in het Ca ribische opperhoofd Aretanne anders Maray- wakke ingevolge myn afgesonde bevel persoonlijk is gecompareert en aldaer ten oyerstaen van den Burger Capiteyn S. G. Van der Heyde, en Bastiaen Christiaense beyde de Caribische taele volkome inagtig gehoort deselve syne voorige aen my gedaene beschuldiging tegens gemelte P. Marschal volstrekt en sender eenige Vauiatie Staende heeft gehouden en tegens denselve een seer hastige tael heeft gevoert. Ick hadde bevorens aen Adriaen Christiaense door den Raed afgesonden om voors : Indiaen op te ontbieden gelast denselve in Barima wegens die saeken nauwkeurig t'ondervraegen en sijn ant- woord'en. cp te Schryven om te sien of deesen Indiaen bij sijn Stuk soude blijven en in sijn seggen niet varieren dog bevonden denselve soo in sijn gesegde tot my, als in dat aan A. Christiaense volkomen in alien deele OA^er een stemde met het geene in den Raad heeft voorgehraght. Ik hebbe d'Eer hier nevens te laeten gaen copije van voors : ondervraging door A. Christiaense gedaen en antwoorden van den Indiaen P. Marchal in de Eresentie van den Indiaen gehoort sijnde heeft volstrekt bij de negative geptrsLleert waer op den Indiaen hem toevoagde dat hij geen Eerlyk man was dat sijn gesproke woorde uijt vrees van straf retracteerde en niet staende dorst houden. Ik Seyde hij heb op U aenraeden het Feyt begaen en D Acuwaijen dood geslaegen van welke U vier Slaeven hebbe gebragt, en gij hoort niet al ben ick een Indiaen dat ik mijn doen gij met meerder harde uijt drukkingen. Dog wijl hier als een gpprescribeerde Costuyme word vastgestelt dat geen Indiaenen tegens Chris- tenen in Getuijgenis konnen valideeren (dat ook op goede gronde is steunende wijl op de meeste derselve niet is te rekenen en men veele haerer met drank of andersints kan doen seggen wat men wil) is voors. Marchal Vrijgesprooken van sijne beschuldiginge, hoewel ik, en veele met mij hem waerlijk Schuldig achten. Dien volgens is hij weder naer sijn plantagie gegaen, dog daer komende sijn aenstonds DAcu wayen (welke seer lang sig stil gehouden en niets gedaen hadden, weder in groot getal voor den dag gekomen en hem genootsaekt wilde hij Sijn leven hehouden ten spoedigste de vlught to nemen soo dat gedwonge is sijn plaets te verlaeten. en is soo als verneme bij de Heer Secretaris Spoors op sijn Ed. Plantagie in dienst getreden, Soude hem ook geensints raeden meer naer sijn plaets om te sien want Schuldig af onschuldig souden DAcuwayen hem Seker om hals brengen. Ik ben in die verwagting dat dit ffierk allengs al StiUen Symde DAcuwayen boven Demerary ieds volkomen bevredigt, en kronen weder als vonrhenen by de Christenen handelen. negeere soo als I HAVE the honour to inform your Lord- A ships that the accusations made against Pieter Marschal concerning the war with the Acuways were brought up. at the last meeting of the Court, when the Carib Chief, Aretanna, otherwise called Maraywakke, appeared in person, in consequence of my orders sent to him, and. Avas examined through the medium of the Burgher Captain, L. G. van der Heyden, and Bastiaen Christiaense, both perfectly ac quainted with the Carib languages. The Chief repeated the charge hs had already made to me against the said P. Marschal, and stood -p his ground without the slightest variation, his language to his accuser being very courageous. I had previously charged Adriaen Chris tiaense, sent by the Court to summon the afore said Indian, tb narrowly examine the man in Barima concerning these matters, and to write down his answers, in order to see Avh ether this Indian would stand by his words and make no variations in his tale, hut found that his Avords, both to me and to A. Christiaense agreed in every detail with what he said before the Court. I have the honour to send herewith a copy of the aforesaid interrogatories made by A. Chris- Q tiaense and the answers of the Indian. P. Mar chal, being heard in the presence of the Indian, persisted in his flat denials, whereupon the Indian told him that he Avas no honest man, that he retracted his spoken Avords from fear of punishment, and that he dared not stick to what he had said. " I," said he, ? committed the deed by your advice, and killed the Acu ways, from whom I brought you four slaA'es, and although I am an Indian, you do not hear me deny what I have done, as you do." With pther hard expressions. But since, however, it is a prescribed custom T> here that no Indian's testimony can hold good against that of Christians (a custom that rests on good grounds, because most of them are not to be trusted, and many of them can be made to say whatever one wishes for drink, or pther Considerations), Marchal Avas declared innocent of the charges, although I, and many with me, think him really guilty. He, consequently, returned to his plantation, but on his arrival there the AcuAvays (who had remained quiet, and done nothing for a very long time) appeared again in large numbers, „ and compelled him, if he wished to save his life, ¦" to take flight as speedily as possible, so that he was obliged to leave his place, and has, so I hear, entered the service of Mr. Secretary Spoors on his Honour's plantation. I should by no means advise him to think of returning to his place, because whether he be guilty or not guilty, the Acuways would certainly kill him. It is my belief that this business will quiet down slowly, the Acuways up in Demerary being already perfectly satisfied, and coming here to trade with the Christians as before. f696—2| 2 K 126 Inclosure in No. 314. Examination of Arraytana, the Carib Chief, by A. Christiaense. A_ VERKLAERING van cle uijl Araytana, Wegens - deMoord die hij gedaen heeft omtrent de accuaysche Natie, en ook doorwiens toedoen Sulks is Geschied alsvolgt. Vraege. — Aen den Boveustaende uijl op wat wijze hij Sijn reijs Naer Essequebo had genomen en Wat d Intentie was — Antw. — Mijn reijs was, om clat Ik ontboden wiercl, cloor order van mijn maet zijn Excel lentie. die mijn zeyde, bij hem komende, clat sijn Ed. had verstaen, clat de Spanjaers. ons vervolgde en ook Dood Sloeg dat dat cle Reden was, om hem te ontbieclen om hem te Seggen, clat hij op sijn B hoede mogte Sijn, om 't Saemen Tegen de Span- jaerds te komen bestaen, en ook clat Ik alle de andere Caribische uijlen moest waaerschouwen, om met haer onderhebbende volk in Gereeclheijd te Sijn, om te konnen bestaen. Vraege. — Wat hebt gij A'erders Gedaen. Antw. — Ik heb mijn maet sijn Excell. Ge- vraegt, om Naer boven Essequebo te vaeren om mijn brood in Masseroenij te maeken voor mijn reijs Naer Essequibo waer op mijn maet Sijn Excell. mij vraegde wat Ik boven Essequebo Avilde doen, waerop ik aen mijn maet andwoorde, „ deAvijl mijn broeder Tarawera van cle Natien is >f dood geslaegen, daerom wil Ik reventie Nemen, waerop mijn maet, andwoorde tis Goed In Coena- waroeka wonen cle Natie die uw vriend hebben Dood Geslaegen waer op Ik Andw. Tis Goed Ik Sal ook aldaer mijn reventie Nemen, waer op mijn Maet Andwoorde tis Goed, maer Slaet geen Natien Dood die met ons maedschap houden waerop ik andwoorde Neen Ik weet Sulks Niet mag Ges'chieden, so ben Ik van mijn meergem. Maet vertrokken naer Masseroenij Tot op Ta- waaijkoere bij Cawaritana daer ook mijn brood gemaekt Is so ben Ik daer afgekomen mijn vaer- t\ tuijg over water en Ik over Land tot bij Marchal, om aldaer iu mijn vaer tuijg te trappen en mijn A'oornoemde reijs naer Essequibo te volbrengen, Ik mijn breeder en Twee Avijven Sijn bij Marchal gekomen Necler geseten en verwelkomt van Marchal, waerop hijn mijn vraegde hebt gij Geoorlogt Ik andw. Neen, want dit is 't begin van reijs tot ter plaetse daer mijn voornemen was, waerop Marchal mij adw. wat Soekt gij dan Nog want cle Acuaijen Natie Soeken u Sy hebben mij Gev*raegt om u Dood te Slaen, wand cle Natie hebben mij gesegt dat gij haer vrienden hebt Dood Geslaegen, daerom Soekense reventie om E Araijtana, AwaraAve, Karochpo, Aurachpo, and Oerakayare Dood te slaen, zij hebben Pijl Punten in Soord laeten maken om uwlieden ap haer ver trek te dooden, en dan haer vlugt te Nemen Naer Camoeran, boven Masseroenij, en Soud gij de sulke niet Dood Slaen die uw Soeken, Ik andw. NeenT wand, u heer mijn maet heeft mij laest nog ver- boden, de natie die vrienden of maetschap zijn voor al geen quaed te doen, waer op Marchal weder andw. Neen gaet en Slaetse Dood, want zij zijn Excell. maets niet, daerom gaet Slaetse Dood, Ik Sal dezelve wel verandwoorden aen Sijn Excellentie, en Ik zal Zijn Ed. een brief Schreij- E ven, dat Ik u order gegeven heb, om haer Dood te Slaen, So ben Ik den Tweeden dag van Marchal Naer d Heer Pijpersberg vertrokken, om hem daer van te Spreken bij hem komende, heb ik gesegt Marchal mij aen was, om de Acuaijen dood DECLARATION of the OavI 'Araytana con cerning the murder committed by him with regard to the AciiAvay nation, and also at Avhose incitement such was committed, as follows ;-± . Q. To the aboA^e-mentioned OavI in Avhat manner he had performed the journey to Esse,- quibo and Avhat his intention was ? — A. My journey was because I had been summoned by the ordere of my ally, his Excellency, Avho told me on my coming to him that his Honour had understood that the Spaniards were perseou? ting us and also killing us ; that that Avas the, reason Avhy he had summoned me, in order to tell me that I must hold myself in readiness to come and help him resist the Spaniards, and also that I must warn all the other Carib OavIs to be in readiness with their subjects to come and help him. Q. What did you do further ? — A. I asked my ally, his Excellency, for permission to go to Upper Essequibo in order to make my bread in Masseroeny before my journey to Essequibo, whereupon my ally, his Excellency, asked me what I wanted to do in Upper Essequibo, whereupon I answered my ally, " Because my brother, TaraAvera, has been killed by the nations, therefore I Avish to take revenge." Whereupon my ally answered, "It is good. The nation who killed your friend lives in Coenawaroeka." Whereupon I replied, " It is good. I shall also take my revenge there." Whereupon my ally replied, "It is good. But kill no nations who are in alliance with us." Whereupon I replied, " No. I know that such may not be done." So I left my afore mentioned ally and went to Masseroeny, as far as Tawaaykoere, near Cawaritana, where my bread Avas made. Then I came away from there — my boat by water, and I by land — as far as Marchal's, to get into my boat there and com plete my aforesaid journey. I, my brother, and tAvo women came to Marchal, sat down, and were welcomed by him, Avhereupon he asked me, "Have you been at war?" I ansAvered* " No ; because this is the beginning of my journey to the place to which I intended to go." Whereupon Marchal answered me, "What are you looking for then? because the Acuway nation is looking for you. They have asked me to kill you, because the nation have told me that you have killed their friends; They are therefore seeking to kill Arraytana; Awarawe, Karochpo, Aurachpo, and Oera kayare for revenge. They have had a large number of arrow-heads made to kill your people uppn their departure, and then they intend taking flight to Camoeran, above Masse? roeny; and would you not kill those who seek you ? " I answered, " No ; because your Lord. my ally, only recently forbade me most ex.-. pressly to do no harm to the nation, who are his friends or allies." Whereupon Marchal again answered, " No ; go and kill them, be cause they are not his Excellency's allies ; therefore go and kill them. I shall be answer able for this to his Excellency, and I will write his Honour a letter that I gave you orders to kill them." So on the second day I left Mar chal and Avent to Mr. Pypersberg to speak to 127 te Slaen, en clat hij mij ook bekent gemaekt had op wat wijs de natien hadden voorgenomen mij te vermoorden, waerop d Hr. Pijpersberg mijn andw. Suit gij dat doen, andw. Ik hem Ja want Mar chal heeft mij tegen haer opgemaekt daerop and woorde d Hr. Pijpersberg tis Goed, om wat tijd gaet gij, Ik sijde morgen waerop, hij mij zeijde gaet dan & Waerschout alle de andere Caribischen van Masseroenij, voor al Oeracaijare & als gij denatie vermoord hebben laet Oeracajare dewij- ven bij mijn brengen, daer op ben ik vail daer Arer- trokkeu weder bij Marchal gekomen die mij vraegde wat d hr. Pijpersberg had gesegt, anclw. ik hem. als boven gemelt is, waerop Marchal my met blijdsehap andwoorde heb Ikt Niet gesegt, dan Segt gij nog d' Heren willen Niet dat Ik cle Natie Dood Slaen Sal gaet Slaetse Dood & komt binnen vijf daegen weder, & brengt mij dewijven, also heb ik met cle Masseroenij Caribischen uijt order van Marchal denatie dood geslaegen, endewijven ; afgebragt, waer van ik er drij Aran cle beste aen Marchal heb verkogt, en moeste hem ook daer en boven een Jonge, voort aenmoedigen van de moorcl tot een Present geven, want hij seijde, heb Ik u gezonden, qff heeft Sijn Excell. het gedaen, Immers Neen Ik Denk dat Ik u Permissie omde Acuwaijen dood te Slaen heb gegeven, derhalven komen mij de slaven van regts wegen toe Ik anclw. hem tis wel, van daar ben Ik vertrokken naer d Hr. Pijpersberg, die Ik ook twee van de beste Slaeven heb moeten geven, dewijl hij mij seijde dat hij -So wel een heer was als de andere, so ben Ik genoodsaekt geweest, om bij mijn maet sijn Excell. een oude Slaeff te brengen, Ik heb gesegt alles wat mij is wedervaren, ende Reden, waerom Ik cle accuaijen heb Dood geslaegen, So ben Ik vertrokken van maet zijn Excell. & rancon- treercle Marchal aen de hoek vant varken Eijland, & Ik riep toe Marchal, hij andwoorde Ik gaen nu naer. uw maet, waerop ik hem zeyde tej3 Wel en Ik dagt Marchal Soude doen volgens zijn belofte, ..So ben Ik thujs gevaeren. Dit verklaerde deuijl Araytana voor mij (& was getek.). ADRIAEN CHRISTIAENSEN. him about it. On coming to him I told him that A Marchal had directed me to kill the Acuways, and that he had also informed me in what man ner that nation intended to murder me, where upon Mr. Pypersberg asked me, " Are you going to do it? " whereupon I answered him, " Yes ; because Marchal has incited me against them." Thereupon Mr. Pypersberg answered, " It is good. When are you going ? " I said, " To-morrow." Whereupon he said to me, " Go, then, and warn all the other Caribs of Masseroeny, especially Oeracajare ; and Avhen you have murdered the nation, let Oeracajare bring the women to me." Thereupon I departed B. from thence and came again to Marchal, who asked me what Mr. Pypersberg had said, and I told him all the aforesaid. Whereupon Mar chal answered me Avith gladness, " Did I not say so ? And yet you say that our masters Avill not allow you to kill the nation. Go, kill them, and come back within five clays, and bring me the women." Therefore did I, together Avith the Masseroeny Caribs, kill the nation by Mar- chal's order, and brought the women down, three of the best of which I sold to Marchal, and also had to give him a boy into the bar- p gain as a present for encouraging me to com- mit the murder, because he said, " Did I send you, or did his Excellency clo so ? Nay, indeed, I think that I gave you permission to kill the AcuAvays, wherefore the slaves belong to me by right." I ansAvered him, " It is Avell." I departed thence to Mr. Pypersberg, to whom I also had to give two of the best slaves, because he said to me that he was as much a master as the other. I was therefore obliged to bring to my ally, his Excellency, one old slave. I re lated all that occurred to me, and the reasons why I killed the Acuways. Then I departed jy from my ally, his Excellency, and encountered Marchal at the corner of Varken Eyland, and I shouted out to Marchal. He answered, " I am now going to your ally." Whereupon I said to him, " It is well," and I thought Marchal would do according to his promise, and so I went home. This declared the Owl Araytana before me. (Signed) ADRIAEN CHRISTIAENSE. Aymara-Aykoeroe, December 17, 1755. E No. 315. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, May 31, 1756. (Extract.) UED. directie ten opsigte van de Acawayen meriteert meede onse approbatie, alzoo wij ons vqlkoomen overtuijgd houden dat niets meer tot sekerheijd van de colonien kan opereeren, dan een vrienddelijk dog teffen omsigtige behandelinge, van de naburige inlandse natien, weshalven wij, UEd. by deezen ernstig recommandeeren alles aan te wenden, wat tot • bevordering der onderlinge vreede, en aanwas van het publicq vertrouwen strekken kan. Wij renoveUeeren by deeze gleegendeheijd, de ordres van deeze vergadering aan UEd. by voorige missiven gecommuniceert, tot het verkopen van zodanige behoeftens als door ons aan UEd. zijn gezonden, of door UEd. ingeeogt ter defensie van cle colonie van Essequebo. teegens den gevreesden YOUR action with respect to the Acuways also has our approval, since we are fully convinced that nothing can contribute more to the safety of the colonies, than a kind, but at the same time circumspect, treatment of the neighbouring native tribes ; for which reason we hereby urgently recom- mend that you clo everything which can tend E towards the furtherance of mutual peace and the growth of public confidence. At this opportunity we reiterate the orders of this Assembly, already communicated to you by previous letters, regarding the sale of such neces saries as were sent you by us or purchased by you for the defence of the Colony of Essequibo against the dreaded invasion by the Spaniards (at 12S A inval der Spanjaarden. (tenminsten voor soovere dezelve kunnen gemist worden) mitsgaders tot het overzenden van een specifique reekening beneffens het proyenue van dien aan deze vergade ringe— wij vertrouwen dat daeraen bereyds door UEd. zal weezen geoptempereert. least as far as they can be spared), and also those regarding the transmission to this body of a speci fied account together with :the proceeds thereof. We trust that those orders have already been obeyed by you. No. 316. J3 C Minutes of the Court of Policy, Essequibo, held on July 4, 1756. (Extract.) JACQUES SALIGNACQ & Isack Knott, sig bijde bij requeste g'addresseert hebbende, de eerste houdende versoek, tot het planten, en verzenden A-an Rokoe, of oriane verwe, de tweede om per missie te mogen hebben, om in de Rivieren van Bouweron, en wijne houd te mogen maken onder aenbiedinge om voor den tijd van ses, agt, of meer Jaeren, ten behoeve d'Ed. Comp. jaerlijks te sullen opbrengen en betaalen een Zomma van een duij- send guldens buijten de ordinaires last en on- gelden. Sijn naar overAveginge, beijde opgemelde ver soeken gerenvoijeert aan H. E. G. A. . . . JACQUES SALIGNACQ and Isaac Knott both having presented Petitions— that of the former containing a request for permission to plant and export rokoe or oriane dye, that of the latter for permission to cut timber in the Rivers of Pomeroon and Wayni, offering to pay the Com pany for a period of six, eight, or more years the sum of 1,00,0 guilders annually, in addition to the ordinary clues and taxes. Eoth the aforesaid Petitions were, after delibera tion, referred to their Honours the Directors. . . Annex to No. 316. I. Knott, Colonist in Demerara, to the Court of Policy, Essequibo, July 4, 1756. Apostil. Dewijl alhier in desen niet kan getreden vur- den, word den Supp* gerenvoijeert aen D H: E: G: A: Actum in raecle clen 4e Julij 1756 (onderstond)mij present (en was getekent) Adriaan Spoors raed Secretaris. Aen zijn Excellentie d'Hoog Ede Geb: Heer Directeur Generael, en Ed: Agtb: Heren Raeden Aran Politie, vergaedert aent Fort Zelandia den 4e Julij 1756. GEEFT met alle eerbied te kennen d Hr Isaac Knott, burger, en ingesetene der riviere van Dem- merarij, dat zijn Ed: wel inclinatie hadde om eenige jaeren agtereen houd te mogen maken in de rivieren, van Wijna, en Pouwaron, derhalven is Sijn Ede U Excell: en Ed: Agtb: Hren raeden E ootmoedig versoekende U Excell: en Ed: Agtb: Hien raeden de goedheijd gelieven te hebben aen hem supp' voorn: permissie te vergunnen, om in voorn: rivieren houd te mogen maken, voor de tijd van ses, agt of meer agtereenvolgende jaeren naerdat U Excell: en Ed: Agtb: Heren mogen goedvinden, mits jaerlijks eens duijsend guldens recognitie aen d'Ed: West Ind: Compagnie te beta- len, en daerenboven alle de lastgelden der inkomende barken als naer costuijmen deser landen. Op welk Aroorschrevene hij Supp' een goedgun- stig Apostil is versoekende, (onderstond) Twelk E doende, &c. U Excell: en Ed: Agtb: Hien raeden ODW Dienaer (en was getekent) Isaac Knott. Accordeert van woord tot woord, met sijn origineele ter Secretarij. Twelke getuijgt, MICHIEL I.OOFF, 4dsist. Apostil. To the Director-General and the Court of Policy, in Session at Fort Zeelandia, the 4th July, 1756. Inasmuch as this matter cannot be dealt with here, the peti tioner is referred to the Directors. Done in Council, 4th July, 1756. (Below there stood) In my presence. (And was signed) Adriaan Spoors, Councillor Secretary. MR. ISAAC KNOTT, citizen and inhabitant'of the River of Demerary, very respectfully makes, known that he would be glad to have permission to make timber for a few consecutive years in the Rivers of Waini and Pomeroon; he therefore humbly requests you, the Director-General and Councillors, to be pleased to have the goodness to grant him, the petitioner aforesaid, permission to make timber in the aforesaid rivers, for the time of six, eight, or more, consecutive years, as you may determine, on condition of paying once per year a recognition of 1,000 florins to the West India Company, and, moreover, aU the tonnage clues of the incoming barques, according to the custom of these lands. To which afor.ewri.tten he, the petitioner, re quests a favourable Apostil. (Below there stood) Done, &c. Yqur humble and. devote^ servant, (and was signed) Isaac Knott. Agrees word for word with its original at the Secretary's office. In witness whereof, MICHIEL LOOEF, -Assist^- Jn R,io Essequebo, den oe July, 1756. Rio Essequibo, July 5, 1756. 129 No. 317. Director-Genera1, Essequibo, to West Lndia Company, July 7, 1756. (Extract.) TEN tweede een request van Isak Knott en Comp. aen A'oors. Raede om permissie te erlangen hout in Powaron en Weyne te maeken Aroor d'En- gelsche waer A'oor offereert aen d'Ed. Comp, een duijsend guldens jaerlijx te betaelen buijten en behalve de lastgelden der Barquen die het hout komen afhaelen welk Arersoek gelove A'oordelig voor d'Ed.Comp. soude weesen en een kleijne revenue geven ATan een saek waer van de Comp. niet het alcleringste nut of voordeel geniet, van oordeel sijnde het goed is gelt te maeken waer van men kan maer naderhand geen prejuditie kan veroorsaeken. Alsoo de vreede nog niet gemaekt is met cVAcuweijen van Masseroenij en Essequebo, ben ik genootsaekt, het guarnisoen op het oude fort nog te laeten, en kan nog niet gissen hoe deese saek uijt sal vallen, welke echter van d'uijterste aengelegentheijt is voor deese Colonie. Ik hebbe d'eer UEGA. hier nevens te senden copije A'an het rapport van den Bijlegger van cle Post Arinda boven Essequebo, nu onlangs af gekomen. Dit rapport indien vaste staet daer op konde maeken, geeft veel stoffe tot agterdogt. UEGA. gelieven sig te herinneren dat op het kleijne caertje dat d'eer hebbe gehadt, wijlen Sijn Doorluchtige Hoogheijt H. L. G. en UEGA. over te geven twe a drie plaetsen genoteert staen, waer volgens het berigt Aran .een Pater Jesuit, cle Spanjaerden sig bevestigden: waermede (lit rapport seer overeen- stemt, en dit waer sijnde sonde wij cloor haer ingeslooten worden op deselfde manier als d'Engelsche in Noord America door de Fransche forten A^an D'Ohio. Het welke A-an d'uijterste quaede gevolgen voor deese Colonie soude worden, en volstrekt op eene directe of inclirecte wijse gestuijt moet worden. Het ongelukkigste is dat men soo een gebrek heeft aen bequaeme menschen aen welke men iets vertrouwen soude konnen. Den Posthouder op Arinda staende te trouwen met een weduwe alhier, heeft mij om sijn ontslag versogt clat hem hebbe geaccordeert, en heb die plaets laten offereeren aen sekere H. Steijnfelts, dieselfde persoon, welke eenige jaeren gelecl'e d'eer heeft gehad UEGA. een project te presenteeren, om ondekkingen van be lang in Cajoenij te doen, wanneer UEGA. mij geliefden aen te schrijven clat die persoon moest trachten aen te houden tot nader bevel A'an UEGA. Twijffele geensints of die persoon die post accept- eerende sal alles nauwkeurig naergaen cle waer- heijd wel ondekken, en mogelijk cloor andere ondekkingen meer voordeel aen d'Ed. Compie toe- brengen als eenig posthouder bevorens heeft gedaen.& * * * * Den ingesetene D. Couvreur soo even af gekomen van boven Masseroenij waer hij wonachtig is, heeft mij een verslag gedaen welk het rapport van den bijleoger in Essequebo confirmeert, seggende dat verscheijde Indiaenen van boven naer hem sijn geretireert, dat tusschen te [-sic] twee a drie dacrreijsen boven sijn plantagie, hetwelk omtrent 12° of op sijn alderuijterste 15 uuren gaens bedraegt, eenige blanken woonen welke daer een oroot huijs hebben, en over de twee honclert Indiaenen bij haer, welke sij veele dragen wijs maeken en onder een volstrekte commando [696—2] A REQUEST from Isaac Knott and Co. to the A, Council aforesaid to cut timber in Pomaroon and Weyne for the English, for wliich they have offered to pay annually to the Honourable Company 1,000 guilders over and above the tonnage duty of the barques which come to fetch away the timber, which request, I believe, A\ill be profitable for the Honourable Company, and afford a small revenue from an article from which the Company derives not the Arery slightest profit, being of opinion that it is good to make money when one can, when no loss aftei'Avards is involved. As peace has not yet been made with the B Acuways of Mazaruni and Essequibo, I am obliged to leave the garrison at the old fort, and cannot yet imagine how this matter will turn out. It is, however, of the utmost importance to this Colony. I send your Honours herewith a copy of the report of the Assistant of the Post Arinda up in Essequibo, Avho recently came clown. This report, if one can firmly rely on it, gives much reason for anxiety. Your Honours will please to remember that on the small map which I handed to his late Serene Highness [the Stad- houder] and to you, there are marked two or three ^ places where, according to the report of a Jesuit Father, the Spaniards were establishing them selves, wherewith this report very well agrees. If this be true, we should be shut in by them in the same manner as the English in North America by the French forts of the Ohio, which would be of the Aery worst consequences to this Colony, and must by all means be stopped, directly or indirectly. The most unfortunate part of it is that we have such lack of capable men to Avhom one can intrust -p. anything. The Postholder at Arinda, being about to marry a widow here, has asked for his discharge, which I have granted him, and have offered that place to one H. Steynfels, the same person who some years ago submitted to your Honours a plan for making important discoveries in Cuyuni, at which time you were pleased to write me that I must try to keep that man until your further orders. I in no way doubt that, if this man accepts that post, he will fulfil his duty exactly, find out the real truth, and, possibly, by other - discoveries bring greater profit to the Company than any Postholder has done heretofore. J£ * # # * The colonist, D. Couvreur, who has just now- come from up in Mazaruni, where he lives, has given me information which confirms the report of the Assistant in Essequibo, saying that several Indians from above have retreated to his place ; that between two and three days' journey above his plantation, which is equal to about twelve or, at most, fifteen hours of travel, there live some whites, who have there a great house and more F than 200 Indians with them, whom they make belieA'e a lot of things, and are able to keep under absolute command. He has proposed to me that, 2 L 130 A weeten te houden. Hij heeft mij gepresenteert om in de maend van Augustus, als wanneer het water bij cle vallen wat gesakt is, met eenige andere -ingesetenen en Criolen Aran cle Comp. selfs te gaen en die blanke te lichten en hier te brengen, het Avelk mij ten hoogste aengenaem is geweest, kennende hem voor een man capabel tot een stoute onderneming, waerom het selve hebbe geaccepteert, en sal die saek ter naeste vergadering van den raedt ter overweging voordragen. in the month of August, Avhen the Avater at the falls is somewhat loAver, he shall go himself, with some other colonists and Creoles of the Company, and carry off those whites and bring them here. This was very acceptable to me, as I know him to be a man capable of a daring deed ; wherefore I have accepted this, and will, at the next meeting of the Court, submit it for consideration. B Inclosure in No. 317. J. Sleyner, Assistant at the Post Arinda, to the Commandeur, Essequibo, May 28, 1756. SIJN Excellentie UEdlen Aveet nog van cle gerugten van die drie Christenen boven in cle Savaan sijn, nu hebben sij sig meester gemaakt van cle helen Savaan : Sijn Exellentie ik weet niet wat daaruijt sal geven, sij maken sig meester van alien Rivieren, Sij Exellentie ik geloof als clat Spaansch volk is, dat sij sig meester maken van alle plaatsen, sij komen over Kaijouny, UEdlen p moet weten als dat sij drie vrasten plaatsen hebben, een in Wenamu een spruijt van Kaijouny, de tAvede boven Masseroeny in Queribura, de derden boA^en Siperoeny op Mawakken, die plaatsen sijn altemaal gruwsam sterk, den 3 May sijn sij bij de Caraibischen gekomen, en beginnen tuijnen te kappen, den 17 May sijn sij naar Demerary gegaaii met 10 Corjaars om te Avonen, Sijn Exel lentie, wat ik haer vrage waer sij vandaan komen, geven sij mijn dit antwoord dat sij van den doden opgestaen sijn, en sij seggen als dat nog so veel komen sullen, Het sijn Caraibischen, en Acke- wijen, en Arrewacken, en Warrouwen, allerhande jy natien, de een geeft sig uijt voor een grootvader, de andre voor de vader en broeders Aran hare A'rienden, alle die voor twintig jaren dood geweest sijn, die sijn allemaal weer opgestaen so sij seggen, ik mag haar seggen wat ik wil als om niet, Sijn Excel lentie den 27 May hebbe gehoord van een Acke- Aveij van Demerary als clat die Ackeweijen die voorleden jaar quaad gedaen hebben maken sig Avederom klaar om naer omlaag te gaan met slaven om die Christenen te bedriegen maer niet wetende, en wat de post aengaat is nog in rust so lang als Godt wil: Sijn Exellentie ik weet niet Avat dat is dat Mushack niet op de post komt, ik ben half E bang voor dit volk : sij geven sig uijt voor Godts volk : en verblijve U. E. D. D. w. Dienaar, JACOB STEYNER. Op de Post Arinda den 28 May 1756. YOUR Excellency will remember the reports concerning the three Christians who are up in the savannah; they have now made themselves masters of the whole savannah. Your Excellency, , 'j I know not what will come of this ; they make \f, themselves masters of all rivers. Your Excellency, I believe that they are Spanish people, and that they will make themselves masters of aU places. ,',- They come by Avay of the Cuyuni. Your Excel lency must know that they have three established . places — one on the Wenamu, a branch of the Cuyuni ; another aboA'e Masseroeny in Queribura ; and a third above Syseroeny on Mawakken. These places are all terribly strong. On the 3rd of May they reached the Caribs, . and began to lay out plantations ; on the 17th May 3 they went to Demerara in ten corrials. When I , asked them where they came from they told me that they had risen from the dead, and that as many more were coming. They are Caribs, Ackewys, Arrewacks, and WarrouAvs — all kind of nations, one pretending to be the grand father, and another the father or brother of his friend. They say that they have all been dead some twenty years and have come to life again. Whatever I say to them meets with no other reply. Your Excellency, on the 27th May I was told by an Ackewey of Demerara that the Acke- weys, who did so much mischief last year, are again getting themselves and their slaves ready to to war against the Christians. With regard to the Post all is still in peace, so long as God will. Your Excellency, I know not what it means that Mushack does not come to the Post. I am half afraid of this people ; they pretend they are God's people ; and I remain, &c, Your Excellency's Servant, (Signed) JACOB STEYNER. Post Arinda, May 28, 1756. No. 318. E Minutes of the Proceedings of an Ordinary Session of the Court of Justice, held at Fort Zeelandia, Rio Essequibo, January 3, 1757. (Extract.) D'HEER Raad Piepersberg soo aan Sij Excel lentie, als ter Vergaederinge gecommuniceert hebbende door den Posthouder uijt Cajoenij, Johannes Neuman versogt te wesen om te zeggen, dat de Caribesen aldaer, voorgenomen hadden de Spaensche Missie, boven in die Rivier gelegen te invaderen en te ruineren, dat sij ten dien eijnde alvorens souden af komen om Sijn Excellentie om kruijt en loot te vraegen. MR. COUNCILLOR PIEPERSBERG having communicated both to his Excellency and to the meeting that he had been requested by Johannes Neuman, the Pbstholder in the Cuyuni, to say that the Caribs there had determined to make a raid upon and devastate the Spanish Mission situated up in that river, that to that end they would first come down in order tq ask his Excellency for powder and shot. 131 Is hier op naer rijpe deliberatie geresolveert cle voorsz : Caribsen afkomende, het kruijt and loot volstrekt te weijgeren, en Sijn Excellentie om alle vermoedens, die bij clen Spanjaerden op dese Colonie soude konnen Avorclen geformeert te pravenieeren, te versoeken, clen Commandant van Guaijna van dit gerugt ten spoedigsten kennisse te geven. It was hereupon resolved, after mature deliberation, to strictly refuse the Caribs the powder and shot in the event of their coming doAvn, and to request his Excellency to give information of this rumour as speedily as pos sible to the Commandant of Guayana in order to avert all suspicions which the Spaniards might form with regard to this Colony. A No. 319. The West Lndia Company (Zeeland Chamber) to the Director-General, Essequibo, January 3, 1757. (Extract.) B . . . WIJ hebben van denzelven Raad ook gerequireert een gedailljeert berigt, wegens de requesten van Jacques de Salignac en Isaac Knot cum suis door UEd. aen ons overgestuurt alzoo beijde cle A^oorsz. versoeken ons voorkwamen speculatijf en van consequenten te kennen weezen. En geconsidereert van cle dispositie van het laast versoek in t' oog zal moeten werden gehouden cle openzetting off niet openzetting van de rivier van Bommaron zoo hebben wij bij deeze gelee- gendheijd van denzelven Raad gepetioneerd een ampel detail van de rhederij voor en tegen het openzetten van de voorsz. rivier militeerende en zulks te meer opdat wij daerdoor ook in staat zoude gesteld weezen en spoedig te kunnen dispon- neeren wanneer er eenige versoeken desweegens in het vervolg van tijt aen ons mogte gedaen worden gelijk UEd. zulks alles te eerder zult kunnen zien uijt de missive bij ons aen UEd. en den Raed van politie geschreeven. . . . WE have also asked the aforesaid Court for a detailed report upon the petitions, which you transmitted to us, of Jacques de Salignac and' Isaac Knott cum suis, inasmuch as- both the afore said petitions impressed us as being worthy of attention and possibly fruitful of results. And considering that in our action upon the latter petition regard must be paid to the throw ing open, or not throwing open, of the River of Pomeroon, we haAre taken this opportunity to requisition the aforesaid Court for an ample detail of the reasons for, and against, the opening of the aforesaid river. We did so, in order that we might thereby also be enabled to take speedy action if, in course of time, petitions on that subject were made to us ; as you will see more fully from the letter which we have written to you and to the Court of Policy. No. 320. The West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to the Secretary, Essequibo, January 3, 1757. (Extract.) . . . HEBBEN wij ook goedgekeurt, de vers- chikkinge bij UEd.' omtrent de posthouders geprojecteert ; op den zelven voet hebben wij wijders van den voorn. hunne consideratien wegens het openzetten van de rivier van Bouweron, gevraegt, opdat wij van, aUe zijden behoorlijk geinstrueert zijnde, op de versoeken die daerom- trent aen ons zoude mogen werden gedaen zullen connen disponneeren, zoo als wij na examinatie van zaken ten meesten dienst van de colonie zouden bevinden te behoren, even dus is het ook geleegen met de onderscheijdene requesten van Jacques cle Salignac en Isaac Knot cum suis waervan de finale dispositie is uijtgesteld tot dat hij ons desweegens het berigt van denselven Raad .zal weezen ingekomen. 0 D . . . WE have likewise approved the changes projected by you concerning the Postholder ; we have, moreover, asked the Court of Policy for their considerations with respect to the throwing open of the River of Pomeroon, in order that, when we shall have been duly informed from all sides, we may be enabled to take such action in answer to the petitions which may be made to us on that subject, as after an examination' of the facts we shall judge to be for the best interests of .the Colony. This is likewise the case with the various petitions by Jacques de Salignac and Isaac Knott cum suis, final action upon which has been deferred until the aforesaid Council's report upon- them shall have reached us. E No. 321. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, February 15, 1757. (Extract.) E MET cle Acuwaijen blijft het stil men hoort niets meer van haer dog haere hoofden sijn nog niet bij mij geweest, sodat men nog op sijn hoede moet wesen. ' ' . . . , De klagten meenigmaelen gereitereert sijnde door den Commandant van Orinoque, over het slegte ^edrag der handelaers ofte swervers in AMONG the Acuways it remains quiet ; we hear nothing more of them, but their Chiefs have not yet come to me, so that we must still be on our guard. Complaints having been repeatedly made by the Commandant of Orinoco cencerning the evil conduct in Barima of the traders, or 132 A Barima soo die van Suriname als van hier, hebbe ick daer over omstandig geschreven aen De Heer ad interim Gouverneur aldaer I. Nepveu welkers antAvoord dagelijx te gemoed sie. Avanderers, as Avell from Surinam as from here. I have Avritten circumstantially to the ad interim Governor there, Mr. I. Nepveu, whose reply is aAvaited daily. No. 322. B "Archivo General de Simancas," Secretaria de Estado. Bundle 7391. C De una Minuta de Carta sobre asuntos de Limites entre EspnTia y Portugal en la America , fecha en Madrid, 19 de Junio, 1757. PARA establecer la frontera entre los dominios cle Espafia y Portugal segun se previene en el Tratado de Limites con esta Corona, se formaron dos divisiones cle Comisarios de ambas partes unos para el rumbo del sur cle la linea, y otros por el clel norte. Los del sur fueron el Marques cle Val- delirios, y los suyos, los cuales salieron el ano de 1751, anticipandoles por que su empresa era la mas dura, y delicada como se ha A'isto. Los clel norte salieron a principios del 1754, y llegaron ti Cumana 9 clel Abril del mismo ano. El trabajo cle estas dos tropas se dibidio en seis partes, como lo pi cle la grandeza clel terreno, y por esto se embiaron por los dos rumbos quatro Comisarios cle cacla nation. Los clel norte fueron Don Joseph Iturriaga, Don Eugenio Alvarado, Don Antonia Orrutia, y Don Josep Solano, en 1 °, 2°, 3°, y 4G lngar, por el orden que aqui estan escritos. ^ No hay otro camino para llegar si su destine sino el cle Cumana, y por esto se le encargo a Iturriaga, algunas diligencias, y reconocimientos, mientras se mantubiese alii, y en el transito, para Rio Negro, que desagua en el Maranon por su ribera septentrional donde esperan los Portu gueses. Las diligencias que se les encargo al paso fueron estas tomar las noticias mas exactas cle todo quanto pueda conducir al buen Gobierno de esta proAdncia cle las Islas Trinidad y Margarita. E E Aberiguar las comunicaciones clel Rio Orinoco, y el estado de las Misiones que mantiene. vuestra Magestad alii y en la provincia cle Guayana. Tentar el animo par medio de Espanoles ladinos, cle un excesibo numero de negros fugitibos, de las Colonias Olandesas de la costa, por si se les pucliese reducir a la fe y al servicio de vuestra Magestad. Tomar noticias de todo lo concerniente a la historia natural del gran terreno situado entre los Rios Maranon y Orinoco perteneciente ti vuestra Magestad, a cuyo obgeto llevo consigo a Pedro Leofiing, famoso botanico Sueco, con cuatro disci- pulos Espanoles los quales iban principalmente para mejorar un clefecto cle la canela que pro- ducen las Provincias de Quejos y Macar que en si misma es mas ,aromatica que la cle Ceilan, para cuya obra se clieron muy individuales instruc- ciones consideranclola mucho mas importante que la principal. Copy of the Minutes of a Letter upon the subject of the Boundary between Spain and Portugal in America, dated Madrid, June 19, 1757. IN order to establish the frontier between the dominions of Spain and Portugal according to the provisions of the Boundary Treaty with this Ci'OAvn, there were formed tAvo divisions of Commissioners on both sides, one for the district south of the line, and the other for that of the north. Those of the south were the Marquis Valdelirios and his people, who started in the year 1751, going earlier than the others -: because their task was a more difficult and delicate one, as has been seen. Those of the north started at the beginning of 1754. and reached Cumana on the 9th April of the same year. The labours of these tAvo bodies Avere divided into six parts as required by the size of the territory, and for this purpose four Commis sioners from each nation were sent for the two districts. Those of the north Avere Don Joseph Iturri aga, Don Eugenio Alvarado, Don Antonio Orrutia, and Don Joseph Solano, in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd. and 4th place, in the order in which they are Avritten here. There is no other road by which to reach f one's destination except that of Cumana, and for that reason Iturriaga Avas ordered to make certain investigations and surveys Avhilst he remained there, and on his road to the Rio Negro, AAdiich Aoavs into the Amazon by its north bank, Avhere the Portuguese Avere awaiting them. The investigations which had been recom mended to him on his journey were these: — To take the most precise notice of all that could conduce to the good government of this province of the Islands of Trinidad and Margarita. To verify the communications of the Orinoco and the state of the Missions which your Majesty maintains there and in the Province of Guiana. To ascertain, by means of Spanish interpre ters, the condition of mind of a large number of fugitiAre negroes from the Dutch colonies on the coast, to see if they could be brought over to the faith and serArice of your Majesty. To take notice of all that concerned the natural history of the great territory situated •between the Rivers Maranon and Orinoco belonging to your Majesty, for which object he took Avith him Pedro Leofiing, a famous Swedish botanist, with four Spanish pupils, Avho went principally te improve a defect in the cinnamon, which is produced in the Provinces- of Quejos and Macax, which in itself is more aro matic than that of Ceylon, for which task they received special separate instructions, considering it very much more important than the principal one. 133 Llegaron estos Comisarios a Cumana y luego presento Iturriaga al Gobernador una cedula; en que se le manda que respecto de no haber otro parage mas cercano, que su distrito para preparar una expedition tan combeniente al Real servicio les acudiese y auxiliase con todos los medios que tubiere, y especialmente tropa, Tndios de servicio, embarcaciones pertrechos, utensilios, y los viveres, que fuesen necesarios feneciendo, con la expresion de que coadyube a los Comisarios con todo lo que necesitasen y el pudiese. Al mismo tiempo le presento otra orden, en que se le dice que habiendo de volver a estos reynos, el navio que los condujo le abriese registro para los particulares que quisiesen embiar alguna cosa a tlete, y para los efectos de Su Majestad, que no fuesen necesarios para la expedition y con motivo de esta orden, y de aquella cedula: se subscitaron dos disputas. Iturriaga pedia embarcaciones Indios bogas tropa Cazabe para dos meses, y algun tasajo. El Gobernador se escusaba a todo con motibo de que no habia sino 86 embarcaciones- empleadas en el abasto clel comun, y resguardo de la costa, y no se podian quitar ningunas. Que los Indios harian falta en el campo, y si le daba tropa seria menester reemplazarla con los vecinos, que tam bien harian falta para la agricultura ademas, que los Indios no pagarian tribute mientras sirviesen. Sin embargo exhorto a Iturriaga se tinese a lo pveciso, y podria ajustar las embarcaciones viveres y lo demas que alii encontrase comprandolo con sus caudales pues en Cumana no liabia quien lo su- pliese, Iturriaga replico que la cedula manda auxiliarle con todo lo que necesite, y haya en su distrito, y que en cajas habia caudales sobrantes^ Respondio, el Gobernador que en la cedula no se le manda gastar dineros y cito varias leyes en apoyo de su negatiba y aunque el otro le hizo ver no eran del caso se mantubo en su dietamen. • Al mismo tiempo, andaba otra disputa sobre la inteligencia de la orden dijo el Gobernador, que no se le mandaba abrir registro para los efectos que hubiese alia sino para los rezagos de los que fueron de aca, y no -fuesen vendibles, 6 utiles para la expedecion, cuya controyersia se termino, con la expresion del Gobernador de que alii no habia efectos que viniesen a Espafia. Ultimamente, Iturriaga escribio un papel al Gobernador diciendole que habia entendido le debia dar todo, quanto hubiese en su distrito como dice expresamente la cedula, y por el contrario entendiendo el Gobernador que en virtud de ella no le debia dar nada habia resuelto no hablar mas palabra, y buscar el modo de adelantar como pudiese su comision aunque no fuese como queria. Con efectoembio a Don Joseph Blano a la Isla Trinidad, para que fabricase treinta embarca ciones chatas buscase Indios de los que habitan en el Rio Orinoco y aprontase los viveres, y per trechos que pudiese lo que se ha sabido por [696—2] These Oommis.siouers reached Cumana, and A Iturriaga immediately presented the Governor with a Cedula, in which the latter was ordered that there being no other place nearer than his district for preparing an expedition so advantageous to the Royal service, he should aid them with all the means at his command and especially with troops, Indians, boats, stores, utensils, and the provisions that were necessary, ending with the expression that he should assist the Commissioners as far as they required and he Avas able. At the same time he presented him with another order, in AAhich it Avas said that the ship B Avhich had brought them having to return to this kingdom a register should be opened for those priArate persons who wished to send something as freight, and for those materials belonging to His Majesty Avhich were not required for the expedition, and in respect of this order and of that Cedula two disputes Avere raised. Iturriaga asked for boats, Indians, rowers, and troops casave for tAvo months, and for some salt meat. The Governor excused himself in both cases p on the ground that he had only eighty-six boats employed in supplying his settlement with food and. for the defence of the coast, and that he could not spare any ; that the Indians were Avanted in the field, and that if he gave any troops he would have to replace them with other neighbouring ones who were also wanted for agriculture elsewhere, and that the Indians Avould not pay tribute whilst they served: Nevertheless he exhorted Iturriaga to submit to the inevitable, and that he could get the boats, provisions, and the other things Avhich were to be found there by buying them with bis j) money, since in Cumana there was no one Avho could supply them. Iturriaga replied that the Cedula ordered him to be aided Avith all that he required and that there avus in the district, and that in the Treasury there was money enough. The Governor replied that the Cedula did not order him to spend money, and cited various laws in support of his refusal, and although the other made him see that they had nothing to do with the case he adhered to his decision. At the same time another dispute was going on concerning the meaning of the order. The E Governor said that he was not ordered to open a register for the goods that Avere there, but for the remainder of those which were brought thither and which AVere not saleable or of use to the expedition, Avhich controversy terminated Avith the utterance of the Governor that there were no goods there to go to Spain. Finally, Iturriaga wrote a letter to the Gover nor telling him that he had understood that he was to give him everything that he had in his district, as the Cedula expressly stated, and that, on the contrary, the Governor under- standing that by virtue of the same he was not ^ bound to give anything, he had resolved not to say another word and to seek the means of furthering his commission as Avell as he could although not as he could wish. And, indeed, he sent Don Joseph Blano to the Isle of Trinidad to get thirty rowing-boats made, to find Indians who dwell on the RiArer Orinoco, and to bring the proA'isions and stores that he could get, all of Avhich was known through 2 M 134 A otras noticias particulares, como tambien que Don Eugenio Alvarado fue a la Provincia de Guayana para el mismo fin, y otros conducentes a sus eomisiones. Despues embio el navio a Caracas con otra cedula, al Gobernador de esta provincia, del mismo tenor, que la dirigida al cle Cumana, en cuya Airtud le pidio cien mil pesos. Ricardo le clio ochenta mil. Salio Iturriaga de Cumana para el pueblo de Cabruta, situada en la ribera occidental del Orinoco, sin que se haya recibido carta suya, sino " las primeras de su llegada, en que no hace men tion cle las disputas que tubo en esta provincia Pero el Gobernador, en carta de 22 de Mayo de 1754, dio cuenta con autos al Marques de la Ensenada de todo lo occurido, y que se refirio arriba cuyos papeles llegaron despues de su sepa ration. Posteriormente se sabe que en el ano de 1755, se valio Iturriaga del Gobernador de la Trinidad para tomar viveres de los Franceses de Martinica, y que en este ano y el de 1756, ha padecido toda la expedition suma miseria, y necesidad habien- p dose muerto la mitad de sus indibiduos, y entre ellos el Capitan de Navio Don Antonio Orrutia, el Theniente Coronel Don Juan Galan, el botanico Pedro Leofiing, el Paclre Aller, Jesuita, que iba de cosmografo, y otros muchos cle inferior clase y padecido tambien bastante quebranto en la salud el mismo Iturriaga. Todas las noticias extrajudicial que se reciben condenan su conducta, como hombre perezoso, y de aspero trato, pero no ha llegado ningun informe que le defienda ni carta suya cle oficio ni para sus amigos ni para su casa. j) Ha llegado tambien una description de la Pro vincia de Guayana que remite el Coronel Alvarado a Don Ricardo Wall, y una relation cle que quando iba navegando limpio la costa de algunos estrangeros. Ultimamente, se sabe de Iturriaga que se paso a la otra banda oriental del rio cuyo movimiento da a entender que iba aseguir su destino ; pero al mismo tiempo escribe Alvarado desde Cabruta, que es el pues to que el dejo y entre otras cosas dice que entonces (a 30 de Septiembre de 1756) aun no tenia noticia de quando marcharian. Y como el tiempo propio para aquellos viages es a E primeros cle Noviembre, es cle dudar si habran ein- prendido el viage. Entre muchas de estas noticias que "ha ido comunicando el Gobernador de Cumana hay una en que dice no podian servir las embarcaciones, hechas por Solano en la Trinidad por que se empleo en ellas madera verde, y se despegaban las junturas. Por otra parte se sabe que han naAregado en el Orinoco, y Alvarado no toca esta especie en sus cartas particulares. E Nota. — Consta de los papeles embiados por el Gobernador que de los doscientos doce hombres, de tropa, destinados al servicio de la expedition, y reemplazo de los de Guayana solo habian que- dado existentes poco mas de 80 en la expedition, y diez en aquel presidio por desertion, de alguna en- fermedad, y muerte de los otros. Madrid, 19 Junio de 1757. other private information, as well as that Don Eugenio Alvarado went to the Province of Guiana for the same purpose and for other things conducive to his commissions. He afterwards sent the ship to Caracas with another Cedula to the Governor of that pro- vinc-p, of the same teuour as that addressed to the Governor of Cumana, in virtue of which he asked him for 100,000 pesos ; Ricardo gave him 80,000 pesos. Iturriaga left Cumana for the town of Cabruta, situated on the west bank of the Orinoco, with out any letters having been received from him except the first, of his arrival, in which he makes! no mention of the disputes that he had in that province ; but the Governor, in a letter of the 22nd. May, 1754, gave an official account to the Marquis de la Ensenada of all that had occurred as mentioned above, which papers arrived after his retirement. It was afterwards known that in the year 1 755 Iturriaga made use of the Governor of Trinidad to get provisions from the French from Martinique, and that in that year and in 1756 the whole of the expedition suffered very great misery and want, half its members haviug died and amongst them the naval Captain Don Antonio Orrutia, the Lieutenant-Colonel Don Juan Galan, the botanist Pedro Leofiing, and Father Aller, a Jesuit, who went as cosmo- grapher, and many others of lower rank, and Iturriaga himself also suffered much injury to his health. All the unofficial information that has been received condemns his conduct as that of a lazy man and one of harsh manners, but no report has come to hand in his defence nor any official letter, nor any letter for his friends or family. There has also come to hand a description of the Province of Guiana which Colonel Alvarado wrote to Don Ricardo Wall, and a narrative of how he. sailed along the coast and cleared it of some foreigners. Finally, it is known of Iturriaga that he passed to the other eastern side of the river, which movement makes it clear that he went to folio av up his destination; but at the same time Alvarado writes from Cabruta, which is the Post that he left,- and says, among other things, that then (30th September, 1756) he had not yet any notice of AA'hen they would march, and, since the proper time for those voyages is in the beginning of November, it is doubtful whether they will have undertaken the voyage. Amongst many of these particulars Avhich the Governor of Cumana communicated there is one in which he says that the boats made by Solano in Trinidad could not be of any service because green cane had been used in them and the joints split. On the other hand it is known that they entered the Orinoco, and Alvarado does not touch upon this fact in his private letters. Note. — It is proved by the letters sent by the Governor that of the 212 men destined for the service of the expedition, and as substitutes for those at Guiana, there were only little more than 80 remaining in the expedition and 10 in that fortress, through the desertion, sickness, and death of the others. Madrid, June 19, 1757. . 135 No. 323. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, June 27, 1757. MAER dus is het niet aengaende de saeken van I. Knott sijn request Avaer in de gevoelens seer verre van malkanderen sijn onderscheyde geweest, en waer inne bij deMeederheijtoverstemt sijnde geweest mijne onvermijdelijke plicht oor- deele U. E. G. A. mijn gevoelen en de redenen waer op het selve is steunende eerbiedig voor te draegen. U. E. G. A. gelieven te seggen clat wegens het versoek van I. Knott in consideratie komt het openstellen van de Rivier Powaron of het niet openstellen van die rivier waer op met Schuldige Eerbied segge die saek mij dus niet voorkomt, want het is een sekere saek en soo klaer als den Dag aen den Hemel, clat het openstellen van Powaron, ten alderuijterste nadelig voor deese rivier en Demerary soude wesen. Een saek daer met eerbied gesegt niet om gedagt diende te wor den voor dat Essequebo en Demerary soodanig bevolkt sijn dat geen voet breed land meer gevon den ware oubegeven. Het openstellen van Powaron, is eijgentlijk cle die bedoelfc wordt Edele Groot Achbaere Heeren en waer op lang genoeg is gewerkt hoewel den Raed van Politie Sulx niet sal voorslaen, wijl de redenen die ick daer tegens geallegueert .hebbe soo onwedersprekelijk en overtuijgende sijn ge vonden dat men niets ter waerelt daer tegens konde inbrengen. Want gelieven U. E. G. A. eens t'overwegen wat voordeel U. E. G. A. soude hebben dat eenige vermogende planters van hier, quansuijs een Stuk land daer versogten om een plantagie te maken, maer. haer beste slaeven tot het maeken van hout employeerende in Powaron geen producten, als voor de Leus alleen plantende hier soo veel. minder als Aro]gens de in Powaron temployeeren slaeven of dit geen werkelijk nadeel. Soo aen de recognitie aen d'Ed. Comp. als lading der schepen soude toebrengen en indien al eenige .middelmatige planters soo van hier als Demerary ophrekende en naer Powaron gaende woonen sonde deseh'e mede van het voordeel van het hout profi- teeren, niets van belang planten, en deese rivieren van inwoonders ontbloten. Vreemclelingen souden sig daer mogelijk wel eenige nedersetteii, maer soude ook niet als soo- danige weezen die van de hout negotie sogten te profiteeren want de gronden in Demerary soo goed als ergens in America sijnde, sal niemand Aerkjesen, sig ceteris paribus in sen onbewoonde rivier neder te setten, daer hij in een bewoonde het selfde voordeel kan hebben, daer en tegen men in een onbewoonde gebrek aen alles heeft, en ten bliike ick als nog genootsaekt ben het plantsoen van suijkerriecl voor de plantagie van D'Hr. van Eijs van hier naer Demerary te laeten transpor- teeren. \ 'Hoe vreemdelingen doen wanneer het voordeel van thout hebben is hier een levendig bewijs van hebbende D'Hr. Croydon van Barbados hier een plantagie in Suppiname waer op omtrent de 40 bequaeme slaeven sijn welke hij reets heeft gehad lang voor mijn vertrek van hier naer Europa en heeft nog geen lb. gewigt producten mijns wetens in eenig Schip geladen en niets als hout gemaekt en indien meer sulke hier waeren geweest soude 'mij genootsaekt hebben gevonden hier ordre op te steUen. (Extract.) Rio Essequibo, June 27, 1757. IN the matter of- 1. Knott's request my feel- A ings were quite different from theirs (the Court of Policy)* and since I was outvoted in this affair I consider it my bounden duty to respect fully lay before your Lordships my views and the grounds upon which they are based. Your Lordships are pleased to say that the question of opening or not opening the River Pomeroon is bound up with the consideration of I. Knott's request. In reply to thi«, I beg to observe with all due deference that this does not appear to be so. Because it is a certainty and as clear as the light of Heaven that the opening of the Pomeroon would be most injurious to this B river and to the Demerary. It is a matter— and I say so with all respect — that ought not to be thought of until Essequibo and Demerara are so thickly populated that not a foot of un appropriated land is to be found. The opening up of the Pomeroon is really, my Lords, Avhat has been desired and aimed at for some time past, although the Court of Policy will propose no such measure because the arguments with which I have always opposed it have been found to be so un- ansAverable and so convincing that nothing in the world could upset them. I ask your Lord ships to consider what advantage it would be if seme of our Avell-to-do planters were to ask for a piece of land there to be. laid out as a plan tation, and employing their best slaves to cut down timber in Pomeroon, raised no produce here except as a blind, and so much less in proportion as they employed slaves in Pomeroon. Would that not be considerably to the disad vantage both of the Company and of the shipping interests? to say nothing of the less Avealthy planters both here and in Demerary breaking up their establishments and going to live in Pomeroon. They Avould then share in the profits of the timber, plant nothing of im portance, and draw the inhabitants aAvay from these parts. A few strangers might possibly establish them selves there, but Avould there not also be some Avho only sought to profit by the timber busi ness? since the soil iu Demerary, being as good as any in America, no one, cmteris paribus, will choose to settle on an uninhabited river when he can enjoy the same advantages on an in habited one, especially since there is usually a lack of everything in an uninhabited one. In proof of this, I may mention that I have been obliged to ha\'e the landing-stage in front of Mr. Van Eye's plantation removed from here to Demerary. The following is a striking proof of what strangers do when they are granted the privi lege of the timber : — Mr. Croydon, of Barbadoes, has a plantation here in Suppiname on which he keeps about forty able-bodied slaves, whom be already had some time before my departure for Europe. He has, however, to my know ledge, not yet sent a single pound of cultivated produce by any ship, and has raised nothing but timber. Had there been more like him here, we should have been compelled to stop this land of thing. C D E E 136 A Ick ben in die saek volkomen onpartijdig, ick of de mijne hebben noijt geen voet breed hout laeten maeken of verkogt. soo dat nog voor nog nadeel hebbe in het toestemmen of weijgeren van het versoek van I. Knott welke een vreemcleling sijnde, geen cle minste reden hebbe om hem voor of tegen te wesen Het eenigste Avat ick hier in be- ooge is volgens mijn Eed en plicht het interest van D'Ed. Compagnie. De Rivier van Powaron aenmerkende als een district waer van d'Ed. Compagnie niets ter waereld profiteert daer benevens overtuijgt dat wanneer wij eens soo gelukkig mogte weesen dat B deese rivier en Demerary volkomen bevolkt waeren (dat in deerste vijf'tig jaeren niet te ver wagten is) wijl nog al vrij wat en mogelijk met wat moeijte meer als 300 plantagien gemaekt konnen worden, niemand nalaaten zal zig in Powaron, neder te zetten, omdat daar geen boureweij hout meer is, wijl in Dimmerarij in t'geheel geen diergelijke groeijt en men daarom niet nalaat sig daar 't etabhseeren, soo heb ik gedagt het beste te weezen dat 'd Ed Compie. dar zooveel voordeel van trok als mogelijk was, niet dat ik zoude denken, het versoek van I. Knott geaccordeert diende te wor- p den zoo als het legt o'neen, wijl zeeker meer per- zonen hem navolgen zoude, en men niet wel deselfe recognitie zoude konnen vergen, van 20 daer werkende slaaven als van 40 of mogelijk meer of minder, maar als geaccordeert wiert op conditie van soo veel p. cto. van de waarde van het hout, buijten en behalven de lastgelden, der barquen en hooftgelden der slaaven zoude mijn bedunkens, nog al een fraaije stuijver jaarlijx, daarvan provenieeren, welke de jaarlijkse lasten, van d'Ed Comp. veel soude soulageeren, indien ik voor mij hadde konnen krijgen, den voorslag van houtmaeken, voor niet (zooals U. E. G. A. D eertijts, . goedgunstig weegens Berbices hebben gelieven toe te staan te faforiseeren, en mij niet altoos teegens het opstellen van Pouaron, aangekant hadde, zoude al over lang, het meeste hout in die rivier, weg zijn geweest, maar denke mijn onvermijdelijke pligt te weezen, nooijt het voordeel \*an mijn meester uijt het oog te mogen verliezen waarbij hope onder des Heeren bijstand tot mijn eijnde te sullen persisteeren. In this matter I am entirely impartial, since neither. I nor any of my. people have ever cut or sold a single foot of timber. I have there fore not the least interest in the grant or refusal of I. Knott's request, and he being a stranger, I have not the slightest reason for being either for or against him. The only thing, that I have in view is the interest of the Honourable Com pany, according to my oath and duty. I regard the River of Pomeroon as a district bringing no earthly profit to the Honourable Company, and I am, moreover, convinced that if we should at any time be so fortunate as to see this river and Demerary fully inhabited (which is not to be expected for the next fifty years), since quite :J00 plantations, and possibly more with a little trouble, can still be laid out, no one would then be kept from settling in Pomeroon by the fact that there is no boureway wood left there. For in Demerara it does not grow at all ; yet this does not keep people from establishing themselves there. This is why I thought is best that the Company should derive therefrom as much profit as possible. Not that I think that the request of I. Knott should be granted just as it is ; far from it, for more persons would certainly follow his example, and we could not well demand the same taxes for 20 slaves, at work there as for forty, more or less. But if we made a contract for a percentage of the value of the timber, besides tonnage dues on barques and poll-taxes on the slaves, this would, it seems to me, bring in a pretty penny every year, and greatly diminish the yearly burdens of the Company. Had I been able to induce myself to favour the proposal that cutting timber be allowed gratuitously (as you formerly granted regarding Berbice), and had I not always opposed the throwing open of Pomeroon, the greater part of the timber in that river would long haye been gone. But I consider it my bounden duty never to lose sight of the interest of my masters, and' I hope to persist therein with the help of the Lord until my end. E No. 324. " Archivo de Indias/' Seville, Audience of Caracas, Letters and Reports, years 1757 to 177". Press 131, case i, bundle 17 Don Josi de Iturriaga, Chief Spinish Commissioner of the Spanish- Portuguese Boundary Commission, to Don Ricardo Wall, Principal Spanish Secretary of State, in reference to the building of a Fort by the Dutch in the River Moruca, and to the Titles of the Governors of the Dutch Colonies, &c, December 15, 1757. Cabruta de Orinoco, December 15, 1757. Excellent Sir, HAVING been informed by the Capuchin Fathers of Guayana that the Dutch were building a new fort on the River Moruca, to the Avindward and at a short distance from the Ships' Mouth of the Orinoco, and well knowing that the Commandant of Guavana would take no step of himself for the purpose of ascer taining this fact or intention. I requested him to send there, on my account, a launch with pilots, to proceed to the place and take sound ings in the river, and reconnoitre the state of the building, its materials, size, artillery, and garrison. And he replied to me, under date of the 2nd December, in a letter, copy of Avhicli I inclose for your Excellency's information. Excelentisimo Senor, MUY Senor Mio : Haviendo eutendido por los Padres Capuchinos de Guayaua que los Olandeses construian un nuevo fuerte eu el Rio Maruca abarlovento, y poco distante de la boca de navios de Orinoco, y teniendo por cierto que el Coman- E dante de Guayana no haria por si alguna dili- gencia, que descubriese el echo, 6 el intento, le pedi, que embiase alia de mi cuenta una lancha con practices, que subieran al parage sondando el rio, reconocieren el estado de la fabrica, sus materiales, tamano, artilleria, y goarnicion. Y me responde en fecha de 2 de Diciembre lo que V. E. entendera por Is adiunts "opia, 137 Lo que comprendo por el informe es que se intenta- establecer algunas haciendas cle azucar agregando a sus dueiios, y escktA-os algun numero ; de Indios Aroacas, que son los cle su mayor con fianza para impedir el paso de los desertores soldados, y esclavos Indios y negros por aquel parage. Puede ser que a este fin, y el cle cubrir a los de haciendas de algun levantamiento de unos y otros esclavos hagan algun fuertecito con dos 6 tres canoncitos y servido cle quatro 6 seis hombres. Con este motivo hago presente a V. E. que haora catorce anos vi una protection, 6 patente otorgada en latin por el Governador de Esquivo de aquel tiempo a un Capitan Carive, que Arivia dentro del Rio Orinoco. Inquiriendo yo con este motivo los funda- mentos del Governador de Esquivo, para conceder tal protection, Uegue a entender, y se me ha asegurado despues, que los Estados generales en sus patentes a los Governadores de Esquibo les anaden el titulo cle Governadores de Orinoco. Lo cierto es, que estos Governadores se nombran de Esquivo, y clel Orinoco en las licencias que dan. Permitidos oi en Muruca, pasaran otro dia a Barina, que desagua en la niisina voca, y mas aclelaute A-endran al Rio Aguire, cuia A*oca esta en el mismo Orinoco algunas leguas distante clel mar. Por este rio se sube a las imediaciones cle la Mision del Palmar, y por su medio lograran comunicacion franca con las demas Misiones del interior del Pais, como ya lo han practicado por la indiferencia clel P. Fr. Bruno cle Barcelona si bien por esta causa fue quitado cle ella por su Prefecto, y reducido a servir cle compafiero en otra Mision, privado cle voz activa y pasiva en sus Capitulos. No es muy conforme al titulo de los Gover nadores de Esquibo, y de Orinoco, pero si preciso para sus utilidacles la suplica que hacen por escrito al Comandante de Guayana, para que deje pasar mas arriba a sus Aroacas, que vienen a la pesca de la tortuga, y se me asegura que el Comandante no solo condesciende, sino que cubre con sus licencias a las diferentes embarcaciones, que suben a este fin. En estas ocaciones vienen Aroacas, Caribes, y Olandeses onotados, por que no sean descubiertos. Estos suelen saltar en tierra en el Rio Caura, y en otros a comprar de los Caribes Indios esclavos interin hacen los otros la pesca de las tortugas ; tambien estos Pescadores compran a nuestros Carives otros Indios esclavos y unos y otros a su vuelta sacan gran numero de ellos. Dios guarde a V. E. muchos anos. Excelentisimo Senor, Besa la mano de V.E. su mayor servidor, DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. (Hay una rubrica.) Cabruta de Orinoco, 15 de Diciembre de 1757. Excelentisimo Sefior Don Ricardo Wall. What I understand from the Report is, that it A is intended to make some plantations for sugar cane growing, and unite for that purpose, Avith their owners and slaves, a number of Aruaca Indians, Avho are most in their confidence, to assist in preventing soldiers deserting, as well as Indian slaAres and negroes, in that district. It may be that, for that purpose, and to pro tect the sugar estates from any outbreak of the shiA-es, both negroes and Indians, they may construct a small fort with a feAv small cannon, and guarded by some four or six soldiers. In regard to this matter, I desire to make knoAvn to your Excellency that about fourteen B years ago I saw a passport, or patent, in Latin, granted by the Governor of Essequibo of that date to a Carib Chief who lived within the River Orinoco. On making inquiries concerning this, and the grounds on Avhich the Governor of Essequibo issued such protection, I came to learn, and I was afterAvards assured, that the States -General in their commissions to the GoA^ernors of Esse quibo also give them the title of Governors of the Orinoco. What is quite certain is that these Governors ~ style themselves of Essequibo and of the Orinoco ^ in the licences they issue. If they be permitted to-day in Moruca, they will pass some other clay to Barima, Avhich floA\rs into the mouth itself, and later they will come to the River Aguirre, whose mouth is in the Orinoco itself, some leagues distant from the sea. By this river the immediate vicinity of the Mission of Palmar is reached, and by its means they will obtain free com munication Avith the other Missions of the interior of the country, as they have already done, owing to the indifference of Father Bruno t\ de Barcelona, although for that Arery reason he was removed from there by his Prefect and reduced to serve as a companion in another Mission, deprived of all voice, whether active or passive, in the Chapters of his Order. The request they make in Avriting to the Commandant of Guayana, that he may permit their Aruacas to pass higher up the river when they come for the turtle-fishing, though neces sary to their interests, is hardly in conformity with the title of Governors of Essequibo and Orinoco ; and I am positively assured that not only does the Commandant condescend to grant E it, but he goes so far aa to protect Avith his licences the Aressels going up for that purpose. On these occasions Aruacas, Caribs, and Dutchmen come disguised, so as not to be detected. These last-named are accustomed to go ashore at the River Caura and elsewhere, and whilst the others are engaged in fishing for turtle, they occupy themselves in buying from the Caribs Indian slaves. The fishermen also engage in the same traffic, and buy from our Caribs other Indian slaves, and both the one and the other take a large number Avith them on their return journey. E God preserve your Excellency, &c. (Signed) JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. (Rubric.) His Excellency Seiior Don Ricardo Wall. [696—2] 2 X 138 Inclosure in No. 324. MUY Senor Mio: Participo a V. S. haver A. practicado la diligentia que me encargo del recono- cimiento cle Aguas en el cano cle Moroca, y fortifi cation que le informaron de la qual ha resultado no ser conforme pues en todo aquel, y demas canos cle su comunicacion no se encuentra fortificacion alguna, y solo ay la novedad cle pretender los Olandeses de la Colonia cle Esquivo mudar la guardia que con nombre de posta mantienen en el citado cano cle Moroca bajandola esta a la boca que sale al mar que vendra a ser como seis leguas de distancia, para lo qual han hecho muchos des- montes y rozas para la siembra de aquel sitio, y las casas que al tren de aquellos Indios Aruacas, y B Olandeses son necesarias, cuya noyedad con certi- dumbre no he podido saber que es la motiva, y solo he oido decir que tiene la mira a que no se pasen fugitivamente a estos dominios tan facil- mente, los negros esclavos cle la Compania, y vecinos cle la dicha Colonia porque estando la citada guardia en la voca de Moroca reconocera esta las embarcaciones que sin entrar en el pasan por la costa a coger la boca grande cle este Rio. c El fondo que en la maior parte tiene el preci- tado carlo componen dos brazas y media, a tres cle Aguas de rio lleno ; y nada embarazado pues navegan por el falcas grandes, y goletillas de mediano porte con la ayuda de las mareas. El Frances Ignacio no saben decir en dicha posta si paso, 6 no porque pudo executarlo por la costa del mar, sin entrar en el dicho cano cle Moroca, como lo hacen las Balandras, y tambien las curiaras de los fugitivos negros, y soldados ; todo lo qual pongo en la noticia cle V. S. para su mejor inteligencia, y cumplimiento cle lo mismo que me encarga. Dios nuestro Seiior guarde a V. S. muchos anos. B. L. M. cle V.S. su mas seguro y obligado ser- vidor, DON JUAN VALDES. D Gihayana y Diciembre 2 de 1757. Senor Don Joseph cle Iturriaga. j] Es copia a la letra del original que queda en mi poder, Don Joseph de Iturriaga. (Con su rubrica.) My dear Sir, Guayana, December 2, 1757. I BEG to inform your Excellency that I have fulfilled the commission Avith Avhich you charged me of surveying the Avaters of the Creek Moruca, and of reconnoitring the fortification of which you were informed. The result has been to show that such report is unfounded, for in the whole of that and the other creeks in communi- -. cation Avith it there is no fortification of any kind ; and the only thing which appears to i have given cause for this rumour is that the Dutch of the Colony of Essequibo are changing \ the guard, which, under the name of Post, 1 they maintain in the Creek of Moruca, lower -^ down to the mouth where it flows into the sea, a distance of about 6 leagues, for which purpose they have made great clearances and prepara-. -f tions for planting that part, and built the houses which are necessary for the Aruaca Indians and Dutch, but T regret I have not been able to ascertain anything about the reason of these proceedings, and the only thing referring thereto that I have heard is that the object '",. the Dutch have in view is to prevent the negro slaves of the Company and residents of the said Colonies from deserting so easily as heretofore .?J§ to these dominions, for the said Post -being placed at the mouth of the Moruca, they will be able to notice therefrom the vessels which, without entering the river, pass along the coast in search of the Grand Mouth of this river. The depth of water in the greater part of the said creek is about 2\ to 3 fathoms at full tide, and by no means difficult of navigation for ] schooners and barges of moderate size, with the help of the tides. They cannot tell at that Post whether the Frenchman Ignacio passed or not, as he was able to do so by going along the sea-coast >j without entering the Creek of Moruca ; and the small schooners and also the canoes of the fugitive negroes and soldiers do the same. All wliich I i;oav communicate to your Excellency for whatever ends may be neces sary, in fulfilment of the commission with which you charged me. God preserve your Excellency, &c. (Signed) JUAN (DE DIOS) VALDEZ. Senor Don Joseph de Iturriaga. Note. — This is a true copy of the original in my possession. (Signed) Don Joseph de Iturriaga. No. 325. The Secretary, Essequibo, to West India Company, January 6, 1758. (Extract.) i DE canno waervan ik d'eer had UEGA bij E mijn laeste verslag te doen, clat den 16e. Septemb. om de bewuste muijlezels, naer de Orinocque ge sonden was, is door cle fataele droogte maer eerst den 22 Novemb. schoon •gelukkig, alhier terug ge komen ; . . . THE canoe about which I had the honour to report to you in my last letter that on the 16th September it had been sent to the Orinoco for the mules, of which you know, did not get back here, on account of the terrible drought, until the 22nd November, but arrived in safety ; . . . 139 .... vermits die beesten Avat belemmert in cle canno soude hebben moeten staen,, heeft .men in de Orinocque ses van deselve tot nadere occasie gehouden, en maer 14 afgesonden, van Avelke 14 stuks tot . mijn leedwesen, cloor de sterke droogte, gebrek aen A^ersch Avater, en insonclerheijd vast- sitten, in seker canaal, Itaboe genaemt en onder 's Ed. Compagnies post Maroca gelegen, twee sijn komen te sterven, gelijk d'hr. Persik op dieselfcle -tijd, vijf stuks verloren heeft, . . . .... because those animals would have had to stand rather uncomfortably in the, canoe, six of them were kept in the Orinoco until further oppor tunity, and only fourteen Avere sent off, of which fourteen, to my sorrow, two died through the great drought, the lack of fresh Avater, and, above all, the getting, grounded in a certain canal, called Itaboe, and situated under the Company's Post Moruca ; while Mr. Persik at the same time lost five head. . . . A No. 326. B Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, March 6, 1758. (Extract.) IGNATIUS COURTHIAL weder een reijs naer cle Spaensche kust gedaen hebbende welke hem seer wel was gereusseert, is in het afkomen van Orinoque cloor de Spanjaerts opgepast, en alles afgenomen, sijnde ter nauwer noot met sijn volk (op twee naer die gevangen sijn) over landt ontvlugt en hier weder gearriveert waer door die man bijnae geheel is geruineert. Den Post houder in Cajoeny I. Neuman van overlang om syn slegt gedrag afgeset, heb ick per desen bodem naer Europa doen overgaen om dat geen quaed onder d'indiaenen soude doen, daer cloor sijn brutaliteijt, seer bequaem toe soude weezen. IGNATIUS COURTHIAL, having under taken another voyage to the Spanish coast, in which he was very successful, was watched for by the Spaniards as he came doAvn the Orinoco, and deprived of all he had. He and his crew (with the exception of two, who are prisoners) managed to escape overland, and have now arrived here. The man is almost entirely ruined. I have sent 1. Neuman, the Postholder in Cuyuni. Avho was recently discharged on account of his bad behaviour, back to Europe by this ship in order to prevent him from doing mis chief amongst the Indians — behaviour of Avhich his insolence makes him fully capable. c No. 327. Report given by Don Jose Solano to his Excellency Don Ricardo Wall, dated Raudal, April'16, 1758. I) (Extract.) EL fuerte de San Francisco de la Guayana esta situado cuarenta leguas del mar en la orilla oriental del Rio Orinoco, tres leguas mas arriba de donde el rio se divide en diferentes brazos que aniegan cle sesenta a ochenta leguas de tierra, inhabitable a otros hombres que a los Indios mansos que llaman Guaraunos ; - no tierra su Artilleria el paso, por la grande anchnra del rio, por lo cual se esta haciendo en la orilla opuesta -otro fuerte con cincuenta plazas de dotation, luego .que este concluido : -cubre aquel las misiones de los Capuchinos Catalanes ; pero no embaraza la entrada de los estrangeros ; ni hecho el otro se adelanta cosa alguna antes se les da este , situado - mas el Buen suceso de una presa que hizieron los ¦de la Guayana pocos anos pasaclos, les enseno a tener armada y se'rvirse con felicidad de ella •cuando les conviene, pero aun en este caso pierde ¦ el Rey la polvora, y balas y algunos hombres, sin seguirse bien a su Real hacienda, ni menos la consequencia que se debe esperar, pues si varia de dueno la presa no de destino su valor, este puesto, , y las margenes del Rio desde el mar a la Angostura •que dista de el cinquenta leguas al Oecidente son sumamente enfermos, muere mucha gente mui miserable atraida del situado cle aquella tropa, y aun con estas entradas, y las de muchas familias que por diferentes veces se han trasladado y han variado los sitios de la poblacion, como no la han reparado del inmediato abrigo del fuerte ; apenas se mantiene la guarnicion y con parte de ella el THE fort of San Francisco de La Guayana is situated 40 leagues from the sea on the east bank of the Orinoco, 3 leagues above the place where the river divides into various branches which inundate from 60 to 80 leagues of territory, and render it uninhabitable save for the peaceable Indians called Guaraunos. Its artillery does not block the passage owing to the great breadth of the river, and for this reason another fort is being built on the opposite bank, which is to have a garrison of fifty as soon as it is completed. The former protects the Missions of the Catalonian Capuchins, but it does not hinder the entrance of foreigners, nor will the other, when finished, improve matters, but rather this position is a free gift to them. Further, the good luck of a capture made by the garrison of Guayana a few years ago taught them to keep it armed, and to make good use of it when required, but even in this case the King loses the powder and shot and a cer tain number of men Avithout any advantage to His Royal Treasury ; nor could any other result be expected, for, though the captured position may change owners, its practical value does not alter. This position and the banks of the river from the sea to the Angostura, a distance of 50 leagues westward, are in the highest degree unhealthy, and many of the wretched soldiers, attracted by the pay of that Company, . perish. Even Avith these incursions and the many "¦Archivo General de Simancas," Secretaria de Estado." Bundle 7396, folios 3, 4. E E 140 A nombre de Ciudad ; mas, lo.s Indios cle los Pueblos que para proveerlos de pan y raizes, y cle gente para la Fabrica de sus casas y conservation de ellas, tienen situados en sus immecliaciones, perecen continuamente, de tal suerte que estan precisados a remplazar cle tiempo en tiempo su falta, los Pueblos interiores, con sensiAdlisimo clecremento ; lo que no sucediera si aquellos gozaran clel temperamento de estos : y aunque el paAroroso nombre cle la Guayana comprehende a todo Orinoco en la inteligencia comun, no es asi, como lo esperimentan lo.s Misioneros Capu- chinos Cathalanes internados y los observantes -" cle Barcelona, que estan sobre el Orinoco arriba cle la angostura y los Jesuitas que siguen ; y nosotros que hallamos la saluz luego que salimos de aquella Ciudad y pueblos inmediatos. Estos desiertos cle Espaiiole.s no embarazan el haceso cle los estrangeros ii lo que tienen poblado en los Govieriios cle Cumana, Caracas, Maracaybo, q y Sta.Fee.por los caminos tan franeosque lesofrecen el Orinoco y los rios grandes que les entran por su orilla occidental; pues por ellos se internan, y dis- frutan el interior y espalclos destas provincias : con arte deciemento clel Real Erario, y perjuicio cle tantos infieles ; particularmente hacen este clano Holandeses de Esequibo empeiiando a los Carives para que hagam correrias y esclavicen, y siendo causa cle los repetidos lebantamientos de las Misiones cle Orinoco y de las continuas fugas de los Indios ya reducidos por la engafiosa libertad de las seh-as que les recuerdan, y ofrecen asegurar, para esclavizarlos en ellas, ya clivididosy sin am- D paro, por medios de los CaviA-es sus inhumanos contratantes ; en los de esta nation ya reducidos, hallan menos que hacer, como mas dispuestos para la alteration. Con estos principios A que se anade que las gentes de los llanos cle Barcelona y Caracas, y aun de Barinas, ya no caben en su patria por faltarles tierras en que pastar sus ganados, 6 hacer sus la- branzas y se van asomando a Orinoco buscandolas, E propongo el medio que me parece mas conve- niente. No habiendo causa, para mantener la fortaleza de Araya, su tropa y artilleria cerraria la entrada de Orino'o a los estrangeros, y fomentaria su poblacion con mu'chos aumentos por la estension clel terreno y ninguna comunicacion con aquellos. Encargado Orinoco a un Governador con la tropa de Araya los ciento que al presente estan guarneciendo Guayana, y mas la gente escolta cle las Misiones cle los RR. PP. Jesuitas, y la cle los F RR. PP. Dominicos cle Barima y San ChristoA-al, atencleria como mas inmecliato a la prohibition cle trato ilicito, a fomentar la poblacion de estos fir- tiles paises ; recojiendo las gentes clispersas y la reduccion y conversion de tantos infieles como havitan en estas selvas y a su defensa asi mismo, la Isla cle la Trinidad que tiene cle longitud de oriente a occidente A'einte y cinco leguas y algunas menos de latitud clel Norte al Sur ; fer- tilisima, de muy propio terreno para taA-aco, Ca- families avIio haAre gone thither at various times and altered the position of the settlement, but have not removed it from the immediate shelter of the fort, the garrison is scarcely kept up, and, with part of it, the name of town. Further, the Indians of the villages which have been established in the vicinity to pro vide bread and vegetables, and also labourers to build and repair the houses, perish continually in such a manner that it is necessary to replace their loss from, time to time from the villages further inland to their very sensible loss, and this -would not happen if the former enjoyed S. the same climate as the latter. And although the bad name given to Guayana includes the whole of the Orinoco as commonly understood, it is not so, as the Catalonian Capuchin mis-, sionaries of the interior and the Obseiwants of v" Barcelona, avIio are on the Orinoco above the Angostura, and the Jesuits avIio come next, find out, and as Ave clo also, who find health directly Ave leave that city and its surrounding villages. These being deA-oid of Spaniards do not hinder the traffic of foreigners to the territory they have settled in the Governments of Cumana, Caracas, Maracaybo, and Santa Fe, seeing that the routes are so open Avhich are offered to them by the Orinoco and the great rivers which fall into it on its Avestern side. For by these they enter and exploit the interior and the rear of these provinces to the great detriment of the Royal Treasury and the injury of so many heathen. This harm is chiefly clone by the Dutch of Essequibo, avIio incite the Caribs to make raids and hunt for slaves, and they are the cause of the repeated risings in the Missions of the Orinoco, and of the constant desertions of Indians already re duced, through the deceitful freedom of the avoocIs which they recall to their minds and offer to secure for them in order to capture them therein Avhen they are diA-ided and help less, by means of the Caribs, their inhuman agents. Among those of this nation who are. already reduced they have less difficulty, as they are more ready to change. With these beginnings, to which is to be added that the people of the plains of Barce lona and Caracas, and even of Barinas, no longer remain in their oavii territory through lack of lands to feed their flocks "and to establish arms, and are appearing on the Orinoco in search of them, I therefore propose the expedient Avhich seems to me most suitable. As there is no object in maintaining the Fortress of Araya, its men and artillery Avould close the entrance of the Orinoco to foreigners, and Avould greatly help its settlement, for the terri tory is_ extensive, and there is no communica tion Avitli foreigners. The Orinoco should be put in charge of a Governor Avith the garrison of Araya, the 100 men now in the garrison of Guayana, and the soldiers forming the escort of the Missions of the Reverend J esuit Fathers ; while the escort of .the Reverend Dominican Fathers of Barinas and San Christ-oval, being nearer, avouIc! look after the prevention of illicit trade and the ¦,¦,- encouragement of settlers in those fertile coun tries, by collecting the scattered people and by the reduction and conversion of the numerous heathen inhabiting these woods, and their defence. The same should be done; AAdth the Island of Trinidad, Avhich is 25 leagues in 141 naverales y eSquisito cafe, abundaiite de robusto cedros, y maderas finas, inacesibles las costas del norte y del oriente, y mas las del sur, que hace frente a las bocas septentrionales de Orinoco ; y tiene muy seguros puertos en la clel occidente que en forma de media luna, como la costa opuesta de paria encierran el golfo triste dejandole la estrecha boca del Drago por donde con violencia salen las aguas del Orinoco. Agregada a este Govierno y defenclida con parte de la artilleria de Araya y un destacamento de esta tropa desvaneeeria a los estranjeros las esperanzas de poseerla y de introdutirse por Orinoco. Cubria su guarnicion las espaldas de la Provincia de Cumana por los Rios Guarapiche y Pila y se daria la mano con la del fuerte de Guayana. Para este y su padrasto, es suficiente un destaca mento de cuarenta hombres y de estos mismos se puede proveer una lancha corsaria, que cle con- tinuo este de guardia clonde mas convenga, y otra que igualmente estaria prompta para acudir a el aviso 6 serial de aquella ; si a esta disposition se anade la gratia de ceder el Rey la cortisima parte que recibe cle la presa, a la tropa prohibiendo a el Governador y oficiales Reales to men parte alguna no dudo se destierre el trato ilicito. Esta misma tropa abriga las Misiones de los RR. PP. Capu chinos Cathalanes. En la Angostura que es donde se estrecha tanto el Rio que alcanza una bala cle fusil a la orilla opuesta conviene poner una casa fuerte ar- tillada con cuatro canones y guarnecida con veinte hombres que tengan una lancha pronta para seguir a el alcance, esta tropa sirve de escolta a las Misiones Carivas de los RR. PP. Franciscos de Barcelona porque estan en sus inmediaciones, y otros quince en una casa fuerte que se puede fabricar en la boca clel Rio Sto. Domingo que sale al Apure, guarda la Provincia de Barinas y San Christoval y escolta sus Misiones. length from east to west, and somewhat less in A. breadth from north to south ; it is very fertile, with excellent land for tobacco, canes, and exquisite coffee; it abounds in great cedars and fine timber; its coasts are inaccessible on the north and the east and still more on the south, where it faces the northern mouths of the Orinoco, and it has very safe harbours on the west coast, which,, in the shape of a half moon, like the opposite coast of Paria, incloses the Triste Gulf forming the narrow Boca del Drago, through which the Avaters of the Orinoco issue Adoleutly. Joined to this Government, and defended B Avith part of the artillery of Araya and a detach ment of troops from here, it would deprive foreigners of all hope of holding it and of enter ing by the Orinoco. Its garrison Avould protect the rear of the Province of Cumana along the Rivers Guarapiche and Pilar, and it Avould join hands with the garrison of the Fort of Guayana. For the latter and its Padrastro a detach ment of forty men is sufficient, and from these a cruiser can be manned to be constantly on guard wherever most desirable, and another, in the same manner, to be ready to respond to a summons or signal from the former. If to this 0 arrangement were added, by favour of His Majesty, the cession to the troops of the very small part he receives from prizes, forbidding the Governor and Royal officers to take any portion, I do not doubt but that illicit trade would be stamped out. This same Company protects the Missions of the Reverend Catalonian Capuchin Fathers. At the Angostura, which is the place where the river narroAvs so much that a shot from a gun reaches the opposite bank, it is desirable to place a fort mounting four guns, and garrisoned with twenty men, who should haAre a launch D ready for any occasion that may arise. These troops would serve as escort to the Carib Mis sions of the Reverend Franciscan Fathers of Barcelona, which are in the neighbourhood, and fifteen others should be placed in a fort to be erected at the mouth of the River Santo Domingo, which falls into the Apure, to guard the Province of Barinas and San Cristoval, and escort its Missions. No. 328. Don Josi de Iturriaga to Sefior Don Ricardo Wcdl, April 19, 1758. E Excelentisimo Seiior, MUY Senor mio : Dige a vuestra Excelencia con fecha de 15 de Diciembre las novedades del Rio Moruca avisadas de los misioneros de Guayana, la diligentia que encargue al Comandante de Guayana y su resulta, y ahora paso a manos de vuestra Excelencia la copia cle su respuesta de 30 de Marzo a las nuevas preguntas que le hize. Pub lican los de Esquivo y sostienen, que la estension del dominio de los Estados Generales llega a la voca de navios 6 voca grande de Orinoco y aun entran en el bien adentro a disfrutar sus pesqueros con tan considerable utilidad, como persuade la falta total de carnes en su tierra y grande escazes de pescado en su rio. [696-2] Excellent Sir, Cabruta, April 19, 1758. UNDER date of the 15th December last I informed your Excellency of the information transmitted to me by the missionaries of Guayana concerning the River Moruca, together with the result of the commission with which the Commandant of Guayana was charged by me, and I now forward to your Excellency copy of his ansAver of the 30th March, to the addi tional questions I put to him. Those of Esse quibo publish and sustain that the dominion of the States-General extends to the Ships' Mouth or Great Mouth of the Orinoco, and they even enter Avell inside that river to enjoy its fishery, with such considerable benefit 2 0 •' Archivo de Indias," Seville. "Audienciade Caracas," Letters and Reports, years 1758 to 1778.Press 131, case 7, bundle 17. E 142 Dios guarde a vuestra Excelencia muchos anos. Excelentisimo Seiior, Besa la mano de vuestra Excelencia su mayor servidor, DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. (Hay una rubrica) Cabruta 19 de Abril de 1758. jjxcelentisimo Senor Don Ricardo Wall. c D that one is persuaded there is an absolute want of meat in their country, and great scarcity of fish in the river. God preseiwe your Excellency, &c. (Signed) DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA. (Rubric.) To Don Ricardo Wall. B Inclosure in No. 328. The Commandant of Guayana, Don Juan Valdes, to Don Jose" Iturriaga, March 30, 1758. MUY Senor mio : En vista de la de V. S. de 20 del que espiro, sobre la poblacion, fortification, y demas noticias, que me comete su aberiguacion, en el Rio cle Moruca ; debo decir a V. S. que la mudanza de la guardia con el nombre cle posta que tienen los Olandeses de la Colonia cle Esquivo, a distancia de 20 leguas poco menos della, situada en el precitado Rio de Moruca, no ha tenido efecto y solo lo tuvo una casa de a 15 varas de largo que hicieron en la voca que sale al mar de dicho rio embarrada y con puertas que dicen ha cle servir para los pasageros que trafican a la citada Colonia, a fin de que en ella puedan estar en las inter- misiones de tiempo que les causa las estaciones del ria por sus crecientes, 6 bajantes. En cuia virtud se mantiene la antigua guardia 6 posta en su sitio sin aumentacion de tropa, ni de artilleria, siendo esta tres canones, del calibre de a tres, desmontados y un cavo con dos soldados, de suerte que los Indios Aroacas, que estan situados en este parage para los fines de sus comercios, se hallan en tres divisiones de Pueblo, que componen cada una diez, doze casas pequenas y correspondientes a una familia de Indios, y a distancia de una legua 6 mas las unas divisiones de las otras, las quales, siguen las inmediaciones de las Orillas del dicho Rio Moruca, con lo qual creo haver enterado plenamente a V. S. de lo que me previene sobre el particular, bien entendido que ya sabe V. S. que este sitio dista del mar siete leguas poco mas 6 menos, y las restantes hasta la Colonia que son cle doce a trece, son de costa del mar. E Dios Nuestro Sefior guarde a V. S. muchos anos con salud que deseo. Besa la mano de vuestra Excelencia su mas rendido servidor, DON JUAN VALDES. Guayana y Marzo 30 de 1758. Senor Don Jose de Iturriaga. My dear Sir, Guayana, March 30, 1758. IN reference to yours of the 20th ultimo, concerning the commission Avith which you charged me for the purpose of investigating and reporting upon the settlement, fortifica-;.: tion, and other matters of interest in the River- Moruca, I have now to state to you that the change of the guard, under the name of Post, which the Dutch of the Colony of Essequibo have at a distance of 20 leagues, more or less, from there, situated in the said River Moruca, has not been made; and that there Avas only a house of 15 yards long, which they built where the said river flows into the sea, with a stockade and gates. This they say is for the use of those: engaged in the trade of the before-mentioned Colony, and for the purpose of serving as a rest house, in the intervals between the rise and fall of the river. On this account the old guard or Post is still maintained without increase of the force, nor of artillery, there being only three cannon, unmounted, of the calibre of 3-pounders, and a corporal Avith two soldiers, so that the Aruaca Indians, dwelling there for the pur poses of trade, are divided into three settle ments or villages, each of ten or twelve small houses, for an Indian family. And the villages are separated the one from the other by a distance of more than a league, and are situated on the banks of the said River Moruca. I believe I have now fully carried out your commission and instructions, but well under^ stood, howeA-er, that your Excellency is already aware that the site is 7 leagues distant from the sea, more or less, and that there are 12 or 13 leagues of coast between it and the Colony. Gocl preserve your Excellencv, &c. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. Senor Don Joseph de Iturriaga. No. 329. Director-General, Essequibo to West India Company, June- 15, 1758. (Extract.) OVERGAENDE ter beantwoording van het geene UEGA, wegens het houtmaken in de Rivier Powaron gelieven te vraegen ; sal ik d'eer hebben te seggen Dat in voors. rivier tien a twaelf jaere ongevaer geleden door den Raed van Politie aen sekeren Erasmus Felderman permissie is verleendt om in die rivier te mogen woonen en sijn nodig PROCEEDING now to answer what you are pleased to ask Avith resfect to cutting timber in the River Pomeroon, I have the honour to say that, in the aforesaid river, about ten or twelve years ago, the Court of Policy granted. permission to one Erasmus Felderman to live in that river and plant his necessary bread, without, however, 143 brood te planten. Sonder echter eenig land in eijgendom te besitten. Welke vergunning nae het overlijden van voors. Felderman, nog eenig clis- put heeft veroorsaekt, wijl sekere Jan La Riviere als testamentaire erfgenaem, dit land A\;ilde eijgene, Avelken eijsche als ongegrond hem cloor clen Raed is ontsegt, en waerover (soo mij bericht is) sig aen UEGA soude hebben beklaegt, of waer is, is mij onbekent wijl UEGA, noijt iets daervan heb ben gelieven te melden. Of voors. Felderman daer eenig hout gemaekt heeft, weet ik niet, clog gelove indien jae, seer weij- nig sal Avezen. In den jaere 1.753 is aen sekere Eduard Ling in die tijd inwoonder van deese rivier cloor voors. Raed vergunt de permissie om hout aldaer te mogen maeken en aen d'Engelsche verkopen op sodanige recognition en voorwaerden als in de notulen van dien Raed van voors. jaere genoteert staen, Avelke ter kamer van UEGA sijn berustende en mij niet nauAvkeurig voorstaen, en d'hr. Spoors op sijn Ed. plantagie sijnde ick [? ook] alsnu daerop niet kan nasien. Desen E. "Ling heeft twee barqsladingen met hout daer vandaen gehaelt waernaer wederom uijt deese colonie vertrokken en naer Barbados gegaen sijnde, is die Arergunning ingetrokken, en geresol veert geene meer te accordeeren, dog het hout- maken in de Rivier Weijna vrijgelaeten aen die- geene die daerom soude versoeken. Waervan geen gebruijk is gemaekt en ook niet gemaekt konde worden, wijl die rivier waer wel een onnoemelijk getal boereweij boomen staen) door de sandbanken claervoor leggende voor alle vaertuijgen grooter als onse boeijcanoas onbevaerbaer is, tenminste voor sooverre ons tot nu toe bekent is, want ik voor mij twijffele daer seer aen, clat soodanige groote rivier, Dernerarij en Powaron verre overtreffende soo in hreedte diepte als in lengte van loop geen canael soude hebben daer met springgetijde vooral, geen barquen in en uijt soude konne vaeren. possessing any land in property. Which conces- A sion caused some contention after the decease of the aforesaid Felderman, because one Jan La Riviere, as testamentary heir, wanted to own this land, which claim Avas denied him by the Council as un founded ; about this (as I have been informed) he has complained to your Honours ; whether this is true I clo not know, because your Honours have never been pleased to mention anything about it to me. Whether the aforesaid Felderman cut any tim ber there I clo not know, but I believe that, if so, it must be very little. In the year 1753 one Edward Ling, at that time B an inhabitant of this river, obtained permission from the aforesaid Council to cut timber there and sell it to the English, subject to such clues and conditions as are recordedi n the Minutes of that Council of the aforesaid year, which are now in your Chamber, and cannot be precisely recalled to my memory, and, Mr. Spoors being at his planta tion, I can neither consult him about it now. This E. Ling has taken away from there two ship-loads of timber, after which, he having again left this Colony and having gone to Barbados, this p concession was withdrawn, and it was resolved tp grant none further ; but the making of timber in the River Waini was left free to those who should apply for it. Of this no use was made, neither could it be made, for, on account of the sand-banks lying before it, that river, where, it is true, an infinite number of bourewey trees is found, is unnavigable for all craft larger than our buoy- canoes, at least so far as is known to us at present, for, as for me, I greatly doubt if so great a river, far surpassing Demerara and Pomeroon in width and depth as well as in length of course, can be without a channel where barques could navigate in J) and out, especially at spring tide. No. 330. Director-? General, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 9, 1758. (Extract.) ONLANGS d'Eer gehad hebbende, U. E. G. A. te schriJAren per het Essequebo welvaeren, en het Loo, sou soude Weijnig in deeze te melden hebben, Indien niet Verpligt was, U.E. : Groot Achtbare per Eerste geleegendheijd, kennis te Geeven, Van Een voor val, dat mij zeer verwondert, en teffens zeer verleegen gemaekt heeft, de Caraib ische Indianen op de Rivier Cajoenij Woonnagtig, zijn in de voorleeden week, meest alle afgekomen, en hebben aan de Criolen Van U. E. G. A. welken Even Onder de Groote Val derzelver rivier woonagtig zijn, kennis Gegeeven, dat de Spanjaar den Van Oronocque, naar haar gissing wel Een honderd man sterk, afgekomen zijn Ende post Van U. E. G. A. hebben aangetast, en Overmeestert, en clen posthouder neevens den bijlegger een Criool van U. E. G. A. neevens een criolin met hare kinderen gevankelijk hadden weggevoert, en alles ront om de post Geruineert, met A^eel dreijgementen dat af zoude komen en cle Colonie, meede zoo zoude handelen. Ik hebbe aanstonds twee Vertrouwde Crioolen, met clen Oude Neger Manna, welken gewoon is, in de rivier schilpadden voor het pakhuijs te gaan HAVING had the honour of writing to your Lordships but a short time ago respecting the E state of affairs in Essequibo, I should have A^ery little to say in this letter were I not obliged to inform your Lordships at the earliest opportunity of an occurrence that caused me not only great surprise but also great embarrassment. Nearly all the Carib Indians living on the River Cuyuni came doAvn the stream last week, and informed the Creoles of your Lordships, living just below the great fall of that river that the Spaniards of Orinoco, according to their compu tation about 100 strong, had come down the stream, and made a successful raid upon your -p, Lordships' Post ; that they had carried off as prisoners the Postholder and his assistant, and a creole belonging to your Lordships, together Avith his wife and children; that they had laid waste the Post and all round it, and had threat ened to come down stream again and serve the Avhole Colony in the same way. 1 immediately sent two trusty Creoles up the river with Manna, the old negro Avho buys our turtles for us, and told them to find out all that 144 A handelen, naar boven gezonden om alles nauw- keurig te Onderzoeken, dezelve zullen voor het vertrek van deezen bodem niet te rug kunnen weezen, clog zal niet nalaten U. E. G. A. ten Spoedigste mogelijk kennis hier van te geeAren, zoo drae zij wederom gekoomen zullen zijn. Dit GeAral dus zijnde komt mij A-oor- niet alleen, als strijdig teegens het regt der volkeren, maar meecle gantsch niet overeenkomende met de GeAvoone Wijse Van handelen tusschen Natien die in voile Vreede met elkanclere zijn, want hadde Don DTturiaga, weike nu onlangs den tijtel van onder koning Van dit gedeelte Aran amerika B heeft bekoomen, en welke zign residentie in Oronocque heeft, gedagt dat d'Ed. Compagnie post op Spaanze grond lag, het welk volstrekt en oiiAveclersprekelijk Onwaar is, was het zijn plight, my Eerst op een Vriendelijke Wijze, daar van te verwittigen, en het wegnemen derzelver te Eijsschen en bii weijgeringen nog geen feijtelijk- heeclen te gebruijken, inaar zig aan de Souverijne Eerst te addresseeren ; die ri\ier hebben zij lang het Oog op gehad, en ik heb altoos daar voor in cle weer moeten staan, en alle die pogingen zijn een overtuijgent bewijs, p dat dezelve van groote aangeleegentheijd is, het welke haar beter, als ons bekent is. Ik ben van gevoelen clat dezelve van de hoogste aaugeleegen- theijd voor UEGA is, en veel meer als een der anderen, en dat zij geene cle aldergeringste, pre- tentie daar op kunnen maken, is A'olkomen zeeker, en onwedersprekelijk, U.E.G.A. gelieve cle caart naar te zien, cloor d'Heer D'Auville gemaakt de welke deeze gewesten met d'uijterste naauwkeurig- heijd afbeeld, zullen zulks klaar en duijdelijk bespeuren, En daer op seh-er onze limiten afgetee- kent zien, waar van het schijnt hij van goedder hand onderregt was ; j) Zoo drae mijn volk afgekomen is, en ik in het zeekere geinformeert ben, zal ik ijmant naar Oronocque zenden en reeclen van deeze behandel- ing vragen, en Satisfactie Verzoeken, het zoude mij niet Swaar vallen door middel van de Caraibes, haar met cle selfde munt te betalen, en haar daar van daan te krijgen, maer die Indianen, niet zonder Eenige blanken aan haar hooft AA-illende gaan, en zulks mede aaii A-ivres en wapenen veel zullende kosten, zal daar zonder Ex pres. bevel niet aandenken, en hope, ook niet nodig zal weesen, en zonder zulke Extrimiteijten wel voldoening bekomen zal worden Vreeze alleen E dat die man, Eer de beveelen uijt Europee koo men, Avel meer zal onclerneemen, als wanneer Gewelt, met gewelt, gekeert zoude moeten wor den. they possibly could. They cannot get back before the departure of the ship Avhich is to take this letter, but I Avill not fail to inform your Lordships of the result of their mission as soon as they return. The deed I have described appears to me to be not only a violation of international law, but also entirely contrary to the usual mode of procedure followed by nations who are at peace with each other. Had Don de Iturriaga, who has recently been appointed Viceroy of this portion of America, and who resides in Orinoco, been of opinion that the Post of your Lordships' Com pany was on Spanish ground, which is utterly and indisputably untrue, it would have been his duty to draw my attention to the matter in a friendly manner, to demand the removal of the Post, and in case of refusal to abstain from any act of violence until he had first reported the case to his Sovereign. They have had their eye on the river for some time, and I haA^e ahvays had to defend it most vigorously. All these attempts of theirs furnish convincing proof that the stream must be of much greater importance than we are aware of. It is my opinion that this river is of the greatest- importance to your Lordships, much more so than any one of the others, and also that it is perfectly certain and indisputable that they have not the slightest claim to it. If your Lordships Avill be pleased to look at the map of this country, draAvn by Mr. D'Anville with the utmost care, your Lordships Avill clearly see that this is so. Our boundaries, too. are defined in a way Avhich proves that the compiler was very Avell in formed. As soon as my people have returned, and I am in receipt of reliable information, I will send some one to Orinoco to ask for the reason of this; behaviour and to demand' satisfaction. It would not be very difficult for me, by making use of the Caribs, to pay them back in their own coin and drive them from their present position. But since the Indians are unAvilling to go without haA-ing some Avhite men at their head, and since the arms and supplies of such an expedition would cost a great deal, I shall not think of it without haAnng received express authority. I trust that this may not be necessary, and that eA^erything Avill be satisfactorily settled Avithout proceeding to such extremities. My only fear is that this man Avill devise some fresh attack before orders come from Europe, in which case Ave shall have to return blow for blow. 145 No. 331. Testimonio de los Autos que se opera, •un sobre la ¦Expedition Secreta, y aprchencion de dos Olan- dezes con sus mugeres, y un Negro Eselavo en el Rio Coyuni, y herida que dieron d dos Soldados en la imbacion que iuviercm. Report of the Judicicd Proceedings in regard to the Secret Expedition and appreliension of two Dutchmen, with their Wives and a Negro Slave, in the River Cuyuni, ami the wound which they gave to two Soldiers in the attack. - a.) Carta. Seiior Don Felix Ferreras, MUI Senor mio : HaAdendo los Carives del monte matado al Capitan y su compafiero de los Indios de la Nation Guaica que con su gente for- maba su pueblo con buenos prineipios, y esperanzas de grandissimo fruto, en las Riveras del Ryo , Supama en el sitio de Hauchica queda esta hora perdido aquel Pueblo por que al motivo de aquella muerte se han retirado otra vez al monte dichos Guaicas y como de dicha nation haiga tambien en las misiones del Juruario, claman muchas vezes para irse a tomarse la venganza ; Pero con su Prudencia me aviso el Padre cle dicha Mision de estas novedades y que los detenia con sus Razones, y , temiendo me peor desgracia para precaverla suplique al Sefior Comandante Don Juan Valdes se sirviese de dar orden a Aniesa merced para que como tan practico, e inteligente con bastante experiencia de Indias le diese las ordenes necesa rias para pasar a tierra dentro a fin cle averiguar y saver el motivo de aquellas muertes y si fuese posible, hasta saver los nombres cle los agresores ; executo vuesamerced las ordenes clel Senor Coman dante pasando a hazer la pesquiza, y averiguo vuesamerced segun relazion que se sirvio vuesa merced hazerme cle sus diligencias ; que haviendo estado hasta las Misiones clel Miamo, Carapo, y Juruario acia vien averiguaclo, a mediado de Mayo, ano pasado, que a su muger la llevaron a vender • a Esquivo hasta que los matadores fueron unos Caribes sublevados ¦ clel pueblo Tupuquen del ano de cinquenta mandados por el Indio Caiarivare Alcalde que hera cle dicho Pueblo cle Tupuquen, y de los principales motores de la Sublevacion y dichos agresores se mantenian tierra dentro en el Rio Coiuny, y en la misma Aroca cle Ryo Corumo que entra a dicho Ryo y vivian juntos con unos Olandeses de la Colonia de Esquivo, haciendo el comercio de la compra de Poytos y se los con- ducia alii, y que la principal causa de haver ma tado a dicho capitan fue por que este se poblaba en dicha sitio de Auchica, y con esto les cercaba el paso del Ryo Vsupama, impidiendoles el pasar sin ser descubiertos enterado A'uesamerced diehas noticias, y ya de palabra, y ya con cartas cle los Relixiosos, a savido asi mismo vuesamerced que todavia se mantienen dichos Olandeses con los mismos Caribes en la boca del Ryo Corumo, com- prando Indios esclavos ; aora en carta cle treinta de Mayo proximo pasado se sirve vuesamerced suplicarme que le haga exacta relation cle si se mantienen dichos Olandeses en el mencionaclo sitio 6 en otras partes de por alii si tienen con- tinuo comercio cle Ropas Hachas, &c, y en que consiste su defensa, si mantienen artilleria, y cle que calibre para que hallandose vuesamerced con el cargo cle Comandante Interino pueda dar rela tion al Superior Govierno, quando com'enga ; sobre que respondo lo mismo, que saben todos los Re- [696—2] B C Letter of the Prefect of the Missions to the Com mandant of Guiana. Senor Don Felix Ferreras, Sir, Suay, June 9, 1758. THE Caribs of the forest having murdered "Archivo General de the Captain of the Indians of the Guaica nation, indias." Audience of with his comrade, who were engaged in estab- ^ar^as- Letters and fishing with their people a village, with good Pr^mr^se 7, ' beginnings and hopes of very great fruit, at a bundle 17! place called Avechica, on the banks of the River Supama, that village is now completely lost. For on account of that murder the said Guaicas have returned again to the forests. There are also Indians of that nation in the Missions near the Yuruary, and they frequently demand to be allowed to go to revenge the murder of their people. But the priest of the said Mission, with his accustomed prudence, informed me of these eA'ents, and that by his counsels he detained them. And fearing a Averse misfortune, and with the object of obviating it, I requested the Commandant, Don Juan Valdes, that he would be pleased to instruct you, in order that you, who are so experienced and intelligent, and have sufficient knowledge of the Indians, might be furnished with the neces sary orders, and proceed to the interior for the purpose of investigating and ascertaining the motive of those murders, and, if possible, even obtain the names of the aggressors. You carried out the orders of the Com mandant, by proceeding to the interior and making the necessary inquiry, and you investi gated the affair. The account you were good enough to give me of your journey was as follows : That having been as far as the Missions of Miamo, Carapo, and Yuruary, about the middle of May of the past year, you had Avell informed yourself that his wife had been seized ' and taken to Essequibo to be sold ; that the murderers were some Caribs, who in the year [17]50 had rebelled in the settlement of Tupu quen, commanded by the Indian Caiarivare, the Alcalde of the said settlement of Tupu quen, one of the principal instigators of the rebellion ; and that the said aggressors Avere living in the interior on the River Cuyuni and at the very mouth of the River Corumo, which flows into the said river ; that they Avere living with some Dutchmen from the Colony of Essequibo, engaged in Slave Traffic for the said Colony ; and that the principal reason for their murdering the said Captain was because he was founding a settlement hi the neighbour hood of Avechica, and thereby was closing the pass of the River Usupama, and hindering them from passing without being discovered; and you have now learned, by word of mouth and by letters from the religious, that the said Dutch, with these very same Caribs, are still living at the mouth of the River Corumo, buying Indian slaves. 2 P D E 146 A lixiosos de nuestras misiones singularmente por mas immediatas a las fronteras son los P. P. Presidentes clel Miamo Carapo, y Juruario de manera que los Caribes del Miamo muchas vezes han dicho al Padre que los dejase ir a coger 6 matar, los Olandeses de la Boca del Corumo que tenian muchos resgates- para comprar Poytoa lo mismo dicen los Barinagotos clel Juruario, y estos han referido diferentes vezes que los Olandeses los han amenazado quern aides la Micion, por que les embaraza el paso del Juruario.- Los Carives del Carapo, avisaron al Padre que el Negro que esta en Coiuni iba a dicha Micion y por miedo volvio B atras ; los Caribes han dado suficientes noticias que tres Olandeses Blancos, y diez Negros con muchos Caribes estan haciendo casas, y habren monte para hacer Pueblo en el Coiuny pero no saben dar Razon si tienen canones pero si que dicen tienen grandes trabucos, y muchas escopetas, y que juntamente tienen Indias Aruacas de Esquivo, y por que hacen tumbar arboles mui grandes con mucho travajo a los Caribes que estos se le huien ; de esta novedad no tenemos mas noticias que lo mismo que dicen los Indios, assi como unos a mi me lo han referido otros diferentes p lo han referido a otros Religiosos. D No es increible que dejende estar los Olandeses en el Coyuni comprando Poytos, por que no reparan hacer este ilicito trato mas cerca de las Misiones, como sabe vuesamerced bien que el Capitan Bonalde a un dia de Camino, de la Micion del Miamo des- camino a un Olandes que compraba Poytos o Indios E que se vendian los Caribes, y aun que actualmente no lo hallo en la Casa de los Caribes pero se reca- taron tres Indios Poytos, y algunos Machetes y Abalorios que se hallaron en su rancho que repar- tieron a los Indios del Miamo sin esto sabemos bien las muchas vezes que los Olandeses pasan a la Paraba Caura, y Cabezeras cle Carony, de manera que se mantienen estos todos los anos ; aun que -no seria menester indibiduar estas cosas por que vuesamerced lo sabe bien ; ya por los muchos anos que vuesamerced a bibido en Misiones como por las repetidas entradas que ha hecho a los Montes ; no obstante digo que viendo la multitud de Indios 1 Parbulos que todos los dias llevan a los colonias estrangeras los Carives con los Olandeses, y fixando la con cider acion de que por Poytos mas que por otros Resgates se mantiene todo Caribe en el Monte de herramientas Ropas, Cuchillos, Abalo rios Espejos Armas de fuego muchas y otras cosas en que usan no sera mucho que se diga que venden los Caribes cada ano mas cle trescientos Parbulos dejando muertos Adultos en sus casas mas de quatrocientos por que estos no se los quieren Now, in a letter of the 30th May last, you are pleased to request me to furnish you with" an exact account as to Avhether the Dutch are still living in the above-mentioned place, or in any other places near it ; if they maintain con stant traffic in clothes,- hatchets, &c. ; and in what state of defence they are, and whether they have any artillery, and of what calibre the cannon are, so that, being now in charge as Provisional Commandant, you may be able to report upon these matters to the superior government Avhenever occasion may demand. And, in reply, I answer what is known to all the religious of our Missions, but particularly^ '$. to the Fathers President of Miamo, Carapo, and f Yuruary, on account of their immediate proximity '"', to the frontiers. The Caribs of Miamo have very often told the Father that he ought to allow them to go and seize or kill the Dutch at the mouth of the Corumo, who had a large quantity of articles for the purchase of slaves. The Barina gotos of the Yuruary say the same ; and these i haA-e frequently mentioned that the Dutch have threatened to burn their Mission, because they obstructed the pass of the Yuruary. The Caribs of the Carapo informed the Father that the negro Avho is in the Cuyuni was going to the said Mission, but was afraid, and returned. The Caribs have given sufficient information that three Avhite Dutchmen and ten negroes, with a large number of Caribs, are building houses and clearing the forest for the forming of a settle ment in the Cuyuni. They are unable to say, however, whether they have any cannon; but they clo affirm that they have very large blunderbusses, and a great quantity of muskets; ••- and that, at the same time, they have numbers. of Aruaca Indians from Essequibo Avith them. They also stated that the Caribs are deserting them, because they compel them to fell large forest trees with great labour. Of this, how ever, Ave have no other neAvs than what the Indians tell us ; but some have told it to me personally, and others have given the same information to the other Fathers. It is by no means incredible that the Dutch are in the Cuyuni buying slaven, for they do not hesitate to carry on that illicit traffic nearer the Missions, and, as you well know, Captain Bonalde encountered a Dutchman, about a day's journey from the Mission of Miamo, buying slaves or Indians which the Caribs were selling him; and although he did not actually find him in the house of the Caribs, nevertheless, three Indian slaves, some cutlasses,' ! -ff and some glass beads were found in his "rancho," and were distributed among the Indians of Miamo. Apart from this, we know Avell how fre- < quently the Dutch go to the Paragua, Caura, and head-waters of the Caroni, so that they maintain their position there every year. Although it should not be necessarv to specify these things, as you yourself are well aware of them on account of the number of years during Avhich you lived in the Missions, and the fre quent journeys you have made to the interior, still I say that, in vieA^ of the multitude of young Indians which the Caribs, with the Dutch, daily carry to the foreign. Colonies, and taking into consideration that it is more on account of slaves than for any other object that every Carib is maintained in the interior with harchvare, clothes, knives, glass beads, 147 comprar los Olandeses pues siendo grandes se les hnie como lo sabemos pues que algunos fugitivos cle ellos cle alia se vieron a las Miciones y los conocemos por los Hierros que muchos tienen de sus amos pintados en el cuerpo por que la com pania cle Esquivo lo mauda que se hierre los Indios esclavos pena de perderlos ; no soy capaz cle nombrar todas las naciones que persiguen los Caribes para hacerlos esclavos estas son las que tenemos a nuestras fronteras y las mas sabidas ; los Barynagotos, Maos, Macos, Amarucotos, Cama- racotos y Anaos, Paravinas, Guaycas, &c. Para ir los Caribes y Olandeses a estas naciones suben por el Ryo de Esquivo navegando bien veinte leguas Ryo arriva en que esta una posta, y por quanto ay grandisimo salto arrastran por tierra la embarcacion y vuelven a navegar communicandose, si quieren al Ryo Negro, va Rio arriva cle Esquivo tomando mano derecha, el Rio Aripamuri, encuen tran unas lagunas despues cle haver navegaclo Aripamuri todo lo posible y arrastrando las Cu- riaras falcadas como media legua, y formandose de dicha Laguna el Rio Maubajan por este encuen tran el Rio Negro y por este navegando a la Izquiercla bajan a las Amazonas subiendo a la derecha entran el Orinoco he referido esto nara saberse que por la navegacion de Esquivo se com- munican los Olandeses por aquel viage tanto a Barinas como a la Paraba Cabezeras cle Carony, &c. Pero como sea travajosa y larga esta nave gacion desde Esquivo se entran a Carony y Paraba por que todos estos rios son comuni- cables eon Esquibo por que a este le entran Coyuni, Juruama, Supama, Juruario ; este Juruama tiene muchas quebradas, y Morichales que se co- muni can con Carony tambien sabemos que muchos Olandeses sin los que suben a la Paraba se quedan para comprar Poytos, en los sitios del Tucupo, Capi, y Paraman y son sitios de tierra adentro, a tres, y quatro dias de las Miciones ultimas, y son en el Monte que corren hasta los Plantages cle Esquibo sin aver mas sabana, y en estos sitios ordinariamente ay compradores Olandeses por que los Caribes les Uevan los Poytos alii, y algunos cavallos como subcedio el ano de quarenta y nueve en que avia una mulata de Esquivo que se los- compro esto sucede pocas veces por que como lexos y no tener que comer las vestias en aquellos Montes se les muere a los compradores a estos sitios del Tucupo, y Paraman, o bien bienen los compradores desde Esquivo por tierra haciendo cargar a hombros de Indios con Petacas los Resgates por Poytos, 6 bien por el Ryo de Esquivo Coyuni, y Corumo. Este Corumo es un Rio que antes de entrar al Coyuni, coge las aguas del Ryo Tucupo y looking - glasses, fire - arms, and many other A articles in use among them, it will not be too much to • say that the Caribs sell yearly more than 300 children, leaving murdered in their houses more than 400 adults, for the Dutch clo not like to buy the latter because they well know that, being groAvn up, they will escape. Indeed, Ave know this, as some fugitives Avere seen in the Missions, and could be recognized by the brands of their masters which many of them have on theii bodies — for the Essequibo Company have ordered that the Indian slaves shall be branded on pain of losing them. I am unable to name all the nations which -° the Caribs pursue Avith the object of enslaving them. But the tribes chvelling on our frontiers, and the most generally knoAvn, are the Barina gotos, Maos, Macos, Amarucotos. Camaracotos, and Anaos, Paravinas, Guaicas, &c. The Dutch and Caribs, in order to go to those nations, ascend the River Essequibo, navigating it for 20 leagues up stream to a point where they have a post ; then, on account of a great Avaterfall, they are obliged to drag the boat overland, and afterwards continue their naviga tion, communicating, if they wish, with the p Rio Negro in the following manner : As cending the River Essequibo, and turning on the right up the River Aripamuri. some lagoons are met with after navigating the Aripamuri as far as possible, and surmounting a porterage of about half-a-league. The River Maubajan is formed by these lagoons, and by it the Rio Negro is reached. Descending the Rio Negro by turning to the left they get to the Amazon, and ascending the same river by turning to the right, they enter the Orinoco. I have stated this so that it may be known that the Dutch, by means of the navigation of JJ the Essequibo, communicate with Barinas, as Avell as Avith the Paragua, the head-waters of the Caroni, &c. But as this navigation is both difficult and very long, they enter the Caroni from the Essequibo, as also the Paragua, for all these rivers are communicable Avith the Essequibo, into which flow the Cuyuni, Yuruama, Su pama, Yuruario ; this Yuruama has many ravines and " morichales," which communicate Avith the Caroni. We also know that numbers of Dutch, besides those Avho go to the Paragua, remain in the E places called Tucupo, Capi, and Paraman to buy slaves. These places are in the interior, some three or four days' journey from the outer most Missions, and are situated iu the forests which extend to the plantations of Essequibo, without any more savannahs intervening. There are generally Dutch merchants in those places, for the Caribs bring them the slaves there, as well as some horses, as happened in [17J49, when a mulatto woman from Essequibo bought them. This, however, is not of fre quent occurrence, owing to the great distance and want of pastures in these forests for the 1 animals, so that they perish or are lost in the regions about Tucupo and Paraman. Or, again, the Dutch come oA'erland from Essequibo, accom panied by Indian porters carrying large baskets filled with articles of barter for Skwe Traffic ; or by water by the Essequibo, Cuyuni, and Curumo. This last is a river which, before entering Cuyuni, receives the Avaters of the Tucupo and 148 A las del Ryo Matenambo- unos y otros son nave- gables en tiempo de Irnbierno, y aun que sean Rios cortos que no tendran de navegacion a las Escabezeras mas de quatro a cinco dias es bastante no obstante para el fin de los enemigos que es entrarse con conveniencia a nuestras tierras mas se comunican tambien los Com pradores cle Poytos al Tucupo por aquel Rio de Moruca en que esta la Posta de Esquivo o por el Rio Vaing, que todos salen cerca de las bocas de Orinoco por ellos suben navegando hasta em- barcarse en el Rio Paraman en que viven los Carives en abundancia, cle Moruca, y Bayni bienen B tambien los dichos compradores cle Poytos y por Orinoco se meten a Aquire, y Carapo y aun que no tienen tiempos determinados para hacer dichos viajes pues van y bienen siempre y quanclo quieren pero se sabe que la maior parte del aiio estan en ellos enrochelaclos y algunos an estado mas de diez anos entre los Carries cle fixo haciendo dicho comercio de Poytos, y estos sin moverse los embiaii a Esquivo a sus Apoderados quanclo les embian otros resgates para comprar mas a los Caribes lo menos que estan es un ano, 6 dos hasta tres, este comercio de Poytos tiene tan alterados a los p CariA'es quo no es otra la ocupaeion cle ellos que cle continuo ir y Arenir cle la guerra Arender y matar Indios cle las niencioiiadas naciones no solamente los Caribes clel monte sino tambien los cle las misiones van con ellos sin poderlas sujetar que para esto se nos huien muchos bien facil es serrar la Puerta a los enemigos para que n1-* se comuniquen los Olandeses ni los Caribes desde Esquivo Coyuni Juruario Carony a las diehas naciones haciendo un pueblo sino puede ser de Espanoles en todo que sean de Indios escogidos y que se pongan dies soldados a lo menos y esten de continuo con su iiieite suficiente cle pedreros j) en la boca del Corumo, 6 Islas clel Coyuni que ^errara el paso y no entraran a Juraana, ni Juruario y por consequente no podran comuni- carse y queda serrado tambien el Corumo y este pueblo causara respecto para que los Olandeses no Ueguen a comerciar Poytos en Tucupo por lo cerca que es, y por las entradas que los Indios de dicho pueblo con los soldados cle el seria con- veniente hacer seria cle tal coiiA^eniencia este pueblo que jamas subirian enemigos, por essos rios ni los Carries clel Miamo, Carapo, y Conury baxarian por ellos a Esquivo, con Poytos y creo que se mantendrian mas seguros en las Miciones por que E les faltaria la communication cle los Caribes del Coyuni, y Esquivo y sino se procura serrar los pasos en breve se acabaran las naciones manzas que son las perseguidas mencionadas, y es muy sensible el ver que se llevan por escWos los que se A-an poblando en el Juruario, y creo que nunca ha sido el afan cle los Olandeses para adquirir Poytos tanto como aora, y por esto se hace tan poco fruto en la convercion cle los Carives por que aconsejandoles los Olandeses que no se amicionen no quieren estar en pueblo y muchos se buelven al monte, y por estos malos consejos se suble- varon las quatro miciones el ano cle cinquenta E porque les dicen que si se pueblan se hacen esclavos de los Espanoles que no pueden ir a la guerra que no pueden tratar con los Flamencos. Tambien doy a A'uesamerced esta noticia que adquiri cle Moyo etcetera que viniendo cle Esquivo para hazerse cristiano despues que se bautizo me dijo que el avia traido muchos papeles cle Esquivo, y entre ellos un Capitulo en que tienen clemar- cado los GoArernadores su jurisdiction ; esta llega dijo hasta la Aroca cle Aquire, y de esta voca linea Matenambo ; both |are naArigable in the rainy season ; and although not iong rivers, four or five days' navigation being sufficient to reach their head-waters, they, nevertheless, serve the purpose of the enemy, who are thereby easily enabled to reach our Missions. But, besides this route, the slave-buyers are also enabled to communicate with the Tucupo by means of the River Moroco, Avhere the Post of Essequibo is situated, or by the River Waini, all which rivers flow out near the mouth of the Orinoco. By these rivers they ascend, naviga ting until they reach the Paraman, where the Caribs dwell in great numbers. From Moroco and Waini the said slave- dealers also come ; and by the Orinoco they enter the Aguirre and Carapo. Although they have no fixed time for their journeys, for they come and go whenever they choose, it is, never theless, well known that they are firmly fixed there for the greater part of the year. Indeed, numbers of them have lived there for more than ten years permanently among the Caribs, carry ing on their Slave Traffic ; and these without moving send the slaves to their agents in Essequibo, and receive in return merchandize and other articles, by Avhich they are enabled to purchase more from the Caribs. The least time they remain in these places is a year, but more generally they reside there for two or three years. This Slave Trade has so completely changed the Caribs that their only occupation is con stantly going to and returning from war, selling and killing the Indians of those nations already mentioned. And not only the Caribs of the forests, but even those of the Missions, participate in these wars, without our being able to control them in any Avay ; and whenever we make any effort to do so, they immediately desert us in great numbers. It is very easy to close the port to the enemy, so that neither the Dutch nor Caribs maybe :; able to communicate by the Essequibo, Cuyuni,. Yuruary, and Caroni with the above-mentioned nations, by establishing a village, if not exclu sively of Spaniards at least of chosen Indians, Avith a garrison of at least ten soldiers to perma nently reside there within a fort sufficiently protected by swivel guns ; this to be situated at the mouth of the Corumo or on one of the- islands in the Cuyuni, By this means the pass would be closed, and the entrance to the Rivers Yuruana and Yuruary blocked, thereby also closing the Corumo. This village would equally insure respect, and greatly hinder the Dutch from carrying on their Slave Traffic in Tucupo, on account of its close proximity, and on account of the means of communication which would be established between the Indians of the village and the soldiers of the fort. This village would be of such great advantage that it would prevent the enemy from ever ascending by those rivers, and the Caribs of Miamo, Carapo and Cunuri from descending by them to Essequibo with slaves, and I believe they would then remain more secure in the- Missions, as they Avould thereby bs prevented from communicating vvith the"' Caribs of the Cuyuni and Essequibo. But if efforts be not made within a short time to close the pass, the tribes already reduced, which are those persecuted, will be completely exterminated. It is very sad to see the Indians settling about the Yuruary carried off for slaves. 149- recta tirada al sua' es linea divisoria para su Governador cle suerte es que dicha linea llega a pasar asta las orillas de las ultimas sabanas de nuestras miciones del Miamo etcetera. Dicha linea pasa por Tucupo y Corumo y atraviesa llega Aripamuri .mencionado : yo discurro que esta noticia que el dicho me dio si es verdadera se han cortado el vestido a su gusto con el paiio hurtado provara esta verdad el saver que los Governadores dan las licencias a vezes con estas limitaciones. Todo lo que tengo referido es tan savido como publico que la lastima es que nunca se' experimen tal los compradores de Poytos ; y ya que su Magestad tanto encarga a las Justicias que pro- curen que se traten bien los Indios reducidos, tambien lo encarga de sus Indios que tienen paz eon los Espanoles y que los defiendan cle los que les hacen guerra todas las naciones que he men cionado arriva son tales que no faltan mas que operarios para irlos a buscar a convidar a la reducion para salir a pueblo como lo hacen los Barinagotos, y es tanta la ojarisa que los Carives les tienen que a todas esjas naciones no las llaman de otra manera que los Guaycas Poytos, los Barinagotos Poytos, los Amarucotos Poytos, y ya son Poytos antes de cogerlos etcetera. Vien querian estas naciones saver como los Espanoles los defienden cogiendo sus compradores lo cierto es que seria mui combeniente hazer las diligencias para cogerlos para que no padezcan tanto atrazo las converziones y si vuesamerced lo executa creo hara gran servicio a Dios y al Rey. Guarde a vuesamerced muchos anos. Besa la mano de vuesamerced su mas seguro servidor, Fray BENITO DE LA GARRIGA. : Suay, 9 dc Junio cle 1758. Concuerda con la carta original de su contenido a que me remito la qual para al cargo de Senor Comandante de donde lo hize sacar y saque esta cierto y verdadero escripto de una misma letra en [696—2] Indeed, it appears to me that the Dutch were never so eager in their pursuit after slaves as they are at present, and it is precisely on that account that so little fruit is obtained in the efforts made to convert the Indians and Caribs, for, being counselled by the Dutch not to allow themselves to be draAvn into the Missions, they do not like the A'illages, and, consequently, retire to the forests. It avhs precisely owing to these bad counsels that the Indians of the four Missions rebelled in the year [17J50, for they Avere told at the time that they would be made the slaves of the Spaniards if they allowed themselves to be draAvn into the villages, and, consequently, would not be permitted to go to war or have any intercourse with the Flemings. I also give you the neAvs which I myself received from Moyo, &c, who, on coming from Essequibo for the purpose of becoming a Christian when he was baptized, told me he had brought many papers from Essequibo, and among them an official document in Avhich the jurisdiction of the Governor Avas marked down. This, according to what he said, extends to the mouth of the Aguirre, and from that mouth , a straight line due south shows the division of the jurisdiction of his Governor, so that the said line extends to the margins of the outermost savannahs of our Missions of Miamo, &c. The said line, passes by Tucupo and Corumo, and crosses to the before-mentioned Aripamuri. I consider, if this neAvs be true which the said party gave me, that they have cut the stolen cloth to suit their taste. And it must be true, for it is proved by the fact that the Governors sometimes give permits in which these boundaries are marked. All this, how ever, is Avell known and public. But the pity is, the slave-traffickers are never tracked. And Avhile His Majesty charges the Magis trates strongly to endeavour by every means to ha\re the reduced Indians well treated, and equally recommends the Indians to keep the peace with the Spaniards, and defend them from those who make war upon them, I may mention that all those nations which I have mentioned above belong to this category, and the only thing required is more workers to go and invite the other Indians to come and live in the villages, like the Barinagotos. And so great is the spite of the Caribs against them on this account, that they (the Caribs) call them by no other names than the Guaica slaves, the Barinagotos slaves, Amarucatos slaves, &c, and they say they are slaves even before they are seized. These nations would be glad to know whether the Spaniards can defend them by apprehending the slave-dealers who buy them. It is quite certain it would be very advisable to apprehend them, so that the new conversions may not be hindered so much. And if you do this, I am convinced you will render a great service to God and to His Majesty. God preserve you many years. I kiss your hand. Yours, &c. Fray BENITO DE LA GARRIGA. ¦ . I certify that this agrees with the contents of the original letter sent to the Commandant, from which 1 caused it to be taken, and made this true and faithful copy with my own hand, 2 Q A B 0 D E E 150 A nueve foxas con esta de papel comun por no correr sellado en este Precidio en el qual lo signo y firmo en treinta y un dias clel mes cle Octubre de mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho anos. En testimonio de verdad : Luiz Lopez de la Puente, Escrivano Publico. in nine pages, on ordinary paper, there being no stamped paper in this fortress, on this 31st day of October, 1758. Witness my hand : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public. B (2.) Decree of the Provisional Commandant of Guayana, c D E E Don Feliz Ferreras, Alferez cle Infanteria por Su Magestad y Comandante Interino cle este Pre cidio y Provincia cle Guayana. Por quanto me hallo con noticias de que en la Isla Caramucuru del Ryo Cuiuni tierra dentro cle esta Provincia esta un Olandes llamado Jacobo y un negro cle la misma Nation viviendo con casas establecidas y haciendo el inumano Comercio de Indios que exclavizan, y compran a los Caribes poi boleta Achas Machetes, y Municiones de Guerra y otros Resgates y siendo tal como es tal Comercio prohivido por leyes y repetidas zedulas, a cuio zelo, y prohivicion se han establecido, y establecen las fortalezas y mantienen custodiadas con un Destacamento las Miciones de los Reveren- dos Padres Capuchinos que han experimentado y siempre rezelozos las ruinas cle sus Pueblos causada cle tan nosiva Negotiation que para mantener la cierta y firme los Olandeses y demas extrangeros infmien a los -Indios Jentiles contra el estableci- n. lento de Pueblos de que resulta no hallarse en esta Provincia mas extendido el Evangelio ; por tanto para ir cortando tan perjudiciales inconve- nientes, y que se logren las santas Intcnciones cle Su Magestad privando tambien extencion que cada dia mas pretenden los Olandeses en esta parte de sus Dominios ordeno, y mando, a Don Santiago Bonalde en primer lugar, y en segundo a Don Luis Lopez de la Puente salgan oy para tierra dentro, y al Pueblo del Yuruary y embarcandose en los vajeles que en su Rio hallaran prevenidos de Bogas Vastiinentos Municiones cle Guerra y soldados que constan cle la Lista que se les entre- gara, y con los practicos mas abiles, y cle confianza marcharan a la expresada Isla de Caramucuru a la Aprenzion de dichos Olandeses, y a la de todos las demas personas que con ellos allaren asi Ca ribes como de qualesquiera otra Nation, y traigan presos y vien asegurados a este Precidio dexando entregados a disposition de el Reverendo Padre Prefecto todos los Indios que cojieren con el nom bre de Esclavos, y para que se logre el fin de esta expedition cle parte el Rey Nuestro Senor, Ruego y encargo al Reverendo Padre Prefecto, y demas Padres de Su Santa Comunidad hagan dar y den todos los auxilios que necesitaren a los referidos Don Santiago Bonalde, y Don Luis Lopez de la Puente ; como lo han acostumbrado con Santo Zelo, en otras ocasiones, y ordeno, y mando a los soldados y demas jente que fueren en las embar caciones esten a las ordenes, y disposieiones de los referidos dos cabos principales alternativa- mente, y assi mismo lo estaran todos los Indios de los Pueblos por donde transitaren con apercevi- miento que el que faltare al obedecimiento de sus ordenes se le aplicara el castigo correspondiente, y deseando el mejor exito de esta expedition se arre- Don Felix Ferreras, Lieutenant in His Majesty's Service and Provisional Commandant of this Fortress and Province of Guiana. Whereas I am informed that on the Island of Curamucuru, in the River Cuyuni, in the interior of this province, there is a Dutchman named Jacobs, with a negro of the same nationality, living there established in houses, and carrying on the innuman traffic of enslaving [ Indians, whom they purchase from the Caribs for tobacco, hatchets, cutlasses, munitions of war, and other articles ; and such being their business, and that traffic being prohibited by law and by repeated Ordinances, to secure the observance of which forts have been estab lished, and the Missions of the Reverend Capuchin Fathers are protected by a detach ment, as the Fathers have experienced, and are constantly apprehensive of, the ruin of their settlements, owing to this dangerous traffic ; and Avhereas in order firmly to maintain this traffic, the Dutch and other foreigners influence the heathen Indians against the establishment of the settlements, from Avhich it results that the spread of the Gospel is not more extended in this province : Therefore, for the purpose of putting a stop to these prejudicial troubles, and in order that the good intentions of His Majesty may be attained, by preventing any extension of the claims which the Dutch are every day advancing further in this part of his dominions, I ordain and command Don Santiago Bonalde as Com mandant, and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente as Second, to proceed this day to the interior, and to the settlement of the Yuruary. Em barking in the boats which they will find in that river, provided with rowers, provisions, munitions of war, and soldiers, as described in the list which will be given to them, and with the most trustworthy pilots, they Avill go to the said Island of Curamucuru for the purpose of apprehending the said Dutchmen, and any other person that may there be found, as well as Caribs, as Indians of any other nation, and bring them as prisoners, well guarded, to this fortress, delivering up to the Reverend Father Prefect all the Indians that may be taken under the name of slaves. And that the object of the expedition, which is in the name of His Majesty the King our Sove reign, may be attained, I request and charge the Reverend Father Prefect and the other Fathers of the community, to give, and com mand to be given, all and every help which. the said Don Santiago Bonalde and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente may require, as the Fathers- 151 -glen los dichos Don Santiago Bonalde y Don Luis Lopez cle la Puente a la Instruzion que tambien •se le entregara de cuyo amor al Real servicio espero desempenaran esta comision que les cloy con cuanta facultad sea nesesaria al fin de su logro en •este Precidio de la Guaiana, en veinte y siete dias de el mes Julio del ano mil setecientos cincuenta y ..ocho. FELIX FERRERAS. have been accustomed to do with holy zeal on other occasions. And I ordain and com mand the soldiers and other persons who may go in the said boats to be under the orders and at the command of the said tAvo principal officers alternatively. And subject in like manner will be all the Indians of the settlements through Avhich they pass, with this provision, that any one who neglects to obey orders Avill be punished accordingly. For the better success of this expedition, the said Don Santiago Bonalde and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente Avill con form to the instructions Avhich will be delivered to them, and from their zeal in the Royal ser vice I expect this commission to be Avell and faithfully carried out. for which purpose 1 hereby give authority. them all necessary power and (Signed) FELIX FERRERAS. Fortress of Guiana, July 27, 1758. (3.) Instruzion. Instructions given to the Chief of the Expedition by the Commandant of Guiana. c Instruction que han cle observar en primer lugar Don Santiago Bonalde, y en segundo Don Luis Santos de la Puente en la entrada a la Isla cle Caramucuro a la prision cle los Olandeses en ella establecidos comercianclo al cambio cle Rescates Indios que esclavizan. 1. Saldran oy dia de la fecha al Pueblo de Juruario alii hallaran embarcaziones tripuladas cle Bogas, Bastimentos, Municiones cle Guerra y sol dados, y sin detention pasarau reyista a todo, y si reconocieren faltarles algo lo pediran al Reverendo Paclre Presidente del Pueblo y marcharan a dicha Isla todas las embarcaciones unidas sin que se adelanten ni atrazen dandoles a los cavos cle ellas que nombre la orden cle lo que devan exe cutar 2. Si en el viage encontraren embarcaciones de Indios los aprehenderan y Uevaran consigo infor- maudose de las mas claras noticias que sobre el asumpto de su encargo puedan adquirir y para que tambien sirban de guia pero precavidos cle la fuga a dar aviso de los fines a que van. 3. An cle poner los esquisitos medios en saber en como se allan establecidos dichos Olandeses si las casas estan troneradas en lo alto, y vajo, si tienen canones 6 pedreros, 6 uno y otro, con que Jente, si los Indios que los acompanan estan armados por que caminos, sendas, 6 veredas, pueda entrarseles sin ser sentidos, a tomar] os de sor- presa si estan estaquedos, y envenenadas sus pimtas, si ay oyos disfrazados con simulado piso, en los transitos, si mantienen vigias en que puestos, y como podran ser cogidos. 4. Asi que de todo esto este' sabedor abanzara a las casas de dichos Olandeses al nacer el dia, y no de noche por el riesgos de que unos a otros no Instructions to be observed by Don Santiago Bonalde, Chief, and Don Luis Santos de la Puente, second in command, in the entry to the Island of Curamucuru for the apprehension of the Dutch there established and trafficking for Indians whom they enslave : — • 1. They will depart to-day for the settle ment of Yuruary. There they will find boats already manned and supplied with provisions, munitions of war, and soldiers, and without delay -r\ they will inspect all, and if they observe that anything be wanting, they will request the Reverend Father Prefect of the settlement to supply it, and will then proceed to the said island altogether, without any of the boats either advancing or remaining behind, but implicitly obeying the commands of the Chiefs as to Avhat they will have to execute. 2. If during the journey they should meet with any boats with Indians iu them, they will apprehend and take them along with them, questioning them meanwhile, as exactly as possible, about all matters in relation to the El commission with which they are charged, and in order also that they may serve as guides, being careful that they clo not escape, lest they. should give news of the motive of the expedi tion in going to those parts. 3. They must use every endeavour to ascer tain the following points: how the said Dutch are there established, and whether the houses are built on a height or low down; if they have cannon or swivel - guns, or both ; with what force ; if the Indians who . accompany them are armed ; by what roads, paths, or foot ways they may enter the place without being E heard, so as to take them by surprise ; if they are stockaded, and if the points of their weapons are poisoned ; if there be any concealed pits under false floors in the approaches; if they have sentinels, and, if so, in what places, and how these may be surprised. 4. When all this is settled, the expedition will advance to the houses of the said Dutch at break of day, but not at night, on account 152 A se ofendan y que ainparados de la Oscuridad y conocimiento del terreno se escapen los delin- quentes mas si el caso pidiera el avanzarla de noche ha que toda su' Jente se ponga una divisa blanca en la Caveza con que sean conocidos. 5. Cogidos que sean inforniado de los pri- sioneros haver (como se tiene noticias) otras rancherias de Olandeses mas abajo 6 mas arriva cle dicho Ryo Coyuni y con sertidumbre cle que los aprehencleran seguiran sobre ellos y con las J3 mismas seguridades que a los demas los eondu- ciran a este Presidio y assi mismo a los Indios Caribes que con ellos estubieren y a los Poytos tratados con amor, y caridad los entregaran a dis position del Reverendo Padre Prefecto Fray Ber nardo cle Lagarriga. 6. Por que de dicho Reverendo Padre Prefecto se han tenido los primeros infonnes de esta materia dolorido de el grave dano, que experi- mentan en el fin santo de su Ministerio se confe- riran con dicho Reverendo Padre para el acierto p de lo que se pretende quedando absolutamente las disposiciones de guerra a lo aqui expreso ; y a lo demas que dispusieren dicho Bonalde y Puente segun el Estado presente pidiere. 7. Si encontraren a el Indio Caribe llamado Bumutu lo aseguraran por allarme inforniado clo- minara a los Indios poblaclos de su nation y que se ocupa en aprisionar las cle otras para vender a los Olandeses como assi mismo a todos los demas Indios emple'ados en semejante negotiation qui- tandoles los esclabos, y entregados como se tiene referido a la disposition clel Reverendo Padre Pre- Jj fecto para su Instruction Christiana y poblacion. 8. Si aconteciere de que navegando por sobre las barrancas cle el ryo 6 montes que navegaron les cargue algun enemigo embarazandoles su des- tino, y que las mismas embarcaciones no se les pueda hacer fuego ventaxoso dexando estas cus- todias eeharan pie a tierra y cargaran sobre ellos haciendoles fiiego asta prender a todos. E 9. Todo lo qual precisamente observaran en su lugar los expresados Don Santiago Bonalde y Don Luis Lopez de la Puente de cuio valor y zelo al Real servicio espero el buen exito de esta in struction a la que zeinidos como en lo qtie no este prevenido dispusieren y ordenaren como quien tiene la cosa presente en virtue! de la Comission qiie se les ha conferido. FELIX FERRERAS. Guiana, 27 de Julio de 1758. Assi mismo pondran a grande cuidado en ase- gurar los rescates y demas comercio que cojieren poniendolo todo por Imbentario y no permitir que se extravien como y tambien todas las embar caciones con que hazen el comercio. Fecha ut supra. FERRERAS. E of the risk of wounding each other in trie- attack, and of the danger that the delinquents, being protected by the darkness and knowing well the ground, might escape. But if the case requires that the attack be made at night, then it will be well that the men should wear a white badge on their heads, so that they may be knoAAm. j 5. When the prisoners are apprehended, if it is ascertained (as it is reported) that any other Dutch settlement exists higher up or lower down in the said River Cuyuni, and with the certainty that they can be taken, they will be attacked, and with the same precautions as in the preceding case brought to this fortress, as well as any Caribs that may be found living with them. And the slaves will be treated with love and kindness, and placed at the dis position of the Reverend Father Fray Benito de la Garriga. 6. As it was from the said Reverend Father Prefect that the first reports concerning this affair were received, he being deeply grieved, at the grave danger that threatened the holy object of his Ministry, he will be consulted in order that what is attempted may be the better carried out; but the military measures will be as described above and as the said Bonalde and Puente may command, in order to meet the necessities of the moment. 7. If the Indian Carib called Bumutu should be met with they will apprehend him, as I am informed he is persecuting the settled Indians of his nation, and that he captures those of other nations for the purpose of selling them to the Dutch. And all other Indians engaged in this traffic should be treated in like man ner, the slaves being taken from them and placed at the disposition of the Reverend Father- Prefect, as already indicated above, for the purpose of being instructed in the Christian religion and settled. 8. If it should happen that Avhile engaged in- passing the falls of the river, or navigating^ that part of it inclosed by forests, they should! be attacked by any enemy and hindered from continuing the expedition, or that from the position of the boats they could not well fire upon the party attacking, they will then leave their boats, advance upon the enemy, and fire upon them until they are all taken. 9. All which will be faithfully observed in its place by the said Don Santiago Bonalde and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente, from whose courage and zeal in the Royal service I expect that the instrucjfcions given for their guidance will be successfully carried out, and that in all other matters not expressed in this instruction they will dispose and order according to the' best of their judgment, in virtue of the com mission with which they are intrusted. (Signed) FELIX FERRERAS. • Guiana,, July 27, 1758. And in like manner they will be careful to assure the merchandize, and all other articles- they may seize, by taking an exact inventory of all effects, and they^will also take care that none of the vessels engaged in the trade about that part may get lost. (Signed) FERRERAS, [Date as above.] 153 '(*¦) Auto. Decree. En esta Ciudad de Santo Thome de la Guayana en veinte y siete Dias del mes cle Octubre de mil septecientos cinquenta y ocho anos : ' Yo Don Juan de Dios Valdes Capitan Castel lano por su Magestad y Comandante en Xefe dixo que para efecto de hacer la Information Sumaria que por Capitulo cle Instrucion le manda su Senoria el Sefior Governador y Capitan General de estas Probincias sobre la expedition secreta, y resultancias de la aprehencion de los dos Olandeses con sus Mugeres y un Negro Esclavo en el Rio Coyuni, y respecto de que uno de los cayos que comandaba la dicha expedition es el Escrivano publico de esta Ciudad Don Luis Lopez cle la Puente, y no poder actuar con este sobre esta materia se haze preciso nombrar dos sujetos de la mayor satisfaction, y confianza que sirvan de testi- gos ante quienes pasen todas las diligencias corre spondientes a estos autos, y concurriendo estas circumstancias en el Alferez Don Luis de Aleman y en el cadete Don Francisco Xavier Filgueira los devia de nombrar y con efepto nombro por tales testigos a quienes se les hara saver para su acepta- tiun Jurando primero y ante todas cosas de guar- dar fidelidad en todo lo que ante ellos pasare y fecho se procedera a las demas diligencias que correspondaii y por este assi lo Proveio mando y firmo. JUAN VALDES. In the City of Santo Thome de la Guiana on \ the 27th day of October, 1758, I, Don Juan de A Dios Valdes, Captain Warden for His Majesty and Chief Commandant, decree, for the purpose of drawing up the report called for by his' Excellency the Governor and Captain-General of. these provinces, concerning the secret ex pedition, and the results arising from the apprehension of the two Dutchmen, with their wives and a negro slave, in the River Cuyuni, and with regard to the fact that one of the Chiefs who commanded the said expedition is the Notary Public of this city, Don Luis Lopez de la Puente, Avho, consequently, is not a fit B person to take part in the present proceedings. and that it is therefore necessary to appoint two safe and trustworthy persons to serve as Avitn esses, before whom all the necessary measures taken on the strength of these documents may be placed ; and the necessary conditions for this appointment being found in Don Luis de Aleman, Ensign in His Majesty's service, and Don Francisco Xavier Filgueira, Cadet, I do hereby appoint them for such wit nesses, and command that they be duly notified of the same, and sworn beforehand to observe the greatest fidelity as to all that may be laid 0 before them. And this being done, any other measures which may be necessary will be proceeded with. And by these presents I thus decree, com7 mand, and sign. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. (5.) Auto. En la Ciudad de Santo Tome" de la Guaiana en vemte y ocho dias del mes cle Octubre de mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho anos, el Senor Don Juan Valdes, Capitan Comandante por Su Ma gestad de la Infanteria de los Castillos que la guarnece y Juez General de Comisos dixo que por quanto acaba de arrivar al puerto principal de esta una piragua esquifada con seis bogas y un piloto de Indios Aruacas cle conducir dos oficiales de dicha nation con pasaporte de su en idioma Olandes y un pliego rotulado para dicho Senor Comandante en idioma franzes su merced devia de mandar y manclo que los expresados dos Olandeses se pusiesen en el principal cle esta ciudad dandoselo por aloxamiento para que de alii no saliesen asta en tanto que traducidos sus dos pasaportes y dicho pliego se hiziese capaz y sabe- dor de la pretention a que son conducidos para cuio efecto nombraba, y nombro a Pedro De Gos, de nation Franzes, Zirujano de la tropa para que fradujese el menciohado pliego, y a Juan Andres de la Rivera, de nation Aleman, para que practi- casen la misma diligentia con los expresados dos pasaportes y que primero y ante todas cosas a los dichos dos traductores se les tome juramento formal de hazer y traduzir vien fiel y legalinente a su leal saver y entender lo que respectivamente a cada uno de por si se les encarga y que fecho se [696— 2J Decree respecting arrival of Dutch Officials from Colony of Essequibo. T> Decree : In the City of Santo Tome de la Guiana, on this 28th day of October, 1758, Senor Don Juan Valdes, Captain-Commandant, repre senting His Majesty, of the infantry, in the forts of this province, and Supreme Judge of the Court of Contraband, said that whereas a pirogue manned by six men and a pilot of the Aruaca Indian tribe had just arrived at the principal port of this city, bringing tAvo Dutch officials with a passport from then [word E missing] in the Dutch language, and a docu ment addressed to the Seiior Commandant in French, his Excellency was obliged to com mand, and did command, that the two said Dutchmen should be placed in the guard house of this city to be there lodged, and not permitted to leave it until the two passports and the document had been translated, and he had become acquainted with their contents and the object of their coming, &c, for which pur pose he appointed Pedro de Gos* a Frenchman, surgeon of the garrison, to translate the said document, and Juan Andres de la Rivera, a -^ German, for the same purpose in respect of the two passports. And in the first instance, before all other matters, the said two translators should be bound on oath to make a good and faithful translation, according to their know- 2E 154 A providenciara sobre el asumpto lo que corresponda cuios Juramentos se tomaran a continuation de este auto que les intimara el presente escrivano para las ocho del dia cle manana y por lo respec tive a la piragua donde se han conctucido pasara el theniente cle oficiales Reales a su vista y recono- cimiento haziendo abrir y registrar con toda aplica- cion las areas y demas trastos que en ella vengau ' cuia diligentia practicada la ponclra por escrito con yndibidualidad y distincion cle cada cosa cle por si para insertar en los que sobre esta materia se practicaren haziendolo sobre ygualmente el pre sente escrivano y por este assi lo probeio mando y B firmo cle que cloy fee. JUAN VALDES. Ante mi : , Luiz Lopez de la Puente Escrivano Publico. c ledge and understanding, of the several docu ments intrusted for that purpose to each respecth'-ely. And that being done, the neces sary measures Avould be taken about the matter. The present Notary Public will inform the translators of this Resolution, and administer to them the necessary oaths in conformity with this "Auto" at the hour of 8 A.M. to-morrow morning. And in regard to the pirogue, the Lieutenant of the Royal officials will, in his own presence, cause her to be examined and searched with the greatest care and exactitude in every part, and a complete inventory made of all her effects ; and this will be carried out in the presence of, and by the assistance of, the said Notary Public. And by these presents I thus provide, com mand, and confirm. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de LA Puente, Notary Public. - ;: (6.) [Here folloAv the instructions to the translator and his certificate, under date 29th October 1758, of translation of the letter of the Dutch Governor.] Traduzion, que hago y formo yo Pedro de Gos de la Translation made by me, Pedro de Gos, of the carta en Idioma franzes que se me ha dado. Letter in the French Language which has given to me. Senor esto es por un repente mui grande que llego a mi noticia a dias por unos Indios ; que nuestra Posta su Segundo y un esclavo cle la Com pania una Grifa con sus hijos los havian Ilevado j) pricioneros y la casa quemada. A esta noticia yo no pude dar fee me parece fabulosa, la causa im- posible es por que yo no quise dar el menor paso pero despache luego gente para saver ocularmente. La gente cle rebuelta no confirman no solamente la verdad clel hecho pero por una otra noticia supe que los subsodichos son actualmente pricioneros en Guayana. Que debo yo imaginar Seiior cle un atentado, directamente opuesto a. los derechos cle las naciones, a los Tratados de Paz y cle Alianza susistiendo con tanto lauro y despues cle tanto tiempo entre Su Majestad Catholica (? y) aquellos altos Poderes cle los Estados Generales de las pro- E vincias unidas. Como es posible que aia usado de una manera tan violenta sin Razon, y sin ninguna quexa antes. Yo estoi firmemente persuadido que su Magestad Catholica bien distante de aprobar un tal atentado no faltara de hacer Justicia plenaria a mi Soberano, y un escarmiento exemplar de aquellos que se -^ atreben abusar de sus authoridades. El gran Rey ha dado pruebas tan senaladas de su aficion por nuestra Republica que yo me hubiera contentado de hacer una representation a mis soberanos del caso remitiendo a sus prudencias de procurar la satisfaction requerida pero el puesto que tengo la honrra de ocupar me obliga a hacer la primera instancia en sus nombres de escribirle a vuestra merced, Senor, para perdirle no solamente Sir, River Essequibo. September 30, 1758. It was Avith profound surprise that I learned from some Indians a feAv days ago that our Post had been attacked by Spaniards, the chief of the said Post, his second-in-command, a slave of the Company, and a half-bred woman with her children taken prisoners, and the house burned down. This neAvs I found difficult to credit, as it appeared fabulous, and as there was no cause for the action. On that account I did not Avish to take the least step Avithout first sending proper persons to make an ocular inspection. These persons, on their return, confirm to me the truth of the fact, and from another report I learn that the persons mentioned are actually prisoners of war in Guayana. What, Sir, am I to infer from an offence so directly opposed to the law of nations, and to the Treaties of Peace and Alliance subsisting so happily and for such a length of time between His Catholic Majesty and Their High Mightinesses the States-General of the United ProAdnces ? Hoav is it possible that one dare act in a manner so violent without any cause, and without previously making a complaint ! I am thoroughly convinced that His Catholic Majesty, far from approving an offence of this nature, Avill not be remiss in rendering the fullest justice to my Sovereigns, and inflicting • an exemplary punisnment upon those who thus dare to abuse their authority. That great King has given such signal proofs of his affection, and friendship for om Republic that I shotild have been content to transmit a report to my Sovereigns of the affair, leaving it to their prudence to obtain the satisfaction which the case demands; but the post 1 have the honour to hold obliges me to make the first advance, and, in their 155 la libertad de pricioneros mas una satisfaction con- vencible a tan violento, . y manifiesto (sic) cle tra- taclos del derecho de las Gentes. Ay largo tiempo que he tenido'lahonrra cle ser cabeza de esta Colonia, y he solicitado siempre la amistad cle la nation Espanala nuestros proximos vecinos, y siempre he empleado todo mi pocler, para impedir a los Indios Caribes cle hacerles el menor clailo. Si aquellos que se han empleado en esta acion inresponsable han tenido cuidado de recoger los papeles que estaban en la Posta vera vuestra merced que uno de los capitulos principales de su instrucion contiene una orden expresa de no dar el menor motibo de queja a los Espanoles ve- zinos. No me f uera dificil cle usar las represarias te- hiendolas en mis propias manos pero ya no hallo ninguna razon de servirme considerando eso como contra el deber cle un hombre honrrado contra aquello cle un Christiano donde no es permitido de servirse que a la ultima estremidacl quando todas las otras cosas se hallan infructuosas. Por un navio que sale esta semana para la Europa he dado parte a mis amos cle este acidente. Yo no dudo realmente que se hallaran suspensos -como yo cle tal atentado y no tardara cle hacer aparecer las quexas a la Corte cle Su Magestad Catholica. ' Asi, Sefior, en el nombre de sus altos poderes mis Soberanos, Directores de la Compania mis amos les pido la soltura y que me remita los pri- -cioneros y una satisfaction equivalente por las perdidas y menoscabos que han pasado protestando bien espresamente en caso de negarlo de todos los sujetos que a un tal hecho deben naturalmente atribuirse que no abra jamas algun sujeto que se muestre sentido siendo siempre inclinaclo de con- servar una amistad correspondiente y reciproca con nuestros vezinos y perseverare dentro cle sus sen- timientos tan largo tiempo que yo no sere nula- mente forzado a lo contrario esperando con impa- ciencia la respuesta a esta tengo la honra de ser con toda estimation y consideration posible, Seiior, vuestro humilcle y muy obediente ser vidor, LORENZO STOREM DE GRAVESANDE. Rio de Esquibo, 30 de Septiembre cle 1758. name, to address myself to you, Sir, for the A purpose of demanding, not only the enlarge- - ment of the prisoners, but a proper satisfaction for an outrage so opposed to Treaties and the law of nations. I have had the honour of being at the head of this Colony, and have always tried to cultivate the friendship of the Spanish nation, our nearest neighbours. I haA'-e always employed every means in my power to prevent the Carib Indians from doing them the least injury, and if those Avho have been employed in this irresponsible action have taken care to seize the papers which Avere at ^ the Post, you will see that one of the principal ¦" articles of the instructions contains an express order not to give the least cause of complaint to our neighbours the Spaniards. It would be by no means difficult to me to make reprisals, having the necessary resources at hand to do so, but I see no reason to make use of them, considering such action Avould be contrary to the duty of an honourable man and to the character of a Christian, and only per missible in extreme cases, Avhen all other means are found unavailable. By a vessel leaving here this week for Europe p I have sent a full report of this outrage to my masters. I have not the least doubt of the great surprise it will cause them, and that they will lose no time in presenting a complaint relative to it at the Court of His Catholic Majesty. Now, Sir, I demand, in the name of Their High Mightinesses, my Sovereigns, and the Directors of the Company, my masters, the enlargement and immediate return of' the prisoners, together with an indemnity for the losses and injuries Avhich they have suffered. I declare in the most formal manner my intention of holding you responsible, in case of J) refusal, for Avhatever may naturally result from an affair of such gravity, as there never has been any reason for reproaching me, and I have always been disposed to cultivate the friend ship of and good relations with our neighbours ; and I shall persist in the same feelings so long as I am not forced to act contrary thereto. AAvaiting with impatience your reply, I have, &c. (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. E (7.) Tracluzion. Translation of Passport and Commission. Traducion que hago y firmo yo el Condestable Juan Andres de la Rivera en virtud clel nombra- miento hecho por el Senor Capitan Comandante Don Juan Valdes del Pasaporte, y comicion escripto en Ydioma Olandes que se me ha entregado por el presente Escrivano el que uno en pos de otro es a la letra clel thenor siguiente. Nos Lorenzo Storem Gravesande, Director- General de esta Colonia y de los Rios del distrito de Esquivo Coronel de las Militias y vecinos del del Estados Generales de Olanda de la Comicion de los Nobles Senores de la Compania de Yndias y de la Camara de Dios, &c, Cohcedo Licencia a la persona de Andres Verviert espreso hombre de Translation Avhich I, Constable Juan Andres cle la Rivera, make and sign, in virtue of the appointment given me by the Captain Com mandant Don Juan Valdes, of the passport and commission written in the Dutch language, which were delivered to me by the present Notary, .and both of which are literally as follows : — Passport. -^ We, Laurence Storm van 's Gravesande, Director-General of this Colony and of the rivers of the district of Essequibo, Colonel of Militia, and Residents of the of the States-General of Holland in the commission of the Noble Lords of the India Company and a Member of the "Camara de Dios," &c, grant this passport 156 A esta colonia, y se emplea dicha persona para una Co micion muy importante y hace viaxe al Rio Orinoco de nuestra orden y el espreso pasaporte para el Castillo de San Francisco cle Asis de Guayana y nos le damos al dicho espreso un companero llamado Abrahan Luis MatiUe para acompanarle en su vdaxe de hida y buelta, y se les manda a todos los oficiales y cavos no se le haga molefta ninguna a nuestro dicho espreso y a su compafiero y desele libremente el paso, y repaso y al contrario si ne- cesitan de alguna cosa los favorezcan. LORENZO STOREM DE GRAVESANDE. J3 Rio de Esquibo en la Fortaleza Zelandra, dia 13 dc Octubre cle 1758. Por orden cle su Excelencia, Adeian Sport, to the person of Andres Verviert, Special Courier of this Colony. ¦ The said person is- employed in a very important commission, and is travelling to the River Orinoco by our order, and furnished Avith this special passport for the Fort of San Francisco de Asis of Guiana, and we grant to the said courier a companion named Abraham Luis Matille to accompany him on his journey to and from the said place ; and all officials and functionaries are commanded not to hinder or molest our said courier and his companion, but to allow them to pass freely and to afford them, any assistance and protec tion of which they may stand in need. (Signed) LORENZO STOREM DE GRAVE, SANDE. River Essequibo, in the Fortress of Zeelandia, October 13, 1758. By order of his ExceUency, (Signed) Adrian Sport [sic]. C D Comicion. El Sargento Andres Verviert el qual se ha nom- brado cle nuestra Guarnicion y lo mandamos con orden prezisa y su compafiero Habrahan Luis Matille para que con la mayor vrevedad disponga su viaxe derecho para Guayana en el Rio Orinoco y quando llegue al Puerto Real clel Castillo sin gastar llegue tiempo ninguno luego se hiran casa del Senor Comandante 6 el que tenga el Govierno de- dicha Guayana sea Interino que actual este y entregue al dicho Comandante la carta y orden que lleva de nosotros para entregar prezisamente a dicho Senor Comandante. Nos le mandamos a .las diehas dos personas que observen en dicho Orinoco cada uno su desencia y respecto y en caso que se le entrieguen los priesos es menester tener buen cuidado con ellos quanto sea posible y la mayor brevedad del regreso por este Rio cle Esquivo. El Sefior Governador y Director-General, LORENZO STOREM DE GRAVESANDE. Rio de Esquibo, el Fuerte Zelandia, 13 cle Octubre de 1758. Por orden de su Excelencia, Adrian Spor. Commission. Sergeant AndreAV Verviert has been appointed from our garrison, and we specially command him and his companion, Abraham Luis Matille, to proceed without delay direct to Guiana in the River Orinoco, and when they arrive at the Royal port of the fort they will go Avithout loss of time to the house of the Senor Comandante, or Avhoever be carrying on the Government of Guiana, whether provisionally or otherwise, and deliver to the said Comandante the letter and order sent by us for the said Senor Comandante. We command the said two persons to observe, each respectively, the best conduct and respect in the said Orinoco, and in case the prisoners be delivered to them it is necessary that they be well guarded and conducted as quickly as possible to this River Essequibo. (Signed) LORENZO STOREM DE GRAVE SANDE. River Essequibo, in the Fort of Zeeland, October 13, 1758. By order of his Excellency, (Signed) Adrian Spor [sic]. j£ La qual traducion es fecha conforme al contesto del Pasaporte y comicion Oiandes y esta cierta y leyalmente traducido en el Idioma Castellano segun mi leal saver y entender, y en fuerza de ello lo firme en esta Ciudad cle Santo Thome de la Guayana en veinte y nueve dias del mes de Octubre de mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho anos. Juan Andres de la Rivera. This translation is conformable to the text of the passport and commission in the Dutch language, and is truly and faithfully translated into Spanish according to my knowledge and understanding, in testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in this town of Santo Thome de la Guiana, the 29th day of October, 1758. (Signed) Juan Andres de la Rivera. E (8.) Auto de Remission.. Vistos por su merced el Sefior Comandante Don Juan Valdes las traduciones del pliego y dos Pasaportes que de la Colonia de Esquiva condu- jeron los dos oficiales Reales a la embarcacion que los condujo y sersiorado su merced de sus contenidos y de la pretention que por el Governa- Decree of Remission. The translations of trie document and two passports that were brought by the two Govern ment officers who came in the vessel from the Colony of Essequibo having been seen by the Senor Comandante, Don Juan Valdes, and his Excellency having studied their contents, and 157 dor de dicha Colonia se hace sobre sierta satisfac tion y remicion que pretende de los dos Olandeses •haprehendidos en el Ryo Coyuny por la expedition secreta con las demas resultancias que en ella acahezieron y de dicha Carta constan su merced devia de resolber y resolbio que dichos pasaportes Pliego y su traducion con la diligentia de visita ¦echa por el theniente de Oficiales Reales se acomu- len a estos autos, y que respecto a que las .determinaciones de esta materia pribativamente toca su decision a la Capitania General de estas Probincias se remitan los dos Olandeses a ella junto con las diligencias operadas de.su entrada visita, y demas que asta aqui se han practicado .dejando testimonio cle ellas en su poder para que la superior comprehencion de Su- Senoria el -Senor Governador y Capitan General resuelba lo que tubiere por combeiiiente, y por esto hazi lo pro- beyo mando y firmo en treinta de Octubre de mil setecientos cinquenta y oeho anos de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. Ante mi : Luiz Lopez de la Puente, Escrivano Publico. taken note of the demand made by the Governor A of the said Colony with regard to giving satis faction for certain injuries done, and the remission of the two Dutch subjects seized in the River Cuyuni by the secret expedition, together Avith the various other events result ing therefrom, appear from the said letter which it was the duty of his Excellency to resolve, and he did resolve that the said pass ports and document, together Avith their respec- th^e translations, and the report of the inspection made by the Lieutenant of the Royal officials be added to these papers, and that as this was a matter which solely concerned the Captaincy- B General of these provinces, the tAvo Dutchmen should be sent to the Captaincy - General, together Avith a copy of the various reports of steps taken in connection with their visit and of all the remaining documents which have been drawn up so far in regard to the matter, leaving the instruments in the hands of his Excellency the Governor and Captain-General, for his superior judgment, so that he may come to any decision Avhich he may consider best. For this purpose I hereby decree and command it to be done, and I sign the same. p Witness my hand, ^ (Signed) JUAN VALUES. October 30, 1758. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public. (9.) Auto para tomar las Declaraciones. Decree to take the Declarations. En dicha Ciudad de Guayana en treinta dias del mes mes y ano el Senor Don Juan Valdes Capitan Castellano por Su Magestad, y Coman dante en Xefe de esta Provincia dixo que para efecto de proseguir y sustanciar estos autos conforme a derecho debia de mandar y mando se ponga por Caveza de ellos la Carta del Muy Reverendo Padre Prefecto, de estas Miciones que motivo la havilitacion de la mencionada expedition, y juntamente la Instruction y Nombramientos de -Cabos que la comandaban que uno y otro ha exivido el Alferez Don Felix Ferreras quien por mi ausencia interinamente comandaba esta Plaza y fecho los mencionados testigos citaren para las ocho del Dia de manana, a Don Santiago Bonaldes, y don Luis Lopez de la Puente Cabos nombrados para que comparezcan ante su merced dicho Sefior Comandante a hacer sus declaraciones juramen- tadas de todos los acaecimientos, funciones y resistencias que por parte de dichos Olandeses se huvieren hecho exiviendo los papeles que les huvieren encontrado declarando distintamente qual .de ellos fue el agresor que despojo de la vida a uno de los soldados de dicha expedition e irio malamente en un brazo a otro estendiendose en todo con las demas preguntas que su merced hiciere hasta la restitution de la expresada expe dition a esta Ciudad para cuio efecto se exami- naran los mas que se tubieren por combenientes de los Soldados que marcharon y concluidas diehas declaraciones se tomaran las de los dos Reos Olandezes que se traeran a presencia de su merced con la custodia correspondiente para que expresen con que motibo se hallaban en aquellos parages por quienes estaban puestos y a que fines, y fecho todo se practicaran las demas diligencias com [696-2] In the City of Guayana, on the 30th day of the J> month, in the same month and year, Senor Don Juan Valdes, Captain and Governor of this fortress, on behalf of His Majesty, and Com mandant-in-chief of this province, stated that ¦ for the purpose of substantiating these "Autos" in accordance with law, he should command, and. did command, that the letter of the Very Rev. Father Prefect of these Missions, which gave rise to the fitting out and carrying into effect of the aforementioned expedition, be placed at the head of these judicial proceedings, and immediately afterwards the instructions and appointments of the officers to command ,E it, issued and made by Ensign Don Felix Ferreras, who, in my temporary absence, Avas commanding this place. That when this was done, the above-named witnesses should sum mon Don Santiago Bonaldes and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente., the Chiefs of the secret expedition, to appear before his Excellency the. said Senor Comandante at 8 o'clock the next morning, and to make their sworn declara tions of all that happened, and of the re sistance that was made on the part of the said -Dutchman, and produce the papers that were -„ found upon them, and to state which of them ^ it Avas that killed one of the soldiers of the expedition, and wounded another severely in the arm. That the witnesses should then answer fully all the questions put by his Excellency relative to the occurrences which took place up to the return of the expedition to this city, and for which object they Avill examine any of the soldiers engaged in the secret expedition whom they may think fit. 2 S 158 A ducentes, y por este asi lo proveyo mando y firmo de que certificamos. JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. B € That Avhen these declarations were concluded, the declarations of the two Dutch prisoners should be taken, they being brought under guard before his Excellency, so that they might declare for Avhat purpose they were in these places, and by Avhose authority they were placed there, and for Avhat object. And this being clone, Avhatever other measures might be found necessary would be carried out. Therefore thus decreed, commanded, and signed, as hereby Ave certify. (Signed) * JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. (10.) Diligentia de los Testigos. Summons of the Witnesses. Incontinenti nos Don Luis de Aleman, y Don Francisco Xavier Filgueira testigos nombrados para sustanciar esta materia pasamos a las Casas de la havitacion cle Don Santiago Bonaldes y Don Luis Lopez cle la Puente y citamos como se manda en el auto cle arriba para las ocho clel dia cle manana en sus personas de que certificamos. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. Thereupon, we, Don Luis de Aleman and Don Francisco Xavier Filgueira, the duly appointed witnesses to substantiate this affair, proceeded to the residences of Don Santiago Bonaldes and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente, and as commanded in the preceding Edict, cited them to appear personally at 8 a.m. the following morning, as we hereby certify. (Signed) LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA I BARCIA. (11.) D E E Dcclarazion de Don Santiago Bonaldes. En esta referida Ciudad de la Guayana en treinta y un dias clel mes de Octubre de mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho anos, comparecio ante su merced el Senor Don Juan Valdes y testigos Don Santiago Bonaldes para efecto cle hacer la declaration que por el auto antecedente se previene como uno de los Cabos nominados de la expedition secreta que [?] por el Rio Coyuni y aviendoselo tornado en Juramento, que hizo por Dios Nuestro Senor y una Senal cle Cruz so cuio cargo prometio decir berdad en lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado, y siendolo por el thenor de la Instruction dijo : — 1. Que aviendo salido de esta Ciudad con la orden e" instruction que se manifiesta partio al Pueblo cle Juruario en donde encontro la gente de Armas que estava prevenida e immediatamente paso su revista, y reconocio las armas, embarca ciones y Bastimentos que encontro muy cumplidos y suficientes para la marcha, y que luego dispuso Cavos y gente para las embarcaciones que en buena orden marchavan unas en pos de otras. 2. Y que en quanto al segundo Capitulo cle la Instrucion dijo que havia faltado a su observancia de aprehencler y llevar consigo los Indios que encontrase por que le parecio medio mas con- veniente suavisarlos con amistad y carifio para que estos no se alborotasen como en efecto logro su pretencion pues con ese motibo les sirvieron y aiudaron en todo quanto hubieron menester y de lo contrario si los hubieran amagado, y aprehen- dido a alguno de ellos tiene para si que se hubieran conspirado y hecho algun estrago por ser mui copioso el numero cle ellos y los parajes nada apropositos para hacer alguna defensa. Declaration of Don Santiago Bonaldes. In this said City of Guiana, on the 31st day of October, 1758, Don Santiago Bonaldes ap peared before his Excellency Senor Don Juan Valdes and witnesses, for the purpose of making the declaration decreed by the preceding Edict, as one of the appointed Chief's of the secret expedition to the River Cuyuni, and having been duly sworn, by God Our Lord and a Sign of the Cross, he promised to declare the truth as far as he kneAv, and Avas asked. _ He was then interrogated according to the different points in the instructions issued to him. He declared as follows : — 1. That having left this city in conformity with the orders and instructions given to him, as herein shown, he set out for the settlement of Yuruary, where he met the soldiers, who were already prepared, and immediately re viewed them, and examined the arms, boats, and provisions, which he found all in good order, and sufficient for the expedition. He then appointed a certain number of men with a commander to each boat, and in good order proceeded on their journey, following in each other's wake. 2. That in regard to the second point of his instructions, he did not observe the order to apprehend and take with him the Indians whom he met with on the way; for it appeared to him more politic to treat them with kindness and friendship so that they should not rise against them ; and thus effectively gained his object, for they helped "and assisted them in every way. Had he acted otherwise, treated them badly, or seized any of them, he was of opinion that they would have conspired and caused them trouble, as they were very numer ous, and the district was by no means a suitable one for making a defence. 159 3. Que por lo respectibe al Capitulo tercero hizo -con arte y mafia todo lo que en el se expresa, y que no encontro casas, vijias, estaquerias, ni otro genero alguno de emboscacla. 4. Que en quanto al quarto Capitulo dijo que ¦ para' aprovecharse mejor cle la oeasion se valio cle los Carives que infestan aquellos parajes quienes amigablemente les fueron conduciendo y pre- caviendose cle ser sentidos hasta cierto paraje (que no tiene presente) en donde encontraron un If' • -Olandes bianco como a las horas del medio clia y que este sin intentar fuga ni hacer ninguna resistencia se dejo aprehender, y cle alii marcharon en Compania de los dichos Indios a la Choza donde dicho Olandes abitaba cubierta cle palma de Fimite sin paredes algunas por abajo, que para I llegar a ella gastaron dos dias cle Navegacion Rio abajo, y estando ya inmediato a la expresada choza aguardo a que obscureciese por parecerle mas al proposito la obscuridad para abanzarle. Dispuestos todos en buena orden (cuia disposition tomo por arbitrio cle los mismos Caribes) y siendo como a las siete 6 las ocho cle la noche asalto con la gente a la referida choza encontranclo en ella un Olandes que al parecer estaba acostado en una jamaca quien allatido de.un Perro por averlos sentido se levanto y todos juntos le acometieron reselandose no se aprovechase de algunas armas que pudiese tener a cuia sason oyo [ ? ] 6 sinco tiros de fusil sin poder averiguar ni distinguir en medio cle tanta confucion quien los hacia y solo pudo conocer el sitio [ ? ] que impensadamente se le fue del seguro y se disparo y el de un soldado que [?] aversele disparado su trabuco a un Negro que acompanava al dicho Olandes que salia de fuga cle la casa y que los otros no pudo averiguar quien los disparo ; solo si se oio una voz cle uno de los soldados quando estaban bregando con el referido Olandes al fin cle atarlo que dijo al equo de una Pistola ha que me ha muerto este picaro? Y sin atender quien fue' por aquel entonces tratamos solo de asegurar al mencionado Olandes y aviendolo conseguido solicitando por su gente encontro a uno de los soldados muerto y a otro mal herido en un brazo, y que inmecliata- mente solicito las Armas que estos tenian y hallo batidas y disparadas dos Pistolas, y un fuzil en mano cle los Caribes y que reconviniendole el |* - expresado Olandes por que havia hecho f uego respondio que el no avia sido que pudiera f uese el Negro que le acompanaba. 5. Que en quanto al quinto Capitulo se informo de lo que en el se le ordeno ; y le aseguraron no haber otras Rancherias ni arriba ni abajo. 6. Que por lo respectibe al sexto capitulo lo executo como en el se previene. 7. Que en quanto al septimo tuvo por mejor dejar libremente venir a los expresados Caribes como le prometieron venir, y lo executaron , y de otra suerte no lo hubiera conseguido por ser crecido su numero y se verifica con hallarse oy rnucba parte de ellos en las Miciones de lps Reverendos Padres Capuchinos; y que por lo que mira al Yndio Famuto no tubo noticia alguna. 3. That, in regard to the third point, he A- observed with tact and skill all that Avas "~ therein laid clown, and he did not meet Avith any houses, posts, or stockades, nor any other kind of ambush. 4. That, in respect to the fourth point, in order to make the more progress, he made uso of the Caribs who infest those parts, and they conducted them in a friendly manner, taking all care that they should neither be observed nor heard, to a certain place (which he does not remember), Avhere they met a white Dutchman about noon ; and that he, Avithout any attempt at flight, or making any resistance, allowed •*> himself to be taken ; that from there they marched in company with the said Indians to the hut covered with palm branches and with out side walls, where the Dutchman lived, and Avhich they reached after two days' navigation down stream ; that, being then quite near the above-mentioned hut, he Avaited for night, as it appeared to him that darkness Avould be more favourable to their advance. All being arranged in good order (in which ' disposition he took the opinion and judgment of the Caribs them selves), and it then being about 7 or 8 o'clock p at night, he commanded the said hut to be attacked. He found there a Dutchman Avho' appeared to have been asleep in a hammock, and who, having been awakened by the barking of a dog, heard them approaching, and arose, and all together seized him, under the impres sion that he was armed and might attack them At this moment he heard, it might be [here word omitted] or five gun-shots, without being able to ascertain or distinguish, in the midst of so much confusion, by whom they were fired, but was only able to recognize the direction from which they came. He verified that a shot J) was fired by a soldier at a negro who Avas in company with the Dutchman, and was trying to escape from the house, but could not ascertain who fired the others. He is sure, however, he heard the voice of one of the soldiers, struggling with the said Dutchman when trying to bind him, crying out on the report of a pistol, " This rascal has killed me." He did not ascertain who it was at the time, as the men Avere trying to secure the said Dutchman, and having suc ceeded in doing so, he then found, on calling his men together, that one of the soldiers was killed and another badly wounded in the arm. E He thereupon demanded that the arms should be given up, and found two pistols that had been discharged, and a gun in the hands of one of the Caribs; and having charged the Dutch man with firing, the latter replied that it was not he, but that possibly it might have been the negro who accompanied him. 5. That, in regard to the fifth point of the instructions, he made the inquiries commanded therein, and that he was assured no other houses existed either above or below. 6. That the sixth point was observed as laid ,,, down. -^ 7. That, in regard to the seventh point, he considered it better to allow the aforementioned Caribs to return freely of their own accord, as they promised him they would, and as they accordingly did. Had he done otherwise he certainly would not have succeeded, as theiv number had increased; and the proof of what he here states is to be found hi the fact that to-day a great part of those Caribs are to be 160 8. Y que en orden al octabo Capitulo no encontro en su contenido novedad alguna. 9. Y que por el noveno de dicha Instrucion se observo todo como en el se previene'. Y que por lo respectibe a los Resgates solo encontro cloze dozenas de cuchillos siete hachas, y unos retazos de lienzos que repartio con los Caribes que le acompanaban para tenerlos mas grates, y seguros, ¦ y que diez dozenas cle los dichos Cuchillos con las -B e.xpresadas siete Hachas entrego al Reverendo Padre Fray Thomas de San Pedro por no poderlos conducir a esta Ciudad por lo dilatado del camino y fatiga con que se hallaba como asi mismo cinco fusiles, y una pistola del uso de los mencionados Olandeses a quienes le pregunto el declarante que por quienes estaban puestos en aquel paraje, y a que lines, y se le respondio eran puestos por el Gobernador de Esquibo sin decir otra cosa a lo que se le preguntaba ; y que dentro de una caxita pequena le encontro ciertos papeles que al parecer eran instruciones que puso luego que se restituio a p esta dicha ciudad en manos del Alferez de Ynfan- teria, Don Felix Ferreras ; y que del expresado paraje donde tenian su rancheria que es en el Rio Coyuni gastaron a la Micion de donde salieron viente y dos dias de navegacion Rio arriba y los restantes por tierra que esto es quanto sabe y lo contenido en la expresada entrada, y la verdad so cargo clel Juramento que fecho tiene en que se afirma y ratifica y que si nesesario fuere lo dira de nuebo y que es de edad de treinta y quatro anos y lo firmo junto con su merced . de que certifi camos. JUAN VALDES. t> FRANCISCO SANTIAGO BONALDE. LUIZ DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. found in the Missions of the Reverend Capuchins ; that as regards the Indian Famuto, he heard nothing whatever about him. 8. That, in respect to the eighth point, he met with no impediment whatever to necessi tate his carrying out the instruction. 9. That, in regard to the ninth point of the said instructions, all was obser\red as therein laid doAvn. And that with regard to the merchandize, he only found twelve dozen knives, seven hatchets. and some pieces of linen, Avhich he distributed "I among the Caribs who accompanied him, for the ,-'.:> purpose of making them more grateful and friendly ; that he handed over to the Reverend Father Fray Thomas de San Pedro ten dozen of the said knives and the seven hatchets, as he was unable to bring them to this city, owing to the length of the journey and their, great fatigue, as Avell as five guns and a pistol that belonged to the said Dutch ; that the declarant asked by whose authority they were in those parts, and for what purpose, and they replied that they were placed there by the Governor of Essequibo, without giving any other reply to the questions he was asked; that inclosed in a small box he found certain papers which ap peared to be instructions, which, on his return to this city, he immediately placed in the hands of Ensign Don Felix Ferreras; that from the said place where they had their hut in the River Cuyuni to the Mission from Avhich the ex pedition set out, they spent tAventy-two days rowing up stream, the remainder by land; that this is all he knows of the events concerning the secret expedition, which is true in every respect in accordance with his oath, and that he ratifies and affirms the same, and is ready, if necessary, to repeat the same ; that he is 34 years of age, and signs this, his declaration, together with his Excellency, as Ave hereby certify. (Signed) ' JUAN VALDES. FRANCISCO SANTIAGO BO NALDE. LUIS DE ALEMAN. 4 FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL- "]H GUEIRA Y BARCIA. E (12.) Otra de Don Luis de la Puente. En el mismo dia mes y ano comparecio ante su merced el Sefior Comandante Don Juan Valdes, y de nos los testigos con quienes actua Don Luis Lopez de la Puente cavo nombrado en la expe dition secreta a quien por su merced le recevio Juramento que hizo por Dios nuestro Sefior y una Senal de Cruz so cuio cargo prometio decir verdad en lo que supiefe y se le fuere preguntado, y siendolo por el thenor de la Instruction dijo ; que -£ aviendo salido de esta ciudad con la orden e instrucion que se manifiesta partio para el pueblo de Juruario y alii encontro la gente de Armas que estaba pronta y luego reconocio las armas, y mar charon en las embarcaciones prevenidas con buena orden. 2 Que al segundo Capitulo de dicha Instrucion Another Declaration by Don Luis de la Puente. On the same day, month, and year there appeared before his Excellency the Senor Co mandante Don Juan Valdes, and us the said witnesses, with whom he is draAving up these judicial proceedings, Don Luis Lopez cle la Puente, an appointed Chief of the secret ex pedition, and being duly sAvorn he promised. to state faithfully and truly all he knew of the said affair ; and being interrogated according to the different points of the instructions issued to him, he declared as follows : — 1. That having left this city under the orders and 'instructions herein ^mentioned, he set out for the settlement of Yuruary, where he met the soldiers ready for the expedition ; that he then at once examined the arms, and that they embarked in the boats pro \*ided, and proceeded on their journey in good order. 2. With regard to the second point- of the 161 dijo averle comunicado su compafiero no tenia por acertado azerles estorcion ni menos dafio a los Indios que encontraban antes si tratarlos con amor para que llevados de este los favoreciesen como lo consiguieron, y que por esta razon falto a la obser- vancia del dicho Capitulo. 3. Por lo respective a este Capitulo hizo esquisitas diligencias en averiguar y saver lo que en el se le ordena, y que no puedo averiguar nada ni menos supo que en aquellos parages tuviesen emboscadas. 4. Que en cuanto a este Capitulo dijo que a los ocho dias de navegacion llegaron a una Rancheria de Indios Caribes, y alii adquirio noticia de un soldado llamado Jam Batista soli a venir de paseo a una otra Rancheria asi misma de Caribes despachando cle ella al practico previniendo que si en la dicha Rancheria a onde era conducido encontrase al dicho Olandes mandase aviso como lo execute por aver encontrado al referido Olandes y al dia siguiente lo aprieionaron sin hacer resis tencia y le Uevaron en su compania hasta en- contrar con la casa que tenian cubierta de Fimite haciendo mancion para avanzarle de noche como lo execute a horas de las siete a las ocho y fueron sentidos por los ladridos de un perro con cuio motivo entraron de tropel a asegurar a, un Olandes que al parecer estaba acostado en una jamaca y Je hallaron cle Pie y al tiempo de cogerlo uno cle los soldados llamado Francisco Robles le disparo una pistola que motivo a decir el dicho soldado este perro me ha muerto oiendo asi mismo otros tres tiros que sabe que el uno lo tiro un , llamado Pedro a un negro que acia fuga, otro que tiro Don Santiago Bonaldes sin saver mns que el averselo oido a los dichos y que el otro no supo nunca quien lo disparo, y que asi mismo supo por el interprete que dicho Olandes creio eran Caribes y que por eso disparo y que del huido no puede dar rason. 5. Que por lo que toca a este Capitulo hicieron diligencias de saber si tenian Poytos, 6 havia otras Rancherias que ni les encontraron estos ni tuvieron noticia hubiera otras arriba ni abajo. 6. Que este Capitulo lo execute como en el se le previene sin hacer en ello cosa en contrario. 7. Que en quanto al septimo no encontro a el Indio que ella se expresa llamado Famuto ni encontro otras que se empleasen en apricionar Yndios para hacerlos esclavos. 8. Que en orden a este Capitulo no tubieron de quien precaverse por no haver encontrado a nadie. 9. Al ultimo Capitulo dijo se execute todo como en el se previene guardando el maior selo al servicio de ambas Mngestades. Y que por lo respectibo a los resgates solo encontro doze dozenas de cuchillos siete hachas, tres chafarotes un caldero cinco fuciies tres Pistolas la una grande, y unos retazos de Lienzo que se repartieron ccn Jos Caribes que lo aeompanaron y que de la [d96— 2] said instructions, he stated that his companion A had informed him that it did not appear to him well to seize or cause any injury to be done to the Caribs Avhom they should meet on the way, but rather to treat them with kindness, so that being inspired with confidence they AVould favour them, as they accordingly did, and that for this reason he failed to early out the second point. 3. That, in regard to this point, the greatest care was taken to get information as he Avas commanded on the points therein men tioned, and that he could not obtain any, nor was he able to find any ambushes about those Im parts. 4. That, in respect to this point, after eight days' navigation, they arrived at an Indian Carib settlement, and there acquired the news of a Dutchman named J uan Baptista, who Avas accustomed to visit occasionally another settle ment of Caribs ; that the pilot of the boat was dispatched thence Avith instructions that in case he should find this Dutchman in the said settle ment, he should send back word, which he did, as he found the Dutchman there. On the fol lowing clay he Avas apprehended, Avithout making p any resistance, and taken under strict guard with the pjrty, until they reached the hut, covered with palm-branches, in Avhich he lived. Here they remained aAvaiting night, and between 7 and 8 o'clock attacked it; and being heard, through the barking of a dog, they all rushed suddenly into the house for the purpose of securing a Dutchman Avho appeared to be sleep ing in a hammock, and they found him arisen ; that Avhen one of the soldiers named Francisco Robles was in the act of seizing him, he fired a pistol, which caused the said soldier to cry out, " This dog has killed me," and, at the same JJ time, he heard three more shots, of which he Iqioavs that one was fired by a man calied Pedro at a negro who was frying to escape ; another he believes bv Don Santiago Bonaldes, though on this point he is not quite sure, as he only heard so from the others ; and he never knew Avho fired the third ; that he learned from the interpreter that the said Dutchman believed they were Caribs, and fired on that account ; and that of the one who fled he can give no information. 5. That, in regard to this point, they made every inquiry as to whether they had any slaves, E or whether tiny more huts existed, but that they did not find any, either higher up or loAVer doAvn the stream, and did not hear that any existed. 6. That this point wau carried out as ordered in every respect. 7. That, with regard to the seventh point, the Indian Carib, named Famuto, was uot found, nor did they meet any other Caribs engaged in kidnapping other Indians for the purposes of slavery. 8. That Avith respect to this point there was ^ no occasion to protect themselves against any ^ enemy, as they met no one. 9. That, to' the last point, he declared that all Avas carried out as therein commanded, the greatest zeal being displayed in the service of God and the King. That with regard to the merchandize, they only found twelve dozen of knives, seven hatchets, three short savoitIs, one boiler, five t-uns, three pistols — one of them large — and some 2 T 162 A entrega de ellos lo dejo a la disposition de su compafiero que hacia de primer Cabo, como asi mismo unos Papeles que sabe se le entregaron al A-lferez Don Felix Ferreras y que gasto veinte y dos dias para volber a la Micion de donde salieron con lo qual y por no tener mas que expresar sobre el asumpto se concluio esta declaration en lo que se afirma, y ratifica y siendo neseSario lo dira de nuebo so cargo del Juramento que fecho tiene, y que es de edad de treinta y ocho anos y lo firtno junto con su merced y testigos de que certifi camos. JUAN VALDES. B LUIZ LOPEZ DE LA PUENTE. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. pieces of linen, which were divided among the Caribs who accompanied them, and that he left the distribution to hi3 companion, who Avas acting as first corporal, as well as some papers, which he knows Were delivered to Ensign Don Felix Fer reras ; that they employed twenty-two days in returning to the Mission from where they set out ; and having nothing more to add in refe rence to this affair, he concluded his declara tion; all of wliich he ratifies and affirms, and, if necessary, will repeat, in accordance with his oath ; that he is 33 years of age ; and he signs this his declaration, together with his Excel lency and the said Avitnesses, as we hereby certify. (Signed) JUAN" VALDES. LUIS LOPEZ DE LA PU- ' ENTE. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. c Otra de Juan Joseph Fragas. (13.) Another by Juan Jose" Fragas. En dicho dia mes y ano en cumplimiento del auto que presedente su merced al Sefior Coman dante hizo comparecer ante si y por ante nos los testigos con quienes actua a Juan Joseph Fragas Militar de estos Castillos a quien por stt merced se le recivio Juramento, que hizo por Dios nuestro Senor, y una senal de Cruz so cargo del qual prometio decir verdad en lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado y aviendolo sido por su merced 1) respondio. Fuele preguntado que de donde salio siguiendo dicha expedition, y hasta que paraje llego en su compafiia y que acaecimientog tubieron en ella y dijo. Que salio del Pueblo de Juruario Comandandolo con la demas gente Don Santiago Bonaldes, y Don Luis Lopez de la Puente a quienes siguio asta cierto paraje (que ignora su nombre) donde encontro un Olandes Blanco que sin resistencia ni aecion de fuga se dejo apre hender, y que de alii salieron en conserVa de unoS Yndios Caribes hasta llegar a la Rancheria que tenian en el Rio Coyuni, y antes de llegar a ella los Cavos que lo Comandaba se precabieron e' E icieron mancion en un sitio inmediato a dicha Rancheria y alii aguardaron hasta como las siete u ocho de la noche que siguieron, y abanzaron a la expresada choza donde encontro a un Olandes Blanco y a otro Negro que al parecer el primero estaba acostado en una jamaca, y al Rumor de un Perro que por haverlo sentido se levanto, y acometiendole todos inmediatamente para asegurarlo a cuia sason oio que se dispararon quatro tiros de fusil sin saver en aquel entonzes quienes los dispararon y que solo pudo compre- bender (por haverlo visto) que el uno lo tiro el Militar Pedro de Roxas fuera de la casa y que J- este fue a un Negro que acompafiaba al dicho Olandes por que salia de fuga, y que despues de recobrados todos de la primera imbacion le oio decir a Don Santiago Bonaldes que quando salto de la Curiara ha via armado las dos llaVes de su fusil que se compone de dos Canones, y que la una se le avia ido en el acto de aprehender al referido Olandes, y que no savia si havia sido el del Estrago de la muerte del difunto y que por lo respective a si ay o no otras Rancherias que no On the said day, month, and year, in accor dance Avith the preceding Edict, there appeared before his Excellency the Commandant, and us, the witnesses, with whom he is drawing up these proceedings, Juan Jose Fragas, a soldier be longing to these forts, who on being duly sworn by his Excellency, and promising to declare truthfully all he kneAv concerning this secret expedition, was interrogated by his Ex cellency. He Was asked from whence the said expedition departed, what place they reached, and what events took place whilst he was engaged therein, to which he replied that he departed from the village of Yuruary under the command of Don Santiago Bonalde and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente with the other men, whom he followed to a certain place (the name of which he is ignorant of), where a white Dutchman Was found, avIio made no attempt at resistance nor flight, but allowed himself to be apprehended ; that from thence they departed, in company with some Carib Indians, and con tinued their journey until they reached the hut AVbich they had in the River Cuyuni; and before they arrived there the Chief's Avho com manded the expedition reconnoitred the place, and made a halt in a place close by the said hut, and there remained until about 7 or 8 o'clock at night, when they then attacked the hut, in which a Avhite Dutchman and a negro Avere found, the former being asleep in a ham mock ; that the Dutchman, being awakened from sleep by the barking of a dog that heard them approaching, they all suddenly rushed forward Avith the object of securing him, at which moment he heard four shots, without, huAvever, being able to say by whom they were fired ; that he could only say (as he had seen it) that one shot was* fired by a soldier} named Pedro de Rojas, outside the hut, at a negro who Avas with the said Dutchman and was trying to escape ; that when all was quiet, after the first onset, he heard Don Santiago Bonalde say that when in the act of jumping on land from the boat he had cocked both triggers of his 163 tiene noticias y que del titado Rio Coyuni se debolvieron a la Micion de donde salieron gas- tando veinte y dos dias, y que sobre el asumpto no tiene otra cosa que poder expresar y que es la verdad so cargo del Juramento que fecho tiene, y que siempre que se ofrezca lo dira de nuebo y que es de hedad de veinte y quatro anos, y lo tirmo junto con su merced y testigos de que certi- fican.os. JUAN VALDES. JUAN JOSEPH DE FRAGAS. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. gun, Avhich was a double-barrelled one, and that \ one of them went off Avhile in the act of seizing the said Dutchman ; that he could not say whether it was that shot that caused the death of the deceased or not : that he did not knoAv whether any other huts existed ; that they returned from the River Cuyuni to the Mission whence they had set out, and took twenty-two days in doing so ; that this is all he knows in reference to the affair, and is true, in accordance with his oath ; and that he is ready Avhenever it may be necessary to state the same again; that he is 24 years of age. and signs this, his declara tion, together with his Excellency and wit- B uesses, as we hereby certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. JUAN JOSEPH DE FRA GAS. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. Otra de Segundo de la Cruz. (14.) Another by Segundo de la Cruz. c ' En la Ciudad de Guayana en dos dias del mes de Noviembre de mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho anos para efecto de lo que se previene en el auto antesedeute comparetio ante su merced el Sefior Comandante Don Juan Valdes y testigos el Militar Segundo de la Cruz a quien su merced le recivio juramento formal que hizo por Dios Nuestro Sefior y una Sefial de Cruz de deoir lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado y aviendole sido preguntado. Que donde salio siguiendo la expedition secreta, y hasta onde llego en sti Compania a quien encon- traron y si aprisionaron a algien y que aeaeci- mientos tubo en dicho viaje. Y responde. Que salio del Pueblo de Juruario en Compania de la demas tropa Comandandolo Don Santiago Bo naldes primer cabo y en segundas Don Luis Lopez de la Puente a quienes siguio el declaraute hasta cierto parage (que no sabe como se nombra) y en el apricioiiaron a un Olandes Blanco sin hacer resistencia a su aprehencion y le llevaron en su compafiia hasta dar con la Rancheria en que havi- tabauno otro que en ella encontro a quien acome- tieron todos cle tropel por haver sido sentidos por Un perrillo que en ella havia de donde dimanaron unos tiros que el uno mate a un compafiero e irio malamente al dicho declarante en un brazo que tiene inmobil y que no sabe quien fue con motibo de la obscuridad pero que le oio decir en medio de su dolor a Don Santiago Bonaldes que se le avia ido del seguro la una Have de su fucil (por ser cle dos canones) y que no savia si havia causado algun estrago y se afirma de que el dicho Olandes no hizo °fuego ni menos se le encontro arrnas con Motivo de aver sido el primero que le sujeto por los pechos, y que por lo respective a los demas tiros no puede dar razon como ni tampoco de su rebuelta por las causas que lleva expresadas de averlo herido y que no sabe ni a oido otra cosa sobre el asumpto, y que es la verdad so cargo del juramento que fecho tiene, y que nesesano siendo lo dira de nuebo, y que es de edad de veinte y cinco anos y no lo firmo por que dijo no saver y lo hrmo su •inerced junto con los testigos de que certificamos. JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. In the City of Guiana, on the 2nd day of the month of November, 1758, in conformity with what is expressed in the foregoing Edict, there appeared personally before his Excellency the Senor Comandante Don Juan Valdes, and before the said witnesses, the soldier Segundo de la Cruz, who was duly sworn by his Excellency to declare truthfully all that he knew of the said secret expedition. He was asked from whence the said expedition departed, what place they reached, whom they met, Avhether any one was imprisoned, and what events took J) place during the said journey; to which he made answer that he departed from the village of Yuruary in company with the other troops, commanded by Don Santiago Bonalde, as chief, and Don Luis Lopez de la Puente as second in command, and these he accompanied to a certain place (the name of which he does not know), where a white Dutchman was appre hended without the least resistance, and he was taken in their company until they reached the hut Avhere another one dwelt, and Avhom they found therein, having attacked the place sud denly and with great confusion, as their E approach was made known by the barking of a dog therein ; Avhile so engaged three shots were fired, one of which, the said declarant stated, killed a companion, and another wounded him self badly in the arm, which limb was now in a useless condition ; that he did not know who fired the shots on account of the darkness; that whilst suffering acutely he heard Don San tiago Bonalde say that one of the barrels of his double-barrelled gun had gone off, but that he did not know whether it had caused any injury ; that he could affirm that the said Dutchman did , not fire, and had no weapons, as he, the de- -^ clarant, was the first man who seized him ; that he Was unable to give any information about the other shots, nor about the return journey, on account of the Avound he received; that he knows nothing more of the affair; that what he has declared is the truth, in accordance with his oath, and if necessary he is ready to repeat his declaration ; that he is 25 years of age, but as he does not know how to write he is unable 164 A to sign his declaration. And his Excellency signed it, together Avith the witnesses. (Signed) . JUAN VALUES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. (15.) Otra, de Pedro Arocha. Another by Pedro Arocha. En dicha Ciudad de la Guaiana en el mismo dia mes y ano para efecto de la averiguazion que TJ se pretende su merced el Sefior Don Juan Valdes Capitan Castellano por Su Magestad hizo com- parecer ante si y los testigos al Militar Pedro Arocha a quien le recibio Juramento formal que hizo por Dios Nuestro Sefior y una Sefial de Cruz de decir verdad en lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado. Y aviendo lo sido: Que cle donde salio con que gente, y en virtud de que orden, y a que fines por donde transito, a quienes encontro, y que casas a bisto y que acaecimiento tubo, y responcle que salio del Pueblo del Juruario acom- panado de otros nnlitares (que ignora el numero) en virtud de la orden que le hizo saver del Alferez, C Don Felix Ferreras D. Santiago Bonaldes, primer cavo y Don Luis Lopez de la Puente, segundo, y que supo era mandado acoger unos Olandeses que descendio por el Rio Coyuni, y que encontro a un Olandes que sin hacer resistencia te dejo apre hender llevando en su compana, hasta llegar cerca cle una Rancheria pequena esperando f'uese de noche para abanzarle por disposition de los Cavos como en efecto lo execute entre las siete y ocho cle que resultaron unos tiros a la desorden tan grande con que le acometieron que ignora quien los tiro ni sabe quien mate al clifunto ni menos quien hirio a el otro pero que le oyo decir a Don San- -D tiago Bonaldes que a su fucil se le avia ido del seguro la Have y que pudiera que causara algun dano, y que tambien le oio decir a otro cle los soldados que avia disparado al aire su trabuco y este fue f uera del Rancho ; que sabe que al dicho Olandes no le encontraron armas ni menos hizo t'u ego, y que no tubo noticia alguna hubiera otras Rancherias abajo ni arriba; y que se bolvio a la ¦Micion de donde salio gastando veinte y dos dias para llegar a ella experimentando muchas necesi- dades y que no tiene mas que decir sobre el asumpto y que es la verdad ; o carjxo del Juramento -p que fecho tiene parasu validation, y que necesario siendo lo dira de nuebo en qualquiera otro Tri bunal, y que es de edad do veinte. y ocho anos y no lo firmo por que dixo no saber, lo firmo su merced y los testigos con quien autua de que cer tificamos. JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA Y BARCIA. In the said City of Guiana, on the same day, month, and year, Don Juan Valdes, Captain and Governor of this fortress, on behalf of His Majesty, for the pnrposes of the judicial declarations he is drawing up, caused to appear before him, and the said Avitnesses, the soldier, Pedro Arocha, who, on being duly sworn, pro mised to state faithfully all he knew and might be asked. And being asked what Avas the point of departure, what people com posed the expedition, in virtue of what orders, for what purposes, which way the said expedition went, whom they met, what houses they came across, and what incidents occurred, he replied that he left the settlement of Yuruary in company Avith other soldiers (the number of which he does not know), under orders from Ensign Don Felix Ferreras ; that, Don Santiago Bonalde was in command, and Don Luis Lopez cle la Puente second; that he learned the expedition was to apprehend some Dutch ; that he descended by the River Cuyuni Avith the company, and that a Dutchman was seized without any resistance, being taken with them until they reached a place near the small hut, where they halted until night time; that under the orders of the Chiefs they attacked the hut between 7 and 8 o'clock at night, from Avhh-h resulted that some shots Avere fired owing to the great, disorder with which they rushed upon the place ; that he was ignorant who fired them, nor did he know who it was who killed the deceased, and still less who wounded the other ; but that he heard Don Santiago Bonalde say that his gun had gone off accidentally and might have done some damage ; and he also heard that another soldier had discharged his blunderbuss in the air outside the hut ; that he knows well that the said Dutchman had no arms, and consequently did not fire ; and that he did not hear there Avere any other huts cither above or beloAv that place ; that he re turned to the Mission whence he set out, having employed twenty - tAvo days in reaching it, after enduring great hardships : that he has nothing more to say concerning the affair, and that this declaration is true in accordance with his oath ; and that, if necessary, he is ready to repeat the same before any other Tribunal ; that he is 28 years of age, and not knowing how to write he cannot sign this his declaration. And his Excellency signed it together with the two Avitnesses, as Ave hereby certify. (Signed) JUAN VALUES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. * * tf ^r # [Here A-arious formal instructions intervene leading up to the examination of the Dutch prisoners.] 165 Declaration de Estevan Hiz. (ifn Declaration of Stephen Ha En la expresada Ciudad de Guaiana en tres dias del mes de Noviembre cle mil setecientos cinquenta y ocho afios el Sefior Don Juan de Dios Valdes Capitan Castellano por Su Magestad hizo comparecer ante si y testigos a uno de los dos ©landezes que se hallan presos en el Castillo de San Francisco de Azis y le recivio Juramento que hizo segun el Rito cle su Religion (que dijo ser Luterano) levantando dos dedos en alto de la itiano derecha y fuesele preguntado : — 1. Preguntado de donde es natural como se llama y que oficio tiene y responde : que es natural de los estados de Olanda y que se' llama Estevan Hiz y su oficio cle travejar en minas. 2. Preguntado que hacia en aquellos parajes y responde: que alii se hallava por el Governador de Esqmvo cle Cavo de una Guardia fixa que man- tiene. 3. Fuele preguntado que cle quantos hombres se coinpone dicha Guardia y con que motivos ocupa aquel puesto y responde : que la Guardia se com- pone de quatro hombres y un Cabo los dos Olan- dezes Blancos y dos Indios, y que alii se mantiene para aprehender a los Negros esclavos que fugi tives salen de la Colonia de Esquivo, y atajar, y .fontener a la Nation Cariba para que por aquel Rio no hagan ningun mal asi a los de dicha Colonia como a los Espanoles vezinos y Indios domesticos como consta cle Capitulo de la in strucion que le cogio el Cavo de los Espafioles quando lo apriciono. 4. Preguntado con que motibo tomo las annas contra los Espanoles e hizo fuego y responde : que ni uno ni otro execute ni que podia executarlo por ser solo, y la gente Espafiola mucha y quando tistos abanzaron a la Casa se hallava actual'merite dormido en una jamaca, y al tropel y alvoroto que hicieron se. disperto queriendose leA^antar para huir creiendo eran Caribes y sorprendido clel miedo ho lo executo ni le dieron lugar los dichos Espafioles por que inniediamente le caieron ericima y lo amarraron. 5. Preguntado que como sino hizo fuego ma- fcaron un Espafidl e hirieron malamente a otro y responde: que al Espafidl se persuade lo mataron sus mismos compafieros que igualmente e irieron a el otro pot que al acto de entrar y arnarraflo comenzaron los Espafioles a hazer fuego dentro de su casa. G. Preguntado que annas y defenzas tenia en aquel paraje y como se nomina y a las vezes de que Rio cae y responde : que las annas que tenia' eran cinco fusiles tres sables tres pistolas un frasco de polvora y un pedazo de plomo para mu nition, y que solo de estos dos fusiles eran suios prdpios y las demas Armas restantes dadas por la compania que el paraje se llama Cuiba que cae a las orillas de el Rio Coyuni. 7. Fuele preguntado que efectos 6 resgates le cogie'ron los Espanoles quando lo apricionaron y si los tenia para que negociaciones 6 compras y re sponde: que catorze dozena de cuchillos, diez y ocho piezas de herramientas entre hachas y Ma chetes, dos piezas de Angaripola, nuebe mazos de quentas, una dozena de espejos medianos, veinto y [696—2] In this City of Guiana, on the 3rd day of A November, 1758, Senor Don Juan de Dios Valdes, Captain and Governor of this fortress on behalf of His Majesty, caused to appear before him, and Avitnesses, one of the tAvo Dutch men at present confined in the Fort of San Francisco cl'Assis, and being duly RAvorn accord ing to the rites of his religion (which he de clared to be Lutheran), by raising two fingers of the right hand, he was examined as fol lows : — _ 1. On being asked of what nationality he was, his name, and profession, he replied that he was a, native of the States of Holland, his name B Stephen Hiz, and his profession that of a miner. 2. Asked what he Avas doing in these places, he answered that he was placed by the Go vernor of Essequibo in command of the guard, which Avas permanently maintained there. 3. Asked Iioav many men formed that guard, and Avhat Avas the object of occupying that Post, he ansAvered that the guard Avas composed of a ;_, corporal and four men, tAvo white Dutchmen, and two Indians; and that they were stationed there to apprehend negro skwes who escaped from Essequibo ; and to obstruct and restrain .-,, the Carib tribe, so that they might not do any ^ injury, by way of that river, either to those Of the said Colony or to the neighbouring Spaniards and domesticated Indians, as shown by a paragraph of his instructions which the officer of the Spaniards seized when he appre hended him. 4. Asked with Avhat motiA'e he took up arms against the Spaniards, and fired upon them, he answered that he did neither the one nor the other, nor could he do so, being all alone, and the Spaniards being very numerous ; that when they attacked the hut, he Avas then actually jy sleeping in a hammock, and Avas awakened 'by the noise and rush they made in the hut ; that he wished to rise in order to escape, being under the impression they were Caribs, but being overcome with fear he did not do so ; nor did they, the Spaniards, give him time, for they at once fell upon him and bound him. 5. Asked hoAv it was that, if he did not fire, one Spaniard was shot and another badly wounded, he answered that he was persuaded the Spaniards shot their own comrade, and in like manner wounded the other; for, in the act of entering and binding him, they began firing Ei inside the hut itself. (i Asked what arms of defence he had in that place, and how the' place was named, and in what river basin it lay, he ansAvered that the arms he had were five guns, three sabres, three pistols, a flask of powder, and a piece of lead for ammunition ; that only two of those guns belonged to himself, and the other arms were the Company's ; that the Post Avas called Cuiba, and Avas situated on the banks of the Cuyuni River. 7. Asked what effects or articles of barter the Spaniards took when they apprehended him, -^ and whether he had them for purposes of com merce or for purchases, he answered that they took fourteen dozen of knives, eighteen pieces of hardware, consisting of hatchets and cut lasses, two pieces of coarse striped linen, nine 2 U 166 A quatro varas cle listado de camisa, y veinte de coleta asul todo para comprar sus manteni- mientos. 8. Preguntado que tiempo ha que se mantiene alii y si ha hecho Labranzas, 6 ha exercitado su oficio y responde : que hace ocho meses que vino con el exercicio cle Cabo y que comensaba abrir una corta roza para sembrar iuca y que su oficio no lo ha exercitado. -j_> 9. Preguntado si le havian dado algunas Mer- ¦^ caderias para compras de Poytos y que quantos avia remitido a la colonia de Esquivo y responde: que en el corto tiempo que ha que esta alii no se ha exercitado en semejantes compras ni tampoco le han dado resgates para ellas que solo tiene de en cargo el cobro cle algunos que le quedaron deviendo a su antecesor como parecera de dichos papeles. 10. Preguntado que distancia ay cle dicho paraje a la Colonia cle Esquivo y responde : que es mui p corta sin embargo de que se gastan tres dias naturales por razon cle que solo se navega con las mareas y su navegacion es por cafios. 11. Fuesele preguntado si sabe que aquellos '- parajes en donde se hallava pertenescan a la juris- dicion cle Esquivo y si ha muchos afios mantienen esta Posta y responde: que no sabe si es o no juris- dieion cle dicho Esquivo y que muchos anos ay que se mantiene la Posta en aquel Paraje. 12. Preguntado que si dicho sitio es al proposito J) para siembras de canas 6 otras labores y responde ¦: que no son al proposito al ser anegadisales pero que cle donde se mantiene la Posta para arriba no deja de haber algunas que sean adequadas para sembrar en ellas pero que ay orden expresa de su Governador para no concentir ni dejar pasar a ninguno para arriba. 13. Fuesele preguntado que si el negro que les acompafiaba y se halla en la pricion es esclavo y responde : que no pero que este se halla en obliga tion constituido a hacer oficios sutiles a la com pania por quien estaba alii. 14. Preguntado que otras ordenes tenia y que en E otros oficios se ocupaba y en orden a esto que mas sabe y tiene noticia generalmente diga y responde : que ni sabe ni tiene noticia alguna y que esta es la verdad en fuerza clel juramento que bajo de sus Ritos tiene fecho en que se afirma y ratifica y que siendo necessario lo hara de nuebo y que es cle edad de quarenta y ocho anos y lo firmo junto con su merced cle que certificamos. JUAN VALDES. ESTEVAN HIZ. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FILGUEIRA F Y BARCIA. bundles of beads, one dozen of middle-sized looking-glasses, 24 yards of shirting, and 20 yards of blue nankeen, all which were intended for the purchase of provisions. 8. Asked hoAv long he had been in that place, and if he had made any plantations, or had exercised his profession as a miner, he answered that it was eight months since he was appointed to the command, and that he began to make a small clearing Avith the object of planting some yucas, and that he had not exercised his profes? sion in any way. 9. Asked if he had received any merchan dize for the purpose of buying slaves, and how many of these he had forwarded to the Colony of Essequibo, he answered that during the short time he had been in that quarter he had nothing whatever to do with such purchases, nor was any merchandize given to him for such purposes; that his sole charge in that respect was to collect some articles that remained due to his predecessor, as might be seen from the said papers. 10. Asked Avhat the distance was from that place to the Colony of Essequibo, he answered that it was very short, although three whole days were necessary for the journey, as the navigation is only possible at high water, and then only in the canons. 11. Asked if he was aware whether those places where he was posted belonged to the jurisdiction of Essequibo, and what length of time this post had been maintained, he answered that he did not knoAv whether it be or not in the jurisdiction of Essequibo, but that the Post had been maintained in that place for many years. 12. Asked whether the said place was good for planting sugar-cane or other cultivation, he answered that the lands were not very good, being liable to inundation, but higher up than the Post there Avas land fit for agriculture ; but that he had express orders from his Governor not to allow any one to pass higher up under any circumstances. 13. Asked Avhether the negro' who was found with him, now in prison, was a slave or not, he ansAvered that he was not, but was bound to perform certain work for the Company, by whose authority he was there. 14. Asked what other orders he had, what other duties he performed, and generally to furnish all other information he might have, he answered that he had no other information to give ; that all his statements were true in accor dance with his oath ; that he affirms and ratifies them, and, if necessary, will repeat them ; that he is 48 years of age ; and signed this his decla ration, together with his Excellency, as we hereby certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. ESTEVAN HIZ. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. 167 Declaration de Bautista Bi (IV.) 'um. Declaration of Juan Bautista Brum. En dicho dia mes y afio en la expresada Ciudad -de Santa Thome cle la Guayana su merced el Sefior Comandante hizo comparecer ante si y los testigos con quienes actua con la custodia correspondiente a Juan Bauptista Brum a quien por su merced se le recibio juramento que hizo segun sus ritos levantando en alto dos cledcjs de la mano derecha y prometio decir verdad de lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado y aviendolo sido por dicho Sefior -Comandante por medio del Interprete respondio por el thenor de ellas lo siguiente. 1. Preguntado como se llama de donde es natural y vezino que oficio tiene y responde : que se llama .Juan Bauptista Brum natural cle los estados de Flandes vezino de la Colonia cle Esquivo y que su oficio es cle Sastreria. 2. Preguntado que hacia en aquellos parajes y responde : que se hallava cle soldado cle la Posta puesta por el Governador do Esquivo bajo de las ordenes cle Estevan Hiz Cavo de dicha Posta. 3. Preguntado que con que motivos dicho Go vernador conserva alii esta Guardia y responde : • que para aprehender a los negros esclavos que cle dicha Colonia salen de fuga y contener a la nation Cariva para que no hagan algun dafio a los Indios domesticos. 4. Preguntado que con que motivo se avia apar- tado del citio onde se hallava la Posta dos dias de ¦ distancia como lo declaran los Espanoles que lo aprehendteron y responde : que por direction cle su •oavo avia venido a dicho paraje en solicitud de unos Indios para que los aiudazen a travajar en la Roza que avrian, y que a poco tiempo de estar alii llegaron los Espanoles y lo cogieron y amarraron .sin hazer resistencia ni defenza alguna y lo llevaron en su compana dichos Espanoles hasta llegar cerca de la casa que tenia. 5. Fuesele preguntado que si save o tiene noticia quien hirio a uno de los soldados Espanoles y mate a otro y responde : que no sabe nada ni puede dar razon por que a el lo dejaron atado distante de la casa como a tiro de fucil quando le abanzaron y que de alii siguio la marcha con dichos Espafioles para esta ciudad. 6. Preguntado que armas y defenza tenia y responde : que solo cinco fuciles de la Compania de Esquivo. 7. Preguntado que como se llama el citio en •donde tenian su Rancheria y a que Rios cae ; y responde : que el dicho sitio se llama Cuiba y que • cae al Rio Coyuni. 8. Fuesele preguntado que tiempo haze que esta alii y si ha hecho algunas compras de poitos y responde: que haze dies y ocho meses y que . jamas ha tenido ninguna incumbencia en esto. 9. Preguntado que distancia ay desde dicho sitio ¦Cuiba a la Colonia de Esquivo y responde : que tres dias poco mas bien entendido que solo se navega ¦ con las mareas por ser canos anegadizos. 10. Preguntado si sabe ser Jurisdicion de Esquibo -aquel paraje y si ha mucho tiempo que su Govern ador mantiene alii aquella Guardia y responde: On the said clay, in the same month and year, A in the above-mentioned City of Santo Thome de la Guiana, his Excellency the Seiior Co mandante caused to appear before him and the witnesses, Juan Bautista Brum, under a proper guard; and being duly sworn by his Excellency according to the rites of his religion, by raising two fingers of his right hand, and having promised to deelare truthfully all he knew, he Avas interrogated by the said Senor Comandante, through the medium of the inter preter, and ansAvered as follows to the ques tions put to him : — 1. Asked what his name was, of Avhat " country, his present residence, and his occu pation, he answered that his name Avas Juan Bautista Brum, a native of Flanders, resident in the Colony of Essequibo, and by profession a tailor. 2. Asked Avhat he was doing in these parts, he answered that he was a soldier of the Post, placed there by the Governor of Essequibo, under the orders of Estebau Hiz, the Chief of the said Post. 3. Asked with Avhat object the said Gover nor of Essequibo maintained the guard there, p he answered that it was maintained for the pur- pose of apprehending fugitive negro slaves from the said Colony, and to prevent the Caribs from injuring the Indians already domesticated. 4. Asked how it Avas that he came to be so far distant as two days' journey from the Post, as the Spaniards who apprehended him declared, he answered that, by orders of his superior, he had gone to that place to seek some Indians for help in making a clearing they had begun, and that soon after his arrival there the Spaniards came and seized him and bound him, without any resistance or defence on his part, and he was J) then taken by the said Spaniards to a place quite close to the hut in which he lived. 5. Asked if he knew or had any information concerning the party avIio Avounded one of the soldiers and killed another, he answered that he knew nothing whatever about it ; nor could he know, for he Avas left at a distance of a gun-shot from the hut, bound, when the Spaniards at tacked the place, and from there he was taken to this city by the said Spaniards. 6. Asked what arms he had, he answered, only five guns, belonging to the Company of Essequibo. E 7. Asked the name of the place where they had their huts, and on what river it is situated,' he answered that the name of the place was Cuiba, situated on the River Cuyuni. 8. Asked how long he had been in that place, and whether he had made any purchases of slaves, he answered that he had been there eighteen months, and that he never had any thing to do with this matter. 9. Asked what the distance was from Cuiba to the Colony of Essequibo, he answered that the distance was three days, more or less, as the navigation could only be .carried on when the -^ rivers were high, and the channels full of water. 10. Asked if he knew that place to be in the jurisdiction of Essequibo, and what length of time his Governor had maintained a guard 16S A que no lo sabe, y que la Guardia hace muchos anos que se mantiene alii. 11. Preguntado que si dicho sitio es al proposito - para hazer algunas labranzas y responde : que no. por ser tierras anegadizas pero que de la parte de arriba ay algunos pedazos buenos, y que su Governador no permite licencia para abrirlas ni que se consienta en ellas a ninguna persona. 12. Fuesele preguntado que si el Negro es esclavo y responde : que no que esta puesto por la Coinpania de Esquivo a quien tiene obligation ¦B de servirle por alguna gratification. 13. Preguntado generalmente en que otros oficios se ocupaba que ordenes verbales, 6 por , escripto tenia y que en todo diga la verdad y * responde : que ni sabe ni tiene noticia alguna a mas cle lo dicho y ser la verdad en fuerza del Juramento que bajo cle sus Ritos tiene fecho en que se afirma y ratifica, y siendo nesesario lo hara de nuebo, y que es de hedad de quarenta y ocho anos, y lo no firmo por que dijo no saver y lo firmo Su merced junto eon los testigos cle que certificamos. c JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. there, he ansAvered that he did not knoAv, but- that the guard had been maintained for many years. 11. Asked if the lands about there were adapted for cultivation, he answered that they were not, as they were subject to inundations ; but higher up than the Post there were good patches, but that his Governor does not allow' them to be occupied, nor any one to be suffered therein. 12. Asked if the negro was a slave, he an swered that he was not, but that he was under obligation to Avork for the Company, from whomt? he had received payment. 13. Asked generally in what other duties he' was occupied, and what orders, verbal or written, he had, and that he should tell the truth in eA-erything, he ansAvered that he knew no more, and has no other information than the above. That the aboA'e declaration is true, and that he affirms and ratifies the same, and, if necessary, will repeat it ; that he is 48 years of age, and, not knowing how to write, is unable to sign his declaration. And his Ex cellency signed it Avith the witnesses, as we certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LUIS DE ALEMAN. FRANCISCO XAVIER FIL GUEIRA Y BARCIA. (18.) Traducion. D Traducion que hago y formo yo el Condestable Juan Andres cle la Rivera en virtue! clel nombra- miento hecho en mi por el Senor Comandante Interino de esta Plaza del Instrumento cle Ordinanza pala la Posta 6 Guardia que esta en el Rio Coyuni baxo del Partido de los Estados Generales escrito en Idioma Olandes que se me ha entregado por el presente Escrivano su thenoi a la letra es como se signe : — Articulo 1. El cabo de cticha Posta 6 Guardia jTJ por Nuestra Orden absolute, que se le haga buenas demostraciones de Amistad, y distincion a los Yndios Arezinos de qualquiera Nation que sean, ni haga malos tratamientos en contra y si acaso los dichos Yndios pidieren ayuda contra algunas Naciones bravas esta obligado dicho Posta con su Guardia a claries ayuda. Art. 2. El Cavo cle dicha Posta tendra grail cuidado de que no se le hagan ningunos dafios a los Espanoles que son nuestros amigos, y en todo tendran la buena aficion y correspondiencia con ellos ; pero tambien tendra buen cuidado con E dichos Espafioles si acaso quieren pasar al dicho Rio Coyuni 6 en algunas tierras de nuestra Colonia y causar algunos incombenientes entonzes el Cabo de la dicha Posta 6 Guardia tendra obligation de despacharun hombre a llevar la noticia al Castillo al Gobernador. Art. 3. El Cavo de la dicha Posta 6 Guardia no le permitira licencia a ninguno para que haga comercio excepto que sea en el Rio 6 en su Translation of the Instructions for the Dutch Postholder in Cuyuni. Translation Avhich I, Constable Juan Andres de la Rivera, made, in Aartue of the office of interpreter and translator, conferred on me by the Senor Comandante ad interim of this place,;. of a document containing instructions for the Post or guard in the River Cuyuni, under the jurisdiction of the States-General, written in the Dutch language, Avhich was delivered to me by the afore-mentioned Notary. The con tents of this paper, literally translated, are as follows : — Article 1. That the Chief of the said Post or guard, by our express and positive orders, will treat the neighbouring Indians with the greatest consideration and friendship, without distinction or faA-our of any kind, and be careful not to injure them in any way ; and if, per chance, the said Indians should request his help against any of the savage nations, he is bound to assist them with the guard as far as possible. Art. 2. That the Chief of the said Post will be very careful not to cause any injury to be done to the Spaniards, Avho are our good friends^ and in all he will maintain good friendship and correspondence with them. But at the same time, he will be most careful about the said Spaniards, and if by chance they are desirous of passing to the River Cuyuni, or into any tei-ritories of our Colony* and cause any incon veniences, the Chief of the said Post or guard shall thereupon dispatch a man to the Go vernor's Castle to advise him thereof. Art. 3. That the Chief of the said Post or guard will on no account allow any one to carry on trade except in the river or in his 169 Comarca 6 que este bien prevenido con buen Pasaporte entonces se les concedera la licencia pero si pasan algunos Yndios por la Posta que vengan del Rio Esquivo para abajo 6 bengan de abajo para pasar arriba y los dichos Yndios trajeren algunos esclavos chinos 6 algunas mercan- eias para comprar los dichos, y los esclaA'os chinos, y mercancia corresponcle a los havitantes clel Rio de Esquivo mandamos nuestra orden absoluta- mente a las diehas naciones las dexen pasar y repasar sin molestarlas en nada. ' Art. 4. El Cabo de dicha Posta tenga obligation, y gran cuidado con los Esclavos que hicieren fuga cle qualquiera que sean, y seguirlos hasta coxerlos, y coxidos se los entreguen a sus amos segun esta dispuesto por los Estados Generales que se les pague por cada Cabeza dies florines al Cavo por su travaxo. Art. 5. Si acaso algunos esclavos de los havit antes del dicho Rio Esquivo hicieren fuga y sus amos fueren detras de ellos que por la corteclad del tiempo no huviesen tenido lugar para el Pasa porte les dexara pasar la dicha Posta a quien se manda con orden presisa para que desde que se le nianifieste por qualquier havitante cle esta Colonia que con todo su poder los ayude a coxer siendo esclavos. Art. 6. La noble Compania da libertad a la Posta para tener su negocio libre por su cuenta con condition que cle todo lo que comprare ha de preferir a la Compania por que lepagara al mismo precio que los demas en buenos generos, y buenos preeios. Art. 7. El Posta estara obligado a cobrar todas las deudas que se le quedaren deviendo a la otra Posta antesedente por que tambien se la pagaran los dies florines por cada Cabeza, y un florin por cada hamaea y assi todo lo que eompraren lo deve manifestar al Senor Governador. Art. 8. Assi mismo es obligado el Maestre de Posta a dar relation de todo al Sefior Governador dos vezes al afio y deve residir siempre en la Posta como a buen servidor. LAURENS STORM DE GRAVESANDE. Rio Esquibo, 29 cle, Noviembre cle 1757. district, or unless the party be provided with A a proper passport, Avhen he Avill grant the neces sary permit to do so. But should any Indians pass, coming to the Post from the Essequibo, down the rri-er, or going in the opposite direc tion, bringing with them Chinese slaves, or any other merchandize, for the purpose of making purchases, and that the Chinese slaves or mer chandize be intended for the inhabitants of the Rrier Essequibo, Ave then command abso lutely by this our order that the above-men tioned tribes be permitted to pass freely without let or hindrance in any way. Art. 4. That the Chief of the Post will take -» the greatest care in apprehending all fugitive sla\Tes from the Colony, whoever they may be, and pursue them until he apprehends them, and Avhen caught he will deliver them to their respectiA-e owners, in conformity Avith the orders of the States-General; and that for every slave so captured he will receive a gratification of 1.0 fl. for his trouble. Art. 5. That, in case any slaves belonging to the residents of the said River Essequibo should attempt to escape, and should be pursued by their owners — who, oAving to the necessity of p the case, had no time to provide themselves Avith necessary passports — he will permit them to pass the said Post ; and Ave likewise command him expressly that Avhenever he be informed of a case of this nature by any inhabitant of this Colony, he will lend them every assistance in his poAver in order to re-take them, ahvays pro vided they be slaves. Art. 6. That the Chief of the said Post is granted liberty to trade by the Noble Compani on his own account, on condition that what ever fruits or produce or other articles he may so acquire, the Company shall have the D refusal of the goods at the same price as others, in good merchandize and for good prices. Art. 7. That the Chief of the Post is obliged to collect all outstanding debts remaining due to his predecessor, the former Chief of that Post, for which duty 10 fl. will be paid for every fugitive slaA-e, and 1 fl. for every hammock, the Governor being informed of all the sales and purchases. Art. 8. That in like manner the official of the Post is bound to make a report twice a-year of all matters of interest relating to his district, and, as a good and loyal officer, he should E always reside at his Post. (Sioned) LAURENS STORM DE GRAVE SANDE. River Essequibo, November 29, 1757. (19.) Copia. Mui Senor mio, El Comandante de Guayana me ha enviado entre otros documentos una Carta que Vuestra merced le escrivio reclamando los dos presos Olan deses un Negro Esclavo, y una Grifa con sus hijos que hallo la Guardia despachada cle aquel Precidio eu una Isla del Rio Coyuny con casa, y mantenien- dose en el injusto comercio de Indios Poytos en Dominios del Rey mi amo como es el mismo Rio Coyuni y toda su Comarca sin que sea creible que ' [696—2] Copy of Letter from Don Nicholas Castro, Pro visional Governor of Cumana to Governor of Essequibo. Sir, Cumand, November 9, 1758. -^ The Commandant of Guayana has forwarded to me, among other documents, a letter which you sent him claiming the two Dutch prisoners, a negro slave, and a half-breed woman with her children, whom the guard dispatched from that fort seized in an island of the River Cu yuni, established there in a house, and canying on the unjust traffic of slavery among the In dians, in the dominions of the King my Sove- 2 X 170 A sus Alti-Potencias los Senores Estados Generales hayan autorizado a Vuestra merced para introdu- cirse en ellos ni menos comerciar Indios de los Pueblos y tierras Espanolas sobre cuio asumpto me hallo con toda la justification nese^aria & favor de la conducta de esta empresa. Por lo qual no me hallo con libertad para condesender a la restitution de Presos que vuestra merced solicita hasta la determination cle mi Soberano a quien doy cuenta con documentos justificativos cle lo acaesiclo. B Vuestra Merced me tiene con clevida considera tion pronto a obedezer sus justos preceptos, cuya vicla guarde Dios muchos anos. Mui Sefior mio, Besa la mano de vuesamerced su servidor, DON NICOLAS DE CASTRO. Cumand, 9 cle Noviembre de 1758. Mons. Gravesande. c reign. As this same River Cuyuni and all its territory is included in those dominions, it is incredible that their High Mightinesses the States-General should have authorized you to penetrate into those dominions, and still less to cany on a traffic in the persons of the Indians belonging to the settlements and territories of the Spaniards. I therefore consider myself jus tified in approving the conduct of this expedition.- For these reasons I do not consider myseh?.« at liberty to allow the restitution of the prisoners'! which you demand until the question is de cided by my Sovereign, to whom I am rendering full account of all that has happened, supported by all the necessary documents. I have the honour to assure you, with high consideration, that I shall always be ready to obey your just commands. May God preserve you many years. 1 kiss your hand. Your Servant, (Signed) DON NICHOLAS DE CASTRO. M. Gravesande. (20.) Report of Counsellor on the above Documents. El Asesor a visto estos autos y dice; que en concideracion a que los extrangeros de que se tratan fueron aprehendidos estando de Guardia cle Orden del Governador de la Colonia de Esquibo en los terminos de la Jurisdiction de esta Govei- nacion, y con el motibo de aprehender los Negros esclavos que fugitivos del servicio de sus amos por aquellos lugares transitaban executan la impiedad de comprar muchos Yndios Poytos para el servicio de sus haciendas aciendolos esclavos, y sujetandolos tv a perpetua servidumbre como se verifica por el apunte que exivieron los mencionados estrangeros para la cobranza de algunos particulares y del dicho Governador de la expresada ysla en que encargaba a la dicha Guardia recaudase los Yndios que de dicho apunte constan negociados por los soldados de la Guardia antesedente con que los privan de la natural livertad que deven gozar, y sin iustruirlos en los Articulos cle Nuestra Santa Fee Catholica contra lo dispuesto por varias leyes Reales en que Su Magestad (que Dios guarde) tanto encarga el buen tratamiento livertad y ensefianza de los Yndios siendo esta materia digna j] de la regia inspection y que Su Magestad deter - minara lo que mas sea cle su Real agrado para ebitar las perpetuas servidumbres a que sujetan los mencionados estrangeros a los clichos Yndios Poytos, y que en adelante no experimenten el grave perjuicio de ser esclavos es cle sentir que V. S. remita los mencionados Autos clel assumpto originales dejando testimonio a el Rey nuestro Sefior en su Real y supremo Consejo de Yndias para que en su inteligencia mande lo que mas sea de su Real voluntad esto le parece salbo etcetera. E (Signed) Lizenciado JULIAN PADILLA MORON. Cumand, y Diciembre 28 de 1758. The Counsellor has seen these documents,1 and says that Avhereas the foreigners to which the above documents refer were apprehended, whilst acting as a guard, by order of the Governor of the Colony of Essequibo. within the limits of the jurisdiction of this Govern ment for the purpose of apprehending fugitive negro slaves deserting from their masters avIio may pass by those places, committing the impious act of purchasing many Indians to work on their farms, and subjecting them to perpetual slavery, as is shown by the account Avhich the aforementioned foreigners presented for the recovery of certain slaves, and also by the instructions issued by the Governor of that Colony, by which the said guard is charged to procure the Indians ; and whereas by the said account it is further shown that the soldiers of the guard did carry on that traffic, thereby depriving the natives of their natural liberty, which they should be allowed to enjoy, without instructing them in our holy Catholic faith; in opposition to His Majesty's commands, as ordered and decreed in various Royal Decrees, in which His Majesty (whom God preserve) expressly recommends that the Indians be Avell treated, not deprived of their liberty, and receive proper instruction in our holy faith; therefore, as this is an affair of the greatest importance, and worthy of the Royal consideration, and in order that His Majesty may determine and make known his Royal pleasure in regard to it, so as to put a stop to the perpetual enslavements to which the said foreigners subject the said Indians, and that henceforth they may not suffer the grave injury of, being slaves, is of opinion that the said documents be forwarded to His Majesty in original, and accompanied with a legalized copy of the same for the King in his Supreme Council of the Indies, in order that His Majesty may issue his Royal com mands as to the matter. (Signed) Licentiate JULIAN PADILLA Y MORON. Cumand, December 28, 1758. 171 No. 332. Sefior Iturriaga to Sefior Don Ricardo Wall, Cabruta, December 28, 1758. Excelentisimo Senor, MUY Sefior mio : Como los puestos principales clel alto Orinoco, y el mayor numero de forzados piden mas tropa para su resguardo, pedi al Gover nador cle Cumana que fuese cle treinta y cinco hombres la muda de los veinte y cinco que hiziese a su tiempo. Asi lo ha ejecutado y llegaron aca el 24 cle este. Entre tanto se descubrid que los Holandeses cle Esquivo continuaban sus usurpaciones por el Rio Coyuni y aunque fueron arrojados con prision de algunos por un destacamento cle poca tropa, Indios y Milicianos, que despacho prontamente el Alferez D. Felix Ferreras, Comandante interino de Gua yana es de temer que pretendan recobrar los pues tos perdidos. En esta atencion me parecio conveniente que se retirase a Guayana el destacamento de veinte y cinco hombres cle su guarnicion, que estaba arriba, y se lo avise al Governador de Cumana por si gustaba hacer su muda con tropa de Cumana y que esta llegase al numero de treinta y cinco hom bres por las rasones que dejo expuestas. Dios guarde a V E. mucho afios. Excelentisimo Sefior, besa la mano a V.E. su mayor servidor, DON JOSE DE ITURRIAGA. Cabruta, 28 de Diciembre de 1758. Excelentisimo Senor Don Ricardo "Wall. Excellent Sir, Cabruta, December 28, 1758. AS the chief Posts of the Higher Orinoco, and the greater number of criminals, require a larger force to guard, I requested the Governor of Cumana to increase the number to thirty-five instead of twenty -fh>-e. He has carried out the request I made, and they arrived here on the 24th instant. Meanwhile, it Avas discovered that the Dutch of Essequibo ~weve continuing their usurpations on the RivTer Cuyuni, and although they were dislodged, and some of them taken by a small guard from here, Avith militia and Indians, dispatched by Lieutenant Don Felix Ferreras, Acting Commandant of Guayana at the time, we fear they now intend to recover the lost Posts. On this account it appears to me well that the guard of twenty-five men of its garrison that was in the Higher Orinoco should be withdrawn to Guayana, and so I have advised the Governor of Cumana, in case he liked to make the change with men from Cumana, and in order that the number here might be increased to thirty-five men for the reasons explained. God preserve your Excellency, &c. (Signed) JOSE DE ITURRIAGA. Senor Don Ricardo Wall, &c. &c. " Archivo de Simancas," Secretary of State. Bundle 7396. No. 333. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, January 24, 1759. (Extract.) DHr. Gouverneur van Berbices my verwittight hebbende, dat aldaer een schip in het begin van daenstaende maend soude vertrekken naer Europa, soo profiteere van die Gelegentheijt om U. E. G. A. kennis te geven, dat myne afgesondene naer Orinoque van daer te rug syn gekomen, met een seer onvoldoenent antwoord van den Gouverneur van Commana op myn missive aen den Comman dant van Orinoque, waer in onder andere denselve sustineertde rivier van Cajoeny Spaensch territoir is, en Weygert den Gevange Posthouder Bylegger en Crioolen te rug te geven. Ik hebbe d'Eer hier nevens copye van myn missive en van het antwoord aen U. E. G. A. te Alsoo het address van den brief van den Gou verneur van Commana is aen den' Hollaildsche Commandant resideerende in Essequebo het welk seer trots en verachtelyk luydt, soo hebbe deselve door den Commandant alhier laete beantwooraen, van welk antwoord de copye mede hier nevens § T)eese behandeling tegens alle billikheyt en teams het regt der volkeren strydig, en deese soo verre gaende pretensie, van duyterste aengelegen- theijt synde voor deese Colonie Soo Hope en twyffele niet of U. E. G. A. sullen by Haer Hoog mooo-ende alle devoiren aenwenden om behoorlyke voldoening daer over te erlangen. B 0 THE Governor of Berbice having acquainted D me that a clipper there is to depart for Europe in the beginning of next month, I profit by the opportunity to inform your Honours that my Emissary to Orinoco has returned from thence with a very unsatisfactory reply from the Governor of Cumana to. my letter to the Com- maudant of Orinoco, wherein he maintains, inter alia, that the River Cuyuni is Spanish territory, and refuses to give back the imprisoned Postholder, settler, and Creoles. I have the honour to send your Honours -r, herewith copy of my letter and of the reply. Also, the address of the Governor of Cumana's letter is, " To the Dutch Commandant residing in Essequibo," which sounds very haughty and contemptuous, so that I have caused the same to be replied to by the Commanding Officer here, of which. reply a copy also goes hereAvith. This treatment, against all justice, and con trary to the right of nations, and these so far- reaching pretensions, being of the most extreme importance for this Colony, I do hope, and doubt Jji not, that your Honours Avill employ all clue means, through their High Mightinesses, to obtain proper satisfaction therefor. 172 A Besluyte dese de vryheyt nemende U. E. G. A. attentie ernstig aen te bevelen het ge\ral in Cajouny, als van de grootste aengelegentheyt A-oor deese Colonie synde, die rivier eene der drie armen deser riviere uytmakende waer inne U. E. G. A. indigo en coffy plantagien en een groot gedeelte van Duynenburg gelegen hebben ; Indien de Spanjaerde daer het besit van houden hebben wy deselve in het hart van cle colonie en niemand is een uur seker van syne besittingen, synde cle mond derselve riviere maer een canon schoot van het Oud Fort Kijkoveral. B On closing this letter,' I take the liberty ear nestly to recommend to your Honours' attention the case in Cuyuni as being of the greatest importance to this Colony, that river forming- one of the three arms of this river, and in which your Honours' indigo and coffee planta tions, and a great portion of Duynenburg, are situated. If the Spaniards hold possession thereof Ave have them in the heart of the Colony, and no one is for one hour certain of his possessions, the mouth of the said river being only a cannon shot from the old Fort Kijkoveral. No. 334. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company [no date, but clearly 1759.*] CAPTEIJN G. E. BOEF van gedagten veran- dert zijnde, en nog met zijn schip Veertien da gen in Dimmerarij zijnde komen leggen, om alle reedenen van klagten A'oor te komen, verleent p mij nog cle geleegendheijd Om U.E.G.A. deeze te schrijven, zijnde mijne voorgaande reets naar Essequebo vertrokken, om U.E.G.A. Arerslag te doen, clat het volk naar boven Cajunij gezonden, om cle Rapporten, der Indianen, te Onderzoeken Weder af zijn gekomen, en voorschreevene Rap porten maar al te waar zijn bevonden zijnde het huijs van de post tot op de gront afgebrant, den posthouder en bijlegger, neevens clen Criool ariaen, en criolin terstont neevens hare kinderen gevan- kelijk naar Guaijana gebragt, en al wat daar Avas Weggevoerd. Geen de minst difficulteijt of tAvijffehhg over j) den Eijgendom van die bark [sic] x&a Essequebo zijnde, als zonder cle minste tAvijffeling, clen Eij gendom van d'Ed. Westjndische Compagnie, soo is deeze ouverwagfe en ongehoorde geAvelclenarij, tee gens alle tractaten, jae zelver teegens het algeineene regt der Volkeren strijdig, U.E.G.A. oplettendheijd en Avaakzaamheijd OAerwaardig, sijnde een zaak van cle grootste aangeleegendheijd ; Ik hebbe gisteren aan d'Heer Spoors gezonden een missive van mij aen clen Commandant van Guaijana om dezelve aan den raad te communi- ceeren, en vervolgens per expresse naar Oronocque te senden Waar in ik met d'allerserieuste ternien E mij over deeze Geweldadigheijd uijt drukke en voldoenende satisfactie en schadeloosheijtEijsschen, den raad Eerst daags naar het uijt zeijlen van de pieter en david sullende zitten kan d'Eer niet hebben U.E.G.A. de copije van voorschreevene brief te zenden niet weetende of dezelve Eenige veranderinge of bijvoeginge nodig zoude kunnen Oordeelen zal niet manqueeren dezelve per Eerst Voorkomende Geleegendheijd neevens het ver wagt wordende antwoord aen U.E.G.A. te laten toekoemen, ik heb hun onder andere getoont hoe ligt en gemakkelijk het mij zoude vallen om het regt van represaille ¦ te gebruijken, maer daar E bij gevoegt ik, in geenen deele A-an gedagten was, daar Eenig gebruik van te maken, als op hoog bevel of door de uijterste Extrimiteijteu daar toe Gedwongen, genoegsaam overtuijgt Haar Hoog Mo- oencle sig van zijnen Catholique Majesteijt Avel een genoegdoencle satisfactie, zouden weeten te bezorgen. My Lords, THE fact of Captain G. E. Boef having changed his mind and put into Rio Demerary for another fortnight, in order to avoid all cause for complaint, affords me the opportunity of writing your Lordships the present letter, my last being already on the Avay to Essequibo, and of informing my Lords that the men I sent to the Upper Cuyuni to inquire into the reports of the Indians have returned. The said reports turn out to be only too true, the Post-house being burnt down to the ground, the Postholder and his assistant, together with the creole Ariaen, and his wife and children, carried off to Guiana as prisoners, and all that the Post con tained taken away. There not being the slightest difficulty or doubt concerning the ownership of this portion of Essequibo, most undoubtedly belonging, as it does, to the West India Company, this unex pected and unheard-of act is a violation of all existing Treaties — a violation even of the uni versal law of nations, and as a matter of the greatest importance it demands your Lordships- attention and vigilance. Yesterday I sent Mr. Spoors a letter addressed by me to the Commandant of Guiana, to be communicated to the Council, and then to be sent per express to Orinoco. In this I spoke of the raid in the most serious terms, and demanded full satisfaction and^ compensation. As there will be no meeting of the Council until after the departure of the "Peter and David," I cannot have the honour of sending your Lord ships a copy of the above-mentioned letter, not knowing whether the Council might not con sider some alterations or additions necessary. I shall not fail to send your Lordships a copy of the letter at the earliest opportunity, together with Avhatever answer I may receive. I have explained to them amongst other things how easy it avouIc! be for me to exercise the right of reprisal, but have added that I have not the slightest intention of doing so unless I receive express orders to that effect, or my hand is forced by extreme measures on the other side, being convinced that their High Mightinesses would be able to obtain full satisfaction from His Catholic Majesty. (Signed) L.' STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. * This, in the volume in the possession of Her Majesty's Government, is placed with the preceding document No. 333. 173 Annex to No. 334. Military Commandant, Essequibo, to the Spanish Commandant, Orinoco, December 8, 1758. Monsieur, J'ay bien recu la lettre qui m'a et6 ecrite par Monsieur D. Nicolaes de Castro que je n'ay pas l'honneur de connoistre ni de scavoir ce qu'il est, en reponse de la lettre que notre Gouverneur vous avOit ecrite au sujet de lattentat commis en notre rivierre de Cajoeny. J'ay communique' cette lettre a Son Exellence que a ete extremement surpris de voir qu'on ne daignoit pas seulement lui repondre. Ayant hi le contenu de la ditte lettre et voyant les pretextes frivoles quon allegue pour justifier un procedd si directement contraire au droit des Nations, car, Monsieur, quand les allegations seroit vrayes ce qu'on n'accorde nullement I'usage entre Nations voisines, amies et memes alliees requierent des plaintes prealables avant d'user cle voyes de fait, son Exellence ma orclonne de vous ecrire. Qu'il persistoit au nom de L. H. P. ses Soiwerains et que pour la seconde fois il de- mandoit le largissement des prisonniers et une satisfaction convenable pour cette infraction et injure facte au territoirre de ces Souverains, et que comme il lui semble selon le contenu de la lettre en question, qu'on ignore en Guayane et a Comana les limites du territoire de Sa Majeste Oaiholique et celles de L. H. P. selon les tractez guisistant actuellement, elle ma ordonn^ de vous envoyer la carte cy jointe ou vous pourrez les voir tees clistinctement, et que selon le devoir in dispensable de sa charge il esp^re de maintenir. Notre -Gouverneur a toujours tach^ d'entretenir $ne bomie correspondance et amitie' avec ses vtisins, vous meme, Monsieur, en avez eu une preuve convainquante quand il a pris la peine de vous ecrire pour vous avertir immediatement quand il eut avis que les Caraibes avoit forme le dessein d'attaquer vos Missions; lequel avis et ses defences reiterees m&me accompagnees de menaces au dits Caraibes, on prevent! l'execution. Ce n'etoit pas le devoir de S. E. d'en agir de oette maniere, mais il s'imagina que comme entre alihez et bon voisins il etoit oblige' en quality d'honnete homme de prevenir et d'empecher autant qu'il etoit en son pouvoir une nation sauvage et bru-tale, de faire aucun' tort a votre nation. La reconnoissance est grande qu'on temoigne pour ce service assez important comme il me semble. La lettre que j'ay recue partira la semaine pro- chaine pour l'Europe et S. E. ne doute en aucune maniere ou leur Hautes Puissances s'auront obtenir de Sa Majeste Catholique, de la Haute Justice et Equite Royale nous sommes convaincus satisfaction pleine et ample. Voila, Monsieur, ce que j'ay ordre de vous ecrire. Celle cy vous sera remise par des Indiens envoyez exprez. La maniere dont on en a use avec les exprez envoyez avec la precedente ne permettant pas d'envoyer encore une fois des blancs. Au reste, Monsieur, pour ce que me regards, j'ay l'honneur d'etre avec beaucoup d'estime Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, ^^nTrrvn^ L. L. van BERCHEYCK Rio Essequebo, ce 8 Decembre, 1758. 0 Sir, Rio Essequibo, December 8, 1758. I duly received the letter which was written to A me by Mr. Don Nicolas de Castro, whose person or quality I do not. haAe the honour to know, in answer to the letter which our Governor had written to you on the subject of the outrage com mitted in our River of Cuyuni. I haAre communi cated that letter to his Excellency, who was extremely surprised to see that you did not even deign to give him an answer. Having read the contents of the aforesaid letter, and seeing the frivolous pretexts which are alleged in order to justify a proceeding so directly contrary to the law of nations (for, Sir, eAren if the allegations were tnie, wliich we in no way B admit, usage among neighbouring, friendly, and even allied, nations demands previous complaints before having recourse to Auolence), his Excellency has ordered me to write to you. That in the name of the States-General, his Sovereigns, he persists, and now for the second time demands the liberation of the prisoners, and a suitable satisfaction for this violation and insult done to the territory of his Sovereigns, and that, since it seems to him, according to the letter in question, that in Guayana and at Cumana there is ignorance of the boundaries of the territory of His Catholic Majesty and those of the States-General according to the Treaties at present subsisting, he has ordered me to send you the inclosed map, on which you will be able to see them very distinctly, and these in accordance with the inviolable duty of his office, he hopes to maintain. Our Governor has always striven to keep up good relations and friendship with his neighbours ; you yourself, Sir, haAre had a convincing proof of this when he took the trouble to write to you in order to warn you, as soon as he had received advice that the Caribs had formed the plan to attack your Missions ; which warnhig, and his repeated interdictions to the Caribs, even ac companied Avith threats, have prevented the execution. His Excellency was under no obligation to act in that manner but he thought that as among allies and good neighbours it was his duty as a gentleman to warn, you, and to prevent to the utmost of his power a saArage and brutal nation from doing any harm to your nation. Great is the gratitude which is shown for this, as it seems to me, rather important service. The letter which I have received shaR be sent E next week to Europe, and his Excellency has no doubt but the States-General will be able to obtain from His Catholic Majesty, of [whose] great justice and Royal equity we are convinced, a full and ample satisfaction. This, Sir, is what I have orders to write to you. This letter will be handed to you by Indians sent for that purpose, since the manner in which the ¦messengers were dealt with who were sent with the preceding does not permit us to send white people again. For the rest, Sir, as for myself, I have the honour to be, with great esteem, your very humble and very obedient servant, (Signed) L. L. van BERCHEYCK. D [696— 2J 2 Y 171 No. 335. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, May 29, 1759. (Extract.) A DEN brief van clen Commandant alhier aen den Commandont in Oronocque waervan in mijne missive over Berbices d'eer hebbe gehadt te melden is ongeopendt teruggesonden, met bijvoeging van twee brieven welkers inhoucl mij door onkunde der Spaensche taele alsnog onbekent, verAvagtende de komst van d'Hr Persick alhier, om deselve te translateeren. THE letter from the Commandant here to the Commandant in Orinoco, of which I had the honour to speak in my letter via Berbice, has been sent back unopened, there being joined to it two letters, the contents of which are as yet unknown to me, as I clo not know the Spanish language and await the arrival here of Mr. Persik to have' them translated. B E E E No. 336. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, May 31, 1759. van Aan clen Directeur-Generaal Storm zande. Middelb., 31 Mey 1759. TOT heeden hebben wij UE. origineele missiven per cle Pieter en David niet ontfangen dog onze correspondent dog onze correspondent [sic] te Cork heeft onze een sinceere copie versorgt van twee missiven cloor UE. geschreven cle eerste in Rio Dimmerary 1758 clen 9 Sepr. en de tweede zoncler C plaatzen of dagteekeninge Wij reserveeren cle beantwoordinge van dezelve tot wij cle origineele zullen bekomen hebben tenminsten tot het vertrek van Essequebos Welvaren, alleen moeten wij nopens de overrompeling van cle post van Cajanna daar [sic] de Spanjaards remarqueeren clat dezelve ons niet alleen ten uijtersten surpreneert maar ook van het hoogste gevolg voor cle colonie voorkomt, wij zullen derhalven ook niet nalaten om zoodra Avij UEd. nader aanschrijvens zullen bekomen hebben desweegens cle nodige representation bij HH. MM. te doen Intusschen wenste Avij bij deeze geleegendheijd wel eens exact geinformeert te weezen Avaar cle voorsz. post aan cle rivier van Cajenne [sic] geleegen heeft alzoo wij die rivier wel, maar cle post zelve nog niet hebben kunnen ondekken in cle jongste kaarte daar [sic] UE. van de colonie gemaakt voorts wat groncle UE. aan ons zoude kunnen opgeeven om ons regt tot cle pos- sessie van cle gem. post meerder te staven, mis- schien zoude hieromtrent wel een verklaringe van de outste ingezetenen der colonie kunnen ingegee- ven worden die van dienst zoude weezen Ook Avenste wij wel een specify ker discriptie te hebben van cle kaarte van America, cloor clen heer Dan ville daar U zig op beroept alzoo die heer ver- scheijdene kaerten nopens clat werelddeel heeft uijtgegeeven en wij in gene die er ons van voOr zijn gekomen eenige traces hebben kunnen ondek ken. (Extract.) S'Grave- To the Director-General Storm van 's Gravesande, Middelburg, May_ 31, 1759. WE have not yet received the originals of your letters per the " Pieter en David," but our corre spondent at Cork has furnished us with a faithful copy of two letters written by you, the first in Rio Demerara, the 9th September, 1758, and the second Avithout mention of place or date. We defer answering these until Ave shall have received the originals, or at least until the sailing of " Essequebo's Weriaren ; " but we caimot help remarking, as to the raid upon the Post of Cuyuni by the Spaniards, that not only does it exceedingly astonish us, but also seems to us of the. gravest consequence for the Colony. For that reason we shall not fail, as soon as we shaU have received fuller information from you, to make upon that subject the necessary representations to the States-General. Meanwhile we should like on this occasion to be exactly informed Avhere the aforesaid Post on the River of Cuyuni was situated; for in the latest map made by you of the Colony Ave have found indeed, that river, but have not yet succeeded in finding the Post itself. Furthermore, what grounds you might be able to give us to further support our right to the possession of the aforesaid Post — perhaps a declaration by the oldest inhabitants of the Colony could in this connection be handed in, which might be of service. We should also like to have a more specific description of the Map of America by M. D'Anville, to which you appeal ; for that gentleman has issued many maps dealing with that continent, and in none of these which have come to our notice have we been able to discover any traces [of what you mention]. No. 337. Proceedings of West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), July ,2, 1759. (Extract.) • GELEEZEN een missive van de prcesidiale kamer Amsterdam aldaar geeschreeven den 26e der gepasseerde maand Juny en aan deeze verga dering geaddresseert houdende in rescriptie van deeze kamers missive van clen 18" derselve maand READ a letter from the Presidial Chamber of Amsterdam, written there the 26 th of last June, and addressed to this Chamber, containing, in answer to this Chamber's letter of the 18th of the same month, that their Honours considered that it was not' for 175 -dat hun E.E. vermeenden zig niet te mogen inlaten in het presenteeren van eene remonstrantie aan H. Hoog Mog. weegens het overrompelen van 's v Comps. post in Rio Cajoene, cloor cle Spanjaerts |; uijthoofde dat nog zij, nog eenige andre kameren, , cle rivier van Essequibo hadden aangetrokken, ">. zeedert cle beAvuste differenten nopens cle voorsz. colonie tusschen hun, en de hooftparticipanten - dezer kamer onstaan weshalven hun E.E. clan ook • cle toegezonclene bescheijden met een translaat der Spaanse bijlage terugsonclen, om daervan zooclanig gebruijk te maken, als bevinden zouclen te behoren. Waerop na voorgaande omvrage zijnde gedeli- [¦'¦¦ bereert, is goedgevonden de voorzs. missive met derselver bijlagen aantenemen voor notificatie en clienonvermindert d'heeren van de koopmanschap- pen te versoeken de respective bescheijden, tot cle voorsz. overrompeling specteerende nader te ¦:'- willen resumeeren, mitsgacler daeruijt cloor clen advocat in conformite hunner intentie cle nodige remonstrantie aan Haar Hoog Mog. te laaten for- meeren, en ter tafel van deeze vergadering ter re- ..sumptie overtebrengen. them to present to the States-General a Eemon- A strance regarding the raid of the Spaniards upon the Company's Post in Rio Cuyuni, because neither they nor any other Chamber had concerned them selves about the River Essequibo since the well- known differences in regard to the said Colony had arisen between them and the Chief Partici pants of this Chamber. For this reason they returned the documents Avhich had been sent them, together with a translation of the Spanish appendix, that we might make such use of them as we should see fit. Whereupon, after discussion and taking the B sense of the meeting, it was resolved to file for reference to the aforesaid letter with its appendices, and this notwithstanding, to request the Com mittee on Commerce to consider more fully the documents bearing upon the said raid, and also to instruct the Advocate to formulate their views thereupon in a.Remonstrance to the States-General, and submit it for approval to this Chamber. No. 338. c Director- Gcncrcd, Essequibo, to West India Company, July 20, 1759. (Extract.) DE brieven van Orinoque ontfangen cloor d'Hr. Persik getranslateert synde bevonde deene te Aveezen van clen Commandant Don Juan Valdez welke my melt genootsaekt te wezeii den brief ongeopent te rug te senden wyl hem verboden was -.over cle saek van Cajoeny eenige briefwisseling te houden, wyl sy kennis daer van aen clen koning van Spanje gegeven hadden, en niet twyffelde of ik hadde van myn kant mede kennis aen Haer Hoog mogende gegeven, en clat dus die saek niet door ons, maer door wederzydsche Souvera'inen gedicideert moest worden deze saek is van een seer groote aengelegentheyt voor de Colonie, want blyven sy in besit van Cajoeny welke eene der armen van deese rivier is, en waer in U. E. G. A. coffy en indigo plantagien gelegen hebben, en ook de gronden Aran Oud Duynenburg (nu aen par- ticuliere begeven) soo is geene de minste veylig- heyt meer voor deese Colonie, cle weg voor alle quaeddoenders, deserteurs en banqueroetiers veylig en volkomen open, en by het minste onverhoopte verschil met Spanje cle Colonie illico geruineert, soo dat Edele Groot Achbaere Heeren deze saek U. E. G. A. attentie overwaedig is sy continueeren aldaer te blyven en alle de daer woonende Caraibes te vaugen en verjaegen, welke A'an haer zyde niet stil sitten maer beginnen sig sterk te hewegen en in Orinoque selve seer veel quaed te doen waerom genootsaekt syn, daer als nu twee suffisante gewapende vaertuygen te houden om op en neder te Cruyssen, waer cloor de Spaensche negotie jegenswoordig volkome gestremt is. De tweede missive is op ordre der Hooge Regering geschreven en door den Commandant en Contadoor getekent waer in my bekent maken clat goedgevonden is geworden alle de neger weglopers van deese Colonie en Berbices tapprehendeeren, en aen d'Eijgenaers te restitueeren mits de kosten betaelende. THE despatches received from Orinoco having been translated by Mr. Persik, I found one to be from the Commandant Don Juan Valdes, in which he informs me that, being forbidden to enter into any correspondence concerning the matter of Cuyuni, he is obliged to send back my letter unopened; he adds that he has brought the matter to the notice of the King of Spain, I' and that he has no doubt that I, too, have informed then High Mightinesses of the same, and that, therefore, the case would have to be decided not by ourselves but by our respective Sovereigns. This matter is of very great impor tance to the Colony, because if the Spaniards remain in possession of Cuyuni, which is one of the arms of this river, and in which there are coffee and indigo plantations belonging to your Lordships, as well as the estates of Old Duynen burg (now allotted to private holders), there will be no safety at all in this Colony. A Avay -p for all evil-doers, deserters, and bankrupts -will be quite open and free, and the Colony will be ruined immediately there is the least misunder standing Avith Spain. Your Lordships will therefore see that this matter is fully deserving of your attention. The Spaniards continue to stay where they are, and to entrap and drive away all the Caribs living there. The latter, on their part, are not taking matters quietly, but are beginning to make a vigorous resistance, and to do much mischief in Orinoco itself. Two well-armed boats have been kept cruising up and down the river, and the Spanish commerce E has suffered a good deal. The second despatch is written by order of the Government, and signed by the Comman dant and the Contador. I am informed in this that the measure proA'icling for the apprehension and restitution to the owners (on payment of costs) of all fugitive negroes from this Colony and Berbice has been approved. 176 No. 339. B Proceedings of West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), July 23, 1759. (Extract.) D'HEER de CHUY heeft in naam van d'heeren van de koopmanschappen gerapporteert clat hun E. E. in voldoeninge van de commissie van 2e deser lopende maand op hun gestrekt hadden geexamineert cle respective missiven van clen dir. Genl. 's GraArezande, met derzelver bijlaagen, voor zooA-erre die cle OArerrompeling van Comps. post in Rio Cajoeny door cle Spanjaarden concerneerde, mitsgaders clat door den advocaat in conformite hunner intentie een remonstrantie aan Haar Hoog Mog. was geformeert geworden, die zij d'eer hadden, om vervolgens ter tafel van deeze ver gaderinge ter resumptie overteleggen ; Waarop na prelecture van de voorsz. remonstrantie misgaders na gedane omvrage zijnde gedelibereert is goedge vonden en verstaan de voorn. remonstrantie te approbeeren zoo als dezelve is leggende, en werden dienoirvermindert d'heeren van de koopniansehap- pen Aroor hun genomene moeijte en d'heer d'Chuy voor desselfs gedaan rapport bedankt. MR. de CHUY, in the name of the Committee- on Commerce, reported that in fulfilment of the instructions of the 2nd of this month they had examined the letters of Director-General 's Grave sande, and the appendices concerning the raid of the Spaniards upon the Company's Post in Rio Cuyuni, and that the Advocate had formulated their views in a Remonstrance to the States- General, which they submitted for approval to this Chamber. Whereupon, the Remonstrance aforesaid haA-ing been read and the question put, it was, after discussion, resolved to approve said Remonstrance as it stands, and, moreover, the Committee on Commerce were thanked for the pains they had taken, and Mr. de Chuy for the report he had made. No. 340. q Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of their High Mightinesses the Lords of the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, Tuesday, July 31, 1759. E H :e IS ter vergaderinge geleesen de remonstrantie van beAvindhebberen van de West Indische Com pagnie ter Kamer Zeeland, als voor reekeningh van de generaale Compagnie cle particuliere directie hebbende over, en besorginge A-an de Colonie van Rio Essequibo, en desselfs onder- hoorige rivieren; houdende, dat iu voorsclireeve qualiteijt van alle oude tijclen af, waaren geweest in cle geruste possessie niet alleen van de voorsz Rivier van Esequebo, maar oock van alle de Takken en Stroomen die tot cle voorsclireeve rivier behoorden, en sigh daar in quaamen te ontlasten, en speciaal van clen noordelijcksten arm van desel\-e Rivier Cajoeni geheeten. Dat sij Remonstranten de voorschreeA^e Rivier van Cajoeni, uijt hoofde Aran hunne gemelde possessie altoos hadden geconsidereert als een domeijn van deesen Staat, en dienvolgens aan de voorsclireeve rivier hadden gestigt een soo genaamcle Post, zijnde een houte logie, die gelijck verscheydene andere in de voornoemde Colonie, van hunnentAvegen door een Posthouder en uijtlooper met eenige slaaven wierde bewaard : clat sij Remonstranten dien volgens niet anders dan met de uijterste verwon- deringe uijt een missive van den Directeur- Generaal van de voorsclireeve Colonie, Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, hadden vernooinen, clat een hoop Spanjaarden, na gissingh ruijm honderd man sterk, op het eijnde van Augustij des gepas- seerden jaars seeventien honderd aght en vijftigh van Oronocque Avaaren afgekoomen, de voor sclireeve Post hadden aangetast, overmeestert en verbrand, en voorts den Posthouder en bijlegger, beneevens een Criool, Criolinne en hunne kinderen gevankelijck na Guayana gevoerd. Dat de voor noemde Direeteux-General Storm van s' Grave sande, niet anders vermoedende of het voor sclireeve attentaat was alleen uijtgevoerd door een woesten hoop Volck, sonder kennis of ordre van READ to the [States-General in] Session the Remonstrance of the Directors of the West India Company of the Chamber of Zeeland, acting on account of the general Company as having the special direction and care of the Colony of the River Essequibo and the rivers thereto sub ject, setting forth that they, in the aforesaid capacity, have been from time immemorial in undisturbed possession, not alone of the aforesaid River Essequibo, but also of all the branches and tributaries which belonged to the river afore said, and flow into it, and especially of the northernmost arm of the same river, called the Cuyuni. That they, the remonstrants, in virtue of that possession, have always considered the said River Cuyuni as a domain of this State, and haAre, in consequence, built on its banks a so-called Post, being a wooden habitation, A\-hich, like several others in the aforesaid Colony, they have guarded by a Postholder and outpostman A\ith some slaves. That, accordingly, it is only with the most extreme astonishment that the remonstrants have learnt from the Director^General of the said Colony, Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, that a troop of Spaniards, reckoned at 100 men, had come from Orinoco towards the end of August of the last year (1758), had attacked, overcome, and burned the said Post ; and, further, had carried off to Guayana as prisoners the Postholder and assistant, as well as a creole man and woman, with their children. That the said Director-General, Storm van 's Gravesande, suspecting that the said outrage was committed by a -troop of Addlen't people, without the knowledge or orders of the Spanish Government, addressed a letter, in the first instance, dated the last day of September, 1758 177 het Spaansche Gouvernement, sig ten eersten bij missive, geschreeven den laatsten September, seeventien honderd aght en vijftigh, had gead dresseert aan Don Juan Valdez, Commandant van -Guayana, en van den selven op een ernstige, clog niet te min discreete wijse, reparatie van het gemelde attentaat had versoght, uijtwijsens copie van de missive van den voornoomde Directeur- 'Generaal, neevens de voorschreeve remonstrantie gevoeght sub Num. 1. Dogh clat het clen voor- aioemde Commandant van Guayana, in plaats van aan het voorschreeve allesints billijck versoeck te voldoen, in tegendeel alleen had gelust, om door seekere Don Nicolas de Castro te Cumana te laaten schrijven eene allesints fiere en onvoldoende missive, en deselve eenvoudigh te addresseeren aan den Hollandschen Commandant in Esequebo, blijkende bij de copie van de A-oorschreeve missive neevens de voorschreeve Remonstrantie gevoeght sub Num. 2 ; versoeckende de Remonstranten om ¦geallegueerde reedenen, dat haar Hoogh Mogende aan het Hof van sijne Catholijcke Majesteijt sooclanige A-ertoogen gelieven te laaten doen, olat -de voorschreeve feijtelijckheeden gerepareert, en sij Remonstranten in de rustige possessie van de voorschreeve Post aan de Rivier van Cajoeni moogen hersteld worden ; mitsgaclers clat 'er door haar Hoogh Mogende en het Hof van Madrid, tot voorkoominge van alle verdere discrepances in het vervolg een behoorlijcke Grensscheijdinge tusschen de Colonie van Esequebo en de Rivier de Oronocque mooge worden gereguleert. Waar op gedelibereert zijnde, hebben de Heeren Gedepu- teerden van de Provincie van Holland en West- vriesland de voorschreeve remonstrantie en Bij- ¦laagen, copielijck overgenoomen, om in den haaren breeder gecommuniceert te worden. En is dien onvermindert goedgevonden en ver staan, dat copie van de voorschreeve Remonstrantie ¦en bijlaagen gesonden sal worden aan den Heere van Wassenaer, haar Hoogh Mogende Ambassa- deur aan het Hoff van Spagne, en den selven daar neevens aangeschreeven, sulcks en daar het van vrught sal kunnen zijn, van het gemelde voorval kennisse te geeven, en te representeeren de onbe- hoorlijckheijd van het voorschreeve gedragh van den Commandant van Guyana en te insteeren op een prompte reparatie der gepleeghde feijtelijck heeden, en herstellinge der voornoemde Bewind hebberen in de vreedige possessie van de voor schreeve Post; mitsgaclers te versoeken, dat de noodige voorsieninge mooge worden gedaan, tot voorkoominge van diergelijcke stof van klaghten voor het toekoomende. En sal extract van deese haar Hoogh Mogende Resolutie gesteld worden in handen van den Heere de la Quadra waarnemende de saaken van sijne Majesteijt den Koningh van Spagne, met versoeck om haar Hoogh Mogende voorschreeve instantien bij sijn Hof soo veel moogelijck door sijne goede officien te willen secondeeren. to Don Juan Valdes, Commandant of Guayana, A requesting, in language AArhich, though earnest, was not the less discreet, reparation for the said outrage, as may be seen from the copy of the Director's letter, which forms Inclosure No. 1 to the above-mentioned Remonstrance. But that he, the aforesaid Commandant of Guayana, instead of satisfying this just demand, had simply ordered to be Avritten by one Nicolas de Castro, from Cumana, an in every respect haughty and unsatisfactory despatch, addressed curtly to the Dutch Commandant at Essequibo, as is shown by the copy of this letter, which forms Inclosure No. 2 to the Remonstrance " aforesaid. The remonstrants therefore pray, for the reasons alleged, that their High Mightinesses may be pleased to cause such representations to be made to the Court of His Catholic Majesty that reparation may be made for the said hos tilities, and that the remonstrants may -be reinstated in the quiet possession of the said Post situated on the banks of the River Cuyuni, and also that, through' their High Mightinesses and the Court of Madrid, a proper delimitation between the Colony of Essequibo and the River p Orinoco may be laid doAvn by authority, so as to prevent any future dispute. Whereupon, the above question having been deliberated upon, and the Deputies of the Province of South and West Frieslancl haA'ing taken copies of the aforesaid Remonstrance and addenda in order to communicate them more fully to their oavu Assembly, It was moreover approved and agreed, " That a copy of the said letter and the docu ments annexed shall be sent to Heer van Was- J) senaar, Ambassador of their High Mightinesses to the Court of Spain, and that he shall at the same time be instructed to make this incident known in such quarters as he shall judge useful, to represent the injustice of the aforesaid conduct of the Governor of Guayana on this occasion, and to insist on prompt reparation for these said hostilities and on the reinstatement of the said Directors in the undisturbed possession of the aforesaid Post, as well as to demand that the necessary measures be taken to obviate such causes of complaint in the future." E Extract of this their High Mightinesses' Reso lution to be transmitted to Seiior de la Quadra, His Catholic Majesty's Charge d' Affaires, with a request that he will be so good as to second to the best of his ability the representation of their High Mightinesses at his Court. E Inclosure 1 in No. 340. Director-General, Essequibo, to Commandant of Guayana, Rio Essequibo, September 30, 1758. Monsieur, C'EST avec une surprise tres grande que j'ap- pris il y a quelque jours par des Indiens que notre Poste dans La Riviere de Cajoeny avoit ete at- taque par des Espagnols, le maistre du dit Poste, *r696— 2] Sir, IT was with very great surprise that I learned a few days ago from the Indians that our Post in the River of Cuyuni had been attacked by the Spaniards, the master of the said Post, his 2 Z 178 A son second un creole esclave cle La Compagnie, et une creole avec ses enfens amenez prisonniers, et La Maison brulee, &c. Cette nouvelle a laquelle je ne pus aj outer foy, me parut fabuleuse, et la chose impossible, c'est pourquoy je ne voulus pas faire encore le moindre pas, mais j'envoyay d'abord des gens pour prendre inspection oculaire. Ces gens de retour ne confirme non seulement la verite du fait, mais par un autre rapport japprends que les susdits nominez sont actuellement prisonniers en Guayane. Que doisje m'jmaginer Monsieur d'un attentat -d si clirectement oppose au droit des nations, & aux Traitez cle Paix & d' Alliance subsistant si heur- eusement et depuis si longtemps entre Sa Majeste' Catholique, et Leurs Hautes Puissances les Etats- Genereaux des Provinces Unies. Comment est il possible quon ose agir d'une maniere si violente sans raison, sans aucune plainte prealable. Je suis infinement persuade que Sa Majeste Catholique bien loin d'approuver un tel attentat ne manquera pas cle rendre justice pleni- ere a mes Souvrains, et une punition exemplaire de ceux qui osent ainsi abuser de leur authorite. C Ce grand Roy a donne des preuves si signalee de son affection pour notre Republicque que jeme seray contente de faire rapport a mes Souvrains de la chose remettant a leur prudence cle se procurer La Satisfaction requise. Mais le Post que jay liionneur cl'occuper in' oblige de faire la premiere demarche, et en leur nom de maddresser a vous, Monsieur, pour vous demender non seule ment le largissement cles prisonniers, mais une satisfaction convenable pour un violement si manifesto cles Traites, et du droit cles Gens. Si longtemps que jay eu l'honneur d'etre a La Tete D cle cette Colonie, jay toujours tacher de cultiver Tamitie' cle la Nation Espagnole, nos plus proches voisins, j'ay toujours employe tout mon pouvoir pour empecher les Sauvages Caraibes de leur faire le moindre tort, et si ceux quon a employe a cette action irresponsable, ont eu soin de se saisir des papiers qui etoit au poste, a^ous verrez qu'un cles articles principaux cle son instruction contient un ordre expres cle ne donner pas le moindre sujet cle plainte aux Espagnols voisins. E II ne me seroit nullement difficile d'user de represailles ayant des nioyens assez efficaces entre les mains, mais je ne trouve nulle raison de m'en servir, considerant cela comme contre le devoir d'un honnete homme, contre celui d'un Chretien, et dont il nest permis cle se servir qu'a la derniere extramite, et quand tout les autres moyens sont trouvez infructueux. Par un vaisseau qui part cette semaine pour l'Europe jay fait rapport a mes Maistres cle cet accident, je ne doute nullement qu'ils ne seront surpris autant que moy de cet attentat, et ne ^ tarderont pas d'en faire par venir le plaintes a la -^ Cour de Sa Majeste Catholique. Ainsi Monsieur, au Nom de Leur Hautes Puissances, mes Souverains, Des Directeurs de La Compagnie mes Maistres, je vous demende le Largissement et le renvoy direct des prisonniers, et un satisfaction equivalente pour les pertes et dommages souferts : protestant bien expressement en cas de refus, de toutes les Suites qu'une telle affaire doit naturellement attirer, qu'on n'aura second, a creole slave of theCompany, and a creole woman with her children taken as prisoners, and the house burned, &c. This news, to which I could give no credence, appeared to me to be fabulous, and the thing an impossibility, and therefore I was still un willing to take the least step, but I sent first persons to make ocular inspection. These people on their return confirmed not only the truth of the fact, but by another report I learn that the above-mentioned persons are actually prisoners in Guayana. What am I to think, Sir, of an outrage so directly opposed to the rights of nations and to the Treaties of Peace and of Alliance so happily and so long existing betAveen His Catholic Majesty and their High Mightinesses the States- General of the United Provinces ? How is it possible to have the audacity to act in a manner so \-iolent, Avithout reason, Avithout any preAaous complaint? I am perfectly sure that His Catholic Majesty, far from approving such an outrage, Avill not fail to render full justice to my Sovereigns, and exemplary punish^ ¦ ment to those who dare thus abuse their authority. This great King has given such signal proofs of his amity for our Republic that I Avould have contented myself Avith making a report to my Sovereigns of the affair, leaving it to their discretion to procure for themselves the satis faction required. But the position Avhich I have the honour to occupy obliges me to take the first step, and in their name to apply to you, Sir, and demand of yon not only the release of the prisoners, but also proper satis faction for so manifest a violation of Treaties and of the rights of nations. As long as I have had the honour of being at the head of this Colony, I have ever tried to cultivate the friendship of the Spanish nation, our nearest neighbours. I haA-e always used all my power to prevent the savage Caribs doing them the least wrong, and if the persons Avho have been employed on the irresponsible act in question baA'-e taken the trouble to seize the papers which were at the Post, you will see that one of the principal Articles of his (the Postholder's) instruc tions contained an express order not to give the slightest subject of complaint to the neigh bouring Spaniards. It Avould be by no means difficult for me to make reprisals, having quite sufficient means ready at hand, but I find no reason to use them, considering it as contrary to the duty of an honourable man, contrary to that of a Christian- means which it is not permissible to use except in the last extremity, and when all other expe dients have been tried fruitlessly. By a vessel which is leaving this week for Europe I have reported this incident to my masters. I have not the least doubt that they will be as much surprised as myself at this outrage, and will lose no time in causing com plaint thereof to be made at the Court of His Catholic Majesty. Thus, Sir, in the name of their High Mighti nesses my Sovereigns, and of the Directors of the Company, my masters, I demand of you the liberation and immediate return of the pr'isoners,- and a proportionate satisfaction for the loss and damage suffered, protesting very expressly, in case of refusal, against all the consequences which such an affair must naturally entail, in 179 jamais aucun sujet de me reprocher ayant toujours ete enclin de cultiver une amitie' et correspondance reciproque avec nos voisins, et je persisteray dans les sentiments si longtemps que je ne seray pas force au contraire. Attendant avec impatience la reponse a celle- • cy, j'ay l'honneur d'etre avec toute l'Estime et ¦consideration possible (onder stond) Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur. L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. order that there may never be any subject of reproach against myself, who have always been inclined to cultivate friendship and reciprocal dealings with our neighbours, and I shall persist in these sentiments as long as I am not com pelled to do the contrary. AAA-aiting with impatience your reply hereto, I have the honour to be, with all the esteem and consideration possible, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, (Signed)' L. S. van 's GRAVESANDE. B Inclosure 2 in No. 340. Don Nicolas de Castro to M. Storm van 's Gravesande, Director-General of the Colony of Essequibo, November 10, 1758. Muy Seiior Mio, EL Commandante cle Guayana me ha enviado •entre otros documentos una carta que Vms. le escribio reclamanclo los dos presos Olandezes, un negro y una grifa con sus hijos, y demas que hallo la guardia cle aquel presidio en una isla clel Rio Cuyuni perteneciente con toda su comarca a los Dominios clel Rey mi Amo en que vivian con causa y commercio tan publico, como injusto cle Indios' Poytos, sin que sea creible que sus Alti Potentias los Senores Estados Generales hayan autorizado a Vms. para introducirse en dichos Dominios ni menos comerciar Yndios de sus Pueblos y Tierras para esclavitarlos sobre cuyo assunto tengo toda la justification necessaria a favor cle la conducta cle esta empresa por lo qual no me hallo con libertad para condescender a la restitution de Presos que Vms. solicita hasta la determination de mi Soberano a que doy cuenta con documentos justificativos cle la acaecido. Quedo para servir a Vms. cuya vida guarde Dios mfi as. DON NICOLAS DE CASTRO. Al Commandante Olandez que reside en Esquibo Del Gobernador de Cumana. Sir, Cumand, November 10, 1758. THE Commandant of Guiana has sent me, with other papers, a letter which you have written to him, demanding the delivery of the two Dutch prisoners, a negro, and a creole, with their children, and of all that was found by the p guard in command there on an island in the River Cuyuni, Avhich is. with its dependencies, a part of the domains of the King, my master, and on which these prisoners publicly kept up an illicit trade in Indian poitos, although it is incredible that their High Mightinesses should have authorized you to enter the said domains, and still less to purchase Indians from his villages and territories, in order to make slaves of them. This being so, and our action being a justifiable one, I cannot consent to the restitu tion of the prisoners whom you demand' until I know the will of my master, to whom I have JJf made a report of all that has passed, with papers in justification of my action. I remain at your service, and may God preserve vou many years. " (Signed) DON NICOLAS DE CASTRO. To the Dutch Commandant Resident at Essequibo, from the Governor of Cumana. No. 341. Netherlands' Envoy, Madrid, to States-General, August 27, 1759. (Extract.) E U HOOG Mogende Resolutie van clen 31 Julij heb ik d'eer gehad bij de laatste post te ontfangen, en ingevolge Hoogst dezelven ordres, heb ik Zaturdag den Heer Wall van die zaak mondeling kennis gegeeven : en gisteren door een schriftelijke Memorie daar over mijne klagten tegens den •Commandant van Guiana gereitereerd, en op een prompte reparatie over de gepleegdefeitelijkheeden geinsisteerd. Op gem. memorije moet ik nu ant woord afwagten ; dog denk ondertusschen daar- meede voldaan te hebben aan U. Hoog Mogende ordres, zullende verders niet nalaaten van de zaak by den Minister leevendig te houden, en daar door soo draa mogelijk voldoenend antwoord zoeken te verkrijgen. I HAD the honour to receive by last post your High Mightinesses' Resolution of the 31st July, and, pursuant to your august orders, I gave information orally 'of the matter to Senor Wall, and yesterday I repeated my complaint against the Commandeur of Guayana by a written Memorandum thereof, and pressed for prompt reparation for the hostilities com plained of. I must now await reply to the said Memorandum, but think that, meanwhile, I have fulfilled your High Mightinesses' orders ; and I shall, further, not neglect to keep the Minister alive to the matter, and thereby as soon as possible seek to obtain a satisfactory answer. E 180 No. 342. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, September 1, 1759. (Extract.) j^ DEN tijd is te kort om het door UEGA gere- quireerde wegens Cajoeny te konne senden Sal mij in deese moeten genoegen UEGA te melden, dat Cajoeny eene der drie armen sijnde welke deese rivier uijtmaken en UEGA van over lange jaeren de coffy en indigo plantagie in die rivier : gehadt hebbende mede den bergmeester met sijn A'olk in desselve op den blauwen berg gewerkt hebbende, sonder de minste tegenspraek en die rivier ook soo Arerre aen deze zijde Waijne (welke men Aroorgeeft de limietscheijdinge te wezen (hoewel ik denke deselve tot aen Barime gestrekt moet worden) den eijgendem daervan in geen het B alderininste geschil getrokken kan worden, en UEGA regt Avan eijgendom indisputabel en boven alle twijffel is. De poste welke op soo eene tegens het regt der volkeren strijdige wijze overrompelt en geruineert is heeft gelegen omtrent vijftien uuren boven de plaets waer Cajoeny sig met Masseroeny verenigt, dog dit kan weijnig ter saeke doen al had deselve vijftig uuren hoger gelegen, was een saek die cle Spanjaercls niet en raekte, en soo als sij meesters sijn op haer territoir de doen wat haer gelieft, soo sijn UEGA mede meesters op het haere. c ¦ , En hebbe nogmaels d'eer UEGA te versekeren, dat de gansche sekerheijt en ruste A_an dese colonie van het besit, Aran die rivier afhangt, en soncler deselve niemand van sijne besittinge eenige de minste sekerhijt kan hebben, en d' attentie van Haer Hoog Moogende en UEGA overdubbeld waerdig. Ik verwagte met ongedult UEGA be veelen waer mij stipt en naer de letter . naer sal reguleeren, en hoe bejaerd en swak ik mag wezen, sal heel Avel middel vinden inclien met UEGA ordres vereert ben en maer met eenige verster- -*-' king soo Aran militie als kruijd en geweer voorsien, behoorlijke satisfactie te besorgen en die plaets te versekeren, als soude het mijn leven kosten, clat gewillig en met al mijn hart voor het gemeene welzijn bereijcl ben op te offeren. De caerte A'an Zuyd America van cle Heer d'Anville waerop mij hebbe beroepen is mij A-oor- lede jaere per Essequebo Welvaeren op mijn ver soek door de Heer Professor nu Rector Magnificus Allamand te Leijde toegesonden en was doen ter -p tijd de laesten van dien man. De limietscheij dinge van d'onderscheijde natien op dese kust van Guayana sijn daer duijdelijk afgetekent. Hadde twee derselve ontfangen, maer hebbe voor de tweede reijs een naer Orinoque gesonden per den Capiteijn der Borgerij Niels Andries Schutz welke in commissie daer naertoe is gegaen ter reguleer- ing, der wederomgeving der . weggelope slaeven, soo als d^eer, hebbe gehad UEGA te melden in mijne voorige, hebbende d'andere voorgeslaege Heeren den eene om deese den andere om gene xedenen gedeclineert die reijs te doen. THE time is too short to enable me to send . what your Lordships require concerning Cuyuni' and in this despatch I shall have to content myself with informing your Lordships that Cuyuni being one of the three arms Avhich constitute this river, and your Lordships haring had for very many years the coffee and indigo plantation there, also that the mining master, with his men, having Avorked on the Blue Mountain in that river Avithout the least opposi tion, the possession of that ri\rer, as far, too, as this side of the Wayne, which is pretended to be the boundary -line (although I think the latter ought to be extended as far as Barima), cannot be questioned in the least possible way, and your Lordships' right of ownership is indisputable, and beyond all doubt. The Post, which was attacked and ruined in a manner so contrary to the laAv of nations was situated about fifteen hours above the place where Cuyuni unites Avith Massaruni, but this has little to do with the matter, even if the Post had been situated fifty hours further up, it Avas a matter which did not concern the Spaniards, and in the same Avay as they are masters upon their territory to do what pleases them, so your Lordships are also masters upon yours. And I have once more the honour to assure your Lordships that the whole security and peace of this Colony depends upon the posses sion of that river, and that without it no one can be in the least way certain of his property, and therefore more than doubly worthy the attention of their High Mightinesses and your Lordships. I aAvait with impatience your Lordships' orders, to which I shall conform strictly, and to the letter, and however aged and weak I may be, I shall be quite capable of finding means, if I am honoured with your Lordships' orders, and, provided too Avith some reinforcements, both, of militia and of poAvder and arms, of obtaining proper satisfaction, and of securing that place, even if it should cost me my life, which I am ready and willing, Avith all my heart, to sacrifice for the commonweal. The Map of South America by M. D'Anville, to which I referred, was sent to me last year, at my request, by the Professor, now Rector Magnificus Allamand at Leyden, by the "Essequibo Welvaeren," and Avas at that time the last by that man. The boundaries of the different nations upon this coast of Guiana, are there distinctly marked. I had received two of them, but have, for the second time, sent one to Orinoco by Burgher Captain Niels Andries Schutz,_who has gone thither in commission for regulating the restitution of the fugitive slaves, as I had the honour of informing your Lordships in my former despatch, the other gentlemen proposed having, some for one reason, and some for another, declined to perform the- journey. 181 No. 343. Proceedings of West India Company (Zeeland Chamber), November 27, 1759. (Extract.) DE vergadering extraordinair zijnde belegt, tot het openen van's Comps. brievezakken uijt de rivieren A^an Essequebo en Dimmerary op heeden .... gearriveert ; zoo zijnde daerin bij ouverture voor deeze Camer. de volgende missiven bevonden Als eerst een missive van den dir. Generaal L. Storm van 's Gravezande gesehreeven in Essequebo den 1 Sept. deezes lopenden jaars, houdende berigt van het voorgevallene in de voorsz. rivier, Aroorts ellucidatie nopens Comps. post in Rio Cajoene misgaders Aran de Pocessie [sic] A-an den Aroorsz rivier. . AN extraordinary Session having been convened for the opening of the Company's letter-bags, arrived to-day .... from Essequibo and Deme rara, there were found on opening them the following letters for this Chamber : — First, a letter from the Director-General L. Storm van 's Gravesande, written in Essequibo on the 1st September of this current year, containing an account of the events in the said river ; further more, elucidation regarding the Company's Post in Rio Cuyuni and regarding the possession of the said river. . . . No. 344. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, December 3, 1759. Aan den Directeur Generaal Laurens Storm Aran 's Gravesande : Middeib., 3 December 1759. Manhafte etc : Schoon wij tot heeden UE. missive per cle Pieter en David, welk schip nog in Ijrland ligt in originali, niet hebben ontfangen, zoo sullen, wij egter volgens onze vorige, van den 3 1 Mey deezes jaars dezelve beantwoorden, volgens de copien daarvan, door onsen correspondent uijt Cork ontfangen met relatie tot UE. eerste missive van den 9 Sep. des gepasseerden jaars 175S, zoo . hebben wij, zoodrae wij UE. missrie, van den 24 January deezes jaars, over cle Berbices hadden ontfangen, ook ilico aen H. H. Mogende een wijdluftige remonstrantie gepraesenteert nopens het overrompelen van s' Compagnies post in Rio Cajoeny, cloor de Spanjaarts ; En alhoewel de voorsz memorie, door haar hoog mogende is afge- zonden aan den heere Ambasadeur aan het hof van Spanje, met ordre om desweegens de nodige representation, aan Zijne Catholijke Majestijt te doen, en op een convenabel satisfactie te insteeren, zoo vreezen wij egter dat daarvan vooreerst, gecon sidereert de verandering in het opgemelde rijk, voorgevallen, weijnig decisijfs te wagten is ; wes- halven wij alsnog van UE. requireeren en ons alles te suppediteeren, .wat eenigzints tot stavinge van ons regt van eijgendom tot of possessie van de gem. rivier zoude kunnen dienstig weezen, alzoo wij na den ontfangst van hetzelve veelligt des- wegens een nadere remonstrantie, met een bijge- voegde deductie aan hun hoog mogende zouden praesenteeren waartoe ons Arooral van nut zoude kunnen weezen een kaartje van cle rivier van Cajoenij met aanwijsinge van de plaatzen, waer Compagnies post, mitsgaders de gronden van Oud Duinenburg en van Compagnies, coffy, en indigo plantagien gelegen hebben en eijndelijk van den soogeriaamden blaauwen berg, waarin de berg- werkers voor onze reekeninge hebben gewerkt, en zulks voornamentlijk, omdat wij niets van alle hetzelve in UE. kaart van Essequebo, hoe exact anders, kunnen vinden ; zoodat UE. daaruijt ziet, dat wij zo zeer als UE. van het gewicht en het belang de voorn. rivier overtuijgt zijn en diensA-ol- gens alles aanwenden wat tot conservatie van cle possessie van dien kan in het Averk gesteld geworden. A. B To the Director-General Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande : Middelburg, December 3, 1759. Sir, &c. — Although we have not as yet received in the original your letter by the " Pieter en David," wliich ship is still lying in Ireland, we shall nevertheless, according to our preceding p letter of the 31st May of .this year, proceed to answer it, according to the copies thereof received through our correspondent in Cork. As to your first letter of the 9th September of last year, 1758, we reply that, as soon as we had received your letter of the 24th January of this year, via Berbice, we immediately presented to the States-General a lengthy Remonstrance concerning the raid upon the Company's Post in Rio Cuyuni by the Spaniards. And, although the aforesaid Memorial Avas sent by the States-General to the Ambassador at the Court of Spain, with, orders to make the necessary repre sentations concerning the matter to His Catholic T> Majesty, and to insist upon clue satisfaction, still we fear that hardly anything decisive can be ex pected from it for some time, in view of the change which has taken place in the aforesaid kingdom. Wherefore we still request you to lay before us everything which might in any way be of service in proof of our right of ownership to, or possession of, the aforesaid river, because after receiving it we might perhaps present to the States-General a fuller Remonstrance on this head, with a statement of facts joined thereto. For this purpose there might especially be of use to us a small map of the River of Cuyuni, with indication of the places E where the Company's Post, and also the grounds of " Oud Duinenburg " and of the Company's coffee and indigo plantations were situated, and, finally, of the so-called Blue Mountain in which the miners carried on their work for our accoimt. We ask for this especially because in your Map of Esse quibo, exact though it otherwise be, we can find nothing of all this. You see then from this that we are not less convinced than you of the value and importance of the aforesaid river, and that we are consequently doing everything that can be done for keeping possession thereof. * * * * E [696—2] 3 A 182 A Overgaande tot UE. bovengem. missive van clen 24 Jan. deezes jaars, bij ons over cle Berbices ontfangen loueren wij UE briefwisseling, met het Spaansche Gouvernement, nopens cle overrompeling van Cajoenij gehouden, t' is niet quaad bij zoo een correspondentie, te laten blijken waartoe men feijtelijk in staat zoude sijn, dog formeele repre- sailles hoe regtveerdig ook, mogen, nimmer gebruijkt worden zonder expresse order van de Souvereijn Wij approbeeren UE. voorzigtigheijd' in het stuijten van de verspreijde vredebreuk tusschen haar hoog mogende, en de kroon van ,-, Groot Brittanje, UE. kunt veijlig staat maken, ¦" dat wij. zoodrae wij (t'geen den hemel verhoede) ijets van dien aard vooruijt mogten zien, niet zullen nalaten om UE. niet alleen daarvan ten spoedigsten te adverteeren, maer zelfs ook met het bewuste renfort ten coste van cle Colonie te voorzien. Wij zien uijt UE. missive dat UE. cle limiten der Colonie, naar de zijde der Oronocque, niet alleen tot Waijne, maar zelfs tot aan Baroeni [sic] uijtstrekt, wij wenschte wel geinformeert te zijn van de gronden waerop UE. voorsz. sustenue, is p steunencle, en speciaal UE. gevolgtrekkinge dat Cajoeni aan deeze zijde Weiijne gelegen zijnde, diensvolgens noodwendig tot de Colonie behoort, want voor zooveel wij weten zijn er geen con vention voorhanden, clat de limietscheijdingen in Zuijd Amerika in een regte lijn, van de zeekust landwaards inlopen, gelijk cle meeste grensscheij- dingen.der Engelsche Colonien in Noord Amerika cloen. E Coming now to your aforesaid letter of the 24th January of this year, received by us via Berbice, we praise the correspondence which you have carried on with the Spanish Government on the subject of the raiding of Cuyuni. It is not a bad thing to let it be seen in such a corre spondence what one might actually be able to do ; but formal reprisal, however justifiable, must never be resorted to without express orders from the sovereign authority. We approve your prudence' in stopping the rumour of a breach of the peace between the States-General and the Crown of Great Britain. You may safely rely that, as soon as we foresaw anything of that kind (which God forefend) we should be prompt, not only in warning you of it as soon as possible, but also in providing you with the promised reinforcement at the expense of the Colony. We see from your letter that you extend the boundary of the Colony in the direction of the Orinoco not only as far as Waini, but even as far as Barima. We should like to be informed of the grounds upon which you base this contention, and especially your inference that, Cuyuni being situate on this side of Waini, it must therefore necessarily belong to the Colony ; for, so far as we know, there exist no Conventions that the boundary- lines in South America run in a straight line from the sea-coast inland, as do most of the frontier- lines of the English Colonies in North America. D No. 345. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, December 12, 1759. (Extract.) DEN Borger Capiteijn N. A. Schutz is van sijn reijse naer Orinoque teruggekomen aldaer seer beleeft en wel ontfangen geworden, en het gelt voor cle betaling van eenige weggelope slaeven medege- bragt dog heeft den Commandant niets willen hooren wegens de saek van Cajoeny, seggende dit in sijn absentie voorgevallen is, daer gansch geen verantwoording OArer heeft en hem verboden dies aengaende in eenige onderhandeling te treeden, wijl sij aen Sijn Catholique Majesteijt kennis gegeven hebben en niet twijffelen of ik sal sulx mede aen mijn Souvereijnen gedaen hebben, waer om die saek uijt onse handen sijnde in Europa afgedaen moest worden. Ik hebbe de brieven en documenten per D'Hr. Schutz ontfangen, aen de Heer Ignace Courthial behandigt met versoek deselve te willen translateeren. Hope deselve nog voor het sluijten deses te sullen ontfangen, wanneer d'eer sal hebben deselve hier inne te sluijten. THE burger Captain N. A. Schutz has returned from his voyage to Orinoco. He was received there very politely and well, and has brought with him the money in payment for a few runaway slaves ; but the Commandant has declined to hear anything about the affair of Cuyuni, saying that this occurred in his absence, that he 'has no responsibility whatever about it, and that he has been forbidden to enter into any negotiations concerning that matter, inasmuch as they have reported it to His Catholic Majesty, and have no doubt that I have likewise done so to my Sovereigns, Avherefore, that affair being out of our hands, it must be settled in Europe. The letters and documents received through Mr. Schutz I have handed to Mr. Ignace Courthial, with the request that he be so good as to translate them. I hope I shall receive them before closing this letter, in which case I shall have the honour to inclose them herein. E No. 346. Minutes of the Court of Justice, Essequibo, held on April 8, 1760. (Extract.) IS cloor sijn Excellentie den Heer Directeur- Generaal ten Vergaderinge voorgedragen, hoe aan deselve klagten waeren geschiet, clat den swerver Nicols. Stedevelt, had konnen goedvinden, sig na Boven Cajoeny, sonder kennisse te begeven, aldaer HIS Excellency the Director-General brings to the knoAvledge of the Court that certain complaints have reached him concerning a certain wanderer named Nicolas Stedevelt, avIio, without giving any notice, had gone to the 183 onder het frivool gebruiken van sijn Excellenties naeme cle vrije Caribisen, niet alleen te mishan- delen maer op te binden en in cle tronk of boeijen te setten en een wijf af te nemen : clat dat Sijn WelEd. Gestr. gesupreneert over een soodanige manier van behandelinge clen voorsz : Stedevelt, had doen arresteren en in cle Fortresse setten ten eijnde heden geregtelijk gehoort te worden. Is hierop den gem: Stedevelt en de klagende Indiaenen binnen geroepen, en cle laesten cloor Stephanus Gerardus van der Heijden als tolk, naer hunne beswaernissen gevraagt. De welke verklaren dat hij Stedevelt een Caribis in cle boeijen gesloten opgebonden, & zijn Avijff afgenomen had onder voorwendsel, daertoe ordre van Sijn Excellentie te hebben. Parthij ontkent Sijn Excellenties naemgebruijkt te hebben, en dat het geene hij gedaan bad, alleen geschiet omvergoedinge sijner goederen te bekomen, welke hem cloor de Caribesen onstole Avaren sig heroepencle op Bastiaan Christiaansen. Welke binnen gekomen, betuigt Avaer te zijn clat Stedevelt den Caribes Arinopo, vastgezet had, clog dat voorsz : Caribes teffens beleed, clat er goed van Stedevelt gestolen was, en dat hij selfs daarvan drie stuks ijzerwerk gehad had. Alle hetwelke rijpelijk overwogen sijnde, is bevonden dat Stedevelt noijt vrijheid had eijgener authoriteijt op die wijse te handelen, te meer daar nog soo korts geleden, een strikte Publicatie, ter contrarie was afgegaen : en dienvolgens goedge vonden, den meergem : Stedevelt, OArer sijn bedrijff te condemneren in een boete van Twee Hondert en Vijftig Guldens met aenzegginge, clat ingevalle sig Aroor het toekomende niet voorzigtiger gedraegt uijt clen lande sal gesonden worden. Upper Cuyuni, and, making a frivolous use of his Excellency's name, had not only ill-used the free Caribs, but also bound and put them in irons, and taken a woman away. His Excellency, being very much surprised at such proceedings, had caused the said Nicolas Stedevelt to be arrested and placed in the fortress in order to be this day judicially dealt with. The accused and the complaining Indians being heard, it was stated by the "'plaintiffs, through Stephanus Gerardus van der Heyden as interpreter, that defendant had put a Carib in fetters and taken his wife away, saying that he had orders from his Excellency to act in this manner. Defendant denies having made use of the name of his Excellency, saying that he was prompted to do what he had done to recoup himself for the robberies committed by the Caribs, who had stolen all his goods. Defendant calls upon one Bastiaan Christiaansen as his witness. This Avitness states that defendant had bound a Carib, of the name of Arinopo, which Carib confessed that certain goods been stolen from Stedevelt, and that he himself had received three pieces of iron-work. After clue deliberation it is resolved : That as Nicolas Stedevelt never had any authority to act in such a manner, and as only lately a Law was published prohibiting such proceedings, the Court hereby condemns Nicolas Stedevelt to pay a fine of 250 guilders, cautioning him at the same time that, should he not be more prudent for the future, he will be banished from the land. B C D No. 347 Copia cle Carta del Excelentisimo Senor Don Jose" de Iturriaga clirigida al Excelentisimo Senor Don Ricardo Wall, fecha en Cabruta d 18 cle Abril ctt 1760. Excelentisimo Seiior, MUY Senor mio : Desde que llegue a Guayana trate los Carives con amor y regalos a fin de que dejando sus avitaciones clel monte vinieran a pobla.rse en las misiones ; pero eRos lejos de dar oidos a mis persuasiones se pusieron arriba de los Raudales de los Rios Paragua, Aroi, y Caura con- siderandolos insuperables por la diligentia de los Espanoles. Desde alii hacian la guerra a otras naciones, cogian esclavos, y los pasaban a Esquivo, d'espoblando" por este medio los dominios del Rey, poblando los terrenos, que disfrutan los Holandeses y fomentando sus haciendas. ' Los Caribes poblados hacian viajes repetidos a las avitaciones del Monte sacando licencia de sus Padres misioneros con pretexto de traer al pueblo algunos cle sus parientes, y se empleaban en el mismo ejercicio que los del Monte. Algunos se quedaban con ellos, y otros volvian a sus pueblos. Unos y otros amenazaban, despues que se alejase la expedition, tomar venganza de los Espanoles, que les habian sugetado a misiones y no faltaba quien se publicaba Rey de los Carives y quien Rey del Orinoco. Las fundaciones nuevas Real-Corona y Ciudad Real podian ser objeto de su venganza y quedaban mal con tan picaros vecinos. Don JosS de Iturriaga to Ricardo Wall, Cabruta, April 18, 1760. Dear Sir, Cabruta, April 18, 1760. SINCE my arrival in Guiana I have treated the Caribs with kindness and presents, in order that leaving their dwellings ¦ on the hills, they might come to settle in the Missions ; but they, far from giving ear to my persuasions, have gone higher up beyond the falls of the Rivers Paragua, Aroi and Caura, considering them insurmountable to the efforts of the Spanish. Thence they made war upon other nations, took slaves and sent them to Essequibo, depopulating in this way the dominions of the King, whilst peopling the territories which the Dutch enjoy, and increasing their possessions. The Caribs in the settlements made repeated journeys to the dwellings in the woods, obt aining permission from their missionary fathers on the pretext of bringing to the settlement some of their relatives, and occupied themselves in the same work as those in the woods. Some remained there and others returned to their settlements. Others threatened, after the expedition had left, to take vengeance on the Spaniards who had subjected them to the Missions, and there were not wanting some who declared themselves King of the Caribs and King of the Orinoco. The new settlements Real Corona and Ciudad " Archivo General de, Simancas."LegSjo 7396. E 184 Para prevenir tantos males despache al Ario al Teniente cle Infanteria Don Antonio Maghenis con doce hombres de la tropa, y otros doce Indios Cabres de este pueblo. Con igual numero de tropa y de Cabres salio el Alferes de Navio D. Vicente Doz para Caura, mediendo el tiempo de suerte que una y otra sorpresa se ejecutase a un mismo tiem po. Asi se ejecuto y tan felizmente que sin clis- parar un fusil, ni dar un golpe se cogieron todos los de Caura, y todos los del Aroi, a exception de B los que al tiempo se liallaban- en sus correrias a coger esclavos de otras naciones, y se han embiado al pueblo clel Pilar de las Misiones de Piritu para que repartidos en las otras misiones antiguas se dificultase mas su vuelta a las residencias anti- Los Caribes cle la Paragua se habian pasado al Rio Parime ; algunos de Caura habian pasado tam bien a las cercanias de Esquivo y los demas esta ban movidos para seguirlos. Uno y otro oficial han superado con mil trabajos p las dificultades del terreno y de los Raudales, y han procedido con el mayor acierto. En el camino del Pilar han hecho fuga hasta ochenta, y se han acogido a las cercanias cle los pueblos de Mucura y Tapiriri segun me han escrito sus Padres misioneros, y he pasado esta noticia al Governador de Cumana. Dios guarde a V. E. muchos anos. Excelentisimo Sefior, besa la mano de Y.E. su mayor servidor, DON JOSE DE ITURRIAGA. D Cabruta, 18 cle Abril de 1760. Excelentisimo Senor Don Ricardo Wall. Real might be the object of then- Arengeance, and were in a bad position with such rascally neighbours. To prevent so many evils I dispatched the Lieutenants of Infantry Don Antonio Mayhew to the Aroi with twelve- men of the troops, and with twelve Indian Cabres of this settlement. The naA-al Sub-Lieutenant Vicente Doz left with an equal number of troops and Cabres for Caura, arranging the time so that both surprises should be executed at the same moment. This was done and so successfully that without firing, a gun or striking a blow all those of Caura and all those of the Aroi Avere seized with the excep tion of those who were on expeditions for*" capturing slaves from other nations, and word was sent from the Missions of Piritu to the settlement of Pilar, in order that those dispersed among the other ancient Missions might be hindered in returning to their old dwellings. The Caribs from the Paragua had proceeded to the River Parime : some from Caura had likewise gone to the neighbourhood of Esse quibo, and the rest were moved to follow them. Both officers overcame with much labour the difficulties of the country and of the falls, and proceeded with the greatest prudence. On the road to Pilar as many as eighty took flight, and sought refuge in the neighbourhood of the settlements of Mucura and Tapiriri, according to what their missionary fathers have Avritten me, and I have sent this informa tion to the Governor of Cumana. God keep your Excellency many years. (Signed) DON JOSE DE ITURRIAGA. Seiior Don Ricardo Wall. No. 348. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, Rio Essequibo, May 2, 1760. (Extract.) U. E. G.' A. Hoog geEerde van den 3 December des voorlede jaer, mij bij het behoude arrivement van het Essequebo Welvaeren, Avel geworden Sijnde, en geen gelegentheijt voor het veitrek van gemelten bodem voorgekomen sijnde om d'Eer te E konnen hebben U. E. G. A. te schrijven, Sal mij nu van die plicht quijtteu, en wel voor eerst wegens de saek van Cajoenij. Hoope en twijffele niet of Haer Hoog Moogencle Sullen een convenabele satisfactie over dit soo Strijdig tegens het regt der volkeren feijt besorgen en kan seer wel begrijpen het overiijden vran den Koning van Spanje den uijtslag dezer saek moet verachteren. Ik weete seer weijnig te voegen bij het geene reets d'eer gehadt hebbe U. E. G. A. in verscheijde mijner missiven te melden, en Hoewel niet ¦ -p bekent is Soo als U. E. G. A. gelieven te melden, dat er eenige con veil tien gemaekt sijn dat de limiet Scheijdingen in Zuid America in een regte lijn Aran de zeekust landwaerts in soude Sijn, soo als bij d'Engelsche in Noord America. Soo komt het inij echter (Salvo meliori) onwedersprekelijk voor dat de "Rivieren Selver welke door U. E. G. A. sedert soo een lange reexs van Jaeren gepossideert Sijn en' cloor onder daenen van den Staet bewoont Sonder eenige de minste oppositie van cle Spaensche zijde U. E. G. A. volstrekt in Eijgendom be- My Lords, I AM in receipt of your Lordships' letter of the 3rd December last, and since there has been no opportunity of writing you prior to the departure of the "Essequibo Welvaeren," I have now the honour to discharge that duty, and will speak of the matter of Cuyuni. I trust and doubt not that their High Mightinesses will obtain proper satisfaction for an act that is so entirely contrary to the law of nations, and I can very well understand that the death of the King of Spain must delay the settlement of the matter. I have very little to add to what I have already had the honour of submitting to your Lordships in several of my despatches, and although I am aware, as your Lordships are pleased to inform me, that no Treaties have been made which decided that the dividing boundary in South America should run inland in a direct line from the sea-coast, as is the case with the English in North America, it still appears to me (salvo meliori) to be an. irrefutable fact that the rivers themselves, which. have been in the possession of your Lordships for such a large number of years, and have been inhabited by subjects of the State Avith- 185 hooreri, en Cajoenij geen apparte rivier soo als Weijne en Powaron (welke laeste door ons be- seten is geweest en waer cle fondamenten van de forteressen van U. E. G. A. nog in wezen zijn) maer een wezentlijk gedeelte van de Rivier Essequebo selver is welke doordien omtrent acht a tien mijlen boven het Fort Zeelandia en omtrent een groote Canon schoot benede het Fort Kijk overal in drie armen verdeelt is, aen welke elk een bijsondere naem door d'indiaenen gegeven is, de eene Cajoenij, de tweede Masseroenij (waer in Kijkoveral) en de daide Essequebo, en Selver deeze Hoofd rivier benede die verdeling door DAruwakke regte naturellen van dit land, geen Essequebo maer Araunama is genaemt, Soo dunkt mij weijnig of geen bedenkelijkheijt hier op kan vallen. En hoewel niet twijffele of U. E. G. A. Sullen als nu de Caert van de Heer Danville reets hebben Soo heb ik om het geluk te mogen hebben U. E. G. A. die saek klaer aen te toonen Het Stuk van die Caert gecopieert voor Soo verre onse besittingen aenbelangt, en met soo ¦ veel nauw- keurigheijt mij mogelijk is geweest daer, op aehgetekent, de plaetsen van U. E. G. A. plantagie Diiijnenburg gedeelteijk in Masseroenij gedeelte- lijk in Cajoenij gelegen en in Cajoenij U. E. G. A., Ootiij plantagie, Indigo plantagie, Woonplaets der half Vrije Criolen (tot waer de Spanjaerts dichte bij sijn geweest) Blauwen berg, en Post die over- rompelt is gelijk mede de plaetsen der drie andere posten van U. E. G. A. in Maroco, Maijkounij en Arinda boven Esseqrebo. Welke Copije d'Eer hebbe hier inne te Sluijten. Ik weet Seer wel Edele Groot Achbaere Heeren dat om eenige reprisailles te gebruijken eene volstrekte ordre van den Souvereijn vereijscht word en soude mij wel wachten iets diergelijx t'ondernemen, en Hoewel eenig Schijn van dreij- gement dies aengaende in mijne missive aen den Commandant van Orinoque is vervat, ben ik wel verre geweest om oijt te denken daer gebruijk van te maken, wijl selver in duijterste noodsaekelijk- heijt een afgrijse Soude hebben van de Gruwelijke behandelingen der Caraibjsche Natie gebruijk te ¦maken, Hebbe hem alleen schijn wille geven, wat wij (genootsaekt sijnde) Soude konnen doen, en sijn Ed. is seer wel bewust dat het geene hem dies aengaende melde de waerheijd is. * * * * In mijne voorige per t Loo hebbe deer gehadt •U. E. G. A. te melden dat de saeken wegens de naer d'Orinoque deserteerende Slaeven meest 'gereguleert waeren en twijffele geensints of sal -binne korten ' op een vasten voet wezen den •Handel op die rivier is voor het tegenswoordige voor soo verre sodanigen handel wezen kari, :genoegsaem open en vrij. out any or the least opposition on the part of A the Spanish, are most certainly the property of your Lordships. I am strengthened in my view of this matter by the fact that Cuyuni is not a separate river like Weyne and Pomeroon (which last has been occupied by us, and still contains the foundations of your Lordships' fortresses), but an actual part of. the River Esse quibo itself, which is divided into three arms about 8 to 10 miles above Fort Zeelandia., and about one long cannon shot below Fort Kijko veral, and to each of which the Indians give a separate name- the first Cuyuni, the second Massaruni (in which is Kijkoveral), and the third B Essequibo — the principal stream below this division being called not Essequibo but Arau nama by the Arawaks, the real aborigines of this country. Although 1 do not doubt that your Lord ships will now have received the map compiled by Mr. D'Anville, I have, in order to make the matter clear to your Lordships, copied that part of the map which relates to our possessions, and filled in with as much precision as possible the sites of your Lordships' plantation of Duynenburg, situated partly in Massaruni and p partly in Cuyuni. In Cuyuni I have marked your Lordships' coffee plantation, indigo plan tation, the dAVelling - place of the half-free Creoles (to which the Spaniards came very close), and Blauwenberg, and [the] Post which Avas sacked, together with the sites of your Lordships' three other Posts in Maroco, May- kouny, and Arinda, up in Essequibo. This copy I have the honour to inclose. I am Avell aware, my Lords, that to under take measures of reprisal a distinct order from the Sovereign is necessary, and I should be very careful not to take upon myself anything p_) of the kind. Although the appearance of some such threat is contained in my letter to the Commandant of Orinoco, it has never entered my head to proceed to such extremities, because even in a case of the utmost emergency -I should shudder to employ the cruelties indulged in by the Carib nation. I only wished to show the Commandant what we could do if we were forced to it, and his Honour is well aware that what I told him is the truth. In my former letter sent by the " Loo " I had the honour, to inform your Lordships that the matter concerning the slaves who had run away to the Orinoco was almost settled, and 1 doubt not that soon all will again be at rest. Trade on that river is at present (as far as such trade can be) fairly open and free. E No. 349. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, September 1, 1760. (Extract.) P WIJ hebben met genoegen, in voorsz. missive UEd. nadere aanmerkingen over Rio Cajoene geleezen, dan hadden wel gewenscht, dat wij het extract uijt de kaart van den heer Danville by UEd met aanteekeninge, van zool veel merkwaar- dige plaatzen, en posten, vermeerderd bij de [696—2] IT gave us pleasure to read in your aforesaid letter your further remarks about Rio Cuyuni, but we could have wished that we had found among the documents the extract from the Map of M. D'Anville, enriched by you with the indication of so many noteworthy places and Posts. But to 3 B 186 papieren had gevonden dog zulks tot ons leedwee- zen vrugteloos gezogt hebbende, zullen wij hetzelve per eerstkomende geleegenheijd verwagten ; Ons op UEd. voorzigtigheijt, omtrent het niet gebruijken van represaille (dan bij uijterste nood) zonder speciale order verlatende en met genoegen ziende, dat den handel op de Oronocque genoeg- zaam open is. . . . our sorrow we have searched for it in vain, and shall therefore expect it at the first opportunity. Relying upon your prudence as to not resorting to reprisals (except in case of utmost need ) with out especial order, and seeing with pleasure that the trade to the Orinoco is practically open. . . , B C u E No. 350. Director-General, Essequibo, to West India Company, Rio Essequibo, September 8, 1760. (Extract.) IK hebbe even soo veel tijd (over Barbados) om d'Eer te hebben U. E. G. A. deeze weijnig regulen te schrijven om U. E. G. A. kennis te geven van het behouden arrivement van Capt. R. Robberts met het schip den Jongen Abraham en met eene tot mijn Smartelijk Leedwezen dat niets van U. E. G. A. plantagien in dien bodem geladen sal konnen worden, en men wel sijn best sal moeten doen om de vereijschte 150 Oxh. suijker in het Loo in gereedheijt te krijgen, door het droevig ongeluk op U. E. G. A. plantagie Aechtekerke voorgevallen waer een Jonge Criool sig selve verhangen en 15 der beste Jonge Crioolen gede- serteert waeren sijnde ten uijterste misnoegt tegens haer Directeur. Het welk d'Hr. Spoors en mij in d'uijterste verlegentheijt heeft gebracht en bijnae raedeloos gemaekt vreezende voor de totaele ruine van die plantagie te meer (een ongeluk selden alleen komende) wijl ter selver tijd beijde werken soo water als paerde moolen in Brand geraekt sijn en beijde de daeken volkomen afgebrand sijnde de gaende werken met veel moeijte gesalveert sullende echter wel ses weken vereijschen eer herstelt sullen wezen. Ik hebbe aenstonds den Adjudant, sergeant, en acht der beste soldaeten op de plantagie gesonden twelk naer alle apparentie de desertie van een groot gedeelte der slaeven voorgekomen is, en behoorlijke ordre gestelt dat de gansche zeekust door de Caraibis is bezet geworden soo dat de weg naer Orinoque voor haer ondoorkomelijk was, maer vreesde het meest voor de weg over Cajoeny waer sedert het voorval van het aflopen van de Post door de Spanjaerds, geen Indiaenen meer sijn en dus haer niet te beletten was, tegen mijn verwagting door behulp van de Heer van Rode en onder plechtige belofte dat voor deze reijze niet gestraft soude worden, sijn sij weder thuijs geko men, tot welke belofte gewichtige redenen sijn geweest, 12 sijn weder op de plantagie en de drie belhamels hebbe bij provisie hier aen het fort gehouden, tot dat alles in stilstand is. I HAVE the honour to send your Lordships these feAV lines informing you of the arriva} of Captain Robberts and his ship the "Jongen Abraham," and also of my iutense grief that we shall be unable to ship anything from your Lordships' plantations in that vessel, and that it Avill be as much as we can do to get the required 150 hogsheads of sugar ready for the " Loo." All this ou account of the unfortunate affair that has taken place upon your Lord ships' plantation Aechtekerke, where a young creole has hanged himself, and fifteen of the best young Creoles have deserted on account of dissatisfaction against the Director. The occurrence has placed Mr. Spoors and myself in a state of great, embarrassment; we are at our Avits' end, fearing the total ruin of the plantation, the more so since, one misfortune seldom coming alone, both the Avater-mill and the horse-mill have caught fire at the same time, and the roofs of both have been burnt off. The works Avere saved Avith the greatest difficulty, and it will be quite six Aveeks before they are in order again. I immediately sent the Adjutant, a sergeant, and eight of the best soldiers to the plantation, which probably prevented a great many more slaves from de serting, and took measures to have the whole sea-coast guarded by Caribs, so that it was impossible for the slaves to get to Orinoco. AVhat I most feared was that they might take the road through Cuyuni where, since the raid upon the Post by the Spaniards there are no more Indians, and there was therefore no means of stopping them. Against my expectations, and with the help of Mr. van Rode, and under a solemn promise that they should not be punished this time, they came home again. I had strong reasons for making this promise. Twelve have returned to the plantation. I have kept the three ringleaders at the fort until everything is again quiet. 187 No. 351. Judicial Report of the Attack made by the Spaniards upon the Dutch settled in Barima (1760). (1-) Autos instruidos sobre la aprehension de una Go- leta, dos Lanchas, y dos Cxvfiaras de Esquivo, por el T/ieniente de Lnfanteria Don Juan de Flores. Don Juan de Dios Valdes, Capitan Castellano por Su Magestad, Juez General de Comissos en esta Provincia de Guaiana, y Comandante de las Armas, en ella &c. POR quanto por parte del M. R. P. Prefecto de las Missiones de esta Provincia acavo de tener la Noticia que a su P. M. R, han comutiicado quatro Indios Poytos fuxitivos del poder tiranico de los Olandeses Avitantes en las ininediatas Colonias cle. Esquivo y Surinama, que en la boca del Caiio de Barima, que sale de la grande de este Rio, se hallan Ranchados cinco Olandeses, de las diehas Colonias, haciendo el inumano, y lucrative comer cio que acostumbran con las- naciones de Indios Barbaras que avitan y trafican el Orinoco, com- prandoles ha estos las Almas Infieles que en Sus guerras, y latrotinios hazen pricioneras, ha cambio de herramientas, ropas y pertrechos de guerra, y que estos dichos Olandeses estan esperando una partida de Indios que han mandado comprar por medio de sus adjentes los Carives, que con mas livertad suben este Rio, para restituirse luego a su Colonia con las resultas de esta ilicita nego tiation y las Almas que a la sazon tienen adqui- rido cuio numero son los quatro Indios que ha ciendo fuga del tirano dominio bmieron ha Ampa- rarse de las diehas Missiones. Y conviniendo al mayor servicio de Dios nuestro Senor y de Su Magestad Catholica la privation de este tan cruel como ilicito comercio e igualmente contener con el castigo a. los Olandeses, cle las referidas Colonias, en sus proprias poseciones (caso que con derecho las posean) sin que se internen por los Rios comunicables ha estos Dominios del Rey.; por la presente en virtud de las facultades de mis empleos y las que para tales casos me son confer] das, ordeno y mando al Theniente de ¦Infanteria y cavo subalterno de esta Plaza Don Juan de Dios Gonzales de Flores, que hiego sin la menor dilation pase en la einbar- ' cation del Rey que se halla en el Puerto Real tripulada con diez hombres de tropa arreglada y Armada en la forma ordinaria con la guarni cion de dos Pedreros, y los, viveres nescesarios paia veinte dias practicos Espanoles para el Rio y Indios de los. fuxitivos para el paraje 6 rran- cheria donde estan los expresados Olandeses, ha donde derechaniente seguira dicho. Theniente su marcha navegando de dia, y noche, a fin de ganar los instantes del tiempo y llegado que sea asaltara la dicha Rancheria sercandola primero. y en ella aprisionara quantos Olandeses, Fran ceses, 6 Espanoles, hallare los que a la voz viva del Rey Rendira a su ovediencia y reconoci- miento, y no queriendo, 6 haciendo Armas liusara'del rigor de las suias, hasta dejarlos es- carmentados, y apricionados executando lo mismo con quantos Indios Carives hallf hubieren que auxiliaren y axenciaren en este genero de comercio inumano y asimismo aprehendera todas y.quantas embarcaciones encontrare subiendo 6 bajando el Rio, ya de extranxeros, y ya de Es panoles, que sin los lexitimos despachos nave- " Autos " formed upon the seizure of a Schooner, two Launches, and two Canoes, of Essequibo, by Infantry Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores. Don Juan de Dios Valdes, Captain Warden of this fort on behalf of His Majesty, Judge General of Confiscations in this Province of Guiana, and Commandant of the forces therein, &c. HAVING received from the Very Reverend j'Jj Father Prefect of the Missions in this Province " a f- Archive General tl'e ndiaE," Seville. Autlienoia de the information communicated to him by four Caracas." Indian poitos, fugitives from the tyraanical '¦,?!!ame,'lts alVJ poAver of the Dutch settlers m the adjoining 131,7.17. Colonies of Essequibo and Surinam, that at the mouth of the Creek Barima, which runs from the great mouth of that river, five Dutchmen from the said Colonies are established in huts and carrying on their usual inhuman and lucrative traffic with the nations of wild Indians Avho dwell and trade on the Orinoco, pur chasing from them the infidels captured in their wars and raids, in exchange for ironware, clothing, and munitions of war ; and that the " said Dutch are waiting for a batch of Indians, whom they have ordered to be purchased through their allies, the Caribs, who can go more freely up this river ; after which they are going, back at once to their Colony with the product of this illicit transaction and the human beinga they have up till now obtained, to which number belonged the four Indians who escaped from their tyranny and came to claim the, protection of the said Missions. And since it conduces to the service of God our Lord and of His Catholic Majesty to prevent such a cruel 0 and unlawful traffic, to keep the Dutch of the said Colonies by chastisement within their own possessions (if so be that they hold them law fully), and to deter them from pressing into these dominions of the King through trie in tersecting rivers; by these presents, in virtue of the powers of my offices and those which have been conferred upon me for. such emer gencies, I order and command Don Juan de Dios Gonzales de Flores, Lieutenant of Infantry, and second officer of this fortress, that forth with, and without the slightest delay, he is to go on board the King's vessel wliich is lying in D the Puerto Real, manned with ten soldiers of the line, and armed iu the usual manner with two swivel guns, and supplied with provisions for twenty days, and Spanish pilots for the river and some of the fugitive Indians, for the place or hut where the said Dutch are to be found. That the said Lieutenant is to proceed direct thither, sailing day and night, in order to gain every moment of time, and upon arriving he shall attack the said hut. first of all sur rounding it, and shall hold prisoners therein all the Dutch, French, or Spaniards he may find, calling upon them in the King's name to sur render, and if they will not do so, or have recourse to arms, using his forces until he has chastised them and made them prisoners, and shall dp the same in respect to any Carib Indians who may be aiding and assisting in this inhuman traffic. And he shall likewise seize all E 188 A garen, cuios dttenos y tiipulaciones traera el expresado Theniente bien asegurados ha esta Plaza y sus cargazones integras sin permitir el menor fraude ni desorden por parte de la tropa que Ueva a su cargo sobre cuio punto y lo demas annexo y conneso al cumplimiento exacto de esta orden ha de responder como Oficial de honor y como tal se espera que proeeda con el maior celo, y desinteres al Real servicio. que le sea posible, que para todo lo que aqui ba expieso, y lo mas que su conducta, y experiencia le dictare conbeniente como quien tiene la cosa presente le doy toda quanta facultad devo y -" puedo. y en tales casos se requiere por convenir assi al servicio de ambas Magestades. Fecha en Guiana a los siete dias del mes de Septiembre del ano de mill septecientos y sesenta anos. JUAN VALDES. and any vessels he may meet going up or coming; down the .river, Avhether. foreign or Spanish, which are sailing without proper papers, and the said Lieutenant shall bring their captains and crews well secured to this fortress, and also their entire cargoes, without allowing the least fraud or irregularity on the part of the soldiers under his charge, for which, and all else appertaining to the exact fulfilment of this order, he is to be answerable as aii honourable officer, and as such it is expected that he will proceed with the greatest possible zeal and disinterestedness in the Royal service. That for everything expressed herein, and for whatsoever else his judgment and experience may dictate, I give him ail such poAver as I can and ought, and as required in such cases for their Majesties' service. Done in Guiana on the 7th day of Septem ber, 1760. (Signed) JUAN VALDES: (2-) C Auto dc Acuerdo. Resolution. En la Ciudad de Santo Thome de la Guaiana en veinte y siete dias del mes de Septiembre de mill septecientos y sesenta anos los Senores Don Juan de Dios Valdes, Capitan Castellano por Su Mages tad, y Don Lorenzo Coronado, Theniente de Oficiales Reales : Dixeron que por quanto acaba de arribar al puerto principal de esta Ciudad el Theniente de Infanteria Don Juan de Dios de Flores, con la goleta armada en guerra que de este Puerto salio para emba'-asar el ynumano co mercio de los Olandeses, con los Indios Caribes, que estos hasen con la benta de las Almas' j) Infieles de otras naciones coxiendolos en guerras, 6 por hurtos y esclavisandolos ha dichos Olan deses por unos cortos resgates, cuia noticia fue dada ha dicho Sefior Comandante por el M. R. P. Prefecto de estas Missiones, de quatro Indios Poytos fuxitivos de los Olandeses, que en estas mercancias se hallaban en la boca del Cano de Barima como mas claramente se deduse de la orden que va por cabeza, de que resulto traer dicho Theniente Don Juan de Flores, apresadas una Goleta, y dos Lanchas que igualmente fonde- aron bajo de la Artilleria del Castillo de San Francisco de Asis, que es el pueito principal de E esta ciudad y ser presiso para providenciar lo que corresponda pasarles ha todas ellas la correspon- diente visita en cuio cumplimiento sus mereedes debian demandar, y mandaron se pase ha practical- estas dilixencias en compania del presente es- cribano rexistrando diehas embarcaciones, caxas, 6 baules que a su bordo traigan con todos los demas efectos que en ellas se encuentre ponien- dolo todo bajo de formal imbentario que en el mismo acto se hara para instruir fecha esta diligentia sumaria information que justifique el hecho cle la verdad en el apresamiento de diehas embarcaciones y por este assi lo proveyeron E mandaron y firmaron sus mereedes de que doy iee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : Luis Lopez se ia Puente, Eseribar.o Publico y de Real Hacienda. In the City of Santo Thome de Guayana, on the 27th day of September, 1760. Senores Don Juan de Dios Valdes. Captain Warden of this fort on behalf of His Majesty, and Don Lorenzo Coronado, Lieutenant of Royal Officers, declared that, inasmuch as Lieutenant of Infantry Don Juan de Dios de Flores had just arrived at the principal port of this city with the armed schooner which left this port for the purpose of hindering the inhuman traffic of the Dutch with the Carib Indians, wliich the latter carry on by the sale of infidels of other tribes, whom they capture in wars or by raids, and sell as slaves to the said Dutch for small prices; whereof notice Avas given to the said Commandant by the Very Reverend Father Prefect of these Missions, who heard it from four Indian poitos, fugitives from the Dutch who were engaged in this traffic at the mouth of the Creek Barima, as appears more clearly from the foregoing order ; the result of which expe dition has been that the said Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores has brought as prizes a schooner and two launches, which have likewise cast anchor under the cannon of the Castle of Saiut Francis of Assisi, which is the chief harbour of this city; and inasmuch as it is necessary to duly inspect them all, their Honours had to order, and did order, that these duties should be carried out, in the presence of the under signed Notary, the vessels and the cases or trunks they might have on board, and any other goods that might be found in them, being surveyed, and all be:ng set down in a formal inventory, which will be made at the same time ; in order that Avhen thia duty has been performed a summary report may be drawn up showing the exact particulars of the seizure of the said vessels, and for this purpose their Honours thus decreed, ordered, and signed, Avhereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALUES. LORENZO CORONADO. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. 189 (3.) Auto de Visita. Report of Survey. En dicho dia mes y ano de lo mandado en el auto de arriba sus mereedes en compania de mi el escribano pasamos al bordo de las embarcasiones que se hallan fondeadas en el puerto del castillo de San Francisco de Assis, para efecto de la Adsita que se pretende de las embarcaciones apresadas y fStando al bordo de ellas las fueron rexistrando y poniendo por Imbentario en la forma y manera siguiente. Primeramente una Goleta con su palo maior, y triquete y sus obencaduras y sin velas ; Ittem, un rezon, con su marra de canamo; Ittem, cinco barriles de pescado salado ; Ittem, una lancha con su palo, y obencaduras de canamo su- vela redonda 3e coleta cruda; ittem, quatro barriles de sal molida ; ittem, una curiara que sirve de cayuco ha dicha lancha, falcada, seis hachas, diez guayucos de coleta, ocho cuchillos ; seis mazos de cuentas en una caxa viexa ; Ittem, otra lancha con su palo y obencadura de canamo, y su A'ela redonda ; Ittem, un rezon mediano con su marra de canamo ; Ittem, un curiara que sirve cle cayuco ; con lo qual y por no haver otras cosas se concluio este imbentario y mandaron sus mereedes que todo se descargase y asegurase en la Real Contaduria y que por lo respective al pescado, se pusiese immediatamente solicitandose para ello por el Sefior Theniente de oficiales reales sujeto aparente que lo administre y lleve la cuenta de su venta de cuio beneficiose le pagara conforme al trabajo de su Administration ehtregandolo por pezo de Ley y vendiendolo con forme al corriente de la tierra, y por este assi lo proveyeron mandaron y firmaron sus mereedes de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. On the same day, month, and year, as ordered A in the foregoing Resolution, their Honours, together Avith me, the Notary, went on board the vessels which are lying at anchor in the harbour of the Castle of Saint Francis of Assisi, in order to carry out the proposed inspection of the vessels which had been seized ; and, upon arriving on board, they inspected them and made an inventory in the folloAving form and manner : — • Firstly, a schooner with its mainmast, fore mast, and shrouds, but without sails. Item, a kedge anchor with its hempen cable ; item, five barrels of salt fish ; item, a launch with its mast B- and hempen shrouds, and its round sail of coarse canvas ; item, four barrels of ground salt ; item, a curved canoe, serving as boat to the said launch, six axes, ten canvas guayucos, eight knives, six bunches of beads in an old case; item, another launch with its mast and hempen shroud, and its round sail ; item, a small anchor with its hemp cable ; item, a canoe Avhich serves as ship's boat ; Avith which, there being nothing else, this inventory was concluded, and their Honours directed that everything should be landed and secured in the Royal " Contaduria ;"' and that in respect to the fish, it should at once be put up for sale under charge of the Lieu tenant of the Royal Officers, Avho should deal with it and keep account of its sale, for AA-hich he should be paid according to his trouble, delivering it for legal money, and selling it according to the practice of the country, and for this their Honours provided, ordered and signed, Avhereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO' Before me : E* (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. (4-) Declaration de Don Ju-a.n de Flm'es. Declaration of Don Juan de Flores. En la Ciudad de Santo Thome' de la Guaiana en veinte y nuebe dias de dicho mes y ano para efecto de la information que se pretende sobre el apresa- miento de las embarcaciones, sus mereedes estando en la Real Contaduria de orden y mandato del Senor Comandante compareci6 en ella el Theniente de Infanteria Dn. Juan de Dios de Flores, a quien por sus mereedes se le recibio juramento que hizo por Dios nuestro Senor y una serial de Cruz so cuio cargo prometi6 decir verdad de lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado, y haviendolo sido sobre el apresamiento de diehas embarcaciones, donde y como las coxi6 si hicieron resistencia con armas de fuego, y donde estan las gentes de su tripulacion dixo : que haviendo salido de este puerto con la orden del Senor Comandante para el Cano de Barima estando bordexeando sobre su boca el dia onze, como a las quatro de la tarde avisto una vela que salia de la punta de Guani, y venia en busca de la boca de Orinoco, fue en su seguimiento y habiendose encontrado con eUa y tiradole un pedrerazo, arti.6 inmediatamente y llendo a su bordo solo encontrd diez Indios Aruacas que [696—2] In the City of Santo Thome of Guayana, on the 29th day of the said month and year, in order to carry out the report in hand respecting the seizure of the vessels, their Honours being J] in the Royal " Contaduria," by order and com mand of the Commandant, there appeared therein thfe Lieutenant of Infantry Don Juan de Dios de Flores, to whom their Honours administered an oath, which he made by God our Lord and a sign of the Cross, under obligation whereof he promised to tell the truth concerning what he mightknowand might be asked, and having been questioned respecting the seizure of the said vessels, as to where and how he took them. whether they made resistance with fire-arms, and as to the whereabouts of the crews, he declared : That having gone from this port, by E order of the Commandant, bound for the Creek Barima, when he Avas tacking round its mouth on the eleventh day, at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon,, he saw a ship coming from the Point of Guani, and trying to find the mouth of the Orinoco ; that he went in pursuit of her, and 3 C 190 A venian de la Colonia cle Esqurio, ha haser pes- querias en este Rio cle los quales tres se huyeron tirandose al Rio, y al dia siguiente siguio su destino metiendose en la boca de Barima, y subiendo el cano como tres leguas arriba avistaron una embarcacion que con la bajante havia quedado barada ha larga distancia sin poderle hir ha bordo, hasta que fue* creciendo la marea, que les permitio arrimarse ha ella en cuyo tiempo la gente cle la tripulacion de dicha goleta, como los havian avis- tado, y reconocido hicieron fuga llevandose las velas y picando la maior parte de la jarcia y aunque el declarante practico varias dilixencias B para aprisionarlos, no lo pudo lograr, sabiendo por los Indios Aruacas, que antes haArian aprisionado que aquella goleta hera de la Colonia cle Esquivo, que venia al mismo fin de pesquerias, y que vien- ¦ dose con estas dos embarcaciones sin gente ya para seguir el fin de su destino por haverle metido de la que Uebava dos hombres a la primera y otros dos a la segunda se quedo solo con seis militares, y inforniado cle que para subir donde estaban los tratantes cle poitos nesessitaban de cinco dias y que por esta razon como por que ya dichos Olandeses estarian informados cle los que se p huieron de la goleta que subia el declarante en su solicitud y de que solo la orden se le daba para la misma boca determino volverse como lo hizo yendo Rio arriba en donde encontro la otia lancha por noticias que tuvo de que se hallaba halli y mandanclo ha Pedro cle Salas, en una curiara que le fuese ha bordo y aprehendiese sin que se escapase ninguno de los de su tripulacion y haviendolo executado y aprehendido la traxo diciendo que todos havian hecho fuga al monte por que estaban en tierra asegurados en una rancheria desde donde los descubrieron y que desde alii sigui6 su viaxe para el puerto principal J) de esta ciudad, donde se fondeo con las tres em barcaciones aprehendidas, que esta es la verdad so cargo del juramento que fecho tiene en que se afirma y ratifica, y que siendo nessesario lo hava cle nuebo, y que es de edad de treinta y nueve anos y lo firmo junto con sus mereedes de que doy fee. E JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. JUAN DE DIOS GONZALES DE FLORES. Ante mi : Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. having overtaken her and fired one shot, she surrendered immediately ; and going on board he only found ten Aruac Indians who came from the Colony of Essequibo to fish in this river, three of whom escaped by jumping into the river ; and on the day following he con-; tinued his course, and entering the mouth of the Barima, and going about 3 leagues up the creek, they saw a Aressel which, oAving to low water, Avas lying aground at a considerable distance ; and they could not board her until the rise of the tide allowed them to approach during which time the crew of the said schooner,' having seen and recognized them, took to flight and carried off the sails with them and cut to pieces the greater portion of the tackle, and although the declarant tried various expedients' to capture them, he could not do so, but ascer-5 tained from the Aruac Indians, Avhom they had previously captured, that the schooner came from the Colony of Essequibo for the same purpose of fishing; and that finding himself1 with these two vessels and without sufficient men to pursue his course to the end, for he had put from his own vessel two men on board the' first and two more on the second, and had only six soldiers left; and being informed that it took five days to go up to the place in which the traffickers in poitos were; for this reason, and also because the said Dutch would be already informed by those aaIio escaped from ' the schooner, that the declarant was coming up, and considering that his orders only extended to the mouth itself, he resolved to turn back,"' Avhich he did, going up the river, and finding ; the other launch, in consequence of information'* he had received as to its whereabouts; and he ordered Pedro de Salas to go on board in a canoe and seize it, without allowing any of the ' creAv to escape ; and having done so and seized ' it he brought it back, saying that they had all fled into the woods, for they were on shore safely in a hut from which they saw them ; and that from there he pursued his voyage to the ' chief port of this city, where he cast anchor ' with the three vessels that were seized. That this is the truth under obligation of the oath which he made, Avhich is affirmed and ratified therein, and that if necessary he will repeat it ; and that he is 39 years of age, and has signed it together with their Honours, whereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. JUAN DE DIOS. GONZALES DE FLORES. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury E (5.) Declaration de Pedro de Salas. En dicho dia mes y ano para efecto de la Infor mation que se pretende sus mereedes hicieron comparecer por ante si y por ante mi a Pedro de Salas militar de estos Castillos a quien por sus mereedes se le recibio juramento que hizo por Dios nuestro Senor y una Serial de Cruz so cargo del qual prometio decir verdad en lo ' que supiere y se le fuere preguntado y haviendolo sido por Declaration of Pedro de Salas. On the said day, month, and year, in order to draw up the report which is in hand, their Honours caused to ap'pe* before themselves , and before me, Pedro de Salas, a soldier of these forts, to whom their Honours administered an oath which he made by God our Lord, and a sign of the Cross, under obligation whereof he promised to tell the truth in what he might'' 191 „sus mereedes Dixo : Que haviendo salido cle este ¦Puerto con la Goleta Armada en guerra llegaron en frente cle la boca cle Barima en donde estando ¦bordexeando avistaron una embarcacion que le fueron abordo y tirandole un pedrerazo arrio inmediatamente y haviendo entrado en ella solo 'encontraron unos Indios Aruacas que clixeron benian cle la Colonia Olandesa cle Esquibo, ha baser pesquerias, y que el dia siguiente se metieron dentro de la boca cle Barima, y que snbiendo el ¦ cano como tres leguas arriba avistaron una Goleta que con la baxante bavia quedado barada ha muy larga distancia por lo que no pudieron irle a bordo en aquel entonces hasta que crecio la marea, que se arrimaron a ella y no encontraron 4 persona alguna por que en todo el tiempo que no pudieron hirle a su bordo lograron haser fuga al monte toda la gente de su tripulacion lleA-andose las A^elas, y alguna jarcia picando alguna cle la que quedo ha bordo, y que halli se ynformaron del' practico, que para subir ha donde estaban los negociantes hera nessesario cinco clias cle tiempo por lo que y por tener ya mucha parte cle la gente empleacla en las embarcaciones apresadas, como porque igualmente se inform aron cle que para subir ha donde estaban dichos Olandeses, se angostaba mucho el Cano y no podia pasar embar cacion grande sino muy mediana, determine su Theniente de volverse para arriba como lo execute, y subiendo el Rio, tuvo noticia cle hallarse una Lancha fondeada en un Cano con Rancheria en tierra a la qual lo despacho su Theniente con quatro hombres en una Curiara para que la tomase, y aprehendiese la gente cle su tripulacion y que haviendo llegado a su bordo, y.no encon- tranclo a ninguna persona paso arrejistrar la Rancheria, y que menos en ella encontro ha nadie, •creiendo que harian fuga al monte que de alii salio y entrego la referida lancha a su Teniente de donde subieron para arriba hasta llegar al Puerto principal cle esta Ciudad donde se fondearon. Que esta es la verdacl so cargo clel juramento que fecho tiene en que se afirma y Ratifica y que siendo nessesario lo hara de nuebo y que es de edacl de quarenta y quatro anos y lo firmo junto con sus mereedes de que cloy fee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. PEDRO DE SALAS. Ante mi : Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Reed. Hacienda. know and might be asked, and having been A. questioned by their Honours he declared: That having sailed from this port in the armed schooner they reached the front of the mouth of Barima, and while tacking therein, they saw a vessel Avhich they approached and fired a shot at, whereupon she surrendered at once, and having boarded her they only found a few Aruac Indians, Avho said that they came from the Dutch Colony of Essequibo to fish; that' on the following day they entered the mouth of the Barima, and going about three leagues up the creek they saw a schooner, which, OAving ^p to Ioav water, was aground at a very long -** distance, and so they could not go on board until the tide came up, when they approached it and did not find a single person, for during the time that they could not go on board, the crew succeeded in escaping into the Avoods, caiTying off the sails and some of the tackle and cutting up some of that Avhich remained on board ; that they Avere informed by the pilot that it took five days to go up to the place where the traders were, for which reason, and because a large portion of the creAv was engaged in the captured vessels, and likewise q because they were informed that in going up to the place Avhere the said Dutch were, the creek narrowed considerably, and no ship of any size could pass, his Lieutenant resolved to turn back up 'the river, which he did, and hearing that there was a launch at anchor in a creek with a hut on shore, his Lieutenant dis patched him Avith four men in a canoe to seize it and arrest its crew ; that having gone on board and found nobody, lie proceeded to examine the hut, and not finding any one there either, he concluded that they had fled to the woods, and came back and delivered up the D" said launch to his Lieutenant ; and from there they continued to go up stream until they reached the chief port of this city where they cast anchor. That this is the truth under obligation of the oath which he made, which is affirmed and' ratified therein, and that if necessary he will repeat it; and that he is 44 years of age, and has signed it jointly with their Honours, where- unto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. PEDRO DE SALAS. E. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public , and of the Royal Treasury. (6.) Declaration de Joseph de Sosa. En este Presidio de la Guaiana en dicho dia me's y ano en prosecusion de la Information que se esta haciendo sus mereedes hizieron comparezer en esta Real Contaduria por ante si, y por ante mi el escribano, ha Joseph de Sosa, militar de estos Castillos a quien recibieron juramento que hizo por Dios nuestro Senor y una Senal de Cruz so cargo del qual prometio decir verdad de lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado, y haviendolo sido por sus mereedes Dixo: Que salid cle este Puerto en la Lancha Armada en guerra al cargo del Theniente de Ynfanteria Dn. Juan de Flores, Declaration of Joseph de Sosa. In this fortress of Guiana, on the said day, month and year, in execution of tire report which is being draAvn up, their Honours caused -^ - to appear in this Royal '•Contaduria" before themselves and before me, the Notary, Joseph de Sosa, a soldier from these forts, whom they admitted upon oath which he made by God our Lord and a sign of the Cross, under obligation whereof he promised to tell the truth concerning what he might know and might be asked, and having been questioned by their Honours, declared : That he went from this port in the 192 A. y Uego hasta la boca de Barima, en donde para coxerla se pusieron ha bordexear y estando en esto avistaron una vela que venia ha introdusirse en el Rio, y ynmediatamente la siguieron y hicieron arrear, a la voz de un pedrerazo y haviendo hido a su bordo solo encontraron diez Yndios Aruacas cle . los quales tres se huieron; y haviendolos examinado su Teniente dixeron que venian de la Colonia Olandesa de Esquibo, ha haser pesquerias al Rio Orinoco, y luego que la aseguraron con clos soldados (pie dentro le metieron, volvieron a tomar sus destinos y al dia siguiente se metieron en dicha boca de Barima y 33 navegaron el Cano como tres leguas arriba en donde avastaron une Goleta que la baxante havia dexado barada ha muy larga distancia clei Rio por lo que no pudieron hir a su bordo hasta que vino el hinchente con el que se arrimaron ha ella, y metieronse en su bordo sin eneontrar persona alguna, porque en el tiempo que estubieron esperando que llenase la marea tuvo lugar de huir la. gente de tripulacion de clicha Goleta llevandose sus Arelas alguna parte de la jarcia y otra que picaron y que sin embargo el expresado su Teniente hizo bastantes dilixencias para Apricionar la „ gente y no lo pudo lograr, y que luego dixeron los ^ Aruacas (que antes havian aprehendido) que aquella Goleta hera venida de la Colonia de Esquibo al mismo fin de pesquerias y que pre- guntandole al practico que UevaA-an donde estaban Ranchados los Olandeses mercantes de Poytos, Dixo que estaban a cinco dias cle distancia de halli, y que la embarcacion que llevaban no podia entrar en el Cano donde se hallaban por ser este mui estrecho, y solo poder nayegar Curiaras y que con este motivo y el de haver repartido algunos soldados que llevaban en las embarcaciones apre- sadas, como por que dichos Olandeses, estarian jj avisados de la gente que de la Goleta se hui6 determino su Theniente venirse, como lo execu- taron, y subiendo Rio arriba tuvieron noticias que se hallava fondeada una Lancha en un caiio, y luego despacho el expresado su Teniente ha Redro de Salas, en una Curiara para que la aprehendiese dandole la orden de que no se escapase ninguna persona de su tripulacion como en efecto la aprehendio y traxo diciendo que en ella no havia encontrado a nadie, ni menos en la Rancheria que tenia en tierra que presumia havian hecho fuga luego que los havian avistado y que desde alii siguieron su viaxe al Puerto principal E de esta Ciudad donde se fondearon, que esta es la verdad so cargo del juramento que fecho tiene en que se afirma y ratifica, y que siendo nesesario lo hara de nuebo, y que es de edad de veinte y siete anos y la firm6 junto con su merced de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. JOSEPH MIGUEL DE SOSA. Ante, mi: ¦* Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. armed launch under Infantry Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores, and anived at the mouth of the Barima, where, in order to make it they began to tack, and, while doing so, saAv a Aressel come into the river and followed it at once and made it heave to by firing a shot, and upon going on board they only found ten Aruac Indians, of whom three escaped ; who, being examined by his Lieutenant, said that they came from the Dutch Colony of Essequibo to fish in the River Orinoco ; and directly they had secured the vessel by putting two soldiers on board, they continued their course, and on the following day entered the said mouth of Barima, and went tip the creek for about 3 leagues, where they saw a schooner Avhich the ebb had left stranded at a very considerable distance from the stream, for which reason they could not board it until the tide rose, when they approached and went on board but found nobody, because while they were waiting for the tide to come up the crew of the said schooner took the opportunity to escape, carrying off the sails and a portion of the tackle and cutting up some of the re mainder; and that notwithstanding all the efforts which his' said Lieutenant made to capture the crew he was unable to do so, and that the Aruacs (whom they had previously captured) at once said that the schooner had come from the Colony of Essequibo with the same object of fishing, and that upon asking the pilot whereabouts the Dutch traders in poitos were camping, he said they were at five days' distance from that spot, and that the vessel they were navigating could not enter the creek where the traders were, because it was extremely narrow and only navigable , by canoes ; that for this reason, and because some of the soldiers they brought were divided among the vessels captured, and likewise because the said Dutch would be warned of" their approach by the crew which had escaped from the schooner, his Lieutenant determined to <, withdraw, which they did, and in going up the river they received information that a launch was lying at anchor in a creek, and his Lieu tenant forthwith dispatched Pedro de Salas in a canoe, to seize it, ordering him to let none of its crew escape, and accordingly he seized it and brought it back, saying that he had found no one therein, nor in the hut on the shore, and that he thought they had fled directly they perceived them ; and that they continued their voyage thence to the chief port of this city, where they cast anchor. That this is the truth, under obligation of the oath which he made, which is affirmed and ratified therein, and that if necessary he will repeat it; and that he is 27 years of age, and has signed it together with his Honour, whereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. JOSEPH MIGUEL DE SOSA. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury... 193 Declaration de Antonio Ravelo. 07-) Declaration of Antonio Ravelo. "En dicho dia mes y ano para efecto de la infor mation que se hase sobre el apresamiento de tres embarcaciones sus mereedes hizieron comparecer por ante si y por ante mi el presente escribano ha Antonio Ravelo, militar de estos castillos a quien por sus mereedes se le recibi6 juramento por Dios nuestro Sefior y una serial de cruz so cargo del qual prometio decir verdad de lo que supiere y se le fuere preguntado y haviendolo sido por sus mereedes Dixo: Que haviendo salido de este Puerto con la lancha Armada en. guerra bajo de las ordenes de su Theniente Dn. Juan de Flores, bajaron hasta en frente de la boca de Barima en donde para coxerla se pusieron ha bordexear, y entonces avistaron una vela que venia ha meterse dentro del Rio Orinoco, a la que siguieron, y estando serca de ella le tiraron un pedrerazo y arrio inmediatamente, que fueron a su bordo, y solo encontraron diez Indios Aruacas, a quienes el expresado su Teniente examino y dixeron que venian ha haser pesquerias en dicho Rio, que de halli volvieron otra vez en demanda de la boca de Barima, y el dia siguiente se metieron en ella subiendo el cano como tres leguas arriba en donde avistaron una embarcacion que con el baxante havia quedado barada ha muy larga distancia del Rio por lo' que no pudieron hirle a bordo en ese entonces hasta que vino , el hinchente, con el qual se arrimaron ha el, y metiendose a su bordo no encontraron persona alguna por que en el tiempo que estubieron esperando que llenase la marea, tubieron lugar los de la Goleta de haser fuga, y llevarse las velas de ella con alguna parte de la jarcia, y que estando halli se infonn6 el referido su Theniente clel practico que llevaban que si estarian muy lexos los Olandeses mercantes de Poitos, y este respondio' que nessetitaban de navegar cinco dias pari llegar a ellos, pero que en las embarca ciones que llevaban no podian entrar por que el cano hera muy angosto, y que solo curiaras pudi- eran pasar con cuio motivo, y el de no tener gente suficiente por haverla repaitido la mayor parte del- la que llevaba en las embarcaciones aprehendidas como por que dichos Olandeses estarian avisados de los que hicieron fuga de la Goleta ; determino venir se el referido su Teniente y subiendo el Rio tubieron la noticia de que en un cano por donde pasaban estaba fondeada una lancha con la que despaoh6 el referido su Theniente a Pedro de Salas, en una Curiara con quatro hombres, con orden de que la aprehendiese, y traxese junto con todo la gente de su tripulacion sin que ninguno se escapa- se ; y haviendo logrado aprehenderla vino diciendo que no havia encontrado en ella persona alguna hi menos en la Rancheria que en tierra tenian que presumia se havian hi do al monte desde que los avistaron ; y que de alii, siguieron su viaxe, para arriva hasta fondearse en el Puerto principal de esta Ciudad, que esta es la verdad so cargo del juramento que fecho tiene en que se annua y ratifica y que siendo nessesario lo hara de nuebo que es de edad de quarenta y dos anos y la firmo junto con su merced de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. ANTONIO RAVELO. Ante mi : Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda On the said day, month, and year, for the A purpose of the Report which is being drawn up respecting the seizure of three vessels, their Honours caused to appear before themselves and before me, the present Notary, Antonio Ravelo, a soldier from these forts, whom their Honours admitted upon oath by God our Lord, and a sign of the Cross, under obligation whereof he promised to tell the truth in what he might know and might he asked, and having been questioned by their Honours, he declared : That having gone from this port in the armed launch under the orders of his Lieutenant, Don Juan de Flores, they descended to the front of B the mouth of the Barima, where, in order to make it. they began to tack, and then perceived a vessel coming into the River Orinoco, which they followed, and, having come up with it and fired a shot, she surrendered at once ; that they boarded her and only found ten Aruac Indians, whom his Lieutenant examined, and who said that they. came .to fish in the said river; that from there they went again in search of the mouth of Barima, and on the following day they entered it and went about 3 leagues up the creek, where they saw. a vessel which the p ebb had left stranded at a considerable distance from the stream, for which reason they could not board it until the tide came up, when they approached it and went on board, but found no one, because while they were waiting for the. tide to rise, the people of the schooner took the opportunity to escape and to carry off its sails and part of the tackle ; and that while there his Lieutenant inquired from the pilot who was with them whether the Dutch traders in poitos were very far off, and he replied that it would require five days' sailing to reach them, but that with the vessels they wpre navigating j) they could not enter the creek, because it was very narrow, and only canoes could pass ; for which reason, and for want of men, because the greater part of the crew had been distributed in the captured vessels, and likewise seeing that the said Dutch would be told by those Avho escaped from the schooner ; his Lieutenant determined to withdraw, and going up the river they were informed that a launch was lying at anchor in a creek along which they were passing, whereupon his Lieutenant dispatched Pedro de Salas in a canoe with four men, under orders to seize and bring it together, with all its E crew, without letting one escape ; and haAring succeeded in capturing it, he returned, saying that he had found no one therein, nor in the hut which was on the shore, and that he concluded they had gone into the woods as soon as they saw them; that they continued their voyage from there until they arrived and cast anchor in the chief harbour of this city. That this is the truth under obligation of the oath which he has made, which is affirmed and ratified therein, and that, if necessary, he will repeat it ; that he is 42 years of age, and has signed it, together with his Honour, whereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. ANTONIO RAVELO. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. E 1 696—2 3 D 194 (8.) Auto. Decree. A " Vistas las declaraciones precedentes sus mer eedes Dixeron que para mexor lnstruir estas Dilixencias se les reciviesen sus dichos al mestizo que con los Indios Aruacas aprehendio el Teniente de Infanteria Don Juan de Flores, para que este con los demas Indios Aruacas, declaren sobre los par ticulares que sus mereedes tuvieren por con- veniente preguntarles y por este assi lo pro- veyeron mandaron y firmarou sus mereedes a los treinta dias del mes de Septiembre de dicho ano de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. B LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : Luiz Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. Having seen the foregoing declarations, their Honours said that, in order to draAv up these Reports more adequately, they would summon the half-breed whom Infantry Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores captured with the Aruac Indians, in order that he and the other Aruac Indians should give evidence respecting the particulars about which their Honours should consider it desirable to question them, and hereby their Honours have thus provided, ordered, and signed on the 30th September of the said year, Avhere unto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. ' Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. (9.) Confesion del Mestizo. Confession of the Half-breed. Q " En esta Ciudad de Santo Thome' de la Guaiana en dicho dia mes y ano sus mereedes para efecto de mexor instruir la information anteeedente hizieron eomparecer por ante si y por ante mi el escribano ha uno de los pricioneros que traxo el Teniente Dn. Juan de Flores a quien por sus mer eedes se le pregunto si hera mestizo, que relixion profesaba de donde hera nacido como se llamaba, a que fines benia al Rio de Orinoco, y por quien hera despachado, y responde, que hera Indio Aruaca, y que su padre y madre tambien lo heran, que ellos no tienen ni conosen relixion alguna, que es nacido en Guacapoo, serca de la Posta de 1) Esquibo, que se llama Yana, que los fines a que benia al Rio de Orinoco, hera ha haser pesquerias, y que fue despachado por un Olandes llamado Fordull. Preguntado que cargamento traxo y si sabe a quien pertenese aquella Goleta y Lancha que se aprehendio, y a que fines benian a este rio ; y responde que el cargamento que traxo, solo fue un poco de barbasco, y un barril de sal, y que la goleta tambien es de la Colonia de Esquibo, que pertenese ha un Olandds llamado Monk, y que igualmente la lancha es de la misma Colonia despachada por un Olandes llamado Bobre, y que ambas binieron al mismo fin de haser pes- E querias y preguntado si sabe que en el Cano de Barima hubiese Olandeses comprando Poitos, y si estaban de donde coxieron la goleta ha mui larga distancia y responde : Que sabe que en dicho Cano de Barima hay quatro Olandeses com prando Poitos y que en su compania tienen muchos Indios Caribes, que desde donde coxieron la goleta ha donde ellos estan ay cinco 6 seis dias cle navegacion que el caiio donde se hallan dichos Olandeses es mui angosto segun tiene noticia de Indios de su misma nation y que por el no pueden entrar embarcaciones grandes y que los Olandeses -i-i comprantes de Poytos no son de la Colonia de Esquibo, que son de la de Suriname por que de la de Esquibo no quiere el Gobernador que ningun Olandes saiga ha haser estas mercancias con lo qual se concluio esta declaration y no supo decir la edad que tenia ni menos la firmo por que dixo no In this City of Santo Thome de Guayana, on the said day, month, and year, their Honours, in order to draAv up more adequately the fore going Report, caused to appear before them and before me, the Notary, one of the prisoners brought by Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores, who was asked by their Honours if he was a half-breed, what religion he professed, where he was born, what was his name, for Avhat purposes he came to the River Orinoco, and by Avhom he was sent ; and he replied that he was an Aruac Indian, and that his father and mother were the same ; that they neither had nor knew any religion ; that he Avas born in Guacapoo, near the Post of Essequibo ; that his name was Yana; that the object with which he came to the River Orinoco was to fish, and that he was sent by a Dutchman named Fordull. Being asked what cargo the captured schooner and launch carried, and whether he, kneAV to whom they belonged, and for yvhat purpose they came to that river, he said that their cargo only consisted of a small quantity of " barbasco " and a barrel of salt, and that the schooner also was from the Colony of Essequibo, and belonged' to a Dutchman named Monk, and that likewise the launch was from the same Colony, and sent by a Dutchman named Bobre, and that both came for the same object of fishing ; and being asked if he knew that there were Dutchmen in the Creek Barima buying poitos, and if they1 were very far away from the place where the schooner was seized, he replied that he knew' that there were four Dutchmen in the said Creek Barima buying poitos, and that they had many Carib Indians with them ; that from" the spot where the schooner was seized to where they Avere was five or six* days' sail ; that the creek where the said Dutchmen are was very narrow, as he had been informed by Indians of his own nation, and that large vessels could not enter it, and that the Dutch buyers "of poitos were not from the Colony of Essequibo, but from that of Surinam, because the Governor 195 saber; firmaronlo sus mereedes de que doy fee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. of Essequibo did not allow any Dutchman to go and conduct this traffic. HereAvith this decla ration was concluded, and he could not tell his age, nor sign the declaration, because, he said, he did not know how to do so, so their Honours signed it, whereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. B Declaration de urn, Indio Aruaca. (10.) Declaration of an Aruac Lndian. "En dicha Ciudad de Santo Thome* cle la Guaiana en dicho dia mes y ano para, efecto de la information que se pretende, sus mereedes hicieron compareser por ante si, y por ante mi el presente escribano, ha uno de los Indios bastantemente ladino en el idioma espafiol de los aprehendidos por el Theniente Don Juan de Flores, a quien por sus mereedes le fue' preguntado de donde era natural, como se llama, a que fines benia al Rio de Orinoco y por quien hera despachado ; y responde, que es natural de Muruca, lugar donde estd la Posta de Esquibo, que se llama Simaracuri Indio de nation Aiuaca, que los fines a que benia al Rio de Orinoco, hera ha haser pesquerias, que fu£ des pachado por un Olandes llamado Fordull, que de cargamento traxo un poco de sal, y responde. Preguntado que si sabe a quien ' pertenecen aquellas otras embarcaciones, apresadas y re sponde : Que la goleta es de un Olandes llamado Monk, y la lancha de otro llamado Bobre, que tambien bihieron al fin de haser pesquerias. Preguntado que si sabe haia algunos Olandeses comprando Poitos y en que parajes esteh y re sponde que sabe que en el Cano de Barima habia quatro Olandeses, con muchos Indios Caribes haciendo estas mcreantias, que heran de la Colonia de Surinama y que en dicho caiio subiendo mui arriba donde ellos e,stdn, no puede entrar embar kation grande por que es mui Angosto, y que esto es lo que sabe en orden a lo que se le,pregunta que no sabe dar relation de su edad ni menos firmar; firmaron lo sus mereedes, de que doy lee. JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : ' Luis Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. In the said City of Santo Thome de Guayana, on the said day, month, and year, for the pur pose of the Report Avhich is being drawn up, their Honours caused to appear before them, and before me, the present Notary, one of the Indians, sufficiently conA'-ersant with Spanish, from among those seized by Lieutenant Don Juan de Flores, and he was asked by their Honours where he was born, what was his name, for Avhat purpose he came to the River Orinoco, and by whom he was sent ; and he replied that he was a native of Muruca, a place Avhere the Post of Essequibo is situated ; that his name was Simaracuri, an Indian of the Aruac nation ; that the purpose for which he came to the River Orinoco was to fish ; that he Avas sent by a Dutchman called Fardiill, and that the cargo. consisted of a small quantity of salt. Being asked if he knew to whom the other vessels Avhich were seized belonged, he replied that the schooner belonged to a Dutchman called Monk, and the launch to another called Bobre, and that they also came for the purpose of fishing. Being asked if he knew whether there were any Dutchmen buying poitos, and in what places they were to be found, he replied that he knew there were four Dutchmen in the Creek of Barima, Avith a number of Carib Indians, carrying on this traffic ; that they were from the Colony of Surinam, and that it Avas impossible for a large vessel to enter the part of the said creek Avhere these traders were, as it was much higher up and very narroAv, and that this is what he knoAVs in reply to the questions ; that he does not knoAv hoAv to give any account of his age or to sign, so their Honours signed it, Avhereunto I certify. (Signed) JUAN VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. C 1) E (11.") Auto. " En la Ciudad de Santo Thome* de la Guaiana en primero de octubre de mill septecientos y sesenta anos, los Senores Capitan Castellano por Su Magestad, Don Juan Valdes, y Theniente de oficiales Reales, Don Lorenzo Coronado Dixeron: Que respecto ha tener por bastantes las declara ciones hechas para la informacion que se pretende Decree. In the City of Santo Thome de Guayana on the 1st October, 1760, Don Juan Valdes, Captain Warden of this fortress on behalf of His Majesty, and Don Lorenzo Coronado, Lieu tenant of Royal Officers, declared : That con sidering the declarations made to be adequate for the report which is being drawn up respect- 196 A sobre la aprehension de la Goleta y dos lanchas Olandesas cle la Colonia de Esquibo, introducidas en este Rio cle Orinoco que con el prextexto cle pesquerias bienen a lograr otros fines de ilicitos comercios, y compras de Poitos ha la nation Cariba debian de mandar, y mandaron que el presente escribano compulze textimonio de estos Autos para dexar en esta Red Contaduria y remitir los originales al Superior Tribunal de Gobierno y Hazienda y por lo respective al mes tizo Jan Batista, bastantemente conocido, aun que en su confecion niega su nombre, y ser tal mestizo expresando ser Indio de la nation Aruaca B y tinendose de anoto, malisiosamente para no ser conocido, su merced el Senor Comandante dispuso se asegurase en el castillo con un par de grillos hasta la •determination de su Senoria el Seiior Governador y Capitan-General asistiendosele con la Ration diaria de un real pi' r dia respecto a no quererlo admitir el Reverendo Padre Prefecto por los graves males que en los pueblos han causado otros mestizos, que ha ellos se han remitido haciendo fuga y llevandose otras distintas Almas, de las ya pobladas, y por lo que mira a los Indios providencio remitirlos ha dicho Reverendo Padre p Prefecto para que en los pueblos de su cargo los ' distribuiese y poblase conforme esta mandado, y en quanto al cargamento de pescado, su merced el Sefior Teniente de oficiales Reales quedo enear- gado de su despendio ha beneficio de la Real Hazienda respecto ha ser este un genero que con el tiempo se anexa y disminuye su pezo, y viene ha caso de menos valer y por este assi lo proveyerun mandaron, y firmaron sus mereedes de que doy fee. JUAN. VALDES. LORENZO CORONADO. Ante mi : jj Luiz LorEZ de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda. in g the seizure of the Dutch schooner and two launches from the Colony of Essequibo which had entered this River Orinoco under pretext of fishing, but came for other objects of illicit traffic, and for purchases of poitos from the Caribs, it was their duty to order, and did order, that the present Notary should draAv up a copy of these documents, to be deposited in this Royal " Contaduria," and that the originals should be sent to the Superior Tribunal of Government and Finance ; and in regard te the half-breed, Jan Batista, who was well known, although in his confession he refused to giA'e his name, and denied that he was a half- breed, saying that he was an Indian of the Aruak nation, and having maliciously stained himself with annotto, in order not to be recog nized, his Honour the Commandant ordered tliat he should be put in irons in the fortress, to await the decision of his Lordship the Governor and Captain- General, and that he should be allowed 1 real daily for his main tenance, seeing that the Reverend Father Pre fect is unwilling to admit him because of the serious mischief done by other half-breedsTin the villages to which they have been sent, by taking to flight and carrying away others. already settled and civilized. And in respect to the Indians, he arranged to send them to the said Reverend Father Prefect, to be dis tributed among the villages under, his charge, agreeably to orders. And in .respect to the cargo of fish, his Honour the Lieutenant of Royal. Officers has been charged with its dis posal for the benefit of the Royal Treasury, seeing that it is a class of goods which becomes.. stale and loses weight, and consequently i de creases in Aralue ; and hereby their -Honours have thus provided, ordered, and signed, wherer unto I certify. : . (Signed) JUAN VALDES. . : LORENZO CORONADO., Before me : (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, > ( . Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. Concuerda este testimonio con los orijinales de su contenido que paran en esta Real Contaduria para remittir al Sefior Governador y Capitan General y . oficiales de la Real Hazienda de la x-i ('iudad de Cumana a que me remito, esta sierto J y verdadero y legalmente escripto de una misma lettra en veintte y tres ojas con esta de papel comun por no correr sellado en el qual lo signo y firmo en tres dias de el- mes de Octubre de mil septe cientos y sesenta anos. En ttesttimonio de verdad : (Hay un signo.) Luiz Lopez de la Puente, Escribano Publico y de Real Hacienda (Hay una nibrica.) E This copy agrees in its contents with the originals to which I refer, and which remain in this Royal " Contaduria " to be sent to the' Governor and Captain-General and officers' of the Royal Treasury of the City of Cumana ; it- is accurately, truly, and legally written in one and the same handwriting, on twenty-three leaves, including this one, °f ordinary' paper, because stamp paper is not current. This I sign and seal on the 3rd October,' 1760. In testimony of the truth. (Seal.) (Signed) Luis Lopez de la Puente, Notary Public, and of the Royal Treasury. (Rubric.) No.. 352. Director- General, Essequibo, to West Lndia Company, dated Demerary, October 24, 1760. / T t (Extract.) • DEN eerste September ontfing ik rapport de 15 weglopers sig achter de plantagie' Nieuw W'alchere bevonden, waer het onmogelijk sijnde haer met weijnig volk te krijgeri maer een uur of vier van Cajoeny en den blauwen -berg : waeren, ON the 1st September I received information that the fifteen fugitives were on the other side of the plantation Nieuw Walcheren, -where it was impossible to take them with a few men, that being but four hours' distant from Cuyuni 197 Sohreef ik aenstonds aen den Secretaris om tegen den vierde een extra vergadering van den Raed te beleggen om het nodige te beraemen om hier een eijnde van te maeken. Ondertusschen bad ik de Posten in tijds laete waerschouwen en de geheele zeekust door de Caribische natie laeten besetten, soo dat het haer naer die kant onmogelijk was te ontkomen, naer Cajoeny was haer de weg open sedert het over- rompele van de post aldaer door de Spanjaerde die rivier niet beset sijnde en de weg naer Oronoque daer vrij en gemakkelijk. * * * * Ik ben genootsaekt geweest ten spoedigste een detachement van vier van de beste soldaeten naer de Post van Maroco te senden, wijl de Span jaerden weder haer horens beginnen Op te steken, hebbende buijten en behalve een Schoon vaertuijg van DHr. Persik twelk tot den handel gebruikt wierd (en dus niets op te seggen valt) vijf canoas yan deese Colonie genomen welke besig waeren om te souten en eenige der selve in de te rug reijse aen deze seijde van Barima en dus Ed. Comp. territoir weg genomen waer onder de canoa van Aechte kerke en die van Duynenburg splinter nieuw doende sijn eerste reijs, en gedreijgt binne korte met de Post in Maroco te sullen handelen Soo als sij met die in Cajoeny gedaen hebben. Ik hebbe den Posthouder gelast in dusdanig geval sig met sijn onderhebbende Indiaenen tot den laesten man te defendeeren, en het nodige tot een goede defense besorgt. , Waer wil dit heen Ed. Gr. Achbaere Heeren, worden sulke geweldadigheden niet. gestuijt, wat sullen de gevolgen weezen de Rivier A'an Cajoeny legt nog onbeset en geeft een veijlige weg voor de weglbpende slaeven Hebbe de Post aldaer nog niet herstelt hoopende altijd die saek in Europa geredresseert soude worden en sulx ook niet sonder geweld te plegen konnende geschieden, waer toe niet als Op speciael bevel soude komen. Alsoo men presumeert het nemen van die vaertuijgen meest door toedoen van Spanjaerds is geschied welke met toebak en ander koopman- schappen in deese rivier sijn geweest soo hebbe op het versoek van DHr. Spoors, geappuijeert door het voornaemste en beste gedeelte der ingesetenen aen cle Post een bevel gesonden absolut geen Spanjaerds meer naer hier te laete passeeren, tensij een enkelde welke met brieven van de regering mogte gechargeert wezen. De twee plantagien van U. E. G. A. sijn nu behalve de verlegentheijt waer in door het verlies van twee sulke noodsaekelijke vaertuijgen Sonder kost voor de slaeven, en sonder dat men weet waer die te bekomen Sijnde de rivier genoegsaem als geslooten door de Fransche Capers, van welke eene genaemt la Minerve Capt. Bernard L'Escar- peau voorlede week in Demerary is geweest om vars water deselve was gemcnteerf met tiert Stukken en 90 man, en heeft sig seer beleefd en ordentelijk gedraegen. Den tweede Capiteijn welke met de Commissie bij mij is geweest, heeft mij gesegt, dat sij door het nemen van een vaer tuijg geinformeert sijnde den ouden heer Clarke in t begin deser maend naer hier stond te komen, sij met haer sestiene uijt Martinique waeren gelopen om op hem te passen, waer van vijf hier omtrent Cruijste daer deeze eene van was en een dag of vier naer sijn vertrek. heeft DHr. Buisson welke op de plantagie de Goede uijtsigt woond j_696-3j and the Blauwenberg. I immediately wrote A to the Secretary to call a special meeting of the Court for the 4th, in order to deliberate upon the measures to be taken to put an end to this matter. Meanwhile, I had sent warning to all the Posts, and had the coast guarded by the Carib nation, so that it should be impossible for the slaves to make off in that direction. The road to Cuyuni was open to them, because since the raid upon the Post there by the Spaniards the river has not been occupied, and the road to Orinoco is an open and easy one. * * * * }3 I have been obliged to send a detachment of four of the best soldiers to. the Post of Maroco as quickly as possible because the Spaniards are beginning to put their horns out again. Besides a fine boat belonging to Mr. Persik, and used only for trade (to which, therefore, no blame attaches), they have also taken five canoes belonging to this Colony which were engaged in salting ; on then- way back they also took some canoes on this side of Barima, and thus within the Honourable Com pany's territory. Amongst these Avas the canoe of Aechtekerke and that of Duynenburg — a p brand new one out on its first journey. They also threatened to deal with the Post in Maroco ere long in the same way as they had done with that in Cuyuni. I have given the Post- holder instructions that in case such a thing should happen he Avas to defend the Post with his subordinate Indians, to the last man, and I. also made the necessary arrangements for an effectual defence. To what will this lead, your Lordships ? If such acts of A-iolence are not stopped, what -will the results be ? The River Cuyuni is still unguarded, and presents an easy road to fugi- jy tive slaves. I have not yet re-established the Post there, always hoping that the matter might receive redress in Europe. I could not act in the matter without using violence, and this I would not do without special orders. It being presumed that the taking of the boats was really the work of the Spaniards who came up this river with tobacco and other, com modities, I have, at the request of Mr. Spoors,. supported by the principal inhabitants, sent an order to the Post to let no Spaniards pass this way on any account whatever, except a single one who miight be the bearer of letters from E the Government. To say nothing of the annoyance occasioned by the loss of two such necessary boats, your Lordships' two planta tions are now Avithout provisions for the slaves, and without any means of obtaining them, tho river being as good as closed by the French privateers, one of which, called "La Minerve," Captain Bernard L'Escarpeau, was last week in Demerary for fresh water ; she had ten pieces of artillery and ninety men on board, who behaved themselves in a proper and polite way. The second Captain, who came to me with the commission, told me that, having been '( informed by the capture of a vessel that old Mr. Clarke was coming here at the beginning of this month, sixteen of them had left Marti nique together to catch him, and that five of them, of which his vessel was one, were cruising in the neighbourhood. About four days after his departure Mr. Buisson, who Iries on the plantation De Goede Uytsigt, from which there is a full view of the sea, told me that he 3 E 198 A die regt in zee sien kan, verslag gedaen dat verre over de honderd Canon Schooten getelt hadde welke in zee niet verre van de kust gedaen waeren, soo dat het . wel konde wezen, sij voors Heer ontmoet waeren. De saeken dus gestelt sijnde konnen geen Engelsche met provisien inkomen en vreeze seer twee barquen welke wij om deezen tijd van Rode Eijland verwagtede in haer hande gevalleu sullen Avezen. Het welk ons in d'uijterste verlegentheijt soude brenge. had counted more than 100 shots fired out at sea not far from the coast ; it is very pro bable, therefore, that they met the • aforei mentioned gentleman. Under these circumstances, no English can enter the river with provisions, and I very much fear that two barques which we are expecting about this time from Rhode Island have fallen into their hands. This would land us in terrible straits. B No. 353. West Lndia Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, March 16, 1761. (Extract.) DE nieuwe geweldenarijen der Spanjaarden in het nemen, van het vaartuijg van den heer Perzik, en de vijf canoas, die bezig waren met zouten, hebben ons zeer gesurpreneert, dan wij hadden wel gewenscht dat UEd van dat alles aan ons omstandige beeedigde Verklaringen had toegeson- C den opdat wij op grond van dien desweegens de nodige remonstrantie, aan hun hoog mogende zouden hebben cunnen doen. Wij zullen dezelve mede hoe eer hoe liever verAvagte mitsgaders, de reedenen waerom UEd. oordeelt, dat alles wat aen deeze zijde van Barime gebeurt is moet geoordeelt worden op Compagnies territoir geschiet te zijn, om alle hetzelve bij ons geexamineert zijnde naeder te rezolveeren wat in deezen zal behooren gedaen te worden. THE neAv outrages of the Spaniards in seizing the boat of Mr. Persik and the five canoes, which were busy salting, have greatly surprised us ; but we could have wished that you had transmitted to us circumstantial and sworn declarations of all this, so that, acting upon these, we might have made the necessary remonstrances to the States- General about that matter. We shall still hope to receive these, and the earlier the better, together with the reasons why you deem that everything which has happened on this side of Barima must be deemed to have occurred on territory of the Company; in order that, when we shall have examined all this, we may take further resolution as to what it behoves us to do in this matter. D No. 354. Director-General, Essequibo, to West Lndia Company, March 18, 1761. (Extraet.) EN Soo word ik meenigmael geplaegt en angeset om saeken te doen die ik wesentlijk voor Schadelijk houde, en daer ik echter genootsaekt ben toe te komen wil ik de voornaemste en wel seven achste der Colonie niet tegens mij in het harnas Jaegen, Dus is het gelegen met het verbod dat voorlede Jaer hebbe gedaen om geen Spanjaerds meer in de E Rivier te laeten komen, dat mij wezentlijk nadelig voorkomt. Ik heb mij altoos verbeelt dat geen of weijnig vaertuijgen naer Orinoque te senden en de Span jaerds te noodsaeken met haer goederen naer hier te komen, het voordeeligst was voor dingesetenen wijl dan geen het minste gevaer onderworpen was en dit begon ook seer wel te gaen. Maer de Jalousie van die geene welke gewoont waeren dien handel alleen te drijven, maekte dat ten eerste veel op die toelating te seggen viel en mij veel remonstrantien wierden gedaen, Siende dat ik v daer niet naer luijsterde, wijl ik antwoorde den ¦'- handel vrij was en niet meer als redelijk was dat elk ingesetene daer Wat van profiteerde, heeft men de saeken soodanig weeten te dirigeeren dat even voor.de komst van R. Robberts een request van Borger Capiteijns in den Raed wierd gepresenteerd, in naem der Ingesetene versoekende onder andere saeken die toelating ingetrokken wierd en de Spanjaerds verbode mogt worden hier te komen, >¦ - I AM thus frequently coerced into taking a course which I really believe to be disadvan tageous, and into which I am forced because I do not want to have seven - eighths of the Colony against me. This is the case with the order I gave last. year to allow no more Spaniards to come up the river, for this measure really appears to me to be injurious to our interests. I have always imagined that it was best for our inhabitants to send feAv or no boats to Orinoco, and so compel the Spaniards to come here with their merchandize ; in this way our people Avovild not be exposed to the least dan-r ger, and the arrangement began to work very well. But the jealousy of those avIio had been accustomed to have that trade in their own hands caused many remarks to be made con cerning tiie permission given the . Spaniards, . and brought me many remonstrances. Seeiug that I took no notice of all this, and merely answered that the trade was free, and that i'i was only right that all the colonists should be able to profit by it, they brought things to such a pass that, just before the arrival of R. Rob berts, a Petition was laid before the Court in tho name of the colonists, asking, amongst other things, that the permission should be withdrawn from the Spaniards, and that they should be forbidden to come here. 199 Eijndelijk een missive van DHr. Spoors in Demerary ontfangende welke d'Eer hebbe hier iii te sluijten, moest ik resolveeren dit verbod tedoeii (twelk nog stant grijpt). U. E. G. A- sullen in die missive sien hoe sijn Ed., ook al. misleijd word, wijl het rapport van die Neger (seker daer toe opgemaekt) een volslaege onwaerheijt behelsd, de door hem beschuldigde Spanjaerds welke met een goede party Toebak hier waeren gekomen, konde nog soo verre niet wezen op haer te rug reijse, en is ook bevonde dat waerlijk nog op d'Ed. Comp. Post Maroco waeren doen het voorva! gebeurt is, en ik ben van seer goede hand geinformeert dat de Canoas genomen sijn door een gewapend vaertuijg gecommandeert door den Capiteijn D. Flores afgesonden expres om de Suriuaemsche Swervers in Barima op te lichten, en die heeft mede genome al Wat in sijn weg ontmoet heeft. Het welke soo als ik gein formeert ben hem niet al te wel is afge'nomen. Nu staet dien handel volstrekt stil, Want alles in Orinoque over hoop leggende den Comman dant naer Cumana, ontboden sijnde om sig over verscheijde klachten te verantwoOrden, Durven geen vaertuijgen naer die plaets te gaen, en geene naer hier wordende toegelaeten sitten eenige menschen die sig op dien handel toegelegt hadden met haere goederen in verlegentheijt. Finally, on the receipt of a despatch from A Mr. Spoors in Demerary, which I have the honour to inclose, I was obliged to bring myself td issue the desired orders, which still hold good. From that despatch your Lordships will see how Mr. Spoors is also deceived The report of the negro (who was, no doubt, put up to this) contains a most evident falsehood. The Spaniards Avhom he accuses, and who had come here with a large quantity of tobacco, could not have got so far on their return journey, and it has also been ascertained that they were in reality still at the Honourable ^ Company's Post at Maroco when the event -" occurred ; and I am also informed on very good authority that the canoes were taken by au •armed boat, commanded by Captain D. Flores. who was sent out expressly to catch the Surinam rovers in Barima, and who captured everything that came in his way, which, so I am informed, did not bring him too much credit. That trade is now at an absolute standstill, be cause everything in Orinoco being in disorder, the Commandant having been summoned to Cumana to ansAver several charges brought against him, no boats dare to go to that place, p and none being allowed to come here the people who have always devoted themselves to this trade are left with their stocks in a state of great embarrassment. No. 355. Director-General, Essequibo, to West Lndia Company, May 28, 1761. (Extract.) IK hebbe clen 18 Maert laestleden, met de ber- kantyn het Demerary welvaeren d'Eer gehad U. E. G. A. te schrijyen (Hope deselve gelukkig gearriveert sal sijn.) Met deselven bodem hebbe d'Eer gehadt U. E. G. A. het Copye Caertje te senden van deeze kust welke in mijne voorgaende vfergeten hadde. Hoope die saek wegens Cajoeny tot een gelukkig eynde gebracht sal sijn, waer seer naer verlange, wijl deselve wezentlijk van de hoogste aengelegentheijt is voor d'Ed. Compagnie en soo my de saek voor komt geen disput met het hof van Spanjen kan onderworpen zijn al te klaer en duijdelijk blijkende de Post op d'Ed.. Comp. territoir niet alleen heeft gestaen, maer dat het selve sig veel verder uijtstrekt. Ik worde door d'indiaenen geinformeert dat nog geduurig in die rivier gesonden word, apparent om te vernemen of wij de Post weder herstellen, om in soo een geval weder misschien denselven gang te gaen. In Demerary gaet Gode Lof alles seer voor* sppedig voort en de .plantagien in die rivier avanceeren seer. . Bij gelegentheijt dat van die Rivier Spreke, Vind ik mij verplicht U. E. G. A. voor te draegen 'dat alsoo de coffy plantagien daer in staet be ginnen te raeken en wel te leveren de cacao daer ook wel reusseert; en mede een party geplant staet te worden, het haest tijd sal worden de Ver- gunning door U. E. G. A. eenige jaeren geleden •goedgunstig verleent om die producten aen VreCmde (onder betaling van sekere recogmtiej te 'mogen verkopen, weder in te trekken. Synde het My Lords, tentrionales del incognito Ayrico y dilatados llanos de San Juan Barinas Caracas, Barcelona, y Cumand. En la parte septentrional de dicha Provincia, y A quarenta leguas clel mar y quatro arriva de donde se divide Orinoco en varios brazos que inundan toda la Tierra que comprenden y de saguan al oriente occidente y frente de la Costa ''meridional de la Ysla cle la Trinidad de Barlovento, esta en la orilla meridional de aquel rio levantado el Castillo sobre un penon y al pie oriental de un Cerro elevado y pendiente ; su figura es un trapecio cuadrilatero cle ciento y veinte pies de largo y setenta de ancho ; tiene en los angulos occidentales dos Baluartes y en su cortina In puerta sobre el Cordon ; en el angulo oriental septentrional salen dos f rentes que flan quean el del Baluarte occidental-meridional, y el flanco de un medio Baluarte, que se abanza sobre el lado menor para incluir un penon que esta. seis pies mas alto que la plaza de armas del Castillo, y no obstante que han terraplenado hasta cubrirle, y "'-levantado la Muralla correspondientemente, sale su falta por el Cordon y facilita el asalto ; es cle poca resistencia la fabrica y no esta defendida cle foso ni estacada ; un Capitan Castellano y Co mandante de la Provincia, un Theniente, dos Alfereces, y cien hombres esta Tropa de su dota tion; esta artillado con dies y ocho canones de seis hasta veinte y quatro y el Baluarte oriental 6 cavallero coronado de Pedreros a metralla, tiene un almacen de Polvora a texa baxa y provisto escasamente ; las suficientes balas para los canones montados ; un simple y estrecho alojamiento para quarenta hombres ; almacen para un mes de viveres, y el agua del Rio al soculo del frente septentrional. El Fortin nombrado San Diego que esta sobre aquel cerro, 6 Padrasto es un quadrado de treinta y seis pies de lado interior, con quatro Baluartes ncupados de cuatros canoncitos de A tres que asoman por los angulos flanqueados ; en la cortina meridional que hace frente a la ciuclad tiene dos de a quatro ; otros dos en la oriental que flanquean la espalda clel Castillo quatro pedreros a metralla sobre la septentrional que hace frente al Rio ; en la occidental uno de a seis con dos de a tres sobre polines y a barbeta; su fusileria descubre los '-defensores clel Castillo de cuya guarnicion se hace un destacamento para este Fortin ; esta Tropa se aloja en un torreoncito que tiene en medio, y en el almacena sus biveres ; no tiene foso ni estacada, < y su muralla es endeble y de nuebe pies de altura hasta el Cordon. A espalda de estos fuertes y bajo cle tiro cle fusil hay dos lagunas que aumenta la creciente del Rio 'por un cano que entra a la occidental 6 del Bara- tillo, por el pie" occidental del Cerro ; las une por el paso que dejan en la bajante, y desagua en el mismo Orinoco, por la parte oriental a dos tiros fusil del CastiUo ; toda la Ysleta de esta cubierta de sepesisimos Bosques, y en las imediaciones al fuerte hay diferentes penones que cada uno puede abrigar * Apparently something is here omitted. [696—2] ocean on the east, on the coasts of Avhich [? are the Colonies of the French] at the mouth of the Amazon and those of the Dutch of Surinam and Esquivo, near the Orinoco ; on the south, the Portuguese established on that famous river and the Rio Negro ; and on the west and north the Casiquiari, branches to the Rio Negro from the Orinoco, and this great river, which are the eastern and northern boundaries of the unknown Ayrico [sic], and the extensive plains of San Juan Barinas Caracas, Barcelona, and Cumana. In the northern part of the said province, and at 40 leagues from the sea and 4 leagues above where the Orinoco divides itself into several branches, which inundate all the land they embrace, and fall into the sea to the east, west, and opposite the coast of the Island of Trinidad to Windward, on the south bank of that river a Castle is raised on a rock at the eastern foot of a high and sloping hill ; its form is a quadrilateral trapezium of 120 feet long, and 70 feet broad; on its western corners it has two bastions and in its curtain, the door above the cordon ; hi the north-east corner stand out two fronts which flank that of the south-west bastion, and the flank of a demi-bastion, which projects on the shorter side, so as to take in a rocky hill, which is 6 feet higher than the place d'armes of the Castle ; and although they piled up the earth so as to cover it, and correspondingly raiaed the wall, the deficiency is still prominent o\-er the cordon, and facilitates attack ; the structure offers small resistance, and is neither defended by ditch nor stockade ; a captain of the Castle and Commandant of the Province, a lieutenant, two ensigns, and 100 men form its garrison ; it is armed with 18 cannons of from 16 to 24, and the eastern bastion or cavalier sur mounted with swivel-guns ; it has a powder magazine, with a low roof, and very scantily supplied ; sufficient shot for the mounted cannon, plain and cramped quarters for 40 men, a storehouse for a month's provisions, and river water from the conduit on the north front. The small fort, named San Diego, which is on that hill or elevation, is a square of 37 feet on a side, in the interior, with four bastions, armed with four small cannons of the calibre of three, which point from the angles of the flanks. On the southern cm-tain, which faces towards the city, are tAvo of four, other two on the eastern, which flank the rear of the Castle; four swivel- guns on the northern, which faces towards the river; on the western one of six, with two of three, mounted on carriages and en barbette. Its fire extends to the defences of the Castle, of whose garrison there is a detachment for this fort. This company is lodged in a small tow-er in the middle, and their storehouse for provisions is there ; it has neither ditch nor stockade, and its Avail is of no strength, and 9 feet high towards the cordon. In the rear of these forts and within musket shot are two lagoons which the overflow of the river enlarges by a channel wliich enters the west or that of the Baratillo by the west foot of the hill, connects them by the passage Avhich they leave on the declivity, and disembogue into the Orinoco itself on the east side, two musket shots from the Castle. The whole of this islet is covered Avith A-ery thick Avood, and in the B C D E E See suggestion in the translation. 3 G 206 A veinte, 6 veinte y cinco hombres, a medio tiro cle fusil del fuerte occidental del Castillo hay una quebrada que sirve de puerto a las embar caciones menores quando esta crecido el Rio, y quando bajo puede emboscar cinquenta hombres cubiertos a los fuegos cle una y otra fuerza ; entre esta quebrada y el paso de comunicacion de las lagunas hay una loma que sale clel cerro clel Pa drasto, y sin declivio sigue a unirse con el cimiento del Castillo : detras cle ella y a tiro cle fusil de este fuerte pueden alojarse doscientos hombres al pie' del cerro cubierto cle los fuegos cle una y otra fuerza sin otra incomodidacl que la que saiga E a darles la pequena guarnicion del Padrasto ; por esta parte y la meridional es inaccesible su fortin no lo es tanto por la septentrional ; pero esta flan- queada de los fuegos occidentales del Castillo ; por la falda occidental 6 del Baratiilo puede el enemigo subir .cubierto hasta el tiro cle pistola cle su muralla y si fuere necesario Uevar hasta alii artilleria sufi- ciente para batirle. La ciudad esta al medio dia cle la laguna del ^ Baratiilo sin otra defensa que la que alcanza cle la artilleria de ambos fuertes ; esta fundada en Cam- pana terminada de Cerros montuosos por el oriente a un quarto cle legua, y a dos y quatro leguas por el medio dia, y occidente ; su temperamento es inuy calido y extremadamente mal sano para los Espanoles y Indios, no tanto para los negros; su pueblo inclusa la guarnicion cle los fuertes, es de quatrocientos y cinquenta personas cle ambos sexos sin embargo de la antiguedad cle su fundacion, del fomento que recive con el situado para la Tropa que anualmente entra en ella, de los muchos ne- cesitados e infelices que acuclen A disfmtarle, de jy las familias, de Yslas Cauarias que han entrado a poblarla en diferentes tiempos, y cle haver variado situation aunque sin alejarse del fuerte ; sus casas son de madera y barro cubiertos de palmas y de los mismos materiales es la Yglesia. Al medio dia estan internados diez y ocho Pueblos de Indios reducidos por la Venerable Mision Capuchina Catalana y aunque en los inmediatos a la ciudad se padece en los mas distantes se goza de buena salud ; escoltan estas missiones diez y ocho hom bres clestacados cle la dotation clel Castillo. El fortin que se fabrica en la punta oriental de la boca del Brazo de Limones esta en la orilla E septentrional cle Orinoco al frente clel Castillo, en tierra baja y montuosa que aniega la creciente cle las aguas ; es oval y su mayor diametro cle sesenta pies esta paralelo al rio ; sus fuegos con los clel Castillo cerraran el paso a las embarcaciones, mas no se defienden mutuamente. A el ataque cle las embarcaciones esta inaccesible el Castillo por la precision cle batirle al and a y prin- cipalmente por no poder resistir los gruesos tiros cle su artilleria, las que suceden (?) en quince pies de 1H agua, que tiene la boca grande de Orinoco, pero a el ataque cle tierra favorece la situation cle las forti- ficaciones colocacion cle sus fuerzas, y que el ene migo puede proteger desde sus embarcaciones su desembarco en el Bosque de la Ysla clel Castillo ; en el pudiera formar su ataque al Cavallero ; pero le es mas facil y de mas convenientes consequencias apoderarse de la ciudad que hallaran ya desampa- rada de los pocos y cleviles milicianos que se retiraran escoltando a los que sobren para la defensa vicinity of' the fort there are several rocks, each of which can shelter 20 or 25 men; half a musket shot from the western fort of the Castle there is a break in the land, which serves as a harbour for the small boats, when the river is high, and when it is low 50 men can lie hid there, covered from the fire of either force. Between this cleft and the passage of com munication between the lagoons there is a spur running from the hill of the Padras to, AA-hich without declivity runs to the base of the Castle ; behind this, and a musket shot from this fort, 200 men can be posted at the foot of the hill covered from the fire of either force, Avithout other inconvenience than that which the small garrison of the Padrasto can sally forth and inflict on them. On this side and the south the small fort is inaccessible ; on the north it is not so much so, but it is flanked by the western fire of the Castle ; on the western slope or that of the Baratiilo, the enemy can approach under cover to within pistol shot of its Avail ; and if it were necessary, bring there artillery sufficient to destroy it. The city is to the south of the lagoon of the Baratiilo, with no other defence than that which reaches it from the artillery of both forts ; it is built on an open plain bounded by rocky and wooded hills a quarter of a league distant on the east, and at two and four leagues on the south and Avest ; its climate is very hot and ex tremely unhealthy for Spaniards and Indians, not so much so for negroes. Its population, in cluding the garrison of the forts, is 450 persons of both sexes, notwithstanding the antiquity of its foundation, the support which it receives by the payment for the troops Avhich come to it annually, the many poor and unfortunate people who try to benefit by it, notwithstanding families from the Canary Isles Avho have come in to people it at different times, and notwithstanding that it has changed its position, Avithout how ever going farther from the fort ; its houses are of wood and clay, covered Avith palms, and the church is of the same materials. On the south are Scattered eighteen villages of Indians, con verted by the venerable Catalan Capuchin Mission, and though in those near the city there is sickness, in the more distant they enjoy good health : these Missions are guarded by eighteen men detached from the garrison of the Castle. The small fortress which is being built on the eastern point of the mouth of the Limones branch is on the north bank of the Orinoco, opposite to the Castle, on low and wooded land, wliich is flooded at the rise of the waters ; it is oval, and its greatest diameter of 70 feet is parallel to the river ; its fire with that of the Castle will close the passage for ships, but they will not mutually defend each other. The Castle is inaccessible to the attack of ships, from the necessity of engaging it at anchor, and principally because those ships that draw 15 feet of water, which the. great mouth of the Orinoco has, cannot resist the heavy fire of its artillery ; but the situation of the fortifications and the disposition of their forces favour an attack by land, as also the fact that the enemy from th^ir ships can cover a landing in the wood of the island of the Castle ; in it _ they could form their attack on the cavalier bastion, but it would be easier and of more advantageous consequences for them to take possession of the city, Avhich they -will find 207 de los fuertes, y alojandose en el paso de las lagunas al abrigo de la Ionia y pie clel Padrasto dandose mano con los que ataquen su fortin por el Baratiilo ; y con la gente de las embarcaciones que sin desampararlas inquietara a los clel Castillo amagando asalto por la pena clel Cavallero y embarazando el socorro al padrasto puede lle- varsele cle un golpe cle mano, pues llega el soldado sin mayor dificultad al pie cle la muralla, y le es la espalda cle su compafiero estrivo suficiente para montar sobre el terraplen. ¦ Perdido el Padrasto no puede dcf enderse - el Castillo, el Fortin cle Limones, ni aquella Provincia ; se abririan Orinoco y descubririan las Espalclas cle Cumana, Varinas y aun Santa Fee ; sin que queclen en aquella parte fuerzas para detener el progreso del Enemigo ; ni las que pueden concurrir de las dos Provincias vecinas en las Orillas cle aquel Rio para el cobro de tan impor- tante puesto, hallarian embarcaciones y biveres para pasar al sitio : pero si la Ciudad se situase treinta y quatro leguas arriva del Castillo en la Angostura donde Orinoco se estrecha a ochocientos varas tendrian la Tropa un segundo puesto clonde repararse ; detendria el progreso clel Enemigo ; y congregadas alii mayores fuerzas hallarian prompto lo necesario para bajar a desalojarle sin darles tiempo para fortificarse ; las Militias serian suficiente para conservar la poblacion, se aumenta- rian y podrian socorrer la Tropa de los Castillos, y esta cumpliria con la obligation cle Soldados sin el embarazo de la de Ciudadanos, Maridos y Padres a que atendieron el ano de quarenta, abandonando el Castillo a un Tratante Yngles que en una Balaudra con setenta hombres fue a cobrar de los Guayanos algunas cantidades con el saqueo cle la Ciudad ; alii se tendra complete el numero de la Tropa por la facil recluta que se haria cle la gente de las provincias de Barcelona y Carracas que ya se asoman al Rio por aquella parte con experiencias de su saludable temperamento ; el Estrangero con trato ilicito encontraria este segundo y angusto embarazo para internarse y se evitarian todos los perjuicios que causa su introducion; se atenderia a las Escoltas cle las Misiones con el respeto, y Destacamentos de Tropa disciplinada, con este combeniente se podrian agregar a los tien hombres de Guayana las Escoltas de Jesuitas de Orinoco y Dominicos de Varinas y el Gefe que esta encargado de la Have, y conservacion de aquellos Dominios. cle V.M. tendria estas Tropas mas para su cles- empeno, y podria en caso necesario congregar ' sus destacamentos y aumentar sus fuerzas con los de los Yndios que cada uno podria llevar cle sus respectivos departamentos. " - Agregados los setenta y tres hombres de aquellas Escoltas a los cientos de'la Dotation de Guayana y veinte y cinco del Fortin de Limones, no veo que por ahora sea necesaria Tropa mas numerosa para conservar aquel puesto, y proteger las Misiones mas si un oficial cle honor, celoso y chh- gente del servicio de V.M. y de alguna inteligencia en fortification para que sin demora fortifique los dos pianos que se adelantan a fuertes oriental already deserted by the feAv and feeble militia, A who will retire, those who may remain being taken for the defence of the forts, and posting themselves in the passage of the lagoons, under shelter of the hill, and at the foot of the Padrasto, joining with those who may attack the small fort by the Baratiilo ; and with the people of the ships who, Avithout quitting them, can harass the garrison of the Castle, threaten ing assault by the hill of the caAralier bastion, and preventing the succour to the Padrasto, can carry it by a coup de main, since a soldier can reach the foot of the wall without further difficulty, and the shoulder of his comrade will be E sufficient assistance to mount upon the terreplein. The Padrasto being lost, the Castle cannot defend itself, nor the small Fort of Limones, nor even that province ; they would open the Orinoco and Avould uncover the rear of Cumana, Barinas, and even Santa Fe, nor Avould there be forces left in that part to delay the adA^ance of the enemy ; nor could those from the neighbour ing provinces on the banks of that river assemble for the recovery of so important a post, or find ships and provisions to pass to it; but if the city was situated 34 leagues higher than, p the Castle in the Angostura, Avhere the Orinoco is narroAved to 800 yards, the troops would have a second post Avhere they could recover themselves, and the advance of the enemy would be delayed ; and larger forces being assembled there, they would soon find Avhat Avas necessary to enable them to descend and dislodge the enemy Avithout giving thern time to fortify themselves. The militia Avould be sufficient to protect the population, and they would be increased, and could support the troops of the Castles, and these latter Avould fulfil the duty of soldiers Avithout being embarrassed by J) that of citizens, husbands and fathers, to which they attended in the year 1740, abandoning the Castle to an English trader, Avho, in a small merchant - ship with seventy men, came to recoA>er some sums of money from the Guayanos. by pillaging the city. The number of the troops could there be kept complete, owing to the ease of recruiting from the people of the Pror- vinces of Barcelona and Caracas, avIio already begin to come to the river in that part from experience of its healthy climate. The foreigner doing illicit trade would encounter this second and difficult, obstacle in the Avay of his entering E the country, and injury caused by his coming in would be avoided ; the guards of the Missions would be carefully provided, and, with this advantage, detachments of disciplined troops could be joined to the hundred men of Guayana, the guards of the Jesuits of the Orinoco and the Dominicans of Barinas ; and the Chief who has charge of the key, and maintenance of your Majesty's dominions, would have these troops better prepared for their work, and in case of need could collect their detachments and in crease theirforces with those of the Indians, av hich each could bring from their respective districts. -^ The seventy-three men of those escorts being added to the hundred of the garrison of Gua yana, and tAventy-five of the small Fort of Limones, I do not see that for the present a more numerous troop is necessary in order to hold that Post and protect the Missions ; but it is necessary to have an honourable official, zealous and diligent, in the service of your Majesty, and of some skill in fortification, so that without delay 208 A y occidental cle Fortin clel Padrasto, con una fuerte estacada, y parapeto de fagina y tierra y flanquee desde el piano oriental, con quatro Canones gruesos el Castillo, el frente septentrional del Fortin y el paso entre las Lagunas ; con artilleria menor defienda la subida del Baratiilo al Fortin, que cubra este frente occidental con segunda estacada levante el parapeto de su Cortina y en ella ajuste tres Canones de a seis ; y para que estos tengan suficiente retirada derrive la Torre que esta en medio del Fortin y en su parapeto levante pilares de quatro pies de altura y sobre ellos un tejado que cubra la Plaza de annas, para que guarnezca a B la Tropa. Estas defensas del Padrasto lo son del Castillo, y clel paso del Rio con los fuegos del Fortin de Limones, y hallo que son suficientes en tanto que en el se fabrique con materiales per- manentes el Fuerte principal dejando en el Castillo viejo algunos Canones como bateria rasante. A esta proviclencia corrobora el que V M. cree en Gobiemo la Comandancia de Orinoco por lo que ya importa que se retire la Ciudad a la Angostura, y a mejor temperamento los Pueblos de Yndios imediatos al sitio donde oy esta, que estos y los vezinos de Guayana retiren todos siis ganados p para que el ambre clel enemigo ayude a nuestras fuerzas, y se imposivilite 6 dificulte mucho la provision cle Carnes frescas a la colonia olandesa de Esquivo, y principalmente cle mulas a sus Trapiches, y mas prohiviendo que los hates cle la Mision Capuchina de Guayanaclescubran el Rio que hay entre ellas y aquella Colonia ; ni en ellos haya asnos hechos ni mas cria de Cavallos que la precisa para pastorear el ganado. Estando en la Angostura la Guayana pasaria el trato ilicito por el embarazo de los fuegos clel Castillo y Fortin de Limone, y se le imposivilitaria su introducion si la Guarnicion tuviese dos Lanchas armadas que se relevasen en j_) la descubierta y se socorriesen mutuamente ; pero para proverla donde oy esta, no es necesaria avistar los fuertes y sin riesgo logra el contravandista el consentimiento de uno que puede darle sin testigos ; aquella dificultad traeria beneficios al Comercio Espafiol integrandose por el situado de las Tropas de Guayana Escoltas y Missioneros que pasa a fomentar los colonias Extrangeras ; recogeria el corambre de las orillas de Orinoco, que no llevan sus duenos a los Puertos de Mar, por que ui aun equivalen los ganancias del retorno A los costos del transporte y tambien los Tavacos, y Cacaos de Varinas, y no pocos cle la Provincia de Caracas ; se E evitaria la perclida de mucha gente que causa el p^simo temperamento del sitio donde oy esta la Ciudad de la Guayana pasandola A la Angostura ; desde aquel puesto puede el gobernador acudir en todos tiempos y prontamente a qualquiera parte de su Provincia, la de Caracas y Cumana, y con sus providencias proteger las de sus Gobernadores ; con seis Canoncitos defendera la Ciudad, cerrara aquel estrecho paso e impediria que los olandeses suban al Caura A comprar Esclavos cle los Carives, a proveerlo cle armas, y cultivar el odio a los Espanoles que han introducido en los Yndios para que no les falte esta cosecha que tanto beneficia •^ sus immediatas colonias ; y como no contribuye poco a su logro la practica de Tropa de conquista que tienen las Escoltas de las Missiones y su independencia del gobernador Comandante de la Guayana unidas estas a las de dotation de los Fuertes y proveidas las Missiones con destaca mentos de este cuerpo, la conducta de estas Tropas clisciplinadas seria amable a los Yndios poblados, y temida de los Barbaros y unos y otros la atenderian como A miembro de un cuerpo he may fortify the tAvo flat spaces before the east and west forts of the small fort of the Padrasto, with a stockaded fort, and parapet of fascines and earth, and from the eastern platform flank the north front of the small fort and the ' passage between the lagoons with four great guns, and with smaller guns defend the ascent of the Baratiilo to the small fort; cover thisAvestehi front with a second stockade, raising the para pet of its curtain, and place on it three guns of six ; and in order that there should be sufficient space to retreat into, pull down the tower which is in the middle of the fort and on its parapet raise pillars 4 feet in height, and on them a roof which Avill cover the place d'armes in order that it may protect the troops. These defences of the Padrasto also defend the Castle, and the passage of the river Avith the fire of the Fort of Limones, and I am of opinion that they are sufficient, so long as the principal fort is built of lasting materials, leaving in the old Castle some cannon as a batterie rasante. Your Majesty will strengthen these measures by raising the Com- mandantship of the Orinoco into a Government ; it is also important that the town should be removed to iriigoStura. and the Indian villages near its present site to a better climate ; that those and the inhabitants of Guayana should remove all their herds, so that the hunger of the enemy should help our forces, and that the pro vision of fresh meat to the Dutch Colony of Esquiv^o may be made impossible or very difficult, and especially the provision of mules for its sugar mills ; forbidding also that the cattle-farms of the Capuchin Mission of Gua yana should leave the river unguarded, wliich is between them and that Colony ; nor should there be any asses nor horses bred there, except what is necessary for taking the flocks to pas ture. La Guayana being at Angostura, the illicit trade would cease, because of the obstacle of the fire of the Castle and the Fort of Limones, and its introduction would be rendered impos sible if the garrison had two armed launches, which would relieve each other in reconnoitring, and would mutually assist each other ; but in order to carry it on where the town is now, it is not necessary to come in sight of the forts, and without risk the smuggler can obtain the assis tance of some one who will give it Avithout witnesses. This obstacle will benefit Spanish commerce, which would be assisted by the pay of the troops of Guayana, the guards and mis sionaries, Avhich would cease to support the foreign colonies. They would collect skins on the banks of the Orinoco, which their masters do not carry to the sea-ports, as the profit of the barter does not equal the costs of the carnage, and also the tobaccos and cacaos of Barinas, and not a little from the Province of Caracas. The loss of many persons caused by the unhealthy climate of the present site of the City of Guayana would be avoided by remov ing it to Angostura; from that post the Governor can at any time promptly visit any part of his province, that of Caracas and Cumana, and with his foresight protect the provinces of those Governors. With six small cannons he can defend the city, close that narroAv pass, and hinder the Dutch from coming up to the Caura to buy slaves from the Caribs and to furnish them Avith arms and cultivate the hatred of the Spaniards, which they have introduced among the Indians, in order that there should be no 209 respetable gobernado por un Gefe ; la obediencia a este de las tropas que tratarian los Yndios reducidos les ensenarian a reconocerle por superior y a obedecerle, el comandante tendria conocimiento de aquellos dominios de V. M. con el exercicio de las Escoltas y practica de yisitarlos ; el viage del destaeamento a las Missiones de Varinas y retira- da del relevado, seria otro embarazo para el trato ilicito en el Rio Apure, y moveria los Barbaros a Poblarse. La escolta del Maestre de Plata que puede relevar el destaeamento a las Missiones de Meto causaria iguales efectos; los Pueblos del vajo Orinoco de la Mision Jesuyta y Observante que no la necesitan permanente por que tienen immediata la Tropa en la Angostura, se fornen- tarian resguardados de la invasion cariva y un oficial con treinte hombres conservarian las Torres fuertes de San Fernando de Atabapu, bueno- .guardia de Casiquiari y San Carlos de Rio-negar, y con eStas se mantendrian los Guypunavis Manetibiiannas, Thosannas, Manaos y otros que tuve la foirtuna de pacificar, en el efectiyo Vasallage a V. M. y no dudo que los Yndios de ( la frontera que aun solos han sabido ; contener > el progreso de la domination portuguesa y han pedido el am- paro de V. M. se conserven fieles. con el abrigo de aquellos pocos Espanoles ; y todos abrazen nuestra santa Ley. Para este fin estan proporcionados los religiosos Capuchinos de la -Provincia ,de Caracas por que han reducido, poblado y cibilisado aquellos Yndios. y no tienen Infieles en que emplearse, y aun que los Jesuitas estan contiguos a los Guypunavis tienen la numerosa Nation Guahiba, en la parte occidental de Orinoco entre los Rios Meta y Apure, y en la parte oriental entre Cuchivero y Zapariapu la Quagua, Mapoye y Piaroa en que 'dignamente pueden emplear su fervorosa predi cation. ' Fortificado el Padrasto del Castillo San '.Francisco de Asis de'la Guayana, y artiUada el Fortin de Limones; mudada la Ciudad a lo Anoostura y terminados los pueblos immedia^os a donde oy esta unidas las tropas que hay en Orinoco Apure y Meta, y Creando un gobernador nara la Provincia de Guayana se imposibilita la herjudicial introducion de los extrangeros y se , facilitan l'ospiadosos' fines de V. M. Esto Senor, es quanto se me ofrece exponer a los pies de V. M. Seiior DON JOSEPH SOLANO (Hay una rubrica.) failure of this harvest, which so much benefits A their own neighbouring colonies ; and as they derive no little advantage from the attitude of conquerers which the guards of the Missions adopt, and from their independence of the Governor - Commandant of Guayana, these should be united to the troop's forming the garrison of the forts, and the Missions should be provided Avith detachments from this corps ; the conduct of these disciplined troops would be pleasing to the settled Indian, and feared by the savages; and one and the other Avould respect it as belonging to a respectable corps governed by a Chief; the obedience to him of " the troops that have charge of the converted Indians would teach them to recognize him as a superior, and to obey him. The Commandant would have knowledge of those dominions of your Majesty owing to the [constant] movement of the Mission guards and the custom of visiting them; the journey of the detachment to the Missions of Barinas aud the withdrawal of the , relieved party would be another obstacle in the way of the illicit trade in the River Apure, and would move the savages to settle themselves ; the escort of the officer in charge of silver, p which could relieve the . detachment at the Missions of'Meta, would produce the same effect ; the villages of the Lower Orinoco of the Jesuit and Franciscan Mission that do, not need one permanently, -because they- have the troops in Angostura close to them would be encouraged by being protected from the Carib invaders, and an officer with thirty men would keep the fortified toAvns of San Fernando de Atabapu , safe-guard of the Casiquiari arid San Carlos on the Rio Negro; and with. these can be main- tainedthe Guypunavis. Manetibitannas, Thosan nas, Manaos, "and others, that I had the- good D fortune to reduce to peaceful subjection to your Majesty, and I do not doubt that the Indians of the frontier, who of themselves have managed to restrain the progress of, the Portuguese rule, and who have asked for the protection of your Majesty, will be kept faithful by the protection of those few Spaniards, and will all embrace our holy Law. For this end the Capuchin monks of the : Province of Caracas are suitable, for they have converted, settled, and civilized those Indians, aud they have no infidels on whom to employ ^ themselves ; for, though the Jesuits are con- E tiguous .to the Guypunavis, they have the numerous Guahiva nation in the western part of , Orinoco between the Rivers Meta and Apure, aud in the eastern part between Cuchivero and Zapariapu la Quagua, Mapoye, and Piaroa, on whom they can worthily employ their fervent preaching. The Padrasto of the Castle of San Francisco de Asis de la Guayana being fortified and the Fort of Limones being armed, the city being moved to Angostura, and the villages near its present site being done away with, the troops -.-, that are in Orinoco, Apure, and Meta being brought together, a Governor of the Province of Guayana being appointed, the injurious intro duction of foreigners will be made impossible, and the pious objects of your Majesty -will- be made easier of accomplishment. This, Sire, is all that occurs to me to lay at the feet of your Majesty. (Signed) DON JOSEPH SOLANO. (Rubric.) [696—2| 3 H Brit. Mns., Spanish MSS. Add). 13987 vol. iv, |»p. 01-89. 210 No. 362. Table of the Capuchin Missions in Guayana in 1761 Notes relating to the Map of the Viceroy alty of Santa Fe" by Don Francisco Antonio Moreno Escandon, . (Extract.) THE statistical. particulars that are on the margin of the map of the Government of Cumana, drawn by Juan Aparicio in 1762. The said statistics show the actual position of the cities, towns, posts, and other places of the Spaniards, learned foundations, Missions of the Indians, number of men capable of bearing arms, families, individuals, houses, farms, churches, contribu* tions of the Indians * * * # * * 1* [The said map is to accompany " the Reports of the visit made by the present Governor Colonel Don Joseph [Diguja] Villagomez."] m yf? TV IP flfr V Men | B Missions in the Charge of the Reverend Fathers the Catalonian Capuchins of Guayana. capable of bearing Arms. Families. Souls. Houses. Planta tions. Churches. (Oi Capapui , . .. ., 159 159 634 97 1 „ Alta Gracia 122 122 . 499 86 1 , , Suav . . . . . . . . , . 72 72 224 51 X „ Amaruca . . 65 65 230 .. A „ Caroni . . . . . , 60 60 225 34 . ,, Aripuco .. .. . . . . 42 2 , K ,, Aguacaua . . . . . . , . 21 19 87 12 . (O „ MurucUri .. .. ., .. 70 70 329 . , , ca ,, S. Jph. de Leonisa . . . . . . 103 66 271 20 , _o „ Guarimna . . . . 60 60 219 .. . , to „ Carapu . . . . . , . . 71 62 291 . , . C ¦ i „ Miamo . . 147 146 517 64 , ,, Guaseipati ., ,. .. ., , , , . 210 24 „ ,, Palmar . . . . . . , . 99 98 350 . „ Ane-Chica ., t . 191 18 'f w ,, Fiacoa . . . . . . . . 1 32 32 73 ¦• • JS/Ote. — Column of reference to folios omitted. The foregoing Tables are taken from the respective part of the folios and Reports that are mentioned, and are transmitted to His Majesty the King in Royal and Supreme Council of the Indies. D No. 363. . s Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, January 9, 1762. (Extract.) DEN Handel met Orinoque gaet nog al redelijk sey-nde kortelijk verscheijde muijl Ezels en paerden van daer gekomen ; Jammer is het dat de weder- zijdschejalouzije,daer soo veel verhindering aen toe- brengt, want laest een Barq nevens eenige andere Vaertuijgen van d Hr. Persik daer naer toe sijnde geweest en een Canoa van Doctor J. B. Struijs daer IU mede ontmoetende heeft de Barq op die Canoa met Scherp geschooten en deselve gedwongen bij te blijven op dat niet eerst aen soude komen waer door ook die Cano geen een Muijl Ezel heeft ge- kregen en alleen elf paerde heeft moete nemen dit set quaed bloed, en sulke behandelingen sijn in staet die Negotie heel te ruineeren, vreeze dit bij de te rug komst van de barq, nog veel besigheijd aen den Raed Sal veroorsaeken. TRADE with Orinoco is going on pretty fairly, a number of mules and horses having lately come from there. It is . a pity that the mutual jealousy causes the trade so much hin drance. A little while ago a barque and some other small vessels belonging to Mr. Persik being on their, way there, they fell in with a canoe belonging to Dr. B. Struys ; the barque opened fire upon the canoe, and compelled it to hang back. The canoe, arriving late, could not get a single mule, and had to take only eleven horses. This causes bad blood, and such behaviour may possibly lead to the rain of the whole business. I fear that this event may give some trouble to the Court when the barque returns. » '.I 211 No. 364. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-General, Essequibo, January 11, 1762. (Extract.) NOPENS de zaken van Cajoefii zullen wij binnen korte een nadefe memorie aan hun Hoog Mogende praezenteeren. Bij geleegenheid van de nieuwe onltisten met de Spanjaarts in UEd. missive gemeld, kunnen wij niet nalaten te remarqueren dat t'ons vreemt voprkomt, dat UEd. de Genomene souters vaar tuijgen voor al die van Comp5 plantage Duijnen- hurg, niet hebt gereolameert, wij requireeren dat UEd, ten spoedigsten de reeden melde, waarom zulks door UEd. is nagelaten alzoo een weeijgerent antwoord van den Gouverneur van Cumana ons te meerder regt zou geven om over deeze gewelde- narijen met 't Hof van Spanje te klagen. CONCERNING the affairs of Cuyuni we shall ^ shortly present a further Memorial to the States- General. With reference to the fresh troubles with the Spaniards mentioned in your letter we cannot refrain from observing that it seems strange to us that you did not claim the captured salters' vessels, especially those belonging to the Com pany's plantation of Duijnenburg ; we request you furnish us as speedily as possible with the reasons why you refrained from doing so, since a refusal from the Governor of Cumana would give us a better right to complain about these acts of violence to the Court of Spain. B No. 365.. Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, February 9, 1762. (Extract.) • HET is my seer aengenaem geweest, te. sien U.E.G.A. mijn uijt treksel van de Caert van d'Anville behaegt heeft, de Caert van dien Heer is niet alleen de beste maer genoegsaem d'eenigste welke deese Oust wel en naer waerheijt.aftekent waerom ook niet gerust hebbe voor dat deselve hadde, hebbende deselve voor d'eerste mael soo alg; was uijtgekomen gesien in handen van Wijlen Sijn DoOrluchtige Hoogheijt Hoogl.Jj-ed. welke de goedheijt hadde mij in den jaere 1751 te toonen Hoope U.E.G.A. Het attentaet in Cajoenij niet uijt het oog sullen verliesen, die saek Ed. Gr. Ach. Heeren, is van.duijterste aengelegentheijt en meer als iemand in Europa sig soude konnen verbeelden om veele Seer gewichtige redenen. Mijn waeren ijveren. ter harte neming van het interest der maetschappije en Colonie, mijn Eed en plicht, laeten mij niet toe hier in Stil te sitten of die saek te.aegligeeren, en al waeren geen seer gewigtige redenen welke d'Ed Comp. nootsaekte het besit van Cajoenij ter harte te neemen. Soo kan niet sien waerom men de Spanjaerds toe soude laeten onse wettige besitiingen te ontrusten, en sig eijgen te .maken, hebben sij geen land geuoeg dat haer niet word • bedisputeert ?. Jae veel meer als sij beheereri konnen of oijt Sullen. .!¦ , (Sij sitten Ook h'og niet Stil, maer senden van tijd tot tijd detachementen welke tot bij de bene- denste val dicht bij de wooning van U.E.G.A. Crioolen komen waer door continueel Soo d' In gesetenen als onse Indiaenen allarmeeren, welke ieder reijs naer benede komen vlugten. Het welk Seerlastig is sij moeten groote en wel gewigtige redenen hebben om naer het besit van die tak van onse rivier te trachten. Waer aen ook geensints 'twijffele, maer hope ook U.E.G.A. de noodige middelen suRen weeten te vinden om haer dat te .beletten. • • ¦ * * * * * ] Soo lang mij d'Almogende kragten gelieft te verleenen, sal ik niet vertlauwen in het naersoeken "en achterhaelen der weglopers. Ik ben al te wel -overtuiigt van de groote consequentie van die saek, om daer in stil te sitten. Ook Soo lang wij het £eluk hiogen hebben wel te staen met d Indiaenen, I WAS very glad to see that your Lord ships were pleased with my copy of D'Anville's Map. That map is not only the best, but the only one in which this coast is exactly and truly C given, wherefore I did not rest until I had it, having seen the same in the hands of His late Serene Highness, who was kind enough to show it nie as soon as it was published in the year 1751. I trust that your Lordships will not lose sight of the outrage in Cuyuni. That matter, my Lords, is of the utmost importance for many very weighty reasons, and more than any one in Europe could imagine. Neither my true zeal nor the real interest I take in the welfare of the Company or Colony, nor yet my oath. and duty will allow me to sit still or to neglect this matter, and even if there were no important " reasons which compelled the Honourable Com pany to take a real interest in the possession of Cuyuni, I cannot see why we \ should permit the Spaniards to disturb and appropriate our lawful possessions. Have they not land enough of their own, the possession of which is not disputed ? Yes, much more than they can or ever will be able to govern. They are not yet quiet, but send detachments from time to time, which come down as far as the lowest fall, close to the awelling of your ^ Lordships' Creoles, by which both the settlers and our Indians are contiuu illy being alarmed, and take refuge each time down stream. This is very annoying. They must have great and important reasons to make such attempts to obtain possession of this branch of our river, and I have not the least doubt that such is the case, but I hope, too, that your Lordships may find a means of stopping them. * * * * As long as the Almighty gives me strength I shall not relax my efforts in looking for and bringing back the runaways. I am far too K deeply convinced of the important consequences of this matter to let it rest. So long as we have the good fortune to stand well with the Indians 212 A waer toe alle mijn pogingen aenwende en deselve ¦ de hand boven het hoofd houde en voor onder- drukking bewaere, Soo- lang. seg ik hebben wij - geen nood, geen Neger kan ontkomen als d' In dianen niet willen of sij moeten naer de Spanjaerds lopen dat men nu door het geval van Cajoenij ¦ minder als oijt kan verhinderen want larigs de zeekant sijn alle menschmogelijke precautien ge- bruijkt. Echter is die troost dat die geene die daer naer toe loopen ons ten minste geen quaed sullen doen. Echter sijn al een Stuk of tien welke de weg van Cajoenij meenrle in te slaen, door den Ingese- -" tene J. Crewitz onder de val woonende, en door den raed daer toe versogt en geauthoriseert, ge- vange en afgebragt. ***** Den Ingesetene Jan Dudonjon, naer Orinocque gesonden sijnde Om eenige Swarte Slaeven welke van hier weggelopen en aldaar geapprehendeert waeren te reclameeren, heeft niet alleen niets uijtgerecht, maer men heeft hem niet eens willen permitteeren voeten aen de wal te setten en is genootsaekt geworden aenstonds weder te ver trekken. p Deeze behandeling komt mij Seer vreemd voor, de beveelen van Sijn Catholique Majesteijt sijn de weggelope Negers of de waerde van dien aen d'Eijgenaers te restitueeren, die beveelen sijn in het begin wel naergekomen, en sijn verscheijde aen onse ingesetene betaelt, waer dit nu van daan komt Weet ik niet, of moest wezen dat den Commandant aldaer Dom Juan Valdez (welke ik geinformeert ben drie van deselve in Sijn huijs heeft) geen lust heeft die te betaelen, en daerom dafgesondenen maer weg jaegt. Ondertusschen Indien het Hof van Spanje van dien Heer sijn gedrag in den ver- boden Handel Welke hij alleen drijft en aeii alle jj andere belet, geinformeert was, Soude het geloof ik slegt met hem afloopen. ' -¦'£. il'. ik. jJ' &. yr? ^f ^r ifr ^ Waerom een diergelijke (dog veel nauwkeuriger) van deeze Colonie hebbe opgemaekt, Welke d'Eer hebbe U.E.G.A. per deeze occasie te senden, Hoo- , j peude deselve aen het oogmerk Sal voldoen. Uijt die naemwijser sullen U.E.G.A. konnen zien, het geringe aental Slaeven welk Sig in deeze Colonie bevinden, Soo dat het Seker verwonder- ings wnerdig is, waer alle de producten nog van daen komeri. : Of nu den opgaef der Slaeven van d'ingesetenen K juijst -naer gemoede en regtvaerdig geschiedt, is veel reden om aen te twijflelen, wijl veele Sijn welke een ruijme Conscientie hebben of mogelijk geene (and I shall always try to remain so), and keep them under our protection, so long, I say, we need haveaio fear, for, every-possible- precaution has been taken along the sea-coast, and no negroes can get away unless the Indians con nive at their escape or unless they go over to the Spaniards, which, since ' the. occurrence 'at Cuyuni, can scarcely be prevented. It is some' consolation, however, that those who do go to the Spaniards cannot do us any harm. As it happens, about ten of those who were on . their way to Cuyuni have been captured and brought back by the settler J. Crewitz, who lives below the fall, and who was asked and authorized by the Court to act in that way. * * * * The settler, Jan Dudonjon, having been sent to Orinoco to claim some black slaves Avho had run away from here, and had. been apprehended there, was not only unsuccessful in his mission, but was not even allowed to set foot on shore, and was obliged to return immediately. This treatment seems very strange to me. The orders of His Catholic Majesty are that either the runaway slaves are to be returned to their owners or their value paid. These orders were obeyed at first, and several of our settlers re ceived, compensation for their slaves. What is in the wind now I cannot tell, unless it be that the Commandeur there, Don Juan Valdez (whol am told has three of the runaways in his house), has no desire to pay, and therefore drives our ^ Envoys away. Meanwhile, if the Court of Spain1'** were informed of this gentleman's behaviour in the forbidden trade, which he alone carries on, though forbidding it to all others, I fancy that he would fare badly. Wherefore I have compiled a similar (but much more accurate) one of this Colony, which I have the honiur to send to your Lordships by this occasion, hoping it will fulfil its aim. From this register your Lordships will be able to see what a. small number of slaves there are in this Colony, and that it is really a matter of wonder where all the produce comes from. Whether the returns of the slaves are pro-s perly and truly made out by the settlers there is great reason to doubt, because there are many who have an elastic conscience, or probably none at all. i (Signed) L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE, Inclosure in No. 365. Register of the Colony of Essequibo and Demerary (1762). (Extract — Title-page.) NAEMWIJSER der Colonie Essequebo, Deme- rarij, en onderhoorige districten. Gelegen aen Zuijd Americas Noordkust omtrent op Seven graeden Noorderbreete en twee en veertig graeden lengte. Van de Kreek Abari ten Oosteu tot de rivier Amacura ten Noorden. bevattende de Rivieren Demerarij, Essequebo, Powaron, Weijne, en de groote Kreeken Maijkounij, Maheijka, Wac quepo, en Maroco. Sijnde een Streeklands langs de zeekust van omtrent een hondert eu twintig fuijlen, van 15 in een graed. " REGISTER of the Colony of EssequiboJ Demerary, and the dependent districts. Situated, on the north coast of South America, at about 7° latitude north and 42" longitude1: from the Creek Abari on the east to the River Amacura on the nortrt and comprising the Rivers Demerary, Essequibo, Pomeroon, Weynet and the large Creeks Maykouny, Maheyka:, Wacquepo, and Maroco, being a stretch of land along the sea-coast of about 120 [Dutch! miles', of 15 in 1°. .' 213 Toebehoorende aen d'Ed. Gen. Geoctroijeerde Westindische Compagnie der VerEenigde Neder ianden onder de bestieringe van de kamer Zee- landt. Belonging to the Honourable General A, Chartered West India Company of the United Netherlands, under the administration of the Chamber of Zeeland. [Here follows a list of the Company's officers, plantations, and of the colonists.] No. 366. The Court of Policy of Essequibo to West India Company, March 18, 1762. B (Extract.) DAT aen U. E. G. A. diversche consideratien voorgekomen waeren, aengaende den handel, die uijt dese Colonie op Rio Orinocque gedaen word, en 't welke U. E. G. A. in onse consideratje gelieven te geven, of het niet mogelijk, en voor d'Ed. Compagnie nuttiger Soude Wesen, dat dien ' handel dn diervoegen wierde gederigeert, dat de selve door de Spanjaarden uijt Orinocque op dese Landen moeste worden gedreeven, in plaets dat Sulks nu van hier op Orinocque geschiet, hebben wij nauwkeurig geobserveert en nemen de vrijheid ter genoegdoeninge van U. E. G. A. requisitie daer op Eerbiedig te antwoorden. Dat hun handel op verre na Soo voordeelig niet is, als men het wel aen U. E. G. A. Schijnt te hebben afgemaelt, 't sijn reeel, wel Ingesien sijnde, maer -bagatellen, geconsidereert de risico, en dat met soo :veel onsekerheijd en moeten daer bij voegen dat genoegsaem maer twee Ingesetenen dat is Persik 1 en Struijs, op die Spaensche Rivier handel drijven, en op hunne Vaertuijgen bevinden sig meesten- deels Spanjaerden Selve, aen welke de Negotie, soo van Beesten als Tabak word aen vertrouwt, hehalven dat wij ook geene redelijkheijd vinden, om dien, anders bij de Croon van Spanjen ver- boden handel, tegen te gaen Aengesien niemand der Ingesetenen van hier, een Pas op Orinocque vergund, of (Soo als U. E. G. A. weeten) kan ver- gund worden neemende deselve ordinair op St Eustatius. WE have given careful attention to the matters which your Lordships were good enough to submit to our consideration con cerning the trade which is carried on between this Colony and the River Orinoco, asking us whether it would not be possible and more advantageous to the Honourable Company if such trade were so managed that the business would' have to be contracted for by the Q Spaniards from Orinoco in this territory instead of our people going to Orinoco, as is now the case. In reply to this we take the liberty of respectfully answering that that trade is not nearly so profitable as appears to have been made out to your Lordships. It' really consists of mere bagatelles, and is considered so risky and precarious that not more than two of our settlers (Persik and Struys) carry on trade with that Spanish river. Their boats are mostly manned by Spaniards, who are intrusted with the business both in cattle and tobacco. We also consider it inexpedient to take up this D business, which, by the way, is forbidden by the Crown of Spain, seeing that none of our settlers are accorded a pass to Orinoco (as your Lord ships know), but are only allowed to have one to St. Eustatius. No. 367. E Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, April 3, 1762. (Extract.) IK hoope Haer Hoog Moogende een Favorabele resolutie wegens de Saeken van Cajoenij sullen gelieven te nemen en bij het Hof van Spanjen Justitie dies aengaende erlangen. * * * * Dat de Vaertuijgen doorde Spanjaerds genomen niet gereclameert hebbe is geschiedt Ed. Gr. Ach- baere Heeren om dat ik den Ingesetene Jan . Dudonjon naer Orinoque gesonden hebbende met Speciale Authorisatie om eenige weg gelopende \ Slaeven die claer gevange waeren te reclameeren £ngevolge cle beveelen van Sijn Catholique ajestijt) welke bevorens wel naergekome waeren, Den Commandant aldaer Don Juan Diaz Valdez, niet alleen hem niet heeft willen aenhooren, maer [696—2] I HOPE their High Mightinesses will be pleased to arrive at a favourable Resolution respecting the affairs of Cuyuni, and receive justice in this matter from the -Court of Spain. * * * * The reason why I did not claim the boats I* captured by the Spaniards is as follows :— The settler Jan Dudonjon having been sent by. me to Orinoco with special authority to claim (in accordance with the orders of His Catholic Majesty) a few runaway slaves who •were prisoners there, the Commandant there, Don Juan Diaz Valdez, -not only refused to give him a hearing, but forbade him to set foot on shore, ordering him to depart at once, and 3 I 214 a verboden een voet aen cle wal te setten, en ge- ordonneert aenstonds te vertrekken, hem laetende seggen naer Cumana konde gaen, Het Welk hij seer wel weet indien hem daer niet aen de wal liet komen, voor hem onmogelijk was. Bevorens ook een missive welke hem door den Commandant hadde laeten Schrijven ongeopendt te rug gesonden hebbende. Wat soude het dan baeten eenige verdere demarches te doen ? En kan dus geen weijgerend antwoord bekomen, als men de brieven dus te rug sendt, en dafgeson- clenen weg jaegt Sonder eens haer aenbrengen te willen hooren. sending him word that he might go to Cumand, though he knew full well that if the man was not allowed to land he could not possibly get there. Prior to this he had also returned to me unopened a letter which I had asked the Com mandant to write to him. Of what use would it therefore be to take further steps? One cannot even get a refusal when the letters are thus sent back unopened, and the Envoys are driven away unheard'. (Signed) ' L. STORM van 's GRAVESANDE. No. 368. c D Director- General, Essequibo, to West India Company, May 17, 1762. (Extract.) VOLGENS cle berichten van boven cle rivier verneme de Spaensche Indiaenen van cle Missien continueeren daegelijx tot aen cle groote val (waer onder U. E. G. A. crioolen woonen) te komen patrouilleeren. Sijnde ook alle de Caraibane uijt die rivier vertrokken en naer boven Essequebo gaen woonen. Hoe het met de Post Arinda boven Essequebo gaet weet ik niet, Den Posthouder hadde in de maend October des voorlede jaer af moeten .komen, of sijn bijlegger af senden, Hebbe hem tot nu toe niet vernomen, dat mij seer verwondert, en wat naevraeginge ik doe kan daer niets van ver- nemen Soo dat niet weete of sij levendig of dood Sijn. ben voornemens eersddaegs, claer naer toe te senden, om de reden van dat lang achter blijven t'ondersoeken. FROM the reports received from the upper part of the river, I learn that the Spanish Indians of the Missions continue to send out daily patrols as far as the great fall (just below which your Lordships' Creoles live) ; all the Caribs have also left that river, and gone to live above Essequibo. I do not know how matters stand in Post Arinda; the Postholder ought to have come down the stream in October last, or should have sent his assistant. Up to the present I have seen nothing of them, which astonishes me greatly, and whatever inquiries I make I can get to hear nothing of them, so that I do not know whether they are alive or dead. It is my intention to send someone out as soon as possible to make inquiries into the reason of this long delay. No. 369. E JJ West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Director-Gene red, Essequibo, August 23, 1762. (Extract.) DAAR is tot nog toe geen de minste antwoord van het Hof van Madrid op onse aan haar Hoog Mog. geprezenteerde memorie over Cajoeni geko men Weshalven wij van voornemens zijn, daar- over eerstdaags een nadere memorie aan Hoogst- dezelve haar Hoog Mog. te prezenteeren, met bijvoeginge van het gene zedert gebeurde, en vooral van hetgene van den ingezeten I. Dudonjon en welke nadere memorie veellicht nu vermids den oorlog met Engeland, van meerder invloed en effect zal wezen. Ondanks alle de redenen bij UE. missive geal- legeerd, hadden wij wel gewenscht dat UEd. de genomene zouters vaartuijgen behoorlijk had gereclameerd, een refuijs van den Commandeur van cle Oronocque zou ons te beter recht tot klagen aan den Souverain hebben gegeven, en wij recommandeeren UE. in het vervolg zig met alles er met de Spanjaarden zoude mogen voor vallen, direct en ten spoedigste aan het Gouvome- ment in de Oronocque te addresseren. UP to this time not the least answer has been received from the Court of Madrid to the Memo rial about Cuyuni presented by us to the States- General. In view of this, it is our intention to shortly present a further Memorial upon that subject to the States-General, with addition of what has happened since, and especially of the matter of the colonist I. Dudonjon. This further Memorial will probably now be of more influence and effect, because of the war with England. Nothwithstanding all the reasons alleged in your letter, we could have wished that you ha<|. duly claimed the captured salters' vessels ; a - refusal from the Commandeur of the Orinoco would have given us a better right to complain to the Sovereign, and we recommend you to address the Government in Orinoco directly and as speedily as possible concerning anything that might henceforth happen with the Spaniards. 215 No. 370. West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Commandeur, Demerary, August 23, 1762. .Ann den Commander van Dimmerary Laurens Lodewijk van Berghijk. Micldelb. clen 23 Aug. 1762. Eerzame Discrete, &c. : Uijt UE. missive van 'den 31 Maart deeses loopenden jaars, hebben wij gezien dat UE. niet ongenegen zoude wezen, om - een meetkundige kaart, van de rivier van Esse quebo te maken, mits wij konden resolveeren UE. in de onkosten tegemoed te komen, dan alvorens daaromtrend finaal iets te besluyten dienen wij te weten. Eerst, hoe groet de somma eensgevens geld zoude wezen, die UEd. mits dan alle onkosten op zich nemende, zoucle nodig hebben, om de voorsz. rivier te meten en te carteren. Ten tweeden, of op dezelve kaart of op een - aparte by die gelegenheijd niet zou kunnen wer den gebragt de kust van Essequebo af tot de 'Oronocque toe, met een accuraate plaatsinge van de monden van de Rivieren Pouweron, Weine, en Barima, en zoodanige andere als tusschen Esse quebo en d'Oronocque in zee vallen. En, eijndelijk, ten derden, hoe lang werks UE. tot dat alles zoudt nodig hebben. Op welk alles wij UE. rescriptie tegemoet zullen zien, ook geven wij UE. bij dezen kennis ¦ dat wij de nodige, ordres hebben gesteld, clat de brieven van Dimmerary voortaan in een aparte brievezack zullen worden verzonden. Waarmede etc. A. DUVELAAR. PS. RIBAUT. To the Commandeur of Demerary, Laurens Lode wijk van Bercheyck. Middelburg, August 23, 1762. Sir, &c, — From your letter of the 31st March of this year we have seen that you would not be disinclined to make a map, based on actual sur veys, of the river of Essequibo, provided we could resolve to aid you as to the expenses. However, before we take any final decision on this head, we must know. First; how great would be the sum of money, to be paid once for all, which you would need, while taking upon yourself all the necessary expenses, to survey and make a map of the aforesaid river. Second, whether on that map, or on a separate one, there might not on that occasion be brought in the coast from Essequibo as far as Orinoco, with an accurate location of the mouths of the Rivers Pomeroon, Waini, and Barima, and such others as empty into the sea between Essequibo and the Orinoco. And, finally, third, how long a time you would need for all this. As to all of which we shall await your answer, and we, moreover, inform you herewith that we have taken the necessary measures for having the Demerara letters henceforth dispatched in a sepa rate letter-bag. And herewith, &c. (Signed; A. DUVELAAR. PS. RIBAUT. A B 0 No. 371. Secretary, Essequibo,' to West India Company, August 25, 1762. DEN 1 6e dezer, is Den Heer Directeur-Gene- .Taal, weder uijt Dimmerary, aen het Fort, gere\er- teerd. Den 17e dito, op cle begravenisse van den gewe- . senen Chirurgijn Mayoor Dijkman Synde, quam den Directeur Pipersberg, mij rapport doen, dat zijn zouters Canno, bij de Rivier van Weyne door de Spanjaerds genomen was, met 8J oxhoofden -zeekantse vis, sijnde den Creool uijtloper Jan Broeck gehorende aen de Plantagie cle Pelgrim, nog gelukkig geechapeert en thuijs gekomen. Dese gevallen sijn fattael, en ik heb mij terstond bij Den Heer Directeur Generaal begeven, en ' deselve versogt, dat Schoon deze Canno, ' aen d'Ed. Compagnie, niet half soo veel waerdig was, als 't laest genomen vaertuijg van Duijnenburg dit, sonder eenig tijdsversuijm, in naem van Hun Hoog Moge., en U. E. G. A. mogte worden. gere- clameert sijn W. E. G. heeft mij ook belooft, dit te sullen doen, ik wil hoopen het tenbesten uijt- vallen mag ; op Sekere gerugten, ;heb ik geen Canno van U. E. G. A. plantagien willen permit- teren, dit jaer naer d'Orinocque uijt zouten te senden, maer soo men tot aen Weijne, dat U. E. G. A. Rivier, soo wel als dese is, niet mag gaen, weet ik niet, wat in 't vervolg te doen, om kost voor cle slaeven te bekomen ; soo 'er geen Engelsche Bakel- (Extract.) ON the 16th of this month the Director- General returned to the fort from Demerary. D On the 17th, whilst I was attending the funeral of the late Surgeon-Major Dijkman, the Director Pipersberg came and reported to me that his Salter's canoe had been seized by the Spaniards near the River of Weyne,' with 8-^ hogs heads of salt-water fish, the creole messenger, Jan Broeck, belonging to the plantation of De Pelgrim, having fortunately escaped and come home. These occurrences do a deal of harm, and I immediately proceeded to the Director- E General, and requested him to claim this canoe without any delay in the name of their High Mightinesses and your Lordships, although it was not worth half as much as the boat that was last captured from Duynenburg. His Honour promised me to do so, and I trust that it will turn out well. Acting upon some reliable information I received, I have allowed no canoe belonging to your Lordships' plantations to go out salting to Orinoco this year ; but if we may not go as far as Weyne, which is your Lordships' river as much as this one, I do not know Avhat to do in future to get food for the slaves. If E on English cod (which is now scarce, and runs 216 A jauw (die nu Schaers is, en tot 4 & 5 St. lb. loopt) of Stokvis kan gekregen worden, moeten cle slae ven sonder kost blijven, en dit kan van geen goede gevolgen wesen. Ik presumere dat dese laeste Canno, nevens die van den Ingeseten Buis son, niet door Spanjaards uijt d'Orinocque maer door Rovers van Trinidados, of de Margrietes ge nomen is. * P.S. — Soo even verneme dat de Canno van cle Pelgrim, door een vaertuijg van Trinitados geno men is, sijnde de Canno daerop gestrand en gebor1- T) sten, dus weg. to Ad. and 5